AN: So I know I promised you guys a Lord of the Rings story but I've been really struggling with it so I decided instead of giving you guys a half baked effort it would be better to just drop it and do this instead. I am going to do a LOTR's fic eventually because I really want to but I'm afraid you might have to put up with everyone's favourite Durin boys for now…not that that's a bad thing!

Taken

Kili wasn't paying attention to the arrows. He couldn't hear them as they flew through the air. He didn't hear them hit their mark and he didn't notice the paper target was covered in arrows until one bounced off another and fell to the ground. Only then did he lower his bow. But that wasn't enough to curb his anger. It wasn't enough to stop his hands from shaking as he tried to control his temper. He could feel his blood raging through his body. His uncles words running round and round in head. Pushing his hair from his face Kili let his bow fall to the floor. Usually he was so careful with it. But today he just left it lying in a heap whilst he began pulling the arrows out. Every time one came away it was like he was remembering each thing Thorin had said to him earlier. He didn't understand why his uncle had gotten so mad. He used to tell Kili to defend himself. To stand up for himself when people were hard on him. He had always told Kili that he needed to show people that he wasn't afraid of them. That if they called him names he would fight back.

Kili had done just that. And now his uncle wanted to punish him for it.

Kili looked down at his boots nervously. Thorin paced up and down by the fire that covered one whole wall. Licking his lips Kili wished Fili was with him. More than anything he wanted his brother by his side. After all Fili had been there, he could help explain to Thorin. But Thorin had ordered everyone to leave. Fili, Dis, Balin, everyone. It was to be just him and Kili. Risking a glance Kili froze at Thorin's face. He had never seen him this angry before. He knew his uncle was under a lot of pressure at the moment. Even though Thorin hadn't told him anything Kili had heard the rumours that Azog was amassing an army to try and take Erebor. He sighed. He hated silence of any kind. What was the point of being in a room with someone if you were just going to sit side by side without saying a word?

"Uncle?"

"Quiet." Thorin didn't shout but Kili knew from his voice that he wasn't to speak unless spoken to. He clasped his hands behind his back. Taking slow, deep breaths to try and calm himself down. He didn't understand why Thorin had been so angry. Kili had acted in self-defence. Fili had seen it and so had a dozen other people. Kili didn't understand why Thorin hadn't hauled in his tormentors. They were the ones who should be punished. But instead the blame was falling on him once again. No doubt Thorin assumed he had been pulling a prank. Kili bit his lip; if only it had been that.

"Look at me."

At his uncle's voice Kili did as he was told. Thorin stopped pacing and stood before him. He crossed his arms over his chest and Kili wasn't surprised to see the disappointment in Thorin's eyes. Of course that would be there. That's all Kili had ever been to this family. A disappointment. Fili would never have done this. Or if he had he would have done something that didn't lead to the current situation. Thorin took a deep breath.

"You will tell me exactly what happened."

Kili nodded. Now he would explain things and Thorin would see where he had gone wrong.

"They started it." He cursed himself. What better way than to sound like a child? He had just made it sound like he was trying to defend himself. Which he was, but he had meant to sound like he was innocent and not guilty. Thorin scowled and Kili realised his uncle wasn't in the mood for games.

"I was just walking back to my room when they came up to me."

Thorin held up a hand for quiet, "Get to the part where you're brawling like a dwarfling."

Kili couldn't help but bristle at the tone. Why did his uncle always make him sound like a child? Fili had stopped doing it years ago and if he ever did it now it would be as a joke. He drew himself up and stuck his chest out.

"As I said, they started it. They were saying things about me…and my father."

"And why didn't you walk away? Why did you begin fighting?"

Kili clenched his fists. Because he had been taking this crap for too long.

"Because I wanted to wipe that stupid smile from their faces. I hate what they say about my father! How he wasn't a dwarf. How I'm nothing more than a filthy son of a…"

"Enough!" Thorin's eyes flashed and Kili shut his mouth. When his uncle took up his pacing again Kili sighed. He knew what was coming now.

"I cannot have my nephew and heir fighting in the streets. I cannot have such shame brought on our family."

Kili bit his lip. His uncle had never said he'd shamed the family before. At least not directly. It had often been insinuated but hearing the words aloud suddenly made the whole prospect real. Licking his lips Kili let his uncle carry on.

"You are not a dwarfling anymore Kili. If you were things would be different. But you are almost of age. You wouldn't see your brother doing such a thing."

Kili wanted to roll his eyes at this comment. Why did Thorin have to bring Fili into this? Kili loved his brother beyond anything, but he hated it when someone compared him to Fili. His perfect brother. The one who had the looks and bearing the be king. The one who could keep a lid on his temper and talk his way out of a situation without diving in head first like Kili did. The one who never shamed the family.

"That's where you are wrong uncle. Fili was there as well."

Thorin nodded, "Breaking up the fight, not taking part."

Kili wondered if he should mention that Fili threw a few discreet punches himself. He gave a small shake of the head. He wouldn't get his brother into trouble. Thorin gave him a sad smile.

"Why must you always be so reckless? You are heir after Fili. As such you need to start taking your role more seriously."

"You doubt my dedication?" Kili blinked at his uncles words. "Thorin I work just as hard as Fili does. Just because I like to have a laugh once in a while..?"

"BE QUIET KILI!" Thorin yelled. Kili's eyes widened. Thorin stared at him for a few seconds – allowing his anger to clear. He looked back towards the fire.

"Leave me. I do not wish to see you until tomorrow. Tonight you will take dinner in your room and if you try and sneak into the kitchen you will go without. Am I clear?"

"Yes Thorin." Kili could barely speak. Blinking back his tears he turned and hurried from the room. Never before had Thorin been this way with him. He knew how much of a failure he was. But Kili had always assumed his uncle still loved him as much as he loved Fili.

What if he was wrong?

"Kili?"

At Fili's voice Kili pulled out the last arrow before hurriedly wiping his eyes. He hadn't even realised he was crying until that moment. He didn't need Fili to see how weak he was. Licking his lips he grabbed his arrows and turned to see his older brother standing there. To his surprise Fili's eyes were red as well. Dropping the arrows again Kili let his brother pull him in for a hug.

"He was just angry Kee," Fili muttered as he rubbed Kili's back. Kili shut his eyes and clung to his brother's coat. He didn't want to cry over what Thorin had said but as soon as his brother touched him he couldn't stop himself. Fili muttered softly to him in khuzdul before they both drew apart. Fili smiled weakly.

"Even so, he shouldn't have said those things. I think he's just stressed and you know what he's like when he's stressed."

Kili gave a small nod. Looking down he realised he was clutching Fili's hand the way he had done when he was younger. He tried to pull away. He was seventy seven years old. Too old to be holding his brothers hand. But to his surprise Fili held onto him.

"What do you want Kee?"

It had been an old childhood came of theirs. Hide and seek had been out of the question. Their bond had been so strong that if they were without the other for even a few minutes when they were children both brothers would cry and panic until reunited with the other brother. So instead they found games they could play together. One of them had been a sort of treasure hunt. One would ask what the other wanted and they had to go and find it.

Kili licked his lips, "I want to get away from here - just for a few hours. I want to pretend this place doesn't exist."

Fili nodded, "Okay brother. Get your things."

Neither said a word as they mounted their ponies and left Erebor behind. The thick forests that lay at the entrance of the Lonely Mountain were a welcome sight for Kili. Despite being a dwarf he loved the outdoors. Even now he struggled to resist the urge to climb a tree if he saw one. But after what Thorin had said to him earlier, tree climbing was the last thing on Kili's mind. Every so often Fili sent him small worrying glances. However Kili kept his head down, grateful his brother didn't try and force him into conversation. That was one of the reasons Fili was the best brother. He knew when Kili wanted to talk and when he didn't. Kili himself knew in about an hour he'd be feeling a lot better. But right now he just wanted to forget the morning had happened.

Fili didn't even speak when they set up camp. After finding a clearing both brothers dismounted. Kili began setting up a fire while Fili began bringing food out of one of the packs.

"Here you go brother,"

Taking the offered food Kili sat back as the fire swelled to life. Fili sat down cross-legged beside him. Waiting for Kili to finish eating. Kili knew what his brother was doing. It was the reason he was deliberately eating slowly instead of gulping it down like he always did. But the meat was going to be finished at some point. Swallowing his last mouthful he looked up at Fili.

"Thanks for this. I just wanted to get away from it…from him."

Fili nodded, "He shouldn't have said any of that Kili."

Kili's face burned, "How much did you hear?"

Fili sighed and Kili knew his brother didn't want to say. But, after some thought Fili nodded,

"All of it. And he was wrong to say what he did Kili. You have never brought shame on this family. It's right for you to defend yourself."

Kili gave a small nod, "He made me feel so small and… I just wish he… I don't know what I wish."

Fili rubbed his back, "You don't have to talk about it Kili. Not if you don't want to."

"Why me? What is it about me that makes me so different from the rest?"

Fili shook his head and Kili clenched his fists,

"I'm no taller than Thorin and everyone knows my father is a dwarf. I look nothing like an elf…I mean I know I use a bow but…"

"Kili stop talking," Fili whispered, "You'll just upset yourself,"

Although he knew his brother was right Kili shook his head. He was sick of being treated like a child. He had expected that Fili at least would be more supportive.

"And then, when I try to fight back after years of walking away I'm to be punished like I did wrong!"

"Thorin's just stressed. If these rumours about Azog are true…" Fili trailed off but Kili couldn't help himself.

"Don't make excuses. He'd be like this if it was his birthday."

Fili didn't say anything. Instead he opened up his arms and pulled Kili in for a hug. As both brothers embraced Fili kissed Kili's hair whilst Kili clung to him.

"I just want him to be proud of me. The way he is of you. I just want him to show me he loves me."

"Of course he loves you Kee!"

Kili muttered a curse and Fili sighed. Pushing his hair from his face Kili sighed.

"No he doesn't. You and I both know he blames me for almost killing mother."

Fili narrowed his eyes, "You cannot be blamed for that. You didn't cause the complications of your own birth."

"But…"

Fili gripped his shoulders hard, "No Kili. It isn't your fault and trust me when I say Thorin loves you. You know how hard it is for him to show any kind of emotion."

Kili nodded. He was about to talk when he realised something was wrong. Fili's whole body had frozen and his hand was hovering over his sword. Kili narrowed his eyes. However, as he looked over Fili's shoulder he too saw one. Although he couldn't make it out, he knew there was a huge figure watching the pair.

"There's one behind you Fee," he mumbled – trying not to move his mouth too much. He didn't want the person to know they had been spotted. Fili gave a small nod.

"One behind you as well."

Kili had already fitted an arrow to his bow. Fili gave a small nod and both brothers turned around in unison. Kili's arrow flew into the orcs neck whilst Fili jumped to his feet and cut the other one down before it could make a sound. Kicking the body away he looked over at Kili.

"We go back! Now!"

Kili had no intention to argue. He was already moving towards the ponies when two more orc barred his way. One jabbed its axe at him whilst the other cut the ponies free. As their mounts ran off into the trees Kili shook his head – aiming his arrow.

"This really isn't my day."

Of course he hit the orc. He was too close to miss. However, when the first one fell the other one was on him in a second. Kili had no time to fit an arrow and when the orcs boots hit him in the stomach it was as though all his breath was knocked out of him.

"KILI!"

Shaking his head Kili drew out his sword as the orc pulled him to his feet. It was this movement that made Kili pause. The orc had just missed a perfect chance to kill him. It took full advantage of the pause however. Kili gasped as the orcs sword came down on his hand; slicing the top of his palm and causing him to drop his sword. He reached for a knife when his arm was yanked behind his back and a knife was pressed against his neck. Kili lashed out but the orc holding him shook him.

"Stop squirming filth!"

Kili gasped as he was turned round. Fili was still taking on two orcs and Kili was cursing himself. Why had he not killed the orc before it was too late? He could have gone to help Fili instead of letting himself be caught. Fili pulled his sword out from an orcs stomach before looking behind him. As his eyes landed on Kili his face drained of colour. Kili struggled but the orc dug his knife in. As blood ran down his neck Kili could see his brother tearing up.

"Drop the sword."

Fili snarled. Kili shook his head, causing the knife to scratch his neck even more. As more blood fell Fili tensed. Kili knew what his brother would do. He opened his mouth but as Fili dropped his swords he shut it again. Fili held up his hands in surrender.

"Let him go. Please!"

"You care about him?"

Fili nodded, "Take me if you want but just let him go."

"FILI!" At his brothers words Kili kicked his captor in the ankle. The orc roared but his grip on Kili tightened. Wincing Kili looked over at Fili. Two more orcs were advancing on him. One pinned Fili's arms behind him whilst the others began searching his coat. Kili said nothing as Fili's knives were chucked on the floor by his other weapons. The orc holding Kili nodded.

"Take them."

Kili froze. He could see similar fear in Fili's eyes. So this whole thing had been planned. The orcs didn't want them dead. They wanted them. The orc holding Fili began dragging him away. As his brother kicked out Kili wished he could so the same. He had been so full of fight earlier. But now the orcs had his brother it was as though his fight had been sapped from him. The orc holding Fili screeched something in Black Speech before hitting Fili in the back of the head with his club. As his brother fell to the floor Kili could feel his fight coming back. The orc holding him removed the knife before dragging him along. Meanwhile Fili was being dragged by his feet and it was this above everything else that fuelled the anger in Kili.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE! LEAVE HIM!"

The orc holding him snarled. As he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head Kili gasped. The grip on his arm vanished and he fell to his knees. The world grew dark and as he fell forward the last thing Kili saw was his brother being dragged away.

One chapter in and already stuff's happening! Poor Fili and Kili! I'm gonna say it right now, this story will have a LOT of feels in it so you have been warned. xxx