The eldest brother was already awake; Fili was quietly sitting on his bed that was pressed close to the wall opposite of his brother’s bed. Kili was still sleeping but Fili could not. No they were going to go hunting with their Uncle today. Both of the brothers were somewhere between being children and being young adults, they were getting to go on more and more hunting trips when their Uncle’s schedule would allow it and Fili looked forward to these trips the most. It was the only time he wasn’t bombarded with his responsibilities of learning under the wing of his Uncle. Fili was the oldest after all, and the next in line for the throne. From a young age he understood what it meant and how important it was for him to learn from the examples set by his Uncle.

Fili finished brushing out the tangles from his golden hair and he began to braid his locks into their usual style. Running a hand over his chin, Fili was delighted with the stubble he found there. As he was getting older and the beginnings of his blond beard were beginning to come in he had been thinking about the style he would like to have his beard in. It was something important to Dwarves and by no means was Fili any different. Slipping out of his bed and heading to the wardrobe that was pushed against the largely unoccupied wall by the door, he pulled out a sky colored tunic and slipped it over his chest before looking at his brother’s bed. Fili smiled slightly and quietly made his way out of their room and into the kitchen where their mother was already awake and cooking breakfast for her boys. “Good morning Amad,” Fili said.

His mother smiled and turned from the counter top she had been working on, opening her arms wide to her son, the blond boy wasted no time in rushing into her arms to give her a hug. He felt a kiss be pressed to the top of his head. “Good morning Fili, aren’t you up early?”

Fili shook his head, “I couldn’t sleep.” He said, “I am too excited about the hunting trip.”

Dis knew that her boys loved their Uncle dearly and she was thankful that Thorin had taken both Fili and Kili under his wings to teach them things that she could not. She only wished that it was their father, not her brother, who was teaching them such things. Sadly he had been robbed from them when the boys were still quite young, Fili was only able to remember that he had the same hair color as his father. Dis wondered when her brother would wake up, unless he was already working down at the forge for a while. He lived with them, Thorin did. It made thing easy on the boys. They were able to have him there and it was a plus because Fili would often be taught his lessons on learning to be a King. “Do you need help Amad?” he asked the woman. She shook her head with a smile and shooed him out of the room, muttering something about having Kili check on his brother.

Fili sighed since there was nothing to do this early. Sitting heavily onto one of the arm chairs in the living room, he looked around until his eyes landed on the portrait of his father above the mantel. He had the looks of his father but the same blue eyes of the line of Durin. Fili’s stomach twisted with the thought of his father. It hadn’t been his fault that he died on the battlefield and left them fatherless and Fili understood that war did not make exceptions for certain people. He had never been in a battle but he did hear many stories from the older Dwarves.

Dis wandered into the living room in the search of her oldest son and she found him gazing at the portrait of his father. She didn’t talk about her husband often to the boys, it still hurt too much. “Fili…” Dis said as she walked closer to him. “Did you want to help me with something?”

“Sure Amad, you know I will always help you.”

Fili followed his mother into the kitchen where she handed him a stack of four plates, a few cups and forks and knives. “You set the table while I check on everything.” Dis said before leaving her oldest son to his devices.

Kili was still deeply asleep, the young dwarf still needed to sleep more. He was shivering and rolling over in his bed. He was having bad dreams. He hated when he had bad dreams, it always made him rather upset and scared, He was crying in his sleep. He wasn't aware of his brother being up and awake. He was excited for thier trip too but he did need to sleep. He had too many nightmares lately.
He just hoped that they would go away, Sometimes it was too hard to chase away the bad dreams, He knew his brother and mother would comfort them if they knew. Kili knew that he had to be up in time to go on the trip.

Slowly opening his eyes, he looked around, He saw that it was morning. He knew that he probably should get up now that he was awake. He runs a hand through his dark brown hair. He was thinking. He tried to push aside his dream. He wondered where his brother would be. He ribbed his eyes again. The young dwarf was trying to wake up properly. He knew that he was still a little half asleep. The young dwarf was sure that he would be more awake after he had eaten breakfast and shaken off his nightmare, He wondered where Thorin was going to take them. He knew his older brother was excited for the hunt as well. He finally felt like they were allowed to join in on more adult things, He hated having to stay behind on what was considered adults only. Kili was curious and did sometimes sneak around when he wasn't meant to. He couldn't help it, he just wanted to know what was going on.

Kili blinked and went to get changed, He washes his face and hoped he didn't have to talk about his bad dream. He tried to think of the hunting trip instead. He was excited. He just hoped his uncle would trust him enough to try use a bow or something instead of being overprotective. He knew his uncle only cared about him. Thorin had always been harder on Fili and always overprotective of him.
It did get annoying, but he was glad that his uncle did care at least.

"Brother?" Kili walked into the living room seeing his brother. He knew his eyes were red from tears, He hoped his brother wouldn't notice but knew he would. Kili wanted to be strong. He knew he would be a adult one day and being in tears easily didn't seem grown up enough. He knew that it wasn't strange to have nightmares. They had lost thier father at a young age. Thorin had almost taken on a fatherly like role with them. Kili did need that, he needed some male adult figure to teach him about hunting and fighting. He was eager to learn, even if a little reckless.

"Guessing you were up early," Kili said to his brother. He was glad at least his brother had let him sleep. But he never minded if his brother wanted to wake him to talk about something.
He looked around seeing his uncle enter the room. "Ah you boys are awake." Thorin said. He was glad at least that they were up and not lazing in bed, he needed them to be ready. He noticed Kili had tears in his eyes, He didn't ask, knowing Kili would have had a nightmare and not wanted to mention it. Kili was smiling a bit "Morning Uncle Thorin."

"When are we heading out?" Kili asked his uncle eagerly. He was finding it hard to contian his excitement now. He looked at his uncle with a big smile on his face. He felt improtant and grown up at the thought of going on this trip.
He knew he would never do something without his brother at this point. He hated all the times one of them was sick or something and unable to be together. Kili hated going without his brother or being left behind at home. That was why he had been determined to get enough sleep so he wasn't too tired for today,

"Some time after breakfast." Thorin told Kili.

Sometime after breakfast didn't sound specific enough, nor soon enough for Kili, but he knew that he would have to wait. He looked around to see where his mother was as well.

If there was one thing that Fili hated the most it was knowing that his brother had been crying. He was always so protective over his brother and when Kili had been but a baby he had taken to carrying him around everywhere throughout their home, never mind the fact that Kili had been half of Fili’s size at the time. “Kee…”he said softly as he pulled his little brother into a hug. They were getting older and as such they thought that they needed to be a lot like their Uncle and crying was a sign of weakness. “Come on, let’s go get some breakfast.” He didn’t want to ask his brother about the nightmare, not now.

Fili walked into the kitchen and grinned at the food sitting on the table already. There was a large plate of warm fruit filled pastries with sweet cream, eggs were already on their plates, there were thin slices of meat, potatoes and other goods but what Fili wanted more than anything else were some of the pastries. His mother always made the best pastries and they were real treats because the berries only came at certain times of the year.

“Fili no,” Dis said as she lightly slapped his hand away from the plate of pastries. He pouted and looked at her with watery blue eyes, “But Amad I’m going to waste away to nothing!”

Dis rolled her eyes, “Go get the milk first.” She ordered her son.

Fili grumbled but did as he was told and came back with the milk, his mother poured their glasses and she took a pastry for herself before Fili took one (since dis had scowled at him when he had tried to take two). He swore that he could eat his weight in the pastries that his mother made. “So Uncle are we going to stay out all day?” he asked Thorin.

Kili looked at his brother. He knew Fili hated seeing him cry. He hugged his brother back. He knew his brother would always comfort him. It did always help when he felt rather miserable to have his brother hug him. He knew he would always be the little brother. Though he was still trying his best to toughen up. He didn't want the others to think of him as weak. The young dwarf knew his brother would never think of him as weak. He wiped away any remaining tears. He didn't want his uncle to notice that he had been crying. He knew that his bad dream had really bothered him.
"I'll be fine." He was trying to be tough seeing his uncle was in the room. He had a feeling that Fili may ask him about his nightmare later.

He followed his brother to go and get breakfast, He was rather hungry his stomach was growling. He knew that his brother would want to be into the pastries. He knew his brother loved those.
Kili did love them too, he just tried to have restriant. Which did get hard when he was hungry. He though smiled and took his glass of milk and one of the pastries. He chuckled at his brother comment. "Oh brother." He knew that his brother did love his food.
Kili sits down with his family he was thinking for awhile.

Thorin was looking at Fili "Most likely." he said answering his nephew "Depends what happens." He did worry about his nephews safety. But he knew they were growing and had been waiting for this day, He also knew that Kili could be reckless. He did though trust Fili to keep Kili safe. He knew both of them would always make sure the other was safe, but he did still worry.
"Don't look so worried uncle we will be safe." Kili smiled. He hoped that was true, he knew his family saw him as reckless. He trusted his brother to keep him safe. The young dwarf knew his brother would never let anything happen to him.

Kili was excited to be going on the trip. He was looking restless with waiting. He ate his breakfast fast, "I'm ready. You said after breakfast right?" He was sitting there impatient with a big grin on his face.

"After we are all ready Kili, I haven't even started." Thorin looked at his nephew "Try be patient." he did know that this would be exciting for the both of the boys. He knew he just had to not be mad at Kili for that.
Kili was still grinning and looking like he couldn't wait. He wondered if Fili was getting as impatient as he was. He felt like he was finally allowed to do more grown up things. He knew there was still things they weren't allowed to do. Like go places alone.

Kili wondered where they would go to hunt. He was looking at his brother "I wonder where we will get to go?" He smiled. He got up off his seat and paced a bit. The excitment was getting too much for him.

“Yeah we’ll be safe, Uncle!” Fili said after finishing his mouthful of pastry, it was well known that Thorin had to answer to his sister when it came to the safety of his nephews. But the boys had promised their mother that they would be safe, that they’d always come back to her. Fili loved his mother and would never go back on his promise but he wanted to go on an adventure, one that would test his skills and craft him into someone like his uncle. Fili looked up to his uncle greatly, Thorin was someone that he wanted to be like…although…not so much in the moody department, Fili was much more talkative than his uncle.

Dis watched her boys from across the table where she sat with her brother. Both boys were excited, they always looked forward to hunting with their uncle, or just when Thorin would take them to do something. She smiled as she ate quietly. It was a joy when her boys looked so happy. “Don’t eat too fast,” she warned, “or you’ll choke on your food.” She always worried that her boys would choke. Fili was on his third pastry by the time his mother decided to pack a lunch for the three of them. She packed a few pastries, one for each of them, a few biscuits, some cheese, dried meat and apples. It was quick, simple and easy for when they were hunting.

She packed the food into a soft leather bag before setting it aside and heading back into the kitchen. She kissed the tops of her sons’ heads. “I have to run a few errands, if you decide to leave before I get back please clean the kitchen.” She asked her brother before slipping on her boots and tugging a shawl around her shoulders before leaving with an empty woven basket in hand.

Fili wiped his mouth on one of the cloth napkins that had been laid out on the table. “So uncle, were will be we going?” he asked curiously. They had been to many places in the forest and he was hoping that they would go to somewhere new. He liked the old hunting spots but Fili was just as adventurous as his brother Kili, and almost as reckless but being the older brother meant he couldn’t just charge head on into things like Kili could. He needed to keep his brother safe after all.

Kili knew that thier uncle always worried about thier safety. He was sure that was because thier mother always made sure that Thorin would keep them safe. Kili knew he was adventurous and looking out for trouble.
"Ohh I can't wait." He knew that his impatience was making it hard to wait. He didn't want to wait. He was already ready and finished eating. He saw his uncle wasn't quite done. He knew he had eaten faster then the rest.

Thorin was looking at him "Soon Kili." he was eating. He knew that it was the first time the boys got to go on a hunting trip. He hadn't really expected either of them to be patient about it. He knew that would be asking too much.
He also was aware that they were both rather young and excited about doing new things. Thorin was grumpy alot and did sometimes find thier excitement and energy too much at times, but he knew that there was no changing them.

"Aww soon is not fast enough," Kili laughed . He looked at his brother "This is going to be awesome, I wonder what we will see out there?" He knew his brother couldn't wait to see where they were going either.
He looked around at his mother "Alright." He knew that having a packed lunch would be nice so maybe he could wait just a little bit longer. He was drinking some more milk. He seemed to excited.

"Somewhere different, you two really will have to be careful. Since new area means new dangers," He couldn't bear if anything happened to his nephews. He could see Kili barely wanted to wait.
He knew that the boys were excited anytime he took them somewhere new. He was still finishing off his breakfast. When he was done he got up. He was sure that mostly everything was prepared for the trip.
The dwarf was looking at them.
"Really somewhere new?" Kili said seeming excited.

Somewhere new...Fili found himself to be giddy; the idea of venturing somewhere that was unknown to his self and his brother was exciting. He finished the last of his milk before gathering the plates and taking them into the kitchen where he deposited them into one of the wash bins. He doubted that they would leave long before their mother would get back, as Dis always told her boys good luck. It wouldn't feel right to Fili if they left before their mother could tell them good luck. The boys were good hunters, not as great as their uncle but good enough to bring home a rabbit or two, or a bird. "Hey Kee, come help me in the kitchen!" he said, the boys still needed step stools in order to wash the dishes.

The blond dwarfling sighed as he began to stack the other dishes in the wash bin as well, their mother could tend to the dishes but he still wanted to clean up for her. Fili wiped down the counters, cleaning the flour mess that his mother had left behind. the rag he was using quickly became covered in paste and he was growing frustrated. He wanted to leave but he also wanted to make his mother happy by cleaning for her.
Dis had come home not long after, having a basket full of fresh herbs, vegetables and meat for a stew.
"Fili, here..." she said as she set the basket on the counter top (that was half way clean, mind you) and took the dirty rag from Fili. She kissed the crown of his head and ruffled her hair. "Thank you, son." she smiled, "Now you go finish getting ready, and go wash up and get your bows."

Bows usually weren't a Dwarf's first choice but for hunting it was acceptable, battle however, was something else entirely. She knew that Kili had a liking towards bows beyond hunting. Her brother Frerin had been the same way, aside from his love of his precious battle axe. Fili obeyed his mother as he ran to finish getting ready, "Kee come on, and let’s finish getting ready!" Fili grabbed his thick hooded cloak and another pair of boots that had been set aside for hunting only. They were warm; the inside was lined with the soft fur of a rabbit killed in winter.
Dis chuckled lightly after she finished wiping down the counter. "Thorin, where are you taking my boys?"

Kili could tell his brother was excited, he too liked the idea of somewhere new. He wanted to just get going. But he knew he wanted to wait for his mother to wish him luck.
He was thinking about his nightmare again. He didn't want to let it bother him, but he knew he needed to talk to his brother about it at some point. He heard his brother call him and rushed into the kitchen to help his brother clean up.
The young dwarf was determined to do everything quickly so they could go on thier trip quicker.
"I'm here brother." he said smiling. He began to help his brother clean up.

Hearing his mother he turned around and smiled. He could tell his brother was fustrated with trying to wipe the bench. He knew his brother wanted to help, but wanted to get going.
"Alright Fili coming." He knew that he was mostly ready. Well expect for a few things. He was mostly wanting to rush out and get going. He went to get his bows and weapons. He also washed up. He seemed to rush through everything.
The dwarf could barely get ready fast enough. He was looking rushed . He soon looked at his brother "Can I talk to you about my nightmare later?" He didn't want to infront of Thorin, but there was a look of fear in his eyes again. He knew that his brother always did his best to make him feel better.

He went back out to thier mother and uncle. He was hoping that they could get going now "Are we going now?" Kili asked. Thorin had just finished getting ready, he could see his nephews excitment. "After you say goodbye to your mother and did you double check you have everything?" He looked at both his nephews.
"Yup." Kili was grinning, he really couldn't wait to get going. The young dwarf was looking even more impatient. He knew that thier mother wanted them safe.
He hugged his mother "I will stay safe I promise."
Thorin was looking at Dis, he knew he had to keep the two boys safe. "A good hunting area, west of the city." he told her. He knew it was likely to be dangerous if they weren't careful.

Fili smiled at their mother, thinking that she was going to give him the small folded bundle of their lunch. Sadly, Dis handed the bundle to her brother, she hugged Thorin around his waist. He was fourteen years older than her, by the standards of men that was a long time between children. They grew closer after the death of their brother Frerin, and when Dis married and started a family of her own. Thorin had been all that was left of their family until Fili and Kili had been born. "You keep my boys safe, brother." A threat went unspoken as Dis bent to the levels of her sons and scooped them into her arms.

Fili giggled lightly as his mother's facial hair tickled his cheeks. "We'll be alright Amad, we'll bring you some big rabbit to cook, we promise!" He beamed. Fili hugged Dis and his brother, it was how they always hugged. Dis kissed her boys on the cheeks and smiled widely.
"Alright, you boys bring me back some rabbits, or even a bird or two."
She sent them on their way with their Uncle, sending a sad smile at the thought of her boys going hunting. It wasn't that she didn't want them to learn to hunt, she did, just Dis hadn't felt like she spent enough time with her boys during the week. Dis didn't hunt, it was a fun sport but it just wasn't something that she found enjoyable. She liked to adventure around and explore new things and in her youth that was her favorite activity to do.

Fili nudged his brother lightly, "When we get home you can tall me about your nightmare, alright?" he said softly, "And remember Kee, nothing is going to happen to you in your nightmares, Amad won't allow it."

Thorin was looking at his sister "Of course I will Dis, " He knew if he didn't that he would hear about it. He always did his best to make sure that his nephews were safe, He knew how reckless they could be.
Kili was looking at his uncle "We will be safe ," He told his mother "I know I am reckless but I will promise to try and stay out of trouble." He was grinning a bit at her. He knew that he didn't know if he would get hurt or not. The young dwarf was always looking for trouble.
Thorin wanted to make sure none of the boys ended up getting hurt.

He then headed out with the two boys. Thorin could see they were excited. He just hoped that they would stay out of too much trouble. He knew the too boys did find trouble even if they said they would stay out of it.
Thorin had all his gear and was ready to go.
The dwarf was hoping that the boys would enjoy the trip. He was walking by them. He heard Fili mention about Kili's nightmare. He decided to not ask about it though,

Kili was looking around. He gets on his pony. He really couldn't wait to see where they were going. "Yeah I know.. just scares me." he sighed. He knew that Thorin thought he was getting too old to be scared by nightmares.
He was going to stay close to his brother when they were riding. He didn't like being far away from his brother. He knew last time they had been going on a trip. He had gotten sick and had to stay in bed, while his brother went out for a short day trip. Kili had still hated that.
"Least I am with you this time. I hated missing out on the last day trip and not been able to go with you because I was so sick." he sighed a bit.

Fili smiled lightly at his brother before climbing onto his own pony. It was as dark as night with white socks on its front legs. The pony's mane and tail had been braided one day when Fili had gotten bored on their last hunting trip and needless to say it had stayed in that fashion ever since. "You know, Kee, the last time we went without you it felt weird..."He admitted, Fili always hated leaving Kili behind and most often than not he wouldn't leave anywhere without his brother. Only when his mother pushed him to leave without Kili he would.

As they rode their ponies through the streets that soon gave way to the forest, Fili couldn't help but think of his Amad. She was so kind and loving; it didn't seem fair that her husband had been killed far too young. Fili couldn't remember much about his father but many said he resembled him greatly. He did remember when his Amad had cried and cried in the days and weeks that followed; Fili had been younger, much younger when that had happened. Ever since that day he hated to see his mother cry.

Things fell quiet between the trio as they went farther and farther from home.

"I hated it too, I felt so lonley and miserable, and when I am sick I just want you by my side." Kili knew that Fili would stay with him when he could. He was looking around. He was excited to be travelling with Fili and his uncle to go hunting.
He hoped he wouldn't get sick or injured on thier journey. He wanted to enjoy the trip. He was determined that nothing would happen to him, But he was reckless and knew it was hard to stay out of trouble.

He grinned at his brother "Wonder how much trouble we will get in, or how hard it will be to avoid it.?" He was sure his uncle would say somehing at this point. He did want to stay out of trouble if it meant getting sick or hurt, but if he could avoid that then trouble was fun.
"You boys wont be getting in any trouble or we will hear about it from your mother," THorin cut in. He knew Dis would have something to say if one or both of the boys came back injured.

Kili just pouted. He had hoped that his uncle wouldn't hear him. He was looking around. He went silent as he was enjoying the surroundings. He seemed to be thinking about what he would see.
He looked at Fili and his uncle.
The young dwarf was still hoping to have some fun.