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Ok, many of you noticed the little nod to the mysterious 'someone' in Kili's past, and while I will not say who that was, the question of 'what happened to Tauriel' is being asked. Well, in this universe, there were no orcs chasing the dwarves when they went down the river in the barrels. So Kili never got shot with the morgal arrow, and Tauriel and Legolas never followed them to Lake Town. So with no wound, Fili, Kili, Bofur and Oin all went with Thorin to the mountain. And Kili and Tauriel never had their 'moment' in Bard's house. So with the spiders and at the Mirkwood dungeons were the only times they interacted. When, or IF, she might come back into play remains to be seen...even by me. I just have no idea at the moment. But I have no objections to it either, my husband is a big Kili/Tauriel shipper, and he has some influence over me, hee hee.

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Now...at long last...I give you the 'talk'.

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Chapter 37

~X~

Fili felt they could not have arrived at their chambers fast enough, the prince barely taking a moment to nod at the guard placed at the bottom of the stairs that led to the royal chambers. Yet he knew they had one, possibly two, more obstacles to their desired privacy…his mother and Flinn.

Opening the door and stepping inside, the anxious prince saw his amad just exiting Flinn's room, signaling to him with a finger at her lips that they should be quiet.

"I just got him settled," she explained, walking over to meet them. "I tried to convince him to let me get him into his sleeping clothes, but he insisted that only you are allowed to see him undressed," Dis laughed, looking at Sier with a big smile and a shake of her head. "So he is lying on top of his covers, still in his coat, boots and crown - which he adamantly refused to remove!"

"We will make sure he is taken care of," Fili grinned, recalling just how proud his son was to receive the symbol of his royal status. He could only imagine that they would see him sporting it morning, noon and night for a good long while.

Dis chuckled and opened her mouth to say more, but suddenly stopped, her eyes drifting from her son to his wife, and then back again. The fact that Fili looked ready to explode, and Sier would not make eye contact with her, was leaving the intuitive mother thinking it would be best if she left.

"Well, I think I will head back to the party and see what your brother and uncle are up to," she stated, covering her slight laugh with a cough as she headed for the door. "Knowing them, no good at all."

"Just be sure to limp a little when you do," Fili suggested, following her to the door. "After all, you are supposed to have twisted your ankle, if you recall."

"Oh, you just stop," she huffed, exiting with a wide grin, giving her son a wink of encouragement. "Have a nice evening, you two."

"We will," he assured her, smiling as he slowly shut the door. Or at least I certainly plan to, Fili thought to himself as he slid the bolt into place. He then rounded, ready to dive right into the long overdue conversation with his wife. Yet before he could even form a single word on his lips, he suddenly found them delightfully occupied…with a wondrous kiss from Sier!

She had approached him from behind, and the moment he had turned, she had him pressed against the door as her warm soft lips melding with his in the most tantalizing fashion. It was amazing, it was euphoric…it was perfect! Fili let his hands inch their way up her sides, reaching her shoulders as he gently squeezed, pulling her in just a bit closer as he allowed himself to fully experience this bliss. He had never kissed a dam before…well, not like this. There had been that one lass back in Erid Luin before he had even reached maturity, but that had been on a dare from Kili, and it had felt nothing like this. Also, the experience had been followed by a slap to his face, so it was not a memory he was rather fond of. Yet this kiss…well, he would remember this one as the single most wonderful feeling he had ever experienced…thus far.

Unfortunately, just as he was settling into the kiss, Sier suddenly pulled back, stepping out of his hold and bringing her fingers up to cover her now slightly swollen lips. She looked shocked, yet he did not think she appeared repulsed…and Fili took that as a good sign.

"I…I am sorry," she mumbled, her other hand going to her head as if she could not believe what she had just done. Why had she been foolish enough to listen to Kili? What must Fili now think of her? Still, he had not been the one to break the kiss…she had. Oh, she was so confused! "I probably should not have…I mean, I meant to talk to you first…but…"

Fili silenced her ramblings by reaching out and gently grabbing her by the arms, spinning her around as he now pushed her up against the door. He pressed his body to hers, as his forehead came forward until they met, and the only thing between them was their heated stare.

"Shhhhh," he whispered, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath, allowing her to fill his senses. Oh, she smelled divine. "Don't speak another word. And for Mahal's sake, don't you dare say you are sorry for what you just did! For I have no intention of apologizing for this either!" And before she could even respond, his lips came down to cover hers once more, this time in a much more passionate fashion. His hands reaching up to tangle in her hair, feeling the soft silky tresses slip through his fingers, just as he had often dreamed about. Oh, how he loved the feel of her hair, and he swore from this day on, it would be his ultimate privilege to see to its care. Brushing it, braiding it…washing it as she bathed. It filled him with delight that Sier did not appear to be resisting his advances, in fact if anything, she seemed to be encouraging him onward. As if an unspoken agreement had been made between them, giving each the express permission to dig, search…discover. "Oh, Sier," Fili moaned, when their lips parted momentarily, allowing them a much needed breath. "Was…was this what you meant to tell me?"

"Some of it," she nodded, blushing as she averted her eyes.

Yet Fili would not allow it, and reached out to tip her chin up towards him again, locking their gaze.

"Well, then…I can assure you, that I desperately want to hear more," he told her in a low and sultry voice. "So very much more."

"You…you are not upset by…well, this?" she questioned, looking hopeful.

"Upset?" Fili groaned, closing his eyes as if he were truly in some sort of pain. "By Durin's beard and ax, lass…why in Middle Earth would you think I would be upset?"

"Well…I didn't know," she told him with a look of confusion. "I mean, if I am not your one…and you…you didn't want me that way in return, I thought it might make you uncomfortable."

"Oh, I am uncomfortable all right," he told her, stepping back and bending over slightly, his hands resting on his knees as he took in a deep breath. "But I can't say that I am upset about it…not in the slightest."

"What?" she asked, staring at him with concern. "I…I don't understand."

"To be honest…neither do I," Fili admitted, straightening up as he ran his fingers through his hair, doing his best to regain his composure. The moment she had kissed him, strange things had begun to take place with his body. And while he desperately hoped it meant what he thought it did…he was left with an overwhelming sense of dread if it didn't. "I mean I have a pretty good idea…but I don't know for sure."

"Fili, you are not making any sense," Sier pleaded, her anxiety growing with every passing moment. "Are you happy that I kissed you…or not?"

Fili was instantly before her once more, his palms cupping her face as he stared into her eyes, doing all he could to convey his innermost thoughts to her.

"I am more than happy, beyond delighted!" he assured her. "I have been thinking…no, dreaming…of something very similar to this for quite some time now. Yet, it took you, my sweet, darling wife, and the amazing courage you possess, to make it happen."

Sier grinned as she let her fingers reach up and brush against Fili's mustache braids, loving the way they swayed back and forth when he grinned. It made her laugh, marveling at how adorable they seemed to her.

"What is so funny?" Fili questioned, his curiosity rising to the fore.

"Nothing…it's just that…" she found herself blushing now, not wanting to tell him what she was thinking.

"Sier?" Fili prompted, tipping her chin up a bit so she was once again looking at him. "No more secrets, only truth between us. What is it?"

"Your mustache," she giggled, tapping at the little beads that hung at the ends. "I always wondered what it would feel like to be kissed by you…and now I know. I thought perhaps they would get in the way, or tickle. But they don't."

"Are you sure?" Fili grinned, his smile filled with wicked humor. "Perhaps you should test that theory again…just to be certain you are correct?"

"With great pleasure," Sier assured him, reaching up on her tiptoes as she wound her arms about his neck, giving herself over to the experiment. She would have to remember to thank Kili the next time she saw him, for his amazing advice. Take a leap, he had said…well, she had, and Fili had caught her safely in his loving arms. With each new kiss, Sier was amazed at how much better it felt. While the first had been shocking, leaving her almost frantic for more, by this third kiss, there was no doubt left in her mind that Fili was the one that she was meant to be with for all time. He was her one…her only.

Suddenly, the kiss was broken, yet this time it was Fili who had pulled away, his face contorted in what could only be described as agony, sending Sier to his side in concern.

"Fili…what is wrong?" she demanded, even more confused as he gently brushed her consoling touch away. Yet when he looked up at her, she could tell it was not pain or disgust in his eyes…but confusion and a need for understanding.

"Do…do you trust me?" he asked out of the blue, his voice a bit strained.

"Trust you?" His question shocked her, for it was not what she had been expecting him to say at all. "Yes…of course I trust you. With my life."

"So, if I told you that I had to go somewhere, and do something…right now," he continued, never taking his eyes off of hers, "you would not think badly of me? You would not assume the worst, and lock me out of our chambers?"

"You're leaving?" this did not sit well with her at all.

"Just for a little bit, and only because I need to speak with someone… desperately!" Fili insisted, another painful look crossing his face as he let out a deep moan. "But I would much rather stay here and kiss you again, and again…and again!"

"You would?" she asked, hopefully.

"Mahal, yes," Fili whispered, pulling her towards him. He enjoying how her body seemed to mold to his in the most pleasing fashion.

"And…and you will come right back?" she restated, just to be sure.

"As quickly as I possibly can," he nodded. "Hopefully with the answers I need, and then I promise, we will continue this conversation as long, and as in-depth, as you would like. I swear it."

"And you liked that I kissed you?" Sier knew Fili had already assured her of this, but she just wanted to hear it one last time.

"No," he corrected. "I loved that you kissed me! Absolutely loved it."

And when she stared up into his Durin blue eyes, she saw nothing but truth there. Fili did have feelings for her, and she reveled in the knowledge. Yet she could see the desperate need that lay hidden there as well, a need for something she did not understand, but trusted that it was of vital importance. She had said she trusted him with her life…she should do no less with her love as well.

"Then, I will let you go, and wait for you to return…no questions asked," she guaranteed, stepping back as if to allow him to depart.

"And you will be here when I get back, prepared to greet me with open arms?" he probed, so afraid to take his eyes off of her for fear that she would suddenly change her mind. "You will not let some wicked seed of doubt grow in that amazing mind of yours, thinking that I, in any way, object to what we both just did? As well as what I hope we might do…later?"

"None," she said with a shake of her head, a blush coming to her cheeks at his suggestive comment.

"Then I shall leave, for the sooner I go, the sooner I will return," he nodded, making his way to the door, though at a strangely stiffened pace, so unlike his normal fluid movements. Sier followed him, waiting as he unlocked the door and stepped out into the hall, resting her cheek against the wood in a forlorn manner. Yet before he could actually depart…Fili turned back and kissed her one last time, leaving Sier with a promise of what was to come upon his return. "I will be right back!" he growled, and then he turned, hurrying down the stairs, taking them several steps at a time.

"Hurry," Sier whispered, as she shut the door and locked it.

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Fili cursed a blue streak, in Khuzdul, common speech, and even a little he knew in Sindarin, all the way down to the healing halls. Arriving, he burst through the door, startling the young lad on duty that night, as he barked his orders.

"Oin! Find me Oin and bring him here, NOW!" Fili told the now wide eyed healers assistant. The dwarrow scrambled to comply, but was halted by Fili's next words. "And Gandalf! Ask the wizard to come as well. Tell him it is urgent!" With a quick bow, the lad zipped through the door, as if the hounds of Mordor were on his heels.

Fili stalked around the small waiting chamber, feeling more and more agitated, as well as uncomfortable, until he gave up and headed into the adjoining room. Quickly he stripped off his tunic, breeches and boots, climbing up onto the table as he threw one of the light linen sheets over his lower half, feeling a bit more…unconfined, as he waited anxiously.

He had to know….he simply had to! When Sier had kissed him, and he had kissed her back, something happened to him that he had not felt in almost five years. Granted the memory was hazy, the drugs he had been given had still been clouding his mind, but he would never forget the way his body had felt so alive…so awake. Well, it was happening again, and this time, he was pretty sure he had not been slipped any elixir or potion. He could think of nothing he had ate, drank, or done, that might cause his body to react this way…except one.

And that was what he needed confirmed. He needed to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was not only awake, but that it had not been brought on by any outside influences…other than Sier! And if the answer was yes, that he had indeed been called from stone by his one, he had every intention of racing back to her arms, her kisses…and their marriage bed.

His tantalizing thoughts were interrupted by the sound of boots on the stone floor in the outside chamber, announcing Oin, and hopefully Gandalf's, arrival. And yet when the door opened, Fili was shocked to see not only the aged healer and wizard…but Thorin, Dwalin and Kili at their side as well!

"Are you unwell?" Thorin barked out, eyeing Fili up and down as if inspecting him for injury or illness. "Why do you require a healer?"

"As well as a wizard?" the grey cloaked figure inquired, a bit confused.

"And why are you naked?" came Kili's blunt, but obvious question.

"I…I…" Fili stammered, not wanting to speak his reasons aloud in front of so many others, especially these three. He let out a low groan, this time not from the discomfort he was feeling in his nether regions, but from embarrassment. They would never let him hear the end of this. "It is a…private matter."

"Not as private as you might think," Dwalin stated, crossing his arms over his chest and nodding towards Fili's linen covered lower half. "If that mowdiewark you are sporting is any indication…I would hazard to say, you are awake, lad."

Fili's face turned a deeper shade of red as he reached over, grabbing a nearby pillow and placing it over his lap. He had heard that term used before, but mostly in the back rooms of taverns, by less than couth men and dwarrow, and it made him uncomfortable to have it pointed out on him. Oh, how he wished his clothes were not all the way across the room on a chair by the wall.

"Fili?" Kili asked, his eyes growing wide as he searched his brother's expression for confirmation. "Are you…awake?"

"I…I think so," the crown prince nodded, not daring to meet anyone's eyes. "I mean, I feel awake…I…I just need someone to tell me why."

"Why?" Gandalf scoffed, eyeing the dwarf prince as if he had lost his mind. "You have a lovely lass for a wife, a four year old son…and you feel the need to ask why?"

"There are…extenuating circumstances," Thorin said with a deep sigh, looking over at the confused Istari. And after receiving a nod of compliance from Fili, the king under the mountain related the entire sordid affair to Gandalf, leaving nothing out…no matter how mortifying. When Thorin was finished, the elderly wizard remained silent for a long while, bringing his hand up to stroke his beard, as if he were giving the matter a great deal of thought.

"I see. That is indeed a very strange and tragic tale, my young Fili," he spoke at last. "Though it would appear to me that you two have at least come to a happy conclusion, in that Sier has indeed awakened you, just as any dwarrow would be when confronted by their one."

"But couldn't it all still be from the potion I was given?" he pressed, his voice becoming desperate, wanting so much for Gandalf's words to be true.

"After almost five years?" the wizard snorted, shaking his head as if Fili was a blooming idiot. "How potent do you imagine that elixir to have been?"

"I don't know!" Fili wailed, feeling like he would die soon if someone didn't give him a firm and definitive response. Yet it would seem that Gandalf was not capable of delivering a straight answer either. "I don't know anything, it would appear. Not what I should be feeling, how I should act, or what to do about all this. I know nothing!"

"Well, that is obvious!" came the voice of Dis, as she strode into the room, her face set in a look of resolve. Right on her heels was Ori and Nori, both appearing out of breath - most likely from trying to keep up with the determined princess.

"Amad?" Fili cried, reaching back and pulling the linen sheet more snugly around him, doing all he could to protect his dignity…which was now in serious jeopardy! "What are you doing here?"

"Do you honestly think I do not have my own spies around this mountain?" she asked with a roll of her eyes, while Ori and Nori averted their gaze, shuffling their feet just a bit. "Those willing to tell me if you were ever seen down here in the healing halls, or seeking out Oin's attention!"

"I am not here to request any of the elixir or herbs," Fili assured her, looking a bit hurt that she thought so little of him.

"Glad to hear it!" she nodded, though the scowl on her face never faded. "But what you said was true…you know nothing at all about what to expect when finding your one. And I blame you, Thorin Oakenshield! This is all your fault!"

"Me?" the king shouted, shocked by her words. "I didn't do anything!"

"Obviously…and that is the issue," she huffed. "I trusted you to explain the facts of life to my lads, when they came of age. To tell them what they needed to know about finding their one, and how to go about it."

"And I did!" Thorin objected, looking a bit red faced now himself. "I told them all I knew on the subject…I swear!"

"Ahhh, so now we get to the crux of it," Dis sighed, shaking her head forlornly. "Since apparently all you know on the subject can fit on the head of a pin! I sent a boy to a man's job…so to speak."

"I beg your pardon!" Thorin roared, not appreciating being referred to by human terms, or her insinuation that he was less than informed on any subject that might involve his nephews.

"Then care to explain to me why my son did not know that dreaming of a dam, especially of her on their wedding day, is one of the sure signs that he had found his one?" Dis challenged, watching as Thorin's look of indignation melted slightly.

"It is?" Thorin asked.

"It is?" Fili parroted, suddenly very interested in what his mother had to say.

"It is!" she affirmed. "It occurs quite often, though not in every case, and one that your own father experienced when courting me. He dreamed of our wedding day, of me in my gown, and later he also had visions of you…our first born."

"I…I have dreamed of Sier, carrying my child!" Fili gasped. "Of…of a second babe, a sibling for Flinn."

"You have?" Dis now looked as if she was about to burst into tears. "Another grandbaby?" She then let her gaze turn harsh, and slapped at Thorin's arm with the back of her hand. "See the mess you made! If he had only known, the last two months of those two tiptoeing around each other could have all been avoided."

"Again…how was I supposed to know?" Thorin argued.

"Did our father, Thrain, tell you nothing?" she challenged.

"NO!" he growled back, suddenly looking rather hurt by her thoughtless accusation. "He…he gave me the basics, exactly what I in turn told Fili and Kili, and he said he would go into more detail when I met my own one. But I never did…at least not in time for him."

Dis looked stricken, realizing that Thrain had died before he could perform his duty to his son, and pass along the secrets that every sire was supposed to share. Just the same as Flinn had died in battle before he too could do the same for their sons. She looked around at the faces of the other dwarves in the room, Nori and little Ori…had their father lived long enough to do the job for them? What about Bofur…or even Bifur? Smaug had wrecked so many lives, destroying or displacing entire families, never to be made whole again.

"I am sorry, Thorin," she told him, bowing her head in regret. "I…I should have realized."

"It is not your fault," her brother said with a sigh, as he stepped closer, placing his arm around her as he pulled her close. They had both endured much in their lifetime, but they still had each other, and Thorin loved his little sister dearly.

"It's not yours either, and I am sorry for saying so," she told him, hugging him back.

"So…" Fili broke in, hating to ruin this tender moment, but he was getting a bit cold from sitting there with no clothes on, and he would dearly love to get his questions answered so he could redress. "Does that mean that I am officially awake…and that it is all Sier's doing, not from that potion?"

"Fili," Gandalf spoke up. "I am indeed familiar with this elixir you speak of, and while I recall it being used in the past for some good, I have also heard of it being used for nefarious reasons as well. Yet none more so than what Thorin just described to me. This Bina is no lady, in fact, I would sooner call her a mangy warg for what she did to you and Sier. Thankfully, it would appear that you both have made the best of a rather perplexing situation. And I am more than happy to inform you that the potion you speak of only lasts for a few hours…a day at the most. So any feelings you might be having now, could in no way be from a single dose five years ago. And that is assuming you were given any of it in the first place."

"What?" this was a new thought to Fili…as well as the other wide eyed dwarves in the room.

"Well, if you are reacting this strongly to Sier now…I see no reason why you would not have done the same back then?" the wizard mused. "While I am not an expert on dwarf physiology, and all the different ways they might react towards their one…I can recognize logic when it is staring me right in the face."

"You mean…there is a chance that I was never drugged at all…other than a sleeping draught?" Fili's breath was now coming out in short gasps. "That…that Sier was my one all along? And that I awoke back then for the same reason I am now…because I…I love her?"

"Stranger things have happened," Gandalf shrugged. "Yet, I do not claim to be a physician, and I would advise you to consult with Oin on the question of your state of awkeness."

"Yes, lad," Oin nodded, stepping forward as he put on his most serious healer's face. "Let's have a look."

Fili shook his head vigorously, no longer needing anyone to confirm the state of his body…he knew without a doubt he had been awakened.

"No, I'm good," he told the older dwarrow, waving him off. "Now, I would like to get dressed please, and I refuse to do so with everyone in the room…especially her!" he hissed, pointing at Dis.

"Oh, for Mahal's sake, Fili," she sighed dramatically. "I am your mother, you have nothing I have not seen a million times before."

"Not lately!" he argued, once more turning bright red.

"But she is your ama, Fili," Kili broke in, doing his best not to laugh. "According to your son, she is allowed to see you naked."

This caused Fili to literally growl at his brother, baring his teeth in irritation.

"Fine!" Dis grumbled. "I am going, but you are all coming with me," she insisted, as she began to usher the other dwarrow out the door and into the waiting room beyond. "Besides, I think it is time I took matters into my own hands and saw that my boys, as well as the rest of you who are woefully uninformed, get a little tutoring on the subject!"

"What do you mean by that?" Kili asked, suddenly horrified. Their amad was not going to start telling them the facts of life…was she?

"Just what I said…it is time you heard the truth from someone…or someones, who know." Dis then turned to Ori and Nori, giving them her orders. "Go find Gloin and Bombur, and tell them they need to join us here, right away. And bring Bofur, Bifur, Dori and Balin as well. They might as well be filled in too. Tonight…everyone gets an education!"

Well, kiddies...you waited too long, now Mama Bear is taking over and her cubs will get an education!

Sooooo? How did you like the talk? The kissing? Did Sier leap well enough? Did Fili catch her satisfactorily?

I know, I know, it wasn't enough - you ravenous wolves are never satisfied! ha ha. Just kidding, I love you all.

Did everyone feel bad for Fili...so embarrassing. And Thorin...so sad, no daddy to tell HIM the facts of life, not all of them at least. Looks like he will benefit from this Sex Education class as well.

More tomorrow!

Guest Reviews:

Mjean: Kili can really surprise us from time to time, and pull out the brain cells. ha ha. And yep, they headed off to talk. I hope they TALKED enough for you...for now, there will be deeper 'conversations' later, ha ha. I really WANT to write about Thorin and Dwalin, but I am the kind that can't write and post at the same time. I feel too pressured. I must write first, then post when I have most of it done, so I am confident that I know where I am going with it all. And I have a trip coming up, so I will be away from my computer for three weeks. So that is kind of a deterrent. Thanks for the kind words and the review.

Guest H: Well...I gave you the talk...happy now? And there will be more talking to come, *wink wink* More Flinn and Frodo cuteness? Can you take more? This is hard core stuff I am dishing out, and you already said you were dying of cuteness overload. ha ha. Thanks!

nursenan: Yep, never play strip poker with Thorin or Gandalf. *gives a shudder* NEVER with Gandalf. ha ha. With Thorin, I would sooo cheat! As for Flinn and Frodo being sword brothers...if I had planned to take this story into the war of the rings...it might have been an issue. I mean would Flinn have gone on the quest with him, being sword brothers and all? Thankfully I will not have to think about that. Too much muddle for my brain. Ummm, I think you misunderstood...Dis did not take Flinn to HER room, just took him back to his own and put him to bed...as you saw. But good enough for now. ha ha. And who would have thought that Kili could give such good advice...right? Tilda too. I still have that string..."here, kitty, kitty." Thanks for reading!