Chapter 1-

The sun broke through the clouds and fog and illuminated the battle field below. Everywhere there were dead or dying men, elves, and dwarves, some in groups, others stretched out on the ground where they had tried to flee the carnage. There were orcs and goblins as well, their foul blood mixing with the other's and turning the ground into mud. The carrion birds already circled in the skies overhead, waiting for an opportune time to land and begin their feast. Illea watched all this with a calloused gaze as she scanned the battlefield. She knew that he must be nearby, her spy had assured her of this. But where?

She frowned at the ground and at her delicate slippers and then gave a shrug and stepped onto the battlefield. Her eyes constantly scanned the area as she moved between the bodies, ignoring the groans and calls of the wounded. There! She caught a flash of sunlight reflecting off of chain mail in a nearby hollow. She crested the rim and looked down; there he was, just as she knew he would be. Thorin Oakenshield lay with his back against a rock, seeming to have fallen where he made his final stand. The bodies of half a dozen orcs lay around him, and his armor was rent in several places by their frenzied final blows. Blood still oozed from an arrow protruding from his leg and his left arm hung at an awkward angle. Illea walked to his side, stepping on the bodies surrounding him, and put a hand to his brow and closed her eyes. She gave a small frown and then smiled. There was his life force, small and dim as it may be it was there. And where there was life, there was hope. Hope for her plan to succeed.

Kili gave a groan as consciousness returned to him. Where was he? And more importantly, where was Fili... and Uncle! He tried to sit up, but instantly regretted it as a sharp pain lanced through his head.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you", said a familiar voice.

"Gandalf?" Kili croaked.

"Yes, I am here lad. And to answer your inevitable next question, Fili is just fine. He took an arrow to the leg, but he will survive. I finally sent him to rest. He has been at your side ever since they found you."

"Found me?"

"Yes," answered Gandalf. "You were missing for sometime after the battle. It nearly took Bofur sitting on Fili before he would let us tend to his wound before looking for you."

"What happened to me? I can't remember."

"Well," said Gandalf. "We were hoping you could enlighten us. Kili says that the last he saw of you, you were heading after Thorin. He went to follow, and that is when he was wounded. Do you remember what happened Kili?" Kili closed his eyes and tried to remeber what had happened to him.

"I... I rememeber the battle. Fili and I were fighting together, like always. Thorin was with us, but then... Then he left...I followed him but we were cut off by orcs. There were at least a dozen of them... they seemed to have been waiting for Thorin. Almost an ambush... I tried to reach him but then one of the orcs bashed me over the head with his club and... that's it Gandalf. That's all I can remeber. Surely Thorin can tell you the rest?" He looked at the wizard hopefully, but Gandalf gave a sad smile.

"That's the trouble Kili. We have been unable to find Thorin anywhere. We have had search parties looking, but the battlefield has been cleared and there is still no sign." Kili paled at this.

"You think's he dead, don't you Gandalf?" Kili asked. He felt his temper rising, "Well, he's not dead! He wouldn't leave Fili and me like that! You were always quick to doubt him Gandalf, to leave us at the first opportunity. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that you give up on him so readily. He's..." Kili's voice broke with tears, "he's not dead. He... he can't be". Kili looked at Gandalf, his eyes red with tears. Gandalf opened his arms and held the young dwarf as he wept.

So here's the first chapter! I hope you all enjoy it! Let me know what you would like to see happen and what you think of this first chapter.