AN: Here's the next segment! Hope everyone enjoys it!
The company is sitting and resting for a moment while they figure out exactly how they are going to get across the lake. Kili, his young ears honed to the sound of bow strings tensing, jerks his head up when he hears the noise. Fili sees his brother look up out of the corner of his eye and looks up as well, his hands freezing in mid-bind.
A man is standing above them, his bow and arrow trained on Ori. Dwalin quickly steps in front of Ori, a large branch in his hands ready to strike. The man shoots the arrow at him and the arrow lodges itself in the branch. Kili hastily grabs a large rock and lifts it up to throw it at the man. The man hears movement and swiftly turns to face Kili, an arrow already out and in place. The man lets the arrow go and it hits the rock out of Kili's hand. Kili looks at his hand, surprise on his face at the rock being gone. The man has another arrow in his bow already, the arrow aimed towards Kili. Fili stutter steps, wanting to immediately step in front of his brother but what the man says next halts him in his steps.
"Do it again and you're dead," the man warns, glaring down the Dwarves before him. Balin looks around them and sees a barge floating in the river nearby and he looks over at the man, making himself seem as placating as possible.
"Excuse me, but, uh, you're from Lake-Town, if I'm not mistaken?" Balin says, stepping towards the man with his hands held in the air. "That barge over there, it wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?"
The man, Bard, watches Balin for a moment before slowly lowering his bow. He glances over at his barge and then back at the group of Dwarves in front of him. Bard grunts and then turns around, heading towards his barge. The Dwarves share a look and follow after him. Fili and Kili follow after the group, Kili limping heavily on his leg. Fili tries to help him but Kili knocks his hand away. Fili scowls but stays close to his brother as Kili makes a beeline for a rock face nearby. Bard climbs aboard his barge, grabbing one of the barrels and rolling it onto his barge.
"What makes you think I will help you?" he asks the Dwarves, standing up and looking over at them. Fili bends down slightly to check Kili's bindings, making sure they are taught and in place.
"Those boots have seen better days," Balin says, glancing down at Bards boots and then up to his coat as Bard continues to load the empty barrels onto his barge. "As has that coat. No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed. How many bairns?"
"A boy and two girls," Bard answers as he stops his loading for a moment to look over at Balin before continuing to load his barge. Off on the side, Fili is satisfied at his inspection of Kili's bindings and he stands up, resting a hand on Kili's shoulder. Kili's head is bowed as he concentrates on the ground and his breathing. Fili dips his head in order to look at his brother's face.
"It's going to be fine. We'll get some herbs and medicine when we get to Lake-Town. You'll be fine," Fili encourages his brother, although he's sure it's partly to encourage himself as well.
"And your wife, I'd imagine she's a beauty," Balin continues, trying to establish a relationship with Bard. Bard rolls another barrel onto the barge, his back to the Dwarves.
"Aye. She was," he says, his voice dropping and his shoulders tensing. Balin's smile drops and he quickly tries to fix the issue.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" he begins to do damage control but his brother, Dwalin, cuts in.
"Oh, come on, come on, enough with the niceties," Dwalin's whispers harshly to Thorin even though it's loud enough for everyone to hear.
"What's your hurry?" Bard asks Dwalin, looking over at him and furrowing his eyebrows. Fili and Kili look over at the man standing on the barge, watching the scene unfold before them.
"What's it to you?" Dwalin growls out as he turns to face the bargemen completely.
"I would like to know who you are and what you are doing in these lands," Bard explains, looking at each of the company but finishing on Dwalin.
"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills," Balin explains as he takes a few steps towards Bard, trying to fix the problem his brother caused. Kili leans more heavily on the rock behind him, a grimace appearing on his face as he shifts to take the pressure off his leg. Fili looks over at him and a worried look appears back on his face.
"Simple merchants, you say?" Bard asks, raising an eyebrow and looking over at Balin, a smirk playing on his lips.
"We'll need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?" Thorin asks, taking a step forward and meeting and holding Bard's gaze. Kili looks back over at his uncle, but Fili looks over at Bard, watching him warily and inwardly hoping they come to some sort of agreement soon; he can tell Kili is in pain and needs to sit down. Bard looks down at the barrel and examines the different dents and nicks that are littering the outside of them.
"I know where these barrels came from," Bard says, looking up and over at Thorin, holding his gaze again.
"What of it?" Thorin asks, not backing down on the gaze. Bard begins talking but Fili's attention is brought back to his brother when Kili lets out a groan. Fili sees a flash of pain shoot over Kili's face and Fili rests a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Kili…" Fili says, watching Kili's face closely, seeing Kili's eyes shut.
"I'm fine," Kili says with determination, opening his eyes and setting his jaw as he looks directly at his brother.
"I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen," Balin's voice sounds as he takes another step towards the bargeman. Kili and Fili look back over at Bard, waiting for him to say something. Please just agree to this, Fili thinks, his hand gently squeezing Kili's shoulder in comfort.
"Aye. But for that, you will need a smuggler," Bard says, looking over at Balin. Balin takes another step forwards and holds Bard's gaze.
"For which we will pay double." Bard eyes the Dwarf suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at him, wondering what these Dwarves are into that they will offer this.
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Kili shifts in his spot on an overturned box in the middle of the boat; he tries his best to muffle a groan. It doesn't work as well as he wants because Fili's gaze automatically turns to him, examining him closely. Fili can see the pain lines on his brother's face and his gaze drops to the wound on Kili's leg. The other Dwarves are talking about the money but Fili tunes them out, focusing solely on his younger brother.
"I should check your…" Fili starts as his hand is already reaching towards Kili's binds. Kili moves away and swats at his older brother's hand, giving him a look. Fili sends Kili a scowl; since they boarded the barge and Kili sat down, Kili has been closing himself off, even to him. Fili knows his brother is still in a lot of pain and he hates not being able to help him.
After swatting Fili's hand away, Kili looks away from his brother, feeling the scowl directed in his direction. He feels horrible for pushing Fili away but he knows the rest of the company is watching him and he doesn't want to see weak in front of them. If he could do it without the rest of the company seeing, Thorin included, Kili would be leaning into his brother and allowing him to take care of him to his heart's content. But as it is, the company is watching him carefully and it's taking all of his effort to hide the insurmountable pain he's in and allowing Fili to take part in his big brother routine will not help him right now.
Fili sighs and it's only then that he realizes the Dwarves around him are standing up and everything has gone quiet. Fili looks around and sees most of the Dwarves looking off in the distance, the others following suit. Fili squeezes his brother's shoulder and stands up, looking in the direction the company is, his breath catching when he sees the Lonely Mountain visible in the distance.
Kili looks over at his brother after Fili squeezes his shoulder, seeing him stand up and look off in the distance as the others in the company. He notices everyone is quiet and Kili forces himself to stand up, swallowing a groan. He looks in the distance and his eyes widen, his breath catching in his throat when he sees the Mountain before him. He hears Gloin say something but it doesn't register what he's said, his brain focusing on the sight before him; his home.
The company moves to the side of the barge, trying to get a closer look at their lost home. It isn't until Bard hurries in their direction and demands the money to they come back to reality. The group turns to face Bard and Kili tries to hide the pain the movement sends up his leg. After some words between Thorin and Bard, Thorin hands the money over to Bard reluctantly.
"Get into the barrels," Bard says, nodding his head to the empty barrels. Kili grimaces at the thought of having to climb into the barrels once again. His hand instinctually goes to his wound and he feels a hand on his arm, knowing it's his brother. The company grumbles and groans but climb into the barrels anyways. Thorin looks over at his nephews, his eyes resting on Kili, taking in his appearance and seeing the pain etched into his face.
"Fili, Kili, get into the barrels," Thorin orders his nephews, his gaze moving to his eldest nephew, the two of them sharing a look. Fili nods his head in understanding; Kili would need help and Thorin knows this. Fili gently leads Kili over to a couple of barrels and Kili proceeds to try to climb inside. As Kili puts weight on his injured leg, he barely stifles a cry of pain. Fili's hand is promptly on his arm and he helps Kili get the rest of the way into the barrel. Fili climbs into the barrel next to him and looks over at his brother, seeing Kili staring inside the barrel.
"It's only for a short while," Fili tries to assure his brother but knows it fall far short. Even for a short while the crouching with hurt his brother's wound. Kili nods his head and takes a deep breath before slowly lowering his self into the barrel. Fili's eyes soften and worry lines appear on his face when he hears a moan of pain come from his brother as he does so.
"Fili, get down," Thorin says a few barrels away and Fili, with one last look at Kili, quickly crouches into his barrel.
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Fili waits inside his barrel, listening to the conversation between Thorin, Bilbo, and Dwalin. He doesn't like what he is hearing so far. If Bard sells them out Kili won't be able to get the help he needs. Speaking of Kili…Fili hones his hearing on only the barrel to his right. His brother is quiet but Fili doesn't let that fool him; he can hear the labored breathing coming from his brother. Before Fili can ask Kili how he's doing, dead fish are dropping on top of them. The Dwarves exclaim in surprise and Fili can hear a cry of pain, although muffled, come from Kili's barrel. Fili wants to jump out of the barrel and make sure his brother is okay but knows he can't.
A short time later, as Bard maneuvers the barge towards Lake-Town, Fili keeps an ear out for any signs his brother is in pain. He hears movement from Kili's barrel, as if he is shifting, and then Kili's pained voice sounds.
"Oh god." Kili, Fili exclaims in his head. There is a thump and then Bard's harsh whisper is heard.
"Quiet! We're approaching the toll gate!"
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Kili is sitting in his barrel, the pain throbbing throughout his leg. He tries to control his labored breathing but the pain seems to intensify. Kili's sure Fili can hear him and knows Fili is probably going mad with worry right now. Suddenly, dead fish are dropped on top of him and Kili hears the Dwarves exclaim in surprise. One of the fish drops right onto his wound and a cry of pain escapes him. Kili quickly tries to muffle it but knows Fili has already heard it just by the shifting coming from the barrel on his left.
Later, Kili can feel the barge moving, hopefully towards Lake-Town, because he's not sure how much more of this his leg can take. Kili's eyes are closed as he tries to control the pain as it radiates off his leg. He shifts his body to try to get a better position but a sharp pain resounds from the wound.
"Oh god," Kili exclaims his hand automatically going to the wound as his breathing picks up again. He's not doing so well in covering up the pain he's in right now and Kili is furious at himself for it. His barrel is kicked and Kili muffles a groan of pain as Bard's harsh, whispered demand sounds. Kili breathes though the pain praying to Mahal above that they get out of here soon.
AN: Please review and leave some feedback! Thanks for reading and following!