Fili was feeling much better the next morning and after some of Bombur's hearty stew, he was ready to face the day. With Bofur's crew having checked the general stability of the mountain, Fili was more comfortable with sending in more teams.
"Bofur, once you're ready, organize several crews to be led by your best miners. Let's determine the mountain's safety and see if more of our missing can be found."
"Aye lad, it'll be done," Bofur nodded and walked away.
Fili turned to his brother, sitting in his chair. Kili's head was looking better and he had removed the bandages off his hands. They were scratched up, but nothing more. His leg was stretched out in front of him and resting on a soft pillow. "Kili, I want you and Ori to start an official written record of our ordeal so that we may have it for future reference. I'm also quite displeased with our storage rooms here at the gate. They do not contain sufficient supplies for an emergency. Make lists of things we have needed, but been unable to access."
"Yes, Prince Fili," Ori said, pulling up a chair to sit next to Kili. He pulled out his journal and pencil, ready to write. Kili gave Fili a smile before leaning in towards Ori, so they could talk.
Fili turned next to Balin. "Balin, would you speak with Lord Bain and see if there's any aid Dale requires that the Dwarves of Erebor can give?"
"Aye lad," Balin turned to go to the wagons that had arrived the previous day from Dale.
"Dwalin?" Fili said. The big dwarf turned to Fili. "Keep an eye on the guards, would you? Make sure they continue to patrol the area for wild animals or worse. We made it out of the mountain with few weapons, so the ones we have need to be ready to protect our people."
Dwalin grunted and walked away. Fili was pretty sure the big warrior did not like taking orders from Fili, but Dwalin respected his King's decision to put the Prince in charge, and so did what he was told.
Fili turned to his trusted valet and advisor, Klor. "I want you to stay here at the entrance to keep track of who goes into the mountain and with which crew they are on. I also want an inventory of supplies that are brought out."
Klor bowed and went to the first crew, getting ready to head in.
"The rest of you," Fili waved to the other council members, "Go among the dwarves and help out where needed. Come back when the sun is at the highest point in the sky and we'll share information as we have it."
The dwarves dispersed and went about their orders. Fili took a deep breath and looked around. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, despite the situation. He heard someone clear their throat behind him. His uncle. Fili turned to Thorin, afraid to find disapproval of Fili's handling of the situation. Instead he found a trace of sadness in Thorin's eyes.
"Are you angry with me, Fili?" Thorin asked.
Fili stammered a moment, "No, Thorin, of course not."
"Have I displeased you?" Thorin asked.
"Never, Uncle," Fili was quite concerned and confused.
"You dishonor me by not assigning me a job. Even Kili, who is wounded, has been given a task."
Fili felt like he had gotten punched in the gut. "My deepest apologies, Uncle Thorin. I didn't think of that. I am not use to giving you orders."
Thorin smiled. "I understand, but please, dishonor me no longer. Assign me a job so I am not useless."
Fili thought for a moment. "Thorin," he spoke in his most authoritive voice, "I need you to visit the lower camp and check on conditions there. Make sure they are well and have sufficient for their needs. Assure them we are doing all we can to discover the safety of the mountain so they may return home as soon as possible."
Thorin nodded his head, ever so slightly. "It will be done, Fili. Thank you." Thorin clapped Fili on the back and began his march to the lower camp. Fili caught Kili's eye. Kili nodded his head in approval and went back to his discussion with Ori.
Over the next few days, conditions on the mountain were checked and re-checked. Several more missing were found. They were weak with hunger and thirst, but Bombur took care of their food needs and Oin took care of their wounds. Several more of their missing were found dead.
The great fire caused by the collapsed forge on the west side had burned itself out. It would take longer to asses all the damage done to the forges on that side, but the caverns in which the forges were housed, were deemed safe. Finally Bofur declared the mountain safe and he took Thorin and Fili on a tour to see the damage for themselves.
Five days after the quake, dwarves were allowed back in. They were called by residential neighborhood and given instructions on halls and bridges that were to be avoided.
For those whose homes could not yet be accessed or had been destroyed, they were sent to the largest reception room where makeshift living quarters were being set up with beds and comforts.
Help from Thranduil arrived on this fifth day with more food, blankets and other supplies. Kili addressed the elves from Mirkwood, thanking them and learning that the quake had been felt in their own kingdom, although they had sustained no damage.
One mine was permanently closed after it was discovered to have been very near to the quake's center. They could not determine if their mining had set off the quake or if the quake had been a cause of nature, but they no longer trusted the mine to be safe and so it was sealed.
The work over the next many weeks was slow, hard labor. Pack animals were brought in to cart away debris. It was like the clean up after reclaiming Erebor from Smaug all over again.
Fili continued to be in charge of the mountain's recovery. Thorin and Kili began the arduous task of preparing winter storage. The quake was a setback that could hinder the amount of food and supplies that they might be able to store.
The weeks turned into months. Kili's leg healed and he was back with his usual energy. The children fell back into their normal routine and all was well, except for Milly. Every night, Fili's sweet daughter had mountain quake nightmares where the ground shook and she was alone, calling for her parents, but never finding them. Fili's heart broke every time she had one of these dreams. He and Sigrid took turns holding Milly, comforting her and soothing her back to sleep.