OPEN BIRTHDAY POST

[kilimanjaro]

Guess what, guys?



This is an open post to do anything and everything celebrating Kili's birthday! It can either be his seventy-eighth, or on an earlier birthday in different scenarios. Either way, go crazy and have fun!

Comments

[taurohtar]

[Tauriel has spent the weeks leading up to Kíli's birthday agonizing over what to give him; there is nothing she can buy for him that he cannot buy himself, and there is nothing she can craft that he cannot craft as well, and a hundred times more skillfully.

She has been feeling ill, as of late, which she had put down to stress as she tried to figure out what she could give him, until one day, as she hunched over a bowl heaving up what she had managed to eat at breakfast, all the pieces finally clicked into place. She has been growing wider in the waist, to her dismay, something Kíli had cheerfully put down to the rich dwarven food she'd been eating. She has been sick almost every morning, and tired and weak throughout the day, sometimes even requiring a nap midafternoon to recoup her strength. She has felt somewhat off-kilter, her innate understanding of her spirit slightly skewed in a way she had never felt before.

It all adds up to one thing: she is with child.

Keeping the news to herself until Kíli's birthday is almost impossible, but somehow she manages not to blurt it out until the morning dawns and she can roll over to wake him with a kiss.]

Rouse yourself, my love. I have a surprise for you.

[kilimanjaro]

[He wasn't really expecting all that much for his birthday. It's not an important year, after all, and it seems to come so often these days...

Kili yawns as she kisses him and slowly blinks awake, stretching out a bit.]

Mm?

[taurohtar]

I have a surprise for you, [she repeats, giving him another kiss as he slowly manages to crawl to consciousness. When he seems awake enough, she reaches for his hand and pulls it down to her stomach, pressing it against her just barely-rounded belly.]

Happy birthday, khagam.

[kilimanjaro]

[He's sleepy and content, warm with Tauriel beside him and just pleased to be with her. She takes his hand, moving it down to her bare stomach, and he's unsure of what she's doing until she speaks.

Khagam. Father. Kili's eyes widen, lips parting in a large
'oh'.]

Tauriel, you're--?!

[taurohtar]

[It takes her a moment to smile, since Kíli's reaction is a little hard to decipher, but eventually she nods and smiles, her fingers curling around his wrist as she holds his hand to her stomach. Khagam is one of the only words of Khuzdul she knows, and she wasn't sure she pronounced it correctly; apparently she was clear enough to make her point.]

I am with child, yes. [She's not one hundred percent certain, but she hasn't had her monthly bleeding for at least three cycles now, and her waistline is expanding practically daily... All signs point to pregnancy.] You're going to be a da, my love.

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili stares for several moments, a smile tugging at his lips and unfurling slowly across his face.]

We're...having a baby?

[It's hard to wrap his mind around. Kili's fingers twitch against her belly as his face lights up.]

I-I...

[taurohtar]

Yes, we are.

[She leans in to kiss him, nuzzling a little against his mouth.] I'm having your baby. Happy birthday.

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili laughs, kissing her back fondly. His hands come up to frame her face and he grins.]

We're having a baby!

[taurohtar]

A baby, yes. [She can't help laughing in return, though this one is more at him and his incredulity than out of joy. She is plenty joyful, though.] I take it this is a good surprise?

[kilimanjaro]

Aye, it's...wonderful!

[He laughs and kisses her again, hard but loving all at the same time.]

How long have you known?

[taurohtar]

[She pushes up close to him, sliding her arms around him and cuddling in close.] A week, perhaps a little longer. Keeping it from you was almost impossible, the number of times I wanted to say something...

[kilimanjaro]

You didn't have to wait. [But he smiles and kisses her all over, her cheeks, nose, chin, lips.]

[taurohtar]

Yes I did. I wanted it to be a birthday surprise. [She closes her eyes and smiles as he drops kisses across her face, his stubble scratching her skin in the most familiar way. It takes little effort to coax him closer, tugging him over her so that she can use him as a living blanket.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili smiles brightly at her, adoring and fond.]

It's the best surprise I could have ever asked for.

[taurohtar]

[She lifts her hand to trace the edge of his smile with her fingers, feeling her heart swell in her chest.] Would you like to go tell your family the good news, or would you like to stay in bed a while longer?

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili is thoughtful for a few moments.]

Let's be selfish a bit longer. [He smiles, kissing her fingers.]

BIRTHDAY LOVINS

[itisourfight]

[ Tauriel looks out over the sea of (mostly) drunken guests, and leans over to speak into Kili's ear. ]

I know they are all here to celebrate you, but I think most of them have forgotten about that by now.

[ Her point being, dear husband, that if you'd like to slip away to somewhere more private no one would even notice. ]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili's fairly drunk himself, but not too much so that he can't understand what Tauriel's suggesting. He shivers slightly and shoots her a smirk, grabbing her hand and standing.]

They won't miss us~.

Coming of age? Making things up, so I hope this works.

[walkingarsenal]

[As the days lengthen and the air grows warmer, springtime on its way, a day that will come only once and never again draws closer and closer. First there are weeks to go, but these pass quickly until they turn into one week, and then a few nights, and finally tomorrow. For the most part, those very last couple of days and nights are the same as any other ones of ordinary years, the difference being the not at all secret preparations that have been taking place before Tomorrow arrives.

When it does, the morning smells of Kili's favourite spices, of freshly baked sweet rolls. These are a must every year; they have been for decades, even when times were harder. The scent fills all corners of their home. As he does every year, too, Fili makes sure to sneak back into bed after he's finished helping their mother with whatever final touches need another pair of hands, although feigning sleep won't fool his brother.

But unlike every year before it, Today will be different this year.

Five years prior, Fili's own coming of age day saw him formally named Thorin's heir. If they had their Mountain, if they had their home, he was told, the entire kingdom would have witnessed the ceremony. (Admittedly, and perhaps he should be ashamed of his thoughts then, he prefers their gatherings of faces he can put a name to, family and friends.) Kili has less of that ahead of him, but the customary rituals await him before the celebrations to follow later – a new blade to gift him with, for one, and today's meaning to ink upon his skin.]

aaaah perfect

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili has had 74 days similar to this one in his life, but this particular day, this 75th birthday, celebrates his coming of age. It's the day when he transitions from a boy to a man.

He doesn't sleep all that much just because he's too excited. Fili's trying to be quiet, but Kili can hear all too well when his brother slips out of bed to help their mother and when he returns late that night. But it's finally almost here! Now everyone has to stop treating him like a child!

He wakes to the smell of sweet rolls and smiles, throwing his blankets off his bed excitedly and promptly tackling his elder brother awake.]

Guess what day it is?!

<333 Likewise! THE CUTEST.

[walkingarsenal]

[Feigned sleep must have become true sleep, deep enough that Fili startles awake with a snort or a grunt or some other unintelligible sound when his exuberant brother leaps on him. (Waking Fili the Kili Way happens more than once a year. Fili should have remained alert.) The past week went into Kili's blade, then their usual tasks, and last came moments to spare on sleeping through each night; he's slower to respond than he would be otherwise, peering up at Kili with a one-eyed squint before both eyes open fully and a smile settles on his lips.]

Today? The day you decided that your brother no longer needs to breathe?

[Lying on his stomach, he could probably roll over and topple Kili off, but he pretends to go back to sleep instead, dropping his head onto his pillow and closing his eyes.]

[kilimanjaro]

Oh come on, Fi. I know you're not sleeping.

[Kili huffs, and an idea comes to him. Smirking mischievously, he gives his brother's cheek a long wet lick.]

Get up!

[walkingarsenal]

[He was just preparing to launch into a series of loud and completely convincing snores when something warm and rough and wet drags itself across the side of his face.

... That wasn't--

It was.

Fili's eyes snap open, wider than before as he twists around to look up at his brother grinning down at him, and his certainty that Kili won't change a bit with age is granite. Without a doubt, Kili will do exactly these same things when he reaches his hundredth year and his hundred-and-fiftieth and so on.]

Kili--

[Get up? He can grant his brother's wish, especially on his special day. As for how he'll go about it, that's going to involve a shove and a tight hold on Kili's tunic to maneuver them both off the bed.]

You'll have to get off first, then!

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili bursts into wild laughter at the look on his brother's face, grinning fiercely. It doesn't stop as he's shoved, though he does get off Fili and give him a shove in return.]

I'll race you to the kitchen!

[walkingarsenal]

[It doesn't take long for a smile to return to Fili's face. Feet on the floor, he has one more thing to do before they bolt towards the kitchen, which is to give Kili's hair a good tousling while those tangles are within reach.]

And lose, today of all days?

[Kili won't lose, they both know.

In the kitchen, after dodging their mother and their uncle, who must have arrived sometime after Fili went back to bed, after fond smiles and embraces, and after quick minutes of setting the table, they have baking to sample. As always, Kili gets to take a roll first, and as always, his family holds back to finish theirs slowly.

Over breakfast, Fili speaks up with a question for his brother.]

Ready for your ink, Ki?

[Five years ago, Kili was there to watch the ritual and to get a closer look afterwards. It's been a frequent topic lately.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili always wins their running matches anyway. Longer legs, after all. He's gotten tall in the last few years. There's a laugh as Fili tousles his matted hair, and then he's bursting out like a loose cannon.

He eats happily, though Fili's words make him pause and look up, his smile bright enough to rival the sun.]

Of course I am!

[walkingarsenal]

No taking that back now.

[Fili lets his remark hang there -- it's more dramatic than any of the steps that Kili will go through today warrant -- and pops the last piece of his roll into his mouth. It's Kili's coming of age day, but that doesn't make him too old to be the target of a bit more brotherly teasing.

Their mother and their uncle exchange a glance.]

[kilimanjaro]

If you could manage it, so can I.

[There's a set to his jaw, that Durin stubbornness showing through as he glances to where Fili's tattoos are hidden beneath clothing.

He wasn't allowed to be in the room during Fili's marking, but he was there to help him care for it and clean it, and it was obvious that it hurt. There's a twinge of nervousness in that regard.]

[walkingarsenal]

[It hurt, during the ritual and afterwards, but Fili has as much faith that Kili will manage as Kili does himself (or tells the world), if not more. They talked about it back then; alongside Kili's willing help, which gave him plenty of opportunity to see the markings at every stage from fresh on somewhat tender skin onward, Fili had question upon question to answer, so his brother should be well prepared.

One hand going to Kili's back, Fili smiles at him, dropping the joking manner.]

You will. I don't doubt it.

[And as soon as the rest of breakfast ends and the table is cleared, Kili's turn is that much closer. As they did when it was Fili's, his family have their own roles to fulfill.]

[kilimanjaro]

[The marking at the coming of age is one of the oldest of dwarvish traditions, dating back to the Waking of the Seven Fathers by Aule himself. Thorin will be the one doing the marking, as Kili's stand-in father, while the rest of his family will be there to help with the ceremony.

Breakfast finishes up, and a few minutes later, Thorin enters, clapping Kili on the shoulder and squeezing. There's pride in his voice and in his eyes, and Kili feels something warm rise in his chest.

It's time.

Licking his lips, Kili nods and stands, following Thorin as they make their way to one of Ered Luin's more traditional rooms. He glances to Fili, nervous.]

[walkingarsenal]

[The walk takes them deep beneath the mountains -- no one outside hears any screams then, some might say. (Not that there will be any screaming.) Thorin leads the way and Fili brings up the rear, Kili in the middle, and when his brother turns to look at him, Fili offers him another smile and gives him a nod.

Of age and the elder, he isn't barred from entering the room. He'll be there to witness Kili's marking and to help Kili in and out of his robes.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Mahal, is Kili nervous. The ritual, though traditional, is simple, and it's not difficult to get through. It's when he settles into the chair, Thorin fetching the needle, that he starts to get a bit scared.

He looks to Fili for support, eyes wide and conveying his anxiety. Part of him wants to reach for him, but the rest of him doesn't want to look childish.

He can't help the sharp gasp of pain as he feels his uncle begin to work at his right shoulder blade. The ink will go down to his elbow once it's done, and Kili is suddenly keenly aware of how long that will take.]

[walkingarsenal]

[That chair isn't made to be comfortable and Kili will be sitting in it for a while. Only at certain points can Thorin pause in his work altogether; neither Kili nor Fili can interrupt him once it's begun. Asking for near silence from Kili, who is expected to keep still through each jab of the needle, the ritual seems a test of endurance more than it does a celebration of a milestone reached.

Fili stands to the side not far from his brother's chair. He's close enough that Kili's gasp doesn't escape him, and again, his eyes meet Kili's.

Kili is ready for this. There's no need to be nervous, he tries to convey in the look.

Truth be told, the reminders are for Fili himself, too. He wants to touch his brother's hand, no different a gesture than any other time, but no one did that to him five years ago.]

[kilimanjaro]

[He wants Fili to help, but that's violating the rules of the ritual. Kili needs to endure this himself.

He takes a deep, shaky breath and closes his eyes, gritting his teeth against the pain. It seems to take an age, but eventually, that needle reaches his elbow and stops.

It's over. Kili lets out a sigh of relief and slumps against the chair as Thorin closes the ceremony with the traditional words before coming over to ruffle his nephew's hair and tell him how proud he is. Kili smiles weakly, proud of himself but aching with pain all along his right side. He glances to the ink, amazed by the marks that now color his skin.]

[walkingarsenal]

[It's over, and when Kili relaxes, so does Fili, even though he remembers his own marking and knows that Kili can handle it, that Kili doesn't need his brother to step in. It was harder to remember these things while he stood here and watched Kili's discomfort, eyes on the pained grimace that Kili was wearing, but he knows.

The end of the ceremony releases each of them from their places. Fili, smiling, takes his brother's left hand to clasp it after all. Right after Kili admires himself, Fili looks at his right arm with him.]

How does it feel to be my grown-up little brother?

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili grins at his brother and clasps his hand firmly. He's proud of himself for sitting through that without flinching; His ink is perfect, bearing his name, his family crest, and the traditional blessings of strength and a long life.

He's done it.

There's a sheepish sort of laugh at Fili's words and he shrugs.]

Right now? Hurts a bit.

[walkingarsenal]

[Chuckling at Kili's answer, Fili shakes his head.]

I remember that part. I hear some dwarves bite right through their tongue when they get their ink. [Must be something about needles, even for the sturdiest folk of all.]

Only a bit won't keep you from the rest of your day, then. [He presses Kili's hand as firmly as Kili did his. Kili has every right to be proud of himself and he has more to look forward to, from his newly smithed gift to the evening's festivities.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Ew. Kili pulls a disgusted face at that. Needles are fairly worrying, yes.]

Nothing's going to keep me from that. [He grins, though there's a slight wince as Thorin gently bandages up the newly marked and bleeding skin.]

[walkingarsenal]

[He may or may not have been exaggerating slightly, and he aims to keep any evidence to give him away off his face, though Kili's expression makes that difficult. Letting go of Kili's hand when Thorin finishes, he holds out a lighter tunic to help his brother into.]

Come on. Let's show you off to Mother.

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili grins at that, slipping into his tunic with Fili's help and wincing slightly.]

Let's!