AN: JUST MY LUCK. I almost had this chapter written when my laptop suddenly decided to shut down, and I lost like 1500words. Luckily I had even saved this after 700 words, so I don't have to write it all from the beginning. But yeah, life is doing well... if you ignore pointlessly yelling random mothers and the fact that I still have almost three hours detention. At least it's not six and a half, like it used to be when I got it few weeks ago! Gotta find something positive in everything.

ANYWAYYS, hope you like this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hobbit

"Thorin?" asked Fili, eyeing his uncle, somehow confused. He hadn't expected to see him yet, and for a half a second he was scared that the men had found him and hurt him, but as Thorin looked just relieved and not injured, Fili relaxed.

"Kili, are you okay?" Thorin asked, stepping closer. Kili slightly nodded, grinning. If you asked Thorin, his youngest nephew looked bad, but not as bad as he could. He was worried and relieved at the same time, happy to see them both well and alive.

Fili shifted on his feet, looking around them nervously. "Did you meet them? Tell me you didn't."
"Meet who?" Thorin asked, now looking at Fili. "Do you mean those who did this?" he added, nodding to Kili's direction.
"Yes. They.. Kili told me what happened, and they hurt him for the information of you. Seems like they know someone who would pay for your head, Thorin. We were just on our way to warn you."

Thorin nodded, eyeing Kili for a second before turning his head back to the older brother. Kili felt a wave of guilt hit him, and at the moment he really hated himself. But it really didn't matter, Kili thought, because their uncle was in danger. For a moment he had forgotten his pain, which hadn't really faded anywhere. His arm still burnt and his ribs hurt like he was still being kicked. His jaw ached uncomfortably and he felt like he could fall asleep standing up, because he had never felt as exhausted.

"Whatever happened or is about to happen, Kili is what matters now", Thorin said, sighing. "We must get him inside. It will do no good for him to be standing up, let alone being attacked by those men again."

"I agree", Fili said, turning around to see his brother. He eyed him, looking worried, but saying nothing.
"What about them?" Kili asked. "We don't kno' where they are. We know nothin' but that Thorin is in danger because of me!"
"Stop it", Fili snapped. "Hear me now, Kili, it is not your fault."
"Listen to your brother", Thorin added. "Nothing will happen to me. We will worry about them when you are well, or perhaps we will take care of them with Fili while you rest. But it doesn't matter now, now we have to move."

Kili listened, not believing that his uncle really meant that, but just nodding. He had no power to argue. He was lucky if he could make it to their house without help.

Slowly they started to walk. Thorin lead them, his sword raised and ready to fight if those men suddenly appeared from somewhere. Fili also had his sword, but mostly keeping company to his suffering little brother and not bothering to pay attention to their surroundings. Thorin could handle it, so he would be with his brother.

"It's a nice day", Fili said, as he couldn't think of anything else to say.
"It is okay, I suppose", Kili replied, holding his burnt arm close to his stomach. Every step he took was pure agony, and it seemed like with every step his ribs went for the worse. Kili hoped it was just his imagination.

"Is it still far?" Kili asked, not giving his brother time to continue the small talk.

Fili shook his head. "No. Just another five minutes. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am completely fine."
"You sure don't look like it. You look like you barely stay on your feet. Let me help", Fili said, stepping closer his brother, but Kili snatched away.
"I don't need help, Fili", he sighed, eyeing his brother. He couldn't let him know how badly he was hurt and how exhausted he was; he had already proven his weakness, he had already betrayed them. He didn't want to be a burden to his brother, not any more than he already was.

Fili looked at Kili, shaking his head a little. "Kili, you are my brother, and I want to help. You seem to struggle just to lift your feet! I can't even imagine what you went through-"
"That is true, you can't!" Kili let out a frustrated cry, which made Thorin glance at them over his shoulder for a few seconds before turning back forward. "You have no idea what it feels like to betray your family, Fili, you are perfect nephew and you wouldn't break like I did! Maybe the leader was right, you know, maybe I am worthless. I couldn't even protect you."

Even though Kili was ashamed to let it all out, he felt relieved. Now his brother knew how he felt. Maybe Fili was disappointed because he had been stupid and fallen asleep in the forest, and maybe he was disappointed because he had been weak and told about Thorin so now he was in danger, but some part in Kili still told him that Fili could make it okay, and Fili would never be mad at him. Kili tried to listen to that small part of himself, but it was hard.

"You let nobody down", Fili replied with his reassuring voice. "Everyone has their breaking point! Even I, believe it or not. If someone told me that if I didn't tell them something, they'd hurt you, I wouldn't hesitate one second. Kili, that is not you", the older brother continued, resting his hand on Kili's shoulder like he used to when they were smaller. "Don't think like that, okay? Because it is not true, and I know that you know it."

Kili ducked his head. Maybe Fili was right. He had done his best, after all. He had managed for so long, he had fought back and he had defended his brother and uncle as best as he could in that situation. He hadn't given the leader anything, but the leader had gotten all the information from somewhere else.

As Fili got no answer, he huffed and glanced at his brother. "You want me to help you?"

Kili smiled a little and slightly nodded. "That would be great."

After what seemed like an eternity to Kili, but was probably five to ten minutes, they reached their front door. Fili had his arm wrapped under Kili's arm and on his back, supporting him. Thorin opened the door and the brothers walked in, Kili's head almost limp against Fili's neck. Fili took a deep breath and lowered his brother on the nearest couch, resting his head on a pillow. Kili opened his eyes a little bit and grinned.

"How have I missed this softness", he muttered, and Fili laughed.
"No doubt. But Kili, we have to take a look to your injuries, okay? So shirt off. You need any help with it?"

Kili bit his lip. "Actually, yes. My sides hurt and I don't think I will be able to lift my other arm too much."

Fili nodded, sitting beside his brother. Thorin entered the room and stayed next to Kili, eyeing his nephew without a word. The wound on his cheek looked alright, it was not bleeding or anything, but the cheek was swollen and his chin was red and had a lot bruising on it, and made him look nasty.

"Here we go", Fili muttered as he lifted Kili's shirt up and over his head. Kili relaxed back on to the couch, shutting his eyes. He was so tired.

"Do you mind if I-"
"No, just sleep", Thorin interrupted the youngest of them. "You need it. We will take care of you while you sleep."

Kili smiled, not opening his eyes. "With pleasure", he murmured, and drifted off in seconds.

His brother shook his head as he took a closer look at Kili's body. His sides were badly bruised and swollen, going from deep blue to red and purple. Even some yellow was visible. They looked like they hurt much, and Fili had to admit that probably he couldn't have managed to last that long with a injuries like that.

"I'm not a healer, but I'll look what I can do", Thorin said. "I know some herbs that might help Kili. Give me a minute and I'll go get them from the kitchen, I think we have them all."

Fili nodded. They had no better plan. Since the nearest healer was in the village and the village was a way ahead, they had to manage themselves. Fortunately Kili's injuries weren't deep, only bruises and a few cuts and maybe a mild concussion, he would be okay as long as the wounds wouldn't caught any bacteria.

As Thorin was gone, Fili took a look at his arm. The skin from where Richard had burnt it was red and harsh, but didn't seem to be too serious. Some cool water would probably help to ease the pain, as there was nothing else they could do about it but to put a bandage on the burnt area.

Looking at Kili's face, Fili realized the long cut didn't need stitching -which was better than good thing- and that it had stopped bleeding a while ago. His bruised cheek and chin would recover in few days tops. The marks around Kili's wrists from the rope around them would vanish by themselves as well. What worried Fili the most were his sides, which looked bad and seemed to have suffered many blows. The bruising would make Kili's movements agony for the next week or two, but Fili was sure they'd leave no unfortunate effects.

"I found them", Thorin's voice suddenly echoed from the kitchen. "Could you help me out with these?"
"Yes", Fili simply replied and vanished to the kitchen.

Thorin had collected many different things on the small table. Water, two bowls, bandages, something that looked to be ash but surely wasn't, three kinds of different herbs and balm. Fili smirked and nodded. "What do these do?"

Thorin pointed at the ash looking stuff, the herbs and the water. "You mix those and it results a pain-easing liquid. You pour a little bit on his sides, and it should help for a day or so. An old friend of mine taught me this."

Fili nodded again in acceptance. Sounded fine to him. He knew the balm was for the burns and the bandages, well, for everything. His brother would be okay in no time.

xx

Finally Fili got his brother ready. He had carefully applied the balm on his burns and poured the liquid on his both sides before putting a bandage on them both. Fili got to admit that his brother looked bad with all the bandages on, like he had just been attacked by an orc or something.

"I will go get a blanket from upstairs", Thorin quietly said, eyeing his older nephew. Fili nodded, not taking his eyes off Kili. "You should rest, as well. So when Kili wakes up, you can be there for him."

The older brother now turned to see Thorin, shaking his head slightly. "It's only a day, Thorin. I will be okay for at least eight hours or so. If Kili wakes up now, I can't be asleep."

"Have it your way", Thorin agreed, knowing that even though Fili would probably obey him if he really needed him to get some rest, he didn't want to force him to do anything. Kili was neverything to Fili, and Thorin knew that, and what bad would it do? Rest was never a bad thing, but neither was staying up to watch over a hurt family member. Especially little brother.

Thorin disappeared from the room and Fili sighed, sitting down on the nearest chair. Kili was in deep sleep, more like unconscious, really, and it wasn't like he would wake up any time soon. But Fili still couldn't leave his side, in case he decided to wake up when he was gone. No. Fili would stay up until Kili woke up, make sure he was okay and then go get some rest himself.

Fili stared blankly through his brother and got lost in his thoughts. Suddenly Thorin was back, and Fili snatched back to reality.

"I brought a blanket for him, and a couple of pillows in case he needs more when he wakes up. And to help him sit, if his sides don't really let him."
"Thank you", Fili said, taking the blanket from his uncle and gently laying it on his brother.

Then there was an knock on the door, and Thorin moved to the kitchen to see who it was. Fili sat back down, but was quickly on his feet as he heard Thorin cry out and a loud thump of a body hitting the floor, and men laughing. Fili had no time to react before one of the men was already in the living room, and Fili instantly knew who it was.

"Oh, Kili's brother I suppose?" the leader said, grinning. "And Kili himself. He looks pretty bad, doesn't he? Lucky him, got a big brother like you. Too bad his luck won't last long, as I will kill all of you." Leader's voice changed from delighted (but evil) to murderous and angry. "I am sick of dwarves, especially all of you. And Thorin there, well... He will have the honor of seeing a friend of mine. Okay, not really seeing, as my friend will only get Thorin's head, but you get my point."

"Leave us alone", Fili hissed, stepping between his brother and the man. "If you touch me, my brother or Thorin again, I swear that I will kill you with my bare hands."

"Oh, a tough one, aren't ya? That is going to chance soon, do not worry."
"I doubt it", Fili grinned. "What could a couple of humans do? I am not afraid of you."
"Maybe not you, but I know who is", the leader laughed, now an evil laugh. "Kiiii-liiii... wakey wakey, little dwarf."

Fili spun around only to see his brother's eyes open in shock. "Fili!" escaped his lips and he shot up, not even noticing his protesting ribs.

"Kili! Calm down, it's okay brother, he will not hurt you anymore!"
"Why is he here?!"
"Calm down, Kili!" Fili yelled, and the leader laughed.

"It's good to see you again, Kili", he said, and was rewarded with a ice-cold stare from Fili. Kili was starting to realize the situation and started to calm, knowing that Fili was by his side and wouldn't leave him again.

"I honestly have to say that I think it is not good to see your ugly face again", Kili breathed out, "as in my eyes are starting to hurt."

Fili let out a laugh, just unable to hold it in, and leader's face went serious. "I had totally forgot how annoying you can be, dwarf. Luckily you won't exist for much longer."
"Sorry, but I intend on surviving this", Kili said, now grinning. He was afraid, his heart was beating harder than ever and his voice was a bit shaky, but he ignored it all. He didn't want the leader to get a hold of him for the second time. He'd fight for his freedom and life, as well as Fili's and Thorin's. Speaking of which, where was Thorin?

"Where is uncle?" Kili whispered, looking up to his brother. Fili shook his head as a return.
"Thorin!" Fili yelled, worried.
"Fili!" Thorin shouted as an answer. Fili quickly glanced at his little brother and nodded -Thorin was alive. But for how long?

And when leader grabbed Kili's leg, which was nearer him than anything else, Fili for example, and quickly pulled him so he fell face-first from the couch, Kili thanked adrenaline in his veins for numbing his pains. Fili yelled and took a step forward, attacking the leader. They both went down with a cry, and Kili decided that they wouldn't surrender without a fight.

How should I continue? Any ideas?

Review- it makes my day and makes me write and update faster!