DOUBLE UPDATE AGAIN! Make sure to read Chapter 10! ! I didn't mention this last time, but this sorta update is for: ImJustSomeRandomWriter
Thank you and happy reading! :)
The landscape looked bleaker than he remembered.
Last time he had seen these lands was when he was traveling towards a land known as the Shire from his kin's realm of the Iron Hills. Some place where Gandalf had stated there was a burglar waiting...
He snorted to himself then sighed - looking at the valley below. He had just crossed the top of the Misty Mountain range and now could vaguely make out the grey mountains ahead. Seeing the clear path ahead of him brought forth a little spark of motivation. That had been running low the past few days.
Not a day passed when he didn't think about Bilbo had how he left him so suddenly. Now more than ever did he wish the hobbit was with him - and not because the creature had a good sense of direction. He wanted to take back all those words he said to him and... fall back into the dwarf he was after everything they had been through together-
No, I can't think this way. I need to be there for my people. Fili - Aule, I hope he is doing well in my absence. It was a last minute decision to leave, and I should have never left so quickly after reclaiming the mountain. Bilbo, I love you, but I can't keep putting you first. If I had my way, I'd turn around right now. But I can't. I have a duty to those I've restored our home for.
He hoped Bilbo was still safe in the Shire and not off on a crazed path following him. He'd keep his promise and return when Erebor was stable and this hell of a mystery was solved.
He hoped...
Mnia's head was bowed and his eyes were dark and downcast. He had been given strict orders not to interrupt the weekly council meeting, but the herd of dwarves behind him - pushing him forward, gave him no other choice.
He clumsily opened the doors of the throne room and swallowed. Fili, in deep conversation with the remaining council members, did not look up at the noise the old door made.
He did, however, look up when Mnia cleared his throat. The blond's eyes widened slightly and his jaw shifted - almost dropping. "Oh," he said unconsciously.
Mnia tried not to look uncomfortable as the crowd started the file in.
One of the councilmen beside Fili raised his eyebrows - Yttir was the dwarf's name. "I say," he said with equal awe and some amount of amusement. He turned to Fili expectantly. "Have you got an impromptu meeting scheduled?"
The prince blanched. "N-no, I-" He cleared his throat and composed himself. He looked from the crowd to the guard. "Mnia, what is this?"
The dwarf allowed himself to look physically withered and run down. "I know you spoke of not having any interruptions, but the people insisted and wouldn't take no for an answer. I'm sorry, sir."
Fili glanced helplessly at the three councilmen around him. "I am terribly sorry. Could we finish this another time?"
Grana frowned. "If it's nothing private, I'm sure we'd be glad to sit in on it." He looked to the crowd with curious and eager eyes.
"Very well," Fili grunted with some reluctance if you squinted.
He took his place at the center of the raised platform in the room. He noted some familiar faces - market vendors from the main halls and a few wives of some of the guards. His eyes zeroed in on the woman in the front; he had seen her often in the halls and had recently spoken with her and her family. "Grina, what can I do for you?"
The female stepped forward. She gestured behind her, "We've discussed it - the lot of us - and 'ave wondered if'n the King is returnin'. Or is 'e just gone fer good?"
Fili's mouth set into a thin line. He had been avoiding directly answering questions like these since Thorin had not made contact in months. "He will be returning, though I do not know when. I have not heard from him since he left."
Grina harrumphed, looking the prince up and down with dark eyes. She stuck her chin forward menacingly, her eyes narrowed with judgment. "Ye've not much experience in bein' king, sire," she went on. "We've noticed. And those from the Hills 'ave too."
He didn't like where this was going.
"Stonehelm is a much be'er option to bein' king, ain't he?" He noticed that the majority of the crowd behind her nodded their heads right along with her words. "Least two-hundred of my own flesh and blood agree on this ma'er."
Fili exhaled slowly and fought against the urge to rub his temples. Stonehelm had tried to talk him into this back when Thorin first left.
He looked at the female dwarf. "I understand what you're saying, Grina, but it is the council's final decision on that matter."
Grina looked to Yttir - an expectant expression on her face.
The old dwarf glanced from Fili to the other councilmen. "Uh, Gr-Grina... You must understand that we can't just change the rules so quickly. E-even if the people rally and petition, we are still required to follow the old law. And the old law is what keeps peace in these lands." He paused as he gathered his thoughts under the scrutiny of the demanding woman. "The words on these documents are final, Grina, and nothing - save for one thing - can change them."
She narrowed her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.
"What sort'a things does this piece of paper say?" another dwarf from the crowd asked.
Yttir wrung his hands. "Well, it gives Fili the right to temporarily rule in Thorin's absence. Um, if he so chooses to step down, Stonehelm may take his place... um, until further notice. But even if he is willing to step aside, there is a long process and debate to hand this temporary ruling over to him."
Grana nodded. He looked at Fili whose jaw was clenched and cold eyes narrowed.
The old dwarf went on, his voice cracking and beginning to falter. "I-if news comes that Thorin is dead, Fili will become King. The throne will pass to his heir and the heirs that follow until the line is out. When the line runs out, the next closest kin may become King."
A deafening and scary silence followed Yttir's words. Fili stood unwavering, watching as the crowd worked out the fact that they were not going to win today.
"I see," one of them finally spoke. "Sorry for bursting in on you. Just... rules can change."
A/N: I just wanted to let you all know that I'm starting school again D: I am working on the rest before everything gets all crazy. I'll let you know when I've finished it and maybe I can be a little more consistent with updates! Thanks! :)