Stolen Heir In which Kili learns to listen, a hobbit fanfic

Kili woke feeling groggy and with a bad headache. He groaned and nearly gagged. His mouth felt dry and nasty.

"Slug-a-bed." Groused an amused older brother from somewhere on the other side of the room.

Looking up reluctantly, Kili could only see a portion of his brother grinning at him and looking far too alert. His own dark hair was blocking his view. Feeling too foggy to move his hair out of the way, he blew on a few strands. It didn't help.

Fili frowned. "Are you alright? You look flushed."

Grimacing, Kili managed to move to sitting at the edge of the bed. He ached. "I feel like a slag heap." He said, referring to waste material from mining.

His older brother's frown sharpened and he walked over, pushing Kili's mop of unruly hair out of his eyes. Fili put his hand on the back of his brother's neck. "Fever."

"Not sick." Denied Kili, irritated. "I just ...didn't sleep well." He grimaced down at his boots and leathers. "Slept in my gear too."

"You haven't cried since you were six." Fili said softly.

"Haven't been crying." Kili shot his brother a betrayed look, his chin sticking out stubbornly.

Fili rolled his eyes, though still managing to look worried. Then suddenly, without obvious cause, he laughed.

Kili's dark eyes widened as he looked around, but couldn't see what his brother could be finding so amusing. "Huh?"

The blond prince grinned and shrugged. "When you were six ...you didn't cry because Haffa said you looked like an elf with your first bow. Remember?"

Kili stared at his older brother, appalled.

Fili's blue eyes twinkled and he rocked back and forth on his heels.

"Not funny." Kili grumbled, then closed his eyes and thought about the little dwarf-maid he'd been so mad at when he was six. His lips twitched. "Kinda funny."

"Said you looked like an elf." Fili spread his arms out and grinned like a loon. "I wanted to hit her and you wouldn't let me, and you were hiding your face so I wouldn't see you cry."

Kili laughed, then groaned and put his head in his hands. "That hurts."

"An elf! I wonder what she'll say when she finds out the truth? We need to tell Thorin she's a far-seer and bring her to Erebor." Fili was still smiling. "You could court her."

"She said you looked like a bloodhound with your lopsided braids and long nose." Kili reminded his older sibling.

"Bah. What does Haffa know?" Fili waved a hand in dismissal, changing his opinion on her in a heartbeat. "Half-wit. Obviously demented."

"She married one of the Steelbraids."

Fili nodded sagely, pretending to change his mind back. "That settles it. She's brilliant, marrying rich. Need to make her a counselor."

"The Steelbraid middle brother." Kili pointed out, referring to the scrawniest of the three siblings. And one who'd mocked Fili back when they'd all been young dwarflings.

"Half-wit." Fili pronounced with finality, and a mocking grin. "Like I said. She's an idiot. Definitely."

"Haffa Half-wit." Kili tasted the words. "I like the sound of that."

Fili rubbed his chin and sighed. "Great. Now if she does come to Erebor I'm going to be thinking that in the back of my head every time I see her. Damn it, Kili!"

"You started it." The younger brother pointed out and rubbed his knees as if they pained him.

Fili watched his sibling uneasily. Elves were resistant to disease, everyone knew that. And dwarves were extremly hardy and rarely ever ill, especially once past childhood. He put his hand on Kili's neck again, and his brother knocked his hand away in irritation.

"Be right back." Fili said quickly.

o.o.o.o.o

Thorin looked between the two dwarrow, then down at his schedule. Two names were not on his list. He shot a look at his counselor.

Balin cleared his throat. "I fit them in."

The king sighed heavily. "It's already going to be a busy day. Trading caravans are due into Dale any day. Supplies need to be handled and patrols need to be made. Not to mention this thrice cursed celebration and needing to find gifts for ELVES!" He glared at Balin as if this was his advisor's personal fault.

Balin cleared his throat again.

Thorin's eye twitched and he turned to a smug looking Nori and a genially smiling Bofur. Despite their expressions, they both felt a bit nervous about speaking with him. Never a good sign. "What? What is it?" Neither dwarrow spoke up fast enough for the king's liking. "Well? Speak or get out."

Bofur coughed as if uncertain. "Think of hobbits. Our Bilbo got along well enough with elves. Think of something the hobbit might like as a gift and you'll be halfway there. Like those holed rags of his."

"Doilies." Nori pointed out, nodding. "Lace thingies."

"Lace." The word dripped with disdain. Thorin rubbed his eyes and looked back at the two members of his company. Two dwarves that had followed him on a foolhardy and more than likely suicidal quest to free Erebor from a dragon. "Friends. Please. Why did you come here to see me? Is there a problem?"

"Yes." Nori said grimly.

"Maybe." Bofur sounded apologetic.

"Get on with it lads." Balin pointed at Nori first.

"There's talk." The sharp-eyed dwarrow said quietly. "There's always talk, but the talk is getting pointed. Speaking on Dis. Dain. Your lads. And who should be ruler."

Thorin's mind, having wandered to his next set of meetings, sharpened and he forgot about other matters as he stared at Nori. A disappointed look crossed his face. "We knew that might happen." He admitted reluctantly. "Once the shock of who Kili's father wore off."

Balin nodded. He and Thorin had talked long about it actually. Neither was inclined to do anything at the moment, not until Dis arrived at least. The white-haired advisor pointed at Nori again.

"Pardon, but in the lower of the low levels, there's even some talk that Dain should be the crown prince. If not outright king. What with him having the army and all." Nori sounded grim.

Crown prince? "Fili is my direct heir." Thorin's look narrowed in anger, but he nodded at the dwarrow to continue. "How wide-spread is this talk?"

"Narrow of narrows." Nori admitted. "The dregs and malcontents. Most are simply celebrating that Erebor is Dwarven again. But dwarrow aren't dwarrow without the occasional grumble and rumble."

"Rumbles have a way of growing if left unchecked." Bofur pointed out, and then fell quiet at a sharp glance from the dwarf beside him.

"You ever had sharp ears and eyes, Nori." King Thorin said with a nod of his head. "And a sharper mind controlling them both."

The dwarrow in question bowed his head simply.

Thorin pointed at Nori. "Can you get a list of who is saying ..."

The tri-braided and coiffed dwarf presented a sheet of parchment with a small flourish of his stubby, and yet quick fingered hand.

The King Under the Mountain raised one eyebrow and then chuckled. "Of course."

Balin took the parchment, scanning the names. "Short list."

"Unpopular too." Nori pointed out. "For now. And it might come to exactly nothing if not for ..." He pointed to Bofur, who blushed.

Thorin looked to the toy maker in surprise. "You've heard something?" Usually the hatted dwarrow was the one speaking, not listening overmuch to gossip.

"Oh aye." Bofur swallowed hard and then straightened his shoulders. "And I'm not the only one to hear. Ain't no secret, though it's not widely known and all. But said aloud with no care about who was around. And some of them around may be on that there list. And if they're not on the list, they should be."

"Bofur." Balin chided, seeing the thinning patience of their monarch.

"Right." The toy maker sighed. "Elladan. He went through the Nute'adad ceremony when Fili was younger. For Fili of course."

Thorin's mind shorted out for a second or three. Then he blinked, his eyes going dry. He turned over this information in his mind several which ways. "Fili is still my nephew, his having a 'second-father' does not change the fact that he is my heir. The heir of heirs, the crown prince of Erebor."

"The nute'adad made him Elladan's son. Legally." Nori pointed out.

Thorin growled low in his throat, frowning menacingly. "Fili is an adult. A fully Dwarven adult. Free to be named my heir."

Nori nodded. "True enough, truth completely. But the talkers, they could confuse the matter. Use it. Especially since you named Fili your heir when he was underage, without his father's permission."

"That elf is NOT his father!" Yelled Thorin, making all three of the other dwarrow wince unhappily.

Balin snapped his teeth together sharply. "We get Elladan to state that Fili is Thorin's heir. Simple."

"No." Thorin snapped out the word like a weapon. "No. No. Again no. Kili is another matter. If what is claimed is true, the elf had no clue that Kili even existed. Fine. But he KNEW Fili existed. And he abandoned him."

"Dis left with the boy ..."

"And the elf did not follow!" Shouted Thorin. "So no. Nute'adad or not, Fili is mine by right of court and blood." He snarled. "And Kili is mine as well, no matter what!"

Balin sighed. "Saying that doesn't make it so. And we can't deny that Kili is ...part ...theirs."

"Watch me!" Thorin roared, his temper soaring higher than logic at the moment.

"My king, wishing the past away has never worked and it won't work now. Kili has Elven blood." Balin held up placating hands to forestall his liege's temper. "The healers, both elven and dwarven were summoned to see Kili this morning."

Thorin's eyes widened with instant worry and concern. He put his hand on the hilt of his weapon, then dropped his grip. It was an old dwarvish saying that blades couldn't solve every problem, just the best problems.

"Lad is fine, just fine." Balin seemed embarrassed and he cocked his head to the side a bit. "I don't understand fully, but basically the song they sung him that first day? It awakened some kind of internal light, I still don't know what they meant by that. But, well, he's having to adjust and all."

"They poisoned him?" Bofur looked as horrified as Thorin felt.

The white-haired advisor shook his head. "No. He's well and hale, but achy. Mayhap this is linked to what they said about him growing, then again ...well, I just don't know."

Thorin groaned, remember what the elven healer had said about Kili gaining a few more inches in height. Dwarflings usually gained their full height and strength at thirty, although not yet mature.

"Maybe his beard will get longer." Bofur speculated with a hopeful look.

Thorin's mouth twisted and he sighed. "Sure. Become more elvish in order to look more dwarvish. We ...can't count on that." His voice trailed off, thinking about his sister's youngest child. "In the mountains, when I got dark, Kili could always bring me out of myself."

The other three dwarrow in the room held their silence. They knew. The quest they'd all shared had been a tight-knit group who'd learned each other well.

"Kili's a bright lad." Bofur said more quietly than he normally talked. "The very heart of us really. He and his brother both."

Thorin's mouth tightened grimly, he turned and stared at Nori until that dwarf straightened and stared back. "My father spoke of King Thror's internal hearing system."

Balin nodded slowly, a small smile playing along his lips. "Spies."

Nori frowned, his sharp mind racing ahead. "Some likely lads could manage something like that, but there are few I'd trust. They be Dain's people."

"I trust you."

The king's words had Nori's head snapping up in surprise. "Me?"

Thorin studied the unrepentant thief carefully. "We are kin."

"Distantly, and maybe not with full honor." Nori referred to being descended from a less than legitimate regal lineage. Hardly a thing discussed openly, not with dwarven sensibilities.

"I called, you answered."

"You called Dori!" The tri-braids of his beard shook a bit as he spoke up.

Thorin shook his head. "I called, and you came. Who else can I really trust? Those who sent us on a fool's errand in order to justify following me? Those who demanded a thrice-damned stone in order to prove that I was worth following? No. I know who has my back."

Nori and Bofur straightened with pride under their king's regard.

"Listen for me. Be my ears. Take no action at this time. You'll have the backing of my treasury and ..."

"Begging pardon, your majesty." Nori stepped forward, bravely interrupting. "But if I'm to do this right, I don't need your treasury. Not much anyway."

Thorin's eyebrows winged upwards, his blue eyes piercing as he looked at his new spy master. "Sources need paying I would think."

"Some." Nori nodded. "But having access to the larder or the ale stores would be better and less obvious. Some coinage, but nothing huge."

Balin shot a look at Thorin, who appeared thoughtful. "You're right, of course you're right. Too much money floating around and they'll know you belong to me."

"And I can't be seen as belonging to you." Nori shook his head, obviously several steps ahead already. "You're going to have to distance me from the throne."

Stunned, Thorin shook his head. "You are of my Company."

Balin looked saddened, but he seemed to understand. "Are you sure of that, Nori?"

The tri-braided thief nodded solemnly. "I'm thinking that I set up a brew house, a tavern. Make noises about being owed more than you've given. No great fight needs to be made, just a few grumbles."

"And I keep my distance." Thorin frowned sharply. "I don't like this."

"Not completely distant." Nori explained. "But no warm words. Anything more would be too much."

Thorin seemed torn on the idea, even if he had made the initial suggestion. "I'd be betraying you."

"That's exactly what you won't be doing, even if no one will know." Nori said with steel in his voice. "You are my king. Fili is your heir. Kili is as well. Dain is a good dwarf and a good warrior, but he didn't come out here until the dragon was already faced and gone."

Thorin stepped toward Nori, putting his hand on the other dwarf's shoulder. He leaned in, and the honorable thief met him halfway. They rested their foreheads together and shared the air between them. "I leave what you tell Dori and Ori to you." The king said quietly.

Nori nodded, grateful.

o.o.o.o.o

Tauriel watched Kili move away from her, a bit stunned. He'd pretended not to see her. Unsure and a bit hurt, she wasn't sure quite how to react.

Another elf moved up next to her, a quick glance confirming Elladan. Kili's father. Tauriel cast her green eyes downward, embarrassed to be caught looking longingly in the wrong direction. Had Kili ignored her because of his father?

Elladan was watching Kili too though.

Tauriel didn't fidget, that wasn't who she was. She was Silvan, yes. Lower blooded than Elladan. But she was not ashamed of who and what she was. As a former captain in King Thranduil's guard, she knew her worth.

Unfortunately, the High Elves knew where they weighed her worth as well.

Tauriel blinked and started to turn away without offering words. She had not been spoken to, therefore she shouldn't break the silence.

"Do not take it to heart."

The red-haired she-elf paused, surprised. Elladan's voice seemed neutral, but not unkind. Almost hesitant.

"My lord?" Tauriel caught her breath. Oh. She should have expected this. King Thranduil had warned her not to allow Legolas' eyes turn in her direction once. Even when she had not sought such attention. Now Elladan, son of Lord Elrond, was going to ask the same of her. Only ...this time ...it would hurt more. Since her attention had already been caught by a certain dark-haired dwarf prince who'd turned out to be more than anyone had ever thought.

"He is embarrassed. The Light of the Eldar is awakening within him, spreading through him. He is unsure and does not want to appear weak before you."

Tauriel's green eyes widened, and she glanced over toward where Fili and Kili both were mounting horses with Elrohir. "I am owed no explanations." She said as mildly as she could.

"No?" Elladan chuckled, his gray eyes showing no disdain. "What are you gifting to him for Durin's Day?"

Shocked, the red-head stared at Kili's father. "I ...did not think a gift from me would be appreciated." She didn't mention that she had indeed been making a gift anyway.

Now Elladan frowned. "From Kili? No." He closed his eyes and nodded in understanding. "From me. Let me see if I can set your mind at ease. He's already asked me what he thinks would be a good gift for you."

Tauriel couldn't help the slight flush to her cheeks. But she dared not hope. She'd sensed that Elladan wasn't especially pleased about her closeness with Kili.

"And your thoughts?"

"Truthfully? That you're both too young." Elladan said consideringly. "That Kuilaith has had some tremendous blows of late and is still trying to deal with them."

Tauriel nodded, it wasn't condemnation at least. Or orders to turn away.

"My mother's mother enjoys your company." Elladan continued. "Perhaps in time things might continue along nicely. I only ask that you be patient with us. My son as he learns and adjusts to the other side of his heritage. Me as I learn to share."

"Of course." Tauriel said simply, dropping her eyes to keep the joy from shining forth. Not forbidden, not lesser. And not pushed upon Kili either, used to draw him closer. The Lady had reassured her of that, but here was another.

"Are you sure you wish to travel with the Lady to Lorien? It is my understanding you wish to see more of this world. Lothlorien is beautiful beyond compare. But it is woodlands, like the Mirkwood." Elladan gave her a measured look. "You are not confined to one course of action."

Tauriel paused, her mind whirling with possibilities. Was the lord being accepting, or trying to find a kind way to be rid of her presence?

Elladan smiled at her. "So very young." His eyes traced the lines of her face. "And quite lovely. I have not yet thanked you for saving Kuilaith's life in Lake Town."

"There is no need." Tauriel dropped her gaze again, only to find Elladan lifting up her chin gently.

"There is every need." The elf lord responded. "I know you had no idea who he was, or that he was my son. That makes your bravery and kindness that much more exceptional."

"Disobeying orders and reckless." She said, wanting to be clear.

"Young." He countered. "And still brave. Now, come. Help a new father out. I need gifts. For Dwarves." His gray eyes widened comically. "Tell me what you know of Thorin's Company."

"They don't like being locked up." The she-elf replied blandly.

Elladan gave her a caustic look and a heartfelt sigh.

Tauriel couldn't help her answering smile. Elladan wasn't anything like she'd expected. "Nothing green."

The elf lord looked startled, glancing around at the rich colors around them. "The hue?"

"The food." She laughed brightly.

o.o.o.o.o

Dis looked around her cabin with sad eyes. Her work roughened hands reached out and caressed the stair newel posts. Fili had carved these for her when he'd been in his early forties.

Kili had gotten a good laugh at the wooden beasts sticking their tongues out at anyone going up the stairs. Thorin had only grunted when he'd seen them.

She wandered over to the book shelves that Kili and Fili had built for her. Her boys weren't ones for sitting still long enough to really enjoy reading. But Thorin had made sure they learned. Or at least he'd made sure they'd minded Balin as he did the actual teaching. She smiled fondly at the memories.

"Lady Dis?" A hesitant voice, soft.

"Just Dis." The dwarrowdam put down Kili's fiddle bow, worn down from overuse. "I'm just Dis around here."

"Not with Erebor reclaimed." The voice sounded insistant. "My lady."

"Grinis." Dis turned and looked at her neighbor. "I don't deserve such a title."

"Don't be a silly-sort. Of course you do." Her long-time neighbor gave a rough approximation of a curtsy. Dis smiled, it had been so long since she'd practiced court manners. She wasn't sure she could cursy with any more grace herself. "Is it true?"

Too true. Dis smiled and nodded. "Erebor is Dwarven again."

"Yes, no. I mean, is it true that Dain is coming to bring you to Erebor before Spring arrives?" The younger dwarrowdam couldn't keep her hazel eyes from sparkling with hope.

Startled, Dis shook her head. "I'll be travelling in winter, through the mountains. Not a pleasure, I'm more than sure."

"Of course, of course." Grinis smiled reassuringly. "I just wondered if my son could travel with you. He's eager to see the Lonely Mountain."

"Serg?" Dis said, surprised. Where had Serg's eagerness been when Thorin had sent out the call to come to aid in his quest? Where had he been when her own two children had gone off to possibly die with their king and uncle? "Perhaps. Speak with Dain when he arrives."

Grinis smiled hopefully. "I was wondering if you might put in a word for him?"

"No."

Grinis' smile disappeared. "He's a good lad."

"Then he can stand on his own two feet and face Dain like a solid dwarrow and make his own case. Skirts aren't for hiding behind." Dis tried not to sound cold.

"It's all well for you." Grinis sighed. "You were raised ready to sacrifice your blood and kin for the good of all. Regal and everything."

Dis wanted to scream that she'd been barely a child when fleeing Erebor. She simply had vague recollections of the mountain kingdom. There wasn't a time she couldn't remember living a hardscrabble life trying to make ends meet and fill bellies, not just her own family's either. "Serg will be more than welcome to travel if he so desires. But he's of age and can ask for himself."

Grinis disappeared with a sniff to show her unhappiness. Dis sighed, her soul chilled. She didn't bother to explain that Dain might not be well influenced by her words.

He knew. The elves were at Erebor and they all knew her secrets. Soon all would.

Dis plucked at her skirt and frowned. She would need to raid her sons closets, or maybe Thorin's. She needed travel clothes. Thick, serviceable leathers.

"Skirts aren't for hiding behind." Dis repeated to herself, lifting her chin high. She'd put off this moment for over seven decades. That was about to change.

o.o.o.o.o

"So why isn't Elladan with us?" Kili asked, looking doubtfully at the river Celduin's mouth. They were on a barely serviceable raft and while it was fairly calm water, there was a swift undercurrent. "Do you know dwarves aren't the best swimmers?"

Elrohir raised an eyebrow.

Fili grinned. "Dense bones. We sink a lot."

"And it has nothing to do with the ton of gear, leather, and metals you carry about every day?" The elf warrior chuckled. "And Elladan had some things to do at Erebor. Our mother's mother wanted a word with him."

Fili shifted over and looked down into the water. "Can't see bottom."

His brother's movements made the raft shift and Kili's eyes widened in alarm, though he managed not to make a fool of himself by grabbing onto things.

Elrohir smiled gamely. "You two were in this river yesterday."

"Not this far out." Kili grumbled. "Does Elladan know you're bringing us out here?"

"Yes." The elf lord sighed. "And maybe one day you'll call him your father?"

Embarrassed, Kili shrugged. "Mam isn't here yet."

"Do you really have any doubts?" Elrohir asked quietly. "The light of the Eldar expands within you already, Kuilaith."

Kili winced uncertainly, rubbing his chest. "No one said it would make me feel bad."

Elrohir frowned in sympathy, taking a deep breath. "This is usually done in infancy. And babies react differently than you are. But the healers say you're fine."

Fili sat back up a bit quickly, making the raft shift. He grinned as Kili paled. "Afraid?"

"Never." He then looked at his elvish uncle. "So. What training do you have for us today?"

"Meditation." Elrohir gave a gentle nod of his head. "Since you're not feeling your best. We'll start with breathing."

Fili grinned widely. "Hate to tell you, but we both mastered breathing a long time ago."

Elrohir shook his head. "This is different."

"Stupid." Kili muttered.

"Will help you keep the Lady Galadriel from putting you to sleep with a touch of her mind." Elrohir paused. "Or at least make it a challenge for her."

Kili brightened at the thought. Lord Elrond hadn't had a chance to start before he'd left to return to Rivendell.

"You'll learn to 'hear' the trees, the water, the very nature of all around us. Learn their names, and learn what they have to share." Elrohir settled into a cross legged position, closing his eyes. "Now. Take a deep breath in ..."

Nothing happened.

Elrohir opened his eyes to find both dwarves staring at him with incredulity. Clear blue eyes and laughing dark eyes.

Fili pointed to a tree on the bank. "Maple."

Kili pointed to a taller one. "Giant oak."

"Black oak. Which is different." Fili pointed to the opposite bank.

Dark eyes glanced at the river mouth they were currently floating on. "That's water." He said in a mockingly helpful manner.

"How many birds in those trees? When will the first snow arrive? How deep was the last snow? How high does this river mouth typically rise? What kind of fish swim near the top? Or the bottom? How healthy are the trees here?"

Fili's mouth dropped open and Kili shook his head.

Elrohir smiled. "Breathe. First, we breathe."

o.o.o.o.o

"Thrice damn them goblins." The Orc chieftan growled.

"They don't like to travel in the light." The second orc glanced fretfully up at the sun, not wanting to admit he wasn't thrilled with the idea himself. "Darkness be a better cover."

The chieftan made a fist of his hand out of frustration. "Wasted we are, on a mission to watch and learn."

A third orc, laying on the ground overlooking the next area put a fist out to the side.

The chieftan frowned. "What?"

"I'm learning that dwarves float."

The orc chieftan hurried over, dropping low so he wouldn't be spotted. He looked out over the river mouth. The raft was easily spotted. Two dwarves and what looked like the ugly stretched out form of an ... "Elf."

The second orc looked uncertain as his chieftain's horrific face split into a magnificent and malicious grin. "We was told not to engage?"

The chieftan nodded, reaching for his quiver. "Just a bit of fun. Few quick shots and we be gone."

The second in command winced and waved in the general direction of the small cave where their goblin escorts were holed up for the day. "And them?"

"Goblins." Spat the chieftan. "Let them take the blame if found."

o.o.o.o.o

Fili snorted, more than half-way asleep. His breathing free and easy with the occasional mumble.

Kili sat on the raft, feeling every drift and eddy of the current below as he tried to concentrate.

"Let the trees speak to you, let the leafs tell you what they know of the seasons."

"That they want to fall because it's winter coming?" Kili groused, then batted at a leaf that the wind threw in his face. "See what I mean?"

Elrohir sighed. "Breathe. Clear your mind of distractions. Listen to the air, the wind."

Kili tried. He really, really tried. He cleared his thoughts and concentrated on the energy within him. His uncle called it the Light of the Eldar. He was calling it his intruder. Kili sighed, and let even that thought go.

Birdsong. Rustling of leaves. Wind blowing. The sound of wind was diffent going over water than it was when travelling over stone. He let that thought wander. Leaves. Maple leaves and Oak leaves, could he tell a difference. No. And there was this annoying whistle, getting louder.

A familiar whistle. Fast paced, splitting the air. Kili knew that sound. He'd heard it every single day of his life since he'd first picked up a bow.

Without a questioning thought, he knew where this arrow was heading. He could hear it on the wind. More whistles were coming.

Elrohir was so concentrating on teaching Kili and making sure that Fili didn't fall into the water while asleep that he didn't catch the signs.

"No!" Kili roared suddenly, leaping into action and tackling his uncle without warning.

Elrohir rolled under the impact, his legs knocking into Fili who awoke with a sputter and flailing arms.

Three arrows decorated the raft right where Elrohir had been seated. One of them covered with pitch and lit with fire.

Without hesitation, Elrohir kept the momentum of his roll and took Kili right along with him into the waters of the Celduin. Fili followed them three seconds later.

Wistles on the wind alerted Elrohir this time, as Kili had lost his concentration and was now focused on not swallowing the entire river.

"Down!" Elrohir ordered, dropping down and pulling a protesting Kili with him.

The stronger undercurrents grabbed at them, pushing the trio downstream while submerged.

A flash of red had Elrohir looking around, but the water was whipping his long hair in his face too much. He couldn't tell who was hurt, or how badly.

o.o.o.o.o

A/N: Evil cliffhanger ... please refer to tags. No major character death mentioned. :)