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Guest1653: Awww, thanks for the kind review! So glad you are reading and enjoying the story. Even if it does leave you a bit tired from lack of sleep. So happy you liked that line about Bain not wanting to dance with Kili...it was one that tickled me as well. Glad it made you laugh. Thanks for the review, sorry I can't respond to them personally since I can't PM guest reviewers. Just know that whatever you send, I read, and enjoy thoroughly. Keep them coming. T.O.W.G.

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All right Fili...go get them! We are right here, cheering you on!

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Chapter 40

~X~

Flinn had been so still, tucked in front of her on the pony, that Sier assumed he had nodded off. It would do him good to sleep, for she hated the idea of her little son being both frightened and exhausted. Yet as Gorg led them into a little clearing, where a bright campfire burned and several other figures could be seen, the little dwarfling sat up straight, obviously fully alert.

"Who are they?" he whispered, referring to the three who stood and stared at them as they approached.

"Enemies I had hoped to never see again," Sier answered back, cold fear gripping her heart as she stared at Lady Bina, Lord Colm…and Tom Ferny. She had already guessed that Bina was behind this, yet the appearance of that wretched man from Dale, surprised her. What part did he play in all this, and was he now looking for retaliation for her attacking him and getting him banished? Sier could feel no remorse over the act, for he had deserved everything he had received…and more.

Gorg and Miton dismounted, then came over and roughly yanked Sier down as well. She had grabbed hold of Flinn as best she could, her hands still bound before her, and thankfully she was able to set him on the ground before losing her grip.

"What is this?" Bina screeched, pointing one of her ring-encrusted fingers at Flinn, who pulled back and huddled against his mother. "You were sent to retrieve my runaway servant…not some dwarfling!"

"He claims to be her son," Miton explained, not sounding apologetic at all. "It was the only way to ensure that she came along peaceful like…without a struggle."

"And knocking her over the head did not occur to you? She would not have struggled then, now would she?" Colm hissed, obviously displeased with the two dwarrow.

"Son?" Bina blinked, looking from her former maid to the blond haired, blue eyed child before her. "What do you mean son? She had no child when she worked for me." She then turned to Ferny, who had been glaring at Sier with wicked intent. "What do you know about this? You are the one who told us where to find her…did you know about the child?"

"You only asked about her…and I told you where she was," the greasy looking man spat back at her. "I fulfilled my part of the bargain, now I expect you to do the same. Where is my money?"

"We found her in Erebor, exactly like he said," Gorg told his mistress. "But she was staying in Prince Fili's chambers…and just take a gander at the whelp. Look familiar?"

Bina stepped closer, leveling her eyes on Flinn as a look of realization crossed her stunned face.

"NO!" she screamed, her fingers raking through her hair in anger and frustration. "Not her…and Prince Fili! She can't be the one he married…she can't be! He was to be mine!"

"She is the new crown princess of Erebor?" Lord Colm gasped, putting the pieces together at last. Sure, news that Prince Fili had taken a bride had managed to make its way even to their little piece of Middle Earth, but never in a million years had they dreamed it was Sier. Once Bina had learned that Fili was no longer available, no one dared speak his name around her again, and learning the identity of this new princess had been low on the list of priorities. Yet now, to find out that it was none other than the servant they had been searching for all this time – the dam they themselves had tossed into bed with the king's nephew – it was almost beyond their comprehension.

"She is a servant…a good for nothing slave!" Bina objected, beyond angry at the unbelievable turn of events. She stomped up to stand directly in front of Sier, glaring at her with hate and malice. "You are not fit to wash the prince's boots, much less share his bed! And a child? How…how can this be?"

"You only have yourself to blame for that," Sier spat back, all the anger and rage she had bottled up over the past five years now spilling forth. "Was it not you who drugged us both and threw us into bed together? What did you expect to happen? Did you even bother to think it through?"

"You whore!" Bina cried, reaching out and grabbing hold of Sier's marriage braid, viciously yanking Fili's clasp from the end, pulling out several hairs along with it. "This should be mine! And that brat as well…both mine!"

"Don't you touch my ama!" Flinn yelled, stepping forward and kicking Bina in the shin as hard as he could. "And that is hers…you give it back!"

Bina now howled with pain as she hopped backwards, dropping the silver clasp onto the ground, as Flinn scrambled to pick it up. He hustled back to his mother, once again tucking himself protectively in front of her.

Bina looked like she was ready to explode, but Colm stepped forward and took her by the arm, leading her away from Sier and Flinn, the steaming dam limping painfully as she went.

"Why does any of this matter," Ferny broke in. "You said you had to get her back to save your own hides…well, that is done. Now where is my money?"

"Your money? Your money?" Colm roared. "You dare to ask for payment now, after what you have done? We are ruined! Do you not think the prince…or even the king, would not come looking for her and the child? What have you done to us?" All three of them bursting out in more angry shouts as they turned their backs on Sier and Flinn.

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As the argument between the three of them continued, Gorg and Miton eventually became bored standing around, guarding their prisoners. So, taking hold of the mother and son, they led them over to a nearby tree, tying Sier's feet to match her hands, and then doing the same to Flinn.

"Now sit still and don't even think of moving," Miton warned, waving a dagger at the two of them. The two henchmen then made their way over to the abandoned fire, looking for any scraps of leftover food. After eating what they could find, the sat there, passing a water skin between them, though Sier was certain that was not the type of liquid to be found within.

Sier turned and looked down at her son, her heart breaking as she saw the fear and worry on his little face. This was not how this night should have ended. Not at all. Flinn should be tucked in his bed, dreaming of Gandalf's light show and all the fun he had playing with his new friend, Frodo. And she…well, she and Fili were supposed to have had a nice long talk. Or if she had her way, a lot more kisses. Still, here she was, bound hand and foot, listening to Bina and Lord Colm trying to decide what to do with them!

"Are you warm enough?" she asked, reaching out and attempting to pull him closer, as she rocked him back and forth. She was thankful that he had refused to change into his sleepwear for Dis, having chosen to remain in his boots and coat. If not, he would be much colder and she would now be worried for his health…as well as his life.

"I am not cold," he assured her, leaning his head against her chest. "But I can't button my coat."

At first she thought it was due to the fact that he did not have the use of his hands, and she shifted to see if she could do the job for him. Yet when she reached for the front of his garment…she found there were no buttons there!

"What happened to them?" she asked, knowing full well she had sewed ten of them on.

"I pulled them off," he whispered, looking up at her with hopeful eyes. "I pulled them loose and dropped them along the way…so Adad will have a trail to follow when he comes to find us."

Sier stared down at her son, pride and admiration shining in her now damp eyes. He was so brave, so smart, and had such faith in his father that it almost overwhelmed her.

"What a brilliant young dwarrow you are," she praised him, earning her a wide grin from her dwarfling. "How did you even think to do that?"

"Adad told me once during weapons training, that the best way to be found is to leave a trail," he nodded, as if he were quoting one of sayings of the past Durins. "So I left him a trail of my buttons!" He then looked around and gave a shiver, though she did not think it was from the cold. "Adad will come and get us soon, won't he? I don't like it here."

"I don't like it very much either, Flinn," she told him, pulling her cloak around him as tightly as she could. "And I am sure your adad is on his way right now." Or, at least she prayed that he was.

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Fili had allowed Storm to lead the way, the horse halting now and then to raise its head and sniff the air, before plodding on, his pace never slowing. No one spoke, no one dared utter a word…for what would they even say? The worry and concern radiating off of Fili was almost a tangible thing, and the last thing anyone wanted to do was add to his fears by questioning the wisdom of trusting a pony as their guide. Yet when the small equine veered off the road and into the grasslands, heading seemingly in an absurd direction, Dwalin felt compelled to say something.

"Are you sure about this laddie?" he called, riding up to keep pace with Storm. "What if this pony is simply heading to the sweetest pastures? Looking for grass to eat and not Sier at all."

"I have to trust that he knows what he is doing," Fili shot back, not even turning to look at his friend. "I have to! I have no other choice."

Dwalin, knowing he spoke the truth, only nodded and fell back, taking his place beside Thorin and Dis as he shared a worried look with them both.

"I know it is a long shot," Thorin quietly told his warrior friend, his tone giving away that he too was skeptical, yet willing to try. "Yet, it is still better than being forced to wait until daylight to see if we can pick up their trail."

"Halt!" Fili suddenly called, holding up his fisted hand as everyone slowed and stopped behind him. Leaping from the saddle he raced ahead a few paces and bent down, picking something up off the ground. "LOOK!" he yelled, running back as he showed them the object he had discovered. "A button! Flinn's button, from his coat! They did come this way!"

"Bless that child for having the wisdom of the Valar!" Dis gushed, relief filling her words. "We are sure to find them now!"

"Come, they can't be too far ahead of us," Fili cried, bounding back into the saddle as he urged Storm on. As he went to put the button into his pocket, his fingers touched something smooth, and pulling it out, he found it was Sier's ribbon – the one she had gifted to him when he had gone to battle. He had asked her if he could keep it, and now as he looked down at the precious memento in his hand, he had to fight back the tears. This had given him courage to get through the encounter with the orcs, to stay safe and return to her in Erebor…could it do the same for him again? Yet this time it was Sier who was out there, facing a battle of her own, fighting to protect not only herself, but their son as well. Oh, how he wished he could be there with her, to take her place, to be the one in danger. He had learned to push his fears aside when facing an enemy…yet this time was different. It was not him staring down the blade of a sword or the point of an arrow…it was his loved ones, his family! Fisting his hand around the Durin blue ribbon, and giving a low and feral growl, Fili leaned forward a bit and patted the determined pony on the neck. "You are doing great, little friend, simply wonderful. Now…let's go find them!"

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"You idiot!" Bina screeched at the top of her voice, and though she was aiming her finger right at Ferny, her shrill voice caused everyone in camp to glance her way. "Do you have any idea what you have done? You knew she was married to the prince…didn't you?"

"Yes, you old cow," he bellowed, throwing up his hands in frustration. "So what if I did? When those two goons of yours approached me in that bar, asking if I had heard of any dwarf wench by the name of Sier, they never said if they cared who she might be attached to, so I never volunteered the information. You got what you want, now give me what I deserve!"

"You deserve a good swift kick in the arse for what you have done to us!" Lord Colm accused. "We are ruined, utterly ruined. Sure, the Durins had cut all ties with us, but at least we were not accused of treason…but now? What are we to do? We can't let them go, for they would run right back to King Thorin and tell him what we have done." He glanced over at where Sier and Flinn sat, the two huddled together. "I suppose we could sell them to Gorbash," he muttered, his mind spinning as he formed a viable plan. "He is always looking for more slaves to work in his mines. And he pays top dollar too…this could work."

"Gorbash wants only strong healthy males," Bina countered. "He would not buy a female and a tiny dwarfling, for neither of them would be much use for what he wants."

"The lad will grow, and he looks strong enough," Colm pointed out.

"Yet, what if they were found…or escaped?" Bina insisted, her mind already made up on what she wanted done with them. "Then we would be right back where we started, held accountable for their abduction. No, the only way to salvage the situation is to kill them both."

"Are you mad? You are talking about murdering royalty," he gasped. "Maybe not her…but the lad, he will be heir to the throne one day!"

"It is the only plan that makes sense!" Bina argued, as her father glared at his plotting daughter. "At the moment, no one knows that we are the ones who took them. And even if they suspect, there is no real proof. So should they end up dead…why would we be blamed?"

"You can't be serious!" The older dwarrow stepped back, suddenly realizing just how deep his daughter's evil went…all the way to the bone. She took after her mother in far too many ways. "I have no love for Thorin, or his heirs, but even I would have to be desperate indeed to end the life of a Durin!"

"I never said you had to do it," Bina countered.

"You would commit murder?" hissed Colm, still reeling over his daughter's depravity.

"Or…someone who would be paid handsomely for the job," she grinned, looking over at Ferny with great intent.

"You ain't even paid me for the last job!" he argued, shaking his head sternly. "If you want them dead…do it yourself!"

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Once more the three of them launched into a yelling match, all of them at odds with the other. But Sier was no longer listening. No, they couldn't be serious! She could believe that they wanted her far away from Erebor, someplace hidden so that she could never testify against them for what they had done. She wouldn't even put it past them to sell her and Flinn to this Gorbash, a slaver from the east, from the lands of Rhun. Sier had heard rumors of Bina doing such a thing to those who had displeased her in the past, so it was not out of the realm of possibility now. But to kill them? To dare and end the life of her precious little son? NO! She would not let that happen!

"Flinn," she began, doing her best to keep her voice calm. "Sweetling, I need you to do me a big favor." Gorg and Miton had not looked their way in some time, and apparently the liquor from the skin bottle was making them a little lax in their duty. This might be her only chance.

"Yes, Ama?" Flinn responded, his voice slightly on the sleepy side.

"Can you wiggle like a little worm for me, and get your hands and feet free of those nasty ropes?" she had seen her son squirm his way in and out of many places, under sofas and even away from her firm grip when threatened with a bath. She only hoped he could do the same now.

"I can try," he told her gamely.

"Just do it secret like…don't let them see you trying," she warned, keeping her voice low, and her eyes on the two dwarrow by the fire…as well as the three still arguing just beyond it.

Sier could feel his moving for a while, but glanced down when Flinn went still, her heart in her throat as she saw him holding up a limp rope and two freed hands.

"Oh, you are a marvel!" she beamed. "Now…your feet. Quickly."

Once again the little dwarrow employed some trick of magic it would seem, and soon his feet were free as well. She kept her gaze locked on the others as she now gave him her final instructions.

"Now, I need you to go find your father for me," she told him, trying to make it sound as if it were a daring assignment, and not an escape attempt just to get him away from danger. "As we rode here, I could hear a small river off to our right. I want you to find it and follow it all the way back to where is meets up with the River Running that flows from Erebor and down through Dale. Stay off the road, because if they find you are gone, that is the first place they will look. You must get back to Erebor…keep the river on your left and don't stop, no matter what."

"I…I can't leave you, Ama!" he said in a quiet but desperate voice. "Please, Ama, you have to come too."

"I can't, darling," she soothed. "They would notice if I got away…but they won't see you. Please, you have to go…you have to do this for me." She was becoming desperate. It frightened her to imagine Flinn alone in the woods at night, but it scared her even more to think of him at the mercy of Bina and the others. How long before they managed to convince Ferny to slit their throats? Not long by the way he seemed to be wavering even now.

"But…I will be scared, and all alone," Flinn continued to argue. "I won't have you or Adad to protect me."

"Do you remember what you father once told you," she said, gently reaching out to wipe away his tears. "You are never alone. Your adad and I might not always be right there, but we will never be far away, and we will always protect you. Now please…go. Do it for me, Flinn."

"All right..." he sniffled, looking unsure but willing to try.

"Now do as I said. Stay off the road. Follow the stream, and make for Erebor. Just pretend to be your adad, following the river down to Lake Town, like he, Kili, and Thorin did in the barrels," she added, trying to make a game out of it. She wished she had more time to tell him all the other things in her heart, but the clock was ticking. "And remember, if they can't catch you, they can't…" there she stopped, not wanting to even say the final words out loud. "…just don't let them catch you." She leaned in and kissed his cheek, franticly trying to impart all of her affection in that one final gesture. "I love you, Flinn. I love you so very, very much. Never forget that."

"I won't," he nodded. "I love you too…and I will bring Adad back to get you. I promise."

"I know you will." She then looked over at the campfire, and seeing that no one was looking their direction, she urged Flinn to inch his way into the brush behind them, telling him to crawl on his hands and knees until he was far enough away to run.

Sier held her breath, praying that they did not glance their way, but as soon as Flinn was gone, she repositioned herself, bending her knees and pushing out her arms, making it look as if Flinn had crawled into her lap and she was now sheltering him beneath her cloak. She even rocked back and forth, singing softly to no one, but making it appear she was comforting her now hidden child. Sier hoped that Gorg and Miton were stupid enough to believe her ruse, and that Bina and Colm would continue their arguing with Ferny for a long, long time. Anything to give Flinn a chance to get as far away from camp as possible. He had to make it. He had to escape. He simply had to!

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Seven buttons total so far! Fili had found six more buttons, each one spaced out along the route that Storm was leading them. The moon was high in the sky by now, assisting the crown prince in spotting each gold token dropped by his son. His nerves were on edge, the adrenalin pulsing through his veins, and his only thought was to find his wife and child. The grey pony had not faltered once, always heading in the same direction, never deviating or slowing its pace. So when he suddenly halted and turned his head, his ears lying flat against his head, Fili frowned. Had he lost the scent? Was he now unsure of which way to go?

"Come on, Storm," Fili urged, giving his sides a gentle kick with his heels, hoping to motivate him to move. Yet instead of following the prince's command, the pony turned and headed into the thicket to the right of the path, his ears twitching back and forth as if listening to something.

"Does he hear the river?" Bofur asked, coming up to ride at Fili's side. "Does he want to stop for a drink?"

"I don't know," Fili replied, pulling on the reins as he tried to get the pony back on the path.

"We do not have time to stop for a break," Thorin growled, wishing his nephew would just make the animal obey so they could return to their hunt.

Still, Storm fought against all their urging and made his way deeper into the underbrush, until coming to a rather dense part of the forest where he could go no further. Here he stopped, though he appeared even more agitated than normal, stamping his feet and tossing his head as if trying to convey something to his dwarf companions.

"What does he want?" Kili asked, everyone having followed when they veered off the path.

"I…I think he wants us to go that way," Fili concluded, swinging himself out of the saddle and drawing his blades. He was not sure why, but he knew it was important that he do what the pony wished. "Kili, you and Uncle come with me…the rest of you stay here and keep watch. If we are not back in five minutes…"

"You will be back," Dis cut in, not wanting to hear any fatalistic talk.

"Yes," Fili nodded, loving his mam all the more for her strong will and support.

So Fili, Kili and Thorin all crept deeper into the woods, remaining as silent as they could. They could hear the sound of water ahead of them, quickly flowing over the rocks in a pleasing trickle. Yet suddenly, Fili's ears picked up an even more pleasing sound…one that caused his heart to practically leap from his chest.

"Heave ho, splash plump," came a faint little voice from upstream. "Down they go…down they bump." There was a pause here and there in the bath-time song, the words being interspersed with a sniffle or two, and his voice cracking a bit, as if the little dwarrow were fighting back tears. "Roll-roll-rolling…down the hole."

The three dwarrow had all been crouched low, out of sight, but the moment the little blond-headed dwarfling appeared out of the brush, stumbling along in the dark and wiping at his tear stained cheeks, Fili stood and bolted forward.

"Flinn!" he cried, startling the lad and making him jump with fright.

"ADAD!" the little prince yelled back, leaping forward as Fili fell to his knees, engulfing his son in his arms and crushing his body against him. "You came! You found me!"

"Oh, Flinn," Fili sobbed, unable to contain his joy at having his child back safely. "I will always come for you…I love you!"

"I love you too, Adad," he choked out, his own tears closing off his throat.

"Where is your ama?" Fili asked, looking back the way his son had come, but not seeing his precious Sier.

"They…they still got her!" Flinn wailed, his tears of joy returning to those of fear. "I begged her to come with me, but they have her tied up and were watching. She made me go, Adad, she made me leave her behind to come find you."

"And you did exactly right," Fili said with a look of pride and sympathy over his son's obvious dilemma.

"We have to save her," Flinn begged. "They were talking about wanting to hurt Ama…and me."

"Who said that?" Fili's eyes blazed with anger.

"A mean old dam…and that bad man who used to own Storm," he revealed. He then held up his hand, opening his fist and showing Fili what he held inside. It was Sier's marriage clasp, the one he had placed in her hair the day they wed. He let out a choking sound as he picked it up, rolling it between his fingers, fighting back the pain and worry. "We have to save her, Adad…we have to!"

Fili pulled the weeping lad into his arms once more, doing all he could to calm his son…and himself.

"We will find her, Flinn," he vowed. "We will find your ama and bring her home safe and sound. I promise."

And as he stood up, the little dwarfling wrapping both his arms and legs around his father's body, refusing to let go, Fili's eyes met those of Kili and Thorin. He could see they shared his worry, the fear he felt deep in his gut. What if they were already too late?

No! Fili could not think that way. He had just found his one…or at least finally realized that Sier had been his true mate all along. He would not give her up, not without a fight. And if Bina, or that bastard Ferny, had dared to harm her in any way…they would not live long enough to regret it!

One down...one to go! Fili is making headway.

So, was seeing Tom Ferny mixed up in all this a surprise to you?

It would appear that Bina and Colm did not know that they were kidnapping Fili's wife and son. Idiots.

Wasn't little Flinn so brave?

Did you like how Fili found him? With him singing the barrel song?

OK, Fili, we are getting down to the wire...you better save her fast.

Guest Reviews:

Mjean: Isn't that a song? "She's a cold hearted snake"...I seem to recall there being one. ha ha. Too bad they ALL could not have gone, but I think we all understand the reasons for those who stayed behind. Dis is a nice addition this time though. Thanks and hope you enjoyed this one.

enilorac44: You want a slap do ya? Flinn gave her a good kick...will that do for now? But I will try not to disappoint ya. ha ha. Thanks.