Chapter 4

Crushing pain squeezed her wounded heart when she awoke in her cold, tower room in Mirkwood. The dream seemed so real, his kiss electrifying. She rolled over, gripping her pillow in her arms and the rune stone in her hand, and let herself wallow in her misery for a few minutes.

Wiping her eyes, she climbed out of bed and dressed in her guard uniform before heading down for the morning meal, the rune stone safe in her pocket. All the other Elves avoided her, so she ate alone. Perhaps they resented her being allowed to return after her banishment for disobeying the King or were disgusted with her love for a mere mortal Dwarf. She much preferred letting her mind review every detail of her dream last night over mundane conversation anyway.

Landor, the new Captain, wisely put her skills at combat to use, assigning her "cleaning" duty. Along with four other guards, they patrolled the borders, destroyed spider nests and killed any other foul creatures invading their land. Her new teammates gave her the cold shoulder in the beginning, even though she helped train of them and knew all their names. However, by the end of the day, their attitudes began to thaw, especially after she saved the youngest member from an ambush by three spiders.

The work greatly distracted her from the pain of loss that wracked her whenever she stopped to think. Yet, her thoughts turned back to Kili as soon as she opened the door to her room. She kissed the rune stone before slipping it under the pillow, wishing for it to let her see Kili alive again in her dreams.

Her eyes opened to a room that had been richly furnished in years past, but had fallen into disrepair. Thick, Dwarvish-style columns lined the walls and the doorway. Fine chairs and a sofa lay splintered on the floor, and a giant mirror along one side was cracked. She shifted on the huge, soft bed, glimpsing a massive carved headboard behind her. A travel blanket underneath protected her from any critters that might have made the mattress their home in the past years.

A light snore sounded next to her, and she smiled widely at Kili's sleeping back. It was strange as her mind seemed to fill in memories. She and Kili helped the other Dwarves recover the bodies of Thorin and Fili. Her heart broke for Kili when he found his dead brother's body. Tears leaked out of his eyes and he rocked back and forth on his knees with his teeth clenched in an effort to control his emotions. Tauriel just kneeled by him, trying to comfort him by just being near.

After getting into Erebor, they were all utterly exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Balin had led them to this room, and she and Kili had collapsed into sleep. The more she examined it, the more she wondered if this was the king's room. After all, Kili technically was the King of Erebor now.

She turned on her side toward Kili, which sent ripples along the aging mattress, startling him awake. She tried to smoother a smile at his groaning, feeling bad for having woken him.

He flipped over, blinking at her as the sleep left his eyes. A sleepy smile tugged at his lips. "I thought I might have just dreamed that a beautiful elf was in my bed."

Her suppressed smile brightened fully. "No, I'm sure it's me dreaming this." He couldn't know how truthful her statement truly was.

"A good dream?"

"`Tis." Growing fearful that she could awaken back into cold reality once more and possibly lose this moment forever, she grew bold. "Kiss me, Dwarf."

His eyes widened and his mouth gaped open before he smiled shyly. It made him look so young and innocent, and she ached for him even more. He hesitated for a moment, and leaned over her. His lips touched her tentatively, but she felt that same spark run through her. She drew in a quick breath, which must have startled him because he backed off.

Not daring to let him go, she twined her finger in his hair and pulled him back toward her. Her lips pressed fully into his, and she heard him moan from the sensation. Had he been shocked as well? She moved her lips, causing friction against his, and his breathing sped up. Her mouth opened slightly and her tongue gently traced his mouth. He opened his mouth and their tongues danced and slid against each other.

Using the headboard for leverage, he pulled himself on top of her. He wasn't very heavy and she liked the feel of him pressing into her. Their clothes remained intact for the time being. He pulled free of her lips with a huge exhale, and attacked her neck. She moaned as he licked and sucked the delicate skin.

A loud knocking sounded from the door, and they froze. Neither moved or said a word but the knocking came again. It sounded slightly more persistent.

Kili groaned, his breath tickling her neck and sending pulses through her. "Go away!"

The knocking ignored his request, and became an even louder pounding that shook the door.

With a growl, Kili climbed off her and rubbed his face as he walked to the door. He yanked it open with more force than needed.

Tauriel couldn't see who stood in the doorway and they didn't enter. She also couldn't hear what they said, only Kili's responses.

"No, not until my mother arrives!" Kili stated forcefully. "It should only be another day for the caravan to arrive." He paused, listening, and then nodded. "Of course we will attend the great feast on this day!" The visitor must have said something else because Kili frowned, his eyes darting to her and back again. He lowered his voice into a whisper, but she could still hear him. "I don't care what my idiot cousin and his men think. She has every right to be here. She's fought side by side us, and been banished by her own people for it! She's my guest here, and I'll not hear another word about it!"

He slammed the door in the visitor's face. After a cleansing breath, he turned towards her. His smile was back on his face, but it was tight and didn't touch his eyes. "Looks like we need to dress for a party!"