Kili frowned. Fili was upset because of a battle with some orcs. Kili had done well in the fight, but Fili had messed up a lot. Luckily, he wasn't hurt physically, but his pride was injured and he doubted his fighting ability.
"Come on, Fili," Kili pleaded, "You're a great fighter! You'll be better next time."
"There isn't going to be a next time, Kili," Fili growled, "I'm terrible!"
"You had a bad day is all!" Kili insisted, "You're a better fighter than me, and you've killed way more orcs than I ever have!" Fili didn't answer. He curled up on his blanket, back to his brother. Kili pulled his knees to his chest, and sadly gazed at Fili's back.
Neither brother spoke for what seemed like an eternity, then over by the fire, the other Dwarves struck up a song. Kili brightened for a moment, and joined in. His smiled faded when he saw Fili wasn't singing.
"Come on!" Kili begged, "Surely you want to sing this!"
"You're not helping, Kili," Fili muttered. Kili blinked back tears. Helping was all he was trying to do. Sadly, Kili closed his eyes.
More time passed, and Kili glanced at Fili.
"I know you, Fili," he said, struggling to hold back tears, "You don't quit. You'll get it; you're too stubborn to take no for an answer." Fili did not reply. Hurt, Kili went to sleep.
Dawn came, and Kili woke a moment before Fili. The younger looked hopefully at his brother, but Fili barely glanced at him. Kili's shoulders drooped and he wordlessly following his brother to the fire for breakfast. They were eating, not speaking, when orcs exploded into the clearing.
The battle began, Kili firing his bow. Out of arrows, he switched to his sword. Fili had his swords drawn, but he was hesitant to join the fray. Kili looked at his brother, worried, and was about to speak when a warg bowled him over. Kili's sword was knocked out of his hand and he yelled in surprise.
"Fili! Help!" he cried. Fili's eyes widened, and he lunged at the warg, hacking at it with his swords. It fell dead, and Fili pulled Kili up and into a hug.
"Thank goodness you're all right!" Fili gasped.
"Fili," Kili said, "I told you you're a good fighter!" Fili smiled, and picked up Kili's sword.
"You were right," Fili said, handing the weapon to his brother. Kili beamed, and the brothers plunged into the fight.