Bard had agreed, grudgingly, to allow them to get to the shelter of his house before they had to explain. The human was now checking up on his children, greeting them after the time apart. The youngest one seemed fascinated by the dwarves that were now crowding the kitchen, though the only boy had a hand strongly on her upper arm to stop her going to close.

The oldest girl was in the cubby-hole of a bedroom, draping blankets over the still sleeping Fili who had been carried in to the house wrapped a blanket and held under the arm of Bard. Thorin was glad the dwarf had been asleep or he might have kicked up a fuss at the undignified way of traveling.

"So, you have some explaining to do." The tall man said, lowering himself in to a chair so he was the same height as his company.

Thorin drew himself up, crossing his arms over his muscular chest, "What do you want to know?"

Bard poked a finger over at the sleeping dwarf in the corner, "Who is the dwarf?"

"His name is Fili! And he is my nephew." Thorin glowered, anger at being asked.

"Your nephew you say?" Bard raised his eyebrows, "Then why do you treat him like a prisoner?"

Dwalin growled, stepping forwards to tower over the sitting human, "Don't talk about things you don't understand! He is no prisoner! He is honoured among us!"

Bard didn't seem impressed, "Why did you put him to sleep then?"

"I don't see how that is any of you-"

Balin put a hand on his king's shoulder, "Just tell him lad. It would be better then arguing."

Thorin sighed, perhaps it would be better to tell the truth. Well, almost the truth. "We were traveling through Mirkwood forest, when we were set upon by spiders. Then elves 'came to our rescue' and captured us. Fili's brother was separated from us by the elves for reasons unknown, but they had taken a liking to him. Fili's brother tried to help us to get out and in the attempt, Kili was killed."

As though he had heard his brothers name, Fili sturred, murmuring under his breath. Thorin hastened to his side, laying a hand on his heirs cheek, checking he was alright before turn to glare at Bard. "You want to know why we drugged him? Because he hadn't slept in days, he won't do anything now his brother has gone."

Fili helpfully chose that moment to wake with a jolt, yelping "Kili!" his wild gaze fell on Thorin still sitting at his bed side. "Thorin...I-I...K-kili...Where are we?"

Thorin raised his eyebrows at the three humans watching them, "Do you believe me now?"

Bard nodded, absentmindedly, before calling to one of his children. "Sigrid? Could you make a broth for the dwarf, he looks like he starving."

Thorin grunted thanks then turned his attention to Fili, "How are you feeling?"

Fili closed his eyes, "Useless."

"What?" Thorin started,

"I'm useless! I've been useless since we were captured! I was sulking, then I almost collapsed when you needed me. I've been so useless! You should leave me here when you go to the mountain, I will get in the way. I'm just making Kili's death in vain!"

Thorin slapped Fili sharply round the jaw to shut him up, "Don't let me hear you saying that again. Kili hasn't died in vain unless you make it so! So up you game and come with us, you're the crown prince! You have to come."

Fili didn't look convived. An idea formed in Thorin's mind, he turned to the other dwarves milling around the kitchen, "Khazâd!" he called.

All the dwarves jumped at hearing their native language, which was not normally spoken in front of other races. The humans in the room also looked over, confused over what the word meant.

"I need to talk to you all," Thorin continued in dwarish, "I know we all are feeling pretty low at the moment, we have lost supplies, weapons and our dignity. But we have lost more than just that, we have lost something we can't replace. A friend, a cousin, a nephew and of course a brother," Thorin rested a hand on Fili's shoulder as silent tears trickled down the blonde dwarf's check. "Kili died trying to help us escape, trying to get us to achieve our quest. He died, yes, but dose that mean we should stop in our mission? To end the very thing he wanted more then almost anything? No, to stop now, to even falter would be an insult to his memory. Yes, we are headed to a mountain inhabited by a dragon, but we are Durin's folk and Durin's folk do not flee from a fight but hit it head on with all of our strength, sending the enemy running, tall between their legs. We set out to reclaim our homeland and all our gold and that is what has been keeping us going through all these hard times but now we have a different reason. Not gold or a long awaited homeland but one dwarf. One dwarf who lit up those hard times with his laughter and his love. When we step out that door, we go forth to that mountain and finish our quest for him. For Kili!"

Without a glass to toast with, Thorin punched the air with his fist, bellowing out the last sentence. The other followed suit, shouting their love for the dwarf that was taken from them. For he had been the one who had brightened up the company, even Gandalf, when they had all been low. He had lighted up the dark nights with humor and the hard times with cheer. And all these dwarves were grateful, because without Kili they wouldn't have made it this far.

"When do we go?" came a voice from behind Thorin. He turned to see Fili up and standing next to him, more colour in his face then there had in a long while. His voice had changed, it was full of life, with a undertone of laughter he had caught from spending so much of his time with his brother. "Lets go and get that mountain back!"

Hey! This was a fun chapter to write, I have to say!

Khazâd=Dwarves

I am slowly running out of ideas so if anyone would like to add something in for future chapters please let me know!

Please review!

Enjoy!