"Will you two just stop already?" Kili says exasperatedly, and slams his hands down onto the table. "If it's really such a big deal, I won't go. But, seriously. You're acting like kids. Get over pride and apologize."

Fili and I haven't spoken a word to each other since our argument last night. That was twenty-four hours ago.

"Do I really have to play judge right now? Because, I can show you each how you're both right and wrong in your own ways."

I look at Fili. He doesn't answer, neither do I.

"Fili," Kili begins. "You're right- I do need this for so many reasons. But, you're being a total jerk about it and going about it the wrong way. It's very disrespectful. I don't know what you're thinking, but it definitely isn't what my brother would do."

I spare a glance at Fili. Kili's words have triggered his conscience and no-doubt his heart.

"And, Uncle," Kili says turning to me. "You're right- it isn't the safest idea, but right now, who cares? I'm taking risks every day, what's another one to add to the list? Also, you seriously need a break- from work, from here, from me. That's why, while I'm with Fili, you're going to get out of this blasted house and do something that makes you happy. Stop thinking about other and think about yourself. A few hours with me out of you sight isn't going to hurt anything. Just go somewhere. Drive to freaking Gondor if it will make you happy. Just do something."

I stare at him, trying to be angry, but I can't find anything remotely close to the feeling inside me.

Kili stands up, albeit wobbly, and promptly leaves the kitchen.

I stare at my hands, waiting to see if Fili will cave in first.

"I'm sorry." We both say in unison.

Fili continues. "I don't know what came over me. I hate myself right now. Uncle, I am so, so ashamed. If you can't forgive me, I understand."

Fili's voice cracks at the end. There isn't a mean fiber in his body. His character as of late is going to weigh heavily on him for a while now.

"You don't need to apologize, because I have been acting the same way. I am sorry, Fili." I really hate myself right now.

"Can we just overlook all of this and pretend it never happened?" Fili proposes.

I nod my head and accept his offer. We may have verbally agreed to push this aside, but I know that deep inside, neither of us will be able to completely remove it from our minds.

"Sign here, please."

I sign the screen, indicating I have received the package, and thank the post-man.

I roll the wheelchair down the hall and to the living room.

"Special delivery for Kili Durin." I announce upon entering the room.

Kili opens his eyes from where he is laying in the recliner. His arms are wrapped tightly around his abdomen. The grimace on his face deepens at the sight of the wheelchair. "Yay."

I kick the locks down on both of the wheels and sit down in it. The leather really isn't that comfortable, but it could be worse. "It's not too bad. Besides, you won't be needing it for too long."

"Whatever." Kili grumbles and rolls over, turning away from me.

Until this moment, I believed my nephew was going to be all right with the new form of transportation. But, I can't say I rightly blame him for his attitude. It is a bit disconcerting.

"Do you still want to do something today?" I ask, already knowing his answer.

"No."

I hand him another blanket and place a pillow underneath is capped head. "I'll be right in my office. Yell if you need me."

I hate grocery stores. I really do. But, this is what I get for volunteering to run errands for Thorin.

Today, I've dropped some forms off at his office; stopped by the bank; picked up Kili's refill at the pharmacy; and now I am at the dreaded grocery store, trying to find a prize turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.

"It'd be easier to go out and shoot one myself," I mumble to myself, not thinking anyone is around to hear me.

But apparently not.

"You're probably right."

The voice startles me and I turn around to see who it is. Then my eyes widen in surprise and my mouth turns into a huge smile. I recognize the familiar but somewhat distant face. It is impossible to forget that blond hair though.

"Legolas? Legolas Greenleaf!"

He returns my wide smile. "Fili Durin! Good to see you!"

We shake hands and I just shake my head in amazement, still not comprehending that Kili's best friend from years ago is standing right here in front of me in the supermarket.

"What are you doing here in Ered Luin?" I ask, dumbfounded.

"I'm on my way to Mirkwood for Thanksgiving. It was a long flight, so my fiancée and I decided to get a hotel room for a couple of days. We're having dinner with some of my old friends tonight. I came here to pick something up."

"Fiancée? Congratulations! How long will you be in?"

"We're leaving Monday morning. We should hopefully make it to Mirkwood by Wednesday afternoon. There's a game that evening, and I'm going to try to surprise my father.

"That's great. I'm sure he will be happy to see you both."

"How have you been?" he asks. With his disappearance a few years ago and now word from him, I can only guess that he has heard nothing of Kili's recent predicament.

"I've been ok," I tell him. "I'm in law school now. Thorin's firm is still going strong."

"And Kili?" he asks hesitantly. Apparently he knows he was kind of a jerk, breaking-off all communication with my brother, his one-time best friend.

"He graduated this past May, still dreams of going to college with a full basketball scholarship. Of course, that isn't going to happen." I say, referencing his career-ending knee injury. "He doesn't really know what he wants to do with his life. And now, for the past couple of months, he has been very sick."

Legolas' eyes widen with concern. "What's wrong?"

I take a deep breath. It still kills me inside to talk about it. "He has a brain tumor. It's been there since he was born, none of us knew about it. It has remained dormant until recently. With no reason, whatsoever, it decided to grow. He is having radiation treatments five times a week now. Yesterday ended his third week. His treatments are scheduled to end next Tuesday, because of the holiday weekend. If they need to do more treatments, they will."

Legolas leans against the cooler behind him, eyes glued to the ground. He shakes his head slightly and I see him swallow hard, no doubt feeling the guilt from the past couple of years rise. Good, serves him right.

"I- I never would have dreamed this." He says quietly.

"Neither did Kili."

He looks up again. "Fili, I don't think saying I'm sorry will suffice, but I have no words. I truly am so sorry. For everything."

He's right. It is nowhere near adequate. But, I nod my head and offer a kind smile. "I know. Kili just wonders about you sometimes. We all do actually. Whenever we see your father coaching a game on TV, we think about you."

"Look, I know he probably doesn't want to see me, and I completely understand. But, if you tell him about running into me today, will you tell him I said hello and that, even though it isn't adequate, I am sorry. Also, give him my best wishes for a speedy recovery?" Legolas sounds sincere enough.

"Yes, I'll tell him."

Legolas nods his head. "Well, I really should be going. Elsa is probably wondering where I am."

I smile. "I should be going, too. Best wishes to you and Elsa."

Legolas blushes at the mention of his fiancée. "Thank you. It was good seeing you again!"

"You, too. Have a happy Thanksgiving!"

I set the groceries on the table. I'm putting canned food into the pantry when Thorin enters the kitchen.

"I ran into someone at the store today."

"Who?" Thorin asks as he reaches into the refrigerator.

"Legolas Greenleaf."

Thorin closes the door. I turn around feeling his gaze on my back.

"Kili's old friend?"

"Yes. He and his fiancée are passing through on their way to Mirkwood for Thanksgiving."

Thorin reaches into a bag and pulls out more groceries. "He's engaged?"

I grab some more items off the table. "He took the news of Kili pretty hard. He was really beating himself up inside."

"Do you plan to tell Kili?" Thorin asks as he pulls out the prescription bag.

"Haven't decided yet. I'm just going to see how things play out."

"I recommend you wait. He isn't having a good day."

"Let me take him his meds. Maybe I can talk to him."

Thorin hands me the bag. "Good luck."

"Hey." I say walking into the living room.

Kili blatantly ignores me. Probably thinking Thorin has forced me to come in here and talk to him. Well, it's almost true.

"I have your meds." I try again. Still nothing.

I set the medication down on the table. I walk over to the recliner and grab the remote from where it is laying on top of the blankets covering Kili.

"Hey! I was watching that!" Kili protests when the screen goes blank.

"You shouldn't have ignored me." I say, setting the remote out of his reach. I hand him his pills and a water bottle. "Take them."

Kili makes no move to take the meds. The scowl deepens on his face.

"Do you want me to force them down your throat? Because I will." I threaten.

Kili takes the pills from my hand and downs them dry, still refusing the water. We both know he'll regret that in a while because the medication is strong and makes him nauseous.

"Why don't we go do something?"

Kili eyes his new chair. "No."

"Kili, you need to do something. Just go outside in the back yard for a half hour."

"N-O. NO. Give me the remote." Kili demands.

"If you want it bad enough, you can get it yourself." I pick up the meds from the table and leave.

I take Kili's meds and place them in the bathroom cabinet upstairs. I slam the door a little too hard behind me when I leave. I march back down the stairs and head for the kitchen where I know Thorin is. As I pass the bathroom, I hear Kili getting sick, no doubt from the pills. He'll just have to take them again.

I enter the kitchen and go straight to the coffee pot, pouring me a hot mug full.

I set the mug down harder than need be and a little spills out. I aggressively rip off a paper towel from where a roll stands in the middle of the table. Thorin eyes me over his mug, a smirk forming on his face. I glare at him, finding no humor in my frustration. He catches on and doesn't say anything, knowing that I had no success with Kili either.

"Where are my pills?"

I don't even bother to turn to look at Kili.

"Upstairs bathroom."

The shuffling of feet is the only indication I have of Kili leaving. Part of me feels guilty, that maybe I should help him up the stairs, or even get them for him. But, part of me wants to let him discover his own stupidity on his own.

Twenty minutes later, Kili wheels himself into the kitchen. He is wearing a thick jacket with a sweatshirt underneath. The scarf wrapped around his neck covers half of his face. A thick blanket covers everything but his head, which is covered by his cap.

"Can we go outside now?"

"This is nice," Kili says, closing his eyes in content as he breathes in the fresh November air. "Don't say it," he suddenly says turning to me.

Told you so, I think and smile smugly at him.

It is nice though. The clouds overcast the sky, hiding the sun for the evening. The trees are bare of leaves. A rainbow of red, orange, and yellow litters the ground. I listen as the creek along the edge of the forest flows strong and steady. A light breeze is blowing, adding a slight chill to the air. It is a comfortable temperature, not too cold, but I know Kili is starting to get cold. Well, colder.

"Do you want to go in?"

Kili immediately shakes his head no. "I'll be fine."

Thorin walks up behind him then and wraps another blanket around him. Kili doesn't protest, just buries himself deeper into the warmth.

Thorin joins me on the porch swing and takes in the scenery. This is something we share- he and I both love the autumn season the most. Kili prefers the summer, but the first snowfall of the season always excites him.

"Did you hear that?" Kili suddenly asks.

I look at Thorin and he has a questioning look on his face.

"Hear what?" I ask.

Kili listens for a moment. "That rustling noise. Did you hear it?"

I hear it, and by the look on Thorin's face, he does, too.

The three of us look to the edge of the forest, waiting for whatever is out there to make an appearance. Then, two deer walk out and head straight to the creek, coming down for their evening drink. One of them is a doe, most likely the mother. The other is a small fawn, a couple of months old tops.

We sit in silence, watching the careful movements of the deer, so full of grace and poise.

"They're beautiful," Kili whispers, his voice full of awe and wonder.

The two deer graze along the forest edge for a while longer. Then, they make one more stop at the creek. After they have their fill, they disappear back into the forest from whence they came.

My eyes finally leave the forest. I guess I am silently wishing they would come back. For some reason, it was almost inspirational. I don't know why, but just watching them has filled me with hope and complete awe of creation. It's just beautiful.

Thorin nudges me with his elbow. When I look up, he nods his head in Kili's direction. I laugh at seeing Kili asleep, looking like a turtle that has buried itself in its shell. The blankets are wrapped around him like a protective shield and his head is tucked to his chin.

Thorin opens the door and I move behind Kili's chair, unlocking the wheels and push him into the house.

"I've got him," I tell Thorin once inside. He nods his head and goes to his office.

"Hey, Kee," I gently tap his cheek. "Wake up. I'm not carrying you upstairs."

Kili stirs and opens his eyes. "Tired," he says with a yawn.

"Me too. Let's go to bed. I'll help you upstairs. C'mon."

Kili reaches up a hand and I grab it and pull him up. I let him catch his balance and when he nods, we walk to the stairs. It's slow, but he makes it up the first eight steps without much problem. The last seven were even slower, and I dragged him up the last three of those. We reach the top and I let him take a quick break. He leans against the fall for a minute, and when he catches his breath, we walk to his room. He lays down on his bed, throw the comforter and a quilt over him, and falls asleep immediately after.

"Good night, Kee." I whisper closing the door behind me.

I walk to my room and put on some pajamas. Then, I lay down and bury myself in the blankets. And I sleep, a wonderful, deep, uninterrupted, slumber.