It was over. Their side had won, but there was no victory. It was a massacre. Bodies were everywhere. Elves, men, dwarves, orcs and all types of animals. It was absolutely horrific. In all her centuries, as captain of the guard, this was truly the worst thing Tauriel had ever seen. She wandered through the piles of bodies, hoping to find survivors. Hoping to find Kili or rather hoping not to find him. Not out here, like this.
But all her worst fears came crashing over her head and she saw them. Kili, face up, two arrows in his chest, and his brother. His blond hair thick with blood, his head pressed against Kili's, and his arm protectively around Kili's neck.
Tauriel sobbed and laughed in the same moment. They died together. It was how it should be for them. She went to them and knelt between them. Her hand was shaking as she reached out to Kili's chest. It was cold and still. No heart beat pounded against her hand. She brushed away at his hair, pushing it away from his face. He looked peaceful and seemed to have the trace of a smile. Had he died knowing his brother was with him? She was sure he must have. She pushed away at the brother's hair, slightly annoyed with herself when she couldn't remember his name, but when her hand touched his head, he let out a groan. He was warm. He was alive!
Tauriel looked up. She needed to know where the nearest healing tent was. She spotted three dwarves nearby. They looked familiar, especially the one with the funny hat. He had been with Kili when she had healed him in Laketown.
"Over here!" she called. The three ran to her. "Kili's dead, but this one's not."
The funny hat dwarf reached her first. "Fili," he cried.
Fili. That was his name.
"Bombur," the dwarf turned to the fat one with red hair. "See that Kili is brought with care back to the great hall. I'll take Fili to the healers."
The fat dwarf nodded. The funny hat dwarf turned to pick up Fili, but he stopped when he saw the position the brothers were in. He let out a sob. Tauriel leaned down and picked up Fili.
"Show me the way," she said. She followed the dwarf as he lead her to a tent. Tauriel whispered Elvish healing spells to Fili to try and keep him from giving into the darkness. They reached the tent. Elves, dwarves and men were there, helping, healing and being healed. The old dwarf healer limped to Fili's side.
They started to work on him, the dwarf and an elf. Tauriel took a step back and watched for a moment, but she couldn't stand it. She felt ill and darted out of the tent. She didn't make it far before she retched. She had never done that before. Never in all her long, long years. It was an awful sensation and she never wanted to experience it again. She wiped her hand across her mouth and stood up straight. She felt light headed and dizzy and she lost her balance. She threw out her arms to catch herself, but instead was grabbed by a pair of strong hands.
"Easy lass," he said. He gently pulled her down until she sat on a rock.
"Thank you," she said, waiting a moment for her head to clear. She looked to see the funny hat dwarf looking at her. He was still holding her hands. They both realized that at the same time and let go.
"Would you like some water?" he held out a leather water pouch to her.
"Thank you," she said again. She took the water pouch from him and took a drink. The water was cold and felt good in her throat. She handed him back the pouch.
"You doing alright lass?" he asked. "Only I didn't think your kind got sick like that."
"We usually don't. That was my first time. Terrible." She rubbed a hand over her stomach. It settled a bit after the water. "I'm Tauriel."
"Bofur," he said. "We met in Laketown when you healed Ki," he stopped and looked down.
"I'm sorry about Kili," she said. "I liked him. A lot. How's Thorin?"
"What do you care?" Bofur asked. His voice was bitter.
"Bofur, I'm sorry I imprisoned you, but I was just following the orders of my King. Surely you can understand that." He glared at her. "Thranduil was afraid that, well, this," she waved her arm out over the bloody battlefield, "would happen. But I liked Thorin. He was brave and strong. He cared deeply for his kin and his quest. He insulted Thranduil to his face," she chuckled. "No one has ever been brave enough to do that."
Bofur smiled.
"I admired him, his determination and his genuine concern for the rest of you. Will he be King, now?" she asked.
Bofur shook his head. "No. He's dead. He and Kili will be laid to rest together."
"I'm sorry." They sat in silence for a while. "Why will Kili be laid to rest with Thorin?"
"Because he's Thorin's nephew. A prince of Erebor."
She had no idea. Kili had been royalty. "So Fili?"
"Is going to be the king, provided they can save him," Bofur looked to the tent. "Thank you for finding him. You've given us hope again." He looked up to see another dwarf coming to them. "Ori. What news?"
"Kili's in the hall, with Thorin," he choked back a sob. His arm was in a sling and a large bandage covered his head.
"Lad, do you think you should be walking about with that head wound?" Bofur asked.
Ori started at Tauriel for a moment, unsure what to do with the elf there. He finally sighed and looked back to Bofur. "Probably not, but Bombur asked me to come get you."
Bofur stood. "Will you be alright lass?" he asked.
Tauriel nodded.
Bofur turned and left with Ori. Tauriel watched them for a while. Her mind turned over what she had learned. Kili had been a prince.
"Don't leave me alone!" Tauriel heard Fili cry out. She ran back to the tent. Kili would never leave his brother's side and since he wasn't there, Tauriel would make sure Fili was never alone.