Updated October 29th, 2021: I just wanted to say to anyone reading this, today marks the one year anniversary of Reforged. A year ago today, I posted my first ever chapter of this universe. So thank you for sticking with me all this time as I learned and grew with this story. :)

Original Authors Note: It's yuletide in March! :D Who does not love a little yule spirit?! Hot coco and cookies anyone?

Enjoy. XD

Chapter Two

With Bilbo and Gandalf now in the halls, final preparations for the celebration were in full swing. This usually included the royal family bustling about the mountain each with their own responsibilities.

"Place that barrel in the feasting hall. Bombur said he wanted the ale easily accessible throughout the entire feast. The wine will arrive with the elves, so make sure there is room to accommodate those barrels as well." Dis rubbed her chin as the younger dam nodded at her orders and stepped away to carry them out.

Dis observed her surroundings with a smile. It was going to be quite the festival with all the greenery, the several decorated trees lining the walls, and baubles hanging and reflecting the candles glow overhead. She smiled until she felt a pair of lips against her cheeks. Jumping away in surprise, Dis met the laughing eyes of Naurfaer who was pointing up, her eyes following his hand to see the offensive plant above their heads. "Mistletoe? Honestly Naurfaer. Must you keep that up?"

Naurfaer however raised his hands in defense. "Now that one was not me, I am afraid. You must ask your son about that. The only one I put up was the fruited bundle over the food hall doorway. This one…and all the others you may come across were outside additions from your child."

"Which one?" Dis deadpanned, narrowing her eyes in pure irritation. Oh, she loves both of her children with everything she was, but great Mahal above, those two will be the end of her.

Knowing she really was not expecting an answer, Naurfaer laughed as he walked away to add a few more decorations. It was his first real yule celebration, and he was going all out with ornaments, ribbons, wreaths, and all manner of greenery. He had even brought in a massive tree for the royal wing which already housed many a present underneath…mostly for Finli.

A bit deeper in the mountain…which was a good thing considering a certain royal dam was very near boxing someone's ears…Fili stalked through the hallways, his hand grasping at the delicate contents held within. He looked around before pulling a nearby table to the center of the hall and climbed up to clip the greenery to the archway. Once it was secure, Fili quickly jumped down, pushed the table back against the wall, and stood in the shadows so others would not see him; he had no desire to be waylaid again.

It seemed no matter where he was or who saw him, there was always, ALWAYS a message for the prince to be somewhere other than were he wanted to be most. He waited, patiently, for his prey to come, who he knew was about to round the corner any minute.

Stepping out of the shadows, Fili leaned casually against the archway just as a dead on her feet looking Viltarra came around the corner. She brightened significantly, a smile pulling at her lips when Fili came into view, and happily accepted him pulling her into his warm embrace. "I feel like I have not seen you in weeks!" Fili murmured into her hair as he breathed in the smell of yeast, flour, and fresh baked bread that always lingered around her whether she was working at the bakery, or not.

Viltarra hummed and closed her eyes. "It has been five hours Fili. We were with Leotti getting your final fitting earlier today."

"Doesn't count when Leotti is in the room." Fili grumbled and Viltarra huffed out a laugh and pulled back only to have Fili's blue eyes look straight up, Viltarra following them to the plant above. She gave Fili a look as he wagged his eyebrows. "Looks like fate." He swallowed her laugh as he slammed his lips to hers, pulling her tightly to him.

Viltarra leaned into the kiss, grasping at Fili in a desperate need to get closer. She was the first to pull away, Fili trying to chase after her, but Viltarra evaded his lips and laughed. "It's not fate if you keep putting them up directly in my path Fili!"

"It is so. I was just…helping fate along. Besides, Kili's doing it now too! So, don't think it's just me. He is quite adept at getting his in rather, precarious spots. I have no idea how he got one up in the rafters where Tauriel had been working with him down below. The difference is, they don't stop. Finli will have a brother or sister within the year you mark my words." As much as Viltarra wanted to laugh at that, she did not doubt Fili's words, having caught Kili and Tauriel in very compromising positions more than once.

"There you two are! Fili! What is this I hear about you putting up all this mistletoe?!" Both young dwarrow turned to the approaching dam with mixed feelings. Fili looked as if he was caught with his hand stuck in the sweet jar when he was told numerous times he was not allowed to partake, and Viltarra…well she was still on the receiving end of Dis's rather cold shoulder, so she sighed and waited anxiously for what was to come. Though the royal dam was not EXACTLY rude to her, she made it well known she also did not EXACTLY approve of the young baker and in no way thought she was good enough for her son.

"Busted." Fili lamented as he looked at Dis who was narrowing her eyes at the leafy bundle above their heads and taking in their close proximity.

Dis placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Come on Fili! More mistletoe? I have come across seven other bundles on my way over here alone!"

"Seven?" Viltarra gasped and pulled away from Fili, who was grinning broadly. In fact, he looked rather proud and not sorry in the least.

"Had to make sure I got each archway." Dis folded her arms and Viltarra whacked him on the shoulder, which only caused Fili to grin wider.

Dis rolled her eyes skyward and rubbed her temples. She will be fully matching her brothers silver streaks sooner rather than later with her boys as they are. "Alright, enough. You two are not supposed to be alone without a chaperone. Fili. I want those taken down."

The young prince groaned loudly. "Ahh, mam! All of them?"

"Yes. All of them." Dis narrowed her eyes, pointing angerly at her son. "You may leave the one in the great hall up, with the berries, for traditions sake, but, all of the others are to be taken down. Understood?"

"Yes mam." Fili sighed.

Dis hummed and clasped her hands in front of her, looking pointedly at the couple. "Furthermore, I will be setting you two up with a proper chaperone, since neither of you seem capable of making certain you are with one on your own."

Fili huffed and Viltarra sighed. She wondered if Dis will ever come around to accepting her. Most of their interactions tended to be awkward and short unless someone else was there to be a buffer of sorts, and this conversation was turning out no different.

Dis pointed at the plant and waited for Fili to take it down as she turned to Viltarra. "I believe Leotti and Tauriel are waiting for you up in the royal wing for some last minute additions and accessories for your gown. You should be getting up there…quickly. It would be wise not to make Leotti wait long when she has spent so much time preparing attire for you."

Viltarra gave Fili a look not even bothering to hide her hurt and fatigue, before she turned back the way she came; afraid if she stayed…she would say something she would both regret, and may end up costing her a chance with her Fili. She would not risk it, yet, but she felt one day soon something will come to head. That day, however, was not today. With a heaviness on her shoulders, Viltarra made her way to the royal wing. At least her friends would be there for her, and maybe she can take a short nap on Tauriel's chaise while Leotti did…whatever she needed to do.

Fili stood watching Viltarra leave as his temper and Durin protectiveness began to wash over him. This was no longer about his mam having trust issues, this was her being straight up cruel.

It really threw Fili, because his mother had always, ALWAYS been kind and compassionate to others. She was never one to make others feel less for their livelihood, training, or education, and he had not once seen her flaunt the station she was born into. Rather, she consistently spent her time building others up and showing them they were more than who they thought they were. But this…version…of his mother was doing quite the opposite with his one. In fact, if Fili had not known any better, he would have thought his mother was experiencing some of the dragon sickness that had plagued his uncle, but he shook the thought away, knowing it was impossible.

Once the blonde baker rounded the corner out of view, Fili zeroed in on his mother. "Do you really need to treat her like that? She is not going anywhere mam. I wish you wouldn't make her feel so...inferior. You are better than that and she doesn't deserve your treatment of her."

Dis sighed and looked back at the hallway where Viltarra had disappeared down. She turned back to Fili who still had the plant in his hands she had just asked him to remove. "I do not treat her with unkindness dear. There is a lot to learn if she wishes to take her place beside you."

Fili huffed but placed the plant on the table and walked over to his mother, taking both of her hands in his. "Mam, she has plenty of time to learn all of that. What she needs now is your support in our relationship…and don't try to pin this on what happened with Tauriel. It has been months, and nothing has happened. You know she had nothing to do with that. This, is all you."

Dis watched her son. She did not dislike Viltarra, the young dam was actually a good match for her son, temperament wise. She was just…not what Dis was expecting. Instead of a daughter of a Lord who was well acquainted with engaging in the politics of running a settlement, or in their case, a mountain, she has a dam who knows nothing of anything remotely related to political affairs. Even Tauriel, who was the captain of a guard in Mirkwood and often engaged in the king's court and business, knew what to do, how to act, and was a natural leader. Viltarra was the daughter of a baker, a traveling baker, whose first time staying in one spot for longer than a season or two has been here in Erebor.

This frustrated Dis for some reason, who found herself losing her temper with the young dam though she tried to never show it. "I know she isn't going anywhere Fili. I can see it in her eyes what she feels for you, and you for her. I will try harder to be more patient with her." Dis lifted a hand, releasing his in the process, and patted his bearded cheek affectionately, "and you will make sure to have a chaperone when you two meet up. Do I make myself clear?"

Fili groaned. "That is not fair mam. I am older than Kili and he got to share a bed with Tauriel even before they were wed. I am of age, if I want to be with Viltarra alone, I will do as I please."

Dis glared at her son before pushing her finger into his chest and giving him a stern look. "You certainly will not! I will not bend on this Fili. As for your brother, you missed a few key facts. One, he may have shared a bed with Tauriel, but you forget that you were right beside them the entire time. I would not have allowed it at all if Kili had his own room. Besides, how often were they really actually alone during their own courtship? You will find the answer to that being rarely."

Fili was taken aback. He tried to think of those months in Ered Luin where Kili and Tauriel were courting. His mam did have a point. Not only did Fili share a room with Kili AND Tauriel, but mam, Thorin, Leotti, even he himself was constantly with them on their outings. It was rare the two were completely alone with the exception of the few rides they took together and the time Kili went after Tauriel before the wedding. Although, even when they thought they were alone, Dis often sent Fili to go check on them.

Fili sighed then turned his blue eyes at his mother. "Remembering now? The second reason is, as similar as you and Kili can be in some things, there are even more in which you both are polar opposites. I knew Kili and Tauriel wanted to wait until their wedding night to come together. You, I am afraid, may have a different opinion on the matter."

Fili spluttered and went red. He looked to his mam who was daring him to disagree. She once again was not wrong which not only proved how insightful she was, but also how well she knew her sons.

Fili knew he would have no other than Viltarra. She was it for him and that was good enough for him to feel comfortable to take things…further then they should…not that they have…yet. But who needs a ceremony or a contract when you already know who your one is? Formalities really is all they were. Several conversations with Viltarra meant Fili knew she felt the same as he. However, every single time they get a moment together, somebody interrupted it!

Dis pointed at Fili, poking her finger into his broad chest once more. "I am right, and you know it! You will have a chaperone."

The young prince huffed and whined petulantly. "MAM!"

Dis, however, was long immune to either of her sons' adult tantrums. As rare as they are. "No Fili. You are a crown prince, coronated and all. We are no longer a royal family in exile living in Ered Luin. All eyes in this mountain are watching you and Viltarra. You will do this properly even if I have to trail you myself. I mean it. If Viltarra is it for you, you will court, have a proper engagement, and then a wedding ceremony."

"So, you will allow me to ask for her hand?" Fili asked quietly, hope building in his chest.

Now it was Dis who was taken aback. Fili was looking at her so earnestly. This was not the 84-year-old prince of Erebor who was next in line for the dwarven throne. Instead, she saw the toddling blonde running up to her with wide blue eyes begging for a cookie and a cuddle.

Dis could not help it, she pulled her son into her arms. "Oh Fili. I support whatever decision you wish to make my darling son. If it is the daughter of a baker or a Lord or a king that makes you feel complete, then so be it. I only want yours, and Kili's happiness in this life. I am happy when my children are happy."

Fili tightened his arms around his mam, feeling a weight fall off his shoulder he had not realized he was carrying. His mother had…in her own way…given her blessing, and he could not be happier. "Thank you, amad."

Dis smiled and Fili released her, leaning up to place a kiss on his bearded cheek then stepping back to fold her arms and give him the best impression of a stern Thorin she could muster...which was impressively perfect. "Of course, but you're still getting a chaperone."

Fili rolled his eyes but gave her a small smile. She smirked back and released her arms to grab his and pull him down the hall. "Now, let's go and make sure your uncle hasn't acted on his temper and killed Naurfaer. He was quite irate when he discovered our elf had adorned the statues in the hall of the kings with garland. Last I checked, Kili was trying to placate him. If that doesn't work, we will need to get Fin as a last resort."

Fili winced. That was a sacred hall. Naurfaer really knew how to push Thorin's buttons. Maybe Fili can help Naurfaer by using Bilbo as a buffer for Thorin's temper though he is sure Finli would be the only one to cool the raging storm...OR...he can sit back and watch, happy he is not the one getting into trouble. After contemplating it for a moment, Fili decided on the second choice. Definitely the second choice.

So, with a bounce in his step, he allowed his mother to pull him down the hall towards where his uncle was likely 'attempting' to rein in his temper.

Leotti placed another pin into Viltarra's sleeve, several were hanging from her mouth and Tauriel was holding the needle attached to a string as she sat nursing Finli using her free arm. Kili was off helping Thorin put together a few minor preparations Thorin had needed assistance with. She smiled as her son finished, having fallen asleep where he lay at her chest. She carefully made herself decent and removed the nursing blanket all while still holding the needle for Leotti and making sure the string attached doesn't wind up in Kaw's ready beak.

Leotti stepped back and nodded, extending her hand for the needle which Tauriel immediately relinquished. Her hand now free to fully cradle her sleeping infant.

"His mother was not at all happy with finding us." Viltarra sighed. She wavered just slightly where she stood, so exhausted, it took all her effort and focus just to remain standing. So much for that nap. From the moment she entered Tauriel's chamber, she was forced into her gown, and has been standing beside the chaise while Leotti hemmed, trimmed, and added detail to her gown. So, to stay awake, she told her friends about her morning, and being discovered by Dis moments before coming up.

Leotti hummed as she continued sewing, tucking, pinning, then sewing again. "She is rather fierce when she wants to be. Put your arm a little lower…perfect."

Viltarra huffed but did as Leotti requested. The gown was beautiful with its maroon velvet over skirt and bodice and cream underskirts, trimmings, and sleeves. She just doesn't think she will ever favor skirts over trousers. At least they never made her wear dresses all hours of the day, even Dis could be seen traversing the mountain in trousers on regular occasions, and Tauriel typically enjoys tunics and fitted pants on a normal day now that she is no longer pregnant. Though Tauriel does factor in dresses as well and spent the latter part of her pregnancy only wearing them for comfort and fitting purposes. So, wearing trousers at least, was not a deal breaker in the royal family. With the exception of large events of course, where the entire royal family and entourage were required to dress the part.

"It didn't help Fili had been placing bundle after bundle of mistletoe up. Dis insisted he take it all down." Viltarra sighed once more as she looked down at Leotti who was chuckling with a pin in her mouth. She then turned her eyes over to her elven friend who had a wide grin stretched across her face before adding with a raised brow, "It appears Fili was not the only one to be doing so either. Or so I have heard."

Tauriel smiled, Kili was putting up mistletoe as well. She for one was not complaining now that she got the clear from Oin that she was all healed up. Though she knew she was fine two weeks ago, but he insisted they wait the customary time before continuing any…physical relations…to Tauriel's burning frustration. Her poor Kili had to be the strong one these last few weeks. The minute she got the clear from Oin though, she gave Fin to Dis to watch, and dragged a broadly grinning Kili into their chambers, locking the door securely behind her.

"And what are you smirking at over their?" Leotti gave Tauriel a knowing look, Tauriel going scarlet all the way up to the points in her ears. Caught. "You two are ridiculous, you know that right?" Leotti leveled the elf with a look, placing a hand on her hip. "Neither of you can even handle being in the same room as the other without ripping each other's clothes off the moment you think you're alone. How old are you again?"

Tauriel gave a very un-elf like snicker but remained quietly grinning to herself. She loved Kili and was in no way ashamed of any aspect of their relationship, physical or not. How could she be when they created such a beautiful life. Tauriel stroked Fin's soft cheek.

"You know, we can have a little fun with this." Tauriel lifted her eyes to Leotti who was grinning wickedly. That was not a smile Tauriel liked to see. It was often on Kili's face when he and Fili came up with some…scheme…that typically resulted in them both getting into trouble. Here we go.

"I say, as they take it down, we put more mistletoe up." Leotti suggested. Well, it was more like an order than a suggestion. Once Leotti had an idea it was nearly impossible to get the dam to change her mind. She was as stubborn as a descendent of Durin. Tauriel often wondered if the dam was born in the wrong family, as her spirit fit in so well with Dis, Thorin, Fili, and Kili. In many ways, Leotti was, like her and Naurfaer, an adopted, or more like an honorary member of the family.

Viltarra, however, was doing all she could to remain on Dis's good side, and this seemed like the perfect plan to do the opposite. The young baker stared at Leotti a bit apprehensively. "I don't know Leotti, Dis was pretty angry and I am really trying not to get on her bad side."

Leotti tittered. "Come on Viltarra, it is foolproof. We can just put them back up where they took them down and maybe add a few for good measure. She will just think it's the boys not following orders. She will never suspect us, in fact, she may not even notice. They are all a bit preoccupied at the moment getting final preparations ready for Yule anyway. It will probably just mess with Fili and Kili's minds a bit when they see the bunches they KNEW they took down, right back up again. That is all. I promise. Come on Tar, it will be fun. Don't you like having fun? Or are you going to be an old raven, solemn and stern your entire life."

Viltarra growled. "Call me Tar again, and every needle you own will end up in your bed." If Leotti was in any way intimidated by this, she did not show it. In fact, she gave Viltarra a challenging look as if to say, 'I dare you to try.'

The eleth shook her head. The trio was something to behold. An eleth and two dams, all with varying backgrounds, yet, with a kinship that was as tight as sisters. She sighed and lifted her eyes to Leotti, who was not letting up. "Leotti, you are such a bad influence, you know that, right?" Tauriel lifted a brow but was smiling.

The young seamstress wagged her own brows in response, knowing one way to get Tauriel fully on her side. Her eleth friend had one guaranteed weakness, and that, was Kili. "Don't you both want a few extra excuses to seize the moment with your other halves? I know I certainly do. So, who's in?"

Viltarra eyed Tauriel who shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Tauriel wasn't quite sure it was a good idea, but, she would never have been allowed to do anything like this in Mirkwood, so she couldn't help the rebellious side of her wanting to join in on the fun. Kili gets away with it, why can't she? Besides, why does she have to always be considered the controlled, mature, elf?

"Fine." Viltarra finally grumbled, then smiled. "I actually might know where we can get some mistletoe." Both Tauriel and Leotti looked at Viltarra, each with matching smiles, ready to have some fun. With everyone in, they spent the remainder of Viltarra's fitting creating a plan to frame the boys and get a few mistletoe perks themselves.

Later that day when their fittings were complete, a slightly taller elf and a blond seamstress followed Viltarra to the massive green room where she found a basket of the already prepared bundles. The bunches were likely placed there by the boys, who had taken them down earlier and stored them here. Each took several bundles of mistletoe for themselves, and with a bit of divide and conquer, they began filling the halls, corridors, and rafters with the small kissing plant.

Since it was getting late, nobody asked questions, nor stopped any of the three on their mission. Although Viltarra, Tauriel, and Leotti mostly put the bunches up in places nobody was at the time, or used the shadows to their benefit, every so often a dwarf or dam would eye them suspiciously, but continue on their way with a shake of their head or a roll of the eye.

Of the three of them, Tauriel had the hardest time trying to get some mistletoe up in more…precarious…spots, while still holding Finli. Luckily for her, in these few instances, Leotti had not been far and happily took her son for her so the eleth could climb and reach the higher rafters and archways. Leotti would simply watch in awe as the elf who was not much taller than a dwarf, climbed and scaled the stone and wood walls to get high above the ground. It was certainly not something she could do herself, so the small dam was perfectly content holding the infant whose eyes would never stop roaming the room looking for his mother.

After about an hour of work, every bundle they found was back up, and the girls went their separate ways to their chambers for the night.

Fili nearly panicked the following day when he looked up to see all the mistletoe back in its place. "Mahal's beard! I know we took those down." Looking around Fili spotted Kili carrying a crate of what looked like candles towards the entrance hall behind Naurfaer. "KI!"

Kili stopped and turned his head looking for Fili before finally spotting his brother and walking over to him, adjusting the crate to get a better hold. "Something wrong Fi?"

Fili nodded and pointed up to the mistletoe. "I thought you said you were going to take that down?!"

Kili looked up at the offending plant and swore. "I did FI! I was up there yesterday removing it, and all the others in the area. I put them all in a basket then took them to the green room just like you said you were. You mentioned mam wanted us to keep them in case some of the merchants wanted to sell them in the markets."

The blonde prince narrowed his eyes and pointed to the bundle above them, then another not far from it in another doorway. "Yes…so…how are they still up then if you AND I took them down?"

Kili shrugged and watched a swearing Fili climb up and begin the process of removing them once again. His work was for not however, when later that day all the plants were up once again.

Tauriel was enjoying this. She sat up on a low rafter just out of sight from the slightly shorter dwarrows passing here and there. Her favorite silhouette was approaching and with a simple backwards move, she was hanging upside-down with her legs securely attached to the beam above. Her hair nearly hit the floor as her very own prince stared surprised and wide-eyed at his wife who had suddenly just appeared out of nowhere.

"Well, hello amralime. Now this is the kind of surprise I rather thoroughly enjoy." Kili gave her a lopsided grin.

Tauriel laughed and pointed to the plant nestled on the rafter beside her knees, before grabbing Kili's face and pulling it to her own, capturing his lips in a very unique, upside-down kiss. She pulled away, Kili grinning broadly at her, his warm, brown, eyes shining and staring into her emerald orbs. Tauriel could not help but brush his grinning lips with hers one last time. "Sorry meleth nin, I saw the plant and you coming and had to take advantage."

"Oh, never apologize for that my precious star. Ever. I do have to go though, as much as I wish to stay and have you take further…advantage…of me." Kili leered and wagged his brows before leaning in once more for another lingering kiss, then sighed disappointedly as he pulled away from her lips to continue. "But...Thorin has me trailing Naurfaer making sure he doesn't get any more carried away then he already has."

Before Kili could step away, Tauriel lifted her hands and pulled his face close and nuzzled his nose with hers, then let him go, watching him turn the corner from where she still hung.

Viltarra too was able to get her own moment with Fili who was taken by full on surprise when a streak of blonde slammed the unsuspecting prince into the frame of a nearby door. He always forgot how strong she was until she was using that strength against him. Not that he was complaining...at least until she ripped her lips away and pointed at the plant. "I agree with the placement of this one." She gave him one last kiss and walked away from the sputtering prince who was looking at the plant in horror. Now he KNEW he took that one down! Personally!

The very one-sided game was a foot, and the girls were having far too much fun. But like all games, the ante must be upped, and they also knew it had to come to an end. The festival was nearly here, and the bundles really needed to be gone before their guests arrived. But they did have time for one more small achievement. One which may just give them away, but, would be a good way to go. Which was why they currently stood in the one place no one had yet dared to place a bundle.

"That is too high Tauri. I don't think even you would be able to get it up there." Leotti eyed the massive archway that stood just a few yards from the closed door to Erebor. It was snowing outside, so Thorin had the mountain shut up to keep the heat inside, and the cold, where it belonged.

Tauriel chewed her lip in the dark entranceway and gazed up at the beam over the main-entrance archway. "I can do it, but it may give us away." She looked at Viltarra and Leotti who had spent the last hour giggling about cornering Ori. What started as a means to get the boys in trouble had turned into outdoing them. There was mistletoe EVERYWHERE.

Viltarra looked at the elf. "What do you mean?"

Tauriel thought for a moment then sighed. "I can fasten a bundle to an arrow and shoot it up, sticking it in place but that would be a dead giveaway of who had done it."

"Or, they could think it was Kili…" suggested Leotti.

Tauriel rolled her eyes. Her little friend could be positively cruel sometimes. She had a point though. "Fine. Here. Take Finli. I will be right back."

Leotti happily took the infant as Tauriel ran up to retrieve her bow and an arrow. She made sure to stick to the shadows and avoid being stopped as she made her way up and back again. She then quickly attached the bundle to the base of the arrow allowing it to swing low enough to be seen. She nocked the arrow, drew the string, and released, watching with satisfaction as it hit its mark dead on, the little bundle swinging to and fro in the frigid breeze that escaped through the gap in the massive door just a few yards ahead.

"Excellent. I think that will do." Leotti passed Tauriel the sleeping infant, rubbed her hands together, then smiled wickedly and bid them all a goodnight.

"Should I be concerned if she ever turns her darkness on me?" Viltarra lifted a brow and folded her arms.

"I think we all should." Tauriel mumbled, as the pair watched Leotti all but dance down the corridor towards her chamber.

As it was, Dis had both Kili and Fili by the ears the next morning dragging them into the entrance and pointing at the bundles littering doorways, archways, and the entranceway. "I believe I made myself clear you two! Children you are. And you…" She glared down at Kili. "You HAVE a child. Come on Kili!"

"But MAM! We took them down yesterday!" Kili tried.

"I don't understand, I know I took all of these down." Fili was at a loss with one hand on his throbbing ear as he stared wide-eyed at the several bundles above him. He looked around, then noticed one particular bundle on a string, blowing in the morning breeze that came through the now wide-open entrance hall doors. Fili felt the chill down to his core; it was freezing out there. Wait a minute! Fili whipped his eyes back up to the swaying bundle, then subtly kicked his brother, who was shuddering at his mother's lecture currently in full swing.

Kili turned his head and glared at Fili until his brother pointed at the entrance-way bundle. His eyes took in the arrow then narrowed. She didn't….no…she wouldn't!

"What are you two staring at!" Dis allowed her eyes to follow their line of sight and took in the arrow before sighing deeply. "I take it that is not yours Kili?"

Unsure if he wanted to give his wife away in her game or not Kili remained dutifully silent. His wide brown eyes said enough though. She sighed and rubbed her temples. Of course. Tauriel was perfectly suited for Kili in every way, including their shared mischievousness. The elf tended to be a little more, subtle, but the pair was more alike than different in every way.

Dis pierced her lips and made for the royal wing. It did not take her long to round up names of who had been involved on her way to find her daughter, as more than one of the guards and decorating dwarves had seen the chittering trio putting the bundles up.

Which is how Fili, Kili, Tauriel, Leotti, and Viltarra all ended up together in Thorin's office with Dis standing with her hands on her hips glaring at all five of them. "This is by far the most childish thing you have done. We have visiting royalty in one day. ONE DAY! This will be the first full celebration together with dale in over 170 years, and the first we know of to include Thranduil and Mirkwood. Enough is enough. Understood?"

Thorin sat forward, Finli asleep in one arm as he watched Dis berate the group. He had tried to talk in the beginning, but the moment he opened his mouth, Dis was already going at it. He really didn't need to say anything though, his sister was doing quite well on her own. All he had to do is give them a look while he held his grandson. His presence seemed to be enough to get the point across.

Once the very irate dam was finished…which took nearly an hour, the room echoed with apologies and yesses as Dis sat back against Thorin's desk. "You will be taking them down. All of them. The only bundle of mistletoe I want to see between now and Yule, is the one Naurfaer put up at the entrance of the food hall. If I see one more, all of you will be spending dawn to dusk scrubbing both of the kitchens and the stables on your own. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes mam." Came the response of all four dwarrow and one elf, each with their heads down after being thoroughly chagrined. Even Viltarra and Leotti were quiet and felt keenly the anger and disappointment coming from Dis.

Viltarra's parents were more on the mellow side, and she never made trouble herself, so this is one of the first times she has ever been lectured in such a way before. She can now safely say…she did not like it one bit and will do anything to not have to go through that again. Unfortunately, it seemed as if Kili and Fili were trouble magnets, so she may have to just get used to it.

Thorin sighed, Finli yawning in his arms before resettling and going right back to sleep. "Alright. Enough is enough. Off with you. I want full baskets of all those bundles by nightfall in my office, so you better get to work. You have a lot of ground to cover." After a moment of silence, the room erupted with shuffling feet as Leotti, Fili, Viltarra, and Tauriel walked to the door.

Kili moved to grab Finli but Dis stopped him. "Oh no you don't. You will not get any excuses out of it. Your uncle and I will watch Finli while you remove those bundles. Consider it a ransom of sorts my dear. You may have your child back, when all the mistletoe except for the one near the hall I approved is gone."

"Mam!?" Kili tried but Dis folded her arms and shook her head, Tauriel taking Kili by the arm and dragging the prince from the room. They only had a good hour before her son would wake with a vengeful need of food, so they needed to get to work as soon as possible.

"Best get it done meleth nin." Kili grumbled in response but allowed himself to be guided away by his wife.

Leotti glared at Fili on her way past murmuring, "We only got caught because Tauriel gave us away. Next time, you better believe we will win."

"You're on." Fili accepted the challenge as they parted ways, Leotti following Tauriel and Kili while Fili ran to join Viltarra who was shaking her head and glaring at him before giving in and linking her hands with his as they disappeared out the door.

"Well, at least we squashed that before it became something larger than we could handle." Dis sighed looking at her grandbaby. She smiled. He really was a perfect miniature of Kili. Fin looked exactly like his father did as an infant. Except for the nose, Finli had Tauriel's small dainty nose, and of course the very slight point to his ears that was the only real nod to his elvish blood. He was the cutest little thing though.

Thorin thought back to the look Leotti was giving the boys as Dis was fawning over the sleeping babe still in his arms. "Oh, I don't know Dis. I think you may have started a war." Dis sat up straight and groaned. Thorin was probably right.

It took the better part of the day to get all the mistletoe down and true to her word, Dis refused to allow the two parents to take Finli until they were completely done, though she did hand the wailing child over for Tauriel to nurse him every hour or so until they were completely finished and headed back up to their chambers, exhausted.

"Kili, will you lace me up meleth nin?" Tauriel walked into the sitting room on the day of the celebration to see Kili with Fin resting on his raised legs. He was singing something to the wide-awake infant whose identical brown eyes were watching his father keenly.

"He loves you." Tauriel murmured as Kili finished his song.

Kili smiled up at her. "He loves the sound of my voice, I do not think he knows me well enough to love me yet."

Tauriel knelt down and leaned her head against Kili's as she traced a finger across Fins cheek. The infant sighing at the caress. "I do not agree. I believe he knows you or he would not be watching you so, or seek you out when he does not hear you."

Kili hummed in response then turned his head enough to kiss Tauriel on her temple. "What was it you needed Amralime?"

"I cannot get my laces. Would you mind?" Tauriel gave Finli a kiss on his head as she rose, then turned to show the exposed skin of her back. Smirking Kili stood all to happy to oblige as he indicated for her to follow him to the bedroom.

Kili placed Fin in the cradle then turned towards Tauriel and made a spinning motion with his fingers getting her to turn her back to him so he could help, but before he began lacing, he made sure to allow his lips to graze her bared spine. "Kili, you keep that up and we will never make it down to the greeting."

Kili hummed against her skin, his rough cheeks causing shivers to radiate through her. "I do not see a problem with that."

Tauriel laughed. "Behave Kili. Now lace, or will I need to go and finish getting ready with Dis?"

Kili groaned but did as he was asked and finished lacing her up, though he looked even more forward to unlacing her that evening. She will be like an early yule gift. He forced his thoughts away and added the final preparations to his own attire.

Smiling, Kili gave his wife a bow at the waist when he was finished. He looked every bit the prince under the mountain that he was, with exception of the one missing accessory the eleth knew he hated most of all, as he likely has purposely not put it on in hopes nobody would notice.

Tauriel chuckled and stepped up to him, adjusting his collar and knowingly placing the circlet he hated over his wild loose curls before pressing her brow to his. "Ready meleth nin?"

Kili nodded his head against hers but remained connected to her for a moment. Both stood, their foreheads pressed together as they took some time to simply enjoy the closeness and comfort of the other. Knowing they were running out of time, however, the couple pulled apart and gathered Finli, leaving the chambers to meet the family at the entrance hall.

In another part of the mountain, Viltarra was pulling at her skirts and bodice while staring into her mother's long mirror in her chambers. She was nervous. This was the first time she would be greeting dignitaries alongside the royal family.

To help herself remember, Viltarra had scribbled down some notes on a parchment she was currently reciting to herself over and over as she stood in her mothers and father's room, repeating names, phrases, and thoughts to her own reflection.

Dis had made several suggestions on how to act, what to say, and the specific order of things to expect tonight. Yet…at this very moment, every, single, thing, Dis had told her…was now flying out of her head at the speed of dragon wings. She felt as simple as a troll, and is more than anything, just hoping she would not fumble and ruin things for Fili or his family tonight.

Her mother stepped in just as Viltarra was trying to remember the formal elvish greeting Tauriel had been teaching her. "Solion Lin…or was it Lin Soilin?" She grabbed the parchment from the table and looked, groaning. "LEN Suilon?!"

Tarrah held in her chuckle and walked to her fidgeting daughter. "You will do fine, stop overthinking and everything will be well."

"Amad, I am going to butcher this. I don't even remember what Tandrool looks like let alone how to properly greet the king of Mirkwood."

Tarrah winced at her daughter already butchering the elven king's name. "I believe you mean Thranduil, little gem. Not Tandrool."

Viltarra's eyes widened, and she grasped at the parchment scanning the notes and closed her eyes in defeat. "Fili should just dump me in a mine cart and give it a push."

"I should do what now?" Viltarra groaned again as the object of her affections seemingly entered the room.

"I came to tell you Fili was here." Tarrah chuckled and stepped away from the younger blonde dam to allow Fili to step further in.

Fili looked at Viltarra. "First off, you look…" He tried to come up with anything that matched the beauty before him. Her maroon and cream dress accentuated her curves perfectly, along with the jewel encrusted belt that draped down the front of her skirts. Leotti had even created a fur lined capelet she currently wore for standing near the cold front gates. Her thick golden waves were perfectly tamed and braided back into a bun where earlier that day, Tauriel's nimble fingers had tucked in several beads and gems matching her gown. Her beard remained neat but groomed.

"Mahal himself would praise your beauty my Lady." Fili finally said, giving her a low bow.

Viltarra blushed and readjusted her skirts. "You can thank Leotti for the dress and Tauriel for the hair. I am afraid I did nothing but stand and complain."

Fili laughed and pulled her in for a kiss, Tarrah clearing her throat when the two began getting carried away. She received two identical glares before she lifted her hands. "I am afraid that I am in agreement with Dis on chaperoning. You two need to be careful with not getting too carried away. As much as I want a grandchild, marriage first is preferable, forgive me for being old fashioned."

Viltarra groaned and grabbed Fili's hand who was gaping at Tarrah. "Come on, Prince Fili, or your mother will have my head for you being late." She pulled Fili from the room as Tarrah with Vin beside her closed the chamber door and followed them out to the hall.

As Viltarra's parents, they had been invited to stand with the family as well, a true honor to be sure, and both were rather touched at the gesture. To their daughters annoyance however, neither seemed as remotely nervous as Viltarra...who just realized she had left the parchment of notes on the table when she grabbed Fili to leave. Her heart began to race and she could feel her palms going moist.

"You alright?" Viltarra lifted her brown eyes up to Fili who was giving her a concerned look. She tried to calm her erratic heart and wiped her free hand on her gown before nodding curtly.

Fili, however, saw right past it and was about to comment when they met up with Tauriel, Kili, and baby Finli. He also happened to see a certain black feathered member of the family hopping behind them, and he lifted a brow as he looked up at his sister who was just stepping down the final stair to greet them. "Tauri, I did not realize Kaw would be joining the welcoming entourage?"

Tauriel furrowed her brows and turned quickly behind her, muttering curses in both elvish and Khuzdul while Kili laughed freely, clasping Fin to his chest. "Kaw! No. You cannot come with us this time." The bird did not seem to understand…or perhaps he just purposely chose to ignore her as he jumped in circles at Tauriel's feet croaking loudly. The eleth sighed and shook her head. "Just give me a moment, I will need to put him back upstairs." The eleth bent down, Kaw jumping onto her forearm, then easily climbing up to her shoulder. He was getting so big it was beginning to look comical to see the large black bird on the small eleth's thin shoulders, but neither seemed to mind.

Kili watched his wife go up the stairs and turned back as the group waited for her to re-join. "Hello Vin and Tarrah, welcome to your first official royal duty, the pomp and circumstance of welcoming important figures to the mountain. Are you ready Viltarra?" Kili took in her pale cheeks and panicked eyes and gave her a reassuring smile. He could tell exactly how she was feeling by just looking at her. "Do not worry, there really is nothing to be nervous about."

Viltarra paled further. Pinned. Kili already had her pinned and he barely even knew her. Did she really look that nervous? Fili draped his arm across her waste and pulled her close as Kili passed Finli to Tarrah who was now babbling at the baby. "Look at all that hair! A month and he's got a full head of it!" Kili nodded proudly.

"Let us hope he will be better at managing it then his father." Fili laughed out.

Kili glared at his brother then turned himself back to Viltarra. "Look. Just be yourself and try not to give an air of fear. They pounce if they sense it so fake it if you have to. Confidence…is nothing but a bunch of smoke and mirrors, it is something that comes with practice and experience, so nobody is expecting anything of you tonight, just try and have fun. You know what, let me tell you a secret." Kili leaned in close, Viltarra waiting on bated breath for any advice she could get to survive the evening without making a complete fool of herself…and Fili. "Even Thorin gets nervous around the elven king." Kili finally added.

"I do not. Annoyed and deeply frustrated, but never nervous Kili." Kili chuckled not repentant at all as he stepped back just in time to see Thorin descend the stairs with Dis and Tauriel on each arm, and no raven to be seen.

"Are we all ready?" Once she reached the bottom of the stairs, Dis checked over everyone, fussing with Kili's circlet who was batting her away before adjusting Fili's braids. Fili affectionately rolled his eyes and leaned forward to kiss Dis on the cheek, his eyes lifting enough to see Kili mouth, "Kiss-ass.", before he got elbowed by his wife prior to accepting Finli back from Tarrah.

Before they left the throne room to stand before the main gate, Dis gave the family one final inspection. Everyone had their circlets…and crown in Thorin's case, Vin and Tarrah were here beside Viltarra…who had her arm in Fili's, and Finli seemed content enough to just watch everyone quietly… for the time being. It seemed everything was in order. Naurfaer would be leading Thranduil and Bard along with their families and guests from both cities, so he was going to meet them at the gates.

As they walked towards the entrance hall, Dis grabbed Thorin's arm, making sure to growl out, "Smile and stop scowling, you are greeting guests for a festival, not calling a war meeting." Thorin rolled his eyes in response to his sister, and turned his frown into something closer to a grimace as he led her out.

Kili lifted his arm for Tauriel to take and she happily re-adjusted their son so she could accept, then eagerly returned his broad smile as they followed Dis and Thorin.

"Ready?" Fili mirrored Kili, offering his arm to Viltarra who was going paler by the minute.

"Can I reconsider and go back to bed?" Fili shook his head, chuckled, then dropped a kiss onto her lips, simultaneously calming her and causing her pulse to quicken.

"I will be right beside you so stop panicking." Fili chided as he pulled her along, Vin and Tarrah following directly behind them shaking their heads. This will certainly be a festival to remember.

Original Authors Note: Fun with mistletoe. I couldn't help it. OH and they do celebrate Durin's day but since I got the date COMPLETELY wrong on Reforged…because I am special like that…I sort of ignore it now. I probably should just file it in one of these ACTS maybe when it should be celebrated which is sometime in mid-October. I believe I read in 2020 it was on October 19th. See, I can learn XD. Anyway, see you with the next chapter soon. XOXOXO.