"I was a fool," Thorin says.
His lips hardly move and the confession is barely audible. Admitting to one's mistakes is not easy.
Also he is dying. This never helps.
The elf stands by the entrance, unsure of what to say.
"I was a fool," he repeats louder this time. "Come closer. I have a lot to apologise for and I haven't got much time."
Tauriel takes a few hesitant steps towards his bed. Thorin muses on how she was fearless in front of a horde of orcs but seems to be wary of a mortally wounded dwarf King.
"I have not been kind to you," he admits. "Or fair."
"That doesn't matter now," the voice of Kili's lass sounds very sad.
"Oh, it does. Now it matters more than ever. My younger nephew lives."
"That's what the healers say. But he is unconscious and most likely will remain so for a while."
"I know. I cannot see him and he'd not recognise me," speaking hurts and Thorin tries to make shorter sentences. "I have no time. You will speak for me."
Tauriel swallows and nods.
Thorin knows very well what he wants to say: he had enough time to think while Gandalf was looking for the elf so he goes straight to the point. "Tell Kili I took a young foolish boy on the quest. Tell him a man is born when he stands up for what he believes in. He will understand. Tell him he is a man I am proud of."
"I will," the lass looks stunned but he doesn't have time to explain in detail.
"Tell him I'm sorry," continues King under the Mountain. "I was wrong. I could not see past my prejudices. He saw everything, he chose you, he chose well. Tell him he has my blessing."
Is his vision beginning to fail him or is elf's lower lip quivering? Thorin can't be sure.
"Now I'm talking to you, Tauriel of Mirkwood. I have slighted you and I was wrong. You are good. You are honourable. If I were to live I would gladly welcome you as my niece. Will you forgive me, be it for myself or for my nephew?"
"I forgive you," Tauriel says quickly. She looks like she is on the verge of a breakdown and, frankly, she just might be. The lass went through a lot. Thorin wonders if she slept at all since they all came from the battlefield.
"Thank you," he says. Black is beginning to cloud his vision and he knows his time is running out. "Go in peace, Queen under the Mountain. I have one more friend to see."
Tauriel quickly bends over him and, much to Thorin's surprise, kisses his forehead. There are tears in her eyes.
"I wish we were speaking under different circumstances," she says, her voice hoarse but firm. "Rest in peace, uncle. I will do as you say."