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Surprise! Here is a bonus chapter for you, just because I wanted to.

Hope you like it!

Then your regular chapter will be out on Monday.

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Chapter 98

~X~

Meanwhile, back in Erebor, Kili had gone in search of his brother. The company of men from Dale had been spotted heading their way, and Thorin had sent him to find Fili. Knowing that this journey meant a lengthy separation from his wife and daughter, Kili knew exactly where he would find his brother…with his family. Or at least what was left of it, knowing that his two young nephews had already left for Esgaroth with Bombur and his family. Knocking at the door, Kili bounced up and down on the balls of his feet anxiously until it was opened by Sier.

"It's time," he told her, his eyes scanning the room for Fili. "Prince Bain and the men from Dale are approaching."

"He's in there, saying goodbye to Freya," Sier told Kili, gesturing towards the bedroom door.

Kili walked across the room, all prepared to hurry Fili along, but he stopped when he heard voices through the partially opened door.

"Could I please have more tea, Princess Freya?" the crown prince was heard to say.

"Da, da," the little lass replied, and then there came the clinking of what Kili could only assume was a child's small tea set.

Very quietly, he pushed the door open a bit further, peeking in and stifling a laugh. There was his brother, the next in line for the throne of Erebor, sitting cross legged on the floor wearing a rather fetching straw hat with flowers around the brim, a lace shawl across his shoulders, and a teacup and saucer in his hand. His daughter was dressed in an equally flamboyant hat and had some of her mother's jewelry draped around her neck. Kili could not help but let out a loud bark of laughter, finding this far too humorous to keep his presence a secret.

Fili's head jerked up, a look of horror springing to his eyes and a tinge of red forming on his cheeks. He had not meant for anyone to see him having a tea party with his daughter…especially his blabbermouth brother! And if he did not take hold of the situation immediately, news of this would soon be all over the mountain…and Fili couldn't have that!

Standing up, he leaned in and kissed Freya on the cheek, giving her a warm smile as she continued to happily play with her tea set. When he knew his daughter was thoroughly distracted, Fili pulled off the hat and shawl, and stomped to where Kili stood, doubled over with laughter. He grabbed hold of his arm and forced him out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Not a word!" he warned his still snickering brother, shoving a threatening finger in front of his face. "Not one blessed word or so help me I will…will…" Sadly, Fili could not think of anything horrible to do to Kili…well, nothing anyone would believe he would actually go through with.

"Don't worry, Nadad," Kili was at last able to get out. "Your secret is safe with me."

"Is it?" Fili questioned, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. Yes, the two were fiercely loyal to one another, and should any outsider attack the brothers, they each knew the other one had his back. Yet when it came to teasing, or attempts at embarrassing each other…well, all was fair on that front. "And what was the last secret that you were able to keep?"

"Well…I never told a soul that I also found Dwalin having a tea party with Talin and Rose last week…and he was dressed far more feminine-like than you just were," Kili grouched, looking rather put out at his brother's lack of faith in him. Yet the second the words were out of his mouth, his hand quickly came up to cover it. "Ummm, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that," he muttered, a pained look coming over his face.

"Aye…I'm sure you weren't," Fili nodded, yet grateful that he could use this to his advantage. "And if I catch wind of this getting out…to anyone…I will happily repeat what you just said to Dwalin. Understand?"

"Yes, I won't say a word," Kili swore, holding his hand up for good measure. "I promise."

"Good…and since I will be at your side for the next two weeks, I will make sure you hold to that," Fili further threatened. Yet as he looked over at Sier, seeing the concern in her eyes, it dawned on him why his brother had most likely come…to take him away. "It's time to go?" It was more of a statement than a question, but Kili nodded nonetheless.

"Thorin is waiting at the main gate," the younger prince informed him.

"Give me five more minutes," he requested, turning and walking over to Sier.

"I'll wait outside," Kili offered, knowing that they probably wanted some privacy for this.

Once he was gone, Fili took Sier into his arms and held her tightly against his body, memorizing the feel of her. He would not be able to hold her again for quite a while, and he wanted to commit her body to memory, knowing this moment would have to sustain him until his return. Oh, how he would miss holding her each night, kissing her lips, and hearing her gentle voice in his ear as he fell asleep. He would miss other things as well, but most of all he would miss her love.

"Please be careful," she begged, squeezing her eyes closed as she held on for dear life. "Don't do anything reckless…and come back to me, my love."

"I will make it my highest priority," he vowed, tipping her chin up so that he could capture her lips with his own. "I love you more than anything, my precious wife. You are my whole reason for living…so how could I do anything but return to you?"

"And I will watch for your return every day," she promised. Sier then reached up and took the ribbon from her hair, tucking it into one of the many hidden pockets sewn into his leather jerkin. She placed her hand over it as she used her other to wipe away her tears. "Keep this with you to remember what you have waiting for you here in Erebor."

"As if I could ever forget," he told her, cupping her cheek in the palm of his hand. "For you and the children will never be out of my thoughts, or my dreams. I will come back to you…I swear it." He then kissed her again, this time it was deep and urgent, as if he were trying to communicate all his love into one final passionate expression. Yet a lifetime of kisses would never have been enough.

"Fili?" came his brother's voice from behind the door. "We really have to get going." His tone was apologetic, yet urgent nonetheless, causing the older prince to give a heavy sigh.

"Let me get Freya, and we'll see you off," Sier told him, slipping from his grasp and heading for their daughter's room.

"You don't need to come down…we could say our farewells here," he suggested, catching her hand in his and halting her steps. He hated to force his wife to stand there and watch him ride away.

"No…I will not hide away as you depart," she insisted. "I am proud of you, and I want all of Erebor to see that I support your choice to go. I will not cry, and I will stand at the gate until you are stolen from my sight. I am your wife, and a princess of Erebor, and I shall comport myself as such."

"I never doubted it for a moment," Fili grinned, so very proud of her. He then collected his gear while she retrieved Freya, the four of them heading down to the front gate.

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Thorin stood there, looking solemn and stern, every inch the king…yet those who knew him well could see the hint of worry behind his eyes. Marigold stood at his side, doing her best to remain strong. Little Rose had joined them, holding her mother's hand and watching the goings on with keen interest.

Dwalin was surrounded by his own family, his brother included, each one there to wish him well…even if they would have preferred he not be going at all. Still, he was the war chief, and he would not remain behind when Thorin had deemed his presence necessary. The king trusted his nephews implicitly…yet it never hurt to hedge one's bets, he had said. Thus, Dwalin would accompany them to watch their backs, just as he knew they would guard his.

Their battalion of handpicked dwarves were mounted and ready to ride, as were Nori and Bofur, and all they waited upon now was the arrival of Prince Bain and his men. Kili craned his neck in hopes of spotting Tauriel among them, and as they rounded the bend, he was not disappointed. There she was, riding at the front of the procession, looking amazing by the dwarf prince's estimation. He could feel his body tingle with anticipation, anxious to be on their way and in her company.

"Hail, King Thorin," Prince Bain called, holding up his hand to call his company to a halt. "As promised, we have arrived and are ready to join your troops."

"With the aid of the mighty men from Dale, the dwarves of Erebor are assured success in this mission," Thorin answered back, very diplomatically. His dwarfish pride insisted that their success was assured, whether the men came along or not, but he was far too wise to say such things out loud. "We thank you for your assistance."

"Lord Glorfindel claimed that there were men being held captive as well," Bain reminded him. "So it is I who should be thanking you for your assistance, oh great king under the mountain."

Thorin couldn't help but give a slight smile at that, knowing that the young lad had picked up the use of that title from his father, the ruler of Dale always having enjoyed calling him by that moniker. He then turned to the she-elf who sat astride a fine white horse.

"We once again give our thanks to you, Captain Tauriel, for your willingness to accompany our party," Thorin said, giving a cursory nod of his head.

"It is my pleasure, King Thorin," Tauriel replied, inclining her head in return. "May my offer of aid only prove to strengthen the ties between the mountain and the woods."

Thorin only grunted in response, though not in a derogatory manner. He then turned and looked at his two sister-sons, and while Fili returned his gaze, Kili seemed somewhat distracted. Following his stare, Thorin frowned to see that his nephew's attention was focused on the red-haired elf lass - and grinning quite foolishly to boot. That was odd…as well as a bit disconcerting. Yet Thorin did not have time to dwell on this, and stepping forward as he placed a hand on each of their shoulders, drawing Kili's eyes to him.

"I know you will fight bravely and bring an end to this tyranny that has enslaved our brethren," he told them confidently. "Just remember you are sons of Durin…and may Mahal watch over you."

"We will return victorious, Uncle," Fili stated, placing his own hand on Thorin's outstretched arm.

"We will not fail you," Kili assured him.

"It never crossed my mind that you would," Thorin smiled, nodding his head as he stepped back, allowing Dis to approach her sons.

"We will make you proud, Amad," Kili told her, giving her a reluctant smile. He always hated the way his mother looked when they were forced to part.

She reached up and placed a palm on each of her son's faces, doing her best not to let her worry show.

"I have always been proud of you, my sons," she informed them. "No mother has more cause than I to admire her children and their brave deeds. Go with my blessing, but return as quickly as you can to my arms."

"We will, Amad…we promise," Fili told her, receiving a kiss on the cheek from Dis.

"Look after your brother, Fili," she instructed, those having always been her final words of parting.

"I always do," Fili grinned, repeating his practiced response.

Dis then stepped up and kissed Kili's cheek as well, pulling her youngest son into her arms briefly as he squirmed slightly by her show of affection.

"Amad," he hissed, his cheeks turning a bit red. "Everyone is watching."

"Let them watch," she scolded, giving him one final squeeze. "You will always be my little dwarfling, and I don't care who knows it."

Kili was really embarrassed then, and prayed that his mother's tone had been quiet enough not to be heard by anyone but him. Yet when he stole a glance over at Tauriel, he knew his wish had not been granted, for there was a slight smirk on her lovely lips. Kili was mortified. He already knew she was older than him by many centuries, but the last thing he wanted to do was appear childish in front of her. Yet, leave it to his mother to reduce him to a dwarfling in nappies in front of the one lass he so desperately wished to impress.

Fili, oblivious of his brother's humiliation, had turned to his wife and daughter, taking them in his arms once more. They had already said their farewells privately, yet he could not help but lean in and steal one final kiss.

"I will look for you upon my return," he whispered, repeating the words he had said the very first time they had been forced to part as husband and wife. Yet back then he had gone off to battle unsure of her feelings for him, while this time there was no doubt in his mind. She loved him, just as he loved her…and always would. He then looked over at his daughter, letting his fingers filter through her baby-fine hair. "Take care of your ama, little one," he told her, kissing her cheek.

Freya seemed confused, her eyes darting from the crowd around her to her father and then back. She knew something was wrong…something was different, but her young mind could not quite figure out what it was. So, curling into her mother's arms, she laid her head on her shoulder, yet never took her eyes off of her father.

Dwalin was also being bombarded by hugs and kisses from his family, with both Tor and Tal clinging to his legs and Bergie occupying his front in a fierce embrace.

"Take care of yourself, and don't charge into anything without thinking it through," Bergie warned him, placing both hands on either side of his bearded face and kissing him soundly.

"What kind of fool do you take me for, lassie?" Dwalin scoffed, trying to appear offended.

"You are my fool, and don't you ever forget it," she answered, giving him a wink. "Now…get going so you will be back all the sooner."

"Please let us come too, Adad!" Talin begged…still a bit miffed that her cousins had found a way to go along. And while she would never do anything to jeopardize their plan, she couldn't help doing all she could to convince her father to take her as well.

"Maybe next time, my little warrior," Dwalin grinned, looking down at her with pride. "But I need you to stay home and look after your mother. You too, Tor…I expect you to be the dwarf of the house while I'm away."

"I'll do my best," the little lad said with a solemn nod, eager to fulfil his father's request.

"And I will be here to help out as well," Balin assured his brother, knowing that he would lay down his own life to protect Dwalin's family.

"I know you will, Nadad," the bald warrior nodded in gratitude. Balin had been a positive influence on him growing up, and now he was an integral part of his children's lives as well. The white haired dwarf adored his niece and nephew, and simply loved being an uncle. Dwalin knew he was leaving his family in good hands. He then turned and gave Dis a wink, jerking his head towards where Fili and Kili were mounting their ponies. "I'll bring them home to you, lass," he told her, making the promise he had so many times before.

Dis smiled back at him, always grateful for her cousin's protective nature over her sons. And knowing just how much trouble those two could easily get into…they needed all the help they could get.

And so with everyone ready, they all gave one final wave goodbye, turning their mounts to the east, and heading down the road away from Erebor. Dis and Sier stood side by side, watching as their loved ones disappeared into the distance. It was the hardest part of being a princess, having to hide your emotions for the sake of your people's morale. Especially when all Sier wanted to do was run to her room and cry her eyes out.

"It's never easy," Dis nodded, all but reading her daughter-in-law's mind. She herself was nervously playing with the pendant that hung around her neck - for each time Dis had to bid farewell to those she loved, it reminded her of the one time her husband, Flinn, had not come back. "It's hard on those left behind, as well as equally difficult for those that are forced to go."

"It would have been far worse if Flinn and Frerin were here," Sier said with a heavy sigh. "I am just glad that they are safe and sound with Bombur, and probably halfway to Esgaroth by now. Otherwise, it would have been twice as hard for Fili to leave."

"Yes…sending them on their own little trip was a wise idea," Dis nodded. "And knowing those two rascals, they're having the time of their lives."

Hmmm, Dis...if only you knew the truth! But you don't, so never mind.

I hope you enjoyed the farewells, and I am sorry it felt like it took forever for them to head off on their mission - but as you can see, there were things that needed to happen before they left. From here on out, Kili and Tauriel will be on the road TOGETHER. Much to his delight!

Thanks again for all your kind reviews, keep them coming, they feed my muse!

Guest Reviews:

Guest Reviewer from chapter 19: Yep, I think you are right! Tingling hands means LOVE!

gginsc: Ha ha, everyone is all up in arms over the lads stowing away...and yes, Fili will NOT be a happy camper when...or if...he finds out. ha ha. Thanks for the review!

abc: Oh yes, Flinn and Frerin take after Fili and Kili in more than looks! ha ha I think you are right about everyone being upset...and maybe they SHOULD petition Thranduil for asylum, ha ha.

Emrfangirl: Welcome back! And I too was very concerned how those little lads were going to tinkle while hiding in the wagon...see, I fixed the problem! And yes, they ARE just babies, but remember, I never let anything bad happen to Flinn the last time he was in a dangerous situation...do you honestly think I would allow it now? And yes, now it is Kili's turn for romance. And yes, Bilbo is madly in love with Daisy and she is indeed the best hobbit for him. I might even think about writing his story one day too...but who knows. ha ha.