Three months later…

The stars beckoned to him, distant and cold yet burning with soft, unspoken memory. The Arkenstone blazed in return. Kili wondered what she was saying to them.

"Can I sit here?"

Startled, Kili nodded and scooted aside. Fili settled himself gingerly, his bronze leg bolstered on a rock. "Still aches, sometimes. Your leg, too?"

Kili shrugged and rapped the healing bone. "Not much. I th-thought they'd take it off."

"Not this time," Fili said uncomfortably. "Elves are ... cleaner."

He sighed and twined his hands behind his back, staring up at the stars. "It's nicer out here, you know. I understand why you like the open. I feel trapped sometimes; pent inside all day with diplomats and scribers." Frowning, he muttered, "I wonder how it will be when we take the Mines."

"Not mines," Kili said breathlessly. "N-not good."

"No, I can imagine so," Fili sympathized. "They're talking about making another settlement here, though. There's plenty to be mined from the Mountain's ruins, and Dale can be rebuilt… We'll need a delegate to stay here and negotiate."

"Me?" Kili guessed.

"Both of us," Fili corrected. "Balin says it will be good for me to experience my own realm before I take Thorin's place. Besides, I told him I wasn't leaving you in Laketown alone – half the land would be overrun with pups before I returned."

"Y-you'll stay?" Kili ensured, awed.

Fili smiled. "I'm not leaving you, Kili." He slung an arm around Kili's neck, pulling him close. "Mum will do all the bickering with Dain, of course. Did you know they had their first argument? She called him a thick headed boar and he said she was fit to be a brawler in an Orc's court. You can imagine she pulled an axe on him for that." He chuckled. "I think negotiations with the Iron Hills are going very well."

"Mom is scary," Kili said.

"Yes, she is. I doubt Smaug left of his own violation – I'm pretty sure she threatened to break his snout."

Kili laughed. The sound came easily, like pillows and honey and sunshine wrapped together. He breathed the free night air, watching a firefly blink softly on his claws.

"I'm not … really scared of the mines," he said slowly.

"No, and you're not a good liar, either."

Kili elbowed Fili for his cheek. "No, I m-mean it. I'd go to the mines, if that's what Thorin wanted me to do."

Fili cast him a stern look. "He's not going to ask that of you, and if he did something half as stupid, I'd throw him in Bard's dungeon until his sanity returned."

Grouchily, Kili shoved his brother aside. He earned a headlock for his troubles and had to repent of his silly ideas before Fili released him.

"Fine, I w-won't go," he said, laughing as he rubbed grass out of his hair.

"No, you'll just do something twice as stupid."

Kili smiled, the dotted burn mark on his cheek stretching uncomfortably. "Won't. You'll d-drag me back to Laketown if I do."

"I'll drag you to the Shire and lock you in Bilbo's cellar."

"Maybe … I'd like that."

Fili nodded. "It's decided, then. As soon as the negotiations are over, we're heading to the Shire for a surprise visit. You'd like it there, Kili. Bilbo's larder is full of strange cheeses and the Shire ale froths like no other. He'll be cross if you blunt the knives, of course."

"Why would I blunt them?" Kili asked in alarm.

"Oh, forget it," Fili said. "It's an old joke." His eyes went distant as he remembered. "Maybe we can take Bofur and Bombur with us … give you a memory like you've never had before."

Kili shrugged. "Will we walk?"

"Well, we usually –"

"No ponies!"

Fili rolled his eyes. "I thought you said you weren't scared anymore."

Thoughtfully, Kili reached into his pocket and cupped the ring into his palm. "Not of most things."

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Finale

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And it's finally finished! :D

Yes, it is a bit of a cliffie. I've left it open for a *ahem* possible sequel if I ever get around to writing for Lord of the Rings. (No promises. I have other plans ahead.)

I will include a Final Questions page, so if anyone has seen plot holes or feels like something was left unanswered, let me know.

Thanks to everyone who followed me through this story, and an ultimate thank you to those who reviewed! :)

(Insert Kili's happy face here) (With Puppy) (And grumpy Thorin)

(And Fili, since BOFA tragically neglected him)