Unexpected

Chapter 17: Home Is Ahead

"You do know we're one short; where's Bofur?" Bilbo asked. It was early morn as the company made their way through the crowd of townspeople.

"If he's not here, we leave him behind." Thorin said seriously.

"We have to, if we're to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays."

They marched along the dock. Boxes of supplies awaited the dwarves and hobbit, as well as a wooden boat.

The company had been given armour by the Master. Eili wore an iron chest plate with an intricate design. She, along with her fellow companions, wore a long red cape that was secured around her neck with a beautifully crafted clasp.

Kili kept his arm around his sister's shoulder. She supported him as they walked past the onlookers.

The dwarves loaded the boat with the supplies. The boxes contained clothing, food, and weapons. After the boat had been filled, they began climbing aboard. Eili and her brother neared the boat.

"Not you." Thorin put his hand out and stopped Kili. "We must travel with speed, you will slow us down."

"What?" Eili frowned.

"What are you talking about? I'm coming with you." Kili smiled.

"No." Thorin shook his head.

"I'm going to be there when that door is opened, when we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin."

"Kili, stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed." Thorin patted Kili's shoulder and grinned. He nodded and turned, boarding the boat.

"He must be joking." Eili murmured worriedly to herself. She looked up at Kili, who grunted in pain. The grip she had on his arm tightened.

"I'll stay with the lad." Oin stood up and exited the boat. "My duty lies with the wounded."

Fili turned to Thorin. "Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You can't take that away from him!"

"Fili."

"I will carry him if I must!"

"One day you will be king, and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin."

Fili fumed silently. He stepped off the boat.

Thorin grabbed his nephews arm. "Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the Company."

"I belong with my brother."

Fili yanked his arm from Thorin's hold and joined his siblings and Oin. Fili took his brother from Eili.

"Eili, we must go." Thorin's voice was stern.

Eili was torn. She could stay in Laketown with her brothers or reclaim her homeland, Erebor, with Bilbo. Either choice could mean never seeing Fili or Kili again. Her head turned from the boat to brothers.

"Go with them."

"What?" Eili whipped around to look at Kili. The young dwarf couldn't believe what she was hearing. Had her ill brother just told her to leave him?

Kili placed his hand on Eili's cheek. His eyes were glossy, as if he were holding back tears. Eili grabbed her brother's hand and held tightly.