Hello all! I was thrilled with the response I got from last chapter and have been working really hard to update as quickly as I can for you. I hope you enjoy this new chapter (we are venturing off the set path with this one). Thank you to everyone that reviewed last chapter! I really appreciate every one of them! I would also like to thank everyone that has added me and this story to their fav/alert lists. You're amazing! Please enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

Falling Slowly

Kili shivered for the third time that night and tried with everything he had to imagine himself anywhere but in this stupid cave. The young prince did not feel the sharp rock wall digging into his back, he did not feel the cold seeping into his bones from the stone ground, and he most certainly did NOT hear Carrek's voice taunting in his ears. Slowly, in frustration Kili rolled onto his back and opened his deep brown eyes, wishing moments later that he hadn't. Seeing the jagged rock ceiling above his head only increased his trapped feeling, and even the warmth coming from Fili right next to him did nothing to silence his raging emotions.

"You really are a pathetic creature, My Pet. You can't even quiet me, and I'm dead. I told you I would stay with you forever; that we are connect…always."

Kili quickly sat up and with quiet care stood from his bedroll. Hoping not to arouse any of the sleeping members of the company Kili tiptoed, with his bow in hand, to the entrance of the cave where Bofur was keeping watch.

"How is everything looking out there, Bofur?" Kili whispered as he approached.

Bofur turned to Kili, "What are you doing here? Come to put your burden on me too? You don't belong with us." The usually joyful dwarf's voice was cold and sharp.

Kili's steps faltered. "Wh…what?"

"I said what are you doing up? Come to keep me company, Lad? You don't need to." Bofur repeated his actual words smiling brightly.

Kili swallowed thickly and finished the distance between him and Bofur, taking a seat on a large rock next to the toy-maker.

"Lad, are you alright? You seem a bit unnerved." The older dwarf tilted his head sideways to get a better view of Kili.

The young heir looked two steps away from collapsing; his skin taking on an almost grey pallor. Kili's eyes appeared hollow and detached, nothing like the dark-haired rambunctious prince Bofur was used to. The toy-maker of course had heard all of what happened to Kili when he was captured by Carrek and Maluc, but he still could not believe the devastating toll it had taken on the young one. Some days Bofur wondered if they ever truly rescued Kili or if the Lad they all knew and loved was long dead. Replaced by a shell of his former self.

"Of course I'm fine. I just needed a bit of air. How's the watch?" Kili finally answered, breaking Bofur from his disheartening thoughts.

"Ah you know…not a lot going to happen way up here."

Kili began fiddling with one of his arrows; a very distance look in his eyes. "True."

Bofur shifted uncomfortably, the toy-maker not sure of how to react to a sullen and despondent Kili. The rough quiet that encased the two dwarves was thankfully broken suddenly by Bofur catching sight of Bilbo trying to sneak passed them.

Bofur leapt to his feet. "Where do you think you're going?"

The hobbit stopped somewhat startled, and before turning around took a deep breath. "Back to Rivendell."

Kili slowly rose to his feet. "No…no. You can't turn back now. You're part of the company. You're one of us."

Bilbo looked sadly to Kili, trying and failing to keep his voice even. "I'm not now, am I? Thorin said I should have never have come and he was right. I'm not a Took, I'm a Baggins. I don't know what I was thinking." The hobbit turned away and lowered his voice. "I should never have run out my door."

"You're homesick. I understand." Bofur implored with Kili swiftly nodding his head in agreement.

Bilbo looked into both Bofur and Kili's hopeful eyes and knew they didn't understand. That they couldn't understand, and in that moment all of his built-up frustration broke through. "No you don't…you don't understand. None of you do. You're Dwarves. You're use to this life, to living on the road, never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere!"

Bofur's hopeful expression fell as soon as the words flew out of Bilbo's mouth. Kili flinched and without another word retreated back to his rock, eyes downcast. Immediately, Bilbo realized he had gone too far with his rant and tried to undo the damage. "I'm sorry, I didn't..."

"No you're right." Bofur nodded his head and looked to the sleeping company surrounding them, his gaze finishing on Kili's slightly slumped silhouette. "We don't belong anywhere."

Kili's troubled eyes landed on Fili sleeping in the back of the cave as he listened to the rest of Bofur and Bilbo's conversation, trying to work up the courage to go back to Fili's side and berating himself for not being able to.

"I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do." Bofur smiled a genuine smile and slapped Bilbo's arm encouragingly.

"Thank you. I really do appreciate…I mean to say…" Bilbo's apology was interrupted by Bofur.

"What's that?"

The hobbit followed Bofur's line of sight and saw a small sliver of glowing blue coming from the inside of his scabbard. In horror, Bilbo pulled his sword Sting free from the sheath and looked up sharply with a terrified expression. "I…I don't understand."

A spying Thorin realized immediately what was happening and tried to shout a warning. "Get up! Quickly, it's a trap!" Thorin's voice bounced about the cave walls, instigating a flurry of activity from, the only moments before, sleeping dwarves.

The warning however, came too late as the middle of the cave floor gave way and all the members of the company of Thorin Oakenshield fell into a dark abyss. The group of dwarves crashed down into rock walls, sliding further and further down until they landed on a rough wooden platform enclosed by rickety uneven railing.

A rush of air suddenly shot from Kili's lungs as his chest slammed against the cold hard ground, bringing black spots to his vision. Grunting with discomfort the young prince slowly rose to his feet but froze halfway with a horrible shrieking noise that bounced off the cavern walls. Kili swiftly tried to reach his family before the sea of revolting goblins could overrun the stunned company of dwarves. Sadly, the goblins were just too close and before Kili could even get two steps dozens of goblins surrounded the dwarves. The horrible creature's dirt crusted sharp nails dug deeply into their newly captured preys' skin as the goblins held tightly to each member of the dwarven company. Kili thrashed fiercely trying and failing to dislodge not only the physical monsters yanking him and his family harshly across unstable pathways, but also his mental demons trying to overwhelm him.

Fili elbowed the small goblin holding his right arm, causing the creature to release him and swiftly knocked the other away from his left side. Momentarily free Fili frantically searched his surroundings for Kili and Thorin. The young heir spotted Thorin just to his right between Bifur and Gloin, trying to pull himself free from the three goblins entrapping him. The sight of Thorin fighting strong helped to quell Fili's fears slightly, but he could not swallow his anxiety. The fair-haired dwarf knew Kili would be in the clutches of dark memories with the presence of all these goblins and needed to get to his brother's side as quickly as possible.

Just as Fili was recaptured by the goblins again he heard a yelp of pain across the chaos that sent Fili's anger raging. The pale eyed dwarf searched for the source of the noise and found his younger brother's hair being held back in a tight grip, extending Kili's neck in what had to be an uncomfortable position.

From just behind Kili Dwalin roared in fury at seeing the young dwarf manhandled and with rage fueling his strength the warrior swung a goblin that was trying to hold his arm into the one at Kili's back. The goblin struck its target and knocked the goblin that had Kili's hair into the cave wall and away from the youngest Durin.

Kili snapped his head to look behind him and locked gazes with Dwalin. The hardened warrior gave Kili a firm nod that made the young archer's resolve strengthen, knowing that he was not alone…like last time.

The company of dwarves were lead to a large raised platform in the middle of the damp dark cavern of Goblintown. The middle of which sat a massive goblin covered in repulsive boils with a revolting neck flap that hung down to the middle of its chest. A crown of bones rested atop the giant goblin's head and it was sitting on a crude throne made of wood held together by pieces of rope and chains.

Kili had to crane his neck to look into the great goblin's yellow stained eyes rimmed with crusty red skin. Suppressing a shiver Kili set his shoulders and glared at the monster, determined not to show any fear.

As soon as the company of dwarves were herded into a tight circle in front of the great goblin the king of goblins stumbled off his throne and leaned down to look at the captured group. "Who would be so bold as to come into my kingdom? Spies? Thieves? Assassins?!"

A slight goblin stepped forward and dropped his head in respect before addressing his king. "Dwarves your malevolence."

"Dwarves?!" The monstrous king cried in surprise; his sickly yellow eyes sweeping across his captives with interest.

The small goblin snickered quietly. "Found em on the front porch."

The great goblin smirked darkly. "Well don't just stand there. Search them!"

The goblin king's orders sent all the creature's underlings into action. Roughly searching the company of dwarves for anything and everything.

With effort Kili was able to keep his panic hidden and his face set in a glare, even as the sharp goblin's nails painfully searched his coat. Flashes of his time with Carrek invaded the young archer's mind. Carrek holding a small knife in front of him. The goblin slicing a strip of fabric from his new coat. Carrek's knife quickly slicing across his exposed collarbone. Flowing blood soaking the fabric. Carrek carefully placing the blood stained material over a low-hanging tree branch. "I need to make sure your uncle can find which way we're going."

"What are you doing in these parts? Speak!" The company held their ground and silence as the massive goblin begin to question them. While Kili close his eyes tightly, fighting away the lingering images.

Fili's jaw muscle tightened and he tilted his chin a little higher in defiance. Out of the corner of his eyes the fair-haired dwarf noticed Thorin doing the same and smirked.

Unfazed by the dwarves silence the goblin king addressed his people joyfully. "Very well. If they will not talk we'll make them squawk. Bring up the mangler, bring up the bone breaker."

The hundreds of goblins that inhabited Goblintown cheered with delight, fueling the goblin king further. "Start with the youngest!" the great goblin boomed.

A wave of cold washed over Fili and his chest seized in panic. The monstrous king's words hit the fair-haired dwarf and stole his breath away. Unable to move, Fili's only thought was of his little brother, the youngest of the company, and the most vulnerable. "No…no…not Kili…no." Fili whispered under his breath as his eyes sought out his other half.

Kili was glaring ahead, his expression set in stone, with a slight twitching in his jaw muscle being the only indication that he was worried. Watching his little brother face down their enemy without fear brought a great feeling of pride to Fili's heart. Sadly, that pride was quickly replaced by dread when the gangly goblin that had addressed the king gripped Kili behind his neck and shoved his forward towards the front of the group. Ori soon followed and before Fili could even form any sort of a plan he felt a heavy blow to his back, making the young Durin stumble forward next to his brother and Ori. It was odd, but being part of the group pulled forward gave Fili comfort. He knew that he could draw the goblin king's attention if need be; there was no way Fili was letting that filthy creature use his brother against their uncle.

"WAIT!" Thorin's voice bellowed, halting the goblins in their track.

The goblin king moved a few steps close and chuckled. "Well, well, well... look who it is! Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King Under the Mountain!" The creature finished his words with a mocking bow.

Straightening, the goblin tapped his head with a chubby finger. "Oh, but I'm forgetting, you don't have a mountain, and you're not a king, which makes you…nobody, really."

The goblin king laughed, and was swiftly followed by all the goblins in the cavern. When unexpectedly, the creature that had pulled Kili forward moved to stand next to his king. "My liege."

"Yes! What do you want, Urug?!" The great goblin commanded and rolled his eyes when Urug only waved the king closer.

The dwarves watched in confusion as the small goblin said something quietly to the king and a feeling of unease settled in the pit of their stomachs.

"Oh, really?" The goblin king said finally and his unkind eyes moved from Kili to Thorin, a horrid smile stretching across his vile face, revealing rows of rotten and missing teeth.

Kili shuttered as the goblin king gave him an eerily familiar smile that sent chills through his body. The young dwarf had to shake his head to stop images of Carrek from taking hold as his resolve began to slip away.

The goblin king stood tall and watched Thorin with interests while speaking to his followers. "It would seem we have more would-be royals in our presence on this delectable evening."

Kili and Fili locked concern gazes, but with the goblin's next words relief washed over only one of them.

"A king and his son. Bring the little prince forward!"

There were many in the company who were confused by the goblin kings words, but not those who had heard the youngest Durin be mistaken for Thorin's child before. For Thorin, Fili, Dwalin, and Balin those words were like ice in their veins. The rest of the company caught on to what was happening when Kili was yanked forward to the center of the platform in front the great goblin.

Thorin and Fili struggled to get free, both shouting in anger. "Stop! No! Don't you dare touch him!"

"You are mistaken! He is not my son!" Thorin roared.

The goblin king laughed. "Then why are you so…unhinged? Maybe not a son…perhaps a nephew?"

Thorin shook his head. "He is just a part of our traveling company…nothing more."

Kili knew his uncle's words were only meant to keep him safe, but it did not stop the whispering voice of Carrek in his head. "See. Even your uncle thinks you are nothing."

The king of goblins titled his head to the side and took in the sight of Kili, standing tall, chin high, and determined glare of defiance. "No…I think not. Thorin son of Thrain, the resemblance is quite uncanny. You see it's all in the gaze; the stubborn look of a Durin. He is your kin and if none of you will tell me what I want to know…maybe he will. Take them to the dungeon, but leave this one with me."

The company fought against the goblins hauling them to the dungeon and separating them from their youngest member, but without their weapons there was little they could do.

Thorin and Dwalin had to be held back by more the four goblins because of their powerful struggle. The dwarf king's mind unable to from coherent thoughts and bellowed at the great goblin as many threats as he could muster. "If you lay one hand on his head I will sever yours from your body and mount it for all of Middle Earth to see! Do you hear me?! I will bring you the greatest pain imaginable, Goblin!"

"KILI!" Fili screamed for Kili and thrashed like a wild animal. He could not believe this was happening to his little brother again. He had to do something. "Wait! I'm his older brother! It's me you want!"

Thorin felt his entire world crashing down around him. He never should have brought Fili and Kili on this quest. The dwarf king had known their love for each other would be their downfall, but could never have thought this would happen. That Fili would reveal himself and his lineage to a dangerous enemy just to protect his brother.

The goblin king held up his hand for his followers to stop. "Two nephews. How fortunate for me."

Kili's heart pounded painfully in his chest in terror for his overly protective brother's safety. Even a goblin could figure out with Fili being the oldest he would be Thorin's true heir. It was as if Fili had just sentenced himself to death. But curiously the monstrous king just laughed and ordered his goblins to continue.

Fili stood still in shock when the goblin king still wanted Kili and after a moment of hesitation fought with every ounce of energy he had to get to his brother. Unexpectedly, Fili was able to pull his way free, landing on the cave floor with a thud. Leaping to his feet Fili ran for his brother but was stopped short by a hulking goblin with mangled ears. The young heir tried to get free once more, and almost succeeded, but in the end his still healing leg gave out from underneath him and he was dragged away.

Kili watched as his family was taken from sight and tried to swallow passed his suddenly dry throat.

"My, that was a bit intense." The great goblin's voice was light and joyous.

Kili turned back to his captor and held his ground when the massive creature leaned closer, his horrid breath leaking passed its smiling lips. "Why don't we have a little fun, Pet?"

Please don't hate me for this evil cliffhanger! Review and let me know what you think. As I'm sure you all can see the story will be veering off from the movies/book a great deal from this point on. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Remember reviews help me write faster! :) Until next time…

Coming Soon- Chapter Twelve: A Stolen Life