I have finally finished the epilogue that you have all been waiting for! I truly apologize for how incredibly long it took me to get this done. I had probably the hardest semester of college yet, which took up a lot of my time. I also reached a new higher level in my Irish dancing and that took up the rest of what little time I had. I didn't want to just finish something quickly and not give you all the epilogue you deserve, so I waited until I could write what I truly wanted. I hope you all enjoy the end to Unbreakable Bonds and to all of you who are seeing The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug tonight; know that I am extremely jealous of you! Oh, right and have fun. Let me know what you think of the epilogue after you finish reading it! Thank you for all of your reviews and support! Enjoy :)

Epilogue

Winter approached the dwarves of Ered Luin rapidly and as many prepared for the possibility of harsh winter weather; one young dwarf found himself seeking solace at a meadow overlooking The Blue Mountains. The warmth of the sun unrestricted by clouds gave the illusion of a hot summer's day, but the biting cold of the wind as it blew through the almost barren trees told of a different story. Slowly a single red leaf was ripped from its tree and carried careful on the cold bitter wind, drifting peacefully until it landed on the lone dwarf's shoulder sling.

Kili sat alone on the crunchy dying grass in front of a sturdy tall tree. The young dwarf's face held tiny scabbed over cuts, and circling around his neck was a massive fading bruise. Absently, Kili traced his fingertips through his mother's name carved neatly into a piece of stone; that was then placed carefully in the ground beneath the impressive tree, marking her final resting place; his back facing his home.

The dark-haired dwarf was clearly lost in thought as he stared blankly ahead; not feeling the wind bite through the flimsy fabric of his red tunic. The neckline shifting to reveal some still bandaged cuts and a heavy amount of deep purple bruising. He didn't hear the approaching crunch of boot-clad footsteps behind him. Suddenly a thick fur coat was draped across Kili's shoulders, startling the dwarf from his private thoughts. He jumped and hiss at the pain the sudden movement brought to his still healing shoulder.

"Looks like I was able to sneak up on you this time." Fili said lightly, trying and failing to mask the concern tone in his voice.

Kili gazed up at his older brother with a small smile already lifting at the corners of his mouth. "I wouldn't be too impressed with yourself, Fili."

A look of confusion crossed the older dwarf's face. "And why is that, Kili?"

"You got lucky." The younger of the two answered back with a smirk.

Fili chuckled quietly and started to slowly and carefully lower himself to the ground next to his younger brother, his right arm wrapped tight around his middle. Kili's concerned brown eyes followed his brother's every move, and instantly felt a surge of guilt as his brother's face scrunched up tight in pain from jarring his still healing ribs. Fili's face held fading bruises and his right wrist was wrapped in a thick splint to hold the broken bones in place as they mended. Kili could easily tell that his brother wasn't sleeping well from the deep purple circles under his pale blue eyes, and the dark-haired dwarf knew why Fili wasn't sleeping. Many times over the past month since the ambush and Carrek's death Kili would wake up in the middle of the night to find Fili awake and watching over him as he slept. Kili looked at his older brother's tired features and the guilt that has settled in Kili's heart would worsen.

"You know; when I left Uncle Thorin was about to put together a search party for you. Of course Mister Balin was trying to talk him out if it and I pretty sure that Mister Dwalin has already started looking despite his brother's advice." Fili said jokingly, breaking Kili from his guilt ridden thoughts.

Kili winced, "Just how mad is Uncle Thorin that I snuck out?" he asked timidly.

Fili chuckled and turned as much as he could to face Kili with a sparkling glint in his eyes. "Do you remember when we were younger; we mashed up those red berries and we put them in Uncle Thorin's beard while he was sleeping. It stained parts of his beard pink for weeks!"

Kili laughed loudly with a wide smile on his face, crinkling the scabbed cut on his cheek, as he remembered their uncle's reaction. "Of course I remember! He was furious with us for close to a year. He still gets angry if anyone brings it up…Why?"

"He's much angrier than that."

Kili's face paled and he mumbled, "Great."

It was quiet for a moment as Fili examined his mother's name and Kili brushed a fallen leave off his sling.

"I didn't worry you, did I?" Kili asked in a small voice.

Fili started to reach over to ruffle his brother's hair, but stopped when he realized it was his injured hand. He looked at his extended wrapped wrist, sighing quietly Fili let his hand drop back to his lap.

"Kili, I had nothing to worry about. I knew where you were the entire time; you always come here when you need to think."

Kili looked over at his brother as Fili continued.

"I'm just surprised it took you so long to escape…you hate having to stay indoors, especially in bed. Honestly, I have no idea how Oin puts up with you! You have to be the worst patient he has ever worked with!" Fili said brightly.

Kili's sudden carefree laughter rang out among the trees; a full smile on his face, "Me, the worst?! I am a much better patient than you!"

"Oh really? I recall you completely refusing to use the walking stick Oin gave you for your leg after you insisted that you were healed enough to get out of bed...which you weren't."

"Yes, but who was it that was caught trying to train with both of his swords the very day after his broken wrist was splinted?"

"Ha; we really are a handful aren't we?"

"Yes and that, Fili is what makes us so interesting."

A fond faint smile came to Fili's lips, "I remember when Mother would say that."

After a moment of silence Kili said sadly, "I miss her, Fili." His watery gaze swept from his mother's name to Fili's equally troubled eyes.

Fili pulled in a shaky breath and shifted closer to Kili's hunched form. "I do too little brother, I do too. You know, you remind me so much of her."

Kili scoffed in disbelief. "Right; because I'm exactly like her." The dark-haired dwarf said sarcastically.

Fili looked into Kili's tired brown eyes and answered back sincerely. "No, you're not exactly like Mother. But you have her spirit, her sense of humor, and her smile. The both of you could never stand being stuck indoors and she would always stand up for what she thought was right. And she was never afraid to tell even Uncle Thorin when he was wrong...just like you."

Kili shook his head slightly. "I have never seen myself like Mother. I always thought you were much more like her than I ever could be. I mean, you do have her extremely over protectiveness."

Fili coughed out a sudden laugh, "Well I wouldn't have to be so protective if you ever were careful."

Kili smiled widely and the two brothers laugh together, until Fili winced and held his ribs, coughing violently. Kili reached over swiftly to help, but Fili held up his hand, stopping his little brother's movement.

"I'm fine. Just give me a moment." Fili's voice was strained and Kili looked at him in disbelief, but complied with his brother's request. After a few moments of Fili's rough breathing the older dwarf finally got the aching in his chest to subside and flashed Kili a small smile. "See; all better."

Kili looked at Fili's face and felt the guilt ach in his chest again. "You would do anything to keep the ones you love safe, just like Mother. But that's what killed her, and I don't want that to happen to you. You could have died coming to save me! You almost did; more than once! Do you have any idea what would happen to me if you or Uncle Thorin had die? Do you have any idea how guilty I feel?!" Kili stopped suddenly when realized what he said and quickly stuttered out, "I mean, how guilty I would have felt, had something happen to either of you."

"Kili," Fili breathed out.

"No, don't! Just…don't, Fili." Kili answered back quietly as he looked away and at the soft glow of the setting sun.

"You have nothing to feel guilty about, Kili. What happened was not your fault…it was never your fault."

"Maybe not. But you not sleeping and killing yourself….that is my fault."

Fili looked away, but looked back quickly when Kili firmly gripped his shoulder.

"What's going on with you? Why aren't you sleeping?"

Pale blue eyes met deep brown ones and Fili sighed before trying to look away, but Kili tightened his grip, getting Fili attention again. "Tell me what's troubling you, Fili. I can't help you if you continue to act like you're fine." Kili asked desperately.

"I failed." Fili's voice was just above a whisper, "I am your big brother and I'm supposed to protect you. I promised Mother..."

"Fili-"

"Before you were born I promise Father that I would be a good big brother; that I would always keep you safe." As Fili continued to talk, water began to build up in his eyes and silently slip down his cheeks as his voice started to crack with each word.

"Fili, listen to me."

"And do you want to know what's the worst Kili?! The worst thing about all of this is that I broke my promise to you! I swore that I would keep you safe and that I would never let anything bad happen to you...and I failed."

"Fili stop! Would you just listen to me?" Kili said loudly as he shook Fili slightly.

The blond-hair dwarf stop his rushing words and tried to slow his painful breathing as his healing ribs screamed with the sudden over use.

Kili made sure he had his brother's full attention before starting to speak. "Fili, you didn't fail-"

"Yes I did, Kili-"

"Please Fili, let me finish."

Fili tilted his head forward, indicating Kili continue.

"You may not believe me, but it's true. You did not fail me, Fili. It's because of you that I'm still alive." Kili took a few deep breaths and removed his hand from Fili to message his own sore shoulder. "It was the knowledge that you would be coming for me that made me fight back in the first place. Fili, I knew you would come find me; no matter what. That is what kept me alive; you kept me alive. Even when you weren't there you were still protecting me, Brother."

"But I wasn't there when you needed me. I should have stopped you from being taken at all." Fili answered back quietly.

Kili shook his head, "Fili, you can't be there to fight all of my battles for me. That's an impossible thing to expect from yourself. You cannot do everything; no matter how much you want to."

Fili was quiet, just looking at his little brother's face, seeing the determination in his eyes. "You're right; I can't do everything and I can't be everywhere. But I will try with all of my strength to be there for you...when I can."

Kili chuckled, "Well then; we better get your strength up. You couldn't even kill a spider in your poor health."

Fili smiled, "I could too kill a spider! I could kill a giant spider if I needed."

"Fili, I've heard Oin scold you. You're not healing as well as you should be because you're not sleeping."

"Not sleeping...I could beat you in a fight." Fili grumbled.

"Fili, have you seen yourself? I could beat you with my one arm in a sling." Kili looked at Fili for a moment before they both started to laugh.

"Fine; I guess I'll just have to get more sleep." Fili said with a smile as he lightly nudged Kili.

The dwarf brothers both looked out over the orange, yellow, and purple sky as the sun set in the distance.

"I didn't realize how late it is. We should head back; if we miss the meeting Uncle Thorin will have our heads on a stick!" Fili said in a light joyful voice and a wide smile, but his smile quickly dropped when Kili didn't answer him back.

"Kili, we should start heading back now." After Kili still didn't respond Fili lifted his arm and began waving his splinted hand in front of Kili's face. The blond-hair dwarf looked closer at his brother's face and noticed that his eyes seemed distant, like he was in deep thought or possibly a memory. Fili felt panic rise in his chest; he did not want his little brother reliving any of his ordeal. "Kili, can you hear me? Kili…we need to get you back to Oin." Fili shifted and tried to stand; determined to carry Kili back down the mountain if needed, but Kili's sudden withdrawn voice stopped the older dwarf in his movements.

"You believe me about Azog…right?"

Fili was surprised by the question and took a moment to answer back, and Kili took his momentary silence as an answer.

"You don't believe me either. I know what I heard Fili! Maluc said Master Azog; I'm not crazy!" Kili said hysterically.

"No…Kili I do believe you. I was just surprised by the question. I thought you knew." Fili swiftly answered back, halting Kili's outburst.

Kili calmed down and nodded his head slowly, "Sorry." The younger dwarf thought a moment before continuing. "You thought I knew what?"

Fili let a small smile pull at the corners of his mouth, "I thought you knew, that I will always believe you, Little Brother."

"Well at least someone believes me." The dark-haired dwarf said sadly.

"Kili, look at me." Fili waited until Kili lifted his downcast gaze, "Uncle Thorin is just worried. He doesn't want to believe you heard Maluc right, because he doesn't want it to be true. Not after everything Azog has done to him. Just give him some time."

Kili nodded his head slightly, "You're probably right..." Unexpectedly Kili lightly slapped Fili's leg. "Well, come on then. We better get back to the mountain before Uncle lobs off our heads and places them on a stick." Kili said in jest, mocking his brother's earlier words.

Fili chuckled and slowly rose to his feet, keeping his arm wrapped tightly around his middle. When was standing the blond-hair dwarf turned to Kili and couldn't help but laugh. Kili was trying and failing to rise to his feet without his walking stick and one arm in a sling.

Chuckling softly Fili asked, "Kili, where is your walking stick? Didn't Oin tell you that you needed to use it until the splint comes off?"

"I don't need the stick, Fili! I'm just fine without it."

"I can see that." Fili said, smiling widely.

Kili dropped back to the ground with a grunt, which made Fili laugh harder.

"Haha, yes this is all very funny. Help me up." As Kili was talking he tossed a nearby rock at Fili who clumsily dodge it.

"Fine; here." Fili reached out to help Kili up, but out of habit reached with his splinted hand to Kili's arm wrapped in a sling. Kili looked at his brother's extended hand for a moment before Fili realized what he was doing and also looked at his hand. Both brothers burst out laughing as Fili quickly righted his mistake and pulled Kili to his feet.

After Kili was up he placed his uninjured arm over Fili's shoulders. "We really are a mess."

The dwarf brothers began slowly making their way down the mountain. "It would seem so, Kili. Can I ask you a question?" Fili asked suddenly.

Kili looked at Fili in confusion. "Of course; you don't have to ask if you can ask me a question."

"How is it that you can climb up the mountain without your walking stick, but not down?"

"Oh that…well dear brother that is an interesting tale to say the least." Kili answered with a wink.

Thorin watched Fili and Kili making their way down the mountain together with a faint smile, pipe in hand, leaning against the mountain wall. Balin approach Thorin and settled against the wall next to his friend.

"It seems you were right Thorin." Balin said in gently voice.

"Kili always goes up to Dis's memorial when he's feeling trapped or needs to think, and Fili always goes after him." Thorin answered back in a rough tired voice.

Balin looked at his younger friend and sighed. "Thorin you need not worry about those two; they'll be fine. They're good strong boys, good strong warriors."

Thorin continued to watch his nephews as he answered Balin, "I know."

"Come on then. We cannot scold the young ones for being late to the meeting if we are also late." Balin said joyfully and slapped Thorin's arm.

Thorin turned to look at his advisor and friend and smiled, "Thank you, Balin; for everything."

Balin gripped Thorin's arm, "Think nothing of it my friend. Now let's go, Oin has been raving about signs and all sorts of things all week. I am eager to see what he's found."

Thorin pushed himself off the wall and looked at Balin, searching his longtime friend's face, "Erebor?"

"I don't know, but it might be."

Thorin looked back at his nephews one last time before ushering Balin back into the mountain.

There you have it! I have finally finished it! I want to apologize again for how terribly long it took me to get this epilogue up. I would love to know what everyone thought of this chapter. Was it what you were hoping for? Did you like it? Please leave me a review! I would really appreciate it. :) Until next time…