I figured I would be quick with an update to make up for the long break between the last chapters. So, a treat for you
Chapter 21
It had been three days and still Kíli had not woken from his slumber.
In that same span of time, Fíli had disappeared completely.
No one had seen or heard from the golden haired prince ever since he had slipped away from Bilbo's watch. Bilbo was actually surprised that he was not by his brother's bedside. He recalled the moment that Kíli had been shot with that arrow while they were escaping from Mirkwood how Fíli never left Kíli's side. How he had stood up to his uncle when Thorin told Kíli to stay behind in Lake-town. To see Kíli recovering with his brother nowhere to be found worried Bilbo to no end.
As usual he sat by Kíli's bedside, his pipe lit as he let the pipeweed settle his nerves. How could things have gone so wrong? Surely something good was waiting around the corner. Perhaps soon the youngest Durin would waken from his slumber and they would find Fíli and finish their journey to the Shire with no more problems.
Never before had perhaps been a more hopeful word.
Bilbo was sure he had seen Kíli's finger twitch but when no more movement came he played it off as a trick of the eye. He had just inhaled when Kíli's voice said in a raspy tone, "And here I thought we lost all of our pipeweed in the mountains."
Bilbo nearly toppled out of his chair from shock. After correcting himself he looked to see Kíli slowly opening his brown eyes. When they landed on the Hobbit, the dwarf smiled before looking around. "Where are we?"
"Rivendell. We've been here almost a week now."
"A week?"
Bilbo nodded. Slowly Kíli pushed himself upright, his body stiff and in pain. He immediately noticed a certain absense in the room. "Where is Fíli?"
Bilbo hesitated. How was he supposed to tell Kíli that his brother was nowhere to be found? That instead of staying by his bedside he had disappeared to who knows where. The sudden silence from the Hobbit had created panic in Kíli's heart. "Where is he, Bilbo?"
"Well, you see…"
Kíli felt his heart fall. It couldn't be true. "Mahal, no. It can't be."
His right hand went to his chest, clutching the fabric over his heart. "I'm sorry, Kíli…"
"When?"
"Sorry?"
"When?!"
Bilbo shrugged his shoulders. "No one knows. Three days ago, maybe…"
"How can no one know? Was no one there when it happened?! Did he leave alone?!"
"Well, you see, I went to fetch him some water and when I came back…"
Kíli swung his legs off the bed and immediately stood up. When he took a step, however, his leg buckled. Bilbo rushed to his side. "Where are you going?"
"I have to see him. I have to say…"
Bilbo could see the tears in Kíli's eyes, tears he refused to let fall. "You can't, Kíli…"
"Why not?! He's my brother!"
"Yes but we don't know where he is."
Kíli stopped and stared at the Hobbit in confusion. "You don't know where he is?"
Bilbo shook his head. Suddenly he felt himself being pushed onto the floor with an angry dwarf towering over him. "YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT MY BROTHER HAS BEEN DEAD FOR THREE DAYS AND NOT ONLY DID HE PASS ALONE WITH NO ONE BY HIS SIDE BUT THE ELVES LOST HIS BODY?!"
Bilbo stopped, confused by what had just happened. What did Kíli mean his brother was dead? It then hit him. Of course, Bilbo hadn't exactly told him where Fíli was and Kíli's mind had instantly gone to the worse case. "No, no, no, Kíli, you are mistaken…"
"I am most certainly not mistaken! These rukhsul fazul are…"
"Fíli is not dead!"
Kíli stopped his rage and stared at the Hobbit with a glimmer of hope. "What?"
"Fíli isn't dead."
"But…"
"He slipped past me after he woke up. I thought he came to see you but when I got here there was no one. Everyone has been searching all over but they haven't seen him."
At first Kíli felt a bit of relief. His brother was still amongst the land of the living. At least, so far as everyone knows. But he was missing. Hiding, no doubt. But why? With a calmer demeanor, Kíli helped Bilbo to his feet, ignoring the protests his body had from the pain. "I am sorry, Bilbo."
"It is quite alright, I should have made myself more clear."
Once Bilbo was back on his feet Kíli turned to walk back towards the door but nearly buckled once more. "Oh come now, Kíli, we need to get you back into bed."
"No, I have to go find Fíli. He could be hurt or worse…"
"I can assure you he is fine," came Elrond's voice from the door. Both dwarf and Hobbit turned and saw the lord walk in, helping Bilbo to get Kíli back into bed. "We have had sentries watching every entrance in and out of Rivendell and no one has seen your brother leave. We have every available Elf searching through the city. For now, you need to rest. You were on the verge of death when we found you."
"But Fíli…"
"Will be fine. Now rest."
Once Kíli was back in bed his eyelids grew droopy, his body tired from the energy he had just exerted. Once he slowly passed into a state of peace and serenity Elrond turned to Bilbo and said, "Make sure you stay by him. When he wakes up again call for my daughter, Arwen. She will come and see that he is taken care of."
Before he left, Bilbo asked, "You said he is fine, how do you know?"
Elrond simply turned and smiled at the Hobbit. "It is unwise, Master Baggins, to seek council with Elves for they will answer both yes and no."
Bilbo smiled at the memory as Elrond walked away.
If he had known where Elrond was going, he would have instantly followed, for when Elrond arrived in Kíli's room he had spotted a small shadow watching from a distance on a pathway above by one of the waterfalls.
Fíli continued to stand at the rail, his arms resting on the railing as he watched his brother's room. A small smile tugged at his lips for he could hear the conversation that had passed between Kíli and poor Bilbo. Oh how he wished he could have been by his brother's side when he woke. A guilty feeling was niggling at his conscious but he could not be there. For every time he saw the cuts, bruises and wounds his brother had endured at the hands of Bolg, Fíli instantly blamed himself. When he saw Elrond leave the room he dipped away from the railing. His brother was safe. His brother was alive.
Tonight, Fíli would ensure that he stayed that way.
As the sun began to sit on the horizon Fíli snuck back into the room he had woken from and packed his bags. The plan was simple. He was going to sneak out of Rivendell unnoticed and lure Bolg away so that Kíli and Bilbo could make it safely to the Shire. He hated that he would not be able to say goodbye to them but he didn't think he could handle it. No, this was easier.
The weight of his pack and weapons were hard on his still recovering body but it did not matter. He could bear more if it meant he was protecting his brother.
Once the moon was high in the sky Fíli began to set out. He managed to make it through the city unnoticed. As he reached the gate he was sure he was going to make a clean getaway but a voice behind him stopped dead in his tracks. "Leaving so soon?"
TBC...
Khuzdul translations:
rukhsulfazul – orcish goats
Honestly, this was one of my favorite chapters to write. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as I did writing it!
Fíli turned and looked back to his sleeping brother. "What do I do?"
"I cannot make that choice for you. Only you can make that choice."
Fíli heaved a heavy sigh. "I do not think I can make that choice."
"You wish to protect them?"
Fíli simply nodded. "Then your choice has already been made."
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