Building Bridges
by Midea
An Unexpected Rescue
Thorin, son of Thráin, son of Thrór stumped through deep snow on his way home in the Ered Luin. He returned from one of his trade travels and aiding his people. Looking up he already recognized the landscape though it was buried in snow. But this part of the mountains gave him no pleasant memories and he hurried to cross the valley.
More than fifty years ago when his sister Dís went to the next human village to trade for some herbs as her son Fíli was ill at home. Thorin himself wasn't able to go as he was away at this time, hunting for his folk so she went instead. When Thorin returned at that time he found an empty hut except for his crying nephew. Deeply worried Thorin calmed the small boy, carried him to the next neighbor and started to search for his sister. Six hours later he found her in the middle of the woods, looking scared and confused and without memories of the past two days with bruises and scratches all over her body. For the next two weeks he never went outside and cared for his sister and nephew. It was then when he delivered the bad news of his brother-in-law's death sending Dís in a sorrowful grief for yet another three weeks at least, not caring for those around her. But slowly she returned from her mourning and started to live again though not as joyful as before. One year later, her second son Kíli was born. And though he was a joy for everyone neither Thorin nor Dís were sure of the lad's father. Too mysterious were the two missing days in his sister's life.
It took him another two hours to reach the small but comfy cabin he shared with his sister and her sons. He was still about twenty meters away when the door opened with a loud bang and his younger nephew stormed out to greet him.
"Uncle! You're back!" Kíli laughed and bumped into the older dwarf to hug him tightly.
"Humph. A bit slower please. I had a long way," Thorin said strictly but without really meaning it. In truth he was glad to see the lad.
"Sorry," the young dwarf apologized with a big grin. "Come inside. Mom made your favorite." Thorin nodded and Kíli turned around to hurry back into the warm hut. Thorin followed much slower and observed his nephew with a sorrowful glint in his eyes. It wasn't always easy for the lad as he was often teased for his undwarvish looks. With a slim figure and a height of nearly 5', tall for a dwarf, it gave him an almost lanky appearance. And totally unacceptable for a dwarf. But Thorin loved his nephew nonetheless.
Inside the cabin he was greeted by his other nephew and his sister. Though not as energetic as Kíli's it was still affectionately. Stripping off his thick mantle and boots he stepped to the table and settled himself down. Sometimes it was almost like Dís could see into the future as nearly anytime he returned dinner was ready. Dís served the food and all four began to eat, forgotten were sad thoughts and exchanged with happiness.
Looking at the younger sibling Thorin decided not to let sadden himself about his nephew and never allow more taunting.
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"Don't go too far, Kíli!" his mother shouted after him but Kíli didn't care. He loved being outside and there was nothing that could keep him inside for long. Not even his own mother. Sometimes he thought it very odd that he liked trees and grass so much and not stones and rocks as dwarfs usually did. But he mused this was because he was raised overground and not inside a mine. Though his brother, who was raised exactly as he was, didn't share his preferences. Although it hurt when other dwarves, both youths and adults, teased and mocked him about it (second only to his appearance) he learned long ago to shake it off quickly. And his carefree attitude helped to not held a grudge for long. Though he did noticed that his uncle scared most bullies away before anything happened. He wondered when this change in his uncle's manner happened and realized that it happened ten years ago, around his fiftieth birthday. But he shrugged these thoughts off as he disliked to dwell in the past. Instead he ran with high spirits through the woods and over rocks, releasing some of his energy.
Today he decided to went another route as usual and went to the river Lhûn, though at this point of the mountains it wasn't the great stream that would flow into the ocean. Slowing down a bit he walked through the firs and spruces that were loaded with snow. An hour later he heard the murmur of the river and his steps became more jumpy. Sometimes he thought his likings for any water source larger than a puddle came from his mother's prohibition. She always feared her sons would fall into deep water and drunk as rarely any dwarf was a good swimmer. Reaching the shore of the Lhûn he saw that the river was bigger than usual, almost twice its size. Probably from the already smelting snow. Instead of a calm flow it was torrent. Chewing his lips and with wide eyes Kíli watched the river and wondered if it wasn't better to turn back. The path, barely seen, was small and there was a real danger to slip and fall into the stream. Kíli was a good swimmer for a dwarf but he doubted that even an elf could swim easily in this torrent. But Kíli proved stubborn and anything but a coward and trekked down the path some minutes later, although with each step carefully placed.
Half an hour later Kíli felt already surer with his footing and became reckless he placed one foot too near to the shore and send a small mud slide into the water. Whirling his arms in hope to remain staying Kíli fought for his balance. But just mere seconds after the slide his foot slipped away and he followed the mood in the icy water. He was quickly pulled down by the strong and swirling water and tried to reach the surface. But when his struggling were successfully long enough to catch a quick breath he was sucked into the water a moment later. Each gasp of air was heavily fought but the distance between each grew constantly and weakened him considerably until he lost the fight against unconsciousness and welcomed the surrounding darkness.
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"Where is he?" Dís barked out, obviously angry.
"Who?" her blond son asked carefully to not upset his mother further.
"Your brother! He should be back by now. Dinner is nearly finished!" Dís shot back and glared at Fíli.
"Uhm. Maybe he forgot time? It wouldn't be the first time, Mom," Fíli answered but looked uneasy himself.
"I doubt that. The last time wasn't that long ago and he wouldn't dare to be late so soon after," Dís said and her gaze settled at her brother Thorin. "You should go with your uncle and search for him." Though it sounded like a request it was an order.
Thorin sighed but didn't argue. He started to worry for the reckless dwarf too. So he grabbed his mantle and left the cabin, quickly followed by his nephew.
"Where are we going to start looking?" Fíli asked after they were out of sight. Thorin didn't answer immediately but looked at the ground for signs of Kíli's whereabouts. A few minutes later he found what he sought: footprints which led to the east.
"I think Kíli went to the Lhûn," he sighed and now Fíli looked at the track himself and nodded approvingly. No word was needed as both of them went to the river themselves, only glancing at the track every now and then. They knew the way and they knew Kíli only too well. They would find him near the river for sure.
Two hours later they stood at the same spot Kíli stood before pondering if he should continue or not. The two dwarves looked horrified at the torrent river.
"You don't think Kíli fell into that?" Fíli asked with panic in his voice. Thorin didn't felt any better. Looking at the ground he tried to find some new tracks and was quickly satisfied.
"No. He followed the river. There are his footprints," the older dwarf said and pointed at said prints. Sharing one glance they followed the track again, glad that they found no signs that Kíli fell indeed into the water. Half an hour later the panic returned as they stood at the mud slide. This time it was clear that Kíli had been near the water.
"Maybe it happened after he passed this spot?" Fíli asked hopefully.
"No," Thorin said and shook his head. "There are no footprints on the other side."
"But that means..." Fíli said with despair as the truth seeped into him. He looked form the ground to the river and back again. "No!" He made attempts to follow the river to find some signs that his brother was alive but was stopped by his uncle. "Leave me! I must find him!"
"I'm sorry, Fíli. But it's getting dark. We'll never find him. We must return tomorrow with a search party," Thorin said with a broken voice. He knew that the chances to find his nephew alive were very slim. Even to find his body would be a miracle.
Fíli stared at his uncle, not wanting to see the sense in his words but had to agree. A quick look to the sky showed clearly the approaching dusk. With bowed heads they walked back to their home, their hearts filled with despair. Dís, who stood at the door looking hopefully at them, started to sob when she saw the truth in her familie's faces. They've lost their youngest family member. And though Thorin summoned a search party at dawn the next morning they found nothing. And not the day after or the day after that. But they never lost hope to find the lost one some day, however unlikely it was.
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When the dwarven family started to worry a lonely person walked along the river, searching for solitude. It wasn't a dwarf as it was too tall, and neither was it a man as its movements were too gracious. It was a male elf who wandered at the outskirt of the Ered Luin, being careful to avoid any settlements. That dwarves disliked elves was a common knowledge, although it mostly wasn't returned by the elves. The area he was in now wasn't in the mountain itself but it was already hilly and the river snaked through the landscape. It was after the Lhûn took a curve when his eyes caught a glimpse of something that didn't belong in the river. Stepping nearer to the overflowing stream he saw with surprise that it was a person that flowed face-up at the surface. From the looks it was a dwarf. Pondering what to do the elf looked around and saw some rocks in the water a bit downstream. Running to the point and stepping carefully atop the rocks he waited until the person came into his reach. Grabbing the clothes of the dwarf he heaved him outside and dragged him to the shore. When he was far enough he lowered the dwarf gently at the ground and searched for live sings. To his surprise he found a steady, but low heartbeat and a swallow breathing. Though he doubted that the dwarf would have took any longer on his own as his lips turned already blue. Without thinking he started to strip the dwarf and wrapped him into his cape. Then he searched for wood and started a fire. Warmth was the top priority now. After he cared for the dwarf as best as he could the elf sat down and stared at his new charge. He looked rather young with just the starting of a beard. And rather tall. It would be sad if someone so young would die and he wondered how the dwarf ended in the river. Was it an accident or on purpose? He could not say. The whole night he sat beside the dwarf and studied him absently. Something bothered him about his young charge but he couldn't put a finger on it. Finally he shrugged. If it was important he would learn about it soon enough.
It wasn't until noon the next day before the dwarf showed the first signs of regaining consciousness. As the dwarf still needed some time to wake the elf started to brew some water for a healthy and warm tea. When he was finished he settled himself again beside the dwarf and waited. He needn't wait for long as moments later the dark-haired dwarf blinked his eyes open and stared at the elf in confusion.
"Who are you?" the dwarf rasped and looked anxiously.
"My name is Elladan. I found you yesterday floating in the river," the elf introduced himself gently, not wanting to startle the young dwarf. The dwarf's eyes flickered to the stream and back at the elf and frowned, still confused.
"May I ask for your name, young one?" Elladan asked when the dwarf said nothing. But now the confused look changed into a panicked.
"I...I don't know. I can't remember anything."