Disclaimer: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and all characters therein are the property of the Tolkien Estate and Wingnut Films. This story is for entertainment only and the author is in no way profiting from it, nor exercising any claims to The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings.

Author's Notes: Thank you to all of you for your support and patience while I was gone for so long, unplanned. Life gets a bit crazy sometimes!

39. Laughter and Tears

Thorin paused outside the small healing room, stealing himself for what was to come. Ori had asked to see him, most likely to tell of the fate of the colony, and while Thorin burned to know what had occurred… Well, the scribe was not physically injured, but his years of isolation after watching the deaths of all his company had profoundly affected his mind. Senata had quietly told Thorin that the little dwarf might never fully recover, relapsing into hallucinations and living in the past when stressed. It was for that reason that Thorin had held off, no matter how many urged him to demand answers for the tragedy that had taken place here.

Before the king could announce his presence outside the rough wool that served as a door to Ori's sickroom, however, Nori popped his head out, seeming as startled to see Thorin as the king was to see the former thief. The now white haired dwarf grunted and vanished back into the room, the murmur of voices bleeding through the blanket. After several minutes, he came fully outside, giving Thorin a solemn nod of the head.

"How is he?"

Thorin asked, concerned by the troubled, red-rimmed eyes of his spymaster. Finding out that Ori had been alive and alone for so long had not been easy on the last brother, no matter how he tried to make it seem that nothing bothered him.

"Not good. He's been having trouble telling reality from fantasy all morning. Thorin, I know that you and the others need answers, but-"

Nori shook his head, causing Thorin to curse under his breath. He had hoped that being sent for was a sign that the scribe was actually doing better. The king sighed, shrugging heavily.

"I will not intrude, then, and unsettle him further. Were you able to get any of the-"

Nori cut off the king's question by holding up a rolled piece of parchment, which Thorin gratefully accepted.

"Every tunnel he knows of is on there, including the blocked ones, all neatly done in colored ink to tell which is what. He still has his talent with maps, that's for certain, though he swears one led out to an overgrown pocket valley that showed signs of cultivation, so I'm not sure how reliable it all is. He claims he would forage for food there, and found dwarrow made farm tools, which is ridiculous. Everyone knows dwarrow don't farm."

Thorin snorted, unsurprised by Nori's skepticism. The very idea of dwarrow toiling in the soil like elves or hobbits was unnatural! Even as refugees after the fall of Erebor, they had been able to barter work for most of their food, and hunt the rest. All the new memories he had gained, however, had quickly taught him how many important details were never recorded, or dismissed by a later generation if they were.

"The hidden valleys were used when the city was sealed off during the latter part of the Second Age." The king grimaced, the vehement protestations of long ago ringing in his ears as they had once rung in Durin III's. "The west was overrun by Sauron's creatures save for a few pockets of resistance, and half the east was loyal to Mordor. Gondor and Rohan did not yet exist, so the dwarrow were unable to bring in enough food by barter alone, and had to resort to other means. Besides, Durin III wished to secure a food supply should the city find itself besieged upon both sides, which seemed likely at the time. Sauron had no love for dwarrow, being, for the most part, unable to bend them to his will."

"Who did he find to work it? Any self-respecting dwarf would sooner starve!"

Nori's indignant question made Thorin grin at the former thief wickedly.

"I am glad you asked that. First, you would be surprised at what you would do had you truly no other choice. Second, Durin found that it was a fit punishment for anyone committing a crime, as such things risked the safety of the city in a time of war. Those unwilling to give the labor or money the king asked for found themselves also tilling fields as their contribution. You would be amazed at how generous and honest the citizens of Khazad-dûm became!"

The other dwarf blanched, glancing quickly around as if fearing the king's horrific answer would be overheard.

"Don't tell Dwalin that, I beg you! He'd try to reinstate it. And what of the warriors? With the city sealed, they must have been the fattest, laziest bunch around!"

Thorin snorted again, vastly amused. No wonder Dwalin and Nori never got along, if that was his opinion of the big warrior's chosen work!

"Oh, no, you would be wrong, my friend. When not training or guarding one of the small parties allowed to travel outside the city, they were required to aid. Especially at harvest time, though they did most of the butchering of livestock raised there instead of picking crops. Putting a knife in the hands of a criminal would not be smart." Thorin tilted his head toward the door. "Thank your brother for drawing this, and keep me apprised of how he is doing."

"Gladly." Nori turned away, partially pushing aside the blanket before turning back. "Thorin, how is Kíli? Ori keeps asking, but the healers won't tell us anything. Senata fears the visit Ori paid him a few days back might have triggered more hallucinations."

In his turn, the king glanced down the hallway to another blanket-draped room, where a dwarf warrior stood, a silent sentinel on guard.

"Better. The fever has stayed down and he sleeps a great deal. The bandages on his eyes should be removed tomorrow or the day after. Wyvern believes that being held captive in the dark much of the time probably prevented permanent damage to his sight. He'll be sensitive to bright light for a while yet, however."

"And his other injuries?"

"Healing well, even the shoulder. The healers are more concerned with that swill he was forced to drink. They want him kept calm, quiet, and resting in bed for another two weeks."

"Calm and quiet?!"

Nori spluttered before dissolving into outright laughter, which did nothing to aid Thorin's sour mood. It was nearly the identical reaction Fíli had to the directive. Abruptly, the blanket to Ori's room was thrust completely back, revealing a baffled Bofur with Ori tentatively peeking under his arm. At the sight of his brother's mirth, the scribe came fully out from behind the councilor, only to freeze as he became aware of the presence of the dwarf king. One hand came up in the familiar gesture from the first time they had seen Ori again, stopping just short of touching Thorin's face. Bofur had one hand tightly squeezing the scribe's shoulder, whispering urgently in his ear as the king stood there, unsure of what to do.

"R-real?" Ori whimpered plaintively, "W-why haven't I seen you?"

Thorin allowed a slight smile to soften his stern countenance, taking the hesitant hand in his.

"Yes, Ori, I am real. I am sorry I have not been to see you. The healers felt you needed quiet. Which your brother is hardly providing, given the way he's howling and acting the idiot."

The first unforced smile Thorin had witnessed graced Ori's face then, and the scribe shook his head, eyes lighting up.

"N-no, I like laughter. Orcs don't laugh. W-what… Why is he laughing?"

Thorin sighed, unable to deny the simple request, though he knew the reaction it was likely to engender.

"The healers wish to keep Kíli bed bound for two more weeks so he stays calm and quiet. The herbs he was given might otherwise still cause damage to his body."

Sure enough, Bofur guffawed, slapping his knee so hard he almost dislodged his hat.

"Ya cannot tell me Senata actually said that! She knows too well the chaos a bedridden Kíli can cause."

"She knows, Bofur, but there are few other options short of moving him to the elven wood, and Fíli flatly refused to allow that to even be considered. He knows how Kíli would react to such a forced retreat. There is too much risk that activity could cause Kíli to faint and injure himself further. Something about the way blood flows through the body and the herbs adversely affecting it."

Thorin shook his head, grimacing at his lack of understanding, though these were among the few dwarrow he would admit such a failing to. Ori's eyes, however, had lit up in understanding and sympathy. As a sickly youth, he, too, knew the restlessness and shortened temper that came with such confinement, though he lacked Kili's creative streak.

Last winter, Thorin had gone to check on his nephew after the incident with the toy only to be almost skewered with a small throwing knife. The prince had attached a light line to it and was using it as a grappling hook to pull things across the room to himself. Dis had despaired of finding a way to repair the chips out of the furniture, though Vestri had thought her husband unspeakably clever. So long as he promised never to show the boys, of course. Bofur leaned against the doorframe, a smirk firmly in place.

"If he's getting well enough to become restless, why don't we do what we did in Minas Tirith? Surely a bit of laughter won't hurt the lad!"

Thorin nodded.

"That was Fili's thought, as well. I trust you can spread the word to appropriate ears?"

"Oh, aye!"

*****888*****

Kíli roused only occasionally for some time after finally settling into peaceful sleep, mostly at the prodding of one of the healers intent upon making him drink yet more herbs, but at least he was able to fall quickly back into slumber each time, despite an aching body. Time was beginning to bring healing in more than just his spirit, but the ordeal and subsequent fevers had drained the prince of energy, so he slept.

Fíli was always nearby when he woke. More than once, the brunette roused just enough to hear his brother chasing off someone he felt might disturb the ailing prince, including members of their own family. That was good; he had had enough talk of Therin, crimes and punishments, the horrors he had been through. All he wanted was peace, and maybe a bit of company who would not speak of what had happened.

Perhaps he said that wish aloud, for when he finally woke without the desire to immediately return to slumber, stomach rumbling its discontent once more, it was to find the air laden with a delicious odor and the cheerful babble of multiple voices. It sounded as if his quiet sickroom had been invaded by a horde! Off-hand, his sleep-fuzzy mind was able to pick out his mother, Thorin, Fíli, Bofur, and Dwalin, then Legolas' laughter rang out. Well, that meant Tauriel was there. Those two were never far apart these days.

Moving carefully, the prince struggled to press himself into a seated position one handed, feeling someone aiding him patiently. A soft bulk was scooted behind him and he leaned back gratefully into the support that held him partially upright.

"About time you woke up, lazy bones. How are you feeling?"

Something warm was pressed into his hand and Kíli smiled faintly as he took a sip from the mug, pleased to find that it was filled with a thick chicken broth. His brother knew only too well how badly his younger sibling's stomach reacted to fevers! He sipped, nodding at Fíli when the first bursts of flavor and warmth travelled to his stomach without provoking the crippling nausea he always feared.

"So far, not bad. What's going on?"

At least his voice was actually audible, though a very rough, hoarse croak.

"We've been presented with a challenge, laddie." It was Dwalin's voice, sounding entirely too smug about something. A moment later, Kíli knew what and wished he did not. "Telling of the most idiotic things we've ever heard of someone, including ourselves, doing. The elves seem to think they know of one that will top all others!"

Kíli instantly felt his face begin to burn, as there were plenty of stupid things he had done in the past that could very well have been brought up by now.

"O-oh?"

He stuttered a bit, and heard his brother's low, wicked chuckle. Fíli never had much trouble reading him.

"Don't worry, I haven't brought that one up. Yet."

Kíli could only hope that Fíli had in mind something other than what he feared. Swallowing hastily, he choked a bit on the broth, and then attempted to sound completely casual.

"What's been brought up so far?"

"Dwalin started with that bunch of idiots back in Ered Luin who tried nipping apples off each other's heads with their axes." Bofur was entirely too cheerful at the entire idea as Kíli winced, unable to fend off the image of the fellow dwarf who had his scalp shorn off in that stunt. That was one way to become instantly bald! "And I mentioned Lord Elrond feeding hungry dwarrow with naught but bread and vegetables-"

"I don't like green food, it just isn't right."

Several of the gathering laughed at Ori's plaintive comment while Kíli felt his lips quirk in a hint of a smile at the familiar voice. It was still difficult for him to believe that the other was truly alive after all this time. Setting the empty mug next to him, he reached out, feeling a warm hand take his own and squeeze it lightly, though there was a tremor there. Ori was nowhere near as relaxed with all the others surrounding him as he wished the others to believe. He knew better than to offer to ask the others to leave, though.

"Aye, we know, Uncle." Nast spoke up cheerfully, "So, who's next? Fíli and Kíli?"

A body settled next to him and he leaned into the familiar warmth of his older brother, already feeling more secure in his dark world. Fíli would not allow anyone to approach without warning. Had his brother orchestrated this just for him? How had he known when Kíli would wake? Regardless, he would not waste his brother's gift by bringing up Therin, the cult, or anything else remotely relevant to their current situation, reveling instead in the distraction.

"Well, there was the time Kíli went looking for fair-"

"Fíli!"

Kíli was quick to lash out with one foot, catching his brother on the leg even without being able to see him. There was nothing stupid or funny about that episode!

"I have one." Tauriel cut into the awkward resulting silence, and Kíli stiffened, hoping it wasn't that inane trick he had played on her with the rune stone. "Thirteen dwarrow and one hobbit believe they can take on a dragon."

Kíli could feel the tension heighten in the sudden silence, everyone holding their breath waiting for a response. Thorin's voice had been one of the easiest for the prince to pick out in his half-awake state, and he bit back a groan, trying to decide why the elf felt the need to bring up such a thing now. Surely she knew that the only result would be to enrage Thorin!

"You would be accurate in that assessment, Captain, had I ever meant to actually confront Smaug with so small a company. That, however, was never my intent. More like… a series of unfortunate events that necessitated some fast adjustments."

Startled, Kíli tensed in astonishment, feeling his brother do the same, for this was news to the two princes. The youngest of the pair was the first to broach the topic, tone cautious as his stomach tightened in suddenly recalled guilt. Was Tauriel trying to torment him?

"Uncle, you told us-"

"Think for a moment, Kíli. I would hardly go about declaring my intentions openly when I knew that there were those who would oppose me. The intention was always for Bilbo to go in and steal the Arkenstone. With that in hand, I would have the right to command the seven armies of the dwarrow families - plenty of warriors with which to take on a dragon and secure the mountain afterward."

"Which would be necessary given the attitude of my father and the pursuit by Azog's orcs." Legolas broke in, considering for a moment before continuing with a question that almost made the dwarf prince gag. "And those orcs? How did Azog learn of your plans?"

If Kíli could have melted into the stone physically at this point, he would have, though a core of anger burned bright within as well. Tauriel had given her pledge to say nothing, yes, but in the manner of elves, she had simply gotten someone else to bring it up! Why had he thought to trust her? The prince sat in tense silence unable to even turn his head toward his companions lest the guilt written upon his face betray his secret. There was a contemptuous snort from Thorin and he braced himself for the words he knew were coming.

"That, unfortunately, was easy enough. Frér, the main cult member within the Iron Hills, attended the meeting in Ered Luin with Dain. I told him myself just before the company began our quest, and he undoubtedly passed it on to Dol Guldur."

It hit Kíli like a blow to the gut, leaving him gasping for air as his body slumped in utter shock. Could this truly be? That the guilt he had carried all those years-

"Kíli? What's wrong?"

He felt the stir of air and the weight of his brother's arm settle reassuringly about his shoulders, but he could not move or answer, then someone had their hand about the back of his neck in a familiar touch.

"Kíli?"

His uncle's voice was gentle as his breath blew on Kili's face with the name and the prince bunched his jaw, trying desperately to hold back the flood tide of emotions surging through him. Nausea tightened in his stomach, threatening to send the soup back up as he brought his good arm across to clutch at the other in its bindings, pressing against his midsection.

"Easy, just breathe, Kíli… I will not mention orcs again, I am sorry. You are safe, nephew, just breathe…"

He longed to see Thorin's face, to have that reassurance in more than words. He had always been a very visual person, especially for a dwarf, needing to see the actions and feelings to reinforce what he was told before his heart could accept. Then the words themselves intruded and Kíli had to bite his lip to stay his outburst.

Was he safe? Or was this just another hallucination, brought about by desperation? How could he tell? Tears stung his healing eyes, the bandages quickly growing soggy as arms encircled him from multiple directions and he leaned into their warm reassurance. A hand was stroking his hair, murmuring in his ear that he was safe, loved, wanted…

The darkness was gone and would not be allowed to return.

As he calmed, footsteps sounded loud in his ears, though the cadence told him they should be mere whispers, the elves ever light footed.

"We will go, Thorin, so that-"

"No!"

The word burst from him, overriding Tauriel's soft guilt in a harsh croak. He pulled his hand free from his brother to reach blindly for her, felt his limb gently squeezed in response.

"Please, no…" He was so tired, his body folding back to lay spent against whatever was serving to prop him up. "I need… this, right now."

Kíli cursed his tangled tongue, settling for a vague wave back toward where he heard the fire that the others had undoubtedly been sitting around previously. Why must the words be stolen from him now, when he needed desperately for someone to understand? He could not be alone, needed the laughter and companionship more than water, or medicine, or even rest right now!

"Then you shall have it. Who has another to tell?"

Dis sounded strained, but the hand that ruffled his hair was playful.

"We do."

Kíli frowned, not recognizing the two voices immediately.

"Elladan and Elrohir."

His brother whispered to him as one of the twin elves laughed.

"Yes. This tale involves our father when we were in Minas Arnor for Arwen and Aragorn's wedding and one of the more…pompous and arrogant of Aragorn's new court. He came up to Father at the reception and loudly informed him that the legend of Elwing and Eärendil was just that- a story, made up long ago. He wanted to know why the elves kept insisting that such fairy tales were fact!"

Thorin snorted while several others chuckled. Kíli could only imagine the face Lord Elrond must have made at being informed that his parents did not exist! The other twin, who had a slightly heavier accent, took up the tale.

"Father just gaped at him. I've never seen him so affronted before, even when his dinner guests began throwing food and bathing nude in the fountain."

"Served him right!"

"Well, they invited us to make use of the facilities-"

"Just a bit of fun-"

"You did what?!"

The side comments tangled together, and Kíli could no longer hold it in. He began to laugh, alternating with groans as his abused muscles and cuts objected to the jostling. An arm supported him as he began to list to one side, something soft held against his side to take some of the strain. As he fought to calm down and regain his breath, the amused elves continued.

"Fortunately, Mithrandir intervened, drawing the offensive man off or there might have been blood shed! Father will allow many insults to pass, but not one to his parents."

"As his new king is a direct descendant of Elrond's brother, such a statement was politically unwise as well."

Thorin noted drily almost in Kili's ear. It was only then that the prince realized one of those he was leaning on was his uncle.

"Definitely." Faramir acknowledged. "I received an earful about that incident. Unfortunately for the lord in question, some other rather unsavory dealings he'd had came to light soon after and the man lost his head. A fate a rather drunken former soldier of the Citadel could only wish for. He walked up to the Queen out by the White Tree one day and propositioned her as the King stood nearby."

"I gather he was dismissed for it, then?"

Fíli's annoyed rumble came from Kili's other side. It was not at all surprising, as a similar action in dwarrow society would have led to a duel at best, or possibly even a hearing in the Princes' Court. Dwarrow were an exceedingly jealous and possessive race, whether it was treasure or kin.

"Not for the act, no. Arwen was actually rather flattered, and Aragorn could hardly discipline the man for something one of his companions had once done, and on their wedding day, no less."

"Pippin." Frodo confirmed, sounding less than amused. "Never allow him to drink elven wines."

"So what was the man disciplined for?"

Kifir was understandably puzzled by that, though Kíli had a suspicion as to the answer.

"It was the third time he had been found drunk on duty, young Master Kifir."

There was a short silence as the dwarrow among them thought that one through. Once again, Kíli was struck by the differences between the races. For a dwarf, being drunk on duty was punishable, but it was by far the lesser offense. Finally, Kíli stirred, the perfect incident for this challenge suddenly coming to mind.

"I have one." The prince spoke into the silence. "Last fall a traveler tried paying several craft-dwarrow with gilded lead coins, passing them off as gold. He also tried bargaining with quartz cleverly cut to look like diamonds."

"In Erebor?" Legolas' astonishment was echoed by several others. "Was he mentally deficient?"

"More like insane." Dwalin scoffed, "No reasonable being could believe that such a folly would make it past dwarrow!"

"It wasn't a joke?" Faramir asked incredulously. "He actually believed he could trick a dwarf like that?"

"Oh, aye." Fíli chuckled. "We decided to banish him, as few would be gullible enough to fall for such things. After we confiscated all the coins and stones, of course. If he's caught again on Erebor or Dale land, he'll be branded on the hand. Foolish man."

Laughter erupted, along with several more creative suggestions about where the man should be branded or other possible punishments. Kíli, however, did not join in, simply reveling in the sounds of teasing and camaraderie. As the voice of his brother rose above the others in another story, he lay back, finally feeling the last of the tension drain from him.

This was safety. This was home. And he finally felt able to do what he must in regard to Therin, no matter that it might yet tear apart his family. Waiting until his brother was done speaking and the others began debating who had won, Kíli allowed a soft murmur to carry only as far as Fíli's ear.

"Brother, will you ask Thorin to summon the court tomorrow? It is time this was done."

Fíli stirred against him, startlement clear.

"Are you sure? The cult has once again pulled back and seem to be waiting to see what we will do. Thorin is not pressing, either. You don't have to do this immediately. Besides, the healers don't want you out of bed for two more weeks."

Kíli snorted, not bothering to voice his opinion on the wishes of the healers and what they could do with them. There was no way he would consent to laying around that long!

"I want this done."

"Very well."