A/N: Please do excuse the long wait, it took me forever to start working on this chapter but now it's here and I hope you enjoy it!

Also, just wanted to let you know that your reviews constantly make my day a little better :)

Disclaimer: It was my birthday last Wednesday. Sadly, nobody gave me the rights to Middle Earth :( Well, there's always Christmas!

Chapter 7: Arrival in Rivendell

A strong wind and gigantic clouds, which promised rain, overshadowed the next morning when the group of four packed up their camp and prepared for departure. The first drops of rain began to fall once they started moving and Tauriel was less than pleased about the weather. First of all, she hated when the rain made her hair cling to her entire body and secondly, she was worried that Kíli might catch something after all. While he was stronger than when they first started their journey towards Rivendell his body was still weak and would probably not be strong enough to fight off a cold or another fever. Hence her relief when Gandalf reassured all of them that they should be reaching Rivendell sooner rather than later.

As the day drew on the rain showed no signs of stopping and even the hobbit who usually put on a brave face failed to display his usual smile. In fact, he had started grumbling about useless wizards and handkerchiefs. Tauriel didn't quite understand the connection but Gandalf's huffed responses made her think that something quite similar had probably occurred at journey's beginning.

Tauriel was lost in her own thoughts when a terrible cough pulled her back to reality. With impressive speed she turned her head, just to see Kíli's form shaking in violent attack of coughs. Knowing she couldn't do anything for the dwarf she sped up her horse, wishing for their journey to end. Before she had finished the thought, however, a horn sounded from the formation of trees, drawing her attention to the faint outlines of people she could make out in the distance.

"Was that an elven horn?" Bilbo asked, a sneeze following his question.

"The elves are growing more careful. They are watching their borders more closely", the wizard answered.

Tauriel didn't pay them much attention and spurred her horse to a gallop; she knew the others would follow close behind her. The promise of warmth and shelter was beckoning and she was growing worried for Kíli.

Moments later she was met by a patrol, the banner of Rivendell fluttering in the rough wind.

"We have been send out to look for you." the dark haired elf who seemed to be in command said. Tauriel was surprised but thought it better not to say as much, she suspected that Gandalf had send word to the elves in Rivendell that they were on their way, hoping to find shelter in the last homely house.

"You have my gratitude," she answered with a polite bow of her head.
"Ah, Elladan, I am glad to see you" the wizard spoke.

Suddenly Tauriel knew why the elf had looked familiar. About 200 years ago Elrond had visited the Woodland Realm with his sons and while Thanduril had not considered Tauriel a worthy companion for any of them she remembered seeing them at a shooting practice with Legolas. The distress she had felt back then had been forgotten but Thanduril's words still stung when she brought them back to her mind. She had never been good enough. He let her know that he though highly of her, that she was good, yet, she was never and would never be good enough. This small memory was enough to remind her why she had chosen this life, why she had allowed her heart to be taken by a dwarf and why she had, quite willingly, left her people behind.

"Mithrandir. You are travelling in … unexpected company." Elladan answered the wizard's greeting and Tauriel wasn't sure if the elf is merely surprised or slightly disgruntled. They were probably a rather interesting sight! A wizard, a hobbit, an elf and a dwarf, travelling together. The smile Gandalf gave Elladan and his companions was genuine and he answered with a twinkle in his eyes.

"My dear Elladan, I find surprising company the most enchanting one!"

"I am very sure of that" the elf said and this time Tauriel saw the slight upwards movement his eyebrows made. Yet, he was quite successfully concealing his thoughts on the matter.

"Tell me, how are you connected? You must have come straight from the Battle of Five Armies." So Gandalf had in deed send word of their coming.

"Speaking the truth, as ever. Why don't we accompany you to your home and I will retell our story on the way?"

This came as a relief to Tauriel, as she was not quite patient enough to discuss the matter of Gandalf's traveling companions in such detail. Not with the soaking wet clothes clinging to her body and the Kíli's breathing slowly changing from normal to rattling.

Kíli didn't know how or when they arrived in Rivendell and was completely unaware of his surroundings. In fact, it took him a while to understand that he wasn't dreaming and only the presence of Bilbo stopped him from assuming his demise.

"Where am I?" he croaked, alerting the hobbit to his awakening. While he didn't register the smile on the other's face he certainly heard in in his voice.

"Kíli! We're in Rivendell, Master Elrond took us in."
Satisfied with the answer Kíli moved on to more important questions.

"Where's…?" He needed to know where Tauriel was, if she was still here but Bilbo clearly didn't understand the implication.

"Where's who?" he asked, puzzled. When he noticed to light blush on the dwarf prince's face realization dawned on him.

"Ah… Tauriel is with Elrond. I'm sure they will all be glad to hear you are awake!" The exclamation was followed by a hurried excuse and before Kíli knew what was happening, the hobbit was leaving the room, promising to return with the others.

Kíli felt utterly helpless in the large bed. Again, he was the one who was wounded and couldn't move, again people were anxious about his health and again he was lying around like real, good for nothing clod. He hated not being able the help or to wander around freely but thanks to those thrice damned wounds there was nothing he could do about it. Just waiting and resting and resting and waiting. He was growing weary of it.

And there was the matter of Tauriel. He longed for some shared privacy with her. They had briefly spoken about their relationship but he wanted to see her, to reassure himself that she was really there, that she was willing to stay, for he still failed to understand how such a unique, fierce and splendid being could be interested in him, a reckless, wounded, young and still painfully beardless dwarf. Yes, he decided, once they were allowed a moment alone he would tell her how much he appreciated her. And, given some time, he would gladly show her.

Smiling to himself he waited for some company, pushing the thought of his wounds from his mind. He was aware that Elrond would likely ask questions and perform whatever healing rituals may help him and it wasn't exactly something he was looking forward to. He certainly didn't want to see the big, ugly flesh wound that was still decorating his torso.

Well, and he missed his brother. Deciding this was another thought to be pushed away for now, he started examining the ceiling. It was quite pretty, he thought, considering it was elves who build it.

Tauriel was gazing at one of the many waterfalls that could be found in Rivendell. It was suppose to be peaceful and calming but she didn't feel the effects it seemed to have on everyone else. After weeks on the road and in battle it was strange to be able to rest without having to fear angry dwarfs or orcs or other things. She knew she was thinking about angry elves too but preferred not to dwell on the though too much.

"You are far away from the Woodland Realm". Elrond's voice interrupted her thoughts and a little flame of dread raised its head in her belly. She had been expecting a conversation like this the moment the Lord of Rivendell had invited them into his home without questioning their arrival or condition a day ago.

"No choice was given to me, Lord Elrond", she replied politely, still watching the waterfall and refusing to meet his eyes.

"And yet I think you would not be elsewhere if you had been offered a choice" he said. It wasn't a question, merely a statement and Tauriel wasn't sure if he expected an explanation. She hoped not but she suspected he didn't need one.

"Yes, my Lord", she finally answered, bracing herself for whatever speech about morals, heritage and race was about to come.

"And what, Tauriel of Mirkwood, has set your fate?"

His voice wasn't unfriendly or prying but Tauriel felt an uncomfortable warmth rising in her cheeks. It seemed impossible to hide anything from the older elf. She hadn't even asked about Kíli when she first saw the elf after he had disappeared into the room the dwarf was currently occupying and she had been certain that she hadn't done anything reckless or telling.

"I believe…" she couldn't say it. She couldn't walk around and proclaim feelings to others she hadn't even shared with the one they concerned.

"Ah." Elrond said. "It is the dwarf in our care, is it not?"

Tauriel cleared her throat and became suddenly very interested in her surroundings. Quite obviously there wasn't a way out of this, whether she liked it or not, so she settled for a barely visible nod.

"A surprising fate to chose" Elrond mused, choosing not to comment on whatever her nod was implying or not and Tauriel was fairly glad. Fast footsteps made both elves turn round before they could continue their rather one-sided conversation and to Tauriel's relief the Halfling was approaching them with hasty strides.

"He is awake, Tauriel!" he exclaimed and upon registering the other elf he added "Lord Elrond" with a small bow. Tauriel saw the corner of Elrond's mouth lifting the tiniest fraction and felt the weight of their talk disappearing from his shoulders. Bilbo seemed to wait for them quite impatiently and soon they were making their way to the chamber. However, before Tauriel could follow the hobbit Elrond held her back.

"It is … unheard of" he started and Tauriel was beginning to feel annoyed "yet, I believe the Valar may have brought you together for a reason."

Well, that was a pleasant surprise, the elf thought, momentarily speechless. Feeling a little lighter than before she followed the others into the room and couldn't help the smile creeping onto her face when she saw Kíli sitting upright in his bed. It was way too large for him and he looked even smaller than he was. Yet, the sparkle in his eyes had returned and a happy smile wormed its way onto his face when he saw who was coming through the door.