An Even Fifteen (Fili x reader)

(18) To Arms

Unfortunately, Fili did not think it was safe for you to take your new sled outside for a test run, so you had to settle for admiring it from the ground. He helped you carry it to the area behind the front gates, so it would be ready when you needed it. Fili thought that might be sooner rather than later, especially because of the presence of the Mirkwood elves.

"That Thranduil has a penchant for conflict," he muttered, letting down his end of the sled with a grunt. You let your part of the sled settle on the stone and wiped your forehead.

"He does have a way of getting people's dander up," you replied, remembering his arrogant manner, his brusque responses to your pleas, his dismissive gestures as you recounted the creatures of darkness that had entered the forest, and above all, how angry he made you.

Fili's snort of agreement was cut off by Kili's arm thrown around his neck in a very aggressive brotherly embrace. "What's this, Fee?" he asked, looking at your sled with a knowing smirk on his face. Fili rolled his eyes and pushed his brother away.

Kili's attention drew the rest of the dwarves, still clustered near the entrance after Thorin's encounter with Bard that morning. They oohed and aahed over the sled, giving Fili affectionate slaps to the back and punches to the arm, which he withstood bravely. You winced, sure such gestures would give you bruises for a week. These dwarves were a tough bunch.

You explained to the dwarves what the sled was, remembering that they'd seen Radagast's sled before. "This is a much nicer sled than his, though, and far better than the one I had before. Fili may be my new favorite carpenter." You turned to him, beaming, only to find him blushing and rubbing the back of his neck again. The dwarves guffawed and slapped him on the back some more, and you realized that you had just subjected him to a whole new level of teasing.

Fili put a stop to the teasing once Bofur made a comment that was a tad too suggestive, firmly insisting that they begin to take stock of the available weapons and arm themselves for the war Thorin seems set on waging. He led the way to the armory, in a darker, gloomier part of Erebor. It was still impressive, but in a very forbidding way. The elaborately carved walls were lined with sturdy swords, thick bows, hammers and axes bigger than your head, and maces so deadly they'd kill you if you looked at them for too long.

The dwarves seemed delighted by the spread. You might have felt the place empowering had you ever had training with such weapons, or had your hands not been empty. Balin noticed your stiff posture first, as he passed where you stood just inside the doorway. He paused next to you, looking at your hands clasped awkwardly in front of you.

"Well, lass," he said, tucking a dagger into his belt, "will you not pick one for yourself?"

You hissed in a breath through your teeth. "I would if I had any idea what to choose."

"Oh, I forget you've grown up in the forest with that silly wizard." You opened your mouth to rush to Radagast's defense, but Balin hurried on, "We'll give you a quick lesson and find you a suitable weapon, no?"

You nodded, too embarrassed by your lack of knowledge to thank him. Balin escorted you down the rows of weapons, pointing out why a sword would be a poor choice for you, being a beginner, showing you how to make killing jabs with the dagger he handed you, and stopping finally in front of a row of bows , crossbows, and full quivers.

"If you're on your sled, this may be the best choice for you," he mused, plucking a slender crossbow from the row and assessing you. "It will give you a fair range even if you're moving. You've got some strength in your shoulders. How's your aim?" You shrugged. Balin laughed and handed you the bow and the nearest quiver of arrows. "I guess we'll find out. Come along," he waved his hand and called for Kili.

You spent the next few hours training with the crossbow under the watchful eyes of most of the company. Apparently it was highly entertaining for them to watch you struggle to balance the crossbow's awkward weight, or Kili poking and prodding you until your stance was correct. Fili stood closest to you, besides Balin or Kili who were actually teaching you. Out of the corner of your eye, you watched Fili's face grow darker, his brow lower slowly until it almost looked as if he had slits for eyes, his hand gripping the dagger in his belt. It would have terrified you had his gaze not been so fixed on Kili and Balin. He would look at you and soften for a moment, cheer when you managed to hit an improvised target, but as soon as Kili stepped closer to you to fix your hold on the weapon, his face darkened again. It was almost laughable, actually.

You might have laughed, if you had the energy. Learning a weapon was hard work, and your muscles complained at the unusual exercise. Your finger shook on the trigger, and the muscles in your arms trembled each time you raised the crossbow. You pushed through it, determined to show the dwarves you were worth something more than Thorin's metaphorical punching bag. Your shots were growing sloppy when Fili called an end to the session.

"I think that's enough for today," he said, stepping toward you and taking the crossbow out of your shaking hands. You smiled at him in thanks, and then thanked Kili and Balin for their time and efforts.

"It's no problem, lass," Balin said kindly, and Kili thumped you roughly on the back, earning another glare from his brother and giving you what you were sure would be a palm-shaped bruise there tomorrow.

"Come on," Fili said, "let's get you something to eat."

He propelled you toward the kitchen with a gentle hand at your lower back. The contact made you warm in ways the training had not. You glanced at Fili to see if he was affected, but you couldn't read his expression. At least it wasn't the murderous glare from earlier.

He took a plate piled high with food from Bombur and placed it on the table in front of you before taking a seat next to you on the bench. He let you eat, simply sitting and watching the fire. The silence was peaceful, and gave you a chance to collect your thoughts and relax. Perhaps you were too relaxed, you realized, as your eyelids began to droop.

"Y/N?" Fili said, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Perhaps it is time for you to go back to your room?"

You chuckled at yourself. "Lead the way, fair prince."

He barked out a surprised laugh. "I did not think you one for nicknames," he said, standing.

You followed him out of the kitchen, thanking Bombur for the meal before answering. "I slip into them when I'm tired. Sorry."

He laughed. "It's not the first time I've heard that nickname, and it won't be the last. Don't apologize."

"Fili!" Thorin's shout from behind you sent your heart racing. You froze like a rabbit before a wolf, trying very hard not to let your fear set your hands to shaking again. The king wore heavy chain mail, and it jangled with every step he took. That, coupled with his permanent scowl,  made him look two times more forbidding than usual. "Where are you going? You are not yet armed for war."

Fili sighed, just loudly enough for you to hear. "I will be back in a moment. I was just showing Y/N back to her room."

Thorin scoffed. "There is no time for rest. War is upon us, nephew!" He growled. "Leave the girl and defend your home."

Fili stiffened next to you. He looked at you apologetically, squeezing your hand, before following Thorin back down the hall.

A/N: A big thank you to the people who gave me feedback about Fili's POV, and to those who have been voting! I appreciate it a lot. There will be a few more Fili POV chapters before all is said and done. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this one! If so, feel free to leave a comment or give the chapter a vote! Prepare yourselves as we go into the next four chapters or so-- it's almost the Battle of the Five Armies, and things are going to get a little rough. As always, thank you for reading!
--RA