Chapter 1 - Little Brother, Fili - 5, Kili - newborn

"This had better be an orc attack!" Thorin roared as he stumbled in the dark in his bare feet to the door.

"Almost!" a voice on the other side of the door said.

Thorin threw open the door. "Joli," Thorin's voice rumbled. "how can there almost be an orc attack?"

Joli smiled. "It's Dis. She's gone into labor."

Thorin, who had only been half awake before was wide awake now.

"Do you need me to come to the house?" Thorin asked. He lived just down the path from his sister's home.

"No. Would you take care of Fili for us?"

Thorin noticed his sister's husband was holding a bundle of blankets, with a mop of blond hair poking out of the top. He reached out and the exchange was made without waking the small boy. Fili nestled himself into Thorin's chest.

"Give Dis my love," Thorin said, "and if there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask."

"You're keeping Fili for us. It gives us peace of mind to know out eldest is safe while Dis brings the new one into this world," Joli said.

"Go to her now and don't worry about a thing here," Thorin said. Joli smiled and ran off back to his home. Thorin's heart was pounding. He was excited and nervous for his sister. He said a silent plea to Mahal to keep his sister and the new baby safe.

He carried the sleeping child to his bed and laid him right in the middle. He tugged at the blankets until Fili was completely covered, then he took a quilt off the bed and went to his sitting room. The couch was really too small for his large frame, but he would make do. It was just for one night. He folded his legs as best he could and tried to go back to sleep. It wasn't easy as he could only think of Dis, but he finally dozed off.

"Mama? Daddy?" the tiny voice woke Thorin. His internal clock told him very little time had passed since he had laid the child down. In his haste to get up, Thorin fell off the couch. He cursed quietly, rubbed at his knee and went to the room. In the dark, he could just make out Fili's form, sitting in the unfamiliar bed, crying.

"Shh, little one," Thorin whispered.

"Daddy?" Fili asked hopefully.

"It's Uncle Thorin." He sat on the bed and gathered Fili into his arms.

"I want Mama," Fili cried.

"I know you do, but Mama's having her baby tonight."

Fili still cried. Thorin reached to his bed stand and lit the candle. The little light chased the darkness away and uncle and nephew were able to see one another. Tears streaked Fili's cheeks. Thorin wiped at Fili's face with his thumbs. He was surprised when Fili copied the gesture and ran his little hands over Thorin's face.

"Come now, let's go back to sleep." Thorin laid down on the bed and pulled Fili into his chest. He felt Fili relax. There was silence, except for a few sniffles from Fili. Thorin started to fall asleep.

"I got to go water," Fili said.

Thorin sighed, but got up quickly. The last thing he wanted was Fili wetting Thorin's bed. He held the candle up and led Fili to the washroom. He lit the candle in there and stood outside the door while Fili did his business. When the boy was done, Thorin took him to the barrel of drinking water and gave him a cup to drink. Then they went back to bed.

It wasn't the sun shining through the window that woke Thorin. It was a small foot, wedged under his chin. There was a knee in his neck and Thorin could feel Fili's hot breath at his navel. How in the world had Fili ended up like this? Thorin removed the foot that was practically choking his neck. As gently as he could, he rolled off the bed, stood up and stretched. His knee was sore. Fili slept on, so Thorin went to the washroom to visit the toilet . When he returned, Fili was sitting in the bed, blinking his eyes in the morning sun and looking around. He saw his big uncle in the door.

"Mama?" the boy asked hopefully.

"We'll go see her after some breakfast," Thorin said. He lifted Fili up and they went to his cooking hearth. He didn't have much in his pantry. Not much that would interest a small child, anyway. "What do you like to eat, Fili?" he asked.

"Eggs and toast," Fili answered.

Thorin sighed in relief. He could do that and it wasn't long before he was able to slide a plate of eggs and toast in front of Fili. They ate together and Thorin listened as Fili chatted about his toys and his friend Fror, whose house Fili had played at just a few days ago.

When they were done eating, Thorin brushed and re-braided Fili's hair before they set out. Dis might not have had the baby yet. Fili had taken a good twelve hours of hard labor before he was born. Still, they would check in. Perhaps Joli could come out and reassure his son that all was well.

At five years of age, Fili was, Thorin guessed, like all other dwarflings. He hadn't spent much time around ones so young since his own siblings had been that age. Fili was a happy child, full of energy and often ran his mother ragged. Today he walked hand-in-hand with Thorin. Fili talked almost nonstop and was often pausing to watch a bug in their path or point out a shiny rock on the way a cloud looked like a pony. Thorin was highly amused by his nephew. He had never spent so much time at once with Fili. The child was intelligent.

"Daddy!"Fili cried out and ran to his father's out stretched arms.

Joli was walking up the path towards them. Thorin noticed Joli was smiling. That was a good sign.

"Fili," he hugged his son. "Did you have a nice time with Uncle Thorin?"

"We ate eggs and I saw a green bug with a thousand legs," Fili spoke excitedly.

"In your eggs?" Joli asked, ticking Fili's belly.

"No Daddy, on the road."

Joli looked at Thorin and smiled. "Thank you, Thorin, for taking care of Fili."

"Is Dis alright?" Thorin asked.

"Aye, she is," Joli smiled. "Come on in and meet my new child."

Thorin was slightly annoyed that Joli would give nothing away as to the new baby's gender, but it was Dis's privilege to make the announcement to her brother and Thorin only had to wait one minute more.

Joli opened the door and let Thorin in. Dis was propped up in bed. She was ginning and holding a small bundle in her arms. Thorin kissed her cheek.

"Mama!" Fili cried out. His voice startled the new baby and it let out a cry. Fili was dead still in his father's arms. He stared at the thing his mother held, his eyes wide.

"Thorin, I have another son. Fili, meet your little brother. We have named him Kili," Dis announced. She held up the baby, so he was facing Thorin. A tiny pink baby with black, fluffy hair was presented to them. Fili was placed on the bed next to his mother. He couldn't take his eyes off the babe.

"Dis, he's perfect. You did well," Thorin smiled.

"He was in a hurry to get here," Dis sighed with a smile. "It only took three hours. Of course, the speed of it make it much more painful, but at least it was over quickly."

"Eager to meet his brother, I'm sure," Thorin said.

"Mama? Can I touch him?" Fili asked.

"Yes dear, but be gentle."

Fili reached out and took his brother's hand in his. "Hi, Kili."

Thorin was amazed at the sudden change in Fili. This morning, he was just a wee lad, but now, sitting next to his tiny newborn brother, Fili looked quite grown up.

"Guess what, Kili," Fili started. "I saw the biggest bug today. It had a million legs and I got to sleep at Uncle Thorin's house. You'll like Uncle Thorin's house. It has a big bed and lots of shiny swords. When I grow bigger, I want two swords, like Dada. Do you want two swords, Kili?"

Joli laughed. "He's too small for all that, Fili. But, when he gets bigger, you can show him bugs, swords and the fun of jumping on Uncle's bed."

Thorin threw Joli a dirty look.

"But for now, Kili is very small. He must stay close to Mama and sleep a lot."

"It's alright," Fili said. "I'll wait and then we can play."