Trouble on the Borders
Fili - 67, Kili - 62
The autumn morning was crisp and bright. Dis had her three men out chopping wood and working on winterizing the outside of their home. On the inside of the house, Dis did her part to prepare their home for the winter. She replaced all the curtains that hung in their windows with large, thick, heavy wool curtains that would keep the cold out and the heat in.
It was Fili's turn with the ax. His work at the forge was similar to chopping wood and he had more strength and endurance than Kili and Joli. He didn't mind and was happy to let the others carry the wood and stack it. They sat down together for a water break.
"Adad?" Fili asked. His father looked to him. "We've heard Uncle Thorin talk a lot over the years about a journey to Erebor to reclaim it."
Joli nodded. "Aye, he's talked about that off and on since I've known him."
"But he's been talking about it more, like he's actually planning something," Fili said. "Is he planning something?"
"He is," Joli sighed, "but it's nothing more than an idea still. Nothing has been decided and not many people appear supportive of the idea."
"Why not?" Kili asked.
Joli looked at his two young, eager sons. "Because most aren't ready to face a dragon."
"I'd do it!" Kili said, sitting straighter, eager for an adventure.
"I know you would," he patted Kili on the back. "The truth is, we have a good home here. Why travel half a world away for a home that is occupied by a dragon? It probably smells something awful, sustained great damage, has no food, nothing to sustain a colony. The men who live near the Lonely Mountain might not be friendly to dwarves any longer and without their trade, the dwarves would have no food. There are many reasons not to go back and many of those reasons are very valid."
"I imagine many think of the folly of the Battle of Azanulbizar. So many lost their lives in an attempt to reclaim a kingdom and their sacrifice was for nothing," Fili said.
"Don't let Thorin hear you say that, but your right, Fili. I believe many will not support him for that reason," Joli said.
"If Uncle Thorin decides to go, will you go with him?" Fili asked.
"Aye lad, I will. We have a good life here. The Blue Mountains are my home, but I would follow Thorin to the ends of the earth. He is my brother. He is my king. Your mother is a princess and you boys are princes. You have every right to your kingdom and I will do what I can to give you, your uncle and your mother, your kingdom back."
Fili thought about it for several moments. His kingdom.
"Can we go too?" Kili asked.
"No," Joli laughed. "You are much too young. I would only consider that if you were of age, but Fili still has ten years and you fifteen. If Thorin leaves before then, you will not go. Besides, I don't think your mother would let you go, even if you were a hundred."
Kili sighed sadly.
"Take heart, son," Joli said. "Someone would need to stay behind and keep order in Ered Luin. You are Thorin's heirs. The job would fall to you."
"You just said it though, we're too young. No one would listen to us if we were in charge," Fili said.
Joli's brown eyes met Fili's blue. "You'd be surprised how much respect you boys carry. Your people would listen to you."
"When will you go?" Kili asked.
"Well, like I said, right now, nothing more than discussions have happened. It could be years yet."
Kili's eyes kept going cross. The circlet he had been commissioned to make had fine, intricate work and Kili had been at it all day long. He put the circlet down, his eyes out of focus.
Master Brerin chuckled. "Long day, Kili?"
"I can't do anymore today," Kili rubbed at his eyes.
"Why don't you head out for the day, then? Get some sleep and be ready for tomorrow." Brerin said.
Kili nodded, tucked the circlet into an old, iron box and locked it. He tucked the key into an inner shirt pocket and put the box away.
"See you tomorrow," Kili waved as he headed out.
"Bye, Kili," the master goldsmith said.
Kili walked in the direction of the blacksmith forge, where Fili was working. He was lost in his thoughts when he heard loud footsteps running up behind him. Fili turned to see Tromb, the new second commander to the captain of the guard, running towards them.
"Prince Kili!" he called out.
Kili was never terribly comfortable with his title. He didn't feel like a prince. He was sure a real prince never had to chop wood, clean out hen houses, or pull weeds from gardens.
"Where's Prince Thorin?" the commander asked.
"He should be at the forge. I was just going there."
The commander was running again before Kili could finish his sentence. Kili took off after him. They quickly reached the forge. Thorin and Fili were putting away their tools for the night.
"Prince Thorin," Tromb bowed quickly, "Orcs have been spotted."
"Where?" Thorin pulled his leather apron from his body.
"Just on the northern outskirts. They seem to be headed southwest," Tromb answered.
"But that's right into the village," Fili said.
Tromb nodded. Thorin was out the door, the other three followed him. Once they had reached the guard building, Florg, Captain of the Guard, filled them in.
"Fili," Thorin turned to his eldest nephew. "Go to the bell, call to arms all able bodied dwarrow who gather. Assign twelve of them to remain with you and Kili in the village."
"But Thorin, I want to fight," Fili said.
"I need you here. You must protect the women and younglings. Gather them in the inner caves and protect them. You are in charge of the village until I return. I'm counting on you Fili."
Fili nodded. His eyes showed his determination. He understood his duty.
"Kili, stick with your brother. Aide him in all things, protect our people. You are his second," Thorin said. While he had been speaking to them, the guard around them had armed themselves and were organized into four patrols. They were waiting on Thorin. He turned to them, a hand still resting on Kili's shoulder, preventing him or Fili from leaving yet. "Group Two!" Thorin's voice bellowed, "you are to go to the south. Three, southwest, and four, follow the river. Go!" The three groups moved out. One remained.
"Boys, if you see Dwalin or Balin, tell them I'm with Patrol One and we head north to meet the orcs to try and cut them off before they can spread out anymore." Thorin ran to the front. "Let's move!"
Fili and Kili ran for the alarm bell in the village square. The bell was a perfect circle, made of iron and hanging from a chain attached to a sturdy frame. Two hammers were in a box at the base of the frame. There were several ways to ring the bell to let people know the type of emergency. If the iron was hit once and allowed to ring, it could produce a very long, loud, clear tone. If the emergency called for everyone to move indoors and remain there, the bell would be rung once and allowed to ring, then three seconds later it would be run again and this would happen every three seconds until the bell had been hit five times. When it was save for them to leave their homes, the same five, long tones of the bell would be rung.
In this case, the call was for many to gather, so the bell was hit over and over. Clang, clang, clang, clang! It was loud and desperate sounding. Fili did this and soon a crowd had gathered.
"Orcs!" Fili called out into the crowd. "Du Bekâr! I need twelve good men to remain here!" Fili called out to twelve of the gathered dwarrow, including his cousin Gimli. "The rest of you, some go to the south, some go to the north and some to the river. Du Bekâr!"
A roar went up and dwarrow scattered. With the twelve that Fili had called to remain, he gave new orders. Four were assigned to patrol the south end of the village and four were to patrol the north.
"Kili, you Borin and Floi, go to the inner caves. Search them. Make sure they are safe. Gimli and Gror, you stay with me."
Kili and his two left. Fili picked up both bell hammers in his hands. When held just right, the hammer would bounce in the hand when the iron bell was stuck, making it easy to repeatedly hit the bell in a short time, like a drum roll. This was the alert to retreat to the inner caves. Fili banged on the bell in this manner.
Soon, the cave entrance was filled with dwarrowdams, young children, and the very old who could no longer fight. They went no further into the caves than the entrance, because Fili had not yet heard back from Kili, indicating whether or not they were safe. Fili took the moments he had to tell his mother everything that was going on. She had not seen Joli and could only assume he met up with one of the patrols and had headed out with them.
"All clear!" Kili's voice rang out. "Move into the caves!"
The crowd moved in and Kili, Borin and Floi found Fili. "Thank you, lads," Fili said. "Now we will remain on guard just outside the entrance."
Fili shut the heavy door once the last of the dwarrow had gone inside of it. "Pair off, stay together, remain close," Fili told the others. The three pairs moved away from the cave entrance. The brothers stayed in the middle and the other two flanked them, moving twenty or so paces away.
"Thank you, Kili," Fili said.
"For what?"
"I trust all these dwarrow and I knew I could send any of them into the caves to check and make sure they were safe, but if I had, in the back of my mind, I know I would have felt uneasy that I had not checked the caves myself. So I sent you because I knew that your word would be completely true, as if I had done the search for myself."
"I would never let you down, Fili."
"I know. That's why I sent you. I trust you as I trust myself. Actually, I think I trust you more than I trust myself," Fili said. "When we are a team, we are one."
"I have to admit," Kili said. "I wasn't sure if anyone would obey us. They know to follow Thorin, but you and I? We're still children in their eyes and I didn't think anyone would listen to us."
"I feared that, too," Fili admitted. They looked out into the village and down the roads. It was eerily quiet. Normally, the village square was busy and full of dwarves going about their business, but now, it was empty, save the six dwarves who stood guard. Fili's ears listened in the silence for any hint of trouble.
The main entrance to the caves opened and closed behind them. The brothers turned to see their mother. A sword hung from a belt, tied around her hips, over her skirts. They had never seen their mother armed before.
"Anything?" she asked quietly.
"No. Not yet," Fili replied. She stood with them and listened. Then they heard it, metal clashing on metal and yells. It came from the south side of the village. Moments later, swords were drawn and they ran to the sound, just around the corner, their southern patrol was fighting ten orcs.
"Kili, you and your two men, remain near the entrance. Don't let any get in!" Fili's twin blades flashed in the setting sun. He had never seen an orc. They were taller than he expected and much more hideous than the stories had ever described. Fili's stomach twisted and he dove into the fray.
Kili, Dis, Borin and Floi stayed back, guarding the entrance. Dis opened the door and called out "Beleza!" Soon, Gimli's red-headed mother stood by Dis's side. She carried a great war hammer. "Kili, go to your brother's side. He's better with you at his back."
"I can't. Fili's in charge. He gave me an order. I can't leave you and Beleza here," Kili said desperately. He could hear the nearby battle and wanted more than anything to be by his brother's side and make sure he was alright. "We don't need you to protect us, Kili. You think Gimli got his fierceness from his father? Trust me, son, Gloin's got nothing on Beleza."
Kili looked to the dam. She gave a wicked smile. Her grip on her war hammer was firm and in that moment, Kili feared her more than any orc. He didn't have time to consider his inner turmoil of staying where he had been ordered or going to his brother, because in that moment, a small pack of orcs jumped at them from above. They had been waiting until the entrance was undefended and they had seen their perfect chance - two females, one youth and two dwarves. Easily defeated in their mind, and so they had jumped.
What they didn't expect was those two females to be more fierce than the males. Dis got the first blow in, sending one orc to his knees as her sword slashed through its gut. A second slash from Dis and the orc was dead.
Fili's left sword swung around and hit the last orc. He was panting and he could feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins. Gimli and Gror each sported some cuts and bruises, but nothing serious. He could hear more fighting close by. They turned and ran back to the entrance to see Kili, his two men and two dams fighting. Fili took a step back in surprise. Was that his mother? And Gimli's mother?
Before he could reach the others, it was over. Orcs laid dead in a pile at their feet. Floi was injured. They stood waiting and it was a moment before Fili realized they were waiting on him.
"Floi, you're released from duty. Go inside with the Ladies Dis and Beleza to tend to your injuries. The rest of us will stay here to guard."
Dis re-sheathed her sword, took Floi by the arm and helped him into the caves, followed closely by Beleza.
"I didn't know Amad could fight like that," Fili said when the door was closed behind them.
"Neither did I and trust me, we can be glad Beleza's never gotten truly angry with us before. She was scary with that war hammer."
"She threatened to use it on me once," Gimli shuddered, "but I'd never actually seen her with it before."
No more time was wasted with talk as the five remaining warriors watched and waited, their weapons in hand. The northern patrol reported back to Fili. They had encountered a group and one of theirs was injured. He was sent into the caves. Fili reorganized his small company. The divided, once again, into groups of three, but they remained within Fili's eye sight at all times. The day turned into night and Dis brought out food. They ate quickly in rotation.
"Have you heard from anyone else?" Dis asked.
"No one," Kili answered.
Dis sighed. "Let's hope that we hear from someone soon."
"Thanks for the food, Amad, Fili said.
She nodded. "There's plenty for when the others return." She sat with them a long while, listening and waiting. The group of the company rotated frequently, so one group was always by the main entrance, getting equal time to eat, sit and rest before rotating out again in the moving patrols. Everyone always stayed in sight of the others. No one would be attacked without everyone else noticing.
But nothing happened. It was just after midnight, by Fili's reckoning, when the first dwarves started to return. It was Oin, with the wounded. Dis led them into the caves. One of the guard of Ered Luin came to Fili and saluted.
"I bring a message from Prince Thorin," he said.
Fili breathed a little easier knowing Thorin was alive. "What is your report?"
"The orcs have been destroyed. Patrol One will continue to patrol the area until dawn. Other patrols will be returning to give you report."
"Thank you," Fili said. No more orcs. he was relieved. His company would continue their watch to make sure no orc had snuck past.
"Do you have a return message, Prince Fili?" the guard messenger asked.
"Aye. Tell Prince Thorin, caves secure and safe Two minor injuries, no fatalities. Food await all when they return."
The messenger bowed. "I will deliver the message." He turned and ran.
Fili looked to his brother. "When the other patrols have reported back and after they have eaten, we'll send out patrols at dawn to check all dwellings and all shops to make sure no orc hides in wait before we release any to go home."
"Good idea," Kili nodded.
It wasn't long after that the patrols began to return. Joli was with the first group. Since his workshop was on the south end of the village, he had joined up with the patrol that had gone south. They had encountered nothing for a long time, but when they finally did come across orcs, the orcs were on the run from the northern attacks.
The commander of the patrol reported all this to Fili. All orcs destroyed. Their bodies had been stacked and currently burning. Two guard had remained and would return after the fire was safely out.
Joli waited for his turn to speak with the Princes-in-command. "Are you two alright?"
"We are," Fili said.
"Better now that you are back and we've heard from Thorin," Kili said.
Joli nodded. "And your mother?"
"She is well, inside, and I'm sure helping Oin tend to the wounded," Fili answered.
"Did you know she would wield a sword?" Kili asked.
Joli laughed. "I did, although it has been a very long time since I saw her with it. You should ask her about it sometime. If my princes release me, I will go in, see your mother and give what aid I can. If you have any need of my services, you need only call and I will come."
"We will soon, but not yet. For now, go get food and rest," Fili said.
Joli gave a small bow and went in.
"That was really strange," Fili said, thinking of his father reporting in to them and being willing to take commands from them."
"Yeah," Kili frowned. "It was."
Over the night, the patrols returned, except for Thorin's. The messenger did not return. As dawn approached, Fili organized new patrols and sent all who were not wounded, to search the village. Every home and every shop was to be checked on and searched for orcs.
Soon after dawn, Patrol One returned. Thorin came to his nephews and briefly touched his forehead to theirs. "Thank Mahal you are safe," he whispered. "I need your report."
Fili nodded. He called to Gror. "Take my place here and guard the entrance. I will be just inside giving my report to Prince Thorin. Call me if there is trouble."
Gror saluted Fili and bowed to Thorin and Kili. Thorin, Fili and Kili went into the caves. A small room with stools was just off to the entrance. They went in and sat down. Before they could speak, Dis swept in with a bowl of soup, a chunk of bread and a kiss on the cheek for her brother.
"I'm glad you're safe, Thorin," she said.
"I'm thankful you are too," Thorin replied, taking the food.
"Then you must thank your heirs, who protected me and all in their care." Dis smiled at her sons and walked away.
"Tell me what happened here," Thorin said, dipping his bread into the soup and eating it.
Fili told Torin all that had happened. Kili filled in the parts when he and Fili were not together.
Thorin listened to Fili's entire report without interruption. He nodded. "Well done, lads. I am proud of the way you handled this. I knew I could rely on you. Well," he sighed and drank the last of his soup, "as far as I can see, the village is safe, but we need to send out groups into the village to make sure."
"It's done, Thorin," Fili said. "I have sent patrols to search homes and shops."
The entrance opened and Gimli came in, bowed quickly and spoke only after Fili nodded at him. "Lord Joli, Master Dori, Mister Bofur and my father have returned from searching the village."
They all went out to find out what they had to say. Bofur had found two orcs hiding in Thorin's blacksmith shop, but they had been dealt with and two grotesque heads were offered to them in proof. All bodies of the orcs who had been killed in the village, were removed to the boarders, where they were stacked and burned.
"Will you announce to everyone they may return home?" Fili asked Thorin.
"No. You will. These people are in your care."
Fili announced to all in the caves that the village was safe and all were free to leave for their homes. Thorin released all from their duties, except the regular guard, who were released back to their commanders.
"Fili, Kili, I'm proud of you. You handled yourselves like true sons of Durin. You will be fine leaders for our people."
"Thank you, Uncle Thorin," they said together, slightly pink in the cheeks at Thorin's high praise.
They were released from their duties and ordered to go home with their parents and get some sleep. They gave their uncle no resistance, and they went home and went to bed.
"Amad?" Kili asked at dinner that night, "when did you learn to use a sword?"
Dis laughed. "Thorin taught me when I was twenty. It was after Smaug had come and we were homeless. Thorin said that despite our situation and because of our situation, it was imperative I learn to wield a sword. King Thror and my father agreed, so Thorin taught me."
"But that was two hundred years ago," Kili blurted out.
Dis glowered. "I'm not that old, lad, and don't you forget it, or you will know exactly how good I am with a sword." Kili gulped in fear. "I have not been idle since learning to fight. What do you think I do all day while you are in your workshops, working your craft?"
Fili and Kili looked at each other. They had no idea. They had never thought to ask what their mother did while they were gone all day.
She laughed at their surprised faces. "What? Do you think I bake bread and darn socks all day long?" They shrugged their shoulders. "No boys, three times a week, many of the dams, including myself, go to the training arena to practice and hone our skills with our weapons. There are times when many of our dwarrow are gone to war and dams are left to protect our homes, our young and our old. We cannot be left defenseless. Several of us wield swords, but like you saw, Beleza prefers the war hammer, Lonii and Izzi swing axes and even your Thora and Leys are fierce with an ax."
Fili and Kili were surprised. They had no idea about their lass-friends and their ability to wield a weapon.
"How is it we never knew these things?" Fili asked.
"Ah, you see now," Dis said, "that is one of our secrets. Us dams are fierce fighters. It's instinct to protect our young. Never anger a mother bear or a dwarrowdam."
"But Leys and Thora aren't mothers," Kili pointed out.
"Not yet," Dis said, "but that doesn't mean they don't have the instinct. They have it, it will only rise to a much more ferocious level once they have their own children." Dis chuckled. "That Thora. She can swing two axes faster than I believed was possible. She told me she got the idea from you, Fili and your double swords, but she's got this move where she can swing one ax over her head and a second one at chest level, in a perfectly synchronized move. It's incredible to see and bloody difficult to block when we spar."
Fili was wondering if it was appropriate to ask Thora to spar with him one day. Two swords against two axes? It would be an interesting fight, to say the least.
After dinner was cleaned up, the three dwarrow of the house sat on the bench in the front garden. The air was cold, but they were warm in their coats. They smoked their pipes.
"I think," Fili spoke slowly, "that if Thorin ever takes a company to reclaim Erebor, he just needs to take a company of dams. Smaug wouldn't stand a chance against Amad and Beleza. He'd probably flee without a fight."
Kili grinned, but Joli's face remained quite serious.
"You're probably right, Fili," he said.
Thank you, everyone, for your kind reviews and comments. You make me happy! I hope you had a good weekend and a better week to come.