(no subject)

[durincest]

[Traveling alone was much harder than Kili had anticipated.

He'd packed everything he'd needed in the dead of night, so perhaps a lot of the trouble was there. Things with Fili weren't...going well, and he just needed to go. Maybe some time apart would help, and Kili was anxious to prove himself anyway.

It takes longer than he'd expected to find Thorin. He'd known at least where his uncle was headed, having maybe listened in on a conversation Thorin had with Dis. But the first village he found was devoid of any familiar dwarves, though he did find someone who pointed him in the right direction.

By the time he staggers into the right town, he's tired and hungry and footsore. Men make him nervous, and he eyes them uneasily, one hand tight around his sword hilt as he wandered through the village.

It's luck that takes him past the forge, and his eyes seek out a familiar face, searching, until finally he catches sight of Thorin, beating hot metal into place.]

Thorin! [Heedless now of his blistered feet and exhaustion, a smile splits the young dwarf's face and he dashes to greet him.]

Comments

[kinginexile]

[More often than not, Thorin was not in the blue mountains. He traveled away to find work that would benefit them, though the dwarves of the mountains did work there for trade, yet it was not always enough. Even now he still had to work in human villages, beating metal into weapons and armor in forges not made for the like of his kind. Still it did not stop him.

Though a familiar voice does give him pause as he works. Lifting an arm to wipe at his brow, eyes narrow at the form coming towards him and it's not till Kili is pushing into the forge that he fully realizes who it is. Setting aside work, arms embrace his nephew as he still manages to be confused and surprised at his appearance here.]

Kili- [Thorin will hold the younger dwarf back from him a little, taking in his worn and tired appearance. He's been traveling hard... and alone?]

What is the meaning of this?

[He does not ask verbally where Fili is, but the look on his face, in his eyes, does the asking for him. There is rarely a moment the two are separated after all.]

[durincest]

[Any chance to see his uncle makes Kili happy. Though he already misses Fili and his mother sorely, it's good to see Thorin. He burrows a little into the embrace, letting out a deep sigh and relaxing for a moment.

He realizes, perhaps a bit slowly, that his showing up announced and alone is probably rather frightening for his uncle. Hopefully the smile on his face assures Thorin everything is alright.

He's frightened enough about telling Thorin the real reason why he's left, and the Men around him aren't doing much to make him feel comfortable. Looking around him in what he hopes is a meaningful way, Kili shrugs.]

I wanted to see you.

[kinginexile]

[The men here are used to Thorin, he's done work here before, but now there are two dwarves and they're staring, curious at what is going on. Thorin will take Kili by the arm, a bit roughly perhaps and lead him from the forge and outside.]

You've traveled with little rest by the look of you, do not think me a fool. Why have you come? [He's perhaps a little cross with his nephew, if because he was working and he had no time for games right now, and because clearly there was more to this. As glad as he was to see his kin as well, Thorin was not stupid to think all was fine. That Kili had traveled here just to smile at him and see him.]

[durincest]

I don't think you're a fool!

[Kili's indignant squawk brings a few stares, and he has the decency to blush and quiet down.

He looks desperately up at his uncle for a few moments, pleading him not to ask, but the cross look he gets in return won't take excuses. Letting out a sigh, he looks down, his voice low.]

Fili and I...got into a fight. I just needed to get away. I thought maybe you could use some help.

[He bites his lip and looks up a little hopefully.]

[kinginexile]

[At the admittance of what had happened to cause the young dwarf to come here Thorin is sighing, dirty hand and all coming up to rub at his temple. Kili you will have him fully gray before his years! But he cannot stay mad at him, even if he is foolish and stupid at the best of times... Thorin does remember a time when he too once was foolish and did things like this.

It was before Smaug, but Thorin had once been more carefree and mischievous. The things he'd gotten into with his brother and sister, the tales one could tell! Though most did not speak of Frerin around Thorin or Dis, out of respect. Even now his death was hard on them.]

Come with me you foolish boy.

[Thorin says, though he does not sound angry, merely tired. He's been working all day, and the days past he's taken little rest, pushing himself to work all the hours he can. Thorin will take Kili to the inn in the village, to the room he has there. It's small, well, small for a human, but with two of them now it will be small. Still, the bed is big enough to fit them both and there is a small fireplace for when the nights are cold. It will do.]

I will speak with the forge master here, no doubt he will not say no to the work of another dwarf.

[Dwarven metal work was praised as some of the best, the best if you asked dwarves, and while Kili was still learning the trade, he would be helpful. Thorin will rest a moment on a stool near the now cold ashes of the fireplace before he looks to his nephew again.]

So will you tell me why an argument with your brother has you running all the way here?

[durincest]

[Kili is starting to think that this may not have been his brightest idea. Thorin looks tired and Kili is sure he's disappointed in his nephew.

He's causing more trouble than he's worth again. Kili hangs his head and says nothing as he follows his uncle into the village. His whole body aches from travel and he's desperately hungry, but he doesn't want to be any more of a burden than he already is.

He drops his backpack once they get inside and sits down on the floor, pulling off his mud-caked boots. His socks are stained with blood in places from blisters, and he peels them off with a wince, observing his raw and dirty feet.

He looks up at the question, fear shining in his eyes for a moment. Fili had seemed so convinced that if anyone found out about Kili's feelings, they would be separated forever.

Maybe that was best. At least for Fili.]

I...I don't know. I guess I just thought things were different than they were.

[kinginexile]

[Thorin may be upset with Kili, but not to the point that he doesn't note how worn his nephew is. Especially when the lad starts to try and get comfortable, his feet are a mess and the boy cannot work on feet blistered to high heaven, not in that condition. Dragging over his stool and a bucket of water he would have used to clean up, Thorin sits in front of Kili and will firmly take one of those feet in hand.

If you're going to stay here he's going to take care of you. Thorin may be gruff and seem a bit too rough at times, but he did not like to see his kin in pain. The water is room temperature when he gets the cloth wet, setting to gently working on cleaning one of Kili's feet of blood and dirt.]

Things will be different, Kili. You are both growing into adulthood now, no longer will the world be so carefree for the both of you. [Though if it could be, Thorin would make it so.]

... you will rest for a few days, I cannot make you work like this. [See? Caring when he wants to show it, even if he still sounds like he's chiding Kili.]

[durincest]

[He doesn't complain or argue when Thorin draws near with a bucket. He feels a bit like a child again, and blushes when his uncle starts to tend to his feet, wincing slightly. If Thorin wants to baby him, he won't say anything.]

I know, but that isn't exactly what I meant.

[He blurts it out without thinking. Does he want Thorin to know what really happened? Probably not.

Thorin might be caring, but Kili doesn't take well to that idea. A few days of lying around and remembering his last exchange with Fili? That doesn't sound promising at all.]

Oh, no, Uncle please! I can work fine, it's just a few blisters!

[kinginexile]

[Blue eyes look up from his work on Kili's bloodied feet and they ask what he meant then, without saying anything. Thorin was actually quite good at that sort of look. Or saying much without saying anything.]

Just a day then. I cannot have you falling over from lack of proper rest. [Knowing Kili he'd not get any good sleep and pass out and knock himself out on something. Hard headed as he was, he didn't need his nephew splitting his head open because he wanted to be stubborn.]

Did you tell your mother you would be joining me?

[The question is asked nicely enough, but the look he gives Kili says he better have or he'll get a good slap upside the head. Dis had enough to handle without her boys being idiots.]

[durincest]

[Kili won't say anything more on that until he's really prompted. He's afraid of how Thorin will react. Disapproval, maybe? Or worse, disappointment.

Fili had made it sound like it would be bad.

He huffs at the decision but doesn't argue. He's too tired to debate right now, and there's likely no changing Thorin's mind on this. Besides, he really could use the rest.

He goes a little pale at the question and looks down at the ground, which is answer enough.]

Not...not exactly?

[kinginexile]

[The reply he gets is... expected, but not one he wanted. Thorin's shoulders sag just a little and he'll set the one foot he'd been working on in the bucket of water to soak a bit. He levels a look at the young dwarf, even as he understands how brash and reactive Kili is. He doesn't stop to think about how his actions affected others around him until it's too late. Hopefully something he would grow out of with age, no doubt he would. Thorin would never admit he was once like this himself, before the fall of Erebor to the dragon.]

You will send word to her on the morrow. Does Fili know you've come here?

[Even if he did, it would only be right for Kili to send Dis word regardless. Running off like an idiot without telling her, he knew better. While he was no longer a dwarrow, he still acted very much a child. Just getting old enough in age to almost be considered an adult and he's pulling stunts like this. Not good at all.]

[durincest]

[Kili hangs his head, his cheeks burning with shame. He's not acted the way he should, not the way he's expected to act. He is of the royal line of Durin and should know better.

And he does know better. He was just scared and hurt and confused and ran away before he could really make sense of what he was doing. He mumbles his response to the ground.]

N-no one knows. I'm sorry, Uncle...

[Fili hadn't wanted him, Thorin didn't want him here, and on top of that, he's probably terrified his poor mother out of her wits. A lump rises in his throat and tears burn at the corners of his eyes.]

[kinginexile]

[... when Kili looks so pitiful he can't stay upset with him. The lad had always had a way of looking like a kicked dog when he knew he was in trouble. Or more a kicked puppy, one would feel wretched saying anything else to make them more miserable.

Taking up Kili's other foot, Thorin will start work on that one, just as gentle.]

They will know once we've sent word to them. Best not to fret over what we cannot fix this very moment. [It would only have them both more worked up than they needed to be. Once he's done with both feet he'll stand, a hand ruffling Kili's hair.]

Come, we're both filthy. Let us wash before dinner.

[Because his stomach was fit to rumble something fierce. Working all day made any dwarf hungry, and he was sure Kili was famished from his travels as well.]

[durincest]

[Kili nods and sniffles a little, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. Fili and Dis will be worried sick, but at least he'll be able to put their minds at ease soon enough. He's with Thorin, he's safe.

The hair ruffle makes him smile a bit, and he finally looks up at his uncle, gratitude in his eyes. He knows how Thorin works; touches and smiles are how his uncle shows his feelings most often. So maybe Kili isn't quite so unwanted here.

Getting to his feet makes him wince a bit, but at least they're clean now and less likely to get infected. He leans forward and wraps his arms around Thorin's neck.]

Thank you, Thorin.

[For tending his feet. For understanding. For not sending him away like he was afraid of. For offering him food. It was good to be in familiar company again.]

[kinginexile]

[He'll rest his chin on Kili's shoulder, hand coming up to hold the back of his neck, giving a little squeeze.]

You are a good lad, Kili. A foolish one, but a good lad none the less.

[This is how he says he loves you, but surely Kili already understands that. Pulling away from him he'll give a little pat against one of those lightly scruffed cheeks and off he'll go to lead them to the wash room. Hope you like some nice cold water to bathe in, Kili. But once they're cleaned, Thorin will loan Kili some of his own clothes until they can clean the lad's things, there will be warm food to fill their bellies. A meaty stew with bread and mead for dinner, and plenty of it! The cook for the inn is especially kind to them as they're just absolutely fascinated by the two dwarves.

Kili is welcome to however many servings he can fit in his belly.]

[durincest]

[Thorin's words just bring a bright smile to the young dwarf's face. He understands that his uncle is, in a round about way, expressing his affection, and that very much helps his mood.

The cold bath is not quite as appreciated, and Thorin's clothes are a little large on him, but the food is amazing. A young, growing dwarf can fit quite a lot in his belly, particularly when he's been traveling and not eating well. He eats until he's full to bursting before leaning back in his chair with a content sigh.

Warm, clean, and well-fed, Kili's starting to get a bit sleepy. He leans against Thorin with a bit of a yawn, even though a story from one of the travelers has him completely enraptured. He's getting a little more comfortable around these incredibly tall people. The more they talk, the more he realizes they aren't much different from him.]

[kinginexile]

[It is good to see Kili relaxing, coming more into himself as dinner goes on. The others in the inn are kind to them and the stories are good enough to be entertaining. He hardly minds Kili leaning against him, he's not unused to being used as a pillow of some sort for both Kili and his brother.

Thorin smokes his pipe as they listen to tales of men, finding himself pleasantly relaxed as well. It's not until some of the others start to head off to bed that Thorin will realize the hour, he'll finish with his pipe and peek down at Kili, wondering if he's still awake.]

... Kili?

[Regardless of if he's sleeping or not, Thorin will nudge him gently.]

Come, we should retire to our room.

[durincest]

[As interested and amused as the young dwarf is by the stories, he's dog tired. He ends up half-dozing against Thorin's side, feeling more safe and comfortable than he has since he left home. Thorin will protect him; he knows that without a doubt.

He stirs sleepily when Thorin nudges him, blinking up and yawning. He attempts to make it look like he hasn't been sleeping, realizing he might be losing some respect from the Men that have been swapping tales for falling asleep.]

Mm, yeah, I was just going to say that.

[kinginexile]

[There is a small knowing smile that says he totally saw his nephew dozing, but he won't say anything. Giving a curt good night to those still around, Thorin will lead the way back upstairs to his room, well their room now, and closes the door once Kili ambles in behind him.

Bed looked so nice now and the older dwarf will gravitate easily to it, sitting on the edge of the human sized bed. Boots kicked off, Thorin sets his pipe on the small nightstand beside the bed and considers lighting a small fire in the fireplace... but then decides against it. It is not cool enough this night to warrant it. Besides, the blankets here were warm and plenty and no doubt with Kili sharing the bed with him, he'd find a limpet to keep him extra warm.

But he doesn't want to sleep, not quite yet. Not that he could anyway. Sleep was always hard to come for him and he would rather wait till Kili has dozed off till he tried to find his own rest. So he'll get up to go rummage in his things, finding parchment that he could write on. Might as well get their letter for Dis started. He'll light a single candle, just enough light to write by, but not too much to be a bother to his nephew when he tried to sleep.]

[durincest]

[Kili has always been fond of cuddling. It's part of why Dis has had so much trouble getting him to sleep in his own bed. That, and the nightmares that have plagued him since childhood are easier to bear with Fili's arms around him.

He climbs into bed with a yawn, pulling the blankets up and looking over at his uncle. No doubt he's writing to his mother.]

Can you tell her I love her? And Fili too.

[His voice is soft, words half-mumbled. It's not long at all before Kili falls asleep, snoring softly.]

[kinginexile]

Of course.

[He'll nod. It's not a detailed note, just enough information to let Dis know he has Kili with him and the young dwarf was well. He won't mention any fight with Fili, just that Kili had come to him to help and had thought Dis wouldn't let him so he'd run away without telling anyone. She would be mad, but relieved he was well. Sending their love to Dis and Fili, Thorin will sign the note. Blowing out the candle he'll join Kili in bed not long after.

Thankfully he seems to be asleep, hopefully him getting into bed won't wake him. Thorin will not find sleep as easily, insomnia always his enemy at night.

Tossing and turning, Thorin will eventually pull a pillow over his face in frustration, huffing.]

[durincest]

[Kili stirs a little at all the tossing and turning his uncle is doing and lets out a soft sigh, eyes fluttering open as he yawns.]

Thorin?

[kinginexile]

[He'll sit up, pushing the pillow onto his lap as he looks over at Kili in the dark.]

Did I wake you? It's nothing... go back to sleep.

[Maybe he should take a walk or something. Go have a smoke just outside the inn to calm his nerves, not that it had helped him before bed in the first place.]

[durincest]

[Even in the dark, Kili frowns, reaching out for a handful of his uncle's shirt. He's sleepy but a little worried about Thorin.]

Something wrong, Uncle?

[kinginexile]

[If Thorin could give you a list of things wrong you would not sleep this night either, Kili. Immediately wrong? Nothing much, things wrong that he wanted to change, many. The tug of his shirt has him reaching semi-blind in the dark to feel for his nephew, petting a hand down his mused hair to reassure him.]

Tis nothing but sleep hiding from me.