Thank you so much for the all the follows/favorites/reviews! This is my first fic ever so I really appreciate it! If you have any requests at all, I'd love to hear them! I usually just write this fluff whenever I depress myself with thoughts of BotFA! Haha! Sorry it's been a while since my last update! I had a 15 page research paper to write! I have finals coming up and then I begin an archaeological field school in May. So fair warning, I may not update again until June! But bear with me! I have a 3 month summer break so that'll allow plenty of time to write! Thanks again! ~Also, I do not own these characters or profit from these stories!~

"Alright boys, it's time to get to bed. Fili has a big day tomorrow," Dis called from her rocking chair, a yawn forming at the end of her sentence. Spending the entire day washing and mending various garments had drained her of all the energy she possessed.

Fili halted his play and beamed up at his mother. Kili paused, toys in each hand, and looked at the two of them. He was obviously confused.

"Wha's Fee doin' tomorrow?" he asked.

"I have my first lesson with Balin, remember? He's gonna teach me how to read and write! And I'll get to learn about Erebor and all the battles that uncle fought in!" Fili gestured enthusiastically as he answered his brother's question. Caught up in Fili's excitement, Kili, too, began bouncing.

"I come too!" he declared.

"I'm afraid not, little one. You'll be staying home with me," Dis said as she rose from her seat.

Kili's big brown eyes began to fill with tears and he dropped his toys to the ground.

"Why?" he pleaded.

"You're not old enough. When you get to be Fili's age, you'll have lessons with Balin, as well. No need to fret." Dis made her way across the floor and lifted a heart broken Kili into her arms.

"But I wanna go now! With Fee! Momma pwease!" Kili begged as he grabbed two little handfuls of his mother's hair.

"You have to be patient, Kili. I'm sorry, but you can't go. Not yet." As Dis broke the news to her youngest, she prepared herself for the fit that was guaranteed to follow. Sure enough, Kili's bottom lip began to quiver and tears spilled over onto his cheeks before he finally let out a high pitched wail. Thorin walked into the room just as Kili started to sob.

"What's wrong with him?" he asked, looking between his sister and his eldest nephew for an answer.

"He wants to come with me tomorrow but Momma said no," revealed the blonde. Thorin felt a pang of sympathy for his youngest heir. This would be the first time since his birth that he would be separated from his brother for a whole day. No doubt he would feel as if he were missing out. Being as young as he was, he couldn't comprehend why he had to stay behind. He didn't understand that one day, he, too, would have his chance. Already exhausted, Dis sighed as she rocked Kili in her arms, attempting to calm him down. Perhaps he'll cry himself to sleep, she hoped.

"Thorin, see Fili off to bed, will you? I'm gonna deal with this rascal."

Thorin grabbed Fili's hand and began leading him to his room. Fili kept glancing over his shoulder at his little brother, eyes filled with guilt.

"Are you sure Kee can't come? I don't wanna leave him behind," the young dwarf looked down at his feet, unable to look his uncle in the eye as he braced himself for the answer he knew was coming.

"I know you don't, Fili, but these lessons are important. Kili isn't old enough to learn them. He would only be a distraction. But don't worry, he'll have his turn." Thorin helped Fili into his night clothes and got him tucked in to bed. Thorin frowned when he noticed that Fili's face was still full of remorse. The last thing he needed was two crying dwarflings. He sat on the bed beside his nephew and leaned against the headboard with his hands folded and draped across his chest. He gazed up at the ceiling as he spoke.

"I felt guilty when I first started my lessons, too. Your uncle Frerin would cry that it wasn't fair," Thorin smiled fondly at the memory, recalling how Frerin would cross his arms, eyes filled with fury, refusing to speak to parents when they told him he couldn't join his older brother. That must be where Kili gets his tantrums from. "But once my lessons were through, I'd rejoin him and tell him everything I had learned that day. Pretty soon, he was actually excited for me to go. And when he was old enough for lessons himself, he was smartest young dwarf anyone had ever seen." Thorin turned to Fili as he finished his tale, to find that he was looking up at him with curiosity. "Perhaps you can do that for Kili. That way it won't be so hard on the two of you. How does that sound?"

Hope replaced the guilt that plagued his blue eyes and he nodded his head fervently.

"I can do that! I'll be the best teacher ever, just like you were!"

Thorin chuckled at the declaration, "Something tells me you'll be an even greater teacher than I was." And he meant it too. Fili possessed more patience for his little brother than Thorin ever had. If Kili really wanted to know what his sibling would be learning, Thorin had no doubt Fili would teach him.

Fili grinned up at his uncle as he bent down to place a kiss at the top of his blonde head.

"Goodnight, little one. I'll wake you in the morning." Thorin rose from the bed and made his way to the door. Just as he was about to close it he heard Fili call,

"Love you Uncle Thorin," and with that, he rolled over, facing away from his uncle and curled up under the covers.

Thorin watched his beloved nephew with a smile on his face.

"And I you," he shut the door softly and headed to the sitting room to rejoin his sister. Hopefully Kili had managed to calm down. When he rounded the corner, he noticed Dis had reoccupied the rocking chair, this time with an arm full of dwarfling. As she noticed her brother, she gingering brought a finger up to her lips, indicating her youngest had fallen asleep. Thorin silently walked over to the pair, gazing down at the dark-headed trouble-maker. His thumb was planted firmly in his mouth and tears stained his flushed cheeks.

"I think its best we don't wake him in the morning," Dis whispered, "Otherwise poor Fili will never make it out the door!"

Thorin smiled in response. The bond between his nephews never failed to amaze him. Dis noticed his amusement and smiled back.

"You boys will be the death me!"

Thorin placed a kiss on Kili's forehead before doing the same to Dis.

"Sleep well. I'll see you in the morning."

The next morning, Thorin rose and got himself ready for the day before going to wake Fili. He silently prayed his nephews hadn't tangled their limbs together at some point during the night, so that he could get Fili up without stirring Kili. As he opened the door to their shared bedroom, he was disappointed to find his prayers had not been answered. As luck would have it, Fili lay sprawled out on his back with Kili's head on his chest. Taking a deep breath, Thorin moved to the bed and placed his hand on Fili's head. Slowly, Fili's eyes blinked open and he looked up at his uncle.

"It's time to get up," he whispered, "Can you move without waking your brother?"

Fili looked down at his sleeping sibling. He raised himself up, and gently scooted his brother's head off his stomach and onto the bed. Kili groaned at the movement and both Fili and Thorin held their breath. But then Kili sighed contentedly and drifted back to sleep. Thorin lifted Fili from the bed and set him on the floor.

"Get dressed as quietly as you can then come to kitchen."

Fili was dressed and in the kitchen in under five minutes. He scarfed down his breakfast and eagerly began tugging on his boots.

"Slow down, love!" Dis chided. "Balin isn't going to forget about you! Now come over here, you haven't even combed your hair."

"Yes Mother," Fili replied as he bounded his way over to Dis. Dis chuckled at her son's enthusiasm, though a part of her was saddened. She couldn't believe Fili was old enough to start taking lessons. It seemed like only yesterday he was learning how to walk. As she finished fixing his hair, Dis turned Fili around and wrapped him in a big hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Fili. You be good and listen to Mister Balin, alright?"

"I will. I promise!"

Thorin interrupted the moment saying it was time they got going. They had worked it out so that Thorin could drop Fili off on his way to the forge and bring him back home around lunch. Thorin was looking forward to the company, actually. He had no doubt Fili's chattering would keep him entertained; A welcomed change to his normally lonely walks.

"Let me go say bye to Kili," Fili said and started to make his way to his room. Dis caught him by the arm and ceased his mission. Fili looked at her confused.

"Let's not wake your brother, little one. He'll be upset to see you leave."

Fili nodded solemnly, obviously conflicted about his leaving his brother behind. Dis patted his cheek gently and moved him towards the door.

"Now off you boys get!"

Thorin opened the door and Fili darted out.

"Fili! Wait for your uncle!"

Thorin shook his head fondly and turned to his worried sister.

"Don't worry, Dis. I'm sure he'll be fine. I'll see you this afternoon." And with that, he stepped outside and hurried to catch up with his nephew.

Dis was sweeping the kitchen, not an hour after Thorin and Fili had departed, when she heard cries coming from Fili and Kili's bedroom. She propped the broom up beside the nearest wall and set off to comfort her youngest. She found Kili sitting up in the middle of the bed, his thin, dark hair sticking up in every which direction, crying into his hands. He looked up when Dis entered the room and reached his short little arms out to her.

"Fee… weft… meee!" he said between sobs.

Dis took the boy into her arms, and he immediately buried his face in her neck. She rubbed his back in an effort to console him as he struggled to catch his breath. He was taking this harder than she had expected.

"Kili, dear, you knew Fili had to go to his lessons today. He's coming back at lunchtime. He's not leaving forever."

Kili didn't respond to her words. He had quit crying, but was still taking in shaky breaths.

"He'll be back before you know it, love. And guess what?"

Kili lifted his head to look at Dis and she wiped the stray tears from his face.

"What?" he sniffled.

"When he gets back, he said he's going to teach you everything he learned during his lesson. You'll get to spend the whole afternoon with him." Dis hoped her words would cheer the lad up. Kili rubbed his nose with his fist.

"Really?" he asked.

"Truly," Dis replied, "What do you say in the meantime, we get eat some toast and I'll let you have some of my special jam?"

Knowing her son would never turn down the chance to eat something sweet, she wasn't surprised when his whole face lit up.

"Ok!" he said.

After breakfast, Dis took some clothes outside so they could dry. It was a warm summer day, so she brought Kili with her to let him play. As she hung up the clothes, she kept glancing at her youngest who seemed at a loss about what to do without his brother there to come up with ideas. Feeling sorry for the boy, she tossed the clothes aside to finish later and snuck up behind Kili. When he was close enough to touch, she poked him in the back and yelled, "Tag! You're it!" before she took off running. When Kili caught on, he squealed with delight and took off after his mother. This went on for about an hour until poor Kili was tuckered out. Dis, herself was quite exhausted. It had been a long time since she had run around with her sons. But she couldn't deny she had enjoyed it. She took the tired child inside and laid him down for a nap. It was getting close to lunch, so Dis went about preparing the meal before returning outside to finish hanging up the clothing.

As the boys rounded the corner, their little home came into view and they noticed Dis tending the laundry. Fili ran towards his mother who stopped what she was doing and took him in her arms.

"There's my smart little boy," she said as she kissed his cheek, "How did it go?"

Fili excitedly began explaining what Balin had taught him that day by the time Thorin finally reached the pair. Ruffling the youngster's hair he asked where Kili was.

"I put him down for a nap about thirty minutes ago. Better go check on him."

Thorin left for the house to let Fili finish his tale. He headed for the boys' room to check on Kili when something caught his eye as he passed the kitchen. He paused and traced his steps to see what had caught his attention. Sitting on top of the table was Kili. He had a jar of jam in his lap and judging from the amount of it on his hands and face, he had eaten quite a bit.

"Kili! What do you think you're doing?"

If Kili felt any guilt towards his actions, he didn't show it. Instead, he just looked happy to see Thorin. He stood up quickly and raced to the edge of the table.

"Uncle Thowin!" he screeched as he held up his messy fingers.

Thorin picked the boy up and immediately regretted it when two sticky hands were planted firmly on his face. Thorin sighed, but couldn't find it in himself to get angry when his nephew was looking up at him with the brightest smile he'd ever seen.

"Let's get you cleaned up before your mother sees," Thorin whispered as he looked around for a cloth. He knew he shouldn't let Kili get away with what he'd done, but the poor lad had probably had a trying day, after all. Just as Thorin finished wiping his own face, Fili and Dis walked in the kitchen.

"Fee!" Kili dashed to his brother and nearly tackled him to the floor. Fili giggled at his brothers greeting and held on to him tight.

"I missed you, Kee."

Dis smiled at her sons before ushering them to the table.

"Come on lads, lunch is ready."

As the family ate their meal, Fili told them all about how he learned to write some runes. He had brought home some parchment and ink to practice and asked Kili if he wanted to help. Of course Kili was ecstatic that his brother was including him and wanted to get started right away. Dis said neither could practice until they had finished eating. When Fili was done chatting, Thorin asked Kili how his day had been. Kili set his spoon down and placed his hands in his lap,

"Well, I went outside and runned for a bit but then I fell an' hurted my elbow and I almost eated a worm but Momma stopped me then I founded a wock and named him Thowin cause it was tough like you and then me and Momma played tag and I falled to sweep."

An amused grin tugged at Thorin's mouth after Kili was done rambling. Fili snickered and Dis just shook her head.

"Sounds very interesting," Thorin finally managed to say as he looked up at Dis. She pulled a see what I have to put up with face before gathering everyone's empty bowls. Thorin said his goodbyes before returning to the forge. After he left, Fili and Kili sprinted to their room to get started on their runes.

When Thorin returned home that night, the first thing he noticed was that it was unusually quiet. He walked from the sitting room, to the kitchen, and to the boys' room before he heard splashing noises from down the hall. When he entered the washroom, Dis was bent over the tub scrubbing at Fili's face. Kili was beside him, black streaks covering his cheeks and forehead.

"What have you two gotten into now?"

Dis stopped her washing and turned to her brother, pushing back a strand of hair from her face with the back of her hand.

"Ink, Thorin," she huffed, "Apparently they found it more amusing to practice their runes on each other than on the parchment."

Fili and Kili glanced at each other shamefully. Leave it to them to create mischief out of the simplest of tasks.

"Help me, would you?" Dis held up an extra rag and Thorin rolled up his sleeves. He crouched down next to his sister and began washing Kili's face for the second time that day. When he finished, Kili was smiling up at him. He would never get over just how much his little nephew adored him. He pulled him out of the bath, planting a kiss on his nose before swaddling him in a towel. Fili got out as well, Dis draping a towel around his shoulders, and went over to his uncle.

"Kili and I made you something, Uncle! Come see!"

Thorin followed them down the hall and into their room. Fili went over to the desk, grabbing a piece of parchment and handed it to Thorin. Thorin cradled Kili with his left hand and took the gift with his right. On it, was Thorin's name. The ink stokes were thick and smooth. Fili obviously took his time to make sure he got each letter right. Thorin was impressed. Under his name, were two chubby hand prints. Thorin beamed.

"Dem is mine," Kili pointed out and as if it weren't apparent.

"I see that," Thorin answered, "This is very well done, boys. I shall keep it always."

He knelt down and hugged both boys to his chest, "Thank you."

When both of the youngsters were dressed and tucked in bed, Thorin wished them goodnight and made his way to his own room.

When Thorin left, Kili curled in close to his brother's side and grabbed on to his night shirt.

"Fee?" he whispered nervously.

Fili curled an arm around his little brother's shoulders.

"What is it, Kee?"

Kili rose up and met his sibling's eyes.

"Pwomise you won't weave tomorrow without sayin' bye?"

He looked utterly heartbroken so Fili wrapped his other arm around Kili and held him close.

"I promise, Kee. I won't leave you ever again without saying bye. I'm sorry."

Kili was reassured by his brother's promise, so he lay his head back down on his pillow and closed his eyes. Without opening them, he spoke again.

"And Fee?"

"Hhmm?"

"You's a good teacher."

Fili was surprised by these words. Kili hadn't learned to make a single rune today before they had their ink war. He thought he had failed his brother. But at least Kili was interested and willing to listen, and as long as he was willing to listen, Fili would be willing to teach him.