Another short chapter...been distracted lately. I wonder if I should even continue this story.
And I keep forgetting disclaimers.
So disclaimers: I own nothing.
"Kili," I breathed a sigh of relief, taking his bandaged left hand in my own, the right was completely enveloped by the sling. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm in some pain, but I'll be all right, if my arm heals. Oin says I'm lucky my ribs weren't crushed."
"Lucky you are," I said, sitting on the cold ground beside him. "I'm glad of that. And even so, you could still manage to take up a sword. You're not half bad with one."
"Thanks, Fili. That really makes me feel better." He rolled his eyes. He couldn't be in terrible form if he could do that much.
From across the cavern came the echo of cooking spoon against cauldron.
"Lads, the food's ready." called Bombur, ladling the thick stew into bowls. "Fili," he called to me. "Is Kili up to eating?"
"Yes!" Kili called back. "I'm starving!" I was glad to see him in such high spirits, though it didn't surprise me. He had always made quick recoveries in the past.
"Be right back," I said, joining the dinner line. Upon my return, I found Kili had sunk back on his pillow, clutching the bandages binding his chest. "Are you sure you'll be able to eat?"
"Should be," he replied. "Might need help getting up, though." Gently I picked him up and propped him against the cavern's wall with his pillow behind his head. "Ow, that smarts." he grunted.
Setting my bowl aside, I picked up his and handed him the spoon, which he tried to maneuver but dropped almost immediately.
"Well, this is embarrassing." He tried to smile, but I could see it still pained him. Bit by bit, I spooned soup into his mouth. By the time he was finished, mine had grown cold, which made it all the more unappetizing. Bombur may have loved to eat, but well…he wasn't the best cook.
I had dozed off when I felt Kili nudging me weakly. "Fili," he said urgently. "Fili, wake up."
"Huh?" I questioned drowsily.
"I don't suppose you could find a pail?" he gasped, with a pleading look.
"Are you going to be sick?" I asked.
"I don't know. I don't feel very well, though." He moaned. "Sorry I'm such a pain."
"Kili, you're not a pain. You're in pain." I corrected, searching for a pail. Just then, Gloin passed by with a mug of ale. "Gloin," I called. "Do you know if we've got a pail? Kili is ill."
"I'll see what I can find, laddie. You stay strong for us, Kili. We need our archer." He smiled, before hurrying off. Kili only nodded weakly.
Gloin returned quickly with a large bucket. "Oin found this in his pack. Said he doesn't care if it gets dirty." No sooner had he dropped it at the bedside than Kili heaved, and I placed it beneath his chin.
"It hurts so much," he whispered between heaves. Tears formed in his eyes. "I'm so ashamed, Fili. I'm meant to be strong."
"You are strong. What happened to you could have happened to any of us."
"Yes, but not like this…" he trailed, burying his head in the pail again. He coughed as I patted him lightly on the back. What now issued from his mouth was blood.
"Oh, no…" I muttered. I didn't know if he knew what was happening, but he sensed my fear. It was long into the night now, and everyone was asleep, even Nori, who was on night watch tonight. Without another sound, Kili collapsed on my shoulder. I shook him, and he just barely woke and glanced up at me. Then he lost consciousness. I laid my head on his chest and was relieved to hear his heart still beating, and his quiet, shallow breathing. Carefully, I laid him back down, took the bucket outside to dump it, and returned, quiet so as not to wake anyone. I arranged my bedding next to his and took his hand in mine again. If this was to be his last night alive, I'd like to think he knew I'd been there for him till the very end.
D'aww...brotherly love at its cheesiest.
I feel like I should be making them more badass and less touchy/feely than I am...let me know what you think.
-S. S.