Arranged Fate

A/N- Welcome back everyone. Thank you for continuing to stay with me through it all and I am sorry about such a long wait.

Disclaimer- I don't own the Hobbit 'or Lord of the Rings, but man do I own my OC's and the story in this.

'thoughts'

'Khuzdul'

Please enjoy.

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Chapter 8:

The Calm before the Storm

Kili felt a sudden pang in his heart, as if someone had just shot an arrow through it. Gripping the edge of the desk he tried not to fall over, "are...are you saying that, that Dain didn't just take Falin, but Ochre as well?" His voice was almost inaudible by the time he'd finished speaking but he knew his uncle had heard him, the look in his eyes said as much.

Feeling a sudden inexplicable rage boiling up to replace his fear, Kili stood. "Well what are we just standing around here for? We need to find them now!" Thorin rubbed at his eyes, fighting back a coming headache. "Calm down Kili, we don't think Dain knows he took Ochre. He knows our laws as well as any dwarrow; his life is forfeit for taking another man's wife. None shall help him, not even his own kin once they know the truth."

Shaking his head Kili stomped from one end of the room to the other, "I don't care, we need to find them now!" Fili looked a little sick but he didn't say anything, Thorin slammed his fist down on the table as he glared at his nephew. "Enough! We will find them and Dain will be punished accordingly. Letting your anger get the better of you will not help our cause. So calm down now."

Kili looked at Thorin for a long moment as if struggling with something before he nodded his head and moved to sit against a wall. Thorin watched him go but knew this wouldn't be the last he'd hear from his nephew. Dis looked contemplative as she sat there and Thorin couldn't help but ask her, "Have you gotten an idea Namad?"

Looking up at that she let out a sigh, "there is only one thing I can think of. He possibly took them back to the iron hills, but because we are unsure of this we should have all of Erebor searched. All of it." Seeing that Thorin was about to speak, Dis raised her hand, "as such, we must send someone to the iron hills as well to see if he did take them there. In essence we must out think Dain and be prepared for both possibilities."

Thorin looked contemplative at her words while Kili punched the wall next to him, "I am going and no one can stop me!" Dis shook her head and then finally Fili spoke, his voice was clipped, "Kili is right, we will go, that way we have a legitimate reason. Besides, if they have placed our women somewhere here, with us gone they will be lax and make finding them easier."

Balin stepped in at this, "I think that is wise. Although it is a long trip to the iron hills, I believe it is a good choice. Many of Dain's men have been returning home and Dain hasn't been seen since the wedding. So there is a good chance that he returned home as well, trying to avoid any repercussions from the 'gift' he tried to give."

All eyes turned to Thorin at this point and he just nodded his head, "yes, I agree. Some of us should journey to the iron hills while the rest remain here to keep searching. We will keep in constant contact through the ravens and I will journey with you two."

Dwalin stepped in at that his eyes narrowed, "ye can't Thorin. Yer the king and have to be here to rule the kingdom." Thorin crossed his arms and glared at his captain of the guard, "I must go with my nephew's or this idea will not work. They must believe we are all headed to the iron hills."

Dwalin's face grew red and he looked like he was about to argue his point when Balin raised his voice to gain everyone's attention. "My lord, Brother...both of you have good reasons behind your arguments, but our King is correct Dwalin. We can use the excuse of speaking to Dain about his 'proposal' as the reason for the royal line to be venturing forth."

"Of course I will remain here Dwalin, to guard the home front as it were." Dis's voice held humor in it and the burly dwarf fought down a smile at this. For he knew she was right as was his brother. "I concede the point My Lady."

Both Kili and Fili looked miserable though as they both glared at the floor, waiting out the argument. They both seemed to not notice when the room had fallen silent, at least not until Thorin cleared his throat. Both jerked as they looked at the others as if poised for a fight and Thorin supposed they were considering how the day had come to a close.

"It's decided then. Dwalin you will assist my sister in the search of Erebor for Falin and Ochre. While myself, Fili, Kili, and a small traveling party will travel to the iron hills to confront Dain, if he is there. We must keep constant contact though, in case either party discovers the whereabouts of the women." Thorin stood at the end of his decision and straightened out his tunic.

Kili clenched and unclenched his fists as he looked to his uncle. "Thank you Uncle." Thorin sighed as he looked at his nephew, "hear me now Kili. Just because it is decided that we will journey forth to the Iron hills doesn't mean it will be today, or tomorrow. It will take at least a week before we can travel, do you understand this?"

The eyes of everyone in the room landed upon him and not one was surprised to see his face contort in shock. "There isn't a moment to lose here. We don't know how safe they are. How can we wait?!" He gripped his fists hard enough to make his palms bleed as he glared at everyone in the chamber. He was about to rage on when Fili stood and gripped his shoulder hard.

"Nadadith, I know how you feel but Thorin is right. We have to plan this right or all is already lost. Do not take your anger out on us, save it for when we confront Dain." Kili visibly struggled as he forced himself to be calm to think, not just to feel. That was when he felt it, when he knew it without a shadow of a doubt in his soul.

He loved her. He loved Ochre and now she was gone, he'd been unable to keep her safe.

Feeling his heart clench in pain, Kili trembled as he tried to fight down his emotions. He'd never felt this way before and the suddenness of it was overwhelming him. Before he could stop himself he felt tears flood his eyes and looking about him, he felt ashamed to be unable to hold back his feelings.

Narrowing her eyes at her youngest son's strange behavior, Dis got up and moved to his side. "Kili? Are you alright?" Fili looked worried as well as he reached out to grip his brother's shoulder.

That seemed to be Kili's breaking point. He shook once before he collapsed in a dead faint. Everyone in the room hurried to his side, while Fili gaped at his little brother in shock. Dis lifted him up to place his head in her lap and began stroking his hair, much as she had when he was still very young. Something profound had happened to her son and she was both happy and sad to see it.

She knew what ailed him now; only one thing would have caused such an outcome. Especially when there was no outlet. Her son had found his 'One', found her and now had lost her. Sighing she looked at everyone and spoke softly, "can one of you help me take him back home. Hopefully after a bit of rest he will be fit for helping plan your trip Nadad."

Thorin looked confused for a moment before realization dawned on him, "yes, your right Namad." He turned to ask Dwalin only to stop mid opening his mouth. Fili had gripped his brother's arm and had slung him over his back, he looked at Thorin with tired eyes and Thorin understood.

"I shall expect both of you in my study in the morning." Fili gave a nod at Thorin's command and left the room, Dis stood and followed soon after. Sighing, Thorin rubbed at the bridge of his nose as he slowly returned to his seat.

"What was that about? Is the Lad going to be alright?" Dwalin's concern was touching but Thorin shook his head at it. "It is a matter which doesn't concern us. Now we need to discuss who will be going and who will be staying here."

As they walked down the long halls back to Kili and Ochre's home, Fili kept glancing at his mother and after a while had to ask, "did what I think happen, happen Amad?" Dis just laughed, "Aye it did. Finally. I was hoping that it happened soon after their wedding but it seems Kili is harder headed than I'd thought. I am just sad it had to happen without her here."

Fili let out a sigh and shook his head, "it is very sad. No wonder he fainted like this." He knew all too well just what his brother had experienced. It had happened to him many years ago, when he and Falin were still young.

Finding your 'One' was a very special thing, but very overwhelming at the same time. He just hoped his mother was right and Kili would be fit to help in the morning.

A/N- This chapter is a bit shorter than most of mine, but I hope it makes sense when I post the next chapter.

Thank you all once more for waiting on me. It's been a very rough couple of months and I recently lost a friend to suicide. All in all, not the best time to be writing. I hope you all forgive me for that.

Khuzdul words are below-

Namad- Sister

Nadadith- Little Brother

Nadad- Brother

Amad- Mother

I wish you all the best and will be updating, I hope very soon.

May the Fluff Be with You!

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