Sorry about the cliffie, guys!:) At least I wasn't gone as long this time.

Thorin watched in horror from his place outside the door. He couldn't see much from his point of view, but he could see that Fili was bleeding heavily from his shoulder and Kili was held hostage in Ben's grasp. Thorin wasn't quite sure of the whole situation, but by the look on Fili's face, it was anything, but slightest bit hopeful.

"'ave it your way then." Came Ben's smug voice.

The change in Fili's eyes was all Thorin needed to see in order to know that it was his time to spring into action. He rushed forward, drawing his sword, but not swinging it immediately in fears of mistakenly hurting Kili. After he stopped behind the big man, Thorin slashed one cut over Ben's right side. The man immediately dropped Kili, who fell limply to the ground.

"KILI!"

Thorin wanted so badly to rush to his nephew's side and be sure he was okay, but he had no time. Ben growled intensely as he turned to face him.

"You'll be sorry you did that."

"I could never be sorry for hurting the man who did that to Kili." Thorin countered, and the battle was on.

Ben pounced at Thorin, who easily sidestepped the clumsy attack. The big man, however, must have been expecting it, since he quickly swung a leg low and knocked Thorin's feet out from under him. Thorin began to pull himself up, when a thick boot stomped on his sword- a weapon crafted by his own hand. He pulled at the sword, but quickly realized that he was not going to get it back, so instead, he jumped at the body on top of his sword. Ben stumbled back a few steps at Thorin's attempt, but he didn't fall. Thorin wasn't used to fighting anybody this big before. He quickly realized his mistake when a strong hand grabbed him by the hair and pulled him away from the grip he had on Ben's torso. He vaguely registered being slammed against a wall. He could hear panicked shouts from somewhere in the room, but his head hurt, terribly.

"He's dead! He's dead!" they cried.

Dead?

No. It couldn't be Kili they were talking about... but then... that was Fili's voice, was it not?

"Look at me, dwarf." Thorin lazily turned his head to face the voice talking to him, "I finished my job, 'ere. I coulda been gone by now, and you wouldn't 'ave 'ad to see me ever again, but you 'ad to intervene. You 'ad to mess it all up. Looks like you'll share in 'is fate."

Thorin followed Ben's finger with his eyes, to see him pointing at the forms of his two nephews. Kili was tightly wrapped in his brother's arms, and Fili sat curled in, with his forehead gently resting on Kili.

"No." Thorin whispered as he viewed the horrifying scene. He lowered his head in defeat, and downcast his eyes in shame.

Ben, then moved so that he was again, obstructing Thorin's view of the lads, "I'll do you the pleasure of reunitin' you two."

The big man picked Thorin's sword up off the ground and rose it up, preparing for the final blow... but it never came. All Thorin heard was a clang, and he looked up to see Hunter, holding his sword up to block the deadly blade. Ben growled in anger and thrashed out with the sword again, but Hunter was able to block the blow. They continued exchanging blows, a few at time, until Ben- having the advantage of height and longer limbs- gained the underhand. Hunter's sword was knocked from his hand, and he was forced up against the wall.

"I didn't want this to involve you, Hunter, but you're standing in my way, just like you always have. Trading the rich life to do what's right and just." Ben said as if he were disgusted, "You coulda had so much more."

"I'm ashamed to have ever called you my friend. I'd die right here at your hand, knowing I died for a cause, rather than die rich, gaining money the way you have been." Hunter snapped back.

"You might just get your wish." Ben smirked.

His time of triumph would not last, however. Ben's smirk vanished with a jolt of pain, as he looked down to see the tip of a blade pierced through him. Thorin pulled the sword out of the man's back, causing him to fall back, dead. Finally dead.

There was no time for celebration, before Thorin rushed to the lads- who now has Dis by their sides- and fell to his knees beside them, "Let me see, Fili. Let me see."

"He's dead, Thorin. That man killed him. He's dead." Fili whimpered, like a young child. Thorin figured that's how he must feel about now. He was also likely delirious from that nasty looking wound, so Thorin wouldn't do readily trust his judgement.

"Just, let me see him." Thorin opened his arms to receive his youngest sister-son, and Fili reluctantly agreed. Thorin examined him, and Dis sniffled beside him.

"Is he... is he dead?" She asked with a quivering lip.

Thorin met her eyes, "He breaths, sister. He is alive."

Dis smiled joyfully at the news of hope.

"But, his throat was cut. He should be dead." Fili stated.

Thorin brushed away the hair and wiped some of the blood from his nephew's neck to get a better look, "These are only minor cuts. Nothing to be concerned about. They will heal with time. I must have made it before he could 'finish the job.'"

"Then, why won't he wake up?" Fili asked, still concerned about the well-being of his little brother.

"He must have been knocked unconscious after Ben dropped him. Kili is quite a bit more frail than he usually is. I'm no healer, but I think he will be okay." Thorin smiled.

KFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKF

After getting his shoulder wound treated by Oin, Fili sat in his now normal spot in the chair next to his brother's bed. Kili had been in and out of consciousness for most of the night. The old healer had said that Kili would be fine, but Fili could only think of how close it had been; how close he was to losing his little brother.

"Fili? Are you okay?" Fili looked up to see his mother standing over him with worried eyes.

"I'm fine." His voice cracked a bit at that. Aule. Fili could feel the lump in his throat. Why was it that he could be doing fine, until someone spoke to him, or took pity on him.

"No, you're not. I can see your eyes watering up." She placed a comforting hand on his back, "It's not your fault you know."

"I know. I just... should've done more. I'm not strong. Not as strong as Kili or Thorin- especially Thorin."

"You know that's not true."

Fili sniffed some more tears away, "Yes, mum, it is. Mahal, I'm even crying. I find I've been crying a lot lately. If that doesn't show I'm weak then I don't know what does."

"Oh, honey. You're not crying because you're weak; you're crying because you've been strong for too long." She began rubbing circles on his back, "You've been through so much. You have been so strong to just be crying now. I am so proud of you. I don't ever want to hear you say that you are weak, again."

Fili nodded slowly and smiled up at her, "Yes, mum."