Chapter 7: More illness
All right, let me explain something. If you're reading this because you got a notification about a new chapter, then read this message. If you're reading this and there's more chapters ahead, you can skip it if you'd like. Ok. When I first posted Chapter 6, it was originally titled "Sickness". After I posted, I immediately regretted it. I hated how I wrote it, and wanted to rewrite. I was super busy, so it took me a looooong time, but here it finally is. I split chapter 6 into 2 chapters, so this isn't really a "new chapter", but I added a few things and changed some things. SO. Before you read this, go back and read the new chapter 6, and then read this one (: Here you go, and I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner this time! Please review about what you would like to see in the future, because frankly, I'm going to run out of ideas eventually. Any ideas are accepted, so don't think yours is not worth posting. I need inspiration! Sorry again, and read on! Make sure, if this is a " new chapter" for you, GO BACK AND READ THE NEW CHAPTER 6 FIRST. This will not make a lot of sense if you don't.
It was well into the night when Fili awoke to a quiet moan. He started, looking to Kili in the dimming firelight. His brother was huddled against him, holding his stomach tightly and shaking. "Kili! What's wrong?"
"Hurts…by Aulë it hurts!" Kili gritted his teeth in agony. He suppressed a cry and lurched forward before Fili caught him, holding him upright gently. The orange glow that was cast upon the room from the fireplace revealed beads of sweat decorating the young dwarf's forehead.
"What hurts, Kili?" Fili asked gently, his insides churning as he struggled to stay calm. Kili was supposed to be getting better, not worse. "Your stomach?" Kili nodded, tensing and gripping his abdomen tighter. "What does it feel like?" Fili couldn't help if he didn't know what was going on.
"I don't know," Kili muttered. "Like..." Kili's eyes widened, and he quickly leaned over the side of the bed, retching. Each gasp for air caused him to cry out in pain before his stomach mercilessly heaved again, cutting Kili's screams short.
"Mum, Uncle! Come quickly!" Fili yelled. He heard a door open and footsteps speeding down the hall, and Thorin's muscled frame could be seen in the soft light in the doorway.
"Oh, my boy," Dis cried as she pushed passed her own brother, her nightgown swishing against the floor. Kili had finished convulsing and lay gasping, clutching the mattress, the only thing keeping him from falling off of the bed being Fili's strong arms around his middle. He gave a weak moan as Dis felt his forehead. "Get him to the bathroom, it'll happen again." Dis motioned to Thorin, squeezing Kili's hand.
Thorin nodded and moved around the bed, carefully avoiding the mess. He slid his arm under Kili's back and knees, but Kili stubbornly shook his head, warding him off. "No. I'm not a child, I can walk..." he rasped.
"Kili, don't be foolish, just cooperate for once in your life!" Thorin rolled his eyes, but the concern for his ailing nephew shone freely, and he spoke gently. He picked Kili off the bed, and the young dwarf reached for his brother, his cheeks bright red in shame of being so weak.
"Fili," he whispered hoarsely.
Fili rubbed his shoulder comfortingly, sitting up. "I'll be right there, all right? I promise." Kili nodded, turning his face into Thorin's tunic. Fili could see his little brother shaking, and he wanted more than anything to wrap his arms around him and protect him from the world.
Dis stood, following Thorin out of the bedroom and coming back moments later with towels and a bucket of water. "I'll clean this up right away." She muttered, almost to herself, as she knelt and began to scrub at the floor. "Hopefully, you don't have what he does." She shook her head.
"Mum? When you're finished, could you help me to them?" Fili asked, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "I must go to Kili. He needs me."
"Sure, darling. Just wait a moment." Dis smiled as she brushed a stray piece of hair out of her face.
Once she was finished washing the floor, Dis helped Fili to his feet, letting him lean heavily against her. "You know, you're much heavier—and taller—than you were when I used to carry you to bed." She laughed, and Fili grinned. His mother's laugh was like a wind chime, bright and clear. He loved it when she laughed.
"Well I apologize that I'm forty instead of five." Fili retorted jokingly.
The two made slow progress to the bathroom. Kili was on the floor next to Thorin, clutching his stomach, but when he saw his brother his countenance lightened. "Fili," he murmured. Thorin put a damp cloth to his young nephew's forehead, and Fili swore he was softly humming; it was a tune he had sung to get them to sleep many years ago.
"Hey," Fili smiled, attempting to lighten his brother's spirits. "How are you feeling?" He sat on the opposite side of Kili as his uncle. Kili groaned in response, and Fili rubbed his back. "It's okay," The dark haired dwarf simply shivered. "Mum? Could you get him a blanket?"
"I'll be right there." Dis nodded, hurrying off to the bedroom. Moments later, her skirts rustling, she returned with a thick quilt from the boys' bed, one that she had made when they were small. Fili smiled as he wrapped the blanket around his brother.
"There. Better?" Fili tried to calm him, but before he had a chance, a wave of nausea overtook the younger dwarf. He leaned over, retching into the toilet. Each heave for air sent his lungs cascading against his healing ribs, and Kili could feel the deep wound in his side, the stitches straining against his skin. Fili didn't know what to do, so he reached into one of the drawers beneath the small sink, bringing out a small rubber band and tying his brother's hair gently into a loose ponytail at the nape of his neck and rubbing slow circles into Kili's back. When Kili was finished, he collapsed into his brother's arms, wheezing heavily.
Thorin handed his young nephew a small glass of water. "Take this. It'll get rid of the bitter taste." Kili took the drink, lifting it tentatively to his lips. His hands shook so violently that the water began to spill onto his lap. Fili steadied his hand, and helped him bring the cup to his lips. Kili swallowed with great difficulty, and dropped his head back onto Fili's chest as Thorin took the cup out of his trembling grip.
"Help…" Kili murmured feebly.
"It's all right, I've got you," Fili wrapped his arms as tightly as he dared around Kili without hurting him, resting his chin on Kili's mane of dark hair. He felt each small rise and fall of Kili's chest as he struggled to breathe properly. "Don't worry." Kili seemed to be sleeping, but suddenly he let out a painful wheeze; his breath hitched, before he dissolved into a fit of coughing, gripping the front of Fili's tunic tightly. After the coughs halted, he attempted to pull his knees into his chest—a safety mechanism he had used since he was small. His feet shuffled against the floorboards softly; however, the vomiting and coughing exertions had left him devoid of any energy, and the movement sent agony flaring up his side. He buried his face into Fili's tunic with frustrated, pained sobs.
"I know, I know it hurts, Kili," Fili murmured, holding Kili close. "But you need to calm yourself—you're going to make yourself worse like this." He rocked side-to-side with his baby brother gently.
"M-my chest feels like it's on fire…e-everything hurts…" Kili hiccupped into Fili's shirt, his shoulders shaking. Fili's heart ached at the thought of the pain his brother was in. He didn't usually admit it when he was in pain.
Thorin stood, breaking his silence. "I'll go get the draught for you, Kili." He gave a small, comforting smile, but Kili didn't notice. Thorin left, going to fetch the medication.
Kili drew in a shaky breath, steadying his emotions. "There, that's better." Fili smiled warmly. He brushed his hand across Kili's tear-stained cheek, furrowing his brow as he felt heat. "You're burning up." Fili attributed it to Kili's sickness, but he knew that a fever was never good. He reached up to the sink, taking the cold cloth and holding it to Kili's forehead, pulling him back into his chest. Kili tucked his head into the crook of Fili's neck, closing his eyes. "That's it. Get some sleep—it'll help, even if it's only for a little while." Fili whispered, beginning to hum. The cool cloth and the vibrations of Fili's voice against his forehead soothed him, and Fili could feel his little brother relax in his arms. Soon, his breathing had slowed into the familiar pattern of sleep that Fili recognized.
Thorin re-entered with the draught and observing the scene before him, gave a fond smile to his nephews. Is he asleep? He mouthed. Fili gave a small nod, not wanting to disturb the slumbering dwarf.
"I figured rest would be good for him, even if he wakes up again soon." Fili whispered as Thorin took a seat next to him.
"Good thinking. It took me ages to find the draught, and he doesn't even need it!" Thorin shook his head but smiled, reaching over and taking his youngest nephew's hand gently, rubbing his thumb between Kili's thumb and forefinger. Fili tilted his head at the side of his tough uncle that was beginning to show since they had been attacked. "You've always been much better at getting him to sleep than either your mother or I," Thorin laughed softly. "I don't know how you do it, but you're good at it."
Fili looked down at his little brother, sleeping fitfully. "I'm not sure I know how I do it, either, but it seems to work, doesn't it?" He smiled fondly as Kili mumbled incoherently and subconsciously. His expression turned somber as Kili began to whimper quietly, his brow furrowing in pain. Fili took his sibling's free hand, squeezing gently. Kili's cries ceased, and Fili turned to his uncle. "He's going to be all right, isn't he?" His voice wavered, and he bit his lip.
"Fili, I promise you, I will do all I can to ensure that your brother will be all right." Thorin grasped his oldest nephew's shoulder tightly. "Do not fear for him. He'll make it."
He has to make it. Fili thought, rubbing his baby brother's back in slow circles. I don't think I could live without him.
