Fili and Kili and related stories belong to the great master Tolkien. Only original characters and storylines belong to me.

Kindling the Spark

Arien stood in the kitchen stirring the stew that would feed her father and brothers. As the only woman in their household she was responsible for the tasks that were deemed too feminine by her father. This, however, did not mean that she was kept from the forge. Since she could walk she was taught to pump the bellows and use the tongs and once she was old enough her father taught her to fold the metal. Her delicate work was sought out by the womenfolk of the valley and she swelled with pride at being the only woman in the valley and maybe the whole of Middle Earth that could bend the metal like she could. Of course it was nothing compared to dwarven or elf forged metal but it was impressive all the same. Smiling to herself but feeling a bit ashamed of her boastful thoughts she continued to watch the stew cook, she liked this time to herself while the others worked the forge so she savored her duties.

"Arien! We need you in the forge!" At her father's shout Arien added water to the stew to keep it from burning and rushed to the forge where her father was standing by two very short men. It took a moment for Arien to realize that they were no men.

"Dwarves..." Arien whispered in awe before her hands flew up to her mouth. She had never been so rude in her life and blushed but felt better when one of the visitors chuckled.

"Aye lass, we are dwarves. I am Fili, son of Dis and this is my brother Kili. We are at your service." He bowed and the dark haired dwarf with him bowed as well.

"This is my daughter Arien, she works within the forge and makes certain we're all fed and cared for." Her father introduced her and she walked up to them, unsure how to respond so she looked at her father.

"You asked for me father?" She asked and he smiled at her, always so proud of her obedience. She would make a fine wife someday, if he could ever find a man worthy of her.

"Yes, these two are looking for work and I would like to test their skills. I need you to bring some of the copper from storage and once that is done have Joben tend to their ponies." He told her and she nodded. She was one of the very few allowed in the metal room so she took the responsibility seriously.

"As you wish father." She told him but as she passed Fili and Kili she tipped her head. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance sirs."

She quickly ducked out after that and was so caught up in the tasks she was given that she missed Kili staring at her retreating back, a smile on his face.

…

"Would you like some more Master Fili? We have quite a bit. Father usually has me make a large enough pot so we can have dinner and supper without having to cook more food." She asked and the fair-headed dwarf who smiled at her.

"Thank you for the offer young mistress but I must say I am filled to the brim, it has been quite some time since I've had a warm and truly filling meal." Fili told her with a smile and she smiled shyly in return.

"And you, Master Kili?" She asked as she looked at the younger dwarf whose eyes were dark as he watched her and she blushed.

"I must agree with my brother miss, I too am filled to the brim but I wouldn't mind another mug of that ale." He told her and she hopped to and brought the jug of ale back to the table and poured him some, as she did so she decided to ask something, hoping she wouldn't offend them.

"May I ask you a question?" She asked and both nodded. "What is it that brings you down from the mountains? We seldom get dwarves in the valley and the two of you are the first of your kind that I've ever met. I am quite honored to have you as our guests but I am curious."

"Curiosity is a fine trait." Kili smiled at her before he continued. "We left the mountains to find work and learn of the world. We had been sheltered for far too long in our halls of stone We'd heard tales of this valley and its abundance of stone and metal and we knew we'd find work here."

As he explained Arien swelled with pride at the thought of her home being the subject of tales and she grinned before she poured some ale in Fili's empty mug and set the jug down. She was about to thank them for their answers when her father walked into the kitchen rubbing his soot covered hands on a cloth.

"Masters, the forge is ready." Her father announced and both dwarves downed their ale then stood.

"It was lovely talking to you Miss Arien, we hope to see you again." Fili said with another bow and Kili moved closer to her.

"Thank you for the meal and your lovely presence." Kili smiled and bowed as Arien blushed. He was handsome and so kind, she felt a stirring in her chest that she didn't understand so she just smiled back.

"Thank you for your company masters." She bowed to them and they nodded once before they left the kitchen and her father turned to her with a smile on his craggy face.

"I'll be needing your help later in the forge." He told her before he turned and whistled a happy tune. Arien smiled at her father's retreating back. It was no surprise that he was happy, Dwarven metalwork was highly prized and they were about to have two dwarves working in their forge, he had a right to be happy. Arien whistled her own tune and set about cleaning the table and washing the dishes as she took the stew off the fire and capped the tap on the keg of ale. The sooner she got done in the kitchen the sooner she could watch the dwarves work.

…

Kili wiped his brow as he handed the tongs to his brother who took out the small cup of partially melted copper. Ferron, their soon to be employer, had set them with the task of creating four different items in copper and steel. They had already forged a dagger made of steel folded a hundred times and were now working on a flowered brooch. He had given them a mold that was intended to be a rose but the years had worn down the design and the brothers had come to agreement that, should they work here, they would be creating new molds and fixing the tools. The work created is only so good as the tools used to create it. While they worked they chatted quietly with one another, mindful of Ferron's watchful eyes and open ears.

"This fire does not burn bright enough brother." Fili grumbled and Kili resumed pumping the bellows but couldn't seem to get the fire hot enough for his brother's liking.

"Master Ferron, we need use of the larger bellows." Kili requested and the man nodded.

"Aye, I'll have my sons bring the large bellows and work them for you." He told the dwarf who nodded back.

"Many thanks." Fili thanked him before he put the copper back in the fire to heat. As he did so he went to the back where his sons were tending the ponies and horses who boarded there.

"Joben I need you to bring the large bellows for the dwarves to use in the forge and Joren I need you to tend the fire and add more fuel, they require a larger flame." He told the boys who nodded, thankful to go back to work in the forge.

The boys did as they were asked and went to work. As Joben worked the large bellow into place Joren added large oaken logs into the fire and also threw in chunks of the dark fuel from the mountains. They were rare but they caused the fires to burn brighter and smolder longer. Once they were done Fili and Kili looked at the set up and nodded.

"Good job boys, go tell your sister we are in need of water." Fili told the boys who nodded. "Master Ferron, we will do this task together, would you allow one of your sons to work this bellows?"

"Of course... Joben! Get back here to work the bellows!" He called out and they waited for the boy to arrive.

In the kitchen Arien had busied herself cutting salted pork to give to the dwarves as a snack as they worked the forge. Her elder brother Joben walked through and took a piece of the pork before he looked at his sister. He had never seen her busy herself like this before. Usually she'd just prepare the evening meal and clean the kitchen before returning to the forge. Now she prepared snacks and large skins of water for their guests. If he didn't know his sister better he'd think she was up to something.

"Would you like some cheese as well Joben?" She asked him with a happy lilt to her voice and he shook his head.

"No, I am needed in the forge to work the bellows for the dwarves and you are to bring them waterskins." He told her and she quickly came around the table.

"Can I go in your place brother? I would consider it an honor to breath air into a dwarven fire. Please?" She begged her brother who shook his head.

"No Arien, this is to be my honor. Father requested that I do it. Besides, who would wish a girl to work their bellows? We only allow you to because it keeps you out of trouble." He picked up another piece of pork and popped it in his mouth. As he turned toward the doorway he felt a sharp crack to his head and saw only darkness.

"I am sorry brother but you should have minded your tongue." She told him before she threw the broken mug to the floor then grabbed the waterskins and the tray of pork and crusty bread for their guests. No way was she missing this honor.

…

In the forge Kili and Fili waited for the lad to return with their water and to work the bellows and were rewarded for their patience when Arien came into the forge with her tray of meat and bread with the waterskins draped over her shoulder. She set the tray and skins in front of the brothers and moved back toward her father who stared at her with questioning eyes.

"Where is Joben?" He asked her and she gave him her most innocent smile.

"He wasn't feeling well so he told me to work the bellows in his stead, I hope that's not a problem father." She told him with a light fluttering of her lashes and he reached over and pulled her head to his, kissing her forehead.

"This is not a problem at all dear daughter. Go feed the fire, then work the bellows." He told her and she nodded before she rushed to the fire and did as she was bid. Fili and Kili watched as she worked on the fire as though it was second nature but still, they had their doubts as to whether such a slender girl could do the work they required. Fili walked to Ferron and pulled him off to the side.

"Not to seem ungrateful Master Ferron but are you certain your daughter is up to the task?" Fili asked and Ferron gave him a steady look.

"My daughter has worked this forge since she could walk and has been working the bellows for nearly as long. You can rest assured that she will work hard for you." Ferron told the dwarf who nodded then returned to the forge and sat with his brother. After he poured water on his face to cool it he picked up some pork and chewed it thoughtfully as he watched Arien work the bellows. He couldn't deny it, the girl had fine form and was obviously as strong as an ox. She pumped the bellows as though they were nothing and soon the forge glowed red and the heat began to become nearly unbearable. As Fili stood and moved the food and waterskins from the bench he noticed Kili watching Arien intently, the look on his face a look of awe with the barest hint of desire. He'd have to talk to his brother and put a stop to his line of thought, the girl had barely reached maturity if she had at all.

"Masters, is the fire to your liking!" She called out over the roar of the flames and Kili placed the copper back into the heart of the flames, pleased when he saw it begin to melt.

"Aye! Keep pumping those bellows, let's raise it higher!" Kili smiled at his brother who picked up the mold again, they had a job to do and they were going to do the best work they could.

…

Later that night Arien sat at the fire in the forge, attempting to keep it lit. Her father had discovered what she'd done to Joben and decided that the right course of punishment was to have her mind the fire through the night. Usually he'd have the boys wake periodically to tend it but, since Arien wanted to work the forge so badly he'd have her do the honors. It wouldn't have been a problem for Arien except that the fire had begun to dwindle and her arms were tired from pumping the bellows for hours without rest. She was pleased with the work she'd done and the beautiful work Fili and Kili had produced but she was sore and now she feared she'd disappoint her father. As she leaned forward to attempt to breathe life into the dying flame she heard a noise beside her and looked up to see Kili standing in the doorway and attempted to stand but he put up a hand to stop her and moved until he was beside her and knelt.

"So you tend the fire tonight. I heard your father talking to your brother." He said and she nodded, suddenly very shy. Here she was in little more than her shift, alone with a handsome dwarf. How improper it must look!

"Aye, I am but I seem to be failing in my duty." She told him and he shook his head.

"Not failing fair Arien, the fire is want to burn. It needs a new life from the bellows." He told her and she blushed.

"I am afraid to say that I cannot pump the bellows. My arms grew weary." She admitted and he smiled kindly at her.

"Then I shall work the bellows and you will add some wood. We will work together to bring the flame back to life." He told her and she nodded happily before she rose and collected a log from the stack across the room.

While Arien brought wood over to the fire Kili pumped the bellows and watched her happily set about making the fire strong. She was a beautiful thing, her skin slightly ruddy from the heat of the forge but smooth and her body tight, but with a slender waist and muscled arms that showed how hard she worked in the forge. Her face was a beautiful frame to eyes blue like the sky in a storm and lips the shape of a bow but soft. He would have liked to kiss those lips and wrap his hands around her waist but he was not so foolhardy as to think she was ready for his attentions. She was barely in her majority as Fili annoyingly pointed out.

"Master Kili, the fire!" She shouted in a whisper and he moved from the bellows to see that the fire had flamed anew. "Thank you so much."

She smiled with joy and knelt beside the fire again, watching the flames dance higher. The fire made her more beautiful than before and brought out the threads of gold in her wheat colored hair. He felt his legs move of their own accord and knelt beside her as she continued to grin and she turned to him.

"Will you stay with me, for a while?" She asked and Kili nodded before he plced his hand over hers, marveling at how rough it was.

"Aye, I will and I will tell you a tale of my people. Have you ever heard of the Lonely Mountain?" He asked and she shook her head. "Then listen sweet Arien as I tell you of the king in his halls of gold and the dragon that took all."

Her eyes widened at the mention of dragon but she remained quiet and still, fearing that any noise or movement would drive him away. She had a feeling in her chest, as though a fire had been sparked but the feeling was not painful but pleasant and she knew being near him would only feed the flame within her. It was a feeling she never wanted to end.

...

Author's Note: Ever since I wrote "The Last Night" I felt a need to start from the beginning and show what led up to those events. I decided to go along with those feelings and have decided to start a new story. This will be a Kili/OC fic with unrequited love thrown in for good measure. I hope you will enjoy it and follow along. Also, I will continue to write "Mischief and Merriment" but I will also be updating this. Thank you all for reading and reviewing. I hope you enjoy my stories :)