museboxing~ for walkingarsenal and perdure

[kilimanjaro]

((ooc: Kili, Fili, and then Dis as far as posting order~?))


[It's just supposed to be a normal hunting trip. The lads go out into the woods often to score as much extra meat as they can carry. Rabbits, deer, anything that they can bring back with them. Most often, they keep it for themselves, but the furs are good for trading and there are people that need the food more than them. Trading food for small chores was something they did oftentimes.

Today, Fili and Kili have split up to check the traps that they've laid out. Kili's just resetting one of the traps when he spots a flicker of movement. Large, maybe a stag? Bear? He can't quite see it.

Silently, he draws his bow and nocks an arrow, letting it fly with practiced ease. The responding cry, however, is certainly not that of an animal, and Kili realizes his mistake right away. Muttering a few choice swears, he gathers his things up and darts through the trees.]

Fili! Shit, I'm sorry!

Comments

[walkingarsenal]

[Later, when the arrow now lodged in Fili's back is gone, this could make a good story; right now, that couldn't be further from his mind. He'd heard something and stood still for only an instant before he felt pain tear through him, sending him staggering, stumbling against a tree. There is his answer, piercing leather and linen, skin and flesh.

There's more to it – Kili, Kili shouting, Kili's footsteps hurrying closer. Fili sucks in a breath through gritted teeth and shakes his head when his brother comes into view.

It's probably not a normal day without at least some small incident. Fili's nails press into rough bark. Leaning into the tree's trunk, he pushes himself up straighter.]

Not-- [He must be making an interesting sort of face, suddenly scrunched up to squeeze his eyes shut against his wishes.] Not your fault, unless you were aiming for me.

[kilimanjaro]

[Oh no, oh no. Kili skids to a halt beside his brother, hands moving everywhere in a flailing attempt to try and do something. He's heard that removing the arrow without something to staunch the bleeding is bad, so at least he manages to remember that without pulling the thing out. His bright yellow fletching is stark against Fili's blood and for a moment he can't breathe because he's panicking too much.

There's a whole new slough of curses as he hovers around Fili, not sure of what to do.]

I'm so sorry, I saw something move so I shot at it! Oh no, um...

[walkingarsenal]

[Talking is proving a little unhelpful, so Fili doesn't for a few moments as he tries to think and breathe and catch Kili's frantic hands. His own are trembling when he grips his brother's tightly. It was an accident, Kili had better remember that.

He comes to the same realization that Kili does. The arrow has to stay in.]

Let's just-- [Stepping away from the tree only to stop again, he winces, curling one arm around himself.] Home. Let's go home.

[kilimanjaro]

Right.

[Guilt burns hot through him, and he gives Fili's hands a squeeze before ducking under his brother's arm and wrapping an arm around his waist to help support him.]

Lean on me. We can go slow.

[Lucky they aren't too far out in the woods. Kili doesn't even want to think of what their mother will say.]

[walkingarsenal]

[He sags against Kili a bit, grateful for the invitation. As much as he'd like to convince his brother that this is nothing, his body is winning, insisting otherwise. Even going slow, every step is uncomfortable.

Biting his lip to hold in any more sounds that give him away, Fili fixes his gaze on a point in the distance to walk towards and concentrates on lifting his feet until they have their trip behind them.

By the time they reach their door, he has no choice but to lean heavily on Kili to stay standing.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili bites his lip hard enough to bleed as he half drags Fili back home. It doesn't look good, and it's all his fault. If only he'd paid a little more attention to what he was shooting at...

Pushing the door to their home open, Kili knows he has no choice but to tell his mother about this, and the sooner the better.]

Mama! Fili's hurt! [There's a note of urgency in his voice as he continues to press on towards Fili's room.]

[perdure]

[She hears the door swing open and it's with surprise that Dis turns towards the doorway, wondering at how quickly they've returned. Her hands wipe in broad strokes across the sturdy fabric of her apron and her mouth opens to question them, but she never quite gets there. Kili's voice is like the tremble of a bell, and Dis is immediately striding towards her boys, face paling when she sees the blood dripping down Fili's leg and the arrow still protruding grotesquely. Kili makes as if to go to Fili's room and Dis shakes her head, pulling Fili's other arm over her shoulder, helping carry his weight.]

No Kili, towards the kitchen. [Easier to clean up, and to gather the items needed -- Dis mind runs a mile a minute.] Help me get him up on the table.

[Her hand is warm upon Fili's back and Dis knows it must be painful, but he's being so strong and her heart beats for him.]

You're alright, love, I'll handle it.

[walkingarsenal]

[They've made it and their mother is there to meet them as soon as Kili calls out the reason for their early, empty-handed return. Fili, head tipped forward, tries to look up for her and summon his strength to make getting him onto the kitchen table less of a continuation of Kili almost needing to carry him home. Foggily, he wishes that they hadn't come back like this, but there's no getting around their mother finding out. It's not really nothing, after all.]

Mother... [His version of events will have to wait. A soft groan escapes from him; maybe it's the knowledge that they no longer need to push themselves to get home, but his hold on fraying threads of consciousness slips.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili's starting to panic again. Getting Fili up on the table isn't difficult, and there's no way their mother will mistake that arrow as belonging to someone else's. Kili's fletching has a unique style and color, after all.

His voice is pitched high as he starts to babble, both hands clinging to one of Fili's tightly.]

I-I didn't mean to, Mama, I just s-saw something moving and thought it might be a deer--! [He pauses just to gasp for breath, brown eyes wide.] It's all my fault, I didn't mean to, I was just acting on instinct! Is he going to be okay?

[perdure]

[The bright yellow fletching is distinctive, and there's no way for Dis to mistake what's happened. But she's got more to focus on here than laying blame and punishing Kili for shooting before looking. Besides, Dis is fairly certain this is punishment enough for him to learn that lesson. So once Fili is laid out on the table, apron hastily removed and bundled beneath his head for cushion, Dis simple reaches out and catches Kili's jaw in her hand.]

Kili, love, I need you to breath and calm yourself, alright? [And then, dark eyes upon his she waits for a brief moment for him to gather his breath and wits.] Right, now, you know where I have the first aid kit yes? Go get it for me.

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili stills, his breathing starting to slow and the panic fading to a dull thrum as his mother grabs his face. She has a calming effect on him, grounding him and reminding him to focus.

There's a quick nod at her question. Kili's eyes stay sharp, but he's far more focused now than he was. He darts off as soon as Dis lets go of him and off down the hallway.

He returns quickly with the bag full of bandages and other medical supplies and drops it on the table. He grips Fili's hand between both of his and looks back at Dis.]

What else can I do?

[perdure]

[She's moved to boil water by the time Kili comes back, and there are two pots on the stove, slowly starting to bubble away.]

I'm going to need you to cut his trousers so we can get to his wound, can you do that for me? [She wipes her hands upon her skirts, picking up a bottle of alcohol she'd put aside and quickly rifling through the bag to find forceps and the curved needle she'll need to stitch her son back together.] Did it go all the way through? Can you see the arrow head?

[Behind her, the water boils, and Dis turns to sterilize the bandages and tools.]

First, we'll need to break the shaft and take it from his leg, and then make sure to get all splinters from the wound. [She looks back, fingertips gentle upon the curve of Fili's cheek.] Fili? My jewel, I'm sorry this will hurt, but I need you to stay awake for me.

[walkingarsenal]

[Fili's eyelids flutter as he puts every effort into following his mother's instructions, about the only thing that he can contribute while he's lying around. He nods against her fingers and hangs onto her voice and her touch and Kili's hands on his to keep his eyes open.

Between that and fighting back a sudden premature gasp, he manages to promise that he's awake. It's pressed out with some difficulty, and just how much the pain is already affecting him would be embarrassing, if his thoughts weren't elsewhere.]

[kilimanjaro]

I'm so sorry, Fi.

[Kili bites his lip and gives his brother's hand one more squeeze before getting to work, ripping a hole in Fili's trousers with a knife and baring the wound. It looks clean, and a quick check confirms that the arrowhead has gone straight through. With any luck, it hasn't hit any major arteries.]

It's gone through. [He informs his mother.] And I don't think there will be too many splinters. My arrows are sturdy.

[He waits for Dis' nod before snapping off the shaft, not with a little difficulty, and setting it aside.]

[perdure]

[Dis moves with quick, efficient strides, bringing the two pots over and placing them on a chair out of the way, careful not to spill any water even if it is merely warm when compared to before.]

Careful Kili, we must make sure not to worsen it. [She lets Kili break the shaft, and gently pushes aside his hands to rid of as many splinters as she can.] Lift his leg for me and I'll remove the rest.

[The arrowhead just barely pushes through the skin completely, and Dis can't help but be relieved at the sight. It it had lodged in bone or cut through an artery then it could have been far more dangerous. As it is, he would have bled out by now and so Dis focuses on the arrow, carefully working it through until there's a blood-slicked half an arrow on her once pristine table.] Right, now pass me some of the bandages and the forceps, Kili.

[walkingarsenal]

[How many apologies does Kili's latest one make? Fili shakes his head at his brother once more and clutches Kili's hand until he needs to let Kili use it.]

It'll pass.

[It could be much worse, but he'll hope that no scenario of that sort is taking up a spot among Kili's thoughts or their mother's. With her heads-up in mind, he braces himself for the likely surge of agony to come.

Apparently he's not prepared enough. A ragged cry spills from his lips as his mother takes out the remaining half of the arrow, and his hands try to find something to grab onto. He nearly breaks his promise, eyes closing.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili moves aside when Dis starts to search for splinters, biting his lip. He casts Fili an anxious look, brown eyes meeting blue for several moments before his attention goes back to the work that his mother is doing.

Fili's cry of pain goes straight to Kili's heart and he squeezes Fili's hand again briefly.] Stay with us, Fi. It's almost over.

[He lets go only because he has to, quickly passing his mother the tools she requested before going back to Fili's side. He rests one hand on his brother's brow, the other twining with his fingers. He has a feeling that the best thing he can do right now is keep Fili awake.]

You know, in a couple of weeks, this is just going to be a funny story. All those pretty barmaids will laugh themselves silly at it and smile at you. [He squeezes Fili's hand.] All of them will want to see the scar.

[perdure]

[Her heart aches at the sounds Fili makes, and Dis would like nothing more than to scoop him up her arms and press kisses to his golden mane like she used to when he was but a child. Instead, her hands stay steady as she carefully removes any and all splinters she can find, doing as clean and thorough a job as possible. She breathes in, relieved, and swipes a forearm across her brow, blood smearing across her skin even as she takes one of the rags she'd set aside earlier and ducks it in the warm water, carefully cleaning away the wound.]

Pretty as they might be, I'd rather like it if you didn't drop your trousers for any and every maid, darling. [She can't help but snort, carefully steadying Fili's leg so she can pour alcohol over the wound to cleanse it of illness and stave off infection. It will burn, she knows, but Dis works quickly.] Nearly done, love.

[walkingarsenal]

[At Kili's touch, its timely return, Fili forces his eyes back open, giving his brother's hand a responding squeeze. He even musters a smile for what he realizes that Kili is doing, as well as huffing out a faint laugh. It gives him something to focus on and distract himself as much as he can. He won't cry out again, if he can help it. There's been enough guilt and worry in their home today.

He knows how unlikely it is that Kili will be quick to forgive himself for what happened.]

I won't let it go to my head.

[His mother cleans his wound and Fili flinches, his grip on Kili's hand tighter than he means for it to be. Thankfully anything more than a hiss doesn't make it out, even though his wound stings so sharply that it may have been easier to endure when he still had the arrow in his leg. He tries to smile again, finishing somewhat shakily.]

-- Or take... take my trousers off.

[kilimanjaro]

[That small smile and breathy laugh makes Kili smile all the more, glad to see that he's helping at least a little. Watching Fili hurt is miserable, and even more so when it's his fault.

Kili chuckles at his mother's comment and smiles tightly at his brother, feeling Fili's hand tighten around his fingers. It's a little too tight to be comfortable, but he doesn't complain, doesn't let any kind of annoyed emotion cross his face. He's here to help his brother, after all. He'd do anything for Fili and that love shows on his face.]

Definitely not in front of me, dear brother. You've still got to set an example, you know.

[perdure]

[Dis quickly grabs another clean rag and cleans away as much blood and alcohol as she can, putting it aside to pick up the needle and thread to carefully stitch up the entrance and exit wounds. It's got to hurt, and yet Dis goes slowly so as to make sure she does the best job she can. Once done, she puts aside needle and thread and winds bandages around the wound. Not too tight as to cut off circulation and cause problems, but not too loose as to fall off or risk infection. It takes little time to tie off the bandage, and then she leans back, washing her hands in the left over water to get rid of most of her son's blood upon her skin.]

There we go. [She smiles at Kili, touches his shoulder gently in thanks, and then ducks down to press a kiss to Fili's forehead, gently levering him up.] You'll be fine, my jewel, but if either of you ever scare me like that again I will set Dwalin on you.

[Which, truth be told, is somewhat of a threat. Still, she holds Fili close, dragging Kili into it even with the table between them.] Right, lets get you into a new pair of trousers and then to bed, I want you resting this leg.

[walkingarsenal]

[Kili's hand has to go through a bit more being crushed until Fili's leg is stitched up and bandaged. He finally loosens his grip, silently thanks Kili with one more squeeze, and lets his own hand drop. Both Kili and Dis get a more successful smile as Dis helps Fili sit up.

It does disappear to make way for an appropriate combination of contrite and alarmed at the mention of Dwalin. Fili glances at Kili, replying just about hastily.]

We'll be more careful next time, Mother. [He slips one arm around her and the other around Kili, and there's a dutiful nod for Dis' instructions.

He's not looking forward to hobbling around and taking a break from too many things that are part of an ordinary day.

Putting his weight on his leg in spite of his mother's wishes isn't his most brilliant moment, let alone the first step towards resting it. Fili's hand flails out, reaching for the table's edge.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili jabbers away through the stitching up, mostly just to give Fili something to focus on. He's good at talking but saying nothing important; he does it a lot, so it's easy enough to do this small thing for his brother.

Dwalin is definitely a name to strike fear into the hearts of young dwarflings, and, of course, his young cousins. Beside Thorin, Dwalin's been the more disciplinary father-figure in their lives, and Kili isn't keen to get on his bad side.]

It was all me, Mother. I should have paid more attention. It won't happen again, I promise.

[His eyes flicker to Fili at that last statement, apologetic and regretful for causing his brother pain. It won't be easy for Fili to stay still, but Kili will suffer through it with him.

When his brother wobbles, it's instinct to reach out for him. Ducking beneath Fili's shoulder, Kili quickly wraps an arm around his brother's waist to support him.]

Easy, big brother. No more injuries for today, aye?

[perdure]

[She clucks her tongue, one hand upon Fili's shoulder to steady him as he immediately goes against her orders. Dis rolls her eyes and quickly swats the back of both her boy's heads, bustling away to gather up the supplies she used so she can set them aside and clean up the blood from her table.]

Get him to bed for me, please. [Dis speaks over her shoulder at Kili, rolling her sleeves back up, already scrubbing away at the blood so it doesn't stain the wood.] And Kili, try not to drop your brother.

[One last teasing shot, its all she can do to keep her nerves and residue fear for her son from seeping into her voice. As soon as the boys are gone from sight her head drops into her hands, breath shuddering past her lips as Dis blinks away tears as the situation hits her in full. But her boys are fine, she has no reason to cry -- Dis straightens her spine and continues what she was doing, listening intently in case her boys need her.]

[walkingarsenal]

[Fili prepares to contradict Kili, more than willing to shift part of the blame onto himself, even if it takes some creative adjustments to the truth. In his eyes, Kili has already made up for his mistake. (Besides, he'll probably have to take over a couple of Fili's chores for a while, and if that's not making up for it, what is?) Unfortunately, Fili's own mistake calls for a sheepish look sent his mother's way, and maybe it's best to keep quiet. They've all had an eventful day that they could have done without.

It's best to listen and follow Dis' orders more closely, too, and so Fili resigns himself to the awkward gait he walks with as he makes an attempt to help Kili get him to his room. It's debatable how much help he actually manages to be.

Once there, seated with his leg up on the bed, he moves one hand to his brother's wrist.]

No more faces like you were making earlier.

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili yelps at the swat from their mother and colors a little.]

Yes, Mama. I'll do my best. [He huffs at her, sticking his tongue out before shifting a little more of Fili's weight onto him. He's careful with him, helping him to his bedroom until the elder of the two is finally on the bed.

Fussing a little, Kili goes to fetch one of his own pillows and props Fili's let up beneath it. His brother catches his wrist and Kili pauses in his fussing, eyes wide like a frightened deer.]

What? What faces? I'm not making faces. Just...rest, you stupid lump.

[Kili's still panicking a bit.]

i imagine the boys will have a little talk and the thread can end from there, maybe?

[perdure]

[She shakes her head and lets them scamper away, even though she laughs under her breath as Kili sticks out his tongue and tries to carry more of his brother's weight. Fili is sturdy and strong, and while Kili is no less so, it is still hard to carry the entire weight of another dwarf.

Dís scrubs at the table, and tosses a last word over her shoulder, even though they are already outside the room.]

Call me if you need anything, boys!

That works, thank you for this, both of you!

[walkingarsenal]

What faces? You're making one now.

[That wasn't the best 'stupid lump' that Fili has ever heard out of his brother, either. His fingers stay curled around Kili's wrist.]

I'll be fine, Kili, thanks to you and Mother. Give it a couple of weeks and it'll be a funny story, remember?

[And he is resting, look, but he sits up to pull Kili closer.] Come here.

[Do it, Kili, and get a hug from a funny angle and a tap on the head.]

<333!

[kilimanjaro]

Am I?

[Despite his brother's words, Kili's still feeling a large measure of guilt. They're lucky, really, that Fili's alright, that the arrow went straight through and that he missed any major arteries.

Fili pulls him into a hug and Kili clings to his brother. He's shaking slightly, still not quite recovered from the terror of the day.] I-I'm so sorry, Fili.

[walkingarsenal]

[Fili lets Kili cling, giving him a squeeze, one hand steady on the back of Kili's head. That shaking is noticeable enough. If he can help it, they don't have to move until it stills.]

I'm going to start keeping count soon. [But he knows. And he knows that it could have turned out badly. They're lucky.]

I could have called out so you'd know it was me, Kili. [He gives Kili's shoulders another squeeze.] Now we'll know.

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili's breathing is shaky too, hoarse and a little frightened, but having Fili close is helping. He'll be okay. He's alright now.

He finally pulls back and manages a weak smile.]

Sorry, that...For a little while there, I was afraid I was going to lose you.

[walkingarsenal]

[He thinks about pulling Kili onto the bed to hold him until the panicking lets up, unsure whether those uneven breaths signal more on its way, but Kili moves. Both of Fili's hands don't fall away from his brother yet. He keeps them on Kili's forearms, a reminder that he's not going anywhere, and offers him the most reassuring smile he can manage.]

But you haven't. [There's an undertone of 'let's focus on that' in place of a promise that they'll never lose each other, but he won't tell Kili to put the day from his mind. Right now, both seem too dismissive of what Kili must have felt throughout it. It would take for granted what their mother had to do.

Were it Kili who was wounded by Fili's hand instead--

Fili doesn't give that thought a chance to finish. Not so surreptitiously, he shifts to make some room, should Kili happen to want somewhere to sit.]

I'll just milk this and ask you to wait on me. [If not in earnest.]