Kings and Masters

Chapter 8

A number of days passed and Kili continued to improve day after day. Fili, however, remained paralyzed and demoralized. His wounds healed, but his broken back remained swollen.

Bilbo sighed as he and Thorin watched Oin examine the golden haired dwarf who lay on his belly, his face buried in his pillow. The hobbit could make out the tips of his ear, protruding through his hair and by the shade of red contrast to the blonde hair, it was clear Fili was feeling frustrated and embarrassed.

"How long before the swelling goes down?" Kili asked for what may have been the fifth time that morning. The youngest prince sat up in his bed, wearing a simple white sleeping tunic and a pair of night trousers, his unkempt dark hair dancing about his face as he kept glancing from Oin to Thorin, desperate for some kind of hope.

"We don't know, Kili," Thorin responded calmly, though Bilbo could sense the tension in his voice. "It will take a while longer." Bilbo glanced at the king. Thorin was at a wits end, the intuitive hobbit could see it on his stoic face, but he would not show as much to his nephew. Kili was scared and frustrated, and he had loyally remained at his brother's side through this whole venture, though it clearly had taken it's toll.

"Why don't you all just admit it," Fili growled, his voice muffled by the pillow, though his tone was unfamiliar and hinted at warning. "Stop trying to pretend I'm ever going to get better when you know I won't. Stop trying to reassure me when it's all lies." He shrugged Oin away and groaned as he rolled back over onto his back and glared across the room at all three of them. "I'm not something to be pitied. Why don't you all just leave me alone."

"Fili-" Kili started, moving to get out of his bed to move towards his brother, but Fili stopped him with a cold glare.

"Stop, Kili," Fili growled. "I don't want your comfort. I don't need it. Just leave me alone. All of you! just leave!" and with that, he rolled onto his side, his back to them, his body trembling with silent sobs.

"Kili," Bilbo stepped forward, sensing he might be useful in this instance. "You've been holed up in this room for days, why don't we take a walk. That is if you feel up to it."

Kili looked reluctant and Thorin glanced at Oin for approval. Oin nodded, "It'll do you some good to be on your feet for a while, Lad," he said. "Just be wary of your lung, don't get worked up."

"I need to speak with Oin," Thorin said softly, standing up and glancing in the direction of his eldest nephew. Bilbo thought he may have seen the king's eyes glisten with unshed tears and he swallowed as he nodded his acknowledgement.

The hobbit led the young dwarf out into the hallway of the master's home and down the stairs towards the kitchen. The display of wealth in this home had amazed Bilbo when he first saw it. In the shire, there was little need for wealth and to see the walls of this home lined with priceless paintings, crystal chandeliers dotting the ceiling, the floors lined with dark red carpeting throughout the home, and the spacious winding staircase spilling them out onto the marble foyer before the wood and glass doors with separated the main hall from the kitchen was really quite impressive- and disconcerting.

When they entered the kitchen, they found Asphodel stooped over the wood burning stove, while Brenna the gnome sat at the table, hemming trousers.

Bilbo had become acquainted with the master's two house maids Asphodel and Brenna a few days ago when he arrived at the house to visit Fili and Kili. Though he had only seen glimpses of them, it was startling to suddenly run into another of his kinsfolk. Kili had told him about Asphodel, the young hobbit girl who had been his nurse while he healed. But he hadn't mentioned Brenna.