Hi all. I have for you chapter twelve! Now I know it has been a week so I'm not going to ramble on. I just wanted to give a quick thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter, you all are wonderful! Also thank you for all of your favs and follows!
Warning: Sadly I am not a doctor. All of the medical information for this chapter came from research on the internet, so I cannot say how accurate it is. Please do not try any of this at home, and if you have a dislocated shoulder please see a doctor or professional to have it fixed. Thank you!
Chapter Twelve
"My Lord Carrek, the prisoner is escaping!" Squealed a high-pitched panicked voice from the cave's opening.
The goblin stood just outside of the sun's rays staring at the retreating back of their dwarf captive, as Kili half stumbled and half ran into the trees back the way they came. The goblin that was awakened by Kili's escape was short and stocky with a long pointed nose and large bulging black eyes. The creature's top row of teeth stuck out over its lower teeth and the goblin's head had only a few strands of stringy hair that reached its' shoulders.
The creature's shout snapped Carrek and all the sleeping monsters awake. Carrek quickly thundered to his feet and swiftly pushed his way through the gathered goblins and orcs to the stocky goblin.
As Carrek reached the goblin he gripped its' throat tightly and lifted it into the air annoyed, "What are you shouting about Grugg!"
The goblin began kicking his feet wildly, while clawing desperately at the strong hand depriving him of precious breath. The suffocating creature tried to answer his leader, but his words came out like a wet gurgling sound. Carrek looked on in disgust before dropping Grugg without a thought. Grugg landed on the cave's floor painfully, but despite the pain his fear of Carrek was stronger and the goblin quickly jumped to his feet to answer his brutal leader.
Coughing violently Grugg spoke in a scratchy rough voice, "I don't know how Carrek, but the prisoner has escaped. He-,"
Carrek didn't give the goblin a chance to continue what he was saying before he was slamming Grugg against the cave wall and holding him there with a strong-arm across its chest. "WHAT?!" Carrek roared in the quivering goblin's face.
"I…I woke up and he…the dwarf scum had already killed Darr. When the scum saw me he took off!"
"And why didn't you go after him?!"
Fear flashed in Grugg's eyes as he stuttered out a reply. "Why? Be…because Carrek…the sun is still out…I…I couldn't have followed!"
Carrek looked menacing with half of his face covered completely in the shadows of the dark cave, as he leaned in closer to Grugg's terrified face. "Is that what you think? Let's see if that is true."
With his words Carrek lifted Grugg off the ground and tossed him out of the cave and into the midday's sunlight. The goblin's shrieks rang loudly through the forest's many trees, making birds scatter from their homes and fly for safety. Grugg's body thrashed on the grass in agony as the sun burnt his exposed skin. Ugly red blisters quickly marred the goblin's entire body everywhere the light touched. All of the goblins and orcs in the cave watched as Grugg desperately crawled his way back into the safety of the shadows, none moved to help the pathetic creature in his quest for salvation.
After Grugg had pulled his body into the cave he collapsed, panting in obvious pain on the ground. Carrek walked slowly to Grugg's side and dropped down beside the injured creature.
Leaning in close Carrek said with a sneer, "Well it seems to me you can leave the cave, there is no barrier stopping you. You just wanted to fail me."
"I'm…sorry…Carrek." Grugg panted out in-between gasps of pain as he cowered on the ground in a tight ball.
Carrek glared at Grugg and stood up, staring at the goblin as he rose and growled, "Get up!"
The goblin leader then turned to face Maluc and stomped up to the massive orc. When he reached the orc Carrek poked him in the chest and screeched. "You, Orc! Get the dwarf and bring him back here before dark, unspoiled!"
Maluc growled furiously under his breath and stared down menacingly at the arrogant goblin. After a couple of tense moments Maluc walked passed Carrek, making sure to slam their shoulders together forcefully on his way out of the cave. As soon as the orcs were standing in the sun Maluc turned around and smirked at Carrek.
"It would seem boys; that we have to clean up another mess for the pitiful goblins." Maluc said to his surrounding orcs, watching Carrek's face as he spoke. The orc around the caves entrance barked out hideous laughter at the insult their leader threw at the goblins.
Carrek shook with rage and made to take a step towards the larger orc despite the sun, but a grimy hand on his upper arm stopped him in his tracks.
Maluc looked pleased with the reaction and continued to taunt the goblin that thought he was in control. "You know Carrek I don't really see what you're even doing here. Your job was to bring Thorin Oakenshield to Master Azog, but you have only succeeded in catching some young dwarf that you say will help us in our goal. The little dwarf that now seems to have outsmarted you." Maluc Grinned, "I can see why you have never killed the Goblin King yourself, why you cower behind your betters. You need orcs; because you are weak." Maluc's voice was deep and his eye's held a spark of amusement, his face showing the most emotion Carrek had ever seen from the orc.
Chuckling Maluc ordered his orcs to move out and they all took off through the trees in Kili's direction. Carrek watched him go enraged and without any hesitation turned and stabbed the goblin that held him back, letting out a monstrous scream of frustration and rage.
After Thorin steeled his emotions the dwarf king turned to face Bifur and Bofur standing by the blackened fire pit; his shoulders squared.
"Bofur, what can you tell me about the fire?" Thorin asked; his voice slightly scratchy.
Bofur looked at his cousin briefly and after Bifur's nod he stood from a crouched position and walked to stand in front of Thorin. Thorin watched his progress and out of the corner of his eye saw Fili watching him anxiously as well.
"The fire was placed here recently, but long enough for the earth to have gone cold. I'd say very early last night. They may only be a little over a half a day in front of us and luckily the goblins will have to stop because that can't travel in the sunlight."
Thorin thought for a moment, "If that's the case then we should reach them just after dark."
"As long as we don't run into any problems, yes," Bofur said.
Thorin nodded his head and was about to order the group to continue on when he noticed that Balin and Dwalin were not paying attention. As the dwarf king looked closer at the brothers he saw that they were standing away from the group next to a large tree. Balin was kneeling to inspect something with Dwalin standing over him, both seemed to be discussing something heatedly, but too quiet for anyone else's ears.
"Balin, Dwalin what's going on?" Thorin commanded sternly, not liking being kept in the dark when Kili's life was in danger.
Fili whipped his head towards the older dwarf brothers and saw as they shared a look before Balin stood up to face Thorin who had crossed the distance between them.
"You might want to see for yourself lad." Balin's said in a compassionate voice as Thorin neared.
Thorin dropped down to his knees by the base of the tree, his back to Fili and said nothing. Fili became concerned the longer his uncle stayed on the ground not speaking and the young dwarf's curiosity began to tortured him. His resolve to wait until his uncle told the group what Dwalin and Balin had found shattered the moment Dwalin's large hand can to rest on Thorin's shoulder in a supportive gesture. Fili was by his uncle's side in an instant and could not prepare for what he saw. Thorin knelt in front of the rough textured tree holding a bloody length of rope in his hands. The blood was dry and looked to be heaviest where the bond was cut.
It wasn't the bloody rope the made Fili sick to his stomach. He had seen blood before, but it was the idea that this piece of blood covered rope was used to hold his little brother in place. Kili hated to stay still, that was the main reason he didn't wear braids in his hair, he never had the patience for it. Even when sitting Kili's would fidget or bounce his leg up and down, driving everyone in the room crazy. It was something small compared to everything else the creatures have done to his brother, and Fili should have already realized they were going to tie Kili to make sure he didn't escape. Despite all of that the thought of Kili being held still against his will, made Fili stomach turn and from the look in his uncle's eyes Fili knew that Thorin felt the same.
Without a word Thorin rose from the ground, placed a hand on Fili's shoulder as he passed and strode determinedly into the woods, following the trail obviously left on purpose.
"Hang on little brother, we're coming." Fili whispered as he turned to follow Thorin.
Kili stumbled and crashed painfully to the earth after his foot caught on a large uprooted tree root. The young injured dwarf had pushed his aching and damaged body forward as quickly as he could for what felt like hours and even all the determination in the world would not give Kili the strength to keep going; not in his current condition. The young dwarf used what little strength he had left to pull his body up against the very tree that tripped him.
Once Kili was settled with his back leaning completely on the base of the tree, he got to work trying to control his ragged harsh breaths and rapidly beating heart. The pain in his shoulder was throbbing after the movement of killing the goblin on watch and running; the pain now radiating all the way down Kili's arm and starting to stretch across his chest.
A blast of frigid wind cut through the material of what was still remaining of Kili's dirty tunic. The shirt had dozens of small tears from when it got caught on sharp branches and the front of his shirt was sliced open from the top to the middle by Carrek. The goblin cut Kili's shirt just enough to be able to slice into his flesh, but there was still enough together at the bottom of the tunic to keep it from opening completely. The dark-haired dwarf's chest was littered with small cut and slashes, with only a few of the deeper wounds still bleeding.
Kili knew he had to treat his wounds and keep going but he couldn't find the energy to even stand. Taking in a shuttering breath Kili gathered the top part of his tunic, with difficultly and held them to together, trying to block the wind. The young dwarf curled in on himself as tremors racked his damaged body, fighting a losing battle to stay conscious.
As Kili's eyes slid closed a memory took over his sleepy mind. A memory of a couple of years after Carrek had first attacked the mountain.
"What is the best way to prevent infection? Fili?" Oin asked turning to face Fili who was sitting on Oin's counter, looking into a bowl filled with brown paste curiously. Across from him also on the counter flipping through a book of herbs was Kili.
Both boys looked up at Oin from their places, wearing matching smiles and Fili answered with ease. "Keep the wound clean."
Oin smiled back at the young dwarf, "Very good Fili." He said proudly.
The skilled healer began teaching young Fili and Kili everything they would need to know about treating injuries, after the goblins held them both captive for days. Oin would not fully admit it, but the aging healer really cared for Thorin's nephews and it was extremely hard to see them so hurt after they were rescued, especially Kili. The fact that any creature could do what Carrek did to someone as sweet and innocent as Kili made Oin's blood boil.
Fili of course was just as affected by what happened as his younger brother, but most of his scars were emotional and unseen. Even though Oin is a practiced healer he has never been very good with emotional wounds, but he had vowed ever since the attack that he would teach Fili and Kili how to take care of each other's physical wounds, should they ever be in that kind of situation again. Oin prayed to Mahal that they would never have to use the knowledge, but knew that being heirs to the Durin throne and training to become warriors they will more than likely need to use what Oin is teaching them someday.
"Master Oin, what does this plant do?" Kili's little voice asked innocently.
Oin walked over to the counter and leaned his weight on the wooden surface to look closer at the page Kili and Fili were studying. "Ah my lad, that is a picture of elderberries and they can do many things. They can help lessen infections, swelling, and most of all pain. They taste pretty good too." Oin finished with a wink, making both boys share a laugh.
A steady knock on the door sounded in the cozy living room. "Huh, that must be Master Bofur coming to pick you boys up. Funny I thought we would have more time." Oin crossed the room swiftly and opened the door to Dwalin and Thorin, battered and bloody.
Oin let out a surprised gasp, "Thorin, Dwalin what did you two do to yourselves this time?!"
Thorin gave the healer a pain-filled smile, "Nothing we can't handle Oin."
Oin sent his king a look that said many things not appropriate for children's ears, but settled for, "I see, come on in then."
"Uncle Thorin!" Kili shouted,
"Uncle Thorin, are you okay?!" Fili asked in fear after seeing his uncle covered in blood and being helped into the house by Dwalin.
Thorin snapped his head towards his precious nephews' voices, forgetting that they had a lesson with Oin today and smiled to hide the clear pain he was in. "No need to worry Fili, Dwalin and I just ran into a bit of trouble hunting."
Oin and Dwalin shared a look, knowing that Thorin and Dwalin had not run into trouble hunting, but had gone looking for leads on Carrek and ran into trouble trying to get information on the creature that both boys believed to be dead. Oin fully supported telling Fili and Kili that Carrek was gone, but it was difficult to watch how much it hurt Thorin when he had to lie to them.
"Dwalin set Thorin over there." Oin said pointing to his patient cot next to the counter where Fili and Kili were sitting.
After Thorin was settled Dwalin stepped back to be out of the healer's way and immediately felt a sharp tug of his sleeve. Turning Dwalin came face to face with Kili's big brown pleading eyes.
"Master Dwalin, could you please help me and Fili down?" Kili whispered shyly.
"I don't need help getting down Kili! You do," Fili whispered back and quickly hopped off of the counter to prove his point.
Dwalin chuckled under his breath and scoped Kili up, helping him to the ground before he could try what his older brother just did. The moment Kili's feet hit the ground he bolted to his uncle's side, Fili right on his heels.
"Ah good, Fili and Kili look here." Oin said happily sitting in front of an annoyed bare-chested Thorin. "Your uncle has a dislocated shoulder, see."
Fili and Kili moved in closer, looking at their uncle's bruising shoulder, fascinated. Thorin looked over Oin's shoulder at Dwalin, who was trying to contain his laughter.
Suddenly Fili and Kili started to poke Thorin's shoulder with bright eyes, "Wow!" The said together with smiles.
"Oin," Thorin spoke in a low warning voice.
"Right, boys stand back a bit." After they complied Oin continued, "What we need to do is get the shoulder back into place. First you would need to hold the wrist of the injured arm and use your other hand to hold the shoulder." Oin did what he was explaining on Thorin while he spoke. "Now we have to lift the arm up, pull and then push it back into place in one quick motion."
As Thorin felt his shoulder being pushed back into place he bit down hard on his bottom lip to stop from crying out in pain.
Kili looked at Thorin with wide eyes, "Wow Uncle Thorin! Did that hurt?"
Thorin looked into Kili brown innocent eyes and answered back in a compassionate voice, "No Kili, it didn't hurt at all."
Kili slipped out of his memory, took a deep breath and started to inch his way into a standing position, using the tree as support. He knew what he had to do and was not looking forward to it.
When Kili was up and leaning heavily on the tree trunk he used his uncoordinated fingers to rip a strip off his already tattered shirt. Taking one end Kili wrapped the stained fabric around his wrist and bent at the middle to tie a knot using his teeth. Then after a few unsteady breaths to shake the wave of dizziness that overcame him, the young dwarf took the other end and tied it around a low hanging sturdy branch.
After everything was ready Kili closed his eyes; Thorin's words repeated in his head, "No Kili, it didn't hurt at all." Breathing deeply and holding the breath Kili pulled back from the tree and twisted so his shoulder lined up correctly. Breathing in and out rapidly through his nose, trying to control the intense pain; Kili then pushed back towards the tree popping his shoulder back into to place with a loud echoing pop accompanied by a scream.
Kili struggled with clumsy fingers to release his wrist and when he was free dropped to the ground exhausted, "Liar." Kili whispered in a pain-filled voice, completely out-of-breath before slipping into unconsciousness.
There you have chapter twelve, many exciting things to come! Thank you all for reading. If you recall last chapter I said I was excited about what I had planned for Kili and I would love to hear what you guys thought! Please review, your wonderful comments truly help me. This might be random, but are any of you Mortal Instrument fans? Just wondering!