Thanks for the reviews. So near the end of this story now! Hope this chapter is ok.
A Perilous Road.
Chapter Twelve – Forsaken Trail.
An echoing of footfalls had Thorin springing to his feet and shaking the others awake. He'd been on edge since Ara had left them, his emotions gone haywire. He had been praying she would return and she had not disappointed. The keys jingled as she freed the locks, there was no missing the fear she was battling, but Thorin had to give her points for keeping it under control.
Noticing her trembling hands he reached out. "You okay?" He whispered. He could feel the tremors working their way through her – she was petrified, but it didn't stop her from doing what she believed was right.
"I'm fine. We have to move quickly and quietly." She eyed the Dwarves one by one, her tone leaving no room for argument. "There are only two guards at night and I have dealt with them. We will slip out the back entrance and towards a farm on the outskirts, I have your ponies waiting there for you and have ensured your luggage is fastened and ready to go."
Thorin looked upon Ara with nothing short of admiration. "How did you do all this?"
"The farmer, he's a Dwarf who lost family in the caves. I told him your story and he was happy to help. Your belongings were dumped at the farm ready to be burned along with your bodies, I got everything ready last night."
"Seriously, you're an angel." Kili chimed in.
"Thanks. Now stay close and follow me." Ara pleaded.
They did as she said, forming a queue behind her and creeping as quietly as they could manage. The first guard they came across was just outside the dungeon door, slumped in an unconscious heap. Everyone gathered closer to have a look. "You did that?" Thorin asked incredulously.
"Uh huh." Ara replied. Thorin couldn't help but smile at the 'so what' expression plastered on her face. When they all continued to gawp she added; "Relax, he's just passed out. I slipped a little something in his tea. He'll wake in a couple of hours with the mother of all headaches."
"My Gold!" Thorin grunted as Gloin pushed past to gather his loot from the guard's belt loop.
"You happy now?" Fili admonished.
Gloin grinned from ear to ear whilst his Brother rolled his eyes.
"Look as happy as I am for you we have to move!" Thorin hissed as he tugged Gloin along. "Quickly!" They all followed Ara up the winding staircase and out in to the fresh night air. Thorin breathed deeply and relished the clean air after days of stagnancy in the cells.
As they hurried along Thorin caught up with Ara. "Where's the other guard? I noticed one guarding the perimeter when we were brought in."
"I propped him up behind some hay bales." Ara didn't even spare Thorin a glance as she sprinted along.
"Won't someone find them?" Thorin glanced over his shoulder, relieved to see his Nephews close. The night was perfect cover, the moon hidden by thick clouds leaving them relatively hidden in their escape. But he still couldn't help feeling this was all going to go pear shaped before long.
"Their shifts don't end until morning, and they won't wake long before then. It'll be fine."
They ran through the town square and past small cottages which eventually gave way to a single dirt track. The farm came into view a little way ahead but Thorin wouldn't breathe easily until they were well clear of this place.
Leading them around the side of the farm they reached a barn. No one stopped to take a breath as they hopped on their ponies. "Go out the back door. Follow the trail straight down and into the small valley. You need to take the steep trail through the cliffs to reach the cave city, if you take the woods the Wargs will hunt you down – you will not last a day." Ara explained as she pushed the barn doors ajar. "But listen to me, and listen very carefully. I wouldn't send you up that trail unless you had no other choice. It won't be pleasant. It won't be pony worthy after a while and you will need to set them free." Wringing her hands she seemed to hesitate and Thorin could feel an unease taking root.
"What aren't you telling us, Ara?" Thorin asked. Fixing her with a stern look he waited for her answer. She seemed to be fighting some internal battle, torn between telling them and letting them see for themselves.
"It's just that trail… I've heard it's... haunted." She whispered.
Thorin smirked. "I hardly believe that."
Ara cast Thorin a pitiful glare. "You don't understand. That is the trail most of us took to try and escape that day. Hundreds of Dwarves were slaughtered along that road, it's practically a mass grave."
Thorin's smirk faded and he looked to Fili and Kili. His Nephews looked uneasy as they digested the information.
"I can't see how else we will reach the cave city." Dwalin muttered.
"I know. But…" Ara trailed off and hugged herself. "Just be careful. That trail will be a special kind of Hell I wouldn't dream of traveling through again."
"We will, Ara. Thank you, truly. Is there anything we can do? Perhaps some gold?" Thorin gestured to the pouch of coins attached to Gloin's hip and wasn't surprised at the indignant glare plastered on Gloin's face.
"No, no." Ara waved a hand dismissively. "Just go, and find our kin still in those caves. I wish you all the luck, and please take care of yourselves."
Thorin bowed his head and began to make for the barn doors when Ara's call pulled him up short. "Wait, I almost forgot." Scurrying over to Kili and Fili she handed them a small leather bound tome. "The guard marking the building must have been reading this when he passed out, I found it on his lap. I hope you don't mind but I happened to see your names in the script as I picked it up and figured it must belong to you."
Fili reached down and held the journal, clutching it tightly to his chest. "Ara…" He breathed.
Kili hopped down from his pony and scooped Ara into a bear hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you… You have no idea how much this means to us."
Fili followed his Brother and pulled Ara into a hug as soon as Kili let go. "Thank you, Ara. For everything. Will you not come with us?" Fili pulled back to look at her.
"No, this is my home now. It's not ideal, but the few dwarves that are here are my family now. I will not abandon them. Besides there is nothing on this Earth that would possess me to travel that road again. Ever." Ara explained. "But thank you for the offer."
Thorin breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't that he didn't want her coming with them, he just couldn't guarantee she'd be safe. He didn't want her life in his hands.
Feeling anxious they hadn't left yet Thorin cleared his throat. "Boys, we have to leave."
Kili and Fili looked to him, teary eyed and overwhelmed. They mounted their ponies again and Thorin nodded to Dwalin to lead the way out. Glancing back at Ara, Thorin smiled warmly. "Goodbye Ara." He didn't look back as he followed the others across the fields but he knew in his heart she watched them leave till she could no longer see them.
A feeling of foreboding took over Kili as his uncle came to a standstill. They'd been riding all through the night and into the day – stopping only once for something to eat. The ponies had become increasingly unsettled as they neared their destination. It was as if they could sense something was off and that thought alone had Kili even more on edge. He knew his Brother felt the same, although he was too stubborn to ever admit it.
He recalled Ara's warning of what lie ahead and couldn't help but dread going on. He wondered if it was just his mind playing tricks on him but he could swear he heard voices drifting on the wind. It didn't help that night time was fast approaching again, the low winter sun setting fast, a prelude to the darkness soon to settle.
"We need to let the ponies go." Thorin announced as he climbed from his animal. They all followed suit, knowing it was unfair to take them any further. "Stick close together and watch your step." Thorin said as he began the steep climb.
Kili swallowed and looked to Fili. "I'll be right beside you." Fili whispered.
Kili nodded his appreciation. It was pointless him arguing that he wasn't afraid, his Brother could see right through him. And he had good reason to be apprehensive. As a dwarfling Kili and his Brother had gone exploring and Kili had fallen into a disused well. The fall itself luckily hadn't been too bad but it was the fact he hadn't been alone that had left him so scarred – there had been a corpse propped against the inner walls of the well.
Thinking back, Kili recalled he had screamed and screamed until his lungs were raw and till this day it was still one of the most traumatic experiences of his life. Fili had told him to stay calm while he went to get help and Kili had begged him not to leave – even though he'd known there was no other way he would escape the entrapment. He'd cried the whole time, shivering and cold in the murky water.
What seemed like hours later his Brother had returned with their Uncle, Mother and at least a dozen other Dwarves to rescue Kili. His tears had all but dried up by then and his throat felt like sandpaper from all the screaming and crying. His Uncle had climbed down, attached to a rope which the others held and had scooped Kili up, cradling him tightly as he trembled uncontrollably. He couldn't remember much following that, except his Uncle carrying him back to their home as he clutched tightly to him, and Fili never leaving his side as he lay in bed being fussed over by his Mother and Uncle. He could distantly remember his Brother receiving the blame, even though Kili had protested adamantly that it had been his fault – he had often climbed things he shouldn't have and ended up getting hurt.
For weeks after that Kili had had panic attacks as well as nightmares. He was back in the well, trapped with the corpse, but in the twisted way dreams worked Kili eventually became the corpse and was forgotten about by his family. His Brother would always be by his side when he woke up screaming, he would wipe away his tears and hold him – rocking him back and forth until the fear passed and he was able to sleep once again.
So it didn't surprise Kili that his nerves were frayed. And he knew the others were keeping a close eye on him, especially his Brother. If they were really approaching a 'mass grave' then there was no guessing how he would react, he just prayed he didn't embarrass himself.
They walked for what seemed like forever and Kili managed to half convince himself that the massacres had been over exaggerated. But it didn't take long before the whispers in the breeze became cries, and the cries became screams. Pleas filled with pain and suffering. The land became barren, any green and colour fading into greys and browns until eventually there was nothing but rock and dirt.
Suddenly they all came to an abrupt stop as Thorin paused. Glancing sideways at his Brother, Kili braced himself for whatever lay ahead. "What is it?" Fili asked. But Thorin said nothing, and as the Brothers stepped around their Uncle they too ground to a halt.
"We never should have come this way." Thorin muttered.
Kili stood frozen, his boots rooted to the ground. Bones, there were bones everywhere. Piles, upon piles of dead dwarves, murdered long ago and left to decay. A mass grave, just as Ara had warned.
Kili felt as if he'd been sucker-punched in the chest, and no matter how hard he tried to breathe no air seemed to fill his lungs. He could feel his heart skipping in his chest, feeling as if his ribs could barely restrain it.
Not a panic attack, anything but a panic attack.
Closing his eyes he tried to maintain some control, but it was useless. In his mind he was back in that well, trapped. Stars erupted across Kili's vision and he had no choice but to lean forward, his hands braced on his knees. Swallowing with great difficulty he tried to keep himself from vomiting.
Fili was at his side instantly. "Kili! Kili, breathe!" He heard his Brother instruct, but the words were distant and far off. Muted and distorted by the wails of the dead and the insistent ringing in his ears.
Trying to assuage his Brother, Kili attempted lifting his head but it proved futile as his whole world tipped on its axis.
"Damn it Kili, breathe. Please!" Fili's words were blurted in a frenzied plea but it couldn't be helped.
It had been a long time since the incident with the well, but as soon as they had been warned about this trail Fili feared for his Brother. He knew what effect that day had had on him, he'd been there to help him through it for years afterwards. And he hadn't missed the way the colour had drained from Kili's face once the voices and screams had started. The only reason Fili hadn't insisted they go another way was because he knew this was their only option.
Supporting his Brother in his arms Fili looked to the others. They were already gathered around, a circle of concern and protection. "Kili!" Thorin brushed Kili's hair aside and held his face in his palms. "Look at me, Kili." He pleaded.
As Fili shuffled awkwardly, Thorin helped him lie his Brother on the ground, laying Kili's head on Fili's lap. Fili watched as his Brother clutched his chest, struggling for breath and wheezing uncontrollably. It was enough to almost send Fili into a panic attack of his own, the only thing keeping him sane was the notion of pulling his Brother back to reality. He knew exactly where Kili was, he knew exactly what he was reliving.
Oin elbowed Dwalin and Gloin out of his way as he knelt down next to Kili. "Laddie, you need to calm down. Tell us what you need." Oin cohered gently.
Kili gasped and began shaking violently. "Don't… leave me… behind." He begged.
Thorin hovered over Kili as he knelt beside him. "Kili, look at me."
Kili pried his eyes open and Fili felt his heart break at the fear and vulnerability he saw there.
"That's right focus on me." Thorin instructed. "Breathe, deep breaths." Thorin did it with Kili, placing his hand over Kili's where they still clutched his chest. "We would never leave you behind. I swear."
Fili watched in relief as Kili's body gradually began to relax, all traces of rigidity draining from his body.
"That's it, stay with me. Deep breaths. We are all in this together." Thorin glanced at Fili and they shared a moment where they both knew they would do anything for Kili. Thorin was protective over both of them, Fili knew this, but together they instinctively protected Kili at every turn – intentionally and subconsciously.
Thorin coached Kili through his panic attack until he was breathing normal and the colour seemed to return to his cheeks. "That's my boy." Thorin praised.
Fili watched his Brother closely, relieved he was back in the present. Panic attacks had been the norm for the weeks following the incident in the well and Fili had thought them a thing of the past until now. "Welcome back, Brother. We'll get you through this."
Kili managed a meek smile and took a few moments to re-gather his strength before gingerly pushing himself up.
"You sure you're ok, Laddie?" Oin asked.
Kili nodded briskly, looking at his feet to try and hide the heat colouring his cheeks.
"You've nothing to be embarrassed about." Oin soothed. He patted Kili's shoulder.
"We'll be right there with you the entire time, don't forget that." Dwalin added gently.
"Thanks." Kili rasped.
"Let's get going. It won't be pleasant, but once we're past this we will have reached the cave city." Thorin said.
Fili looked ahead towards their destined path and grimaced. He couldn't blame his Brother for freaking out, he didn't feel stable himself at all. He could only imagine the terror they had experienced as they had tried to escape the caves, they knew what was hunting them and what little chance they stood of escaping alive. So many had been lost, so many families destroyed.
"You stay by my side." Thorin advised Kili. Fili was relieved his Brother had the sense not to argue, but he guessed Kili would feel safer next to his Uncle.
"I'll be right beside you." Fili added. It pleased him to see the appreciation in his Brother's eyes at the gesture.
And so they climbed the trail, taking care not to step on any of the lost souls as they went. Fili stayed close to Kili and Thorin, not wanting to be apart from his Brother and desperately needing his Uncle as an anchor until they cleared this forsaken path. He just prayed they made it through to the other side before the light completely left the sky.