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HELLO! I'M BAAAAACK!

I thank you very kindly for being so patient with me while I got a jump on this story. I now having over 20 chapters in the bank and am ready to start posting again.

Part three has turned out to be rather eventful, and very exciting (if my beta readers are to be believed) so I hope you enjoy the adventure I am affectionately calling "The Kili Chronicles." ha ha. I hope I do him and Tauriel justice.

And now, without further ado...

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The Kili Chronicles

Chapter 94

(Five years later)

~X~

Fili and Kili headed up the stairs towards Erebor's royal chambers, giving a nod towards the guard who stood on duty at the bottom. Yet when they reached the landing, they were almost plowed over by five enthusiastic dwarflings, all of them running and screeching down the hallway.

"Whoa there!" Fili laughed, holding his hands up in defense. "What's going on?"

"Frerin and I are chasing orcs!" Flinn explained, his wooden sword in his hand and a huge grin on his face. Frerin, also brandishing a toy sword, stood at his older brother's side, ready to aid him in battle.

"Orcs, you say?" Kili questioned, staring at the remaining three children with a raised eyebrow. Rose, Tor and Tal each held up their hands, curling their fingers like claws and growled, baring their teeth menacingly. "Oh, yes, I can see it now…truly hideous!" the younger prince said in horror. "Carry on."

With that, the five of them continued their play, running and chasing each other amid whoops and cries of glee. Fili smiled at the bunch, completely amazed at how quickly they had all grown. Wasn't it only yesterday that his second son had been placed in his arms for the first time? Fili, Dwalin and Thorin, agreed on a daily basis that their dwarflings were growing up far too quickly.

Flinn, who was now ten, still retained much of his dwarfling stature, looking more like a six or seven year old son of men, than a full ten. Yet dwarves matured slower than other races, and after they reached the age of five, the speed of their aging decreased considerably. Fili and Sier were fine with this, for they were not ready for their oldest son to become an adult any time soon.

Frerin, who had shot up over the past several years, was still quite a bit shorter than Flinn, yet like any little brother, he followed his sibling around like a shadow, doing everything he could to copy him. Fili still found it a bit unnerving to see how much his two lads resembled himself and Kili when they were that age, with everyone who had known them back then remarking on the similarities. The two were rarely out of each other's sight, and where one was, the other was never far behind. It made Fili happy to know that his sons would be as close as he and Kili still were.

Thorin's daughter, Rose, had also had a growth spurt, taking after her father's tall stature, yet thankfully had inherited many of her mother's more delicate qualities. She had long dark hair, an inner beauty that was already evident, and the most disarming smile you could imagine…but she was also full of fire and spunk. Even being the youngest of the group, Rose was still quite the little terror, and everyone knew it. Thorin claimed she took after Dis in that respect, and would one day follow in her aunt's footsteps, becoming a powerful force in the mountain. Dis simply doted on Rose, begging to take the little lass off their hands every chance she got. Marigold and Thorin were grateful for the occasional respite from being parents, enjoying their quiet time alone very much. Yet still, come morning, the devoted couple were always eager to get their little flower back, missing her terribly after only a few hours apart.

Dwalin and Bergie's two were no less rambunctious, though where the bald warrior had expected his son to follow in his footsteps, it was his daughter, Talin, who turned out to be the true fighter. Torin took after his hobbit mother in more than appearance, from his hairy feet to his curly brown locks, and it was quite evident that his love for growing things was not simply a passing phase. So it was that while Tor spent most of his time with his mother and cousin, Marigold, learning anything they would teach him about the crops and food storage - Tal was the one who followed Dwalin around like a puppy, desperately begging to be shown how to use an ax.

Fili had thought this was hysterical, since at first Dwalin had no idea what to do with his little warrior lass…yet in no time at all, the two were as thick as thieves, and Dwalin was bursting with pride. His original fears of the day Talin grew up and became a desirable lass, faded somewhat when he realized that she would be more than capable of handling any dwarrow on her own. No one was going to trifle with his daughter's heart and live to tell the tale…that was for damn sure! Tor still enjoyed playing battle with his sister and cousins, and while Dwalin could see that the lad had the potential of being a very proficient fighter, he was simply not as interested in training as Tal.

All in all, they were a very well rounded bunch, the terror of the mountain, as well as everyone's delight. Often the five would enlist the help of Tae, to make it an even match, but Bombur and Ilin's other two, Tam and Bram, were now getting too old to run around with the other dwarflings. Opting instead to begin apprenticing with their parents, Bram in the kitchens and Tam with mill-work.

And so it was that the two princes allowed the children to play as they entered into Fili's chambers, there finding the hobbit they were seeking, happily visiting with Sier and Bergie. Thorin had asked his nephew to deliver a message to Marigold concerning Dain's upcoming visit, and Fili recalled that Sier had mentioned that the queen had planned on stopping by that day.

"Hello, my dear," Fili said to his wife, placing a kiss on her cheek as he stepped into the room. "And how are my two favorite dams today?" He next leaned in and tickled his beautiful daughter, Freya, under the chin, causing her to giggle and squirm in her mother's arms.

Fili couldn't help but think back to the day Sier had told him about their upcoming third child. And while he had secretly hoped all along his dream would come true, he still held his breath until the moment she was born…wondering if it would truly be a lass. Yet he broke down in sobs of joy when Oin had announced he had a daughter, blubbering so much that he could hardly see the precious infant through his tears. After having two sons, Fili thought he was prepared for everything, and yet the moment Freya had been placed in his arms, he experienced a whole new kind of elation and fear…the kind only a father has for his daughter. Suddenly the world was a much scarier place, and Fili swore he would do everything in his power to make it safer for Freya and his sons.

Oh yes, Fili was without a doubt head over heels in love with his exquisite little lass. While she had been named after Sier's mother, even at the tender age of two, it was obvious that Freya resembled her father in almost every way imaginable. Her soft hair was the color of sunshine, her sparkling eyes as blue as the sky, and her radiant smile had the power to melt your heart. The only difference between her and Fili was the fact that Freya was painfully shy, clinging protectively to her ama and adad wherever they went. She would, of course, let immediate family hold her, but was reluctant to even speak to anyone else, let alone allow them to get anywhere near her. That was just fine with Fili, having realized early on exactly how protective he was over Freya.

Flinn and Frerin watched over their little sister like seasoned warriors, never letting anyone frighten her or get too close. Fili pitied the dwarrow who would one day claim Freya as his one…for that poor sod would have to go through him, Flinn, Frerin, and Thorin, in order to get approval and permission. Was there even such a dwarf out there brave enough to try?

"Da!" Freya cried, holding out her chubby little arms to her father. He quickly scooped her up and cuddled her close, loving how she molded to him like butter on bread. "Da! Da! Da!" she repeated over and over, knowing so few words, yet making it sound as if she had a lot to say.

"Yes, I completely agree," Fili nodded, acting as if he understood every bit. "I know just what you mean."

This seemed to make Freya happy, and she laid her head on his shoulder with a contented sigh. Yet as soon as Kili came into view, her head came back up and she wiggled anxiously, reaching out to her uncle.

"Unkee!" she giggled, using the term she had adopted for her Uncle Kili. Stepping forward, the younger prince happily took her from her father's arms. Fili reluctantly handed her over, not having been quite ready to give his daughter up. "Unkee, da, da, da. Ma, da, ma, unkee," she yammered on, her arms waving expressively as she said her piece.

"Am I missing something?" Kili asked, looking over at Sier questioningly. He did not have the skill to decipher what his niece was saying, but he sure loved listening to her talk.

"With Freya it's hard to say," Sier laughed. "Just agree with her and she is usually happy."

"But what if she's asking for a pony?" Kili suggested, looking at his niece suspiciously. "Or perhaps demanding my dessert tonight after dinner?"

"Then you hand it over with a smile, little brother," Fili laughed. "You wouldn't deny my beautiful lass a bite of your pie…would you?"

Kili was caught between a rock and a very adorable face, and he did not know what to say. Yet, in the end, he just nodded his head and agreed with whatever Freya was asking, making the dwarfling grin from ear to ear.

"It's my dessert she wants…isn't it?" Kili said with a heavy sigh and a shake of his head.

"Or a pony," Fili shrugged.

"Did you happen to see the children in the hall as you came in?" Marigold asked from where she sat, her belly round once more with evidence of another child. "The five of them were making such a racket running around in here that we couldn't even think straight, so we told them to go play in the hall." She and Thorin were beyond elated at the prospect of a second bairn, but unlike Rose, the gender of this one would apparently remain a mystery until its birth. Marigold was now a little over eight months along, making it harder for her to move around with hobbit-like stealth.

Unfortunately, the news of the upcoming birth had put a kink in their plans to visit the Shire. True to his word, Thorin had been arranging a trip that fall to visit Rory and Menegilda, taking Marigold and little Rose back to see her mother's homeland. Flinn and Frerin had even managed to talk Fili and Sier into letting them go as well, with Thorin swearing on the ax of Durin the Deathless that he would allow nothing bad to befall the lads. Yet, Fili couldn't help but be thrilled by this delay in the journey, not only because it meant another child for Thorin, but he also got to keep his sons at his side and under his protection a little longer.

Another reason Thorin had been eager to travel west, was to visit with Bilbo again. It had shocked everyone, when only a year ago, they received word that their esteemed hobbit had gone off and found himself a wife! At first, Thorin had been highly put out that they had not been invited to witness the joyous event, yet after Bilbo had explained that the whole thing had come about rather quickly, the dwarf king settled down. The now married burglar wrote that he had been as shocked as anyone when his heart had suddenly been stolen away, claiming that he had never imagined he would fall in love, let alone get married. But when Daisy Lightfoot, a widowed lass a few years his junior, had moved from Tuckburrow to Hobbiton…well, Bilbo was instantly smitten. In one month's time he had managed to woo and marry her - causing quite the scandal over the speed in which they wed. Bilbo said he was already used to everyone thinking him odd, so it didn't faze him a bit, and to his delight, it didn't appear to bother Daisy either.

Since the couple never figured to have any children of their own, both already past what they considered the age for child rearing, Bilbo had named young Frodo as the official heir to his fortune. Drogo and Prim were very touched that their cousin had seen fit to bestow such an honor on their son, yet Bilbo had explained that he had become rather fond of the lad during their trip to and from Erebor. Claiming that there was no finer family he would prefer to benefit from the wealth he had acquired during his travels. Thankfully, the passing on of his estate was far in the future, and for now the couple was happily settled in Bag End, and eagerly awaited Thorin and Marigold's visit.

"Yes, the children are chasing each other around out in the hallway," Fili nodded. "I think Rose, Tor and Tal are orcs, and Flinn and Frerin plan to rid the world of their villainy."

"Just as long as they wear themselves out, I don't care what they do," Bergie laughed. "Dwalin went out on patrol early this morning, leaving me to get them up, dressed and fed…and I am already completely exhausted! I hope he has enough energy to put them to bed tonight, because I swear I won't last past dinnertime." Everyone who knew the twins well, fully understood that Tor and Tal ran their parents ragged. Still, the warrior and his hobbit wife had taken the bull by the horns, so to speak, and made it look easy. They had considered trying for more children, yet before they had time to decide if they could handle another one…or possibly two…Bergie's cycles stopped, the choice apparently having been made for them. However, they were more than satisfied with the beautiful lass and strong lad they already had, and no two parents could have been happier.

They, however, were not the only ones being forced to settle for a fewer number of children than once planned. Not long ago, unsettling news had arrived from the Shire, telling of the difficulty Esmerelda Brandybuck was having during her long awaited pregnancy. While most hobbit lasses flourished during this time, poor Esme spent most of her time in bed and unable to do much at all. And when the babe was finally due to deliver, she struggled with that as well. Thankfully, all turned out well, and a healthy little lad was born in the early spring. They named him Meriadoc, but called him Merry for short, and he was the light of Saradoc and Esme's life. However, due to the dangers of them trying for a second child, they too chose to be contented with the happy little lad they had been blessed with. Besides, Esme's brother, Paladin Took, and his wife Eglantine, already had three little lasses that spent much of their time visiting their aunt and uncle's home, so there were always an array of children underfoot…and rumor was, they were trying for a fourth. Paladin dearly hoped it would be a lad this time, he was feeling quite overwhelmed by females in his little hobbit hole.

Hamfast Gamgee had indeed gone home a wealthy hobbit, yet he ended up spending much of his fortune in an attempt to influence Bell Goodchild's father to bestow upon him her hand in marriage. Horgath unkindly took advantage of the eager lad, and swindled him out of much of the gold the dwarves had gifted him with, yet Hamfast never seemed to regret it, especially when he stood next to Bell that following spring and claimed her as his wife. Since then, the young couple moved to Hobbiton where Hamfast began his own gardening business. Everyone from miles around was eager to hire the famous hobbit that traveled across Middle Earth and won the favor of the dwarf king of Erebor. Thus they settled in quite nicely and began a family…rather quickly. The last the dwarves had heard, they were up to their fourth child with no signs of stopping there. All in all, things were going rather well for everyone in the Shire…and the only thing that would make things better, was the greatly anticipated visit from Thorin, Marigold, and company.

"Well, it would appear that all the children are well on their way to exhausting themselves," Kili assured Bergie, tickling Freya's tummy and enjoying her merry giggle.

"Good," Sier smiled. With three of her own now, she too could use an easy night of putting them to bed. It had been longer than she liked since she and Fili had a little bit of alone time themselves. Flinn and Frerin slept like logs, happily tucked away in the room they still shared, but Freya often wandered into their chamber at night, looking to snuggle in-between. Sier was hoping for no midnight visitors this evening.

"So, what has caused our two princes to seek us out?" Bergie asked, knowing that returning home in the middle of the day was highly unusual for Fili…and with Kili in tow, she suspected they were on some mission.

"I bring a message from Uncle," Fili related, looking over at Marigold. "Cousin Dain will be arriving from the Iron Hills in one months' time, according to the raven that arrived today. Thorin would like you to make sure the best guest chambers are made ready before they get here, as well as plan a fine welcoming feast."

"One month?" Marigold repeated. "That is just about when I'm due to give birth!" She then got a rather amused look on her face and began to laugh. "I bet that Dain is only coming in hopes of seeing Thorin faint again at this little one's arrival. Once he heard about how our brave king had hit the floor…he has never let him forget it."

"None of us has," Bergie chuckled. "I mean, it's Nori and Bofur's favorite story to tell…well, next to Kili having to walk buck naked all the way back from the baths, that is."

At that, everyone in the room burst out laughing…well, everyone but Kili. He looked down at his niece and gave a huff.

"Do you hear that, Freya…they're picking on me again!" he told her. "But you love me best, right?" And while the little dwarfling could not answer in words, she proved her loyalty to her uncle with a wet kiss on the cheek. Kili was delighted. "See…all dams love me."

"Yes, yes, you're irresistible," Fili agreed with a roll of his eyes, deciding it was easier to just give in to his brother than continue to argue with his huge ego. However, he did not get to say any more, for just then there came a loud, and urgent, knock at the door.

"Enter," Fili called, turning to see who it might be. When he saw one of Thorin's personal guards enter, bowing to the royals, he got a rather worried look on his face.

"Is something the matter?" he questioned the guard, whose name was Rakor.

"Lord Dwalin has sent me to fetch you and Prince Kili," he explained. "Elves, and a company from Dale, have been spotted approaching Erebor and the king requests your presence in the throne room immediately."

"Elves and men?" Fili repeated, both excited and worried by the news. They were not expecting any delegates from either Dale or Mirkwood, nor had Glorfindel or the twins sent word that they would be visiting anytime soon. Over the past five years they had seen much of the golden elf lord, yet nothing at all of Elladan and Elrohir, much to Fili and Kili's disappointment. Glorfindel had claimed that their absence was due to Elrond keeping his sons busy patrolling the borders of Rivendell, for orcs and other foul beasts appeared to be massing in strength. The Dunedin Rangers were ever on guard as well, patrolling the woods and attempting to keep the Great West Road safe and open.

Thranduil had surprisingly accepted Thorin's obligatory invitation to their Durin's Day celebrations twice since the wedding, yet both times he had been accompanied by Glorfindel. Fili could still recall the look on Thorin's face when he saw the elf king wearing the blade their mother had gifted to him in their uncle's name…but without his permission. To his credit, Thorin had not said a word, and even nodded graciously when Thranduil had commented on the fine craftsmanship of the sword. The other three times he had been invited, the king of the woodland realm had apparently been unavoidably busy elsewhere…not that Thorin had minded in the least. Yet Fili knew that each time Thranduil sent his regrets, it had been a disappointment to little Flinn, who had developed an odd fondness for the stoic elf. Fili never understood it, yet neither did he ever do anything to hinder the friendship.

So naturally, the announcement that a company of elves and men were approaching Erebor left the crown prince curious, as well as a bit alarmed. Not so much worried that they were under attack…but at what might have brought two of their allies to them unannounced. He feared it could only mean bad news.

"Elves, Adad?" Flinn asked, the children having apparently heard the announcement from the guard and came running into the room as well. "Is it King Thranduil or Lord Glorfindel?"

"I'm not sure," Fili admitted, looking at Rakor for confirmation, yet even he shrugged his shoulders unknowingly. "However, it would appear that we will soon learn the truth."

"May I come, Adad?" Flinn begged, looking up at his father pleadingly.

"Me too?" Frerin beseeched, not wishing to be left out in any way.

Fili considered this, for while he would not normally bring his young sons to a diplomatic meeting, having the two lads there might be a wise move. If Thranduil was among the elves approaching, Flinn's presence would go a long way in keeping the elf king civil. And anything that served as a buffer between Thranduil and Thorin, was always a good idea.

"Yes, you may," Fili nodded, the two lads squealing with joy. "However," Fili continued, holding up his finger in a warning gesture. "You will stand to the side, you will not say a word, and only speak if I give you permission. Understood?"

"Yes, Adad," the two lads nodded in agreement.

"I should go too," Marigold stated, struggling to rise to her feet. "He may need me to play hostess if these guests intend to stay."

"You remain here," Sier argued, laying a hand on Marigold's shoulder and encouraging her to stay seated. "I will see to anything they might need, you just rest. I'm sure that Dis will be there as well, and we can handle whatever comes up." She then took Freya from Kili and handed her over to Bergie, who cuddled her little cousin by marriage to her chest.

"Good then, let's go," Fili stated, heading for the door as the guard turned and lead the way.

"Can we go too?" Tor and Tal asked, hating to be left behind.

"And me?" Rose spoke up.

"I need the three of you to stay here and protect your amas and little Freya," Fili insisted, his voice taking on a very serious tone. "With Flinn and Frerin accompanying me and Kili, I will be counting on you three to handle this important task."

"We can do it!" Talin stated, picking up the toy sword that Flinn had laid down, holding it out as if she were ready for battle. "You can count on us, Prince Fili!"

"I knew I could," he nodded solemnly. "I leave you in charge, Tal…protect them well, my brave soldiers." And with a quick wink at the two hobbit lasses, the five of them left the room.

Elves and men, visiting Erebor unexpectedly…he wondered what the reason could be.

Oh my...men and ELVES are coming to Erebor? What ever for? And who could it be? (wink wink)

I know this chapter was a lot of "catching up" but after five years, there was much that needed to be told.

I will be posting three chapters a week, like I did last time, but this one today is a bonus. I will begin my regular schedule on Monday, followed by Wednesday and then Friday - taking the weekends off to write more so that I don't run out of chapters too quickly. So expect the next chapter tomorrow.

I am so happy to be back and it would mean a lot if you took the time to send in a review and let me know you have returned to read as well. Thanks!

Guest Reviews from previous chapters:

abc: Glad you enjoyed chapter 93. It was meant to bee a happy 'ending' and fill you with a sense of peace in their lives. Yep...I HAD to let Thorin faint...I just had to. Ahhh, a Kili girl are you? Well, I hope you enjoy this part then! I hope to see you back reviewing again!

Guest: A masterpiece you say? Awwww, shucks, you flatter me! Hope you enjoy the continuation!

PerfectPrincess5: Was this fast enough? I wrote as quickly as I could...promise!

Mjean: Thank you! Let's see what you make of THIS one now. ha ha.

Emrfangirl: Thanks! Just as your reviews were a bright spot in my day! And I couldn't help but let Thorin take the fall in the fainting department...it was just too delicious. ha ha. As for writing the Spark story...I agree! Maybe someday I will have time.

kaia: What suggestion was that? Did I miss it? But I am glad that whatever it was, I used it and it made you happy. Glad you found my story again, and that you are enjoying it. Hope you like part three as well.

Guest: Yes, Thorin's reaction was pretty sweet, right? Glad you liked it.

WhoWould'veGuest: Glad you are back...and look SO AM I! ha ha. I hope you didn't spit your drink out all over your computer...messy! But I just couldn't help making Frodo the ring bearer...I just HAD to!

darkone7142: Well...wait no longer...here it is! And I do hope you think it is exciting, I have been having a ball writing it, that's for sure.

Feu d'Argent: Yep, Thorin fainted! and yes, I did have to put in that whole "Thorin got lost on the way to the healing halls' thing. couldn't resist. ha ha. And I had always planned to end my story this way, with little Flinn saying he belonged with his brother...but the whole Thorin and Dwalin thing just kind of got in the way...but I finaly made it around and back to my original ending. ha ha. I hope all the new little ones kill you with their adorableness as well. And you are very welcome - but I also with to thank you for your kind reviews! They keep me going.