Chp24

Tauriel awoke to some rays of sunshine actually coming through a small window in the cozy chamber that Kili had had prepared for her. Now that the battle was over, there was so much to do...well, so much for Kili and the dwarves to do. Tauriel wasn't sure what to with herself now, she just wanted to be helpful however she could and be with Kili as much possible. Which, of late, hasn't been much. This caused her some distress, as doubt started to creep into her mind again. That their feelings professed under such duress, he might think differently now that he has the burden of a kingdom on him. In addition, many of the other dwarves outside a few in Kili's company, paid her little heed, and if they did- it was usually contemptuous. Maybe their "love" could not overcome all the challenges they had in store for them?

She rolled over in bed and pulled the blankets over her head. Maybe she wouldn't even leave her room today...who would even notice, she thought moodily. Just then, there was quiet knocking at the door. She didn't bother getting up to answer it. More persistent knocking...then, a quiet voice, "Tauriel...Tauriel...are you there?" She instantly sat up-she knew that voice. She scrambled to find proper clothes and hurriedly put them on. She went over to the door and slowly opened it. From the hallway, Kili was standing there holding a tray with some breakfast fare and had a puppy dog smile on his face. Tauriel's heart kept...maybe her thoughts before were wrong?

He nervously entered the room and sat the tray on a small table that was there. "Hi...Tauriel. I...just wanted to make sure you are well. I'm so sorry I haven't had been able to check on you more." She gave herself an internal "whew" and said, "I cannot even imagine everything you must have to attend to right now my Lord." "Okay..." Kili said, "will you sit with me?" She nodded, wondering about so many things he could possibly want to talk with her about. They went and sat on a comfortable couch that was near the little window.

They sat close, but not touching one another. Tauriel slightly shifted her feet nervously. Kili started, "Tauriel...it is not necessary to call me Lord. You are from another... kingdom, it..it is not right." She bowed her head. He shifted himself to be a little closer to her. He gently lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger so they were looking in each other's eyes, "Taur-i-el" he said slowly, sing-song like. "I know many deep feelings have passed between us...and yet we have hardly spoken, hardly shared...in our short time together." She looked at him with affirming eyes and nodded her agreement. Unspoken thoughts flowed between them for awhile. Then, she allowed herself to put her head on his broad shoulders and snuggled next to him. He was a little surprised at this, but immediately put his arm around her and held her tight.

In their sweet embrace, Kili could tell Tauriel was softly crying and arranged her so they were facing one another and holding hands. "Tauriel...what is wrong?" Tauriel said, "Kili, yes...we have been through so much in such a very short period of time, but..."

Now it was time was for Kili to have doubts about their relationship, and he withdrew his hands from hers; maybe he had been too forward, he thought. She was surprised by his actions and this time Tauriel slid closer to him and cupped his scratchy jawline with her soft hand. "I just mean that I know full well the depths of our feelings, and I would take nothing back; but.. there is just so much...so much, to...overcome." At this last part she let out a heartbreaking sob because she couldn't hold it in any longer. She continued through her sobs, "You are to be King, Kili! I am not even considered higher class among my own kin...I'm just a lowly Sylvan elf. And probably an outcast at that!"

Kili interrupted her before she could continue her rant. He took both of her hands and looked directly at her. "Tauriel, it seems that death itself could not even keep us apart and I will never give up on you. No matter what we must face, here; I could never do it without you by my side." Tauriel could not believe, but should have, his depth of feelings for her and looked into his soft and warm eyes, so much love and hope exuding from them and into hers.

Kili continued, "Tauriel, would ...would you stay here with me in the mountain? I know I have no right to ask that of you. You must miss your home and your own kin, after all that has happened...but, I've come to realize, I cannot, it seems...to, umm, live without you." He had emphasized the word "live" and this, more than anything else, brought a smile to her face and silenced her slow flowing tears. "Well, you do seem to find yourself in many precarious situations, my reckless master dwarf; I think I might need to stay around and keep you out of trouble for good," said Tauriel, cupping Kili's scratchy face in both her hands. They looked into each other's eyes and slowly touched their foreheads together, their hands intertwined and so much love flowing between them, words need not be spoken.

They sat like that for a very long while. But all of sudden Kili shook his head, like waking from a dream, "blimey, Tauriel... I must get back. There's so much to do. The men of Laketown are rumored to be sending their spokesman, Bard the Dragonslayer to the mountain today to inquire of their recompense that Thorin had promised them. I would very much like to have you there with me." I brought you something to eat. Can you join us the main hall as soon as you are finished?" Tauriel also was as one coming out of a stupor, "Of course, Kili. Anything you wish." At that last part, one of Kili's eyebrows raised and a sly smile came onto his face. He took another look into her telling eyes and gave her quick, knowing peck on the cheek and in a flash was out her door. Tauriel smiled a huge smile and grabbed a small pillow that was on the couch they had been seated on and gave it a tremendous hug, still not believing that all her hopes and dreams seem to be comIng true. She jumped up and raced to the table to eat what he had brought her and then sought to look for some finer clothing, all with that big smile still on her face.

Hello all~~ thank you for patiently waiting for the next part of our little story here. As mentioned, I do plan on continuing their story. I have quite a bit I want to write for them...but it will take a long while to get there unfortunately...1) because I want to explore many years of their lives 2) I done have much time to write.

Let me know what you think :)