A/N: Another day another chapter! I really fell in love with these characters and wanted to spend as much time as I could in this world. Please like, follow, and review! I love feedback so tell me what you like. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

The princes of Erebor couldn't have been happier to have an aunt like Kaleria. Fili and Kili appreciated that she listened to them, and she even took their side in a few situations, making Thorin more irritated than if it were only the boys teamed up against him. On more than one occasion Kaleria had diffused the situation between Thorin and the boys, and on more than one occasion the boys had hid behind Kaleria like a shield.

Not only was she their protector, Kaleria had taken it upon herself to be their teacher in swordsmanship, etiquette, and anything else the boys needed to learn but hated feeling like they were being required to do.

"Block. Advance. Strike." Kaleria repeated as she went through the motions with Kili and Fili behind her. They would angle their swords to block their opponent, step forward forcefully, then strike against their opponent.

Kaleria broke from formation to watch the princes as she gave them each command. Fili was nearly perfect in every move. She adjusted his sword arm once as she walked by continued toward Kili who, as skilled as he was, rushed himself through the motions and lost his balance. He leaned too far on his left foot and began falling that direction until Kaleria braced his shoulder and shoved him back toward his right. He looked at her expecting a lecture, but she only waited for him to regain his position before moving on.

"And Strike," said Kaleria. "Good job, boys. That's all for today."

"You mean we don't get to spar with you?" Kili asked, ready for action.

Kaleria smiled, amused. "I thought you might be worn out from your training."

Kili made slashes in the air with his sword, then stopped in a defensive rolled his eyes and stepped away from his brother to lean against the wall and watch.

Kaleria removed her coat and draped it over the arm of the training dummy next to her. She drew her sword slowly, then waited for the young prince to make his move. She could practically see the wheels turning in his mind as he planned out his attack. She followed his eyes and knew what he was going to do.

Kili charged forward and stepped hard to the left to redirect his body to the right, so he was coming at Kaleria at an angle. His sword swung down at her in a large loop. Kaleria side stepped his swing and brought her sword up to deflect. When Kili regained his balance, Kaleria moved in quickly, slashing and striking so fast the young prince couldn't back peddle fast enough. Finally, he stumbled over his own feet and landed on his backside with Kaleria's sword aimed at his chest.

Applause came from the opposite direction of them. They all turned to see Thorin standing in the doorway of the training room.

"A valiant effort my boy." Thorin observed, as he walked toward them.

Kaleria replaced her sword in her sheath and held a hand out to Kili. She helped him to his feet and he dusted himself off.

"I almost had her, if I hadn't tripped," grumbled Kili.

"A warrior does not make excuses. A warrior finds a way to overcome the obstacle." Thorin stopped next to his wife as he stared down at his nephews.

"Take it easy on them. I have years of practice compared to them." Kaleria replied.

"Yeah, I'd like to see you take her on, uncle." Kili voiced.

Kaleria tried to hold in a giggle, but failed.

Thorin cocked an eyebrow. "Is something funny?"

She smirked. "We both know how that ends."

"Did she beat you too, uncle?" Kili questioned.

Fili elbowed his brother. "Shut up, Kili!"

Thorin turned his eyes toward his nephews. "Your aunt has gotten the best of me once before. Any warrior can win on any given day."

"What your uncle is trying to say," Kaleria put her arm around his waist and his arm dropped around her shoulders, "is that any warrior can win, but the warriors who put in the most practice are the most successful. You boys need to practice daily, and not go through the motions like Dori and Nori. You are princes of Erebor and you must set a higher standard of excellence."

The princes stood a little straighter as Kaleria finished her speech. They both nodded at her and said in unison, "Yes ma'am."

"Now, go clean up before your mother has both our necks." Kaleria winked at them before they took off for their chambers to clean up.

Thorin held an expression Kaleria had rarely seen from him and only in the moments when he thought no one else was looking.

"What is that face?" She squeezed his side.

Thorin cast his gaze down to hers. "You are very good with them. It made me think of what you might be like as a mother."

Kaleria took a sharp breath, caught off guard by his admission.

The pride on Thorin's face dropped as he saw her reaction. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"No, no, it's okay." Kaleria wrapped her other arm around him and laid her head on his chest. "That is the most romantic thing you have ever said to me."

Thorin relaxed and leaned down to press his lips to the top of her head.

—-

"What's this I hear about you wanting children?" Dis got right to the point as she sat down opposite Thorin in his study.

Thorin kept his reaction in check, not giving anything away. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, come on," Dis said, annoyed. "You heard what I said. Now tell me if it's true."

"If it isn't?" Thorin did his best to deny his sister.

Dis instantly deflated. "Then I would be very disappointed in you, brother."

Thorin watched his sister and knew she wasn't teasing him. Dis believed she could hide her true feelings from everyone, but her brother, who knew her better than any dwarf, could determine her moods in a glance.

"And if it is true?" He asked.

Dis studied his face and caught the imperceptible smile hidden within his beard. "Then I would be extremely happy for you, brother!"

"Kaleria and I have discussed the possibility of children–" Thorin paused slightly in his speech and Dis launched herself around the table before he could continue.

"I knew it! I knew it!" Dis threw her arms around Thorin from behind him, essentially hugging his neck. "I'm so happy for you! I can't wait for a little niece or nephew."

He laughed at her enthusiasm and placed a hand on her arm. "Thank you, Dis, but you didn't let me finish."

Dis released him and found his eyes.

"Kaleria and I discussed the possibility, but we are not planning to have a child. If it happens, then we will be delighted. If it doesn't, it wasn't meant to be."

Dis crossed her arms. "How can you two be so selfish? You would deny me the title of aunt?"

Thorin stared amazed. "You're calling us selfish?"

"Yes, I am. I gladly made you an uncle. The least you can do is return the favor."

"I'll discuss that with my wife."

Dis stood and stomped toward the door. "I will too. We will see what happens."

She slammed the door behind her, leaving Thorin in his study to process the interaction. His sister had a way of completely draining him of energy, and Thorin slumped in his chair to rest.