I'm back! Sorry for the evil cliffhanger last chapter. Hopefully, this one will live up to your expectations. Thank you, as always, to everyone that took the time to review last chapter! Also a big thank you to everyone that added me and my story to their alerts/favorites lists! Enjoy!
Chapter Twelve
A Stolen Life
Kili son of Dis, nephew to Thorin Oakenshield, and second heir to the throne of Erebor stood his ground against the king of goblins. His chin lifted high and shoulders set Kili did not flinch when his wrists were encased in thick metal cuffs the end of which was attached to a long chain held by the great goblin's meaty hands. The young heir held his grunt of pain as the chain was pulled harshly bringing Kili painfully to his knees in front of the massive goblin.
Looking up and into the goblin's yellow eyes with defiance Kili spoke curtly. "I will not tell you anything. You might as well kill me now. That is your plan I assume?"
The great goblin laughed, rocking side to side in his throne and pulling the chain around. The movement straining Kili's still recovering shoulder. "I do not plan to kill you…not yet anyways." The evil king finished with a smirk.
"Then what is your purpose?"
"My purpose?! What is your purpose, Dwarf?! What are you dwarves doing in my kingdom?!" The goblin's voice was loud, rocketing off the walls and creating a minor ringing in Kili's ears.
Kili held his tongue, having no intentions of betraying his family. But instead of getting angry like Kili expected, the goblin king just smiled wider.
"I already know your purpose. It does not matter to me. None of you will leave this place alive anyways. Unless, I could make a profit for it."
Kili's mind stuttered to a halt. "A profit?"
"Oh yes. I could sell your group as slaves. The young blond one would fetch a great deal I imagine."
Kili jumped to his feet and tried to lung at the goblin but was held back. "If you dare; I will kill you slowly, Monster! Let go of me!" The archer attempted to knock the goblins holding him away but it was no use.
The great goblin just laughed and continued. "Oh right that's your brother. So young, fair, and of royal blood too. I could easily sell your brother to anyone: men, elves, other dwarves, and of course orcs. But your uncle, well. I know someone that would pay a pretty price for his head. Just the head; nothing attached."
Kili stopped struggling and dropped his head in defeat. "What do you want?" He asked; his voice cracking slightly from exhaustion.
The goblin king's head tilted to the side with interest. "I was wondering what he saw in you…I see now."
"What? Who…what are you talking about?" Kili asked, dreading the answer as a sick feeling settled in his stomach.
"Oh I think you know."
"Would you please sit down?!" Oin's voice rose in frustration.
The annoyed healer's voice caught Thorin's attention pulling his focus from his conversation with Dwalin and Balin. The dwarf king watched with saddened eyes as Fili limply paced back and forth next to the bars of their cage. His sight scouring the rusted metal for any weaknesses they could use to escape. Without another word to Balin or Dwalin Thorin stepped closer to his oldest nephew and as Fili came towards him caught his arm gently.
Fili glared at Thorin trying to mask the fear behind his pale eyes and yanked his arm free. "Why didn't you do anything?! Why are you still not doing anything?!"
"Fili." Thorin tried quietly to calm Fili unsuccessfully.
"NO! Do not try to quell my anger! I will not be handled! My brother is alone again! Being terrorized AGAIN! And we are sitting here doing nothing!" Fili yelled.
Thorin suddenly gripped the sides of Fili's face and leaned closer. "Don't you think I know that?! Do you not think it is killing me being trapped here as the goblin king is doing who knows what to Kili! But we cannot lose ourselves, Fili."
Fili blinked and a small tear ran down his cheek as the young heir cleared his throat before speaking. "I know; you're right. What's the plan then?"
Thorin's thumb wiped Fili tear away and he cringed internally, knowing that this next part would be difficult. "The plan is for you to sit down for Oin."
"Uncle..." Fili tried to argue.
Thorin stepped back and held up his hand to signal Fili stop. "I will not hear your complaint on this matter. I need you in top condition if we are going to get out of Goblintown with everyone alive. I can't rely on you if you're leg wound is still bleeding."
Fili bit the inside of his cheek. "Fine." He said and dramatically sat down on the ground in front of Oin, leg outstretched.
"Good. Dwalin make sure he doesn't move until I tell him."
"I am not a child and I don't need to be babysat!"
"Then do not act like a child and do what I say without protest." Thorin ground out.
Dwalin made his way next to Fili and slowly sat down on the ground. Because of his and Fili's height difference the two dwarfs sat shoulder to head against the damp wall. "Don't you worry, Laddie. Thorin is just tryin to make sure you're in the right shape to rip the goblin king's cold dead heart out. No one messes with our family and gets away with it. Am I right?" Dwalin's gruff voice said finishing with a wink.
Fili smiled faintly and let his sight drift to Oin's working hands. His uncle's commanding voice a comfort in his ears.
"Everyone else look for any way possible to break this cage open."
"I believe you met my favorite pet; my second in command; my greatest disappointment." The goblin continued talking and the pace of Kili's heartbeat increased with every word. "I had such hopes for Carrek, but he became too ambitious. To think he could overthrow me!" The goblin snapped in a mixture of disgust and resentment.
"What makes you say I met this…Carrek?" Kili asked, knowing he shouldn't, his voice breaking on Carrek's name. Kili asked even though he knew he didn't want to know the answer to his question; that the answer would lead to nothing ever being the same.
The goblin king's mouth opened wide, showing his foul teeth in a wicked smile, and lowered his voice knowingly. "It's written all over you."
"Thorin, I think we got something!" Bofur's excited voice startled Fili who was lost in thought.
The young heir's eyes snapped up with the toy-maker's declaration and without pause started to stand from the ground. Fili, however, didn't get very far before Dwalin's large hand halted his progress to his feet. The blond dwarf huffed in annoyance and slid back down to the ground grumbling. "I just want to see what they found. That's all. Is that really so bad?"
Oin tilted Fili's leg back into the position needed to finish dressing the wound with practiced ease. Clearly, used to dealing with uncooperative patients.
Thorin moved to Bofur's side quickly, and given that the cage was rather small it only took a few step to cross the distance. "What have you found?"
Bofur smiled. "Look here." The toy-marker pointed to a small open gap where the metal bars met the rock wall. "The metal is eroded here. We may be able to knock it loose from the wall…with enough force. If we can remove enough of the metal bars so that Nori could slip through he should be able to find something to pick the lock with on the other side."
Thorin listened intently and began formulating a plan in his mind. "Good work. Do you need Dwalin?"
Gloin stepped forward and cracked his knuckles. "Stand aside. I can get us through."
"Tell me, Little Dwarf. Do the others in your company know?" The goblin king asked a despondent Kili with glee.
The young dwarf prince turned his gaze away and refused to respond to the taunting creature. His action speaking loudly enough for the goblin king.
"Interesting. Are you afraid they wouldn't want you anymore? Let us see if that's true. Shall we?"
Kili's felt his heavy heart sink even further. "Why do you creatures take such pleasure in the pain of others?" The young heir's watery brown eyes connected with the goblin king's as he tried to control his despair. "What do you get from ruining the lives of others? There is no jewels in it. No gain. Yet all of you are the same."
The massive goblin pulled his hand up under his chin, acting as if he was thinking deeply. The chain that was still clutched in his grasp pulled taut, straining Kili's shoulder muscle further. "Well, we have to do something for entertainment." The goblin answered with a smile.
Clanking and creaking noises bounced off the cavern's walls as the dwarves made slow work of removing the metal bars. Gloin's face was bright red from exertion and loss of oxygen from holding his breath while pulling. The red-headed dwarf released a puff of air after freeing another bar, instantly breaking into a smile. "Ah, only a few more and we'll be on our way."
Fili who had resumed his pacing the moment Oin released him turned to check Gloin's progress a sick feeling in his stomach. Kili had been with the goblin king for much too long and they had not heard anything. No noises, no movement, just no anything. Fili knew he wouldn't be able to celebrate until his little brother was by his side once more. One look at Thorin's tense posture told Fili his uncle felt the same. After a moment's thought Fili decided to talk to his uncle and started towards him, but stopped when an unexpected noise reached his ears.
The scuttling of many goblin's feet sounded nearby and increased in closeness steadily. The sudden noise brought the sitting captured member of the company to their feet slowly. Readying themselves for a possible fight without their weapons by their side.
It became clear quickly that the group of goblins were headed straight for the caged dwarves. The goblin that looked to be leading the group was tall and wide, holding a long whip with sharp bits of metal attached at the ends of the leather straps. The creature cackled the closer they came to the cage door and held up the keys, waving them back and forth trying to provoke anger from their captives.
Thorin stepped forward to the front of the company protectively, ending in front of the cage's door, only an arm's reach from the tall goblin. The dwarven king glared up intensely at the creature, making the smile drop from its face. Taking a step back the goblin held up his whip threateningly and spoke with a gruff voice. "Step back or I'll haf-ta break ya in half."
When Thorin didn't make a move the goblin continued. "The king wants ta see ya. Be good or ya little one with king will suffer."
At the mention of Kili Thorin's glare faltered slightly and Fili growl furiously, lunging forward the young dwarf gripped the cool bars with both hands. "If any of you have hurt him I will tear you limb from limb and every last one of the dwarves in here will help me."
Thorin swiftly pulled Fili away from the door. "Enough." He whispered in his nephew's ear, before turning back to the goblin with renewed purpose.
The goblin's smile was back after having succeeded in riling Fili up. "Just wait. I'll peel his flesh off with my hands, but I'll make ya watch. Ya can enjoy every scream until he passes out from the pain."
Dwalin's heavy footstep sounded as he menacingly walked to the bars and leaned as close as he could to the goblin that dare threaten his loved ones. "That's nothing compared to what I'm gonna do to ya."
The goblins surrounding their leader backed away slightly with Dwalin's approach and looked imploringly to the creature Dwalin was threatening. When the leading goblin noticed his underlings had moved away from his side he howled in rage and grabbed the nearest goblin by its neck. Roughly, the squealing goblin was yanked toward its leader. "Cowards! Gather the prisoners and bring em to our king or suffer a fate worst then the dwarf scum!"
The dwarven company was lead harshly down the rickety path towards the goblin king's throne, struggling against their captors unsuccessfully. The imposing figure of the goblin king was seen in the distance, but it wasn't the evil king the Fili was looking for. Every step that brought the young heir closer to the round platform felt like a lifetime of childhood memories slipping away, leaving only darkness and pain behind. Fili couldn't explain it, but he knew something was terribly wrong and he just need to see Kili with his own eyes. Everything would be fine if he could just see his little brother. Right?
Thorin's seasoned warrior senses flew into high alert as he and his company were surrounded on all sides with enemies. The dwarf king secretly searched for any possible escape option and coming up empty his eyes sought out Dwalin. The large warrior shook his head slightly telling Thorin he also could not see a way out. Thorin felt his chest tighten in panic. He didn't like feeling trapped and out-numbered, especially with the people he loves hanging in the balance.
Thorin's intense blue eyes landed on his youngest nephew the moment they stepped onto the platform. Kili looked defeated, his shoulders were slummed and his head bowed low making his long wavy hair hang, blocking his face and making it impossible to get his attention quietly. Thorin's blood boiled when he noticed the thick metal cuffs around his nephew's wrist, as well as the blood dripping from them. No doubt the metal had cut into his nephew's flesh as he had tried to struggle. The dwarf king's sight followed the chain attaching Kili to his captor all the way up, his glare resting on the goblin king's smirking face.
"I am releasing you all!" The great goblin announced suddenly, his unexpected words creating a stir of discontent among his followers.
Kili's head snapped up in surprise, unsure where the goblin king was going with this declaration. His eyes sweeping over his family and friends; a small amount of hope entering his heart. Maybe they would all get out of this alive.
Fili closed his eyes in relief when he saw Kili's face and could tell he was unharmed. Still not being able to catch his brother's eye the fair-haired dwarf turned his attention to his uncle, wondering how he would respond to this unexpected news.
Thorin's thoughts raced as he tried to figure out the goblin king's play. Not wanting to cause any more trouble the dwarf king stepped forward and answered back diplomatically. "I appreciate your generosity. Why the change of heart?"
"Your nephew has been very helpful. I understand now that this was all a misunderstanding. You and your company never meant to trespass upon my kingdom, and you have brought me back something of mine. So as a reward I have decided to let you all go free." The goblin king said matter-of-factly.
Thorin's eyes swept to Kili when the goblin king mentioned him then back to the massive creature. The dark-haired dwarf's confusion only rose when the goblin spoke of something of his. Thorin was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he did not see Kili turn his face further away from his family as the goblin went on talking.
"I thank you Great Goblin for your understanding. Now if you will just release my nephew we will be on our way." Thorin spoke firmly and took a few steps closer without restriction from the goblin's surrounding him.
The goblin king laughed a booming laugh, rocking from side to side. "Now why would I do that?"
Thorin felt a cold shiver run through his body as dread worked to grip his soul.
"I never let go of things that are mine." The evil king finished and yanked on the chain Kili was attached to, drawing the young dwarf to his knees suddenly.
The dwarven company went crazy. All of them shouting and fighting to get free. As confusion and anger took hold.
Getting annoyed with the dwarfs' shouting the goblin king hoped to quiet their protests and pulled Kili forcefully to him. The young dwarf yelped in pain at being manhandled and struggled against the large goblin. Kili, however, could not stop the malicious creature from gripping his hair and revealing his childhood scar for everyone to see.
The action halted the activity coming from the dwarves in the cavern. All of them holding their breath in anticipation for what might happen next.
"The mark of the goblin king! This branding shows this dwarf is property of the goblin king…me. All of my slaves have it and it is law that your nephew is mine. Carrek may have tried to overthrow me, but my favorite pet did leave me a worthy gift before his untimely demise." The goblin finished his words and threw Kili to his hand and knees on the stone ground before him. The young dwarf kept his head down in shame, unable to look the people he cared for in the eye. Not now that they knew. He was nothing but the property of a goblin. Used and unwanted. How could he ever be seen any other way now? His life had never been his, not since that awful day when Carrek stole it.
A look of horror passed over the faces of the dwarves, some even looking like they were going to be ill. Fili felt the burn of tears welling in his eyes, his mind not able to comprehend what the goblin was saying. He tried to call out to his brother, but Kili would not listen.
Thorin was the only one that did not look surprised, only furious. "My nephew is not property for anyone or thing to own!" Thorin shouted and took threatening steps towards the goblin king.
The great goblin leaned closer to Thorin challengingly. "What are you going to do about it?"
Before Thorin had the chance to respond a brilliant flash of white light washed over the cavern and a powerful burst of wind knocked all standing to the ground. The dwarf king blinked and shook his head clear, looking to see what had caused the disturbance. Thorin's sight rested on Gandalf standing atop a large boulder like an unbelievable savior.
The wise wizard looked carefully over the gathered group and lifted his staff from the boulder. "Take up arms…all of you FIGHT!"
End of chapter twelve! What did you think? Please remember to review to let me know what you thought. As always I appreciate all of you who has taken the time to read my story. So thank you again! Until next time…
Coming Soon,
Chapter Thirteen: An Old Enemy