Tauriel was grateful Legolas seemed to have regained his good humor and that they had gone back to their friendly companionship tonight. She had looked up to him and loved him from her first days here and she could not bear to see her best friend hurt and withdrawn from her. Tonight had been like the old days and she was content. One more task awaited her tonight—her nightly rounds in the prison cells.
There had been few, if any, prisoners in all her guard days before these dwarves were captured. She had decided to round nightly when they first arrived but she had not expected them to stay long. It seemed she was going to be rounding for a while.
Tonight was a little later than the other nights she had gone to the cells. Tauriel expected the dwarves might be asleep. She greeted the evening cellblock guard. "How goes it Daeron?" she asked him.
"All well, Captain. They've eaten well. They've quieted down a bit tonight. I expect you'll find them all asleep by now. Except perhaps the young one. He's been staring up at these steps every time I've looked in on them tonight." Daeron responded.
Tauriel thought she knew to whom Daeron was referring. It always seemed Kili was there to greet her when she came and went. She was getting used to stopping and talking with him. She hoped Daeron was right and that Kili was still there, awake and waiting for her.
She blushed at the thought. She really looked forward to this time each day. She would have to make sure she didn't embarrass him again, as she had the night before.
It was darker in the cells tonight but as she came down the first steps she saw the light shine on his face as he stood by his cell door, looking up at her. His face lit up at the sight of her and it made her catch her breath. Her heart beat a little faster. He had waited for her. Snores wafted out of the cells around her and every cell she passed had a sleeping dwarf in it, even Thorin's cell. She walked around, coming to Kili last.
"I'd almost given up on you," he said very quietly.
"I said I would be back," she replied just as quietly. "How goes it with you, Kili?" she asked, hoping he would give her his standard reply. She had come to expect it. She wasn't disappointed.
"Better now that you are here, my lady. " He smiled at her and she found herself smiling back at him, her heart beating even faster.
"You say that every time I ask you." she said.
"It's true, Tauriel. There is but one bright spot to being imprisoned here and it is you." he said earnestly. "I count the hours to your visits every day."
She drew close to the bars of his cell so she would not have to speak above a whisper. "I look forward to it too," she confessed, looking down at her feet. She placed one hand on the horizontal cross bar of his cell door. He placed his hand over hers and looked up into her face. His hand was warm and closed over hers. She looked into his eyes, smiling and placed her other hand on top of his. They gazed at each other silently for a moment.
She quickly looked around the cellblock and up the stairs. No one else was around or awake. "I would free you if I could." she whispered. "But I cannot. I am so sorry."
"I would not expect you to defy your King for us, Tauriel. You are too honorable for that. The time is passing and our days to reach the mountain before winter do grow short. But I cannot say I am in any hurry to leave you." He squeezed her hand lightly.
"I doubt your companions share your viewpoint." Tauriel replied.
"You made Balin quite happy today, " he said. "That was very kind."
"I'm glad I did it then. He seems to be a wise man, er, dwarf." She said awkwardly.
"That he is. Bofur appreciated the ale, I can tell you. Are you trying to win us all over?"
Tauriel stifled a laugh. "I doubt I could get any of your company to think kindly of an Elf!" She shook her head. "No, I know we are different but there is much we share also. I have never met dwarves before. I would like to learn more about you, your customs, your likes. I think it will help us understand each other better," she finished.
He grinned at her. "Well I have no reservations about getting to know you better. Or having you get to know me better." He winked up at her.
"So tell me truly," she said, with a sly look at him "Do you really trim your beard or has it not come in yet?"
He pulled his hand out of hers and gripped the cell bars, pushing his face as close to the bars as he could. "It's a bit of both," he whispered. "It's not come in much but when it does I can't be bothered with beads and braids like Fili—it will interfere with my bowstring."
She reached a hand through the bars, up to his face, and gently stroked his beard. She couldn't actually believe it was her hand she was watching touch his face. It felt so much softer than she expected. She startled and went to quickly pull her hand away but Kili grabbed it and kept it on his cheek. "Elves have no beards," she said shyly, as if in explanation.
"I've barely got one," he said ruefully. "But what I've got is all yours to examine."
"I expected it to be rough, but it's not. I like it." She pulled her hand away firmly now. "Kili, I must go. The hour is late and you must rest."
"I don't expect to get much rest. I do nothing all day to tire me and I'll be thinking of you until I see you again." he replied. "Will you be back tomorrow?"
"I have no patrol duties tomorrow. I was thinking I would take a few more of your companions out into the garden. Do you think that will be acceptable?"
"Acceptable? I'm ready for it!"
"Well, I wasn't thinking I should take you next. . ." she started to say.
"Oh." His face clouded.
"At least not tomorrow, " she added quickly. "It seems I've gotten you in enough trouble with your uncle already."
"Good thought, although I would rather have some uninterrupted time with you, away from all these listening ears." he whispered. "Who were you thinking of taking next?"
"Well the one in the cell next to you, for one."
"Bofur. " he said. "Good choice. He already likes you for the ale."
"Then the young one, across the way."
"Ori." He nodded. "Another good choice. You've nothing to fear from him."
"I don't fear any of you." she said sternly, glaring at him. "None of you are a match for me."
He raised one eyebrow at her. "I meant you needn't fear he'd give you any attitude. Nothing more. I've seen you fight."
"Oh." She made a face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to brag. . ."
"Stop." he said. "I know. We're still getting to know each other and understand each other." He paused and looked up at her seriously. "I wouldn't suggest taking Dwalin or Thorin. Not yet."
"I doubt they'd come, other than to try to escape." she said. He nodded at her words.
"I might want to take your brother, " she said slowly.
"My brother? Fili? Why him? He's likely to be as troublesome as Dwalin!"
"He might have some interesting insight on you." She grinned at him.
Kili gently banged his head on the cell bars. "Insight. I don't think I'd call it that. It'll probably be even worse than the beard comment."
"Then I think I shall most definitely take Fili." She winked at him. He groaned. "I will see you tomorrow Kili. And don't worry—I will find a chance to get you out soon."
He quickly caught her hand and held it. "I look forward to that more than you know."
She squeezed his hand and then pulled it away. "I must really go now." She gently stroked his cheek with her finger and turned and left silently.
Kili watched her climb the stairs, as he did every night. He stayed there long into the night, remembering the feel of her hand on his and her gentle touch on his face. The dwarves around him slept on, unaware.
Kili woke the next morning, later than usual. He looked around the cells.
"She took Bofur. " Ori called from across the cells, when he saw Kili was awake.
"She tries to distract this company." Thorin growled, pacing in his cell. "First the ridiculous questions to my easily distracted nephew. Then Balin. Now Bofur. What is she trying to accomplish?"
Balin sighed. "Thorin. It's harmless. I told you she is only being kind." He shook his head. "I think the lass is lonely. I've not ever heard of an Elf-maid being a warrior. She is likely the only one of her kind. Can't be easy."
"That is not my concern Balin. I am not here to befriend a lonely She-Elf. This must stop." Thorin boomed.
"I'd be willing to take a turn out of here with her Thorin." said Dwalin unexpectedly. Kili couldn't help glaring at him from his cell. "Calm yourself Kili, she's too ugly for me." Dwalin barked at Kili, seeing his look. "I'd like to know how far and what direction the gate is. How close are we to the river and Lake-Town? I won't find that out in here." he finished. "And I'd like to know more about how guarded this cell is. Thorin if she asks me to go I will, whether you like it or not." Dwalin glared in Thorin's direction.
"I still don't like it but perhaps you are right Dwalin," Thorin admitted. "Maybe you can get more information out of her than my besotted nephew," he spat.
The day passed quietly. Bofur returned, with a story similar to Balin's. Ori left with Tauriel and Davod, the other elf guard, for the gardens.
He returned a few hours later, smiling for the first time since they were captured. He didn't say much other than "Balin's right, Dwalin. She's only being nice. She didn't ask me any questions or try to get me to talk. I think she's nice." he finished quietly, as Dori smacked him on the shoulder in an irritated way to shut him up.
Kili caught her eye as she returned with Ori and she gave him a small smile. She walked straight to Fili's cell. He wasn't expecting the summons so he only looked up when he heard his cell door open. He shook his head "no" and stayed seated in his cell.
Tauriel spoke kindly to him "Would you not like a bit of fresh air and sunshine?"
"I'd rather not." he said gruffly. Kili closed his eyes as he sat in his cell. He was ready to speak out to Fili but thought better of it as he heard Dwalin bark at Fili. "Get yourself out there lad! I'd go myself if she asked me." Dwalin said, staring coldly at Tauriel.
Fili stalked to his feet and followed Tauriel out, receiving his blindfold and manacles grumpily. She guided him out of the cellblock.
He tried to count his paces, so he could report back to Thorin and Dwalin. He tried to keep track of the left and right turns. He could smell the gardens when they reached them and he felt the warmth of the sun and the breeze before his blindfold was removed.
He took a deep breath and gazed around. He was at the edge of the forest, near a tall wall that surrounded the gardens. In the distance he could see the Lonely Mountain over the treetops. He was so busy scanning the area he didn't realize Tauriel was speaking to him.
" I cannot take your manacles off Fili but would you care to walk a bit and stretch your legs?" she asked him kindly.
"Who told you my name?" he asked curtly.
"It seemed poor form to simply call you 'Dwarf'. Your brother told me your name," she answered. "He seemed to not like being called 'Dwarf' so I assumed you felt the same." She bowed her head slightly at him. "Forgive me for being wrong about that."
Fili looked around again, ignoring Tauriel. He wanted to get a closer look at those walls. He started towards them and Tauriel fell in step with him silently. They walked around the garden wordlessly. Tauriel glanced down at Fili periodically.
"You don't look much alike." she observed finally. Fili did not answer. The walls were too high to climb or jump and he couldn't see any sign of stairs. He continued scanning the area as they walked, barely registering Tauriel's words.
She tapped him on the shoulder, looking down at him sternly when he looked up at her in annoyance. She spoke very quietly "Could you be a little less obvious about scouting the area out for an escape route?" Fili stared at her. "It will make it a little more difficult for me to let any of the rest of you out if you keep this up." she whispered. "Davod is watching you, whether you have noticed him or not. " she said, her eyes sliding towards the other guard. "I doubt your companions will take it too kindly if you compromise their chance for a bit of time outside. Your brother certainly seems to be looking forward to some fresh air. " She looked down at him and narrowed her eyes.
"He's likely looking forward to mooning around out here after you. I doubt he'd notice much of the scenery." Fili grumbled.
"Well I think you've committed it to memory for him." Tauriel countered.
"What are you up to?" he asked her bluntly.
" I am not 'up to' anything. I do not know how long King Thranduil plans to keep you prisoners. I know your leader told him about your quest. I know that time is passing and you are on some sort of schedule. I know no more. But I do know I am in charge of you and your company. I bear you no ill will. I am simply trying to let you pass the days in something more than utter boredom." She finished and then blew out her breath in an exasperated manner. She shook her head and then looked down at him more gently. "I have no quarrel with you, Fili." she repeated.
Fili looked down. He'd had little enough to do with Elves before the quest to Erebor. He had learned to hate and distrust them under Thorin's roof. He was more than a little confused. The Elves he had met so far had done nothing other than aid them or save them. The King and his son were cold and insulting but now he realized they were no more so than Thorin and Dwalin were to them. Lord Elrond had been kind and helpful from the first. This Elf had saved Kili's life in the forest. He'd seen that with his own eyes. There had been no reason to do so but she had done it anyway. While they were assuredly prisoners, they truly lacked no comforts, save a bath.
He felt embarrassed and that made his tone gruffer than he intended when he said to her "I'm grateful for the outing. I know you are doing the best you can." He stopped and looked up at her. "We can be a bit of a surly lot, especially around Elves. You have my thanks." He bowed. "Fili at your service," he added.
"Tauriel at yours and your family's," she responded, with a slight bow back.
Fili's eyes widened in surprise. "Who taught you that?" he asked.
She laughed. "Balin was a bit more forthcoming about customs and diet of dwarven folk."
They walked in silence for a little longer. "I may have misjudged you, Tauriel," Fili said. "But I'm not thinking Thorin and your King will be seeing eye to eye anytime soon."
"I don't know what their quarrel is but I know if it was resolved you would be on your way, with our aid rather than our curses." She stopped and looked at the sky. "I'm afraid it's time to take you back, Fili."
He looked up at the sky and towards the Lonely Mountain in the distance. "I wish we were on our way," he said. He turned around and breathed in the air. "All right." he said. "I'm ready to go back."
She put the blindfold on him, bending forward to tie it around his eyes. "Be gentle with my brother, Tauriel," he whispered to her. "I've seen the way he looks at you. If we ever get released I fear he will leave his heart behind with you."
Tauriel's eyes widened and she squeezed Fili's shoulder. "I could not find it in my heart to be anything but gentle to your brother. He is a rare soul." She whispered back.
They returned to the cells in silence. Fili didn't bother to count paces or turns this time. It had been too much to remember the first time anyway. Tauriel took him back to his cell and left with Davon.
"Fili?" Thorin questioned.
"Yes uncle?" he replied.
"What of it?" Thorin growled.
"Nothing much to add Uncle. The gardens face the Lonely Mountain but there is no way to scale the walls without a ladder. The route from here to the gate was so full of turns and twists, ups and downs, that I doubt any dwarf could find the path again." Fili answered.
"I'd like to try it," said Dwalin gruffly.
"I'd like to see you try, Dwalin," replied Fili. "I did my best to keep it straight but I couldn't."
"Nor could I, lad, nor could I,"Balin added. He paused and then directed his words to Thorin. "Thorin, the days go past. Our time is dwindling. Have you considered meeting with the King again? Is it not time to reconsider his offer, to get us on the road again? We will surely miss Durin's Day if we don't leave here soon. It's been most of a week already, lad."
"I have no mind to bandy words with Thranduil," Thorin roared.
"Then don't!" Dwalin interjected. "Just tell him you'll give him his damn white gems and let's get on the road!" He banged his hand on the stone wall of his cell. "We've got nothing now and we'll have nothing later if we don't get out of here!" he barked. " What's a chest of white gems when we have the whole mountain? Enough Thorin! Think on it. Winter comes." Dwalin sat heavily on the bench in his cell.
Thorin slammed his hand on his cell bars but said nothing more. Balin shook his head and sat down. Thorin wasn't making this any easier for any of them. Balin wondered again what had happened to Bilbo. He had not seen the hobbit since the battle with the spiders, when the Elves had captured them.
"There's more to him than meets the eye, "Balin said to himself. "That's what Gandalf always said. I hope the poor fellow is all right."