I just want to thank all my lovely reviewers and apologize for such a rubbish cliffhanger...i think this one is a bit better.

Chapter 24

After being dragged carelessly through the brush of the forest, Kíli and Bilbo were thrown unceremoniously on the ground. Before either of them could move they were brought to their knees, an Orc holding their hands behind them while balancing an Orcish blade to their throats.

Poor Bilbo could feel his heart hammering in his chest. Fear was engulfing him like when he first laid eyes on Smaug. He never knew an Orc that could instill that much fear. Even Azog hadn't made him feel this frightened before.

Kíli, on the other hand, kept his face unrelenting, his head held high as he kept his gaze fixed on the figure of Bolg as he emerged through the trees. He would not give the Orc the satisfaction of seeing him cower in fear. He had sworn a promise to Bolg and he intended to keep it. "We meet again, gazat."

Bolg shifted his gaze to Bilbo. "And the liar. It seems, however, we are missing one."

"Nope, just the two of us going on a little stroll…" Bilbo began to babble until the Orc holding the blade to his throat pressed it more firmly against his skin, making him draw back as far as he could go so it would not break his skin.

"You will not speak unless spoken to, Halfling. You have already lied to us once."

Bilbo barely nodded, afraid to move too much to allow the blade to cause any damage. Kíli struggled against the Orcs holding him, trying to get to Bilbo. "You get your hands off him!"

Bolg's attention immediately went to Kíli, his eyes penetrating the dwarf's skin. Carefully he took two steps towards Kíli, a knife dancing in his hands before he caressed Kíli's face with it. "It seems your protector has failed his duties once more."

"He doesn't fail. He's never failed."

Bolg looked around, his senses strained to find a trace of anyone nearby. "Then where is he? Why is he not here to keep you from harm?"

Kíli cast his gaze to the ground, his voice soft as he replied, "We don't know."

The cold tip of the blade was placed under his chin, forcing his face up to look into Bolg's lifeless eyes. "Why do I not believe you?"

Kíli kept his gaze hard. Bolg turned to the Orcs holding Bilbo and said something that neither Kíli or Bilbo could understand. Whatever it was, it made the Orcs pick Bilbo off the ground, bringing him to his feet while the Orcs kept his arms pinned. Kíli and Bilbo exchanged confused looks as Bolg slowly turned back to Kíli, a sneer on his lips. "Tell me the truth, gazat, or the Halfling suffers."

"We don't know. He disappeared from us no more than two weeks ago."

Bolg stood up and walked towards Bilbo. Kíli struggled harder but the Orcs were stronger. "It's the truth! Why don't you believe me?"

Bilbo's eyes widened as they found the glint of the moonlight gleaming off the black steel. "I will give you one last chance, gazat. Where is your third companion?"

Kíli's eyes darted between the weapon Bolg held and Bilbo. He could feel the fear emitting from their poor burglar. What was he to say? What would Fíli say if he were here? After taking a deep breath, Kíli pleaded, "I can't tell you where he is because I do not know. If you still don't believe me, then turn your anger towards me, not him. He's done nothing wrong."

Bolg looked at Kíli with interest. "You are willing to sacrifice your life for this Halfling?"

Bilbo's eyes danced to the young heir, his face contorted in confusion. Kíli locked gazes with him for a moment, telling him with his eyes that everything would be fine. "Yes."

Bolg's lips drew back, his black teeth snarling in a sinister grin. "So be it."

As Bolg began to stalk towards Kíli Bilbo tried desperately to free himself. "No, Kíli!"

As Kíli saw the Orc draw near, he closed his eyes and prayed to Mahal that his end would come swiftly.

Fíli had followed close behind, using every ounce of his patience not to jump out and save Kíli and Bilbo from the Orcs. Oh how he wanted to emerge from the woods and slice them down but they were vastly outnumbered and no doubt it would make the situation much worse if he tried. The best thing to do would be to see where they were headed and find a way to sneak in and out without being detected.

When they finally came to a halt Fíli had found a large boulder to hide behind. The number of Orcs in the encampment was not ideal but he would do whatever it took to get his brother and friend from harm. Silently he withdrew one of his twin swords, careful to not draw attention to his hiding spot. Carefully he looked around, trying to formulate a plan. One was beginning to form and it seemed ideal but he lost all recollection of it when he saw Bolg step out from the trees.

His face immediately paled. He should have known but he had hoped that when the Orcs had seen Fíli was not with them that they would leave Kíli and Bilbo in peace.

He had never been more wrong.

Fíli barely could make out what was being said between the Orc and Kíli but when he saw Bilbo being dragged to his feet he knew he needed to act soon. He couldn't wait any more.

He tried to recall the plan in his head but his mind could not focus. All he could see was the fear in Bilbo's eyes and hear the frantic pleas of his brother. He tried to tune it out but soon it was all he could hear. "I can't tell you where he is because I do not know. If you still don't believe me, then turn your anger towards me, not him. He's done nothing wrong."

The desperaiton in his brother's voice made his chest tighten. Was Kíli really implying what he thought he was? "You are willing to sacrifice your life for this Halfling?"

There was a pause. Fíli looked to his brother, his lips silently pleading, "Kíli, no…"

"Yes."

The world seemed to have stopped. His heart fell into his stomach and his hand lost its grip on his sword. "So be it."

Bolg was approaching Kíli with such malice in his stride. Before he knew it, Fíli found himself on the other side of the boulder, his arms up in surrender and his voice shouting so all of Middle Earth could hear, "Wait!"

TBC...

*ducks thrown fruit* please don't kill me! Will this preview help?

Fíli glanced between them. He couldn't decide between the two. Bilbo was his friend but Kíli was his brother. How could he choose who lived and who died? What could he do?

What would Thorin do?

"I am waiting, gazat."

"How about a duel? If I win, you spare both of their lives. If not, I choose between them."

"A duel?"

"Aye."

"To the death?"

"Fíli, no!"

Fíli gave both his brother and Bilbo an apologetic look. "Aye."

The grin that spread across the Orc's face sent a shiver crawling down his spine. "So be it."

Ok nay be not. Reviews? Yes reviews are nice!