Chapter Text
Your pony is guided by a lead line to an outdoor stable near the foot of the mountain by Fíli.
It is there the mount is bid to stop.
Fíli glances up at you then asks, "May I help you down?"
You nod, then are carefully brought to the ground.
Ori is soon there, bracing you up, while Fíli is instead leading both ponies elsewhere and speaking with someone you cannot readily see nearby them.
"He will follow soon, but it is best for you and I to seek out the healer we know."
You nod in agreement, as your mind feels slightly addled, though you don’t voice that aloud just yet. Meanwhile, the soreness has not disappeared, but not having to walk so far did help.
You and Ori amble together towards the singular mountain that looms above you all.
What appear to be guards nod as you are led past them. Which you are grateful for, because unlike Ori and Fíli, they are wearing armour.
Once past that new sight, your eyes adjust to the lighting, or the lack of it, you are soon enduring. Within the mountain though, there is light spilling from gem lamps that guide your way, as you and Ori continue the trek towards wherever he wishes you all to go.
Eyes follow you both, which does make you nervous. However, you distract yourself by taking in the beauty that surrounds you. Though it is all incredibly loud; feet shuffling, voices echoing, and what might be tools being brought down against stone nearby is all readily prevalent to your ears.
"Welcome to Erebor," Ori murmurs, coming to a stop in one of the most cavernous parts of where you have been brought to.
The flurry of movement falls by the wayside as you glance down at the Dwarf holding you up, bracing you, noticing he is looking up at you. His face seems to be searching yours for something. What though, you're unsure.
Swallowing, you say, "Thank you, Ori."
He nods, while appearing like he will say something in response, but the arrival of another Dwarf standing before you disallows that.
"Say Ori, who's your friend?"
The stranger is a bit taller than Fíli, but like Ori has brown eyes. Their hair is long and dark, adorned with beads, though it still looks a bit mussed.
Their eyes appraise you before they glance at Ori again.
Ori squeezes lightly on your shoulder, bringing your attention to him after.
"Would you like to tell him?" he asks.
You nod, before giving a similar address to the one that you did before, in the style of the Dwarves.
The stranger smiles then bows, alongside saying, "Kíli, son of Víli. At your service."
"You're Fíli's brother," you reply, as he completes his bow and meets your eyes again.
Though privately you can't help but wonder how on earth that works - they look nothing alike.
Kíli smiles. "I am." After that declaration, he glances at Ori to ask, "Speaking of which, where is that brother of mine?"
Ori chuckles.
"He's at the stables, finishing up there. We only just got back from our pleasure ride."
"With an extra in tow."
Ori nods. "Yes, we're actually in a bit of a hurry. Do you mind running to Óin and letting him know I need him as soon as possible?"
Kíli's brow furrows.
"Did something happen to you?"
Ori shakes his head. "No, but let him know we'll need privacy, please."
"Sure thing, Ori."
Kíli's eyes sweep over you both once more, prior to Ori leading you in the direction his brother-in-law turns towards, striding away.
Given this is your first time in Erebor, you want to take in as much as possible. However, what takes precedence in your mind is making it to the healer - Óin. So, sightseeing in this marvel of a new location will simply have to wait.
Especially because, unlike before, you begin to feel even more disoriented, which only makes progress forward that much more difficult. Luckily, Ori is beside you, soon taking on more of the brunt of your weight the further you tread into the mountain.
Funny, that.
You've never so much as visited one before for recreation, but now you're walking beneath one. In one. A case could be made for both, but your mind is much too hazy anymore for that debate.
Perhaps it is all of the day's strange events catching up to you, but soon your legs buckle and you're slumping, before losing grip of your conscious thoughts entirely.