Reforged and Strengthened

by jezzibee83

A sequel to Reforged. Reforged and Strengthened follows the Reforged Universe and the lives of our favorite Sons of Durin and their elf, Tauriel. Watch as they fill their lives with adventure, love, and family in a world they earned through hardship and battle. Read Reforged first.

51. ACT IV Chapter FOURTEEN

Authors Note: I am not sure I should be seeking accolades or apologizing but this is officially the longest chapter I have written in this series…I really need be better at cutting things down, lol.

I am sorry these are not coming out as fast as the others though. The next ACT I will try to finish completely before posting, so all I have to do is proofread to get it out, rather than write…then proofread…all between work and family. But surgeries (not mine) are done for the moment, birthdays are passed…except mine the week after next….and I finished my bachelor's degree…yay! Onto a masters lol. So I should have more time to try and get this done. Though I did break a tooth…zero stars….would not recommend. Unfortunately I can't see the dentist until next week. So in the mean time I can catch up on writing.

I will see you at the bottom! Go ahead and enjoy.

Chapter Fourteen

Tauriel laughed at the grim expression on Viltarra's face as Leotti began fussing with her blonde waves. "We are supposed to be getting YOU ready Leotti. Why are you doing MY hair?"

"Because…" Leotti huffed, "…my hair is perfect and yours, needs work. I can't have you showing up to my wedding like this! You're in line to be a queen Viltarra maybe you should consider trying to look the part." When Viltarra glared at Leotti, the bride to be just glared right back. "Get over it, I am not letting it go."

When Viltarra looked to her sister for help, Tauriel simply shrugged. "It is her night, if doing your hair makes her happy, perhaps let her be. It could be worse, she could have you change as well."

However, Tauriel soon found she was eating her words. "About that." Leotti said with a bright smile. "I took the liberty of making each of you something to wear…just for this occasion." She ignored both the growl from Viltarra and the wary look from Tauriel as she finished off a braid in Viltarra's hair and pinned it to the top of her head with several other braids she had already done. It was now half piled in braids on the top of her head. "Give me just a moment and I am nearly done." She reached around the clearly annoyed royal dam for a large bow that matched her own skirts pattern perfectly and placed it at the top of Viltarra's hair nestled against the braided bun she created.

"There. Finished." She picked up a hand mirror and passed it to Viltarra at the same time she was pushing her out of the chair. "Go look at yourself over there, I need to do Tauri's hair too, and she has a lot more of it than you do."

"Me? Leotti you really do not have to. This is a night about you, I don't want you wasting it getting us ready." Tauriel's arguments, however, were falling on deaf ears as the dam practically forced her into the chair.

Leotti hummed as she began attacking Tauriel's red locks. "Yes, my night. Which means, I can spend it however I want. Besides, you owe me, so after this, we can call it even."

Tauriel looked at Viltarra who raised a brow even as she grimaced at the oversized plaid bow in her hair. The eleth sighed and lifted her eyes to Leotti. "Perhaps you can enlighten me on just HOW I owe you Leotti?"

There was a pause in tugging as Leotti leaned around the eleth and glared at her. "Do not tell me you have already forgotten about that Mahal forsaken 'adventure' I was thrust into not two weeks ago…I am concerned, Tauriel, about your ability to recall. Is it a permanent thing…or are we blaming this on the pregnancy?"

Tauriel folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. "I had nothing to do with your involvement Leotti. I did not cause the earthquake, it was a natural occurrence, and I certainly had no involvement in that terrible place we ended up. I was just as much a victim in fates hands as you were."

"Victim of the fates? OH NO! Don't you give me that ridiculous excuse." Leotti shot back, her hand on her hip as she continued to glare at the eleth in her chair. Even Finli was looking up at his mother from the floor with wide eyes going from Tauriel to Leotti before Viltarra sat on the chaise and patted her lap and he crawled over to her.

Leotti shook her head. "You are a magnet for trouble, and you know it. Whenever something has happened in the last few years, it revolved somehow around you…at least in some part. I accept that being friends with you means I will be privy to some unique situations, but please keep me out of any experiences involving killing, imprisonment, and or possible death."

Viltarra snorted. "You know she can't make any such promises, Leotti." Tauriel rolled her eyes but remained silent as Leotti went back to work on her hair, pulling it back before braiding it down her back. At the top, she placed the same bow as she had on Viltarra, and if Viltarra thought SHE looked ridiculous with it, then Tauriel looked twice that. Unfortunately, her amusement was clear in her features and Tauriel turned a glare onto her sister who was fighting a losing battle to keep her laughter in. "I am sorry Tauriel, it looks lovely. Really."

Leotti, however, smiled wide. "I think you both look lovely. Now hang on just a hammers blow, and I will be right back." Not waiting for a response, Leotti all but ran into the back room giving both the eleth, and the dam, a moment to release heavy sighs.

"I should have known this would happen." Viltarra grumbled, tugging Finli close as she sat all the way back against the chaise and for lack of better word, stewed in frustration at her current predicament.

"At least it is only for tonight, Viltarra. Maybe it won't be so bad?" Tauriel stood and sat beside her sister, opening her arms for her little treasure who happily transferred from his auntie's lap to his mothers. Tauriel sighed again as Finli struggled to get comfortable. "If I get any larger, I will no longer have any lap left." She looked down at her son who finally got comfortable and began babbling to his sibling in the womb.

Viltarra chuckled. "Not much longer now." Before she could say more, Leotti waltzed into the room humming to herself as she placed what she held in her arms onto an unused chair. "Now, I will watch the little hob goblin, and you two can go take these into the back and get changed. They should fit perfectly. I already made adjustments based on the measurements from your last fitting."

When she was met with equal expressions of frustration, Leotti paused and stared at her friends. "Or, I suppose you do not have to if you don't want to. I know it is last minute, and I did not say anything about it before tonight. It has just been, a really hard few weeks, and I thought, maybe, you wouldn't mind. It is fine though."

As she moved to the pile of clothes, Viltarra…noticing Leotti growing upset…rose and quickly placed her hand on Leotti's shoulder. "Wait. No, it's fine. Sorry Leotti. We would be happy to be a part of whatever you dreamed tonight would be. Right Tauriel?"

"Of course. Forgive us Leotti." Tauriel placed Finli on the chaise next to her and carefully got to her feet.

"Perfect!" Leotti beamed and ran over to scoop Finli up. "Just take the top two there, and call if you need any help.

Tauriel looked at Viltarra who grabbed the entire bundle and moved to the back, Tauriel following her as she went.

"You are getting soft." Tauriel chuckled. "I quite remember a dam who would absolutely refuse such a thing not two years ago."

"Ya, well, we change. Besides, it's her wedding, she deserves it to be whatever she wants it to be." Viltarra shrugged out of Fili's vest she was wearing…which she wore more often than not…then pulled her tunic over her head as Tauriel lifted the top layer of clothing off the pile and inspected it.

Normally, Leotti's designs are beyond anything Tauriel had ever seen. What that dam can do with fabric and thread, is nothing short of magic. But Tauriel could not help but cringe at the dress she held. It was not that it was horrific per say, but it certainly was not what she was expecting.

"How bad is it?" Viltarra accepted the dress and looked it over, then sighed. "She hates us, doesn't she? Or this has to be some sort of revenge."

"No, not revenge." A soft voice filled the room and both Tauriel and Viltarra turned to see Leotti wringing her hands and shifting from foot to foot after placing Finli down at her feet. It was an unsettling display, considering Leotti typically always held a deep confidence in herself.

Tauriel looked at Viltarra who had the same surprised expression on her face, but before either could say anything, Leotti walked further into the room and fingered the gown. "My father, contrary to popular belief, did not cut me or my mother off completely. I received many letters from him in my youth when I arrived in Ered Luin. Notes of apology, of regret, and of sorrow. He said he will forever feel the shame for what he had done to his family in his moment of weakness. But he felt beyond blessed to have fathered a daughter, even if she could not be in his life."

Leotti picked up one of the dresses she made, it was Tauriel's, and inspected a seem as she spoke. "Every year, on my birthday, until I was thirty-five, I received a gift from my father. He would send my mother gold, and with it, some trinket for me along with a letter. But on my thirty fifth birthday, he sent me a large parcel. It contained this fabric, they are the colors of his house. I had told him I was training to be a seamstress, and he sent me this with his hope that I could make something for myself to wear and know that though he could never raise me, I still was a part of his house."

The little dam sighed and placed the dress down. Tauriel and Viltarra were at a loss for words for several moments, but Viltarra quickly shook off her surprise and placed a hand on Leotti's shoulder. "What happened after your thirty-fifth birthday?"

Leotti lifted her olive eyes to her friends. "I received one more missive from him, just a few months past my birthday. He wished to see me. He was coming to Ered Luin to meet with Thorin, and wanted to spend some time visiting with me while he was there."

"What was he like?" Tauriel asked softly, squatting down to retrieve her son who crawled over to her and was raising his hands high in a silent request to be picked up.

Leotti shrugged. "I don't know. He never came. My mother received a note from a clan official declaring my father to have passed through our makers halls not a week after he had informed me of his intent to visit. There was not much detail on how he passed, but it was of natural causes as he was quite a ways in years even when I was born. I have not many memories of him, but I still have all of the letters and gifts he sent me."

Tauriel looked to Viltarra as she tried to figure out what to say. What do you say? "Before you ask…" Leotti added, "…my birth was layered in deceit and unfaithfulness. But I did not know the true depth until recently."

"What do you mean?" Viltarra leaned against the counter, trying to take some of the pressure off her feet as she did. "How recent?"

"A few days after you told me of my mothers decision, I received a message from Lord Vifspori." Leotti sighed. "It seems my birth is shrouded in even greater deceit then I was told all my life. My mother always told me that my father, Lord Vikkorh, sought after her, and begged her to be his. He had always wanted to marry my mother, but politics got in the way and he was forced into a match against his wishes. Then his wife grew ill, and the doctors said she would not live the months end, and in his grief, and hope, he sought out my mother and spent his nights with her. It was one of those nights that I was conceived."

Seeing Viltarra cringing Leotti paused her story and pushed a chair in her friend's direction. Viltarra smiled softly as she accepted it. "Are you alright Tauri, do you want a chair as well?"

Tauriel shook her head, rocking Finli from side to side as he yawned and rested his head on her shoulder. It was past his normal nap time. "No, Leotti, I am well. Please, continue."

Leotti nodded as she fell back against the wall. "From what my mother told me, Vikkorh was filled with joy at the news. He already had two sons before me, and was thrilled with the prospect of another born into his house. Then, his wife recovered. Vikkorh forced my mother into hiding, and only he and one doctor knew of the pregnancy, and my birth. She remained in hiding until Vikkorh made arrangements to have us relocated to Ered Luin for both my mothers, and my safety. I do not remember much of him, but I do remember whenever he saw me, he was always incredibly kind. He told me I was the first dam to be born in his clan in over seven-hundred and fifty years. He called me a beautiful miracle. But he never even looked at my mother, and only now, do I know why."

"Was it shame?" Viltarra asked.

"No." Leotti said softly. "My mother, it appears, was related to Vikkorh's wife…they were sisters, and in looks, were nearly identical. From the few letters that have come from Vifspori, I have been able to piece together an entirely different story than the one I was told all my life from my mother. I cannot say the true motive, be it jealousy, or something more, but it seems Vikkorh either partook or was given some rather strong ale…which was perhaps laced with something more. My mother, who held deep, but unreturned affections for the clan lord…took advantage of his inability to tell her apart from her sister. She followed him to his bed, and I was the result. It was her sister that found them. She was not ill, from what I now understand, but a victim of my own mothers deceit, her own sisters, deceit. The rest, seems in line with what I have been told. My father should have disowned me, or refused claim, but the kindness in his heart had him taking responsibility of me and not placing an ounce of blame on me for my mothers choices."

"He sounds like a kind soul, I think I know where you get it from now." Tauriel placed a hand not holding her now sleeping son on Leotti's shoulder.

Leotti smiled softly. "He wanted to adopt me, he and his wife, according to Vifspori. But my mother would not allow it and that is when, in this tale, it was decided to send us to Ered Luin."

"Could they be lying Leotti?" Viltarra asked. "Maybe what your mother told you is the truth, and this, a clan trying to clear a leaders name from infidelity."

Leotti hummed in thought. "Without speaking to my mother, and to Vifspori in person, I suppose I cannot say. But…for some reason…I cannot shake the feeling that my mother was lying to me. At least in part."

Tauriel nodded. "Perhaps, there is truth in both stories, at least to some degree."

Leotti nodded. "I suppose I will never know now that mother is not speaking to me. Truthfully, if Vifspori is telling the truth, it is a wonder they did not put my mother in a cell. What she did, was a crime. A truly heinous one."

"If she was among the eldar, it would mean death. It is a testament to your father's forgiving heart, that she was punished only with banishment and allowed to raise you. Did Lord Vifspori ever come and speak to you when he was in Erebor, Leotti?" Tauriel asked, gently laying Finli down on a chair Leotti often used when she was taking a break. The small seamstress smiled at the sleeping toddler and moved to her work table, grabbing a yard of soft furs, and placing them over Finli as he slept before shaking her head.

"I do not think he knew I was here. It was Gudfinnur who had sent a message to the Stiffbeards to inform them of what my mother had done. I don't know the details or why, but, Vifspori did apologize and say he regrets not seeing me. He is currently making plans to visit in the near future. He sent with him a full and legal acceptance into his clan. It apparently had been a wish of his father, and he said it was time they fulfilled that wish."

Viltarra let out a heavy breath. "Wow. That, is quite at tale Leotti. How do you feel about it? Do you want to meet him?"

Leotti shrugged. "Truthfully, I'm a bit numb about the entire thing. I think if I was still living in Ered Luin, I would feel torn between two lives. But since I chose Erebor as my home, I think I feel okay with it. I have friends, here, and once Ori and I are wed tonight, I will have family as well. His brothers have been nothing but kind to me, and supportive. We dine together quite often. Plus I have your family. I am not lacking in kinship. But, it would be nice to get to know blood, so I think I will give Vifspori a chance. Clearly my mother has no desire to have me in her life, so, I must learn to move forward."

Tauriel smiled. "We are always here for you Leotti, whatever you may need."

"Even if it means wearing those." Viltarra grumbled, but the smile on her face showed there was no real spite behind her words.

"Thank you. The both of you. If it was not for you two, I would still be in Ered Luin. I came here, because of your friendship, and your support, Tauriel." Leotti took Tauriel's hand, then with her free hand, took Viltarra's who had risen from her chair to accept the gesture. "And yours as well Viltarra. It has been such a joy and comfort having someone just a few doors down from my shop that I can call a close friend. Both of you mean so much to me; thank you, with everything that I am, for your kindness, support, and friendship. I cannot imagine my life without either of you."

The dam pulled both close until the trio was embracing in a tight hug. Well, as tight as a hug you can get with two participants expecting.

"Of course Leotti. You are the little spark that gets us out of our comfort zone and pushes us to be more than we are." Viltarra smiled as she pulled away.

Tauriel nodded her agreement. "Your friendship has always been a great blessing, Leotti. I had nobody when I came to Ered Luin. However, within a day, I had a close friend who looked past my ears, and saw me for who I am inside."

"How could I not Tauri? I think, we needed each other. You needed a friend, and I needed someone to show me I was more than just the daughter of a shop owner. You forced me to improve my skills, and look beyond our borders. And now, because of you, I came to Erebor, because of you I opened my own successful business, and because of you, I met my Ori. I am getting married tonight." Finally, an excited giggle bubbled up from the dam who was now dancing in excitement. Though she did sober a bit when she looked back at the dresses.

"I do not want to force you to wear anything if you truly do not want to…" Leotti began, but Tauriel shook her head.

"Stop, Leotti. These are your father's houses colors…correct?" Tauriel picked up the frock and shift lying with it.

Leotti nodded. "I did some research of the Stiffbeards styles, and this is what is commonly worn in their ceremonies. I know it is not either of your choice styles, but…"

Viltarra grabbed her own dress and smiled. "Hey, it is only for one night. I think we can survive….just this once."

Leotti laughed. "Of course. I can't have the royal family of Erebor wearing the Stiffbeard's styles on regular occasions, can I? Now. Get ready, we ought to get up to your family's chambers. Do you think we can invite Nyaunni too? She helped us when she didn't have to. I would love her to be at the ceremony if she can."

Viltarra looked to Tauriel who was biting her lip. "I don't know Leotti. Her and Thorin seem to be at some sort of odds. But I can inquire about her whereabouts and see if she is available to celebrate with us."

"I would love that, thank you Tauri. Only if she is comfortable though." Leotti smiled, then gestured to the dresses. "Well…hurry up. I will leave Fin in here with you to rest."

Tauriel nodded and both her and Viltarra set to work changing into the supplied clothes while Finli lay asleep, oblivious to the world around him.

Further up in the mountain, Kili laughed at his mother who was animatedly talking to Bombur about what was quickly becoming a feast. "Mam…" Kili tried, only to be ignored, so he tried again a bit louder. "MAM!"

"There is no need to raise your voice at me Kili, I am not two feet from you." Dis berated, clucking her tongue and shaking her head.

Kili lifted a brow. "Well, I tried in a normal tone, but you weren't listening. Leotti doesn't want anything big, she just wants something simple. Maybe…a feast is a bit much for tonight."

Dis folded her arms and stared at her son. "And what would you suggest then?"

Kili shrugged. "Dinner is fine, but there is only the company attending, and our family of course. Maybe something a bit closer to a family dinner…rather than a feast bountiful enough to feed an entire settlement."

Bombur just silently watched Kili and Dis with an amused expression on his plump face. He was happy to do whatever they suggested, but he thought maybe this time…Kili's suggestion was a bit closer to what the dam seemed to want. "I don' mind makin' a feast. Bu' if it is just to be the family, an' the company…maybe somthin' scaled down would be appropriate."

Dis sighed and nodded. "Alright, then. Bombur, how about I just put this into your hands. Whatever you think would be best tonight, I will just leave up to your better judgment."

"Course. Don' worry Dis. I will have it ready by evening bell. Shouldn't be too difficult. Anythin' else?" Bombur passed a few notes to his team then waited expectantly for any further instruction.

However, Dis shook her head. "I think that will do. Kili sent Kaw with a message to Vin and Tarrah who quickly responded volunteering to make a cake and bring some treats from their bakery. There should be no need for desserts. Oh, and perhaps let's keep licorice off the menu as well. Tauriel still has quite the aversion to the spice and I do not want her to get nauseous this evening if she picks up on it. I know her being there is important to Leotti."

Bombur smiled and nodded. "There won' be a lick of it in the meal, Dis. I know Tauri don' like it so I will make certain it is off the menu."

"Perfect." Dis clasped her hands. "Thank you Bombur for doing this on such short notice. I expect to see you tonight then? I know Ori want's the company to attend."

"I wouldn't miss it for nothin'." Bombur nodded then turned to get to work on both the wedding meal, and Erebor's normal evening meal.

Pushing her son out the door, Dis began thinking of what more was needed. "We got the feast handled, and dessert; I suppose now we should get to work getting the sitting room prepared. Should be plenty of room for a small gathering. Though we will have to use the formal dining room to eat. My table won't fit the entire company, and our family, I am afraid."

Kili nodded and was about to respond when a commotion filled the main hall they were just entering. "What is that about?"

"Hmm? What was that dear?" Dis hummed and looked up from a piece of parchment she was studying that had a hasty list of what was necessary for the evening. She lifted her eyes to the main gates when Kili gestured to the group of dwarves coming through and Dis hummed again. "Oh, yes. We will be having several more groups coming from other clans for both trade, and settlement. I believe this is one of three coming from Ered Luin. Leotti was invited to join the group returning with goods from Erebor. They will be staying in Ered Luin for a few weeks before coming back to Erebor with a few more families looking to settle. I believe we will have more dwarflings soon."

Trade was important to the clans, especially for Ered Luin who now lacked the numbers to be fully self-sustaining. They would be needing to rely on trade from Erebor and other nearby clans to keep them going until their numbers are better restored. It will happen, in time. Though dwarves opting to leave certainly didn't help, however, Thorin made it quite clear that anyone who wanted to settle in Erebor, was welcome.

Kili nodded to a few of the dwarves he had recognized, but it was not the bearded faces of dwarrow and dam that had his smile widening to a broad grin, but rather a shorter creature shrugging off his large pack. "BILBO!"

Bilbo looked up and barely had a chance to brace before Kili slammed into him, nearly lifting the hobbit off the ground completely, Bilbo patting him on the back fondly. "Right...hello Kili."

Kili pulled away, the wide grin still plastered on his youthful face. "Uncle didn't say you were coming."

Bilbo chuckled. "Yes...well...your uncle didn't know." He looked Kili over and leaned in close to inspect the young prince. "You appear to be mostly unchanged in the last few years Kili, how is everyone?"

"You will see soon enough. You arrived just in time for a wedding tonight." Kili looked to Dis who was talking to a few dams from Ered Luin, one holding a bundle in her arms while two dwarflings ran in circles around her feet.

"Wedding?" Bilbo stuttered. "Is it someone I know?"

"As a matter of fact..." Kili nodded. "...it is! Ori, is getting married to Leotti. They wanted something small so it will only be my family, and the company. It would not be complete without you, so it must be by divine intervention that you are here now. What made you come anyway? Not that I am complaining."

"Oh..." Bilbo shifted from foot to foot. "Well...it has been a few years, so I thought I would come for a visit. You must be right about the fates, as when I got to Bree to seek travel accommodations, I just so happened upon a group traveling directly to Erebor. They were kind enough to allow me to join. I do have a question, however..." Bilbo looked out the gate nervously.

"What is it?" Kili asked, curious as to what was upsetting the hobbit.

"Do you have dragons living here now? I saw one being led into the stables as we crossed the bridge to the gate." Bilbo looked to the hall that led to the other entrances to the mountain. Their group had split when they arrived, the dwarves on ponies entered the stables, the few carts went to the cart entrance, and everyone on foot entered through the main gate. Imagine his surprise, however, when he looked back to see what appeared to be a feathered dragon heading towards the stables.

"Why is it everyone immediately goes to dragon?" A slightly annoyed, slightly amused, voice filled the hall. Kili nodded to Nyaunni who seemed to have some color back in her cheeks as she looked over the group then down at Bilbo. "She is a fellbeast. That is all I can tell you. But she is no dragon, and neither is she dangerous, before you ask."

Bilbo looked from Nyaunni to Kili who realized the hobbit had no clue who the wild looking dam was. "Bilbo, let me introduce Nyaunni. She was raised with Thorin before Smaug came."

"You grew up with Thorin? How wonderful!" Bilbo smiled wide.

Nyaunni hummed. "It was."

Having finished her conversation with the other dam, Dis stepped up beside Nyaunni and gave a welcoming smile to Bilbo. "Master Bilbo, welcome back to Erebor's halls. Had I known you were coming, I would have told my brother. Was he aware of your visit?"

"No no no." Bilbo said, shaking his head. "I came quite uninvited. I do hope it is no inconvenience. But since it has been quite a while since I had heard from anyone, I thought I would come by. It seems I came at a fortuitous time too. Ori's wedding, is quite something I would be honored to be a part of."

"A wedding?" Nyaunni asked confused. Nobody has mentioned a wedding.

Kili nodded. "Sorry Nyaunni, I forgot to mention it when we spoke earlier. Do you remember Leotti? The blonde dam who came with us to Minam on our first trip?"

Nyaunni nodded. She had stopped by the young dams shop when she was browsing through the larger market once she had felt better. It took a few days for her infection to heal up, but once it did, Nyaunni decided to spend her days checking on the dwarves from Minam...who were all acclimating quite well to normal society. Way better than she was. Though if she would just, talk to Thorin, maybe, things would be better. Better than they were at least.

"Well..." Kili continued, "Her partner Ori asked for her hand last evening, and she accepted. But rather than a large celebration, she said all she wanted was something small so she asked if they could do a simple pairing tonight. Uncle is leading it. I am certain she would want you there too, Nyaunni."

"Kili is right." Dis agreed. "We would love for you to join Nyaunni, you too Bilbo. I am certain Ori will be beyond excited to have you there."

"This is splendid." Bilbo declared before Nyaunni could respond. "What a wonderful evening. How may I be of service?"

"Well…" Dis said, "Kili and I were just heading up to the royal suites to begin getting both the sitting room situated, and the formal dining room ready to entertain. Perhaps you and Nyaunni would not mind giving us a hand?"

Bilbo nodded and moved to grab the pack he had shrugged off, but Kili was faster. "Let me get that for you Mister Boggins." Of course the hobbit laughed and moved to follow Kili who was grinning. "We will drop this off in one of the unused suites."

Dis hummed her approval when Bilbo began to stutter that he can stay in the room he had on his last stay. "I agree completely with Kili, you can stay with us for the duration of your visit. How long do you plan on remaining in Erebor?"

"Just a month or two." Bilbo responded after a moment. "I thought I would spend my summer here, if that is well with you. I also wanted to spend some time in Dale and perhaps, Mirkwood as well at the end of my stay."

"Of course Bilbo. Stay as long as you wish." Kili flung the pack on his back and turned towards the royal suites, Bilbo and Dis following close behind him until they realized Nyaunni had not moved.

"Are you coming Nyaunni?" Dis asked, stopping to wait.

Nyaunni sighed. Was she ready for another family gathering? She was rather curious about this Bilbo though, and maybe she could get her chance to talk to Thorin. To apologize. Between taking some time to herself, and talking to Kili, Nyaunni does feel a bit more grounded. So perhaps, now what she needs, is to try and find her own happiness. "Yes."

Dis gave her a smile and took her arm in her own which at first, startled the dam. But she quickly relaxed and allowed Dis to guide her as they followed Kili and Bilbo, who were chatting the entire way, passed the golden floored throne room and up to the royal suites.

In another part of Erebor, Fili hummed to himself as he walked purposefully up from the hall where the presentations had taken place. He knew some of the company was still down there clearing up after the fair, and thought he would inform as many of them as possible in one place, verses traversing the mountain to find everyone. It seemed the only one he had to track down, was Bofur, who Gloin said had gone to his shop to put some things away. Bifur was with him, so all he had to do now, was find Naurfaer who he had no idea where that elf went off to. At least, that is, until an arm slid around his shoulders and he looked up at Naurfaer who was smiling wide. "My sources tell me that there is to be a grand wedding tonight?"

Fili lifted a brow. "No Naurfaer, Leotti does not want grand, she just wants simple. So whatever is going on in that head of yours, scale it back at least two full dragons. All she wants is a small ceremony with the company and the family, then a simple celebration afterwards. Nothing more. Just, simple. Got it?"

"But it is Leotti." Naurfaer said, clearly puzzled. "Are you sure? I can…"

"Absolutely not." Fili stopped at the top of the steps moving aside as a group walked past them. He folded his arms and staired up at the elf who was looking at Fili as if he did not believe him in the least bit. "I am telling you, Naurfaer, all she wants is for Thorin to marry her and Ori, then have a fun evening with the family, and the company. No decorations, no pomp, nothing. That is all Leotti wants, and it is her wedding. So can I trust you to reign it in for just ONE celebration, and help us give Leotti what SHE wants, and not what you THINK she wants?"

Naurfaer narrowed his eyes and huffed, seeming more like Thorin, then the jovial elf he tended to be. "I can be reasonable Fili. If Leotti wants something small, we shall give her something small."

"Good." Fili said resuming his purposeful walk to the market. "Can I trust you to go make sure uncle gets to the hall? He wanted to use the throne room for the ceremony, then we will go up to the suites for the celebration."

"Oh, do you think she would like some candles in the throne room?" Naurfaer hummed thoughtfully. "Or maybe…"

"NO!" Fili yelled, clearly frustrated. "No candles, no music, nothing. Just, go get Thorin, so we can start on time. You know he gets caught up in meetings." Then an idea suddenly hit and Fili froze. "You know, I may have the perfect job for you."

Naurfaer stopped and eyed Fili curiously. "However I can help."

"They will need a new suite, preferably tonight. Maybe, you can go and talk to Balin. He was likely with Ori, Nori, and Dori getting a contract put together for he and Leotti to sign. See if you can get them in something tonight and maybe…work your magic to make it ready for them. Think you can handle that? The ceremony should begin around the evening bell, so be back before that. Neither Ori nor Leotti would want you to miss their joining." Fili waited as a broad smile graced the elf's features.

"I will make sure it is good and ready." Naurfaer moved to head down another hall towards Balin's office. "I will see you at the ceremony."

"Before the bell Naurfaer, and don't forget to get uncle!" Fili called once more, knowing the elf tends to get lost in his tasks and loses track of time.

Naurfaer waived a hand in dismissal. "I heard you the first time."

Fili shook his head and once again continued his way towards the Kedzêl market. Maybe if he gets his timing right, he can catch his wife as she heads up. With that thought in mind, Fili picked up his pace as he headed through the market entrance, past stalls, and up to the second floor.

As expected, Bofur and Bifur were as thrilled as the rest of the company to be a part of Leotti and Ori's nuptials. "Aye laddie, give us a moment; we were jus' headed out anyway."

Fili nodded, waiting as the brothers put some things away, and locked up the shop. "You guys go ahead to the throne room; I am going to see if Viltarra is still here." He waved Bofur and Bifur off who walked the opposite direction towards the stairs closer to the market entrance while Fili chose to take the stairs that would put him somewhere between the bakery, and Leotti's shop.

As luck would have it, as soon as he got to the bottom level of the market, Fili did indeed run into his wife. Quite literally in fact. He had to catch her before she fell to the floor as both were walking rather quickly when they collided. "Sorry nunguame. I didn't see you their love."

"It's fine Fili. We were about to go up to the royal wing, but I thought I would quickly check in to see if my parents needed any last-minute help. I also wanted to make sure they knew about tonight so they can attend as well." Viltarra brushed a crease away from her skirt and looked up at Fili whose face was growing rather comically redder the longer he looked at her.

At first, Viltarra just blinked at him, confused as to what was so funny, he seemed to be losing it. Then it registered and she narrowed her eyes dangerously, poking him hard in the chest. "If you so much as say ONE word…just one…about this outfit…or my hair…and I will tie you to a chair, and give Leotti full access to your own precious golden locks, understood? Laugh, and you can get a bow as well. I am tired, hungry, my feet hurt, and your child won't stop moving, so I am not in the mood."

Fili quickly sobered and pulled her into his arms, rocking her gently. "Just a few more hours, and the night is ours. You look beautiful by the way."

Viltarra snickered, but tightened her arms around Fili and closed her eyes. She may be on a time crunch, but she was going to take a proffered moment with her Fili. So she breathed him in and just, forced her mind to relax as he held her close.

The minute he pulled her close, the little one she carried also relaxed. It was probably because she calmed, and the babe sensed that. Still, it was nice to just, be in the moment. "Are you alright?"

Viltarra hummed as she burrowed herself further into Fili, who chuckled but continued to hold her until she finally pulled away. "We have so much to do."

"Let me help." Fili tucked a wave behind her ear and took her hand. "What can I help with?"

"I was just getting my parents." Viltarra said. "Nothing too entirely difficult.

"Then let's get them." Hand in hand, the pair walked to the bakery to see the closed sign still on the counter. They had decided to close for the day knowing they would be spending more than half of it in presentations. But what they had not expected, was the smell of fresh baking coming from the closed bakery.

"Now, what are they up to?" Viltarra asked. "They should be done baking considering we are closed." Viltarra moved the sign and lifted the counter, ushering Fili in before she replaced the counter and sign. "Mama?"

Still hand in hand, Viltarra pulled Fili towards the kitchen where her mother was holding a tiered cake while her father added decorations.

Viltarra sighed and shook her head. "What are you two up to now? What is this about?"

Tarrah leaned around the cake and smiled at her daughter. "Kili sent Kaw with a request for a cake for Leotti. It is about time those two made it official. This, is our contribution. We also had some goods left from the fair, so we have them put in a basket along with another basket of fresh cookies. We had some dough left so it was easy and quick. If you give us a moment, this cake should be just about done."

"Mama, Leotti just wants something simple. That, is a three tiered cake. What about that is simple?" Viltarra huffed and rolled her eyes.

Vin chuckled. "Well…it doesn't have elaborate decorations. Just accept it gem. As if you would have done less." He lifted a challenging brow then looked her over and smirked. "That, is a lovely dress."

"Don't start." Viltarra growled and turned to grab a basket and hand the other to Fili. "We should go. Tauriel and Leotti are already heading up. Do you need help with that?" Viltarra eyed the tall cake. It may not have been as elaborate as hers was, but for only having maybe an hour, two tops, to both bake and decorate…her parents really outdid themselves. It even had little nods to both Ori and Leotti in the 'not elaborate' decorating.

"We got it gem, lead the way." With Tarrah's help, Vin carefully set the cake on a travel tray, and both he and his wife took a side as they followed their daughter.

Fili watched in wonder as the tall cake didn't even move as they went through doorways, climbed stairs, and traversed the busy halls of the mountain. Viltarra looked to her husband and laughed at his expression. "How has it not moved?"

"Over a century of practice lad." Vin said with a chuckle. "It's an art."

"Believe me, after you drop a cake or two and eat the gold from ruined orders, you hone your skills in carrying rather quickly." Viltarra added. "It takes time, like learning to fight. It's just muscle honing really."

When they finally reached the throne room, they met up with Tauriel and Leotti who were talking to Bofur and Bifur. It also happened to be the same moment a grumbling Thorin walked into the room and straight up to Tauriel. "Your grandfather…is a menace. He stormed into my office when I was in the middle of a meeting, kicked me and the head of the agricultural team out of MY OWN OFFICE, then somehow, locked the door. I would put him in a cell, if I didn't believe he would just, escape."

Tauriel sighed as a now wide awake Finli went from running in circles around her feet, to racing towards his beloved grandfather. "POP!"

A small amount of frustration left Thorin's face as he squatted low to accept the dwelfling and threw him up in the air to the toddler's delight, who squealed and laughed the entire time. That is, until he homed in on the tall cake. "CAKE! Pop, cake, please?"

The group quickly went from their conversation to the cake Vin and Tarrah were holding. Leotti walked up and gaped at the elaborate dessert. "This is, beyond words. How did you do this?"

"It was nothin." Vin said with a smile. "We are just glad to be a part of you and Ori's night, Leotti."

"We will just take this up. When do you want the ceremony to begin?" Tarrah readjusted her grip and waited patiently as Leotti walked around them to see the cake in entirety then smiled.

"You two, are real masters in the bakery. Thank you, so very much." Leotti smiled wide, and bowed her head in gratitude. "I believe Ori is bringing Balin and his brothers up with the contract, we will sign it, then, we can do the ceremony in your office Thorin. If that is alright."

Thorin, who was trying to keep Finli's little hands from reaching into his hair and pulling Uri out, lifted his eyes to the group looking at him expectantly. An indignant chirp had Thorin turning his attention back to his grandson who had successfully grasped the hatchlings tail and was tugging with a bit too much force. "Finli, let him be."

Tauriel shook her head and took her son. "Darling, you cannot tug on him like that, Uri is just a baby."

"Baby?" Finli looked to the fellbeast who was crying as Thorin tried to calm it. The toddler pointed to Tauriel's stomach and asked again. "Baby?"

"Yes darling, baby. We must be gentle with our hands so they do not hurt things smaller than we are." Tauriel kissed Finli on the brow but his eyes were back on the fellbeast peaking out of Thorin's hair.

"Mama, pop have baby?"

Tauriel smiled. "Yes my little star, pop has a baby."

Finli squirmed from her arms, so Tauriel let him down and he ran to Thorin once again, who squatted down to the toddlers level. Then, to everyone's utter amusement, Finli patted his grandfather on the stomach and smiled. "Hello baby."

The room burst into laughter. Fili shook his head. "Uncle, do you have an announcement you would like to make?"

Thorin grumbled as he reached behind his head to once again, pull out the hatchling that seemed to want nothing to do with Finli's grabbing hands. "Alright, come on, if you want to stick around, you have to get used to the family."

Uri, however, did not stop his crying until he was face to face with a set of warm, brown, orbs, and the two small beings just stared at each other. "Now Finli, this is Uri. He is very small, and very scared. I bet if you are gentle, he may let you pet him. But you must be nice."

Finli's wide eyes looked from Thorin, to the mysterious creature in his grandfather's hands. But instead of reaching out for the creature, Finli ran to his mother and burrowed his face in her skirts.

Both seeing and sensing her son's confusion of what to do, Tauriel carefully lowered herself to the floor and pulled her son close. He has been through so much, and she wonders, not for the first time, how he will react to having yet another large change in his life. He has been the only baby in the family for two years. He is not used to sharing his grandfather, or his uncle or aunt. And he certainly is not used to sharing his mother and father. But in just over a month, his entire world will change again.

Tauriel hopes her precious star will understand he is no less loved when he has to share his family. She will endeavor to always give her children all that she is, however many she has, they will all know their worth in her eyes. "My little darling, do not be afraid. Pop is not pushing you away."

Thorin looked to Tauriel confused. "Of course not. Is that what he thinks?"

"Well, he is unused to sharing, uncle, and equally unused to you not giving your undivided attention to him." Fili said, eyeing Fin who was grasping onto Tauriel and pushing his face into her stomach.

"Poor darling. Change in any way is difficult at this age." Tarrah sighed. They had temporarily set the cake on a bench as they family chatted.

"Aye." Bofur added. "It can be hard teh share those we love the most. Bu' he will learn."

Thorin placed the fellbeast back on his shoulder as he stood and walked over to his grandson. Then, he knelt down once more and placed his hand gently on Finli's back. "Finli, come here." He held out his arms, but the toddler only burrowed further into his mother, so Thorin tried again as she gave him a worried look. "Finli, do you love Kaw?"

A brown eye peaked out from Tauriel's dress and Thorin heard a soft, mumbled, "Kaw?"

Thorin nodded and smiled softly. "You and Kaw are very good friends. Uri, here, is like Kaw. Just smaller, more annoying, and currently rather useless."

Finli pulled away from Tauriel and turned to Thorin who placed a hand on the toddler's cheek. "I love you Finli. You will never have to compete for that love. Nor will you have to compete for your mother's love nor your fathers. Not even for your uncles or aunts." He knew the toddler who was eyeing the fellbeast peaking out, had likely very little understanding of what he was saying, and promising, but he would make dam sure Finli knows when Tauriel and Viltarra give birth, that Finli was still very much loved. It will be interesting to see how he does with a sibling and a cousin.

Tauriel mouthed a thank you to Thorin who gave her a smile. She then reached out and stroked the small snout on the fellbeast who leaned into her. "See my darling, soft hands. Let me show you." Tauriel picked up one of Finli's tiny fists and guided his hand to the fellbeast who at first backed away, but with the toddlers now gentle movements, moved a bit more forward and allowed Finli to stroke him.

"Kaw." Finli said with a wide grin.

"Uri, darling. But he can be a friend like Kaw." Tauriel said, watching as the fellbeast climbed from Thorin onto Finli, who startled for a moment, then giggled when Uri chirped. "Uri." Finli said and laughed again.

"What a sight to walk into. Looks like we have another beast friend." Balin said with a wide grin, Dwalin standing beside him lifting a brow at the scene.

"Naw. That is just the elven blood making itself known." Fili said with a chuckle. "It has to come out somehow, otherwise nobody will believe that child is even Tauri's."

"True." Bofur laughed. "No offense Tauri, bu' tha' little one is all Kili. Best hope the other one has some o' your features."

For her part, Tauriel smiled wide. "I truly do not mind if all my children are copies of my Kili. I will take whatever I can get. My features, his, I will love them with all that I am. Just as I love you…" She looked down at Finli who smiled up at her. "My brightest star. Mama loves you so, so much."

"Mama." Thorin took Uri as Finli encircled his arms around Tauriel's neck and murmured something that sounded very much like, love you too.

Balin smiled softly then looked about the group. "Well, why are we all standin' here. Ori and his brothers are finishin' up a few things. I have the contract, as soon as they ge' here we can begin. Is everyone else accounted for?"

"We are just missing Oin, Bombur, Gloin, and Naurfaer." Fili said looking around.

"We're here lad." Bombur chuckled as he pushed a cart filled with trays of food. Behind him, both Oin and Gloin were carrying crates, which also appeared to be filled with steaming platters. Even Naurfaer could be seen with two large barrels tucked under each arm.

Balin nodded. "Well then, as soon as Ori and his brothers come, we will get things goin'. Why don' you take those up lads, and I will wai' for Ori. Tauriel, Viltarra, Leotti, and Thorin…stay here. The contract still needs a signature from the king, once the two sign."

Thorin nodded and Leotti smiled as she sung. "Of course."

"Well, up we get." Vin said, lifting the cake once more as the group made their way up to the suites. Bofur and Bifur too joined to help…though Dwalin remained behind. The guards, upon seeing the cart of food, jumped in to help Bombur lift and carry the small cart up the steps.

"When are we going to the office?" Leotti asked watching Tauriel release Finli just as Kaw flew into the room and landed at their feet. He nuzzled Finli who laughed out and the two were quickly playing their own little game.

Thorin smiled. "We are not going to the office, Leotti. We will just have the ceremony here."

"But…this is the throne room." Leotti looked around at the grand hall. "We cannot have it here, I am not royalty, or a lady, or anything."

Thorin placed a hand on Leotti's shoulder. "No, but, I think we can make an exception. Besides, it is much closer to the suite, and we don't want supper to get cold now, do we?" Leotti shook her head, then once again, looked around as if being in the room made her nervous. "Leotti, it is just a room. If you are uncomfortable with it, there is a small room off to the side we can quickly clear out. It used to be a council room of sorts, but is currently just a storage room for tools and such at the moment. Once we get all the suites restored in the royal hall and the uppermost tier renovated, then it will be converted back to a council room. But with a few minutes, it can be usable…if it would make you more comfortable."

"No. No. This is fine. I am honored, by your kindness. Thank you." Leotti bowed her head in gratitude.

"No need to thank me Leotti. I have known you for most of your life, and Ori more than earned the honor to be married in this hall as he both joined the company, and fought in the battle. Think nothing of it, and let's get you wed." Leotti giggled and nodded, her eyes sparkling as she did.

Tauriel smiled at her friend's excitement, even as her eyes kept going up to where the suites were. Kili, himself, had been excited about something for over an hour. His brightness in her mind was brilliant and filled with joy which had her smiling out of nowhere more than once as she was getting ready. Leotti and Viltarra would look at her and ask, but she just shrugged and said Kili was happy, and was sharing his joy. The girls just looked at her and continued getting ready…more than used to the peculiar connection Tauriel and Kili had.

Whatever he was so happy about, Tauriel craved the answer. It was times like these, she wished they could commune with him through words rather than feelings. As it was, she was forced to wait until he was finished with whatever he was doing and joined her below. Since she had not seen Dis, he was probably with her helping get the sitting room ready for the gathering after the ceremony.

When movement caught her eye, Tauriel's smile widened even further as Ori stood frozen just a few feet away from Leotti; his brothers on either side of him. He looked smitten, and Leotti happily took his hand as Balin laid out the contract on a small table Thorin and Dwalin pulled over.

Tauriel did, however, have to shake herself out of her reverie and snatch her son who had somehow gotten away from her and was about to stick his hand into the inkwell sitting on a bench Balin had brought with him for the signing. "Sorry Leotti, Ori."

"It's fine Tauri." Ori beamed out. "He didn' do anything' wrong."

Holding her son in her arms, Tauriel watched as Balin outlined Leotti's and Ori's parts of the contract. It was vastly different to her own since neither held any true titles. Tauriel remembers her contract signing. It was almost overwhelming. It held every detail of inheritance, what would happen if one of them passed, what their children would inherit, their titles, their right to rule, what they would lose if they strayed in marriage…unthinkable…and so on. It was long and arduous. So much so, by the time they were finally finished, Tauriel and Kili were both dead on their feet.

This contract, however, was simple at best so within minutes, both Ori and Leotti signed followed by Thorin who clasped them both on the shoulder fondly. "Well, I think the important part is done, how about we get you wed before Mahal. Dwalin, will you go get the others? We should begin before supper gets any colder."

"Course." Dwalin nodded and headed up the stairs, nodding to the guards who were now back at their posts.

Nyaunni glanced at the strange guest again as she pushed a chair up against the wall. She had known elves, and humans…but she had never witnessed a being such as he. He was shorter than a dwarf, had no facial hair to speak of, and his rather large feet were completely bare. She tried to think of what he could be, but nothing was coming up in her mind.

Shaking her head, Nyaunni moved to grab the chess board to move it. "Can I help you with that?"

Before she could respond, Bilbo was on the opposite end helping her move it between the chairs she had already placed against the wall. "Many hands make work light." Bilbo smiled wide. "Or so they say."

"In my experience, many hands create unnecessary challenges. But I won't oppose the help." Nyaunni brushed a curl away and looked around to see what else might need to be done. They were a little behind since the moment the food arrived, it was quickly cast onto the nearest surface in favor of greeting their guest. However, Dis quickly put everyone back to work since now that the food was here, they needed to move things along so it did not grow cold.

Luckily, there was not much left to do except move a few tables and chairs to make room for the small party. In all honesty, after being lonely and not half miserable for the entire week…self-inflicted of course…Nyaunni was kind of looking forward to being part of a celebration. She had not taken a part in a true wedding since Erebor. Though there were a few dwarves from Minam who had decided to seek a secret partnership. They wisely only did so when they were beyond child bearing years, both the humans and the dwarves, and she had been invited to attend several in her time in captivity.

"Were you living in Ered Luin as well? With the others?" Nyaunni turned to look at Bilbo but shook her head. "Oh, perhaps another dwarven city then?"

"It was a city of orcs, actually." Nyaunni chuckled darkly, trying to let go of the years stolen from her, and instead, grasp onto what she had now. What exactly did she have now, however, was a question that seemed to constantly resurface.

For his part, the small being froze then began to stutter apologies to which Nyaunni waived each one off. "It is over with, and our people freed thanks to Erebor. I would like very much to simply move on. Though if I may ask a question, and I do apologize if this comes out rather rude or untoward, but what exactly are you? You are no dwarf, no elf, and certainly no human."

Bilbo smiled wide and hooked his thumbs in his suspenders. "Oh, I am in no way offended. I am a hobbit. I come from the Shire which is not far from Ered Luin."

"I am afraid I don't know where Ered Luin is, neither have I heard of the Shire." Nyaunni returned Bilbo's smile then gave him a curious look. "What is it like? Your Shire."

"Their houses, are holes in the ground, but it is a merry village." Kili placed his arm around Bilbo, grinning. "The food and ale…quite good, and the company, even more so. That is…when they calm down enough to partake as well."

Bilbo huffed. "You all just showed up to my home, completely unannounced and out of nowhere; how do you think I should act when thirteen dwarves, a wizard, and an elf just…merrily came in, raiding my pantries and eating all of my food? How would you act?"

Kili smirked and shook his head. "Speaking of food, we need help in the kitchen. Think we can borrow your hands for a bit? Should be the last thing we need to do. We have not used the formal dining room yet, so it is taking a bit more time than mam expected to set the table and make it wedding feast appropriate."

"Of course, of course." Bilbo said jumping into action.

"You coming too Nyaunni? When all put together, these dwarves can be like a bunch of animals. Could use you to keep everyone under control so we can get it done." Kili's eyes twinkled with amusement and Nyaunni could not hold her laughter back.

"I have never been good at controlling dwarves, but, I can give it a shot." Kili's responding laughter filled the room and he placed his arm around her shoulder as they walked to the kitchen. Nyaunni shook her head but let herself be led by the dwarf she was quickly coming to quite enjoy.

Stepping into the sitting room, Dwalin looked around for Dis or anyone. The room was empty, but seemed ready. All the furniture had been moved against the walls to make room for music and dancing. The fire was lit in the large fireplace and there was a table full of finger foods surrounding the tall cake Vin and Tarrah made.

The room, however, was void of life. Dwalin sighed and shut the door behind him. Though he did not have to try too hard to find anyone, as there was echoing laughter coming from the formal dining room. So Dwalin followed the sound and stepped in. "Why are yeh all hangin' about lollygagging. We go' a weddin' to do."

"Oh, do forgive me master Dwalin, I fear it is my fault." Dwalin's eyes widened and he barked out a laugh as he walked towards the small hobbit.

"Bilbo lad, I didn' know yeh were commin'." Dwalin accepted a hug from the hobbit who chuckled.

"Yes, well, I meant to send something to inform you of my intent to visit, but thought I would just drop buy." Bilbo pulled away. "I believe, we are even now."

"Even?" Dwalin lifted a brow.

Bilbo nodded. "I do believe, it was not long ago, you were first to enter my home for a rather unexpected party. It seems I timed my arrival rather perfectly too, as we are to have a party this very night."

"Well then, let us get to it." Dwalin chuckled. "They are ready for us down below. I suppose Tauriel won' be the only one privy to a dwarven weddin'. We are becomin' laxed in our ways."

"I do not think so Dwalin." Dis said, Nyaunni beside her. "Two elves, and one hobbit, does not mean we are giving out secrets. Besides, two of them live in this mountain and I doubt Bilbo will be publishing record of our evening."

"Enough jabberin'!" Bofur called out pushing his brothers towards the door. "Everythin' is ready up here, so let's go. I canno' wait teh see Thorin's face when he sees Bilbo."

As the group filed out, Kili noticed Nyaunni lagging a bit behind. "Are you okay Nyaunni? I hope you don't feel obligated to come if you really don't want to. I just happen to know that Leotti would love for you to attend."

The red-headed dam gave Kili a small smile. "No, no it is alright. I am still trying to get used to so much daily interactions. It is a bit, mentally exhausting. I am fine though, and I want to see the ceremony. Besides…" Nyaunni looked at the cake as they passed, following the group. "…that looks like it will taste wonderful, and I have not had cake since my last birthday in Erebor."

"Well then." Kili grinned. "You shall have the biggest peace. That is if my wife does not get to it first. She has a sweet tooth when she is expecting that rivals any youngling in the mountain." He was actually half joking, knowing Tauriel would certainly start with a normal serving of the confectionary dessert. However, he would happily bet she would be going back for additional slices unless her stomach becomes upset.

"What I cannot wait to see, is uncle realizing Bilbo is here. Come on, if we get too far behind, we will miss the big reveal." With that, they sped up to catch up with the group just stepping out of the sitting room. In the back of the group, was Bilbo, who turned and smiled at them as they caught up. "Get behind us Mister Boggins. You can be our big surprise."

Bilbo nodded and allowed Kili and Nyaunni to get in front of them as they descended the steps to the throne hall where the ceremony seemed to be set and ready to begin. Kili was just as excited for Thorin to see Bilbo, as he was for his wife to find out. Oh, he knew she was curious why his moods were so lifted; that curiosity was constantly flashing across his mind. But Kili decided rather then sending her a message through Kaw, he would just keep it a surprise. Tauriel loved Bilbo, and he loved seeing her light up with excitement.

"Alright, let's get this started." Thorin immediately took control the moment he saw Dwalin reappear with the group following behind him. "Ori, Leotti, if you would take your places."

Without even glancing at the group, Thorin waited for the bride and groom to take their places in front while everyone else filed in to stand close by. There was no need to take seats, this ceremony was a very short one. However, Thorin did glance up in surprise when he saw a mass of red walk past him. He gaped at Nyaunni, surprised to finally see her after a week of not even getting a glimpse of her in passing.

"Now I know I have missed quite a bit." Thorin knew that voice quite well by now, and whipped his head to the beaming hobbit now standing beside him. "Hello Thorin. I do hope you do not mine me intruding in your mountain for a stay."

Thorin blinked, as if thinking the hobbit was a vision in his mind, but since the small being did not move nor fade, a brilliant smile lit up his face. "Bilbo! Well met my friend." Thorin immediately pulled Bilbo into an embrace, the hobbit easily returning the gesture. "You are always welcome in Erebor. Did I miss a message? I did not know you were coming or I would have had rooms prepared."

"It is already taken care of brother, our hobbit is staying in one of our suites." Dis said in passing, walking towards Leotti and fixing a stray curl.

Ori too was filled with joy and released Leotti's hand to embrace the one missing member of their company. "Wha' a treat for you ta show up for my weddin' Bilbo. Wha' a gift. You could no' have made better time."

"Indeed I could not have." Bilbo responded.

On the other side of the group, just as Kili had suspected, bright joy and excitement filtered through he and Tauriel's connection; this time coming from her. Tauriel immediately moved towards Bilbo, Finli following right at her feet as she moved. "Bilbo!"

The hobbit turned from Thorin and smiled wide at the eleth. It was one thing to hug Leotti, but Tauriel really had to force herself to bend low enough to embrace the hobbit who pulled back only to give her a look filled with surprise. "Forgive me if I have errored, but, you are expecting? Kili never said!"

Tauriel nodded and Kili chuckled. "I thought since you graced us with such a wonderful surprise, I might have one too. I believe, my brother also has news to share, eh Fi?"

Fili too pulled the hobbit in for a hug then gestured to Viltarra. "You remember Viltarra from your last visit?" Bilbo nodded and gave the dam a nod and a smile. "We were wed near a year ago, and we are expecting our first born in just over a months' time."

Bilbo looked from Viltarra to Tauriel, taking in the eleth's size and chuckling. "You cannot have long to go Tauriel, you must be due quite soon."

"Not soon enough." Tauriel sighed, placing her hand on her son who was currently displeased with not having been fed. Yet he is also falling asleep. Kili too placed his hand on their son, and a feeling of calm joy filled her. She was not sure who it came from…Kili…or her unborn son…but instantly all the feelings of discomfort fled and was instead replaced with a moment of peace. How she loved her Kili.

"There's a poll lad, if yeh wan' to pick a date for each of the lasses." Bofur jumped in, passing a piece of parchment to the hobbit giving him a curious look.

Viltarra groaned. "Not that again. Do you have any idea how many times I have been stopped and approached with the worst questions imaginable just so people can get an idea of where to place a bet? You do know I am placing all the fault on you, Bofur."

Tauriel nodded in agreement. "It was the same with Finli, and certainly has not changed now. The one thing I have noticed, is there are many more guesses which have me giving birth sooner rather than later. I believe four lost the bet for having guessed yesterday, and a further three today."

"I think tha' be yer size lass. Yeh look like a ram with a bad case o' bloat, ready to pop." Nori said, his arm around Ori who was giving him a look.

"Tha' is no' a nice thing to say." Ori shook his head. "Don' listen Tauri, he 'as been drinkin' already."

Kili, for his part, slammed his fist into Nori's shoulder. "What the bleeding havens Nori!" Even Fili and Thorin were scowling.

"She is not that big, in my opinion." Bilbo said, placing a hand on Tauriel's arm. "I had a lovely neighbor give birth who was much larger, and being shorter in stature, it made all the more difference. She had a very healthy baby girl, so do not worry."

"I too think she is not all that large." Nyaunni added in, giving Tauriel a smile. "Quite similar to the humans I have seen bearing children."

"Speaking of children, is that little Finli, the babe I held on my last visit?" Bilbo squatted down to the toddler peeking out from behind Tauriel's skirts. "Well hello there."

"Come on darling, come say hello to Bilbo." Tauriel attempted, but Kili decided to intervene when Finli only hid further into Tauriel's skirts, picking Finli up and holding him.

"Oh, he's shy. A bit surprising with the both of you as parents." Bilbo chuckled as Finli hid his face in Kili's shoulder.

Kili sighed. "He has been through a lot. He will be fine once he gets used to seeing you."

"Oi, are we havin' a weddin'? Or a tea party." Oin huffed. He had been up all evening delivering yet another two dwarflings into the world. One of which had a rather volatile mother who was throwing things at him and his team. He was forced to get the dams husband to come in and intervene to calm her down. Maybe, he should rethink spouses in the room. He is getting too old for this.

"Aye, food's goin' teh be cold if we don' get this goin'." Gloin added. "An I think we ought to no' make this lass and our lad wait any longer. Let's get this goin'."

Leotti chuckled. "I do not mind the small interlude. Mister Bilbo is a most welcome guest, right Ori?"

Ori smiled down at Leotti and laced their fingers together. "Absolutely. I could no' think of a better surprise gift tonight than havin' the company in whole attendin'. Bu'…" Ori took Leotti's other hand and waited until her olive eyes met his. "I think I don' want to wait another minute no' bein' wed to you Leo. I am ready if you are."

"Still time to run." Fili mumbled very quietly only to meet his wife's glare.

Viltarra quickly and just as quietly responding. "Fili! Don't even start."

"I am ready." Leotti said, rolling her eyes at Fili…whom she heard. It did not bother her though. She knew he was joking, and she trusted Ori.

"Good." Balin said with a grin. "Let's take our places than. Ori, Leotti, why don' ya stand before Thorin. Thorin, are yeh ready?"

Thorin nodded, though paused when a chirp filled the hall. He was about to shush the now wide awake fellbeast making noises from his shoulders until a hand came into his peripherals and he turned to see Nyaunni reaching out for the fellbeast. She did not say anything, but did give him a small smile that he returned, before she turned and took a place between Kili and Bilbo.

For a long moment, Thorin just watched her as she nuzzled the fellbeast then placed him on her shoulder. He must have wanted her, because he quieted immediately and just sat, preening her hair. Suddenly, azure eyes locked with his, and he realized he had lost track of time when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Uncle? Are you ready?" Fili lifted a brow and smirked causing Thorin to scowl as his nephew chuckled then stepped back to Viltarra and took her hand. He didn't expect a response, and the rest of the group was wise enough not to comment as the surly king grumbled then forced a smile on his face.

"Right, let us begin then. First, before we get to the official ceremony, I must ask if either of you have any doubts or regrets of your claim to each other. If you do, then speak now, for your ties to each other are sealed not only in Arda, but in the beyond. Before Mahal you come to join, and in these halls and the next, your bloodline will be intwined and your names written as one on our makers great stone slate." Thorin looked from Leotti to Ori.

"To stray, is to break your promise not only to your other half, but to Mahal as well. We are not perfect beings, but we do have a choice and feelings." Thorin could not help but glance at Nyaunni who met his gaze then looked away even as Thorin smiled softly at Leotti and Ori. "Our hearts can break, and crack, with the greatest of pain coming from the one being we put all of our trust in. The one who is the completion to our heart and soul. So I ask again, do either of you have any doubt or regrets in your claim to each other?"

"Certainly not." Ori said firmly.

"Not at all." Leotti also replied, tightening her grip on Ori's hands.

Thorin smiled wide. "I did not think so. With that in mind, let us get to the ceremony. No need to move, you are in perfect positions. But I do want to ask if you procured rings, or will you have some other symbol of your union?"

Ori looked to his brothers, Dori walking up to place two simple gold bands in Thorin's hand. "These, were our parents, may they walk Mahal's halls in peace. It is our gift to the union, Nori and I's."

When Nori and Dori had told Ori what they were doing, he had been overwhelmed with the gesture. His mother and father had passed of natural causes. His mother going first, and his father only days after her. They were quite elderly, but loved each other passionately. It is more than an honor to be given the opportunity to wear their rings. He had not told Leotti yet, since he himself just found out, but she was smiling wide so he knew she was okay with it.

"Very good." With that, Thorin switched from the lands common language, to Khuzdul, which was all good and well for everyone, including Naurfaer and Tauriel, but there was one in the hall who seemed to be a bit lost.

Bilbo looked around as Thorin spoke, trying to make heads or tails of what they were saying. He even glanced across the room at Naurfaer, who was wiping his eyes beside Dwalin who looked up at the elf and rolled his own eyes before ignoring him in favor of the ceremony.

"He is giving the importance of a one in our life, and how they can be a blessing in dark times." Bilbo lifted his eyes to the red-headed dam beside him who gave him a soft smile. "Just incase you were wondering."

Bilbo nodded and smiled as Nyaunni continued to translate. Oh she knew she technically was not supposed to, but she really did not care. What would they do? Throw her out? Doubtful.

The ceremony was not long in any right, he was soon asking each of them if they understood their vows to the other. Would they honor their commitment and not look elsewhere for comfort? Will they accept the other for their flaws and love them all the more for them? Will they comfort them in their pains and fears, and cleave to them even in anger and sorrow? Will they open their hearts to forgiveness and humility rather than contention if they do not see eye to eye, and be willing to put aside their own pride to seek peace in their union?

As she listened, Nyaunni thought about how she acted over the last week. Her and Thorin are not lovers, but they were certainly not just friends either. They had always been more, and even though it has been almost two centuries, she knew he still meant more to her than a common companion. She should not have said what she did, but she also did not know how to fix it.

"Now they just have to exchange rings." Nyaunni continued to walk Bilbo through the simple ceremony. She knew what it was like to feel like an outsider, even in a group where you are accepted.

"Before all witnesses here, and Mahal, I claim this pair to be wed. May I offer the first of many hearty congratulations." Thorin stepped forward and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "May the years be prosperous in love, and in life."

"KISS KISS!" Bombur and Bofur called out, and Leotti pulled Ori in for their first kiss as a wedded pair.

"Ew." Fili grumbled until Viltarra bumped his shoulder and smirked.

"I quite remember you nearly swallowing me whole on our wedding." She smiled and pulled Fili down to her to seal their lips.

"Oi, this ain' your weddin'. Keep yer hands to yourself." Gloin huffed having been right beside them.

Kili laughed as he placed the arm not holding his son, around his wife. "Ever heard of a double standard Fi? Now you can't get mad a me when you do the same thing."

"Alright, alright. Foods waiting upstairs. Come on, everyone up to the formal dining room." Dis pushed Bofur and Bifur towards the stairs, Naurfaer right behind her chuckling.

Soon, the large formal dining room was filled with laughter as the group passed food around the table. Though the table was large, it was not so large that both Leotti and Ori could fit at the end, so instead they sat together in the middle which they were both quite alright with.

Though the food was just a bit cold, not one dwarf, elf, or hobbit, complained about it. Instead, they all partook with their normal gusto. Even Finli was now laughing at Bilbo from his father's lap, the hobbit making faces at the small prince, quickly winning him over.

Even as he entertained the toddler, one thing Bilbo could not help but notice, was the constant looks that Thorin was giving Nyaunni…who was sitting beside Naurfaer laughing as he filled her cup again with yet another sweet wine. Her cheeks were flushed so the hobbit guessed she had already had several cups already. It would be a pleasant scene if Thorin was not glaring at them from where he sat on the opposite end of the table. "Is there something between Thorin and Nyaunni? He seems rather put out that she is enjoying herself. Are they at odds?"

"More like the opposite." Kili sighed, glancing between his now fuming uncle, and a still laughing Nyaunni who was shoving Naurfaer away as he attempted to refill her cup. At Bilbo's look, Kili did the best he could to fill the hobbit in quietly and discreetly.

Viltarra, who was on Bilbo's other side, leaned in, adding, "I think they may have had an argument."

From the other side of Kili, Tauriel huffed. She had no desire to be a part of any type of gossip, but a look at Thorin and she sighed, turning to lean around her husband and whispered. "I too think there are some ill feelings that if left unchecked, will cause irreparable damage."

"Nyaunni mentioned it being her fault, but I for one fully believe and know, it takes two." Kili looked at Tauriel, taking her hand. "Even when we are not in the wrong, sometimes we have to be the one to take the first step to making it right." He remembered the pain Tauriel was in after the quake. The self hate that had her freefalling into covered, but unhealed wounds from her past.

Kili knew he had a right to be angry with her for not being forthright with him, but if he held onto that anger, then he would never had made the first step to helping her heal quickly rather than making her suffer. What was it his mam used to say? Adding vinegar to bitter tea will never make it sweet. Tauriel was his everything, her, and their children. How could he not want to make things right when they were unbalanced?

Besides…Kili lifted Tauriel's hand to place a kiss on it, sending love through their link she met head on with her own...he always felt a bit sick when they were at odds, as if his body was physically manifesting their quarrel. Though he could push past it if he wanted to be stubborn, he much preferred to seek an end to their trial and regain the balance and deep connection they typically had.

"Da, eat." Finli lifted a fist full of sweet potatoes and Kili had to lean back before they were forced into his mouth.

From beside them, Bilbo was attempting to hold in a laugh, but Fili certainly was not and let out a loud guffaw when Finli stood on Kili's lap and tried again to smash the food into Kilis mouth…only to miss and get his cheek. "Finli! No no darling, let da eat on his own." Tauriel pulled Finli from Kili's lap, but Dis took him from her.

"I got him dear, go ahead and eat you two." She grabbed a napkin and wetted it in her water goblet before trying to help a squirming Finli get the sticky mashed sweet potatoes off his hands.

Kili shivered. He did not like sweet potatoes and only grabbed some because Finli loved them. However, the shiver in disgust quickly turned to a shiver in desire when his wife leaned forward and placed her mouth on his cheek, her warm tongue removing the remnants of the potato from his face.

"Mmmm." Tauriel sighed. "They are even better this way."

Kili shifted as he grew warm as all of his blood moved south. "Amralime." He sighed as she pulled away. Tauriel loved sweet potatoes, and Kili suddenly found that he was beginning the think the overly sweet vegetable was not so bad. That is, until something very cold and equally wet landed on him and he growled low.

"Sorry Ki, but for all of our sakes, you needed to cool off." Fili pulled back the goblet that once held water as Viltarra passed the dowsed prince her napkin, even as she gave her own husband a withering look as she plucked his own dry napkin and passed it to Bilbo, who was wiping water off of his own trousers being hit in the crossfire.

"I believe you owe Bilbo an apology as well?" Viltarra looked to Fili, lifting a brow.

"Actually, Bilbo should be thanking me." Fili chuckled. "He was moments away from being forced to watch Tauri and Ki use the table to have their way with each other…in front of everyone…and their son. I don't think Ori and Leotti need an example of what to do tonight Ki. Keep it in your pants until you are back in your own chambers."

"I was not Fili!" Kili argued back, but was forced to stop when a wave of want hit him and he groaned and glared at Tauriel. "Really?"

The eleth laughed and pulled him in for a kiss, then her lips grazed his ear as she whispered. "I shall never apologize for desiring you, my Kili. But I will endure to be strong and withhold my own needs…until this evening when we are alone."

For once, Kili could not wait until this party was over. "Right. Please pass the ale, I think I need a drink."

Tauriel chuckled and grabbed the pitcher of ale and filled her husbands cup, making sure to lean in and kiss his temple before placing it back on the table.

Bilbo watched the scene with a bit of fondness, then looked back to Thorin who was poking at his food. "Has anyone talked to him? To Thorin? Or Nyaunni?"

"I talked to Nyaunni." Kili said, wiping the ale from his face.

Fili, just after, claiming, "And I talked to uncle. But I didn't get far, he essentially evaded and pushed me out."

"Nyaunni did about the same." Kili added quietly. "If I did not think so before, I would absolutely now believe they are made for each other."

"Then maybe I can help." Bilbo said with a smile. "I will see what I can do. Maybe, if I am lucky, we can have another wedding before I leave."

"And a few births." Fili said, wrapping his arm around Viltarra who leaned into him. "We would love for you to stay, Bilbo."

"I had already planned to remain the season, and I wouldn't miss it. Any other news I have not heard yet?" Bilbo piled some more lamb onto his plate and began eating, humming in delight at the tenderness of the meal.

"OH, yes, I had not had a chance to share yet. But I had to have Nyaunni look at Maryn because she was not eating this morning." Kili placed his now empty goblet on the table and proceeded to fill it again.

Tauriel paused, having began to eat the sweet potatoes off Kili's plate. "Is she alright? You never said she was experiencing problems."

Kili nodded. "She has a sore on her gums, but apparently, she is also expecting. She had been in heat and was let to pasture. None of us knew, neither did the hands, so nobody made any precautions. I am entirely positive that Galaddal is going to be a da." The young prince chuckled as he gulped down yet another ale.

"Oh how wonderful." Bilbo said. "Congratulations again."

"This is quite delightful news." Tauriel said, a broad smile on her face. "How do you know it was Galaddal though?"

Kili lifted a brow. "Will Maryn let any other horse or pony near her? You know as well as I, amralime, that she is quite apt to cause harm and foul to any who approaches her with exception of Galaddal, you, or I….and sometimes uncle. She is rather fond of uncle."

"That is because he reminds her of you. You and Thorin have similar energies meleth nin." Tauriel said, subtly pushing the pitcher of ale away from her now scowling husband.

"Oh…I fully agree. In fact, I do believe the expression you are giving, is a perfect match to Thorin as we speak." Bilbo chortled to himself, eyeing Thorin who had a matching expression on his severe face…that is until Dis placed Finli in his lap and an immediate joy filled his previously dark expression as he began talking to the toddler.

"It has been a while since I have raised a foal." Tauriel leaned against Kili, who pulled her close; humming in her hair. "I wonder what it will look like?"

"Personally, as long as personality wise, it takes after Galaddal…I don't care what it looks like." Fili huffed, having been kicked and bit more times than he can count by Kili's spirited mare.

"Healthy, is what I think would be a higher importance." Viltarra chimed in. "Like any baby."

"Maybe not those fellbeasts though." Kili shuddered. "Not Dajnel or the other one, but the venomous ones."

"Fellbeasts? Now I know I have missed quite a bit. You must tell me."

Now that their voices were raised to a normal level, from further down the table, Leotti heard and turned from her conversation with Ori to glare. "An unexpected adventure I was forced to be a part of."

"But it turned out okay, little otti, and now where here, at your wedding feast. See? Not all bad." Fili lifted his goblet and downed the contents while Leotti sighed.

"I suppose, but please keep future adventures to yourselves."

From beside Fili, Viltarra hummed. "I would agree, but I do not think it is possible to keep them from adventure creating trouble, and I would never wish to change Fili, nor Kili. Maybe though, just an adventure in motherhood would be enough for now."

"Yes, parenthood is a rather notable adventure, but I am rather curious as to what I missed. Do tell." Bilbo leaned forward looking from Leotti, to the group on either side of him.

While they finished their meal, Fili, Tauriel, Viltarra, and Kili told the more recent tale of their discovery of an orc run compound, and how they cleared it. Subsequently, finding Nyaunni and reuniting her and Thorin. Leotti too added into the conversation when she was not otherwise engaged. "My my, it seems, nothing has changed in my time away. Still attracting all sorts of trouble, aren't you?" A round of laughter filled the group.

"I don' know about all of you, bu' I am ready for some music." Bofur jumped up, and with that, the group left the formal dining room to the sitting room where the hatted dwarf and his brothers grabbed their instruments they had brought up and began to fill the room with music.

Of course, Ori pulled Leotti to a dance in the center of the room, and Fili was quick to tug on Viltarra's hand, joining them. Even Kili held Finli as he swayed to the music while Tauriel accepted a dance from Naurfaer.

The only one scowling in the room, was Thorin, who was killing Dori with his eyes when he had asked Nyaunni to dance….and she accepted.

"You know, instead of watching…you can join in." Bilbo passed Thorin a piece of cake Vin and Tarrah were currently plating. Leotti had been gushing about the cake from the moment she saw it, excitedly throwing her arms around the two bakers and once again, thanking them profusely as they cut and distributed it.

Thorin grumbled something Bilbo could not hear as he accepted the cake, watching his sister be pulled to the floor by Kili who had put Finli down; Kaw flying down to play with the toddler along with Hiril whom Viltarra let out of their room to join the group. She had been doing better and Oin had said she should be okay to remove the wrapping on her paw in the next few days.

"What, do you want to dance master burglar?" Thorin smirked at Bilbo who blushed and began stuttering.

"No, no, not me. Thank you. Believe it or not, I have two left feet." Bilbo looked down and chuckled. "I was never the dancer, my sister, though, has rather light feet."

Thorin hummed in response as he began picking at his cake in silence so Bilbo tried again. "She seems lovely, Nyaunni." Thorin choked and easily accepted the water goblet Bilbo passed him, quirking a brow.

"I do not know what my nephews have said…" Thorin began, but Bilbo rolled his eyes and interrupted him. "Thorin, I think we have been through enough together to say I can form my own opinions based solely on observation, without the need for others to give input. But, they are worried about you. They love you, and want you to be happy. And from what I have seen, you seem rather miserable. Any chance that is self sustaining misery?"

Thorin glared at Bilbo but remained silent. "Mhm, just as I thought. You know, I am not one to get into the business of others, or their personal affairs, but the way I see it, if you care for her, why are you just standing here and not dancing with her? Come now Thorin, she has looked over at you no less than half a dozen times since she began dancing. I am no expert on love, but that seems to me like she has some care for your opinion or she would be lost in the dance…and not lost to her partner."

Thorin sighed. "You don't understand."

"And you would be quite correct." Bilbo responded right away. "I do not understand, because I have not been privy to your life outside what you have written. But there is one thing I have learned in my travels with you, and our time taking Erebor, and that is how short and fragile life can be. If there is even a chance, she feels as you do, would not it be worth it to try? You took a mountain, Thorin, fought and won a battle of tens of thousands of orcs and trolls, defeated that giant white orc, and reclaimed the land of your fathers. How is that any comparison, to asking a seemingly lovely dam for a chance at her affection? Love may never come my way, but, I can still quite recognize it."

Bilbo sighed. "You mean quite a bit to me Thorin, more than you know. And it will be the greatest gift to me, if I can see you happy. Truly happy. If she is something of importance to you, then, go after her."

Thorin looked down at Bilbo, his blue eyes studying the hobbit curiously, then he nodded. "She means, a great deal to me. I will consider your suggestions. But until then, perhaps you can grace me with a tale of how you have been."

Bilbo shook his head but obliged, filling Thorin in with his day to day life since he returned home. Including how he has received many a visit from dwarves curious as to who the hobbit was who helped reclaim the great mountain. He happily invited each one in, and slowly, the hobbits of the shire have grown accustomed to dwarves coming and going from their lands.

Nyaunni wiped the perspiration off her head as Dori bowed. She had been quickly pulled into another dance by Naurfaer who passed Tauriel off to Kili. One by one, she seemed to be making her way through the group until she ducked out of the dancing group and backed away. Her heart was pounding, and she was exhausted. Though her wound was mostly on the mend, it did burn a bit with the exertion of the energetic dancing.

Of course, the infection…which was small…was long gone, but the wound still was mending, only a bandage remained over it to keep it from getting irritated by her clothing. It was, for the most part, closed. But still mending. Oin had told her she was free to do as she pleased, just no battles and perhaps, no horseback riding either…just in case. But maybe, nearly an hour of dancing was her limit.

Glancing around her, Nyaunni looked about the room. She had yet to go down the long, dark, hallway that led to her childhood chamber. She didn't know why she was avoiding it, and Dis had offered it to her to keep. But something held her back, until this moment.

Maybe it was the wine that was giving her courage, or maybe she was moving into the next stage of grief, acceptance, but whatever it was, she suddenly had the desire to see her childhood home. To see the last place she saw her father alive.

In stark contrast to the welcoming lit halls the royal family currently resided, and the hall beside it where Vin and Tarrah stayed…this hall seemed to be forgotten, with dust still covering surfaces and random crates, chairs, and tables pushed against walls as if they were simply being stored here until they were needed. However, the door she was looking for, was unblocked, and with a deep breath, Nyaunni pushed the door open to the darkened room that was once hers, and her fathers.

The dam searched for the switch and turned it carefully, waiting quietly for Erebor's pipes to feed the lanterns. Within just a few minutes, the room slowly filled with light. She gasped as her hand flew to her lips when Nyaunni finally got the first look in almost two hundred years of her childhood chambers.

It was, exactly, as she remembered it, down to the pipe her father had used every evening sitting on the table beside his favorite, burgundy cushioned, high back chair. Nyaunni's green eyes scanned the large sitting room and closed the door behind her as she fully stepped inside.

She picked up the pipe and smiled at the carvings of animals along the base, but set it back down as her eyes fell on a painting on the wall of her father and herself. She traced the face of her as a child, running her fingers along the cheek that was now forever marred by her time in Minam. Even the hair on her jawline refused to grow in that one spot where the scar sat prominent and visible to all who looked at her.

This was painted before she even had any true facial hair, just little whisps. Nyaunni cocked her head and smiled. She was so young. She ran her hand over her face now, and combed her fingers through the tight curls in her hair and beard. She always had thick, very tight, curls, that she kept as best she could in a hat. She should not have been surprised her beard too had grown in the same way. Though she never really tried to upkeep it, there was no point anyway. She had nobody to impress, and it usually got covered in moss, dirt, and fellbeast excrement anyway. She won't miss that.

Turning from the portrait, Nyaunni stepped inside the door directly beside it, and her senses were overwhelmed by the smells of her father. She pushed the tears down and immediately went for the wardrobe, pulling out her father's favorite wool house robe, and pulled it over the loose fitting blouse and draw-pants she wore around Erebor. Nyaunni sighed as she pulled the robe close and closed her eyes, just savoring the moment.

Nyaunni then went through one of the two doors, and laughed as she walked into her childhood room. Drawings of animals and carved figurines littered nearly every surface as she scanned the room. Nyaunni smiled fondly at the many small water dishes that were long bare and dry still littering the floor from her many friends. Frerin called them her pets, but they were more than that, they were her family.

She placed Uri on the bed and sat down, picking up a frame that held a faded sketch of her father and mother. The only one she had of the both of them then, and now. "I wondered when you would find your way here."

Nyaunni smiled as Thorin stepped inside. He used to always come and get her here, and she suddenly had a vision of a much younger version of him, stalking in, and pulling her from the room as he always used to do. "I am surprised it is so preserved. You have been here for what, three years now Thorin? At least, that is what Naurfaer had told me over tea a few days ago. I would have thought you'd have these rooms all cleaned out by now."

"First of all, whatever Naurfaer told you…take with a grain of rye. That elf loves nothing more than to elaborate and tell tall tales." Thorin folded his arms and leaned against the doorframe as he looked around the room. "And, Dis has not quite gotten to this hall yet. It has been a busy few years, and since we have not needed these rooms, we decided to hold off. But this room…I don't think would ever be touched."

Nyaunni's eyes shot to Thorin as he was looking at everything but her. "I could not make myself come in here, Nyaunni, not once since we regained Erebor."

The dam eyed the dwarven king curiously. "Why?" But then his blue eyes fell on her, and she thinks she understood, because it forced him to remember something that brought him pain.

"I thought you were dead, Nya. All these years, I thought you were dead." Thorin reached into his pocket, and pulled a flute that looked identical to the one she had lost.

Nyaunni gaped at the instrument, wanting to run to it and take it, but remaining frozen on the bed as she stared at it. "WHAT?! But…that was broken Thorin! Your grandfather threw it into the fire, I saw him do it!"

Thorin nodded. "I designed a new one for you, and made it while I was working at the forge with my father. He had helped me with it. I was going to give it to you the day the dragon came as a gift."

Thorin watched as she stood slowly and walked towards him, taking the flute and running her fingers over the carved birds, then lifted a brow. "Thorin, this has silver inlayed into it."

"I made it better." The dwarven king smirked and leaned into her and spoke softly, the timbre of his deep voice causing a chill to run down her spine. "Sounds better too."

"It has been a long time, Thorin. I am afraid I could not do it justice any longer." Nyaunni sighed.

"I doubt that, Nya." Thorin chuckled and gestured to the flute with a meaningful look. "Consider it a request from an old friend…or a direct order from your king. Whichever holds the most weight."

"Order?" Nyaunni huffed and began to laugh, Thorin quickly joining her. She took the flute to the bed and sat down, Uri crawling onto her leg as she inspected the instrument. But before she allowed it to touch her lips, she lowered it once more. "An order." Shaking her head, Nyaunni looked back up at Thorin. "What I said, last week, was wrong."

"Nyaunni." Thorin began, but the dam shook her head. "No. Let me finish. That, was truly the worst thing I could say to you considering you too lost almost everything to the dragon. And before you say it, I do not really think you are Thror. Your people, they love you. Your friends, adore you, and even that small hobbit would risk the dangers of the road to come and see you. Not to mention, your family cares for you, deeply. How could I say such a thing, when even the proof that you accepted not one, but two elves into your family and your home, would suggest in no way, were you Thror. The dwarf who banned even the mention of the race."

Nyaunni's eyes fell back to the flute in her hands. Yet another piece of solid proof that she had been completely in the wrong. "Will you forgive me Thorin? Will you accept my deep and heartfelt apology?"

Thorin stood silent for several heartbeats, then, nodded. But since Nyaunni was not looking at him, quietly said "Yes." He waited for a moment then added "If you will forgive me. I never for a moment meant to control you Nyaunni, but, I can't, I don't want to lose you again. Not after finally finding you alive. I wish I could have had the courage to stand up to my grandfather. I wish I could have looked into the mishap between him and Thranduil, to see what truly happened."

"He paid, Thorin. The elven king." Nyaunni finally looked up. "I was there."

Thorin's brows lowered and he placed a hand on the dresser, his fingers tapping as he considered her words. "What happened Nyaunni? What did you see? It is the one thing I could not piece together. We have no record, nothing in writing that shows payment."

"Do you remember when I got that flute, the one you crafted this one after?" Nyaunni held up the small instrument for Thorin to see and he nodded.

"If my memory recalls, you had said it was a gift from an elf. But I was in training, so I was not privy to the comings and goings of visitors that day. I only know what my grandfather had said, and quite ignorantly believed him." Thorin sighed. "I truly wished I had not."

"We all made mistakes back them, Thorin. My father…wanted me to leave with him. If I had not begged him to stay…he would be alive." Nyaunni glanced at the drawing of her parents. "So many things would have been different, but that was not in the fates and we cannot change what was done. But truths, truths ought to always be told. Thorin…" Nyaunni looked back up at her childhood friend. "That elf who gave me this, brought the payment for the necklace…for the elven king's necklace, and the gems. It was a hefty sum too. My father took the payment, even mentioning he thought it was more than adequate for the work, and made record. I saw it with my own eyes. But Thror came in as my father closed his book, and took the chest with the payment inside. He seemed unhappy, but took it none the less. I wish I could say what came of the record, all I know, is my father was called a liar, and Thror adamantly declared the jewels to not have been paid for."

Thorin rubbed his temples, he knew Nyaunni was telling the truth. So Thranduil's claims were, for the most part, true. In a way, they were thieves. The elven king indeed had full claim to the white gems and the necklace. He would have to make a trip to Mirkwood with this news, and perhaps, make better amends with the elven king. "Thank you, Nyaunni. I…" Thorin sighed and leaned against the wall. "I told you I would tell you about the golden floor in the throne room."

Nyaunni lifted a brow. "Now?"

Thorin chuckled. "Mhm. Do you remember the Arkenstone?"

"Of course. How could I have forgotten the gem Thror coveted more than anything…even his own…" Nyaunni stopped, about to say kin, but felt it might be a bit insensitive, so she shut her mouth.

"It is alright." Thorin gave her a small smile. "You are not wrong. It held a curse, Nyaunni. One tied to my family's line. It was blood magic, and rather a complicated tale. But from what I both have been told, and been through, someone wanted this mountain. It is unclear if they had anything to do with Smaug, but they were on the same side. In hopes to turn my family to do their bidding, they planted the Arkenstone inside Erebor to be found. Once it was given to my grandfather, the dark magic within took hold of his mind and turned him into what he became. Because he was so lost to the stone, he could not escape its draw…even after leaving it in the mountain."

Thorin folded his arms. "He continued to crave power and his gold, working all hours of the day to figure out a way to defeat Smaug and regain his treasure. Before we even came of age, Frerin and I were sent into battle with my grandfather and our father. In one such battle, Frerin was lost."

"Oh Frerin. Tell me Thorin, did he suffer? How old was he?"

Thorin looked to the floor. "He was forty-eight."

"FORTY-EIGHT! Great Mahal above! That had to mean you could not be more than fifty-three?! You were in battle? At fifty-three?!" Nyaunni gaped at Thorin and a new wave of hate for Thror filled her. How could anyone send someone so young into a war.

"I had just turned fifty-three, and we did whatever our grandfather asked. My father begged him to let Frerin remain, saying he was too young, but Thror ordered him to go saying they needed every able hand they could get to fight. We of course, lost. That was the beginning of the fall of my father. He never recovered the loss of Frerin, and he never forgave Thror for sending his son, his child, to his death."

"You did not recover either. I can see it Thorin." Nyaunni said softly.

Thorin shook his head. "No. It also happened to be a turning point in Thror. Something shook him, and he turned his eyes away from Erebor, and towards Moria."

Nyaunni's eyes widened. "Not the home of your first father? Is not that place cursed?"

"I do not know if I would call it cursed, more, overtaken with orcs. Thror decided orcs and goblins would be much easier to overtake than a dragon, so he once again gathered up an army and made plans to invade." Thorin looked to the wall, lost in memory. "My father, again, begged for him to let me remain behind. It was not months after the loss of Frerin, and he refused to lose another son. But Thror felt my talent in battle was needed, and against my fathers wishes, put my name down to be in his personal guard. We marched to Moria that same week."

Running his hand through his hair, Thorin closed his eyes. "A massive gundabad orc by the name of Azog, took my grandfather's head off his shoulders. In that same battle, I also lost my father. Maybe it was the pain of loss, or desire from revenge that fueled me, but where my grandfather and father failed, I did not, and I was able to overcome Azog. I thought I had killed him, but he reappeared in my life many years later."

"I am…oh Thorin." Nyaunni was lost for words. If she thought before that she had misjudged him, she now knew with absolute surety that she did.

"There is more Nyaunni. Defeated, and now the head of my family and people, I spent years in exile working to build a kingdom in a settlement much too small for us. We had nothing. We had to rely on the clans to feed us, to supply us, and to defend us. But slowly, very slowly, we became self-sustaining. We were, relatively happy, but after a meeting with a wizard by the name of Gandalf the Grey, I found myself on a journey to reclaim Erebor."

Something had Thorin pausing. How much did he want to tell Nyaunni? How much should she know? A voice in his mind whispered, everything. Tell her, everything. But he still hesitated. He did not remember everything from that first life. Kili and Tauriel may have had their memories, but he did not. What he did have, however, was spliced pieces of memories, fragments if you will, of what was. Through these fragments, he knew he lost himself to the stone. He had day visions of ordering his company to search for the stone, ordering them from helping in battle as the orcs broke through the hills, and even visions of Dwalin's disappointment in him. He had a nightmare of that gold floor, of telling it he was not his grandfather, of losing himself to the gold.

Kili was the one who filled it in further, saying he had overcome the stone on his own, he had broken through the curse and came to himself. He had come out of the mountain just as he had decided to join the fight. How he had pressed their heads together, and claimed that Durin's folk, do not turn from a fight. Though it did feel a bit freeing that he was able to get passed the power of the stone, he wonders for how long and if he would have been able to permanently been free of it.

The truth of the matter was, Thorin will never know. He was killed in battle, and saved by an eleth who he was proud to call his daughter. An eleth who sacrificed for their family time and time again. But how was he going to explain all of that to Nyaunni?

A hand landed on his shoulder, and Thorin looked into Nyaunni's azure eyes. "Whatever it is, I want to hear it."

"It is a long tale." Thorin sighed.

"Well, then it is a good thing we have no meetings to get to." She sat once again on the bed, accepting Uri back into her lap, and looked at him expectantly.

There was once a time in his life, when he told this dam everything. Every fear, every detail of his day, every hope he had for the future…both his…and his peoples. Yet over time, Thorin had learned to keep things to himself. He shares only what he must, and only when he cannot hold it in any longer. Perhaps, it is time for yet another change.

"Nya, I indeed met Azog again. It took us nearly a year to get to Erebor, and when we did, we were confronted by the dragon." He knew all this, because once again, Kili and Tauriel were able to share their memories of that first life. Though Kili was in Laketown…something Thorin spent a good hour apologizing again for, he nearly lost his son, nearly walked away from him all because he wanted his mountain. But again, Kili, with his large heart, waived him off and said he was forgiven…for both timelines…and to let it past. He did not deserve Kili, not as a nephew, nor a son.

"Bard took down the dragon with a black arrow, killing it, and with that, the mountain was once again ours. That is…until the orcs came." Thorin sighed. "I was…Nyaunni…I was lost to the stone."

"The ARKENSTONE?!" Nyaunni gaped at Thorin, her hand frozen as it stroked Uri.

Thorin nodded. "Aye, the very same. Before we even got to Erebor, Kili had been hit in the thigh with a morgul arrow. It poisoned him, and in my haste to get to the mountain, I ordered him to stay back in Laketown." At Nyaunni's confused expression, Thorin added, "Laketown was where the people of Dale went after Smaug's attack. It was destroyed by the dragon prompting Bard to bring his people back to the city of their ancestors."

"Alright, go on." Nyaunni said softly.

"I left Kili to die, because the mountain was calling to me. Or, I thought it was the mountain, but in reality, it was the stone. Bilbo was with us."

"The hobbit?" Nyaunni looked surprised.

Thorin chuckled darkly. "The very same. He was our key to finding the stone, in hopes it would reunite the clans. That plan was, however, postponed when the dragon broke from the treasure room and we were forced to protect Erebor ourselves. Smaug came out, Nyaunni, and we foolhardily tried to overcome him. It was unwise, and cost lives, as Smaug was much more difficult to take then we thought and turned his eyes to Laketown. He survived molten gold being poured on him…that is why the floor in the throne room is gold by the way…but we had thought, in the moment, that he would be trapped in the molten gold or overcome by it."

"Thorin…" Nyaunni folded her arms and quirked a brow. "Forgive me for sounding harsh…but Smaug was a dragon that breathes fire…did you not perhaps consider he was impervious to heat of any magnitude? He shoots flames from his mouth."

Thorin huffed. "Yes, well, it had not occurred to us. We don't usually face dragons. But that is neither here nor there, eventually, he was defeated, and our company reunited. Kili lived, though both he and Fili were rather cross with me." Or so Kili had said. "We thought our woes were over, but Thranduil came for his gems, and soon after, the orcs came for the mountain. The entire time, I was a slave to that stone. I needed that stone, and I needed the gold we had regained. I was not going to let a single coin from this mountain, leave. Nyaunni, I was ready to kill for something as cold as treasure, kill, and sacrifice anyone or anything that stood between me…and my claim."

Nyaunni did not know what to think. "What happened, how did you overcome it? You did…overcome it…didn't you?"

"Mhm." Thorin hummed, trying to decide just how to explain the next bit. "After finding out Bilbo had taken the stone…" Again…something Kili shared which Thorin did not quite know how to take. He was saddened for what his actions forced his friend to do, and he was more than grateful Bilbo had the courage to follow through with what he did. HE, was a true friend, Bilbo. "I went mad. I wanted to kill him, Bilbo, especially after he had given the stone to Bard for payment of gold I had promised to the people of Laketown…gold I had no intent on giving…not while I was under the influence of the stone. What was more, Thranduil was there for the gems, and was ready to go to war. It was an elven army of thousands, against thirteen dwarves. But I…was ready for war. Dain was coming, and I was not seeing things as I should have. My mind was lost."

Thorin leaned against the wall. "Dain indeed came, and the battle went on for maybe five minutes, before the orcs broke through the hills, an army of over a hundred thousand broke into our lands. But I refused to open Erebor, I refused to allow my company to participate. We were going to let them die. But somehow, somehow as I looked into the golden floor…" Which was the vision Thorin saw most often when he entered the throne room…a vision of failure…or achievement…he could not say. It was both, in many ways. "…I saw in the reflection what I had become. Who I had become. I refuse to be my grandfather Nyaunni. I am not, and never will be Thror."

Thorin looked over at the dam who nodded, listening intently to his tale. "So I ordered my company into battle. It was near the end, when I was confronted once more by Azog. By this time, I knew he was alive after he attacked us outside a goblin mine on our travels to Erebor. But we survived. Now again, I faced him, and this time, I would take him down. And I did, Nyaunni. I killed that orc, and in doing so, I was killed."

Nyaunni blinked, and stared at him. "I think…I missed something. Were you revived then?"

"In a manner of speaking, but not in a way anyone would ever seem possible. As I woke in the halls of our fathers, I was lost as to what had happened, and not a bit disoriented. But I was not alone. Thorin smiled as the memory of how he woke after his first death filled his mind.

"Way to go Thorin, you just had to make your death far more noble than mine, didn't you." Thorin blinked as a pair of blue eyes stared at him, framed with golden hair.

"Fili?" Thorin tried to clear the fog from his eyes as the figure chuckled.

"He is here, but not quite." Thorin sat up and looked to see none other but Frerin beaming down at him. "I am not supposed to be here, but I could not help but drop in for a moment. I can't stay though, but I suppose I will see you soon enough. I just thought it would be less disorienting to have someone you know here when you wake up. Mother wanted to be here, but Mahal ordered that we all remain and wait in our halls for further orders. Course I slipped through, didn't think it was fair for you to have nobody to greet you."

"Greet me? Is this the afterlife?" Thorin looked around as the world sharpened. It did not seem dwarven, this looked more like an elven haven.

"It is. Most come straight to our halls, but for some reason, Mahal had you and Dis's sons be sent here first. Only he knows why." Frerin held out his hand, and Thorin clasped it, allowing his brother to help him to his feet.

"Did you say sons? Both are here?! I knew Fili had been killed in battle, but Kili lived! Tell me Kili lived!" Thorin's heart broke. Dis will be spitting on his grave and disowning him if she survives the news that all three of them were killed.

"I wish I could, Thorin, but Kili was killed, defending his one." Frerin almost looked far too tickled to relay the news. He supposes grief over death was kind of a moot point in the afterlife, because death, meant life here. It was backwards, and causing Thorin's mind to spin, but he could understand the lack of empathy for the loss.

"One?" Thorin said, rubbing his hand through his hair. "I don't understand."

Frerin chuckled. "One, as in mate…other half…romantic partner…souls paring…"

"YES! Okay. But for the love of Mahal, what dam was in battle that Kili knew?"

"Oh…not a dam Thorin." Frerin rocked on his toes beaming.

"Human?" Did Kili fall in love with a human from Laketown?

"Nope, not human." Frerin seemed to get more excited with each guess. "And before you ask…no hobbit either." Knowing they had little time, Frerin placed a hand on Thorin's shoulder. "She, would be an elf, Thorin."

"AN ELF! You said he is here? Point me towards him and I will be killing him again." Thorin moved to storm around Frerin but the hand still on his shoulder held him in place.

"No. Thorin, you won't be. I do not fully understand it myself, but from what I saw of them, they belong together. You, will not berate Kili for his choice. Be better than that. Do not be our grandfather, do not force your will on another who sees things differently, and in many ways, far better than we do. What they had, though was new, had the potential to change our world for the better. It would have been a gateway to a new understanding and acceptance. Pity be Arda now, to lose such a match. Do not feel anything but loss, for what could have been." Frerin stared hard into Thorin. It was the first time Thorin saw the growth in his brother, his brother who was always one to find trouble.

Now Thorin was the one to be chastised, and he nodded. "Thorin, I don't have a lot of time, and we will see each other rather soon. But before you go in there, for your judgment, I wanted to make certain you knew and understood, that my death, was not your fault."

Thorin stiffened. "Frerin, I was to guard you, to have your back."

"And you were fifty-three, and only just. Tell me your age now…tell me how old you are."

Thorin sighed. "I have seen one-hundred and ninety-five years."

"And as king in those one-hundred and ninety-five years, how often did you send forty and fifty-year old's' into battle?" Frerin asked, folding his arms, giving Thorin an expectant look.

Thorin growled. "Never. That is no age to send anyone into battle."

"Yet you fought in two that same year, by whose command?" Frerin asked. "Look, I forgave Thror. He was not himself, and I cannot hold against him what he could not, in a lot of ways, control. But I also do not go out of my way to see him. Father, however, had not quite forgiven him. He and mother chose to dwell away from Thror and his chosen halls. Thror chose a penance in solitude. One day, he will find peace. As for now, he just remains where he is. A bit pretentious if you ask me, there are things to do and family among the living to see to, but he just, sulks."

Thorin chuckled. "I feel as if we are speaking in our rooms in Erebor. I missed you Frerin, I wish, I wish it was me that fell, not you. The world needed you."

Frerin smiled softly. "Perhaps, but our people, needed you. Dis, needed you. Her sons, needed you. What happened, is how it was meant to happen. Let go of it Thorin, and let it weigh on you no more. I want us to be together, Thorin, finally together. It will take all of us to help Dis through all she has lost. It is her I worry about most of all."

Thorin looked to the ground. "Aye. I failed her, and I took her sons with me."

"They are waiting for you, Thorin. You should go see to them so they are not so confused. I have to go back to our halls, I cannot stay. I will see you soon, brother. Just go through that door and meet our maker. It is time." Frerin pulled Thorin close, then whispered, "Oh, there is something you should know, she, is not here."

Before Thorin could ask to whom he was referring to, Frerin pulled back, smiled wide, and walked away, fading into nothing. With a shake of his head Thorin went where he was told, following the long hallway until he heard his nephews' voices and entered the large hall where they must have awoken.

"UNCLE!" Thorin could not stop the tear from falling down his cheek as he pulled his nephews close.

"Not you too." Fili said pulling back. "I told you to run. I told you to get away."

Thorin sighed. "I know Fili." He placed his palm on his eldest nephew's cheek. "I should never have sent you into that tower, neither of you." Thorin pulled away and looked to Kili. "What is this I heard about an elf?"

"Tauriel." Kili sighed, knowing full well Thorin had no say in his heart's choice, especially now that they are dead. "She saved me in Laketown, it was her that brought me back to life uncle and removed the poison. Then she tried to save me as I was killed in battle. I owe her everything, but I willingly give her my heart. It may not be what you wanted for me, uncle, or our people, but I do love her. I love her with all that I am."

"An elf though Kili? Did it have to be an elf?" Thorin grumbled rubbing his hands down his face.

Kili chuckled. "One day, you will meet her, and you will see just how special she is. Tauriel…is one of a kind. My soul will have no other."

"Sons of Durin? Follow me please. I am to take you to meet your maker." An elf, of all beings, walked into the room and waited until they nodded and followed. This was it, Thorin thought, it was time for their judgment.

However, things went decidedly different, and he found himself and his nephews before Mahal and Manwe, Mahal pleading for a chance to send them back. One red-headed eleth later, and they were given the opportunity thanks to her sacrifice. Kili was indeed very correct, Tauriel is, and will always be, incredibly special. To Kili, to the family, and to him.

"I saw Frerin, Nya." Thorin said softly, breaking from his memory of the afterlife. For a small bit of time before I was taken to Mahal. They wanted to send us back, but did not have the power to. That is, until Tauriel came running in."

"Tauriel? The elven wife of your nephew?" Nyaunni asked, trying to make heads or tales of what she was being told. Either Thorin had far too much ale, or he was telling her he experienced something far greater than any in written history. Returning, truly, from the dead like some being of legend.

Thorin nodded. "You know elves are immortal. Tauriel sacrificed her immortality, so we can try again. Her sacrifice was accepted, and Manwe, the king of Valinor, and Mahal, sent us back just over a year before we left for Erebor. This time, with no memory of our previous timeline. And before you ask…" Thorin said, seeing Nyaunni about to ask. "…we retained our memories of the time in the afterlife, and small visions and glimpses of our previous timeline. However, Kili may have found himself in a situation, forcing Naurfaer to sail to Manwe's halls…don't ask…and had Kili's memories returned. He, and Tauriel, are connected, a bonding of their minds. No I do not understand it so do not ask me to explain that either, you can ask them. But from what I can understand, because he got his memories, so did she."

"So, you were returned, and what…had to do it all again? Come to Erebor that is?" Nyaunni shifted on the bed, rubbing her chin in thought.

Thorin grumbled. "Unfortunately, yes. With a few differences. One being Tauriel. She came to Ered Luin, and there, joined the family. She was a wonderful addition to our company. There was also Naurfaer, who is the bane of my existence on some days, and a close friend, the rest of the time. He belongs in this family; I will never argue that. It is amazing to see, but just the addition of those two, changed our future. I still was taken by the Arkenstone, and when Kili, Fili, and Tauriel came to Erebor, I almost killed them. That is, until Naurfaer destroyed the stone, freeing me completely."

A breath of relief left Nyaunni, one she did not realize she held. The Arkenstone was no more. If Nyaunni understood it correctly, Thorin, and his family, were all completely free now. "And the battle?"

"Kili and Tauriel, along with the others in Laketown, were able to save most of those in the human city from death by dragon with their quick thinking and planning to get people out. So Dale's numbers, were greater. Then we were able to form a truce with Thranduil. It nearly cost Tauriel her head, but, I gave him what he wanted in exchange for my daughter's life. Her life, and Finli's. She was pregnant during the battle, only just. I cannot imagine my life, without Finli in it." Thorin smiled. "I know this sounds quite horrid, but I do hope he takes the throne after Fili. Is that selfish of me? He may only be half passed his second year of life, but I feel it in my soul, that Finli should rule."

"I don't think that is selfish, Thorin. But if your other nephew's wife bares a son, then he will rule, not Finli. At least according to our laws. You are not planning on changing them are you?" Nyaunni looked at Thorin surprised.

However, Thorin shook his head. "No, Nya. Even so, there is something in me that feels, that knows, Finli, is meant for something great." Thorin will love any and all children of Fili and Kili, deeply. He does not wish to play favorites, and he will guide and instruct them all. If Finli is supposed to rule, he will, and Thorin will back his right to his death and beyond. Though he may have to look into a few things, just in case.

"I take it, this time the battle went a bit differently?" Nyaunni hedged after Thorin went quiet for a few moments, seemingly lost in thought.

"For the most part yes. With more men, and with the elven army completely on our side, when Dain came we had the numbers to make the difference. Fili nearly died again, but Naurfaer was able to put an arrow into Azog who plunged his blade into Fili…but in a place that was nonlethal. Kili and Tauriel, along with Naurfaer and Legolas defeated Bolg with Tauriel only receiving a broken wrist as a result. As for me…I nearly fell at the hands of Azog, but the elven king made certain my wounds were not lethal. I survived, because he felt compassion. It was a hard battle, but we made it."

"The second time you mean. Technically, you died the first time through." Nyaunni huffed and folded her arms. "Foolish errands of fool hardy dwarves. You know, you are rather lucky Tauriel had a soft spot for your nephew, or you would be up with Frerin as we speak." She sighed and rubbed her temples. "I don't even know how to respond to what you told me either. It is almost…scratch that…it is entirely unbelievable. Yet the evidence of the truth, is not just in your eyes, but in the family as well."

"I don't expect you to believe me Nyaunni, but, I wanted to tell you the truth." Thorin turned to leave but Nyaunni called after him.

"Don't go Thorin. Not yet." With Uri still in her lap, Nyaunni hoped Thorin would stay, and after a moments hesitation, he did turn around.

"Do you have any questions than?" Thorin asked stepping back into the room.

Nyaunni shook her head and smiled. "I am sure I will in time, but right now, I understand well enough. Thank you for telling me. I am sure it is not something you readily share with others."

"Certainly not." Thorin huffed. "Not even the company knows, nor Bilbo. Dis does though." He said softly. "I could not, and would not keep this from her."

"She had the right to know." Nyaunni said.

Thorin hummed in agreement then looked back down at the flute now beside her on the bed. "Do you think you can play something? For old time sake."

Looking from Thorin, to the flute, Nyaunni sighed as she picked the instrument up. She looked it over, lining her fingers up with the holes, and placed it on her lips as she remembered from long ago. With a few experimental blows, Nyaunni closed her eyes and began to play. Just as Thorin said, it sounded far better than she ever recalled, and she could almost hear the ghost of a harp playing alongside her.

The bed dipped, and Nyaunni pulled the instrument from her lips and looked at Thorin. "Beautiful." Was all he said as he stared at her and she felt a heat she had never known fill her from her core, all the way up to her cheeks.

Clearing her throat, Nyaunni placed the flute on the table just to give her hands something to do. "I went to your office, to talk to you today." She said after a moment. "Naurfaer said you would likely be in meetings…well…he actually said you would be hiding." Nyaunni laughed at the incredulous look Thorin gave her. "I missed that face." She said as she recalled the many times he had given her that exact look.

"I missed you." Thorin said quietly, his blue eyes boring into her. He shook his head and chuckled. "Sorry. I think I have been spending too much time around my nephews."

"Oh. Is that so?" Nyaunni asked, trying not to be alarmed at the deep feelings that filled her. Why was she feeling this way? The voice quickly answered that she knew why. It was the same reason why every drawing she did in Minam, somehow turned into Thorin. The same reason why she would dream of him and their life in Erebor when her days became too dark to bear. The same reason her heart was racing in her chest.

But she held his gaze as he stared at her, slowly nodding his head. "Mmm. I am beginning to understand why they are the way they are with their ones." Thorin scooted forward, erasing the distance between them, and slowly, very slowly, leaned into Nyaunni. Her breaths were coming out in soft pants by the time his lips grazed her own, and she whispered his name just before his lips finally landed on hers.

They were soft, and unsure for a moment, but then Thorin was grasping her face in his hands and devouring her. In response, she grasped at his vest and pulled him flush against her, feeling the wild pulse racing under his skin as she wrapped a hand around the back of his neck.

It was only when Nyaunni felt Thorin place his palm on her marred cheek, that she pulled away with a gasped "NO!"

Thorin immediately released her, his eyes wide in alarm. "Nyaunni…I…did I hurt you?" He gave her a concerned look as she tried to catch her breath, ignoring the sharp pain radiating from her wound.

"No…no. You didn't hurt me. I just...we can't Thorin. We can't." Nyaunni was moving to stand but a hand caught hers and she felt a small frame enter her grasp.

Looking down, Nyaunni stared at the portrait of herself she had commissioned for Thorin's birthday. He had just turned twenty-nine, and she was a few months shy of her thirty-fifth birthday. So she wanted to do something she had heard dams had done when they fancied a dwarf, give them an image of themselves and see what they did.

If a dwarf placed it in their sitting room, it meant they were fond of you, but not interested in anything but friendship. If they placed it in their room beside their bed, it meant they had feelings beyond friendship for you. And if they kept it with them…well…then they loved you.

Nyaunni was always too afraid to ask about it, already nervous about giving it to Thorin in the first place. They were far too young for anything of the sort anyway. But she never saw it again, not even in their families sitting room. So she always wondered what had become of it. "I remember giving this to you, for your birthday."

Thorin smiled and nodded. "One of my favorite gifts to this day. I always had it with me, Nya." Nyaunni's eyes went wide and she gaped at Thorin. "This picture, and that small golden ball you gave me where all I had of Erebor. I treasured them both all my life."

"But…that means…" Thorin nodded, but Nyaunni shook her head. "I am not her, Thorin. Even if you loved her, she is not me."

"We change, Nya, everyone does, it is simply part of life. Or so my sister wisely told me as she was trying to bash into my head that I was being an idiot the night we returned after battle." Thorin sighed.

"Ohh, yes." She studied Thorin then nodded. "You did leave quite abruptly. I was hoping to spend some time talking. I had wondered if I upset you. Then I knew I upset you last week. I am sorry Thorin. Truly."

Thorin sat quietly watching her. He tugged her hand and pulled her gently back to the bed, pointedly ignoring the tiny fellbeast who was now peaking out of her robe pocket and chirping up at him. Thorin thumbed a curl from her hair and smiled at the silver streaking through the bright red, a sign they were far from dwarflings anymore.

"Nya, you said we still have time to find someone to complete us, and you are not wrong; but you must know that there are countless reasons why I don't have anyone in my life…and why I won't be looking. Dis needs me, she has nobody else but the family after her one was killed in battle. The mountain needs me, I have a people to rule, clans to keep in order, and treaties and trades to oversee nearly every day. But more than any of that, I could not be with anyone, that was not you. I don't want to find somebody else, I already found her." He stared into her eyes. "I never thought I would find you alive, Nya."

"Thorin…" Nyaunni sighed. "You can't possibly even know who I am anymore than I know you, it has been nearly 200 years."

"Nyaunni, I have two elves in the family who would say that was nothing but a blink of an eye in time for them." Thorin smirked, then poked at the fellbeast's tiny snout peeking out, and lifted a brow at the red-headed dam. "I feel as if I am walking through time, because this little beast proves you have not changed as much as you say, Nya. You still had courage, to survive as you did, you have a deep connection to animals as you always have had, and…" Thorin brushed a hand through her tight, red, curls peppered with white and silver. "…you are still as beautiful as you were, that last day I saw you."

"You cannot be serious." Nyaunni sighed. "Thorin, open your eyes and look at me. How can you think me beautiful? I do not even like looking in mirrors, because what I see…is something disfigured…something not whole. I am no beauty."

Thorin gave her a puzzled look. "How can you not think you are beautiful, Nya?"

"Well, for one thing, I am old, Thorin, and…" She did not say it, but rather ran her fingers over the deep scar down the side of her face.

Thorin traced the path with his eyes, then his own fingers. "It is only proof you survived great horrors Nya."

"I can never give you children." The words were out of her mouth before she even realized she was going to say it. Suddenly, Nyaunni's hands flew to her lips in both shock, and horror, that she had said that out loud. Even Thorin was giving her a surprised look. But since she began, she lowered her hand and thumbed the rim of her cotton blouse underneath her father's robe. Then slowly, she lifted it to reveal the long, thick, scar that ran the length of her entire abdomen.

It disappeared under the bandage where her now stitch free knife wound was currently healing. At least if it scarred, it won't make things worse, nothing really could. "The orcs knew I was different from other dwarves. They are not so stupid as you may think, they may not have known exactly what my ability was, but they had a good idea. I was the only one who could successfully breed and hatch a brood of fellbeasts in over a century according to the others who had lived there longer than I."

Nyaunni let her shirt drop and stood, going to the mirror, and looking at the scar running down her face before she met Thorin's eyes in the reflection. "I used my gift to calm them, I don't really know how, it just happens. I cannot talk to animals or anything, nor can I hear their thoughts. But I can feel them, and they noticed."

She turned around and shook her head. "Something you should know, is breeding in Minam among the captives was strictly regulated, Thorin. They could very well not let us out breed their numbers, oh no, so only a fair few were granted allowance for such a thing and only when it benefited the orcs workforce. I…was chosen as one of them."

Thorin jumped to his feet and ran a hand through his hair. "Nyaunni, I…Mahal. I am so…do you have a child then?"

"No! No Thorin." Nyaunni walked to Thorin and looked up at him. "No. I knew what they really wanted. They wanted my ability, and they were hoping I would pass it on. I could not do that; I could not bring another life into the world where it would never know freedom." She brushed a stray tear that fell from her eye, annoyed that she was unable to hold it back. "So, I took a claw from a fellbeast, sharpened it, and made sure I could never give them what they wanted. Of course, they were furious, but the deed had been done, and they still needed me, so bleeding in the moss, I was nursed back to health."

Thorin rubbed his cheek, his hand sliding up through his hair in silent shock. "You did that to yourself." His eyes fell to the now covered scar.

Nyaunni nodded. "I could not bring an innocent life into an orc compound, Thorin. I just could not."

He needed a moment to think, so Thorin paced the room, practically stomping from one side to the next while Nyaunni watched silently. She made her way back to the bed, and sat, following him with her eyes as he wore holes in the rug. Tired of the silence, Nyaunni pulled Uri from her pocket causing the fellbeast to chirp incessantly at being disturbed. "Life can be extraordinary. Among creatures who had their genes mutilated for dark purposes, the purest of lives can be found." She looked up at Thorin. "I am sorry, Thorin."

Thorin froze and moved back to the bed, sighing as he sat beside her. "I am too, Nya. You should have never had to make that choice."

"It was mine to make, and it was long ago. I have since accepted the ramifications." Nyaunni smiled. "My life was not easy, but it had some rare, but wonderful moments. Like Dajnel, and Uri."

"Uri." Thorin sighed. "I still think your first father is rolling in his tomb for that choice."

Nyaunni huffed and narrowed her eyes, giving Thorin a penetrating look that he returned. "Well. He is mine, and I can name him as I please." She looked down at Uri, and ran her thumb gently over his tiny head. "When you have children, you can name them what YOU want, Thorin."

Thorin's brows lowered immediately. "When I have children? Nya…" Thorin lifted his hand and grazed Nyaunni's jaw getting her full attention. "I will never have children, Nyaunni."

"Thorin…" Nyaunni tried to argue, but Thorin shook his head.

"Believe me when I say this, Nyaunni, because I do so quite sincerely, but I do not want them." At Nyaunni's incredulous look, Thorin chuckled. "Nya, would you believe me if I told you, I am quite parented out?"

Nyaunni blinked in confusion, so Thorin elaborated before she could jump to any conclusions. "Dis's husband, Vili, died before Kili was born. Kili is my youngest nephew, the one with dark hair. Fili, his elder brother, was barely five. When Dis found out what had happened when I arrived home…her heartbreak put her into immediate labor two months before Kili was actually due to come. He was born, without a heartbeat."

Thorin remembered that day all too well, it still horrified him, all that blood from Dis, his sister crying out for Vili, and Kili silent and unmoving in his hands as Oin yelled out instructions. Thank Mahal they were able to get Kili's heart going, and Dis ended up passing out from pain and shock. Kili needed constant warmth, and what was warmer than a dwarf? So Thorin tucked the tiny dwarfling infant under his firs, cradling his head against his chest, as he begged the maker to make his nephew strong.

"It took a month for Kili's strength to grow, and another two months for him to grow to a healthy weight. All that time, Dis was deeply lost in mourning, so I nurtured Kili to life, while I also took care of Fili who did not understand what was happening." Thorin smiled remembering Kili's baby blue eyes shifting to dark-brown quite early in his life, and the deep love he felt as those wide eyes stared up at him whenever he bottle fed him. He knew, then and there, he would be these dwarflings father from that moment forward.

"I raised them, Nya. The both of them, alongside Dis." Dis had been filled with horror and guilt when she finally came to herself and realized she not only lost her husband, but nearly lost her youngest son. She had cried for days, clutching Kili to her chest, until one day, she stood, and pulled strength from Durin, and became the strong, protective, and exemplary mother that she was.

Nyaunni smiled softly, her heart breaking for Thorin's baby sister. "Dis has always had a strong heart, even at a very young age."

Thorin hummed. "She does, and both Fili and Kili have that strength, but they also got her brute stubbornness."

"Oh? They got that from Dis?" Nyaunni lifted a brow and laughed.

Instead of getting angry, Thorin chuckled. "They may also be a bit like me." He placed both hands on either side of Nyaunni's face and leaned in close. "I have had every experience a parent can have, Nya, and I love Fili and Kili in every way a father loves his sons. I had my late nights changing and feeding a newborn, I had dwarflings climbing into my bed at all hours of the night after a nightmare woke them, I had little hands tugging at my blankets begging for water, I gave an inner name, I taught them Khuzdul, our traditions, and skills. I trained them in battle, riding, and how to rule. I named them my heirs. They are my sons, Nyaunni, I want for no other but them. And, though they may not be my direct blood, they are Dis's, and she is a direct daughter of Durin. They are no different, bloodline wise, as my own children would be."

Thorin thumbed away a tear and pressed his lips to her head. "And before you say anything about my responsibility to my clan and forefather, both Fili and Kili, are already continuing our bloodline. I have a beautiful grandson who is halfway through his second year, and two more on the way due to come in just a few months time, if not a bit sooner. I am far from in need of dwarflings in my life, or heirs, Nya. But I do need you. Your companionship, your support, and your brightness in my life."

"And Tauriel, being your daughter?" Nyaunni asked as she closed her eyes and leaned her head against Thorin's.

She felt Thorin's sigh and peaked an eye open to see a small smile gracing his features. "She saved our lives. Fili's, Kili's, and mine. Then, when she came to Ered Luin, I took on the responsibility to teach her Khuzdul, and our ways. The more we talked, and the more I taught her, the more I realized just how truly special she was. She pierced my heart, Nya, and she needed me and Dis. She had no parents, she was a ward of the city and had nothing in the understanding of family. How could I not embrace her into my life? Since then and over time, our attachment has only grown. I love her as a daughter Nya, as I love Fili and Kili as my sons."

Thorin pulled away and waited for Nyaunni to open her eyes. "Nyaunni…before we say more, there is something I need to ask." He waited for her to nod, and took her hand in his. "Nya, my nephews would tell you I am an old, grouchy, dwarf, and my sister would add that my head is as hard and unyielding as an anvil."

"So, you really have not changed than?" Nyaunni smiled wide, accepting the glare she got in return.

Thorin rolled his eyes fondly and huffed out a soft laugh. "Not much, I am afraid. But neither have you. We are not getting younger Nya, and I am far too old to walk on glass hoping it does not shatter. If you are not interested in anything but my friendship, that is what I will give. If you need time, I will give you as much as you want. But know this, Nyaunni, you are the only one I want. Would you consider, accepting an offer of partnership with me?"

If this was any other dwarf, Nyaunni would probably be a bit taken aback, if not uncomfortable. But not with Thorin, never with Thorin. Nyaunni cocked her head to the side and ran her fingers down one of his long braids. She already knew what she wanted, so what was the point in fighting it or putting it off. With that in mind, Nyaunni leaned in and brushed her lips against Thorin's, then pulled back and smiled wide. "Okay." Was all she said as she stood, threw a wide grin over her shoulder, and walked out of the room.

Thorin was stumped. "Okay? Is that it?" He grumbled and stood to chase after the confusing dam. "NYA!"

Nyaunni laughed as she pulled the chamber door open. "Thorin, we are missing the party, and I have not had any of that cake yet. Hopefully, there is some left." She grumbled. "Besides, I think, I would very much like a dance if the music is going still."

"You are supposed to be resting." Thorin sighed. "You still have a wound healing Nya."

The dam leveled him with a look. "Tell me, would you be resting if you were me?" Nyaunni released the door and walked up to Thorin and stared directly into his blue eyes. "If you can look me in the eye, Thorin, and tell me that you would be resting if you were in my predicament, then I will go straight to my room in the other hall, and do as you suggest."

Thorin clenched his jaw and Nyaunni's smile was back in place. She leaned in and kissed his nose. "I thought so. Now, I am sure we have a lot to talk about, I do want to know what you planned for the group that attacked Dajnel and myself, and if you are going to Dale to be a part of the trial, I want to go."

"Nyaunni you should stay in Erebor until you are fully healed." Thorin tried one last time as she walked out of the chamber and into the dark hall; the music in the sitting room still filling the air.

"And I am not in any danger of dying, so let it be." The dam shot back as she walked into the hall but paused, Thorin following close behind, though he did stop as she did…giving her a curious look. That is, until Nyaunni leaned in and pulled him close. "Are we to tell the others? Your family?"

"Oh, we know." Fili said, holding a piece of cake he was currently devouring. Viltarra was beside him, laughing, and Finli was running a muck between their legs chasing Kaw. "Looks like you need a chaperone, uncle. Might I suggest Naurfaer?"

"Did I hear my name?" Thorin groaned and hid his face in Nyaunni's red curls. "Aw, lovely. About time."

"Time for what?" Kili scooped Finli up and placed him on his shoulders as Tauriel, who also had a piece of cake, came to stand beside her husband.

"I believe, they are referring to adad and Nyaunni, meleth nin." The eleth gave the pair a grin, though it turned to a wince when she realized Finli's hands, which were covered in frosting, were now getting the sticky, sweet, dessert in Kilis dark locks. "You may have made an error in judgment, my love. Finli's hands were not clean."

Kili looked up and sighed. "Lovely." He groaned, but let him his son stay where he was for now. Guess he was taking a shower tonight.

"And why is everyone gathered here?" Thorin sighed and pulled away from Nyaunni when his sister joined the group, looking the pair over with a chuckle. "Ohhh, I see. Finally came to your senses hmm? Congratulations."

"Congratulations?" Leotti peeked around Tauriel, Ori at her side. "Is there to be another wedding? How perfect! I can get started on a dress right away. Would you like a train Nyaunni? Long sleeves or short? Tell me, how do you feel about lace? Or maybe cotton?"

"Wedding?" Nyaunni looked from Thorin to the group.

"Did I hear weddin?" Bofur yelled from across the room, stopping the music as the rest of the company froze to look over, then the excited calls began and Thorin was being slapped on the back by Balin who had tears in his eyes and Bilbo who smiled knowingly.

"Just…hold on now." Thorin tried as Leotti ran to the desk grabbing some parchment and a quill pen, then began scratching notes. "Now I never said…will you all just…wait a moment?"

Bombur suddenly appeared with a tray of mugs and spirits from the kitchen. "A TOAST for the newly engaged! An the newly wedded." He shoved a mug in Thorin's hand and Nyaunni's, both looking a bit lost as to what was happening.

"Thorin…" Nyaunni whispered in his ear. "Are we getting married?"

All of the color drained from Thorin's face and he froze. They had not even courted properly, how can they even consider marriage. He looked to Nyaunni, afraid to see the discomfort, fear, or even disgust in her features. But instead, she sipped her drink and smiled wide up at him. She didn't even appear bothered. Either she was living in the moment and knew he would clear it up once everyone settled…or…or she wanted to marry him.

Was Thorin ready for marriage? If it was any other dam…he would absolutely say no. But the truth of the matter was, he wanted no other dam. He had been attached to Nyaunni his entire life, from their deep and pure friendship in his youth, to the days his heart remained loyal to her despite believing she was gone from this world. They still had some things to go over and talk about, but maybe…

"I SAID WAIT!" Thorin bellowed, silencing the group who all just stared at him. "Just…hold on."

Turning to Nyaunni, Thorin stared into her azure eyes. "Thorin?"

"Nyaunni…" Thorin's heart was pounding almost painfully in his chest. What was he thinking? He just asked her to partner with him…was he really going to ask her to marry him not moments later?

However, it seemed as if his body already made the decision for him as he felt himself falling to his knees before Nyaunni. "What if, I do not want to wait to ask you to only be mine? I already know I love you Nyaunni. I know you will make a good fit in our family, why put off what we both know is the only likely outcome? I am not asking you to marry me tonight, or tomorrow. But, I am asking for your hand. Will you, Nyaunni, daughter of Draupnir, accept my proposal for marriage?"

Nyaunni gaped at Thorin, then at the family and company who stood watching the scene unfold on bated breath. She knew, despite their recent misunderstandings, she loved this dwarf, and she was already coming to enjoy his family. But marriage was a big step, and she only just got her freedom…was she willing to give it up? Then she remembered all her secret desires when she was in Minam, how they all had one thing in common, a life with Thorin.

Nyaunni held out her hand and Thorin instantly grasped it, allowing her to pull him to his feet. "A life with you? I think I can consent to that." She beamed as Thorin just stared at her, lifting his palm to place it gently on her cheek.

Leaning forward, Thorin traced the shell of her ear with his nose, simultaneously breathing her in. Then softly, he whispered. "Is that a yes, Nyaunni?"

"Thorin, I accept." Nyaunni softly replied. "And I will be happy to marry you, whenever you like. But maybe give me a few days."

Thorin chuckled and pulled back, his thumb grazing her cheek as he looked at her fondly. "Today, tomorrow, a year from now. Whenever you are ready, we will have the ceremony."

"Sooo, how about next month? That way Bilbo can attend." Fili said, Viltarra pulled back against his chest as he grinned at the couple. "Hey Leo, can you get a dress done in a month?"

"Half that, actually." Leotti sang.

"There you have it." Fili said, his smile widening. "Dress down, now Bombur, about the food…"

Nyaunni lifted a brow. "Now, first of all, I will have a say in what I wear, and I am quite capable of making plans. So you can sit on those eggs and let them hatch on their own, youngling."

"Eggs?" Fili looked to Kili who seemed equally confused.

"I think she means be patient, Fili." Tauriel supplied, Nyaunni nodding.

"Can we celebrate now?" Bofur asked, holding his clarinet. "Plenty o' time to pick a date. Come on lads! Bombur…more ale!"

The large dwarf chuckled and went to oblige after Thorin nodded in consent while Bofur and Bifur continued the music, Gloin joining in with a lute Naurfaer had provided.

Leotti leaned into Nyaunni, the curls framing her face bouncing about as if they had a lifeforce of their own. "We…have a lot to discuss. Now, when you said you want a choice in your dress…exactly what do you have in mind? Because let me tell you, if you invision it, I can make it happen. First…let's discuss length…"

"Leo, love, perhaps yeh can give her a night to take it all in?" Ori tugged on Leotti's hand and she huffed.

"Fine. But, you will be coming to my shop. I made both Viltarra's and Tauriel's dresses and both of them complained until they saw them…then were speechless. I will just, sketch a few things up and we can meet say…tomorrow at first bell?" Nyaunni lifted a brow and just stared at the dam. "Second bell then?"

"Didn't you just get married?" Nyaunni asked, shaking her head. "Shouldn't you be, oh I don't know, celebrating yourself? This is your party, take tomorrow to enjoy the newness of your marriage and don't worry about the dress."

Leotti blinked. Frozen to the spot as she looked to Ori, confused. "I do not understand."

"I believe she wants you to take a few steps back, Leotti." Viltarra said. "In a rather tactful way."

"But…" Leotti tried but Ori shook his head and pulled her towards the music and jumping into a dance with her.

"The lass won't be giving up, just so you know." Vin chuckled. "Welcome to the family. I am sure this is a bit overwhelming, so Tarrah and I will leave you to it. We run the bakery in the main market, you are welcome anytime." He leaned into Nyaunni, though is eyes were looking at Leotti several yards away still in a dance. "We can even help hide you from her."

"I heard that!" Leotti huffed as Ori leaned her back, her curls brushing the floor, but a wide smile on her face. Vin laughed joyously and hand in hand, he and his wife went back to the dessert table.

Dis walked forward and pulled Nyaunni into a hug. "This is beyond wonderful. I know I was young, but you have always felt like part of the family." She pulled a way and smiled warmly, grasping Nyaunni's hands. "I want you to know, whatever you need, I am here for you."

"Thank you Dis." Nyaunni responded quietly. She would have said more, but she felt herself suddenly engulfed by two rather exuberant males.

"An auntie! Always wanted an auntie, eh Fi?" Kili, who had passed his son to his mam, peeked at his brother, on the opposite side of the surprised dam.

"Oh aye, Ki. Maybe, if your interested…we can have a sit down? Share some fun stories? Exchange memories? What do you say?" Fili's eyes twinkled while Thorin rolled his eyes to the ceiling, shaking his head.

"Boys…" Thorin looked to his nephews, lifting a brow as he folded his arms. He was no fool, and he helped raise these two troublemakers. Fili's request may seem innocent, but both his and Kili's expressions were filled with humor. Oh, Thorin knew neither Fili nor Kili would do anything to purposely upset Nyaunni, he trusted them, but he also was not in the mood to play clean up when they go and make a mess of things. Especially before he really had a chance to sit down, and make sure Nyaunni was as comfortable with this spontaneous decision as she seemed to be.

Nyaunni, however, laughed. "I look forward to it. Perhaps we can have lunch tomorrow."

Kili looked at Fili, and with a twinkle in his eyes, nodded and grinned. "The sooner, the better."

Tauriel, who was privy to her husband's clear amusement through there bond, lifted a perfectly sculpted brow, giving her husband a look. He was up to something. But before she could even ask, Nyaunni was grasping both princes by the collars of their vests and pulling them close. "Do not think me so foolish to not see those matching expressions you both bare. I was RAISED with Frerin…who was the reigning monarch of trouble…I also raised some of the most dangerous creatures in all of middle earth. Do not, for a moment, think me weak or incapable of seeing when someone is up to something."

Kili looked to Fili, both gaping at the dam who was smirking at them, tightening her grip to pull them closer. "Understood…nephews?" When both princes nodded, Nyaunni again, pulled them closer. "I do not believe I heard your response."

"Understood." Both Kili and Fili muttered at the same time.

It was only then that Nyaunni released them with a grin. "Good."

"Yeesh, auntie Nya can bite." Fili grumbled, though he was smiling. Both Nyaunni and Thorin rolled their eyes at nearly the exact same time, causing Dis to smile. Those two were always meant for each other.

"You deserve it." Viltarra said, Naurfaer nodding in agreement.

Tauriel sighed and moved to grab Kili's arm, pulling him back. "I apologize in advance for anything Kili says or does. He often does so without real thought."

"Oi! That was rude." Kili huffed and glared at his wife.

"But is she wrong?" Dis said, lifting a brow as she bounced Finli in her arms.

"I too feel as if I need to seek amends in advance." Viltarra huffed out a laugh. "Those two are a package, and where one finds trouble, the other is not far behind."

Still standing somewhat off to the side, even Bilbo chuckled. "I somewhat recall a rather ominous tail involving throat slitting orcs when we were on the road." Bilbo looked to Nyaunni. "With those two…maybe consider seeking validation if what they say seems a bit…farfetched."

Kili scowled. "Traitors."

"Well." Nyaunni laughed. "If they are anything like Frerin, I welcome the challenge. Now. I do believe we have a party we are missing. I am in desperate need of a slice of that cake before it is gone."

With a laugh, the group dispersed, but Kili grabbed Tauriel's hand. "Amralime, you were teasing…right?"

Tauriel paused and looked at Kili. Though he did not appear to be upset through their bond, he was still scowling. Chuckling, Tauriel leaned in and kissed his brow. "For the most part. But, I love you all the same. I said once, I never want you to change, my Kili, and I stand by that. I hope this one inherits that from you, the ability to laugh and bring a much needed lightness to the world, just like you do." She sighed and leaned her head against Kili's temple, closing her eyes. "I fear the scars Finli has, marred him from that lightness. He can be rather serious for a two-year-old."

Kili chuckled breathily. "He has been through a lot. But maybe I can offer another perspective. He may look like me…but his personality…is all you my Tauriel. At least, for the most part." Kili pulled her close and hummed in delight when his unborn son projected a feeling of joy and contentment. Though he also sensed he was uncomfortable. "I do look forward to meeting this one though. I think it is about time we talk about a name."

"I want to name him after Thorin." Tauriel said softly.

Kili pulled back and stared at her. "That…is a lovely suggestion. But, I was thinking, of naming him after Naurfaer. He was set on it with Finli, and he did so much for me last year. I thought it would be a way to honor him, and thank him."

Tauriel bit her lip in thought. "Kili, I am not saying no, nor am I making light of what Naurfaer did for you and me…but I do want to say that Thorin, had also done something I could never pay back in accepting me as he did. I know he appreciates what I gave up, and really accepting our relationship is all he had to do. But he has gone so much further. He has accepted our son as his grandchild not once uttering a syllable of his mixed blood. He has accepted me as his daughter, not just the wife of his nephew. I love Naurfaer, deeply, Kili, and what he did getting your memory back…I will never ever be able to relay my deep and heartfelt gratitude. So now…now I am torn. I want to honor them both, but in my heart…all I can think is to bestow our son with a name of strength, love, and honor, and the more I think about it, the more I realize both Naurfaer and Thorin fit that description."

Kili lowered his brows, through their bond, he could tell she was getting upset. "I didn't know you felt this strongly about it, Tauriel. There is no need to make the choice now. Let's just, put both names to consideration and we can discuss it later. Okay?" When she nodded, Kili leaned in and kissed her head. "Any idea what Fili and Viltarra are deciding? Name wise that is."

Tauriel shook her head. "I was going to ask you, in case Fili was considering Thorin, but I also know you had told him he was free to use Vili as well. As it is, I have yet to inquire. Neither has either Fili nor Viltarra has said a word to me on the subject."

Kili hummed in thought. "Maybe they are waiting till the birth. We do have a bit of an advantage, knowing what we are having. They either have to come up with two names, or just wait, I suppose." Kili looked to the ground, then back up at Tauriel and shrugged it off. He had enough to think about, no need to worry about his brother's responsibilities.

There was also a need to come up with an inner name, but Kili thought enough was enough for now. He looked his wife over, taking her in from head, to toe. She seemed alright, but there were a few subtle clues that she was reaching her limit for the evening.

Placing a hand on Tauriel's cheek, Kili leaned into her. "How are you doing, Tauriel? I can tell you are getting more and more uncomfortable. Do you want to retire for the night? Because truthfully, I think I have had enough of the party and I think Ori and Leotti are about ready to retire themselves."

Tauriel closed her eyes and leaned into Kili's palm. "I am tired, and this one seems rather confined. I do not understand why though, I feel as if I have grown well enough to accommodate him at this stage. Yet he is rather displeased far more often than not. Makes me wonder if he will come a bit early." Tauriel sighed. "I would be okay with that. I think, I would like a break after he is born. A toddler and an infant will be quite enough to handle without adding yet another to the mix. I do want more though, Kili, but I also would be quite happy to not feel nauseous, exhausted, and emotional all the time."

Kili chuckled. "I am with you, whatever you decide, Tauriel. Now how about, we grab our son, and I will bathe him while you relax. Then maybe, you can join me for a shower? I might need a hand undoing these braids caked in frosting."

Tauriel laughed and pulled away, lifting her hand to the mess in her prince's hair. "I did not realize just how much cake he had on his hands."

"Yes, well, he gets his sweet tooth from you." Kili held out his hand, Tauriel grasping it tightly as they walked to the group that appeared to be now gathered together with Leotti and Ori at the head.

"Oh good, I was about to have Fili go grab you two." Leotti chimed as Tauriel and Kili stepped up to the group. Kili smiled and accepted his son from his mam, sticky fingers and all. It looked like she had attempted to get some of the cake off, but it would really take a bath to remove the rest.

Kili turned his attention back to Leotti who took Ori's hand. "I wanted to tell you all, how grateful I am of what you did tonight. I don't think I could have asked for a better evening to celebrate our wedding. Truly, thank you."

"We also canno' ask for better friends, or family. Thank you, all of you, for bein' a part of our night, and for all ya did to make it special even in such short notice. I…we…are beyond words." Ori smiled pulling Leotti close.

"There is no need to thank us." Naurfaer responded, his arm draped across Dis's shoulders. "But I do think there's a gift for you guys that you might further appreciate."

"Aye." Thorin said with a grin, nodding his head to Balin who stepped forward with a piece of rolled parchment and a key.

"This, be yours now, and before yeh make any objections, you both more than earned it." Balin passed both to Ori who gave the Key to Leotti as he opened the parchment and blanched.

"A family suite? Bu' are yeh certain? We don' want to take space needed by others. A simple room will be enough." Ori passed the scroll to Leotti who gaped at it. It was twice the size of her shop, and had three rooms and an office. Though it was much smaller in comparison to the royal suites, to any other dwarf in the mountain, it was certainly a lofty accommodation for just a newly wedded pair.

Thorin, however, released his hold on Nyaunni…who had finally gotten a slice of cake and was currently nibbling at the treat…and stepped up to Ori and Leotti, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "You both more than earned this. Ori, you earned it fighting for Erebor, and putting faith in our mission. You also continue to earn it being on my council. Leotti…" Thorin turned his eyes to the dam. "You have been close to my family since the moment you entered Ered Luin, and you bring so much joy to this mountain and talent as well. Think of it as a gift, but a well-earned gift. It is yours, and I will not have a single argument against it."

Leotti released Ori to throw her arms around Thorin, who at first seemed a bit taken aback, but smiled and patted the dam fondly on the back before she pulled away and Ori clasped the dwarven kings hand tightly. "Thank yeh Thorin, thank all of you."

"Now go on. I believe you have another celebration to get to." Naurfaer said, a twinkle in his eyes. The pair smiled wide, looked at each other, then ran out the door to find their suite.

"Did you get everything ready for them?" Balin turned to Naurfaer who nodded.

"I also added some wine and made certain there were fresh linens prepared for their first stay in the room." Naurfaer then let out a long sigh. "There was a bit of a clog in the plumbing…build up from not being used…but I got some help with it and it was handled. Everything should be ready for them to move right in."

"We will help move them in fully later tomorrow." Nori said. "Or the next day." He chuckled knowing the pair will more than likely, spend at least a day in seclusion.

"Anyone up for another round? The wedded pair is gone, bu' we go' an engaged pair to celebrate. Do we go' more ale?" Bofur looked to the family as he stuffed a pastry in his mouth.

"If it is all the same to you, I think I am ready to call it a night." Viltarra sighed, leaning heavily against Fili. "I have been up all day on my feet between the presentations this morning, and the celebration tonight, and they are quite done. Not to mention, I can't have ale, and I think I have eaten my fill."

"Actually, we are ready to retire as well." Kili said as Finli lay his head against his shoulder and closed his eyes. "I hope you don't mind uncle, but I want to get this one cleaned up and into bed."

Thorin smiled. "Not at all Kili. You four go ahead. Besides…I think things will be winding down rather soon anyway." He looked over at Bofur who was now guzzling an ale with Vin…Tarrah rolling her eyes at the display, and both Oin and Bifur who were already snoring on the couch having only sat down just seconds ago. Even Bilbo looked a bit tired, likely from his long journey to Erebor. Everyone had really had a long day so he was not surprised the usual dwarven fortitude for celebrating was a bit dimmed. He too was ready to find a bed and call it a day…but he wanted to talk to Nyaunni before he settles for the evening. "I know Bombur is about to leave, he has to get up early for work, Gloin too wants to get back to his family, and I do not doubt Dwalin and Balin will be leaving soon as well. Only Bofur seems eager to celebrate."

"And da." Viltarra said, lifting a brow at her father accepting yet another ale her mother was trying to take away from him to no avail.

The group laughed, and Thorin watched as his nephew both kissed Dis on the cheek and patted Bilbo on the shoulder in passing as they led their families home. Families. How their little world has grown. Thorin felt a hand slip into his and he looked to Nyaunni who gave him a smile. "Are we really celebrating you and I tonight? Because half the party has gone to bed and the rest…" She eyed a now tipping Bofur, the sleeping Oin and Bifur, and Naurfaer who was attempting to get a scowling Dwalin to play the lute.

Thorin smirked. "Do you not feel celebrated?"

"Not really." Nyaunni laughed breathily. "Do you think they would mind if we…" She gestured to the hall their rooms were and Thorin shook his head. He looked around to tell Dis, but she was already gone, so Thorin shrugged and the pair made for the hall…but stopped to see Dis fluttering about the kitchen with the door propped open. "Dis?"

Dis turned and smiled, but it was Bilbo who was taking the kettle off the burner and greeting Thorin and Nyaunni. "Would you like some tea? I don't think I can stomach any more spirits."

Nodding in agreement, Dis gestured towards the sitting room. "And I am worried if I retire now…Bofur might invade the kitchen and find the stronger stuff. So when Bilbo suggested tea, I could not say no. Besides, I think I need something to keep me up at least until Bofur retires."

"Or passes out." Thorin chuckled. "I don't think he is far from it either, and I think I will pass on tea. Thank you."

"I will as well." Nyaunni said, not really up for more interaction outside talking to Thorin.

"Of course." Bilbo smiled waving them off. "You go ahead."

Thorin nodded and pulled Nyaunni out of the room, but bypassed her chambers completely causing the dam to look at Thorin who simply kept going. He only paused to open he and Dis's room and stepped inside.

Nyaunni looked around the very familiar, and hardly changed, sitting room of Thrain and his family. "Are you staying here? I would have thought you'd be in Thror's rooms. It is the largest suite is it not? Aren't you king now?"

"Does it bother you if I chose this room instead?" Thorin lifted a brow doubting Nyaunni has become materialistic. Especially considering her last nearly two centuries was spent with little in the way of luxuries…if any at all.

As he thought, Nyaunni shook her head. "Not at all, in fact, it would win you even more favor for not needing proof of your station. Although, these rooms have always been my favorite, and they in no way are lacking."

Thorin chuckled and pulled her into his bed chamber, leaving the door open. "I gave Kili and Tauriel Thror's suites. It is the largest in the mountain for one thing…and I have a feeling those two will need the space. I also want Tauriel to be happy here, and it is the only suite we have which contains a balcony. Elves, need fresh air, so it was my gift to her."

Nyaunni smiled as she stood before Thorin and took his hand. "I was never more wrong, was I? Calling you your grandfather. You are nothing like him. Your heart is much too big. I can see that now. I'm sorry Thorin, I really should never had said what I did."

"I am not perfect Nyaunni." Thorin sighed. "Far from it. I cannot promise that I won't make mistakes, that I won't drive you to the inch of madness more times than you can count. I am stubborn, and I protect those I love in the best way I know how. I have a mountain to run, people to lead, and a family to guide. I take on more than I should, and expect the best out of those I share my responsibilities with. I know you said yes to me Nyaunni, but this, time before we wed if that is truly what you wish, is not under contract. If, at any moment, it is too much and you feel you cannot do it, or this is not something you truly want. Talk to me. Not weeks ago you were in captivity you never thought you would be free of, and now, you are very near being the next queen of Erebor. I don't want you to feel pressured in any way."

"Having cold feet already Thorin? And not even engaged for one night." Nyaunni lifted a brow and shook her head, chuckling mirthlessly as Thorin rolled his eyes. "I know and can appreciate the sentiment behind an easy out, Thorin, but just because I lived under the order of orcs, does not mean I became some sort of simpleton. Nor am I some soft dam. Will it take me time to get used to living a free life? Yes. Yes it will. But if there is one thing I am certain of in this entire mountain, just one thing I can anchor to, it is you. I know we still need to relearn each other a bit, and I…I still need to figure a few things out. Like what or how I am going to go about reclaiming my life. I assume my clan has me listed among the dead, so that has to be resolved before we do anything."

Thorin sighed. "Right, I forgot about that. I will send a missive to Dryok tomorrow morning. I want that taken care of right away. He should know you are alive anyway. He will likely wish to be here for the wedding."

Nyaunni hummed in agreement. "If he is anything like his father, he will likely be pulling at his beard worried I am to take his power from him."

"Come now, Nya." Thorin tsked. "You cannot have already forgotten your lessons have you? By becoming queen under the mountain, means you relinquish any rights you have to another clan. Dryok will be far too pleased to solidify his reign fully, without the fear of an unknown, direct heir, popping up." Thorin pulled Nyaunni into his arms. "Queen under the mountain. That should have been your title long ago."

"Maybe. If Thror would have even allowed it. He and father were drifting apart. It was only a matter of time before we were asked to leave Erebor." Nyaunni sighed softly and rested her head on Thorin's shoulder. "King under the mountain should have been your fathers before yours. We were all robbed of a life, Thorin, some more so than others, but just think about it…despite the sadness, the loss, and the pain…consider all the good that has come from what we went through."

"Good? Nyaunni, the good is rather shadowed by the suffering. I wish every day that dragon did not come. I wish every day we were not forced to live on scarred lands, and broken lives." Thorin looked down at Nyaunni. "How can you, of all beings, say such a thing? You lost your father, your clan, and in a way, your life. What good do you see Nyaunni?"

"Your nephew, Kili, came to talk to me in the stables. Quite a warm soul he is, but can match your scowl rather eerily." Thorin rolled his eyes, scowling playfully causing Nyaunni to laugh. "Yes, that one."

"Should I apologize for what he said? Kili can be rather open with his opinions and every so often, come across as tactless." Thorin thought about all the times his nephew has spoken before he considered the ramifications of his words. He did it less and less these days…but as Thorin fully believes it is simply part of his nephew's personality…he doubts Kili will ever fully be rid of the quirk.

Nyaunni, however, shook her head. "No, he didn't say anything to upset me. In fact, I find him to be rather enjoyable. He is a lot like you, when you were younger. Though he also is a lot like Frerin. What was his father like?"

"Too kind." Thorin sighed. "Vili was a lot like Fili. Open hearted, easy to forgive, and ready to help at the draw of a hammer. One of the kindest souls I have ever met. Too kind for arda."

"Knowing what you do, would Thror have allowed the match? If Smaug had not came that is." Nyaunni asked softly as she fingered the braid at Thorin's cheek.

Thorin often wondered the same thing. Would Thror had allowed Dis to marry Vili? Would Dis had even met Vili if they were not in Ered Luin? The answer, was uncomfortable for multiple reasons. One, Dis and Vili were made for each other. He may not have liked the match in the beginning because nobody was good enough for his baby sister, but in the end he could in no way deny Dis her greatest desire neither could he deny Vili.

The second reason were his nephews, the two dwarves he raised, the sons he taught everything he knew and who would be leading their people when he steps down or leaves this world for the next. If Dis was never allowed to marry Vili, what would her life be like? Would she be happy? Would she still be granted children? Thorin did not like to have to speculate such things, because he could not answer them with a certainty which would make him comfortable.

Then Thorin's mind delved further. If Kili and Fili were not born, Tauriel would still be in Mirkwood…never knowing true love and kinship. Viltarra would likely still be traveling never knowing solid roots or friendship. Going further caused a lump to form in Thorin's throat at the thought of Finli not existing. Even if Kili existed on the very, VERY sly chance Dis and Vili were allowed to court and marry…there was no way in Arda that Thror would allow Kili to form any kind of attachment to Tauriel. Either Kili would leave Erebor for good to be with her and Thorin forced to let his nephew separate from the family…or Kili would be in a loveless marriage bearing children only for sake of duty, and not for love.

But Thorin knows Kili well…very well…so he knows without a doubt his nephew would have come across Tauriel somehow. Likely from escaping his duties to go into the forbidden woods. Thorin internally rolled his eyes. He wonders how Thror would have handled Kili's wild heart. Then he froze and a deep sadness fell over him. Thror would not have handled Kili's wild heart at all. Instead, he would have smothered it, forced Kili to conform to what he felt a true prince of Erebor should be.

Fili would also have never likely ruled, because Thorin would be required to further the line and bare his own sons. Unless he only had daughters, then and only then would Fili rule IF Frerin did not bare children of his own.

Frerin. That was one thing that would have been a great blessing to still have. Thorin was beyond the feeling of gratitude that his brother met him in Valinor, that he had the chance, if only for a few moments, to see his brother again.

Thorin felt a hand brush his cheek and he looked down into Nyaunni's azure eyes. "I did not mean to upset you." It was only then that Thorin realized she was wiping a tear away and he grasped her hand tightly.

Not saying a word, Thorin tugged Nyaunni to the bed and pulled her down to sit with him. "I was just considering your words, Nya, and the more I reflect on what could have been, the more my mind is torn between bringing back what was lost, and mourning what would never have been."

Nyaunni nodded. "Your father was gentler than Thror, maybe it would not have been as bad as you think?"

"Our relations with Mirkwood have always been rocky, Nya, and Tauriel was raised in Mirkwood, directly under Thranduil. If Kili even existed, he would have been long married off before Thror passed of age. Tauriel, would never have been allowed in this mountain." Thorin looked to the floor. "Finli would never have come to fruition, our alliances would never have been as strong as they were, and I doubt we would have ever found Minam. The only consolation I have, is knowing you would never have been taken, Frerin would be alive, and both of our families would be whole."

"Not completely whole, Thorin, for as you said, Kili may not have ever come to be, Fili too. There would be no Tauriel, no Viltarra, no Bilbo." She lifted a brow as Thorin smiled fondly. "No elves whatsoever in the mountain, no company, everything would have been different. But…" Nyaunni took Thorin's face in her hands. "…none of that matters, because that timeline…will never be. Maybe…as awful as this sounds…what happened was always meant to happen in order for a true happiness to be understood." Thorin began to huff out a protest but Nyaunni chuckled and yanked his lips towards hers, silencing his arguments with a kiss.

"Ready to listen without a fuss?" Nyaunni asked after they pulled away from each other. Thorin narrowed his eyes at her but remained quiet, so she continued her thought. "I have not been back in Erebor for long, Thorin, but I can see and feel the joy in these halls. A joy, that had never been in the mountain before Smaug. Even the animals began to feel a deep oppression coming, and often whispered it in their calls months before Smaug even attacked. The world you have built, Thorin, from the ground up, is already far more prosperous than any Thror could have ever built, even if he had four times the gold and jewels he did. Your treasure is in blood, in alliances, and in a love your people have for you. It is in your strength, your resilience, and your eagerness to do what is right."

"And how do you know all this? In the time you have been back, Nya, we have spoken maybe half a dozen times, and a few of those were rather heated arguments." Thorin shook his head.

Nyaunni smiled, but did not answer right away. Instead, she pushed herself further onto the bed and beckoned Thorin to join her, and he did, sitting beside her against the headboard and taking her hand as he waited. "I may not have been speaking to you, but I did talk to others. I spent some time with Tauriel and Naurfaer, both praising you and relaying their stories in pieces over tea. I spoke with several from your company…including Balin and Dwalin who filled in what I had missed from their perspectives. I talked to many who fought in battle alongside you, and a few who were old enough to recall the days of Thror. Not a single dwarf…or elf for that matter…had a single bad thing to say about you, Thorin. Every one spoke candidly of your success in battle, in alliances, and in rebuilding this kingdom. It did not take long for me to realize how very wrong I was in my assessment of you. I think, I am rather comfortable in my decision to tie myself to you, Thorin, son of Thrain. If you are up to pairing with an old, practically useless, dam who no longer has ties to her clan."

Thorin gaped at her then pulled her close. "First of all, never, ever, call yourself useless, Nyaunni. You are far from it. And I never wanted any other, but you. Besides, from what I have seen of you, you are not all that different than you were. You made the best of your situation, and yet, you still blossomed into a fighter, a leader, and someone who can still see the good in the world around them. Give yourself time Nya, to fully heal from your ordeal. But you will not be doing it alone. It is time you had a family again, and though we are a bit…out of the ordinary and maybe a bit unconventional…" Thorin laughed softly thinking about Tauriel and Naurfaer, Viltarra, and how he, an uncle, is more of a father not just to his nephews, but to an elf as well. "…but, I can guarantee you there will be no lack in love or loyalty. We stick together, Nyaunni, in everything we do. I have made mistakes, mistakes that cost me the lives of my sons, cost me my own life, and lost me this mountain. But I am not that dwarf anymore. The things that are important to me now, are the things that will be coming with me in the halls of our fathers."

"What about Erebor, Thorin? And her people?" Nyaunni asked, surprised by the severity in his expression as he answered.

Thorin looked away in thought, then turned his earnest blue eyes to her. "Erebor, means a lot to me, because it is my birthright. And of course the people mean a great deal to me as well, I will not deny that. But family, blood, Nyaunni, and those tied directly to it, is a treasure I will never forsake again. There is nothing on this world, that will change my mind or make me turn from them."

"So, you are firm in your decision to marry me?" Nyaunni asked. "I do not doubt you Thorin, really I don't, neither am I taking back my answer. I just wanted to, like you, confirm it is your choice and not something you felt pressured into doing."

Thorin just stared at her, then leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers. In response, Nyaunni just, closed her eyes pressing her brow tightly to his and feeling the affection he had for her radiating off him like a powerful heat. When he spoke, his breath brushed her cheeks. "There is nothing I am more sure about in this moment, Nyaunni, than my desire for a life with you at my side."

Nyaunni pressed her lips to his and hummed. "Then, know I harbor no doubts myself. What comes next than?"

Thorin sighed as he pulled away, only to pull Nyaunni into his arms as he settled on the bed. Nyaunni lay her head over his heart as she fingered a button on his vest. This one had no furs, as the growing summers warmth was even beginning to creep into the mountain. "I need to go to Dale. Both Bard and I need to address the situation with those attackers Nyaunni."

It was then, Uri woke and crawled out of the pocket in the robe Nyaunni still wore. He was not awake long though, and simply crawled up and settled beside Nyaunni's head on Thorin's chest, curled up into himself, yawned, and went back to sleep. Nyaunni chuckled as Thorin grumbled. "Why, in the name of Mahal, does this creature keep insisting on crawling on me, Nya? Even over the last week, he spent a good portion of it in my office."

The dam gently brushed her finger down the sleeping fellbeasts featherless spine. "As I told you before, he seems to like you, but it is clearly against his better judgment."

Thorin rolled his eyes and glared at her, but she simply smiled and continued to run a hand over Uri as Thorin dug his fingers into her rather unruly curls…the action causing Nyaunni to freeze then pick at a curl that fell in her eyes. She gave up trying to get the unruly curls to do anything but stick out in all different directions over the last week. "There was a reason I wore hats in Minam." She sighed. "This hair is a curse all on its own."

"But a beautiful curse." Thorin chuckled.

Nyaunni grumbled. "Says the dwarf with perfect wavey hair." She lifted her eyes from where she lay to wrap a lock of his ebony waves around her finger. "I am coming with you, by the way. To Dale, that is. I want to be a part of whatever you decide to do. And do not even think of talking me out of it. It is my right to confront them, Thorin, and you know it. Besides…" Nyaunni sighed and closed her eyes, nuzzling further into Thorin's vest and tunic. "…we need to show a united front. I heard you are considering banishment over death?"

Thorn nodded. "Truthfully, I am rather inclined to simply kill them all for what they did. Their actions nearly took you from me again."

"They were mourning, Thorin. I am not saying what they did was right, but, I won't sink to their level and choose blood for blood. They did not in fact actually kill me, nor did they harm me irreparably. I will heal, and I pray, they will in time. They deserve a chance to earn penance, and freedom. Besides, Westyn, is gone, Thorin. Kili's arrow felled him. His pain, is what led the attack, the others simply followed him. Let them go."

Thorin sighed and kissed her head. She was already half asleep, though she did murmur… "I am coming, you cannot order me about, we are practically officially matched now. You do not outrank me."

Thorin chuckled softly to himself. "Until we are wed, I am still your king." Nyaunni opened one eye and lifted her brow as she looked up at him causing Thorin to release a deeper laugh, startling Uri who lifted his head to turn narrowed eyes at Thorin.

"Better apologize to Uri, he is rather displeased you woke him." Nyaunni muttered, closing her eyes again. "And I don't care if we have a signed contract or not, if you pull rank on me…I will be happy to show you several places you can shove those orders, mighty Thorin of Erebor."

"Oakenshield, actually." Thorin said, tapping Uri on the nose and watching in amusement as the tiny hatchling huffed, stood, made several circles, then curled up once more.

"Oakenshield?" Nyaunni questioned, her eyes still closed.

"Mhmm." Thorin sighed, as he closed his eyes. "It was a name I got in battle when I thought I had defeated Azog. I had no shield, but an oak log I found on the ground. It saved my life that day, and I used to defeat Azag that first time. I was gifted the name from that moment forward, and was bestowed the title of king. I lost my father and grandfather, but gained a name and a kingdom."

"I am sorry Thorin." Nyaunni whispered.

"I know." Thorin responded. It was the last thing they said to each other that night as they drifted to sleep.

Three hours later, an exhausted Dis dragged herself into the room. Bofur had finally passed out on the floor. Not wishing them to be uncomfortable, Bilbo helped her place blankets on each of the company who remained sleeping in their community sitting room. They will likely be gone by morning, but that did not mean they had to sleep in discomfort tonight.

With their guests as comfortable as she could get them in their positions, Dis and Bilbo bid each other good night, and Bilbo went to his room. Naurfaer was cleaning, happily humming a tune as he put food away and tidied up both the kitchen and formal dining room. Dis tried to stop him, telling him it would be taken care of in the morning, but Naurfaer just turned her towards the door and waived her off to her room. "No fussing, Dis. I have nothing better to do and I don't really need a sleep cycle tonight. Go get some rest and let me take care of this."

Not really up for arguing, Dis smiled. "Thank you Naurfaer." He just grinned in response then went back to work as Dis made her way to her room to sleep. However, before she went into her bedchamber, she could not help but pause, then smile softly at what she saw. Thorin's door was wide open and inside, the couple was long asleep above the blankets on the bed.

Dis turned down the light in Thorin's room then shut his door to a crack to give them privacy. They were not her children, they were full grown adults. Thorin is responsible, and she trusts him to not do wrong by Nyaunni.

Guess, there was yet another wedding to plan. Dis grinned as she walked into her room and shut the door. Their family, once again, is growing and Dis…could not be happier for it.

Authors Note: Okay. Thorin is the last one to get married. I think I have hit my limit on couples, lol. When I started this thing, I was just going to write a Tauriel/Kili story. Then my sister begged for Fili to have a match, and I had several reviews requesting Thorin to have one too. So there, everyone can be happy now.

Also, it was suggested I bring Bilbo in for a visit and since I had not gotten to that point yet…I thought…sure…why not. So thank you guest, for the suggestion. I was more than happy to oblige. 😊

I cannot always take suggestions like that, because either they don't fit with my plans, or I had already written the chapter, and even several ahead as well.

And no, Nyaunni cannot have biological kids and I am solid on that, so don't even request it. For one thing, I have enough dwarflings coming to keep a handle one, and for another, I don't think they really need kids.

Get ready for one last wedding…that may go off with a bang. Lol. I will let you decide if that is a good thing, or a bad thing.

And thank you again for the reviews! Hope you had an amazing vacation DocNiki! Your bet is noted, but you will have to wait and see XD. Meee, I suppose I should have made Thorin more difficult in the long run, but I kind of gave in, lol. Bilbo helped for sure. Ken, thank you for always having something nice to say. Your reviews brighten my day too. 😊 If I missed anyone, thank you!

Love you guys! XOXO