A Choice to be made

"The time has come," Thorin told his council. "We have talked of this for years, and now it is time."

"Yes!" Dwalin bellowed and banged his tankard of ale on the table.

"Are you sure?" Balin asked.

"I met with Gandalf in Bree," Thorin said. "He said he will help us."

"Gandalf the Wizard?" Fili asked.

Thorin nodded.

"This is a fool's quest," Gror said. "We had the greatest army of dwarves in all of Middle Earth when Smaug came and we could not kill the dragon or save Erebor. What's changed now, a hundred and seventy years later? Nothing! We could not kill it then, we could not now."

"But we'll have a wizard," Kili said, ever enthusiastic and optimistic.

"It's still a folly," Gror said.

"Perhaps Smaug is dead. It has been more than a century and a half," Kili said.

Gror laughed. "Do you know nothing of dragons, boy? They practically live forever."

Fili could see Thorin was getting angry. He stood before Thorin could say or do anything. "Perhaps then, if you feel it's such a foolish quest, you should leave, Gror. Thorin will make this journey just fine without you. What we need are dwarves who are willing to help."

Gror looked angry for a moment at this youth who was ordering him out, but he thought better of it. He stood. "Then I wish you all the best in your quest and that's the truth." He bowed and left. A few others stood, bowed to Thorin and walked out without word.

There weren't many left. Fili hoped he hadn't just made a huge mistake and run out potential companions for the quest.

"Now that the loyal remain," Thorin said, looking a Fili with a nod, "we can get on with our planning."

Fili grinned. He had never thought he would get to go on this journey to Erebor with Thorin, but now, it was going to happen.

"We leave in three months time," Thorin was saying. "I will send messages to the seven dwarf lords and ask them to join us. Gandalf has promised to meet with me again soon to make our final preparations. He suggests we have a burglar and has promised to find us an expert."

"A burglar? Why do we need one of those? We would take someone with us who will steal our treasure from us?" Dwalin asked.

"The burglar is to find us the Arkenstone," Thorin explained. "With the Arkenstone, I can demand any and all dwarves to our aid. With our combined forces, we can take back our mountain!"

The dwarves roared in excitement. Erebor would be theirs. The great wealth and the great mountain would be under dwarven rule again.

Now Thora knew why Dis was so upset at her brother. He was planning on going to Erebor and Fili and Kili would be going with him. She and the two brothers hid in the shadows of their room, listening to the loud discussion from Dis and Thorin in the sitting room.

"I don't like this, Thorin. Not at all," Dis said.

"Don't you want your birthplace reclaimed? You are a princess, Dis. You deserve a comfortable life. So often, here, we have huddled through cold winters, Even with Joli's and my wages, there were times we went hungry. You would never need to worry about that again."

"Thorin, I have a good life. This is where I married Joli. This is where I birthed and raised my sons. This is where my husband is entombed. The Blue Mountains are my home."

"I have a duty to take care of our people and I will see our homeland reclaimed and our people live as they should," Thorin said.

Dis nodded. "I understand and I can't stop you, but my sons?"

"I asked for help, they have answered my call," Thorin said. "Not many did. Not near as many as I had hoped." He turned his back to her and stared into the fire. "I did not ask them nor do I force them to come."

"They grew up on your stories. They are young. They seek adventure. The love you. How could they not answer your call. You are their king and their kin, of course they will follow you."

"I would tell them to stay, but I can't stop them," Thorin said.

"Yes, you can. You are their king. You can order them to stay," Dis pleaded.

"I asked for help. They came. Same as Dwalin. Same as Gloin. I couldn't turn away Dwalin or Gloin and I cannot turn Fili and Kili away. They are adults and have the right to choose."

"No, Thorin, please. Don't take them."

"I want to go," Fili walked in. His uncle was right. He was an adult and he would stand up for himself. "I would follow my king."

"But Fili. You have a good life here and a lass waiting to marry you. Why leave her?" Dis couldn't hold back her tears.

"I go to give Thora a better life. I go because if Thorin is successful and becomes king, then I am Crown Prince. I must learn my duties. I go because if Thorin dies, then I am the next heir. I will carry on his quest, his rule. I would see Erebor restored. I go because Adad cannot."

"What?" Dis whispered.

"Long ago, Adad and I talked. He told me he would go with Thorin to the ends of the world. He would have gone on this quest and since he cannot, I will."

Fili looked so much like Joli in that moment, it took Dis's breath away. He looked like Joli, but he was as strong in mind as Thorin. Fili was the prince and Dis could not deny her son. "I know Joli would have gone." She turned to face the hallway that led to the bedrooms. "I know you're listening, Kili. Come join us."

Kili stepped from the shadows. He stood tall and proud. Thora walked in behind him.

"May I join too? I believe this quest affects me as well," Thora went to Fili and took his hand.

Thorin nodded. He knew he was asking the worst thing from Fili right now. Fili should be getting married, building a life with Thora, having dwarflings. His children would be the next sons of Durin, the next heirs to the throne. Thorin was more determined than before. He would see that throne restored for Fili. For Fili's son.

"You will be going, Kili?" Dis asked.

He nodded. "I go for the same reasons as Fili. I also go to support Kili, as my brother and future king. We are a team. We can watch each other's backs. In addition, I go as company archer. There is none better with a bow than I."

Dis could only nod.

"Thora?" Thorin turned to the young lass. "Have you anything to say?"

Thora swallowed. She looked to Fili, but his face betrayed none of his feelings. A lot rode on what she said. She had to power to make or break the quest. She would need to choose her words carefully. "I support Fili in whatever decision he makes. I would be lying if I said I want him to go. Of course I want him to stay, but I respect his decision. He is the prince. He has a duty to his king and his people. If he feels it is right, then he must go. Besides, there is none finer with twin blades than Fili. His skills would benefit them greatly if they were to meet with trouble on the road."

Fili was grinning. Thora squeezed his hand. "Thank you," he said.

"The princesses have spoken," Thorin said. Thora blushed. "The choice is yours, lads."

"There is no choice to be made," Fili said. "We go with you, Thorin." Kili was nodding his head in agreement with his brother.

Thora lowered her head. She would not cry. Not now. Not in front of Fili or Thorin. There would be time for late later, alone in her room.

"I welcome your company and your blades on this quest," Thorin said quietly.

Kili and Fili bowed to their king. The choice was made. In three months, they would go.