Author's Note: What can I say? I was feeling flowery and slightly sappy when I wrote this chapter.

Chapter 10

The journey seemed to drag on for days, weeks. Kili never knew quite how long he traveled, searching for his love. Oftentimes he wondered if he was going the right way. Many times he cursed himself for not bringing a map. He would find her in Mirkwood. But where was Mirkwood? Was he traveling towards it, or away? The journey seemed long, longer and more tiring by the hour. At least he had thought to supply himself well—but even those were beginning to dwindle. He was tired. What if she had forgotten him? What if she refused him? The longer the journey seemed to drag on, the more these thoughts dwelt in his mind. There was only one thing he knew, and it was the one thing that had kept him going these last days. He loved Tauriel, and he would find her at all costs.

As the sun began to sink below the horizon, shedding its orange beams over the plains, a district feeling of nervous anticipation settled over him. It was strange, and he found himself glancing often behind him, and to the side, seeing nothing, and yet still the feeling clung to him. Could it mean that he was growing nearer to Mirkwood? Perhaps the enchantments that lay on that forest were beginning to reach him?

The sun was set now and the moon was beginning to rise. Sliding his pack from his back, he settled down for the night. He lay on his back, gazing up at the stars above. Did she see the same stars as he, and was she thinking of him? Did she remember him? Slowly, he drifted off to sleep, conscious to the last of that strange feeling of anticipation and foreboding.

He was never quite sure what had woken him. Was it the gentle sound of a footstep on the ground? Or was it the sense of a presence—a presence he knew? Whatever it was, he awoke suddenly, his hand groping immediately for his bow. At first he saw nothing. But then—a footstep—she stood before him, a vision wreathed in starlight, her hair shining like the leaves of autumn. He was on his feet in an instant.

"I'm dreaming," he murmured.

"No. You're not." She smiled. "I've finally found you, Kili."

As she spoke, Kili felt the exhaustion of hours before melt away. He knew at once that she had come for him, that she would have him, and the joy and exhilaration that rushed over him nearly overwhelmed him. Stepping forward almost reverently, he took her hand in his. "Oh, Tauriel," was all he could say. "You're here. This is not a dream."

And they shared a moment of silence, just standing there together, gazing up at the stars.

"I've been searching for you for days," Kili finally said. "I thought I'd find you in Mirkwood!"

"And I came to Erebor to find you!" she cried. A smile spread across her face, then his, and together they began to laugh.

"And to think—we must have nearly passed each on the road!" he exclaimed. The grin faded from his face, replaced by a tender smile. "You left Mirkwood for me, Tauriel?"

"I was banished," she replied. "I am no longer in my king's favor. I cannot go back." Despite her words, the smile never left her face. "Yes, I left Mirkwood for you, Kili."

Gently, Kili brought her hand to his lips, kissing it. "Tauriel," he began. As he looked up at her, he felt suddenly nervous. He had waited so long for this day, he had hoped, he had despaired, and now, she was here, could he say it? He knew in that moment that he was breaking every tradition, every law of the dwarves that had ever been made, but he didn't care. "Tauriel," he began again. Clasping her hand to his chest, he gazed up at her face. "Tauriel, will you be my wife?"

Tauriel caught her breath, and expression that Kili wouldn't quite identify spread across her face. She just looked at him for a moment, the smile still touching her lips, and then she dropped to her knees before him. "Yes," she said. "Yes."

Unable to find any words that seemed suitable, Kili instead slipped his arms around her and drew her face to his. "Come with me," he said softly. "We will see the world. And then," he paused to smooth a bit of hair from her face, "and then I'll take you to Erebor, and show you the wonders of our kingdom."

"Your people will never accept me." Concern touched her voice.

"Of course they will! My brother will make them." He grinned at the thought. "Unless of course," he looked away for a moment, "you would rather not."

"I will go anywhere with you, Kili," she replied. "Only," and here a touch of mischief crept into her voice, "you'll have to ride with me." She gave a long whistle, and a horse appeared from seemingly nowhere, coming to a stop in front of her. Never leaving Kili's gaze, she swung up into the saddle and extended a hand to him.

"I guess I will," he said, a smirk spreading across his face. He took the outstretched hand and swung onto the horse behind her, and together, they rode off into the night.

Just days later, they stood together under the night sky once more, its great canopy spreading high above them, the light of the moon casting silver shadows about them. They pledged their forever love and were married, and they kissed beneath the sky, the light of the stars sparkling from above. Whatever hardships, whatever dangers lay before them, they would face them together, side by side. They had finally found each other, they were together, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. Before them was the world, and a future too great to be imagined—and they could wish for nothing more.

Well, here we are at the end of all things. (Sorry, couldn't resist) There is one more chapter, and it's an epilogue. Thank you all for sticking with me through this (kind of short-ish, I know) story, and thanks to everyone for their encouraging reviews! It's been a fun story to write.