Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns all, save for the characters and other things not in his works.
Clouds are comin
Air get's heavy
Looks like trouble on a rainy day
Sun starts sinking
Can't see my shadow
Looks like trouble on a rainy day
Holes uncovered
Walls will crumble
All spells trouble on a rainy day
~Rainy Day, Guster
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
T.A. 2941
Somewhere along the Hoarwell River . . .
His limbs shook slightly under the strain of the rushing water. His fingers clinging desperately to the rock that was the only thing between him and the rapids. It was no easy feat, for the rock was slick with the water splashing up from the river. Fili raised his eyes once more to scan his surroundings, looking for any sign of his brother. The sky was nearly black now, making the river look dark and ominous.
Mahal, he hoped they found Kili.
Then him.
The water lapped at his chest, soaking him to the bone in frigid icy water. His feet were so cold he could no longer feel them any longer. Fili grit his teeth to keep his teeth from clattering together. Squeezing his eyes shut Fili tried not to think about the water or the weakness seeping into his arms.
He tried to think of Thorin. His uncle would be strong in this situation. His uncle would look for a way out, a path to take. He wished his uncle was here. Everything was always easier when Thorin was around.
Now that Fili was on his own, the startling lack of people frightened him. Fili always had someone. Kili or Thorin. Even his mother and Dwalin on occasion. At the moment, he was utterly alone. Fili lifted his head once more. Using what energy he had left, Fili strained, trying to pull himself from the water. He gasped as his side spasmed, pain shooting through his chest. His fingers almost slid from the rock, but he managed to hold on.
Barely.
If he didn't get out of the river soon he was going to freeze to death or drown.
"Help! Please . . ." he managed to yell above the roar of the river. "Thorin!" He listened for a moment, hoping that he was heard. But other than the roar of the river he heard nothing. He really was alone. Fili sighed, resting his head against the rock, eyes drifting shut. Rest, that's all he needed. His mind wandered as the river lulled him to sleep, but he didn't dream, no. Not quite.
But there was a mountain, covered in a cloud of mist. Dark rain, and the cry of a woman. He thought it was Erebor, vaguely remembering the tales he had been told as a young dwarfling. But it wasn't. It was a long chain of mountain. It was the crack of lightning in this odd dream that brought him back to the river.
There was the sound of feet scuffing against rock, pebbles splashing into water. Fili's eyes fluttered open lazily. It was pitch black, the sky shining with glittering stars. He had drifted far longer than he thought. He was really shaking now, arms trembling and his fingers had cramped up. Hope flared in his chest slightly, and he threw caution to the wind. If it was orcs, perhaps they would end his torture in the river anyways.
"Thorin?" he croaked.
A flame filled his line of vision, a torch, he realized a moment later as it was jammed into a crevice in the rock. Two hands reached out, grabbing him under his arms and hauling him upwards. His savior grunted, under the strain of his weight.
"You're heavier than I remember."
The voice, he recognized. His tired eyes flew open, not focusing as he breathed, "Aunnie."
"Aye, mimel ze," she murmured kindly, laying him on his back on the riverbed. He shivered violently, the cool air worsening his condition.
"You- c-came," he said, very happy to see her. He never expected to see her, let alone have her pull him from the river. One of her tiny calloused hands pressed against his lips. Her hand was so amazingly warm, he thought slowly.
"Shh, little one. Sleep."
He obeyed, slipping eagerly back into blissful darkness. Fili dreamed of torches, a kind familiar face and a soft lullaby he hadn't heard in years.
"You think he'll be alright?" came a worried voice near him, sounding muffled but very much like his brother, Kili. Fili breathed in deeply, feeling wondrously warm and comfortable. The biting cold no longer bothered him and it was a relief. A very welcome relief.
"Fili will be fine, Kili," came the deep reply of his uncle. Thorin! He was there! A firm and weathered hand settled on his chest, and Fili knew it was Thorin's. Fili fought the bleary sleep that was trying to pull him back into unconsciousness and opened his eyes slowly.
He was met with a warm glow from a fire not far away from him, and Thorin's face peering down at him with relief. A small smile curled on his uncle's lips, and soon Kili's face came into his line of vision. Fili felt instantly relieved, even if Kili looked like a drowned rat, shivering slightly. Fili reached out and tugged on some of his loose, damp hair fondly.
"You look cold," he said quietly.
Kili shrugged, putting a hand on his chest. "I'll be fine. It's you who has the blue lips."
"How do you feel?" Thorin asked. Fili frowned, stretching from beneath the cloaks piled on top of him. His legs were a little cold, his chest hurt. He had been stripped of his wet clothing, finding that he was only in a pair of pants. His chest had been bound, but he hadn't remembered being wounded.
". . . sore."
"Aye, laddie," Oin said drawing near. "Broken and bruised ribs from being tossed about that river. You're lucky she found you when she did."
Fili remembered. Aunnie. She had pulled him out. Where was she? He needed to see her, thank her and . . . just know she was there. She always made him feel safe. When he was little he loved being in her arms and earning smiles from her. She made everything right. He tried to sit up, only to be held down by Thorin and Kili.
"Aunnie? Is she-" Fili began looking to his uncle eagerly. Thorin's lips twisted into a sad and almost bitter smile. One that Fili didn't understand. Surely he would be glad that she was with them once more?
"She's here," he replied quietly. "Sleeping."
"She carried you all the way here!" Kili told him with amazement in his voice. "You had to have been several miles downriver! Now, she was dragging your feet, but she still carried you. Aunnie is so small . . . I never knew she had it in her."
Fili's brows drew together in worry. Aunnie had carried him? Why would she do that? He had heard her say he was heavier than she remembered. Surely she hadn't been- why? Kili shifted closer. Fili could see he was shaking a little bit more, and knew that he had given up warm cloaks for him.
"Is she all right?" Fili asked. Thorin clenched his jaw but nodded.
"Just tired, sleeping. As you should be," Thorin told him. He patted his shoulder before rising and moving away. Kili scooted closer and Fili lifted the cloaks. His younger brother instantly settled down next to him, letting out a sigh of relief. Fili felt his little brother wrap his hand around his own. Kili turned towards him, remarkably warmer.
"I'm glad you are all right."
Thorin settled down next to his bedroll, pressing his back against the boulder behind him. He watched Kili climb under the pile of cloaks with Fili. Both were exhausted and cold. Their food was all but gone, along with the pony. They were foolish, but he understood the reasoning. The food was needed, and now they had nothing. He had thirteen dwarves to feed, a hobbit, wizard and ponies. Though the last group could eat whatever grew along the roads.
Then there was Nuil.
Gloin and a few others were not at all happy that she was here. He was surprised that Balin, of all of the dwarrow present, was against her. They usually agreed with one another, much to his irritation. Thorin wanted her to be here, at least where he could see her and know she was safe. Nuil could fend for herself, he knew. But it worried him when he didn't know where she was.
He rested his hand against her head, winding his fingers through her loose hair. The soft brown strands parted for his fingers, his thumb stroking her cheek over the faded white scar that ran from her eyebrow to her jaw. Not even the scar could mar her beauty in his eyes. Even if she was beardless. He shut his eyes and leaned his head against the boulder. Perhaps he could keep her with the company, just to keep an eye on her.
He woke sometime in the early hours of the next morning when he felt a blanket draped across his body. Stirring he saw Nuil give him a gentle smile. Her hand rested on his cheek. Thorin leaned into her touch, allowing himself this one pleasure, he grabbed her hand when she tried to pull away.
"You should rest," he murmured quietly. Thorin could see the dark bags under her hazel eyes. She would be lying if she told him she was fine. Nuil's lips curled.
"I have to go do some things."
"No, you don't," he replied, gripping her hand even tighter.
"Sleep, Thorin, I will be near," Nuil said with a hint of a smile in her eyes. He could not fight her, Thorin felt his will caving at her gentle command. Still fighting it, his eyes slid shut. He felt her press her lips to his brow and then she was gone. He drifted for a moment, fighting to remain awake and follow her. But sleep won out and he faded into nothingness.
The next morning, no one was expecting to have a very good meal, let alone anything decent to eat. They were pleasantly surprised to find several rabbits set around the fire, which had been fed and was blazing brightly. Bombur exclaimed happily as he skinned the rabbits that he was the most happiest dwarf in the world. Not long after Nuil entered the camp.
She did not expect the round of 'thank you's' and 'bless you, lassie's' to be given and paused uncertainly at the edge of camp. Kili came to her side, in dry clothes, offering her a plate of freshly cooked meat with a grin.
"For you, Aunnie," he said.
"Thank you, Kili," Nuil replied taking the plate. He took her arm and led her to where his uncle sat, grinning as he left the two. Thorin looked up from his own portion nodding to her. It was the only 'good morning' he was willing to give at the moment. They ate silently while the others began to pack up the camp. Fili rose stiffly, helped back into his dry clothes by Kili, and joined their silent meal.
"How do you feel?" Nuil asked him, searching his face intently. Fili rolled his shoulders and gave her a smile.
"Worn but well, thank you, Aunnie," he said. Nuil hummed, her cheeks coloring slightly.
"Should I receive any more praise, I think I shall cease to lend my hand," Nuil murmured. Thorin grunted.
"It is justly given, Nuilweyil," Thorin told her, settling his full gaze on her. Nuil looked away, her face reddening further. Thorin glanced at his grinning nephews, sending them a firm glare until they averted their eyes. He placed one of his hands over hers, holding it softly. "You have my deepest gratitude."
"Stop it, Thorin," Nuil murmured a hint of laughter in her voice. She looked at him. Nuil loved how he held her hand, how gentle he was with her, despite his rough demeanor. She knew he would never bring harm to her or any he cared for, no matter how angry he was. Nuil only wished she could hold him and let him know how grateful she was to have him.
She wanted that moment back from Bad End, to have him all to herself. She wanted to tell him of the fear that had filled her, watching her nephews fall into that river, and the hours it took before she found them. She wanted him to enfold her in his arms.
Don't be a fool, she chided herself, he has more important things to worry about than you.
"You should go," Nuil said, giving his hand a squeeze. Thorin began to protest, but she held her hand to his lips, silencing him. Standing she gave him one final endearing smile before pulling away and going to a wide-eyed eager hobbit. Thorin watched her, finding that he was doing such an action often, before looking to his nephews. The two had wide smiles stretched across their faces, from ear to ear.
He raised a challenging brow to them.
"We were wondering, Uncle," Fili said.
"When Aunnie would really become our aunt," Kili finished. Their brows raised as if to say 'you know what we mean'. Thorin growled at them, rising to his feet.
"That is none of your concern, get ready to leave."
Nuil cupped Bilbo's cheek, looking down at him. He seemed a little tired and weary, but not ill. Which was very good. He held her cloak tightly in his hands, wrapped around his shoulders still like a blanket meant to comfort.
"How goes it?" she asked.
"I miss my hole," Bilbo said honestly. "The weather is terrible and I'm constantly cold, though I must thank you for lending me your cloak. Once we find somewhere that I can purchase my own-" a frown marred his face "-you know, I quite forgot to bring money."
Nuil laughed. "That is quite alright, my dear. I have plenty to give to you," Bilbo opened his mouth to protest but she raised a hand, "and you will have gold to spare once this journey is over. I will collect then."
Bilbo beamed at her.
"I had thought you had abandoned me," he murmured suddenly, ducking his head in embarrassment. "It seems you were always looking out for me."
"Well, I hope I should be. Besides, it was not my intention to abandon you. I knew you would come," Nuil told him. Bilbo brightened slightly.
"Will you travel with us today? I would so love to speak with you."
Nuil ruffled his blond curls. "I am sorry to disappoint, but there is still opposition to my joining the company."
"I see no opposition from Thorin."
Nuil flushed. "Bilbo," she sighed, "it is not his approval I seek, but the whole company's. I do not wish for any of them to be at odds with their leader."
"Should they not respect his wishes, if he is their leader?"
Ah, very astute Bilbo. She smiled fondly. "Aye. But it does not mean that they don't always agree. I would rather have them all want me to be a member, than grudgingly allow me." Bilbo's face fell and she patted his shoulder, noticing Thorin rise from across the clearing and begin to get the others moving. "But I will be right behind you, don't you fear."
Hopefully everything makes sense, if not, let me know. I will be doing a Major Edit of this story once I finish the first part. So everything will be fixed, eventually.
Thank you to my lovely reviewers!: The Penned Tekrid, Fangirlatyourservice, Chilled Souls of the Forgotten, Sam0728, Just4Me, totaliny, Lillianpost, and RALover89. You are amazing and well . . . I can't hug you, so imagine me hugging you. That sounded better in my head. Also thank you to my readers, and followers! Hope you are enjoying the story!
Read and Review!
~filimeala