Homecoming [Thorin]

[Kili]

Kili could remember nothing. Not his name, not his fortune, not his whereabouts, hell he wasn't even aware if he was dead or alive. His memories were a colored swirl of both pain and excitement, joy and sadness, happiness and devastation... but he could recall no one particular thing. It was frustrating, spinning in circles not remembering who or what you were, he wasn't sure how long he had been here in this blanket of black, mind-numbing fog.

Hours? Days? Weeks? Slowly the darkness chipped away, letting in cracks, chips of memories that he could drum up. Kili. Kili was his name and he was born within the Lonely Mountain. Thorin was his Uncle and future King of the Mountain... but then... Smaug, the nasty thing, it took the mountain from them and they had lost so many, so much pain, so much loss. The orcs had taken them next, dwindled their numbers to nothing and now... now they needed to reclaim the mountain with a shy number of twelve and a hobbit, and then, finally he remembered Aledon, he remembered Flanna, his lovely, beautiful, radiant, gorgeous Flanna, and Croi and his son and his unborn child on the way and he didn't know where he was but he needed to wake up damn it, he had walked into the kitchen, the smell of a fresh breakfast having awoken him, she had turned to gaze at him and then... nothing. He needed to figure out what had happened because she was waiting and she needed him! Wake up!

Kili bolted awake, a cold sweat covering his heaving torso, he was dressed to the nines, bow, arrows and sword all upon him, armor protecting him from the biting chill of winter, but this wasn't Aledon, nor any place he had seen as of late, and yet everything was familiar. These trees, these woods, these untraveled terrains... color drained from his face, impossible. No... no he couldn't be without her. No... no no no no. He tripped and stumbled, looking down at the unconscious form of his uncle, panic settled in his gut and he kneeled before the king's unconscious frame.

Thorin! Awaken my father! Get up please!" Desperation clung to Kili, he had only this chance, his Uncle's courage and intellect to help him find his wife... when she was worlds away.

[Thorin Oakenshield]

Thorin had not been doing anything particularly important; in fact, he had been attempting to plant some new flowers for Leona around their house as the weather was growing nicer. Leona had been inside, tending to whatever it was that she always tended to, as he insisted she not be let out of the house for strenuous work or without him. He did not wish to take any risks on his first child, on his possible heir, and he bid that Leona do as he wished at least for this time. He did not want to worry more than he had to, and if she was safe then his fears were nearly all assuaged.

Almost all.

He had not expected that day to be any different from any other, but all he could recall was a sudden feeling of lightheadedness and falling toward the grass. Then his mind had gone black, and when he regained his ability to think, he figured that he would be either outside or somehow, perhaps thanks to Kili, back inside on his bed. He had not felt sick and still didn't, but when he was able to find some of his senses, he didn't feel like he was in the right place. He smelled something familiar, not able to place it, but it wasn't his home. Not in Aledon, at least.

All he heard was the desperate voice of Kili and he was forced awake by the sound, by the compelling desperation. He opened his eyes, albeit slowly, and looked about for a moment before dread filled his chest. "No..." he managed, and stood. He looked around, shaking his head. Turning to Kili, who looked desperate and yet on the defensive, he demanded, "Where are they?"

This wasn't home. Not anymore. Why were they back here?

[Kili]

Kili was panic stricken, having neither the composure nor the tact that his uncle possessed. Thorin's wisdom, age, experience and quite possibly his skill in battle outranked Kili's own and while their had been many a fight that Thorin had leaned on Kili's marksmanship with a bow, or Kili's tactical skills with ambushes and of the like, here Kili was nothing. His better half was gone, vanquished and so far out of reach that Kili felt dizzy just thinking about it. He needed his Uncle, he needed his guidance, he needed his King, and desperately he bargained, pleaded for him to awaken. He couldn't face this alone. He could not. Kili wasn't strong enough.

It didn't take long for his Uncle to rise and when he had, Kili's heart sunk further, his Uncle's dark, haunted tone, confirming what Kili already expected to be true. In a whirl, Thorin rounded on him, but Kili took no offense, shaking his head, his helplessness quite obviously and tears mutinously beginning to leak from his eyes as panic began to settle into hysteria. There was nothing here for him if Flanna wasn't here to live it with him. This place was nothing but dirt and stone and wood, it contained no joy unless his wife was with him.

"They aren't here Thorin. What are we supposed to do? Reclaim Erebor?! I don't even know where we are! Flanna... Leona... they are both pregnant! I have a son!" His breath came heavy and hard and his heart clenched painfully. "Why would the fates damn us so, give us everything only to send us back to this Godforsaken rock!" Fury and utter anguish fought for dominance in the throes of Kili's abdomen.

[Thorin Oakenshield]

Fate was a cruel thing that played malicious tricks, and Thorin would damn it if he could. He had finally found some sense of happiness in Aledon when it had all been pulled from him. Sure enough, he had lost all of the things he held dear, namely his security, his wife, and his unborn child. What cruel measure of the universe could do such a thing? Why give the promise of happiness when it was so fickle a thing, when it could vanish with no trace? He didn't even know what to blame. And waking up to something so sinister only made it worse.

Kili was not dealing well with the sudden loss, and Thorin knew that there was little that could be said to comfort him. He could try but it wouldn't be much use. And so he reeled, turning frustrated, Kili provided no immediate answer and Thorin began to breathe harder, his worry provoking a reaction opposite of his nephews; it was one of anger and he knew that violence was something a dwarven king was prone to finding. "Kili, collect yourself!" he said harshly, right now not the good and protective uncle but the fearless leader and avenger of that which had been lost. If they were going to win this fight, and get Leona and Flanna and their children, there was no time to spare.

"I know," Thorin answered. He looked about. How had they gotten here? How could they get back? "Kili, think!" he ordered, trying to at least distract him with orders so that he didn't dwell on his family. That was all Thorin could do. Without Leona he did not know his place, and he would be damned if he didn't get her back. "Where are we, firstly?" He began to move, not one for staying somewhere too long.

[Kili]

The younger dwarf was not handling anything the way his upbringing had taught him to handle such dreadful situations. His mind warred with his heart over which to rightly feel first, utter loss or unbridled fury and the strange mix of the two left the bowman teetering on the edge of hysteria. His small rant had been both the words of an utterly hopeless man and the fury of a dammed dragon, but his Uncle did not suffer Kili's plight, instantly the softer, gentler side of his Uncle reserved for the woman, whom, like his wife, was several worlds away was gone, and in his stead came the fallen king, the proud warrior whom Kili believed had enough stubbornness and determination to take out an army all by himself.

The instant the barking command fled from Thorin's larynx, Kili fell absolutely silent and still. Dark eyes hardening into onyx gems. His face grew devoid of any and all emotion as he buried his panic with an iron will. This was his king. This was his Uncle and he would not act like some rabies infected filly. He breathed through his nose. He tried to think back to that fatal moment when everything had swirled to black, but nothing had touched him. Not the barest prickle of discomfort or pain... just nothing. He composed himself to the best of his ability and cleared his throat.

"Perhaps... the Forest of Brethil, but I can't be sure, perhaps Gandalf would be able to help us." A glint of hope, a glimmer of excitement flooded Kili's dark eyes and he turned to Thorin. "Fili and the rest of our brothers... they will help us." It was the only chance they had.

[Thorin Oakenshield]

Thorin had lost much. Too much. To lose Erebor had been the biggest downfall of his life up to the point where he'd met Leona, and now it seemed so very inferior. He did not care for the mountain now. His hard resolve was set instead on getting back those he loved, those that were now his family. His and Kili's both, because Kili was his nephew and more than that an extension of his own hardened heart. That was why he could not break down. He had been born and raised a leader and so a leader he would have to be. He had earned his name, for gods' sake, and he was going to retain whatever pride or honor it still brought him.

He watched with stoic approval as Kili's eyes shifted, his mind clearly settling into that more primitive, more battle-ready state. It befit the young dwarf somewhat, though Thorin would not wish him to keep it always. He thought, as Thorin had asked, but there seemed to be much searching and little answer. This entire situation was dire, and Thorin did not think he could ever go without his wife for longer than a couple of days.

Finally, Kili found his words and Thorin was pleased by his good thinking. "Gandalf," he muttered. He did not completely trust the wizard, but that was the best they had and he would by all means take it. If Gandalf could restore them to their families, he would be eternally in the grey wizard's service, but it would be worth it. "Good enough for the time. We must go. The faster we make it, the better. We must find a village. Something. We need ponies." His mind swirled with ideas, orders, commands. "And then we will find Gandalf and our brethren." He walked faster.

[Kili]

A thousand inquiries swirled within the depths of Kili's mind. How? Why? Where? Would they ever see their wives again? Would they be able to return to Aledon? Would their wives be able to reach Middle Earth? Were they trapped worlds away forever, never to see their beloveds again? How much suffering would there be? What had they done to deserve such cruelty? Why abandon them to the cruelest lashings of fate? Had they not sacrificed enough in their lives. Anger, indignation and utter sadness swirled within Kili like a potent cocktail, but he fiercely beat it down. He needed to be clear headed, stong. He could not be the man Flanna had come to depend on right now. Right now he needed to be Nephew of Thorin Oakenshield. The rightful King of Lonely Mountain. That was his title. There were things demanded of him with such a name and he would wear it as his armor.

His words were quick and concise. He and Fili used to spend hours plotting over maps and how they would conquer the world together when they had gotten older... of course they had been nothing but childish fantasies but he could remember the areas, the territories well. They had, of course, fought over who had gotten certain parts of Middle Earth and he had never been more thankful for such childish antics than he was in this moment.

Kili strode beside his uncle, unstrapping the bow from his back and loosely knocking an arrow. One could never be too cautious especially in an environment like this. he would be ready for whatever came at them. "A village first, I agree... if Gandalf cannot help us, what will we do Uncle?" His words were calm, smooth, and low, but one could not deny the underlying tone of utter devastation in his tones. Kili matched his Uncle's pace to a T, falling easily back into old habits.

[Thorin Oakenshield]

This was not amusing and Thorin was far from contented. It didn't matter any more that Erebor was here. All that mattered was that he didn't have Leona at his side. He could care less about other things right now, but without the woman he had taken for his own he felt--he hated to say it--lost. He was depending on the strength and fellowship of his nephew to keep him going. But he was the king. He was the one that had to harden his face and resolve and push on. This was all that he had known for a long time and now he had to return, rather unwillingly, to it. Life was a constantly revolving cycle and those who could not adapt would not survive. So Thorin trekked on.

He followed his instinct to where it led, and though that just maybe he could hear a village over this next hill. If nothing else, he and Kili could find food and drink there, and perhaps even a bed for the evening. Rational thoughts. He had to be rational. No thoughts of her... But it was so hard. Being a warrior, now that he was married and knew the value of love, was no longer a lifestyle. It was now just a defense, a certain wall that he could put up.

Kili kept up with him and for that Thorin was thankful.

"I do not expect for there to be any--" Thorin began to mutter, but then he heard a sound and his hand was immediately upon his sword's hilt and his voice silenced. What was it? It sounded like someone--or something--coming toward him. He looked to Kili, whose bow was poised. Stealthily he led his nephew toward the sound, and when they were close enough to shoot and slay, an unexpected sound came from the strange creature--a song, a lovely and beautiful song. It was a woman, and she was singing in the middle of the forest. The voice sounded so familiar, but Thorin didn't put it all together until Kili was far up ahead of him, gone to where the voice had originated.

Flanna.

But... Where was Leona?

[Kili]

Kili wasn't happy, his heart hammered with fear and worry in his chest like a damned war drum, how long had it taken them to fall back to their world? How long had they been vanished from the world of Aledon? Hours? Days? Years? Would they ever see their wives again? Time traveling...world jumping, dwarves were never meant for such things Kili was quite certain. Was this their punishment for trying to find a sliver of happiness? Obtaining it, tasting it, feeling it, only to watch it being ripped away? Kili did his best to stay strong, to become the archer, the excellent blades man he had always been but internally he was crumbling. Without Flanna... what did strength even matter?

There trek continued, mostly in silence, but Kili and Thorin had never required words. They spoke soundlessly and even through the stern expression his uncle wore, Kili could see the pain. They held each other up on this journey, no longer an adventure. It wasn't adventure because what they now sought was worth far more than all the gold in Erebor. Loyally he matched Thorin's pace, it was habit, always done as a testament to never complaining and seeking only to serve Thorin. It was the only thing that seemed familiar about this world.

Suddenly, abruptly, he heard a voice and Thorin's blade was drawn but Kili stayed his arm. "No Thorin." It was the first time he had ever defied his Uncle. "That is Flanna. My Flanna." Exuberance and complete elation and the dwarf flew forward, not even bothering to announce his presence, sweeping her straight off the ground and snagging her in a mind searing kiss. His laughter twined through the air, not even when he had asked for her hand had he felt this absolutely joyous. "Flanna, Flanna, my beautiful gorgeous Flanna!" He spun her round and round and only when he was lacking for oxygen did a horrific thought filter through his brain, and he set her down, suddenly stern and worried. "Flanna... where is Leona?"

[Thorin Oakenshield]

Thorin liked silence. It was something that had its own language and could express just about anything. He did not have to talk to Kili and that was almost a comforting notion. There was sadness lodged behind Thorin's eyes that wasn't leaving. King or not, he was nothing without Leona beside him and now his world was broken. Middle Earth held nothing for him. He could be a stoic for the rest of his days but inside he would still be the same torn and tattered dwarf. Nothing was going to stave out this hunger for his wife. Absolutely nothing. And that was the thing that hurt the very most, knowing that if he could not find her he would have to live out the rest of his life with an emptiness all around him. Yes. Kili was here. Fili and the others probably were too. But not Leona.

He removed his hand because he trusted his nephew, and it took a couple of minutes for the words to register. He followed blindly but at a slower pace and when his eyes set upon Flanna, there was some relief that filled him. If she was back.... He took a breath. He need not be too hopeful. That was the sort of thing that could crush a man.

The reunited couple looked absolutely besotted with joy and Thorin tried to veil the pain in his eyes. Flanna was giggling as her husband twirled her around and nothing looked happier than they two in that moment. But Thorin was still lacking.

"My darling dearest Kili!" cried Flanna as he spun her, kissed her, held her. But Kili had realized the reality too, and he asked Flanna of Leona with a very serious face. "I have no idea... Oh, Thorin... I wish I knew. I just got here no more than a half-hour ago, and I've been wandering. I do not know where she is." Thorin's heart broke. He should have hope, but he simply couldn't. Kili had his wife but the king was all alone. With a grunt of frustration, trying still to hide his pain, Thorin said, "Let's go, then. We need shelter."

And they all set off.




[ooc. is that a good place to end? Also, pleaseeee let Leona come back within the week... let's not kill Thorin too much.]

[Kili]

[Lets end here and Im writing Leona's return now]