Hi everyone! I just finished one of the worst, craziest, insanely busy semesters of my life! I hope I still have readers who would like to see this story continue since it's been such a LONG AWFUL gap since I last updated. I am so terribly sorry for this dreadful delay, but I'm hoping this long chapter will make up for it. Thank you as always to everyone who has supported this story by adding it to their favorite and alert lists, for each and every wonderful review, and of course for reading! Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: This story and all dialogue used from the movie is for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Six
The Trouble with Trolls
Fili Spurred his pony forward towards the front of the group in an attempt to race after his furious little brother, Dwalin gruffly shouting after him trying to stop the young heir.
"Fili!" Thorin thundered, halting the fair-haired dwarf's pursuit.
Fili looked back at his uncle puzzled. "What?! I'm going after him. Kili shouldn't be running off on his own; none of us should!" The fair-haired dwarf said in confusion, as he moved his pony closer to Thorin's.
Thorin lowered his voice and reasoned, "We are in a relatively safe part of the woods, leave him be."
Blinking rapidly Fili answered back with a voice full of shock, unsure as to why his uncle would be saying this. "No, I'm not going to just let him-"
"That's an order!" Thorin bellowed irrationally; his voice carrying to the ears of the gathered company, starling almost all of them. "If you wish to disobey your king then you can do so, but I can promise you this: if you do not do as I say you and your brother will be sent back to The Blue Mountains without hesitation." As Thorin spoke his voice deepened till close to a whisper, making the nosey dwarves trying to listen have to strain their ears to hear the dwarf king's last words. "Do I make myself clear?"
Fili stared at his uncle in disbelief; a hurt expression marring his young face. Everything was quiet and tense for a few moment as Thorin waited for his oldest nephew's response. Dwalin started towards Thorin in disapproval but was halted by Balin. The large warrior sent his brother a glare of annoyance, but backed down after a slight shake of Balin's head.
In a sort of daze Fili looked ahead to the path his brother had just taken, around at the surrounding company, and back at his uncle. He then clenched his teeth, took a deep calming breath, and answered Thorin with a slight edged voice, "I understand... My Lord."
Without waiting for his uncle's order Fili turned his pony around and began leading the company down the same path his brother had headed down. The traveling group was so stunned at Thorin's harsh words and Fili's answering behavior that no one noticed Balin and Dwalin sharing a very concerned look.
Not long after Kili left he came riding back seeming much calmer than before. He smiled a smile that only those closest to him could tell was forced and positioned myself right next to Fili in the front. "There is a good place to set camp not too far ahead." He called to Thorin, acting as if he had been asked to scout instead of storming off in anger.
Thorin nodded his head, "Good; it is about the time we should make camp." He rumbled, looking to the slowly setting sun in the sky, and spurred his pony forward in front of his nephews.
Kili noticed Fili's changed demeanor and tried to catch his eye unsuccessfully. When he was unable to get his brother's attention Kili turned to the traveling group with questioning brown eyes, trying to figure out what happened. As Kili's sight rested on Balin he quickly averted his gaze and decided to just keep riding, silently vowing to talk to Fili when they were next alone.
Slowly the company of dwarves arrived at a clearing with a destroyed farmhouse in the center of it. Thorin rode surely breaking through the tree line and dismounted. The dwarf king walked slowly to the edge of the ruined house, Gandalf passing him, looking around. Satisfied with this location Thorin addressed the company, his voice strong and firm, leaving no room for argument. "We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili look after the ponies; make sure you stay with them." He cautioned before continuing, "Oin, Gloin; get a fire going."
"I think it would be wiser to move on." Gandalf's voice rang out, catching a few dwarves in the company's attention, who had already begun to dismount and unpack. His sudden declaration also causing Thorin to turn towards him, questioningly. "We could make for The Hidden Valley." Gandalf said wisely.
Thorin shook his head slightly and walked farther into the ruined house, lowering his voice to make their conversation more private. "I have told you already: I will not go near that place." Thorin answered, his voice laced with an undertone of bitterness.
Bilbo looked around the company, "What's The Hidden Valley?" the hobbit asked curiously.
No one answered at first, unsure of what to say, but just as Bilbo was about to ask again Kili's voice broke the quiet.
"The Hidden Valley is where the elves in this part live." Kili's voice was even but his eyes almost sad as he looked down at the hobbit atop his pony.
"What would be wrong with seeking refuge with the elves? I have heard many stories of them being benevolent creatures." Bilbo asked innocently, not understanding the issue.
"Help?" Thorin's voice rose so all could hear him.
Bilbo looked towards the house, turning his right ear slightly to listen closer.
"A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came from the elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls. The elves looked on and did nothing!" Thorin said with malice, deep blue eye blazing. The dwarf king took a step forward, but paused to calm his emotions.
The hobbit listened closely, but could hear no more. Bilbo looked again at the company and this time found the same sadness of loss in all of their eyes. Fili walked next to Kili, leading his pony softly and locked gazes with their burglar. "It best not to bring up elves as benevolent creatures in the company of dwarves, Master Baggins, especially Thorin." Fili voiced sadly.
Thorin moved closer to Gandalf and stopped at arm's-length from the powerful wizard, speaking in a low dangerous tone. "And you ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather; who betrayed my father."
"You are neither of them." The grey clad wizard replied trying to quell Thorin's raising anger, but his voice turned firm to make the stubborn dwarf see reason. "I did not give you that map and key so you could hold on to the past!"
"I did not know they were yours to keep!" Thorin snapped.
Bilbo moved next to Balin wanting to ask him a question in private while the rest of the company were distracted by unpacking. Kili and Fili were speaking not far from the hobbit in quiet tones, of what, Bilbo was uncertain. However, just as the hobbit reached Balin's side Gandalf came storming out of the broken structure of the farmhouse Thorin slowly following behind him as his intense blue eyes scrutinized the wizard's progress.
"Everything alright?" Bilbo asked innocently but became rather frantic when Gandalf ignored his question and stomped past. "Gandalf where are you going?!"
"To seek the company of the only one around here who has got any sense!" The irritated wizard barked back.
"And who's that?"
"Myself, Master Baggins!" Gandalf shouted back to Bilbo just as he broke through the tree line and grumbled to himself, "I've had enough of dwarves for one day."
The many sets of eyes from the small company of dwarves followed after their wizard, standing still in shock until Thorin's voice broke them from their stance. "Come on Bombur we're hungry."
Kili and Fili looked at their uncle clearly upset by his actions and confused by his sudden bad mood. Thorin saw their accusing gazes and his eyes narrowed. "What are you two still doing here? The ponies will not look after themselves! I should hope that I do not need to repeat my orders."
"No Uncle." Kili started and Fili finished, "We're going now." The two shared a quick look then turned their backs on Thorin each pulling two ponies by their reins over to a good gathering of trees, away from the campsite.
"I just don't understand what has gotten into him! I know he's worried about getting to Erebor and is under a heavy amount of stress but at times recently it is like I don't even know him!" Kili said in a rush as he paced back and forth in front of Fili who had positioned himself on a boulder sharpening one of his many knives.
"Relax Kili, it's just stress and lack of sleep. Thorin carries a heavy burden upon his shoulders; he feels responsible for the lives of all in the company." Fili reasoned.
Kili stopped pacing and faced Fili, "I suppose you're right." Slowly the younger walked over to his older brother and joined him on top of the boulder. "What happened earlier when I…went…scouting ahead?"
Fili's eyes flashed swiftly to Kili and saw that his younger brother's gaze was downcast. With practiced ease Fili returned his knife to its place and stood from his seated position, looking out over the ponies surrounding them. "It was nothing Kili. Just a bit of a disagreement between me and Thorin."
The dark-haired archer snapped his head up so he was staring at his brother's back which was facing him. "And what is that all about? Suddenly you're calling Uncle only by his first name? Something more happened when I was gone. Tell me what's wrong."
Fili turned around to face his brother anger shining through his pale eyes. "You first." The fair-haired dwarf challenged.
Kili looked taken aback, "what?"
Fili moved closer, "You first, Kili. You tell me what's wrong. Tell me what more happened between you and Carrek!"
Kili flinched at the mention of Carrek and stood up from the boulder, sidestepping Fili who was only a step in front him. "Forget I even asked!" The young dwarf prince snapped.
Fili shook his head and swiftly gripped Kili arm, preventing him from creating distance.
"Fili let go!" Kili yelped, trying to shake loose of his brother's firm grip.
"No! Tell me, what did Balin say that upset you enough to recklessly run off on your own again?! What did Carrek do to you last year that you aren't telling us?! What is it that is so bad that you cannot even tell me?!" Fili shouted desperately.
Kili yanked on his arm again and when Fili still held tight the archer lifted his fist and swung at Fili's face. The fair-hair dwarf saw the attack coming and ducked pulling Kili down and to the side with him. Kili used Fili's move against him by twisting away when his older brother was slightly off-balance. The dark-haired youth kicked out separating himself from Fili and knocking them both to the ground. The young heirs sat on the grass, breathing heavily and glaring intensely at each other.
Kili broke the tense silence, "You want to know what Balin said?! He was worried that I was going mad!" Kili forced a laugh and stood from the ground, heatedly swiping dust and grass off him. "You told him about what happened at the training grounds and now he doesn't believe I should even be here." Kili's voice had finally lowered as he flicked his gaze to Fili, still sitting on the ground.
"Kili-" The blond started.
"No Fili, don't tell me you're sorry. I don't want to hear it." Kili cut Fili off with a bitter tone.
"Sorry!" Fili almost shouted, jumping to his feet. "I'm not sorry, Kili! You're my little brother and what happened that day scared me! I needed to talk to someone; I needed someone else to know, so I could better protect you on this quest."
"Well, I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment. Maybe I should never have joined this quest. It seems as though I will only ever be a burden to the people I care about." Kili whispered back sadly.
Fili's jaw dropped open with Kili words and he quickly closed the distance between them. "You are not a burden, Kili. Nor are you a disappointment to anyone. What would make you ever think that way? If anyone is a disappointment to this company it's me."
Kili turned to face Fili with surprise in his deep brown eyes. "What? Fili, you're not a disappointment. How could you say that?"
As Kili was talking Fili let his eyes drift away from his brother and scanned the area around them. "Uh, isn't there supposed to be sixteen ponies?"
Kili shook his head slightly at his brother's odd words and took a moment to process what he said. "Fili, don't change the subject. Did Thorin say something to make you feel like a disappointment when I left earlier? Because that is not true."
Fili walked past Kili and looked around again, seeming to not hear any of his younger brother's words.
"Fili?"
"Kili look there are two ponies missing!"
"There can't be any ponies missing! We've been here the entire time!" Kili snapped back, but looked around to make sure and slowly walked up next to Fili, shoulder to shoulder. "But that doesn't make any sense."
"I know. I don't understand-"
"Where they could have gone." Kili finished Fili's words and the two shared a confused look, before looking back out over the ponies.
The crunching of twigs reached the young brothers' ears but they did not move as Bilbo walked up in between them, holding out a bowl of stew for each. "What's the matter?" The hobbit asked after the brothers ignored his offering.
"We're supposed to be looking after the ponies." Kili voiced still looking ahead.
"Only we have encountered a slight problem." Fili continued turning faintly to look at Bilbo.
Kili quickly added more information for the confused hobbit. "We had sixteen."
And Fili easily finished his brother's sentence, "now there's fourteen."
Bilbo blinked rapidly, "but that's not…really?"
Kili and Fili burst forward, walking amongst the other ponies to where they had tied up the missing two. "Daisy and Bongo are missing." Kili stated confidently.
Bilbo followed dutifully, still holding tightly to the brothers' meal. "That is not good and that is really not good." Bilbo said in a panic pointing to an uprooted tree where the pony used to be. "Shouldn't we tell Thorin?"
"Uh, no. Best not to worry him." Fili said quickly, Kili swiftly locked eyes with his brother. Having a silent conversation with his brother Kili dipped his head ever-so-slightly, nodding in agreement prompting Fili to turn towards Bilbo, "We thought as our official burglar; you might want to look into it."
Bilbo looked startled by the thought, but wanting to prove myself took a quick breath and lifted his chin a bit higher. "Oh well yes…uh…it looks as if something big uprooted these trees."
"That was our thinking." Kili added seriously as he and Fili followed Bilbo's lead.
"Yes, something very big," Bilbo said lowering his voice as he nervously added, "And possibly quite dangerous." The hobbit felt his heart pounding rapidly in his chest as a heavy shot adrenaline coursed through his veins.
Suddenly Fili whispered in a rush, "Hey, there's a light." Waving to his younger brother, "Over here," he said pointing in the distance.
Kili and Fili expertly weaved in, out, and under trees to get a closer and clearer look at the dancing light of a fire reflecting on a large rock wall. Hearing grumbling voices the two brothers narrowed their eyes as Bilbo tapped Fili's shoulder asking in a low voice. "What is it?"
"Trolls!" Kili ground out, his declaration setting both dwarf brother over a fallen tree and launching forward with purpose.
"Excuse me Mister Dwalin? I…uh…I was wondering…" Ori stuttered nervously, wringing his hands as the young dwarf began chewing lightly on his lower lip.
Dwalin shifted his attention from eating to the nervous youth in front of him. The large warrior's gruff demeanor making him extremely intimidating. "Well, spit it out Lad!"
Ori jumped slightly at Dwalin's loud voice and looked side to side, blinking rapidly.
Balin, seeing the young dwarf distress came to his rescue. "Now, now, Ori; don't you worry. Dwalin's voice is always that loud and trust me he is really just an overly large stuffed bear."
Ori looked back to Dwalin with a hopeful smile while Dwalin glared at his older brother for referring to him as a children's toy.
"Go on and ask Dwalin your question, Lad." Balin continued kindly, receiving a grateful smile from Dori.
Ori's eyes brightened with excitement, "Well, Mister Dwalin. I was wondering if you had any stories to tell…like Bofur! I would really like to write them down in my journal."
Dwalin scrunched up his face and threw an irritated glare at Balin who was standing to the side of him. Thorin looked on amused as all the rest of the gathered company began encouraging Dwalin to share a tale.
Dwalin rolled his eyes and cleared his throat to tell Ori about the time he took on a raid of men alone with nothing but a log from a campfire as a weapon. But just as Dwalin opened his mouth Fili came crashing through the trees, concern displayed clearly on his face, setting all the dwarves on high alert.
Thorin leapt to his feet and crossed the distance between them in the span of a heartbeat. "What's wrong? Where is Kili?!"
By this time the entire group had gotten to their feet with weapons in hand and were standing in a tight half circle around the heavily breathing dwarf.
"Kili is fine, it's Bilbo!" Fili said quickly between breaths.
Bofur pushed passed his cousin to the front, "What happened to Bilbo?"
Thorin's voice cut in before Fili could answer. "What trouble has the hobbit brought down on us?!"
"There are trolls down from the mountain! They snatched a few of the ponies and are planning to eat them. Bilbo went in to set the ponies free, but Kili and I thought we should inform you, Thorin." Fili answered back dutifully.
Thorin nodded his head, "You did the right thing. This burglar of ours is going to get himself killed, along with everyone else. Lead the way, Fili and make haste!"
Not needing to be told twice Fili sharply turned and ran back to where he left his brother and the hobbit with the trolls. As the fair-haired dwarf neared the fallen down tree where he left Kili his heart sank. Kili was nowhere in sight, and without having to check Fili knew his brother did something stupid and reckless. Fili pumped his legs faster and would have kept going straight into the troll's camp without looking if Thorin had not gripped the back of Fili's coat preventing him.
Fili's pale blue eyes pierced into Thorin's, but before he could say anything Thorin brought his finger to his lips and craned his neck to get a good view of the situation. Fili also turned to look and felt like ripping himself from his uncle's grasp when he saw his little brother standing in front of three massive trolls holding out his sword in defense, but there was also a part of Fili that felt a surge of pride for the very same reason. Fili heard Thorin whisper a warning next to him and the moment Bilbo was hurled at Kili the dwarf king gave the order and the dwarves of Erebor shot out of the tree line for battle.
There ends chapter six! What did you think? Please review and let me know your thoughts on the story so far. This story in an AU and will be deviating heavily from the source material next chapter so stay tuned!
Coming Soon,
Chapter Seven: Hunted