Reforged and Strengthened

by jezzibee83

A sequel to Reforged. Reforged and Strengthened follows the Reforged Universe and the lives of our favorite Sons of Durin and their elf, Tauriel. Watch as they fill their lives with adventure, love, and family in a world they earned through hardship and battle. Read Reforged first.

11. ACT I Chapter ELEVEN

Updated October 17th, 2021

Original Authors Note: Ah yes. Butter Cake Recipe. I will get on that XD. Actually, that sounds really good. How about this. I use a recipe but I make changes to it and honestly….I just sort of….add things in, drives my sister nuts because I never write down what I do. The next time I make it I will write it all down so I can get you that recipe, she's been wanting me to do that anyway. The original recipe isn't bad…just needs tweaking in my opinion.

Anyway, here's another chapter! Read on!

Chapter 11

"Fili likes the bakers daughter?" Dis asked, disbelief clear in her voice. "The one who was in a cell?"

Kili laughed and nodded from his place on the bed. "That's the one."

Dis sighed. One son married to an elf (more to the point of the principle then the elf herself, Dis loves Tauriel) and one who seems attached to the daughter of a baker who is on Thorin's watch list. Their little family just gets more interesting by the day. "And where is Fili now? I would like to speak to him."

Kili shifted. Truthfully, he did not know. Really, how could he? Without help, he could not even get to the washroom on his own let alone figure out where Fili is at any given time. "Uh, the kitchen? Maybe? It is near lunch and since you are in here, I assume that is where Tauriel went and where he would be."

"Not in the kitchen." Naurfaer came walking in, a tray in each hand while Tauriel stood beside him carrying a third tray for herself. Naurfaer passed Kili one and Dis another and sat as if they weren't currently missing a member of the family.

Dis looked at her tray, then back at Naurfaer and Tauriel. "If Fili is not in the kitchen, where is he?"

The elder elf sighed and folded his arms. "He is a son of Durin and the dam he cares for has left the mountain. Where do you think he is?"

Tauriel threw Naurfaer a disapproving look and Kili chucked a roll at the elf, hitting him in the head with a soft 'plunk', before it fell to the floor. Kaw immediately flew to the ground beside the roll and hopped over to where it landed before he began tearing it to shreds, crumbs flying all over the wood and carpet.

"KILI! I am trying to keep him from eating things off the floor, so he doesn't get in the habit when the baby comes." Kili gave her an apologetic look but went back to his lunch, stuffing his mouth to keep it occupied lest he get into more trouble.

"Thorin is going to…" Dis began shaking her head…

"Thorin is going to what?" Everyone turned to their kingly uncle, brother, and... whatever he was to Naurfaer. Even Kaw looked up at the newcomer and croaked, but went back to his meal after seeing it was only Thorin.

Thorin looked around the room twice, everyone remaining silent, except for Kaw who was now cooing at his crumbled mess. Nobody was trying to point out the missing member of the family, but Thorin was no fool, he could feel the tension around him, which put him immediately on edge. His eyes scanned the room again, and he finally zeroed in on the one, missing, element. Thorin looked to Kili, his brows lowered in question. "Where is your brother?" he finally sighed out.

Kili gave him a look laced with frustration as he pointed to his leg. "Why do I keep getting asked that? I know nothing outside this room." Thorin pinched his nose and turned to Tauriel who pointed to Naurfaer. Naurfaer gave her a traitorous look and sat back, folding his arms then gestured lazily to Dis.

Dis sighed, of course nobody wanted to be the one to inform Thorin of the fact Fili had left without his permission. Considering her words carefully, Dis stood and moved towards her brother. "Fili went after the baker's daughter."

"HE DID WHAT!?" Thorin bellowed. "I told him to stay in here until everything was safe to leave. I told her to stay away from this family. Why in the great forge is he going after her?"

"Come now, Thorin, how can you possibly not understand young love?" Naurfaer argued.

Dis closed her eyes and placed her hand on her forehead, and Tauriel shook her head no at Naurfaer, but it was too late.

Thorin's mouth dropped, then he turned to his sister, who now had her arms folded and was returning his look with a look of her own. "Love? Dis, what does he mean…love?"

Dis sighed. "I haven't spoken to Fili. I only know what they have told me. But, it appears, Fili is rather attached to this young dam."

Thorin growled. "A young dam I have explicitly ordered to not come near this family."

Seeing Thorin not budging, Tauriel tried a more calming tactic. "'Adad, Viltarra is innocent. She is my friend as well. Do not judge her too harshly, she was in no way at fault for anything that has happened these last few months. Without her, I firmly believe that I would not even be here right now. Please reconsider your feelings for her, at the very least, give her the benefit of the doub, and allow her to prove to you she is not who you think she is."

Thorin turned his blue eyes to Tauriel who was now standing beside him, her hand on his arm. Kili watched with surprise as Thorin calmed, if only slightly. His elf certainly had an attachment to Thorin, and Thorin to her.

"We had the trial this morning." Thorin stated, changing the subject for the moment. He reiterated what he had told Dis earlier to all currently in the room.

Kili pushed himself further against the pillows to sit up straight, as he turned to the family patriarch. "Uncle, do you think anyone else was involved?"

Thorin thought for a moment before answering Kili. "No. I believe we have everyone."

Kili stayed silent for only a second, before doing what his two nephews did best. Standing up for one another. "Then why not let Fili be happy. I know neither of us went down the path you would have chosen. I know for certain you, and mam, wanted both of us to marry for the betterment of our people, and I will tell you right now, that I was prepared to do as you asked which I am sure Fili is as well. What I was not prepared for, was the overwhelming feeling of love and need that came with Tauriel. If Fili only feels half of what I do with my one, he will have no other. You would be dooming him to a life of loneliness and unhappiness." Thorin could only look at Kili. He could not think of a thing to say to his nephew who spoke with conviction for his brother.

Kili's warm, chocolate, eyes peered pleadingly at the only father he knew. "I know you love us uncle. I know you want us to be happy. Give Fili a chance to be happy. Viltarra, I do not know her as well as Tauriel does, but I most assuredly plan to. Should she come back with Fili, which I assume that is where he is off to considering he is not in here, give her a chance as well. If Tauriel does not believe her to have had anything to do with the plot on her life, then I trust her judgment, fully. He accepted my one without question, loves her, and treats her as if she had been in the family his entire life. I love my brother Thorin, but what kind of brother would I be to him if I did not try and accept the one he loves after all he has done and accepted for me?"

Tauriel could not stop herself from going to join Kili on the bed, grasping the hand still secured to his chest and pressing her lips to the side of his head. "I love you." She whispered quietly, and how could she not. Kili had the biggest and most beautiful heart.

Kili turned his head to her and lifted his good hand to trace her cheek. "I love you." He repeated back.

"Fine." Both Tauriel and Kili looked towards Thorin, as did Dis and Naurfaer. "Do not ask me to trust her, but, I will not get in Fili's way. Mahal knows I accepted an elf into this family…" He turned to Naurfaer. "…make that two elves...and a half." He finished, his eyes warming as he looked at the swell in Tauriel's abdomen, a soft smile on his lips as he thought about his impending grandson.

Thorin also knew that if he tried to push Fili and the lass apart, he will likely only end up pushing Fili away completely. He is done losing his family. Does he like this dam? No. Does he trust her? No. Will she know it? Probably. He had never been good at hiding his feelings about others. What he will not do, is force Fili into making a decision that will lead his nephew to a life of bitterness and regret. If this dam makes his nephew happy, he will not get in the way. Only time will tell what the future holds.

Before anyone said any more, Tauriel and Naurfaer both perked up at the same time, their heads turning to the open veranda door. It had been a warm day, despite it now being autumn, so the door was flung open letting the warm air fill the room, as that is what Tauriel loved.

"What is it?" Thorin asked.

Tauriel did not answer, instead she slid from the bed and went outside to look over the side of the mountain. Within seconds, Naurfaer, Dis, and Thorin were beside her, each peering over the railing at the approaching cart with a very well-known small cream horse with two blondes riding together. "HEY! WHAT IS GOING ON? YOU CAN'T JUST ALL RUN OUTSIDE AND LEAVE ME HERE!"

Dis sighed and looked inside to see Kili craning his head while attempting to see the group. Her poor baby, still unable to get around well.

Without turning to her husband, Tauriel was the one who answered. "They are coming back meleth nin! Fili, Viltarra, and her parents! They are nearly at the gate."

Kili gave a loud whoop, Thorin grumbled under his breath but watched on, and Naurfaer smiled widely and knowingly.

Dis looked down at the approaching party. She was still unsure about this. Truthfully, she wanted to believe the girl to be innocent, but, after Gildridd and Kaulithah, she was having a difficult time opening her mind to allowing another…stranger…into the family so soon.

After all, Kaulithah was no stranger to her, Thorin, or the boys, and still look what happened. She let out another sigh and watched the approaching party, Tauriel slipping her hand into Dis's, giving it a squeeze as they waited for the group to slowly disappear underneath them.

"What happens now Fili?" Viltarra tightened her arms around the prince's waist as they headed up to the gates and around to the stable entrance. The main gate was now fully reconstructed, so they no longer rode the animals inside the main entrance, rather, the inhabitants of Erebor who came on beast-back went directly to the stable not far from the gate. The carts and traders were able to enter in in a different gate, which was smaller than the main gate but large enough for several carts to fit at once.

Viltarra watched her father and mother go into the cart entrance as Fili jumped down from Kit, offering her his hand. She rolled her eyes and slid off the horse, landing just beside Fili and poking him in the chest angerly. "Don't you start all that…princely chivalry…on me. I am perfectly capable of getting off an animal on my own, though, that one is larger than I am accustomed to."

Kit was in no way as large as Galaddal, though he stood near shoulder to shoulder with Kili's mare, Maryn. But, both were larger than the average pony, even if they were smaller than most horses. Fili, Kili, and Thorin…even Dis, were on the taller end of the dwarven people. Balin said it was because of their Durin blood, the same blood giving them an extended lifespan.

Fili gave her a bow. "Of course, my Lady. How foolish of me to think you incapable." Viltarra put her hands on her hips and gave him a glare that would make Dis and Tauriel proud.

The young prince shifted a bit nervously and gave her a broad smile, which annoyed her even more, but she decided to let it go. This is the dwarf she chose so she must learn to accept him for who he was. Viltarra did not want to be one of those dams who wants to change their partner, she likes Fili for who he was. They will both need to learn the other, their strengths, their habits, and the fundamental uniquities that make them who they are. There was plenty of time for that, though. So, she pushed her frustration down, and mirrored his grin, because truthfully, she looked forward to every minute she gets of getting to know the real Fili.

Fili relaxed and swept some of the unruly golden waves from her face. "Right. Next we introduce you to my mam…and my uncle, Thorin…who you have probably already met." Without waiting for a response, Fili grabbed her hand as he turned to pass Kit's reins to one of the dwarves in the stable, making sure to pat both Maryn and Galaddal on the nose as they walked by.

However, Viltarra was tugging on his arm, trying to get him to turn back to her. "Your uncle will not have it Fili."

When he finally turned to look at Viltarra, Fili did not miss the look of fear in her eyes, so he paused and stepped up to her, taking both of her hands in his and squeezing them comfortingly. "Be patient with him and let me handle it, okay?" Viltarra sighed but nodded and let him pull her into the mountain from the stable door. He walked her quietly through the halls and ran into Balin at the bottom of the stairs.

"Balin!" Fili beamed, greeting the dwarf he has known his entire life.

The older dwarf smiled and looked at Viltarra, noting their clasped hands. "Hello, to both of you." He then pointed at Fili. "Did not yer uncle tell ya you were to stay inside the family rooms lad? He is not going to be happy yeh did not listen…again."

Viltarra gaped at Fili, it would not be good for them to start a relationship not only with his uncle hating her, but with him sneaking out to retrieve her. "You left when you weren't supposed to?! Fili!"

Balin laughed and Fili looked unamused. "If yer going to stick around lass, one thing yeh should know about Durin's folk is they rarely do as they are told or expected. Wild hearts, the lot of them. That includes our elf lass, Tauriel. Mahal knows what mischief her and Kili's offspring will bring to these halls."

Fili chuckled. "I for one cannot wait."

Balin nodded in agreement. It was safe to say, the entire mountain was looking forward to the birth of the newest member of the royal family. "Nor can I lad. Now, what brings yeh out and about, riskin' yer uncles rath?"

"Balin, have you met Viltarra? She just agreed to court me." Fili put an arm around Viltarra and pulled her to his side. The dam going willingly, but not without a small blush making its way up her neck and to her cheeks. This was going to take time getting used to, being paraded around and introduced.

Balin's eyes went wide. "By my beard! May I be the firs' to offer my hearty congratulations. He is a good lad, lass. You can do no better." Viltarra's cheeks reddened further, but she thanked Balin as Fili preened. "Are yeh takin' her to see everyone?"

Fili nodded. "That was where we were headed."

Viltarra did not look so sure. She tugged at Fili's sleeve. "Fili! I cannot go up there. Thorin said. Do you want me to go back into a cell?"

"I did say that. I also believe I said to stay away from my family." Fili cringed and Viltarra immediately jumped away from the golden-headed prince while Thorin turned narrowed eyes to his nephew. "There is also the fact I told you, Fili, to not leave the rooms."

"Uncle." Fili tried to protest but Thorin raised his hand.

"It would appear we will have yet another who deems my word to be more of a, suggestion, then an order." He looked at Viltarra, his blue eyes blazing before he turned back to Fili. "Your mother is waiting up in the main sitting room and Tauriel is trying to keep Kili still. I suggest you go up, before your brother tries to get out of bed and come down to find you himself." Thorin turned to leave and paused, looking over his shoulder at the pair, "The both of you." He added and disappeared around the hall.

"I think that is an okay for yeh to go on up lass. Please excuse me." Balin gave a short bow and followed Thorin.

Viltarra shuddered at the coldness from Erebor's king, but Fili was smiling excitedly. Maybe that was normal? She sure hopes not, otherwise, she will have to learn to simply get used to it. She did smile, however, when Fili took her hand and she finally allowed him to pull her towards the stairs, only to be stopped again.

"Ya got her! Well done lad! Welcome, lass, to the company!" Bofur gave her a bow, and Viltarra gave him a questioning look. Seeing it, the hatted dwarf laughed. "We 'ave a lot to tell ya, but best yeh go on up for now." Fili smiled at Bofur as he hauled Viltarra up the steps before she could figure out how to respond.

Though she has been up here a few times, Viltarra still looked at the massive floor to ceiling door with wonder. It was proof she was going from the normal part of the mountain to a much more regal and grand section. She never got used to these royal halls when she came up to visit with Tauriel.

There was always so much to look at in these halls, from the intricate moldings and carvings, to the gold and jewels imbedded into several features of the rooms. There was also Tauriel's massive windows that looked over the path to Erebor and Dale. She felt like royalty just having a sitting room and a bedroom for the first time in her life, this, however, felt like another plane altogether.

Not seeing her look of awe, Fili silently opened the great door and together, they entered the main sitting room, where Dis stood waiting.

The family matriarch gave Fili a stern look and pointed a finger at her son. "Do not think we won't be discussing you running off." Fili let go of Viltarra's hand and walked over to kiss his mother on the cheek. The stupid charmer. She could never stay angry at him, or Kili. Folding her arms, she lifted a brow and gestured with her head to the dam standing a few feet away. "I see you brought a guest?"

Fili took her hand and pulled Dis towards Viltarra who stood trying to not look nervous. "Mam, this is Viltarra, daughter of Vin. With permission from her father, she has accepted my request in courtship." Dis eyed the dam silently.

"Viltarra!" Tauriel stepped into the room, Naurfaer just behind her, and she walked towards the blonde baker who finally let a smile spread across her lips. The moment she got within reach, Tauriel put her arms around Viltarra and pulled her into as close of a hug she could give with her little one growing each day.

Dis watched on and gave her son a sidewards glance as she felt him relax beside her. After a few moments, Tauriel stepped back to allow Dis to come forward once again, the eleth giving Viltarra a reassuring look.

Viltarra turned her eyes to the taller dam. She looked the epitome of royalty with her fur lined gown, gold crusted belt, and circlet of gems on her brow. The beard on either side of her face was thick and braided down to her waist where they blended in with another set of braids just behind them.

The two secondary braids sat just before her ears in the same style as Tauriel and Fili's down to the matching beads at the base. A sign of their family, she was sure, as she remembered Thorin having identical braids and she assumed Kili did as well. Her own hair was braid -less. Her family was not in the tradition of doing braids and having to put her hair up while baking made it difficult to constantly work around beads and adornments, so she rarely added them in.

"So, you wish to court my son?" Tauriel looked to Dis, noting her standoffish tone. She sounded more like Thorin then she usually did, and she clasped her hands in-front of where her child was currently doing summersaults, wondering what Dis was going to do and hoping her friend could take the Durin fueled intimidation; she most assuredly was not disappointed.

"I have already accepted, Lady Dis. Although your support would be more than appreciated and welcomed." Tauriel could not stop the pride she felt for her friend's ability to stand up for herself. She will do just fine in this family.

"I see." Dis gave back easily.

"Mam…" Fili tried, a sense of warning in his tone. But Dis put a hand up to silence him, and Fili obediently stepped back and waited.

The princess of Erebor, sister of Thorin, mother of Fili, circled the slightly smaller dam, taking her in. She noted her shorter stature, the bare hair, and her proud shoulders. The tension in the room was palpable as everyone waited on bated breath for Dis's assessment to be over.

Yet, Dis said nothing else. Instead, she simply gave the dam a nod and turned from the room to go down the hallway towards the suites. She did stop at the door, however, and turned to Tauriel gently calling, "Come, daughter."

Tauriel was going to tell Dis she would be staying, but the look in Dis's eyes was filled with motherly protection and concern, so as much as she wanted to stay, Tauriel could not find it inside her to argue. Besides, she thinks she may need Kili to intervene before their offspring flips his way into making her nauseous…which was becoming more and more likely with each passing minute. Tauriel gave Viltarra and Fili an apologetic look, and followed Dis.

Once they were gone, Viltarra released a nervous breath, Fili sighed and shook his head, and Naurfaer snorted.

The elf looked to Fili, his brows raised in amusement. "Well, that was…something. Did she do that to Tauriel as well? I could only imagine watching that introduction with Dis."

Naurfaer tried to pull up a mental vision of Dis and Tauriel first meeting. He could see Dis blowing her top as her son dragged an elf into her home. The young dark-haired prince probably approached his mother with a wide grin and large begging brown eyes as he thrust the red-headed warrior elf in front of her. Now that dwarrow can get away with anything with just a look, and he knows it. They are all doomed if he passes those wide, brown, eyes, and that endearing wide grin of his, to his unborn son. Naurfaer looked around at the shifting Fili looking everywhere but him and Viltarra.

"Really? She accepted her right away didn't she." Viltarra deadpanned.

Fili ran to her and took her hands. "It was a completely different situation Viltarra. Give mam a chance. She is just...protective. Especially of Tauriel right now. I think that is all it is."

However, Viltarra shook her head. "Fili, she accepted Tauriel but barely even gave me more than a moment of her time. Are you sure about this?"

Not skipping a beat, Fili nodded emphatically. "More sure than anything. Please Viltarra."

Viltarra looked into Fili's pleading eyes. He let his forehead fall onto hers making it impossible for her to think with those blue eyes boring into her own, begging her silently. With a relenting sigh, she nodded, her brow still connected to Fili's as she did.

"Now aren't you two as cute as Kili and Tauriel." Fili pulled back and laughed as Viltarra blushed, but she gave Naurfaer a smile who was watching them with a sigh, before he perked up and smiled wide.

"I don't suppose either of you are too busy for some tea and cookies? I managed to save a few from your bottomless pit of a brother and would love to be at least one member of this family extending a warm welcome." Naurfaer gave Viltarra his warmest smile and she nodded as the elf approached the pair. He was over a head taller than either of them, forcing him to look down as he approached.

Fili stepped back giving the elf enough room to take Viltarra's hand. "Look. I am new to this family too. They really aren't so bad. Give them time. Dis and Thorin will come around once they see how happy you make our Fili. I am most certain you will have no problems with Kili, and Tauriel already loves you."

"Our...Fili?" Fili gave Naurfaer a look, though he was smiling.

"Quiet. I am trying to help here." The taller elf looked back at Viltarra. "You have more allies than you think, try not to worry and just enjoy getting to know one another. Shall we head to the kitchen?" Naurfaer extended his arm and waited patiently.

Viltarra hesitated but took it, looking back at Fili as Naurfaer dragged her down the hall, the prince shaking his head but following only steps behind. He had never been so thankful for the strange elf in his family, then he was right now.

Tauriel followed Dis back into her and Kili's chamber, and the moment they entered, the mother of their little family sat hard on a chair and looked away into the setting sun.

The entire way back, Tauriel rehearsed what she was going to say. 'I am not a child, I can stay where I want', 'Viltarra is not a monster or a lowly being, she deserves more than a nod and for you to look down at her', 'Are you trying to push Fili away, you are setting yourself up perfectly to go down that path.' With the words ready to fall from her lips, she opened her mouth to speak.

"I am sorry, Tauriel. I did not know what to do or say." Tauriel closed her mouth and looked at Dis. How was she supposed to rant and rave when the dam looked so...defeated?

Taking a deep breath, Tauriel sat beside Dis. "I do not understand. You never treated me as such. Why her?"

Dis lifted her hand and ran her fingers over Tauriel's family braids. "That feels like so very long ago, the day you came to Ered Luin, soaked, covered in blood and mud, and completely dead on your feet. But you had fire in your eyes, and I could see your kind spirit bleeding through your exhaustion."

Tauriel remembered. She also remembered being worried about Dis's reaction to her, especially since she was an elf. Tauriel's worries were unfounded, however, as Dis ran right to her and pulled her into her arms.

From the moment she met Dis, the dam became her mother. There was no period of complicated relationship dynamics or having to prove herself. Dis just, opened her heart to Tauriel and Tauriel latched on. The two worked. Was their relationship or life perfect? Valar no. One can see that just looking within the last month, but, Tauriel knew without a doubt in her heart that Dis loved her as one of her own.

"Kili spoke of you, nearly every day before you came. I knew of your name, hair color, your passionate kindness, and courageous spirit. I knew how you sacrificed something elves normally considered sacred, for something elves find fault in in other races, mortality, emotion, and deep seeded passion. I also could see the love Kili had for you with every word he spoke, and I knew that only a returned love could spawn such a sacrifice as you gave. So, when a bleeding, red-headed, mud covered, very wet she-elf was all but carried into my family's chambers, I knew exactly who you were. Inside and out. How could I not love you too?" A tear fell from her eye and she wiped it away and continued.

"This last month, I, I almost lost you. I saw that look when I called you to follow me, I think I know you well enough now not to miss the 'do not tell me what to do' look. My daughter, you will need to forgive me. I was the one who put trust and faith in Gildridd, then walked away and let her slowly kill you, and I was the one who pushed Kaulithah at Fili in hopes she would join this family."

Tauriel sighed. "Dis, amad…"

Dis shook her head. "No Tauriel, let me finish." Tauriel closed her mouth and waited, and Dis continued. "I am a fool to think I can lock you up, I doubt you would let any of us do that. But, Tauriel, I will have a difficult time trusting anyone near you or in this family for some time."

So this was not just about Viltarra, it was about Dis's guilt over what Tauriel went through, and her part in it. To be honest, those last few weeks Tauriel was so far gone, she does not really remember much. Does she have the right to be angry at her family for all but abandoning her? Absolutely. She has never had a family before, and suddenly, with the love of one young dwarven prince, she received all she ever dreamed of and more. As unconventional as they were, she had a mother in Dis, a father in Thorin, a brother in Fili, even cousins such as Dain and Gimli.

Then, just as quickly, that support was gone. Tauriel had every right to withdrawal from her family, to push them away, to make them earn her trust back. But, she had no desire to do such a thing. She does, however, appreciate the effort they have put in to make it up to her as she and Kili recovered.

Tauriel also understands it was not completely their fault. Her family, was the royal family, not just of Erebor, but of the entire dwarven people. It is not as if they ignored her so without good reason. The visiting Lords were a once in a lifetime event. The mountain needed fealty, it needed to know it had the support of the powerful clans in the dwarven kingdom. They had responsibilities to fulfill. Yes, she was a responsibility too, but, what they were doing was not a picnic in the summer glen. It was difficult, stressful, and even caused her Kili so much hardship he came down with an illness that took him three days to overcome…once he was in bed recovering.

So, taking that all into consideration, Tauriel cannot sit here, and reasonably put her suffering on her family. Afterall, even Naurfaer put his faith in Gildridd, Kili too. If any two beings in middle earth were locked in on her well being, it was those two…despite the little, situation, with Kaulithah kissing her Kili. Now that….that she is still a bit furious about.

Sighing, Tauriel turned fully to the dam beside her, no, not just a dam, her mother. "Amad, Gildridd fooled everyone. She never lied about her abilities, she was a well-known healer and had the credentials and knowledge to back it. She did know and work with elves, just, not for the reasons we thought. As for Kaulithah, well, you did know her. It was no fault of yours she took advantage of your kindness and favor for her own agenda. Please stop letting this plague you so. You are only causing yourself more pain then necessary. I am alive and sitting beside you as is your granddwarfling."

Tauriel took Dis's hand and placed it on her son, who was still quite awake and gave the hand a small push. Dis smiled at the contact as Tauriel continued. "Fili is the one who needs our support now. Please, try to get to know Viltarra, I most assuredly believe you will like her. I firmly believe without her cheese buns being the only substance I was able to eat in the last month, I would not be here. Not to mention the fact that she was also the one to tell Fili to find me that day I collapsed in the raven room…after nearly stepping off the mountains edge. So, I suppose you can say she saved my life in more than one way."

Dis sat considering her words and nodded. "Alright Tauriel. If you insist it, I will try. But, I will never forgive myself for what I allowed to happen. Never. You, however, are right of course. I will try and get to know Viltarra. Just do not expect me to do so without some reservations. I was fooled once, never again. You are far too important to me, you, Kili, and Fili. My children." She lifted her hand to trace Tauriel's cheek, then stood quietly and left the room, leaving Tauriel alone.

Tauriel sat biting her lip before letting out a huff and walking to the bedroom, falling back unceremoniously onto the bed. Her eyes were shut tight, but she felt something tickling her forehead. Peaking an eye open, Tauriel looked up to see Kili's warm brown eyes staring down as he sat leaning over her, his hair falling like a curtain around his face.

When he saw her eyes opening to meet his, Kili smiled and lifted a brow, though Tauriel could see more than a bit of frustration leaking through his warm expression. He really hated being bedbound, though Tauriel would be lying if she said she did not thoroughly love the fact Kili was always here beside her right now. "Want to tell me what happened amralime? Because, I have been literally sitting here for an hour waiting for ANY information, and Kaw refused to budge from his nap to be useful."

Kili lifted his head to look at said bird, who gave a grumbling croak but otherwise remained asleep on Tauriel's pillow, with his head tucked under his wing. Shaking his head, Kili looked back down at his wife expectantly.

Tauriel smiled and closed her eyes again but reached her hand up to brush her fingers against Kili's rough cheek. "Remember when you introduced me to Dis?" Kili hummed in response. "Imagine that, but with the complete opposite reaction than she gave me."

Tauriel opened her eyes just in time to see Kili cringe. "That bad?"

"Worse to be sure. Amad channeled Thorin perfectly and thoroughly, it was quite unsettling." Tauriel fidgeted and tried to get comfortable, but with only a few months left of her pregnancy, her spine was constantly protesting any action she attempted. To add insult to injury, Tauriel was currently both hungry and nauseous. Probably the latter because of the first, her son was always displeased when in need of food and she did not comply quickly.

Quickly noticing her discomfort, Kili ran his fingers through her hair. "Are you alright, amralime?"

Tauriel sighed and nodded, then shook her head. They had made a promise to each other just a few nights ago that both will be honest with how they feel regardless of how weak it made them appear to themselves. Their marriage will be one of openness and care. Both knew this would never change overnight, each of them was stubborn, but they would certainly make more of an effort. "I am nauseous, and uncomfortable." She finally answered.

At the first, Kili nearly went into a panic, but Tauriel stilled him before he would fall out of the bed in an attempt to get someone, further injuring himself in doing so. "Calm, meleth nin. Oin had said some nausea is normal, it was just in the abundance it had been that the problems lay. I think our son is simply hungry and it is his way of informing me. I will go to the kitchen and see if Fili or Naurfaer are in there."

Tauriel stood and leant over to place a kiss on Kili's forehead. "I shall bring you something as well."

"Fine. Go ahead. I have nowhere else to be." Tauriel chuckled at her husband, then leaned in once more and guided his lips to hers for a lingering kiss, nuzzling his nose as she pulled away and walked from the room.

Kili sat back and stared at the ceiling. He hated how he could not go anywhere, do anything, or see anyone who did not come and see him. He could not even go and support Fili by getting to know Viltarra. Maybe he can get Tauriel to bring them both here for lunch tomorrow.

The young prince sat and waited for nearly an hour before he heard footsteps coming towards the room. Soon, his Tauriel was peaking her head into the doorway, smiling at him. "Are you up for visitors Kili? For I bring dinner, and guests."

Kili pushed himself up and grinned widely as Fili appeared behind Tauriel, and standing beside his brother, Kili could just make out the thick, wavey, blonde, hair, signature with the baker's daughter, Viltarra. "Yes please, to both!"

Tauriel laughed and stepped in, Viltarra and Fili following with each one carrying a tray of food into the room.

Viltarra had been in Tauriel's room before, but it still struck her as wonderous at how large it was compared to what she was accustomed too. Not to mention not many dwarves had rooms with windows as substantial as these floor to ceiling panes of glass.

Then there was the large set of doors leading to an additional space outside the mountain itself, one of which was open allowing for some of the warm autumn air to flow inside. Viltarra eyed the open door curiously. The last time she was here the door had been closed, and she had been helping Tauriel find something to wear, so she had never been outside.

Seeing where her eyes had landed, Tauriel grabbed Viltarra's hand. "Come, I will show you. It is my favorite part of these chambers."

"Hey, what about me!?" Kili folded his arms and pouted like a dwarfling, causing his brother to roll his eyes and Viltarra to smother a smile behind her hand.

Tauriel laughed and amended. "Oh my. I do believe I misspoke. Forgive me, meleth nin. I meant it is my second favorite part of these chambers." As Tauriel pulled Viltarra to the door, she leaned down and whispered loudly, "It is my favorite." Kili of course heard and gave out an indignant huff and continued to pout, that is until Fili gave him a plate filled with food and Kili began eating with his customary vigor.

Viltarra gave out a gasp as she stepped into the warm, autumn, evening. The sky had darkened and the stars had appeared in the millions, endlessly filling the heavens with their light. She may not be an elf, but Viltarra has always loved the stars, and spent countless evenings looking up at them when they stopped to make camp on her family's many travels between settlements.

"Thorin insisted we had these chambers for this reason. He knows of my love of the stars and these are the only quarters that has the veranda attached." At Viltarra's withered look Tauriel gave her a reassuring smile. "Was he unkind to you? Thorin?"

The blonde baker leaned against the railing and looked beyond to the dancing fires alight throughout Dale. "He still believes me to be involved in poisoning you. I don't think he will ever really trust or accept me. I have nothing in common with him or his sister. I will always be an outsider. Even worse, a COMMON outsider. I do not even have the same traditions as most dwarves, we do not do braids, I do not remember ever celebrating Durin's day among many other holidays, and I know nothing about politics. I am afraid they are going to look at that, and deem me unfit for Fili and force us apart."

When Viltarra stopped speaking, Tauriel just stood and watched her for a minute. "Do you love Fili?" Viltarra whipped her eyes up and scowled at her, causing Tauriel to laugh. "I think you are mistaken about not having anything in common with Thorin, for that scowl most assuredly matches his perfectly, my Kili's as well."

Viltarra's face softened and she finally laughed with Tauriel before the pair turned to the stars glittering above. Sliding her eyes away from her precious stars, Tauriel watched her friend before getting her attention once more.

"Look inside that room." Tauriel indicated to the door where Fili sat laughing on the bed beside Kili who was glaring at his brother.

Viltarra followed the eleth's line of sight to see the boys sitting on the bed, Fili had nudged Kili, and his glare suddenly turned to a laugh that filled the chamber and drifted out to the veranda where they stood. Viltarra looked back up at Tauriel who was smiling brightly and looking fondly at the two dwarves in the room. "That, Viltarra, is nearly my entire world right there. My Kili, and my brother Fili." She looked at Viltarra.

"Dis and Thorin, are as much a part of it as those two are. Those four are all I truly need to be happy, and this one too." She indicated to her growing child. "I suppose I should add Naurfaer in as well. But, I do want to apologize for Dis, and Thorin. I am afraid it is my fault they are acting as they are, they are very…protective of me. My story is something you shall never fully believe to be true, as no being, past, present, or future, will ever go through such things as I. Dis does not just consider me to be her daughter because I am married to Kili, Viltarra. There is so much more to it."

That just confused Viltarra even more. For the first time, her mind was pulling up questions as to how a she-elf ended up married to a dwarven prince, not that it bothered her in any way, she was glad it happened. She has never had a friend as caring, loyal, and kind as Tauriel. "Why does she consider you to be her daughter then? I don't mean to sound rude or intrude, but, it is odd for dwarves to be so fond of an elf, usually I have seen open hostility between the two races in my travels. Did that concern you at all?"

Tauriel chewed her lip, looking from Viltarra to the door. "You did not answer my question. Do you love Fili? I know it may take time if you are not there yet…"

"Yes! I...yes. It is difficult to explain, and I have not even told him because it seems so early to have such feelings. But, I know what this feeling is and it can be nothing else." She paused, her eyes widening as she stared at Tauriel. "Oh my. I love Fili."

Tauriel laughed and pulled her friend into a hug. "Come. I have a story to tell you that at least will put your mind at ease as far as Dis and my relationship, versus yours and Dis's goes…or will go." Tauriel grabbed Viltarra's hand and pulled the dam into the room alongside her.

The two sons of Durin watched them come in, Fili passing Tauriel a plate and pointing to it as she took her place beside Viltarra in one of the chairs. He really did not need to say anything, as Tauriel was quite happy to eat away. Once she was finished, she placed the plate on the bedside table.

Clearing her throat, Tauriel looked at her husband and brother, both of which were still on the bed. "Fili, Kili, I wish to tell Viltarra. Everything."

A bit surprisingly, Fili was the one to furrow his brows at her and sit up straighter. "Are you sure that is what you want, Tauri?"

Tauriel could see a look of slight hurt pass on the blonde baker's face before she covered it up. Fili caught it though, so he back tracked a bit, looking at Viltarra. "It's not what you think, I am not trying to keep things from you, it is just, a very difficult and complicated story. I am not saying no." He turned back to Tauriel. "It truly is more of your story little sister, than any of ours, so the choice is yours. Share whatever you are comfortable with."

Tauriel looked to Kili who gave her a reassuring look and smile as he nodded his head slowly. "I am with you on whatever you choose, amralime."

The room fell silent as Tauriel thought on where to start. She turned herself in a way to be able to fully see her friend. "What I am about to tell you, it is of grave importance you share with no other. Not even your family. Not even Leotti nor the company knows anything of this. If you cannot agree, it is best we share nothing."

Viltarra thought for a moment, then leaned over and looked directly into Tauriel's eyes. "I won't tell a soul. Whatever you say here, will not leave this room."

For good measure, Fili rose and closed both the door to the veranda, locking it tight, and the bedroom door. Kaw had woken from his nap and decided to stretch his wings and had flown out the open veranda door not long after Tauriel left to go help with dinner, and he had yet to return. It was for the best, their raven was a baby, he could not be at fault for repeating anything which he was at present, prone to do as he learns to speak.

With the two brothers sitting on the bed, and Tauriel beside Viltarra, each in their own chairs, Tauriel turned her eyes to the blonde beside her. "We did not survive the battle of five armies Viltarra. Not the first time around."

Confusion right from the start filled Viltarra's eyes. "I don't understand. The battle of five armies? That is what they called the great battle for Erebor and Dale the elves help fight is it not? If you did not survive, you would not be here. What am I missing?"

"Nothing. Truly. The Gundabad orc, Azog had a plan, or an order. We are at present unsure where to trace it beyond that. Regardless, it was to destroy the line of Durin completely, and he succeeded. We do not remember the exact details, but from what memories we do possess, combined with nightmares and several close calls that mirrored our first experience, we believe that he killed Fili first, stabbing him then throwing him off a tower. Kili..." Tauriel paused.

The wound was two years ago, but felt…fresh. Tauriel swallowed down the despair forcing its way through her system as she tried to ignore the sound of piercing metal that still rang through her ears at times. "Kili was taken out by Bolg, who pierced his chest. Azog himself took Thorin down. I, well, I am assuming I fell, my wounds being too great, whether it was physical wounds, or, mental, I do not know. We elves do not do well losing our mates, and even then, I know I had already chosen Kili as my mate. I am afraid any further memories of that life were stripped of me, even these are hazy and more...guesses through visions and dreams then actual memories."

Viltarra was now more confused than ever. For a moment she was wondering if this was some, cruel joke, they were playing on her and she was beginning to question her choice in coming back. A look at Fili who was looking to the wall lost in thought, and Kili who was looking at Tauriel with eyes full of worry, however, made her reconsider those thoughts, and she was soon chastising herself for thinking ill of them. She believes she knows Fili and Tauriel well enough by now, to know they would never be cruel to her in any way.

Unsure of how to respond or what to say, Viltarra watched as Tauriel seemed to pass a silent message to Kili, their minds so in sync they could bring comfort to the other without touching or speaking. To be honest, she could not wait to get to that point with Fili, if he would allow it. They were still so new.

Finally, after some time to think, the young baker was able to come up with an appropriate question. "How are you here?" It was all her mind kept asking over and over again.

"Tauriel is how." Fili finally answered, giving the elf a gentle smile.

So, Viltarra turned her eyes back to her friend, who was sighing and nodding. "I awoke in the afterlife, Valinor. I may have found my way into a meeting between Manwe, Aule, and three particular sons of Durin."

"Found your way Tauri?" Fili asked, his brow raised.

The eleth gave Fili a pointed look, quieting the dwarf prince immediately before she continued. "Their line had truly been cut off with all three sons of Durin gone, there were no more direct descendants in middle earth. After listening in, I discovered that Manwe had the ability to send one or more back, but was lacking the power to do so. It took a moment, but eventually he gave away it was the life of an elf he would need. An immortal who could give their countless years to cover all the sons of Durin, present and future. I did not hesitate to offer my life." She looked over at Fili and Kili. "And I would do so again and again and again for any one of them."

Viltarra thought for a moment then her eyes went wide. "Wait! You met Mahal?! THE Mahal?! Our maker? And he and this…Manwe…were the ones who sent you back?"

Tauriel hummed. "Yes, and yes. Manwe is the king of Valinor, and head of the Valar, and your Mahal…whom we call Aulë, is a Valar as well. He is quite kind. I have met him twice, and both times, he exudes compassion and true gentleness."

Viltarra did not know how to react to that. It is not everyday…or lifetime…that you meet someone who has met their creator, and it sounds like all three of them have. Four, if you counted Thorin. Fire and forge, this was already a lot to take in and she has a feeling there is more.

As if reading Viltarra's thoughts, Tauriel continued. "After I agreed, he said he would send us back two years in the past, before the battle. He also allowed enough life for me to return as well, but my lifetime is no longer endless. My time on Arda is directly tied to my soul's mate, whatever years Kili has on middle earth, so shall I. When his time comes, we will walk into the halls of Mandos together, as that is where I have been invited to dwell. With my Kili, and my family." She smiled at Kili who smiled back.

"Okay, let me see if I have this right. You, the three of you, and Thorin, died. Then you ended up in the afterlife, only to find out you could come back. To do so, you…" Viltarra indicated to Tauriel, "…had to give up your immortality and have your what…lifeline? Tied to Kili'?" There was a round of nods and Viltarra sat back thinking. She rested her chin in her hands as she stared into the unlit fireplace in the far corner of the room. She knew this would be complicated, but this is borderline mad.

Sighing, Viltarra trailed her eyes back to Tauriel. "Alright. What happened next?"

Tauriel thought back to Valinor, it really was a whirlwind. "Well, we barely had time to say goodbye to each other, then I drank a potion and awoke in my room in Mirkwood two years before our deaths. I do not know about Kili and Fili."

Fili shrugged. "We did not have to take the potion. Things just suddenly got really bright, and then, I remember waking up in Ered Luin." Kili nodded in agreement, but did not add anything. What Fili said, is exactly what happened. There was an extremely bright light, then, Fili was waking him up. That was it.

"How did you end up in Ered Luin?" Viltarra's mind was grasping for connections, and she thinks she may have gotten a bit of it, but it was still overwhelming.

"Thranduil noticed the difference in me right away. Elves are much more in tune to such things than mortals. I was forced to leave and found my way to Ered Luin after traveling for upwards of four months." Tauriel rested her hand on her son, who had decided now was a good time to wake up. Her precious little mover. If he would only move away from her bladder, she would be most grateful.

Viltarra gaped at her. "They just, made you leave because you were different now?"

Tauriel shifted uncomfortably, and not because of the baby who was stretching. There really was not a lot of room, and the further along she gets, the larger he gets, and the less space he has. Still, her son has nothing on the apprehensive feelings she still gets thinking about how close she got to being executed by the elf who…for all intents and purposes…raised her. "Yes, and no. Thranduil actually wanted me executed."

"WHAT! That's a bit…extreme, isn't it?!" Viltarra cried out.

"Yes, but, it has been settled since then." Tauriel tried calming the blonde dam.

"Ya, after he tried to execute you when he caught you." Fili drawled out, sitting back on Tauriel's pillows with his arms folded against his chest.

"Actually, she walked into that one if my memory serves me correctly." Kili corrected, glaring at Tauriel who refused to meet his eyes. He still was a little bitter about that, but really, he had no room to talk. He is just as reckless as his wife, but you will never get him to admit that out loud.

"Yes, yes. Might I go on now?" Tauriel snipped.

"Is there ever a time when you don't end up in a life and death situation, Tauriel?" The room went silent as all turned to look at Viltarra, each one contemplating one situation after another that their elf ended up in.

Suddenly, Fili began ticking them off, lifting a finger for each one. "Thranduil, the orcs at the gate, Aeodhen…at the gate, Dwalin at Bilbo's…"

Tauriel let out a huff and glared at the two on the bed. Unapologetically, Kili chimed in, "Oh, I had forgotten about Mr. Dwalin. There was also that nasty business with Sauron, the thunder giants, the dragon, Thorin, Thranduil a second time, of course the battle itself…also for a second time, and finally this whole business with Kaulithah and Gildridd. Amralime. You are creating quite the credentials there."

Tauriel pointed a finger at the two laughing boys. "I will have you know, I lived 600 years without much happening in my life except for a few intruders and dealing with Thranduil. You, sons of Durin, come into my life and that is where the danger follows."

"Aww, and you wouldn't have it any other way." Fili teased.

Tauriel's entire countenance changed in seconds and she smiled. "No. That is very much true."

"Does Dis know? About what you did?" Viltarra asked after a few minutes of quiet.

"We told mam the night we came back. It was difficult not to as the three of us were celebrating and we wanted her to be a part of it. Plus, we are so close, mam would have figured it out eventually and it would have hurt her if we hid something like this from her." Kili sighed. "Honestly though…mam was beside herself; it took weeks for her to let us out of her sight and when Tauriel came, it was as if she had been there our entire lives." Kili grinned and looked to his wife, remembering that first day in Ered Luin with her.

"Thorin helped Tauriel in while I went to get Oin, she was covered in mud and a mix of her own and I am sure several orcs blood." Fili added.

"Fourteen. If I remember right." Tauriel stated with a smirk, before rising from her seat and making her way to the door on the other side of the room. "Please excuse me for a moment, pregnancy does one few favors, especially when a certain little miracle is pressing on a particular organ." Tauriel stepped into the washroom leaving Fili, Kili, and Viltarra alone in their thoughts.

After a few minutes, Viltarra finally broke the silence. "What did Dis do when Tauriel came in? That must have been a sight. A mud and blood covered elf being led into her home."

Kili sat forward, his wide, brown, eyes turned to Viltarra as he spoke. "Mam did not even think, just pulled Tauriel, blood, mud, injuries and all into her arms and held her. I cannot even relay the feeling of relief I felt, not just to see Tauriel safe and alive, but for mam to accept an elf as she did…I am sure I would have been disowned and disinherited had it been under any other circumstances. Instead, mam and Thorin basically adopted her instantly. Even Thorin calls Tauriel his daughter from time to time, he walked beside her at our wedding, giving her away as a father would, and tends to call her Nâtha more often than not. Tauriel gave her lives for us to have a second chance, and both mam and Thorin first loved her for her sacrifice, then for who she is."

Catching the end of the conversation as she walked out, Tauriel walked back across the room to stand beside Viltarra, who remained seated. She seemed pensive and quiet as she took in what they all had told her. The young dam looked, if Tauriel could describe it, defeated.

Tauriel sighed and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "I know this probably is difficult to hear Viltarra, considering the greeting you just received from Dis and how I am sure Thorin has been treating you. I am afraid it is more my fault than yours. They are incredibly overprotective, these descendants of Durin. You shall see in time."

Viltarra thought about it. A king who lost his mountain he fought for, two brothers killed so very young, a mother and sister who lost her entire family. Tauriel saved them all, she restored everything with her single sacrifice. It was no wonder they are so protective of her. Without her, they would not be here and Dis, would be living the remainder of her long life alone with the constant reminder of everything she lost.

It was coming together much better now. But Viltarra had one more question that kept circling back in her mind. "If they care for you so much, if they are so protective, why did they leave you alone these last two months? Why did they stand back and watch you slowly die at the hands of another? Or at least, looked further into why you were so ill, or in the very least, got another opinion other than the one given by that…monster of a healer. I just, I do not understand."

By the time she finished speaking, Viltarra's voice was barely above a whisper. It was an argument she had had with Fili and one he never truly answered. The once comfortable feeling in the room evaporated like water on molten hot steel, and she watched as both Fili and Kili wilted before her eyes. They each cast their heads down in shame and clear self-hatred. She did not mean to harm them, she just, did not understand.

"Enough!" Viltarra whipped her head up and looked at Tauriel, her face set in anger. At first, she thought it was directed at her, but the eleth was looking at the two brothers on the bed. Tauriel pointed a finger angerly at them. "I told you both to stop harming yourselves with that, and all my hard work is undone with just a few questions?" She did turn her flashing green eyes on Viltarra, though the dam could see she was attempting to hold back some bite as she spoke. "Do not blame them, please. Much of the fault lies with me. Had I spoken up, they would have been beside me in an instant."

"Amralime, we saw.." Kili tried to speak, but a look from Tauriel had him shutting his mouth with an audible 'click'.

"I said enough Kili." Tauriel snapped, folding her arms in frustration. "Great Valar above, when will this be over? We made mistakes my Kili. We all made mistakes. Is that not what life is though? The constant curve of making and learning from our faults and errors? If you learn from it, it is not a mistake, but a lesson. However, if you dwell on those mistakes, it will only blacken your life, your heart, and your memory. You will soon drown in your fears and failures. If there is one thing, I learned from being immortal, just ONE thing, it is life of a mortal is fleeting and often over before it began. I choose to live and learn, to take those bad moments and cover them with all the good. Let us learn and keep going. Lift your heads, for we are all in this room, alive and well. Is that not the greatest of things to be joyful for? A life with those you cherish?"

Fili met her eyes and gave her a nod, but Kili refused to even look at Tauriel, so she went to the other side of the bed and took his head in her hands, forcing his eyes to meet hers. It pained her to see so much self-loathing apparent in his normally warm brown orbs. She let her thumbs caress his cheeks and spoke quietly, just to him. "Kili. Please stop harming yourself. Your pain is my own. Tell me what I can do to take this from you?"

When a tear escaped his eye, she fell onto the bed and pulled him into her arms as best she could with her pregnancy and his injuries. Her Kili, so strong and self-assured, but when it came to her, so heartbreakingly vulnerable.

"I am so, so sorry amralime." Kili finally got out.

"I know." Tauriel pulled away and brushed some hair behind his ears. If there was one thing Tauriel has learned over her time with Kili, it was when it came to him beating himself up, she could say all kinds of things to her precious and most beloved dwarrow, but he will only listen when he is ready. Until then, she will simply be there waiting for him to stop causing his own misery. Stubborn dwarf that he is. This does not mean she won't try every single day to take it from him, as he does for her.

Viltarra watched Tauriel and Kili with a sorrowful expression on her young face. This was not her intention when she asked, she just, needed to understand. "I am sorry as well. I did not mean for any of this to cause harm or discomfort."

Fili stood and went to Viltarra, kneeling before her to take her hand in his. "Any pain we feel is pain we deserve, Viltarra. You have done nothing wrong."

Tauriel huffed, still cradling Kili's head in her hands, but Fili threw her a look and she said nothing, just ran her fingers through Kili's hair and watched Fili with a silent warning in her eyes.

Suddenly Viltarra shot up, causing Fili to fall back landing hard on his behind. "No..no no no no no no!" She paced the room, her hands flying to her hair. Her actions pulled Kili from his drowning thoughts as he furrowed his brows at the dam. Tauriel stilled her hand in Kili's hair but watched silently. Fili was wincing as he pulled himself up, rubbing a sore spot. Tauriel wondered if he landed on a knife when he cringed as he rose.

Before anyone could say anything though, Viltarra pointed a finger at Fili. "You DIED!"

"Yes…but then I came back." Fili said with a wide grin stretched across his face, which really did not help. Tauriel rolled her eyes at his fallback on humor.

"FILI! Be serious for one moment. You actually died. Afterlife, meeting our maker, and everything. All of you did." She looked at Tauriel. "It isn't just Dis and Thorin who owes you, Tauriel, but I do as well."

"Viltarra you owe me nothing." Tauriel tried.

The dam, however, was shaking her head fervently; her blonde waves falling into her eyes as she did. "But I do! Don't you see!" She turned to Fili, begging with her brown eyes for him to understand. "I would never have known you existed Fili. We are only together because Tauriel brought you back. I would have been alone." She finished; her last thought spoken in barely a whisper.

Eyes widening, Fili cleared the distance between them and pulled Viltarra close, tucking her head under his chin and wrapping his arms tightly around her. "That is not true. You would have found someone." Even as he said it, he hated the idea. Nobody was good enough for her.

Fili felt Viltarra shake her head no. "Would Kili have found someone without Tauriel, would Tauriel have settled with another elf? I wish for no one but you Fili. Only you, and you died." She was not crying but for how upset Viltarra was at the moment, she might as well have been.

Fili still tried to sooth her fears, sighing into her golden waves. "Sweet roll, you would have never even known I existed, let alone what you would have felt for me." Fili grinned internally at the idea of having someone he could give a pet name to now. His dam, however, was not so pleased by the…endearment.

"Don't call me sweet roll." Viltarra grumbled, as she pulled away, poking Fili in the chest. The prince smirked and kissed her forehead, humming in acknowledgment of her request. He was in no way giving up though, he will find something to call her, just like Kili's use of amralime. My beloved in Khuzdul. Well, he can't use that so he is going to just have to be creative. Fili, is always up for a challenge.

After a moment, Viltarra pulled away, giving Fili a small smile, her brow lifting when she saw the spark of amusement in his eyes. She sighed internally, he is up to something, but she had another thought on her mind right now. So, Viltarra turned her head enough to look at Kili and Tauriel. "When did you know, that you two were meant to be together. Despite your…complications."

Kili tried to think, Tauriel laughing at the look of frustration crossing his face before he finally answered. "Honestly…no idea."

Fili laughed knowing why Kili looked so put out, but Viltarra scowled once again, feeling as if they were laughing at her rather than taking her seriously.

Seeing her friends expression, Tauriel sighed and shook her head. "You will have to forgive my husband; he often speaks without considering how his words affect others. It is not that he is being purposely obtuse, we had all memories but how we died and our time in Valinor stricken from us when we came back. We knew we were in love, but, the memories on how we came to do so in our previous life are gone. We had to relearn each other in Ered Luin." Tauriel often thought on the same thing. How did they meet? What was said? Was she instantly attracted to her prince or was it something that happened over time with him?

"If I were to guess…" Tauriel continued, her fingers playing with Kili's hair as she spoke. "I would say it happened when they came to Mirkwood as that is where I would have been. I probably saved his life, and he most likely said something ridiculous but so endearing, that it made me want to hear more."

Kili rubbed his chin, his brow wrinkled in thought. "We were put in prison when we went to Mirkwood, so it is very likely that you would have been our jailor as I doubt our first time around was any different than the second." He sighed and lifted his eyes to hers and brushed his fingers along her jaw." I am sure there were many long nights sitting and sharing stories. You would have been standoffish at first, but I would speak of nights under your stars and moons filled with fire, and you would not have been able to resist my wiles and charm." He gave her his signature cheeky grin and wagged his eyebrows at her for good measure.

"Truly?" Tauriel laughed, tugging on one of his braids. "Or…you would not leave me be until I gave in out of pity and boredom." Kili scowled at her, and she nuzzled his nose with her own before looking at Viltarra who was watching them curiously.

"I may not remember it, but I do know from this time around that the time between the company's imprisonment in Mirkwood and the battle we all fought together was not long. In that short time, I had fallen so in love with this dwarf, I could do nothing more than give all I could up for him. He is my one, my souls' mate in all ways. I feel that is something I would have known when I saw him, or at least felt in my heart." Kili hummed in agreement, the sound vibrating in his chest as he leaned in enough to kiss her lips gently, pulling away only to look over at Viltarra and Fili.

Kili sighed happily as he felt Tauriel lean her head against his. He smiled to himself, but kept his eyes on his brother and Viltarra. "I know we don't have the answer you wanted. I can only tell you what I feel now. It is a desperate need to have her near. That has not changed since she arrived in Ered Luin over two years ago. It has only grown. If that need is there in you, that is your answer."

Viltarra nodded and thanked them. She could only imagine the immense amount of trust it took to tell her everything they had, and she did not take that lightly in any way. "I believe you. About everything, and I will not speak of it to a soul. It will follow me to the gates of Mandos and beyond."

Fili pulled her back into his arms and buried his face in her hair once more. "I know. We trust you." He whispered.

Really, Viltarra did not know how, they barely knew each other, but everything Kili described, she felt inside her chest. A deep need for Fili that overrode all her logical thoughts and desires.

Pulling back, Fili tucked some of her blonde waves behind her ear, leaning down and resting his forehead against hers. "I think it is getting late, we really should be getting you back to your parents before they come looking for you. I will walk you to your chambers."

Viltarra nodded. She extracted herself from Fili's arms and made to leave, but changed her mind in the last minute. Ignoring the questioning look from Fili, Viltarra walked with purpose over to Tauriel who had just stood to begin helping Kili out of bed. The elf stopped as she saw the dam coming towards her, and turned to her friend. Before she knew it, Viltarra had pulled Tauriel into an embrace.

"Thank you. For bringing him back." Realizing what Viltarra was saying, Tauriel tightened her own hold on the dam as she nodded her head. Fili has come to mean as much to Tauriel as Kili, just in a different way. The thought of Fili's laughter, his wit, and his audacity not filling their lives was a devastating blow.

Viltarra pulled away and with a goodbye, left hand in hand with Fili moments later.

Finally alone, Tauriel turned to Kili, and without much warning, smacked him on the back of his head.

Kili's hand went immediately to the spot, where he rubbed it and winced before leveling his wife with a look. "Ow. What was that for?"

"Stop. Being. Stubborn. The last month was not your fault. So, stop it." Tauriel punctuated each word with a poke in Kili's chest all the while leveling him with a glare that would make his uncle proud.

Kili sighed but nodded. "I will try, amralime."

Tauriel watched her husband for a moment, then smiled and pulled him in for a kiss, Kili happily going along as they sat together on the bed. Tauriel pulled back just a bit and nuzzled his nose, pressing their foreheads together.

A pecking sound on glass had both turning their eyes away from each other and towards the veranda door. "Looks like our feathered child has returned." Kili chuckled.

Pulling herself away from her husband, Tauriel went to the other side of the room and opened the door, Kaw hopping in before spreading his wings and flying to the bed where he folded into himself once more.

Kili was about to pet him, until he realized Kaw had a spider in his mouth, and the young prince cringed at the large squirming legs trying to escape the raven's beak. He had more than enough of spiders in Mirkwood forest, but at least this one was nowhere near the size of those, though it was a rather large spider. "Ick. Amralime, how exactly are we to make sure that…thing…does not escape into the bed?"

Tauriel watched with amusement as her little raven, to Kili's horror, then swallowed the entire spider, still alive and moving, down in one go. He croaked and cooed at Kili when he finished, as if asking for recognition, but Kili leaned back, somewhat afraid the spider will somehow reemerge when the raven opened its beak. Eventually, Kili rolled his eyes and stroked the bird who hopped in excitement before curling up on Tauriel's pillow where he began preening himself.

"I do not think I can unsee that." Kili sighed, sitting back against the head board. He is not really a squeamish dwarf, but nobody likes the idea of a big, hairy, spider crawling around the bed.

"Be glad he did not release it then, meleth nin." Tauriel chuckled. "Now. Do you want a bath? Oin agreed the warm water will help and I have some herbs I can add in as well." Kili nodded eagerly and Tauriel stood from the bed and grabbed the crutch before helping her dwarven husband make the slow and painful trek to the washroom.

The following day was not one Thorin was looking forward too. He rose early in the morning, making his way out to the main sitting room where Fili and Tauriel sat talking quietly beside Naurfaer. They all stopped speaking, however, when Thorin walked in.

"We want to be there." Thorin sat down across from them, watching carefully as he considered Fili's request.

After a moment, Thorin sighed. He understood their need to support him, but he was unsure they really knew what they were considering. "Fili, you have never had to witness such a thing."

"I have." Tauriel stated. "As captain of the guard it was my duty to oversee these situations. I must admit, they were…rare. However, in my 600 years there have been instances they have come up. I also wish to show Gildridd that she did not win. I and my child are alive and well and Kili will never be with anyone but me."

Rubbing his chin in thought, Thorin finally nodded. "Very well. Is Kili in agreement?"

With a sigh, Tauriel shook her head. "It was…a small argument this morning but we eventually came to an understanding. He does not wish me to be near that dam again, that is all. I told him you, Fili, and Naurfaer will be there and none of you will allow for anything to bring me harm."

"There is no power in middle earth, or beyond, that would allow for her to even come close enough to try anything." Naurfaer promised, his green eyes flashing as he spoke. He then turned to Thorin. "I too have been to my fair share of executions. Nasty businesses they are, and I have found every one of them to be unsettling and such a waste of life." Naurfaer shook his head. He was behind Thorin one hundred percent, but, that does not mean he can't feel as if mortals have a habit of wasting their already limited years. Elves are in no way perfect, and he has even been to executions involving the eldar, but, more often than not, it was among the human race. This was the first dwarven execution he has been to, however. Still, he was in no way looking forward to it. He was happy it will all soon be over though, and they can get back to their lives.

Thorin sighed again and stood. "Let us get this done with then and move on or it shall never feel completely over. Are you ready?" All three across from him nodded their heads and rose, following Thorin out.

This was the first time Tauriel had been seen by the masses since the rumor of her death fell through the halls of their mountain like a dark shadow. Some still believed her to be gone, despite Thorin's reassurances she was well. So, as she stepped up beside Thorin, and before the crowd of Erebor's dwarves congregating for the execution, there was a wave of murmurs that filled the air.

Naurfaer just watched the crowd with a deep somberness suited for the event, he was standing several paces behind Tauriel, Thorin, and Fili, eyeing all in attendance. He was simply a quiet guardian for the proceedings.

The other Lords were also in attendance, though Krygo and his wife had already left, taking Kaulithah with them late the day before, as they promised they would. Thorin personally made sure they left without incident.

"Are we ready Thorin?" Thorin nodded to Balin. Everyone seemed to be in attendance who was necessary, so he gave Balin and Aeodhen his approval to proceed. The guards guided Gildridd up through the center of the crowds. By now, her vile deeds had spread through the entire mountain, and many were unafraid to spit harsh words in Khuzdul at the dam who once was a respected healer, as she made her way to the front.

Dwalin stood, his axe in hand ready and sharpened. He silently waited for her to approach. The masses were outside the mountain for the event, but away from the entrance on the opposite side of Dale. Thorin did not want this dwarrowdam to have any honor of being inside the mountain when she was put to death; Erebor is where honorable dwarrows dwelled, this dam had none.

As Gildridd was pushed to her knees before Thorin, Fili, and Tauriel, the king under the mountain looked down at her. "Do you have anything to say before you meet the great Mahal."

"My maker knows my deeds were justified. He shall reward me greatly for both the love I have for that child, and the aid I gave in removing as many of those pointy eared nuisances from this world as I could." She sneered at Tauriel who looked down at her indifferently. Then, Gildridd's cold eyes turned back to Thorin. "Mahal, the creator, spits on the likes of you. A traitor to your name and your kin. Accepting an elf into your family and in the halls of Erebor, then allowing for it to breed with your own blood. Durin the deathless is thrice cursing your name, Thorin Oakenshield. I will BEG the maker to allow me a seat to watch your judgment just so I can have the satisfaction of seeing you brought to your knees."

Mahal. Thorin has already met him, and he had no issues with allowing for the eleth to join the family. In fact, he encouraged it. Even their maker could not deny the connection Kili and Tauriel had. So, Thorin had no fears in this clearly delusional dam's threats or judgments. In fact, she will be in for quite the surprise when she stands before Mahal, as Mahal was the one who save Tauriel himself when she was being accosted by Sauron.

Ignoring her words, Thorin gave the final chance. A prisoner's ability to renounce their deeds so they may stand with humility before the maker. "You have poisoned Tauriel of Erebor. Do you stand with any sorrow or guilt for what you have done?"

Gildridd glared at Tauriel and spit at the ground. "My only sorrow is she stands there still living, along with that abomination she carries. If I had one regret, it is that I failed my Kaulithah, and that I am not taking that elf with me."

Fili looked up at Tauriel, her face set in a mask of disinterest for what she had said, but there was a barely perceptible tremble that went down her back. So he took her hand in his, Tauriel immediately squeezing it and holding tight.

Thorin had heard enough. He nodded to Dwalin who lifted his axe, and in one swing, it was all over.

"Fili, take her upstairs." Fili looked from Thorin to Tauriel, who was staring down at Gildridd's lifeless form, her eyes dark and menacing but her skin pale and flushed. She was also still slightly shaking.

Fili secured his arm around his sister and guided her away, Tauriel going willingly. He was glad he had talked Viltarra out of coming. His precious dam wanted to be there to support Tauriel and the family, but Fili had told her to come by the family's quarters later that day. It is then her support and friendship will be most needed. He also suggested she bring cheese buns when she comes as well, a lot of them. He even told her to bring Leotti with her. His sister may be strong, but there are times when even the strongest need their family and friends.

However, in true form, Tauriel insisted she was fine when they re-entered the mountain. "I am just glad this is all over and we can move on." Although, she was very happy to see both Leotti and Viltarra already inside and waiting in the sitting room when she walked in. Tauriel was even surprised to see Dis attempting to make small talk with Viltarra, though both had strained smiles on their faces. At least they were trying, Tauriel thought.

The elf watched with amusement as Fili pulled Viltarra into his arms and kissed the dam soundly, Viltarra trying to push him back the entire time. She easily gave in, but smacked him on the chest when he finally released her. "Fili! Your mother is in the room! Behave."

However, Fili only laughed in response. He walked by Tauriel, kissing her on the cheek and repeating the same gesture for his mam, who was eyeing her son warily. "See. Now everyone gets a kiss." Fili gave his dam a crooked grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"And what about Leotti?" Viltarra said with a knowing smile.

"If he even comes close enough for that, I will strangle him with his own hair." The room erupted with laughter, even Dis's face breaking into a smile at the young dam. It felt good to be surrounded by so much, positivity. The laughter died when the sound of a bell tinkling met Tauriel's ears.

Tauriel looked around the room before asking, "Dis, what is that?"

Leotti chuckled and Dis sighed. "I gave Kili a bell this morning to call. I wanted to make breakfast, then visit with Leotti and Viltarra, so I thought it would be a means to let me know if he needed me, while not being in the same chamber. I fear I created a monster."

"He needs her...a lot." Leotti chimed in, snickering.

"Leotti, he is in pain, and stuck in bed during a stressful morning." Dis admonished, though secretly, the fact her son had rang that bell nearly every five minutes for the last hour has been, well beyond exasperating.

"I will go to him, Dis. I will be back shortly." Tauriel excused herself and walked back to their room.

Kili's eyes widened in excitement as she entered. "Amralime! You're back!"

Tauriel smiled and noted the small golden bell on the bedside table, and Kaw, who was sitting with his head nestled under his wing beside Kili. She had a letter all sealed and ready to send to Legolas, so she would need to wake him soon, but for now she will let him rest. She instead sat beside Kili, fingering a braid in his hair then tracing his jaw, following it back to the curve of his ear.

After he said nothing for a few minutes she lifted a brow curiously. "You rang, meleth nin?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes. I fear I have been driving mam mad. I have been worried for you. I keep asking if she had heard anything yet. I also may have dropped my water and I can't reach my pot. I hate this. I truly do. It is most…uncomfortable in more ways than one."

By the end of his thoughts, Kili was scowling and shifting in bed. At the movement, Kaw lifted his head and croaked angerly at being disturbed from his rest. Though the moment he saw Tauriel, the little raven hopped up from the pillow and jumped excitedly until she scratched his black head.

Eyes filling with pity, Tauriel first picked up Kili's fallen water cup, then used the pitcher across the room to refill it, and placed it back on the bedside table before sitting once more beside him. She will help him to the washroom to use the toilet, there was no need for the pot if she was there to help. "I am sorry Kili. I think you may be able to be more mobile in a day or so. I will take a look at your shoulder again tonight. Until then, though, how may I be of assistance my beloved prince." She kissed him on the forehead and sat back waiting.

Eying the cup that he may…or may not…have purposely pushed off the bedside table, Kili's cheeks warmed, and he averted his eyes but did eventually answer. "I was trying to get an update on this morning's proceedings. I think mam regretted giving me that bell."

Tauriel smiled. "As you can see, I am here, and it went…as well as it could have." She looked at the floor then back at Kili who caught the look. She could never really hide anything from him, especially with Kili being even more perceptive since last month's ordeal.

Kili cupped her jaw tenderly, his thumb stroking her cheek as he spoke. "Tell me."

Tauriel twisted on the bed and looked directly at him. "It was fine. She could not harm me. She just, said a few things that were…cruel. Words I would expect from an orc or goblin kind. Never from someone who's life focus was supposed to be on healing. It was difficult to hear, that is all. She will never harm us again though, so, I wish to just, let it go." Kili looked as if he wanted to argue, but nodded and decided to follow her lead and begin the long road to moving on.

It took a bit of time to help Kili to the washroom, then she spent another few minutes helping him get resettled in the bed, passing him his water and brushing some of the short hair out of his eyes as she leaned into him. "Is there anything I can bring you? Are you hungry? Leotti and Viltarra are in the main sitting room with Dis, they are waiting on me, but I wanted to come and see you myself."

Kili shook his head and Tauriel pressed a kiss to his lips as she rose to leave. "I will just be down the hall. Ring if you need me."

"Oh, don't tell me that, amralime. I always need you." Tauriel snorted but dropped another kiss to his forehead and walked out.

The remainder of the day was spent among her family and friends. Viltarra did bring her cheese buns and Tauriel ate nearly all of them, the eleth blushing when she realized what she had done, which brought a round of laughter from the three dams surrounding her. Nobody faulted her in it, as Viltarra really brought them just for her in the first place. Besides, she made sure to have her fill before leaving the bakery, and even smuggled a few to Leotti to eat on their way up together.

Dis stayed with them too, for the most part. Though she would frequently excuse herself to go back to check on Kili once or twice, then to help Fili in the kitchen with lunch, and once again with dinner in which Leotti and Viltarra joined in for both.

Thorin came back later that evening walking in with Naurfaer. He declared all the Lords were on their way back to their kingdoms and each one signed the contract set before them by Balin. They were unified once more under Thorin as king.

The patriarch of the family also declared it safe for them to leave and continue their duties among the people once again, including going to meals in the halls. Dis, however, added a slight change. She wanted the family to continue breakfast together and called for family dinners two evenings a week in their personal kitchen, and everyone seemed in accordance. In a show of support for her eldest son, Dis even gave Fili permission to bring Viltarra to any meal she could make it to. Although Thorin gave her a look at this last detail, he said nothing to the contrary…for now.

At the end of the day, Tauriel smiled and waved goodbye to her two closest friends as she shut the door to the royal wing. She really needed their companionship today. Knowing Fili, Dis, and Naurfaer were still sitting at the table when she passed the kitchen, Tauriel even popped her head in and bid them goodnight before heading back to her own chamber to spend the remainder of her evening with her precious other half.

As promised, the moment Tauriel entered the bedroom, she went directly to her husband and began checking Kili's shoulder, the young prince eagerly sitting up to give her full access when he realized what she was doing.

It had been about two weeks, so his shoulder should be well on the mend by now. Tauriel took it from the sling where either she, or Oin, would strap it to his chest for immobilization each day after he carefully dressed. She stretched it and moved it, working the joint tenderly as she did. It was definitely stiff, which was to be expected, so she was not worried. She did notice how Kili winced as she checked him over, but since he said nothing, she kept going.

Tauriel then spent some time massaging it for her dwarf, who eventually relaxed in her hands. At one point, she helped Kili out of the button-down shirt he had been wearing, then grabbed some special oils, and laid Kili down to lay flat on the mattress, so she could massage the oil better into the joint. Kili sighed in pleasure, closing his eyes at her ministrations.

After about an hour, Tauriel sat back then leaned over his head, her braids tickling the side of his cheek as Kili looked up directly into her eyes. "It will be stiff and sore, but I don't see why you cannot use it now. You will be unable to shoot for a few more weeks while it fully heals, but, crutches to aid you getting around will be fine. No stairs though." At first Kili was excited to be able to finally leave, only to find out that leaving meant he was still holed up, just with extended room.

"Amralime." Kili whined.

However, Tauriel was not having it and immediately shook her head, the braids whipping his cheeks as she did. "No. With that leg, and your shoulder still healing, you will just end up tumbling down and it may end up killing you next time. You will just have to stay inside the wing until you are strong enough to use the stairs. Be patient with yourself Kili, you went through something very traumatic for your body. It needs time to heal."

Kili sighed but eventually smiled as he readjusted himself on the bed and opened his arms, his shoulder only protesting slightly at the action. "Well, if I cannot leave, at least let me hold you properly for the first time in weeks."

This, Tauriel was happy to oblige with. Though she did make sure to watch his leg as she let herself be pulled into Kili's warm embrace. She wrapped her arms around him and burrowed her face into his neck, placing a kiss on his injured shoulder. The couple quickly fell asleep, curled up in each other. The next morning, everyone cheered as Kili joined the family for breakfast for the first time.

Autumn was soon ending, making way to winter and the dwarven holiday known as Durin's day, which was celebrated eagerly for the first time in Erebor's halls since Smaug came. Of course there was a great feast, then the traditional speech, followed by an evening together with the family.

Naurfaer was like a child in a toy shop, excitedly asking for every detail of what would happen. Eventually, it was Dis who sat the elf down and explained everything to him. Naurfaer was in awe at the traditions, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening together. That night, the only gift the family celebrated, was the life growing inside Tauriel, as each member of the family took turns giving name suggestions, guessing whose features the babe will have, and telling stories of Kili and Fili's childhood.

It was Viltarra's first true Durin's day as well, and she spent the entire day with the royal family, as did her parents. The young dam was more than surprised to see how cohesive the family really was when they were all together. She really had misjudged them, as even Thorin smiled and laughed, leaning into Tauriel as he told her a story of Kili's first steps right to him.

Dis thought it was adorable to see her son walk to his uncle, saying Kili always had been rather attached to her brother. Though Thorin was thoroughly convinced it was less about the fact the babe was attached to him, and more because he was eating a cookie at the time…and Kili wanted the cookie.

Everyone knew, however, that Kili and Fili were both very attached to their uncle. So nobody for a minute believed the treat had anything to do with it, as it was more likely Kili had simply wanted to walk to his da, or, well, the only da he knew.

Durin's day, as it always has been, was truly an evening of joy, laughter, and appreciating the gifts they had in the family and friends around them. Even if there was still more than a little…tension…between Viltarra, Dis, and Thorin. Still, they set their animosity aside, and just celebrated the holiday with forced smiles and cordial comments to the dam. Of course, she noticed, but, decided to let it go.

The passing of Durin's day meant Tauriel only had four weeks left of her pregnancy and Valar above, she was feeling every minute of it. To make matters even more…pleasant…she was also getting an abundance of information from the other dams.

Tauriel had been joining with Dis in meetings with the dams regularly, since they were given the okay to leave the royal wing from Thorin. Unfortunately, in these small gatherings and more often than desired, Tauriel was…graced…with their 'wise' words for the better part of the entire hour she attended. Her favorite little gems were:

"Make sure you do not bathe in a tub dear, that will drown the babe."

"If you look at a mouse, that little one will have a hairy birthmark…you mark my words lass. Steer clear of the rodents."

Oh, and her absolute favorite being…"Don't lift yer hands above yer head like that! Yer babe will be strangled with its life chord."

Honestly, how do they come up with these. First off, the babe is already in a sack of water, bathing will do no harm to him. Second, why in the great green forest would she even want to look for a mouse and what does that have to do with genetic marks on her child, and best of all, in no way does her stretching cause her son to be in detrimental harm of wrapping himself up in his chord. Now, his constant need for moving and dancing, may be something of a concern, but not her stretching.

"Have you thought up any names yet dear?" Tauriel looked at Dis from her mug of tea and shook her head. She did not know why she was stalling so long. She really needed to sit down with Kili and make a final decision. He should have a name ready for when he enters this world.

"Better get on that one Tauriel. You have two to come up with." Taada added, bouncing her rather round son on her knee.

"Two?" Tauriel looked around. Shaada and Taada were both there with their youngest sitting on their laps. Of course, Hillanna and Riffi as well as Taada's nine other children were all in lessons, as usual, but the nearly two-year-old Tauren, and Bragi…who was just three, were too young for such thing so they were with their mothers.

There were about fifteen other dams currently in attendance in Dis's receiving room, some Tauriel had known from Ered Luin, and some she was getting to know from other clans. They were all rather kind to her.

"Dis, she does know about the second name, doesn't she?" Dis put her tea down on her lap and furrowed her brows. She glanced at Shaada who was looking from Tauriel to Dis worriedly.

Turning just a bit to face her daughter, Dis leaned in to speak directly to her. "Darling, did Balin or Thorin not teach you about our second name? Or Kili for that matter? He should have told you his own on your wedding night."

Tauriel thought back to her lessons, and her wedding night but nothing about a second name rang true. "No. I am afraid nobody has said anything of the like. I am quite sure I would remember if Kili had mentioned a second name."

The room suddenly fell silent. "Mahal's forge Dis. The lass is givin' birth in less than a month. She ought teh know, or the wee one will not get a second name."

"I hardly doubt Kili would neglect to give his child a second name Bria." Shaada tried.

"Forgive me, but can someone explain what it is I am missing?" Tauriel lacked the patients these last weeks to contain her ire. Fili has more than once needed to dodge a dagger when he said or did something to irritate the eleth, and Kili finally began learning the art of thinking before he spoke, if only for the sake of his own life.

Dis sighed. This was a lesson Thorin was supposed to teach. It traditionally comes from the father of the family who not only bestows the special name at birth, but eventually teaches them their hidden name, and the importance of it as they get older.

When her Vili had passed, Thorin took up the mantel as family patriarch and he was the one to teach Fili and Kili individually what their inner name was, the significance behind it, and its secrecy. Though Vili was the one to bestow Fili his second name, it was Thorin who gave Kili an inner name, Vili having died before their youngest was born.

Not even the two brothers know of what the other's name is. A mother, father (or uncle in their family), and spouse were the only ones to know, at least until it was engraved on their tombs in death. That is when it is finally revealed.

Taking her hand, Dis tried to sooth Tauriel's frustrations. "If you will be patient my daughter, I will speak to Thorin. It falls on him to teach you I am afraid."

Dis did not take long to remedy the situation, so Tauriel had little need to exercise her very little patience. It was in fact later that day that Tauriel received a summons to meet Thorin in his personal sitting room. He had not yet arrived when she opened the door, so she stood pacing the room until the door opened and Thorin stepped in, watching her with amusement.

Her footsteps ceased as Thorin gestured to one of the chairs and he quietly set about lighting a fire. He could have had someone do it, but, he preferred to complete the task on his own. Kili was much the same way, opting to handle certain chores in his own chambers, including tidying up, without the use of the dwarven attendants.

Once a warm fire lit up the room, Thorin pulled forward a second chair and sat.

"I have been made quite aware I missed something in your lessons." This was an understatement as Dis all but yelled at him for nearly an hour for missing something as important as an inner name. He tried to argue he had not thought about it because, well, Tauriel was 600, not an infant. It slipped his mind. His sister did not want to hear it and sent him off to correct his error.

Tauriel nodded. She had no idea what everyone was going on about and decided she would find out much more quickly if she sat quietly and waited for Thorin to tell her.

"You know we have a few names." Thorin began. "Our given name, is our outer name. It is what all know us by. Thorin, Dis, Fili, Kili, Tauriel…all born in any race are given a commonly used name. Dwarrow, however, are also known to have three others."

"Three?!" Tauriel gaped.

Thorin gave her a nod. "You know how we introduce ourselves, 'son of' and 'daughter of', that is also considered a name. Tauriel, daughter of Findyyr."

Tauriel nodded. "Alright, that seems easy enough. Kili, son of Dis." Thorin nodded, and Tauriel added, "Would Oakenshield be a third?"

Thorin was impressed. "Well done. You are correct. Some earn a name, or moniker if you will, from a deed or achievement they completed in their lifetime. My use of that oak branch in taking down Azog that first time gave me mine. Dain too is known as Ironfoot. The more you spend time among the dwarrow, the more you will hear."

Sighing, Tauriel nodded, then thought back to all her time in Ered Luin, with the company on their journey, then these last months in Erebor. Yet, nothing came to mind of another name. "There is another, but I cannot think of any other introduction I have been given. Common name, moniker, family ties. All of these I have heard in my time among the dwarrow, so they make sense. But, what is the fourth?"

Thorin leaned forward, coming closer to Tauriel who instinctively leaned in as well. "The fourth is unspoken. It is our inner name. One bestowed to us by our father. A gift given to mark his child as his own, some even call it a father's first blessing. The only ones who will ever know this name beside the dwarrow themselves, is a father who gives it, the mother, and eventually, the spouse on their wedding night."

Tauriel thought back to their wedding night, blushing slightly. She mentally sifted through everything Kili had said to her, but nothing came forward that sounded like a name. Did she miss something important? "I am sorry Thorin, I do not recall Kili ever mentioning anything. I fear I have missed something."

Thorin sighed. He was afraid of this. "Seems like I am not the only one who deserves Dis's ire. Apparently Kili may have forgotten." He will be speaking to his nephew later. In no way was he the only one to be yelled at for this. Great Mahal above, he was the king of the entire dwarven people, he overcame dragon sickness, he even beat Azog…twice, and he would run into nearly any battle without a second thought. Yet, his 'baby' sister still had the ability to make him squirm. Not that he would tell anyone this, or make it shown.

Tauriel pulled Thorin from his thoughts when she let out a deep breath, then nodded. "Alright. I must help Kili come up with a second name, even if we have not yet decided on a first."

"Have you discussed it?" Thorin asked, rubbing his chin in thought.

Tauriel nodded and let out another deep breath, clearly exasperated by the thought. "It has come up, but neither of us can...come to an agreement. Nothing seems suitable for…for him."

At first Thorin thought she was referring to Kili, but she gestured to her belly and Thorin understood. "Does he know what is going on?" Thorin knew Tauriel was connected to her child but he had no idea the depth of that connection. He watched as Tauriel smiled warmly.

"To a point." Tauriel hummed, rubbing the swell of her son. He was rather awake and alert right now, but he was not moving, instead, he seemed to just want to be present in the conversation. "The further along I become, the more…aware…he seems of whom is in the room, what he wants, and how to communicate it. Still no words or anything. You have much of the same effect as Kili does. He seems to enjoy listening to you speak. He is always so, still, when either of you are talking near."

Thorin smiled widely, his blue eyes twinkling. He was looking forward to meeting the much-anticipated new arrival to their family, due in merely a month. He had even added coin into Bofur's arrival wager.

The hatted dwarf had a calendar with names and was taking bets on when the newest member of the mountain would finally arrive. At first it was a small, contained, bit of fun. However, word got out on the wager and now, a much larger calendar was hung up on the wall of the main food hall, where the dwarves of Erebor have been adding their guesses almost daily.

Some of the dwarves and dams had even been coming to ask Tauriel questions on how she is feeling, any pains, pressures, or something to indicate if the child was coming sooner rather than later, before adding their names and guesses to the poll. Tauriel would patiently answer as best she could…MOST…of their questions, others, she flat out refused to even acknowledge as they were downright inappropriate. "What does that have to do with going into labor?!" The dwarf would snicker and say, "Oh lass, yeh jus' wait." Often leaving Tauriel red in the face and gawking at the retreating dwarf.

Thorin and Dis were betting only a day apart with Fili being a day after Kili. They were all on the same week though, putting the newborn coming in just three weeks' time, if any of them were correct.

Tauriel had not been allowed to bet not just because of her connection to the baby, which Bofur had proclaimed was cheating as she had "insight" in when it could happen. But also, because he was concerned that EVERYONE would just choose the same day she did, saying it was 'Not the point of a bet Tauri, takes the fun out.'

So, the eleth was left out of her own poll. Although, what they did not know, is she had silently placed her own bet, using an undercover name on the calendar. If nobody looked too hard, they would never see that Kaw, spelled like Khah, had made a bet. She thought she was clever, as she tossed a handful of gold into the crate at the calendar's base in the early hours of the day. Her bet had been a bit sooner than her family's, meaning her son would come in just two weeks, rather than three. It was more than anything, wishful thinking, as she was quite done with being pregnant for the time being, but it was also because she could not wait to hold her son in her arms.

Tauriel was brought back from her thoughts when Thorin placed his rough, large, hand on his grandson. She had been so lost; she had not even realized he had stood or moved to kneel before her. "You know, I was the one who gave Kili his inner name. Dis had called him Kili even in the womb, even before we knew Kili was a male. She seemed to just know. His inner name though, that was supposed to come from his own father. Vili had...he had passed as you know, and with no other to do so, the honor fell on me. Kili will, no doubt, be filled with the same love I had as he bestows the name on his own son. There is nothing like it Tauriel, giving a name to a new life, a name just for them, that they will hold and cherish, only sharing with one who would protect it as much as they do themselves."

Tauriel looked to the flames over Thorin's head. It was certainly a beautiful sentiment. Elves only have their given names and their family name in some cases. She lowered her eyes back to Thorin and smiled. "I will look forward to being part of Kili's blessing. Thank you for telling me all this. It truly is beautiful, as so many of your customs are." Thorin lifted a brow but did not move from kneeling before her, as she had expected. Is there more? She shifted but waited.

Thorin realized she thought they were done only a second later and stood. He lifted his hand to help the elf to her feet, but did not release it until he was sure she was not going to move to the door. "Tauriel. If it was only a matter of telling you what an inner name was, I would have had Kili do so."

Tauriel looked confused, and Thorin watched her carefully. "Stay here. I will return in only a moment." Tauriel watched as Thorin left the room and the chamber. She only had to wait seconds before the door opened once again, and Thorin stepped in beside Dis who gave Tauriel a gentle smile, her eyes moist as she took the eleth in. Tauriel's bewilderment only grew when Thorin stepped before her once again, Dis just beside him.

Thorin cleared his throat but stood tall. "Typically, this is done at birth, but, we are making an exception as we always do when you are involved." He gave her a smirk but Tauriel just stared, looking between Dis who had tears falling from her eyes, to Thorin who had once again taken her hand, and began speaking in Khuzdul, his voice rumbling and vibrating from his chest.

As Thorin spoke, Tauriel could feel the tendrils of her son reaching out to grasp at Thorin's words. "A name was given to you upon your birth. Tauriel. A name all will hear and speak. A name you will be known for. I bestow upon you a second name. Keep this deep little one and hold it tight like the mountain holds its gems. Before Mahal, our great creator, I offer you a name only he will know you by, daughter of mine. This name will be Durinulthatru (Durin's Star). It shall be your constant companion, and only in death, will all bear witness of it. Mahal bless you, my beloved daughter."

Tauriel could not hold in her tears or her sobs as she collapsed into Thorin's waiting arms. He had given her an inner name, her. An elf. Probably the only elf in history to have such an honor. "Dis and I wanted you to have a name Nâtha. One you can exchange with Kili and one you will have with you for yourself. You have already been invited into the halls of Mandos with Kili, an inner name is the one piece you were missing to complete that journey."

"It is beautiful. Thank you, from everything I am. You have, you have no idea what you all mean to me." Tauriel pulled away, Thorin placing his forehead against hers then pulling back for Dis to engulf her into her own arms.

The dam rocked Tauriel back and forth for a few minutes, releasing her and stepping away only to run her hand through Tauriel's bright-red hair. "It is such a fitting name for you, daughter, for you truly are our star. Always shining and guiding us together, our beacon of hope." Tauriel took Dis's hand and squeezed it tight. She may be their beacon of hope, but, they were the fire that kept her alight. She will always shine for them.

The three stayed together for a while, Dis and Thorin speaking to Tauriel about the importance of her inner name, and how it is used to enter their ancestors' halls upon their death.

Eventually, Thorin excused himself to go seek Kili out; this will be COMPLETELY resolved tonight. While he did that, Dis took Tauriel to the kitchen where they would be preparing dinner. It was a family meal that night and Viltarra and her parents will be joining in.

Kili was not difficult to find, he could not go anywhere but the royal wing, so Thorin was unsurprised to find his nephew in his own suite, reading through book after book. Several piles were scattered on the floor around him, and his crutches were haphazardly thrown to the ground beside the chair. It took three tries of calling his name to get the young prince to even notice he was there.

Kili looked up with a start to see his uncle with his arms folded while looking down at him with a raised brow. "I forgot something…didn't I?" That look, Kili knew that look. He knew it well. What he could not figure out was why he was getting it. He literally could not do anything, go anywhere, or attend to any of his normal duties. He tried to think back on the day. It was family dinner that night, he had not missed that yet judging by the sun still streaming into the room, nobody's birthday was coming up, and he knew for a fact he had no lessons or meetings. Truly, nothing further came to mind.

"Aye. You have. Something rather important too." Kili shifted nervously but said nothing, so Thorin decided to give him a hint. "Does a certain beloved elf and an inner name ring a bell?"

The young prince furrowed his brows in concentration, then they shot up and he gaped at his uncle in realization. "Oh!"

"'Oh' is correct. Kili, you were supposed to tell her on your wedding night." Thorin admonished. Sure, he was part to blame, that was not going to stop the kingly uncle from pushing a pile of that fault on his nephew. At least HE was the one speaking to Kili, Dis would be at his throat. This was what real love was, stepping between his sister and the one she wished to ream. His moniker should have been Disshield.

"I was distracted! I completely forgot." Thorin raised a brow as Kili sputtered on. "She was there all…all…perfect…and…and…beautiful…" He gestured frantically with his hands to the blank air opposite Thorin. "and…and….I just could not think. Then she…and we…I…well…distracted…quite distracted." Kili finished as he went as red as a ruby.

Thorin rolled his eyes. It was true, his nephew was very young, even in dwarrow terms. He really could not blame the boy. He may not have quite, understood, on the same level, but he was no dwarfling.

So, the uncle, slash father, pointed a finger at Kili. "Fix it. Tonight. You are running short on time, you both are." He eyed the mess around him. "What is all this, Kili?"

Kili sighed and slammed the book in his lap closed, showing the title. 'The Eldar of our Time', Thorin read upside down. There were also several dwarvish history tomes among the pile, and some family documents showing their entire line. "I am trying to come up with a name and had Balin bring up some books and documents from the library for…inspiration. Though the elven books are from Legolas who sent some over in the last trade caravan from Mirkwood. We cannot think of anything that seems…right."

Thorin smiled and stepped forward to bend down and place a hand on Kili's shoulder. "It will come to you. Give it time."

Kili shifted a bit, then turned his brown eyes up to Thorin. "Would you mind uncle? If we gave our son an elvish name? We haven't, mind you, yet. But, if we did…"

Thorin thought about the request carefully. Would it bother him? Maybe at one point it would have. The child will be a prince of Erebor, and possibly its king one day after Fili. However, when he considered it, there was no ill distaste in his mouth should the prince be named from his elvish heritage. After all, in every other way he will be dwarrow, and he will have a dwarven inner name.

Thorin felt he should pat himself on the back, as he really has come a long way, well, either that or one quickly pulls his head out of a rams behind when they nearly lose someone. It was only weeks ago he thought Tauriel would not make it. So, no. He had no care what the child was called, as long as its name was not Azog…or Thranduil.

Thorin smiled. "Kili, you have my blessing to name your child whatever you wish be it dwarvish or elvish. I trust you will choose well." Kili nodded and placed the book down just as Kaw flew through the window and landed on the floor.

The small raven began dancing around the piles of books croaking, "Ada", over and over again.

Thorin cocked his head at the raven then gave Kili a questioning look and lifted a hand gesturing to the bird. Kili only laughed. "Ada is father in Sindarin. He is learning everyone's name and doesn't seem to want to speak anything but common, except in how he addresses I and Tauriel. He calls her nana, the equivalent of mother. Tauriel has tried teaching him the raven-speak, and we know he knows it because he has delivered a few messages in it, but he prefers to speak common. Stubborn bird."

Thorin snorted. They really did just collect unique beings don't they? An elf daughter, a raven who refuses to learn its own language, a warg pup. What is next? Fili bringing in a dragon egg? Thorin shuddered at the thought and needed to remember to have a family meeting about maybe breaking the habit.

Lifting a brow, Thorin turned to Kili, then back at the raven curiously. "What does he call everyone else? Their given names?"

Kili shook his head laughing out. "Tauriel can't get him to do that either. He calls mam, Lady."

Kaw jumped and started repeating "Ada. Lady." Kili rolled his eyes. "He also refers to Naurfaer as gamp, Leotti is Leo, Viltarra is just V, and Fili…" at this Kili snickered and fell into great guffaws. "Tauriel had called him pretty once, to Viltarra, when Fili was not around and Kaw suddenly started calling him…pretty bird."

Thorin snorted and looked at the bird who was now happily proclaiming "Pretty bird" as he hopped around the books littering the ground. "Pray tell, what does he call me?" Thorin narrowed his eyes at the bird, then at Kili. "Do I even want to know?"

Kili shrugged and called out to the raven. "Kaw, who is that?"

The black bird silenced and flew to Thorin's shoulder, landing and nipping at the kings braids, then croaked, "Uncle." Thorin visibly relaxed. He had no desire for some…pet name…from a bird.

"See? He can be reasonable, as long as you are not Fili. Don't tell Fi though. He has no idea and I want to see how long it takes for him to figure it out." Thorin rolled his eyes to the ceiling, honestly those two will never grow up. But he said nothing, neither agreeing nor disagreeing to the request.

"Ada. Dinner." Kili looked to Kaw and realized he must have been sent by Tauriel. They really needed to teach the raven to not take so long to deliver messages. He is sure by now they are all waiting for them.

Also understanding the message, Thorin bent down to retrieve Kili's crutches from the floor, and passed them to his nephew. "Now, how about you take a break from finding a name, and we go and eat?"

Kili nodded eagerly, and Thorin smiled. He will always see Kili and Fili as his sons, and he knew that deep warmth he felt inside for them, was more of a fatherly love, then one of an uncle. Thorin patted Kili on the shoulder, and slowly, they made their way to the kitchen.

It was later that night, sitting on the bed, that Tauriel and Kili finally spoke about inner names. "I am so sorry amralime. I was so…well…you know. I just, completely forgot."

Tauriel laughed brightly and stroked the side of his face fondly. She really did not blame him. She has to admit she was quite…distracted…herself. Kili was so easy to get lost in, and she knew she had the same effect on him.

"If you will allow me, I wish to remedy this right here and now." Kili was sitting on the bed with his leg up, but he twisted enough towards her to take her hands in his and recite in Khuzdul what he should have on their first night they sealed their union before Mahal. "My precious One. I gift to you more than what you see before you. I also gift the name whispered on my soul. When we enter the gates of Mandos hand in hand, the name you shall speak is Lakhadmahdel. May you protect it as I will protect you, with all that I am."

Tauriel cupped his face in both hands and brought their lips together. "The brightest of blessings. That is beautiful Kili, and quite fitting. I love it, as I love you."

Kili smiled and chased her lips as she pulled away, but she placed a hand on his mouth and shook her head, sitting up straight on the bed and quietly began. "My precious One. I gift to you more than what you see before you. I also gift the name whispered on my soul. When we enter the gates of Mandos hand in hand, the name you shall speak is Durinulthatru. May you protect it as I will protect you, with all that I am."

Kili was amazed at her, his mouth opening and shutting in wonder when the room fell silent. "How?"

Tauriel smiled. "Thorin, and Dis. Earlier today."

Kili nodded. That makes sense. "Durin's Star. Thorin could not have chosen better my star." He pulled Tauriel to him and sealed their lips once again. It was quite a bit later that Tauriel lay back against the pillows humming quietly and running her hands through Kili's hair as he spoke softly to their son. Life was, perfect.

Original Authors Note: So, I get a lot of my Dwarven Lore from the Dwarrow Scholar and I found out a few fun facts. One I added in and that is the inner name thing. Thought I would make it a cute moment and have Thorin give Tauriel one. I love their relationship. The second is apparently, according to some research the gestation period of a dwarfling is 4 years. FOUR years of pregnancy. There was NO way I was doing that to Tauriel…or anyone. Baby next chapter thought, by the way. The time has COME!

I did make Dis a bit cold to Viltarra. I sort of envision a harsher introduction between Dis and Tauriel if Dis either did not believe Fili, Kili, and Thorin or if Tauriel had not done what she did at all. It was love born from understanding of sacrifice I like to think. Poor Viltarra. She's got Fili though! There will definitely be more of them two in the future as well. Now let's get us a baby born! Dwarfling…Dwelfling I have heard? IDK or care, just bring on themini Tauriel and Kili combo!