It felt like another world between the sandsand pyramids. So used to the lush green of their forest, the woman felt as outof place as one could be. The pit of excitement in her stomach reminded herthat she had insisted upon this venture, and Thranduil had only agreed uponfinding out his rivals were after some sort of treasure. Tauriel, was moreexcited learning about the history, to uncover the secrets she had found inthat dusty book in the library.

Her eyes flicker upwards when a voice greetsher, and golden hair and bright eyes are charmingly staring at her. Her cheeksflushed more, if possible and she reached forward to take his hand. “Tauriel…Thankyou” She could hear the clearing of Legolas’s throat when her hand remainedintertwined with his for a few seconds more than proper, and she pulled back.

“Ah- Fili was it?” Flame-colored brows pinch together, and a cunning smile appears on her lips. “You all look rather…prepared” She noted, it seemed they had quite a few…brawny men in their company. “Expecting a fight?” She taunted softly, realizing that out of everyone, Fili had truly been the only one to approach her. Perhaps he wasn’t as superstitious as others. Or perhaps he was waiting for the correct time to say that this was no place for a woman. 

Either way, she briefly surveyed the rest of the people around them. “Who knows. Maybe you know something we don’t”  

        { -  The man found himself starring far too long. Yet his eyes never faltered. She was quite possibly one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever laid eyes upon. Her hair, her features, those intoxicating eyes. It was noted to himself now that, Fili hadn’t really seen many women as of late. In their travels it seemed women were not seen as equals amongst certain kinds and Fili din’t appreciate that in the slightest. So as soon as the blonde male at her side cleared his throat, blue hues took noticed of him. Face to toe. Brow furrowed as he chuckled under his breath. 

               Clearing his throat he laughed out loud and motioned to the group of those he traveled with. His family,  ‘  ah that’s just, the lot of us I suppose. I promise they’re not all so bad. Only some,  ‘  another chuckle. Hands folding together as he took in their own crew. The two parties couldn’t be any more different. As his uncle was seen making his way aside Fili raised brow and watched his elders take leave. 

              ‘  ah, not much here I’m afraid. But I’d be more than happy to show you around. Maybe you know something, I, don’t know,  ‘  a playful smirk was given as he motioned to walk with him. Eyes taking note of the other man again as he watched his discomfort, ‘  unless, that’s not right for your own company,  ‘

MAGNI CANNOT CLAIM TO REMEMBER what had parted them – nor what turmoil had befallen them to part ways ; he knew only that Fili was absent from his side, and his heard had ACHED ever since. Though there was no RESENTMENT to be had over this … much had unfolded within recent years, and even more responsibility had fallen into the dwarf’s lap because of it ( and yet he was ever the wayward vagabond he had ever been. but he cannot deny that his heart had led him back here, precisely at the right time ). He does not part from the lips he had YEARNED for – not until his lungs burn with the need of air. But he does not wander far, as his forehead remains AFFECTIONATELY pressed against Fili’s. 

❝ So you have missed me, ❞ he breathes, an exhale of EXHILIRATION as both excitement and elation course through him like strikes of lightning. There are likely no WORDS that will suffice for the KISS they had just shared. And for now, it is enough. The WARRIOR’S heart beneath his breast continues to thrum against the bone - cage that holds her HOSTAGE ( she beats so wildly, that he fears fili will hear her pounding from this close distance ). ❝ You cannot LEAVE me again, not tonight. ❞

              { -  as lips parted, Fili felt as though a piece of his soul had faltered. Having been reignited only to be stamped out once more. A tiny whimper mumbled amongst his lips as he simply held him there. Soul burning and longing for the man before him. The man he thought he had l o s t so many moons ago. Strong thick fingers reached to hold the back of his neck as he pulled him ever closer. His voice ringing in his senses causing his skin to bump and hairs stick on end. 

T’WAS A LIFETIME AGO, when fate had allowed their paths to cross -- and so his trust in such a thing had not been SMITED. For she had delivered this eve !! And as always, Magni gives THANKS for the mead that has graced his own lips, for he may have LACKED the courage to approach had he not been given such COAXING, and loosening of his inhibitions ( how much did he have ?? that is a question for another time, another wagon to be purchased for the tavern he drank dry ). He had anticipated the SWIRLING, FLUTTERING of tiny wings within the bone - cage of his middle, but he had not expected the THRUMMING of his heart, conjuring ANXIOUS melodies against his ribs. And oh, how she QUICKENED at the sound of Fili’s voice !! 

Colossal hand comes to rest along his own chest, as if his TOUCH could quell her WILD dance ( but the effort is ever in vain ). And it is SHE who leads him, not the thoughts colliding with CLUMSY fervor against the confines of his skull. The FOOTFALLS against soil match the rhythm of beating beneath his breast, until he has EATEN UP the distance between them. Calloused hands brush TENDER fingertips along Fili’s cheeks, absently combing through his beard to find that JAWLINE he adored so much. ❝ – I held the GREATEST of desires to see if you still tasted of EARTH and of mead … ❞ the softness of his DEEP timbre falls in hushed - honeyed tones between them, until his words are MUFFLED against the Prince’s lips. 

                         { --    The moment the prince had been waiting a l l his life for it seemed. For lips to be reunited, for breath to be shared once again. A moment he thought would never graced his being another day of life. Yet here he was. The distance between the two suddenly snuffed out before voice sent the prince into a h a z e. The words. Those damn words swirled his senses causing the dwarf to fall even more drunk as his senses fuzzed with nothing but attention towards the man. Thoughts within his mind running a million miles an hour with never ending questions. The main being mumbled under his breath, ‘ is this a dream ?  ‘

THORIN CAN ONLY HOPE that his words are as reassuring as he hopes they will be – though he is well aware of the PROMISES which remain hollow until he may deliver them ( and how long can he lead based upon claims alone ?? how long will they follow without question, without doubt in their king ?? ). However, it eases his WOUNDED heart to see the half veiled smile that his nephew offers him now. For it is better than NOTHING ; better than sadness, and surely better than grief. FINGERS curl around Kill’s, as his smile becomes warmer, masking it’s usual SOMBER qualities. 

❝ We will follow where GANDALF leads – I trust he knows the way that carries lesser PERIL, ❞ for never would this passage be safe, with POWERFUL allies at their sides, or nay. ❝ We will reach Lake-Town soon, and the Lonely Mountain just beyond. You will see the HALLS of our FOREBEARS soon enough, uzfakuh. ❞ 

                        { -- For so long Fili dreamt of this place they searched for. These stone walls and golden halls that were stolen from their kin. The stories his Uncle told them as wee lads kept him going for the longest of nights. Dreams of what it would truly look like, what it would smell like. Would there be others to follow suit when reclaimed? The boys hadn’t many friends growing up as the blue mountains only held so many a Dwarf, for they were few in numbers and scattered without home. The stories playing over and over again as their journey continued. 

THE SOLES OF HIS BOOTS had tread the soil of far too many lands across Middle Earth to remember all of their names – as was his wont, padding ANCIENT footfalls through each and every forest, to heal his HEART and mind. It had been many winters since Erebor was RECLAIMED, and his services no longer needed by it’s King ( and perhaps he would have visited more often, for his love of those golden halls … but there yet remained one loose end that had not been tied, and kept magni at a distance ). To and fro he had GALLOPED, offering his services to the wards, to the Kings and all whom may gain from the VALIANCE of his sword. Though contracts had long since been COMPLETED, he rode now in search of the same thing he always yearned for, a place he may call HOME. If only even for a time. 

Taverns beckoned to him as STARS overhead guided weary travelers … and word of a Dwarven Prince among the townsfolk could not be IGNORED. Surely that meant one Prince in PARTICULAR ( for he could not see killi wandering freely after the comfort of his homeland was won ). He had COIN enough to spare for a few questions, bearing the answers he sought: golden hair, Durinsfolk. The CONFORMATIONS only assured what his heart had already known ( and he could not quell her quickness, as she thrummed wildly against her bone - cage merely at the sound of his name, the promise of him near ). But Magni told himself he would not go LOOKING – if fate would have it so, they would find each other again. And in this, he TRUSTED.  

As he was placing his steed amongst the STABLE for the eve, he saw it – a wisp of braided, golden hair. Though he need not look upon him to know Fili’s presence. TENTATIVE footfalls draw him closer, until the tender timbre of his voice flows between them. Hearing his name from those LIPS again was a gift he thought would never be BESTOWED upon him again !! HONEYED - HUES glitter with ADORATION, as full lips churn to a jubilant, yet timid smile. 

❝ – heard you were in town ; wanted to see if you needed aid for a tavern BRAWL, which will surely find you. ❞

                         { -- It was a disbelief that fell upon the Prince. There was no way in this world that the one he lost was there standing tall before him. Hand reaching out before the voice in his head silenced pulling it back. Only to be replaced upwards and rubbing at tired mead scorned eyes. The blue of them shining so brightly in the night as they were surrounded by a red tint. One couldn’t be sure if it was from threatening tears or the b u z z he held dearly. 

           Every inch of his body was screaming at his senses to simply throw himself upon the other and shower him with love and admiration. But it seemed the moment was not there. 

‘ wh--ho-- , ‘ words failing as he cleared his throat and chuckled under his breath, ‘ mahal save me, ‘ few people in this life ever left the Dwarven Prince, speechless. Leave it to a tall good looking man to do the trick for him. It had been so long, so painfully long since their last meeting. Fili thought this moment a c r u e l dream. As if he truly did make it through that door and was passed out in a pile of hay that smelt of horse. 

HE NEVER WISHED THIS UPON ANY OF THEM – least of all, his heir ; his sister’s sons. The weight of DURINSFOLK rested heavily upon Thorin’s shoulders, and even if he had given his all time and time again for their safety, it was not ENOUGH. Not until he could give them the HOME that was taken – not until that MOUNTAIN was filled with dwarven song and golden light. Until then, his efforts were MOOT, if they did not lead to such an end. Would that he had the power to keep them SAFE, while laboring and bartering for their well - being on his own. But it had not been so … and now he has but ONE THING left to offer. And he cannot fail, not again. 

It WOUNDS him to see the sorrow resting within his nephew’s eyes, no matter which words he chooses to mask it ( he may fool others, but certainly not his uncle ). ❝ I cannot TAKE BACK what has already been done, ❞ he mutters in a deep timbre that reverberates in the back of his throat. A WAR - HARDENED hand reaches to find homage atop of Fili’s as he continues, ❝ but I can give you a BRIGHTER FUTURE, uzfakuh. A home, safety, and one day … a CROWN. ❞ Such pretty words and promises to offer when one can see the LIGHT at the end of the tunnel. But they are as distant as EREBOR is to them now, for one who has known only this life of struggle. Thorin musters his most REASSURING smile ( and attempts to smolder the weight of it all within his own gaze ), as fingers grasp the other’s HEARTILY, ❝ have I ever led you astray, hm ?? ❞

                      { -- Tired gaze rose to his uncle. A worn face that showed m a n y lifetimes lived. There were times when he was younger, that Fili almost envied the life his uncle was handed. For as a child all he heard and thought of was adventure, battles, victory. Yet the truth was much darker and far more dreadful than that of a childs imagination. As he grew and become into a man, even still having years to go until full adulthood it seemed, he learned and understood greatly the past his kin faced. The deep and intense need to reclaim their home. The loss of so many of their kind. It burned him inside. 

                      { -- Lips parted into a long and very drawn out yawn. The man was laying upon his back facing towards the warm sun of the desert. Surrounded by sand dunes and decaying pyramids. Statues of long gone pharaohs. Leg dangled off the edge of the makeshift lift he lay upon. Something to give height to the archaeologist who traveled with the company in order to get a better view of research. Fili, Durin son as they called him, acted as a body guard that day. Many other members of the company having their tasks for the day. Fili wasn’t exactly the smartest amongst them, but he definitely had an interest in such things. Having only been raised in a small mountain town growing up, he was excited to see the world. 

             Many asked why Egypt? He certainly couldn’t answer. Having jumped at the very first mention of travel by their historian Gandalf. No care where they went only that they were going. Later having found out Thorin was after some very particular jewels that were rumored to be hiding amongst the sands. The young man had heard many rumors of this place. And everything it held. From stories of mummification, to the royal family that saw a downfall over a chancellor having fallen in love and betrayal. Sounded like a made up story to Fili but, it did have his ear to say the least. 

            There were mutterings of others as he turned head to see his uncle arguing with Bilbo. A man they had brought with them to act as a sort of, burglar? He wasn’t truly understanding of what exactly it meant but, it kept his uncle busy and off of his trail which is all he cared about. Groaning as he sat up cursing himself over laying for so long amongst rotting wood. Patting the other harshly upon the back he gave a faint laugh, ‘ i need a break. keep up the good work, ‘ with that he had jumped from the standing and landed upon the hard sand on the ground beneath. 

                      { -- Inhale. . . exhale. . .  Smoke swirled around the lions senses as if to cloud his sight and, perhaps judgement. Having been on his own for quite some time, the dwarf had found himself, lonely. Never one for random encounters of pleasure. It never suited him as he far rather preferred, real connection. Love, lust, desire. All those things he found only a few times in his life. The last being, almost his last ever. 

       The Prince had chose to experience life a little more before settling within his title and place amongst the walls of Erebor. Having fought long and hard for its reclaim, he craved greater adventures now. You can’t simply toss a lion into a cage and not expect it to get bored. The very same applied to the eager Dwarf. Never had he been without his brother, his mother, his family. Being on his own for the first time in his life, at the start, was exhilarating. But it dulled after the loss of his heart, and he didn’t quite know where to go from there. Lost even? 

       Sighing harshly under his breath, he rose to his feet. Dropping a few coins upon the table he sat, he turned and made his way towards the door. Stopping at the exit to look back once more. Blue eyes scanning the interior before sighing once more and pulling hood over his braided head. 

       Memories swirled his mind of nights. One in particular. The one were he met a man. A man who, simply took the Princes breath away. A bar fight, a night spent cleaning for owners, bruised ribs and good food. That damned smile. That damned laugh. He swallowed hard as he walked, the night looming over his head. It had been, truth be told he lost count at that point, too long since the two had parted. Long had it been that he could even remember why. Why had they parted? Where had it gone wrong? Was it his fault? Did he hurt him? Questions he had asked himself over and over and over again over the months. The years maybe? Blue eyes rolled into the back of his skull as he tried to shake away thoughts. Only thankful that the several mugs of mead he had downed started clouding his senses. 

       As the lion reached his place of stay for the night, he stopped a moment. There was something different in the air. Yet shaking it off as the now swimming senses of his head. Reaching to unlock the door, his room was below a town stable where he had been offered an unused stall to stay for that night before another days travel, a voice. A ghost in his mind almost not believing it was real for a moment, -- “ please don’t regret me, “ --

             {  --  The dwarven Prince sat across his elder. Hands busy cleaning and buffing away at dried orc blood upon dual blades. A substance one would never get out of their sense of smell. How they reeked and if only Fili could live the rest of his life without such a memory logged away. Nose scrunched with a groan under his breath at the thought of how many lost their heads over his weapons. Sighing out to himself blue eyes lifted to glance over his Uncle. There were times he questioned his choices. Yet Fili would never think twice to follow him into the fire. Without question he would always follow as it was his duty. The Prince one day having to fill his shoes as it was. 

    The others voice crossing over his ears taking him away from the stench of his blade. Turning it over in his grip, the cracking fire before them flickering light upon its new found shine. For once Fili didn’t quite know how to respond. These were those moments where he could find himself questioning his Uncle’s intentions. The murmurs of dragon sickness and the fear of losing his only father figure to such a thing, Fili would fight a thousand armies if it meant to keep him from such a demise. It was something Fili couldn’t connect with as he wasn’t raised around riches like his Uncle was. The fight he fought for Erebor was that of giving his people their home back. Not necessarily the gold that came with it.