Note from the Author: Here's my first Hobbit fiction to post on here! I'm kind of obsessed with the Durin boys, so yeah. :P I realize it's something that's been done a billion times, but I couldn't help myself. It's about forty or fifty chapters, I think. I'll be updating every Monday and Friday, hopefully. You guys lemme know your thoughts!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the beautiful character created by Tolkien and breathed life into by Peter Jackson. I am only a star-struck admirer. :D

Ch. 1

"Very well, if you won't talk, we'll make you squawk! Start with the youngest."

The Goblin King fixed his gaze on Ori, who shrank back horrified. The King laughed, the lust of terrible things in his eyes. Kili shoved in front of Ori.

"Kili, what are you-" Fili asked.

Thorin sent him a thunderous warning look.

"Don't, Kili."

The Goblin King paused, following this exchange with curiosity. Kili gazed at his uncle and brother a moment, conveying with his expression an apology for what he was about to do. But even more terrifying to Fili was the subtler meaning in his baby brother's look. It was a goodbye.

"No," Fili whispered. Then he yelled it. "Kili, NO!"

Kili calmly turned back to the Goblin King, defiance and determination smoldering in his eyes even as his lip curled in a mocking sneer.

"You are a poor judge of age, goblin. I am the youngest of the company by a full three years."

The Great Goblin laughed gleefully, stepping down off his throne and walking circles around Kili, looking him up and down with great interest.

"Well! This IS fortunate. So much more attractive than the other one; it's always nicer to break a handsome one. Has a stronger effect on spectators, as well, I have observed. But I must be fair, mustn't I? It's the duty of a King." He sighed dramatically, and Kili spat a curse word that shocked Fili. He had never heard his little brother talk that way. The Goblin King clucked reprovingly and shook his grotesque head.

"Such language from such a young mouth! There are young goblins present! We might have to do something about that later. Teach you some new words…like 'ouch'." The King's face slid into a wicked smile, before he continued. "But first, I'll give you the same chance I offered the other one. Tell me where you are going, and perhaps no one will be hurt. If you choose not to tell, you most certainly will be hurt. And let me assure you we could come up with some pretty imaginative ways to squeeze something out of you...what was it your tawny friend called you? Kili?"

"Shut up, and don't use my name," Kili said, contemptuously. "Anyway, have you heard nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?"

The Goblin King leaned in close to Kili's face and put an arm around his shoulders, pulling him near. He whispered conspiratorially, "Between you and me, I haven't, Kili. But I look forward to your demonstration."

Fili couldn't stand it.

"Don't you touch my brother!"

"Oh, he's your little brother? I bet you are close...feeling protective older-sibling instincts kicking in about now, aren't you? Nice to know. Might come in handy later. But for now I need some time with the brave, young, famously-stubborn dwarfling. You won't mind if I borrow him for awhile? We'll have a little chat, and we'll bring him to you in the dungeons when we're done, fair enough?"

He snapped his fingers and a swarm of goblins descended on the company, pushing, shoving, dragging, striking out with whips...anything to overwhelm the distraught captives and bully them along.

"No! Wait! Stop! Please, don't hurt my brother...KILI!" Fili's scream was frantic. He fought to keep the dark-haired young archer in sight, but he was swept and hustled further and further away, goblins and other dwarves obscuring his view. The last he saw was the Great Goblin's filthy hands stripping the sturdy leather coat from Kili. The coat Fili had given him as a gift at the start of the quest. It had been Kili's birthday the day they left. Fili screamed one more agonizing time, and his little brother was lost to sight.

Another Author's Note: Yeah, so sorry that one was a bit short. But that really was the best stopping-place. :-D I'll get the next part up, soon!