Tauriel went into the bedroom, carrying a tray with bowls of soup. Fili and Kili lay on the bed next to each other. They both appeared to be sleeping, but she knew her husband well and knew he was not asleep, just resting. He heard her set the tray down next to the bed and his brown eyes opened.
"Sorry," she said, "didn't mean to disturb you."
"You didn't," Kili's voice cracked a little when he spoke. His white hair was pulled back away from his face and his face was full of wrinkles, especially when he smiled, but Tauriel still found him to be the most handsome being she had ever known. Kili was struggling to sit up, so she swooped down and helped him into a sitting position. She adjusted the pillows behind his back.
"Would you like some lunch?" she asked.
Kili nodded. She handed him the bowl. His hands shook with age. She sat down on the bed next to him and put her hands around his, steadying them enough for him to use the spoon. There was still a lot of shaking on his part and a lot more soup ended up on Kili than in Kili. He huffed in frustration. Careful of his dignity, she took the spoon from him and helped him to lift the bowl to his lips. He drank the soup instead.
"Thanks," he mumbled after he was done.
She kissed his cheek and put the bowl back onto the tray.
"How is he?" she asked, looking to Fili.
"As well as he can be, I guess," Kili answered. "He was awake a little while ago and we talked. He was wondering what all the children were doing."
Tauriel smiled fondly at her husband's brother. Her brother. She had been a part of the family for over two hundred years. After Hana's death a decade previous, Fili had moved in with Tauriel and Kili, taking Torsten's old room.
Thorin had been crowned king twenty three years ago, on his one hundredth birthday and it took Fili a full year to come to terms with not being in charge. More than once, Kili had calmed his brother from a panic attack about sleeping in too long and missing a meeting. Fili had wandered around Erebor quite lost for the first few months until Thorin gave him an assignment, which Fili took with gusto. He had been assigned to the armory, checking out the weapons store, re-cataloging and pulling out all weapons that still existed that had been forged by Thorin Oakenshield. These were put into a separate storage room and the finest of Thorin's work had been put on display in the main hall.
It was in the last five years Fili's health had taken a turn for the worse. Kili's had too. They had spent most of the last twenty years in each other's daily company. It was only fitting, Tauriel knew, that Kili's life was attached so closely to Fili's.
"Tauriel," Kili whispered. "I don't think it will be much longer for Fili and I just don't know if I can bear the separation."
"I know, my darling," Tauriel stroked Kili's white bearded cheek. Over their lifetime together, they had talked about this eventuality. They had never really come up with any plan. What could they plan? What could be done? Nothing. Death would come for the brothers, one day. Kili only knew that he didn't want to live without Fili. The idea of it was more than he wanted to bear. If it was the will of Mahal for Kili to live on, without Fili, then he would, but he really didn't want that. He wanted Mahal to take them both, at the same time. "Would you like me to invite the family over tonight?" Tauriel asked.
Kili nodded. "Yes, I think that would be good. Who knows, Fili might live for many more days, weeks or months or even years, but I think right now, it would be a good idea for him to be with the family again."
"Rest, my dear," Tauriel pulled the blanket up around his thin frame. "I'll have everyone here later."
She got up and left. Kili sighed and sank back into his pillows.
"I heard all of that," Fili said. His eyes were open. They were a little cloudy and not the clear blue they used to be.
Kili chuckled. "I hope you don't mind."
Fili rolled over as best he could and looked up to Kili, who was still somewhat propped up. "I'm glad you did. I want to see everyone again." He sighed and looked at his brother. "I heard Thorin again, in my sleep. He's waiting."
Kili felt a tear run down his cheek. "Don't go, Fili. I don't want you to go."
"Kili," Fili reached a hand to Kili's and held it. "It's time for me to go, but I don't want to leave without you. Come with me."
"Does it work like that? Can I just die at the same moment as you?" Kili asked.
"I'm so sorry, Kili," Fili buried his face into Kili's hand. "That was a terrible thing to ask you. You can't come with me. You have a family who would miss you so much."
"You have a family too," Kili said.
"Yes, but I'm going to die soon no matter what. But you might still have years ahead of you. It was wrong for me to ask you to leave them just for me."
Kili snorted. "Just for you? Fili. I want to be with you. The children are grown. They have their own life and families now. I have you. I would do anything for you, and I would gladly follow you in death."
"I want you to be with me. I'm afraid of going alone." Fili sighed. He took a deep breath. As deep as he could anyway. He needed to keep breathing, but it was getting harder to do. Keep breathing until tonight. See the children once more. Fili's eyes closed. He still held Kili's hand.
"Fili? Fili?" Kili said, squeezing his brother's hand.
Fili took a few moments to open his heavy eyes. "Gosh you can be annoying," Fili smiled. "What's with you always waking me up from nice dreams?"
"Oh, you know me. I can't stand to be awake and alone. Now wake up, Tauriel said the family's just outside the door." Kili pulled on Fili's hand.
"I need help," Fili said.
Tauriel came to his side, helped him to sit up and she adjusted all the pillows, so he sat up, like Kili. She chuckled and reached over for his comb that sat on the bedside table. "You're braids are a fright. Let me fix them before everyone comes in." She brushed his white hair and undid the four braids that had been Fili's signature style since he was in his fifties. Fili closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of someone else running the comb over his head and gently braiding his hair. No one had done that since Hana died.
"Don't enjoy that too much," Kili said, looking at the silly smile on Fili's face. "That's my wife, you know."
Fili didn't bother opening his eyes, but he smacked Kili in the arm. Tauriel chuckled and snapped the last bead in place. She didn't say it, but in her mind she told herself that he needed to look good for when he crossed to the Halls of Mandos that night, for she could sense it, Fili would leave the realm of the living that night and there was a very good chance, Kili would as well, but she couldn't sense that. Perhaps because her love for Kili kept her from seeing his future. She ran a comb quickly over Kili's hair and pulled it back into the single pony tail that he had been wearing for a number of years now.
"Are you ready?" Tauriel asked.
Kili looked to Fili. He nodded and Kili nodded, too. Tauriel left the room and reopened the door a few moments later. The room filled with dwarves of all ages and all sizes. Thorin was there with his wife and two sons. Vijl's wife was expecting their fourth, child. After three rambunctious boys, they hoped this one would be a sweet lass. Mailis and her husband were there. Her children, Fili's great-grandchildren, a boy and a girl were standing in the far corner. Iomhar and Ireth and their son, and Klin and Keil finished up the family. The only one missing was Torsten and his family. Torsten was now a grandfather to three boys and was as proud as a dwarrow could be. They prospered well in the Glittering Caves.
Tauriel and Ireth had tea and cookies for everyone and they all sat together, in the room chatting. Fili loved to see all the family. Their family had grown so much in numbers. Fili couldn't help but wonder how many more grandchildren and great-grandchildren he would have had if Milly and Hrafn had lived. He smiled. He would see them soon.
Fili was growing tired. Kili sensed it. "Tauriel?" he spoke quietly to his wife.
She understood and stood up. "Family, I believe Fili is growing weary."
They all fell silent. Fili chuckled. "This has been a most wonderful evening. I love seeing all of you. You have made this old king very proud. I do not think it will be long until I leave this life, so I just wanted to say to you all that I love you and I'm proud of you and I wish you long, happy lives. May Mahal bless you and your families to be strong, brave, loyal, wise, and loved. May Mahal's hammer shield you. Live good, long wonderful lives." Fili gave a little chuckled. "You know, years ago, my Uncle Thorin came to Kili and I in a dream and told us he was watching over us, as are our parents, and other friends and family. We will get to see them again, which means that we never truly say good bye. So instead I say to you all, see you soon."
"No, Papa," Thorin threw himself at Fili's side. "No. Don't go."
"My dear son. I have been granted a good, long life. I wish it never had to end, but since it will, just know that I will always watch over you and I will always live in your heart. Take good care of your family. They are the most important thing in the world. Take good care of our people and of Erebor." Fili closed his eyes. A tear trickled down. He opened them again to see many teary eyes. Fili smiled. "Gaubdûkhimâ gagin yâkùlib Mahal."
"Come along, everyone, it's time to say good bye," Thorin's wife and queen spoke quietly. She went to Fili and kissed him on the cheek. "Lomil ghelekh."
"Thank you dear, take good care of Thorin," Fili said.
"You know I will," the queen said. She went to Kili and kiss his cheek too.
Each member of the family came to say their goodbyes to Fili and many gave Kili their well wishes, too, knowing that Kili would not be whole once Fili had passed. Fili blessed each child, grandchild and great-grandchild that came to his side. Slowly, they left until Thorin, Vijl, Iomhar, Klin and Keil, and Tauriel remained.
"May we sit with you, Papa and Uncle Kili?" Vijl asked.
"We would like that very much," Fili said. Kili nodded.
Fili didn't have the energy to say any more. He listened as the boys talked quietly about this or that. His breath was getting heavy. His time had come. He could feel it. Fili looked to Kili. Kili understood. He always understood. He nodded his head and squeezed Fili's hand. Fili closed his eyes.
When Fili's consciousness became aware of his surroundings once again, he was momentarily confused. This place looked familiar. He looked around. He was alone. Last time he was here, he wasn't alone. Kili had been with him. He hear a voice break out into a laugh.
"Fili! Fili, my boy. You made it!" Thorin was running to Fili. Fili ran to his uncle and was pleasantly surprised to realize that he could run. Thorin crashed into him like a moving mountain. He held Fili in his arms with the strength of a bear.
"Uncle Thorin," Fili held his uncle tightly, breathing in that familiar scent that was only Thorin's.
"Welcome home. So, how was your life?"
Fili was grinning. "It was a great life. I had another son after Thorin. Did you know that?"
"I did. Fine lad, he is. I want to hear more about him."
"And Mailis had children, making me a great-grandfather. Can you believe that?" Fili laughed. "Erebor survived several more wars, although nothing as terrible as the Battle of the Five Armies or the battle during the War of the Ring. Kili's sons, they're great diplomats and they kept all of our ties with our allies strong, so Erebor was never without aid." Kili stopped in his story, his smile disappeared.
"What is it, lad?" Thorin asked.
"Kili. I miss Kili."
"He misses you. I don't think you will need to wait long for him," Thorin patted Fili's back.
"What do you mean? He's not going to do anything stupid or desperate, is he?" Fili asked.
Thorin chuckled. "Of course not, but for most of your lives, you and Kili have prayed to Mahal to keep the two of you together. Even Tauriel has prayed to Mahal on your behalf that he take both of his sons at the same time."
"Would Mahal even listen to the pleas of an elf?" Fili asked.
"Maybe not a normal elf, but Tauriel's been a part of our dwarven family for over two hundred years. She has shown her love and devotion to the dwarves during all that time. He will listen to one who has been so good to his children," Thorin explained.
"But he must not have. Kili's not here. Not that I want him to die, it's just, I don't want to be here without him." Fili felt an ache in his heart.
"Mahal loves his sons. I believe your wish will be granted."
"What wish?" a very familiar voice spoke up.
Fili turned to his brother, who looked as he had in his prime. His dark hair was its usual wild style, his eyes sparkled and his smile as wide as Long Lake. Fili threw himself at Kili. They laughed before Kili turned to Thorin and received the same bone crushing hug Fili had only just gotten.
"What took you so long?" Fili asked with a smile.
"Oh, you know, I had to have one more make out session with my wife," Kili grinned.
"Don't tell me you did that while my body laid next to you?" Fili grimaced.
"Course not. I died a day after you, so your body had been moved to the tombs. It gave Tauriel and I one more night to cuddle and talk together. I missed you, though. I couldn't have stayed any longer without you."
"A full day? But it was only minutes here," Fili said, looking to Thorin.
"Time is different here," Thorin shrugged. "Now, how about joining the rest of the family. They have been eagerly awaiting you."
"I'm nervous, Thorin," Kili said. "Father's there?" Thorin nodded. "I have no memory of Father. I don't know him at all."
"You'll know him when you see him and he knows you. He has watched over you boys your entire lives. Now, come along."
"Thorin?" Fili said. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. Both of you. But now, we need never part again. We'll be together always now."
Fili and Kili held each other's hand, and followed Thorin to their new life. They passed through a door. There in front of them, each of them wearing a big smile, was Dis, their father, Mailli, Milly, Hrafn, Graig, Hana, Bilbo, Sigrid, Balin, Dwalin, Gloin and Oin, Dori, Nori and Ori, Bofur, Bifur and Bombur, and many other dwarves who they had never met, but knew instinctively, like Frerin, Thrain and Thror and all their forefathers and many cousins. Such a large family, Fili noted. And they were all waiting to greet him and Kili.
"Don't just stand there like stone statutes," Bofur called out in his merry voice, "pull up a chair, have an ale and tell us about your life."
"Might take more than one ale," Kili smiled.
"Don't worry about it," Dis pulled her sons into a hub. "We've got forever to hear all your stories."
Thorin laid a hand on each of their shoulders and led them further into the family circle. Fili and Kili exchanged grinning smiles. Mahal had blessed them once again. They would never have to be separated again. Not forever.
Gaubdûkhimâ gagin yâkùlib Mahal - May we meet again with the grace of Mahal
Lomil ghelekh - Good night
It's over! I've enjoyed writing this story a great deal and I hope you have enjoyed it. Thanks to you all who have read, thank you all who have left me comments, and thank you all for the follows and favorites. Several of you we've had PM discussions and that has been fun, too. It means a lot and I appreciate it. Keep in touch. I will see y'all around fanfic land!
-Idrylla