The Light of the Mountain Chapter 1
Sequel to The Despair of Moria
After ten years of suffering in the bowels of Moria, Fili and Kili had escaped the darkness and had returned to the dwarven realm in Eder Luin. There was great rejoicing over their return, as it had been believed that they were long dead. They were reunited with old friends like Dwalin, the old warrior, Balin, his kind and friendly brother, and Ori, a dwarf more of their own age. All of them were very happy to see Fili and Kili returned. But none were more happy than their uncle Thorin and their mother Dis. Dis' beloved angels had been returned to her, and she would never let them go again.
However, both of the young dwarves had been irrevocably marked by their experiences in Moria, not merely physically, but emotionally as well. While Thorin had gone back to treating Fili as his heir, for he had assured Fili that while he was still able, he would always be Thorin's heir; Thorin could not help but notice the timidness and quietness that always surrounded the young dwarf now. There was no chatter, no witty retorts and very little laughter. Fili was not the same young dwarf he had been nd everyone knew it.
Fili's missing toes had been replaced by small iron substitutes that were held in place by braces that spanned over his feet and strapped at the ankle. He did not very much enjoy wearing them, but if they helped him to walk, it would have to be a necessary sacrifice. Also Fili still did not sleep for any length of time despite assurances that he would not be bothered. It was not know, even by him, why this survival tactic persisted. It was believed that it would probably continue to do so for some time. Or even forever. As a result, Fili often looked terrible, like a deathly shadow.
Kili persisted in doing the opposite, sleeping for long periods of time. No one could say what he was trying to escape from now through this action, but sleep he did. There were never any nightmares for either of them. Fili had merely been programmed not to sleep for long due to brutish orcs and their cruel ways. Kili had programmed himself to sleep for long periods to escape from boredom and pain. The experiences of the brothers had been quite different, so their tactics were different, but similarly harrowing. Fili had noticed something about Kili. The younger dwarf often cried in his sleep. Fili would never ask why, but it was simply something that he had noticed.
Only people within the immediate family, and a very few of the highly trusted knew about the marks on Kili. No one said anything, despite the fact that Dis had almost cried when she saw it. She found herself almost crying about so many things when it came to her beloved sons. However, neither of them wanted anyone's pity, nor for anyone to really notice them at all. When they were not attending to something, they were mere ghosts who could only find solace in each other, for only they knew most of the truth of each other's time, despite the fact that they hardly ever spoke of it.
The first time it happened, there was panic in the village. Kili had been sleeping in his bed one morning. No one suspected that anything would happen, but the next time Dis came to check on him, Kili was gone. The worried mother gathered everyone, and they searched high and low, looking for the missing dwarf. It was Fili that found Kili. The young dwarf was hiding under the bed, huddled in the back corner and quietly crying in his sleep. Fili rousted him and Dis gave him an earful about not scaring her like that. He agreed he would not do it again, but promises are sometimes broken, and from then on, the dwarves knew where they were most likely to find Kili on those days.
Fili, on the other hand, could not get enough of being outside. He loved the light and the openness and the perceived freedom...Or was it true freedom? He did not know. Freedom was an odd concept sometimes. He was free, and yet he could not help but feel that he was still trapped. It did nt make sense sometimes. He got his best rest when he was outside, and would often sleep out under the stars when he could. He would sometimes force Kili to come out with him, but Kili did not like it. He felt too exposed.
Kili's fainting spells continued, and the large scar over his eye often made him self-conscious. Before all of this, he had been one of the most eligible bachelors in Ered Luin. Who would want him now that his face and his body was ruined. His mother old him that it wasn't so serious, that the scar didn't matter, but it didn't matter what anyone said. His self hatred over so many things continued. His fainting spells had improved. They did not happen as often, or last as long, but they were still there and people noticed.
Despite all of this, Fili and Kili were alive and as happy as they could be given the circumstances. They did not seem happy, but one man's manic state is another man's extravaganza. And they still had each other, and their family. People who loved them, and people they had so often longed for in the ten years they had been gone. They had assured themselves that everything would be fine as long as they stayed close to family and home.
One day, a wizard came to see Thorin. They talked for a long time, and in the end, it seemed that the wizard had left Thorin something. Thorin was not all together sure that he wanted Fili of Kili to know. It was a map that pointed out the location of a secret door into the Lonely Mountain and a key to open that door. The wizard, Gandalf, had taken it from Thorin's father, Thrain, before he died, and was now returning it to Thorin. The news regarding Erebor was good, as the raven's were returning, and everything seemed to be moving into alignment.
However, this would mean travel to the mountain, and Dis would kill Thorin if he even suggested that Fili and Kili join him. So he kept it a secret for a while. Discussing it only with his most trusted friends, Dwalin and Balin. However, Fili was smart, and one day he snuck into the study while the three dwarves were looking at the map. In Moria he had learned to be quite stealthy, and it served him well. Or perhaps not so well.
"Is that a map to Erebor?" He asked upon seeing it.
The three elder dwarves were shocked at his appearance. "Fili! What are you doing here?" Thorin cried. "You are not supposed to be in here!"
"Sorry Uncle. It is just that you have been being so mysterious lately. I just wanted to know what you were hiding from me?"
Thorin did not know what to say. 'What I am hiding from him...' he thought dolefully. "I am sorry, Fili. I did not mean to snap. Or hide things from you. I am trying to protect you."
"Protect me from what?" Fili asked. "That is a map of the mountain, isn't it? Are you going there?"
"I am thinking about it."
"Thinking about it?" Fili said in non-belief. "Come now Uncle. You and I both know that you would jump at the chance."
"I would. But Fili..."
"No! If you go, we go with you."
Again, they were taken aback. Fili hadn't been this assertive in a very long time. "Alright." Thorin said, but he had no idea how he was going to sell this to Dis.
So the chosen dwarves began to prepare for the journey. Fili and Kili did as well, and their excitement was just as great as any of the others. Then on the night of setting out, Thorin spoke to Dis.
"You can't take them." She said, shaking her head.
"I have to," he said. "I promised Fili."
"And what about me, Thorin?" She said. "What am I to do? They died, Thorin, and it is by the grace of Mahal that they have returned. I cannot suffer that a second time!"
"Dis, Fili is my heir. He should be there when we reclaim the mountain."
"And he is my son, Thorin! They both are, regardless of whether or not they are someone's heirs."
"I know, Dis, and I am sorry..."
"No! I am sorry brother, but they stay here with me. Leave now, do not tell them. If they try to follow, I shall deal with that. Do we have an understanding?"
"Of course, sister. I will go now. I shall miss the three of you."
"You will send for them when it is safe. This is for the best, Thorin." She said with head bowed. She felt guilty, but she also felt she was doing what was right. Thorin quickly kissed her on the forehead and then he was gone. What they did not know was that stealthy Kili had heard raised voices and had come to see what was happening. Had heard them and was now returning to speak with his brother. He shook Fili out of his already light sleep.
"Fili!" He whispered the exclamation. "Thorin is leaving. He's leaving us behind!"
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Hello ladies and gents! Yes this is the first chapter of my sequel to The Despair of Moria, so if you have read this chapter, like what you see, and haven't gotten to that one, go check it out! Hopefully this will all make sense when it comes together, haha. Anyway, if you like what you see, you have questions, comments, suggestions, love it, want to constructively criticize, give me a review and I will try to answer any questions, concerns, or just give you a big virtual hug! This is a rated "T" story but there may be some recall to past events, and any chapters that move into edginess shall have warnings. Thank you for reading, and cheers! STS