I have received a few requests to have a warning when M content will be present. I will definitely do that! And for anyone who is against reading the M material, feel free to shoot me a PM when there is a chapter with an M rating and I'd be happy to describe what happened in the chapter or tell you where exactly you can skip.

So, this chapter has Thorin's initial discovery of Tauriel, but not his big blowout (I know some are quite eager for that) but you do have the beginning of a Tauriel/Kili reunion :) enjoy!

Blood pounded thickly in his ears. Kili did his best to steady his breath and calm his frantic heartbeat as he approached his uncle's chambers. He didn't want to deal with this right now. Thorin was going to furious when he found out an elf was taking refuge in his kingdom. Kili only hoped he'd be able to distil the anger for a while, at least until Tauriel awoke and talked to him herself.

But who knew when she would awake? He'd never seen an elf collapse like that before. He didn't even know that was possible. Thankfully, Oin would be looking over her soon, if he wasn't already. It had only been moments ago that he'd pounded on the old dwarf's door, stammering there was an injured traveler in his chambers with Fili. Without the giving the situation proper explaining, Kili rushed away, leaving the slightly confused and tired dwarf behind.

He quickly reached Thorin's chambers. Kili hammered his fist on the large, wooden door several times. Just when he was contemplating forgetting the whole thing and heading back to find Tauriel, it swung open. To his surprise, it was Gandalf on the other side, gesturing for Kili to enter.

"Master Kili," the old wizard welcomed. "Your uncle has been waiting for you."

A large fire in the hearth warmed the room, casting large shadows on the towering stone walls and columns. Thorin was seated at an impressive wooden table, reading over multiple scrolls. He glanced up when Kili entered, offering a small nod of welcome, before looking back down. Gandalf remained in the background, smoking his ever present pipe.

"I expected both my nephews to provide me a report of their onslaught," Thorin stated, scratching a quill across the parchment. "Especially since one of them expects to become King under the Mountain."

"Fili would have been here," Kili defended, "but there was an incident."

Thorin's hand holding the quill paused and from across the room, Gandalf narrowed his eyes questionably.

"Is your brother alright?" Thorin demanded. "What happened?"

"Fili is fine," Kili answered quickly. "We found the orcs and disposed of them, Uncle; just as you ordered."

"And the incident?"

"Ah, uh yes." Kili shuffled his feet and suddenly found the stone on the floor quite interesting. Avoiding his uncle's stern gaze and the smirk hidden under Gandalf's beard, he clasped his hands behind his back. "They were chasing a traveler on horseback. She was injured, but Fili was able to reach her before they did too much harm."

"She outran them for quite a long time," Gandalf mused. "Especially for being on her own."

"Where is she now?" Thorin questioned. He pushed away from the desk, ignoring his scrolls and letters for the moment. Kili shifted uneasily.

"Here," he answered. "Her horse was unharmed and we used it to carry her up the mountain. Fili took her to one of them chambers to rest and I fetched Oin before coming here." Kili thought it best to keep out the fact Tauriel was in his bed. "She needed medical attention."

Thorin stood in front of the hearth, leaning on the stone mantle. "You brought the woman here? If I recall, Kili, Dale has its own healers. Did you not think to keep her with own people?"

"She was not from Dale," Kili replied, watching his uncle carefully. "They weren't her people."

"You misunderstood," Thorin said easily. "While we have no quarrel with Dale, I would rather Erebor not fraternize with the race of Men unnecessarily. You could have left her with one of their healers."

"Ah, very good point Uncle." Kili gave a wide smile, but Thorin did not return it. "However, it would seem that she, is in fact,not part of that particular race."

Thorin pinched his fingers on the bridge of nose, giving a loud sigh, before slightly shaking his head. "It is late, Kili. No riddles."

Kili's smile fell and he let out a nervous breath of air. Silently wishing his brother was standing beside him, he shuffled his feet one more time before speaking. "Well, the woman seems to be an elf and uh-I believe Erebor was her destination."

There was a long moment of agonizing silence. Determined to be undaunted, Kili kept eye contact with his king. Thorin did not move or speak. Realizing he was headed for trouble, Kili cleared his throat before continuing.

"We know her, Uncle. She was the one on Ravenhill with us near three months ago."

Thorin's face softened. Kili had said the magic words. The memory of their close encounter with death still hung fresh in his mind and his youngest nephew knew it.

"And that is where Fili is?" Thorin questioned, his voice stiff and firm.

"Yes." And where I'd rather be, but Kili did not say that out loud. "As I said before, she is wounded, Uncle. I am sure her reason for being here is important."

Thorin nodded slowly, turning to look at Gandalf. The old wizard did nothing, but slightly raise his eyebrows.

"It is too late to do anything about it this evening." No yelling. No curses. No disowning his youngest nephew. Kili almost smiled, but managed to keep his face straight as Thorin continued. "The only reason I am not throwing her limp body out the front gate is because I owe her your lives. The moment she awakes, I need to know her business here, understood?"

Kili nodded eagerly and, when his uncle started back to his table, took the hint of his dismissal. The moment the heavy door closed behind him, he was sprinting. His steps echoed loudly against the rock and stone, but he hardly noticed.

By the grace of Mahal, Thorin had not lost his temper. Kili was sure he was silently fuming, contemplating going back on his decision to not throw her out, but for the moment he accepted there was an elf in his kingdom. It was step in the right direction.

Slipping around a dark corner, Kili slid in front of his room just as Fili walked out, shutting the door firmly behind him.

"Is she alright?" Kili asked immediately. "Oin already in there?"

"I wouldn't leave her alone, idiot." Fili rolled his eyes. "'Course he's in there. Kicked me out as soon as he started taking her vest off. Surprised you're here though. I would have thought Uncle'd be cursing your ear off until morning."

Kili forced a grin. "We're lucky she saved your life."

"Both our lives," Fili corrected. He leaned against the cold wall, watching his brother carefully. "And speaking of lives, I think hers is well intact. She spoke after you left. Mumbling about how she needed to tell you something."

Kili leaned against the opposite wall, shaking his fingers across his scalp. He wanted to believe she was here for him, but everything she said that night tugged at the back of his mind. She'd made her point quite clear.

"You said she left." Fili continued when his brother didn't respond. He folded his arms, watching his brother's reaction with a straight face. Kili didn't move his gaze from the floor. "Did you ask her to stay?"

He nodded, biting the inside of his cheek. "Twice. Once after the dragon was killed and again after we won the battle. She said no both times."

His brother didn't lecture him on his love for an elf. He didn't belittle him or call him a fool. He didn't even state what a dishonor it would be to feel such things. For that, Kili was grateful.

"She's here for some reason," Fili sighed. "And I doubt it's just on business."

Before Kili could answer, the door opened and Oin slid out. His sleeves were rolled up and there were faint traces of blood on his fingertips.

"Is she okay?" Kili pressed. Oin had hardly been in there for any time at all.

"Stop yer fussin," the dwarf growled, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "The she-elf is goin to be fine. I've got to do a full examination, but it looks like the only place with considerable bleedin is her arm. I'll stitch it as soon as I've checked over the rest of her."

"Make sure you check her stomach," Fili piped up. "She kept trying to touch it when she was half-unconscious. Might be an irritated cut there or something."

Oin nodded, then pulled something from his pocket. "I only stopped to give this to ya boys. I was takin off her outer layers and it fell from her clothes. Could be the reason she's here at all."

Fili was closer, so he took the faded cloth. Kili came to stand by him and as he looked over his shoulder, his eyes grew wide. Dark language splattered the page, written in an ink blacker than the darkest nights. He'd seen these before. They were messages that were passed among orc packs.

However, this one had the sign of Durin planted right in the middle.

"I'm going to Uncle and Gandalf," Fili said firmly. "Stay here. Although, I'm sure you were going to do that anyway."

Kili nodded, then slid down onto the cold, hard floor. Oin would be adamant on not letting him in there as he removed the clothing of an injured woman. Although, Kili had actually done that to this particular elf, but he didn't want to upset the tired dwarf.

Leaning his head against the wall, he thought of the rough cloth in Fili's hand. That was why she came. It made perfect sense. Obviously the elves of Mirkwood came across it and, being captain of the guard, it was her duty to deliver the ominous message. Her task was to warn his family, nothing else.

No. They could have sent another elf. Tauriel could have refused and asked a subordinate to deliver it. She came here because she wanted to. Kili was sure of it.

When she awoke, Kili was going to remind her just how much he loved her and this time, he wouldn't let her walk away.

The first thing she was aware of was warmth.

Like she had sunk into a steaming hot spring, Tauriel was covered with a soft, heated glow; a contrast to the pain and hysteria she was feeling before. Her head was still heavy, but the blurriness had disappeared. Attempting to open her eyes and squinting at the sudden light, she was surprised to see stone walls above her.

Tauriel shifted slightly, realizing for the first time since awakening that her feet were hanging off the bed she was on. Her muscles were sore and something was wrapped tightly on her left arm. Letting out a small groan, she lifted her head to get a better grasp on her surroundings.

"Tauriel?"

Air rushed from her lungs. The sound of a chair scraping back and heavy boots tearing across the room accompanied her strangled gasp as she struggled to push herself up. The soreness was forgotten as two rough, callused hands suddenly grasped the sides of her face.

He was there. Kili gazed at her with wide, unbelieving eyes from the side of the bed. His hair was slightly longer from the last time she'd seen him. There was no beard, but still the heavy scruff that covered his jaw. The most notable change were his eyes. Though the brown orbs were bright and excited, dark circles hung below them and tugged at Tauriel's chest.

"Kili," she gasped, tentatively raising her uninjured arm to stroke his face. A breathless laugh escaped his slightly parted lips as he leaned into her touch, his thumbs stroking her cheekbones. "I-I can't believe-it's you."

"Oh Mahal." His voice was hoarse and deep. It triggered the memory of his muttered curses and groans of pleasure that night, sending a wave of heat down Tauriel's spine. "You have no idea how much I've longed to hear your voice again."

Too many thoughts, things she wanted and needed to say, were coursing through her mind. Tauriel desperately wanted to belt out that she was carrying his child. She needed to inform him how much she longed to return to his arms and make sure he understood how guilty her decision left her.

Instead of doing any of this, all she managed was to choke out the words, "I'm so sorry."

"Shh," he said softly, still smiling crookedly. "Don't. It's not your fault."

"It is," she said hurriedly. Her fingers fell from his face, clinging to the leather on his shoulders. His hands didn't leave her cheeks and guilt and sorrow erupted through her body. "I shouldn't have left. I should have stayed. I should have-."

"I should have stopped you," Kili interrupted. Kneeling on the bed beside her, his hands started to roam; caressing her jaw, running through her hair, and stroking down her arms, being mindful of the bandage. It was almost as if he didn't believe she was there. Tauriel still clung to his shoulders, her face even with chest. "Letting you walk away was the most foolish decision of my life."

"But-I-," Tauriel stammered, feeling his fingers lock into her hair. "I'm the one who said those awful things. You should be angry with me."

He pressed his forehead against hers. The air caught in her throat as his warm breath brushed against her face. "They were honest words. Do not be ashamed you said them."

"I was so confused." Her chest was falling heavily now as the words rushed from her lips. The hand not tangled in her hair was gently rubbing her back now. Tightening her hold on him, she refused to pull her forehead away from his own. "Everything happened so quickly and then, it was over. I did not know what to do."

"It won't be like that again," Kili whispered, firmly. "I promise you. We will do it right this time; the proper way."

The proper way. That would have been an appropriate proposition if she was a dwarrowdam or possibly if he was of elf kind. Unfortunately, there was no proper way for the two races to easily come together in the way they both desired; especially with one of them carrying a child out of wedlock.

"I don't think we can."

Kili froze at her words. Tauriel was aware of the multiple meanings the muttered comment held, but she didn't immediately clarify. Anxiousness overtook the guilt in her veins, but it was not alone. For the first time since the discovery of her pregnancy, she felt an odd sort of excitement. The time to tell him had presented itself.

"What do you mean we can't?" He pulled away to gaze down at her face. His brows furrowed together, but his hands didn't leave her. "I meant what I said before, Tauriel. I am not afraid. I do not care what our families say. I know you are upset and, although there's no reason for you to, you feel guilty, but you're here now. That's what matters."

Tauriel laughed lightly at his words. "You have not changed, Melamin." Kili's face softened at the last word. That was one elven endearment he was quite familiar with. "But there's much we have to talk to about."

"I know. Oin tended to your wounds and the parchment fell from your pocket," Kili explained. The name sounded familiar to Tauriel. Glancing down, she saw she was not in her own clothes, but instead a long tunic. Suddenly, she was thankful she had not started showing yet. "You came to warn my uncle."

Oddly enough, the ominous parchment did not seem to worry Tauriel as much as her confession. The small, dependent life inside of her was the present issue and had her full attention.

"Yes," Tauriel replied honestly. "But I came by the cloth after I sealed my plans to leave Mirkwood. There is another important matter at hand. I fear it will they will make things much more difficult."

"It's alright." Kili stroked down her hair. Tauriel almost wanted to laugh at how nothing could deter his carefree nature. "Whatever is bothering you, I will help you through it."

"I should hope so," she smiled gently. Lifting her hand again, she cupped Kili's cheek. "We've been blessed, Melamin. The gods above have delivered a mighty gift. Do not be mad at me. I came as soon as I discovered it."

"I doubt there is anything you could that would anger me," he teased. "Tell me."

Tauriel trailed her fingers down his jaw, before leaning forward to place a soft kiss on his chin. "Kili, I'm pregnant."

Melamin-my love

dont hate me for my cliffhangers

btw, I totally picture Thorin constantly sighing/pinching his nose/rubbing his forehead in exasperation whenever Kili and Fili cause mischief. Anyone else see this? Just me? Okay :)