Previously…

Between them they had packed up the small camp and put out the fire within a few minutes. And Fíli lead the way back towards the river. "We may have a small problem" he announced once they were walking. "The rope I used to get down to you is not long enough for us to use to get back up. I may have ignored your advice earlier, but I will make no such mistake now, any ideas little brother?"

Kíli looked at his brother with barely hidden affection, "You jumped down into a river from a rope that didn't reach the ground just to get to me?" He batted his eyelashes, "My hero!" Fíli swatted his brother over the head. "Seriously Orc-breath, we still have to get to Hobbiton" His words were softened by the smile that graced his face, and the arm that moved from Kíli's head to under his arm, supporting the younger dwarf when looking up at the cliff face made his head spin.

"Maybe there is another way up brother?" remarked Kíli, not entirely keen on the idea of climbing up a rope when the world was still slightly tilted. "I dislike the idea as much as you brother, but I could see no easier way down to you, so there is not likely to be an easier way up." Nodding absently Kíli looked at the rope again. "I still have my arrows, we could embed them in the wall and use them as a step up to the rope".

Fíli looked doubtful but remembered that he had told Kíli that he would trust him. Nodding tensely he agreed. Helping Kíli pull several arrows out of his quiver and they both prepared to enter the river again. They shared a look before wading out into the cold waters, remaining standing against the steadfast current and slowly moving towards the far side. A couple of times both Fíli and Kíli nearly fell, the pebbles on the river bed shifting under their feet, but both regained their balance quickly, determined to reach the their goal. When they finally reached the cliff face Fíli took the arrows from Kíli and let his younger brother look or the best area to insert them. Over the roar of the river Kíli captured Fíli's attention and pointed to a crack in the wall thin enough to embed the arrows in but not so wide that they would fall out. Pointing the arrows so the heads were facing the wall, he drew his arm back and, one by one, rammed the arrows into the crevice.

This would allow them to reach the bottom of the rope, but only if the arrows would hold their weight. As if sensing his brother's doubt Kíli looked to Fíli and smiled ruefully. "Relax brother, I'll go first and if I fall on my face in the water, you can laugh until we reach Hobbiton." Without waiting for a reply Kíli pushed off the bottom of the riverbed, bringing his right leg up and stepping on the arrows, using his momentum to jump and grab onto the rope with both hands.

Unable to grip the rope straight away, Kíli slipped down the rope for a few seconds before able to stop himself. He smirked looking down at Fíli, who was looking up with a look of pride. "Don't say it" came the voice of the elder dwarf. "Don't say what brother?" inquired Kíli, his voice too innocent to truly be so. Shaking his head Fíli moved to where Kíli had climbed up onto the arrows, unable to hold back his laughter as Kíli yelled, "Told you so!"

Copying his brother's actions Fíli jumped up onto the arrows and leaped for the rope, but the arrows gave way beneath him and with a startled yell his leap fell short and he looked downwards towards the river ,where he was sure to end up. To his surprise however a hand wrapped around his outstretched wrist and he found himself suspended above the river once more. He looked upwards and saw Kíli holding him up, clearly struggling to support himself and Fíli on the rope. Just as Fíli was about to tell Kíli to let him go before they both fell back down, his brother spoke. "Fíli, I need you to trust me!"

Fíli couldn't help but wonder what Kíli could possibly do in this situation that wouldn't end up in disaster. But his mind shoved an image of Kíli lying still on the side of the river in front of his eyes and he found himself in the situation he was in earlier that day, with a choice in front of him. To trust Kíli and whatever plan he had concocted, or to try and get both of them out of this himself. Hesitating only for a second he met the dark brown gaze of his brother. "I trust you"

Not waiting for a second longer Kíli pulled his hand that was grasping Fíli's wrist up to be level with himself, eternally thankful for the great upper body strength that being an archer granted him. Fíli shot up to be level with Kíli, who let go with his own hand, dropping down and grabbing the end of the rope by Fíli's legs. "Kíli!" yelled Fíli when his brother dropped from his sight. "I'm fine Fíli! We're both fine, and you can yell at me for being reckless later, can we please just climb up the rope now?"

Sighing in relief Fíli began to climb the rope. Before long he reached the top and dragged himself back onto the solid ground of the road, quickly scanning the surroundings to make sure that the ponies were still there, before looking down to check Kíli's progress. His brother appeared at the top after a few moments and Fíli helped him back up to the road. They both sunk to sit on the ground, looking down at the river below them. "That was very reckless" he teased Kíli remembering his earlier words. The two burst into laughter, both at the jest and in sheer relief at their little adventure coming to an end.

Getting to his feet, Fíli offered his hand to Kíli and pulling him to his feet also, "Next time we fall into a situation like this Kíli, I promise that I will trust you, so long as you promise to try and not be entirely reckless" Kíli snorted, "I can promise to try" he replied eyes twinkling with mischief. Clapping his brother on the shoulder Fíli laughed at his reply, and the two of them made their way over to their ponies, Kíli remembering the events leading up to him falling into the river, and Fíli knowing that whatever dangers they were to face in the future, they would face them together.

After they mounted their ponies Fíli took the lead, smile on his face that was quickly wiped away as a pinecone hit him on the top of the head. He turned to look at Kíli questioningly who smirked evilly back. "That was for knocking me off my horse!"

This is the end of the story, thank you to everyone who reviewed/favourite/followed. It is much appreciated and I hope that you enjoy the final chapter.