Disclaimer: I claim or own nothing. It all belongs to J.R.R Tolkien.


The sound of Thorin's voice echoing in the silence pulled Fíli's attention away from his brother.

"Fíli."

Fíli sat upright, turned back and found that Thorin stood only a few feet away from him. His eyes were settled on the two of them, and his brow was knitted with deep concern. Fresh cuts still marred his skin, and he looked undeniably tired. A small frown crossed over Fíli's features, as he stared blankly at his uncle.

"You need your rest." Thorin said simply.

Fíli did not want to rest, he didn't need it and wouldn't take it. He had sworn to Kíli he would stay by his side, and he intended to keep that promise, just as he hoped Kíli would keep his promise to stay with him. Fíli just shook his head, and rolled away from Thorin.

He regretted this immediately, for he knew he would be disrespecting Thorin and he had never wanted to do such a thing. Fíli waited, for the sound of Thorin's voice, for a scolding from Dwalin, but neither came. Instead, the sound of footsteps on the ground became louder.

A figure knelt down beside Fíli, who now laid on his side, and without turning to look upwards he knew who it was.

"Fíli." Thorin said, and his voice was softer. "You need to rest. I'll sit with him."

"I can't." Fíli said, because it was all he could say back.

Thorin paused and breathed in sharply.

"You can, Fíli. If his condition changes, or if he wakes, I'll wake you. There is nothing we can do but wait."

"If I were injured, Kíli wouldn't sleep. Not at all." Fíli answered, and he sounded so certain. "He would sit up with me, and talk to me. He would stay by my side, and he would stay awake until I had woken. He wouldn't sleep until he knew I was fine."

"You're right, he probably wouldn't sleep." Thorin almost smiled, but he couldn't. "His stubborn ways would keep him up when he was not needed, and then when he was needed he would be of no help to anyone."

Silence returned to the cold air, but didn't last long.

"If he changes, I will wake you." Thorin promised, and watched Fíli closely. "You need rest. We leave soon."

Fíli gave up with a loud sigh. He rolled over on to his back, and looked up at Thorin, who nodded slightly. Then, Thorin reached out and placed a firm hand against his nephew's shoulder.

"Gandalf will heal him." Thorin said, but even as he said the words he had doubts. "Kíli will be fine."

Fíli looked up at Thorin, with a great deal of doubt and despair in his eyes. He didn't say a word, he simply looked into Thorin's eyes for another moment before closing his own. Thorin patted him on the shoulder, before he moved and sat in the space between Fíli and Kíli.

After he had settled down on the ground, Thorin looked up but caught not a wandering eye on him. He breathed out a deep, quiet sigh and slowly looked down at Kíli, whose condition had not changed much. Kíli laid on his back, with his arms by his side and his head tilted to the side. Sweat still ran down his forehead, and he still breathed heavily. It was like he was having a constant nightmare, and he couldn't escape it.

Thorin noticed that the damp cloths had slipped away from Kíli's forehead, so he leant forward and readjusted them. He placed them against his forehead, and then carefully brushed Kíli long locks of brown hair back off his face.

Thorin's eyes were dragged down to Kíli's wound, and he couldn't stop himself from leaning forward and taking a look. His fingers grasped the cloths that covered up, and Thorin pulled up a corner of it. This caused Kíli to wince quietly, and Thorin immediately regretted it. He replaced the cloth against Kíli's stomach, and then sat back against the wall.

All that Thorin wanted to say never passed his lips, because there would be no point, because Kíli couldn't hear him now. Thorin felt helpless, and he felt undeniably guilty for his last words with Kíli had been harsh ones, and he had scolded him for being reckless when he was not.

Kíli had not been reckless, he had been brave and courageous. He had not been treated, or thanked, as he should have been and this only deepened the guilt that still rested heavily upon Thorin's shoulders. Despite the weary feeling that had sunken into him, Thorin knew that he would not sleep at all. He would stay up and watch over his nephews, because he would always look out for them however he could.


Once the bright sky had faded away, a darker one took its place and filled the sky with stars.

Light, small sounds echoed through the cave. The sound of members of the company sleeping, accompanied by light voices and heavy breathing, was all that could be heard. Thorin was unable and unwilling to rest, and so he paid attention to his surroundings. He knew that only a few of the company could sleep, and that the rest struggled to.

Thorin's eyes had remained on Kíli and Fíli for hours, and as they had he'd recalled memories, past conversations and words. He remembered his regrets. Harsh words. Arguments. It all seemed to return to him now, and he couldn't escape it. Eventually, he had looked up and found Dwalin watching him. Thorin had given a slight nod of his head, something that Dwalin understood. They would have to leave soon, and find somewhere new to camp.

But just as Thorin had nodded, Gandalf had risen. He sat upright suddenly, and his eyes had darted around the cave in search of something. Gandalf was searching for Kíli, but when he found him he did not become any calmer.

"How is Kíli?" Gandalf asked loudly.

His words caused many to stir, including Fíli, who had tossed and turned constantly in the hours that had passed and had barely slept at all.

"Balin and Óin tended to him, not long ago." Thorin answered, with a low voice. "His fever has returned, and grown worse. He is restless, but he is not with us."

Bilbo sat upright, looking like he hadn't found any sleep either. He shared a look with Bofur, who rested by his side, and they both gulped.

"Can you- Can you heal him, like you healed Thorin?" Bilbo asked.

"I am not a healer." Gandalf said, and stood from the ground. "But I can try."

Gandalf stepped carefully over the members of the company, who laid, side by side, on the ground. Balin and Óin stood from where they had rested, ready to be of assistance if they were needed, but both hoped that they would not be required and that Gandalf could heal Kíli.

"U-Uncle." Fíli stammered, and he sat upright instantly. "What's wrong? What happened to Kíli?"

Fíli's eyes were widened with fear, and his face was painted with worry.

"Nothing is wrong, dear Fíli." Gandalf said with a calming voice. "Nothing at all."

When he reached Kíli's side, Gandalf knelt down on the cold ground and drew in a sharp, deep breath of air. He stared down at Kíli for a moment, before looking up to Fíli as he spoke.

"Can you help him, Gandalf?" Fíli asked quickly.

"I have not had a chance to try. We must first remove these." Gandalf replied.

Gandalf begun to pull away the damp cloths that covered Kíli's body. Fíli was desperate to help. He leant over Thorin, who still sat between them, and lunged forward to try to remove the cloths. He slipped and fell into his brother's side, causing a deep, sharp cry to escape Kíli's lips. Kíli moaned out with agony, and it rippled through the cave. His body jerked, and his hands fell to his chest like he was trying to stop the pain, trying to stop the wargs from shredding his skin again.

"Kíli.." Fíli said quietly. "I'm sorry, Kee-"

Thorin roughly grabbed Fíli by the back of his tunic, and dragged him up off of his brother.

"I-I didn't mean to-" Fíli stuttered.

"You must be more careful!" Thorin struggled to contain his frustration.

"I only meant to help him.."

"Now that I have removed these." Gandalf said, and tossed the cloths away. "I'll try my best to help him."

Thorin released Fíli, who then knelt beside his brother and looked down carefully, and avoided Thorin's gaze. Gandalf spread his hands out, shut Kíli's eyes, and then placed both of his hands over the large, deep wound on Kíli's side. Then, Gandalf closed his own eyes, and whispered something so quietly under his breath that not another in the cave heard him.

A few moments of silence passed, while Gandalf kept his hands gently pressed against Kíli's side. All of the company now sat upright, or stood on their feet, as they waited anxiously to learn whether Gandalf had been successful or not. It took longer than it should have. Gandalf struggled, and it took him quite some time because Kíli's wounds were far worse than he had previously imaged. Guilt fell over Gandalf, and he had wished his strength had returned sooner so he may have tended to Kíli's wounds before now.

"How is he?" Fíli's voice broke the silence. "Did it work?"

Gandalf heard Fíli, but didn't answer him. Thorin settled Fíli's fear by placing a hand on his shoulder. More silence fell upon them, and it seemed to last for much longer than it actually did. When Gandalf opened his eyes, he turned to face Fíli and Thorin. Kíli didn't stir beneath him, he didn't move at all.

"How is he?" Fíli asked quickly.

Balin spoke next. "Were you successful at healing him?"

Then, Bilbo's voice rose up.

"Did it work, Gandalf? Did you heal his wounds?"

"Oh, no!" Dori exclaimed, immediately fearing the worst. "It didn't work. I feared this would happen. He didn't survive-"

"Oh, don't say that." Bofur answered quickly. "It might have worked! Gandalf saved Thorin! He's a very powerful wizard, even if he doesn't dress like it."

"What does that mean? I think he dresses quite nicely." Ori said.

Dwalin groaned loudly and rubbed at his forehead, fighting the urge to shout at them all for their bad timing and inappropriate topic of conversation.

"Gandalf used all of his power, to save Thorin." Dori answered gloomily. "That's why it didn't work. He's all out."

"It didn't work?" Ori panicked. "Oh, no, Gandalf...I thought-"

"It is done!" Gandalf shouted, and his voice caused all to fall silent.

All but Thorin.

"He'll live?" Thorin asked, but he didn't allow any relief to slip through just yet.

Gandalf lifted his hands away from Kíli's chest to reveal thick, jagged scars and deep black and purple bruises. He then looked up at Thorin, and nodded his head slightly.

"Yes, he'll live." Gandalf answered. "My attempt to heal him was successful, but it took far much energy than I had expected."

Thorin frowned. "Why?"

"Kíli's wounds were far worse than I had imagined." Gandalf's voice suddenly become quieter, and he took a moment to speak again. "He was injured on the inside. If he had been left any longer, he would have died...I am sorry, Thorin. I should have seen to him sooner."

"But he's alright now?" Fíli asked quickly.

"Yes, he's alright. I recommend a few days rest."

"We can give him that." Thorin said, and suddenly the relief washed over him.

It felt like rain running down his body, and Thorin briefly shut his eyes to soak it in.

"I don't know how much he'll like it." Balin said, suddenly feeling optimistic. "The lad hates to be bedridden."

Fíli almost cracked a smile. "I remember when he was a child, and fell ill..."

Thorin finished Fíli's words, because he remembered that memory quite clearly.

"And he could hardly sit still." Thorin opened his eyes, and actually smiled.

Thorin smiled with relief. It was a rare, real smile and it caused Fíli to feel at ease, and so he smiled with his uncle.

"He climbed out through a window in search of you, and he found you." Thorin continued, and turned to face Fíli. "And you..Instead of returning him to his bed, you ran off with him to play in the forest. You both fell so ill over the next days, you were forced to rest in bed for several more days."

"At least we had each other." Fíli smiled.

Thorin sighed. "Now that Kíli is well, we will leave-"

"Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves, Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf sighed deeply. "You speak of the stubborn ways of young Kíli, yet it is clear to my eyes that you have not allowed your own wounds to be treated."

"Gandalf is right!" Fíli said, and he wore the same smile. "You have been just as stubborn as-"

"I have been stubborn?" Thorin chuckled lightly. "You refused sleep when you clearly needed it!"

The sight of Thorin smiling had been a surprise to the company, but the sound of his laughter left a few shocked. It had been quite some time since Thorin Oakenshield had laughed, and he did so now because he was so very relieved about Kíli.

"Oh!" Bofur exclaimed, grinning happily. "So, it is a family trait then!"

Balin smiled wisely, and a light laugh escaped his lips. "So it would seem."


A/N: I apologise about the delay in updating, and hope that the length of this chapter (it's longer than the others) might make up for the wait. It would seem that I've been hit by constant hobbit stories and feels, and as a result of that I've started (and finished) a few other stories/one-shots. My new story, Barrels Of Monkeys, is up on here if you're interested in reading it (it's a little lighter than this, and my other stuff.) :)

As always, I'm uncertain of whether I've portrayed the characters correctly, or done them justice, so let me know what you think..

Also, I just wanted to put a little note in here saying to please keep in mind that there might be people who haven't read the book. So, it would be great to take that into considering if/when posting reviews as you might leave an unwanted spoiler for someone else and I wouldn't want that.

A very special thanks to: GregsMadHatter, So-Sings-Nightingales, silvermoongirl10, Oblivian03, StormKyrellFosten14, Cayran, Alicia457, Lennelle and Auth. Thank you for your incredibly kind reviews of chapter 6, I'm so very happy you're enjoying the story and I appreciate that you take the time to read it. :)

Dear Auth: Sorry for the wait, and I hope you like it! Thanks for your review! And I know, it's going to be a long, hard wait for the next movies! (although, part 2 isn't so far away now!) :)

Enjoy!

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