Welcome back! Now we can really dive into the meat of this story, leaving the reminiscing to chapter 1.

Comments VERY appreciated!

I do not own these characters but love those who do.

Chapter 2

A Dwarven guard stopped her before she could reach the caravan, which didn't surprise her, especially since she knew none of them around the entrance. Judging by their armor, they came from the Iron Hills.

"Go no further, Elf." He spat the last word like a curse.

"I need to see the Dwarf Lady Dis. I have an urgent matter to discuss with her." She pushed the hood down, hoping someone would have spoken of the red-haired She-Elf that aided the band of Dwarves.

Apparently, this Dwarf had heard no such reports as he raised his spear toward her. "We don't want any of you pompous Elves in our kingdom. Be gone! You don't belong here!" He thrust the spear at her.

As she jumped back, a sword crashed into the spear, pinning it to the ground.

"She has every right to be here. This Elf is a hero to the Dwarves." Dwalin spoke harshly to the guard. "You will let her pass and I will escort her to Lady Dis."

Tauriel could have kissed his bald head as he offered her his arm, and led her past the disgruntled guard. She marveled at the splendor of the golden-floored hall and glimpsed the massive horde of gold before passing through another set of archways.

Dwalin looked up, squinting as he scrutinized her. "Are you all right, my lady?"

Biting her lip, she realized her hair must have been in tangles and her face and clothes dirty. She'd barely slept or eaten in that tower in Dale as she waited for Kili's mother, her appearance not important. Now she felt self-conscious, unsuitable for an audience with a Dwarven Princess.

Before she could apologize, Dwalin paused, his eyes shifting to a raised platform on the left. Tauriel gasped, realizing the bodies of Thorin, Fili and Kili had been laid out for all to see. She barely saw their profiles from her low vantage point, but it was easy to recognize Kili on the far side.

"I'm sorry, I should have asked. I thought you may want to see him once more. He's going to be buried tomorrow in the tomes." Dwalin sighed heavily.

Knowing her voice would crack if she spoke, she simply nodded and ascended the stairs, which was on the side furthest away from Kili.

Dwalin didn't follow. "I'll leave you be and make sure you aren't disturbed." Without waiting for an answer, he continued on.

Tauriel moved past Fili, noting that he'd been cleaned and dressed in golden armor, which made his golden hair and beard shine. The same held for Thorin, looking like the grand king he'd been.

She took a deep breath and moved to stand by Kili. He'd also been cleaned and dressed in golden army. He appeared merely to be sleeping, as if he'd arise at any moment and take her in his arms. His wounds now looked small and insignificant, although the killing blow to his chest was hidden from sight.

She gently traced down his cheek, feeling the coarse stubble. Tears slipped out of her eyes and splashed on his face. She wiped them anyway with her fingertips.

"He always was a beautiful boy."

Tauriel nearly jumped off the platform at the unexpected voice behind her. She spun around, backing away from Kili. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't be in here. Dwalin brought me here but I'll leave."

"You'll do no such thing." Dis stepped into the light. Tauriel had never seen a She-Dwarf before, knowing only one female was born for every two males. Rumors also told of females having beards, so that made them difficult to distinguish from males. Like her sons and brother, Dis's had minimal facial hair, mostly just prominent sideburns. Her long, thick hair gleamed gold, like Fili's, but her brown eyes sparkled like Kili's. A purple dress draped her mildly plump body, but her fingers were dainty as she gripped Kili's hand.

Bowing low, Tauriel addressed her formally. "Lady Dis, I am Tauriel, Elf of the Woodland Realm. I am at your service."

Dis nodded her head. "I know of you, Lady Tauriel. Bifur spoke mostly highly of your skills at Elven medicine, when you saved my son from the poison of the Morgul shaft."

Tauriel's eyes darted over to Kili and back again. "Yet, I could not save him in the end," she whispered.

"No, he was destined to be lost with his brother and uncle." Dis's hand shifted on Kili's, and Tauriel saw her draw the rune stone out of his glove. "I have also heard that my son developed feelings for you. Was it simply the infatuation of a young Dwarf for the beautiful Elf that saved his life? Or was it, in fact, mutual?"

Swallowing hard, Tauriel's eyes stayed on the rune stone, unable to look at Dis. "I loved Kili."

"Then this is yours." Dis placed the rune stone in Tauriel's hand.

Tauriel tried to push it back at her. "I can't! I have no claim to it. I never even told him how I felt."

Dis gently closed Tauriel's fingers over the stone and pushed her hand back. Her voice softened. "He knew. You have a long life ahead, Elf, but with this, maybe you will remember the young Dwarf prince that loved you."

Clutching the rune stone in her hand, Tauriel cried, hunching down on the floor, the flood of emotion too much to handle. Dis gathered the Elf in her arms, cradling her as Tauriel sobbed. In little time, Dis also joined in, letting her own sadness for her lost family gush out.