Family dinners were not what they use to be back when there was Thorin, Fire, Dis, Dwalin, Balin, Sigrid, Kili, Tauriel and all the children. Now it was Fili, Kili, Tauriel and their young twin sons. Often Hrafn, Torsten and Iomhar would join them, but not tonight. Sometimes Milly and her husband Graig would join them for dinner, but they usually preferred to eat together, in their own home. Fili missed the lively conversations and the booming laughs of Thorin and Dwalin.

Tonight, however, Klin and Keil were entertaining them with a story.

"Master Dar was explaining theft laws," Klin explained.

"But it was so boring, everyone kept falling asleep," Keil continued.

"He kept reading on and on until his own lecture bored even him."

"And he fell asleep standing up, with the book in his hands." They both broke into laughter.

"I'm glad to know law study is as dull as ever," Kili laughed, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Don't say that in front of Hrafn," Tauriel said in a most serious tone. "He's quite excelled in law. At least once Prince of Erebor understands his people's own law."

Kili acted offended. "What are you talking about? I know our laws. If you do something wrong, you get punished."

"And that's why are never invited to court," Fili said.

"I know," Kili smiled slyly.

Fili had enjoyed the law studies, but perhaps it was because his instructor had been old Mister Balin, who obviously was a better tutor than the young princes had. Fili couldn't help thinking how Balin would have reacted to this story or Uncle Thorin.

Many evenings, Fili spent his time at Kili's home. They would talk, laugh, discuss state matters, play duets on their fiddles and listen to Klin and Keil tell stories about their day, but there were many evening where Fili was alone. With his wife dead and his children grown, the home he had built for his family was all but empty now. Hrafn still lived with Fili, but he usually chose to spend his evening with the lads of the militia and his cousins. Sometimes, the quiet peace in his home was exactly what Fili needed after a hard day, but often, he was lonely. He found himself staring into the fire, brooding about something or other and he did not like it. Now he understood what Thorin's life had been like and it made him sad. But it also made him very thankful that he had invited Thorin to take a more active part in the lives of his nephew's children. Those evenings Thorin had spent with them were Fili's favorite memories.

A knock at the door woke him from his thoughts and he looked up to see his lovely daughter walk in. She and Graig had been married for six months now. Fili didn't often get to see Milly anymore. When Dis had died, Milly had taken over the duties of princess. There were public relation tasks as well as being hostess to all visitors and diplomatic dinners. Her work and Fili's did not often cross.

"Hi, Adad," she said.

"Milly, this is a wonderful surprise," he kissed her cheek. "Would you like something to drink? Tea? Wine?"

"No thanks. I was hoping I could talk to you," Milly said.

"Of course, sit down," Fili replied. They took their old seats in the room; the same seats that had always been theirs during Milly's childhood.

"I," Milly's voice faltered. She took a deep breath. "People keep asking me if I'm with child yet and when I say that I'm not, they ask why."

"That's rather rude," Fili said. "You've only been married six short months."

"I know. And, I overheard some dwarrowdams talking the other day. They were saying something must be wrong with me and that maybe I can't have children and then who will be the next king?"

Fili reached out to his daughter and pulled her close.

"I've not been married long. I'm still learning my duties as a princess and getting use to being a wife. I'm not ready for that responsibility yet, but I know that I must soon produce an heir."

"Wait, wait, wait," Fili said, pulling away from her and looking her in the eyes. "It's true that your first son will become the next crown prince and therefore, King. But, am I so old that you fear I will drop dead soon?"

"Of course not, Adad."

"I am young and healthy and I plan on living for many decades to come. There is lots of time for you to bear children. You need not rush. When you and Graig are ready, then have your first child, but not until then." Fili squeezed her tight against his shoulder.

"But what do I say when others ask?"

"You don't have to answer. It's none of their business. But, if out of good manners, you feel you must answer, then tell them the truth. You will have children when the time is right."

"Thanks, Adad." Milly snuggled into her father's arms. They were silent for a moment. Fili couldn't wait for grandchildren, but it was not something to be rushed into. He knew all too well what happened when one was forced into parenthood before they were ready. It had happened to him.

"Adad? What will happen if anything happens to you before I have a son or before that son is old enough to take the throne?" Milly asked.

"There's an order. It's all written out, officially, so there is no doubt should that situation arise. If I should die before your son is old enough to be king, Kili will take over as Prince and rule until your son is of age. If Kili should die, then it goes to Hrafn to act as steward. After him, it's Torsten and then Iomhar. The three of them can never be king, only stewards. The crown can only go to a full dwarven Son of Durin. That means the throne has to go through you to a son."

"If I had been a boy, things would not be so complicated," Milly mused.

"True, but you would not have been nearly so beautiful as a boy," Fili smiled. "There are too many 'what ifs' and 'if only's.' If only you had been a boy. If only your mother hadn't died. If only I had taken a dwarven wife instead of a daughter of men." Fili sighed. "It does no good to dwell on these things since they cannot be changed. I am glad you are my daughter and not a son. And, while I wish your mother had never died, I do not regret my choice to marry Sigrid. No. All has turned out well and I am proud of you and Hrafn."

"I love you, Adad."

"Love you, too, my sweet."