As soon as we got in the car, Thorin knew something was wrong. And because Kili obviously wasn't in a pleasant mood, I told him to just drive because we were going to be even later than we had originally been.
Kili was dozing now, his head against the window, arms wrapped tight around his stomach.
Thorin looked in the rearview mirror, and quickly brought his eyes back to the road. "What's really wrong with him?"
It's almost a whisper. The last thing we need to do is wake Kili up by talking about him.
"His headache is worse than it was earlier and he's still pretty dizzy. He said he took one of those pills though, so he should be feeling better in a while." I reply just as quietly.
"Do you think he slept this afternoon?" Thorin asks.
"I don't know. I was out cold. Quite honestly, that was the best sleep I have gotten in a while." I can't help but think I won't be getting that good of a rest for another long while.
Well, it was good while it lasted.
"Sorry," Thorin mumbles. "But, we were running late. I overslept, too."
"Did you sleep well?"
"I did. I tried so hard to lay there longer, but then I saw what time it was, and knew I had a commitment to uphold."
"Guess we're in the same boat then."
Silence follows and we make the remainder trip to the restaurant in silence.
Kili wakes up as we pull into the parking lot. "'Bout time. I'm starving." He says as he stretches his arms and yawns.
"Am I going to have to rob a bank tonight with your hungry appetite?" Thorin asks with a slight laugh. I can see he's happy at the news of Kili's apparent appetite. I am too because Kili doesn't eat much at all anymore.
"Nah, you won't need that much money. Maybe a small gas station."
"I'll remember that it was your idea when I'm arrested."
"Fee, will bail you out. I'll be long gone, on a deserted island in the Caribbean."
Now I step in. "How am I supposed to bail him out when you have all the money with you on that island?"
"You'll figure something out. You're smart." Kili says as if he really expects it to happen.
"Not that smart." I say. Thorin and Kili laugh. "Thanks, guys." I try to sound annoyed but I end up laughing along with them.
Kili leads the way into the restaurant and heads toward the back party room.
"I have arrived! Let the festivities commence!" Kili opens the double doors to the room, and throws his arms in the air as if in celebration. I just roll my eyes behind his back, but I feel a sense of happiness at seeing Kili acting like his normal self for once. I look up at Thorin, his expression matching mine perfectly.
There is the briefest moment of stunned silence. Then, a chorus of laughter and cheery greetings.
"Kili, good to see you lad!"
"How are you doing?"
"Come, sit!"
"What kind of trouble have you gotten into today, kiddo?"
At this last question, Bofur promptly replies. "Can't be too bad. Thorin's hair still hasn't turned grey!"
Another chorus of laughter rings out through the room. As Thorin passes Bofur, he promptly knocks him upside the head for that last comment.
"Well, happy birthday, Bifur!" I say, directly to Bifur once the chaos of Kili's grand entry calms down a little.
"Thank you, lad. I'm glad you all could make it." Bifur reaches over and gives me a friendly pat on the back as I sit beside him.
Kili sits directly across from me. I like this arrangement because it gives me a good reason to keep my attention on him for the duration of the dinner, just in case. Bifur never enjoyed being the center of attention, so he was seated along the side of the table, between me and Nori. At the head of the table sits, Bofur; to his left is Dwalin, Thorin, Kili, Ori, and Balin. Gloin is seated at the other end of the table; to his left is Dori, Oin, me, Bifur, and Nori.
"Will Bombur be joining us?" Thorin asks. I am wondering the same thing.
"He will be stepping in when he can. He may own the place, but as manager, he has certain responsibilities he cannot remove himself from on such short notice." Bofur answers regarding his brother.
"I know what that's like."
I can hear the slight resignation in my uncle's voice. I know he means nothing by it, but it still upsets me to think that he could be doing so much more with his life if he didn't have so many responsibilities.
The friendly chatter continues. I keep my focus on Kili, but he seems to be enjoying himself. He and Ori are currently discussing Ori's new book that he is writing. The guy always had a passion for writing. It was good to know he was using it for the good.
"Do you know when it will be published?" I butt in.
"Oh, no. I still haven't figured out an ending yet." Ori says, blushing slightly.
That's another reason I always liked Ori. He was sweet and innocent, and out of all our friends, the politest. His story was much like mine and Kili's: his parents died when he was young and his two older brothers stepped in to raise him, much like Thorin did for us. It was hard on Nori, especially. Nori is an interesting guy. He had a dark past, and got messed up in drugs and spent many nights in jail for "disturbing the peace" when he was younger. But, he eventually got his act together and now works as a security guard. Dori has always been the sophisticated, parental figure. He also works as an attorney for Thorin's law firm. Ori is quiet and timid, and gets his good manners from Dori. But, when he is angry, his characteristics are much like a more subtle version of Nori's.
"Well, since I know the author, do you think I could get a sneak peak before it's published?" I ask with a smile.
Ori laughs. "We'll see how it goes."
"Hey, I want one, too!" Kili adds enthusiastically.
"Kee, we all know you aren't going to read a book." I say with just a hint of sarcasm. Kili didn't have nearly the attention span needed to read a book.
"Oh, I know. My plan is to use it to get girls. This way, when Ori becomes all rich and famous, I can tell girls that the author is a very good friend of mine, and that I have connections." Kili says with a smug grin, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair.
Ori and I both burst into a fit of laughter at this. Kili promptly sits up straight in his chair. "We'll see who's laughing when I get all the girls I want."
"That had better be just one girl," Thorin adds in with his best fatherly tone.
"Oh, yes, sir. That's what I meant. When I meet the one girl." Kili mumbles and hangs his head.
This just causes more laughter from everybody, including Thorin.
"What's so funny that I don't know about happening in my own restaurant?" Bombur asks joyfully as he walks through the door.
"Kili was just discussing how he is going to use Ori's book to meet girls." I tell Bombur, as I finally calm my laughter. Now I am just shaking in my chair.
Bombur laughs and gives Kili a friendly pat on the back. It's a little harder than he intended, and Kili wobbles in his chair. His eyes grow big for a second, but then he just grins his signature grin. "Good to see you, lad!"
"You too, Bombur! Now, I'm hungry. Who's with me?" Kili asks the table.
"Hear, hear!" The large group answers in unison.
"Now, this I can fix. What'll it be, boys?" And then Bombur makes his way around the table, taking orders. I order a steak, medium well, and some of Bombur's signature mashed potatoes. I don't know what the secret is, but they are heaven.
The conversations continue as we all wait for our food. Oin subtly asks me about Kili. I give him the latest: from the time the news was broken to us yesterday, leading up to the ride to the restaurant. Oin nods his head and tells me that things are sounding as normal as can be for Kili's condition. He also assures me that all will be better soon and Kili will be happy and healthy once again. I thank him for the thoughts, but don't mention my own doubts. There are too many people in this room for that conversation.
Bombur, along with four other waiters, bring our food in about twenty minutes later. After a chorus of, "Thank you" and "Watch it. It's hot!" we dig in and eat our food. As always, Bombur and his staff do not disappoint. The talk has quieted significantly now that people are too busy chewing and not conversing, but there is still a steady banter of talk.
Kili is halfway through his burger, when he stops eating. I watch him raise his arm and rub the back of his neck. He takes a few careful sips of his water, and resumes eating his fries. After a few make their way to his mouth, he stops once again, grabbing his head.
I see Thorin make a sly glance out of the corner of his eye toward Kili. His eyes widen only a little, but I see it. Thorin resumes eating his steak, and talking with Dwalin in between bites.
Kili doesn't attempt to touch his food anymore. Instead, he brings his glass closer and holds it close to his mouth, taking small sips every so often. I finish my steak and am about to take a drink of my tea, when Kili stands up and excuses himself.
"Is he all right?" Bifur asks full of concern. All eyes at the table turn to Kili's empty seat.
Thorin looks at the empty seat beside him. "He had a headache this morning and tried to sleep it off. He told Fili that he took his medication before we left. It should be working by now."
"He was dizzy again this morning, too." I add.
"I had better go check on him," Thorin stands, lying his fork down.
"No, I'll go. You're still eating." I take a drink of my tea and leave the room.
"I hope he's ok."
"Poor kid."
It's good to know Kili has friends who care about him. All through high school, he had a select few friends. It took a special person to handle Kili. But most people just weren't willing to give it a chance. When Kili graduated, his best friend, Legolas, left for college. Legolas kept in touch for a while, but eventually had notified Kili that he would be leaving the country for a job he had gotten teaching archery to Olympic trainees. Kili was elated at the news of the success of his friend and wished him the best. But, I knew Kili was upset that he would probably never see his friend again.
I find the bathroom and the silence scares me. Ten stalls are lined along the wall and I begin the search for Kili, bending over to look for feet peeking out from beneath the door.
"Kili?" Then I hear it, the frantic breathing.
"Kili? Where are you?"
Four. Five. Six. Seven. Converses.
"Kili, I'm here. Come out." I announce attempting to open the door to the seventh stall.
I hear shuffling as Kili scoots himself over on his knees and unlocks the stall door. He pulls it open and crawls out, panting for breath.
"Kili, c'mon. Deep breaths." I encourage him as I kneel in front of him. After a few moments, Kili's breathing becomes more normal. "I thought you took some medicine?"
"Did. Not do-" Kili pauses for a breath, "doing its job correctly."
"It'll start working soon. Do you think you can stand?" I already know the real answer, but Kili will try to do it anyway. Stubborn kid.
Kili nods his head and pulls himself to his knees. His legs are shaking too badly and he can't seem to get a foothold to push himself up. I reach down and pull him to his feet. At first I think he is going to make it, then his face turns a strange shade of green.
"Fee." Kili gasps.
And then his guts explode across the floor.
I know there is no use in trying to drag him into a stall or over to a sink. He's too weak to move and he won't stop vomiting. I start to panic as I hold Kili's curls back from his face, feeling how warm he is. I rub soothing circles across his back and whisper encouragements into his ear. Finally, he stops. The ordeal has left him completely drained and he falls limp into my arms.
Thorin. I need to call Thorin.
I lay Kili on the floor, putting his head in my lap. I reach into my jeans pocket- empty.
"I left my phone on the table. Do you have yours?"
"Ba…poc't." Kili attempts to answer me.
I reach into his back pocket and dial Thorin's number, not caring to interrupt his dinner.
I dial Thorin's number. As soon as the ringing stops, I say one word knowing it's all the information Thorin needs: "Hurry."
They should be back by now.
I was zoned out of the conversation I was currently having with Bifur and Dwalin. I don't even know what they're talking about anymore, nor do I care. Something isn't right. I would blame it on a father's prerogative, but I guess right now it would be an uncle's prerogative.
I lay my hand on my phone, hoping for some kind of notification as to where my nephews have disappeared to.
Then I feel it. The slightest beginning of a vibration. I slide my screen to answer the phone call even before the annoying music begins to play.
"Hurry."
That's all I need.
I throw the chair I am sitting in back and run. I know there are nine pairs of eyes watching me. But I don't say anything. They all know what's happening.
I run through the restaurant at break-neck speed. I know I'm running into people, tables, the bar, but I don't care. I can't even mutter an apology. Only one word can make its way out of my heart, up my throat, into my mouth, and off my tongue.
"KILI!"
The restroom is inconveniently located on the opposite side of the building. I make the trip in record time regardless of the traffic.
"Kili! Kili! KILI!" I repeatedly yell, as I run through the archway that enters into the restroom. I follow the hallway, turning right and then right again.
"Over here!" I hear Fili yell.
"What happened?" I demand, as I run over to where my nephews are placed in the floor. Fili is sitting with his legs stretched out in front of him, his back to a closed stall door. Kili's head is resting in his lap. I notice my youngest is breathing somewhat erratically and there is a prominent stench of vomit.
"I found him in that stall," Fili points to the aforementioned object. "He was shaking and his breathing was out of control. He crawled out and then finally got his breathing under control. He tried to stand up to leave and then he just collapsed and wouldn't stop vomiting. I got scared. He finally stopped and he was spent. He just collapsed into my lap. That's when I called you."
I kneel beside Kili's pale frame. He looks so fragile and young. I lay my hand to his forehead and the heat emanating from his skin surprises me. "Fee, go get Oin. Now."
Fili lifts Kili's head off his lap and places it in mine. "Hang on, little brother."
I can hear the heartbreak in Fili's voice, followed by his pounding feet as he runs to get Oin.
Kili begins to move his head from side to side and emits a sound that breaks my heart.
"Kili, it's all right. I'm here. You are going to be ok." I reassure him as I run my hands through his soft curls. Kili looked just like his mother, my sister, Dis. He had her hair and her chocolate brown eyes, not to mention her stubbornness. He had inherited his father's personality and build though: small but strong.
"Oh," Kili mumbles trying to roll over onto his side. I immediately know what is going to follow and help turn him on his side, holding him steady. The retching begins soon after. I don't know how anything else could be inside him, but apparently there is. The retching turns into dry heaves and eventually it all stops.
I roll Kili back into my lap and cradle his head in my hands. I wipe a single tear from his cheek. "Shh, shhh, it's ok. You're ok."
Kili's eyes are closed and he isn't making a sound, but he seems to respond to my voice. He stops shaking and let's out an exhausted sigh sinking further into my lap.
"What's the problem?" Oin inquires as he kneels down beside us.
I didn't even hear him enter. "I suppose Fili filled you in?" At Oin's nod I continue. "He started shaking again. Then threw up even more. I don't know how he managed that one. He's burning up."
"I hate to say this, but it's all normal. There is nothing extra wrong with him. It's all just happening so fast. You said he took some medicine before coming here tonight?"
"Yes," I answer my friend, though my eyes never leave Kili's face.
"It could be that the medication is making his symptoms worse. It might be an allergic reaction or too strong a dose." Oin informs me in his most professional voice.
"I'll talk to his doctor tomorrow when he goes in for his MRI."
"Don't you mean I will?" Fili asks, catching my use of pronoun.
"I'm going tomorrow. This is more important. Dori will understand." I insist, leaving no room for argument.
"If you give me the keys, I can get the car and bring it up to the back entrance." Fili offers.
"Don't worry about it. Nori is already waiting with your car in the back." Oin says.
"What do you mean? I've had the keys the entire night!" I ask raising my voice. Kili makes a noise at the unwelcome sound and I apologize.
"Don't ask me how he does it. His fingers are like magnets." Oin says with a hint of jest.
I might have found it a little humorous if I wasn't so focused on Kili. Most likely not, but maybe.
"I'll go tell the others what's happening. You three be safe. Call us when you get home." Oin says standing up, and giving Fili a pat on the back before leaving.
"All right. You lead the way." I motion to Fili as I stand. I bend over and carefully lift Kili into my arms. I know if he wasn't so out of it, he would protest at me carrying him. But he's trying his hardest just to stay awake right now, so this is the best option. I haven't carried either of my nephews like this since they were kids. It feels a little awkward at first because Kili is grown now, and no longer the little child running around laughing and causing mischief. Instead, he is a seventeen year old shell of that happy kid. I adjust Kili's weight in my arms and follow Fili out of the restroom and to the back entrance, making our exit.
Sure enough, Nori is standing beside my car, the back door open.
"There had better not be anything missing," I grumble as I lay Kili in the back seat. Fili had gotten in first and now pulls Kili's head onto his lap.
"No worries. It's all there." Nori says seriously. He is always a serious character, but I know now that it isn't a con. This seriousness is a worried seriousness.
"Thanks," I say, catching the keys in my hand as Nori tosses them to me.
I put the key into the ignition, start the car, put the gear in drive, and leave the restaurant, heart set on getting home without any more unwanted actions.
After I carry Kili's sleeping form up the stairs and lay him on his bed, Fili insists that he sits with Kili through the night. I try to protest but Fili doesn't let up on his demands.
"If you're going tomorrow, you need sleep. Or at least attempt to. Don't worry. If something happens, I'll wake you. He'll probably just sleep the rest of the night anyway. We'll be fine. Promise."
"Come get me immediately." I restate Fili's initial promise.
"Yes. Now, please, go to bed." Fili is practically shoving me out the door.
"Good night." I say into the room.
Fili is the only voice to answer though. "Good night, uncle."
I stand there behind the closed door for a few minutes, just listening to the silence. After convincing myself that nothing is happening, I walk down the hall to my room.
I collapse onto my bed, but I know sleep is not in my future.