Chapter 21

*Fili*

Of course Kili would be as lighthearted as to act like he had wanted to be there all along. Fili help his younger sibling to his feet and looked him over for injuries. Kili had a bruise on the side of his face, mostly covered by his wild hair, and the skin was broke a little where the ropes had rubbed on his writs but, other than that, he appeared to be just fine. His mood had not been affected in the least; that much was obvious.

Shaking his head, Fili started back up the bank and Kili followed before stopping and tapping Fili on the shoulder. Fili turned and Kili asked, "Do you have Coal somewhere?"

"No, brother. I'm sorry." Fili said.

"Hag it all! I wish he wouldn't do that! I guess now we'll have to find him."

"Well, it is really a good thing he did run off. If he didn't, the Orcs could have killed him. Which brings me back to wondering, how did you get caught in the first place?" Fili asked.

"Oh! I wouldn't him to have his throat slit and if he ever does have that happen to him, it would be because I lost my temper at him. How they got me? It is quite simple: darts." Kili replied.

"Darts? Tell on Kee."

"There's not much to tell. The little guy had a blow pipe and poison darts and I happened to be where they were." Kili said then muttered, "He got my shoulder, the bogger!"

Fili heard him, though. His first thought was to tease Kili about the childhood name for things he did not like, but instead he just laughed and continued on. After a short ways, they came to where Mabel was patiently chewing a mouthful of grass and untied her. She nickered softly and pushed against Fili's chest before nuzzling Kili.

"Hey," Kili said stepping back, "What's the matter with her?"

"You've been around horses enough. She is glad to see you." Fili replied and untied the mare.

"More like she going to scold me for losing her buddy." Kili muttered. His brother shook his head as he began to lead the pony back in the direction of their camp.

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When they reached the clearing where they had stayed the night, Myrtle was not alone. She had the company of no other then Kili's Coal. The black pony raised his head from a clump of grass and stared at them like he had been there the whole time and they had left him there.

"Coal! You fool creature!" Kili exclaimed and ran to his furry companion with a wide smile on his face. When he got to Coal, he flung his arms around the pony's neck then scratched behind the animal's ears. Coal looked at him, chewed his grass and gave Fili a glance as if to say, "Can you tell this thing to let go of my mane?"

Fili walked over and patted Coal's shoulder then went to Myrtle who had gotten one of her front hooves tangled in her lead rope. He lifted her foot and removed the rope then turned to Kili who was straightening a bridle strap where it had been rubbing.

"Kili, do you want eat something before we start on again?"

"Of course I do." Kili answered and Fili shrugged.

"Just asking. I already ate."

"When?" Kili asked.

"While you were sleeping. Now if you're to eat something, do so! I'll pack Myrtle."

Kili said something incomprehensible and Fili lifted a pack onto the gentle pony and secured it with the leather straps on either side while his brother sorted through the pack with dried food. When Fili was almost done, Kili joined him and helped with the straps of another pack with a smoked rabbit leg in his mouth. Fili glanced at him and then began to laugh. Kili gave a puzzled look and when he finish with his strap he took the leg out of his mouth and asked, "What is your problem, brother?"

"Nothing! It's just that you looked so funny like that!"

In response, Kili glared at him and made a face, but that only made Fili laugh harder.

"Alright! You can stop that now!" Kili growled, but Fili did not comply. Finally, when Fili was not looking at him, Kili pounced and tackled his elder brother in a heap. Fili grunted when he was suddenly on the ground with a very heavy weight on his back.

"Kili! Get off!" he gasped.

"No."

"Yes! Right now! Come on, you're too heavy!"

"No."

"All right, if that's the way you are going to be!" Fili said and rolled over until he was on top of Kili.

"Get off!" Kili said and Fili smirked.

"See?" he asked as he pushed himself up off his brother. Kili scowled at him, but accepted the help Fili offered and made one more face at his brother before clambering into Coal's saddle. Fili pulled himself in Mabel's saddle and took Myrtle's reins and handed them to Kili.

"Your turn to hold her." Fili said and Kili took them.

They started off once again and Fili hoped that something, like what had just transpired that morning, would not happen every day. He preferred not to see Kili captured by Orcs.

A/N This took me a long time, and I'm sorry. At least it is longer than the last one. Part of my problem was…I was reading "The Sons of Durin: Goblin-Town" and it has hurt in it. Hurt is not what I need for writing, but I read it anyway. :/

Mira Meliandra, leggomygreggo2, GregsMadHatter, Alicia457, jaymzNshed, Lady Hobbit :D, Akeea, Wraven, and Apophis god of chaos still deserve hugs from me and the Durin boys. :)

Reviews are much appreciated and I hope you have a great week!