It stopped snowing so I have classes again. It's not fair. I wish every day was a snow day!

They did all they could. Dis held her son's hand as Thorin and Kili wrapped his wounds and gave him medicine. Fili would cough up blood and cringe at any touch on his back. Sweat covered his brow and his heavy breathing turned to painful moans. For a moment it seemed like he was doing better. His eyes opened for a quick second, but they closed again. His breathing became more-or-less regular and his body seemed to relax. All signs showed that he had lived through the worst of it and the medicine Thorin got from Dain was working. Then Fili broke out into an intense fever. They had nothing to bring his temperature down. Heat radiated off his body and he moaned like he was caught in a bad dream. With nothing to stop the fever Thorin slumped down in the corner of the cell watching Fili burning. They did all they could. Now they had to wait.

Kili slid down next to his uncle. He curled up into a ball next to Thorin not knowing what else to do. Dis kept by her oldest son's side wiping the sweat off his brow with a cloth. She knew it wasn't helping, but she refused to leave her child's side. Fili's moans and heavy breathing was the only sound in the cell for the longest time. Then the sound of Kili crying into his knees followed.

Thorin wasn't one for emotion. He knew crying would do nothing. He learned long ago crying doesn't change the past, doesn't cure those who were sick, or bring back those who were dead. Crying never solved any problems, yet Thorin felt like crying. He put his hand on Kili's shoulder. "I'm sorry," Thorin said softly to Kili. He knew what this felt like. "I'm so sorry I caused this. I should have agreed to what Dain wanted faster. I should have…done something."

"It's not your fault, uncle," Kili said sniffing and rubbing his eyes.

Thorin didn't respond. He looked up at Fili then down at his feet. He felt completely useless. There was nothing he could do to help Fili, or help his family get out of this. All he could do was sit and wait till Dain came back with another order or Fili died. Whatever came first. The only good thing Thorin could think of was that at least Bilbo was safe. The little hobbit that enjoyed simple things, like reading, and maps should never have to go through this. Thorin was glad the hobbit was headed away from all the horrors this mountain brought.

A few hours passed. Kili fell asleep, the stress of everything being too much for him. Dis and Thorin spoke for a while and Thorin told her everything that had happened. She stayed by Fili side, but then losing hope she sat down next to her other son and pulled him in close as he got his, much needed, rest.

Dis gave him the best smile she could manage. "Kili is right Thorin; this is not your fault." Thorin stood up at his sister's words and walked over to Fili, who was still fighting a losing battle with the fever.

Another hour passed and Dis fell asleep holding her youngest son. Thorin watched them sleeping wishing it could always be like this, wishing Dain would never try to hurt them, and wished they could be spared from this tragedy. Thorin turned to Fili. His breathing had calm down but his body continued to get warmer. Thorin stroked Fili hair like he use too when Fili was a boy. His hair was drenched in sweat.

"I'm sorry," Thorin said under his breath. He checked over the wounds on his back again. They were bleeding slightly, but it was nothing to worry about. Thorin sighed heavily. If only there was something more he could do.

"Th…Thor…in?" a weak voice called out.

Thorin nearly jumped five feet in the air. Fili was awake shifting slightly, his eyes narrowly opened. Thorin knelt down at Fili's side their blue eyes meeting. "Fili, can you hear me?" Thorin asked, but Fili just blinked a few times having a hard time keeping his eyes open. "You're going to be okay, just stay awake."

"Th…th...thorin…?" Fili weakly breathed out.

"I'm here, I'm here," Thorin put his hand on Fili's head rubbing his hair again and giving him a smile. Fili weakly called for Thorin again even though he looking directly at him. "I'm here Fili, I'm right here." Thorin scanned Fili's eyes knowing there was no recognition in them.

Fili's breathing became sharp and heavy. "D-do-d-don't…don't," Fili struggled to breathing. He coughed causing Kili to stir. "Don't...don't…th-thorin…don't," Fili said with each painful breath. He began to move his mouth as though to speak but only ragged breaths came out.

Thorin shook his head, "What are you trying to tell me, Fili?"

"D-d-don't…la….ke," Fili chocked out. "Don't….hurt…th…la-lake," Fili took a few more painful breaths before continuing, "be...because of…m-me." Fili coughed again then fell back asleep his breathing becoming calm.

Thorin gasped then lowered his head. Sometimes Fili was too selfless. The hours passed by slowly as Thorin stayed knelt as his nephew's side. Thorin must have fallen asleep for the next thing he knew he was being jolted awake by the booming sound of Dain's voice.

"Great news, cousin, Bard is on his way here right now!" Dain cheered. "You must get ready Thorin, you and him have much to talk about." Dain opened the cell and ordered Thorin to come with him.

Without protest Thorin stood up, gave one glance back to his family and followed Dain. They went to the armory where Dain ordered Thorin to put on Thror's armor, crown included. Thorin did it without question. He was hesitant putting the crown back on. His hands started to shake when he reached out for it and dark thought filled his mind. He shook the thoughts away and put on the crown.

"I haven't seen that company of yours in the last new hours and that little hobbit still evades me," Dain said making Thorin stop for a moment while he strapped his belt. "Planning something are we?"

"No," Thorin quickly replied and finished strapping his belt.

"Do you know what I am planning on having you to do to that bargeman?" Dain asked with a smirk.

Thorin nodded slowly. "You want me to kill him."

"Yes," Dain paused. "And will you?"

"…Yes."

Dain smiled and told Thorin the plan. The two of them were to welcome Bard to Erebor at the gate. Then they were to led him to the meeting hall where Thorin was to ask him to have a seat and have a drink. The drink, Dain told, would have a paralytic inside it made from the spider's venom. Once Bard was frozen Thorin was slice his throat, or preferably, behead him. Dain made sure to throw in threats to Dis and Kili as he told Thorin the plan for Bard. He told Thorin if he gave even the slightest hit to Bard what was going on they would die painfully and slowly.

"My Lords, Bard of Lake-Town is here," a guard informed them.

"Good, tell him to wait by the gate, King Thorin and I will be right with him," Dain told the guard.

"My Lords, you should know that he did not come alone," the guard said and the air got caught in Thorin's lungs. "He brought his children with him."

"Very well, prepare drinks for the kiddies too and tell them we will be with them shortly," Dain ordered. The guard bowed and left.

"I will not murder Bard in front of his own children!" Thorin yelled.

Dain shook his head, "of course not, that would be cruel." Dain said and Thorin sighed in relief. "You'll murder his kids first, in front of him."

Sorry for the set-up filler chapter, but next time will be the continuation with Bard. This story only has like three of four more chapters left.

Review and have a good, non-murder filled, day!