A Perilous Road.
Chapter Four: Secrecy For Ponies.
Kili pulled the bow string taunt with a steady hand and lined up his shot, releasing the arrow in one swift movement. The arrow sliced through the air hitting its mark exactly where he'd wanted. Perfect. Crunching through the thin layer of snow he smiled to himself as he approached the deer, he never missed and to be honest he was often a little big headed about his arching abilities. Fili always put him back in his place though, as did Uncle Thorin.
Kili froze just before the deer. Uncle Thorin. He chewed his lip tentatively as he considered their plans. Tomorrow was the night, the night their quest would begin. He had no idea if they'd make it out of The Blue Mountains unnoticed but Fili believed they had a sound plan, and Kili trusted his brother one hundred percent.
Leaning down he pulled the arrow from the deer and tossed it aside. Thorin would kill them when he found out they'd gone to find their sister, or even worse he'd catch them in the act and then there would be Hell to pay. Either way Thorin would go ballistic. Taking a shuddering breath he desperately tried to shake off all thoughts of Thorin and the quest, it would do no good worrying. But as he began on his way back to his dwellings a knot of dread solidified in his gut, weighing him down and making him question the sanity of this mission.
"Fili my boy! How have you been laddie?" Fili smiled fondly at the blacksmith and trudged over to greet him. Gloin pulled him into a tight embrace squeezing the air right out of his lungs. He was one of the local Blacksmiths, a jolly dwarf carrying more than a few extra pounds with a ruddy but friendly face. He'd been good friends with his Father, and Fili had known the dwarf as far back as he could recall.
Patting Fili on the back Gloin finally released him and busied himself making a cup of tea, he never offered, you didn't stop by Gloin's without having tea. Stuffing his hands deep into his pockets Fili rocked on his heels whilst he waited. "How's your Brother?" The Blacksmith asked as he set the kettle over the stove.
"Well, thank you."
"And your Mother? Is she keeping well?" Gloin shuffled his way back towards Fili gesturing towards a hay bale for him to sit on.
"Yes, she is good as well. Thank you. And your family are okay?" Fili and his brother were particularly fond of Gloin's son Gimli – they had often all played together in the forest when they had been dwarflings and Gimli often popped by their dwellings to catch up.
"Ah, yes yes." Gloin smoothed his hands over his tunic and continued working on a Shetland pony's shoe, tapping away and muttering to himself. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company then Laddie?" He asked as he closely inspected some of his handiwork.
"I um…" Fili trailed off, suddenly apprehensive and wondering if he was doing the right thing at all by coming here. The whistling of the kettle drew Gloin's attention from the Shetland and from Fili's obvious blundering. Fiddling with the frayed hem of his coat he forced himself to breathe deeply and play it cool, one sniff of mischief and Gloin would go squealing to his Mother.
Gloin cheerily carried the cup of tea over to Fili with a buttered currant bun his wife had no doubt made. Fili nodded appreciatively but the thought of food made his stomach churn even more. Maybe he'd take the bun with him. Staring at the tea he stirred it around and took a big slurp. "Sorry Lad, what were you saying?" Gloin asked as he worked his way to the next hoof.
"I uh… was wondering if I could ask a favour." Keep calm, keep calm. Fili forced his shoulders to relax. This was not a big deal, Fili and his family often hired out some of Gloin's personal ponies. A lot of people from the town did. "We were wondering if we could hire out a couple of your Shetland's?"
Gloin looked around the pony's leg and nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, of course. You boys and your Uncle going on another hunting trip?"
Fili gulped and fidgeted on the hay bale. "Um, no. This is… just for me and Kili." He occupied himself by taking another big slurp of tea praying he came across nonchalant, but fearing he was anything but.
"Oh." Gloin replied as he looked around the pony again and stood to his full height. Frowning he cocked his head and studied Fili. Deadpanning his face Fili held his gaze, he could do this. He had to do this. Swiping a cloth from one of the counters Gloin wiped his hands and took a hefty bite of his own currant bun. "And er, where are you two headed off to exactly?"
Oh Aule! Fili hadn't thought this far! The least he could have done was prepared himself properly before he came here, but no, he'd gone bull headed into things which was so typical of him. Cursing himself inwardly he took another gulp of tea, swallowing as slowly as possible, and then tore a huge chunk of bun off, shoving it into his mouth to buy himself time. Think Fili, think! He shrugged casually. "Oh you know, just fancied getting away…" Lame, just lame. "Thinking of visiting some relations down South." He finished coolly. Ok, so technically he wasn't lying.
"Hmmmph." Gloin responded as his gaze narrowed sceptically. Shrugging to himself Gloin nodded and made his way back to the last hoof. Phew! He'd bought it! "Ok, Fili. I'll bring them by your dwellings. When exactly do you need them for?"
"No!" Fili shot to his feet. A myriad of obscenities leaving his mouth as scorching tea spilt all over him. So much for playing it cool. Gloin spun on his heel and pointed an accusing finger Fili's way.
"I knew it! You're up to no good! And I am not getting involved. Anything you are keeping from Thorin is bad news and I am not stupid enough to encourage his wrath!" Gloin berated. Fili held his palms up in a surrendering gesture and scurried over to The Blacksmith.
"Gloin, you have to help me! Please. You know I wouldn't ask unless it was desperate." Fili tried looking at the Blacksmith with pleading eyes and suddenly realized his flaw in not bringing Kili along, Kili's puppy dog eyes always made people cave. He'd left him to do the hunting though so he wouldn't be involved. The less lies Kili told the less trouble he'd be getting himself into. But even as Fili thought this he knew they were in too deep already, the both of them.
Gloin's face softened slightly as he considered Fili. Maybe he wasn't as bad at the begging lark as he thought. Running a hand back and forth over his beard Gloin shook his head. "I don't know what game you're playing but I can't get involved. I'm sorry Fili." Gloin gave an apologetic smile and patted Fili on the shoulder. Closing his eyes Fili felt defeat creeping over him when an idea came to him. It wasn't ideal and he hated himself for even thinking it, let alone saying it. Blackmail certainly wasn't his way but he was out of options.
"You owe me, Gloin." Fili warned. The Blacksmith looked blankly at Fili before his words truly dawned on him. Frustrated he looked to the ceiling and released an exasperated grunt.
"Damn my gambling! I knew it would come back to haunt me!" Gloin looked genuinely disgruntled as he clenched his jaw and threw his hands about. Finally seeming to settle he fixed his stare on Fili, his set jaw reflecting his grim resolve. "Fine." He grumbled. "I'll help you. You collect the horses when you need them, I'll give you a key for the barn."
Fili went to speak but didn't even manage to get one word out before Gloin held up a hand. "I don't want to know, and I don't want your thanks. Whatever you and Kili are up to is none of my business. When Thorin realizes you're gone he'll come asking me most probably anyway so the damage is already done, the less I know the better." Fili nodded, feeling guilty for having to involve the Dwarf in the first place. "But…" Gloin continued and took a step closer to Fili. "The deal is if I help you, you do not mutter a word about my gambling to my wife, understand?" Fili nodded feeling relieved that he knew about Gloin's card games and the amount of gold he whittled away weekly.
Fili placed a hand over his heart. "You have my word, Gloin." Gloin muttered incoherently under his breath as he rummaged for the barn key. As he handed it over his brows furrowed, a look of genuine concern contorting his features.
"Please take care of yourselves, whatever it is you're doing. And look after Kili. He would follow you blindly into any havoc just to be by your side." Gloin spun on his heel and returned to the pony once more. For a moment Fili stood stock still, frozen by Gloin's pleading and his conscience which was gradually weighing him down more and more. Slightly disheartened Fili left the Blacksmiths and headed towards home in a daze. He was thankful he had organized their transport but it made the quest all the more real. They would be leaving tomorrow night and he would be putting his brother in great danger. Raking a hand down his face he tried to rid himself of the dread of the next few weeks to come.