Updated January 17th, 2022

Original Authors Note: I hope this isn't too long of a wait Imagine :D But you will have to wait to the next chapter until at least after I get off. This is a special post during my lunch break.

Just you wait Meee.

Okay, and Kmile. About Thorin and his love life. I will explain all of that probably in the next ACT, but definitely not in this one.

Thank you guys for sticking with my story though. You are amazing.

Chapter Six

It was well past the evening bell when Thorin stalked down to the Ukdam. Any other visit, his mood would be lightened by the music and celebration the exuberant dwarven clan brings to wherever they roam. Even now the hall resonated with singing and laughter, this must be the celebration Sudri mentioned. His mood was in no way lifted, however, as recent information and the lack to cooperate was making him grow more frustrated with every beat of the drum and clang of small bells.

Beside him on either side, were his nephews. Both taking their place flanking their king and uncle. Gone were jovial smiles and laughter, these were Durin's sons on a mission. Anyone who came into contact with them knew better than to stop them in their pursuit when they looked like this.

"My Lord!? What a surprise. I had thought our meetings complete for the eve. Have you supped? Are you here for our celebration? Come! It has only just begun. Allow me to get you some of our sweet nectar ale. Lovely, from the great south it is, where there are honeybees as big as your fist." Without waiting for an answer, Sudri snapped his fingers and began ordering some food and ale to be brought to his tent.

Thorin waived his hand in dismissal, however. "Nothing is needed." His tone boasted only authority and Sudri gulped before turning his eyes to the two princes. The blonde, Prince Fili had his arms folded and his eyes narrowed the dark-haired prince Kili was pointedly glaring. His features set in a dark stare that clearly riveled his uncle. "We come to offer a choice, or perhaps the best term would be an ultimatum." Sudri gulped again and nodded. He was soon to learn why it was unwise to cross Durin's sons.

"Woowww. The entire floor is gold Reg. Do ya see? Do ya thin' we could chip a bit off? They probably won' miss it."

Regar rolled his eyes at his younger brother. He was not a bad sort, but he loved anything that sparkled and shined almost to a fault. The elder brother will have a time keeping the young one out of trouble as they grew, it was hard enough keeping him out of trouble now.

"No Toki. Do ya want them ta put us in a cell?" Toki, with his muddy blond hair shrugged; the floppy hat over his hears falling into his eyes as he looked up at Regar. He matched his brother near perfectly with exception of the difference in eye color. Toki has brilliant and vibrant green eyes and Regar had eyes matching the grey skies. Stormy grey eyes that were once again rolling at his brother who was on his hands and knees making faces into the golden floors reflective surface.

"I still can't believe after three hours we cannot find anything to help." The brothers startled at the sound of a female voice coming their way. They were not supposed to be out of the lower hall, but it was easy to slip away when you were as small as they were and your father was distracted, taking care of your sick mother. So, the brothers easily made their way through the mountain, exploring the richness around them unseen and unnoticed.

"Toki!" Regar hushed out, grabbing his brother. "Come on, behind 'ere!" Allowing his brother to tug him away, the brothers slipped behind a large statue depicting a dwarven warrior. Neither could say who, probably a king of old.

"It is a mystery I fear even Ivethin could not solve without seeing the symptoms for herself. No healer, regardless of skill, can accurately blind diagnose and expect to be correct."

Toki and Regar waited quietly then gasped as two elves crossed the golden floored throne room. "Elves?"

"Hush Toki! They'll hear." To make his point Regar placed his hand over Toki's mouth but it was too late. One of the elves had stopped and turned their way. The red headed female, at least, Regar thought it was a female. She scanned the room then looked up at the many tiers and balconies above.

"Something wrong starlight?"

Tightening his hand over Toki's mouth, Regar forced his breathing to be silent. Could elves hear heartbeats? Because his was hammering in his chest. The young dwarfling got his answer as the she-elf shook her head and turned back to her companion.

"I thought I heard something but, I think I am just tired."

"I happen to know a certain someone who is missing his mama. Come. Let us go up and be done with today. Finli has been crying for you all day, well, whenever he is not sleeping. I will even make you something to eat, I am sure there is something special to quench your appetite here somewhere." The female nodded her head and turned back towards the throne.

The brothers waited a minute then slowly, Toki slipped away and began running from statue to statue that lined the walls of the massive room. To Regar's horror, he realized Toki was following the elves. "Toki! NO!" Regar wished he could have yelled it, instead he hushed it out as sternly as he could. His brother, however, was unsurprisingly not listening.

Toki reached the end of the throne room and had to duck to the ground to not be seen by what appeared to be two armed guards at the base of a stairwell hidden behind columns behind the throne. He felt his brother catch up and the pair watched in wonder. "There's a staircase back there! Wha' do yeh think is up there?" Regar knew the look Toki was giving him, the one that screamed 'lets go check it out.'

"Toki, absolutely not yeh yuppie. Da's goin' ta wring us dry already when he finds out yeh go' out."

Toki glared at his brother. "WE go' out. Yer here too." He stuck his tongue out at his elder brother who narrowed his eyes at the younger thistle in the beard.

"I am 'ere ta make sure yeh don' do somfin' stupid…like go up guarded stairs elves disappeared to." Toki grinned at his brother ire but said nothing. After a few moments of the youngest dwarfling staring off at the stairs clearly out of bounds, Regar sighed and tugged on his brother's vest. "Come on Toki. We gotta get back before da or anyone notices." He all but had to drag his brother from the gold room and out of sight.

Back down at the tent of Sudri, Thorin huffed and stood tall. He refused to take a seat, neither did his nephews. He glared at the leader who even after an hour and several threats was not budging. "It is contained my Lord and I guarantee it will have no adverse effect on your mountain or your people."

"Guarantee? You do not even know what it is!" Fili argued. "You can no more guarantee that it is contained then you can guarantee Thranduil, king of Mirkwood would sprout fairy wings and fly into the sunset." Fili gave a flourish of his hands. Even the levelheaded prince was getting frustrated by the lack of cooperation. Sudri was possessing a deeper stubbornness then his own family and that was saying something.

"I know my people, as you know yours. I would not demand to see your sick, I expect the same respect." Sudri easily argued…again. "Our traditions are what bind us together and make us who we are." He eyed Kili. "You may have laxed your traditions and opened your halls, hearths, and beds to…others…but we uphold our ways! Our healers are notified and doing all they can. The rest it purely up to Mahal, may his hammer ring true and bless us with strength to endure. You should do well to remember the great traditions of old, remind all in Erebor's halls who truly rules over us all."

"Who are you to speak for Mahal?!" Kili seethed, stepping closer and looking down into the eyes of this, fool of a leader. "Our people know our ways and this is not your mountain or city to be able to say such! Your females keep birthing dead, not ours so perhaps you should rethink your accusations. Perhaps YOU are the ones with ways needing mending. Maybe it is time for a change! You have lost enough already have you not? Or do you want to allow this to continue and claim even more lives?! What a great leader you are, mighty Sudri, who so tightly held to your people's inner reclusiveness and grandiose revelations from our maker that you allowed every female in your company to fall ill and die. I applaud your leadership skills! Uncle, we should take note." Fili side eyed his brother who was snarling at the leader who stiffened at the insinuation.

Thorin glared at Sudri. Kili was not wrong. This is not how you lead your people. As king or leader, it falls on your shoulders to assess every situation. When something as this arises, it falls on you to make the best decisions for your people. If that meant looking outside for aid, then do so. Traditions are important, but not at the risk of losing your entire city or clan. You must do all you can to save as many lives as possible, even if it does not save your pride. This lesson Thorin learned three years ago, is one he will never forget.

Sudri's jaw was set; he had run out of arguments. No matter what he said, the Durin's folk held strong and matched him argument for argument. Thorin gave him another look, trying to gage this supposed leader and his worthiness to hold such a title. This dwarf needs a few lessons on what it truly was to be a leader. "I will give you the night to rest and consider. I expect an answer in the morning. I will be down with our head healer at first bell." He paused then finished with, "You may want to reconsider what is more important to you and your people. Traditions, or life. I cannot make the choice for you, but I can tell you what the families of the ailing would be choosing right now."

Without another word, Thorin made for the door, his nephews following behind but not before Kili turned to Sudri, his face inches from the leader. "If you do not do something, more lives will be lost. Every woman and child who could have been saved had it not been for your pride and stubbornness will be on your soul when you go to meet our maker." He glared at the leader, daring him with his eyes to argue, then abruptly whipped around and left the tent.

As they entered the golden throned hall, Kili, Fili, and Thorin greeted the guards with a nod and Thorin paused. "Anything to report?"

"Nay sire. Naut but the family 'as been up, as yeh commanded." Thorin nodded his approval, and the royal trio ascended the stairs and entered their own hall. Hearing talk coming from down the corridor, they all warily followed the sound and entered Thorin and Dis's rooms.

"Maker's beard, any luck?" Dis stood from her chair in her own chamber, Finli once again awake and at her feet and Viltarra in a chair beside Hiril. The littlest prince was lost in rolling a wheeled wagon around Bofur had made him. He squealed in delight when he gave it a push and it rolled across the floor hitting Hiril right in the nose. The warg in question gave an indignant snort, shaking her head but then, gave the toy bump with her muzzle causing it to roll back towards Finli.

Kili plopped on the floor beside his son and leaned back against the chaise muttering lowly, "Luck only comes to those who are not dependent on it."

Dis sighed and sat back down. She watched as Finli almost immediately gave up his toy to climb into Kili's lap. Kili encircled his little one in his arms and pulled him against his chest.

The elder prince sighed. "Mam, we got nowhere. It is as if he wants nothing to change, wants no help at all. Who would choose death over asking for or allowing aid all because of some old traditions and beliefs? We have few enough females already and they have lost…how many? Three? Four?" Fili sat down on the floor at Viltarra's feet who had been silently watching her husband. "He has the chance to save lives, but instead he does nothing but pretend everything is clear as diamonds and perfectly set."

Dis gave Fili a reassuring smile. "We don't know that darling, we do not see what he is doing when we are not there. Do not forget they also have healers who are working on a solution, or so we are told. They just do not want outside intervention."

"That is not good enough!" Kili all but shouted, Finli startling in his arms and looking up at his father with his identical brown eyes filling with tears at his father's outburst. Kili placed his forehead against Finli's and opened his mind as Tauriel had taught him, embracing his son mentally and physically. "Sorry Fin, da is not mad at you my little star." Fin tugged on Kili's braids and lay his head on Kili's shoulder, appeased for the time being.

The door to Dis and Thorin's chamber opened, Tauriel and Naurfaer coming in followed closely by Vin and Tarrah. "Thought we could use a few minds who have spent more time visiting and doing business with the Ukdam. Fresh perspectives always bring new angles…or so they say." Naurfaer said. He gave Hiril a pat on the head as he went by on his way to the now cold tea Viltarra had made and brought in after they had fed Finli his supper.

Vin lifted a brow at Naurfaer who drank the tea with only a barely perceptible wince. "As much as we would love to help, some insight into what we are helping with would be a good start."

Thorin groaned. He really did not dislike Viltarra's parents, on the contrary, he quite enjoyed them, but he was trying to keep this knowledge to as few as possible until they knew more. They were family though, and it would not be fair to force Viltarra to keep this from her own parents. "It would appear our visitor's brought illness into our mountain and are refusing to allow us to step in to help in any way. All we know is a handful of dams have been lost, as have their babes. We know nothing else."

Vin whistled and took a seat in one of the chairs against the wall, Tarrah lowering herself into the one just beside him, muttering. "They are a suspicious lot…even for dwarrow, I am not surprised in the least that they have not been forthcoming with information. It is not in their nature to share freely and they rely greatly on their faith in Mahal and his hand in their fate."

Viltarra quickly looked to her mother, remembering just now a relation that may come in handy. "Mama, was there not a connection you had to the Ukdam? A distant cousin?"

Thorin lifted his head and all eyes turned to Tarrah, but she shook her head sadly. "A very, very distant cousin who passed more than 20 years ago. He had no children and was quite the recluse himself. I had only met him once and when I was very young myself, not more than 15 if I recall." All shoulders sagged.

Fili fingered the braids in his beard then turned his blue eyes to his wife's parents. "Any idea on how to get an in?"

Vin shook his head sadly. "There is no in with the Ukdam, Fili, I am afraid. You are either born in, adopted, or sworn in at a young age. Either way, you live their lifestyle and follow their rules and belief system. No exception. Ever. They are like one big family with the acting azbudi as the father figure. What he says, they follow, whatever it may be." Vin rubbed his chin then shook his head. "They do so with pride and without questions because they trust each other explicitly. They would have to with how they live. You will be hard pressed to ever come across one who had even an inkling of a desire to leave the clan. The Ukdam are a tight group. I doubt any one of them would do differently than their leader is doing now, even if it were to save lives. In fact, him holding his ground even to the king under the mountain, ruler of the dwarrow, I am quite sure would be considered admiral and courageous among them."

Kili clung to Finli and clenched his jaw. "INNOCENT lives are being destroyed. Infants! Do they not care? Are they so heartless? If so, they can leave and rot." Kili turned burning eyes to Thorin. "Is it worth the risk allowing them to stay for their agreed on time if all they bring is death? I for one will not risk my family for a group bent on destroying themselves."

Tauriel watched Kili with sad eyes. She crossed the room from where she stood and knelt to the ground beside him. Despite still being marginally frustrated with her very own dwarrow, he was still her everything and seeing him so upset tore at her heart. It was only a moment before she could feel Kili relax both beside her and in the place in her mind where he resided. She brushed a finger down his cheek and cupped his jaw. "You do not mean that meleth nin. For I can see your heart. You wish to help as much as we and you know them being here gives their women the best chance. We just have to break through to them."

"But, it is impossible. You have not been in with Sudri, he won't budge." Kili argued, but with diminishing fire.

"And one would say the great Thorin Oakenshield adopting an elf into the family would have been impossible not four years ago, yet here we are. Circumstances change us my love, and opening our mind and eyes to what is around us can open our paths to greater futures." Tauriel looked down and ran her hand through Finli's thick hair. The little dwarfling leaning over and falling into her embrace. Kili opened his legs and Tauriel scooted herself to sit between them, leaning back against his chest and humming contently when his arms wrapped around her and Finli.

"So, we are at exactly where we started?" Fili huffed out.

Viltarra yanked one of his braids causing him to look back at her with a scowl. "Stop being negative. Maybe Sudri will change his mind by morning." Fili lifted a brow at his wife who gave him a challenging look up at her as she leaned over him. He was about to lip back but was interrupted before he could make things worse.

"Oi laddie, now's the time you let it go unless you enjoy sleeping on sitting room chairs." Vin guffawed, until Tarrah stamped on his foot and wiped the smile off his face.

"Do you enjoy it?" Vin immediately sobered, lifting Tarrah's hand for an apologetic kiss.

Dis chuckled and Thorin rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "As wonderful as all this is, there has not been a chisel of progress made in this mountain of a problem."

"And none will be made tonight, that is most apparent." Dis observed. She smiled fondly at Viltarra who was now adding braids to Fili's hair absentmindedly, Fili humming quietly in appreciation as her hands worked his golden strands. She then melted at Finli who was asleep against Tauriel's chest, just as Tauriel was now asleep against Kili's. Her son's arms wrapped around them and holding them both tightly. He was awake and their eyes met. "All will be well my darling. Let us wait to worry until we get answers in the morn and have something to worry about. We are all healthy, let us focus on that."

Kili nodded but said nothing for a few moments then quietly whispered, "Mam, do you mind grabbing Finli? I do not wish to wake him as he has been not sleeping these last few nights with those teeth breaking through. Unless you need more of us, I think we will just retire for the night."

Kili turned to his uncle who waived his hand in dismissal.

Dis smiled, looking at the sleeping babe. "Oh, I doubt anything will wake him tonight. He was crying something fretful today so I gave him one of Oin's special teething tinctures just before you came in. It gave him some relief and he should be comfortable enough to sleep through the night."

Kili nodded, slightly worried about Finli. He really does understand why teething took place in infancy. None would wish to remember that kind of pain. His poor little Fin.

Dis retrieved the sleeping babe who protested the change and began to fuss in her arms but soon settled, the medicine doing its job and allowing him a night of peaceful, pain free rest. Kili inched from behind his wife then picked her up in his arms and looked to Finli. "I will follow darling, lead the way." Kili nodded his gratitude to his mam and the pair left the room carrying their precious cargo.

"You ready?" Viltarra nodded and Fili pushed himself off the ground taking her hand. "I assume we are meeting before first bell?"

Thorin smiled softly. "Aye. In the main sitting room. Good night."

Fili sighed as they left the room and Viltarra looked up at him questioningly. "Do you really think it to be that bad Fili? Has this ever happened before?"

Fili shrugged. "Not in my experience, nor I believe in uncles. Their last visit to Ered Luin was 60 years ago. As far as my memory concerns me, it went as smooth as it could have gone. Nobody has ever brought up otherwise."

Viltarra's mind buzzed with ideas but she came up with none which would work given the situation. "Maybe you could do your own investigating. I mean, what their leader doesn't know can't harm the situation right?"

Looking down in wonder, Fili gaped at his wife. "Are you suggesting sneaking down and going behind both uncles and Sudri's back to get a peak?"

Shrugging, Viltarra gave him an innocent smile. "Maybe. Just something to consider if tomorrow morning does not go as planned. We should give him the opportunity to do this the right way first. But if not…" She trailed off with a small smile.

"I love you." Fili deadpanned. Viltarra blushed and beamed but gasped when Fili smashed his lips to hers in a searing kiss. She caught on quickly though and grabbed at his cotton tunic and tugged him close to her, molding their bodies together. Fili hummed and groped for the door handle as he steered his wife into their chambers and slammed the door shut behind them.

Original Authors Note: So heads up, next chapter is a bit…cliffy, but not too much so. I just wanted to give you a heads up. I will post that tonight and if I am feeling generous, I might just post the eighth chapter just after that so you don't have to wait too long. I personally have ZERO patience, so I understand the annoyance with waiting. PS…for all you in the younger generations…when they say patience comes with age…that is ALL a lie! Words of warning from the older millennial generation here. Anyway…love you! See you tonight. (oooohh, that sounds like a date! Have not had one of those for…like a year. Maybe I should stop writing hobbit fanfiction…..or not. XD)