Chapter 13

*Fili*

One and a half years later…

Standing on the balcony while the sun was shining brightly on the land scape was not helping the feeling that had been growing in Fili. He had been trying to shake it for the past three days, but nothing seemed to be helping. Kili was leaning on a pillar and gazing out in the distance where the sun was just beginning to set. West. What could possibly be in the West that interested both of them? Fili had the answer. The Shire and one small Hobbit who they were starting to miss very badly.

Fili turned away from the light and tapped Kili's shoulder inclining his head in the direction of the village of Dale. Over the last year and a half, Dale had been rebuilt very fast indeed. The streets were fixed and many people were living there again under the guidance of Bard.

"You want to take a ride out there, little brother? In the morning we could take our ponies and go for a gallop." he asked. Kili smiled gratefully.

"Yes, I do. I have been feeling the way we used to when we would go on a hunting trip for a few days." Kili said.

"The same thing goes for me. Come on, let's do something and maybe time will start to go faster."

Fili started down the hall with Kili by his side. After talking about random things and still feeling like an escape was needed, Fili began to despair that the next day would never come. Finally, though, it did.

They managed to get their ponies and, without telling anyone where they were going, took off across the plains. Kili challenged Fili to a race and Fili accepted. The sturdy little creatures were running neck and neck for a bit, and then slowly, Fili's pale silver mount began to pull away. Kili would not stand for that and he bent over the black mane of his steed, pushing the gelding a little harder. The pony snorted something that was probably very rude in horse language before lengthening his strides. When Fili saw Kili was gaining on him, he too leaned over his pony's neck, but not too hard. If he was to push the little mare past her limit, she would resort to kicking her speckled heels in the air and Fili was not feeling the need to land on the ground at that moment.

"Come on, gal! We can't let that bastered beat us, now can we?" Fili said to her and she turned one ear behind her as if to hear what her master had told her. Then both ears pressed back against her skull and the mare put on an extra bust of speed, crossing the two trees they had decided to be the finish line a whole length ahead of Kili. Fili pulled lightly on the reins until the pony slowed to a halt and Kili stopped his pony next to him.

"Durin, you are going to have to remind me not to challenge you since you chose her, my pony can't even think about catching up when she does that!" Kili said and dismounted his gelding. Fili slid off and patted his mare's neck before gently stroking her velvety nose.

"She just didn't want you pass her that's all. Isn't that right, Mabel?" Fili said and Mabel nudged him. Kili laughed as his pony nipped at his pockets.

"Here now, Coal! Just because I have pockets doesn't mean I brought anything for you."

Coal, not happy with that announcement, stamped his hoof and snorted rudely again, before nipping at Kili again. Kili jumped back rubbing his arm and muttering Dwarvish curses while Fili shook his head.

"How many times do I tell you not to let him do that? That is the third time this month he has bitten you."

"I know how many times he's bit me. I'm the one getting bitten here." Kili grumbled then going over to the saddle bag, avoiding Coal's mouth this time, drew an object out of it. With a grin he handed it over to Fili. It was a fiddle Kili had somehow managed to bring along and he seemed pleased with Fili's expression, for he laughed while bring out another fiddle from another saddle bag.

"How did you bring these on your pony?" Fili asked and Kili shrugged. Kili then sat on a stone slab with some moss in the cracks of its surface and began to tune his fiddle and then tighten the horsehair strung bow. As Fili began to tune his, Kili rose from his sitting position and, tucking the interment beneath his chin, drew the bow across the strings. The sound of the lone fiddle seemed to float through the air and Kili played another note and after he was sure all the strings were in tune, he started to play a lively jig. Soon Fili joined in and the song rolled over the plains making the brothers smile broadly at each other. After they had played the first part of the song twice, they began the second, which required Fili to pay more attention to what he was playing, for Fili's part now brought out the harmony. When the jig ended, Mabel nickered bobbed her head in a way that it appeared like she was nodding at them for more and Coal prick his ears as if wondering why the beautiful music stopped. Three more songs were gifted to all the creatures living on the surrounding area before the Dwarves decided to head back to Erebor.

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Dis was the first person they were met by. She had gone for a ride and had heard their music. Kili asked her why she was out alone and she answered that before the dragon came, she would run her pony across the land and sometimes would even go as far as Dale.

"I would come out here when Thorin was being a bother or when I had the need to worry everyone half to death." The last part was said with a meaningful glance at Fili and Kili.

"Sorry, but we just had to get out of the mountain for a little." Kili said and Fili looked at Dis who nodded saying, "I know the feeling. Next time, though tell either me or your uncle when you are going out here."

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"Kee, I just can't stand it anymore!" Fili said, dropping his head in his hands. "We have got to go somewhere or do something."

"Agreed, but what do we do and where do we go?!" Kili said sounding rather frustrated. Then Kili slammed his hand down on the bed side table, setting his jaw firmly. Fili looked at his little brother and saw the signs of recklessness but more restlessness then he ever remembered of Kili looking. Kili stood and Fili followed suit.

"Where are you going?" Fili asked.

"To ask Thorin something!" Kili answered as he stormed out of the room.

A/N Dang cliffhangers! Oh well I hope you liked it! Please review! Fili is smirking in a corner with Kili sleeping with his head on Fili's shoulder. I've got some tired Durins here…

Dance With Dragons is the song I pictured Fili and Kili playing, if you want to know.