Kili awoke and sat up with his elbows resting on the table. He saw hide nor hair of his kinsmen. It was the middle of the night and the sky was clear.

"Welcome back to the living, Kili."

He swung his legs over the edge and stumbled as his legs buckled from lack of use. He finally turned around and his breath was still stolen away by the sight of Tauriel. His smile slackened as he saw the sight of Legolas behind her. He moved with arrogance and superiority. He held his head with pride, his blonde flowing hair placed about him in perfection.

Kili bluntly stuttered out, "What's the prince who locked us up doing here?"

"He has come to help us."

"More likely kill us," said Kili's kinsmen as they overheard what she had said while walking into the small house of Bard.

"See here, dwarf. It will not pain me if I did but there are some who would," Legolas spat out.

Kili turned to Tauriel and caught himself from making a long speech about what he felt. Instead, he simply bowed and said, "My sword is yours," while gazing with his grey eyes at her.

Legolas did not miss this transaction. He balled his fist tighter around his bow and abruptly turned to leave.

"Where is he going?" asked Bofur.

"To guard on the roof, dwarf!" he quipped as he disappeared from sight.

"What knot has his hair twisted into?" Muttered Fili.

"He will grow. His father has influence on him. One day, he will break free and help the world. He has yet to see companionship among dwarves and hobbits," Tauriel gently replied.

Kili studied her. The way she talked brought life into her face and a softness not seen in battle. Her red hair draped down her back and the ends clung to her waist. He was about to tell of his gratitude toward her but was rudely interrupted by a loud crash outside. He quickly rushed to the door and peeked outside.

There on the ground was Bard's son, Bain, who was sprawled and entangled in fishing nets.

"Let me help you, laddie," Kili said as he grabbed Bain's arm and pulled him up.

Bain was out of breath and gasped out between gulping air, "My father has been arrested under no charges. Smaug has awoken, he felt it. The ground shook with dragon steps. Smaug's wrath is near!"

"Legolas!" Kili called.

Legolas appeared and without ceremony spoke quickly, "I shall see what can be done."

He nocked an arrow and jumped from rooftop to rooftop without so much as a backwards glance. Tauriel quickly appeared at Kili's side.

"We must be ready," she quietly said.

"We will be, âzyung," he replied and slipped his hand in hers for a brief moment.

Fili watched them. So far, his brother seemed to be doing well after almost being killed.

What Thorin would do if he knew about this, he thought. Not that he would tell him. It would be Kili and Kili alone who would. Fili could only defend him if worse came to worse.

He shook his head and began to make ready weapons.

Legolas muttered under his breath as he slipped silently into the prison. In a way, he liked Kili as a warrior but he would never admit that, not even to Tauriel. He stole the prison keys from the guard who was distracted by a rousing game of gambling. He held back a sniff in disdain at such men who couldn't guard to save their own skins.

He appeared quickly in front of Bard's cell. The man looked at him and he back. Bard looked like a man an elf could trust but he did not wait to find out. He unlocked the cell door with a small clang of the keys turning. Quick as lightning, Bard stood up and made his way toward Legolas who was already halfway out the window.

They reached his home unnoticed. His children called out in joy as they clambered around him.

"We need Thorin. He has started this therefore he has to end this," Bard said to Kili.

"I will go," Tauriel replied.

"Are you mad? Thorin will not listen to an elf!" he argued.

"I did not say I would be going alone," she said as she looked at Fili and Kili, her gaze lingering on Kili.

"You should stay here, M'lady," Fili suggested, "and let us talk to him."

"No Fili. He does not realize that dwarves are not just at stake here. Men, elves, and everything of this world is hanging by a thread. He needs to realize that elf as well as dwarf must unite to conquer what is about to happen. The rest of you, stay here and help the people. You as well, Legolas. Fili and Kili shall come with me."

Legolas argued with her in elvish, "Tauriel, im innas al awartha nín elvellon an i cam ned Kili!"

"Car! I gwaith gorgor. Legolas, anno tiestel!" she replied passionately.

He nodded in understanding and whispered, "Vanya sulie," as he left to scout the skies and land.

Quickly and with efficiency, they packed supplies and headed out the door. Kili turned back to look at Bofur.

"Godspeed, my friend," he said as he walked over and clasped hands with him.

"To you, Kili. Hurry back. I don't like staying with an elf."

Kili swept a bow, smiled, and walked out the door with a quick stride. Using Bard's boat, they set out to Erebor, the home of the King under the Mountain.

Translation:

"Love."

"Tauriel, I will not abandon my friend to the hand of Kili!"

"Do! The people fear. Legolas, give them hope!"

"Fair winds."