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Happy Tuesday everyone. More fun...and frustration...just for you. ha ha.

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Chapter 29

~X~

Sier did as Fili said, bolting the door and then hurrying to get Flinn dried off and dressed. The now anxious little dwarrow did not even fuss as his mother did her best to weave the traditional braids back into his hair, a job usually handled most skillfully by his father these days. Yet just as she was securing the final bead and clasp, there came an urgent knock at the door. Standing up, Sier stared at the wooden barrier, unsure of what she should do. Fili said to stay put, and yet, what if the situation had changed, or things were more serious than originally thought.

"Sier," came the familiar voice of Dis. "Sier, open the door."

Hurrying forth she did as she was bidden, noting that Flinn had not once left her side, his tiny hands clutching the folds of her skirt with a vice-like like grip.

"Dis…what is going on?" she begged to know.

"The ravens brought word that the caravan led by Master Baggins is only half a day's journey away," she began, signaling for Sier to follow her.

"But that is good news, for the king has been anxiously awaiting their arrival," Sier reasoned, taking hold of Flinn's hand and leading him out into the hall, shutting the door securely behind them.

"Aye, it is good that they are coming, yet the trouble is, the ravens also report that a large band of orcs are coming from the east, and looks to be on an interception course with them," Dis explained as they made their way down the stairs and hallways towards the main gates. "Thorin has ordered Fili and Kili to take a battalion of dwarves and meet them in battle before they can attack the caravan. Master Baggins might be able to hold his own, but from what I am told of hobbits, they are not fighters, more suited to the plow than a sword."

"Fili…he is riding into…battle?" Sier's movements ground to a halt as her feet faltered. No! Not Fili!

"Thorin would go himself, but the mountain must have its king," the obviously worried mother expounded, the haunted look in her eyes betraying the fact that she liked this idea no more than Sier. "My sons are both experienced and valiant warriors…they will return victorious." By now they had reached the large entryway, and everywhere she looked there were dwarves dressed in armor, with swords and axes in their hands, preparing to march out. Her eyes scanned through the endless crowd of warriors until they fell upon the one dwarf she was looking for…Fili. He stood near the open gates, his hands skillfully strapping on the last of his armor, as he and Kili spoke to Thorin. They were much too far away to hear what was being said, but Sier could only conclude that they were receiving final instructions from the uncle and king. She felt Dis tug at her sleeve, pulling her attention back to the Erebor princess.

"Do not show fear," Dis whispered to her, keeping her voice low so that Flinn would not hear. "When you bid your husband farewell, you must do so in a manner that will instill confidence in him, as well as the dwarves that follow his lead. If you break down, it will give the impression that you do not believe in his ability to return safely…understand?"

Sier did…and yet she didn't. Every fiber of her being was screaming for her to run to Fili and beg him not to go. To stay safely inside Erebor with her and Flinn, and never leave their sight. And yet…she knew she could not. Dis was right, Fili was the crown prince, the king's right hand, and it was his duty to lead their forces against such a foe. She needed to remind herself that her husband had fought such battles many times before and returned victorious, he would do so again. And so, even if she did not wish to, Sier nodded her head in understanding, indicating to Dis that she would be strong.

"Is this what it means to be a princess?" she asked, her eyes looking back at the blond prince across the large room. "That we must stand bravely while we watch those we care about ride into battle?"

"It has been that way for more years than I care to remember, and will undoubtedly be so long into the future," Dis responded with a heavy sigh. She then took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and gave Sier a nod. "Are you ready? You will be brave?"

"I…I will," she assured her, leaning down to picked up Flinn as the three of them plowed through the mass of dwarves, ready to perform the role to which they were assigned.

Thorin had just finished speaking when Fili looked up and saw his mother, Sier, and Flinn approaching. And while his heart leapt that his family had come to see him off, a part of him dreaded this moment. He had never had more of a reason to stay behind, yet at the same time, the fact that he had a wife and son compelled him to go forth in order to protect them. He knew he must leave, but all he wanted to do was remain.

Flinn wiggled out of Sier's hold and ran straight to Fili, allowing him to scoop him up. Wrapping his arms around his father's neck, he buried his face against his shoulder.

"Don't go, Ada!" he sobbed, obviously keenly aware that this was what all the commotion was about. "Please, don't go…I…I just got you back!"

His plaintive voice and trembling body tugged at Fili's heart, breaking it into a million pieces. Whispering soothing words while rubbing the tyke's back, Fili looked at Sier, his eyes full of remorse.

"Flinn, I am not going away for good," he insisted, though deep down he knew he could not guarantee such a thing. Orcs were vicious and unpredictable, and even as stupid as they were, every now and again they still got lucky. Yet Fili would say anything to calm his son. "I am just heading out to make a clear path for the Hobbits to enter Erebor. I will be back before the Durin's Day celebration."

"Do…do you promise?" Flinn sniffled, pulling away just a bit so that he could look his father in the eye.

"Yes, I promise," Fili nodded, doing his best to smile reassuringly. "I have worked far too hard to make sure it will be the best one ever, so there is no way I would miss celebrating it with you and your mother."

"And…and Uncle Kili? He will come home with you?" Flinn persisted, looking over at the dark haired prince, who also stood there with an emotional expression.

"You bet I will," Kili assured him, flashing Flinn one of his famous grins. "If I did not make it back in time, who else would there be to dance with all the eligible dwarrowdams? Can't disappoint the lasses, now can I?"

This caused Flinn to chuckle just a bit, but the lad was not completely mollified.

Dis stepped forward and took hold of Kili's face with both her hands, leaning in to kiss his cheeks, with no signs of fear or hesitation on her face.

"Be safe, my son," she instructed, then turned to do the same to Fili. "Keep an eye on your brother," she told him.

"I always do," Fili nodded, easily identifying her own words of love for him in that simple statement. It was the same thing she always said when they were forced to part, and the confidence in that small statement was all he needed to hear.

Thorin placed his hand on Kili's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze and an approving nod of his head. "Fight well." He instructed, watching as his younger nephew returned the gesture, a grim look of determination now plastered on his face.

The King Under the Mountain then turned to Fili, his heir and firstborn sister-son. "Bring our hobbits home safe…as well as yourself."

"Yes, my king," Fili nodded, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgement.

Flinn, obviously realizing that parting was imminent, latched on tightly to Fili's neck once more, making the most pitiful sounds of denial. Thorin, knowing that too much more of this would weaken his nephew's will to leave, reached out and gently removed the clinging child from Fili. Flinn protested for a moment, but then settled into his uncles' embrace, placing his head on his shoulder but never taking his eyes off his father.

With Fili now unencumbered, Sier took a few steps closer, looking up at her husband of only two months and did her best to smile. She knew their parting would be witnessed by dozens of dwarrow, so she did as Dis instructed…she appeared strong. Reaching up, she pulled the Durin blue ribbon from her hair and with shaking hands, tucked it into a small opening in the leather vest he wore over his chainmail. She could not help but smile when her fingers grazed the hilt of a small dagger, secretly hidden away from view. Fili's left hand came up and covered hers as they rested there against his heart, and the two of them locked eyes, not daring to speak for fear of chasing the moment away. Finally, realizing that he must depart, Sier cleared her throat.

"This is to…to remind you of what you have waiting for you when you get back," she told him. "I know you must go, but please, come home to us…to me."

Fili could feel her hand trembling beneath his and he wondered if she could detect the pounding of his heart through his armor. He had not expected such emotion in her voice, nor her plea to move him so greatly. Was he meant to read more into her words than what a mere bystander might perceive? And it drove him nearly insane knowing that he did not have the time to discover the answers.

"I will look for you upon my return," he nodded, pulling her hands up to his lips as he brushed a light, but tender, kiss upon them. Fili then let them go, stepped back and bowed to his king, before heading towards his waiting mount. Kili followed suit, and soon the two of them were riding out of the large gates of Erebor, with the entire platoon of dwarves hot on their heels.

Just then Dwalin walked up beside Thorin, his twin axes strapped to his back and his own armor in place.

"Watch over them for me," Thorin told his oldest friend, never taking his eyes off of his departing nephews.

"I've been doing it all their lives," Dwalin chuckled. "I see no reason to stop now." The old warrior turned his attention to Sier, giving her one of his rare smiles. "I will bring him home to you, lass." He then let out a low growl, and marched over to his own awaiting pony, mounting swiftly and kicking it into a full gallop as he easily caught up with the princes.

"Is…is it always this hard?" Sier whispered to Dis, as the four of them stood there and watched the small army depart. "Does it ever get any easier?"

"Not that I have noticed," the older dam replied sadly. She then put her arm over her daughter-in-law's shoulder and pulled her into a comforting embrace.

And there they stood, the two dwarrowdams clinging to each other for support, and little Flinn dampening his uncle's royal tunic with his silent tears. It was not until the last soldier disappeared from sight that they turned and left the front gate, counting the moments until they stood there once again to welcome them back.

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Fili was unusually quiet as he rode towards certain danger, his fingers drifting often to the small pocket that held the gifted blue ribbon. When he was younger, the idea of battle had excited him, being eager to prove himself to his uncle. But when they had all stood before the overwhelming army of orcs, goblins, and other foul creatures, during the fight to defend their claim on Erebor, Fili saw things more clearly. War was violent, bloody and utterly dreadful. No longer did it excite him, and no longer did he yearn to prove himself with glorious deeds. Now he only wanted to do his job and return to his family…to Flinn and Sier.

It gave him courage to know that Kili rode at his side, offering the same promise of protection that he himself had just sworn to his mother. They had the advantage of having fought together many times, each one knowing the other's strengths and weaknesses, and always watching the other's back. No one, orc, goblin, or man could defeat them if they fought as one unit…and that was exactly what they would do in the battle to come. They would prevail, they would conquer…they would return safely to Erebor.

"Do ya suppose Master Baggins still has that shiny little letter-opener he named Sting?" Dwalin asked, breaking the somber mood that had overtaken the group.

"I have a suspicion that we will soon find out," Kili laughed, though you could hear the worry in his tone.

"Let's just hope we arrive in time, and he never has a chance to use it," Fili muttered, his eyes narrowing in determination. "For I fear, even if Bilbo did bring his sword on this journey, one lone blade against a hoard of orcs will not be enough to protect the entire caravan. And from what I recall of our most esteemed hobbit when we first met him, some skill at the game of Conkers will not go far in holding off the evil that is heading their way."

"Aye," Dwalin nodded grimly, causing all three to urge their ponies to pick up the pace.

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They rode on in silence for several hours, everyone keeping their own grim thoughts to themselves, and gearing up for what lay ahead.

"Fili?" came his brother's voice beside him as they rode.

"Yes?" he replied, looking over at the uncharacteristically somber eyes of Kili.

"I am sorry I tried to prank you with that bucket of water," he told Fili in a sincere voice. "It was childish and wrong of me to be upset…and I shouldn't have done it, or involved Flinn."

"Well," Fili said, acting as if he were giving it a measure of thought. "If my son has to learn the art of playing tricks on someone, he might as well learn from the best." He punctuated this by giving his brother a wink and a wide grin, one that was swiftly returned.

"Then you are not upset with me?" the dark haired prince asked hopefully.

"Of course I am!" Fili countered. "I am upset and a little bit hurt. After all, I thought I was your prank partner! And to find that you have replaced me, well that was a blow indeed."

"You know I could never replace you, Fili," Kili said, and while the conversation was kept light, they both could detect the deeper emotions that were just below the surface. "Besides, did you see how horribly wrong things went without you there to plan for me?"

"Yes indeed," Fili laughed, recalling the look on Thorin's face. "Something, by the way, I pointed out to Flinn later that night. I explained to him in great detail the dangers of pulling pranks without fully thinking things through, and do you know what that son of mine concluded?"

"What?" Kili asked, full of interest.

"He decided that you should never be put in charge again, and that it is very important to always post a lookout!" Fili chuckled, the thought of his wickedly adorable son suddenly sending a stab of longing through his heart.

"Well, you can't fault his line of thinking," Kili laughed. "But…but you do forgive me right? And don't worry, I learned my lesson…it is much more fun to pull a prank with you, than to pull one on you."

"Yes, I forgive you," Fili nodded, realizing that this was something that was weighing upon his nadadith's mind, and with them now going into battle, Kili needed to make his peace. "However, Thorin might be another matter altogether. Has he given you any idea of what your punishment might be?"

"He hasn't seen me enough to let me know," Kili said with a shake of his head. "Although, if sending me out to fight orcs is not punishment enough, I fear to think what he might further have in mind."

"Well, whatever it is, I promise to stand by you and shoulder it right alongside you," Fili assured him. "Just like we always did as children. You are my brother…and at your side is where I belong."

"Just as I belong at yours…always," Kili nodded, reaching out as they grasped each other's forearm in a warrior's handshake. They were an invincible team…and the battle ahead would not see that bond broken. They only hoped they would be in time to protect the hobbits.

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Back in Erebor, Sier slowly made her way back to her chambers, feeling rather stunned and empty inside. Flinn had been reluctant to leave Thorin's arms, and the somber king did not appear to mind if the lad stayed close to him for a while longer. Dis had suggested they help Oin for a while, making sure he had everything he might need, in case the battalion returned with injuries. Sier had assisted for a while, but seeing the increasing paleness of her face, Dis had eventually sent her back to her room to lie down for a bit, saying she would come find her later. Even with the threat of an orc attack on the Hobbit caravan, there was still much for the two dams to do, with several of the guests for the celebration arriving at the gates, as well as taking up lodging in the city of Dale. Durin's Day was less than a day away now, and they must be ready.

As Sier entered their rooms, she noted how quiet it was. No sound of laughter greeted her, no voices or fiddle playing…only silence. As she walked over to the fireplace and sat down in the chair that Fili usually occupied, she couldn't stop the overwhelming feeling of despair that came over her. What if he was wounded or maimed in the battle? What if he never returned? Leaning forward she buried her head in her hands and prayed that this would not be his fate. He had to come back, he just had to! Not only for Flinn, who would mourn his father's passing bitterly, but for Dis, and Thorin, and all those who cared for him. But most of all, she wanted Fili to come home to her because she needed him, she had grown accustomed to his presence and most of all…she loved him!

Sier sat up straight in the chair, staring at the dancing flames as she fought to steady her beating heart. She loved Fili! There was no denying it, for she knew it now, whole souled and completely. And while she was not sure it could happen this way…she knew that he was her one…even if he did not feel the same. Sier did not care if it was by Mahal's design, or from some strange twist of fate at being thrown together in such an odd fashion, it was true…and it was real. She recognized then, that if he were to perish it would cause her to die inside as well. She would go on living, willing to face this life without her soulmate for the sake of Flinn…but she understood deep down that she would never love another. Never again, not after realizing just what she now felt for Fili.

"Please come back safe, my love," she whispered into the silent room. "Please come back to me."

Yah, sorry, kind of a little cliffie there. At least you know what is going on now, why Fili had to rush off and where he is going.

So...did Sier do allright in her goodbye to him? Think she gave him motivation enough to return?

Poor Flinn...this is hard on the little fellow. And no one said HE had to be all brave and crap.

Love me some Fili and Kili bonding moments.

Guest Reviews:

Mjean: Glad you enjoyed chpater 27. Jealous Fili is fun. Ha ha, too much tension for you? Looking forward to the blond baby making? Who says it would be blond this time...Sier has dark hair you know. Thanks.

Guest H: Yes, Yes, I know, Fili is feeling the frustration too, but don't worry, Durin's Day is coming. As you know now, you were right, it DID have something to do with Bilbo and the Hobbits. As for if they are all right...that will be answered tomorrow. ha ha. Thanks!

Guest: Chapter 27 is broke? It is working fine on my end. Try it again, maybe the FF site had a hiccup. Yes, Thorin could use some love right about now.

kaia: Bina and her father are NOT on the guest list for Durin's Day! No one would be stupid enough to let THEM into the party!

enilorac44: Yah, I was a bit late in hitting the post button. Sorry. Glad you got an extra 20 minutes of sleep though! I think everyone is kind of worried about Bilbo.