Chapter One

Legolas found Tauriel sitting behind the waterfall, knees pulled up to her chest as she stared blankly at the wall of water. Carefully he lowered himself beside her. "What is it mellon?"

Tauriel startled as if she hadn't heard him arrive and looked at him with wide frightened eyes. "My heart is drawn to him," she whispered so quietly he had to strain to hear.

Legolas' mouth dropped open. "What? How could that happen? Tauriel...six hundred years and now with..."

"With a dwarf," she finished dully, sagging against the wall. "I do not understand. Another elf certainly, though I'd long since stopped expecting it. But a dwarf?" Tauriel dropped her head into her hands. "The King will banish me as far as Aman if he finds out."

It was a serious thing, when the heart of an elf was drawn to the one who would complete them, and Legolas would not take lightly this revelation. "He does not have to find out."

A flash of anger sparked in her eyes. "You would have me act like it never happened?" It was well known that Legolas disliked dwarves as much as his father. Tauriel personally had no opinion on them whatsoever until two days ago.

Legolas hesitated. "No...that is not what I meant. Only that your revelation need not be announced to the king. I- Tauriel, an elf and a dwarf? Such a thing has never been done before!"

She nodded. "Aye. But that does not change anything."

Releasing a sigh, Legolas took her hand in his and not another word was spoken between them as they watched the stars and the night drew on.

LOTR

The next time Tauriel made her rounds, she stopped at Kili's cell where he immediately moved to press close to the bars and see her. His gaze was nothing less than adoring and Tauriel tried not to smile, but her expression softened in spite of herself. "Why do you look at me that way?"

Kili gave her a sheepish grin. "I first discovered in Rivendell that Elf-maids drew my attention, but you are the most beautiful creature I've ever seen."

One elegant eyebrow arched. "Is beauty all you see?"

He chuckled and shook a finger at her. "That is a trap my lady." Kili swallowed. "I've known you but two days and already I have witnessed courage, confidence, intrigue, compassion, longing, obedience, wonder. You are so much more than beautiful."

"I-" she began, then stopped, smiling softly. "Thank you."

Kili waited until she walked away before continuing quietly. "I look at you that way because I believe that I am falling in love with you Lady Elf. And isn't that a fine box of rocks?"

He had no way of knowing that Elven hearing far surpassed that of mere mortals, nor did he see the hesitation in her stride at the shocking realization that she was not alone in her feelings.

LOTR

Tauriel returned to the dungeon long after her duties were complete and made her way noiselessly to Kili's cell once more. Her soft soled leather boots made no noise on the worn stone steps and she stopped before the moonlight slanting through the bars and watched the dark-haired dwarf sleep and dream. Not only was he quite tall for a dwarf, but rather handsome also.

"If you drew a picture, it would last longer," he murmured without opening his eyes.

Tauriel hastily stepped back, chagrined to be caught.

Kili propped himself up on one elbow. "What brings you here so late Lady Elf?"

"I have a name," she ventured, "do you know it?"

He moved into a sitting/an upright position and approached the bars. "I heard that haughty blond elf call you...Tauriel?" he offered.

Tauriel nodded. "Yes."

"And mine?"

She opened her mouth but hesitated. "In the forest there was a worried shout for Kili before I saved you from the spider."

"Aye." He bowed grandly. "Kili of the line of Durin, at your service."

"Kili," Tauriel repeated softly. "I do not know what is happening, but I cannot deny the connection I feel. Am I...alone in that?"

"No my lady!" Kili declared fervently. "I feared I was the one alone in the drawing of my heart." He blew out a breath. "Ohh...I thought it was only a dream. Might we...I mean...have we any chance to...become something...together?"

Tauriel swallowed. "You are the first to ever draw my heart Kili, that is no small thing for an elf. But my king hates dwarves. I could not openly declare what I feel if I wished to remain in his service."

Kili closed his eyes and sighed. "Thorin feels the same way about elves. We are at an impasse then."

Her fingers were laid lightly over his on the bars. "The fact that it may be forbidden does not change my heart."

"Nor mine." He grasped her hand. "Tauriel." Their gazes locked and finally Kili asked hopefully, "Will I see you again?"

She smiled. "I am a Captain of the Guard. Keeping an eye on the prisoners, perhaps one in particular, is part of my duties."

Kili stepped back and rolled his eyes. "Is it impossible for elves to simply say yes or no?"

"Is it impossible for dwarves to stay out of danger?" she shot back.

He chuckled. "Point to the lady." His brow furrowed. "Tauriel, why? Why reveal what you feel for me? No one would have ever known and your life would go on as before once we had left."

The comment about leaving confused her, they obviously had no chance of escape, but Tauriel answered anyways. "Because if I had not I would never have been the same. I would have lost something precious, something I was not willing to give up." With one last smile she walked away and Kili stared after her longingly. She cared for him. Could things get anymore complicated?

LOTR

For a week they spoke briefly each day and then one afternoon they were gone. Tauriel's training drew her into battle with the orcs, but her heart was what warned her that Kili's life was in jeopardy and she felled two of the evil creatures in his defense. His pained cry called her attention away from the enemy for but a moment, which almost proved disastrous before she recovered.

Then the dwarves were gone and Legolas knew from the moment his father sent her away that Tauriel would not be long for the forest. He tracked her to where the river bled into the lake and their prisoners had clearly found another method of travel. Her heart panged at the drops of blood she spotted on a rock. "He's wounded. A poisoned arrow... Legolas..."

He squeezed her shoulder. "We will find them mellon. You have my word."

"Aye," Tauriel swallowed, "but will it be in time?"

LOTR

Even in the commotion of being released from the dungeon, Kili had the presence of mind to pause a moment and look at the step outside his cell where Tauriel always sat. He might be losing the chance to ever see her again...but his loyalty lay with Thorin, with Fili and the Company. As much as he felt for Tauriel, he had no choice but to go with them and leave her behind...maybe forever.

When the arrow struck his leg Kili thought he was going to pass out. Never had he felt such blinding, burning pain. Then an orc leapt over the wall and he saw his end coming until a different sort of arrow flew through the air followed by another, taking out those who sought his life. And Tauriel was there - shooting and whirling about with her knives flashing and red hair whipping around. She looked like a vision and all he could do was stare.

With her aim Tauriel gave him the opening to go after the lever once more and send his kin down the river. After one last glance towards the elf his heart had claimed, he slid wearily into the empty barrel, crying out in agony when the arrow shaft snapped off and sagged weakly against the wooden side while Fili watched with concern. Adrenaline masked the pain during their tumble downstream but once he was on dry land again he couldn't hold back the groan as he pressed a sopping scrap of fabric to the bleeding wound.

Fili joined him quickly. "Ki?"

"I'm fine," Kili retorted but Fili ignored him completely.

"Kili's wounded. His leg needs binding."

"You have two minutes," came Thorin's brusque reply.

The brothers exchanged glances. Something had changed. Their uncle was not normally so careless of their well-being. Oin lumbered over before Fili could do more than tear a strip off his tunic. "Let me take a look at that." He probed the ragged hole while Kili nearly crushed Fili's hand as he strove to be silent and frowned. "The head of the arrow is still embedded. I must take it out or risk infection."

Bard chose that moment to make himself known and while the others were distracted by Balin's negotiations, Oin produced a thin sleeve of instruments from a pocket inside his shirt and glanced at Kili. "This is going to hurt lad."

Fili grabbed a small stick for his brother to bite on and gripped his shoulder tightly. Oin was efficient but the mere press of a foreign object inside his wound make Kili clench his teeth and grow rigid with the effort of keeping sound in. Luckily the arrowhead hadn't shifted or gone much deeper but in those seconds when Oin had to guide it out Kili broke into a cold sweat and almost lost consciousness. He leaned back on Fili with a gasp of relief when it was over and his brother lent wordless support only a moment before kneeling to tie a cloth tightly around the bleeding hole.

Thankfully none of the Company had noticed what was going on behind them and by the time Balin and Bard agreed on terms Fili had Kili on his feet. He didn't bother to share with anyone that each step to the barge was agony nor how grateful he was to sit for the passage across the lake. Climbing back into the barrels required Fili's assistance and being cramped inside for the length of time it took Bard to talk them through the checkpoint at Esgaroth caused his leg to spasm.

Kili kept going, following the others as they ran and hid, fought and climbed up to the relative safety of Bard's house because he had no choice, but once inside and wearing a dry outer layer he finally admitted that something was very wrong as he slowly lowered himself to the windowseat using the handle of one makeshift weapon to keep from falling over. A glance at his leg showed blood still seeping through the bandage but it was too dark and he was beginning to feel rather strange.

Fili joined him when he could and kept his voice low. "Are you alright Ki?"

"It hurts," Kili murmured, "and I feel odd, like something's going cold and dark inside me." He gripped a handful of his brother's shirt. "I'm scared Fi."

More than anything Fili wished his brother well or at the very least Thorin to act more like himself. Kili needed their uncle but his focus was on the Mountain, the gold, and there didn't seem room for anyone else.

LOTR

That night Kili insisted he was fine when Thorin bade them help steal iron forged weapons from the town armoury and his front was believable until his leg gave out and he fell down the stairs, waking the guards and everyone else and causing them to be dragged before the Master of Lake-town like common thieves. Thorin had always been persuasive, it was part of his training as a prince and leader, and now was no exception. Kili was able to stay in the background during the impromptu feast thrown, but he ate little and drank even less and the cold within him kept growing, at war with the fire slowly spreading over his skin.

Fili didn't say a word as he helped Kili dress in borrowed armour the following morning but he couldn't stay silent after Thorin dismissed his youngest nephew, barring him from finishing the quest. "Uncle," he pleaded, "we grew up on tales of the Mountain, tales you told us. You cannot take that away from him!"

"Fili-" Thorin began.

"I will carry him if I must!" Fili insisted, meaning every word.

Thorin gazed regally down at him. "One day you will be king and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin." The blond dwarf glanced towards where Kili appeared to be arguing with Oin, probably as usual insisting he was fine, and climbed out of the boat without any hesitation. Thorin grabbed his arm. "Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the Company."

Fili stared hard at the uncle he didn't even recognize. "I belong with my brother," he stated unequivocally, going to join Oin and Kili on the dock.

As the boat pushed off Kili fell into Fili, moaning. "I don't feel well at all Fi."

Fili looked at Oin who was just as worried and once Bofur was added to their number they lifted their injured comrade and went for help.

LOTR

Tauriel jerked to a halt as an image assailed her and a white hot pain shot through her consciousness. "Kili," she exclaimed, overwhelmed for a moment by the strength of that connection. Even what she shared with Legolas was not nearly so intense.

Legolas touched her arm. "Tauriel?"

She faced him with an anguished washed expression. "He's getting worse," she whispered. "We have to hurry!"

Even as he quickened the pace Legolas shot her a confused glance. "How do you know?"

Tauriel placed a hand over her heart. "I can sense him. I feel it - the pain, the emotion..." She remembered the brief flash and knew how terrified he was as the poison slowly veiled his mind and pain coursed through each fiber of his being. She shook her head. "I did not know it would be like this."

Legolas hadn't either and he resisted the truth that he was losing his closest friend. He would no longer be the most important person in her life and after six hundred years together that stung. But on the other hand, how could he be so selfish as to not be joyful for her that she'd found the one to whom her heart was drawn? If only he wasn't mortal... He must've said that part out loud, for Tauriel cut him a sharp look. Legolas closed his eyes briefly, explaining as they ran.

"The dwarf won't mean to Tauriel, but if this...connection between you goes anywhere, one day he will leave you. And whether with a family or without, the choice of Luthien comes with heart wrenching consequences. Many generations of men and dwarves will pass before the years of your life are at an end. I love you Tauriel and I would fight against that which causes you grief. But mortality is one thing I cannot protect you from."

She nodded solemnly. The thought had crossed her mind before, though only for a moment. "It is my choice mellon. I may be afraid of what will come, but I do not wish to take it back."

Her sense of Kili's growing distress pushed Tauriel faster and urged them on around the lake to Esgaroth. They tracked the orcs silently across rooftops, spurred to action by the screams of children. Tauriel and Legolas worked quickly through the house, vanquishing foes and leaving carnage in their wake. Kili assisted by stabbing an orc so she could finish it off but the effort cost him and she faltered at his cry.

Legolas said her name as he left to follow those that escaped and a single moment passed between them before he was gone and she nearly stumbled over a dwarf at the door. "Athelas," she whispered reverently, snatching the precious plant from him.

Kili groaned and writhed and moaned and cried out from the table where they moved him, but Tauriel narrowed her focus to what she could do to help. She wet the athelas and crushed them into a paste, pressing it to the poisoned wound despite knowing in the beginning that action would cause him even more pain. The girls were quick to help hold Kili down when his thrashing grew worse, but as she spoke the healing words gradually he grew still and just stared at her with wide delirious eyes.

When Tauriel was certain the wound had been cleansed, she left the athelas paste where it was and cast about for a clean strip of linen to bind his leg. Sigrid was already ahead of her, tearing up a spare apron and handing her a long piece. Fili and Oin moved into the kitchen area while Bofur began to pick up the things that had hit the ground. He stopped almost right away and motioned for Fili's help dragging the dead orcs out first, pushing them into the water to sink.

Tauriel returned to Kili's side and began winding the linen snugly around his leg. He sighed like one waking from a dream. "Tauriel?"

She smiled, relieved to find him coherent so quickly. "Lie still."

"You cannot be her," he said slowly. "She is far away. She is far, far away from me. She walks in starlight in another world." Kili trailed off sadly. "It was just a dream." His eyes slid almost closed and his hand reached out, searching for an anchor that he found when she wove their fingers together. "Do you think she could've loved me?"

Tauriel scrambled to come up with an answer equal to the depth of his plea. "I think," she began slowly, "that she is very close." She risked brushing the hair from his eyes. "Could you love an elf Master Dwarf?"

Kili was fading away from reality. "I have loved her since the first moment I saw her in the forest where she saved my life and smiled. I've never seen a nicer smile. She smiled at me that way when I told her about the fire moon...such a beautiful smile..."

Keenly aware that they were not alone, Tauriel didn't know how to respond but she dared to bend and drop a kiss on his forehead. "Sleep Kili. You are safe now. No harm will come to you while I stand guard." She straightened to find the blond dwarf staring suspiciously at her and let her mask fall back into place. "It would be more comfortable if he could be moved to the bed." Then she took herself out of doors where she could breathe. What had she done?

LOTR

Kili slept through the night, waking only once for water, and Fili was on hand to fetch it. Once they were all asleep Tauriel came back inside and sat near the window, keeping one eye out for danger and one on Kili. He grew restless quite early in the morning and she could feel that he'd developed a fever, which was good because his body had started fighting back. She brewed fever tea and administered it often, but still dusk was creeping in on them before Kili recovered sufficiently for conversation.

Tauriel hovered nearby while the other three dwarves carried on a whispered conference in the corner. Kili rolled his head towards her. "I thought you were a dream."

She smiled slightly. "I am very glad you were more than one."

His brow furrowed. "What happened? I don't remember much after getting back here from the dock."

The elf had occasion while he slept to learn what transpired before Thorin's group left. "Be glad you do not." She sank gracefully to the edge of the bed. "I need to check and see how fares your injury."

Kili steeled himself against the inevitable discomfort and nodded as she untied the knot and the layers fell away. She examined the spot carefully and touched it gently, relieve to see healthy pink tissue without any of the frightening black streaks from yesterday and smiled. "It is much better today." Adding a few recovered athelas leaves, Tauriel bound his leg again. "Do you recall asking me a question last night?"

He shook his head. "No. But I was thinking, wondering really, if it was possible for a beautiful elf to love me, a nearly beardless dwarf."

Her fingers skimmed over his cheeks, lips curving up. "It is softer than I expected."

Kili grabbed her hands. "Tauriel, could you?"

Tauriel had a better answer for him now and her eyes lit from within. "Yes," Tauriel whispered happily. "I could love you very much."

"Amralime," he murmured, but any more moments were interrupted by Fili coming over.

Fili's gaze darted back and forth between them wearing an inscrutable expression and Kili reluctantly released Tauriel. "How're you feeling brother?"

"Ready to be out of this bed," was his immediate response.

Tauriel moved away as Fili wedged himself in between them and grasped Kili's hand. The younger dwarf looked longingly at Tauriel but accepted his brother's help. The next most urgent need was to relieve himself but he certainly wasn't doing that in the same room as the woman he loved. Feeling his cheeks heat, Kili whispered the request in his brother's ear and Fili got Bofur's attention.

"Why don't you go show the elf where you found the kingsfoil in case we need it again."

Bofur gave his prince a look and Fili jerked his head towards the door. Bofur shrugged and gestured to Tauriel. "After you Lady Elf."

Tauriel glanced at Kili who was trying not to meet her eyes and followed the other dwarf out.

Kili let out a sigh of relief and between Fili and Oin they managed to gain him some relative privacy to use the chamber pot and Sigrid willingly heated water and provided soap so Kili could have a quick sponge bath, avoiding the area around his wound. Fili helped him wash his hair and tied it messily back with a thin leather cord, all before Tauriel and Bofur returned. Hardly thinking it would take so long for their purpose, Kili wasn't surprised to hear Bofur had been required to tag along as she scouted around the town for any sign of Legolas or the orcs.

The girls managed to put together a light meal for them and Tauriel stepped outside often to check the state of things. They were allowed no time alone together, which put him in a less than favourable mood. Then the house shook and Tauriel came back in. "We need to leave."

"Get him up," Oin ordered.

Fili reached for his arm and Kili wrenched it away. "I'm fine. I can walk." Some irrational part of him didn't want to be seen needing help in front of Tauriel, even though she'd so far seen him at his worst and it made no difference in her care for him.

Tauriel reasoned with Bain about getting them to safety and Kili had no choice but to manage the stairs only three days after taking an arrow to his leg, for they had to reach the boat in a hurry. Tauriel maintained her calm facade, though every once in awhile her gaze flickered to him and Kili read fear there, wishing he could offer her some form of comfort. Then Bain abandoned the boat to go to his father's aid and the girls were forced to watch their town burn with no knowledge of if their father and brother survived the dragon's wrath.

They passed a chilly several hours waiting for the sun to rise, even all huddled together for warmth was not a good enough defense against the cold air. Kili managed to work his way to where Tauriel sat in the bow and settled close beside her. Her eyes drifted to him. "Are you worried for your kin?"

Kili sighed. "The dragon awoke and burned an entire town to cinders. We've no idea what damage he did before that."

She chuckled softly. "That sounds like an Elven answer."

Kili shook his head. "I guess you've rubbed off on me."

Tauriel scanned what shore could be seen. "Legolas should have come back long before now. I am not sorry I stayed, though I wish now I could have been in two places at once."

He risked reaching for her hand. "From what I've seen of elves, I think your prince can handle himself."

"Yes, but I will feel better when I can see him for myself."

They didn't say much more and dawn had broken by the time they made it to shore. It was mass chaos as people shouted for loved ones, grieved what had been lost, and tried to figure out what to do next. Things began to get a little more organized once Bard took charge and the dwarves and one elf contributed help where they could until Fili nudged Bofur and Oin towards an empty boat. While the three of them shoved it towards the water, Kili made for Tauriel. "Tauriel."

She turned towards him with an open expression but when Fili yelled for him, "Kili, come on. We're leaving!" it shuttered and she forced the unreadable look elves excelled at.

"They are your people, you must go." Tauriel started to move away but he blurted out, "Come with me," and she froze while he continued. "I know how I feel. I'm not afraid. You make me feel alive."

"I can't," Tauriel whispered in a tone full of regret.

"Tauriel," he said lowly, touching her arm to get her to look at him again, "amralime." Maybe she didn't know how significant it was that he'd spoken Khuzdul, the secret language of the dwarves, to one outside his race but the others would.

Tauriel swallowed and shook her head. "I still don't know what that means."

He grinned. "I think you do."

She closed her eyes. "If it means what I feel in my heart for you then we are on equal footing but-" Tauriel stopped suddenly and inclined her head towards something he couldn't hear. Then her face lit up and she spun around.

"Legolas! Are you well?"

He responded in Elvish and her eyes darted back and forth between them before she answered reluctantly. He walked away and Tauriel bit her lip. "I need to go. I am still a guard under the king's command."

Kili's shoulders slumped dejectedly and he took a few steps towards the boat before coming back to her. He set his runestone in her palm and curled her fingers over the token.. "Keep it, as a promise."

She trailed her fingers over his dear face. "There is a way to seal such a promise, is there not?"

Kili's hope returned and he drew her close, kissing her there in front of his family and friends. Tauriel responded fervently, desperate not to lose a moment with this special dwarf whom she loved. "I love you Tauriel," he whispered and his elf answered in kind.

"Le melin Kili. I wish I could come. But I will find you at the Mountain, I promise."

He moved back one slow pace at a time. "Or I will find you in the forest, I promise."

"Try to stay out of trouble?"

Kili grinned. "Only until you are around to save me."

Tauriel blinked back tears as Fili practically dragged him into the boat. "Until we meet again Lady Elf."

She lifted her hand. "Namarie." Tauriel watched until she could no longer see his face and left to find Legolas, Kili's stone clutched tightly in her hand.