Shattered (The Hobbit AU)

Chapter Six

Fíli outstretched his arm to keep his brother from walking any further. "Kíli, you heard what uncle said yesterday. You're not allowed to leave the Royal Wing for anything. No perimeter check, no training, nothing." He reminded Kíli, as if he needed to do in the first place. What took place the night before was quite surprising and unforgettable and Kíli had to be quite oblivious. But that wasn't the case. He was a Dwarf. And Dwarves are known to be extremely stubborn. Tell them yes and they'll say no. Say over here and they'll tell you over there.
Long story short, Kíli wasn't listening to anyone at this point. Anything Fíli would tell him to do, Kíli would do the opposite. Still, he tried to get Kíli to cooperate. Fíli was always responsible when it came to his younger brother and he knew if anything were to happen with Kíli, it would simply come back around to him.

"I don't give a damn." Kíli stated, clearly not fazed by his bad-tempered uncle.
Fíli narrowed his eyes towards Kíli. "If you disobey uncle, that means I'm going to have to take the blame for it. That is not fair."

"Too bad."

The blonde dwarf drew a long breath of irritation and threw his hands up in defeat. "Fine. Do what you want. But when uncle yells at you, you make sure to tell him I had nothing to do with it."

"As you wish."

"I have to join you with the scouting of your area, though." Fíli said, mentally preparing himself for all the negative things that were about to escape his brother's mouth.

"That is not happening."

"It's a safety precaution."

"I'll be fine."

"Why do you have to be so stubborn, Kíli? All I'm doing is trying to help you!" Fíli gave up with trying to be calm about the situation. A wriggling feeling of irritation was setting itself in Fíli's chest the more he spoke with Kíli.

"We have to leave now." Kíli ignored Fíli's comment.
He huffed in annoyance as he led the way out of the Royal Wing. As soon as they got to the entrance of the mountain, the usual group stood there waiting and prepared for their morning perimeter check.
With Dwalin in the front, following Andel, friend of the two brothers, the brothers themselves, and three more guards, they walked towards the middle of the mountain before parting ways. As the Dwarves went to their usual areas, Fíli waited until Kíli had a head start before following him. Being quite as a mouse, he carefully trudged a good distance behind him. As soon as he was close enough, he stopped and watched his brother scouting the area.

"I know you are there, Fíli. I'm not stupid."

"I'm here to help you scout." Fili half lied.

"I've got this, thank you very much." Kíli said the last part sarcastically.
Fíli shook his head, looking down to the ground as he crossed his arms. "Say what you want, brother, I'm not leaving. Deal with it."

Fíli ended up helping Kíli after all. Even though Kíli wouldn't admit it, he was actually glad to have his brother at his side. With Fíli around, that means there will be no surprise appearances from the Orc. That's one thing Kíli doesn't have to worry about. Still, Kíli was filled with apprehension. Then again, he always is. He shook the thought from his head to continue with his job.

"We've fully checked the area, I think it's time to head back now." Fíli said. In all honesty, he was disappointed he didn't see what has been bothering Kíli this whole time. Not only did he join his brother to keep him safe, he was also trying to gather clues. Maybe next time, he said to himself.
Kíli nodded. Fíli led the way back to regroup at the entrance.

When Fíli arrived back to the group, they looked at him in confusion.
"What is it?" Fíli asked.

"Was Kíli not with you?" Dwalin questioned.
"What are you saying? He's right her-" he stopped mid sentence as he turned around to see no one behind him. "Don't worry, I'll go get him. He probably dropped something back there."

Fíli walked back to the left side of the mountain, once again, to retrieve his brother. But he didn't see anyone. Rocks and boulders were the only things in his way at the moment. Fíli furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"Kíli!" He yelled. "Kíli where are you?"

Fíli shouted this ten more times and yet, no reply.
He was worried now. Extremely worried. He was trembling with anxiety.
"Kíli, I'm sorry for everything! Please come back!" Fíli was on the verge of tears at this point. His heart was beating so fast he thought it was going to pounce out his chest.

"Kíli please." Fíli's voice cracked, and for the first time in a while, tears escaped from his blue eyes.
He continued looking. There were no traces of his tracks. No sign of him being anywhere. Nothing but rocks, small animals, and the cold air around him was present.

Fíli ran back to the group at the entrance of the mountain, wide eyed and tears falling from his face.

"Kíli's gone missing."

"What? That's impossible! Weren't you with him just a while ago?" One of the guards asked, confusion clearly shown on everyone's face.
"Yes, yes I was with him. But by the time I arrived here, you all said he was gone! I went to go back for him but he's nowhere to be seen! Someone took him!"
"Now, Fíli. Don't jump to conclusions like that. He could have saw something and went to go check it out. There is no way anyone could have taken him." Dwalin frowned, reassuring the frantic elder brother, "I'm sure he will be back. Kíli may be reckless, but he is no idiot."
Fíli's brow was pulled in distress and frustration. "He left without saying a word. Do you not think if he saw something, he would tell me he'd be back? It's been well over thirty minutes!"

"And if someone took him, wouldn't you think he would yell out to us?" Dwalin retorted.
"You have no clue how my brother has been acting lately."

"Look, I'm sure Kíli is okay. Once we inform Thorin about the situation, he will send a search party go look for him. Just calm down, Fíli." Andel calmly told him.
"I'm going to look for him." Fíli said, turning his back to the group.

"No Fíli, wait!" Andel shouted but Dwalin put a hand on his shoulder. "Leave him, laddie. We must tell Thorin immediately."

The group all rushed inside the mountain. It was bustling with Dwarves who were simply minding their own businesses. There they spotted the Dwarf King, talking to Balin.

"My Lord, we have news."

"Just a moment, please." Thorin said respectfully.
"This is important. Fíli suspects Kíli has gone missing."

Thorin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Missing? But I had said for Kíli to stay in the Royal Wing." He had gotten the idea Kíli disobeyed his orders. 'And now look what he's gotten himself into.' He thought to himself.
"No, My Lord, Kíli came with us this morning. Fíli scouted the area with him, but as both were meant to return, we only saw one."

"And where is Fíli?" Balin asked, his face showing worry.
"He went to look for him." Andel responded, "we told him we'd eventually send a search party but he took off without giving it a single thought."

Thorin frowned in deep thought before speaking. "Andel, I want you to bring Fíli back. If we are going to look for Kíli, we shall do it the right way."
"Thorin, if I may," Dwalin interrupted, "we are not entirely sure if Kíli was kidnapped. I feel he saw something and went after it."

Thorin shook his head. "No. I have a feeling Fíli is right."
"And how could you say that? No one has ever been seen at our borders since the battle was won." Balin said.

"We will discuss this later. Right now, I want you to bring Fíli back." Thorin ordered Andel. The dwarf nodded before exiting the mountain once again.