As the sun dipped low in the sky, Tauriel felt herself breathing easier than she had earlier, her thoughts relaxing as she let herself rest. She had found it calming to sit in the windowsill, while Kíli and Fíli sat on the floor with the children. Óin and Bofur had taken it upon themselves to clean up Bard's home as a thanks for allowing them to remain there and they had not accepted the help of anyone else. Tauriel suspected they wanted Kíli, Fíli, and her to get their minds off what had transpired, and she was thankful for their attempts. Candles had to be lit as darkness crept into the home, and soon Tauriel knew, the door to Erebor would be opened by the rest of the dwarven party. While Fíli and Kíli were doing their best to keep that thought from their mind, Tauriel knew it weighed not only on them but Óin and Bofur as well, all wanting to be at their ancestral home. However, they seemed to be doing their best to distract from the fact they were not there, and that was all they could do until they left to join their brethren.

Tauriel could not help the soft smile that graced her lips as Kíli and Fíli recounted their journey so far to Bard's three children. Even Bain, for as standoffish as he had been thus far, showed clear interest in the tale. Sigrid, on the other hand, seemed more focused on Fíli himself than the tale he told, though Tauriel knew well the fair-haired prince had not yet noted the young girl's infatuation with him. Tauriel knew the ways of man, that their hearts could sway between loves, and knew the young girl would easily move past her infatuation once they had parted ways. However, it was sweet to see the way the girl clung to each word, and how her cheeks flushed softly when Fíli's glance went to her.

However, Tauriel was only vaguely aware of the story the brothers were telling as her mind had wandered to her earlier conversation with Kíli. She had opened her heart even with the fear she felt and felt at ease for it. Their connection was not something she could deny any longer, and while Kíli's declaration towards her may have been bolder and more passionate than anything she had said, she knew he would not press her for anything deeper than she had already offered. He seemed content just to know she returned his feelings, and she was thankful that he had agreed with her request to hide things. She feared provoking the ire of anyone before whatever may befall them in the time that was to come would only complicate an already delicate situation. She had heard of elves and men falling in love, but an elf and a dwarf was likely something thought impossible.

"—and then, Kíli decided he had to be heroic and took it upon himself to pull the lever that would open the gate and let us pass through even with the threat that surrounded us." Tauriel was pulled back into the story as Fíli spoke of that. She could not forget the look of pain on Kíli's face, nor the look of awe he had when he saw her come to his rescue once again. In that moment, looking back on it, she had already known there was something of immeasurable value between them, something she had to fight for.

"What can I say?" Kíli shot a wink to Tauriel. "I had a feeling I'd be safe. Someone seems to be looking out for me."

Tauriel snorted slightly and surprised herself when she did so. "You were reckless and gambled with your life. Had I not arrived, there would be a much different tale to tell."

"Is that when he got hurt?" Tilda asked softly. The injury and all the excitement from it had no doubt frightened the child beyond what they could see in her mannerisms and Tauriel did not want her worried. Tauriel already did not miss the girl glancing around her home, and how she had tucked herself closer to her sister as if she were awaiting the calm that had settled to end. She was so young, and no doubt the fear would linger in her young mind for far longer than it should. Children should not have been caught up in this, especially ones so young as Tilda and Bain.

"Aye, but my brother's elf lass made quick work of the orc as she had the spider when we first met them, and we escaped easily with the elves distracted." Fíli replied with a quick ease to take the girl's mind off of that. "We rode the barrels down the river as if they were boats. It made more than one of us motion sick, and though my uncle would never admit it, he was quite green in the face when we finally ended our ride. The mighty Thorin Oakenshield, shaking like a wet dog and looking as green as one who drank curdled milk by mistake. It was quite the sight, until he was back to his usual self and wanted us to get moving as quickly as possible. Your father found us shortly after that, and then you know the rest."

Tauriel saw a chance to chime in as she knew the children likely still wondered how she had come to find the dwarves if they had escaped. "While the dwarves were making their way down the river, Prince Legolas and I continued to fight off orcs. We captured one for questioning, and when he told me of Kíli's injury, I knew I could not leave him to suffer from his wound. That is how Legolas and I found our way here, as we tracked them down the river and were quick to draw the conclusion they would head to the nearest place they could seek out aid."

"That was the elven prince with you?" Sigrid asked, her eyes wide. "Just how many princes have we had in our home?"

Fíli laughed, and Tauriel was quick to note the flush in Sigrid's cheeks. "Well, there's me and my brother, Legolas, technically our uncle… You must have some sort of magnetism for royalty. Next thing you know, you'll find out you're a princess."

"You are too kind to think that a possibility," Sigrid looked positively smitten, and Tauriel glanced to see if Kíli noticed the girl's affection for the fair-haired prince, though he seemed as oblivious as his brother.

Tilda beamed. "If I were a princess, I'd host parties where everyone could have as much food as they wanted and sing and dance to their hearts content."

"I would be honored to attend such a party," Kíli replied to the girl with a smile.

Tauriel saw Bain shift, and noticed he was trying to hide a smile of his own. The boy seemed to warm up to them as he saw his sisters enjoying their company. She did not miss the wary glance he still sent her way, though she did not blame him for his concern. A lone elf, choosing to spend her time amongst dwarfs and men might put anyone ill at ease, as it was not done.

Tauriel was about to speak when a hideous noise filled the air and the house shook.

"Wh-what was that?" Sigrid asked, standing quickly and clutching her sister to her side.

Tauriel quickly opened the door to the small home and stepped outside, her eyes going to the mountain. The dragon… all knew of the dragon that resided there. Should it leave the mountain, this would be its first target.

Kíli was by her side quickly, and she could see he had reached the same conclusion. "Bain, find your father. Should Smaug leave the mountain, the people will need to evacuate and if the guards have him locked up as you told us, he'll need someone to let him out. I trust you know where he'd be held?"

The boy nodded and set off as more and more people seemed to be leaving their home to look at the mountain. Tauriel was not keen on Kíli sending the boy off alone, but there was little she could say now that he was already on his way. She had not met his father, but Fíli had filled her in on how he had first helped them into the city but then had spoken out against the company going to the mountain and had been taken into custody because of it. He sounded like a good man, and Tauriel could only hope that Bain would move quickly and not run into any trouble.

Tauriel felt a small squeeze of her hand as Kíli took it in his. When she looked to him he gave her a small smile, then quickly moved back inside as he spoke. "I'll see what I can packed up in here. Can you get a boat prepared should we need to leave?"

"Of course."

She made her way to the dock where a small boat was tied. There were nets and other fishing gear filling up much of the space, and she quickly removed all but what was necessary for the boat to function. Luckily, it looked sturdy enough to hold everyone it would need to, even if the fit might be a bit tight. Others seemed to have the same idea, as she saw boats begin to set out for shore, not wanting to risk a dragon's fire.

Óin made his way down to the dock where she stood and Tauriel saw the look on the healer's face. He was worried, likely thinking of those within the mountain and what may befall them. She had little doubt he had family on the quest, as there seemed to be relation among many of them from what she understood. Another roar shook the town, and Tauriel caught the slightest glimmer of tears in the older dwarf's eyes, though she was wise enough not to comment on it or acknowledge in any way that she saw them. Dwarves were a prideful folk, she knew, and she doubted this was a moment she was meant to witness. Instead, she continued to move around items and feign her ignorance of the emotions plaguing the dwarven healer.

"We should head out now, before the waterways get too crowed." Fíli spoke as he and the others crowded on the dock. Tauriel got to quick work as Kíli handed her packs of food and other necessities, packing it into the boat so it would take up as little space as possible.

Sigrid shook her head. "I'll not leave without Da' and Bain."

"You'll not have to wait long." A voice unfamiliar to Tauriel spoke, though she saw the two girls grin.

"Da'!"

Bain came onto the dock followed by a man who had to be Bard. He looked worn and held masked fear in his features, but there was also relief at seeing his daughters. He pressed quick kisses to both their foreheads, then turned towards Tauriel. "I thank you for helping out my family."

"I thank you for welcoming the dwarves into your home in their time of need." Tauriel dipped her head towards him. Had he not allowed Kíli to rest at his home, Tauriel likely would have been too late to save him, as he would have had to be carried and move around more, and as such the poison would have coursed through his veins more rapidly than it had.

The man raised his brow at that but did not press the issue, as much as Tauriel could tell he wanted to. If she had been him, she would have been surprised by her words. Instead, he turned toward Kíli and Fíli. "You should set out now if you want to avoid the flames. Smaug will be upon Lake-town soon, make no mistake of that." Placing a hand on Sigrid's shoulder, he gently pushed his daughter towards the boat. "Sigrid, you, Bain, and Tilda should go with them."

"But-" Tauriel saw the fear on the face of his eldest as she spoke.

Bard shook his head. "I'll stay behind. I know where the black arrow is, and I'll fire it off if needed."

"That's suicide!" Bain spoke, turning to his father. "You can't expect to get out of that unscathed."

Bard did not respond, and Tauriel could see that he had, in fact, intended to sacrifice himself should need arise. Bain began to speak again, but before he could get a word out, the ground shook as a roar echoed out, louder than it had before. Tauriel gasped as she saw dragon's approach, a mere speck in the distance now, though that would quickly change.

"I trust you can see my children off safely?" Bard spoke, and it was Fíli who nodded, the first to pull his eyes from the mountain. Tauriel continued to keep her eyes locked on the growing figure of Smaug, trying to judge how much time they would have to make it to shore. She feared they would not be out of Lake-town before the dragon arrived, especially if the dragon continued moving at the pace it was.

"Da' please don't do this!" Sigrid pleaded, as Tilda let tears stream down her face.

Bard pressed another kiss to both their foreheads. "I'll see you on the shore. Be safe."

Tilda held onto him, and likely would not have let go had Kíli not moved beside her and spoke quietly. Tauriel did not hear what was said, but Tilda nodded and moved to get into the boat. Fíli held out his hand to Sigrid, and though the girl was reluctant she took his hand and got in. Once everyone was on the boat, Bard helped push them off.

Tauriel felt fear, but her main concern was the children before her. The three had already been through quite an ordeal and now their father was risking his life to try and buy them time. Tilda was shaking in her sister's arms, and while Fíli did his best to soothe them with stories, the girls were clearly distraught. Bain, on the other hand, seemed zoned out and in thought.

Kíli took her hand in his as they floated down the waterways, Fíli and Bofur guiding the boat while Óin sat at the rear of the boat to hold the supplies. His voice was low when he spoke, quiet enough that the children could not hear his words. "Should the worst befall their father, I want to see to their wellbeing."

"I do too." Tauriel replied just as quietly. She knew what it was like to be an orphan, to see your parent one moment and not know it would be the last. While it had been centuries since her own parents had passed on and Thranduil had taken her in, she could still feel the ache of the loss. Her mother, with dark hair and eyes like a forest and her father with the same fiery hair she had… "If they need someone, I will stay to take care of them."

They floated only for a small way before they were nearly run down by another boat. Fíli muttered a curse he and Bofur moved to steady the ship. It took only those few seconds for Tauriel to notice Bain begin to move, and with a jolt she realized what the boy was about to do a moment too late.

"Bain!" She called out as the boy jumped from the boat, and his sisters let out similar cries. However, they could not stop for him, for at that movement Tauriel could hear the loud beating of wings.

The glow of fire and smell of smoke filled the air as Smaug released his first breath against Lake-town. While the area hit was far from them, Tauriel shuddered as the heat was felt and screams echoed in the air. Kíli clutched her hand tighter, and Tauriel was grateful for the added comfort of his touch in that moment. The fear in her mind could not press forward, not when she needed to focus and make sure she could protect the children in her charge. She had faced many foes in her lifetime, but never one as fierce as a dragon.

Fíli and Bofur continued to guide them towards the shore, changing direction as needed to avoid Smaug's flames. Once they were outside of Lake-town, Tauriel let herself breathe a small sigh of relief, though she knew they were far from okay so long as Smaug remained living. It would take a miracle for him to fall, and she feared for Bain and Bard.

Glancing to the girls, Tauriel saw the tears on their faces and knew that they feared the worst. She could see terror in their eyes, and Sigrid had leant against Fíli as if seeking him out for some form of support as she cradled her sister tight. Stories would not help, not in this moment. Silence, however, was not ideal either. They needed something to distract them, something to help ease their minds.

Kíli began to hum then, a sound that was soothing and soft. The melody was unknown to Tauriel, so if there were words to go with it she could not say, but Bofur, Óin, and Fíli soon joined in. As they watched the flames consume Lake-town, Tauriel could only beg the gods that Bard and Bain would be spared, that somehow the impossible would be made possible. Sigrid and Tilda had turned to look back at Lake-town as the dwarves hummed, the girls likely hoping for some sort of sign their father and brother were okay. Boats still left the scene where they could, so there was still a chance, a slim one at the very least, that they would make it out alive.

A hideous cry rang out through the air and Tauriel watched as Smaug flew up higher and higher, only to come crashing down and fall into the lake, crushing numerous buildings beneath him. The dragon remained still, and Tauriel held her breath until they had watched the dragon lay unmoving for minutes.

Bard and Bain had done it, but at what cost?