"Are you ready yet?"
Kili insisted on changing into some nicer clothes to go to the airport in. So, when his treatment ended, Bilbo allowed him to use the conference room to change in. I have been standing outside the door for nearly ten minutes now. Bilbo said the treatment had gone ok, but Kili was feeling a little nauseous. They gave him some medicine for his stomach and it should be kicking in soon.
The door opens beside me and Kili walks out. It's strange seeing him in jeans and a nice shirt, after seeing him in sweatpants and old t-shirts for the past couple of months. A smile forms on my face- the famous grin is on his face and his eyes look happier than they have been in a long time. His complexion is still startlingly pale and the dark rings still surround his eyes, but he seems happy.
He puts his cap on his head and adjusts his mask, then sits down in the wheelchair. Thorin had threatened him last night that if he protested his chair today, he would be staying home. Kili immediately agreed to do whatever he was told.
Bilbo had given his permission when I asked yesterday. He said as long as Kili doesn't make contact with anything and wore his mask, he would be fine. Kili had thanked him with a big grin and a handshake.
"We're going to be about thirty minutes early. Do you want me to get you anything to drink?" I ask once Kili is in the car and his chair in the trunk.
"No, I'm fine."
Twenty minutes later, we pull into the airport parking lot. The medicine is taking effect on Kili and I watch as he fights off the drowsiness. Kili gets out and into his chair. I lock the car behind me and we make our way through the automatic sliding doors to the building.
I search the boards for the terminal where Éowyn's plane should be arriving within the next twenty minutes. I find it and wheel Kili down to terminal nine. Luckily, the waiting area isn't too crowded, but still, the number of people here makes me uncomfortable. I sit down in a chair beside Kili. His head keeps rolling to the side, then he jerks himself upright.
"I'll wake you when she gets here. Just take a quick nap."
Kili straightens himself. "No, I'm not sleeping yet."
I blow out a huff of air at his stubbornness. But, there's no stopping him now. So, the two of us sit here and watch the terminal entrance. I start to fidget- bouncing my knees, clasping and unclasping my hands. I didn't even realize I'm nervous until—
"Flight 111 Rohan, is now landing."
Kili's head snaps up and my feet hit the floor. We watch and wait and watch some more.
"Éowyn!" Kili exclaims and waves his hands in the air. The smile back on his face.
She sees us and returns Kili's smile. I grab Kili's chair and we meet her halfway.
"Hi," she says, looking at me shyly.
"Hi," I lean down and kiss her on the cheek. Yes, Kili will get me for it later, but oh well.
"Was your flight well?" I ask, taking her luggage.
"It was, but I'm glad to be on the ground." She says laughing.
She turns to Kili then. "Hey, handsome!" She leans down and lets Kili kiss her on the cheek as she hugs him.
Kili wiggles his eyebrows to me from over her shoulder. I roll my eyes and fight back a laugh.
"Oh, Fili, can you hand me that small bag on top?" She points to a small blue gift bag.
I hand it to her, already knowing what it is.
"I made you something. I hope you like it." She says, handing the bag to Kili.
He looks at us curiously, then pulls out the tissue paper on top. Then, he reaches in and pulls out a beanie- hand crocheted with his favorite shade of blue yarn. On the brim in white yarn, is the word "CHAMPION" and the number 12- Kili's old jersey number.
Kili holds the beanie delicately in his hands. "I love it. Thank you." He finally says, looking up with tears in his eyes. He takes off his old beanie and replaces it with the new one.
"Thank you," I whisper in Éowyn's ear bringing her to my side with one arm.
She wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me back. "You don't have to thank me for anything."
She releases her hold on me and moves behind Kili. "So," she says, placing her hands on the chair handles. "Do you trust me to get you to the car safely?"
"Of course!" Kili pipes up.
I follow behind with Éowyn's luggage. Once we get to the car, Kili drags himself into the back seat. I load Éowyn's luggage into the trunk and Kili's chair into the back. I join Éowyn in the front seat and head for home.
"I originally planned a picnic at the park, but it's too cold for Kili, whether he wants to admit it or not." I tell her. I spare a glance in the rear-view mirror. Kili is already asleep.
"Is he feeling ok?" Éowyn asks, concerned.
"He's fine. They gave him some medicine for his nausea before we left. He's been fighting the drowsiness for an hour now. I guess it finally hit him."
"I'm glad he came," Éowyn says, looking back at him.
"Me too. He really needed this." I say earnestly.
We sit in a comfortable silence the rest of the drive home. When we pull into the garage, Kili wakes up. He stretches and shakily gets out of the car. Éowyn grabs onto him and walks with him to the door. I grab his chair from the back and bring it with me. I open the front door, and allow her and Kili to walk in first.
"What a lovely home," Éowyn says, smiling and looking around.
Kili takes the lead and Éowyn and I follow. Thorin greets us in the kitchen where he has just finished lunch. Luckily, he didn't have to work today and saved me from embarrassment by making lunch. He also used this opportunity to keep a close eye on Kili and meet Éowyn, of course.
"Éowyn, this is my uncle, Thorin. Uncle, this is Éowyn."
"It's so nice to finally meet you. Fili mentions you often," she says smiling and reaching out to shake Thorin's hand.
"Likewise. Fili has told us all about you. It's nice to finally meet this wonderful young lady," Thorin says returning her handshake. "Please, sit. Lunch is ready and I know you've had a long flight."
Kili sits down at his normal spot. I bring Éowyn and I some drinks and join her opposite Kili. Thorin gives Kili a drink and looks him over, taking in his happy smile but tired body. He takes his seat when he is satisfied that Kili is all right and we eat lunch together. Small talk is made and laughs are shared. It goes smoothly and when it's over, Thorin makes coffee and we gather in the living room for more talk.
Éowyn joins me on the couch, settling into my side. Thorin takes a seat in an over-stuffed chair, and Kili assumes his usual position in the recliner. We let him rest, knowing he's exhausted and no doubt fighting off sickness. I watched him closely at lunch. He tried to eat, but he didn't manage much.
Thorin, Éowyn, and I continue with casual conversation for another thirty minutes. Then, Éowyn and I stand to leave, knowing she needs to get to her uncle's. I look at Kili, debating on asking him to come or not, but decide not to because he needs sleep more than anything. Plus, he's spent too much time away from home today.
"It was nice meeting you. Thank you again for lunch. It was amazing." Éowyn says to Thorin as we stand by the door.
"You are very welcome. Come back before you leave again." Thorin tells her, a very rare, genuine smile on his face.
"I will," she smiles at him.
I grab her hand and lead her out the door. "Be home later." I call over my shoulder.
"Drive safely!" Thorin calls, closing the door behind him.
"Fili, stop shaking. It's just my uncle."
"Sorry," I mumble. She grabs my hand and squeezes it.
We walk up to the door, hand in hand, and she knocks.
"Uncle!" she releases my hand and wraps her arms around him.
He happily returns the gesture, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Hello, angel! Welcome home!"
She steps back and grabs my hand, gently pulling me forward. "Uncle, I want you to meet Fili Durin. Fili, this is my uncle, Théoden."
"Pleasure to meet you, sir." I extend my hand, which Théoden returns with a firm grip and wide smile.
"Please, please, come in!" Théoden steps aside and ushers us in with his a wave of his hand.
Éowyn and I step into the house, and my eyes roam the room, taking it all in. The entrance actually opens into the living room. A cobblestone fireplace is crackling on one side of the room; the smell of burning wood fills the air. A large couch sits in the center of the room, with a glass coffee table in front. Beside the couch is a large, wing-backed chair with a small cushioned foot rest standing a few inches in front. Pictures of what I assume are children, grandchildren, and other family members are scattered around the room. What really amazes me though, is the book shelves that make up the entire back wall of the room.
"I take it you enjoy reading?"
I turn to address Théoden. "Yes sir. It's something I've always enjoyed."
"There are over three thousand books on those shelves. Feel free to borrow any that you like." He says, patting me on the back. "Éowyn has already told me you cannot stay long, but I trust you will be back before she leaves. I would very much like to spend time talking with you."
I look at Éowyn; her smile gives me all the answer I need. "Yes, sir. I would enjoy that greatly."
Théoden smiles and offers to help me carry in Éowyn's bags. I try to tell him that there aren't many, because there really isn't, but he insists on helping. So, the two of us carry in Éowyn's luggage and set them outside of her bedroom door, which is located down the hall from the living room.
Théoden tells me to come back soon and leaves, giving Éowyn and me some privacy at the door.
"Thank you for today," she says, placing both of her hands in mine.
I entwine my fingers with her own. "You are very welcome."
"I leave next Wednesday. We will see each other before then, right?"
"Of course," I say without any hesitation.
"Good," she says smiling. "I really enjoyed meeting your uncle."
"He likes you. I'm positive. He hasn't smiled that genuinely in a long time." I assure her. "I want to come back and spend some time with your uncle, as well." I add.
"You better! He is looking forward to it. He loves his books, and enjoys discussing them even more." She laughs. "I should let you go." She sighs.
I pull her into a hug. She wraps her arms around my waist and lays her head on my chest. "Text me when you get home, ok? And tell Kili I said thanks for letting me drive him around." She laughs.
"I will." I say with a chuckle. I pull back and place a kiss on her cheek. "Good night."
When I enter the house, the aroma of a baking turkey immediately fills my senses. Thorin steps out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. He tells me Kili got sick soon after we left and an hour later, he was running a fever.
Guilt immediately sets in. "I shouldn't have taken him today." I rub a hand over my face and through my hair, berating myself for my careless actions.
"He's fine. He just tried too hard today. It's not your fault, and it's not his. It's no one's." Thorin says, patting my back.
He asks how everything went at Éowyn's. I tell him about her uncle insisting I come back soon to discuss his large book collection.
"I like her," he says.
"Me too," I say with a smile.
"I'm going to finish up in here for the night. Can you check on Kili when you get upstairs?"
"Already planned on it."