Due to an interest from people, along with this getting more activity than Quest for Erebor, I decided to write a follow up to Runestone. Legolas and Kili get to have their meeting. I'm also throwing canon to the wind here, the Durins live, just as they should have. The final talk between Legolas and Thranduil did not happen either.
Enjoy.
Legolas was skilled in many things. Archery, use of his blades, long travel, tree climbing, he had practiced and practiced in his long life. His experience was spread into all manner of talents.
Despite this, he did not have the faintest idea of how to comfort an upset elven maiden.
No, upset was not a strong enough word. Legolas lacked the proper vocabulary to describe the whirl that was the redhead woman. He did not need to hear her speak to know just how hurt she was on the inside. He could see it clearly in her eyes every time she looked upon the door.
All things considered, the battle had gone well. All sides too heavy casualties but the alliance of elf, dwarf, and man were victorious.
The victory was owed to the bravery of Thorin Oakenshield. After his exit from the mountain, the dwarves rallied to him. He took his nephews and another from among his company off the battlefield to Ravenhill. It was here the orc Azog the Defiler was directing the positioning and attacks of his troops.
It was not until it was too late that the trap was revealed for what it was. However, between the four dwarves, himself, Tauriel, and the halfling Bilbo Baggins, the jaws of the trap were reversed upon Azog.
The prey proved too much for the hunter to handle. Azog was slain by Thorin Oakenshield, although the effort nearly took the life of Thorin as well. Even Bolg was felled in battle as well by Legolas.
Bolg, just thinking the name made Legolas seethe with anger. It was he that nearly ended Tauriel upon Ravenhill. It was the arrival of the elven prince that stopped the orc from killing her and Kili both.
Legolas spent most of the battle of Ravenhill assisting Thorin against Azog's orc minions. His bow was highly effective from the tower he perched himself upon. His stream of arrows were halted when he heard an elven woman scream.
There had been only two elves on Ravenhill.
With his elven speed and agility, he had descended the tower and rushed to the source of the noise. The king under the mountain to be was faring well enough on his own even with a broken sword. Legolas last act of assistance to the dwarf was to hurl Orcrist at one of the orcs attacking him. The prince did not wait to see if the dwarf knew who it was that helped him.
Legolas arrived just in time to see Bolg holding Kili with one arm. The orcs weapon was poised for the killing blow on the dwarf prince. Tauriel was there as well but too far away to stop the foul creature.
Legolas had let his final arrow fly before his mind fully registered the scene before him.
Bolg must have seen the prince coming. He threw the dwarf aside, whom hit the nearby rock face with a loud crack, but when Bolg moved to dodge the missile it hit his shoulder instead of his chest. He was strong enough it was going to take a lot more than a single arrow to bring down.
While he engaged Bolg, Tauriel saw to the fallen prince. Even now, Legolas did not know the extent of his injuries. After Legolas slew the beast, he and Tauriel took the unconscious Kili from Ravenhill.
The whole way back, Tauriel held herself together remarkably well. That was only on the outside to everyone else. She would not be able to conceal her true self from Legolas no matter how hard she tried. Her facade lasted the time it took to get Kili to the healers.
The only thing that stopped her complete breakdown was Legolas' presence and the knowledge that Kili may still be among the world of the living. It was the lack of assurance to the latter that was wearing down her frayed nerves.
The prince was not sure how bad they really were, but all three of the dwarf royals were badly injured. It was Thorin who was worst off from what he heard. After a long protracted battle against Azog's minions then against the orc himself, Thorin was in critical condition. Numerous breaks, cuts, and a stab wound through his abdomen added up to a bad scenario. He had been taken from the battle when he was found by the halfling.
Fili was an unknown. The blonde dwarf was injured before the arrival of Legolas and Tauriel but he was apparently in just as bad shape as the other two. The dwarf with the bald head, Dwalin if Legolas remembered correctly, had carried him back while the hobbit assisted Thorin.
Kili did not appear to be as worst off at first glance. He only had few visible cuts and scrapes but it was the crack Legolas' ears caught when he was thrown by Bolg that bothered the prince. If the healers were still with him, the wounds were more dire than previously thought.
All three of the Durins were given room here in Dale so the healers could have room to work. Theirs were the only three rooms in this hallway of what Legolas assumed had once been an inn of sorts. Thorin's room was at the end of the hall, Kili's in the center, and Fili's at the end.
The pair of elves that sat in the hallway were there for different, yet similar reasons.
Tauriel was sitting in a chair directly in front of the door to Kili's room. Her entire form was deathly still, but Legolas saw the nervous she was desperately trying to hide. The runestone she had shown him was clutched to her breast tightly like a lifeline.
She waited in pure agony of the heart for any word from the healers. Her own injuries were minimal but needed tending, something she refused to do until she heard of Kili's fate. Legolas knew better than to try to dissuade her.
Instead of trying, and failing, to drag her away, he had a second chair set up for himself so that he could sit beside her.
The prince was here for slightly different reasons. His position was beside Tauriel within arm's reach but closer to in-between the doors to Kili's and Fili's rooms. His bow was resting in his lap with his quiver of arrows beside him leaning against the wall at his back.
The purpose of Legolas' presence was twofold. It was primarily to give the support Tauriel desperately needed but would never ask for.
The other reason was to guard the rooms of the three Durins.
Legolas had heard murmurs before he took up this vigil. The dwarves that arrived to defend the mountain were of the Iron Hills, they swore fealty to King Dain. Some were questioning who was more worthy of their loyalty, Thorin or Dain. Thorin was the rightful king of Erebor but he did not have an army present here. It was highly possible for Dain to stage a coup and claim Erebor, along with its treasures, for himself.
So long as the three royals were being tended here, they were in danger. It would be all too easy for an assassin to gain entry and slay them all. If they were dead, the question of the throne would be settled quickly.
At first Legolas wondered why some of the rest of the company of Thorin was not present here. It was still very soon after the battle, they were likely trying their hardest to find a moment to see to their three injured kin. Were it not for Tauriel being here, Legolas would not be here either. He would likely be with his father now, seeing to their losses.
The prince vividly remembered their last... discussion. Thranduil had actually held a blade to Tauriel's throat. Never in the long life of Legolas had he ever raised his voice to his father, let alone his blade. Yet in that moment he did so without hesitation. Legolas would never forget the look of disbelief in his father's eyes.
The prince was prepared to face the consequences for his actions, but he would not allow Tauriel to be hurt before his very eyes. He would always protect her no matter the threat.
Even if it was from his own kin, for she was counted as such to him.
Legolas glanced at Tauriel from the corner of his eye. Her own gaze was still locked to the door leading to Kili's room.
If Kili were to be killed because he was in line for the throne...
It would not come to that. Any would-be assassin would have to get past a certain elven prince before they even got a chance to see the Durins. This was the reason for where he sat. Thorin's room was at the far end of the hall, he was safest. From the position Legolas had chosen, he could cover the entire hallway with his bow. If any possible assassins brought a large number of people, the narrow corridor would limit their effectiveness.
To get to Kili's room would require physically getting past Legolas.
Legolas would pass into the west before he allowed that to happen. Whenever he got the slightest doubt for his reasons, all it took was a single tiny glance at Tauriel for his heart to be refortified.
Legolas was also still promised an introduction to the dwarf prince.
After what felt like days of waiting, the hears began to come out.
The redhead maiden was on her feet so fast Legolas' elven eyes had missed her movements.
All three were still unconscious and would likely remain so for much longer. Their wounds were grave but seemed to be improving slowly. They would recover with time but needed private rest.
Tauriel looked ready to burst into tears for an entirely new reason. They allowed her to enter as long as she was quick and as quiet as possible.
"I shall be right here mellon." Legolas whispered to Tauriel as she entered Kili's room. When her only response was a nod of the head, he was not surprised. The prince knew she would not trust her own voice.
Tauriel closed the door behind her as she stepped over the threshold.
The dwarf prince was going to be fine. The knowledge helped reassure Legolas more than a little. He was worried what would have happened to Tauriel if Kili did not survive his injuries.
Legolas found himself not wanting to imagine the possibility.
The elven hearing of the prince caught the sound of movement from the end of the hall. He was up in the span of a heartbeat with arrow notched and bowstring pulled back.
He found his sights set on a dwarf he recognized.
Legolas immediately put his arrow down. Balin was no threat to the Durins, if anything he would fight even harder than the prince to protect them.
Balin had his hands up while the bow was trained on him but lowered them when Legolas sat the weapon down. He moved up to the prince, leaning over and panting heavily. As if he had been running quite extensively.
"I... heard there's news?" Balin sucked in heavy breaths.
"Yes, the Durins will be well." Legolas responded simply as he retook his seat.
The old dwarf smiled. "Aye, some of the best news I've heard in a while." Balin rubbed his eye, where there was likely a tear merely moments before.
Legolas answered with a nod of the head as Balin looked to the three rooms. "The others will be here soon I'd wager. They're just as eager for news as myself, I only happened to be closer."
Balin was being surprisingly friendly to Legolas. The dwarfs were commonly suspicious at best of elves but this one was making friendly conversation. Legolas assumed Kili was the only one who had this kind of disposition among the shorter folk.
"Listen laddie..." Balin's voice turned serious. "I just wanted to thank you."
Legolas turned his gaze over to the white haired dwarf, his visage full of confusion.
Balin continued. "The lad is only alive thanks to you and the she-elf. Thorin may even owe you his life as well. And even then, here you are, watching over them when none of us could."
Legolas was rendered speechless. He never expected such words to come from the mouth of a dwarf.
Before he could even begin an attempt to voice a response, Kili's door opened. Tauriel stepped out, she was smiling brightly. The nervousness was still there but not only that, her hair was sporting an addition. A new braid that was not elven was gracing her red hair.
"Ahh, I was wondering where the lass had been off to." Balin smiled knowingly as he bowed his head to the maiden. If he had any objections about Tauriel being around an unconscious Kili, the old dwarf did not voice them.
"Legolas..." Tauriel spoke softly. "He wishes to see you, alone."
Balin arched an eyebrow in confusion at those words.
Kili was awake? That explained both the smile and nervousness on Tauriel's countenance. It was time for that introduction he had been promised. It probably should have been under better conditions than this. However, Kili apparently wished to do it now apparently.
Standing up, Legolas moved over to the door. Tauriel stepped aside as he approached. She was unnerved about this meeting. Legolas offered her a small smile of reassurance just before she closed the door behind him.
Kili was laying in bed with his back to the headboard propped up by pillows, the covers were pulled up to his stomach. His shirt nowhere in sight. The dwarf was gazing out the window until the creak of the floorboards gave away Legolas' arrival.
Kili turned toward the elven prince and took a heavy breath. "Um... hello again."
Legolas came forth and took a seat in the chair beside the bed so that the two would be on closer height levels. It would make this easier and hopefully a little less awkward for the poor dwarf.
Surely Tauriel had told Kili that they already had the support of the elven prince. The dwarf more than likely needed to hear it for himself.
Legolas tried to examine the situation from the dwarf's perspective. He was unsure how dwarf customs went but if Legolas had to wager a guess, Kili saw this as similar to talking to his lovers family for the first time.
The elven prince smiled inwardly, that would be fairly close to the truth.
"Good evening." Legolas responded.
Kili did not say anymore for a moment. Legolas was sure he was trying to figure out what to say. After a short time he did. "I wish to make my intentions clear, I intend to court Tauriel."
The words were spoken quickly, so much so that the dwarf had to draw in a heavy breath afterward. He visibly relaxed when the sentence was out from his lips.
"I assume that braid in her hair is part of this?" Legolas asked.
"Yes." Kili replied, his voice was becoming a little firmer. "It is a dwarven courting braid. As a way of saying she is spoken for."
Legolas nodded as he listened. "And you seek my blessing in this? Despite everything?"
Kili took a deep breath as he tried to sit up more. The wince that followed told Legolas his attempt to make himself look bigger was a failure.
"I'd prefer to have your blessing as you are the closest she has to kin, but we intend to go through regardless." Kili's tone grew bolder. "Whether you or uncle disapprove."
Legolas looked down at the dwarf on the bed. Despite being on his near deathbed and his injuries, he still had a fire in his eyes every time he spoke of Tauriel.
He was even willing to defy his own blood, his uncle, the soon to be King Under the Mountain Thorin Oakenshield? Kili in that moment reminded the elven prince of himself when he faced down his own king and father for Tauriel.
Elf and dwarf in that moment had their respective love of a certain elvish maiden in common.
If Legolas had any remaining doubts about the sincerity of this dwarf, they were all destroyed in that instant.
"I shall tell you the same words I told Tauriel, you have my blessing." The look of shock on Kili's face that followed Legolas' words was nearly identical to the one that Tauriel had borne outside Gundabad.
"Just like that?" Kili questioned in disbelief. "I... did not entirely believe her."
Legolas did not try to hide the slight upward turn of his lips. "Indeed, just like that."
"Well now... if only convincing Thorin could be this easy." Kili grumbled.
Legolas rose to leave. As Kili opened his mouth, Legolas silenced him with a raised hand. "You need your rest, I shall send Tauriel back in."
Upon hearing that he would be seeing Tauriel again, Kili's grin could have lit up all of Mirkwood.
When the elven prince had his back fully turned to the dwarf he allowed the smile to fully form on his lips.
Just as he reached the door, Kili spoke up one last time. "Thank you, Legolas." It was the first time Legolas ever heard the dwarf utter his name.
"No thanks are necessary, just treat her like the star she is Kili." Legolas did not turn his back as he spoke the words. Without waiting for a response, he opened the door and passed back through the threshold.
Hopefully you all enjoyed this little continuation. Let me know what you think.
