Hello! I am blown away with the response to the first chapter. Already 12 follows, 8 favorites and a review! It means so much, so thank you! I must say I was worried about how people would take to this story, since I am changing some major points to the original story-line. Hopefully you guys are enjoying it so far!
Anime Princess: Fear not, we find out in this chapter! I'll most likely be covering it in even more detail later on in the story, so if what you find below isn't satisfactory, I'm sorry!
If you want, let me know what you think! Again, please forgive for any mistakes. Without further ado, chapter two!
Chapter Two: Unexpected Events
"Fili."
Bilbo was careful not to wake the sleeping Kili in his arms as he lowered himself into his armchair. Kili subconsciously buried himself deeper into Bilbo's chest, sighing happily in his sleep. Bilbo smiled, before turning back to his brother. Fili stared pointedly at the fire crackling in the hearth, avoiding his gaze.
"Fili," he repeated quietly. "What's wrong? It's alright, you can tell me."
There was silence.
Then Fili started to cry.
Worry for the young dwarfling crashed through Bilbo as he reached out and picked him up with his free arm. He pulled the boy close against him and began rubbing his back soothingly, his shirt soon soaked in Fili's tears.
"Shh, everything's alright. Fili, it's alright, I'm here. Shh."
"N-no, it's not! Nothing's alright. I-I don't know what to do, Bilbo. About Kili, about ama-anything!"
Bilbo's brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of Fili's words. What had he been about to say? What was he hiding?
"Fili, look at me."
The young dwarf pulled away to look at Bilbo, sniffling.
"I may have just met you. I don't know hardly anyting about you, nor do you know about me. But if there is one thing I can tell you about myself, it is that I am quite a good listener. I want to help you, Fili."
"But why? It's just as you said; you don't know us. We're dwarves. Why would you help us?"
Bilbo smiled sadly at the little boy, gently poking his chest over his heart.
"Because, Fili, I for one am not prejudice. When I look at you, I see nothing more than a little boy. A brave and courageous boy, I might add. The way you protected Kili and the baby was very brave. I am very proud of you."
Fili looked up, his eyes widening to the size of one of Bilbo's supper plates.
"You-you are?"
"Of course! You are much braver than I could ever be."
A small smile graced Fili's face, making Bilbo grin back.
"Bilbo, I-Thank you. Thank you for killing that wolf, and helping Kee and I. For bringing us here."
Bilbo was surprised at how mature Fili was for his age, and yet it was a pleasant surprise. Whoever his family is, they must be very proud of him.
"You are most welcome, Fili. Although, I didn't exactly kill that wolf. That was you. Which leads me to ask; where did you get your sword? Was it given to you by your family?"
Fili immediately became quiet, staring at the sleeping form of his brother. He reached out and moved a piece of hair that had fallen into Kili's eyes, taking a shaky breath.
"Yes. It was given to me by my adad, before he was killed in battle." Fili's voice was so soft that Bilbo had to strain to hear him.
"I'm so sorry, Fili. That's terrible."
Fili smiled faintly, shaking his head and patting Bilbo's hand.
"It's alright; it was a while ago. I've gotten used to it."
Once again Bilbo was amazed at how grown up the dwarfling was. He mimicked Fili, shaking his head.
"No. A child should never have to go through the pain of loosing their parent. I know the feeling all to well, unfortunately, and it pains me to think that you and Kili have gone through it."
"You lost your parents?"
Bilbo closed his eyes, nodding.
"Yes. They passed not so long ago, from a ferry accident. It was...horrible."
He felt Fili wrap his arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
"I'm sorry, Bilbo."
"Thank you, Fili. Now, not to change the subject, but you have successfully evaded my question many times today."
"What question?" Fili asked innocently, and Bilbo rolled his eyes.
"You know what question. Fili, where is your family? Why don't you want to talk about them? Did something happen?"
A sharp intake on the dwarflings part did not reassure Bilbo's worries.
"I want to tell you. But I can't. Nobody can know, not ever."
"Know what, Fili? Just tell me; maybe I can help."
"NO!"
Fili's sudden outburst woke Kili, looking worriedly at his brother next to him, who seemed on the verge of tears.
"Fee? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Kee, it's alright. Go back to sleep, nadadith."
Kili yawned and nodded, before drifting back off to sleep.
"Fili. Why can't you tell me? Has someone threatened you?"
He shook his head, tears streaming down his face.
"They-they said they would kill Kili. They would kill him if I told anyone. A-and they would hurt Amad and Uncle. If I ever tell anyone, everyone I love will pay for it. That's why I ran away; to keep them safe."
Fili's sobs made Bilbo's heart break.
Someone was putting this adorable, caring little boy through pain no child should ever go through. Ever. Bilbo gripped him tightlly, shaking his head vehemently.
"No. I won't let them. They won't lay a finger on you or Kili. No one will ever hurt you, ever again. I promise."
The intensity of protectiveness he felt was overwhelming. Bilbo knew it was a promise he couldn't keep. Part of growing up was experiencing pain and learning from it. He can't protect them from everything. But Fili didn't need to know that, not now. Bilbo was determined to keep his promise to the best of his ability, no matter what the cost.
"You ran away to protect them. But why did you bring Kili?"
"I...I couldn't leave him. He woke up when I was leaving, and wouldn't stop crying unless I brought him with me. We've been by each other's sides since the day he was born; we've never been away from each other longer than a few hours. I couldn't leave him. But he can't ever know about this. He thinks we're on an adventure. Please don't tell him!" Fili pleaded, staring at his brother. Bilbo nodded in understanding.
"I won't breathe a word; it's not my place. Although, I will tell you that I think you should tell him. He deserves to know the truth."
"No. He can't. We can't ever go back home. As long as we're away, Uncle and Amad will be safe. I'll protect Kee myself. No one is going to get hurt. But I'm going to miss them. I'm going to miss them alot." More tears began to spill, and Fili suddenly looked much more like a child than he had so far.
"Fili, I-you can stay here!"
A swell of unexpected hope rose in his stomach as he blurted out the words. He suddenly yearned for the little dwarflings to stay there with him, in his little hobbit hole, where they could be together. Not lonely. But like a family. Bilbo suddenly wished beyond hope that Fili would say yes.
The dwarf seemed just as surprised as Bilbo, his mouth slightly agape.
"Do-do you mean it?"
A strangled laugh escaped Bilbo as he nodded, shaking Fili gently.
"More than anything. I mean it Fili. I want you to stay here with me. You and Kili."
Fili paused, before a real, genuine grin spread across his face. Not for the first time, he threw his arms around Bilbo and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, Bilbo! So much, thank you so much! Kee! Kee, wake up! Bilbo's asked us to stay here with him!"
Kili sat up groggily, shaking the sleep from his head as he turned to stare at Bilbo with wide eyes.
"Really? You really mean it?"
Bilbo nodded, and Kiil quickly added his arms around the hobbit.
"Yay! Thank you Bilbo!"
"You are most welcome." Bilbo laughed ecstatically, hugging the dwarflings closely.
"Will Lenorah be staying with us?"
Bilbo and Fili turned to look at Kili, confusion furrowing their brows.
"Who? What are you going on about, Kee?"
Kili scrambled down from Bilbo's lap and disappeared into the kitchen. He came back a moment later cradling the baby in his arms, cooing softly to her. Bilbo gasped, jumping up. Fili fell to the floor, shouting a "Hey!" as Bilbo hurried over to take the baby from Kili.
"Oh dear, I forgot about her! Stupid hobbit! Honestly Bilbo, that was something a Bracegirdle would do, not a Baggins! How could you forget about a live baby?" He muttered to himself, bouncing the child.
"Wait; how did you find her?"
Kili shrugged, pulling a face to make the little girl laugh.
"She was laying in a knot in the base of a tree, not too far from where you found us. Why?"
"Because you boys were very far away from anywhere a baby should be."
Concern filled Bilbo as he gazed at the baby, her chocolate eyes staring back at his.
"Can Lenorah stay with us, Bilbo? I don't think anyone is looking for her. Besides, I don't want her to leave. I like her!"
Kili's perceptiveness amazed Bilbo, just like Fili's matureness as he spoke aloud what Bilbo had just been thinking.
"Well, Kili, we will have to see if anyone is looking for her, despite your assumptions. Someone could be very worried about her. But she can stay here for now, I suppose. What were you calling her?"
"Lenorah! We could call her Lee for short, just like Fee and Kee!"
Bilbo chuckled and ruffled Kili's hair.
"Lenorah. I like that. Alright! Welcome, Lenorah, to Bag End!"
Fili and Kili cheered, dancing up and down.
"Alright, alright! Settle down! You'll wake the entirety of Hobbiton, you silly heathens!"
Fili and Kili ceased their yelling, but continued to grin from ear to ear.
"Thank you. Now, it is getting quite late, and we all need to be getting to bed. We can talk more in the morning. If you will follow me, I will show you your rooms."
"Bilbo?" Fili interjected, and Bilbo turned, glancing between the brothers.
"Can Kee and I share a room?"
Bilbo was surprised, but smiled when Kili leaned against his older brother, his brown eyes wide and pleading.
"I have a feeling that look is going to get me in quite a bit of trouble. If you want to share a room, that's fine with me. Here," Bilbo opened the door to a room, gesturing for them to go in.
"This will be your room. Lenorah can have the spare, next door. What are you waiting for, get into bed, sillies!"
Fili and Kili leapt onto the large bed occupying the corner of the room, beneath a window revealing a full moon. They crawled under the covers, Kili snuggled against his brother.
Bilbo leant down and tucked the dwarflings in. He tapped the place over his heart with his finger, before reaching out and tapping each of them.
"What was that for, Bilbo?" Kili queried, staring at the place he had been poked with interest. Bilbo chuckled, tapping him again.
"It's something that my parents did with me, when I was small. A little sign, meaning that you are always near. In eachother's hearts. We don't have to do it if it makes you uncomforta-"
Kili reached out and tapped Bilbo back, smiling.
"I like it. It can be our thing now."
Bilbo's heart lept underneath Kili's finger, and he grinned.
"Alright. Goodnight, boys. I will see you in the morning. If you need something, anything, my room is just down the hall. Sweet dreams."
"G'night, Bilbo." They said simultaneously, smiling faintly at each other as they turned over and fell asleep.
As Bilbo lay in bed, mulling over the day's events, he chuckled.
"Well, what an unexpected turn of events. I wonder what tomorrow will bring."
He turned over and curled under his blanket, smiling to himself.
"Goodnight, Fili and Kili."
With that, he fell asleep, and didn't wake until very late the next day.
