Far From Home (Thorin/Kili/Fili)

[fox]

Bree was no longer a distant speck in the horizon behind her, it was far from gone. Sinead and her robust steed had taken the long way around the Shire, to not become lab led as a disturber of the peace. Many a men or other folk who traveled through the Shire and Hobbiton were often frown upon, especially those who bore arms. Word always made its way around, and that was the last thing her employer needed to hear at the moment, seeing as business has been down. Most people would break into the wilds on the East-West Road for hunting, but not her. Creatures lingered their that she did not with to face or be demolished by. Word had spread of troll sing coming down from the mountain,and that was the last thing she wanted to be, a tolls supper.

So the West was her designation, to the Tower Hills and the sounding forests, where massive hears of deer were able to survive. That was her target. Not many live too close to the mountains, so most herds move west when the winds begin to change. This was at a time where her and her father would wonder off into the Wilds for a hunting trip that was last days or even weeks depending on what needed to be caught. Now anything that Sinead caught would be sold and the profit would go to her Uncle so that she may use his shop. just before leaving Bree, her quiver was packed and her sword sharpened, for even to the west, foes still lied.

It was when Sinead believed that she had reached her destination, that she dismounted from her great chestnut coloured steed and unpacked, and trying him to a tree. He seemed rather content with himself and Sinead walked off. Her eyes scanned the roots and the greenery beneath her feet, seeing his a herd had made its way through these hills. It seemed like nothing but rabbits and other manner of small creatures, not enough to profit from. Small traces of excrements from a larger animal, presumably a deer was sparkly there. So she continued to unpack and set her camp up at the base of a large tree for tonight. She would pick up the trail in the morning.

Once the skies began to darken and the moon peaking through the clouds that Sinead had dimmed her fire to nothing more then a simmer and began to close her eyes. The think furs of her cloak kept her warm as she drifted off to distant lands. It seemed like a good number of hours had pasted more any movement was heard. Sinead slowly got herself up and strapped her quiver to her back and her bow in her hand, she darted back into the trees. She had hoped that it was just a couple passing through, a quick clean kill before twilight. Though one may hope, it is not often so.

[thorin]

“Ah! There you two are, I’ve been wondering where you had gotten off to.” Thorin didn’t smile, but the tone of his voice should have told his nephews that he was pleased to see them. “I think it is time for some… bonding time with your uncle.” The word bonding came out with a, hopefully, pleasant tone to it. Thorin himself wasn’t quiet looking forward to ‘bonding’ with his nephews, not when he had so much on his mind at this time, but even he had to admit that he had possibly neglected them a little bit. So, in an attempt to show them that he was still their uncle, their guardian, their family member he took the advice of Balin to take them on a weekend doing whatever it was that they would do. This kind of freedom gave Thorin a small scare, especially with young Kíli. Thankfully, though, Fíli was going to be there to help keep an eye on his adventurous little brother. This had taken a load off of him, but it still concerned him. The two were known for getting into trouble and as much as Thorin didn’t like to scold them he knew it was his duty.

So, after looking at a map he had them pack for their adventure. This week they would be traveling close to the Misty Mountains beyond Bree, but they would go nowhere near Rivendell and he hoped that their path wouldn’t mysteriously take them there. Thorin’s hate of Elves didn’t come unnaturally, most Dwarves didn’t like Elves, and it was a long and complicated relationship. He knew that his nephews knew this.

With their course mapped out they had set out from Ered Luin and walked along the borders of the shire, taking their time to stop and do what each nephew might have wanted to do, and Thorin took part in most of it as it was their ‘special bonding time’. Over the fire light he told them stories of Erebor that they knew from their childhood, he hunted with them, he even attempted to laugh with them. Somehow, something about that felt different, not that different was a bad thing! Everything was gone well, much better than Thorin had expected. They stuck to their course and miraculously the brothers had only gotten into trouble a few times, but over nothing critical… at least not yet.

They had reached the other side of Bree and were now venturing closer to the Misty Mountains. As they came closer to it, the weekend was only just starting; it would take another week or so to return to Ered Luin. Yet, to Thorin the closer he came to the mountains the more he desired to see Erebor, he kept this concealed from Fíli and Kíli fairly well – for he had plenty of practice. The conversations at the fire side by night had lessened as they drew closer to the Misty Mountains. He hopped that his nephews wouldn’t notice, but he couldn’t see beyond their smiling faces. This pleased him inside and often when he would stand watch he would let a smile grace his face as the two slept, but as soon as he looked away his thoughts became overwhelmed with Erebor and a never ending desire to take it back. But how, how!? It all seemed as hopeless as his father’s disappearance so many years ago.

The next day had been the actual start of their weekend. The day had gone as could be expected however around the twilight hour their camp had been established and Thorin turned his back for one moment. When he turned around the brothers were gone! Panic filled Thorin until the thought of them hunting for their dinner calmed him, but only just. Stoking the fire that he himself had started he gazed around at the trees in the twilight. Wherever the two had gotten off to, they would get a stern talking to when they returned. “Now Kíli, Fíli. As your uncle I feel it is my responsibility… no, no that’s not right.” Taking a deep breath he started again, “Nephews… ah, next time please tell me where you’re going off to before… I am your uncle, I have a right… as your uncle, I deserve – no that sounds too…” Frustrated he tossed another log on the fire, grumbling: “Balin, you’re never around when I need you!” Practicing what you were going to say to your nephews was a job for the word smiths of Middle-Earth, not for Dwarven Kings!

ooc; if there is anything wrong with this let me know what it is and I'll fix it. I tried to give ya'll room to play with. :3

[fili]

Upon hearing Thorin's suggestion that they spend some quality time together, Fíli's eyes had glittered with anticipation. Of course, at the time he had tried not to let his enthusiasm show too much but, that evening, he had spoken to Kíli at length of his high hopes for their weekend and the pair had sat up long into the night. Thorin was taking time to spend with them, only them, and they were to travel beyond the Blue Mountains. There was much excitement to be found in both these things! Thorin had talked them through their route, showing on a map the places they would visit and, when he had charged them with packing their bags for the trip, Fíli had set to it immediately. He was hungry for adventure outside of the safe, stone walls of their abode in Ered Luin.

The journey had been a real pleasure. On the way, Thorin had all but given the brothers a free rein to explore and to do things that pleased them. It brought out the boyishness in both of them, and perhaps even a little in Thorin - though Fíli would never dare say so aloud. Sitting by the fire at night, listening to Thorin's steady voice telling tales of Erebor, Fíli felt content and as though he had been transported back to his childhood. But here he was, a grown Dwarf, finally on the road and seeing some of the world. And what better company to have than his uncle and his little brother?

As the mountains drew nearer, Thorin grew a little quieter. It was enough for Fíli to notice but not enough for him to grow concerned or to even think too much of it. Perhaps his uncle was finding himself a little overwhelmed, or even a little weary, with the boisterous company of his nephews. After all, they had been travelling together for some days now and there had been little opportunity for Thorin to have peace.

On the night in question, Fíli and Kíli had indeed slipped off without telling Thorin their plans to hunt something for their supper. Dwarven eyes were keen in the gloom so the growing darkness did not put them at a disadvantage. It was only after they had left that it occurred to Fíli that they ought to have at least let Thorin know where they were off to. But surely their uncle knew that they could fend for themselves, for he had trained them well and they were Dwarf princes after all! Besides, they were together - they could look out for each other, as they always did. This pacified Fíli as the brothers made their way through the darkness, looking for a vantage point at which to wait for some unsuspecting creature to come wandering by. They had not travelled far when they stumbled across what appeared to be the remains of a camp at the base of a large tree where a dwindling fire, now little more than embers, continued to burn. The brothers noticed it at the same moment and exchanged a meaningful look.

“Someone was here,” Fíli said, his voice gentle and low, “But where did they go?”