Thorin sat vigil at Kili's bedside, watching as his chest rose and fell. Fili sat on the other side, head resting on the edge, hand entwined with his little brother's. It had been a few hours since Oin had left, and while the rest of them had fallen into a deep sleep, Thorin found no peace in slumber. So he sat, keeping a watchful eye on his beloved nephews.
A soft knock on the door startled Thorin from his thoughts. The door cracked open to reveal Dis standing in the doorway. Thorin watched as her eyes, filled with sorrow, rested on Kili. She slowly pushed the door open and made her way across the room. Pulling up a chair next to Fili, Dis took her sons' hands in hers. After a few moments of silence, Dis looked over at Thorin. "I'm sorry for yelling at you," Dis whispered, not wanting to wake her sons. "I was not thinking."
"You were being a protective mother."
"Not protective enough," Dis motioned to Kili's mess of a body. "He didn't deserve this."
Thorin couldn't bring himself to respond. He knew how much Kili meant to Dis; he was her crowning jewel. Of course, Dis loved Fili just as much, but Thorin knew that she secretly favored Kili. Thorin noticed how her eyes lingered over Kili longer, how she gave him extra food at meals, how she talked to him more than Fili. Kili really had inhabited his mother's traits of boldness and overall stubborn attitude, while Fili took after his father, who was generally calmer and gentler.
Neither of the boys had really gotten to know their father, for he had passed just months before Kili's birth. Dis had been mortified over his death, and hadn't been the same since. Thorin worried that if she lost Kili, she would tear herself apart, abandon Fili, and fall ill from depression. Thorin was determined not to let that happen. He would rather die than have his family be destroyed.
"Dis," Thorin finally whispered, gently but firmly. "Get some rest. There's nothing you can do for him now."
Knowing she was fighting a losing battle, Dis reluctantly stood up and trudged out of the room. Turning one last time to look at her son's resting form, Dis said to Thorin,
"No matter what happens...promise me. Promise me you'll look after him. Promise me you'll always love him. Promise me."
Thorin looked deep into Dis's eyes, filled with sorrow and despair.
"I promise."
As the door closed behind Dis, Thorin looked back down at the sleeping brothers. "You'd better behave, Kili," he sighed. "Durin knows what Fate has decided for you."
Oin closed the door to Kili's room behind him, a sinister look on face. It had been two days since the surgery, and Kili had still not awoken.
Thorin abruptly leapt up from his seat at the table in the kitchen. He had been sitting there with Fili and Dis for over an hour while Oin tended to Kili. Noticing Oin's disturbed expression, Thorin sent Fili to Kili's room. "Go be with Kili. He's probably lonely," he said to him. Thorin knew Fili wouldn't take bad news about Kili well.
After Fili left the room, Oin, Thorin, and Dis huddled around the table. "What is it, Oin?" Dis demanded, fear growing in her eyes.
"Kili's wounds appear to be healing well. However, his fever is still lingering, and...," Oin paused.
"Oin, tell us what you know," Thorin said.
"His hand, Thorin. It's in terrible condition. All of the muscles are either bruised or torn, and all of bones are broken."
Both Thorin and Dis stared at Oin, awestruck. "Wh-what can you do?" Dis pleaded.
"There's not much I can do right now. I put it in a splint for now, but you both need to know that he may never regain mobility of his hand at all. There is a possibility he may regain some, but the chances are slim."
Dis's head fell into her hands as she silently wept.
"I'm sorry, Thorin," Oin said as he started towards the door. "I know how much he means to you."
"You saved his life. We are forever in your debt, Oin." Thorin said gratefully; Oin had always been a dear friend to Thorin and his family, but it wasn't until now that Oin had proved his services to be so helpful.
"It's the least I can do. He's a good lad," Oin closed the door behind him, leaving Thorin and Dis to swallow themselves in their pity.
Fili crumpled to the floor after hearing the news about Kili's hand. How could this happen? What did he do to deserve this? Fili curled into himself. He didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to watch Kili suffer. He had enough.
Fili lay on the cold, stone floor. What will become of him? Fili had seen the warriors who came back from battle without arms or legs. He had seen what happened to them.
Fool, he thought to himself. Kili is strong. He can get through this.
Could he?
Fili seated himself next to Kili once more, taking his cold hand in his.
Would Fate grant him a second chance?
