#uncle thorin

[shurikthereject]

Uh oh looks like i procrastinated and made a new sketchbook spread, welp. Behold the fluffiest uncles with their adorable nephews and tiny Frodo with crazy bed hair.

[kateksmallcuteowl]

My entry for the DTIYS challenge by @lorbalith

Congratulations on reaching 10k followers on Instagram! I hope you'll continue to amaze us with your art (and not just with Bagginshield; your Wolverine and Deadpool are awesome too 🔥).

P.S. It was mentioned that we could add something in the background, so I decided to include some of my favorite headcanons to the reshirement AU. The idea that Fili and Kili used to laugh throughout their childhood and, as adults, grumbled about Uncle Thorin always being so responsible and protective of them, promising themselves they would never be like that. But then, when they saw this tiny-small-little hobbit, they ended up becoming extremely responsible uncles themselves. (Thorin will definitely gloat about this in a letter to Dis). Also, there’s a headcanon that Hobbits and Dwarves have different ideas about modesty. Dwarves believe you can marry whoever and however you like, but all signs of affection should be kept behind closed doors. Meanwhile, Hobbits took a long time to get used to the fact that Bilbo Baggins brought a male Dwarf into the house, but they have absolutely no objections to hugs or kisses in public.

[basil--and--sage]

Uncle Thorin headcanons nobody can dissuade me from, part 1:

(part 2)

he's a big old softie

whenever he gets up from his armchair he grunts like he is 500 years old (it started the second Fíli was born. Dís was horrified)

in the morning he does that weird dad cough thing

if you want something from him in the evening you better hurry. As soon as he's sitting on the couch for more than five minutes he falls asleep

Speaking of sleeping: he's an excellent nap partner. Just plop down next to him and put your head on his shoulder and have a good nap (he usually wakes up with Kíli snoring on his shoulder)

he keeps bitching about the humidity, because that's what gets you, not the heat!

he spends a fair amount of time at home walking around in a ratty undershirt, an old pair of shorts and tattered slippers he denies owning whenever they come up in a conversation

whenever Fíli and Kíli quarrel (like siblings tend to do) he watches in silence, because when he tries to mediate, both of them unite and turn against the poor fool (=Thorin) stupid enough to interrupt them (at least they are not arguing anymore)

his favourite activity is sitting on a bench with Dwalin, sharing a pipe and staring judgingly at everbody walking past them

he snores like a troll and denies it

at home he looses his pipe constantly

in the morning he spends an hour in the bathroom. He doesn't do anything in there, but it's the only time nobody bothers him. He's incredibly offended, when Fíli wordlessly hands him a bag with dried plums one day

he's not only nearsighted, he also needs reading glasses, which he denies. Coincidentally, he keeps having those weird headaches he can't explain. Don't try to point it out, he won't listen.

(tbc)

[tondw0o]

Look at all the cute little pets they found !!! Had to draw this cute idea of @silvermoon-scrolls ❤️

[fanartka]

Imagine uncle Thorin with his little nephews

[cowboybeepboop]

The only one

“Kili, you can’t tell anyone about this.” “So it’s our dirty little secret then?”

Paring: Kili Durin x afab reader

Genre: romantic smut

Word count: 2.2k

Summary: You’re Bilbo's adopted human daughter and he takes you along on the journey. Kili has his heart set on you and after getting involved in the fight he gets angry with you for putting yourself in a dangerous situation.

Warnings: public sex, arguing, jealous Kili, hickeys, p in v sex, hickeys??? Idk what else I always forget

a/n: I did not proofread and its lowkey a summary of the first movie? This is my first smut regarding anyone in the tolkien universe but I did write some sad fluff at some point lmao. Anyways, please like and send any requests if you want <3 tags go absolutely wild

You’ve been an adopted hobbit for the last 18 years of your life, Bilbo was always comforted in the known so when he brought you along with him and the dwarfs on their journey you were beyond surprised. Your presence was unexpected for everyone, except Gandalf of course, and most of the company was against your involvement. The dwarves saw you as frail and weak, the only one on your side was your dad, but of course he was.

Kili has kept an eye out for you since you joined the company, he makes sure you're safe and also just enjoys looking at you.

__________

When Elrond and his fellow elves come back the dwarves pull you and your father behind them and create a circle around you. You stay behind your Bilbo as the elves talk with Gandalf.

Upon your entrance to their dining room you look around with wonder, you sit down between Kili and your dad. “They're so beautiful,” you whisper to Bilbo, he nods with a gentle but awkward smile. Kili’s ears twitch as he looks around, his eyes narrow on an elf who has his eyes on you, he moves closer to you wrapping his arm around you.

“You think so?” Kili questions, his jaw clenching slightly, “I think us dwarves are better looking, stronger too.” he says pridefully, you chuckle in response.

“Is it a competition now?” you cock your head, “You’re very good looking too, Kili.” he smiles wide.

“Is that so? I am the best looking of all of the company, aside from Thorin of course.” you laugh, putting your hand on his arm.

“A bit full of yourself huh?” he shoves your shoulder gently in response. Kilis arms finds its way around your waist as he continues to glare at the elf who dared to look at you, who did he even think he was.

Gandalf, Bilbo, and Thorin wander off with Lord Elrond, leaving you with the dwarfs. You watch quietly, laughing with them and listening to their conversations before you feel yourself drifting off to sleep. Kili quietly sits next to you letting your head fall to his shoulder he smiles, covering you up with a blanket.

__________

After the company left the palace Thorin led everyone to the Misty Mountains, Kili keeps you in front of him. He insists that it’s better that way so if you fall he can catch you. As the rain picks up your feet slip under you, Kili and Fili grasp your arms quickly, pulling you back onto the ledge.

“Thank you,” you say softly as your eyes look over the ledge. Kili keeps a hold of your arm tightly as you all try to avoid the stone giant's blasts. The ground splits under your feet as the mountain takes shape as a giant, you grab onto the stone behind you before everyone begins to slide forward.

The stone giant slams into the mountain, throwing everyone off of it and onto the ground. Thorin yells for his nephews as the rest of the company runs over, Kili helps you up dusting your clothes off and checking to make sure you weren’t hurt anywhere.

After all the commotion everyone settles into the cave, Bilbo pulls you off to the side and quietly talks to you, he tells you about his plan to leave once everyone is asleep. “Why dad? What's wrong?” you whisper to him.

“Thorin is right, we never should've left home, I’ve put you in danger and I can’t let anything else happen to you.” he sighs as he runs his hand through your hair, “It’s okay, we’ll be fine.” he smiles reassuringly.

You both gather all of your stuff and sneak out, he leads you by the hand. He pulls you behind him as he talks with Bofur, you stay quiet looking around the cave. You didn’t really want to leave the company, I mean they were becoming your friends, you enjoyed the company.

“Y/N?” Kili mumbles as he looks up at you, he yawns. “Where are you going?” You crouch down putting your hand on his shoulder.

“Go back to sleep Kili, you need your rest,” you smile sweetly.

The floor splits and you slip down with everyone, Bilbo gets away but you are guided off with the dwarves. Your eyes fill with terror as you look around, you take a hold of Kilis hand squeezing tight as the goblins push you all around. You cower behind him, holding onto his shirt tightly.

Once you get out the dwarves all argue over where your dad went, your head drops as you think that your dad couldn't possibly have left you all alone. He reappears and you rush over to hug him, his hands drop to your waist as he smiles.

“Y/N!” Kili and Bilbo yell at you as you try to defend the dwarves with your small blade; it goes into the center of the wargs head, and Kili grabs you and pulls you up to the tree with him. His hand wrapping around your waist as he holds you close.

“Don’t move,” Kili’s voice is angry as he demands you to stay put. His hands dig into your slides as you look below your feet. Kili’s hands slip away as they start to throw the pinecones, the tree begins to fall, you grasp onto the trunk as tight as you can. His hands wrap around the tree, his eyes focused on you.

As Thorin and your father begin to fight the orcs, your eyes squeeze shut tightly, you try to focus on anything but the attack of Thorin. Kili pulls you up and onto the ground, insisting you stay put as they go to fight. You look forward, clutching the blade you retrieved from the corpse tight. As all of the commotion ensues you feel yourself being picked up by an eagle.

Once you all are in a safe place you watch as Gandalf helps heal Thorin. You stand next to your dad, holding onto his arm, as Thorin goes in for a hug you let go of him and move back. Your eyes wander to Kili who turns his head in order to avoid eye contact with you.

As the company moves forward you come across an area close to a river, Gandalf suggests that you all take a break and bathe. You and Kili were the last to go, you were paired up at the recommendation of Fili.

Kili guides you to the river, holding his weapon close to his chest, he’s been giving you the silent treatment after you got in between a fight. “You can bathe here, I’ll keep watch.” his voice stern.

“Kili..” your voice trails off as you look at his back, trying to pull his attention to you.

“Y/N, just take your bath. It’s getting dark.” Kili’s tone is extremely cold. You pout your lips as you begin pulling your clothing off slowly, once you finish you slip into the cold water.

“You can turn back now,” you say softly before you dip all the way under the water, holding your breath and squeezing your eyes shut. After a while you break the surface of the water sliding your hands over your face pulling the water back with your hair. Kili had turned around keeping his eyes on everything but you.

“Kili,” you wave him over, “come here, please.” you bite your lip as he gives you a bored expression.

“What is it?” he walks close to the bank of the river, his eyes scanning your face.

“Shouldn’t you join me? You're supposed to bathe as well,” he sighs, turning his back to you again.

“Fine, turn away.” he sets down his sword and strips quickly. You face the other way as he slips into the water with you.

“Kili, what is your problem?” you huff, spinning around with your arms crossed over your breasts.

“What do you mean?” his eyes are half closed as he looks at you with a slightly annoyed expression.

You move closer to him, “I mean, you’re acting so rude for no reason. You won’t look at me, you barely talk to me, you’re being so dumb” you glare at him, “So what is your problem?” he rolls his eyes at you.

“I don’t know maybe the fact that you threw yourself into harm's way? You could’ve gotten yourself killed,” he yells at you while running his hand through his hair.

“Calm down Kili,” you move close to him, putting your hand on his arm. “I didn’t expect you to get all worked up like this, I know I should have been more careful but I just wanted to help.” your eyebrows furrow as you look down.

His warm hands grasp your upper arms “You really worried me Y/N,” he presses his forehead against yours.

“You worried about me?” a sly smile paints itself on your lips, “does that mean you like me Kili?” your voice is soft and teasing. His ears turn a deep shade of crimson as he turns his head up.

“Y/N cut that out,” he puts his hand on the side of your neck, his eyes flick to your lips.

“Cut what out?” you wrap your arms around his neck pulling yourself close to him.

“You know what,” he clenches his jaw, your hands running down his back as you wrap your legs around his hips.

Kili pulls your face to his, hovering his lips over yours “Quit teasing me,” he whispers. Your hand snakes up to the back of his head, cradling it as you push your lips against his. His hands move to your waist, his fingers dig into your soft flesh as he hugs you tighter against him.

“Mahal,” he pulls away, pressing soft kisses down your face and onto your neck. You lean back letting his lips trail over your body, your nails scratch his scalp softly as you arch into him.

“Amrâlimê,” he whispers against your collarbone, “you’re driving me insane,” Kili groans. He grasps your face pulling you in for an intimate kiss, he’s getting more intense with his affections, his hands squeezing your hips roughly.

Your hand trails down his chest tracing every muscle on his stomach, he begins grinding against you while holding your hips against him. Pulling away from the kiss you gasp for air, leaning your head against his shoulder, you wrap your hands in his hair pulling it off to the side. Kissing his neck roughly you begin to leave soft marks on his flesh as he massages your ass.

“Y/N..” he mumbles into your ear, you moan softly as he picks you up, moving into shallow water. “Can we..?” his ears flush as he looks away, “I mean, would you mind?” you chuckle softly.

“Mhm,” you move your hips against his thigh, feeling him twitch underneath you. “But we’ll have to be quick..” you kiss his shoulder as his hands pull your hips up, he lines himself up with your hole, pushing the tip in.

“Let me know if it hurts,” he says gently, his hand finding its way to your neck grabbing ahold of it pulling your head back as you moan softly. He bucks his hips up into you, leaning forward you bury your face into his nape hugging him tight as you moan into his skin.

“My precious girl,” he groans as he slowly begins moving your hips up and down, his fingers digging into your soft skin, leaving red marks. You moan into his ear as you begin riding him, your arms wrap tight around his neck, eyebrows furrowing as you squeeze around his dick.

Kili cradles your head against him, holding you as close as he can, thrusting up into you pushing as deep as he can. Your head falls onto his shoulder, he moves a hand down to your sensitive clit, rubbing circles into it.

“I’m so close,” you moan, Kili nods in response.

“Me too,” he groans, his hands exploring every part of your body as he pulls you into a passionate kiss.

“Hey, Y/N, Kili, hurry it up.” Fili yells to you, causing the both of you to jolt up. Kili pushes himself into you as deep as he can. You bite your lip as you cum around him, your hole pulsing.

Your back arches, silent gasps leaving your open mouth as you ride out your high. Your whole body seems to tense up causing Kili to groan while he cums deep inside you. He pulls you off of him giving you a sweet kiss.

“Now we really need to clean up, and fast.” He says lowly, his hands creep up from behind you gasping your sides as he pulls you into deeper water to rinse off. You sigh contently as he holds your body close to his.

After quickly cleaning yourselves up; you both get out, drying off before putting your clothes back on.

“Kili, you can’t tell anyone about this.” you bite your lip as you turn to him, his eyebrows furrow. “Bilbo might actually get so mad he tries to kill you,” you giggle softly as his face relaxes.

“So it’s our dirty little secret then?” coming close to you he wraps his arms around your neck giving you a deep kiss. “But we will get to tell everyone later, right?” he pulls back, eyes scanning yours.

“Yes, Kili,” you kiss the tip of his nose, hands resting on his shoulders, “but let's wait it out for a bit, okay?” he smiles in response.

[theeerealpunkin]

Thorin: Your mother will kill me if I let you come, you do know that, right?

Fili & Kili: But we wanna come! We'll kill the dragon ourselves!

[enchantzz]

I tried something new. Writing a Middle Earth story about young Fili and Kili and Uncle Thorin. I was inspired by this amazing piece of art by @sugarsu Here is the link to the original post. If you like the artwork, please consider reblogging the original post as well.

In the woods of Ered Luin

Summary: Uncle Thorin is taking care of young Fili and Kili and they visit the woods in the area of Ered Luin, The Blue Mountains. Just a lot of fluff and a somewhat anxious Thorin at times, but we all know the boys, so we can't really blame him 😉

divider created by me

It was still early, but Fili and Kili had already been running around since their eyes had opened to a beautiful day in Ered Luin. Dis and Thorin were sitting at the kitchen table, quietly drinking their coffee and listening to the chatter and laughter of the boys. Thorin usually didn’t have a lot of time, so he valued these family moments very much.

Thorin had offered to spend the day with his little nephews. His dear sister Dis had gratefully accepted the offer and looked forward to having some time to herself. But as soon as Thorin had offered to take the boys, next to excitement a little pang of fear hit him. What mayhem would he encounter this fine day? Nothing ever did not happen, something always did.

Thorin mustered up his courage and got up to fetch the boys. When he saw a heap of pebbles, blankets, pillows and a cat on top of it, he wondered what had happened in the few minutes he had taken his eyes off of them. Shaking his head, he said, 'Come on boys, get your coats, put on your boots.’

The heap of blankets, pillows, pebbles and cat immediately came apart and two pairs of eyes looked at him questioningly. 'Where are we going uncle Thorin?' they asked. 

“You’ll see. Now come on, get ready,’ he told them.

Not long after, they entered the forest near the Blue Mountains. It was a beautiful day so far, but the big furry clouds in the distance promised some well deserved rain for the plants and wildlife in the forest. The leaves were softly rustling in the breeze, birds were chirping and singing, insects buzzing. The forest was so full of life, yet so peaceful. 

Kili was jumping and running around. There was so much to see. Flowers, plants, little rocks, insects. Thorin smiled. That boy never seemed to run out of energy. Fili was usually much more reserved and quiet. He was walking alongside Thorin, observing the woods, asking him all kinds of questions and Thorin was answering them patiently.

‘What animals will we see today uncle Thorin?’ Fili asked. ‘Will there be moose? And wolves? What about bunnies? Oh look, uncle Thorin, what kind of bird is that?’ his little fingers pointing at a bird with a bright red chest, singing its morning song on one the branches of a big oak tree.

Thorin cringed at the idea of encountering a wolf and the pebbles being in danger, but he didn’t have a lot of time to think about it, for Kili came running up to him. 

‘Look uncle Thorin, look what I have!’ he exclaimed enthusiastically. He was holding something in his tiny hands, careful not to drop it. Thorin crouched down. ‘What have you got there little man?’ 

Kili opened his little hands and a black spider crawled out. ‘You can have it uncle Thorin,’ he said proudly and with a big grin on his face. ‘I fetched it for you.’

Oh dear, how to get himself out of that situation.

‘I think the spider is …,’ he started

‘Ciaran’,  Kili said.

‘What?’ Thorin looked at Kili, confused.

‘It’s name is Ciaran,’ Kili explained.

Thorin raised his eyebrows at that and scratched his beard. Wow, he had only just found the spider and it already had a name as if it were part of the family and needed to be taken up in the Durin family tree.

The new addition to the line of Durin was quickly forgotten though, when a rustle of leaves alerted Thorin and he looked in the direction of the sound. The word ‘wolves’ still fresh in his mind, he grabbed Kili and told him to be quiet. He checked on Fili, who was crouching down beside Thorin, imitating his uncle and all three of them looked in the direction of the moving bushes nearby.

A little spooked by Fili’s question about wolves, Thorin wished that he had brought his sword. He held his breath, but he sighed with relief when a deer and a fawn appeared and not a big bad wolf. 

‘Oh look uncle Thorin,’ Kili pointed at the fawn, ‘A baby deer! Can we go pet it?’ he asked excitedly.

‘No, Kili,’ Thorin said, ‘They are erm … having breakfast. It’s best to leave them be.’ 

Kili sighed disappointedly and Thorin chuckled.

‘Come on boys, let’s go about our way. There is a stream not far from here.’ 

That also got Fili excited and both pebbles ran ahead, their chatter and laughter echoing between the trees. It warmed Thorin 's heart to see them so excited and happy. With a smile on his face, he followed his nephews in the direction of the stream. 

The clouds, which had seemed so far away at the start of their walk, now gathered above them, hiding the sun and making the forest a little darker. Drops of rain started to fall and the calming sound of the raindrops falling on the foliage and the fresh smell of wet earth had a calming effect on Thorin. All anxiety about wolves forgotten. 

He loved the woods, the sounds, the smells. He filled his lungs with a deep breath of fresh air and for a moment closed his eyes and held his face up to the sky, the fresh rain drops gently falling on his face, his beard and his long, dark hair, which was held back with a beautiful handcrafted clip in the form of a raven. 

He stood there, enjoying the moment, but then, at once, snapped back to reality. It had gone quiet. Even though shouting and noise usually didn’t mean anything good when the boys were concerned, neither did absolute silence. He quickened his pace and almost tripped over a boot and another one and another. He followed the trail of boots, picking them up. Apparently, the boys had decided that they no longer needed those. 

He approached the stream and saw Fili crouched down, his blue cape over his head and his chin resting in the palm of his hand.  Kili was perched on his hands and knees on a flat stone in the stream.  They were studying a black bird which was hopping from stone to stone in the stream. The bird paused, sat on a stone and curiously turned its head from side to side, seemingly as curious as the boys. It was altogether a peaceful sight, the dripping sound of the raindrops making little circles in the water, the gently flowing stream, and the boys watching the bird, watching the boys.

Thorin crouched down next to Fili and put his big hand on Fili’s tiny shoulder. So that’s why the little rascals had gone quiet, he thought and smiled.

‘Can we keep him uncle?' Kili asked, breaking the silence. ‘Can we take him home so that we can show him to amad?’

‘No my dear boy, your mother wouldn’t be very happy if you took a bird home. It lives here, in the forest, you know. This is its home.  Everyone and everything has its own place in this world and the woods is where the bird belongs. It would be sad if it had to leave his home. You don’t want it to be sad, do you?’

Thorin heard himself say the words and for a moment sadness hit him. His thoughts went to Erebor, his home, where he belonged and which he had been forced to leave and for which he longed with all his heart. One day, he would return to the Lonely Mountain. He was sure of it.

He didn’t have long to think about it, because a frog hopped out of the water, onto the stone chasing off the bird. 

Kili giggled and reached for the frog. ‘Can we take …’ he started.

‘No, Kili, we can’t take the frog home either,’ Thorin said sternly, but he had a hard time keeping a straight face. Kili seemed to want to take home every animal and insect he encountered. Thorin was sure that Dis wouldn’t appreciate a zoo in her home. 

After a moment, Thorin got up and said, ‘Come on boys, put your boots back on. Let’s go see if amad has something nice to fill your bellies ok? You must be hungry after all these adventures.’ 

With that, the frog was all about forgotten, the boys hurried to put their boots on and off they went with Thorin in tow. Thorin was quietly enjoying the walk back home, while Kili and Fili chased after butterflies, found treasures - read 'stones' - along the way, chased each other and left Thorin wondering if he, Frerin and Dis had ever had the same amount of energy as these two boys. 

The rain had stopped, the sun had broken through the clouds, its rays illuminating the way home and he couldn’t have been more relaxed.

By the time they got home, Thorin was quite proud of himself that so far, the day had passed without any incidents and mayhem under his supervision. He was grateful for the family time, but also, deep down, grateful to be handing them back over to their mother, his dear sister, whom he admired more and more, every time he looked after the boys.  But also deep down, he longed for another day with his nephews, whom he loved as if they were his own sons.

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[rynneer]

Promises

He was so much like his father, wasn’t he?

Promises made.

Promises broken.

Fíli’s childhood was defined by promises—but not every promise can be kept.

“Go, pony, go! To war!” Fíli bounced in the saddle, brandishing a wooden sword. His mount paid no attention to the dwarfling’s commands. It merely snorted and scuffed at the ground with its hoof.

“There’s my little warrior,” came a chuckle from the stable door. Víli shook his head with a smile, hoisting his son off of the pony.

“Can I come with you?” Fíli asked, his eyes wide and hopeful. He waved his sword in the air at imaginary foes. “Look how good I fight!”

Víli balanced Fíli on his hip, ruffling his hair. “Not just yet. Give it a few years, hm?”

“We should make haste, Víli.” Thorin entered with two packs slung over his shoulder. He tossed one to Víli, who caught it in his free arm with ease. “We’ve only a few days before the snow begins to melt and refills the gulch.”

Víli nodded and set Fíli on the ground. “Go fetch your mother. She’ll have my head if she doesn’t get a kiss goodbye.”

Fíli scampered away, still swinging his little sword.

Víli’s smile faded as he watched his son running back up the hill to their cottage. “Thorin?”

“Hm?”

“If anything happens–”

“Don’t, Víli,” Thorin cut him off. He turned from where he had begun saddling up his pony. “Nothing will happen. We will be back by springtime’s end.”

“Please, Thorin.” Víli placed his hand on Thorin’s shoulder. His dark brown eyes were troubled, his brow knitted with worry. “If anything should happen to me, promise me you will look after my boy.”

“You have my word.” Thorin busied himself with tacking up his pony, trying not to show his discomfort with the thought. He had not spent much time alone with the child, not since Fíli was a baby. Though he cared fiercely for his sister, his last remaining family, she was starting one of her own. He respected that, and did his best to stay out of the way—a difficult task when they all were forced to shared a small home.

“I know this is important,” Víli said after a long silence.

Thorin turned. His brother-in-law fidgeted with his mount’s reins, checking and re-checking the buckles. “And I will follow you wherever you ask, without question. But my heart is heavy, and I don’t know why.”

“We will return,” Thorin assured him. He tugged on his pony’s reins and led her from the stables.

“Not so fast, little one!”

Thorin and Víli looked up to see Fíli running back down the hill, his legs a blur. Dís trailed after. “Amad said I can go!” he crowed as he launched himself at his father.

“I said no such thing!” Dís puffed. She was slightly pale, perhaps even a little green. Her brow shone with a thin sheet of sweat.

Víli noticed immediately. “Are you feeling ill, amrâlimê?” he asked, stepping forward and taking her face in his hands. His steps were hindered by Fíli, who had wrapped his arms around his father’s leg. Víli lifted a boot and tried to shake him off, but the little boy held on stubbornly.

“I’m fine,” Dís replied. Her face grew solemn, and she combed her hand through her husband’s golden locks. “You’ll come back to me, won’t you, my love?” She fiddled with his silver beads, tracing the runes.

“Of course.” Víli kissed her forehead. He bent over and tugged on Fíli’s hair, drawing a squeak of protest. “I promise.”

Dís gave him a peck on the cheek, and turned her attention to Thorin. She adjusted the pack on his shoulder and straightened his collar. “Don’t do anything rash. Don’t be a hero,” she whispered. Her hands stilled, and she locked eyes with him. “I refuse to bury another brother.”

Thorin reached up and took her hands, bringing them back down to her waist. Silence hung heavily between them at the reference to Frerin. At last, Thorin leaned down and gently rested his forehead against hers. “You won’t have to.” He straightened up and dusted himself off. “Balin and Dwalin will be waiting for us down the road. We should go.” He saddled up and kicked his pony’s sides, nudging her forward to the path leading up to the mountain pass.

Víli took his wife into his arms once more. “Must you go?” Her voice was muffled in his coat.

“You heard the reports from the south. We have to go flush out that band of orcs. I have to keep you safe.” He released her, and crouched down so he was level with Fíli. Víli wrapped him in a bear hug.

“Promise you’ll be back?” Fíli’s voice was small, almost lost in his father’s thick mane.

“I promise.”

***

Dís hummed as she scrubbed the breakfast dishes clean, elbow-deep in the soapy water. A black curl fell in her face and she blew it away with an impatient huff. “Fíli? Can you come help your mother, please?”

Fíli grumbled, but he clambered to his feet and joined her in the kitchen. Dís handed him the plates and a dishcloth. “Thank you, kurduwê.” She leaned against the counter with a sigh and placed a hand on her small bump, just starting to strain at her dress. There was a tiny flutter in her belly. Dís smiled, stroking it gently.

“When’s it gonna get here?” Fíli asked, standing on his tiptoes and tugging at her skirt.

“Six more months, my dear.”

He pouted, wrinkling his nose. “That’s forever!” he whined.

Dís chuckled and shook her head, taking the dried plates from his hands. As she put them back in the cupboard, there was a frantic pounding at the door. “They’re back!” came a shout from the other side.

Dís’s eyes lit up. She rushed from the cottage, running as fast as she dared down the hill with a grin. It was only a few days after Víli and Thorin left that she learned she was with child, and since then, all she could think of was how excited her husband would be.

The two ponies plodded into the village, heads drooped in exhaustion. Thorin’s head hung low as well, betraying his own weariness. A small crowd of dwarves began to gather as news of their return made its way through the town.

“Víli, Thorin!” she cried. But as she neared, her brow creased in confusion. Yes, there were two ponies, but she saw only one with a rider. She saw only Thorin. Dís halted. Cold dread spread through her chest. “Thorin? Where’s Víli?”

When her brother did not reply, she came closer. She could see something large on the pony’s back behind Thorin. “Thorin,” Dís whispered, her voice wavering. “Where is my husband?”

At last, Thorin slowly lifted his head. His mouth moved wordlessly for a few seconds before his voice returned to him, dry and cracking. “I tried, Dís. I tried.”

“No…” Dís could see now what was slung over the back of Thorin’s pony. A battered, broken body. There was dried blood caked in his hair, silver beads now stained. She looked back at Thorin helplessly. “Thorin, I’m… I’m pregnant.”

Her brother’s face fell even further.

“Amad?” Fíli finally caught up with his mother. His blue eyes were round and hopeful. “Where’s Adad?”

Thorin dismounted. The movement jostled the body behind him, and he was too slow to keep it from thudding to the ground. But he was fast enough to move between his sister and his nephew as she crumbled, throwing herself over her fallen husband. He quickly pressed Fíli’s face into his tunic and covered the boy’s ears as she screamed.

And oh, how she screamed. Wordless howls of raw grief. Broken only by gasps for air fueling the next scream.

“Uncle Thorin?” Fíli’s voice was muffled by his uncle’s clothing, stained with his father’s blood. “Uncle Thorin, what’s wrong with Amad? Why is she sad?”

“Not now, little one,” Thorin mumbled. He ushered him back up the hill, turning Fíli’s head when he tried to look back.

“You promised!” Dís’s shrieks echoed off of the hills. “You promised!”

***

The ringing of metal on metal filled Thorin’s ears as he hammered away. Sparks flew with each strike. He paused for a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow, then plunged the red-hot iron into the barrel at his side to quench it.

“Thorin!”

Thorin looked up to see Dís rushing into the forge. She hiked up her skirt with one hand to avoid the soot and dust on the stone floor, the other supporting her heavy stomach. She was due any day now.

“Thorin, I can’t find Fíli anywhere,” she panted. “I’ve checked all the places I could think of—he’s nowhere to be found.”

Thorin laid the piece he was working on aside and discarded his apron. He ducked out of the heat-choked forge and into the brisk autumn air. “You checked the valley? The creek? The beech copse? You asked the older children?”

“Everything,” Dís insisted. “I’ve searched all afternoon.”

Dying rays of sunlight barely reached over the buildings in their little hamlet. If they were to find Fíli, they had better do it fast. The woods and plains in the foothills of the Blue Mountains were no place for a five-year-old on his own with the autumn chill plunging to a bitter, near-winter cold at night. A frigid breeze was already tugging at Thorin’s hair.

His eyes scanned the landscape, stopping when they reached the crest of a small hill almost a mile from their door. “Dís,” he said quietly. “Are you sure you checked everywhere?”

Hidden on the far side was a crack in the earth that lead to a small cave. And sure enough, Thorin found what he was looking for.

Fíli sat at the entrance, hugging his legs to his chest and resting his chin on his knees. He didn’t acknowledge Thorin; he just kept looking ahead into the cave.

Thorin lowered himself to the ground and sat next to his nephew. “Your mother has been very worried about you.”

“I’m alright. I’m just waiting for Adad.” Fíli pointed into the cave. “He’s busy.” He was shivering.

Thorin sighed. It had been months since he returned with his brother-in-law’s lifeless body. “Your adad was laid to rest. He will never leave this tomb.”

Fíli shook his head vigorously. “Nuh-uh. He’s coming home.”

“Fíli,” Thorin placed a gentle hand on Fíli’s shoulder. “Your father is gone. He is not coming back.”

“No, he’s gonna come back because he promised and he never breaks a promise!” Fíli’s little hands balled up into fists, tears welling up in his eyes. “Leave me alone!”

“He asked me to look after you,” Thorin continued, paying no mind to Fíli’s protests.

“I don’t want you!” Fíli tried to push Thorin away. “I want Adad!”

“Come on.” Thorin stood and easily lifted his nephew, throwing the squirming child over his shoulder like a sack of flour. “It’s not safe for you out here alone.”

Fíli started to sob, hitting Thorin’s back with tiny fists that he barely felt. “No! He’ll come back! He will!” Fíli cried over and over. He kicked his legs in protest, but Thorin only tightened his hold.

Finally, his movements became weaker and his shouts became sniffles and hiccups as he wore himself out. “I hate you,” he whimpered.

Thorin winced. He knew the boy didn’t mean it, but still, it stung.

It was dusk when they returned. Dís stood in the doorway of their little home, hands on her hips and tapping her foot. “Now just what do you think you–”

Thorin silenced her with a look. Not now, he mouthed. He set Fíli on the ground, nudging him inside. “It’s bath night,” he reminded the boy. “Go get ready.”

Fíli gave his uncle a final, tearful glare, and stomped off. Thorin collapsed on the couch.

“Where’d you manage to find him?” Dís joined her brother, laying a hand on his arm.

Thorin didn’t look at her. “Sitting in front of the… the hill.” Something about speaking of cold graves in what was supposed to be a warm home felt wrong. “He still refuses to accept it.” He rubbed his brow with a sigh.

“He’s grieving, the poor lamb. Give him time.” Dís squeezed his arm. “Things were not the same without Frerin for so long. And we were grown by then—Fíli is so little. He scarcely knows what death is.”

Thorin raised his head and stared darkly into the fire. “The way things are going, he’ll need to learn sooner or later. We’ve seen far too many goblins straying close to the mountains. And more elves passing through to the Sea.” Thorin nodded slowly, lost in his own musings. “Something is coming.”

Dís snorted, shaking her head. “You listen to Dwalin’s grumblings too much,” she remarked. “I think we will be alright.” With that, she excused herself and followed the trail left by Fíli’s muddy footprints, muttering about hot water and dirty dwarflings.

Little Fíli poked his head into the living room, sucking his thumb nervously. Thorin sat on the couch, reading by the dimming light of the fire. Fíli padded across the floor and climbed up next to him. Without a word, he snuggled up against Thorin’s side, laying his head on his uncle’s thigh. And equally silently, Thorin put his hand on Fíli’s head, hair still damp from the bath.

“I’m sorry I was mean, Uncle Thorin,” Fíli finally whispered.

Thorin put down his book, looking at his nephew with an expression somehow both pitying and reassuring. “We have all said things we are not proud of,” he said. “I appreciate the apology.”

Fíli nodded and yawned. “But he will come back. I know he will.” He curled up in Thorin’s lap and closed his eyes. “He promised.”

***

“Fíli.”

The blonde dwarfling screwed his eyes shut tighter and wrinkled his nose. He shoved his face into his pillow, trying to ignore his uncle’s voice. He’d been waiting for hours, listening to his mother’s pained cries from the room over, and he had just about had enough.

“Fíli, you are not setting a very good example as a big brother, are you?”

That did it. Fíli’s eyes shot open, and he sat up so quickly that he nearly fell over.

Thorin stood in the doorway, a tired smile on his face. In his arms, he cradled a tiny bundle.

Fíli wiggled with excitement as his uncle approached. Thorin sat on the bed next to him. He gently moved aside the blanket guarding his precious cargo and lowered the bundle so the boy could see.

“Fíli, meet your little brother,” Thorin whispered. “This is Kíli.” He dared not disturb the sleeping newborn too much, vividly remembering how loud and shrill Fíli’s cries had been as a baby.

“Hi Kíli,” Fíli breathed. His blue eyes were wide with awe as he peered at his brother snuggled up inside the blanket. Kíli’s face twitched every so often, small bubbles of spit collecting on his bottom lip. Fíli looked up at Thorin eagerly. “Can I hold him?”

After a moment of hesitation, Thorin nodded. “Be very careful,” he warned as he shifted the baby into Fíli’s arms. “He’s not quite as big and strong as you yet. Hold him close. Support his head, just like that. There you go.”

“He’s so little!” Fíli gently brushed his hand over the fuzz on Kíli’s scalp. Dark-haired, like Dís and Thorin. At his brother’s touch, Kíli began to stir. With a squeak, he opened his eyes.

Fíli gasped. “Uncle Thorin, look! He’s got brown eyes, like…” He trailed off, staring down at the baby in silence for a long time. Kíli blinked curiously up at him with little gurgling noises. When Fíli looked back at his uncle, his eyes shone with tears and his lip quivered. “Adad’s not coming back, is he?”

Thorin’s heart cracked—but there was relief, too. He’s finally come to accept it. “No, little one. He’s not.”

Fíli’s face crumpled. He buried his face in Thorin’s side and began to cry. Disturbed by the noise, Kíli let out a few whimpers of his own before starting to wail.

Thorin put his arm around Fíli’s shoulders, saying nothing.

“For Mahal’s sake, Thorin, what did you do to make both of them cry?” Dís leaned against the doorframe, still weary from labor and nursing her newborn. But her tired glare softened when she saw the look on Thorin’s face, the way he held Fíli against his side.

“I should take him back,” Dís sighed, crossing the room and prying Kíli from Fíli’s arms. “Hush, wee one,” she murmured, rocking him as she left and starting to hum a lullaby.

Thorin shifted on the bed to face Fíli. His large, calloused palms swallowed up Fíli’s tiny hands. “Fíli.”

The little dwarf sniffled and looked up at his uncle, tears still streaming from his eyes.

Thorin wiped Fíli’s cheeks with his sleeve. “I have something very important that I need you to do.”

“What is it?” Fíli tilted his head to the side like a puppy, his sadness momentarily replaced with curiosity.

“Look after your little brother. Promise me, no matter what, you will always look after him.”

Fíli nodded solemnly. “I promise.”

***

Kíli was losing. He ducked under Fíli’s swing, barely managing to block him. “Just wait till we do target practice,” he muttered as he pivoted away from Fíli’s next attack. “I’ll show you.” His wooden sword clacked against Fíli’s when he went on the offensive, trying to reclaim the ground he’d lost.

“Archery is for elves,” Fíli scoffed.

“You only say that because you’re no good at it!”

Up the hill, their uncle and mother watched, leaning against the side of the cottage.

“We’ve raised two fine boys,” Thorin mused, sharp eyes following the brothers as they sparred with blades and words.

“They’re only in their twenties, Thorin. Hardly more than striplings,” Dís reminded him with a smile and a nudge. “We’ve still a while to go.”

“We are raising two fine boys,” he amended his statement. Thorin rested his arm around his sister’s shoulders. He fidgeted with her sleeve, fingers plucking at the fabric.

Dís glanced up at him, eyebrow cocked. Though his eyes were still fixed on Fíli and Kíli, she could tell he was not entirely there. So she waited patiently for him to let her into his thoughts.

“I want them to be my heirs,” Thorin said abruptly.

“What?”

He did not look at her. Instead, he turned and went inside, still deep in his own mind. “Fíli would be the crown prince, of course, as the elder brother.”

“Heirs? Crown prince? Thorin, what are you talking about?” Dís followed, kicking the door shut behind her.

“I want them as my heirs. I want Fíli to rule after me once we have retaken Erebor.”

Dís’s eyes narrowed. “Erebor is lost, Thorin. This is our life, not kingdoms and crowns.” She waved her arm toward the window.

“It is not yet lost, not while I still have breath in me,” Thorin insisted. His hands curled into fists, nails digging into his palms.

The familiar Durin temper flared to life in both brother and sister. “You want to die like Father?” Dís hissed. “Fighting for a home that is long gone? Or burned alive like Mother?”

Thorin whirled around to face her. His blue eyes flashed. “Father is not dead,” he spat. “Víli and I found signs of him down south–” He snapped his mouth shut when he realized what he’d done.

“South?” Dís’s voice was dangerously low. Her eyes grew even narrower. “You have not been south since…”

Thorin tried to turn away, but Dís grabbed his wrist with a crushing grip.

“There never were any orcs, were there? Did Víli know?!” she demanded. “Did he know he was going off to die for your stupid wishful thinking?”

“You think I would lie to him?”

“You lied to me!”

“Of course he knew!” Thorin ripped his arm away. “I will speak no more of this.”

“Do not walk away from me, Thorin Oakenshield.” She said the name with a mocking sneer. “Look at me, you coward.”

Thorin halted, his shoulders tight. His eyes were stormy, flashing with lightning when he looked back. “You were a child—you do not remember it the way I do,” he rumbled, his voice the thunder to the storm in his eyes. “I will reclaim what is rightfully ours, and I want Fíli and Kíli at my side when I do.”

“So you’ll take my boys from me the same way you took my husband?” Hot, angry tears filled her eyes.

“They are my boys, too,” Thorin shot back. “I’d sooner die than watch them live their lives in poverty and servitude.”

“Is peace not enough for you?”

“It will never be enough,” he snarled. “Not while that beast still–”

“Uncle Thorin?” Kili’s voice broke into their argument. He stood in the doorway, holding up his thin sword, snapped neatly in two. “I think I lost. Do you know if Bifur or Bofur have made any more training blades?”

Dís clenched her jaw, turning her face away until she could control her voice. “I’m sure they will be happy to make you a new one,” she answered, forcing brightness into her tone. “Why don’t you go ask them? Dinner should be ready by the time you return. Don’t be out too long.”

Kíli’s face lit up. “Yes, Amad!” He tossed the broken sword into the fireplace and dashed from the cottage, leaving his mother and uncle in silence once more.

“This is not finished,” Dís muttered. While Thorin’s eyes were dark and stormy, hers were bright and fiery with an anger that made her hands shake. “Get out of my sight.”

But Dís knew the day would come, and she dreaded it. While others became excited when they heard the dragon had not been seen for years, it only tightened the knot in her stomach. Her sons, however, couldn’t be more eager as they bustled around the cottage, packing their rucksacks and sharpening their weapons.

“D’you think I can fit another knife somewhere?” Fíli asked his brother, twisting around to inspect his coat.

“Sure,” Kíli replied. He slung his quiver over his shoulder with a lazy grin. “Up your ass.”

”Language, Kíli,” Dís scolded.

Kíli repeated his answer in Khuzdûl instead.

Fíli laughed, shaking his head. “Come on, Kee. If we leave now, we should have a good head start on Thorin. Shouldn’t take us more than a week to reach this burglar’s house.” He made for the door, but his mother stopped him.

Her hands trembled as she double-checked the buckles and ties on his clothes. “So much like your father,” Dís said with a sad smile. “He could never wait to get on the road.”

Fíli struggled to remember his father’s face, now just a blurry memory almost eighty years old. Visions of Thorin overpowered those of Víli—dark hair instead of gold, blue eyes instead of brown.

Dís stood on her toes to wrap her son in a tight embrace. The lump in her throat threatened to choke her. “Come back to me,” she whispered in his ear. Their parting felt all too familiar. “Promise me, you will come home.”

“I will take back our home,” Fíli corrected her softly. He drew back and gave his mother a comforting smile. “You will walk the halls of Erebor again. I promise.”

***

It was that promise to his mother that drove Fíli onwards, that kept him from despair in the Elvenking’s dungeon, that kept him anchored as his uncle began to spiral into the same madness that claimed Thorin’s grandfather.

It was his long-ago promise to Thorin that kept Fíli’s eyes on his brother, that kept him close to his side, that stopped Kíli from following him as he combed the upper levels on the Ravenhill.

It was why his last words were a warning, a desperate plea for his uncle and brother’s safety.

And it was that promise to his mother that he thought of as the blade ripped through his back.

His last breath gurgled in his throat as he choked on his own blood. His vision blurred, head dropping to his chest as darkness fell. Fíli was dead before he hit the ground in front of his baby brother.

He was so much like his father, wasn’t he?

Promises made.

Promises broken.

[am0o5]

Fili and Kili doing a tour around Erebor despite knowing nothing, as a princely duty or something.

Fili and Kili: Welcome to Erebor! We’ll be your tour guides today.

Fili: * Points to the right * If you look to your right you’ll see Erebor.

Kili: * Points to the left * And if you look to your left you’ll also see Erebor.

* After the tour *

Fili: Nailed it.

Kili: Uncle will be so proud.

* cuts to an exasperated Thorin *

[tpark-art]

Couldn’t sleep the other day. So naturally I stayed up and drew Uncle Thorin and The Boys 💕

[izzytown]

okay so i had a request to redo my “the fellowship reacts to starbucks” post but with the company (and since this is my niche now, i’m here to provide!)

the premise is mostly the same as the other post, just my silly little headcanons on what the characters would drink at starbucks. i now present to you “the company reacts to starbucks coffee” (part 1/2)

i adore the hobbit, but even though I’ve read the book (and watched the films) a fair number of times, i’m much more well-versed with LOTR characters than i am with those from the hobbit, so bear with me.

note: will not be including gandalf as i’ve already included him in the fellowship’s post - pop over there if you’re curious!

thorin: the grumpy-ass prince himself need not trifle with complicated orders when going to the bux. in fact, i propose he only goes if he’s DRAGGED by his arms and legs by fili and kili during babysitting duty—he gets a dark roast pourover, regardless of what roast is brewed, just because he “respects coffee craft.” you will find him rolling his eyes whenever a frap is ordered, silently mumbling about how his local coffee shop under the lonely mountain is WAY better.

fili: the quieter, more thoughtful sibling, fili is hit or miss on caffeine. if he’s looking for something pretty caffeinated with flavor, i think he goes for an iced brown sugar, toffee nut latte. not too sweet, but very flavorful (just like his personality). if he ain’t feeling a lot of caffeine, he probably gets an iced black tea to have something to sip on while supervising kili's shenanigans. also, he gets a cheese danish as a little snack, it’s canon-

kili: this man is on crack. he’s a kid in a candy store when he walks into starbucks- first off, he gets a birthday cake pop EVERY time without fail (much to thorin’s bank account’s dismay). he’s okay with caffeine, but the taste of coffee is a little much for him, so he cycles through a strawberry açaí lemonade, a vanilla bean frap, a chocolate cookie crumble frap, or an iced chai with cold foam and caramel drizzle. just gallons of pure sugar in a 16oz “coffee” for this guy!

oin: now i know very little about oin, but what I do know is that he seems like he doesn’t give two shits about anyone (respectfully). to me, that sounds like someone who drinks an insane amount of espresso and could care less how long it takes to pull 8 shots. therefore, I propose he drinks a 6-8 shot espresso over ice in a venti cup, with a light splash of cream. the pedro pascal special!

gloin: dark roast is the only acceptable roast of coffee in gloin’s household, how else would gimli acquire his profound appreciation for coffee? gloin tends to go for heavier, powerful drinks, contrasting gimli’s love of a good 'ol cappuccino. gloin’s go-to if there’s no dark roast available is probably a hot black americano with a couple packets of raw sugar, keeping it classic while wanting a drink that packs a punch.

ori: this is the sweetest dwarf you ever did see, and i think his drinks reflect that. not only does he give the vibe of someone who doesn’t drink anything too caffeinated, but he also seems like he has drinks for every season. he’s happy to have a nice chai latte in the autumn, a decaf peppermint white mocha for winter, a peach tranquility tea with two honey packets during the spring, and probably a passion tea lemonade (sweetened with liquid cane) during the summer.

dori: he so slays. dori seems like a mom friend to me, rolling his eyes and being a responsible part of the company, so i’m gonna make the executive decision and say he probably gets a typical “mom” drink, which to me is an iced mocha (or black and white mocha) w/ no whip. or maybe a honey citrus mint tea if he’s feeling sick, trying to cut back on sugar (as if it’s any better for you Lmao)

part 2 is available here

[kateksmallcuteowl]

A sketchy request for: @basil—and—sage . I wanted to show that Thorin, of course, cares about his little nephews, they just don’t always notice it! I hope you like it!

P.S. Sorry for the long absence. I remember I promised to post requests every day (I’ll try to catch up now), but I found out that my weird “flu” turned out to be COVID, so I wasn’t able to draw for the past couple of days. 😅

[basil--and--sage]

Uncle Thorin headcanons nobody can dissuade me from, part 2: young uncle Thorin

(part 1), (Dwalin)

during Dís' pregnancies he acts like a rock for her and her nervous husband, while he is secretly terrified when she goes into labour

he weeps the first time he gets to hold his nephews (and the 10 times afterwards)

he handles Fíli like a bomb in the beginning, because he is scared of accidently dropping or hurting him

after Fíli is weaned and Kíli is born, Dís and her husband have a hard time, since Kíli is a very restless baby. To give them some more breathing room, little Fíli spends the next few years in a sling tied around Thorin's chest and accompanies him everywhere. Thorin is more than a little sad, when this time ends, but fortunately soon Kíli is weaned and then Thorin gets to carry him around everywhere

he gives them cute nicknames. Fíli is his jewel and Kíli his gem.

he goes into crisis mode whenever one of the lads coughs more than once (fortunately Óin is very patient)

when Fíli and Kíli are small, they often climb into his bed at night, for example when they are cold or scared. It usually ends with Thorin waking up with at least one of Kíli's feet in his face or an elbow in his gut

he cuddles the two all the time and after little Gimli is born, he gets the same treatment

whenever all of them get together, Thorin usually ends up with three Dwarflings on his lap. (he found a way to stack them. Dís doesn't know what to think about that)

the only reason Fíli and Kíli don't call him adad is the fact, that Thorin would never claim that title out of respect for his late brother-in-law

when they are all of a sudden grown-ups, he sorely misses the time when they were small enough to sit on his knee or come running for a hug

he has a box hidden under his bed with his nephews' old things. He gets a little misty-eyed whenever he looks at their tiny baby boots. (one time he shows them to Dwalin, which ends with both of them sobbing. They don't speak of this afternoon)

he is in general a lot more affectionate and caring with them than on the quest, which is one of the reasons Fíli and Kíli are disturbed by his behaviour starting in mirkwood

[ohgodwhatwasthat]

So um. idk if this has been done yet, but i did the meme. Bagginshield enjoyers come get your food

[justjbeboriginalo]

Don't Die This Time

Kili Fanfic

Kili meets a girl who has to go along on their quest on Gandalf's request. The girl captures his attention from the first time they meet and they grow to love each other over the course of the quest.

Pairing: Kili x OC female who can control nature

Chapter 3: Trying to survive

Warnings: Death (bad guys)

The rain is pouring down onto the company. Everything is wet and cold with the wind nearly blasting the lighter dwarves from the narrow path.

Gaia wipes the rain from her eyelids as she struggles to see anything around her. It is times like these that she wishes she could control the weather. Or at least water, then she would have been able to keep the rain from their clothes and eyes.

There is a familiar shout and she looks up, noticing the dwarves pointing to the moving rocks.

Stone giants.

She has not seen them for quite a while. They are fighting and throwing nearby stones at each other. Terrible timing. The company is in the crossfire and a rock hits the mountain above their heads.

Kili’s hand shoots out from next to her to pull her back against the mountain. Fili behind her is shouting something, but the wind is blowing the sound away along with the rain splattering against the mountain.

There is a rumble that comes from beneath their feet and suddenly the path begins to move. Gaia realizes that they are on one of the stone giants who has been in slumber.

How are they going to survive this?

The ground next to Kili starts to split open and Kili steps to Gaia’s side, his hand still holding her against the wet rock behind her.

Kili and Fili are unfortunately pulled apart and Fili looks worriedly at Kili.

Kili turns his attention to Gaia and removes his hand from her stomach which was holding her against the mountain. His hand moves to her arm and he holds her arm with an iron grip.

The giant walks to one of the other giants and joins the fight. Gaia tries to see what is going on so that she can try to get them off this giant, but the rain does not allow her the opportunity.

The dwarves on the other knee of the giant manage to make it to solid ground. Gaia holds onto Kili’s hand with her other hand, clinging onto him.

The giant’s head is knocked off his body and the rest of the body starts to fall. They all scream as they fall toward the solid mountain, about to hit the mountain. Gaia tries to move the rock to prevent them from smashing into the mountain but to no avail.

They hit the mountain.

Fortunately for them, they do not smash into the mountain and land on the narrow path of the mountain. Gaia looks around frantically, hoping Kili made the fall.

Kili turns on his back and she lets out a relieved breath. She moves to him and checks him for any injuries.

“I am good,” he shouts over the noise from the rain and wind. Gaia gives him a warm smile and holds her hand out for him. He takes her hand and she helps him up.

Thorin has made his way over to them in the meantime along with the rest of the company and he is saving Bilbo from falling from the mountain pass. They manage to get Bilbo up, but Thorin almost falls and Kili jumps to help him up.

When everyone is safe, Thorin snaps at Bilbo and the atmosphere changes. The reality sinks in and the moods immediately are dampened.

“We need shelter,” someone shouts and Thorin leads the way into a cave. The company piles into the cave, trying to get relief from the pounding rain and freezing wind.

Gaia watches Thorin prevent Bombur from making a fire in the cave as something might find us here.

Gaia falls onto the cold cave floor and shudders. Without fire, there is no way she will be able to generate her own heat. And she is still soaking wet from the rain.

Kili and Fili sit down next to her, their mood apparent on their frowning faces. They take off their boots to pour the water from them and they squeeze the water from their clothes.

Gaia tries to guide the wind to get the water from her hair and clothes, but the wind stays outside. Why does it never work when she wants it to?

With a tired huff, she follows Kili and Fili by trying to rid her clothes and shoes of as much water as possible. Thorin instructs them to get some rest and that they leave at first light. Gaia frowns, turning slightly to Kili next to her.

“Aren’t we supposed to wait for Gandalf?” she asks, barely even a whisper. Kili shrugs before he continues to ready his bed. Balin seems to be concerned about the plan, but Thorin ignores him.

Gaia purses her lips together, trying to calm herself. The stubbornness of dwarves always finds a way to surprise her.

Everyone is lying in their beds with Bofur taking the first watch. There are no food, ale, or songs tonight. Gaia rests her hands on the cold cave floor, trying to feel for vibrations. She furrows her brows, adjusting her hands.

“What is wrong?” Kili asks, watching her closely. Gaia shakes her head.

“That is strange. I feel vibrations from the floor, but I cannot tell where they are coming from. Something is not right,” she whispers. Kili also furrows his brows and places his hands on the cold floor.

“I do not feel anything,” he says, which causes Gaia to laugh. This earns her an angered shush from Thorin and so she puts her hand over her mouth, still laughing at Kili.

Kili smiles brightly at her as she giggles.

“You are in a good mood, considering the circumstances we are in.” Kili smiles again and adjusts his position, getting ready to sleep.

“It is not that bad,” he admits, and Gaia just shakes her head. She wishes she had his optimism.

“Well, thank you for the laugh. I needed it,” she says with the bow of her head and tucking herself in for the night. “Night.”

“Night,” Kili whispers before he passes out. Gaia smiles to herself when she hears the soft snores from the other dwarves. She supposes she could try to get some sleep since Bofur is watching them. She will take the second watch.

Gaia watches Bilbo as he gets up and packs his stuff. She wonders where the hobbit is off to. Perhaps Thorin finally got to the hobbit and he wants to go back to the Shire. She would not blame him. She hears Bofur trying to persuade Bilbo.

Thorin stirs from his sleep and she turns her head slightly to look at Thorin who is staring at Bilbo. She cannot read the emotions on his face.

Gaia has been trying to figure out where the vibrations are coming from but to no avail. There are too many and the mountain is larger than she anticipated. She is well aware that the vibrations are becoming stronger which means that whatever is causing them, is approaching them. They need to move if they do not want to face whatever moves in these mountains.

Bilbo’s sword glows blue and Gaia snaps her head to Thorin, her eyes wide.

Goblins.

“Wake up!” Thorin shouts at the rest of the company as the ground splits open. Suddenly the floor gives away beneath them and sends them plummeting downwards.

Kili and Fili are both awake, confused. They look around at the other dwarves as the company falls and Kili reaches his hand out toward Gaia, but she is not close enough for his dwarf arms.

The company finally comes to a stop when they hit the ground. Gaia’s breath was knocked from her and she tries to recover her breath.

Kili hurries over to her to check on her, but they are interrupted by horrid creatures – goblins – grabbing them and dragging them out of the cage.

The company tries to fight back but the goblins are too many and there is no escape.

Gaia looks down at the dark space that lies between them and the floor of the mountain. They will not survive that fall.

A goblin pushes her and she stumbles, almost falling onto Oin. Everyone is squashed together, unable to move properly or even attempt an attack on the goblin pack. Where are they taking them?

When the pushing and shoving finally stops, Gaia recognizes the Goblin King. She shudders at his features and has to avert her gaze. How is that thing still alive after all these years?

Kili is next to Gaia and his hand shoots out to her arm. He grips her arm to ensure she is safe within his reach. He tries to look for a way out, but there are too many goblins.

The ugly Goblin King speaks and insults them, especially Thorin. The Goblin King calls himself king under the mountain which makes Kili’s blood boil and he glances at Fili, who has the same murderous stare.

When Bofur fails to convey his lie to the Goblin King, the rest of the goblins are ordered to bring forth torture devices. Gaia lets out a tired huff.

This will not be her first time in torture but she fears the goblins are not after their answers. This would be more of a preparation for a feast for these creatures.

Kili’s hand slides from her arm down to her hand, taking her hand in his. He gives it a tight squeeze to give her some reassurance. Gaia tries to smile at Kili, but she is too concerned with their current situation. She grips his hand tight in her own.

The goblins discover the sword of Thorin which is known as the “Goblin Cleaver” and this sends them into a frenzy. They attack the company and Gaia gets hit with one of their whips. She clutches her neck, trying to keep her composure.

The company is forced to the ground and the beatings continue.

A sudden white light accompanied by a strong force sends the goblins flying from them and Gaia lets out a relieved sigh. Gandalf.

Gandalf urges them to get up and the whole company hurries away from the hoards of goblins. Gaia notices that her surroundings are made out of wood which she may be able to control.

She moves her hand and one of the planks on a wooden platform moves toward her. She swings the plank toward the group of goblins behind them and manages to hit them, sending them into the abyss.

She maneuvers the planks and keeps most of the goblins at bay while the rest of the company fights the goblins attacking them from the front.

Kili has his bow and takes down each goblin he aims at. Fili is with him and slashes the goblins, also letting them fall from the platforms.

Another goblin shoots an arrow at Kili and Gaia throws a plank in front of Kili, preventing the arrow from hitting Kili. He shouts a “thanks” and shoots the goblin before it can reload to shoot again. Gaia follows Kili and they take out the goblins that appear from the side.

Gandalf leads them to what seems like an exit from this foul place and everyone hurries. Thorin instructs some of the dwarves and they keep the goblins at bay.

Just as they make their way to the exit, the Goblin King shows up in front of them. He taunts Gandalf but Gandalf kills him with ease. The wooden bridge breaks and Gaia grabs Kili to prevent him from falling off the side of the platform which is descending into the abyss.

The platform lands with a loud thud on the bottom of the mountain and Gaia groans at the impact along with the rest of the company.

“Well, that could’ve been worse,” one of them remarks. Gaia wants to smack whoever said that, but the weight of the Goblin King falling on the company beats her to it. They all moan and groan at the added weight.

Gaia struggles to get out from the pile of wood. Kili helps her out and supports her until she finds her balance. She gives him a small smile, but his gaze is fixed on the wall behind her. She follows his gaze.

“Gandalf!” A panicked Kili stumbles backward and Gandalf looks up at the swarm of goblins approaching. There are too many. They will never make it out of here.

“Only one thing will save us; daylight,” Gandalf says, his eyes shooting at Gaia. I give an understanding nod. I help the rest of the company out from the pile and hurry them to follow Gandalf.

Kili stops and turns to Gaia.

“Go, I will follow you,” he says, but she shakes her head.

“I need to be behind all of you. And do not look back,” she says, ushering Kili along with Fili to follow Gandalf. Kili frowns but does as she says and follows the rest of the company out.

Gaia runs after them, her hands searching for her necklace. She finds the small pendant between all the layers of clothing and pulls it out. She yanks it from her neck and takes a deep breath.

Galadriel gave this to her once, promising her the light whenever Gaia found herself in dark times.

She crushes the pendant in her palms and feels the surge of energy pumping through her, her body becoming a vessel for the sunlight. She opens her eyes and squints her eyes, looking at her hands which are glowing with the light of the sun.

The goblins shout and hiss as the sun’s light burns them, turning them to stone. They fall to the ground and shatter into thin dust.

Kili hears the commotion behind him, but he follows Gaia’s instructions. The pathway lights up and he has a relieved smile. They are almost out of this cursed mountain.

As they take a turn, he notices that the light is not coming from the exit, but rather from behind him. He has to force his eyes to keep to the front.

Gandalf leads the company out of the Misty Mountains and they come to a stop at the bottom of the mountain, underneath the trees. Everyone is panting, out of breath, and exhausted from the fighting.

Gandalf turns around and sees Gaia finally emerging from the mountains, still glowing faintly. Her light disappears as she approaches the company and comes to a slow halt when she reaches Gandalf.

He places his hand on her shoulder and gives it a tight squeeze. She smiles at him before turning her gaze to the rest of the company.

“Where is Bilbo?” Gaia turns around, looking behind her. He did not follow them? She saw him slipping away from the company when the goblins were herding them to the Goblin King. Where could he be?

She hears Thorin badmouthing Bilbo and she has to bite her tongue to prevent herself from defending Bilbo. If it were not for Thorin, perhaps Bilbo would not have felt alienated from the company.

Thorin has made him feel unwelcome at every turn. He has done the same with her, but Bilbo has been treated worse by Thorin than Gaia. She could at least provide them with food and an extra pair of fighting hands. Bilbo is their burglar. A hobbit. He cannot and does not have to fight.

Kili inspects the wound on her neck and she waves her hand to dismiss his worries. He takes her hand when he notices that there is glass in her palms. He gently removes the pieces of glass and tears a small piece from his shirt under his jacket. He wraps it around her hand and ensures that it is wrapped tightly.

“Thank you, Kili,” Gaia says with a warm smile. Kili flashes her a tired smile.

“What did you do back there?” he asks in a whisper. Gaia chuckles and shakes her head.

“I will tell you later.” She winks at him and Kili laughs softly at her, shaking his head.

Bilbo appears out of thin air and informs Thorin of the reason for coming back. Gaia’s gaze moves to Gandalf. Something seems off about the appearance of Bilbo. How could he show up without either of them seeing him?

Based on Gandalf’s reaction, he also seems to be suspicious. She will ask Bilbo in private how he managed to escape from the goblins unseen.

The answer that Bilbo gives is heartwarming and Gaia smiles softly at the hobbit’s words. He is indeed a kind soul, trying to win back the home of the dwarves even when he has no business doing that. Bilbo indeed continues to surprise her every time.

Gaia goes to sit down when she feels the familiar vibrations through her fingers. Orcs.

The howling of the Wargs catches the company’s attention and Kili helps her up. They cannot catch a break, can they?

A face that Gaia has not seen for quite some time, appears at the top of a nearby hill.

Azog, the defiler.

She heard how he had captured skin-changers to torture for sports. He was also responsible for the death of Thorin’s grandfather and thousands of dwarves. Thorin defended his people bravely and inured Azog, but it was not enough to stop this monster. Now, Azog is hunting Thorin, wanting to end the line of Durin.

“Out of the frying pan,” Thorin starts.

“And into the fire,” Gandalf finishes, “Run!”

Everyone starts running as fast as their tired bodies can. Unfortunately, they are trapped when they realize that they are on a cliff. Gaia searches the area and counts a few trees she can use to fend off the Wargs, but it will not be enough to take on Azog.

“Climb!” The dwarves easily climbs into the trees and Kili pulls Gaia with him into the tree. They are out of breath, watching the Wargs descend from the hill to them.

Gaia takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself to be able to work with the trees.

Bilbo is the last to get into the trees with the Wargs on his heels. Gaia guides the roots of a tree to stomp two Wargs, killing them. A few Wargs escape the root and make their way to the first tree with dwarves.

The Wargs jump while trying to grab hold of a branch or to snatch a dwarf from the trees.

Gaia swiftly directs the branch to launch at the Wargs attacking the tree, throwing the Wargs from the cliff. There are too many of them and too few trees.

Wargs attack their tree and they manage to uproot one of the trees, causing the trees to fall against the other. Everyone jumps from one tree to the next, avoiding the falling trees.

Gaia realizes that they are stuck in the last tree, the one on the edge of the cliff. She cannot uproot this tree without risking their safety. And it is a long way down.

Azog comes riding on his white Warg, smirking at them as they have nowhere to go. Gaia glances at Gandalf and notices the butterfly. They will help them, they have to.

Azog converses in his language and Gaia looks to Thorin, hoping he does not understand the Orc language. It does not seem like Thorin understands what Azog is saying but he does catch the mention of his father and grandfather. Gaia feels her blood boiling at the words of the Orc.

Thorin is taken by surprise since he thought that Azog succumbed to his wounds, but here Azog is. The Goblin King was the first to inform Thorin that Azog was still alive and hunting the Durin line.

Kili and Fili have the hate same hatred expression as Thorin when Azog orders his subordinates to kill them and to taste their blood.

Gaia manages to wipe some of the Wargs from the cliff along with a couple of Orcs, but it barely makes an impact on the attack. The last tree starts to unroot and she focuses all her attention on keeping the roots intact in the ground.

She has to mentally support the weight of the tree filled with the company and withstand the attacks of the Wargs.

“You got this, just keep on focusing,” Kili says, his voice filled with panic. He focuses with her, almost like he supports the tree along with her. She has a skew smile as she focuses to keep the tree from falling. She is exhausted from the light that she had to channel and now she has to keep the tree upright.

She shakes her head slightly, avoiding herself to think about how exhausted she is. She cannot fail the company.

Flames surround them when Gandalf starts to throw the burning pinecones. Gaia has to fight the feeling of the burning sensation that moves through her veins, burning the trees and grass. Her hands start to shake and she feels herself losing her grip on the tree, but she does not let the tree fall. They will die if she gives up this easily.

The tree tilts slightly to the side and she asserts her remaining mental strength to keep the tree from hitting the ground, which will lead to the company hanging over the edge of the cliff.

Azog is enjoying the sight of the struggling company and Gaia scrambling to prevent the tree from falling off the cliff.

When Gaia is about to pass out from the mental exhaustion she has been through, Thorin rises from the flames. Armored with his sword and a piece of thick bark, he charges to Azog.

Everything goes silent as the company watches Thorin running to Azog, on the back of the pale Warg. The Warg lunges at Thorin and knocks him to the ground.

Gaia holds her breath, waiting for Thorin to get up, but Azog uses the Warg to fight for him. The Warg bites Thorin and Gaia loses her grip on the tree, which causes the tree to hit the ground.

Some of the dwarves lose their grips on the trees. Luckily Gandalf holds his staff out for them to grab ahold of.

Thorin’s pained cries numb the company and they watch in horror as Thorin is about to beheaded. Gaia reaches for the roots of the unrooted trees.

Just as she is about to grab the Orc that wants to behead Thorin, Bilbo tackles the Orc from his feet and kills him.

This brings the whole company back to reality and everyone charges toward the pack of Orcs and Wargs.

Gaia uses the roots to grab a few Orcs and throw them from the cliff, along with their disgusting Wargs.

The sound of wings catches her attention and Gaia falls to her knees, relief flooding her as adrenaline leaves her.

The Eagles save them by throwing the remaining Orcs and Wargs from the cliff and burning the rest.

An Eagle takes Thorin and Gaia runs to the rest of the company to help them onto the eagles. Fili and Kili are taken by an Eagle and Gaia jumps onto the back of another Eagle. She watches Gandalf getting onto the last Eagle.

With an exhausted sigh, she rests her head on the soft feathers of the Eagle. She groans at the pain that throbs through her body and she inspects her palms. The bandage that Kili made for her is soaked in blood.

She will ask Oin to have a look at her hands when they land. For now, she needs to get some rest.