Kili stretched in the early morning light. He had slept surprisingly well in the ruins. Looking around, he snickered. Glorfindel was not to be found, but the twins had decided to mess with Fili. His brother had always been able to sleep like the dead, but this was ridiculous. They had Fili wrapped in his bedroll, dangling right-side up from a low hanging balcony.

"Brother, it appears that our next victim has awakened. Pity," said Elrohir.

"I guess we'll have to content ourselves with Fili's reaction alone."

Glorfindel, Bard, and his children came into their camp at that moment. "We should plan to…. Elladan, Elrohir, why is Fili hanging from that balcony?"

Bard worked hard to keep a straight face, but the same could not be said for his children. Chuckles and giggles were coming from their direction. Fili began to stir, so Kili figured it was time to get it over with.

"Fili, Amad invited Kala and Mila for tea! Quick, run for it!" Fili's eyes flew open, and he struggled to get out of his roll, only to succeed and land roughly on the ground."

"Kili! Wha… why would you do that?" Fili got up, breathing hard. "And why was I hanging from up there?"

Since everyone else was laughing, (even Bard couldn't help it) Glorfindel answered. "I believe the twins decided to test just how heavy you sleep from exhaustion. Apparently, you only rouse at the threat of female companionship."

"Who are Kala and Mila?" asked Sigrid, once she was able to control her laughter.

"Kala is our mother's best friend. Mila is her young daughter. She is a very sweet, but excitable dwarrowdam, and she is in 'love' with Fili. Whenever she is over, or happens upon Fili, she talks nonstop and tries to take care of all of his 'needs'."

Fili groaned, but Kili continued. "She is perfectly fine around anyone else, but the moment she gets around Fili, it just gets awkward."

"Can we talk about something else? I am glad everyone has had a laugh at my expense, but let's move on. We have a mountain to get to."

"If it is alright," started Bard, "I think I will come with you. We do not have the supplies to last more than another day or so. I plan to send men out to hunt and scavenge, but there will only be so much we can do before winter without funds."

Fili and Kili growled at that.

"Look, I know you two do not like it. Neither do I. The gold in that mountain is cursed, and I would rather have nothing to do with it, but as it stands, your uncle made a promise and it is because of your uncle and his company that our homes are gone. I only seek enough to get us on our feet. We have women and children that need to be fed through the winter, not to mention the elderly and infirmed. Make no mistake, we are a hardy people, but this…"

Fili thought back on the stories his mother and uncle told them of their years of wandering. They had very little help, and many perished. He is not sure he could live with the knowledge that he could have helped, but didn't. He nodded at Bard and locked eyes with his brother for understanding.

"We need to start getting…." Glorfindel stopped midsentence. Fili and Kili noticed the twins go still as well.

"What is it?" asked Kili.

"Elves," replied Glorfindel, making his way across to where the old market was. Bard motioned for his children to stay where they were and followed after the group. They came upon Alfrid.

"Morning, Sire," he yawned. "Nothing to report."

"Nothing to report, eh," said Bard, as he stopped just outside an archway. "Nothing but an army of elves.

Things were not going well. It was a blessing for the people, as the Woodland elves had brought bountiful provisions, but the downside was the devious plan of their King. Glorfindel, Bard, and Elladan were arguing with Thranduil. Fili, Kili, and Elrohir stood to the side talking amongst themselves. Elrohir had noticed that the entryway into Erebor had been walled up. Elrohir kept an ear on the other conversation.

"What are we going to do now?" asked Kili. "Thranduil is not likely to allow us to leave freely, and the way into Erebor is now blocked."

"He is determined to claim the white gems of Lasgalen. In this I cannot blame him. Thror should never have kept them. Those gems have caused many problems between our peoples."

"Then he should have paid for them," retorted Fili.

"He had planned to, but Thror decided to charge his thrice the agreed amount so he could keep them. In that instance, Thranduil was innocent. I wish Rivendell were not so far away. We could help these people and Ada could sort Thranduil out."

Fili thought about what to do. He knew Thranduil did not pay for them. Thorin had told him as much, but he never mentioned that Thror raised the price. He could see how that would make Thranduil angry. He didn't know what the elf king was thinking to put the gems back in dwarven hands. It didn't end well the first time. An idea suddenly came to him.

"King Thranduil," he said as he approached.

"What could you possibly have to say to me?"

"You have erred to think you can just take those gems by force."

"Do you plan to stop me?" he smirked.

"No, but I can try and dissuade you. You think a company of eleven dwarves and one hobbit cannot stop you,"

"A hobbit?"

"But you do not understand the strength dwarrow have behind their walls. Even eleven could successfully keep you and your army out. Not only that, I am not sure you have noticed, but the ravens have returned. My uncle will have sent a message to our cousin Dain, Lord of the Iron Hills. He is most likely on his way with provisions, and will be here at any time. He will bring with him at least a portion of his army. Thror was wrong to do what he did, but it is not too late to change this. Your son has shown himself as a friend to us, my uncle, and the company. I would not have our people at odds when there is much we can do to help one another. Allow us to negotiate. I will persuade Thorin to give you the jewels, so long as you pay the original, agreed upon price. Thorin is not Thror. He will honor the contract."

"You are so sure of this? You are a fool, but very well. Take your idea to your uncle, and see if he agrees. When he refuses, tell him I will attack at dawn."

Thranduil turned to walk away. "Tell my son he can come out of hiding. I will speak with him and my traitor captain."

"Tauriel and Legolas are not here," ground out Glorfindel. "We came across orc bearing the mark of Gundabad. He took Tauriel with him to investigate the area. They plan to meet us here soon, with their findings."

Thranduil had stopped. "Gundabad?"

"Hiding within your walls does not make the world stop. Come," he said to his companions, "let us make for the mountain."

"Bard, I think it might be best that you remain behind. I doubt he would look kindly upon you. They sealed the gate in the night, which means they know you are here, and they view you as a threat," said Fili.

The Dragon Slayer nodded in reply. "I will see about setting up permanent lodgings for the people,"

"Was that wise, Fili, to give Thranduil all of that information?" asked Kili, who was once more ridding behind Elladan.

"As we have discussed before, nothing will change the facts. You and I both know that Uncle will have sent for Dain, and it will not take him long to get here. The battlements may be old, and unused, but Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin would be able to hold off any enemy long enough for Dain to arrive. I want to avoid war, period. The Woodland Realm will once more be our neighbor, and I would rather have them as an ally, than an enemy. Righting a wrong is a huge step in that direction."

"You have the makings of a great king, Fili," said Glorfindel.

Fili didn't say anything, too worried about how this would all work out. They rode the rest of the way in silence. They knew the moment they were recognized by the excited shouts coming from the battlements.

"Welcome, my sister-sons, to Erebor!"

The brothers were shocked at the appearance of their uncle. It was almost as though a shadow clung to him. Things were not looking too good.

"Uncle, we are glad to see that you all fared well against the worm," said Fili. Everyone upon the ramparts grinned and preened.

"Bofur, get a rope so that we may hoist them up."

"Not yet, Thorin. I am sure you can see behind me that a situation has arisen. I would discuss it with you, so that all parties may be satisfied."

Thorin's eyes turned stone cold. "What have you done, Fili?"

"I have done as you have trained me to do; I have begun to take steps towards a peaceful solution to our problem. Will you hear me out?"

Thorin nodded and motioned for them to approach a hole they had left in the wall. Fili, Kili, and Glorfindel went forward, Elladan and Elrohir stayed with the horses. They noticed Balin and Dwalin disappear with their uncle.

"Speak," ordered Thorin.

"I am sure that it is no surprise to you that Thranduil has come for the jewels. I managed to work a deal that would work in both our favor. We give him the jewels, after (he rushed on as he heard his uncle attempt to interrupt him) he pays us the amount that was originally agreed upon."

"Those jewels are worth more than that pittance."

"That may be, but an agreement was made, and we should honor it."

"I will not give that dog anything!"

"Thorin," they heard Balin warn.

"No! He allowed the suffering of my people. I will not give him anything. Let him rot with the knowledge that his precious gems will forever remain in Erebor."

"Thorin, he was wronged first. That doesn't give him an excuse to have turned our people away as he did, but what's done is done. They will be our neighbors once more. Wouldn't you rather we live in peace with them, for the sake of our people?"

"You think that this will make our peoples friends again?" he asked scornfully.

"No, but it is a first step. It is not impossible for us to be friends with elves. Glorfindel, Elladan, and Elrohir should be proof enough of that. And we know you were on good terms with Legolas while you were held in Mirkwood."

"Stopped by for a visit, did you? I thought you were not welcome in Thranduil's kingdom, Glorfindel? You have turned my nephews against me!"

Kili snorted. "Hardly. We arrived as you lot made your escape. After you were found in the woods, they set up patrols. Thranduil despises Glorfindel. We only escaped with the help of Legolas and Tauriel. We are not against you, Uncle."

"I ask that you think about this before you answer. Thranduil plans to attack at dawn if terms cannot be met."

"Let him," he said smugly. "He will be in for a surprise."

Fili took a deep breath. "I told him as much."

"What did you tell him?"

"That you would have sent for Dain by now, and that the mountain is not a defenseless and he would believe."

"You have betrayed us!"

"I have tried to save you! He planned to attack immediately. I bought time, and made a beneficial deal. It is up to you now. Thorin, we can make a better future."

"I think you have spent too much time I the presence of elves."

"There is another matter," broke in Kili. "Bard requests that you honor your agreement and grant a share to the people of Laketown."

"I will not have what was hard won, taken from us again."

"The people of Laketown have nothing. They come to us in need. They have lost everything."

"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship."

"If you understand, why then, will you not help?"

"Help them? Those who have lived through dragon fire should rejoice! They have much to be grateful for."

"I can assure you, they are grateful for their lives, but winter is upon us. What provisions they have will not last a week. They have very little shelter."

"That is not my problem."

"You and Amad told us of your hardships. You told us about having to scrape by in worse conditions than we ever had. About people turning you away, offering no help. We grew up despising the elven king and all elves for not aiding our people in their time of need. Now, you would have us do the same? Is that how you would have us remembered? Would you have Men despise us as we have despised Thranduil?" said Fili.

"DO NOT COMPARE ME TO THAT FILTH!"

"If you will not grant them what you have promised," cut in Kili, again, "then give them my share. Whether you will or not, I will not have it said that Thorin Oakenshield did not honor his word."

"I WILL NOT PART WITH A SINGLE COIN! Leave. If you are so sympathetic to their cause, you can join them in it."

Kili backed away slowly. Thorin's words cut him deeply. He turned and walked over to the twins. He glanced up only to quickly look away again, unable to handle the pity in the eyes of his kin.

"Uncle," started Fili.

"I will hear no more from you, Traitor. Go, frolic with your new friends. You have shamed me."

"I am sorry you feel that way. It has only been my desire to help our people. You obviously feel you owe me nothing, but I do ask that you consider all that we have brought before you. I will tell Thranduil that you are thinking it over."

Thorin didn't reply. Fili held his head high, and walked towards his brother. He refused to feel shame for doing what he felt was right. Glorfindel, it seemed had other plans.

"Well, Thorin, I have kept my promise to you. I have returned your nephews to you, safe and whole, and I have been tossed in a dungeon and faced a dragon while doing so. Will you uphold your word to me, and allow me to keep my word to your forbearer? This is not it, there is a greater evil coming, and I would see Durin's Folk prepared for it."

"You have aided in turning my nephews against me."

"I have done no such thing. I admit, I agree with the way they wish to handle this whole situation, but this was all their own doing. They didn't even ask for my counsel. Let me in, Thorin. I swear by the Valar, I mean you no harm."

He heard Thorin walk away, so he backed away and looked up. When Thorin appeared, he tossed a rope down. Glorfindel didn't even look back as he began to ascend the rope. Elladan and Elrohir, having a good idea as to what he was doing, gave their dwarf friends a boost, and headed back to Dale with Glorfindel's horse in tow.

"He refused," smirked Thranduil. He gazed at the dwarf in triumph.

"I told him he had until dawn to decide," replied Fili.

"The sickness has taken him, just as I knew it would. He will not change his mind. It is for the best that you and your brother are banished. The sickness is in your blood. In time, you would succumb to it to."

"You do not know that. Glorfindel stayed behind to keep an eye on him. I refuse to believe he is completely lost to it."

"Then you are a fool. I do admire your determination, though, and your desire to be honorable. It is a rare trait."

"I learned it from my uncle." Fili turned and left the tent.

Kili stood on the wall facing the mountain. He was turning a stone over and over again in his hand. Things had gone so wrong. He thought of his mother and what she would make of this. Would she be angry with Thorin for banishing them? Or would she side with her brother, saying her sons had betrayed them all? He was so involved in his thoughts, he did not hear the two sets of footsteps headed his way.

"Kili, your brother sent us to make sure you ate something," said Sigrid.

Startled, Kili dropped the stone. It slide across the floor of the wall, and stopped at Tilda's feet. She picked it up and studied it.

"I am so sorry Kili!" exclaimed Sigrid.

"It's alright. It's not your fault. I should have been paying attention to my surroundings."

"Kili, what is this?"

"That, dear Tilda, is a rune stone. My mother gave it to me."

"Why?"

"To remind me of my promise."

"What did you promise?"

"That I would return to her. She thinks I'm reckless."

"You are reckless," said Fili. Sigrid and Tilda giggled. The young girl gave the rune stone back to the dwarf.

"Coming to check on me? Didn't you trust them to bring me food?"

"Yes, but I want to be sure you eat it."

"Do you miss your mother?" asked Tilda.

"Very much."

"Can you tell me about her? I don't remember my mother," she said sadly. "Da, Sigrid, and Bain try and tell me about her, but I wish I had my own memories."

"Of course. She is very beautiful. I look quite a bit like her, except she has eyes like Fili, and a beard to make any dwarrow jealous." Tilda giggled, trying hard to imagine a lady with a beard. She and Sigrid secretly wondered if they were pulling their legs over the whole thing.

"She is the sweetest being," said Fili. "She can't help but comfort any in need. Balin once said that Thorin nearly exploded over her bandaging a wounded elf they crossed paths with. But as sweet as she is, she has a temper."

"Even Uncle Thorin and Dwalin are afraid of her."

They spent the next hour sharing stories of their shenanigans. Sigrid and Tilda even shared a few. The sun was setting when Kili noticed a rider in grey rush into the center of the old market place.

"Fili! It's Gandalf!"