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.

91. ACT VI Chapter THREE

AN: Hi.

Chapter Three

"No." Tauriel sighed and pulled her plate away from Dulinn who was trying to get to her buttercake.

"No." The sound was repeated by a certain white raven who flittered to the table and began gently nudging the baby aelug away.

Apparently...Kaw and Umyra seem to think they are the parents of not only their three young ravens, but also Kili and Tauriel's little hatchlings. They have been trying to feed them, preen them despite the small creatures still not having feathers yet, and even build a nest in the box around them whenever they are sleeping. Kili thought it was adorable, but Tauriel wondered if it would cause an issue as they began to grow. She remembers how fast Uri doubled in size; they may be tiny now...but in a few months they will be larger than any of the ravens in Erebor.

"I wonder if they will have any more of their own." Dis chuckled as she set a mug of tea down. "Seems time soon enough, right? For those two to have another clutch of eggs."

"They are still caring for Feya, Duk, and Sokki." Tauriel reminded her. "And if I recall, Nyaunni said most Ereborian ravens lay in five-year intervals. So we have in the least, another four or so years before they lay again."

Dis nodded, smiling at Dulinn whose large eyes were fixed on Tauriel, though he was snuggling into Umyra's feathers. "They are rather cute." She said after a moment, sipping her tea.

"MAMA! There's a lion on our balcony! A real lion! It's huge!"

The kitchen door slammed open as Kilion came racing in, startling the aelug and Ithtiri who was sleeping in her basket after having her fill of a meal.

"Kilion, manners!" Dis admonished. "And do say that again, because all we heard was mumbling."

The door opened a second time and Fili came walking in, Taurion cradled in one arm and Dungael at his feet. "Hey sis, you might want to come see this. I think you have a visitor. Oh…is that buttercake?"

"The big lion mama..." Kilion tugged on his mother's dress. "…is he going to eat us?"

"Eat you?" Dis looked alarmed. "Do we need to get the guard?"

Fili chuckled as he reached over Tauriel to shove a square of warm cake into his mouth. "No, he's a friend, mam. Ow!" He glared at his sister who smacked his hand away when he went for another piece.

"That, is mine, and it better be here when I return, muindor." Tauriel huffed as she stood, grabbing Ithtiri's basket and Dulinn from Umyra as she rushed out of the kitchen, Fili and Kilion just behind her. Her chamber door was open, so she quickly bypassed her sitting room and went right to her bedchamber where Kili was standing and leaning against the open veranda door, a smirk on his lips as he nodded his head towards the railing.

Tauriel shook her head and smiled as she stepped out into the gray afternoon air to see a very large, winged, lion perched of all things, on her railing. His wings were folded in and his tail swished left and right as he stared at her.

"Tork." Tauriel sighed. It has officially been nearly two months since she has seen the large shifter, nor has she heard much from him. Not for lack of trying, Tauriel has sent many missives to Ivethin, Nelithi, Legolas, and Tork...but of all of them, Tork was the worst at actually responding. He usually replied with a short response that consisted of a sentence or two at the most, and a doodle of a bunny and a lion on some adventure. They were quite rudimentary as doodles go, but she kept them all because in truth, they made her laugh. As such, she had no idea what he was up to. Though she did know he was, or at least had been, in Mirkwood.

"Mama?"

Tauriel looked down at your own little lion who was grasping onto her leg but looking at Tork curiously. "Is that who Naufi was talking about?"

"Yes, my darling. Meet Tork." Tauriel said as she turned to her...friend? She supposes he has more than earned her friendship. "You know, we have a main entrance." The eleth lifted a brow at the lion who remained where he was, staring at her much like a stone gargoyle of sorts.

Then slowly, one paw at a time, he stepped down onto the veranda, pushing a pack in front of him.

Getting the hint, Tauriel pushed her son inside as Kili was pulling Ithtiri out of her basket.

"Let's give him a moment." Tauriel said, nodding to the sitting room. She happened to know Tork would have to redress, and wanted to give him privacy. She would have invited him in...but she knew he would never be able to get through the veranda door in his winged form.

"You sure he is safe, mama?"

Tauriel crouched down to her son's level after setting Dulinn down on the chair Yraunna was sleeping in. She then ran her hand through her sons black hair and nodded. "Yes, my star. He is my friend from Rhun, he helped me get home to you."

"Now that, is always nice to hear." A deep voice filled the room and Tauriel stood and smiled. "Hello, Bunny."

"I will never be rid of that name, will I?"

"Nope." Tork snickered. "Good to see you again, Kitty." He nodded Kili who rolled his eyes but nodded back.

"You realize there's going to be a bit of an uproar once they realize you're here." Fili chuckled standing beside his mother who was eyeing Tork with a grim expression on her face.

"Thorin will be displeased with how you arrived, I am sure. But it seems my daughter and son know who you are, so I will ensure the guards do not throw you into the dungeon."

"Lovely, that is greatly appreciated. And you are..." Tork eyed the dam glaring at him.

"My mother, and you will treat her with respect." Tauriel said with a warning in her tone.

"That...is your mother?" Tork looked at Tauriel, then at Dis, then back at Tauriel. "You must favor your fathers looks."

Fili burst into laughter as Kili hid his grin.

"By marriage." Tauriel huffed. "Dis, is Kili and Fili's mother...but she has adopted me into her family and is the only mother I have in this world."

"Well. Alright then." Tork grunted, shoving his large hands into the pockets of his trousers as he cleared his throat, looking around the room. His eyes fell on Ithtiri in Kili's arms, and Kilion who had his hands once more wrapped tightly around Tauriel's legs. "I know that one..." He said gesturing to Taurion currently chewing on his hand in Fili's hold. "Can't forget those little pointy ears. But are these two yours, Bunny?"

"They are." Tauriel said with a smile. "My youngest son, Kilion, and my daughter, Ithtiri."

"Didn't you say you had ten little critters or something close to that?" Tork asked, walking over to Kili who was more than happy to show his daughter off to the shifter.

"Five." Tauriel huffed. "I have five children, Tork. The other three are on a class trip for another few hours, including Naufi who will be very happy to see you again. He has mentioned you rather often since our return."

It was a Saturday, but Balin had a special lesson planned involving a trip deep into the mountain that had her three elder boys begging her and Kili to allow them to go. Balin had assured her and Kili they were simply going through the first tunnel built in Erebor that led out the side cave that was completely closed off. Apparently, Thorin wanted to take a team to walk the historical entrance and Balin thought it would be a good teaching moment for the boys. Tauriel knew it would be safe, considering Thorin and Balin would be there among several others and the cave had been previously declared sound and solid.

It was not just her boys there, though, as Karra and Dissah also begged to go and since they were school aged, so Fili and Viltarra allowed it. It gave Viltarra a chance to spend time with her mother and father in the bakery as they opened for the first time today.

Vilia was at the bakery as well, the little dam spending some one-on-one time with her mother and grandparents. Fili had suggested it when Vilia seemed to be affected by the newest addition to their family. His little three-year-old old chatterbox was becoming rather withdrawn, playing by herself, not babbling away like she usually did, and began crying whenever Fili or Viltarra held the baby. The parents decided she needed to be reminded she was just as important as she ever had been. The pair have been spending extra time with their youngest daughter to ensure she understands she is not being replaced in any way. Karra had gone through it when Dissah was born, and Dissah had gone through it when Vilia was born...so it was not new to them, and they knew how to work through it.

Tauriel continued to run her fingers through Kilion's hair, smiling down at him reassuringly. "Kilion, I would like you to meet my friend Tork. It is alright, my star, there is nothing to fear. He is big...but mostly harmless."

"Mostly?" Tork smirked. "Come on Bunny! Why...I would not hurt a sand flea."

"Sand has fleas?" Kilion asked, looking up at his mother.

"Evidently." Tauriel glanced at Tork, who nodded.

"Great big ones the size of your fist!" The shifter said, plopping down on the sofa, holding up his large hand. "They mostly keep burrowed under the sands until it is feasting and breeding time. But as true as fangs and claws, you do not want to be around when they surface and swarm. Grow wings they do, and they do not judge what they bite. You got blood...they will drink you dry if enough of them swarm you. They wreak havoc on the local cattle during that time of year. Thankfully, it is just the one time during summer solstice."

"As big...as your fist?" Kilion asked wide eyed.

Tork chuckled. "Well I might have exaggerated just a bit. They are more your fist size little one, then mine. Imagine a flea the size of my hand; would wipe out the entire population in Rhun. They are pests enough as it is. Heard the locals have a way to deter them but I don't know what they do. Also heard gnomes like to feast on 'em so it keeps the populations down."

"Ew." Kilion grumbled, his nose scrunching up in distaste.

Naturally, the action had Tork in stitches, laughing and pointing at the little dwarfling. "More bunnies! That is all I had to see to know he was yours, Bunny." The shifter glanced at Kili. "And yours too, Kitty."

"We have been through this, Tork, my name is Kili." Kili rolled his eyes once more, but there was no bite to his words...the name was kind of growing on him. "To what, do we owe the pleasure of your impromptu visit?"

Tork held out his hands, asking permission to hold Ithtiri as Kili sat beside him. Of course the very protective father growled and scooted back. He had nothing against this shifter, but this was his little girl, his Ithtiri. Showing her off was one thing, but letting another outside the family hold her? Now that, was completely different.

"It is fine Kili." Tauriel said softly and soothingly in their connection. "He won't hurt her."

Kili growled again, this time at his wife who glared at him. With a heavy sigh, Kili relented and slowly placed his daughter in Tork's massive arms. She was already small, but she appeared even smaller in the shifter's hold.

"Well isn't she a beauty." Tork smiled as Ithtiri blinked up at him. Her chocolate eyes stared into Tork's sea green eyes for several seconds before her face first flushed pink, then began to turn red as it scrunched up angerly. Before the angry wail filled the room, her distress was projected to both her parents who were not feet away from her and Kili gave his wife a 'told you so' look which she returned with yet another glare.

"Now those are some lungs she has!" Tork laughed as he tried to soothe her to no avail. Naturally, her cries set off Taurion forcing Fili to place his son on his shoulder and walk the room to quiet him.

Kili ended up taking his daughter, not being able to handle her cries or her distress. She stopped crying almost immediately, her face turning into Kili's vest as he held her.

Tauriel too moved to stand beside her husband and leaned into their daughter, her finger brushing through Ithtiri's fine red hair. It left Kilion looking from his parents to the shifter, the latter turning his head to wink at the dwarfling who startled and ran to force himself behind his mother where he hid from view, only peeking out once before ducking into safety once more.

"Skittish little one." Tork hummed. "Kinda surprised at that considering your other one may have been quiet, but he didn't seem afraid of much."

"Believe me, Naufi is anything but quiet." Fili sat in one of the chairs.

"I for one am rather grateful for that." Kili glanced at his brother who shrugged, before looking back at the shifter. "Mirkwood was a hard time for us all."

"Speaking of which..." Tork said, eyeing Tauriel. "...you seem to be doing better. Glad to see you are no longer at death's doors. How are you feeling, Bunny?"

"More myself every day." Tauriel smiled. "I am not without my challenges, but my discomfort is far more tolerable. And Nelithi?"

"About the same as she was in the last letter she sent." Tork sighed. "She is able to get up and around, and has been moved to a small set of quarters near her brothers. Ivethin still visits, but Nelithi has been trying to find normalcy and very much dislikes the hovering." He laughed. "She threw a mug at her brother the other day, hit him right in the head. His crime? For pushing her out of the way when she was trying to make us some tea. She wanted to do it on her own."

"So, you have been allowed to stay in Mirkwood?" Tauriel asked, a little surprised and hopeful on his behalf. She looked down at her son who was tightly gripping her leg but let him be.

"Well...I may have made myself useful with keeping the spiders and orcs away from the gates." Tork shrugged. "The great elven king seems to tolerate me as long as I earn my keep and protect his borders. I am still not allowed in most of the city, and I have to either eat what Nagar is able to get through his earnings, or hunt my own food. But it is certainly far better than living among orcs and I am allowed in some establishments if Nelithi or Nagar are with me." Tork cocked his head when he saw Kilion's eyes pinned on him even as Tauriel moved to sit at the end of the sofa when her son finally released her to shoo Sokki away as the young raven began tugging on a string hanging on his tunic.

Tork chuckled at the scene and gave him a little wave when the dwarfling looked back at him, and Kilion surprisingly returned it with one of his own before climbing into his mother's lap. The shifter smiled then shook his head as he continued his earlier thought. "I can't wait to leave though. As grateful as I am, I certainly am no simpleton. They hate me there. I see it in the looks I get every day. And I don't blame them."

"What are you going to do?" Tauriel asked, one hand wrapped around her son while the other scratched Sokki on his head when he fluttered to the end of the sofa.

There was no point in consoling Tork. Despite what he has done to help, the elven people have every right to dislike the shifter who had a hand in getting them to the compound. He had elven blood on his hands, and he knew it, she knew it, and the people knew it. It was only his actions in saving their beloved head healer and Nelithi that kept Thranduil from removing Tork's head. Thranduil was very fond of Ivethin, and in his own way, Tauriel and Nelithi as well.

Tork leaned back against the back of the sofa and folded his arms, his leg bouncing up and down as if he was apprehensive about something. "Truthfully...not sure. That is kind of why I came here...to check things out a bit. Oh, and to see how you were doing."

Dis looked between her daughter and the shifter. Surely...they were not going to have to house him in Erebor...were they? Makers beard, Thorin will throw a fit. She sighed to herself as she went to lower herself onto the chair but paused when she realized it was occupied by Feya and Duk who were no huddling together with Dulinn and Yraunna.

"Oh! Let me get their box, mam, but you can just put Feya and Duk on their perch. They have been out flying all morning, I just think they are resting." Kili moved to stand from where he just sat down beside Tauriel, but Dis waived him off.

"It's fine dear. Let them be." She eyed the spot on the other side of the shifter, but instead opted to pull another chair from the wall, placing beside Fili. "Have you come to seek shelter here?" Dis then asked needing to know now rather than waiting to find out the answer later.

Tork, however, laughed. "Among dwarves?" He looked around the room. "I have to say, I was expecting to have to duck to stand, but instead I am rather impressed by the grandeur. I see why you like it here, Bunny. Very...rich...lodgings you have."

Tauriel bristled. "I would be just as happy living in a cave if it means I can keep my Kili, and our family. We are very richly blessed, it is true, but it is not why I am here...far from it."

"It is true. Tauri hates gold." Fili laughed. "She refuses to even look at the treasury, and still only spends a fraction of what she earns. Though uncle does pay her far higher wages than he pays Kili or I. It's favoritism; everyone knows Tauri is the favorite in the family."

"I never asked for any of it." Tauriel grumbled. "Kili and I can make do just fine with the basics. I do not need to parade my position around."

"Darling, you more than earn what you are given. It is no more or less than what we pay for others doing what you do here." Dis argued. "More or less." She added with a smile. The fact of the matter was...they did pay Tauriel a significant more than anyone in the family for two reasons. One, because of what she has done for the family as well as who she is to the family. Two, Thorin wanted to make up for what she missed as a child. He wanted to make sure if she ever wanted for anything...big or small...she had the means to procure it from her own gold rather than having to ask. Both he and Dis made that decision long ago, even before Nyaunni came back into their lives. They knew Tauriel would never ask for anything, but if she had the gold, then maybe she didn't have to and could get whatever her elven heart desired.

Still, Dis knows she prefers to live simply with a few exceptions. Although, Tauriel did have a soft spot for giving gifts and did so often. If there was ever anything that caught her eye she thought someone would love...especially Kili or her children...Tauriel purchased it without a second thought. Ever the selfless elf, their Tauriel. Just selfless enough to keep taking in strays.

Tauriel huffed and rolled her eyes. "Do not give me that nonsense about paying me as much as the others, amad. I happen to know what Naurfaer is allotted, and it is far less than I get...and he does more than I do."

Dis smiled unrepentantly...it was the same smile Kili had when he was lying and knew he was caught, but he could not care less about it. Valar this family is both wonderful and exasperating at the same time.

"I will find my own way, thank you. I need no charity from anyone." Tork said before anyone else could chime in. "I did not come here to seek a home, but to possibly purchase some land outside your mountain. Or lease. I won't ask for any handouts, and I honestly don't want them. I just want to build myself a small home and live in peace."

"What about Nelithi?" Tauriel asked.

Tork stiffened, then sighed. "Bunny, I told you to let that be. Her best shot at living a comfortable life is to stay in Mirkwood where she has access to healers and her family. The worst thing for her, is me."

"Don't say that." Tauriel said softly.

"Please let it be, Tauriel." Tork asked, using her given name which had Tauriel swallowing her arguments...for the time being.

"Do you still want to meet Beorn?" She asked instead, changing the subject.

"Of course!" Tork perked up. "But not until you are well enough to travel."

"Well...she scaled a mountain earlier this week." Kili growled, glaring at his wife who snickered.

"I already apologized for that." Tauriel shot back, then smiled and purred into his mind. "In more ways than one if I recall."

"Yes, well..." Kili shifted. "...we were thinking late spring when the weather turns from mud season, to warm season. It is right miserable to travel in the rain...and that is about all it does for the next two or three months around here. Not good for the horses or the children."

"You're bringing your pups?" Tork asked a bit surprised.

"A few of them, yes." Kili nodded. "Which is why we are waiting for better weather."

Tork nodded, running his hands through the short, golden-red hair on his chin. "I could fly you. Would take much less time."

"My aunt has suggested the same." Kili hummed thoughtfully. "And we are quite considering it. We prefer horseback, but with our little ones, I think I would prefer making the journey as short as possible. But we are still discussing the details."

"Well count my wings into yours, Kitty. I too think it would be the safest option for your pups." Tork glanced at Kilion. Such a small little being.

"I am afraid we have more places to go than just Beorn's, Tork, and I don't want you to feel obligated to come with." Tauriel added. "I need to visit Lothlorien, and possibly Rivendell."

"I don't know anything about those places or where they are at...but why not!" Tork grinned. "I am ready for another adventure or two."

"Oh no...no no no!" Dis growled. "No adventuring with my grandchildren until they are of age! I know what your definition of adventuring is...and I will not allow it."

Tauriel huffed and rolled her eyes. "Amad, we are not going on an adventure, we are merely going for trip. Hopefully, a short one. The only reason I am even considering taking my children, is for a reason you well know. And I will be leaving Naufi and Orin here."

"But not Ithtiri." Dis shook her head. "She is a baby darling."

"And one who has been away from me long enough." Tauriel argued. "I will not separate myself from her again for any longer than necessary. Not until she can at least eat other foods. I am fully capable of protecting my children."

Dis sighed and nodded. "I am not arguing that my dear. I am just worried about you, and them. The last time you left this mountain...we nearly lost you."

Tauriel's temper softened and she smiled. "I understand, amad. Truly. I fully intend for this to be a very short trip with clearly intended destinations we will not be deviating from."

Dis was about to respond when the door opened and none other than the king under the mountain himself came barging in. His entrance startled the sleeping aelug which both began chirping and hissing along with Duk and Feya who both puffed up their feathers in annoyance but quieted fairly quickly when they saw who it was, while the two infants didn't seem to be bothered in the least.

"Thorin!" Dis said standing up. "I thought you were with the children!" She then clucked her tongue and shook her head when she realized just how Thorin was informed of the current situation as on Thorin's shoulder, Kaw sat proudly adorned in his mithril armor.

"Little tell all." Fili chuckled.

Before Thorin could say anything, the door opened again, both Nyaunni and Naurfaer striding in. "Did I hear Tork was here? HA HA! So it is true! Fantastic. Welcome to Erebor, Tork! I knew you would be dropping by at some point." He glanced at Thorin, a brow quirked curiously. "Did you abandon the little ones? I thought you were deep in the mountain for the day?"

"The children are fine and well looked after with Balin and several others. I had something more pressing to see to." Thorin growled and glared at Naurfaer before turning back to the shifter. "How, exactly, did you get in here? The gates are shut and I was never informed of visitors."

"Informed?" Tork cocked his head. "Do you always get informed when people come and go?"

"Yes. Now how did you get in?" Thorin growled, more than anything needing to know who neglected their duties or where they are lacking in protection.

Tork pointed his thumb towards Kili and Tauriel's room. "Through there, actually. I was just flying around, about to land down at the gate when I saw Kitty there out on some kind of veranda. I thought...why not? Looks like plenty of room. So I banked and perched. You really ought to be more aware of that gap in security. Flying enemies are few and far between but they do exist. Should take some precautions if I were you."

Tauriel huffed. "That veranda is practically invisible to anyone not looking for it. Who told you about it?"

"I don't know what you mean, Bunny." Tork sniffed. "Nobody told me anything."

Tauriel's glare deepened. "Who. Told. You?"

A fluttering of wings wafted through the air, and at first nobody batted an eye as the white raven took off from where she was perched and soared around the room before landing on Tork's shoulder. "Well...no person told me. With all your letters you send Ivethin, Nyaunni, and me...I have become rather good friends with Umyra here. She told me all about her life with you. Spunky old gal. But she is very happy with this family, loves you even."

"Hang on now..." Fili looked from the white raven who flew from Tork to Kili and began preening his hair. "...she told you? You speak raven?"

Tork shrugged. "I am a shifter. We all have some ability to commune with animals as we are part animal ourselves...well most animals...some animals. There are more than a few who just outright refuse to talk to anyone outside their own kind, some who are stubborn, and some who are too stupid to communicate...like chickens. Wait, I thought you knew a shifter?" He looked to Tauriel accusingly. "Are you sure you know this, Beorn?"

"I do know Beorn, but he has never mentioned being able to communicate with the creatures of this world." Tauriel said honestly.

Tork lifted a brow, but nodded. "It comes in handy more often than not."

"Extraordinary." Naurfaer exclaimed, rather impressed. "I have known Beorn for a long time, over a century in fact, and he has never outright mentioned such a thing. But I am not surprised given his propensity to attract and associate with the animals...especially the ones he keeps. I wonder if it is anything like..." He paused and looked to Nyaunni who was staring at the shifter with interest.

Catching his eye, Nyaunni blinked then shook her head. "I cannot speak to them...nor do they speak to me. I can sense their needs, their pains, and a few other things. It's different and difficult to explain." She waived nonchalantly. "Can you actually, speak with them...in their tongue?"

"Yes?" Tork answered. "When they feel like speaking. Like I said...most don't. It is an ancient tongue, shifter language. Every animal species is charged to learn it, but as the ages have passed it has become more and more a lost language. Pity, really. Our texts and histories are colored with communities of shifters and animals communing one with another. We were so few in numbers, I am afraid, that the practice of sharing our knowledge with the beasts have all but dissipated. Fortunately, old Umyra here comes from a community who taught her the way of beast speech. Propper clever girl you got there."

Umyra preened, clearly understanding his words in her own way. She croaked in a way Tauriel had never heard...almost like a purr of a sound. It was followed by similar sounds in the same pattern, and Tauriel realized this must be the beast speech Tork was referring to...considering the large shifter was nodding and smiling.

"She apologizes if she upset you. She never desires to hurt this family. She has come to see it as her own family, and loves you dearly. She knew we were friends, and felt she could trust me." Tork grinned. "Aww. You trust me?" He said something back in what appeared to be odd tones, which Umyra cocked her head at, clacked her beak, then continued preening Kili's hair.

"I'll take it!" Tork laughed.

"If anyone told me this would be my life thirty years ago...I'd say you were one handle short of a hammer." Fili looked around at the still chirping aelug hatchlings on the chair with two of the three young ravens, the third still perched on the arm of the chair beside Tauriel, and their parents Kaw and Umyra...one on Kili's shoulder and the other on Thorin's making it appear like some sort of aviary instead of a sitting room. Then there was Dungael at his feet and Hiril with Viltarra...domesticated wargs in Erebor...which Fili is sure has never happened in dwarven history. Not to mention his full blooded elven son currently gurgling away in his arms, his uncle being married to the dam he has loved in secret and once thought dead, Tauriel and Naurfaer in general, his own aelug which was hiding in his hair while his wife's was with her, and then of course shifter who once allied with their enemy only to change loyalties and become a friend. Mahal above; his younger self would not have believed this even plausible let alone possible.

"I FEEL one handle short of a hammer." Thorin grunted, folding his arms and glaring at Tork. He remembered how impossibly infuriating this man could be and just how much he ate. He will eat them out of their reserves if Thorin does not warn Bombur...which he will. "Fine, you're here, thanks to Umyra...which we will be talking about, by the way, natha. We cannot have ravens giving away entrances to our home...especially ones leading to the children. I am in want to board these windows up then build a heavy wall to close this entire space off if that is what I need to do to keep this family safe."

Tauriel lifted her eyes from her aelug she had only just retrieved and was now cradling in her hands to turn a look of horror and devastation to Thorin, her entire body going rigid as she stood frozen even at the mere idea. "Close off...the windows and the veranda?" She felt her heartbeat quicken as the ramifications filled her mind. No stars. No sun. No sky. No breeze. No freedom.

"Mama?" Kilion asked from where he sat on the sofa in the spot she had just vacated. "Da, is mama okay?"

"Amralime?" Kili turned his full attention on his wife, standing and handing Ithtiri to his mother as he passed by to get to Tauriel. "Hey..." He took Tauriel by the shoulders. "...breathe love, slowly. He isn't actually going to do that." He looked to his uncle. "Right uncle?"

Thorin sighed, seeing how upset Tauriel was getting just at the mere mention of boarding off her beloved balcony and windows. "I should! What happens if we are attacked from above? We have flying creatures...for all we know those Nazgul very well might as well...not to mention we never thought about beasts like Gundabad war bats that could find us as well. Do we really want to risk the safety of our family, this mountain, and our people?"

A tear threatened to slip from Tauriel's eye as she warred with completely agreeing with Thorin, and knowing what he was saying needed to be done...and her elven instincts for air, sunlight, and the stars. Until this moment, she had not realized just how much she relied on that veranda to satisfy the loss of living among the trees and free sky. She loved Erebor, loved going down to the depths of the mountain, loved spending time in windowless rooms with Kili and her children...but did she love it here because she knew come nightfall, she could step out into the air and breathe in the night sky? Or wake and step out to have the cool morning breeze chase the remaining remnants of sleep away?

"Amralime." Kili sighed, cupping her face, even as he turned a bit towards his uncle. "I trust Umyra, uncle. It was one person, and one we know to be our friend. The veranda stays."

"Aye." Tork nodded. "It is really well hidden. I only saw Kitty because I knew exactly where to look." He finally admitted.

"But, Kili..."

"No, amralime." Kili turned back to his wife. "We will find a way to protect it."

"Just put a ward on it." Tork suggested.

"A what?" Kili asked looking around the room.

"A ward." Naurfaer was the one to repeat. "Not a bad idea actually. I am surprised I had not thought of that earlier. But it won't be easy. Ward's take time to create and even more time to activate. Plus you need very specific materials to build one. They are very uncommon these days, so those materials will not come cheep; easily three or four times the cost of Mithril each...and we will need at least four to hit each corner of the veranda and it would be good to add some wards to the windows on both this suite and your's Thorin. Furthermore we have to figure out a way to still allow the ravens entrance and exit, maybe even the aelug. I think I might have an idea for that...but I can't say it will work until we try."

"Wait...you can make wards?" Fili asked a bit surprised.

"I am still lost as to what we you are talking about." Kili looked to his brother who rolled his eyes.

"Ki, if you just paid attention in Balin's lesson...you would know what was going on right now." Fili sighed. "Wards are essentially magical walls of protection. Like the doors of Durin in a way, at Moria or the hidden door of Erebor."

"The eldar used them too." Tauriel said. "Remember that cave we found leading to Rivendell? It was warded so the enemies of the light could not enter nor see it. Can we really ward the veranda, adar?" She asked her grandfather hopefully. "I would sacrifice anything, including that, to protect my children if I have to. But it does mean a great deal to me."

Naurfaer smiled and moved to his granddaughter. "I know what it means to you, starlight, I think we all do. You were born to live among the stars, and the stars you shall keep. Let me see what I have, then what I need, and we will get this space protected. I give you my word, you will not lose any part of it."

"See, love?" Kili said soothingly. "It will be alright. Not once in twenty years and multiple battles have we had a problem." He leaned up a bit and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Now I need you to calm down...we already put your heart and lungs through enough torture from this morning's exercise session. Oin said a little at a time, ya?"

"I still don't know why I was forced to join that." Fili grumbled. "I still can't feel my legs. We have told you time and time again, Tauri...dwarves are not runners, we are sprinters. Ten miles this morning was torture."

"Bombur did it." Tauriel said with a smile. "And he stopped far fewer times than you, muindor."

"I have no idea how you have gotten Bombur to agree to join morning exercises." Kili chuckled. "I mean he is doing very well...but you know, eating is more his thing over training and exercise."

"I have petitioned all the company remain in good standing with their training." Tauriel said, placing her aelug on her shoulder so she could wrap her arms around Kili's waist and pull him close. It calmed her and grounded her when he had his arms around her. "Including Bombur." Tauriel continued. "He also came to me one morning and asked for some help in training. He has been struggling with keeping up with all his children, and he wants to be able to enjoy his time with them as well as keep his position. He is very happy with who he is, but he wants to be healthy too."

"Good on him." Naurfaer praised.

"I find Bombur to be a rather keen fellow." Nyaunni smiled. "He caught a rooster rushing about nobody else could catch up to. He is faster than he appears."

"That is for sure. He ran straight passed all of us when we were running form Beorn...to Beorn's house." Fili laughed. "Had us all gaping at him as he sped by every one of us."

"He passed you this morning too." Kili snickered, even as he lifted himself just a tiny bit onto the balls of his feet to rest his chin on his slightly taller wife's shoulder.

"Did you say you were running FROM Beorn?" Tork asked curiously. "And...he is your friend...right?"

Kili chuckled. "He is now. Gandalf warned us that in his bear form, he is a bit...wild. He apparently didn't care much for dwarves either, which did not help the situation. We grew on him though...I think."

"He at least didn't throw us out when he came back as a man the next morning." Fili added. "Was kind of afraid he would. Instead, he fed us, gave us some ponies, and even came to aid in the battle."

"He's a good man." Thorin hummed knowingly. "Though he has denied invitation to Erebor, he does send cheese and wine every summer season, and we trade rather regularly."

"He also sent those bees." Kili said, sighing softly as he swayed a bit with his wife in his arms. He could tell she was getting tired. Her body was still recovering, and though she had more and more energy every day...with the workout they did that morning and have been doing for the last week...she has been taking regular naps at mid-day to replenish herself. Though he also feels her fighting it, likely wanting to be awake for Tork.

"Indeed." Nyaunni nodded and smiled wide as she picked up Kili's aelug and perched her on Kili's shoulder so she could sit; she sensed the little being wanted her bonded companion which she was unable to get to...so Nyaunni brought her to him. Naturally, the little creature went right to hiding herself in his mess of loose curls. Though Dulinn, Tauriel's aelug, was leaning off her shoulder, his claws digging into her top as he sniffed the air; hunger, Nyaunni felt coming from him. They were always hungry at this age. She shook her head and sat. Tauriel will feed him soon.

Thorin rolled his eyes but moved to sit on the arm of the chair his wife was currently in as Nyaunni continued to talk. "And they are some very, happy, bees. They produced another queen last season, so we are now up to twenty bee boxes. Which is perfect, considering honey is what these little things need to grow fast, according to the Avari."

"Honey and chicken eggs." Tauriel hummed. "Which reminds me it is about feeding time." She turned her head, resting hers against Kili's while looking at the aelug on her shoulder.

"Ever the bottomless pits." Naurfaer laughed as his own peeked out of his large pocket and chirped likely at the word, food, which she well knows. Feredir got her name because she was constantly hunting around for food...be that crumbs or little insects. She had keen eyesight and rarely missed even the fastest skittering bug.

"Speaking of food...can we expect you for dinner, Tork?" Tauriel asked, finally pulling away from Kili. She felt silly getting so emotional over a balcony. Was she expecting? In a slight panic, Tauriel checked her system...but no, no little growing life inside her. So what has her all a mess over something so trivial? She never liked to be the problem. However, looking around the room, even Thorin was smiling softly at her. Maybe...they were not angry or think less of her for wanting to keep her place of escape.

"I never turn down a meal, Bunny." Tork laughed. "And after hearing you grumbling about missing dwarven food...which you did in your sleep a lot at Mirkwood by the way...I am rather looking forward to trying it for myself." Tauriel's cheeks flamed red as both Kili and Fili laughed…even Thorin chuckled.

"Don't worry amralime." Kili said lovingly. "We all missed our own food, and mams cooking." He glanced at Dis who smiled. "Nobody is judging you love."

"Im sorry, Kili. I don't know why I am all over the place with my emotions today." Tauriel sent her mate and partner through their bond.

"Don't be sorry, Tauriel. It's been a stressful few months for you. Are you okay with company tonight?"

"More than. I want to know more about what is happening in Mirkwood, as Legolas is being frustratingly vague in his letters. Either nothing is happening whatsoever, or they are keeping things from me."

"Let us hope it is the first." Kili sighed then turned to his mother. "Well, what's for dinner mam?"

Dis rolled her eyes and stood. "Lamb roast." She said, glancing at Tauriel whose eyes lit up. Tauriel loved lamb roast, and Dis knew that.

"I have had mutton before…but never lamb." Tork hummed. "And that is only when I plucked one off a farm once when I was flying over. A bit chewy and lean."

"Just wait until you eat with us tonight." Fili said. "Once you go dwarven cuisine…you don't go back. Right Tauri?"

Tauriel glared at her brother but after a moment, slowly nodded. "Unfortunately…he is not wrong. Elven food tastes…"

"Awful." Kili laughed. "Though I am more than grateful the elves of Mirkwood eat meat…if we were in Rivendell, the only things on your plate would be greens and food that comes from the ground, shrub, or tree."

"That…sounds like torture." Tork said looking disgusted. "And I know what torture is like."

"It was not pleasant." Kili hummed giving Tork a look, shaking his head. He knew what torture was like too...but it was likely they were both on opposite ends of that torture...Kili having been through it and Tork being ordered to perform it. Then again, Kili can't be certain Tork did not go through it himself as he knows little of the shifter outside him changing sides. Not really wanting to think about torture, Kili shoved his feelings on the matter down deep to chuckle and add, "We ended up trying to scavenge for food and eat some of our dried reserves. Though it did not stop Fi from making my Tauriel a butter cake while we were there for her birthday."

"No, it did not. Anything for my favorite elf." Fili grinned at his sister who smiled back.

"Butter cake?" Tork asked intrigued.

"Oh we have that too." Tauriel said. "I think we have some left right amad?"

Dis hummed as she rocked Ithtiri. "I will make a batch for dessert. I believe I gave you the last few pieces."

"I will help then." Tauriel immediately offered, and Dis of course accepted. Though she was a little, unhappy, about Tork also jumping in and wanting to help as well. Not just because he was the guest which he just waived off, but also because he was a stranger in her home…her actual home. Not just in the mountain, but in their suites. And yet, she learned her lesson with Viltarra…she will give this, shifter, a shot since most the family seemed comfortable around him despite Thorin still glaring at the large man. Honestly that was not unusual whatsoever, so it didn't really put her on edge.

Thorin grumbled something under his breath that had Nyaunni snorting and giving him a look even as he stood and mumbled something into her ear. "I am going to go back to see to the children and Balin. Excuse me." He gave Nyaunni a meaningful look, pressing a kiss to her head in passing. She only nodded and watched him go.

"I'm going to go with." Naurfaer said. "I want to see if Balin knows of any warding in the mountains records." He quickly followed Thorin leaving Nyaunni behind, the dam sighing.

"Fili, come with me." She said, gesturing to the door. The blonde prince did not hesitate to nod and follow. Kili suspected it had something to do with what Thorin whispered to her...likely making security detail on Tork while he was here.

"Well, we better get started. Lamb roast takes hours to prepare, so if we wish for it to be complete by dinner bell, I have to start it now." Dis stood and handed Ithtiri back to Kili. "Do you want to help nan as well, Kilion?"

"Okay." Kilion nodded and slid off the couch to run to his mother who picked him up. With Tork now in tow, they left the sitting room, and Kili, who opted to go join Nyaunni and Fili.

To say preparing dinner was a spectacle…was putting it lightly. Dis was used to crowds in her kitchen having seven curious grandchildren not including the two infants, two wargs, and the rest of the family constantly coming and going as she cooked. She was also accustomed to not being the only one cooking as Viltarra, Vin, and or Tarrah often prepared alongside her. Though Vin had only just begun cooking again as he has gotten more and more used to life with a missing limb.

However tonight took the proverbial cake as Tork…who was far larger than a man had any right to be…kept getting in her way. If that was not bad enough, the shifter had no qualms with taste testing everything…including the raw meat.

"Almost doesn't need to be cooked." He hummed happily as he popped an entire chop into his mouth.

"Daughter…if you don't handle this, shifter, I will." Dis hissed to Tauriel who was looking torn between laughing uproariously and wanting to appease her by putting on a stern expression on her face.

"Sorry amad." Tauriel whispered as she passed the family matriarch by and tapped Tork…who was throwing the boiled potatoes that Dis just had cubed and set in a bowl with some butter, into his mouth. If he did not stop…there would be no mashed potatoes to go with supper. "Tork…if you would come with me please."

Tork looked at the eleth curiously. "I thought we were helping with the cooking?" He asked, cocking his head.

Fili, who had eventually joined them and was now sitting at the table holding back his own smile, shook his head as he diced mushrooms for the gravy. He already made the butter cake and the dough for the rolls. His son was asleep in his basket that sat next to Ithtiri's who was awake, but chewing on her hand contently.

Fili's chuckles had Tauriel turning a glare at him but he simply ignored it and continued dicing, forcing the eleth to turn towards the shifter. "We WERE helping, Tork…but I…" She searched her mind for an idea of how to get him out of the kitchen before Dis used one of her razor-sharp kitchen blades on the large man. She glanced at the time and was a little startled at how late it was getting. Where are her sons and nieces?

"Kili, have you heard anything about Finli, Orin, and Naufi?"

Kili had run down with Nyaunni to the stables due to an issue with Maryn. Someone from the stable had run up and urged Kili to come down to the snow patched field as the black mare had laid down and refused to get back up again.

Naturally, Kili raced to see her, his aelúg still on his shoulder gripping for life as her person ran with her from the room. Since he left, Kili has said very little. Just mentioned they were able to get her up and to her stall where she promptly lay back down again. Nyaunni was assessing her.

"No. Do you want me to go see if they are alright? I know uncle was going to go back to them…but that was a few hours ago. I would think they should be heading back now."

"No meleth nin." Tauriel answered quickly. "Stay with Maryn. I will go. Tork is about to cause amad to commit murder…so I think it will be a fine excuse to separate them for a small bit. Is Maryn alright?"

"Aunt Nya says she thinks she ate something she shouldn't have. We are looking into it but it looks more and more like colic."

"Poor Maryn. Stay my Kili, I will handle the boys."

"Thank you, amralime."

It was the last think Kili said when his side of their connection went quiet. So Tauriel turned to her son who was already at her side. "You coming too my little lion?"

"Can I?" Kilion asked.

Tauriel chuckled and nodded before gathering her daughter up in her arms.

"You can leave her here, darling." Dis offered, but Tauriel shook her head.

"I have her amad, you have enough on your hands and Fili has Taurion. We will be back." Was the last thing she said as she used her free hand to urge her tiny aelug into her large pocket. He was licking the counter beside Fili's and the other hatchling who preferred to stay in Fili's suite; all three having finished a small meal together. They will likely just sleep now for the next few hours.

"Supper will be ready in about two hours." Dis yelled to her even as Tauriel shut the door to the kitchen.

"Alright then…lead the way, Bunny." Tork said with a sigh. He glanced at the kitchen almost forlornly, but did follow Tauriel as she snagged one of the discarded infant wraps laying on the main sitting room sofa. It actually was Taurion's, but Tauriel doubted Fili would mind if she borrows it. Taurion was asleep in his basket, so it was not like Fili needed it right now anyway.

With practiced hands, Tauriel wrapped her daughter so she was securely tied to her with her head resting on Tauriel's chest. It did cause mild discomfort, but not so much it was painful.

Now that her hands were free, Tauriel then took her youngest son's hand as she opened the door leading to the steps out of the suites. "A few rules…one, don't touch anything. Two, do not antagonize the guards, and three, do not stray from me. Few know you are here, and I do not think Thorin is in the mood to order you out of prison if the guards throw you in."

"And here I was, thinking my arrival would be celebrated." Tork said, looking only a little dejected. "You know…crowds of cheering, lots of ale, and a big party of sorts. Like the ones Fili and Kili described on the boat."

Ah. Tauriel now understood. She does quite remember Kili and Fili boasting about the way dwarves celebrate over pretty much everything when they were making their way down the river before Naufi was taken...and truthfully they were not lying about the dwarven propensity to celebrate. In fact, there was a feast not too long ago once Tauriel was well enough to attend. It was in her honor for her merits in Rhun and her return strength to survive an attempt at her life by a Nazgul. The feast lasted an entire evening into the morning...even though she only attended about half of it before her exhaustion got the better of her and she retired with her dead on their feet children and Kili who was unusually reserved with his ale consumption that night. He had said it was because he wanted to remain helpful and attentive rather than passing out. Considering he was very helpful and equally attentive several times that night…Tauriel was more than satisfied with his choices.

"If you wanted that, then perhaps you should have come through the main gate and maybe informed us of your impending arrival." Tauriel said, smirking up at him. "And I am sure we can work something out. You would be surprised how little pushing it takes for a music, food, and ale filled evening in this mountain."

"A feast?" Kilion asked. "Feasts are too loud." He then grumbled. Her poor baby. Kilion has never liked crowds and loud noises.

"I know my star." Tauriel squeezed his hand knowing there was nothing she could say that would be of any help about that right now.

"Is that...gold?" Tork took her attention away from Kilion as he all but gaped at the floor in the throne room. "As in...pure gold?"

"Lift that chin off the floor." Tauriel chuckled. "And yes. There was a little mishap with a dragon a few decades ago. Said mishap resulted in a floor coated in liquid gold. It has since been sealed and preserved to handle all the walking...but it is still very much pure gold."

"Great winged creator that is...wow. If you have a floor of gold...I can only imagine what is in the vaults in a place like this." Tork whistled even as he stepped past the glaring guards.

"He is with me." Tauriel said to Braundee who was on duty once again.

"No need teh tell me." She responded with a snort. "Our lord already let us know in passing. The notice from Queen Nyaunni has been sent to the guards' wing and head office as well."

"Thank you, Braundee. I appreciate that. I am just going to show Tork around while I pick up my sons and nieces. We will be returning soon."

"Aye. Noted." Braundee said with her fist to her chest. "My lady." She bowed a bit, then smirked at Tauriel's very annoyed expression. It was well known how much the resident eleth and royal high princess of Erebor hated being reminded she has such titles.

"My lady?" Tork asked, then he nodded. "Right. You're married to a prince, aren't you? Makes sense. Guess I should start bowing too, eh?" He bowed deeply causing Tauriel to huff and walk away as the amused shifter winked at Braundee before he took a few long strides to catch up with the eleth walking away from him.

As they walked, Tork's eyes scanned the mountain looking every which way. "You know, I don't know much about dwarves…but from what I have heard about them, I had not expected their cities to look like this."

"Mmm." Tauriel hummed as she nodded to a pair of dams walking by pushing a cart of fresh vegetables from the green room to the kitchen. Probably for communal supper that evening.

"This place is massive too." Tork continued, then he let out an ear piercing roar that echoed through the hall they were walking through, the sound bouncing from wall to wall as Tork listened with a wide grin on his face.

The dwarves around them, however, were not so amused. Several of which fixed cold glares on the shifter, while others snickered under their breath as they passed by. The only think keeping the guards from swarming Tork…was Tauriel who mouthed an apology to two of them who had weapons at the ready. She pushed her friend through the archway leading to stairwells, hoping if she got him out of the way of her people…maybe she could keep him out of trouble.

If only her grandfather had not gone with Thorin. Now that she thought about it…maybe that is exactly why they are so late to return. Naurfaer does get rather distracted easily…especially for one his age.

"How deep are we going?" Tork asked curiously as they descended stairs almost unceasingly. They have already passed two levels of markets…both of which Tauriel had to almost physically pull Tork away from with the promise of visiting them tomorrow if he plans on staying. He was attracted to the smell of food.

Tauriel sighed. "I do not think we can go beyond the garden without an escort. We can wait there."

"Can we get a candy from the Eughal's in the Biblîn market?" Kilion asked hopefully.

"Candy?" Tork's eyes lit up. "Is that food?"

Tauriel lifted a brow but nodded. "Very well. But not too much; supper is in a few hours."

The trio descended another staircase leading to the courtyard adjacent to the Biblîn market, or copper market in common. It was the smallest market in Erebor, but still larger than Ered Luin's market.

Tork looked left and right, easily staring overhead the shorter dwarves crowding the paths between stalls and shops. He of course got stares as he walked...but then again he was a being just taller than Thranduil who was himself very tall. Not to mention...Tork had his tail out again. Tauriel wonders if he does that on purpose, or if it is just a part of who he is. He seems proud to be a shifter, so perhaps it is pride for his people that has him swinging his lions tail back and forth as he walked.

"TAURIEL! Da look! It's Tauriel!"

"I see Toki." A blonde dwarf laughed, Gronti. He still wore his customary floppy hat, but his blonde waves were escaping it today. Tauriel also happened to notice several new braids in his hair and beads that looked rather similar to the ones Hillanna used. But what she was most happy about, is the welcoming smile he always had on his face whenever she visited.

Tauriel smiled as she changed her heading towards the merchant stand where Gronti stood holding an instrument, only half looking it over as his focus turned to the approaching group. "Afternoon. What brings ya down here?" Gronti asked as he handed his son a polished fiddle. Gronti made, repaired, tuned, and sold all manner of instruments. It was something he had done while he lived among the Ukdam, and he has become rather well known among the musicians of Erebor. Even Kili, Fili, and Thorin took their instruments to Gronti when they were in need of servicing.

"Hello Toki, Gronti." Tauriel said as she stepped up to the shop window. It was meant for quick transactions and exchanges. He also had an indoor portion of his shop where he sold goods like the instruments themselves, strings, bows, and so on. "How do you fare today?"

"Very well." Gronti said.

"WOOH!" Toki exclaimed, lifting his eyes to Tork. "What is that?"

"Who!" Gronti corrected, his cheeks flaming red with embarrassment over his son. "Who is that, Toki." He huffed a whispered. "Manners, me boy." To his son who rolled his eyes but did nod.

Tork, however, laughed. "What indeed. Sometimes I look in the mirror and ponder that myself. The names Tork."

"But...you aren't a dwarf, or an elf...I don't think you're human either."

"Toki! Really." Gronti sighed.

"It's fine. I've heard far worse where I am from." Tork chuckled. "And keen eyes you have there." He praised Toki. "You are rather correct. I am not a dwarf, elf, or human."

"I knew it! I have been studying races of middle earth for my guards exam." Toki said excitedly.

"Which you can't take for twenty-seven more years." Gronti reminded him.

"Naw. I am gonna take it early. Going to be the youngest guard in Erebor!" Toki said, puffing out his chest.

Gronti shook his head. "I'll not stop ya lad, but there are rules in place fer a reason. Yer safety bein' one of em, plus I am no' quite ready to lose ya yet. But I don' doubt ya. You've always followed yer heart, an I am proud of ya for it."

"Thank's da." Toki said. "But I'll always be here for you too!"

"I know lad." Gronti placed an arm around his son who leaned into his father.

"Oh! Is Fin back yet?" Toki asked. "I wanted to go too, but they said it was a special trip and wouldn't let me come. Its fine though, it meant I could help da out today since Regar is with Hillanna...again." He made a face, exaggerating his disgust at the thought through his expression.

"Be nice about yer brother, Toki." Gronti chuckled. "And Regar is not just with Hillanna, he is helping Shaada."

"Sure he is." Toki rolled his eyes, before he looked back up at Tork. "WAIT! You never said what you were!"

"Correct again." Tork hummed. "Let me give you a hint..." He turned just a bit to show off his tail swinging side to side. "Any ideas?"

"Umm...no." Toki said, looking lost.

"I guess that is fair. There are not a lot of my kind around anymore." Tork sighed. "My people have many names in the common tongue, but most know us as skin changers or shifters. We can change our form at will into an animal or beast of our choosing."

"No WAY!" Toki said, now leaning out to stare at Tork with renewed interest. "Is that what you can change into?"

"In part." Tork laughed.

"He has wings too." Kilion said quietly. He kept looking around at the paths growing busier by the minute. He had even released Tauriel's hand to wrap his arms around her leg where he buried his face as if it helped him escape the present crowds.

"WINGS! You can fly? Like Nyaunni's beasts?" Toki exclaimed.

Tork snickered something about the beasts of the Avari. He admits they are rather fascinating creatures...but he would like to think he was at least a bit superior to, what were they called? Aelug? Ya he thinks that's right. "I can fly, yes."

"Wow." Toki whistled. "I wish I could fly."

"That makes one of us." Gronti grunted. "I canno' imganine the trouble you would get into if ya can fly, me boy."

"I don't get into trouble da." Toki huffed. "It is not my fault the grown ups get offended when they are wrong, I simply correct them and help them to see they were wrong."

Tork's uproarious laughter filled the air. "Oh, I like you."

Toki beamed. "Are you staying in Erebor long?" He asked.

Tork sobered and shook his head. "I plan on leaving tonight."

Even Tauriel looked shocked by that. "Truly? I thought you might be staying for at least a few days." She now felt a little guilty she refused to let him go into the other markets. She was sure he would be staying.

"I don't like being away from Nelithi for long. She gets...upset...when I am not around. No idea why. I have more than turned her world upside down, not to mention the things I have done..." He let his last thought trail off. Tauriel knew what he was alluding to though, and it need not be said out loud. "...anyway, I want to be back before morning, when she arrives back home."

"Back home?" Tauriel asked, more than a bit surprised. "Where did she go?"

"Oh...nowhere outside Mirkwood." Tork hummed. "But a few healers arrived from Loth-something or rather; some other elven city I forgotten the name to. They are assessing her and were keeping her for the day…a few others as well. I was not allowed in with her...so I took the day to come here. Nagar is with her though, they let HIM in."

"Lothlorien." Tauriel filled in. "That is where Ivethin is originally from."

"Ivethin! I like her." Toki said.

"Me to, kid." Tork chuckled.

"We really should be going." Tauriel looked around the market, then down at her son who was grasping her leg even tighter. "Let's go get you that candy, my star, then let's go get your brothers and cousins."

Kilion nodded and they waived farewell to Toki and Gronti but not before inviting Toki to come with them. But he surprisingly shook his head no stating he wanted to stay and help his da. He really was a good soul.

The trio was not stopped again as they wound around laughing and bargaining dwarves of the lower city market. Tork did notice Kilion's discomfort and offered to carry him on his shoulders, but the dwarfling immediately shook his head no and tightened his grip on his mother's hand. He did not let up until the confectionary came into view when he finally smiled at the dwarf behind the counter.

"Ah, the lady Tauriel." The deep voice of Eughal welcomed. "And young prince Kilion. I know what you want little lad." Without even asking, the dwarf whipped around, his ebony braids up in a knot on his head to keep out of way. He grabbed a small bag and began opening jars and adding this and that before holding it out to the little dwarfling. "This do for ya today? Or are you feelin' particularly adventurous an' want ta try somethin' different?"

Kilion immediately shook his head and reached for the bag, but Eughal pulled it away just out of reach. "Just...one new thing? Somethin' small...I promise you will like it." He glanced at Tauriel, a twinkle in his dark eyes. Even with his dark complexion, he had a smattering of darker freckles across his nose. Eughal was once a wanderer not unlike Vin and Tarrah. He too traveled Rhun extensively before settling in Erebor, but he was also from Rhun, a member of the Blacklock clan.

Eughal was also one of the very few dwarves outside the family who could get Kilion to come out of his shell. Maybe it was the wide, welcoming smile, he always had…or how he pushed Kilion in a way that still gave her youngest son a choice in the matter…but whatever the reason, Tauriel was grateful for Eughal. His candies were a delight as well.

"Okay." Kilion finally agreed, frowning at the bag he could not reach.

"Ah ah ah. A smile first." Eughal said. "It will be well worth it…I give you my word...but how about a smile first, eh my lad?"

Kilion blinked up at him, sighed, then put on the most forced smile Tauriel had ever seen. It had her almost laughing. Eughal, however, lifted a dark brow.

"Wha' in the makers beard is that? Because that, is no smile little lord."

Kilion scrunched his nose which did have Tork laughing loudly. The gesture will forever amuse him.

Eughal, however, tried again. "Oh come on. All I am askin' for…is a smile. Tell you what…" The candy maker squatted low to be on Kilion's level. "…If you can just give me a very small, little, smile, a real one…we can call it even…ya? You can do tha' for me right?"

Kilion looked up at his mother who nodded reassuringly. Then he looked back at the candy maker and finally smiled. It warmed Tauriel's heart because he had a lovely smile that lit up his face when he did share it with others.

"There's a good lad." Eughal praised. "Now…for the prize…" He stood and turned around, pulling out a jar and setting it on the counter, patting the lid. "This…is me pride and joy today. A new, very special, treat. Guaranteed ta make ya beg for more." He grinned. "I got me a new tool called a pulling hook. I thought I'd give it a go this mornin' and you reap the benefits of that." He pulled three long strips out of the jar, handing one to Kilion, one to Tauriel, and one to Tork. "Flavors a bit boring...jus' used vanilla since I was no' sure how it would turn out. Bu' jus' you wait! I have orders in for flavors ya have never seen. Ever heard, of a tarian fruit, pineapple, or gaura gaura? Each comes from Harad. I happen to have spent a lo' of time down there and have many connections with the larger markets. Go' one willing to send me extracts from many of their fruits. Also go' some flavors commin' in from Rhun. In two months time...I want you, little lord, ta be the first to try them all. What do ya say?"

Kilion looked at the stick in his hand, then took an experimental bite, chewing for some time, then took another and smiled. "It's chewy! Mama, try it! It's good."

"Is that a yes?" Eughal asked laughing, and laughed again when Kilion nodded emphatically.

Tork took a bite as well, chewed, then looked down at the stick in surprise. "That, is...very sweet. What is it?"

"You know, I have not given it a name yet. Jus' calling it pulled chew sticks at the moment but I am sure I will think of somethin' before I make them widely available." Eughal answered.

"Are all your goods...sweet like this?" Tork muttered, still looking down at the candy in his hand.

Eughal chuckled. "Such is the nature of candies; they are sweet."

"Have you never had a candy before?" Kilion asked in disbelief. "Didn't your mama take you to get sweets?"

Tork went to take another small bite, but paused as if contemplating the little child's words. Before he could answer, however, Tauriel was already responding. "Tork is not from around here, my little lion. They have very different foods than we do. Not even all the elven cities have sweets and deserts outside the fruits that grow naturally around them. We are very fortunate to have such a master of confections as we do in Erebor." She gave an apologetic look to Tork, mouthing how sorry she was and he answered with a small smile and a nod.

Though the large shifter did get down on one knee to address his friend's tiny son. "My mother was not much for stuff like this. She was a very capable hunter, and made sure not one of us went hungry even if it took her all night to catch something. But on very, very special occasions...she would find a honey hive, and bring it back for us as a treat. I think...it happened twice in my childhood. Creators wings, we ate every bit of that honeycomb. And my mother would mix the small bit of honey remaining with our butter and we would share the few bits of bread with the sweet honeybutter among all my brothers and sisters." He paused in thought. "You know...I don't once think I ever saw her take a bite herself, not once."

"Is your mama as big as you?"

Tauriel sighed. In no way was she going to admonish him for being curious...considering Kilion rarely felt comfortable asking anything about those he did not know. She was very happy to hear Tork laugh.

"Nearly so! Though I think, of all my family...my father included...I am the largest."

"Is she in Rhun?" Kilion continued asking, taking another bit of his chewy treat.

Tork nodded slowly. "In a manner of speaking. Her, and all my family."

"Do you miss them?" Kilion asked softly, after staring hard at the shifter. He paused and looked behind him, looking past his mother, at a blank space. His entire demeaner shifted, and he dropped his candy to the ground and grabbed his mothers leg, holding it tightly.

"Kilion?" Tauriel asked suddenly worried. "What is it my star?"

Kilion, though, did not look at her or answer for some time. When he did finally turn around, he buried his face in her leg and was trembling. "They are gone." He said softly, his entire body shaking. "They are gone." His breathing picked up in an alarming rate and she could feel his distress burning through their connection. The moment he stopped responding to her, was the moment she went from concerned to alarmed.

Shifting her daughter around just a bit, Tauriel expertly reached down and pulled her son into her arms completely ignoring the pain it brought her.

"Kili, something is wrong with Kilion."

"WHAT!" Tauriel felt his panic as he answered back right away. "Where are you? I am coming to you."

Kilion was shaking in her arms, tears wetting her shoulder as he silently sobbed. "They are gone from here. All of them. She was so sad, and hurt, and afraid. When they came, they hurt them, they hurt everyone. The shadows are angry. The shadows are screaming. They won't stop! They won't stop!"

"The lower market, at Eughal's. I am going to take him to the garden."

"I'm on my way."

"It hurts mama, they hurt, the shadow people hurt."

Tauriel whipped around, making sure to throw an apology over her shoulder to Eughal who was watching sadly.

"Nay lass, go." He said and picked up the discarded sweet. He will be sending the sweet bag back up to the royal hall. Poor little lad.

Tork easily kept in step with the eleth who was whispering words to her son as she walked with a purpose. Like she had some sort of power, or maybe it was the respect they had for her, the crowds split around her, clearing her path with ease. Only once did she have to offer an apology as she bumped into a dwarf who bowed, and said the fault was his. But she was long gone before he even finished his sentence.

Fortunately for Tork, his large stature meant he never lost sight of her even as she passed through two archways and down a set of stairs guarded by two very still dwarven guards.

"Lady Tauriel." One bowed and opened the door. Though he did pause when he saw Tork.

"He is with me. Kili is coming soon, please send him in expediently."

"Da?" Kilion asked in a broken voice.

"Yes, shh, my darling, da is coming." Tauriel soothed. "We will be in the garden."

"Aye, my lady." The guard nodded as he bowed her in.

Tork didn't even make a comment of all the bowing or the use of 'lady' as he followed her into a room filled with statues and strange, glowing, plants. He didn't have the heart to ask as he watched Tauriel take a seat and rock her son as he shook and trembled in her arms.

"It's alright. Shut it out my Kilion, and take deep breaths." She felt his heart hammering hard in his chest, and had to ignore her infant's whimpering's in favor of trying to get her son's breathing under control.

"They won't go away, mama. Why won't they go away?" Kilion sobbed, his face hidden in her shoulder. "The shadows are all yelling, and crying. It won't stop. Tell them to stop, mama. Please tell them to stop. It hurts. There are too many, they are too loud. Where's da?"

"I know. I know. He's coming." Tauriel was trying to keep her own panic down. What was happening to her son? "I need you to block out everything but my voice, Kilion. Just listen to my voice. Listen to mama. Can you hear me, my sweet lion?"

Kilion didn't answer, he just cried harder, his hands now covering his ears as he repeated the same thing over and over. "Make it stop."

Tauriel looked up at the archway as she heard the heavy footfalls of an approaching figure, a figure she knew better than anyone. Kili was racing into the garden, and only slowed to a stop when he fell on his knees before Tauriel, holding out his arms.

"What happened?" He asked, his breathing heavy from sprinting from the stables to the lowest part of the mountain.

"I don't know. He was completely fine one moment, then the next…I could not calm him." Tauriel said, still trying to keep herself as calm as possible for Kilion's sake. "Da's here, my star." She said gently into her son's ear.

This, he managed to hear, as he repeated. "Da?"

"Hey, little lion." Kili said, rubbing his back. Kilion didn't move and Kili could see just how uncomfortable and bothered Ithtiri was getting, so he carefully pulled Kilion from Tauriel.

Naturally he began to cry out but Kili was fast and immediately engulfed him in his arms, standing and swaying like he did when he was a babe. "I'm here." He said. "Focus on me, Kilion."

"Baleg'naneth?" Kilion asked finally looking up at nothing. Only then did he sigh and rest his head on Kili's shoulder before his breathing evened out. Kili pulled him away just enough to see that he was asleep.

"What in the name of Mahal happened?" Kili asked in a whisper. "I know you called for me, but I felt his panic even across the mountain."

"I...I don't know Kili. We were talking to Eughal who was showing off a new treat, and that's all it took."

Kili cursed, his hand still running up and down his son's back despite him being asleep. "We may need to go to one of the elven cities sooner rather than later. He can't live like this."

Tauriel had taken Ithtiri out of her sling as her whimpers began to get louder, the infant instantly stopping her fussing and resting in her arms though she was now quietly looking up at her mother with the same color eyes as Kili's which were also trained on her as well. "Yes." She said softly, then looked up at him and nodded. "As soon as possible."

Kili eyed her, then sat beside her. With his free arm, he pulled her close. "Amralime, this is not your fault." He could almost hear her internal turmoil without even using their connection. She had guilt written all over her face.

"Is it not!?" Tauriel huffed out, trying to keep her tears at bay. She would not cry...not in front of Tork. "This is elven in nature, Kili, if it is what I think it is. It had to have come from me. He is suffering...because of something that came from me. What else can it be?"

Kili glanced at Tork who seemed to be inspecting a statue several yards away...giving them a bit of privacy. "Amralime, if he has a gift...it came from beyond."

"Kili..." Tauriel looked over at him, a bit of worry in her eyes. "...what if it is Sauron?" She asked, her eyes flicking to Tork who looked over at her with furrowed brows. He had heard her.

Kili, however, shook his head. "I don't think so. He sees your mother...remember? And Grandmother? I don't think that Sauron would be that nice of a person." He paused. "Then again...Elbereth did hang with his crowd." He muttered, then sighed. "I suppose that was not exactly Elbereth...but honestly my Tauriel, I don't think this has anything to do with Sauron."

"Look, I know this isn't any of my business...probably..." Tork said as he walked over. "...but I did overhear a certain name I do know a bit about. I would like to offer any help I can give."

"I appreciate that, Tork." Tauriel gave him a small smile. "But until he wakes up...I can't even tell you what was happening to him."

Tork nodded and opened his mouth to say something, but loud laughter flit up from the opposite side of the room that had all three adults looking to the archway where they saw a guard walking by shaking his head closely followed by Naurfaer who was laughing at something Orin and Naufi were saying...the twins being on either side of them.

"Bet you didn't know that, gamp!" Naufi said proudly.

Naurfaer laughed. "In fact, I did not. See, proof that even at my age, there are things yet to be learned."

Naurfaer nearly missed his granddaughter and grandson as he passed the garden entrance, but froze and smiled wide. "Starlight!" He said happily. Then, his smile fell as he looked at her pale features. "Has something happened?" He swiftly walked in, seeing all the grim expressions on their faces.

"What do you mean, has something happened?" Thorin's deep voice echoed in the garden as the family surrounded Tauriel and Kili who were both standing by now; Tork moving back a bit to give them space.

"Kilion had...a scare." Tauriel said with a sigh. "We have yet to get to the bottom of it...and he has exhausted himself into sleep. I am afraid we are at the mercy of waiting for him to wake to get any answers. But he was terrified."

"Little lion?" Orin asked as Finli walked to his father and patted Kilion on the back almost knowingly. Dissah too gravitated to Kilion, but kept her hands clasped in front of her as she looked at her sleeping cousin with clear worry in her expression.

"Did he see something again?" The eldest of Tauriel and Kili's sons asked.

"I believe so." Tauriel nodded. "He only just fell asleep after saying baleg'naneth." She glanced at Naurfaer who looked around him as if his late wife would pop up somewhere. He closed his eyes, and after a few minutes, smiled. She was here. He always sensed her around Kili which would make sense considering she swore to be Kili's guardian as penance for what her inhabited body had done to him.

Perhaps, little Kilion needs a guardian as well. Naurfaer shook his head. "What's the plan, starlight?"

"We need answers more than anything. I had planned on taking him to Lothlorien when we went to visit Beorn. But I am tempted to go sooner rather than later." Tauriel ran her free hand through Finli's hair. "How was your trip, my star?"

"It was amazing, mama. Pop and master Balin showed us all the original tunnel systems in Erebor. Some of them are so small, I don't even think da could fit through."

"We went a bit off the beaten path." Thorin hummed, looking Tauriel up and down. "I am not sure how I feel about you going off on a journey yet, nâtha. It feels too soon."

"You aren't leaving already, are you auntie Tauri?" Karra asked, looking between her aunt, uncle, and grandfather. "I feel like you only just got back."

"No immediate plans have us going anywhere quite yet, Karra." Kili answered, though he didn't look at her, his eyes were watching his wife warily who bit her lip. He felt her inner turmoil on the matter, the need to know what was happening to their son, but also the bone deep wariness she still felt in connection to their more recent journey. Sure, it's been weeks since they have returned…but makers forge…Kili felt like they only just returned as well. Their recent expedition had taken more out of him than he thought, and Tauriel too.

"I will not deny there is some apprehension at the thought of leaving Erebor." Tauriel said after a moment. "But I will not let my child suffer without answers." She let out a low breath and sat. "I don't even know if Lothlorien has answers. But I don't know what else to do."

"What's Lothlorien?" Karra asked, plopping down on the ground where she began pulling off her boots and shaking pebbles out and onto the ground.

"It's an elven city." Dissah folded her arms. "You would know that if you listened in your studies."

Karra shrugged as she pulled her boots back on and stood. "Got more important things to do than keep my nose in books. Like training."

"One must NEVER forgo one act of bettering themselves in favor of another, especially when studies are concerned sweet one." Tauriel chastised gently. "A true warrior does not just train the body, but the mind as well. You must be one with the geography's of the land, histories of battles past…both failed and victorious…and understand your faith. For why fight if you have nothing to fight for?"

"She is right, you know." Naurfaer hummed, kneeling down to Karra. "As fierce a warrior you will be one day, Karra, you have responsibilities to the throne of your people…and that requires focusing on studies."

Karra groaned, pouted, but nodded. "Fine. But what or where is this, elven city?"

"Several days away, if not a week, depending on the path taken and the speed we would go." Kili sighed

"I truly wish there was another way." Tauriel's eyes fell on Ithtiri, her hand tracing her face. "I know it is something we contemplated, but I truly thought we had a few months before we had to go anywhere. It isn't even dry season yet. I would very much hate to take any of the children on a journey through the cold rains and mud."

"We will figure it out nâtha, nothing needs be set in stone quite yet." Thorin said, trying to be reassuring. But nothing would calm Tauriel's nerves until she could find out what was happening to Kilion and what she can do to support him through what he is going through.

Tauriel felt defeated and useless. As a mother, she is supposed to be able to protect her children...but how is she supposed to protect her son against something she can't see nor hear? She stared at a blue flower as a winged insect landed on it, causing the petal to sway as it sucked out the nectar. These plants were special. Instead of utilizing sunlight to thrive, plants who lived in places like this drew their food in from the raw minerals the mountain released from mining and forging. They were unique to dwarven mountains, Thorin had told her, and proof the mountain was healthy. It is often said, according to legend, when the deep mountain plants have died, the mountain has been irresponsibly depleted…as in the dwarves ruthlessly pulled more than they should have without giving time for the mountain to renew her resources.

Tauriel looked around the room at the lush garden bursting with color and life. She closed her eyes and felt the contentment of the land beneath her. Erebor was happy. Far happier than the forest surrounding Mirkwood. The sick forest. A forest of death.

Suddenly a thought hit her hard. If she was is guessing correctly…Kilion is seeing things beyond the grave or something on that similar frame of thinking. Erebor is his home, it is a place that is familiar and an environment he has been surrounded by his entire life. He has security here, and safety. What happens when she removes him from this mountain?

"Adar…have you ever heard of a gift where one can speak with those already gone?"

Naurfaer rubbed his chin, a habit he has picked up from living among dwarves. How he longs to grow a beard…but that was never going to happen. "There are many, many gifts among the elder. I know of someone…long past…but, I cannot be sure the gifts are the same. In fact, I pray it is not what I think it is, as the only person who had a gift close to this was not a good person. But the correlation is uncanny. But if is anything close to that gift, it would make sense why it could both overwhelm and terrify someone so young to be bombarded by spirits wanting to be heard." He froze. "By the Valar…I can only imagine what he would be going through."

"If that is indeed what it is…" Thorin sighed. "…how do we help him?"

"The question of the hour." Naurfaer sat, lost in thought. "Whatever the answer…I am wondering if removing him from Erebor is the right thing to do. For the most part, this mountain acts as a controlled environment for him. Clearly, if he had such an episode like this in his own home, he has little to no control over whatever his ability is. If we take Kilion from the place he feels most comfortable and introduce him to a variable of unknowns…we could be opening him up to the opportunity to be mentally attacked. Galadriel can see things beyond what any can see, it is part of her gift, to see the gifts of others. She would be Kilion's best bet to get sure answers."

Thorin grumbled something that had the family looking at him.

"What was that, uncle?" Kili asked curiously.

Thorin sighed deeply. "We could invite the elven queen here." He grumbled again a bit more clearly. "To Erebor." Mahal he hated the idea of MORE elves being brought to his mountain…he already has to have Thranduil here once a year or so. Make no mistake, he loves Tauriel as his true daughter, and quite admires Naurfaer. But makers hammer, the general population of elves still for one reason or another, put him on edge.

Furthermore, he knew nothing of this…elven queen…outside what he has been told. For all he knows, she could just be another Thranduil. He has one of those in his life…he has no desire for another.

Thus the desire to invite her or any elves outside the ones he is obligated to work with is none existent. However, for his grandson, he would do anything.

"That is actually a good suggestion." Kili nodded, glancing at Tauriel who was biting her lip. "Kilion is safe here, and we can get answers without venturing out while Tauriel is still regaining her strength."

Thorin sighed begging the maker to send him the patience he will need to work with more elves. "Very well. I will see that an…invitation…is sent directly to her."

"Maybe I should see to that." Naurfaer laughed. "Gala and I go way back. I consider her quite a close friend and have for many an age. I know she would be both curious about Erebor, and about Kilion as well." He cocked his head and looked Thorin over. "I see that look; she is nothing like Thranduil, Thorin. I think you will rather like her."

"I seriously doubt that." Thorin muttered under his breath before clearing his throat. "See that it is done."

"Yes, my lord." Naurfaer saluted, then grinned while Thorin growled at him and rolled his eyes.

"Be careful, Naurfaer. I am not in the mood." Yes. He quite admired the elf…that did not mean he also didn't have a great desire to kill him once in a while. Especially on days he has already had to deal with someone entering his mountain through their suites which was supposed to be safe. The dwarven king glared at Tork who was watching Kilion.

A new pair of footsteps had the group looking as an out of breath Nyaunni came jogging into the room. "I came as soon as I could get away. How is he?" She went straight to Kili and ran her hand through Kilion's hair. "Aww, poor sweet one. What in the fiery forge of the creators happened?"

"We will know for certain when he wakes...but we believe he was overwhelmed mentally." Tauriel answered.

"Is he alright?" Nyaunni asked.

"I hope so." Kili sighed. "But I would like to get him up to his room."

"We are leaving?" Orin asked. "But pop promised to tell us all about the garden on our way up."

"Your brother needs seeing to Orin. We will visit the garden another time." Thorin said.

"I can show them." Nyaunni offered. "I am pretty sure I know more about it than most considering I spent much of my time here when I was young."

"Please da?!" Orin begged, Naufi giving the same look.

Kili shifted with Kilion in his arms, but nodded. "Alright. If you're okay with that, aunt Nya?"

"More than." Nyaunni smiled as she placed a hand on each of the twins' shoulders.

"Can you stay too, mama?" Naufi asked.

"Stay, amralime. He is sleeping anyway. Show off our mountain to our large friend." He whispered loudly. "I will let you know if he wakes. Did you want to stay too, Fin?"

Finli looked torn between wanting to follow his father, and wanting to stay with his mother. But eventually, he nodded. "I wish to hear about it. If that is alright."

"Of course it is alright my star." Tauriel smiled, brushing her hand across his cheek. She felt he took on far too much responsibility for someone his age. It seems no matter how much her and Kili try to make sure he and his brothers have as normal a childhood as possible, Finli still carried the weight of his future heavily on his shoulders. She wants him to know he can make choices for himself, do what HE wants, without feeling as if he is going to face judgments for his decisions. Maybe she should have a talk with him about it.

"Meleth nin, please inform me should he wake." Tauriel said as she turned to him and leaned down to press a kiss to his lips before pressing kiss to Kilion's head.

Kili nodded, then walked out of the room while Thorin bid Nyaunni a goodbye but paused and looked at Naurfaer. "You staying too?" He asked.

Naurfaer surprisingly shook his head. "I want to get a missive out to Lothlorien as soon as possible. Is Kaw or Umyra available, starlight?"

"Both are free." Tauriel nodded. "They should be up in the room. It is near their evening meal time...you know how punctual they are when it comes to food."

At the word food, Naurfaer's little aelug peeked her head out of his pocket and chirped. It had the aelug hidden in Kili's hair going as well.

Tauriel chuckled. She felt movement in her pocket and knew hers was about to make his voice known. Eating and sleeping was about what their life was comprised of right now...as with any newborn, but they also could get rather loud when they wanted two but so did infants when they needed their needs met. Speaking of which, she glanced down at her daughter who was chewing on Tauriel's lapel. She will be demanding food shortly as well. That's fine...she had the means to feed her daughter anywhere.

"Do we have to stay?" Dissah asked. "Gam has already shown us the gardens, and I want to see da and Taurion."

"It is your choice." Kili said. "I can take you up if you like little Dis."

Both Karra and Dissah nodded and Kili smiled when Dissah took his free hand.

"We will see the rest of you at dinner." Thorin grunted then turned and left the room to join the group outside the garden who were all giving the family space. Tauriel smiled and nodded to Balin who gave her a wave as they all left through the door.

"Now. Where to start..." Nyaunni sung as the twins excitedly stood beside her as she told the story of why the garden was so special to Erebor and how it held the life of the mountain inside it.

Finli, however, looked less excited and kept glancing at the archway leading to the door to the markets. "Is everything alright, my star?" Tauriel finally whispered as Tork was asking about whether or not the plants in this garden were edible.

The eldest of the dwarflings nodded to his mother but didn't look at her, so she pulled him away from the group and down a different path than Nyaunni had been going. They walked for a few moments in silence before Finli sighed. "Is little lion going to be alright?"

"Truthfully?" Tauriel hummed. "I do not know, my star. I hope with answers, we can help him find greater peace...but I fear what he is going through may be something he must learn to control before he can find a semblance of normalcy in his life."

Finli nodded and paused before a pond where glowing flowers skimmed the surface, their roots descending deep into the dark pool below them. In the center, sat a large statue of an elven woman. Anorloth. It was among the newest additions to this garden, having been commissioned by Dis who felt every past female of the Durin line, or married into the line, ought to honored here when they leave this land for the ancestors halls. As such, Anorloth along with Dis's mother and grandmother were given statues in their honor.

Dis's mother's statue sat behind a bed of glowing tube flowers Dis had said she loved to sneak up to their suites...the plants here were not traditionally allowed to leave this garden as they were and are, for the most part, considered sacred to the mountain.

Anorloth was given a place among the water plants. The idea came from a journal of Thorin the first, who had written of his wife in great detail which included stories and images of their days together penned and drawn in his own hand. One of the stories was referenced several times throughout the journal; Anorloth being discovered bathing among the water-lilies encased by the sun that made her look almost ethereal to the Thorin of so many generations ago.

He had said it was the moment he fell in love with her, that day he found her while wandering the woods in search for a troll to prove to his father he was of age now and worthy of being a warrior of merit by bringing him the head of a foul creature. However, it was no troll he found, but a goddess who outshined even the sun...for her beauty was unmatched by any who could walk middle earth…according to his own words. He had gone into further detail about how after some banter he felt a deeper connection with her than he had felt with any other before…among his own people or otherwise.

They talked, her in the water, him on the shore, for what felt like hours and despite having only met her on his escapade through the forest, she allowed him to join her in that pool. On that warm summer's day, before the Valar and Mahal, they became one...a dwarf and an elf making ardent love well into the night upon knowing each other for mere hours. He had written it was no surprise that she was expecting their first child on their wedding day...for though the maker may damn him to the deepest pits of fury for giving his entire being to an elf, he was unable to resist the pull of her or her body at any time of the day.

Tauriel blushed at the details he had written not just about that first day in the pond, but about countless other encounters they had before and after they were wed. He had truly loved her with everything that he was in spite of the backlash he got from his people and his father; he loved Anorloth for who she was and not what she was, and in his words, she loved him just as deeply.

Valar he reminded her of her Kili in the way he spoke of Anorloth. The only difference is, Kili would sooner accept a fate of being exiled than to hide her or any memory of her away…which is what Thorin the first had done over time for Anorloth's protection… again, according to his journal.

In fact, Kili has painted Tauriel's likeness so often, she wonders how he has time for anything else. There are paintings of her in his office, in the sitting room, in the hallways of the royal suite, the kitchen, Valar even the sitting room. He even has paintings of her in the hallways of their royal offices. He unfortunately also had a book of questionable sketches Tauriel refused to let him paint and he surprisingly actually agreed to that. She then as an afterthought promptly prohibited Kili from writing such detailed journals about their life as his direct ancestor had done about Anorloth, as she had no desire for anyone now, nor in the future near or far, to have such personal insight to their private romantic relations. It felt wrong to read, or to think that her future great, great, grandchildren or their descendants will be reading such...heavily detailed intimate encounters.

Kili, however, just laughed at her and said he will write what he pleases in HIS journals and she can write what she pleases in hers. Besides, he wants others to know how much he desires his beautiful elf. Did it make her happy? No. But she was not going to force him to change his mind. Since then, however, her journal has not exactly been innocent either. If he was going to do it, then so was she. Their works would be equal to their love and desire for each other. She does wish she could find Anorloth's personal records just to hear about her life in her own words. Balin said there should be one, but likely, it is hidden away or had been destroyed for her protection. He promised if he found it, he will let the family know.

"What do you think she was like, mama?" Finli asked as he stared at the statue in the water.

Tauriel examined the statue as she swayed a bit out of natural instinct as Ithtiri began to fuss. She wasn't hungry, she was bored. In infant terms, it meant she was displeased that Tauriel had stopped walking. Tauriel, however, was able to quiet her with some rocking as she focused on her son.

"Well, I am afraid all we know of her, is from what we have been able to read in your ancestors records, my star." Tauriel answered after a moment. "It is rather difficult to gage what a person is truly like based on another's judgements…but if I were to guess, she was a being who was not afraid to go after what she wanted. Otherwise, she would not have been able to remain by Thorin's side for his lifetime."

"Was she like you…do you think…mama?" Finli asked, looking his mother over. "I mean, do you think she was a mortal elf?"

Tauriel sighed. "No my darling. My guess, is she had her immortality very much intact. Without her records, we can't exactly verify that, but it is more likely than not she was…" She paused and looked at her son. She really didn't want to upset him any more than he seemed to be, but she also preferred to share hard truths over easy fantasies. "…killed by another or passed through fading." Tauriel finished. "Another speculation could be after some time in middle earth, she made the voyage to the Gray Havens to the Undying Lands."

"Mama…" Finli shuffled a bit. "…did they really hate her for being an elf? That's what some of the others in the mountain say now that they know she was an elf. That Anorloth was very likely hated by the people."

"Do the people hate me, my Finli?" Tauriel asked with a soft smile.

Finli lowered his brows, a dark look on his face, a look that very much was the look his father got when he was going to be all…overprotective of her. "If any has such feelings, they do well to keep those opinions to themselves around me."

By the Valar, not even twenty and he is already a force to be reckoned with when it comes to those he loves. That, was all his father. Not that Tauriel was not protective, but that look…that was the scowl of Durin in every way. It had Tauriel chuckling while Finli's scowl deepened. "So much like your father." She said, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead.

"What I meant was…" She continued. "…I know my place quite well here, and I know most among our people have come to, in the very least, respect my association with the family. I cannot win everyone over, my star. It is just the nature of things between elves and dwarves…some animosities will never be able to be quelled. But I am very fortunate. I have somehow managed to catch the eye and the favor of Aule, and that has made all the difference between my life, and Anorloth's." She adjusted Ithtiri so she could brush a stray hair from Finli's face. "What is really upsetting you my precious little star?"

Finli sighed, fidgeting with the cuff around his wrist hiding away his own mark. "I wish it was me." He finally said.

Tauriel looked taken aback. "Wish it was you? Wish what was you my star?"

Finli took a deep breath. "I wish, what Kilion was going through, was on me and not him. He sees and feels things beyond this world, mama. He told me so one night when I went to wake him when he was crying out…it was while you and da were gone. He didn't want to bother nan or gam with it…and he said gran and grandda Vin were going through too much. So he told me. He hates it, and I can understand why. It hurts him, mama, and I hate that I can't help him, I hate that it was him that must suffer like this, and not me."

The shock that ran through Tauriel's heart was heavy. It was bad enough she was not there for her children when she was in Rhun…but now to hear of their sufferings while she was gone…it added a weight to her heart, one which she felt keenly. "Oh my Finli." Tauriel said, taking his hand and guiding him to a bench not far from the pool. A large white flower lit up the area almost brighter than a lantern would…there was no need for torches in this room…it was lit naturally by the plants themselves. It was by flower light that allowed Tauriel to see the look of pain on her young son's face.

"First of all…" Tauriel said with conviction. "…you have more than enough on your shoulders. Do not think for a moment I do not see how much you take on. Darling, I want you to enjoy your youth. We get only one chance at a childhood, and this is yours. Only yours. The future is just that, in a distant time. I understand, it feels like a heavy burden, to know one day you will wear the crown. But that is…not for a very long time. Your pop will rule for many, many more years, and then your uncle. Please tell me what I can do to help free you of some of that weight you are carrying. We are a family, our burdens are to be shared together."

"Like Kilion's?" Finli asked without missing a beat. "Who is going to help him with his burden? How can we help him?"

Tauriel sighed heavily. "That is a fair question, and the answer is the same. We all will. Unfortunately, there are facets of his situation he must learn to manage on his own and with training and mental shields, if it is what I think it is. But in every other way, we are to be his safe haven my Finli. All of us."

"Mama…you have an ability too, don't you?"

Tauriel nodded slowly. "Many of the elder have gifts."

"Is that what it is supposed to be? A gift?" Finli asked in disbelief. "I do not think what little lion has is a gift at all."

Tauriel cocked her head and used her free hand to pull her son close. "Perhaps not now it is not. But it was not so very long ago he happily proclaimed he knew your father and I would be alright and that brought him peace when we were away. Who's to say such a gift cannot bring as much if not more joy and happiness then it brings pain and sorrow."

Finli huffed. "That was one time. And he only knew because he said naneth told him."

"And your naneth, is among the dead." Tauriel reminded him. "Which means, your brother was able to find comfort in one who was able calm him from beyond this world. Something the rest of us are not capable of doing. So, even before he can control it, he has found at least some good in his gift."

"I still think it should have been me." Finli grumbled. "He deserves a normal life."

"And who says he cannot have one, darling? And it is not your place to take pains from others. Do you not believe Kilion has the ability to grow beyond this?"

Finli thought for a moment, then nodded. "I…I think he can."

"I think he can too, with our support."

"But, how do we support him when we can't see what he needs help with?"

Tauriel hummed. "First, we teach him to communicate when he needs support. We also must learn more about this gift, which we hope Lady Galadriel can help with."

"Do you think she will come to the mountain?" Finli asked.

"I hope so. I have heard she is very kind." Tauriel smiled, then sighed. There was another reason she wished the elven queen to come, and that was to help Kili with his own shields. He has been adamant he should not be allowed to visit an elven city until he felt he could control his reaction to mental intrusions. Perhaps like Erebor being a safe place for Kilion, it too would be a good place to start with Kili. And then, there was Finli. Did he have a gift too? Or was he just so deeply connected to Kili and Tauriel, he was able to use his link to dream about what had happened when she was hurt? It could have just been a one time thing, but she would feel more comfortable if she could get some answers about him as well.

"Finli, you would tell me if you were experiencing something similar to Kilion…wouldn't you?"

Finli looked hesitant, but nodded slowly. However, he let out a breath as he fiddled once more with the cuff on his wrist. "I don't have a gift like little lion…but sometimes…" He paused. "…I can hear Mahal. When I had that dream…Mahal was the one to tell me you were alright. I mean, I saw it in the dream, but then my wrist felt warm so I pulled off my cuff and the lines glowed. That, is when I heard a voice in my head telling me not to worry. Am I…am I different too?"

Tauriel pressed another kiss to his head. "No, not different…just…special. Mahal gifted you with that symbol in part because of your father and I. You and your brothers and sister are creations of pure and true love. Love between one of the elder, and one of the dwarrow. I will not say much yet, but I made a heavy sacrifice for that love, and Aule bore witness of it. That sacrifice…my immortality…has made all this possible." She pulled away and looked him in the eye. "You are getting older, my star. But are not yet old enough to hear what I have done, or rather, why I did what I did. I promise a day will arrive when I tell you everything. But that is all I can say on the matter right now. Aule gifted me this symbol and his protection because he was moved by my choice and the connection Kili and I have. I pray you will have such a love one day…for it is…beyond any words written or otherwise, beautiful."

"Why only me?" Finli asked. "Why is it only you and I have the mark and not anyone else."

That, Tauriel could not truly answer. "I do not know why only you were gifted the mark and none of your brothers or sister. Maybe, it is because the world or our people need you. That being said…the world does not need you right now. But I, need you my precious Finli. I need you to not think so much about the future, and try and focus on the now. Can you do that for me?"

"I guess." Finli sighed.

Tauriel was not convinced. "Darling…I want you to tell me if this ever becomes too much for you."

Finli looked up at his mother confused. "What becomes too much?"

Tauriel turned a bit so she could really look at him, then ran her fingers through his hair. Finli was much better at doing his hair than Kili was, so it was odd to see the wild hair that belonged to Kili so tamed. "The crown." She eventually answered. "I want it to be YOUR choice, my star. If this is ever not something you want, I want you to know all you have to do, is tell me or your father. I do not ever want you to feel as if you are stuck carrying a burden you do not want to have. Yes, you were born as successor, but you will always have a choice in the matter. No matter what your pop says, what your uncle says, nor even what Aule says. It must be your choice, Finli's choice."

Finli cocked his head, but a smile finally made its way on his face. "If there is one thing I am sure of, mama, it is that I want to do good by our people. I want to lead with honor." He puffed up his chest. "I know my place, mama, and I want it. Truly. It is the only thing that feels…right…right now. I just wish I can do more to help little lion."

"We all do." Tauriel nodded before she leaned down and pressed her head to her eldest sons. "I am beyond proud of you, my Finli. Proud of your strength, your convictions, and your love for our family. I also want you so know I am always here to talk when you need it." She pulled away. "I may be new to being royalty, but I served a king for centuries. I understand the mantle better than most. I also know the strain it can have on you as a person who must give more than you will ever receive. Fortunately, you will never be forced to handle that position alone. You will have me and your father, you will have your uncle, and your siblings, and you will have your cousins. Even when we are gone, you will have your gamp. Please do not hide away any pains or fears you have, not from those who love you and are here to support you."

"I'll try not to mama." Finli agreed.

"Good." Tauriel pressed a kiss to his forehead. "And don't forget, you have a long time before anything is expected of you. Make mistakes, cause trouble, have fun. This is your time to be carefree my Finli. Let your father and I handle the heavy stuff, and you just worry about being young."

"You want me to cause trouble?" Finli asked, his brows lifted in disbelief. "Don't Naufi and Orin make enough trouble between them for the entire family?"

Tauriel laughed merrily. "They certainly do. But between you and me, as long as it is not trouble that could harm them or anyone else…I rarely mind. Keeps me on my toes, and brightens my day. They can be very creative, those two, with finding new ways to give your pop gray hairs."

Finli laughed as well, then nodded. "Alright. If you say so. Do you know more about the statues here, mama?" He asked, standing and walking to one across from them. "Who's this?"

Tauriel smiled and stood, then spent the next quarter hour telling him what she knew of the dam before them…who happened to be Dis and Thorin's grandmother. Unfortunately, she could not answer all his questions, but as she was about steer him away, Nyaunni came walking around the corner and happily took over, sharing the stories of the wife of Thror, Kaima of the Longbeards, daughter of Bodyn, second son of the daughter of Gloin the first. She was a distant cousin, but a part of the family line. Nyaunni said she was as fierce as her husband, Thror, and twice as severe. It was well known among all the children of the family to steer clear of her path, though mostly she kept to herself.

Dis has little to no memory of her, because Kaima held herself up into her room nearly Dis's entire childhood. Nyaunni knew why too. Thror wanted another son but Kaima was having difficulty becoming pregnant. It took sixty years for her to fall with child a second time. A miracle child she called it. It was the same time Thorin's mother fell with child, Dis. Nyaunni remembers quite keenly how Kaima hated her sons wife for being able to easily fall with child whereas she struggled for decades.

Galina, was the wife of Thrain and mother of Thorin, Frerin, and Dis. The name meant calm or patient in Khuzdul…Galina was certainly both. She put up with a lot from Kaima who told her she was unworthy to be the wife of her son, and unworthy to one day wear the crown as queen under the mountain. Nyaunni had heard it herself many times. Kaima was never shy about her opinions. She herself was told by Kaima how she believes her and her father to be liars and con artists manipulating and muddying the royal lineage of Durin for their own selfish desires. She firmly believed they were only there in Erebor to steal the throne from the true and pure line of Durin, and if she had it her way, they would be out of the mountain faster than she could snap her fingers.

Fortunately for them, Thror dismissed his wife's ramblings more often than not. Besides, Nyaunni had records of her lineage and bloodline going back to Uri the first, father of the Firebeards. She was more directly related to her first father than Kaima was, which she proudly proclaimed to the dams's face…which got her a good slap across the face. Though it also might have been for her also telling the queen under the mountain that it was unbecoming to be jealous of a dam who was less than a quarter her age. If blood was indeed an issue, perhaps she should abdicate her place and let another, closer, blood relative take her place as queen.

Mahal's tongs, she was not only slapped, but whipped by Kaima herself until her father came storming in and threatened war on the mountain if she so much as looked his child again. Nyaunni was fifteen at the time. Thror, surprisingly, sided with Draupnir and behind closed doors…apparently told his wife to stay away from Nyaunni. Nyaunni only knew that because the dam was never in the room alone with her again.

Those lashings hurt though, and she still carries the memory of them to this day…though she bares no scars which is probably why her father didn't kill the dam. He was rather protective of his daughter.

Still, just because Nyaunni was spared, did not mean Galina was. Thorin's poor mother endured a lot of stress while she carried Dis, all because of Kaima, who felt her pregnancy should outshine that of her daughter-in-law.

But Kaima's second child was never to be. A month before the child was to be born, healers were rushed to her beside when she began to bleed heavily. Her body went into labor early, and she spent two days screaming. When the babe was born, it had no heartbeat and took no breath. Furthermore, the child was said to be grossly misshapen and underdeveloped. One of the healers happened to be of the Firebeard clan and came to inform Draupnir of the situation as per the king's request. Though much of what he said was in confidence. All the healer was supposed to relay was the child was lost at birth…but the fact he was born with no developed legs, a sunken face, and one arm with three fingers was never meant to be known outside the birthing room.

Draupnir was a good dwarf, a respected dwarf, and for that reason he kept the secret imploring the healer to do the same. Nyaunni overheard, which is the only reason she knew. But she, like her father, was never one to sling slander or create idle gossip. And so to this day, she kept the knowledge to herself.

Thorin knew though, and he had told Dis. There was a reason Kaima was seldomly spoken of, and it had nothing to do with her second child and everything to do with her natural instincts to be cruel.

Nyaunni, however, wonders if her being killed by Smaug was preventable, or if Thror simply turned a cheek to the danger she was in when he ordered her to be removed from Erebor during that attack. The guards who were supposed to get her out survived, according to Thorin…so why was Kaima killed?

"What happened to her, gam?" Naufi asked from where he was perched on Tork's shoulder. In fact, both Tauriel's twins were on his shoulders, one on either side.

Nyaunni shook her head. "Believe it or not, from what I was told, she was killed by Smaug. Another unfortunate loss." Though she did mutter, 'or maybe not unfortunate.' Under her breath.

"Why is her statue so small?" Finli pondered, eyeing the one of Anorloth behind him, then Kaima who was less than a quarter of the size. In fact, it had to sit on a pedestal to be seen, it was so small.

"Well…" Nyaunni hummed. "…let's just say she was not the kindest sort…and tended to be rather, cruel. I am sure she has many merits…I just cannot come up with a good one at this time."

Tork snorted. "No love lost between you and her, I am sensing, eh?"

"None whatsoever." Nyaunni said, glaring at the statue as if it was the dam herself. She sighed and turned to her family…and Tork. "I want you all to understand something." She began. "Just because a crown is involved, never gives you the right to think you are on the same level as a god. Queen, King, Lord, Lady, yes these titles do elevate your status, but you are still a person…not some deity. The best rulers, are those who can balance kindness and honor, with confidence and valor. It is being strict, but in a way that is precise, meticulous, and holds firm to your beliefs in what is best for the people, and your family. Just because you are royal, does not give you the right to find pleasure in putting other's down. Remember that."

Naufi and Orin nodded, while Finli vocally agreed, though he did ask, "Gam, can a good king, become a bad one?"

"Of course." Nyaunni said. "Doesn't take much either, a slew of bad decisions driven by bad advice, or a wayward sense of future prospects is one way. Another, and one that is more common, is greed or manipulation that causes corruption. I am afraid it is easier to become cruel, than it is to rule in an honorable way for the length of your rein. That is why you must always seek the counsel of only those you trust who you know have the best interest in the future of the people. It is why Dis, Thorin, and I make decisions together…we rule as a team. As will Fili, Viltarra, Kili, and Tauriel. Then when it is time for you to ascend to the throne, Fin, you will have your siblings and cousins."

Finli nodded, then looked to his mother with newfound worry. "What if I become corrupt, mama, gam, what if…"

"Oh stop that." Nyaunni rolled her eyes. "One, you are far too young to be thinking about that. Besides, there are plenty around you to keep you honest. You don't think Dis or I have to give your pop a good kick when he is making borderline bad decisions? As I said, we are not deities my little love. We are mortals. Bad decisions will happen. You will make them, I will make them, your father will make them…it is just life. It is how you react and rectify those bad decisions that make you either corrupt…or valiant. But let me tell you this…if you want to be good, you will be good. End of story. Besides, I hardly think, with a family like ours in your corner, you have anything to worry about."

She cupped his face in her large hands, and pressed her forehead to his. "Worry not about the future. Your pop and I will make sure we do everything we can to ensure you have every tool you need to succeed, my grandson. Everything. We will not fail you, or your uncle." She leaned back and kissed his brow. "And I know your uncle to be nothing but honorable when he rules, and he loves you; he too will do all he can to prepare you as well." She brushed her thumbs along his cheeks and Tauriel could see his shoulders finally relax. The eleth mouthed a 'thank you' to Nyaunni as the dam stepped away from her grandson, though she did place a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, I think there is just a bit more to see. In fact, this, is the last statue in the garden. Tauriel, do you mind telling us about Anorloth? I think of all of us in the family, you know most about her and what we know of her story."

Tauriel grinned and nodded as she guided her family to the pool her and Fin were just at and proceeded to tell the rest of their group what she had told Finli and a bit more. Though she left out the parts not suitable for small ears or public conversation.

By the time they were entering the lower market, the dinner bell was ringing through the mountain. Tork froze, looking too and fro searching for the sound that had Naufi and Orin laughing. Even Finli was chuckling as he held his mother's hand.

"Where is that even coming from?" The shifter asked.

"The bell in the entranceway." Nyaunni answered.

"You can hear that all the way down here?!" Tork was surprised, trying to figure out how a bell stories above them, can be heard clear as the desert sky, down here.

Nyaunni nodded. "There are few places in this mountain you cannot hear it. One of those places, apparently, is my husband's office."

"That's not true, gam, you can hear it in pops office." Naufi said.

"She means he ignores it." Orin rolled his eyes. "Or pretends he can't hear it."

"Oh." Naufi chuckled.

"What does it mean?" Tork asked.

"Food." Orin said excitedly. "It's the meal bell. We have three, one for breakfast…"

"One for lunch…" Naufi said.

"And one for dinner." Both twins finished in unison.

"The evening bell also signals the end of a work day." Finli sighed, lifting a brow at his brothers. "It is when most shops in the market close and all the laboring is to be done for the day...it's not just about food."

"Though there are a few about the mountain who continue to work through supper...but it is through their own personal choice or by deep necessity." Tauriel added. "And many shops and merchants opt to stay open, like the eateries, pubs, and so on."

"All I heard was food. Everything else was just nonsense to my ears." Tork laughed. "Can we eat? I am so hungry, I could eat a dwarf child whole!" He looked at Orin and licked his lips. "We can start with you."

Orin, however, rolled his eyes. "You can't eat me. I am a person." He huffed.

"So?" Tork growled.

"Mama?!" Orin yelled down as he squirmed on the shifters shoulder while Tork just laughed.

"I guess we better go eat." Nyaunni laughed. "Won't do to lose one of our little ones."

In full agreement, the group made the long trek back up to royal suites where Dis and dinner were waiting.

ANATB: Goodbye.