Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien, save for the characters not in his works.

"Yet nothing can to nothing fall,
Nor any place be empty quite;
Therefore I think my breast hath all
Those pieces still, though they be not unite;
And now, as broken glasses show
A hundred lesser faces, so
My rags of heart can like, wish, and adore,
But after one such love, can love no more."

~John Donne,

The Complete Poetry and Selected Prose

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

T.A. 2858

Ered Luin- Blue Mountains

Thorin sighed, dragging his hand across his face as he finished with a large stack of papers sitting on the surface of his desk. Trade agreements with human villages, routes for caravans, judicial matters of Ered Luin itself. There was so much work to be done, and even after years of labor, it never seemed to let up. He heaved a tired sigh and rose to his feet.

He was finished for the night. But he needed a drink.

The liquor waited for him on the shelf by the fireplace, in a clear bottle that showed it was half empty of its amber contents. Thorin reached for the bottle and unstoppered the top. Instead of filling a glass he lifted it to his lips and let the cool, burning liquid slide down his throat. He set it down, wanting nothing more than to finish the whole bottle.

But he had to still eat dinner with Dis.

It was odd, really, when Eurig had come earlier in the afternoon, requesting his presence at dinner. But he was not one to cross his very pregnant sister, who by all accounts punched harder than any dwarrow he had ever met. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone. Still, it wouldn't do to show up after downing half a bottle of strong ale. Dis certainly wouldn't be happy. He would just have to content himself with the beer offered at supper.

He was happy for her, his sister. She was happy, married to the dwarf she loved and about to begin a whole new family. Mahal, he was going to be an Uncle. An Uncle! He had always thought that he would be the one to be married first, have an heir first. He was eldest after all. He would have too, had Rana-

Thorin clenched his jaw, balling his fists in anger.

She could burn in the fiery pits of Mordor for all he cared.

The dwarrowdam didn't even have the integrity to come to him and tell him of her actions until after it was too late. Humiliating him. He should have seen it, really. But Rana had played him for a fool. And he had cut ties with her, long ago. But his anger towards her and his cousin would never leave him. Because he never forgave, and he never forgot.

She sat before him, with her long curling golden hair that reminded him of gold. A river of gold. A smile played on his lips as they stared at each other. He was intrigued that she had wanted to speak with him. Curious as to why she turned her head when he had tried to kiss her, when she had come to him. Her eyes sparkled with a sort of happiness that he was drawn to.

Had something happened? Why was she so happy?

Thorin reached out, holding one of her hands within his own. His thumb rubbed the soft skin, while his fingers felt the callouses of her fingers. Rana gave him a tight lipped smile.

"What is it that you wanted to speak of?" he asked softly, resting his other hand on the column of her throat. Rana breathed in deeply, her smile deepening at his soft touches.

"It's been some time since the battle," she began, nervousness coloring her voice.

Thorin nodded, knowing that she was speaking of Azanulbizar. "Aye, ten years." He said this but still felt a pang of grief grip him. He had lost his little brother, Frerin. His father had been near inconsolable, and Dis . . . there were no words to describe the heart wrenching cries that had left her. His steadfast sister, strong and unmovable, had been reduced to a sobbing mess. there had been a time where he had worried over her welfare, until she met Eurig.

"Aye," Rana sighed. "Thorin, I have cherished all the moments we have shared."

"They have been dear to me, I will be glad when we are wed," he murmured. Rana drew away and out of his touch, causing him to frown. She lowered her gaze.

"I am wed."

He felt his chest, his heart, clench painfully and he jerked to his feet. What? Was she lying to him? Was she serious? For how long had she been married? More importantly-

"To whom?" he growled, rage filing him. How-how could she?! Had he not been faithful, doting, loving? Durin's beard, he wanted to marry her. Wanted a family with her, but this- this- betrayal. What had gone wrong?

She finally raised her eyes to meet his, and he finally understood her happiness from before. Of course, why had he missed it?

"Three days ago, he came and we finally were wed."

"To whom!"

"Dain!"

What?!

His cousin?

"For how long?" his almost dazed voice seemed to give her a little courage to finish.

"Since the battle."

Thorin could hear voices from the dining hall. Home early, a rare thing, but hopefully a little time with family would ease the stress that was threatening to overwhelm him. As he neared he thought it was Dis and Eurig speaking, but as he stepped into the doorway he knew he was wrong. Balin sat facing him, speaking with a woman.

"Why is that?" Balin asked. "What makes the Shire so important that you must protect it?"

The woman paused, considering his question. Thorin felt as if something about her was familiar. Something strong yet uniquely feminine. It was altogether attractive to him. It reminded him of . . .

"I suppose, because it is so peaceful," the woman said. Thorin felt his breath leave him. It sounded just like her. "There is a peace there that I have not found anywhere else."

Balin sat back in his seat, looking at her kindly, before looking at him. Thorin felt himself straighten under Balin's knowing gaze.

"That is very noble of you, lassie," he said to her. Balin then nodded to him with respect. This action caused the woman to turn, and answer Thorin's suspicion.

It was her.

Nuilweyil.

She looked at him, with wide hazel eyes. Her hair was let down, past her shoulders, something he had not seen since she was younger. In truth, it was very beautiful. The smooth skin on her cheeks colored slightly, and Thorin felt his chest tighten.

Slowly she rose to her feet and gathered her skirts and dropped into a low curtsy. She bowed her head as she spoke: "Lord Thorin Oakenshield." Nuil rose and met his gaze, her hazel eyes traveling over his figure in an assessing motion. He watched her do this, while replaying her greeting to himself and felt that it was wrong. She should not bow. It didn't seem right coming from her.

"Lady Nuilweyil," he murmured just as calmly. He schooled his face, lest he let on to the torrent of emotions rushing through him show. Most of it surprise. He had learned, the hard way, that to let others know what he was thinking was foolish.

She was unchanged, physically, from when he had last seen her. A little under his own height, standing tall and straight. She seemed happier. Though her eyes still held a deep shadow of darkness and knowledge. Something gained only by hardships and living a long life.

There was a long silence after he spoke, where they both stared at each other. He couldn't look away from Nuil, the irrational fear filling him that if he looked away she would be gone. A figment of his tired mind. Balin saved him, a knowing look in his eyes.

"My lord, Lady Nuil has finally come," he said. Nuil offered Thorin a smile. It warmed him that it was directed at him, yet it really wasn't for him. Nuil took a deep breath, trying to ignore her pounding heart.

"Dis has asked me to be the godmother," she said, as Thorin entered the room and went to the head of the table. Hands folded together behind his back.

"Indeed?" he asked, a small smile tugging the corners of his lips. It seemed like a thing Dis would do. She was a little . . . unorthodox sometimes, not that he minded.

"Yes!" Dis said, entering the room on the arm of her husband. "Aunt Nuil, has a ring to it, does it not?" Dis winked at Nuil as Eurig offered her a warm smile. There was a light of mischief in his eyes. Nuil frowned at Dis, sitting when she did. Eurig offered Thorin a wide grin as he sat on the other side of Balin.

A troubled look crossed Thorin's face at Dis's words. He sat down, and cleared his throat.

"Is your family well?"

"Aye," Nuil replied.

"Surely you must be wed by now," Dis said grinning at her. Nuil cast her friend a sharp look, wondering what she was playing at. Thorin watched them closely, frowning. His brows drew together. His sister could be coy when she wanted to be, but her comment was outrightly blunt. But he found her words to be true, knowing that by now Nuil should have a husband. It was not uncommon for beautiful women to wed at young ages.

"No," Nuil replied slowly, gazing at Dis. "There has been no one."

"No offers?" Dis continued slyly. Nuil grimaced.

"A smith, Ruven he was called," she said. Thorin's brows rose.

"The mortal man?" he asked, remembering the smith well. Ruven had been a fair employer, paying him what he could. He had been one of the more tolerant men he had worked for. He had seen Ruven's liking for Nuil, but never thought . . . well, it explained the fondness that the smith had shown towards her.

"Yes," Nuil nodded. "He asked for my hand when we came for our blades. Noledhe denied him. I heard that he married and died not many years ago."

While she spoke the food was brought in and set on the table. Thorin nodded, his eyes drifting to the food for a moment, before returning to her. Nuil felt her stomach begin to rumble, as the smell filled her nose. It had been so long since she had eaten a good meal. Eaten roast, and cooked potatoes, rather than rabbit cooked over the fire.

"And you, Thorin?" she asked as dinner began. Platters passed around and mugs filled with beer, the chatter raising slightly. Nuil had hoped that whatever had happened between Rana and Dain had been sorted out. "Are you and Rana married?"

Silence.

Thorin had dropped his silverware so suddenly and looked up sharply at her that Nuil had the feeling she had said something wrong. Dis had gone silent and even Balin looked uncomfortable. Nuil shifted in her seat, clenching her jaw and looking down at her plate. Wonderful. Not even a day here and she was already doing something wrong. And their silence spoke volumes.

Something had happened between Thorin and Rana.

Nothing good, by the looks of it.

Nuil dreaded what had happened. Regret began to bubble up from within her, she should have stayed. Should have told Thorin. A chair scraped across the stone floor, and Nuil looked up to see Thorin rise to his feet. He kept his eyes down as he bid them goodnight and left the room.

Oh, Mahal, what had she done?

A warm and gentle hand rested on her arm, and she turned to find Dis giving her a grim but warm look. Sympathy simmering in her blue eyes. "Rana and Thorin parted ways many years ago," she said.

"All for the better," Balin added from across the table. Eurig nodded emphatically.

"What- what happened?"

Dis pressed her lips together, resting her other free hand on her stomach. "Rana fooled us all. The rest is Thorin's story to tell."

Nuil lay in her bed, wide awake, thinking over the past events of the day. She really should have seen it. She really should have. How could she be so blind? Anyone who had ears would have realized what she only then realized. What a fool she was.

Dis had even hinted at it.

"There must be an heir to the line of Durin, especially now that Thorin is King."

A slap in the face. An heir to the line of Durin. Dis was referring to herself, not her brother. Why hadn't she seen it? Heard it? And now she had upset Thorin, who after all these years, left dinner without so much as even glancing at her.

She never got to apologize. Nuil didn't see Thorin again for some time after that, and it left her feeling slightly hurt and empty.

T.A. 2859

Nuil let Dis squeeze her hand till she thought it would break. The labor was taking longer than she had expected, but it was fine. Really, it was fine. Until Dis squeezed her hand again, crying out. No. No, it was not fine. Her hand hurt, and this was going far too slow.

Surely the babe should be born by now?

"A little more, my lady," said the aged dwarven midwife. The dwarrowdam had seen many births, and was the most respected in her knowledge.

Nuil bit her tongue as her hand was crushed again, tasting iron. Dwarves really were unparalleled in strength. Dis heaved out a breath, sweat dripping from her brow. Nuil used her free hand to reapply a cool cloth to Dis's head.

"Almost there," she encouraged, trying to help. Dis threw her a glare that had she not known her so well, would have made her think that the dwarrowdam was going to kill her. It was short lived when another choked yell passed Dis's lips and she gave a tired gasp.

Then silence.

Nuil held her breath, looking to the midwife, as she lifted something small and wet looking. A small cry filled the air, and a collective sigh of relief filled the room. The old midwife smiled at Dis.

"A son," she breathed reverently. "My lady, you have a son."

Dis raised her head, gazing at the small babe, as the midwife swaddled her babe in a white blanket. She smiled tiredly and held out her hands. The midwife slowly handed the babe to Dis. Almost instantly he stopped crying, gazing up at his mother with wide blue eyes. Lovingly Dis stroked his face, smiling at him.

"Fili," she breathed. "My little Fili."

Then Dis looked up at her, beaming. "Would you like to hold him?"

Nuil hesitantly held out her arms. She had never held a newborn before. She vaguely wondered what it was like before Dis set Fili in her arms, smiling as Nuil gazed at the babe with a look of awe. He was so small! And plump and rosy! Being the youngest in her family had never offered her the chance to be around smaller children. Fili stared up at her, a small hand reaching out to grasp the finger she had extended out in front of him. His tiny and pudgy fingers curled around the phalange. He was strong as well!

"He's beautiful," she breathed reverently. Nuil had never seen anything quite like it. Yes, she had seen children before, but never so close. Something in her heart tugged, almost painfully. Nuil didn't want to take her eyes off him.

"Take him to Eurig," Dis said, her eyes fluttering, as exhaustion began to take hold on her. Nuil nodded, slowly going to the door.

"Fili,' she said to the baby as she entered the hall, "I'm Nuil. Aunt Nuil."

"My son?" Eurig said coming to stand before her. Nuil gave Fili to Eurig's waiting arms, almost reluctantly. She watched as Eurig wrapped his arms around the tiny bundle carefully.

"Dis named him Fili," she said, her eyes on the babe.

"Fili," Eurig murmured proudly. "My son. Fili. My. Son." Then he turned to Thorin. "Your nephew."

Thorin looked down at the small bundle in Eurig's arms, a look of pride on his face as the little Fili gazed up at his uncle. Nuil smiled at the pair. Despite Thorin's seemingly hard exterior, there was something warm underneath. The dwarf king had simply had so much taken from him, that he mirrored that loss. Seeing him with the newest member of his family, warmed her heart.

Thorin felt so elated to see this small babe. His nephew. Fili. So tiny, yet he knew that he would grow to become a strong dwarf. At the moment he was his heir. Heir to the line of Durin. He was so proud of Dis. She would be a fine mother.

Thorin looked at Eurig. "May I?"

Eurig gave Fili to Thorin's open arms, beaming at his son. It seemed nothing would dim the warm hearted dwarf's smile today. Thorin was almost afraid he would crush the small thing as he held it. Slowly Fili's eyes drifted shut, fluttering stubbornly open one last time before falling asleep. Thorin gazed at him a moment longer before giving him back to Eurig.

"Go to Dis," he said, eyes on Fili. Eurig nodded and entered the room. Nuil looked at Thorin meeting his gaze as he looked to her.

"He is beautiful," she said having nothing else to say. That was all there was to it. Her words summed up what she was feeling. Nuil sighed, taking in the dwarf king before her. She had not had the chance to be in his presence in many long weeks.

Thorin's lips lifted slightly. "When he is grown, he will not wish to be called that."

"Beautiful?" she smiled. "Dwarves do not like being called beautiful?"

"I do believe we prefer the terms of warrior, or brave, even fierce," he replied slowly smiling.

"Ah." She said, drawing out the lone word. "I will keep that in mind when I decide to compliment a dwarf."

"I assume that women prefer that term," he went on. His gazed at her, almost warmly. Nuil felt her smile widen, if it was possible. A part of her almost felt elated at the look he gave her. The fluttering in her chest certainly didn't fade. There was so much that she wanted to say to him, so much that needed to be explained. But now was not the time, she was so tired that she doubted she would be able to sit and listen.

But the warmth she felt when he smiled at her, made that need seem a little less important. They had time. She felt . . . a little more whole.

"I think you're quite right."

So this chapter takes place over the end of one year and the beginning of another. I wanted to let you all read about Fili coming into the world!

This chapter is also later than I wanted it to be. When I came back to post it, I realized there were some MAJOR flaws to it. I ended up scrapping the whole chapter and starting from scratch. Whew! Yeah. This chapter also took time for me to get it out because I'm also working on the later chapters at the same time.

What do you think? The whole backstory with Rana, Thorin and Dain is still mostly untold. You only got to see one of the memories from the event. I hate Rana so bad. Unfortunately, she's still in the story. She's that one character you want to kill off, but can't. Don't worry, Thorin will eventually explain what happened. You know how he is.

Hopefully this chapter explained some of what happened in the last one. Nuil has a dense moment, and some fluffy NuilxThorin.

Special amazing thanks to my reviewers: The Penned Tekrid, Fangirlatyourservice, Chilled Souls of the Forgotton, Comics4theFeels, Deceptive D Minor, and King of Truands. Also a thank you to my readers and followers and those who favorited!

I'm off to watch Batman and mimic all his lines in a deep voice. :)

~filimeala