I was asked if I was going to keep to the movie storyline and have them be in the goblins' trap. After much deliberation, I decided not to. Having the company carry a half-dead Kili around while in battle probably wouldn't end well. So, the goblins, their king, and his chin-scrotum will not be making an appearance. Hope you're not too disappointed.
Bilbo stepped gingerly out onto the still-damp rock. He kept his eyes on me, as though I were a dangerous wild animal.
"Me." he said.
"Yes, you." I tried to cut all emotion from my voice. "If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be in this position, and our only archer wouldn't have a broken arm. Do you understand that he may never be able to shoot again, if his arm doesn't heal properly? We can all wield swords and axes, but we may need to rely on his precision with a long-distance weapon if we are to take down a dragon. And now, thanks to you, that might not be possible. If you hadn't fallen…"
"I didn't endanger Kili." He said simply. "It was no one's fault. He was injured in the collision."
His matter-of-fact attitude unnerved me more than I cared to admit. "Yes, and he would have been on our side of the path, if Thorin hadn't had to shove past him to get to you. Why did you follow us?"
Bilbo gave an exasperated sigh and shrugged. "I'm tired of being a coward. What Gandalf said….it really put things in perspective. I thought I could make a difference, for once."
"Oh, you've made a difference, and you're a coward nonetheless." I spat. "When we left your house, it wasn't an invitation for you to follow. You should have stayed in your nice cozy hole where you belong, and left us to find a more accomplished burglar."
"An elf, perhaps?" he sniffed.
I lost what remained of my self-control and snatched him up by his collar. "You fool. No elf, not even in Rivendell, would help our cause. They were courteous enough to us, but only because Gandalf was there."
"Can you put me down, please?" he asked. I did as he requested. Gandalf and Thorin would kill me if anything happened to our burglar at my hands. "You have every reason to be upset. You and Kili are close, and you're worried. I understand."
"I don't think you do," I said. "I am Thorin's heir. There are certain codes of behavior I have to uphold, one of which is an indifference to pain, physical or otherwise."
"Oh," he muttered, looking down at his feet.
"You see? You don't understand. Why didn't you run along home when you still had the chance, after you forgot your little hankie?" I sneered. "Leave me be, won't you?" Pushing him aside, I strode back inside only to be met with Thorin's steely glare.
"Fili," his voice took on a warning tone. "Honor and dignity may be your main concern, but have you forgotten common courtesy?" His arms were crossed over his chest. "He meant well."
"I know," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "But…would we even be in this predicament had he not come with us?"
"He does not belong here, it's true, but the road to Erebor is perilous," Thorin assured me. "We would have undoubtedly met with something."
"Something that would nearly kill Kili?"
He exhaled angrily. "I know you're upset, and you have every reason to be. But I must ask that you not take it out on your companions, regardless of their fortitude. He's stuck here now, and that's that. You nearly frightened him to death," he continued, gazing in Bilbo's direction. He was still standing at the opening, rubbing his throat uncomfortably. I must have been rougher with him then I intended. "Why don't you sit with your brother for a while? He's awake and I'm sure he'd be glad of the company."
A lantern at the far end of the cave illuminated Kili's bandaged form. As I came nearer I could see the rise and fall of his chest—a good sign. He tried to smile as I approached his bedside, but his smile ended as a wince.
"Hello, brother." he panted.
Wow, this ended up being a really short chapter. It didn't look that short when I was writing it. Anyway...he's alive!
And Bilbo got throttled. But luckily dear Uncle Thorin was there to put his unruly nephew in his place.
Hooray!
Till next time,
S. S. Ghostwriter