Fili sat on the edge of the bed, carefully rebraiding his brother's dark locks as he slept. His chest rose and fell with each breath, and his warmth called to Fili through the light covering of the cloak that was drawn up over him. He fought with his inner surges until a cold eddy of air flurried over his hot cheeks and made him look up.

Tauriel stood, silent and still on the parapet, her back to him. Fili felt a rising in his chest that rivaled the rush of battle-thrill, only it was not pleasant. He rose, and approached where she stood. That pointy-eared temptress had stolen his brother's heart, and things would never, ever be the same between him, this he knew. But she saved his life... If it were not for Tauriel, then Kili would likely be dead by now... The thought made him grind his teeth and shed silent tears at the same time. Just then, a quiet step arrested him in his place.

A tall, light-haired elf joined Tauriel, and spoke in a low voice to her. "Tauriel – you are troubled."

"He was so close- so close to being lost," she murmured back, and Fili could only hold his breath and listen. "It makes me shudder even now."
"The great Captain of the Mirkwood guard shudders at thick dwarven blood..." the light-haired elf murmured, with just a touch of scorn. "He daily occupies your watch. And I do not receive even the slightest regard?"

"You are not in mortal danger, Legolas. And if you were, you should receive the same care."

"But not at your hands."

Legolas lifted a fair hand and laid it gently upon Tauriel's cheek – the dwarf nearly choked on his own saliva – did she dare love another in addition to this treachery?

"Why is your heart so far from me, mellon? How have I offended you?"

"You have done nothing, my lord. Indeed..." Tauriel dropped her voice so low that Fili almost could not hear. "I feel that I am being unfair to you."

"In what way?" Legolas stroked a strand of red hair back from her face, but saw this seemed to displease her, and politely refrained from further familiarities.

"You are a prince – I am a lowly silvan elf, and it is most gracious of you to favor me with your... regard."

"You could have more than my regard, if you wished it."

"Your father would not let you."

"My father will soon see the great love I have for you."

"Please stop." Tauriel stepped away, her face determined. "I am greatly flattered – but I –"

"You love the dwarf..." Legolas whispered incredulously. "I somehow am not surprised."

Tauriel stiffened. "Is that intended as an insult?"

"Never would I insult you." Legolas seemed sincere, but then, what did Fili know of elves? If anything, they were both liars. "This is most irregular."

"Yes, I realize this," Tauriel retorted, sounding irritable. "Now, will you please leave me alone with my thoughts?"

Legolas bowed, somewhat mockingly, it seemed. "Of course, my lady." And he departed.

Before Fili knew what he was doing, he was stepping forward into the light cast by the silver stars above them, his head lowered, but his gaze steady from the tops of his blue eyes.

"Fili." Tauriel seemed to return from some far-off place as she focused her attention on him. "How is your brother?"

"He is asleep, and if the smile on his face is any indication, he dreams of you." It came out much more sulky than Fili intended it, and Tauriel looked surprised.

"This is not something to converse of lightly," she reproved in a low voice. "And it is none of your concern."

"Oh, but it is!" Fili exploded, unable to contain his anger any more. "Kili and I have always been together, the closest of companions, even as children. The love we share is unlike any ever witnessed, and is stronger than the throes of poison and can withstand the gales of separation. I cannot understand what has come over him, but I, who was once his everything, am now relegated to the back corners of his mind, and the slashed remnants of his once throbbing and pulsing heart! His every look was a joy to me, his every word for my benefit. My arms defended him, and my body strained for him when we were apart. In his eyes scorched a passion that would scathe one such as you to the core, but it was my life's blood!" Here he paused for breath, but instead of looking appalled, Tauriel merely listened with wide eyes.

Fili finished in a whisper, "Why have you taken him from me? I would hate you if I could."

"And why don't you?" Tauriel whispered back, her eyes soft in the starlight. Oh Mahal...

"Because you saved his life. He loves you. And anything beloved of my brother cannot be hated by me. To measure the height and breadth of our love is to measure the depth of the mountain or the width of the sky. And though I feel he has betrayed me, I cannot betray him so much as to harm you."

Tauriel's face was unreadable, but at last, she bent, and took Fili's face in her hands, lowering her forehead and placing it to his.

"Think not of it losing a brother – but gaining a sister," she whispered.

Fili shook his head, tears coming to his eyes. "It is not like that."

Tauriel made no answer, but continued to pour her peace into him until he could do naught but turn away, in his eyes a strange light, and in his heart a broken rhythm.

That night he dreamed of starlight, silver and cool, washing over the trees and gilding the side of the mountain, it's snowy cap striking bright lights into the sky like the facets of diamonds. A warm breeze eddied throughout the wide felds, and over the rise came two figures, one golden-haird and strong, the second dark-headed and smiling. Hand in hand they roamed among the rocks, and when the younger one slipped, the firm hand of his brother guided him upwards until they were running easily along through the fields where patches of kingsfoil were beginning to bloom.