Hello m'dears! First off, many apologies for the delay (see end notes for further explanations). For now, please enjoy.

Betaed by kailthia. Thank you so much for your excellent editing work! Please visit her on her tumblr (under the username kailthia).

Chapter 3

Like any Dwarf faced with the possibility of inevitable, unspeakable horror facing his way, Fíli reacts the way any of his brethren would – he immediately goes into deep-seated denial.

"That's ridiculous, Thorin," Fíli chuckles nervously. He shuffles a little in place, looking down at his boots to avoid making horrible, awkward eye contact. "Why would anyone be interested in me?"

"I am not certain if you are aware, Cousin Fíli, but you are the Prince of what is possibly the richest Dwarven Kingdom in Middle-Earth," Young Thorin drawled, raising an incredulous brow. "Not to mention that the stories of your contribution during the journey to reclaim Erebor and during the battle have greatly added to your allure. Any Dwarf would be a fool not to be attracted."

"Wait," Fíli whipped his head up. "What do you mean, stories?"

"Stories about you, Cousin!" Thorin threw his hands up in the air, "Oh for goodness' sake – your actions, along with the Dwarves in King Thorin's Company, were most exemplary. In fact, they were so exemplary that the bards have had the most extraordinary time weaving them into sonnets, songs, and poems…" he trailed off when he noticed Fíli's confused daze had morphed into a look of mild panic. "You mean to tell me," he said slowly, "that you had no idea, absolutely zero idea that any of this was going on?"

"I – uh –" Fíli stammered.

Thorin broke into a large mischievous grin and he began to chortle, "Ohoh, this is too rich! All this time, you were completely unaware of what was being said! This needs to be rectified."

"Oh, sweet merciful Mahal," muttered Fíli as he buried his face in his hands. He was already regretting this conversation. Deeply. "Can we, can we possibly not?"

"Among the Dwarves in Thorin Oakenshield's Company," Young Thorin began to narrate loudly. Fíli cannot help but notice that the brunet was sounding entirely way too well-practiced for his liking. "Prince Fíli the Golden, Heir to Erebor, has shone bright through his acts of bravery, despite his youth. During the great Battle for Erebor, the Prince never wavered in his conviction to defend his king, his kin and his home. He was surrounded on all sides by the dark, swarming masses of putrefied evil that are the Orcs and Goblins. Any being would have seen the bleak situation and fled. The Golden Prince, however, did not. Onwards he charged, cutting through legions of his enemies with his twin blades, his blows swift and ferocious as a hunting lion of Harad."

Thorin started to pace, his voice rising with excitement. "The Battle was growing more hopeless by the minute. Azog's allies had managed to scale over Erebor, effectively trapping the heroes in the south valley. From their perch high above the battleground one word, they launched all manners of detritus – arrows, knives, great big boulders – anything that can skewer, maim, and kill the unfortunate souls in the valley below. However, this new development did not faze the Golden Prince! He continued his relentless slaughter of the Orcs and Goblins, for any enemy who dared to harm his King and his home does not deserve mercy."

The brunet made slashing motions, mimicking the fight. Fíli took a step back to avoid getting hit, but with every word out of Young Thorin's lips came the flashing images of the Battle. This was wrong, this was all wrong.

"The battle raged on for hours, but when the dust had finally settled in the blood-soaked valley, the Golden Prince remained standing, ever guarding his king. He was battle-worn and weary, but his spirit was unbroken and he was undefeated."

Thorin stood still and gestured to the silent blond, "So, you see, cousin, this is why you have garnered the adoration of the Dwarves in Middle-Earth. That was only a small taste of the many tales sung in your name." He shrugged and added, "Personally, my favourite was the bit at the Goblin Cave. Exciting stuff!"

"Those tales," Fíli said, quiet and dangerous, "are nothing but lies." The blond was expecting humiliation but nothing like this, nothing like the sheer level of falsehood that painted him as some sort of a great hero.

How dare they? How dare they twist his actions into something great when they were nothing of the sort? And how dare they throw their lies back into his face, as if he would be proud of his actions?

He took a step forward and he was shaking, he was so angry that he was shaking, "We were surrounded – "

By the screams of the dying, some going down clawing at their throats and choking in their own blood.

"And we were trapped in the valley with hordes of advancing Orcs with no way out and nowhere to move but forward."

The heavy press of stinking bodies threatened to suffocate him, but he needed to find Uncle. He needed to find Kíli.

"So I did what I could to move forward, to get to the King."

He hacked gracelessly at his foes, his motions automatic from the decades of training with Dwalin. The familiar movement was the only thing keeping him from breaking down into a state of complete panic. He could hear the sound of his own racing heartbeat pounding into his chest over the dying gurgles of the Orc he had just slain. Where was Kíli? Where was Uncle?

"I got close. I could see Uncle fighting against two foes. I killed anyone around him who dared to attack him when his back was turned."

Goblins and Orcs with spears and swords, all jeering at the possibility of drawing blood from the great Thorin Oakenshield. Their excitement was disgusting and Fíli would be damned if he let any of those things touch his Uncle. That was the closest he had gotten to taking pleasure out of ending a life.

"And then I – "

A familiar cry of pain caught his attention. He whirled around in time to see Kíli stagger a few steps, his balance wavering. An Orcish arrow, black and crooked, had found its mark in his brother's chest.

No. Nononono.

"And then I –"

Kíli crumbled to the floor, his face frozen in shock, and all Fíli could do was stare in horror. This was his brother, his baby brother who meant more than the moon, the sun, the world to him and he was – he was –

"Kíli got hurt and I tried to –I got distracted."

Before he knew it, he charged, cleaving the Orcs surrounding his brother. He needed to get to Kíli, he needed to protect his brother. He had promised!

"I didn't notice my attacker until I was too late."

Dimly, he heard a voice shouting his name (Fíli! Fíli!) desperately, but he ignored the warnings, not until he saw from the corner of his eyes, a flash of metal swinging towards him. Suddenly, he was tackled hard to the ground and a familiar, heavy weight (Uncle Thorin?) was pressing painfully against his bruised chest.

"Uncle saved me."

The sick, wet sound of blade entering flesh followed by his uncle's pained gasp was something that he was going to remember for a very long time.

A moment of tense silence filled the room. Fíli, who had taken that first brazen step forward, felt himself deflate as the rush of anger leave him. And now, his cousin Thorin knows the true story of just how much Fíli had failed that day.

"I do not presume to know how you perceived your actions in battle, Cousin Fíli," came Young Thorin's tentative response. The brunet slowly moved closer to Fíli and placed both hands over the prince's shoulder. "What I do know is that the Battle was one stacked heavily against you. It was a battle where, for all intents and purposes, there was very little chance for any Dwarf to survive. You knew that, going into the battle, and so did the rest of the Company, but despite the knowledge, you still chose to fight, not for yourself, but for your king, your kin and a future home for all Dwarves."

Thorin shook his head, "Whether you believe me or not, that is bravery. You fought for the better good, and you won. I cannot imagine anything more worthy of praise, and neither do any other Dwarves."

Fíli scoffed in a self-deprecate manner. "Unfortunately for me, that is the root of my problems. It's because everyone else thinks like you do that I have this potential suitor problem, if what you are telling me is true."

"Aye," Thorin nodded and slowly let go of Fíli. He cocked his head, "May I ask how you would respond to this problem if it does arise?"

Fíli shrugged. "Honestly, I have no idea." Nonetheless, Fíli welcomed the question. If anything, it served as a distraction from his dark thoughts. "Hmm, I will most likely make myself scarce through whichever means possible. Maybe I'll spend more time on paperwork?" Goodness knows Uncle needed all the help he could get even if the old Dwarf was too stubborn and proud to relinquish any of his responsibilities to others. "Or maybe, I could hide somewhere. The gardens? The libraries?"

Thorin pursed his lips in obvious dissatisfaction. "I thought as much," he muttered under his breath. He added louder, "May I suggest another solution? I believe I have a strategy that could nip the problem at the bud."

"No, absolutely not! I refuse to take part in this…this web of lies!"

"It is hardly a web of lies, Cousin. More like a…single, perpetual lie that extends throughout the month-long celebration – "

"That is not any better!"

Fíli spent the night tossing and turning in bed. Between his memories from the battle and his cousin's words of warning, Fíli could not let his thoughts stay silent for long enough for him to doze off. At some point during the night, he got so desperate that he tried implementing every trick he had learned to fall asleep. Counting sheep did nothing but bore him (unfortunately, not enough to put him to sleep), and a warm glass of milk, while pleasant, did nothing but provide him with a nice snack. Finally, when the golden tendrils of the sun's ray came creeping through his window across his bedchambers' stone walls, Fíli threw his covers away in frustration and disgust.

Slowly, he shuffled to the breakfast room that adjoined his and Kíli's room, and he collapsed into his seat in a graceless sprawl. It was too early for breakfast and, by default, too early to expect Kíli's presence. While Fíli was itching to speak to his brother, he was not cruel enough to drag the brunet out of bed at the ass crack of dawn, just because Fíli wanted someone to hear him whine.

I'll tell him when he gets here, Fíli thought fuzzily. Yawning, he rested his head in the cradle of his arms on the table top. Kíli had acted as Fíli's confidant ever since he was little. Even though Kíli had effectively hidden himself in his bedchambers after the battle, Fíli had no doubt that his brother would be there when he needed him. Kíli has always been.

Kíli will probably laugh at this suitor problem, it's pretty ridiculous.

"Fíli?"

A nudge to his shoulder sent Fíli jerking up with a snort. He quickly looked around him with blurred eyes. "Whargh?"

Kíli's face slowly swam into view. "Fíli?" Kíli asked again, his amusement apparent. "What are you doing out here sleeping on the table? You should be in bed!"

"I couldn't sleep there," Fíli mumbled as he wiped the line of drool from the corner of his mouth. Urgh. "Had a terrible night, couldn't keep my thoughts quiet and I…" he trailed off once he registered the sight in front of him, "Kíli, what are you doing in yesterday's clothing?"

Kíli's clothes from yesterday's feast has seen better days; the pristine Durin-blue outfit was heavily wrinkled, splattered in mud, and on the pant legs, stained green from grass. Kíli's formerly neat hair was a tangled, matted mess. Even his silver coronet lay crooked across his brow.

Not like his little brother felt any smidgen of shame, though. The large beaming smile on his face was telling enough.

"I spent the night stargazing with Tauriel!" he began in a rush. "Did you know that the Elves have their own constellations? And the stories that went with them! Tauriel seems to know them all!"

"Oh, that's…uhm, nice," Fíli offered, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease from unfurling in his stomach. Again with the Elf, and how amazing she is. What Fíli would do to go one day without hearing his brother rain more praises on the ever-perfect Elven captain. "What happened to addressing her as 'Miss Tauriel' that you seem so fond of doing?"

Kíli blushed. The feeling of unease darkened into something more poignant. "She told me that I could address her by her first name," he mumbled. His eyes widened in sudden realization, "Unless she was just saying that to be polite and I was stupid enough to take what she was saying at face value! Arrgh!" He buried his face in his hands. "Why am I so bad at talking to girls?" he groaned hopelessly.

A small part of Fíli was tempted to say something that could separate his brother from that Elf,and it would've have been so, so easy. He could suggest to Kíli that a little time apart from the Elf would give her some time to forgive him, or he could offer to distract his brother with a trip to the tavern to help drown out his embarrassment.

One look at his brother's misery and Fíli felt the words die on his tongue. Damn it.

"She's not offended, don't be an idiot," Fíli said instead, if not a bit grumpily. "Miss Tauriel seems the type who won't bother to hide if something is annoying her, she'll just say it instead." At Kíli's perked expression, Fíli added, this time definitely sounding sullen, "You're doing fine. Just fine."

Right. That was more than enough that Fíli wanted to say about this subject. Every time he even heard anyone mention Tauriel, that same dark feeling of intense dislike would flare up. Best avoid that topic altogether.

"You must be hungry," Fíli offered. He absentmindedly ran his hand into his hair and grimaced when his fingers snagged a tangle. What a mess. "I can order us some breakfast after I tame this bed head, and it will give you some time to clean up a bit. I have something to tell you as well."

"Oh, um, sorry Fíli," Kíli apologized sheepishly and with a little shrug, "Can this wait? I'm busy at the moment. I promised Tauriel that I would spend the day with her."

As the archer spoke, he began striping the fineries off his tunic. He nonchalantly unclipped the cape from his back, not caring about the dried flecks of dirt and grass that rained on to the floor. "She's waiting to take me somewhere, wouldn't tell me where though." He removed the coronet from his head and tossed it on the table without a second glance. "I'm just here to find my hunting knife. I think I left it here the other day. You haven't seen it, have you?"

"No, I haven't," Fíli said as the archer spent no time beginning to rifle through the furniture for his lost item. "But what about breakfast?"

It remained an unspoken rule between the two brothers to share breakfast with each other. Even when Kíli was in his state of deep melancholy during his recovery after the battle –

Go away, Fíli! I don't need you here!

Damn it, Kíli! You can barely move your arms. Shut up and let me help you, I'm not going anywhere!

They had stayed true to that one tradition.

"I'll figure something out for breakfast. Maybe I'll stop by the kitchen and grab something for Tauriel as well," came Kíli's muffled voice at the back of the room. "Aha! There it is!" He pulled his hunting knife from under a pillow and brandished it in the air. "Everything seems to be in order." He nodded to his brother, "Well, I'm off then. We'll talk later, alright? Get some sleep, Fíli!"

With a parting clap to Fíli's shoulder, Kíli strode out of the room with a spring to his step before the blond could even respond.

"It's as if he's trying to avoid me!" Fíli groaned from his slumped position over the wooden library table. "I don't understand, Ori! He's been behaving so oddly!" He batted at the pile of scrolls in front of him. The sound of them scattering across the table brought a thrill of satisfaction up his spine.

It's been three days since Fíli had his chat with Kíli, and during that time, he barely got to see his brother at all. Kíli would leave their apartments first thing in the morning before breakfast, reappear for any meetings that Uncle had requested his attendance for, only to disappear immediately afterwards. The only times Fíli got to speak to his brother was during the meeting recesses and during dinner time. However, Fíli's duty as the Crown Prince meant that he spent his recesses greeting the Iron Hills ambassadors. At dinner, Fíli was seated at the high table between the two Thorin's and could only really converse with those two.

Great. Just great.

"Stop that!" Ori rushed over the table, gathering the scrolls and holding them protectively to his chest. "I just organized these the way I wanted them!"

"I doubt it," Fíli propped his chin up with one hand to stare disbelievingly at his friend. "I watched you spent the last twenty minutes reorganizing that same pile of scrolls four times. As far as I'm concerned, I'm just helping with your reorganization efforts."

"Your lies are neither believable nor appreciated," Ori harrumphed, turning on his heels and marching resolutely to a nearby shelf to deposit his precious cargo. It was probably for the best that he didn't see Fíli's mischievous grin. "You're just as useful as that group of 'helpers' the King assigned to me."

"Speaking of which, where are they?" Fíli leaned back until he was balancing on the back legs of his chair. It was a childish habit that his mother had chastised him for years, but every now and then, he would find himself lapsing. "I haven't seen anyone in the library except you and me."

Ori passed behind Fíli, but not before deftly smacking the back of his head. Fíli yelped and righted his chair before he could fall. "I sent them away," Ori said simply as he grabbed another armful of scrolls. "They were terrible at organizing things. They were stacking agricultural manuals with taxation reports!" Ori placed the scrolls in the proper shelves with more force than strictly necessary. "How?" he cried, "How would anyone with common sense do something like that?"

"Uh huh," Fíli nodded along. Whenever Ori got into this state of righteous fury, it was best just to go along with it. "What else did they do?"

"Only half of them would work, and they would do a shoddy job of it." Ori whirled around and gestured at a ramshackle shelf to his right, "I had to redo all the work that they did over at that shelf. At this rate, I might as well do the job properly from the get-go!"

The scholar pulled a stool beside Fíli and sat down. "Those who weren't working would stand around and stare at me! It's unnerving."

"Who could blame them? They've never seen a Ri up close and personal before," Fíli said teasingly. Ori scowled.

The brothers Ri were well known to be some of the most stunning dwarves among the Long Beards on this side of prominent facial features, their stoutness, and their intricately designed braids have stolen the hearts of many back in Ered Luin. In fact, their beauty was said to be second only to Glóin's Firebeard wife.

Once upon a time, when Fíli was much younger and, admittedly, much more foolish, he had toyed with the idea of courting Ori. He was almost certain that his Uncle would not have objected to the match even if the Ris were not of royal birth. Fíli had refrained from taking action, though. Maybe it was his inner desire to find his One that stilled his hand. Alternatively, it could be the healthy dose of fear for Dori and Ori's legions of admirers.

Whatever the reason, Fíli was infinitely glad for his inaction. He couldn't imagine having Ori as a close friend otherwise.

"Haha, very funny," Ori nudged Fíli playfully on the shoulder. "Enough about me, what was it you wanted to say about Kíli?"

Fíli's good mood fled instantly. "Kíli has been spending all of his time with that she-Elf captain," the blond said sullenly. "We haven't had breakfast together for three days now. You know how he feels about breakfast!"

"With an unholy, all-encompassing love and obsession," Ori responded drily. "So Kíli's been spending time with Miss Tauriel and you don't like it. Why?"

"Because the way he's behaving doesn't make any sense!" Fíli exclaimed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You remember how he was like before the celebrations. He was antisocial, he refused to leave his room, and he wouldn't let anyone visit him without putting up a fight! Not Bilbo, not Uncle, not –"

He left the 'me' unspoken, but judging from Ori's knowing gaze, the scholar had understood.

"And suddenly, Tauriel makes her appearance and Kíli becomes a different person! He's practically fleeing his room just so he could spend every second of the day with her!" Fíli shook his head, frustrated, "He's acting as if everything is normal now and he isn't telling me anything."

"Why don't you just ask him what's wrong?"

"I can't, Ori." Fíli shook his head again. He slumped back onto the desk and mumbled, "Have you seen how happy he is now? I don't want to bring anything up that would ruin that, not when he's been miserable for so long."

Fíli heard Ori sigh, before being gently coaxed into a hug by a pair of warm arms. The blond happily accepted by latching on to the scholar and nuzzling into his friend's soft scarf. Ori was the best.

"I can relate to Kíli, you know." Ori spoke softly, "As a younger sibling, that is."

"Hmm?"

"Sometimes, Dori and Nori can be a bit too much and I need some time to myself to work out my own issues. And sometimes, I need a bit of fresh perspective from someone who's not that close to me."

Fíli grumbled unhappily, "So you're saying that Uncle and I are coddling Kíli too much, and he's run off to someone else who won't treat him the same way?"

"Maybe?" Fíli could hear the laughter in Ori's voice. "Have you been coddling Kíli too much?"

"I don't know!" Maybe Fíli had been smothering Kíli a little too much during his recovery. "He scared me. I saw the arrow go through, and it scared me."

Fíli felt Ori tightened his hold. "I know, it scared me too. But he's alright now, and you can stop worrying about his health. I think he just needs a little time to himself. Once he has a chance to work through his problems on his own, he'll come back, you'll see."

"I hope so," Fíli said, already feeling cheered by the prospect. Ori really was the best.

It dawned on Fíli that he may have neglected to tell Ori about his potential suitor-problem as he stared at the little package sitting on the floor by the door to his private chambers.

"Oh well," he muttered, bending down nonchalantly to pick it up. It had been a week, and this was the first sign that anyone was showing interest in him. Maybe Cousin Thorin was blowing this whole suitor problem out of proportion.

He felt significantly less optimistic the next morning, when he found three new packages sitting by his doorstep.

"As per yesterday's meeting, Lord Dáin II of the Iron Hills would like to offer the following terms for the new trade and sales agreement between the Iron Hills and Erebor: 3000 tonnes of steel, and 2000 tonnes of raw iron for the price of – "

Fíli stifled a yawn for the umpteenth time that afternoon as he let Lord Thrim's words fade into the background. The meeting between the ambassadors from the Iron Hills and Erebor had dragged on for hours, and if Fíli's observations were correct, the sheer dryness of it all was slowly sapping all of the attendees' will to live. From across the table, Kíli was obviously nodding off, his head sinking lower and lower towards the table. He jerked awake whenever Dwalin, who was standing guard behind him, unsubtly kicked the back legs of his chair.

Snickering quietly to himself, Fíli turned to his uncle seated to his left. From an outsider's point of view, King Thorin looked as regal and attentive as always with his straight posture and his sharp, unwavering gaze on the speaker. Fíli, however, knows his uncle well, and could see the subtle signs that speak otherwise. For one, the blond could hear the occasional soft sighs coming from the King, and for another, Fíli could see the increasing speed in which his uncle was drumming his fingers against the arm of his chair.

Uncle is possibly more annoyed and bored by the proceedings than anyone else in the room. He's just much better at disguising it.

"Perhaps a small recess would be good," Balin (sweet, merciful Balin) spoke up when Lord Thrim finished his speech. "With your permission of course, your Majesty?"

At Thorin's nod, the room broke out into excited chatter as if life had immediately returned to all of the Dwarves.

"Well, that was certainly an exciting process," Thorin Stonehelm sidled up to Fíli and said as a greeting. "Lord Thrim certainly knows how to make a rousing speech that captures the audience. He's a fantastic speaker, that one!"

Fíli chuckled. "Hello cousin," he said, "if it makes you feel any better, we only need to stay here for another hour or so. Afterwards, we can all move on to doing something grander and more exciting, like watching the grass grow."

"At least that involves being outside, with the fresh breeze blowing in your hair, and the sun warming your skin. What's not to love about that?" Young Thorin grinned cheekily. "On the subject of interesting things, how goes your suitor problem?"

"That was a terrible segue, and a lazy attempt at gossip," Fíli crossed his arms and sent a judgmental look towards the other Dwarf. "I am mildly embarrassed for you."

"And you are trying to distract me from the real issue at hand, but I will not be so easily tricked!" Young Thorin only grinned wider. Fíli wondered if he ever felt a smidgeon of shame. Somehow, he doubted it. "Now, confess. Are you, or are you not, currently buried in love letters and presents yet?"

"I am sorry to disappoint you, but your prediction was wrong." That was a lie, and he was not sorry at all. "And I'll have you know, if I do receive a present, I have every intention of sending it back to the sender." At least, this was what he planned on doing once he could figure out who the personal sigils on his presents belonged to. Why couldn't the Dwarves just write their names legibly on a card or something?

"Well, I wouldn't get too comfortable yet, Cousin! I know on good authority that there will be a storm coming; a storm of romance to tear down the icy walls of your heart." Thorin winked saucily.

Fíli cringed. "I didn't think it was possible," he said, disgusted, "but your metaphors are literally worse than your pitiful segue attempt. Also, on whose authority did you get this information from?"

"Oh, various peoples'," the brunet gestured vaguely into the air. "Let's just say that my Iron Hills brethren like to gossip, but never you mind! I shall let you know if there are any new developments. Until then, good day, Cousin Fíli." He raised his voice and added, "And a good day to you as well, Cousin Kíli!"

Fíli looked over his shoulder and saw Kíli strolling towards them, scowling, before turning back to a rapidly retreating Thorin. "Don't think I didn't notice that you never answered my question!"

"What question?" Kíli asked once he reached his brother's side. "What did he want with you now?"

"He wanted –" Fíli stopped mid-sentence as Ori's words from the previous evening came flooding back. Kíli already has his own issues to deal with. What good would it do for Fíli to throw his problems at his brother as well? The last thing he wanted was to increase Kíli's burden, especially if this suitor problem wasn't even so much of a problem but a minor inconvenience.

"He wanted to bother me, because he's a bit of a prat," Fíli heard himself respond automatically instead. "How are you doing?"

Kíli still looked a bit suspicious, but he didn't question any further. Instead, he shrugged. "I'm doing alright. Been spending my time outside with Tauriel, mostly." He shifted his weight a little and mumbled, "You don't mind, do you?"

Fíli tampered down the sudden flare of bitterness. "No, no, it's – uh – it's great, Kíli." He forced himself to beam widely. Kíli needed his support and Fíli wasn't going to deny him that, his petty feelings be damned. "I'm glad she's keeping you Fíli lowered his voice and added, more gently but his tone earnest, "Take as long as you need, alright? I don't mind, and no one else does, either."

For a second there, Kíli looked back at Fíli with wide-eyed shock, but his surprise quickly transformed into relief, and the tension drained out of the archer's shoulders.

"Thank you, Fíli," the brunet choked out. He gave Fíli a watery smile.

Huh. Guess Ori was right about Kíli after all.

Destiny was out to ruin Fíli's good mood.

Or at least, the blond felt that this was true when he found four new, silk-wrapped presents piled against the door of his private chambers.

He was able to refrain his loud cursing until he had fully closed the door behind him.

A/N: Many, many thanks for all of your support. I understand that I am taking a risk with this Fili/Kili pairing but thank you so much for those who are willing to chance it even if this is not your thing. As to the readers who are new to my writing, I hope you will find it enjoyable. As always, I love to hear back from all of you and I appreciate every review, comment, kudos, favourite, bookmark, or whatever. :)

Apologies again for the delay. RL has really taken the toll on me (those of you following my tumblr have probably heard your fair share of my whining, haha).

The original Chapter 3 that I've written stood at 10k words and was ready to be posted last week. Unfortunately, my computer decided to die a horrible death then. The current Chapter 3 is the result of me rewriting the whole thing from scratch. I also decided to shorten it for the sake of improving the flow of the story telling. Personally, I like the current version more than the work I've lost, so at least there's that silver lining there.

Thank you so much for reading! I may be slow at updating but I do promise you that this fic will be finished. You can at least have faith in me for that. :D