Okay, ouch... how long has it been? I am really sorry, guys. I'm actually a little astounded over how fast the past several months have gone, but, as we all know, that's not a real excuse.

To:

everyone who reviewed, followed, and/or favorited - Thanks so much, guys. I know I've been a bit of a disappointment lately, so just knowing that you're all still reading is a huge encouragement.

Oblivian03 - Well, that's good. :) I'm glad to hear it! I was actually surprised at how long it got, but at least it was a good surprise, right? And what did you find unexpected? (Sorry, I'm just kind of curious... the more feedback, the better, right? xD) Great! It was my first time writing him (literally, I don't even think I've had him in any of my fics before now, so writing from his POV was a bit interesting), so I'm glad you liked him. :) Thanks!

tolkieknight - Aw, thanks! It's always nice to hear that someone has reread your work (and multiple times, too? wow! xD). And thanks so much! Like I told Oblivian03, this was my first time ever even including him in one of my fanfics, so I'm glad you liked him and his POV. :) And... oops? :( Fingers crossed, though!

Guest (who reviewed Ch. 6) - No worries, I am definitely continuing and finishing this fanfic. And here's a chapter! :D

everyone else who reviewed - Thanks so much for the compliments, guys! I'm glad you're all enjoying. :)

Fíli is forty in dwarven years but fifteen in human years. Kíli is thirty-five in dwarven years but fourteen in human years.

Shooting Blind: Chapter Seven

Balin supposed that, really, it was his own fault. Kíli was, after all, a growing dwarf, even if a man would say that, at thirty-five, he was plenty grown and beyond. But the key word in that sentence was "dwarf". Kíli was a growing dwarf, and that meant that he was only about fourteen in human terms. That didn't mean he wouldn't be punished as soon as he was found, though. Oh, no, if anything, Balin would take particular delight in swatting the young lad's hands after the prank he had pulled.

Surely the lad hadn't truly believed that Balin would think it was Kíli's elder, blonder brother? Fíli may have been older, yes. And yes, he was definitely of a more dwarvish build and would likely fit the "stocky, bronze tunic" description that an eyewitness had given more than the youngest Durin. If, however, that description had not also involved a hood. Fíli was notorious for not wearing a hood these days so that his beaded braids, the beads newly added to his hair with his fortieth birthday, would not become more messy than they already were.

Of course, Kíli most likely believed that he and his brother would be taught by another dwarf, who would not know of Fíli's preferences, instead of Balin, who had been supposed to still be returning from a small human town several miles away from the base of the Blue Mountains. When Balin had first begun teaching Kíli, these excursions usually led to a teary reunion in which the tiny brown-haired dwarf blinked through crocodile tears and sobbed about how, once again, a substitute teacher had mistakenly connected blind to stupid and Kíli had been forced to simply sit there "all day long, Mister Balin, doing nothing, and maybe I could have a day off with Fee next week to make up for it?"

Balin was never exaggerating when he believed that, excluding Kíli's immediate family (the trio of Dís, Thorin, and Fíli), Balin himself had to be the dwarf most well versed in how to interpret the unique, foreign language known only as Kíli.

As a result, the crocodile tears had slowly disappeared over the years and Kíli turned instead to mischievousness that was not helped in the slightest by Nori and Fíli, the latter of which indulged his brother to the extremes.

Still, Balin could not deny that he knew what Kíli got up to in his regular teacher's absence. Perhaps, in some distant part of his mind, Balin had known that he would not escape this day unscathed, not when Kíli was expecting a substitute. That part of his mind had been quieted quickly and mercilessly by the rest of him.

"Mahal," the dwarf groaned as he passed yet another group of inquisitive dwarrows, who in true dwarvish fashion no doubt continued to peer after him long after he disappeared, on his way to the Durins' housing. "Whatever did you give impishness to Kíli for? Surely he already causes enough trouble as it is?"

"It is not as if Mahal could give it to Fíli, brother," Dwalin observed as he joined the elder on his march. "The elder brother should always be the more level-headed one. Besides, it suits the lad. Much like that water-"

"Not another word, Dwalin," Balin warned, even as he subconsciously squeezed a few more droplets from his tunic. "You mustn't forget that you are the younger of us both."

"Aye," Dwalin agreed, "And I never will forget, not with you dogging my steps day after day."

"May I remind you that you found me?" Balin responded.

"Aye," the balding dwarf remarked idly, "But you cannot deny that you make quite the sight. I was simply curious as to what had happened."

"So you are playing at gossiper, are you?" Balin questioned, "Forger in the morning, weapons instructor in the afternoon, and town gossip on the side. Whatever shall I do with you, brother, for you are stealing all the jobs in Ered Luin."

"Nothing but allow me to tag along, I suppose," Dwalin said. "Unless you would rather face Thorin Oakenshield on your own?"

"He is home?"

Dwalin nodded, "Apparently Fíli woke up with a fever late last night. Óin has already paid a visit, but according to Thorin, Lady Dís was quite exhausted by the time the sun rose. He begged off for today, at least until Dís is back on her feet."

Balin sighed as he climbed the stone steps that led to the four Durins's rooms. "That explains why Kíli pretended to be Fíli. His brother could not be spotted elsewhere if he is held up in bed."

The younger dwarf shook his head in response as Balin knocked on the wooden door. "They have used each other too often, though. One would think that they've realized we no longer fall for such tricks."

"Aye," Balin agreed. "Though Kíli makes a surprisingly good Fíli, even with his blindness, the older lad tends to dramatize the younger."

"They make for good laughs, though, thank Mahal," Dwalin rumbled with a fond smile.

Balin shook his head, "You are getting soft, brother. Would you let them off the hook so easily if it were you they had pranked?"

"Soft?" Dwalin exclaimed. "You are-"

"Balin?" Another voice questioned, and the two brothers turned as one to face the dark-haired dwarf in the doorway. "Dwalin? What are you- Balin, why are you wet?"

Balin frowned, crossing his arms, "You know very well why I am wet, Thorin Oakenshield. I take it you failed to inform your nephews that I would be arriving early?"

Thorin shrugged, but Balin would have sworn on what was left of Dwalin's hair that the corners of their king's mouth twitched upward.

"If it were possible, Thorin, I would like to speak to Kíli."

"Of course, Balin," Thorin replied. He stepped away from the door, leading the way to their sitting room. "Wait here; Kíli's been keeping Fíli company."

Balin nodded in response, standing in front of the fire that had been set in the fireplace in a hopeless attempt to dry his clothes. Dwalin chuckled at his older brother's position, and Balin shot him a glare.

"Mister Balin?" A small voice questioned, and Balin turned to face his youngest pupil. Thorin stood behind Kíli, a strong hand resting on his nephew's blue-clad shoulder.

"Kíli," Balin acknowledged, trying to ignore the other dwarf's slightly downcast expression. "I assume you know why I am here?"

The dark-haired dwarf nodded, wincing slightly as he no doubt imagined his teacher's wet dog impersonation. "I'm sorry, Mister Balin," he apologized. "I didn't know-"

"I know you didn't," Balin replied, "But that does not mean it wouldn't be my replacement holding this very conversation right now if I had not returned early. Am I right?"

Kíli nodded again, his face beginning to look like someone had taken his nonexistent puppy, stuffed it in a sack, and tossed it in the river to drown, and Balin groaned internally, mentally steeling himself to continue the scolding.

"Then you understand that you have to be punished?" Balin paused, watching as the younger dwarf began to open his mouth in protest. "No buts, Kíli. I have held off long enough, by Aulë, I've listened to enough complaints from my replacements, and I will take no excuses into account."

"Mister Balin," Kíli pleaded, his face contorting, and Balin wondered if he was thinking of the time Balin himself had ordered him to dust down the entire library of Ered Luin after getting into a fight with another dwarfling. Dwalin had been impressed by the lad's ability to hold his own against a stronger opponent who could actually see, and Balin never kidded himself when thinking that his younger brother had praised Kíli straight to the youngster's face, but Balin had been less impressed with the bruises on Kíli's knuckles and face.

"Nothing extreme, Kíli, but I will expect to see you working in Bofur's shop from dawn to dusk over the weekend, do you understand me?"

Again, Balin received a nod, along with a, "Yes, I understand, Mister Balin."

"Go back to Fíli, lad," Balin finished gruffly. "I am certain that he'll be itching to hear of how you impersonated him yet again."

"Yes, Mister Balin," Kíli replied eagerly, "Thank you, Mister Balin, and I'm sorry, Mister Balin."

"Run along, laddie," Balin answered, already nodding to Thorin and turning to make his leave. He listened as Kíli's stocking feet slid over the hardwood floors of his family's rooms, giggling erupting from the two brothers not ten seconds later. "Dwalin," the graying dwarf prompted.

The younger dwarf followed after exchanging nods with Thorin, his boots thumping across the ground and then through the front door.

"You went easy on him," Dwalin started.

"Dwalin," Balin said in a warning tone.

"I am only speaking the truth. You know he enjoys helping Bofur."

"Aye," Balin agreed with a murmur. "But even with no sight, he managed to rig a contraption that involved string, heights, a bucket of water, and knots that I know for a fact he does not know how to tie. I'm more of the opinion that he had help, and with Fíli sick in bed, I have narrowed my suspects down to two. Nori, however, has been out peddling his wares - at least according to him, and while I'm not usually likely to believe him, I do know that he passed me on the road heading into Ered Luin just yesterday, and he was traveling in the opposite direction. Maybe this way, our two culprits can keep each other out of trouble if they're stuck in the same vicinity as each other, neither holding the ability to leave. And who knows," he finished with a sigh. "I may actually get some peace and quiet this weekend."

As always, guys, I hope you enjoyed, and please feed the hungry author! Oh, and cross your fingers for a faster update! (Will that help? No clue, but we can try, right? ;D)