AN:Hey so I had this really complicated AU idea that I talked about on Tumblr a while back and after much deliberation I've decided to put my big-girl panties on and just write it. Might be a bit wonky as I am using this as a launching point to get back into writing.

Also there will be the additional pairings of Bilbo/Thorin and Fili/Bofur, and I will mark what ship is where at the beginning of each chapter.

So, yup. Onwards!

oOOOo

It took ten years to rebuild Erebor; three to clean the Dragon's mess, Five to rebuild what had been destroyed and add to what had been missing, and two to send word to the Blue Mountains and anywhere else to bring Dwarfs flocking into the kingdom. Eventually, however, the halls and homes were filled with life, some who once remembered the mountain, others who were coming home for the first time.

It took a year and a half of that decade for Thorin to recover from the wounds he received in the Battle of Five Armies. Wounds that, in hindsight, he probably should not have healed from at all. He was pierced through almost all his vital organs, and his consciousness was wear at best. He was given a fortnight to live. He took that night, however, and the night after, and after, and so on until he was fully coherent and showing signs of healing. Oin had watched over in wonder, shaking his head and muttering about crazy chance miracles.

Crazy Chance Miracles ran in the family, it seemed, for both Fili and Kili shared the same fate, and recovery, as their uncle. It was said that when their bodies reached the Medical Tent, they had already been deemed Dead Upon Arrival. Their bodies were laid next to each other, to be dressed for funeral at a later time. Suddenly, as if being thrust back into his body, Fili gave a violent shudder and began to breathe. Mere seconds later Kili followed suit, never to be without his brother, even in death.

They never fully healed, however; Thorin would forever have a noticeable limp, Fili would never hear or see clearly out of his right side, and Kili's digestion and appetite was drastically deterred form a spear through his gut. Still, they were alive, and Thorin was properly crowned King Under the Mountain, a title he had been waiting a decade to finally claim, and he swore on his life that he would do whatever was best for his kingdom, and his people.

He wouldn't find until later what that would actually cost him.

oOoOo

There was a room built to the side of the Great Hall for private meetings. It was bare sans a large long wood table and rows of chairs. These chairs for the moment were empty except for Thorin, who sat at the head of the table facing the door. He had a pensive slant to his brow, painting his person with the crown atop his head and somber eyes all the King that he was. He stared sightlessly at the roll of parchment flattened in front of him. Behind his chair he could hear Balin pacing, quietly and slowly, but with an anxiousness he felt in his own core.

The Heavy door of the room creaked open, and Thorin glanced up to watch Fili enter.

"You wished to see me, Uncle?" He said, closing the door behind him. The youth glanced between the other dwarfs with either mild curiosity or concern.

Thorin nodded, motioning the younger dwarf closer. He waited until Fili was sitting in the seat next to his, then folded his hands on the table. He took a long, hard look at his nephew. the ten years had done very little to change Fili much; His hair was longer, beard a little bit thicker, and waist just a tad fuller from regular square meals for the first time in a long while. But there was something more, something almost undetectable, if you didn't know where to look. There was a maturity that had settled itself in Fili, from surviving battles and helping oversee the kingdom's renewal alongside his uncle. Thorin felt a warm, affectionate pride at this development. He knew that, when the day arrived, Fili would be more than fit to rule, and would do him proud. This line of thinking brought him back to the matter at hand, and Thorin took a slow breath.

"Fili, you are the heir to the throne." He began. Fili shifted, but remained silent. "As such, you have a responsibility to be in pursuit of one thing: the good of the Kingdom. Even if it means doing some things you would prefer not to."

Thorin picked up the paper and handed it to Fili, who took it with increasing confusion. "I have received this letter from the King of Mirkwood. He has requested an alliance of our Kingdoms, through the conjugality of our successors..."

Fili read the letter, and Thorin watched the blood rush from his face. "Conjugality?..."

"Marriage, Laddie." Balin stepped in, placing a sympathetic hand on Fili's shoulder. "Between the Prince of Mirkwood and the Prince of Erebor."

Fili glanced up at Balin, then at his uncle, the letter, and Balin again. "And we... You are accepting this."

It wasn't a question so much as a statement, maybe even an accusation. "We have very little leverage on this issue." Balin said gently. "The relations between dwarfs and elves are... shaky at the moment. This may be a way to keep an ally and avoid an enemy."

"Do you truly believe Mirkwood would attack us if we refused?" Fili asked, incredulous.

"We do not know what Thranduil will do, and we are not willing to take that chance." Thorin said. "We do not know the extent of his determination nor what the implications-"

"We know exactly what the implications are!" Fili interrupted, suddenly standing. "Uncle, you must know what his intentions with this union are-"

"Of course I do!" Thorin snapped. He knew what the Elvish King wanted. When reclaiming Erebor after the Battle, Men, Dwarfs and Elves came to an agreement. Erebor would give a small fraction of the treasure to each race, in assurance of peace and as gratitude toward their help in defending the Mountain. While Bard seemed content with the arrangement and the amount (enough to build Lake Town twice over), Thranduil had voiced against it, saying the share was not near enough. But both parties went against him, and he was forced to accept. Clearly, this new proposal was a clever maneuver to assert himself vicariously through his son. A union of this magnitude would be connecting and melding the attributes of both kingdoms; including the wealth of Erebor.

Thorin knew, of course he knew, but he was not a fool. He could see no way around this without bloodshed on both sides, and he had about enough of that to last him the rest of his life. Thorin heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry you are forced into this situation with no say, but as the Prince and Heir, it is your obligation and your duty to make sacrifices for the good of your kingdom."

For a long while, Fili remained silent. The grip on the letter in his fist was iron-tight, and his eyes were fixed on the wall opposite him. Slowly, his gaze moved to the table, then to the door...

oOo

Kili leaned on the wood on the opposite side of the door, head swimming from the information he had eavesdropped on. He knew very little of what was going on between Mirkwood and Erebor, (less mandatory for the second Prince, though Thorin tried to include him in some discussions), but he knew well enough that the relationship was on a very thin thread, ready at any moment to break and cause a dispute that could be hazardous to the newly thriving kingdom. He knew what kind of gain Erebor could get from the agreement, and what kind of loss.

Mostly, though, he knew Fili. He knew that though his brother had grown some, he was not ready for decisions like the kind Uncle was putting on him. Fili, for all his flirtations and endeavors, had not been seriously considering settling down anytime soon, and had expressed a certain amount of anxiety on the issue. So to have him thrust into a marriage, to an elf no less...

Kili took a deep breath. No, he was getting ahead of himself. Of course they will think of something to keep Fili from this marriage. Maybe Balin can find a legal document that had a loophole, or Thorin could try and negotiate an alternative. They had to. There was no other way. Fili just had to put his foot down, which Kili was certain he would. The brother he knew would never accept such a submission; it would be like a defeat in his eyes. Settled in his own reassurance, Kili turned once more and pressed his face against the small hole he and Fili fashioned themselves when the door was put up.

Inside it was still quiet. Fili was staring in his direction, and Kili willed his thoughts to his brother. Go, Fili. Tell them you won't. Demand a different way. Show them you don't back down.

He could see Fili straighten slightly, mouth setting into a determined line as he turned to their uncle. Thorin, having sat patiently for a reaction, looked up at his nephew expectantly.

"Uncle, I have thought hard about it, and I need you to know that I don't like it, not a bit. Thranduil could be a strong ally, but I think this is a low and dirty trick and I would prefer not to take any part of it."

Yes, Kili thought, grinning slightly. He held his breath, not wanting to miss his brother lay down the law.

"...However," Fili continued, looking down at the table instead of Thorin. "If you really, truly think that this is for the good of the kingdom..." Fili put both hands stiffly to his sides, and held his head high. "As your Prince I shall honor your wishes, and will accept this proposal without complaint."

Kili paused, grin slipping away. What? No, that wasn't supposed to be how it played out. Fili wasn't just supposed to bow down to such ridiculous commands. Fili was the defiant one, the one that spoke his mind, and Kili admired that in his brother. How could he now just accept such a fate, especially one as taxing as this would be on Fili.

Thorin had stood at this point, and Balin was saying something encouraging to Fili, but Kili couldn't hear it over the panic that had resurfaced in his heart. His eyes were locked on his brother. Fili was now staring back at the table, and Kili could tell just the slump of his shoulders and his brother's fine profile dipped low toward his chest. Seeing of his brother like that broke something in Kili. He hated seeing Fili defeated and low and lost, especially if Kili was helpless to do anything about it. But there must be something he could do. Something. Anything! He couldn't just let Fili throw his chance of happiness away just to appease their uncle and his crafty allies. He wouldn't. Suddenly, before he could think it through, Kili was shoving the door open and bursting inside.

"WAIT!"

Three heads snapped to Kili, all with a different version of surprised; Balin looking completely baffled, and Fili with a look filled with as much concern as surprise. Kili ignored both of them, and went straight to Thorin, who was watching him wearily.

"Uncle," Kili said, dead determination set in his face. "Let me take Fili's place. I will marry the elf Prince."

There was a longer, thicker silence than any that came before. Kili could feel the stares of the two other dwarfs on the back of his head, bit he kept his eyes fixed on Thorin, who looked back with an unreadable expression.

Then, all voices started at once.

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR BLOODY MIND-"

"Lad, I don't think you know what you're talking about-"

"This is none of your concern, Kili-"

"-YOU CAN'T JUST THROW YOURSELF INTO THINGS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND-"

"I do understand!" Kili cried over the other dwarfs, then turned to Thorin again. "Uncle, hear me out. Thranduil is using this union as a cover to take part of the treasure which is to be Fili's inheritance, correct?"

Thorin gave him a look of contemplation. "That is a serious possibility, yes."

Kili nodded, and turned to his brother. "Does the letter specifically say you, or does it just say Prince of Erebor?"

Fili continued to look at Kili like he had just asked if he could shave his beard and cut his hair. Nevertheless, he lifted the parchment and opened it again, reading through the contents.

"...It just states a marriage of the Royals, then speaks of Thranduil's son and Uncle's nephew, meaning me."

"But it doesn't SAY you. Uncle has two nephews." Kili said, "And I am a Prince of Erebor, so we would be following the agreement, and this way whatever Thranduil is thinking of doing will be prevented."

Thorin was silent, mulling over his younger nephew. The logic was sound, and this route would be far more beneficial to the kingdom. Plus, the prospect of pulling the wool over the Elven King's eyes... "What say you to this, Balin?"

The older dwarf seemed to be giving Kili a fair bit of thought as well. "It could work... Thranduil would not speak against it, as it was his idea in the first place. I think Kili has stumbled across the perfect solution!" Balin smiled brightly, if a bit falsely, and Kili did his best to smile back.

"...Very Well." Thorin said, quiet but resolved. "I will send word to Mirkwood; the marriage will commence, and Thranduil will get his Union." There was a hint of amusement in the end of his sentence, and Kili couldn't help but grin in earnest now. He felt strong at that moment, proud that he could not only save his brother from a fate he would be miserable in, but also aid the kingdom he had grown to admire and love.

That is, until a rough hand grabbed him by the back of his collar and bodily pulled him out of the room.

oOo

Fili dragged his brother out of the Conference Room without a final word to his Uncle and Balin. He continued in a blind rage down the large Hall, barely aware that Kili was all but dragging behind him. Other occupants stepped put of the way, lest they be trampled under the determined fury of their young prince and terrified younger prince, and Fili paid them no mind if he bumped into one or ignored a particular brave patron who would ask what on earth the matter was. Fili continued his brigade silently until he found his way to his bedroom, wrenching the door open and shoving Kili inside. Kili stumbled slightly, landing half-way on the bed with a bewildered look on his face.

Fili slammed the door shut and rounded on his brother. "What in Durin's Name was that back there?"

Kili opened his mouth, but shut it again and looked away from his brother.

"Oh, now we're silent?" Fili glared, anger bubbling up his throat. "Not when Uncle and Balin are about though, right Kili? Not when they are addressing a serious matter that had nothing to do with you? Not when there's a chance to prove how incredibly stupid you are sometimes? Do you ever think before opening your mouth? What part of your brain thought that anything you just did was a good idea?!"

Kili continued to stare at the floor, but started to mutter,"I was trying to help-"

"HELP BY NOT BEING AN IDIOT!" Fili's roar drowned out whatever else Kili had to say, and he fell silent again as Fili charged on. "Have you thought of the repercussions? Have you thought of what you have just put yourself into? You are engaged now, Kili. Engaged! An engagement that was not even meant for you! You are not the Heir, you are not King! This was not your burden to bear-"

"I was trying to save you!" Kili cried, and it stopped Fili's rant in its tracks. Kili's gaze is now on his brother, and it's hard on the surface, but Fili could see under the facade.

"Save me." Fili repeated.

"I know you, Fili. I know that commitment, especially when it comes to the romantic kind... It makes you uneasy." Kili elaborated softly. Fili stiffened a bit, making Kili speak even softer."You've only been able to connect to Mother and Uncle and I, since Father-"

"Don't." Fili warned, and Kili nodded.

"-Anyway, for you to suddenly marry a complete stranger, someone you could have once considered an enemy, that would eat you alive. I can't stand to ever see you like that." Kili was giving him that look that he had when he wore all his emotions on his face. It damn near broke his heart.

Fili cussed quietly, slumping onto the bed and rubbing his face. A short paused, hands over his eyes, then glanced up at Kili. "So all that 'Prevent Thranduil and Save The Kingdom' was complete rubbish then?"

"...A bit, yeah." Kili flashed a grin and sat next to his brother. Fili chuckled, shaking his head and sobering again.

"But what about you?" He turned to face Kili with a look of concern. "You are now supposed to marry this Prince. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Kili thought this over a moment. "...No, probably not. But it's what I have to do now. To protect Erebor... and to protect you."

Fili snorted and punched Kili in the shoulder. "The older brother's supposed to protect the younger brother, Stupid."

Kili rubbed his shoulder, but continued grinning broadly. "Not much help though, a protective older brother, when the younger brother's taller than him..."

Fili launched himself forward, catching a now laughing Kili at the waist and toppling him farther onto the mattress. They wrestled about, laughing and joking, and forgot the debacle they now found themselves in, forgot the fact that one was to be a king, one was to be married off. They were simply two brothers enjoying each other, the world miles away.

For the moment, anyway.

oOOOo

R&R please