There were many things one had to be good at when people called you an heir of Durin.

Thorin was a master in fulfilling all that was expected from a dwarven prince – patience, for example. Yes, he was a very, very patient man. Sometimes he was told he was not, but that led straight to the second ability he had mastered when he had been just a child: being majestic. When he was told of his short temper or his stubbornness or whatever people imagined to see, he would just tilt his chin a little bit and look down at the poor and obviously very mistaken person.

Majestic.

Right now, in this house full of dwarves, being majestic, acting majestic, and appearing absolutely in control was essential. After all, he had to travel with this funny bunch of different dwarves; he could not have any of them doubting his abilities as a true heir of Durin or – an uncle.

Being an uncle was part of his dilemma now. When he had entered, he had noticed both his nephews immediately. Strange as it was, Fili seemed to be trying to stay unnoticed, while Kili grinned at him.

Strange indeed, he would have expected it to be the other way around. But then again, Kili had never been one to back down or hide.

Maybe Balin had noticed, the old dwarf seemed to be able to read every thought of the King. But the others... not. They had not noticed the short flicker of rage before Thorin had calmed down and smiled at the two boys as if nothing was wrong. A warm and loving, yet short smile, before he faced the Hobbit. Granted, the poor so-called master burglar had to carry the can for them. Thorin did not go easy on him.

Late at night, he had presented the plan, talked to all of them, and spent the evening pretending to be perfectly in control...

Until now.

»Kili. Fili. A word.«

The deep voice was as steady as his eyes, looking almost black in the dim light of the hobbit hole. He turned around, taking his pipe from his coat. The rustling noise behind him told him Fili followed his example, took his pipe and probably smiled at Kili, encouraging and proud, as he always did when he knew they were about to face trouble.

Majestic, in his own way.

Sighing, Thorin started to prepare his pipe with the last of his dwarfish weed. He took his time, not because he needed it, but because he wanted the uneasy feeling he sensed in his two nephews to simmer a bit. As expected, Kili became nervous. He was not patient at all, just like his sister had been.

»Kili.« Thorin spoke, and he made sure to talk in the low and rumbling voice he knew was not much more than a rumble in the boy's stomach.

»I told you to stay at home. This quest is not for you.«

»Uncle...« of course. Fili spoke up, casting a glance at his younger brother, telling him to be silent. He must have instructed him earlier. There was no way Kili would just stay put without a serious and long and tiring discussion beforehand.

»It is my fault. I took him along.«

There was no regret in his voice, only determination and pride. Thorin turned and looked at his oldest nephew. As always, it sent a shiver down his spine.

Fili, with those intense eyes, proud features and the unique sparkle of mischief and intelligence at once... looked like Thorin. He had been told so often, and with every day passing, he could see it clearer. He had looked like him when he had been his age. Self-confident smile and clever spark in light eyes and all. Darker hair, of course, not this bright blonde. But other than that...

Again, Fili looked at his brother and the young dwarf made a small coughing noise, rubbing his hands before he slowly inched away from them, his always present grin returning to his nervous features.

»Be right back, getting me some ale...«

Before Thorin could tell him to Stay Where You Are Young Man, he had sneaked off. Fili smiled and approached his uncle.

»I just did what you told me to do. I know you don't want your favorite nephew to be in danger, but...well, I'll take care of him.«

Just for the blink of an eye, there was a strange, unknown expression on the young dwarfs face... Thorin frowned, he could not be sure of his nephew's thoughts. It could not be jealousy, right?

It was true, Thorin had asked Fili to come, and had told Kili to stay at home. But... not because he favored him. He was as afraid for him just as he was for Fili.

And still... it was true; he looked at Kili in a different way, because he was not like himself, not at all like Fili.

Kili looked so much like his mother, Thorin's sister. How much he missed her, had loved her, mourned for her. He still did.

But he never favored him. He was just different from Kili, so very different. Maybe he had acted wrong on one or the other occasion. Had he given reason to doubt his love for his older nephew? Had he not treated them as equals?

Wait... that was not the point here. Fili's smile betrayed him, he had said this on purpose to cause a little guilt in his uncle, to distract him from the matter at hand, maybe ease his verdict.

Yes, the young man was becoming very much like him.

»How, tell me, is dragging your younger brother along, who is absolutely not fit for a quest like this, doing what I told you?«

»Well...« a casual shrug, the pipe between his lips, one corner of his mouth twitched with a self-confident smile, »You told me to take everything I need for a long, dangerous, and maybe deathly quest. And I did.«

Thorin felt the wood of his pipe crack a little between his teeth. He had been tricked by his own words. No, his nephew had twisted his words and tricked him.

»All you need. Indeed, that is what I said.«

Ever so slowly, he raised his chin, looking down at Fili. His nephew hated the fact he was smaller and fairer than his little brother, and Thorin knew very well he absolutely despised people looking down on him. Literally.

»So, you do not just need your swords, provision and a warm coat, but also a young, hot-headed boy who always sticks to your side, slows you down, is a hindrance in battle, and is absolutely incapable of acting accordingly in a dangerous situation? A boy, playing with bow and arrow, weaker than any of the young women he looks at? That is what you need?«

For a moment, Fili stared at his uncle, bristling, growling with anger as the urge to defend his brother almost took over. Just a moment though, then he leaned back a little, crossing his arms, tilting his head with a soft smile.

»Yes.« he said, and his voice was as calm as a winter forest. »Yes, I do need my loyal and brave brother by my side. I need to have him close to know he is safe. I need to know him behind me to feel safe. And I need his fighting skills in battle, for we fight as a team. I need his outstanding qualities as an archer and I need his agility. We all do.«

Exhaling a fine line of smoke from his always smiling lips, he stared at his uncle. For a moment, it was perfectly silent. For dwarven standards, at least.

Thorin looked at his nephew, and even though this boy had just overthrown his authority in an absolutely elegant and clever way, the King under the Mountain could not help but smile and shake his head.

»Fili...« he sighed and walked past him, patting his shoulder just a tiny little bit too hard. »Fili, you would be a great king and you are a good dwarf. And it does not take a wizard's eye to see you are the best big brother Kili could wish for.«

Kili, as he heard his name, joined them with a big mug filled with beer. He did his best to pretend he did not hear a single word, but he lacked his brother's talent to act and overplay and lie. Or maybe it was the happy, proud grin on his face that betrayed him.

»Just be safe, both of you. As much as brothers need each other, an uncle needs his stupid, stubborn and childish nephews.«

The answer was a short, explosive laugh and a low, rough chuckle while the two boys followed him into the Hobbit's living room.

There was a song to sing, a quest to plan and in the end, a Home to reclaim, far over the misty mountains cold.