"What if it's too insensitive." He said pacing before the fire again. "It may bring her even more pain."
Tauriel pulled her legs up under her chin. She was sitting in the large leather armchair Kili had recently finished making for her. It was forest green and almost her favourite thing in the entire mountain, how he'd gotten time to make it was beyond her. She rested her head on her knees and watched him wearing a hole in the rug.
"Kili…" she said softly as he slowed down fractionally. "You have to stop over thinking it."
"I just think Nori may have been right…"
"You've made the decision, it's too late she'll be here with her convoy in the morning." He stopped walking and looked at her. He smiled, loving how small the large armchair made her look. "You chose to put her in her old rooms, you've had them cleaned from top to bottom and I think it is a lovely gesture." She shrugged.
"What if…" Tauriel smiled and reached out for his hands.
"Kili. She has spent decades trying to get back here. She will love what you have done for her." He calmed slightly, and nodded. "Besides shouldn't I be the nervous one. I am meeting my future mother-in –law for the first time. And if she is half the dwarf Dwalin says she is…"
"She will love you." Kili smiled and kissed her forehead. "You make me happy."
"Why are you so nervous then?" He sighed how did she always ask the right questions.
"What if she's…" he started, knowing it was futile to try and hide anything from his elf. "What if she's disappointed I survived?"
"Oh Kili no." she kneeled up in her chair, her face now inches from his. "Don't you dare even think that! How could she possibly be? You are her son, she will be so grateful she still has you." She stroked the side of his face. "She will be so happy." Slowly his smile reappeared.
"Perhaps until I tell her I have fallen hopelessly in love with an elf."
"Hopelessly? That sounds awful." She grinned.
"Hopelessly and desperately." He shrugged.
"I am very sorry to hear that." She tried to make a serious face, but failed.
"It's ok. She loves me more." He smirked.
"Does she now." She laughed. "Poor elf, must be deranged."
"Oh well yes of course." He lent in and kissed her sweetly.
Her hand reached behind his head and pulled him closer.
He resisted pulling back.
"I must get to bed. Busy day tomorrow." He said and she sighed.
"Kili you could stay here." She said softly. "We are engaged to be married."
"Yes but we are not yet married." She said stepping further away. "We have done so much untoward already. I am determined to uphold some traditions." She sighed again and sat back in her chair.
"I love you my King." She said, only to receive his widest smile.
"Now I must brush my hair before my mother arrives." She doubled over with laughter as he walked out of her chambers.
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She stood back with Bofur, her closest friend now, at her side.
"Breath Lady." He whispered. "It will all be fine." She smiled down at him, then returned to watching Kili's head move as he looked out over the landscape for the first sign of the group.
He was so excited, he looked just like a young child awaiting a gift.
She often forgot how young he was.
"There!" Dwalin called out pointing to the distance.
I spotted it easily, being taller than everyone else. A flag pole coming slowly into view.
Then suddenly the whole hill top was covered in dwarves, carts and ponies. The Blue Mountain dwellers had returned to Erebor.
She could see their excitement as they moved quickly towards the gates. Kili stepped forward, her chest swelled with pride.
""FRIENDS!" he boomed. "Welcome home to Erebor!" all eyes were on him, he looked every inch a King.
This greeting was met with an ear splitting roar of approval. She took the chance to look over the freshly arrived faces. Mostly women she noted, though the beards still sometimes fooled her. There was so many beaming faces and tear stained cheeks. She felt privileged to witness it.
When the crowd died down a lone strong voice rose above it all.
"Well you could have brushed your hair for the occasion."
She heard Kili laugh, and saw the crowd part to let the voice through.
She was tall and dark haired like her brother, with a kind face and brown eyes like her son.
"Welcome home, Lady of Erebor." Kili said bowing low. Tauriel could hear the new tightness in his voice.
"It's good to be home. My King." She heard Dis say before moving to embrace him tightly.
The gesture seemed to set everyone else off as the crowds suddenly merged, loved ones seeking each other out.
She was amazd at how few looks she was receiving, and also thankful.
She had lost sight of Kili and decided he was best left alone for the time being. She had turned to leave when a hand grasped her arm.
"Kili has requested the company in his throne room." Bofur said.
"I am not of the company." She stated puzzled.
"That argument you may have with him yourself!" she smiled and followed after him.
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"We buried our fallen soon after battle." Kili said softly. "We lost many"
They were all gathered in his throne room, sitting around a large round table. Dis had yet to even notice Tauriel.
"We heard of the losses. There had been much grieving. Dain's people were hit hard." She nodded. Tauriel looked over her, studying every detail of the woman Kili adored.
She wore robes of black and many pieces of jewellery. Silver rings and chains gave her the most grand appearance. Tauriel noticed the black beads and ribbons that dotted her dark hair, Bofur had told her of their mourning traditions. Kili had come out of his mourning clothes when they got engaged. As a sign of his joy. But it was not surprising this long suffering dwarf would still grieve deeply.
"My Uncle and brother dies valiantly mother." Kili continued. Deep sadness retaking his voice.
"I have no doubt." She reached out and took his hand.
"I shall take you to your chambers to settle in then we will go to them."
His heart seemed so heavy, all Tauriel wanted to do was reach out and hold him.
But his mother did it instead.
"Please my friends." Dis said looking back at the group. "Allow me to thank you for all from the bottom of my heart for all you have done. For the loyalty you have shown our family, the sacrifices you have made for my brother and sons, and the support you have given Kili. Nothing can ever repay you but I will surelyl try. She said calmly and proudly. She was magnificent in Tauriel's eyes.
Dis raised her glass high.
"Here's to Erebor." She called, and the others responded. As they drained their glasses Tauriel saw the darrowdames eyes move over them all. Her wine caught in her throat as her gaze grew closer.
Dis lowered her goblet, resting it on the table.
"I seem to have been remiss in all the commotion." She said, stilling all others in the room. "It is not only my brother's company that seems to be present." Kili's eyes followed his mothers and he rose.
"Yes mother. I had not yet had time to…"
"This must be Tauriel." Dis interrupted. Tauriel stood and moved around the table.
"Yes my Lady." She said as she reached her.
"How…" Kili spoke again, clearly he was used to being cut off by his mother.
"I heard talk on our journey, of an elf banished from Mirkwood seeking refuge in the mountain." She said, clearly sizing the elf up. "I did not think it possible."
"I do not seek refuge my Lady…" she too was interrupted.
"You dare betray your family such Kili?"
"Tauriel was banished for aiding us in recovering Erebor." He said firmly. "She deserves a place here as much as I do." His mother's eyebrows raised.
"What gives her equal rights as the last son of Durin?"
"I owe her my life." He said simply. "Not once, or twice even, but three times she has saved me. Without her there would be no Durin on the throne. And if that does not…"
"She is an elf!" Dis near snarled. "She would have to save your life countless more times to even begin to redeem her race." Tauriel could feel her ears reddening. This was a conversation she had expected but wished it was not before the whole company.
"Dis…" cut in a new voice. Tauriel turned to find Dwalin standing. "Tauriel is a free elf. She has no need to answer for her race." Tauriel could feel tears prick her eyes. Of all the dwarves, to hear Dwalin defend her was miraculous.
"Do you all feel such?" Dis asked turning to the others.
"Tauriel has our protection." Bofur said though not as animatedly as he normally sounded.
"And our trust." Added Balin.
"And…" Ori started "…and our friendship" Tauriel couldn't help but beam.
"Your kind abandoned us. And while I have yet to see your merits for myself, I must concede to listen to my kin and accept their decisions. But do not expect me to call you friend." Dis said, staring back at her. Tauriel simply nodded.
"I understand my Lady. I know the wrongs of my people and I hope to assure you I hold no allegiances but to the King Under the Mountain." Dis squinted at her. Thinking.
It was then that Tauriel felt a presence at her shoulder. Kili had moved beside her.
"Mother you may say you shall not call her friend. But some day I pray you will call her daughter." He took Tauriel's hand in his, and she seized up
"Kili no…" she whispered.
"Daughter?" Dis muttered "daughter. She widened her stance, straightening up before them. "You cannot be serious."
"I am mother, and I shall not hide it from you." Tauriel felt the sweat on his hand as he gripped her tighter.
They both waited for the shouting. But it didn't come. Dis stood in silence, watching them both. It was then Tauriel noticed the tears in her eyes.
"You are all I have left in the world. My only child, my only family. And this is how you break my heart." She whispered after a chilling silence.
"Let us take our leave." Balin said standing. Tauriel had never seen them move so fast. Suddenly there was only the three of them left in the room.
"Kili perhaps I should…" Tauriel started.
"Stay Amrálimé. Stay." He breathed, eyes locked on his mother. Dis flinched at his use of their language.
"Mother you need to know. If not for Tauriel you would be alone. If not for our love Dain would be King."
Dis pursed her lips.
"Your love is an abomination." It goes against all that is right and proper." Tauriel was stung. And a quick look at Kili showed that he was too.
"If it was not what the Gods intended then why did they grant Tauriel the power to bring me back from the dead."
Tauriel started at him. was he really going to tell her their most private secret.
Another look at Dis showed her that he had no choice if he wanted to keep them both.
"Excuse me."
"Tauriel tell her." Kili smiled up at the elf, giving her all the courage she needed. Reaching for the chain around her neck she started the story.
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