Had some trouble with this chapter, hopefully you all enjoy it.

Chapter 4 As the Day Continues

Ildri blew the dust off another book and heaved a sigh, looking around the Library. She hadn't thought it would be as vast as it was. Where had all these books come from? Were they brought from other dwarf kingdoms? She set the large tome on the table next to her and watched more dust fly into the air, making her sneeze. This was ridiculous. With no windows and apparently no source of ventilation in the large room, years of stale air and dust was almost choking her. Planting her hands on the short table, Ildri looked at the shelves of books contemplative. It wouldn't be too hard to clear the air, if she was careful. The idea hedged her further as she sneezed again and Ildri looked at the open door behind her. There was no one on this floor, at least when the dwarf had escorted her, so she could send the dust down the hallway with none the wiser unless they looked inside.

Taking a relaxing breath, she positioned her arms at her side with her elbows bent and palms facing up. Seeking control of an element was a task that had come naturally to her since her memory began, but since absolute control of an element was impossible, Ildri was more as a friend to all the elements than a restrainer. As she took another breath, she focused on gathering inertia since there was no wind current in the still mountain. As she released the air in her lungs, wind swept from behind her and gently ran over the books, chairs, tables, and other items littering the library; gathering the dust as it glided over surfaces. Ildri watched the best she could in the dim room as the candle had gone out with the wind. Another breath in and she help direct the wind back to her, forming a small tornado of dirt and dust, pushing it to and out the door; letting the funnel burst somewhere down the hallway.

Cupping her hands now in front of her mouth, Ildri blew into her palms and created a small flame to light her candle with again. Even in the single light, she could see the difference on the table and book. She smiled to herself and sat down in the wide chair, opening the book to reveal the Khuzdul written within.

Below, where the company was gathered, Tauriel had cleaned Thorin's wound again and redressed him. The Elf knew there was nothing she could do to save the Dwarf King but was afraid to say something to anyone in the room. There was a feeling, deep in her soul, that he had never meant to be saved and live. She couldn't explain why, just that it existed whenever she looked at him. Tauriel looked for Kili and found him with another dwarf, one with white hair and beard who was talking to him seriously. Out in the hall, she told him of the female wizard and how she felt to her; asking Kili if he had felt the same. The hesitant answer he had given her was enough, the three of them were meant to be together as one. A triad had never been recorded among Soul-Half's or Ones, as far as Tauriel had researched when she was younger and Kili informed her in the hall. He was hesitant and she could understand why, a dwarf with an Elf was unheard if but with two One's was probably going to be seen as a joke to them. It was what he was talking to the other dwarf about now, what he should do since more than likely he was to become King Under the Mountain.

Thinking about it now, Ildri hadn't come back yet. Were they going to let her stay in the library until she done? More than once had the subject of her searching for something risen although the what hadn't been revealed. A slight frown furrowed her brow, should she go look for the Istari?

"A lovely Elf such as yourself shouldn't frown as you are right now."

Tauriel looked behind her to see Gandalf watching her. "I was thinking."

"Still…" the sentence trailed off and the wizard followed her gaze back to Kili and Balin. "What has you so worried?"

She considered the question for a moment. Perhaps Gandalf would have knowledge of a trio of Soul Half's being compatible together. But right now, looking around the crowded room, Tauriel thought now wouldn't be the right time to ask him. "I am not worried, just thinking."

"If I could impart some advice onto you?" At her nod, he continued. "There is no going back, to how the past was, but only forward to a future that you will either accept as presented to you or change it to stand up for what you believe in, even if others think it is wrong. What's meant to be will always find a way."

Tauriel looked at the wizard carefully. Did he know about her and Kili, hopefully Ildri as well? "What would you do?"

"It's not a matter of what I would do, but you. For I am not you nor you I, and that is what makes us so different. We are free to think and therefore come to different outcomes. However, I have rarely let anyone get in my way of what I thought was right. If I did, the dwarves wouldn't have reclaimed their home."

Her eyes were drawn to Kili again and saw them assessing her while the other dwarf spoke to him. "So you think I should do what I think is right, correct?"

"In essence, yes."

Neither spoke for a few minutes and Tauriel broke their reverie.

"How long have you known Ildri?"

Gandalf cleared his throat and his face gained a serious expression. "Since she was sent to Middle Earth, beginning of the Third Age. She was my apprentice for around 500 years before moving to Rivendell."

"Was she alive during before then?"

He bumbled with his pipe, busying his hands and not answering her immediately. "Her history is her own, if you have questions you should ask her."

"She wasn't receptive the last time we talked."

"Yes, well she doesn't like to be confused. Or cornered." Gandalf saw the surprise on her face. "I know of what you two spoke, and no I will not tell anyone. But, you should avoid pushing her to a decision. Ildri has many questions that have yet to be answered and if forced, she will react with anger."

Before Tauriel could ask another question, another dwarf entered the room; one she didn't recognize.

"Lord Dain. What can we do for you?" Balin asked, bringing attention to himself.

"I've come to see Thorin. Is he awake?"

The heavy silence was thick, making the Dwarf Lord look around the room. "He is still alive, right?"

"Yes, but asleep."

"What aren't you telling?" He demanded, the question now directed at Kili who stepped next to Balin.

"He hasn't woken and is getting worse."

Balin's words quieted any further demands Dain had and he shook his head. "Will he live?"

Kili looked to Tauriel at the question. "We have tried everything we can, all we can do now is wait." Guilt could be seen plain as day on the young dwarf's face, the fact he was probably going to be the last male of the direct Durin line alive hitting him. All the privilege and responsibility falling to the nephew who couldn't stay awake during lessons and would sneak out to visit villages of Men.

A great sigh fell from Dain. "I don't want to be the one to suggest anything to bring bad omens upon our family, but should be postpone the burial of your brother? In case Thorin takes a turn for the worse."

"No!" The semi shout from Kili had everyone in the room looking at him. "No. Fili deserves to be at peace, resting in the hall of our ancestors." He turned away from Dain and went to Thorin's side, reclaiming the chair still sitting by the cot. "If Thorin dies, we will have another ceremony and lay him to rest next to Fili."

Dain looked to Balin, who nodded at him. "As you wish, the ceremony for Fili is tonight at sunset. Wizard, you are welcome to attend; along with your fellow wizard." He knew of Ildri from the company when they returned with Thorin. His eyes roved the room and landed on Tauriel, making him frown. Yes, he knew of her roll in saving Kili but she was an Elf. He refrained from saying anything about her presence, said some parting words and left the room.

Tauriel watched him leave, knowing the subject of his thoughts when the dwarf had seen her. It wasn't an uncommon thought among their race for Elves. She looked over to Kili and saw him staring at her with an intent expression. She felt the need to go search for Ildri now, more than before; regardless of what Gandalf had said. When Kili looked down, Tauriel walked over to Balin. His surprised expression told her much of what he thought of her approaching him. "Where is the Library?"

His bushy brows lifted and eyes flickered from her to Kili, Gandalf and back again. "Main floor, left of the gate, down the hall. It has great double doors."

"Thank you." She swept out of the room with everyone's eyes on her.

She followed the dwarf's instruction and ignored the looks and murmurs at her back as she passed groups of dwarves and the few men in Erebor. If she was to stay and fight for a place a with Kili, Tauriel knew it was only the beginning of others whispering about her. Passing the broken gate, she continued down the hall as told and continued for a matter of minutes. He hadn't told her how far she was supposed to walk, but there hadn't been a double door appear yet so she kept walking. Ah, there it was. At least she assumed upon seeing the ornate double doors opened to the hall. There seemed to be a lot more dust in this section of the hall than where Tauriel had just come from. Peering in, she saw a single light from a candle ad Ildri's copper hair shining gold from the flame. Silently, Tauriel made her way up to the wizard.

Ildri was deep into the history of Middle Earth in a book she hadn't seen before when she felt a presence at her elbow. Looking up, she saw Tauriel standing next to her with her head tilted and dark red hair falling to one side. "What do you want?"

"There is no dust in here."

The simple statement threw Ildri off for a moment. "I cleaned."

"How?" The She-Elf looked up and around the large Library.

"Don't worry about it. What do you want?" Ildri asked again.

"I spoke to Kili, about you…about us." No response. "He is as intrigued as I am, feeling a connection to both you and myself. Two Soul-Half's instead of one."

"What does that have to do with me? I told you, I'm not interested sense it is impossible for me to have a Soul Mate."

"How can you be so sure?" Tauriel asked, genuinely curious. "Maybe there was an exception made for you."

Ildri slammed her hands on the table and stood. "Leave it alone." Her voice was low and trembling.

"Why do you insist that such a happiness cannot exist for you?"

She whirled around, braids and curls whipping with movement. "Because it doesn't exist!" Ildri screamed at the taller female. She took a deep breath, trying to control her anger. "Get out and take your nonsense with you." Her words had the opposite effect on the Elf who looked confused and interested, taking a step closer to the elemental.

As Ildri opened her mouth to speak again, Tauriel took another step and forced Ildri to step back, causing her to stumble and fall onto the table, her hands catching her balance. The Elf leaned over her, placing a hand next to her hip and the other to brush a lock of hair from her shoulder. "Why do you fight something that is a gift from the Valar who created us?"

She wasn't given a chance to speak. Tauriel lowered her head and brushed her lips hesitantly against the cold ones of Ildri. The stunned Istari didn't move and Tauriel took it as a sign to press in closer, her hand caressing the neck of her partner. She had never been with another person intimately, but with Ildri it seemed right and she knew what to do without thinking. Moving her mouth against the trapped wizard, Tauriel coaxed a small response from her. When Ildri pushed forward a little and opened her mouth, she took advantage and wrapped her other hand around the small waist. The nagging feeling in the back of both their minds was at rest, the connected it needed between the two settled for now. When Tauriel moaned lightly and stepped between Ildri's legs, the elementals brain woke from its stupor and she wretched her lips from Tauriel's.

"Get off me."

Tauriel's hand tightened. "You can't deny what you felt."

Ildri placed her hand on the wrist brace of the hand holding her waist and focused on heating the area, but not setting it aflame. Within seconds, Tauriel's hands snapped from her body and the Elf looked at her wrist curiously. "Get out."

"No, not until you admit what you felt."

"I felt nothing." Tauriel made to lean back in and Ildri put her hands in front of her, stopping the Elf from getting closer. "Don't touch me."

"Why won't you acknowledge what you are feeling? Why must you believe there is no light in your future for…" she was cut off suddenly by a gust of wind pushing her back violently. She looked closer at Ildri and saw her hair twisted in the wind trapped around her. When Tauriel made to take a step further, she was hit again. This time the wind was much stronger and she had to move her arms in front of the to shield her face. The force of the gusts pushed her back along the smooth floor before a violent push of air picked her up slightly and out the doors that slammed as the wind retreated. There were few times in her life Tauriel was left speechless and this was one of them. She stood quickly and tried to open the door. Locked. Or blocked, she didn't know. Her fist pounded on one of the doors. "Ildri! Please. Don't hurt yourself or us by denying this, the three of us were made for one another. Don't lock yourself away to avoid what could bring you joy in this life."

There was no answer and Tauriel stepped away from the door. Why was Ildri so insistent that she couldn't have what others have had or do have now. She was different and Tauriel could sense it; Ildri was not a normal Istari.

Inside the library, Ildri stood in the same spot, in front of the table Tauriel had kissed her on, with tears in her eyes. With a scream, she released the rest of the wind around her. Clothes and hair whipped around her and books fell from their shelves. The air died down and Ildri crumpled to her knees. Why was this happening to her? She was of the Istar, a spirit from Arda, this shouldn't be happening. Unless she wasn't a wizard.

Thank you all for reading. Please leave reviews if you can, I like to see how everyone is liking the story.