Chapter 4

Originally posted on: 11th February 2014

ATTENTION! Slight Thilbo Bagginshield.

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Bilbo wouldn't forgive these brats this time. They were gone, again! In addition, a substantial amount of beer had disappeared, to Bombur’s horror (who had a watch over it and with whom the Hobbit had just finished his watch) ... These two facts had to have something in common. Bilbo had no idea how they had slipped out of the camp unnoticed, stealing such a lot of drink, but it didn't bode any good. The Hobbit felt extremely obliged to take care of Thorin’s nephews safety. Thorin ... this ruggedly handsome, strong dwarf with unearthly voice and marvelous sapphire eyes, King under the Mountain, a great leader ... Bilbo shook his head. There was no time for such thoughts! Where those two rascals could have gone with beer? Everywhere. Very helpful, really. Mr. Baggins was searching for any signs in the heavens or on earth that could lead him to his dear dwarves. And then, his sharp hobbitish eyes saw a light. Far from the place where he stood, at least a mile. Took won in him. Oin and Gloin, being now on watch, most likely wouldn't notice his absence, if he put blankets in his sleeping bag in an appropriate manner, just like Fili and Kili had done. Moreover, the guardians were too engrossed in considerations if Bombur hand't drunk everything himself.

The time that took him to get closer to that place seemed like an age. Even from a distance, Bilbo heard two familiar laughter and two unknown to him. What did that mean? The Hobbit crept up very close, unnoticed.

"Ah, yes ... no, wait a minute. Something's not right,” Bilbo told himself in mind. “Fili and Kili take the beer, escape from the camp just to drink it with ... who are they, actually? They look partly like elves, partly as humans, but they’re so short. However they’re at least a head higher than the boys ... Elves are very tall. So young people! A boy and a girl ... they must be someone important and valuable for Fili and Kili. You can notice it at first glance.”

Bilbo’s conclusion turned out to be very true, of course. The Hobbit hadn’t seen the young heirs of Durin as happy as at this moment. They behaved incredibly freely in the company of these two, like they had known them forever. The same went for the people. Wrangling, wrestling, jokes and mockery, laughter and joyful songs – that was what Bilbo saw when observing the slightly drunk four. Suddenly, someone got an idea of the dance competition without music. The Hobbit rolled his eyes at such a ridiculous activity, but curiously watched the first couple taking part in the contest.

The boy and the girl.

‘Considering their appearance and growth they’re virtually identical! Siblings, certainly’ Mr. Baggins thought.

 They stood opposite each other.

“Sybil,” the lad bowed.

“Dorian,” the lass curtsied gracefully.

“Will you make this honor and dance with me?”

“I’d be delighted, brother," the girl replied with difficulty in keeping a straight face.

They danced one of people’s dances, quite serious and calm, requiring grace and skill, which usually the balls were opened with. The siblings were coping very well. They would bring pride to their parents dancing even on a royal court. When they finished, the applause rang out alive.

Then, the second kinsfolk came out. Fili and Kili danced one of dwarves dances, very cheerful, lively and spectacular. Among the ‘audience’, tense “oh” and “ah” could be heard repeatedly, then there was a loud plaudit. Bilbo had no idea who should be given a winner laurel.

Then, Kili and Dorian danced together. It was not even a dance, it was a show! The boys behaved so seriously as they were dancing the dance of human elites. After that, funny dialogue parodying upper classes' ways of speaking established between them. Fili and Sybil were crying of mirth. Bilbo giggled likewise, quietly, but still. 

Next couple was Kili and Sybil. They danced dwarvish dance, in which, to the delight of all, Kili was on the place of woman, and he was being thrown in the air like a child. Oh, what sort of comical! Bilbo also, like Fili and Dorian, was chocking on laughter. He had tried to sit silently, but this task was simply impossible.

Penultimate pair in the competition was Dorian and Fili. To Bilbo’s surprise, they started to dance a hobbitish dance! Simple, cheerful and joyful dance, often danced on birthdays and this type of occasions. Bilbo was looking at it with a pleasure, and his heart rejoiced. Thunderous applause, thunderous applause!

But the last couple won. Fili and Sybil danced the elven dance. Initially, Bilbo could not get over how on earth they know this dance, however, he couldn’t bring himself to care for longer than a few moments. The only thing he was able to do was keep staring at them. This pair aroused pure delight. Frankly, Bilbo didn’t expect such a grace of Fili. Royal majesty was radiating from him. Girl exceeded grace of many she-elves. It was the dance of elites of the elites, yet danced not to ridicule, but for serious. The choreography should be described nothing more, nothing less as enchanting. Furthermore, the music played in ears itself. When they finished,  Sybil and Fili were announced as winners.

When the couple bowed for the hundredth time and  the applause died down, finally, all four of them wallowed on the ground and laughed to tears. Bilbo didn't approve of such a carelessness .

“It’s wonderful to see you,” Dorian said. “Everything was so sad and difficult without you.”

“Believe me, we missed you, too,” Fili replied.

They were silent for a long moment, stargazing.

“I have a feeling that we’re true brothers and sisters, aren’t we?” Kili asked .

“Indeed.,” Sybil nodded cheerfully. “And at last we're all together!”

“Maybe we'll be meeting every seven days?” Fili suggested.

“Yes!” the rest answered in choir.

“But in the next few days we’ll be in Rivendell,’  Kili muttered.

“Come on, uncle will never agree on this!” Fili objected.

“And if so, what then?” the younger dwarf asked.

“Then … we’ll arrive at Rivendell,” Dorian said with a smile.

“And you’ll show yourselves up!” Kili exclaimed.

“Maybe ...” Sybil answered cryptically.

“We beg you!” Fili groaned.

“You’ll see,” Dorian cut the conversation off with a sinister smile.

“What are you up to?” Kili asked, his voice suspicious.

Bilbo chuckled. So there was someone who could surpass sons of Dis in attenuating intrigues.

“You’ll see,” Sybil echoed her brother.

 There was a long silence afterwards.

“Er, are you going to sleep here with us?” Sybil snapped.

“And why not?” Fili said, a hint of challenge in his voice.

“Oh, yes, sorry, I’ve forgotten that we’re the same crazy,” Dorian mentioned slightly sarcastically.

 Peals of laughter erupted.

“We won’t leave until you tell us one thing,” Kili said.

“What is it?” Sybil murmured.

“What do you mean by ‘a life for a life’?” Fili asked curiously.

Sybil and Dorian exchanged glances, as if asking each other whether to tell or not.

“Don’t you remember?” Sybil started hesitantly. “Thorin saved our mother and father from a terrible death, risking his own life. I don’t know what would have happened to us if he hadn’t done that... We’re so indescribably grateful for it,” the girl's voice was overflowing with a wave of sadness, which disturbed the dwarves.

“How are your wonderful parents?” they enquired.

“The thing is that Azog and his band visited our village and ... dad died in mum’s defense, pierced with a sword by Azog himself, mum died covering us with her own body, pierced with an arrow in the abdomen by one of the subordinates of the Pale Orc. Then ... they wanted to capture us, but parents’ sacrifice was not in vain and we managed to escape. We had nothing to go back to. They looted and burned down everything ...” Sybil burst into tears.

Fili and Kili fell to their knees, unable to hold back tears.

“It was over two years ago. Since then we've been wandering around the world without any purpose. But now you’ve become the meaning of our lives. Ever since we’ve discovered Azog’s conspiracy to kill Thorin... Don’t ask about the circumstances... we’ve decided to do everything to prevent it. It consists mainly rendering this monster’s life unpleasant. You, Dis, but especially Thorin, gave us so much happiness. Kili showed Sybil how to shoot a bow. You, Fili, taught me swordfighting. When we met you for the first time, we were extremely impressed by your ability to use weapons, and that’s why we begged you to show us how to do it. After your departure we perfected what we'd learnt. If not you, we would have probably died together with our parents, or soon afterwards. Furthermore, if Thorin hadn’t forged this great weapon as a gift for our father, I would have suffered death a couple of times. We devote our lives to you because thanks to you we still exist. We won’t rest until we are sure that you’re safe,” Dorian said, his voice cracking .

Fili and Kili were speechless . They were clearly devastated at the news of the death of Barndon and Cora. Dumbstruck because of pain, disbelief and no less compassion, they gaped at Dorian and Sybil.

“You ... you don’t deserve such a fate,” Kili objected. “You’re young people, who should enjoy life! Why do you bear so great a sacrifice?”

“It was my and Dorian shared decision. After the orcs’ attack we had no home, no money to buy it, nor the skills to earn it. Everywhere we were unwanted. Two nightmarish years of fighting for survival. When we’d realized what Azog was up to, we agreed that we couldn't watch it and do nothing. We can’t let the evil win this time, nor let it tear your family apart. Although our abilities are small ... we’ll do what we can not to let you be hurt,” Sybil announced with fierceness.

Bilbo was astonished. He hadn't known the Big Folk in this light. How was it possible that these practically children carried so much weight? That this noble decision had been made by so young people? Bilbo felt anger at the thought of  Dorian and Sybil's family targedy. He felt that it was unacceptable that such a great people had suffered so much. He started to admire the siblings. Now Bilbo understood why Fili and Kili hold affection for Dorian and Sybil. He also supposed that he had heard enough. He watched with watering eyes as all four hugged each other and wept. The Hobbit realized that it was time for him to leave. He felt overwhelmed by the new known secret. How long would he be able to to keep it? He didn't want to be aware of what he knew now.

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I just had to involve our lovley hobbit in the intrigue. 
As for these dances - I don't see anything wrong in the fact that two boys dance with each other. 
I think that Thilbo Bagginshield is a sick overinterpretation, which does not change the fact that I love it. 
It will be mentioned in my "masterpiece" frequently. 
If I made somebody pissed off... it makes me laugh.