Something was wrong.

Something was wrong with his brother.

At first, Fili did not pay Kili too much mind. The youngest was in low spirit; nothing unusual about that. Everyone had their bad days, even Bofur on the rare occasion. Considering all that they had been through, it was no wonder that Kili was feeling down. Months upon months of travel, Thorin's swift change of mood, and never a moment to rest. After a grueling adventure, they had finally reached their homeland. They finally achieved a goal that had been set long before they had been born...but what did they have to show for it?

The gold, of course. Though Thorin acted as if it were worthless without the Arkenstone. The company seemed to talk less and less, there was seldom a moment for laughter or good cheer. What once felt like family were now strangers to him. Even Bofur's optimism seemed to wane.

Kili, though...his change worried him the most of all. The prince was aloof, skittish...he acted as if guilty of a heinous crime. When Fili had confronted Kili, he got irritable and defensive.

"There you are! I was beginning to think that you'd gotten lost." Fili forced a smile as he claimed a seat next to the youngest, having found him sitting near the stairway that lead down to the treasure trove. Kili glanced to him, returning the smallest of smiles, but it was obviously not genuine.

Fili sighed to himself; discouragement was a common feeling as of late. "I've been wanting to speak with you, Kee. I wish you'd let me know why you're upset so that I might help," he began his interrogation, watching him closely for a reaction. "Are you homesick?"

Kili merely shook his head a little, eyes downcast as he fidgeted with his sleeve. "No. No I'm not homesick."

"You're ill, then?" Fili's older brother instincts kicked in and he felt his forehead, though Kili swatted his hand away. "I am not sick, either," he informed him stubbornly, so similar to how he would act as a small child. This was the second time within two days he had asked of his health, and he was quick to deny the accusation.

Fili brought his hand back, lips pursed in thought. For a while, he said nothing, but then he looked to him, voice lowered. "...Are you upset about the Arkenstone?"

Kili's eyes widened and his breath caught as the question struck a nerve within him. "No! Why should I care?" The words were spat like a curse - he could practically feel the Arkenstone growing hot within his pocket. "It's lost, isn't it? Even Bilbo doubts that it is here!" The prince stood, afraid that somehow...somehow Fili knew. Fili often seemed able to read his thoughts from a mere glance. What if he knew about his treasure? Was he trying to get a confession out of him? "I don't want to talk about this - I am perfectly fine," he turned sharply, unwilling to answer any further. "Just leave me alone, will you?"

Fili stood as well, but he did not pursue after him. Kili stormed off, but he could only watch in numbed disbelief. The outburst was completely uncalled for; Kili was so unlike himself that he could barely comprehend that this had happened. This was not his brother.

"We have gained our homeland...and yet it feels as if we have lost everything." Fili spoke quietly, his gaze fixated to the world below their once-mighty kingdom. Snow and cold. Frost and ice. So unlike the green hills they had left behind. "Have you come to ask me of my uncle, Bilbo?"

Bilbo jumped, surprised that Fili had known that he was there. Another day's fruitless search had ended leaving everyone tired, irritable, and increasingly worn out. How much longer could this go on? "I was...well, I wanted to ask," the hobbit was flustered, which was nothing new. Out of all of them, Fili believed he had remained the most recognizable. The least changed since they had reached Erebor. The blonde did not press him to explain, he knew that the burglar always did in good time. Fili was patient and respected the hobbit, the least he could do was to give him a moment to spit the words out.

Bilbo cleared his throat, wishing he had better thought out what he was to say. "I couldn't help but wonder about Kili," he admitted, inwardly cringing when he saw the look on Fili's face. A mixture of worry and suspicion. "What do you mean?" Fili tensed, seeking his face for an explanation while being unable to rid himself of the sinking feeling in his chest. It had been three days since Kili's outburst; since then, he had seen very little of him. While he would have liked nothing more than to force the truth out of the youngest, he decided to give him time. If Kili wanted to be alone, so be it. He would come around eventually...wouldn't he? "Did you speak with him? Did he say anything to you?"

"No...well, I was going to. I wanted to." Bilbo relaxed just a touch when he saw that Fili was not angered by him bringing the topic of Kili up, but telling him was difficult all the same. "I found him...talking, to himself. At least, that is what it appeared." Shifting uncomfortably, he went on. "He looks as if he hasn't slept in a few days." Bilbo saw the concern written all over Fili's face, but he had no choice but to continue. Fili needed to know; telling Thorin would prove useless. "Oin had wanted to check his wound for infection, he thought, perhaps he'd fallen ill...but Kili would have none of it."

Now Fili was the one to feel sick. How could he have let this go on? Why hadn't he insisted upon Kili telling him what was wrong? "So he was ill after all..." The words were uttered lowly in disbelief, and he made his way for the door without a second's delay, determined to find his brother and take him to Oin, by force if need be. Kili's stubbornness never ceased to amaze him; why would he not admit to being sick? The memory of his little brother being hit with an arrow still haunted his mind, and he inwardly cursed for not checking the wound himself. "Where is he?"

Bilbo rubbed the back of his neck uneasily, the urgency in Fili's voice made him feel even smaller than he actually was. "That is the problem, actually...no one can find him."