It had been longer than anticipated, but the princes' had finally found a dwarrowdam that was too their liking, willing to carry their child, and compatible enough with them to not cause strife.
She was pretty, with light brown curls, green eyes and a bright smile.
Thorin liked her a great deal as well, she knew plenty of politics without being dull or interfering and was good at keeping Kili from putting his foot in his mouth around his uncle.
It was late in the evening and Kili was laying on his stomach, watching Fili writing a letter to Bard, something about a change in the number of fish traded from the lake. "I'm glad we found Fulla, she is perfect. I just wish I knew more about where she came from."
Fili hummed in a non-committal fashion and his brother frowned at him, not liking Fili's odd behavior whenever the dwarrowdam's origins were mentioned. "C'mon Fee, I know you know something about it."
With a sigh the blonde set his quill aside, "Kili…if I answer your questions about her can you promise me it will not change how you see her?"
Kili was silent, picking at the furs. When his brother moved to turn away he finally spoke, "You know I can't. I can say that it won't make me change my mind, I want her to carry our child."
There was a heavy pause before Fili nodded, shoulders tensing and relaxing as he settled on the best way to explain himself to Kili.
"You know Fulla comes from the ironhills. She knows our customs very well, she is well informed of our family especially. You probably assumed that Balin schooled her before she met us, I would have…but he did not. She has been to Erebor before and had to learn all those things then."
He paused and looked at Kili whose brow was furrowed slightly, "Alright, but why does that matter?"
Not meeting his lovers eyes Fili answered, "She was my betrothed. Glin's daughter. I did not want to ask her, I thought it would be too much like salting a wound, but she wrote to me when she learned we were looking for a surrogate. I did not realize she would fit us both so well. She bears us no ill will and feels deeply remorsed for what her father tried to do….Thorin had her thoroughly questioned before you even met her."
Kili didn't speak, he didn't move an inch and Fili felt concern bubble. "Kee?"
"You…were going to marry. Her. You were going to…marry her?" His voice sounded so odd and small and Fili frowned in confusion.
"Yes, as I said she was my intended before you snuck back into my life."
Kili nodded, his face had paled and he pushed himself off the bed and in a soft but blank tone told his husband, "You would've been perfect together. I am sorry." The door closing behind him echoed with his apology.
Fili sat stunned for a long moment, staring at the vacated bed. "Oh Kee." He breathed, rising to grab his brother's forgotten boots and chase after him.
Kili slipped out of the secret door in the side of the mountain, cringing as he bare feet touched sharp stones. He was so focused on tiptoeing around the rocks to look over the edge of the cliff that he almost missed his company.
"Kili…where are your boots?" Bilbo was leaning against a large boulder, his pipe in one hand and his eyebrows raised despite his own bared feet.
Eyes going wide, Kili took a hasty step back, gritting his teeth as a particularly sharp rock dug into his heel. "Sorry Bilbo, you startled me. I left my boots in my room…I guess I shouldn't have rushed off like I did."
Bilbo took a closer look at Kili, noting his worried look and sad eyes, "I see Fili told you about Fulla." The brunette nodded miserably, "Yes and now I know what a good match Fili would've had with her…I should've stayed away."
The hobbit snorted, making Kili's head jerk up. "They're too much alike…they would've ruined their marriage within a year and they both love others. You are your brother One, we can all see that and Fulla has a husband in the ironhills now. He gave his blessing for her to do this you know."
Kili stared at Bilbo's unimpressed face, "Oh."
Curls bouncing, Bilbo nodded and took a draw of his pipe. "Now stop being a stubborn dwarf and go get your boots."
Kili sheepishly ducked his head, feeling better after Bilbo's words and also very foolish. He picked his way back to the doorway, "Thanks..Aunty Boggins."
Bilbo threw a rock that narrowly missed him as he shot back into the mountain.
He didn't get terribly far before Fili appeared before him, wordlessly holding out Kili's boots. He tugged them on and they walked silently too the main gate, nodding to the guards there and leaving the mountain.
The silence lasted until they reached the first field that marked Dale's crops. "I'm sorry, I was being foolish."
Fili looked at his brother in surprise, it was unlike Kili to realize such things so quickly but the brunette was continuing.
"I just thought…you look so good together and she is a very nice female. Bilbo though, told me she has a husband and chided me a bit." Kili blushed lightly and shrugged.
A warm hug enveloped him, "You are absolutely the most ridiculous dwarrow I've ever met, but I love you all the same." Fili laughed and pressed a soft kiss to Kili's mouth.
They strolled along the greener area of the mountain, holding hands and enjoying being together, Kili's smile lighting up Fili's world as they did so, even though he had to pause after a while, the mark on his stomach a bit sore.
Eventually they found their way back to their rooms, Fulla in the sitting room looking amusedly at them when they entered.
"There they are. Bilbo told me you were trying out the hobbit shoe-style Kili." She grinned at him and he stuck out his tongue in response, making Fili laugh.
"I don't think that worked out so well for him, but never fear I came to his rescue."
"Don't you always?" She teased and Kili blushed brightly.
Before he could say anything clever in return Fulla sobered, "Oin said tomorrow, my cycles begin as he needs them and it is a good time to try."
Both princes became instantly serious, but joy was in their eyes, "Perfect. We'll try tomorrow then."
The trio stayed talking until it was time to retire to their beds and it was with excited hearts that Kili and Fili bid Fulla goodnight.
"We could be fathers within the year!" Kili exclaimed as he undressed, Fili grinning at him, "You remember of course what Oin said about the night before?"
Kili groaned, "No sex….like it makes a difference." Fili growled playfully and Kili rolled his eyes, "I know, I know, I'll be good. Promise."
At that the blonde scooted to his side, holding out his arms and sighing happily as Kili curled against him.