The Curse of Silence

by Samwise the Strong

Kili is unable to speak due to circumstances beyond his control. The fortress of Dol Guldur is becoming restless. Saruman the White is seeking power. Thranduil seeks a cure for his ill son. They do not know it yet, but they are all tied up in a prophecy that will bring all races together and will bring the one ring into the light. Very AU.

1. Chapter 1

The Curse of Silence Chapter 1

This is an AU story where the dwarves have always lived in Erebor (no dragon), but most of the rest of the lore is in place, especially the issue of the ring.

Kili had never spoken a word in his life. He was completely mute to the despair of his family who did not and probably could not understand. The whole of Erebor knew that Kili was mute, but it was only the closest of family and friends who knew the truth about Kili. Kili had a voice, and could use it, but he was told that he was never allowed to. He was told this because whenever he opened his mouth to make sound, his voice was not his own. His mother and father had realized this very early on when he had opened his mouth to cry, only the most inhuman of sounds escaped his lips. It was not animalistic, for no animal they knew made such a sound. There were never any words that anyone could understand, just a loud glaring roar, and perhaps something that sounded akin to a blurred mumbling. If anything it was more alien than animal.

So when he was old enough to understand, Kili was told that he must never use his voice, as the other dwarves would not understand. As one of the royal family, he might have had some semblance of protection from those who might want to hurt him for being such a freak, however, the council would not look kindly upon him and he would certainly be shunned by all, none being able to acknowledge his existence. He would then be alone, for absolutely none would be allowed to acknowledge him, and he would eventually have to leave forever, never to return. While mutism was still a defect, it was certainly better that being labeled a complete freak of nature and being banished because of it. So that was what his parents went with. Only the most trusted of the family understood everything. That consisted of Dis, Kili's mother, his father, elder brothers Thorin and Frerin, and eldest son, Fili, when he was able to understand.

Thror still ruled, despite severe old age. He refused to give up the throne and was determined that he would die upon it. The loss of his son, Thrian had broken his heart, especially because no one knew what had happened to him. Thrain had gone out on a hunting trip one fine day and had never returned. At first, Thror had blamed Thranduil, the elf king of the Greenwood. However, Thranduil made it quite clear that he did not have the dwarf king's son. Thror did not believe him, and so withheld things from Thranduil that he had always wanted returned. The two were constantly bickering, and it made things incredibly tense between the two kingdoms.

It was decided that Kili should learn Iglishmek very early on because it would make it far easier for him to communicate amongst other dwarves. He was also a master writer from very early on, and became very good at acting things out. And then there was Fili, his elder brother and almost constant companion. Fili understood Kili better than anyone else. They had the strongest of bonds and Fili always did his best to protect his little brother from everything.

Tie passed and King Thror died. Eldest grandson Thorin took his place, though it grieved him that he would never know what happened to his father. Fili was approaching his eighty-second birthday, and had become the finest of young dwarves. He was strong, smart, popular. The perfect young prince. In some ways, all Kili could do was envy him, for there many of those things he would never be. Still, he loved his brother more than anything, and was glad for him always.

On the day of his birthday, Fili decided to go on a hunt, and he invited Kili and some others to go with him. Dwalin, Thorin's most trusted friend had decided to join them and keep an eye out...As Dis had insisted that he do so. She was not worried about Fili, but more for the sake of Kili who might have trouble getting things across to people and who might be in need of some extra shielding, so to say. As they made their way toward the edge of the Greenwood (for only the outskirts were allowed to the dwarves) it seemed to Kili that Fili was paying more attention to his friends than he was to his brother. That night at they camped, he made his feelings known.

He sat across for Fili by the campfire. At first he was not sure if he should "say" something, but he was, indeed, frustrated, so he thought it was best he let Fili know. He got his brothers attention and then began to sign. You've been ignoring me today, brother.

Fili was surprised by this reaction from Kili. Have I? It's just...

It's your birthday and you would rather spend it with friends. Did you bring me out of pity because I don't have any?

Don't be childish, Kili. I wanted you here because you're my brother and I want to share this day with you.

Are you sure? Kili asked, forlorn. It seems like more and more, you're leaving me behind.

Fili gave his brother a smile and reached over, patting him on the shoulder. Kili, I love you as I always have and I always will. We have just grown up. My feelings will never change for you, but a new life must begin for me. I have to think about the future, getting married, having a family...If the fates are in my favor. But you will always be my beloved brother.

Kili reached over, hugging his brother and giving his a wide smile. Happy birthday, Fili.

Thank you, brother.

Then, Kili heard it, a twig snapping out in the woods. He held up his hand to silence everyone. Dwalin got to his feet and raised his ax. They could all hear it now. There was something out there. Several somethings as Kili now heard it. When the shadows burst out of the forest, the small company of mostly young dwarves had no chance. Very soon everyone was rendered unconscious. Everyone but Kili, who stared down the robed masked bandits. Who were they and what did they want? They had surrounded him now and were slowly backing him into a tree. When he felt it brush against his back, he knew there was nowhere to go. He drew his sword and prepared to fight.

Then, instead of attacking, the shadow shapes began to whirl around him, disorienting him. He swung at them but hit nothing. One of them made a grab for his sword and it was pulled from his hand. Another seemed to aim a blow at him. It may have seemed like a shadow, but the blow was real enough. It hit Kili upside he head and h fell to the ground, dazed. The shadows stilled themselves again, and one bent over him. It touched it's cold hand to his forehead, and then he knew no more.

As Fili woke, the first thing he saw was the shadow creatures picking up the limp form of his brother. Then they turned back into whispering shadows and disappeared with him. Fili jumped to his feet, called after them, but they were gone. Kili was gone. He cursed himself, as he went to where he had seen them with Kili. He looked for any kind of a trail they might have left, but there was nothing. He fell to his knees and began to weep. The only thing he would remember about this birthday was the gift of failure.

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Tauriel, the captain of Thranduil's guard, was just returning after doing some reconnaissance around the fortress of Dol Guldur. When she reported to Thranduil that it looked like it had not been abandoned, he did not seem surprised by this. He thanked her for her service, but had one last thing to say before she left. "Oh Tauriel. I know you have been gone for a long while, and that you must be quite weary, but I have left something in your room and I would like very much for you to take care of it."

She didn't know what this meant, or why he had left her something to take care of. "Think of it as your new assignment." He added.

"Of course, my King." She said. He motioned her off, and she left. As she made her way through the halls of the palace, she wondered at his words. Something that he very much wished her to take care of? It had better not be an animal, as she had no patience for animals. What she had really been hoping for was some relaxation, maybe a hot bath, but apparently she would have to deal with this first.

As she opened the door to her room, she was relieved when she didn't see a puppy pissing on her floor. However she did hear strange noises coming from the closet. She gave a long sigh...It was an animal, wasn't it. She was beginning to wonder if Thranduil really did hate her. Everyone said he did, but she would have liked to have believed otherwise. She went to the closet and opened it up.

What she found there was not what she expected. A young dwarf? Wrists tied behind him to bound ankles, big brown eyes, staring at her in fear and red rimmed from possible weeping. What was this about? He does hate me, doesn't he? She thought to herself. At least it hasn't pissed in the closet.

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Hello all! Yes I have started another one...And hope to start at least two more along with getting back to the others. Why? Because I am just that crazy! Also, this is not going to be a smutty fic, and I don't usually do fics with Tauriel, but I figured I might as well use it since it's in the tool box. This whole situation with Kili in the closet will be explained next time. Yes I will get to it. Yes this is slightly AU and will probably get to be more so. Anyway, tell me what you think, I am always happy to hear from you. Hope to start the sequel to Fly Away Little Birds soon. Cheers! STS