Kings and Masters

Chapter 17

 The coronation was probably the most formal event Kili had ever participated in. It seemed as though everyone in Middle Earth had crowded on the plain before Erebor's gate to see Thorin be crowned king.

There was one dwarf who was noticeably absent from the crowd that evening. Fili and Kili had been there to receive the first few waves of dwarves from the Blue Mountains who had arrived in early spring. Many of their relatives and friends had been among the first arrivals, including Gimli who happily joined his father and uncle in Erebor. But the one dwarrowdam who seemed to not be among the arrivals was their own mother. When wave after wave of dwarves arrived and Dis was not among them, Fili and Kili began to worry.

It was shortly before the coronation was to begin, moments after Fili had finished discussing the situation regarding Asphodel, and the boys had nearly finished getting into their royal robes, that there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Kili called as he worked on Fili's braids while the golden haired dwarf sat in front of him. Thorin entered and Kili blinked at his uncle's appearance. Thorin was wearing a long flowing king's robe, it's long train trailing behind him. It was a deep red color and made of the finest furs and silk. Underneath the robe, he wore a formal silk tunic decorated with gold trimmings.

"Uncle, you look quite kingly," Fili pointed out as he sat patiently waiting for Kili to finish his braids. Even Kili wore braids for this occasion.

"My lads," Thorin said and his tone made Kili pause. Thorin looked solemn and Kili knew immediately that something had gone wrong. He felt his stomach drop as he frowned.

"What is it, Uncle?" Kili asked innocently.

"I just got word about your mother," Thorin said. Those words made Kili's blood run cold. He let go of Fili's hair as the blonde quickly got to his feet.

"She's going to be in the next convoy, isn't she?" Fili asked.

"There was an ambush on her convoy as it passed over the misty mountains," Thorin said. "I'm afraid she didn't make it."

Kili exchanged looks with his brother and for a moment Thorin's words didn't quite register, "what?" he asked, "you... you mean she's dead?"

Thorin only nodded and Kili felt hot tears sting his eyes. He immediately felt rage well up within him, "we can't let them get away with it!" he exclaimed. "How dare they!"

"What shall be our response to this attack?" Fili demanded, his voice quivering with anger.

"There shall be no response," Thorin said with a sigh. "We just finished a massive battle. Our warriors are spread thin... I'm afraid we aren't in any condition to inflict the revenge on them that they deserve. I'm sorry, Lads."

"You mean we're just going to let them get away with it!" Fili exclaimed. "Uncle!"

"What will you have me do, Boy?" Thorin said harshly, "Dain's warriors were nearly spent in defense of this mountain. Our people are just starting to rebuild. And the Misty Mountains are teeming with goblin hordes so vast, they could overtake anything we could send to them. You know this."

Somehow, Kili knew Thorin was right, but he wasn't willing to let it go. Someone had to pay for this. He turned away, trying to compose himself, even as his mind searched for ways to solve this.

"I'm sorry to bring you this kind of news, Lads," Thorin said, coming forward to clasp Fili on the shoulder. "I had hoped this to be an enjoyable occasion. For you two at least."

Kili turned back towards Thorin, "not for you?"

"Just nerves, I suppose," Thorin responded. Kili studied his uncle. There was more than nervousness. There was a lot weighing his uncle down.