From Beginning to End, We Are Brothers

chapter 2

                         3 Years Later

                Fili held onto his mother’s hand as she wept. The 8 year old had tears in his own eyes, spilling down his face. Kili, who was 3 by this time, held his brother’s other hand, his eyes were puffy and red and more tears glistened in his eyes. Thorin stood next to his sister, his expression like that of stone as he looked upon his brother-in-law’s head stone.

                Fili struggled to wrap his head around the fact that his father was gone… forever. The father that had tucked him in every night, promising to see him in the morning. The father who would come home every evening with a smile on his face. The father who was teaching him how to fight and fend for himself. No, he couldn’t be gone. But he was… killed by the arrows and swords of orcs.

                Fili looked over at his uncle. Thorin had fought alongside his father and had wounds of his own. His arm was wrapped in bandages as was his leg. He had survived.

                Earlier, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, and Balin were there to pay their respects and sympathize for the family. They pitied Fili and Kili. They were too young to lose their father, or anybody for that matter.

                “Fili,”

                Fili looked down at his little brother who stared up at him with big, teary, brown eyes.

                “I-I” but he didn’t finish. He burst into more tears and deep body shaking sobs. Fili bent down and embraced his brother. Kili buried his face in Fili’s shoulder and continued to bawl. Fili cried into Kili’s unkempt hair, tears spilling silently, listening to his sibling’s sobs.

                Thorin crouched down next to the boys, placing a gentle hand on Kili’s small back. Fili and Kili let go of each other and turned into their uncle’s chest, burying their faced into his fur pelt. He placed his hands gently on their back as silent tears streaked down his face. I swear, he thought, I will care for you two like you were my own sons.

 A week later.

                One night, Kili slept fitfully next to his brother. Fili lie wide awake, unable to sleep, fresh tears still spilling off his eyes, streaming down his cheeks and onto the pillow. He stared at the ceiling with an empty feeling in his chest. His father was gone, dead. It seemed like the whole world would soon collapse around him now that he was gone.

                Just then Thorin entered the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “Fili?”

                Fili sat up and sniffed, rubbing his nose with his sleeve. His swollen red eyes met his uncle’s tired, fierce blue ones. “Yes?”

                Thorin put a hand on Fili’s shoulder and looked deep into the 8 year olds blue eyes. “Fili, I need to promise me something.”

                “What?”

                “Youhave to promise that you’ll protect Kili with your life,” Thorin whispered to keep from waking the mentioned sibling up. “Now that your father’s gone, you have to take care of your family. Promise me that you will protect Kili.”

                “I promise,” Fili croaked his voice thick and he was on the verge of sobbing. Without thinking, he hugged his uncle, quietly crying.

                Thorin hugged him and whispered in his ear; “I’ll be here to help you, I swear. You’re not going to be alone in this.” After a while, Thorin held Fili out at arm’s length and looked at him lovingly. “Now, dear boy, you must sleep. You don’t want to be tired in the morning. Your mother will need your help.”

                Fili nodded, settling beside his sleeping brother. Soon, he fell into a deep sleep. After making sure he was asleep, Thorin stood, brushing Fili’s golden hair back, he kissed his forehead and then did the same to Kili. He left, quietly closing the door. Just as he was about to enter his own room, he heard muffled gasps coming from the living room.            

Looking down the hallway, he saw the moving light of fire. Thorin walked into the living room to see Dis crying, holding her deceased husband’s shirt, sitting in her arm chair.

                “Dis?” he asked, kneeling next to his sister and put a hand on her forearm. “Dis, why aren’t you asleep?”

                She sniffed and looked up at him with teary eyes. “I-I can’t stop thinking about him,” she gasped between sobs. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

                Thorin nodded. “I know.”

                Dis gasped again and buried her face in the shirt. Her dark hair fell over her shaking shoulders.

                Thorin stood and took his sister’s hand in his own, helping her up. He lifted her chin and looked her in the eye sternly. “Dis, I need you to get a hold of yourself. It’s been nearly a week.” It seemed as though she wasn’t listening to him at all. He sighed and grabbed her shoulders. “Dis! You must listen to me!”

                She gasped, startled and stared wide eyed at him.

                “Your children need you. You need to be strong for them. Isn’t that what he would’ve wanted? For you to be strong and bring up his offspring?”

                Dis looked down and nodded solemnly. “Yes. You’re right brother, as usual,” she said.

                “Alright, then go to bed, get some rest. It’s much needed, I’m sure.”

                His sister nodded and walked slowly to her room. Once he was sure she was in her room, Thorin stared at the fire for a while before putting it out and going to bed.

                That night the whole family slept fitfully but got a much needed night’s rest.

Sorry that it took forever, I really want to make this good. Anyway, enjoy!

~ ♠Ember♠