It Was Her

Chapter 7

Morning had come and Laketown was buzzing for the first time in many years. Almost all the townsfolk had gathered around the main channel to see the dwarves off. The dwarves began piling into the boat when Bilbo looked around noticing the absence of a funny hat.

"You do know we're one short; where's Bofur?" Bilbo asked looking at Thorin.

"If he's not here, we leave him behind." Thorin grumbled as he loaded supplies into the boat.

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

Tili waited for her brothers to climb into the boat before moving to join them, but Thorin grabbed her shoulder stopping her.

"Not you. We must travel with speed, you will slow us down." Thorin spoke not looking at her.

Tili gave him a bewildered look before smiling thinking he was only joking.

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

"No." Thorin denied.

By now Kili and Fili had turned to listen to the dispute. 

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

Thorin put a sympathetic smile on his face, though it hurt him greatly to leave his own niece behind, he could not risk the entire quest for her sake.

"Tili, stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed." Thorin said laying a hand on her shoulder.

Tili looked at her uncle with shock and betrayal. She shrugged Thorin's hand off her shoulder and turned away deeply hurt both physically and emotionally. Thorin sighed and masked his emotions as he turned to the boat when Oin climbed out.

"I'll stay with the lass. My duty lies with the wounded."

Kili was the first to step forward and try to reason with his uncle.

"You cannot do this to her, Uncle. She has given everything for this quest, you cannot leave her behind." Kili pleaded, knowing how much this meant to his twin.

"She is wounded, Kili. If she came she would only worsen herself. I'm sorry, she has to stay behind."

Kili only glared at his uncle before climbing out of the boat.

"Kili, what are you doing?"

"She's my twin. If she does not go, then I do not go." Kili almost growled before walking over to Tili's side.

Thorin was about to climb into the boat when Fili stepped forward.

"Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You can't take that away from her!" Fili pleaded looking over at his sister.

Oin was trying to examine her but she continually pulled away.

"Fili." Thorin tried.

"I will carry her, 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 looked over to his siblings before stepping out of the boat. Thorin tried to stop him.

"Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the Company."

Fili turned and glared at him

"I belong with my siblings."

Fili pulled away and walked over to join his siblings and Oin.

"You two should go, it has been your dreams since Thorin first told us." Tili said looking up tiredly at her brothers.