Fly Away Little Birds

To Forgive...?

While Bilbo did not think that Fili needed any punishment for his little outburst, Thorin was of a different opinion. Fili had (barely) hurt his son. It was Thorin's job as Therien's father, and as the future King Under The Mountain to see that "justice" was done. Bilbo refused at first, but was then reminded that he himself was an employee, and could be dismissed at any time. It was not Gandalf's place to interfere in such things, so he did not. At first the other dwarves did not want to take part in this, but Thorin took Dwalin aside.
"I know you are conflicted about this, and I know that you may not want to do this, but it must be done. I am King and Therien is your prince. Fili and Kili are almost nameless slaves. They mean nothing and are not even dwarves anymore. If you are loyal to me, you will do your duty, as you always have."
In the end, Dwalin could not refuse Thorin. Dwalin took a good sized stick, and then took Fili into the nearby wood where nothing could be seen. When they came back, Fili looked uncomfortable, and so it was clear that something had occurred, but he assured Kili and Bilbo that he had had worse. If anything, he was just more angry. Not at Dwalin, for it was not his choice. His anger was at Thorin and his pathetic son. Fili wondered if he would ever get the chance to murder them, but it was just a passing fancy.
Since there were no more ponies, the company had to carry everything from then on. It only made sadistic sense that Fili and Kili would be given the most to carry. Still they assured Bilbo that they had had worse. If anything it was more a wound to one's pride and ego than anything. Dwalin tried to apologize to Fili on more than one occasion on the walk, and finally Fili assured him that he knew it was not the older dwarf's fault. Thorin had thrashed Dwalin with his sense of loyalty, and so the dwarf was not at fault. Still, it was clear that the elder dwarf felt guilty.
Over the course of the walk through the Trollshaws, there were several attempts made to mend fences. Bofur, Bombur, Ori, Dori, Nori, Bifur (on occasion), Oin and Gloin (even less) and Balin and Dwalin (only the slightest bit) were all engages in the enterprise. Fili and Kili would talk to them when they felt like it. Whenever Thorin and Therien were around, they spoke to no one. It was clear that even the presence of Bilbo, their master, could not protect Fili and Kili if Thorin chose to go off again. Kili was very worried about Fili, for at this point it was clear that his hatred went deeper, and that that made him even more unpredictable than Kili had thought. Bilbo had noticed it too, and the other dwarves were wary, probably hoping Fili wouldn't cut their throats as they slept.
So Kili and Bilbo kept a good watch on him. All seemed well until Gandalf met with his friend Radagast the Brown. The wizard had brought bad news. Strange things were happening, and now the company of Thorin Oakenshield was caught up in it. Then the orcs came, and despite the best efforts of the wizard to lead them off, he was unsuccessful, and the dwarves were on the run. In all truth, dwarves don't run very fast. Short and sturdy, they were not really made for running, but standing and fighting an enemy head on.
So for the first time, Thorin looked to Kili for help. He could use his bow to pick some of them off, and so he did. But as they ran, Therien fell, as he was a clumsy dwarf as well as having no propriety. Seeing the orcs bear down his fallen cousin, Kili stepped out from the crevasse Gandalf had led them to and took up a position in front of the fallen dwarf, shooting as Thorin helped his son get to safety. Kili barely made it into the cavern before a massive warg lunged at the opening. Then the sounds of battle. The elves had come to their rescue. And the crevasse led to Imladris.
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The hobbit and his two dwarves may have been the only three people who were comfortable in Rivendell. The other dwarves seemed to have an aversion to elves, something that the two young dwarves had gotten over a very long time ago. Elves often passed through The Shire on their way to the Grey Havens. Even now, they were leaving Middle Earth. So every so often, The three adventurers would meet elves while in the bog or around the Bindhole Wood. They actually seemed to be nice enough people.
The other dwarves had kept their Xenophobic attitude though and would barely warm up to the elves who had so clearly saved them. Fili and Kili made It their duty to talk to as many elves as possible. Even Elrond himself took an interest in the two young dwarves. One day he found them near the library, talking to one of the servants in his house. He decided it was time to talk to them, so he went to them. The servant bowed and left them.
"I am Elrond Half-Elven, the leader of the elves here in Imladris. May I ask who you are, young sirs?"
Fili said, "I am Fili, and my brother is Kili. We are at your service." They both bowed to him.
"Are you now?" Said the elf in an amused voice.
"We are indeed, sir."
"You are not with the other dwarves. You are not even like the other dwarves. I do not mean to offend, it is just a mere observation."
"Actually we take it as a complement, master Elrond." Fili said.
"Your brother is very quiet."
"He has a hard time with new people. But if you stay and talk for a while, he may open up."
"I will stay then," Elrond said. "And we shall talk."
Fili and Kili found themselves sitting in the library talking amiably with Elrond for some time. Kili did warm up to Elrond and actually found the elf quite amusing. It was clear to Elrond that these dwarves were very different. They were friendly and respectful and willing to talk. However, they way they acted and the way they spoke made him wonder many thing about them.
"You are dwarves, yet you are the most undwarvish dwarves I have ever encountered. Your story takes you away from the realms and culture of the dwarves. Why is this?"
"It is a very long story," Fili said. "And it would take forever to tell it. Just know that we are not our own masters, but for twenty-seven years, we did find some peace."
"After great suffering I would assume?" Elrond said.
"Yes." Kili said. "After great suffering."
"Well unfortunately I have forever, but Thorin Oakenshield is restless. He wants me to read the runes upon that map for him." Elrond said as he rose to leave them.
"If I were you, I would burn the map." Fili said with a slight smirk.
"I do not especially care for Thorin Oakenshield, but I would not sabotage him in that way." Elrond said. "That map is part of his legacy."
"His legacy be damned!" Fili said.
"You hate him that much?" Elrond asked worriedly.
"He betrayed us." Fili said. "We were family and he betrayed us. He continues to betray us."
"Family?" Elrond said.
"Uncle," Kili said.
"Ah, I see." Elrond said. "Perhaps you are justified, but a path such as this leads often to sorrow. I would say you should forgive. Forgive him and you will find your own peace as well."
"It is easier said than done." Fili said.
"True enough." The elf said. "It would do your heart good though. Believe me. I know."
Elrond gave them a final nod, and then was gone. Fili contemplated his words, but still, the thought of forgiveness did not sit well with him, at least for the moment. Kili, on the other hand, was more than ready to bury the hatchet, so to say. Fili just wanted to bury the hatchet in someone's head. Why was he so angry? Maybe he should consider it, just to give himself some relief.
Soon though, Thorin had made another bad decision and they were sneaking out of Imladris to the despair of Fili, Kili and Bilbo. The three of them knew that this was not going to end well.