Say Anything

Summary: Since the accident, Bifur was isolated in his own mind. He had given up all hope of being close to his family and friends again. The idea of forming a new relationship was nothing short of an impossibility, but a young, over curious prince may just prove him wrong.

Chapter 1

It was raining. Not the type of rain that pours and soaks you to the bone, but the light, almost bouncing drops that seep into you slowly, almost without notice. Of course, it didn't matter. The company had been riding in it for long enough that everything they were wearing or even had with them at all was completely saturated with water. Kili always said he liked the rain, but now he was going through every time he had mentioned it in the past and cursing himself for each one. He took his hands off the reigns, and wrapped his arms around himself.

It didn't help.

He looked to his left at his brother who looked just as miserable, if not more so. Of course, he always hated the rain. Kili felt bad for him. For everyone, actually, and the ponies. Particularly their burglar, who looked like he was almost drowning in the rain. He thought about giving him his cloak, but figured it wouldn't do well considering how soaked it was. Fili shifted in the side of his vision, and Kili glanced over. He was shuffling into a leather bag attached to his saddle. He didn't notice his brother was watching as he urged his pony to speed up. He made it to the burglar quickly, and pulled a blanket from the bag, and draped it over him quickly. Bilbo looked up in surprise, but Fili just smiled at him. Kili grinned himself. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed his brother's affections, and he was enjoying watching it unfold.

He was relieved to see Thorin raise his hand and sign: /Cave./ in Iglishmek. Most of the company knew Iglishmek well. It was commonly taught and used among the dwarfs. Fili and Kili had been fortunate enough to learn a bit more than the average dwarf thanks to Balin, and Thorin, but there was still a lot he didn't know. This was the only way that Bifur could communicate with the company, and Kili found himself frustrated that he couldn't understand everything he signed or said. Perhaps he would if he would have paid more attention as a boy. It made conversing with him very difficult. Kili only noticed this because he felt relatively close with every member of the company except for Bifur, and he felt a bit guilty for it.

The company rode forward, and it turned out that the 'cave' Thorin had noticed was a large bluff that shielded the company, and their ponies, so perfectly from the rain, the morale couldn't help but lift almost immediately. Bombur, and Bofur took on the task of building a fire. Luckily there was some wood under the bluff, but it wasn't too much, and they knew they were in for a cold night, but at least they could have supper, and dry as much as possible.

Everyone sort of separated into thier own groups, after spreading their coats and boots around the fire. Bombur and Bofur started working on supper. Thorin, Dwalin, and Balin strolled away to discuss things. His brother had stretched out his bedrolls already, and Fili smirked when he saw the hobbit sitting beside him, talking away about something, completely missing Fili's enamored gaze. The 'Ri brothers settled near the fire, Ori opening a book, Nori sharpening his dagger, and Dori started scolding Bofur and Bombur over the amount of ginger they were adding to the stew. Oin and Gloin sat on the other side of the fire, simply enjoying the moment of relaxation, smoking matching pipes.

Kili was standing just behind Ori, Nori, and Dori, considering adding his input to the ginger discussion, when movement on his left caught his eye. It was Bifur. He had found a large boulder, near the edge of the makeshift roof, far away from the fire, and company, that was flat enough on top to sit. It was so close to the edge, in fact, if the warrior simply put his right hand out to the side, it would be lost in the rain. He'd jumped on top of it and was now leaning against the stone bluff, his legs stretched out in front of him. He pulled out a partially started carving and set to work.

Kili looked toward the fire, but then back to Bifur and decided he would take the more quiet option. He walk over to the boulder slowly, and he didn't seem to be noticed at all. When he got close enough to hear the knife scraping into the wood, he cleared his throat softly, causing Bifur to look up. He blinked at the prince a few times before setting his artwork down and signing: /All is well?/

Kili nodded. "I just thought you needed some company." He smiled but it faded quickly as he noticed Bifur's blank stare. "Unless you wanted to be alone."

Bifur shook his head. /Join./

Kili smiled and jumped up on the edge of the boulder, letting his legs swing below him, Bifur's thighs almost touching his lower back. The warrior seemed content with this and picked up his carving, and went back to work. Kili watched him in silence for a moment. He wanted to speak, and have a real conversation with him for once, but he felt a bit rude to speak while he worked, knowing he would have to stop in order to respond. The prince eyed the carving in his hands. He could tell it was a bird of some kind, but it wasn't yet complete. Kili didn't really think as he asked: "Who is this for?"

Bifur's hands slowed, and after just a moment of finishing his current strokes, he sat the carving, and dagger down beside him, and signed: /No plan. For pleasure./

Kili nodded, relieved that he had yet to use a sign he didn't know, and appreciative that he was signing slowly compared to how he gestured to Ori, Thorin, or his cousins. He felt a bit guilty when Bifur did not pick up his work again, and sat there, as if patiently waiting for Kili to speak again. "I should let you finish." He said finally. He placed his hands on the boulder as if to jump off, but he lingered for just a second. Long enough for Bifur to reach out and touch his carving thoughfully, then he slid it back.

He lifted his hands: /Not important./

Kili frowned instantly. He had understood the first sign, but not the second. He felt immediately embarrassed and looked down as he spoke. "I don't know that sign."

"Important."

The prince and toymaker looked up to see Ori walking sheepishly towards them.

"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to pry."

"No." Kili said with a smile. "Thank you. I don't know Iglishmek as well as you."

Bifur tapped the prince's shoulder to regain his eyes. /Hard to learn. Takes time./

Kili nodded to show the both he understood. Ori made it to the boulder and looked up at it with a frown, and then took a spot on a smaller boulder beside it. "I can teach you if you'd like." He offered with a smile. "Master Bifur knows anything I don't."

Kili was actually very happy for the offer, and his excitement was evident, now that he was older and understood the usefulness of such things. "Would you? I'd like to know more."

"Of course." Ori smiled. "Master Baggins has expressed interest in it as, and if Thorin doesn't object Master Bifur and I were going to teach him. You can join us." The scribe seemed satisfied but looked up sharply with a sudden afterthought: "Of course we could still teach you if Thorin does not allow Bilbo to learn."

Bifur nodded in agreement. The prince smiled at them.

"Ori, Kili, Bifur!" Dori's voice soared in the odd shaped cavern. "Come eat, lads!"

They didn't need to be told more than once. They all stood. Kili jumped off the boulder easily and walked side-by-side with Ori, with Bifur just behind them. Once they got their food, they sat around, speaking more of the sign language. The stew was good, and so was the conversation, and Kili's chest started to feel warm, and he felt so close to comfortable, he had to sigh. He looked up as Bifur lit his pipe, and watched the smoke dance around in the air.

Bofur's flute started to play from the other side of the fire, and Kili felt that comfortable feeling wrapping itself around him. He stared down into the fire, after thanking Ori for taking his bowl. The flames were wild, unpredictable, and beautiful. The song Bofur was playing was low, and sweet. It reminded Kili of a slow moving river, or drifting clouds.

All of the tanquil elements sent a wave of exhaustion through the young prince. He closed his eyes, and let the music, and the crackling of the fire surround him. He let the feelings overwhelm him. He found himself feeling very warm on his right side. He felt nice, and before he could process anything, the music and fire soothed him to sleep.

...

Bifur looked to his right, jumping a bit as Kili leaned over. As soon as the prince came in contact with Bifur's shoulder, he embraced the warm and contact. Bifur looked down at him, and saw that his eyes were closed softly. He was shocked. Even though Kili may be asleep, the toymaker was still surprised that he was comfortable with the touch.

Bifur felt a surge in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time. Since the accident, he had kept himself distant from everyone. Even Bofur and Bombur. The young prince was very beautiful, and his youth and innocence were as bright as the stars. Bifur would be dishonest to say he hadn't gazed upon him.

Now, the prince had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He glanced over the prince to see Ori looking at them with a small smile. Bifur shrugged with one shoulder and lifted his free hand that wasn't holding his pipe. /Tired./ He signed simply.

"I see that." Ori said, raising his eyebrows at the toymaker.

Bifur did not react to the young scribe's questioning eyes. He looked back to the fire and puffed on his pipe, not quite sure how to react. His eyes slowly started scanning the camp, look for Kili's things. He concluded the most appropriate thing to do with the prince was to roll out his bedding and place him there. He may have a short memory, black outs, and night terrors, and his mind may have limited his ability to communicate, but he was still an honorable dwarf, with morals, and feelings.

However, he found himself lingering, enjoying the feeling of closeness. It only added to the forgotten experience that it was a dashing young piece of royalty. Though he did feel as if he'd stepped out of place. He took a deep breath, and looked over to Ori, who was staring at the small group of dwarves by the edge of the bluff. He waited paitently for him to look back at the fire. Once he did so, the toymaker raised his hand, and Ori noticed quickly.

/Things./ He motioned, and pointed to Kili.

Ori understood immediately, and shot up, and scrambled away, looking for the prince's things. Bifur watched him as he checked through each pack until he came across Kili's. He lifted it, with a bit of difficulty. He made his way to the right of Bifur, and unrolled his bedding quickly. He smiled at Bifur, and then scurried away toward Balin, Dwalin, and Thorin, who were standing, watching the rain, and smoking.

Bifur looked down at the prince, who was now completely taken by sleep. He couldn't help but smile down at him. He gently turned, and tucked his arm that Kili was resting on around his slender back. He scooped his other arm under his knees, and stood in one easy movement, lifting the light prince swiftly.

Kili shifted just a bit, but he melted into the hold in the same way Bifur had seen him do with Fili and Thorin. In fact, those were the only two dwarves he had seen the prince act this close to. He wasn't quite sure what he had done to earn the honor, but as he placed the dark prince in his bedroll, and pulled the small blanket around his shoulders, he prayed desperately that he would remember it when the night was over.