Chapter 9

The King Under the Mountain was reading a tediously long report about the collection of taxes, when he was – admittedly to his relief – interrupted by the entrance of his servant, Bragi.

"My King, Captain Tauriel of the elven host is waiting outside your chambers. She has requested an audience. What shall I tell her?"

Dain Ironfoot lifted his eyes from the parchment and looked at his servant with curiosity. What did this elleth want with him?

"Have I not already said countless times by now I will not speak to any elf, Bragi? Why do you pester me now with such inquiries?" he retorted irritably, and grunted.

Bragi recoiled. "Forgive me, my lord. I told her that, but she persisted. She said she seeks to appeal to your good will and to your promise of treating her as an honored guest", he replied sheepishly, fearing now the rage of his King.

But said King just sank back in his chair and huffed. For he had indeed called her a friend of his people, and he had vowed that she would be shown the utmost respect. It would be dishonorable to go back on his word now and deny her the audience.

"Fine, fine… show her in", he acceded.

Bragi bowed to his King and left.

In a few moments Tauriel was entering the dwarven lord's chambers. She took a few careful steps towards him, clearly reserved in her manner, and then she stopped and gracefully bowed before him. Dain motioned for her to stand upright.

"Good day, my lord Dain", she began cordially.

"I am not so sure it is…" he murmured grumpily, scratching his beard and trying to guess the disposition of the Captain. But then his countenance changed, as he remembered he had to be civil. "No matter. They told me you have requested an audience, lady Tauriel", he said in as much a polite way as he could manage.

Tauriel nodded. "Indeed I have, my lord. And I thank you deeply for agreeing to receive me", she replied in a mellow voice.

The dwarf gave her a thorough look-over. She was dressed in a cypress green tunic and trousers and a brown leather overcoat that reached to her calves. Matching knee-high boots, a close-fitting vest and a fine scarf, which had a bronze sheen, completed her attire. Her reddish hair cascaded far beyond her shoulders in neat waves, and was adorned with a few intricate braids, leaving her pointed ears uncovered and prominent. Dain could not help but wonder what Kili might have seen in that fey creature that had made him desire her so.

"Take a seat, Captain. May I offer you a drink? Some wine, perhaps?" he offered courtly, and stood from his chair. "I hear you wood elves have a fondness for wine, like your King. Try some dwarven wine now", he added as he reached for two goblets, filled them with wine and handed one of them to Tauriel.

She nodded her gratitude with a smile and took a sip, feeling pleasantly surprised with the slightly tangy but rich and deep-down sweet taste of the liquor. "It is excellent, my lord", she commented and took another sip.

Dain smiled self-contentedly and shook his head. "Aye, it is a favorite of mine. But now that we are supplied with something to not let our throats go dry, go on and tell me the purpose of your coming", he prompted her, his suspicious eyes now bearing hard into hers.

But the Captain was not intimidated. Maintaining her composure and pleasant appearance, she spoke. "I am here to express my sadness, my lord. For although my kin and I have been graciously received in your halls and very well provided for, it has been days since we last heard anything from you. Why will you still deny to meet with us and our King, so that the negotiations may continue?" she presented her issue, choosing to avoid unnecessary prologues.

Dain frowned and averted his eyes, swirling the content of his goblet in his hand. It was not like he had not expected that to be the subject she would bring forth. But instead of giving her a direct response, he answered thus:

"Has your King sent you hear to ask these questions?"

The dwarf's tone was curt and aggressive, and Tauriel was slightly taken aback. "No, my lord. I assure you my lord Thranduil knows nothing of my presence here. This is an initiative of mine, and no other's".

He watched her with scrutiny. "Hmm. Let us assume I believe you. Why should I speak my mind to you?" Dain went on in the same obstinate manner, causing the elleth to feel a measure of nervousness now, for she was not really tried in negotiating procedures, and she feared that her lack of experience would soon show.

"Because what prompted me to visit you here in your chambers is my care and concern for the welfare of all our people, elf and dwarf alike. And my King's cause is in the best interest of all of us. Lingering here is in the favor of the enemy's plans only, my lord", she replied. "King Dain, believe me when I say that I would never agree to join this party, this cause, were I not fully convinced of its absolute necessity", she stated boldly.

Dain raised an eyebrow in amusement. "What say would you have in the matter? You are a subject of the Elvenking. You would do as he commanded".

"His subject I am, but I would not blindly obey any command. I would not hesitate to set myself apart if I considered his cause unjust", Tauriel claimed in the same brazen manner.

Dain shifted in his seat and looked at Tauriel more closely, his interest now picked by the words of that peculiar elleth, who had made herself a friend of the dwarves and had earned their respect. "You would dare cross your King?" he challenged her claim.

The Captain took a deep breath, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart. "I have done so once in the past, as you may already know. And I have done so in my attempt to save your kin, my lord Dain. For it did not matter to me that they were dwarves, only that they were certain to die, were they to be left helpless upon Ravenhill. My conscience protested; I could not let that happen", she recounted in an emotional voice.

"Yes, I have heard of the defiance. Who has not, really? That was brave of you to do, and that is why my people here like you", the dwarven King commented and shook his head. "But I have also heard of your consequent pardon, which is why you are here now, a member of the Elvenking's counselors. Apparently, your King is either a blithering fool to take back a traitor, or he holds you in such great esteem and value that he is willing to forgive your audacity and trespasses. The first I doubt. He may be treacherous and heartless, but a fool he is not. As for the second, it puzzles me greatly, I admit. Why did that spiteful woodland sprite welcome you back in his kingdom? It makes no sense. Were you a subject of mine, lass, you would not have been that lucky, I assure you", he said and gulped from his wine, giving Tauriel a sharp side-glance afterwards.

"Because he is not spiteful, my lord", Tauriel answered in a soft tone. "He is wise, and although he is strict and unyielding, he is compassionate. Thranduil forgave me because I had acted out of love, and he could never begrudge me that", she explained, and tears rose up in her eyes, as her thoughts turned to her lover and the impossible magnanimity he had shown her.

"Did he himself tell you that?" Dain asked in disbelief.

"Those had been his exact words, my lord", Tauriel confirmed.

The dwarven King stood from his chair and paced around for a while, seemingly deep in thought. At last he turned to Tauriel and said, "He might be compassionate and forgiving with his own kin, as you say, and I have no reason to doubt, but he is the exact opposite with us dwarves. Where was his compassion when Smaug descended on Erebor? Where was his benevolence when my kin were violently killed and forced out of their homes and into exile? I will tell you where: nowhere!" Dain bellowed in righteous anger, causing Tauriel to lower her gaze and sigh. "He turned his back to my people when they needed his aid the most. He hates our kind with a passion. He would rather see all of the dwarves die than lift a finger to help them!"

"No, my lord", the Captain said in a quiet tone, keeping her calm, contrary to the dwarf's fuming anger. "He would rather see only the dwarves die, and not his own people as well. For what chance stood the elves against an enraged dragon? Smaug would have desolated our home as well, not only yours. His flames would have laid waste to our forest, erasing it from existence. Tell me, my lord, what King in his right mind would ever risk that? Thranduil chose to be seen as cruel and heartless by the dwarves, thinking that this sacrifice was worth it, because it meant his people would still be alive", the Captain stated, fervently defending her King's past actions.

"I see now you have become of one mind with him!" Dain exclaimed.

"We have both admitted the error of our ways, and were able to see beyond that. He has understood my motives, and I have realized his reasons", she explained. "Cannot now elves and dwarves do the same? How much longer must this reckless animosity last? How many more lives have to be lost before our peoples are reconciled? Need we to see Sauron's banners planted here on our doorsteps, so that we might join in battle and draw swords together?" she asked her questions with an ardency and a light of hope in her eyes.

Dain regarded her for a long moment, his arms crossed before his chest. The elleth's fiery spirit had impressed him, and he would be a liar to deny that her words had somewhat touched him. "My son and you have formed a secret party, it seems, and are conspiring behind my back", he murmured. "And you have even persuaded noble Dwalin to join you".

Tauriel smiled, recognizing the latent jest in the King's words, although they bore a significant meaning. "My lord, we have formed no such party. We only speak the voice of reason. We desire to-" she began, but was interrupted by a knock on the door and the consequent entrance of the King's servant.

"Forgive the interruption, my lord. Your son the Prince is here to see you", announced Bragi.

Any chance Dain had in replying was stolen away by Thorin, who at that moment marched inside purposefully.

"Father, I must speak with you", he demanded with urgency.

The King stood frowning and with his hands resting on his hips. "Thorin! What is the meaning of this?"

Tauriel's eyes traveled from father to son, as she was rather surprised by this sudden intrusion. She had a feeling, however, that Thorin had appeared in the most opportune moment, and that her chances of convincing Dain to see the truth and change his ways would now be greater.

Thorin glanced over to the seated elleth, and his hastiness was momentarily halted, as he was overcome with wonderment. "Oh, I knew not you had company".

"Of course you did not, you fool, because you did not even bother to ask before barging in!" Dain shouted, reprimanding his son.

But Thorin was not thwarted, and resumed his previous stance. "All the same, I need to speak to you".

The King Under the Mountain grunted in vexation. "Leave us", he ordered his servant and Bragi hurriedly left. Then he turned to his son again. "Are you here to fill my head with praise for the Elvenking too?" he barked in annoyance, and returned to his chair in a huff.

Thorin and Tauriel exchanged a cognizing glance, and the Captain gave a tiny smile to the Prince, acknowledging that they both were on the same side… and opposite Dain, as it were.

"Actually… yes", came Thorin's belated reply. "I wanted to talk to you of his proposition, and why we should join him".

Dain's head dropped to his hand in exasperation, and he massaged his temple, attempting to ease the tension and irritation, which were rapidly transforming into a headache.

"I suppose you all will not leave me alone until I have consented to join that elf's campaign", he murmured wearily.

Thorin looked at him in surprise. "Are you considering it? Because the last time we talked, you were adamant in your decision not to aid the Elvenking in his cause".

"And I still am! But you, Dwalin, some of the councilors – you all parade here in my chambers one after the other and demand that I do so. Now this elf has come as well and spoken her piece. It seems everyone is in favor of this venture but me!" he cried in frustration.

"It is so, father. Most of our people wish to fight the Shadow, and are willing to make the small sacrifice that it is to fight beside elves, if the future of our home is at stake. They are ashamed to cower here, while the elves march southwards to fight for the sake of all of us. Dol Guldur might be located in Mirkwood, but the enemy inside is not an enemy of Mirkwood alone. It is an enemy of us all. Listen to your people, father, I beseech you!" Thorin pleaded.

"Why are you so willing to fight beside those pointy-eared creatures, son? Have they ensnared you with their magics?" asked Dain indignantly, ignoring the Prince's plea and reasonable arguments.

"No, father. There was no magic involved in my persuasion, I assure you. But I spoke with the Elvenking the other day, and the justice of his cause was made clear to me", Thorin stated.

"You consulted with the Elvenking in secret?" Dain bellowed, jumping from his seat.

"It was nothing scheduled, just a chance meeting", the younger dwarf explained. "King Thranduil is not the monster the stories describe him as. He is a good King, a just ruler, who cares deeply for his people, and for this world".

"Pah! He cares for none but himself!" Dain spat. "He has been sitting idly in his halls for too long, and now suddenly he wishes to go to war? Last time he left his halls to wage war was when he wanted to lay a hand on our treasure! Tell me, son, does this not look suspicious to you?"

Thorin hesitated for a moment, slightly shaken by his father's words. But Tauriel grasped the opportunity and chimed in. "My lord Dain", she started, attracting his attention. "It is true that my King has been uninvolved in the fates of this world for quite a long time, choosing to rule his kingdom with little consideration for what was going on outside its borders. But things have changed lately, and I have witnessed that change. It is a sincere change, my lord. My King has been reminded of his love for this world… for reasons that are not mine to disclose", she said thoughtfully, her mind turning to the love she shared with Thranduil. "I can only confirm the authenticity of this change".

"I would sooner believe there is some long-lost heirloom buried in the ruins of that fortress that he wishes to retrieve than go to war over a noble cause", Dain grunted and frowned.

The Captain's face resumed a sorrowful expression as she heard the dwarven King's words. He was stubborn beyond description, and her hopes of changing his mind now diminished.

But Thorin took a step forward, looking now determined. "No father. You are wrong. It is not so. The Elvenking does not value jewels and treasure above his people and their welfare. And I know that with a certainty, because I offered him the white gems of Lasgalen, and he refused", he stated boldly.

Dain's face turned red with rising ire and he sprang up from his seat at once, knocking his goblet to the floor. "You did what?" he shouted.

"It is as I said. He refused to accept the gems of his late wife, the story of which you failed to tell me", Thorin went on in the same manner, ignoring the King's incensed outburst. "And would you like to know why he refused? He refused because he did not wish for a rift of hatred to be created between us, father!"

"You insolent child! You senseless dwarfling! You deserve a banishment of fifty years for your stupidity!" Dain Ironfoot screamed in a thunderous voice filled with wrath.

"Do what you will, as long as you listen to me first!" the Prince cried.

Tauriel felt now uncomfortable for having to witness the dwarves' heated quarrel, but she was also surprised by what Thorin had just said. He had offered the white gems to Thranduil and he had not accepted them!

"My lords", she intervened. "Please, calm your tempers. Shouting will not resolve the issue at hand", she advised them, and they both turned to look at her. Dain glared at her angrily, and Thorin sighed and lowered his gaze.

"It is a miracle the Elvenking declined your thoughtless offering of the gems, and thus saved you from a worse fate!" the King turned angrily to his son and pointed a threatening finger at him. "But we will deal with this later. I do not like making my family matters a show for the elves", he grunted and gave a side-glance to Tauriel.

"Father, please calm your anger", the Prince now tried speaking in a softer tone. "I only ask of you to see reason. Will you allow your personal dislike for the Elvenking prevail? You are better than that! And I know that in your heart you realize his cause is just. Had any other lord come to you with this proposition, you would not be denying your aid as you are doing now", he voiced his opinion.

"My lord, your son speaks right. There are things in this world that by far exceed our personal ambitions and enmities. My King realizes that, and I am sure you do as well", Tauriel now spoke, adding to the gravity of Thorin's arguments.

"You need not change your heart about the Elvenking. You only need to give your assent so that we may join him in his southward march. And you need not even fight beside him; I can do that in your stead", the young dwarf proffered in earnest.

Dain's cunning eyes danced from his son to the elleth and back. These two here will soon drive me crazy if I don't give them an answer, he thought. But they expect an answer in their favor; they want me to relent. But how can I do that? How can I draw swords together with the Elvenking of my own volition? He shifted in his chair and sighed. Tauriel and Thorin were looking at him with anxiety and anticipation.

"So, what say you, father? What will it be?" Thorin required impatiently.

At last the King Under the Mountain rose from his seat, and cleared his voice before speaking. "I have heard you both long and patiently, but my patience is now ended. Leave now, and you shall hear my decision tomorrow, for we shall meet one last time in council".


Much later in the day, Thranduil and Tauriel were relaxing together in the first one's apartments, lying languidly in the sofa in a loose embrace. The fireplace in front of them was lit, for, although it was the beginning of spring, the days were cold, still clinging to the winter's chill. The soft glow and heat emanating from the dancing flames made the room feel cozier and more welcoming to the elves.

"So Dain is finally to resume the negotiations tomorrow", the Elvenking said at one point during their idle conversation. "And I had begun to lose hope this would ever come to be".

"But it is a good thing that it will happen, so that we may know whether the dwarves are to join us or not", Tauriel commented.

"Indeed, for we have lingered for far too long in this inhospitable mountain", he agreed. "I suspect Thorin managed to persuade him at long last".

Tauriel turned a bit so as to look at him in the eye. "It might not only have been Thorin's work", she murmured cryptically.

Thranduil raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What do you mean?"

The Captain smiled coyly. "I might have had something to do with that as well".

He sat up, pulling her along. "What is it exactly that you did, Tauriel?" he asked with apprehension in his tone, holding her by the shoulders.

But she did not share in his worry, and chuckled. "I did what you brought me along to do, my lord. King Dain might have refused to speak to any elf, but he did not refuse to speak to me", she explained.

A look of surprise came over Thranduil's features. "Did you manage to convince him to aid us?" he asked wit impatience.

"Of that I am not sure. We shall know tomorrow, as it is. But I am confident that I made him see our point, and clarified our purpose. Perhaps he now looks less suspiciously upon it", Tauriel answered. "But I also received some unexpected help from Thorin. He walked in on me speaking with Dain, and he contributed his own arguments in the favor of our cause as well", she added.

"Ah, at least the Prince agrees with our cause. I had a chance to speak with him yesterday. He is clever and kind, for a dwarf", Thranduil said with a small smile.

"Yes, he is. And he also said that he offered you the gems of Lasgalen, which you refused to accept", Tauriel interjected the comment, wishing to learn more about the reason why Thranduil chose not take back his wife's necklace.

He shot a surprised glance at her. "He spoke of that to his father, and in front of you?" he asked wide-eyed.

Tauriel nodded. "He did. He tried to use your refusal as an argument to defend the integrity of your character and to show that you care more about the fate of the world than jewels… But it was not so well received by Dain, I am afraid, for he threatened Thorin with banishment and other punishments", she narrated. "I know not what you said to him yesterday, but clearly you won his sympathy".

Thranduil slowly leaned back, resting his head on the armrest of the sofa. "We spoke of many things… But mainly about the expedition against Dol Guldur. He is a sensible and noble dwarf, and he understands my reasons. Had it been up to him, we would have already signed the papers of the allegiance. However, he fears to cross his father openly, and he will have to submit to Dain's final decision. Seeing that this would not probably be in our favor, he sought to return the gems to me, as a gift of trust and good will", he said in a low voice.

Tauriel watched his face closely. "Why did you refuse them, Thranduil? Thorin mentioned something like a rift of hatred…"

The Elvenking nodded with closed eyes. "Yes... Had I accepted the dwarf's ill-thought offer, Dain would be irredeemably furious. He would punish his son severely, creating a rift of hatred between them, and thus threatening the stability of his kingdom in a time when every realm must stand firm and united. Not to mention that he would probably have a mind of marching against us as well in order to take back the gems. I explained all this to the Prince, and he understood. We came to a mutual understanding, in the end. Which is why he defended our cause so boldly today, together with you, I presume".

Tauriel came to lie close to her lover again. "You have acted wisely, mell nin", she whispered and kissed his cheek.

"So have you, although you chose not to consult with me before visiting Dain", Thranduil responded and turned his face to look at her.

"You would have probably tried to dissuade me, and I could not risk that", she told him with a small smile and made to kiss him again.

But Thranduil was faster, and captured her lips first. His kiss was deep and gratifying, and after that he regarded her with pride in his gaze. "You have acted like a Queen".

Tauriel softly gasped, for this thought had not crossed her mind. "I only did what I considered might prove helpful to our cause", she uttered.

"As I said, you acted like a Queen", he repeated, and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. "For that is what a true Queen must do: act in favor of the greater good and give little thought to her personal ambition. I hold no doubt now that you will make an excellent Queen by my side, meleth nin", he spoke to her lovingly.

She was moved, and tears of joy welled up in her eyes. "And to think that I kind of expected you would reprimand me for my initiative…"

"No, Tauriel. For you are not that audacious and disobedient child you once were, as much as I am not the cold and detached King I once was. We have both changed; our love has transformed us into better people, into the better version of ourselves. And, you know, I do like this version. I think I shall keep it", he said with a playful smirk curling his lips in the end.

The Captain softly laughed, and then threw herself in the arms of her King. "I love you with all my heart, with every fiber of my being. Never forget that", she whispered to him, and proceeded to seal his lips with hers, indulging in another passionate kiss.

He held her tightly against him and kissed her with abandon, as if he wanted to show her with acts and not words that he loved her in equal measure, as she had proclaimed. It was before long that their desire for each other flared, and with hurried moves they got rid of their clothes, and began enjoying the feeling of their naked skin touching.

Tauriel brought her body upon his, as he was still lying on his back, and straddled his hips. With one gentle move he allowed himself to slide inside her core, and she rewarded him with a soft gasp and a tightening of her inner muscles around his shaft, causing him to moan in turn. Slowly she began her arousing dance in his lap, until he could take no more of that sweet torture and with one swift move flipped their positions, taking now control of the situation.

She had no mind to argue; on the contrary, she welcomed the change, and allowed her lover to drive them both towards the maximum of their pleasure, which he happily did, but in a slow pace, wishing not to rush, but savor every moment of union with his beloved. Soon the room was filled with their pants and gasps, until they could hold back no more and delivered themselves unto the sweetest ecstasy there was.


A dim sun peeked from beneath the grey clouds, allowing its beams to reach the ground and stir the life on earth from its slumber. At that hour the council of the King Under the Mountain was assembling after its recess of ten days.

Dain Ironfoot rose from his high seat and began with the initiatives. "Good morrow, everyone. We meet again in council, one final time, to discuss the plans of the Elvenking. I will ask of everyone, who might wish to speak, to be brief and inclusive in their speeches. And now let us begin".

Thranduil stood up. "Lord Dain, I need not present my cause to you again, for you are already very well aware of it. I only wish to add that the kingdom of Dale has already agreed to aid us", he declared, producing a rolled parchment that bore the sigil of King Bain, and showing it to Dain. "The allegiance of Imladris is also ensured, for I have already spoken with lord Elrond of the matter, and he immediately agreed with my cause. You all know of the wisdom of lord Elrond and his millennia-long contribution to the preservation of this Middle earth; this is an undisputed fact, acknowledged by all. Pay heed to that at least, if you are unwilling to pay heed to me and still view me with a measure of disbelief", he offered and looked around to the dwarves, who nodded and whispered to each other. "Moreover, Lothlorien is most likely to join us as well. Dol Guldur lies very close to lord Celeborn's lands, and he has long desired the cleansing of that fortress", he added. "You see, all the northern realms are allied and willing to march southwards. And I ask you now, lord Dain: what will Erebor do? What will the stance of your fabled kingdom be? Will you wisely accede to join us, or will you selfishly and stubbornly exclude yourselves from this alliance? We are awaiting your response".

With that Thranduil returned to his seat, but kept his pale eyes trained on his counterpart. A deep frown was upon Dain's brow, and he seemed to be in discomfort, as if caught in a narrow siege and with no escape route available. His eyes traveled from the Elvenking to his son, then to Dwalin, and lastly Tauriel. All of these people urged him to abandon his obdurate ways and join the elves. But still, he found it tremendously difficult to speak the words and shake hands with that arrogant elf.

Silence reigned, as everyone kept looking at Dain, who remained stubbornly silent, sulking in his chair. Several minutes passed like that, until Thranduil stood once more.

"Lord Dain, give us your answer", he asked of him in an imperative tone.

Huffing, the dwarven King finally rose from his seat and came to stand opposite the Elvenking. He hated himself right then, for the words he was about to utter equaled defeat and submission for him.

"Erebor will aid you. You have our allegiance", he grudgingly said, and his frown became deeper still.

Thranduil accepted this statement with a graceful bow. "You have our gratitude", he told Dain.

"You best say that to that son of mine, who hastened to forget where his loyalties lie and side with you", Dain spoke in an undignified manner, causing Thorin to look away in shame. It hurt him that his father wished to ridicule him in front of the council and the elves.

"Your son saw the truth and did not hesitate to acknowledge it", Thranduil said in the Prince's defense. "But I am glad that you as well have at last pledged your allegiance to us".

"Yes, well", responded Dain dismissively. "I shall deploy a regiment of our army in your aid, to march under my son's command. I find none more suitable than him for that role".

"And I shall gladly accept your decision, lord Dain, for I find Prince Thorin a fine specimen of the dwarven race, and it will be my pleasure to discuss battle tactics with him", Thranduil responded in earnest.

Dain rolled his eyes, for this kind of talk bothered him and bored him now. This was a decision he had been forced to make. Had he not been under so much pressure from everyone, he would have never agreed to commit his forces to the Elvenking's campaign. But he could not have risked the displeasure of his people and his council, so at last he yielded.

"Yes, I am sure you shall find things to talk about", he commented indifferently. "I suppose the documents are in order now. Send your counselors to consult with mine about the details later in the day, so that we may be done with that once and for all", he said grumpily and turned his back to Thranduil, walking away. "Of course, there will be a farewell dinner tonight, as is custom. Wear your finest", he spoke from over his shoulder and exited the chamber.