Kings and Masters

Chapter 13

 Erebor didn't look like the abandoned kingdom it did when they had first arrived. When Thorin and his caravan arrived at the front gates, he found the rest of their company- Dori, Bofur, and their kin waiting for them.

"You just missed Gandalf," Dori said as Thorin got off his pony and helped Kili down as well. "He said he had business elsewhere but that he would return in time for the coronation."

"Good," Thorin said with a small but weary smile. He made a side glance to the covered wagon where he could see Fili's feet poking out. He couldn't tell if his nephew was asleep or not, but the blonde dwarf hadn't moved or said a word since he was placed inside the wagon.

"We've sent word to our kin in the blue mountains," Bofur said. "They should begin arriving in late spring."

Ori stepped forward then, glancing at Kili, "we've been clearing the destruction the dragon left. With the help of Dain's warriors, we got quite a lot done." he said. "We found the king's chambers and a few other royal bed chambers and we fixed them up for you. You know, for when you get tired."

That was one thing that raised Thorin's spirits a bit. He glanced to Kili, "come, nephew, I'd like you to see these chambers, they hold special significance to me."

Thorin walked over to the wagon and gently pulled the cloth covering away from the wagon, revealing his eldest nephew who gazed up at him with those large blue eyes of his, "how do you feel, my nephew?"

"Like a piece of cargo being carted to storage," Fili grumbled bitterly. Thorin sighed, "well you'll soon have some privacy," he said. "But I want to show you something first, if you're willing." Fili simply nodded, his lip quivering very slightly.

"Oh we have something," Dori spoke up waving at Nori who ducked back into the gates briefly. "Gandalf told us about... what happened and well, we made this." Nori returned with a wooden chair which had been mounted on top of a set of large iron wheels. As Thorin helped Fili sit up, the blonde caught sight of the chair and winced. Thorin bit his lip, preparing for a negative reaction from his eldest.

But Fili only whimpered quietly, shuddering as he nodded, "thank you, Nori," he said softly, not meeting anyone's eye.

"We've tried to make sure you'd have access to most of the mountain, but it's still a work in progress," Dori explained. "Erebor is suffering from more than a century of neglect after all."

At that moment, Bofur caught notice of the two young girls standing beside Bilbo. The dwarf leaned over to Thorin and Kili while Balin and Dwalin helped Fili into the chair, "who are the lasses?"

"Servants," Thorin responded. "We took them as compensation from the master."

"Uncle," Kili asked. "Can we find them chambers too? they were living in the masters basement. I think they deserve better treatment than that."

"Very well, we'll find them some," Thorin said before he took the handles on Fili's wheelchair. "Now come."

"I'll help around here," Balin said, resigning to stay with Dori.

"Aye, and I had better start securing this place, can't have orcs sneaking up on us while we sleep," Dwalin said.

Kili looked at Thorin with fear, "you don't think the orcs will come back, do you, Uncle?" he asked. "We defeated them. They should be gone."

"I think we're safe for now," Thorin said. "But we must be prepared for anything. There are many who would want to take this kingdom from us and we must not let it happen again."