Big thanks to JustASwedishFan, lillieberry for following/favouriting.

Celebrisilweth – Yeah I hate it when they are apart.

Rachetg – When I watch the film I have to hide behind a cushion during the spider scene!

Nice Egan – Devastated is putting it mildly I think. And no he isn't….or is he?

One King to Another

The company all breathed sighs of relief as they were led out of Mirkwood. However; as she saw the huge palace that stood before them Fira's happiness dimmed ever so slightly. Behind her she could hear the grunts of the dwarves as they were dragged along the bridge. Mithiel gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and Fira nodded. The two elves standing on either side pushed them forward as the palace doors opened. Inside the huge corridor was dimly lit but Fira could make out huge branches on the walls, curled around each other intricately. As the doors were shut behind them she bit her lip. They had traded one prison for another.

"Fira!"

Turning round Fira gasped as Kili ran into her. Hugging him tightly she realised that the dwarves were being untied and many were glaring at the elves. Only Fili kept his eyes on the ground and she realised he was hugging the sheath that had once held his swords. Kili took her face in his hands and pressed hurried kisses to her lips.

"Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"

Shaking her head Fira gripped his arms. Kili swayed slightly before standing up properly.

"Kili are you alright?"

He nodded and Fira shook her head, "Don't be stubborn for me Kili!"

He paused, "My leg's in agony. But I'll be fine."

Nodding Fira curled an arm around his waist as the elves led them through the palace. As thy walked up a huge flight of steps the light started to get brighter and brighter. Huge trees sprung out at random intervals and it was these which the stairs were wrapped around. Fira made sure she was on the edge as they climbed and every so often Kili kissed her hand. No one said anything as they were led along a thin bridge before being forced up a small flight of stone steps onto a round platform. In many ways Fira was reminded of Rivendell. But as her eyes strayed upwards she knew they would get no hospitality here. At the other end of the platform was a huge flight of steps. At the top of these sat a huge throne made out of branches. A tall, blonde elf in a silver gown sat there, his crown of branches and thorns sitting on his head. Fira let Kili pull her close as the elf got to his feet and began to ascend the steps.

"What do we have here? A company of thirteen dwarves, a dwarf girl and an elf?"

Fira frowned. That wasn't right. Where was Bilbo? As subtly as she could she did a quick head count and her stomach dropped. Nudging Kili she brought her lips to his ear.

"Bilbo's missing!" She hissed. His eyes widened by the smallest of fractions and he nodded.

"Good," he whispered, "Maybe he can help us."

Had this been several months ago Fira would have doubted it. But Bilbo had been the biggest surprise of this whole quest and it wouldn't have shocked her if he ended up saving their backsides on several other occasions. Nodding Fira glanced up as the elf stood in front of the company.

"Thorin Oakenshield!" He gave a mocking bow and Fira stood back to let Thorin through. Even with the dirt and webbing Thorin looked more like a king than ever.

"Thranduil," he spat.

Thranduil nodded, "What were you doing trespassing on my lands?"

"We were not trespassing," Thorin said, "We got lost from the path."

Fira took the time to look at Kili. His eyes flickered and she realised he was having to lean on her for support. Gently shaking him she patted his face.

"Kili? Kili open your eyes!"

He blinked at her in confusion, "Fira?"

Fira shook her head, "You're seeing a healer. No it's not up for discussion."

She then turned her attentions back to the two kings who were still talking. Thranduil's eyes then landed on her.

"Bring the girls to me."

"Keep ye filthy hands off them!" Dwalin growled. Fira meanwhile eased Kili's hands away and followed Mithiel up the steps. As Thranduil peered into her eyes she fought the urge to look away. However the king seemed more interested in Mithiel than her.

"A half elf! From Rivendell I presume?"

Mithiel nodded and Fira glanced over her shoulder. Fili's eyes never left the girls figure and she knew if Thranduil made the wrong move nothing would stop Fili from jumping in. Thranduil nodded.

"See these two are given refreshment and suitable accommodation. The elf will be sent back to Rivendell."

"And the other one?" Legolas asked. Thranduil sighed.

"I am not sure," he peered closely at Fira, "You come from the far North that much I can tell," he waved his hand, "I will decide what to do with you later."

Fira said nothing as she and Mithiel were ushered down the steps. Legolas bowed to Thranduil.

"And the dwarves?"

"Lock them in the dungeons. I will decide their fate later on," he then cleared his throat and faced Fira and Mithiel.

"I should warn you now that your actions from now on will determine how your…friends are treated. Should you try and escape it will only end badly for them."

As the dwarves were being forced down the steps Fira tried to move and grab hold of Kili. However Legolas wrapped his arms around her to hold her back. Both Fili and Kili were fighting at the elves but for once Fira didn't care about Fili. Instead she watched as Kili tried to push a guard aside only for his whole body to shake. As he fell to the floor Fira couldn't help herself.

"Kili!"

Fili knelt by his brother and tapped his face. Kicking Legolas in the shin Fira ran and knelt by Kili's body. Fili shook him gently.

"Kee? C'mon Kee wake up!" He glared at Fira, "What's wrong with him!"

Fira shook her head before her eyes moved to Kili's thigh. She could see the hole where the spider had stabbed him.

"I think the spider poisoned him," turning round she gave Legolas a pleading smile.

"Please help him! Please!"

To her surprise he nodded instantly and knelt down. Slinging Kili over his shoulder he began walking away. Fili tried to follow when another elf began pushing him down the steps.

"No," he kicked out, "Please let me go with him!"

Fira gripped Mithiel's hand, unable to do anything but watch as tears fell down Fili's face.

"He's my little brother. Please let me go with him!"

He managed to push the elfs arm away and began running after Legolas. However the guard quickly regained his sense and hit Fili over the head with his sword hilt. Fira heard Mithiel scream as Fili fell to the floor. The girl tried to reach him but was dragged away.

"No! No wait…Fili!"

As she too was dragged along Fira watched Fili's unconscious figure be picked up and carried away. The elf holding Mithiel was doing his best to restrain her whilst Fira herself refused to go down without a fight. As they passed the infirmary she saw Kili being laid out on a bed.

"Wait," she looked over at her guard, "Please let me stay with him! I'm his One. You must understand that?"

He didn't answer and she dropped to her knees, "Please I'm begging you!"

"Let her see him."

Fira smiled at Legolas who pulled her to her feet. Giving Mithiel a reassuring smile Fira followed the blonde elf into the infirmary. Kili lay on a single bed and as his head moved from side to side Fira wormed her way to his side. Taking his hand she pressed it to her lips. Kili licked his lips and forced his eyes open.

"Fira..? Where's…where's Fili?"

Biting her lip Fira glared at Legolas before smiling at Kili.

"He's waiting for you outside."

It wasn't exactly a lie as such. But she couldn't tell him the truth. Not when he was so weak. Nodding Kili shut his eyes and Fira bit back her cry as Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He isn't seriously wounded. He should make a full recovery."

Nodding Fira smiled up at the elf, "May I stay until I know he is out of danger?"

Legolas nodded, "Of course. I will have food brought to you."

As the healers carried on with their work Fira sat down by Kili and gently stroked his forehead. His eyes screwed up and he began muttering under his breath. Fira kissed his cheek softly.

"It's alright Kili. I'm here for you now. I'm here."

Thorin banged on the door of his cell as the elves finally left them. Peering out through the bars he watched as the rest of his company did likewise. But whilst their minds were filled with escape his mind was filled with the five missing members. He hadn't seen Bilbo since the spiders had attacked. For all he knew the hobbit could be lying dead in the forest. Thorin shook his head to dispel that thought. Bilbo was far tougher than he had expected. If anyone could survive that forest it was him. As for Fira and Mithiel… they were at the very least alive and not locked in a cell like he was. But how to get them out was the next question.

Then there were Fili and Kili.

Thorin had caught sight of his youngest nephew collapsing before the elves had ushered him away. He shook his head; remembering his sister pleas not to let Fili and Kili go. How he had promised he would protect them and keep them safe. A fine job he had done so far! Biting his lip Thorin rested his head on the bars. Kili hadn't been brought down here so he had to assume he was being looked after. Which just left Fili. Maybe he had gone with his brother?

"Thorin!"

At Dwalin's cry, Thorin looked up. As he saw the elf walking down the steps he clenched his fists. However, as the elf got closer he realised they were carrying someone. As he saw Fili lying in the elf's arms Thorin's blood ran cold. His nephew didn't move as the elf knelt by an open cell and placed him inside.

"COWARD!" Banging on his cell door Thorin watched as the elf locked Fili in before moving towards his own cell. It was only seconds however before anger gave way to worry.

"What happened? Is my nephew alright?"

The elf gave a curt nod, "He just hit his head. He will come round shortly."

Thorin took a step back as his cell door was unlocked. The elf sighed.

"Thranduil wishes to see you."

Nodding Thorin stepped out of the cell and hurried to the one where Fili lay. Peering through the bars he watched his nephews face scrunch up and his eyes flicker open. Breathing a sigh of relief Thorin allowed the elf to lead him away.

Thranduil looked down at the filthy, web covered figure of Thorin Oakenshield who stood before him,

"Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand. A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon," he glanced at Thorin who glowered at him. Undeterred Thranduil carried on, "I myself suspect a more prosaic motive: attempted burglary or something of that ilk."

He got to his feet and made his way down the steps towards the dwarf,

"You would seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule. The Kings jewel – the Arknestone. It is precious to you beyond measure. I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I to desire. White gems of pure starlight." He gave a small bow of his head, "I offer you my help,"

Thorin raised an eyebrow and allowed a smile to creep on to his face, "I am listening,"

"I will let you go, if you but return what is mine,"

"A favour for a favour," Thorin mused. Thranduil nodded,

"One king to another. You have my word."

Thorin looked up at the elven king with pure hate in his eyes,

"I would not trust Thranduil, the great king, to honour his word should the end of all days be upon us!" he yelled, jabbing a finger at the king, "You lack all honour! I have seen how you treat your friends! We came to you once, starving, homeless, seeking your help and you turned your back! You turned away from the suffering of my people and from the inferno that destroyed us. Imrid amrad ursul!"

"Do not talk to me of dragon fire! I know it's wrath and ruin!" Thranduil hissed, "I have faced the great serpents of the North!"

Thorin watched in horror as the kings face began to change before his eyes. One side was covered in huge red burns, his left eye a milky whiteness. Thranduil stepped back as his face returned to its usual state,

"I warned your grandfather of what his greed would summon but he would not listen. You are just like him." He waved a hand and two guards grabbed Thorin roughly, "Stay here if you will and rot. A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an elf. I am patient. I can wait," he sat down on his throne as his guards roughly dragged Thorin down the steps towards the dungeons. The rest of the company watched as their king was pushed into a cell,

"Did he offer you a deal?" Balin asked quietly. Thorin grinned wickedly,

"He did. I told him he could ish kakhfe ai'd dur rugun!" Balin shook his head as Thorin yelled, "Him and all his kin!"

"Well that's that then. A deal was out only hope," Balin sat down dejectedly but Thorin shook his head,

"Not our only hope,"

Fira lay curled up next to Kili as the last of the healers shut the door on them. The venom had been drained from his body and now all she had to do was wait until he woke up. Sighing Fira rested her head on his chest and pulled his arm around her body.

"Fira?"

At his voice Fira glanced up. Kili gave her a thin smile and she wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you alright?"

He nodded, "My leg still hurts but I'm fine," he caressed her cheek, "What about you. Did they hurt you?"

Shaking her head Fira curled up against him. She knew the second the elves realised Kili was awake they would be separated again. Kili seemed to be thinking this to because he hugged her tightly.

"If you get the chance," he whispered, "Run. Don't try and free us; just get out of here."

"You know I would never leave you."

He nodded, "Sadly I do know it."

Fira brushed her lips across Kili's as he pulled her into his lap. Allowing him to tangle his fingers in her hair she pressed her lips to his; melting against him as he pressed his body against hers. Kili moved his lips down her neck.

"I bet," Fira gasped, "I bet when you left Ered Luin you didn't think this would happen!"

Pulling away Kili smiled at her, running her hair through his fingers.

"You're right," he leant back and pulled Fira down with him.

"But I always did love surprises."

Fira covered his lips with hers as the door opened. Breaking apart she clung to Kili even though she knew it would do no good. Sure enough arms grabbed her and pulled her away. As one of the healers examined Kili, Fira squirmed in Legolas's grip. The healer nodded.

"He will be alright."

"Very well," Legolas's face was unmoving, "Put him with the others."

As Kili was half helped and half dragged out of his bed Fira's fighting continued. Kili gave her a weak smile.

"I'll be fine my love. Just remember what I said."

Nodding Fira watched as Kili was led from the room. Craning her neck to look at Legolas she shot him a glare.

"Well? Going to take me to my own prison now are you? Or would you rather knock me unconscious?"

To her surprise the elf sighed.

"The way things were handled with the blonde dwarf was wrong. My men know better than to react with such violence. He has been punished."

"Oh," Fira licked her lips, "Okay."

Legolas let go of her arm and gave her an awkward bow.

"My father wishes to see you."

"I take it it's not a request?"

Legolas shook his head and Fira sighed. Taking the elf's arm she allowed him to lead her down the corridors.

At the first chance she got she would get the others out.

So finally the company get to meet Thranduil! And poor Fili! Poor everyone actually! But at least Kili is out of danger. Should be an interesting chat with Thranduil and Fira though. Let me know what you all think xxx