365

mar.19.22

The dwarfs had gathered for the night, setting up their camp in the middle of Rivendale, outside under the stars; they hated being closed in, hidden, almost shunned. They lived for the stars, the moon, for nature. And here in Rivendale, in the centre of an elven kingdom, the courtyard was the closest they would get to that, instead of the closed in quarters they had been shown.

Fili and Kili laid their bedding out; Lullaby Taylor, the human who'd joined the dwarf Company, went around to the dwarfs, helping out wherever she could. She came back over to Kili and Fili, helping them lay out their woolen blankets.

Kili hit Fili's shoulder then. "So, how 'bout now?"

Fili nodded. "Yeah, now is good."

"Good for what?" Lullaby asked.

"We're just going to go do something." A mischievous smile crossed both of their faces; Fili held Lullaby's shoulders. "We'll be back soon, alright?"

She shook her head at their childish antics, a smile in her face. She placed her hands overtop of his. "Okay. Be safe."

Fili smiled genuinely. "Always." He kissed her cheek, before leaving the dwarfs, running through Rivendale's courts with Kili.

Once they were away from the dwarfs, around a few stone corners, they slowed to a walk. Kili turned to his brother. "So. Spill it. You said you had to talk to me."

Fili exhaled then; his eyes were on the stone walkway. "I don't know who I can speak to of this." He looked at Kili. "I cannot speak to Thorin, or.... I don't know what the others would say."

"Then tell me. I will keep it secret if I must."

Fili exhaled again. "It's about Lullaby."

"And how you wish to marry her."

Fili's blue eyes widened at the comment. "How did you know?"

Kili chuckled. "It's obvious, brother. You love her. I've never seen you look at another woman the way you look at her. No dwarf maiden has ever caught your attention. I always assumed... well.... I thought you were into–"

"–Not in the slightest," Fili interrupted, knowing what Kili was hinting at.

Kiki chuckled at his brother's behavior. "But once you saw Lullaby, it was immediate. Back at Bilbo's house, I saw it then."

Fili frowned a little. "I didn't even know it then. Besides, you had claimed her; as soon as we met her, you kept your arms around her."

"And you were quiet at my actions." Kili watched his brother's eyes. "You saw how I held her, and you said nothing. You thought if I liked her, you'd do your best to dismiss your own feelings toward her. You'd excuse them as nothing. I saw it then; that was how I knew it to be immediate."

Fili averted his eyes. "I fear you're right."

"Of course I am. I'm not blind. And neither is she."

"She would never go for...." Fili's words choked. "She would never wish to be with a dwarf, Kili. What if she has a human where she is from–"

"–She doesn't!"

"Do you know for sure?" Fili stopped walking.

Kili turned to him. "I do not. But I see the way she looks back at you. How she returns your gaze, how her eyes say things her mouth are afraid to admit. Just like you."

"But is she afraid to admit love toward a dwarf?"

"I believe she loves you, brother. And you her." Kili put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I can see the turmoil within you. Do not let it crush you."

"What if she does not feel the same?"

"Then, you dismiss it, you apologize, and you still be her friend." Kili spoke true. "If she is not reciprocating your feelings, it was not meant to be. You will feel trapped – because of how strong your love for her is. But then, if she does not feel the same, it was never fate." Kili paused, a smile appearing. "But I know it is fate, Fili. You need to trust me on this – if not me, trust her, trust your feelings for her."

Fili exhaled, it coming out shaky. "I will ask her." He looked up. "I hope that fate is with us both."

Kili smiled, and patted Fili's shoulder. "It is. I feel she feels the same to you as you do to her: you're a dwarf, she's a human, you both feel the other will not feel the same. Put that aside, the love is real."

"Pray you're right."

Kili nodded. "I am." He continued walking, Fili falling in step beside him. "Now, if we show up empty-handed, Lullaby could suspect something, the others, too. So, let's raid the elf pantries – I'd assume they have sweets or something stashed away."

"And I could use a drink; I'm stealing the wines."

"Deal."