Chapter one: Swords & Arrows

Authors notes: Hi everyone, this is my newest story in progress. It's so new, in fact, that I haven't even named it yet! My fanfic username is ImagineBaggins but I will not be submitting this there until I have a decent amount of writing done. This is a place in which I can show my friends what I've written. This is okay for all ages to read, though I would say that the violence would earn it a T rating, just to be safe.

My story takes place in the Blue Mountains and so Kili and Fili would be only a little younger than they were in the film. I imagine this takes place only a few years before the journey takes place. Hope you enjoy!

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"You cheated!"

Fili couldn't keep the smile from his face, rolling his eyes with a small laugh at his brother's childlike attitude. "I didn't cheat, Kee, you're just clumsy!"

Standing in front of the golden haired dwarf was his little brother, panting and out of breath, his palms against his knees as he took in some much needed air. "Clumsy?! I'm not clumsy...I'm just..." He straightened, frowning as he was at a loss to find the right word. "I'm learning! Give me a break."

For the past few weeks, Fili had taken it upon himself to personally train his brother to better wield a sword. Sure, any dwarf could swing a blade, but Kili lacked the flow, the true balance that would make him become a better warrior. "Kili...you need to improve." Fili stabbed his practice sword into the ground, walking over to give his brother a pat on the shoulder. "You've gotten better, but you favor that bow of yours...always have. You need to be skilled in both."

Kili scoffed a little, claiming a seat on the dead grass as he tossed his own sword aside. Autumn had approached without warning and the weather grew colder by the day, making practice all the more difficult. "Why both? You're not skilled in using a bow. Where I favor a bow, you favor a sword." The challenge had been made, and he smirked slightly as he laid back against the fallen leaves, awaiting a response from his brother.

After a good two hours of practice, both dwarves needed a break. Fili sat down beside him, frowning a bit. "A sword can be trusted. What happens if you run out of arrows? If your target is too close?" He let the words sink in a moment, blue eyes resting upon the small river some distance away, allowing memories to touch his mind.

So many years ago, Thorin would take both nephews to this very spot and teach them to fight, to wield a weapon. These were skills that every dwarf needed to learn, but even more so for them, as they were the heirs of a kingdom now destroyed and had much to prove. Admittedly, Fili did get more practice than Kili ever had. Though there was only an age gap of five years between the two brothers, Thorin had put much focus on the eldest as he was the first heir, the one who would take over should he pass on.

"Kii...I'm worried about you," his brother sighed, and Kili now looked to him with a bit of surprise. "Uncle's spoken of reclaiming our homeland, the dangers ahead...it will be difficult enough to talk him into allowing me to come." For as long as he could remember, Fili longed for the day in which he could set off with his uncle; just the promise of being able to go one day was the push he needed to train, to become a better warrior. And yet...here was Kili. Out of breath, reckless as ever, living each day as if the next did not matter. Out of consideration for his feelings, Fili never voiced his concerns, not really. Kili was younger, immature, he would grow out of his careless ways, wouldn't he?

"Fili...I can handle myself." Kili felt slighted, almost, but he did accept the fact that Fili was the better fighter of the two. "I'm not completely helpless, you know." He rose now, skipping a rock across the river. "I didn't mean any offense." The older of the two sighed softly, wishing he could have worded things better. "Don't you understand where I'm coming from?"

"I suppose, but I also think that you're worrying too much." Kili did not look at him as he said this, though he kept a smirk back for what he said next. "You're sounding like Dori lecturing Ori!"

Fili laughed despite himself. Dori was known for lecturing his brothers, even both heirs himself. "I'm sorry, Kili. You'll keep practicing though, won't you? I'd hate to see you give up."

"You know me, Fee...I never give up," Kili smiled now, looking towards him as he retrieved his abandoned bow from the ground. "I'll try again if it'll make you happy." As Fili opened his mouth to reply, he quickly shut it, blue eyes widening. "Kili..." He stepped forward, cold dread washing over him. "Don't move."

"What is it?"

"Kili. Do. Not. Move."

Despite the temptation he felt, Kili stayed put, heart pounding in his ears, his eyes searching Fili's desperately. What was wrong? Why shouldn't he move? "Fili..."

Without warning, Fili drew both swords--his real swords, unlike the practice sword he'd been using. Up ahead there was a warg, not 15ft away. The wolf-like creature had emerged from a cluster of trees, its gaze locked on the back of Kili who was oblivious of its presence.

"Draw an arrow slowly, Kili."

The warg had started to snarl lowly, queuing Kili in on what was happening. Following by his brother's instruction, he cautiously drew an arrow from the quiver, notching it to his bow with as little movement as possible. "Now?"

Fili gave a tense nod, ready to pull his brother back should he miss. Kili turned sharply and shot, right as the foul creature had started towards them at a run, snarling viciously with a lust for blood, but the beast didn't get far because the arrow had gotten there first.

The arrow pierced the monster between the eyes and with a terrible shriek the beast fell to the ground with a heavy thud, dead before it had hit the earth. Neither brother said anything a moment, staring at the creature before looking at each other. Despite the fear he'd felt in that time, Kili broke into a broad, nervous grin. "What was that about sword practice, Fili?" He questioned, voice suddenly taking on a teasing tone that masked the panic he'd felt. "I believe you mentioned something about a bow being untrustworthy?"

Great, just what he needed. An ego to go along with his smack talk. Scowling slightly, Fili walked forward with his sword out, ensuring the monster was dead. "Not bad, I suppose," he mumbled, having to admit that his brother's aim was the truest he'd ever seen. Perhaps he needn't worry so much after all; as long as Kili had a bow and some arrows, he could defend himself rather well. "What's a warg doing up around here?"

Kili shrugged, putting a boot to the head of the monster as he jerked the arrow from its skull with a sickening snap. "Dunno, maybe he wanted to practice as well." He said with a laugh, laughing even more when he saw the look of disgust on his brother's face.

Fili rolled his eyes at the comment, raising an eyebrow as his brother took the arrow. "You're going to reuse that?"

"'Course I am. Easier than making a new one." Kili put the arrow right back to his quiver, smirking now. "Don't tell me that makes you squeamish," he teased, knowing well that the comment would irk him. For some reason Fili seemed an easy target today; messing with him was terribly easy when he was so set on being serious. The eldest looked up, scoffing at the accusation. "Don't be ridiculous." 

Once again, their conversation was interrupted. The sound of a warg's howl was heard, followed by several others. The pack had heard one of its own fall. "Come on, we need to get back," Fili felt breathless suddenly, giving his brother a shove towards the pathway. One warg was easily dealt with...but a pack? They were dangerous, foul creatures, attacking what lived for the sole sake of bloodshed. More howls. Closer. "RUN!"

Kili did not need to be told twice. At once, both brothers ran, the autumn leaves crunching beneath their worn leather boots. Home was a good fifteen minutes away. Neither dwarf said a word, focused on running, keeping an ear out for any nearby howls. If only they'd headed home earlier...Fili started to mentally scold himself for keeping them out so late--the sun was already setting, being outdoors wasn't always wise, especially not so far from home. Every so often the blonde would cast a glance aside, making sure that Kili was keeping his pace. 

More running...panting...the howls sounded a little more distant now. Fili lead the way, despite the dark he knew this forest well and could guide them home even in the darkest of nights. "We're almost there," he said between harsh breaths; the cold weather was relentless and running proved painful. "Keep up!"

"I am!" Kili shot back, sounding just as breathless as he. "It hurts," he protested, his lungs feeling as if they'd burst. Running was hard enough without the weaponry they carried. Fili did not reply, for the effort to talk only winded him further. They needed to get home and they could not afford to stop...they could not take on an entire pack of wargs, no matter what weaponry they carried. Just a little farther...a little farther...

Before Fili realized what was happening, he felt himself lose balance, falling to the ground below. An overgrown root had caught hold of his boot and he'd tripped in a bad way. Cursing himself for his stupidity, the eldest pushed himself up, making an attempt to rise before more time was lost. "Fili!" Gasping, Kili was at his side, pulling his brother up as quickly as he could. "You're alright?!" 

"Fine," Fili answered quickly, though this soon proved untrue as he put weight on his right foot, causing him to cry out from the sharp pain brought. No. This was NOT good. They still had a good five minutes before they reached home. "What happened?" Kili's brown eyes were wide, his gaze landing on his brother's foot in panic as he helped support him. More howls. "Did you break something??"

"No, no," Fili panted, waving him off. "It's just--" he winced, hissing at the pain. "I twisted my ankle! Go get Thorin--"

Kili looked to him in shock, completely aghast. "I am NOT leaving you here, Fili," he said at once, slipping an arm around his torso while supporting as much weight as he could to get the pressure from his ankle. "Come on...we can get back! We're close--"

"No, we're not!" Fili couldn't help but raise his voice, panic flooding his mind. They'd been making poor time before, but now? With a twisted ankle, he wasn't getting anywhere fast, and he knew for a fact that the wargs would have easily picked up on their scent by now. "Please, Kili, get Thorin."

Kili shook his head adamantly, the thought of leaving Fili here made him sick. "I can't do that." Why was he being so stubborn? Did Fili actually believe he could leave him here? Without giving him a chance to protest, he started forward, helping his big brother along whether he liked it or not. "I won't leave you."