A/N: Thanks so much to all my lovely reviewers. I really can't even explain how much they inspire me. To answer a few questions: Dusty2004, this will be a little book and movie and Rin-Anne, I think that was a really good idea so I added a little something to this chapter ;)

Chapter 3: No Rest for the Weary

Not long after his brother was able to get water into his system and relieve the immediate onset of dehydration, Kili regained consciousness and opened his eyes. "I'm getting a bit sick of always being the damsel in distress." Kili said, blinking up at his older brother and letting out a heavy sigh.

"Well if I had a choice, I'd certainly would have preferred that was me rather than you, Kee." Fili replied, causing Kili's face to pale slightly.

"I didn't mean…" Kili started, as his brother helped him into a sitting position. "I just hate being weak, Fee, you know that."

"I know what you meant, but before you start your fretting and being stupid by calling yourself weak, just remember what you'd be saying if it were me waking up. You certainly wouldn't be calling me weak." Fili said, slightly annoyed.

Fili was irritable. Trying to revive your baby brother twice in the same day from unconsciousness, knowing that you failed to protect him, would do that to you. Hearing Kili blame himself only made Fili feel worse. Plus he was starving, exhausted, worried…. the list went on and on.

"I'm sorry, brother. But none of this is your fault." Kili responded as if reading his brother's thoughts. Kili raised an eyebrow, encouraging Kili to continue his thought. "Or mine. You are right, of course. One of us was going to collapse sooner or later and I'd rather it be me than you. You are certainly better at saving us." Kili said with a smile.

"It was dumb luck. And a doe." Fili replied and the two laughed for the first time in a long time.

The brothers simply sat by the river for and took an hour or so to get some rest. Kili would have started moving around even quicker, but he could sense his brother's irritability and didn't want to be the cause of an argument. He understood, certainly he would be stressed had it been Fili who was unconscious.

After an hour passed, Kili was restless and feeling better. He was feeling more normal, having had finished the shaft of a few arrows. To his immense relief, as soon as he found something to make an arrow head out of, he would be able to use his bow again. They wouldn't be as fine as his arrows from the Blue Mountains, but they would do in a pinch.

Now distracted by how hungry he was, Kili broke the easy silence. "I'm going to see about trapping some food. Maybe there are some fish in the river. I've still got some of my netting on me."

"Stay within eyesight?" Fili half asked, half ordered.

"Always brother, can't let you out of my sight, who knows what trouble you'd get into." Kili said with a smile.

The evening brought some better luck for the young princes. Kili had been able to catch a few small fish and Fili was able to get a fire going. As the sun went down, the weather chilled. The heat that had come close to killing them midday, now turned to an unbearably cold evening. Not for the first time did Fili feel as though elven magic made this forest unsafe for any unwanted visitors, including them.

After they ate their small dinner and refilled the canteens, talk turned to a plan of action. They were reasonably in better shape than they had been earlier that day, but still by no means anywhere close to 100 percent.

"We have to start searching tomorrow." Kili said, leaving no room for argument.

"We need one more day Kee. You still look like you are about to fall over and we are no good to the company if we are dead."

"I will be fine, brother. One good night's sleep should do the trick." As if to make his point, Kili let out an exaggerated yawn causing Fili to raise an eyebrow.

"I'll take first watch then." Fili said, as Kili startled.

"No brother, you can rest first. I certainly spent enough of the day resting." Kili said hastily, as his intent never was to make Fili stay up later.

"You want to leave tomorrow? You are a better tracker than me. I need you well rested. Please, brother." Fili responded, giving Kili the best command he could. Kili opened his mouth to respond but a stare from Fili stopped him quickly.

"Just wake me up when you need to sleep." Kili said, pleading and Fili nodded his assent.

This plan didn't last long. Kili was as close to the fire as he could possibly be, without catching fire himself, but that didn't stop the chill. Mirkwood seemed to get colder and colder every second. The frost was so biting that it kept Kili from being able to fall asleep.

Fili watched his brother shivering, knowing he was doing the same. 'It isn't going to do us any good if we can't get any rest.' he thought to himself, and then he made a decision that he knew Thorin would never approve of. But then again, Thorin wasn't here.

"Budge up, brother." Fili said, lying down next to Kili. "Body warmth. It's not good having watch if neither of us can get any sleep."

"Thorin would never let us to go without a watch." Kili said, voicing what Fili already knew.

Fili said nothing, simply curled up to his brother as the two finally were able to drift off into an uneasy sleep.

At first, no one mentioned Fili and Kili for fear of Thorin's reaction.

The company had been taken to the palace of Thranduil and after a brief and apparently unsuccessful conversation between the King under the Mountain and the King of Mirkwood, the dwarves found themselves in a collection of small cells.

It was the first time they were alone since they had been captured. Their eleven captors, apparently satisfied their cells would hold, had left them to their own devices.

Everyone was thinking it, but nobody said it. Fili and Kili were not with the company when they awoke from the spider's poison. In their immediate peril, the failed to notice the princes absences until the elves had killed off the remaining spiders and taken the dwarves captive. Then it became apparent the young heirs were not there.

It was Balin, whose cell was closest to Thorin who noticed it.

Thorin was crying.

Not uncontrollable sobs, but it was clear from the hitched breaths and the occasional hiccups that Thorin was crying.

Balin was mortified by this. He could not remember ever having seen or heard Thorin cry before. He remembered the devastated screams when Thorin saw his grandfather beheaded. He remembered the denial, the anger on Thorin's face and when he saw his brother Frerin's body. But he couldn't recall tears. He imagined that Thorin must have cried over Frerin, for the two were as close as one could imagine, but he must have done it in private, for Balin could not remember it.

"Thorin…" He whispered, hoping to capture his King's attention without drawing anyone else's. When there was no response and no angry command, Balin took this as permission to continue.

"You've raised strong boys. Great warriors and survivors. They are smart and strong. They will be fine." Balin whispered to his heart broken king.

After a few moments, Thorin replied.

"That's just it, old friend. They are still just boys."

Kili woke up with a start.

At first he thought it was the cold, the fire had almost completely died out. Then he realized it was something else. He had the unmistakable feeling of being watched. His brother had not moved from his side and was still sleeping soundly.

Not wanting to wake his brother, Kili slid out from next to him and tossed some more brush into the fire in hopes to get the fire alive again. He wanted it both for warmth, and now for light as well. It would hopefully allow him to see any threat that was nearing in on him and his brother.

He assessed himself briefly. He felt better, stronger. He could fight now if he had too. He still had his daggers in his shoes and tucked into his tunic. He also had his sword on his hip. His bow would still be useless until he found some arrow heads, but he was assured that he had enough weapons to at least protect himself.

He scanned the area again. He could feel the stares on him. Something was hunting him and his brother. He felt like a rabbit right before he would place a well shot arrow through its heart. He was prey. Fili was prey.

"Fili…" he whispered. Trying to wake his brother without panicking him.

His brother jerked awake at his Kili's soft cry. There was a moment of fear in his eyes which dimmed slightly when he saw Kili sitting up, apparently healthy and intact.

"What's wrong, Kee" Fili whispered back, knowing his brother wouldn't wake him up without reason.

Kili said nothing, trusting Fili's own instincts would pick up the threat as well.

A growl startled the two boys.

Now that the two boys were awake, the wolf pack had lost his element of surprise.

As the wolves moved closer their eyes glowed in the firelight, allowing Kili to count how many their where.

"Five." He whispered to his brother.

"And your bow?" Fili responded, as his brain tried to formulate a plan.

"No arrows."

"Well then, five vs. two. I like our odds." Fili said cheerfully drawing his twin blades.

Kili drew a dagger and threw it at the closest wolf, aim true as the dagger landed clear between its eyes. It was the same quick movement he would have used with his bow. The wolf lay on the ground unmoving. Four were left.

As the other four ran towards the two boys, Kili muttered under his breath.

"So do I, brother. So do I."

Thanks again to everyone who is reading this story. Please let me know what you think, and I will happily take any suggestions or guidance!