Weapons Ceremony

Fili - 20, Kili - 14

It was Fili's twentieth birthday, so that meant it was the day of his weapons ceremony. Weapons training started at fifteen and lasted for a decade. The first year was the quarterstaff. It was a perfect first weapon. One learned how to handle a weapon and train without having a weapon that could slice an appendage off. It hurt like hell to get hit with, though. The trainee learned very quickly how to block attacks because no one wanted to be hit by a solid wooden stick.

A year later, they moved to broadswords. Two years later was the ax and now Fili was going to start his training with the weapon he had always wanted - double blades.

It was his father's weapon and Joli was widely known as the finest twin blade fighter in all of Ered Luin and Fili was willing to bet his father was the best in all of Middle Earth.

At today's ceremony, he would be presented with his own practice blades and given his first lesson. All of Fili's family would be there.

His father had left early that morning. He had a wagon load of lumber to pick up from the man village twelve miles away. It had to be picked up today, but leaving as early as he had, would ensure he would be back in time for Fili's ceremony at sundown.

Dis had been in the kitchen all morning, cooking and baking Fili's favorite dinner. They boys had kept out of the way by going to the forge with Thorin, where Thorin had given Fili a newly made knife for a birthday present. They came home when the sun reached its peak. Dis fed the three dwarrow a light meal before Thorin went home to clean up and Fili and Kili were sent to bathe and ready themselves. She kept expecting Joli to come in anytime.

Joli cursed loudly at his unbelievably bad luck. The back wheel on his wagon had hit a rut and split right in half. The wheel lay on the ground in two pieces and lumber was sliding out of the lopsided wagon.

He pulled at his hair for a moment, staring at the mess. He tried to pick up several planks of wood that had slid out and put them back into the wagon. They just slid out again. He was in a pickle now. He had to get back for Fili's ceremony. Any other ceremony, he might have been able to miss and Fili would understand, but today? Oh, today was too important. Fili might forgive him, but he would never forgive himself.

But he couldn't leave all the lumber either. It was worth way too much money to be left unattended. He had been commissioned a huge order from a very rich man in another village. It was to be the wedding furniture for his daughter's new home. If he lost this commission due to stolen lumber off a broken wagon, it would mean losing a lot of money, business and possibly his standing as a reputable carpenter.

He could not leave this lumber. Not even for help. He would have to wait until he was missed and a search party sent out.

Dis will be furious with him. But his family would forgive him, eventually. Joli shouted angrily at the top of his voice. Why today of all days did this have to happen?

"Come to supper, boys!" Dis called out. Moments later, thunderous footsteps could be heard pounding down the hall. Kili got to the kitchen first. His hair was wild, as usual, and he laughed a great laugh.

"I won! Come on you old slow poke," Kili smiled. A moment later he was tackled to the ground.

"Who you calling old?" Fili pinned Kili down.

"You!" Kili struggled against his brother, who was bigger and stronger than he.

"Enough boys. Come sit down," Dis said.

"Hi, Uncle Thorin," Fili said, getting of his brother and going to the table where Thorin and Dis sat, waiting.

"Where's Adad?" Kili asked, joining them at the table.

"He's not back yet," Dis sighed. "I hate to eat without him, but supper can't be delayed if we wish to make it to the ceremony on time."

"He should have been back by now," Fili said.

Dis nodded. "I know."

"Maybe something happened. Should we send someone?" Kili asked.

"We give him a while longer," Dis said with an air of finality. For now, the topic was closed.

Dinner was a little more subdued than normal without Joli there. When the meal was done, the boys were sent to clean up and dress for the occasion.

"I'm mad at him, Thorin," Dis said, dropping the dirty dishes into the wash basin with more force that was probably good for them.

"I'll send a search party to go find him," Thorin patted his sister's shoulder.

"When I get my hands on him," she started to say, but she stopped and sighed. "When Fili is presented his swords, would you do the first lesson if Joli isn't there?"

"It would be my honor," Thorin smiled. "I'll see you in the arena."

Dis turned around and hugged her brother. "Thanks."

Thorin walked out and towards the guard house.

"My Lord," the gate guard bowed.

"Florg, I need four dwarves sent on the south road towards the village of Bonorn. Joli went out there today to collect lumber and he has not yet returned. He should have made it back by now, so go armed but also take a set of wagon tools," Thorin instructed.

"It will be done, Lord Thorin," the guard said. He went into the guard house and called out the orders. Five minutes later, four dwarves on fast ponies were riding towards the southern road.

Thorin went to the arena. His old friend Dwalin was there, making sure all was prepared for the ceremony. Thorin picked up the blades that would be presented to Fili. They were finely made. He tested their weight, swung them and felt their balance. Twin swords were smaller and lighter than traditional single swords, and while sharp on both sides, they were single edged weapons. They had to be well balanced and it was very important that they weighed an equal amount. Very few favored the two sword fighting method. They required incredible balance and the ability to move each hand independently of the other. Not quite as powerful a weapon as a single sword, but they had the unique ability to attack and block simultaneously. Thorin could wield the two swords with some skill. Usually for him, the only time he held a weapon in each hand, he preferred an ax in one and a sword in the other. It was cumbersome, but with more than a century of fighting and a century of swinging heavy hammers in the smithy, Thorin's arm strength was enough that he could fight with two large weapons for a while. It had come in handy many times when fighting orcs and wargs, protecting his people and the borders of their home.

Thorin grunted an approval of the blades and put them back down. They were dull. It would be Fili's job to make them sharp after a few months of training with them.

"Do you have an extra set?" Thorin asked.

Dwalin's eyebrows went up in quiet surprise. "Doesn't Joli have his own?"

"Joli's not back yet. If he doesn't show up in time, Dis has asked me to do the first lesson."

"I've got some extra blades, but they aren't as nice as these," Dwalin answered.

"Doesn't matter what they look like. Have them ready, just in case."

Joli's stomach growled. He missed Fili's birthday supper. The sun was starting to set. He wasn't going to make it.

"Oh, Fili, forgive me," he whispered.

In the distance, he could hear horse hooves approaching. He snatched his twin blades off his back and took an attack stance in front of his wagon. Four dwarves rode up and stopped in front of him.

"Lord Joli," one guard called out. "We're relieved to find you."

"Florg, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you," Joli sighed and re-sheathed his swords.

"What happened here?" Florg asked.

"Hit a rut, split my back wheel right in half." The small group of dwarves looked at the broken wheel. "Listen, Florg, my Fili's weapon ceremony start's at sundown. I need to get there, but this lumber is worth a lot of money and I can't leave it unprotected. Not even to go get a new wheel."

Florg put a hand on Joli's shoulder. "Take my pony, go to your son's ceremony. I'll stay here with the wagon."

Joli's eyes widened. "Oh, thanks my friend. I'll come back with a new wheel as soon as it's over." Joli climbed up onto Florg's pony. "Thank you!" He kicked the pony into a run and made his way back to Ered Luin.

"He's not here, Amad," Fili looked around the crowd again.

"I know, but it's time. You must go to the arena. Thorin will step in for your lesson." Dis kissed Fili's forehead. She hated the look of disappointment in her son's eyes.

Fili turned to the well-lit arena. Many dwarves were in attendance to see the prince's weapons ceremony. All of his cousins who lived in Ered Luin were there. Dwalin, the weapon's master to the royal family stood waiting in the center of the arena. Fili approached the edge and waited. The crowd grew silent.

"Why do you come, youth?" Dwalin asked.

"I am Fili, son of Joli. One of Durin's folk. I have learned three weapons and now I seek to learn the twin swords." Fili spoke loud and clear.

"Before you can take a new weapon, you must prove you have learned the others. Show me what you have learned!" Dwalin called out.

Fili picked up his quarter staff and met Dwalin in the center. It was up to Fili to attack first in the ceremony. Dwalin easily blocked him and the fight was on. The assembled crowd cheered until after several minutes, Dwalin cried halt.

"You have learned the quarter staff well, but do you know how to wield a sword?"

"I do and I will show you now," Fili answered. They traded their staffs for swords and fought again. After Dwalin called an end to the fight, he challenged Fili to the weapon he had spent the last two years training with, an ax. This was Dwalin's specialty weapon and there was none fiercer with an ax than him. Fili took his ax and came to face Dwalin again.

He attacked and the sounds of clashing metal met the audience. Fili had a misstep and tripped, falling to one knee, but he took it into a roll and hopped up before Dwalin could bring his ax around again. Finally an ending to the matched was called. Fili was panting. Dwalin had never fought him so hard on the ax. It had been his final test. And he had fallen. He hoped he had not failed. A heavy knot formed in the pit of his stomach. What if Dwalin declared Fili had failed and unready to move on? He could never live down such humiliation. Thorin would revoke his claim on Fili as heir.

Dwalin re-strapped his ax to his back.

"Fili, son of Joli," Dwalin stood tall, "you have learned your weapons well. You are ready to move on. The next weapon is the twin blades. Wielding two swords is unlike anything you have yet learned. It takes skill and concentration because the swords must work independently as well as together."

Dwalin went to the weapon's bench and picked up the two new blades. "I now present you your twin swords." With much reverence, Fili accepted his new swords. "Now, who will step forward to give Fili his first lesson?"

Fili held his breath and waited.

Joli rode the pony as fast as it could go. It was nearly sun down. The sky grew darker with every moment, making riding so fast in the forest very dangerous, but Joli would not slow down. Fili was waiting for him.

As he approached the arena, he could hear the sound of metal on metal and the cheer of the crowd. Joli jumped off the pony and ran the rest of the way. It was easy to find where Thorin and Dis stood. Thorin heard Joli's heavy footsteps as he ran to them.

"Joli," Thorin was angry. "Where were you?"

Joli was panting from the run. For the moment, Thorin's question went unanswered as Joli tried to get his breath back. He looked into the arena and saw Fili, ax in hand and fighting Dwalin, like an expert.

His attention at Fili was quickly taken when Dis smacked his arm, hard. It stung.

"Where have you been?"

"About three miles away. My wagon broke. I had no way to get back. Thanks for the search party," he looked to Thorin. "I never would have made it at all without them. As soon as this is over, I've got to take a new wheel back to my wagon."

The crowd had grown silent again. Joli looked to his son, standing in the arena, looking a little worn out, but he stood tall and proud.

"Fili, son of Joli," Dwalin's voice boomed. "You have learned your weapons well."

Joli watched as two swords were placed into Fili's waiting hands.

"Now, who will step forward to give Fili his first lesson?"

Joli and Thorin took a step forward at the same time. They stopped and looked at each other for a moment before Thorin gave a slight bow. Joli grinned. He went to the edge of the arena.

"I will give Fili his first lesson with the double swords!" Joli called as he stepped into the circle of the light in the arena. It was the father's privilege, or other close male family member, give the youth their first lessons with each weapon. All dwarves knew all weapons, and the first lesson was more ceremonial than instructive. However, everyone watching knew that there was none finer than Joli to teach Fili how to hold, move and fight with two swords.

Fili's face split into a grin. His father was here. He had made it. Dwalin backed up, giving Joli the center of the arena. Joli began to explain to Fili how to hold the blades, but the words were for ceremony only. Fili knew what to do and how to hold the swords. He twirled them in the air a few times and took the fighting stance. He had seen his father practice a thousand times and this was the weapon he had wanted to learn since he was old enough to speak.

Joli showed him several practice steps and Fili copied them, his movements sure and fluid. The final part of the ceremony was a short, slow fight. Fili and Joli faced each other and Fili attacked. It was obvious to everyone there that Fili was a natural with the two swords. Before his weapons training would be officially over, Fili would learn several more weapons, the warhammer, throwing ax and throwing knives, and other styles of swords. Archery and mattocks were also taught, but little time was given to either, unless the student had a penchant for the weapon. On Fili's twenty fifth birthday, he would be tested on all weapons he learned and would then be given the opportunity to choose the weapon he would specialize in and master. Joli was pretty certain he already knew what Fili's choice would be.

The ceremony ended with a roaring cheer.

"I'm so glad you made it, Adad," Fili was grinning. He was presented with a scabbard for his new swords. He proudly strapped it to his back.

"Me too. I'm sorry I missed your entire birthday, Fili, and I'm afraid I'll have to miss the rest," Joli said sadly.

"What? Why?" Fili asked.

"My wagon broke a wheel. I must get it repaired so I can bring it home. Thorin's search party stayed with my wagon to keep it safe until I can get back."

"Can I come with you?" Fili asked.

"I would like that and appreciate the company," Joli said.

"Can I come too?" Kili asked.

"Not tonight, son," Joli said to a disappointed Kili. "I have missed Fili's entire day."

Kili nodded his head dejectedly.

Joli laughed. "Never fear Kili, in a few months, it will be your fifteenth birthday and your first weapon's ceremony. We will spend the entire day together then."

They gathered what they needed and stared down the road as quickly as safety allowed.

"Fili, I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Adad."

"You are a fine young man. I know being Thorin's heir is tough on you. You have responsibilities and burdens Kili cannot fathom, and yet, you remain calm, kind and wise. When Thorin's time comes, and the title of crown prince is passed to you, I know our people will be well cared for. You will make a good leader, Fili. A good king."

Fili blushed at his father's praise. Soon they could hear the rumbled of a wagon on the road. Joli and Fili stopped their ponies.

"Halt!" Joli shouted. "Who is on the road this night to travel into the village?"

"Florg, captain of the guard of Ered Luin. Who blocks our way?"

Joli smiled in relief. "Florg! It's Joli."

The wagon started rolling again and soon they could see each other by their lantern's light.

"My wagon!" Joli hopped of his pony. "You fixed it."

"Aye, we did," Florg and Joli head-butted each other in greeting and thanks. "Got all the lumber back in, too."

"You have save my hide, my friend," Joli smiled.

"Ah, Prince Fili," Florg greeted. "How did the ceremony go?"

Fili grinned and pulled the swords from the scabbard on his back. "Twin blades, just like Adad."

"Congratulations, my prince. I hope in two years, you will permit me the honor of attending your next weapons ceremony to see how well you learned to wield them." Florg said.

"I would be very happy to have you there," Fili answered.

"In two months, my younger son, Kili, will begin his weapons training. Will you honor us by joining us then?" Joli asked.

"Thank you, I'd like that."

"Well," Joli sighed, "I had better get this lumber locked in my shop and get home to get the skinning over with that I knew your mother has planned for me for missing the entire day."

Fili and Florg laughed. Joli didn't.