Big thanks to Alexiss Tinnviel, ColourGuardianoftheGalaxy, Fililover95, Filisgirl251, Gingerman454, Nice Egan and SneakyTurtle for following/favouriting.

Nice Egan – Hopefully it will live up to expectations. Gutted I had to wait for my internet to get sorted before I could post it though.

Filisgirl251 – Trying to make sure it's different from my other Kili/OC fic.

Lighting elf – Is this soon enough for you? ;)

Gingerman454 – Fingers crossed it gets even better

Princes of the Blue Mountains

When Fira woke the first thing she was aware of was the fact that the sun was starting to rise. The second thing was the burning pain in her head. Rubbing her temples as soothingly as possible she tried to remember what had happened. Right now her head felt like it had been kicked by several horses and when her stomach gave a small shudder Fira turned over onto her stomach in time. Trying to ignore the smell as she threw up was impossible given her nose was mere millimetres from it. Spitting out the few remaining bits of sick from her mouth she shook her head before rolling onto her back to try and see where she even was.

"Oh great."

Three orcs sat by a huge tree. They hadn't yet noticed her but as she saw the ropes around her hands and feet Fira knew she was going nowhere. Licking her lips she shuffled into a sitting position before bringing her bonds towards her mouth. The ropes were thick but her teeth were almost unbreakable, even in her human form. It wouldn't take her long to break free.

"Oi!"

At the orcs voice Fira forced herself to look up. She recognised this one almost instantly. He was the one who was responsible for her pounding headache. Smoothing her face into a glare she hugged her knees to her chest.

"What do you want with me? I have no money or anything of value."

This wasn't exactly true. But all of her possessions had been left behind at her camp. Besides, none of them would be any useful to an orc. Her weapons were too small and they had no need for money or jewels. The orc shrugged and Fira wrinkled her nose. He smelt like rotting fish.

"In which case why am I trussed up like a slab of meat?"

At the mention of meat the orcs eyes widened and Fira shook her head.

"No, no I didn't mean I was meat!"

Her protests fell on deaf ears as the orcs leaned down and grabbed her by the front of her jacket. Her gloves hadn't been removed thank Valar and apart from the dirt her clothes were in relatively good condition. The orc sniffed her face before dragging her along towards the others. Her boots tore up the mud and Fira tried not to think about what else might be on the ground. Especially since orcs weren't known for their…cleanliness. Her body was given a rough shake before being thrown before the others. Fira was aware of them surrounding her. But instead of showing them just how scared she was she instead kept her head low and tried to brush the dirt from her boots.

"Is this the one?"

She stinks of dragons, of course she is!"

The orcs all blurred together in her head. Fira didn't even bother trying to work out which one was which. She wasn't planning on being here long enough for that. As the orcs began talking to each other in their own language Fira glanced around. There were no wargs – that she could see – and there were at least three different ways she could use to escape. All she needed to think about was distracting the orcs long enough to free herself. A slap had her looking up into one of the orcs faces.

"We understand you've been sent to kill Oakenshield?"

Fira shrugged. Now that she had been given time to think about it she wasn't completely sure she had made the right choice. She wasn't a killer. She would kill for food and in self - defence. But not a complete stranger in cold blood. And yet if she didn't she would die herself. She had thought about running – after all she didn't need to shift to escape. But she knew Tharos would have sent someone after her. No doubt with an order to kill her if she tried to run or if she showed any sign of failing. The orc shook her.

"Our master wishes to see you. He believes you can be of some help to him."

Fira shook her head weakly. No doubt their master was Tharos's 'ally'. She didn't think she wanted to meet him just yet.

"Thanks but I'd rather do this my own way."

The rocs fist slammed into her stomach, "You do not have a choice in the matter!"

Doubling over Fira coughed weakly. Looking up she saw another fist coming straight towards her. Blood spurted from her now broken nose and she fell back as the orcs boots now joined their fists in attacking it. Lashing out with her bound feet she yelled in anger as one orc held onto her by her hair whilst the others carried on beating the life from her.

"If you think this is bad," the one holding her head spat, "wait until our master has you."

Kili said nothing as Fili carried on talking. They had set off the second dawn had arrived – after a huge breakfast of course – and despite his growing excitement Kili couldn't help but be dampened slightly by the news they would soon reach Bag End. This had been the first time both he and his brother had travelled such long distances by themselves and he couldn't help but wish the Shire was further away. Once they joined the others things would be different. Fili would go back to being nothing but Thorins heir and Kili would be left as the younger brother. And neither wanted that to happen.

"Kili?"

At his brothers voice a smile instantly grew on Kili's face. If anyone could make him smile it would be his brother. Fili grinned at him.

"Not boring you am I?"

Kili shook his head with a rueful smile.

"No, I was just…had other things on my mind."

Fili nodded and before Kili could say anything he leaned over from his pony and hugged him close.

"Anything in particular you wish to talk about?"

Kili wanted to say no. He wanted to shake his head and pretend everything was fine. But Fili would be able to tell he was lying and so he nodded.

"It's just…well when we get to Bag End Thorin's going to be there."

"And?"

"And I know he didn't want me to come." Kili was surprised he could be so calm about this. Fili gave his hand a squeeze and he shook his head.

"I mean he practically expected you to come. You're his heir after all. But what about me? I have no real reason to come. He still thinks I'm too young."

Fili sighed, "You have every right to come along Kili. It's your birth right as much as mine,"

Kili nodded, noticing however that Fili wasn't yet done.

"However, he does have a point. You are still young."

Kili pursed his lips, "I assume by that you mean 'immature'?"

"No," Fili said softly, "No I mean you're seventy seven. You aren't of age yet."

"I've five years younger than you." Kili retorted. Fili sighed.

"Yes I know, mother made that quite clear when she told Thorin neither of us should be going. Look what I meant was…no matter how old you are you'll always be my baby brother okay? I just want to make sure you're safe."

Kili blushed slightly at this before nodding.

"I'm sorry. I just know what's going to happen. Thorn will find ways to belittle me and talk down to me. I know he doesn't mean to and I know he loves me. It's just how he comes across at times."

"Well, in that case. We'll just have to 'accidently' stumbled across a group of trolls and you'll be able to save his life and earn his full respect."

Kili giggled, "He'd be so grateful he'd start bowing every time he saw me."

Fili snorted at this before looking over Fili's shoulder. As he did so his face paled. Kili drew his pony to a halt before reaching over and taking the reins of Fili's pony. Both Daisy and Minty snorted whilst Kili's other hand reached for his sword. He was better with a bow but even he couldn't use it one handed. Fili drew out his twin blades before edging towards a small clearing. Although he couldn't see much through the thick trees Kili didn't understand why his brother was so jumpy. As far as he could see no one was there.

"Kili!"

Scrambling down off Minty Kili held his sword in both hands before silently hurrying after his brother. Fili stood completely still and for a second Kili wondered if his brother was hurt or ill.

"Fili?"

"Shush."

Raising an eyebrow Kili moved so he was side by side with Fili. As he looked at the abandoned camp he allowed himself a small shake of the head. Just as he had thought, no one was here. Fili however was holding his swords tightly as though he expected orcs to come running at him. Kili sighed.

"Yes, this empty camp is so threatening. Make sure you don't get ambushed by the dead fire."

Fili tried to shoot him a serious look but there was a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Shaking his head Kili sheathed his sword.

"Seriously Fee, nothing's here."

"Exactly."

"Huh?"

Sheathing his own swords Fili gestured to the camp.

"Look at it Kili. Food, clothing, weapons! It's all just been left lying here."

"Maybe they went hunting?"

Fili nodded, "Maybe. But something's just not right."

As his brother began taking a closer look around Kili decided to follow suite. If anything it would give him something to do other than just stand and stare. As his eyes fell over the weapons he made mental notes on each. They were all well made for a start. A sword, a bow and set of arrows, two large looking daggers and three smaller, sleeker knives. Kneeling down he picked on up. Fili had taught him you could tell a lot about a person from their weapons. Kili flipped it in his hand – perfectly balanced. The hilt was well crafted and he knew straight away these sorts of weapons were expensive. They were small as well, too small for a human or an elf.

"Fili, over here. Look."

His brother ran his own expert gaze over the weapons and nodded.

"They belong to a dwarf."

"But look," Kili held out the sword. The hilt was slender, far slender than his or Fili's.

"A woman? Out alone?"

Kili shrugged before putting the weapons back. It wasn't exactly unheard of for dwarves to live solitary lives. It was far rarer for women to do so but not completely impossible. Getting to his feet he wiped his hands before looking round.

"Why would she leave it all like this?"

"I don't think she did leave Kee."

Fili pointed to several marks in the dirt. At first Kili couldn't fully make out what they were. However, as he neared them he saw several scuffed footmarks along with drags in the soil. At the larger footprints he shuddered.

"She didn't leave willingly."

Fili nodded grimly, "The tracks aren't that old. I'd say she was taken several hours ago."

Kili nodded, "Do you think we should try and find her? I mean we have time."

Fili paused and Kili sighed. He wasn't trying to delay their arrival at Bag End. But he knew if he didn't try and find the girl then he'd never stop hating himself. Fili nodded when an enraged scream sang through the air. Both look at each other in horror.

"Do you think..?" Kili trailed off. Fili nodded and drew his swords. Kili drew his own before running after his brother. He knew he should be concerned about leaving the ponies or making sure his brother and he didn't get hurt. But right now all he could focus on was reaching the girl in time.

The screaming stopped minutes before they reached her. Both brothers stumbled to a halt on one side of a gradual incline of the forest floor. Peering over the top they saw three orcs standing over the body of a young girl. Even from their distance Kili knew it was the same girl whose camp they had found. She was shorter than he and Fili by a fair few centimetres. One orc held something against her neck whilst another stuck a blade into her thigh. Throwing her head back the girl screamed and Kili clenched his free fist.

"Bastards."

Fili nodded before pulling out one of his many throwing knives. Kili had given up guessing how many weapons his brother could hide in that coat of his. He just hoped he had brought enough with him. Fili nodded at him.

"You go round the side Kee. I'll try and take that one," he pointed to the third orc who was doing nothing but watching.

Kili nodded, his own sights set on the orc who had stabbed the girl. Flashing Fili a grin he slowly began to make his way towards his right, never taking his eyes of the sight before him. As he moved the ground sloped downwards and it wasn't long before he was eye level with the girl. She hadn't yet seen him – or if she had she'd given nothing away. Her hands and feet were bound whilst he knife was still sticking out of her thigh and Kili saw the orc had another in his hand. This time he pressed the tip into her shoulder.

"What a pretty scream you have!"

The girl whimpered and Kili noticed the orc pinning her down was having to strain his arms to do so. Her arms failed whilst her legs lashed out at the orc. He gave her an approving nod. As soon as his head stopped moving he caught a small blur before one of the orcs screamed. It fell back and Kili wasted no time in running at the one closest to him. Despite the huge sixe advantage the orc was too busy taring at it's dead friend to notice Kili. With an enraged yell he jumped up and ran the orc through. It made a small gasping sound and Kili shoved it to one side before it fell on the girl. Gripping the blade in both hands he looked in her direction as his blood chilled.

"Drop the blade or she dies!"

He'd completely forgotten about the other orc. It dug a knife against the girls neck and Kili could see blood running from a small cut. Licking his lips he sighed. He wasn't going to just give up. But he couldn't allow the girl to die. She took several erratic breaths and Kili's heart went out to her. He could see the fear in her face! The orc dug the knife in and she gave a small cry. Kili looked up before nodding and backing off. The orc smiled before it's whole body froze. Kili saw his brothers knife sticking out of the orcs neck. It's grip on the knife gave way and as it fell back Kili wasted no time in kneeling by the girl. Up close he could see her face was swollen from all the bruises. Looking at her leg he saw blood staining her trousers.

"Kili!"

Fili knelt beside him and gently placed the girls head in his lap. Her eyes flickered and before Kili could say anything her head lolled. Fili placed a hand against her neck.

"She's still alive. We have to stop the bleeding."

Nodding Kili grabbed the knife and pulled it from her leg. Maybe it was best she was unconscious. Reaching over he ripped a huge strip from the closest orcs trousers and wrapped it around her leg whilst Fili made short work of her bonds. They could heal her properly back at the camp. The girl moaned slightly and for a second Kili found himself freezing. Shaking his head he swiftly tied the rag and scooped her into his arms. Fili raised an eyebrow before turning and hurrying back up the hill. Kili shifted the girl in his arms and gazed down at her face. He knew this was the wrong time to think about such a thing, but he couldn't help it. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. What little he could see of her skin was pale with the odd freckle here and there. Her dark brown hair fell over her chest whilst Kili remembered the feeling of those dark brown eyes gazing into his own. Licking his lips he looked up to see his brother waiting for him several feet away. Blushing he hurried into a jog, keeping a tight grip on her still body. Even though he'd only seen her for a few minutes Kili somehow knew that this was the first time in a while she'd been truly at peace.

So she's met Fili and Kili! Sort of, there's more of that next chapter! And yeah she's having doubts about what she's supposed to do which should (I hope) make things more interesting later on. As ever let me know what you all think xxx