Fili looked exhausted. Thorin stood close, arm out to steady his nephew should he fall. He let Balin talk to the human, Thorin had to look after his heir.

The human in question was reluctant to let soaking wet dwarves in their underclothes, who had arrived in barrels from the woodland realm. How could he turn them down?

"Give him more money." Thorin urged.

Balin looked at him helplessly, shrugging. Fili slumped slightly against Thorin, eyes fluttering, causing the whole company to start forward. The human raised his eyebrows.

"What is up with him?"

The company scowled as one, "We will pay you more not to ask questions."

The man nodded to himself, "I would like to know who you are. And if that dwarf is here of free will."

Dwalin's hand went to grasp the sword that wasn't there, "Of course he's here of free will! Now enough of the niceties, will you let us use your boat?"

The man set his bow down with his quiver, "The master of Laketown wouldn't do anything to upset King Thranduil. To get in to town, you would need a smuggler."

Balin slipped up next to him, "For which we would pay double."

The man, who turned out to be called Bard, sighed.

Oin nudged Thorin in the shoulder as he set down Fili before he collapsed. The King to be turned to the healer, "Yes, what is it?"

Oin tugged him away from his nephew, "I was looking in the woods for some of the herbs I lost." He showed Thorin a handful of harmless looking leaves, "These send the eater in to a dreamless sleep for a few hours." Oin looked pointedly at Fili.

Thorin put his hand over the leaves, "No, lets see if he gets to sleep himself. He might fight back if we force him."

Oin nodded, slipping his herbs in to a pocket. Thorin turned his attention back to the dwarf slumped down on the side of the boat. "Fili?"

I will not fall asleep, I will not fall asleep, I will not fall asleep, those five words circled in Fili's head, I will not fall asleep, I will not fall asleep. If i fall asleep I will only dream of him and I don't think I can handle that. Fili closed his eyes, pushing his hands in to his sockets. He couldn't see Kili again, especially in dreams. Knowing that he would disappear as soon as Fili opened his eyes. Fili rested his head back, reaching in to his boot to touch his brothers hair, still clipped in its clasp. Fili's eyes rolled back and he was asleep.

The blonde opened his eyes, seeing a dark head in his vision.

"Come on, Fee! Their almost gone!" said a familiar voice.

"Kee?"

His brothers head swam in to his sight, laughing and smiling, like his brother should.

"Yes it's Kee! Who else would it be? The company is leaving come on! Look!"

Fili looked around, they were back in Ered Luin, he could see Thorin and the others retreating backs. He turned back to his brother and started. Kili had changed. His face had become slack and lifeless, his hands were clasped over his chest. The blue fabric of his tunic Thorin had given him just for this quest was darkening to red. But the worst, most symbolic change was his hair, which had shortened to ear length, blood dripping from its tips. The dwarf prince fell to his knees, choking as scarlet liquid spilled from his mouth.

"Fili..."

But Fili was frozen to the spot, feet glued to the floor. Kili crumple, face hitting the floor, hand outstretched to his brother.

His face snapped up staring at his brother. His eyes were jet black. Fili stumbled back a step as the demonic version of his beloved brother stood and loomed over him,

"You could have saved me, brother. You could have been there for me." he snarled.

"N-n-no, I was in jail!I-I-I didn't know where you were!"

The demon Kili smirked, with a creepy likeness to Sveniline, "You could have stopped us being separated."

Kili moved forwards pulling a sword from behind his back, "You could have stopped this. You were supposed to be there. You failed."

Fili curled in to a ball, trying to keep out the voice, "I know! I know I have! I'm sorry Kili! I'm sorry!"

Fili was twitching. Thorin was watching him closely since the youth had fallen asleep, ready to jump in if Fili slipped too close to the waters edge

"Kili...no...please...I didn't.." Fili wittered, thrashing his arms around, fighting off invisible warriors. Suddenly he sprang to his feet, screaming. The whole boat tipped alarmingly, coursing Bard to curse. Fili whirled, eyes unfocused, "Where is he? He was right...right...here."

He slipped down to lie on the floor, muttering under his breath, "Mustn't go to sleep, mustn't go to sleep, mustn't go to sleep."

Thorin knelt down in front of his nephew, "Fili, you must go to sleep! You're killing yourself!"

Fili looked at him with scared eyes, "No, no I can't! I just see him, Thorin, I can't see him when I know its my fault."

Thorin signaled Oin from behind his back, "It's not your fault, Fili! You couldn't have done anything."

Fili layed his head down on to the wooden hull of the boat, "Yes it is, once you think about it, you will blame me too."

Oin came forwards with the sleep herbs wrapped with a damp cloth, "Fili," he said, "I need you to stay calm."

That, of course, had Fili siting up, looking suspicious, "What are you doing?"

Thorin gently took his heir's shoulders, pushing him down to the floor, "It's all right, Fili."

Fili pulled away, pulling himself upon the side of the boat, "No! Please no! Get off!"

Bard was looking on, one hand on his bow.

"I'm sorry, Fili" Oin pressed the damp cloth over the princes mouth, holding the back of his blonde head to stop him pulling away. Fili squirmed, slapping at Oin's head. But the old healer used to deal with the 'Heir Pair' when they came back with broken bones form an adventure of their own. Slowly, Fili's movements slowed, until he was limb. Thorin layed his nephew's head gently down to the floor, he pulled off the only blanket he had left and tucked it under Fili's head. He sighed, brushing the blonde hair away from the youths face. Balin coughed, Thorin turned and froze,

Bard had his bow strung and an arrow aimed at the King-to-be, "You tell me right now what you are doing in these lands. And what you are doing with the blonde dwarf."

"Well, um..." Thorin started.

Sorry this is so late! I made it a bit longer to make up for it so I hope you like it!
I promise that there will be more Kili in the next chapter!

Please read and review!

Enjoy!