A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so long! Hopefully it will be better from now on. (: I don't think I mentioned this before, but if you want to ask me anything, feel free to do so on my tumblr: pxnds. As I said before, reviews are very much appreciated and I will try to update this as fast as possible. Thanks for reading!
Fili burst into the room with Kazryk close behind him. Elenwen turned in surprise. At the sight of the two dwarves, she laughed mockingly. "Ah, the rest of the line of Durin, here to save their kin. You're too late, I'm afraid. Soon, your brother will be dead.
Fili whispered, "Who are you? Why have you done this?"
The elf laughed again. "Some things are better left unsaid." With that, she dissolved into a cloud of black ravens and flew through the open window. Unable to follow her, Fili rushed to his brother, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Kili was sprawled on the floor, eyes closed, gasping for breath. His hair clung to his forehead; he was drenched in sweat. Fili knelt by his side and put his hand on his neck, feeling for a pulse. Still alive. Fili looked to his son. "Kaz, go and fetch Balin. Have him come right away. Alert the guard, as well. Tell them the elf escaped."
Kazryk nodded and glanced at Kili. "Is he okay?"
Fili sighed and looked at his brother. What if he never opened his eyes again? "I don't know, Kaz. I don't know."
His son came over and put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll save him. Trust me." He turned and ran out of the room.
Fili's attention was drawn back to his brother as Kili moaned and shifted around. Fili put a hand on his forehead. He's burning up. His heart lurched in fear. Kili couldn't die. He wouldn't allow it, not as long as he could help it.
"Kili! Kili, are you all right? What happened?" Fili tried to calm himself. His brother wasn't dead – not yet. There was still time to save him. He tried to get his thoughts in order. To have any chance of saving his brother, he had to find out who that elf was. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice from shaking.
"Kili, who was that lady? What did she do to you?" he asked. Despite his efforts to stay calm, there was a slight tremor in his voice. Be strong. He told himself. For Kili.
Struggling, Kili raised himself onto his elbows. His croaking voice was barely more than a whisper. "Elenwen…she tried…" He collapsed back onto the floor, still recovering from the elf's spell.
Fili's heart leapt into his mouth. Had he heard right? Surely that had not been the legendary star-maiden turned elf-witch who had allied herself with the Dark Lord Sauron and had vowed to destroy the kingdoms of the Free People of Middle-earth? But it was. It made sense; who else was capable of changing their physical form? It was obvious she had cast a spell on his brother; any efforts made to heal Kili would most likely fail. There had to be a solution! Kili couldn't die; not here, not now. Surely there was someone who could save him. A wizard, maybe? A relieved smile stretched across Fili's face as he realized there was one who could save his brother. A wizard.
The smile disappeared almost as quickly as it had come as Kili spoke once more. Though still weak, he had regained some of his strength. As he spoke now, fear was evident in his voice.
"Fili, I'm scared." He raised his eyes to meet Fili's. They were filled with desperation.
"Don't be, brother. You have no reason to."
"Elenwen…she said…am I going to die?"
"No, Kili. I'll protect you." Fili wiped the tears that were forming in his eyes.
Kili reached out and grabbed Fili's arm. "Don't leave me. Please, don't leave me."
Fili's hand clutched his brother's. "I'm here. I'll stay by your side."
With a shuddering sigh, Kili closed his eyes and became still. Fili sat back on his haunches, dread churning within him. A sob escaped him. "I'll stay by your side." He whispered.