#forge!fili

The thunderstorm outside roared in rage, the sounds echoing through the deep caverns and halls of the lonely mountain. Those who lived closest to the walls of the mountain watched the strikes of lighting with fascination and fear, in awe of the way nature could be so terrible and powerful at the same time. Those in the mines could feel the tingles of electricity through the walls of stone as the bolts hit their mark on the earth, those skilled enough being able to see through the walls and caves of their home without their eyes. Others, such as Narni, were simply heading home to wait out the destructive anger that the world was putting them through.  

It was strange to see the usually bustling mountain so empty, and as the darrowdam made her way along her home’s long and deserted halls she felt the longing in her heart. Such as storm always brought her a sense of awe, the crashing and rumbling reminding her of the forge and its organized chaos, its lightning’s flashes reflecting the wonder that sparks in her eyes as she watches the embers burn and the metal bend and shape against the anvil. Storms where wild and free, just as her soul was.

Her feet were light against the marble halls and the small basket she carried was heavy and full of ingredients she would make into treats after dinner. Dinner that Fili was at home preparing for them both. A smile tugged on Narni’s lips at the though. Her prince was talented in many ways, she had known that from the beginning of their courting, but his talent of cooking had surprised her in the best way. While she preferred to bake, her prince put as much heart onto his cooking as he did his forging, and that knowledge alone let there be no comparison to any other’s cooking (except maybe Bombur, not that she would ever admit it to her wonderful lover).

She let the smile turn into a grin as her door came into sight, simply imaging all the wonderful aromas that would greet her as she walked inside. Perhaps Fili would be waiting for her with a spoon in his hand, rushing to her to taste what his hands had so carefully created for her, or perhaps he would be so focused, so entranced at what he was doing he wouldn’t even hear her come in? Would he let her dance around him as she baked? Would he chase her out of the kitchen with a grin, promising her all the time and help in the world after he was done, sealing the deal with a tender kiss? Or would they get lost in each other, forgetting all about dinner as the thunder clouds rolled overhead?

Selfish as it was, she didn’t care as long as he was there. His duties as heir left little time to spend freely with each other and on nights such as these, night where they could be alone together, tucked up in one another’s embrace, she was reminded just how important their bond had become. How strong their love had become.

Turning the handle with full hands was a dilemma but she got it done without dropping anything, having to race to the kitchen table before the eggs rolled away from her. She blinked once, twice at the darkness of the room and the lack of warmth coming from the stove.

“Fili?” she called out to the empty room.

Leaving everything where it was on the bench, she began to wander their quarters. She went straight to their bedroom, checking there first in case he had simply fallen asleep after a long day of meetings and drama, but when she stuck her head into the room and its was just as empty, dark and cold as the kitchen. A twinge of fear stirred in her stomach as she checked the bathroom and balcony with the same results. Had something happened that he would be called upon so late? Had the storm broken through the barricades at the gates?

She called his name again and again, her voice growing in worry each time his name fell from her lips. The last room was the office, and she almost tripped over her skirts in haste to get there, but again she was met with darkness and cold. She had turned to leave, a plan to hunt down her beloved’s brother to see if he was with him when a sniffle caught her ears.

She scanned the room again catching a hint of movement under Fili’s desk. It was small and at first, she had thought it a mouse seeking shelter from the storm, but as she crept closer, the mouse turned out the be the very dwarf she was looking for.

Tucked as far as he could get himself, Fili hid under his desk, his knees propped under his jaw and his hands over his mouth. Red rimmed eyes looked up at her with a look of desperation and fear as he sniffled again.

“Fili?” she asked gently, kneeling down to see him better. His name brought no reaction, but as a louder crash of lightning struck outside and the walls of the mountain groaned in protest of the abuse, Fili whimpered and tucked his face deeper into his hands.

She was by his side in an instant, her hand rubbing his soothingly. He flinched away at first, his head flicking up like he had not realized she was there before recognition settled in his eyes and he gasped onto her with a grip like iron. Narni opened her arms for him and he tucked his head into her chest.

“I’s too loud,” he mumbled miserably, his entire body shaking, “too loud,”

“Oh my sweet, sweet jewel. Do you mean the storm?”

He nodded and sniffled again, “Too loud. I don’t wanna fight again,”

“Fight? Why would you- oh,” she cut herself off, realizing just why her prince was so distraught. The sound outside, the one that warmed her and made her think of her safe space in the forge reminded him of battle, the clashing of metal not one of creation, but of destructing, pain and death.

“Oh, Fee, it is just a storm. There’s no fighting, I promise. You are safe my one. If you just come out-”

Her words meant to heal and calm were drowned out but another gust of howling wind, her brave lion curling up on himself again and holding his hands over his ears.

She hated to leave him here like this, but as quickly as her feet would allow it, she raced out of the room and around their home, grabbing an armful of things from each room and dumping it at her beloved’s feet. She was like a dam possessed as she raced to do another round, rummaging through her basket still sitting on the bench waiting for her.

Fili peaked his head out from behind his hands as she cursed, watching her rub the spot on the top of her head that she had smacked against the wooden desk in her crazed haste. He sent her a worried look with wide eyes and a quivering lip, and as she caught it, she sent him a grin and kicked off her boots. Soon enough she was crawling back to his side, dragging pillows and blankets and warm fluffy coats with her. Again, Narni worked in a hurry, tucking the soft things around them and barricading themselves under the desk.

Affectionately and leisurely now, as not to scare her prince more than he already was now she was by his side, she wrapped him their softest and thickest fur. It was a gift he had presented her after days of hunting, skinning and preserving in an attempt to win her heart in the early days of there courting, the fool not realizing that he already held it in his hands. She chuckled at the memory as she wrapped it around his shoulders and over his head and ears. Their horrible looking stuffed cat plushy made it into his arms, Narni’s favorite wool jumper went between him and the cold stone wall and the blanket from their bed made it around both of them. The rest of the cushions went against the legs of the table and at its mouth, tucking them both in and away from the world outside.  

Fili’s sapphire eyes gazed across her work in wonder, hugging the furs closer and slowly coming out of his ball. She felt her heart melt for him and she leaned back and opened her arms once more, her prince wasting no time to scamper into them.

She pulled him close to her, encouraging him into her lap as he dug his nose into the crook of her neck, hiding himself away in her hair. For a while they sat there like that, her hands rubbing circles into the skin of his thighs and back, listening to him whimper and cry, the storm only getting louder as it passed over head. His body shivered and tensed when the lightning hit somewhere close, but slowly and surely his grip began to loosen and he lifted his head from her neck.

Narni peppered kisses against the crown of his head, spreading down to his brows and further to his nose as he slowly came out of his safety embrace. Her hand trailed up his side to wipe away the tears that fell onto his cheeks, kissing away the streaks that stained his face and running her fingers through his beard. He leaned his head back to reach her lips, but she instead kissed his chin, trailing down his jaw and neck.

He moved again trying to line his lips with hers, not missing the way she smiled as she missed again, and he give a small whine.

“So impatient my dear prince,” she tutted, kissing the side of his mouth and drawing another whine from the darrow. He looked up at her with wide begging eyes and she caved, pulling him closer and letting him hurriedly place his lips on hers.

Narni let her fingers wonder into his hair, pulling on his braids as he kissed her, their bodies fitting against each other like two pieces of a puzzle. He paused, pulling back with a dazed look making her giggle. She pecked his lips once more and ushered him to rest his head again so she could take out his braids. Complying wholeheartedly, he relaxed against her again, his eyes drooping as she worked her fingers through his golden locks.

“Thank you,” he murmured, running his hands along her sides, “for staying with me,”

She smiled, tucking his beads into the pocket of a nearby jacket so not to lose the precious heirlooms, “Always, my treasure. How are you feeling?”

“Better, though the noise still hurts,”

“I already have plans to have earmuffs created. You know the ones that the miners use when using blast powder? Something like that but softer… would that help?”

The blond gave a nod, “I think so. I’m sorry, I didn’t know it would be so bad. I didn’t even make dinner, the kitchens a mess and I-”

“Hush now none of that,” the dam scolded lightly, “You are allowed to hurt Fili. Besides if your hungry I have some chocolate chips? I was going to make cookies but this seemed a more appropriate call for chocolate,”

The prince chuckled, the rumble vibrating from his chest, “You always know how to please a darrow, but maybe we could just stay like this for a bit longer?”

“Of course jewel. Lay with me?”

Fili gave a nod and she laid, wrapping them both in their blankets again as he snuggled into her side and laid his head on her chest. He hummed at the feeling of her gently raking through his loose hair and again his eyes began to close.

Quiet humming sounded through their little fort of safety, pulling his thoughts away from the rumble outside and onto the smooth sound of Narni’s voice. She hummed an old Iron Hills lullaby from her childhood, smiling down at the prince that slept soundly in her arms, his face smoothing out and finally finding peace.

“Good night my brave lion,”

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