Hello! I'm really sorry for being so late! Real life is majorly getting in the way of ff, so I really apologise! I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Onwards...

Fili's eyes shot open at the sudden scrambling, scuffling noise to his left. He looked about in the rapidly gathering darkness of the room, trying to spot what was making the noise. His eyes gradually settled on a large black rat scuttling about in the corner, his claws clattering on the stone floor.

He sighed, flexing his sore hands that were still tied behind him, and moving his face to try and loosen the gag.

He had been alone now for what felt like hours, and it probably had been- the men who had taken him were nowhere to be seen, and for that he was grateful, but he couldn't help wondering what they were doing if they weren't with him...

His feet were like blocks of ice, and his nose felt like it was going to drop off any second- the nights were certainly quite cold in this part of the world. He sat further in his chair to quell his aching lower back; he sure wasn't used to sitting in an upright position for hours on end.

An owl hooted somewhere nearby, the sudden sound making Fili's very nerves jump in anticipation- what was happening now? What had befallen the others? Had they found Kili yet? The last question running through his mind made him groan under his breath.

He craned his neck to peer out of the small open window; the moon was bright this night, but not bright enough to offer him hope. His stomach rumbled, the slight pain making him wince- he licked his dry lips, dehydrated from lack of moisture and fresh water.

A sudden noise to his left made him turn, his wrists brushing against the thick rope that bound him to the chair. He looked over into the darkness, eyes straining to see the cause. He hoped it wasn't the rat again.

The bare wall seemed to close in on him in the gloom, but as far as he could see, there was nothing in that area at all.

Suddenly, the door crashed open, sending two rats scuttling for the door- silhouetted against the moonlight, a man stood. Bein said nothing, and Fili offered no noise.

He moved into the room, shutting the door behind him before going to sit down at the small table near the window, where he took out his blade. Fili watched as he took out a whetstone and began using it to polish his blade, the sound sharp in the silence.

'My family went hungry tonight,' he finally said, voice cutting, 'again.' He looked up at Fili for the first time since he arrived, eyes narrowed. 'Your little group are yet to reply to my message.' He stated, teeth bared in a now familiar sardonic smile.

Fili looked down, unwilling to trade more pointless words with this maniac. He looked up with a jolt as Bein slammed his whetstone on the table, looking at him with piercing eyes.

'I warned you what I would do...' He whispered, almost to himself than to Fili, who was now paying the closest of attentions. He stood, his chair scraping back on the stone floor.

'...maybe they need more...persuading.' He said, taking out his dirk and advancing on Fili.

Fili shook his head with wide eyes, arching his body to the side as Bein stepped towards him, blade glinting in the moonlight. ' I guess something as trivial as hair isn't enough to show them we mean business,' he muttered, standing in front of Fili with a mad look in his eyes.

'... But what about an eye?' He mused nonchalantly, his head cocked to one side. '...or an ear?'

He bent forwards and pushed the gag from Fili's mouth; the dwarf said nothing, not even to beg. Instead he stared at the man as his eyes roved his face, mouth open slightly.

'How about a tongue?' Bein whispered, using his dirk to trace Fili's top lip. 'All you dwarves do is lie anyway...who would miss your tongue?'

'Please,' Fili finally said, tears forming in the corners of his eyes, 'please...'

'Its not your fault- it's the group you're with!' Bein growled, standing back. 'They don't care enough about you to even try and come for your aid!'

'Give them more time!' Fili begged, shaking his head, 'you haven't given them enough time to-'

The slap echoed off the walls with a crack- Bein stepped back, wringing his stinging hand. 'I've given them ample time!' He spat, shaking his head, 'they've forgotten you!'

Fili said nothing once more, knowing better now than to argue. He sat back, face stoic facing the wall, cheek stinging once more. This seemed to placate Bein, who returned to the table and his whetstone.

After a while, Fili's raging thirst was beginning to overpower him. He didn't want to, but he had no choice but to ask his captor for a small mercy. 'Please,' he started, eyes wide as Bein turned sharply towards him. 'Can I have some water? I...' His voice trailed off as Bein stood, face impassive. Without answering he walked to the door, slamming it behind him, leaving Fili in a surprised silence. What had just happened? Was this a trick?

Sunlight began to replace moonlight, the fresh orange and yellow tones a stark contrast to the misery of the night. Fili eventually came to the conclusion that this was a trick...Bein wasn't going to get him water, he was just prolonging his suffering.

A twig crunched underfoot outside, but Fili knew better than to hope; he was alone. It was probably Bein back with his two cronies, bringing with them water aplenty for themselves yet none for him. He would have spat if he had the saliva.

He closed his eyes as footsteps approached the door, unwilling to look upon their smug faces as they opened the door.

The door creaked open, and he still closed his eyes- his perceived insolence would probably earn a blow, but now he was past caring. Footsteps hurried on the stone floor, to the window, just as Fili expected; Bein was back to finish the sharpening and polishing of his prized blade...

A curse in Khuzdul made him snap his eyes open.

A hand shot out, holding his shoulder and squeezing it- the brown eyes of his brother stared at him. His heart shot into his mouth, and his lips moved open and closed like a dumb fish, totally unknowing of what to say. 'K-Kili...' He finally managed, throat dry.

'Its me! I'm alright...' Kili muttered, knowing full well what was running through his big brother's mind. 'Lets get you out of here...' He added, slashing his bonds with his dagger- Fili looked to his side to see Thorin at the window, keeping watch.

'This is too easy...' He whispered in his deep voice, fingers laced on his blade.

'We have him now! Let's just get back to the others and we can get out of this place...' Kili replied, untiring the rag from Fili's mouth and gingerly helping him stand.

Fili was still staring at him, unwilling to believe...was this a trick of the eye? Had Bein access to magic the world had not yet seen? Was he testing him?

'Kili...' He whispered again, reaching out and touching his forearm, heart skipping as his hand fell on flesh and bone, not shadow or mist. 'How...?'

'We can talk later!' Thorin muttered, eyes roving his nephew. He noted with a growl the various bruises and red marks on his face, but was more than relived to see he was mostly unhurt.

They were about to turn and walk through the door when a chuckle emanated from the doorway. Fili froze, almost turning to sit back down, knowing what was coming- instead he stood in front of his brother, fingers lacing into his sleeve. Thorin puffed out his chest in front of them, facing Bein with eyes ablaze.

'If you let us leave without issue, we will give you none in return.' He bargained, voice fiery but contained.

Bein laughed deep in his throat, before shaking his head. Two shadows fell in behind him- the two men who helped capture Fili, Kili noted immediately.

'Oh, you dwarves...' He snorted, voice low. 'What will it take for your race to learn?'

Fili stepped backwards, pulling Kili back...he knew what was coming- he had to get Kili out of here...

'Kili, run!' He shouted, taking hold of his chair and launching it at the three men, pushing his brother to the side. 'Get out of here!'

Kili stumbled, grabbing Fili's sleeve too, pulling him with him- only for Fili to wrench backwards, ripping it from his grasp. 'Go! I'll be right beside you!'

But it was too late- Bein stepped to the side, narrowly avoiding the splintered chair. 'Shouldn't have done that, He growled, his fellow men jumping in front, catching Thorin in the jaw with a punch, sending him careening to the floor before advancing of the brothers.

'Oh, you really shouldn't have done that...'

Uh oh, so the rescue didn't entirely go to plan...find out what happens next soon!

I was trying to channel my inner Ramsay Snow ( a particularly nasty character from Game of Thrones) for Bein, so I hope he's sufficiently creepy/nasty for you!

Please review!

I promise the next chapter will be up soon!