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.

52. ACT IV Chapter FIFTEEN

Authors Note: For my birthday weekend…I gift YOU a chapter XD. Because I don't know how to do short chapters, its another long one, lol. Thank you for the kind reviews, they are ALWAYS appreciated. Enjoy!

Chapter Fifteen

"Meleth nin…." Tauriel tried, now for the third time, but Kili was still completely lost to the waking world. "Kili, it is nearing noon. You have already missed breakfast."

If Tauriel had not had the connection to Kili that she had, she would be frantic with worry considering her usually early rising husband, had not moved. He had indeed given Finli a bath the night before, but it took much longer than he had anticipated to get the toddler cake free. Somehow, Finli had managed to get the sticky dessert everywhere, including down his pants.

Tauriel had offered to help, but Kili had sternly told her to rest and he would handle everything. Well an hour bath later, and Kili was all but dragging his feet while Finli raced out of the bathroom, dripping wet, and laughing as he called out "Catch me, da!" Then a few more things Tauriel could not quite make out, which were likely not true words at all.

The entire situation caused Tauriel to burst with laughter, despite Kili's scowl. "Ale catching up with you my love?" Tauriel asked soothingly.

"I might have had a mug too much." Kili sighed. "I know I said I would handle it…but do you think you can take it from here? I really need to get this cake out of my hair."

Tauriel laughed again as Kili fell back on his side of the bed, his head landing just at her thigh. The eleth smiled fondly and very carefully, leaned down and kissed his forehead, her lips still grazing his skin as she responded, "Of course, it would be my greatest joy."

Sliding from the bed, Tauriel sought her connection to her son, who seemed to be experiencing a sugar craze at the moment, as he was filled with bright pulsing light. She sighed a bit at how independent Finli's mind had become over the last year. She used to not have to try at all to access her son, but what once was a wide-open archway leading directly to her Finli, was now a closed door getting heavier and heavier to open, and a long corridor to travers to access his mind.

Though this was perfectly normal, and even encouraging as it showed growth and development, it was also painful as a mother to lose that connection. She had her unborn son though, and Kili. Both of which were wide-open to her at all times. "Finli, darling. Come now my star."

Tauriel chuckled when she found him in his room, stark naked and playing with the carved wolf Fili had made him. Kaw was in the room too, but he was perched on Finli's large cradle, preening his wings. He did pause though, to lean his head forward for a scratch from his nana. Tauriel happily obliged before going to Finli, her hand resting on her also awake unborn son.

Letting Finli play for a few minutes, Tauriel went and got his sleeping clothes ready before returning and smiling down at her son. He had laid out on the carpet and was lazily still pushing the wolf around. Though he did peek his brown eyes up at her and smiled wide. "Hiril mama." He lifted the wolf and Tauriel chuckled.

"Yes, Hiril. Now come here my star." She sat on the rocking chair and waited as Finli pulled himself up and slowly walked to his mother, allowing her to pick him up before standing and placing him in his cradle. It made it easier to get him dressed and tucked in. She was about to ask him if he wanted a story, but by that point, Finli had lost the battle to remain awake and was lost to his dreams.

Tauriel turned on the small night lantern he had, and moved to leave, pausing at the door and looking at him as he slept. Kaw had jumped into the cradle and was getting comfortable among the blankets before he tucked his beak under his wing. Tauriel's eyes scanned the room, realizing not for the first time, that they really needed to get some things moved around to make room for yet another crib-like cradle.

There was still so much to do, and now, they had yet another joining the family. Tauriel smiled at the thought. Thorin deserves happiness and a chance at love, and she genuinely likes Nyaunni, so she was rather excited for the wedding.

Humming softly to herself, Tauriel left Finli's door slightly ajar as she went back to her own room. There, Kili had not moved an inch, cake still smashed into his wild hair, and he was snoring. Rolling her eyes, Tauriel stepped inside and opted to get herself cleaned up and the room ready. Hopefully, Kili will wake and join her.

However, Kili did not wake, he did not wake even a bit as she turned out the light, opened the veranda door for fresh air, and crawled into bed. He did not wake as she tried…and failed, to get him so he was on the pillows. He didn't even respond when she attempted to kiss him awake. No, Kili was completely out.

Tauriel keenly remembers having returned after several hours of being gone that morning, how Thorin had come in, a smile on his face as he greeted her. "I just got word from Bard and need to go to Dale today. We want to get those attackers taken care of sooner rather than later. Is Kili available to come? I know it is short notice, I had not discussed it with him, but with Fili already at the forge, I thought I would see if he is up yet. I don't anticipate it being a long trip, we should be back in an hour, two tops."

Tauriel sighed and peaked back in the room. He had, at some point in the night, moved to a relatively normal sleeping position, his hand reaching out to her and pulling her against him in his sleep. It made it very difficult to get untangled from him when she had to wake the next day. Both because he was so wound around her, but also because his heat made her want to just stay in bed as well.

But Tauriel had responsibilities to attend to and reflected on everything she has done that morning having been awake since just before the sun. First and foremost, her son was an early riser, like his father typically was, and would be needing a changing and food. She also wanted to go see to Galaddal and Maryn, and she had scheduled some training with her team…all before first bell. Of course, training will go further, but Naurfaer will be the one actually instructing today. Tauriel is just going to lead morning exercises before she is spending a few hours at the forge with Fili.

Waking Kili, was not something she thought would be the most difficult task of her morning in any right. She tried for nearly a quarter of an hour to get him to do anything but sigh her name, and turn over in bed. Even Finli tried, but Kili just took the assault from his toddler with barely even evidence he was disturbed so Tauriel figured, he must need the sleep. Leaving Kili be, she took her son to the kitchen where Bilbo had surprised them with a rather lovely breakfast.

"It is a traditional first breakfast in the Shire, do enjoy. I shall be making second breakfast in two hours if you are still hungry." Bilbo passed her a plate of fried eggs, hash, ham, bacon, a buttered roll…which Vin had made Bilbo relayed…sausages, and of course, a large mug of warm apple cider and some tea.

Finli, who was standing on Dis's lap, quite enjoyed his hobbit breakfast which was not really much different than their own morning tradition. Though Dis usually only made one of the three meats, and rarely made fried eggs. She tended to scramble them instead.

"Just wait until second breakfast. I am making battered toast with syrup and fruit." Bilbo happily said, greeting Nyaunni at the door with a mug of tea. "Come, come, sit."

"Bilbo, please do not feel obligated to do so. Just, relax and enjoy your visit." Dis handed a small cup of the warm juice to Finli who drank the sweet drink with gusto.

Bilbo, however, shook his head no. "It is no bother, Dis. I rather enjoy doing it. And we hobbits, are accustomed to a slightly different meal schedule. Whoever is available to join, is most welcome, but I had already planned on making it."

"What, exactly, are the meals of hobbits?" Nyaunni asked, sitting in the seat Thorin pulled out for her. She had a rather restful evening, and woke to a smiling Thorin who was reading in bed. She had somewhat expected to be a bit…nervous and slightly embarrassed…waking to him after falling asleep together the night before. But instead, it felt, natural. She just kissed him briefly, then crawled out of bed and went to her own chamber to get herself ready for the day, only to join him in the kitchen for breakfast.

The hobbit in question took a bite of his meal, and a sip of his tea, then looked at her thoughtfully. "Well, breakfast of course usually is served around seven. It is rather earlier than that today, I am quite aware, but since everyone seemed to be awake, I thought I would get up as well. By the way, Bofur, Oin, and Bifur are still asleep in the sitting room. I made extra for them should they wake to join."

Thorin sighed and nodded as the hobbit continued. "We then have second breakfast, then elevensees, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper."

"Dinner…and supper? Are they not the same thing?" Nyaunni asked, buttering her roll.

"Certainly not." Bilbo responded, shaking his head and pushing a pot of jam towards her along with a spreading knife. She got the hint and added it on top of the butter, humming in pleasure at the sweet, butter, taste, as Bilbo continued. "Dinner is to be at six, and supper at nine. They both include a main dish, and a side. Though dinner can be a bit more substantial than supper in some houses."

"I am surprised you do not also have dessert. Sounds to me like all hobbits do is eat…and prepare for the next meal. What a life of comfort. No wonder you missed home, Bilbo." Fili said, having walked in the room with Viltarra. He pushed her into a chair, and proceeded to dish himself, and her up the hearty early morning meal. She looked at him then at the food, and grumbled as she sipped her tea.

Mornings were always hard for Viltarra, they were when she was most susceptible to nausea which meant she typically was only up for a bit of buttered toast and some tea. This morning, was no different as her stomach turned at the meal before her. Fili, of course, noticed and replaced the heavy breakfast with a small plate of butter and jammed toast. He kissed her head as she smiled gratefully at him, and placed the filled plate instead in front of Naurfaer who just walked in.

"We do in fact do other things, Fili. But meals are a large part of our day so you are not entirely wrong." Bilbo relayed with a small laugh.

"Ohhh, this breakfast looks lovely." Naurfaer looked around the room, then quirked a questioning brow at Tauriel. "Where is Kili? He is not ill, is he?"

Sighing, Tauriel shook her head. "No. He is just asleep. I think he is wiped out from the long day yesterday, and the ale last evening."

"Lightweight." Fili snickered as he sat beside his wife who was now happily nibbling on her toast. "What is on the agenda today uncle?"

Thorin put down the parchment he was reading and looked to his family. "I am waiting to hear back from Bard about going to Dale, so apart from some meetings, there really is nothing high on the agenda. Are you running the forge today, Fili?"

Fili nodded. "I have a few bows to finish. Some of the guards needed modifications to the bow's length, so I thought I would get that done today. I was also going to get started on the arrows. Tauri, do you think you can fletch them? When do you need them done by?"

"I will be joining you once I finish conditioning drills with the team. Naurfaer will be taking things from there." Tauriel nodded to Naurfaer who had taken Finli into his lap. "I don't anticipate needing arrows until next week, so we have time. When are you making a formal announcement of your engagement adad?"

Thorin looked to Nyaunni who lifted a brow then smiled, she was the one to answer however. "If I am correct, the records in my clan show me as dead. We cannot really make any formal announcements until that is rectified."

"I am just looking over the letter to Dryok now." Thorin passed the parchment he had been reading to Nyaunni. "If it is alright, Nâtha, I would like to use Kaw to send it. He is Erebor's fastest raven and would get to the Firebeards homelands in just a few days. I am also sending out news of what we uncovered to all the other lords as well." Thorin took a sip of his tea then looked to Dis, passing her a piece of rolled parchment from his pocket. "Dis, on your way to the school today, if you can have Balin copy and send this to all of the dwarven lords as soon as possible. We have a few dwarves from Minam still wanting to reunite with their clans."

"Of course. Will that be all today?" Dis stood and put her plate in the sink, smiling at the mostly clean kitchen. Bilbo, not only had made breakfast, but had also cleaned up at the same time which meant the only things needing to be washed, where the platters and plates used for holding the food.

Thorin hummed as he stood. "That is all I have." He looked to Nyaunni and rolled his eyes as she cooed at Uri who had crawled out of wherever he was hiding and began eating the scraps off her plate. "Right. I need to finish this letter and get it sent as soon as possible. Are you remaining here Nya?"

"I think am going to head to the stable." Nyaunni replied, standing and taking both Thorin's and her own plates to the sink. Dis had offered to wash them but Nyaunni shook her head. "I can do it, but thank you Dis." She placed it in the drying rack and wiped her hands. "I want to see to Dajnel, and Oklan said there is to be a ram due to give birth. I would like to see if she did last evening. I should not be long."

"If you want to go see to Galaddal, starlight, I will watch Finli and bring him down when I meet you for exercises. Am I to assume you are letting Kili sleep in a bit more?" Naurfaer passed Finli some bacon and took a sausage for himself.

Nodding, Tauriel took her own plate to the sink. "I think he needs the rest, so I will let him be. I am sure he will wake soon. It is not like Kili to sleep the day away."

"Not unless he had too much to drink." Fili chuckled.

"I have seen him drink far more." Tauriel sighed. "And he was rather himself last night, if not a bit tired. I do hope he is not coming down with something."

"Does he feel like he is, starlight?" Naurfaer asked softly.

Tauriel shook her head. "Not at all, he just is resting."

"Then, he is fine. Let him sleep and he will rise when he is ready." Naurfaer gave Tauriel a small smile.

"OH! Before you leave…" Dis said looking to Tauriel, Nyaunni, and Viltarra. "There is something I wish to show you three. Please meet me at the school at the end of lessons today, we will go from there."

"Of course amad." Tauriel looked to Nyaunni and Viltarra who both nodded. One by one, the family finished their meal and cleaned up. Fili was first to leave, walking with Viltarra to the market. Thorin, who needed to get to his office to finish that letter to Dryok, bid Nyaunni goodbye, and Bilbo as well, then walked out; a rare smile on his face.

Dis left next, she had to visit with Balin before she taught that day so she wanted to get down to his office early. She had told Bilbo, on her way out, to do as he pleased in the royal suites, and he nodded and responded, "I am really just going to enjoy the day up here today, thank you. I will see to Bofur, Bifur, and Oin though." He received a grateful pat on the shoulder from the family matriarch as she left the kitchen.

"Do you mind if I join you at the stable? I would like to see to both mine and Kili's horses." Tauriel looked to Nyaunni who smiled and nodded.

"How about, I mind the horses, and you can tell me about Mirkwood." Nyaunni made for the door, opening it and waiting for Tauriel who sighed.

"I am quite capable of seeing to my own animal, thank you." The eleth gave Nyaunni a rather lofty look. Tauriel knew what she was doing and she certainly did not need anyone else in the family coddling her more than necessary.

"Mhm." Nyaunni said lifting a brow. "Alright, if you insist. You do have a lovely horse, perhaps you can tell me about him as we go."

Now this, made Tauriel's scowl turn to a bright smile. "I would love nothing more." The pair left together, spending what time Tauriel had before she reported to her team, working with Nyaunni in the stables.

To Tauriel, it seemed as if something had changed in Nyaunni seemingly overnight. Over the last week, the dam had been rather withdrawn, which was not at all like how she had been when they first met her in Minam. But the once quiet dam suddenly seemed to have her confidence back, and laughed freely as they worked together in the stable.

The only incident they had was when Uri attempted to climb up on Dajnel, who for some reason, was not pleased with the tiny creature and used her long snout to shove him off of her back and onto the straw covered stone ground. "You would think she would recognize that he brings her no harm." Tauriel had said while Nyaunni plucked Uri from the straw as Dajnel hissed angerly at him.

Nyaunni huffed out a sigh and sternly reprimanded the larger fellbeast. "That is enough of that from you." But it seemed Dajnel was rather put off by how she was being treated as well, and turned her back to Nyaunni in her pen.

Not liking how upset her beloved fellbeast was, Nyaunni handed a crying Uri to Tauriel. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all." Tauriel put the brush she was using on Maryn down and accepted the creature. Of course, Maryn now was not pleased with her brushing being interrupted and stamped her foot in protest, bobbing her head before looking at Tauriel with her ears back. "Come now, Maryn. It will only be a moment." Tauriel chuckled and leaned back against the open stall door to Galaddal's enclosure. The dapple grey was just standing at the opening eating his breakfast, but paused to rest his head on Tauriel's shoulder.

The eleth lifted the fellbeast to Galaddal's eyeline and he blinked at the creature, then nuzzled him with his nose. "You will make a wonderful father." Tauriel sighed and smiled as she leaned in to kiss her horse on the forehead. Uri, who had quieted, squirmed out of Tauriel's hand and leaned out to the dapple grey horse.

Knowing he won't be bothered by the tiny creature, Tauriel lifted Uri and placed him between Galaddal's ears then chuckled as her horse froze in place, not moving his head even a fraction of an inch. "Oh, come now. You are alright." Tauriel scratched him between the eyes and watched as after a few moments, Galaddal decided the creature was in deed, fine where he was, so he moved back to his trough to continue eating while Uri watched still atop his head.

With an eye on her eating horse and the fellbeast who kept trying to lean in to get a bite of his own, Tauriel continued to brush a still indignant Maryn. She did lift her eyes to look at Nyaunni, however, who was still attempting to coax Dajnel out of her pen while the feathered creature continued to have her back to the dam. "Is she going to be alright?"

Nyaunni sighed. "Yes, eventually. She just is not used to sharing me. That is all. She is not afraid of him, she is just, unhappy. I think she is still getting used to being here and not seeing me as often as she is used to." Having had enough of being ignored, Nyaunni climbed over top of the…for lack of better word, pouting…fellbeast. She then got to her knees and took Dajnel's face in her hands. "It has been the two of us for many a long time, and I know you are used to me always being with you when I am not tending the nursery. Our life here will be very different, but, not bad different. You will see in time."

Nyaunni leaned her forehead against Dajnel and closed her eyes. Her fellbeast was a storm of feelings that translated best to sadness, fear, and some anxiety. That won't do at all. "How about, a walk? Just you and I?"

Tauriel wondered if Dajnel could understand the words she spoke, but she must have to some degree as the moment Nyaunni stood, Dajnel did as well. It was also the same moment Tauriel finished brushing Maryn and was just giving her the drops Kili had been giving her for her sore.

"You know, I have seen that horse give all kinds of trouble to every single person who came near her. Yet, she does quite love you." Nyaunni pulled Uri off Galaddal and looked in on Maryn who eyed Dajnel but rather than making a fuss, chose to focus on her food instead. "Not one stable hand has a single nice thing to say about that mare."

Chuckling, Tauriel patted Maryn on the shoulder as she ate, the black mare pausing her food to nuzzle her hand before going back to her meal. "I cannot say why for certain, but I think, it is because she can sense Kili's attachment to me. When we courted, we would often take rides together and she just got used to me. I do so love her and I cannot wait to see the kind of foal she bares."

Nyaunni hummed, then smiled. "Your Galaddal, is a very gentle spirit, and Maryn, loyal. Spirited, certainly, but, if you read her correctly, she is protecting what she loves. Both are wonderful traits to pass."

Walking to the sink, Tauriel nodded and smiled. "I could not agree more." She washed her hands and dried them, then grabbed Maryn's medicine and placed it back on the shelf beside Galaddal's stall, a wave of exhaustion hitting her before she shook it away. She still had about another hour and a half before the first bell, but she may need to take an afternoon rest as it was making out to be a rather long day already. "I must go Nyaunni. I have to get to my team for some training, I do believe my son and Naurfaer are waiting for me. I will see you later today at the school?"

Nyaunni nodded and watched the eleth go before she put Uri on Dajnel's back. Of course she began protesting, but Nyaunni took her partially feathered face in her hands once more. "It is time you got used to him. Now come on, let's get some fresh air. I know you enjoy that." Without much more of a fuss, Dajnel followed Nyaunni out of the stable, nodding to the guards who were part of several teams stationed to watch the stable entrance and guard all workers who saw to the pastures that sat just outside the mountain.

Nearly an hour later, Tauriel had to hold back a smile as Klinkus passed Dynni in the lap they were running. "Very good master Klinkus." Tauriel praised as he finished, huffing and spitting, but not last. He had certainly improved.

Tauriel did, however, smile widely at her son who was last to finish having been trying to keep up with the group on the last few laps. It was a good use for his energy, and it seemed he was having fun. "Alright, gather up everyone. Naurfaer is taking over for hand to hand combat practice and I do believe, axe throwing?"

Tauriel lifted a brow at her grandfather who was holding a small axe and nodding. "Oh yes, I look forward to honing my skills in that particular area."

"Are we teh teach you then?" Naglur snickered. "I have been throwin' an axe since I were his size." He gestured with his head to Finli who had discovered an un-fletched arrow staff and was brandishing it like a sword. It was harmless, since it had no arrowhead on it to harm anyone or himself with, so Tauriel let him be.

"Aye, bu' throwin at what? I don' remember you even makin' the target las' week even once." Annick laughed, which turned to guffaws when Naglur folded his arms and glared at him.

"Enough, we must work together to improve; all of us. Take a small water break and ready for instruction. I will see you tomorrow." Tauriel clapped her hands and the group dispersed to take a small break. "Finli, come my little star."

Finli immediately dropped his arrow and ran to his mother, lifting his hands and waiting quite patiently for her to lift him. He was small, and certainly not heavy, but Tauriel felt as if she was lifting something twice his size and weight and had to stop herself from huffing as she did so.

"Starlight, maybe he can walk. You really should not be overtaxing yourself this far into your condition, in fact, it should be YOU sleeping, not Kili." Naurfaer shook his head even as the eleth glared at him.

"I am perfectly capable of lifting my child, thank you. Your concern is noted."

"But explicitly ignored." Naurfaer chuckled then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "I will see you in a bit starlight."

Tauriel did give him a small smile as she made for the door and decided she needed to check on Kili. By that point, the mountain, for the most part was just waking up for any who did not have a shop or early morning responsibilities to attend to. Tauriel yawned, seriously debating crawling back into bed with Kili if he is indeed still asleep.

Of course, Kili was still quite asleep, and now Thorin needed to take Fili away from the forge because of it. Did she try to wake Kili again? Of course she did. Short from jumping on him mercilessly, Tauriel did attempt, again, to get her husband to rise. But he just grumbled and covered his head with a pillow. It was at that moment, whether he had done it purposely or not, that Tauriel's head flared with pain coming directly from their connection. Ah, so that's what it was. Her poor Kili, was suffering from a rather severe headache.

Well now she had two choices. One, to force him awake and make him some tea to help. Or two, just let him be and he can sleep it off. Thorin had popped his head in at that point and sighed at Kili. "Is he alright, Nâtha?"

"I believe, he is sleeping off the evening celebration. He is experiencing a rather, punishing, headache. Are you certain you do not want me to wake him? I think he would actually be more upset knowing he could have helped, over allowing him to rest."

"No, it is a bit last minute, I am sure Fili can come. Let him be." Thorin looked at Kili for a moment more then stepped back out to the sitting room to wait for her.

Tauriel hummed to herself as she leaned over just enough to extract her son from where he was currently attempting to tug the pillow off Kili's head. "Come on darling, let's let da sleep a bit longer."

Closing the door behind her, Tauriel caught Thorin just as he was about to leave. "I was headed to the forge, would you like me to get Fili?"

After a moment of contemplation, Thorin sighed and nodded. "That would give me a chance to go find Nyaunni. She wanted to come. Tell him to meet me a the stable. We will leave about a quarter passed the morning bell. Do you think you can get down there in time?"

Tauriel nodded. "I think so. Are you sure you don't want me to wake Kili?" She asked one last time, looking at her bedchamber door.

"No. Let him be." Thorin replied already stepping out of the chamber. "The visit should be brief, and I will be having both Dwalin and Aeodhen join me with some guards so don't worry on it further. I will see you when I return."

"I supposed we should go get Fili than, he will not be pleased to leave his project." Readjusting Finli on her hip, Tauriel once again left her chamber bypassing the kitchen where Bilbo was again cooking, and as quickly as she could, made her way down to the forge where Fili…was seemingly missing. "And where is uncle Fili?"

The forge was lit and warm, and Thorin's hammer, which Fili used, sat on the anvil beside a nearly complete bow Fili had been inlaying with iron that looked as if it was still cooling…which meant he had been here rather recently. Tauriel set Finli down, passing him a toy she always kept in the forge to keep him entertained as she worked. She really needed to find Fili, the bell was due to ring in less than ten minutes.

Fortunately for her, it was that same moment Fili came back, a small plate in his hand. He must have been at the bakery. Tauriel had passed by, but there was a rather long line and Tarrah seemed a bit overwhelmed so she didn't even bother stopping, and she knew she had limited time to inform Fili of the change in morning plans. It seemed, however, she should have, in fact, stopped by as the three cookies and four cheese buns on the plate were proof enough Fili had been there.

"Time for a snack little sister. I brought the little troll something as well." Fili knelt down to Finli who was playing under the counter at Tauriel's feet. "How about a cookie Fin?"

Of course, the sweets loving toddler immediately crawled out and reached for the cookie. "Ah ah, what do we say?" Fili tried and Finli froze and just stared at him.

"Cookie, please." Was his eventual quiet answer and Fili smiled wide, passing him not one, but three cookies.

"Good job Fin! Here ya go."

"Really…" Tauriel sighed. "Three cookies before lunch?"

Fili smiled. "I gave you three, and four cheese buns. And I see, you are already down by two." He looked at the plate Tauriel quickly slid away from eyesight. Shaking his head at her, Fili laughed as he pulled a small crate from where he was working. "I got these ready for you Tauri. How long are you staying?"

"Until lunch. I was sent to retrieve you, Fili. Thorin needs you to accompany him to Dale to meet Bard."

"Oh?" Fili responded, placing the crate down at Tauriel's work station. "He never mentioned that this morning. Did he just get word from Bard than?"

Tauriel nodded. "He said to meet him at the stable at first bell. Are you able to go Fili? Thorin had said it would be a short trip, only an hour or two."

"Ki still asleep?" Not immediately answering, Fili shook his head and lifted a brow. Tauriel nodded again and Fili snickered. "Alright. I better go so I can let Viltarra know and head up to grab my sword and a few more blades. Think you can manage the forge while I am gone?" He grabbed his vest that was resting on the counter and pulled it up onto his shoulders.

"Of course Fili, go ahead and I will see you when you get back." She watched Fili go then looked into the box where several hundred nearly complete arrows waited the finishing touches Tauriel was charged with adding. "Best use the time we have here to get these finished." She looked at her son, who was finishing his last cookie, and went to work, leaving only before the noon bell.

Which brings her back to the present, where she sat on the bed, for the third time that day, attempting to wake her husband. Tauriel did not necessarily want to admit it out loud, but she was seriously considering taking extreme measures. "Kili? It is nearly noon, meleth nin." At least now, the pillow was not over Kili's head, instead he had his face buried in it.

Sighing again, Tauriel just stared a Kili. She knows what she would LIKE to do, but in her current condition, that was not even possible. She was saved, however, from drastic measures when she happened to glance up to see a single brown eye peering at her from a mess of wild, dark, hair. "Good morning." Came the slightly slurred greeting.

"Morning?" Tauriel lifted a brow and stared at her currently useless dwarven husband. "Kili, the afternoon bell is just about to ring. We are long past morning."

At first, Kili just blinked at her as if he was not quite registering what she had said, then he turned and groaned. "If it is noon, why do I feel as if I can still sleep for another full night." He looked at her and reached for her hand. "Have I missed anything?"

"Ohh, maybe an important meeting with the Lord of Dale?" Tauriel rolled her eyes as Fili came walking in, a large bucket in his hands. He caught Tauriel's eyes and smirked. "Thought I would take waking Ki up into my own hands since I knew you were too soft on him to do anything that would work, but it seems he has decided to join the waking world today. Only took you till noon brother."

Kili groaned but looked at the bucket as he sat up, his hand going to his head. Even Tauriel felt the residual pain and sighed. "Let me get you something for that headache Kili." She left the room and Fili took her place, setting the bucket down on the ground.

"If you are here to lecture me, believe me, you don't need to. I feel as if a troll has been kicking around my head. What was in that ale? I know I did not have that much." Kili sighed and lay back once more, slinging his arm over his eyes to block out the bright sunlight which was doing him no favors.

Fili lifted a brow. "Maybe, you're just getting old Ki."

"No, Tauriel is pregnant, and I am thinking that his body may be reacting how her body would if she had been the one to consume the same amount of ale in her condition. Near total shutdown." Naurfaer sat a tray down on the bed, passing Fili another. "I heard you were back, thought you might like something to eat." He smiled at Fili then gave Kili another tray. "Tauriel is making you some of her tea. Perhaps you should keep to a single mug, two tops, instead of seven."

"SEVEN! Is that all I had?" Kili stared at Naurfaer then huffed and grumbled as he stared at his food…only for a bout of nausea to overtake him which had him jumping out of bed and running to the bathroom.

"KI?!" Fili moved to stand but Naurfaer chuckled and shook his head. "He is fine, let him get it out of his system."

"KILI!" Tauriel had just walked back into the room and all but through the tray of tea onto the table and raced into the bathing room where Kili was on his knees at the toilet. "Ohhh, meleth nin." She sighed and rubbed Kili's back until he was done. Then, she got up and got him some water. "Are you alright?"

"No. I feel terrible." Kili accepted the water after standing on shaky legs. "Never let me drink ale again."

Tauriel checked his head, then sighed. No fever. What in Valinor was going on with Kili? He seemed, okay, for the most part through their connections. She hopes he did not pick something up; they have been through quite enough as it is.

"I'm alright Tauriel, I just did not react well to lunch, that is all." Kili took another sip of his water as his stomach finally settled. "I think, I would really like your tea…as soon as possible."

Tauriel finally smiled and kissed Kili on the head, then took his hand and guided him back to the bed. It was Naurfaer who passed him the cup. "This will help. You should know, the bond you share is likely to change you a bit as it progresses and you both become closer with age, experience, and growth, just as it has changed her."

"Bond? Is that what this is about?" Tauriel looked from Kili to Naurfaer. "He has never had this problem before. Are you certain it is the bond?"

Naurfaer inspected Kili, then nodded. "Positive. How are you feeling, starlight?"

Tauriel looked taken aback. "I am fine, though I am still rather confused as to why Kili, is feeling something I am not sending."

"Ah, no, it's nothing like that. How should I put this…since you are expecting, and now in your last month, Kili's body has adapted to mimic yours to prepare for the birth." Naurfaer said with a beaming smile. "For most close bonded couples that I have spoken with and their healers, it helps mitigate the pain by spreading it between partners. Kili may have just…sped it up a bit with being a little too indulgent with ale. Normally it is a smaller, slower, process. You will likely notice over the next several weeks, you may be a bit nauseated, have sensitivities to smells and sounds, and be a bit lethargic."

"Sooo…" Fili looked to his brother than Naurfaer. "Kili is pregnant?"

"Essentially, his body thinks so." Naurfaer responded as he stole a cookie off Tauriel's lunch tray and ate it whole.

For his part, Fili burst into uproarious laughter. "Hey Ki, need me to rub your feet for you?"

A pillow shot across the room and slammed into Fili's head, but he laughed on even as Thorin and Nyaunni walked in along with Bilbo, all three giving Fili matching looks of concern. "Do I want to know." Thorin lifted a brow and folded his arms.

"Ki is pregnant." Fili was able to get out before he again broke into fits of guffaws.

"Oh my." Bilbo said. "Do…I mean forgive me…but do dwarven males carry the young?"

"OF COURSE NOT!" Kili hollered out. "And I am not pregnant."

Thorin rubbed his temples and groaned. "Will someone please explain to me what is going on? I just came in here to make sure Kili is alright. Perhaps, anyone but Fili, can give me a REASONABLE explanation as to what is happening?"

"Well, essentially, Fili is not completely wrong." Naurfaer said unhelpfully.

"I amend my previous request to anyone but Fili OR Naurfaer. Nâtha, what is going on?" Thorin looked to the one person in the room he knew would at least give him some kind of understanding of what is happening with Kili.

"I believe, from what Naurfaer explained, it might be our bond causing his ailments. If I am understanding things correctly, since we are now fully bonded, Kili's body is adapting to the birth much like mine has…just in a quicker pace rather than the gradual one I have endured. The ale…apparently did not help." Tauriel sat on the bed beside Kili who seemed a bit out of it, though he did give her a small smile. "I am sorry Kili, once again, I fear my actions and choices, have brought you discomfort."

Tauriel looked to her hands clasped in her lap, but Kili lifted her chin to look at him. "Hey now, your choices? I believe we both had a hand in this…" He lowered his eyes to her abdomen and smiled. "I supposed it is fitting that I also endure some discomfort. A month without ale…I can do that."

"Oh, you don't have to give it up completely." Naurfaer said as he leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head, completely at ease. "Just in moderation. Keep to a glass or two and you should be fine. But I do not envy you the birth."

"Just, forgive me here for being a bit, behind. Bond?" Nyaunni looked from Kili to Tauriel, then at Thorin for clarification.

"Mhm." Thorin sighed, pushing a chair towards the confused dam while Bilbo opted to sit beside Naurfaer. Nyaunni looked at the chair, then sat, Thorin taking the one beside it. "Kili and Tauriel are connected. I would say it is an elven thing, but their connection seems even unique to that. It is their thing I suppose. I thought it was all sorted, but now I wonder if we will ever know the full extent of what you two have between you." Thorin finished looking to Kili and Tauriel, both leaning into the other.

"Believe me…" Tauriel sighed. "I am rather taken aback myself. They do not make common knowledge what happens to bonded couples because it is considered sacred and extremely personal. Now, I rather wish that would be amended." She could not stop the smile from widening across her face as Kili entwined their fingers and she looked up at him, brushing some of his wild hair from his eyes. "I am sorry though Kili, I know you wanted to know what came with the bond we have, but I truly am just as surprised and confused as you at this point.

"Then…" Kili leaned towards her fully, nuzzling her nose with his own as he breathed her in. "…we will learn and grow together. I truly do not mind it so much."

"So you, can feel what she does?" Nyaunni asked, still a bit lost.

Kili shook his head. "Not exactly, yet, in a way, yes. It's more like, an echo." He looked to Tauriel who nodded and smiled.

"What a beautiful gift." Nyaunni returned his smile with one of her own. "I rather think all partners should be able to have a taste of what their significant other is going through. I would think it helps bridge the gap of misunderstandings and misinterpretations."

"It makes it worse, actually." Fili said unhelpfully.

Tauriel glared at Fili and Kili growled. "You could not be more wrong." Tauriel hissed, then looked at Kili, her eyes softening. "It has helped me in so many ways, it is difficult to fathom a life without a bond to him. I feel Kili as if he is a part of me. I feel when he is upset, I feel when he is overwhelmed, I feel when he experiences excitement and joy. Our connection will never solve all our problems, and just because Kili knows when I am upset about something, that does not mean he knows why, nor can he fix it. That takes true communication, time, and sometimes, just patience."

Kili nodded. "We are quite aware that what we have, is not a cure all for everything we have been through, but, it is a true comfort to have regardless. Besides…" Kili pulled Tauriel against him. "…I will happily take whatever comes my way…good and bad…to have a life with her. Because the alternative, is unthinkable."

"And most undesirable." Tauriel added, leaning in to kiss his soft, waiting, lips.

Naurfaer gave the couple a tender smile as they pulled away from eachother. "Well, I for one am rather thrilled your bond is evolving so well. It is a good sign, it means both of your subconsciouses fully embrace the other. I have seen two people as deeply in love as you both, but their bond never made it past a surface level, because their souls were not quite a match. You two, were made just perfectly for the other. I would bet this mountain that you will one day gain a bond deeper than any in arda has ever seen before."

"Please don't bet using my mountain as collateral, Naurfaer." Thorin grumbled. "Bet using your own things."

Naurfaer chuckled but did not apologize. "How did everything go in Dale? I am assuming you just returned?"

Thorin sighed and Nyaunni nodded. "It went as well as could be expected."

Before she could elaborate, Fili stood. "I will let you both relay the events of this morning, I want to go let Hiril out then check on my wife. I will see you all at dinner." Thorin nodded and Fili was about to leave, but paused at the door. "Do you want to come Bilbo? There have been quite a few shops that have opened in the market since you were last here."

"That would be wonderful, yes, thank you." The hobbit rose and with a nod to the rest of the family in the room, left with the blonde prince.

"Dale?" Kili looked to Nyaunni and Thorin.

"Aye, Dale, Kili. We went to go handle the prisoners." Thorin sat back in his chair as he relayed the events of that morning.

After speaking to Tauriel, he had gone straight to the guards wing where he knew Aeodhen and Dwalin had likely been since before the sun rose. "Wyik, where is Aeodhen?" Thorin stopped before the guard he had known from Ered Luin who had just stepped out of the weapons storage room, his hand gripping an axe he was currently wrapping a leather band around as he walked.

"He and master Dwalin are meetin' in his office goin' over results from guard reviews an' reports."

Thorin nodded and continued to the office, but paused before two guards arguing. "Quartin, Hoksbee, what is going on?"

The guards took several minutes to realize who was talking to them, then both stood at attention. "My lord! It is nothing. Nothing at all."

Hoksbee rolled his eyes and grumbled. "It ain't nothin' ya croakin' niny." He glared at the guard then looked to Thorin. "We found a new corridor and I wanted teh inspect it, and this one here, though' it best we come back to get permission. What are yeh? A dwarfling."

Quartin, who was rather young, glared at Hoksbee who was missing a leg and had seen as many, if not more battles than Thorin.

"Alright. Enough. Where was this corridor?" Thorin folded his arms.

"Down the northeast side where they are buildin' the new market. We found it while patrollin' the area. The door had a column needin' movin, but we were able to get it out of the way. Looks like the lightin' is out though. Pitch as a bottom of a kettle, it be in there. Can no' see the hand before yer face. I jus' wanted teh get some lanterns, bu' this one here go' scared."

Thorin sighed. "If it is where I think it is, that is the corridor that leads to the garden of the ladies, and the hot pools." He ran his fingers along his jaw in thought. "Hoksbee, I am putting you in charge." The dwarf stood tall in attention and nodded. "Gather a team, and I want you to assess the area. Take lanterns and speak to Tydon. Tydon is one of the few who knows how to repair the lighting. You will find his office in the large forge room. Quartin, go with him. I expect a report of your findings tonight."

"Aye sir." Both answered in unison.

"And be careful, if it is unstable, in any way, do not proceed. That would require a whole different team. Understood?"

The guards again repeated. "Aye sir." Then went into the adjacent door to get a group together. Thorin watched them disappear then opened the door that led to Aeodhen's office.

"Thorin. Didn' know you would be here." Dwalin nodded to Thorin who gave him a smile. "Everythin' alright?"

"Aye, an' what is this I hear about another weddin?" Aeodhen asked, a smirk on his face as he looked at the dwarven king.

Thorin rolled his eyes. "We may have found the hot pools and the garden. I put Hoksbee in charge of leading a group to assess the damage."

Aeodhen just stared at the dwarven king, his arms folded as he waited for more. Thorin grumbled then sighed. It has not even been a day and somehow, word is already getting out. "Nyaunni has accepted my proposal. I would appreciate, however, if we keep things quiet about it until we get her death records reversed so we can plan the wedding."

"Well, a hearty congratulations." Aeodhen stood, moving to a stand behind his desk where he pulled out three glasses and some old vintage brandy. "A toast, to you then." He handed Dwalin and Thorin a glass. "May the future be bright…and the bed warm." He wiggled his brows and chuckled. Thorin and Dwalin both rolled their eyes but clanked the mugs together and drank. "How long till yeh bring her back teh life than? An are her creatures stayin?"

"Aye, they are staying." Thorin sighed, placing his empty glass on Aeodhen's desk beside Dwalin's. "And I sent Kaw out an hour ago with a message to Dryok. I anticipate it getting to him in just over a week. Kaw is fast, so likely a bit less."

Aeodhen rubbed his beard in thought than nodded. "The firebeards eh? Lofty lot. I didn't know they were her clan. Figured she be a longbeard. Should we anticipate a visit than?"

Thorin hummed. "Possibly. I will inform you when I find out. That is not why I came here, however. We are going to Dale. It is time to take care of those prisoners. Fili will be joining us in the stables."

"Course." Dwalin said. "Is Kili comin' as well?"

Thorin huffed. "No, he is still in bed."

"And yeh let him stay there?" Dwalin lifted a brow. "Yeh coddle the boy Thorin." He chuckled even as Thorin glared at him.

"I certainly do not." Thorin growled then sighed. "If I needed him to come, I would have had Tauriel wake him. We will be fine without him." At the other's incredulous looks Thorin narrowed his eyes. "I do not have to answer to either of you. Kili has never let me down when I asked for his help. If I needed him, he would be here. Now, let's go. I want to get this over with."

Thorin did not bother to wait as he marched out of the office as both Dwalin and Aeodhen looked at each other, then followed the practically stomping king. "ANDAR, DUKHAL!" Thorin bellowed to the two guards just walking in from finishing their early morning post. "You're coming too."

Seeing the surly king was not in the mood for questioning, both guards fell in line just behind Dwalin, Andar leaning forward. "Where we goin?"

"Dale." Dwalin muttered but said no more.

Thorin ordered another six guards to join them and Aeodhen a further three as they left the wing and made their way to the stables to get mounts.

As the first to enter, Thorin went right to Rhya and pulled her from her stall. He ignored Maryn who had her ears perked up and Galaddal who was leaning out giving Thorin a curious look. He did notice a certain creature missing however, and sighed. "OKLAN!" Thorin looked around as the guards joining them filtered in and went to get mounts assigned to them. He really needed to speak to Oklan about investing in more ponies and maybe a few more small horses.

"Aye my lord? Did you call?" Oklan came out of a stall, a pitchfork in his hands which he leant up against the now closed door.

"Where is Nyaunni?"

Oklan looked from Thorin to the open gate. "I think she wen' for a walk, me lord."

Thorin nodded but fortunately he did not have to search for her or proceed without her as she manifested right before him. Well, walked through the door, Dajnel in tow that is. "Thorin? Is everything alright?"

Nyaunni gave Thorin a small smile as she proceeded to guide Dajnel to her stall, waiting as the fellbeast gave her a look then walked in. As she was securing the door, Thorin felt a small tug on his pants and looked down, rolling his eyes skyward as Uri climbed his legs. He chirped as he made it to his shoulder and began preening his hair.

More than used to the tiny creature by now, Thorin just gave it another look, then waited for Nyaunni to fill a troth with apples and give it to Dajnel who was more than happy to receive the treat.

Now finished, Nyaunni looked around the unnaturally busy stable and moved to stand before Thorin who was clearly waiting for her, though he had turned to begin saddling his horse. Nyaunni began helping him, as she gave him a questioning look. "What is going on? Where are you going?"

"Dale. We are taking care of your attackers."

Nyaunni lowered her brows then nodded. "I am coming too."

Thorin looked up at her as he pulled himself up on Rhya. "I thought as much." He leaned his hand down and Nyaunni lifted a brow.

"I am capable of riding Thorin. I can take Dajnel."

"Or, you can join me." Thorin gave her a wide grin, brightening his features. He then sighed as he pulled his hand away. "We need to get you a proper mount Nyaunni. If you insist on riding, we can get you a pony."

Before Nyaunni could respond, Thorin lifted his eyes to see the golden head of his nephew stalking in and going right to his horse. "Heard you needed company uncle." He tossed something towards the dwarven king, which Thorin easily caught and inspected with a curious tilt of his brow. "A muffin? Do I even need to ask who this is from?"

"It's from Viltarra." Fili grinned at Thorin's questioning look. "She said you mentioned an apple-cinnamon muffin you used to love from the markets, so she thought she would try a recipe out. She wanted you to try it first. Though I may have already eaten mine." He chuckled as he placed the saddle on Kit.

Thorin looked at the warm muffin then took a bite and hummed. "You may inform Viltarra she was quite successful; these are even better than the ones I remembered."

"You, can tell her yourself tonight." Fili smiled and pulled another from a bag slung over his shoulder. "Here ya go Nyaunni. She wanted me to make sure I brought enough for you as well."

"Thank you Fili." Nyaunni took the warm muffin as the blonde jumped up on his horse. She looked around at the guards already mounting and sighed. "I suppose options are low." She eyed Maryn who gave her a look then turned her back on her. She got a good sense that the black mare wanted nothing to do with her, and she decided to honor that. The dapple gray nickered, but Nyaunni opted to not ask. She did not feel comfortable just taking somebody else's horse.

A hand, once again, appeared in her field of vision, and she followed it up to Thorin's warm smile. "Come on Nya."

Nyaunni finally accepted the hand and pulled herself up behind Thorin. Rhya protested the extra weight just for a moment as Nyaunni placed her arms on Thorin's waist. She could feel the horses displeasure at the development but before she could voice it, Thorin kicked the horse into pace and they were heading the group to Dale.

"We really need to get you a horse. I will look into it." Thorin looked back at Nyaunni who placed her chin on his shoulder, smiling at Uri who was making some sort of purring noise she had never heard before. It was certainly not a sound Dajnel made.

"I do not need a horse Thorin." Nyaunni finally said. "But you're probably going to do as you please so why am I bothering to argue?"

Thorin chuckled. "We will discuss it. But I do want to secure more mounts for the mountain anyway. We should have enough for a large group of guards, and for the entire royal family. Though I doubt Dis nor Viltarra wish for one."

"My wife, has already told me no." Fili rode up beside Thorin. "I tried, believe me. But I think after being away last year, then what happened last week, she has little desire to even leave Erebor."

"She just needs time." Thorin said.

"What happened last year." Nyaunni looked between Thorin and Fili.

Fili looked down at his hands, then his Durin blue eyes fell back onto her. "There was an incident. Mam, Viltarra, and Kili were taken. Mam and Viltarra were forced to live for nine months in a pit where they were left to rot, given only moldy bread once a week. They had it easy."

"Easy? That sounds terrible." Nyaunni suddenly felt like her time in captivity was a lap of luxury compared to what Dis and Viltarra seemingly endured. The orcs may not have given them large feasts, but they were resourceful and though the food was not desirable, it was still food.

"It was, do not get me wrong." Fili continued. "My brother…" Fili paused, clearly upset. "My brother was tortured, and given a ring to taint his mind and turn him on his family."

"He mentioned he went through something." Nyaunni said softly. "But he did not say what."

"For nine months, they held all of them. Kili slowly losing himself until he forgot Tauriel, Finli, and all we went through to get to Erebor." Fili looked straight ahead at the bridge to the gates closest to Erebor, which opened for them as they approached. "It is by the grace of Mahal, and likely whatever deity Tauriel pleads to, that Kili was spared and Viltarra and mam as well. It took time, but eventually Kili came back to himself, and now, they are well on their way to healing."

"But they all have scars they will always bare." Thorin sighed. "Some deeper than others."

Fili looked to Thorin and smiled softly. He was no fool, he knew old Thorin would have thrown a fit if Kili had not gotten out of bed at his bidding. His uncle would have stormed into his brothers room, ordering him to get up, toughen up, and act like the prince he was.

This Thorin, the one who had been through death and loss, was different. He was softer, gentler, and far more open. Oh, he was as surly as he always was and he was far from perfect. But, he was understanding and in this case, was showing how much he loved Kili, by letting him rest. He would not sit there and coddle him, but he was doing the next best thing and giving Kili a chance to sleep off whatever was ailing him. Now Fili, Fili will be going in there and getting his lazy, lightweight, baby brother out of bed as soon as he returns from Dale. Thanks to Ki, he was going to be behind in his project he wanted to finish. Not super behind, but behind enough to be a bit annoyed.

Plus, if this goes on, he will miss lunch with his wife. He was looking forward to that. Kili, owes him.

"I did see something akin to pain in Kili's eyes as he spoke to me in the stables. He is far too young to have such scars." Nyaunni knew pain, but though punishment was severe, it was usually over rather quickly when they needed you alive and healthy to do their bidding. Most of Nyaunni's scars were from learning experiences…or the one which was self-inflicted.

Thorin, however, turned a bit towards her. "Yes, but he is not the only one in the mountain to bare such scars. He has support and love, he will be alright."

"King Thorin, we bid you welcome to Dale." As they pulled to a stop before the gates of the human city, Ryas greeted them with several guards all on horseback. "Bard is waiting for you, come."

They rode through the city streets, some buildings still showing signs of disrepair from the recent quake. It will take time to get things cleaned and repaired. These are men, not dwarves. They may have some skill, but dwarves, are naturals in working with stone and structure.

"You should know we have another guest." Ryas stopped before one of the larger buildings and jumped off his horse. It did not take long for Thorin to figure out just who had come, as the giant stag was all he needed to know Thranduil, was here.

Thorin waited for Nyaunni to jump down then followed suit; Fili, Dwalin, and Aeodhen walking up behind him as the guards stood watch just a few feet away.

"Is Thranduil here?" Fili asked eyeing the stag. Only one person he knew rode such an animal.

Ryas nodded. "He came just this morning with his son. They are here with a team to look into the ruins below the city. He is rather eager to see what was found and even spoke of putting a group together to dive to Minam."

"Naurfaer did say elves can hold their breath longer, and this is their history." Fili said. "They do have a right to it."

"Lord Bard said the same. It is on his personal invitation Thranduil came. We have even delayed covering up the exposed holes to the under city so they can take time to get to what they could." Ryas opened the door to the building and waited for the royal family to pass through. Dwalin and Aeodhen of course flanked them with four guards, while five remained outside guarding the entryway.

They walked through the building and into something like a counsel room with a large square table. It did have several mismatching chairs which looked as if they were pulled from different rooms or even different buildings altogether, but none of the occupants in the room were sitting.

"Ah, Thorin. I see you came as well. What brings you out of your mountain?" Thranduil lifted a brow at the mountain king who did all he could not to roll his eyes. He was becoming accustomed to the somewhat cold greetings that he had learned are just a part of Thranduil's personality.

However, Thorin did not need to answer, as Bard was the one to speak. "We have mutual prisoners to discuss."

"Of course, the attackers. Legolas relayed such a situation to me. Was anyone lost?" His calculating eyes landed on Nyaunni before they went back to Thorin who shook his head.

"It is very fortunate for them, only one of ours was wounded. They lost some though in the attack." Thorin stared at Thranduil. "No need to ask why you are here. Have you been below yet?"

There was a pregnant pause in the room before Thranduil sighed. "We were just discussing a plan, do not let us keep you waiting however. We will be remaining in Dale for a time, before going to visit the sight of the drowned city to assess whether it is reachable or not. It very well may be lost, but I am not ready to write if off quite yet. We still may be able to reach it and study what was lost."

"You of course, are welcome to Dale as long as you wish." Bard replied, receiving a nod of gratitude from the elven king. "Please use this room to prepare, we will be going to the judgment hall to handle the attackers. We will not be far, so please send for us if you have any immediate needs. I will leave Harvin with you." He gestured to the guard who stood at the door. "Again, welcome to Dale, Thranduil."

The elven king said a few things in elvish to one of the guards at his side and watched him disappear out the door. "We are most grateful for your hospitality. We will report to you when we begin our studies."

Several more elves entered the room with the guard and all began placing books, quills, and parchment on the table as the elves around them began getting to work.

Bard didn't linger, instead, he turned from the room and the dwarves from Erebor followed. "We will be down here, it is, I believe, what they once used for sentencing purposes. The ways of the old Dale are lost, but we are adapting and this room, will due for what needs to be done. Ryas, please inform the other guards to bring the prisoners in."

The captain of Dales army nodded and left the dwarves and Bard in the room. "Please, take a seat." He indicated to the higher stand where two large chairs sat with another dozen behind them. Sigrid, was surprisingly already in one. "Please know my daughter is learning the ways of leading, and now joins me in any important affairs of running the city."

"When I am not learning the art of healing." Sigrid added with a smile. "Hello Fili." She blushed then turned to the others. "Master Dwalin, Aeodhen. It is good to see you as well."

"Aye lassie." Dwalin said, leaning down to kiss her hand in a rather un-Dwalin-like way. Fili had to hold back the eye roll and Aeodhen just chuckled.

"King Thorin, we hope you are planning on staying in Dale for the mid-day meal." Sigrid stood, waiting for the others to take a seat. Though she was rather intrigued by the new member of the group who by now, she was able to recognize was a dam.

"I am afraid we must decline." Thorin said gruffly. "We must get back to Erebor as soon as we are finished with our business. Perhaps another time." He then took Nyaunni's hand. "May I introduce Nyaunni, daughter of Draupnir. It was her whom the group attacked, and her who ensured my nephews and daughters safety in Minam. She is also a very old friend of mine."

Bard gave her a small bow. "A pleasure Nyaunni. I am Bard, and this, my eldest, Sigrid. She is training to rule Dale in my stead if the people see her worthy."

"I only want what is best for the city." Sigrid said with a smile.

Nyaunni looked at her and easily returned her grin. "Words of a fine leader to be." She gave a small incline of her head. "It is only those who take the time to study and grow, that bring the most prosperity to their lands. As young as you are, just for being here, you are well on your way to gaining those fine qualities."

"I have a lot to learn." Sigrid replied, standing straight. "And though my love is for Dale, I also wish to be a healer among the sick. I have accepted an apprenticeship with our senior healer, and have even been writing Ivethin in Mirkwood who has been kind enough to send me many books on their methods of healing. I had also hoped to relay my desire to learn from master healer Oin as well, if it is allowed. My true hope is to learn all I can of healing, in all races."

"Very wise too than, and humble. You will do well, lady Sigrid of Dale." Nyaunni took her seat beside Thorin, Fili on her other side. It felt odd to be in such a position, but if everything goes to plan, this will be her life. She just has to be brought back to life…officially speaking, as in, records wise.

A scuffling from the door had Ryas and several other guards pulling in a group of twelve humans who had been part of the attackers led by Westyn. Nyaunni's heart broke a bit. After all they had been through together, it hurt her to know they harbored grudges for something she could not take true and full fault in.

Was she part of the rebellion? Of course she was, and she will never regret doing all she could to free those people from their dark fate. But she was not the one to inform the orcs, and she certainly did not force anyone to join them. So though she still feel some guilt and deep sorrow for those lost in that blood bath, she now sees that the darkness in their hearts are their own. They could have found peace, instead, they wanted more blood. Blood, of their own.

Bard waited for the group to pile in, many staring surprisingly up at Nyaunni, most of which with sorrow in their eyes. "Former captives of Minam, we have brought you here to discuss the ramifications of your actions in the aftermath of regaining your freedom."

Bard looked to Thorin who stood. "You fought, and you won. But you wanted more blood. In a time when you should have been praising your gods for your liberation, you turned to the shadows and attacked one who was your own, who fought with you, bore your pains, and worked to bring about an end to your captivity. For that, Bard, Lord of Dale, and I, Thorin, King under the Mountain, have come together to sentence you. Do you have anything to say for your actions before we deliver our judgment?"

There was silence in the group as the humans looked from one to another. To Nyaunni, who knew them all well, they all looked frightened. The leader of the group, was dead, and these, just the pawns he was able to convince to join him.

"We have spent most, or all, of our lives among darkness." One of the humans spoke. "Yet that place, was the only home we knew. When Westyn said we could return, many of us believed there was no other place for us. We were ready to follow him." He looked from Bard to Thorin, then his eyes fell on Nyaunni. "Barzâ, I have no quarrel with you, but I lost my daughter in that rebellion, most in this group lost the only light we had in that god forsaken place. If you had just, let things be, my Saedee would be alive."

"You cannot truly know that, Bradford." Nyaunni stood and walked forward to stand beside Thorin. "She is dead, because of those orcs. End of story. I don't understand, we won, we finally one, and yet, it was not enough for you. For any of you. If you don't want to blame the orcs, then blame the one who informed them." She glared at the group. "But wait, we don't know who it was, do we? Well I can say with a clear conscious before my maker, that I only fought for you, for all of us. I risked my life far more than any one of you, and I gave more of myself than I had to give to protect not just the people of Minam, but the people of Middle Earth as well. I pity you, I pity your allegiance, and most of all, I pity your lack to think beyond yourselves. You had freedom placed at your doormats, yet you slammed and locked your hearts to it. You would have been happy in Dale. Now, I only pray that you find some peace in your choices."

Nyaunni looked to Thorin and nodded, then took her seat once again beside Fili who gave her a welcoming smile which she could not quite return. But he understood and turned to continue watching the proceedings.

"What will become of us?" Bradford asked. After a few moments of silence, he hung his head. "We do not expect your mercy, mercy is not something we are accustomed to. So we know our death is imminent. If I may…" He turned around and pulled forward three in the group who looked no older than fifteen. "Spare them, they only did as they were told."

"No! We were just as much a part of it." One spoke, pulling his shoulder away from Bradford. "Whatever must happen, we accept the judgment in full."

Thorin looked to Bard who gave him a nod to continue. "I think enough death has been linked to this city." The dwarven king eyed the group. "I should add, if you had succeeded, and taken Nyaunni from these lands, each one of your heads would be parted from your shoulders. But I, in good conscious, cannot deliver a punishment greater than the crime. It was an attack, but the only death that came from it was on your side."

"For that…" Bard took over, "We order you out of these halls, and this city. You, will never be allowed near these lands again."

"We have a caravan going to Ered Luin…" Thorin stared hard at the group. "…they have been ordered to see you off our lands, and to a human settlement near the city of Dale."

"They will take you somewhere where you can find peace." Nyaunni added. Thorin sighed and looked back at her, she was standing again, but stayed where she was. "I forgive you, for what you did, but I cannot forget it. Take this opportunity to find a new life for yourselves and perhaps, a better understanding of what true loyalty is."

The humans seemed a bit lost but nodded. They should be falling on their knees in gratitude, but they had no knowledge of peace, mercy, or anything of the like. Instead, to Thorin, they looked like lost children. "You leave in a week." Thorin finished, his eyes never once leaving the group that nearly killed Nyaunni when he just got her back.

"Until then…" Bard took over. "…I will give you rooms in this hall to remain. You cannot leave, nor can you interact with any of those who you once dwelled with. They have chosen to join this city, to become citizens of Dale. Your life, from here forward, is separated from them." Bard looked to his head guard. "Ryas, take them to the upper levels and give them the open rooms. Post guards at each doorway until Thorin's group comes to retrieve them."

"Yes my lord. And what of the dwarf?" Ryas asked. "He still cannot move."

"Dwarf?" Thorin asked, then remembered the senile old dwarf who had been a part of the group.

"Clinton." Nyaunni muttered. "He is older than even I by nearly a century and a half."

Thorin narrowed his eyes. "Explain, why has he not moved? Is he being difficult?"

"No, Lord Thorin." Ryas shook his head. "He lays still, gasping for breath and unable to rise to even relieve himself. I think he is very near his natural end. We had him moved to a room near the cells for his comfort, and our healers have been seeing to him. We are no monsters, until he was sentenced, we were doing what we could to make certain it was no ailment but age he suffered. But they said there was nothing they could do for him, except keep him comfortable until he enters your halls beyond this world."

Thorin nodded, but Nyaunni spoke. "Take us to him."

"Nya…" Thorin tried to argue but she leveled him with a stubborn look, so he rather reluctantly relented. "Very well." He would just assume get back to Erebor and let the maker decide the dwarf's final fate.

But Nyaunni, though a bit rougher than she had been in her youth, still had a big heart. So she stood, and as soon as Ryas led the group of humans from Minam away, Bard and another guard led them to the cell block and into a small room lit only by a candle flickering on the dusty bedside table. There were windows, but they were covered, making the room appear a bit cold and dismal despite the light coming from the candle.

Nyaunni could not help but feel a feeling of both sorrow and relief on this dwarves behalf as she walked in. There was a time when Clinton was of sound mind. He was never in her nursery, but he had been there when she was first brought to Minam. She remembers happening across him, bruised and bleeding after a punishment from the goblins.

It had frightened her, he had frightened her. Clinton had been defiant, always ready to work against the orcs in any way he could. That is, until they broke him. A century of beatings can do that to a person, either they make you stronger, or they break you. Clinton slowly broke, and it did not help that he had little to no friends among the people.

Oh but Nyaunni did try. She never stopped trying, in fact. Clinton in many ways reminded her of Thror. He was stubborn, was easy to anger, and often yelled at anyone in passing who so much as looked at him. Nyaunni, however, often tried to greet him. He didn't yell at her per say, but he did give her frustrated looks as if she was impeding his work. But she was young, and she thinks he pitied her, so he rarely said anything cruel to her.

That did change, however, as he noticed the orcs seeming to favor her. That is, favor as in they rarely beat her for her errors or attitudes she threw at them. It is then and only then that he turned against her, and his ire doubled. He became easily suspicious and was constantly trailing her until she approached him about it and vehemently denied any such claim. "I am here, same as you, working to survive. So get off my back, Clinton." Was a regular argument she had to throw at him when he was being relentless.

Yet there was one time, when he saved her life. Nyaunni does not exactly remember much about what had happened, but one of the new orc captains had become suspicious of her trying to slow their plans, and shoved her so hard against the door it broke and Nyaunni fell. The orc sneered at her as he drew his sword and stuck his foot on her chest keeping her in place. "Dwarves, are the bane of this place. You are good for nothing but food, and I am starving."

Unable to move, Nyaunni stared up at the orc until a shadow fell over her. There stood Clinton, his cold eyes assessing the situation. "I would no' be so foolish to kill her, if you value your own life. The others will kill you if you harm her, mark me words. Don' believe me? Why don' you go ask your superiors." He met the orcs glare head on. "Course, if I am wrong, she isn't going anywhere and you can come back and finish the job. Bu' if I am right…then they will kill you for removing an asset from these halls."

The orc pushed the sword into Nyaunni's shoulder and she cried out, then the blade and the boot were removed and the orc backed off. He spit at Clinton, then, left without a word.

"I am in your debt. Thank you Clinton." Nyaunni put pressure on her bleeding shoulder and turned to the dwarf who normally yelled at everyone, but he was already gone. She tried several times to thank him, but, he blew her off each time.

Now, he sat in a bed, taking his last breaths. Nyaunni walked up to Clinton and sighed. It would not be long now. "Nya, you don't have to do this." Thorin placed a hand on her shoulder and she reached up and grasped it.

"I know he was cold, and harsh, but he had it harder than most because he fought harder than most." Nyaunni's eyes did not leave the dwarf who was taking shallow breaths. She squatted down by the bed and leaned in. "Clinton, it is time to rest. The things you did, are in the past. It is time to let them go and find the peace you deserved long ago. I do not hold anything against you, in fact, I release you of any pain or guilt you harbor. Go in peace, and be free of the horrors you suffered. For they are, now and forever, no more."

Nyaunni rose and sighed deeply. He was so close to feeling the chains lifted and finding the freedom stolen from him. Upon reflection of this moment, Nyaunni would always wonder if Clinton was in some way waiting for permission to go. He had needed permission his entire life to do anything in Minam, so perhaps he felt he needed permission to die as well. It was a sad and sobering thought that someone who had such a strong personality, was so molded to a life of pain and horrors, not even death could be achieved without allowance.

As he took his last breath, Nyaunni bowed her head. "May you be in peace, brother of Minam." It was a saying said for those lost in the orc city.

Thorin, Fili, Dwalin, and Aeodhen each joined her in a moment of silence, until Nyaunni broke it. "Thorin, can we give him a grave among the dwarves in Erebor?"

"Nya, he tried to kill you." Thorin growled.

Nyaunni, however, shook her head. "No, he was not attacking, he was simply…among them yelling. Because of his lost mind, we cannot even prove he understood truly what was happening. Let's give him true rest. Please."

Thorin sighed, then tucked a curl behind her ear and nodded. "If you wish it, I will allow it." He turned to Dwalin and Aeodhen. "Get the guards in here to prepare the body for transportation." He then turned to Bard. "Would you have a cart available for us to use?"

Bard nodded. "I will have one made ready, they will follow you to Erebor, then return."

"Thank you." Thorin said honestly. "If there is nothing more needed here, I think we will return to Erebor now. Though I do wish to speak to Thranduil for a moment."

"Of course, this way." Bard led the group once more back to the council room and gestured them inside where now nearly two dozen elves were talking amongst themselves.

Thranduil was at the head of the table, nodding to his son who was holding a scroll and studying the markings. "Lord Thranduil, a moment of your time please." Bard politely requested, receiving a raise eyebrow in response which normally would have annoyed Thorin, but he was used to it by now.

It took a few minutes for Thranduil to step away, giving orders to the few around him as Legolas silently followed.

"You came at an opportune time. I was just about to send for you myself." Thranduil stood tall over Bard and Thorin. Of course, Bard himself was rather tall, which made the height difference between the dwarven king, who was considered unnaturally tall for his people, and the elven king who made him look like a dwarfling in comparison.

Bard looked a bit surprised but smiled. "I only came to inform you Thorin would like a word, but what can I help with?"

Thranduil looked to Thorin then back at Bard. "We were just about to send a team to enter the depths of the city. Is there a guard you wish us to report to?"

"Ryas is taking over as soon as he returns from securing the attackers from Minam. We are sending them with a group from Erebor to another settlement. They are not welcome here." Bard gave Thorin and Nyaunni a look then turned his attention back to Thranduil. "You may proceed however you wish, I will inform Ryas of your plans and he will meet with you shortly."

"Your trust, is refreshing and appreciated. We will not overstep it." Thranduil then turned his blue eyes to Thorin. "Is there something you need from me?"

"Not in any urgent way. Since you are nearby, I thought you may be interested in attending a private meal with my family. Tauriel is very near her due date. I do not know if you have been informed, but she and Kili are again expecting. I believe, she would like it if you were also invited to a celebration of the impending child. There are gifts, and food."

Thranduil looked to Legolas who nodded and smiled softly. "You did wish to see her, father. And we do have a gift."

Nodding, Thranduil turned back to Thorin. "When is this celebration to be?"

"Next weeks end. If you are available." Thorin looked to Fili who nodded. In many ways, it was for him as well since the celebration was for both Viltarra and Tauriel. He had sat them both down individually with Kili and Fili, and asked how they felt about doing a combined party. He wanted Viltarra to feel as honored as Tauriel did her first time and not feel as if she had to share. Similarly, he wanted to see if Tauriel wanted a day for herself as well.

Thorin should not have been surprised when both had wanted to share the day. In fact, Viltarra had insisted on it. "I am sure there will be a time in the future when I will have one for myself, but I really want to do this with my sister. Truly."

Of course, Thorin also knew part of it was Viltarra hated being the center of attention, and it meant she had someone to divert to when she was feeling overwhelmed. He had also asked if they were open to guests, and both had given their approval. Now Thorin did not tell either of them he was already planning on inviting Thranduil. He figured Legolas would come, but it was unlikely Thranduil would accept at such short notice.

Perhaps, he was wrong again. Although he is decidedly closer being at the moment, just a quarter hour away rather than half a day's ride. It would also give him a chance to speak to the elven king about what he has discovered about the gems, and offer, on his grandfathers behalf, something of an apology.

An annoyed shiver ran through his body at the thought. He really had no REAL desire to apologize to the elven king, but, he knew it was the right thing to do.

Thranduil, after a brief pause in thought, nodded. "We will be there. Now, if you will excuse me, we have little time set aside here to accomplish much. I do not wish to be away from Mirkwood for long. I will see you next weeks end." With a nod to Thorin, then Fili, Thranduil turned and swept back into the room.

"Well, I think he is becoming rather fond of you uncle." Fili snickered and Legolas lifted a brow.

"I personally, am rather impressed with how far he has come." Legolas gave Fili a soft smile. "How is your wife, is she faring well? And Tauriel?"

"Both are ready to be done, but yes, they are great." Fili relayed. "I am sure Tauriel will be very happy to see you though, don't be as stranger while you are here. Bilbo is visiting as well."

"Bilbo?" Legolas looked from Thorin to Fili then nodded when he recalled to whom the name belonged. "The halfling. Rather a surprising being, and quite merry. It would certainly be an interesting visit. I better return to my father. I will be seeing you. Please give my best to Tauriel and Kili."

Thorin and Fili both nodded then returned to the front of the building where Bard had met them with the promised cart. Looking to the sky, Thorin sighed. They were there longer than he thought, but at least they will return before the lunch bell. "Let's go home." Thorin pulled himself up on Maryn, Nyaunni climbing into the cart to ride with the man from Dale and Clinton.

Once they reached Erebor, Thorin had gone with Nyaunni to speak to Balin about a place to lay Clinton to rest while Fili went up to see if Kili had woken.

"That is very kind of you, to do that for someone who was far from kind to you." Tauriel said, watching as Nyaunni pulled Uri from her vest pocket once they finished relaying what they had done in Dale.

Though Thorin did omit the parts including Thranduil, he rather hoped to keep it a surprise. He also did not want her to stress either. Though Tauriel has come to terms with Thranduil, she has, on more than one occasion, told him that she is quite comfortable with the half a days distance between the elven king and her home in Erebor. "I now know what a family is, what real love is. I do not truly fault him for the absence of love in my life before Kili entered it. I wholly believe that he gave me what he could. But, I also cannot find myself wanting to share with him the happiness and warmth I have in me, and around me."

Tauriel had told Thorin that over a private lunch they shared together several months ago when he had asked if she ever felt inclined to go to Mirkwood. Of course he could not fault her in wanting to go visit the elven forest she grew up in, and will stand by her whatever she chooses, but, he is rather glad she prefers to be in Erebor for the time being.

"Is there anything else I missed? I feel awful uncle, for sleeping through that." Kili gave Thorin an earnest expression, and the surly dwarven king sighed. He was not angry, maybe a little annoyed, but he was not going to hold something against Kili that he is not in full control of.

"It is fine Kili, I am glad you are alright. But I think it would be best, however, to keep away from anything Tauriel herself avoids. If it is symptoms you are sharing, than perhaps it will mitigate physical reactions until your child enters this world." Thorin rubbed his chin, his eyes shooting to Nyaunni who was stroking the sleeping Uri's head.

By some miracle, the tiny fellbeast slept in Nyaunni's pocket the entire morning after slipping in as they entered the gates of Dale. When he asked where he had gone upon re-entering the mountain, Nyaunni had beamed at him, kissed his cheek, and said she was very pleased Uri was growing on him so much that he felt such concerns as he did.

In all honesty, Thorin was not in any way willing to admit he was attached to the little thing, but he had wondered where it was. "He tired himself out on our walk with Dajnel today…Dajnel, and the guards that is. Really now Thorin, how many guards do you need to have outside a stable."

"Not only do my daughter and nephew frequent the stable, both of which are heavy magnets for trouble, but the gate is rarely closed making it an area of concern for trespassers." Thorin held the door open to Balin's office. "I have all gates and entrances on ground level heavily guarded."

Nyaunni had nodded, but at that point, Balin had realized they were in his office and they turned talk over to what had happened in Dale, and where to lay Clinton. Then the couple went to join Fili in checking on Kili.

Holding in his smile as Nyaunni continued to stroke the creature, Thorin reached over, pulling some parchment off the table by the door he was not far from, and the quill beside it. "I have some meetings to get to, but I do have some things I would like to assign to you Kili, if you are up for it?"

"Of course uncle." Kili leaned forward waiting as Thorin wrote some things down.

"I would also like you to join him, Naurfaer, if you are free." The elf nodded, but didn't move from his relaxed position.

It took several minutes for Thorin to finish writing, then he stood and passed the piece of parchment to Kili. "I need you both to go speak to two guards by the names of Hoksbee and Quartin. They were able to gain access to the door that led to the corridor we had not cleaned out yet."

"Oh, wonderful. Where does it lead? Do you know?" At this, Naurfaer did lean forward. He was always happy to help find new areas of Erebor.

"If it is the one I am thinking, it leads to the hot pools at the heart of the mountain, and the gardens." Thorin stood. "I told them to put a team together and look into it. I want the both of you to check on that progress and report to me."

"Hot pools? Sounds great." Kili smiled wide.

"Good, then you can be in charge of the group then." Thorin walked over and patted Kili on the back as he stood. "Make sure not to enter if it is…"

"Unsound. I know uncle." Kili rolled his eyes even as Thorin glared at him. "I will be fine."

Thorin hummed then turned for the door. "Nyaunni, I have a few things I want you to look over as well." At her questioning expression, Thorin elaborated with the waive of his hand. "Just some documentation you will be needing, nothing too concerning, but I would like to get a head start if we can."

"Alright. But I do have to meet Dis soon, so I can only give you a few minutes." The dwarven king was not super pleased with her response, but nodded. So Nyaunni rose and left with Thorin after bidding the family goodbye.

Naurfaer too made for the door. "I will meet you in the sitting room in a half hour…you might want to take a quick shower. I believe you have cake in your hair." He gave Kili a grin, then walked out of the room.

Kili lifted his hand to his hair and groaned. "I forgot about that." He sighed then froze and turned a leering grin at his wife…sauntering over to her as she folded her arms and smiled at him. "Care to join me for a shower, amralime? I will make it well worth your while."

However, though Tauriel wrapped her arms around Kili as he approached, she did shake her head. "I am going to meet Viltarra, Nyaunni, and amad at the school with Finli, who should be waking from his nap any moment now. She had asked this morning during breakfast, and I promised I would be there." Tauriel looked to the clock in the corner and sighed. Definitely not enough time for a shower with her Kili, as much as she wished to join. "If I do not leave soon, I will miss her. You go ahead, and I will see you tonight."

Kili sighed again and pulled away, muttering to himself as he took a very cold, and equally lonely shower, his wife gone by the time he joined Naurfaer in the sitting room and headed to his task for the day.

"Tauriel!" Turning her head from her babbling son, Tauriel paused and waited for Viltarra to catch up with her. The moment she had walked into Finli's room, her toddler was up and smiling widely at her, eager to continue his day.

What should not have surprised Tauriel, was Fili firmly attached to Viltarra as she came to a stop before her. "We are not late are we? Fili insisted on coming but was taking his time arguing with Okyn about how a chest, without a lid, is just a bin."

"He was trying to sell it to a blind dam!" Fili argued. "I had to step in. He was charging an obscene price for what really was just a crate he had painted…poorly mind you…and which did not even have a proper top. I still cannot fathom how he is still in business."

"Mhm. Says the one who purchased a rather questionable looking bedside table from him just yesterday." Viltarra hummed in a teasing manner.

But instead of being angry, Fili only grinned. "Oh, right. It was a wedding gift for Little Otti."

"FILI!" Tauriel snapped. "Whyever would you do such a cruel thing. You know his wares are…well…most in need of warning labels. How could to do that to Leotti?"

Fili sighed. "It was not that bad, and I fixed it. Or…I will fix it."

"He has not given it to her yet, and you best believe he won't be in the condition it currently is in." Viltarra pushed a finger into Fili's chest. "A gift is from the heart, fix it, then give it."

Fili rolled his eyes but nodded. "Don't we have somewhere to be?"

"Yes, Tauriel and I, have somewhere to be. You, are just a stowaway." Viltarra chuckled. When Fili pouted she lifted herself on her toes and pecked him on the lips. "A very attractive and most welcome stowaway, might I add."

This, brought a bright smile back on Fili's lips and he leaned in once more for another draw from her lips then took her hand. "Alright, let's go."

As the group entered the school, they made straight for Dis's room knowing they were expected.

"Ah, there you are. I was getting worried you got held up, or something more concerning was wrong with Kili." Dis stepped away from her desk and stood before her children, and grandson. Her class was currently scattered around the room doing various activities available to them. "Is he alright? Did Oin need to go check on him?"

Tauriel placed Finli down and watched as he ran to Toki who stood and accepted a hug from the dwarfling before he took Finli by the hand to show him what he was working on. Knowing her son was fine, Tauriel turned back to Dis. "I will explain fully later, but he is fine. It had something to do with our connection."

Dis nodded and smiled. "Alright. We are just about to wrap up our day, if you just give me a moment there is something I wish to show you, and since you are her Fili, I suppose you can come as well."

"Wow, thanks mam. I feel so included." Fili rolled his eyes as his mam smacked him on the shoulder.

"For that cheek, you can help clean up." Dis clapped her hands together. "Alright everyone, do you all remember your assignments?"

"Yes lady Dis." Came the response in perfect unison.

"Good. Remember you can leave the room, but you must wait for your parents or elder siblings to come get you. Ordak! Do not put that spider in Duree's hair!" There was a screech and some laughter as the dwarflings skittered away from the rather large spider now free in the room.

That is, until Toki huffed, grumbled, then picked it up with his bare hands. "Ya all are a bunch of tail hidin' wargs. It ain' bigger than yer hands. More afraid o' you giants, aren' yeh?" He looked down at the spider then showed it to Finli who seemed rather curious as to why most in the room were running, but his friend seemed rather at ease.

Fili walked over and squatted down, ruffling Finli's hair as he did. "What do you got there Toki?"

"Yeh know wha' I got." Toki snickered but slowly opened his hand. "She's afraid, yeh see? Got babies teh protect."

Sure as a hammers blow, Fili looked closer at the spider who did have rather a lot of tiny spiders on its back. Truthfully, spiders were far from his favorite creatures…especially after Mirkwood…but he didn't want to upset Toki, or his nephew. "I think, maybe she would be happier somewhere where she cannot be found. What do you say Toki?"

"Alrigh'. You ain' gonna squish her when I leave are ya?" Toki held his hand away from Fili who chuckled and shook his head.

"I give you my word. Now how about we go find somewhere away from the classroom, alright?" Fili waited another few seconds, and finally, Toki nodded. "We will be right back." Fili said in passing as both Toki and Finli followed him from the classroom.

As he left, Dis chuckled. "Toki is such a unique spirit. I swear, that dwarfling, is not a ten year old."

"An old spirit." Tauriel sighed. "Though, I do believe his circumstances are in many ways the contributing factor to that. His brother Ragar is also a bit beyond his years. It is wisdom from living out in the world as they have, and losing a parent so young."

"Too young." Dis agreed as she watched her class laugh and joke as they piled out of the room to wait. Once they were gone, she smiled at her daughters. "I did ask you down here for a reason. There is something I wanted you to see. It is on the way home from school so I thought meeting here was the best way."

Tauriel nodded as she grinned at Finli who ran in as soon as Fili re-opened the door. "Spider is taken care of, and Toki is with his brother waiting for Gronti."

"Good, now I believe you were going to help me straighten the room then we can leave." Working together, the group got the classroom back in order then Dis led them out of the hall, waving goodbye to the two other instructors who were standing with the dwarflings as they were being picked up.

They continued back up past the market, then proceeded down another hall which appeared to be just newly restored. "Normally, I would tell Fili to bugger off. But I suppose, we can make an exception just this once. This hall was just completed this morning, and is for the primary use of the ladies of Erebor. In fact, if you go through that door there, you get the hall leading to Thorin's office."

Tauriel had wondered if the hall connected to Thorin, as if they had gone around just one other corner, they would be standing right before Thorin's door. Speaking of Thorin, he and Nyaunni stood waiting. "I did not know Fili would be here." He lifted a brow at his nephew. "Don't you have projects to complete?"

"Many, but now I am far too curious to be sent away." Fili chuckled and readjusted his grip on Viltarra's hand.

"And don't you have meetings?" Dis huffed as she stared at her brother. "I believe I invited Nyaunni, not you."

"I am the king, Dis. I can go and do as I please." Thorin smirked at his sister who snorted. "I also would like to see how it turned out. I have not been here since it belonged to mother."

Dis's expression softened as she nodded. "I tried to honor her designs." The pair stood silent for a moment before Dis shook her head. "Well, let's not just stand here, allow me to show you in."

"Looks like everyone but me has been invited to the party." The group froze as Kili came walking up, snatching his son from Tauriel as he threw him up in the air. "What am I missing out on here?"

"Kili, you're supposed to be assessing the..."

"Corridor, yes. All done by the way. The place is a bit dusty, but otherwise completely untouched. They had the lights up by the time Naurfaer and I arrived, and they were already assessing the extent of the damage. There is one wall with a crack forming, which Naurfaer believes is from the quake, not the dragon." Kili leaned forward and pecked Tauriel on the cheek. "I came to report to you uncle, as promised. He and Gilbyk are already working to both assess the severity then patch it. I believe..." Kili continued, "They said it will be ready for public access immediately, though it does need some cleaning."

"What's this now?" Dis asked.

"Oh, yes. We were able to gain access to the garden and the hot pools. It seems as if they will be reopening quite soon than." Thorin clapped Kili on the shoulder. "Good work. How are you feeling?"

"Hungry." Kili chuckled. "But otherwise alright. My headache is all but gone. The only complaint I have, is feeling as if I could fall asleep at any moment."

"Imagine how we feel." Viltarra sighed. "I fell asleep in the bakery this morning while Fili was gone."

"You were asleep when I returned too." Fili kissed her brow as she scowled at him.

"You know, I wish there was a way WE could connect like those two." Viltarra grumbled. "Then YOU can get a taste of what creating life is like. And let me tell you, it is certainly no easy task."

"I can attest to that." Kili placed Finli at his feet then wrapped his arm around Tauriel who leaned into him.

"Uncle, perhaps we can change Ki's title, to Lady Kili." Fili laughed out, earning a glare from his brother. "Considering he is with child and all."

Dis rolled her eyes, already done with the antics of her sons. Honestly, you would think they were still dwarflings. Then again, it did not feel like long ago that they were. "Alright, enough. Come on let's go." She pushed the door open to the hall as Thorin held it so she can pass by. Nyaunni shook her head and followed Dis and Fili took the door from his uncle.

"I got it." Thorin smiled and patted Fili on the back in passing, Viltarra too smiling and pecking him on the cheek as she stepped in behind Thorin. Then Kili reached to grab the door as Finli ran in and Tauriel stepped through, but the blonde prince shook his head at his brother. "Oh no Ki, ladies first, please." Fili gave Kili a small bow even as his brother released Tauriel and gave him a firm and solid punch to the arm.

"I am no lady." Kili was about to attack his brother further but Dis put a stop to it before he could do anything.

"You better not be ruffin' in my hall!"

"Sorry mam." Kili sighed.

"I'm not." Fili whispered for only Kili to hear.

However, before he could respond, Tauriel grabbed Kili's arm and tugged him forward. "You can have your revenge later, maybe in the training ring. You are both being children."

"I agree fully." Viltarra growled as she pushed Fili forward. "You will be apologizing to Kili." She glared at Fili who began to protest but it was lost as he was shoved by his wife into the room behind his equally exasperated mother.

"This, is why I only invited Tauriel, Nyaunni, and Viltarra." Dis huffed but herded everyone down the hall, but paused before a portrait of several regal looking dams, and cleared her throat.

"It is not in our tradition to write long histories of the queens and high ladies of our great clans. But that does not mean they do not leave a legacy, neither does it mean it is not written. This hall, not only contains an office for the queen under the mountain..." Dis looked to Nyaunni who smiled and nodded. "…but we also have a room to entertain, a personal library, and several free rooms which can be converted to our needs. But before we even get to those, I wanted to show you this..."

Dis opened the door to what looked to be a records room of sorts, but on the furthest wall, was a massive floor to ceiling family tree. "This tree, is unlike any in the records. As you know, they omit the spouses, but here, we do not."

Picking up her grandson as she walked past him, Dis made her way to stand beside her brother as she gestured to the wall sized family tree. "Each name, has a portrait, if you have not noticed, that is, except for just one. The wife of Thorin the first, son of Thrain the first, son of Nain. Her picture was never allowed. But that is neither here nor there. With you both adding to the family, it is time to add to the tree."

"Why does she not have a portrait?" Viltarra asked, unable to move past the one name missing an image. "Did something happen?"

Dis looked to Thorin who shook his head. "We do not honestly know." Tightening her grip on Finli who had his eyes on the portrait of the blonde dam with Durin blue eyes, Dis cast her eyes on the wall once more. "There are of course rumors, but every one I heard was always dispelled. So it could be anyone's guess. The one thing I have heard repeated, however, was it had been ordered by her mate, Thorin, for her and their posterities protection."

Tauriel eyed the name, Anorloth. She looked at Kili and Fili who both eyed her then the name. "Amad, was Anorloth of the dwarves?"

Dis looked to Thorin who appeared equally puzzled by the question. "I assume she would have been. As much as I, we..." Dis gestured to Thorin, "...love you daughter, it is not in our tradition to marry outside our race. Why do you ask? Have you seen that name before?"

"Not so much as in a name." Tauriel said softly. "But, Anor Loth, means sun flower in Sindarin. I suppose it could be a coincidence."

"Or, Thorin the first, was married to an elf." Nyaunni said with a smile. "Personally, I think that makes a lot of sense. Especially if they hid her portrait for not just her protection, but all of yours as well when our people fell at odds with the elven race."

"That happened a lot." Fili chuckled. "But I think it may be something worth looking in to. It would mean, we in fact, have elven blood. Huh. I guess Ki, you aren't so unique in the family as we all thought."

At this, Kili grinned broadly and pulled Tauriel close. He had absolutely no issues with having elven blood. Though he did pause, his eyes widening as he looked to Tauriel. "Our bond! That is why we never had a problem with it! It would make so much more sense if I had some elven blood."

Tauriel stared at Kili and smiled. "According to Naurfaer, it would not have mattered if you had elven blood or not. But...with how well you have taken to it, and how close we are, it would truly make great sense if indeed you do have elven ancestry."

"That would also mean cousin Dain also has elven blood." Kili said following the path of descendants from Thorin and Anorloth.

"I wonder if your grandfather knew." Nyaunni said softly, looking from Thorin to Dis.

"It was unlikely if they kept the news quiet, but still quite possible he did. According to the date, she died the same year as Thorin, who died at only 256 years old." Dis handed Finli to Thorin and walked over to a shelf holding several large tomes, and pulled one from the shelf. She leafed through it for a few minutes then paused and shook her head. "It has pages torn where Anorloth's personal history would be. Short depictions of her courtship, marriage, honors, and her death, all gone. Someone, did not want her to be known."

"To me.." Nyaunni said walking over and looking at the book beside Dis. "That only seems to solidify the idea. But without solid proof, we can never know. But I would not put it post Thror to have these pages removed if she was in fact, an elf. He has done something similar with my father, as you well know Thorin."

Something about that made Thorin shudder, though he kept it to himself. It was one thing accepting an elf in the family, but learning he himself, his sister, and his nephews may have elven blood might be too much. He will need to look further into this, Anorloth. If the only reason her portrait was not up on the wall had to do with her blood being elven, then perhaps, it is time to get her picture up. Or it would be no different than forbidding Tauriel to have her own portrait up, and he will never do that.

Though, one good thing to come of this, would be if Gloin, who was the son of Anorloth and Thorin, was accepted as king, then Finli's right to rule...if he became heir to Fili...would not be barred by his mixed blood. Mahal, what else will he be surprised with in his lifetime?

"It would be foolish to believe anyone is truly of pure blood in this world…" Nyaunni continued as she walked back over to Thorin. "…cultures and clans in Arda have been around for thousands upon thousands of years. I am rather certain we all share blood with every race at some point in our lives. Whether it be our forefathers, or foremothers. Pureblood is a myth, and one we often cling to far too desperately. I would not be surprised if I did some digging, that I would find someone in my line married an elf, or a human, or even a hobbit at some point. It is impossible to argue, but just as impossible to dispel."

"Though we still are stuck in our ways, and there are more than a few who would have something to say about Tauriel if they lived in Erebor." Dis gave Tauriel a sad look as she shut the tome. "But maybe, it is time to put hiding away such things to rest. The main reason I brought you here, Tauriel and Viltarra, is for you both to add your names to the tree. I will also have portraits commissioned for you two so we can get those up."

"There will be no hiding our elf." Thorin said with a small smile as Tauriel gave him a questioning look. "We know you have the strength and courage to take on whatever comes at you, Nâtha. Unless you wish it to be hidden, I want you in every part of our history. I am not ashamed of having an elf in my family, nor am I ashamed in any way of the beautiful creations you are adding to our legacy."

Tauriel could not stop the tears that fell from her eyes and Kili pulled her close. "Amralime, you are a part of us, through and through. Though I will always want to protect you in every way I can, hiding you, is never something I will feel comfortable with. It is a cowards notion. Somehow, if this is all true, I do not think our forefather, Thorin the first, had anything to do with hiding Anorloth. If he felt even a semblance of what I do for you, he would want to flaunt her to all with great pride. This was the work of someone who was ashamed. We will never, be ashamed of you."

Kili pulled Tauriel in for a kiss, humming as he deepened it and pulled away. Tauriel pressed her forehead to his, even as she turned and looked to Dis and Thorin. "I would very much like my name, and my portrait up."

"Good." Dis said with a wide grin. "We also need to add Fili and Kili to the tree which I will go ahead and do. Then, I want you both to begin writing out a small history we will have placed in this tome. It is time we get things going." Dis then walked up to Nyaunni. "I know there is probably a lot for you to process, not even being back in Erebor for a month and already engaged. But you are very much a part of this family…no matter how long it takes for it to be official."

"Thank you Dis, that means a great deal to me. I have been without a family, for a very long time." Nyaunni felt a hand enter hers and looked to Thorin who gave her a smile, Finli also grinning as he was held by Thorin's other arm. "I look forward to every moment of getting to know each of you, and finding my place here in Erebor."

"I for one can't wait to get word from Dryok." Fili said, pulling Viltarra back against his chest when he saw her beginning to shift uncomfortably. She was uncomfortable more often than not these days and though he was worried about her, she hated it when he said anything. So instead, he just took a leaf out of Kili's book and did what he could to make her comfortable without making it obvious.

Allowing Fili to take on some of her weight, Viltarra sighed in relief. "What will you do if he does not write back? Or does not believe it to be true?"

"We had not discussed that, actually." Nyaunni looked to Thorin, the flash of worry in her eyes had Thorin scowling.

But the surly king put Finli on the ground only to take her other hand and held her stare. "Then I suppose I will be marrying a dead dam. Mahal, our maker, knows you are alive, and that is enough for me. But I don't anticipate problems with Dryok. He may be difficult to deal with, but he loves his clan and rules well. He also supports our family…albeit somewhat reluctantly. It will all be fine."

"And I would like to do this right." Nyaunni added with a smile as Uri crawled from Thorin's dark main and purred as she plucked him off his shoulder and pulled away from Thorin to hold the fellbeast in both her hands.

Thorin returned the smile before looking to the large, recently refurbished, clock on the wall. "I am going to go see where they are at with the gardens and hot pools. This looks wonderful Dis." Thorin walked over and kissed his sister on the cheek. "Mother would be proud, you certainly did her honor here. I will leave you to whatever you had planned and see you at dinner." He turned to leave then paused. "Fili, where is Bilbo? You did not just abandon him, did you?"

"Of course not uncle, he and Vin are discussing breads. They were having a bit of a competition of dwarven verses hobbit breakfast cake when we left."

Viltarra sighed. "Don't tell da, but mama bet on Bilbo."

"Truly?" Tauriel asked in surprise. "Vin is rather an exceptional baker with years of experience. I am not in any way saying Bilbo is lacking, but though I have tasted his baking and thought it delightful, I have never tasted anything in comparison to your fathers."

"Oh!" Viltarra chuckled. "It has nothing to do with taste. Mama is just mad at da for ignoring her input…so she may have added a few ingredients to his bowl when he was not looking. I am well aware that my father would quite outdo most bakers in any city…but he will have difficulty swaying anyone in the market that his sweet breakfast cake is supposed to cause ones mouth to burn rather violently."

"Mahal." Kili said. "What did she put in there?"

"Mama may have sent me to go speak to Loryk, who has a produce stand on the other side of the market, to procure some hot peppers he personally grows in the green room." Viltarra gave a sly smile. "He doesn't just sell them fresh, he dries them, and grinds them into seasonings and powders."

"Remind me to never get on your bad side." Kili hated anything with any kind of spiciness. He just did not tolerate it well. Fili, on the other hand, could probably eat lava and still ask for something hotter. Viltarra snickered in response but said nothing more on the subject, so Kili looked to his uncle. "I'll come with you uncle, I told Naurfaer I would be back anyway to help with moving and cleaning."

Kili pulled away from Tauriel, though not before she pulled him back for a kiss. "Be careful."

"Arent I always?" Kili laughed at her incredulous expression as he followed his uncle. "You coming Fi? We could use you?"

"I have things to do at the forge." Fili sighed. "So I really should go there."

Kili just waived his concern off. "That can wait a day, didn't you hear? Hot pools."

Fili rolled his eyes, kissed Viltarra on the forehead, and followed his brother and uncle out of the room.

"I find all of your closeness rather endearing." Nyaunni chuckled as she took a seat and looked to Dis. "What are we to do now?"

"Well." Dis said. "This particular room is done, but there is still some personal touches to complete so I figured we can spend the time before the evening bell to get that tree updated, and make this space truly our own. It is all of ours to use, including yours Nyaunni."

Tauriel grabbed her son before he could cause a ceramic vase to topple off the table. "Maybe, if it is alright with you amad, we can also make this place a bit more child friendly? Even if it is just putting a few things out of reach."

Dis laughed as she tickled Finli's cheek, her heart filling at his little giggles that rang through the large room. "Of course."

The first thing they did, however, was finish the tree. Dis cried, Tauriel pulling her into her arms, as she finished carefully inscribing Vili's name beside her own. Her one, her first and only love, who waited patiently for her to return to him. What she did not know, was Tauriel had already made a plan to have Kili draw the portrait of his father for her. She will speak to him tonight about it.

Once she collected herself, Dis then added Kili and Fili below her and Vili. "Alright, Tauriel, I will add your name, as it is my honor as Kili, and your, mother. Then, you will add your children as they come to this world. So just here…" Dis went ahead and added Tauriel's name, then passed her the thin paint brush. "…go ahead and add Finli. Come here darling, come see your mama put your name with our family's."

Finli, who was now in Nyaunni's lap, slid off at his nan's bidding as Viltarra helped him up the steps, holding him so he could see.

They all watched in silence as Tauriel added Finli beneath her and Kili. "Now Viltarra, I will add your name dear." Dis said, re-wetting the brush. "When you give birth, we will add the little gift to the tree as well. And Nya…"

"I wish to wait." Nyaunni said. "When Thorin and I are truly tied, I will add my name."

Dis smiled and nodded. "Speaking of tied, how about we talk about this impending wedding if you are comfortable."

Nyaunni laughed as she stood. "I will make you a deal, I will listen to suggestions, while we work so I can give my hands something to do. I am still not used to being idle."

With that, the room filled with activity. All talking about their own weddings as they made the space their own. There would be time to get the other rooms in this ladies hall complete, but for the moment, the four females found joy in the impending future that looked so, so very bright.

"My lord, there is a rather persistent raven insisting on delivering a message personally. It looks to be a raven from Erebor. Shall I allow it in?"

Dryok looked up from his desk and eyed the guard. He didn't remember his name, Ilkorh or Vilkin, or something like that. "Why didn't you take it from it?"

"He is refusing to deliver to anyone but you." The guard said, shifting nervously.

Dryok stared hard at the guard then hissed out a severe, "If you cannot even get a raven to relay his message, then I think you should be put back a few positions. Send in the raven, and report back to training. I do not want to see you again, until you are more capable."

"Aye sir." The guard nodded, then held the door open wide enough for a very large, black and white raven to come flying in, settling on the desk.

The dwarven lord growled as the ravens feed made tracks on the missive he had been writing and he swiped the creature off his desk, causing him to fall with a flutter of his wings. It turned its large beady eye up at the dwarven lord and ruffled its feathers indignantly. Mahal he hated the ravens of Erebor and their lofty attitudes. "Relay your message creature, as is your task."

Now, Kaw was a raven of Erebor, as true as ever, despite being raised by an elf and the mountains own prince. He may be lenient and more accepting, but he was unaccustomed to such treatment and bobbed his head, hissing at the lord who was only getting more frustrated. "If you do not have a message, then I shall lock you in the hall with our ravens. I do not have the patience for wasted time. Now, have you got something for me, or not."

Still unhappy with the treatment, Kaw reluctantly…for a raven…lifted his leg where a piece of rolled parchment was tied. "Well, do not make me bend to your level, bird, get yourself up on the desk and deliver properly, or have you not been trained as you should?"

"My lord, he was on the desk…"

"ARE YOU STILL HERE!" Dryok bellowed to the guard who was stuttering apologies before turning and all but running from the room.

Kaw growled and hissed again, then lifted his wings and flew to the table, holding out his leg again and waiting. Finally, the dwarven lord untied the note and threw a piece of cheese at Kaw in payment. The black raven jumped when it hit him, then inspected the cheese…which had mold all over it.

"What…Erebor made you picky?" Dryok lifted a brow. "Too good for what we have are you? Well you won't be getting anything more from me. Now what does Thorin want now?"

As he read the note he froze, then began pacing the small office. "Impossible. Lies. He is trying to take my clan from right under me isn't he? Well, we will have to see about that!"

Storming to the door, Dryok leaned out. "ALKOR! Where is that simpleton of a guard!" He stomped down the steps where another two guards stood at attention. "Where the bloody hammer is Ilikor!"

"You mean Tarrko my lord?"

"Did I ask for a name correction? No matter, remove him from my guard. Inform the captain we are going to Erebor. I have something I wish to see to."

Dryok fumed as he stormed back up to his office, and all but threw the raven out, receiving a rather nasty bite from the angry bird who did not want to be handled in such a way. No matter, he would not be needing its services. Dryok, was going straight to Erebor. He will be seeing what was truly going on with his own eyes.

"I see what you are doing Thorin, and I will be damned by Mahal if I allow it."

Authors Note: Fun fact, I read somewhere…do not ask me where…but someone had asked Peter Jackson why Thorin, Fili, and Kili looked so attractive and unlike traditional dwarves. He had responded it was because they had elven blood in them. Again, don't quote me on that, I just read he had said it in some interview. So…I wanted to add it. I mean, the likelihood of any race being completely pure in blood just seems a bit ludicrous to me if they had been around for thousands of years. Someone in the dwarven race other than Kili hooked up with an elf at some point, so I thought it should just run in the family every several generations. XD. Dwarven genetics are strong though, so it is not super apparent. At least not in this world.

Anyway, I said there would be a big bang of a wedding, and we are getting closer to that. Could another battle be looming? Maybe, maybe not. Also, babies are coming! YAAAYYYY.

See you guys in a bit! Again, sorry for the time between chapters, I did get this one out a little sooner. XD