[i]Banished.[/i] Being struck was nothing compared to that. 
	Before Kili might muster a response or take action, Fili showed up, just as he used to when they were young. The eldest must have had a sixth sense when it came to Kili being in distress; he always seemed to arrive no matter what the situation was.
	As Fili looked to him, Kili swallowed hard, turning his head in the opposite direction in an attempt to hide any evidence of being hit. He was humiliated to have been struck by their uncle, and devastated by the threats made towards he and their godmother. As Fili came between them, the youngest regained his footing and grasped for Fili's wrist. "Fili, don't!" Kili didn't want the same to happen to his brother; he knew how loyal Fili was to their uncle, and he didn't want to be the cause of further conflict between them.

	Thorin's jaw was set in a grim like as he faced his eldest nephew. "Your brother has spoken out of turn," he snarled, enraged that both of his sister's sons were against him. Fili's tone of voice did nothing but agitate him; he now found fault in him, too.
	Every thought that entered the king's head was askew; he was constantly defensive and casting blame on the ones closest to him. As the days dragged on, Thorin became more and more unhinged, consumed by his desire to have the Arkenstone returned to him. 
	"The she-elf has turned him against me, Fili..." The king observed his nephew, his eyes lacking their normal shade of blue. "Has she turned you against me as well?"