sorry this took so long guys! Full time work and university took it's toll!

Kili was itching to take his bow off his back and notch an arrow. The sword was never his first pick when it came to weaponry, he was always part of a team, he was the archer, Fili was the swordsman and Bilbo was the agile one. He felt another pang go through his heart. Fili and Bilbo were gone, but he couldn't focus on that now. He had to fight. Avenge them.

He hadn't spoken to Thorin at all since they rejoined the ranks and took up their positions. He couldn't help but be a little glad when the gates began to swing open. His uncle was full of rage and grief right now, just like he was, but unlike his nephew, the battle field was the best place for him to work out his grief. Kili just prayed his uncle wouldn't be too reckless. He wasn't sure he could handle loosing him as well today.

The great Eye glared down at them, shading red light over the black gates and the emerging army of orcs. Mordor had them outnumbered, badly. As the gates finally opened fully they flooded out, rank after rank of orcs until they were almost surrounding them. Kili felt his small amount of hope fizzle out.

What were they even doing? They couldn't win, Bilbo and Fili were dead and the Ring most likely on it's way to Sauron at this very second. There was nothing left to fight for.

Then there was a hand on his shoulder.

His despair must have shown I his face because it was his uncle looking at him with hard eyes.

"For your brothers." He said gravely.

Kili nodded.

"For my brothers."

Then he drew his sword and charged.

-oOo-

The heat was becoming near unbearable as they neared the mouth of the volcano. Weakly, Bilbo opened his eyes to see the entrance that would lead them inside, glowing red against the black stone. He was so tired. He wished he could just fall asleep, but the constantly rumbling of molten rock, whispering of the Ring and far off cries of battle prevented it.

"Were almost there..." Fili gasped, obviously beginning to struggle making his way with Bilbo in his arms.

"I can walk." Bilbo insisted feebly.

It was wrong to make this harder on his brother than it needed to be. The Ring was his burden, he didn't want Fili to suffer anymore.

Gently, Fili placed his brother on the ground. The lack of argument about the action spoke volumes about how tired the Dwarf was.

"Go Fili." He sighed, "I can do the rest."

Fili didn't bother replying, simply raised one eyebrow as if to say 'really?'.

"Well it was worth a shot." Bilbo muttered, "together?"

"Together." Fili confirmed.

Slowly, Bilbo clambered up the boulders and loose rocks till he saw the opening carved into the volcano. He'd been carrying the Ring so long it felt strange that now, after everything, he was going to finally have to give it up. He wasn't sure how he felt about it really, the Ring had helped him a lot, especially on the Quest for Erebor but at the same time he knew it was an evil object that had to be destroyed.

There was a large archway carved into the mountainside, leading into the mountain. Inside there was only a single long cliff hanging over what Bilbo could only assume was the liquid fire. It was hot already, walking through the threshold almost tripled the heat to near unbearable levels. Both Bilbo and Fili winced as their multiple cuts and abrasions throbbed as the hot air and ash hit them.

"Quickly Bili, end this." Fili urged, staying back in case any orcs managed to sneak up the mountain side after them.

In an almost dreamlike state Bilbo stumbled forwards until he found himself on the cliffs edge, looking down at the swirling red mass of heat below. Taking a deep breath the Hobbit took the Ring from around his neck, holding it out at arms length on it's chain. The red light reflected off the gold surface as it dangled in from of his eyes, a single beautiful object in Mordor's ugliness.

'You've suffered so much trying to rid the world of me,' the Ring hissed, 'Why should you suffer so?'

Bilbo wanted to drop it, all he had to do was uncurl his fingers but the voice resonated with him. The Ring was right, he had suffered, for no reason!

'Let me make it so you never have to suffer again!'

"Bilbo! Just drop it!" Fili called, "Let go, what are you waiting for?!"

Bilbo bit his lip, cutting into the already blistered skin till he could taste blood. Deep down he knew he had to drop it, that's what his journey had been about but...he wanted it. He couldn't deny that he did want the Ring, at least a part of him did.

He turned, Ring still in hand and looked at Fili. His brother looked wrecked, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Bilbo looked down at the Ring.

Take it or drop it, take it or drop it...

"Precious!"

The Hobbit barely had time to register the voice before Fili was pushed aside by Gollum. Not only had he somehow survived but the strange creature had managed to climb up the mountain after them. Bilbo was so in shock that Gollum was upon him before he could react.

Slammed into the ground the Ring slipped through his fingers and to Bilbo's horror, into Gollum's.

"It's mine!" Gollum was literally jumping for joy, gazing at the Ring like it was the most amazing object in Middle Earth. The same way Bilbo had been looking at it only moments before.

With that realisation something in the Hobbit snapped.

With a rage filled yell he leapt at Gollum, clawing at him, hitting, whatever he could do. Vaguely he was aware of Fili calling to him but he ignored it, he just wanted the Ring so he could be rid of it. Then, he was on his back, Gollum holding him down, Ring in one hand, the other raised to above the hobbit's head. Without flinching, Bilbo kicked upwards, sending Gollum flying off the Hobbit, and over the edge.

Instantly Bilbo was on his knees, leaning over the pit, watching Gollum fall with an odd mix of guilt, horror and dark satisfaction. In reality the fall took mere seconds but Bilbo felt as though he were watching it in slow motion, Gollum's body hitting the lava, burning and finally sinking, the Ring still in his outstretched hand before it too, sunk into the fire.

It was over. Done. After all the pain, suffering and war it was finally over.

"Bili!"

Suddenly Bilbo realised somebody was shaking him.

"Bili we have to go this place is coming down!" Fili insisted.

He was right, in his shocked state Bilbo hadn't seen the rising lava and crumbling walls but with the Ring gone he felt weak. Fili had to pull him to his feet, just in time it seemed. The mountain began to collapse as soon as they exited, making their way to a high ridge on huge mountain side where the lava wouldn't flow. Bilbo watched with indifference as Sauron's great eye collapsed, extinguished for good this time.

Fili was talking again, probably something about their immanent death due to being surrounded on all sides by molten fire and the air being choked with smoke but Bilbo couldn't bring himself to care. He'd not eaten nor drank in days, he hadn't rested well for months, he was too weak and exhausted to really care about his health anymore, even he did somehow escape the mountain he wouldn't have another chance at life.

For the first time in months his lips curved upwards slightly, at least he could finally have some peace. Strength giving out, Bilbo let himself fall.

-oOo-

Fili caught Bilbo before he hit the small patch of rocky ground left around their feet, gently cradling him in his lap. The lava had fully surrounded them now, they couldn't get away and in his heart he knew his brother had given up. He looked like death warmed up, weak, thin, injured and covered in filth, the Ring had ruined him.

Fili looked up at the still black, smoke filled sky and prayed.