Chapter 21

I went with not as dark. Lots going on in this chapter for Kili. Hope you enjoy.

A dark swirling mass of anger strode through the halls of Erebor. Dwalin had not been this enraged in decades. His weapon was in his hands. Fire blazed in his eyes and people hustled to get themselves out of his path. The others with him scurried to keep up with his long strides.

He ran into Bombur before he made it to the kitchens. Bombur's face was as red as his beard.

"She's gone. Can't be more than 10 minutes." Bombur rushed out.

"What? I thought you were keeping an eye on her!" Nori shouted.

Bombur was upset. "You told me to keep it natural. I did."

Dwalin grabbed a soldier that had rushed to the lower levels with them. "Close the gate now! No one leaves." The dwarf nodded and ran off. Dwalin swiveled to another. "You, alert the guard. We are looking for a female, Nevi. If found, she is not to be killed but interrogated. UNDERSTOOD? Go!" To the third he pointed to the kitchens. "Get some others and double check every square inch of the place."

Nori got Dwalin's attention. "I'm going to her sleeping quarters. See if she's been there or left something behind."

Dwalin nodded, "Bombur, you help the guards search the kitchens. Dori tell the Prince what has happened. I'm going to check on our prisoner."

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Balin had helped Kili remove his armor and travel clothes. The weight just added to the pain his legs felt. Kili then tumbled back into the seat beside his uncle. His mood was dark as his mind tried to calculate just how long it would possibly take Fili to return with Bilbo. All the answers were the same, too damn long.

Kili permitted Oin to give his legs a cursory inspection as he asked a hundred questions about the poison. Oin tried to engage the Prince in discussion, but Kili was in no mood. Balin finally waved off the healer. Balin took a seat next to Kili.

Kili lowered his hand covering his brow. "Is there anything else I should know of in my absence?" His voice was tired, but Balin knew it would be sometime before Kili would find rest.

Balin shook his head. "All else goes as planned. We running low on potatoes much to Ori's dismay," he managed a small smile. A caravan is close to arriving. Should be here in two weeks."

Kili nodded, "They must be courageous to travel in winter. Or else the conditions so poor where they lived too bad to continue in."

"I think it's both. The winter has been mild. I just hope..." Balin was cut off by a breathless Dori. Gloin, who had left to attend to other matters, trailed behind.

The meticulous dwarf looked very rumpled. "Nevi has escaped. She was gone before we got there!"

Gloin growled his displeasure causing the King to stir. Even Oin and Balin were out of the seats and complaining.

Dori continued on gasping, "Dwalin's ordered the gate closed, extra guards here, and the kitchens researched first."

At first Kili said nothing at the news. Dori's words spun around in his head. Instead, he nodded. He thought of what Dwalin had done and mentally agreed with every action.

His four companions watched and grew surprised. All had expected some outburst, a show of anger. Kili was doing none of those things.

He rose from his seat. His calm, quiet words in stark contrast to his fellows eruptions. "Guards are to be doubled for the king. Nothing gets into this room that hasn't been checked out three times. Gloin, see to it."

Gloin nodded and rushed out.

Kili whispered quickly "Balin, Oin, you keep the King safe. Keep him calm. Dori, tell Nori I need to know how our traitor knew to run now." Kili reached for his armor and began to shove it back on. Balin hurried over to help.

Dori watched for a moment a little out of breath. Kili glanced up at him. "Go Dori. We have little time."

"But where are you going?" Dori couldn't stop himself from asking. In fact it was the question they all had.

Kili buckled the last fastener together. His sword was once more at his side. It was obvious to Kili Thorin was struggling toward consciousness. He didn't have time to wait. Kneeling, Kili took his rough hand in his and gently kissed the fingers. He lowered Thorin's hand down. "Rest, this is for me to handle."

Balin repeated Dori's question. "Where are you going Kili?" He was still surprised at how composed the once boisterous prince had remained.

The calm facade fell apart when you saw Kili's eyes. They were dark and stormy, full of anger so deep it was beyond rage. Kili swallowed the truthful answer, instead the young dwarf replied, "To the dungeons. I want to speak with our guest."

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Nevi allowed herself to smile. Getting past the guards had been so easy. Play the meek female. Just hand them the bowl and blush. Let them deliver death to her prey. She didn't need to watch the idiot die. Just knowing his insides would soon be turned to a foaming, bloodied mess was good enough.

There was only one thing she couldn't truly control, time. Time was what she was short of. The prisoner would die quickly. Soon they would be turning over every stone in the castle to look for her. She walked up the rough granite stairs. Her footsteps were silent but quick.

Nevi had barely made it to the upper halls when she heard the ruckus. The orders being shouted. The great gate was to be sealed, a traitor was loose.

She gasped, but melted into the shadows of the staircases. Time was running out. Her eyes darted about. She would be found and soon now if she did not act. Nevi felt a cold calm wash over her. She had played this scenario over in head a thousand times. Nevi knew what she must do. Time could not be bartered with, but it could be bought. To buy time she would have to resort to dangerous actions.

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Dwalin arrived at the dungeon. A few guards panted as they trailed behind. They had not run the paths of Middle Earth as the legendary captain had.

The two prisoner guards dipped their heads in respect to their captain.

"Has a female been here?" He roared.

The two guards glanced at each other nervously. "Yes sir, a kitchen maid delivered the prisoner's meal minutes ago."

Bofur arrived then. The miner pushed through the three soldiers blocking his way. He was out of breath from chasing after Dwalin. "Open his cell. We have to stop him from eating."

Dwalin pivoted to race back up the stairs as Bofur shouted, "I've got this. Go find the witch!"

Dwalin nodded. Other following guards had to once more throw their bodies out of his path.

Bofur rushed to the prison cell. "Hurry mate. We can't lose him!"

The guard fumbled with the keys at the cell. Bofur could see through the cell bars. The prisoner had heard them talking. He had being laying on the floor. The broth was in a tray placed in the middle of the cell. He slowly crawled to his last meal. He was reaching out with a shaky, poorly bandaged hand toward the bowl.

The keys fell from the thick fingers of the dwarf guard.

Bofur muttered curses. "Give me the damn things." He grabbed the keys and shoved what he hoped was the right one into the lock.

"Don't do it lad. Don't! We can still help ye!" Bofur pleaded as his fingers found the second key.

The prisoner paid no attention to his words.

"Nevi lied. Don't damn yourself."

His right hand finally gripped the bowl. Much of the liquid splashed out onto the floor.

"NO!" Bofur yelled. He rushed across the room just as the traitor put the bowl to his swollen lips. He wouldn't make it in time.

The prisoner hesitated for second. He put his lips to the bowl and closed his eyes.

Suddenly the bowl and its deadly contents went tumbling down to the floor along with a large rather riduculous hat.

He frowned, never expecting to be snapped from death's grasp.

Bofur was on him instantly. He pulled the dwarf away from the spilled liquid and into the arms of the shocked guards.

"Treat him gently lads. Our friend here has more questions to answer."

Bofur went over and scooped up his battered hat. He let out a held breath. "Thank, Mahal."

Bofur shoved the hat on his thick dark locks.

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Kili forced his legs to move quickly. One shoulder brushing hard against the stone walls of the staircase as he fell/ran down the steps. He used it to keep his balance, to stay upright. Pain shot up his leg and spine when he half tripped over the last steps. The main halls were crowded, people rushing everywhere. Guards shouting orders. It was chaos. The soldiers following Kili soon found themselves caught up in the masses. Kili continued on without them.

Kili had his little voice screaming in his head. It was telling him she was still here. The traitor was nearby. If he just looked hard enough, if he could just listen to his instincts, Nevi would be his.

Then he saw it. In all the noise and confusion, no one would think of a door bumping as unusual. But Kili had spent hours pouring over every map of Erebor in the last weeks. That door was only to a small storage area. No one should be in there. Nothing should be going on there.

Kili took quick steady steps toward the door. The pain was gone, he was on pure adrenalin. His sword was pulled silently from its scabbard.

His half gloved hand felt the door handle. It was locked. It didn't slow him down.

In front of him was a ghastly vision of nightmares. A female dwarf stood, her mouth poised over the blood spurting from a wounded dwarf. The victim's eyes were sheer panic, terror as his life's blood spurted with each heartbeat. However, he was motionless in the witch's grasp. Nevi twisted away from her feeble victim. The incantation was still on her blood stained lips as her eyes grew wide in amazement.

Time would not be bought this day, not even with the price of blood. Yet of all those to find her, to seek her out, it was the dark, moody prince. Her life might end this day, but not before she struck a fatal blow into the line of Durin. Time had finally been generous.

Kili swallowed and put his sword up. "You are under arrest for high treason against the King. Surrender now or face my justice." Kili kept his voice steady, trying to keep the horror of what transpired from affecting his nerves.

She laughed wickedly in response. The door slammed shut behind Kili.

Kili and Nevi stared at one another for a long second. Each appraising the other. The room swam in hatred, in violence awaiting to erupt.

The lone candle glowed red. Kili's blade caught the crimson light, it was reflected in his own eyes.

Nevi let her victim slide to the floor slowly as his last gasp escaped his body. The poor miner's body dissolved in front of them. In seconds, only bones and dust remained of the unfortunate dwarf. It was so quick, so vicious that Kili took a half step back.

She smiled and her appearance shifted. The young, boring kitchen maid was replaced with a dwarrowdam of great beauty. Her hair was as dark at the deep night. Skin was fair and delicate, her form holding grace. Her eyes were something of a nightmare. The brown hue was replaced with a glowing crimson yellow of the damned.

Laughing, Nevi pulled a short blade from the confines of her skirt. The red light revealed a greenish hue to its edge. Kili instantly knew just a nick; a thin slice of skin would end in death. An impossible wind began to swirl the contents of the room.

"Come little prince. Meet your doom. You cannot escape it. Your pathetic friends can't help." Nevi boasted.

Behind him, Kili could hear pounding on the door. Dwalin's voice screaming the loudest.

Kili moved to a defensive stance. He gauged her movements as she mocked him.

"Don't you have questions? Doesn't Durin's little bastard want to know who wants him and his kin dead?" Nevi teased as if she had all the time in the world.

Kili and Nevi began to circle one another. "Why?" He made his voice strong.

"That's it? I was told you were simple. Now I see why. You have no imagination."

Kili didn't respond.

Nevi almost pouted. "Arrogance. Indifference. Stupidity. Brutality." She finally hissed out. "All males suffer from this and much, much worse. Your line has caused so much death, so much pain through greed. It ends." The dark energies she had called on earlier seemed to increase in their intensity. The winds became a gale. The room smelt of sulfur and electricity. Finally, the storage closet seemed to disappear altogether. Kili found himself on some dim plane. Grey and black dominated. The only other color was maroon in the dark above. Yet the red glow was not from stars, but from eyes which glowed with malice. The souls of the damned watched the two opponents.

Kili felt terror trying to claw into his heart and mind. Using her deadly magic, she was attempting to beat the will out of him, his courage to fight. His mind screamed for him to shut his eyes. Run, run far away. Find the door. Escape!

Kili didn't do any of those things. He forced his attention on the female. Kili remembered why he was here and who he was protecting. This bitch would not harm Thorin again. She would not get her claws on Fili, never him. Thinking of his brother he acted.

Kili suddenly moved to an offensive stance and sliced at her dark head. She barely blocked it, darting quickly from a follow up movement.

"Oh, you're a sneaky little bastard."

Kili returned her dark smile. "Sneaky, devious, cruel even." He replied softly. Today he would be all those things and more if ended Nevi's life. Kili felt all the tensed, bottled up emotions pour into his heart and mind. His exhausted limbs suddenly felt new energy pour into his body.

She raised her weapon at him once more as they carefully circled each other. Her countenance changed to one of mild surprise. "It's too bad you have Durin's blood in you. I am starting to sense a bit of kindred spirit. The winds and flames dance to your anger as well. You could have had true power." Her voice became smooth and seductive.

Kili realized these mind games were all designed to weaken him. He attacked.

She blocked it. Swiftly a second blade was in her left hand. It flitted forward.

Kili stepped back, Nevi's second blade slide off his.

The two exchange a flurry of thrusts and parries. The speed of which increased tremendously with each blow.

Kili drew her in. She was so concentrated on his one blade, Nevi failed to see his foot. Kili kicked out. Nevi stumbled and fell back. Kili's weak legs finally betrayed him. Instead of pushing his advantage he stumbled. She recovered in time to prevent the killing blow. The second blade was sent flying out of her grasp with the force of the strike.

Nevi scrambled upward. She began to speak some dark words even as she raised her remaining blade.

The sound of the words sent pain tearing through Kili's mind. He barely was able to roll out of the way of her steel. Nevi had the advantage now. Although this spell cost her much, it was worth it to see Kill swaying. Kili was barely able to stay inches away from death. He spun and ducked. The poisoned edge kept coming closer and closer. Nevi allowed herself to smile again. Time was on her side once more.

Kili gasped for breath, he had to keep moving, keep dodging. But the pain, it burned. He was slowing. The end was near. A quick slice and more of Kili's hair lay on the ground. Another dodge barely in time.

She tried to backhand her blade into his face. His sword caught it, but his left leg trembled and he began to slide down. In desperation Kili threw a left hook at Nevi's head. It connected. Nevi flew back and her muttering stopped.

Suddenly the burning agony in Kili's brain ceased. Kili heaved trying to pull himself upright. It was no use. His leg could take no more abuse.

Nevi bounced back. Her own blood covering her lips. She yelled in incredible rage and threw herself at Kili.

Kili blinked. Time seemed to stop. He thought how he would never see Fili again. But he would end Nevi now. She would not touch his brother. Fili would be safe. Thorin would be safe. In the end, that's all he had ever wanted. It's all that he had ever needed.

Nevi rushed forward. Kili saw every movement. The hate in her eyes. The wind blowing her clothes. The steel blade with its green death.

She slashed out. His blade fell from his much weakened grasp. Her body twisted her face already anticipating victory. The second strike would kill him.

She hadn't anticipated Kili suddenly jumping up from his nearly prone state. His right arm grasped hers and thrust it downward. They fell together, Kili on top. She grunted and tried to twist her hand. Just a nick, just a slice. That's all she required.

They tumbled on the rocky soil. She was so, so very close. One more inch.

Kili scrambled trying to get an advantage. His left hand flailed out in an attempt to find a weapon, anything to fight back.

Almost there. Nevi's mind sang in anticipation.

Kili screamed. It was a horrible thing, full of a soul weary pain.

His fingers found Nevi's forgotten dagger. He didn't hesitate.

Nevi gasped in sudden searing agony. Her red gold eyes grew enormous as her body began to shake in shock.

Kili rolled off the witch. He felt a tree and scrambled against it. He just wanted distance between himself and the bitch.

Nevi's hands flew to her bloodied midsection. One poisoned blade dropped from her hand. Both hands then clutched its mate now embedded in her stomach.

She stared at Kili. Kili sat just gulping in air, shaking at the effort he'd forced his body through. Darkness started to edge his own mind.

"You bastard," she whispered. Bloody foam began to seep out of her mouth. "Not... over... not..." Nevi could speak no longer. Convulsions violently ripped through her body.

Kili tried to hang onto life. The battle, the pain had been too much. "Fili... forgive me." Kili's body slumped forward beside Nevi's.