Chapter Text
Dwalin’s harsh swear seemed to echo throughout the entire chamber, loud enough that Oin---who was crouched at the end of the bed looking over a sleeping Kili---actually winced.
“What are you doing tramping in here like this?” the medic scolded the group in a heated whisper, getting to his feet slowly and a bit stiffly, as if he’d been crouched down for awhile.
Instead of answering, the group as a whole moved forward towards the bed; however, despite the obvious soreness of his legs, Oin rushed over to stop them from getting to the two sleeping dwarves. If it’d been any dwarf besides the nearly-deaf apothecary, he would have been bowled over instantly. Fortunately, the company managed to hold themselves back despite their eagerness to check on the two missing members of their troupe.
"Brother---" Gloin started to bluster, but the gray haired dwarf cut him off with a sharp swipe of his hand.
"Hush," the healer hissed. "These lads need their sleep and I'm not going to let you lot wake them."
"It's all right, Oin," a light, painfully hoarse voice called from the bed.
Every eye in the room immediately shot over to where Fili was sitting up, his arms visibly shaking as he held himself up. His cheeks were sunken in and his typically braided mustache hung loose and limp, much like his messy golden mane. However, despite his bedraggled appearance, there was a tired smile on his Fili’s face and tears---hopefully of joy and not pain---hanging unshed in his eyes.
Everyone seemed to freeze, unsure of what to do next. That is, until Bilbo released Bofur’s hand and rushed to Fili’s bedside; he had planned to simply take Fili’s hand in his comfortingly, but the blond dwarf wouldn’t allow it. As soon as Bilbo was in reach, he pulled the hobbit into a tight hug. Before the pair was aware of it, they were surrounded by the rest of the company, all of which were declaring how happy their were to see the heirs of Durin whole (even if not completely well) and getting in a few hugs of their own. Dwalin even gently rapped his forehead against Fili’s in a rare display of tenderness.
Kili stirred despite the company’s attempt at keeping their voices down and, while he didn’t look as bad as Fili, he moved with much more reluctance and sluggishness. But, like his brother, he seemed pleased to see his friends once more, welcoming the older dwarves’ affection. The brunette even managed a laugh when, at his turn to greet the brothers, Ori burst into tears and all but threw himself into Kili’s arms.
“There, there,” Dori fussed over the two of them, trying to calm his little brother down.
“It’s all right, Ori,” Kili assured his friend. “We’re all right.”
The look on Fili’s face was pained as he watched Kili comfort Ori; he was fairly certain deep down that they wouldn’t be “all right” for some time, but the blond dwarf didn’t speak his doubts out loud. Instead he turned to Balin and asked, “How long were we missing?”
Still rubbing Ori’s back as the younger dwarf got himself back under control, Kili leaned against his brother, as eager to hear the answer as Fili was.
“Weeks,” Bofur answered for Balin, reaching over to pat Fili’s hand. “And we spent every free moment we had looking for you lads.”
“And it was still Dain’s men who found you,” Nori complained, not quite under his breath.
“And it’s something we should all be grateful for,” Balin lightly scolded the ex-thief.
“Aye,” Gloin reluctantly agreed, sharing a look with Nori.
“All right, that’s enough chatter,” Oin declared grumpily. “Bad enough you woke Fili, but Kili, too? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get that lad to sleep?” the old healer groused.
“Hey!” Kili cried indignantly.
Fili looked as if he would have laughed if he’d had the energy, which made those around him laugh in turn.
Balin smiled warmly at the pair, nodding in appreciation towards Oin before he turned to the rest of the company. “All right, lads. Doctor’s orders. Time to let the lads get some rest.”
“But---” Ori starts, only to be cut off by Dori’s hand on his shoulders.
“We’ll be back with some tea later,” Dori promised his brother and the princes.
With obvious unwillingness, Ori released his hold on Kili and allowed Dori to lead him towards the door.
Kili yawned, mumbling something about not being tired and wanting tea now, but was soon dozing away on his brother’s shoulders.
“Thank you, Dori,” Fili sighed, his eyes already drooping. As much as he’d been happy to see the company, his strength was already waning.
With a much practiced hand, Dwalin and Balin helped Fili laid his brother back down in the bed and settle himself down as well. The rest of the company made their own promises to visit before they each left the princes to their rest.
“Balin,” Fili called out before the eldest of their group took his own leave. He was obviously fighting to stay awake and would most likely do so until he asked whatever question was plaguing him.
“Aye, laddie?” The white haired dwarf returned to Fili’s bedside, tucking the blanket securely around Fili as if he were a dwarfling once again.
“Where’s Thorin?”
That simple question made Balin’s blood run cold. It hadn’t occurred to any of them that no one would have informed Fili and Kili of their uncle’s passing. However, to tell them now wouldn’t do anyone any good. Fili didn’t need to know of the responsibility that now fell upon his own too-young shoulders.
“Later, laddie,” Balin tried to sooth Fili. “Later.”