Unexpected

Chapter 16: Laketown

All the dwarves had finally settled in Bards home. They had stripped down to their undershirts and trousers. Their wet clothes laid in front of the fire to dry.

"It may not be the best fit, but it'll keep you warm," Bard reassured. The dwarves and hobbit had all been given clothes from Bard's children.

Eili wore a burnt orange vest with a dark filigree pattern. Underneath she wore a long sleeve button up shirt in a beige colour. She closed the vests metal clasps, securing it in the middle. It originally belonged to Bain, so it reached Eili's knees. The dwarf adjusted the belt around her waist, which had a silver buckle. She was given worn and faded brown trousers that she tucked into her boots.

Eili followed Tilda to her bedroom. Tilda rummaged through her closet, looking for a jacket for the dwarf. She found a deep purple coat with fur trim. She handed Eili the coat.

"Thank you very much."

Eili put the coat on; it fit perfectly. She put her hands in the pockets and pulled out a pair of leather fingerless gloves.

"Here, Tilda."

Tilda looked over at the dwarf. "You can keep them." The girl spoke again before Eili could protest. "I have spares. Keep them."

"Are you sure?"

Tilda smiled and nodded. The young girl handed the dwarf some blankets.

"Can you give these out?" she asked.

Eili made her way to the dining area. She went around the table and handed the blankets out. The dwarf walked over to the cot Kili sat upon. She handed a patchy yellow blanket to her brother.

"How are you feeling?" asked the dwarf princess.

"Well," he said, a pained expression on his face.

Eili's eyebrows furrowed. She looked at his thigh."Your wound is bleeding again."

"I'm fine, Eili, really."

"Do you know how bad you are at lying?" Eili shook her head. "I'll brew some tea."

On her way back to the kitchen, the dwarf walked past Fili. She simply put a hand on his shoulder and gestured to the kitchen. He excused himself and followed his sister.

She filled a small kettle with water and began to heat it.

"What's on your mind?" Fili queried.

"Kili's wound is bleeding again. Figured you could patch him up."

Eili glanced at her brother. Fili grabbed a cloth from the counter.

"I can put a few herbs in his tea to ease the pain."

Fili looked at his sister, eyes full of worry. "The swelling hasn't gone down at all."

"I've never seen anyone react to an arrow like Kili is. He looks ill. He's pale and he's running a fever. It seems like he's growing weaker." Eili put some herbs in the kettle for flavour. "I have my suspicions."

Fili sighed," What do you reckon?"

"All I can say is that was no ordinary arrow," she stated, looking her brother in the eyes. "Go tend to his wound. I'll be there in a minute with the tea."