Chapter 6:
Sighing contentedly, Kili surveyed the scene around him with a relaxed air. He was sitting in the back of a boat as it made its way across the lake towards a solitary peak that seemed to be racing towards him. The bright sun shone down on the glimmering lake and Kili couldn't help but feel the majestic landscape matched his mood perfectly. He was going home to Erebor with his brother, where they belonged. With every beat of his heart Kili felt his happiness growing as he languished in the back of the boat with the glorious sun shining on them. Nature seemed to be willing them home as the wind pushed at their backs driving them homewards. The boat seemed to glide through the water as easily as a bird through the air. So much so that Bofur had given up rowing long ago and now only used the paddles to steer towards the beach that was rapidly approaching. Smiling, Kili looked shyly to his left where Tauriel was sitting, gazing over the water to the far banks where the wind whispered among the tall trees.
Looking at Tauriel, Kili felt a peaceful happiness swirl in his chest. He had woken up with her asleep in his arms and had lain there, enjoying the warmth of her body heat as he stroked her silken hair. She had woken up slowly and he had tried to savour every last moment he had with her as he knew he would never hold her again. But when she had opened her eyes she had not pushed him away or recoiled. In fact, she had smiled at him and snuggled closer to him, rubbing her face into his shoulder and sighing happily. It had been one of the happiest moments of his life and, watching her in the boat, Kili felt nothing short of pure elation at their blossoming relationship. He remembered a few years ago, when Fili had been enamoured with a beautiful dwarf maid who has sat on his lap in the inn back in the Blue Mountains. Her name had been Mayah, Kili remembered vaguely, and she had giggled at all of Fili's jokes, no matter how awful they were, and had stroked his hair and kissed his cheek. Kili remembered how envious he'd been of his brother that he had been so in love with someone, something that Kili had always feared would never happen to him. But here he was, watching the sun climb higher and higher towards the peak of the Lonely Mountain with Tauriel's hand in his.
Kili glanced forwards nervously, dragged out of his thoughts by the sound of Bofur's laughter. He felt sure that Fili and Oin knew about the growing feelings between himself and Tauriel but Bofur seemed completely oblivious. The other 3 dwarves were sat in front of Kili talking to each other nervously. He knew instinctively what they were discussing. They were worried that Smaug had killed Thorin and the others before he had attacked Laketown. But Kili's heart was adamant that they were still alive and that as the 5 of them arrived at Erebor the others would be there to greet them. Although, Kili wasn't entirely sure how pleased Thorin would be when he saw that they had brought Tauriel with them. Frowning slightly, Kili wondered whether Thorin would understand about their relationship. He knew that his uncle would respect the fact that he owed his life to the elf, but would he be able to understand his feelings beyond that? Kili doubted it. But he knew that he would defend her and fight her case all the same as he really wanted her there. Perhaps he was being stupid, feeling that his place was by her side as strongly as he did. They barely knew each other and he of all people knew Tauriel did not need him fighting her battles for her; she was capable of taking care of herself. It was one of the things he loved about her, her feisty nature. Kili smiled to himself, he did love her, despite their obvious differences and the obstacles they would undoubtedly face, he loved her. And, he felt sure; he would stand by her no matter what, even when faced with his uncle's wrath. He could only hope that Thorin would be so pleased with the beast's death that he would accept Tauriel's presence without complaint.
Kili was torn from his musings as the boat hit the beach and Bofur jumped out dragging it onto the shore. Oin and Fili climbed out onto the sand and Kili felt a pang as his brother glanced back to see if he was ok. Kili stood up and began to follow his brother, stopping only to offer Tauriel his hand to help her out of the boat. He knew she wouldn't need his help but he wanted to find some sort of way to show her he was thinking of her and that seemed like the best way. She took his hand gladly as she jumped daintily out of the boat and Kili was once again struck by her beauty. He felt a rush of pride as she continued to hold his hand, even as they followed the others up the beach. Walking behind the others, Kili and Tauriel quietly took in the landscape, occasionally looking at each other and blushing. They didn't speak as they climbed the rocks towards Erebor and Kili found he preferred it that way. He couldn't guarantee that if he spoke he wouldn't say something too presumptuous so he thought it best not to say anything at all. Tauriel was more than happy to walk in silence, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face and Kili's hand in hers. She felt nervous as they approached Erebor, unsure of what destruction they might find there, but Tauriel knew that she had come because Kili had wanted her to and if all that was waiting for them in the Lonely mountain was death then they would face it together.
It took them a few hours to reach the overlook where the remnants of Dale stood and, for the first time, Kili felt a pang of worry. How could the others have survived against a beast so strong it could do this to a city? He could see now that Dale had truly been brought to its knees by Smaug's wrath and he felt despair begin to claw at his heart. How could they have survived against such a terrible foe? Kili was so lost in his anxieties that he didn't notice Tauriel joining him. He had been stood alone, looking down at the destruction and he didn't notice her presence until he felt the pressure of her squeezing his hand. Looking up, he smiled at Tauriel, gazing into her eyes. He felt suddenly buoyed looking at her as he realised that with the help of Bard Tauriel had been strong enough to stop the dragon. She had survived terrible odds and yet here she was by his side, safe and sound. In that moment he was so awed by her strength that all he could do was gaze at her. Kili's doubts evaporated looking at Tauriel and he realised the same regal strength she had was in Thorin. If there was anyone who could lead the others safely away from the dragons fire it was Thorin and Kili felt sure that when they got to Erebor he would be there waiting for them. Walking back to the others, Kili and Tauriel stood by Fili's side as he discussed their path with Oin.
"Surely we should try the main gate? That must have been how the beast got out so there's more chance of us finding a way in. Without the map, we have no way of knowing where the door is as I certainly don't remember. Do you?" Fili turned to Kili, worry etched into the lines of his face.
"No, but I thought they could only open the door yesterday?" Kili asked, looking from his brother to Oin. "Unless they left the door open, which I doubt, we couldn't get in. We don't even have the key even if it did work tonight."
"He's right." Oin grunted, surveying the mountain with a heavy heart. "We must try the main gate, or we shan't have a hope."
Oin led the way over the rocks towards the side of the mountain; past huge stone carvings of previous dwarf Kings. The trek took a few hours and by the time they caught sight of the huge carven entrance the sun was beginning to droop in the sky. Walking along the huge road, Kili watched open mouthed at the entrance loomed bigger and bigger until it was towering over him. Erebor seemed to grow beyond the sky itself and Kili, not for the first time, felt very small and insignificant. Kili looked down as he felt something warm and soft touch his hand and realised Tauriel had threaded her fingers through his and was holding his hand tightly. 'She must know how nervous I am' he thought warmly, enjoying the pressure of her hand in his. Kili looked to his left and saw that Fili was walking next to him, watching him and Tauriel with a wry smile and a raised eyebrow.
The gates had been smashed open as Smaug had made his final journey into the night sky and the group stopped, wearily surveying the wreckage and gathering their thoughts and courage. Taking a deep breath, Oin edged forwards, peering into the darkness of the cavern.
"I can't hear anything." Bofur whispered nervously, looking to Fili for reassurance.
Tauriel walked towards the entrance carefully as Fili frowned deeply. He was unsure about whether entering as they were, mostly unarmed (he had a sword and Tauriel had her bow and some knives) and completely unaware of what situation they were walking into. Tauriel was crouched next to Oin, listening intently.
"I can hear something." She said, looking to Fili. "It sounds like… some sort of jangling."
Fili realised that they were all waiting for him to make his assessment. 'If Thorin is dead,' Fili thought nervously, 'then I'm King.' Gulping, Fili took a deep breath then marched forwards, into the gloom.
His eyes adjusted quickly and Fili soon found that there were huge columns of green and gold around him. Attempting to ignore the scorch marks and scratches on the floor, Fili stopped, staring intently around him. His footsteps had echoed strangely, almost with a metallic clink, and Fili couldn't help but shiver at the alien sounding noise. Stooping low, Fili brushed his hand against the floor and felt the warm, smooth ground that glowed gold. He had thought it may have been a thin layer but, pressing his palm flat against the ground, he realised it was a thick layer, as if someone had dumped a large amount of molten gold and had left it to cool. Raising an eyebrow, he swivelled and looked at Oin to see his reaction.
"The floor was not like this before… perhaps it was Smaug's doing." He looked confused and Fili felt instantly sorry for the older dwarf. Here he was, returning home after all these years and even now it was different and, perhaps, once again promising only death. Fili and Kili had been too young to remember the mountain and now, standing up stiffly, Fili wondered for the first time since leaving his mother and their home in the Blue Mountains if this quest had been the best idea. Yes, the dragon was now dead but what had they gained? Empty halls that would now serve better as a tomb than a home.
"It's on the columns as well, look!" Bofur exclaimed, pointing upwards where flecks of gold ran across the columns as if someone had flicked a wet paintbrush at them.
Striding forwards, Fili stopped by a pile of huge boulders at the end of the hall. Frowning, he rubbed his hand across one and realised it was some sort of cast in the likeness of a king. Turning, he searched for Oin who was, along with the Kili, Bofur and Tauriel, wandering slowly towards where Fili himself stood.
"What was this place?" He asked impatiently, gesturing towards the cast to explain his confusion.
"The gallery of the Kings." Oin said, peering around sadly.
Biting his lip, Fili turned his head and gazed to his right where the gallery led off to a long hall. At the end of the hall was a light from a doorway and Fili could just about make out a huge tapestry lying abandoned on the floor in the heap.
Seeing where he was looking, Oin sighed. "It once hung proudly on the wall, showing much of our history. The best must have knocked it down.
"Yes, but only recently, there's no dust on it. It must have been when he came through last night."
Jogging through the hall, Fili led the way to the doorway, over the tapestry. The others followed reluctantly and Fili quickly realised they were nervous about what exactly they would find. Ignoring his rolling stomach, Fili slowed down as he neared the doorway, before edging cautiously out of it. He walked through, slowly taking in their surroundings. They were in the heart of the mountain, the forges, and there was no one around. Fili grimaced at the uncomfortable heat and looked at Oin.
"They're hot. Do you think the others could have made use of them?"
"For what? You think they decided to make a few necklaces for the beast?" Oin asked irritably, glaring at the young dwarf.
"Well I can't see why a dragon would have much use for the forges of the dwarves. Just show us the way upstairs." Fili rolled his eyes at the older dwarf and tried to calm himself. He was feeling very on edge, they all were, but fighting would not solve their problems. They had to find Thorin and the others, dead or alive.
They followed Oin through the Mountain, stopping every now and again to note signs of the dragon's recent presence. The further in they got the colder it got and Fili couldn't help but hope that the cold, stale air would not reflect what they would find. He followed Oin closely, taking everything in while trusting Bofur to have his back should anyone or anything come out of the shadows. There was an eerie silence and Fili had to drive down his fears. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong and the further along they got the stronger his foreboding became.
Feeling something on his arm, Fili whirled round and came face to face with Tauriel.
"The jingling, it's becoming louder." She whispered, looking forward with a wary eye.
Fili nodded, gritting his teeth. Tauriel looked very intimidating in the low light and Fili felt a rush of relief that if something were to happen that she would be there to protect Kili. The group continued walking and came out in huge hall that seemed to glow gold. There was treasure all over the floor, in a huge pile bigger than any Fili had ever seen. They stood there by the side, dumbfounded and silent, gazing across the hills of glittering treasure. Taking a few cautious steps forward, Fili went to a chest and picked up a harp and began to strum a few notes. He heard a similar music next to him and looked to see Kili doing the same. Winking at his brother, Fili replaced the harp and gazed up at the mountain of gold. Turning, he saw Bofur jumping into the piles of gold as if he were a diver and hugging it to his chest as Oin carefully inspected a large ruby from a chest of shining jewels.
Laughing at his kin, Fili looked at Tauriel who was stood motionless, seemingly lost for words.
"Do you think the coins moving could have been the jingling you heard?" Fili asked, picking up a few coins only to drop them again and watch as the slid down the pile and clinked against his boot.
"Yes, I think it was." Tauriel answered, walking forward and taking her place next to Kili, who began to strum his harp and waggle his eyebrows at the maid. Ignoring their giggling, Fili started to climb the pile to try and get to higher ground where he would have a better view. It was slow going and Fili ended up having to climb with his gaze fixed on his feet so he didn't place them too precariously. He continued his climb, trying to steady his irregular breathing, until he felt cold steel against his throat. Freezing, Fili's mind went into overdrive as tried to work out a way to fight back. He had no way of getting his sword before whoever it was killed him and by his hands lay only coins and golden chalices. Breathing steadily, Fili raised his gaze to meet that of the one who was pressing the sword against his throat.
"What is that doing here?"