Hello again! I haven't yet finished rewriting the chapters up until this point. When I have I will tell you. I should like to think that this time next week (Tuesday night) they will be edited and posted for your entertainment. :D I hope you enjoy this chapter. I also tried to find some pics where Fili was crying (you'll find out why) but I couldn't so I've thrown a Dean O'Gormand youtube up for you to watch. Read on!

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Several days after Kili’s departure, Sabrielle was working in the rose garden when she heard the soft rising thud of galloping hooves approaching. Standing up from her work the elf dusted the dirt off her leather tunic and headed around to the front of the house. Looking out down the sandy path that led to her door she could see a small group of riders heading in her direction; eleven dwarves to be precise. As the party drew a little closer the elf recognised the leader to be Fili.

    “Good afternoon!” she greeted smiling cheerily once the group had ridden to almost the door and come to a standstill, “Is there any way that I might be of assistance to you?” Her grin lessened a little at the stern looks plastered on the dwarves’ faces. What was troubling them?

    “Sabrielle,” questioned Fili anxiously, ignoring her greeting, “Is Kili still here? He hasn’t left has he?” The elf shook her head mutely an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. The dwarf King made an impatient gesture with his hand.

    “No,” she answered a frown now marking her brow, “He left ten days ago. Has he not returned to Erebor? He should have been back seven days now.” The young King looked across at the dwarf mounted next to him.

    “We might have just missed him, laddie,” the white haired dwarf consoled, “There are other roads he may have taken. Perhaps he stopped by the Greenwood in search of the elf maiden, Tauriel.” But the King remained unconvinced.

    “No,” he stated grimly, “Tauriel is not in the Greenwood. He would not search for her without asking for my help and he would not take another road. He knows not to. We’ve spoken about it many times.”

    “Please come inside,” invited Sabrielle breaking through the rising tension that would surely amount to an argument or the loss of a temper, “I can take care of your ponies if you are right to settle yourself in. You must be tired from your journey.” At their King’s nod of approval the company unmounted.

    “I’ll help with the ponies,” Fili ordered leaving on room for disagreement, “The rest of you go inside. I won’t be a minute. Just don’t trash the place while I’m gone. No doubt Sabrielle will cook something wonderful when she has a moment.” The other dwarves did as they were told, glad for an excuse to sit down somewhere other than a saddle and disappeared inside. Together, Sabrielle and Fili led the ponies into the stable and untacked and brushed them down. Although he was trying valiantly to keep a strong facade up, she could see that the young dwarf was raging with fear and grief inside but she would let him keep his dwarven pride intact for now.

    “Is everything alright?” the elf asked as she finished brushing the coat of last of the ponies. The blonde dwarf had his back to her as he tended to his beautiful bay but his body was shaking violently as he tried to supress the emotion that was bubbling to the surface.

    “Oh, Sabrielle,” sighed Fili through his tears as he slowly turned around his eyes trained on the ground, “I don’t know why I’m so scared.” The elf walked up to him and tilted his head up so their eyes met.

    “Tell me,” she commanded softly. His friend could see in his eyes the pure and unadulterated fear burning like wildfire. The elf was engulfed by the brilliant and never ending blue that swamped her as his gaze bore into her own.

    “Since the day he left all I can think about is him,” the King confessed voice wavering with deep emotion, “Each waking hour is filled with dread and the idea that at any moment a messenger will announce my brother’s death. And then there’s the nightmares.”

    “Nightmares?” the elf questioned concern seeping into her voice. The dwarf nodded.

    “Yes,” he continued, “Sometimes they’re images of his pale face, scarred and lifeless but other times he’s on the ground bloody, beaten and so full of fear calling for me to help him. And it has only gotten worse the longer he’s been away.” The blonde dwarf sighed deeply to hold back the tidal waves of emotion that were beating relentlessly at him. Sabrielle remained silent and unmoving.

    “I have become completely paranoid about it,” the King shuddered, “I jump each time someone walks into the room unannounced, I find myself staring out the window, fearfully observing any who approach the mountain.  It is consuming me. I think I’m going mad. Sabrielle, please help me.” The young King broke-down into heart-racking sobs as the elf moved to embrace her friend. She pulled his golden head into her chest and stroked his hair as he shook uncontrollably, supported only by the strength of the elf.

She understood how much courage it had taken for him to lay bare his soul like this. It was no little thing for a dwarf to break down in front of his kin but to one of another race especially one that was an age-old enemy it proved he was beyond breaking point. It did not matter how long they had been friends, the dwarf would have only opened himself like this if the emotion weight was driving him deep into the depths of despair.

    “Easy now, Fili,” she soothed, “Av-'osto. Odulen an edraith angina, Mellonamin. Av-'osto. Av-'osto.” After some time Fili stopped shaking, took a step back and he drew himself up to full height, which was only about Sabrielle’s eyes as she was not the tallest of elves by any stretch of imagination.

    “We should head inside now,” he declared after clearing his throat, “Balin and the others will think something’s happened.” The elf smiled a little at the brave face the other was putting on.

    “Thank the stars you have a beard, Fili,” she grinned, “Without it a particularly sharp-eyed dwarf might see your tear stains. You’ve had your moment of weakness but now you must be a King.” Sabrielle gave Fili one last hug before striding out of the stables with the dwarf hot on her heels. He would not want sympathy. Sympathy was for lesser beings than dwarves.

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How was that? The Sindarin Sabrielle uses in this chapter translates to 'Do not be afraid. I am here to save you, my friend. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid.' Of course, Fili doesn't understand what she is saying but Elvish is a particularly calming language when you want it to be. :D Please comment and tell me what you thought. Also stay tuned for when I update the previous chapters to make them better a hundred-fold. :D Until next we meet!

~SpanishFox