Disclaimer: Kili and Tauriel and Laketown and everything else are owned by J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson. I'm just borrowing them.
Author's Note: I am addicted to Kiliel. There, I said it. This is only my second one-shot, but I predict more will come. In fact, I have one in the plans for the battle of five armies—be warned. :P And yes, I know this is horribly short. I just couldn't seem to make it any longer.
The sun peeked its face over the horizon, shedding its rays on the ruins of Laketown. Smoke curled upward from ruined houses and buildings, and in some places, small fires still burned. The lake was filled with debris and dirt. Only a few men remained, rushing around, putting out fires where they could. And in the middle of it all, lay the body of the great beast, once Smaug the terrible, pierced with the last black arrow.
One small figure stood atop the ruins of a house, gazing over the destruction, his dark hair ruffled in the morning breeze, and his ever-present bow and quiver of arrows at his side. He was alone. He could not be at his brother's side, helping with the wounded, for he was wounded himself, be it small, and still healing.
"So much death and destruction." A voice pierced his thoughts. He turned to see her standing there, the beautiful elf whom he had grown to love. She was weaponless for the moment, and her long hair blew gently in the breeze. He was struck by her loveliness.
"You're here," he simply said.
"Yes," she replied simply. "I came to assure myself that you were not working when you should be resting." She smiled slightly.
"I wouldn't think of working if you told me not to," he said, trying to sound casual. But his voice held a bit of a strain. She was right. So much death, so much destruction. And was it all on account of him and his kin? He stared off at the great body of the dragon once more. A tangible darkness hung about it, a feeling of, as she had said, death and destruction.
"You are tired," she said softly.
He didn't reply. To admit that he was indeed tired, in front of her…that, he could not do. So he simply stared into the distance as she walked to his side. She dropped to her knees, her face now level with his. For a moment, they just stood like that, silent. Finally he spoke.
"Is this ruin all on account of us," he said softly, almost to himself.
"Us?" She gave him a questioning look.
"If we….our company…..if we had never come, this beast would never have woken," he said, dropping his eyes. "We have won our home, but at a great price."
"Do not blame yourself," she said softly. "You were not there when it was wakened."
He wanted to believe her. His first taste of real destruction had been a bitter one, nearly causing the death of a comrade, and of his love. If he had not pulled her behind that building when he did, he was certain she would have died in dragonfire. The thought made him smile slightly. The stakes were even now….she had saved him, he had saved her.
Seeing his smile, she smiled back. He dropped his eyes again. "Is this the end, then?" he said. "Will we simply take back our kingdom, and all will be well? Or will they hate us for wakening the beast that destroyed their town?"
"Hate you?" the elf slipped her hand into his. "No one could hate you." And he knew immediately that was not speaking of his company. Turning to face her, he slipped his other hand into hers.
They stood there for a moment, and then, leaning forward, their lips met, and they found hope amidst the ruins.
Well, I hope you liked it! Like I said, I'm a little addicted to this pairing. I'm also addicted to writing very short one-shots, apparently. Review?