Alrighty then, it's been an interesting week. Not much to say except thanks for the wonderful reviews! You are all angels that keep this going. :) Also I'm trying to learn how to draw so if you have any tips, that would be greatly appreciated! Anyways, on with the show!

Chapter 18

After they had escaped the mountains, they found their travelling to take a lot longer than before. Part of it was due to that lack of ponies, but mostly it was because of Kíli. The torture Bolg had inflicted on him had done a lot of damage and Fíli was afraid to make it worse. He, too, was in a lot of pain and he was sure that it wasn't a good sign that the cut on his left arm was continuously bleeding, but he played it off as nothing. He was more worried about finding help for his brother.

Fíli could handle the stiffness in his joints and the pain from his fall. He could not, however, handle the mental pain that would come if he lost his brother.

Since the event with Bilbo, Fíli did his best to stay as far away from him as he could. Every time the hobbit drew near, that dark feeling began to grow inside him. Afraid of what he would do, Fíli would make a sudden excuse to get away from him. He felt sorry for Bilbo, for every time Fíli went to get away from him, he could see the worry and pain in Bilbo's face. He wished he could explain but he didn't think their friend would understand.

Kíli noticed it too. It wasn't like Fíli was being subtle about it. Kíli even called him it out on their fourth day from leaving the mountains.

Fíli had been busy sharpening his knife when Kíli limped over to sit next to him, reaching out his hand to roll up Fíli's left sleeve. The moment he felt his brother's hand on him, he flinched away and asked, "What are you…?"

"You're arm hasn't stopped bleeding. Let me at least take a look at it."

"It's fine."

Fíli inched away a little, continuing to sharpen his knife as he continued, "You shouldn't even be up, anyway. You need your rest."

"As do you. I wasn't the only one who was hurt in the mountains."

"Yes, but my wounds are not nearly as bad as yours. Go get some sleep, Kíli."

"Not until you tell me what is bothering you."

"Nothing is bothering me."

Fíli found his knife and the piece of metal he was using to sharpen it with taken from his hands. When he looked up, he saw that Kíli was now sitting in front of him and was the one who had taken his activity away from him.

"You can't lie to me, brother. We've known each other for far too long. You've hardly said a word since we've left the mountains, you haven't slept, you won't take care of yourself and you are intentionally avoiding Bilbo. So, out with it."

Fíli sighed, his blue eyes looking down at the ground at his feet. "It's coming back, Kee."

"What is?"

"The darkness. I feel it every time Bilbo comes near. I don't know what it is…"

"I think I do."

Fíli looked up to his brother's brown eyes. "You do?"

Kíli nodded. "That ring he carries... there's something about it. I can't quite place my finger on it, but it does not sit well with me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Ever since we left the mountains, I've heard this voice that blames people for all the bad things that have happened. It blames you for all of the trouble's we've faced on this journey."

"Well, it's not wrong."

"But it is." Kíli took his brother's hands in his and said, "It is not your fault. None of it. You didn't make the Goblins attack us in the mountains. You didn't make Bolg question me. You didn't make me lie to him to keep you safe."

"I failed you, Kíli. I let the Goblins take you."

"You fell off a cliff. I think that's a good excuse, if any."

The brothers shared a cold laugh. Once it died down, Fíli asked, "So, this voice... does it put dark thoughts into your head as well?"

Kíli shook his head.

"You are much stronger than me, nadadith."

"No, I'm just more stubborn."

"I won't argue that," Fíli replied as he gave Kíli a small smile. "Go to sleep, Kee, you need your rest."

Kíli nodded. "Just make sure you wake me for my watch. You look like you're about ready to fall over."

Fíli nodded as well, watching his brother go to his bedroll. Once he left, Fíli watched the fire as it danced in the darkness.

He pondered what Kíli had told him. That dark voice his brother was hearing... it was right. Fíli was supposed to be protecting Bilbo and his brother and so far he had done a terrible job. If he wasn't on this journey, Bolg wouldn't be chasing them; Kíli wouldn't have been tortured. How could Kíli think none of this was his fault? He needed to protect his brother but… how?

That next day when they stopped to eat, Fíli approached the spot where Bilbo and Kíli sat. As he drew near, he could feel the darkness creeping over him. He took a deep breath and began to ignore it as he said, "I have something I would like to say."

Bilbo and Kíli looked up to him with confusion. "I have decided that once we reach Rivendell and we have fully recovered from the mountains that I will no longer be able to continue."

"What?!"

The shock in both Bilbo and Kíli's voice had made Fíli jump. He knew they weren't going to be overly fond of the idea but he wasn't expecting such a dynamic reaction.

"Are you daft? We need you!" Kíli said.

"No, you don't. Bolg is after me, not you or Bilbo. I swore to keep you both safe. I swore to you Bilbo, that I would see you safely home and I intend to keep that promise, but there is something about that ring of yours. I don't know what your ring is, Bilbo, but it affects me; it puts dark thoughts into my head. I almost killed you because of it. If I want to keep my promise, I cannot be around that thing. You are far safer away from me. Once we reach Rivendell I will lead Bolg away so that you may reach the Shire without any further problems."

"You don't have to leave, Fíli. If it really bothers you so, I can get rid of it. I'll throw it into a river or bury it…"

"No, Bilbo, there is a power around that ring and I fear that if the wrong person were to find it, nothing good would come of it."

Kíli took a tentative step forward. "Fíli…"

"That's my final say in the matter."

The hurt look in his brother's eyes made his heart ache. Fíli knew what he was saying. He knew that he was forcing Kíli to willingly separate from him but so long as he was around, he was putting his brother and their dear friend at risk. He couldn't do that to them anymore than he already had. Before they could argue anymore Fíli turned and walked away, fighting the urge to break down.

Bilbo couldn't help but notice that the Durin boys were deteriorating much more quickly. Kíli could barely go for an hour without resting and Fíli's left arm looked much heavier than it had before. Their wounds were finally catching up with them and Bilbo began to fear that they weren't going to make it to Rivendell.

They stopped to allow Kíli a rest when Kíli completely collapsed, his eyes rolling into the back of his head.

"Kíli!"

Fíli quickly dropped next to his brother, cradling him in his arms as he begged and pleaded for his brother to wake up. Bilbo looked around worriedly. What were they to do? Fíli couldn't carry his brother, no matter how stubborn he was and Bilbo was not exactly strong. Perhaps he could run forward and hopefully run into someone that could help but he was afraid to leave them alone, what with Bolg after them and Fíli being too weak to protect himself and his brother. Bilbo's heart hammered against his chest. What were they going to do?

There was a rustle in the bushes to their West. Fíli was more focused on his brother to pay much heed to it. Bilbo pulled out Sting and was relieved to see that it was not glowing. Whatever it was, it wasn't an Orc or Goblin. He nearly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw two Elves emerge, their bows drawn. Their appearance was completely identical, probably brothers. Their brown eyes first looked upon Bilbo in wonder before falling on the wounded dwarves.

All Bilbo could say was, "Please, will you help us?"

One of the brothers approached Fíli and knelt in front of him, taking Kíli up in his arms.

"Take your filthy Elvish hands off him!" Fíli snapped, standing up to attack.

Before he could do so the other grabbed him and pinned his arms to his sides. Fíli struggled but his wounds made it difficult to be effective. His vision became blurry as he watched the Elf place his brother on a white stallion. His legs gave out from under him as he fell, the world spinning violently before everything went black.

TBC...

Not too much of a cliffhanger...but still, the lads are not doing well. Poor Bilbo having to worry about protecting two injured dwarves. I'm sure most of you know what nadadith means but in case you don't, it means "little brother." Now your preview!

A slight irritation became evident in Fíli's throat and to relieve it he coughed. However instead of the cough being brief it turned into a fit.

"Oh dear, are you alright? Is it your chest because Elrond said you had quite a few injuries there?"

"It's nothing, Bilbo, just a dry throat."

"Oh, do you need some water? I'll go fetch you some."

Bilbo was out of the room in a flash, wondering where he could find some water for the poor prince.

He must have checked several rooms before he ran into two elves who were enjoying a peaceful conversation. "Excuse me, do you know where I could find a pitcher of water? My friend needs it."

"The prince Fíli?"

Bilbo nodded. One of the elves turned and walked down the hall before entering the last room on the left. Rather quickly he returned carrying a pitcher. Bilbo thanked him before rushing back towards Fíli's room, struggling to hold onto the pitcher that was meant to be carried by people with bigger hands and statures. As he rushed in, he said, "Here we are, let me just grab you a…"

But when Bilbo turned to the bed he saw that Fíli was gone. Bilbo froze to the spot, simply staring at the bed for a few moments before turning his head and looking around the room. When he was fully aware that Fíli was no longer in the room at all, he turned back to the bed and simply stated, "Ah."

Also a (somewhat) familiar face will be appearing next chapter :) Please leave a review!