Chapter 4

Fili awoke just as the first rays of dawn began to stretch across the sky. He used the term 'awoke' loosely for it implied he got any sleep to begin with.

He had tossed and turned into the wee hours of the morning, his mind replaying the nights events over and over again.

After all the years of wishing he could see his father again and tell him how much he loved him, he never believe that wish would come true. Not at least until his joined him in the halls of Mandos.

When he saw him the day before, Fili was certain he had died. Maybe that rock fall had killed him and Kili and they just hadn't realized it yet. But it hardly made sense that there would be orc scum and wargs in the halls of their fathers.

It wasn't until he saw Thorin that he realized what had happened, he knew Kili realized it too by the look on his face and the fact that his normally chatty brother was rendered speechless.

Of all the jewels they could have found buried beneath Erebor they had to find a time travel stone.

He figured it could have been worse. They could have been transported back to the fall of Erebor only to be obliterated by dragon fire, so he guessed they were lucky in that aspect. Though that didn't leave them with any easier a decision.

Fili hadn't the slightest clue on how to get home. He supposed it was a good thing Kili had kept the stone and he hadn't of tossed it in a lake like he wanted to but that didn't mean he knew how it worked.

So they were stuck for the time being. Fili decided that being here was like teetering on a thin line between heaven and hell. On one hand his father was alive and he thanked every god he knew of for the chance to see him again. But at the same time, he had no idea who he was.

Vili already had his son, his Fili. A five year old little dwarfling not an eighty-two year old adult. There was no way he could tell him without sounding completely mad.

And then there was the other matter to deal with. Vili was fated to die by an orc blade very soon. Fili couldn't watch that happen. It was hard enough knowing it was coming.

A thought sparked in his mind and Fili knew he he should squash it before it breed new life but he couldn't bring himself to. There had to be a reason they were brought back to this specific time rather than any other and Fili had an idea on why that might be.

It was madness he knew it but it was also perfect. A solution to all his problems. He was going to stop Vili from dying.

He and Kili would grow up with their father. Fili almost cried at the thought. He was sure he could convince Kili to help him, after all Kili would be given the chance to get to know that man who sired him.

The weight on his heart lifted and was replaced instead with a new determination. He wanted to wake Kili and rush off to find the orc who would dare to hurt his father but he knew he had to take things slow. If they would even have a chance at succeeding they would need a plan and weapons, definitely weapon.

Fili snatched up Kili's pack and grabbed the other sapphire. It should more than cover the cost of new swords and a bow for Kili. They might not be as comfortable as their own weapons but they will serve them well.

Leaving Kili to sleep, Fili set out into the early morning air to put his plan into motion.

Kili was sitting in the dinning hall eating a lumpy bowl of porridge when Fili returned hours later with his arms full of wrapped packages.

Kili smiled when he saw him and pulled out a chair which Fili dropped into gratefully. He deposited the bundles on the table with a loud clang.

"Where did you get off to so early?" Kili asked, his mouth half full.

Fili shook his head; if their mother saw the state of her youngest's table manners she would cuff them both around the ears, Kili for being such a pig and Fili for letting him get that way. Grabbing a long bundle, Fili dropped it in Kili's lap.

"Aw, for me? Brother you shouldn't have." He tore off the paper and pulled out a new bow, complete with arrows and a quiver.

Fili unwrapped his own bundle and strapped the dual swords to his waist. It was the first step in replacing the veritable armory he usually carried but he decided not to waste the money, they just might need it down the road.

"Get a little ansy without an armory at your beck and call?" Kili quipped.

"We'll need it in the coming days."

"Got something planned that I'm not aware of?" Kili shoveled another bite into his mouth.

Fili glanced around him to make sure everyone was out of earshot before leaning in closer to Kili.

"We're going to make sure Da never dies in that orc attack." Kili sputtered, choking on his porridge. Fili reached over and gave him a hard whack on the back.

"What?" Kili exclaimed when he got his breath back. "Fili are you crazy?" Fili stiffened.

"No I'm not. Kili, don't you realize we have a chance to grow up with a father?"

"By changing history."

"Yes!" Couldn't he see what a difference this makes? They would be a family, a whole family.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Fili. What if it goes wrong?"

"How can saving any ones life be wrong? Especially our own father." Why was Kili arguing with him?

"Fili..."

Kili was cut off when the dwarf in question stepped into the tavern and made his way to their table.

"I see you boys got yourselves some arms, that's good. You should never go anywhere without them." He fingered the feathers on Kili's arrows. "A bow is kind of an odd choice for a dwarf don't you think?"

Fili saw Kili stiffen and he didn't blame him. All his life Kili had to endure endless taunts and teasing because of his choice of weapon. An elvish weapon they had said.

"It's not odd for... Bain," Fili said, remembering to use Kili's alias at the last minute. "He's a master with such a weapon. He can hit a squirrel in the eye from fifty paces."

Kili sheepishly lowered his head at his brother's boasting but Vili looked impressed.

"That's pretty good. You must be invaluable to your family." Kili turned a lovely shade of pink, straight up to his ears and Fili let out a short laugh.

"Well I'll let you boy get back to your breakfast." Vili said, rising from his chair. "I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing this morning." They said their goodbyes and Fili watched as Vili walked to the door.

The light, airy mood that he had brought with him disappeared with his absence and tension clouded over their table once more.

"Fili," Kili said. "We can't."

Fili didn't answer him, he didn't even bother to look at him as he walked up to the bar and ordered his own breakfast. Kili sighed and grabbed a hold of his bow, he needed to clear his head.

Kili had hoped the small clearing just off the training grounds would still be there, seventy years was a long time after all. As a dwarfling he would often go there to be alone and practice his bow.

He liked the quiet and peacefulness the canopy of trees offered him. In the summer months the leaves acted like a cloak, making it the perfect spot to hide away from his tormenters.

Being a price, especially one in exile didn't mean you were immune to bullies. For some reason Kili was the one they had singled out to harass. It may have been because of his bow or his smaller size, he wasn't really sure.

He had never told his mother or uncle about the abuse he suffered at the hands of the other children but Fili knew. Fili always knew, even when Kili had tried to hide it.

Their bond was closer than that of most brothers. Despite only five years difference Fili had always watched out for Kili, protected him.

Kili didn't want to think it was jealously that prevented him from helping Fili save their father. There were bound to be big consequensise that would come from changing the past; weren;t there?

He wasn't afraid of what kind of wedge their father might drive between them. After all if he had lived, there would have been no need for Fili to grow up as fast as he did and he wouldn't feel the need to watch over his little brother as much.

Kili ran his fingers through his tangled hair. All these confusing thoughts swirling in his mind was starting to make his head hurt. He just wanted to go home where everything made sense and he wasn't seeing ghosts.

Turning the corner that lead to the training grounds Kili walked head first into a surprised Balin.

"Sorry Bal...uh, sir." He was going to slip up one of these times if he wasn't careful. "I guess I wasn't watching where I was going."

"Where were you off to in such a hurry, laddie?"

"Training grounds," he said with a shrug. "Helps me clear my head."

"Got a lot on your mind then?"

"You have no idea." Balin smiled and patted his shoulder. "Then I'll leave you to it." When Balin was out of sight, Kili pulled an arrow from the quiver and notched it in his bow before slipping through the hidden opening to his clearing.

Balin son of Fundin joined Thorin and Vili at the forge where they spent most of their days, the encounter with the young dwarf lad not far from his mind. His old eyes must be deceiving him for the lad look almost like...He shook his head, that wasn't possible.

"You're late," Vili said. "We were starting to get worried about you."

"There is no need to worry over me, laddie. I had a slight run in with a young lad is why I'm late."

"Who was this?" Thorin asked. Balin waved a hand.

"A new, dark haired fella, never seen him around before."

"Must have been Bain then," Vili said. "He and his brother just arrived last night. They had a bit of trouble with some orcs."

"He's the spitting image of Frerin," Balin muttered under his breath but they heard him all the same.

"Aye," Thorin said, sadly. "I noticed." Balin patted him on the shoulder.

He could only imagine the shock the young king felt upon seeing his decesed little brother's face on a stranger. For a second he might even think that Mahal was kind enough to send him back but the longer Balin had looked at this new lad the less he saw in common with the fallen prince. His eyes for one were a dark brown, Frerin had blue eyes that were signiture to the line of Durin.

Stll it was a good dream while it lasted. Pushing all thoughts of dwarflings and fallen princes from his mind, Balin begins the days work.