Big thanks to Toomanyobsessionstocount, acciojd and Galaxy The Girl Wonder for following/favouriting.

PhoenixUniverse – He's in it somewhere. Bit of a mix to be honest.

Celebrisilweth – Things aren't going to get much better for him either.

Sol Phyllon – No it was definitely a nightmare. And although I know it's not a nice thing, the word' Orcland' did make me smile!

Mili – Really glad you are enjoying this.

Nenithiel – I do wonder how I can be so cruel to him sometimes.

Guest – Glad you're enjoying it. Thorin gets his bit in this chapter don't worry. And no Sauron has nothing to do with this story. I figured it was too early for him to really have any impact.

Hunting and Hoping

Thorin wasn't surprised when he woke before the others. The sun had only just risen and the others were still fast asleep. Thorin looked around at his company with a tearful smile. He hadn't expected so many to come. He'd expected Dwalin and Gloin and that was about it. He hadn't even had to ask. Instead he'd found ten dwarves waiting at the main gates with their ponies already saddled. The thought alone brought a tear to Thorin's eye. He knew it hadn't been just for his sake. Fili and Kili meant a lot to everyone in Erebor. When news of their disappearance had gone it was as though the mountain had gone into a state of mourning. Even Fili's return hadn't been able to bring them from their sadness. Thorin jabbed the dead fire with a stick. If only Fili and Kili knew how much people loved them. If only Kili knew. Thorin knew he would forever regret what he had said to Kili all those days ago. It had been over two weeks but he could still remember it like it was yesterday.

"I cannot have such shame brought on our family."

He hadn't meant it. He hadn't meant any of it. But that didn't matter now. The fact was that he had said those words and because of him his youngest nephew was in danger.

"Forgive me Kili," Thorin wiped away his tears, "Please forgive me."

"Thorin?"

At Dwalin's voice Thorin blinked back his new tears. His friend gave him a sad smile before sitting down beside him. Thorin noticed that – unlike him – Dwalin wasn't afraid to show he had been crying. There had been plenty of times when Kili had infuriated Dwalin with his endless pranks. But there were twice as many times the older dwarf had been seen playing with Kili. Helping him learn to fight and hunt. Thorin knew Dwalin would do whatever it took to get Kili back. But as his friend stared into space, Thorin could feel a horrible churning ion his stomach.

"What's the matter?"

Dwalin sighed and Thorin looked around at the others. He could make out Bofur's furry hat and Nori's strange hair but the others all blended into one. They'd managed to find the place where they had found Fili and by using Dwalin's tracking skills and Fili directions they had carried on. But so far they had found no sign of Kili or an orc pack. They hadn't even come across another camp. Thorin hadn't said anything but he hadn't been able to quell his worries. If he had the choice he wouldn't stop looking for Kili until he found him. But he didn't have a choice. He had a kingdom to run. He had to make sure his remaining family were safe. And all of that aside he didn't have an unlimited food supply. Dwalin took his hand.

"I have to be honest with ye Thorin. We're losing the trail,"

Thorin knew his friend was right. But hearing it caused the bottom of his world to collapse beneath him. He gave a small nod before looking at the bow lying beside him. A day after leaving Erebor they had come across the place where – Thorin had to assume – his nephews had been ambushed. Orc bodies lay rotting whilst a variety of weapons were scattered around. The others had picked up Fili's weapons whilst Thorin had held Kili's sword close to his chest. He'd almost stepped on the bow until Bofur stopped him and picked it up.

Looking at it now Thorin could still remember Kili's first lesson. The bow had been an old elvish one. It had been far too big and yet Kili was determined not to wait until he had his own. Thorin had given up trying to convince him and instead watched as Kili struggled the hold it. He only managed when Fili stepped up to help.

"Thorin? Thorin!"

"Sorry," Thorin wiped his tears before turning back to Dwalin. All around him he knew the others would be awake soon. Best get the tears out of the way now so he could be strong for their sakes. Dwalin nodded.

"Without a trail Thorin we won't be able to go on."

"You have to find something Dwalin! Anything!"

Dwalin nodded, "Do ye think I enjoy saying this? Thorin I would go to the ends of this earth and beyond to find Kili. But wandering around aimlessly isn't going to help him."

"So we give up? We leave him to his fate?" Thorin wished he wasn't being so harsh. He knew Dwalin was being honest with him. But he couldn't stop the guilt eating away at him.

"No. No we retrace our steps in case we missed something. We won't stop looking Thorin. None of us will."

Thorin didn't reply. Only Dis knew what Fili had said to him when he'd first come round. And he knew if they came home without Kili then Fili would be lost to him as well. He couldn't allow that. He had to put right the wrongs and save Kili. Clutching the bow tightly he nodded.

"So what do we do now then?"

Dwalin squeezed his shoulder, "When the others wake we're going to turn around and retrace our steps. When we find what we're looking for we'll be able to go after him."

Dwalin got up to go but Thorin held up a hand. Dwalin paused before sitting back down again.

"Was I ever…" Thorin lowered his head in shame, "Was I ever too hard on Kili?"

"I don't understand."

"It was something Fili said once. And Dis agreed with him."

Dwalin bit his lip. Risking a glance Thorin could see how friend was torn between giving the truth or the answer he wanted to hear. He smiled softly.

"Be honest Dwalin. Don't lie to me now of all times."

"Very well. Honestly? Yes. Yes I think ye were sometimes. There were times when he was annoying and reckless. There were times when you did need to be harsh. But there were other times when ye went too far Thorin."

Thorin sighed, "When Kili was born it almost killed Dis. For years I couldn't bring myself to look at Kili. I hated myself for doing so but I couldn't help it. I had lost my father to Smaug, my grandfather to Azog and my brother and Dis's husband to orcs. I couldn't cope with losing her as well. I knew it wasn't Kili's fault – you don't ask to be born. But by the time I was able to get over it, it was too late. He already believed I didn't love him.

"Thorin I don't understand what this has to do with anything?"

"Don't you? You said yourself I'm too hard on him."

"Well yes but ye'd never wish this on him!"

Thorin shook his head, "You don't understand. All of this is my fault. I'm the reason Kili was even outside the mountain in the first place."

"Thorin listen to me," Dwalin grabbed both of his hands, "This is not your fault! The orc attack was just a coincidence. Ye had nothing to do with it!"

Thorin knew Dwalin was trying to make him feel better. But he could see in his friends' eyes that he was lying.

When morning came Kili didn't bother to fight Bolg's grip. Instead he lay there as the orc rebound his hands before slinging him one over shoulder and carrying him towards the warg. He hadn't had any more nightmares about Fili and although his brain told him to forget about the first one Kili couldn't. How did he know Fili would come back for him? How did he know Fili loved him enough to get help? For all he knew Fili had only been pretending to love him this whole time. Now that Kili was gone he could act normally now and leave his brother alone with these orcs.

As he was forced to sit on the wargs back Kili let out a pained cry. His thighs hadn't stopped burning for the past two days and he knew he'd barely be able to walk if he had to. Bolg prodded the back of his shoulder.

"Do not make me gag you again."

Kili gave a small nod. It wasn't as though he wanted that bloodstained rag over his mouth. But his legs were in agony every time he moved. He felt the warg move slightly as Bolg got on behind him. Kili sat there patiently, waiting for the blindfold to come. His eyes were starting to shut from exhaustion and he knew he wouldn't be able to stay awake this time. He'd done his best to fight off exhaustion. But lack of food, water and sleep meant that was becoming more and more difficult each day. As soon as the bag was shoved over his head he shut his eyes – resting against Bolg's chest. He could feel the orcs leathery skin rubbing against his sore back. Kili resisted the urge to shudder. His marks from the whip had almost gone – leaving just a couple of scars. But that pain was swiftly forgotten as the wargs began running off. The pain in his legs intensified and if he could have he would have curled into a ball. But at the slightest movement Bolg hit him in the shoulder.

"How long before we reach the fortress?"

That was Red Eye. Kili sat up a little at this point. It was clear the orcs thought he was asleep; if he could find out just a tiny bit of their plans for him he might be able to use that in some way. Bolg paused before answering.

"A week. Maybe less."

"I don't understand why we can't get the information out of him ourselves? Would save us dragging him along with us."

"NO! Azog wants that pleasure himself. He wants to see the pain on Oakenshield's heirs face. The fear in his eyes."

Kili stiffened at this. He'd known he was being taken to see Azog the second he found out about the old fortress. But to hear his name still sent a shiver down his spine. But if he pushed that aside he had another thing to think about. The orcs knew he was Thorin's heir, if he could convince them that he was his first heir then he had guaranteed Fili's safety. Whether Fili loved him or not Kili would do anything to keep his brother safe. Keeping his eyes shut he tried to listen to the rest of the conversation.

"What happens to the dwarf when Azog is done with him? Give him back to Oakenshield?"

"No. Azog wants to offer the mountain king a trade. His life in return for his heirs. And when he agrees we execute them both."

Fili couldn't breathe. It had been over a week since Thorin and the others had left to find Kili. Each day he woke up expecting to hear the news that they had failed. His own wounds had healed well and unless you knew what had happened you would never have guessed he had been an orc prisoner. But Fili didn't care about that. He just wanted his brother back.

"Fili?"

At his mother's voice Fili could feel the bottom dropping out of his world. She sounded so broken. Forcing himself to look at her he was shocked at how ill she looked.

"What is it? What's happened?"

Dis shook her head as more tears fell from her eyes.

"They've come back."

For a second Fili's heart stopped. His mother gave a small nod and he could feel the urge to be sick. Without so much as looking at his mother he ran from his room and through the corridors. Other dwarves passed him but Fili roughly pushed them out of the way. He had to be the first one to greet them. He had to be the first one Kili saw. Fili knew he shouldn't be Coming back now meant he had found him.

He had to have found him.

"Open the gates!" Fili yelled. Both guards eyed each other carefully before nodding and pulling open the huge double doors that marked the entrance to the Lonely Mountain. The second he could fit through the gap Fili hurried outside. He could see most of the company were already dismounting. He blinked at them nervously.

"Well? Where is he?"

"Fili…" Dwalin placed a hand on his shoulders. At the dwarfs red eyes Fili shook his head. He didn't understand why Dwalin would be so upset.

And then he saw it.

Thorin's arms were shaking as he pulled the figure from the pony. A blanket covered them but Fili knew who it was. He caught sight of Kili's boots poking out and he shook his head.

"Uncle? Uncle what… Uncle what's happened?"

Tears leaked from Thorins eyes and he gave a small shake of the head. Fili gripped Dwalin hard.

"He's not…he wouldn't leave me."

"I'm so sorry Fili." Dwalin hugged him tight. Thorin said nothing as he carried Kili's body into the mountain.

Fili went with the others to Kili's room. He never let go of Dwalin's hand and he soon realised that the older dwarf had to pull him along. Fili sighed.

This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.

Thorin placed the body on the bed and Fili realised the blanket was still covering his brother.

"I want to see him."

"That's not a good idea Fili." Dwalin whispered. Fili shoved the other dwarf away and ran towards his brother's body.

"Let me see him! Let me say goodbye!"

"Fili his body…it's in a bad way."

Fili's stomach churned but he refused to let it show. Already his hand was moving towards the blanket.

"I don't care. He's my brother and I'll look at him if I want to."

He didn't let the others reply. Instead he took a deep breath and pulled back the blankets. Fili was surprised he didn't throw up there and then. The others burst into tears whilst all Fili could do was stare in horror at the state of his brother. The light in Kili's eyes, the huge smile he always wore. All the happiness and laughter that had radiated from him was gone. The remnants of his clothes had been burnt away to rags. Kili's skin was blistered and scarred beyond repair. His hair had been burnt away to leave small tatted clumps that clung to his melted scalp. Fili took his brothers blackened hand in one of his and shook his head weakly. This wasn't Kili lying here. This was little more than a shell. He was aware of someone rubbing his back.

"What…" Fili's words got caught in his throat as anger surged through him. He would find the orcs who had done this and kill them. Oin gave a sigh.

"It looks like they tied him up before…before they set him on fire."

Fili didn't remember screaming. He didn't remember falling to his knees. He was oblivious to his mother's screams and Thorin trying to restrain her. All he could think about was Kili's hand in his. Fili had promised never to let Kili go. Something like this wasn't going to stop him now.

Fili woke with a gasp. Sweat drenched his skin – wetting his nightshirt. Flinging the blankets away he hissed with pain as he pulled on one of the more serious whip marks. Licking his lips he forced himself to look around.

It had just been a nightmare. Kili wasn't dead. He wasn't.

Turning back onto his side Fili wiped the sweat from his face.

"Hang in there Kili. Thorin will find you I promise. He isn't going to stop looking for you Kili no matter what you think. Just hold on. For the love of Durin hold on."

So many horrible feels! At least we now have an idea of what Azog wants with Kili. And I do feel for Thorin a lot here even though he can be a meanie to Kili. And poor Fili! If you thought Kili's nightmare was bad I imagine you've changed your minds! Let me know what you think and I apologise if I've completely destroyed you xxx