Chapter One
August 25, 2941
Tauriel stalked, or it would be more accurate to say she tried to stalk, inside upon return from patrol but it really came off more as a stiff limp. She'd already passed from sight when Legolas freed himself from the group of guards to go after her. He caught up as she was sneaking from the healing room carrying a handful of supplies. "Tauriel."
She ignored him completely, heading towards the dungeons, seeming to forget they were now occupied. As a child she learned quickly that it was a wonderful place to hide. So rarely were there any prisoners in the Woodland Realm that others largely overlooked the space, especially when hunting a stubborn, elusive, redhaired elfling. Once she even locked herself into one of the cells for an entire day before someone thought to look there when she could be found nowhere else and she was rescued. It became a refuge of sorts after that, a place Tauriel and Legolas could go to play games and later to talk and share dreams and fears and be alone together. He missed those days, truth be told.
Tauriel stopped short at the bottom of the first set of stairs, eyeing the prisoners invading their space (though not of their own free will) warily. He lay a hand on her arm. "You should see a healer."
She jerked away. "I can tend to myself!"
Had he mentioned she was stubborn? Legolas sighed. Tauriel was also very used to being the best and injuries were not part of that. Her skills made her overconfident at times and, like today, landed her in more than a little hurt.
Tauriel sat down on the landing, disregarding the dwarves who looked up to see who their visitors were with no small amount of disdain - except one. Drawing up her leg carefully, she unlaced her tall boot and pulled it slowly off, hissing when doing so rubbed the rather deep slash on her calf. With a huff she set it aside and cautiously rolled up the leg of her breeches, then selected what she needed to cleanse the wound. No noise escaped through her gritted teeth but Legolas' heart squeezed at the pain reflected on her face.
Her hand shook when she threaded the needle and only then did Legolas stop her. "Let me," he offered quietly, not waiting for her to agree before washing his hands in the cleaning solution and taking the needle.
"You do not like this any more than I do." Her voice quavered, eyes shut tightly against the inevitable discomfort.
"I can handle it better than watching you sew yourself up," he retorted gently, smoothly making the first stitch.
Tauriel looked away for fifteen neat stitches, her body rigid with the effort of keeping any cries of hurt inside, and when he tied off the string Legolas kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry nesa." [Sister]
She gave him a small smile. "I'd rather you than Ilmare." Which is why they always ended up down here when she came back injured. Legolas wouldn't tattle on her to the king as others might.
He wrapped a clean bandage carefully around her leg and tied it, then squeezed her shoulder gently. "I'll make you some willowbark tea. Do you want it here or in my room?" They often sat in his quarters of a night to share hot drinks and let the tension of guard duty seep away in the presence of one they trusted completely. There was no judgement between them, no competition, no jealousy. They were fiercely protective of each other, loyal to a fault, fighting together seamlessly as they had learned to do in their long years side by side. It was a safe place, the position they held in one another's hearts. None meant more to Tauriel and Legolas than each other.
Tauriel hesitated. "Here, I suppose, where we can still see the starlight. Hannon le." [Thank you]
All was hushed as Legolas climbed the steps and she leaned back against the stone wall, carefully covering the covered cut with her palm. A quiet voice to the left startled her. "Does it hurt much?"
Tauriel whipped her head around, finding the source to be the tall young darkhaired dwarf who'd had the audacity both to assume she needed his help with the spiders yesterday and then tease her when she locked him up. "I do not know what you are talking about," she said coldly.
He gave her a knowing look. "My brother's had to patch me up for stuff like that a hundred times. Being brave doesn't make the needle hurt less." He quirked an eyebrow. "Is he your brother? I don't know what you were saying to each other, but that's how it looked."
Her severe expression softened at the thought of Legolas. "Aye," she answered quietly, "he is the closest thing to a brother I have." Tauriel's anger faded away to exhaustion and she shifted as her leg started to throb. "Is your brother here?"
The dwarf pointed up a level. "The blond one with all the knives."
She chuckled. "And I thought elves traveled well armed."
He shrugged one shoulder, leaning casually against the bars of his cell. "Fili..likes to live dangerously. Woe to all who catch him off guard."
"How many times have you felt his blade for sneaking up on him unawares?"
The dwarf grinned. "That's not important. What's important is how many times have I gotten cut."
"And the answer?"
He sighed. "Not enough times that Fi still doesn't think it'll teach me a lesson about startling him."
"You are a slow learner then," she put in.
"I'm...trying to teach him to take life less seriously," the dwarf said at last. "I think I need to work harder."
"Tauriel?" Legolas called and she looked up, changing position to face him and accepting the mug he held out to her. "Will you be alright?"
Tauriel arched an eyebrow at him. "I'm always alright."
He crouched down beside her. "I'm assigning you indoor duty for a week." Her mouth fell open and he closed it. "I'll not have you skipping through treetops on that leg until it's fully healed, nor slaying spiders either. If you argue," he continued to forestall the words she clearly wanted to say, "I will take this matter to Ilmare or the king and they will lecture you more sternly than I have."
Tauriel glared sharply at him. "Heca!" [Scram/Get lost]
Legolas chuckled and tweaked her braid. "I love you too nesa. Mara lome." [Goodnight]
"I hope you step in squirrel droppings tomorrow," she muttered under her breath at his retreating back. His laughter telling her he heard did not help her mood any.
"Willowbark tea," the dwarf observed. "Not much for flavour, but it'll help." He gestured to the mug. "Though only if you drink it."
Tauriel sipped the hot brew and made a face. "Indoor duty." That left far too much time to think and stew on the problems their kingdom faced, which would only get her in trouble later when those thoughts made their way to her tongue.
"Doesn't sound so bad," he offered.
She could feel her eyelids getting heavier. "I must retire Master Dwarf. Indoor duty does not mean I get to lie abed all day."
She took her leave without saying goodbye but Kili was encouraged by the conversation. They'd only been here a day and a half, there was lots of time yet.
LOTR
August 26
Tauriel limped down the stairs after breakfast and announced to the Company that tubs and hot water would be brought soon so they could all bathe, a routine that would be repeated every few days for the length of their stay. Being imprisoned did not mean they had to lack the basic necessities. "And if you do not mind sitting around in blankets for a few hours, we will have your clothes washed and mended." She left without even looking at him, though Kili was cheered at the prospect of being clean and perhaps making a more favourable impression. What he really wanted was to get to know her better.
She hid when Legolas finished his duties for the day - when not guarding the forest he was on duty in the halls or attending to his royal responsibilities as heir to his father's kingdom - naturally drawn to the cells for that purpose, and found herself again at the young dwarf's barred door. "What were thirteen dwarves doing wandering through Mirkwood alone? Did you not know it wasn't safe?"
"We lost our guide," he began hesitantly. "He thought we could make it alone but the sickness and enchantment in that air...we left the path."
Tauriel sat down nearby. "You are evading my question."
The dwarf sighed. "If my king will not share with yours, I think I should not either. Though I would rather get this over with."
She seemed startled. "Your king?"
Kili nodded. "Thorin is son of Thrain son of Thror, heir to the kingdom of Erebor, the only one with right to be King Under the Mountain."
That news seemed to be a revelation to the elf. "My king...I have never seen him change his mind."
He chuckled softly. "Then perhaps dwarves and elves are not so different after all."
She gave him an inscrutable look and made as if to leave, but Kili coveted her company and asked quietly, "How is your leg?"
Tauriel scowled. "Fine."
He noticed she was wearing shorter boots today that did not rise high enough to aggravate her injury. "I've heard it said that elves do not lie."
She sighed. "I am unused to limitations and right now there are two - my leg and my prince's command. I do not do well with being confined."
"Another way in which our races are similar," he murmured, catching Tauriel off guard, as she hadn't considered their positions to be alike. He cleared his throat and continued. "Your prince?" His brow furrowed. "Are you royalty also?"
A sad smile touched her lips. "I was something like it, once, but that was long ago. Now I serve my king and kingdom. And though Legolas can be irritatingly haughty and use his authority in infuriating ways at times, he is ever my prince and I am required to be obedient to his commands."
"But off duty he is simply the older brother who loves you and wants what is best for you?"
One eyebrow arched. "That sounds as if you have experience in the matter."
Kili didn't know if sharing Fili's status as heir was wise and shrugged. "Let's just say I can understand the conflicting emotions of the situation."
She looked like she wanted to say more but moved on to continue her rounds instead, albeit more slowly than usual.
LOTR
August 27
Kili was laying on his back contemplating the stone ceiling, trying to find constellations in the pits and peaks of the rough stone when Tauriel sat down heavily outside his door, her legs dangling over the ledge as she stared down at the rushing water. She neither moved nor spoke and several minutes passed before Kili's curiosity got the best of him. "Is everything alright my lady?"
She jumped as if she'd forgotten she wasn't alone and glanced back over her shoulder. "Apologies for the disturbance Master Dwarf. I'm used to coming here when I'm troubled. We've not had prisone- that is, the dungeons have not been occupied in centuries."
Kili cast his gaze around the space. "I'm honoured...I think." She didn't respond so he tried again. "What troubles bring you here tonight?"
It took awhile for Tauriel to decide if she was going to answer him. "I've...spoken my mind to the wrong people. No doubt when the king hears I'll be summoned and lectured yet again on what my duties as a Captain of the Guard entail - killing the spiders where they spawn is not part of that." She pounded her fist on the stone. "But I only want to protect my people!"
He pursed his lips. "I would think you should be commended for that passion."
Tauriel sighed. "You would be alone in that Master Dwarf." She fell silent again and Kili was at a loss for how to encourage her, so they sat without speaking, both feeling very alone - separated from those who were their usual companions in distress.
LOTR
August 28
By the end of the third full day after having her leg sewn up Tauriel seemed to be moving easier and Kili recalled reading somewhere that elves healed faster than mere mortals. She hurried down the steps from above where he could hear the faint sounds of activity. "Is it a special occasion?" he asked as she went by.
Tauriel halted. "Legolas' guard company has returned early. One of them is injured." Though they often rotated to the forest together something had been reported that needed his attention, so he left early yesterday to lend assistance. She was simply glad the guard who took hurt was not her brother, despite her current irritation with him. Her eyes flickered up to meet the dwarf's. "I am sorry for that guard but eager to avoid Legolas' censure." She sighed. "Indoor duty perhaps was meant to imply paperwork in the study, not inspecting every inch of the halls for security concerns."
Kili nodded in understanding. "You were supposed to be resting."
She wrinkled her nose. "He did not use those words."
"But you knew what he meant."
Tauriel nodded shortly. "There are places to hide in the realm that even the prince is not privy to. If you will excuse me Master Dwarf."
LOTR
August 29
He didn't see her again until the following afternoon. "Still evading him are you?"
Tauriel backtracked to answer his question as she was being pursued, but then decided she'd rather Legolas hear her grievances. "I'm punishing him for confining me."
"Which would only work if I'd done it out of spite rather than love," he commented behind them. "I'm told this has become a routine. Why are you befriending our prisoners Tauriel?"
She looked back and forth between them, having not expected to be called out. "Well, they've yet to actually earn my enmity."
Legolas sighed. "The king would not approve."
Tauriel's gaze hardened. "The king cares not if they rot and die in these cells! It cannot hurt to have one elf in this realm who treats them as living beings rather than dirt on the bottom of his shoes."
His brow furrowed at her bitterness. "What has happened nesa? I have not seen this attitude in some time."
Kili was now being ignored in favour of their conversation but he didn't mind. One could learn just as much by listening as by speaking.
She began pacing across the narrow space. "I was called to account for my opinions, again. And then told which ones I should and should not hold as a member of the guard and resident of these halls." Tauriel stopped and spun on her heel. "I am going to get my bow."
Legolas was right at her heels. "Tauriel, I-"
She whirled back to glare at him. "I can practice without your direct supervision, thank you."
Then she was gone and the prince closed his eyes. "So it is to be one of those days."
"Does she do that a lot?" Kili inquired, watching the she-elf disappear from sight.
Legolas turned a cold gaze on the dwarf. "That is none of your concern." He too took his leave and Kili sat back down hard, musing on the unexpected glimpse into Tauriel's true personality.
LOTR
August 30
Kili wasn't sure it really surprised him when Legolas turned up long after Tauriel left for bed, which had been over an hour after their conversation of starlight and memory and a fire moon began. He was quite loathe for the bossy blond prince to dampen those happy memories with his cold presence. "What do you want with my sister's attention?" he demanded in a whisper.
The dwarf shrugged. "She's nice. I'm a person to her, not an enemy or a nuisance. I expected elves to all be stiff and proper like you."
"Oh, Tauriel can cause her share of chaos," Legolas replied before thinking better of it.
"That I can see," Kili grinned.
Legolas began pacing agitatedly. "Elves and dwarves don't become friends, nor...anything else! You need to leave her alone."
Kili's heart ached at the thought of losing Tauriel's company. "You could let us go," he suggested, forcing the words out through the lump in his throat. "Then I wouldn't be about to bother her."
"Must you be so glib?" It was next to impossible to gauge this dwarf's sincerity when he mistrusted the entire race.
Kili threw up his hands. "What would you have me do?"
"Tell her you don't like elves," Legolas blurted but Kili shook his head.
"I'll not lie to Tauriel to ease your conscience. Do you really want me to hurt her?"
Legolas glared stonily at him. "I want her safe. And there is nothing safe about mortals."
Kili frowned, not understanding that statement, but the prince stalked off before he could ask for an explanation.
LOTR
August 31 - end of first week
Tauriel returned at breakfast, bringing a steaming drink to sip while she sat outside his cell. "Tell me of your journey. What else have you seen aside from Mirkwood?" Her brow furrowed when it came out sounding like an order. "That is, if you do not mind."
Kili swallowed a bite of toast and grinned. "Always happy to share with a captive audience." He pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Although I guess technically I am the captive one." He mused on the subject for a moment. "We got a ride from Gwaihir's eagles."
Her mouth fell open. "You've seen the great eagles?"
He remembered how close they came to losing their entire company and kin that night. "They have remarkable timing," Kili answered quietly. "Then there was almost getting crushed by stone giants in a thunder battle, or being chased by wargs. What about the time we played water games in Lord Elrond's fountain?" He shrugged. "I don't know where to begin."
Tauriel's eyes grew wider with each event he mentioned. "If only I did not have duties," she lamented. "I would hear of your adventures all day."
He gazed at her through the ornate bars. "I wish you would stay. There is much I long to share with you."
A strange expression crossed her face but a sharp voice called out before she could answer, "Tauriel, you are needed."
Tauriel set the mug aside and flashed him a shy smile, responding to Legolas' order.
Kili watched her go and made a face. "If you think you can get rid of me that easily you pointy eared Elvish princeling, you greatly underestimate the stubbornness of dwarves."
LOTR
September 4 - (Aug 31-Sept 4 Tauriel on patrol)
It was late four days following their previous encounter when Kili heard an argument at the top of the stairs - hushed voices sparring back and forth until one rose. "I have done nothing wrong Legolas! He is...my friend. They have not harmed nor threatened us, why must they be prisoners? Is the king's wounded pride worth stealing their lives without cause?"
Legolas seemed to be trying to calm her down but Tauriel refused to be placated. "You have never done such a thing before. I do not understand!"
His tone shifted to a more commanding one and her words came out stiff and formal. "Yes Your Highness." A moment later she spun around and spat at him, "But you cannot command my compassion or my heart. And if I disobey the order I wish you would throw me in the dungeon. The dwarves are better companions than one whom I used to know!"
He could hear fast footsteps, walking then running, and Legolas' half-hearted call after her, "Tauriel, if you would only listen..." But it was too late and the prince muttered to himself as he walked away. "Why I thought something would suddenly change after hundreds of years..."
Kili frowned at the stone walls surrounding him and wondered what in Arda was going on.
LOTR
Tauriel came in a different way long before dawn, seemingly surprised to find him awake, though still laying on the ledge that served as his bed. He looked at her solemnly. "I don't think you're supposed to be here."
Wariness crept into her face. "What did you hear?"
Kili sighed. "Enough to figure it out. Why are you defying him? Didn't you tell me your duty was-"
"Because he cannot give me a reason why! Legolas does not like you, King Thranduil even less, but they've yet to present an argument that makes any sense! What makes us superior to you? What great difference is there between dwarves and elves if you do not take into account immortality?"
"That seems a pretty weighty one to me," Kili murmured.
Tauriel ignored him. "That word is wrong anyways. Elves can die in battle, from grief, from despair. Our spirits are tied to Arda, yet none of those who first awoke still walk these shores." She wilted onto the step as her righteous anger drained away. "We both love music, even if it is of a different style. We display loyalty to our kin and passion for our kingdoms. We both love what the Valar has made, even if we prefer starlight and trees to jewels and stone." She sighed. "I do not understand."
He grasped the bars, having moved closer during her speech. "When you put it like that Tauriel, neither do I."
Her eyebrows shot up. "You know my name."
"As I'm sure you know mine."
Tauriel smiled. "Kili." Then something caught her attention and she bit her lip. "I better go. Mara lome."
"Goodnight?" Kili guessed. "What do you say in return?"
"Losto vae," she said softly. "Sleep well."
He tested it out. "Losto vae. Sleep well Tauriel."
Tauriel nodded and was gone and moments later he heard boots on the stairs and hurried to pretend sleep. Something had changed, he just had to figure out what it was.
LOTR
September 7 - end of week 2
Tauriel ignored Legolas for two entire days, sneaking in to see Kili late at night, until the prince took back his order, rather desperate to be in the elleth's favour again. Though their relationship was not immediately mended, at least she spoke to him finally, even laughing during meals they shared and the turns they took trying to best each other at target practice. Even with permission granted again to speak with the dwarves, one in particular, she continued her late night visits when all was quiet and it felt as if they were utterly alone in that sacred space.
Kili shared stories from his life and Tauriel of hers, though it became clear quite quickly who had been part of more adventures and daring escapades. Rather than dwell on her isolation in the forest, Kili learned more about her routine, such as being a Captain of the Guard meant she was out patrolling among the trees every second week and then back on duty in Thranduil's halls while another group took their turn. Which made him feel slightly better when she kept disappearing for days on end. At least he knew she wasn't purposefully avoiding him at times.
LOTR
September 13 - (Sept 9-13 Tauriel on patrol)
She'd only been back on outdoor duty for the second time when Tauriel again returned with an injury, though this time it was only a red line on her cheek rather than something requiring stitches. She cleaned it carefully, finding the skin more tender than she expected, and Legolas settled with a huff two stairs above where she sat. "You were distracted today."
"I am fine," she insisted.
"Tauriel, usually the orcs cannot even get near you, today one tried to take off your head. Where were your thoughts?"
Tauriel turned to him with hurt filled eyes. "Where do you think? Just because it has been six hundred years since they died does not mean I have forgotten. Sometimes...sometimes it is if I am right back there, watching that filth murder everyone I loved without remorse."
Legolas was undone by her tears and held her close while she cried, laying his cheek on her hair. "Goheno nin nesa. I did not mean to cause you pain." [Forgive me sister]
She swallowed and grasped his arm. "You did not cause it."
He closed his eyes. "Neither was I in time to stop it."
Tauriel looked up, pressing her palm to his face. "I have never blamed you. No child could ask for a better brother than the one I was given."
Legolas tightened his grip on her and did his best to offer comfort to his distraught sister, both completely unaware that they were being watched by a conflicted blackhaired dwarf.
LOTR
September 14 - end of week 3
Kili was at the door to his cell the next morning long before Tauriel came to do her usual rounds. They tended to have their real conversations later at night when she was off duty but always shared pleasantries when she checked on them each day. He studied her face, feeling worry crowd his chest. "How do you fare today my lady?"
Her brow furrowed as this was not part of their usual exchange. "I am well, thank you Master Dwarf."
He pointed to the cut. "I beg your pardon, but that says otherwise."
Tauriel shook her head dismissively. "It is nothing Kili, please do not fret." She arched an eyebrow at him. "I already have one brother hovering whenever I so much as have a hair out of place. I do not need another."
Kili closed his eyes a moment, taking a deep breath for courage. "Believe me Tauriel, I do not view our interactions in a sibling light. Quite the opposite actually."
Her cheeks coloured and she moved on, but not before glancing back over her shoulder as if pondering exactly what he meant by that.
