AN: Hello again :) See note at the end of the chapter for stuff!

Prologue Part III

"It is quite simple, Fíli. Your brother has no chance of regaining his health if he stays", Gandalf tried again. Bilbo noticed the slightly annoyed tone in the wizard's voice and couldn't help but understand. Fíli simply refused to see reason. The only person in Middle Earth who could possibly heal his brother was Elrond of Rivendell, yet, he didn't want to leave his brother in the hands of an elf.

"My kin will never understand!" Fíli argued heatedly. "I cannot allow that."

"You can allow whatever you want. You are King under the Mountain! Besides, have the elves not gained your trust?" Gandalf asked.

Fíli gave a tired sight. Of course there were some elves that did not deserve his distrust but he also had to think about his people. In a way, he mused, Thorin had been right. One day he would understand why it was acceptable to choose different priorities. His brother couldn't always come first, he had duties now, people expected things, and nobody was going to ask whether he liked it or not.

"They wouldn't … I don't think they would respect my decision. I know how the majority of us still feels about the elves and it doesn't matter that I may or may not have changed my opinion."

"Making decisions of such gravity is never an easy task and I know that you have not asked for it. But consider what is best for you brother." Fíli gave an angry snort.

"Are you saying that no matter what I do, I will lose my brother?"

Bilbo though it was time to intervene, as Gandalf was clearly not going to be successful anytime soon.

"No, Fíli. What I think Gandalf is trying to say is that either you send your brother away and safe his life or you do not allow his departure and he will, sooner or later, die from his wounds."

The blond dwarf looked like he was either about to cry or burst into an angry speech about the possible outcomes of both suggestions. Before he could open his mouth, however, Gandalf placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Do your brother a favour and allow him to go to Rivendell. Lord Elrond may be able to help him. He may be far from you but at least he will no die."

Fíli's shoulders sacked and the fight left his posture.

"Fine. But I still think nobody should know."

Gandalf raised an eyebrow and turned to Bilbo.

"Well, Master Burglar, I think we require your talent one last time."

Bilbo's eyes grew round. "What?!" He squeaked. "You want me to steal a dwarf?"

Gandalf chuckled and even Fíli smiled a little.

"I intend for Kíli to travel to Rivendell and then go to the Shire. It might do him some good to be further away from this place, it seems to hold some kind of curse for him." Gandalf explained.

Fíli gave a short nod. "Fine. Fine, do whatever has to be done. I do not wish for him to suffer. But he can't travel alone and you and Mr Baggins will be expected to join the coronation."

The mere thought of the event sent uncomfortable shivers down his spine. Fíli still had to get used to his new position and the responsibility that came with it.

"Indeed he can't but I think, he may well be dealing with this problem on his own", Gandalf replied with a tinkle in his eyes. He seemed to be laughing at a private joke.

"Who… what?" Fíli felt a little embarrassed but again, he couldn't quite catch up with the wizard.

"The elf, Fíli."

Fíli's brows furrowed. He knew his brother had developed an unhealthy liking for Tauriel but he did not expect her to return the notion. Apparently, Gandalf had a very different idea. "Thanduril has banished her for helping you. He is greatly displeased with her actions and she refused to turn her back on your people. You owe her your trust."

"And my brother's life. I know, I know. When are they leaving then?"

Fíli was still uncomfortable with the idea of letting his brother go but he knew there was barely a choice.

"Tonight." Gandalf said, his tone forbidding any resistance.

Fíli swallowed thickly and gave a curd nod. He was doing that a lot today.

"What do I tell the others?"

"I will deal with them. Just make sure nobody visits your brother."

Before Fíli could ask any further questions, Gandalf turned around and hurried back to the camp.

A heavy silence settled between the dwarf and the hobbit when they walked back towards the tent.

Bilbo could see the battle that was raging inside the king under the mountain and he felt deeply sorry for the young dwarf.

The silence in the tent was deafening and Kíli was sure that this was the most awkward moment of his life. A part of him was hoping he would just pass out again. That way she could leave without having to reply and he could try forgetting about it himself. The gods didn't grand him such luck though, and he was stuck in the situation. His hand left Tauriel's cheek.

The sudden absence of warmth on her face snapped her back to reality.

"I do not wish to forget." She said softly, knowing that now it was too late to ever turn back. Not that she wanted to.

The smile on Kíli's face was blinding and he reached out to take her hand. Tauriel gently wove her fingers through his and lifted their hands to her lips. She kissed the back of his hand softly and revelled in the beauty of the moment.

Her dwarf was, quite obviously, speechless but the elf was content with watching him smile. The sweetness was replaced by something else soon, though, and the smile on Kíli's face turned into a cheeky grin.

"I knew I'd grow on you." He croaked, his eyes sparkling. Tauriel chuckled.

"Couldn't help it. You were far too charming, barely conscious and fever talking. Nobody could resist that!" She teased. She had to admit that she was a little surprised at how easy those words left her lips. While she had never been as graceful and serious as most elves of Mirkwood she had certainly not joked, let alone teased, in a long time. It felt a little foreign to her, but good.

Kíli felt the very sudden and very strong urge to finally kiss the elf-maid properly, but given his current condition there was no way he could initiate more than holding hands and pained groans. So he settled for giving her slender fingers another squeeze and hoped for a time, in which he could move freely.

The silence was broken when Fíli entered the tent, closely followed by Bilbo. Instinctively, Tauriel loosened her grip on his hand but Kíli refused to let go of her. Though, he did attempt to hide their intertwined fingers in the small space between their bodies.

Kíli didn't like the look on his brother's face and the warmth that had taken hold of him moments earlier shrunk a little and he tried to steel himself for some unpleasant news.

"Gandalf wants to send you away."

Well, that was not was he had expected. He struggled to get into a sitting position; all cares about his health forgotten but a gentle hand stopped him. With a frustrated sight he allowed Tauriel to push him back down.

"What if I don't want to?" he asked pertinacious.

Something in his brother's posture changed as he straightened his back and schooled his features in something less brotherly and more regal.

"If you do not go on your own accord I will ban you from the kingdom."

Fíli felt like he was betraying his brother but reminded himself that it was necessary for the young dwarf's survival.

All happiness and warmth vanished from Kíli and he was quite certain that all colour had left this face.

"On what accord?" Tauriel asked, suspecting something was up. It was not like Fíli to force his brother form his side but when the blonde's eyes landed on her, she felt uncertainty rising in her chest. Could he really be so cruel to his brother? She had been convinced that both dwarf princes had reconsidered their opinion on elves and she had had the sneaking suspicion that Fíli had been aware of the emotions she shared with his brother.

Kíli's face was set into a mask of hurt and confusion. Why would his brother do that to him? It seemed grossly unfair and incredibly cruel. How could he even dare to consider using Tauriel against him?

The hobbit cleared his throat once again, jerking his head towards Fíli and Kíli's eyes flew from the elf's face to his brother's stern expression. For the first time he saw cracks in the mask he was wearing with great care and with tremendous relief he noticed the wrinkles around his brother's eyes. Fíli looked sad, heartbroken even and he was desperately trying not to let it show.

"Why?" Kíli sounded so much younger and somewhat lost.

"It's for your own good. I don't like it much either" Fíli sighted. Turning his gaze away from his brother his eyes found Tauriel's.

"Gandalf wants you to take him to Rivendell."

To Kíli's horror he saw Tauriel give a nod. "I understand", she said, lowering her head.

The next few hours passed in a rush. Tauriel left his side soon after Fíli had ordered him to leave, promising to return with some food and something stronger to drink than water. She had successfully reasoned with him and he had agreed that it would be clever to pack enough food, healing supplies and water to last them at least a month. While they hoped that they would reach Rivendell sooner, it was never a good idea to travel unprepared, especially considering Kíli's less than stable condition.

Gandalf had joined Kíli for a while and explained that it would be better for the dwarf to get away from the mountain, Also, Gandalf added, Fíli was worried about certain developments. While he did not elaborate, Kíli understood that he meant his relationship or whatever it was with Tauriel. He knew that his brother didn't mind but he was painfully aware of the dislike the other dwarfs displayed towards elves. It would do them no good to reason with them or explain their course of action.

In the dark of the night, Kíli was restlessly waiting for Tauriel to return. When the tent door flapped open his heart filled with hope but it wasn't whom he had been hoping to see. Instead of the elf his brother came in. They hadn't spoken since Fíli had left the tent earlier that day, leaving a confused Kíli behind.

"Here to say goodbye?" Kíli tried to mask the sadness in his voice with anger but he failed miserably. His brother helped him into a sitting position and pulled him into a gentle hug.

"I'm sorry, Kíli", he whispered, pressing a kiss to his brother's forehead. "I will miss you terribly."

"And I you" the younger dwarf murmured into his brother's shoulder.

"When will I see you again?" he asked, hoping his brother would not deny him an answer. His hope sank however, as he felt his brother shrug his shoulders.

"I can't promise anything. But I can promise to visit you as soon as my duties allow it." He sounded hollow to himself but he knew he had to do what was right.

To his surprise his brother suddenly smiled.

"He would have been proud of you. You'll make a good King."

Fíli couldn't quite help the tears finding their way into his eyes as he looked at his brother.

"He would have been proud of you as well, little brother" he murmured. Kíli snorted.

"Fíli, look at me. Wounded so bad my body won't heal, utterly depended on others and about to run off with an elf."

Despite himself Fíli felt a laugh beginning to build in his throat and he let it out gladly.

"Still… you fought bravely. Most people would have died from the wounds you suffered but here you are. Holding on."

Kíli grinned at his brother and clasped his hand. Fíli felt something glide into his palm and he recognized his brother's rune stone.

"You shouldn't…"

"No, I want you to remember your promise."

The brothers shared a smile and Fíli put the stone into the pocket right over his heart. He would do everything in his power to fulfil his promise, and nothing would keep him from helping his brother.

Suddenly, a gush of wind entered the tent and Tauriel stepped in, carrying a pile of blankets in her arms. Fíli helped her drape them over his brother, making sure all the bandages were in the right places. Once he was satisfied, he hugged his brother once more, carefully avoiding the nasty wound in his abdomen.

"Farewell" he whispered and before Kíli could say anything his brother stormed out of the tent and he was left alone, sitting on his bed with a heavy heart.

Tauriel didn't quite know how to comfort Kíli. Technically, she knew how he was feeling but she didn't know how to express her regret for his situation. So she did the only thing she could think of and pressed her lips gently against his forehead.

Kíli clearly enjoyed the sensation, as his fingers found their way into her hair and a smile replaced the sorrowful expression on his young face.

After a short yet very painful walk from the bed to the door of the tent, Tauriel slipped out of the tent and checked if they were in deed alone. When she ware sure nobody was watching the tent, apart form maybe the hobbit, whose shape she could make out under a tree not too far away, she motioned for Kíli to follow her. Without a single word, she helped him into the small wagon she had bound behind her horse and cushioned with a couple of old blankets. Once Kíli was in a position that allowed his body to rest, she covered him with blankets as well. She had to admit that she was quite glad that he had not complained, as she knew he would have preferred to share the horse with her but his current condition simply didn't allow it.

"Rest, melamin" she whispered, leaning down and pressing another soft kiss to his forehead. This time, however, he sneaked a hand into her neck and pulled her down before she could move away form him, resting her forehead against his.

Brown eyes bored into green eyes.

"Thank you", he whispered, marvelling at the softness of her hair under her fingers and the warmth that seemed to flow from her body.

For the first time since this morning, Kíli felt truly at peace. Maybe, just maybe, things would turn out for the better.

The couple shot apart moments later, when a twig audible snapped close by. Tauriel's hand moved to her daggers but her body relaxed when she recognized Fíli next to the hobbit. The two figures approached them and she beckoned them closer.

"We must hurry", she hissed, before kneeling down and giving both the hobbit and the dwarf a one armed hug. The small figures nodded and stepped away from the other two.

"May the grace of the Valar protect you" she whispered and moved towards her horse.

A silent goodbye seemed to pass between the brothers and with a light pressure of her legs Tauriel stirred her horse into motion.

Hello again :)
Thank you for reading!
I am not entirely satisfied with my explanation for Kíli's departure but it would take too many angsty chapters to fully explain everything. So, for the sake of fluff, I decided to ditch logic and get on with the story.
And yes, I know the lack of other dwarfs is weird but let's just say that they are all very busy and are pretty sure that their prince is dying if not already dead. Or maybe he had gone missing in battle. Whatever, they don't know about him.
Right. Next chapter- Rivendell!