Short update! Hope you like it!
The wind broke crisply on the frozen lake. The occupants of the small boat bundled tightly to conserve warmth. All but one.
Thorin stood tall, his eyes set firmly on the kingdom before him. But his heart remained elsewhere.
"Thorin? Are you alright?" Bilbo's voice hesitated.
The Dwarf King glanced down at the Hobbit. "I'm fine."
The entire Company knew that to be a lie.
"You did the right thing, Thorin." Balin boldly spoke up. "Kíli wouldn't have survived the trek up the Mountain."
"Yet I find myself still worrying for his health." He turned to his friend. "He was very ill, Balin. And I left him there."
"Aye. But he has his brother." Dwalin added. "If anyone can bring the lad comfort, it'll be Fíli."
"Never in all my years have I seen two Dwarves as close as Fíli and Kíli are to one another." Balin said softly. The Company nodded in agreement. "Their bond runs deeper than blood."
Thorin's eyes darkened. There was only one bond he could think of that could possibly compete with his nephews' in strength, and that was of he and Frerin. Sadness flooded his heart at the thought of his late brother. Regret still lingered in his soul. He had not looked out for his little brother. Not like Fíli.
He cursed himself for ever trying to separate Fíli and Kíli. His elder nephew understood something that took Thorin several years to realize. A bond between brothers was not so easily broken.
"It'll be alright, Thorin." Balin had stood to join him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "You'll see your nephews in no time."
But Thorin would feel no relief. Not until Smaug was dead and Erebor reclaimed. Not until he saw with his own eyes the Arkenstone.
As they drew near to the Mountain, they drew further away from his family. And his sanity.
Another chapter will be up shortly! Keep an eye out:)
