Chapter 3
As Kíli walked through town he thought to himself that, for being such a warm day, there were a lot of people outside doing their shopping, while merchants were placing their wares outside or trying to sell them. Kíli looked around curiously. There were bakers, tailors, toy-makers, jewellers and many others all over the main square. When Kíli spotted a familiar face, he walked over to the dwarf.
"Hello, Bofur." he said.
Bofur turned around and looked at him with a grin.
"Hello lad," Bofur answered. "What brings you here in this part of town?"
"Just hanging around a bit." Kíli said.
"Oh. And where's your brother, if I may ask? It's the first time I've seen you without him around."
"He went with his friends today." Kíli said while looking down.
"It seems you don't like that, do you lad?" Bofur asked.
"Not really." was the only thing Kíli replied.
Sensing that the young dwarf didn't want to continue talking about the matter, Bofur decided to stop questioning him about it. They both remained silent for a while, not certain what to say. Kíli then noticed the large pile of boxes standing next a rather large wooden table that was placed in front of Bofur's shop.
"Bofur?"
"Yes, laddie?"
"What's in all those boxes?" Kíli asked the other dwarf curiously.
Bofur smiled, picked one of the boxes and opened it.
"Toys." he said while showing Kíli a wooden animal.
After he had carefully placed the toy back in the box, Bofur looked from the boxes to Kíli.
"Lad, would you do me a favour?" Bofur asked him.
"Sure. What is it you want me to do?"
"Can you take the toys out of their boxes and place them on the table?" Bofur asked. "I've got a lot of other boxes still at the back of my store that I still have to bring outside, and I don't have enough time to get them out here and unpack them on my own."
"Of course I will do that!" Kíli said, with a broad smile on his face.
He was happy he had something to do now.
"Well, if you would need me I'm in the back of the store."
"Alright."
Kíli walked around the table and came to a halt in front of the boxes. They were piled up so high that they reached a long way above his head. He stood on the tips of his toes to try to take one of the boxes. When that didn't work, he tried to jump as high as possible. When that didn't work either, he gave up on it and walked inside the shop.
"Bofur!" Kíli shouted.
Bofur appeared from around a corner. "What's the matter, lad?"
"I can't reach the highest boxes." Kíli said sheepishly.
"Oh, is that so?" Bofur said, grinning. "I've got just the thing for you then. Wait here."
Bofur disappeared in the back of his shop again. Kíli could hear him rumbling for a moment before he returned, carrying a rather large box.
"Well, this should be doing the trick." Bofur announced.
He placed the box close to the pile. Kíli crawled on the box, reached for the upper boxes containing the toys and picked one. He jumped down and walked to the table.
"It's seems you'll manage now.", Bofur said while looking at Kíli. Kíli only nodded his reply.
That was enough of a reply for him, and Bofur walked back in the store again. Kíli kept emptying the boxes and sorting out the toys. He was so occupied with his work, he didn't notice Bofur joining him. They continued for two hours until finally all toys were placed on the table.
"It seems we're done. Thanks for helping me out, lad!"
"It's nothing." Kíli said.
Suddenly his stomach growled and Bofur started laughing.
"It looks like someone's hungry. And I suppose you didn't bring any food with you?"
"No, I didn't."
Kíli could curse himself now for not bringing anything to eat with him. Bofur got a leather pouch out of his pocket. Opening it, he took something out.
"Here you go." Bofur said while he handed him some money.
"You don't have to…" Kíli started protesting, only to be cut short by Bofur.
"Go get something to eat with it, lad. See it as some kind of payment. And buy something for your brother as well. I'm sure you know where he went."
"I do. Thanks, Bofur." Kíli said.
"I should be thanking you for helping me out, lad!" Bofur answered. "Well enjoy the rest of your day off."
Kíli nodded and, after having raised his hand as a last greeting to Bofur, he raced of. After he bought some bread and bacon, he headed for the lake where he knew Fíli was.
Fíli and his friends had a rather good time at the lake. They always competed with each other to see who could catch the most fish. And, since he was a better fisher then the others, Fíli was winning again.
"Now you're winning again!" Bódin complained. "Why don't you give us a chance to win once in a while as well?"
"Are you jealous just because I'm better then you?" Fíli asked with a smile on his face.
Bódin only grumbled something unintelligible.
"Oh, c'mon Bódin. It's just a game. What does it matter who wins or loses?", Náli said.
"Yeah. Isn't it more important that we have fun and that we can take these fish home?" Lóni added.
"I'm going to check the fishing net.", was the only reply they got.
When Bódin was out of their hearing range the three other dwarves looked at each other and started laughing. Picking up their fishing rods, they started fishing again. They were so caught up in their game that they didn't notice the fact that the clouds above them were turning darker.
So here's chapter 3. I hope you really liked this chapter as well and don't forget to review ;)
Thanks to everyone who has posted a review, followed and favorited this story. Those make me really happy and make me want to continue with it.
Here some answers to reviews of persons I can't answer with a PM:
101olive4u: Thank you for your very kind review. It feels really great that you would take the time to read my story. Thank you so much! ;)
Angela: I'm really glad you like this story. As for the things Kíli will do to try to prove himself, you will have to wait some time since I don't know yet what way I'm going to take with the story myself compleetly. I hope you will keep watching out for other chapters as well. I will really try to update as often and as fast possible. Thank you so much for reading ;)