Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings or any of Tolkien's amazing characters. I only own my story and my characters so no stealing.

A/N: I will admit that I was not a fan of the Tauriel/Kili romance that was added to the movie and I'm still not a huge fan because I think it made the overall story unnecessarily long but after watching "Battle of the Five Armies", I couldn't get this idea out of my head. This story begins at the end of the battle and continues during and after "Lord of the Rings". It mainly follows the movie with some of the book thrown in from what I researched. Anything in italics is in elvish, unless stated otherwise. I apologize for being too lazy to translate it myself. Whenever there is a time skip, the year will be in bold at the beginning of the chapter. Please review and enjoy!

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The battle was over. They had won, but at what cost? Tauriel slowly made her way to where Kili had fallen. Her wounds pulsated and ached with every step that she took but she still limped up the stairs with fierce determination. As she made it to the last step she could finally see his body. She forced herself to travel the last several feet before collapsing next to him. As she looked at his peaceful face she felt hot tears streaming down her own. If this wasn't real then why did it hurt so badly? The pain was certainly real.

Tauriel sat next to Kili and simply stroked his face. She still couldn't believe that this dwarf prince had sacrificed his life for her, a lowly elf. He had been so different than what she had expected. All elves were told that dwarves were brash and rough and not to be trusted. But Kili had been tender and kind. He had also been surprisingly handsome for a dwarf and didn't seem to carry the same prejudices as his race, which was surprising considering who his uncle was.

Tauriel didn't look up when Thranduil came around the corner but she knew that he was there. Still stroking Kili's face and without looking up, she asked the elven king, "Why does it hurt so much?" She looked up, fresh tears still coming out uncontrollably. "Please, take it away."

Thranduil looked at the young elleth whom he considered like a daughter almost sympathetically. He knew the pain of losing the one you love all too well. "It hurts because it was real," he admitted softly.

Tauriel knew that she couldn't stay but she didn't want to leave him. She would never see those deep, dark brown eyes again. She pulled out the rune that he had given her and placed it between their hands. Slowly, Tauriel leaned down and kissed Kili's cold lips. She pocketed the rune again and stood with one final look at the fallen prince.

She approached Thranduil and nodded respectfully. Her body was in no condition to bow or kneel at the moment. "My Lord, I apologize for my betrayal," she started. "I know that nothing I say can change what I have done. Thank you for taking me in and caring for me."

Thranduil was quiet for a few minutes as he studied the redhead in front of him. Finally, he hooked his finger under her chin and forced her to look up at him. "Never regret what you felt for him. True love is rare and special."

Tauriel blinked in surprise, something that did not happen very easily, as Thranduil walked away. In her six hundred years she had never heard Thranduil speak in such a way. As Tauriel contemplated Thranduil's words, she sensed Legolas watching from behind her. "Legolas," she said and turned around.

Legolas was leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed and was watching her with an odd expression on his face. He glanced over at Kili's body. "You really loved him."

Tauriel nodded as fresh tears flowed down her face again. "Yes."

Legolas sighed and walked up to her. "What will you do now?"

Tauriel shook her head. "I do not know. I have never considered what I would so if I were ever on my own. And you? Will you go back to Mirkwood with your father?"

Legolas shook his head. "I've thought about travelling north. I might also visit Imaldris, see Lord Elrond." He suddenly grew serious. "Know that you are never alone. If you ever need me I will be there, I promise."

He touched her cheek softly and leaned forward so that their foreheads were touching. She smiled sadly. "Thank you."

They stood there silently for a few minutes, heads down and eyes closed. Tauriel was the first to pull away. "Safe travels Legolas."

Legolas nodded and walked away, leaving Tauriel to stand alone in the ruins.