Disclaimer: Character's and setting owned by Tolkien/and or Peter Jackson.

Chapter 1: Complications of the Heart

Tauriel hadn't considered what she would do if she'd found Kíli alive when she'd set out to track the orcs. Their prisoner's words had angered her. All she could think of was how many more bright lives they'd destroy. The thought of him dying brought back the pain of the loss of her parents. She'd set out to avenge Kíli and her parents.

She had not even thought she'd find him alive, if barely. Fighting still to protect others as the dark poison had him firmly in its grip. His attack on the orc certainly his last valiant effort before he fully succumbed to the poison. Dwarves evidently are as resilient as the legends say for him to be still drawing breath.

The remaining orcs had fled and Legolas had called her to follow. She tried not to hear his cries of pain as the darkness was making its final claim. She turned from the pleas of the other dwarves and the guttural noises of his death throes. Her heart was heavy knowing she'd failed him.

Then before her was another dwarf, athelas clutched in his hands. She knew her skill in the ancient chant to hold back Morgul poison was not the best, but perhaps it would suffice. She grabbed the athelas holding it close and breathing in its scent, which bolstered her confidence.

"What are you doing," the dwarf before her asked.

"I'm going to save him." She turned back calling orders out. Kíli was placed on the table, the others holding his writhing body down as she chanted and prepared the healing herb. She continued to chant pushing the crushed athelas into his wound. He screamed and tried to twist away as she continued to chant, growing more confident with every repeat of the spell. He calmed finally and then stared at her with a look of wonder.

By the time she was finished he had lain back exhausted, his eyes unfocused, "Tauriel?"

"Shh, lie still."

"She is far away from me. You cannot be her. She-she is far, far away from me. She walks in starlight in another world. It was just a dream." His hand reached out to catch hers weekly, "Do you think she could've loved me?"

She felt her heart quicken at his words. Could I or do I?

###

They moved Kíli to a quieter private room to rest as the others busied themselves cleaning the mess of battle. The dwarf that had brought the athelas left to see if he could find where the children's father was being held, as the rumblings of the stirring dragon meant they'd have to evacuate soon. The other two napped, knowing they'd likely have to fight, saving their strength.

She sat beside Kíli's bed mulling over his question as she finished bathing him with a moistened cloth. He'd been stripped down to his small clothes by his brother so Bard's daughter, Sigrid, could wash the sweat and blood soaked clothing.

He was so much more muscular than any elf she'd seen when bathing in the springs, solid and stocky, but still lithe. He was tall compared to the others they had imprisoned with him, except the dwarf King. He was far leaner than the others though. She found the dusting of hair across his chest and stomach, as well as down his arms and legs to be strangely alluring.

Tauriel brushed his hair gently from his face as she watched him sleep, his breathing deep and even, as she covered his nearly naked form with the woolen blanket.

He sighed deeply and opened his eyes. "Amrâlimê?"

"I don't know what that word means."

A small smile quirked just the edges of his mouth as his eyes looked directly into hers. "I think you do."

Tauriel leaned forward and brushed a gentle kiss against his lips. She found her eyes locked with his and kissed him again more fully. He pulled her closer kissing her back. She became lost in the smell and feel of him, both of them lost in a desperate need for the other.

###

A knock sounded on the door just before it opened. Tauriel awoke from her elven half-sleep with Kíli wrapped around her and tangled in the blankets, her clothes discarded on the floor along with his small clothes.

Kíli's brother looked at her, eyes narrowed. "Tell me this is some kind of elven healing," he said in low voice.

She looked back, her eyes wide as she pulled on the blanket to cover herself. "I, I…"

"Thank you for saving his life," the blonde dwarf hissed. "But he's obviously better. Get dressed and go." He shifted a bundle of clothes from one hand to the other, his blue eyes icy and his opinion clear as he stalked forward.

"Fíli…? Trying to sleep, damn it," Kíli mumbled snuggling closer to her as she tried to extricate herself.

"Do it without an elf maid in your bed."

Tauriel felt Kíli's lashes brush her cheek as his eyes flew open at his brother's words. She felt him blink a few times. She glanced down to see a wide smile split his face. "Amrâlimê, it wasn't a dream," He whispered as he hugged her closer to him kissing her ear.

"Mahal! Kíli...," he massaged the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed as he let out a deep sigh. "My little brother has lost his senses." He looked pointedly at her. "Lass, you need to leave."

"No!" Kíli struggled to a seated position, Tauriel noticed his arms shaking as they supported his weight. "She stays."

She sat up as well, blanket clutched to her breast as she leaned against his back in silent support. Kíli faced his brother, keeping himself protectively between them.

"You know this cannot be, Nadadith," Fíli said, eyes wide as he grabbed his brother's shoulder. "If Uncle has fallen to the dragon, you and I are next in line."

"Don't say that!"

"Kíli. Smaug has been stirring since last night. We have to face that we, here, may be all that is left of the Company." Fíli dropped his hand from his brother's shoulder and lowered his voice. "And even if we aren't, what do you think Thorin will do if you bring an elf maid before him on your arm?"

"Don't care." Kíli glared back at his brother as he ran his fingers through Tauriel's hair.

Tauriel stilled his hand, by capturing it in her own. "You are a Prince?"

Kíli shrugged. "As much as one can be in exile. Kind of a silly title; I'm just a kid from Ered Luin."

"Brother, listen. You know Thorin will never...not even Balin would..."

"Why? Why is this impossible?"

"You know why. At best, you'll be exiled; at worst, he'll execute you both." Fíli's expression was sober as he locked eyes with Tauriel over his brother's head. He looked back at Kíli. "Do you really want to watch her die at our Uncle's hands?" His voice had softened. "It is better she goes; for both of you."

"Kíli..." Tauriel placed a hand against his cheek and looked into his eyes. "I do not wish to come between you and your people."

"I am not afraid of how I feel," Kíli declared. "You make me feel alive." He gave her a shy smile. "If you cannot come with me, I will go with you."

"And what? Live all your days in Thranduil's dungeon? Your brother is right," she said, earning a small look agreement from Fíli. "No matter our hearts, this cannot be." She brushed his hair from his eyes. Despite her words, she wanted to pull him close. Wrap her arms around him-her brave young love, and never let go.

He scowled at the two he loved most in defiance. "Again, why is this impossible?" His voice was determined. "We don't go to my uncle and we don't go back to your King. We just go."

"Gah!" Fíli shook his head. "Kíli..." He sighed in resigned frustration. "Look, I came to tell you we found where Bard is held and we've the one black arrow Bain hid for his father." He tossed the bundle of cleaned clothing at his brother and then glared at Tauriel. "And Sigrid has breakfast ready. Both of you...get dressed and come eat."

A/N: After a year of reading a lot of wonderful stories here, I'm finally writing one to contribute. It isn't very long and I'll put up a piece a week. When Summerald started her revision of the first of the "Erebor 3022" stories, "Erebor 3022: Cursebeares Stroy 1," I helped her with some of the revision so far, and we discussed a main subplot that shows up in "Erebor 3022, Warhammers Story 4." Our discussion inspired me to write what happened back when Tauriel healed Kili and what followed soon after. So this is a prelude set in her AU. Thank you Summerald for humoring me in filling in back story and for your wonderful edits, so Kili and Fili feel like your versions.