Author's Note: Happy Monday to everyone! Yeah, yeah, I get it; people don't normally like Mondays. But that's part of the reason I chose to post on Mondays, to brighten up the Grey Day! :D Although, I don't know if a story with torture in it can be said to really be brightening, per se... Just as a warning, chums, there's a slight reference to past, off-screen corporal discipline of a child. I personally don't think it's a big deal (I was raised that way and I think I'm better of than some kids who weren't spanked) and it's not a major reference at all, (mostly just a joke) but some people totally go in freak-out mode about stuff like that, so if you don't like it, don't read. Or at least don't flame. :) And sorry again for the length, or rather lack thereof! This is kind of a filler chapter; if I remember right, the next update will be the one where we see Kili's POV. :'( So stay tuned!

Disclaimer: Nope. Still don't own nothin'. :(

It's Nice to Rest, a Little

Kili was sleeping. Finally. He needed it. He'd been utterly spent with the salt incident and the stress of a family shout-out, and he'd need all the strength he could get when next they came to take him away. Most of the thirteen were taking their rest; only Dwalin, Thorin, and Fili remained awake.

Fili looked down at his little brother, noticing a shiver run through his body. The cell was somewhat chilly, and Kili had nothing on above his waste. Fili nodded to Dwalin, who had taken up a seat on the other side of Kili, and wordlessly they shifted his weight to lean against Dwalin instead. Fili quickly slipped out of his coat and then took Kili back, carefully wrapping him so his wounds wouldn't flare. Kili woke as he was settled against his brother again.

"Mmm," he murmured, drowsily, "Thanks, Fili. That's nice." He gathered the collar of the coat in his hand and closed it under his chin for more warmth. "I'm glad they brought me back here..." he paused, and then continued in a soft, contrite voice, "Even though I-"

"Hush," Dwalin interrupted, roughly, "You have nothing to be ashamed of, Kili, and if you keep up talk of that sort you'll find yourself over my knee."

Fili snorted with laughter and Kili grinned, while looking terribly embarrassed. He remembered once when he was just a dwarfling and Dwalin had taken him in hand. It had not been pleasant. Of course, Dwalin was just kidding now...but Kili chose to drop it.

"Well," he amended, still grinning, "I am glad they put me back in with you. It's nice to rest, a little. Get my courage back up. It's...good."

"With luck we'll be out of here soon, laddies," Dwalin said, his voice low and his expression one of intense eagerness, "and when we do, you'll be needing all you've got to cut our way out of this hole. "

Fili started.

"What do you mean?" Kili asked, his voice hushed with breathless excitement and hope.

Dwalin raised his eyebrows gleefully.

"The wee hobbit burglar."

"Bilbo?" Kili asked.

"What about him? Where is he, anyway?" Fili said, looking around as if just noticing the halfling's absence.

Dwalin nodded toward the sleeping Nori.

"Nori saw him escape the goblins' notice when we were taken to the Great Goblin. He's still out there."

"And don't forget, we have a wizard on our side," Kili said, unknowingly repeating the words he had spoken at the very start of the quest. He had great faith in Gandalf. "Wherever he is. And I can still wield a sword, I think. If they hurry."

"We may soon be again on our way to our Mountain, Kili! The land of our people!" Fili whispered excitedly, "And you will have done it! You have faithfully guarded the secret of our quest, when telling would have most assuredly brought it's ruin."

"He will have finally proven his worth," Balin said, who had woken to catch the last bit of the conversation. His eyes shone with quiet fondness as he winked at the boys.

A sound outside the cell. But it was not the sound of small hobbit feet, nor the rustle of a certain wizard's grey robes. Kili began to tremble, and though his face remained steadfast, he swallowed.

It was the sound of returning goblins.

Author's Note: Dun-dun-duuuuunnnn! Here come the bad boys, guys, and this time we're gonna go with them when Kili does. O_O Just a quick shout-out to John Mitchell, a guest. Your reviews are appreciated, and the last one especially made me smile, when you talked about my notes and "The Majestic Jerk-Face". XD Thank you to EVERYONE who comments! I try to reply to all of them, but I've been falling behind lately. Just know that each and every one of them lends a ray of light to my day!