Picnic at the Barrow Downs
"Uncle, are you sure we are ready?" Asked the blond haired dwarf youth. His brow was furrowed with concern, yet his voice brimmed with controlled excitement.
"Of course he's sure, brother. "Uncle Throin never make's mistakes so he must be certain. You're twenty and I'm 15, well old enough to set snares and spend the week on our own!" Unlike his older brother, Kili's young voice filled with enthusiasm. How long had they waited for this? For him, five years of training and his brother a good ten, they were no longer helpless children and more than ready to take on the world. Kili looked hopefully at his brother, they both needed to confront their uncle together and be confident, or he'd likely changed his mind.
Around them the sounds of dwarves moving about scattered tents, and temporary forges whispered and clanged. They were camped outside of Bree for the spring and were preparing their ware for the market. After Smaug, a great dragon took their home, the Dwarves of Erebore were migratory, often setting up camps outside of towns and cities so they could attend the markets.
Most of the tents were of study Dwarf construction, made of tan canvas and hand made poles. Forges and living quarters were set up for each family, or smith so they had a place to work and rest after a long day at the market.
They were camped in a clearing near the road, with trees and shale stone hills. Most of the land was farmland, so the dwarves stayed far a way from it they liked their seclusion, and minded their own business unless it came to the sale of wares and the occasional ruffian who wandered into camp to cause trouble.
A spring breeze rustled the tall grass, and Kili noticed scattered across the grassy glade bloomed many small purple flowers. Even the trees blossomed with white, green and pink buds. Little red, blue and black birds flitted about the branches, the world was coming back to life after it's long cold winters sleep.
Uncle Thorin folded his arms, his brow furrowed. He was not a large dwarf, though he was still very imposing and strict. He had a full head of long dark hair, braided on the sides and a short cropped beard. For the most part, out side of his stocky short frame, uncle Thorin didn't look like most dwarves, he was slimmer, with regal hawk like features that made him appear stern, even haughty at times. All in all, if mad, a very terrifying figure of a dwarf to two young adolescent dwarflings like Kili and Fili. "Fili, do you feel you are not ready?"
The golden haired dwarf glanced at his younger brother and then at his feet. He kicked a stone thoughtfully.
Kili wasn't sure what he was thinking, but he looked worried. Which was bad because Uncle Thorin would change his mind if they had doubts. "It is just we have never been out on our own, and Kili is not yet 16. I am not sure if I can protect him."
"Of course you can protect me." Kili objected folding his arms with pride. "I have made my first bow, forged my arrows and have killed my first bear, perhaps I will do the protecting older brother!"
For a moment, Thorin's features flickered with amusement. He rubbed his chin with his fingers. "Kili has proven to be well capable of protecting himself, indeed, it was a large bear."
Uncle Thorin's defense of him surprised Kili, for the man was often very critical of him. "Yes, a very large bear, and brother, you have hunted boar with Mister Dwalin and have slain many for our people to eat, you are a fine hunter and warrior." Boar were very dangerous indeed and capable of killing a young unprepared dwarf swiftly. "And they were large boars brother, and good to eat so I have the utmost confidence in your ability to watch over me. "
The doubt slowly ebbed away from Fili's gaze and he nodded. "There were many boar, and I was able to prevent Kili from being caught in the stampede.""
Kili winced, Throin's gaze turned to him critically once more. Why did brother have to mention the stampeding boars? Was he really that worried? Certainly Kili had a habit of getting into mischief, but it wasn't his fault, trouble liked to find him. "That is unfair, I thought I could get a better shot at them if I faced them." He said awkwardly.
"Head long into trouble, nephew, you need to think more." Thorin exhaled, and for a moment he seemed to reconsider his decision.
Lowering his head Kili innocently nudged the grass around with the tip of his boot. More than once he was accused of not thinking. But he couldn't help that he just had a little bad luck. Kili was certain Thorin would lunch into one of his lectures about being mindful…
But to the young dwarf's surprise his uncle turned to Fili and said. "You have always been capable of getting Kili, regardless of how thoughtless he can be, out of trouble, I have no fears that you will continue to do so. And that perhaps, Kili will make an effort to think if he take on some responsibility."
Unable to repress his grin, Kili nodded enthusiastically. "Of course Uncle, what I need is responsibility, and I will show you how capable I am…" Of course responsibility was what he needed. It gave him something to focus on, and setting snares was very important for their little band of smiths. Besides, some day he'd be strong enough to protect his brother when he became King of Erebore.
A smile twitched at Fili's lips "Very well, I have no more doubts uncle. Both Kili and I are up for the task." The confidence Kili remembered about his brother glinted in the older boy's blue eyes. "Just tell us when and we'll be at your service!"