Sorry for the short chapter (it's a bit of a filler and the ideas weren't flowing) but the next one with them in it will be better - I just couldn't write it yet. I'll try to update soon.
Chapter 9: Worry
Fili was worried; that much was clear as the blonde dwarf trod alongside his uncle. That much had been expected as well, for the lad's brother did not exactly have a good reputation when it came to facing a problem and escaping unharmed. For years Dis had fretted over letting her youngest out of the house out of the fear that something unspeakably bad would happen to him. Fili, however, had escaped the trait of attracting danger wherever he went, something which only left him to worry over his younger brother, especially when both he and Thorin were separated from him.
Oin was worried too; the emotion etched onto his face as if the old dwarf had been permanently born with it. Gloin was still out there in the midst of all the danger and it was thus that Thorin was reminded that Oin too had a younger brother somewhere out there that he would rather be protecting. The exiled king knew the feeling well, having honed it on Frerin and then Dis long before either of his nephews had come into the world. Unfortunately, the instinct of sticking with his younger brother through thick and thin had proved useless and Frerin had still died despite everything that Thorin had done. If the same were to befall to Kili because Thorin was not there to keep him from harm…
Shaking his head of the dark thoughts, Thorin chanced a glance back from whence they had come. As far as he could tell, naught were following them save their own worries and fears. Still, the dark haired dwarf remained with his sword in hand, unwilling to be caught unawares as they all had before. His two companions also remained armed, their eyes wary and searching.
"How far is it to the meeting place?" Fili asked from behind his uncle. Thorin did not pause in step as he answered.
"We still have a fair bit to travel, but we should reach it before the sun begins to sink in the sky," came his answer. Having been caught in the early morning instead of later in the day was a small miracle for it gave each separate group of the company - however many there were - a chance to catch up to each other before nightfall. Still, Thorin did fear that they would be caught out in the dark, a situation which he would find highly unsavoury given the orcs still at large.
The threesome continued on for some time, an unbroken silence enveloping them once again. Several birds sang in the trees above them and it the small breeze blowing through the leaves of the same trees created more sound making the forest and the dwarves' footsteps in it seem unnaturally loud.
"What if they are not there?" Fili asked finally, unable to keep his thoughts to himself any longer.
"We will just have to hope they are, lad," Oin said from beside him, leaving Thorin to ensure they were still heading in the right direction in peace.
"But what if they are not when we arrive? What will we do then?" The blonde's voice made it sound as if he were drowning in worry and Thorin knew exactly why.
"The company will be fine," he said firmly, reassuring himself as much as his nephew, or trying to anyway, "As will your brother. They will be there when we arrive." A glance behind showed that Fili did not look half convinced, but Thorin did not have the time nor frame of mind to try and sooth his heir's fears. He had to ensure the safety of their small group first. Still, the blonde would not let the matter drop.
"And if they are not?"
Thorin did not give him an answer.
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