They did not move on that day, but instead camped away from the water. Fili had been removed of his wet clothing and laid to rest on Thorin's bed roll under many blankets. They started a fire and celebrated their victory in a quiet way, so as not to disturb the sleeping dwarfling.

Thorin secluded himself beside the sleeping prince, and fingered the box that had been won back by his company. It had been undisturbed, and still remained locked. He had no key; he had thrown it away after locking it away trying to escape the temptation of ever wearing it. It was given to his grandfather with the promise that it would bring him more gold and riches than he could imagine, and it had begun right after he received it. He had gained riches, more riches, and the arkenstone, but Thorin watched him waste away in the love of gold, it seemed that the more gold he got, the more he wasted away.

He believed the ring to be cursed, which was why he had locked it away. They needed money; his kingdom had lost everything when the dragon attacked. They were poor and lived as homeless wonderers until there brothers at the Blue Mountains took them in. It caused him great pain to watch his sister with child, and the young Fili make the trek. He could still feel Fili's weight from carrying him when he became too weak to walk at an age of barely five.

The ring was cursed. Since it had come in the possession of the line of Durin the kingdom had faced great tribulation, especially after the dragon attacked and claimed their mountain for his own. Perhaps the curse of Thor's ring is still upon them, and until it's gone the curse will remain, it had to be rid of. No, it had to be destroyed. After coming to this conclusion Thorin decided it was time that it was gotten rid of for good, and he would make sure it happened. After, that is, he took care of his nephews.

He placed the box back in his pocket, and turned his attention to Fili. His hair was still half wet, half dry and frazzled. Thorin brushed away a stray piece from his face, and then felt his head. He didn't have a fever. After stripping away his nephew's clothing he saw the damage done to his nephew's back. For the rest of his life the young prince would bare those scares, the scares of a lowly sailor, the scares of a slave, scares that no prince should ever bare. Thorin worried they would become infected before they made it back to the Blue Mountains, but all he could do for them was dab at them with a bit of clean water.

Then there was his arm that had been broken and abused, he held the prince still while Dwalin reset it. Dwalin was quick with it showing mercy on the dwarfling. Fili let out only a short scream, and quickly fell limb against his uncle when it was done, breathing heavily. Dwalin was as gentle as possible as he tied a make shift splint on to the arm. Thorin held Fili the whole time, brushing hair from his face, wiping sweat from his brow, and tears from his eyes. Then they removed his wet clothing and laid him to rest.

…

Dis set herself back down beside her youngest son, after retrieving clean water, and began to wet down his body. She dabbed at his forehead with the wet cloth, then his face, chest, and back. His fever was breaking, but it had yet to come to its end, and Kili hadn't woken up since he was nearly lost forever.

After finishing with Kili, she placed the cloth back in the bowl of water, and turned to her own injuries. Starting with her left arm she untied the knot, and slowly began unwinding the cloth. Cool air stung the burns as the cloth came away, and when her whole arm was bear she began to rub Oin's ointment on the burns, and replaced the cloth. She repeating with her other arm, methodically.

Kili stirred, Dis watched, wondering if he would finally wake up. "Ma?" He did.

"I'm here son."

"Where's Fili?"

"He's away, but he will be back soon. How are you feeling?"

"Just sore." Kili responded.

"Are you hungry?" Dis asked,

Kili shook his head, "Then I will find you something." She pet his head, before setting out to acquire food.

…

Thorin and his company tore their camp down that morning. As the other's were packing and preparing the ponies, Thorin checked on Fili. He was sitting on a log, and simply staring at the splint on his wrist. Thorin kneeled beside his nephew, looking him over, he had seen better days. "How do you feel?"

"I've had better days." He responded.

"Aye." Thorin agreed.

"Uncle, they kept asking about a ring. Do you know what they were talking about?"

"Aye, I do."

"What's so special about it?"

Thorin thought about not telling him, but Fili deserved an explanation after what he had just been through. "I'll explain everything. After, we get you back home and taken care of. I promise."

Fili shook his head in understanding then asked, "Is Fili alright?"

"I don't know. Dis took him home, but that was a few days ago."

"Let's hurry home then."

"Aye." Thorin helped Fili up, and onto his pony. Then the company headed out.

It's short, but I wanted to get this out and I don't feel like I could add anything else to this chapter. Anyways, I'm going into the story of what happens to Thor's ring, and I'm super excited. I hope you like what happens. As always, let me know what you think, and any ideas if you have them. Love you all