Author's Note: I told you there was a second chapter! Took me long enough...

Here I present to you Fili's chapter! I don't think I like it. I saw Desolation and I tried lying to myself for weeks, insisting that I loved it but the truth is I really didn't. I wasn't impressed at all. The Durin family moments were nice but that was it. The rest seemed...well I won't rant here. Let's just say some of Peter's choices did not make me a happy camper. So alas, what I thought would give me inspiration did not. At all. I kind of had to force myself to write this. Hopefully you all like it. Please leave your thoughts, comments, questions, and concerns by clicking that loverly little review button.

chestry007- I'm glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully you don't mind this chapter!

Ballykissangel- Awww! Thanks! Their conversation was bumping around in my head for awhile and I'm glad it translated well.

Raven's Dusk- Why thank you! Hopefully this chapter has the same feel to it!

ThorinKiliandFili4ever- I'm glad you enjoyed it.

AnastaziaDanielle- I love Durin family feels. That make me happy. I also enjoy when others enjoy my weird-ass head-cannon family moments! Hopefully this one lives up to its predecessor!

On with the show!

Fili propped his head up on one hand and tried desperately to keep his eyes opened and at least make it seem like he was paying attention. His uncle was droning on about...the Dwarves...visiting...from the...Iron Hills...he thought. He hoped. He had stopped paying attention somewhere around the discussion of fork placement and seating at the feast. Distantly he hoped Thorin hadn't noticed how utterly bored and confused he actually was. Fili felt his eyes drift closed when he heard his name snapped at him, "Fili!"

Fili's head snapped up, his eyes wide, "Yes Thorin?"

Thorin had one eyebrow raised and was giving him a knowing look, "Are you paying any attention whatsoever?"

Fili nodded hesitantly, "Yes?"

"Why was that a question?"

Fili shrugged one shoulder halfheartedly, "It's all starting to blur together."

Thorin sighed, "Fili...you have to pay attention to this. You're my heir and we have to give off a good impression."

"All their names sound the same, I've never met any of them before as far as I can remember, and all they're going to do is get drunk and swap battle stories. No one will notice if I'm using the wrong fork and even if they do they're already going to be judging me and clearly I'm not going to live up to their standards!" Fili finished with a huff.

Thorin blinked a few times, dumbfounded by the usually even-tempered blonde's rant. Thorin leaned back into his chair and nodded slowly, "Alright. What's wrong?"

Fili sighed and dropped his head into his arms resting on Thorin's desk, "Nothing. Nothing is wrong."

Thorin raised an eyebrow, "Funny. I don't believe you."

Fili sighed again but lifted his head, "Really."

Thorin continued to stare at him.

Fili squirmed slightly in his seat, "I mean it. I'm fine."

'The Look' continued.

"Really, Uncle."

Thorin didn't even blink.

Finally Fili broke, "Fine! Enough with 'The Look'! I'll talk."

Thorin withheld a smirk, "Start talking."

Fili sighed almost morosely, "It's just...Kili's gone."

Thorin nodded, "Aye but he'll be back in a week."

"I know but...this will be the first meeting with the Dwarves from the Iron Hills without him."

Thorin snorted, "I know. Things might actually be calmer."

Fili couldn't help the little laugh that escaped before he grew solemn once again, "I know...but he's not here. It's just me. Alone. Just me. The heir. Alone."

Thorin nodded, "I know...are you going somewhere with this?"

Fili went silent for a long minute, "I don't think I should be your heir."

Thorin straightened at that, "I'm sorry?"

"I'm not...I'm not right. All these Dwarves...all our kin...they're going to be looking at me. Judging me. Making sure I'm good enough and I don't make any mistakes. I'm not ready for that. I never will be. I hate being the center of attention like that."

"Fili...you're fine."

"No! No, I'm not. That's the point!"

There was a long pause, "...Fili...what brought this up?"

Fili sighed again before attempting to come up with the words, "Nothing. Nothing did. I've been thinking about this for awhile...I-I just-I just don't fit in with this family...I mean...I do but not in a leader way. You know?"

"...no. Not in the slightest," Thorin answered honestly, "Fili...if something is bothering you, talk to me. Or your mother if that's easier."

Fili sighed again and dropped his head back into his hands, making his voice muffled, "No. I don't need to talk to Mum. I...I just don't want to disappoint you."

"You never could."

Fili looked up and Thorin could see those words hadn't the helped the way he hoped they would. Fili still looked distraught. Fili ran his hand through his hair, messing his braids and making him look very young, "I'm not a leader. I'm not. You're a leader. You walk in a room and everyone notices you and listens and lets you take charge. When Mum needs to get someone's attention she can be downright terrifying. She speaks and you know you have to listen. Even Kili...he may not make to...smartest choices all the time but he could convince anyone to join him in training, or stealing cookies, or goofing around. I-I don't have that," Fili finished quietly.

It was Thorin's turn to sigh, "Fili-"

Before he could finish, his nephew cut him off, "I'm just being stupid, aren't I?"

The room was silent and Fili knew the answer before his uncle suddenly spoke again, "Your grandfather and I weren't really close."

Fili stared at him confused before nodding slowly, "O-Okay..."

Thorin fought a smile, "I'm going somewhere with this, I swear."

Fili nodded and Thorin continued, "He was my father and I loved him but he was far closer to your mother than me. And he and your uncle Frerin fought more than I have ever seen two Dwarves fight. So we learned to confide in others. Frerin had our mother...I had my grandfather, your great-grandfather, Thror."

Fili nodded to show he was listening but still looked utterly perplexed as to how his distress in being the heir pertained to the story being told.

"My grandfather was the one who started teaching me what it meant to be a prince. The lessons started small and I enjoyed them...at first. They started getting more and more...intense. It wasn't until Frerin was no longer invited or privy to the information I was being taught that I first started to panic. Frerin was my Kili. He lightened everything. Suddenly he was going on hunting trips and I was learning Dwarven etiquette. When Thror developed the dragon sickness I suddenly realized my father was really acting as king which meant I was the next one in line for the throne. I didn't want that. At all. Sometimes I'm still not entirely sure that I do."

Fili looked like he was starting to comprehend where this was going but still had an air of confusion around him.

"Fili...I understand the pressure. I understand not wanting to disappoint someone. And I really understand not having a buffer between you and that looming responsibility. If you have doubts it's completely normal and completely understandable. I have doubts on a daily basis...not just about ruling but being there and being less...aloof with you and your brother. I wouldn't have formally named you as my heir if I didn't believe you could do this. If you make a mistake at this meeting, you make a mistake. It's just Dain. His opinion couldn't matter less to me."

Fili cracked a small smile at that and Thorin knew he had won, "Nobody wants you to be anyone except you, Fili. Lest of all, me. You can do this. You have me to support you, your mother, and I'm sure if Kili were here he'd be making things all the more difficult by placing buckets of water above doors and causing mischief just to distract us all."

Fili's smile grew, "He is good at distractions."

The corner of Thorin's mouth turned up in return, "Aye. That he is. My point is you still have a buffer. You have me. And trust me when I say I understand not wanting the pressure. I know you can handle it though."

Fili nodded slowly, "I just don't want to disappoint you."

"I said it before, I'll say it again. You never could."

Fili's shoulders were less defeated and his eyes looked less downcast as he nodded.

"If you still don't believe that you could be my heir after this meeting I understand. You're going to be fine, but I understand."

Fili took a deep breath and nodded, "I think-I hope I can handle it."

"You can. Take break. We can work more tonight."

Fili brightened slightly at that and headed for the door before Thorin stopped him, "Oh, and Fili? I seem to recall that it wasn't me, your mother, or Kili who lead quite a few past orc hunts which returned without a single injury. Or who convinced me that Kili should be allowed to be ranger. Or who took charge when I was out of the forge last week. You're quite a leader. Don't lose confidence in that."

Fili grinned at him and his smile was back to normal before he ducked out the door. Seconds later he poked his head through again, "Uncle? Thank you."

The door shut behind him and Thorin shook his head fondly, "Anytime Fili. Anytime."