.
Thank you again for all your kind reviews and wonderful words.
I love them all.
.
.
Chapter 131
~X~
"Dis!" Flinn cried, catching her before she could hit the ground, and scooping her up into his strong arms.
"Amad!" Kili shouted, rushing to her side as well. Fili was only seconds behind.
"Bring her inside," Thorin insisted, making a path for Flinn to carry her unhindered. When Fili and Kili moved to follow, their uncle stopped them. "No, you two stay and see that everyone is taken care of. Get them settled and make sure they are brought to the banquet hall for a celebration." Then he was gone, leading Flinn quickly through the halls.
Fili and Kili were left looking at each other with shocked expressions. They had never seen their mother faint before, nor show a moment of weakness. This was all rather unnerving.
"Your mother will be just fine, lads," Balin stated firmly – apparently an expert on passing out. "It was all just a bit much for her to take in at once. Do not worry overly much about her." He then turned to the crowd still standing around, eyes full of questions and wonder. "Erebor welcomes you all to her halls," he shouted to those before him. "King Bard of Dale has also opened his doors to you men, willing to assist you in any way possible. Yet, tonight we invite you all to join us in a celebration that we hope will express our joy at your emancipation, as well as our sorrow and grief over the horrors you were forced to suffer. Please, know you are welcome here."
Balin then stepped aside, and with the help of many assistants, both the dwarves and men were ushered inside, all of them marveling at the amazing sights that surrounded them. The dwarven soldiers were also excused, eager to be reunited with their families, while those who had lost their lives in the battle were carried away with honor.
Kili had returned to Tauriel's side, his eyes tinged with worry, yet still determined to stand by his chosen one.
"Tauriel…I would speak to you," Thranduil stated firmly, looking at his captain with an unreadable expression. "Alone."
"Anything you want to say to her, you can say in front of me," Kili insisted, not wishing to abandon her if she was about to be reprimanded in any way.
"I commend you for your protective nature, dwarf prince," Thranduil said with a slight nod of his head. "Yet, I would speak to her in our own language, making it impossible for you to understand our words, regardless."
"It's all right, Kili," Tauriel insisted, placing her hand on his shoulder as she gave him an encouraging smile. "I too desire to speak with my king. I will be all right."
Kili seemed doubtful, their bond crying out that he remain at her side in times of danger…and yet, he also knew that his love could take care of herself. He only hoped that Thranduil would not attempt to sway her from her choice…the choice of him as her mate.
"Very well," he agreed at last, giving Thranduil a warning look. "I will be right here if you need me, Taureil."
With a smile of gratitude, the elf lass turned and followed her king into the entryway, the two of them searching out a place where they could speak privately.
Once more, Kili was left watching as those he loved left him behind, standing there with no idea what he should do.
"Don't worry, Kili," Sier told him stepping up and putting an arm around his shoulders comfortingly. "Her love for you is as clear as day…nothing anyone can say will change her mind." It was apparent that she had read his thoughts, for those were just the words he needed to hear.
"Thank you, Sier," Kili said, her assurance helping quite a bit. Tauriel was his one…nothing and no one could keep them apart. And even if the two of them had to leave Erebor…leave Mirkwood…he knew it would be worth it to be together.
It was then that Fili noticed the large gaping hole where the mountain's gates once stood.
"What in the name of the Valar happened here?" he gasped, looking around at the remaining dwarrow's faces for answers. "Thorin said a lot had taken place while we were gone…care to fill us in?"
"Maybe later, laddie," Balin said with a longsuffering sigh. "Sufficed to say, it is all settled and done with now. You will hear about it in due time."
"But what happened to the gates?" Dwalin insisted, his mind now working overtime on how he was expected to secure the mountain when a full grown Oliphant could easily march right in.
"Gloin…care to fill them in?" Dori asked, chuckling to himself as the ginger-bearded dwarf's cheeks turned a rosy shade of red.
"No I would not!" he huffed, grabbing hold of Oin and leading him inside the mountain, followed by Dena and Gimli. "You might want to check on Princess Dis, Brother…to see if she is truly all right."
"Aye, it might be best," Oin agreed. "And then…we get some ale!"
After they had disappeared Bard approached, looking a bit hesitant.
"Thorin was obviously not expecting his sister's husband to return from the dead," he pointed out. "Perhaps tonight is not the best time for a celebration… and I'm sure you and your family have a lot to talk about. Should I take my soldiers and the men back to Dale, to allow you all some privacy?"
"Nay, Bard," Fili disagreed. "Everyone fought bravely, and with a great deal of sacrifice, they deserve this celebration. And tomorrow we will lay the fallen to rest with honors. Stay, all of you, please."
"Very well," Bard nodded, stepping forward and clutching Fili's arm with his hand, as the dwarf prince returned the gesture. "I am truly happy that you have had your father returned to you, lad. This is indeed a very joyous occasion."
"You have no idea," Fili laughed, gesturing for him and his company to join the others inside. Yet, before the king of Dale could take one step, there came a loud shout from just down the road, causing all to turn and see Bombur, Ilin and their children riding towards them.
"Hello!" the portly cook called, waving his hand in an excited greeting. Yet as he grew nearer, it almost looked as if Bombur had been pulled through a keyhole…backwards! Ilin was riding beside him, and while she had a smile on her face, she looked rather bedraggled as well. The three children appeared just as harrowed looking, though at least their grins were genuine. "Did you hear we were coming, and came out to greet us? That's rather kind of you all."
"And how was your trip?" Fili called, choosing not to answer his question, for fear of disappointing his friend with the truth. "Catch a lot of fish?"
"Nay, nary a one!" Bombur almost pouted. "It began to rain the night we arrived and didn't let up until halfway back to the mountain. The raindrops on the water scared all the fish away from the shore and we had to dine on bought food every night. By the last day of the trip, our tents were soaked through, our bedding was as well, and I couldn't keep a decent campfire going to save my life. Bram developed a rash from some plant he accidentally touched, Tam had her boots stolen by some varmint who crept into our camp one night, and Tae fell in the lake…twice! Oh, and Ilin caught a stomach bug." Here he paused and gave his wife a sympathetic look. "All in all, it was probably the worst trip I have ever been on, and that's counting the one where we followed Thorin back here to Erebor! You all have no idea what we have been through…it was a pure nightmare." Bombur looked down, and spying Flinn and Frerin, standing between their mother and father, he shook his head ruefully. "Looks as if you two lads were the only ones who got off easy. You don't know how lucky you were to be back here in Erebor, safe and sound with your Ama, instead of roughing it out in the wild with us."
Both Flinn and Frerin hung their heads, looking rightly ashamed as they shifted on their feet nervously. They knew they would have to confess their sins to the kindhearted cook sooner or later…and apparently sooner had just arrived.
"Mister Bombur," Flinn began, glancing up at him with a piteous stare. "We have something to tell you." Yet before the repentant lad could speak another word, Sier cut him off.
"You can tell Bombur all about your week later, right now he appears to be in need of a hot bath and a warm meal," she intervened, causing Fili, Flinn and Frerin to stare up at her with shock filled eyes. "Why don't you and your family get inside and rest up a bit, we are having a fine feast later to celebrate the prisoner's release."
"A feast?" Bombur was instantly interested. "Well now, I could certainly do with that! But maybe I should pop down to the kitchens and make sure they have everything in hand."
"Don't you dare!" Ilin threatened. "I am cold, wet, tired, and feel like I was trampled by a herd of ponies. All I want is to get to our chambers, have a warm bath, and sleep for a week…and I expect you to watch over the children! No slipping off to hide in your precious kitchen!"
"Aye, my buttercup," Bombur nodded, looking a bit guilty at his suggestion. "I will be your devoted nurse until you are back in the pink…I promise."
"You better," she said sternly, dismounting and heading inside, giving a tired smile and nod to those she passed.
"Come on," Bombur signaled, instructing his three children to follow him. "We best keep up." He did spare a wave at Fili and Kili, letting them know he was happy they were back safe, before hurrying to catch up with Ilin.
Bram, Tam, and Tae followed as well, but they did stop for a moment to talk to Flinn and Frerin.
"You really missed a fun time," Bram told the two dwarflings. "It was the best camping trip ever!"
"Yah," Tae agreed with a wide grin. "I have no idea why Ama and Adad didn't like it…it was loads of fun! And I think I learned to swim!"
"You learned to sink, is more like it," Tam laughed. "But still…it was a lot of fun. Sorry you two missed it."
"Well…" Flinn said, glancing up at his parents' faces, before cringing slightly. "To tell you the truth…we're kind of sorry we missed it too."
"Oh, I bet you two are," Fili said, unable to keep his expression somber a moment more, and broke out into a roaring laughter. "I just bet you are."
.
.
Up in Dis' quarters, Oin had come and gone, assuring the two worried males that the princess was just overwhelmed and that she would wake soon. The best thing for her now, he said, was a little nap, and not to wake her before she was ready to do so on her own. So Flinn and Thorin were forced to wait, exiting her bedroom and stepping out into the main living quarters. Now that they were alone, Flinn felt somewhat out of place, not sure what to say to his brother-in-law after so many years apart. Thankfully, Thorin noticed his discomfort and offered to pour him something to drink.
"Some wine?" Thorin asked, looking nearly as uncomfortable as Flinn.
"Ale if you've got it," the blond dwarf requested.
"I doubt Dis keeps any of that on hand…but maybe something a bit stronger?" he walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of amber liquid. "The elves make this." He popped the top and gave it a sniff, nodding in satisfaction at the aroma. "I think this was a gift from Thranduil, something he gave Dis at the last Durin's Day celebration he attended."
"Set me up," Flinn nodded in agreement, anxious for anything that would burn away his frayed nerves.
Thorin poured two glasses and handed one to Flinn. They both drank deeply, coughing and sputtering a bit as the liquid went down. Still, it did the trick, and soon Thorin was pouring refills.
"I still can't believe you're back from the dead, Flinn," the dwarf king said, looking at this long lost friend and sister-brother in amazement.
"I still can't believe I'm back either," the blond dwarrow agreed, looking around the room as he tried to recall all his memories of the mountain home he once knew. An uncomfortable silence fell between the two, until Flinn gave a heavy sigh and spoke. "I…I find that I don't know what to say…or do, Thorin. I know I'm home…but, I've been a slave for so long now, everything feels awkward. Unfamiliar."
"I understand," Thorin said with a sad nod, gesturing for them to sit down. "Well…in truth I don't fully understand…I mean, how could I? But I went through something similar when I returned to Erebor. This was my home, where I was born, but for the first year after retaking the mountain…I too felt lost. Nothing was the same, everything was wrong…and yet my mind knew it wasn't. It was just as we left it, though perhaps a bit messier." He gave a snort of derision. "Dragons do not exactly clean up after themselves."
"I imagine not," Flinn chuckled, sipping slowly at his drink.
"So I wandered these halls, feeling lost for a long time," Thorin continued. "Until I stopped trying to recapture how things used to be, and began looking at Erebor with new eyes. I was the one who was different; I was no longer the same dwarrow who fled these halls all those years ago. Thus I had to look at my old home the same way…as something new and different."
"So, what your saying is…my life from here on out will have to be different? New?" Flinn asked.
"No one expects you to just pick up where you left off, Flinn. Too much has happened in your absence," Thorin reasoned. "Just don't dwell on the past, especially those years you were taken from us, look to the future and find a new happiness…with Dis and your sons." He leaned forward and placed his hand on Flinn's arm in a comforting gesture. "And we will all be here to help you…I will be here to help you, my friend."
"Thank you, Thorin," Flinn nodded, his eyes watering just a bit, and he didn't think it was from the strong liquor.
"I…I've truly missed you, Flinn," Thorin told him, his voice a deep rumble in his chest. "Things were never the same after you and Frerin left us."
"I miss him every day," the blond dwarf assured Thorin. "Even after all these years, I still grieve for my sword-brother."
"Thankfully, we now have one less family member lost to us," Thorin nodded, giving Flinn a warm smile. "Your return is a blessing…and somewhat of a miracle." Of course, Thorin wanted to know all the details surrounding Flinn's capture, his years of imprisonment, and how Fili and Kili had found him. Yet, Flinn knew that there would be plenty of time to tell those stories later…right now he wanted to talk about his son.
"Thorin…I have given Kili my blessing on this union," he informed his king and kin. "He loves her, truly, and she feels the same for him."
"Kili is young and reckless," Thorin stated, almost in a dismissive manner. "This is more likely a passing fancy…nothing more. He will come to his senses and end things with the elf…I'm sure of it."
"No, Thorin," Flinn insisted, his tone strong and sure. "This is not some mere infatuation that will fade. Kili is awake." When Thorin looked up at him in utter confusion, he chose to elaborate. "As in no longer stone."
"HE'S WHAT?" Thorin gasped, sitting up straight, his drink sloshing out of his glass just a bit. "But…by an elf?"
"Were you not awakened by a hobbit?" Flinn reasoned, causing Thorin's mouth to close instantly. "Might your reluctance to this union not be due to your concern over Kili's emotional state…but simply because of your long standing dislike for elves?"
"A lot has happened in the past several years to have changed my opinion about elves…or at least softened it," he admitted reluctantly.
"I'm glad to hear that, my friend," Flinn smiled. "It would mean a lot to me, and to Kili, if you too would support his choice in a mate. Tauriel is a fine lass, strong, brave, kind, and loyal to a fault. I could not have chosen better for my son if I had tried."
"But…an elf?" Thorin restated, looking almost pained by the idea. When Flinn opened his mouth in an attempt to argue, Thorin waved him off. "No…don't say it. I know it makes no difference, but consider the issues they will face. Their individual lifespans alone will eventually tear them apart."
"True…but time holds no meaning when you are in love," Flinn countered. "Would you have chosen not to marry Marigold if you feared you would die before her…or her before you?"
"I almost didn't," Thorin admitted quietly. "Hobbits do not live as long as dwarves…less than half our normal lifespan."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Thorin…truly I am," he said, feeling pity for his friend.
"Thankfully, Marigold is young enough that we will age relatively the same, given the number of years I have left," Thorin assured him. "Yet, if I had still been in my first or second decade, things would have been much different."
"But would you still have married her?" Flinn persisted.
"The honorable part of me would like to say no…that I would have allowed her to find a mate she could grow old with," Thorin admitted. "Yet, Mahal chose her for me, and I was powerless to resist in the end. It is a good match, we are one in all ways. She is my treasure."
"Then…can you expect any less from Kili?" Flinn asked leadingly. "Tauriel is Mahal's choice for him as well. Would you deny him his happiness?"
Thorin sat there, swirling his drink in his hand, and staring at it as if it held all the answers in the world. At last he gave a heavy sigh and downed the wine in one gulp, setting the fluted glass on the table before them in a gesture of finality.
"I suppose I should just be happy that Kili was able to tell a male from a female elf this time," he stated, a small grin springing to his lips as he recalled how his nephew has mistook a male elf for a female back in Rivendell. To this day, Dwalin and Bofur had never let the lad live that one down. "Not that I blame the lad, there's not much difference between them in looks if you ask me."
"Oh, trust me, Thorin, I think Kili is very much aware that Tauriel is a female," Flinn chuckled, knowing there had to be a story behind the king's comment, one he looked forward to hearing all about one day. "Though, it was a pleasure that I got to give him some of the fatherly speech I apparently missed out giving to Fili."
"Oh…you mean the talk?" Thorin asked, cringing just a bit as he recalled the way his oldest nephew had been forced to learn such things.
"Yes…as I said, I got to give him some of it at least," Flinn smiled. "It appeared he had most of it already figured out…and what he doesn't know, well, they can both learn together."
They were silent for a bit, both lost in thought, when Flinn sat back in his chair and shut his eyes in despair.
"I've missed so much, Thorin," he lamented. "So much of my sons' lives, and so much time with Dis. I don't know how I will pick up the pieces…how to even start to fit back into their world."
"You'll find a way…and I'm willing to bet it will be easier than you think," Thorin assured him. "Dis loves you…Fili and Kili love you. Everything will be fine."
"How can my sons love me…they hardly know me," Flinn pointed out. "You were the one who was there as they grew, as they became adults…it's you they looked up to and learned from. Not me."
"I'm sure they would have much preferred you, trust me," Thorin said with a snort. "I had no idea what I was doing half the time and you can bet I made my share of mistakes. Sometimes I look at them and wonder how in Middle Earth they turned out as well as they did…or even surprised they are still alive." Flinn watched as a look of shame crossed his face. "I placed your sons in more danger than I ever should have. I selfishly brought them with me on the quest to reclaim Erebor…where they almost died many times over. The wargs, the trolls, the goblins, and the stone giants…not to mention a fire breathing dragon. They could have died, Flinn, and it would have been all my fault."
"I think you're being too hard on yourself," Flinn smiled. "I don't know much about them yet, but from what I've seen…you could not have left them behind if you tried. Just take a look at my two grandsons, them sneaking along on this last trip tells me more about Fili and Kili's stubborn nature than anything. Like father like son, or so they say." This caused both dwrrow to chuckle, the old adage applying extremely well in their case. "Besides, my lads speak very highly of you, Thorin, and they are grateful for all you did for them as they grew. They said so."
"Really?" This seemed to surprise the king. "They actually said that?"
"They did," he nodded. "I can see they look up to you. You are not only their king…you are their beloved uncle, and I can't thank you enough for what you did in my absence."
"I worried every day that I might let you down, Flinn," Thorin confessed. "That there wouldn't be enough food for them, or money to buy them clothes, or that I didn't spend enough time with them. I worried constantly that my best would not be good enough."
"That sounds exactly like a true father to me. And you worried needlessly, Thorin," the blond dwarf assured him. "Fili and Kili would make any dwarrow proud…and they do. There's no way I could be anything but."
"I can't argue with you there," Thorin agreed, having never thought otherwise about his two nephews.
"Even if Kili has selected an elf as his one?" Flinn pressed, watching his friend's eyes carefully.
"If Mahal has chosen an elf for Kili…then who am I to argue?" Thorin said with a sigh. "That lad always did march to the sound of a different drum, as they say. Shoots a bow better than any dwarf I've ever met, and can't grow a beard or keep a clasp in his hair if his life depended on it! You know, I actually thought he might pursue a hobbit, like I did…but no, he had to go and fall in love with an elf nearly twice his size!"
"Tauriel is tall, yes, but not that tall," Flinn laughed. "They might make an interesting looking couple, but as you said, we can't fight Mahal's will. The lad is awake…and you know what that means, don't you?"
"What?" Thorin asked, furrowing his brow as a million answers came to mind…but none of them sounded right.
"More grandchildren!" Flinn laughed, watching as Thorin's face paled just a bit.
"Well…I suppose Dis will be happy about that part at least," he grumped.
"Will she?" Flinn asked, his head turning towards the bedroom where his wife still slept. "Do you think she will oppose Kili's choice?"
"I don't believe so," Thorin answered after a moment of thought. "I mean, she's the one who keeps telling me to bury the hatchet with the elves…and apparently I'm not allowed to do so in Thranduil's skull. She has pointed that out to me on more than one occasion." This made both males stop and laugh a bit, easily hearing Dis' stern voice saying those very words. "But this whole fainting thing at the announcement…that is not a very good sign."
"It worries me as well," Flinn nodded. "As I've said, I have already given Kili my blessing…I would hate to be at odds with my wife so soon after returning home to her."
"I doubt you supporting Kili marrying an elf will have you relegated to sleeping on the sofa," Thorin chuckled.
"Do…do you truly think Dis will want me back in her bed…so soon?" Flinn had been a bit worried about this. It had been a very long time since they…well, were intimate. Did he even remember how?
"Mahal's balls, Flinn!" Thorin moaned, shutting his eyes with a look of pain. "I can't talk to you about stuff like this! She's my baby sister!"
"Right…sorry," he mumbled, though the thought still worried him. "Forget I said anything."
"No…the damage is done," Thorin huffed. "Might as well take it all the way and kill me proper." He took a deep breath and tried to get through it as quickly as possible. "Dis has never stopped loving you, of that I'm certain. She speaks of you all the time and even had a damned statue of you made which she talks to every chance she gets. And she even turned down a certain hobbit friend of mine when he made it clear that he had an interest in pursuing her."
"HE WHAT?" Flinn growled, leaping to his feet in a fit of anger. "Someone tried to seduce my wife? Who is he…I will kill the mangy warg!"
For a moment Thorin looked surprised by his friend's outburst, but then he began to laugh, leaving Flinn to glare at him menacingly.
"What is so blasted funny?" he demanded. "You think some cad making advances towards my Dis is a laughing matter?"
"You would be laughing too if you knew of whom I was speaking," Thorin assured him, not able to wipe the smile off his face. "Bilbo Baggins is the most unassuming hobbit you will ever meet, and while he is considered a hero in his own rights, I couldn't imagine him trying to seduce anyone, much less Dis. Picture a bunny rabbit…crossed with a baby chick…mixed with a helpless little lamb, and then you might be a bit closer to describing Bilbo."
"Doesn't sound too dangerous to me," Flinn agreed, sitting back down, a bit more calm now.
"Oh, he's very dangerous…but certainly not in the manner you are imagining," Thorin guaranteed. "I've learned long ago never to underestimate hobbits where bravery and ingenuity is concerned, but he is no threat to you and your love for my sister. Never was…but mostly since Dis would not allow it."
"Glad to hear it," Flinn said with a nod of his head. "I would have hated to kill this friend of yours…this Bilbo Baggins." He then got a curious look on his face. "Or might he now be more than a friend…are you and he somehow related? You did marry a hobbit after all, might this be how you and Marigold met?"
"Of sorts," Thorin mused. "Bilbo and Marigold are distant cousins, to some degree at least. She came with him when he brought a group of hobbits to help us learn to farm the land around Erebor, so that we would no longer be so dependent on neighboring races for food. The project was a great success…and both Dwalin and I found our mates in the deal as well. For that, and so much more, I owe Bilbo a great deal…a debt I can never fully repay."
Just then their keen ears picked up the sound of rustling covers in the other room, causing them both to turn in that direction.
"I will leave you two alone," Thorin said, standing up and placing his hands on Flinn's shoulders. "It's truly good to have you home…brother."
"It's good to be back!" Flinn assured him.
"There will be a feast tonight in the banquet hall…don't you two spend so much time catching up that you miss it," he instructed, heading for the door. "Yet…if you do, I'll understand." He gave his brother-in-law a wink, and left, shutting the door behind quietly him.
Yahhhh, I think it might be a while before you see Flinn and Dis...they have a lot to catch up on. ha ha.
And look, Bombur is back! And that was nice of Sier to give the kids a short reprieve from having to fess up their sins.
Now, lets get to this big party thing! Well, but first some more talking needs to happen, by Thranduil and Tauriel...and Kili and Thranduil...and Kili and Tauriel...and Thorin and Thranduil...and then...oh for goodness sake, EVERYONE has to talk. ha ha.
Guest Reviews:
abc: awww, thanks, I am glad you enjoyed the two chapters in a row. And I am happy I got a tear or two out of you over the reunion. Oh yes, Dis saw that braid and instantly was in search of who put it there...I don't think she expected it to be Kili. ha ha. Yah, it won't be all smooth sailing over this marriage, but I think in the end things will work out.
Emrfangirl: Thanks for reviewing both! Kili was all excited to see his mom faint when he thought it would be over Flinn coming home...but when she passed out after hearing his news, he don't like it so much any more. ha ha. Thrandy and Raina? Ummm, that is just way too creepy in my book. ha ha. Yes, at one point their ages will be even, but she was named after his dead wife...I don't think either one would go for that. ha ha. BUT...It would be a very interesting story line and just think of how nuts it would make Thorin! ha ha. I am glad you enjoyed Dis fainting. ha ha. And to be honest, until halfway through the mission, I had no idea Dunner would turn out to be so handy and I thought...hey, Tilda might really go for him. ha ha. And Tauriel already told everyone that Bain had a girlfriend...so we kind of knew about her. ha ha. I am more than happy to share my love of writing with you all...since I get so much from it in return. THANKS
Guest K: I am glad I surprised you! And thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
dojoson41: Oh there was running, hugging and WWWWAAAAaaaaing. So I think I covered it all. ha ha. Thanks
Aranel Mereneth: I am glad you loved all of it! And here is more for you...or there was more, I assume you just finished reading it. More on Monday. ha ha. Thanks
AvonTrish: Here is another chapter for you...and NOW you will have to wait till Monday for more. And I'm glad you think it keeps getting better...because the ends are always the hardest to write...lots of pressure to finish with a BANG. ha ha. Thanks for the review!