Kíli had expected more of a panic when they neared the shores, but it seemed that silence was to be what welcomed them.

Silence, that is, and an elven regiment with supplies.

As they grew closer, Kíli could make out tall figures approaching the docking boats, handing out blankets and cups and carrying the wounded to the tents where healer likely waited. The pale hues of dawn were creeping out, and the two girls in their charge had fallen into an uneasy sleep. Kíli spared a glance out to the waves, hoping that he would be able to spot their father or brother but in the chaos that was this disaster, it was hard for him to make out anyone. He glanced to Bofur and Fíli, who were watching the unexpected elves with mild suspicion. Tauriel, too, seemed to stare at those offering aid with a bit of uncertainty.

The people of Lake-town were gazing with fear at their ruined homes, still smoldering in the distance, though none seemed able to speak. It was a heavy grief, and Kíli noticed there were some people weeping, clinging to bodies that had long gone still. When they reached the shore, he'd try to shelter the girls from that best he could.

Tauriel jumped from the boat when the water grew shallow and began to pull them ashore, Fíli and Bofur still guiding them as best they could. When the water grew a tad shallower, Kíli jumped in after her, knowing it would be a task to pull in a ship with five still remaining on it. The two of them got the boat onto shore and found a spot to tie the rope off.

"Are you alright?" He asked her softly as she methodically knotted the rope of the boat.

Tauriel nodded. "I will be fine. It's the children I worry about, and those of your company who were within the mountain."

"Uncle and the others are fine, I'm sure." He said it to reassure himself, though he had thought of little else once the girls were clear of danger and he knew they'd reach the shore safely. "Bilbo, our resident thief, seems to be a good-luck charm."

Kíli saw her hand move towards his, but Tauriel stopped suddenly. There was an elf moving towards them, and from Tauriel's reaction he realized their company was being approached by someone she may know. Kíli knew her fears, knew that her actions would have some form of consequence, but for those she knew, those of her kingdom, to be here on the shore as if awaiting them, what did that mean? He would have said something to reassure her, but worried being overheard by someone who should not know.

"Tauriel?" The elf spoke quietly and quickly, as if frightened.

"Olnith?"

The dark-haired elf shook her head. "You should not be here."

"Why? What's happened?" Kíli spoke without thought, and the elf's eyes moved to him.

"Who are you that I should answer?"

That stung, though Kíli shot an answer back quickly. "Prince Kíli, son of Víli, and nephew of Thorin Oakenshield of the line of Durin. Third in line for the crown and the one in charge of this company of dwarves, Tauriel, and the two girls with us."

Fíli would have to forgive him for acting as if he were the highest ranking one there, but he did not want to drag his brother into whatever mess this was about to become, especially since he felt his outburst may have just made things worse, if Tauriel's look was anything to go off of. Or her look could be from him claiming to be in charge of her, when he would never assume her to be working on anything but her own desire to help them, under no obligation. Perhaps this was one of those reckless moments that, looking back on it many years from now, would endear him more to her. Or still serve to get him scolded. In his experience, that was more likely.

The elf before him studied his face, as if there were something she was seeking out in it. Then, with a quick movement, stood to full attention. "You will come with me. Both of you."

Kíli narrowed his eyes and would have spoken but stopped as another elf came into view, speaking quickly in elvish. Tauriel seemed to be listening intently, and he wished he knew what the discussion was about, for her eyes grew stormy. He had seen her prepared to face down orcs with the heat of battle in her eyes, but this was far different. This was a look he knew he never wanted to see directed his way.

"Echadron." Tauriel finally chimed in, her voice holding an edge that seemed as sharp as steel. "Prince Kíli and I will go with you to Thranduil's tent, but first we must see to the care of the children placed in our charge by Bard, the man of Lake-town who shot down the dragon. You will not need to use force to make us go with you. If you find it agreeable, please allow us half an hour under the watch of Olnith to settle in the children and help them look for family and then we will go before Thranduil."

Kíli was not sure the terms were agreeable with him, as he really did not wish to see Thranduil under any sort of circumstance, but from the way Tauriel seemed to be stretched like a taunt bow, he knew that her words had been her hope of getting the two of them out of what may have been a worse situation.

Echadron looked at the sleeping children and then motioned towards Bofur, Oin, and Fíli. "And those dwarves?"

"Just members of the company of Thorin Oakenshield." Tauriel replied quickly. "Left to see to their prince recovering from an injury. I ask you leave them and the children be once we have willing come with you."

The second elf locked eyes with Kíli for a few moments, brow furrowed. Unsure of what the elf wanted, Kíli nodded as if to confirm Tauriel's words.

"You have twenty minutes and I will alert Thranduil of your presence. Should he demand your attention sooner, you had best come." Echadron held Kíli's gaze for a few more moments before he turned to Tauriel once more. "Avof nathlad 'werth min daur vîn."

Tauriel flinched at those words, and Kíli wanted nothing more than to take her hand in his. He may not have understood what those words meant, but he knew the unpleasant tone behind them well enough.

When Echadron had left, Kíli noticed both Tauriel and Olnith relax slightly.

"Well, he is quite the charmer, isn't he?" Fíli spoke in his usual upbeat way, though Kíli could hear the underlying tone of worry in his voice. "What did he want with you and our elven friend, Prince Kíli?"

Oh, Fíli was not going to let him live that down, was he? From the look in his brother's eye, he knew that was about to become something he teased him on almost as tirelessly as he would tease him about Tauriel.

"He wanted to see why there was one amongst your party who magic lingered on." Olnith spoke, and Kíli was grateful for it as he truly did not know what the elves wanted. "He also spotted Tauriel and much of what he said was... well, that is no concern to you, Prince of Dwarves. It falls under the jurisdiction of our king." The elf's eyes went back to Tauriel, and there was genuine concern in her tone when she next spoke. "Why, mellon, are you among the company of Thorin Oakenshield?"

"Why are you here on the shores?" Tauriel asked in return, and Kíli knew she was trying to divert attention away from questions surrounding the company.

Olnith's voice was surprisingly soft when she next spoke. "Our lord is not without a heart, you of all should know that, and you also know what he has faced. He would not see these people suffer when he realized what Thorin intended to release upon the world by entering that mountain and thus he brought us here, ready to face the beast if we had to. Did you think we would not face it, knowing his son was in the line of fire? Legolas met us on the way here, and yet we still pressed on."

Watching her expression, Kíli knew there was something in those words that soothed Tauriel slightly. She seemed lost in thought, and Kíli knew she was trying to figure out what to say. Tauriel's reply was non-existent, however, as Tilda woke then. "Da'?"

Kíli was by the girl's side in an instant, doing his best to block her from seeing what was happening with those around them. He was quite aware of the quick brush of Tauriel's hand against his as she too moved toward the girl. As the elf watching over them did not seem to notice it, Kíli smiled softly to himself and savored the small interaction. "And how are you this morning, fair Tilda?"

The girl blinked up at him. "Hungry. Have you found Da' yet? Or Bain?"

"Not yet, but we will keep our eyes and ears open for news." Tauriel handed the girl a cup that must have been provided by one of the numerous elves.

Tilda sniffed the cup, her face breaking into a small grin. "Spiced apple juice!"

Apple juice… Kíli's stomach rolled at the thought of apples, the barrels the company had stolen out in smelling of apples. Perhaps someday he could enjoy apples again, but that smell mixed in with thoughts of his injury would make that day far into the future. He watched as Tilda happily finished her drink and handed the cup away.

"Can we go look for Da' now?"

"Well, we can certainly get you out of that boat and go from there." Kíli offered her his hand to help her out. He knew she was nervous when he felt the tremor of her hands, and how her eyes were darting back towards the remains of her home. He hoped he could get her calmed and distract her, if only until they discovered what had become of her brother and father. Tilda made it out of the boat though it swayed slightly as hopped out, waking her sister in the process. Sigrid jumped awake, tremoring slightly and reaching out for the nearest item to grab onto to steady herself, which happened to be Fíli. Kíli shook his head at the girl, who seemed to flush quite often, and helped her out of the boat once she had righted herself. With the two girls on shore, Kíli realized it would be harder to shelter them from seeing everything, given his height.

However, the girls seemed numb to it all, looking instead between the shore and the new elf that was lingering to watch and make sure that he and Tauriel did not try to flee. Tilda smiled at the elf, and Kíli felt a pang of anger when the elf's eyes just seemed to skip over the girl and not return her smile. Tilda, however, did not look too disheartened at the rejection of Olnith, as Tauriel crouched beside her and whispered something that made the girl grin.

Looking at Tauriel in that moment, grinning with the small girl who looked up at her with stars in her eyes, Kíli knew that he could never love anyone but her. She was fierce, yet soft, and when she smiled—Mahal, that smile—he could not help but feel as if he were the luckiest dwarf to ever exist. He would have forever –forever, which still felt odd to him, still hard to wrap his mind around—with her.

"Bain!" Sigrid shouted, and Kíli was drawn from his thoughts. He followed her gaze to where her brother was just down the shore, lugging a boat behind him. He could make out a figure resting in, and he felt tension he did not realize he was holding release as Bard came into view. "Da'!"

"It's the dragon slayer!"

"Bard!"

"King Bard!"

"Bard the slayer of beasts!"

Shouts echoed as those who survived the destruction moved toward the boat where Bard remained seated.

"Give him room!" Bain shouted, though the boy's cries were ignored. Sharing a glance with those in his company and Olnith, Kíli and the rest pushed their way through the crowds, serving not only as a way to clear a quick path for Sigrid and Tilda to reach their family but also as a line of defense to give the family a moment of peace. Bain, Kíli was pleased to note, looked relatively unscathed.

Bard, however, looked rough, to put in nicely. His face and other pieces of exposed skin were blistered from heat, but he still grinned widely as his two girls dove into his arms, even if there was a nearly hidden wince in each move. The open wound on his leg, however, was what worried Kíli. Though, with so many elves around it was likely it would be seen to. Bard was, after all, a hero now.

Olnith pushed her way towards the boat now containing the family and handed a small salve. "For the burns, Great Dragonslayer."

"My thanks." If Bard was surprised by the elves on the shore, he was hiding it well.

As the family spent a precious few moments reveling in the fact they had all survived, Kíli scanned the crowd of men, women, and children that surrounded the boat. Many of these people had been the same that cheered on his uncle, and they likely could be easily swayed to turn against him if the wrong attitude was presented. So, he just gave Fíli a grin before the two of them began their little campaign of sorts. It was something they had done in their youth, a whisper train of sorts to turn favor when needed. It had helped trade negotiations so surely it could help keep both Bard and their uncle in favorable light.

"I saw him take the shot myself! Never a greater bowman out there!" Kíli said, in a pitched voice, his own mouth hidden by his hand so that it could not be immediately clear to anyone looking at him that it was his words.

"A champion alright! A welcome ally of Erebor!" That was Fíli's voice, sounding more like an old man than his usual tone.

The two kept up their little whisper train and were thrilled when Tauriel joined in as well. Soon there were murmurs about how Bard had the support of the King of the Mountain—and his gold—and those gathered seemed to take a few moments before they had all but officially declared him king and seemed to have forgotten just who had released the dragon, speaking readily of an alliance with Erebor. As for Bard, he had now gotten out of the boat, limping something fierce but holding his head high.

"We need to find shelter, and make sure everyone is accounted for." Bard's voice rang out. He then dropped his voice so the small company around him could only hear his words. "Are we to be guests of the Greenwood, or should we find a place to settle on our own?"

"Dale." Fíli voiced quietly. "You could make for Dale, and if the winter grows harsh shelter in the mountains. I will swear it as heir to the line of Durin."

Kíli was glad Olnith had not heard his brother's words, since he still had to appear in charge of the company. From the look Fíli not-so-subtly sent him after Bard had shook his hand, he knew his brother was still fixated on his earlier claim. However, before Kíli could give him a proper response, Olnith addressed him. "You and Tauriel must make haste to the king's tent. Your time is nearly up."

"Thank you for letting us know." Kíli replied with ease, though there was an uncertainty in his heart. "Fi, Tauriel and I will be along shortly. Can you see to having everything in place to travel to the mountain?"

"Of course, Prince Kíli." Fíli replied with ease.

As they were walking away, Kíli heard his brother make some comment about Tilda and Sigrid being princesses, and he heard the eldest girl give a little embarrassed squeak. Really, that girl seemed to get flustered much too easily. She'd need to grow a stronger backbone if her father did end up as leader of Dale.

"You will have to leave your weapons with me." Olnith stated, and Kíli obliged as well as he could. The small dagger in his boot did not leave his person if he could help it, and should things go poorly…

Echadron gave them a sharp glare as they neared the tent, but he did not speak, just glared daggers at them as discarded their weapon.

"You disregarded orders, Tauriel." Thranduil spoke as they entered the tent. Kíli noticed the way the elf sat, posture relaxed and almost dismissive, an air of disappointment surrounding him as he reclined in a large chair near a table. There was a glass of wine in the elven king's hand, and an empty chair beside him.

"Goheno nin, Hîr vuin." Tauriel bowed slightly and had Kíli not come to know her mannerisms as he had –really, he did not spend all his time in the dungeons watching her as Fíli might jest but he had figured out much about her—he would have thought her the picture of composure.

Thranduil swirled the cup in his hand. "Your apologies fall on unforgiving ears, Tauriel. You left the kingdom on a whim to track down one dwarf, having my son follow after you like some besotted puppy. You disregarded your post, disregarded my rules, and in a way disregarded me. Where has this recklessness and temperament come from, Tauriel? You have always been a fierce fighter but knew your place. And now I sense lingering magic on the dwarf at your side, the one I expected to hear had fallen. I cannot help but wonder just what you used to heal him, if you have disregarded a sacred secret of our people. You know the penalty for these actions, do you not? Tell me, have you weighed them beside what you have done? Have you found your actions worthy of the price you would have to pay?"

Tauriel looked more defeated than he had seen her look before, but there was also something in her eyes that told him she was about to speak to her king and say what she did, accept the punishment her king would give her. He knew, then, that he could not let her because he was afraid of losing her. She had no one to claim her, no family to keep those who would harm her safe. Perhaps amongst elves it was different, but from the customs he knew no action could be taken against a woman claimed into a noble family unless she were to commit a high crime against someone. Tauriel's actions were not a grave offense, just her acting out of the desire to do what was right over what was ordered, and Kíli would not let her suffer for it. He said he would face the consequences with her, and that was exactly what he intended to do.

This was probably going to get him in quite a bit of trouble, if they managed to make it through this meeting, but he had to try for he could not bear the thought that Thranduil would harm Tauriel for her actions. A lie and a half-truth would have to do, for now at least. It would be going against Tauriel's wish to hide their relationship, and he knew that breaking his promise to her may be an unforgiveable act in her eyes as it would in the eyes of many. Should she wish to part from him for the offense, he would understand and accept the heartache that would come with her rejection. But now, in this moment, he could not stand to hear her berated so.

"You are mistaken, my lord. Tauriel's healing only served to aide what my own healer, Oin, had already done. He was trained under one who worked with elves and provided Athelas to me as soon as I was injured. We dwarrow do not fall so easily to poisons and maladies as other races, so when your son and Guard Captain arrived, I was already well on my way to recovery. However, upon seeing Tauriel again, my heart awoke." Tauriel breathed in sharply at that, and he was well aware that it was not out of her being flattered by his words but instead fearful of what those words would provoke in her King. "I am sure you know the concept of a dwarrow's One, yes?"

The look on Thranduil's face was hard to read but the elf just nodded, not stopping his words but letting him continue. If Kíli had to guess, the elven lord was humoring him for this moment. If Thranduil did not kill him for his actions and they somehow managed to get out of here, then he would most certainly face the wrath of his uncle if he ever learned of this conversation.

Kíli sent a small glace to Tauriel, hoping she could read his apology for the words he was about to say. In here came the half-truth, for what he would now be admitting truthful though he had yet to say it to the one that needed hear it and to know of it. "Well, Tauriel is my One and that is the magic you are feeling. I have pledged my hearth and home, my forge and steel, to her. Murkhâl. Akrâg. Amnâs. I have claimed her as my intended, placing all the rights of one in the noble house of Durin on her. Should any harm befall her, it will be within the right of any of the company following my uncle to challenge the one who harmed her to combat as they are now kin to her. Should death befall her, they who slay her will be charged with High Treason against the crown." Kíli had gown bolder as he spoke, and his eyes flashed as he spoke. "That would include you, Thranduil."

Thranduil looked at him for a few moments before mirth became clear on his face. Kíli saw his shoulders shake, and then the elf could not seem to help the laughter that bubbled from his lips. Well, that was certainly unexpected. Kíli would have let himself be offended at the fact Thranduil was likely laughing at him, or at the notion of a relationship between him and Tauriel, but perhaps his reckless admission had worked in their favor in some way, had completely thrown Thranduil from whatever he had expected of this talk. Instead of taking offense –or, at least, showing offense—he just continued to stare down Thranduil.

However, he could not help it when his eyes went to Tauriel, and he noticed her cheeks were near as red as her hair. She did not look angry, however, which he was going to take as a good sign. In fact, she had slowly reached out to link her pinky with his, and Kíli was thankful there had not been a rejection from her yet. Perhaps he had done well?

"Kíli, nephew of Thorin Oakenshield, you have much to learn of diplomacy and of lying to elves. I know the magic she used. However, it seems to have not had any effect on you that would linger... Nevertheless, I should carry out what is expected of me. But, you are not the first to come in here on Tauriel's behalf. My son's speech was not so passioned, but he did tell me if I harmed a hair on the head of his muinthel that I would never see him again. For my son's sake more so than the sake of the line of Durin, I will not see Tauriel executed for her crimes, though it cannot go without some consequence. Perhaps, as you have claimed her, I can banish her to your lands, as by binding herself to you, she has already given herself a death sentence of becoming mortal by your side. Then Legolas can let me rest on the subject and hopefully lose the rebellious streak he's developed."

"Where is Legolas?" Tauriel asked quietly, her face still a burning red, and Kíli knew he should not feel jealous at her concern but it flared in him nonetheless. Now that he had spoken aloud his intent for her, he could feel the bond he claimed forming.

Thranduil was now before them both, looking rather bored of the situation now that he had gotten his laughter out, a laughter which Kíli was still startled by. "He's preparing to take a party to clear up some Orcs that should no longer be a problem. They will be quite thrown off now that Bolg is defeated and I have little doubt he will return victorious."

"Bolg is dead?"

Kíli and Tauriel spoke at the same time. Now, that was an unexpected development.