Fili, Kili and Tauriel stood at the gate.

Mirkwood was on fire and spreading quickly, despite the rain that fell. The woods had been dry for too long.

"I must go," Tauriel said.

"I'm going too," Kili said.

Fili wouldn't have expected anything different. "Yes, Kili, Tauriel, go as quickly as you can on horses. Take a raven, but not Vek as he has already travelled far. When you get there, let me know what aid is needed. You may extend an invitation to the elves to come to Erebor as guests should their homes be destroyed."

"I'm coming too!" Iomhar ran to his parents.

"No, Son, I need you to stay with your brothers," Kili said.

"The twins may stay with me," Fili offered.

Fili knew that Kili wanted Iomhar to go with them and he was happy to have the youngsters stay with him since his home was empty with Milly married and Hrafn gone. They would all be alright.

"Very well," Kili said. "Grab a light pack. We ride through the night."

Tauriel and Iomhar ran off to collect their things.

"Be careful out there, Kee" Fili pressed his forehead to Kili's. "That storm out there is wicked."

"I will. You take care as well and good luck with the boys." And with that, Kili took off running after his family.

Fili watched as much as he could through the storm. He could barely make out the two horses that left the stables. Kili's pony was not as fast as a horse, so he rode with Tauriel. Iomhar, tall for a dwarf thanks to his half-elven blood, rode the second horse.

At Fili's feet, there was a layer of ice balls. At least that part of the storm was over and now it was just a downpour of rain. Fili gave a great sigh. If the crops had not been destroyed by the wind or the falling ice, this rain would do them in. It was too heavy and destructive. There was no way now they would have grain from the local farmers.

He felt two warm bodies press up against either side of his body.

"Hello, lads," Fili said.

"Amad says we are staying with you," one of the twins said.

"That's right. Amad, Adad, and Iomhar have gone to Mirkwood." Fili put an arm around the shoulders of his nephews.

"Mirkwood is on fire?" One of the boys asked.

"Yes, you can see it for yourselves, just outside the door." The two boys stood a step forward and poked their heads out of the door, looking towards Mirkwood. They both withdrew their heads quickly from the pounding of the rain storm. In those short moments, their heads got soaked.

Fili had hoped with all the rain, the fire would be put out, but it still blazed strongly. Perhaps it wasn't raining as hard there as it was over Erebor. There was nothing more here that could be done about Mirkwood. He would have to wait until he heard from Kili.

Another potential problem came to his mind, though, this one much closer to home.

"Hithric," Fili turned to the guardsman. "Take your guard, go to the head dwarves on the four lowest housing levels as well as the mine and forge foremen on those levels. Tell them to evacuate all dwarves. We might have a flood on our hands."

"Yes, my Lord," Hithric said.

"Send all evacuees to the main reception halls here on the main floor. Just get everyone out of there."

"Come on Lads! You heard the King, let's go!" His guard ran after him.

Fili looked to his nephews. They looked worried. "Boys, do you know where Milly is?"

"Either in her home or in her office," one of them said. Fili felt terrible, but he was never quite sure who was Klin and who was Keil.

"Go and fetch her. If she is not in either of those places, come straight back to me. I don't want you wandering anywhere else in the mountain right now. Find Milly and bring her to me. And, bring Graig if he is with her."

"Yes, Uncle," they spoke in unison, turned and ran.

Fili went back to his study. Nothing was ever the same when Kili wasn't around. He hoped Kili, Tauriel and Iomhar would be safe.

Milly, Graig, Klin, and Keil entered Fili's study together.

"Adad, the lads said Mirkwood is on fire," Milly went to her father.

Fili took her hand in his. "It is. Lightning strike. Kili, Tauriel and Iomhar have left for Mirkwood and while they are gone, Klin and Keil will stay with me. Rain is pouring outside. I fear it may have destroyed Dales crops, but there is nothing we can do about that until the storm is over."

"Oh, Adad," Milly said, squeezing his hand.

"For now, we might have worse problems. All this rain could create a flood with the River Running, our Lake Carregsten and the waterfall. I've ordered the lowest four levels to be evacuated until the storm stops and the water can level off. I need you to organize temporary housing in the reception halls."

"Yes, Adad," Milly said.

"Graig, please assist her."

"Of course, King Fili," Graig said with a bow.

"And Milly, depending on the situation in Mirkwood, I have offered Erebor to the elves for refuge should they need it. So, after you have finished taking care of our own people and setting up the temporary living quarters, would you be good enough to air out a few of our elf-sized guest rooms. Just in case."

"I will."

"Lads, help Milly prepare the reception halls."

"We will, Uncle," the twins spoke together.

Within two hours, the entire four lower levels of the mountain had been evacuated and just in time, too. For soon after, water could be heard running through the mines. Fili and the young twin princes visited the misplaced dwarves, talking with them and expressing their relief that everyone was safe and well. He promised their homes would be fixed if they sustained any damage due to the flooding. The head dwarves of the housing communities expressed their thanks to Fili for keeping them safe.

That night, Fili took his nephews to their home so they could collect some clothes and other personal effects before taking them back to his home. They set up the beds in Hrafn's room and Fili said goodnight to the boys, leaving them with some lights on so they could talk or read for a while.

Fili was glad to have his nephews with him. The house wasn't quite so lonely feeling any more. He had been considering offering Milly and Graig this home and taking theirs. They would need the larger space, eventually. More than he needed it anyway. But, he would look around the home and he could remember all those happy times with Sigrid. Of course, the smaller apartment had memories of Sigrid as well. It was where they first really met. It was where Sigrid taught him how to properly care for his infant daughter. It was where he first realized he could love again after Mailli's death.

It might be a very pleasant place to live again.

As always, I wish to thank you all for your support and reviews. Hope everyone is having a great week!