Fili often thought about what he was grateful for. Things like his mother, his father, safety, Uncle Thorin, food, water, good health, and a nice home were usually on his lists. But one thing he was not grateful for was his younger brother. His mother was coming home from the hospital with him today. One of Fili's friends told him how older siblings were ignored after another child was born. Sure, he was excited to see his mother again, but he wasn't ready to be pushed to the side.

The door squeaked open. Fili ran over with Thorin close behind. Dis stepped inside. There was a small bundle in her arms. After greeting her family, she sat down with her brother on the couch in front of the fireplace. Fili sat in the chair that was the farthest away.

Dis passed the child to Thorin, who, up to this point, had been peering over her shoulder eagerly to see his youngest nephew. He took the infant willingly.

"What's his name?" Thorin asked his sister.

"Kili," Dis replied.

"Hello, Kili," Thorin whispered. "I'm your Uncle Thorin." Kili stirred in his sleep.

Fili shifted away from his family. He was being ignored. They were so focused on Kili, they probably wouldn't notice if he left. He could go to his room and play.

The adults were still talking to Kili, so Fili decided to try his plan. He stood up slowly and began tiptoeing to his room. So far, so good. It seemed like his plan would work! Just a little bit further...

"Fili!" Dis called to her eldest son.

Fili turned around. "What is it?"

"Would you like to hold your brother?"

Fili hesitated. He felt that he should ignore Kili, like how his family was ignoring him. But at the same time, Kili hadn't done anything to him. "No thank you," he decided. He turned and went to his room, not bothering to be quiet about it.

Dis looked concerned. She glanced at her brother, who nodded and stood, giving the baby back to his mother.

Someone knocked on Fili's closed door. He wasn't ready to talk about why he had walked away so suddenly.

"Leave me alone!" he screamed. Unable to hold it in any longer, he broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. The door swung open, and Fili didn't protest.

Thorin knelt beside his nephew. "Fili, what's the matter?" he asked gently.

All of Fili's bottled up emotions came pouring out into two sentences. "Now that Kili's here, everyone's going to start ignoring me! I don't want to be a bad brother to him, but if no one cares about me, I might as well treat him the same!" There he broke off, crying.

"Fili." Fili looked up at his uncle, sniffling loudly. "I don't ever want you to think that no one cares about you. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kili just needs a bit more attention right now, since he's so young. But, I promise you, no one will love you any less." Thorin stood up. "Would you like a bit of time by yourself?" Fili nodded. "Come out when you're ready," Thorin called over his shoulder as he left the room.

Fili looked around his room. Despite his uncle's words, he wasn't completely reassured. Drying his eyes, his gaze landed on his wooden sword. It couldn't do much, other than giving the victim a few bruises, but Fili began to get an idea.

AN: First fanfiction! Reviews are more than welcome, just please don't be too harsh, as this is my first fanfic.