"What are ye doing!" Oin demanded, standing up to confront Bard, "Ye can't just drop us in front of the mountain, the lads need shelter! They'll never last in this cold!"
Thorin got to his feet as well and Dwalin cracked his knuckles. Bard rolled his eyes at Dwalin's attempt to intimidate him,
"Don't bother, Dwarf," he said, "You won't get into the town without me." Then turning to Thorin he explained, "I said I'd get you shelter and I will. But smuggling Dwarves into Lake-town is extremely risky. Not to mention the fact that I have no room in my home for 13 dwarves and all of your companions. We are a struggling town, and the inns in town are reserved for visitors approved by the master."
"Then where are you taking us?" Thorin demanded.
"I'm taking you to your home away from home," Bard told him simply, "There are a number of abandoned farm houses farther up the lake. They are in disrepair, but they will shelter you. You may stay there in relative safety."
"Relative safety," Dwalin sneered, "What of the orcs."
"Lake-town is no safer from orcs than anywhere else," Bard said with a shrug, "A town full of struggling lake men will not discourage them any less. But no one has lived in these houses for decades and the area is frequented by our patrols and the orcs have not ventured north of Lake-town in recent times."
Thorin sighed. This was not what he was hoping for. He wanted his nephews to be safe and comfortable. But in truth, he could not in good conscience ask a town full of innocent people to put themselves at risk by sheltering a dwarf company being hunted by Azog the defiler in their midst. He nodded to Dwalin who sighed and backed off, though it was clear Dwalin would have been more than happy to throw Bard overboard if Thorin had wished.
Eventually, the small buildings came into view. Thorin thought he counted about six or seven small brick and stone structures, though he could only make out the small square silhouettes in the dimming light.
Thorin stole a quick glance at his nephews as the barge floated to shore in front of the farmhouses. He could only see their heads poking out of the pile of furs and the dimming light made it hard to see their faces. But he could still hear their whimpers of pain. Though he hated to hear them in such agony, Thorin felt relieved to hear that they were still among the living.
Upon reaching the shore, Bard and the elves carried the makeshift wooden stretcher and Thorin and the others jumped off into shallow part of the lake behind them and waded to shore. Nearby, the other row boat had come ashore and the rest of the company was moving up to join them.
"Where are we?" Dori demanded, walking up to Thorin, "What is this?"
"We have to stay in these buildings," Thorin responded, "We haven't a choice."
The small procession hurried up to the front door of the first stone house. The door hung on its hinges and one small shove sent it whirling opened. The air inside was stale and old. As Thorin stepped his now soaked and soggy boots into the house, he stepped on the dirty stone floor and slipped, nearly falling to the floor. Dwalin's strong arm shot out like lightning and caught him before he could fall.
Bofur reached into the pack he had acquired from Lake-town and produced a lantern and lit it with a flint. Illuminating the house, Thorin gazed around and felt his heart sink. The conditions were less than ideal. They were in a tiny room with only a small bench, some tables, and a couple chairs for furnishings. In the corner of the room was a small fireplace with a brick chimney that was cracked with age. The dwarves moved through and lit the overhead lamps and candles that were scattered about, bathing the tiny cottage in light.
There was also a small bedroom with a hay filled mattress on the floor, and a bathroom. This cabin was tiny even by dwarf standards, and it was in a serious state of disrepair. Thorin felt the cold air through the drafty walls and ceiling.
"Put them on the table," Oin instructed and he helped Bofur, Nori, and Ori unload and sort out all the supplies they had gathered from Lake-town, "Hurry now, Lads. Time is of the essence." They laid out towels, knives, bandages, disinfectant, and other medical items out on a small table nearby.
"I'm going to need some water, light, and heat lads," the old healer said calmly as Bard lay the wooden board containing Thorin's nephews atop the center table. Their uncle was at their side instantly.
"The lads have made it this far," Balin said as he stood beside Thorin, "they're strong, Thorin."
Thorin nodded, feeling comforted by his old companion's words as he kept his eyes on Fili and Kili. He grabbed a wooden chair and sat at the head of the table, wanting to be as close to them as possible. He wasn't looking forward to what was coming.
"I'll get a fire going," Gloin announced, "Come on Dori, you, Ori, and Nori can help me clean out the chimney. Bofur, Bombur, why don't ye go collect some firewood from outside."
"I'll be checkin the perimeters of these lands for any signs of orcs," Dwalin said, taking Bifur with him.
"I'll get the water," Bringa the gnome said, fetching a pail.
"Bilbo, go with her," Thorin said, turning to the hobbits, "No one should wander about alone in the dark in these lands."
Bilbo nodded, glancing at his niece, "I'll be right back, Asphodel," he said. But when he moved to leave, Asphodel protested.
"No please," she begged, "Don't leave me, Uncle."
Thorin felt a pang of sympathy for Bilbo as he appeared torn. He was responsible for his young niece now and Thorin recalled how it had been for him and Fili and Kili after his sister Dis had died long ago in Ered Luin. They were both small dwarflings and their father had died many years before then. Thorin had suddenly found himself responsible for his young nephews. He had always had the constant support of his cousins and Bilbo had only the support of these dwarves he had chosen to adventure with.
Thorin got up and came forward and walked calmly over to Asphodel who gazed up at him from her small stature, fear and anxiety in her eyes.
"I could use your help, Young Hobbit," he told her gently, "I have learned over the short time of knowing your uncle that hobbits are most resilient folk. My nephews could use your strength now."
Asphodel nodded and Thorin glanced up to Bilbo who nodded his thanks.
"I would like to help as well," said Brenna, stepping forward as her mother and Bilbo headed out the door, "They tried to help me back when we were in captivity..."
"Very well," Thorin said before leading them back to the table where his nephews lay.
Oin was gently removing the furs and Thorin resisted the urge to look away as he saw blood already staining the wooden table beneath both of them.
"The spear hasn't moved," Oin said as Thorin took his seat at the head of the table, soothing through the mess of blonde and brunette hair comfortingly.
"It's going to be okay," Thorin whispered softly to them. They both struggled to look up at him, anguish in both of their faces.
"Well…" Kili coughed, weakly, "You wanted us to stay together…"
Thorin smiled slightly. It was like Kili to make a joke of this dire situation and despite how much pain he was feeling. Thorin noted the alarming amount of blood trickling from his mouth each time he coughed.
"What are their names?" Bard asked quietly as he and the Elves looked on from nearby.
"Fili and Kili," Thorin responded in kind, "They are my nephews…. and my heirs."
"Some heirs…" Fili spoke up with a wince, "We lost your only chance to reclaim Erebor."
"Do not concern yourself with that now, Fili," Thorin said, "Concentrate on nothing more than living. I may have lost my kingdom… I cannot live to lose you as well. Either of you."
"Hurts…" Kili stammered, coughing again. Asphodel came forth and sat in a chair behind Kili and gently reached over to rub his back. Kili flinched at her touch at first, but didn't protest. Brenna watched before taking Asphodel's lead and doing the same for Fili.
"Alright, I cannot delay any longer," Oin said, rolling up his sleeves, "I do not want to risk infection."
Fili and Kili both tensed, their eyes widening in fear at what was to come. They both grasped each other's hands tightly.
"Fee…" Kili breathed, his body trembling a bit as Oin dragged a small table with his supplies over to his makeshift bedside.
"Its okay, Kili…" Fili said, moaning as he tried to push his pain aside and comfort his brother. Thorin watched them as he prepared himself mentally…
