Author's Note: Between writer's block and other plot bunnies insisting on having their say right away, this ended up on the back burner. Thank you for all the followings and feedback. I hope this new installment helps make up for the delay!
III.
"Worthless snowball of fur! I'll make a pelt out of you for causing such trouble! It is for your own good – and survival!"
Dwalin's low roar of frustration drew Thorin's attention from intently watching his company cross the chest-high river; Ori was perched on Nori's shoulders, the frightened burglar on Gloin's. Already on the other side, Gandalf offered a helping hand to Balin.
Their pursuers were gaining on them too quickly to allow for time to find a better place to cross. At the very least, crossing the river would help the others to temporarily lose the company's trail.
A few feet further down the riverbank from Thorin, he watched as Dwalin and Fili struggled to keep a hold on Kili. The little sneak, though, was squirming crazily, alternately crying, hissing, and whining, his wet fur sticking up in all directions. His brother was not much better off, having lost his balance when Kili yowled in fear and refused to be still. It was only thanks to Dwalin's quick reflexes that the princes had not been swept downstream by the fast current.
If the situation was not so serious, with precious time slipping away, the king would have found the whole scene he observed a bit amusing. But as it were…
"Settle down, Kili!" he snapped, worry and impatience making his tone harsh.
Kili's dark eyes met his for an instant, but he did not stop his frantic struggle or protestations. In fact, he meowed all the louder. Fili gave his uncle a double take. Thorin could practically see the candle light up in his nephew's mind. Immediately he firmly shook his head. Whatever idea Fili had, it would not do.
"Thorin—"
Both Fili and Kili were silenced by the howl too near for comfort which echoed in the air.
"Go!" shouted Dwalin.
Thorin had no time to properly sigh in resignation as he hurried to the water's edge, and Fili reached his side a moment later, lifting up a flailing Kili. What will I do when he tries to get down? the question raced through his mind. But the little furry body did nothing of the sort, instead burrowing into his hair, trembling violently. Kili did not move during the whole crossing (to Thorin's relief) as he followed Fili, with Dwalin at his back as usual.
There was no time to dwell on it. Nor after reaching the other side and they set out at a quickened pace. (With Kili still on his head, having latched on when Fili tried to remove his brother…and there was no time for this!) When they stopped for the night, finally Thorin could lift up his nephew without trouble, and gave him a baffled look.
At Kili's questioning meow, he shook his head, his face growing majestically stern. "Never again," he stated before passing him over to Fili.
When he woke up the next morning to discover his hair was being used as a bed, again, this time he sighed loudly in resignation, pointedly ignoring the others' amused glances and Ori sketching away.
Author's Note: This takes place during Kili Our Kitten.
