DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE HOBBIT OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS, NOR AM I MAKING ANYTHING OUT OF THIS EXCEPT MY OWN AMUSEMENT

Bilbo was worried. He had woken deep in the dead of a dark night to find all his dwarf companions snoring coarsely but peacefully next to the dying embers of the fire. All except Kili, who was supposed to be on watch. Only, where was he? It was the night after the troll attack, and Bilbo was still feeling rather shaken. That was the most excitement he had had in the last 15 years, and certainly the only time he had felt his life to be in danger. And now Kili had disappeared. Bilbo felt his heart start to race. He wiped his now sweating palms on his waistcoat and peered through the thick heavy darkness all about him. A slight wind made the black shapeless mass of pine tree forest creak and moan. The light from the fire was flickering, and cast eerie red shadows over the sleeping faces of his companions. A spider fell from Bilbo's hair and brushed against his cheek, causing the back of his neck to prickle as he swiped it away.

"Kili?" he hissed hesitantly, but the darkness swallowed his voice up almost immediately. Fili stirring and a small frown appeared on his forehead in his sleep. Gandalf hiccupped, and Bombur inhaled a moth which promptly fled out his nose. Bilbo winced, momentarily distracted by disgust. Then a thread of cloud shifted and revealed a sliver of pale moon, which cast a weak shaft of light higher up the slope near the troll's cave. Bilbo spotted a short but lean figure disappearing inside it. He groaned aloud. What on earth was Kili up to now? At least he hadn't been kidnapped by orcs.

Bilbo gazed longing at his warm bedroll for just a moment before setting off stealthily up the slope. It was tough going in the dark and he kept tripping over tree roots. Eventually he made it to the cave. A faint light was pooling out from within. Bilbo felt a sense of foreboding but was overwhelmed with curiosity. These feelings were not abated when a slightly manic snigger emanated from its depths.

Bilbo wondered how to proceed. On the one hand, he could creep up and catch Kili in whatever mischief he was up. On the other he could declare himself masterfully and take control of the situation. The second option was more appealing to Bilbo, who was amused by Kili's lack of maturity as it made him feel paternal. He strode in. "What exactly is going on here, Kili?" he demanded, placing his hands on his hips and standing as straight as he could.

Kili was crouched at the back of the cave peering down at something. He stood with a gasp as Bilbo entered, and rapidly tucked something up his sleeve. "No-nothing, Bilbo!" he said innocently, flashing him a charmingly sweet smile. Bilbo definitely did not like that peculiar glint in his eyes, though.

"So why are you up here in the dead of night when everyone else is asleep, hmm?" Bilbo asked superiorly, getting some satisfaction from the way Kili squirmed like a naughty child.

"I just wanted to brin- that is look at, the…erm… jewels and other exciting stuff one last time." Kili gazed meekly at the floor, which was scattered with bones, gems and weaponry of one sort or another.

"Kili." Bilbo said (rather patronisingly) with a fond smile. "There's no need to lie to Bilbo. I know what this is about."

Kili's head shot up in horror. "You do?"

"Oh yes," Bilbo nodded, still smiling sweetly. "I know you write poetry."

Kili stared at him, stunned.

Bilbo approached and patted his shoulder. "There, there, I know the other dwarfs consider it a little…effeminate. And I can understand that sometimes you just need to get away and let your creativity blossom. But, Kili, its dangerous out here. I was really concerned about you. You mustn't just go wandering about on your own. Anything could happen."

Kili blinked a few times to gather his wits before letting out a nervous laugh. "Er, poetry, yes. That's precisely…creativity blossoming and all that, of course, exactly. So glad you understand but er…" His mind was whirring rapidly but he managed to look suitably contrite. "I'm…so sorry Bilbo, really I well and truly am. it's just that, you know, …. I think if Fili ever found out he'd disown me as his brother!" He forced a tear to well up in his eyes and his bottom lip trembled.

"Oh you poor dear!" Bilbo wrapped him warmly in his arms. "There, there, its okay…" his murmured, mistaking Kili's tears for those of shame instead of laughter.

"And just think what Uncle Thorin would say!"

"Try not to worry…"

"Its just that," Kili sobbed dramatically, really starting to enjoy himself now, "poetry is such a big thing in my life and its hurts me so much to deceive, to lie to my own brother. He thinks he understands me you see, but how can he? But it would hurt him so bad, you know…" Inside, he was puzzling over why on earth Bilbo thought he wrote poetry. Maybe Bilbo overheard him planning Thorin's happy birthday lyrics whilst bathing in the river…though if he did, Bilbo could have no more idea of what constitutes poetry than he did himself.

Bilbo was now stroking Kili's hair. "You know, the best policy is honesty. I think you'll have to tell him sooner or later. He is your brother and he loves you with all his heart. If your poetry is a part of you, then he will just have to accept it."

"Your right…" sniffed Kili sadly. Then he untangled himself from Bilbo's tentacle-like arms and smiled. "You're such a good friend, Bilbo. I'm so grateful for how you're always looking out for me. Shall we go back now?"

The two of them returned to the camp. Bilbo was brimming with so much joy at having earned Kili's trust that he failed to notice the manic gleam in Kili's eyes was still alight, and the way he chuckled to himself periodically as he checked the bulge in his sleeve was still there.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING! PLEASE DO LEAVE A REVIEW, BE IT NASTY OR NICE (can always make improvements) AND HOPE YOU LIKE THE NEXT CHAPTER. :)