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.

87. ACT V Chapter 29

If you don't like my authors notes, just scroll past it for the chapter, its down there I promise. The chapter is below my ramblings. So scroll down.

Authors Note: Right. Hi. Its me. Jess. Again. I am alive and moderately well. Lol. It has been…um…something of a month, so much stupid stuff going on. I feel like I just posted an update but I was reminded today it has been months. Oops. I am so sorry.

Truthfully, I can slam through chapters with a lot of drama, horrors, battles, bleeding…lol…but I have the hardest time getting through the last few chapters because usually they just tie things up and there's a lot of dialogue to write and loose ends to clean. I THINK I got everything checked off in the next two chapters. These are the final TWO chapters of this ACT…but not the end of the Reforged Universe yet. Still got more quests to come, a few adventures, a trip to Beorn and the shire, maybe one to Lothlorien…so ya, a lot to come.

It is getting late, and I really want to get this up, so I am going to say this…thank you for all your support. You have no idea how often I go back and re-read your reviews when I am feeling off or down. They are a real pick me up, and I have been so fortunate to have so many who positively give me feedback in a way that keeps me WANTING to write this story. I tend to be over sensitive lol, so its been a wonder to see the kindness in all of you. I think I have the best readers. Thank you again, all of you.

Now I am going to go put some ice on my head, because I got a migraine. Ick. I promise I will do my callouts on the next chapter. Because you guys are the best.

Enjoy! 😊

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"Do ya see them yet?"

"No little lion. But I do see some farmers from Dale." Orin said unhelpfully, his chin barely reaching the banister while his little brother who was trying to see as well, couldn't because he was just too small to look over or even through the railing. Umyra, who had been sent to inform them of their arrival, croaked once, then flew off the banister likely to go search for the approaching group.

"I can't see anything either." Dissah grumbled trying to get through her cousins who were at the only free spot on the balcony as all of the adults, including Vin who was finally getting up and around, lined the banister and stared off into the distance, searching and waiting for their loved ones to return home.

"Can anyone see anything over Orin's big troll of a head?"

"Now Karra, were those words necessary?" Dis admonished with a sigh as she peered out over the vast country.

"Come here little lion, I can help you see." Finli said, lifting his little brother. Finli wasn't full grown yet, but he was taller than his smaller siblings and easily held his brother so he could see.

The winter sky was darkening and the family all watched as one by one, tiny dancing flames came to life on the walls of dale. Even as the snow began to fall and Dale disappeared in a wall of white, still, they remained steadfast in their waiting for a group to emerge from the snows. Not one of the children was able to touch their dinner in anticipation of their parents return, and Dis didn't bother to enforce it.

Though Nyaunni did ensure all the children were well layered up, and Tarrah had built a roaring fire in Tauriel and Kili's room which she forced the children to go in and warm up at about every quarter of the hour. It was still nearly an hour from natural sundown in the lands extending outside Erebor...but the storm brewing had turned the sky to night far sooner than normal, and it was bitingly cold...too cold.

Dis grumbled to herself as she instinctively rocked Ithtiri. "It is too cold for traveling...I want them home so desperately, yet I cannot help but feel it is foolish to have risked this weather. This is dangerous." She glared at the snow building up on the banister as if her ire alone would keep the inevitable storm at bay. Honestly, Dis had been on edge since she discovered Naufi gone. She felt like a horrible grandmother and guardian, to have not seen through his little plot to get out of the room. She, after all, raised Kili and Fili...one would think she would know better by now.

There was also Ithtiri she was concerned about. The youngest of the children was outside as well, but Dis had her strapped to her chest under her own fur lined coat. Her natural dwarven heat kept the infant warm and the furs helped keep her safe from the elements.

Ever since Thorin left, it had been a battle to get her to eat. Heaven forbid she sees that bottle when she was wide awake, as she instantly began to wail and only quieted when she exhausted herself and had to take the bottle for no other reason but hunger and exhaustion. Dis could only get her to willingly take to it when she was half asleep in the morning, at night, and during her nap. Dis sighed forlornly as she wrapped her arms tightly around the infant as she wiggled about in Dis's furs. The tiny dam clearly has lost some weight, but at least she did eat when she got hungry enough which was a blessing.

"I must say I agree." Vin grunted. "When we were in Rhun we never had this problem, but there were more than a few times we chose to hunker down and wait out the storm when we entered the western lands. It is not worth the risk, and this season they have been worse than I have ever seen."

"Let us hope the maker is watching over them then." Tarrah said, refusing to be negative when her little girl was out there somewhere in this weather. Someone had to be positive.

"Is that them?" Karra asked, pushing through Dissah, who couldn't see much better than Kilion, and Orin who Nyaunni had to grab after he climbed the banister and slipped, nearly losing his balance. Fortunately Nyaunni was right there and caught him in the nick of time. It was just what they needed, to have Orin fall down the mountain after losing Naufi. Poor Dis, who immediately admonished Orin and sent him to sit in one of the chairs in the bed chamber until he could learn to not be so reckless.

Finli peered into the distance, seeing something coming their way…it was small, but definitely moving towards the mountain. He and his siblings could see a bit better than their cousins and family thanks to their elven blood; as little of it as they got from their mother, it appeared they at least had a few of the elven senses. He was the one to nudge Dissah and point out what he had seen a bit before her. Though he didn't want to get his brothers hopes up if he was wrong.

Dissah, apparently thought differently as she pointed in the distance through the gaps in the banister and exclaimed, "They are almost home! Right gam?"

Nyaunni shook her head and looked back over the banister and smiled. "That would be them." She sighed in relief to see the distinct shape of a wagon surrounded by rams, ponies, and a few horses; the family returning.

"MAMA! UP HERE!" Kilion yelled, waiving his hands high as he was able to make out the shapes as well. Though the snows muffled his yell.

Finli chuckled. "They are too far to see or hear you little lion, even if you have the loudest roar in Erebor." He set Kilion down and tickled his little brother who growled angerly and batted his eldest brother away.

"Stop it, Fin! I do not roar." Kilion scowled.

"No, he hisses like a kitten." Orin teased from the chair he was currently standing on, at least until he tumbled to the floor. "Ow." He huffed, rubbing his head that hit the edge of the door. It wasn't bleeding, but she could see a small bump forming just in the corner above his eyes.

"Oh my." Nyaunni sighed and stepped in to check his head. "He's alright..." She called to the others. "...nothing but a small bump. You alright?" She tipped his head up, seeing the bruise begin to form. "You couldn't hold it together for just another little bit?" She chuckled and kissed his head. "What are we to do with you?"

"ORIN! Honestly!" Dis growled as she turned blazing eyes on her grandson, relieved that he was alright but furious he couldn't behave for a few more moments as his parents arrived. When Ithtiri began to wail, the pounding headache she has had since Naufi went missing flared to life.

Tarrah gave Dis a worried look and placed a hand on the dams tense shoulder. "Let me take her." She handed the currently sleeping Vilia to Nyaunni as she walked back out then happily took her youngest granddaughter once Dis unstrapped her and pulled the wailing infant from her layers. Though technically Ithtiri and her brothers were only related to Vin and Tarrah through Fili, Kili's children were as much her grandchildren as Karra, Dissah, and Vilia were. How she loved them all so very much.

At the moment, poor Dis looked to about have had it. The last week has been really difficult on her, as she solely blamed herself for Naufi being taken by that Nazgul. The evidence in her struggles, was just how tired she looked and her curtness with everyone...family or no. Dis was never one, even in her hardest times, to appear anything less than her normal, regal, self.

However, for anyone who knew her, they could see just how stressed she was. There were even dark, bruise-like, crescent moons beneath her eyes that stood out on her unnaturally pale pallor. Oin was so concerned he had forced her to sit and be checked over to make sure she wasn't sick. But no, she was just sleep deprived and hadn't been eating much with how worried she has been about Naufi.

Nyaunni has been trying to take as much of Dis's burden as she could from the dam who she loved like a sister...who was her sister. She knew how upset and worried she was. It got even worse when Dis found out Tauriel was injured, although on the missive Thorin sent he had only said she was hurt and on the mend. Nyaunni, however, received the complete story about what had happened. It was sent by a different raven straight to Nyaunni with a request from Thorin himself that she keep it between them until Tauriel was home. Dis did not need the burden that Tauriel nearly had been killed when she went to save Naufi, he thought his sister took on enough as it was.

"I am sure he is fine Dis." Nyaunni said softly.

"We already know he is alright." Tarrah said, rocking Ithtiri who was having none of it as she continued to wail, reaching out to Finli who stood right beside Tarrah. He set Kilion down then happily took his baby sister from Tarrah. Her cries did not stop, but they quieted a bit.

"She's hungry." Kilion said looking up at his baby sister.

"Well, food is coming kiddo." Vin chuckled. "And the kind you like too." His eyes twinkled as he looked at the four-month-old who was currently turning a bit pink, her whisps of red hair peaking out from her hat blowing in the breeze as she pushed her tiny face into Finli's shoulder and continued to cry.

"Can we go meet them at the entrance hall, nan?" Dissah asked.

Dis nodded. "Why don't you help me warm something up for them to eat, and by the time we are finished, they should be at the gate. How does that sound?"

The dwarflings nodded and ran into Kili and Tauriel's bedchamber, then out the door likely to the kitchen. Dis looked out in the distance once more and sighed.

"I am sure he is fine Dis." Vin placed his one hand on her shoulder and she looked at the arm hanging still wrapped up in cloth. He had a small infection, so he was back in Oin's office last week who had to clean it and re-stitch it. Apparently, it wasn't uncommon, but fortunately for Vin, Oin is an exceptional healer and both Ykla and Borrack were easily on par with Oin in skill and talent in healing...so Vin was not worried at all. Not that Vin was one to overly worry, Dis thought to herself.

After about a week, Vin was mostly back to his optimistic self...though he has yet to do any kind of cooking which was the most unusual part of his recovery, as he and Tarrah often joined Dis in preparing meals. Tarrah did still help though, and Dis knows, she also was helping Vin. In fact, they all were. The children rarely were away from him, keeping his spirits up with their stories and antics.

He was also the calming presence when Naufi was taken, even offering to go with Thorin to find him despite his injury and Oin's orders to not do anything strenuous until he gives the order otherwise...that includes going off to battle on a pony or ram when he hasn't even trained to do so with the change he just went through.

"That is my grandson." Vin growled. It was one of the only times Dis had ever seen him furious. But both Thorin and Oin shot him down and Tarrah was able to calm him enough to think rationally. He would have been more of a liability than an asset with his injury, and once he calmed, he realized that and threw his energy into helping Dis, Tarrah, and Nyaunni care for the other children.

Dis looked at him now, and nodded. "I should have known what he was up to, Vin." Dis said as Tarrah took Vilia into the kitchen.

Nyaunni sighed from beside her sister who was easily as stubborn and hard headed as her brother, Thorin. "Dis, you know Naufi. He would have found a way. All you did, was let him go to the toilet, this is not on you."

"I should have gone with him." Dis said, then shook her head. "I...I just need to see for myself he is alright." She pushed through the pair and went to the kitchen, forcing a smile on her face as she picked Vilia up from the ground before she could stick her hands into the bowl of scraps Karra had put on the floor, ready for Hiril when she got home.

In what felt like no time at all, the group was in the entrance hall, waiting. Neither Dis nor Nyaunni would allow them to go outside, not until they heard everything was safe from Thorin's lips alone. In fact, the mountain, including the stables, were still shut up tight. Every door, gate, and entrance was sealed and only to be opened when the returning royal family was in speaking range. These were Nyaunni's specific orders, and Dis fully backed her up.

The majority of the guards who had left returned several hours ago with a full report, so they knew of how the battle went, but still, until Thorin was home, they felt better about keeping the mountain closed and Nori, Dori, and Gloin who were both overseeing the guards while Aeodhen and Dwalin were away, saw no harm in honoring that order from Nyaunni...who was quite coming into herself as the queen under the mountain.

Dis looked to her sister who was chasing Vilia around Orin, attempting to keep the toddler entertained while Vilia's older cousin kept giving her annoyed looks. Orin, was currently wringing his hands and staring at the door, trying to ignore the toddler who was laughing as she continued to circle him. He has not been himself since his brother was taken, the vibrancy and energy was replaced by tears and near silence. When he didn't eat for an entire day, Dis, who was already struggling herself, almost didn't know what to do.

So she did the only thing she could think of, and made every sweet, treat, and food Orin loved in hopes to tempt him to eat something. It didn't work. Instead, the dwarfling crawled up into Dis's lap when she sat at the table at a loss of what to do, and he cried in her arms. Through sniffles and tears, she finally got out of him that he, like her, blamed himself for his younger twin going out. Naufi had told him what he was doing, and he didn't do anything to stop him. Finli too took a lot of blame on himself for not having the foresight his trouble seeking younger brother would do something like this.

It was not until they got word Naufi was safe and alright, that Orin perked up a bit and began eating again. Finli was still a bit reserved, but Dis wasn't really as worried about her eldest grandbaby as she was for his younger brother who refused to eat. Pair him with Ithtiri, combined with Naufi missing, Vin's injury, and only having small pieces of intel about what was happening in the forest...and this last month has been nothing but trying for all the adults in the family.

"Nan, can you please tell Orin to lighten up?" Karra huffed after Orin snapped at her when she was chatting at him unceasingly forcing him to break his focus on the door ahead. Orin had Kili's temper which meant he could take a lot, but when he was overwhelmed or under stress, he tended to be more volatile. Naufi was the opposite, and rarely got angry even while stressed. It was a wonder to see two beings who were exact copies outwardly, be so different temperament wise. When it comes to finding trouble though, the two were just as identical inside as they were out.

"Leave him alone Karra." Tarrah said, understanding how stressed Orin has been.

"My queen, they are nearly to the bridge, do we have your permission to release the locks?" Braundee asked Nyaunni, who nodded.

"Go ahead and open the gate, Braundee. Thank you."

"My queen." Braundee bowed and ran to tell the guards, and soon the hall was filled with the sound of the massive, heavy, copper and steal door being hefted open. They all had to turn away when a blast of cold and snow blew into the entranceway they were all standing, Dis turning away just enough to protect Ithtiri who was still whimpering in her arms.

Yet when the muffled sound of hooves clacking across the snowy bridge was heard, they all turned back eagerly waiting to see who would ride in first.

"DA!" Dissah yelled out when Fili came racing into the mountain, jumping off Kit just in time to catch all three of his girls who tackled him to the ground.

Fili's laughter rang through the air as he held his girls close. "You're alright! Where's mama?" Karra asked as she clung to her father. She eyed the warg who trotted in next, his fur whitened by the snow clinging to it. He snorted then shook himself until all the snow flung off to the ground around him. "Who's that?" She then asked.

"Of course I am alright, and that, is Dungael. We are sort of stuck with him." Fili chuckled and kissed her hair, rolling his eyes when Dungael came over and began sniffing at the three small dams who giggled when he licked each of them. "And your mam is coming." He looked up at Tarrah and Vin. "She rode with Kili and Tauriel in the wagon." He glanced at Vin's hand but Vin waived him off before he could ask.

"I will be fine, Fili. Nothing life threatening, just a bit life changing." Vin said softly. "I am glad you are home."

Thorin was next to come riding in with Dwalin beside him. Dwalin didn't say much, he just muttered something to Thorin as he jumped off his pony and ran up towards the medical wing. Thorin ground his jaw, his eyes flashing to Nyaunni, though before he could even dismount a small voice called to him.

"POP! POP! POP!" Vilia giggled as she let her father go and raced to her grandfather, her little arms up and her hands opening in closing in anticipation as she chanted, "Uppy, up, up, up, pop!"

Thorin chuckled as he slid off Rhya and threw the reigns over the saddle before he scooped Vilia up. "Kili is coming, Maryn threw a shoe just outside Dale so he stopped to unfasten her for the last leg. Naurfaer is with them as they had to hook Elenath up to the cart. Mahal that storm is getting bad."

"Oh no!" Kilion cried. "Is Maryn gonna to be okay?"

"Oh, she'll be fine little lion." Fili said to his nephew "As soon as she gets to the mountain, your da will make sure she gets a new set of shoes. Its pretty treacherous out there, I am surprised we didn't break any wheels on that cart or have more issues than we did."

While the others were gathered around Thorin and Fili, Orin was at the door, staring out at the raging blizzard hitting the lands when Finli, once again holding Ithtiri, came over to stand beside his brother. She had been reaching out to him again so he took her from his nan who was currently embracing her eldest son. "Do you see them Orin?" He knew the answer, considering he couldn't see anything but the wall of snowflakes pouring down from the sky, though he still asked anyway.

"No." Orin sighed, looking at his sister who still had tears falling down her red cheeks. He reached up and brushed a tear away as it fell. "Mama and da will be here soon, Tiri. You'll see."

The four-month-old's chin wobbled, and she once again began to wail while Finli stared off into the distance. He felt a hand clutch at his tunic and he looked down to see Kilion who leaned against Finli but stared ahead as well.

"Should we have them come inside? It is frigid." Nyaunni asked after Thorin ordered a guard to get the horses to the stable. He also told the guards to let the stable hands know it is alright to resume their normal operations outside the mountain once the blizzard passes.

Thorin eyed his grandsons and shook his head. "They look well layered and are still inside; the danger has passed for the time being." He sighed when Vilia tugged on his braids, a headache forming from a mix between his granddaughter pulling on his hair, and the stiffness he has from riding all day after sleeping on a sofa with Naufi. There was also the sound of Ithtiri's cries grating on him, but knowing Tauriel and Kili were coming, he knew there was no point in expending useless energy in trying to calm her. She will be fine soon. "How's Dis?" He asked so quietly, he had to lean into Nyaunni's ear for her to hear it.

Nyaunni nodded her head to his sister who had moved to stand with Kili's children just outside the gate and took the screaming infant for no other reason but to tuck Ithtiri into her furs to protect her from the outside elements. "She blames herself, as does Orin." Nyaunni took Vilia who reluctantly released her hold on Thorin but quickly squirmed and kicked until Nyaunni put her down. "Use your words, Vilia." The dam admonished with a small laugh.

"NO!" Vilia huffed but ran to her father who was finally on his feet.

"Little goblin." Nyaunni grumbled, shaking her head. "How is Tauriel, Thorin?"

Thorin ground his jaw, the look on his face saying more than he needed. With just that singular expression, she had her answer. Clearly not well. Still he pulled her back so half-elven ears could not hear. They will see soon enough. "We made if half way before she broke. Kili stopped the cart and had to force her to take a draught that put her into a shallow rest. She...her pain was so severe she could barely speak. But the snow had already started so we were forced to decide to go back, camp where we stopped, or to push on and hope the maker will have mercy on Tauriel. She begged us to keep going, and Kili relented, allowing it IF she took what Ivethin gave her."

"Makers beard. Did it help?"

"A fair bit. She did fall asleep. But I don't think anyone could sleep through what is happening out there, Nya." Thorin glanced out the door, seeing the flakes escaping into the grand entranceway only to melt into building puddles of water on the floor. He will have to have that cleaned up. "She is in more pain than she is letting on. I sent Dwalin up to get Oin, I want her looked at the moment she arrives and told him to bring whatever he has to help with her pain. He knows she is nursing, so he will make sure whatever he brings will be safe."

As he said it, Oin came jogging into the room with Borrack, the latter carrying a crate with several bottles tinkling as he ran. "Fer once...jus' once...can they both come home without any injuries!" Oin huffed as he stopped. He didn't bother putting his horn over his ear, he either wasn't expecting an answer, or he didn't care to hear one.

Borrack chuckled but Oin shot him a look. "Yeh can laugh, bu' one day when I retire they can be yer problem. I'm gettin' too old to deal with their stubbornness. How far out are they?"

"THEY'RE COMING!" Orin yelled excitedly and was about to run into the blizzard if Finli hadn't acted fast and grabbed his brother by the shirt to keep him in place.

"Not so fast, Orin." Finli rolled his eyes. "Remember, we have to stay here. You'll get run over if you go out there."

Orin glared at Finli and folded his arms and sulked, but remained where he was. Which was good, because Dis nearly had ordered him back inside. Instead, she resecured her arms around Ithtiri who must sense her mother was nearby because her cries somehow got louder and she was wiggling so much Dis had to hold her firmly to keep her from slipping to the ground.

"Shhh. Your mama's almost here." Dis chanted to the now sobbing infant.

It was maybe seconds later Bofur guided the cart into the entrance way, Galaddal snorting as he shook off the snow on his back while Elenath pawed at the ground. Behind the cart Maryn was tied, one of her hooves raised as if she didn't wish to put her weight on it.

"NAUFI!" Orin yelled when he saw his brother looking over the side of the cart. He immediately ran and used his momentum to climb up the wheel and into the wagon to hold his twin close. "You stupid git." He cried as he held his twin brother who embraced him just as tightly.

"Language, Orin." Dis admonished from the ground, her heart filled to the brim with happiness to see her grandson with her own eyes.

When Dis went around the back of the cart to retrieve him, ignoring Maryn who nudged her and nipped at her furs, she froze when she saw Kili in the back, holding tightly to Tauriel who had her eyes shut firmly and tears streaming down her face. She was so pale, Dis thought she looked like death. "Great hammers of the ancestors!" With wide eyes she watched as Oin wasted no time in jumping into the cart all signs of the years he has seen gone as he went right to the rigid elf who was gripping Kili's hand and pressing her face into his neck.

"Her pain has reached past its tolerance." Kili said through clenched teeth, a hand running through her hair as he tried to sooth her mentally and physically. He had sweat pouring down his brow, a clear indication he was feeling everything she was, and just how bad her pain levels were. "Oin do you have anything that can help? She took what Ivethin gave her but it seems to have worn off." He closed his eyes, shaking his head. "We should have stayed in Mirkwood longer."

"Mama?" Orin said pulling away from Naufi as if he just realized his mother for the first time. "Da, what's wrong with mama?"

Naufi looked away, as if ashamed, as if he didn't want to hear the answer that involved him in large part. It hurt him to know his mother was injured retrieving him. They didn't blame him, but they should. "She was shot by an arrow." Naufi whispered to Orin knowing his father was too preoccupied with his mama to answer. "A Nazgul arrow."

Orin's eyes widened but the twins stood back and remained out of the way from Oin so he had room to work.

Just beside them Naurfaer crouched on Kili's other side, his face lined with worry as his eyes didn't move from his granddaughter. He peaked over the side of the cart to see Finli and Kilion, both moving closer and stopped them. "Stay there just a moment, Fin, this may take a bit of time."

Finli nodded, holding Kilion back despite the little dwarfling fighting a bit to get free. Fin whispered something to his youngest brother who looked up at him with watering eyes, though he did stop and remain where he was.

"Let's see wha' I can do." Seeing Tauriel for himself and just how uncomfortable she looked, the old healer just could not bring himself to berate her. He can lecture her when she is feeling better, but right now his job is to help her, not scold her. He pressed a hand to her head, and tsked. She was frozen. "Alright lassie. We need teh get ya warm. Good job Kili, for sharin' yer heat, bu' she is still too cold fer my likin'." He was already told what had happened, and received a personal message from Ivethin herself who gave him the recipe for the elven pain blocker. It was easy enough and Oin already made a point to make some which appears to have been the right choice. "Before I decide where teh put ya, are yeh bleedin' anywhere? Did yer wound re-open?"

"O..." Was all she could get out so Oin looked to Kili who shook his head. Naurfaer took the moment to take a step back, but remained close in case he was needed, his lips pierced as he let Kili answer for Tauriel.

"Nowhere we can see. I don't think she tore any of her stitches. It's just sharp and burning." Kili pulled away her coat and opened it enough to see her wound in the front of her chest which was the worst of the three, it looked red and inflamed but the stitches were still keeping it shut. He gently maneuvered her to see the ones at her back but it looked perfect so he shook his head once more. "They all appear to be fine, but her chest is inflamed. It's not bleeding though."

"Mmm." Oin hummed as he gestured to Borrack. "Pass me tha' blue vial, lad." It only took a second for the other healer to do as he requested and soon Oin was uncorking the bottle and handing it to Kili. "Good thing Ivethin gave me a heads up tha' yeh may need this. She even mentioned yeh don' like it but yer pain won' go anywhere soon and my primary concern is gettin' tha' under control. So if yeh won' willingly drink this...I'll have Kili pour it down yer throat." He said the last bit with only a mild warning, but a soft chuckle was evidence he was at least half teasing.

Tauriel looked up at Oin, then her daughters cries had her gulping the entire bottle down before she tried to leave Kili who had to catch her when her legs gave out the moment she attempted to stand.

"Hey now." Kili said gently while both Naufi and Orin dropped to their knees to peer at their mother.

"Mama." Orin said and Tauriel turned towards him, a smile growing on her lips as she reached a hand out to him.

"My...Orin." She breathed as Orin nodded and placed her hand on his cheek. He shivered at how cold his mother was, goosebumps rising on his skin where her fingers rested. She looked him over, her eyes going to the bump as worry filled her expression.

"It's just a bump, I'm not hurt." Orin said before she could say anything. "Are you alright, mama?" He asked, looking her over. He was young, but he was no babe. He could see that she did not look well at all.

Tauriel opened her mouth, but the words could not come so she turned pleadingly to Kili who sighed. "Your mam is injured, and it was a hard journey from Mirkwood to Erebor. Once we get her warmed and settled...I think she will be alright." He smiled at his son then glanced at Tauriel who gave him another pleading look. "She missed you, and loves you."

"We all missed her. Very much." Orin said. "And you too da." He added then looked to his mother. "I love you mama." He said as she smiled again and ran her thumb over his cheek then pulled away only to try and stand once more as Ithtiri's cries seemed to get even louder, but her legs failed her yet again and she cried out in frustration more than anything.

Naurfaer rolled his eyes and sighed. Tauriel was twice as stubborn as her mother, Ithildin. He should have known this wasn't going to be easy, Oin may have to sedate her to keep her from killing herself...and Naurfaer was borderline condoning it. Fortunately for all of them, Oin knew how to handle her, and what to give her that would help her pain but was safe for both her and Ithtiri. Unfortunately...Tauriel will still be making this difficult without being medicated.

"Tell him I want my daughter and my sons." Tauriel cried to Kili through their bond, unable to speak at the moment, and Kili translated to Naurfaer at her bidding. She was already feeling the medicine Oin gave her taking the edge off, if only her body would cooperate with what she wants.

"And you will see them Starlight, but injuring yourself further will only make things worse. Let's get out and set you down, then you can see Ithtiri, okay?" Naurfaer tried to reason with her, and for once, she seemed to consider him.

Kili hummed, the sound resonating through Tauriel, calming her even more. "You know he is right, amralime." He said softly. "You hear her, and I know you are eager to get to her. But killing yourself in the process is not an option. If I have to restrain you myself, Tauriel, I will."

Tauriel pierced her lips but nodded slowly while Oin just watched with a raised brow. He was more than used to dealing with both of them when injuries are involved and he's learned it was a waste of breath to order them about...they will do whatever they want regardless of what HE says. It was nice to see Kili taking control over this situation because he was sure anything he tells her will go in one of her pretty pointed ears, and out the other.

Though he did jump from the cart as Nyaunni pulled Maryn away, passing her to a somewhat reluctant guard who was ordered to take the not so happy horse to the stable. With a bit of help from Nyaunni's gift, she calmed Maryn enough for the mare to be taken to her stall. She and Kili will likely both have to be there to reshoe her, but she should be fine until Kili gets Tauriel settled. Great Mahal she looks worse than Nyaunni had anticipated, and one look at Dis and she knew her husbands sister was shocked and not a little bet angry she was clearly kept from the truth.

"Tauriel?" Dis asked quietly, handing the wailing Ithtiri to Thorin who came to help. "What...what's happened? Thorin?"

"Let's get Tauriel out and settled, then I am sure we will get the entire story." Nyaunni said, not giving away she knew exactly what had happened but hopefully putting an end to Dis's question.

"We will talk about it later, Dis." Thorin's voice leaving no room for argument.

As he spoke, Naurfaer was unlatching the back of the cart and jumping down so he could assist from the ground. The cart was not that high, but there was a bit of a drop for someone in Tauriel's situation. "Kili, slide to the end, I think between the two of us, we can get her on her feet. That sound alright to you, starlight?"

"I will do whatever gets me to the rest of my children fastest." She said to Kili through their bond as she ground her jaw then allowed Kili to lift her off her feet as he walked to the end of the cart then set her down so she was sitting with her legs dangling off the end.

"Mama!" Kilion called when he saw her first, however, Finli still held him back as Naurfaer helped her down then to her frustration, lifted her into his own arms then set her down on one of the stone benches set against the wall. Oin followed her, as did Thorin who held Ithtiri who had finally seen her mother and was currently reaching out to Tauriel both mentally and physically.

"My baby." Tauriel breathed and held her hands out for her daughter. Both Tauriel and Ithtiri had tears falling down their faces, Tauriel because she missed her infant and Ithtiri because she wanted her mother.

"Amralime." Kili sighed as he took his sobbing daughter from his uncle who immediately turned to go back to the cart where his sister stood staring at Naufi who had his head bowed in shame.

"Naufi." Dis whispered as his emerald eyes met hers. So identical the twins were normally, so much so, even after sixteen years, there were days Dis had to rely on what they wore to tell them apart. Of course, Tauriel and Kili had no issues whatsoever thanks to their bond to the children, but the rest of the family did not have such abilities and did occasionally mix the pair up.

Yet...before her...stood a dwarfling who was so much thinner than he normally was, and the spark in his emerald eyes that usually was a beacon of joy, was dimmed to almost nothing. "Naufi?"

"Hi nan." Naufi said so quietly she almost didn't hear. He remained where he was, as if he was afraid to go to her, but she let out a cry and climbed up into the cart on her knees then gathered him into her arms as she proceeded to kiss every part of his head she could reach.

Dis cried as she held him almost too tightly. "I. Am. Furious. With you Naufi!" She said as she held him close. "So FURIUS." She pulled away to look him over, her hands checking him for any kind of physical wounds, marring, or bruises but she found none.

"I'm sorry nan." Naufi said with great big tears falling from his emerald eyes. "Please don't hate me." His voice was so quiet, Dis barely heard it, but it jolted her all the same.

"HATE YOU?!" Dis exclaimed as she pulled back. "What kind of things did they say to you, my Naurfaer, to ever make you believe I could even come close to hating my little troublemaker? Do I want to throttle you? You better believe it. But hate you? Never. Never, ever, ever." She pulled him to her once more and rocked him back and forth. "I was so afraid, Naufi. So very, very afraid, I had lost you for good." Tears fell down her face as she clung to him.

"So...you don't hate me?" Naufi asked as if he needed her to say it one more time.

Dis sat back, holding him at arms length as she looked him resolutely in the eye. "No, Naufi. I am allowed to be angry, but still love and cherish you. It is because of that love that has me so furious. We cannot live without you, I cannot live without you. So I need you to understand that though we may be angry at the situation, and what you did, I could never be angry enough to not love you. Okay?"

Naufi just fell back into her arms and held her tightly. "I am so sorry nan. I promise...I won't do that again."

"You better not." Dis sighed into his hair. "Let's go see your mama, okay?" She brushed some of Naufi's hair out of his face as she pulled away, then looked up at Orin who nodded before together, they slid off the cart and walked towards their mother and father. Naufi glanced over his shoulder at his uncle and cousins huddled together, but he wanted to see his other two brothers before he sees his cousins and they all seemed preoccupied anyway. Probably with the baby.

His aunt had slipped out of the cart almost the moment they stopped and ran to her daughters. He smiled a bit at their reunion as he was guided to where his family was standing around their mother.

Ithtiri had quieted down a fair bit for her father and Kili kissed her brow as he smiled at his sons who were huddled together until Orin and Naufi joined them with Dis, who had each of their hands in hers. He sighed as he realized just how much weight Naufi had lost which was far more noticeable now that he was standing close to his twin. He is sure now that they are home, his son will eat again. The stress was one thing, but Naufi also did not like the elven food. Not that Kili blamed him, he was not a fan of it either and was really looking forward to getting something to eat here in his own home.

"I want my daughter, Kili." Tauriel all but growled to Kili who rolled his eyes once more.

"Alright, alright, she's right here." Kili cleared the distance between them just as Oin was pulling away and wrapping a blanket Borrack handed him around Tauriel's shoulders.

"Well, me main concern is how cold yeh still are. Bu' I am goin' teh be watchin' that wound in the front...looks a bit too pink fer my likin'. It will need to be cleaned, as the las' thing yeh need is fer it to fester. We will clean it once we get ya to yer room, an' double check them stitches and yeh should be alright. At least ya will be, if yeh can manage teh let yer body heal."

"I...want...my daughter...and my sons." Tauriel finally said out loud. She was quite proud of herself for saying it without her teeth chattering. She was so, so cold but at least her pain levels were falling. Still, why wouldn't her body warm up? The mountain was warm, she could feel it, yet her body was not taking to the heat at all. She was chilled to the bone.

"A warm bath." Dis finally said softly. "She needs a warm bath...if it is safe for her to do so." She had caught a glimpse of Tauriel's wound, that was no minor injury. Her daughter had a wound that clearly had been a gaping hole at some point...yet nobody told her. Some one will be answering for that soon, but right now, she had a daughter to see to.

Stopping a guard who passed by, Dis ordered him to send up someone to both make sure the fireplaces are well attended to in order to keep Kili and Tauriel's suites warm and to draw her a bath that wasn't too hot. She knew enough to not want to put her daughter into shock. They will have to gradually warm her up. She looks weak as it is...not that she would ever say that to Tauriel. But she will remind her son who will likely be the one to attend to her.

Kili nodded his thanks to his mam as his sons looked up at him as if asking permission to go to Tauriel.

"Can we see mama now, da?" Kilion asked with his wide blue eyes staring in his mother's direction.

"Come here my darling." Tauriel said softly as Kilion sobbed out for her and ran, though he slowed his momentum and fell to his knees as he cried into her lap. Finli shuffled his feet but stayed where he was just watching with Orin and Naufi. Kili thought nothing of it as he placed Ithtiri in Tauriel's waiting arms. He didn't step back until Tauriel gave him the okay, that she could handle it.

"I am alright, meleth nin. But can you help me?" She gestured to her top then the blanket and Kili understood. She was going to feed their daughter right here, and right now.

"If you think you can, then of course, amralime." Kili managed to help pull down her layers while keeping her decent using the blanket she had wrapped around her, and Tauriel let out a heavy sigh as her daughter latched on and the pressure she has not been able to keep away, melted to nothing while her daughter immediately began to drink greedily.

"She is too thin." Tauriel said directly to Kili, her eyes taking in every line, curve, and dimple in her daughter's face that she could see. She couldn't say it out loud, not because of the pain she was experiencing which she will gladly take to feed her daughter, but because she didn't want to come off as ungrateful or insinuate Dis and Nyaunni neglected her infant. She knew they did everything they could for her but Ithtiri stubbornly refused the bottle until she could not wait for food any longer. So naturally, she leaned out.

Well, Tauriel is back, and so her daughter should be putting weight back on as she begins to eat regularly again.

"I know, amralime. But otherwise she feels alright. How are you feeling? Is this too much for you?"

Tauriel looked up at Kili and gave him a soft smile. "I am alright. This pain, I can handle. More than anything, I am cold."

Kili nodded. "Mam is having a bath drawn for you. We will get you warmed up."

"Thank you." Tauriel hummed through their connection as she turned to her other sons who were standing a few feet away. "Finli, my star, are you well?"

Finli nodded slowly but both Tauriel and Kili knew something was off. "Fin?" Kili asked placing a hand on his eldest sons shoulder. "What's the matter?"

The dwarfling who was Kili's copy in nearly every way broke down, and Kili immediately pulled him close. "I'm sorry da." Finli said against his fathers chest.

"Whatever for Fin?" Kili said as he tightened his arms around his shaking son.

"I should have protected Naufi." Was Fin's quiet response. "You told me I was in charge, and I failed."

Kili scowled and pushed Finli away while Orin came to stand beside Finli, tears cascading down his face as well. "I am at fault too da."

"What's this about?" Tauriel said quietly, still holding Ithtiri while Naurfaer cocked his head to the side, looking just as confused as Kili and Tauriel. "Because I certainly did not just hear what I thought I heard." She gave her two elder sons a calculating look, she could tell Kili was pulling more of her pain away as it was getting easier to talk. Or maybe, whatever Oin gave her was helping. "Why would you even think such a thing my star?"

"I have asked the same more than once while you were away." Dis said quietly. "The fault is mine. I am so, so sorry my darlings. I should have minded him better."

While they argued about who was at fault, Naufi stood a few feet away, his head low as he shuffled his feet. "Naufi, come here." Tauriel said softly to her son who moved to sit beside his mother. If her hands were not occupied, she would pull him close, but he seemed to understand that and simply rested his head against her arm.

Kili, however, turned to his elder sons and cupped their faces tenderly. "Neither of you did anything wrong. In fact, I am so proud of both of you for holding it together for your cousins and your brother and sister. Your inner strength is what the family needed." He looked at both of them and pulled them into his arms. "You did the best you could, and that is all I could ever ask of any of you. Trust me, we can't control what our siblings do." He chuckled.

"HEY!" Fili yelled out from where he was kneeling on the ground with Vilia sitting on his knee. "I heard that. That is advice I should be telling them, not you, baby brother. You're the one who always got us into trouble."

Kili grinned and shrugged. "Does it matter whose mouth it's from?"

"Not really. We all know YOU are the problem child, Ki." Fili snickered from across the hall.

"You both had your moments." Dis folded her arms, one brow lifted as her eyes went from her eldest to her youngest. Before she could say anything more, however, a small cry hit the dams ears, and for the first time she noticed a tiny bundle in Viltarra's arms, Taurion having been swaddled and strapped to Viltarra's chest under her furs and tunics for the last leg of their journey to keep him warm and protected from the heavy winds and snows that pelted them for nearly four straight hours of their journey. "And what is this?" She asked. "Or should I ask, who, is this?"

Fili took his son from Viltarra and placed him in his mothers arms, his daughters having just been cooing at the baby. When Viltarra climbed down from the cart earlier, his girls had instantly surrounded their mother like moths to a flame. Then when she had removed Taurion from where he was strapped to her, Tarrah squealed with delight and took the bundled-up infant before Viltarra could even say who he was.

"Are you alright gem?" Vin stepped around Tarrah, glancing at the bundle then to the cart where Oin had been just climbing up into…he thinks to see to Tauriel…but wanting to see to his daughter first before he went to see who Oin was looking over. He had heard Tauriel was injured, he just didn't know how severely. "Did everything go well in Rhun?"

Viltarra nodded and wrapped her arms around her father. "It was difficult, but we got through it and made it home safe. The Avari give their greetings." She pulled away and looked at his hand. "How are you feeling, da?"

Vin chuckled. "Oh you know, I need a hand now and again...which is all well and good because I just have the one now." He grinned wide and Viltarra rolled her eyes good naturedly.

"Well your humor is intact." She laughed.

"I will be fine gem. It is just, a lot of adjusting." Vin sighed and Viltarra saw the crack in his armor, the frustration and discomfort he felt but didn't want to show. She wrapped her arms around him again, not saying anything. She just let her father hold her while Fili looked over each one of his girls before lifting Vilia up so she could see the swaddled infant in Tarrah's arms.

When Viltarra pulled away, she took her son back from her mother and squatted down so her elder girls could get their first glimpse of Taurion, Fili kneeling just beside her still holding Vilia.

"Is this him?" Karra had said excitedly. "It is isn't it? Our brother? I knew it. I was right! I told you I wasn't making it up; I told you it wasn't a dream!"

Dissah rolled her eyes. "Says the one who also believes there's a creature living in the waters deep in the mountain flowing from Erebor."

"Because there is! His name is Horvehn, and his favorite food is honey candies." Karra said.

"Honey candies are YOUR favorite food. Where does he get them and just how does a creature living under the water eat honey candies anyway?" Dissah folded her arms. "They would dissolve before it could eat them."

"Well, he lets them melt then drinks the water around it like tea...and I have never asked where he gets them." Karra said sticking her tongue out at her sister.

"Do you hear yourself?" Dissah grumbled rolling her blue eyes at her sister. She, like her elder sister, inherited the Durin blue eyes. Though unlike Karra whose hair was all her mothers with its thick honey-colored waves falling down her shoulders, Dissah's was more like her fathers with its loose curls and slightly darker undertones. "How are you the older one?" Fili's second oldest muttered to herself.

"Karra, Dissah..." Fili said sternly, the two girls looking up at their father who was lifting a brow.

"Da, tell Karra there is no monster in the waters under Erebor." Dissah huffed clearly not ready to give up.

"There is so!" Karra growled.

Chuckling, Nyaunni turned away from the cart for a moment to address the arguing dams. "You know, our mountain has many mysteries she keeps tucked away for us to find. There very well could be a creature living in the heated waters...and why not name him or her Horvehn." She gave them a smile then turned her attention back to getting Tauriel out and to her children.

"See! I told you so." Karra said to her sister, snickering at her younger sister who scowled.

"Gam didn't say there WAS. She only said there could be." Dissah narrowed her eyes and folded her arms while Viltarra held back a laugh.

Fili rolled his eyes. He should be telling them to stop, but honestly, he was enjoying listening to the banter he missed. Besides, siblings will argue, he and Kili do it even as adults. If it got out of hand, he would step in, but for now, he couldn't help himself but feel the joy fill him knowing he was home with his girls again...even if they were bickering.

"Are you two finished now?" Viltarra asked patiently, her mother shaking her head disapprovingly as she now stood beside Vin, her arm wrapped around his good arm as she watched, curiously waiting for her daughter to make introductions.

Once her elder daughters nodded, Viltarra smiled then looked at Karra. "I do not know how you knew, but yes Karra."

"Wait...so we do have a brother?" Dissah asked surprised but in awe, her blue eyes going from her mother to her father who nodded. Behind them, Tarrah gasped, her hand covering her mouth as she looked at the infant again.

"You weren't...you couldn't have been..." Tarrah asked in shock, wondering if somehow Viltarra had been pregnant when she left and just didn't know it. But that was impossible. She would have been showing if she was, and Oin himself said she could never carry again.

Viltarra shook her head. "No mam, I wasn't pregnant."

"Then...who?" The elder dam leaned over her granddaughters to look at the infant again. Viltarra hesitated a moment, then lifted the hat Taurion was wearing to keep his little head and ears warm, and the group got their first real look at the tiny elf.

"An elf?" Tarrah said in shock while Vin just smiled wide.

"Oh!" Karra said excitedly. "Oh look at his cute little ears." She cooed. It was the same moment Fili lifted his head hearing his brother talking to Fin and Orin. He rolled his eyes and clearly reminded Kili who, of the two of them, was more trouble. The shadow of his mother fell over him when Taurion, who just woke to see himself surrounded by unfamiliar faces, let out an unhappy cry.

Fili took him and placed him in his mother's arms then turned from her and hoisted Vilia up once more. "We have news, but I think I want to share it in a more private setting." Fili glanced at the curious dwarves of Erebor stopping to watch the family, some whispering to each other before being ushered away by guards.

Viltarra nodded in agreement, frowning when she felt pressure build up in her head as Taurion's cries increased. She rubbed at her temple as Tauriel, who was still feeding Ithtiri glanced towards her sister, seeing her wincing in pain and guessing the true reason for the sour look. "You will get used to it, muinthel." The eleth said softly. "But I warn you against fighting it...the pain will only increase. Is he hungry?"

Viltarra sighed and nodded. "He was also asleep, and doesn't seem to like it when he gets woken up."

"Just like his father." Tauriel chuckled, then winced herself at the pain it brought before continuing with a small smile. "And mother I suppose as well." She added knowing Viltarra though better than Fili, was quite similar in her distain for being woken up.

Viltarra rubbed at her temples. "How do you manage it? There is just one in my head, you have five...and Kili."

This time Tauriel beamed feeling Ithtiri fall asleep in her arms. With a silent request and help from her mate, she was once again decent though she kept the warm blanket around her shoulders as she thought of how to answer. "First, if you must know, only Kilion and Ithtiri are in the phases where they still use the parental bond." Tauriel smiled down at Kilion who still had his head resting on her thigh, though he was staring at his father who held both Naufi and Orin in his arms. Tauriel shook her head. A few more years and they will be too big for that.

Shaking her head, Tauriel looked back at her sister who moved to be closer to her so Tauriel did not have to raise her voice anymore to speak. They would have to get her upstairs, but at the moment, they remained in the hall while Oin and Borrack waited patiently for them to go up to the suites.

Kilion had not moved an inch from her since he ran to her. Tauriel smiled down at him but he just gripped her leg tighter, as if he was afraid she would disappear. Her poor sensitive little lion was overwhelmed by their return. He will need some time to reset and he will be fine. She removed a hand from Ithtiri to run through his ebony locks.

"The pressure can be difficult to manage at times..." Tauriel continued turning her eyes to Viltarra once more. "But overall it makes things so much easier and takes a lot of guess work out of the early years." She smiled. "You will always know if it is hunger, exhaustion, or they just need a changing. Teething though..." Tauriel shuddered. "That is a whole different headache and one that does not go away until they are through it."

"Do you feel that pain?" Viltarra asked a bit nervously.

But Tauriel shook her head. "Not pain per-say...it is more of an uncomfortable pressure. The only pain I feel that is not my own, is Kili's." She glanced at her husband who was laughing brightly at something Finli must have said because her eldest son's eyes twinkled merrily while Naufi and Orin giggled in Kili's arms. This was what true joy looked like. "Though there are other pains. When one is so connected to a life, they cannot help but feel echoes of things. Happiness, sadness, anger...fear." She let her eyes linger on Naufi who had his head now laying on Kili's shoulder.

"But it is not like feeling my own emotions, or Kili's. It is difficult to describe." Tauriel continued. "I suppose it is like knowing someone so well, you just can tell by looking at them what they feel...but in a mental way...if that makes sense. I am sorry muinthel, I fear I am not explaining this very well. I feel a bit muddled right now, so I hope I am not just making this more confusing."

"Tha' would be the draught." Oin chuckled. "Goin' teh make yeh a bit loopy, but take away yer pain. I may have added a few things ta Ivethin's recipe tha' cater more towards our people. Might jus' put this in me old book as it looks like it is workin' well."

Tauriel scowled, glancing down at her infant who was currently lost to the world, than to Oin. He read the look though and rolled his eyes, not bothering to even put his horn up. "Don' give me tha' look. I may no' be as old as yeh are, bu' I have been a healer a long time. Tha' won' hurt the tiny lass. It is safe teh take and nurse."

Tauriel narrowed her eyes, then nodded. "Thank you, Oin. I do indeed feel much better than I did moments ago. I just do not like my mind being all..."

"Slow?" Fili said with a smile. "Now you know how Ki feels when he drinks."

"Oi. I can hold my ale just fine." Kili huffed.

"Of course you can, baby brother." Fili said with a soft smile before he turned to his wife and mouthed. 'He can't'

Viltarra shook her head then turned back to her sister. "I understand, I think. You explained better than you know." She sighed. "I think he is overwhelmed, because he doesn't seem to want food or anything."

"This is all new to him, gem. He will adjust." Vin hummed, glancing at the infant, then at Tauriel. "Are you alright? We heard you were injured, but none of the missives we received gave any details."

"Let's get upstairs. We have a lot to discuss." Thorin said, cutting off any explanation. It wasn't that he was keeping anything from his people, however, this was more a family matter at the moment, and he knew how much Tauriel hated being the center of attention. "Natha, I think it would be best if someone carried you."

Tauriel scrunched her nose and glared at Thorin but he instantly cut off whatever argument she was about to say. "That was not meant to be worded as a suggestion, Tauriel. There are quite a few stairs up to the suites, and your body has gone through enough. Do you wish to be in pain again after Oin just got it under control?"

The eleth did not look pleased whatsoever but Thorin couldn't care less. He was tired of seeing the pain in her eyes and would much rather deal with her ire than watch her stubbornly cause her own misery.

Kili set his twins on the ground and moved to Tauriel, squatting down and placing a hand on her face. "Let us take care of you, amralime. Nobody here thinks you're weak in any way. You are one of the strongest people in this mountain."

"They are right, starlight." Naurfaer said, his arm draped over Dis's shoulders as she stood beside him. "As strong as a dwarf."

"But...auntie Tauri is an elf, not a dwarf." Dissah said looking from her aunt to her gamp who chuckled.

"Well...let's just say in a way, she's a bit of both. Alright, let's get this party upstairs." Naurfaer removed his arms and clapped his hands together. "You want me to carry you, starlight? Or Kili?"

Tauriel tried to sigh, but her chest was more than bit on the sore side at the moment so instead it came out as a short breath instead of a sigh. "Will you take Ithtiri, adar?"

"Of course, starlight." Naurfaer leaned down and as gently as he could, took the four-month-old from her mothers grasp. Tauriel watched almost forlornly as he stepped away, and it broke his heart just a bit. "You will have her back as soon as we get you warmed up and in bed, alright?"

Tauriel nodded but there was still one who was clinging so tightly to her, she was sure someone would have to pry him off. "My little lion." Tauriel said, running her fingers through his hair once more. "It will be alright."

"I don't want you to die." Kilion cried and turned his face into her lap.

Tauriel looked at Kili who almost felt like a shock ran through his system. He got a far off look, and Tauriel felt the semblance of a crack forming in his mind and she immediately stopped it before it could grow. Addressing both her husband and her youngest son, Tauriel tried her best to reassure them both she was alright. "I am not going anywhere. I am home now, my precious lion." She glanced up at Kili who looked away but nodded.

It was still difficult for him to think about the last few weeks, but he was getting better at both thinking and talking about it. It still impacted him though, and likely would until Tauriel was fully healed. He looked back at her and leaned forward to press his lips to her head. "I love you." Was all he said, and she grazed his cheek, nodding her head.

"I know. I love you. I am here, my Kili, and I don't plan on going anywhere."

"Let me help you up then?" Kili said, giving her a look he reserved just for her. The one that was all love, adoration, and awe. It was the one that made her heat from the inside out and for the first time, she didn't mind the bone deep chill she just could not get rid of as Kili burned through her. By the creators of Arda, she loved this dwarf.

As if in a trance and unable to speak, Tauriel simply nodded so Kili turned his attention to Kilion who still refused to let his mother go. "Hey." He said softly, opening his arms. Kilion hesitated a moment, then finally released Tauriel and let Kili gather him up. "It will be alright, okay? Your mam just needs a bit of looking after for the next little bit. That's all. Let's be strong for her, and help her out. What do you say?"

Kilion only nodded so Kili pressed his lips to his son's temple before he set him down then gently lifted Tauriel into his arms blanket and all. Mahal he could still feel how cold she was even through the layers. How she was not shivering or turning blue, he had no idea. Not that Tauriel didn't normally run cool, elves were naturally much cooler than dwarves in temperature. But she was borderline frigid. He needed to get her in a bath and warm her up before she got sick. That was the last thing she needed with a healing lung, to come down with any kind of illness.

As the family left the hall, Nyaunni glanced down at her side to see the unfamiliar warg sniffing her leg. He was curious about her, the intelligent beast seeming to sense her connection to his kind. He looked up at her and snorted, neither looking afraid nor confident in his surroundings.

"And just who, are you?" Nyaunni asked.

"Dungael." Fili sighed. "And apparently, he is ours now. We may have adopted him as well in Rhun."

"Oh, how lovely." Nyaunni smiled. "He is young, but has beautiful coloring. And he seems to be doing quite well for not knowing his surroundings. Likely because of Hiril, he sees how comfortable she is and is adapting through her. Fascinating, animals are." She eyed the larger warg who was licking Dissah's hand, the young dam giggling and wrapping her arms around the animal just a few inches taller than she was. Such a gentle creature, Hiril was for her size and breed. "Speaking of Hiril...now that you have a male who seems to be rather good tempered, are you thinking about breeding them?"

"Absolutely not!" Thorin growled. "I will not have a pack of wargs in my mountain. I already have dragons to deal with. Two wargs is more than enough."

Nyaunni rolled her eyes as she took her husbands arm and lifted her azure eyes up to his, batting them a few times as she smiled wide. "You love Dajnel and Uri, so enough of that. But, I think it would be a great advantage to raise wargs of our own, don't you think? Having our own team we train ourselves for battle and protection could be just what we need for the battles and wars to come."

"I am not going to win this, am I?" Thorin grumbled.

"Not at all." Nyaunni said sweetly, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Thorin glared down at her then huffed something about being the king, and Nyaunni snorted but kept her retort to herself. She'll of course discuss it with him later on in more depth, her, Viltarra, and Fili.

Nyaunni glanced at Dungael who was now looking around him before he sped up to walk beside Hiril. The female warg turned from Dissah and growled at Dungael, who got the message quite clear and slowed his pace to walk behind her. Nyaunni chuckled. It was quite clear who will be the alpha between those two. Considering he didn't fight her one bit, he was either much younger than he appears, or, he is just a docile creature.

Turning her attention back to the family as they walked, she couldn't help but feel worry sweep over her as her eyes fell on Kili's back as he carried Tauriel past the guards who nodded to the family before they all began to ascend the numerous steps to the suites. "Thorin, you said she was bad, but I had no idea just how bad she was."

Thorin hummed, his eyes shifting to his sister who was speaking to Naurfaer who had Ithtiri against his shoulder. She looked to be still asleep, and if he were to guess, will be asleep for quite some time. Tauriel took that draught Nyaunni had given her not two hours before they reached Erebor. It was very likely, as Ivethin had warned, Ithtiri would be effected by the draught should Tauriel nurse her. But a bit of extra sleep will be good for the little one. Even before Thorin had left, she was not getting the sleep she needed. Now she had both a full belly and her mother and father home along with a bit of a remedy to relax her body. If Ivethin said it is safe for the youngest member of their family, he trusted the elven healer.

Thorin paused in thought and looked over at the bundle Fili held. Maybe not the youngest anymore. Taurion was the youngest now, though not by much.

"Let me get the door dear." Dis said as she stepped ahead of the group. "Lets take her right to your room."

Kili didn't say anything, he just carried Tauriel through the main sitting room to the hall where most of the family suites were located. He did smile when Finli ran ahead getting the door and holding it open so Kili could come through. He glanced at the fire, feeling its warmth as he passed by, then at the tree like perch where both Kaw and Umyra were tucked into each other. He had no idea where their three little feathered offspring were, Duk, Sokki, and Feya; likely somewhere around the suite or up in the raven room. But he didn't really care much about that at the moment.

"Let me check if they got that bath running." Dis said, then paused. "I didn't even think to ask if you are able to bathe. I was never informed..." She narrowed her eyes at her brother. "...of the extent of your injuries." Dis looked back at Tauriel, who looked half asleep.

"I can bathe." She said, though her tone was almost questioning,

Oin, however, had a thing to say on the matter. "Quite the contrary with tha' wound. Bu' yeh need to warm up. I don' think yer anywhere near gettin frozen sickness, bu' I don' want yeh sick. Water below the chest wound only fer the time being and no gettin' tha' hair wet. As the water cools, drain a bit, then add hotter water slowly." He glanced at Tauriel, then Kili. "I know I am askin' a lot with this next suggestion..." Oin sounded apologetic but looked anything but. In fact, he had a smirk on his face and a teasing twinkle in his eyes as he continued. "...I think yeh should join' her laddie. I know...it may be difficult fer ya..."

"Say no more." Kili grinned broadly and went straight to he and Tauriel's private washroom.

Oin shook his head and chuckled. "Teh be young again."

"Oin, those two will be three-hundred years old and acting no differently." Fili said rolling his eyes.

"Uncle Fili, can I go in and help mama and da?" Kilion scowled when both his parents disappeared from his line of sight. They just got home, and now they are gone again.

"I bet you can help us get some food ready for them. But right now, I think your da can handle this bit." Viltarra jumped in and said before Fili opened his mouth and told the dwarfling who was not even ten something he did not need to hear. "As soon as they are out, I am sure you can see them again."

Kilion looked unsure, so Viltarra knelt to the ground and opened her arms. "How about I get a hug, hmm? I haven't gotten one yet from my favorite little lion." At that, Kilion did run to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I missed you, all of you." She said, looking at Orin and Finli as well.

"Missed you too auntie Viltarra." Kilion said softly. She knew he meant it, but she also knew he just wanted his mother and father. So instead of pushing him further to cheer up, she lifted him into her arms and decided to go to the kitchen to get something to eat. She had been sitting in a cart for over six hours, she needed to move and cooking up something light seemed to be the exact thing she needed right now. It would also double as a way to distract Kili and Tauriel's children who all followed her out.

Naurfaer, however, plopped down in a chair along with Thorin and Nyaunni, the dam patting the space beside her where Vilia crawled up then crawled into Thorin's lap where she happily sat. The other two girls followed their mother and cousins out of the room while Fili sat and took a deep breath.

"We have a lot to talk about." The crowned prince said after a moment of silence.

"We do." Thorin agreed. "Once Tauriel and Kili are out, we can decide what needs to be said tonight, and what can wait until everyone is well rested. Dis, do you wish to join us? Or are you going to the kitchen." He glanced at his sister, a look of amusement flitting cross his features at the dam who looked torn between following Viltarra where Naufi went, and going into the bathroom and attending to Tauriel.

After a moment of thought, Dis eventually chose to sit, though she looked as if she was about to jump up any moment. "Tauriel." She finally said. "Explain everything."

"I'd like teh know a bit more myself." Oin said. "Since I will be seein' teh her."

Thorin fingered his beard then sighed. None of the children were hear, so it was an ideal time to tell Dis. Viltarra can inform her parents. "We ran into Tauriel and Kili before we got to Dol Guldur." He thought about mentioning Tork, but he will let Tauriel explain the shifter. That would take up too much time. So he omitted that part for the moment. "Everything went better than expected. Kili and Tauriel were able to get in and get Naufi out with little issue. There was an uprising from within, which also involves Tauriel apparently...so I will let her explain that and a few more complicated parts of their adventure. She told me, but I am still wrapping my mind around it myself."

"Yes, yes. Very well." Dis said impatiently. "If she made it in and out...why does she look as if she is on deaths door!"

"I was getting to that, anai." Thorin grumbled, trying not to be short with his sister despite being bone tired and sore in more places than one. "For reasons relating to her mark, the Nazgul cannot touch Tauriel. And for this reason, one shot a shaft sized arrow through her chest as we were preparing to leave."

Dis gasped, her hands flying to her mouth and her eyes wide in horror. "No.." She said. "How...is she..."

"How did she survive?" Thorin grunted. "By all means she should not have considering a rare few live through such injuries. There is much to be said about her will to live and inner strength. It was not an easy battle though on any account. It also did not help the secondary healer in Mirkwood, by accident it seems, gave Tauriel a lethal dosage of a draught meant for the eldar to help them sleep through their healing process. You will have to write Ivethin for the specifics. But it appears Tauriel's body is unable to handle such things anymore."

"It's because she is no longer a full elf." Naurfaer said nonchalantly, adjusting Ithtiri in his arms. "Well...that's not exactly true." He said after a second. "She is a full elf, but her biology is just a tiny bit different after her..." He paused and glanced at Oin. It isn't that they didn't trust the healer, the opposite in fact. But it was a family kept secret what happened, so he opted not to say she was different after her spell in Valinor and instead said, "...after she bound herself to Kili and gave up her immortality. The more her mortality takes a hold of her, the more some things she once was once able to do or take, are now out of the question. It began with her sleep cycles, an elf her age should be able to stay awake several days to a week without needing rest. Yet Tauriel cannot go more than a day. I have no desire to test if she is gaining a resistance to morning glory's but it is clear she is sensitive to elven draughts the same way you or the humans would be. So little things. I doubt she will ever sprout facial hair or have an internal heater as the dwarven people do, but some parts of her, we have to accept, will forever be changed."

"Mahal, that is complicated. Is tha' always wha' it is when yer people bond with mortals?" Oin asked curiously.

Naurfaer shrugged. "Not really. Immortality is not something so easily given up. Let's just say, what Tauriel did...in the way she bonded to Kili…has only happened a handful of times in all of history, if that. In fact, the tale of Luthien and Beren is the closest to Kili and Tauriel's situation I can think of. Beren was a human, and Luthien and elf of high standings. Her love for Beren was so great, she gave her immortality up to share his fate. There are many, many differences in their story's but at least the one part is similar. Most just fade or eventually take the journey to Valinor at the end of their mates life, when they are ready. This circumstance is most unique and likely will not be seen again in this age or the next."

"Are you saying..." Dis said with eyes wide with fear. "...that we nearly lost Tauriel not just to a wound, but to something an elven healer did?"

"Not purposely by any means in regards to Marawen...but yes." Naurfaer eyed the dam he respected deeply. "Marawen never meant to hurt Tauriel. What she did, was what any elven healer would have done if they were treating someone they have known their entire life. Marawen had known Tauriel since she arrived in Mirkwood, treated her as an infant, yet has not been privy to her current situation. She errored, and yes it nearly cost Tauriel's life, but I believe it was unintentional. Marawen did what she could to save Tauriel. It was just the wrong treatment for her."

"Aye, healers are no' gods or creators. We make mistakes as any other. Apparently so do elves. Thank Mahal she go' some sort o' guardian because tha' elf is one resilient being."

"I agree with Oin." Nyaunni hummed. "Even the best in their craft is liable to make mistakes, grave or otherwise. Is Tauriel going to be alright?"

Thorin nodded slowly. "We believe so. As soon as Ivethin returned, she took over and was able to remedy the situation and bring Tauriel back from near death. Not before it did a number on Kili though. He is another story to discuss. We nearly lost Kili as well."

"What?! He is not injured, is he?" Dis asked about to stand. If Thorin were to guess, she was moments away from running into the washroom.

"Yes...and no." Naurfaer answered, knowing he was likely best suited for the explanation. "When one in a bonded pair dies, it leaves wounds in the head of their surviving partner. The deeper the bond, the more the mind rips and tears apart. Kili and Tauriel are deeper than any I have ever seen. In fact, I would venture to say there has never been, nor never will be a pairing as dependent on the other as Kili and Tauriel are on each other. As such, his mind...interpreted...her fate as her passing and in doing so, he ripped his mind apart. In elven terms, he was fading from this world. Not physically, but mentally."

"In his mind, he lost Tauriel." Thorin said quietly. "He claims to have had a dream about it, and Ivethin believes it was that dream of Tauriel's death that pushed his mind over the edge. A bit of a family intervention, and Tauriel waking up, and he is mostly back to himself."

"What do you mean mostly?" Dis growled.

Thorin lifted a brow. "As much back to oneself as he can be after nearly losing Tauriel. I do not fault Kili in his pain, nor will I push him to put a smile on and pretend everything is fine when he has as much healing ahead of him as Tauriel does."

"There is a bit more to that..." Naurfaer said, shifting a bit. "...there was a situation in Lothlorien we have not discussed." He glanced to the door to Kili and Tauriel's room then back at Thorin. "I think it is necessary Tauriel is here for that discussion, as it involves Kili. It is sorted, for the most part, but I think it is something we need to talk about as a family. It is clear some old wounds have yet to be healed. That is all I will say on the matter."

Thorin let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes. Of course there was more he had yet to be told. And here he thought they went over everything in Mirkwood…but apparently not. "Very well. When they come out, we will add it to the list of things to discuss."

Naurfaer shifted a bit uncomfortably. "Maybe..." He hedged. "...it would be best to speak with Tauriel privately about it before we discuss it with Kili. It is a delicate matter, and a private one in elven terms."

Thorin sighed but nodded as the group fell into silence. Each one lost in thought or exhaustion as they waited for Tauriel and Kili to join them.

Just a few closed doors away, Kili tested the water as Tauriel sat on the counter waiting for him. She had already removed her layers, with Kili's help, but still had the blanket wrapped around her shivering body.

"Alright. Let's get you warmed up, amralime." Kili helped Tauriel to her feet, supporting the majority of her weight as he guided her to the tub then helped her step in and to sit. He was worried when she began to shiver more but she smiled and said it was alright. However he quickly undressed so he could climb in behind her.

"Mahal the great creator you are cold." Kili hissed as he pulled her to him. Tauriel sighed as she found a position to rest against Kili's broad chest, wrapping her arms around him as if attempting to merge herself with her very own naturally heated dwarven prince.

As Kili got comfortable himself, Tauriel didn't say anything, she just let her body rest and pull in the heat from the water and Kili. Kili didn't say much either, though he did start humming softly. It was quiet enough for Tauriel to pick up on some of the conversation happening in the sitting room. Kili had never told her about something happening in Lothlorien...she knew he was under a lot of stress when she was unconscious, but she couldn't recall him mentioning anything about his time in Lothlorien apart from Galadriel teaching him how to deepen their bond to be able to speak mind to mind...but he has not said much beyond that about his short stay in Galadriel's kingdom.

Tauriel lifted her eyes to look up at Kili who had just used his foot to turn the tap and add more heated water to the bath while being mindful of the water levels. Kili had braided her hair so it could hang outside the bath to prevent it from getting wet, but Kilis was down so she was free to play with the end of one of his braids. He looked so content, so much more so than he has looked since he found her in Rhun. They were home, they made it.

Yet there was a nagging feeling that Kili was keeping something from her. Or maybe he just forgot to tell her. Tauriel pierced her lips, then opened her mouth to ask, but before the question could come out, she promptly closed her mouth again. He looked so comfortable, so happy, so calm. If whatever it was they were discussing in the sitting room was nothing, they would not have brought it up. She didn't want to upset Kili, not after everything he has gone through over the last few weeks alone.

Making up her mind, Tauriel decided to speak to Naurfaer about it first, then if she had to, she will discuss it with Kili. Maybe it was nothing. But if it was something, it could be a problem she can overcome tomorrow. Right now, she was going to just enjoy being home.

Together they sat in silence, Kili occasionally pressing the drain lever to removes some water before turning the hot water tap to gradually heat the cooling water. Tauriel could feel her body warming not just from the water, but from Kili's internal furnace and the warm air coming in from the vents that heat the mountain. The fire in their room was also well stoked and roaring, some of that heat likely adding to the warmth in the washroom air.

It was not until she felt movement, that Tauriel realized she was dozing off as Kili supported her enough to slip out from behind her. "Sorry amralime, but you're getting all pruney. I think that's enough, you're looking plenty warm to me. How do you feel?"

"Tired." Tauriel said honestly, going to yawn, but wincing when the numbness from being so cold, gave way to soreness from both her injury and from traveling.

"Mmm." Kili hummed knowingly. He was toweling himself off and pulling on a pair of his sleep pants he had grabbed before getting in. He also had Tauriel's favorite sleep set and her dressing robe ready for her. "Lets get you out and into bed. Ya?"

"We need to talk with the family." Tauriel said, watching Kili as he came towards her before helping her stand and step out of the tub. He immediately wrapped her in a towel to get her dried as quickly as possible so she can get her sleeping clothes on.

"No, we need to get you into bed. The discussion can wait until morning, you're barely able to keep your eyes open and you know it."

"I am fine Kili." Tauriel sighed before she yawned, trying not to wince at the pain the action brought her.

"Mhm. Right. Bed." Kili said rolling his eyes. He knew she hated being treated like one of the children, but she was acting like one, giving she knew she had exceeded her limits by just going on the journey home. "And don't even try to fight me about it. I won't hear it. You need rest, Tauriel. Nothing you say will convince me otherwise. So this can go two ways, you can keep fighting me and waste more energy, or, you can get in that bed and I will have our little ones come in to keep you warm. Your choice."

Tauriel's lips pierced as she stared hard at Kili. He could see the fight in her shining, emerald, eyes. He could also feel it coming from her, the almost NEED to prove herself. But within seconds, she relaxed and nodded.

"It is unfair of you to use the children to win, meleth nin." Tauriel said, a touch of humor in her voice. She watched as Kili shrugged and smirked at her.

"I will use whatever weapons I have at my disposal to keep you safe and well, amralime. Now come on, before the chill takes over again."

Kili chose not to carry her to the bed, and instead, wrapped an arm around her to support her as she walked around the large four poster. She glanced at the closed door to the veranda, but couldn't see anything. It was a wall of snow. Tauriel shivered as Kili pulled down both the heavy quilt, and the light blanket underneath before taking her hand as she gingerly sat and tucked her feet into the blankets.

Pulling the comforters over her, Kili leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. "I need you to promise me something." The timbre of Kili's voice as he spoke resonated deep with Tauriel's chest and she felt her body shiver again, though this time it had nothing to do with the chill she still felt if only deep in her bones.

"Anything." She felt herself whisper as if she was under his spell.

Kili brought his large hands up and cupped her face, his eyes dark and pleading. "Get better. I...I will honor my word to you, how could I not? But you don't understand how hard and painful that promise is to have looming over me. Losing you...it's agony Tauriel. Agony. I would sooner carve my own eye out than go through that kind of pain again. It was too much. So please, if for nobody else, for no other reason, can you just...rest and get better…for me? Please."

Tauriel smiled and brushed her fingers tenderly over his cheeks, catching a stray tear as it fell. "We are home, Kili." She said just barely above a whisper.

"Ya." Kili chuckled breathlessly. "Ya, we're home." He turned to leave, shaking his head but Tauriel gently grabbed his arm to keep him in place.

"I was not finished." She said seriously. "Mirkwood...the shadows there? The sickness still in that forest? The memories? They...they are suffocating. It felt, smothering, like I could not breathe, Kili. Like every day I stayed in Mirkwood, I was gathering more stones in the pit of my stomach. Like every bit of warmth I have gained living in this mountain was slowly turning to ice. And to have my title back..."

Tauriel looked down at the blanket in her lap, one hand still grasping Kili and the other, playing with a stray thread from a hole one of the ravens had made with their beak when they were chicks. She could get a new blanket, but this was a gift from Shaada, and she just could not part with it. With the thread loosely wrapped around her finger, Tauriel looked up at Kili who was watching her with a tender, knowing, look. She knew he understood, that because of their bond she could just send him the feelings, tell him what she was going through mind to mind.

But...there was something more vulnerable saying it out loud. Tauriel is not a perfect being, she knows she is flawed both in person, and in her relationships. Yet she has worked really hard over the last decade to be open with Kili, to be vulnerable with him, To her, that meant speaking to him, communicating with him in a way he was raised to communicate, the way mortals communicate.

"…to have my former title reinstated was like stepping back twenty years ago, into a life that is no longer my own, a life I no longer wish to have. Kili it felt like if I stayed there any longer everything I am would cease to exist, and I could never heal in mind or body. Like something was keeping my wounds open and bleeding, something I could not see, yet the pain it caused me was very real. Is very real. I know I pushed you almost too much this last month, asked more of you than I ever should have. But if I were to stay in that city one more night, I just...I felt I would lose myself. I needed my home, and now that I am home..." She pulled Kili close, and he understood what she wanted as he pressed his brow to her head and closed his eyes. "...I promise you I will get better. I can't promise I won't give you trouble, but, I will try and let you coddle me as much as you and the family wish."

"Good. Because I WILL be coddling you." Kili said breathily before he pulled away and pressed a kiss to her head when her stomach growled loudly. "How about I start that coddling, with some dinner in bed."

"Only if you do as you promised and bring me my children." Tauriel hummed as she sat back and watched him stand and put a shirt on.

"Your wish is my command, my lady." Kili gave her a flourishing bow so low she thought he might fall over, but he righted himself immediately and spun on his toes to leave the room.

Tauriel could not help but smile as her senses pulled in every part of her home they could, the sound of the mountain, the smell, the warmth, the sight of the room she and Kili made together...this...was what healing should feel like. She felt all the anxiety, the pain, and the homesickness leave her as she closed her eyes and waited for her soulmate and their children to return, finally feeling at ease for the first time in just over a month.

Authors Note: I know it seems it ended suddenly, that is because it was getting too long so I split the chapters up in two, lol. It would be way too long if I kept them together. Okay, got answers coming and the discussion happening the next chapter. Lothlorien, the aelúg eggs, dreams, and so on will be happening come the update. I wrote a list, and made sure to check everything off as I wrote it because this has been such a long ACT, I didn't want to miss anything. I probably did though lol. Meh, I am no professional writer, I just do this for funsies. That funsies simply involves an ACT that ended up being nearly 1000 Microsoft Word pages long and keeps crashing my word program. Lol. Time to start another word document.

Yes, the last chapter is done. Yes, I still need to read through it and tweek it. No it should not take me very long so I am hoping to have it up by the end of the week, Sunday at the latest. Yes, I hold to that promise unless I get transported to another plane of existence or something like that. Lol. So hang tight for one more chapter in this ACT. I already got ideas for what is to come as well and I can't wait for it!

Except tonight. I am going to lie in bed and get rid of this headache. Good nightttt. :D