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Well, it is Friday again. And hopefully I will get three more chapters written this weekend to add to my hoard. Should find a few hours of quiet time while the hubby is off at some Superbowl party. ha ha.

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Chapter 26

~X~

Sier had kept up her lessons, feeling more and more confident as the day of the celebration approached. Fili was still so distracted that he did not seem to notice her absence, and most of the nights she was able to get back to their chambers before he did, warding off any unanswerable questions.

The preparations were going well, or so Fili said, and from what Sier had heard from the dwarrow around the mountain, it would be a night to remember. For not only was it Durin's Day, it was also the tenth anniversary of the destruction of Smaug. If only they received word that Bilbo and his company would make it in time to attend, then King Thorin could rest easier.

Sier spent a lot of her time in the stables, caring for Storm and seeing that he was groomed and fed, for often he would not allow the stable hand near him…the dwarrow being male and all. But she didn't mind, it gave her something to take her mind off of Fili and the strange emotions that seemed to be creeping up within her every time they were together. Flinn loved playing with Storm as well, and they greatly looked forward to seeing him each day.

It was on this day however, that Sier decided to try riding her new pony, the horse-master having given him a clean bill of health. He stood perfectly still for her as she placed the saddle on his back, speaking very softly to him the entire time. While she was not certain of this, she had a pretty good idea that he had been ridden at one time, not always having been assigned to pull that cruel man's wagon.

Flinn of course begged to ride as well, but she told him that it would be wise to see how he reacted first to her, and then they could see if he would bare them both. The stable master stood off at a distance, looking very uneasy as the princess mounted the grey and urged him forward with a gentle nudge of her knees. At first Storm simply walked along, his head held high, but his ears were twitching and his eyes appeared a bit wide. Would he bolt? Would he become spooked?

But soon even those small indications of unease calmed down and Storm began to canter around the paddock with an almost happy gate. After a while, Sier brought him over to the fence and urged Flinn to climb up in the saddle with her. The pony did not seem to notice the extra weight and proudly sported both mother and son wherever she wished him to go. It was indeed a ride to remember, for all three.

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Fili was bone weary and more than a little bit on edge. Yet, he did not really mind the extra work, for it kept him away from Sier. And while that had been something he had wished for at first, he was now beginning to rethink the idea. It had been his aim to keep his lovely at arm's length, attempting to salvage what little sanity he had left. But as time passed, he began to wonder if it was the distance – that physical separation he had imposed upon them both – that was contributing to his agitated state.

When he could stand it no longer, his mind having wandered off of his assignment, and over to his wife and son, more times than he cared to admit, he dismissed the other workers and called it a day. Yet when he arrived back at his chambers, he found Sier just heading out, Flinn tucked upon her hip.

"Where are you going?" he asked, sounding rather disappointed.

"Fili, I am sorry," Sier replied, suddenly somewhat flustered. "I thought you would not be home until late, so I made plans to visit with your mother again."

"What do you and she do together, and so often?" Fili asked, reaching out and tickling his son's tummy, grinning as he watched him squirm and squeal.

"Nothing important, really," Sier answered, doing her best not to lie. "We talk, we discuss matters that concern the mountain, and sometimes we sew." These were all things they had done together in the past…though not on her most current visits where dancing was the main activity.

"Oh," he replied, looking downcast. "Must Flinn go as well?" If his bride could not stay home and spend time with him, at least he could have his son's attention.

"No, and I am sure he would love to stay here with you," she smiled, handing the lad over to his father.

"Wanna play warrior with me, Ada?" he asked, his little blue eyes bright with excitement.

"I would like nothing better," Fili grinned, every moment spent with his son a joy beyond measure.

"Then I will leave you to your play, and see you later," Sier told them, waving farewell as she headed out the door. She wanted to leave before Fili got even more curious.

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It had not been half an hour, the two blond princes already embroiled in an amazing battle that had taken up half the living area, when a knock came at the door. Fili called a truce, telling Flinn to go get a drink of water while he saw who was at the door. It was Ori, looking very apologetic about disturbing the crown prince during his private time.

"I hate to bother you this late, but if this requisition does not get signed and sent out tonight, we might not get the supplies we need in time for the party," he lamented, holding out a scroll and quill to Fili.

"It is fine," Fili smiled, knowing that his friend would not have come if were not of dire importance. "In fact, I needed the reprieve. I was about to be overrun and taken prisoner anyway."

Ori's eyes grew wide and his gaze darted from one side of the room to the other, looking for an enemy who wished to do his friend and prince harm. When Fili saw his words had been misunderstood, he was quick to explain.

"Flinn had me cornered over by the fireplace, and I was told that only a king's ransom in cookies could secure my release," Fili clarified, watching a knowing grin spread over the scribe's face.

"Your son does have a very vivid imagination," Ori nodded, recalling all the antics of the lad on their trip back from Himros. "And a sweet tooth as well, it would seem."

"Accompanied by a bottomless pit he calls a stomach," Fili laughed, scanning over the document quickly before signing his name at the bottom. "Unfortunately I am on cook duty as well, with Sier out for the night."

"Yes, I just saw her a bit ago on the second level," Ori told him, taking the scroll and blowing on it for a moment to let the ink dry.

"The second level?" Fili asked, thinking that was odd. His mother's chambers were here on the third level, same as theirs. What was she doing down there. "Are you sure it was her?"

"Positive," Ori assured him, looking a bit shocked that Fili would question his word. "I am quite familiar with what your wife looks like, and I saw her, plain as day…heading into Dwalin's apartments."

"Dwalin?" now this was strange. "What was she doing there?"

"I do not know," Ori confessed, beginning to think he should have kept his mouth shut. "Perhaps they had business to discuss…after all he is her former champion, having stood up for her at your wedding and all."

"That is true," Fili nodded, though it still made no sense to him. If she had been going to see Dwalin, why had she instead told him she was visiting with his mother. "I am sure it is nothing. Thank you for bringing these to sign," he told the younger dwarf, stepping over to open the door. "I will see you in the morning."

"Yes, bright and early, we only have a few more days left," Ori reminded him, as if there was a need.

When the scribe had gone, Fili stood there, deep in thought. Why had Sier been seen going into Dwalin's rooms? What was she meeting with him for? Should he be worried? It was a curiosity, to be sure, but nothing that he felt he should be upset about. Perhaps his mother has asked her to deliver something to him. He was certain, that when Sier came back, she would offer up a perfectly logical explanation and all would be settled. And as the screaming terror of a dwarfling came barreling back into the room, all other thoughts were forgotten.

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A few hours later, just as Fili was walking out of his son's room, shutting the door quietly behind him, Sier returned. To his discerning eye she seemed a bit flushed, as if she had been exerting herself in some way. That was odd.

"Did you and Flinn have a nice time?" she asked, purposefully focusing on them and not herself.

"I think our son will make a fine negotiator one day, known far and wide as a shrewd and clever king," Fili laughed. "Not only did he extort two extra honey cakes from me for winning the battle, but a second bedtime story as well."

"I think you are just a soft touch," Sier told him.

"Where he is concerned, I think you are right," he nodded, knowing there was no denying it. He then cleared his throat and looked away, trying to appear only mildly interested as he posed his next question. "How was your visit with my mother tonight?"

"It was fine," she quickly assured him, not adding anything further.

"Was it just the two of you…or did Bombur or Gloin's wives join you?" he probed.

"No…they were not there…just Dis and I," she answered, though from the stutter in her sentence, and the tone of her voice, Fili could tell that she was hiding something from him.

This did not sit well with the crown prince, and his expression grew grim. What was going on?

"So you saw no one else tonight except my mother?" Fili asked, point blank, holding his breath as he waited for her reply.

"Oh…well, I saw plenty of others…in the hallway and such," she stammered, her face now turning a bright shade of red, though she did her best to hide it from his view. "But no…other than your mother, I spent no time with any other dams." There…that had not been a lie…exactly.

She had just lied to him! Fili was stunned. What could his wife be doing that she did not want him to know about? His poor brain ran through an entire gambit of ideas, and none of them were good. Had he not done all he could to see that she was happy? That she was well cared for? That she wanted for nothing?

Ahhh, but wait, there was one thing that their marriage lacked…and perhaps that one thing was now being provided by another. Love! Was Dwalin…her one? The idea made his mind reel, causing him to lean forward and place his hands on the table in front of him for support. No, it could not be possible!

And yet, as he looked back, was it not Dwalin who stood up for Sier…who had set himself as her champion, whom she had given a kiss to on the very night of their wedding! He was the groom, and yet it was Dwalin she had chosen to bestow such a favor upon. It had not bothered him then…but now…

"Fili?" Sier's voice broke in. "Are you all right? You look ready to fall down."

"I…I am fine," he told her, seeing the irony that it was now he who was lying to her. He was far from fine! "I am just tired from my duties all day and then playing with Flinn. I…I think I will just go to bed now."

"Very well," she nodded, still noting his somewhat strange behavior, but saying nothing. "You go ahead, I will be right in."

Fili did not even bother to reply, instead making his way to the room they shared, and hurriedly getting into his night clothes. He wanted to be in bed, and pretending to already be asleep before she came in, not wishing to speak again while he was so confused and upset. He would likely say something that would give his suspicions away, and he needed more time to think on them. He would learn the truth tomorrow…though that was not going to help him at all tonight.

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Fili woke early and slipped out of their chambers long before Sier knew he was gone. He needed time to think, to plan, and decide what he should do. There were two possibilities; one he could live with and the other he could not. If it was some innocent matter that had Sier sneaking off to Dwalin's apartment, then things could continue on the way they were. Yet if, Mahal forbid, his old companion was his wife's other half, then Fili did not know what he would do.

When he suggested that they wed, for Flinn's sake, he had been willing to give up any chance of meeting his one…and he thought she had as well. The idea of being cuckolded was not something he would stand for, and it had nothing to do with his reputation. Sier was his wife, the mother of his child, as well as his…his what? Fili was so confused. He was attracted to her, that was obvious, and yet how many other lasses had Kili been smitten with in the past? However, none of them had been his one, and after a time his brother had moved on, another dwarrowdam catching his eye, yet never his heart. But this was more than that…he was not only attracted to Sier, he…he needed her. Oh, this was beyond confusing, and not for the first time he wished he knew exactly where all these emotions stemmed. Was it the elixir? Was it the fact that they had previously been intimate…though without either one having any recollection of the event? Or could it be more? Could something be awakening inside of him that he had no control over?

Yet none of this would matter in the least if Sier was now stepping out on him with Dwalin. And suddenly, he began to look at his old friend and mentor as nothing more than a thief! How dare he sidle in and take what was his? And that is exactly what Sier was…she was his! Fili was the crown prince of Erebor, no one but Thorin had more power than he under the mountain, and yet someone dared to steal from him? He could feel a burning in his mind, one that began to consume him like nothing ever had before. Oh, sure, he loved gold as much as the next dwarf, and yet right now the valuable metal meant nothing to him when compared to Sier. He would not lose her! He would fight to keep her and his little family together, and Mahal help anyone who stood in his way!

He needed a plan! And while he did not know all the details yet, he knew exactly who he could get to help him. Hurrying down the corridor he spied the very one he sought, and grabbing Kili by the arm, he pulled him aside.

"Meet me in my chambers tonight right after dinner," he instructed, keeping his voice low and his tone firm.

"Why?" Kili asked, his brother's actions confusing him.

"Never mind why, just be there," he ordered, heading off down the hallway. "And don't be late!"

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Sier was still nervous about the Kaz'ängler, but with the help of Dis and Dwalin, she was feeling almost ready for the big dance on Durin's Day. They had scheduled one last practice for that night, then after that, she would be on her own. She still trembled at the idea of walking out in front of all the guests and performing such an intricate dance in public. Yet, as Dis had said, she was a princess now, and all she could do was accept the role and train to be worthy. Well, she had trained, night after night she had done her best to learn every step, and now she could only hope it had been enough.

Flinn was thankfully being very well behaved, making her life easier as well as giving her more time to work on her other secret projects. The matching coats were coming along nicely, and she could not wait to surprise both Fili and her son with them. With the help of Dis, she had also found the perfect dress for the evening, making her feel just a bit more royal and less like the servant girl she was brought up to be. Durin's day was one night Sier needed to not only act the part of a princess, but dress like one as well.

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Fili had been far too angry to have dinner, and he purposefully stayed away until he was certain that Sier and Flinn had eaten theirs. Putting on his best diplomatic face, one he had seen Thorin use many a times when dealing with those he suspected of villainy, he entered their chambers. Just as he expected, Sier was readying Flinn and herself to depart.

"Visiting with my mother again?" Fili asked, schooling his tone so that he gave nothing away.

"Yes," Sier answered, though he noted that she did not look him directly in the eye when she spoke. "I should be only an hour or so. If you are in for the night, I will leave Flinn with you."

"Yes, I will watch him," Fili assured her, crossing to the chair by the fireplace and sitting down with his feet propped up, doing his best to appear undisturbed. "Kili might drop by tonight as well," he added.

"Well…you three have a good time," she nodded, grabbing her shawl and heading out. "Be good," she instructed her son, who apparently had no qualms about remaining with his father, in lieu of going to visit with Bombur's kids. Sier had just opened the door, finding Kili on the other side, hand raised to knock. She smiled and stepped aside, allowing him to enter as she took her leave.

"Uncle Kili!" Flinn cried, rushing into the older dwarrow's arms. "Wanna play battle with me? You can be a warg, and I will be Adad!"

"Does the warg get to eat your adad?" Kili asked, tickling the little dwarf's tummy.

"NO!" Flinn squealed, though it was unsure if he was talking about the possibility of his father being devoured, or if it was simply a request for his uncle to stop tickling him.

"Flinn," Fili interrupted, his unusually stern tone causing the two to look over at him curiously. "Would you please go into your room for a moment and play with your toys. I need to speak with your Uncle Kili…alone."

"Y-y-yes, Adad," Flinn nodded, looking from his father to his uncle and back with a hint on concern. He allowed Kili to set him down and he headed for his room, slowly shutting the door behind him.

"What is this all about?" Kili asked, his brother's odd behavior having concerned him all day long.

"That is what I intend on finding out," Fili growled, rising to his feet and grabbing his sheath that held his twin blades, strapping it on as he headed for the door. "You stay here with Flinn."

"But…but where are you going?" Kili was now more than concerned…he was frightened!

"If what I suspect is true," he stated, stepping out into the hallway before looking back, his usually jovial blue eyes now cold as ice, "I am going to kill Dwalin!"

OH NO, DID I JUST LEAVE YOU ON A CLIFFIE? Yes, yes I did! *Insert evil laugh here*

Oh, come on, I have not given you a cliffie in a long time, so you can't be too upset. ha ha. And if you are, tell me so in a review - but keep it clean, this is a family show.

Hmmmm, wonder what Fili meant by that...going to kill Dwalin? As if THAT is even possible. He is my fourth favorite dwarf you know.

Guest Reviews:

Guest H: Hello! So glad you did come back! You must have one adorable baby*cough* brother. ha ha. And I did indeed have to mention the whole Apples thing. It is just too cute not to. Yes, Dis will go as bald as Dwalin if they don't both grow a brain and smarten up. My dark cricket chirping spot here thanks you! As do I.

Kaia: Thank you very, very much for saying so. I hope my story keeps living up to your praise.