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Hello! More chapters for you!

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Chapter 166

~X~

The rest of the evening was spent laughing and talking, filling everyone in on Bilbo and their adventures in the Shire. Bofur was especially interested in the description of the fine party their hobbit friend had thrown, saying next time he would be sure to go with them, just to enjoy the food and ale.

Dis wanted to hear every detail about Daisy Baggins, grilling the two hobbit lasses on whether she measured up to what a wife for Bilbo should be. Yet when Marigold and Bergie told her how Daisy had stood up to Lobelia and put her in her place over her awful comments, even Dis had to agree that she was a fine dam…one worthy to be called a Baggins.

"And she's a darn good cook, too," Kili declared, already missing her amazing griddle cakes and pastries. He then looked over at Bombur and quickly added, "But not as good as yours, of course."

"I should say not!" the rotund dwarf laughed good-naturedly. "Though, if I were to lose my title to anyone, I would be the least offended if it were a hobbit."

"Oh, and we have some gifts for everyone as well," Marigold spoke up, motioning for Thorin to retrieve them from their bags. Raina had long ago fallen asleep on her mother's shoulder, so she was rather reluctant to rise and do it herself. "Esme Brandybuck and Ellie Took were kind enough to have these made, and they asked me to give you this one." Here Thorin handed Sier a roll of paper, and when she saw what was on it, her eyes instantly filled with tears. There, staring back at her, was a drawing of Flinn and Frodo, their arms over each other's shoulders, with Frerin and Holly standing beside them. The grins on the children's faces were beyond adorable.

"Oh, Frodo has grown so much since we've seen him last!" she said, holding up the drawing for everyone to see. "And look at little Holly, she is such a doll!"

Everyone at the table seemed to agree with this, but no one more than Torin, though he wisely kept his opinions to himself. His sister's teasing had been enough, he didn't need more from anyone else.

"I will treasure this, thank you Marigold," Sier told her aunt-in-law sincerely.

"It's Esme and Ellie that need to be thanked, I just delivered it," she said with a smile.

"Dwalin and I got to spend a lot of time in the forges while we were there, working alongside the hobbits that trained here in Erebor," Thorin spoke up. "You would all be very impressed with their skills. And though we did help out on a project or two, mostly we had time to tinker on our own." He then began to hand out all the little items he and his cousin had crafted. There were two beautiful necklaces for Dis and Sier, a silver rattle for Lili, a bracelet for Freya, and an assortment of other more practical items for the rest of the company. Yet for Fili and Flinn the elder, Thorin had made a pair of matching daggers, complete with fine leather sheaths hand crafted by Dwalin. The father and son were amazed by them and thanked both dwarrow quite profusely.

"I brought you a special gift as well, Balin," the bald warrior informed his brother. "But it was too big to pack in my personal bag, so you will have to wait till tomorrow when we unload the wagon.

"Too big to fit in your satchel?" Balin asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "It's not a new little niece or nephew like Kili brought for Fili, is it?"

"Bite your tongue!" Bergie laughed, causing everyone to join in. "I swear that the two we already have are enough to turn our hairs grey…if Dwalin had hair, that is!"

"Aye," Dwalin chuckled, gazing down at his children with a smile of pride. "But we wouldn't trade them for anything. Yet, to answer your question, Brother, your gift is a fine keg of hobbit ale, the best in the Shire. I do recall how well you liked what we sampled in Bilbo's pantry back when he first joined our company."

"Ahhh, yes, and if memory serves me well, you enjoyed it as well," Balin laughed. "So much so that I had to warn you not to stint when filling my mug…so keen were you on saving it all for yourself."

"Well, now you have a full keg all your own," Dwalin assured him. "And you can share…or not share…it with whomever you like."

"I'm available for a tasting party, any time you wish," Bofur quickly spoke up.

"As am I," Nori added, followed by several others from the company.

"Very well…you can all have a taste," Balin assured them. "Though no more than that! It is, after all, my gift, and I intend to enjoy the majority of it myself." And while some were not pleased by this, no one begrudged him his brother's kind present.

Nori, having been thwarted in starting a betting pool on what Kili and Tauriel's child might be, a lad or a lass, initiated one on the date of birth instead.

"Since we found out that a hobbit/dwarf pregnancy tends to fall somewhere in-between the usual times, that could very well be the case for a dwarf/elf one as well," he reasoned. "Thus, is there anyone who wants to take a guess on when the new little prince will be born?"

And while Tauriel, as well as the rest of the dams, felt that this was a rather inappropriate thing to be wagering on, Kili and Fili were the first to place their bets. The majority guessed that the lad would take after its mother, so they went for a date closer to twelve months. While others felt that the dwarf blood would be more prominent, and thus leaned more towards the traditional ten months. Yet in the end, all anyone could do was wait and see.

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Later, after many of the group had shuffled off to their own chambers, Thorin and his closest relations hung around, not willing to part so soon after having reunited. Kili and Fili sat by the fire, with the younger brother getting the opportunity to hold his little sister, Lili, for the first time in a long while.

"She's sure grown a lot," he remarked as the babe smiled and cooed up at him, her pudgy little hands reaching out to grab hold of his loose hair.

"Watch out, she's very strong," Fili warned. "She just about pulled out my mustache braids several times. Before we know it, she'll be running around and getting into as much trouble as we used to."

"What do you mean used to?" Dis asked, having come over to stand beside her three children, staring down at them with love in her eyes.

"Hey, we've gotten better!" Kili huffed, though after catching his mother's skeptical eye, he blushed a bit. "Well…most of the time at least."

"Yes, you have," she laughed. "And I just hope your sister will benefit from your past experiences…by learning what not to do."

"Ouch, Amad," Fili said, feigning a stab to the heart. "You wound us."

"Now stop," she laughed. "You two know exactly how proud I am of my sons," she said with a sincere smile, reaching out and touching their faces with her hands. "You'll forever be my two precious lads, and the light of my world. Yet now, you will both have children of your own." At this she began to choke up, covering her lips as she smiled through the tears.

"Now, now, my precious diamond," Flinn soothed, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her in a comforting gesture. "You still have little Lili to fuss over, even if our lads are grown dwarrow now."

"I know, but it still seems like just yesterday they were babes in my arms…and now look at them," she insisted.

"I am," Flinn smiled. "And like you, I am beyond proud." He gave his two blushing sons a wink and steered Dis back to where they had been sitting. "Now, come, let's give them a little more time with their sister, while we find you a nice cup of tea."

Fili and Kili watched their parents walk away, their own eyes now misty over the things they had said. Lili, who suddenly realized she was no longer the center of attention, let out a loud squawk, pulling the brothers' eyes back to her – much to her pleasure.

"Yes, Lili," Fili grinned. "We love you too. Just like I'm sure you love us…but we all know that I'm your favorite."

"What?" Kili grumped. "I'm the one that brought her back that fabulous doll!"

"She's too little to even know what a doll is for," Fili argued. "Its sweet talk and time she values now, and I'm the one who has been giving her that for the past few months."

"Well, I'm back now, and I plan on making up for lost time!" Kili insisted.

"Until your own lad arrives, then you will be so busy you won't be able to think straight," his older brother pointed out. "And then who will just swoop back in and monopolize her time and love? Me!"

"That's playing dirty," Kili said with narrowed eyes.

"Exactly," Fili grinned wickedly. "And that's a lesson I'm certain our little sister will learn as well."

Kili pouted over his brother's underhanded tactics for a bit, yet within minutes, they were back to laughing and talking, having missed each other terribly over the past few months.

"I still can't believe that you are going to be an adad!" Fili laughed, his eyes alight with joy. "You…a parent!"

"I know!" Kili agreed. "Insane, right? Though I'm counting on Tauriel to show me the ropes…at least until I get the hang of things. I would hate to do something wrong and break my son the first time I hold him."

"Dwarflings are more tough and resilient than you'd imagine," Fili laughed, recalling how nervous he had been when first holding Frerin. "Everyone is overly careful with their first, but by number two or three, you've usually got the hang of it."

"Two or three?" Kili said in a shocked tone. "Let me see if I survive one first, before you go saddling me with more!"

"Oh, you'll survive, I promise," Fili told his brother. "Because I will be right there to help in any way I can. After all, someone will have to be around to make sure you don't pass out when he is born. You do, after all, favor Amad's side of the family the most…and Thorin did faint at the birth of Rose."

"Oh, great…now I have that fear running around in my head as well!" Kili groaned, shaking his head in despair. "I'm doomed!"

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"Tauriel, I'm so pleased for you and Kili," Sier was saying, as Marigold and Bergie nodded in agreement. The four dams had gathered in the corner to talk, with Freya having fallen asleep on the red haired elleth's lap. Sier cuddled a drowsy Frerin in her arms, while Flinn was just beginning to doze off himself, his head leaning against his mother's side. It appeared to be a rather uncomfortable position, but everyone could tell that Sier didn't mind one bit…for she had missed her sons very much.

"You look very relaxed with a babe in your arms," Marigold commented to Tauriel, who was gently stroking the dwarfling's white-blond hair. "Are you excited?"

"Yes…and a bit scared as well," she admitted, never taking her eyes off little Freya. "I know that a child is all I have desired since Kili and I were wed, yet now that I know one is coming, I find myself having doubts."

"Doubts?" Bergie questioned. "About what?"

"Motherhood…the birth…everything," she said with a nervous laugh. "Is this normal for expectant mothers?"

"Of course it is!" Dis broke in, having just returned from getting a cup of tea, leaving Flinn to visit with Thorin and Dwalin. "In fact, we would think you were crazy if you weren't nervous!"

"Aye," Bergie nodded. "You should have seen me when I first found out I was pregnant. I spent a lot of time in tears, fearing that I would be such a horrible mother, or that my little one would end up hating me! If it weren't for Dwalin talking me down from the ledge, I don't know what I would have done."

"We all went through the same thing," Sier assured her. "The doubt, the fear, the anxiety…but you are not doing this alone. Not only do you have Kili at your side, you have all of us here to help as well. But don't worry, you will be a splendid mother, I just know it."

"I thank you all for your kind support," Tauriel beamed. "It has only been a few months since we found out little Ithil was coming, but I already can't imagine him not being a part of our lives. To me he is very real, for I can sense his moods, as well as some of his likes and dislikes."

"Really?" Dis asked, her eyes drifting to Tauriel's stomach. "Like what?"

"Well, he enjoys horse riding, for I think the swaying motion puts him to sleep," she giggled. "He is not very keen on spicy foods, and would prefer that I stick to a more bland diet. And he appears to have some aversion to apple juice, and becomes very agitated when I drink it."

"Hmmm, is there any way he might have inherited that from his uncle?" Sier laughed, hinting at Fili's dislike for that particular fruit.

"But his favorite thing in the world is when Kili talks to him, sings him songs or tells him stories," Tauriel grinned. "It is then that I can feel our son's complete contentment, as well as his love for his father. It is simply amazing."

Dis, who apparently had not yet recovered from her last bout of emotions when speaking to her sons, was quickly reduced to tears once more by the elleth's words.

"Oh, Tauriel," the dam sniffled, leaning over and hugging her delicately, trying not to disturb Freya. "How did I ever get so lucky as to gain two such wonderful daughters-in-law like you and Sier? I couldn't have chosen better for Fili and Kili if I had searched all of Middle Earth!"

"And we were just as fortunate to be blessed with a remarkable mother-in-law like you, Dis," Sier assured her, with Tauriel nodding in full agreement. "And we both can't thank you enough for raising such fine sons for us to love."

"For that, you are most welcome," Dis laughed, wiping at her eyes as the lasses all began to talk about babies once more.

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The next morning, Thorin did indeed officially retake his position as king, relieving Fili of the mantel of duty. And his first order of business was to call a meeting with Balin, Dwalin, Gandalf and his nephews, so that Glorfindel could divulge his long awaited news.

"As you requested, Lord Balin," the blond elf began in a serious tone. "The next time I found myself near Moria, I did indeed take time to examine the ancient dwarf kingdom. And while I was able to make my way through the mountain without being discovered by the orcs that still reside within, I fear that something else might still linger there that is much more deadly than the vile creatures that serve the dark lord."

"Oh?" Balin asked, leaning in closer with great interest. "Do you speak of Durin's Bain?"

"Perhaps," Glorfindel answered, though he appeared unsure. "I cannot say for sure, though it is my feeling that something much as you described still dwells in the darkest regions of that place. Something that sent chills down my spine…much as the beast I battled in the past had done. The beast that killed me."

"So what would you suggest we do?" Balin questioned.

"The orcs you might be able to roust, for they are a spindly lot, large in number, but low on brains and leadership," Glorfindel surmised. "Yet it is my recommendation that you do not waste good soldiers in an attempt to reclaim your former kingdom at this time. For Mordor is amassing strength, and your forces will be needed here, to fortify Erebor. It would be unwise to split your defenses, spreading yourselves too thin in an effort to secure two dwarven empires.

"I see," Balin nodded grimly, this apparently not being the news he had hoped for. He then turned to Thorin. "What are your thoughts on this?"

"I find I must agree with Glorfindel," Thorin said with a heavy sigh. "While it eats away at my bones that Khazad-dûm still remains in the hands of our enemy, I see the wisdom in not dividing our strength at this time. We are homeless no longer, not wandering this world in search of a place to call our own. That was the main reason my grandfather, Thrór, chose to march against the orcs…to reclaim a home for us. But for now, Erebor is enough. And while we will not forget our ancient city, nor leave it in the hands of those vile creatures forever…now is not the time for such a war."

"You are wise in choosing to wait, Thorin," Gandalf nodded sagely. "War is never something one should go looking for, not when there are enemies still knocking at your own gates. A time may come soon when you will need all your forces here, to turn the tide that might try and destroy you."

"Again, your words seem to foreshadow doom, old friend," Thorin told the wizard.

"No…not necessarily doom," Gandalf mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "But caution is definitely needed if we are to avoid it, I fear."

"You aren't suggesting we hide away in our mountain and cut ourselves off from the rest of Middle Earth, are you?" Fili asked, not liking the sound of that at all.

"We have worked very hard to form alliances with those around us, and I for one am not willing to abandon them when danger comes!" Kili stated firmly.

"And well you shouldn't," Gandalf nodded, impressed by the two princes' loyalties. "I say, strengthen those ties, form more, become strong in such unions, for only then can you obtain the strength you need to overcome the forces of evil that are spreading over this land. In the past, it took an alliance of elves, dwarves and men to defeat the enemy…the same will be needed again. Thorin, your kingdom rests in a very strategic place, one highly valued and sought after by Sauron. Erebor, Dale, and Mirkwood, are all that stand between Mordor and his forces to the north. One day you might be called upon to serve as a wall between the two, denying them the ability to cover your lands with their filth."

"Gandalf speaks the truth," Glorfindel agreed. "A time may come when you are all that stands between victory…and certain death. Will you hold?"

"The only way they will pass is over my dead and cold body!" Thorin growled, his hands gripping at the arms of his chair until his knuckles turned white. "We have fought, bled, and died, in order to regain Erebor, I will not stand idly by and allow another foul creature to take it from me again!"

"And we will stand with you, Uncle!" Fili and Kili stated, rising to their feet in a show of solidarity.

"As will we!" Dwalin joined in, followed by Balin.

"And I am willing to bet that you can count on Bard and Thranduil to say the same," Gandalf grinned. "I strongly advise you to keep your ties strong with those around you, Thorin. Yet, I can see that my words are hardly needed, as you have already done much to maintain your alliances in the form of your nephew's marriage."

At this, Thorin turned and looked at Kili with pride. "The dwarves and the elves are forever united through your bond with Tauriel, and that of your future son. I may have initially been hesitant about such a union, Nephew, but now…now I see it for what it truly is. A blessing of the highest degree. Dwarves shall never more hide themselves beneath the earth and care only for their own interests, we are linked with those of this world through marriage, as well as friendship." Here he looked at Glorfindel and Gandalf, giving them each a respectful nod. "We will not forsake such alliances."

"Then it is settled," Gandalf stated firmly. "Your quest to retake Khazad-dûm will be put aside for now, and you will work to strengthen Erebor. Smaug laid low your numbers, and now is a time for growth and rebuilding, not for war and death…yet that may come sooner than even the wisest of us can foresee."

"And from what I have seen, Thorin Oakenshield, you and your kinsmen have done much to further your population," Glorfindel laughed, instantly easing the somberness that had spread throughout the room. "Eight children in the space of a little over a decade…quite impressive for your race."

"Ahh, but we've had help," Kili interjected, once again all smiles. "By both hobbits and elves!"

"And never more have I been more grateful for such aid," Thorin laughed.

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Later that week, before Glorfindel and Gandalf planned to take their leave, a small private ceremony was planned to honor Flinn and the acquisition of his warrior's braid and bead. Fili and his father, Flinn the elder, stood on either side of the lad, beaming with pride as Thorin, being the king, wove the braid into his nephew's hair. Yet it was Fili who set the bead he had crafted in place, recognizing his son's rite of passage from a child to a young dwarrow. Granted, little Flinn was younger than most when receiving such an honor, yet no one could argue that the lad hadn't earned it.

Sier had tears in her eyes as she watched Fili place the bead in their son's hair, recalling just how fearful she had once been that Flinn might never know is father. She had been a fool to have worried so, for Fili had loved his child the moment he had set eyes on him - those feelings having only grown stronger with time. Flinn was the mirror image of Fili in every way, in looks, bravery and compassion. And now, with his warrior braid woven in his hair, the likeness was even more pronounce. She wondered just how long it might be before she would be watching Fili do the same honors for Frerin. Sier couldn't help but hope it was a long, long time in the future…for she was not quite ready to let her little lads grow up.

Frerin was also grinning from ear to ear, his admiration shining in his eyes over his brother's brave deeds. Yet while he enjoyed his battle training with his Uncle Dwalin and his father, unlike Flinn, Frerin was not sure being a warrior was what he wanted to do with his life. He was a prince from the line of Durin, so it was assumed that he would wish to lead in some way, but lately, Frerin had been giving thought to what Dr. Burrows had said. It was true, he wasn't the squeamish type when it came to blood and guts, and it fascinated him whenever Oin would patch someone up, or heal them from some unknown malady. He'd even been thinking of asking the old healer if he could come by the halls sometime, and see what all went on there in a day. For maybe, just maybe, he might be interested in pursuing the healing arts.

However, Frerin was jolted out of his thoughts by his uncle's voice, booming out over the room.

"It is my great honor to proclaim, that Flinn, son of Fili, son of Flinn, son of Frár, has this day earned his warrior's braid and bead," Thorin stated to the smiling group. "He has done so in the brave defense of his brother, Frerin, his sword-brother Frodo, and young Holly Baggins. From this day forth, he will be afforded the title of warrior."

The room broke out in cheers, everyone clapping for the now blushing lad. But Flinn was brought back to earth by his father's voice whispering in his ear.

"But warrior braid or not…you still have to obey me when I say it is bed time, you hear?" he said with a chuckle.

"Yes, Adad," Flinn grinned, looking up into the proud eyes of his father. "I promise."

Awwwww, Flinn got his warrior braid and bead! He and Fili are just about twins now!

Did you enjoy Fili and Kili spending time with their little sister?

Or the dam's talk with Tauriel.

But the big news is that Balin, Ori and Oin are NOT going off to Moria to take back the lost dwarf kingdom. Nope, not yet anyway...and I am willing to bet it will be a much easier take over after Gandalf kills that mean old Balrog that lives there!

All right, prepare yourself for some skips ahead in time!

Guest Reviews:

Guest: Yes, I too loved the whole mix up with Gandalf the Wizard, and Gandalf the Kitten. ha ha. And here the wizard thought he was in trouble with some dam. ha ha. And I think even if her cat has babies, Freya is just stubborn enough to still deny that it is a girl! I think we should all get cute little hobbit dolls! Kili is just weird...or maybe it is a dwarf thing with the beards. ha ha. Thanks.

abc: Oh yes, it is always fun when dwarves get together and swap stories...especially when they are making fun of Fili and Kili. ha ha. I did have fun with the Gandalf mix up. And oh yes, the cat is out of the bag now - no pun intended - and everyone knows about little Ithil. Fili and Sier did get a bit of a shock there, but they got over it and are fine now. And yes, TWO blades for Flinn...just like his dear old dad! Thanks

Lalaithiel: Yes, it is hard to fit everyone in, but Rose was there, she even had some dialog. she was the one who told Fili that the elf twins had turned Kili purple as they left Rivendell. ha ha. I think it was the twins who didn't get any lines in that chapter. NOT that any of them got any lines in this one either. Sorry, kids. ha ha.

Aranel Mereneth: Oh, it aint over yet, and every time I say "Just thee more chapters" I find myself thinking of more to write! So I have given up guessing how much longer...for no one knows, not even me. ha ha. Sorry that Thorin didn't bond with Lili, but at least you got half your wish, with Fili and Kili spending time with their sister. There will be time jumps coming, so buckle up and don't get sick on the ride. ha ha. I missed Fili and Sier too...they ARE my favorites you know.

Feu d'Argent: Yes, kittens solve every problem! And Kili did a good job...but he REALLY wanted Fili to be the first to know. NOT that it worked out that way, but HE didn't know that. So shhhhhh, don't tell him. And yes, Fili is happy to hand the crown back to Thorin...for now. But he learned a lot of lessons about being king from this trial. He will do much better next time. ha ha. Thanks.

Guest Emily: OH man, Glorfindel and Nara? I would say she is too old for him...but our beloved elf is rather ancient. ha ha. Still, the age thing would be an issue, and if he waited this long for a wife, he should get one who would live as long as him. But there is no plans for such a thing in my story...I just didn't want to slam the door shut on the possibility. ha ha. And of course Nori would try and make some coin off the situation! He is NORI! I am happy you are enjoying my story so much...more to come! Thanks.