"Kili!"

Suddenly I heard my brother's voice call me and then everything was shaking. After a while, I was starting to feeling to sick so I opened my eyes.

"Fili, stop it! Please, stop!"

"Then get up."

Groaning, I sit up to throw a pillow at my brother's face. He throws it back at me with a smile on his face. Fili then climbs onto the bed next to me and says, "You went out again last night didn't you?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well for one, breakfast was a few minutes ago and you slept through it, as you always do when you go out at night. The second thing is, Uncle told me."

"He told you I went out last night? What did he say?" I said eagerly. A part of me wanted to know more on what Thorin said about our conversation last night. Honestly, I didn't understand all of it either. Fili must have sensed my eagerness because he suddenly moved closer to me and put his hand on my shoulder.

"He said you left the house last night without any way to defend yourself and were reckless." At this, Fili fixed me with the look of 'you know better than that Kili.' "Then he just said that he took you your bow then came back and you returned not long after."

"Well why should I need to defend myself? Last night Uncle talked to me before leaving the bow. What is going on Fili? I've gone out at night before without a weapon. Why did Uncle say I was just as important as you or him?"

Fili slapped my arm and gave me a stern look. "Because you are important, you're my little brother. If anything happened to you, I-I-I don't know what I would do. Kili, you are important because if anything happens to us you're the one that has to go on."

At the moment I can't look at my brother. I want to say it's because of the emotion in Fili's voice or something in my eye, but the truth is that I didn't want my brother to see the tears going down my face. He just doesn't understand. Fili is the older one and the next heir, he's the one that is supposed to carry on, people expect me to make sure that happens and that nothing happens to him. Fili may try to protect me from what people say about me, but that doesn't mean I don't understand what they are saying. One time I even heard someone in the village say that if something did happen they hoped I was nowhere near Fili so he wouldn't die trying to save me. Others have said that if for some reason Thorin and Fili were both gone, they would lead people against me because 'that boy ain't got what it takes, the only reason we keep him around is cause of his family, without them he's nothing.' The thing is that sometimes I feel like that is true. Fili can do things without me, but I can't really do much without him.

"Now let's stop all this sad talk. Uncle left you some food. Hurry up and get dressed, we're going into the village today."

With that, my brother left the room. I, however, could not transition so quickly. Something in Fili's talk was just too similar to Thorin's and it made me feel self-conscious. After a few more seconds of thought, I got out of the bed and threw on the first clothes I could grab. Looking in the mirror I didn't look to bad, so it was time to face the world. My stomach growled as I left the bedroom. Before I entered the kitchen, I heard something that made me pause.

"Why can't we tell him again?"

"He doesn't need to know right now Fili, we've discussed this."

"But Uncle, doesn't he have a right to know, he is involved."

"Fili, it's better if he doesn't. I don't want to worry him, plus we're going to make sure nothing happens. I've also told Dwalin and Gloin to keep looking out and tell me if they hear anything."

What was going on? What didn't Thorin want me to know? In some ways I felt betrayed because it seemed I was the only one in this family that didn't know.

"You know how the people in town view Kili. They don't need another reason to ridicule him or blame him."

"Fili, the people might not view Kili in the best of light right now, but they won't forever. He is young and they just see his inexperience and youth. One day he will be able to prove himself to them, but he is still a boy. Let me decide what is best for you both, it's my job to take care of you."

"But you always tell us that we have to always be able to defend ourselves."

"That's in case I can't always be there. Tough times will come and I need to know that you two are prepared, just in case."

I couldn't take it anymore, I needed to just walk out there. A part of me wanted to continue listening to see what else they said, but any longer and my growling stomach would give me away. What they were saying bothered me. What are they keeping from me?

"Morning," I say as I enter the kitchen. Both Fili and my Uncle looked up at my arrival and plaster smiles on their smiles. It was clear that whatever they were talking about was not going to be mentioned again.

"Morning Kili. Well hurry up and eat," said Thorin as he put a plate of food down on the table, "we have some things to do in the village today."

The rest of the morning went by pretty routinely. After I was done with breakfast, Fili and I followed behind Thorin. Before we left I grabbed my bow and quiver, while my brother and uncle were doing their business I could practice my shooting. On the way towards the village, Dwalin joined us. He and Thorin are now in discussion, so Fili and I walk ahead. The business that Thorin and Fili have has something to do with Balin and he is there when we arrive in the village limits.

"Morning lads, Thorin on his way?"

I turn around to see Uncle Thorin and Dwalin in what looks to be a pretty intense conversation, judging by the furrow in Uncle's brow and the rapidness at which Dwalin's lips are moving.

"Ya, Uncle and Dwalin are right behind us," answers Fili. As soon as the words leave Fili's mouth, Uncle and Dwalin walk up behind us into the village.

"Well hello Balin. Let's get down to business shall we. You going to be alright Kili?" asks Thorin.

"Of course Uncle, I'm just going to practice shooting over by those trees. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?" The look on Thorin's face—that only lasted a second—after I said that, showed that maybe he did know the worst that could happen and it was something that scared him.

"Well, we'll be done in half an hour, try to stay out of trouble."

And with that Uncle, Fili, Balin, and Dwalin walked towards the forge to discuss their affairs privately. Feeling a little left out, I walked back towards the woods a little ways away. With every arrow I let loose, I tried to just clear my mind and not think about what they were hiding, however it was hard. I was just about to let loose another arrow at the target when I shout drew my attention. It was coming from the direction of the village.

"HELP! HELP! Where is Thorin? I need to speak the Thorin?!"

I started running back towards the village. When I got there I saw a young man, older than myself, frantically running down the main street. He looked tired. His clothing was dirty and so was his face. It looked like he had been running for a while.

"May I help you?" I asked as I got closer to him.

He looked at me curiously. His cheeks were red and he was trying to catch his breath. I also noticed that some of his shirt was ripped and one spot had a light coating of red.

"Are you alright?"

"Do you know where Thorin Oakenshield is?"

"Yes, but-"

"There is no time, please take me to him. Take me to him now."