#i really need to sit down and prioritize editing over trying to gain attention

[stillgotme]

sorry for being like this y’all 😭 i just wanna get back to consistent storytelling but either something happens irl or my mind wanders, i really gotta just focus on my goal instead of trying to do too many different things at once

[alwaysfarawayeyes]

WIP tease to Fíli/Kíli fic

Hey everyone!

I’ve been working on three @gatheringfiki SpringFRE2019 prizes simultaneously and it’s been strange for me to work with a deadline on three fics at the same time. I have not finished either of the three yet (I’m sorry @vennor @mysticalbarbariancreation and @damnitfili !), but I’ve been making steady progress. One of the gift fics has transformed into a huuuuge story, which will eventually consist of multiple chapters. The first chapter (which will be the prize for @damnitfili ) is already 6000+ words, which is ridiculous but everytime I ‘just need to add this one scene’. I’m now editing that beast, but I’ve been scared to commit. So to force myself to stop changing things, I’ve posted a 1000 word snippet to the first chapter. You can find it under the cut. I hope you enjoy reading it!

“… fewer and fewer Dwarves are being born, our race is dying out. Our people prioritize craft over family and it is detrimental to our future survival.” One of the councilmembers spoke, his tone grave and eyes solemn.

 “This is true, I have seen it happen in many Dwarven settlements.” Another spoke.

 “Because of these facts, the council has given the following advice to our King a few months ago, and we will have his answer today.” The first Dwarf continued as he opened a scroll to read.

 “Our Kingdom is in need of strong leadership. We believe the Line of Durin should lead by example. Our Future King needs to show the importance of family and children to his people. The Line of Durin must continue. Our advice is therefore that Fíli, first heir to the Throne of Erebor, should father a child within the next year. This will secure the Line of Durin and set an example of the importance of children over personal wants.”

 Fíli and Kíli listened with growing disbelief to the members of the council of Erebor. Why didn’t Thorin tell them to stop?

 “But Fíli is my One, and I am his!” Kíli yelled in outrage, standing up from the spectator seats Thorin had ushered him and his brother into at the start of the meeting. He gained the attention of the council and received more than one look of annoyance for his disruption.

 “We are aware, and this will send an even stronger message.” The Dwarf who had read the scroll answered. “It is well known that you two are One and if you set aside your selfish needs to father children for the good of the Kingdom, our people will see that children are what is most important.”

 “Selfish needs? Mahal has forged us as two parts of one soul. It is against our very nature to be apart. You cannot expect us to father children with others.” Fíli addressed Thorin directly. Thorin was the one who would make the decision. If he told the council ‘no’, then it would not happen.

 And Fíli was sure that Thorin would be on their side. All these years he had told them that it was okay to be together. That he blessed their union. Anybody who doubted their relationship in the past had been reprimanded by Thorin and reminded that Ones are sacred. The council was foolish to think Thorin would agree with them.

 Thorin looked at him and Fíli could not decipher what he was trying to convey.

 “I agree with the council.” Thorin finally said. Fíli was stunned.

 “No!” Kíli interrupted again, eyes wild and shifting between Fíli and Thorin. “No you cannot!”

 Thorin sent him an unimpressed look and continued.

 “I agree with the council.” He repeated. “We need heirs to the throne and a strong future King who shows our people the importance of family and children. I need you both to set a good example.” He said, addressing his nephews directly. “Both of you will take a wife and father children as soon as possible.”

 “No, Thorin, you cannot ask this of us.” Fíli tried. He was becoming desperate, foregoing Thorin’s official title.

 “I can and I am. Your relationship is over, as of now, and I expect you both to attend a formal dinner tonight in which you are introduced to potential wedding candidates.”

 “Tonight?! How long have you been planning this?” Kíli yelled, his temper flaring at the injustice.

 “A while now. The council has brought this matter to my attention and I have been making preparations ever since. You are both to choose a wife within a few weeks.”

 “Weeks?!”

 “Yes, Fíli. Weeks. Am I not making myself clear? There is a need for you two to father children within the next year or so. We have just reclaimed our birthright and it is important to set a good example from the start. The sooner your babes are born, the sooner Erebor will prosper since it will cause a flock of new Dwarves to come to the mountain. You two will lead by example.”

 “What about you?!” Kíli screamed, completely shocked and overwhelmed. “Why can’t you have some fuckin’ kids. Make some new heirs which you can force to do your ridiculous bidding!”

 A few gasps were heard from the council, shocked at the insolence of the King’s nephew. Thorin did not take the bait though. He had expected this kind of reaction.

 “Even if I did father children, Fíli would still be my first heir since I named him as such. You two are the future of our Line and it is your children who will become heirs after you. This is my decision and it is final. Prepare yourselves for the dinner, make sure you both look your best.” Thorin dismissed them.

 Fíli tried to search for a smidge of compassion within Thorin’s hard gaze, but he found none. The King was as immovable as his mountain and there was nothing they could do or say at that moment that would change Thorin’s mind.

 Fíli stood up and grabbed his brother’s hand, pulling Kíli away from the council and out of the room. Kíli was cursing and yelling insults all the way and Fíli couldn’t tell him to stop, because Kíli was speaking the words that he himself was thinking. When the door to the meeting room closed behind them and they were alone in the hallway, Kíli finally stopped screaming. All the fight drained out of him and he sagged against the wall, sliding down. He ended up sitting on the floor, his knees pulled up to his chest and his face hidden in his hands.

 Fíli’s heart lurched at seeing his brother so broken. Normally, as the older brother, he would find a way to cheer him up, but right now he just felt empty. He had nothing to offer except his support, which was why he sat down next to him, legs touching and an arm slung around Kíli’s shoulders.

 “Tell me this isn’t happening, tell me this is all a joke, a dream, a nightmare.” Kíli whispered fervently.

Fíli’s hold on his brother tightened but he offered no words.

 “What should we do? We can’t leave, I don’t want to leave. We just reclaimed our new home, we worked so hard for this. How can they ruin this for us?” Kíli continued rambling, his agony evident in every word.

 “I don’t know, I just don’t know.” Fíli responded, resting his forehead on Kíli’s shoulder and failing to mask the hollow feeling that was settling in his heart.

 “I can’t obey them, Fíli. I cannot stop loving you, stop touching you, stop seeing you. I can never go back to being just your brother, we have never been just brothers.” It sounded like Kíli was trying to convince him that they should stay together. As if he would ever consider leaving Kíli.

 “We won’t. You’re my One. We can’t.” Fíli said with more confidence than he felt. “We won’t stop. We’ll just.. keep it behind closed doors. Keep it a secret.” Kíli’s sobbing exhale spoke of his release in tension. Had he really thought Fíli would just give them up?

 “You are more important than my duty.” Fíli added, feeling his brother relax marginally at the verbal confirmation of his devotion. Not even Thorin could convince him that breaking things off with Kíli was a good idea. But as he looked at his brother, who was trying to hold himself together in the face of this political mess, he couldn’t help but be afraid of what was to come.