Big thanks to Pint-sized She-Bear and megantreat for following/favouriting.

Nice Egan – You'll get to hear some more about him in this chapter.

Thatgirl2002 – Pretty much. Unfortunately it won't be that simple.

Everyone Deserves a Father

One Month Later

Kili tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for Thorin to finish writing whatever it was he had been working on. He couldn't help his nerves. Thorin had all but summoned him here with no explanation and now that he was here he was being kept waiting.

"Thorin?"

His uncle nodded but Kili doubted he had heard him. He cleared his throat.

"Uncle?"

Muttering under his breath his uncle scribbled something at the bottom of the page before pushing it aside.

"Sorry. Kili sit down."

Doing so Kili found himself gripping the edges of the chair. He mentally chastised himself. He wasn't a child anymore! This wasn't like he was being told off for another prank. Yet in many ways Kili wished it was. It was better than sitting here with no idea what was about to happen. Thorin rested his head on his hands.

"Kili what we talk about now must not be repeated to Fira until I say so. Understood?"

"I..?" Kili closed his mouth. What could Thorin possibly want to discuss that Fira couldn't know about? Maybe it was something to do with the Dragonborns? Kili licked his lips as he realised his uncle was still staring at him.

"Kili you must promise me."

"I promise." Kili was shocked at the guilt he felt in saying those two words. Since returning to Erebor and settling in, both he and Fira had made an unspoken promise not to hide things from each other. Kili knew there was no doubt a good reason for this. Yet he still felt like he was betraying her.

"Uncle what is this about?"

Thorin sighed – leaning back in his chair – and Kili wondered if he was going to have to repeat the question to get an answer.

"It's a very…delicate matter."

"Well it clearly involves Fira," Kili snapped, "so what is it?"

Thorin glanced at the fire before turning back to face Kili again.

"I've found her father."

Kili hadn't been expecting that. Leaning back in his chair he shook his head.

"You've found..? But I don't..? How?"

"Well when I say 'found'," Thorin clarified, "I mean his body."

Kili nodded. Whilst he knew what it was like to grow up without a father at least both he and Fili had been able to have a place to mourn him. Fira hadn't even been granted that.

"But why must we keep this secret from her? She has a right to know about this Thorin?"

"I'm aware of that," Thorin ran a hand through his hair, "Believe me I wanted to tell her first. But…well I have no proof it actually is her father."

"But you just said it was!"

"I know," Thorin nodded, "I know. And I'm almost certain it is. The dates fit and I did some work in the archives. There was a dwarf who had left Erebor for the far North. Around a year later his body was brought back…his head sliced off."

Kili gulped. He had known Fira's father had been executed but it was this that made his stomach turn. Thorin waited for a few seconds before continuing.

"Anyway the head was stitched back on and he was given a proper burial. Everything fits and yet Fira never knew her fathers name. So we don't know if it's the same man."

"I could ask her," Kili offered, "She might know his name and just not have told us. It's not like we ever asked at any point."

Thorin nodded, "I just don't want to get her hopes up in case it turns out not to be her father."

Kili paused, "To be honest, I don't think she'll care if you aren't completely sure. If there is the slightest chance her father is buried here then she will accept it as the truth."

"You think we should tell her?"

Kili nodded, "She deserve to know. I know if I was in her shoes I would want to know. She had the right after all."

Thorin nodded, "You're right. Just give me a few days to see if I can find any more evidence to show it is her father. Then you can tell her. Is that fair?"

Nodding Kili already got to his feet, "I won't say a word until then uncle. I promise."

Nodding Thorin clapped him on the shoulder, "I hate making you keep something from her. But I don't want her to get hurt any more than she already has been."

"I understand," Kili smiled thinly, "And she will to."

Thorin nodded and Kili took the chance to turn and leave the room. Walking back out into the corridor he paused for a bit. Leaning against the wall he sighed. He hoped it did turn out to be her father. Even if this was the closest she would ever come to knowing him, she deserved to have that.

Watching Kili pace yet again Fira couldn't help her rather loud sigh. Putting the book down she got to her feet and moved towards him.

"Kili what is it?"

As he shook his head Fira raised an eyebrow. For the past three days Kili had been nothing but odd around her. Ever since coming back from that meeting with Thorin. Whenever he talked he was careful to watch what he said and it hadn't taken much guessing for Fira to work out he was hiding something. Now she just had to find out what. She'd tried asking last night but he'd managed to distract her questioning with other night time activities. Smiling to herself Fira pressed a hand to her stomach. They needed to be more careful. Whilst she hadn't gotten pregnant, she knew if they kept up their intimacy as much as they did now then she soon would be. And that would open up a new world of problems. Problems she knew she needed Kili to know about before it was too late.

"Kili!"

He spun so fast that he stumbled over his own boots. Trying – and failing – to hide her laugh as he crashed into the chair, Fira hurried forward to help him up.

"Sorry, but it was funny."

Brushing himself down Kili grinned, "I can imagine."

"So then. Are you going to tell me why you've been acting so strange recently?"

Kili took a step back, "I don't know what you mean Fira?"

"Well maybe I should spell it out for you? You're jumpy. You've almost worn a hole in the floor with all your pacing. You mutter to yourself at night. Every time you talk I know you're trying not to say something. Just tell me what's wrong!"

He rubbed her arms, "Nothing's wrong Fira. I…I can't tell you. Not yet any way."

"Tell me what?" Fira paused; knowing shouting wouldn't get them anywhere.

"Kili what is going on? We agreed not to have secrets didn't we?"

"We did," he bowed his head, "Fira I wish I could tell you! I wish with all my heart but I can't! Not yet," he kissed her, "Just give me a couple more days. Please?"

Fira didn't even have time to consider his offer. Kili took her hand and pulled her over towards the sofa.

"Screw this. You deserve to know Fira."

"Know what?"

"Thorin he…" Kili tightened his grip on her hands, "Thorin think he's found your father. His body that is."

Once Fira had gotten into a fight with another Dragonborn. They had said things about her mother. That she was a slut and a dwarf whore. Fira remembered leaping on them and beating them to a pulp. Yet afterwards she was the one who had been punished whilst the others had gotten away with it. Tharos had ordered her to be beaten in the main hall in front of everyone.

And beaten she was.

When it had finished Fira had been nothing more than a bloodied heap on the floor. Her stomach bruised so much she couldn't talk. She could barely breathe!

That was how she felt now. Unable to do anything but stare at Kili.

"I…but he…"

"We aren't absolutely sure it's him," Kili said hurriedly, "But the dates match and other details. The chances of it not being him are slim to none my love."

"I…" Fira shook her head as tears sprung to her eyes. Not saying anything Kili pulled her in for a hug.

"I'm sorry we hid this from you. But we wanted to be sure. If we got your hopes up and it wasn't him then..? I just didn't want to see you get hurt."

Fira nodded, "I know. I'm not angry Kili. I just…I've never had a father. I mean I knew I had one. But he had died long ago. Without a body or anything I just…it was as though it'd never had one. So now to know that he's somewhere is just…I don't know!"

Kili kissed her cheek, "He's here Fira. He was buried in Erebor."

"Here?" Wiping her eyes Fira shot to her feet. Moving towards the door she was aware of Kili close behind.

"Fira?

"Where? Where is he? I want to see him?"

"Fira wait!" Kili grabbed her arm and swung her round to face him. Fira licked her lips.

"He's my father Kili! I deserve to see him!"

"I know dearest," Kili cupped her face, "I know. But right now you're in no state to go."

"You don't get to decide that for me."

Kili held her close, "What I mean was I think you should wait until tomorrow. Then we can see Thorin and find out exactly where your father was buried. But I think you should wait until you're…calmer."

Fira smiled, "Is that your way of saying "not hysterical"? Or "not completely mental?"

Kili shook his head, "It's my way of saying I don't want to see you get more upset than you already are."

Nodding Fira let Kili pull her in for another hug. Kissing his chest she heard him humming to her under his breath.

"Kili?"

"Yes Fira?"

"I don't tell you enough, but I love you. I love you beyond anything."

Kili pressed his face into her hair.

"I love you to Fira. I always have."

Standing by the door that led down to the burial halls Fira took a deep breath. Kili had told her to wait whilst he fetched Thorin. But now she wished he hadn't gone. She needed him here! Who else was going to reassure her that this wasn't a dream?

"Fira."

Smiling at the voice Fira turned around to see Kili running towards her. Thorin was a few steps behind. The king smiled warmly at her. However Kili gave her no time to return the smile. He pulled her close to his chest, kissing her forehead.

"You're shaking," he whispered, "Come here."

Letting him pull his coat around her Fira wished she could say it was the cold. But it was the never ending thoughts about what she would see in the burial halls. Kili rubbed her hands.

"Are you ready?"

She shook her head, "But I never will be. Let's just get on with it."

Nodding Kili stepped back to allow Thorin to unlock the door. Apparently it was one of the few places to have remained untouched by Smaug. Kili held her close as Thorin pushed the door open.

"Thorin?"

He stepped back, "Fira?"

"I..?" Fira gave a helpless smile, "Why did you do this for me? I mean I'm grateful beyond all measure that you did. But why?"

Thorin's shoulders sunk ever so slightly.

"Every child should know who their father was. It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done. You will always deserve that right."

Kili tensed at this and Fira placed a warm hand on his chest. Whilst he had known who his father was he had still grown up without one. Thorin glanced at her nervously.

"Do you want me to go down with you?"

"No. No I'll be fine."

Nodding Thorin moved away, "Kili knows where it is."

Just before she moved down the steps Fira reached out and grabbed Thorin's hand.

"Thank you."

Thorin said nothing. Instead he bowed and moved away. Watching the king go meant Fira wasn't aware of Kili's presence until he gently ushered her down the steps.

"Shall we?"

Nodding Fira let him push her down into the burial halls.

It was silent. You couldn't even hear a pin drop. Holding tightly onto Kili's hand; Fira tried not to look at the tombs they passed. She knew if she saw them she would break down. As they walked Kili muttered the directions to himself. Unable to say anything, Fira allowed him to lead the way.

"So dark," Kili muttered, "I can barely see my own hands."

Mumbling Fira stumbled blindly after him. In the main passage it was dark. However in the alcoves where the tombs were, torches hung from the walls – lighting up the carved stone figures.

"Is your father down here?"

Kili shook his head, "No. Not yet. Thorin's planning to bring those who were buried in Ered Luin back here."

Fira nodded. Not realising Kili had stopped.

"Fira."

She knew what he was looking at without having to see. They had reached the far end of the passage. There was another one to her left and to her right. However Fira was more focused on the alcove she was facing. Like all of them it housed a huge tomb with a carved figure lying on the lid. At the foot of the tomb was a small plague covered in dust. Dropping Kili's hands she forced herself to walk towards it. Kneeling down in the dirt she reached out with shaking hands.

"Fira?"

Brushing away the dirt she peered in close to try and read it.

"Firan. Son of Hiran."

Tears dripped down her face. Firan. Her mother had named her after him then? Wiping away the rest of the dirt she bit her lip. He had died seven months before she was born. And he hadn't even known of her existence.

"Fira?"

She knew she should answer Kili. But she just couldn't. Falling to her knees she pressed her forehead to the plaque.

"Fira say something? Please?"

I…I can't."

What was she supposed to say? Did she say something about her father? Did she say some form of prayer or poem for him? Shaking her head Fira felt Kili's hands on her shoulders as he knelt behind her.

"He would have been so proud of you."

"You don't know that."

"I do," Kili kissed her cheek, "I do Fira. He would have been proud to call you his daughter."

Nodding Fira allowed Kili to pull her back so she was leaning against him.

"Do you want to say something?"

Fira bit her lip. She did and she didn't. She knew what she wanted to say. She just didn't know if she would be able to. Nodding she turned to see Kili smiling through his own tears.

"Would you like me to give you some time alone?"

"No. No please stay."

"Okay," sitting down he wrapped an arm around her. Turning to her father's tomb Fira cleared her throat.

"I never knew anything about you. I knew you existed but that was it. I was told you were filth. That you had deserved to die. But I never believed that. I never got the chance to meet you or my mother. But I know that you were reunited with her and that's more than enough for me."

She wanted to carry on. However she knew she wouldn't be able to. Bowing her head she let Kili turn her so she could cry into his chest. As he stroked her hair he cleared his throat.

"I'll look after her."

It took Fira several seconds before she realised he was talking to the tomb. Wiping her eyes she looked up to see Kili staring at her fathers tomb with determination in his eyes.

"I will protect her and do right by her. She'll never come to harm so long as I am living and I swear I will be a worthy husband to her."

He smiled to himself, "Your daughter is amazing. She is beautiful and kind and so fiery. It is a blessing to know her, a privilege to be her friend, and an honour to be the man she loves. And I swear I won't ever do anything to hurt her."

As he bowed his head Fira reached up to caress his face. Kili kissed her hand.

"I love you," he whispered. Nodding Fira could barely see through her tears.

"Thank you for giving me this," she curled against him, "Thank you so much."

Aww so much cuteness. I think this is one of my favourite chapters in this story. However to make things a little happier we have a big event coming up after this! I wonder what it might be? Let me know what you think xxxx