Fili looked around at the fallen Orcs, all of them east of where the Company had been fighting. No more Orcs were coming down the cliff from the old bell tower. The Orc archer that Thorin and Dwalin had promised to remove fired no more. This part of the ruined City had become quiet and still.

Fili hooted the call he and Kili had used since childhood. His heart was filled with joy when he heard the familiar sound of Kili returning his call. Fili noticed that this time, the owl hoot was accompanied by the coo of a dove.

File raced past the last building standing, following the sound of Kili's call. Fili arrived to see Kili emerge from behind what looked like crumpled bells, carrying a sword in one hand and a wooden box in the other.

No words needed to be spoken between the brothers, relieved to see each other once more. Fili embraced his little brother.

Kili asked, "Uncle Thorin?"

"Yes!" Fili assured him "Everyone is here. Only Gandalf has not rejoined us."

"I did not come alone, brother. My friend is hurt." Kili gestured with the box to an abandoned building.

"Let me find Óin then." Fili offered, "I will be right back."

Fili ran down the central street of Dale, only to meet all the Dwarves running back at him. Thorin's face was stern. "Elves have arrived. Prepare for another attack!" and then with softer look. "Did you find Kili?"

"Yes, he is alive, but his friend is wounded. We need Óin right away to the building nearest to the bell tower."

Dwalin joined them, fresh from defeating the archer Orc.

Thorin counted them all up, "We will rally at that building, then. We should all be together. Dwalin, pick up Bilbo and follow as soon as you can. Fili, see if you can tell how many Elves are outside the City, but keep low and come back quickly."

Thorin and Company ran to the last building standing in the east, where they found Kili kneeling beside a small, black-haired Elf.

(*****)

Kili handed Rhavaniel a water skin, "They are alive! All of them, and they have the Orcs on the run. Fili will be back soon with our medic."

Rhavaniel drank deeply, and pulled her sword partially out of the sheath - the glow was fading. "Good." she smiled at him tiredly.

Kili looked up and saw the rest of the Company arrive, with his Uncle Thorin in the lead.

Rhavaniel squeezed his hand, and then released it, "Go, I will be fine."

Kili ran to his friends and kinsmen, and embraced them all. Thorin handed him back his knife, which he had been carrying all of these days, taking it as proof that Kili was dead. Thorin did not need to explain, for Kili understood what they must have thought when they found it.

Rhavaniel looked on, happy for Kili. She did not hear the footsteps behind her. By the time she sensed she was being watched, it was too late. She reached for her sword, but a large hand grabbed her by the throat and snatched her up off the ground.