Well, folks, we have come now to the end. Thank you so so so much to all who review, favorite, follow, and yes, to you "silent readers" for your support- having so many people come back to read this story of mine totally blew me away. Also, a final thank you to Oblivian03 for your support, nagging, and inspirations. I might as well dedicate this story to you because it would have been absolutely horrendous (not that I think that it's wonderful anyway)if you had not put in your "two-cents" and kept me on track. ;)
Enjoy!
It was nearing midday and the Company stopped by a small stream for a rest. Kíli had insisted on traveling on his own power after being incapacitated for nearly three days, leaning on his brother's shoulder for support. Óin's pain-reducing paste took the edge off but the injured Dwarf still could not move very fast. Although Kíli was on the mend, the final remains of the poison remained in his veins and he was still plagued with a slight fever. The Company compensated for the slow pace, keeping the injured Dwarf and his brother in the middle of the group.
"Whatever happened to the Orcs, the ones we were fighting that is? I… I think I remember waking in a bog and hearing a Warg, so I assume that we did not win that battle?"
Fíli laughed humorously over his bowl of berries the Company had collected for "lunch". "We had pushed the Orcs back just enough to make an escape, retrieve you, and hide."
"They found us, however, and perused us into this forest" Thorin continued, "where we did indeed take cover in a marsh. That was when you first regained consciousness."
Kíli nodded as he sorted through the memories. "Then what became of them? Surely they are not still hunting us!"
"I crossed their path as they searched for you and let us just say that they will not be bothering anyone for a long while." Gandalf supplemented with a wink.
Kíli's laugh was cut short as the action pulled painfully at his injuries. A disturbance near the stream's bank caught Kíli's attention, and everyone else's for that matter, momentarily distracting him from the stab of pain.
"What did you splash me for?" cried a drenched Nori, shaking the water which slid down his arms and off of his fingertips.
"If you were not standing so close you would not have been splashed in the first place!" growled Dwalin in response, drying his freshly washed face on a blanket.
"You should have watched where you were flinging water!"
"I was not 'flinging water'! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" Dwalin's bellow scared a flock of birds to take flight from a nearby tree, shrieking in protest at being disturbed.
"Did they… did those two bicker when I was out of it, or was that a dream, too?"
"When do they not bicker?" smirked Fíli at the older Dwarves' antics.
Kíli settled on smiling brilliantly, remembering how a simple laugh pulled at his side.
"We found a trail up ahead!" came Bofur's upbeat voice as he forced his way through a thick bush with Bifur close behind, pausing briefly to grab at his prized hat when it caught on a branch. "It is slightly overgrown but it goes in the correct direction and it might speed up our journey through this forest."
Thorin and Gandalf shared an approving look before Thorin addressed the rest of the Company. "We move out in ten minutes. Bofur, Bifur, grab some food."
As Thorin spoke, Gandalf's gaze shifted to meet Kíli's. With a knowing glint in his eyes the old Wizard nodded to himself before breaking eye contact.
Thoroughly confused, the young Dwarf did not have time to ponder what happened as Óin ambled over and began fussing over his injuries, asking too many questions for Kíli to possibly answer and forcing a foul-tasting draught down his throat.
To be frank, he soon completely forgot about the puzzling moment.
Bofur had been right—the abandoned path did make traveling easier. It was wide enough for three to walk abreast and was only slightly overgrown, although it had obviously been abandoned long ago. It was as if magic kept it in the same state of disrepair, just enough to give the illusion of recent abandonment, welcoming its travelers onward.
Despite the easier traveling conditions, each step became harder and harder for Kíli, a sense of dread filling his soul and a strong familiarity sneaking into his mind.
Fíli could sense the trepidation growing in his brother. "You alright, Kíli?"
"I do not know. I have never been here before yet I dread what this path may lead us to."
Eyeing his younger brother warily Fíli did not comment.
Up at the front, Thorin halted the Company with a raised hand as Nori came barreling down the path from scouting ahead. "There is a structure in the distance! Some sort of ruined fortress of some sort." the thief reported breathlessly.
The blood seemed to run cold in Kíli's veins but no one seemed to notice the panic rising in Kíli's chest.
"Is it inhabited?" questioned Thorin.
"It looks abandoned, but it is quite a ways down the path."
Turning to the Company behind him the heir of Durin addressed the Dwarves under his command. "Dwalin, Glóin, go with Nori and scout out the fortress. If it is indeed abandoned we might take shelter there tonight."
No! Kíli's mind screamed. Why was he feeling such apprehension?
"Kíli? Do you need to take a rest?" came Thorin's concerned voice.
Swallowing hard he shook his head. Satisfied for the moment the Company continued on as the three assigned scouts ploughed ahead.
After a few minutes of travel the fortress finally came into sight. Settling alongside the road the Dwarves waited for the scouts to return. Twenty minutes later Nori appeared once again. "It is completely abandoned and has been for some time."
Content with the findings the Company broke their temporary camp, eager to escape the chill wind that had come upon them only moments prior.
The youngest of the Company, however, did not share in such positive prospects. He was literally beginning to feel ill with each step that brought him closer to the fortress.
Yet the young Dwarf kept his feelings to himself.
The main group soon met up with Dwalin and Glóin and together they approached the impressive stone structure.
"At one time this mighty, yet crumbling, fortress was a magnificent sight to behold—none was equal in its beauty or craftsmanship." Gandalf narrated as the once mighty main gates came into view. "Elves of long ago erected this stronghold. They, however, as time went on, were either killed or sailed and inexplicable evil resided here. But not to worry, it has long since been eradicated. Now this fortress succumbs to the powers of nature, which is probably for the best."
The once ornate gates were now permanently left open, the carefully wrought iron distorted out of shape and crumbling, intertwined with overgrown weeds and vines—by no means was it a welcoming sight.
"No." Kíli moaned, clutching at his injured shoulder which flared unexpectedly with pain. "No!" Legs giving way the young Dwarf fell heavily to his knees, doubling over until his forehead met the ground.
"Kíli!" Fíli cried in horror, kneeling beside his fallen brother as Thorin hastened to his nephews.
Kneeling in front of his youngest nephew Thorin tried to elicit a response from his moaning sister's-son. "Kíli, what is wrong? Speak to me!"
Getting more than he bargained for, Kíli shot strait up, burying his hands in Thorin's tunic. "We cannot go in there! We cannot!" Pain, deeper than any physical injury, shone in chocolate eyes, silently pleading to leave the place.
Before Thorin could reply Kíli sunk against his Uncle's chest, body shaking with silent sobs. Without hesitation the rightful heir to the Throne held his nephew in a firm embrace as a moan of inner turmoil was released from the broken Dwarf.
"Gandalf?" Thorin called, more as a question than a summon, as he gently rocked Kíli back and forth, completely at a loss on how to offer comfort.
"It is rumored that the poison Kíli was infected with had its origins here." Gandalf began, striding over to the heirs of Durin. "Since part of his poisoned-induced dream occurred here it is possible that his sub-consciousness is holding onto the dream to be truth, hence his reaction."
"And you did not think it important to tell me that detail?" snapped Thorin.
"As I said, it is only rumored."
"I do not like it here. I feel as if I am being watched." Ori stated quietly to Dori, yet received agreements all around.
"Let us be rid of this place, seek shelter elsewhere." Balin finally spoke up for everyone.
Thorin nodded in concurrence, rubbing a hand up and down Kíli's back as the younger Dwarf began to calm down. "As soon as you are able, Kíli, we will depart."
Pushing away from his Uncle's chest Kíli quickly stated in a shaky voice, "I am ready."
Smiling fondly Thorin wiped away the tears from Kíli's cheeks. Without another word Thorin pulled Kíli to his feet as he regained his own. Squeezing the back of Kíli's neck Thorin turned to retrace their steps. "Glóin, take Bilbo and see if you can find a suitable shelter for the night far from this place."
The rest of the Company fell into step, more than willing to put some distance between themselves and the haunting sight.
Kíli, however, stood rooted in place despite his urge to flee. Taking in the fortress that he had never set foot in, yet held so many false memories, chocolate eyes traveled to the uppermost window as a slight movement caught his attention. There, standing in the window was a fair brown-haired she-Elf. Blinking a few times, thinking that the lingering moisture was distorting his vision, the apparition stayed in place, even raising her hand in a silent farewell.
A touch on his arm startled Kíli's gaze away from the window and to the confused face of his brother.
"I thought that you were desperate to leave."
Looking back to the window, it was empty. "I am." With that the brothers turned and left the fortress behind them.
Gandalf quickly fell into step beside Kíli. "You know, it is believed that Elves were the first test subjects to the poison that flowed through your veins."
Jaw clenched, he looked wordlessly to the Istar by his side. A few moments of silence passed but the old Wizard did not continue, so Kíli voiced the pressing question on his heart. "What of… what of the Elves that were… experimented on?"
"No one knows for sure."
Kíli looked straight ahead with a heaviness building in his heart.
"But it is all speculation and rumors. It happened so very long ago and I was not even involved in the incident. No, I had had other matters to attend to at the time. I highly doubt anyone remains who truly remembers what exactly happened."
"No. Someone remembers."
A gently breeze swept through the Company, much different from the cold wind that had settled around them previously. Kíli could have sworn that he felt a tender kiss placed on his cheek.
Thank you, young one.
For the first time since the whole ordeal began, Kíli could smile, for his heart felt light and free once more. He had succeeded.
Author's Note: Wow... this is a bitter-sweet moment, but what a ride is has been! I would love to hear any final thoughts you might have- now is your last chance! :D
I am leaving this as "in-progress" for now because I may or may not add an epilogue (do you think it needs one?), so keep your ear to the ground for that possible update!