Kili pulled the door closed with a soft thud, carefully stepping into the vast, errily still corridors. A tremendous sigh left his lips as his gaze fell on the dark slab of stone which now blocked Briseis from him. A small frown began to tug at the corners of his mouth as he reluctantly thought of her.
A certain part of him felt as though he shouldnt be leaving her alone so soon. The poor girl had lost her family, friends and future in the blink of an eye, not to mention she'd been beaten and nearly raped all in a span of less than a day.
The young Dwarf took another deep, jagged breath and let the air out through his mouth this time, quickly brushing his fingers through his hair. He forced himself to ignore the way his hands were shaking and pushed aside the fact that she had suffered so immensely because of one person - his uncle.
Thorin Oakenshield, heir of Durin and King Under the Mountain. A once loving uncle who would have given his own life to protect the very women he presently held captive - now held prisoner to his mind by a heap of useless, glittering coins. And Kili had done nothing except drown in his naïvety as he stood by, watching Thorin spiral into madness.
As if to rescue him from the torrent of emotional turmoil he knew was coming, the soft sound of someone snoring began to emanate from within his chambers.
The prince's mouth turned up into a slight smile, all former thoughts of his uncle gratefully tucked away for the time being, as he brushed the facade of the stone door, his large hand slowly creeping towards the handle. He had an inexplicable urge to peek in and catch a glimpse of her finally at ease. The image of her laughing earlier today swam before his olive eyes and Kili couldnt help but smile- a warmth tingled through his body as the prince found himself yearning to be the one to make her happy.
Kili caught himself just then - what he had thought about - and felt something in his stomach flutter at the notion.
Kili had not dared to become attached to any woman, save his mother, after he had lost Her. He knew his heart would not be able to endure another loss even remotely similar. Therefore he was painstakingly careful not to let women into his life. But was this perhaps the start of something ….different?
Just then, as if some part of his subconcious was set to remind him of the pain invloved in finding love, he saw his Ursbund in the periphery of his thoughts.
A sharp sting immediately bit through his heart and Kili reflexively fought himself to keep the memories of her at bay. But his hallucination in the cellar seemed to have triggered a flood, as thoughts of her came rushing forth painfully.
~Golden forest light left a pattern of shadows across her freckled cheeks as Kili stared at her, impossibly close. Their heads rested on a pile of damp moss and the gentle heat of the Sun warmed their bodies as he breathed in the close, humid air before wrapping his arms around her once more~
The Prince screwed his eyes shut, trying not to choke on the knot which had formed in his throat during the emotional was what it had been like for months after she had first died. Every minute, forced to replay memories of her in his mind on a loop, knowing he would never be able to create more.
And suddenly, Kili felt his teeth grinding against each other and nails digging painfully into his palms as blinding anger bubbled up within the prince. He hated her for this. Hated her so much for the agony she had caused by making him carry on without her. She should have been the one still alive…she was stronger than he was.
What angered and frightened the young dwarf the most however, was that one day the memories would fade -just like the sound of her voice- and he would be left with nothing more than a void...
The prince lifted a clammy hand to his heart and felt that it was hammering loudly against his ribcage. Kili forced himself to take a deep breath, trying to remember that drowning in grief helped no one as he focused on the frantic beating in his chest until it gradually slowed.
The dwarf opened his eyes slowly. His head was spinning but felt it was safe to let his mind wander once more.
No one else was going to put him through this hell ever again, the dwarf swore to himself vehemently. No one.
Another loud snore from within the room brought his thoughts back to Briseis. The previous joy- however slight it had been, was now quashed, leaving the young prince bitter as he nearly smacked himself for being so foolish before.
Something deep within the prince wondered why he had even gone this far to help a complete stranger. Why did he feel such compulsive need to protect her? Was it merely because she was nice to look at?
No. Kili frowned at the thought, that definitely wasnt it.
Although Briseis was undeniably beautiful, that wasnt the only thing that made Kili want to be around her. There was just something about the girl - perhaps it was her strength and bravery that had drawn Kili in. Or perhaps it was the fire he saw burning deep within those stoney grey eyes. Whatever the attraction surrounding her was, it unfortunately seemed to have drawn Thorin to her as well…
The King barely gave any of the Privileged so much as a second thought unless he wanted something from them. Other than that, they were merely toys to be played with, used and thrown away.
But he seemed different with Briseis.
The young prince frowned at the floor again as a wave of disgust washed over him, suddenly knowing exactly what the King wanted from her.
Recalling the the scene he had witnessed in Thorin's chambers this morning, an overwhelming urge to defend the girl coursed through Kili's body, almost surprising himself at the intensity of the feeling.
There was no way he would stand by and let him defile her.
"My lord?"
Kili nearly jumped at the voice, whirling around to face the stranger.
"Are you alright, Prince Kili?"
A slender girl with golden hair stood a few feet from the young dwarf, her thin brows raised curiously.
Chrysanthia.
The prince felt his eyes narrow as he glared at her, a feeling of distrust and annoyance involuntarily bubbling up within him.
"Yes, I'm fine." The dwarf responded curtly. He turned away from her slightly, expecting her to leave but Kili could see from his periphery that she did not move. Instead she crept closer towards his chambers.
"What do you want?" Kili asked brusquely, turning to glare at the girl. Out of all the Privileged, he hated Chrysanthia the most.
She was the only one who enjoyed being Thorin's property, whereas the others had simply accepted their circumstances, she revelled in her 'status' within the halls of Durin and it made Kili want to punch some sense into that empty head of hers.
Chrysanthia looked at the prince with disdain, her pointed nose flaring in slight frustration as her cat like green eyes flicked to the door of Kili's chambers.
The dwarf took a reflexive step towards the room. "Why are you here?"
"Selene wishes to see the insolent little bitch-"
"Selene can wait till morning," Kili snapped, his ire rising.
"Also, the King wishes to know where she is."
Chrysanthia began fiddling with the long white gown she wore, her voiced laced with disgust at the word 'she'.
Kili's heart began to beat slightly faster but then he realized that it was merely a hunch that had sent Chrysanthia to his chambers.
"And so why are you here?" The prince asked nonchanlantly, even going so far as to raise a brow at her in confusion.
The girl glared at him, not buying his façade. "You were the last one to be seen with her." She said knowingly as her eyes flicked back to his chambers.
Kili followed her gaze and scoffed. "What, you think I stowed her away in my room?"
The slender girl remained silent, but her thin lips were slightly pursed and she stared at Kili in distaste.
The prince laughed mockingly. "We are not all as promiscous as you to allow others into our chambers so freely."
Chrysanthia's face flushed scarlet, nearly making Kili smirk in satisfaction as he took another step towards the girl, his voice lowering a few octaves as he growled at her. "Now go tell the King that Briseis is not with me, and leave my sight." Kili said, annunciating each word as though he were speaking to a child.
Chrysanthia was silently fuming, but she stood rooted to the spot.
"LEAVE!" Kili roared, surprising himself and the girl at the level of his voice as she jumped slightly and immediately scampered down the corridor, her golden ringlets bouncing as she ran.
Once she was out of sight, the young dwarf took a deep breath and calmed himself. That little rat reported everything to the King, which is why she couldnt know that he had Briseis. It was too risky for Thorin to think that he was trying to protect her. That knowledge would only drive the King's newly found interest with Briseis further, and she definitely did not need the attention.
He knew that the girl would be safe for the night at least, but just in case, the prince reached into the pocket of his breeches and pulled out a large, silver key. Carefully looking around to make certain he wasnt being watched, the dwarf quickly locked the door to his room and pushed against the frame once to ensure it was sealed.
Satisfied, he turned away from his chambers and made his way down the corridor, footfalls echoing upon the cavernous stone hall as he went to visit his brother.
It felt like ages since Kili had visited Fili's chambers, and now as the young dwarf stood outside the stone door, he suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Itching the back of his head in slight befuddlement, he wondered if he should simply turn around and walk away.
He struggled to think of what to say, chewing his bottom lip ever so slightly as he idly wished he could go back in time.
Things used to be so light and easy between the two; Kili could turn to his big brother for anything. Whether it was a good laugh, a few gold coins or advice - Fili had ALWAYS been there for him.
But now, the two barely saw each other. It was as though they were standing on opposing sides of a major rift, both of them slowly drifting further and further away from one another.
And It had all started when mother died.
The young dwarf shook his head, not bothering to unleash anymore memories of lost loved ones. But despite the Prince's efforts, the soft voice of his mother rang in his head like a crass bell: "Stick together and take care of one another, do that for me."
Another ache in Kili's heart throbbed at the memory of her voice and the dark haired dwarf sighed, lifting his hand to pull the knocker on the door, each clap piercingly loud as he set the gold handle back down.
"Come."
Kili carefully peeled the door open, a loud creek emanating from the solid oak frame.
The smell of burning wicker filled his nostrils as he entered the dimly lit room. Squinting to adjust to the flickering candle light, his olive eyes scanned the expanse of strewn books and papers. It was quite bigger than Kili's own chambers, with two beds and tall ceilings, a wall shelved entirely with thick, old tomes and a narrow spiralling staircase that led to a cozy loft where his brother liked to read.
It was nice, but he didnt have a veranda, Kili thought smugly to himself.
The only source of natural light came from two long, rectangular windows on either side of the massive wooden desk his brother was currently sitting at.
Fili was hunched over, his golden brows furrowed in concentration as he scribbled away madly at a piece of parchment.
The large, proud nose which set Fili apart from his brother was flared, and the sea green eyes which belonged to their mother were darting back and forth as the older dwarf read the letter he was so feverishly writing.
His hair was longer and shaggier than Kili last remembered, his beard also seemed frizzy. The combination made it look as though he hadnt properly bathed in weeks.
There was a thick knot in the young dwarf's stomach as silence extended, and Kili was sure his brother would have been happy to ignore the visitor without bothering to lift his eyes from his work.
"Fili?"
Fili's head snapped up, his face stern, creases marring his forehead and a deep frown etched across his mouth - the same face he wore daily now.
If Kili had changed since the Battle of the Five Armies, then it was nothing compared to his brother.
Thorin may have been King in title, but Fili was the one burdened with all of the work and responsibility that came with the crown. He read through, documented and delegated every single tax and tariff, every treaty and trade agreement involving Erebor, New Dale and all the other lands under Thorin's reign. Every complaint, every request and every need of the Kingdom went through Fili.
All Thorin was needed for was a signature.
The straw haired dwarf held his brother's gaze for a few seconds, but when Kili couldnt find the right words under the scrutiny of those now foreign green eyes, Fili returned his attention to the pen and paper once more.
Kili swore at himself, desperately trying to think of something to say - should he ask about the new irrigation systems in Dale and feign interest or bring up the scorching weather?
It never used to be this difficult...
"So, your future father-in-law is here," Kili said finally, nearly blurting it out.
He was hoping for an enthusiastic response to the only subject his brother never grew tired of, however Fili's attention remained glued to the parchment, simply muttering "Yes, I'm aware," as he continued to write.
Damn.
Well, it had been worth a shot. Kili bobbed up and down on the balls of his feet as he looked around the untidy room in hopes of finding another conversation topic when he spotted an impressive heap of parchment and envelopes on the nightstand next to him. The young dwarf scanned the writing quickly and felt his heart soar as he cracked an ear splitting grin.
He found exactly what he had been looking for.
Snatching the topmost letter from the pile, he brandished it in front of himself and cleared his throat in a grandiose manner before commencing;
"My fairest Sigrid,
If i were to explain the pain it causes me to be away from you-"
The sound of a chair frantically scraping against the floor filled the room as Kili nearly squealed with joy when he saw Fili bounding towards him, a murderous look on his face.
The straw haired dwarf tried to snatch the letter away from his brother, but Kili easily side stepped him and continued reading.
"The most delicious food may as well be ash, for my tongue is accustomed now to a much sweeter taste-" Kili leapt on the bed closest to him to avoid another flailing fist. "Mahal, save something for the wedding night!"
Just as the young dwarf opened his mouth to continue, a very hard, very solid object collided with the side of his head.
"OW!" Kili rounded on his brother with a scowl as he rubbed his stinging temple, dropping the letter. Fili, another book ready to throw in his hand, pounced on the parchment and stuffed it in an empty crevice on his bookshelf.
Kili dropped to sit on the bed, still clutching his head as Fili panted with his back against the shelf. Both of them looked at one another and suddenly erupted with laughter.
The young Prince could barely contain the joy he felt at seeing the scowl lift from his brother's features, and felt his own grin widen as Fili walked over to the bed still chuckling.
Seeing him like this brought back all the memories they shared, and it made Kili miss his brother more than he could have imagined.
The bed decompressed beside Kili and the two brothers sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before the older dwarf spoke up.
"Look, Kili- Im really sorry for being so…distant this past while, I-"
"No, I'm sorry too, brother. We both got angry and stayed away from each other. I meant to come over a lot sooner but-"
"But it had just been so long since I'd heard from you, I thought you wouldnt care to see me," Fili finished, nodding in complete understanding.
"Exactly," Kili affirmed, feeling ten times better having said what he did aloud. The thought of not being able to reconcile with his brother had gnawed at him for too long now, and the relief was nearly overwhelming.
Another silence filled the room as the young dwarf looked over to see his sibling staring at the letters from Sigrid with a pained expression.
"You miss her," Kili stated, frowning.
Fili looked down at the floor and scoffed slightly. "So much…"
Kili frowned and clapped him on the shoulder in sympathy. He knew exactly how his brother felt. A sudden pang of regret shot through the young dwarf for not being there to console his sibling sooner, but he brushed it off.
He was here now.
"When did you last see her?"
"A little over a fortnight now, but it feels like an age has since passed," Fili whispered, staring at his large calloused hands, black ink smeared over his thick fingers.
"Aw come on now, a fortnight isnt even all that bad!" Kili exclaimed encouragingly placing his hand on Fili's shoulder again. "When do you go back to see her again?" Surely the thought of spending time with Sigrid would cheer him up.
But contrary to what he was expecting, his brother groaned and plopped his face into both of his hands.
Kili yanked his hand back from Fili's tunic like it had caught fire as he stared, utterly bewildered at what had just happened.
"What? What did I do?" Kili asked throwing his hands up in decloration of innocence.
"No- no its not you…" A silence swallowed the room before he continued.
"Sigrid is with child," Fili mumbled into his hands.
The young prince felt his eyebrows hit the ceiling, but unlike his brother, he had a huge grin on his face.
"You clot head! That's amazing news!" He shouted, jumping to face Fili as he simultaneously tucked both feet beneath him on the bed.
The straw haired dwarf shook his head, face still in his hands before he looked over at his little brother. "No, Kili it isn't."
The young Prince's smile faltered slightly as he watched Fili's anguished expression. There were so many new wrinkles which marred his weather beaten face that Kili had not noticed before.
"We are not yet married, she lives in Lake Town and I can only visit her twice a month under the pretense of trade agreements, I will never allow her to move within spitting distance of Thorin and now Bard has forbidden me from seeing her. He will not even permit me to ask how she is faring…Things were difficult enough as it was, but now to add a child! One whom I can't even be there for…" The older dwarf sunk his face into his hands once more, but Kili refused to accept his brother's attitude and instantly made a mental note to find Bard and have a word with him.
"Do you love her?"
Fili looked up towards him, his green eyes were red and watery, but an angry expression was plastered over his features.
"Just answer the damn question," Kili sighed rolling his eyes.
"Of course I do, what the hell kind of question is that? What are you trying to-"
"Fi, calm down!" Kili exclaimed, trying his best not to laugh at his sibling's scarlet face. It brought great comfort to the young prince to know that despite his brother's regal transformation, he could still behave like a six year old girl. "Right, you love her and she loves you and that's all that matters. The rest will sort itself out."
Kili gave him a lopsided smile and watched Fili slowly consider his words, reluctantly choosing to nod after a few moments.
"So, what brings you over to this end of the horse's arse?" The straw haired dwarf asked as he rubbed his hands on his knees, signaling a change in topic.
Kili paused for a moment, wracking his brain before he remembered.
"Lets go for a round of drills in the garden tonight, we both need a break."
Fili sighed immensely and shook his head, clicking his tongue slightly before he responded. "I've got to finish up these letters…"
"Aye, and these letters will still be here when you get back," Kili urged, hoping his brother would agree.
"I don't know, they have to be finished before morning," Fili said with a weary look on his face as he braced himself to stand.
"Alright, then I'll help you. We'll get them done in half the time and then you'll have no excuse!" The young Prince explained as he hopped off the bed and waited for his brother to lead the way.
The straw haired dwarf smiled slightly and nodded his head in acceptance, a feeling of elation filling Kili at the thought of getting a small window of time that allowed both of them to live as they once did before their lives became so intertwined with misery and misfortune.
Fili sat down in his hard, wooden chair with a heavy thud and stared at the parchment for a few seconds before reaching for an extra quill.
"Uh, what exactly are we doing here again?" Kili asked scratching his head as he tried to scan the parchment for any clues, but his view was blocked by his brother's arm.
Fili rolled his eyes and handed his sibling the quill before explaining.
"I'm writing to the families of the girls who were selected today…and apologizing."
The room was quiet for a few moments, and Dìs' sons watched idly as the candle light licked the walls and cast long distorted shadows on the ground, both of their minds occupied by different thoughts.
"Fi, have you written a letter for a girl named Briseis yet?" Kili asked. Although he knew it was none of his business to go snooping around her personal matters, the dark haired dwarf simply couldnt resist. He wanted to know where she had lived, what her surname was and anything else about the girl who was currently sleeping in his bed. Not that he was suspicious of her in any way…he was simply curious.
Fili shot him an odd look before nodding slowly.
"Mind if I take a look?" Kili asked nonchalantly, trying to fight off the feeling that he was being nosy.
His brother paused but eventually turned to pull out the parchment that had been tucked beneath his arm and handed it over to the other dwarf.
Fili's neat and obviously forced printing sprawled across the parchment;
Mr and Mrs Alexander Ocherfell,
Ocherfell. Briseis Ocherfell.
Kili scrunched his lips in distaste at the name, not liking the way it reminded him of something ominous.
"I heard about what happened today."
The young Prince started at his brothers voice; he had almost forgotten Fili had been watching him the entire time.
Then his words sunk in and Kili gave him a genuinely perplexed look.
"I heard you were caught trying to sneak that girl out of Thorin's chambers this evening." Fili was using his 'grown up' voice which meant that Kili did everything in his power to avoid his brother's gaze and vehemently denied everything.
"I dont know what you're talking about," the young dwarf mumbled as he continued to read the letter.
It is with the deepest apologies and upmost regret that I must inform you of your daughter's selection as one of the Privileged today.
I will do everything in my power to keep Briseis in good health for the rest of her time in Erebor.
"You know the dangers involved in becoming attached to them," Fili said seriously, bringing a hand up to push the letter away from his brother's prying eyes.
"I am NOT attached to her," Kili barked, immediately regretting his tone as he took a deep breath and tried again. "Fili…Thorin was going to rape her. And then I walked in..." Saying the words out loud made Kili's stomach heave as he ignored the shudder that crawled up his spine at the memory of Briseis chained to the bed like an animal.
Fili's face darkened and he looked down at the smooth surface of his desk, clearly deep in thought. "I couldn't just leave her there, Fi."
His brother nodded. "And where is she now?" Fili inquired innocently. The braids in his moustache dangling as he tilted his head to the side.
"Sleeping," Kili responded, artfully dodging the question. He would have a hard time explaining himself if his brother knew where she really was.
Fili cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Sleeping where, Kili?" The straw haired Prince's voice was accusing and he lowered his head to stare at his little brother knowingly.
Shit.
Kili should have known that wouldnt have worked on Fi…
The young dwarf thought he was going to give an elaborate explaination, but ended up simply looking as though he was ready to catch a mouthful of flies. No comprehesible sounds having left him in that span of time.
"She's in your chambers because you thought it would be the safest place for her to rest for the night and that NO ONE else knows she's there?" Fili offered, the faintest hint of a smirk playing across his lips.
Kili nodded eagerly, giving his best 'thats exactly what I was going to say' smile before grabbing a stool and sitting down next to his brother, the letter to Mr and Mrs. Ocherfell still in his hands.
"So much for not being attached…" Fili muttered under his breath, just loud enough for his sibling to hear.
Kili knew he was teasing, but the young Prince let out an exasperated sigh and turned towards his brother, the stool creaking loudly under his weight.
"I'm not attached, she's just…different." Kili said finally, struggling to find the right words to describe Briseis. His brother cocked an eyebrow at him quizzically. "I can't explain it, Fi. You just have to meet her."
Fili nodded slightly, an oddly pensieve look upon his face before he turned to his desk again. Grabbing a blank sheet of parchment from a large stack in his drawer, he moved onto the next name written on the small list pinned to his desk.
Kili watched his brother write for a few seconds and then returned his attention to the letter in his hand.
He flipped the parchment over, looking for an address when he finally spotted it scribbled in the bottom left hand corner.
"Dorwinion?" Kili said aloud, unable to keep the intrigue from his voice. The lands down towards the Sea of Rhûn were very seldom travelled and there were few who knew much about the culture of the men who lived there. Even during the screening for the Ibujab, the guards who were sent only brought back reports of lush gardens and fine scenery. Nothing of the people was ever mentioned. All the young Prince knew was that Dorwinions made and traded very fine wine. "Norwoth Dale… I've never heard of that town," Kili muttered still staring at the address.
"Aye, it lies at the nothern most region of the land, furthest from the sea. It's an extremely small village isolated from the rest of the settlements," Fili explained, all the while still writing the letter to the mother and father of someone named Ora.
"Hmm," Kili mused, scratching his beard slightly as he perused the letter again. His curiousity had been kindled further rather than having been satiated. He wanted to ask Briseis all he could about the people there, their customs, traditions, clothes, food... "Is she the first to be selected from Dorwinion?"
Fili put down his pen and stretched his fingers, opening and closing his hand methodically. His bottom lip was jutting out as he looked at the ceiling, wracking his brain.
"I believe she is," the dwarf said, a deep frown coming to settle over his features.
Kili didnt know what else to think as he turned the parchment back over. He noticed that there was still a substantial amount of room left at the bottom.
And after reading the letter for the third time, the young Prince felt as though this simply wasn't enough. The apology, as sincere as it may have been, was not what Kili would have wanted to hear if Briseis had been his daughter.
The dark haired dwarf dipped his quill in ink and set to add to the message.
"What are you doing? I finished that one." Fili said, completely ignoring the growing dot of ink which dripped onto the letter from his hovering quill.
"I'm giving her parents some satisfaction."
"What does that mean?"
"Telling them that their daughter spat on the King."
"Kili," his brother said admonishingly.
"Oh come on, she spat on Thorin. SPAT on him," Kili embellished, gesturing with both his hands. "No one in this kingdom has had the nerve to do so much as raise their voice at him, and she humiliates him in front of all of Erebor and New Dale. Don't you think her parents would want to know that?"
Fili studied his brother's face for a few seconds, chewing his bottom lip slightly.
"This girl, Briseis…" he said slowly, staring straight into his younger sibling's eyes, "is either incredibly brave, or extremely foolish." Kili frowned, not liking where the other dwarf was going with this. "Both of which are going to land her in a lot of trouble, however only one of which is worth protecting her for."
The dark haired dwarf scowled at Fili, knowing that he was right. But he also knew which one of those traits encompassed Briseis, and he was willing to defend her for it. "She isnt a fool, brother. Like I said before, you simply have to meet her to understand."
The eldest son of Dìs nodded, seemingly satisfied and returned to the letter, cursing loudly when he saw the huge splotch of ink on the parchment.
But Kili was too preoccupied to laugh and his brother seemed to notice the dead air.
"Are you thinking of tomorrow night?"
The young Prince felt the weight of an anvil crush him as he remembered the Ceremony. He carefully put the quill down and propped both elbows on the desk before cradling his head in his hands. "I'd forgotten about that," he muttered, rubbing his face.
"I'm sorry, Kili- I thought you would have-"
"Its fine," the young dwarf snapped, slowly rubbing his temples in an effort to drive off the oncoming headache.
The Ceremony involved a feast, dancing, singing and whatever laughter could be mustered amongst the demented King's company, but most important to the event was the selection of the companion for the first night.
"I-I can't-Fili, I can't let him do that to her after what I stopped this morning!" Kili shouted, a feeling of hopelessness bubbling up within him.
"Kili, how do we even know Thorin will pick her? There are nine others to choose from, maybe-"
"Thorin specifically ordered Selene to prepare her for tomorrow night," The young dwarf mumbled slowly, disheartened.
Selene had been Thorin's very first companion amongst the first round of Privileged. He had chosen her at the Ceremony and ever since, she had personally prepared every companion for the last 9 years.
Fili grimaced and placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, obviously at a loss for words.
Kili felt terrible, he had saved Briseis only to have her wind up in the exact same position the very next night. The dwarf sighed and looked down at the letter to Briseis' parents again. Picking up his quill, he dipped the tip into the thick, black ink and began to write.
Mr and Mrs. Ocherfell,
I want you to know that Briseis is sleeping soundly as I write this.
Your daughter is remarkably brave. She stood up for herself in front of the King today, something I have not seen happen for the past decade. And although she may not need my help, I promise I will try my best to keep her from any harm.
Prince Kili
The young dwarf re-read his message again, holding the letter out in front of him as he glared at the parchment as though it had just dropped a chair on his foot. Writing to her mother and father and knowing that they would read his message made Kili feel even more terrible if he was unable to keep Briseis safe.
He would think of something - anything, to uphold his promise to a mother and father who had just lost their daughter to a complete stranger and foreign land.
"Lets go," Fili's deep voice cut through the air like a knife and his brother snapped his head over. The heir to the Throne was standing, an elbow propped up against the high back of his chair as he smiled softly at the younger dwarf.
Kili looked around him, at the quill still in his hand and at the remainder of the names on the list. "But Fi-"
"Come on, I'll finish those later. Besides, it's not like you're much help," he remarked, a faint smirk playing across his lips.
The young dwarf took another look around him and nearly laughed; their positions were entirely reversed. Now he was the one reluctant to leave and his brother the one eager to get going.
Kili set down the quill and carefully folded the letter, making care to place it atop the other finished ones. But just above that stack, an envelope happened to snag Kili's eye.
The emblem stamped into the bright red, wax seal looked like an immense jewel encrusted in a pair of antlers. It seemed so familiar…
Fili's hand purposely pulled a long contract down over the envelope, concealing it from view. "Just another love letter," he chuckled sheepishly as he turned his back towards his sibling, going to pick out a weapon from the trunk between his beds.
Kili knew his brother well enough to know when he was fibbing, but the young prince nodded, deciding to leave the matter for now.
He had just patched things up with Fili, he didnt want to go screwing them up just yet.
And so Kili pushed aside all the thoughts in his mind and looked to the broadsword his brother brandished towards him. Smiling, he snatched the cold hilt and watched the candle light gleam off the tempered steel, eager to get to the gardens and enjoy the night for once.
Hello my lovelies! I know its been far too long and you all hate me for leaving you hanging, but I am NOT abandoning my stories! Updates may be few and far between, BUT THERE WILL BE UPDATES! PLease review and tell me your lovely thoughts! Mwahh!