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Happy Thursday Everyone...another chapter for YOU!

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Chapter 25

~X~

Now, with only a few weeks until Durin's Day, things became a bit crazy. Fili was gone most of the day, heading off to meetings or overseeing committees – basically taking on any task that Thorin assigned him. He still made time to eat breakfast with his wife and son, and then to take Flinn down to the practice ring for his weapons training, but then they wouldn't usually see him again until dinner that evening…if at all. In fact, on several occasions, Sier had woken in morning to find Fili asleep beside her, with no recollection of when he had come in the night before.

From listening to her mother-in-law, she soon understood why the royal family appeared so stressed. Not only had the envoy from the Shire still not been heard from, but they had been receiving more acceptance letters back than they had anticipated. Dain would be coming from the Iron Hills, of course, as were King Bard and his family. Also attending were other dwarrow from near and far, both lowly and highborn alike. For Thorin recognized loyalty above rank, and many who were on the guest list had earned the spot for their actions, not their birthright.

"What about the elves?" Sier asked, knowing that even if Thorin and Thranduil were not the best of friends, they were still allies.

"Apparently the king of Mirkwood is visiting with his distant kin in Lothlorien and will not be back in time to attend," Dis stated, though she did not sound very broken up about it. "Still, we did extend an invitation, so no one can fault Thorin for not offering."

"So from the sound of it, there will be a lot of guests," she murmured, feeling more than a bit overwhelmed.

"Quite a few more than usual," Dis nodded, but when she saw the sudden change in the young dam's demeanor, she quickly set to finding out why. "Is there something about the celebration that troubles you, my dear? You are not afraid of crowds or anything, are you?"

"No, nothing like that," Sier assured her, though she could not cease from wringing her hands together in worry. "It is just…well, Fili told me about the dance. The Kaz'ängler."

"Yes," Dis nodded, not quite catching on. "It is tradition that the royal family open the festivities that way. Thorin usually steps on my feet a time or two, but Fili is rather good, and you should have nothing to worry about. He will not embarrass you."

"No, but I am sure Fili will be highly mortified when he finds out that his wife does not know one single step of that dance!" she groaned, leaning forward and burying her face in her hands. "I will shame him, and myself…not to mention the rest of you, for sure."

"Oh, Sier, is that all?" Dis asked with a sympathetic chuckle. "Why didn't you say something? That is a simple enough problem to solve."

"How? By breaking my leg so I will have an excuse to sit out the dance?" she offered with a skeptical look.

"Nothing quite as drastic as that," Dis assured her. "However, a few dance lessons should do the trick. And I know just the dwarrow for the job!"

"Not Fili!" she protested, perhaps a bit too strongly. "I…I mean I don't want to bother him with this, he is already so busy and all."

"No, that was not who I had in mind," Dis said with a shake of her head, mentally noting the strange way her daughter-in-law was acting. "Just meet me here after dinner and we will get started. All right?"

"Thank you, Dis," Sier said with a grateful sigh. "Once again you have come to my rescue."

"Well, we princesses have to stick together," she laughed, giving her hand a gentle pat.

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Fili had still not come back to their chambers by the end of dinner, and in truth, Sier was glad. She had arranged for Flinn to spend some time with Bombur and Ilin's children while she met with Dis, and she really did not wish to explain to Fili where she was going. So taking Flinn by the hand, she led him down to the portly chef's living quarters, leaving her son to play with his friends before heading on to Dis.

However, instead of inviting her inside, the older princess instead took her down a few more hallways and stairs until they stopped at another door, one Sier was unfamiliar with. When their knock was answered, she was shocked to see Dwalin standing there, ushering them inside almost conspiratorially.

"Hurry and get in here before anyone sees you," he hissed, shutting the door the moment they were inside.

"Why all the secrecy?" Sier asked. "I am not so embarrassed that I need to keep everyone from knowing I am taking dance lessons."

"You might not," Dwalin stated, crossing his arms over his chest. "But I do!"

"Oh, for Mahal's sake, you have nothing to be ashamed about, old friend," Dis laughed, undoing her cloak and laying it over the back of a chair. "And if we are too much of a bother, why on earth did you even agree to this?"

"I never said it was a bother," he huffed. "I would simply rather no one know about it, is all. Can you imagine the flack I would get if anyone knew that their captain of the guard and war-chief of Erebor was giving dance lessons? I would never hear the end of it. So you both have to swear you will tell no one, and that especially goes for those two scamps of yours, Dis! Not a word!"

"Fine, you have our solemn vow!" Dis agreed, as she began to push furniture out of the way in order to make room to move about. "I would have taught her myself, but I only know the steps for the lasses, and she will need to practice with a partner that knows the lad's."

"Well, I did offer to be her champion," Dwalin groused, though Sier could tell it was all in good humor. "Little did I know it would entail something as foolish as dancing!" He gave her a pointed stare, almost appearing hopeful. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather have me crack someone's head, or challenge them to a fight for ya, lassie?"

"Oh, haven't you heard?' Dis laughed. "Sier fights her own battles, and does it quite nicely too, I might add."

This caused everyone to laugh, breaking down the last of Dwalin's barriers, and soon they all got down to business.

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Two hours seemed to fly by and soon Sier had to insist they call it a night. Dwalin was amazingly light on his feet and knew every steps to the Kaz'ängler. When asked about it, he just shrugged and said it was no different than learning the footwork they teach you in a sword fight, though his weapon of choice was an ax. They made plans to practice again in two night's time, so that Fili would not become suspicious, and after thanking them both for their help, she headed back to Bombur's home. However, when she got there, Sier was told that Flinn had already left, Fili having come by and picked him up an hour ago.

How Fili even knew where his son had been was a mystery, and she fretted all the way back to their chambers, afraid of what might be waiting for her there. Would he be upset? Would he demand to know where she had been and why she had not been waiting for him when he arrived? It was difficult to imagine her even-tempered husband acting in such a way, but there was still so very much about each other they did not know. So when she arrived at their door, giving a polite nod to the guard stationed in the hallway, she took a deep breath and entered quietly.

At first she didn't see anyone, not Fili nor Flinn. She was about to go searching the other rooms when she heard a noise in the corner by the fireplace. Her heart caught in her throat as she saw them both in a chair…sound asleep. Flinn was sitting on Fili's lap, his back leaning against his father's chest and his thumb stuck securely in his mouth. A book was resting on the arm of the chair, indicating that a story had been in progress when sleep had overtaken them both. Fili's head was cocked to the side as he breathed in and out, his eyes closed in peaceful slumber. They made such an adorable pair, both of them now the center of her world. She felt she could have stayed staring at them for hours, but soon Fili's neck would become sore from the position it was in, so she crept closer and did her best to ease the little dwarfling off his lap and into her arms. And while Flinn did not stir, instead snuggling in closer and molding against her body, Fili's eyes snapped open, his hands automatically reaching out in search of his son. When he saw that the child had been removed from his lap, and not fallen off like he had feared, he relaxed.

"You're back," he commented with a yawn.

"Yes," she nodded, trying to avoid the subject of where she had been. "How did you know where to find Flinn? Bombur and Ilin said you picked him up a while ago."

"When I came home and found everyone missing, I asked the sentry in the corridor if he knew where you had gone. He said he remembered hearing Flinn mention going to see Bombur's kids," Fili explained, his eyes still tired and droopy. "So I went looking and found him, but no one seemed to know where you went."

"I…I was with your mother," she told him, which was at least half the truth. Dwalin had sworn the two of them to secrecy, so she knew better than to offer anything further. "How about I put him to bed, while you head off yourself? You have been working yourself ragged getting ready for the celebration and you deserve an early evening of it."

"If you think I am exhausted, you should see Thorin," Fili mused, getting to his feet and leaning in to give Flinn's head a quick kiss. "But I will not refuse your generous offer. Thank you."

As Sier watched him go, each step appearing to be an effort, she wondered if she would find him lying in bed, fully dressed, when she got there. For some reason, the image of Fili, face down on top of the covers, still clothed and snoring away, made her laugh. Yes, he had indeed become very dear to her heart.

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Several more days passed, and between caring for Storm, working on her sewing projects, attending to the duties Dis was teaching her, and learning how to dance the Kaz'ängler, Sier's time was well spent. She still made time to visit the exercise ring each morning with Fili and Flinn, watching as her son became more and more confident with the different weapons and techniques his father was teaching him. This warmed her heart, for often after he had been born, Sier worried that Flinn might never get this chance. And as she watched the two interact, each day growing closer and closer as father and son, she knew that even if she and Fili never found that special love destined for dwarves…this would be enough.

Fili had just finished his training session with Flinn, sending the lad over to his mother for a drink and to rest, when from the sidelines, Thorin suddenly appeared, tossing him the scabbard that held his twin blades.

"You do well when pitted against a four year old," the king chuckled, his own sword, Orcrist, in his hand and a wicked grin on his face. "Let's see if you still remember how to hold your own when facing a seasoned warrior."

Fili, having had very little time to devote to his own practice lately, smiled back as he unsheathed his swords, tossing the leather casing aside.

"With pleasure, Uncle," he accepted, eager to lose himself in the heat of battle.

"Oh, I am not your uncle today," Thorin contradicted. "I am your enemy. An orc who wants to see everything you hold dear destroyed. Will you allow it?"

"Over my dead body," Fili growled, his expression turning into one of pure determination.

"We shall see," Thorin ginned, seconds before he swung his sword with all his might, aiming directly for Fili's head.

The battle was on, two well trained soldiers pitted against each other in a fight to see who would stand victorious. With the way they were going at it, and the grim expressions on their faces, one might think they truly hated each other, and wished to draw blood. Yet if you looked closely, you could see that they were both enjoying the fight, and each held a large amount of admiration for the other.

Fili was especially determined not to let his uncle win, for in his mind he was fighting not only to protect his family, his friends and the mountain they had recently won back…but he also didn't want to look bad in front of Sier! He had risked a glance in her direction, noting that she had put down her sewing and was now watching attentively as the two of them sparred. Flinn was jumping up and down, clapping his hands and calling out encouragement for both his father and uncle, causing Fili to grin at the boy's mixed loyalties. But he was now fighting to impress his wife. To prove to her that he could indeed be her shield when danger struck, that he could guard her from all harm that wished to inflict itself upon her. He wanted to show her that he could be a true husband to her.

Unfortunately, battling his uncle was nothing like fighting the hulking man from Dale. No, this was Thorin Oakenshield, the victor at the battle of Azanulbizar, and who had triumphed during the war of five armies. This was a warrior to be reckoned with. Fili's only saving grace was that he knew most of his uncle's moves, for he had taught them to him and Kili personally. However, that did not stop Thorin from throwing a few surprises at the young prince, and more than once Fili had to dodge or duck to avoid being struck by a mighty swing of his sword. Both dwarves were soaked with perspiration and breathing hard by the time Thorin called a truce.

"What's wrong?" Dwalin called from the sidelines. "Getting tired, old man?" His insult was twofold, first referring to him as a man, and then insinuating his age was causing him to give up.

"Nay," Thorin denied, giving his friend a scathing glare. "Yet I have many things that needs done today, and I cannot expect a wounded prince to do them, now can I?"

"What makes you think that I would be the one to walk away injured?" Fili laughed, doing his best to sound confident, though truthfully, he was anything but.

"Nothing…though I would still not risk it," Thorin chuckled, coming over and placing his hand on the back of Fili's neck, pulling him close as he brought his forehead down so that they met. It was an act of affection and comradery, but it would appear that Thorin's main reason was to be able to speak softly and still be heard. "And besides, I certainly could not have my littlest nephew see me beaten in the practice ring, even if it was by his own father. What would he think of me?"

"The same as Kili and I always have, Uncle," Fili told him with all seriousness. "That you are a legend in your own time, a dwarrow we both strive to emulate."

"Flattery will not get you out of your duties today," Thorin laughed, releasing his nephew with a wink and a smile. "Now, go get yourself washed up." He then turned his attention elsewhere, looking around until he spied who he had been looking for. "Kili!" he called to across the room, halting the young archer mid-shot as he aimed for a target. "Grab a weapon and get over here. I want to see if all that archery practice has dulled your abilities with a sword!"

Kili quickly stowed his bow and arrows and leaped over the railing around the ring, hurrying over to where Thorin waited - as eager as a dwarfling to show off his skills.

Fili grabbed a towel and came to sit next to Sier, little Flinn's attention already zoned in on the upcoming battle before him.

"You fought very well," she complimented him, meaning every word.

"You were not frightened this time, afraid I would be injured or killed?" he asked, recalling the look of horror on her face in Dale.

"I hardly think your own uncle would have harmed you in any way," she scoffed. "Yet the battle was evenly matched, and even a novice, such as I, could see the talent and skill you both possessed. It was indeed a privilege to watch."

"I impressed you then?" Fili asked, cocking his eyebrow and studying her carefully.

"You…you always impress me," she admitted, unable to look away.

Reaching out, Fili took her hand in his, enjoying the slight zing that flowed through him at the touch. It was getting harder and harder to keep his distance, more and more difficult to write off these feelings as merely ghosts from the past. And he was beginning to wonder if just letting go and giving in was not the best for all involved…especially him.

"Sier…I…" he was not at all sure what he had planned to say, but Thorin's deep voice booming across the room shattered the moment, pulling all eyes to him.

"Stand still you wretched goblin!" Thorin roared, doing his darndest to try and make contact with his lightning fast nephew.

"If you can't catch me, you can't kill me!" Kili called back, leaping from one side to the other in an attempt to avoid his uncle's sword. It had been a long standing joke, from when the two brothers were young. Whenever they had played a prank, or got caught doing something foolish, they knew that if Thorin couldn't catch them, they stood a better chance of not getting punished. Unfortunately they had to eat and sleep sometime, so eventually the older dwarrow's patience won out, resulting in the assigning of extra chores or being sent to their room without supper. Still, the saying had endured, and Kili was now using it again, to the consternation of his frustrated uncle.

"That is true," Thorin agreed, reaching over and grabbing a long piece of rope from a nearby weapons stand. In the blink of an eye, he had uncoiled it and whipped it out, aiming for the younger dwarrows legs. It wrapped around one and with a quick tug, Kili was flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling with the wind knocked out of him. Before he could regain his breath, or footing, Orcrist was at his throat, and his uncle was glaring down at him. "Yet no one said I had to catch you…just kill you."

"You never did play fair," Kili smiled, looking up at him as if he were that same cheeky dwarfling from years ago.

"Neither will your enemy," Thorin warned. "Remember that."

"Aye," Kili agreed, reaching out and grabbing hold of the hand that was now being offered to him. "I will, Uncle."

"Yaaay, Uncle Thorin!" Flinn called from the sidelines. "Yaaay, Uncle Kili!

"Why are you cheering for me?" the younger dwarrow laughed, looking at his adorable nephew.

"Because you didn't die!" he responded, his grin growing so wide it could have split his face.

"Well…I suppose that is something to cheer about," Kili laughed, throwing his arm around his uncle as they both walked out of the ring together.

Hope you enjoyed a little bit more of Thorin, Kili and Dwalin. I love them all, but it is hard to give everyone 'enough face time' when you have soooo many awesome characters to play with. ha ha.

So, Dwalin can dance, hu? Who knew?

Guest Reviews:

(insert crickets chirping in the dark here...so sad)