Hello!
This is a MUCH longer chapter than usual- I just didn't know where to stop it! ^^
Enjoy….
Fili felt his brother move weakly on top of him; he relaxed a little, arm hanging loosely on Fili's leg, fingers curling onto the material slightly. He heard him groan, deep and long, saw his face contort in pain.
'Hey….we're nearly ready to get you sorted- let's get you back on your front to make it easier….' Fili whispered, taking his chin off Kili's head and gently pushing him away onto the mat. Kili moaned, shaking his head. 'No, want to stay here…' he muttered; Fili could just imagine the pout on his face.
'Come on, heavy; we can't deal with you on top of me, can we? He smiled, deft hands quickly but gently moving him off him.
Kili blew air from his teeth, pain lancing through his back. He didn't want to move- he wanted to stay attached to his brother forever. Safe. Secure. Together.
Nevertheless, he allowed himself to be moved so he was laying on his front; he shivered as Fili took off the cloak that had been protecting his back from the elements. The material caught on congealing blood, making him gasp and wince as his skin protested.
Fili sucked in his breath, swallowed emotion, as he looked upon his brother's injuries. He realised Kili must have noticed, for he tried to turn round, a frown on his face.
'Is it bad?'
'It's….well…..' Fili didn't know what to say. A dozen, maybe more, thin, snake-like cuts trawled their way down his brother's skin. His back was red raw, blood still oozing from the deep lacerations inflicted by the whip. He felt his heart sink, a sick feeling creeping into its place, as he saw weeping scarlet slowly making its way down Kili's back.
'Fili….' His brother moaned, voice heightened as pain danced in his body. Fili put a hand on the small of his back, where there wasn't as much blood. 'Be still, brother- I'll get the water.' He said, before standing.
'No….don't go…' Kili groaned, trying to move.
Fili felt his heart breaking once more. 'I'll be a second, I promise- I'm not going anywhere.' He promised, taking Kili's hand and squeezing. 'I promise you.' He whispered.
Kili nodded, tears in his eyes. 'Wh- what if they come back?' he breathed, eyes wide, scared.
'I won't let them get anywhere near you- I will kill every last one with my bare hands, till they litter the forest floor, before they even know you're here. Now rest, I'll be back soon.' Fili said, voice now strong. He pushed hair from his brother's eyes once more before forcing himself to move.
Thorin stood as he approached, eyes searching. 'How is he?'
'More awake and alert- I need the water, and some fresh bandages.' Fili replied, looking around.
'I'll do it lad- I know how to clean wounds to make sure no infection gets in.' Balin smiled, already carrying the water.
'That's alright- see to Thorin, his face needs cleaning as well.' Fili muttered, moving to take the water.
Thorin growled. 'Let Balin do it- he says he knows how.'
'I'm not stupid, I know-'
'We don't want you two getting infected.'
'He's my brother!' Fili growled, feeling irritation flare.
'And he's my nephew!'
'Oh, decided he's worth saving now?' Fili retorted, cheeks red.
Thorin's eyes widened. 'Fili, please-'
'Please nothing! Let me do it- at least he can depend on me….' Fili growled, before taking the water off Balin. He averted his eyes as the older Dwarf stared at him, but walked away regardless.
Thorin sighed, feeling his world tilting. Balin put a hand on his shoulder. 'Don't worry, Thorin- he'll come round. He needs time; this has scared him….'
'And you think it didn't scare me? I nearly lost them both!' Thorin growled, moving away from his friend. He stalked off to sit by a large tree, alone.
Back by his brother, Fili sat down and began to prepare the cloths. He heard someone draw near- he hoped it wasn't Balin.
He felt a prickle of embarrassment in his face- he shouldn't have been so rude.
He looked to his side; alas, it wasn't Balin. It was Bilbo.
The Hobbit peered round his shoulder. His face paled when he looked upon Kili's wounds. His eyes darted to Fili. 'Is….is he going to be alright?' he whispered, concern on his face.
'I hope so.' Fili muttered, putting a hand on Kili's head, stroking his hair with his thumb. Kili had stopped moving again. 'You asleep?' he muttered, looking to his face.
Kili moaned and shook his head. 'Can't sleep- it hurts too much.' Was his reply.
'Ok, nearly done- I need to clean the wounds…' he was just about to talk to the Hobbit again, but found that he had gone.
He looked to beyond Kili- the Hobbit had laid down opposite his little brother, their faces close.
'You'll be fine.' He heard him say. 'Just a few scratches, that's all.'
Fili smiled despite himself; the Hobbit was very optimistic. He gently dipped the cloth in the warm water and ringed it out.
'This is going to hurt….' He whispered, face set.
Bilbo nodded, eyes darting from Kili to Fili. He guessed a distraction from pain would be helpful here….
He prodded a finger into Kili's forehead- the dwarf's eyes fell on him, mouth slightly open. 'Have I…. ever told you the story of the time my cousin had a huge party for his birthday?' he asked, mouth turning up.
Kili frowned, before shaking his head a bit. 'Don't think so….' He muttered, back tensed- he knew what was coming.
'Ha! Well, what a story it is…..' Bilbo smiled, eyes darting to Fili. The older dwarf had the cloth ready.
'So- he had a party for his birthday- you must remember, Hobbits don't usually do big parties; not really. Only the most important of Hobbits got a party, and he, well…..wasn't-'his words were drowned out by a loud moan and a contorted dwarf as Kili's back was cleaned.
'Oh, stop Fili- Please!' he begged, finger's scrabbling.
'I can't, don't want you getting infected….' Fili muttered, putting the cloth back into the bowl; red water inked out into the clean liquid.
'I won't, I promise!' Kili said, before an agonised scream escaped his lips as Fili attacked his skin with the cloth once more. 'By the love of Durin stop!' He yelped, feeling tears erupt.
'I'm sorry brother….' Fili whispered, tears in his own eyes as he cleaned his back. The wounds were now so raw he could barely look at them- he didn't want to imagine how Kili felt.
Bilbo looked on, his eyes wide. 'Anyway- my cousin's birthday party….' He didn't notice Kili give him a look that plainly said you're not helping. 'He got so drunk that he almost fell in the pond, scared all the ducks…. We caught him eating carrots from Farmer Maggot's fields- the brute chased us all, pitchfork in hand! We hid behind some bushes, onions stuffed in our pockets!' Bilbo chuckled.
He smiled as he heard Kili laugh weakly, his face screwed from pain. As least he was being some help.
Fili also smiled, appreciating every word. It was certainly making his job easier. Most of the blood was now off, the wounds were looking a lot better. He didn't like his brother in pain, especially when he was the one inflicting it- but he had to make sure that he wouldn't get infections in the cuts.
He winced as pain flared in his own back; he must make sure that someone looked at it.
'Right, I'll bandage you up- then we'll get you into fresh clothes before I do your face.' He whispered, before grabbing the bandages, shooting the Hobbit a smile.
Bilbo nodded, looking with concern at the young Dwarf. He hated seeing people in pain, especially people younger than him- it made his paternal feelings come through; not that he would have kids, but an Uncle wasn't bad.
'You want another story?' he muttered, smiling across at the dwarf, Kili didn't answer; he groaned, eyes squeezed shut. Bilbo took that as a yes.
'One time I was down The Green Dragon- a pub in Bywater- and I'm ashamed to say I had rather too many ales….. I only remember waking up in the middle of a water-logged field in nothing but my walking boots, a blank map and my walking stick my only company!' he laughed.
Kili snorted, and then wished he hadn't- he felt warm blood make its way down his face as the three cuts to his face opened with the movement.
'Maybe we should give the funny stories a rest now?' Fili interjected, looking with concern as his brother whimpered.
'Right. Yes, sorry….' Bilbo sat up, scratching his head.
Fili smiled at him before grabbing a pile of Kili's clothes. 'I think he might want some privacy.' He muttered, raising an eyebrow.
Bilbo nodded once, standing immediately. 'Of course, I'll just be….over…..there….' he muttered, pointing to a tree.
'Thanks.' Fili grinned, before reaching down and hoisting Kili up a little. 'You want help, or you think you can do it yourself?' he asked, helping him sit a bit more comfortably.
'Um, I'll do as much as I can….' Kili said, closing his eyes in pain.
'….I don't mind, you know. It's no burden.' Fili said softly.
'It's not that, it's….' Kili gestured round himself, feeling his cheeks redden.
'Pft, Kili- we're brothers, I basically brought you up- don't you think I've seen everything before?' he chuckled, before laughing as Kili weakly hit out, a small smile on his face.
'Shut it.' He muttered, rolling his eyes.
Fili took the cloth once more, conscious of the blood falling down his brother's face. He gently wiped it away, mouth tight.
'I'm sorry.' Kili whispered, eyes shining once more.
'What? Why?' Fili breathed, sitting closer.
'For not doing more to get out- for being weak….' Kili muttered, voice cracking.
'Weak? Kili- you were so brave I couldn't believe it. I wish I was as strong as you….' Fili replied, putting a hand on his brother's cheek, meaning every word. 'I was so proud of you.' He whispered.
'Thanks….' Kili sniffed, before giving his brother a small smile.
'Let's get you dressed and warm- you can try and sleep afterwards….' Fili smiled, before he stood, holding out Kili's shirt. 'Right, let's go…..'
Around an hour later, and Kili was clean, dry, and laying down next to his brother, swathed in bandages on his back and his face. The other dwarves had retired for the night, the fire was burning into embers, the flashes and crackles making him jump ever y so often. Nothing moved.
He turned awkwardly on his front.-He looked around the darkened forest clearing, eyes wide, heart jumping.
Was that eyes in the darkness? He was sure he heard shrieks in the air- he curled his fingers into his brother's shirt, brushing his chest. He felt Fili tense, and a hand placed itself on his shoulder.
'What's the matter?' he whispered, alert.
'N- nothing. Just seeing things in the dark….' Kili muttered, but he wouldn't let go of his brother. Fili breathed out and moved closer.
He pulled his brother close. 'Just sleep, everything will look better in the morning….' He whispered, rubbing circles into his brother's arm.
'Will it?' Kili's voice sounded high, child-like. Hoping.
'I promise….' Fili replied, before he shushed his brother and they both lay still.
'Thank you.' Kili muttered into the darkness.
'What for?' Fili replied, frowning.
'For getting me out. For saving me.'
'Oh Kili….you don't need to thank me- that's what big brothers are supposed to do.' Fili smiled, squeezing his brother's shoulder gently. 'Now sleep, before I beat you.' He quipped, grinning.
He heard Kili snort, before moaning.
'It'll be better in the morning…' he whispered, whether for his own mind or for Kili's, he didn't know.
He felt Kili nod beside him, face to the ground. Fili breathed out, looking to the cloudless sky; tomorrow he would talk to Thorin, but not tonight. Tonight he was his brothers'. Tonight he only had one priority. He wouldn't be sleeping a wink then.
The clouds had finally moved; the moonlight shone through the trees, sending dappled light onto the dew covered grass.
Thorin watched a rabbit hop over to a large flower, its brown fur tinged with grey in the darkness. It sat silently, nibbling the plant with wide eyes. He probably could have taken it- it might've made a filling supper, but Thorin felt nothing but lethargy and tiredness in his bones.
He felt weighted, crushed, with what had happened. He looked across at his nephews; Kili was huddled close to his brother, Fili's arm was draped over him as if protecting him from the world.
He sighed to himself. He should have done more- if he had acted instead of being so selfish, so self-righteous.
He coughed- what could he have done? He would have ended up in Fili's place, or maybe even dead. But still, he should have been strong enough to protect the only remaining family he had.
He turned his head as a twig snapped. The rabbit in front of him bolted, back into the trees.
Thorin stood silently, hand to the hilt of his sword. He quickly stepped into the shadows, into the direction of the noise.
He took out his sword, Orcrist, and, bent low, made his way to the noise. The leaves of the trees scattered as someone walked passed, more twigs snapped as whatever is what pressed its weight upon them.
He stared into the gloom, ears primed for movement; he almost wished Fili were here.
Seconds later, the figure stepped into view. Without looking he launched at it, sword high and flashing in the moonlight- another sword answered, the sound of crashing iron was almost deafening.
'Thorin, it's me!' Came a gruff voice.
Thorin looked up, eyes wide, as Gandalf peered down at him.
'Gandalf!' he growled, putting away his sword. 'I could have done you some serious damage.'
'You could have, but I heard you five minutes ago- I anticipated your every move.'
'I could have killed you….'
'Well….' Gandalf shrugged.
'I wanted to.' Thorin's eyes flashed in the moonlight. Gandalf frowned, eyes narrowed.
'And why would you want to do that?' he asked, standing to his full height.
'Where were you when we needed you? Why didn't you come? Kili nearly died!' Thorin spat, emotion was rising in his chest.
'I'm sorry Thorin-'
'Sorry isn't good enough! You came with us to help us, not to walk off and not come to our aid- what do I have to do, chain you to my horse?'
'Thorin Oakenshield, do not make the mistake you are my only priority on this quest! I said I would help but I was waylaid!' Gandalf growled, eyes dark and dangerous; Thorin stepped back, shocked.
'I- I'm sorry…it's been a long day.' Thorin wiped a hand down his face; tiredness was kicking in. He also wanted to see his nephews, to see if they were alright.
'I apologise for my lateness, I truly am. But I am here now- what happened?' Gandalf asked, worried eyes looking down at the Dwarf-Prince.
'Long story- I'll fill you in as we walk back.' He muttered, his muscles ached and he dearly wanted to sit down.
'Let's go then.' Gandalf replied; together they walked back to the other dwarves, Thorin making short work of the story.
Back with his brother, Fili was still awake. He had moved to lie on his side, and was now watching his little brother intently; Kili was in fitful sleep, jerking and muttering, eyes rolling behind the lids.
He put a hand on his head to calm him, used his thumb to draw circles in his temple- it always relaxed him when they were children.
'Sleep….' He whispered, relaxing next to his brother.
'I'll be here when you wake up, I promise….'
To be continued….
Thank you for reading, please review!
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