An Unexpected dwarf journey, Chapter 3

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Thorin and Fili rose from the river bank. Thorin could hear his companions shouting to them from the other side of the river.

"Where's Kili?" was the main message his companions shouted.

Fili had jumped up covered in mud and leaves. His uncle watched him warily ready to wrestle his young nephew away from the whirlpool once more. However, the blonde just began to search the large logs, nooks and crannies of the river bank, anywhere his brother could be possibly be.

Thorin had not the heart yet to tell them Kili's fate. "Search on your side of the river. Kili is ."

"Missing!" Fili shouted. He would not allow his Uncle to say it.

Thorin looked at his nephew in sorrow. The boy was in denial. However, he would not say it yet for Fili's sake.

"He was sucked into a whirlpool. Kili could be anywhere along the river. Keep a sharp eye out. We will meet up at the bridge of Breedon's Cross."

Bilbo turned to Bombur. "Whirlpool?" The hobbit frowned. Such things did not exist in the rivers and streams west of Bree. "As in pulled into the bottom of the river?"

"Aye, that's what he said." Balin shook his head in sorrow. He patted the unhappy hobbit on the shoulder.

Bilbo frowned. How could this happen to the spirited dwarf? "But, can a person survive that? Being sucked in?"

Balin replied what all the others feared. "Not likely. I'm sorry to say this, but we will be fortunate to find his body." Balin walked forward to stand beside the much shaken Bilbo. "Kili was a good lad. He deserved a better fate. Poor Fili, he will be long in recovering from this. They will both blame themselves for something neither could control. "

Bilbo shook his curly head. "I don't believe it. He could still come through this. Kili has survived worse dangers."

Ori began to cry as his own two brothers came closer to the youngest. They murmured comforting words to each other. Bilbo turned to them. Dori hugged the quiet scholar. Nori too, wrapped a comforting arm.

"Now, now Ori. We must help Fili and Thorin." Nori told the mourning dwarf.

Bilbo though, he couldn't just accept this. "But this is Kili. Kili! If anyone of us could survive it would be him!"

Bofur nodded and tried to give his hobbit friend a smile. "Perhaps so. Come, let's look."

Bilbo swallowed and shoved his hands in his wet pockets. He watched Fili frantically run along the river bank. He was wading waist deep in the water looking for any sign any clue of his beloved brother.

Then Bilbo's gaze shifted to Thorin. Bilbo's hope faded as he saw the look of defeat in the proud dwarf's features. Bilbo could stand it no more and moved along with the others. Shouts for Kili constantly sounding, the unhappy and worn dwarfs trudged on.

Fili sat on the docks of Lake-town, a whole day's search had led the dwarfs here. Thorin had announced his presence to the Master of Lake-town. The entire group was welcomed by the humans that lived here. For if a Durin once more held court at Erebor, this place would flow with trade and coin. Food and drink were offered and gratefully accepted by the dwarves. Yet, there was no song or feast. The group was trying to accept what had happened to the young dwarf. Most were still in a state of shock and denial. While Thorin talked and made plans, Fili fell away. He had no desire for Erebor or the gold anymore.

Since Kili's "disappearance', he had lost all interest in the company of others. Tomorrow the company would press on to Erebor. Fili already knew he would not be amongst them. His only conflict of this was leaving Thorin. The two brothers had sworn loyalty to their uncle, their king. Yet, Fili had also sworn another oath, one much older. He had promised to always be beside his little brother, best friends and companions forever. Now Kili was gone, lost in the cold waters. All their searching along the river banks in vain. He knew all the others, even Thorin believed Kili dead. Fili could not. He had not accepted this fate for his little brother. Kili was out there, in the woods. His brother needed him. This was the song, the oath that he would not forsake, to always protect his Kili.

He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. The noise of others and his kinsmen was muted. Even in these deep thoughts he heard the sound of someone walking up behind him.

Bilbo looked at the young dwarf sitting alone. It was as if all the light around him just failed. Not even his golden head shown in the torch light.

"Hmm, Hmm." He announced his presence. Fili was on edge. No sense in alarming the lad.

Fili did not waver his gaze from the river's mouth. "Bilbo. I have no wish for company."

Bilbo nodded even though Fili could not see the gesture. "Yes, but your stomach may need the comfort of some food. I brought some. Just stew, but its good and hearty. Mostly meat." Bilbo smiled faintly.

Fili shook his head side to side. "I am not hungry. Give it to Bombur."

Bilbo sighed. A dwarf without an appetite was never a good sign. "C'mon you need to eat. Kili would not."

Fili turned on the hobbit then. "You know nothing about what Kili would want," he growled. "Go."

Bilbo thought for a second he was facing Thorin's wrath. He didn't shy away then, he would not shirk now.

"I have to disagree with you Fili. In the weeks we've been together, I watched you and your brother. I have come to know that Kili was the finest of archers. He was a noble and loyal lad who treated me with kindness and faced dangers with bravery and skill."

Fili's anger drained at the kind words of Bilbo. Images of Kili during their adventures filled his head.

"What I also learned about Kili is that he loved you. He would not want to see you without food, without rest. So please, I implore you, take the stew and eat. If for naught else, for your brother." He held out the steaming bowl to the young dwarf.

Fili sighed and took it. He would need to eat. Fili had to remain strong. Without tasting, he began to shovel the food into his mouth. Once more his blonde head turned toward the water.

Bilbo was pleased that Fili was eating. He supposed that should be enough progress out of a stubborn dwarf, but still the hobbit remained unsatisfied. So instead of leaving the lad, he moved to sit beside Fili. He drew his pipe out of his coat and began to light it.

Fili finished the food and sat the bowl down beside the hobbit. The silence stretched between the two.

Bilbo watched the waves. He could not imagine the thoughts of loss Fili was experiencing. He too mourned the young lad. His jokes, his pranks, and companionship had many this journey more of an adventure instead of one horrible danger after another. With his loss, the whole undertaking had shifted in the hobbit's view. Why did he remain? He craved no more adventure for the rest of his life. Honestly, the thought of all the riches of the world meant little to him. He wanted his hearth, his chair, his books, and little else.

The moon was rising quickly over the lake. It was not yet full, but almost. He watched its light brighten the black. Bilbo's eyes darted to the dwarf beside him. He knew the answers to his earlier musings. These wild, ill mannered beings who were too loud, too brash, and always hungry had become his friends. Most of all, although he would never admit to such a thing, Thorin had become his King. He may be a Hobbit of Bag's End, but his heart was with the lost dwarfs of Erebor.

"He is not dead. Do not speak of him in the past." Fili spoke quietly. He wasn't sure why he did; the words just tumbled out to fill a need he could not name. "Kili is out there, hurt, and lost."

Bilbo removed his pipe, licked his lips. "Hmm. Yes, I could see that. If anyone could make it out of a scrape like that, it would be Kili."

Fili nodded vigorously, glad to admit what he was thinking to someone, and have the same feeling returned. A weight shifted on his shoulders. His path of action was no longer in doubt.

Bilbo wondered if it was cruel to lead the brother on, but his heart also held out hope. Somehow the wildest, most trouble prone member of the company would have found a way out of the predicament. "Yes, if anyone could survive it is Kili. Why, he's probably going to return with tales too wild for us to believe in."

Fili nodded once more. "I intend to find him. I set out with first light. I will not leave my brother behind."

Dwarf and hobbit startled when a low gruff voice interrupted their conversation.

"No, Fili. You are needed here." Thorin's voice interrupted. "This quest must proceed forward, for time is a factor of our success. Word of our progress will have spread to our enemies quickly."

Fili rose swiftly. Bilbo scrambled to move up and away. He felt the sudden anger crash over Fili.

"I set out for my brother." Fili responded thru gritted teeth.

Thorin strode nearer, shaking his head. "Fili, we can do nothing more for Kili but mourn."

"NO! I WILL NOT!" Fili shouted. Bilbo jerked back. Oh yes, Fili was indeed a Durin. He went to stand beside Thorin.

Thorin's voice and posture had not been unkind towards Fili. Aule knew that he too, mourned Kili. Yet, this quest was not just for one dwarf, it was for all the lost dwarves of the Lonely Mountain.

Thorin drew a deep breath anger at the entire situation roaring inside his own head. "I forbid it. You swore

"Forbid?" Fili interrupted. "Forbid? I will not abandon my brother to his fate. "

"You have a duty."

"My duty is to my brother."

"TO YOUR PEOPLE. YOU ARE MY HEIR. Do you think I do this for my own glory? I do not. Every waking thought is of our people. Their unjust treatment, their fate at the hands of that damned dragon and those treacherous elves. Every day I try to be the person that they need. What they need most is their home, their riches restored." Thorin tried to explain.

Fili shrugged and gestured at Thorin wildly. "Our people have homes, we are safe. This is to satisfy your own lust for gold and revenge."

Now Thorin was pissed. Bilbo wondered if it was better for him to seek the aid of others before these two headstrong and noble dwarfs started to throw fists at one another.

"How dare you! That was your Grandfather, your great-grandfather as well who died at the hands of the orcs. Our people suffered and died. We are scattered, mocked by lesser beings. Always moving, never at rest. We owe our duty to all our ancestors and our people to restore Erebor! Do you have no understanding at all of what it is to be a Durin?"

Fili stood face to face with his uncle. "I understand family better than you. I swore an oath to my little brother to protect him always. He is out there. I know it. None of the gold, not the Arkenstone itself is worth the life of Kili. I would trade it all just to have him back."

Thorin's eyes took on a terrible rage matched only by Fili's fearsome stance. That's when Bilbo leaped in between the two.

He held his hands out to each trying to keep them from throwing a punch at the other. "Now, now. Let's hang on a minute. Harsh words, heat of the moment." He said quickly. "We are all very upset about Kili." Where was Gandalf when he needed him?

"Not Thorin, he's happy to move on. The quest means more than his own kin." Fili had lost all sense of propriety. His overwhelming anger and frustration allowed hard words to flow.

Fili's harsh words hurt his uncle deeply. Thorin growled. Bilbo took a step closer to the dwarf prince. "Thorin, he's mad with grief. The lad just needs to calm down." Bilbo turned to Fili. "Fili, you know very well that your Uncle loves Kili too. He just has so many others to care for than just Kili. His heart is broken as well."

Thorin glanced at the hobbit. One thing the stubborn and determined leader had learned that Bilbo was much more than meets the eye. His words and actions were much needed in desperate times.

The sounds of many footsteps could be heard rushing towards the three.

Fili took this opportunity to begin to walk past. Thorin's had shot out to halt his nephew. Fili stopped and grabbed it.

"Fili, don't." Bilbo pleaded. "This is not what Kili wants, nor you."

The two dwarfs stared at one another, focused only on each other's faces. Their companions gathered around them in awed silence.

Thorin swallowed. The pain in Fili's eyes brought back so many memories, so many losses. The pain of losing his own beloved brother to the goblin horde. The face of his sister, Dis hearing her husband and father dead. Long ago, he had promised her to care always for her sons. He had failed once more to protect those he loved the most.

He felt the anger at Fili fade. "You truly believe him to be alive?" His voice lowered to a whisper.

Fili's stance shifted. "I do. I can't explain it, but I know it."

"Then find him. Bring him back to us. Join us within the week if you have not located him in that time." Thorin released his nephew. "May Aule bless your quest."

Fili's face's suddenly lightened. "I will. We will be in time to reclaim our home. Thank you, Thorin, uncle; I am sorry that I doubted you. I had no right. "

Relief flooded the dwarfs, many let out breaths they'd been holding.

"You have fierce loyalty to your brother that is to be admired. Remember that you are my heir and one day, you will have to do the best by your people not just your own heart. Bring Kili back to us."

Fili nodded and then moved to hug his uncle. Then without another word, he set off to gather his things. He would wait no longer to search for Kili.

Balin walked to where Bilbo and Thorin stood. He rubbed his long beard.

"Thorin,

Thorin cut the elder dwarf off. "Help Fili prepare. Make sure he has what he needs. I wish to be alone a moment."

The other dwarfs nodded and followed Fili to where they had made their stay for the night.

Now Thorin looked to Balin. "Give him the information he needs to find us."

Balin reached out and patted Thorin's shoulder. "Do you think this wise? We could lose them both."

Thorin turned his weary eyes to the elder. "We already have if Kili is truly dead. Fili would come, fight out of sorrow and revenge. In this state he would join Kili in the halls of Mannos. He believes Kili alive. Only a search to satisfy this belief is the only chance we have of getting him back."

Balin nodded. "I'll be off then, help the Laddie prepare."

The eldest of the company walked away.

Bilbo stood there, not entirely certain why he had remained. His heart was only beginning to calm down. For a moment there he thought the two would come to blows and he had been in the center of it.

Thorin turned to stand in the spot Fili had been sitting in. His hands grasped behind his back. His dark head bowed in deep thought.

Bilbo sighed and stood beside Thorin.

"It's not your fault," Bilbo finally spoke.

Thorin gave no hint that he heard the hobbit speak.

"What happened, it was something that could not have been prepared for." Bilbo shrugged and moved closer to his king.

"Few events of this plagued journey could have been predicted. Yet, it was still my duty to watch over those boys. To have come this far and to lose Kili in this way." Thorin's words failed him.

"But you will continue on this quest for Erebor? Should we not join him?"

"No. We cannot. We have made it thus far, but those damned elves will follow our path. So too does Azog and his goblin horde. Time is something that we have little of if we wish to secure the mountain before all are assembled against us." Thorin sighed.

"Yet, you gave Fili a week to look; can we not spare that as well?" Bilbo pleaded.

"No, Master Hobbit, we cannot. There is much to be done."

"Very, well. If that's your decision." Bilbo tipped back and forth on his large hobbit feet.

"It is. Now, leave me to my thoughts." Thorin turned his vision out onto the dark waters. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The sun was not yet rising, but its golden rays were beginning to lighten the darkness. Fili had borrowed a small boat to carry him across the water. He would work his way back to the whirlpool. Somewhere, the group had missed the clues where his brother was.

He stepped out of the wooden vessel, pulling the boat onto the sandy shore. Fili hefted the bag of supplies that the others had packed so carefully for him onto his broad shoulders. He twisted his scabbard to a more comfortable position.

"Bilbo grab that extra sword and bow. Kili will need it." The blonde tilted his head indicating the weapons.

Bilbo sighed and put his ring back on. "How did you know? I quite thought I'd mastered this sneaking about."

Fili managed a small smile as he looked at his hobbit friend. "The boat dipped deeper in the water when you stepped into it."

"You're not angry are you? " Bilbo looked up at Fili. As the sun broke over the horizon, the light made Fili's hair shine once more. Fili had hope.

Fili continued to speak, "I am glad to have you along Bilbo Baggins. I have found that you have a most extraordinary manner that makes the impossible, well, possible. Together we will find Kili. However, the anger you should be wary of is that of my uncle. Once Thorin realizes his is missing "his" hobbit, I fear the people of Lake-town have not seen such a wrath since Smaug."

Bilbo looked back and forth to Fili and the settlement. Then he pulled up straight. Oh, yes, Thorin would be most angered. "Uh, yes, well then, we should away." He pointed up the river. "This way, yes? To the whirlpool and finding Kili."

The hobbit scurried past grabbing up the sword, bow, and quiver of arrows. Fili patted the hobbit on the back. Then he gave the town one quick glance before following Bilbo up the river's banks.

Next Chapter Kili and his two rescuers