Chapter 10: Peace

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Tauriel

The early morning air was cool against her skin, but not cold. Not for an elf. The sun wasn't up yet, but the sky was beginning to turn a dark blue. There were no stars in sight.

The night had been a long and hard one. One filled with fire and death.

So much death.

She remembered the children's eyes on her, looking for guidance and comfort, trusting her completely. Never had she felt more responsible than at that moment. It felt as though she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Kili caught her gaze and held it. Nodded. And she felt the load lighten as though it was a physical burden being removed, if only partially.

As the little boat hit the shore, she leaped out. The dwarves hauled themselves out after her, assisting Tilda and Sigrid.

Kili was the last one out of the boat, having refused any help.

Stubborn dwarf.

"Let me have a look at your leg," she said to Kili.

"Nah, that's not necessary. It already feels heaps better."

"I have never dealt with a wound of such severity before, I will feel better if I know that it's healing correctly."

"Whoever said that dwarves are persistent, never met an elf," he said as he leaned against and slid down the trunk of a nearby tree.

Despite Kili's care free demeanor, she felt herself go tense and stiffen.

Kili's smile faltered. "What's wrong? I didn't mean any offense…"

"No no…I know," she offered him a half hearted smile. "It's just…um…I need to look at your leg and-". By now Tauriel was blushing so profusely, she almost felt light headed.

"Oh,"Kili said with a cheeky grin, finally understanding. "Don't worry, I'll have my trousers off in a jiffy." To make matters worse he winked at her. Actually winked.

She spun around to give him some privacy and to hide her embarrassment. She didn't understand why she was suddenly so mortified by the thought of someone needing to disrobe to have an injury inspected. She had been captain of the guard for half a century and she had seen and dealt with many injuries inflicted on the guard, both female and male. Why then was the thought of a bare leg making her so vividly uncomfortable? The sound of fabric being discarded behind her didn't help matters.

"Ahhh...Tauriel? I think I may need some help."

She all but chocked on her own saliva.

"I…I shall go get your brother. Or Bofur. Or-"

Kili roared with laughter. "Don't worry, I'm done. And mostly decent."

She turned around slowly, elf grace having nothing to do with it. She was immensely grateful that there surroundings were mostly deserted, the only sounds being the lake lapping against the shore and the sound of people looking for their loved ones a distance away, at least this way her embarrassment and hesitance was contained to just the two of them.

He lounged against the tree, legs spread out in front of him. He had draped the trousers over his lower body, covering almost everything save for the wound. There was amusement in his eyes. He smiled softly at her.

And suddenly, everything was alright. In their little bubble, they were just fine.

She sat beside him and began to unwrap the bandages from around his leg.

"The rest of your company is inside that mountain, aren't they?"

"Yes,"Kili said softly.

"I must ask," she said, taking in a breath, "did you know? Did you know what would happen?"

"No…not truly. All I ever cared about was reclaiming my homeland. I was naïve. All that time dreaming , journeying, pining…and I never could have imagined this," he ended with a pathetic gesture to the crowds of now homeless people in the distance.

Tauriel looked up from her work. The look in her eyes comforted him more than what any words ever could.

"Tell me, what are the Blue Mountains like?" the change of subject was no doubt intentional.

Kili began to smile instantly.

"It's a wonderful place. Our homes are built into the mountains, but the doors face outwards, much like that of a hobbit hole. We live in clusters close to one another. Our homes are big enough, but not too big to ever feel lonely. Fili and I had the best childhood, there was always someone we could rope in to help us with whatever plan we had cooked up. On midsummers eve there would be fireworks, food, ale and dancing. The stars, Tauriel, I have seen many starry nights, but nothing could ever compare to the heavens above the Blue Mountains. I would want to go back, if only to see them again. I have grown a new appreciation for the constellations as of late." He smiled shyly at her.

She looked up at him and smiled. A full smile. A pure smile.

"It sounds wonderful," she said as she tied off the fresh bandage. "Your leg seems to be healing quite well."

"I could have told you that," he teased gently.

She mock glared at him, squinting her eyes and scrunching up her nose.

"You have freckles,"Kili said matter of factly, his eyes widening in surprise.

Having been teased mercilessly about it as a child, her defenses immediately sprung up.

"Well, it's not as though I can help it."

Kili frowned. "Well, I know that. It's just, I hadn't noticed them before. How, I don't know. They're absolutely adorable."

Tauriel resisted the urge to cover her nose and cheeks from his inquisitive eyes. He appeared to be drinking her in.

"Do you honestly find them attractive?" she asked, flabbergasted.

"Of course I do!"

She shook her head and smiled. "Dwarves."

Kili wrapped a lock of her hair around his fingers and tugged gently on it. Without thinking twice about it, she slid into the space next to him. He turned towards her and brought his fingers up to her face and began ghosting his fingers over her skin. Tracing her freckles.

"You have constellations on your nose," he said lightly, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"And your cheeks…"he traced his fingers just below her eye. He lifted his other hand and gently cupped the side of her face.

"And a lonely star just here…" he dragged his fingers to the corner of her mouth before taking in a shaky breath and tracing her lips with the tips of his fingers.

"Kili…"she said, dropping her head. Pulling away. "We can't," her voice betrayed her though, and she knew it.
"Why not?" There was so much hurt in his eyes, and his voice caught in his throat. "If you were to put aside everything, and leave only us, what would you want? What would you do?"

The silence between them rang out like bells.

"Close your eyes," she commanded softly. Kili complied.

She leaned up slightly and brushed the hair from his forehead and kissed the skin there. Already her lips felt as though every nerve was on fire.

She traced the lines of his face. It was a wonderful face. And it was wonderful for no other reason other than for the fact that it was his.

She rested her check against his jaw and gently rubbed the sides of their faces against one another. His rough stubble would taint her cheeks but she did not care for it felt intoxicating.

Kili opened his eyes and pulled ever so slightly away from her and traced the shell of her ear. She shivered at the contact and it gave him an idea.

As gentle as a summer's breeze, he leaned in and kissed her just below her ear. She sighed and relaxed further against him. Feeling brave, he delicately dragged his teeth over her earlobe. She knotted her hands in his hair, bringing him impossibly closer.

Her wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her neck. "Tauriel, amralime…"

His eyes were close to spilling over.

"Kili," she said, pulling him back up to eye level. "I cannot promise you anything-" she said. She was trembling.

He shook his head. "Oh, amralime, you have already given me far more than what any man deserves."

She tilted her head. He tilted his. They parted their lips.

Tauriel closed the small distance between them, and kissed Kili.

His mouth was surprisingly soft, and unbearably gentle. Tears leaked from her eyes and Kili stopped to wipe them away with his thumbs before placing another kiss on her bottom lip. Her lips parted further and he grazed his teeth across her sensitive flesh. She gasped and slightly pulled away, resting her forehead against his and gently dragging her nails across his scalp. Kili all but purred.

"I could do this forever," she whispered in a manner of utmost secrecy.

"Then let's," he said, his smile spreading from ear to ear, "you won't hear me complaining."

He pulled her into him and kissed the top of her head. This moment of peace wasn't a lot, but it was all they had. And for now, it was enough.

A/N: I was very tempted to end this chapter off in the same fashion as the last one, but that would have been cruel, if not enjoyable (for me I mean). Thank you too all my reviewers, you guys are amazing.

I would love to hear what you think of my little story so far. I hope that you are enjoying it as much as what I enjoy writing it.

Xxx

Art of Words