A Journey I'll Always Remember (Kili x Reader)

The Kings Sickness

After a couple hours of sailing we had finally made it to the other side of the lake. We're here. "We made it." I sighed whilst smiling at the Lonely Mountain. All of the fighting, all the tears, pain and the longing of home have led up to this moment. "Come on, let's go in." Bofur headed towards the large mountain wall where the stone had caved in from the dragon. Bofur seemed awfully confident that the company is alive, but a knot of anxiety twisted in my stomach so much it was nauseating. My father.

"You're worried." Kili didn't follow his brother and Bofur into the mountain. "What if the company didn't make it?" I gulped, my eyebrows pulled together as emotion hitched in my throat. "I have a good feeling." He squeezed my hand to reassure me. "How could you possibly know?" He smiled at me before his gaze trailed up the mountain. I followed his gaze to see torches of fire had been lit on either side of the gate. "Those braziers," Kiki pointed "They certainly weren't lit by the dragon." He grinned with a knowing gaze. They made it.

"Come on, Master Baggins will be waiting for you." Kili limped beside me whilst we walked into the mountain to meet with Bofur and Fili who were stood by the entrance. "Hello?" Bofur called out. No response. "Anyone?" I called whilst cupping my mouth with my hands. My voice bounced off the vast walls of the mountain that stretched for longer than I've ever seen. Walls etched with stone and Dwarvish ruins. My hands dropped by my sides in defeat when there was no response and the echoing of my voice had finally muffled to nothing.

The hallways were voids of darkness apart from one hallway that was illuminated by the low glow of lanterns. Relief crashed over me in a mighty wave when the sounds of footsteps came marching towards us. Bilbo. "Father."
"Jules. Oh, gods." He exhaled like a painful weight of anxiety had been lifted from his shoulder. I ran towards Bilbo and a familiar feeling of warmth and nostalgia hit me as he enveloped me in his arms. His coat stunk of ash and smoke but nothing could ruin this moment. "You're okay." Bilbo chocked down a sob as he nodded. I smiled into his shoulder as I echoed "I'm okay."

"Bilbo," Fili said from behind us "We can't believe you all survived. How's the company?" Bilbo and I broke apart. Suddenly there was a change in Bilbo, he looked down at his feet and bit on his bottom lip like he was holding back on something. "What's wrong?" I pulled away from him and looked at him, his eyebrows pulled together. He was hesitant but quickly gave in.

"It's Thorin." I could hear Fili and Kili suck in their breath and hold it. "Is Thorin okay?" Bofur asked.
"I've tried talking to him, but he won't listen. He's been down there," He gestured down the hallway "For hours. He doesn't sleep, he rarely eats. He's not been himself. Not at all." Fili looked over Bilbos shoulder and ran off. "Fili! Wait!" Bilbo followed after him.

We ran deeper into the mountain, down many halls and so many stairs... We stopped when riches beyond all desire was below us. Gold stretched beyond the eye, thousands of coins blending to create a golden sea of riches; stone walls tinted marigold. "Gold." The deep voice carried throughout the vast hall inside the mountain, our gazes following the sound to Thorin. But something was different about him. He wore a heavy, rich crown and heavy armour beneath his fur coat. He stretched his arm out whilst coins fell out from between his fingers.

We all watched Thorin completely absorbed in the sight of gold. Then he noticed us. He, at first, almost looked terrified for us to see him in this state, but then he relaxed. "Behold, the great treasure hoard of Thror." His voice echoed throughout the hall. I looked over to Fili and Kili and they look disturbed by their uncles abnormal behaviour.

"Welcome, my sister's sons, to the kingdom of Erebor." The word "Erebor" echoed once again and spent chills down my spine. Thorin has changed, there was no doubt about that. But what will this do to the company?

——————-

We decided to leave Thorin and find the others. Maybe they have an explanation for Thorin's "sickeness" according to Bilbo. "He-Hey!"
Bofur opened his arms out to the company. They were all alive and unharmed. A huge weight was taken off my shoulders that I didn't know I had and sighed of relief. The dwarves were overjoyed to see us all alive. Bofur and the two brothers were welcomed and hugged by the others.

I stood to the side a bit disappointed that no one has welcomed me yet, but it's fine, this was their moment. Not mine. I cross my arms my chest and smiled as I watched the dwarves, Bilbo had stayed behind with Thorin to maybe talk some sense into him so I had no one to celebrate with.

I looked up from my feet when I heard heavy boots approach me. "You didn't think we'd forget you lassie?" I looked up from my boots to see Dwalin standing before me with a welcoming smile on his stone cold face. I was unprepared when he pulled me into a big hug with was joined by Balin, Ori, Bombur and eventually turned into one huge group hug. And it felt amazing.

Back in the Shire it was just me and Bilbo. Us against the world. But every since the two of us and the company set off on our quest it felt like I had new friends. And now I've reconsidered. They were no longer my friends, they were my family.