A Cure for Thunderstorms

A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky and the ear-splitting crack of thunder that followed sent little Kili trembling. He sat huddled in the corner of his bedroom, as far away from the window as he could get, wrapped in the bundle of blankets that had come with him when he crawled out of bed. The room was dark, and Kili was afraid of the dark; but he was simply terrified of the lightning and the horrible thunder.

He quaked uncontrollably in his little nest of blankets as another lightning flash pierced the sky; the roll of thunder was deafening; he tried to cover his ears, but his little hands shook so violently that they could not stay in one place long enough to do any good. Kili whimpered and a tear slid down his cheek. Oh how he hated thunder storms.

...

Fili slid out of bed, his bare feet slapping the cold stone floor. He hurried to the door of his bedroom and slipped out, running down the hallway as fast as his little legs would carry him. When he reached Kili's bedroom door he peeked in. His little brother was not in bed. He stepped into the room and looked about. There in the corner was a bundle of blankets, and one baby dwarf.

Fili picked up the quivering bundle, cuddling the baby close. Kili wrapped his short arms around his brother's neck, still trembling. Fili rocked the baby, trying to calm him. It wasn't really working.

Time for plan B. He scuttled down the hall again, baby in tow, all the way to the last door on the left. With his small fist he banged as hard as he could. Unfortunately, he was drowned out by a crash of thunder. He banged again, harder.

...

Thorin grunted and rolled over. There - he heard it again - someone was knocking on his door. He cracked one eye open, waited a few moments, then made up his mind, swinging his legs out of bed. He pulled the door open, and immediately felt something wrap itself around his leg. He looked down and was instantly met with Fili's huge, pleading eyes.

The child looked so pitiful (not to mention adorable). Thorin smiled softly, bending down to peel the little dwarf off of his leg. He lifted them (baby too) gently into his arms. Little Kili clung to his shoulder, unwilling to let go for the moment, still shaking and whimpering.

Thorin turned and carefully crawled back into bed, shifting them to a more comfortable position. Fili settled in, lying on his uncle's warm body with the covers tucked in around him. Kili curled up into a quivering ball and Thorin held him against his chest, letting his own heartbeat calm the tiny child. He laid his cheek against Kili's soft, curly hair and closed his eyes.

The thunder crashed outside, but neither nephew stirred; cuddled close to their uncle, all three fast asleep.

~THE END~