Sorry I'm a bit late in posting this. Had a busy day. Thank you for all the reviews! I can't believe only 3 more chapters after this! Mahal help me, I'm finishing stories...such a strange feeling.

Chapter 25

Fili winced in pain as he was thrown onto the ground at Bolg's feet.

The blow from impacting the ground sent the air right out of his lungs, his fingers curling into fists as he tried to push himself off the ground. He never got the chance, however, as he felt rough fingers curl in his hair and lift him up onto his knees. At first he closed his eyes, the pain erupting from the hairs pulling on his scalp being nearly unbearable but when he opened his eyes, it took every ounce of his strength to not let fear tremble in the sea of pearly blues.

They way Bolg sneered as he gazed at his prey made Fíli's skin crawl but he dared not show it. If he was to die this day he would not give Bolg the satisfaction of seeing him scared. "Well, it seems we finally meet, gazat."

Once again he was thrown onto the ground, his shoulder skidding across the hard ground once he hit. He could hear the muffled cries of Kíli but he chose to ignore them. As he pushed himself off the ground he mustered up the best scowl. "You have what you wanted, you can let them go."

"But do I?" Bolg questioned, walking towards Kíli. Kíi watched him with fearless eyes as he approached, wincing when Bolg yanked his head back by his unruly mane. "This one here claims to be what I seek."

"He is a fool and reckless, willing to say anything to hide the truth."

"And what truth would that be?"

Fíli looked at his brother, trying to tell him it was going to be alright. After heaving a deep sigh, he replied, "I am Fíli, son of Dís, nephew of King Thorin Oakenshield and Slayer of the Pale Orc, Azog."

"Fíli, no!"

Kíli struggled harder against his captors but stopped when his arm was yanked painfully. Bolg released his hold on Kíli. "And why should I believe you?"

"You don't have to, but it is the truth."

"If it is then why would this one claim to be what he is not?"

"Because he is Captain of the Guard, ordered to protect me by my uncle."

"Strange, he said the same about you. And after all, he does bear a striking resemblance to the King, doesn't he?"

"It is only a disguise meant to fool those who would wish to harm the line of Durin. He is a distant cousin but nothing more."

The words burned in his throat, his eyes never leaving Kíli's face as he spoke them. Kíli, of course, was more important to him than anything but he dared not let Bolg know that. "If that is this case then you will not mind if I kill them?" Bolg replied, holding a knife to Kíli's throat.

Fíli visibly flinched the moment the blade appeared. Unfortunately, Bolg noticed this. "It seems you care more for him than you let on. Tell me, who is he to you?"

Fíli swallowed as he tried to keep his fear at bay. "He is a friend."

"Then his death should mean very little to you."

Before Bolg could slide the blade across his brother's neck, thus ending his life, Fíli shouted, "Wait!"

All eyes went back to Fíli. His eyes darted to his brother for a moment before landing upon Bolg once more. "You'll need him. You'll need them both."

"And how is that?"

"You'll need someone to tell of your triumph, will you not? You'll need someone to pass on the story of how you killed the Slayer Azog."

Fíli didn't think Bolg would buy it but was relieved when he saw the blade drop from Kíli's throat. "You are right, gazat."

Fíli breathed a sigh of relief. "However, I only need one, so you decide. The dwarf or the Halfling."

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."

Bolg cast the knife aside, pulling the mace from his belt. The same mace, Fíli noticed, that belonged to his father, Azog. Fíli, having been stripped of his weapons the moment he arrived the camp, found one of his twin swords placed into his hands by the Orc who had taken his weapons from him. He gave it a twirl with his wrist before holding it at the ready. Bolg and Fíli slowly danced around one another, watching the other for an opening. Fíli knew he had little chance of success against Bolg but he had to try. For Kíli and Bilbo's sakes, he had to try.

Bolg was the first to lunge. Fíli parried it with ease, knocking it away from him as he sidestepped the opposite way. This happened once or twice more before he went for his own attack. Bolg parried his attack and swung, his mace colliding with Fíli's torso. Fíli went sprawling back, the wind having been knocked out of him but he scrambled to his feet quickly. His ribs were still healing from the fall in the mountains and the blow sent a new surge of pain through his chest. But he paid it no mind. It would take more than that to stop him.

A newfound energy surged within him as he attacked. His blows came quick and rapidly, his voice growling behind clenched teeth with each blow. An opening presented itself and he struck, his sword embedding itself in the Orc's thigh. Bolg erupted with a howl but cut it short as he grabbed the sword in his leg. Fíli tried to yank it out but Bolg's grip was too strong. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the mace coming towards him. He let go of his hilt and rolled, narrowly missing the mace that would have ended his life.

Now weaponless he looked around, trying to figure out what to do next. Bolg withdrew the sword from his thigh and cast it aside. If Fíli could get to his sword he might stand a chance. He made a run towards it but Bolg was quicker. His mace swung and collided with his side. Fíli fought to regain his balance but not before the mace swung again, sending him sprawled out on his back. Before he could stand Bolg placed a boot on his chest and pressed, crushing the dwarf beneath his boot. Fíli could not cry out in pain, his lungs screaming for air. His hands grabbed the Orc's ankle as he tried to pry the weight off him."Fíli!"

The pleading of his brother chilled his bones. The sound of desperation reminded him of what was at stake. With all the strength left in him, he reached higher on Bolg's leg and twisted. The sudden force sent a shock up Bolg's leg, releasing the dwarf from the ground. Fíli scrambled on hands and knees toward his sword in one last attempt.

But it was in vain.

Bolg recovered from the shock and surged towards Fíli, picking up his knife that he cast away as he went. As Fíli reached out towards his sword, his fingers brushing the hilt, the knife plunged.

The searing pain in his shoulder elicited a gasp of shock from his lips. The blade was quickly removed before slicing a long gash across his back. Fíi's back arched in the pain before he fell onto his stomach. Blood flowed freely from the wound. "Fíli!"

Fíli's eyes found his brothers and the fear in his chocolate eyes as he watched his brother. As he gritted in pain he reached for his sword. His fingers fumbled as he tried to grasp it but he found it impossible when Bolg's foot stepped on his forearm, crushing the bones beneath it. "It seems," Bolg snarled as he twisted his foot, "You have failed."

Once he was sure that the damage was done he removed his foot and pulled Fíli up onto his knees by his hair. Fíli could feel the cold steel of the knife pressed against his throat as he was forced to look at Bilbo and Kíli. "Before I kill you, Fíli, son of Dís and nephew of Thorin Oakenshield, tell me, who do you wish to see die?"

Bilbo and Kíli watched the heir with fear and sorrow. Fíli's gaze was fixed upon them, his own eyes watching them apologetically. "I'm losing my patience. Choose or I will choose for you."

TBC….

Okay so that cliffhanger wasn't much better, was it? Sorry! *ducks thrown vegetables* Here, have a preview to feed your hunger.

In the clearing they saw Fíli and Bolg dancing around one another while Kíli and Bilbo were being restrained by Orcs off to the side. They watched as Fíli stabbed Bolg through the thigh before rolling away to avoid the mace. As Bolg began crushing him into the ground, Bofur lunged forward but Nori held him back. "What are you doing? He's killing him!"

"Do you really expect that rushing in there is going to help save them? No, we need a plan…"

"We don't have time for a plan!"

"There is always time for a plan!"

Their eyes went back to the fight when they heard a gasp and Kíli call his brother's name. When they turned they saw Bolg lifting Fíli to his knees before placing a knife to his throat. "Before I kill you, Fíli, son of Dís and nephew of Thorin Oakenshield, tell me, who do you wish to see die?"

"Still believe we have time?"

See? The others will be there soon! Just hope they are successful. Please leave a review!