His nephews were idiots sometimes. Well, scratch the sometimes. His nephews were just plain idiots. The entire company could see how the two brothers skirted around one another. By Aule, even the hobbit had noticed, and he just joined the company.

Thorin couldn't figure out for the life of him how the two were still clueless about the fact that they were in love with each other. It wasn't common for two siblings to fall in love with each other this was true. But it was not unheard of. Granted, his sister probably didn't help their assumption all those years ago when she had forced the two boys to sleep in separate beds.

It took everything in him to keep Dis from forcing the boys to sleep in rooms on either side of hers. Thorin was glad the boys were out with Balin for lessons when he had that conversation. The yelling and crashing of the thrown earthenware probably carried farther than either knew at the time.

Thorin shifted his body against the stone outcropping he was using to lean on. He could understand his sisters argument. She wanted her sons to carry on the line. To fall in love with a dwarf lass, and give her grandchildren to dote over. But anyone who met the two princelings could sense their connection, and knew that the odds of them falling for anyone other than each other was somewhere between nil and none.

Honestly, did Dis really believe it would be any different? Since Kili's birth the two were inseparable. Kili would always drag his brother into trouble, and Fili would help his meddlesome brother to find their way out of it again. Fili had a smile that he reserved only for his brother. The first time Thorin had seen it at Kili's birth, he had passed it off as excitement about a new sibling. Definitely not the case. That smile followed Kili no matter what they were doing. From the mundane work of fishing to the excitement of travel.

Thorin grimaced as he remembered teaching the boys how to fish a very long time ago.

Thorin was helping Fili to correct his stance at the shore line. The fishing line was hanging in the water, and the fish were clearly visible beneath the crystal clear lake. Fili's concentration on the task at hand was belied by his constantly flickering eyes to the last place he had seen his brother.

Kili had climbed the tree next to the water's edge, saying the fish would have to wait a few minutes. There were much more important things to see from above the canopy apparently. Thorin could hear quiet giggles coming from high above, and knew that the little imp was having a grand time.

Cracking branches alerted him of Kili's rapid descent. "Uncle!" He heard. "There's a bear staring at us!"

Thorin tried to keep his panic at bay. He followed Kili's shaking finger to a break in the foliage to see the bear staring at them. Unfortunately, the bear now stood between the three dwarves and his sword. Foolish, Thorin had cursed himself. Sloppy. What did he teach his nephews just the other day? That 'safety' should never be trusted. Keep your weapons with you at all times.

What does he do? Travel to the waters edge meters from their camp with only his bow and arrows, which he was admittedly not he best shot with, and a dagger.

"We could climb the tree quick uncle. Hurry!" Kili was pulling on his hand.

Thorin sighed, and slipped his dagger from his belt quietly. "Bears climb." Thorin turned to Fili. "You and your brother cross the water, and keep moving until you make town. It's not far. I will meet you there."

Kili looked from his uncle to the bear and then to his brother. "But bears are fast."

Thorin smiled. "Yes they are. I will be faster."

Thorin remembered pushing his two young nephews towards the water, and turning to face down the bear. With luck, the bear would understand the threat, and leave them in peace.

His eyes had narrowed when he saw blonde hair out of the corner of his eye. Splashes told him Kili was in the water, but his foolish older nephew chose to stand by him, clutching his small dagger in his fist. He dragged the child behind him when the bear charged towards them.

Air whistled past him, and the bear dropped. An arrow shot clean through the eye. Thorin whipped around to see his youngest nephew holding his bow and nocking a new arrow to the string like it was meant to be in his hands.

Thorin remembered his youngest nephews toothy smile as he threw his arm around the boys' shoulders. "The bow for you then I see."

Thorin couldn't believe how good of a shot his nephew was. Especially then. The bow was a rare weapon for a dwarf to be drawn to. But his nephew used his bow and arrows like they were a part of his body. Admittedly, just as Fili used his swords like they were part of his arms.

Thorin almost laughed as he saw each brother watching the other from across the fire. Both thought they were being subtle, but neither succeeded. In fact, it was a running joke watching the two moon over each other. Mainly told when the two were so obviously distracted by each other.

Dwalin and Balin approached and stood on either side of their king. "You have to do something about those two laddie."

"What would you have me do Balin? Tie them together until they figure it out?"

Dwalin smirked. "How about separate them?"

Thorin turned to look at his two most trusted advisors. "That could work."

Dwalin turned to face Balin. "One purse says three days."

"Two days." Balin countered.

"Done."

Thorin chuckled as the two dwarves shook on the bet, and moved towards the fire to claim their rations. Pulling Kili aside and telling him of the changed watch schedule was comical. The youngling was shocked that he was being separated from his brother.

The two brothers continued to dance around each other as they ate. Honestly. The open yearning on their faces when they thought the other wasn't looking was beginning to be too much. Thorin could understand why Dwalin and Balin had approached him this night. An entire journey full of angst and unrequited love would be too much to handle for much longer.

Thorin watched more bets be placed by the fire as word spread of the plan to push the two brothers together. Sadly, it was uncouth for a king to place a bet. Especially on his young nephews hopefully soon to exist love life. However, he would have put money on six days. His nephews, after all, were his blood kin. He knew how stubborn the Durin line could be.