Disclaimer: The Hobbit belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson and his Company, not to me.

Author's Note: This was written for LadyWallace who asked for a story where Kili braids Tauriel's hair. Enjoy, my friend!

The Art of Braiding

Part 1: Courting

Kili laughed as he followed the red-haired she-elf through the woods surrounding the rebuilt city of Dale, his bow in hand. Tauriel was gliding almost effortlessly through the forest with her bow as she threw glances over her shoulder to ensure that Kili was still following her.

"Come, Master Dwarf," she smiled. "Keep up."

A playful growl escaped Kili's lips only drawing a smile from the beautiful elf. Effortlessly, she swung herself up into the branches a nearby tree and situated herself against its wide trunk. "This is the perfect place to wait for game," she announced as she waited for Kili to join her.

With a grunt, Kili pulled himself up beside Tauriel and placed his bow across his lap. It amazed him how she could still look so absolutely perfect after trekking through the forest for nearly an hour. Each strand of her long red hair was still in place around the smooth, pale skin of her face. He felt sweaty and he knew his dark hair was in disarray.

"Thorin will be glad if we bring down enough for a feast," Kili informed Tauriel. "Perhaps it will help you win his favor."

She shook her head. "I doubt anything will help me win Thorin's favor. He only tolerates me because of Lake-Town."

"You mean when you saved my life," Kili smiled and gave her a besotted look that made the she-elf's heart lurch and the tips of her ears turn pink. Leaning forward, Kili cupped her cheek with his callused palm and pressed his lips softly against hers.

She returned his kiss tentatively, a soft moan escaping her lips as Kili's hand slid to her waist and he deepened the kiss. Tauriel, though many years older than Kili, did not have much experience with romance. She had busied herself first as a guard in Thranduil's court and then as the captain of his guard. There had been little time for romance. Kili, however, had somehow managed to capture her heart. When he kissed her, all else faded away; she could focus on nothing but the dark-haired dwarf prince.

"Tauriel," he murmured against her silken lips, "you taste as sweet as honeysuckle, its nectar as sweet as anything I have ever tasted before."

She giggled against him and leaned her forehead against his. "Your words are as smooth as silk, Dwarf Prince."

Kili's hand that wasn't resting against her waist moved upward to tangle in her long red tresses as he angled in for another kiss. This one was more heated and demanding, and Tauriel found herself moaning into his mouth. The sound surprised her and she pulled back, her heart pounding in her chest. The feelings Kili produces in her were exciting and new, but also frightening.

Kili looked concerned. He cupped her face once again and smoothed the rough pad of his thumb over her lower lip. "Are you all right?" he asked, his brow furrowed and his dark eyes boring into hers.

"Yes," she managed to answer, breathless. "The things you make me feel….," she began before she trailed off.

Kili's lips quirked upward in a proud grin which made Tauriel's cheeks warm with embarrassment. "Is that so, m' lady?" he asked cheekily.

Before Tauriel could think of a suitable response, thunder rumbled loudly overhead and both elf and dwarf looked up in surprise. They had been so caught up in one another that neither had noticed the storm clouds building in the blue sky.

"We should find shelter," Tauriel said reluctantly, not eager to leave Kili's side.

He began to climb down from the tree. "There are some caves near here. I'm sure we can find a place to offer cover and stay warm and until the storm passes." Kili threw a wink up at his elf.

Tauriel followed him quickly to the ground and allowed him to lead the way to the caves of which he spoke. The rain poured until both were soaking wet, their hair plastered to their heads. The wind whipped the branches of the bushes and trees which caught at their hair and their clothing. By the time they reached a rocky overhang where they might find shelter, both elf and dwarf looked a mess.

They huddled back against the rock out of the rain, shoulders touching. "I do not think we will be catching any game today," Tauriel announced regretfully.

"Nay," Kili agreed, "although I do get to have you all to myself for a while." He raised an eyebrow rakishly at her and Tauriel found that she had to suppress a giggle.

"That is scandalous, Master Dwarf," she chided, her eyes twinkling with mirth. Tauriel had found that with Kili she had the freedom to laugh and show emotion, a side of herself she did not realize had even existed until she had met him.

"Aye, and so is this," he announced, tangling his fingers in her knotted tresses and pulling her forward for a sultry kiss.

So involved were they in one another, neither elf nor dwarf noticed when the rain stopped and the thunder faded away into the distance. Tauriel finally pulled back, breathless, her hair in tangles around her face. "Kili, we should head back. Your brother will be expecting us."

The dwarf prince groaned, but nodded. His eyes studied his she-elf and then he chuckled. "We cannot take you back looking like this. Uncle will think I've ravaged you."

Tauriel could feel her ears heat and knew her cheeks were probably pink. "Kili," she protested.

"Here, turn around," he commanded.

"Why?" she asked suspiciously.

"So I can braid your hair," Kili replied, grasping her shoulder and turning her body.

Tauriel obeyed, warmth uncurling in her stomach as she felt Kili's fingers thread through her long, red locks. He worked his fingers through the thick tresses until he had untangled the knots and removed the bits of twigs and leaves. Then he began to braid, his fingers sure and steady.

Tauriel reached up to feel what he was doing, but he swatted her fingers away. "I'm not finished yet," he informed her.

"I can braid my own hair, Kili," she protested.

"Let me, Tauriel," he told her, his voice taking on a serious tone she'd never heard him use before.

Her hands fell into her lap and she closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of Kili's large yet capable hands weaving her silken strands. Every time his fingers brushed her scalp, she felt her heart leap in her chest and her stomach quivered. It took him quite a while, but when he was finished, he reached around her and took one of her hands in his. Lifting it gently, he raised it to her head and ran her slender fingers over the braids that crisscrossed her head.

"Kili," she breathed, "It feels so intricate." Tauriel couldn't wait to return to her quarters so that she could peer into her looking glass and see the braids for herself.

"Braiding is very important for us dwarves," he explained, his voice taking on a nervous edge that piqued Tauriel's curiosity. "These braids," he continued, still smoothing her fingers over their intricate design, "tell others that you are courting and that no other should approach you with that intent." He stopped when he heard Tauriel's quick intake of breath. Nerves coiled in his stomach, yet he continued. "I want to court you, Tauriel."

The she-elf turned to face Kili and suppressed a grin at the anxiety that radiated off of the young dwarf prince before her. She cupped his face in her smooth, slender hands and smiled. "I would be honored to have you court me, Kili, Son of Dis."

A relieved noise escaped Kili's lips as he leaned forward and claimed her mouth with his own. "You have made me a very happy dwarf, Tauriel," he sighed against her lips.

Tauriel didn't respond with words. Instead, she tangled her hands in his dark hair and drew him into another heated kiss.

Author's Note:

I have read a few stories in which dwarven braids signified courting, so I used the idea. I can't remember which stories they were or I would site them as a reference.