Finding Home ChIII - Erebor

Chapter III: Erebor

The journey had been easy, at least, much easier than the first voyage to Erebor. It might have had something to do with the fact that Bilbo wasn’t dreading every step as she had the first time. There were no dragons to fight, no wars, or hidden horrors… this time she was going to visit friends. As she rode, she watched Fili and Kili attempted to push each other off of their horses and realized how much she’d missed them… missed this. The light peeked through the trees onto the quiet, forest path, and the wind gently blew her hair… she felt strangely as if she were going home.

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Before she knew it, they were standing on the familiar peak where the eagles had placed them over six years before, looking out at the Lonely Mountain. The journey from this point was only half over as the brothers adamantly refused to take the path through the forest of Mirkwood which had only grown more dangerous in recent years.

*                      *                      *

The forest was far greater than she ever could have imagined. It took them weeks to walk the perimeter and the young dwarf lords always made sure that they stayed far away from the shadows cast by the furthest most trees as if those very shadows had the power to pull them back into that dreadfully dark place.
Each night the brothers took turns on watch. Neither of them would let Bilbo do her part.
“Fili, let me take the first watch tonight,” Bilbo said as she helped set up camp for the dozenth time since they’d reached the forest of Mirkwood.
Fili looked up from where he was busy building a fire, “No that’s fine, Kili already said he’d take it.”
Kili cast his brother an inquisitive gaze, “Yah, right,” he chimed in in accordance.
“I’d really like to take the first watch,” she pressed, “I feel as though I haven’t been doing my part.”
“Of course you have!” Fili said with feeling.
“Oh? What have I done?” Bilbo asked in challenge and crossing her arms.
“Um,” the boys looked at each other as they searched for an appropriate response.
“Y-y....” Fili stuttered.
“The cooking!” Kili practically yelled in his excitement, “You’ve done lots of cooking,” he added with feeling. Fili nodded adamantly
“And it’s been very good cooking too!” Fili added.
“Cooking is easy, it doesn’t count. Why won’t you boys let me take the watch? Do you not trust me?”
“No, that’s not it at all!” Fili said truthfully.
“Of course we trust you!” Kili added.
“Then why can’t I take the watch?” she pressed.
The boys looked at each other. They both trusted Bilbo implicitly… that wasn’t the problem. Both of them were terrified that something would happen while she was on watch. If anything happened to her they could never return to Erebor to face the wrath of their uncle, the King. They had sworn to bring her safely to Erebor and – while they knew she was somewhat capable of taking care of herself – they wouldn’t risk leaving her out of sight for even a second. But, of course, neither of them could tell Bilbo this – she wouldn’t understand – so they were at a loss for what to say.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather sleep?” Kili tried weakly, “We really don’t mind… we’re used to it after all.”
“No, I would like to take the first watch.”
“Very well,” Fili consented finally.
The boys approached their bedrolls in defeat. Each casting covert glances in Bilbo’s direction. It would be alright, neither of them would get any sleep now anyway – they would wait until Fili’s watch began before they would fully relax.
Bilbo took her place by the fire and scanned the horizon watchfully. She felt relieved that she could be of help and let the poor boys rest a bit. Maybe, if she wasn’t tired, she wouldn’t even bother waking them for their turn on watch…

*                     *                      *

The three travellers sat around the fire awaiting their dinner. They had just passed beyond the shadows of Mirkwood and were feeling a little more secure in their surroundings.
“Fili?”
“Yes, Kili?”
“Whatever happened to that blond dwarf lady you were seeing?”
“What would cause you to bring that up now?” Fili asked in surprise.
“Oh I was just thinking about Uncle and how he’s interested in a blond and it got me thinking about you…”
Fili cast a death glare at Kili, effectively silencing him. They wouldn’t want Kili’s words to be misconstrued by Bilbo.
“I’m not seeing her anymore,” Fili said finally.
“Oh?” Kili asked curiously, “Why not? She seemed nice.”
Fili kept his gaze glued to the fire as he poked at the flames with a stick.
“She passed you over didn’t she?” Kili asked.
Fili didn’t reply.
“Who did she choose instead?”
“A blacksmith,” Fili muttered.
Kili laughed loudly and fell backwards clutching his sides.
“It’s alright, Fili. I’m sure you’ll find someone,” Bilbo said in encouragement, “She just wasn’t the one.”
“She passed over a dwarf lord for a blacksmith? What is the matter with you?” Kili asked still chuckling.
A touch of colour appeared on Fili’s cheeks.
“There’s nothing wrong with him,” Bilbo said in Fili’s defence, “Some women are just… attracted to blacksmiths,” she ended lamely with a shrug.
Kili burst into another fit of roaring laughter.
Bilbo looked down feeling sheepish at her inadequate defence and Fili cast her a gentle ‘thank-for-trying” smile.
After a few moments Kili settled down and they were abut to move onto other topics when a thought struck Bilbo, “Who is the blond that Thorin likes?” she asked, referring to Kili’s earlier comment.
Both boys froze and stared at her stupidly as if she’d just transformed into a three-headed sheep. Then Fili slowly turned a dark, meaningful, gaze on his little brother and Kili turned bright red.
“Oh, no one… just… uh…” Kili stumbled.
“Kili was referring to an old flame which is no longer relevant,” Fili said flatly, but there was something being communicated in his dark, chastising, gaze which never left Kili’s face – even though Fili was addressing Bilbo.
Kili looked as though he wanted to sink into the ground and disappear forever and Bilbo wondered what secret the boy had unwittingly revealed.

*                      *                      *

Bilbo lay awake under the stars, excitement blossoming in her chest as her thoughts lingered on the great city she would see in less than a week. The great Lonely Mountain grew closer every day and every night sleep became more and more elusive as Bilbo’s excitement built.  
“Look brother!” Kili called from up ahead.
Both Fili and Bilbo’s heads snapped up to see what had called the youngest dwarf’s attention.
“We are almost home!” he exclaimed.
Sure enough, they were now close enough to see the brightly coloured flags and beautiful re-constructed gates; Erebor stood out like a jewel in the side of the mountain. They would reach it before nightfall.
A warm smile spread across Fili’s lips – he had dearly missed this place.
Bilbo rushed up beside Kili to get a closer look at the great city. She felt her excitement rise beyond containment. She nearly leapt out of her saddle and wanted desperately to throw her arms around the brothers.
“We’re almost there! We’re almost home!” she exclaimed excitedly, we will see you soon… Thorin.