The next morning Bard and Bain saw their guests off, providing them with extra food and the promise of shelter whenever they were back in Dale. The remainder of the trip to the base of the mountain didn't take long but for Kiliana it took an eternity. As they grew closer to the mountain Kiliana grew more nervous. What if they didn't accept her or like her? What if they didn't believe her?

Legolas looked over at the young elleth and smiled softly. "You have nothing to worry about Lia. They'll love you."

Kiliana frowned. "But elves and dwarves don't get along."

Legolas was quiet for a few moments. It was true, the two races really hated each other. "True," he admitted, "but dwarves are loyal to their family. They'll love you," he repeated, this time more to himself.

They reached the base of the mountain and stopped. Kiliana looked up in amazement. The mountain was huge, and in front of them was a beautifully carved doorway that extended several dozen feet up the side. Several guards were posted on a ledge in the middle of the doorway. "Halt!" one of the guards called down. "What business do you have here?"

Kiliana glanced at Legolas when he answered. "I am Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. I seek an audience with Dain II, King under the Mountain." He paused before continuing. "I have found his kin."

There was some murmuring from up top. Finally the same guard said, "You lie. All of his kin live here."

"I ride with Kiliana, daughter of Kili, son of Dis, daughter of Thrain, last of the senior line of Durin."

The dwarves turned their gaze to Kiliana. She tried not to fidget too much under their scrutiny. "Prince Kili had no kin," a guard dismissed.

"I have proof if you will allow us audience," Legolas said.

There was a moment of silence before, "Wait here."

The companions waited until the doorway opened. A broad-chested dwarf with red and silver hair in braids walked out with several guards. Legolas dismounted and helped Kiliana down as well. Keeping Kiliana behind him, Legolas walked until he met the dwarf king halfway. He bowed slightly. "Lord Dain."

Dain nodded. "Prince Legolas." He glanced at the small elfling behind Legolas's legs. "You claim that this…child…is my kin?"

Legolas nodded. "Her father was Kili, son of Dis."

Dain studied her. "Come here child."

Kiliana looked up at Legolas who nodded. Slowly, Kiliana stepped forward. "Hi," she said shyly.

Dain's eyebrow twitched. "She has some dwarvish features. Who is your mother?"

Kiliana hesitated before saying, "She was Tauriel, of Mirkwood."

Dain frowned. "An elf? What would a dwarf be doing with an elf?"

"They were together right before the Battle of Dale," Legolas explained. "Show them the stone."

Kiliana dug through her small pack and pulled out the rune. "My mother gave this to me. She said it was from my father," she said holding it out to Dain.

There was gasp from within the crowd of guards. They split and an older female dwarf stepped forward. She had long brown hair and a grand beard, but Kiliana immediately noticed her eyes. They were identical to hers. The female stepped forward and took the rune gently in her hands. "I gave this to my son Kili, as a promise that he would return to me," she said. She ran a soft finger over the stone and then looked up at Kiliana. With a gentle hand she cupped the girl's cheek. "I am Dis, daughter of Thrain. You have his eyes."

Kiliana smiled. "My mother said the same thing."

Dis turned to her cousin. "She is Kili's daughter. He wouldn't have given this rune to just anyone."

Dain frowned. "But an elf?"

Dis laughed. "Kili was always a peculiar child." She turned to Legolas and bowed politely. "Thank you, for returning our kin to us." She returned her gaze to Kiliana. "There are many who would want to meet you."

She started to lead the girl away when Kiliana stopped. "Legolas is coming with us to, right?"

Dis froze. An elf in the Lonely Mountains? "You are with kin now," Dis said.

"Legolas is my kin too," Kiliana argued.

Dis studied the girl. Sure, she had Kili's eyes, but Dis could see the elf in her as well. She nodded. "Very well. Prince Legolas, would you please join us."

Legolas looked at Kiliana's pleading eyes. "Yes, thank you My Lady."

Dwarves lined the entrance to the mountain as the procession walked in. As the doors closed Dis announced, "We welcome Kiliana, daughter of Kili, son of Dis, daughter of Thrain to the Lonely Mountains. Tonight, we feast and celebrate the return of Durin's line!"

The dwarves cheered and got to work. Dis leaned down to whisper in Kiliana's ear. "There are a few dwarves I would like you to meet before the feast."

As Dis led Kiliana through the mountain, Kiliana couldn't help but be amazed. The mountain was very different to the open spaces that she was used to, and yet, they still felt like home. The dwarves had carved out intricate tunnels and paths that Kiliana would sure to be lost in if she had been on her own. The walls seemed to sparkle and despite being underground, it was bright inside.

Several dwarves rushed back and forth around them, a few stopping for a moment to get a better look at Kiliana, but none stopped long enough for Kiliana to meet. Dis and Dain led them up several flights of stairs and to a large room. Four dwarves were already waiting. The oldest, with pure white hair stepped forward. "Is it true? A daughter of Durin has arrived?"

Dis nodded. "Yes Balin. Meet Kiliana, daughter of Kili. Kiliana, this is Balin and Dwalin, and Oin and Gloin; they are our cousins as well."

Kiliana curtsied awkwardly. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, call me Lia."

Dwalin studied her. "She certainly looks a bit like him."

"I take it that elf lass that the boy had his eye on is her mother?" Gloin asked.

"Ah, I see it," Balin said. He smiled softly at her. "Welcome home lassie."

Kiliana smiled. "Thank you."

At that moment the door swung open and a younger dwarf ran in. "Thorin, there you are. Come me your cousin. Lia, this is my son Thorin III, the next King under the mountain," Dain introduced.

The dwarf, Thorin, stared at Kiliana. "She doesn't look like a dwarf. She's too…fragile."

Kiliana flinched. "She's half-elf dear," Dis explained.

"What kind of self-respecting dwarf loves an elf?" Thorin sneered.

Kiliana frowned. "One who doesn't let a stupid grudge dictate his beliefs," she defended. "Perhaps you should learn to form your own opinions as well if you are to be King."

Thorin stared at her for a second and Kiliana froze. She hadn't meant to scold him but she couldn't help defending her parents, who couldn't defend themselves. Her mother had always warned her about her temper, which surely came from her father's side. She waited for Thorin to snap at her but instead he smiled and started laughing. "Ah, there's the Durin in her. I suppose you're right."

Kiliana relaxed when the others laughed as well. Dis placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. "I'll show you to your room and tonight, we feast!"

Kiliana smiled at her new family. They had accepted her a lot more easily than she had expected and she was grateful. She didn't feel as alone as she had before. Behind the family though, Legolas watched with thoughtful eyes. He knew that they would accept her, but she seemed more at home than even he had expected. Was she better off here, with her actual kin?