No More Need to Roam
Disclaimer: I do not own "The Hobbit" or Peter Jackson's adaptation of it. This is merely a tribute.
Note: It's Kiliel Week on Tumblr! This is my small contribution to the fandom, short pieces about Tauriel and Kili as they journey together. It's the first time I'm writing for them so I'm still finding my bearings. But I hope you like these all the same.
Day One: Domestic
He has nice manners for a dwarf, Tauriel thought as the dark-haired dwarf timidly approached her with a cup of tea and a biscuit of some sort which he seemed to have prepared himself. He gave her a shy smile and she returned it warmly.
"It's a small token of gratitude for saving my life," he told her earnestly, "it is the most I can offer you at the moment but rest assured, I will never forget what you have done for me and I will do everything I can to repay your kindness."
It was the simplest of gestures but his gratitude touched her. His brother had expressed the same sentiment as well as the older dwarf who had stayed behind to tend to him. She had never expected such gentle words from their kind. But then again, her experience with those beyond the Wood Elves' kingdom had been very limited.
She realized she would have to seriously update her knowledge on the culture of the dwarves. She had been raised in a society that had borne so strong a prejudice against them that even with her open-mindedness, she had been wary. But after spending some time among Durin's folk she realized how much her kin had been mistaken about them.
"You owe me nothing," she reassured them, "we are all in this fight together."
The dwarves stared at her incredulously before bowing reverently. She acknowledged the gesture.
"You are all very proper," she praised them, "truly you are of a noble line of kings."
"It is not heritage that makes us noble but our actions," Kili told her proudly, "my mother always reminded me of that. She taught me how to behave in a civilized manner. Though I fear some of our manners need some refining. We have spent too much time on the road and not in genteel company."
"Do not trouble yourself on my account," she replied with a laugh, "I am but a lowly Silvan elf, after all, a long way from nobility among my people."
"We were taught to be respectful of all people we encountered," Kili continued, "and I apologize if we have not always followed my mother's example."
"You are a credit to her," Tauriel commended him kindly, "and I am sure she would be proud of you."
"Thank you," he replied with a pleased expression, "and I hope one day that you will meet her. I am certain that both of you will get along very well."
"Then, I look forward to that day," Tauriel said sincerely.