Disclaimer: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and all characters therein are the property of the Tolkien Estate and Wingnut Films. This story is for entertainment only and the author is in no way profiting from it, nor exercising any claims to The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings.

Author's Note: Thank you again to all, including my guest reviewers, Kaia and Kym! This one is short, but it didn't fit in any other way. Scribe

28. A Short Respite

It had been yet another long day of walking through the endless gloom of the forest with nothing but a cold camp and dark night to look forward to for the party. Even Gloin, the acknowledged master of fire starting, could not keep a flame alight with only damp, rotted wood picked from the trail as they walked, and none were so foolhardy as to even suggest that they cut live wood. The trees here harbored an anger to them that was not hard for any to feel, a constant source of irritation for nerves already stretched taut, leaping at every creak and groan resounding through the otherwise deathly still surroundings. There had been some areas, however, where patches of green grew fresh and bright, the trees seeming to lean eagerly toward the sun instead of hovering over any who walked beneath, a sign, according to Legolas, that the land was beginning to heal. For the dwarves, it had simply been a relief, calling their brief rest stops by silent mutual concord in these rare spots.

Another positive development had been the finding of a stream of clear, clean water running down from the mountains that divided Mirkwood still many days travel to the north. Legolas had been skeptical at first, but a cautious trial had proven the water fit for dwarf, elf, and pony. The party had immediately filled any containers that they had capable to carrying water, and drunk their fill themselves, the cold biting at dry throats as they gulped. Afterwards, they had all taken the time to wash away the sweat and grime of travel, Dis producing a bar of soap from her pack that instantly caused a feud over who took precedence in its use. Thorin had settled that one readily enough by simply grabbing the thing and tossing it to Fili and Kili, none about to dispute the right of the two princes. Besides, the feel of the cold on their skin was more refreshing in some ways than a long night's sleep, leaving everyone in a much cheerier frame of mind. Just because they frequently ignored quite a bit of filth as the price of travel did not mean that dwarves were habitually sloppy!

Even the hard travel food, then, could not dampen the spirits at camp that night, the group sitting around and talking for a while instead of immediately collapsing to sleep, as they had most other nights. In the rapidly falling gloom, Legolas moved lithely among the seated dwarves, pouring a small amount of something into the palm of each person's hand with a few soft words before going to the next. Thorin grimaced in distaste, knowing exactly what the other must have, though he was grateful that the elven prince, at least, had the foresight to bring it. The elf approached the four members of Erebor's royal family last, pouring twice the amount of white crystals into Kili's hand than he had anyone else's. The prince looked askance at the stuff for a long moment, but at his uncle's purposeful nod, he took some upon the tip of his tongue only to twist away, attempting to spit the biting stuff out.

"Salt! Why did you give me salt, Legolas?!"

"Eat it."

Thorin growled, catching the younger dwarf's hand before he could discard the precious substance. A nod at the elven prince invited him to join them, the elf sinking with unnatural grace to sit upon the ground next to his dwarven counterparts.

"The heat, right?" Fili asked as he took a long sip of water to wash the taste from his mouth. "We sweat too much and we'll be sick unless we replace the salt in our bodies."

"You are correct, Fili." The pale blonde seemed surprised at such knowledge displayed by the other. "I had not thought to find mountain-bred dwarves so versed in heat survival."

Thorin merely grunted, exchanging glances with Dis that spoke of haunting memories from long ago.

"We learned those lessons at too high a cost during the years of wandering not to ensure they were passed on to the next generation. Or at least we tried!"

Though the explanation offered by the princess was addressed to Legolas, her youngest son found himself on the receiving end of a stern reproving motherly gaze. The brunette flushed, head dropping so that his face was screened by his long hair, and proceeded to almost choke on the last of his salt. Fili grabbed the other with a chuckle, patting his back as he coughed and spluttered on the quickly offered water.

"This one wasn't the greatest at paying attention to what didn't peek his interest, no matter how much Balin scolded."

Kili raised his head at the teasing, frowning at his older brother, who simply smirked back.

"Come on, Fili, when were we ever likely to need to know how to survive in the southern lowlands? We weren't even allowed out of the Blue Mountains until we went to take back Erebor!"

A huge yawn cut off anything more the younger prince would have said, eyelids drooping even as he summoned the energy to reach over and give the blonde a shove. Fili shook his head good naturedly, beads on the ends of his mustache braids swinging, and guided his little brother into laying down on his bedroll. As he had since they had arrived in this new time, Kili fell almost instantly into sleep, betraying the level of exhaustion that the other attempted to hide from his family. Fili turned back to the others with a sigh, worry lines easing from his brow at his mother's reassuring squeeze of his shoulder.

"How much longer before we reach the first of the areas where he won't be able to ride?"

Legolas did not pause for thought, telling the dwarves that this was more than likely one of the topics he'd come over to discuss.

"Tomorrow, at the pace that we have been setting. The pony will be able to handle baggage, which will allow us to walk unburdened, but it will not be safe for a rider."

Thorin swore softly, seeing his dismay reflected in the faces of Fili and Dis. They'd hoped to have a bit more time for Kili to regain strength before testing the young dwarf with that. True, the brunette had walked unaided around camp for the last several days, at least in the morning, but by evening he was dependent upon the crutches once more, if he was up to moving about at all.

"It would aid the lad considerably were he to remove some of that armor, Thorin. He's struggling as it is."

Gloin's suggestion was logical, Thorin noted as the others moved a bit closer to the group, sensing that this was a topic upon which all opinions would be at least heard by their leader. Voices were kept low out of deference to the sleeping prince, though Kili didn't even stir when Dwalin tripped and almost landed on him trying to step over the recumbent body. Bofur and Nast were nodding their own agreement when Thorin sighed heavily, pointing out the detraction to that.

"To do so risks his life by leaving him too open to attack. That mithril chain he wears does not cover enough."

Especially not when their opponents had already shown a preference for assassins' weapons and ambushes. Gimli, however, was shaking his head, lips pursed worriedly.

"In this heat and then asking him to walk… Thorin, you risk his life more surely by not doing so. We are deep within the forest now, and Legolas has seen no signs of anyone about but us. Better to face the danger you know is in front of you than obsess about what may or may not lurk behind."

"Aye, and Kili can always put his heavier layers back on as we go north, closer to the mountain and danger." Bofur added, hands idly carving at a block of wood without even looking at it, "That leather coat of his and the vambraces, at least, should be put aside for now. Fili, you too, lad. Heat exhaustion can kill as swiftly and surely as the deadliest arrow."

Thorin hesitated, eyes seeking out those closest to him, the reasoning of the others infallible, and yet… The part of him clearly labeled "Uncle Thorin" wanted nothing more than to wrap both his sister-sons in so many layers of protection that nothing, not even air, was able to get through to them if it showed the slightest hostile intent. The idea of voluntarily asking them to give up even what shields they did have…

Dis was no help, the fear in her face clearly paralyzing her as to the best course of action, one hand restlessly smoothing Kili's wild dark hair from where it had fallen into his face. Fili was watching her actions, but turned at the feel of his uncle's eyes on him, giving a reluctant nod. Dwalin, too, caught his gaze, large head nodding assent with the others. Legolas broke the silence reluctantly, hesitant yet after the confrontations of several days past.

"I, too, would urge that you consider this, Lord Thorin. It was an issue that I sought to raise with you myself, as I have seen many of the race of Men and even some of my own kin who would've already succumbed to such maladies. That the princes have not speaks to the strength of your people, but it would be unwise to push them further when it is unnecessary."

"Can you swear that no enemy will come upon us unawares while within these woods? Truly?"

There were several gasps of disbelief at the image of a dwarf- especially this one- asking such an assurance from an elf and actually placing faith in it, but the king ignored the others, focus solely upon Legolas. Whispers in his soul urged him to set aside past grievances, to trust this once, and he would not be betrayed. To place the most precious things he had, the lives of Fili and Kili, in the hands of the elven prince would be the step needed to begin reconciliation between their peoples.

"None can truly swear as to what awaits, Thorin Oakenshield, but I will give the same pledge once given by Aragorn to the hobbit, Frodo Baggins. If by my life or death I can protect them, I will."

"Very well."

With those two grudging, yet simple words, Durin Returned set his feet once more to the path of destiny.