.
Well, here comes the big news and several humorous stories for everyone. It is a rather long chapter, but I had to get them all in.
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Chapter 165
~X~
Fili had barely got his words out when Sier and Freya came racing up behind him, his daughter's shorter legs having kept his wife from being there sooner.
"Flinn! Frerin!" Sier nearly sobbed as Fili moved aside so that she could get to her lads. And if they thought their father had been squeezing them tightly, that was nothing compared to their mother's embrace. "My lads are back…they're back!"
"We missed you, Ama!" Flinn assured her, hugging her back just as tightly.
"But we brought you presents!" Frerin assured her, knowing that was what he would have been most interested in. It was then that he saw Freya to his right, jumping up and down as she clapped her hands in glee. "FREYA!" he squealed, wiggling his way out of his mother's grasp and engulfing his sister in his small arms. "Did you miss us, Nan'ith?"
"Did she ever!" Fili laughed, wiping back his tears as he smiled down at his now complete family. With his two sons gone, it had been as if there were a hole in his heart, one that was now well filled, causing his joy to spill over from his eyes.
"And how about me, brother?" Kili called out, having stopped his pony and jumped down. "Did you miss me as well?"
"More than I can say!" Fili assured him, the two racing towards each other, unbelievably happy to be together once again. "You don't know how many times I desired your aid and advice, Brother. Or how many times I wish I'd gone with you."
"Same here, Nadad," Kili grinned. "Especially when I was pulling that prank on the elf twins in Rivendell. I sure could have used your help there."
"Why…did something go wrong?" Fili asked, looking concerned. They had planned everything out so carefully, leaving no room for error…or so he thought.
"Well…you might say that," Kili admitted, looking a bit sheepish.
"Uncle Kili forgot to use a lookout," Flinn informed his father with a wide smile.
"And Aunt Tauriel grew a beard!" Frerin added, pointing at the red haired elleth still astride her horse, smiling and shaking her head in exasperation.
"SHE WHAT?" Fili gasped, looking over at his brother in shock. "Oh, Kili…you didn't?"
"Not on purpose!" he said in his defense.
"And then the elf princes turned Cousin Kili purple!" Rose spoke up, her and the other children having just been lifted down from the wagon by their parents.
"Oh, I can see there are some tales to tell for sure!" Fili laughed, taking note of his brother's look of utter embarrassment.
"Aye, there are," Thorin nodded, approaching Fili, a stern look on his face. "Yet, first, I wish to know about the status of the mountain. How has Erebor fared in my absence?"
Fili quickly schooled his look of humor, and standing up straight he met his king's gaze.
"Things ran very smoothly in your absence, King Thorin," he informed him, using his most authoritative voice. "Mining production is at full capacity, the harvest has been going well, and we appear to have had a bumper crop of both wheat and corn this year. And I'm happy to report that there were no problems or issues to speak of, my king."
Thorin was about to respond when a snort of laughter came from his right, where Dis and Flinn had just approached. And while he was overjoyed to see his sister and brother in law…not to mention his adorable niece who was currently in Dis' arms – her reaction to Fili's claim that there had been no problems concerned him greatly. What was his nephew hiding?
"Well," Fili admitted, shooting his mother a look of betrayal. "Perhaps there were a few things that didn't go as planned, but I took care of them and there is nothing to worry about…now."
"I will expect a full report…," Thorin began, but his wife cut him off.
"Tomorrow!" Marigold insisted, coming to stand next to him with little Raina in her arms. "We just got home Thorin. Might we all have one day of peace before we are required to resume our duties? Please?"
"Very well," Thorin said with an understanding smile. They had both thoroughly enjoyed being without responsibilities for the past few months, and it would prove to be an adjustment to slip back into their former roles. "For in truth, I only wish to go inside and rest my weary bones. Thus, I will allow Fili to retain his title as acting king until then." He turned and looked over at his nephew. "That is, if you would indulge me one day longer."
"Certainly," Fili smiled, seeing just how tired everyone appeared. It was then, as he was looking over the group that he noticed two additions to their party.
"Gandalf…and Lord Glorfindel!" he greeted them warmly. "How wonderful to see you both again!"
"And it is our pleasure to seek the hospitality of the dwarves of Erebor once again," the blond elf told him with a wide smile. "Might we be permitted to stay, King Fili?"
"Aye, as my final act in power, I do hereby invite you to remain as our honored guests," Fili laughed.
"Your offer is kindly accepted, as well as greatly appreciated," Gandalf told him with a bow of his head.
"And I must say, laddie, I'm pleased to see that the gates are still standing," Dwalin joked, as he, Bergie and the twins made their way to the group at last.
"I kept a very close eye on Gloin, and was very careful not to let him anywhere near them," Fili joked in a rather loud whisper, gleaning a cold stare from his red haired dwarf cousin.
"Well, that apparently was your problem then," Gloin huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "You should have been watching your own little lass and not me at all! Maybe then you could have kept better track of her!"
This caused Fili's look of humor to fade instantly, and that tinge of red to return to his cheeks.
"Might this be the situation you mentioned earlier, Fili?" Thorin guessed, now even more curious about what had been going on in his absence. "Perhaps this is one story that should not wait until tomorrow to be told."
"I agree," came the voice of Bard, who had just ridden into view from the direction of Dale. "We saw your party pass by, and were hurt that you chose not to stop in, King Thorin. Thus, we saddled up and came to greet you instead!"
"And as my father said…Fili should indeed relate the story of his wayward daughter to you all," Bain spoke up, a wicked smile on his face. "It is rather humorous, at least in my opinion."
"Hello, Prince Bain!" Freya called, waving her little hand at him. Ever since he had suggested that she be allowed to have the kitten, he had become one of her new favorite people…much to the frustration of Nori.
"Hello, Princess Freya, it is good to see you again," the young man told her, grinning down at the adorable child.
"Fine, fine!" Fili huffed, throwing up his hands in defeat. "Why don't you all come inside, and we can swap stories till the moon is high and the kegs are empty?" He then reached down and scooped up both his sons, balancing one on each hip as he cradled them in his strong arms. "Because I, for one, am looking forward to hearing all about your journey as well."
"And trust me…we have our own tales to tell," Thorin replied with a shake of his head. He was not looking forward to filling Fili and Sier in on the incident with the wolves.
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As the returning party, along with their military escort, made it through the gates, they were greeted by a round of cheers, with many approaching to embrace their friends and traveling relatives. Balin was especially happy to see Dwalin and Bergie, giving them both a big hug. Yet it was his niece and nephew he seemed to pay the most attention to, taking each child by the hand as they walked in, unwilling to let them out of his sight. Kili was at his brother's side the whole way, his arm protectively around Tauriel's waist, almost twitching with anticipation over the good news he had to share.
Dis, having handed Lili over to her husband, Flinn, now held on to Rose's hand, with little Raina in her arms, the smiling princess walking right beside Fili, in order to be close to her two grandsons as well. All in all, it was a very happy and greatly anticipated reunion.
The royal family were all talking and laughing as they headed for the small banquet hall where Dis and Sier had prepared the feast, with Glorfindel, Gandalf, Bard, and Bain only too happy to join them. Yet all speech was silenced when a very angry voice was heard just up ahead, shouting some very shocking words.
"Gandalf, you sneaky little varmint! I swear if you don't get back here, I'm going to skin you and make a rug out of your hide!" a lass was heard to say, causing everyone to halt in their tracks…especially the grey wizard.
"I beg your pardon?" he asked, looking rather perplexed…and a bit afraid.
Just then, a little grey and white kitten came racing around the corner, and hot on its heels, was Nara, little Freya's nanny. The dwarrowdam appeared ready to burst, her face red and her breath coming out in labored gasps. The kitten, seeing her little mistress in among the crowd, quickly ran to the child for safety, eager to be picked up and protected.
"Gandalf!" Nara screamed once more, though she quickly skidded to a halt and closed her mouth when she saw who was now before her.
"My dear lady," the wizard began, still highly confused as to why this dam was so perturbed with him…a dam he did not recall ever having met before. "Might I inquire as to why you appear to be so upset with me? What have I done to distress you so greatly?"
However, before the mortified nanny could even reply, Fili broke out in a fit of laughter, realizing just how absurd the whole situation appeared.
"No, Gandalf," he chuckled, causing everyone to stare at him curiously. "She was not talking to you…Nara means the kitten. It has proven to be rather difficult to contain, escaping at regular intervals, you see. It's been named Gandalf as well."
Freya, realizing that they were now speaking of her beloved kitten, turned and held the animal up so that the tall man with the pointy hat could see it better.
"See! This is Gandalf!" she informed him, the little yellow eyes of the feline gazing up at its namesake. "He's mine!"
"Yes, and a fine cat it appears to be," Gandalf nodded, feeling greatly relieved that he was not the focus of the dwarrowdam's wrath. "However, I fear you might be a tad bit mistaken about one thing, little princess. For your new pet is not a male…but a female."
"Huh?" Freya asked, cocking her head to one side as she stared up at him in a puzzled manner.
"We've explained it to her many times, Gandalf," Fili interjected, having already had this conversation with his daughter. He set his sons down, and stepped forward to place his hands on her shoulders in a reassuring manner. "It's no use."
"Your kitten, Freya," the wizard persisted, sure that he could get through to her. "It is a she…not a he. Perhaps you might wish to choose a more appropriate name for her?"
This news appeared to give the little lass pause, yet after a moment, she gave an uncaring shrug of her shoulders and hugged the now purring feline to her chest.
"No…his name is Gandalf," she insisted firmly.
"I told you," Fili laughed, reaching down to pat his daughter on the head affectionately. "Her mind is firmly made up."
"Well…I suppose there are worse things in the world than sharing my name with a cat…female or not," the tall wizard laughed. He looked down at Freya, giving her a wide smile. "I am honored that you chose to name your beloved pet after me, your highness."
This made Freya grin as well, pleased that everyone appeared to like her kitten…well, everyone but Nara, who was constantly running after it when it escaped.
"Where'd you get a kitten, Freya?" Frerin asked, walking up and tickling the animal under its chin.
"From Prince Bain!" she said, pointing at the man to her left.
"And why would that be?" Thorin questioned, looking over at Bard and Bain, the two of them grinning from ear to ear. "Or is this perhaps tied to the story we are soon meant to hear?"
"Aye," Fili said with a sigh. "It is."
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And so, after everyone had been seated in the small banquet room and the food served, Fili reluctantly told the tale of how he had misplaced his daughter. Marigold, Bergie, and Tauriel gave Sier looks of understanding and sympathy, realizing just how frantic she must have been. Yet Kili, Dwalin, and Thorin couldn't stop laughing at Fili's predicament.
"So, all three of your children have now managed to outwit you, nephew," Thorin chuckled. "Perhaps I should reconsider naming you as my heir and skip right over to one of them."
"Ha ha, very funny," Fili said in a droll tone.
"Yes, it was rather humorous," Bain added, apparently piling on with the others in the joke. "I mean, aside from the scare she caused everyone while she was missing, that is." He too turned and gave Sier a nod of sympathy.
"But Fili wasn't the only one who came out of the incident unscathed, now was he lad?" Bofur interjected, causing the prince of Dale to lose his mirth rather quickly. "If I recall, you walked away with a bit of a wound yourself, in the shape of Freya's teeth marks on your skin."
"She bit you?" Flinn gasped, looking at Bain in surprise.
"Ouch!" Frerin added, cringing at the idea. "I hate it when she does that!"
"Yes…but we made up in the end," Bain insisted, giving the little lass a smile. "Kittens have a tendency to cover over a multitude of sins."
"Hey!" Flinn said, turning to his father as if something suddenly occurred to him. "How come when we snuck off to go with you, we got in trouble and had to do extra chores for a month? Yet when Freya does it, she gets a kitten?"
"Yah! No fair!" Frerin huffed, giving his parents a look of betrayal.
"I told you this would come back to bite you, husband," Sier told him with a shake of her head. "You let her have it…now you explain to your sons why."
When Fili could think of nothing to say, just opening and closing his mouth a few times, the laughter around him grew even louder. In the end, he simply gave up and apologized to Flinn and Frerin, the only explanation he could offer was that she was a girl. Somehow, this reason placated the two lads and soon all was forgiven.
Still, Fili was not about to overlook his own brother's act of betrayal, in the form of laughter at his expense.
"Thorin and Dwalin I would expect ribbing me, Kili, but you too?" he accused. "Really, brother?"
"I'm sorry, Fili, truly I am," he told him between gasps for air. "In any other instance I would be the first to defend you, but come on, even you can see the humor in all this. All three of your children having snuck away and you had no idea? I doubt you will ever live that one down."
"Just as you will never live down the fact that you rode away from Rivendell sporting a bright shade of purple," Marigold pointed out, feeling badly for the blond prince and all the teasing he was taking over this.
"Yes, let's talk more about that!" Fili insisted, his frown morphing into a sly grin. "Tell me, Naddith…how exactly did our little prank on the twins go so horribly wrong?"
And so, over the next hour at least, the prank on Elladan and Elrohir was told in great detail, as well as the one they chose to play on Kili. By the time it was finished, it was Fili who was wiping away tears of laughter, while Kili was the embarrassed one.
"Oh, what I wouldn't have given to see that!" the crown prince stated. "Tauriel with a beard and Kili having turned purple! I swear, little brother, I can't leave you alone for a moment, can I?"
"If you had been there, they would have more than likely turned you that lovely shade as well," Kili pointed out in a huff.
"Perhaps," Fili nodded. "But at least my wife would not have walked away sporting facial hair. That I guarantee!"
"Hey, brother," Kili said, his expression suddenly brightened. "Don't discount that too quickly…I thought it was a rather pleasing look on her."
"Oh, you would!" Fili laughed, watching as Tauriel rolled her eyes at her foolish husband once again.
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They talked more through dinner, and just as the plates were being cleared away, Flinn turned to his youngest son and demanded to know what presents he had brought back for everyone.
"After all, you did promise your sister, Lili, lots of trinkets and toys when you returned," his father pointed out with a wide grin. "And I would hope there is one or two for your mother and I as well."
"Oh, you're as bad as the dwarflings," Dis scolded her husband, though not harshly.
"Hey, we were the ones who had to stay behind and mind the mountain," he argued. "I think it's only fair we are properly compensated for the job."
"Fili and Sier did all the work, and you know it," Dis told him. "All we did was try and keep our heads above water taking care of this little jewel." She turned and looked at Marigold and Bergie. "I had forgotten how tiring it was taking care of an infant full time. If it had not been for Sier's help, I would have perished from sheer exhaustion. As it is, she and I are splitting Nara's time between us, giving Flinn and I a bit of breathing room, you might say."
"I like Nara, she's nice!" Freya spoke up, seeing her chance to add to the grown up's conversation. "She bakes really good cookies!"
"And she is a wonder with Lili," Dis further complimented.
"Yes, yes, the dam's a treasure," Flinn nodded, clapping his hands together and rubbing them in anticipation. "Now…about those gifts?"
"Fine," Kili laughed, getting up from his chair and walking over to where he had laid his bags. After plopping the cloth sack on the table, he began to dole out the souvenirs he had brought from the Shire. For his father he produced a beautiful new pipe, intricately carved from the horn of a stag, with a silver inlayed mouth piece and an entire pouch of Longbottom Leaf.
"Thank you, Kili," Flinn gasped, taking the item with a look of joy. "This is remarkable."
Next, for Lili, he pulled out a lovely rag doll, complete with flowered dress, curly brown hair and matching fur on its cloth feet.
"It's a hobbit doll," Kili told everyone, as if there was any question. "But she is all soft and perfect for cuddling. Tauriel helped me pick out the prettiest one at the market place."
"Oh, how lovely," Dis cooed, taking it from her son and shaking it in front of her daughter, watching as the little lass grinned and reached for the toy.
"And for my favorite niece," he continued, digging into his bag once more. "I brought you the loveliest hobbit dress in the whole Shire. I think you will look beautiful in it!"
"Pretty! Pretty!" Freya squealed, passing her kitten over to Sier as she slipped off her chair and came running over, engulfing Kili and the dress in one big hug. "I love it, thank you, Uncle Kili!"
"You're welcome," he smiled watching as she held it up to her chest and spun around, looking as happy as a lark.
Next came a bunch of small trinkets for everyone else, from Bofur all the way to Sier, as well as everyone in between. He even had a few things packed away for Bard, Bain, and Tilda…which the King of Dale swore he would deliver to his daughter personally. When Kili was finished he closed the bag, and sat down with a contented smile on his face.
"Umm, did you forget someone, little brother?" Fili laughed, looking over at his somewhat confused mother. "Might there be something in there for Amad…and me?"
"No," Kili replied matter of factly. "I fear that your gift wouldn't quite fit in a sack…and even if it did, it would not be a rather inappropriate place to keep it."
"Oh? So what did you bring for us, then?" Dis asked, now even more curious over her son's odd behavior…not to mention the growing smile on Tauriel's face.
"Well, for you and Fili, we brought back something very special…a one of a kind, you might say. And it is something you both have been wanting for a long, long time," he revealed, reaching out and taking Tauriel by the hand as he helped her to her feet, looking around at the anxious group.
At the head of the table, Thorin discreetly slipped his hand into Marigold's, giving it a little squeeze as he winked in her direction. They both knew what was coming next, and they couldn't wait for Kili to reveal the news at last.
"For you, Fili," the dwarf prince continued, "we brought back a nephew, and for you, Amad…a new grandson." He then waited, anxiously watching the emotions that crossed his mother and brother's face.
"You…you what?" Fili gasped, his words sinking in at last. "You're going to be…to be…"
"A father!" Kili burst out, unable to hold it in any longer.
"Oh Kili!" Dis cried, leaping to her feet as she all but threw herself at her son. "Praise Mahal, it's happened at last! Tauriel…you're pregnant?"
"Yes, I am," the happy elleth acknowledged, the next to be caught in Dis' embrace. "Ever since our first trip through Rivendell."
"I can't believe it!" Flinn stated, looking as if he were going to cry. "My youngest son…having a son of his own. And I will be here from the beginning to watch it grow." At this, he turned and handed Lili off to Bergie, rising to wrap his arms around Kili as well. "I'm so proud of you, my little raven, so very, very proud."
"What about Tauriel?" Dis laughed. "It's not as if Kili did this all by himself!"
"Of course he didn't," Flinn laughed, stepping forward and taking Tauriel's hands in his as he kissed them reverently. "You have truly been a blessing to this family, my dear. And you will make a splendid mother…I just know it."
"Thank you," Tauriel whispered, a bit choked up by his words.
"I'm so happy for you, Naddith! This is wonderful news, simply wonderful!" Fili continued, picking his little brother off the ground and spinning him around several times, causing the younger prince to laugh out loud. "And a son, you say…how do you know? Did you dream of him?"
"No, though I wish I had," Kili admitted, once he had been set back on his feet. "Tauriel just knows, it's kind of an elf thing, you see. But it's a little lad for sure." He then turned and looked over at Thorin, noting the smile on his face, though he had not yet said a word. "Are…are you happy for us as well, Uncle?"
"And why wouldn't I be?" Thorin barked out, though his tone was one of pure joy. "This is amazing news, Nephew! The best ever. And Marigold and I are simply overjoyed…and completely surprised by the news. Aren't we, my dear?"
"Oh yes," the hobbit queen nodded, grinning from ear to ear. "And you've known since Rivendell? How did you manage to keep it a secret all this time?"
"It wasn't easy," Kili said with a labored sigh. "I was tempted to tell everyone so many times, but I really wanted Fili to be the first to know. I hope you'll all forgive us for keeping it from you for so long."
"Of course we understand," Bergie told him, elbowing Dwalin in the side when he began to open his mouth to speak, for fear he might chose that very moment to do something foolish…like blab that they all knew. "And you had every right to choose the time and place to divulge your secret. After all, babies are not born every day, now are they? So, congratulations!"
After that, everyone in the room came forward to offer their compliments and good wishes for the upcoming parents. Torin was especially happy to hear it was to be a son, since that would at last even out the odds between the lads and the lasses in their little group.
Glorfindel, who of course knew for some time Tauriel's current state, played along as well, offering them both his blessing on the upcoming event. Tauriel was indeed touched by his words, for she had long admired the legendary warrior of old, and to know that he approved meant a lot to her.
"So, have you chosen a name yet?" Sier asked, nearly giddy with excitement. She knew how close Fili and Kili had always been, but to now be raising their children together would bring the brothers even closer…if that was at all possible. "I mean, if you are so sure it will be a son, you won't have to worry about picking the wrong one."
"Ithil," Tauriel told them all with a wide grin. "His name is Ithil. It is the elven word for moon."
"Moon, huh?" Fili asked, raising an eyebrow at the meaning. "Might there be a story behind the name?"
"There is…but it's no business of yours, Nadad," Kili told him, causing Fili to laugh at his brother's slight embarrassment. Still, the blond prince knew he would worm the meaning out of him sooner or later.
"Now stop, Fili," Dis instructed, noticing that look of mischief in her older son's eye. "I think it's a lovely name, and it doesn't matter why they chose it. And just think, Lili and Ithil will be nearly the same age! I can't believe the number of joys are at last coming to the line of Durin." Here she looked around at all the children crowded around the table, her eyes falling on her newly returned husband, Flinn. "After so many years of tears and sorrow…it is a blessing to have peace and happiness at last."
"That it is, my precious diamond," Flinn smiled, wrapping his arms around her from behind and kissing her on the cheek. "A true blessing indeed."
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And so, as dessert was served, and all the adults refilled their glasses – except Tauriel – they drank to the happy couple, soon to be parents. It was then that Tauriel removed a few more items from her own bag, assuring Dis and Fili that they had indeed brought them other gifts as well. Fili was delighted to receive some of the throwing knives that Tauriel had found in the troll cave, happily stashing them in the hidden pockets of his coat almost immediately. Dis loved the mixture of sweet smelling bath salts and scented rose-water from both the Shire and Rivendell. Tauriel said that after all the effort she had been putting towards raising her new daughter, it was time that Dis pampered herself just a bit. Dis agreed.
Fili and Kili were chatting away about the joys of fatherhood, and how their young ones would one day be training together with sword and bow, when little Flinn remembered something he had wanted to show his father.
"Adad! You have to see what I found in the troll cave!" he cried, jumping down from his chair and racing over to his own personal pack, which had been set by the wall with everyone else's. Digging through it, he pulled out his little sword – which Thranduil had confirmed was indeed simply a dagger – and raced back to show his father. "See, it's an elf blade, just like Uncle Thorin's sword. It was hidden beneath a bunch of stuff in that stinky old troll cave, isn't it shiny?"
"Aye, it is a very nice weapon," Fili agreed, admiring the craftsmanship on the handle as well as the markings on the blade.
"It was forged in Gondolin, my onetime home long ago," Glorfindel supplied. "I know not for whom it was crafted, but I assure you that such a weapon would have been greatly prized and highly treasured. Your son has indeed proven himself a warrior worthy of such a blade, and has wielded it well in the defense of others."
"HE WHAT?" Sier asked, not quite sure she understood what the elf was saying. "What do you mean, in the defense of others?"
"Oh, forgive me, Lady Sier," Glorfindel said, looking from the confused lass to the now cringing dwarf king and back. "My apologies, Thorin. I should not have said anything. I thought they knew."
"Knew what?" Fili was next to speak up, looking over at his uncle as well. "What have you not told us, Thorin?"
The dwarf king cleared his throat and sat back in his chair, trying to appear calm and in control…yet he felt anything but.
"I was going to tell you," he assured them. "We have simply not had time, what with all the other news that has been tossed about tonight."
"Well, you have the time now," Fili insisted. "Why was my son called upon to use a sword in the defense of others? Why?" The blond prince's voice was becoming rather urgent, telling Thorin that he should have said something sooner.
"In the Shire, there was an…incident," he began, doing his best to downplay the entire thing. "Some wolves made their way across the Brandywine River and into Hobbiton."
"Wolves?" Sier gasped, looking down at her son, who was now shuffling his feet as if he were in trouble.
"Only a few, lassie," Dwalin broke in, trying to help Thorin out. "We took care of the bulk of them, but three of the smaller ones slipped by us. And well…your two young ones kind of ran into them, you see."
"And why exactly were my sons out alone where wolves could get at them?" Sier demanded, not liking Dwalin's explanation at all.
"Now Sier," Bergie tried to soothe, knowing just how she felt, being a protective mother herself. "It wasn't like it sounds. The Shire is a peaceful place, and the children had simply walked to the neighbors to visit. No one expected wolves to cross the river, or that they would attack the four youngens."
"Four?" Fili questioned, looking from one child to the next with concern. "Were Tor and Tal with them…or Rose and Raina?"
"No, it was Frodo and Holly, Adad," Frerin spoke up. "But don't worry, Flinn and Frodo made me and Holly climb a tree while they fought with the wolves."
"THEY WHAT?" Sier screeched, grabbing hold of Fili's arm as if to stabilize her.
"You should have seen them, Ama!" Frerin went on, oblivious to how much this news was upsetting his mother. "Frodo threw rocks at the wolves while Flinn swung his sword and killed the first one, and then when the second one jumped at Frodo, he leapt in front and stabbed the wolf in the chest! He was amazing!"
"And the third wolf?" Fili pressed, his heart beating like a drum as the horrifying mental image flashed before his eyes.
"Uncle Thorin killed that one," Flinn told them. "He swooped in and saved us all." He then stepped forward and placed his hand on his father's knee. "You're not mad at me, are you Adad. Uncle Thorin warned me not to take my sword out of its sheath, but…but I had to."
"Oh, Flinn," Fili said in a soft tone, reaching out to place his hand on his son's shoulder. "Of course I'm not angry with you, and neither is your mother. We are proud of how you protected your brother, as well as Frodo and Holly. I would expect nothing less from you, Flinn. We are simply upset that you were put in such danger. What if something had happened to you? What if you had been hurt?"
"We weren't hurt at all," he assured his parents. "It was Uncle Thorin who got wounded, and Aunt Marigold already yelled at him for it."
"She won't be the only one," Sier mumbled, giving Thorin and Kili a withering glare.
"I accept that it was my responsibility to protect your children, Sier," Thorin said in his most apologetic voice…which hardly anyone but Marigold was ever privy to. "I alone shoulder the blame for the lads being put in danger. I should have accompanied them to the Brandybuck's home, never letting them be out of my sight. Please forgive me, dear niece."
"No, I'm the one who should have gone with them," Kili broke in, not wanting his uncle to take this all upon himself. "Fili, you sent me along to watch your lads, and I'm sorry I betrayed your trust in me. We simply thought it was safe enough to allow them to walk there alone."
"It's really no one's fault but the wolves," Marigold spoke up. "Children walk about unescorted all the time in the Shire, and no one gives it a second thought, truly Sier. Normally they would have been as safe as in their mother's arms. Please do not blame Thorin or Kili for this. It was truly an unforeseen occurrence."
"And we're all safe, honest, Ama," Flinn told his mother, stepping over and putting his arms around her waist, laying his head against her stomach. "I didn't even get a scratch, and you should see how good Frodo can throw rocks…or how fast Frerin can climb a tree!"
"I can climb lots better than Uncle Kili can, that's for sure," Frerin laughed, recalling how his uncle had fallen out of the tree while showing the children how well he could climb.
Fili and Sier turned to each other, sharing a silent conversation between the two with mere looks. In the end, the distraught mother gave a sigh of resignation, leaning in to kiss her eldest son on the forehead.
"Yes, I can see that you are just fine…both of you," she said with a slight smile, ruffling his hair a bit. "But I'm a mother, and I can't help but worry about you every minute of the day. Still, you are growing up, and are apparently a fine warrior now, so I will have to come to terms with this." She then looked over at Thorin and Kili, a bit of shame in her eyes. "I'm sorry I got so upset. Of course you would never knowingly put them in danger. I do not doubt your love for them, or that you two would have protected them with your lives. And it's not as if Fili and I were doing all that well back here with Freya, either. It would seem that I simply need to accept the fact that my children have minds of their own, and are growing up…even if I hate the idea with a passion."
"Growing into a pair of fine young dwarrow, I might add," Dwalin said with a proud smile. "I would suggest we find that lad of yours a second blade and see how he does with one in each hand. What do you say to that, Fili?"
"Two blades, Uncle Dwalin…do you mean it?" Flinn asked, whirling around to face his father, his eyes wide with excitement. "Can I really, Adad…can I?"
"Well, since it would appear you have already mastered the use of a single one," he mused, pride showing in his eyes over the idea. "Might as well get you started on two."
"Thank you, Adad!" Flinn squealed, leaping into his father's arms and hugging him tightly. "I promise to train hard, and I won't let you down!"
"It never crossed my mind that you would," Fili laughed, picking up Flinn and setting him on his lap. "I'm mighty proud of you, son, for defending your brother and the hobbits the way you did. It took both courage and skill, something I'm pleased to say you have in abundance. You will make a fine warrior and king one day, Flinn."
"Aye, that he will," Thorin agreed, just as proud of his nephew as Fili was. "And now that he is a tested warrior, I think a new bead and braid is in order, don't you agree?"
"Ah, yes," Fili nodded, looking down at Flinn and fingering his hair thoughtfully. "When a dwarrow first engages in battle, it is customary to commemorate it with the adding of a warrior's braid and bead. I will get to work on that right away."
Flinn did not know what to say, though he appeared to like the idea a great deal. It still bothered him that he had killed those wolves, the incident replaying itself many times in the form of nightmares. Sometimes he would dream that they came out the victor, instead of him, but those had been coming less and less. And like Glorfindel had said, if he hadn't fought to protect his brother and friends, they might not be alive today, and that outcome was unthinkable.
So, in the end, Flinn resolved to no longer dwell on the negative, and look to the future, always doing his best to make his father proud of him. Yet, looking up into his Adad's adoring eyes…he knew he had both his love and approval. And for a dwarfling, of the line of Durin, there was nothing more important than that!
Awwww, Fili is very proud of his son! And I think Sier has calmed down enough not to kill Thorin and Kili. ha ha.
Fili is very happy about his present from his brother, as is Dis. VERY happy indeed.
And poor Gandalf, thinking he was in deep doo-doo with some dam. I think he was ready to turn tail and run for the Misty Mountains. ha ha.
Nope, Freya's mind is made up - Gandalf is a boy kitty and that's final.
Well, both Fili and Kili got a chance to laugh at all the funny things that happened to them while they were apart. See...it is better if Fili and Kili stay together, ALWAYS!
Guest Reviews:
abc: Yah, unlike their last trip, Thorin is OK with stopping and visiting here and there, as well as accepting help from others. Though, he and Thranduil kind of danced around that whole issue, ha ha. I figured Beorn had better hurry up and have his son, since he was old enough to kept the High Pass and the Ford of Carrock free from Orcs and Wolves, and was called Grimbeorn the Old by then. I like giving Thranduil a better outlook on life than in the movie version of him. I feel bad for him. Yes, Thorin did behave himself, but he sure pretended to put up a fuss about it. ha ha. Thanks.
Emrfangirl: As much as I would love to marry off Glorfindel...I don't know of any maiden worthy of hm! All the fine elf women are kind of taken. ha ha. But who knows, we won't count him out just yet. Probably not in my story, but you never know what will happen in the future. I read a story once where he and Tauriel get together...but that was the only one that ever gave him a love interest. ha ha. Oh yes, and I'm sure when Kili wasn't looking he turned into an adorable little cub and chased the children around the meadow. ha ha. OH yes, Thranduil and Raina is the sweetest. Flinn's little dagger came from the same troll hoard that Orcrist and Glamdring did, and since they were from Gondolin in the first age...why not his little dagger too? And I might even glow blue when orcs are about? And yes...I DO recall how these were only going to be 'snippets' and not many of them either. Oh, what a fool I was to think I could do this fast! Jokes on me, right? ha ha.
Feu d'Argent: ha ha, yes, I get to direct how my story goes. ONLY ME. ha ha. and I say no one has to die like in the real story...not Thorin, not Fili, not Kili and not even their father Flinn Sr. ha ha. I love being in control! No, I am not matchmaking Glorfindel...but I am leaving the door open just in case. ha ha. I am glad no one is complaining about the extended chapters. ha ha. Because there are still a 'few' more to come. ha ha. Thanks.