Just wanted to say a huge thank you to 'SkyBlue'. Your comments mean so much to me (literally made my day) and I am so happy you are enjoying the story! Hopefully this chapter doesn't disappoint :)

A Perilous Road.

Chapter Seven – I've got your back.

Kili fidgeted uncomfortably upon the cave floor. He thought he'd picked the smoothest area of rock but clearly not. Becoming rapidly irritated he tossed over and scrunched his eyes shut, it was ridiculous, he was exhausted but couldn't fall asleep.

From the small opening in the cave a rumble sounded in the distance. Kili gulped and sat up. Oh no, anything but thunder. It wasn't uncommon to have thunder all year around in the Blue Mountains, and it was one thing Kili had grown to hate about his home over the years. Scrunching into a ball he covered his ears and pretended everything was right in the world. Still afraid of Thunder at his age – it was pathetic.

He'd always been petrified of thunder storms and as a Dwarfling he would run into his brother's bed and stay there until the storm passed or he fell asleep. Fili would always hug him and tell him the thunder couldn't get him because he would protect him. He would tremble from fear but the second his brother stroked his hair he knew he was safe.

Clenching his fists and pressing his lips together he refused the urge to reach or call out for his brother. He just had to get the Hell over it. He'd seen how worn out Fili was when they'd finally settled down, the last day had taken its toll on him both physically and mentally.

Another clap of thunder rang out, it was getting closer and Kili couldn't help but shudder in response. It was a primal fear and one he felt to the very marrow of his bones. He was about to duck his head under his blanket – not that that would help much – when he felt his brother shuffle over to him. He didn't say anything, there was no need. He just simply scooted up next to him and that was enough, knowing Fili was by his side made everything better. Kili curled onto his side to face his brother, he couldn't see him properly, only a silhouette in the darkness but it was enough. "Thanks." He whispered.

Fili reached up and ruffled Kili's hair playfully. "I've got your back." He replied. The cave lit up momentarily and the thunder sounded seconds behind it, but it didn't matter, it couldn't get him now Fili was beside him. "Get some sleep baby brother. I'll watch over you."

Throin banged his fist on the Blacksmith's lodgings. He. Was. Fuming! He waited a couple of seconds and banged again, he would break the door down if he had to… The door swung inwards and Thorin didn't waste his time on pleasantries. "Where have they gone, Gloin?" He stormed his way in and began pacing. "And don't bother covering for them, I know they've taken your ponies. I've already checked the barn." Which was true, he had checked. There were two missing ponies and nobody would be out of the Blue Mountains on Festival weekend, nobody but Kili and Fili.

"I don't know!" Gloin protested. His eyebrows shot towards his hairline as Thorin stalked towards him.

Dwalin threw himself in-between them. "Thorin. Let me handle this."

Gloin frowned and looked around Dwalin. "How did you check the barn? You don't have a key."

"I barged the door down." Thorin answered plainly.

"You wha…?"

Dwalin held up a hand halting Gloin from digging any deeper. "Gloin seriously, do you know where they've gone?" Dwalin asked.

"I don't know! But Fili was insistent upon borrowing those ponies, he told me it was important and he wouldn't ask unless he was desperate."

"We need to leave now." Thorin snapped out. He was even madder he'd wasted time asking Gloin. He knew damn well where they'd gone, but there had been a small part of him – a naive part, that had hoped they'd planed something else. Reaching the door Thorin swung back to face the Blacksmith and pointed an accusing finger "And you're coming with us. And bring your Brother Oin, we may require his healing knowledge. You have ten minutes to pack, make it count." And with that Thorin stormed out, he needed a few things himself.

Gloin stood dumbfounded. "But… I can't just leave!" He shouted after Thorin.

Dwalin sighed and patted him on the shoulder. "I don't think you have a choice."

"You've got to be kidding me." Fili glowered at the pathway.

The pathway that split into two.

Beside him Kili pouted and shrugged. "What's the big deal? They both look the same and blatantly go in the same direction. Just pick one."

Fili rolled his eyes. Yeah and things were always that simple, weren't they?

Waving the map dramatically at his brother Fili shook his head. "It doesn't mention two pathways on this map!" He was well aware his voice was becoming slightly hysterical but he couldn't help it. It was clear from where he stood; one pathway was the right choice, the other wasn't. That was always the way of things. He just had to decide which way around it was.

"I say we go right." Kili suggested.

"Why?" Fili asked.

"Why not?"

Grinding his teeth Fili fought to keep his cool. "Give me one good reason."

"The right one looks brighter."

Craning his neck Fili regarded the pathways. Both led into the forest but branched off in separate ways. His brother was right, the left one certainly looked gloomier the further he looked, but it wasn't sitting well with him.

"All the more reason to go with the left pathway." Fili explained.

"That makes no sense!" Kili had become high pitched and if they didn't settle this soon Fili knew it would go from bickering to a full blown argument.

"It does make sense. The one that looks nicer is probably deceiving us. So I say we hedge our bets and go with the dingy one." Fili frowned at his own words. He was fully aware he wasn't making much sense.

Raising a brow Kili retorted. "O…kaaaay. So the nasty woodland is trying to trick us…"

Feeling his temper reach boiling point Fili slapped a hand on his thigh. "Don't you remember the stories Uncle used to tell us? About travellers tricked and led astray by beautiful lands and cursed woods?"

Kili cocked his head thoughtfully. "I'm pretty sure they were exactly that. Stories."

Fili tapped his chin as he considered their options. Maybe Kili was right. But if he wasn't… Well, time would tell. Besides, two paths or not, he wasn't letting anything come between them finding Livi. The only thing he was sure of was they had to make a decision soon. They were being tracked after all.

Deciding to compromise Fili did the only thing he knew to settle it. "Mountains or eagle?" Digging into his pocket he withdrew a gold coin.

"Eagle." Kili replied. His brother didn't question the method, they had used it numerous times to settle disputes, especially since arm wrestles always went too far and ended up in head locks and them not speaking for hours.

Flicking the coin high into the air the brothers directed the ponies over to the coin. "Ha!" Kili punched the air triumphantly.

Jumping down from his pony Fili cursed and shot his brother a scathing look.

Every. Time!

"You'd better be right, Kili."

Grinning lopsidedly Kili led the way. "Pffft, don't insult me Brother. I'm always right."

And so Kili's choice was their way forward. They could only pray they'd made the proper decision.