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.

65. ACT V Chapter 7

Authors Note: Hey ImagineCP! This chapter is for you. I had to add in a specific part after seeing a post you mentioned on tumblr so TADAAAA. I will say what it is in the end so it doesn't spoil anything.

If you want to know more about something or have a suggestion or request, feel free to ask. I can't promise I can do everything I am asked, but I will try and expand on things or add little moments in if you want to see them. It doesn't bother me at all 😊.

I am trying to think if there is anything else I need to mention….but I don't think there is. So I will see you at the bottom.

Chapter Seven

Thorin glared at his nephews and his elven daughter as he paced before them. "Children! You are all CHILDREN!" He looked at each of them with their bruised eyes and noses running with blood. "How is it, you have managed to choose TODAY of all days to be so childish?! I know Dis did not raise you like this, and I certainly did not. Just WHOSE bright idea was this hmm?"

The trio remained silently shifting foot to foot so Naurfaer answered for them. "Well, from what I personally saw, that one started it." He pointed to Fili who huffed.

"It was an accident." Fili began, his voice nasally from holding a cold cloth to his broken, then reset nose. "Tauri wanted to show her team that dwarves are capable of more movement than they realized so she asked me to fight her. My axe hilt made contact with her nose in the end which resulted in her injuries."

Thorin growled, eyeing his eldest nephew with some disappointment. One must always know where EVERY part of one's weapon is at all times. Perhaps, further lessons with Dwalin was in order for Fili in that department. He will make a mental note of it, but decided to keep it to himself for the time being. "And your injuries, Fili?"

"That, would have been Kili." Naurfaer answered when Fili refused to say a word on the subject.

"Kili..." Thorin's voice was low and dangerous. But like his brother, Kili simply accepted his uncle's furious look without a word.

So, Naurfaer sighed as he patted Ithtiri on the back as she lay across his shoulder while he naturally swayed to keep the infant asleep. "Well, that one decided to 'avenge' his lady but lost, resulting in a broken nose after he refused to accept Fili won...then...now I am guessing here because it was never outright said...but he may have ensured Fili's injuries would match he and Tauriel's with a rather unfair fist to the nose."

Thorin pinched the bridge of his nose. Fili was over 100 now and Kili only a few years away, but he wondered if they would ever actually act their age or, if he was doomed to deal with this even when they were gray haired and had granddwarflings running amuck. For Mahal's sake, he would not doubt it for a moment that Fili, crowned king and all, would be no different than he was now. Was that a bad thing though? Thorin rubbed his hand through his dark, silver streaked hair and shook his head.

"Go clean yourselves up and report back to the counsel room. Gandalf is waiting." Thorin took a look at his grandchildren...Ithtiri in Naurfaer's arms and Kilion beside his mother. "Naurfaer, can you take the children to Nyaunni? She is expecting them in her office. I have already informed Dis to send the elder children to her when they have finished their lessons in school."

"I need to feed her." Tauriel sighed knowing it has been nearly three hours since her three-month-old has eaten and only a matter of time before she woke.

Thorin eyed his daughter who had blood all down the front of her tunic. "I will take her for the moment and you can meet us in the council room. But you need to change, Tauriel, in fact, all of you do." He eyed his nephews who seemed to have even more blood on their own tunics. "I need all of you in that room as quickly as possible. Clean up first, then get back here."

The two sons of Durin and one eleth nodded and left the room while Thorin accepted Ithtiri from Naurfaer, his granddaughter shifting the change just a bit as she tucked further into Thorin's heat, sighed, then continued to sleep. "What am I going to do with those three? How are they going to run this mountain when they can't seem to not run into trouble at every chance they can get?!" He shook his head as Naurfaer chuckled.

"You could deny them their birthright and just...live forever." At Thorin's glare Naurfaer smiled wide knowing full well that was the last thing Thorin would even consider. He wanted Fili to take the crown, and preferably before he entered his ancestors' halls.

Thorin had told the elf in confidence that he had planned to rule Erebor for maybe another century, then, pass the crown and title to Fili so he can rest for his final years in middle earth and let his nephew take on the heavy mantle of ruling. It would also give Thorin time for just he, and Nyaunni. They earned a chance to be just them without the constant onslaught of meetings and responsibilities keeping them apart all day, every day.

"It's still a ways out Thorin, they have time yet still to settle down and mature." At Thorin's disbelieving look, Naurfaer chuckled again. "Tell me you want them to actually change, and I will call you a liar of the truest kind, Thorin Oakenshield. You love them just as they are, as do we all. Do not play ME the fool."

Deciding the elf was of no help whatsoever, Thorin decided to kneel to the floor to Kilion's level. "At least I can trust you to stay out of trouble, hm?"

Kilion frowned. "Is mama in trouble, pop?"

Thorin chuckled, the sound resonating deep in his chest. "Not so much as your uncle and da are in trouble; but don't you worry..." He assured, knowing his grandson was a bit on the sensitive side. "...I am sure they will more than make up for it in time. Now, go on, and do me a favor..." Kilion straightened and waited, eager to take on any responsibility his pop had for him. "...make sure your brothers stay out of trouble and behave? You know who I am referring to."

At this, Kilion beamed and nodded. "I will try."

"I trust you will." Thorin laughed as he stood, gently pushing his little grandson towards Naurfaer. "I'll meet you in the other room, Naurfaer. Please be quick. Gandalf wished to see to his own horse and should but up with Dwalin and Aeodhen any moment."

"I won't be long." Naurfaer swept Kilion up into his arms and left the room while Thorin rocked his granddaughter.

Smiling as she woke and blinked at him with warm brown eyes, Thorin could not help the rush of love and adoration that swept through him from head to toe. She was a true beauty; truly all of his granddaughters were, and he loved them equally. But there was something...exotic...about Ithtiri that drew you in even at three months old. Her spirit was strong, and warm. "I pray you are less trouble than your brothers can be." He smiled when she nuzzled her face sleepily into his shoulder and Thorin decided to go into the conference room to wait.

"I told you to let it be." Tauriel huffed both annoyed at Kili for being a child in the training area, and frustrated her nose hurt more than it should; it was making her irritable.

Suddenly, a pair of arms slipped around her narrow waist, and she was pulled back against the solid form of her beloved Kili. "You know as well as I, amralime..." The cheeky dwarven prince muttered huskily...if not a bit nasally...into her ear. "...you cannot be cross with me for long." Tauriel rolled her eyes but didn't move to get away. "My nose hurts." Kili then whined as he brushed his lips over her bare shoulder.

"You deserve it." Tauriel lifted a brow and turned in his arms. She pressed her fingers delicately over the bruised skin under his eyes. "I should have never let you fight Fili knowing you were angry."

Kili chuckled lowly but shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm fine, amralime. And he got what he deserved...eventually."

"You fisted him in the nose after you lost, meleth nin. That, was most unfair and most unvaliant of you. You do not attack the victor. Now, I am going to have to have a conversation with my team so they know if they lose in a sparring match, they are not allowed to retaliate as you did. That is completely out of bounds." Tauriel glared at her husband and gently extracted herself from his grasp even as he attempted to pull her closer. "Stop attempting to win my favor with trying to be cute with me. You are not in my good graces."

Kili scowled. "But I wanted to avenge you."

"KILI! I AM GOING TO WRING YOUR NECK! WHERE ARE YOU YOU STUPID DWARROW!"

"Oh, kakfh. I am in trouble. Why does she sound like Leotti? She has been spending way too much time with her." Kili stared wide eyed at the door then immediately ducked behind his slightly taller wife. "Um...help?"

A pounding at their bedroom door filled the chamber and Tauriel again huffed. They most certainly did not have time for this. She had to see Gandalf. Just as the thought filled her mind, a black mass flew through the veranda door and right into Tauriel's arms. "NANA!"

Another white mass flew in as well and landed at their feet. "Kaw Kaw Kaw." Umyra croaked with her feathers excitedly ruffled as she danced around Tauriel.

"KILI, TAURIEL! If you do not open this door in ten seconds, I am coming in and I care not your state of dress." Viltarra was furious, clearly, and Tauriel had an idea why.

"Get a shirt on Kili, and will you pass me that clean tunic just there?" Tauriel pointed to the top hanging over the chair she had ready for after she finished training. She already made arrangements to reschedule her Sindarin lessons today having one of the guards send a message out to all her pupils about class being cancelled for the time being.

Tauriel then turned to her raven still in her arms as Kili went to retrieve her tunic for her. "Welcome home my love."

"Ohh, he gets the sweet talk and what do I get for defending your honor? A cold shoulder." Kili grumbled as he pulled a somewhat wrinkled shirt over his head followed by a fur lined vest and a heavy belt.

"Yes, well, he did not make more trouble than he resolved. Did you, my darling?" Tauriel cooed as she placed Kaw on the bed before re-filling his water dish while Kili winced when Viltarra pounded on the door again muttering curses in Khuzdul under her breath as she was forced to wait.

With Kili dressed, Tauriel quickly pulled the tunic over her head ignoring the pain it caused her face, and opened the door only for a streak of gold to fly straight for Kili who toppled backwards when the dam jumped him.

"DID YOU BREAK MY FILI'S NOSE!?" Ohhh, she was seething. Kili blinked into Viltarra's blazing golden eyes.

"Nunguame, let him alone." Fili strutted in more amused than anything. In fact, his tone wasn't pushing at all. It was as if he was only saying it, because it was something he should say rather than something he wanted to say.

Kili knew he could push her off, but that would likely anger his brother and he had enough with pain for the moment so he just remained pinned on the ground while his wife did nothing but fold her arms and watch. Traitor.

"Um...I'm sorry?" Kili finally said...or more...asked.

Viltarra huffed, balled her fist, and slammed it into his shoulder, hard, causing Kili to scrunch his nose at the pain...which only cause more pain after he recalled his nose was still broken. "Ow! That hurt, Viltarra!"

"That's the point." The dam snickered. "Do that again to my Fili, and I will make that pretty nose of yours PERMANANTLY crooked. Understood?"

Kili glared back at her but she refused to stand until he sighed and muttered, "Fine, understood. Can you get off me now? Uncle and Gandalf are waiting for us."

Viltarra shoved Kili once causing him to hit his head on the ground and mutter a curse, then a bit more satisfied, she climbed off him and stood fixing the coat she wore as she did. "I don't appreciate the tone." She grumbled, then laughed as Vilia climbed on top of her uncle and hit his shoulder just like her mother.

"You hurt da!" The tiny dam yelled out but this, Kili could handle and he swept her up into his arms as he stood.

"Not you too, my little Vil." Kili pouted. "I thought you loved your uncle Ki. And see, I got a boo boo too." Pointing to his nose with his free hand, Kili gave her the most pitiful look he could muster, complete with his wide doe eyes not even Fili could ever resist.

Of course, the little dam melted and wrapped her hands around Kili's neck. "Hug make it better?" She said as she tightened her hold on him.

Kili smiled and held her close. He loved his nieces deeply, as if they were his own daughters in fact. "A hug from you, little Vil, makes everything better."

Fili let out a breath of frustration. The treachery of his baby girl catering to his brother was….completely unfair. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is…nobody could stay mad a Kili, could they? Mahal knows he can't.

"Alright." Fili took charge taking his daughter from Kili who scowled, then winced when the expression caused his nose to burn. Fili, however, just ignored him. His nose hurt too and all because his baby brother decided to play unfair. "Gandalf is here and I for one do not want uncle any more cross with us than he already is. Is everyone ready?"

"Ya, let's go." Kili sighed and took his wife's hand; all but dragging her from the room. Kaw tiredly croaked as they left, but remained behind with Umyra, likely too spent from his long journey to leave.

Since they were short on time, Viltarra and Fili decided against dropping Vilia off with the other dwarflings and simply brought her along. They had no problem with their children knowing the good and the bad of the kingdom, but Fili doubted his three-year-old would grasp anything being said regardless. He did catch his wife's apprehensive glance, however, and met it with a confident smile.

Over the last week, Viltarra had been having nightmares that woke Fili up, and continuously told him something was not right. He would listen and support her, but he really didn't know how to help her.

Fili knew Tauriel had night terrors when she became stressed so he went to his brother for help when his wife was suffering from something similar, but Kili was no help at all. "Just be there for her; you can't stop them Fi, as much as you wish you could. But you can make sure she knows her feelings are valid and heard. That's about all you can do."

The elder prince was unappeased but took Kili's advice. Besides, it was not like Viltarra's dreams were dark omens of anything to come as far as he knew. She couldn't even remember what they were about in all honesty. But Fili remembers every single night he has woken to his wife...his strong Viltarra who never cried...clinging to him; shaking and sobbing until his nightshirt was soaked through. Then, she would drift off and never mention it.

Fili did attempt to ask her if she was alright, and what her dream was about...but Viltarra simply looked at him confused and said she doesn't even recall any dreams the night before. Though she did regularly say, she felt something was coming. He didn't fully believe her; she knew she was having night terrors. She just, was clearly not ready to either relive them, or, relay them. What Fili did know, however, was if it was something important she would tell someone in the family without delay. So, he would have to conclude that her dreams are likely just a manifestation of the anxieties that still plague her, much like they do Kili and his mam.

Kissing his wife's head, Fili guided her and their daughter to the room where he prayed, they would get some answers to what in Mahal's name was happening in their world.

"There you are!" Thorin glared at them as they entered. "I was nearly about to send for you." In his arms, was a fussing Ithtiri who had clearly waited long enough for her meal. Tauriel apologized and took her daughter before nodding a greeting to the wizard who looked tired but well.

"Gandalf! Maedol! Gwannas lû-and." She smiled softly as she sat and pulled Ithtiri to her chest. "Welcome." She repeated in common as she covered her daughter who began eating with starving eagerness. "It has been much too long, mithrandir."

"Quite too long I see." He lifted a brow at the three of them sporting bruising under their eyes as well as swollen noses but decided not to mention it nor ask. "Now what do we have here? Is this yet another little one of yours?" Gandalf tickled Ithtiri's foot as it escaped the blanket Kili had helped drape his wife with for privacy.

"Ithtiri here, is in fact our fifth, but our first daughter. We had another son after the twins were born, Kilion. And Fili here, has two other daughters." Kili beamed with pride as did Fili who was bouncing Vilia on his knee.

"Ah, quite the blessings. Three girls you say?" The wizard looked to Fili surprised. "That is a wonder, a wonder indeed among a people who bear far fewer of the fair sex then other races of middle earth."

"What can I say? I am gifted." Fili smirked even as his wife leveled him with a disbelieving glare.

"And what exactly did YOU do?" Viltarra huffed while the room filled with chuckles. "If I recall, I did all the hard work. At least Kili shares Tauriel's pains…you just stand there and look pretty."

Fili leaned towards her and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I have errored, I see. You, are gifted nunguame then, and I, just a servant to your glorious abilities to create life."

"Which I believe, takes two." Naurfaer relayed as he leaned forward on the table. "Can we agree that pleasantries can wait? We have things to discuss and I for one, am impatient to know if you have any news on the situation in Mirkwood."

Thorin was taken aback by Naurfaer seeking for information as he was. Typically, Naurfaer was all for pleasantries, but then again, the elder elf also knew when it was time to be serious and now, was certainly that time. "Thank you, Naurfaer. I agree. Gandalf…" The dwarven king sat forward in the silent room. Around him, were Kili and Fili along with their wives, Naurfaer, and Dis, who insisted on being in on the meeting when she heard Tauriel was cancelling her classes. She quickly found coverage for her own students and rushed to the council room so she wouldn't miss anything. Nyaunni, though, declined attending stating she will mind their granddwarflings as long as he swore to tell her everything that evening.

Along with the family, Dwalin, Aeodhen, Balin, and of course…Litin…were also in attendance. Thorin played with the idea of informing the company but decided last minute to simply talk to them later. He too no longer wished to delay whatever news Gandalf may have. "...what news have you of the outside? Have you heard of what is happening in the woodland realm?"

Gandalf simply stared at the group of dwarves, and two elves around the large stone table. He took a few moments which did nothing to ease the tension in the room. "I am afraid, I only bring grim news of the outside. I have indeed been appraised on the situation in Mirkwood, but I fear I cannot give answers to any questions apart from one. Deep in the east, a power has returned. One which we hoped would stay buried indefinitely. But, this is not the case."

"Who is back?" Fili asked leaning forward in interest.

"Sauron." Tauriel whispered. "Sauron is back. Deep in the east…the dark lands. It is Sauron, is it not?"

Naurfaer sat back with a deep sigh, his head dropped in sorrow while Thorin furrowed his brows in question and the rest of the family looked shocked. "You cannot be serious!" Kili yelled out when Gandalf only nodded in confirmation. The young prince rubbed his hands down his face, leaning forward against the table. "When did this happen?"

At this, Gandalf looked uncomfortable. The aged wizard seemed to appear even older as he looked from Kili, to Thorin. "He declared himself to a few nearly ten years ago by my reckoning."

"TEN YEARS!" Dis stood but Thorin pulled her gently back to her seat and took over.

"A decade? Why are we only learning about this now?" Thorin glared at Gandalf who sadly shook his head.

"I do not believe it is widely spread news, and many believe it to be only a rumor at best." The wizard's eyes were filled with frustration and something nobody in the room could read. "But before anyone here gets any hopes that these are in fact mere rumors...I will confirm Sauron has returned and is in the east. I do not know what power he holds, but I can say that this is no light matter. The world is darkening, and the shadows are no longer safe."

"The shadows." Viltarra repeated then looked to Tauriel. "You saw shadows, Tauriel, at the border of the forest."

Tauriel nodded. "As did my sons."

"That, is another matter." Gandalf sighed. "I have met with Thranduil and his son. The situation in Mirkwood is dire indeed. Those woods are not safe any longer. For I believe a power has once again planted itself in its darkest shadow. A fortress, dilapidated and crumbling, but still strong, may be the key to finding out where the missing elves of Mirkwood have gone."

"As I suggested." Naurfaer hummed. "What do you know of the place, Gandalf? As long as I have been on these lands...I have to admit I have not gone near that place. Even in its construct...it was always somewhere that drew darkness if the rumors I heard are correct."

Again, Gandalf went silent. His eyes fell on Thorin, who stared right back unblinkingly. "He knows something." The dwarven king declared when the room began to fill with tension. "Say your peace. We have no desire to be kept in these shadows."

Without looking away from Thorin, Gandalf began to share his experiences in the fortress of Dol Guldur. "I went there, twenty years ago, during our journey to Erebor. I was called to that place just as we entered the greenwood."

"I remember that." Fili interrupted. "I remember you leaving with your pony from Beorn. You left us alone to traverse the forest. We nearly died!"

"And we were captured." Kili added with a grunt. He far preferred the first time he was captured by a beautiful red-headed she-elf who was now the mother of his children, to the second time when he was instead shoved into a cell by some other elf he could not name. That month in Mirkwood, the second time, was agony. He still had no memories of his previous life at that time, and he thought his precious wife...who was the love of his existence...was lost to him in a way he could not follow.

Whereas the first time he was in captivity in the elven city, was spent eagerly waiting for the brightest star of Mirkwood to get on duty so he could beg her to talk to him. He would listen raptly to her stories of the forest, and she would lean into him from the steps beside his cell as he told her about his travels and growing up in Ered Luin. Kili has to admit, he told her far more than he probably should have of their journey. He was never good at keeping things from her, even when he hardly knew her.

"Though..." Kili leered at his wife. "...some SPECIFIC memories were not so terrible." He leaned in and whispered in her ears. "...aren't you going to search me? I could have anything down my trousers."

"Not the time my love." Tauriel chuckled but pecked him on the cheek. "I will do a thorough search later, however."

Fili scrunched his nose in distaste as he pressed his hands to his daughter's ears. "My three-year-old is within hearing range you two...and this is absolutely not the place for that. Will you ever grow up?"

"Will you?" Kili immediately shot back.

"ENOUGH! Kili, Fili, I will have you removed if you cannot act your age!" Thorin all but roared as Dis smacked Kili upside the head, her son wincing as it caused him a sharp pain to his nose as well as the back of his head, but she refused to be remorseful, especially after Thorin told her just WHY her three children were injured. Beside Gandalf, Dwalin was rolling his eyes, Balin hid a grin, and Litin gave both of the princes a disapproving look.

The family matriarch nodded to Viltarra when she did the same to Fili who huffed but wisely remained silent though he was muttering about what he had done to deserve the ire. "By the makers hammer, I cannot believe you, either of you." Dis growled, glaring at both of her sons. "We will be talking about this later. I apologize Gandalf, there is no excuse for such behavior."

However, Gandalf was chuckling. He always admired the two young dwarves who always found a way to lighten up a dark room with their humor and antics. "Oh, I am in no way offended, lady Dis. In fact, I am rather uplifted. I fear, though, I am about to bring a darkness to this room. Thorin...do you recall our first meeting in Bree?"

"How could I not." Thorin hummed and sat back in his chair. "I had gone expecting information, and returned home with a mission to retake this mountain."

"A mission where I returned a key, a key your father gave me. Along with a map." Gandalf nodded. "But when he gave me those possessions to pass to you, that was not the last time I saw your father."

"Excuse me?" Thorin immediately sat up straight.

"Thorin...what is he talking about?" Dis asked wide eyed, looking between the wizard and her brother.

Thorin, though, ignored her. "ANSWER ME THIS, WIZARD!" He roared jumping to his feet. He leaned forward on the table towards Gandalf and growled. "I told you in Bree, in that Mahal forsaken inn, that I was searching for my father. You said he was dead. Do you now admit to lying?"

"NO!" Gandalf shot back angerly. "If you sit down, I will tell you what I...I mean...what I witnessed."

Apart from Vilia, who despite the tension...or possibly because of it...was giggling in Fili's lap, and Ithtiri who cooed softly as she tugged on Tauriel's hair, her belly now full...not a single person in the room so much as moved a muscle. Kili took his daughter so Tauriel could right herself but otherwise watched transfixed, waiting for what Gandalf had to confess.

Aeodhen, was the only one to speak, asking Litin for a piece of parchment and one of his spare quillpens. He wanted to ensure he noted anything of importance. If Sauron was back, war was likely to follow. He was no fool, he was a captain, and one who never scoffed at the tales of old, of the great wars fought over three thousand years before. If what was happening in Mirkwood was but a taste of what is coming...then he will ensure he and the guards are more than prepared for it.

Beside him, Dwalin sat with folded arms. Dwalin was always a dwarf of few words as his presence was more than enough to give people pause; he in many ways was polar opposite to his brother. Balin, in contrast, was a dwarf of many words, and gloried in absorbing texts and histories then teaching them to any who would listen. Dwalin...well...he preferred dealing in weapons and taking his battles to the yard. Confrontation was far better dealt with through hammer blows rather than tongue wagging if you ask him.

That was not to say he did not listen keenly to those around him. He was no barbarian; Dwalin could debate with the best of them, his brother included. He simply preferred a more...physical...means of bringing a resolution.

Once Thorin seemed to get himself in order...with some help from his sister who was urging him to wait and listen to what was to be said before he killed someone, Gandalf finally continued. "What I have to say, I must tell you I thought would never need to be shared. I did not keep this to myself for reasons of power, or pride. I believed, it best you did not bear witness to what happened in that fortress."

"Do not speak in riddles, wizard. Say plainly what you have to confess." Thorin's eyes were narrowed, and he pushed his sister's hand away as she tried to calm him once more.

"You, were right to believe your father was alive, Thorin." Gandalf all but whispered. "Before the battle of Erebor, or what I believe your lands call, the battle of five armies, Dol Guldur was a key player in the Gundabad army. Azog and Bolg held the fortress but they served a master, a necromancer."

"Now before you interrupt, no, I knew nothing of who was there nor who the necromancer was until I confronted him. I also firmly believed what I told you in Bree, Thorin; Thrain, was dead. I had trusted connections who relayed such things, and foolishly, I believed them without looking into it myself. It was my error, and one, I deeply regret but not one which can be reversed. For that, and that alone I will say I am sorry. But I will not apologize for my choice in keeping what happened in Dol Guldur to myself."

"Are you saying..." Dis sat shocked. "...are you saying my father, is alive?"

"No, my lady." Gandalf said softly if not a bit gently. "No, your father, is gone. The dwarf I found in the ruins of Dol Guldur, was long lost to madness. He attacked me as a wildling would, and I was forced to clear his mind. Only then did he come to himself after what I believed was decades of crushing psychological torture. I tried to get him out, I swear this to you, but I failed him. The necromancer was not going to let him go; he was powerful, more powerful than I, I am afraid. My staff was destroyed with a wave of his hand, and my own death, imminent. I am here, only, in thanks to the help of the council of white who came in time to save me from death's icy grip. But Thrain, I am afraid, was not so lucky. With his dying breath, he only spoke of you Thorin. 'Tell my son, I love him.' I do not doubt, the sentiments for you, my lady, would have been the same."

Dis let out a sob while Thorin sat seething, the fire in his eyes blazing hotter than the great forges of Erebor. Across from him, Tauriel covered her mouth in surprise and pain. She felt the anguish in the room, including the pure feelings of loss and anger filtering to her from her Kili. He never knew Thrain as both he and his brother were born long after the dwarf was presumed dead. Yet now, now they are learning that they could have known the dwarf who was their grandfather; a grandfather who both his mother and uncle loved and respected deeply, far more deeply than Thror.

Tauriel felt a hand slip into hers, and looked over to see Naurfaer looking down at the table though his hand was firmly wrapped in her own. Her grandfather...it took 600 and a handful of years to find blood of her own...and another few for her to fully accept him; but she did get the chance to have a grandparent in her life. Fili and Kili, they will never have that opportunity and it hurt all the more knowing they could have.

Even more, Dis and Thorin could have had their father. The father, they mourned deeply already. Tauriel placed her free hand on Kili's thigh to give him what comfort she was able to right now. The eleth wondered, not for the first time, when her family will be free of the pain they are constantly bombarded with. Sixteen years of peace, felt like only a blink of an eye or the beat of a heart. What did their future hold? Just how much more pain are they meant to endure? Tauriel was not sure she wished to know.

"So, are you telling me that my father, whom was alive despite you assuring me he was dead that day in Bree, gave you a dying wish...and you denied it?" Thorin was furious. Who did this wizard think he was to keep such things from him! He had every right to challenge this being to battle or throw him in a cell for what he did. This, is exactly why dwarves do not trust other races...they are full of deceit, lies, and dishonor.

"You have to believe I did only what I thought was best, Thorin." Gandalf tried to calm the dwarf; he does not doubt he lost some of the respect of these sons of Durin. Looking around the table at the grief and anger radiating in each dwarf he knew he errored in the worst of ways. "I cannot take back my choice, but I can make amends."

Thorin, however, stood and stared hard at the wizard with an expression laced with fury. "You expect me to believe you? To believe anything you have to say to me after this? Then you, have a far better opinion of me than you should, Gandalf the Grey." Without another word, Thorin stormed from the room slamming the door so hard, it cracked on the hinges. Vilia jumped, staring wide eyed at where her pop just disappeared, and Ithtiri began to fuss until Kili and Tauriel soothed the babe who sighed and stilled.

Dis was quiet for several minutes, just taking in what she has learned and internalizing the pain that radiated out from the scar the loss of her beloved father left at his death, that was now newly ripped open. She mourned for decades, and it was Vili who pulled her from the depths of true pain. But Vili was gone too, and all she had, was her brother who likely only left the room to keep from killing the wizard.

The dam did not worry about her brother though, she had an idea where he was going. Though she did send a silent apology to Nyaunni who was about to have to calm the raging dwarven king without really having any idea what had happened. Thorin rarely spoke on his father, and Dis has no reason to believe Nyaunni knows much of the dark war that took Thror, Thrain, and Frerin from their lives. It was just, much too painful.

Then again, Thorin does tell Nyaunni far more than Dis ever thought he would. She is happy her brother has someone he can confide in completely and unreservedly. Mahal help Nyaunni handle Thorin when he is like this.

Dis looked down at the table until she felt an arm slip around her and pull her to a solid form. Looking up, Dis saw a crown of golden hair and for just a moment...she thought her Vili was back, engulfing her into his arms. It was not her Vili though, but Fili who switched places with his wife without Dis even realizing, and was holding his mother as the tears she did not realize were falling, dampened Fili's vest.

"Gandalf, perhaps a moment is needed fer the family." Balin spoke seeing how the royal family was not in any way prepared for the news he brought.

"If I may..." Naurfaer stood, releasing Tauriel's hand as she took her daughter to allow Kili the freedom to both console as well as seek his own comfort from his mother. Both Viltarra and Tauriel were also rallying around their husbands and Dis which is exactly what they should be doing in Naurfaer's opinion. It would be best to give them some space for a time.

The elf continued as he walked to the cracked door. "...we can move this to Kili's office for the time being, if that is alright Kili?"

The dwarven prince barely looked at Naurfaer but nodded his head before turning all of his attention back to his mother. It was all the permission the elf needed as he opened the door and swept his hand in an inviting gesture. Gandalf sighed and nodded as he rose to his feet. "Balin, Dwalin, Aeodhen?" Naurfaer added. The three dwarves along with Litin followed the wizard out, though Gandalf did pause at the door and look back with a sad expression on his face. He did not say anything, however, and instead, followed the group to another room a few doors away.

"It is smaller in here, but it will do." Naurfaer hummed as he sat in Kili's chair and pushed a few drawings sitting on the desk Kili no doubt had been working on into a pile and set them aside. He smiled to himself knowing how easily distracted his granddaughter's husband could be, especially when the work he was given was mundane and unappealing.

The group sat in silence for quite a while, nobody really knowing what to say or who should speak. Clearly, Gandalf was waiting for someone else to lead.

"First off..." Naurfaer sat forward with his hands clasped on the desk. He chose to sit at Kili's desk being the dwarf was, by marriage, his grandson. So he felt he had a bit more of an allowance to do so without Kili being uncomfortable with others in his personal space without him, it was also the reason he chose Kili's office over Fili's who technically was a bit closer to Thorin's than Kili's was. "...I understand in a way why you did what you did my friend." Naurfaer looked at Gandalf who was just watching him. "But I cannot say it was the best of decisions. By the Valar, this is a mess."

"Aye. Tha' it be." Aeodhen agreed.

"I too, can understand why ya did what yeh did." Balin accepted the surprised look of his brother who grumbled his disagreements. "I am no' saying it was right, bu' I think yeh did it to spare 'im more pain."

Gandalf nodded. "The family had mourned enough, the losses they had. They lost Thrain once, I felt I would spare them the suffering of loosing him a second time."

"Perhaps tha' would be true with the man folk." Dwalin grunted. "But among dwarves, we prefer honesty and hard truths over candy coated dreams."

"It was a decision I made, and one I cannot go back on." Gandalf stood and paced the room. "I cannot remain here long, and I have much to relay before I make my leave. I need to go to Mirkwood, then to Lothlorien."

"Then speak and be gone with you." All eyes turned to the door where Thorin stepped in, his eyes still filled with righteous anger.

"Thorin, maybe you should go and..." Naurfaer began but the dwarven king shot a look silencing the elf who sighed and sat back. There was no winning when Thorin was like this.

"What he means is, we would like to know what information you have for us before you must go." Behind Thorin, stepped Nyaunni who lifted a brow at her husband. He chose to ignore her remark and instead continued killing Gandalf with his eyes.

"My lady queen, I apologize for bringing such shadows to your mountain." Gandalf bowed his head respectfully and Nyaunni returned it with a nod of her head. She was rather taken aback when Thorin stormed into her office where she had all the children gathered. It took her a few minutes to calm him down enough to tell her what was going on. The children, of course, helped as well; they rallied around him and Nyaunni could not help the soft smile that fell on her lips as they filled the darkening room with their innocent light.

Eventually once everything had been said, Nyaunni pulled Thorin close and pressed her head to his. "We have time to grieve Thrain privately, but there is news we must hear that impact lives still living. Are you up to confronting Gandalf? Or do you want me to go speak to our guest?"

"No." Thorin had sighed then took a few more calming breaths as he buried his nose in her thick curls. "I should be in there."

Nyaunni nodded as she pulled away, then paused and looked at Finli. "Fin, do you think you can mind your brothers and cousins if I move you to your grandfather's office?"

"Of course gam." Finli nodded from where he sat beside Vilia and Dissah whom he was reading a story to.

Nyaunni smiled and turned back to her grim-faced husband. "Then I am coming with you." Thorin said nothing but nodded and left the room with the dwarflings quietly amusing themselves. Even the twins were behaving and drawing quietly with Kilion and Karra. Nyaunni kind of wanted to let them be here, but though they were just a hall away from Thorin, Fili, and Kili's offices...Nyaunni thought it best they were closer with them being so young.

"Alright everyone, gather up what you have; we are going to another office." Nyaunni helped the twins to their feet as Finli handed the book he held to Dissah then aided his brothers in piling their drawing supplies together as they moved spaces. It took only a few moments to get them settled in Thorin's office, which meant if anything went wrong, they were close enough to hear and be there in seconds.

"Thank you Fin. Come get me right away if you need anything, alright?" She pressed a hand to her grandson's face and he smiled and nodded. Giving a final glance at the children who went right back to their previous activities, Nyaunni left the room to see Thorin go from the council room to Kili's office.

"They are meeting in Kili's office." Thorin grunted as he passed by and Nyaunni instantly fell into step beside him.

"Are you sure your up for this?" Was Nyaunni's last question before Thorin wordlessly stepped into Kili's office with little more than a nod.

Now, Nyaunni stared at Gandalf who did look sincere in his regrets. "Shadows, are precisely why we are here...and not just the ones you brought my family, which we shall address at a later time."

"Shadows?" Gandalf asked, then nodded. "Ah, yes, I quite understand. I told you what I am certain of, and that is only that Sauron has returned; it was he, who formed himself into the necromancer in Dol Guldur. The rest, I fear, is pure speculation at this time. I was taken from the ruins and arrived in Dale that fateful day when three rulers, a dwarven king, an elven lord, and a man who would be king, joined forces in a way not seen in ages."

"I do rather recall you looking like death, Gandalf." Naurfaer chuckled as he stood, offering his place to Nyaunni who accepted having been on her feet since before 3am working with Dajnel and Uri who were both at temperamental stages at the moment. It is not surprising, as Dajnel is reaching breeding age and Uri is being difficult and decided to suddenly become protective of the female aelug, who barely tolerates the male, if only just. To say Nyaunni was ready to crawl into the nearest bed and sleep would be a gross understatement.

However, now she has a family who needs her, specifically, a husband who she can see is already smothering himself with loss. She hopes Dis and her nephews are alright. She will make plans to have dinner brought up tonight. "Where is Dol Guldur, precisely and does it pose us a threat?"

"At the edge of the forest. It lies on the south western border of the greenwood between Mirkwood and Lothlorien...the nearest elven cities to here." Gandalf answered as he searched his robes for his pipe, pulling it out before lighting it using the small fire behind him. "It was reportedly emptied after Sauron was banished from its halls. But I have reason to believe it is again, occupied."

"Occupied?" Aeodhen asked, folding his arms beside Dwalin who was leaning against the wall. Litin was the only one moving as he used the edge of the desk to make notes. Thorin felt the scratching of the quill in his soul and was about to lash out at the younger dwarf but forced his frustration down knowing full well how detailed Litin was in his reports and how necessary it was to make a record of what was to be said in this meeting.

"Occupied." Gandalf repeated. "By Nazgul and their forces."

"Nazgul again." Balin shook his head sighing, having heard that term far too often recently. "We 'ave limited texts on these, Nazgul, from the dark days in tomes and scrolls hidden away in the shadows of libraries. It is as if it was meant to be an unspoken term and I wish my understandin' on wha' they are was more than it is...but I fear we jus' don' have the texts ta form anythin' more than a shallow comprehension of these mysterious Nazgul. Yet, it is a name spoken commonly recently with the sightings outside Dale an' I suspect in the forest as well. Is there anythin' yeh might be able to tell us Gandalf, about these Nazgul?"

There was a moment of tension as all eyes in the room focused on the wizard, even Thorin who had his arms folded as he stood beside his wife who now sat at Kili's desk after Naurfaer offered her the chair. The king under the mountain glanced at his wife then back at the wizard, his jaw clenched, and his blue eyes narrowed but hard set on the taller being puffing at his pipe where he stood before the dying fire.

"It is a name that should have remained in the dark days." Gandalf said gruffly, pulling his pipe away from his lips. "They are servants of Sauron; loyal to him alone. They once were kings of man, gifted great rings of power by Sauron himself. But they were turned by the darkness, and their bodies twisted by the very power they craved. They were thought gone for over two thousand years, but rumors of sightings of them have been seen as far back as the beginning of this very age. The rumors, are in fact true as I myself have come across three in my travels over the last decade. The Nazgul have returned, and stronger than they have ever been before."

He drew from his pipe, releasing the smoke into the air with a slow exhale before continuing. "I believe, at least one has taken hold of Dol Guldur, but I have had not the chance to confirm such things at this time. I can say, I avoided the forest on my journey here, as it seemed far more, shadowed using your terms, than I have ever seen it before. Even Radagast has just recently drawn himself from the greenwood and now stays in Fangorn forest near Isengard. He has taken confidence in Sauroman the white, the pair are working together to seek understanding of Sauron's rise, from what I understand."

"What does that mean for us?" Thorin looked to the wizard who held his pipe still in his hand as if he was lost to his thoughts.

"It means, the enemy is at your doorstep and it would be wise to not give it entrance into your halls." The wizards words sent a chill to all in the room.

Dwalin, though, snorted. "An' yeh think we would let 'em in to Erebor?"

"I would keep your confidence of such things at bay, master Dwalin." Gandalf chastised. "They have a way, to get what they want and long before you realize what they are or what you have given them. They will come to Erebor, you mark my words. It is not a matter of if, but when."

"And the missin' elves in Mirkwood?" Balin asked.

Naurfaer straightened from where he was bending over the fire. He had moved to add a log as a chill began to set in the room. Perhaps it was what they were discussing, or simply just the harsh winter weather breaking through the cracks and crevices of the mountain. But the room was quickly becoming even too cool for an elf. With a log still in his hands, Naurfaer waited for whatever information the wizard had of the woodland realm.

"I have yet to meet with Lord Thranduil, I am afraid. I have received missives from the Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien however, and it appears they too, have had a number of their guard taken but have yet to link it to Dol Guldur. It is my intention to go there once I have gone to see the Lord of Mirkwood." Gandalf looked about the room. "But from what I recall, there was no mention of the fortress in the correspondence so I do not think they considered the link between those gone missing, and the Nazgul taking residence." He sighed.

"And you? What do you believe?" Thorin asked.

Gandalf again looked at his pipe before sighing and answering. "Forty-seven elves are missing in the span of two months. That is an unspeakable number. Half that is an unspeakable number. I have met no opposition as I traveled here despite taking the road bordering the forest, but that means nothing. So I can neither confirm, nor deny such claims as to discredit the fortress. I have an audience with Thranduil in two days time. According to a correspondence directly from Legolas, it appears he is working to gather a team and convince his father to allow him to search for their missing people beyond the border of the forest and possibly, Dol Guldur itself. I do not know if he will be able to convince Thranduil, but I do believe, with or without his father's permission, Legolas is planning on leading a search."

"Great ancestors hammers, if Tauriel hears..." Aeodhen stood straight. "As fond as she be of the lad, mark my word, she will be fightin' ta join 'im."

Thorin did not like the sound of that. "She has an infant!" He all but yelled. "No. Nobody is leaving Erebor."

"I don't know if anyone in this mountain could stop her, Thorin, and she has a right to make her own decisions." Naurfaer spoke for his granddaughter, who could not be in the room to defend her right to choose. Of course he doesn't want her to go anywhere and Thorin is not wrong...she has a three-month-old infant, but neither would he ever make choices for her.

"She's still nursing!" Thorin growled. "Tauriel cannot leave Ithtiri at her age."

"Correct me if I am wrong, but she is capable of making that call herself." The elf shot back. "And as for Ithtiri nursing, Tauriel is perfectly capable of ensuring her child would have food to last in her absence. There are alternatives for such things in Erebor; Ithtiri would not be the only infant child to need supplementary breastfeeding either. Ask the healers, we have several dams who cannot, or have not been able to produce, and we have even had one dam sadly not make it through childbirth whose husband had to seek out alternatives to feed his newborn son. Tauriel is resourceful, and Ithtiri will be fine and well cared for."

Thorin was in no way pleased with this elf defending his daughter whose place was with her children in Erebor. "How is it you had a different opinion when Kili was gone then? You insisted she stay with her son who was older at the time, than Ithtiri."

"That was a completely different situation." Naurfaer calmly relayed. "Finli's mind was cracked from the loss of Kili, as was Tauriel's. It would have been one or both of their lives if we had allowed Tauriel to leave him in such a state. These circumstances are completely different and she is far more stable. Her mind was fracturing, and she was enduring nearly the same torture as Kili had been if only psychologically, Thorin. I could not risk her being out there in her condition...she would not have survived."

"And you are okay with your granddaughter throwing herself into danger and possibly death now than?" Thorin challenged with blazing eyes.

Naurfaer sighed, shaking his head. "Thorin, I know you love her..."

"She may not be my blood, Naurfaer, but she is MY daughter!" The dwarven king leaned forward, glaring at Naurfaer who looked unaffected causing Thorin to ground his jaw. "I swore to her mother and father that I would protect her as if she were my own, and I will for as long as I exist." He whispered just loud enough for Naurfaer to hear and this, finally got him a reaction when Naurfaer's eyes widened then dropped to the floor as he nodded in understanding.

The elf remained lost in thoughts and memories of his precious Ithildin for several long moments before he shook his head and walked the short distance to Thorin, placing a hand on the family patriarch's stiff shoulder. "You do far more than protect her, Thorin. You love her, and you accept her and her children. You gave her a family, and a safe place to be herself. We can never repay you for what you have given our Tauriel. But children must be given the chance to grow out there." He tilted his head to the wall he knew led to the outside of the mountain. "We have to let them have the freedom to see the world and make their own mark. She grew up with these elves, the least we can do is give her the chance to choose to visit Mirkwood. We have to let her go, Thorin, if that is what she wants."

Nyaunni watched from where she sat; she saw the argument on Thorin's tongue and the anger that radiated from his entire being. She knew he loved Tauriel. He loved her as if he helped bring her into this world, as if he held her as an infant, as if he raised her as his own. It was very near the same way he loved Fili and Kili, though he seemed almost closer to Tauriel. He confided as such to Nyaunni once, late at night, saying he felt in his heart that Tauriel was the daughter they were supposed to have...that Tauriel reminded him so much of her before Nyaunni was found and how easy it was for him to grow to love the eleth so deeply.

It hurt Nyaunni to see the pain flit across his features when he immediately added that he knew she was not their child; she was not even their race nor was she their blood...but if they were blessed with a child, he felt she would have the same soul as Tauriel; strong, independent, loving, and stubborn-with vibrant red hair just like her mother. Tauriel had no parents, and the more Thorin got to know the eleth, the more he saw Nyaunni in her and that filled his heart with joy and pain. He latched onto her, and his love for her as his daughter solidified with each passing day and with each conquered trial they were given.

It was no longer about a promise made to lost parents despite what he claimed, but rather a void filled in both their hearts. Thorin did have Kili and Fili, and he loved them as any father would love their sons. But there was something about this red-headed eleth who longed for love that had won Thorin over in every way. So much so, Nyaunni herself had difficulty not picturing Tauriel whenever she wondered what a child of her and Thorin would look like.

In her mind's eye, she saw a small eleth with long red hair running to Thorin as he spun her in the air laughing; she saw herself sitting beside a small red-headed eleth, reading to her as the tiny child fell to sleep, she saw herself pressing moist cloths to a cut knee as she wiped tears away from emerald-green eyes that where neither Nyaunni's nor Thorin's. All the while, in her own heart, she felt something deep and warm...like a mother's love or perhaps something like that. Thorin's love was certainly catching...or maybe Tauriel was just easy to love. Though Dis had fill the position of being Tauriel's mother...as much as a 600 year old being needed a mother...Nyaunni too now felt a deep maternal respect for the eleth who filled their family with light and joy.

"She should be able to choose, Thorin." Nyaunni finally said softly. "Besides, Kili I am sure, will have a thing or two to say on the matter."

Now that, had Thorin perking right up. Nyaunni was right; Kili undoubtedly would not allow Tauriel to do anything risky. He let out a sigh of relief happy to know there was another who could get to the eleth in a way no other, even himself, could. "Fine." Thorin grunted. "We will discuss it with the family. When are you leaving?" He looked again to the wizard who looked beyond exhausted.

"He is staying the night." Nyaunni rose from her chair ignoring the look of utter frustration from her husband. "You have traveled far; take a bed tonight, eat, and refresh yourself. Litin, please go tell Girta to prepare a place in the guest hall."

The scribe blinked, then nodded and swiftly left the room without a word as Gandalf got to his feet and bowed deeply. "Your hospitality is most welcome, my lady queen. I think I shall stay the eve at your behest. Are there any plans to inform Lord Bard of our journey? He has as much invested in these lands as Erebor and Mirkwood."

Thorin sighed and shook his head. "Bard's eldest was in an accident recently. His focus should be on her and his city. I will send them a missive tonight to inform him, but his responsibilities at present lay with his family."

Gandalf nodded solemnly. "The Lady Sigrid. I will make it a point to visit…perhaps once after we return. It has been a long journey, one I made few stops to get here as soon as I could as I was quite far away. I am sure you have much to discuss among yourselves so I will retire for the night."

"Of course. Perhaps you can follow me to the kitchens? We can get a meal gathered so you do not have to wait for the evening bell." Nyaunni moved to follow the wizard to the door but paused before Thorin who was rolling his eyes. "Behave." She whispered in passing, swatting him on the shoulder before pressing a kiss to his lips. "Go see to the family. I will take the children with me. Dis needs you, and you need her. We will talk tonight."

Thorin nodded as he brushed a finger over her scarred cheek. He let her go after a moment and watched her leave. Their granddwarflings will no doubt take to the wizard who should be cast from this mountain for what he did. He had no right, no right, to withhold that information about his father. It is an offence Thorin cannot forgive, and likely, never will.

"Wha' is the plan, Thorin?" Dwalin asked, having been speaking quietly to Aeodhen, Balin, and Naurfaer.

"I will go see to my family, why don't you put a small team of guards together; I have a feeling we will be going to Mirkwood with the wizard." Thorin huffed as he opened the door before looking to Naurfaer. "You coming?"

The elf bit back a retort about dwarven stubbornness at its worst and instead chose to follow Thorin out of the room and back into the council room. There, Thorin went to his sister who still had tears streaming down her red cheeks. How he wishes he could kill that wizard, or in the very least, throw him from the ramparts of Erebor's highest balcony. Could wizards fly?

"Hush, anai." Thorin pulled his baby sister close as sobs wracked her body. This was not just about their father, she was mourning all she had lost; her husband, their brother, their grandfather, their mother, and their father. Mahal, their family has known far too much loss. He glanced at his sons and his daughter, then at his niece and finally at the two tiny dams, Vilia in Viltarra's lap and Ithtiri asleep in Tauriel's hold. They have all known loss and suffered greatly for it...but they have also known the blessings of life. "We are not reeds in the wind to bend and break...we are a great mountain, anai. We stand tall and proud in all adversity, dear sister, and we grow stronger for it. Our father would not want us to mourn again. He loved his children, Dis, he loved us."

"I know." Dis whispered against Thorin's now moist tunic. Thorin tightened his arms around her for another moment as she got herself under a bit of control. He wanted to wait until she was ready before he released her, and after a small bit of time, she eventually pulled away. "I just cannot help but think, he could have been here with us, Thorin. Our father, could have been here. He could have held his great grand children, he could have been part of his grandsons wedding." She chuckled. "He would have found Naurfaer amusing, but admired Tauriel. Thorin, he could have been a part of our lives."

"We don't know how much of our father was there to be had, Dis." Thorin was more than furious at Gandalf, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that had him wondering if their father was beyond saving even if they had been able to get to him, or what would have been left of him after enduring decades of torture. Kili barely withstood nine months, but Thrain was missing for over one-hundred and fifty years. That's a century and a half of torture of the worst kind. It made what Kili endured to be minute in comparison, and that in itself was beginning to make Thorin wonder who the dwarf would have been if Gandalf had been able to save him.

"You should not be so angry at Gandalf, Thorin." Dis said once she was able to get herself under a bit of control. "It was not as if he killed our father."

"No. But he could have told us two decades ago." Thorin growled. "He had more than enough opportunities to do so."

Dis lifted a brow then took Thorin's hand. "Brother, I am not condoning Gandalf's decision in any way...but I think what I can do is understand it. Do you believe, knowing the wizard as you do, that he did not try and save our father in that fortress?"

Thorin's brows lowered as his eyes darkened. "Do not dismiss his actions, Dis."

"I'm not!" Dis shouted. "Thorin, our anger is warranted but we have far more important things to devote ourselves to right now, and those are among the living."

"Well said, Dis." Naurfaer praised only to be pushed into a chair by Tauriel who glared at him. He rolled his eyes and took Ithtiri from his granddaughter so he had something to do while the stubborn beings around him decided on whether or not Gandalf was redeemable. Call it insensitive if you must, but if it were him and he learned his daughter was alive only to find she could not be saved...he is unsure it would affect him as deeply as it had when he lost her the first time.

Then again, he is an elf, and he has seen his daughter and given the opportunity to have some closure with her. He chose himself to leave her rather than take his place with her in Valinor...so maybe he did not have the right to judge them. This mortal family has not had such closure, and perhaps, it is still fresh for them despite the time gone past.

Naurfaer looked at Ithtiri who woke up and peered up at Naurfaer before searching the room with her dark eyes until they landed on her father who sat beside Naurfaer since he took the chair between the pair. Then even at three months of age, the tiny infant reached out for Kili...no surprise there...who leaned forward and cupped his daughter's cheek and pressed a kiss to her brow though he left her in Naurfaer's grasp.

"I am sorry." Thorin finally sighed. "Not for my actions..." He quickly amended. "...I am justified in my feelings and don't need anyone in this room or otherwise to lecture me. But, I am sorry I did not try harder to find our father, Dis. I am so sorry I could not bring him back so you would grow up with a grandfather, Kili...Fili. He would have loved you, and he was far more patient and understanding than I could ever be."

Fili's blue eyes filled with pain, then love. "Don't say that, uncle. Don't take this on yourself. We had everything we needed growing up, and you were as good as a father as we could ever want."

"We can't change what was done, uncle." Kili then added. "If being a father myself has taught me anything, it is that we cannot be perfect. A good father, is there for his children, listens to them, teaches them, trains them, and pushes them to be better than they know they can be. You did all of that, and more. I am not saying it would not have been a blessing to have been able to know Thrain...but don't make little of your place in our lives. We had mam, and we had you."

"And they both turned out to be phenomenal dwarves because of it." Naurfaer smiled softly.

"And wonderful fathers." Viltarra added taking Fili's hand as Vilia crawled into her father's lap then lay her head on Fili's broad shoulder, her arms wrapping around his neck as he held her in place. Viltarra smiled at the pair and continued. "Loss is part of life, but it is not the end of it. We know where our family resides, and we know they are also here, with us. I am deeply filled with pain for the losses you have suffered, as I am with my own, but, I do wonder if your father would want you to mourn him twice."

"He wouldn't" Dis chuckled. "Father never liked to keep things somber for long. He was always the first to want to dispel clouds of despair and bring back the light. It is where Frerin got his brightness from, our father. We cannot bring back that which is lost, and we have mourned and honored those who cannot come back." She looked to her family. "And I...I am shattered with grief knowing I have been gifted something I should not have...a chance with all of you despite your own demise. I feel I should mourn, but at the same time, I feel something warm telling me to honor the lives I have around me while I can before I take my own place in the great halls of Mandos."

Dis moved to stand beside Tauriel, linking her hands with the eleth who still sat. "If I have learned anything, it is this...each day is a gift in this world because it only takes one decision to lose it all, and that decision may not be your own. Am I right, my daughter?"

Tauriel stood and pressed her lips to Dis's head. "Of course, amad." She sighed as she sat down, the room falling into silence before Tauriel spoke again. "I cannot help, but let my mind wander to those lost in Mirkwood. Adad, did Gandalf say anything more?"

Thorin leaned back in the chair he sat in and ran his hands through his black and silver mane. "He did." He finally muttered. "Legolas...is apparently putting a group together to search for them. Gandalf will be going to a meeting in Mirkwood upon his leave of Erebor."

Tauriel's eyes widened before looking to Kili who was staring hard at the floor. By the Valar above, was she waiting for his permission? Who was she now? Oh yes...a mother, a wife, a sister, and a daughter. Tauriel stood once more and moved past Naurfaer to kneel beside her husband as she took a moment to ground herself and sift through the maraud of feelings bursting through her; some of which were her own, and some her husbands.

"Then we will go." Tauriel's head whipped up to stare at Kili in unashamed surprise. For his part, Kili chuckled and grasped her face tenderly. "You want to go, amralime. You need to go. And I won't have you going by yourself. We are a team, a pair, and together, we will take on the world if we must."

"Kili." Tauriel whispered. "My Kili." She then nodded and closed her eyes, leaning her head into his palms as she took comfort in her mate. Around her, the room was quiet apart from the fire crackling in the hearth, and Ithtiri's gentle sighs and coos from where she lay in Naurfaer's arms.

"When do we leave?" Fili asked, his hand pressed against his now sleeping daughter's back. He refused to glance at his wife, afraid to see the look of despair on her face. He did not want to leave her or his daughters; they were his world. But he would go where his brother and sister went and do everything he could to keep them from killing themselves in whatever stupid scheme they decided to be a part of.

After all, Fili owed his very life to the elf who was in every way his sister, and for the love he has for her, and for his brother, he has made it his own personal mission to keep them as safe as possible. Which by the way, was proving to be a difficult, borderline impossible task to undertake. The pair of them leapt into danger at every possible chance, and it was exhausting at best. When Fili gets silver hairs, at this point in his life he will be blaming all of them on Kili and Tauriel, rather than his daughters and stress from ruling.

"Fili..." Tauriel tried but Fili shook his head and gave her that stubborn son of Durin look.

"I said, when, will we be leaving? Because I am coming with whether you like it or not." The crowned prince repeated himself as he took a deep, calming, breath and looked to Viltarra. "Nunguame..."

Viltarra, though, surprised him by pressing her finger to his lips and silencing whatever he was about to say. "Twenty years, I have had the privilege of being by your side, of being your wife, and the mother of your daughters. I think, I can say, I know you by now. I won't make this hard for you, but know if I could, I would follow you without a thought. We will be fine here, just...come back to me."

Fili captured her lips in a searing kiss and only pulled back when Vilia mumbled in her sleep. "What did I do to deserve you?"

"You simply gave me a chance." Viltarra whispered. "And I stayed because of the wonderful being you are...and because my father decided he likes having a sitting room."

"Sitting rooms are nice." Fili gave her a lopsided grin as he leaned in to peck her again on the lips.

"All of the children will be taken care of." Dis said, looking to Kili and Tauriel specifically giving Fili and Viltarra a moment to themselves. "I know more than a few mothers who can donate milk for Ithtiri; she will simply have to learn to be more willing to bottle feed. Any luck getting her to take to a bottle for anyone but Kili?"

Tauriel sighed. "I wish I could say yes, but at this time, only Kili has been successful. But I am confident she will eat as she gets hungry." The eleth leaned forward to take her daughter into her arms and Ithtiri immediately grabbed for her mothers braid and looked up at her with Kili's wide, brown, eyes. It made Tauriel want to change her mind and stay in Erebor. Her children, and Kili, were everything to her. How will she leave them?

Placing her lips on Ithtiri's brows, Tauriel sighed again against her warm skin. "We will be leaving with Gandalf likely in the morning. I will have a word with Oin to see who is nursing."

"Or you can talk to Tersha." Viltarra said softly as the room fell silent.

"I don't know if that is the best idea." Tauriel set her daughter on her shoulder, or attempted to. The tiny dam had other ideas and reached out once again with one arm to her father which was fine by Tauriel. Kili took Ithtiri and settled her in his arms, brushing a finger over her cheek and tightening the blanket around her as she closed her eyes and went back to sleep. "Last I heard, Tersha was not in the best state."

"But, she would be one of the few who could donate milk for Ithtiri." Viltarra pushed.

Tersha was a dam who gave birth to a seemingly healthy infant son not two days before. However, within minutes of being born, her healer, Gudho, noticed the small being begin to gasp for breath. Oin and several others were called in to help when he stopped breathing altogether...but they were unsuccessful, and the tiny dwarf was declared gone having only lived thirty minutes in this world. Tersha has been understandably inconsolable.

Some, though, said it was a punishment from their maker for her seeking warmth outside the marriage bed. The child's father, Kipki was a much younger, rather plump dwarf who was only a few years past adulthood, while Tersha was very close to the end of her childbearing years. The two, though, are adamantly ignoring all the talk and mourning together despite his parents disapproving of the match openly and rather vocally.

Tauriel had heard of the tragedy having known how excited the dam was when they spoke the few times they passed the other during checkups in the healer wing since they were only three months apart in their due dates. Over the last few days she had taken it upon herself to bring the dam food and some flowers from her garden as Tersha recovered from both the birth, and the loss of her son.

Tersha and Kipki worked the green room together and loved to be among the plants and trees within Erebor. Tersha said it was where they met. She was rather surprised when the young Kipki took a liking to her, and even more surprised to fall with child before they even announced their courtship. The persecution they experienced from both their announcement of their intentions, and of the dam's pregnancy, had both keeping mostly to themselves over the last year. They rarely even ate in the main hall, choosing to obtain their meals from the smaller markets where it was quiet, and dwarves tended to gossip less.

To be frank, Tauriel herself does not understand what the issue is. Tersha was only forty years or so older than Kipki making her roughly twenty years older than Kili give or take a few years. Tauriel was over five hundred years Kili's senior, and they were far more than happy and accepted. She sometimes found the judgments of others to be unnecessarily harsh and vile, especially now. There was nothing wrong with Kipki and Tersha's love as both were consenting adults, and they need support and understanding right now, not judgments and harsh words. Tersha lost her child, the child she bore.

Tauriel also feels incredibly uncomfortable with asking a dam who has had two days to mourn her son, if she would be able to provide milk for her three-month-old daughter. It seemed cruel.

"Let me talk to Oin please." Tauriel finally continued. "I just can't find it in me to approach Tersha for something like this, I just know it would bring her pain, and I refuse to add to what she is going through. They are in mourning, and have the right to be left alone."

Thorin nodded his agreement; he personally had no issues with Kipki and Tersha either though he has been petitioned by Kipki's parents to have him moved to another line of work or possibly the guard. Thorin kicked them out of his office with a few choice words. Mahal, Kipki was seventy-eight years old, three years past the age of adulthood, so the pair was within their legal right to court and marry. Fiery forges of the maker, at Kipki's age, Kili had already married, joined the company, fought in a war, and had a son; the dwarf was an adult now and could make his own decisions...an argument Thorin accepts for anyone OUTSIDE his family.

Inside his family...Thorin will argue until he is blue to keep his daughter and nephews from doing something stupid despite them being adults. "Ithtiri needs food, Tauriel. Stay here in Erebor with Viltarra; Kili, Fili, and I will go to Mirkwood and bring anyone you suggest to aid."

"Adad, I am going to Mirkwood and I will not be arguing about it." Tauriel stood her ground. "I am aware of my children's needs, and will make accommodations. She can survive even on rams milk for a brief time if needs be, and I feel in my heart, Mahal will ensure she will not suffer."

This was not going as Thorin had planned. Where was the Kili he had hoped for, who would have vehemently refused to allow Tauriel to do something like this? Curse Naurfaer and his infuriating guesses on how others would react. Kili was not even trying to talk Tauriel into staying. In fact, he was the one to SUGGEST they GO! What in the fiery forges of Mahal was happening in this family?! Did nobody have a lick of sense or reason anymore?

"You cannot make decisions for me, adad." Tauriel continued as if she knew exactly what he was thinking…and she did. "I know there is no such place that is exempt from possibility of harm, but Erebor is far more secure then anywhere in known Arda. If there was one place I trust my children will be safe and protected when I am not able to protect them myself, it is here, in their home, among their people. I need you to trust that I know they will be safe here while I am away. Dis will be here, Viltarra, Vin, Tarra…they have more than enough to see to their needs and their security."

"And if we do not do something…" Kili added. "…then how long will it be before none of us is safe in Erebor, or any of our lands. It would be better to leave for a brief time to do all we can to guard the world we dwell in, then to hide in walls of stone until something that grew in strength that we could have taken down, comes and destroys everything we love. Uncle, if we do not take the risk now, then I know something far more terrifying will come in our lifetime. Something that would kill us all."

Dis looked to Viltarra who nodded her agreement with Kili. She then looked to Thorin who seemed to finally be hearing and understanding why Kili and Tauriel are both ready to leave their own children and enter, once again, into the grasps of danger. It was that terrible night at Ered Luin all over, but this time, she understood what had to be done. Though, there was one difference…Dis was not being left alone. She will have eight grandchildren to be strong for. "I don't think there is anything left to be said here, but I do ask for a few things…"

The dam looked around the room at the faces of her children, her brother, and Naurfaer, who she could not really put a label on apart from the fact he was family. "First, remember the dangers of the world outside. We do not know what is happening in Mirkwood, and we very well may not be able to help. I need you to accept this, before it takes your life. Second, I won't ask you to remember you have children to raise because that would be unfair. You all do the best you can for your children, and they are wonderful dwarflings. But I will ask you to write them a letter before you go; each of you, so if...just...it will be something they can have to read directly from you. Third, come home. I need you to come home. I am tired of these escapades, I am tired of not knowing how long I have my children before they run into deaths grasp yet again. Come home."

The dam watched as the group quietly listened then one by one, nodded. She accepted their response before homing in on her elven daughter. "I understand your need to find food for Ithtiri, I do, but let me take that burden from you my darling. I will speak to Oin." When Tauriel began to argue Dis lifted a hand stopping her. "I will speak to Oin, Tauriel. You have enough to do to get ready, so let me make the arrangements for you."

Dis met her gaze, waiting for a nod, before finishing. "Finally, we mourned my father already. We mourned him for an entire year. But, I feel his loss as fresh as it was that night Thorin returned home to tell me Thror, and our father, were gone. Dinner tonight, will be a memorial for our father, Thorin, and we all will be there. We will spend an hour honoring him tonight."

Thorin pulled Dis close again. "We can do that, Dis." He held her for another moment then released her. "There are still several hours before evening bell. Go do what you need to prepare for our journey. Dinner is non-negotiable. I want every one of you to be there. Understood?"

"Yes uncle." Kili and Fili quietly uttered respectfully while Viltarra, Naurfaer, and Tauriel nodded.

"Good. Go. There are few hours to prepare, and much to do. Naurfaer, a moment please." Thorin watched the family file out. He waited until only Naurfaer remained then moved towards the elf. "You have been all over the world, and lived greater years than any. Have you any reason to believe that this, whatever it is, is out of our ability to survive?"

Naurfaer looked patiently at Thorin, his eyes reflecting the ages he has walked these lands. "If you are asking me to give you any kind of assurances, I can't help you Thorin. I can't do anything about Tauriel's choice either. It was her own to make whether or not you or I agree with it."

"So you don't agree she should go?" Thorin asked lifting a brow.

"By the Valar no!" Naurfaer resolutely responded as if it was obvious.

Thorin folded his arms and glared at the elf. "Well considering you have been arguing on her behalf to go for the last hour, it seemed to me as if you are more than happy to see her throw herself into her demise."

Now this, got the normally jovial elf angry, and he rose to his full height and glared darkly at Thorin. It nearly had the dwarven king take a step back having never seen such a look on Naurfaer before. Though it was an expression quite close to the one he wore when he had learned Thranduil held Tauriel captive those many years ago. Still, it was both disorienting, and disturbing to see.

"I will say this one time, Thorin Oakenshield, and one time only. I will never, NEVER find joy nor any positive disposition when it comes to anything remotely dangerous linking to my Tauriel. My granddaughter, is all I have left in this world apart from your family and her children, my great grandchildren. That is it, Thorin. So her making a choice to go someplace that could very well mean her end, I will NEVER agree with. But neither will I take her right to freedom of choice from her. I will always fight for her right to make choices for herself, but that does not mean I will agree with those choices. She may not be of age in the minds of the eldar, but I know her to be of sound mind; she holds a maturity greater than many thrice her age. She has more than earned a right to be counted among the elders. She is of age to your people, so perhaps it is time, Thorin, that you yourself stop treating her and your nephews as if they were still youth."

Thorin was taken aback. "Fili and Kili are not treated as youth."

"Are they not?" Naurfaer gave him a look laced with disbelief. "When you were Fili's age, you were running a kingdom, but how much of the kingdom does Fili run now? And Kili is more than capable of greater responsibilities that befit his station, yet you weigh him and his potential down with reports and medial tasks."

"MEDIAL!?" Thorin growled. "Those responsibilities I give Kili are one, none of your concern, and two, essential."

"Essential tasks that could have been done by another so Kili could earn another title…such as ambassador to the elven kind." Naurfaer leaned back against the table.

"Kili? An ambassador?" Thorin sat hard in one of the chairs. "Only last week I found him with his feet up on his desk doodling on a report I had been waiting for for two weeks. It was a list for the Firebeards mountain listing essential metals they have, and he drew an illustration of Azog sitting among flowers with a dress and tiara on his head while sipping tea. Now tell me, does that sound like someone ready to be an ambassador to you?"

"It sounds like someone who is bored out of his mind." Naurfaer easily shot back. "He is not being challenged, Thorin. If you want him to prove himself, give him something worthy of his mind and abilities. Kili is incredibly charismatic, and he is probably the most suited to act as liaison to the elven kind…being married to one. Even Legolas respects him and Thranduil tolerates him…which says a lot believe me."

Thorin sighed, but Naurfaer did not seem to be finished. "Fili too is wasted in this mountain, Thorin, and you know this. He should be second to you, yet you still make the majority of decisions in the mountain without him even being present. You said you wanted to rule for a time then pass the crown to Fili before your own death…don't you think he has earned his right to hold more power? He should be at your side at all times, and he should be making a good amount of decisions for this mountain along with you. You are not giving him the chance to rule. A century will pass before you know it, Thorin, and when it does, don't you want Fili to rule having had the experience he needs to do so successfully?"

Annoyed. That is how Thorin felt at the moment. First, Gandalf withheld information about his father, then, he learns his daughter and nephews are unsurprisingly going against his better judgment to enter into the shadowed forest of Mirkwood, and now, the elf was telling him how to run his family. If he were his grandfather, Thror would have the elf put to death for such a thing, or in the very least, banished, if he was in a good mood.

But Thorin was not his grandfather. His sister reminds him of that, his Nyaunni, and even his closest confidents, Dwalin and Balin, always remind him that Thorin Oakenshield, was his own dwarf, and nothing…save it be his bearings and ability to draw respect when he enters a room…made him to be the cruel and selfish dwarven king Thror became.

So instead of lashing out, Thorin simply sat back thinking. Kili, an ambassador for the elves…and Fili taking a more active role in ruling. As much as he hated to admit it…now that he thought about it, Naurfaer was not wrong. Thorin had been holding back his nephews from their potential if only because, he was not ready for them to really grow up. He still saw them as the dwarflings that used to follow him around demanding his attention and love. They were his sons, his boys, despite the fact they were his nephews. The father in him, wanted them to remain young and shield them from the responsibilities that do nothing but weigh you down and squash your hopes and dreams.

Then again, Thorin also wondered if there was even a way to do such a think to Kili and Fili. Both had strong spirits and bright attitudes. Perhaps, he was doing them wrong by not letting them grow.

Taking a deep breath, Thorin nodded. "I will say this only because we have no audience to hear it, and I will deny any claims to what I admit…but you are right. When we come back from Mirkwood once we find out what is happening in the forest realm, I will speak to Kili about how he would feel about becoming an ambassador to Mirkwood, and I will talk to Fili about doing the same for Dale. He has a good relationship with Bard and his family, so he would do well to handle all aspects of the city of men and Erebor. I will also consider giving him more power in Erebor as well…once I see how he does with Dale."

Naurfaer nodded. "And Tauriel?"

Thorin ran his hands down his face, grumbling to himself. "You know we have fewer females than we do males, and you know how our people feel about the mothers of our children leaving the safety of the mountain unnecessarily. I will not apologize nor will I ever cease to try and keep Tauriel safe, and inside Erebor. But, Tauriel has a spirit that burns hotter than the forges of this very mountain. Any who try and push her…she will burn them. I will not force her to stay here…though I feel this is where she ought to remain."

"Fair enough." Naurfaer nodded then pulled a seat close to Thorin and sat, watching the family patriarch for several minutes with a soft smile.

"What now?" Thorin grumbled; annoyed by the look the elf was giving him.

Naurfaer just shrugged. "Nothing really. But I do want you to know that despite what I said, you are a wonderful father, uncle, and head of the family. I am also truly sorry, about your father, Thorin. Truly."

Thorin sat quietly in thought, then, nodded. "I wish it were him here. I wish he could have seen Erebor again, and known she is once again filled with her people. My father loved this mountain almost as much as he loved Dis, Frerin, and I. It was devastating to him to lose it."

"He knows, Thorin." Naurfaer said softly and Thorin hummed in agreement.

"We should go." Thorin stood after another quiet moment and held the door. "You know…" The dwarven king paused and looked thoughtfully at Naurfaer. "…between my grandfather and my father, I think my father would have been most open to having elves in the mountain. I should amend that with being more tolerant, of elves in the mountain. I do not think he would have condemned Kili for his choice, in fact, I think my father would have quite liked Tauriel once he got to know her...and you as well."

"I do not mean this disrespectfully, Thorin, but I am happy we do not need to find out if Kili would have to had chosen between his family, and his heart." Naurfaer's eyes filled with sorrow. "It is a choice none should have to make."

Thorin nodded his agreement and the pair left to begin their own preparations for their journey to the elven realm.

Authors Note at the bottom: So the tumblr post I saw mentioned how little to no fix-it fanfics ever mention Gandalf telling Thorin about Thrain and I cannot believe I never considered that. So I HAD to add it in and I thought this was the perfect spot. I hope I did it justice :D.

I already have the next chapter edited I just need to do one last read through so don't be surprised if it is posted in the next day or two. Probably Saturday or Sunday since I have to work all day tomorrow. YAAYYY. See ya soon! The journey is about to begin. Hehehehehe.