Inari's POV

It's been a little over an hour since I figured out Kili's secret and by now he had changed back and was currently sitting across from me. I haven't quite grasped what his secret means just yet which means I'm now just staring at him which seems to be making him more nervous if his constant shifting is anything to go by. Finally, his eyes met mine. They were his normal warm brown rather than his piercing gold gaze. After a moment he turned away and gave an aggravated huff. "Has anyone ever taught you it's rude to stare." He finally said in a sarcastic tone. Hearing my words thrown back at me was enough to pull me out of my shock-induced stupor.

I shook my head in a vain attempt to clear it. My mind was running a thousand miles a minute with all the questions I had racing in my head. After a moment I was able to look back up at him. "I… I'm sorry." I finally stuttered. Kili just nodded his acceptance but still refused to look up. There was so much I wanted to ask, however, I could tell now was not the time. Kili was avoiding my gaze and his face was pulled into a gaunt expression that was almost unreadable. However, his brown eyes told me everything. My father always told me that one's eyes are a reflection of our very souls, showing the world what you are truly feeling. This was definitely the case with Kili. Usually, I can tell exactly what he is thinking because Kili is one of those people who "wear their heart on their sleeve" as my father would say. Now there was nothing in his expression that could tell me what he felt, except for his eyes. His eyes shone with so many emotions but the most prominent one was: shame.

That really confused me, making me furrow my brow. Why would he be ashamed? Does it have something to do with his...special ability? Without thinking I reached over and held his hand tracing circles on the back with my thumb. It was all I could do to show him my understanding and hopefully comfort. Kili looked up quickly giving me an apprehensive look. I gave him a gentle smile in return. "I don't think I ever said thank you for today. Thank you for saving me, Kili." I said softly, trying to cheer him up. It seemed to work as he returned the smile. We then blushed slightly as we were still holding hands as we finally separated. After a moment our blushing checks went back to our regular skin tone for which I was grateful for.

We sat in a comfortable silence for a little while but I couldn't wait anymore. I needed answers. "Kili," I called, getting his attention as he turned back his gaze locking with mine. His eyes once again betrayed his nervousness as he couldn't seem to keep them on one thing for too long before they were on another. I took a deep breath and was able to find the courage to ask him. "How is this possible? How long have you been able to do that does Fili or… or Thorin know?" All these questions seemed to come out rapidly one after the other and I would have continued if Kili hadn't put his hand over my mouth to stop me with an amused grin on his face. "Slow down Inari. One at a time." He then removed his hand, his grin fading as he gave me a serious look. "I'll try to answer all of your questions, but you have to promise that you'll keep it a secret. You were never supposed to find out anyway." He said in a tone full of seriousness.

I nodded in understanding as he sat back giving me an expectant look. I sighed before asking once more. "How is this possible?" He sighed as he rubbed his neck in apprehension. "It's...It's a long story." I shifted closer to him giving him my undivided attention. "I have plenty of time." This made his lips twitch up into a slight smile before it disappears once more.

"Have you ever heard of a Canus?" My brow furrowed at his question. "No, not really. What's a Canus?" Kili released another sigh but continued. "A Canus is a being that can transform from dwarf to wolf. Mostly at will but sometimes not." He shrugged slightly, his expression one of sadness. My jaw dropped in shock, but I was able to regain my composure. "But how can that be? I've never heard of a dwarf becoming a wolf?" I could feel my headache coming back with a vengeance. "That's because it only happens to those descended from the line a Durin. It all started during Durin the Third's reign. After he received a ring of power, Sauron tried to sway him to his side. Durin was able to resist the ring's magic and made a stand against his forces. The story most known is that Durin's army was able to hold off Sauron but eventually had to retreat. What many don't know is that Sauron sent one of his faithful followers, a Black Númenórean witch named Nilû, to infiltrate Durin's keep." Kili looked into our campfire with a pained yet thoughtful expression, then he continued.

"When she found Durin she cast a curse upon him. Durin and all of his descendants would become a beast every full moon. If one were to bite anyone on a full moon, the consequences would be deadly." Kili once again looked down at the ground as he let out a shaky breath. As Kili told the story my expression began to soften more and more. Kili then jerked his head up and looked at me once more. His eyes now a fierce gold reflecting his anger. "Me, Thorin, Fili, we all are afflicted with this...this disease. All of us have spent most of our lives hiding and trying to control it." He looks back into the fire once more, his eyes still gold. I looked at him with a thoughtful expression. "Have you? Been able to control it I mean?"

He looked back up his eyes warm brown once more, however his body was still coiled up with tension. As if my reaction was causing him physical pain. "Most of the time I can. That's how I was able to save you. However, if there's a full moon I can't always control myself. It's like an instinct, the wolf, it just takes over and I lose control. Whenever that happens I blackout and can't remember anything. I hate it!" His hands were gripping his hair tightly and his face was scrunched up in frustration.

At that moment I felt completely powerless to help him. I knew nothing I said would make him feel better so I just put my hand on his back rubbing it in small circles to let him know I was there. "I can't even begin to imagine what your life is like, but can I offer a bit of advice?" I asked softly. He put his hands back in front of him cupped together with his elbows resting on his knees and his expression unreadable. "Honestly, the advice is probably exactly what I need." He said seriously.

"I don't think you should be afraid of who and what you are. Maybe the reason why you lose control is because you just haven't accepted who you are. When I looked into the wolf's eyes I didn't see a monster I saw someone who more than anything wanted to make sure I was safe. You're Kili no matter what form you take. It's just who you are." His face remained expressionless as I spoke to him, but when I was finished he gave me a look of gratitude. "You know you're the first dwarrowdam I've met who wasn't afraid of me. How can you be so accepting of someone…" He paused sucking in a shaky breath as his face became downcast once more. "Something like me?"

The soft smile faded from my lips as dark memories came to the forefront of my mind. "Because I know what it's like to be different, to have two different sides of you fighting each other." I pulled my hand away from his back and wrapped my arms around my knees that were pulled up slightly.

"Back in Forodwaith, everyone knew everyone and we're always in each other's business. Everyone knew that my siblings and I were only half-dwarf. We were called many names: halfbreed, mongrel, abomination, the list goes on. My brother and sister ignored their taunts, but I just had had enough so I left the first chance I got. It wasn't until I was traveling on the road that I realized the words of others do not make you who you are nor do they decide who you become, that's something only you can do and no one can ever take that away." I smiled softly as I brought my gaze back up to his. His eyes were now a honey gold but were full of gentleness and his lips were twitched up into a soft smile. My heart leapt and I could feel my cheeks heat up once more.

He took my hands and held them loosely, his gaze never faltering. "You are wise beyond your years Lady Inari." I scoffed at the nickname, but couldn't stop myself from smiling. He let go of my hands and I couldn't help but miss the warmth that was no longer there. His joking aura soon became inquisitive as he looked at me curiously. "I didn't know you had a brother and sister?" I smiled gently at the thought of my siblings. They drove to my wit's end, but they were family and I missed them dearly.

"I do. There's Vestri the oldest, he's actually apprenticed to my father as a tanner. Then there is Katja the second oldest, she's currently being trained to become a seamstress. My father, Virfur, trained all of us. After the fall of Erebor, he wanted to make sure we could protect ourselves no matter what." Kili furrowed his brow after I mentioned my father and immediately spoke when I was finished. "Wait Virfur? Does he hail from the Ur Family?" I was a little confused, but answered anyway. "Yes. The rest of his family lived in Ered Luin, but he left and decided to establish his tanning business in Erebor. After Smaug came he lost touch with them and hasn't heard from them since."

I paused as I thought about what adad said about his family. "To be honest, I don't really know much more than that other than he had an older brother but he never told me his name." I shrugged. Adad was very hush-hush about his family. I suppose it hurt him too much to talk about them. Kili had a shocked look on his face as he stared at me. After a few minutes, I became irritated so I smacked his arm to get his attention. That brought him back from his shock-induced stupor. "Sorry it's just...have you spoken to Bofur, Bombur, or Bifur?"

My brow was still pinched in confusion but answered once more. "A little bit why?" I asked with slight irritation. I was way too tired for guessing games not to mention it was getting pretty late. "They're also from the Ur Family hence their names." He said sarcastically. I stared at him in shock. "Vor Mahal dûnost! How'd I miss that!" My mind was racing with questions. I could have cousins or even an uncle in the company. Kili shrugged at my confusion.

"Only one way to find out. You need to talk to Bofur, Bombur and Bifur when we find them tomorrow. Speaking of which we should probably get some sleep. If we want to catch up with the company by sunset tomorrow we need to leave camp by dawn." He said and then got up and found a spot near the fire. I didn't as my mind was still racing. Kili must have noticed my troubled expression as he sat up once more. "Don't worry Inari we'll figure it out in the morning, but for now get some sleep. You've had a trying day, you'll need as much rest as you can get."

I nodded and gave him a small smile. He laid back down and turned over his back now facing the fire and myself. I got comfortable on the ground though that was near impossible with all the little rocks digging into my ribs, but found a position that was decent and listened to the sounds of nightlife. A few minutes passed when Kili spoke once more. "Inari are you still awake?" I smiled slightly as I answered with a hum. "Thanks. For understanding and being a good friend." "No problem, Good night Kili," I said softly. "Sweet dreams Inari." I turned my back towards the fire and closed my eyes. It wasn't until right before I fell into the realm of dreams that I realized we never ate dinner.

A/N

Translation:

Vor Mahal Dunost!-By Mahal's beard!

Dwarrowdam-Female dwarf

Translation from

Hey guys sorry it took me so long to upload this chapter I had to do a lot of research to figure out the Werewolf lore and history for this story. This is only the basic run down, but it'll become more fleshed out as the story goes on. So, the reason I called Kili a Canus is because there are werewolves in Tolkien's universe but they were evil and couldn't shapeshift. So in this story, a Canus and Werewolf are two different species.

You may have noticed I changed the name and that's because I never really liked the title, but at the time I couldn't come up with something better. I've decided to make this into a trilogy called the Cursed Legacy Series with Nightfall as book one. Daybreak will be book two and take place during Lord of the Rings. Lastly, After Dusk will be the final book in the trilogy and will be mainly short stories and an epilogue.

This is the longest chapter I think I've ever written so I hope that makes up for the delayed update. Anyways, I hope everyone is still staying safe and social distancing. Let Me know what you think of this chapter in the comments.

R&R

-ArcherWriter