video - open to both courts

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili's expression is stormy, his beard that once stretched down to his toes now loose and cut jaggedly, now just a few inches long. Beside him is the knife that must have done the job; there are still a few strands of coarse dark hair scattered about and his voice is deeper than usual and hoarse.]

Thorin has left this place. For those that had business with him...my brother and I will pick up where he left off.

[Standing beside Kili, hand placed on his brother's shoulder, Fili nods when the announcement is done, his own expression grim.]

Ask for us by means of the locket - Fili and Kili are our names.



[ooc: for his close CR and/or those that are in the area, you can find Kili getting very drunk in Cothromach]

Comments

[kilimanjaro]

Mahal never meant for us to come here, though. [Kili's expression turns thoughtful. It's clear he's given this some thought.]

What if this place...what if it changes our fates entirely? Ruins the lives we were meant to have?

[gloinul]

If that were the case, we would all come from the same point in time. [Gimli's thought as well] Yet I am nearing a hundred and fifty when you last saw me as a lad of sixty, and Legolas comes from some time after my death. I do not think any harm will come to our home while we are here, nor do I believe coming here changes anything.

[As much as he wishes it did.]

[kilimanjaro]

...I suppose you're right.

[He takes a long swig.]

Is it childish to be homesick, do you think?

[gloinul]

Of course not! I was homesick my entire quest across Middle-earth, until I found the Glittering Caves and found a new place to call home. I told you I'm to be the Lord of the Glittering Caves, yes?

[kilimanjaro]

The Glittering Caves? [Kili frowns slightly.] I've never heard of them.

[gloinul]

You wouldn't have. They are in Rohan, under Helm's Deep. I found them by mistake. There is crystal and rock the likes of which I have never seen in that land, cousin.

[kilimanjaro]

How do you find them by mistake?

[gloinul]

There was a battle against Saurman's army of Uruks. I was separated from Legolas and Aragorn and was forced to flee. There was a small entrance to the caves that only a Hobbit or Dwarf could fit in, so I went that way and made my way to the surface from below.

[walkingarsenal]

[Listening quietly thus far, Fíli speaks up then.]

You've done well for yourself, Gimli.

[And the change of subject makes a good distraction, better than Kíli drowning himself in bottle after bottle to wake up later feeling worse.]

[gloinul]

I'm just wondering if it is really a good idea to leave me in charge of a colony! My father is a banker, not a politician. I have no time for that nonsense.

[walkingarsenal]

[A faint smile.]

Perhaps your famous charm gains you plenty willing to take on that nonsense in your stead? Surely you won't be expected to shoulder it all on your own.

[gloinul]

Well, of course not, but still. We all know how the first meeting with an older politician will go--with him being thrown out on his ear!

[walkingarsenal]

[Now that, that actually gets a chuckle.]

Will go? Or went?

[gloinul]

...went.

[Cough cough]

[walkingarsenal]

[With a light bump of his elbow against Kíli's:]

Still our Gimli after all these years.

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili bursts out laughing at that.]

What else could they expect of you, really?