Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, or any character within the world Tolkien created. I also do not own any characters created by Peter Jackson. I am merely borrowing them, knowing I shall not benefit monetarily.

The next three days went by in a blur for Fili. He never left his brother's side. Thorin had left to inform the company of Kili's prognosis. Lord Elrond had told him that he could, in fact, read the map. They would have to wait a fortnight, however, for the correct moon. This took a little bit of pressure off of the dwarf king in exile. He would not have to make an immediate decision on what to do about his nephew. He knew Kili could not continue with them. Although dwarves are very hardy folk, warg saliva has a way of compromising the immune system. Kili was healing, but it was slowed down considerably. They would be able to acertain more once he actually awoke.

Another fixture in and outside of the young dwarf's room was the golden haired elf, Glorfindel. He saw that Fili ate and rested, going so far as to making a cot available, since he refused to leave the room. Fili had only been sleeping a few hours when Kili woke for the first time. Glorfindel roused him as he promised and then left the room to inform Lord Elrond that the injured dwarf had awoken.

"Kili! Kili, can you hear me?"

"Hmmm... Fili... hurts..."

"Kili, you were caught by a warg. You have been seriously injured. We are in Rivendell. Lord Elrond has been seeing to your injuries."

Kili opened his eyes and focused on his brother. For the first time since their flight from the orc pack, Fili saw a little smirk appear on his brother's face. "Thorin?" whipered Kili.

Fili chuckeled. "He is not too pleased, but he is relieved that you are recieving the treatment you needed. We thought we were going to lose you, nadad. Had the elves not shown up when they did, we would have for sure. Uncle has has been a bit of a bear because we are in their debt. Not only are they treating you, the entire company has been forced to accept the hospitality of the elves. I know nothing else. I have not left and Thorin has said nothing of what is going on outside. Of course, I do not think I would have paid much attention if he had."

As Fili finish, Lord Elrond came through the door. "Ah, you are awake. You are a very lucky dwarf. Now, let us see how well you are doing."

The next 30 minutes consisted of questions and prodings from the elf lord. Glorfindel had retrieve Thorin in that time, so the room was a bit full. As Elrond finished, Kili fell back into an exhausted sleep.

"Fear not. This is quite normal. It will take some time for him to be able to stay awake for long periods of time. His body needs rest in order to heal."

"How is he?" asked Thorin.

"My conclusion has not changed since I first treated him. He will need a great deal of time to heal, at least eight weeks. The warg bites are slow to heal, his breaks are healing at the rate of men, and his stamina will need time to rebuild. It would not be wise for him to embark on a journey any time soon."

Fili could tell his uncle was not pleased. The map would be read in a little over a week. They must continue their path. Thorin would need to make a decision soon and Fili would not allow himself to go unheard. Glorfindel broke the silence. "It seems that you have some decisions to make. Master Fili, I shall stand watch over your brother. Should he wake before you make your way back, I shall see to his needs as well as send someone to find you."

"Thank you, Lord Glorfindel." Though Fili hadn't paid much attentnion to what had been going on around him, he was almost always aware of this elf. He had never known any elves before, and though he has been taught to despise them, this one put him at ease.

Thorin looked a bit reluctant to leave Kili in the care of the elves alone, but he lead Fili from the room anyways. If Fili seemed ok with it after all that has happened, he would not object, for now.

Thorin lead Fili to where he and the rest of the Company had been staying. He had expected a little bit more of a mess. As it was, it looked as though they were being the perfect guests. Seeing his look, his uncle replied, "Between Kili and the map, I have asked the Company to be on their best behavior. I will not have it said that dwarves are incapable of showing graditude, even to their enemies."

"That is wise uncle."

"Fili, lad! I take it that Kili is doing much better?" Balin was th first to notice their arrival.

It was Thorin who answered. "He has finally woken. Geet Dwalin and meet us in the garden below. We have much to discuss."

Ten minutes later, all four males seated themselves on some sturdy benches, still within site of the Company camp, yet far enough away that they would not be over heard.

"What says the elf lord? Will Kili recover?" asked Dwalin.

"Yes, he will recover, though it will take some time. Lord Elrond has said it will take no less than eight weeks."

"We can not tarry that long and we have no idea what the map will say. What do you want to do, Thorin?"

"I want for Kili to be safe and well. I have no desire to leave him with the elves. The very idea contradicts everything I know and feel about them, but I see no other choice. Once we know the secret to the map, we will not be able to stay. Gandalf has assured me that this elf lord is very compassionate and will not toss Kili out after we leave. He is known for taking and raising abonadoned children, not matter their origin. Kili will be safe. I can send a message back to Ered Luin. Dis will send someone for him if she does not come herself."

"No. Amad need not have to come. I will stay with Kili."

"Fili..."

"No, Uncle. I have decided. I will not leave him behind again."

"And after he recovers? What will you do then."

"We will follow after you or return back to Ered Luin. I shall take some time to discuss it with Gandalf before you leave. He will know what is best."

Thorin felt pride swell in his chest. He knew how badly Fili and Kili wanted to make this journey. There was a part of him that wanted to remind Fili of his duty to his people, but he found he could not. 'This might actually be better for our people. Perhaps Mahal himself had allowed this to happen to spare my line,' he thought.

"Very well, Fili. You shall stay with your brother." Balin looked as though he was about to object, but Throrin's look silenced him. "I must speak to Balin and Dwalin. It is best that you not know anything further, so that you will not have to lie to our host."

After Fili took his leave, Thorin and his advisors worked out a plan for their enevitable departure.

Glorfindel was exiting the room as Fili made his way towards it. "Ah, Master Fili. I was just about to send someone for you. He is awake and asking for you and your uncle."

"Thorin will be unavailable, but I shall see to Kili."

Fili entered the room and took in his brother's pale form. He did look a bit better, but anyone could see he still had a long way to go.

"Fili! Thank goodness you are here. The elf lord has said I can only have broth! How am I to survive on broth?"

"It is for your own good, Master Dwarf," said Lord Elrond, "and only for a few of days."

"He never was a good patient, I'm afraid. Our mother always had a hard time with him. I believe she often put sedatives in his food and drink to make sure he rested."

Kili made a shocked sound while Lord Elrond chuckled. "I cannot say that I have not done the same to my own," he said as he exited the room, leaving the brothers alone.

"Are you really going to stand by and let me starve."

"You're not going to starve, Kili. It's broth. It won't make you fill full, but it will give you what you need. Just a few days." Looking around, Fili leaned in to wishper. "I doubt you would like the fare here anyway. They serve very little meat. I heard from Bofur that the first night, they was no meat at all."

"What about you? what have you been eating?"

"I haven't really paid attention. I just eat what Glorfindel brings me."

"Who's Glorfindel?"

"The gold haired elf that was here both times you have awoken."

"Ah. Him. He's a bit intimidating, isn't he."

"Yes, but there is something about him I can't help but trust."

"Fili, how long am I going to be here? Lord Elrond said I should talk to Uncle. I have no doubt that you were with Uncle, discussing me. You know I hate not having a say in my own life," Kili said bitterly.

"We were not making decisions about you so much as about the quest. Kili, you will not be well enough to leave by the time the map is read. The warg bites are slowing down your natural healing time. Lord Elrond says it will be eight weeks at least."

"Eight weeks! I can not stay behind while the rest of you go to reclaim our home. Is it not my right to be there when that door opens, and we look upon the halls of our fathers,"

"We know Kili, but if you will never make it to the mountain if you try and go now, in your current state."

"So, I am to be left here, alone."

"No, not alone. I am staying with you."

Kili's eyes were wide. "What?"

"Kili, I saw you knocked out by the warg. I saw it take you into its dirty mouth. I thought I had lost you. I was forced down that hole. When we learned that you may yet live, I swore I would never leave you behind again. I am with you, brother, whatever may come our way."