"Kili!" Tauriel's voice echoed through the the stone corridors. Luin stepped over a dead orc, presumably one he had killed earlier, and looked around. The hall split off into two directions. With all the sounds of fighting, Tauriel's and Kili's voices bounced around in disembodied echoes. It was impossible for Luin and Legolas to tell from where they came from.

Luin glanced back at the elf. Legolas stepped up next to him, fingers gripping his bow tightly. "I'll go right", he suggested. "You take the left". He paused and looked Luin up and down. Some golden colour had returned to his skin and the hollowness of his eyes was slightly removed. The black orbs had regained their glint but Legolas was still worried. Luin was still drained and exhausted. It was obvious in the fragile way he held himself. Luin caught his gazed and smiled reassuringly. He sheathed his sword and placed his right hand on Legolas' cheek. "I'll be okay", he muttered. He reached up and pressed his lips gently to his. It lasted for half a second before Luin was pulling away. The peck a chafes reassurance. "Go. Don't die".

"I shall say that same to you", Legolas returned, lips pulling up into a soft smile. He watched as Luin began walking down the left corridor, swords held at his sides, until he turned a corner and was out of sight. It was only then that Legolas pulled out a arrow and raised his bow. He began down the right corridor.

There weren't many opponents down the left corridor. Luin dispatched them with graceful swiftness before moving onwards. The stone petered slowly out into a ruined mess of what must have once been rooms. The walls were partially destroyed, exposing the stone foundations like ribs on the side of the mountain. The floor dropping off into the mist beyond. The wind howled and a few stray snowflakes landed on Luin's hair as he left the shelter of the corridor.

"Tauriel!" The shout was close. A clash of steel rang out and a groan of pain. Luin darted up, feet jumping nimbly over the stone as he followed the noise. He rounded around a destroyed column just in time to watch as a massive orc, recognisable as one of Azog's soldiers, threw Tauriel off his back like a rag doll. The she elf tumbled and rolled, stopping barely a foot away from the cliff edge. The orc hefted his massive mace, the spear end pointed down towards where he was holding Kili in a tight grip.

"No!" Luin reacted. He bounded forwards, leaping up to slash with one of his swords. It sliced through the thick skin of the orc's arm where the armour did not cover. The orc howled and dropped his mace in surprise. He turned, putrid eyes blazing to face Luin. Kili, who was still in the monster's grip, groaned. He was blood covered and visibly injured.

"Luin!" He gasped. "Get Tauriel. Run!" His next words were choked off as the orc hefted the dwarf up with both hands. He threw Kili bodily, the dwarf sailing over Tauriel to disappear over the side of the cliff. He didn't even get time to scream.

"No!" Tauriel's voice broke as she watched Kili fall. Luin reacted quickly and threw one of his swords down after him. The blade glinted as it soared in a wide arch over them and out of sight into the mist. Everything went silent for a second. Tauriel was sobbing brokenly now, body still curled defensively near the edge. Luin gripped his remaining sword tightly, facing down the orc with a determined expression.

The orc laughed. "Here lies the end of Thorin Oakenshield. You shall taste my steel little wizard".

"No", Luin replied. He twirled his sword in his hand in preparation. "You shall taste mine".

A war cry sounded as Tauriel charged. She had gotten up and was tackling the massive orc with all her body strength. Luin blinked in surprise but followed her example. Both of them collided with the orc heavily. The monster stumbled but caught Tauriel with one hand . He twisted and managed to throw her. Luin heard her grunt as she collided with a stone wall.

The orc seized him around the waist, massive arms caging him in so that he couldn't move. Luin groaned and struggled as the orc turned. He went to let go, to drop Luin over the edge of cliff but Luin held on. He managed to grip onto the thick armour and twist himself round in the air. He kicked his foot off of the nearest wall. A small burst of energy helped double the force of the push. Luin's momentum sending the orc and him tumbling down together. The last glimpse that Luin got before he disappeared over the edge, was of Tauriel lying unconscious on the snow covered ground, arm reaching towards the place Kili had dropped.

Luin had no time to summon any more spiritual energy. He hit the cliff heavily on his side and continued rolling. A crack sounded in his chest and Luin gasped in pain. He bounced a few more times before landing on a small ledge a few metres down from where he had originally fallen. Pain filled him and he let out a half swallowed sob. Broken ribs pressed against his winded lungs. His left arm was bent awkwardly and it throbbed. Luin looked around blearily for his sword, a cut on his head was bleeding heavily into his eyes. The weapon was lying on the stone steps above him, hilt glinting at him cheerfully out of reach.

Across the frozen lake, Legolas looked up. The right corridor had taken him out of the castle and round the lake. He was on the other edge of the cliff, a frozen waterfall stretching out between them. The elf had found a vantage point in one of the ruined towers and was shooting down orcs with his bow. A flash of blue made him glance up in time to watch Luin and the massive orc tumble down the stone. His breath froze as Luin landed and lay unmoving.

"Luin!" He called. The massive orc had landed further down but it was getting up. Luin shifted weakly. He raised his right arm out towards his sword, struggling with the onslaught of pain. (Remind him never to fall down a cliff again). Legolas watching desperately as the orc grew nearer.

Beneath the Elf's feet, the tower shuddered. Legolas looked down. A troll with metal Morningstars for hands rammed it's head against the tower base with a roar. The tower shook. Legolas glanced over at Luin. The blade was still out of reach. Legolas reached back for a arrow but his quiver was empty. Dropping his bow, he pulled out his sword. The same sword he had taken from Thorin back in Mirkwood. He twisted the blade in his grip he dropped from the tower and onto the troll below. The sword driving into it's skull. The troll gave a squeal and Legolas twisted the blade. The body stumbling forwards as the nerves twitched. It hit the tower with enough force to end the whole structure toppling. The tower fell, bridging the gap between the two cliff edges.

Luin turned towards the crash, sight darkening as unconsciousness threatened to take over. He fought against it, desiring to remain awake as he spotted a blonde haired figure walk towards him across the tower bridge. He sighed in relief. Legolas was there in the nick of time.

Luin watched the battle with a dizzy gaze. All his energy was being used to hold on. He could offer his prince no assistance. Legolas spun and ducked around the orc's blade with light feet. The whole tower was crumbling around him, stones dropping into the mist below. At one point, Thorin landed on the edge of the frozen river above them. Legolas threw him his sword and switched to his twin hunting knives. Luin felt his focus fade out just as Legolas drove his blade into the massive Orc's head.

"Luin!" Legolas was pulling him up into a seated position. "Luin where are you wounded?" Luin gasped at the shift, eyes opening again. He reached blindly for his sword and Legolas picked it up and sheathed it at his waist.

"Help me up", He croaked. Legolas swung Luin's unbroken arm over his shoulder. He hoisted Luin up onto his feet. A broken whimper escaped him as it put pressure on his broken ribs and battered body.

"Tauriel", Luin's voice stuttered slowly. "I need to get up there". Legolas didn't ask questions, for which Luin was grateful. The elf scooped his arm under Luin's legs. He held him bridle style as he climbed back up the cliff Luin had fallen down just a short time before. Legolas moved effortlessly despite Luin's dead weight. Soon, they emerged over the edge and back to where Luin had left Tauriel.

The redhead was knelt looking over the drop below. Tears were dripping down her face and into the mist. She turned as they approached. Legolas gently knelt and placed Luin on the floor behind her. "Kili?" Tauriel asked softly. Her voice broke in a sob. Luin, who was rapidly fighting unconsciousness, leant back against Legolas' chest. He raised his trembling right hand to press two fingers to the air infront of his lips. There was a moment of tense silence.

Something sharp and glinting shot out of the mist, pulling a dark figure after it. Luin's sword flew into it's sheath as Kili collapsed with a groan on the floor. The dwarf had been hanging off of the blade midair wounded for a long time. The cold had been seeping into his bones and his injuries were throbbing. Luin was relieved that he had not let go. Tauriel gasped and was at his side in a instant. "Kili!"

"Tauriel", Kili groaned. Luin sighed and sagged in Legolas' hold. Eyes finally closing as he succumbed to unconsciousness.

AN: Yes I saved Kili. I wasn't originally planning on it but Luin is such a self sacrificing character that I knew that he would rather die than let any of his friends die in front of him. However, him saving Kili just sent him right back into Qi deprivation.
I swear my characters have a mind of their own.