"Take care of your brother, okay?"
Their mother's words echoed in Fili's head as he held Kili in his arms, both of them wounded and covered in blood.
"Kili?"
There was no response from the younger dwarf. His heart started pounding and his breathing quickened in panic.
"Kili, are you still with me?"
His brother shifted and gasped, taking a deep and painful breath.
"I am not gone, yet, brother."
Fili sighed with relief. "Don't scare me like that."
Kili let out a small, breathy laugh. "Sorry." He coughed, pain shooting through his body.
"Brother, I'm scared."
Fili clung tighter to his little brother. "Don't worry, Kee. We'll be fine. We'll make it." He struggled to breathe. "We're going to live and return to Ered Luin. We'll get mom and bring her home, back to Erebor."
Kili smiled weakly at his brother. "And then you'll be king." He grasped his older brother's hand. "You'll make a great king."
"Only with you by my side." Fili chuckled.
"You don't need me to be great, Fee." He whispered.
Fili was quiet for a moment, listening to Kili's shallow, uneven breaths.
"You're wrong...I do need you..."
There was no answer. Kili's hand had gone limp around his brother's. Silent tears rolled down Fili's cheeks.
"Rest now, little brother. I'll be here"
He closed his eyes for the last time.