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It had to be wrong—this feeling, one that had been so sudden and overwhelming, weaving its way through every bit of his body, every bit of his soul. He felt it instantly, laying his eyes upon the only human of the company.
Fili had said nothing of it, but the damage was done.
You were his One.
At first, he made no mention of it. His reasons were understandable, though the validity was left to be seen (depending on who was to hear them, it could go either way). He was a prince, after all, and he had plenty of things to worry over. The fate of his people, what his King uncle would decide to do next, and what his brother was getting himself into again and again. Kili had a tendency to be a bit reckless. His mother tasked him long ago, back when they were just children, to take care of him in the event he were to make a fool of himself. Fortunately, it happened very rarely—what he worried about was defending his brother in the off-chance he was outmanned in a fight.
A month had passed by before he decided to come out and convince, after much internal deliberation. He hadn’t mentioned it to his uncle, but his brother read him like the book he had always been to him. Only a few days of reading him had Kili known.
Kili had warned him, words carefully picked, though it may have seemed otherwise: “What happens when they return home, without you? Or what if, Aulë forbid, something happened before the end of this?”
Fili had tried to convince himself that he was wrong—that he was merely saying this to get onto his nerves.
However, Fili knew better. He did not need his brother to say another word; the reality he was currently facing was much more real than he had ever wished it to be.
That’s what had him here, standing in front of you, feeling much like a troubled schoolboy and not like the true dwarven prince he was. His heart pounded in his chest, lips parting as he looked up at you, eyes searching yours.
“I must confess to you,” Fili said, not quite trusting his words. He was typically so straightforward, knowing exactly what to say. Why had you rendered him speechless? Perhaps if you were a dwarf as well, it would be simpler.
At his silence, you smiled. “Confess what, Fili? Are you well?”
“I am well,” he quickly said. “Far better than I have been in some time. I… have you…” He paused, then let out a sigh. “I might as well come right out with it. There is no need for me to continue this way. Have you noticed anything?”
You tilted your head. “Hm?”
“Have you noticed anything new? Different?”
“I’m not sure I follow.”
He frowned a bit, clearing his throat. “When we first met. Did you feel something?”
The slight widening of your eyes solidified that you knew exactly what he meant.
“I’m sorry?” you softly asked.
“You know what I speak of,” he said.
"Do I?" you countered, arms crossed over your chest. He seemed so sure of himself that you almost doubted yourself. Had you known what he meant, maybe you would have been more receptive to it. But then, while your mind fought to catch up with your heart, your stature relaxed.
"Oh," you softly said. "I do."
Fili seemed surprised—how sure you had seemed both when you questioned him and agreed.
The crackling of the campfire dimmed the roaring of his heart, the sound of a few of the dwarves settling down for bed present but not his focus. You were his focus, now until the end of time.
"You are my One," Fili admitted. "I... do you know what that means?" He would explain if he needed to, and with the look on your face, it was clear you were not fully familiar with the term. "I believe Man calls it a... soulmate? True love?"
Your eyes widened ever so slightly.
"When a dwarf is born, we are each destined for our One. Our Amrâlimê."
"You are destined for a soulmate?"
"Yes," he said, "but not everyone is honored with the chance to meet them. I... I am blessed by the gods to have been given you."
The words rushed through your mind. It made sense—the way he looked at you, the way he made you feel, even with just a subtle glance or a half-hearted smile.
You were made for him, and he, you.
The thought alone was enough to fasten the pace of your heart.
“Why did you keep silent?” you asked, finding your voice soon after the admission. You could not waste any more time. Now that you had realized what exactly it had been, you knew what to say—or at least, what to lead with.
“Ah… well, I was… foolish. I should have. Who am I to ignore my heart?” he spoke, stepping forward. He reached out and gently took your hand in his own, one hand over the top of it to trap your hand between both of his. He tugged you slightly closer, though it took little effort. He could have pulled you anywhere, and he knew you would follow.
“Yes,” you said, unable to fight your smile. “It was foolish.”
He weakly smiled up at you. “I know. I see. And I—I would ask for your forgiveness, but I do not deserve that.”
“Oh, Fili,” you said, gently taking your hand away from his. In turn, you braved your heart and reached forward, gently grabbing onto his fur-lined coat.
His genuine surprise spurred you forward, eyes locking with yours.
“You have my forgiveness,” you said, eyes flickering to his lips as you spoke. “And my heart.”
Without further prompting, he grabbed your forearms and pulled you into his body. One hand went to your neck, pulling your lips down to meet his in a hurried kiss. Had there been a dwarf on watch, Thorin would have known within the morn. Perhaps within the next few minutes. It mattered little, though, as the moment his lips met yours, you melted into his touch, eyes fluttering shut.
Thick fingers sat at the nape of your neck, his other hand moving from your forearm to the side of your face. In turn, your hands found purchase once more on his coat. Fili pulled back only a moment later, his cheeks flushed and a smile still upon his face.
“I am yours,” he said, eyes searching yours. “And I will never forsake you.”
You smiled at his words, a soft laugh bubbling up from the depths of your giddy heart.
“Yes,” you softly said, “but perhaps you should speak with your uncle before you promise such a thing.”
His brows furrowed.
“He’s looking right at us.”
Fili quickly looked over his shoulder, wide eyed. Shoulders tensed, he released a soft huff.
“Good luck,” you said. “I’ll be here when you’re finished.”
He looked at you, eyes softening. “I will make haste. There is much to discuss.”
And he would do as he said. If Thorin was angered by this revelation, then he would deal with it. He would take a hundred years convincing him it was right… but by the look Thorin had, he was almost certain he did not care—just bothered by the lack of honesty amongst them.
Truth be told, Fili was bothered by it, too. But what’s done is done. Tonight had changed everything.
His One now knew. Only greatness would follow.