Once again, I am just playing with everyone.
Fíli stood at the edge of the trees. He could see a small cottage in the distance, going there was not an option, for anyone who lived there most likely knew who he was, and would return him to Erebor. The dwarfling turned his attention to the large, empty plain in front of him and in the distance, he could see the Misty Mountains. He smiled to himself, as a happy memory came into his mind with the sight of the mountains.
It was sunset, and he found himself being led somewhere by his Uncle Thórin. He did not know where he was being led; all he knew is that he was happy. His Uncle suddenly stopped in front of what looked like a wall, but instead Thórin pushed it open and led Fíli outside to the top of the Lonely Mountain. He ran to the edge to take in the beautiful picture he was seeing. It was an amazing sight, seeing the Misty Mountains glowing in all shades of red, orange, & yellow. Fíli yelped as Thórin picked him up and took him to a rock where he sat down, placing Fíli on his lap. Uncle and nephew then proceeded to watch the sun's last show of the day, and stayed there in each other's company until the stars came out to play.
Fíli yawned and snuggled closer to Thórin. His uncle responded by pulling Fíli closer to him. "Uncle Thórin?" Fíli said, breaking the tranquil moment.
"Yes?"
"You'll love me until the day I die, right?" Fíli asked.
Thórin laughed. "Oh, Fíli, Fíli, Fíli. I'll love you until the day I die."
The cawing of a crow broke Fíli away from the memory. It was a moment he never would forget, when he knew he was loved, when he was still wanted. That was all gone from him now. Something told him to turn around towards Mirkwood to get a glimpse of the Lonely Mountain, the place where he was born and he spent the first 20 years of his life.
He sighed as he kept trekking on, towards the Misty Mountains. In his muddled mind, he knew to be truly free; he would have to get to the other side of those mountains. However, this being his first time this far away from home, he would never survive crossing the mountains.
He was flat out told that in all of his lessons by various tutors and well-meaning family members, well former family members. Fíli could never see them again, and they would never accept him back, not after what he did, not after what happened. His eyes filled with tears just thinking about it again.
He had to make a decision, attempt to cross the mountains or find a way around the mountains. If he remembered correctly, one of his tutors, Balin, taught him about the Gap of Rohan, a way around the mountains, and in order to get there from Erebor, cut through Mirkwood, and turn left. It was the only way; Fíli made the final step out of Mirkwood, and turned left.
"Fíli! Fíli! Where are you?" A loud demanding voice cried in the middle of the bustling city of Dale.
The people of Dale were stopping to stare at the well-dressed dwarf. They all knew who he was, Crown Prince Thráin, heir to the throne of Erebor. It was extremely rare to see Prince Thráin in Dale, even rarer to see him in a near state of panic.
"Fíli!" He yelled again.
By that point, people were starting to crowd around the Prince. It was common knowledge that the name being called was Thráin's daughter's eldest son, his grandson, Fíli. However, no one knew why he would be looking for the young dwarfling in Dale of all palaces. Should not he be safe in the Lonely Mountain?
Thráin looked around, hoping that any second the golden haired dwarfling would run out from behind a barrel or a house into his waiting arms. The more he wished, the more hope he lost that that wish was not coming true at that point. In addition, for some strange reason, a new feeling that was arising in him, a feeling that he felt for a brief second five days ago, at the dwarfling in question, but that feeling was not directed at Fíli at all. This feeling of anger was directed at the one whom Thráin felt was directly responsible for Fíli running.
"Father!" A younger voice broke him out of his reverie.
Thráin turned around to see three dwarves running towards him, two dark haired ones, his sons Thórin and Frérin who had been the one who had spoken, and his daughter's husband, the golden haired Víli. The crowd parted to let the three of them through, all of whom they recognized. Thráin smiled at Frérin and Víli, but could only scowl at his eldest, his heir, Thórin, for it was him he was angry at. He was the reason they were all there in Dale at that moment, and he was the reason why Fíli, his own heir was missing at that moment.
"Any sign?" Thráin asked, directing his question towards his son-in-law.
Víli only shook his head. No one in Dale had seen Fíli, not a single soul. His heart was breaking in two, his eldest son was gone, no one had seen him in five days since Thórin had all but casted him out, and his youngest was currently unconscious back home with his wife, her mother, cousins, and grandparents. The rest of the family was with him. Although at that moment, he wished he could wish his oldest brother-in-law away. He had not been able to say more than two words to him in five days; at least today, he could look at him for a few seconds before being repulsed. Sure Thórin had tried to start a conversation; they used to be best friends growing up. It was actually Thórin that had convinced Víli to court his sister and then eventually ask for her hand in marriage. But, Víli was not sure if they could ever go back to the way things were after all that happened. Víli was almost positive if anything happened to either of his boys, he would personally murder Thórin, and he would not care if he were thrown into the dungeons for the rest of his life. It would be a sweet revenge.
"I don't think he's here, Father," Frérin said. "We met with Girion, who told us that no one had seen him. He did not think he had ever come through here. He said he would tell the guard to keep an eye out, but I think we need to move out of Dale. He is not here."
Thráin nodded at Frérin. He began to run in the direction of Mirkwood, the other three following him. The crowd parted, before they disappeared out of Dale, Víli gave what looked like a small wave of the hand, and ten other dwarves appeared from behind the gates and followed the royal family. Could Fíli have gone into Mirkwood? Very possible, since Thrór and Thranduíl became allies and friends upon Thrór recolonizing Erebor. Thranduíl, his son Legolas, and Tauriel, captain and bodyguard of the king were frequent visitors to the Lonely Mountain. Was it possible that Fíli had gone to visit his first non-dwarven friends, Legolas and Tauriel? It was worth a visit, if not, he could get the Mirkwood elves involved in the search, Fíli was well loved among the elves of Mirkwood and they would help for that reason. Thráin nodded and led the contingent into the forest of Mirkwood.
Fíli walked along the River Anduin towards what he hoped was the Gap of Rohan. A light breeze blew across his mud-caked hair, his stomach rumbled with hunger. He had not eaten a true meal since running away. What he would not do right now for some venison or pork. Suddenly, Fíli lost his footing on the frozen ground and found himself face down on the cold earth for the second time in hours. This time he cried and he did not stop or fall asleep.
Thank you paytonrich for betaing!