So my pretties how are we all? Wow. That looks so weird in text. Anyways. Enjoy this thrilling new installment of my story! Hope you find it enjoyable and remember to comment with nice or not so nice stuff. Ideas are welcome and anyone who is thinking of making a cover just send me a message and I'll give you my email so you can send it along to me! Howz that sound? So sit back in your favourite armchair with a pipe of Old Toby (can you get that out of Middle-Earth?) and read on!

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    “Fee?” a voice croaked, “Fee?” Fili’s breath caught in his chest and he tightened the grip on his brother’s hand.

    “I’m here, Kili,” he managed through his constricted throat, “I’m right here, Nadadith. Where are you?” A shadow of a smile played on his brother’s face even though his eyes were still closed.

    “I’m here, Fee” the dark haired dwarf grinned playfully, “Can’t you see me?” Fili brought his brother’s hand up to his lips and held it there a moment.

    “Aye,” he sniffed voice cracking, “I can see you. How do you feel, Nadadith? Can you sit?” Kili shifted a little in the bed and gradually forced his chocolate brown eyes open.

    “I can sit,” he replied determined to not show any more weakness than he already had and attempted to struggle into a sitting position. He managed to prop himself up on am arm before collapsing back onto the mattress breath coming in heavy ragged gasps. The dwarf gave a faint, frustrated growl at his failure.

    “Never mind, brother,” Fili soothed, “I’ll help you up. Take it easy. You’re not yourself again yet. Give yourself a moment.” He aided his brother in sitting and arranged the sheets about him.

    “Where are we Fili?” Kili asked looking about, “We’re not in the forest anymore, are we?  It almost looks as if we’re at Sabrielle’s.” Fili smiled glad his brother’s memory seemed intact.

    “No, Kee,” he answered, “We’re not in the forest. You’re right. Sabrielle found us and took us here to treat you. You’ve been wondering in a high fever for nineteen days and slept for a further four. You had us scared for a while there.” Kili nodded thoughtfully taking in the information.

    “Then what of the battle?” questioned the younger dwarf, “Is it finished? Where is Uncle? Are they all alright?” Fili shook his head.

    “I do not know,” he replied, “I have been too worried out of my mind to ask Sabrielle anything other than those directly concerning you. Shall I fetch her for us? I am sure she is most anxious to see you awake.” Kili nodded his head causing him to wince.

    “Please, brother,” he agreed, “I am very concerned for news of the battle. I fear all did not go well.” Kili’s eyes were large pools of concern in his still pale face and he had drawn his knees up to his chest. Fili gave his brother a strange look out of the corner of his eye but left the room in search of Sabrielle. The heavy and sombre current in his brother’s tone unsettled him.  

The elf was in the kitchen, preparing a broth that the young dwarf might be able to keep down if he was to wake. She raised her brow in silent question when Fili wandered in, her heart beginning to race a million miles an hour.

    “Kili is awake,” he informed in a clipped and anxious tone, “And he wishes to speak with you.” The elf waited to hear the rest of what Fili had to say.

    “He’s acting all weird,” the young dwarf continued, “He’s all serious and there’s no laughter in his eyes.”

    “He’s been ill,” his friend consoled, “He’s not himself yet. Fevers drain at your energy. Some sleep will fix him.” She then ladled a small portion of the soup into a bowl and led Fili back down the hall to his brother’s room as her pulse settled from its wild gallop to an easier gait.

‘He’s alive!’ her heart sung, ‘He’s conscious and speaking. Thank the Valar!’

    “Sabrielle,” greeted the ailing dwarf plunging straight into business, “Do you know the outcome of the battle?” His friend flinched and accepted the second chair Fili had pulled up for her. Taking a seat she answered, picking her words carefully.

    “Yes,” the elf replied slowly, “It is over. You won out against your foes.” She knew that news of their uncle’s death would give both the brothers great pain which was why she had not burdened the older with it before he had his counterpart to grieve with but it was unavoidable. Though she did not want to hinder the dwarf’s recovery with sad tidings either. It was a lose-lose situation.

    “And so Uncle will be crowned ‘King’?” Kili pursued but Sabrielle turned her attention away from him and took the conversation in a different direction.

    “You eat this,” she commanded thrusting the bowl she had brought into the dark-haired dwarf’s hands, “And Fili will tell me of your adventures before I tell mine.” Kili gratefully accepted the food and did not hesitate to start on it but the other brother had detected the ploy for time. Thankfully he went along with what Sabrielle had ordered.

‘She’ll have her reasons,’ he told himself, ‘She’s always got reasons.’

    “During the battle, Kili had noticed a group of orcs slinking away from the battlefield,” the blonde dwarf explained, “The fighting had been going on for several hours already. So, leaving the thick of the fray, we set off in pursuit of the foul creatures. We managed to catch up with them and engaged them in a skirmish. But there were more than we’d originally thought. We were vastly outnumbered but we continued to hold our ground. They seemed to be duplicating before our very eyes. For every one we killed another three would take its place. We fought off as many as we could before making the tactical decision to retreat. The orcs followed us for a while but we soon lost them in the thick undergrowth of the forest. Just recently, Kili had been quite violently ill after being shot in the leg with a morgul arrow shaft. The effort of such extensive and intense physical activity had pushed his healing body too far and he began to relapse. It wasn’t until he collapsed against a tree several hours later as we were trying to find our way back that I realised anything was wrong but I was too tired from the fighting to carry him back to the town to be treated and I was unsure as to what way it was. It had only been a day when you found us and thank Aulë you did.” 

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Was that up to your standards? Comment with crits and advice! I really don't care if you go ballistic and write mean and terrible stuff but just don't get reported for it. So now you know what happened to Kili and Fili during the battle. And for the record Nadadith means little brother in Khazdul. Still haven't worked out how to turn my friend back into her normal self but I will prevail. See you in two days (if I'm nice 1 and a half) Until we meet again!

~SpanishFox