What the-- How did he pop into my head?

[bluehooded]

Let's get Kili, find Uncle Thorin, as see to it that the hobbit stays in roughly one piece. I'm itching to get started!

Comments

[sonof_thrain]

Fili? What seems to be troubling my oldest nephew?

[bluehooded]

Uncle! Nothing is troubling me! I'm just excited about our journey.

[sonof_thrain]

You are young, Fili. Excitement comes easy for you as it fills me with courage to hear your keen heart. Alas, danger will also litter our path. I do not with you or your brother to come to harm.

[bluehooded]

Oh, trust us. I'll keep Kili in line and we'll be fine. You'll need us for scouting. You've always taught us well.

[sonof_thrain]

[He nodded.]

You are good at scouting and I also thank my sister for bringing you up so well. Kili is good with the bow as you are good with the sword.

[bluehooded]

And we've only you to thank for the training.

[sonof_thrain]

[He nodded.] I train you because I must. These lands contain all sorts of filth and evil.

[bluehooded]

Lands we finally get to see!

[What? He and Kili are still just children, really.]

[sonof_thrain]

Indeed. You and your brother will marvel at how much splendour Erebor contains.

[bluehooded]

We'll have a party as soon as we vanquish that horde stealing dragon.

[sonof_thrain]

A party? Aye, we will! Enough to feed the many and the armies beyond that.

[bluehooded]

Kili and I will play our fiddles.

[sonof_thrain]

Yes, I will enjoy hearing you fiddle away.

[favours_thebow]

Master Baggins shall stay in one piece as he has us to protect him.

[bluehooded]

We'll do our uncle proud so long as you don't go running off.

[favours_thebow]

Running off? Me? I do not! That would be you, dear brother.

[bluehooded]

Me! Never, or only after you!

[favours_thebow]

What? I do not think you have your facts right, brother. I am sensible, uncle thinks so.

[bluehooded]

You? Sensible? Did you mishear?

[favours_thebow]

No, I did not. I am sensible, Fili. You just don't see it.

[bluehooded]

You're still a lad. You're lucky I convinced mother to allow you to come.

[favours_thebow]

I may be a lad but I can fight just as well as you can, brother.

[bluehooded]

No doubt, brother. I've never disputed your skills!

[favours_thebow]

I reckon I can best you at the bow.

[bluehooded]

Hardly fair! You trained with it more than I. And my braids would get caught in the strings.

[favours_thebow]

True. I am only pulling your leg, brother. You have better skill with a blade than I.

How about a drink?

[bluehooded]

A drink! Best idea all night! Get the skins.

[favours_thebow]

Now, that is what I want to hear! [He got the skins of mead and passed on to his brother.]

[bluehooded]

[He laughs at the heavy feel of the mead in his skin. Trying to 'cheer' with an animal bladder doesn't really work but that's all right! The mead still tastes delicious.]

[favours_thebow]

[Kili downed his mead then clapped his brother on the back.]

We should invite uncle to join us in drinking. Do you think he'll say yes?

[barrelrider]

Roughly in one piece?

[bluehooded]

[Wasn't that the right word?]

Approximately?

[barrelrider]

[Careful, you'll have Bilbo with steam coming out of his ears]

I do believe those are the exact same thing, Fili!

[bluehooded]

[He actually looks relieved!]

Right then, good. Are you all right, Mister Boggins?

[barrelrider]

As all right as I can be, I suppose. [Bilbo grumbles. He suspects that they might have different definitions of what constitutes "all right". Bilbo is apprehensive about finding out what a dwarf such as Fili would deem as Too Dangerous to Continue This Endeavor if they haven't turned around at trolls far too many goblins for one's own comfort!]

[bluehooded]

You're keeping up better than expected!

[barrelrider]

'Better than expected'! Were there bets taken about how far I would make it, too?

[bluehooded]

You'll be happy to note that I've got you straight through to the end!

[barrelrider]

I appreciate the support. So! What next?

[bluehooded]

Next? Well next we follow the path to the forest of the Elf King. Unless Uncle cares to go around. Too bad the eagles couldn't take us further.