This is my way of paying tribute to those who fell. But be careful, the three chapters of this fanfiction are one huge spoiler of the last movie!

If you've already watched it, you know the order of events. I've filled the gaps and added the characters' thoughts.

(I've obviously written this from memory. I hope you won't mind if there are some omissions and mistakes).

This fanfic was first written in French under the title Leurs dernières pensées. Once again thank you to TITVAN for her proofreading and translation work.

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Chapter 1: Fili

Silent as a shadow, Fili was moving slowly in the dark corridor of the dilapidated tower. A half-smile appeared on his face in the dark; it was only addressed to himself, as he was thinking he could not help – let us say it was an old habit – keeping Kili away by sending him to explore the lower levels, on the opposite side of where they had both heard noise.

It was absurd, the situation was not only serious but also bad, yet the young warrior almost started laughing: he had so long kept applying the only words spoken by his father that he could remember of! On Kili's birth, Fili could not help feeling jealous, like many other children. He felt rejected, less loved by his parents who, it seemed to him, were only paying attention to the newcomer. His father had noticed this and sat him on his lap:

"You'll always be the first, Fili", he told him. "You're the eldest, our first son, and if your uncle has no direct descendent, you'll be his heir. Never forget! Do not think we love you less, it's just that a baby needs a lot of care and attention. Do you understand?"

Not really convinced, the child had simply pouted. Understanding his state of mind, Skalli took his son's blonde head between his hands, and looking at him gravely he had entrusted him with this mission which would give him a new importance and a role in their life together:

"Fili, as the eldest brother you have to watch over Kili. To protect him. There'll be many things that you must teach him yourself. He's going to need you, my boy. And when he's a little older, you'll discover that having a brother... well... it's a great thing!"

It had calmed down the child, who had felt very proud to be entrusted with such an important task. And of course, his father's words had proved correct: to have a brother, that was something!

However – and in the dark Fili had a little grimace – time had passed and if the habit remained, he had to admit it was no longer necessary. Kili was not only an adult but also a warrior, and not the least! He did not need to be watched over anymore.

He was even adult enough to be thinking about starting a family... For a brief moment, the memory of the red-haired elf was reminded to Fili, who pursed his lips. Although she was an elf he was grateful to her for having saved his younger brother's life; without her he would have died as a result of the wound in his thigh, and under how much suffering? But Fili was wise enough to understand that this impossible love could only cause pain and grief to both of them. Well, anyway, this was hardly the time to think about it...

As if to confirm his thought, a bright light appeared at the end of the corridor. Ahem... Fili moved back cautiously, looking for a hiding place. He wanted to see how many of his enemies were there before going to inform Thorïn. But as he was slipping backwards in a wall recess, which actually proved to be a narrow staircase, another light was suddenly lit below. His heart beating fast, the young dwarf then turned back in the direction he had come from, still hoping to have time to retreat before being seen. Except that a third torch was lit there...

"A trap! It was a trap..."

And he had gone straight into it! Fili's hands may have become sweaty under his gloves, but it did not stop him from unsheathing his second sword and leaning against the wall to cover his backside. His brain worked at full speed. Kili certainly would hear the sound of the coming battle. Fili hoped that he would not have the silly idea to come to his help alone and would go straight to find the others, instead! If he could hold long enough, then all three of them would come to his rescue, Thorïn, Kili and Dwalïn, and the four of them would wipe this vermin out!

However, the young warrior only had to see the orcs appear suddenly to realize that things would not go as planned. They were far too numerous and were surrounding him on all sides. Then he heard a voice, which contained a world of threats:

"Take him alive! This is one of those vile Durïn offspring!"

Azog.

Fili had barely got a glimpse of him in the Misty Mountains, before the eagles had saved the Company at the last minute, and he had heard his voice only once but he knew for sure that it was him. A cold sweat trickled down his back. Yet at the same time he felt anger rising in him – there stood the murderer of his great-grandfather, Thorïn's mortal enemy, the creature who had sworn to exterminate his whole family. Nothing to lose, Fili fiercely rushed at his enemies, asking only to fight and kill as many of them as possible before dying. Unfortunately, the orcs definitely had the advantage.

One of his swords was torn from him, along with his cut-off forefinger! Ignoring his blood that gushed jerkily, Fili grabbed the only weapon he had left with both hands and rushed at his enemies with renewed fury. But not for long though – a mass fell on his shoulders and he collapsed, flat on the ground. The boy had not let go of his sword but Azog was crushing his hand with his heel, throwing all his weight on it until the fingers opened despite them. However, Fili's other hand – his injured hand – was already traveling back up along his side, pulling out a dagger from its hiding place before hitting on guesswork the orc that was weighing upon his back and shoulders. A cry of pain told him that he had hit his opponent but unfortunately it did not change anything because his enemies were already seizing him and were pulling him back on his feet, brutally.

"Disarm him!"

The search was quite brief, but it did not prevent most of his weapons from being removed, before a remarkable couple of slaps stunned him, making his ears ring!

'This is just a foretaste!" Azog hissed.

With that, he vigorously seized his captive by the collar and literally dragged him through the corridors. Fili struggled to keep his balance but he stumbled. The pale orc was holding him firmly, and was nevertheless continuing to move forward, quickening his stride as he advanced, preventing the boy from getting back on his feet.

"Oakenshield will enjoy that!" the albino growled with obvious glee. "I'll be glad to show him that despite his claims, the line of Durïn's doomed to die! And he's going to witness it!"

In a flash, Fili understood the monster's intentions. He tried to struggle, in vain; Azog was almost running now, and his henchmen, who were following him closely, were watching his every move. The young prince realized that his time was close. A thousand tumultuous thoughts flashed through his mind: Kili, Thorïn, his companions, his mother, even, and then the Blue Mountains, where he grew up. Before him, he suddenly saw the light of day coming closer.

"Raise your torches high!" Azog hurled. "Let this arrogant vermin out there know we're coming!"

They passed without stopping in front of an opening to the outside; it surprised the prisoner, who, nonetheless, made his mind work at full speed, trying to find a plan that would get him out of this mess and spare Thorïn what his enemy had in store for him. Unfortunately, he was running out of time; it was hard to follow the movement as Azog, whose only hand was still holding him firmly, forcing him to move hunched-over, was moving fast and going back up the corridor with giant strides. Fili did not want to be dragged to the ground like a sack, even though his present situation was actually not far from it. He tried to keep his feet on the ground and follow the imposed pace (although to tell the truth, he did miss a step out of two!). He looked up to see the growing brightness of the outside, straight ahead. When his enemy dragged him to the top of the tower, in full light, and pulled him on his feet, Fili knew his life-time was definitely coming to an end. With a quick glance, he scanned his surroundings, hoping against all odds that no dwarf was around. Unfortunately he saw exactly what, above all, he had feared to discover: his uncle was standing below with Dwalïn and the Halfling and all eyes were fixed on him. At that moment, Azog let go of his clothes and grabbed him by the neck before raising him from the ground and brandishing him like a common hunting trophy, as he had once waved king Thror's head on the battlefield.

"This one will die first!"

A nerve pinched in the formidable grip of the pale orc, and paralyzed, Fili gritted his teeth so much it might have broken, so as not to cry out in pain as his cheeks flushed in humiliation: death is something to which all those who have chosen the way of the warrior are prepared. They know it can occur at any time and they value life even more passionately. But to die like this! Caught like a rabbit in the hunter's grip that is going to break its spine! Fili would have very much preferred to die in a battle, like his ancestors did before him. That was his only real regret – of everything that had led to this fateful moment, he had nothing to deny.

However, it appeared that Azog was not so much in a hurry to finish him:

"Then the brother, and then you, Oakenshield!"

With contempt, the albino dropped Fili to the ground.

"You'll die last!" he shouted again, turning to the other side of the frozen river, where the two dwarves and the hobbit were standing, helpless.

"Kili!" Fili thought.

Terror overwhelmed him. And he forgot everything else. Of course. Azog felt such hatred towards Thorïn that he did not only want to see him dead. He wanted to make him suffer.

But if it was too late for himself, Fili thought, white with fear as he was thinking of what might happen to his brother, it was still possible to save Kili! His face haggard, he searched his uncle's eyes and shouted:

"Kill them!"

He did not see his younger brother, standing at the door of the tower, who had lifted up his dark gaze to him and whose face was contorted by fear. He only looked at his uncle, who had raised him and loved him as a father, and saw him make a slight movement of denial. Damn, why was he standing there not doing anything?

"Kill them!" he desperately shouted again.

Did Thorïn not understand that for him, no matter what happened, it was over? He was already as good as dead; he had to think about the living!

He did not see the mortal blow coming. Azog's blade struck him from behind, cutting off his spine and spinal cord, and then piercing his lungs and heart.

The pain was as searing as it was brief. The young prince's body stiffened under a spasm of agony. He opened his mouth, but no scream came out.

When the pale orc, with a brutal thrust, threw him into the emptiness, Fili was already dead.

His lifeless body fell like a stone and hit the ground, dozens of meters below, his big blue eyes open to eternity, staring at the sky without seeing it.

Te be continued...