"My Lord," a guard interrupted Fili from his long winded meeting. "Prince Hrafn's party has been seen. They should be arriving within the hour."

"Thank you," Fili stood. "Council Dwarves, another time. We will consider what has been discussed here and meet again in three days time."

"Yes, sir," they bowed.

Fili practically ran from the room. He went to the royal living quarters and knocked on Kili's door.

"Hello, Fili," Tauriel answered. They had only just returned themselves from their emergency visit to Mirkwood. The fire had swept over much of Mirkwood, but luckily, the Halls of Thranduil had remained untouched.

"Tauriel, is the family about?" Fili asked.

"All except Iomhar. He has gone back to his training lessons. What's the matter?" she asked.

"Hi, Uncle Fili!" one of the twins walked out from his room.

"Hi Klin." The week and a half the twins had stayed with Fili had been great fun. Fili got to know his nephews better and finally learned how to tell one from the other. "Nothing's wrong. In fact, Hrafn and Torsten's caravan have been spotted. They'll be home soon."

"Torsten's home?" Klin asked excitedly.

"Torsten?" Kili came out of his room. "Where?"

"They'll be home within the hour," Fili smiled.

"That's not Torsten driving the wagon," Kili said, as he watched the caravan enter the gates. The family had gathered together to greet the two princes.

"Don't jump to conclusions yet," Tauriel said. There was a calmness in her voice, but when Fili looked into her face, her eyes betrayed her fear.

With a large smile, Hrafn came running up to the family. That was good, Fili thought. Odd, but good.

"Adad! Uncle Kili, Aunt Tauriel," Hrafn greeted them.

"Welcome home, son," Fili said.

"Where's Torsten?" Kili asked.

Hrafn looked horrified. "You didn't get the message?" Kili and Fili exchanged confused glances. "Obviously not," Hrafn said warily.

"What message? Where's Torsten?" Tauriel laid a firm hand on Hrafn's shoulder.

"He stayed behind, at the Glittering Caves with Gimli and Legolas," Hrafn answered.

"Why?"

Hrafn looked around him at the stable hands, guards and general public who were at the welcoming gate. "This isn't the place for this conversation. Don't worry," he quickly added, seeing the worried expression on his aunt and uncle's face. "It's nothing bad, but it's not for discussing in public," he whispered.

"Your place or mine?" Fili asked.

"Mine," Kili answered.

"Lads," Hrafn turned to the six guards who had accompanied him through the last six weeks of their journey, "Thank you for all you've done. Report in to your commander and they you are entitled to two weeks rest. You have all done well and deserve the break."

"Thank you, Prince Hrafn," the six guards said, bowing to their prince.

"Come on, everyone," Kili said. They followed him to his home.

"I'm glad you made it back. Any troubles on the road?" Fili asked.

"Nothing of consequence," Hrafn answered.

"Now, what of my son?" Tauriel asked the moment the door was shut.

Hrafn smiled. "Torsten remained at the Glittering Caves because he met a girl."

"What? You're joking, cousin." Iomhar was grinning.

"No, I'm not. She is a beautiful dwarrowdam whose family comes from the Blue Mountains and knew the Adads."

"Who is she?" Kili asked.

"She is Agli, daughter of Lord Fuldan."

"Lord Fuldan? Yes, we did know him. He was about forty or so years older than us, right Fee?" Kili asked.

Fili nodded. "I remember when he married and yes, I remember when his daughter was born. She was the first girl born in Ered Luin in more than fifty years. But she would be much older than Torsten."

"Lord Fuldan and Lady Luda had three daughters. Agli is their youngest. They all live in the Glittering Caves. The oldest two are married and both with child. Agli is two years younger than Tor and myself," Hrafn explained.

"You were there only a week," Kili said. "He fell in love in one week?"

Fili laughed. "As I recall, dear brother, it didn't take you a week to declare your love to Tauriel."

Kili blushed and gave Fili a shove in the shoulder. "I was delirious with fever, if you will recall. Otherwise, I would not have spoken so boldly. At least not in front of you and Bofur."

Fili and Tauriel grinned at each other. Tauriel kissed the top of Kili's head. "I'm glad you were so bold in proclaiming your love for me."

"Torsten and Agli were very happy getting to know each other. Gimli offered a place for Tor to stay. We talked, Tor and I, and decided if this is what he really wanted, he should go for it. We sent a message several days before I left. I'm concerned that you didn't get it. I hope our messenger is alright."

"We can send out a search party," Fili said.

"This girl, Agli, is she nice?" Tauriel asked.

"She is, Aunt Tauriel. I spoke with her on a number of occasions. She is kind, well brought up, good manners. She can craft very fine jewels, but she is a filigreest. She showed us some of her work that she sells at the market, but more often she is commissioned by the wealthy of Gondor. She is very talented. Her parents are kind. Their manners and way of talking reminded me very much of you," Hrafn looked to his father and uncle. "Lord Fuldan is a fine jeweler and Lady Luda is known for her skill with a sword. She is from the Iron Hills, originally. They are a good family and if Torsten decides to court Agli, our family will be better for it."

"If they wed, they will probably live in the Glittering Caves," Kili said.

Hrafn nodded. "We talked about that, too. We wondered if Torsten could leave Erebor or not, but he is fourth in line for a throne that he could never really be king of, after Kili, Milly's first son and myself. There are also three princes in line after him, so he felt that in the line for the throne, he isn't quite so vital to Erebor. The Glittering Caves is a young settlement. They are still organizing themselves. Torsten has a lot to offer. He is a royal in the line of Durin, he has diplomatic skills, military skills, he knows law and is a great engineer. They don't have anyone there skilled in examining rock and stone the way Torsten can. He could be Erebor's ambassador to the Glittering Caves."

Fili chuckled. "Are you trying to sell us the idea of him staying?"

"I think I'm still trying to convince myself. I would miss him a great deal if he were to say there for the rest of his life. It was not a decision he made lightly. We talked about it for many hours. Torsten stays because he believes he has much to offer the people of the Glittering Caves. He stays because he may have found a lass that he could love and live with for the rest of his life. She seems to accept him for who he is, as Torsten. She knows his title is a prince in Erebor, but that is not why she likes him. She likes him because he is himself. If things don't work out with her, he can still offer his talents to Gimli for a year or so and then return home."

"Sounds like you boys thought it all out," Kili said. He sighed. "Torsten is an adult and you're right, he has no responsibilities as an heir to the throne. If this is what he wants, then we must honor it."

"It doesn't mean I won't miss him, though," Iomhar said.

"You and me both," Hrafn laid a hand on his taller, but younger cousin's shoulder.