Big thanks to Kili's smile and NoirDixMois for following/favouriting.

Yshxf – Yeah that seems a fairly accurate reaction.

Nenithiel – No I don't think he would last long. But I'm not going to have a sad ending I promise.

Mili – Yeah I thought I'd be extra cruel for you guys! But things will start to look up soon.

Sorrellkaren – Okay sorry for any confusion. Yes he is in the warg pit and as for whether Thorin will get to him in time….you'll have to read on.

A Race Against Time

As both wargs advanced on him Kili forced himself to stay standing. All around him he could hear the cries and cheers of the orcs and he knew his chances of getting out alive were pretty much zero. He had spied a heavy looking axe on the other side of the pit but getting to it would be impossible. As for being able to use it..? He doubted he'd have been strong enough six months ago. Glancing up Kili saw Azog smiling down at him and he clenched his fists.

He would show the pale orc he hadn't won. He would prove he was worthy of the line of Durin. Every punch, every blow, every whipping, every touch, he would show that they hadn't won. Even if Azog had broken him Kili knew there was still a small part of him that was Kili, son of Vili.

"Maybe we should invite the brother along to watch?"

Kili froze at Azog's words. On one hand he knew Fili was still alive. But on the other he knew if Fili was forced to watch this he would break down. He wouldn't let Fili see this. Clenching his fists Kili dived to the floor – although he was so weak he pretty much fell – as the first warg dived. It leapt over Kili, crashing into the wall, before turning. But Kili wasn't looking. Instead he dragged himself to the other side of the pit and reached for the axe. He knew the second warg was running at him and for a few seconds he wondered if he would even make it. He could smell the wargs breath at the back of his neck when his fingers curled around the handle and he spun round. The axe barely lifted off the ground but it was enough to send the wargs backing away. They fixed him with low growls and hard stares whilst Kili clung to the axe. The cries on the orcs were getting louder and louder – they didn't care who won as long as they got a good fight.

Kili glanced down at himself – he'd never had the opportunity to really see what Azog had done to him. His bones pushed against his skin and several of the cuts on his torso had reopened, allowing the blood to mix in with the dirt. One skeletal hand grabbed the axe whilst the other shook slightly. Licking his swollen lips Kili raised his head and brushed his hair from his face. Both wargs faced him and he took the axe in both hands.

He was Kili, son of Vili.

The wargs sniffed at him; no doubt they smelt the blood.

He was Kili son of Vili.

The orcs were roaring now and Kili knew Azog's eyes were stuck on his figure.

He was Kili, brother of Fili.

The wargs leapt at him.

Thorin glanced at the dwarves lined up in front of him. The Nori, Bofur and Bifur were in a small corner going over the final touches of their plan whilst the others had donned their battle armour. Thorin had no idea when Azog would strike; all he knew was that he had to strike first. At the very least both he and Dwalin had a vague idea of how the orcs camp looked – something Azog hadn't thought of. He hoped.

"Thorin?"

At Balin's voice Thorin raised his head. To see his friend in armour again was a strange sight. Brushing down his own breast plate Thorin rubbed a hand over his face in thought. He knew there was no guarantee they would win. He knew there was no guarantee he would survive. But he would be damned if he wasn't able to guarantee his nephews lives.

"Nori, Bofur and Bifur are about to go."

Thorin nodded and moved away from Balin. As he approached the three huddled dwarves he forced himself to remain calm. No doubt they were already terrified about failing in their task – he didn't want to make them feel worse.

"Thorin," Nori bowed and Thorin gave him a small nod.

"Find Kili first. He's your priority."

He hated himself. He hated how he was side-lining Fili as though he meant nothing. But Fili was far stronger and healthier than Kili was. If Kili remained in the orcs grip for much longer then he wouldn't be alive for much longer. Fili could hold out for a few more hours. Kili couldn't.

Nori nodded and turned to go. Before he had a chance to move Thorin placed a hand on his shoulder and drew him back.

"Listen to me; should anything go wrong. Should you fail to get either of them out alive…"

Thorin paused – supposing he failed? Supposing both of his nephews died because he hadn't been able to save them? He shook his head.

"Should anything like that happen I want you to know there will be no backlash, no punishment and no blame attached to you. I swear it."

Nori nodded and Thorin was well aware of the relief in the three sets of eyes. Clapping Nori on the shoulder he stepped back and watched as the trio hurried off through the forest. Biting his lip he waited until Bofur's hat was just a speck before turning around and facing his army.

He would rescue them. He would save them.

Kili was oblivious to the orcs cheers as he fell to the floor. One warg sniffed him whilst the other whined in agony. He'd managed to slice one of it's hind legs with a very lucky bow from his axe. But his luck hadn't held out for much longer. Blood covered his arms and Kili wouldn't have been shocked if one was broken. It certainly felt that way. His matted hair fell over his face but it did nothing to hide the huge warg that pressed it's snout against his face. Kili wrapped his arms around his shivering body; he couldn't even kick out at the animal.

"Kill the dwarf worm!"

At Azog's voice Kili forced out a sob. For months he had wanted to die. He'd wanted his ordeal to be over. But now..? Now he wanted Fili. He wanted his brother with him. The brother who hadn't abandoned him. Who had instead grieved for him and ridden to war for him.

He wanted to say goodbye first.

Kili screamed as teeth clamped down on his body. Dirt clung to his arm as the warg lifted him up into the air. As the serrations tore through his skin Kili saw huge drops of blood falling to the ground. The warg shook him – rattling his bones – and as his vision blurred Kili knew he didn't have long.

And then he was back on the ground. All around him the orcs were shouting and screeching in their own language. The warg sniffed his face before hurrying away. Azog yelled something but the words blurred together for Kili. The sounds of the orcs were starting to die but he couldn't move to try and see what was happening. He could now hear others cries as well. They were in the common tongue but in another language. But the pain was overtaking now and Kili cried out as more blood fell from the gashes in his body.

So this was it then. This was what it was like to be close to death. The whole area was silent and yet Kili's blood pounded in his ears.

"Kili?"

That was Fili! His brother had found him! He would get him out of here!

Glancing up Kili blinked as Fili hurried towards him. His brother was far paler than before and as he neared Kili realised his brother was shining. Glowing even.

"Fi…" He couldn't get his mouth to work properly. Blood trailed from the corner of his lips as Fili knelt beside him and stroked his face.

"Kili. My little brother."

Fili sounded so far away. Shaking his head Kili tried to cling on to reality. More tears fell down his face whilst Fili gently shushed him.

"It hurts Fee," every word made him feel like his chest was about to shatter, "It hurt so much. I want it to stop."

"It will soon Kili. I promise."

"Fili, Fili please don't leave me."

Kili didn't want to be alone. He wanted Fili by his side. Holding out one hand he watched as Fili took it. But even though his brother was holding it Kili couldn't feel Fili's warm skin against is. More tears fell as the edges of his vision began to darken.

"Kili listen to me. I will never leave you ever again. I will always be a part of you and you will never feel alone."

"Fili…" Kili broke off as a harsh pain his him. Opening his eyes he watched as Fili began to twist and fade.

"Fili?"

"Goodbye Kili, my brother."

Letting his head slump on the floor Kili gave a weak nod, "Goodbye Fili."

The last thing he saw was Fili's smile.

Nori, Bifur and Bofur couldn't stop panicking as time went by. Getting into the orcs camp had been easy. Finding Fili and Kili had been the complete opposite. Thankfully they hadn't come across any orcs – no doubt because they were all busy fighting off Thorin and the rest of the dwarvish army. But as time had gone on they had begun to wonder if they had been too late.

"Suppose…" Bofur shook his head, "Suppose we don't find them…alive?"

Nori sighed, "I don't want to think about it."

Bofur nodded, completely oblivious to Bifur who was yelling at him. Glancing over he saw the other dwarf standing several metres away pointing madly behind a huge tent. Narrowing his eyes Bofur jogged over.

"What is it?"

Bifur rolled his eyes and the second Nori had joined them Bofur followed Bifurs gaze.

"Oh..!"

Nori was already running. Behind the tent was a huge wooden post with a small figure tied to it. Following Nori Bofur knew he had tears falling down his face as he saw that familiar mane of blonde hair. He knew Kili was their priority but there was no way they could just leave Fili like this. Nori was hunting for a knife and as Bofur knelt down beside the trussed up prince he forced down the nausea.

"Fili? Fili can you hear me?"

He expected no reply. Fili's hands and feet had been bound. A rag had been tied over his mouth and another over his eyes. But the dwarf gave a small nod and Bofur leant forward to remove the blindfold. Up close he could tell Fili's face had been beaten to a pulp and he had a feeling the rest of his body was in a similar state. The second the blindfold came away Bofur tore the gag out and Fili licked his lips.

"Bo...Bofur?"

"Aye lad, Thorin sent us."

Fili nodded nervously whilst Nori tore through the last of the ropes around his wrists. Everyone sat back as Fili rubbed his sore hands before forcing himself to his feet. He wobbled and out of instinct Bofur moved to grab him. However Fili straightened himself and as he began looking round everyone knew who he was looking for.

"Kili? Have you seen Kili?"

Bifur lowered his head and Bofur sighed.

"Not yet Fili."

Fili said nothing. Instead he simply pushed past the three of them. Bifur tried to call him back but Fili ignored him. Bofur watched the young dwarf half limp and half run towards the centre of the orcs camp.

He didn't blame Fili. He belonged with his brother.

Fili's whole body was screaming at him to sit down. When the orcs had been beating him they'd left him trussed up like an animal and he was certain several ribs were cracked if not broken.

But none of that mattered.

"KILI!"

He needed to find his brother. He needed to get him to safety. He had failed Kili twice already and he wouldn't be able to live with himself if it happened a third time. The whole camp was empty and Fili could hear the sounds of the raging battle only a few metres away. He knew he didn't have long – no matter who won Azog and his orcs would soon be back. He needed to get Kili to safety.

Yet he had no idea of where his brother would be.

Rubbing his throbbing head Fili shut his eyes in one last attempt to concentrate.

"Take him to the warg pits"

Azog's words blasted their way through Fili's mind. He'd caught a glimpse of those pits when he'd first been caught by Azog. The idea of Kili..? No, no Kili was fine. He had to be fine. Fili's aching legs seemed to give up protesting as he ran back the way he had come. He wasn't completely sure if he remembered the right way but he didn't have time to think and draw a map.

"Kili? Kili!"

As he neared the pit his nose twitched at the strong smell of blood. Although he knew the wargs were gone it was clear there had been a fight recently. Very recently.

"Kili?" Edging towards the pit Fili leaned over. The smell of blood and flesh was overwhelming him. But that flew from his head as he saw the small, lifeless figure against the pit wall.

"KILI!"

Shaking his tears away Fili jumped down into the pit. The impact of landing probably jarred his ankles but he was in too much pain already to really notice any of it. Pushing himself to his feet Fili limped towards Kili's body. He could see patches of blood on the ground. Kneeling down by Kili he gently stroked his brothers face – flinching at how cold it was.

"Kili wake up?" He didn't think he had any more tears left, "Kili please wake up!"

So….i guess I plus is that Fili is free and has found Kili. Another plus is that Thorin and the others are fighting Azog. By the way apologies for not showing much of the battle but I have my reasons which you will find out in a few chapters time. So I know things have been a bit bleak for a few chapters but after this things get better so please just hang in there. Let me know what you think xxxx