Note: I'm sorry to those following me for Supernatural, I've got a ton of half finished SPN fic waiting for you. It's just that this little dwarf has stolen my attention. I'll be back to working on SPN after this brief flirtation with Kili. I bashed this out over the last couple of days, so it's unbetaed and not subjected to my usual fine tooth combing... basically, it is what it is :) I just needed to get these feels out after wondering what would have happened if Bard turned the dwarves away from his door in Laketown...

Quotes are from Woodkid's "The Other Side".

The Other Side

O can you hear the song of thunder
When fear strangles a soldier's pride
And on the surface of the waters
Will dance reflections of the fire in the night

"Kili!" Fili's voice seemed to blur around the edges. It came from far away, even as his brother's hands held him tightly, stopping Kili from falling to the ground.

But it was nothing. He was fine. He kept telling them... Every concerned glance from Bofur, every supportive shoulder from Fili… he told them, it was nothing. He was fine.

There was no need to pretend any more though. Thorin had stopped him, told him to stay, rest, and heal. It was said in a kindly, fatherly fashion, with a gentle hand to Kili's head. But Thorin might as well have wounded the young dwarf himself. He denied him the moment the doors would open… the doors to the halls of their fathers. Such a simple sounding thing, but this was no door to a hobbit hole. It would open on grand pillars, carven stone, and their history, their blood of the past… Thorin's stories had built up such a picture in Kili's head. It was enough for him to leave his home, leave his mother, and risk death… just for this moment. And Thorin had taken it from him.

So there was no need to pretend. Kili had tried to seem strong, he didn't want to burden the company. They had every need for haste and he could not hold them back. That's why he told them he was fine. But he could see it in their eyes… they didn't believe him. It was agony pulling the arrow head out, but he tried to keep it from his face. Bofur was watching. The dwarf had seen Kili's leg give out and he came over, hovering as if he wanted to help but knew it would be unwelcome. And it would be unwelcome. That's when Kili first said it… I'm fine, it's nothing.

Luckily Fili approached then, insisting Kili's wound be properly bound. With his brother's hands on him Kili relaxed a little. As much as the pain in his leg would let him… He had to pretend for the others. Pretending for Fili was pointless. He would always be the younger brother, Fili had always looked out for him and would always see through him. There was no need for words between the brothers. Fili knew Kili hurt, but he knew Kili would brush off any fuss and put on a front. Kili knew Fili was concerned for him and would insist on taking care of his injuries. And so Fili bound the wound without fuss, and Kili let him without protest.

That deed being done Kili put the barriers up again. He would not show weakness before the others, especially not Thorin. His Uncle was single minded when it came to this quest, and he would not carry along any burdens. Not even his own blood. Though pain lanced up his leg from the wound, Kili did his best to ignore it and soldier on. He only winced and shifted his weight from the leg when he thought nobody was looking. It was nothing. He was fine. Maybe if he said it enough it would become true.

In Laketown the dwarves were arguing over the so called "weapons". Kili was thankful for them for one reason… He took a makeshift lance and supported his weight on it. When he was sure the attention of the dwarves was elsewhere he sat with a slight wince and put his hand to the rough binding. It was soaked through with blood and his leg felt as though it was on fire. He glanced up quickly, surveying the others, making sure none had noticed his moment of weakness. They hadn't. It was nothing. He was fine. And he would see the halls of his fathers.

A plan had been hatched, and here was Kili's chance to prove to Thorin he was strong enough to continue. He was of the line of Durin, strength was written in his bones, scorched in the grit of his soul. But sometimes when Thorin looked at him, he saw doubt. Fili was always the favoured son, the elder brother, the one who would eventually bear the burden of Kingship. And there were times when Kili paled in his shadow. When Fili was being groomed for great purpose he felt adrift, like a spare part… not needed, just there. He was the reckless one, the one always getting into trouble and having others, usually Fili, pull him out. He was the weak one, with stumbling steps and a fevered brow. No… no, it was nothing. He was fine. And he was going to prove it.

It was getting warmer as they approached the armoury. Though Kili glanced at his companion's cold breath on the air and shivered, even as he surreptitiously wiped sweat from his brow. Every step sent a lance of pain up his leg now, but he forced himself onward. He was so close to the mountain, he couldn't let this stop him. Kili felt his Uncle's gaze on him as they gathered weapons. It made him even more determined to stay strong, though his limbs felt shaky. They only had to carry him a little further. More and more weapons were thrust into his arms. He wasn't sure he could hold out… but then Thorin asked him if he was okay. And with steely determination, Kili answered that he was. There was no doubt in his voice. Only in Thorin's eyes… but then Kili turned to the stairs and the bottom dropped out of his heart. How was he to manage the stairs with all this added weight in his arms? He took a breath and steadied himself. One step at a time, that's how he would do it, one step at a time… he was fine. It was nothing.

And then his leg gave out. Kili felt himself fall and it was as if the world crashed down with him. Fire burned from his leg and the impact, but it was nothing compared to the disappointment in Thorin's eyes. A rough hand took his shoulder and another put a knife to Kili's throat. He could only shamefully glance up at his Uncle… I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I've ruined everything… As he watched Thorin's face he could see the decision being made. This was the end of the road. Kili would go no further. He was a liability, a burden. That's if any of them would be able to continue. They might spend the last light of Durin's day locked up in a cell thanks to Kili. The halls of their fathers would remain locked ever more because of his weakness.

Somehow Thorin had managed to talk his way out of the cells and towards the mountain. Kili wasn't following the conversation too well. Voices faded in and out as they rose and fell. He was leaning on Fili more heavily than he would have liked. But they were on their way, and Kili felt some small measure of relief that he hadn't held the whole company up after all. There was still a chance they could reach the mountain in time. There was also a small chance Thorin would let him come. Kili held onto that shred of hope - the hope that the joy of being on their way with Laketown's blessing would overshadow Kili's fall… Kili's weakness. So the young dwarf fell in line and tried to walk nonchalantly onto the boat with the others. A heavy arm blocked his path.

"Not you". His uncle said so emotionlessly… so matter of fact. As if there was never any choice in the matter.

Perhaps there hadn't been… perhaps Kili's fall had sealed his fate, maybe it had been the moment when he was first struck by that orcish arrow. He couldn't run, he couldn't climb… he could barely walk. This pretence was for nothing.

Kili protested. Trying to undo all the damage with a few words was never going to work on Thorin. He mind was made up, the doors were closed to Kili. The young dwarf went to sit to one side, desperate to take the weight from his leg. He let all pretence fall away, pain and sorrow creased his brow. Kili pushed away Oin's fussing hands, he wanted to be alone…

And then he heard Fili speaking on his behalf. "I will carry him if I must!"

Like the mountain they journeyed to, Thorin would not be moved. Kili called out to his brother, trying to tell him it was over. There was no use arguing, just as there was no use pretending strength where there was none…

The two argued for a moment until Fili ended it with five words:

"I belong with my brother".

No… no, Fili was giving it all up for him. The moment they opened the doors, the moment they would first set foot in those halls… his legacy, the stories, their quest. He was throwing it all away for Kili. There was some part of him that was glad, for being parted from his brother would bring him no joy. But Fili was sacrificing so much… he couldn't, Kili wouldn't see his brother do this. Words failed him though. A sickness lay upon Kili and in giving in to weakness he let the world fade in and out around him. He slumped over and felt Fili's strong hands catch him. Fili was the strong one… he always had been.

"Kili!"

~oOo~

I'm slowly drifting into slumber
Cause I have lost the force to fight
It's like a cold hand on my shoulder
I'll see you on the other side

The moment Kili near collapsed in his arms Fili felt a stab of fear through his heart. The mountain, Erebor, their quest…it all meant nothing without Kili. He would walk through those doors with his brother at his side or he would not walk through them at all. And now, faced with losing him, it was almost too much to bear.

He knew Kili was pretending to be fine. He knew his brother would brush off any attempts at aiding him. So Fili did was he always did, helped quietly, no fuss… bind wounds, offer a shoulder whether it was taken or no. But Kili had been pretending too well this time. Fili hadn't seen how sick he really was, or maybe he was too caught up in their quest, too blinded by Thorin's vision, to notice. He should have noticed. He was the older brother, it was his job to notice.

But it would do no good to fret and berate now. They needed help. The dwarves looked to the dispersing crowd. With the boat gone, they were all starting to leave. Nobody gave them a second glance, nobody listened to their pleas. None of the towns people wanted extra mouths to feed, none of them wanted an ailing dwarf taking their room and resources… Fili pointed Bofur to the Master's house. Surely he would offer aid, he had been happy enough to send them on their way with weapons and a fanfare.

The dwarves watched Bofur run over to the guards standing by the door. They stopped the dwarf and entered into heated discussion, though they were too far to make out the words.

Kili moaned at Fili's side, he gave his brother's shoulder a squeeze. "Not long now little brother, we'll get you somewhere warm, we'll get you some medicine and have you back on your feet in no time".

Oin was supporting Kili's other shoulder; he took the younger dwarf's pale face in his hand and gave him a cursory examination. Fili shot Oin a questioning look, but the older dwarf said nothing in return. His expression said nothing good. He probably didn't want to worry Kili with words…

Across the way a slimy looking fellow, the Master's assistant, had come out to argue with Bofur. The exchange was over shortly and Bofur came back to them, dejection written all over his face.

"Well? What did they have to say?" Fili pressed.

"They won't help". Bofur sighed. "In so many words they said… well, we're the useless dwarves. We're not retaking the mountain, we're the left behind baggage. Worthless to them, curse their hides!"

Fili refrained from cursing himself. It wasn't getting them anywhere. "Come on, let's knock on some doors. Someone in this godforsaken place has to have a heart. Kili, can you walk?"

It took his brother a moment to answer. "… think so".

With Oin at one shoulder and Fili at the other they helped Kili stand. His steps were unsteady and he moaned as his injured leg jarred against the ground. But with the two dwarves taking most of his weight they managed to move along. It was all in vain though, each door they knocked on was closed in their faces.

"Let us try Bard, his house is not far from here". Fili said with a note of hope in his voice. They had not parted well with Bard speaking against their plight. But perhaps he could find it in his heart to let them in with Kili so sick.

"Can't…" Kili gasped.

"Come Kili, the house is just over there, I can almost see it". Fili tried to be encouraging.

"No… no, please, it hurts…" Kili's face was drawn with pain.

"Just a little further, be strong now". It hurt Fili nearly as much to force him onward, but they would find no help sitting in the street.

"I'm not… I'm not, I can't…"

"Alright, set him down; let's have a look at that leg". Oin intervened and helped lower Kili to the floor.

Bofur took Oin's place while the healer did his work. Fili offered his hand to Kili, half expecting the usually stubborn dwarf to refuse it. But his fingers were grasped tightly as Oin started undoing the dressing and probing the wound.

"I'm sorry lad, I know it hurts… I'll be as quick as I can".

Kili looked as if he was trying to stifle his moans, but Fili knew the pain his brother was in… his hand was nearly crushed.

"Almost done… I'll just bind it anew". Oin set to work with a fresh length of cloth. "It looks as if you've still got a fragment of the arrow head in there. But don't worry lad, I'll get it out as soon as we've found a place to rest your head".

Kili blinked heavily and managed a nod, while Fili gave a small smile. Oin had seemed encouraging, but the older dwarf soon motioned him to one side. Fili's face fell. He gave Kili a reassuring pat before leaving his brother with Bofur. The two dwarves moved away far enough that their lowered voices would be out of earshot.

"That is no ordinary infection". Oin's tone had turned deadly serious. "His wound seeps black putrescence and the flesh around it is similarly tainted… the arrow was surely poisoned".

"But you'll be able to help him? There are plants enough to cure poisons, and once the shard is gone he'll recover surely?" Fili tried not to sound as if he was grasping at straws. But Oin seemed as if was holding something back… as if he was reluctant to say more. "What is it? Out with it Oin, my brother's life hangs in the balance, I need to know".

"Lad… I have heard tell of weapons borne by the dark folk, weapons that shatter in wounds and leave fragments that turn the victim away from the light. They are torn into the world of the Unseen, and made slaves, bound to a dark power". As he spoke Oin put a hand to Fili's shoulder, trying to ground the dwarf as his words battered the younger.

"And you think… you think Kili has been wounded by such a weapon? You could be wrong… It's just a story. It has to be, have you ever seen one?"

"No, as I said, it is something I have heard tales of… but I know I have seen no wound like this before. I have been a healer for many years, more than I care to count, and never have I seen poison taint flesh so. He was hit by no ordinary arrow - it came from the bow of a great orc… one of the dark folk. I have to consider the possibility that the tales are true. If your brother is to get better I have to treat what ails him, not what you hope ails him".

"And how do you treat such a wound?"

"Remove the fragment before it turns his heart to darkness… and kingsfoil will help against the foul poison in his veins, but we will have to put our trust in Mahal for anything more. I fear only elvish medicine will be able to save him if my worst fears are true".

"Kili will fight this, he's strong. Do you what you can, and if your worst fears are true we will head back to Mirkwood. If they can save him I would rather have my brother live and spend the rest of my years in the Elf King's prison. But I will understand if you wish to rejoin the rest of the company. You have been a loyal friend Oin, I would not ask this of you".

"As I told your Uncle – my duty lies with the wounded. I will follow both my Princes to whatever fate lies ahead".

"Thank you". Fili tried to smile, but it was bittersweet under the circumstances.

They made their way back to Bofur and Kili. Bofur's hand was against the younger dwarf's cheek, he looked up at them, worried.

"He's going cold".

"No… no… m'hot, too hot". Kili shifted in his discomfort, trying to pull away some layers of clothing.

Oin bent to put his own hand to Kili's brow. "Leave it lad, I know you feel warm but it's just fever. You're actually quite cold. Come on, let's get you to Bard, the sooner I take out that bit of arrow the better".

The journey to Bard's house was slow and torturous. Eventually they got there and Bofur knocked frantically at the door.

Bard opened it wide and looked at each of them in turn before speaking with a hard voice. "No, I'm done with dwarves, go away".

Bofur grabbed the door as Bard tried to close it. "No one will help us. Kili is sick". He snatched a glance at the dwarf's ashen face. "He's very sick".

"I said 'no' dwarf". He made to close the door again.

"Please, if he's not treated he'll die!" Bofur begged.

"We will all die the moment your kin reach that mountain! We will all burn".

Fili raised his voice to the stubborn man. "Then take your children and go. Save them, family is more precious than all the gold under every mountain in creation. Save them, as I will save my brother. I cannot give up while there is still hope…"

Something changed in Bard's eyes as Fili spoke, but he would not move aside to welcome them in.

Fili sighed. "If you will not let us in, have you any kingsfoil at least?"

"No, I have none… it is a weed we feed to the pigs. They are kept not far from here". After giving some directions Bard made to close the door, but he paused a moment and met Fili's eyes. "Good luck Master Dwarf… and you would do well to take your own advice. Leave this place, save what is precious to you".

"I intend to". Fili replied with a hard edge to his voice.

The company of four left Bard's door and went away into a darkening sky. Bofur took it upon himself to hunt down the kingsfoil, while the other three settled down under a bridge. The water passing by beside them smelt foul and looked worse, but the wooden slats above afforded some shelter.

Fili was worried for his brother. Kili's face was ashen, he was deathly cold, and now he couldn't seem to keep his pain hidden. He moaned and shifted, crying out and writhing at the worst of it. Fili held his brother tightly, hushing him and telling him everything was going to be alright.

"When Bofur returns we should make for the lake and get away from this town. The water will be cleaner further out, I will be needing clean water…" Oin looked down at Kili sympathetically, leaving his sentence half finished.

"Very well, just let him lie still and rest for now. Kili, can you open your eyes for me? Stay awake now". He feared Kili shutting his eyes and never opening them again.

"Hurts…" The young dwarf moaned.

"I know, I know… it will stop soon. Just stay with me".

"M'sorry Fili…" Kili mumbled.

"Whatever for?" Fili asked in confusion. He had an idea why Kili might be apologising. It probably had something to do with getting injured and having Fili stay behind, but it was his choice to stay and he would not have Kili blame himself for it.

"Your sword… I forgot, I left it outside… rain, it rusted". Kili seemed to be breathing more harshly. It broke up his words, Fili hated to see him struggle. "I know Uncle was furious… heard him shout at you".

"We were young Kili. Whatever are you apologising now for? It's forgotten…" Fili hadn't expected an apology for that. He had almost forgotten it himself. Being shouted at by Thorin was nearly a daily experience in their younger days.

"It's the delirium lad, he doesn't know what he's saying…" Oin interjected.

But he did know. It had happened. Thorin had been furious at Fili for ruining his blade when it had been Kili who had taken it outside and left it there. Fili took the blame of course, he would not tell on his brother. It was his job to protect Kili, to keep him from harm… and an angry Uncle.

"Well if you're going to dredge up the past, how about thinking on happier times? How about Thorin teaching us to fight eh?"

Fili felt his brother go taut as another jolt of pain lanced through him. It took Kili's breath for a moment.

"Not happy… He taught you… I was weak. He has always thought me so… stopped me going… I won't see it Fili, we won't see. I'm sorry".

"No, Thorin has never thought you weak. He made you your first bow, since you preferred it to the sword, can you not remember? You are not weak". Fili shook him slightly to emphasise the point. "You've been injured and that's not your fault. With an arrow to the leg you've been more than strong to get this far. I don't care about the mountain. It's not worth seeing without you there! When you're well we'll go together".

"M'not strong enough… Thorin sees, he cares more for the mountain than me…"

"Stop talking such rot Kili. He bid you stop behind to rest and heal. It would do no good to continue on and die half way up the mountain now would it? I know he seems hard hearted, but he cares for you, he cares for us both. You didn't see him when you were shot. He was under the bridge, he didn't know whether you lived or died, and he looked back with such fear… You would not doubt him if you saw. He cares Kili. Besides, you were stronger than anyone back there. You climbed out of your barrel and cut down orc after orc before pulling the lever – and that was done with an arrow in your leg! You saved us all. We would not be here without you. We would be stuck in Thranduil's cells or cut to pieces by orcs. You are more than strong enough!"

But Kili did not answer, he shuddered and cried out in pain. Fili held his brother tightly to his chest, trying to sooth him, though it seemed futile. Kili made small sounds of suffering when his breath was not being spent on screams. He writhed, seeming to fight against Fili's hold, though he was surely just lashing out with pain coursing through his body. After these fits Kili's energy seemed to ebb away. He collapsed in on himself wheezing, hissing and gasping, at least until it became too much and he began thrashing again.

"He's getting worse. Where is Bofur? He should be back by now surely!"

"I'll go look for the lad". Oin made to leave but Fili bid him stand still suddenly.

"Footsteps, heavy footsteps approach". Fili spoke in a hushed tone.

"Maybe it's Bofur returning?" The half deaf dwarf wouldn't be able to hear.

"No… there are more than one set of footsteps. Keep quiet. It could be guards, or orcs…"

Thankfully Kili was suffering one of his quieter moments. Fili hoped he would stay that way until the danger passed.

The steps above hurried over the bridge, beating out a baleful rhythm. Black speech tarnished the air… so the orcs had caught up with them. More and more came, scattering out into the night as they crossed overhead. Fili held his brother close, waiting with bated breath. Kili moaned and Fili whispered in his ear to hush.

"Be quiet little brother, just a while longer…"

The stream of orcs slowed, their footsteps came further apart. It seemed the main force had gone by and these were just the stragglers.

"Not long now…"

But Kili's moans were getting louder, he would cry out before long. So Fili clapped a hand over his brother's mouth though it pained him to do so. He tried to stifle Kili's screams. They could not draw the attention of the orcs, it would be the death of them all.

"Please Kili, be quiet…"

Kili couldn't help it; he was lost in throes of agony, struggling in Fili's arms. His cries slipped through Fili's fingers, and above two sets of footsteps stalled.

Harsh words of the black language rent the air and the orcish steps circled around to each side of the bridge. They would be trapped like rats. Fili threw a knife to Oin and laid Kili down gently. It was too late to silence his brother now. They were coming… The vile creatures leapt out with a snarl. Oin faced one and Fili the other, with Kili safe between them. His pained keening drew their attention.

"It's the black haired archer!" The orc's voice was no more pleasing in common tongue. Its jaws snapped with glee. "Leave him to his fate, it would be doing him a kindness to kill him now. But these two we can slit their throats!"

"You will be the only ones dying tonight!" Fili raised his sword and charged forwards. He heard Oin loose a battle cry behind him.

Steel met steel as the orc raised his own blade. Fili tried to push the orc's to one side, but too late he felt it give way as the orc let go to punch the dwarf's face. He staggered back, narrowly missing his brother. But Fili would not be so easily defeated. He thrust at the orc who swept his sword aside. Fili went with it, using the momentum to swing around and cut the orc's throat. He died with a look of pure shock on his face and a futile hand clasped to his wound. Black blood ran between the orc's fingers. He fell back and plunged deep into the dark waters of the lake with a great splash. Fili turned to aid Oin and was pleased to find him rolling his own orc corpse into the lake. Though it would do nothing to aid the fetid water…

Fili dashed to Kili's side and took his hand. The young dwarf shuddered, he looked even worse, his face was drained of colour while his eyes took on a sickly grey hue.

"Stay with me Kili. Don't you leave me alone, do you hear me?"

They heard more footsteps from above… but these were lighter. And a familiar voice shouted out.

"I've got it! The kingsfoil!" Bofur hurtled into view. "We'll have to be careful though, there are orcs out there".

"We know". Fili answered darkly. "Come on, to the lake. We have no time to spare".

"How will you get him to the lake lad? He can't walk like that…" Oin shook his head in despair.

"I will carry him. Help me get him up".

Between the three of them they got Kili on his feet and over Fili's shoulder. It was slow going to the lake. They had to avoid orcs through the winding streets, and when Kili's writhing became too much they had to set the dwarf down. When he was still they set off again. Eventually they left the town behind and finally the great expanse of the lake lay before the dwarves. Its still waters reflected the night sky giving the impression of a great pool of stars at their feet. But there was no time to take in such a scene of beauty.

"Lay him down here, and fill these with water". Oin thrust a few bowls into Bofur's hands.

During their flight from Laketown Oin had taken the opportunity to scavenge a few items and implements that would be needed to remove the arrow fragment. He set them down on a piece of cloth beside Kili's leg.

"Now hold him still. This is delicate work and he will not like it one bit…"

Bofur set down the water and restrained Kili's legs, while Fili resumed his position holding Kili tightly against his chest. It was half comforting embrace and half restraint. Kili was taut beneath his hands, every muscle seemed strained and knotted with pain. He sweated and shivered, crying out helplessly, it rent Fili's heart in two to see him so.

"Be strong Kili, it's almost over, stay with me, I'm here…" Fili willed his brother to hold on.

And then Oin started.

The scream was like nothing Fili had ever heard. He never knew a dwarf could make such a sound, it came from the depths of a place of pure agony. As the piercing yell assaulted Fili's ears he wished he could take his brother's place. Ever since Kili had been born it was Fili's job to keep him safe, he had to look out for him and look after him. He had failed, he was failing… What could he have done? There must have been something. He should have seen how sick Kili was, he should have insisted on them stopping and treating the wound. Why had he let his brother's façade stand? Why had he let Kili soldier on? They were no heartless army of orcs, they were a band of brothers and friends and Fili should have let the quest go hang in the face of his brother's suffering.

Kili tried to throw himself back, but Fili held him in place. His brother was just trying to escape the pain, to pull away from what hurt him. They were hurting him. But it had to be done if they were to save him. Still, it brought tears to Fili's eyes. He couldn't wipe them away, he could only clutch at his brother more tightly.

"NO! NO! PLEASE STOP!" Kili suddenly found words to beg with.

"It's almost done Kili, I promise you, it's almost done".

Fili's words brought no comfort. Kili just screamed all the more. "Get away from me! Get off! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"We have to Kili, I'm sorry… Oin, for Mahal's sake are you nearly done?"

"I told you, this is delicate work. I have it, I'm working it out, just keep him steady". Oin bent over Kili's leg, the blood covering his hands seemed more black than red.

"FILI! HELP! Get them off… Get them off…"

It broke Fili's heart to hear his brother call for help when it was his hands holding him down.

"Hush Kili, stay strong… please, for me".

"Fili… where are you? Please help…" Kili's struggles died bit by bit, his voice weakened.

"I'm here Kili, stay with me. Don't you dare leave me". Though it was horrific to hear Kili scream it worried Fili even more to see his brother fading.

"No more… no more… please…"

"Kili, fight this, you have to fight!" Fili shook his brother hard.

Suddenly Kili went lax in Fili's arms, all strength seemed to leave his small frame.

"KILI!" Fili laid his brother down on the ground and frantically clutched at his cold face. "Wake up Kili! FIGHT! You hear me? You're strong! FIGHT THIS!"

Kili's head lolled and his breath rattled dangerously in his chest.

"Oin, do something!" Fili turned to the elder dwarf in desperation.

And then Oin triumphantly held aloft a shard of arrow.

"I have it! It's out!" He raised it in the air as if he had just discovered the Arkenstone.

As Fili watched the offending shard turned to dust and blew away on the breeze leaving Oin's hand empty. It was hard to believe such an infinitesimal fragment had done this to his brother.

"Kili! The shard's out! You're free from it…" Fili shook his brother, but there was no reaction. Fili's voice went from hopeful to quiet desperation. "We got it out Kili… you're free".

Oin started work with the kingsfoil while Fili continued trying to rouse his brother.

"Kili, please don't die… we got it out". Tears threatened as Fili gently grasped at his brother. "Don't leave me… don't give up, I need you".

Just then Oin applied some kingsfoil to the open wound and the reaction was immediate. Kili took in a gasp of air and shot up from the ground, arms flailing blindly. He exhaled with a strangled cry that was more an unearthly shriek. It disturbed Fili more than any of the screams that had come before. He met his brother and pulled him into a tight embrace, trying to calm whatever fell darkness had given rise to that cry.

And then the ground shook beneath them.

"Look!" Bofur pointed to the mountain. "The dragon comes!"

Sure enough a shadow against the night sky arose, spreading wide wings. It split the air with a roar. The three dwarves with their eyes aloft inhaled as one. A stream of flames scarred the starred firmament, and on the surface of the water danced reflections of fire in the night.

~oOo~

And in the arms of endless anger
Will end the story of a soldier in the dark

Kili wanted it to be over, fire coursed through his body, setting alight everything it touched. He couldn't fight it, there was no use fighting. A voice begged him to stay, was it Fili? Where was Fili? Hands restrained him, tortured him… Kili called out for them to stop and they wouldn't. Why wouldn't they stop? Had they no mercy? Where was Fili? Why wouldn't he help?

…I'm here Kili, stay with me. Don't you dare leave me…

That voice again, filtering through the pain filled veil that separated him from the waking world… Fili? It was Fili. And it was almost enough to keep him tethered to life. But it was too much, agony consumed Kili… no more, no more, please… He couldn't take this, he was too weak to hold on any longer. Death seemed a welcome embrace if it would release him from this endless pain... this torture that flayed his soul and plagued his heart.

…Kili, fight this, you have to fight…

Life was not worth the fight. He would gladly give it up to end this. The pain blinded him, he couldn't recall his mother's face, their home was a memory stolen from his mind, and his brother was just a distant voice… That whisper on his shoulder, pretending life was worth the fight. But there was a cold hand on his other shoulder, telling him to sleep, offering rest and salvation. Death was a welcome friend, greeting him with open arms. Kili turned from his brother, he shunned life, suffering and fire. The cold embrace of death was soothing…

He was dying. If death was his fate he should be passing within the halls of his fathers. That he did regret. Kili wanted a noble end… Now he would leave this world at the side of a filthy lake like some wounded animal relinquishing its fragile hold on life. He saw Thorin's disappointed eyes before him. So he would end as his Uncle saw him… weak and nothing. And a sudden last blaze of anger reared up against Thorin. He had denied Kili his glorious ending, he had denied him the sight of his father's halls.

But then a stray voice came from the ether… You would not doubt him if you saw. He cares Kili…

And cold hands pulled him away.

Too late Kili realised this was not death beckoning him on. The world seemed to wash away but what replaced it was not peaceful. Pieces of this world were torn away and ravaged. He felt pieces of himself being torn away into shadows and nothingness… he was passing into nothingness. The Unseen. Tendrils of darkness reached for him, winding about his flesh, trying to take his heart. Was it too late to fight? He didn't want this. He didn't want this. It was supposed to be peaceful, it was supposed to be an end, but he wasn't dying, not in that sense, he was falling into shadow. Kili cried out and the scream of a wraith tore from his throat. He would not pass into the hands of Mahal. He would not see his brother again in the afterlife. His pain would be unending!

He had to fight!

It was too late. He was smothered in darkness, ensnared and entangled, drawn into this world against his will. There was no way out.

Fili! I'm sorry! I should have listened! I should have fought!

Kili's heart cried out to his brother before it was overtaken by shadow and flame.

As he prepared to succumb to the inevitable Kili thought he heard the sound of hoof beats against the ground. No… no, there could be no horse here, no rider in the dark. But there was. A sudden blinding light approached on a horse as white as fresh fallen snow.

He closed his eyes and turned away, daring to wonder but not daring to hope.

... Lasto beth nin, tolo dan nan galad...

That voice, it was her! But it couldn't be... she was far away, walking in starlight in another world, it was just a dream... the delusion of a failing mind. How could she be here? What would have brought her here? Chasing a dwarf she had met for a fleeting moment... it would make no sense unless she loved him. And she could only have loved him in his own beleaguered thoughts. It couldn't be her... it was just a dream.

But soft fingers entwined with his own... Kili took solace from a gentle touch amidst this harsh world. It wouldn't last. He was lost.

It was just a dream.

Another note: I hadn't intended to carry on with this (it's one of my "policies" not to start posting a story that isn't finished), but as I was writing a few unresolved things started poking the plot bunnies awake. I seem to have a tradition for not being able to leave a one shot as a one shot... but I do need to get back to SPN, and unfortunately life has been very busy and hasn't afforded me much quiet time for writing in (hence my bashing this one out quickly while I've got a couple of days free, heh). Oh well... I'm not even sure if you'll want to see more. Let me know what you think.