Not All who Wander are Lost

by Skyborn Huntress

Drabble collection. A hundred missing moments, reflections, and all the Durin family feels before, during, and after the Quest for Erebor. Thorin, Dis, Fili, and Kili will endure, as they always have. They must, for the line of Durin is strong.

21. New

021: New

Thorin gives Kili a present.

"Mine?" Kili clarifies, uncertainly.

"It's yours," Thorin confirms with an almost amused smile. "So long as you're interested in practicing."

He can still hope that it is just a stage; but as Kili traces his fingers over the bow Thorin can read an almost longing in his expression. It is a beautiful bow: ornate horn shapes the recurve, and runes frame the grip. In a word, it is dwavish, Thorin thinks.

"Well? Good enough for a prince?"

Kili blinks back up at him. "But – Rada – what about –?"

Thorin presses his hand to his shoulder. "Try it out first."

Kili nods and scrambles for his arrows, and Thorin can hear him shouting for Fili as he thunders downstairs. He smirks and follows more slowly.

When he reaches the yard, Kili has already picked a target among the orchard trees, and Fili watches as he takes aim. The bow draws smoothly for him; he does not have to fight a too-heavy string, and his shot follows steady and true.

The commotion has brought Dis from her forge. She stands at Thorin's shoulder as Kili strikes the centre of another tree.

"Frerin's bow?"

Thorin watches his nephew's face gleam. "It was time."