27Sorry for the long gap between updates, I've been really busy lately, but school is finally finished! so hopefully I will be able to write and update more often than I have been. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and please review if you have time, I love getting them!
Chapter 12: Kili?
Complete disbelief was all he felt. His little brother was never, and had never been scared, or even intimidated by Dwalin, but as he helped him back towards the comfort of the temporary tent he could feel Kili's heart beating fast against his hand.
"Why were you frightened of Dwalin? He meant no harm"
"I don't know, he just hit you, and it seemed harder than it probably was"
Fili heard himself sigh as he pulled back the sheets ready for his little brother to climb in. The archer shuffled awkwardly before seating himself in a firm position and pulling the covers to his waist. He had a look of guilt strewn across his face, a blank stare at his fingers as he ran them over the soft material.
"Kili?" The blonde crouched beside the stretcher, and lowered himself so that he could see his brothers reddened eyes. "You need to trust me, when I say that none of the dwarves here have any intention of harming you, or one another I mean it. We are like a big family, the company and us, I know that you don't really understand them all just yet, but you will remember. I doubt you believe me but every one of those dwarves out there would do anything to keep you safe"
The dark haired prince lowered himself further into the safety of his bed without a word. Fili leant over and placed a kiss on his forehead, something their mother had done to calm them when they were boys. Mother…He wished that she was here now, she always had a way with Kili. He never thought he would admit it to himself, for he was all grown up and he would be laughed at for saying it, but he missed her; and even now, with her back in Ered Luin so far away from them all, she was keeping them together. Without her stone Kili may have been lost, with no memory of family, her token gave him hope.
His brother was lying still now, seemingly asleep and he felt that leaving him to be alone may have been an opportunity for Kili to think over their conversation. He would join the others outside by the fire or at least those that were still awake. He blew out the lantern by the stretcher and walked the four steps to the door, before turning around; he couldn't help but smile, felling an overwhelming joy to have his baby brother with him again.
He let the curtain fall into place before meeting Balins eyes. The white haired dwarf had been standing there the entire night, he hadn't moved an inch. He was always loyal to the line of Durin, and was easily the closest dwarf to Thorin besides him and Kili. He stood wearily swaying slightly where he stood, obviously tired after the days troubles, dark circles around his eyes.
"I will come and get you if something happens"
There was no argument. Balin was tired and hungry, his joints aching, and the stew he had denied earlier was still on his mind.
"I think I will take you up on that offer Fili, but you will come and get me?" The Blonde prince nodded before lifting the door for the old dwarf, who hobbled outside at a slower pace than usual.
The only other dwarf still in the room was Oin, who had now settled himself on a stool beside a small table. His back was turned, but Fili could see his hands moving hurriedly around a small porcelain bowl. His normally clean and well groomed appearance was gone, his sleeves and what was visible of his shirt stained red.
He really didn't want to look down onto the bed. He witnessed his uncle being mauled by the Warg, and he knew that the wounds were extensive. Instead, his unkempt hair took Fili's attention; Kili would have never let it get that disheveled, he was always keeping Thorin's hair tidy. He brushed a large knot that had formed on his uncle's forehead away. His face was a pale white, and between shallow breaths he would remain still, apart from the small twitch in the corner of his mouth. The tapping in the bowl stopped, Oin had realized he was there.
The sharp stare he received was softened when the healer realized it was him. Any other dwarf would have been told to move away, and in severe circumstances Oin was known to throw heavy objects at unwanted distractions. The grey dwarf went back to mixing the herbal brew, and the smell stung Fili's nose.
I wonder if that will sting…
The thought of whatever was under the bandages made him feel suddenly upset. He had failed to show much emotion over the past day, as if it had been drained from him. He reached down, frightened of hurting his uncle further and laid a steady hand on his chest. Thorin can't… he didn't even want to think about it. He loved him like a father, he was his leader, someone he respected and trusted. He had never seen him so weak before and the thought had never dawned that if his uncle was to pass he would be the heir to the throne of Erebor.
"You can't leave now, I'm too young… I can't lead those dwarves outside. Please, please be alright…" He whispered leaning in close to Thorin's chest and resting his head on his uncles hand. "I need you, mother needs you… so does Kili".
At this he felt a hand rub his back, and turned slightly to the side to see his brother's watery eyes staring into his own. "W-will Uncle be alright?"
As Kili spoke Thorin's grip tightened around Fili's hand causing a shocked reaction from both the healer and his nephews.
"Thorin can you hear me?" Oin pulled Thorin's face to the side his eyes still closed tightly; a small and almost inaudible moan escaped his lips. "Speak up lad we can't hear you" Oin held his hearing aid closer and all stopped breathing waiting for their kings next words. The sweat was thick on his brow, and his chest heaved greatly.
"k-kili?" Thorin pulled his face away from Oin, and tried to open his eyes without avail.
The archer pushed his way forward and grasped his uncles hand "Thorin I'm here…it's me, it's Kili". Fili knew that Thorin had not been mentioned to his brother. This was all in his memory, he recognized him as their uncle without aid. A sign of salvage for the both of them made him feel a little more relieved.
"It's me, I found my way back…" Thorin's face changed and amongst the furrowed brows and tight pained grip on his nephew's hand, a small smile came over his expression. Fili saw his little brother change in this moment, a new glint of hope. Their uncle shifted again with a calmness that had not been present for weeks, and inhaled deeply.
"Am proud…"
The three standing around Thorin's bed let out smiles of joy before Oin shooed them away to go and get Balin. Kili sprung up from his chair with a new found pace and sprinted for the door "Mister Balin he's awake, he is!" Fili heard his muffled cries of joy from inside as he stared at his uncle; in a matter of moments his hope had been restored. He knew there would be a day in which he would need to take his place as king, but he was unwilling to except it just yet.