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.

88. ACT V Chapter 30

As usual, scroll down past my notes to the chapter. It is underneath my ramblings.

Authors Notes: This is it! The final chapter in this ACT, but NOT the final chapter in the story. There is so much more ahead, adventures to be had, good and bad, and memories to make. This is also a pretty long chapter, lol, so enjoy away. But first, a few shout outs!

Ken Ford, I wonder the same thing sometimes, if Thorin had any idea where his life would be…in fact, I wonder it in two timelines. Makes me wonder if the Thorin in Reforged could talk with the Thorin from the original timeline before he left to Erebor, what would that conversation be like? I feel he has grown so much, he may not recognize himself, yet, he is still in many ways the same person. Gruff, honorable, loyal, and steadfast to his beliefs. Yet also, kinder, more accepting, and open to listen and accept he may be wrong about some things. Something I love to think about. And I try so hard to make their family dynamics close, but not out of reach of reality. I adore how deep their relationships are with each other. It inspires even me.

DocNikki, I am back! Yayy. 😊 Fili did tell Thorin about the eggs, but Nyaunni doesn't know yet. Yet. But she will! I can just imagine his bedroom, crawling with animals Nyaunni constantly brings up with her. The things we do and accept for those we love. He maybe grumpy about it, but in the end, he's just a softy as he sleeps, a baby ram with a broken leg on his broad chest, or a rabbit with an ear infection burrowing into his side as he reads in bed. I think he just accepts it as part of his life now XD. I do have to say I tried to keep this chapter on the lighter side. Enough tears were shed on this journey, its time to heal now before the next adventure.

Unorthodox-oblivion here's another to binge read! A long one too.

OOOOOHHH! In case it is not obvious, anytime you see conversations in italics…it is a conversation happening in the mind. Usually between Kili and Tauriel, but also between Mahal and Kili or Tauriel. I think I make it pretty clear, but if it is not, I wanted to make sure its said somewhere.

You guys, thank you! I really put in some extra hours to try and get this to you by the end of today. Read, and enjoy!

Chapter Thirty

Kili laughed as Karra ran up to him to show him her drawing of Thorin and Nyaunni when he entered the room. She had given his uncle and Nyaunni wings and had them flying through a sunlit sky. Consequently, she also gave them horns like Dajnel's and Uri so it almost looked like she turned his uncle and aunt into a dragon like dwarves. The use of wax coloring sticks made it all the more humorous and he just could not contain his laughter that rang brightly through his sitting room. "This is perfect, Kar." He praised. "Have you shown your pop yet?"

Karra hummed a yes. "I just showed him. But he didn't seem too happy with it." She sighed. "But gam loves it. She says she's going to frame it and put it in her sitting room! Nan just laughed at pop."

Kili laughed again as he handed her the drawing. "Don't mind your pop, he's just a bit grumpy from our journey. I am sure he loves it." He said, glancing at Thorin who glared at him, but didn't comment. "Are the others still in the kitchen?"

"Mhm." The little dam sang, her blonde waves falling in her face as she nodded. "Da is helping mama and nan cook. Well, nan is cooking, da keeps eating what she sets out."

Kili snorted, but was not surprised in the least. Fili is an amazing cook...but really only because he loves to eat. "Well how about we go see if they need a few extra hands." He said lifting Karra into his arms. "Oh, uncle..." Kili looked to Thorin who grunted in acknowledgement. "Can we save the entire discussion for tomorrow? Tauriel is half asleep already. Once she eats, I think it's best for her that she lets her body rest for at least tonight. I don't want to put her through any more stress, its been a hard enough month for her already."

"Mm." Thorin's eyes flashed to the slightly ajar door behind Kili and he grunted as he moved to stand. "I don't think I have any decent arguments against that. I myself don't feel like I am going to make it much longer anyway. Why don't we all just eat and rest, there is nothing that is so important that it cannot wait until tomorrow."

"Thank you uncle." Kili said as he passed by Thorin and opened the door. "Naurfaer, do you want me to take her so you can come and eat? Or would you rather me bring you a tray?"

"How about I sit with Tauriel until you return." Naurfaer said with a soft smile. "I know my granddaughter well enough now to say she wants her infant close. I will get something to eat when you return."

"Thank you." Kili nodded his head as Naurfaer stood and went to the room, glancing at his grandson by marriage as he held the door for his uncle and aunt who left as well leaving only Naurfaer and Tauriel in the suite.

A soft coo had Naurfaer looking down. Oh, and little Ithtiri as well. He chuckled as she turned her head but remained asleep. That was likely a mix between a full belly...and the slight influence of the draught her mother took.

"Starlight, how are you settling my darling." Naurfaer sat on the edge of the bed, turning so he could face Tauriel who was sitting up against the headboard of her large bed. Either she or Kili had arraigned the pillows so she would be comfortable as she waited.

Currently, Tauriel was looking out the floor to ceiling windows that led to the balcony. Naurfaer glanced in the same direction to see nearly two feet of snow piling up, and going by the looks of it, that is only the start of the accumulation.

"Well...it seems we arrived in the nick of time, didn't we?" He watched for a few minutes more then turned back to Tauriel who was still staring outside. "Are you alright, starlight?"

"I hardly know." Tauriel said softly, then she looked to Naurfaer. "What happened in Lothlorien?"

"What?" Naurfaer asked, more than a bit surprised by the question. Then he slowly nodded. "You heard what we said in the sitting room."

"I did. Kili did not, but I did. You are all keeping something from me. What is it?" Her emerald eyes flashed as she stared Naurfaer down.

Naurfaer just sighed and nodded. "I do not have the time to offer the entire story, because I do not doubt Kili will be returning soon and if he has not told you yet...he might be having difficulty working through it himself."

"Then speak quickly." Tauriel said through clenched teeth. "I would ask him myself, except he just seems..." She looked down to the blanket then back up at Naurfaer. "...so much happier than he has been and I just can't find myself upsetting him tonight. If it was nothing, I know my Kili would tell me. But for some reason, he has kept this to himself and hasn't even offered a hint of what it could be or that he was keeping it from me."

Tauriel bit her lip as she glanced at her daughter, then held out her arms. "I want to hold her, adar."

"Then hold her you shall, starlight." Naurfaer grabbed a pillow, then placed it in Tauriel's lap so the pillow itself took most of Ithtiri's weight. It made it so Tauriel could hold her daughter with minimal pain or discomfort to her still healing body. "There you are." He said as he placed the sleeping infant in her mother's arms.

"Now...about Kili." He sat back down on the edge of the bed and kept his voice low mostly so he could listen for feet running into the sitting room. "I will say what I can while he is away. When we first met Galadriel, she sensed Kili's mental abilities and greeted him mind to mind. Somehow, it triggered him to the point of Kili nearly losing himself. On the outside, he looked ready to attack. He pulled his sword on the elven queen, Tauriel, and we are very, VERY, fortunate it was Galadriel this happened with. Had he done that to Thranduil, I don't know what would have happened. Elrond...he may have reacted similarly to Galadriel...but I am not one to test the patience of the elven lords and ladies. It took us quite some time to get Kili calmed down. He was furious when he got control of himself, naturally. I am not sure whether it was what was done to him, or how he reacted. Viltarra arrived just in time to Lothlorien to help put an end to the situation, her arrival also gave him something to project his anger onto."

"Oh...oh Kili." Tauriel said, a tear falling down her face. "I...I never expected...in Mirkwood, that is not done. Our bonds and mental abilities...they are intimate and personal. I should have told him in other clans it is done differently, that some use it more openly and freely."

"It is not your fault, starlight. Kili did exactly as he should have. Or...mostly so. His instincts to protect you when you were most vulnerable, and his children...that was done perfectly. What worries me, is how he shut down. He looked wild, Tauriel. Like he was...I don't know. I fear it has something to do with Elbereth and what he went through. He needs help, because he will destroy himself or get himself killed if the wrong person tries to enter his mind and he shuts down the same way. Sure he will be protecting those he loves, but in doing so he is leaving himself prone for attack on his own mental and physical body. In short, he will get himself killed."

"What happened after he came back to himself?" Tauriel listened again for the sounds of her husband and children returning, but the sitting room was still silent, so she knew she at least had a few more minutes to ask questions.

"Galadriel apologized, we had dinner, and she requested he go with her for a walk. He didn't say much of what happened or where they went, but I do know she helped him deepen your bond so they must have sorted it out." Naurfaer chuckled. "I doubt many in this world or the next could hold a grudge against Kili. How could you not love such an endearing being."

As much as Tauriel wanted to laugh, she couldn't. For all the times Kili got angry with her for keeping things from him...it was not fair that he kept this from her. He was doing the same thing. But before she gets ahead of herself and gets angry, she will wait to speak with him about it.

"You were telling Thorin?" Tauriel asked.

Naurfaer nodded. "As essentially Kili's father, and as king, he should know for diplomatic reasons. Kili drew his sword in the presence of a queen...that in some cultures and clans is an act of war, Tauriel. I know..." He lifted his hands to stop the argument that was erupting from his granddaughter's lips. "...I know the situation was not a common one. But if Kili is going to ever act as any kind of dignitary or royal visitor to any city or people, he needs to have a complete hold on himself in all situations. We can never guarantee in the world we live in today that there are not mind-entering spies and royals in these cities. We cannot afford to have allies turned to enemies because of misunderstandings. I love Kili, Tauriel, and I have even told Thorin Kili should be made a diplomat or ambassador between the elven clans and Erebor...but to do so, he is going to need to be trained mentally. For his own safety, we need to know if Kili could even handle it. He has scars, wounds from what happened to him when he was taken from us which clearly still affect his wellbeing. Until we know what he can handle, or even if he could handle future mind penetration...I think it best we keep Kili where he is comfortable...Erebor, Dale, and Mirkwood."

"You...you are wanting to deny him the one thing he has always dreamed of?" Tauriel hissed. She knew Kili, knew his dreams both now and those he had before he met her. He wanted to see the world...the entire world. He longed to visit cities he only read about, to meet all people and all races in Arda, to walk where few have walked. Kili had the heart of an adventurer. Sure, he is very happy to play the part of father and prince, but there is a spark Kili always carries with him, one that makes him feel almost...restless at times.

Still, he is clearly more than happy with his life here, and even tells her she was his dream now. Adventures could wait until the children are older. So they are not buried, just set on a shelf until he is no longer needed here. Until THEY are no longer needed here. Wherever he goes, Tauriel will forever follow. After what she saw in Rhun...she cannot help but understand his desire to travel the world. There are so many things to see, and races she didn't even know existed.

Yet...Naurfaer was right. What happens if they come across a species or race who speaks only through the mind? If Kili's reaction is what it sounds like, then he is putting himself in real danger...and that is out of the question.

"Let me speak to him." Tauriel said. "To Thorin, that is. Let me speak to adad, then to Kili. You said Viltarra was there?"

"Mhm. And Bofur and Legolas."

Tauriel ground her jaw but nodded. Kili hated being a spectacle as much as she does, but like he helps her open up, she will make sure he knows she is there for him through the good and the bad.

It has been nineteen years, or nearly so, since Kili was abducted and spent nine months being tortured mentally and physically. He is the strongest person she knows, to be able to have mostly come back to himself despite the horrors he endured for nearly an entire year. She will never hold it against him when that trauma shows itself, neither will she ever be afraid of her Kili.

"They are coming." Tauriel said in a hushed whisper the moment she heard the front room door open and feet racing into the room.

"MAMA! We brought you dinner!"

Ithtiri stirred in Tauriel's arms and opened her eyes, her little face scrunching up as it reddened in irritation. She was not ready to be woken up, yet Orin's excited voice startled her from her sleep.

Still, all it took was Tauriel mentally soothing her as the infant looked up at her mother with Kili's brown eyes. She immediately calmed, closed, her eyes, and went right back to sleep just as a set of little feet came racing into the room.

Tauriel glanced at Naurfaer. "I will take care of it." Was all she said, and he got the message. He will go talk to Viltarra to let her know that Tauriel will handle the Lothlorien situation, though he plans on being a part of that talk. Viltarra deserves to be there too...Naurfaer doesn't doubt Kili seeing her helped him come back to himself and that might be an important piece of the puzzle.

"Of course, starlight." Naurfaer stood just in time to catch Kilion as he ran in, setting the smiling dwarfling on the bed. Normally Tauriel's youngest son was quite serious by nature, but there was a wide smile on his face as he crawled to Tauriel and nestled into her side. It was his mother's smile, Kilion had, and Naurfaer could not help but grin as well.

"Well, I see you are in good company. I will go see if there is anything I can do in the kitchen, and let you to your little ones, starlight." Naurfaer pressed a kiss to her head as he stood and ruffled Kilion's hair. Orin just waived from where he sat on Tauriel's other side.

As he left the room, he nodded to Kili who had Naufi in his arms as Finli pushed a cart of trays that was nearly as tall as he was. But he seemed to be doing alright as he stopped it by the bed and carefully handed Tauriel the top most tray that had a flower resting on it clearly from Tauriel and Viltarra's garden. They all seemed to have everything under control, so Naurfaer left the family to themselves, shutting the door gently behind him.

"We got you a flower, mama." Kilion said, getting on his knees to point to the yellow winter rose Tauriel loved to tend to.

"And nan found some butter cake. She made it for us a few days ago, so she said she is sorry it's not fresh, but she will make a fresh batch tomorrow." Orin moved just a bit to make room for Naufi as Kili passed the twins a tray. It was just crackers, cheese, and some dessert for the little ones so he wasn't worried about them spilling anything but a few crumbs on the bed.

"This is perfect my precious stars. Thank you." Tauriel said, trying not to get choked up just being in the presence of her children. She had missed them with every fiber of her being.

"Are you really going to be okay, mama?" Finli asked as he sat at her feet. She had her tray balanced on her lap so she could both hold Ithtiri, and eat the shredded hog over mashed potatoes piled on her plate. It smelled divine, and Tauriel's entire mouth salivated as the rich food overtook her senses. Before she could answer, she couldn't help herself but use the hand not cradling her sleeping daughter to scoop a bit of potatoes, gravy, and pork onto her fork and indulge in the food she missed for the last month. By the creators, there was nothing like good dwarven food.

"Mama?"

"Let her eat." Kili chuckled. "And your mam will be alright."

Tauriel glanced at Kili and nodded slowly, swallowing then looking to her eldest who was picking at his own tray of food. "I will be alright, my star. Just a lot of healing to do...that's all."

"Did you really get shot with a poison arrow?" Kilion asked.

"OH! And Naufi said you fought Nazgul!" Orin said excitedly. "And flew on a LION!"

"Lions can't fly, Orin." Kilion grumbled.

"Well clearly little lions like you can't, but maybe the big ones can." Orin shot back at his brother whose answering glare was the perfect mirror of an angry son of Durin.

"Alright, enough is enough. We just got back, can we keep the peace." Kili only half admonished. To be honest, he was reveling in the banter. "And Tork is not exactly a lion, he can just turn into one. And yes, one with wings."

"He's really funny too." Naufi said. "But he eats a lot! More than anyone I know."

"More than Bombur?" Orin asked skeptically.

"Like twice more than Bombur." Naufi nodded.

Finli just watched his brothers, though his brown eyes kept flicking to his mother who could see how visibly upset he seemed to be getting. "Really my star. I will be alright."

"I had a dream." Finli said, his voice just above a whisper. It was enough for both Tauriel and Kili to stop eating and focus solely on their eldest son. "I...I don't remember a lot of it. But I remember da. He...he was fading away. And mam was gone from my head completely. It felt so...real. But when I woke up, I could feel mama again so I knew it was a dream. Or...I think it was."

Tauriel glanced at Kili who looked down at the bed, sighing until Naufi leaned into him. "It's alright da." His son said and Kili smiled and nodded.

"It has been...trying." Kili said after a stretch of silence. "...and your mother nearly did not make it. But I want all of you to understand how hard she...we...fought to come home." He then nodded to Kilion. "Yes, my little lion. A Nazgul shot an arrow that pierced your mother, a poison arrow. It is thanks to Thranduil and Ivethin that she lives, and we will be sending our gratitude to them once this storm clears. And I...did not take it well." He felt Naufi beside him and wrapped his arm around his son. "But that time has passed, and I have been healing myself. I am sorry Fin. I never meant for you to sense any of that."

"I had a dream too, Fin." Kilion said softly. "But mine was different."

"How so my darling?" Tauriel asked, concerned her children were more affected by what happened than she realized.

Kilion looked up at Tauriel, and smiled. "I was there when you got hurt, mama. Like really there. I watched da cry out for you. I was also there when they brought you to the elven city. I don't know how, but naneth said you will be alright. That's why I didn't say anything to nan, or anyone. Because naneth said not to worry."

"Naneth?" Kili asked confused.

"Mhm. She has red hair like mama, and said she was mama's mama. She visits sometimes, her and beleg'naneth. But baleg'naneth only visits when da is home. She said its her responsibility to make sure da is protected and safe, just like Mahal and naneth watch over mama and us."

Tauriel gave a worried look to Kili who matched it with one of his own. They always knew Kilion was...sensitive...but this news came as quite the surprise to them. "Kilion...when you said you where there..."

"Oh...not there, there da. But like in a dream, I guess. I knew mama was going to get hurt though, I tried to tell you before you went. But I didn't know how, and nobody was listening to me. I'm sorry mama, I was not sure I believed it myself until now." He buried his face in her arm and Tauriel pulled him close, remembering just how upset Kilion had been when he found out they were leaving. By the Valar, she needs to think about how her actions affect not just her and Kili, but her children.

Furthermore, what was going on with her youngest son? Finli...she understands. Fin had always been deeply connected to both Kili and herself. Though he has withdrawn into his own person over the last several years, it is clear he is still far more connected than even she understood. Was that true with all of their children? She needed answers, because as it stands she had no idea what was going on, as this is not how connections child to parent were supposed to work. She will talk to her grandfather...maybe he knows.

Another worrying aspect is Kilion seeing Ithildin, and baleg'naneth is great grandmother, so he must be seeing Elbereth too. It makes sense considering Naurfaer said Elbereth has become somewhat of a guardian over Kili. Something even Kili has confirmed himself having seen her.

Thranduil, Galadriel, even Elrond all have gifts. Tauriel herself was gifted the ability to heal before she became a mortal and that gift, though not taken away, was not usable. It just took too much power, power she could no longer tap into without it causing her to possibly lose her own life. Could Kilion have been given a gift?

Tauriel sighed as she glanced down at her nine-year-old son. She needed to figure out what it was and soon. Cultivating and controlling such gifts takes time, study, and training. Furthermore, not addressing it or ignoring it can be detrimental to his health and mental wellbeing. She may have to take him to one of the elven cities, to talk with Thranduil or Elrond, or even Galadriel.

But that is certainly not happening today, tomorrow, or even this season. No. Today, she will focus on just making sure he is alright, he and Finli. "You must never apologize when I too am at fault. I was blind to what was happening to you, and should have known you would be affected as well, my Finli." She looked up at Fin who nodded slowly. "I did not listen, instead, I fled into danger. It is I who should apologize my little ones."

"Tauriel..." Kili sighed. He could feel her pain coming back, the physical pain that is. She was growing uncomfortable. But a mental warning from her had him stopping from reaching for their daughter.

"I will deal with the pain. Let me hold her a while, please Kili."

Kili narrowed his eyes, but nodded subtly. He took a deep breath, then continued what he was going to say. "Had you not gone, amralime, had you not led me to that place, how many more lives would have been lost? We had to go, and I understand that. That place needed to be destroyed."

"But at what cost?" Tauriel said, trying not to get angry. When her children hurt, she hurt.

"We are alright mama." Kilion said, looking up at her. "Did you save a lot of people?"

Tauriel looked at Finli who looked away, but only for a moment. He took a deep breath and forced a smile on his face as he answered his youngest brother for her. "Of course she did. I am sure she saved everyone."

Tauriel felt herself stiffen as she forced her own tears away. She found herself shaking her head no even before she realized it. "I wish I could have, but there were many lost and I was powerless to help them."

"But...you tried." Finli said, some of the edge leaving his forced expression. "That's...that's what matters isn't it?"

"Oh Finli." Tauriel said, tears falling down her face as she nodded. "I tried. But I failed in so many ways. The price was heavy and I fear the mistakes I made were ones that resulted in the loss of some of those lives." Pushing her food tray to balance on her legs, she reached her hand out to cup Finli's face. "I am not a perfect being, my star, and I make so, so many mistakes and errors. I am not without my weaknesses, and I let my stubbornness and fears take hold of me more than I should...more than I was taught was considered appropriate for an individual beyond her youth. But I want you to see me for what I am...a flawed individual and not some hero to worship. Your father and I, we do our very best to follow what is right, and though we succeed as best we can, not every success is filled with celebration and joy. Some...are bittersweet, and some even bring us great pain." She paused to let the pain wash over her, the physical pain and the one she carries inside for the loss of Lorilyn, Eti, and countless others whose lives were sacrificed so she could save others.

"I am not telling you this for any other reason but to remind you that it is okay to not be perfect. Sometimes, trying our best and failing is simply a reality we have to accept. For we will all fail in our lives many, many times. But we are strong, are we not?" Tauriel looked to Kili who nodded, then to her four boys around her. "We are like the mountain in our convictions, we stand tall and will not be moved no matter what comes our way. But I want all of you to understand that there is one thing that will never fail, and that is our love for all of you. No matter who you are, who you become, and what you choose in this life...your father and I love each and every one of you with our whole heart. You are a piece of us, and thus for as long as I exist, you are mine."

"Mama, I..." Finli blinked away his own tears, trying and failing to come up with whatever it was he wanted or needed to say. "...can you stay home for awhile? Please?"

"Oh my Finli." Tauriel felt a whole new wave of sadness fill her and she was resolved to make it go away. This will be a time of healing, for all of them, not just her. She clearly underestimated just how much her children were affected by her and Kili's absence. "I give you my word, that I am not going anywhere. Not for several months."

"But…you are leaving again?" Finli asked, a little surprised.

Tauriel smiled and nodded. "I promised a friend I would take him to see Beorn the skin changer sometime in the next season or so. It will not be a long trip, only a few weeks."

"Tork. I really like him. I hope he comes to the mountain soon." Naufi said then yawned. "Can I come? To Beorn's?"

"You know the answer to that Naufi, we already talked about it." Kili said as he let his empty tray aside then scooted a bit to lift the blanket to allow Naufi to slide under the covers, Orin following suit, though Finli remained where he was for the time being. "But…" He glanced at Tauriel who nodded and smiled. "We were thinking about taking you with us Fin."

"What!?" Finli perked up with that news, a broad and excited smile forming across his face. "Truly? You think I can come?"

Kili chuckled. "I don't see why not. It is not that far away, and I was allowed on my first trip with uncle when I was about your age. We will discuss it more as the time grows closer, but I think it might be time for your first…very short…adventure."

"Well that's not fair. Fin's only a few years our senior." Orin whined. But Naufi just shrugged and yawned again which only annoyed his elder twin. "You just don't care because you HAD an adventure already."

"Not a fun one." Naufi grumbled and took Kili's hand.

Kili smiled down at his son who was scooting closer to him. For a moment, he saw what once could have been. Naufi practically catatonic, laying on the bed Tauriel rested on, refusing to eat and saying very little. Mahal be praised his son was himself. Kili would rather have his Naufi, the one who laughed easily, caused trouble nearly everywhere he went, and was not afraid to voice his thoughts and opinions. "Not every adventure is fun, in fact most of them are far from it. I cannot think of a single one I have been on when just a few nights in, I was not longing for home."

"I can think of one, for myself." Tauriel said, looking at Kili. "The day I left Mirkwood to come to Ered Luin, I never once longed to go back to the forest…the only home I knew. It is the day home changed, though, so I suppose in a way, I too had longed for home. Just…a different home."

Tauriel looked down to see both the twins fast asleep, and Kilion too, who was still above the covers. "Meleth nin, can you come help me with our little lion? I do not wish him to get cold."

"On it." Kili jumped off the bed, passing Finli who was stacking the twin's trays on top of his own and sliding off the mattress to place them on the cart before jumping back up. He then proceeded to pull the extra blanket from the end of the bed and make himself comfortable once Tauriel handed him one of Kili's spare pillows. Kili knew all of his children well enough to know they all would be sleeping in this room for at least a week, if not longer.

As he moved by the window, Kili hazard a glance outside and shivered. "I don't think I have ever seen it this bad before." There was at least three feet of snow piling up on the balcony, and Kili sighed as he felt a breeze and realized a window must be open somewhere. "Amralime, I am going to go get Ithtiri changed. I know she's asleep, but I want to make sure she is comfortable most the night. And, there's a window open somewhere."

"Oh?" Tauriel hummed, leaning back against the pillows already half asleep herself with one arm still cradling their sleeping infant daughter, and the other tightly holding Kilion.

Kili leaned over her and scooped up their daughter. "Sleep, amralime. I will handle it."

Tauriel just nodded and scooted down a bit. Kili felt her mind slow as she fell asleep with a smile on her lips. He knew she was happy to be home.

It took Kili only a moment to find the window that was open, it was a hidden pain designed just for ravens to enter. It was propped open and snow was blowing in and promptly melting on the ground. A large wet spot on the gold and navy carpet meant it had been open for a while. "Sorry you two, no going out tonight." Kili said to the ravens sleeping on their perch. He noted not just two ravens, but all five were home and accounted for. Good, they were all inside and not somewhere exposed to that mess of a storm, one less thing to worry about.

Quickly shutting the window, Kili paused and squinted at the wall of endlessly falling snowflakes larger than he had ever seen before. It was just a blizzard, a bad storm. But he was just hours away from being stuck in it, and he doubted Tauriel would have done well in her condition. Not to mention their son, and Taurion. Looking back, it was quite stupid to have left when they did, but Kili is thankful it turned out alright. He looked down at his daughter, seeing the red whisps of hair. "I think our future will be a bit brighter, my Tiri."

The infant cooed in her sleep and Kili went to work getting her changed before bringing her back and carefully crawling into bed, resting Ithtiri on his warm chest. Finli was the only one that still had his eyes open. "Da….I am glad your home."

The last thing Kili remembers, was humming. "Me too, little star. Me to."

"And then….ROAR….massive paws come CRASHING in and the nosegoul screamed in terror! AHHHHHHHHH!"

Tauriel fluttered into consciousness mostly because her daughter was making her needs known in a very unpleasant way. She groaned a bit when the pain in her chest flared with her movement. It was the same moment she felt herself be lifted into sitting position as something was pressed to her lips. "Drink, my love. It will help with the pain. Oin made it."

The eleth wasted no time swallowing every bit of what was in the cup. She didn't recognize the taste, but it was not unpleasant. She took a few shallow breaths, which was all her body would allow her to do in her present condition, and let Kili help her get comfortable before she opened her eyes to see he was already holding their daughter.

"How do you feel?" Kili asked as he handed Ithtiri to Tauriel to feed.

"Like a stampede of trolls have run me over." Tauriel said through their link. Kili chuckled. "And hungry." She added out loud.

"Well, it is past noon. I imagine you would be famished." Kili laughed, then laughed again at her surprised look. She glanced outside, but could not see much outside a massive pile of snow now taller than she was. Well, there was no going out onto the veranda anytime soon.

"Truly? Noon?" Tauriel asked for clarification.

"AFTER noon. It's about three hours past the noon bell, amralime. I didn't wake you, because you needed sleep. Fortunately, our Ithtiri let me bottle feed her this morning, but I think her patience was waning, so I am glad to see your awake." He smiled at her, but his smile was almost forced. "And I was worried. Are you alright?"

"I am well enough, meleth nin. The family?"

Kili sighed, switching back to speaking out loud. "Everyone is having a rest day, except uncle." He hummed as he picked Kilion up and sat on the bed with their youngest son in his lap. The little dwarfling smiled up at his father as he leaned into him, but remained quiet. "Naturally, uncle, has apparently been up since before dawn and was having meetings with a few of the grounds teams to put together a plan for what was needed with the weather. That's all I know. He did say to call for him when we are ready to meet as a family. Aunt Nya is with uncle, but everyone else is close by in the family suites."

Tauriel nodded. "Go tell them I am ready once Ithtiri is finished eating. I do not wish to put this off any longer."

Kili chuckled. "Amralime…this isn't a time sensitive thing. A report can wait a day or two."

"Kili! The longer we wait, the more we forget." Tauriel chastised. "One must give a detailed report at…"

"The earliest opportunity." Finli finished with a grin. "Right mama?"

"Right my star. Very good." Tauriel praised, Finli's grin widening at her approval.

However, Kili scowled. "I can remember just fine." He grumbled, then sighed. "But as you wish, amralime. I will go inform mam and Fi. Fin, can you help your mama into the sitting room?"

"Course, da." Finli immediately agreed and Kili placed Kilion down and ruffled Fin's hair in passing as he went to go and gather the family.

Nearly an hour later, Dis was setting a tray of finger foods down on the short table at the center of where the family sat in a large circle in the sitting room. The only ones not present were Vin and Tarrah who had offered to take all the children for the afternoon save it for Ithtiri who Tauriel refused to release. It was only a small battle to get the other children to go, Kilion nearly falling into tears again. But Kili promised they were not barred from the room, and they were just going to be down the hall.

It was only when Dis said the doors would remain open that the children agreed to go. Tauriel could hear them in the next suite, chatting amongst each other and it made her feel a sense of comfort to know she is home.

"Alright, we have much to discuss, some of which are of…a delicate nature." Thorin glanced at Kili who lifted his brows in surprise, then he deflated a bit likely having an idea what his uncle was hinting at. He turned his eyes away, but remained quiet.

Beside him, Tauriel gave him a worried look. "Do not fret, my Kili. There is nothing you have done you should feel ashamed about."

"That…is not completely true." Kili said, but that was all he said. Their connection went silent, as if Kili was unable to give true voice to his worries.

Whatever Thorin was hinting at, however, was pushed to a later time as for nearly an hour, Viltarra, Kili, Naurfaer, and Fili gave full accounts to what had occurred. For the most part, Tauriel remained quietly holding her daughter, who was propped up on a pillow to help take pressure off Tauriel's still healing injuries. Though she did send Kili her side of the story through their bond when necessary, or add in a bit here and there to make something more clear or fill in a gap.

There were gasps from both Nyaunni and Dis, when Kili told them about what was happening to the elves in the compound. He shared word for word everything Tauriel fed him through their link when it was her turn to share information about what happened when she was alone once Fili gave his side of the story leading up to finding Kili…or Kili finding him.

Thorin of course had heard all of this already, the story having been shared with him in Mirkwood. But there was something about the tears falling down Tauriel's cheeks as Kili told her story, that had even him fighting the urge to shed tears. Especially when she spoke of those hybrids, specifically the three she had been closest to. He was still wary of them, and did not trust them, but he would acknowledge their participation in bringing that place to an end, and their role in protecting Naufi when he was taken from Erebor's grounds.

For her part, Nyaunni did not seem all that surprised by the creation of the hybrids…it was not all that much different than what they had done with the aelúg and fellbeasts.

"What ended up being the primary source of power?" Nyaunni asked curiously. She was a bit worried about Tauriel, who seemed a bit pale, but she still remained alert and though she mostly answered through Kili, she did make a point to speak now and again.

"A stone, of all things." Tauriel answered for herself. "It…pulled energy somehow by attaching itself to the immortal life force of the eldar, and transferring that energy to sacks containing unborn hybrids. In doing so…it seems to have cause great damage to the elves, killing many and for those who survived…." She ran her free hand up to the back of her neck where she felt the prickly short hairs just starting to grow back.

It was a great source of self-consciousness to feel the shaves spot. She knew how much Kili loved her hair, and to know a bit of it was gone…it upset her probably more than it should. When another hand replaced hers, she looked over at Kili who began to massage the area the needle penetrated…only then did Tauriel realize the pressure of the headache beginning to pound at the base of her skull. She had not told Kili about them mostly because they were never really all that bad, and she didn't want to worry him. He still held shadows behind his eyes, like he was grieving her loss while she still lived in front of him. She will tell him if they don't go away or they get worse, but for now, she reveled in the way his fingers worked the pain in her skull away.

Tauriel thought about Ivethin and Nelithi as she continued. "…I think the machine damaged many of the elves it drew repeatedly from. They suffer pains, yet have know seen wounds to tend to. Only time will tell if they will ever truly recover. I am more than sure, several, will be going to the Grey Havens to seek a boat to Valinor which may be the only place they will be able to truly heal."

"And you?" Dis asked, not dismissing what happened to the other elves, but there was one in particular she needed to know was alright. "Were you connected to that…thing?"

"She was." Kili growled. "Not for very long, but she was attached to it."

"By the maker." Dis said looking shocked. "Oh, my precious girl. Are you alright?"

The one singular question almost had Tauriel breaking down. She knew she was cared for and loved, but sometimes, she got caught up on simple questions like this…honest and earnest questions about her wellbeing. "I think so."

"I for one am not okay with what happened." Naurfaer uncharacteristically growled. "I do not revel in death, but that man, that human, deserved everything he got and I still think his was the easy way out." He sat back glaring at the window. "I cannot relay the anger I feel knowing that out there, somewhere, are other compounds building armies, creating fowl creatures, and destroying lands all in the name of Sauron. I beg for the day when the shadows leave this world for good…but I fear the war and the loss that will result from that great fight which will involve many, many lands and take many, many lives from this world."

The entire family nodded in agreement, Dis, though, still eyed her daughter with a tinge of worry in her expression. "Darling…don't fight it." She said softly.

"I am fine, amad." Though truthfully, she was feeling a bit tired. Whatever Oin gave her must be meant to lull one to sleep because paired with the heaviness of the conversation, she also felt a heavy exhaustion. So heavy, she blinked, then opened her eyes and could not figure out where the conversation had flowed to.

"Fili is talking about Krygo." Kili sent in a careful, but clipped tone.

Whatever exhaustion Tauriel felt a moment ago fled her mind as she heard Kaulithah's name. How she despised that name.

"We need to form a plan for when she attempts so communicate with Kili again." Fili said with a deep sigh.

"I'm sorry…what do you MEAN communicate with me!?" Kili said in a dark, dangerous, tone. His entire demeaner shifted from the Kili who was comfortable and carefree, the Kili Tauriel spent evenings with under the stars, the Kili who laughed easily and told stories to their children, to the Kili who was fearsome, battle ready, the warrior son of Durin. "Fili, what did you not tell me." He seethed, glaring at his brother.

"ME!?" Fili said just as angerly. "YOUR WIFE was the one who was supposed to tell you…not ME! So blame her if you don't know."

For her part, Tauriel shifted a bit and winced. She WAS supposed to tell Kili. And she had every intention to do just that. But it might have slipper her mind in her eagerness to get home, then with Naufi being taken, and her own injury.

When Kili whipped his head to her, she game him an apologetic smile. "Fili is correct, I had told him I would speak to you, and I am afraid I failed in doing so. I am so sorry Kili."

Kili took a cleansing breath. He knew he couldn't be angry with her, not with everything they have been through recently. "Alright. Fine. Tell me now then." He folded his arms, and looked her up and down, then furrowed his brows in confusion. "Wait…you weren't even there, and I don't want you talking if you don't have to, Tauriel. I know it still makes you uncomfortable. So Fi…you tell me." Kili turned to his brother who nodded.

"Viltarra and I were summoned to her when we went to see Krygo about gathering an army." Fili said as he sat back beside his wife who held Taurion. The only other young one in the room. "Believe me, it was not a summons I was pleased to receive. But we went nonetheless." He glanced to Tauriel, then to Kili. He gave them a grim smile, before his blue eyes flashed to his mother. She seemed like a safer target to tell. He was not sure he could live to see the horror on his brothers face as he told them what he saw.

"Go on darling." Dis said in a kind tone.

Fili nodded but kept his eyes on hers. "The chamber we were shown to…" He ran a hand through his hair. Mahal, it was one thing telling Tauri in private, but for whatever reason, this was so, so much harder. "I…" He sighed. "…Kili was everywhere. In every painting. In every statue. In every piece of art in the room big and small, Kili's image resided."

Dis gasped, and Kili growled. "They were having images of me commissioned."

Fili nodded slowly as he built up the courage to look at his baby brother. "I don't think they were commissioned, Ki. She painted and sculped them herself."

Kili swore and stood, pacing the room. He seemed to be sorting something out, Tauriel watching him. On the outside, it looked like a wife warily watching her husband, but as Tauriel stared at Kili, he slowed then nodded to her. Fili guessed they were having a conversation and he was infinitely thankful he was not privy to their thoughts. It could not be anything good, considering the look on Kili's face darkened as he turned furious eyes to Fili.

"She drew me, unclothed." Kili said so carefully, Fili knew he was actively trying to get a handle on his emotions.

Fili nodded. "Yes."

"Anything else?" Kili hissed.

"Not that you want to hear." Fili huffed.

"No…no. I have every RIGHT to hear everything. You all kept this from me, for weeks. Now, I am going to hear it all!" Kili's voice grew until he was practically yelling. Duk who was on the large perch nearly fell off and croaked angerly at Kili. His two large siblings Feya and Sokki fluffed their feathers, but stayed quiet, while Kaw and Umyra didn't bother to look up from the their meal they were tearing into. Kili had given them several boiled eggs that were about to go bad and needed to be eaten.

Duk chittered angerly for a few moments, Kili rolling his eyes at the raven who was throwing a bit of a fit. "Oh that's enough, Duk." He turned back to Fili. "Now tell me."

Fili looked to Viltarra who lifted a brow. "He wants to know, tell him."

"Fine." Fili growled as he sat forward and placed his elbows on his knees. "You were not just unclothed, but performing quite an array of acts on what appeared to be Kaulithah herself."

"And she drew children." Viltarra added, her own tone filled with righteous anger. "Children of delusion, pieces of her and you. It makes me physically ill just recalling."

"Ki?" Fili stopped Viltarra eyeing his brother who stood frozen in place and was just staring at he and Viltarra. He then glanced at Tauriel whose expression went from angry, to worried as Kili fled the room to the washroom, slamming the door shut, and getting physically ill.

Tauriel struggled to stand, Naurfaer jumping up to take Ithtiri. "Is he alright?"

"Does he sound alright?" Tauriel hissed, then sucked in a breath as pain shot through her chest. "No, adar. He is far from alright. Will you watch her, I am going to go speak to him."

"Go ahead, starlight." Naurfaer said as Tauriel moved as fast as her body allowed her to the washroom just adjacent to the sitting room. It was the one the children used, or the family when they were in the chamber.

Tauriel didn't bother knocking, and Kili hadn't bothered to lock the door, so she knew he was alright with her walking in. She did wince, however, as Kili got sick again. Taking a glass off the sink counter, Tauriel filled it with cool water then slowly got to her knees and pressed a hand to her husbands trembling back.

Naturally, Kili recoiled a bit, but only to get sick one last time before he fell backwards, panting. He was pale, and sweating, his hand shaking as he reached for the water Tauriel held. After several gulps, he closed his eyes and set the cup on the stone floor. "I'm sorry." He said.

Tauriel scooted closer to him until their bodies molded together side to side. She placed her hand on his, Kili flipping his large hand over to grasp hers. "Why didn't you tell me?" Kili's dark eyes looked up at her.

"Why didn't you tell ME you had a problem in Lothlorien?" Tauriel said in a quiet voice.

Kili's eyes widened, and his pail cheeks flared with color. He opened and closed his mouth several times and for a minute, Tauriel wondered if he was going to be sick again. "It seems we both errored. Are you alright, Kili?"

"No." Kili answered without hesitation. "No I am not alright." He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "I drew my sword on the elven queen." He finally said after a moment and more than a few deep breaths. "She entered my mind, apparently shallowly, and sent a greeting. I…did not react well." He peaked an eye open and looked at Tauriel, both visibly and mentally assessing her reaction.

"I am not judging you Kili, you can relax. Nothing you can say can change my opinion on you, meleth nin. Tell me what happened, and then we can talk about Kaulithah."

"I'd rather not talk about any of it." Kili grumbled but took another deep breath. "I…was having a hard time when you were asleep…unconscious…whatever they had done to you when you traveled from that fortress to Rhun. Had a bit of an argument with Legolas too." He snickered then waved her off. "It was mild, and we sorted it out. But I was a bit out of sorts and not quite myself. When Galadriel greeted me in my head, all I could think about was protecting you, and protecting the children. It…I don't know…I…" He ran his hands through his hair, staring at the wall behind the toilet. "Tauriel, for a moment…I thought, maybe, something was coming for me again and I did the only thing I could, I shut down and put all my energy to protecting you and our children. I would have killed her." He finished, pain and regret in his voice. "Or seriously harmed her."

Tauriel squeezed his hand. "But you did not." She said first and foremost. "Kili, look at me." She waited for the brown she loved so deeply to turn to her, and she knew she had his attention. "This is nothing to be ashamed of. Did she throw you out? Did she put you in a cell? Did she even have her guards intervene?"

Kili slowly nodded his head. "She apologized." He said, and chuckled. "I had a sword pointed a her, and she apologized to ME."

"That is because she believed she wronged you." Tauriel gave him a soft smile. "You are extraordinary, my Kili, for everything you have accomplished." She closed her eyes, talking hurt so much.

"Say it here, amralime." Kili sent her, releasing her hand and wrapping his arm around her so he could pull her close. Tauriel went willingly, even scooting down a bit so she could lean her head against his shoulder. "Do not talk if it brings you pain."

Tauriel smiled into his neck, then pressed a kiss to the rough skin as she breathed Kili in. "What I want to say, Kili, is not many would be where you are at if they endured what you have. Your mind was as scarred as your body, it is normal for you to react to intrusions as you did."

"Normal." Kili mentally snorted. "Tauriel, I had no rational ability to speak or even think about what was happening. What if the next time it happens, I do hurt someone!?"

"But you won't" Tauriel argued, then paused. "Show me." She said. "Show me what happened."

Kili sighed, his fingers running through her hair more to calm himself, then to soothe her. He did nothing for several minutes, afraid to show her what he had done. But eventually, he nodded, closed his eyes, and focused on their bond. It was different sending memories than it was speaking, it took more effort and a unique sort of concentration.

Tauriel too closed her eyes and relaxed her mind as Kili opened up to her. She felt his fear, his panic, when Galadriel spoke mind to mind to him. She felt his pure need to protect and keep the invader out. It quickened her own heart to the point of near pain as it thumped in her still tender chest. Kili was about to withdraw, but Tauriel mentally held him firm. "NO! I need to see this."

A bit reluctantly, Kili continued, and Tauriel felt the panic turn to fury as he looked into a pair of golden eyes he knew was supposed to be safe in Erebor, and was able to get a hold of himself enough to begin taking account of those around him, ordering someone to take responsibility for invading his mind.

Kili then showed her what happened after. The elven queen apologizing, then later on offering him a gift, to look in her glass, as a means to beg his forgiveness. Of course, her Kili wished for something else, an ability to speak to his wife in the same way she had spoken to him. He finished with Galadriel explaining the ability was already his, he just needed to remove a barrier to freely do it between himself, and Tauriel.

As the memory faded, Tauriel pressed her lips once more to Kili's racing pulse point. "I love you Kili." She said out loud.

Kili hummed as he buried his nose in her hair. "I know. Tauriel, what am I going to do if I hurt someone because they entered my mind? Someone innocent like Galadriel? What if it was a child who had done that?"

Tauriel smiled against his neck. "A child?" She asked then pulled away just a bit to look at him. "I very much doubt a child outside our own would be able to accomplish that. And I only say our own because they are already connected to us. It takes centuries upon centuries to develop one's mind enough to make casual connections, Kili. I cannot easily have the same conversations with you…"

"…conversations like this..." She continued through their connection. "…with anyone else but you. Maybe if they initiate it, like Galadriel did, I would be able to respond. But I do not have the skill to do so myself. Some do, some are quite talented in the mind, but I know no elflings who are capable of such things. It's not something taught, Kili, at least not outside the family. So I do not believe you need to worry about harming a child. As for hurting another…" Tauriel played with a button on his best. "…you didn't hurt Galadriel, and I do not think you would have. You may have drawn your sword, but I saw your mind, you were present enough to not use it unless you had to."

"But what if I do, Tauriel. What if…there was some gifted individual, a good person, who didn't know better. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt or killed an innocent person."

Tauriel stilled her hand only to move herself so she was sitting between his legs. That way, he had to look at her instead of staring off at nothing at all. She shuddered at the haunting look in his eyes. It was as if he had already done something, like he knew it was inevitable. "Kili, would it ease your mind if we got you some…some training."

Kili's head cocked to the side and he blinked at her. "Training?" He said out loud.

Tauriel nodded. "Training." She repeated softly. She bit her lip then continued. "But not just you. I was considering…taking Kilion and maybe Finli to someone. Possibly Thranduil, or even Galadriel or Elrond. I believe them both to have gifts, Kilion specifically. He senses things, and he spoke to Elbereth and my mother. If he has a gift, he needs to hone it so he is able to protect himself. Not doing so…may cause him great harm."

Kili's eyes widened. "Harm? What do you mean, harm?!"

Tauriel sighed. "I mean, he could be at risk at being controlled by his gift, rather than being the master of it. Some gifts are powerful. Mine…is more passive. I can heal. Or could heal." She paused, looking sadly at her hands. "You know, I did not realize how much I enjoyed my gift, the gift I took for granted, until I was no longer able to call upon it like I had before."

Kili stared at her, then she felt his panic. "You're mortal! That is why you cannot use your gift!"

Tauriel nodded slowly, confused as to why he was working himself up. Was he upset their sons could have been gifted elven gifts? "I am…is…is this a problem now?"

Kili's breathing began to quicken. "Our sons. They are mortal, Tauriel. Tell me the truth…do not spare me to make me feel better. Could these gifts kill them?"

Tauriel blinked, furrowed her brows, and thought about his question. Could an elven gift kill them? Truthfully, some probably would. Just like her, it would burn a mortal out just to try and tap into it. But neither Finli nor Kilion seem to be suffering in any way, nor are they using it the same way…if they have gifts…than she would. It is one thing to dream about speaking to the dead or have images of what is to come sent to them, and another thing to actively heal a fatal wound or clear poison from ones system. And she said as such to Kili. "I do not think so, meleth nin, they are safe. For one thing, they were born with it. Whatever gifts they have, if any, is acclimated to their system and has been since birth. Mine was not. And mine is different, it requires energy to…well…purge I suppose, and mend. I do not think we need to worry, if they have yet to show signs of it burning out their system, then they should be alright."

"Should?" Kili asked.

Tauriel laid against him and nodded. "We will get them looked at. Maybe when we go see Beorn…we can take Kilion as well."

"Orin won't like that." Kili chuckled.

"Mhm. Well, Orin, should be talked to because he knew his brother was going after Skrunt…so though he himself did not go, he bares a little responsibility for Naufi leaving the suites that day. I just have not figured out a way to talk with him without making him feel I blame him in any way for what happened. Still, he can miss this trip and perhaps, if they can show they have learned, they can come on our next journey out of Erebor. Maybe to the Shire to see Bilbo."

Kili grunted, but nodded. "Tauriel…I…yes." He looked at the beauty in his lap, his hand now cradling her head to his shoulder as she pulled her legs into herself so he could hold her fully. "Can we find someone to help me with my mind? But…maybe not Thranduil." Kili did not hate the elven king…maybe…okay he hated him. Hated him for what he did to Tauriel, for how he treated her. Fine. The elven king has been BETTER over the last two decades, but Kili is a son of Durin, and when someone or something hurts those they love…they never forgave and they never forgot.

Tightening his arms around his elf, Kili felt his lips graze the shell of her ear. "Maybe, we can talk to Galadriel. She is…very kind. I think, I can trust her."

Tauriel could not help a rush of excitement fill her. Lothlorien. She has always wished to see Lothlorien. She felt Kili chuckle. "Does that excite you my love?" Kili hummed as he nuzzled her ear.

"Mhm." Tauriel nodded. "We shall make plans when the winter is over." She shifted a bit then nearly cried out in pain from the movement.

"Oh no. We are not going anywhere until you are fully healed and strong enough for a journey. I mean training too." Kili released her just enough for her to slide a bit away. "We are not leaving this mountain for some time."

Tauriel smiled as she leaned in and captured his mouth in a searing kiss. Her lungs burned, but she welcomed that discomfort as she let him devour her. At least until her pain got so severe it leaked to Kili and he pulled away, his own heart hammering in his chest. "Oh, Tauriel, I am so sorry amralime." He used their connection to take some of her pain, wincing when it bled to him and he realized just how much she hurt. "Lets go get you comfortable."

"Not yet." Tauriel said, stopping Kili from trying to rise. "Theres one more thing."

Kili gave her a confused look, then as if he just realized where they were, he nodded. "Kaulithah."

"Kaulithah." Tauriel repeated. "Are you alright? I am sorry I did not tell you all the details. I meant to, but it never seemed the right moment."

Kili once again ran a hand through his hair. "Don't apologize, Tauriel. I know you would have told me. It's not like I didn't know Fili encountered her. It's just…what he saw. I…I am mortified…and I feel, exposed." Kili once again fell back against the wall. "You know…normally I don't really care if someone sees me naked. If Fi walked in on me, or when I want to antagonize the elves in Mirkwood with my dwarven strangeness." He smiled wide. "Or bathe in the fountains in Rivendell…it doesn't phase me to walk around in all my dwarven glory."

Tauriel smacked his chest. "Those were special fountains! I am still cross with you about that."

"Tauriel…it was over twenty years ago." Kili whined when he felt her anger filter to him. She really was annoyed with him about it.

"And you would do it again if you were given the choice." Tauriel gave him a knowing look.

"Maybe." Kili said, then leered. "If you joined me." He wagged his brows and Tauriel rolled her eyes. But the humor left his face completely as he continued. "My choices. All of those. And not one of them included any kind of intimacy. YOU, my Tauriel, are the only one who is allowed to view me in that light. YOU, are the only one who gets all of me. I feel, wronged, and, I don't know, soiled."

Tauriel cradled his face. "You. Are. Mine." She said clearly. "Mine." She repeated. "And I AM the only one who is allowed to have you. Has she ever seen you unclothed?"

Kili scrunched his nose as he shook his head. "Mahal's forge, no. All of our meetings have been proper."

Tauriel smiled, her fingers gliding through the hair on his face. She just stared at him, seeing all of him. Kili has not changed much at all in the last twenty years. Maybe his face has filled out a bit more, but he still looks quite young for his age. The beard he bares is really the only testament of the years that have passed them by. The beard he loathed and kept shortly trimmed for years until he started getting more comfortable with it. Tauriel began playing with some of the longer hairs, adding a small braid to one side, than the other. It looked silly, and was in no way done well. But it made her smile.

When she was done, Tauriel pressed her brow to his. "If she has never seen you unclothed…then she could never truly capture your likeness. Believe me, I am as furious as you. I wish to skin her alive with my blades. Nobody, has rights to you but me. The only thing keeping me from doing that, going to that mountain and confronting that yakse, apart from not wanting to start a civil war, is knowing whatever images she has in her mind, are not true depictions of you. Only I have that. So those paintings and sculptures are false."

"False, sure, but they still bare my face." Kili said unhappily. "And I am not comfortable with it."

Tauriel kissed him again, this time slowly. She pulled away and nodded. "I would feel no differently."

A deep and predatory growl filled the room. "IF ANYONE so much as paints ONE image of you like what Kaulithah did to me, they'd be dead." The brown in his eyes was gone, and replaced by black. This was not a joke, the idea infuriated him to the point he was trembling. "I would hunt them down, and remove their head from their shoulders, Tauriel. I would not even give them a chance to talk. You, are mine."

So protective, her Kili. She knew and felt the truth in his statement. "And you, are mine, Kili." Tauriel soothed. "Fili said he ordered them destroyed, but I cannot promise if you ever put me in a room with that…xhan'mutami…I won't rid this world of her and her madness for what she has done."

"I do not think there would be many who would hold it against you. I certainly would not." Kili took a breath and slowly, pushed her away just a bit and stood. He then leaned down and helped his Tauriel to her feet.

"Are you going to be alright, Kili?" Tauriel asked.

"Ya." Kili said. "I have you, and the family. I'll be fine. I'm furious, sure. But…I'll be okay."

"You'll always have me, meleth nin." Tauriel pressed her lips to his head.

However, Kili huffed in disbelief. "Maybe…if you would STOP nearly getting yourself killed! I cannot emphasize this enough, Tauriel, but I need you to not put me through what you did again this month. First losing you to be taken, having you gone from my mind for days, then feeling you ripped away from me…don't put me through that again. If I have to, I will take this family and we will go to a land that's safe…near, far, I don't care where as long as it means I can keep you. But I know that is not the answer, and it is not what either of us wants. So please, please promise me you won't willingly do what you did again. If you have a plan, just…tell me. Sod the maker and his secrets, I want a say in what my WIFE is putting herself through. I have a right to at least share my opinion on the matter. You are your own person, I honor that, but we work together, we fight together, and together, we can find a better way that does not include you sacrificing yourself. Understood?" To put an emphasis on his words, he lifted Tauriel's wrist and glared at the golden lines making up Mahals mark. "I will be told." He said to the mark that currently wasn't glowing.

"Kili." Tauriel said softly, lifting his chin so their eyes could meet. "I do understand. It felt…deeply wrong…not being able to tell you. And in the future, you shall know everything. Truly, Kili. I have no desire to leave your side."

Kili grunted something unintelligible but nodded. "We should get back out there. I want to know their plans with Kaulithah."

"I do as well." Tauriel said, allowing Kili to put his arm around her and support her as they walked into the room of family all looking at Kili with mixed feelings of anger and pity.

"Oh, my darling. Are you alright?" Dis jumped up and ran straight to Kili, pulling him into her arms. "Fili and Viltarra told us everything. I…this is my fault. I was the one who insisted on you two forming a connection. I was the one who insisted your uncle take you with him whenever he went to visit their clan when they came to the west. Had I known who she would turn into…"

"You could not have known, mam." Kili sighed into his mother's hair. "Don't take this on yourself. She is to blame, not you." He let her step away, and gave her a smile. "I know if you knew, or sensed, what she would become you would have removed her from our lives without hesitation."

"And I still will." Dis said with fire in her eyes. "Her contacting you is out of the question. Thorin, I want all correspondence from that mountain to run through close inspection."

"I already planned on it, Dis." Thorin said. "Aeodhen and Balin are speaking with the message bearers. They are to come through me directly."

"And we will be sending a written and sealed letter detailing what is to be done about this mad dams actions." Dis retook her seat, Naurfaer beside her shifting a bit as Ithtiri began to fuss.

Tauriel felt a smile tug on her lips as her daughter informed her she was hungry…again. It pleased her to be home and to be able to feed her child once more. So despite the great and nearly unbearable pain it brought to nurse…she did it joyfully and without hesitation or complaint.

Kili must have sensed it too because he grabbed a throw, then took his daughter from Naurfaer and placed her in Tauriel's now waiting arms. Once she was settled comfortably, Kili helped drape the throw over Tauriel as Ithtiri began to eat happily.

Kili watched his wife as he sat beside her, his arm going around her back as he played with her hair. "I think we need to keep our guards up about Kaulithah. I just have this feeling that as long as she breathes…we will not be free of her."

The room fell into silence, not one able to deny nor give words of comfort on the subject. However, Naurfaer did clear his throat. "Right. Well, is that everything then? Anything else…we want to bring up today?"

He glanced at Tauriel, giving her a meaningful look. She narrowed her eyes at her grandfather, having a good idea what he was hedging at. She gave Naurfaer a subtle shake of the head, but to her surprise, Kili was the one to speak up.

"I have an apology to make, uncle, and I need you to know something that happened in Lothlorien that is all on me." He said, eyeing his wife who gave him a wide-eyed look.

"Kili you don't have to do this. Not today, meleth nin."

"I will not bury this, Tauriel. I will take responsibility for this, and whatever retribution is meant for me. I am a prince of Erebor, father of Fili's heir, and my mind is…can be dangerous. Uncle should know, so he can be sure not to assign me to situations I can hurt our family or our people."

"Oh Kili." Tauriel sighed out loud. "You are not dangerous, meleth nin."

"Kili…what are you talking about?" Thorin said sitting forward, Nyaunni beside him also looking quite confused.

Viltarra watched Kili carefully, then gave him a smile. "I rather disagree." She said. "If you are speaking on what occurred between you and Galadriel, it was just as much her fault as it was yours."

"Will someone please tell me what is going on?" Dis said not liking being out of the loop when her children were involved.

Naurfaer hummed and sat back, his arms folded. "Hm. Well. I suppose I can speak on it now, can I?" He waited for Tauriel to give her permission, but she just rolled her eyes, which he accepted as an okay to continue. "Perfect." He clapped his hands together and leaned forward. "When we arrived in Lothlorien, we were immediately taken to see Gala."

"Gala?" Tauriel asked. "Who is Gala?"

"If you would let me speak, starlight, I will tell you." Naurfaer said with a lifted brow. Tauriel's cheeks tinged pink but she kept her lips sealed. "Gala, would be Galadriel. I have known her…Valar…for longer a very, very long time. Since before she came to middle earth, I think. I knew her whole family in fact. But that is neither here nor there. Gala is quite talented in the mind, and sensed Kili's mental fortitude. In Lothlorien, exchanging conversation mind to mind between the adults is quite common for many. So she greeted Kili as such…and his mind did not take it well."

Kili stared down at the floor in shame. "I drew my sword on her."

"KILI!" Dis said in shock. "You drew your sword on the elven queen?"

"Sounds to me he reacted just as he should have, in my opinion." Nyaunni said sitting up straight. "I am no elf, and I do not pretend to understand the connection that exists between the two of you…" She glanced at Kili and Tauriel, Kili still refusing to make eye contact with anyone. "…and your children. But as a person who does have a mind of her own, if anyone suddenly popped into it I think I would be rather on the defense. Especially if it was someone who was a stranger to me. Mind control and torture is common in the command of Sauron. He had every right to get defensive." Her voice softened as she looked at Kili. "Did you attack her?"

"NO!" Kili shouted, then deflated when he felt his daughter startle and begin to whimper for a few seconds. A few coos from Tauriel had her going back to her meal. "No. I didn't." Kili repeated a bit quieter. Taurion didn't seem to care, as he slept on in Viltarra's arms which Kili was grateful for. He didn't mean to raise his voice.

"Then…everything is fine." Nyaunni said.

"No…no it is not. I could have cause a war!" Kili said in frustration. Why weren't they punishing him or giving him looks of disappointment. He is a representative of the house of Durin, and he drew his sword on a peaceful queen.

"But…you didn't." Thorin grunted. "And it sounds to me like she played a part as well." He took a breath, then leaned back with his arms folded, one of his hands playing idly with his beard. "Kili…what is it you want me to do? Band you from leaving Erebor? Bar you from entering an elven city? What would you have me tell you?"

Kili's jaw tightened as he looked to the floor. "I think it is best…I…have my royal title removed. I should not be seen as someone representing this family...not when I potentially could cause irreparable damage to those we align ourselves with."

"Now wait just a minute!"

"Ki, that's stupid!"

"For one situation that you came out of? I hardly think that is necessary or warranted."

Dis, Fili, and Viltarra all said at the same time. However, it was Thorin who spoke up loudest.

"No." It was said so firmly he might as well have yelled it. "Kili, who stood beside me when I was under the influence of the Arkenstone? Did you ever consider stripping me of my title? Maybe someone should have, but you and your brother never once abandoned me. Instead, you came and fought for me, urged me to come back to myself, helped me. And you did so with your pregnant wife. You and her supported me so much you put not just your lives, but Finli's life at risk." Thorin sighed. "I have made my own mistakes, my son. I have burned bridges and have worked to fix situations started by my grandfather. Viltarra is quite right, one situation does not warrant your title being removed."

"No, it certainly does not." Dis growled, then her features softened as she stood and moved to kneel before her son. "My darling, if this worries you, we can get you help. But what is the probability you will even go through that again? It's never happened in Mirkwood, and certainly cannot happen here or Dale. You are fine, you'll likely never be among those elves again."

"Yes he will." Thorin said in a resolute tone.

"And you know this how?" Dis huffed and turned a glare at her brother. She will protect her baby at all costs, even if that means insisting he only take assignments in and around the mountain. No harm in keeping Kili close if he is at risk of being mentally harmed.

"Because as if right now, Kili is officially the ambassador of the dwarven people to the elves."

"WHAT?!" Kili's eyes went wide and almost fearful. "Uncle...I...I can't! I could cause a war!"

"About time!" Naurfaer cheered...which was certainly not on par with the energy in the room. "And don't be so hard on yourself. "Galadriel understood what she did, and I am sure will make measures to ensure such things are not done in her kingdom. If only in regards to guests not of their people. I'm with them..." He gestured to the family. "...you are no more a danger to an elf, as you are to your own people."

"And we will get you help, meleth nin." Tauriel said with a soft smile. "Don't be so quick to give up on yourself, or us."

Kili stared around the room, every person nodding their agreement. He paused on his mother who pressed a hand to his cheek. "I will support whatever decision you make, my darling. But we will get through this. I do think you more than capable of being an ambassador, if it is something YOU want."

"Me..." Kili sighed as he tried to take in what was happening. "…an ambassador."

"Oh come on Ki. You basically became an ambassador the moment you bound yourself to our favorite elf." Fili rolled his eyes, gesturing to Tauriel. "It is not really surprising in the least."

"Hmm." Thorin hummed. "And Fili, you will be the ambassador to Dale and any future human alliances we take on."

Fili looked confused for only a moment, then, slowly nodded his head. "I...of course uncle. I would be honored to take on the responsibility."

"And..." Thorin added. "...I think it high time you have a heavier role in ruling." He sat forward as Dis took the spot on Kili's opposite side. "War is coming." Thorin said darkly. "Whether we want it to or not, in our lifetime, we will see a battle that will make what we endured two decades ago seem like a skirmish. Nazgul, orcs, foes we cannot even name going by what just happened with those hybrids. The time to be idle is over. Everything we do now, good and bad, will have drastic effects on our future."

Thorin stood and began pacing the room. "We need to make our alliances tighter. Kili, get the help you think you need, but I want you to know that I trust you. I know your mind well enough to know you won't cause anyone harm who did not deserve it. Still...if you are uncomfortable, we will get you whatever you need to protect yourself."

"Thank you uncle." Kili said in awe and a bit of disbelief.

"There is no reason to thank me. I should have given you the title years ago. But I will be sending missives to both Thranduil and Bard. All correspondence from the elven kingdoms will now come to you directly, Kili. Put together names of a team you wish to work under you. I am assuming, Tauriel and Naurfaer will be on that list?"

"Without a doubt." Kili numbly nodded. "I...we...will work together to provide you with several others as well."

"Good. You too Fili. I want you to give me a list of people to work with, including Viltarra, who has more than enough travel and trade experience to work alongside you. We will also be discussing more about your role as future rulers...the both of you."

"Yes uncle." Fili said, a soft smile on his lips as he glanced at his wife who looked only a little nervous though she was also smiling. "We would be honored to help anywhere you need us."

"I know." Thorin agreed. "You and Viltarra have come a long way, I trust both of you are ready to take on the challenges ahead. Official paperwork will be written up by Balin and the announcements made by the end of the week." He paused then looked at Kili. "At the end of the day, Kili, I want this to be your choice. If you do not think you are ready, we can ease you into the position. But I want you to understand that I fully believe in you, and your abilities. I am confident you can do this."

Kili turned to Tauriel who nodded. "You can do this, my Kili. We will get you help, but I think deep down you know you can do this too."

Kili leaned in and pressed his lips to Tauriel's cheek, whispering "Thank you" against her skin as he pulled away. He then turned to his uncle and nodded. "I would be honored to accept."

"Good." Thorin smiled. "Now I think there is just one more thing to discuss. Do you have them Naurfaer?" The dwarven king sat back, glancing at his wife, but not elaborating.

"I do indeed. If you'll excuse me. I will be right back. Fili, do you mind lending me a hand?"

"Not at all." Fili stood, following the taller elf out of the room.

"What is this about?" Nyaunni asked.

"You'll see ,Nya." Thorin said standing as Naurfaer brought in one crate as Fili carried the second into the room, setting them down on the table that sat in front of Kili and Tauriel's sofa. He had considered telling Nyaunni about the aelúg eggs the night before when they arrived home, but he thought it should at the very least be in the presence of the family. Afterall, these eggs belonged to those they were presented to, and Thorin was not there.

Nyaunni rolled her eyes but sat back and waited patiently to be informed. Dis looked just as confused, so at least she wasn't the only one left out of the loop.

Dungael whined as he looked up at Fili, the younger warg standing right at his feet where he usually was. Even Hiril gave an exasperated snort as she growled at the whining warg from where she sat at Viltarra's feet. Her ears were even pinned back when Dungael walked over and laid beside her. But she just rested her head back on her paws as she watched Naurfaer and Fili situate the boxes.

Kili had the key, and ran to his room to pull it from his pocket before proceeding to unlock the first of the two crates while Thorin stood over him. Once Kili had both heavy locks removed, he glanced at his uncle who nodded as he opened one case and Fili opened the other.

"These were gifts from the elves in Rhun." Fili said to his mother and aunt. "You see, the Avari were split into two groups in the lands we were in, those they called the walkers, or people of the land, and those, they called flyers, the people of the sky."

"Flyers?" Dis asked while Nyaunni curiously moved forward then gasped.

"The size...the texture...aelúg eggs? Fili...these have to be aelúg eggs, I'd bet all our gold on that."

"Now Nya, as confident as you are, I never want to hear you are out there betting all our gold on any such things, thank you." Thorin grumbled. "But yes, they are in fact...aelúg eggs."

Nyaunni lifted a brow but ignored him as she knelt before one of the crates and pulled out a vibrant speckled lime green egg. "The colors...I would never have guessed it possible..."

"Yet you're betting our gold." Thorin said folding his arms.

"Stop it you." Nyaunni hissed up at him. "Lest I be concerned you're getting a touch of dragon sickness. And if that is the case...we are emptying the vaults tomorrow."

Thorin glared at his wife, pointing a finger angerly at her. "That...is not going to happen. Nor do I appreciate the humor if you're trying to be funny."

"I was not joking in the least. I would sooner rid this mountain of every coin of gold we possess than see you fall to dragon sickness, Thorin. It is not a threat, but a promise. Now, do I have anything to be concerned about?"

Thorin locked his jaw so tightly, Tauriel could swear she heard it click into place. She hid her smile, however as she looked down at her daughter feeling her finish her meal. She fixed her top and lowered the blanket, brushing it across Ithtiri's lips to wipe a stray drop of milk away. "Happy my darling?" She hummed.

Ithtiri simply sighed and continued to watch her with her deep, brown, eyes. The level of contentment that drifted from her almost had Tauriel yawning, but she forced it away and looked back up at her family as Nyaunni cradled one of the large eggs in her hands.

"Tell me everything about these Avari. You never said they had aelúg!"

Fili chuckled. "Well, we thought we would save that bit of information for when we pulled these out. It was in large part thanks to the flying Avari that we were even able to get into the compound. The land surrounding the area was swarming with wereworms."

"EXCUSE ME!?" Thorin all but roared. "And WHY was I not told that bit of information?"

Fili paused and looked thoughtfully at his uncle. "Didn't I tell you? I thought I did."

"This...is why I insist on detailed reports expediently." Tauriel chimed in. "Ones memory fails them after a time, and we lose important details that may be crucial to future endeavors."

Fili huffed. "Well, somebody had us all worried to death from the moment they left the boat to even now...little sister." He leaned forward. "That was you by the way...in case you didn't catch the hint."

"Reports, are far more important than..."

"Don't. Even. Finish. That. Sentence. Tauriel." Kili growled to his wife, taking Fili's side in this. Sure, he understands why the reports his elf covets could be helpful. Two decades of living with a former...or he supposes retitled...elven captain meant he spent two decades accepting some of her strict tendencies and beliefs towards training, respect, and of course...her infamous reports. "In no reality are reports more important than someone's life, amralime. Least of all yours. Say that again, and I won't pen another report...ever."

Tauriel's lips pierced in annoyance. "Kili, you well know how important it is to report..."

"Ah ah ah! I said not a word. Unless...you are tired of reading my reports?" He lifted a brow at his wife, daring her to continue, daring her to give him an out of those dreadful write-ups she insists they do far to often.

"Kili..." Tauriel said in a tone that meant she was not in the mood to argue.

"Nope. I am not budging on this, Tauriel. Those stupid reports are just that...reports. A life is irreplaceable."

"Kili is right, dear." Dis said leaning over Nyaunni's shoulder to look at the eggs. "These are quite colorful, aren't they. Will they hatch that color?"

Nyaunni shrugged. "Truthfully, I don't know. I think they will. I only knew the fell beasts, not the actual aelúg in their pure form until Dajnel and Uri hatched and they are, well, colorless. It is possible they lack color due to the fact they were altered. They could have looked very much like one of these. What did the aelúg of Rhun look like? How did they even get them?"

"Well..." Fili said eyeing the egg that was his, the darker green speckled egg nestled between Kili's blue egg and Tauriel's midnight egg that looked almost black, but in the light was actually a very dark blue. "...according to their history they had both blood of Avari elves, and blood of a group of the Búlë kal nórë who escaped from the west to hide in the east. The two merged, and overtime became one people, the Búlë kal nórë opting to give up their name and many of their ways to become the Avari of the sky. Thus, the aelúg became there's. There is quite a bit of animosity between the two sects...but they seem to be working it out now."

"Thanks to you two." Naurfaer hummed handing Nyaunni the black egg with white specks that was technically Bofur's egg. Despite Bofur refusing it, so he supposes it is the family egg now. "Kili and Fili brought them together, Fili working with the flyers, and Kili with the people of the ground. It was quite a thing to see, how well they did in Rhun." He then picked up his own egg, and sat beside his granddaughter, the egg in his lap as he inspected it.

"Be careful with that, adar." Tauriel warned. "You know the boys will run in here without warning."

Naurfaer, however, waived her off. "I can hear them quite clearly down the hall, starlight. Besides, they are rather preoccupied at the moment."

"Oh? And with what?" Tauriel asked almost afraid to know the answer.

"Coconuts." Naurfaer grinned. "Almost forgot I brought a bunch back! They are in the kitchen working on opening them. Should keep them busy for quite a bit."

"Smart." Kili said with a smile as he turned to his aunt. "Honestly, aunty Nya, they looked a lot like Dajnel and Uri. Maybe a little different. I think they had more feathers, and ranged in all kinds of color combinations."

"Rhythanna, the leader of the flyers, said they are sacred to them." Viltarra added in as she pressed Taurion to her shoulder and began firmly patting his back. "They all seemed like one, the aelúg and the elves who rode them."

Fili quirked his head as he noticed something attached to the underside of the lid of one of the chests, a sealed envelope. "Now what's this?" He pondered as he pulled it from the chest.

Thorin was instantly behind him, nodding his permission for Fili to open the note that was written in common.

"To the keepers of the aelúg, our most sacred companions,

Though we, like the Avari of old, reject Valinor as is our custom, we do accept one blessing bestowed upon us from those creators many in this world follow. We, the Avari of the sky hold to the truth a Valar blessed a people with beasts who would be one with the people in nearly all things. We protect them, as they protect us. It is a mutual bond, and one we pass on to you and your mountain. We are aware you have aelúg in your care, but as a curtesy, and for the sake of the creatures we hold sacred, in this letter you will find all that you need to know to care for and raise the aelúg to maturity and beyond. Know we will never forget what you have done for us, and our people. It was our greatest honor to have met you and worked with you.

May you be at peace.

With full sincerity of our hearts,

Rhythanna"

Fili handed the first page of notes to Nyaunni who glanced through it and smiled, as Fili thumbed through the rest of the heavily detailed script on how to hatch the eggs, what to feed the hatchlings, their maturity cycle, how to gender them, even graphic details of their mating processes. A bit repulsed, he rather quickly shoved the papers into Nyaunni's waiting hand.

"Amazing." The red-headed dam said as she sat, pouring over the notes and instructions, nodding with some things, and looking surprised with others. "I had no idea!" She would say here and there, then hummed knowingly when she read something a bit further down.

"Do you think we have what we need?" Viltarra asked.

"Mmm?" Nyaunni looked up. "What was that?" She asked.

Viltarra laughed as her son gave a soft burp then promptly spit up all over her shoulder. "Oh." She sighed just as Fili took Taurion so she could clean herself up.

"That happened to me this morning." Kili chuckled. "Ithtiri shared her breakfast all down the back of my favorite tunic." He grabbed another rag and helped his sister get where she could not reach. "The worst part is when it cools."

"Kili was the worst when it came to spitting up." Dis laughed patting her son on the back. "I swear I changed him and myself constantly until he was on solid foods."

"Right." Kili scrunched his nose, deciding to change the subject. "What do we need to do with the eggs, auntie Nya?"

"They need to be kept warm and protected. Dajnel is far too young to be trusted to care for them, or I would say to give them to her. She hasn't reached breeding age yet so she has no instincts to handle these. Maybe in a few years she will have her own clutch, but at this moment in time, it is probably best they remain up here where it is warm and safe."

"Must they stay up here?" Thorin huffed grumpily. "The royal suites is not a barn." He looked around at the two wargs, five ravens, and now, six eggs. He already has to deal with Nyaunni bringing up random animals who are injured or sick. Now, he is going to have dragon like spawn hatching here soon.

"Oh, stop being a grump." Nyaunni snickered. "All of the animals are well behaved and do not leave a mess...well...except for that one." She pointed to Dungael. "He's had a few accidents this morning but what can you expect from an animal who is not accustomed to being inside."

"I stepped in it." Thorin growled.

Kili looked to Tauriel, both surprised by what they missed. "Dungael had an accident?"

"Three." Fili sighed. "And I cleaned them up."

"I will have to throw those boots away, Fili." Thorin glared at his nephew. "That was the most pungent thing I have smelled. I think the front room still reeks of warg excrement."

"He will learn, Thorin." Nyaunni said with a smile. "Poor thing is frightened, and trying to adjust. Be patient with him. I think he will be a fine addition to the family." She glanced at the warg who lifted his head as if he understood her words. With her gift, maybe he did as he thumped his tail a few times before putting his head back down.

"He is frightened?" Fili asked, feeling a bit bad he had not caught onto that.

"Of course. Wouldn't you be? Everything he knows has changed. His environment, his diet, his freedom...though he has chosen you, he has given up everything to do so."

Fili's eyes widened as he looked at the warg almost in a new light. He never considered that. "I didn't realize they felt such complex feelings."

Nyaunni laughed softly. "Oh, they don't. I am simply translating his stress as best I can. We must all remember to give him some leeway as he learns. He is very young, and has a lot of training to endure to get to Hiril's level. It will take time."

Fili leaned over, Taurion still cradled against his shoulder, as he scratched Dungael behind the ears.

"I can help train him if you wish." Naurfaer spoke up, his egg now wrapped in the throw that was on the chaise he sat on. "Like I trained Hiril."

Fili nodded and smiled. "I'd appreciate that, but I would like to help as well."

At that, Viltarra looked quite surprised, which did offend Fili if only a little bit. "You? Really?"

"And why not? I am capable of training an animal." Fili huffed.

"Oh, I don't know, because you hate dealing with the animals?" Viltarra said truthfully. "I can barely get you to go tend to your horse, let alone training a warg."

"I tend to Kit all the time." Fili shot back. "He's way less maintenance than Maryn and the others."

Kili sat up. "Oh, Maryn. I need to get her shoed." He ran a hand through his hair. "I better see to that today."

"I can have that arranged if you like." Nyaunni nodded. "But it is best it is done sooner rather than later just for her protection. We decided for their safety, none of the horses or ponies are going out until the snows clear. The rams though…they seem happier outside than in. Built for this weather they are." She laughed.

"Wait…the rams are outside in this?" Viltarra looked taken aback, her eyes shifting to the frosted windows."

"Of course." Nyaunni nodded. "Smart and hearty. They burrow into the snow and essentially build themselves little snow forts to dwell in. If one collapses, they just use their horns to dig themselves out then begin again. Nothing to worry about, it's their natural instinct."

"Too bad we can't leave the chickens outside." Kili grumbled, then his brows furrowed as he looked to Nyaunni. "Speaking of chickens…Skrunt…where is he?"

"Ah. The chicken who had our little Naufi escape protection for." Naurfaer said shaking his head.

Nyaunni shrugged. "Last I checked, he was in his cage in the corner of the stables. Probably won't survive the season, but who knows. Is he really why Naufi left?"

"Fraid so." Kili sighed as he examined his own egg, placing his ear just at the shell. "Will we be able to hear it at some point?"

Nyaunni moved to squat next to Kili, looking at the egg he was inspecting. "Is this one yours?"

"Ya." Kili nodded. "I wonder when they will hatch."

"Well…" Nyaunni said, her large hand resting on the egg as she closed her eyes trying to sense the life inside. "…to answer your first question, yes. You will be able to hear it WHEN it gets close to hatching. It is the first indication that it is preparing to enter this world. AND, according to the documents…it should hatch in about a month if properly cared for. That means, it needs to be kept warm. The boxes were well insulated, but the cold weather may have slowed their progress a bit. I think it is safe to say we can expect new life in maybe about six to eight weeks factoring in the cold. No more than that."

Nyaunni looked at Kili, watching him inspect his egg. He was an enigma in himself with everything he has endured, yet, the relaxed smile on his face was proof he was capable of finding happiness in the simple moments. He glanced at her, but his gaze did not linger. He did, however, gently pick his egg up and cradled it like he would one of his children.

A spark filled his eyes as he quickly disappeared from the room. "Kili?" Dis asked suddenly worried her son was upset about something.

But Tauriel simply chuckled. "He is getting a basket to place by the fire." She supplied. "Be sure to get a blanket as well, meleth nin. To cushion them."

"Already on it, amralime." Kili answered her right back. Valar she loved their ability to speak mind to mind.

Kili was gone for mere seconds when he reappeared with a large basket he made a makeshift nest in. His egg was already inside as he sat it near the fire, but not close enough for the flames to burn it.

Curious as always, the family of ravens had to get a peak of what was happening. Duk and Kaw hopped over while Sokki…who was the smaller of the bunch…trailed timidly behind. However, Umyra and her equally white daughter Feya remained on the perch, simply peering down.

For the most part, they left it alone, but when Duk began to peck at the egg, Kili was forced to intervene. "Oh no." He grabbed the raven who croaked but let Kili remove him from the situation. "No pecking." Kili said as if he was speaking to one of his own children. Kaw caught on quickly and began making sounds at his offspring. Kili liked to say he was lecturing his hatchlings when he did it. Not that they were hatchlings as they were quite large even for their species. He loved that they preferred to all stay together, despite Duk, Sokki, and Feya being rather independent. But ravens usually like to stay together in familial groups, even up in the raven room they nest in families.

"I think it might need a cover." Tauriel suggested. "Perhaps the lid to the basket will do?"

"Right." Kili nodded in agreement. He stood once more, but before going to get the lid, gently removed Tauriel's egg from the crate and placed it beside his own. He then retrieved the lid and placed it over the top of the basket, and stepped away, opting to sit at Tauriel's feet. She was wearing his pants and oversized socks, so Kili was able to sit between her knees, his hand running up and down her calf. She looked silly, but Kili would never say a word about it.

"But you are projecting it." Tauriel gave him a look and Kili gave her a lop sided grin right back.

"Do you notice I find it alluring as well?"

"For the love of Mahal, stop." Fili warned. "Just because we can't hear you, I know that look well enough to know you are having THAT kind of conversation between you two. At least wait until we leave!"

"On that note, I have things to attend to." Thorin stood, his eyes glancing at the eggs, and Nyaunni who held the red one in her hands, a smile wide on her lips. "Nya?"

"So filled with life." Nyaunni said in wonder. "All of them. I cannot wait to see what they become." She placed the egg beside the darker green one and stood. "I will see about putting together nesting boxes. I think Kili is onto something, perhaps some blankets and baskets will do for now, but they may need something a bit different when they hatch. This is exciting." She grabbed Thorin's hand and pulled him from the room with Dis chuckling behind them.

"Right, very exciting. Got room in that basket for these two Ki?" Fili pointed to the one that was meant for Bofur and the extra egg Legolas chose the book over.

"Ya, I think I can keep them in here for now." Kili stood again and shifted the blanket a bit to accommodate two more eggs as Fili handed Tauriel back to Viltarra and took the chest now with the last two eggs remaining as Naurfaer still had his in his lap.

"I am going to put these in a basket as well. I will see you at dinner, Ki." Fili nodded his goodbye as Viltarra followed him out.

Naurfaer, however, stayed a bit longer. He really did not have a choice in the matter when four boys came barreling into the sitting room all going straight to their great grandfather to see the egg.

Kili laughed as he lifted the top of the basket to show Finli and Kilion the four eggs nestled within when Orin and Naufi crowded Naurfaer to see the one in his lap. Excitement could not describe how the children felt, even Finli was sporting his father's grin as he stared down at the eggs.

Eventually, Kili sat back on the chaise beside Tauriel, the children sitting in a circle around the basket all chatting among each other trying to make guesses on when they will hatch and if they will come out the same color as their eggs. Naurfaer chose to make his escape about an hour later, wanting to get his own egg somewhere warm.

"I missed this." Kili said as he leaned his head back against the backside of the sofa they sat on. He heard a bit of shuffling before he felt Tauriel lean into him. He placed an arm around her and pulled her close. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore." Tauriel said honestly. "But I can handle it. It is worth the pain to hold my children, Kili. Every bit of it."

"Mm." Kili agreed.

For the better part of the afternoon, they remained just like that. With Tauriel still in desperate need of healing they chose not to leave their suite. Though Kili did check in with Nyaunni about Maryn, his aunt assuring him waiting a day or even two will not bother Maryn in the slightest. The ground in her stall is softened with hay and chips, so she is in no discomfort, and the weather is still far too severe to put them out. She made arrangements to have the shoe fixed the following day and told Kili to stay up with Tauriel and the children.

So the first day back was easy and relaxing for the entire family. Viltarra had to get back in the routine of having an infant again, however, and spent a good part of her first day back with Dis getting all the infant supplies she needed. Vilia was still using her crib, and would be for another year or so. However, Kili had two, having one extra from when the twins were born. Kilion was in a bed now, so they only had need for one of the infant beds they owned so Kili pushed the spare one into his brother's room on his way down to see to Maryn.

The girls were naturally ecstatic about having a brother, with Karra knowingly cooing to him and chatting at the infant as if they were old friends. It had Viltarra asking her once again about her dream she had had, which Karra merely shrugged about. "I don't know mama, ask Taurion. He's the one who came to me."

It had Viltarra numbly walking into Tauriel's bed chamber as Kili was in the stable. Fili was entertaining their three girls, and Kili had taken his sons down to the stables to give Tauriel some quiet time with Ithtiri. Though Viltarra was in no way surprised to see both Dis and Kilion in the room.

"Muinthel." Tauriel sighed happily. "Please tell amad I am perfectly capable of walking." She threw an irritated look to Dis who chuckled as she continued knitting what looked like a pair of booties.

The matriarch of the family wasted no time in tying off her work, then turning to her other daughter in law. "Just in time. I finished these for our newest member of the family. I only had to add the button. They are already lined with fur so lets see if they fit." She stood and Viltarra smiled as Dis removed the blanket and the socks on Taurion's tiny feet before she replaced them with a pair of deep blue infant boots.

"A little big, but, they will do. Won't they darling." Dis beamed as she held out her arms and Viltarra had no issue handing her son to his grandmother.

Viltarra did not deny a small part of her was expecting there to be some backlash from someone in the family…Dis and Thorin being the primary two who may have been an obstacle to accepting a full blooded elven infant into the family.

Then again…

Viltarra glanced at her sister who had Ithtiri cradled on the bed between her legs and Kilion standing on the bed beside his mother and was practicing braids on Tauriel's long, red, hair. The long pointed ear that belonged to the beloved wife of Kili caught Viltarra's attention as Kilion braided around it.

Tauriel may be mortal now, but she was essentially a full blooded elf. To a point at least. She was BORN a full blooded elf. Whatever happened in the afterlife that had her coming back may have changed her internally a bit, but it does not change the fact that both her biological parents were full elves. Maybe Tauriel being here changed Dis and Thorin so much, they could care less what blood ran through Taurion's veins…if he was proclaimed one of Fili's children, he would be accepted.

"My darling daughter. You had an arrow through your chest what…nearly two weeks ago?"

"Just under, actually." Viltarra hummed unhelpfully.

"Exactly. Give your body the time it needs to rest and heal." Dis said leaving no room for argument.

Tauriel grumbled but opted to not argue, though she did say, "I wanted to go to the market to see Leotti."

"The market is out of the question until you gain more strength. You collapsed in the hallway this morning."

"WHAT?" Viltarra said looking from Dis to Tauriel who looked mortified to be reminded.

"Mhm. Someone decided to get up early, make her way to the kitchen, and attempt to make herself tea BEFORE Kili woke up."

"I did not wish to bother him." Tauriel tried to argue. "He was surrounded by the children, all asleep, and I needed to mix some herbs in heated water."

"Oh no. I will hear none of it from you. I am not going to deal with your stubbornness right now. And do not forget who I was raised with, my brother…I know how to deal with stubborn dwarves, and elves." Dis folded her arms. "Had Thorin not been up and Naurfaer not run out, you could have hurt yourself trying to stand. I'll not have it."

"Tauriel, you need to heal!" Viltarra said. "I am with Dis on this."

"As was Oin who was called immediately. Her front wound was thankfully not too inflamed from the ordeal, but she has a sizable bruise on her leg and a small gash in her forehead from hitting the end table in the hall that has since been moved." Dis glared at her daughter, then her face softened as she moved to sit on the bed. "Let us take care of you, my darling. You have a long road to recover, and even Oin said you will need to take things slow. You have a healing lung and ribs, wounds just closing up, and even your leg needs to be restrengthened."

Tauriel nodded slowly but Dis was not done. "And beyond that, Kili mentioned what happened in that compound. You were hooked up to a machine, Tauriel. We do not know if there are any long term ramifications to what was done to you. Maybe not physically, but I know you are bottling things up. We will be running tests when you are a bit stronger, and I want you to talk about what happened with someone. Anyone. Kili, me, Thorin…we are all here for you."

Tauriel looked away. She was not ready to process what happened in that room, nor the regular headaches that came on nearly every day, and had come on since she was attached to the machine. They have been lessening, however, so she hopes they will eventually go away. They certainly were not bad enough to alert Kili, nor impede on her ability to think or function. They were simply, an annoyance that came and went. It was far better than what Nelithi and Ivethin suffered.

"I am fine, amad." Tauriel said, but then added. "But I shall do as you wish."

"That is all I ask." Dis sighed. "Kilion dear, be careful. You are going to fall off the bed."

The little dwarfling looked behind him and nearly slipped off the edge but Dis caught him and helped him go to Tauriel's other side just as a knock sounded on the other side of the door.

"Are you expecting someone?" Tauriel asked but Dis shook her head. Nobody in the family ever knocked, so it had to be either a messenger, or someone else.

When the knock sounded again Dis stood and left the bedchamber to see who was at the door, a smile blossoming on her face as two dams stood side by side with a smaller dam behind them who was peeking around her mother.

"Lady Dis!" Hillanna beamed. "Mama said I can come up with her to see Tauri today. Is that alright?"

"We brought a basket of treats." Shaada said with a warm smile.

"And some company." Leotti added brightly. "If she is up for it."

"How lovely." Dis hummed. "Let me go see if she is alright for guests. These last few weeks have been hard on her. Come on in and wait here."

Dis doubted she even needed to tell Tauriel about the three dams in the sitting room as Tauriel likely already heard them, but she still went to ask her daughter if she was up for entertaining.

"It is Leotti, Shaada, and Hillanna come to see you, darling." Dis said. "Would you be okay for some guests?"

Tauriel truthfully didn't know if she was up to seeing anyone today, but she felt herself nod. Maybe it will be nice to see someone other than the family, and she did love Leotti, Shaada, and Hillanna dearly. "I would like that." She said.

Dis stepped back out and when she came back, the three dams were just behind her.

"Tauri!" Hillanna exclaimed as she rushed to the bed, the basket from her and her mother in her hands. "We brought you some things to keep you busy, and some of your favorite treats from the market. Gustuvon made some new stuffed buns with sweet pork I think you would love! He isn't selling them yet, but he let me and Regar test them out. They are divine, Tauri! I talked him into making a small batch so I can bring them up to you with the candied ham he makes that you love."

Tauriel felt her mouth water at the smell coming from the basket. She did love visiting Gustuvon's butcher shop quite frequently. He of course sold cold cuts, but had several cooked food options on his menu as well. When she was pregnant with Kilion she craved his cold meats day and night so she had built quite the friendship with the stern owner who never said much but was always kind nonetheless. "Thank you. That was very kind."

"How are you feeling, dear?" Shaada said, accepting the chair Dis pulled over to her. Leotti too sat, but her eyes were on the bundle in Viltarra's arms. She noticed Ithtiri still sitting on the bed and her brows lowered.

"Wait...who is this?" She leaned over Viltarra who leaned back a bit.

"We have spoken about this, Leotti." Viltarra grumbled. "Personal space."

Whether he sensed his mothers discomfort, or just wanted more food, Taurion began to whimper, then his infant cries filled the room.

"Ohh, another baby." Hillanna bounced in her seat. "How lovely." She sighed wistfully.

"Whose baby?" Shaada asked politely.

"Mine. Thank you." Viltarra snapped as she took the blanket from beside her and set to work feeding her son. She did not mean to be snippy, but she wanted to talk to her sister about Karra dreaming about Taurion to see if it was common for elven infants to be able to do such things from the womb. But now, with guests, she did not feel comfortable bringing it up. Not that she didn't trust Shaada or Leotti, or even Hillanna for that matter. It was just, too personal to bring up with anyone outside the family.

"Oh!" Leotti said, hurt lacing her voice. "I...you never said you were expecting! I...are you alright? After...I mean...the last..."

"I did not birth him." Viltarra snapped again. "Yes, I am fine." She took a deep breath, closing her eyes as her son filled his belly. "It is a long story. Fili and I adopted him. He is not of our blood, yet we are raising him. And before you ask, it is thanks to Ivethin and her herbs that I am able to feed him."

"Adopted?" Shaada asked. "That is very noble of you. What clan is he from, if I may ask?"

Viltarra opened her eyes and glared at the dam. "That is nobodies concern!" She shot out then her cheeks flamed red and she backtracked. "I...I am so sorry Shaada. I should not have shouted, you did not deserve that."

"Oh no, please do not apologize." Shaada said immediately. "I was being nosey, you have every right to be angry."

Viltarra's embarrassment was evident on her face, but she nodded. Then slowly, she lowered the blanket and moved the hat just enough for one of his pointed ears to show. "He, is not from any clans among our people…because he is not of our people."

The gleeful giggle belonging to Hillanna filled the room woke Ithtiri who startled as she looked about the room for the source. She didn't cry, but instead turned her brown eyes to her mother before she yawned a sigh and went back to sleep.

"He is an elf baby!" Hillanna whisper yelled as she ran to Viltarra and got on her knees. "Mama, look at his ears! So, so precious." She sighed.

"Hillanna! Let Viltarra feed her child, come over here and have a seat." Shaada said sternly. "I am so sorry Viltarra, in her thirty's and still acting like a sixteen-year-old."

"I am not, mama." Hillanna huffed as she sat in the chair beside her mother.

"Still so young." Dis chuckled. "Just wait until the day that comes when you are preparing to give her away. You will miss this dearly."

Hillanna's face flushed but she looked down at her hand, a simple bracelet adorning her wrist with two gems. A gift from Regar. They were still too young to officially court, but he was her best friend and both were already more than sure their futures involved each other. Try telling her father that, however. He did not dislike Regar, but he bestowed harsh rules of when they were allowed to be together, places they were allowed to go, and they were not in any right allowed to be alone. It was frustrating, but young Hillanna tried to understand. She was only thirty-five, turning thirty-six and at the moment, he was really just her best friend. Besides, they were not allowed to even marry until seventy-five at the earliest…not that they have spoken about such things. So she had a long wait ahead of her. But no matter, she already made her choice, and she chooses Regar, and he chooses her.

"Would it be too out of place to ask what happened?" Leotti asked as she made herself comfortable. She eyed Tauriel who was handing Kilion a piece of the candied ham before taking one for herself.

Viltarra glanced at Tauriel as well, who paused and looked up at her sister, their eyes meeting. Tauriel quickly looked away and busied herself with eating her savory treat.

"It is a difficult story, and something still far too fresh to think about. But the short version is Fili and I helped deliver Taurion in the compound where they were taking the elves in the desert lands of Rhun. His mother, didn't make it. It was...horrific. So much so, it haunts my dreams every night." Viltarra felt herself shutter recalling all the blood, and Lorilyn's terror and courage as she accepted the inevitable. She hopes she found peace in her afterlife.

"Oh my." Shaada said. "I am so sorry, Viltarra. I should not have asked, it is not our business."

Viltarra nodded but sighed. "No. I need to get used to it." She glanced at Tauriel who looked at her once again, then nodded slowly. It took another moment of silence, before Viltarra told a more detailed version of what happened, leaving out a few things too gory for Kilion and even Hillanna to hear. By the end of her story, Leotti had tears streaming down her face and Shaada herself looked horrified.

"The poor, poor dear." Shaada said, handing Leotti a handkerchief as the dam was practically sobbing in her chair beside her.

"What horrible, terrible, thing." Leotti cried as Shaada patted her on the back. "No mother or child should have gone through that. Abrâfu shaikmashâz! Those descendants of rats should die another death for this! Vile, vile gazâg zaznâ!"

Tauriel could not agree more. "These were not the worst of the foul monsters Lorilyn encountered, I am afraid. Her life seemed to be wrought with them from her own father and sisters, to the elf who claimed her as his own then sold her and his unborn child. I cannot deny that if I ever lay eyes on that elf that forced her into motherhood, or any of them that she once called family, that I will not be running my blade through their cold hearts. What they did to her…that is not what a family does." The anger filled Tauriel's veins, until she noticed Hillanna's wide eyes staring at her in shock and she backtracked a bit. "Considering I doubt I shall ever come across them in this life…I think they are safe from my blades and my ire. They are very lucky for that."

She sighed and rubbed at her chest, the burning pain from her healing injury was a constant source of annoyance to Tauriel who hated how the simple task of talking was beyond uncomfortable.

"Are you alright, amralime? I can feel your pain."

A soft chuckle left the eleths lips. Of course Kili would check in on her. "We have guests, meleth nin. Leotti, Shaada, and Hillanna are here. We are simply chatting."

"Ah." Kili said back to her knowingly. "Do you need me to come up and translate?"

"No, I am fine." It seemed to be enough for Kili since she could tell he went back to focusing on his task. Maryn was never an easy horse to re-shoe, even with Kili nearby. He will more than likely be coming home with a fair few bruises. Such a spirited horse.

"Forgive me Hillanna. I did not mean to upset you. I am simply most horrified at what Lorilyn went through. Nobody should be subject to a life like hers." Tauriel sighed again. "Perhaps a happier subject. Any news in the mountain since we left? How are your children Leotti?

Leotti perked up and smiled, though her face was still red and puffy from her recent tears. "They are wonderful…both excited for our happy news!"

"Oh?" Tauriel asked intrigued. "Were you able to make plans to visit your brother at the Stiffbeard's mountain?"

"Hm?" Leotti asked genuinely confused, then she shook her head. "Oh…no. Not yet. We may have to put that off for another few years yet, which Vifspori may throw a bit of a tantrum about." She giggled. "But he will get over it when I tell him why."

"I thought that was something you wanted to do before years end? You were going to leave this summer. What's changed?" Tauriel scanned her friend, and she seemed alright. Maybe they heard something she did not know yet?

"Well…I have yet to tell my brother, but, I just learned I was expecting."

The smile on Tauriel's face shined. "Leotti!" She said happily. "That is most excellent and wonderous news. Do you know when to expect your new gift?"

Leotti rubbed her still flat stomach. "Not until late winter. I only just found out, so it is quite early. I have not even truly announced it yet, but Ori knows and your family. That is about all I wish to tell right now."

"I am so pleased for you." Tauriel moved to get out of bed but Leotti noticed and ran to her instead seeing Tauriel wince as she attempted to slide her leg out around her sleeping infant.

"Stubborn elf." Leotti laughed as she wrapped her arms around Tauriel. But then, the little dam broke down again. "Stupid, stubborn, elf." She cried, the sobs wracking her body nearly had Tauriel crying from the pain it brought her both mentally and physically. "You left, and then I heard you were taken, and nobody knew what was going on. Then you came back, and you look terrible." She laughed at the end, and it was the small gasp of pain from her elven friend that had Leotti release her immediately.

"What happened! Amralime? I'm coming up." Kili growled through their link.

"NO! Kili, Leotti just embraced me a bit too tightly. I am fine, just, give me a moment." Tauriel felt Kili's anger then she felt him trying to control his temper. "I am alright, Kili. I am not going anywhere." She soothed to her husband. She knew he still was hurting deep down from that terrible dream he had. He was afraid he would lose her, but he won't. She won't leave him, but she knows it will take time for him to work through it. "Help with Maryn, then join me for lunch?"

There was a pause from his side of the bond, then, he hummed a yes and went quiet. She felt him a bit less focused, however, and knew he was keeping a tighter vigil on her. Nothing she could do about that.

In the split second it took her to have the mental conversation with her protective dwarven prince, Tauriel was also working on getting a handle on the pain she was enduring. Kilion was holding her hand, while Leotti looked horrified at the prospect of harming her closest friend.

"I am so sorry, Tauri." The little dam apologized.

"Give her a moment dear." Dis said getting one of the tinctures Oin had made for her and stirring the contents into a fresh cup of tea before promptly bringing it to her daughter and helping her guide it to her lips.

"Mama?" Kilion said, squeezing her hand. "Nan? Is mama alright?"

Dis rubbed Tauriel's back as she drank her tea. She nodded to the little dwarfling looking at his mother with worry. "She's healing, love."

"Oh Tauri, I forget my own strength sometimes." Leotti looked quite forlorn as she sat on the bed. When her friend had finished her tea and handed the cup to Dis, she asked again if Tauriel was alright and the eleth nodded but she opted not to speak for the remainder of the visit.

The draught calmed her system, and she closed her eyes as she leaned her head against the pillows stacked behind her. The next time she opened them, a pair of the most beautiful brown eyes she has ever seen was looking down on her and she felt herself lean into the large hand cupping her face.

"You alright?" The deep timbre of his voice had her closing her eyes again if only so she could relish in the sound that cuts through her. "Amralime?"

"I am tired of the pain." Tauriel said, reaching up and placing her hand over his and entwining their fingers together. "How long will I be like this?"

Kili sighed and sat on the bed beside her. Kilion was fast asleep on his side of the bed and Ithtiri was with Dis, who had told Kili when he returned she had ushered everyone out of the room once she realized Tauriel had fallen asleep. They were still in the main sitting room of the suites enjoying some tea and talking. Or, Shaada was talking while Hillanna and Leotti were relentlessly drilling Viltarra for heavy details on her time away.

Kili has to admit he was quite proud of his sister who was holding her own against the two dams very well. She even seemed happy to be talking to them. Viltarra has come so far since he first met her, and since they returned from figurative purgatory nearly two decades earlier.

"My Tauriel." Kili hummed as he focused on his wife who really did look as if she was beyond miserable for more than one reason. "You have been through so much this last month. It will take a while for your body to heal, but we will get through it, ya?"

Tauriel grumbled a bit as she closed her eyes. "I am most unhappy about how slow my body is healing now."

"Oh? So you are finding out that being mortal is not so glamorous?" Kili had the audacity to laugh. What else can he do? Does he feel guilty that the reason his wife now has an imminent death date in the future was purely because of him? Every, single, day. This divine creature deserved every bit of the eternal youth she was blessed with at birth. Yet she chose to love him, a mortal being, and in doing so, damned herself to be tied to him in every way. Sure, it was a unique situation that had her giving up that immortality, and knowing Tauriel as well as he does, he knows she would have been unable to handle a life without him when he died. Yet there was something that cut him deep to know he was the reason she was so diminished.

"Glamorous?" Tauriel echoed as she opened her emerald eyes to look at him. Her lips curved up into the semblance of a smile and it nearly undid Kili. "And what makes you think that I do not believe this life to be indescribably glamorous, my Kili? Do not mind my whining. I simply am speaking my frustrations out loud, and to you."

"Frustrations that are quite valid, Tauriel. Your body has changed from what you were accustomed to for just over 600 years. Six centuries. It is well within your right to be upset about it." Kili leaned in and pressed a kiss to her brow, his lips lingering where they rested.

However, Tauriel gently pushed him away, her head cocked as she took him in. For awhile, she was silent, just staring at him as if assessing him. She could easily walk through the open door to their minds and read his emotions, or bid him to share his thoughts. But instead, she remained in her own mind and simply stared into him.

One hand, then another began tracing his face. Tauriel brushed her fingers along every contour, every edge, every hard line that was her Kili. She splayed her fingers as they combed through his beard and Kili for his part, closed his eyes and pressed his face into her hands.

When Tauriel leaned into his ear, his eyes half opened while he took in her words. "My Kili. You are my eternity. You are my life. You are what I look forward to seeing each day. You are what I imagine when I think about the future. Glamorous means nothing on its own, but with you, I live a life overflowing with it. I do not regret my choices even for a second, and I never shall. But…" She pulled away to see Kili smiling at her. "…I might complain about silly little things, and this…really hurts." She sighed and looked down at her covered chest. "I do not like the pain."

Kili pressed another kiss to her head and hummed. "Well, the good thing is, it should go away."

"Kili…I am getting headaches." Tauriel admitted the second Kili stopped speaking. "Nearly every day. They began from that machine. Kili, I am afraid I did not come off of that machine unaffected."

"Mm." Kili said nodding. "I know."

Now this did surprise Tauriel who gave him a look that had him chuckling. "Amralime, you have not really been that good at keeping things to yourself these last few weeks. I think it is the draughts you have been taking. Considering you didn't hit your head when that creature…" The words 'Shot you' went unsaid, Kili was just not ready to say it out loud but she got the gist and nodded her head for him to continue. "…well you know. So the headaches I figured happened in Rhun and what else could it be but when they shoved a needle into your neck. We can have Oin look at you." He leaned around his wife to run his hands up the still shaved hair at the base of her skull. The wounds were healed, unlike her other more serious wounds, but clearly she was still affected by what that human had done to her. How he longed to kill that despicable human over and over again for touching his wife.

"Ivethin mentioned in passing about headaches being a common problem with all the elves who were in Rhun. Most were minor and tolerable, while others…well…I am assuming are quite serious. Do you want me to send her a message about it?"

Tauriel shook her head. "No. Really they are not that bad, I just…I wanted to share it with you."

It was nearly overwhelming the feeling of love Kili sent her. "Tauriel." He sighed like a prayer being sent to the maker. He didn't say anything further, just eyed the space beside her. Tauriel of course was already moving before Kili said a word, making room for him to slip into the bed with her, he then allowed her to rest against him. She was in so much pain these days he knew it would be better for her to adjust rather than him pulling her to him and causing her discomfort. Kili did glance at his youngest son who was so lost in his dreams he was drooling on the pillow. It had him smiling.

"Thank you for telling me." Was what he said first, the sound rumbling through his chest having the same effect as a purr does with a cat. Tauriel couldn't stop herself from loosening the ties on the top of his tunic enough to expose the dark hair and warm skin she loved. She also could not help but to press a kiss to his broad and burning chest as she lay her head against him. The last thing she heard him say before she drifted off once more was, "Let's do what you always said to me when we were working through my recovery, amralime." Kili said into Tauriel's hair. "We will get through this together, one day at a time."

It took two days for the snows to stop, and in that time, the family mostly rested and relaxed. All of the eggs were stowed in boxes Nyaunni helped Bofur design, and were currently in the royal suites scattered among the family they were presented to. The children found them grossly fascinating, and were often sitting near them and asking all manner of questions to Nyaunni about them. She happily answered every question.

Tauriel took a bit longer to be stable enough to leave the suites. She continued her walking every day to strengthen her lungs and body once more. Fili found it amusing that usually she also had Kilion, the twins, and the ravens all following her circles around the room like they were a little caravan. Sometimes, even his girls would join in and it would turn into joyful moments of Tauriel's day. She needed those because at times as she walked, her chest burned almost unbearably, and she was forced to stop and rest.

Oin and Borrack worked together to create a plan of action to help her, both insisting the first thing she needed to do was listen to her body. If it was telling her it was not ready to move on from simple walks around the suite, she needed to accept that. The fact she was able to walk more and more each day was proof enough to them she would recover. It may take a while, but it would come.

Two weeks later, Tauriel was allowed, accompanied by Kili who pushed a wheeled pram that held the sleeping Ithtiri, down to visit the markets while their elder sons were in classes and her youngest son was with Nyaunni in the stables. The walk was slow, and filled with breaks, but eventually Tauriel breathed in the smells of freshly baked goods, fire, metal, and wood that was the aroma of the market. Everyone greeted her with a smile, and more than once, a shop owner would insist she take a seat as they showed her their newest merchandise, they either made, or had just made it through the snow from a trade shipment. The first of which having arrived the morning before.

Tauriel smiled and enjoyed herself, even buying several things which Kili carried around for her as he pushed Ithtiri who only woke a few times from the noise of the busy marketplace. It did not bother her for long as she would look at Kili for a few moments, then her eyes would close slowly, and she would fall back to sleep. He thinks she could care less what was happening around her as long as either he or Tauriel were within sight. Dis offered to take her, but Kili wanted to spend the day with his girls; his daughter, and his wife. He also knew Tauriel wanted Ithtiri close by as well, so he thanked his mother, but declined her offer.

The market was busy, likely because it was nearing mid day, but they were able to go stand to stand without too much fuss. And of course they had to have lunch with Leotti, who was back to her bubbly self as she exclaimed how happy she was to see Tauriel was up and around. Then thoroughly explained how she was going to lock her friend up and make sure she never leaves the mountain again. Or at least until she was well enough to do so without causing herself harm.

Considering Kili felt the same, he let Tauriel be lectured by the small dam as he smugly smiled beside her while she nursed their daughter. Kili was the one to take her when she finished eating, however, and walked her around patting her back. This was the part that still hurt Tauriel, so Kili was always happy to take on the task. Even if it did usually end up with him becoming the spit up rag. Fortunately for him, Ithtiri held in all her food this time.

Once they left Leotti's, the final stop they made before Tauriel could not go further, was visiting the still closed bakery. Tauriel thought the darkened space was sad to see, but Vin was still recovering himself, and baking for him was currently a bit of a sour spot. "I hope he finds his happiness again."

"Who's happiness?"

Tauriel lifted her eyes and smiled widely at the very dwarf she was just worried about. Vin nodded, his eyes going to the empty bakery behind them. "Heard you were down here, and thought, why not come to the old place and see what has come of it."

"What…has come of it? Whatever do you mean?" Tauriel asked confused.

Tarrah rolled her eyes. "Ignore him." She said, glaring at her husband. "You well know Thorin already said the bakery is ours and going nowhere. However long we need, he said it will be here for us."

"I can't bake, my treasure. Why waste the space."

"Because for one thing, I can, and you have a daughter who loves to as well." Tarrah huffed and folded her arms. Viltarra was beside her, Taurion strapped to her chest. She looked between her mother and father, but was remaining quiet as she glanced at Tauriel and rolled her eyes as her mother continued her rant. Clearly, it was a regular argument. "And who says you can't bake, eh? Didn't you make cookies with Dissah, Vilia, and Kilion just yesterday?"

"They were burnt." Vin grumbled.

"And?" Tarrah said snippily. "Apart from being a bit dark they were perfect." She glared at her husband. "And if I recall the reason they WERE burnt, it was because our Vilia spilled the flour and you were helping the children clean it up before Dis saw her kitchen looking like the blizzard had blown about inside."

"There was flour everywhere." Kili laughed.

"Yes, and who was to really blame for that?" Tarrah said, looking at Kili, then her husband.

"Fili." Vin hmphed. "And that one." He pointed to Kili who had an unrepentant smile on his face. "Causing chaos."

Kili shrugged. "No harm in a bit of a flour war now and again." He smirked. "And the cookies were still very good."

"See." Tarrah's hands were firmly on her hips as her piercing eyes bore into her husband. "The point of the matter is you can bake, and I will prove that to you here and now."

"Tar…" Vin warned but the dam was having none of it as she marched several stands down. Tauriel looked to Kili who shrugged but Viltarra leaned out and rolled her eyes.

"She's getting eggs, milk, and butter from Murdhen…and maybe a few other things." She explained. "Looks like we're baking da." Viltarra leaned back in, a small smile on her face. "You can do it, I know you can, but are you ready for this?"

Vin looked at the stump he had for a left hand, then at his daughter. He was a firm believer in teaching her she could do anything she set her mind to. So he felt himself slowly nodding his head. "I guess it won't hurt none to try."

Just as he finished speaking, Tarrah came in with a basket she set on the counter then began pulling ingredients from their stores and throwing them down on the table. She did so with a bit of force, making sure her husband knew she was a bit annoyed with him and would not budge on this.

Tauriel herself was conflicted. She just sat with Kili's hand on her shoulder watching the scene play out as she used her foot to rock the pram forward and back. From the looks of the ingredients Tarrah was pulling out…they were making cheese buns. She felt her mouth water at the prospect as Viltarra got everything she needed from the back to begin working on the magical center of the buns.

"These are the easiest things to make." Viltarra whispered to Tauriel and Kili. "They don't require too much work, but will challenge da. I think mama is taking it a bit far, but I understand why she is doing it." She looked up at the kitchen where her mother and father disappeared and shut her mouth promptly when they both stepped back out.

"Scoot a bit, gem." Tarrah sung as she placed a large baking sheet down beside a bowl. "Well?" She said expectantly to her husband who was currently just standing and watching her almost warily.

"Mama…maybe..."

"No. I won't hear it." Tarrah uncharacteristically snapped at her daughter. "For nearly two months I have been hearing my husband die away a little every time baking is brought up."

"Tar…"

"No Vin. Enough is enough." Tarrah growled.

Kili looked to Tauriel, but both stayed silent, not even speaking in their minds as neither wanted to miss a thing. Though Kili did send… "Tell me she doesn't channel uncle a bit too unnervingly."

Tauriel gave him a warning look which he simply responded with a smirk as they watched Tarrah grab a measuring cup and hand it to Vin.

"I know how much baking is a part of you, Vin. You can do this." She said, the edge leaving her voice. "And we will be right here to help and support you."

Vin looked around the space, the family all nodding in agreement, and he sighed. "Alright. Why not give it a shot." He stepped towards the bowl but dropped the cup.

"I got it." Kili said but Vin stopped him.

"No, just…let me." Kili stepped aside and let Vin reach for the cup. Fortunately, his dominant hand still remained, so the pouring was easy. He only had issues with holding bags open, which Viltarra helped with despite Vin insisting he was fine.

Tarrah would bring things over as she knew he would need them, Vin carefully adding each ingredient to the bowl. As an experienced baker, he was able to do nearly everything one handed, even crack the eggs open. It was like his body was taking over as he baked. Mixing was a bit more complicated, however, as the bowl kept moving. So much so, the baker was getting frustrated to the point of stepping away.

"See Tar, I just…I cant!" Vin growled in anger, as the bowl tipped again, nearly falling off the table.

Kili quirked his head to the side, then hummed thoughtfully. "Give me a moment." He pecked Tauriel on the cheek, then ran from the stand.

"Where's he goin?" Viltarra asked curiously.

Tauriel smiled. "To the forge. He has an idea."

Just down the path, Kili was rummaging through his brother's supplies in the family forge. "Where is it…"

"Whatcha doing Ki?"

Kili slammed his head on the counter as he stood up, his hand immediately going to the top of his head that got hit. "Tongs of the maker, Fi, don't startle me like that!" He looked around him but none of the children save for Vilia had come. "Where's Karra and Dissah?"

Fili rolled his eyes. "With Naurfaer. He's helping dry the two creatures and brush them out. Thought I would come down and see how Tauri is doing. Have you seen my wife around? She said she might stop by the market with her parents today and meet up with you, so I am sure she is here somewhere."

"They are at the bakery. You didn't see them?" Kili asked, going back to his task.

"I didn't go that way." Fili answered honestly. He had gone around the back figuring he would head them off. "Again…what are you doing?"

Kili sighed. "Vin is trying to bake."

Fili smiled in surprise. "Really? That's great. But it doesn't answer why you're in the forge. Did you get bored or something? I assume Tauri is in the bakery then?"

"Yes, Tauriel is in the bakery, so is Viltarra. And no, I did not get bored. He is having trouble keeping the bowl in place so I thought I would get a few clamps to hold it down. Where do you keep them?"

Fili set Vilia down and moved to the opposite side to where Kili was looking and pulled them from a crate under the counter. "These?" He asked. "They won't work on a bowl Ki." Fili shook his head, then looked around. "But…" Fili went to his pile of projects. "I think I might have something that may work!" He took a moment to sift through each melded piece of steel until he found a scrap piece that looked far too much like a bowl with two wide feet extending from the bottom on either side. "…maybe the clamps paired with this will do."

"What…in the fiery forge of the maker…was that supposed to be Fili?"

Fili shifted about, his eyes glancing to the bakery he could just see from the side counter as his voice dropped to the softest of whispers. "I tried teaching Tauriel how to forge a helm. This…was the result. Don't laugh!"

Kili's bright laughter filled the forge despite Fili glaring at him. "Sorry. Right." Kili continued to laugh until he got himself under control. "I mean… to be fair…it is better than your first attempt at forging. At least it's kinda like a helm…if you squint…and you can technically place it on your head."

"And who's head would this fit?" Fili asked lifting the large piece. "I think it might fit a troll. But certainly not anyone in the mountain."

Kili hummed in agreement. "Okay, so she made it a little bit big…"

"A little?" Fili said, his brow raising.

"Well at least it can be used for something Fi. Come on, let's go see if this will work."

Kili snatched the piece and jogged to the bakery. He knew Fili was just behind him with the clamps, not even having to ask.

"Kili?" Viltarra said curiously as Kili came running back in and went right to the kitchen to clean the bowl like piece thoroughly. It would not hurt them to use, but if it works, something with a slightly different kind of metal should be used and sealed so it lasts regular exposure to wet ingredients.

When he came back out with the dried bowl, Fili was already on the ground, attaching the clamps to the table. "Go ahead, Ki." He said to his brother, signaling him to place the feet of the bowl that was once meant to be some decorative top part of the helm, onto the table.

"Oh no." Tauriel grumbled as she saw what they had. Red tinges of embarrassment filled her face, but she did not elaborate, only watched as the two brothers secured what she had made into place.

Once done, Kili backed away and smiled. "Alright Vin. She's all yours!"

Vin gave them both a look. "What…is all mine?" He asked as he moved closer to inspect what was attached to the table.

"Well…you were having a problem with the bowl moving, and this is a bowl, of sorts, that won't move. Give it a try!"

Vin sighed as he eyed the mixing bowl he had been using, then the very weirdly shaped bowl the boys brought in. "You just made this?"

"Mahal no." Kili said quickly. "Tauriel made it."

"KILI!" Tauriel said with more than a bit of mortification both in her tone, and through their link. "Fili you promised that was between us!"

Fili gave her a look. "Yes. Us. And since Kili is a part of you…technically I didn't break that promise…Kili did."

Tauriel folded her arms and just glared at her brother. She decided to let it go as she watched Vin pour the contents of the mixing bowl into the helm she had attempted to forge. When he began to mix, the anger left her as he realized the secured bowl was exactly what he needed.

"This…this works!" He said happily as he mixed for several minutes. Once everything came together, he lifted the clump of dough onto the counter and began to work it one handed as the family watched.

Tarrah had tears in her eyes, as a smile broke out on Vin's face. He placed the dough back in the bowl, covered it, and pulled her into an embrace. "Thank you for pushing me." He whispered into her hair.

"I am sorry if I upset you." She said back, but Vin countered it with an apology for being stubborn.

Tauriel smiled at the scene and soon the family was working together to fill the buns while Vin started the ovens. It was nice to see some of the light come back to Vin's eyes as he laughed and worked his craft. He naturally had several hiccups, and will need to find new ways of doing some things…but he was quickly learning he was more capable than he believed himself to be.

And of course, to Tauriel's great pleasure, the buns came out perfect.

"Tauriel…do you think we can talk. I have a few things I need to ask you."

As Vin was turning out the lights in the bakery, and the family going back to the suites a few hours later, Viltarra stopped her sister, nodding to several dams and dwarves who passed eyeing the bundle against her chest with quiet curiosity.

Giving the fact it's been nearly three weeks since they arrived home, and of course thanks to the gossiping nature of dwarves among themselves, it was no secret the wife of the crowned prince and future queen of the dwarven people now had an infant.

At first, Thorin and Fili had spoken about keeping a low light on Taurion. Neither were sure how the elven infant would be received. However, Viltarra was completely against this. She insisted they not brush under the anvil what Taurion was. She would not be ashamed of her son in any way, and to hide him would be to make a public statement that they resented his blood in one form or another. They never hid Tauriel, why hide Taurion?

The next bit she said is what solidified what came next. She accused them of being like minded to Thranduil, who did all he could to hide Tauriel's nature…forcing her into a life where she was ostracized for failing to be what they claimed her to be as they pushed her to conform.

Needless to say, the very next day Thorin had a statement put out, Dis began sharing the story of her newest grandchild, and Viltarra made a point to keep Taurion's little pointed ears well in view of anyone passing.

Naturally, there was a bit of an uproar…though some were curious as to why the lady Tauriel did not take the elven infant in, considering she is an elf. Others, however, called Viltarra and Fili honorable and compassionate for what they did.

Tauriel may have helped with that as she shared the story of Taurion's birth mother, and Viltarra shared a less traumatic story of how he was born. Though it still was quite gruesome even toned down. Some facts were kept private, however, as certain aspects of Lorylin's life were not conducive to the story or situation. But it curved the majority of the dwarves ire, and even had them celebrating a new member of the family.

Balin even worked with Thorin to give him a letter of citizenship, a certificate of birth for records purposes, and even, a title.

Then there was last week. Thorin had surprised the family when he ordered Dis to organize the official ceremony to present Taurion to the people. Viltarra and Fili were brought to tears by the order, and Thorin explained that just because he came to the family in an unorthodox way, he wanted it known Taurion was as much a part of their world as any of the other children.

The only thing Thorin did put an end to, which was done at the ceremony, was that although Taurion was officially a prince of Erebor, he was not allowed to rule their people. He will be on every document, added to the family tree, and will be given royal duties as he matures. He was the son of Fili in every way, but for the singular reason he does not have even a drop of blood from Durin, he could never take the throne. It was their way and had nothing to do with him being an elf. After all, Finli was technically half elf and that in itself was a headache to deal with when the other lords questioned his place in the family line.

Only the fact he was Kili's true son, and Kili was a direct descendent of Durin like his brother and as such all his sons had the blood of Durin in their veins, gave Finli the leg up. Well, that and the fact he bore the makers brand on his wrist like his mother.

The celebration of Taurion and his announcement that he was part of the royal family went well; nobody outwardly seemed hostile, and everyone cheered. The proclamation that he was never to rule probably helped more than anything, but Viltarra was happy their people seemed for the most part, alright with her raising the tiny elf. Though now and again she heard the snickering as she passed, they were far fewer than she anticipated so she just takes it. She has the family's support, and most the peoples, so what does she care about a few old crones who have nothing better to do than mindlessly gossip and spew nasty comments. If not her infant, they will always find something else to curse about, Viltarra had no doubts about that.

Most onlookers, though, were just curious and wanted to get a glimpse of the little elf adopted by the royal family as they passed by. Viltarra tolerated the attention as best she could, especially if they were kind. She even would stop now and again and let those she knew personally get a true look at her and Fili's son.

The one thing she has yet to do, is have that conversation with Tauriel about Karrah's dream and it had been eating at her for longer than she liked. Apart from the odd connection she has with him that tells her and Fili when he is needing something like food or a changing, which was difficult to put to words…he seemed like any normal baby. But how was Karra able to be visited by him?

"Of course, Muinthel. Come. We can discuss this as we go meet the children. I just realized the time, and Balin should be finishing up with Finli, Orin, and Naufi. I think this is the last week for Orin and Naufi before the go back to regular classes and they are very happy about that."

Viltarra chuckled. Naturally, the children were more than a bit preoccupied with their parents being away to focus on school. However, Karra and Dissah seemed to do just fine with keeping on top of their course studies despite the upset in their family life. Naufi and Orin, however…were another story. So Balin offered to help catch them up and had them join in on Finli's normal instruction to help them from falling too far behind. Finli rather enjoyed his brother's being in the class, but the twins were of a different opinion…and made that opinion known to anyone willing or unwilling to listen.

"I'll take the little lady up." Kili hummed, pushing the pram. "Will you be alright?"

"I'll be fine, meleth nin." Tauriel said, leaning in to press a kiss to his lips. She smiled when Kili chased her as she pulled away, pulling her gently into another kiss then grinning as he finally turned from her to go the opposite direction. Fili rolled his eyes, pressed a kiss to Viltarra's temple, then too, left towards the family suites.

Tauriel watched them go, her heart bright and a soft laugh on her lips as Fili placed Vilia on his shoulders, her giggles filling the hall and echoing off the stone walls.

"What is it you wish to ask?" Tauriel then asked as they turned to make the slow, and rest filled walk, to where Balin does lessons.

Viltarra glanced around her, but they were alone for the time being. "I don't know if I ever told you this, but before I left to join Kili, Karra seemed to know I would be returning with, well, Taurion. She did not say his name, but she did claim he visited her in her dream so she knew she would be getting a brother." She stopped and sat, knowing Tauriel could only go so long without a break, and if she sat first, it would likely make her sister feel better about needing to sit down. "The thing is, Karra has never, well, had anything similar happen to her, not before, and not since. Is it maybe…an elf thing?"

"An elf thing?" Tauriel hummed a soft chuckle. It hurt less and less to speak these days, but she still experienced pain daily. It certainly was a long road of healing for her. "Perhaps. We really won't know until he gets older if he has any elven gifts."

"Oh." Viltarra felt a bit, what was the word, disheartened.

"Does this upset you?" Tauriel asked picking up on her sisters disappointment. "It is just so hard to tell when they are this young if they have gifts. I am still rather trying to sort of Kilion and Finli have gifts themselves, and they are much older."

"I just thought, maybe, it was normal for infants in the womb to…oh I don't know…communicate with their parents." Viltarra sighed.

"They do. But really only with their mother and in some cases, their father through their mother. Well…at least in my case." She thought of all the times her unborn babes connected with Kili through her and could not help but feel a wave of love for Kili and his deep desire to connect with all his children. "Even so, they can only communicate through feelings never words. Language is nothing to them." Tauriel glanced at her sister, then at the sleeping babe in her arms. "That is not to say Taurion did not somehow visit Karra. His mother rejected him. Our unborn need that connection, so it could have been pity from beyond, or maybe, your guardian, who allowed the brief connection. It is hard to say. You have nothing to be concerned about, he is perfectly healthy, and well loved. That is all he needs right now. If he has a gift, it will manifest as he grows. But what he did, is not something normally done, nor do I think it is something you ought to be concerned about."

Viltarra nodded. "I think I am more concerned about him having a gift we know nothing about."

Tauriel laughed. "It is not as if we have abilities that would compare us to wizards, muinthel. You need not worry so much, I think what is to be, will be. We will cross bridges as we come to them."

"What about Kilion and Finli?" Viltarra asked curiously.

This time, Tauriel sighed. "Finli, I feel less worried about. If he has an ability, it doesn't seem to affect him too much. However, my little lion…I am most certain may be crushed by what is within him. Yet, over the last few weeks, I can see something changing. He is still so very sensitive to moods and changes happening in his world, yet he seems to be better able to filter them. I do not understand and that is making me rather wary. I have voiced my desire to take him to Galadriel or Elrond. If for no other reason but to learn better about what Kilion is facing and if it is a documented gift or something new. I suppose I should take my own advice and cross the bridge as it comes." She chuckled softly as footsteps began to pick up ahead.

"I believe I can hear the shuffling of steps down the corridor, classes must be released." Tauriel looked at her sister, pausing before she stood. "I am here to answer anything you need, muinthel. I wish I could give you more comfort or a better answer, but I will promise to answer as best I know. My grandfather as well. But I think Taurion is quite perfect, and seems to be acting as any infant would act. Worry not, the children all seem perfectly well."

Viltarra nodded and stood. Taurion was strapped to her chest once more, which was all well and good because Tauriel did end up needing a bit of help to stand before together, they met up with Tauriel's boys.

Despite the talk, Viltarra still kept a careful eye on both her elven son, and her eldest daughter who seemed completely normal. She never brought it up with Karra again, since Karra never really mentioned it, so she let it go.

As the barrage of storms passed, with one final blizzard hitting the lands, the mountain remained at peace with their entire royal family home. The weeks beyond the storm saw the world around them slowly melting.

Kili even took his sons and nieces out for a bit of fun in the snow that turned into an all out war when Finli, Karrah, and the twins tackled Naurfaer to the ground and the elf retaliated by hitting Kili in the back with a snowball when his grandson by marriage laughed at him.

Fili, who had been in a meeting at the time, also ended up joining after Dungael needed to go out. He had to excuse himself from the meeting that didn't really need him there anyway, and could not help but join his brother for some of the fun.

Kili laughed brightly when a ball of snow slammed into Fili's face, at least until his brother shut him up by shoving a ball of snow in Kili's mouth.

Life, was healing, and the pain from all they endured in Rhun, wanning.

As Kili shuffled his very cold, and equally wet sons into their sitting room, he was met with a wife who sat on the sofa feeding their daughter and singing softly. Beside her, the box of eggs sat, but one particular egg was sitting in a different basket…and moving.

"No way!" Naufi exclaimed excitedly as he ran to the egg and fell on his knees. "It's hatching?"

"Mhm." Tauriel hummed, finishing her song and standing. She winced a little but otherwise walked with ease to Ithtiri's basket and set her sleeping daughter down into her blankets. "I noticed it just an hour ago."

The egg was Kili's, the deep blue coloring now interrupted with cracks and fractures spidering out from one small hole where a piece of the shell had fallen away.

"Come on, you can do it!" Orin encouraged.

"He's making a chirping noise, like a bird." Kilion observed. "Do you hear it Fin?" He looked up at his elder brother who nodded, a broad grin on his face.

"I hear it, little lion. Da, this one is yours, right?" Finli asked from where he crouched beside his three brothers.

"It is!" Kili said excitedly.

However, moods were quite dampened a bit with the sound of a tapping foot. Two sets of brown and emerald, then one set of blue eyes looked up at the eleth who had her arms folded and a stern expression on her face. "You are all dripping wet." Tauriel said shaking her head. "Go, warm showers and a change of clothes for all of you."

"Awww." Naufi whined while Orin stood up.

"But mama, I want to see it hatch." Kilion said, somewhat surprising everyone considering he rarely said a word against anything Tauriel asked of him.

"Can we stay just a little longer?" Orin asked giving her a pleading look.

"That eggs progress has not changed in the last hour. It is a long process as you have all seen with the chicken and goose eggs down in the stables." Tauriel said not giving a bit. She would not see her precious stars come down with a cold because they did not wish to change. "Go warm up, then you can come out here and watch it."

"Can I draw it?" Kilion asked.

"Of course darling, but go, lest you come down with plugged noses and heated foreheads."

Finli chuckled. "Mama, were dwarves, we are already heated." He pushed his youngest brother along towards the bedroom, deciding it was best just to go and do what was asked of him over needless arguing.

When Tauriel heard the shower turning on, she lifted a brow to her husband who was squatting down to stare at the egg. "You too meleth nin." Tauriel said, lifting a brow at her husband.

"Hm?" Kili asked, leaning in closer to the egg. "It really is chirping! Come listen, amralime."

Tauriel rolled her eyes and leaned down to take his hand and tug on it. "Kili, I do not fancy you getting ill, and I do not fancy feeling that illness through you. Please go change in the very least."

Kili looked up at her, then decided to give in and went to the room to shower and change. She was right, he didn't want to get ill, and she was just starting to get her pain levels to a tolerable level to the point she can function without any draughts now. Him getting sick would certainly set her back and he won't contribute to that.

So one warm shower later, Kili was pulling on his heavy socks over his sleep pants, and his sleep tunic. He shuddered as he left the hot bathroom, and grabbed his dressing robe on the way back to the sitting room. Maybe he was colder than he thought.

It really should not have been all that much of a surprise to see all of his children already back and surrounding the egg which Tauriel moved to the table so they could all kneel around it, Kili more than happily getting right down on the ground between them.

"How long do you think it will take, da?" Orin asked, shoving his twin who was crowding him.

Kili simply hummed in response. "No idea." He finally answered. "Could be an hour, could take all night."

"Should we get gam?" Naufi asked. "She will know, right?"

Just as he said that, a loud chirp sounded and the egg began to rock a bit, falling on its side. Kili chuckled as he watched it. "Clumsy, aren't we?" He watched as another crack appeared near the bottom and he saw what clearly was a toe peek out. He knew that because he remembered Uri when he was young, and that, looked like a back claw.

"Come on! You can do it!" Kilion said, standing so he could see. He was too small to kneel. "Look mama! His foot is out!"

Tauriel kneeled behind Kilion, wrapping her arms around her youngest son and pulling him against her as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I see my lion."

Another chirp and a larger crack formed enough for a small wing to come into view, then, a tiny head looked out and up at Kili.

"Well look at you." Kili said with a smile, having been the one leaning closest to the hatching egg. The hatchling had a large bit of eggshell still on its head as it chirped several times. "I guess we can help a bit, ya?" Kili chuckled when the shell fell into his eyes. He reached in and pulled the shell off and the small creature chirped again.

"It's grey." Naufi said looking disappointed. "I thought it would be blue, like the shell."

"Well, what color were Kaw and Umyra's hatchlings?" Tauriel asked.

"Pink." Kilion answered proudly. "But now they are black. Well, two of them are, Feya is white like Umyra." He looked up at the ravens, all five of which in their perch watching the scene unfold. Duk still remains the largest of his siblings, while his brother Sokki is the smallest of the three. They were still large birds though, considering Kaw was the largest raven in Erebor, and Umyra herself was not small in any right, being quite near Kaw's size. Ereborian ravens reach full growth at two years of age, which is also when they reach maturity. Duk, Sokki, and Feya are just coming up on a year.

They are clever as they come though, and Duk, who was much like Kaw in mannerisms and demeanor, is even armor trained and able to fly missives as far as Mirkwood. The other two are a bit more stubborn and in need of additional training but they do take messages to Dale now and again. Tauriel is confident they are just fine; she adores all of them.

Kili focused back on the animal that had just hatched, watching as it worked to drag itself out of the bottom half of the shell. It really was cute, with its large blue eyes looking up at him. It chirped, clearly exhausted as it pulled in its first breaths of fresh air. "Welcome to the world." Kili said softly. It made him think about the births of all his children, how they would blink up at him, squinting in the light around them, as they too took their first breaths.

"Is it a he...or a she?" Finli asked curiously, watching as it curled its tail around itself and nuzzled the blanket.

"Honestly? I don't know." Kili answered, looking up at Tauriel who was smiling at the newly hatched animal. She was so beautiful.

"Da?" Finli asked, then rolled his eyes. "We lost him."

"What?" Kili shook his head, Tauriel lifting her emerald eyes and smirking. Mahal she was his undoing, and she knew it. "Oh. Right. Your gam will have to help us out with that. Why don't you go get her. She did say no matter the time, she wants to be informed when they begin hatching."

"I'll get her!' Finli jumped up and ran from the room and into his grandparents suites. No need to knock...the family never knocked. Everyone had open door policies. Though sometimes when he comes in to see his pop, his nan sidetracks him before he has a chance to go down the hallway in their suite to open his pops and gams chamber room door. Well...knock on the door…not just open it. Bedroom doors he has learned to knock on, compliments of accidentally walking in on his uncle coming out of the shower naked.

Finli got a bit of a lecture from uncle Fili who said he was allowed to come into the sitting room anytime he wanted, but he needs to learn to knock on bedchamber doors. Fin was confused why it was such a big deal, but then Fili reminded him he had an aunt who lived in the same space, and in respect for her, he needed to announce his presence before walking in. Apparently, uncle Fili told his mama and da, because he also got a lecture from them too. So now, he does knock on certain doors.

"Hey nan!" Fin said as he noticed his grandmother sitting in one of the stuffed chairs, reading a thick book. "Have you seen gam?"

Dis set her book on her lap and smiled. "She is in her room with your uncle. Is everything alright, dear?"

Finli nodded then sighed as he plopped down on the sofa. "Ya. She wanted us to get her when one of the eggs hatched."

"Mm." Dis hummed. "Go on then. They just went in."

Finli grinned and jumped back up, sure she was going to make him wait a while or go back to his chambers and come back in the morning. As he ran down the hall to the double doors that were his pop's and gam's suite, he heard his nan call out, "Make sure you knock Finli!"

Finli rolled his eyes, and made a few good raps on the door and waited.

"Come in." Came the deep voice of his grandfather, bidding him to enter, which he did.

"Hey pop!" Fin said cheerily.

Thorin was sitting on the bench at the end of his massive bed, removing his boots. He did look up and smile at his eldest grandson though. "Fin. Come, sit, what's on your mind?"

Finli moved to sit beside his pop, who shuffled his boots to the side then turned his attention to the dwarfling beside him. Fin was no stranger to the room, he came in once in awhile to just chat with his pop, or to tell him about something he learned about that day, or even to play a song for him he was learning on his da's fiddle. Today, though, was a bit different.

"One of the eggs hatched, the blue one." He said excitedly.

Just as he spoke, the door leading to the bathing room was thrown open and Nyaunni popped out in her dressing gown, rushing to Finli. "Did I hear one of the eggs hatched?" Without stopping, or verifying the information, Nyaunni was out the door.

"So much for evening plans." Finli heard his pop grumble, though he turned a soft smile to his grandson and ruffled his hair. "Suppose we should go catch up, hm?"

"Ya!" Fin said as he stood, taking his pop's hand and pulling him from the room and past the now empty sitting room. Nan must have gone across the hall as well.

When he entered his sitting room with his pop, the entire family was huddled around the basket that held the chirping newborn aelúg.

"She is so tiny." Karra was gushing.

"Listen to her little noises, like a baby chick." Dissah cooed.

"Her?" Finli asked as he pushed his way through his siblings and cousins.

"Ya, gam says it's a girl." Naufi said.

Kili chuckled as he watched his family surround the tiny hatchling who was looking too and fro with her large eyes. It was clear she was overwhelmed when she gave a small chirp then looked up at Kili, dragging herself to his warmth and hiding herself under her wing when she felt herself bump against his arm that was resting on the basket.

Nyaunni looked pleased. "You were the first she saw, yes?" She asked Kili who nodded. "Good. She is clearly already imprinted on you. She is yours, correct?"

"Ya." Kili smiled softly, his large hand opening as she nestled into Kili's warmth. By the fires of the makers great forge, he was already smitten with her.

Kili smiled as he felt a pair of arms wrap around him, and a chin rest on his shoulder. Tauriel did not say anything as she nuzzled his ear before looking back at the hatchling, but he felt her happiness through their bond. This seemed like a fitting end to their recent adventures. Life born from loss, a new beginning. He glanced at Fili, who held Taurion in his arms. More than just one new beginning.

It felt like every day, the world was changing; growing darker with the shadows coming out of where they festered to dim the light around them. What did the future hold? What will happen to these lands when the light can no longer keep the darkness at bay?

Kili sighed and lay his head against Tauriel's. She once told him the light of the stars were memory, precious and pure. If memory can make the light of night shine bright…then he will do everything in his power to create memories that will make the night sky burn brighter than the day.

Moments like these are exactly what those memories are made of. Moments where he is surrounded by everything he loves…his home, his children, his family, and his one. Tauriel. His soul's true and only mate.

Kili closed his eyes. It was not long ago, he told his uncle and his brother he had no faith left. He felt as if he was abandoned by his maker who gifted him everything, only to pull it so cruelly away from him. Yet…now…he felt a heavy warmth in his mind and heart. A warmth that was not his wife or their children.

'I have never abandoned you, treasured son of Durn, he who is bonded with Tauriel…the daughter of forest and stone. You must strengthen your faith, for you shall need it in the times ahead. I have a quest for you…a quest only one in all the ages has been able to survive. But this, is for another time. Rest. Heal. Find faith. You are guarded by many. I shall be forever watching over all my sons and daughters of Durin. Do not fear the dark…but do not fall prey to its lies. Be strong, young Kili.'

A fire like warmth filled his soul, then, it dimmed to a soft warmth once more. Kili opened his eyes to look at Tauriel, but she was still staring at the hatchling, her finger scratching it under its chin. Did she not hear? Was that a message only for him? And what is this about another quest?

Rest. Heal. Find faith. He can do that. At least there is one thing he knows for certain, and that, is he is not alone.

Kili turned his head to press his lips to Tauriel's temple. Definitely, not alone.

Across the lands and raging seas, through flooded caverns and doors of stone…the earth shook violently as a crack formed in the rock of a deep cave. A blinding light suddenly fills the darkness, causing the deep dwelling creatures to scatter as it burned for several moments, then the world dimmed to black once more.

'Come seek me if you dare.' A soft voice whispered in the dark.

Authors Note: Okay, I think I got everything I wanted in here. Sorry it was so long, lol. I warred with myself if I wanted to go back and add more conversations of what happened, but I think I got enough in. I am sure more conversations will be hand in ACTS Ahead.

Also, I added a little teaser to end ACT V. Well what did you think? Got the good, the bad, and the ugly all wrapped up and ending with a rebirth.

What is ahead you ask? A LOT! Lol. We got 40 years to go before Bilbo's 111th birthday that begins the LOTR timeline. So I can fill that with a few more ACTS I think. I keep saying I will do oneshots but they end up being long ACTs XD. The next ACT will be closely following this one time-wise as it will involve Tork, Beorn, and maybe a trip to the shire. Then the ACT following will be another epic adventure involving Kili, Aule, and Tauriel. I haven't decided who else will be involve, as I am still working out ideas.

Thank you for sticking with me and continuing to read this massive ongoing story. You guys have no idea just how much it means to me to have you along for the ride. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so SO much. I love you guys and I will see you as soon as I get the next ACT going!