A/N: Sorry for the long wait! Life has been extremely busy! :( finally had a short break today and managed to pump out a chapter for you guys. This is a fairly long chapter, possibly one of the longest I've written in a while! It's also a bit different to what I've written in the past in any of my stories on this site. I hope you enjoy it :) Your constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated!

Caution: Fili + Durin family feels ahead.

Remembrance

Fili was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted.

It began with the fact that the crown prince had barely slept the whole night. Much to his chagrin, his tossing and turning had disturbed his lady wife Nála's sleep as well. Although the princess certainly did not mind and tried her best to comfort him, Víli II was teething and the babe had wearied her all day. Fili on the other hand, had been restless all night with memories of another golden-haired dwarf that had once brought a smile to his family's face many years before. His mother had never truly recovered after the loss of Víli I in a mining accident in Ered Luin. Fili had been barely past the age of five, and his younger brother had only known his father for the first few months of his life. Fili knew that despite all the stories told to the younger prince, Kili could not remember his father's face, a fact that covertly made Kili quite upset.

In almost every way, Thorin had fathered the both of them. Fili could not forget the pain that crossed his mother's face when Kili, naught but a babe, had one day crawled over to Thorin and cried "Adad." Fili had been playing with his wooden soldiers nearby on a rug in front of the fireplace. He remembered the way Thorin froze, his gaze drifting towards Dis, filled with trepidation and shame. Dis had merely smiled tightly and Thorin had gently corrected his youngest nephew. However, Kili was still a babe that could not understand the sombreness the term invoked. There was no other word Kili was able to process in his mind as appropriate to address Thorin, despite Fili and Thorin's gentle rectifications. Over time, and taking note of everything his older brother said and did, Kili eventually began to copy his brother in saying "Uncle Thorin."

Fili never stated it out loud, but he saw the slight disappointment in his uncle's eyes the day Kili began to address him by the correct title. Fili loved his uncle dearly, and knew Thorin loved him as if he were his own as well. However, Fili had always noticed the bond between Kili and Thorin had always been a bit deeper, the affection given slightly more freely. Fili would dare not even mention such to his mother, but he knew that deep down, Thorin and Kili had a bond not of uncle and nephew, but of father and son. Fili did not blame either of them, for Kili never knew the dwarf who sired him. He had an inkling that his intelligent mother probably had noticed it at some point as well, yet it did not stop the little pang he felt in his heart once in a while at seeing his brother and uncle interact. The anniversary of his father's passing was one of these moments.

With dark circles rimming his eyes, Fili had risen at dawn and dressed silently. Nála had eventually fallen asleep in the early hours of the morning. Not wanting to rouse her from her slumber, Fili quietly left his family's chambers, walking equally as silent down the corridor towards his mother's chambers. On his way, he peeked into his younger brother's quarters to find him spread eagle on the bed, sound asleep. He would not wake Kili, for he knew his younger brother would rise after the sun was higher in the sky and go straight to their mother when he was ready. Kili may not have been able to remember his father's face, but he still respected, loved and dearly missed the dwarf he never knew yet had heard so much about. With a fond smile, Fili shut the door and continued down the hallway. Judging from the time, Fili knew the sun had just begun to rise, however he knew he would not be disturbing his mother at such an early hour. Dis could never sleep on the anniversary of Víli's passing.

The elder prince knocked on the door to his mother's quarters and without waiting for a response, entered and shut the door with a soft click behind him. Noticing glimmers of candlelight being emitted from the lounge area, Fili followed and found his mother hunched over on the sofa, tracing the border of an empty mug of tea in her hands. She lifted her red-rimmed eyes to meet the matching Durin-blue of her son's and nodded her head once. Fili smiled solemnly and moved to stoke the embers in the fireplace. He grabbed the blanket folded up neatly on an armchair and gently draped it over his mother. Dis curled up into the blanket and reached out a hand to Fili, who gently took it in his own and sat beside her on her right, leaning his golden head on her shoulder. Dis softly stroked her son's golden hair and Fili squeezed her hand each time he felt wetness fall on his forehead, and Dis squeezed back every time she heard a sniffle. Dis held her golden, living image of Víli in securely in her arms, kissing his forehead and smiling warmly as she remembered not all the gold she deemed precious had been lost.

.

.

Dis and Fili were interrupted an hour later by the sound of the door to her chambers creaking open. Fili tilted his head and saw his uncle walk slowly into the room, pausing at the doorway. A bittersweet smile graced his lips as he observed his nephew and sister huddled together on the sofa. Dis returned her brother's smile sadly as the dwarf king trudged forward, his heavy footsteps echoing through the chambers. He hunched over and placed a hand affectionately at the back of Dis' crown of raven hair, kissing her brow and pressing their foreheads firmly together. Fili lay still with his face pressed into his mother's leg just above her knee, his chest tight as the royal siblings held onto each other in an embrace. Finally, Thorin stood and gently patted Fili on the shoulder, sinking down onto the sofa at Dis' left side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pressing her closer to him. Dis continued to absently stroke Fili's hair, watching the candles gradually burn down as the hands on the clock continued to tick.

.

.

Thorin had remained with Dis and Fili for a couple of hours before duty beckoned. The king had just pulled Dis into a comforting hug of farewell as Kili entered his mother's quarters, the usually exuberant prince now the picture of seriousness. Fili gently lifted his head from his mother's lap and discreetly wiped his face, forcing a half-hearted smile in his brother's direction. Kili returned the gesture and nodded once in greeting to Thorin before sweeping his mother up into his arms, gracing her with a bone-crushing hug. All the dwarves couldn't help but chuckle, glad that Kili would always be Kili and help raise their spirits. Kili grinned, his eyes suspiciously damp, and buried his nose into his mother's neck, holding her tightly, before pulling back and babbling at a mile a minute while keeping his voice respectfully low. Fili watched fondly as his mother's countenance brightened almost instantly, and Thorin squeezed Kili's shoulder and then Fili's before exiting Dis' chambers. He chuckled to himself – his sister was in good hands.

Nála later joined the three Durins in Dis' chambers, calmly ordering her children to be extra nice to their grandmother. Dis' laughter eventually returned at Dísa and baby Víli's antics. The peaceful mood ceased as guards knocked urgently on the doors. Concerned, Kili answered it and the guards entered the room, bowing respectfully. Seeing the look in their eyes, Kili urged them to speak.

"My lord, there has been a cave-in in the mines."

Dis gasped and dread filled her heart. Fili reached out to grip his mother, his hands trembling as a sense of déjà vu washed over him. Kili's mind also reeled with shock, however he squared his shoulders and asked for more information.

"There is one another complication, my lord…" the dwarf guard continued nervously, fidgeting with his axe. "The King was to inspect the mines this morning and no one has seen him since."

Dis cried out and Fili felt as if he could not breathe. His world was spinning as he vaguely felt Nála lead both himself and his mother to sit down. The dwarflings began to whimper in fear at seeing the adult's distress. Kili began breathing heavily as he pulled on his coat. Fili kissed his mother's cheek and he looked her in the eye. I will find him and bring him back. Dis merely sobbed once and gripped his hands for dear life before letting go.

"Go, I will stay with her," Nála soothed as she wrapped an arm around Dis and the other around her children. Fili felt immense gratitude once more for the strength his One possessed. She remained composed on the outside, yet her eyes pleaded desperately. Find him.

Knowing his mother would be well looked after, Fili gave a small smile of appreciation to her as he felt Kili take his arm, leading him out the door.

.

.

.

Both princes worked tirelessly with their army throughout the afternoon and evening in an attempt to rescue the dwarves buried beneath the collapsed debris of the mine. Erebor had several, however, this particular mine was deeper in the mountain. Each time they found a dwarf alive, the princes felt a mixture of joy and to their guilt, slight disappointment at not yet finding their uncle. Every time they pulled a dwarf from the rubble, as a dwarf healer checked their pulse and shook their head in sorrow, both princes again felt grief, as well as mixture of fear and hope. Fear, that their uncle had met the same fate that had taken the life of Víli I on that exact day many years before. Hope, that perhaps their beloved uncle and king lived. Fili and Kili both had their sleeves rolled up, careless of the dirt and grime that now marred their princely attire. They worked shoulder to shoulder, joined by Dwalin, who was beginning to get agitated at the fact that Thorin was still missing. Balin, ever steady Balin, was the force of calm that kept them going with a relatively level head (especially useful in the case of Dwalin and Kili).

A rumble sounded from further within the collapsed mine and both princes froze. Fili felt the blood draining rapidly from his face, praying and begging that another disaster would not occur further in the mine. Thorin is still in there! His mind was screaming in panic and he felt Kili gripping his forearm so tightly he thought his blood would stop circulating.

The rumbling stopped and nothing but a deafening silence filled the mine. Fili felt fear seize his heart, the cold hands of grief creeping its way around his mind like a snake upon its prey. No, no, no, no, no. He shook his head slowly in denial and heard Kili panting and trembling beside him. He had already lost his father; he could not have lost the next closest thing to a father he had ever had! His mother would be devastated and this time, would probably be unable to recover. Kili. Oh dearest Kili. Thorin, for the most part, was his father, the only one he had ever known. Fili knew his brother would be shattered beyond repair.

Dwalin was yelling something beside him, growling out orders as other dwarves sprang back into action. Fili briefly allowed his eyes to close helplessly, before opening them again, this time filled with determination. No. He could not believe Thorin was – not until he had found proof. He hung onto a thinning thread of hope that somehow, somewhere, Thorin lived.

Fili rushed forward, resolute, and began shifting more debris in the hope of finding more survivors. He felt Kili's presence behind him, and from the corner of his eye could see the brunette had been weeping silently. Fili felt his heart tearing itself apart. Then, with even a greater sense of stubbornness, Fili increased his pace almost frantically. He is alive. Thorin is alive. He is alive, Thorin is alive. Please, Uncle, live. Don't leave us. Don't leave me. He is alive, Thorin is alive…

"MAKE WAY FOR THE KING!" Dwalin bellowed as a raven head emerged, matted with dirt, filled Fili's vision as he grabbed desperately at the dwarf. Kicking the remaining debris out of the way, Fili clung onto Thorin as he heaved him up and out of the rubble. Thorin coughed, blinking disoriented at his surroundings. Kili grabbed onto Thorin's other side and flung his arm over his shoulder, shaking and sobbing in relief. Fili could feel his entire body trembling as he breathed in the familiar scent of his uncle, marred by the scent of dust. Balin and Oin hurried over to begin their assessment and treatment of their king.

"Are there any more in there, Thorin?" Balin asked as he patted his friend's back as Thorin coughed heavily.

Thorin cleared his throat and nodded briefly. "At least thirty more dwarrow," he replied, his voice hoarse. Fili and Kili continued to cling desperately at each side.

"Alive?" Balin asked hesitantly.

"Mostly," Thorin responded quietly after a moment passed.

Dwalin, who had been standing nearby, nodded at Thorin before narrowing his eyes at Fili, his gaze softening slightly. "Come on lad, up ye get," he said gruffly, yet with an undertone of comfort. Fili took his offered hand and hauled himself up, still somewhat dazed.

"Come, Kili," Fili said, glancing down at his brother who still clung to his uncle. Kili raised his tear-filled eyes and sniffed, looking at his uncle. With a few more words of encouragement from his brother, Kili reluctantly rose and followed his brother to help assist the rescue of the remaining dwarves.

Thorin coughed again and watched his nephews with both appreciation and immeasurable pride. A smile tugged on his lips as he watched them both hustle to help their fellow dwarrow. His heart almost burst with joy at seeing how Fili conducted himself and commanded others, whilst simultaneously keeping an eye on his brother. He will make a fine king one day. Thorin mused. A very fine king, indeed.

.

.

.

To say that Princess Dis was relieved when she saw Thorin and her sons enter her chambers would be an enormous understatement. Dis almost bowled the dwarf king over in her hurry to meet him, throwing her arms around his shoulders and openly sobbing. Thorin held her close in his arms, murmuring into her ear. After a while, Dis eventually relinquished her grasp and allowed her brother to wipe away her tears. "I'm sorry, Dissy," Thorin apologised, using her childhood nickname.

Dis began to tear up once more and slapped his shoulder before pulling him close again. "Don't you ever, even dare, do that to me again, Thorin Oakenshield," she hissed dangerously, eyes flashing as she controlled her weeping. Thorin's shoulders shrunk faintly and he nodded seriously. Finally, she sniffled and composed herself once more, looking every inch a Queen of Durin's line, Thorin thought proudly to himself.

Dis then embraced her sons fiercely and knocked their heads together tenderly. Kili had grinned at her before moving on to embrace his uncle in sheer relief. Fili on the other hand, buried his face into her shoulder and struggled to control his emotions.

"My dear boy," Dis whispered, running a hand over his head and beamed at him. Fili returned it with a shaky grin, before also moving on to embrace his uncle. However, as soon as he felt Thorin's strong arms, fatigued from his ordeal in the mines, Fili broke down. He wrapped his arms around his uncle's waist as tight as he was able and struggled to keep his weeping quiet. He felt Kili wrap an arm around his shoulders and huddle into the embrace. Thorin returned the embrace just as fiercely as the Durins allowed themselves a moment of solace in each other's arms, with the knowledge that Thorin was safe. He is alive. Fili reminded himself as he attempted to reign in his breathing. He is alive. History did not repeat itself on this day. I will not allow it to happen so again. He is alive, Thorin is alive…

Thorin pressed his forehead lovingly to each nephew and whispered, his voice still hoarse, "Thank you. I am so proud. So very, very proud." He drew back and smiled warmly at each nephew, clasping their forearms in a warrior's embrace. Fili and Kili grinned and returned the gesture, the joy radiating from both their eyes.

Nála meanwhile, had stood by the fireplace watching the touching scene before her. She dried her eyes and laughed in reprieve, beaming back at Thorin who grinned as he opened his arms for her, allowing her to throw her arms around him as he wrapped his around her waist. Fili watched fondly as Kili chuckled and rolled his eyes. Everyone knew about Thorin's infamous soft-spot for the crown princess of Erebor. Kili often joked that if Fili had not wed her, Thorin probably would have adopted her himself anyway.

Thorin eventually took leave to bathe and retire for the night. He would sleep in the spare room in Dis' chambers that night, for Dis was not ready to let him out of her sight just yet. Kili, deciding he also did not wish to be alone, retired on the chaise lounge in Fili's quarters.

Fili and Nála entered their bedroom after checking that both their children were indeed fast asleep, the hour was late after all. Nála smiled sadly and wrapped her arms comfortingly around Fili as he sighed, burying his nose into her hair and clutching her to him. The prince swayed on his feet and the princess regarded at him sympathetically. She brushed a lock of blonde hair behind his ear and tugged gently on one of his braids. "Rest, Fili," she hushed as they lay down and felt her arm wrap around his stomach from behind. The prince felt his eyes droop heavily as he felt himself succumbing to his exhaustion from the day. Just before his mind drifted into unconsciousness, he heard a distant, familiar, warm and loving voice fill his mind.

Well done, my lad. Well done.

Thank you for reading! Kindly drop in a review, I'd love to know what you think :)