Thorin had brought Kili some water, soothing and cold, which he drank with three long gulps. His dry, sore throat was instantly relieved. It felt like the water washed away all the fog in his mind and suddenly his thoughts were clearer and his senses sharper. He passed the cup back to his uncle with a thankful smile.

"Bombur is preparing to make food." Thorin said, taking the cup in his hands. "I'll bring some to you when it's finished."

"No." Kili shook his head.

"You have to eat, brother. You need to get your strength back," Fili paused thinking of the numerous times similar things to him over the previous days. He realised how frustrating it must have been. He sighed. "It will help you to heal."

"It's not that. I don't want you to bring me the food." Kili looked longingly towards the other campfire that seemed to glow with more warmth than his own. He saw his friends sitting around it and suddenly felt very left out and alone. "I want to eat with everyone else."

"Kili you need to stay where you are, you are still too weak to move."

"Then help me." He said, almost begging. "I don't want to sit here any longer, excluded from the others. All I'm asking is that I eat with my friends. After that I'll come back and rest." Fili and Thorin exchanged looks. "Please." Thorin sighed as was about to refuse his nephew's desperate request when Fili pulled him by the arm and leaned in close.

"Let him, uncle." He said quietly.

"He is in no condition. I will not risk him doing further injury.

"What further injury? All he wants is to eat with the company." Thorin was about to shake his head, but Fili spoke again. "Perhaps it will help him to be with friends. Perhaps it will help them," His eyes flashed quickly over to the others, all talking or offering their help to Bombur who had begun chopping vegetables. "Their spirits have been low lately." Thorin's shoulders relaxed slightly. He knew what his nephew was implying. If Kili was to sit with them, if even just to eat, no doubt he would bring some cheer to the camp. Thorin sighed and nodded.

"Very well." He said. Kili smiled instantly. "But just to eat. Then you come back here and rest."

"Of course. Thank you."

"Well let's help you up then." Fili knelt at Kili's right side and let his brother wrap his good arm around his shoulder, "put your weight on me. Uncle steady his other side." Thorin nodded and placed a hand on the left side of Kili's back and another on his waist, careful of his wounds. They counted to three and rose to their feet, lifting Kili with them. Kili bit back a cry of pain, instead it escaped as a low groan.

"Are you alright?" Fili asked him once they were stood. Kili simply nodded, determined push the aches and pains away.

Bofur was in the middle of peeling a potato, something he wasn't particularly neat at doing, when he heard footsteps approaching over the sounds of chattering voices. He looked up and saw a sight that stopped his activity and caused him to stand with a great smile. It was Kili, helped by Fili and Thorin.

"What a sight to behold!" He said, he wanted to give the young dwarf a warm hug but held back and offered his warmest, most cheerful smile. Others began to rise to their feet around him and it seemed that within seconds the air was lighter.

"Our dear Kili." Balin's joyful voice said, as he stepped forward, "How good it is to see you on your feet again."

"Not quite." Kili smiled, wincing slightly as he took another shaky and aided step. He sucked in a deep breath to hide the pain. "But it is good to be with you all again. Besides, I didn't want to miss anymore of Bombur's soup." At this Bombur looked up from where he was still sat, if it wasn't for all the half peeled vegetables on his lap he too would have stood at his friend's approach, he smiled.

"It shan't be long. I'll make sure you get extra!"

"Well he can't eat standing up. Sit down lad." Balin said. Sitting down was harder and more painful than standing. His ribs screamed and the wounds caused by the warg's teeth burned like hot led. Kili could feel his fists balling into the fabric of Fili's coat as he was lowered gently to the ground. He held his breath and didn't make any noise – however in his mind he crying out in pain. Fili could tell that the movement was hurting his brother, even if he didn't make a sound. He could feel his brother's muscles stiffen, feel his nails dig into the fabric on his soulder, and hear the heavy breath that he drew in. They were both relived when Kili was sat on the ground, back against the side of a smooth grey rock. Any discomfort that Kili had been feeling was soon forgotten as he began to converse with his friends, he felt like he hadn't seen them in a very long time and was glad to be in their presence again. Bofur had come to sit beside him, Fili was sat at his left side – as though protecting his injuries. The toymaker looked as cheerful as ever and had even removed his hat and placed it atop Kili's head.

"The hat that started this whole damn thing," he had said. Kili had never worn it before and could see why Bofur liked it - the fur inside was very warm, in fact it wasn't long before it was too warm and Kili passed it back.

Soon the air was full of talking and laughter, the events of the last few days seemed like a distant memory. There was jokes and singing and joy from each person, even Thorin's face was alight with happiness. There was also the sweet, homely aroma of soup that warmed the senses. Kili felt like it was the first thing he had eaten in years and, for once, he was the first to finish (it was usually Bomber or Gloin.) He would have asked for more but decided against it. Then looking down at his empty bowl his shoulders slumped, he had finished and it was time to return to his bed and rest, as was his promise. He looked at Thorin, who was sat beside Fili, staring at him.

"Do not worry," his uncle said with a smile, "You may stay here until you feel the need to sleep."

"But I thought …"

"It doesn't matter. Your presence has made everyone happy, because that's the effect you have. Look at their smiles, nephew." Kili's eyes took in the face of all his companions, glee so bright and obvious in their expressions. Their eyes beaming with such happiness that all worry was banished from their thoughts. "I haven't seen smiles so big and so full of joy in days. Their spirits are lifted, because of you. I don't think anyone else is capable of bringing such joy and warmth. Stay with us for as long as you feel able."

"Thank you," was all Kili was able to say back. He couldn't recall the last time his uncle's words made him feel so content. Thorin watched as Kili was pulled in close to Fili, who ruffled his dark hair. The brothers broke into laughter, and so did everyone else. Their happiness in so infectious, Thorin thought just as a wave of peace washed over him. He watched his nephews with a smile upon his lips, grateful to have them both beside him. They were brothers with a bond stronger than any mountain and deeper than any cave. Kili, the brother who always smiled, and Fili, the brother who would never let him stop.

The end.

- AN

So that's it. Finished. Completed. Ended. And I don't know whether to feel good (its taken up most of my free time for the last two weeks) or sad because I've truly enjoyed writing it

Either way, I'm very very grateful for all the wonderfully kind reviews I've received, I'm glad that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

I've uploaded a new chapter every night, which is a big deal for me because any other fan fic I've wrote has taken forever to be updated.

My goal during this was to reach 10,000 views, and as I post this part, I'm nearing 12,500 so im very happy!

Thank you all for sticking with me and this story. I hope to write another Fili - Kili story soon (as I just love them so much)

You guys rock!