❝A Journey To Remember❞ The Hobbit | Kili

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❝A Journey To Remember❞
Kili
|s e v e n|

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{S A F F R O N}

        I sat peacefully by the fire, gazing upon the vivid flames and sparks as they dissipated into the night sky. I watched as Bombur and Bofur stirred the pot of stew they had fashioned up. Its aroma was delightful as I watched each particular dancing vibrant flame, the warmth now becoming more intense. I looked up, studying each dwarf. The ones who weren't a part of the cooking were doing something to occupy their time; whether it was sleeping, fiddling with the dirt, or interacting with one another. 

      "Come on, Bombur. We're hungry," Thorin bluntly ordered, his voice stern but calm. 

     I stood to my feet, walking towards the abandoned farmhouse. I walked amongst the debris, questioning what might have happened here to cause such devastation. It wasn't burned or simply abandoned. It was destroyed. Destroyed by something big. Something huge. 

     I inhaled a deep breath, stepping away from the disaster before making my way towards the fire, the stew now being served to the company. "It smells delightful," I complimented, looking up at Bofur as he stirred the soup with an overly large spoon. He smiled before loading two bowls of soup. He placed a spoon in each individual bowl, now lifting it towards my figure. 

      "Here, do us a favor," he ordered. "Take this to the lads." He gestured towards the part of the woods where Fili and Kili kept watch of the ponies. "Stop it. You've had plenty." Bofur swatted away at Bombur's hands, exhaling deeply in frustration. 

      I chuckled slightly, making my way towards the woods. 

     "I'm coming with you," Bilbo called out, jogging ever so slightly to now be at my side. "I need some fresh air. Away from those obnoxious dwarves."

     I let out a soft laugh, amused by my uncle's choice of words. "I am sure you will grow fond of them." 

     Bilbo only scoffed at my response. We walked peacefully side by side throughout the woods, the moon allowing a source of light along the pathway; leading the two of us to the two brothers. We approached Kili and Fili, watching as they stood alert with nothing but a tense posture. I exchanged an uneasy glance with my uncle, now stepping closer as we looked at one another with confusion.

      "What is it?" I questioned, glancing between the two men before me, their gazes transfixed upon the grazing ponies; each pony seeming to be in a state of peace.

     "We're supposed to be looking after the ponies," Kili asserted, his gaze never leaving the herd of ponies.

     "Only we've encountered a uh," Fili stalled, turning his gaze from the ponies now glancing in my direction with hesitation. "A slight problem." 

     I looked to the ponies once again, a few of them shuffling their feet. I couldn't help but feel a sense of uneasiness beginning to surface. 

     "We had eighteen," Kili stopped mid-sentence.

     "Now there's sixteen," Fili finished, the four of us exchanging glances. "There is good news, at least," Fili breathed out hopefully. "We know which ones are missing."