AN – I can't really even apologize for taking a year and a half to get back to writing. Suffice it to say that real life has been a complete whirlwind. BUT, I am getting back into writing and I should be able to get the rest of this story typed up and posted within the next couple of months! So, even though it feels insane to say because I don't really deserve forgiveness, I am so, so sorry that it has taken me so long to get back into writing, and that I'm only giving you this tiny little piece. I hope that you enjoy it, and I appreciate all of you who have been so encouraging and patient with me!

Warnings: Dwalin says a potty word.

Greater than Gold
Chapter 24: Eighty-One and Seventy-Six - Interlude
By Displaced Hobbit

An uncomfortable weight has settled atop his chest. In his heart, Dwalin knows that he has done the right thing by telling Kíli the truth, just as surely as he knows he has betrayed Thorin by doing so. He can only hope that this is a betrayal Thorin will forgive. They've known each other their entire lives, and been through more quarrels than most, but it still sits ill with him that he forced Thorin's hand.

He knew Kíli; he had trained him himself. The lad was as ready as any of the rest of them to embark on this quest. Thorin knew, too, but his reluctance was understandable. Those boys meant the world to Thorin, and the thought of losing both of them on a quest to slay a dragon was not an easy one for Thorin to ignore. Still, Gandalf was right that they needed more members in the company, and an extra dwarf was worth 100 men.

Dwalin navigates through the sitting room where the rest of the company is in drastically varying moods. His brother is positively sulking from his seat by the fire (as much as Balin attempted to play the stern schoolmaster, he was just as fond of the boys as anyone else), while Ori happily chats with his brothers on the other side of the room. He nods as he passes by the old wizard, who regards him with a kindly expression and a hint of a smile, as he continues down the hall. Thorin had retreated to his room once Kíli's oath was complete, without acknowledging anyone else. Dwalin wanted to make sure that his friend was all right, especially given the odd turn the oath had taken.

He pushes the door open without bothering to knock, and almost falls over backwards at what he sees.

Thorin is sitting with his back against his bed, and he is crying. His face is buried in his hands, shoulders shaking with the force of his silent sobs.

Close as they are, Dwalin has only seen him cry and handful of times, and it feels like unfamiliar territory every time. "Thorin," he murmurs, pushing the door closed behind him before he settles down beside him, shoulders pressed close.

Thorin doesn't lift his head, but takes a deep breath to calm his shaking. "I'm fine," he grumbles.

"You're a shit liar," he retorts, and Thorin chokes on a watery laugh.

"I'm sending him to his death," he mumbles, hands fisting in his hair. "I can't…"

"You're not," Dwalin reassures him. "We're going to do everything we can to keep him safe. To keep them both safe."

Thorin shakes his head. "After Dis and Víli died…I…I swore I would protect them and I'm taking them halfway across the world, and…" He chokes on another sob, loosing his composure to continue.

"There are no guarantees out in the wild," Dwalin murmurs softly. "You and I both know this. But there are 10 dwarves who will lay their lives down for them without a second thought-"

"I will die before any harm comes to them, Dwalin," he interjects. "You know that I will."

Dwalin nudges him gently with his shoulder. "He's just like you, you know? Kíli, I mean," he adds, when Thorin casts him a curious glance.

The king sighs as he finally lifts his head, resting it against the side of his bed. "That's what I'm afraid of."

"Uncle?"

It was late. The rest of the company had left and he'd sent the boys to bed hours ago. Balin had stayed behind, wanting to rearrange the travel plans now that Kíli was officially a member of the company.

"Fíli," he acknowledges with a slight nod of his head. "It's late. You have patrol tomorrow morning, don't you?"

Fíli nods as he creeps the rest of the way into the room, giving Balin a soft smile as well. "I do…I just…I wanted to talk to you."

Balin stands and stretches his stiff legs. "I'll give you a little privacy," he offers with a wink. "Need to stretch these old bones anyway."

"Thank you," Fíli murmurs as he passes, before sheepishly sitting in his vacated chair.

Despite his physical and emotional fatigue, Thorin does not miss his nephew's flighty behavior. "What troubles you, my boy?"

"I was…I was out of line, earlier," he says. "It was not my place to yell at you."

Thorin chuckled lightly, drawing a confused look from the lad. "It was exactly your place," he clarifies. "I was wrong; I needed you to help me see as much."

Fíli still looks startled, but nods in understanding. "I…okay."

"How is he?" Thorin asks, steering the conversation in a different direction.

"He's…okay. We talked and I think he understands why we…why I lied to him," Fíli all but whispers.

Thorin nods. He was glad to hear that. Kíli was like his uncle in all of the worst ways, but he never did hold a grudge the way Thorin did. Kíli loved quickly and easily and forgave just as well, just as his father had. "And how are you?" he continues.

"I'm…" Fíli furrows his brow, as if he is processing his emotions on the spot. "I'm scared," he finally settles on. "I can't sleep. I just keep thinking of everything that could go wrong. I won't…I won't be able to forgive myself if anything happens to him."

"Neither will I," Thorin whispers as he rises from his chair. He crouches down to be eye-level with Fíli. "We must do everything we can to keep him safe. No one must know of this quest." Fíli nods, and Thorin cups his cheeks in his hands and presses their foreheads together. "Do not fret over things that have not come to pass, my boy," he murmurs. "Please." His voice breaks on his last word, and Fíli brings his arms up to wrap around him.

He does not know how long they stay wrapped in that embrace, drawing strength from one another. Fíli has always been so independent and strong, and moments like this are rare from him, so he cherishes it.

Eventually, Fíli's arms drop away as Balin's shuffling footsteps echo down the hallway once more. "Go," Thorin murmurs, dropping his hand down to squeeze the back of his neck affectionately. "Sleep, my boy."

Fíli nods and stands to retreat to his room, murmuring a greeting to Balin as the older dwarf returns to the study.

Balin settles back down into his chair as Thorin does the same, before catching his king's eye with an impish smile as he mutters, "Softie."

Thanks again for reading, bbs! Next chapter should be up soon...we'll be off on the quest!