The world is dark. I look outside my window and see nothing but blackness. The night is eerily quiet and yet so inviting. It is a summer night and the air is warm as a breeze moves through the trees. As I glance across the bedroom, I see that my brother is still sleeping. His hair is all a mess and a slight snore is coming from his open mouth. "If only he could see himself now," I think to myself with a smile. Quietly getting up from my bed on the other side of the room, I slowly and quietly tiptoe towards the door. Once outside the bedroom, the real challenge begins. In the room right across the hall from the room I share with my brother is my uncle's room. He has fought in many battles and has the tendency to wake up at even the smallest sound based on those instincts. Now don't get me wrong I love living with my uncle, but when you can't even get a glass of water at night without him barging in and asking, "what are you doing out of bed," or "what do you think you're doing," it gets a little annoying.
Trying not to even breathe, I slowly and very carefully tiptoe down the hall towards the door leading to outside. My style of creeping through the house reminds me of the stories of how polar bears slide across the ice on their belly to prevent the ice from cracking. So far, I think I've done pretty good as to not make much noise. That was until I reached the kitchen. As soon as I step foot on that tile, there was a loud creak and I completely froze for a good minute. There didn't seem to be any other movement in the house so I continued my voyage. Once I reached the door, I quietly shut it, and started running. The feeling of freedom overwhelmed me. I love to be outside at night, the gentle breeze, the quiet and peace, and the beauty of the night sky. As I leave sight of the house, I journey up to my normal spot at the top of the hill overlooking the village.
The village my uncle, brother, and I live in is a small, mountain village in Ered Luin. Most of the population is comprised of the remaining dwarves that followed my uncle here. The settlement is in one of the many valleys of the mountains. Some of the dwarves started a mine in the closest mountain to town and started a forge. A few years ago, my uncle was able to set up trade with another human village on the other side of the mountains which helps sustain the village. Our house is just outside the main village and is separate from other homes. The nearest neighbors are Balin and Dwalin whose houses are both a good walk away. The hill I usually go to is just through a little patch of forest behind our house. From there anyone can see the buildings of the village, a few homes, the mountains, and at night a clear view of the stars.
As soon as I reach the top of the hill, I sit on the grass and close my eyes. It is a warm night with a gentle breeze. This is where I feel the most relaxed, outdoors. Others in the village say that it is strange for a dwarf to love the stars and trees, they say dwarves are supposed to like the mines and gems. It wasn't that the other dwarves didn't like me, it was just that my behavior to them was strange and non-dwarf like. After a moment I opened my eyes and immediately saw the constellation Orion. For some reason, I enjoy seeing it as though it is a comfort.
"What do you think you're doing out here?" I suddenly turn in shock at hearing the familiar voice of my uncle.
"Uncle. I-I didn't know you were there." The recent events of me leaving the house and climbing the hill race through my head trying to find a point in which my uncle started following me and how I did not notice.
When I look back to Thorin, he's coming towards me. "You know you shouldn't be alone outside at this time of night," he says as he sits down on the ground beside me.
"I just like it here uncle, it's peaceful and quiet, plus nothing ever happens around here anyway so there really isn't anything to be afraid of." At this my uncle's face takes a more serious expression and he looks away towards the village.
"Just because nothing has happened for a while Kili, doesn't mean anything can't happen. It's always better to be prepared." He hands me my bow and arrows, which I didn't even notice he had with him.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"One day Kili, you will know. There is more to know about life than just what you and your brother have seen so far. There is a lot of danger and grief. In this village, it is my job to take care of the people as it would be my job to lead them if this was Erebor." I notice how Thorin's expression turns to one of sadness and regret.
"But what does that have to do with me being out here by myself?"
At this my uncle turns to me and says, "It's my job to lead the people because my bloodline would make me king. That bloodline goes down to you, which also makes you important. One day, you will have to lead and protect your people. Until then, you have to learn the important qualities that will help you reach that position. You can't just wander off without any way to protect yourself. That just makes you reckless."
Thorin stands after saying this, leaving the bow and arrows with me.
"But you and Fili are the heirs, I'm just an extra. I'm not really needed for anything." That thought has always depressed me. Not that I really want to be the heir-too much responsibility-but it hurts when others only see you as a spare.
"We are one, Kili. You and Fili are the only kin I have left. You may not be the direct heir, but that does not make you any less important than us. One day it will still be your job to help lead our people. Think on that Kili."
He turns around and walks away, probably back to the house. When I can no longer see his frame in the darkness, I turn back to look out at the village. I'm not a leader like Thorin and Fili are. Deciding to head back home I pick up my bow. What did he mean by 'we are one?' Standing I take one last look at the stars. Orion is still up there looking down. For some reason my talk with my uncle, unsettled me a little. Why would he come all the way out here to give me my bow and arrows and tell me to protect myself, then just walk back? There was something else going on and I want to know what. I guess that can wait until the morning as I yawn.
"Did you talk to him?" Was the first question Fili asked when Thorin came through the front door of their home.
Not long after Kili had left, Fili had awoken as if sensing his brother's absence. After opening the door to their shared room, Fili had also seen that Thorin himself was standing in the doorway of his room. This was when the both heard a very noticeable creak coming from the kitchen, followed by the sound of the front door closing.
"I'll go follow him," Thorin had said as he picked up Kili's bow and arrows. That had been fifteen minutes ago and in that time Fili stood in the kitchen waiting for them to return.
"Yes I did." Thorin sounded exceedingly thoughtful and contemplative.
"And?" All Fili wanted to know was that everything was alright with his little brother.
"I told him that he shouldn't be so reckless as to venture alone without his bow, then I left." At this Fili's expression turned to surprise and what could be seen as fear.
"You just left him there?! Uncle we both know that…" Fili started to rant, but was interrupted by Thorin.
"We don't know anything for sure yet, until then, just let him believe everything is fine." Thorin looked out the window towards the direction of Kili's hill and then began heading back towards his room.
"But Uncle, Dwalin and Gloin have been hearing about it for the past month. We can't just leave him not knowing." Fili's focus was on protecting his brother. 'How can I keep him safe, if he doesn't know the danger,' he thought.
"Fili, until we know more, we won't tell him. Tomorrow I'm expecting a group of men from another settlement and their information will help confirm what we've been hearing. Now go back to bed before Kili comes back, we have work to do tomorrow."