Fili's brow furrowed in frustration as sweat glistened on his face. He had been searching for Kili in the woods for hours, and surely it was almost time for supper. Defeated, Fili sat down on a nearby rock, slumping his shoulders with exhaustion and cursing Kili under his breath for running off again.

Ever since Kili was a child, he was always running off into the woods for whatever reason. If Kili was happy, he'd go off into the woods. If Kili was mad, he'd be in the woods.

Kili had stormed off early in the morning after having yet another fight with Thorin. They seemed to always have something to argue about. It was something that Fili never understood about why they were always shouting at each other. Fili had let him be for a few hours, thinking he would be home mid-day, but when he never came back, Fili started to get worried. Despite his mother's and uncle's protests, he went off in search of his beloved baby brother.

Even though his brother was something of an idiot, he was secretly jealous of him. Kili was several inches taller than Fili and even Thorin, and was much leaner and more agile than any of the dwarves. More than once, Kili had been ridiculed ever since he was born for his elf-like senses and natural behavior, and especially his excellent bowmanship. Even to the day, Fili was amazed by Kili's skills with the bow. He practically carried it everywhere, and always took good care of it. Not only was Kili good with the bow, but had mastered the sword and throwing knives as well. Fili always saw Kili as more of the fighter of the family, while he himself was something of the protector or guardian.

But one thing was certain.

He loved his precious baby brother.

And he would protect him until the day he died.

A loud rumbling in the distance startled Fili, bringing him back to his senses.

Kili. Kili. Oh Durin, please don't let anything happen to Kili.

His prayers were left unanswered.

Frightened out of his mind, Fili ran as fast as his legs would allow him in the direction of the rumbling. He quickly stumbled upon a dark cave, clouded with dust and debris. Coughing, Fili went inside, swinging his arms this way and that, trying to rid of the dusty clouds fogging his view. "Kili…?" Fili whispered, "Are you in here?"

A soft groan answered in reply.

Fili's heart nearly exploded. He's hurt. He's hurt.

He's hurt.

Fili couldn't even see him, yet he knew something was wrong. "Kili, Kili where are you?"

A pitiful cry rang in Fili's ears. He stumbled over rocks and crevices until he made his way deeper into the cave, to find his brother.

Buried.

Under piles of rock.

The only thing visible was his right leg and the side of Kili's face, twisted and contorted in pain.

Oh Durin, no.

Kili.

"Kili, I need you to stay with me, okay? I need to go get help. Stay with me okay? Please, Kili, I need you to stay with me. Kili?!" Fili was almost shouting.

Kili acknowledged with a small flutter of his eyes. That was all he could muster.

Eyes wide with fear, Fili started out of the cave, only to stop short as another cry escaped Kili's lips.

"I will save you, brother."

And with that, Fili was gone.