DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE HOBBIT


Kili sat at staring at the food on his table. The chair opposite to him was empty. Again. Fili had not come to breakfast. Again. Kili wondered what it was this time that had kept his brother away. But he didn't even think to ask; he knew he would get a hurried snapped answer that would hurt more than put him at ease. He knew Fili was under pressure, he understood that training to be a King was hard but what he didn't understand was why Fili was locking him out. It hadn't started that way. Fili wound return late at night and crash in his bed. And Kili would either spread a sheet on the floor next to the bed and sleep under the shadow of his brother or would assemble some chairs next to the bed and sleep watching over his brother. But without fail Fili would always be there for breakfast. At least that was until a week ago. A week ago Fili stopped coming and had not one single substantial excuse for his behavior. He had started apologizing for not being there and then as Kili pressed to find the real reason why Fili began snapping at him. And if that wasn't worst Fili kept giving him these totally dumb assignments; discussing issues with Balin, scribe work with Ori and some random stuff with Dwalin. Kili just could not wrap his brain around what Fili was really expecting him to do. Or maybe….he shook his head. Rumors were just rumors. He never took them on before and he would not take them on now. A knock on his door made him jump. He practically raced to the door and placed his hand on the door knob.

"Please let it be Fili," he prayed and yanked the door open. All hope died at the messenger that stood with a letter in his hand.

"A message for Prince Kili from King Fili," the messenger said handing his the letter. Kili took it and thanked the dwarf closing the door behind him. He passed a rough hand over his face before he sat in his chair to read what Fili had written. It was formal letter requesting his presence at the court. Kili re-read the letter several times hoping to find something in-between the lines that would tell him that this was Fili his brother that was writing to him. But there was nothing but cold script. Kili reached over and filled his cup with warm mead and drowned the sorrow that welled up to choke him. Then he grabbed his coat and strode out the door. The King had called and the Prince must answer.

Thorin met him on the way to the counsel room. His Uncle fell into step beside him.

"How are you doing?" Thorin asked.

"Fine," Kili lied. Thorin frowned at him. They walked past a few doors and then in one swift motion Thorin pulled him into a room. Kili barely had time to react before Thorin had him held tightly with one hand while the other was pressed to his forehead.

"How did you know this one was empty?" Kili asked.

"You have a fever," Thorin said, "A rather high one since you skin is dry. Have you been sleeping well? You have dark bags under your eyes and your breath smells of mead only. Did you eat this morning?"

"Uncle I'm fine," Kili insisted trying to wriggle out of Thorin's grip.

"Stop lying to me Kili," Thorin hissed, "I raised you from birth. Do you really think you can tell you are fine when I know you are not? Now what is wrong?" Kili suddenly sagged against Thorin. He rested his head on Thorin's chest.

"It's Fili," he said softly, "he does not want me anymore."

"What do you mean?" Thorin asked.

"He stopped coming by for breakfast, he snaps at me when I talk to him. He barely even looks at me anymore Uncle Thorin," Kili said feeling the tears begin to well up in his eyes, "And then I heard…" Kili paused unwilling to put voice to the greatest of his fears.

"What did you hear?" Thorin asked his voice gentle. Kili bit his lip. He really didn't want to say it but it was eating him alive; he had to tell someone.

"I heard that Fili and Hamel have grown really close and that…that Fili keeps him at his side at all times," Kili said, feeling hot tears come down his face, "I know I should not feel jealous Uncle Thorin, but I do. That's my place. I'm supposed to be at his side. Why won't he let me be there? Why won't he…come…and…" Kili stopped unable to get past the clog of tears in his throat. Thorin pulled Kili closer.

"All the time I've know you two, you have been inseparable," Thorin said softly, "Trust your brother Kili. You know that Fili would never do anything to hurt you. He loves more than he loves himself."

"I know that," Kili said, trying to believe his uncle but his heart would obey him.

"I have to get to the counsel room," Kili said when he felt himself calm down. Thorin gripped him tighter for a second more and then let him go. Dark hurt eyes gazed into strong blue ones but if Thorin saw the pain in Kili's eyes he said nothing about it.

"Get going then," Thorin said, "you don't want to be late." Kili gave him a wiry smile and then wiped his face best that he could before heading out. He tried to ignore the sigh that Thorin gave as the door closed.

He was late and he apologized before going to his seat. Stern grey eyes frowned at him and he sank into the chair wanting to disappear into the floor. He never had a memory where Fili ever looked at him like that. He felt the tears want to rush up and overwhelm him again but he forced it down. For the first past of the meeting Fili and Hamek took turns bringing the members up to speed on what has been going on.

"Finally," Fili said, "There have been some new mining families moving into the lower levels of the Mountains. They have requested that someone come to hear of their problems and suggestions. Kili; you and Bofur will spend the next three weeks doing just that. Any questions? Bofur? Kili?"

Kili jumped at the mention of his name. He had been so engrossed in suppressing his tears and calming himself that he had missed most of what Fili and Hamel had said.

"Who do we report to?" he asked automatically. It was the line that he and Fili used to get away with not paying attention. Fili recognized the line and frowned at him.

"Report to either Hamek or Balin," Fili snapped at him, "And pay attention next time. The people need to see their Prince taking an interest in his people."

Kili did not miss the flashes of surprise that crossed the faces of the members of the company. He swallowed the nasty retort that wanted to spit from his mouth. This was Fili; this was his brother. He could not say what he wanted to say to Fili. Instead he bowed as Fili dismissed the counsel. He stood allowing the others to pass by him, hoping to get a chance to talk to Fili alone. But it was to no avail, his brother called to Hamek and walked past him and out the room without as much as a glance. Kili felt his heart break. So the rumors were true. A heavy rested on his shoulder. He turned to see Bofur smiling a awkward smile at him.

"Come on laddie," he said softly, "Let's go to my place. Bombur will have something to cheer you up."

Kili smiled back at him not bothering to hide the tears in his eyes. He leaned against Bofur as the older dwarf led him out of a side door so that no one could see the Prince of Erebor cry.