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.

49. ACT IV Chapter TWELVE

Authors Note: Okay, I just wanted to say, this took forever. I know. I'm sorry. But life kind of has a way of forcing you to put things aside for higher priorities like family. I have not abandoned this, I just had a few things come up.

Also, I drag my feet with writing dialogue chapters like this, because as much as I know they are necessary to move the story along, I have much more motivation for the action packed chapters where I can get all my stress out by forcing it on imaginary characters. Or something like that. That is not to say I did not enjoy writing this chapter, you will get a bit of everyone here today, but I tend to get caught up in emotional turmoil rather than gentle and fun family dynamics. But to be honest, I am probably going to put a rest to nearly killing people for a bit, lol. So just some fun, family, moments ahead. Maybe with some drama too. Lol. I will see you at the end. 😊

Chapter Twelve

Fili shifted in bed, trying to get comfortable as he sighed in a world between sleep, and wakefulness. He felt the soft breaths coming from Viltarra in his ear and smiled as he turned towards her and pulled her close.

But something about her felt a little bit off, she was just…too furry. When something wet grazed his face from chin to nose, Fili forced his eyes open to stare into the muzzle of the warg. "Wrong side." He heard in his ear, and Fili turned to see his wife's amused eyes looking at him from where she lay just behind him.

"Viltarra." Fili twisted around in bed and pulled her close, ignoring the dampness he felt in his mustache from Hiril's overly moist tongue. It took him a moment to fully wake and realize his wife was shaking in his arms as she burrowed herself as close to Fili as possible. "Hey, it's alright. I am right here."

"No, you stupid, stupid dwarf. It is not okay." As angry as Viltarra sounded, she still pulled him closer. "What were you thinking? You almost died Fili…AGAIN! And Tauriel…we almost lost her too trying to save you. It was too much, Fili, just, too much."

"I know. I'm sorry nunguame." He sighed into her hair, then his eyes shot wide open. "Tauriel! Is she alright?"

Fili felt Viltarra nod slowly. "I believe so. She has been asleep. I don't know if she has fully woken yet, but she did stir a bit on our way home. I was afraid she would not make it though Fili. She suddenly collapsed, and Oin had to start pushing on her chest and Kili…oh Fili…Kili was so lost."

Pulling Viltarra as close as possible, Fili buried his nose in her hair. "I am sorry, Viltarra."

"Just, don't do that again." Viltarra sniffed. A soft whine from the opposite side of the bed had Fili turning his head and stroking Hiril behind the ear. She still had her paw bandaged up and Viltarra will likely be coddling her until she is completely healed. He could care less anymore, she can stay in the bed, he gives up. Whatever makes his wife happy, she will have.

The pair stayed locked in each other's embrace until gentle knocking sounded on the door and Viltarra extracted herself from Fili's grasp, Dis coming in the now opened door carrying a tray. She lit up when she saw Fili smiling at her. "OHHH! My Fili." She all but threw the tray down on the bench at the end of their bed and Fili stood up just in time to catch his mother who flung herself into his arms.

Fili rocked her back and forth until Dis pulled away, grasping his face and smacking him gently but firmly on his cheek. "Ow! Mam! Really?" It did not hurt, but it did surprise Fili.

"Really, Fili! Are you trying to end your life early? How many times must you be brought back to life before you have learned you are not a god." Dis folded her arms and glared at her son.

Fili rubbed his cheek and huffed. "Mam! It was a battle! I was not TRYING to die."

Thorin shook his head from the door at the scene and moved in to make room for Kili and the eleth who once again, saved his life.

Before Fili could say anything, however, a tiny being ran headlong into his leg and stretched his arms out high. "Up! Uncle Fi. Up!" Finli's little hands were opening and closing as he eagerly waited to be held.

A smile spread across Fili's lips as he scooped his nephew up and held him tight. "We need to work on adding a please in there somewhere, little troll."

Fili chuckled and Finli leaned back and beamed as he yelled out, "Please."

"A bit late, Fin…but acceptable." Fili laughed as Finli started to babble seemingly endlessly, though he was only able to catch about every fourth word or so. When he finally took a breath and looked questioningly at Fili, the soon to be father looked at Kili for clarification.

"He thinks you are going to the forge with Tauriel." Kili said, taking his son. "They aren't going today, Fin." The youngest son of Durin looked from Fili to his father and pouted so Kili chose diversion as his ally. "How about some breakfast though? Then you, me, and mama are going to spend the day together."

"Mama?" Finli leaned around Kili to look at his mother who nodded and Finli was at least momentarily appeased causing Kili to chuckle.

Tauriel gave her son a smile and leaned in to kiss him on the head before turning to Fili. "We wanted to make sure you were alright before we did anything today."

"Which won't be much but resting." Kili added, lifting his brow at his wife who rolled her eyes. He did not even want her to leave the room quite yet, her ankle was still rather swollen thanks to the battle she entered herself into yesterday, though she insists it doesn't hurt at all. She also still has some energy to yet recover, which will happen best…if she remains in bed. However, the likelihood of that happening…was quite low, Kili laments to himself.

Yet Tauriel gave Kili a small smile. "I assure you, meleth nin, I shall endeavor to do as you wish today, as long as you remain with me." She felt her heart melt when Kili gave her a bright smile, then turned her focus back to Fili who was quietly assessing her.

Fili stared at his sister, all humor leaving his face as he thought of what to say. Truthfully, he was trying to fight feelings of anger bubbling up, and it showed on his face as an expression of somberness came over his usually cheerful features. Fili pushed past his mother and his brother and stared up at Tauriel, shaking his head.

"What were you thinking, Tauriel?" Fili's voice was soft and filled with pain. At Tauriel's surprised look, Fili ran a hand through his hair, knowing he should be on his knees, proclaiming his gratitude. But more than anything he wanted her to understand the risk she just took. "Viltarra told me you very nearly died saving me, Tauriel. What would this family have done without you? Why would you ever take such a risk?"

Tauriel's eyes were fierce and blazing as they bored into Fili. "I had the ability to save you, Fili. I was not going to lose you, not when you have so much to still live for."

"That is not completely true, and you know it. It was saving through personal sacrifice. You almost sacrificed yourself for me…again." Fili felt tears falling from his eyes as his anger turned to despair. "What would I have done, if I woke up to find you were gone for me? What about the child you carry, Tauriel? Would he have made it? You still have two months to go before he is ready to come to this world. And what about Kili? What about Kili? My brother…would be dead, Tauriel, without you." Fili swiped at the tears as they fell. "Though his heart may continue to beat, he would be a ghost of himself and no better than a walking spirit."

Fili then gestured to Finli still held in Kili's arms. "And what about Fin?! He is two, Tauriel, TWO! He needs his mother in his life. Never, EVER, do something like that again. I don't CARE if my time is up. You need to understand, Tauri, I am mortal, uncle, mam, Viltarra, Kili, we are all mortal. That means, we know we have only a certain amount of time in this world, and we accept that. I know you are new to the concept, but you too are mortal, little sister. You no longer have the abilities you had before, Naurfaer even said as much. You can't just keep going around, forcing your gift to keep people alive. If there is even a SMIDGEN of a chance your life is in danger, I don't ever want to see you use that ability again. EVER."

Fili felt his heart beating rapidly in his chest as he gave her a stern look. "We love you, Tauriel, we need you. You are more than just the wife of my brother, you are the bond that holds this family together. I can assure you that if I were to ask even a single person in this room, they would say they feel no different than I. Stop sacrificing yourself, because your life is just as necessary as anyone else's."

Seeing his sister begin to tremble, Fili released a tense breath, and pulled her slightly taller form into his arms, holding her as tightly as he could in her condition. "I will never apologize for saving you, Fili." Tauriel said softly.

Fili chuckled. "I don't expect you to." Seeing that the braid he had given her needed to be redone, Fili pulled away and made quick work of it, giving it a loving tug as he replaced the bead at the end. "I don't want you to think I am ungrateful, Tauriel, not at all. Thank you for bringing me back so I could see my child be born, so I can spend my life with my one who I love with all that I am, and so I can be with my family. But that means you too, little sister. Just promise me you will use that gift of yours sparingly and never again like you just did. The cost…was far too great…my most beloved sister. Far, far too great." He pulled her close again and felt her nod, feeling like it was enough, he released her and took a few steps back to Viltarra, and placed his arm around his wife. "Did everyone else make it back alright?"

Tauriel nodded. "There was a small altercation with Nyaunni, some of the humans attacked her on our way back to Erebor."

"Mahal! What for?" Fili looked at Thorin who was scowling at the memory.

"I believe it was retaliation for lost loved ones in association with the rebellion they had tried to plan, that Nyaunni was at the head of." Kili sighed.

"Nonsense if you ask me. Those humans were looking for someone to blame. Their mirth should have been placed solely on the orcs and goblins, not on those trying to make things right." Tauriel huffed rubbing her low back, accepting the seat Thorin had pulled over to her seeing her seemingly grow uncomfortable. She smiled and thanked him, quickly deciding that sitting was far more preferable to standing today while her body still suffered from battling yesterday before giving all her energy to heal Fili of the venom in his system. She hated how long her body took to restore itself now.

Seeing her precious little one watching her, Tauriel lifted her arms and Finli happily fell into them. It took him a moment to try and find a way to sit comfortably with his unborn sibling taking up so much of his mother's lap, but eventually he was able to settle…his brown eyes looking around the room of adults while his thumb found its way back into his mouth; a habit they have yet to free him of.

Smiling at his sister and nephew, Fili thought back to Minam and it took him a few moments to remember Nyaunni telling them about a failed uprising they had been planning. The cost of life from their choices was something nearing 200. Fili shook his head. "How are they blaming her? They chose to join a rebellion and it unfortunately did not go well. It happens. Nyaunni was just one of many trying to lead them, it was not as if she was the sole force behind the rebellion, she was simply one of the few to take initiative to try and set those people free. Nobody was forced or coerced into joining, they still had a choice."

Nobody in the room spoke, because in reality, nobody knew all the details of that attempted liberation. Well, nobody but Nyaunni that is. "Is she going to be alright?" Fili asked, being the last one of the family to really be appraised of the situation. Kili had told Tauriel all about it this morning while they waited for Finli to wake.

Thorin hummed an affirmative. "Lucky for her, it was not much of a knife they used, and they did not hit anything detrimental to her system. Nyaunni will be completely fine. But I do have something to say to you three, since the family is all here." He narrowed his eyes and looked between Tauriel, Dis, and Viltarra.

"Not all here…where is Naurfaer?" Fili interrupted his uncle, eyeing the door as if saying his name would summon the elf. Which in most cases, it did.

Thorin groaned and rubbed his temples. "Having breakfast with Nyaunni. I swear Dis…I will gut him one of these days."

"Oh hush, you will not." Dis rolled her eyes. "And if you cared enough, you could have joined them…or maybe invited her to a private breakfast yourself instead of hiding away in your office this morning and only coming back to the family suites AFTER you knew everyone would be awake and already well into, or had completely finished with breakfast. You have naught to blame but yourself."

Thorin glared at his sister, but chose not to respond to her bait, instead he folded his arms and lifted a brow. "What I really want to know, is what you three were thinking coming to a battle." He looked meaningfully at Viltarra and Tauriel making sure they both knew he was not just addressing Dis. "It was foolhardy."

"And it saved your life and the lives of hundreds of innocents." Dis shot back. "Not to mention had Tauriel not been there, Fili would not be here."

"It almost cost Tauriel's life." Thorin growled. "And what about the little fact that Viltarra has never been in battle before, and chose her first to be while she was with child, and Dis…you have not been in so much as a skirmish in decades. I just wanted to know what went through your minds to leave Erebor on a WHIM!"

All three remained silent for several moments until Tauriel spoke first. "It was not a whim, adad. I knew you needed help…I believe…my spirit felt Kili…and knew somehow that we would be necessary for your success."

Thorin groaned and rubbed his hands down his face. Of course, the bond they shared. A blessing, and a curse. It was the first time he realized the magnitude of Kili and Tauriel's connection and how it could affect them all. Of course she knew they needed help, because she felt it through Kili. "Fine, but leaving the mountain unprotected?"

"We left Balin in charge." Viltarra said looking to Dis who nodded in agreement.

"Thorin, this mountain was hardly unprotected. We had plenty of guards here, and more than enough dwarves willing to pick up an axe to protect Erebor if necessary." Dis clasped her hands in front of her and gave her brother a meaningful look. "I think what you really mean to say, dear brother, is…thank you."

"THANK YOU?!" Thorin roared.

"Mhm." Dis replied completely unphased by her brothers severe outburst. "Yes, Thorin. Thank you. Let me ask you this. If we had not come and brought help…what is the likelihood you would have saved as many as you did? Including Fili…and yourselves?" Thorin opened and closed his mouth, then wisely pierced it shut knowing the answer was no. "I thought so."

After a moment, Thorin rolled his eyes and grumbled out a low, "Fine. But I am still not happy with what you did. You could have gotten yourselves killed, and you two…" Thorin pointed his fingers at Viltarra and Tauriel. "…Mahal you are both going to put me in a grave before my time is up. For the love of the maker and whatever gods you bow to Tauriel, please stay in this mountain until you give birth…you too Viltarra."

"Do not fear, adad. Kili said I am on restriction already." Tauriel sighed as she ran her fingers through Finli's thick, unruly, hair.

Suddenly, Fili burst out laughing and all eyes in the room turned to him in concern. It took more than several minutes to get his laughter under control and he was wiping away tears as his family gave him concerned looks. "I am sorry…" Fili said after a moment. "But I just realized that for half a day…Finli was the senior most heir in the mountain and I just imagined him on the throne, in uncle's furs, babbling orders."

"Oh, Fili." Viltarra rolled her eyes as Tauriel pulled her son close. She was not ready to imagine her two year old running a mountain, especially when he could barely form a sentence and his favorite pastime is currently tied between pouring his food all over himself at meals, and stripping out of his clothes and running through the halls giggling while Kili tries to catch him.

Kili had the same idea and was shaking his head. "You just wait Fi, in a few weeks, you will see why that is not as funny of a vision as you may think. Mahal, Finli on the throne is a terrifying image at his age." He ran a hand down his face, happy knowing his son was safe from that severely unlikely future because they all made it home.

"Indeed." Thorin chuckled, finally allowing himself to relax among his family. "I have some things to do, I expect both of you…" He looked meaningfully at Tauriel and Fili, "…to spend at least one more day resting. No exceptions. Dis, I may need your assistance with the dwarves of Minam and likely, Nyaunni's as well. We also have some cleanup still to do from that earthquake and a school to reopen." Thorin sighed. There really was a lot to accomplish, but they had time.

"What can I help with, uncle?" Kili asked lifting his son into his arms so Tauriel could go use Fili's washroom.

"You can help me, by keeping Tauriel from overdoing it today." Tauriel froze just before the door to the toilet and gave Thorin an exasperated look. "Do not give me that look, Nâtha. You know I have good reason to say such things. Now…" Thorin turned to the rest of the group stopping any argument the eleth was quite nearly about to give. "As soon as Oin gives the all clear, I will assign responsibilities to you four. But for the time being, stay here and rest. The mountain and her duties will still be here tomorrow."

Thorin smiled at his family, kissed Finli on the head, and left the room, closely followed by Dis. The rest of the family stayed together for another hour, Kili going into the kitchen and dishing up enough breakfast for his family then bringing it into Fili and Viltarra's chamber. Eventually, even Vin and Tarrah joined them as well, bringing sweets Vin had baked that morning which had Finli quickly crawling into the laughing bakers lap.

The day for everyone was a quiet one. Kili and Tauriel stayed up in their rooms, sitting on the veranda and enjoying the sun while Fili and Viltarra simply sat together in bed, reading and discussing names, what their child could look like, and whether or not he will give Thorin more silver hair.

Fili even told Viltarra about what he saw, spending several hours consoling his wife as she grieved her lost sister, and her nearly lost husband. When she cried herself into exhaustion, Fili lay his head on her stomach, and thanked his child for helping him find the strength to make it back. He may not have been able to see their features, but Fili knew with complete certainty, whoever he or she will be…they have already forged themselves deep into his heart. "Thank you, my little one. Thank you." He felt a kick in response and closed his eyes, sighing in perfect contentment.

For Nyaunni, the day was just a bit different. She found Naurfaer to be rather a unique individual and one who was easy to talk to. Nyaunni had never really had a lot of, interactions, with elves in her life with exception of when she was a dwarfling and they would occasionally visit Erebor. So at first she was a bit taken aback by the easy and inviting smile this elf had, but she eventually realized it was genuine and quickly warmed up to him.

One of the core memories Nyaunni had of Thror was when the elven king of…Darkwood? No that was not it…Blackwood…? No that did not sound right either. The forest city beyond Dale…which she for the life of her cannot remember the name of, but then again, she cannot remember the elven kings name either so wasn't she just on a roll. Anyway, Nyaunni remembers the anger and darkness that fell over the dwarven king when that royal elf supposedly snubbed him.

However, one thing can be said about Nyaunni's father, and that was he was an incredibly honest dwarf. He chose to rule his clan with a firm, but just hand. He also had a great talent for mathematics, numbers, investing, and was meticulous when it came to keeping books and records. As such, Thror had often sought him out for deals and Draupnir would meet with visiting dignitaries under the instruction of Thror and handle the exchange of gold.

Nyaunni was very close to her father, he doted on her and was apt to invite her along if she was ever interested in a certain visitor. As such, when the elven king sent one of his counselors to Erebor to pay ahead of some gems he had commissioned, Draupnir was the one to receive the payment. It was a good price, far more then he thought was necessary even for such a valuable piece. But when he showed it to Thror, Nyaunni remembers the dwarven king's cold grey eyes staring darkly at the gold.

He had not said a word to Nyaunni's father, instead, he slammed the chest shut, tucked it under his arm, and stormed from the room in a small fury. It had confused the young dam who looked at her father and the visiting elf who had been very kind from the moment he entered the mountain. He had even given Nyaunni a whistle carved like a bird. He had been quite impressed when a small thrush had flown into the mountain by what seemed like an accident, yet the bird knew exactly where she was going and landed directly on Nyaunni's shoulder and began to sing in her ear.

"A friend of birds, ought to be able to speak like them." He had said and pulled a beautifully detailed bird carved flute from his inside pocket. When he blew in it, the instrument sounded just like the song of a wood thrush, who were common in the forests around the mountain and were said to have the most beautiful of calls. Nyaunni instantly fell in love and remembered hugging the elf who smiled softly and spent nearly an hour teaching her how to use the flute before leaving to go back to his king and report.

Oh, Nyaunni played that flute every day, and when she did, the birds would surround her and sing. Even Thorin would sometimes pull his harp out and play along with her, but Frerin…he would cover his head with a pillow and beg them to stop, yet they would keep going; happily ignoring Frerin who would, more often than not, leave the room. At that time, her world was perfect; filled with laughter, music, and deep friendships, one of which was well on the path to blossoming into something great.

That is, until the day the elven king came to retrieve his jewels. That was a dark day, Nyaunni remembers. Her father had been on an errand deep in the mountain and had not attended the royal meeting, but she remembers his confusion when he had heard the report of what had happened and how Thror refused to give the gems to the elven king until he paid for them. But the elven king had paid, he had sent payment with that kind elf and she had watched Thror take it.

Draupnir had paced their chamber that evening, searching his logs over and over for the page he had personally written detailing the payment, but it was gone, completely stricken from the record. He had even gone to the dwarven king and tried to remind him that the elven king had in fact paid in full, but Thror shot him down saying there was no proof of such payment, and there had been no elven emissary who had come to Erebor, that he was in fact, mistaken. When Draupnir argued, Thror had called him a liar and threatened to throw him out of Erebor's halls and cut ties with his clan altogether.

But Draupnir knew how close Nyaunni was to both Thorin and Frerin…Thror's grandsons, and could not in his heart, tear them apart; so he ceased his arguing and remained silent. Though when his daughter asked, he had sighed and told her to be careful of what she did and said around the royal family, something was off about the dwarven king, and he did not fully trust the situation. He knew he wrote that record, he knew payment was made, and he knew Thror took the payment. Somebody had tampered with his records.

They should have left then and there; if they had, her father would still be here and she never would have been taken by the orcs and turned into a working captive. But stay they did, and the very next day, the kind and brave soul Nyaunni was, had her marching directly into Thror's council room as she thrust her flute up to Thror, declaring she had proof the elf had been to Erebor, and had seen him pay. He had even given her this flute, and that should be proof enough.

Such a child she was to think such a plan would work, as then and there, her beautiful flute was torn from her hands by an irate Thror, who broke the instrument in half, and thrust it into the roaring fire. He never laid a hand on her, but he had her forcefully removed from the room, and Nyaunni was never allowed to accompany her father to a meeting again…and elves…were never to be spoken of in the presence of Thror. In fact, he made certain all dwarves living in Erebor's halls knew of Thranduil attempting to steal their hard work. A deep rift was formed between the halls of the elves, and the halls of the dwarves…deeper than it had been in many, many years.

Even her tutors scolded her for asking about them, saying dwarves and elves were always at odds. They can never be trusted and will always try to deceive and enchant their way to get what they want. Never, trust, an elf. It was the basis of all her lessons from that day forward.

The weeks that followed were numbered, and Nyaunni felt a darkness come over Erebor, and its king. Not just her either, but the animals who followed her began to fear coming inside the mountain. But she never once spoke of it to her father, afraid it would add to his worries. Draupnir had a lot on his plate, and there was a growing animosity between him, and Thror. She had heard them arguing more often than not, and Nyaunni's name seemed to come up in each one. She remembers running to Thorin, on a particularly bad argument, afraid that Thror would harm her father, or throw them out.

Thorin had taken her in his arms, and held her as she cried. She didn't want to leave Erebor, it was her home, and she didn't want to leave Thorin either. "It is going to be okay Nya." Thorin would say. "You know how my grandfather can be. Father will step in, and everything will be fine. You will see."

But everything was not going to be fine. Her father, had been sitting in his chair that night, staring into the fire as he took long draws of his pipe. He looked up when she walked in and held his hand out to her. "Nyaunni, our days here are numbered, I am afraid. I know you feel something coming over this mountain. Durin…is frowning on his ancestors. I had a dream last evening…." He sighed as he pulled her to sit at his feet.

Nyaunni went willingly and lay her head on her father's knee. "What did you see, adad?"

"Uri came to me." Draupnir said, running his hand through his daughters red-tresses. "He showed me an image of a mighty statue of Durin the deathless. Uri said nothing, but pointed to the base where a crack had formed, and slowly, the crack grew until the statue crumbled to the ground in pieces." He paused his hand and looked at his daughter. "I saw nothing more, but I fear it is a sign that things are not right in Durin's line, and I am worried for you, my precious daughter, worried they will take you down with them."

Nyaunni stared wide eyed up at her father who was brushing a curl away from her eyes. She caught his hand and held it tightly in her own against her face. "I am not afraid, adad, and neither Thorin nor Frerin will ever let anything happen to me. But I do worry for you. I am afraid Thror will do something to harm you."

Her father looked at her, and she could see his mind working as if trying to come to a decision that would not end in devastation in one or more ways. Finally, he sighed. "If you feel as if we should stay, we will. But Nyaunni, I want you to understand that I feel as if things are shifting not just in the family, but in Erebor as well. This mountain, is not as safe as we may believe it to be or Uri would not have sent his warning to me, and I want you to prepare yourself for what very well could come to pass. What you think may be…may never be, my Nyaunni."

He was trying to warn her, and Nyaunni knew it. He knew how attached she was to Thorin and Frerin, specifically Thorin, and did not want her to put herself in a situation where she would be ripped and torn from a broken heart. She may not be able to read other dwarrow as she can her animals, but she could read her father's eyes. "I understand, father, but I wish to stay."

Draupnir nodded and cradled his daughter's face in his large hands. She was his world, and all he had left. Oh, he had treasures in their halls, and other kin, close cousins, but Nyaunni, was his greatest treasure, and one he will do all he could to protect. Even if that meant taking her from this place if he gets wind she was in danger. But Erebor was impenetrable, and Thrain insists Nyaunni is as protected as his own children. He even apologized for his father's foul words and urged them to stay. So, Draupnir allowed he and his daughter along with the few dwarves from their clan to remain in Erebor. A decision, that would cost him everything.

The day the dragon came, was the last day Nyaunni saw her beloved father. She had no other family in Erebor but him, as her mother had died in childbirth bringing her to this world. She knew she had cousins, but her father was an only child, so she had no direct relations to speak of, she was alone. Nyaunni was all Draupnir had, and he was all she had. But he was gone, and had been for over 170 years.

Now who did she have? What did she have? The dam placed her chin in her palm as she watched Naurfaer close the door behind him. She lazily pushed a grape around with her finger, amused at how Uri followed it with his vibrant green eyes.

Nyaunni tapped a finger on the desk as she sighed. Why is it, suddenly, life seemed so simple in Minam? Horrible, nightmarish, and pain filled, but ironically simple. All she had to do…was try and stay alive while working against them as best she could as she tried to find a way to free herself and the people dwelling there. See? Simple.

But now she and they were all free. That place, was likely buried under a growing lake by now, and Nyaunni was having a difficult time trying to figure out where she belonged. Leaving Erebor, could be an option, but she really had nowhere else to go and the idea of the unknown was a bit unsettling. Not to mention she still had a hole in her abdomen that was rather painful if she moved wrong.

Sighing to herself, Nyaunni eyed the door. She knew what she would LIKE to do, but Naurfaer had said Thorin was occupied in meetings all morning, so speaking to him was certainly not going to happen. The way he left the night before still bothered her. Everything was a bit fuzzy after she had taken the draught, but she keenly remembers his hasty retreat. What was it she said that upset him?

Shaking her head, Nyaunni carefully stood and began pacing her room. She probably should not be moving, but she hated being locked up. She spent nearly two centuries having to abide by a strict schedule, it went against her nerves to just, sit around. Even when injured, they were expected to complete their work or risk punishment of death. Being in here, was making her nervous and apprehensive. So Nyaunni made up her mind and placed Uri in her vest pocket, ignoring his muffled indignant chirps.

She chuckled, he was rather unhappy at the time being, and wanted something. But she could not figure out what it was. He was full, having eaten much of her own breakfast Naurfaer had brought to her, and he wasn't cold or in pain. Peeking in her pocket, Nyaunni gave the tiny creature a look. "What is it you want? Hm?" Of course he didn't answer, just stared at her, so Nyaunni shrugged and moved to the door.

This was not the hall she had lived in when her and her father were here. These rooms were set aside for the royal family only, if she remembers correctly. Thorin's family used to have the room at the end of the hall, but she wonders if he now was in Thror's chambers as he was high king. She glanced down the empty hall as she stepped out of her room and shut the door.

Thorin's nephews would be resting with their spouses and were likely in the other rooms, and she did not wish to bother them, so she instead turned to the sitting room and stepped out of the royal hall.

Now this, Nyaunni remembers. The steps before her that led down to the throne room were comfortingly familiar, even if the golden floor beyond was not. "Aye lassie. I was no' told anyone was venturing out today. Where yeh be heading?"

Nyaunni was taken aback by one of the young guards who was eyeing her quizzically. She does recall guards being here, stationed to protect the royal family. What she does not remember, is them ever speaking. They were usually silent sentinels, standing watch only.

Blinking, Nyaunni wondered if she was not allowed to leave the wing, but decided that was ridiculous and gave the guard a smile. "I am…"

"Nyaunni. Aye. We know." The guard interrupted with a grin. "Our lord, Thorin, said yeh may be escapin' and I ought to tell ya…Andar…wha' did 'e say?"

"I believe Dukhul…" The other guard said with a chuckle. "Tha' yeh were to be escorted back up quite directly."

Nyaunni gaped at the pair who seemed more amused then serious. "Bu' 'e also said, yeh were likely goin' teh throw a fit like the res' o the family when they are teh stay in the wing." Dukhul added with a roll of his eyes. "An' to let yeh be if you insisted on doin' as yeh please. Bu' we were teh know where yeh went, jus' in case yeh needed assistance."

Huffing, Nyaunni moved to fold her arms, but the action caused a bit of burning pain in her stomach, so she instead simply glared at the pair. "Well, I do insist on not being locked up. I am going to go to the stables, unless that is out of bounds?" She lifted a brow in challenge.

"Course. Do yeh know where to go?" Andar asked kindly.

Nyaunni nodded. "I do, thank you."

She moved to leave but stopped when one of the guards called to her. "Lunch is bein' brought up at second bell, and master Oin is commin' up to do rounds. Thorin said Oin will be expectin' teh see ya then."

Grounding her teeth, Nyaunni held the annoyance she felt inside and nodded. She doesn't know why it bothered her that one day out of freedom, and she already was being told what to do, where to be, and when. Thorin could have least had the common courtesy to speak with her that morning and tell her that he had made arrangements for her. Instead, he assumed she would just, sit around and wait to be tended to. What was she? A royal bauble?

A small voice in her head reminded her that in fact, she was, quite royal. Uri was a first father, and her line, rulers of their clans. Still, the line of Durin held a higher significance, but if she were in her home clan, she would be held in high esteem and treated no different then Dis or either of the princes. She would have responsibilities to aid in running her people, and continue the line. She quickly mentally checked off going back to her clan as useless now, as her use to them was quite non-existent. She never doubted her cousins were quite happy to run the clan without her stirring things up.

Nyaunni nodded to the guards and left, not truly knowing what to say. She walked down the center of the throne room and stared at the floor that reflected back a fuzzy image of her mass of red curls surrounding the puzzled expression on her face. "I have never seen such a thing." She shook her head and slowly made her way to the stables which were on the same floor.

"Lassie." The workers in the stable nodded to her as she entered, but otherwise continued their duties cleaning, feeding, and grooming the horses, rams, and ponies. Unless things have changed when Thorin took the throne, they also tended to the livestock that scattered the lands, including the hens and the ravens when necessary.

Nyaunni gave them a nod in greeting as she moved to Dajnel who had spotted her and was excitedly trying to get out of her pen. "Alright, I'm coming." Nyaunni chuckled as she opened the pen and had to step back as Dajnel came bounding out, chirping in her unusual way that was both like a bird…and very much not like a bird. It was difficult to describe.

The dam hissed when Dajnel got a bit too excited, pushing her head into Nyaunni in a way that caused pain to rip up from her wound. "Ouch…." She grumbled as she took several even breaths until the pain passed, which it did.

"Are you alright?" One of the stable hands placed his bucket down and looked to Nyaunni, obviously seeing the pained expression on her face, but she nodded and gave him a smile, then turned her attention to her fellbeast.

Nyaunni pushed Dajnel's head away gently before she closed her eyes, so she could get past the outer expressions of her animal and feel what she was not expressing. She searched Dajnel for any pain or discomfort, but her fellbeast seemed fine so she sighed and shook her head. "You flew, but don't think you will be doing that anytime soon. You are too young for such a thing and not quite fully developed. I am rather surprised you are suffering no ill effects for such a reckless venture." She rubbed her hand over Dajnel's neck as she walked around her, searching for wounds and injuries. She placed a bucket of apples sitting nearby down for her fellbeast to snack on as she stepped around her to inspect her tail, knowing if she had no other injuries, she remembers at least this one.

Pulling a stool towards her, Nyaunni sat to not put any strain more on her own wound, and inspected the deep gash in Dajnal's tail. "This, needs to be tended." She looked around the stables, catching the attention of a nearby worker. "Is there a wound kit here?"

"Of course, lass." The elderly dwarf opened a crate by the entrance to Erebor and pulled a bag from it, bringing it over to Nyaunni and setting it at her feet, then brought her a small pail of clean water and soap. "Anythin' else?"

Nyaunni shook her head. "That will do nicely. Thank you." The dwarf gave her a small nod and turned to go back to his work. "Now…let's get this taken care of." The dam moved to begin cleaning the gash but the moment she leaned forward, Dajnel instantly moved her tail away.

Huffing, Nyaunni scooted herself forward and once again, leaned towards the wound but Dajnel was faster and swiped her tail away, turning her head to look at Nyaunni as if taunting her. "Funny." She gave the feathered fellbeast a look and moved once more to try and clean the wound but this time, Dajnel completely stepped away and curled her tail back around to the front causing Nyaunni to groan in frustration.

"I need to clean that." She felt more then saw Dajnel's contempt; she did not want Nyaunni to tend her wound. "It will get infected if I do not clean it so stop being stubborn, do you want to lose your tail?"

"Can she actually understand what you are saying?" Nyaunni whipped her head around to see Thorin smirking by the door.

The dam snorted and rolled her eyes. "No. I thought you were in meetings?" She turned back to Dajnel after standing and moved to try and get to the wound, but the fellbeast had other ideas, and spun away, backing herself towards the horses pen. Nyaunni grumbled as she saw the black mare rear up as the fellbeast came towards her.

Thorin chuckled and moved to Kili's horse who was making all kinds of noise in protest to the fellbeast near her space. "Oklan!"

"Aye, meh lord?" The elderly stable hand ambled over, eyeing the black mare as she continued to prance, kick, and nicker.

"Do you mind giving Maryn some fresh feed to distract her? Kili will be down later to tend to her I am sure, but I think it would be best to get her calmed before she hurts herself or others."

"Aye." Oklan nodded and went to work opening the spirited Maryn's pen with a pale of her favorite feed in his hands. Of course, it worked and the old dwarf was able to get the small horse calmed by some miracle, and awarded her with the entire contents of the bucket before turning to leave. Although, Oklan did get a nice nip to the backside by the black mare on his way out, but Oklan was used to bites and kicks, so he barely winced as he moved on to his other tasks.

"You ought to pay him more to deal with that horse." Nyaunni shook her head and muttered softly to Thorin as they watched the stable hand rub his behind as he walked away. "She has an attitude deeper than this mountain."

Thorin nodded, "Kili's horse has always been difficult for anyone who is not Kili. Though…" He paused in thought. "She minds Tauriel almost as well as she minds Kili."

Nyaunni nodded then lifted a brow. "Meeting?" She hedged in reminder.

"I run a mountain…I always have meetings, Nya." Thorin folded his arms and leaned against the closed door of his own horses pen. Rhya poked her head out and nuzzled Thorin's shoulder before going back to her feed box when she realized he was not taking her out. "My question to you, however, is why are you not resting? You were stabbed yesterday Nyaunni…unless you have forgotten?"

"Of course I have not forgotten, Thorin." Nyaunni huffed as she grabbed one of the nearby ropes and gently placed it around Dajnel's neck. She then secured the other end of the rope to one of the stone columns in the stable and stepped back. With Dajnel now tethered to the column, she was able to get around to her back and this time, straddled her long tail and sat on her knees just inches from where the long gash looked as if it was already getting infected; likely from being dragged across the ground.

"Nya…" Thorin sighed knowing this is the last thing she should be doing with her injury. "We have others who can tend to your dragon."

"For the last time…she is NOT a DRAGON Thorin!" Nyaunni growled. "And tell me…who here knows a thing about FELLBEAST…because it is clearly not YOU, as you cannot even correctly distinguish between a massive, scaled, fire-breathing, TALKING creature, and a feathered, horse sized, chirping, creature." She narrowed her eyes as she turned to look at Thorin. "Is every animal in Arda who has wings a dragon to you Thorin…because I should warn you…there is one in the rafter."

Thorin lifted his eyes to look up to see one of the ravens preening its wings overhead. "OH…and watch out for that one!" She pointed to a stray chicken pecking at the ground outside Rhya's pen.

"Amusing." Thorin grumbled and glared at Nyaunni. "I think I know the difference between a dragon, and a bird, Nyaunni."

"Then allow me to instruct you on the difference between a dragon, and a fellbeast." She had to catch Dajnel's tail as it tried to escape her hand when she poured the water on it. The fellbeast let out a pitiful cry just as Nyaunni added soap and the dam turned sad eyes to her friend. "I am sorry Dajnel, but I must clean this. Thorin, can you please hold her still."

"If I do…will you go back to your room and rest?" Even as he asked, Thorin stepped up to the feathered creature, albeit warily, and grasped the rope as he attempted to still the fellbeast pulling and tugging to get away.

Nyaunni looked over her shoulder at Thorin and quirked a brow. "Is that going to be a direct order your majesty?"

"If it has to be." Thorin gave back just as Dajnel growled at him. "Is she going to bite me?"

"Not unless you do something stupid, like put your hand near her mouth when she is upset…like she is about to be." As she spoke, Nyaunni poured water over the wound to rinse away the soap then pulled the bottle of disinfectant from the bag and called over her shoulder. "She will not like this, so hold on tight, and for the love of Mahal above…do not let go."

"Just do it." Thorin's gruff voice called out as he turned his full attention to the creature he held. He felt something crawling up his leg and he looked down, rolling his eyes as the tiny version of the creature he held was clawing his way up Thorin's leg to once again…settle in his hair. Before he could say anything, however, Dajnel roared in pain and it took all of Thorin's strength to keep the 'not dragon' from moving and swiping Nyaunni off of her.

It took several minutes of cooing and softly talking to her feathered friend before the fellbeast calmed, but eventually, she did. Nyaunni sighed as she wrapped Dajnel's tail in some clean bandages, secured it, and stood only to grab her stomach and groan. Of course, Thorin was right there. "Nyaunni! You are as stubborn as you are foolish." He pulled her to sit in the chair she had earlier, missing the fellbeast cut through the rope with her teeth as she ambled over to the dam who reached a hand out and patted her affectionately on the nose.

Dajnel cooed at Nyaunni and Nyaunni cooed right back causing Thorin to fold his arms in annoyance. That is, until a tiny coo sounded in his ear, and he lifted a brow as he turned to look at the tiny fellbeast now on his shoulder mimicking the sound the other two were making. Nyaunni chuckled and lifted her hand to retrieve the hatchling who came right to her

"You know…" Nyaunni began. "Most of the time an animal imprints on only one being, but Uri seems to be quite attached to you. I almost would call it imprinting, if I did not already know he has imprinted on me." She turned her azure eyes to Uri and smiled. "Is Thorin what you wanted? You seem much more content now than you were when we left this morning."

Thorin lifted a brow and folded his arms. "Uri?"

"Mmm." Nyaunni nodded. "After my first father. It seemed right and he likes it."

Thorin was not so sure the great Uri, father of the Firebeards, would find it an honor to have his name bestowed on a creature such as this. It would be similar to him naming a cat, Durin. He shook his head, however, knowing nothing he could say would likely sway the dam into rethinking her naming choices. "Nya, you need to be resting."

Nyaunni rolled her eyes and ignored the perturbed expression on Thorin's face as she lifted the hatchling to Dajnel, who sniffed Uri and snorted as she stepped back, displeased with the tiny creature who was now chirping at her.

"I do not think she is pleased." Thorin smirked, eyeing the fellbeast. At least he was not the only one who feels frustrated with the appearance of the miniature bird-dragon-creature. If only his shared sentiments were from a being other than a larger…bird-dragon-creature.

Nyaunni shot Thorin a glare then lifted Uri to Dajnel again, only to have her completely turn her back on Nyaunni and the still chirping hatchling. Thorin could not stop the chuckle that erupted from his throat as Nyaunni sighed. "I suppose she will need some time."

"Perhaps, she is unaccustomed to sharing." Thorin muttered but blanched as Nyaunni stood and placed the noisy hatchling on the dwarven kings shoulder. Almost immediately, Uri silenced then crawled his way back up to burrow himself in Thorin's dark mane. "Nya…." Thorin growled, though the dam looked quite pleased with herself as she walked slowly around Dajnel and tried to placate her displeased fellbeast.

"Just hold him for a moment while I put her back in her pen. I want Dajnel to like it here, and making her upset and miserable would be a poor way to achieve that." Nyaunni turned her attention away from Thorin…who looked most displeased. He will survive.

Dajnel turned her head away from Nyaunni until the dam showed she was free of the tiny creature. "See? Just me now." The dam cooed softly, trying to promote an air of peace and love sensing that is exactly what Dajnel needed right now. Animals were not people, they were not seen to be as complex as races who run middle earth, but that did not mean they lacked the ability to feel. Nyaunni found, with the help of her gift, that creatures such as Dajnel, or the many other animals she has come across in her life, have a deeper complexity to them than most realize. It may be raw, and a bit wild, but to a degree, animals felt sadness, fear, pain, depression, anxiety, and happiness just as any dwarf, elf, or man did. They just lacked the ability to control or regulate those emotions.

Some, such as the corrupted fellbeasts, were nothing but rage and power. Their instincts fell directly on a desire to outdo any being around them. They were not of pack mentality, they did not form attachments, or even desire to extend their own species. Their motivation was purely on being the biggest, loudest, and most ferocious creature imaginable until they reached of age.

But not all, Dajnel was different, Uri…though still young…was different. Both seemed more alike to creatures like wargs, wolves, ravens, even horses. They want to form connections to others, they feel affection, they feel sadness. Nyaunni felt the fear coming from Dajnel, and it puzzled the dam. "Come now. You are not afraid of a little noisemaker now are you? He won't hurt you or me."

Dajnel, however, did not seem to want to listen and walked past Nyaunni and into her pen. The dam sighed and looked at Thorin who once again, had his arms folded and was giving her an amused look. "I do not think she believes you."

"Well, she will have to learn." Nyaunni huffed and turned to the fellbeasts who for all intents and purposes was throwing a silent fit. She walked to the pen and stared at Dajnel who was curled up on the floor amongst the straw, licking the bandage over her wound as if it would help. "Alright, you big, overgrown, baby." Nyaunni walked in and grasped her fellbeast's face and forced it to look at her. Dajnel growled which sounded more like a displeased snort than a dangerous warning.

"Don't give that tone to me." Nyaunni grumbled then sighed and leaned her head against the feathers between Dajnel's eyes. "It has been just you and I for the last few years, but life will be different here. I know you do not understand me fully, but I want this to be our home. That means, I want you to be happy here too." Nyaunni pulled away and ran her hand affectionately over Dajnel's soft feathers on either side of her long face. "Uri, is very small, but will be a companion to you some day. You will see in time."

"Nya…do you really think she understands?" Thorin asked as he came to lean against the pen's wide opening.

Nyaunni shook her head. "Not really, but I think she understands my tone. She will be fine in time." She gave Thorin a smile then gestured to the bucket just beside him. "Do you mind pouring that pale of water in that trough, and grabbing those apples just there?" She pointed to the basket one of the workers had brought over.

Thorin nodded and did as she asked, plucking one of the apples from the top and moving to give it to Rhya, at least that was his plan until Maryn leaned out of her pen and swiped it from his hand, eating it whole. Thorin glared at the black mare and grabbed three more apples from the barrel by the door, giving one to Galaddal and Rhya, then going across the stalls to give the last to Kit.

"That horse is a menace." Nyaunni chuckled as she closed Dajnel's pen door and shook her head at the black mare who was trying to reach out of her stall to nuzzle Galaddal. She was quite attached to the gray horse beside her.

Thorin sighed as he stepped up to the dam, his eyes falling on Kili's horse. "She can be, but she is a good match to my nephew, and he has trained her quite well. She may seem wild at times, but will mind when commanded to. Far better then somebody I know…" He turned a look to Nyaunni who rolled her eyes.

"Nyaunni…" Thorin continued. "You need to take at least a few days to let yourself heal.."

Nyaunni ignored the dwarven king as she slowly gathered the materials she used to clean Dajnel's cut, and handed it to the stable hand who had been trying to assure her he would take care of it.

"Nya…" Thorin tried again, this time walking up to her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

The dam turned with a sigh. "Thorin, you don't understand. I am not used to sitting around and waiting for my body to heal. We work…until we can not work anymore. Then…we die. That is life in Minam."

"Was." Thorin corrected softly. "That WAS your life in that Mahal forsaken place. But not anymore Nyaunni. This…is your life now. Erebor, is your home now."

Nyaunni silently stared at Thorin, her mind unwilling to accept the fact she was no longer under daily life or death threats and could, if she wanted, spend the day resting. She did not have a nursery of tainted creatures to oversee, she did not have to come up with ways to slow progress in a way that did not draw attention, she did not have to slowly build a resistance to free herself and the other captives in the city. That life was gone. Now…she only had to convince her mind it was gone.

"Alright. But only after you show me around just a bit. I am rather curious about the addition of the golden floor in the throne hall, Thorin." Nyaunni gave Thorin a smile but he did not return it. Instead his entire demeaner changed and he stood straight, eyeing her with an expression she could not read.

"Ah! Thorin…here you are." Balin walked into the stable, his loyal scribe just behind him as usual. Thorin groaned as Litin's magnified eyes fell on him and remained. "We have everything ready for tha' meeting with Bard an' Legolas. The elven prince wanted teh meet with yeh before he returned to Mirkwood with a report. Is this a good time?"

Thorin nodded, causing a small wave of hurt to fill Nyaunni. Without waiting for his response to Balin, the dam stepped towards the dwarven king, reached up, and pulled the hatchling from where he had been hiding in Thorin's thick hair. Uri cried out in displeasure, but Nyaunni ignored him as she put him in her deep pocket. "I will leave you to it."

"Nya…" Thorin sighed.

"No. It's fine Thorin. I am just going to go and do as you suggest and rest." Nyaunni stepped around the somewhat flustered king and gave Balin a small smile. "Balin." She nodded a greeting and left the room, missing the look of wariness on Thorin's face as she left.

The chirping in her pocket continued as she continued her way back to the royal wing, causing Nyaunni to huff as she peeked into her pocket to see Uri clearly displeased with the turn of events. Though she did detect some hunger; he will calm with some grubs she has in her room she had brought with her.

Nyaunni started to enter the golden floored throne hall, but paused in thought. She could go back to her room…or…changing her mind, the dam turned…completely ignoring the now constant throbbing in her side…and instead opted to make her way to the food hall. There was still a few hours before the noon bell rang, so the hall was empty. Nyaunni didn't know why that brought a wave of annoyance, until she realized it was not just Uri who was hungry, but she was as well.

"Just a few days out of captivity, and I already want more food than what I am used to having." The red-headed dam grumbled to herself. She spent most of her lifetime to date, only eating minimal food, and somedays going completely without. Yet in the time she has been liberated, she has been fed three, if not four, large meals a day…with snacks and tea between those. It was easy to forget how much her people actually ate, when you were in captivity.

Nyaunni paused in thought. If she remembered correctly, there were many pubs and small eateries open throughout Erebor's few markets. Some of which were open almost around the clock. Making up her mind, Nyaunni turned towards the stairs that led to one of the two smaller markets. It was a bit out of the way, but Nyaunni did not mind the walk. It gave her something to do rather than sitting around. She hated sitting around.

With a bit of slow progress, Nyaunni entered the small, but active, market. Unlike the larger, main, market, this one only consisted of one floor. Nyaunni smiled as the smells of an open market hit her senses and she lazily browsed the carts and stands as she passed.

The place was packed and bustling with dwarves going about their business; some selling, others buying. The air was ripe with orders being called, venders attempting to attract business, and even some animals such as chickens, geese, and even some rams being bought and sold. Erebor, was truly a wonder. Not many living outside the mountain, could ever understand how the dwarves were able to build an entire city, farms, markets, greenhouses, and all, inside a mountain. Yet, even under Thror's reign, Erebor had been nearly self sustaining.

If the mountain was in peek condition, which to Nyaunni, it seemed nearly there, Thorin would be able to close up the gates completely, and his people would be able to live quite well on their own merits. No outside trade necessary. They had all the food and materials they needed to survive right inside their mountains; quite unlike the cities of man who her father would tell her, relied on trade for survival.

But Erebor and her dwarves? They would make do quite nicely. But Nyaunni doubted Thorin would ever do such a thing. Shaking her head, Nyaunni pushed the door open to one of the few built in shops in this small market. She smiled when she was met with a large room filled with tables, and her smile widened when her eyes fell on Taughin who lifted a brow at her as she entered. He was not alone either, as across from him was Gretta and Pyloh.

"Barzâ! Come…come! Sit with us!" Pyloh called as he motioned for one of the dwarves behind the front counter, asking for more food and another fine ale. "King Thorin is great, 'e said tah eat anywhere we wan' and 'e will cover the cost 'til we get on our feet. Tol' us to take all the time we need to. Now 'e is a leader who is quickly earnin' my loyalty."

Nyaunni chuckled as the younger dwarf gulped down the entire mug of ale, then happily accepted another from the dwarf who brought more food and drinks. "Get yeh anything lass?"

"Whatever you have that is hot, I will take." Nyaunni gave the dwarf a warm smile as he bowed to her and made for the kitchens. Taking a seat, the dam then turned to the two at the table. "Have either of you seen the others? Are they settling in well?"

Taughin nodded. "Aye. Some 'ave even begun searchin' for somthin' to do. But most are restin' and tryin' to acclimate themselves ta a normal life."

"An' some will have more difficulty than others doin' that." Gretta sighed. "I meself am trying to accept this ain' a dream. One o' the younger ones came up ta me and said 'e thought we all died, an this was the afterlife. Now I am no' sayin' its true, bu' I don't blame him fer one moment thinking as such. Goin' from Minam, to Erebor, does feel like enteren' a type of paradise." She plucked a roll from the table and pushed a full mug of ale to Nyaunni. "Drinks are quite good. Never had ale before, bu' I quite like it."

"Well, don't drink too much." Nyaunni said with some concern. "It leaves your mind a bit rambled when you overdo it." She nodded a thankyou as the dwarf who worked the dining room brought a plate loaded with chips covered in a dark mushroom and meat gravy and two large, warm, buttermilk rolls.

"Specialty of the house lassie. Enjoy." He gave Nyaunni another small bow, and went back to the counter to greet a few dwarves who had just entered.

Nyaunni took a bite and hummed in pleasure. "Maybe that young one was on to something, maybe this is the afterlife after all." She said with a sigh then remembered she had a hungry hatchling in her pocket and reached in to pull Uri out.

"By Mahal Barzâ, yeh brough' one of em here?" Gretta stared at the tiny fellbeast who was making all kinds of noise until Nyaunni placed a fry in front of him. It was likely not the best thing for him to eat, but he will be fine.

"This one is different." Nyaunni said with a small smile. "He, is like Dajnel. A purified version of those dark creatures. He will not be dangerous."

"Jus' like Dajnel yeh say?" Taughin asked, intrigued by the tiny creature who was standing on his hind legs as he peered into a mug, sniffing at Nyaunni's ale.

The red-headed dam chuckled when Uri took a sip, then a gulp of the amber liquid and she pulled him away before he stomached too much. "Alright you, you cannot have that until you come of age." She placed the hatchling back beside her plate and gave him more of her food, then lifted her eyes to her companions who were each staring at her with their brows raised, Taughin shaking his head. "What?"

"You…will always be odd." Pyloh said with a laugh, at least until Gretta kicked him under the table and he scowled at her. "Wha' am I wrong?"

"Don' listen to 'im Barzâ." Gretta gave Nyaunni a small smile. "Oh! Course yer Nyaunni now aren't ya?"

Nyaunni nodded. "I think, I want to leave Barzâ in Minam. Our life there…is over…and it is time to start fresh. I want to find out who Nyaunni is, and I want a chance to just, be."

The two dwarves and one dam at the table sat quietly nodding. "I wan' teh do somethin' in the garden I think." Gretta said after a moment. "I remember, before I was taken, me mama use teh grow all kinds of fresh veg. It is all I remember of her before the orcs came an' killed her. I wan' teh do tha' to honor her…an o' course, for me as well." She looked down into her amber ale, then gave the other three at the table a smile. "Wha' about you guys? Any plans?"

"I want to join the guard." Pyloh said sitting back against his chair. "I want to make certain no orcs ever ge' the chance ta come here and take anyone."

"An admiral choice Pyloh." Taughin praised. "Yeh will make a thumpin' good guard too. An Gretta, yer dream is beautiful lass." The old dwarf gave a warm smile to the dam who returned the expression with equal warmth. "To be true…I don' know what I am goin' to do." He sighed. "All my life I 'ave been workin' to get out of tha' hole…I am afraid tha' is all I know."

Nyaunni reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You will find something Taughin. Erebor has more than enough opportunities for everyone. All of you will find a place here, I am sure of it. Have you heard of anyone planning on leaving?"

"Aye, bu' just a few." Taughin said as he sat back in his chair. "A couple of folks will be returnin' to their own clans, I was told. King Thorin is arrangin' travel plans for em. Said 'e will be puttin' a guard together to ensure they are delivered to their clans safely. I don' think it's more than six or seven goin' though. The rest are stayin' in Erebor."

Nyaunni nodded in understanding. She was happy there would be a sense of closure for so many she had lived among. Even she herself knew Erebor would be where she would remain. Afterall, where else would she go? She had no desire to travel or go see any other clan, because she really doesn't know anything outside Erebor and Minam. And she was of little to no use to her own home clan as she is positive with them believing her to be long dead, they had already moved on and are running it in their own way.

Not to mention, she was of no used in continuing her line…so why bother upsetting the balance. Besides, though females are honored, and can make decisions, vote, and hold high places in counsels, they do not lead in the dwarven culture. Not in the way lords and kings do, and all dams both knew and accepted that; it was just their way. So even if Nyaunni went back to the Firebeards, it was not as if she would be made their leader despite being a direct descendant of Uri…and she was completely fine with that.

"Is it like how ya remember it Nyaunni?" Pyloh asked, pushing Uri away from the sweet roll he had just accepted from the dwarf who was tending their small group. He had brought four steaming rolls over stating they were just pulled from the oven. Nyaunni gave Pyloh a questioning look so he added, "Erebor, I mean."

"Oh." The dam looked around her as if seeing the entirety of the mountain from where she was sitting. "You have to remember Pyloh. I was very young. But…for the most part it appears unchanged. Though having elves living here is rather new…and odd."

"I, for one, do not find it odd at all." Came a voice who pulled up a chair and plopped right in it as if he was completely invited and at ease. Nyaunni eyed the taller elf with a raised brow and Naurfaer met it with a wide grin. "Although…perhaps I am not the best judge of oddities, my granddaughter married a dwarven prince, and I myself have been told more times than I can count that I am more than a bit…unique."

"Yer an elf." Gretta said, staring down the newcomer to the group with not a bit uncertainty.

Taughin chuckled. "Aye, tha' be Naurfaer lass. He was with us when we firs' left and helped fight fer Minam."

Gretta nodded. "I do recall seeing ya on the way to Erebor." She stared at the elf, unsure of what to make of his jovial demeaner. She knew no elves in her lifetime, only has heard rumors of them and lived among a city with statues depicting similar features to his, for decades. But interacting with an elf? This is brand new to Gretta and she was unsure how comfortable she was with this experience.

Naurfaer, however, either did not notice her discomfort, or chose to let her work through it in silence and instead, turned to Nyaunni. "Thorin sent me to check on you. I should not have been surprised to find your room empty." He lifted a brow and smirked. "I have had quite the time pinning you down though. Had to ask around and luckily, I thought to check here before going to the main market."

He turned to the dwarf who approached the table seeing the new addition to the party. "Afternoon Fylkorr. How is your father?"

"Naurfaer." The dwarf nodded in greeting. "He is fine thanks teh the lady Tauriel. Her salves and balms 'ave all bu' gotten rid of the burns on his arms. 'E should be back here workin' by the end o' the week. Can I get ya somthin?"

Naurfaer hummed in thought. "Just some tea thank you, and one of those pasties with the honey and goat cheese if you have them." The dwarf, Fylkorr, nodded and turned away so Naurfaer looked back to the table. "I supposed I cannot convince you to return to your chambers to rest?"

Nyaunni sighed. "I don't need to rest, I'm not in danger of dying. We don't rest in Minam, we keep going. I'm not used to having the option or the liberties to do such things as take a day to heal."

The other dwarves at the table nodded their agreement, Taughin adding, "It is work, or die. Rest? Tha' be for the dead."

There was a stabbing in Naurfaer's heart for these people, who spent decades to a lifetime in a place where choice, was not an option for them. He knew there would be an adjustment period for both the dwarves and the humans from the former orc hold. "I came from a meeting with Aeodhen." At the looks of confusion tossed his way, Naurfaer quickly supplied, "Aeodhen is the captain of Erebor's guards and is part of Thorin's personal counsel. He said they are discussing what to do with the group of humans, and the one dwarf, who attacked you Nyaunni."

Before Naurfaer continued, he accepted the pot of tea Fylkorr had brought over and the small plate with a single pastie in the middle. "Thank you Fylkorr." He smiled, receiving a bow of the head in response and immediately, Naurfaer set to preparing his mug of tea.

"What are they thinking to do?" Nyaunni asked, scooping up Uri who had begun to make his way to Naurfaer's hot mug of tea. She sighed as she pulled the quite indignantly chirping hatchling off the table and held him to her chest hoping he will settle into her warmth, which after a few moments, he did; falling fast to sleep as she held him.

Naurfaer watched as he sipped his hot tea, placing the mug delicately on the table. "As far as I know, it is still yet undecided. There is some talk on banishment, and others think they should remain in a cell. Personally…I think perhaps banishment would be the kinder of the options…not that I agree with what they did Nyaunni."

The dam in question folded her arms in thought as she considered what Naurfaer was saying. "I do not know what to say or think. It all happened so fast. To keep them in a cell, would be giving them a fate not too different than that which we escaped from. Yet…" She continued. "I fear if they can turn on one…they can do it to another. Maybe it would be best, to just, take them far away and let the fates decide their destiny."

"Aye. Give em a map, some provisions, and point 'em to a city." Taughin grumbled. "Ain' ever goin' to understand wha' they were thinkin', me. Turnin' on yer own when everythin' we ever worked for finally came to be. Foolishness." He shook his head and sighed.

Pyloh sat forward, his hands on the table. "I think yeh are all bein' too kind. They should get the axe. Murder…is murder…an' they had blood on their minds." He looked at Nyaunni. "Could 'ave killed ya Nyaunni. Wanted to. Is it right settin' murderers free?"

"It may no' be right Pyloh." Gretta said placing a hand on his shoulder. "Bu' they did no' murder anyone…or at least they did no' succeed. I say let 'em be another cities problem. Away with 'em and let's move on."

Naurfaer pulled out a bag of coins and tossed it to Fylkorr who was across the room. Though he caught the bag, looking curiously at Naurfaer. "For everyone's meals. Just send me the costs for whatever else is ordered today Fylkorr." The dwarf nodded and moved to help another who just walked in.

Rising to his feet, Naurfaer smiled to the group. "I think your suggestions are exactly what we should do. Thank you." He then turned to Nyaunni. "Dinner is at third bell, I told Dis to expect you."

Without waiting for a response, or perhaps not expecting one, Naurfaer left the four dwarves to themselves. He wanted to go check on Tauriel anyway. With a wave to Fylkorr Naurfaer stepped out into the smaller market. Now, small, does not necessarily mean small. This market was still quite substantial in size. Much larger than even some of the largest markets he has been to. But in comparison to Erebor's main market, it was only a third of the size. The other market was actually slightly larger than this and it sat on a lower level opposite this market.

Naurfaer paused and smiled as he picked up the tiniest set of booties on display at a cart a young dwarf was managing. "Afternoon Naurfaer."

"Afternoon Mortok. Do you have a second pair of these? They would go nicely with the gift I got my granddaughter and Viltarra."

"OH, course. Both are commin' due soon aren't they? Heard Bofur's go' the wager startin' up in case they come early." Mordok dipped below the stall counter to ruffle through his wares and pulled an identical set out and placed them on the counter.

Naurfaer beamed and nodded. "Soon enough. Should be about six or seven weeks now for Viltarra and just over that for Tauriel. These are wonderfully made." He inspected the soft hide and even softer furs lining the insides. Dwarves and their craftsmanship were unmatched in many ways, even in comparison to the elves for some things.

"Thank you." Mortok bowed in gratitude. "It took me several failures before I go' them jus' right. Bu' I am quite proud of em. I started makin' larger sizes too, if yer ever interested."

"I think I might be. I will be sure to visit again but for today, these will due quite nicely." Naurfaer passed several coins to the young dwarf and smiled as he accepted the two sets of tiny infant slippers Mortok had wrapped together in a small parcel. He then turned and left the market and made for the main floor where the golden floored throne room led to his family's chambers.

He nodded to the guards as he passed then made sure to stop in his room to place the gift he just purchased beside the two gifts he had made. Naurfaer fingered the bonnets he had made which looked perfect with the tiny slippers he just purchased. Now, he simply had to wait until they had their little celebration next week.

Naurfaer could not help but pause and realize, it would probably be a good idea to discuss a family portrait with Dis. "We will need one eventually." He thought to himself as he left his room and headed down the hall to Kili and Tauriel's chambers.

A hearty laugh could be heard through the door and Naurfaer smiled as he made Dis's voice out admonishing Fili. Opening the door, Naurfaer stepped in to see Fili, Kili, Viltarra, and Dis all sitting together in the sunlit room. "Having a party without me?"

"However could we do that? It shall never be lived down if we did." Tauriel looked up from Finli who was brandishing one of Kaw's felled feathers like a sword, her eyes sparkling with amusement as the tiniest son of Durin ran in circles around the sitting room, Kaw just behind him hot on his trail.

"You better believe that. And what do we have here?" Naurfaer bent low and snatched up his great grandson and threw him high into the air, eliciting a shrieking giggle from the toddler.

"The mighty prince Finli, slayer of Kaw the terrifying." Fili regaled.

Naurfaer looked from Finli to Kaw who was currently picking at a stray string at the hem of the carpet. "Slayer you say? Seems as if Kaw the terrifying is alive and well. Maybe slaying is the wrong assessment to make."

"Slay!" Finli shouted and from Naurfaer's arms, pointed the feather at Kaw who lifted his head, tilted it to the side, and fell sideways to the floor before rolling on his back with his wings spread out...now completely still.

Tauriel sighed and shook her head. "Finli...now what do you need to do?"

The toddler squirmed out of Naurfaer's arms and kneeled down to Kaw. "Up, Kaw." The bird, however, remained still so Finli poked him with his little finger and repeated once more, "Up, Kaw." When the black raven remained still, he rose to his feet and ran to Tauriel. "Mama, heal Kaw?"

"Now Fin..." Naurfaer squatted to the toddler's level. "We cannot always bring those we love back from the dead. Once you slay, there is no turning back."

Though he doubted Finli completely understood what he said, giant tears welled up in the toddler's eyes and he threw the feather down to the ground and began to cry in earnest.

"Way to go Naurfaer." Fili rolled his eyes. "He's two, it was just a game."

Naurfaer stood and glared at the blonde prince. "Forgive me, but I do not consider death to be a game, Fili. It is important for Finli to learn that some things should simply not be joked about, and death, is one of those."

Kili rubbed his temples as he stood to retrieve his sobbing son. "Although I understand your feelings on the matter, Naurfaer, I cannot help but think you are being a bit…much…on this particular matter. Fili and I always played slay when we were young, and we did not turn out to find joy in killing sprees." He lifted a brow to the annoyed looking elf as he bent down and used the hand not cradling his still crying toddler to scratch Kaw under the beak. "Games up Kaw, Naurfaer's being a stick in the mud. Come on, up you get." Kili gently nudged the raven who croaked and flipped back over; shaking his feathers out and cawing gently up to his distraught friend.

"See Fin? Kaw is alright. It was just a trick." Kili tossed Kaw a treat he had in his pocket as Finli lifted his head to look at the raven at his father's feet. Kili then looked to Naurfaer. "I taught him to play dead, so I suppose this is my fault. Please do not chastise my son for something I did and he just mimicked."

Naurfaer huffed and sat hard on a chair folding his arms, his eyes following Kili as he passed a hiccupping Finli to Tauriel who cradled her son to her chest as best she could. He did feel a little bad for upsetting his great-grandson, that, he had not meant to do. With a sigh, Naurfaer sat forward and looked to Tauriel, then Fili. "How are you both feeling?"

"Fine, really." Fili said with his arm tightly around Viltarra who had Hiril at her feet. The warg still refused to leave her side, despite her paw being far worse of an injury than any that they came back to Erebor with; with exception of Nyaunni who none of them, other than Naurfaer, had seen yet that day. Even Tauriel's ankle was only just swollen at this point, and the eleth clearly pointed out that her other ankle was just as swollen and for that, she blamed the pregnancy, not the earthquake.

Tauriel kissed her son's head and nodded her agreement with Fili, they were both fine. "Nothing sleep could not cure. All is well. How is Nyaunni doing?"

"Well….she is up and around so well enough as it seems." Naurfaer stood and kneeled at Tauriel's feet, unable to resist making amends with the still distraught two-year-old. "Hey Fin…" He reached for the tot who leaned away from him.

"Come darling, you love gampa." Tauriel kissed his temple and passed him to Naurfaer knowing he never meant any harm, and in a way, she could not disagree with him. Though, she does not see the harm in Finli playing such games.

Naurfaer sat on the floor with Finli in his lap. Words of apology to a toddler were difficult to understand so he gave the toddler a wide grin showing he was not angry. "Can you show me your feather? I have never beheld such a weapon before." At first Finli wanted nothing to do with the elf, but slowly, he looked up, his brown eyes rimmed red from the tears. Then, he nodded and crawled out of Naurfaer's lap and grabbed the long black feather, and ran back to his gampa and held it up high.

Naurfaer chuckled and accepted the feather as well as the toddler who crawled back in his lap. Inspecting the 'weapon' Naurfaer whistled. "This is quite nice Finli, a beautiful specimen to be sure. Wield it well and remember to only use it when absolutely necessary."

Both Fili and Kili rolled their eyes, clearly not impressed with the advice as both Dis and Tauriel smirked in amusement. "Naurfaer, am I to assume you never taught your daughter how to battle?" Dis lifted a brow.

Naurfaer, however, narrowed his eyes and glared at the dam. "Of course I taught Ithildin how to DEFEND herself."

"He's going to have to learn sometime about how to battle, Naurfaer." Dis shook her head. "He is a son of Durin, he will be getting the best instruction from his father, uncle, and grandfather at a very early age. Kili and Fili began training from Thorin, just as Finli will in a few years time."

Grumbling, Naurfaer thought it best not to argue with these stubborn dwarves anymore. It is not as if he was going to have much say, and truthfully, they were not wrong. It just hurt his heart to know Finli will be learning how to use a weapon in just a few years, that was too soon for him. He watched as the now mollified toddler once again left his lap to play with Kaw, this time playing a game of chase back and forth between the two.

"Did you say Nyaunni was out of her chambers." Dis asked. She was going to check on the dam and bring her some lunch soon, but she assumed she was resting and did not wish to be a bother. Maybe she should have gone in there.

Naurfaer nodded. "She was down at Fylkorr's tavern in the second market."

"The Kedzêl market it has been named." Dis said. "Thorin and Balin have come to a decision to rename them apart from those names of old, to something simple. The large market, our main market, will be Kedzêl, the second market, Kiblîn, and the smaller market of the three, the Biblîn market. Though as those are becoming quite full, he has spoken to Balin in lengths about opening a fourth market deep in the mountain, as soon as he ensures it is safe. That will be called Mikîl."

"Gold, silver, bronze, and copper." Tauriel said with a smile. "Easy and efficient naming." She looked to Naurfaer, however, her expression becoming concerned. "Nyaunni was in the market? But she is injured."

Naurfaer nodded. "She is, but you must understand, her life has been one of great difficulty and one of pure survival instincts. From what I got from it, she cannot find rest because she simply was never allowed such a novelty. I cannot fault her for her fears, she is in no danger of anything life threatening, and I am sure her companions will not let her do anything to further her condition. They are merely sitting, and enjoying a meal."

"I am surprised Thorin is not with her." Dis said, her brows lowered in both concern and confusion. The room was silent, apart from Finli's little feet running away from the raven who was now chasing him.

"I feel as if I am missing something…or perhaps I was simply too focused on Fili. Is there something going on between Thorin and Nyaunni?" Viltarra looked to her husband, then the rest of the family around her.

Everyone turned their eyes to Dis and Tauriel who seemed to be the only two who really knew the facts, though the red-headed eleth remained tight-lipped and quiet making Dis responsible for answering. "I truthfully cannot answer that, as at this point, even I do not know. They knew each other as dwarflings, but that has been nearly two centuries past now. So apart from speculation and some rather unrevealing conversations with my brother, I do not know anymore. But…" She warned, staring down each of her children, both biological, and by marriage, then Naurfaer. "Do not push your uncle, just…let Thorin be. I can guarantee doing such things will only cause him to push back. Whatever is to happen…if anything…must happen on its own. Do I make myself clear?"

There were several huffs in the room until finally, each answered a yes in agreement and Dis nodded. "Good. Now, I am going to go begin dinner preparations. So if you will excuse me."

Viltarra pushed herself up, Hiril lifting her head and stretching as she got to her three uninjured paws. "I will come to help." She patted her warg on the head and waited.

Dis moved to stand and Tauriel rose at the same time. "I will join you as well Dis." Tauriel smiled as her son froze in place and looked to her, then ran up and began tugging on her skirt. "Would you like to come too Finli? Can you use your words my darling?"

"No. Up." Finli lifted his hands and Tauriel sighed.

Both her and Kili have been working on trying to get Finli to form longer sentences then his three or four word sentences he occasionally spoke. Yet Finli, it appears, has the stubbornness of any son of Durin and has made it his personal agenda to say what he wants, when he wants to say it…despite his parents insistence of the contrary.

"Finli." Kili said sternly, causing the toddler to look to his father as tears began to form in his eyes.

Tauriel shook her head and gave in, somehow bending to the ground and grasping her son just as his chin began to wobble. Though he was using his connection to Kili and Tauriel less and less as he got older, when he was in a mood like he was in now, he took full advantage and sent some rather distraught feelings to his mother who caved almost instantly. What mother could deny such a face, and the true feelings which he was sending her.

"Tauri…he isn't going to learn if you keep doing what he wants." Fili rolled his eyes causing both dams and the eleth in the room to glare at him.

Dis folded her arms and stared at her son. "He is not even three Fili, you didn't say a word apart from ma until your second birthday, and sentences did not come until you were three." She turned to Tauriel with a smile and walked up, reaching out and accepting the little dwelfling. "Come dear, you are alright. When you are ready to share, you will. We love you all the same."

Finli leaned his forehead against Dis's cheek causing Dis to warm with love and deep affection for her grandson as Viltarra folded her arms, still glaring at Fili who had no idea why he was on the receiving end of so much ire. "I am a bit lost as to why I am being attacked."

"Oh Fili." Viltarra grumbled and shook her head. "First off, he is two. Sounds to me like he is already further along then you were. Secondly, you forget we know you. I very much guarantee you would be just as bad if not worse then Tauriel at giving in when your child looks at you in much the same way."

Kili too was rather annoyed his brother. "Fi, he doesn't understand yet. Give him a break. And Tauriel can give in as much as she likes, she is his mother. Mam gives into you all the time." He lifted a brow. "Like when she got up early to make you that strawberry tart a few weeks ago when you were hinting at it like mad."

"And just two hours ago…" Viltarra added with a smirk, "She told you that you didn't have to do the report Thorin suggested you do because you were moaning about your head hurting."

"Wait!" Kili said, staring between his brother, mam, and Viltarra. "You didn't write your report of what happened yet? Tauriel had me finishing mine this morning before breakfast." He groaned and mumbled to himself. His strict wife took reports of events extremely seriously. She often had them written and given to Aeodhen or Thorin before they even brought it up.

"It is good to complete it while it is fresh in your mind, meleth nin. Lest you forget important details." Tauriel declared, giving her husband a look before turning to Fili. "You ought to not put yours off Fili, or you may forget something important."

"Tauri…we infiltrated an orc run city, liberated the people, and destroyed the orcs. Not to mention…" He added, "…said city is now likely at the bottom of a newly formed lake."

Tauriel narrowed her eyes. "But you forget, dear brother, that orcs, had gotten away and likely with some of those creatures. Then there is the fact that the city itself, held both historical significance to an elven culture and deep secrets we now cannot see and very likely, will never see again. Every detail, every second in that city, is worth going over. Not all was as cut and dry as it seems in your telling. That is why, we must give as detailed accounts as possible so that we can ensure retaliation and consequences of our actions remain minimal and we can plan ahead for any possible retaliation or after-effects of our actions." She eyed her brother for a silent moment then added. "There will also be others, scholars and even Thranduil, who will wish to hear as much as possible of what you had been able to see in a city, thought lost long ago, and is now lost permanently unless those waters recede one day."

Fili sighed. "You sound like Balin."

"I take that as a compliment." Tauriel smiled wide. "And it appears, with Viltarra joining me and Dis in the kitchen, you have adequate time to begin and finish your report now. There is even paper at the desk just there that you may use." She gestured to the desk Kili often uses to write missives. They do have an office, but it was at the end of the hall, and both Kili and Tauriel prefer to be in either the sitting room, or the bedroom, so they can be together. Neither needed the solitude of a closed in office, though, Tauriel did mention as they added to their family, Kili may want to move the desk back into the office so they could focus without little voices calling for their attention.

Kili, however, disagreed. He had told her that if he needed such solitude, he has a perfectly good office already deep in the mountain where he works. The rooms they have, he plans on filling with little ones, not desks. Tauriel had laughed brightly in agreement, thoroughly agreeing as she rubbed the swell of her son. She often wondered just how many of the rooms they would need; she hopes, all of them.

Fili groaned loudly pulling Tauriel from her thoughts. "Come on Tauri! Mam, tell her I have a headache?"

"Oh, no, if I just keep giving in…you will never learn." Dis lifted a brow and made for the door causing her son to gape at her.

"Turn-about is fair play." Tauriel taunted as she left the room with a laughing Dis.

However, before joining them, Viltarra kissed Fili's cheek. "She is not wrong Fili."

"Which one?" Fili groused.

"Well…technically both." Viltarra chuckled at Fili's indignant expression and moved to the door, Hiril limping behind her.

Fili fell to the chaise with a huff. "That…was not fair."

"I found it quite agreeable." Naurfaer said from where he was sitting back against the chair with his hands tapping on the velvet arm. "Reports are important, for one thing. And for another, children have a way of deciding their own terms and conditions. While it is important to help them along, they will speak, walk, and learn at their own pace. You should not berate Tauriel in her desire to nurture her babe when he is upset, neither should you judge her for her choice not to push him. Finli has been through a lot in his short life, he may take longer than others to get to some points."

Fili's eyes widened and he looked from Naurfaer, to Kili, who was looking to the ground. "Oh Mahal, I am sorry Ki! I was not thinking again. I should have considered that. I never meant it to upset Tauriel or Finli."

Kili lifted his eyes and smiled softly. "It's fine Fi. I have told you before, I am not going to break if you bring that up. It happened, neither I nor anyone in this mountain or beyond can change that. What happened, happened. End of story. I do wish I could take the pain it caused Tauriel and Finli away, but the matter of fact is, both of them, and Viltarra and mam, bare scars as do I that will always remain."

Kili ran his hands through his hair and leveled Fili with a look well beyond his years. "My son, my Finli, is perfect Fili. I care not if he spoke as eloquently as Thranduil, or speaks in gibberish as he does. His laughter, his joy in life, and the smile he gets when he knows he has achieved something…is well worth however long of a wait it takes. Finli will meet his own expectations in due time. Please do not fault Tauriel or my son as they both have scars, they bare…but do not show."

Fili stared at his brother, then scooted the distance between them and pulled Kili into a tight hug. "Hey, no. I don't judge Tauri at all, and I fully agree Finli is perfect. That was a stupid thing I said. I'm still learning Ki, and…" He pulled back and looked at his baby brother. "…and I am going to need your help with fatherhood. I see you, I see how you are with Finli, and how he loves you, and I know that I want to be the kind of father you are Ki."

"Fatherhood, is the greatest of callings." Naurfaer said from across them. "But it is a calling you must learn through experience Fili. You may take tips and tricks from those around, from Kili and Thorin, or even myself. But what you will find, is that you will have your own way, your own path to follow, and one which will come with its own obstacles and challenges. Every child is unique, you will both see that." He smiled at the two brothers. "Fili, from what I know and have seen of you, I think you will make a wonderful father."

"I agree with Naurfaer Fi. You have quite the adventure ahead of you." Kili patted Fili on the back.

"In less than a few months, he will be here. I cannot believe it." It was Fili's turn to run his hands through his hair, something the blonde rarely did unless he was really anxious about something…which Fili was hardly if ever, anxious.

Kili bumped his brother's shoulder and gave him a wry smile. "Just wait until the birth. Ya think old Oin has relaxed his stance about mates in the birthing room?"

"Ha, not likely. I already got the lecture, then Oin got an earful from Viltarra. So much so, he actually gave up and left."

"You both need to be kinder to Oin." Naurfaer lifted a brow then looked to Fili. "And you…what makes you so sure you're having a boy? Unless dams have similar abilities to eleths and can tell that sort of thing, you should not be so set on such an outcome."

"Of course they cant." Fili grumbled. "But it's a boy. I just have a gut feeling."

"Like you had a gut feeling Viltarra was a male?" Kili snorted.

Fili glared at Kili then stood and stomped towards the door. "I have a report to write, and I think I will use my own chamber, thank you." As he slammed the door behind him, and marched to his chambers, he could still make out the muffled laughter of his brother, and Naurfaer.

As the evening bell rung, Nyaunni patted her pocket where Uri still lay asleep. She keenly ignored the pain in her side as she opened the door to the kitchen where nearly the entire royal family was either sitting at the table, or making trips from the counter, to the table. She watched for maybe half a minute before a small hand tugged on the hem of her tunic and she looked down to a large set of brown eyes looking past her.

"Finli, say hello, don't just stare." Dis rushed across the kitchen, passing Viltarra a plate and plucked the toddler up. "Welcome Nyaunni. I am glad you were able to make it." She smiled at the dam, securing her arms around Finli who was still looking around the dam at the hallway.

"Pop?" The toddler turned his eyes to Dis then pointed at the empty hall. "Nan, where's pop?"

"He will be here shortly Finli." She smiled at her grandson then stepped out of the way so Nyaunni could come all the way in. "Sorry Nyaunni, he has been waiting for Thorin to arrive. He is quite attached to Thorin."

"Who is Finli not attached to." Fili chuckled and tickled the toddler who giggled then squealed with delight as the patriarch of the family finally came into view. He wriggled and pushed his way out of Dis's arms who gave in and let the toddler go, watching with amusement as he raced through the kitchen door into Thorin's waiting arms.

Nyaunni watched with a small smile as Thorin greeted his…great nephew? Then again, he calls Tauriel his daughter, and he did say pop, so maybe he considers the babe to be a grandson instead. Whichever, it was a lovely scene to behold and she could not help but be caught up in it herself.

"I think, sometimes, he prefers uncle to anyone." Kili said, standing from the table and draping his arm around Tauriel's waist.

There were several sets of eyes turned to the dark-haired prince, all staring at him in disbelief. "Ki…" Fili said with a roll of his eyes. "Who are you trying to fool?"

"Rubbish." Dis said as Tauriel shook her head. Finli, was incredibly attached to both of his parents, far more so than anyone else. Though, in a way, Fili is not wrong, Fin is quite attached in general to the family as well.

Dis clapped her hands at the group now all essentially standing at the door. "Dinner is going to get cold if we just stand around, come, come, sit. It is time to eat."

A shuffling of feet and scraping of chairs filled the air as the family and Nyaunni sat at Dis's large table. At first, Nyaunni did not know where to sit, but Naurfaer pushed her into the chair at the end of the table beside Thorin and across from Dis. She had no time to think about that as food began being passed her way and she was forced to turn her attention to dishing up her plate and passing the bowl or platter before they piled up in front of her.

Thorin took a few warm roles and passed one to Finli who was still in his lap before he looked to Nyaunni who seemed a bit flustered with the constant stream of food. "Nya, you do not need to take everything passed. Fili, that will do." The blonde prince beside Nyaunni nodded and made sure to place the food he was handed within reach of the dam if she desired it. Thorin was the first to dish up, which made Nyaunni last so everyone already had a chance to partake.

Nyaunni smiled at Thorin, who had his eyes back on the toddler in his lap, so instead she turned to Fili who was already speaking to Tauriel and Viltarra. Well, this was fun. She looked to her plate and began eating, just listening to the family around her laughing and talking among each other."

"Is everything alright Nya?" Lifting her azure eyes, Nyaunni nodded to Thorin.

"It has been…a long time since I was part of a family meal." Nyaunni shared, unable to keep the smile from spreading as Finli reached for Thorin's goblet. She tried to grab onto the cup but was just a bit too late to catch the full goblet from spilling all over the table…and Thorin.

"Uh oh." Finli yelled out as Tauriel quickly rose and Dis ran to the kitchen to get a dishtowel having seen what happened.

Thorin sighed as he felt the sticky ale spill over his pants. "Finli…" He shook his head and accepted a towel from his sister, first trying to dry Finli before placing the rag on his knee. He knew it would be useless to try and wipe off the ale; it will dry in time.

Tauriel reached out to collect her son. "I am so sorry Thorin." Thorin just waived her off and began helping Dis and Nyaunni wipe up the ale on the table.

"I will take him amralime." Kili stepped around Thorin and Nyaunni, stopping Tauriel as she made for the door. "I'll get him changed and bring him back, shouldn't take me too long."

Tauriel looked from her son who had his thumb in his mouth to Kili who was nodding and reaching for Finli. The toddler naturally went to his father and Tauriel smiled softly as her boys left the kitchen. She looked down, seeing a small patch of the amber ale on her dress, but chose to ignore it. She had little desire to go through the process of finding something to wear and changing when it was not necessarily bothering her.

Instead, she went to the kitchen and got a moist cloth to help remove the sticky mess from the table. She passed the warm cloth to Dis who gave her a grateful smile before proceeding to wipe down her beloved table.

"Are you enjoying our family dinner Nyaunni?" Tauriel gave the dam a wide grin, her eyes dancing with amusement at the chaos around her. "I do apologize my son disrupted things a bit."

Nyaunni chuckled. "I must say, it is a bit more chaotic than I had anticipated. But not in a bad way. Although I do wish I could have been a bit faster in catching that mug."

"I should have realized he was reaching for it." Thorin said folding his arms as Dis brought him a fresh mug of ale and placed a clean plate where Nyaunni had been sitting so she would not have to eat off something soaked in the amber liquid. "Thank you Dis."

Dis nodded then gestured to the table. "Shall we continue?"

"Is the little one coming back?" Nyaunni spied the door then looked back to the family who were all taking their seats at the table.

Tauriel nodded. "Worry not, he will be back soon. Kili is just getting him changed." Before she even finished speaking, Kili walked back in with a clean Finli. He kissed Tauriel on the brow and sat with the toddler in his lap; Tauriel making certain to push both of their drinks…Kili's ale and her water…a bit further away.

Before Dis sat, however, she did make certain to bring a Finli sized cup and pass it to a grateful Tauriel who gave it to her son. With that, dinner continued as normal. Though Nyaunni did make certain to dish herself up a fresh helping of food.

For some reason, she felt just a bit less nervous than she had felt a moment ago, especially as Thorin drew her into conversation. It was hard not to feel like somewhat of an outsider when this family was obviously quite close, yet the longer she conversed, the easier it was to forget this was the first time she was dining with them.

The to princes, Fili and Kili, which she again forgot who was who, reminded her astutely of Frerin as they told animated stories of their childhood, Naurfaer regaled the group with tales of his travels of his many centuries of life…many of which they were finding difficult to believe but he swears by, and Dis spoke of the few memories she had of Erebor and what she remembers fondly of those early days.

Even Thorin added his own anecdotes in, adding clarity to Dis's stories, and even sharing some of his favorite hideaways in Erebor when he was young. "No matter where I went though, my mother always found me." Thorin sighed as he sat back in his chair. "Nya, though, she would disappear, and you could never find where she went."

"Now I would not say that." Nyaunni laughed as Viltarra brought dessert to the table; she had made a cherry pie while Dis and Tauriel were preparing the main meal. "You always seemed to figure out where I was."

"No, your dam birds were the tell all." Thorin grumbled. "I would spend hours looking up and down the mountain when you seemingly disappeared, and just when I was about to give up, I would finally catch sight of a stray thrush fluttering up a corridor and I knew…that was where Nyaunni is." The room filled with laughter as Thorin took a sip of his ale and shook his head.

"Nyaunni, do you know what you want to do here in Erebor? As things settle down that is." Naurfaer asked as he bounced Finli on his knee. The toddler was digging into his dessert, which was fine by him. He already had an entire slice of the pie Viltarra had made, this was simply a second helping.

He gave Tauriel and Kili a wry grin as they both watched on, unamused. Finli would not be fun trying to get settled for bed with all the sugar he was ingesting. But what was the point of being the grandparent, and not spoiling your grandchild? He was not sorry in the least. Part of the fun was getting him riled up and passing him over. Although Finli was hardly what one would call difficult, even when he was running amuck. Maybe this next one will be wild…they could use a bit more wild in their lives.

Nyaunni looked around the table as most of the family looked at her. "I was just speaking to a few others about this very thing earlier today." She pushed her empty plate away and sighed. "Truthfully, I do not know. I was considering taking a place working with the animals in Erebor. It is what I know best and where I am most comfortable."

Thorin nodded. "I am certain we can make that happen, Nya, when you are ready. What of the others? Has anyone given interest in what they wish to do?"

"A few had made mention, Pyloh wants to join the guard and Gretta mentioned working in the green room. But Taughin is unsure. I am sure many, are unsure." Nyaunni leaned over and rested her elbows on the table. "Many of those here have done nothing but what they were forced to do in Minam. They have no idea what enjoyment and purpose is."

"Maybe…" Fili suggested, "We can have some sort of presentation of what is available in the mountain."

"I am sure many in the market, including my father, would not be opposed to contributing to some sort of craft fair." Viltarra added, squeezing Fili's hand as she grinned. She quite enjoyed this idea, Viltarra knew her father loved to share his craft with anyone who would listen; he would be first to approve of such a thing, and her mother…well…her mother was much like her and preferred to keep to the family. But she also loved her craft and Viltarra would not doubt her mother would love nothing more than to help another find their purpose.

"A craft fair…" Thorin murmured in thought, then nodded. "Excellent idea Fili. Dis…" Thorin turned to his sister. "Perhaps we can get the dwarflings involved as well. It would be a good opportunity to not just enlighten our new inhabitants, but also the up and coming generation of what they may do. Some of the children are nearing age to choose an apprenticeship, are they not?"

"They are." Dis said with a nod. "I will be sure to speak to Tórhethin."

Thorin sat forward and looked at his nephews. "Fili, Kili, put together a team to begin speaking to the shop owners and see who is interested in participating. Viltarra and Tauriel, talk to Balin about securing a space. Perhaps where the Ukdam resided would be a good choice. I am considering making that a market soon so it would be well to put it to regular use and perhaps begin reconstructing the space to better meet our needs sooner rather than later."

Thorin then turned to Nyaunni. "Nya, I do not wish to give you any burdens, but if you have need for something to do, if you can speak to those formally from Minam and see if there is anything they wish to see represented in the presentations?"

"Of course." Nyaunni instantly agreed. For the next hour, the family excitedly discussed the opportunities ahead and Nyaunni could not help but watch them work. She remembers dining with Thror, Thrain, and his family in the great hall, but they seldom if ever, had meals like this; everyone coming together, laughing, and tossing food at each other. It was just, not done.

Yet, here, was a group who obviously not only loved each other, but enjoyed each other's company. There was nobody putting anyone down, as Thror used to put Frerin and Thorin down when he was unimpressed with their antics. That is not to say Dis did not chastise her children when Kili began to get a bit overzealous with his ale, or when Fili tossed a spoon filled with pie at Naurfaer. But when she did berate them…it was always with an amused smirk on her face and never with even a single hint of disappointment.

Nyaunni found she could see a brightness, a joy, and a deep love in this group that she can not remember being present in her last memories of her life in Erebor. Did Thrain love his children? Absolutely. But Thror, only loved what he could control, and souls like Frerin, who simply loved to bring smiles to the faces of all those he came into contact with, was never meant to be controlled. He was a free spirit through and through.

Frerin. She will miss him and his antics; he had the ability to make you smile even when your world tipped upside down. He was the stark contrast to Thorin, but in a way that was refreshing and very much needed when a darkness began to fill the mountain halls. Frerin never missed a single responsibility he was given or neglected a single duty, but did every one with joy, laughter, and a lightness that often caused Thror to berate him despite Frerin doing exactly as he was assigned to do. Yet never once, did Frerin break or take offence. He would simply listen to his grandfather, nod, then go back to doing things just as he had before…with a vibrant and bright grin on his face. The people loved him, they loved all of Thrain's children.

Nyaunni sighed and took a sip of her ale while the family around her continued to chat amongst themselves. She had never believed she would ever see any of the family she was raised with again, let alone Thorin. But being here, in Erebor, with Thorin right beside her, made her remember all that she missed and thought she had buried in her time in Minam. Most of all, she missed her father.

Grief, like she had not felt in many years, filled her breast and it forced the dam to blink back tears. When was the last time she cried over her father? When was the last time she cried over her lost friends, over Frerin whom she was nearly as close to as she was Thorin?

Not wanting the others to be privy to her pain, Nyaunni stood. "It is getting late, and I am afraid I have not become accustomed to standardized time again. I fear if I remain much longer, the ale I consumed would have me falling to sleep where I sit. If you will excuse me. It has been a pleasure."

Without waiting to be dismissed, Nyaunni made a hasty exit and went directly to her room. This was all too much. Too much pain, too much emotion, too many memories. Nyaunni barely remembered removing her outer layers before she turned out the lanterns overhead and slid into bed. She does remember a gentle knock on the door, she does remember Thorin's rough voice softly calling out to her. But Nyaunni remained still and silent. She did not want to talk, she could not handle any more emotions right now. When the door shut once more, for the first time in well over a hundred years, Nyaunni gave into her pain and cried herself to sleep.

Thorin leaned his head against Nyaunni's door. He should have never agreed to Naurfaer's idea for a family dinner. At first, he thought she was enjoying herself, then he saw the pain in her eyes the longer she stayed. He knew that haunting look, she was grieving. Thorin could not help but wonder if Nyaunni ever had the opportunity to grieve for all she lost when she was taken; likely not.

As much as Thorin wanted to be there for her, for his friend, she seemed to need her space, so he would honor her desire. If she wanted him, she could come to him, when she was ready.

With a deep sigh, Thorin moved away from the door only to hear a gentle chirp in his ear, and he could not contain the annoyed groan that left his lips. Reaching behind him, he wrapped his hands around the tiny fellbeast who chirped in his grasp. "For Mahal's sake. When did you get up there?"

It must have been sometime during dinner. Somehow, he had crawled off Nyaunni, and onto Thorin, with neither of them realizing. Thorin raised his hand to knock again, but froze. Nyaunni needed time to herself, maybe…just this once…he can watch the tiny beast.

Huffing, Thorin cupped Uri in his hands and turned on his toes, marched to his room, grabbed a bit of parchment, and hastily wrote a note to Nyaunni stating that he had her mini dragon, and to find him when she was ready to retrieve it. He also made certain to add that he would ensure it was both properly fed and watered, and to not worry…he would not kill it. Thorin paused and read the note a few times, then quickly scribbled, 'I am here, for whatever you need Nya.' Before he signed it and folded it.

Satisfied with what he wrote, Thorin went back to Nyaunni's room and slipped the note under her door then looked back at the hatchling. "One night." He growled to the creature who seemed to silence his chirpings and fall asleep in his warm hands. "Just ONE night." He repeated as he once again entered his room to prepare for bed.

Authors Note: See, just family stuff, lol. Nyaunni is sticking around, so I hope you like her. Also, Uri and Thorin is just too much fun to write. I will really TRY to not make you all wait too long for the next chapter, but family is always first so it depends on the time I have to write and edit. Actually, it is not writing that takes forever, it's editing. Because I always add while I edit, which has me going backwards to re-read what I added and continue editing.

On another note, I may have made the HUGE mistake of re-reading my own freaking story for like, the hundredth time. It appears, no matter HOW MANY TIMES I edit this stupid thing, I keep on missing dumb mistakes. For example, I do actually know the difference between waist, and waste, and for some reason, I still type them wrong. I also never have gone back and used the readback feature for the first five chapters of Reforged, so it reads a bit rough. I will be fixing that eventually because it is a bit cringworthy in spots even for me. Did I also catch an Erebor spelled wrong…yes…yes I did. Lol. Sorry guys. I do try.

Anyway, see you in a bit, hopefully sooner rather than later.