A/N: Here is chapter 5!

Fili had gotten his hair tangled in branches again.

"Ow!" He grumbled as he pulled it free. Kili snickered, then yelped as a bramble scratched his arm.

Balin called, "I think I see a clear path!" Fili and Kili pushed through the brush and saw what Balin was pointing at.

"Alright! No more brush!" Said Kili, looking at what Balin was pointing at. He and Fili and Balin were all covered with scratches, sweat, and probably a lot of poison oak. He smiled. Thorin was speeding up, Balin had gotten a bit better at his temporary job, and they were making good headway.

He should have known it wouldn't last.

As they pushed their way around manzanita bush, they heard a loud crackling of leaves of leaves and a cry of pain.

"Balin!" Fili yelled. They hurried in the direction of the yell and found Balin clutching his right leg in agony.

"Are you OK?"

"Tripped-fell-my-leg..." Fili tries to get Balin to lean on him, but Balin will not. When they get back to camp, Dwalin rushes over.

"Are you-"

"Fear not, brother. I just got a little-injured..."

Thorin slowly walks over. "Wwwhhhaaattt...hhhaaapppeeennneeeddd...?"

"II..aammm...ffiinnee..." Balin responds, even when Balin slows down his voice you can tell he's in pain. Oin has him sit down.

"Dislocated." He reports, examination. He relocates the leg and bandages it, and they make their way through the path, though Balin has to stop and rest several times. By lunch time, it is clear that Balin is not fit for walking, no matter how much he insists otherwise.

"Balin. Use. The. Crutch."

"I will be alright, Oin."

"You're limping!"

"Gandalf, I am just trying to rest it a-"

"It's clear you're in pain. Don't try to hide it." Cuts in Oin.

Gandalf adds, "And if you don't use this crutch, it may never heal properly!"

That gets Balin's attention.

"Very well. But I am only doing this so you will not worry about me."

Gandalf rolls his eyes. "Mahal save me from the stubbornness of dwarves."

Balin takes the crutch and starts to limp away, when Oin calls, "Wait, there's one other thing..."

Balin heads over to Fili and Kili.

"Fili, Kili on the insistance of Oin, I need some helpers to keep the company organised. You two can use the experience."

"Sure!"

"You can count on us!" They say, nodding and grinning confidently. Did I choose the wrong dwarves for this? Balin wonders. He shakes his head. It'll be fine, He decides. I can keep an eye on them. And Valar knows they could use some experience.

Though, just to be on the safe side, he also asks Dwalin.

A/N: So, how well do you think the Durin brothers will do? Are Balin's concerns valid?(Definitely) Will Dwalin be enough keep a handle of Fili and Kili?(Only time will tell) Is this story nearing its end? (Unfortunately) Stay tuned! :D :D