Author's note: Thank you for the lovely reviews. Biarfaki, those questions will be answered as the fic goes along, so bear with me. :D Everyone else, enjoy. Warning; this chapter contains non-graphic whipping used as a punishment.

the cage where you live

Six years in, and the training Thorin still insists on is closer to true training now than thinly veiled punishment. Sometimes Tauriel or the blond prince watch from above. Neither tries to come in.

No one but Fíli has ever asked for his reasons, and he's never been able to give a proper explanation. What he told Tauriel was true, so far as it went, but he wasn't thinking of them when he warned her. He was thinking that freedom bought with blood was not true freedom, and that he did not want a war between Dwarves and Elves on his conscience. It was only later that he was able to understand what had made him speak up.

Thorin comes to him one day. "Fíli tells me that your She Elf has offered to take us outside."

"Tauriel is not my anything," Kíli says evenly. "And that was before. I don't know if she can do it now; we are never unobserved." He watches Thorin for a moment. "What's wrong?"

"Ori and Balin are struggling," he murmurs.

"We are all struggling."

He watches Thorin bite back his first response to that. "Ask her," he orders.

"As my king commands," Kíli says, hauling himself to his feet.

"Kíli."

He pauses, and Thorin continues "Have you told her of our relationship?"

"No."

"Good. I would not put it past Thranduil to threaten harm to you or your brother in his anger at me."

Kíli considers him for a moment before turning away. He doesn't point out that Thranduil has made no attempt to find out anything from any of them in almost as long as they've been held. There's no point; Thorin wouldn't hear it.

The guard on the bridge stiffens as he approaches; Kíli stops a safe distance away and calls a request for Tauriel.

It takes more than a day before she appears, striding across the bridge. Thranduilion is with her, stopping on their side of the bridge, watching them; Kíli glares warningly at Thorin before going to meet her. "Tauriel."

"I received word that you wanted to see me." Her gaze is flickering over the other Dwarves, watching them.

Kíli glances at Thorin before looking back at her. "You told me once that, if I could promise their compliance, you would take my people outside."

"I did," she agrees slowly, "and you told me they would not agree."

"That was a long time ago," he mutters. "Our youngest and oldest are struggling. They need fresh air and sunlight. I will stand as hostage for their behaviour."

"You will be hostage anyway," she says, not unkindly. "A moment."

He watches as she speaks with Legolas. The Prince is obviously not fond of this plan; he wonders how Tauriel is presenting it. A chance to ingratiate the Dwarves to the Elves, perhaps learn some of their secrets? A chance to force Thorin to thank him? That might be more appealing to the Prince.

Tauriel comes back to them. "My Prince agrees that, subject to conditions, one of your Company may walk outside each day."

"Conditions?" Thorin asks.

"Thank you, Tauriel," Kíli says over him.

She smiles faintly. "The conditions are as you would expect. No attempts at escape, obedience to the guards. If you will give me your word that they will behave, Thorin, they need not be restrained. Understand, though; my Prince has decreed that since Kíli was the one to ask, he will bear the punishment if any of your people disobey."

"You said she didn't know -"

"She doesn't know," Kíli interrupts him.

"I am their king, I will be accountable," Thorin says firmly.

Tauriel shakes her head. "It was Kíli's request –"

"It was my request!"

"– and he will be held accountable."

"We accept," Kíli says clearly.

Tauriel considers them for a moment before nodding. "I will escort your first choice now."

"Ori," Thorin says, and Kíli nods.

"Be kind to him, Tauriel. He isn't a warrior."

He turns away before she can answer, crossing to hunker by the young Dwarf. It takes a few minutes before he's sure Ori understands, and longer before he can persuade Nori and Dori to let him go. But eventually he's leading Ori over to Tauriel.

"Remember, Ori, stay with Tauriel and do as she tells you," he says gently. "She will not leave you alone."

Ori nods, barely able to look up as Tauriel escorts him out. Legolas goes with them, glaring back once at Thorin before leaving.

"She doesn't know," Kíli says softly. "Or if she does, she did not hear from me. I said so and I meant it."

"I know." Thorin is still watching the bridge. "Did she tell him?"

"That you meant to take him?" It's the first time either of them have mentioned it openly. "I don't know. He walked in here without any fear."

"That could be arrogance."

"Or it could be lack of knowledge. Tauriel doesn't mean us harm, and telling him would only harm us."

"Maybe. Find out, if you can."

Kíli nods, and Thorin strides away.

Eight and a half years, and Kíli can walk the path from cell to garden and back with his eyes closed. Today Tauriel is his escort, as she always is when not on patrol. Kíli prefers it. The guards who take her place are polite, if distant, and never attempt to hurry them; some of the Company have been known to spend all day outside in an effort to annoy the Elves, but it never works. But Tauriel will talk with him as they walk.

Kíli never tries to stay out long. He often gives up his day to one of the others, if he thinks they need it more. But today he's enjoying the air. There's a chill, but they're coming into Spring.

Legolas appears, scowling out of habit when he sees Kíli and speaking over his head in Sindarin.

"Now?" Tauriel protests. Sighing, she turns to Kíli. "I have been called to the archery range. A guard is coming to take over your escort."

"Can I come?" Kíli blinks, realising that he has actually just asked that.

Tauriel frowns. "Kíli..."

"I will watch, from whatever distance you feel prudent. I don't expect you to put weapons in my hand."

"Let him come," Legolas says lazily, inexplicably using Westron now. "He might enjoy seeing true archers."

Kíli manages not to laugh. Tauriel is smiling openly. But then, neither have ever seen him shoot.

He follows them to the archery range, stopping when he's told and ignoring the Elf set to guard him. Tauriel deals with whatever problem she's been called for, while Legolas takes a bow from one of the Elves and begins to shoot.

He's very, very good, Kíli admits. Showing off, but very good. Tauriel comes back, sees him, and sighs, accepting a bow and quiver from another Elf. The two compete good naturedly, laughing and tossing insults back and forth.

Kíli watches, arms folded tightly across his chest. His fingers ache for the feel of a bow. These are Elven bows, longer than he's used to, but he's drawn one before. He could make every shot they are making, he feels it in his bones.

He turns to the guard finally and asks to go back inside. Tauriel is beautiful in her enjoyment, but he cannot watch any more.

"Kíli!"

Tauriel comes up behind them, still flushed and smiling from her contest. She dismisses the guard with a nod, leaning easily on her bow. "Are you going back in? You asked to watch."

"I asked to watch, and I have watched," he agrees.

"What's wrong?"

He touches the bow lightly; Tauriel glances down at it, frowning. "It's a beautiful weapon," he tells her.

Tauriel bits her lip briefly before offering "You may try it, if you wish."

Kíli shakes his head. "Give the others swords, give Dwalin an axe, then I will try your bow."

"Kíli," she says, sounding oddly fond.

"May I go?" he asks tightly, and she nods, waving for the guard to walk him back inside.

Almost ten years, and the day he's been half expecting had come.

Thorin is raging against his guards. "I am the one who struck out! I am the one who fought! I will take the punishment!"

"You were told, King under the Mountain." Legolas turns his head to look at Kíli. "You may bring one with you."

Fíli is already stepping forward, but Kíli shakes his head. "Bofur." This will upset the miner, but not as much as it would upset Fíli.

Bofur startles, surprised, and then slips between his brother and his cousin to join Kíli. "Are you sure...?"

Kíli smiles faintly. "Fíli would fight back."

Legolas takes them to a chamber far enough away that sound will not carry back to the others. It's an unexpected kindness, and Kíli is still thinking about it when they enter the little room. Tauriel is there, with a handful of other Elves. Her gaze is locked on the whip in her hand.

Kíli hesitates at the sight. "Prince Legolas?"

"Yes."

"I have a request."

"Yes."

"You. Not Tauriel."

Tauriel glances up, frowning, but Legolas is speaking. "Tauriel is Captain of the Guard, it is her duty to punish transgressions."

"It is cruel," Kíli says, just barely loud enough for him to hear. "You know it is."

"But you are prisoners of the kingdom," Legolas continues. "And as such your punishment lies in my hands. Prepare yourself." He takes the whip from Tauriel, seeming not to notice her look of gratitude.

Bofur helps him, hands shaking. "All right, lad?"

Kíli smiles unhappily. "Tell them I was brave."

"It won't be a lie."

Kíli doesn't remember much of the actual punishment. Legolas is skilled and thorough but not cruel, and he has a healer waiting. Once Kíli's been cleaned and disinfected and bandaged they're escorted back to the others, Bofur taking most of his weight.

Thorin and Fíli are pacing by the bridge and the others aren't far behind. Kíli ignores all of them; Bofur gets him to his bed and then yells until the others leave him alone with his brother and uncle.

"Kíli, I am sorry," Thorin breathes, kneeling beside the bed. "I did not truly think – this was cruel."

Kíli shakes his head. He's exhausted, barely able to stay awake. "We knew this might happen. I knew this might happen. No blame, Uncle."

"Get some sleep," Fíli murmurs, brushing a hand over his eyes. Opening them seems so hard, and Kíli gives up, sinking into sleep.

He wakes to yelling, dragging himself up onto an elbow. Thorin is shouting, out in the central area, but the words are muffled through the wall. Ori is standing near the door, listening with a frown, and Kíli clears his throat for his attention. "What's happening?"

Ori jumps, looking at him. "You're awake. How are you feeling?"

Kíli doesn't dare answer. "What's happening?"

"Tauriel's here. Thorin's not very happy about it."

"Help me up."

"Kíli…"

"Help me up, Ori."

The Dwarves are facing off against Tauriel outside, though at least Thorin isn't touching her. Bofur catches sight of them as they step out of the cell and comes to help them. "Should you be moving around, lad?"

"Probably not, but he needs to stop shouting at her. He's not helping."

Thorin falls silent when Kíli steps in front of him, looking at Tauriel. "Tauriel."

"Kíli," she says politely. "How are you feeling?"

"You dare to ask that after you…"

Kíli turned to look at him and Thorin falls silent again, fuming. "I'm as well as can be expected," he tells Tauriel.

"I've brought you herbs. They'll help with the pain and keep infection away while you heal. Your king seems to think you would rather suffer the pain than take medicine from the hand of an Elf."

"My king has a higher opinion of me and a lower opinion of my friends than I do," Kíli says without looking back. "Do you have permission today, Tauriel? Helping me heal better seems to be against the purpose of the punishment."

"The punishment is over. It was nobody's plan to make you suffer while you heal."

Kíli nodded. "Thank you. Ori, where's Oin?" Ori slips away to fetch him, and he adds, "Oin is our healer. Can you show him the herbs and how to use them?" Tauriel nods understanding and Kíli says "Bofur," under his breath.

"All right, lad, back to bed," Bofur says loudly. "Oin can come and find you when he's done with the maid. Come along, now."

He all but carries Kíli back to the cell – not Kíli's own, but the closest to the bridge – and helps him ease himself down onto the cot. "Ah, lad, you've done yourself no favours," he murmurs.

"I don't care," Kíli says into the cot. "I'm not refusing her help because Uncle has some stupid feud with her king."

"Don't let him hear that," Fíli warns from the door.

"I hurt, Fíli," Kíli says softly. "I'm tired. I trust Tauriel not to hurt me, and we don't have any other way to help me. Oin has no supplies except what she brings."

Fíli nods, hunkering by the bed. "I'm with you, brother. It's Uncle we need to worry about."

Kíli groans. "Uncle. Is he angry with me?"

"He's angry," Fíli says with a shrug. "When isn't he? Mahal, Kíli, how you manage to cause trouble simply by turning around…"

Kíli shifts, hissing out a breath. "It's a skill," he says tightly. "You thought having all the girls smile at me would never be any good – ah, Fíli, it hurts…"

"Oin is coming," Bofur says from the door. Kíli nods, hands tangled in Fíli's shirt and braids, and hangs on.