The taste of the raw venison remained in Kili's mouth for a long time after Gurlak had walked away, he could still taste the congealed blood and leathery meat on his tongue. He felt sick and had coughed up a foul yellow coloured bile into the dirt and, as the shadows beneath the trees grew darker, it was all he could do to prevent himself from retching further, but even so, his stomach groaned and pitched. It ached and caused pangs of sharp pains to spread across his abdomen. Orcs may have been able to consume uncooked meat, but Dwarfish bodies, it seemed, could not. Food was supposed to bring back your strength, to energise you and wash away the fatigue. But the orcish 'food' did none of that, it just made him feel weaker and drowsy. He just wanted to sleep. Kili could feel a bit of gristle between his teeth and picked at it with the tip of his tongue until it loosened enough for him to spit it onto the ground. And he kept spitting, trying to banish the lingering taste from his mouth. He scraped his tongue along his teeth to detach any remaining fragments of meat. Kili wished for a drink of water to swill his mouth – which had become much drier since Gurlak had force-fed him the deer meat – and to wash away the foul after-taste. He hadn't drunk since before the incident with the Goblins, when he was sat with the company, with his brother, in the dark mountain cave, listening to the howling wind outside. Until that moment he hadn't noticed how thirsty he was. If his friends didn't reach him perhaps he'd die of dehydration. It wouldn't be an honourable death, Durins were supposed to die in battle after slaying too many of their foes to count. They didn't die dry-mouthed and tied to a tree. Kili's brow furrowed, since when had he become so negative? One day as a prisoner and he was already thinking about how he'd die. He shook his head to clear his bad thoughts. Stop it, he thought to himself, you're not going to die.

At least, he hoped not.

The sky had grown dark again, there was now only the faintest orange glow of sunlight upon the horizon, the rest of the sky was a deep inky blue. They had trekked many leagues that day, the rocky peak which the eagles left them on the day before was simply a grey speck in the distance. The journey had been a mishmash of rocky inclines and smooth woodland elevated above gold and green fields which linked together like a patchwork quilt. But now the company were back amongst the rocks, their packs and weapons finally off their aching backs. Bofur and Gloin were busying themselves by preparing a fire, they were on their fourth attempt – the wind kept dowsing any sparks they were able to produce. Gloin's brows were knitted together in a frown, he huffed. Kili would find this amusing, Fili thought to himself as he dropped his swords on the ground with a clatter. He let a brief smile appear on his face as he imagined the witty comments his brother would make if he was there, no doubt making Gloin even more frustrated with obvious suggestions and observations. Fili sighed.

"Fili." It was Thorin. Fili looked up as his uncle approached, he sighed again. Fili went to turn and walk away, he was tired from the trek and didn't want to speak to Thorin, until a voice at the back of his mind made him freeze to the spot with a jolt. The voice made his hands tremble at his sides. He could hear Kili, begging him not to walk away, to stay where he was and listen to what their uncle had to say. Kili never liked it when Fili and Thorin argued – which was often, and usually because Fili was angry at Thorin for scolding his younger brother over some trivial thing, - and would plead that the pair worked it out. That was the thing about Kili, he didn't like it when people were unhappy and would go out of his way to change that. He wasn't content until everyone was smiling. Please, Fili, his voice said, just listen. He may has well have been stood right there. Fili sighed again and crossed his arms over his chest, fists clenched to hide the shaking in his hands. He looked at Thorin as he stopped in front of him. The raven haired dwarf was silent for some moments, as through pondering what to say. Fili could see he was biting down on his lip slightly, eyes looking for words to speak. Fili tapped his foot on the hard ground impatiently and raised his eyebrows, compelling his uncle to say whatever it was he had come to say. "I wanted to say that I'm sorry." Thorin said finally. Fili said nothing. The king rolled his shoulders. "What I said about your brother was cruel and I want you to know that I didn't mean it."

"It seemed to me like you meant it." Fili responded coldly. Thorin's brows knitted together as Fili continued, "That's always what you call him, a child, reckless, impulsive. Or sometimes 'irresponsible' or 'foolish.' You are blind Thorin, blind. He tries so hard to make you proud, to prove to you that he can be a good heir of Durin. But you always find something to criticise him over." Fili's voice was low, "Countless nights I've sat awake with him trying to convince him that you don't mean the things you say." Thorin's shoulders slumped.

"I had no idea."

"You are lucky I was able to make him believe me."

"I'll make it right, Fili. When we find him, I promise to make everything right." Thorin said softly. Fili scoffed.

"There's no use promising me. I'm not the one you make feel useless."

"I don't make him feel useless."

"You really don't have any idea." Fili pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled deeply, eyes falling briefly closed. He considered what his uncle had said. Despite his apparent ignorance on the way he made his nephew feel, Thorin had apologised, and Thorin never apologised. "I will forgive you for what you said on the peak, uncle. But only because Kili would not want us to fight. Not for any other reason." Thorin nodded, learning about how his words hurt his youngest nephew, made his gut burn with guilt. He desired Erebor and the Arkenstone so strongly that he truly was blind to everything else. As he went to turn away, Fili reached out and grabbed his arm and pulled him back. As the day had progressed, as the march across the unfamiliar landscape dragged soundlessly on and he had been alone with his thoughts, Fili inwardly scolded himself for losing his temper. As much as he was still furious with Thorin's comment, Fili knew that his rage fuelled accusation that his uncle did not love Kili was incorrect. Fili had glanced at Thorin as they walked side-by-side that day and had seen the obvious concern etched on his uncle's usually impassive and steely features. Thorin cared a great deal for both his nephews, Fili knew that. Between the pointless scoldings, Fili had witnessed Thorin's affections towards his brother, the way he ruffled the younger's hair when he hit his target during bow practise, or when Kili learned to ride a pony and Thorin rewarded him with a pony of his own – Kili had worn the biggest smile that day. "I know you love him Thorin," Fili said quietly. "I shouldn't have accused you of anything else. For that I apologise."

"I would have said the same, nephew." Thorin placed a hand on the side of the blonde's face, thankful when Fili didn't hit it away. "I care for you both very dearly, as if you were my own sons."

"I know." Fili said quietly. Thorin was the only father Fili and Kili could really recall having. Their real father had died when they were very young. Fili still remembered the night they lost their father, Thorin had taken the two brothers in his arms and said, in a soft voice "I am your father now, I will take care of you." Kili didn't understand what any of it meant, the tears that fell from his eyes only fell because he didn't like seeing Fili and their mother upset, for months he asked when their papa was coming home. Thorin had told the truth that night, when the thunder rumbled through the Blue Mountains, he had taken care of them, and for that Fili was thankful. He glanced up at his uncle, the sun set casting a golden glow across his face. Then Thorin pulled him into a hug. Fili stiffened for a moment before letting his arm's wrap Thorin's sides and he buried his face in the fur of his uncle's thick coat.

"Let us not dwell on our quarrel, Fili." Thorin said into his ear, "Let's focus on our new quest; finding your brother. He is what's important now." Fili exhaled and for a moment felt his anger and worries leave him, there wrapped tightly in Thorin's embrace he knew that they would find Kili, that Thorin wouldn't give up until both his young nephews were together again. He squeezed his eyes shut and blink away the tears that were beginning to form.

"Thank you, uncle." He murmured. Uncle and nephew remained wrapped in each other's hold for some moments, both grateful for the other, before eventually pulling away. Thorin held Fili at arm's length, mouth turned up in a smile. Suddenly the air seemed lighter between them, like the thick fog lifting after a storm, leaving the earth fresh and clean. The rest of the journey, however long it may be, wouldn't feel as gruelling or lonely.

Azog eyed his prisoner from across the camp. The dwarfling had been retching from the meat he was fed for ages after Gurlak had left him, the sight made Azog pleased. Dwarfs could not consume the same food as the orcs, soon the boy would too weakened to fight back. Azog's temple still throbbed slightly, a nagging pain left there after the dwarf unexpectedly lashed out. At first the pale orc thought he had taken a weak youngster hostage, someone who wouldn't put up a fight, someone who would tell him everything with very little effort on his part. But it seems Azog had underestimated him; he was a fighter. No matter, Azog thought to himself, I will still get what I want. The rest of the orcs had been watching the dwarf boy, too. Azog saw them staring at him, still riled from his earlier outburst. They would have happily gutted him there and then, at first Azog was so enraged that he almost let them. But when the red he saw finally dissipated he knew that he still needed the dwarf and brought an end to his comrade's assaults. But they'd waited enough. It was time to obtain the information he sought.


-A.N-

Like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland I am late! I'm so sorry, but I've been at work almost everyday lately and can barely function when I get home because I'm so tired.

This part is a little shorter but I wanted Fili and Thorin to make up, LOTS of Kili in the next chapter.

Thanks for sticking with me and being patient when I update late, I hope to get ch8 up sooner :)

As usual, if you enjoy this part favourites, follows and especially reviews are greatly appreciated :)