Chapter 25

As Kili scanned the sky to be sure that the ravens had cleared off, he had no doubts that his Lady wife would put Khelethur on alert. Bluestone was of course the code word to secure the doors–and by now the entire place would be locking down all exterior and main interior passages for safety. They all knew that this scrappy group at his back door could well be a diversion of some kind and not just a random attempt to sneak in.

With a small sigh of relief he finally heard hushed alerts that miners approached the stone gate behind him. There, a phalanx of strong lads stepped carefully into the sunlight, bearing what looked like a large box on a litter. He pointed to a flat area to his right and climbed over the stony ground to meet them as they set the box down.

To his surprise, one side of the box opened itself and someone made a quiet exclamation. "Hah!"

Kili raised his eyebrows and then grinned as he recognized the older dwarf who poked his head out. Ah, he thought. Palanquin, not box. "Bofur…"

Bofur's grin signaled a sense of mischief as he whispered. "Wasn't sure what exactly you needed so I grabbed our best assortment." He stepped out of the palanquin with a metal box in his hands. Kili was quick to offer support as Bofur wobbled on his second step.

"Gaaah." Bofur winced. "This knee…never the same after that last battle…"

"I know," Kili said, guiding Bofur to a stone outcropping where he could set his box down. "Show me what you have," he said, hoping they could just get to business and forego the usual inventory of battle damage. He of course had spent many years with a cursed wound that would win any drinking game of one-upping wounds.

Bofur knew this well. He winked and once the box was opened revealed an assortment. "The lads inside are ready to bring some really large boomers if we need them," he said. "But I've a hunch one of these will do the trick." He patted a row of variously compacted charges.

"That kind," Kili pointed to one he recognized before Bofur could launch into lengthy descriptions.

"Ah. Delivery by arrow," Bofur said.

"Up there," Kili pointed to the snowy overhang.

Bofur's expert eyes scanned the terrain. "Waterproof fuses. Hit the ice three times–" he used one hand to make three chopping motions that pointed to his suggested target areas. "There, there, and…there." He looked Kili in the eye. "Shoot two rounds: one to break the ice, the second to bring it down. And," Bofur's expression went dead serious. "All three archers need to be as good as you with that weight and distance and this wind."

Kili nodded. "Six of those–and three more for backup." WIth that, Bofur knelt to his task–trusting no one else with setting the fuses. As he measured and twisted wire, the archers turned their noses to the wind, silently attuning themselves to the rise and fall of the morning gusts.

"All ready, lad," Bofur looked at Kili–nine arrows lined up on the stone, armed and ready to light.

Kili made a quick hand motion to Skirf, who signaled for the guard on the overlook to make a swift and silent retreat inside the upper gate. The mining lads followed.

Bofur scanned the extent of the snowpack above them. "Well, I don't have to tell you not to bring that down on our own heads," he murmured to Kili, as he lit a stick-length fuse-punk. The tip flashed red and then smoldered like a hot ember.

"No guarantees, Bofe," Kili winked, and then he murmured the command. "Ready up, archers."

The group had complete focus as the three archers: Skirfir, the lass Goda, and Kili, King of Ered Luin, stood and nocked their explosive-armed arrows, drawing their bows back as far as they would go, then relaxing a bit to keep their muscles from fatigue.

"Wait for it," Kili murmured, seeking a lull between gusts. "And then be quick." When he felt the wind slacken, he gave the command.

"Arm one," Kili ordered, calling the shots in a low voice.

Skirf pulled his bow tight and Bofur quickly touched his glowing punk to the fuse near Skirf's arrowhead and it lit with a spark.

"Fire one," Kili said.

Skirfir fired, sending his arrow in a high arc that looked too far right at first, but with the wind fell directly to his target.

"Arm two!" Kili didn't pause. Goda pulled her bowstring tight and Bofur sparked the fuse on her arrow.

"Fire two!" Her arrow followed and landed in the second target area not far from Skirf's.

"Arm three!" Kili pulled the string tight on his own bow. Bofur lit the fuse and this time Kili concentrated on his own aim.

"Fire when ready," Bofur said, confirming that the fuse had sparked.

Kili loosed his arrow and landed his own target just as they heard a deep "pop."

"That was mine," Skirfir said. A few moments later, they heard the sound of number two, followed by the pop of number three.

For a long moment they watched the icy overhang. Kili's eyes narrowed. Would it work? Had the noise alerted the goblins below? No matter, he told himself. Even if the goblins suddenly became quick to rise, they had no chance of avoiding their impending doom.

And then the snowy overhang seemed to slump a little and a long crevice appeared. They watched a moment but could see no further movement.

"Good job," Kili said. "Quickly now–into the crevice. This time we launch all three together."

Bofur nodded and as the three archers nocked their second loaded arrows, he quickly lit their fuses in succession.

"Fire when ready," he said to them, crouching for cover.

"On three," Kili said to Skirf and Goda as he pulled his bowstring tight. He waited just a moment to judge the wind. Then, "One…two…three."

All three arrows flew away, arcing high and dropping nearly in unison into the crevice, nicely spaced apart. Bofur stood to watch the ice.

Kili felt his heartbeat four or five times… and then the deep sound "pop-pop-pop" of the explosives followed by an instant spray of snow as the overhang began to collapse. Slowly at first, the snow and ice began to crumble, then slide, and then a great slab fell away and started the huge chain-reaction that took more snow, more ice, whole rocks, and several trees downward ever faster like an icy river churning at flood stage. Booming and cracking sounds lagged a little behind what they could see as the Snow Dragon plunged itself east of the overlook, but as they had feared, there was some debris heading in their direction.

"Run!" Kili and Skirf each hooked Bofur's arms and with Goda in the lead, they scrambled uphill to the Gate. Pelted by falling snow, they charged in like the warrior dwarves they were and skidded into the arms of the Ered Luin guard–just in time to miss a massive whump of snow that first cut all sight of the outside overlook, and then, as the avalanche slid away, the view outside returned.

"Well," Bofur said as he shook ice from his hat. "It's been quite the entertaining morning, lad."

Kili shook the snow from his coat and grinned, and noticed the guard were busy passing around a flask of Shire whisky to warm themselves up a bit. He happily took a swig and handed it to Bofur before walking back to the open Gate to look not at the great pile of snow he'd just brought down, but at the sky.

Sure enough, ravens knew what it looked like when a snow dragon raged down a mountain…and they were instantly back in sky, having only been told to stay away until the dragon was done.

He did not see Karket, but several others swooped, inviting him out.

Skirfir, tasked with the King's safety by his Lady Wife, brazenly took the liberty of tying a safety line to his King's wide belt.

Kili glowered only a moment, then realized the wisdom of having a safety line and simply took Skirf's precaution as permission to go outside.

Skirf remained just inside the door and played out the line for him, the tail end of the rope firmly tied to a stone pillar.

Kili stepped carefully in case the snow wasn't done shifting and sliding, but near the Gate it felt firm. He looked overhead to see bare granite where the icy overhang had been. "It's all come down," he said to Skirf, raising his arm to indicate the length of the ridgeline above. "Nothing left up there."

But still, he only went as far outside the Gate as he needed to in order to ravenspeak.

As birds landed to talk, he sent them out again, surveying the extent of the avalanche, and more importantly, the state of things in the goblin camp. One of the first ravens was of course sent to Nÿr so she would know the avalanche was over, he was safe, but to stand by. The messenger raven with the beaded ring returned with another leather scrap attached: a message from Duillond that told him they were on alert and eager to intercept any goblins that might have escaped the avalanche.

When he was done, Kili went back inside. "The ravens tell me all is still and buried below. No signs of anything digging out from that camp and no one fleeing downhill."

"Aye!" the lads made a muffled cheer (because of course no one shouted around unstable snow.)

"Guard Captains," Kili ordered. "Please send most of the lads back to the Halls as escort to our honored Master Miner." Bofur, now in possession of the last flask of Shire Whisky, held it up in a silent toast to his friend and King as he re-boarded his make-shift palanquin and departed.

Commander Skirfir took charge of the small group who remained, and when Kili saw Karket make an appearance outside the Gate, he went out again and soothed the Chief of the flock.

"Good bird," he murmured, offering the last of his nut supply. "Message for Hen-hen…all clear."

"Clear?" Karket looked Kili in the eye.

"All clear." Kili repeated. Karket fluffed and shook his head in what Kili recognized as a raven expression of relief. "Go now. Happy news."

Karket nibbled Kili's gauntlet a moment and then hopped to the stone lintel above the Gate, where he bobbed proudly before doing a hopping kind of dance.

Kili laughed at him. "Off with you!"

Karket muttered something that sounded like a chuckle, and then he was gone.

Kili and Skirf stayed at the mountain Gate for the rest of the morning. At noon they happily accepted a delivery of lunch (with a good few casks of ale.)

"My Lady wife will be expecting me," Kili said afterward, thanking the brave lads and lasses who had stood with them. "You'll have to manage things for me," he winked at Goda, who was enjoying her role as third hero archer.

Goda raised a mug of Blue Mountain Ale in his honor. "At least until I've helped take care of this final task," she laughed, which set off a round of murmured agreement (since everyone was still quiet around the unstable snow) and a group salute of ale mugs and messy quaffing.

Smiling, Kili waved and headed for the stairs that led downward. "I think they'll be celebrating for the next week," he predicted with a grin. Skirfir laughed.

With focus, they charged down the inner stairway, nodding thanks to cadets standing guard as they passed along the way.

With an hour they had made it back to the muster station and took the chance to clean up their gear and wash faces. Mindful of his Lord's appearance, Skirf made a quick check of Kili's leathers and gear, brushing a bit of mud from Kili's trousers.

"All good," he said, after stepping back to check his work.

Kili smiled. "My Lady wife appreciates your attention to duty," he said. It was an old joke between them, since they both knew that Kili himself didn't give his appearance much thought, even if he understood the need to look regal.

With that, they took the fastest route back to the family quarters-the one that bypassed the main Hall, ensuring that they wouldn't be stopped by well wishers or someone wondering if they could have the King's ear for a moment.

At the outer door to his quarters, Kili patted Skirf on the back in thanks as he rushed inside. Skirf, as he always did, would remain outside and check the order of the Guard.

When Kili stepped inside his Royal Quarters, he only wanted one person–and he saw her at the end of the long corridor, her long black braid falling over her shoulder to her waist, baby Lís in her arms. Her eyes met his, and he saw her give their little one over to Embur and lift her skirts.

And when a lad's Lady Wife decides to run down a corridor to greet him, he'd best meet her half way.

Kili took half a moment to shrug off his bandolier and sword, and then stepped forward to catch his beloved in his arms.

"You're back…" she breathed as she hugged him close. The strength of her embrace told him she'd been quite worried.

"All sorted," he murmured, pulling back just a little and raising one hand to cup her jaw as he looked her in the eye. "Thanks to a little avalanche action."

But her eyes were still round with concern, her lips slightly trembling.

So what else could he do but lean in and gently kiss them. Which of course became a deeper kiss and a tighter embrace…

Later, after time hugging and being with little ones, Kili took the evening ravenspeaker duty and reflected once again on the beauty of the family lodge his mother had made–the thick carpets on blue stone, the soaring leaded glass windows with blue and gold-yellow designs. Here he could simply open a door and step outside to be amidst the tall pines (full of ravens) and be surrounded by the great granite cliffs towering above.

He took time to hear what the ravens had to say–with reports of complete inactivity in the valley around Khelethur, and also nothing moved in the wake of the Snow Dragon on the other side of the ridge. Satisfied, he lingered on the parapet to watch the sunset and ensure that his flock was settling into the trees to roost and rest.

"You must be ready for dinner," a soothing voice called to him, her hand touching his shoulder as she joined him on the ravenspeaking parapet.

Kili pulled Nÿr into a close embrace. "I am most certainly ready for dinner, and for your company and no one else's." She said nothing else but snuggled close to him, hugging him tightly, and he regretted once again frightening her with that shelter message…but he wasn't second-guessing his order. The goblins at the back door could have been a diversion for goblins near the lodge.

"Look," Nÿr raised a hand to point east, her voice soft with wonder.

Kili's eyebrows went up and they shifted position to stand side by side, his arm still around her.

"The Star of Eärendil," he said. "Bit brighter than usual."

"Summer is on the way," she said.

"And Aragorn will be traveling to Annuminas," he added.


Far away in the east, Princess Iri unsaddled her pony after a very interesting first day on the road to Annuminas. Her father, elder Gloin, and Cousin Gimli were presiding over meal preparation and camp security, and she and Zêl were left to set up their own tent in a camp that was surrounded by at least a hundred guards. They were still in sight of the great snowy peak of Erebor, and were not far from the northern edge of the Greenwood in what was still friendly territory. But she couldn't help looking back at the Mountain. And there, in the eastern sky just to the south of the peak she also saw the same star.

"Zêl," she called to her tutor and chaperone. "Star of Eärendil!" she pointed.

Zêl turned to smile. "Nicely observed! We don't often get to see it with the Mountain below."

Iri dropped her saddle and dug into her saddle bag for sketchbook and charcoal. Quickly she flipped pages and stood to quickly outline the remarkable view.

"Is it true that it is driven by Lord Elrond's father?" she asked while she sketched details..

Zêl looked skeptical. "I think we will see elves tomorrow," she said. "A good question to ask one of them if you have the chance."

Iri smiled and continued her sketch until she felt she'd captured the outline of Erebor and the position of the bright star above.


North of the Shire on the shore of Lake Evendim, a lone dwarf stood with his feet on ancient stone, also looking at the night sky. A pair of tall elves approached as if seeking him.

"Master Gunz," one greeted him. "My brother has arrived and wishes to see you."

Gunz instantly bowed and gave the correct reply. "Gunnar of Erebor," he said. "At your service."

The brothers, so alike it was sometimes difficult to tell them apart, bowed elven-style (a mere dip of the head) but with their long-fingered hands correctly placed reverently over their hearts.

"As we are at yours," one said.

"And your family's," the other added. "Including Grandpa." Both brothers laughed quietly, pointing up at the evening sky.

Gunnar looked from the beautiful sight of the star above the ruins of Annuminas and back to the Elven brothers, not fully understanding.

"Star of Eärendil," Elrohir said with a smile. "A weird jest our father always made."

Elladan laughed. "Look, lads. Wave hello to Grandpa!" Both brothers waved at the star like they were silly children again.

Gunz blinked, recognizing something of his own father's humor in times past–when he and Uncle Kili had been together. As the two elven brothers continued to laugh at their shared memory, Gunz grinned.

Brothers. Mahal help us.


Closer to Ered Luin, Sam Gamgee had just chased the last errant cottontail from his garden and closed the garden gate for the night when he looked up and saw the Star of Eärendil above with its reflection on the calm Water down the hill.

And for a moment he was sober. In his mind he stood beside Frodo again in the wondrous land of Lothlorien, facing Lady Galadriel.

And for you, Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star…

The familiar grief from all that had befallen them in Mordor and Frodo's departure from the Shire brought a sudden welling of sorrow in his heart and watery unshed tears to his eyes. Then he snorted at himself for his melancholy.

He refocused his gaze on the beauty of that bright star in the night sky. "May it be a light to you in dark places." he murmured.

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A/N Hope you enjoyed some family fluff there are the I write this, it is mid-December and winter solstice and other holidays are upon us. In the US Pacific Northwest, it is rainy and chill, and so cloudy that we rarely see the night sky, but when we do, it's a joy to behold. Hand on heart to all of you, and I hope you are warm and safe.

If you did not know, FanFiction recently did an update and you need to opt-in for email notifications if you want to know when your favorites post new content. In the column on the left, choose Account, then Settings, and halfway down that page is "Email Opt-In." Be sure you click the radio button for YES. Apparently we all have to re-do this every six months.

The joke between Elladan and Elrohir is a Rings of Power reference...not sure if you've seen the new series on Prime. I have watched it and have mixed feelings...but mostly like anything LoTR so will keep watching. There's a joke between young Elrond and Prince Durin (who is one of the best parts of the show) about his Dad being a star now. So I tossed that in there. :D

Thanks to Jessie152's continued support and proofreading. And thanks to YOU for reading.

((hugs))

Summer