Chapter 17
Fili tramped across the rocky landscape in silence. His miserable thoughts swirled round his head as he marched, dimly aware that somewhere behind him Kili and Tauriel were quietly discussing their situation.
He didn't regret leaving with his brother, he knew in his heart that he would have detested himself for staying behind. But he couldn't help but feel hurt and angry at the way Thorin had behaved and, even though he understood his reaction to an extent, he was furious at how Kili had been treated.
Fili allowed himself to rampage inwardly at his uncles behaviour, all too aware that if he didn't he may start to blame Kili for getting involved with the elf in the first place. He told himself that Kili would not have stood by her unless he felt strongly for her and he let that be the end of it.
Quite without making a conscious decision Fili had begun the long walk around the lake, refusing to go through Laketown for fear of having to explain the situation to Bard.
Kili and Tauriel followed the troubled dwarf without question, giving each other anxious glances at his hunched shoulders and lowered head.
They stopped for the night beside the lake, lighting a small fire and cooking some squirrel Kili had shot. Tauriel got some Lembas bread out of a pocket and shared it with them but Fili barely ate. He wasn't hungry and he spent the night staring out over the lake whilst the others slept.
The next day they started walking again, over rocky terrain and eventually through trees again. Fili had barely said two words to the others since they left Erebor and Tauriel decided that she'd already come between Kili and Thorin; she would not let herself come between Kili and his big brother.
"Fili, I am truly sorry for how things have turned out. I never dreamt…"
"It's fine. I made my choice and it's not for you to apologise about that. I didn't do it for you." Fili stopped walking and peered through the trees looking troubled.
"But still I…" Tauriel began again, but Fili cut her off.
"Shh, I can hear something." He began to edge forward and the others followed him, their hands to their weapons.
Creeping forward through the trees, the three reached a small mound overlooking a large dip where if they looked down they could see a clearing full of activity.
Orcs were everywhere, slaughtering a large buck and ripping pieces to shreds, stuffing their mouths and arguing over who had eaten too much or not enough.
Kili's blood ran cold as he stared at the orcs and he turned to look at his big brother, fear clawing at his gut when he recognised the pale, frozen look on Fili's face matched how he felt inside.
"There are so many, what are we going to do?" Kili asked desperately, looking to Tauriel for comfort.
"This isn't even a fraction of their army. This is one of the smaller legions, they don't even have wargs. It must be a scouting party, coming ahead of the main bulk of the army." The elf said grimly, beginning to crawl backwards. "We have to leave, now."
"Who are you?" Said a deep voice from behind them, and the three turned to see four squat and bearded dwarves, holding bows with the arrows pointed at each of the threes breasts.
"I am Fili, son of Vili, of Durin's folk, who are you?"
The four dwarves immediately lowered their weapons and bowed to the Prince, muttering apologies.
"Come with us my Prince, we are not safe here."
Fili didn't bother to correct the warrior about his new status and instead followed him through the forest, quickening his pace as he went as the memory of those vile orcs swirled round his head. His uncle was to fight them, and he would not be there to protect him. The thought made him sick with anxiety.
They walked for a long time and soon Kili's legs began to ache, he wanted to ask the dwarves leading them whether they were close but the sight of the orcs so close to Erebor had shocked him and he jumped at every little noise, fearing an ambush.
Eventually they reached a densely wooded area where they were marched past grumbling dwarf guards who looked at the newcomers with interest and thinly veiled suspicion.
Fili tried to swallow his fears as they were led up to a large crimson tent. Following the scouts inside, he waited quietly while they introduced him to a heavy built dwarf sat in a large ornate chair.
"Cousin Fili, well met!"
"King Dain, I hope you're well."
"Of course my lad, and you?"
"These are my companions, Kili my younger brother and Tauriel of the woodland realm." Fili said quickly, ignoring Dains question entirely.
Dain welcomed them and bid them sit down, which they did so.
"Are the elves finally joining us then?" Dain said, eying Tauriel with interest.
"Your Grace…" Fili started, flustered at the Kings reception of them and hoping that his kin would not react like Thorin when he was told of their situation.
"Of course my lad, you're starving. We must eat and then we can exchange pleasantries." Dain clapped his hands and servants began to place plates and plates of assorted food around them, bowing to them all as the left.
Fili, Kili and Tauriel ate quietly, listening to Dain tell them all about how he and his army had hastened to Thorin's aid, sparing no expense as they made their way to protect and serve the King Under the Mountain.
"And of course he sent us a royal escort to Erebor, very noble and kind of him, yes."
"I'm afraid that's where you're mistaken your Grace." Fili said, looking up at Dain nervously.
"Eh, what was that lad? Speak up!" Dain laughed merrily and took a large bite out of a leg of mutton, his eyes shining with interest and humour.
"We didn't come to escort you. We were leaving."
"Leaving? What? Why?"
That was when Kili burst out with the whole story, from leaving the Blue Mountains to travelling to Bag End all the way to Thorin banishing them from Erebor. At the end of his story his eyes were shining with guilty tears and he felt utterly miserable.
"And now Fi has lost everything for sticking up for me and Tauriel can't go home ever again and…" Kili stopped, looking down at his own hands as if he couldn't bear to continue. The lad looked so lost Dain stood up and went to him, patting his shoulder and smiling kindly at him.
"Don't worry lad, it isn't your fault. Our generation has had a tough time with elves, especially from King Thranduil's realm, and we old folk cling to our prejudices very strongly. But it isn't for the young to take on the quarrels of their parents and I can't say I agree with what Thorin did. Perhaps if it was Fili, his heir, I could understand his disapproval, but your life is your own to lead lad, and although I shouldn't choose this path you must walk your own way. Aye, I expect its being back in that place, with all that treasure that's done to him what was done to his father and grandfather before that. There's no helping it as he's a stubborn mule."
Dain returned to his seat and watched the three of them shrewdly, before smiling again.
"If you truly wish to win back Thorin's trust and bring him to his senses there's only one thing for it. You must fight. You must show him you are worthy of Durin's blood, no matter who you love."
"But how?" Kili asked desperately, his eyes shining with despair and hope.
"He would not have us back; he threatened to kill Kili himself if he ever saw him again."
"Kill the lad? Kill MY KIN? Nay that jumped up little shit can try but I promise you he won't get close, not within a hundred yards." Dain raged, pacing the room and rubbing the handle of his axe that was secured round his waist.
"Fight with me." He said suddenly, wheeling round and grinning at the three insanely. "Fight with us, by our sides and Thorin can't say a word against it. If you're under my protection and he wants my help he must accept your place with me. It'll give you the perfect opportunity to show him that you are still his kin, and even if he's still a stubborn ass you can at least help kill some orcs. It'll make you feel a bit better at least."
"I would be honoured, great King." Tauriel said, bowing before him.
Dain raised his eyebrows at the brothers, who were still sat in disbelief.
"You honour us your Grace, truly." Fili stammered, his heart pounding joyously at the thought of the second chance Dain was offering.
"Well, what do you say laddie?" The King asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he twirled his great black beard in his hands.
"We would be honoured to fight by your side." Kili said graciously, bowing and thanking Dain repeatedly.
The next day Dain's army marched to Erebor, and Fili, Kili and Tauriel went with them. At first the dwarves seemed to be suspicious of Tauriel, but Dain spread the word that she was a close companion to the heirs of Durin and trusted beyond measure and after that when they saw her the soldiers would whisper about the 'only decent elf ever to live'.
Tauriel did not mind; glad to see that at least in times of crisis dwarves and elves could work together in harmony. She had let her old prejudices fly away in the wind and although sometimes she found herself recoiling from the behaviour of some of the dwarves, she was much more comfortable with them and even laughed and joked with them.
Kili thought that the more she spoke to Dain and his warriors the happier and more confident and herself she became and the more he fell in love with her.