Updated September 23rd, 2021

Original Authors Note: Time to day goodbye to Ered Luin. See you at the end.

Chapter Three

The entire next day was spent inside their chambers; Kili and Tauriel devoting their time to go through their belongings as they chose what to keep and what not to.

"I am honestly surprised I have this many things. I only arrived here with the clothes on my back and little more. How did I acquire so much in just a year?" Tauriel was sitting cross legged on the bed surrounded by piles of gowns, tunics, coats, vests, belts, and leggings. Some of which still fit her with her growing belly, others a bit too snug, and a few which would not fit her at all in her present condition. She would toss those to a growing pile on the floor before picking up another.

"Your pile is all clothing, amralime. You have Leotti to thank for all of that." Kili was working on his own portion of the chamber, flitting through books, bows, and tools he had acquired over his lifetime.

Tauriel grumbled as she threw another reject into the pile. She will just have to get some new things once they reached Erebor; there was no need to pack things she could not use with the limited space they have. Nobody was expecting to bring all of their belongings, it is urged to only bring what one cannot part with, as the journey will be difficult enough as it is, without having to acquire additional carts for unnecessary keepsakes.

Perhaps she can have Leotti take out a few of her favorites though, her seamstress friend worked magic with anything she touched, surely, she could make these fit. With another deep sigh, Tauriel stood to stretch her muscles. She was getting more restless the further along she got, unable to sit, stand, walk, or really do anything for a long period of time before her body needed to change things up.

The moment she stood, however, she doubled over with a nearly silent 'oof'. Kili had his back to her, mumbling to himself and only turned when a timid, "Kili", caught his attention.

Dropping the jar he held, causing it to crash and shatter to the ground, Kili all but ran to his wife who stood clutching her stomach. "What is it Tauriel?! Are you in pain? Is it the baby? MAHAL he is not coming is he?! Why did I agree to you coming to Ered Luin! Kakhf!"

"KILI! Silence your mouth and give me your hand you ridiculous dwarrow." Kili closed his mouth with a snap as Tauriel reached to grab his wrist and place his hand on their son. He looked at her, brows lowered before something small nudged his large hand. Kili looked in wonder at her belly, Tauriel watching as he kneeled low, hand still in place, and rested his forehead beside where his hand sat.

"Hello to you too my son." Tauriel remained silent to give Kili this moment, she could not stop her hand, however, from reaching forward to run through her husband's dark, loose, curls. Kili pulled back enough to look at her, a smile bright on his lips and eyes moist with tears of pure joy. She is glad she could share this first time with Kili. She had never felt anything like that before, bubbles yes, but this was the first time she truly felt her son share his presence with a good, strong, kick.

"I think we taught him to dance a jig last evening." Kili laughed as their child gave another strong jab to his hand. Tauriel chuckled and the two spent the next two hours lost in their unborn son.

As the day progressed, it was made clear just how many will be leaving to Erebor, as the halls were filled with dwarves and a few dams rushing to and fro as they packed a lifetime worth of belongings.

Kili carried in a final crate, placing it beside the others in the family sitting room. "I think this is the last one, mam. Have you seen Tauriel?"

Dis was busy shuffling through the desk drawers, but she still answered her son. "She is in with Fili. Said there were a few things in your old room she wanted to get."

Nodding, Kili followed the hallway to his and Fili's room.

"Fili, you cannot possibly need all of those. You already have quite a few new ones. Leave those here." Kili entered the room to laugh heartily at his wife, standing sternly with her hands on her hips staring down at Fili, who was adding another knife to an already filled box…clearly ignoring the elf.

"This is a battle you will not win amralime." Kili leaned against the doorframe, his eyes filled with amusement as his wife turned to him.

"That is the third crate just filled with knives Kili…from this room alone. I watched him fill two of them just from his mattress. How he slept without slitting his own throat is a wonder."

"Keep what you want, little sister, and I will keep what I please. Aren't you meeting with Leotti for lunch? You do realize it is past noon, right?" Tauriel's eyes went wide as if she just realized the time and she ran from the room without another word.

Kili watched her go with a sigh. "Not even a kiss goodbye." He lamented before walking into the room and climbing up onto his bed to take his old bows down. Kili did want to keep these three, for nostalgia purposes only, and because of the fact that they would take far less room than Fili's crates upon crates of blades.

"Do you really need all those Fi?" Fili glared at his brother and Kili lifted his hands in surrender as he left the room to help Dis.

Tauriel all but ran down to the market which seemed incredibly subdued with many of the merchants preparing for the big move to the lonely mountain. She stopped suddenly at the sight of the blonde dam, Viltarra, who was putting things away in a crate looking miserable.

Tauriel walked over to the young dam, wanting to be sure she knew she was still invited to come along for the small afternoon get together. "Viltarra. I am glad to see you. I was just going to have lunch with Leotti. Can you spare some time to join us?"

Before the dam could even offer an answer, the box was lifted from her hands by her mother, who was giving her daughter a look before turning to speak directly to Tauriel. "Of course she can, my lady." Tarrah turned to a disgruntled Viltarra. "Go child. When royalty summons, you go."

"OH, no no. Please. It is just Tauriel. Nothing more, and it is an invitation, not an order. If she does not…" But Tarrah seemed to be completely ignoring the elf as she all but pushed Viltarra out of the stand. She then shoved a bag in the young blonde's hands and turned herself to continue what Viltarra had previously been working on.

Sighing, Viltarra looked up at the taller elf. "Well, I suppose I will be joining you. Whether by my choice or not."

Tauriel was unsure of how to proceed, but without seemingly any other option, she slowly turned towards where Leotti was waiting, and began walking with the blonde in tow. They made their way in silence to the small shop, the bell's soft chime breaking the silence as they entered Estae's Dress Shoppe.

Leotti came walking out the moment the door clicked shut behind them. "Tauri! There you are. I was worried I would need to come and find you myself."

Blushing, the elf bowed in apology. "Forgive me Leotti. I was lost in packing and did not realize the time." She looked at her friend appraisingly, who was only giving a half smile, which was the polar opposite of her usually bright, or teasing grin. "Leotti, are you alright?"

With a small bit of hesitation, Leotti gave a short nod. "I will tell you over lunch."

The young dam looked to the other blonde in the room, and her face lost some of its shadows as her smile broadened. "You brought Viltarra!" She walked to the flour coated dam, and leaned in a bit too close for Viltarra's comfort, the baker forcing herself to not step back. "I am glad you can join us, you are joining us right?" Viltarra gave her a, 'well I am here aren't I', as she shuffled her feet in place.

Leotti didn't really give her time to answer properly anyway, as she grasped each of their hands and pulled them into the back of the shop where she had some food already set on the table with some tea beside it.

Looking around, Tauriel noticed her mother was nowhere in sight, which was odd since the older dam rarely was absent during business hours. Even during luncheons she would either join them and spend the entire time silently glaring at the elf, or ignore them completely while working around the shop. Not once has she not been there. Tauriel wonders if Leotti's subdued smile had something to do with that.

"This looks lovely Leotti, thank you." Tauriel took a seat at the small make-shift table that usually was Leotti's workstation. Tauriel scanned the area one last time looking for the bearded dam, before her eyes fell on several crates and chests of obviously Leotti's things which were stacked beside what looked like a pillow and blanket in a far corner.

Eyes widening at the implication, Tauriel turned to her friend. "Leotti! Are you sleeping here?"

The usually bright and bubbly dam bowed her head before nodding. Her curls even bouncing lifelessly around her as she let out a long breath. "Mam and I aren't speaking. She was not happy with my decision to leave. I told her to come with me, that we can re-start in Erebor, but she straight refuses to leave this place and I will not be stuck living under her shadow. When I told her I was of age and I was going, she said I could pack my things and stay in the shop. She would not be setting foot in it again until I was gone. I have been working to finish my projects while I pack my things." She let her olive eyes rest on the few chests and crates. "That is all I will be taking."

Tauriel pulled her friend into her arms, for once completely understanding what it was to leave everything one knew behind for a fresh start. "Leotti, are you finished packing your things?" She felt the dam nod her head. "Then you are coming with us up to Dis's chamber. There is plenty of space and extra beds. I am sure Dis would not mind you taking Thorin's old room, or you may have Kili's and my place. We can stay with Dis in our old space."

Olive eyes lifted to Tauriel's green ones as the dam began to shake her head fervently in protest. "No Tauri, I cannot even consider imposing in such a way. I will be fine here. It is only for a few more days." But Tauriel would not budge, just as stubbornly telling Leotti that they would be spending weeks on the road, and she deserved a bed as long as there was one to be had.

Viltarra just watched the exchange silently, uncomfortable with the closeness the two friends obviously had. She was not sure what to make of the elf among the dwarrow. Unlike most dwarves, Viltarra did not oppose to working with the elven people, she was a nomadic merchant by trade and had spent time with and around many races, elves, man, and dwarves alike.

It did not matter who came to her family's stand, as long as they had coin, whether they were in mixed cities or open markets, she and her family would take any sales they could get. This was a dwarven market though, and it was rare to see anything other than her own dwarrow people in the mix.

Leotti finally gave in, agreeing to at least speak with Dis about sleeping arrangements before they tucked into food.

Tauriel sighed as she bit into a bun from the bag Tarrah had thrust into Viltarra's arms. They were, divine. "Viltarra, what are these because they have to be one of the best things I have ever tasted, next to Dis's butter cake."

The baker turned her light, golden-brown eyes to Tauriel, as Leotti hummed her agreement as she too took one of the pastries for herself. "They are my families sweet cheese custard buns. It is an old recipe; we have made them as long as I can remember, though I have changed them up just a bit. They are one of our best sellers, besides mam's buttermilk bread and her berry and cream filled biscuits."

"Oh, I had the berry one the other day. Quite delightful, but I can say, this is exquisite Viltarra. I do not think I could stop myself from eating another." The baker pushed the bag closer to the elf who happily pulled a second sweet cheese bun, enjoying the flaky, buttery, texture of the bread then the sweet, cheesy flavors of the custard on top.

Finishing her second bun, Tauriel smiled at Viltarra. "I could not help but notice you were packing earlier, and I saw your parents in line for the caravan to Erebor. Is it true, are you coming?"

Viltarra nodded at Tauriel, nibbling on a small sandwich. "Mam and da said Erebor offers chances like no other. They had actually planned on settling for another season here, but when da heard the lonely mountain was open once again, he and mam jumped at the chance to go."

"Forgive me, but you do not seem overly excited." Tauriel placed her hands on her lap as Leotti stopped eating to look at the other blonde across from her.

"It is not that. I have lived my entire life on the road. It is just another place." Viltarra sighed and tugged on a string coming loose from her belted tunic. "Mam is insistent on me making friends wherever we stay, but I do not see the point when we only leave as soon as I make a connection or two. I have my family; I do not understand why she thinks I need more. My mam and da are all I really need to be happy…and our trade. I do so love to bake, and my da and mam have taught me everything they know."

"Perhaps you will stay longer in Erebor?" Leotti suggested causing Viltarra to nod her head slowly.

"She said as much." Viltarra grumbled. "She and da fear I have spent too long traveling and lack the ability to make friends. They talked it over before going to the meeting last evening. Their plans are to accept a permanent dwelling in the mountain, open a bakery in the markets, and stay."

Tauriel lowered her brows in concern at the bored, unhappy, tone. "Does this not please you?"

Viltarra shrugged at Tauriel. "I do not know how I feel about it. I have never stayed in one place beyond a few seasons. I am in wonder at all, that my parents have decided on this. They always were quite happy to travel and see middle earth. I fear it is a choice they made only for me. I do not want them to forgo their own happiness thinking they are catering to mine."

Tauriel leaned forward and smiled. "Well, you will not need to feel like you have no connections or friends. I will be happy to count you as one of mine if you will allow it."

"Me too!" Leotti chimed. "Besides, it will be nice to have someone I know starting a shop beside me." She turned her olive eyes to Tauriel. "Tauri, what is it like, the marketplace?"

Tauriel smiled wide and spent the rest of lunch describing the mountain and its markets. Once they had their fill, Viltarra excused herself to get back to helping her parents run the stall and pack their few belongings.

Grabbing her friend by the arm, Tauriel all but dragged Leotti up with her to the family chambers. As soon as they crossed the threshold, she then began explaining to Dis her friends situation.

To Fili's great horror, Dis immediately pulled Leotti into her arms and welcomed her to stay until they left. They had already cleared out Thorin's room, so it was given to the blonde to stay in for the next few days.

Fili reluctantly helped Kili bring Leotti's things to be placed beside their own while Tauriel, as promised, gathered all of Oin's and Balin's requested items they had left behind.

The eleth did need to enlist some help from many of the dwarrow for Balin's list, however, as it involved gathering heaping piles of old books and rolled parchments, many of which were older than herself. Each scroll and tome was placed carefully in crates, as the small team of dwarrow began to heft them out of Balin's old office and into the many carts being packed up outside.

Bofur and Bifur took charge in assigning space for the endless stream of wooden boxes and chests, which were constantly being brought to the courtyard where both hand-pulled and beast-led carts waited to be filled.

When their families were finished packing, Bombur and Gloin joined the many dwarrow hefting the crates up to the carts where Bofur, Bifur and several others they had teamed together tied them down to keep them secure for travels.

When the crates began to slow to only a few being sporadically brought up, Bofur called to his brother, "Bombur, is tha' everythin'?"

The large dwarf shrugged as he pulled one of the loaded handcarts to the side with the others, and Bofur moved to the new one he pulled forward. "Don' know Bof," He looked at the tall pile of crates and chests. "Seems so, bu' I would not assume as much. There will likely be a bit more before we go."

Bofur nodded as they continued filling the still empty carts throughout the entire day and into the night. They would not be stopping until every single one was loaded and tied down; they were leaving in the morning.

Shutting the door for the last time in their little room in the early hours of morning, Tauriel stepped into the family chamber to see Dis standing still in the middle, her arms wrapped around herself as she seemed lost in the now mostly empty space.

Fili and Kili were already in the courtyard meeting with Aeodhen to take count as dwarrows, dams, and the two families of young dwarflings began gathering to leave.

Without hesitation, Tauriel moved to Dis and wrapped her arms around the seemingly distraught dam.

"I married Vili in these halls. Gave birth to both of my sons in that room. I learned I lost my one in that chair. I was given a second chance with my brother and sons down that hall and met and fell in love with my daughter here, in this room. I cannot even tell you the many countless memories of laughter and joy mixed with sadness and pain that kitchen table holds. I do not feel ready Tauriel, to leave it all behind."

Hugging tightly the only mother she knew, Tauriel looked to each place the dam had pointed out. Her own memories pulled up images of seeing Kili for the first time coming through the front door on the night she arrived. All the times Fili spoke with her in their shared room. Thorin teaching her Khuzdul in front of that fireplace. The same fireplace where Kili asked her to marry him. The meals she helped Dis prepare in the kitchen and the laughter bubbling up from her chest at Fili and Kili's dish doing antics. The braids and beads gifted to her on her first morning at the same table the family gathered every morning and evening as they bonded over stories, jokes, and food.

Tauriel looked through the propped open door of the kitchen, where she could see the family's large, wooden, table standing desolate in the mostly empty room. That table housed some of her favorite memories. With her mind made up, Tauriel set her face in a stubborn expression and addressed her amad. "Dis, I want to take the table."

Pulling back, the dam looked intently at Tauriel. "I do not think there is room dear. It is a sizable table."

"I understand, however, I feel as if it is one piece of this mountain we can take with us. We will have many, many other memories in Erebor and we will never forget all we went through here. But I know who made that table, Dis, and what it really means to you. I too can see the memories leaking from its grains. We will take the table. I am sure we can find space."

It was true. Vili had made it for her when she found out she was expecting Kili, months before he was taken from her. They only had a small table when they wed, and their growing family needed more space.

Dis rarely mentioned Vili, and Tauriel could completely understand why. If her life had not been tied to Kili by the Valar as it had, and she lost him, she too would find pain in going on without him. Dis was the personification of strength and fortitude, for Tauriel does not believe for a moment she, herself, had the strength to endure in a world Kili was not.

It was Kili who had told the elf who had made the table after the incident where Tauriel imbedded a knife in its wood when Fili had eaten all her butter cake on her birthday. Dis had not been happy about the knife and though she did not hold it against Tauriel, which she should have, Dis always looked at the small gouge in the table with pain in her eyes, as if she carried the wound from the knife herself.

Tauriel had felt horrible for her mistake after Kili told her, and surprised Dis by having the knife mark fixed by Bofur who carefully made sure to not touch any other part of the sentimental piece of furniture.

Dis looked up at the elf after stepping away. "Are you sure we can take it? I know so many are sacrificing much, and I do not want to take up more space than I need."

Tauriel nodded. "Stay here, I will be right back." The eleth gave Dis a small smile, before walking quickly to the courtyard to find Fili and Kili. She spotted them helping to fill one of the last few empty carts.

Making her way over to them, she lifted her eyes to where her prince was standing on top of a cart. "Kili, can I borrow you for a moment meleth nin?"

Looking up and wiping his head, Kili spotted his beloved elf in the early morning darkness. "Amralime, of course. I am but yours to command." He jumped down and walked to her, leaning up for a quick kiss.

"Kili, I have a request that may sound, selfish." More curious than anything, Kili shot her a look and gestured for her to continue. His wife was anything but selfish, so he was intrigued to see what would cause her to say such a thing. "I want to take Dis's table with us."

"Mam's table?" Tauriel turned to Fili as he approached with Gimli in tow. The eleth gave an affirmative nod, and stood waiting for them to call her absurd. She should stop misjudging these two dwarven princes, for instead of arguing, they bowed their heads before nodding in agreement.

"It is one of the last things da made her. That table means a great deal to mam." Fili looked around spotting one of the last of the few empty carts, running towards it and speaking with Gloin who was about to begin adding some of the final crates brought up that morning.

They must have agreed on something because Gloin put the crate down and gave Fili a nod before the blonde prince came running back to them. "Well, what are you waiting for? We have a table to get."

It was only moments later that the group, including Gimli, had entered the family chamber. Dis was just bending down to get the final small chest when she stood up in surprise as her sons, and Gimli, walked past her, seemingly on a mission.

Without even a word, the three young dwarrows marched straight into the kitchen where Fili and Kili, each taking an end of the table, lifted it and turned it to the side; Gimli helping to guide them through the doorway.

Dis watched in awe, tears falling from her eyes as Tauriel put her arms around her and watched the princes, and their cousin, steer the table out of the chambers.

Tauriel moved to stand before Dis. "We will begin anew in Erebor, amad, but that does not mean we must leave all we love behind. Some things simply mean too much to not have with us."

Dis placed a hand on Tauriel's cheek, and lifted herself up onto her toes to leave a kiss on Tauriel's forehead. "Thank you, daughter. It means more than you will ever know."

Tauriel put her hand over Dis's on her cheek before the dam had pulled it away, only to clasp the dam's hand in her own as they looked about the empty chambers. "Are you ready amad?"

Dis let out a shaky breath, gave the room one final scan, and allowed Tauriel to slowly pull her out the door and down to the gathering caravan.

The courtyard was busier than it had been when she left it only moments ago. It seemed all the dwarrow were coming in drones as they checked in with Aeodhen who was handling the count and assigning to those who could, carts to pull or steer.

There were enough ponies and rams to pull all the larger carts with Maryn, Kit, and Galaddal being ridden by their riders unless an animal was injured, at which time they would be hitched to a cart.

Tauriel patted Galaddal's nose as he stood beside Maryn, who nudged Tauriel affectionately in the back until the chuckling elf began to pet the jealous animal as well. She looked into the distance as the sun was beginning to crest the hill and fill the courtyard with its warm, golden, light.

Finally, everyone was accounted for, all of the carts had drivers and pullers, and any available free animals were given riders. Dis had even been handed a pony, which she at first refused but relented when Aeodhen forced the reins in her hands and walked away muttering about stubborn Durin's folk.

Aeodhen then walked back to another cart where Tauriel could see his wife holding Tauren in her arms, and where his two other children, Riffi and Hillanna were sleeping in the open spaces where crates had not been put to make room for the dwarflings.

Taada and Bombur also had a cart for their ten children, half of which were awake and speaking excitedly of their journey, the rest were slumbering peacefully among the chests and wooden boxes. It will be a long and difficult journey but, it will be worth it.

Dis approached her family on her pony, and signaled for Tauriel, Fili, and Kili to mount up. "Time to say goodbye my dears. Let us say a final farewell and get this caravan on the road."

Tauriel nodded and signaled for a raven. She promised Thorin the moment they left, that she would send word so he would have an idea of when to expect them. Tauriel gave the bird its message, paid it, and pulled herself up onto the waiting Galaddal.

Moments later, Kili was climbing onto Maryn beside her, and they could see Fili, who was already up on Kit, waiting for them near the gate.

Dis waived him back over, and the royal family trotted together to where the gathering crowd of Ered Luin residents, who were remaining in the settlement, came to see them off.

The dam nodded to Gudfinnur, a middle-aged dwarf who accepted the role of leader with humility. He will do well by this place. Dis then turned to address the crowd behind him. "Farewell my friends, and may these halls continue to bring you great joy and prosperous living. We will send a message when we arrive."

There were several calls and cheers from both the remaining dwarves, and the ones in the caravan, as Dis led Fili, Kili, and Tauriel to the front gates. The royal family would be leading the first league of the journey.

Finally at the front of the group, Dis stopped her pony, looked to the caravan, and bellowed, "Adran safkitabi 'aimukhurb!" (Time to leave.) Her call was followed by another round of cheering as the massive group began to pile out of the wide open gates.

Then, to Tauriel's great surprise, Kili began to sing. His song wove through the cheers as his heartfelt lyrics, sung in Khuzdul, spun a tale of freedom, hope, and endurance. Slowly, the song echoed through the caravan, all adding their voices in time with their march, as they turned their hearts, minds, and feet towards their new home. The lonely mountain. Erebor.

Original Authors Note: You know, when I began writing Reforged, I knew I wanted to spend some time in Ered Luin both in that first story and in the beginning of this sequal. I did not realize in doing so, I as a writer, I would become attached to the settlement as well. This was a bit hard to write because I didn't really want to leave, but, Durin's folk belong in Erebor.

This was also a bit of a shorter chapter. Since the next one focuses on their journey on the road to Erebor, I thought this was a good stopping point. I will have the next chapter proofed within a week or less. See you on the road!

-Jess