Author's Note: I know, you're all like "Whaaaat? It's not Monday or Friday! What's she doing posting on here?" Actually, it's my brother's birthday and I'm feeling celebratory and magnanimous, so you all benefit from it! :D A little surprise update today, guys. And yes, the normal one will take place on Friday as usual. Enjoy! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AMAZING LITTLE BROTHER. *throws confetti*

Disclaimer: If I owned Fili, Kili, or any other of these characters, I would be attend the premier showing of "The Battle of Five Armies" with all the amazing actors and Peter Jackson. Which I can't. So I don't.

Goblin's Laughter and Vanishing Burglars

"I can get us to him. It's a fairly direct route from the Goblin's court to the dungeons," Fili whispered to the hobbit, "But you will need to lead us out."

Bilbo nodded to show he understood, but he was watching the path ahead of them and the rest of the company intently. A sharp curve in the tunnel lay just ahead. The perfect opportunity to slip away.

"Slow down," he told Fili.

Bofur glanced behind him. It was a habit he'd formed since the beginning of the journey; to make sure their burglar was still there and keeping up alright. But this time, there was no burglar. He and Fili hadn't come around that last bend. Bofur dashed back to the turn, and saw Fili and Bilbo hurrying in the opposite direction, swords out. Bofur gave a single backward glance at the company, and then followed.

"Just what are you two doin'?" Bofur called in a hushed voice once he'd caught up near enough behind them. He ran the last few steps to walk between them. Fili looked over at him, but didn't slow.

"I don't care what Thorin said. I'm Kili's brother, and I'm going to do this. Don't try to stop us, Bofur."

"Stop you? Oh, no, I'm coming with," Bofur corrected, in his cheerful Scotch accent. Bilbo looked over at him with surprised relief, and Fili's eyes glinted dangerously even as his step quickened and boldened. One more armed dwarf added to the rescue party.

Suddenly Fili sprang back, throwing his arm out to stop Bilbo and Bofur from walking right into some goblins.

Cautiously, they peered around the corner to take stock of the situation. The tunnel they were in, leading from the dungeon, opened out onto the wooden walks and tiers lining the walls of the main cavern. Fili knew that the platform forming the King's court and holding his throne was set in the middle, but at the moment he couldn't see it. A crowd of goblins barred his view; apparently a spectacle was in progress, for their backs were all to the little rescue party and the slimy little things seemed too absorbed to notice them.

A half choked cry of agony rent the air and ricocheted off the stone walls, magnifying it. It was followed by words, and Fili's heart clenched.

"No…no! Please! No…no, NO!"

"What are they doing to him?" Bilbo asked, afraid of the answer.

"Sh," Bofur shushed him, unceremoniously, "I don't know. We can't see, either."

The goblins chortled, and then elbowed each other for silence. The King was now talking. The acoustics of the place enabled Fili, Bilbo, and Bofur to hear everything said.

"Maybe you haven't understood my question up to now. Dwarves are remarkably thick-skulled after all. So I'll say it again, very plainly: tell me what your business here is, or I'll hurt you again. And I'll keep hurting you until you do. Do you understand what I'm saying, Kili?"

Fili didn't hear a reply, but Kili must have given some indication in the affirmative, because the goblins snickered nastily.

"Goooooood," the King drawled, crooningly, "Now tell me what I want to know."

There was a short silence. Fili unknowingly held his breath, as did Bilbo. Bofur chewed his fingernails, eyes wide.

"Come on, tell me," the Goblin said, in a sickening coax. There was another brief second of silence, and then low, hoarse sobs met Fili's ears. The Goblin allowed it for a moment, and then spoke. Fili could hear the grin in his voice.

"Too bad. It's your order, you know. Again."

Fili's fists tightened around his twin blades as Kili's shouts of torment once more filled the cavern, and he ground his teeth until they hurt. What could he do? Now that he was here, he didn't really know.

Why did they have to display the prisoner like that? Make such a show? Things would be vastly simplified if Kili was in a little torture chamber somewhere; Fili and Bofur could easily dispatch five or six of the little needlers, grab Kili, and follow Bilbo out before anyone knew what was happening. As it was, his hands were tied. There were too many goblins between him and his brother. There was no possible way to get closer without being seen, and if he attempted to hack his way through, Kili would loose his head far before he reached him.

Oh, the goblins were laughing. Laughing. Fili couldn't think. Fury, fear, and his brother's cries clashed in his mind, defying any coherent or productive processes from occurring in his brain.

"That's Kili, alright," Bofur said nervously, hushed, as if he'd held out a hope that perhaps it was someone else they heard and had finally been convinced who's voice it was, "What's the plan?"

"I don't know! I'm trying to think of one," Fili whispered harshly back.

Bofur suddenly stiffened and his eyes darted to and fro.

"Where's Bilbo?"

Fili looked around. But the hobbit was nowhere to be seen.

Author's Note: Yes, I do really know what's happening to Kili and no, I'm not having it happen off-screen to cover up a weak plot. ;) You'll all see what's happening from Kili's Point of View next chapter, on Friday. So stay tuned! Also, here's a little hint to other writers: if you review, there's a much bigger chance I'll check out your pages and read some of your stuff. Not because I'm discriminatory but just because it's easier for me to find you if your name and link is actually dropped in my inbox. :) And thanks to ALL OF YOU who have reviewed so far! You are totally awesome. And for those of you who asked. Yes. More Kili whump on the way. :D