Tauriel POV
"It is the fastest way Master Dwalin," I sighed.
"We are not going into that forest!" he growled.
"I have lived here for over 600 years Master Dwarf, I can easily guide us through."
"600 years?" Ori gasped. I nearly groaned and turned to look at the youngest in the company. He had a look of pure shock upon his face. Actually, as I look further, all of them looked surprised. Only the wizard appeared unfazed by the information. Fili playfully punched Kili and whispered something in his ear, causing the younger brother to glare at him. My heart dipped slightly as I noticed that he looked disappointed at the information. Did he not know of an elf's immortality? "But you look so young!"
Kili brought his foot to the back of the young dwarf's knee and knocked him to the ground. Ori's face turned red as he stood up.
"She is very young master dwarf," Gandalf said. I appreciated him answering for me. "Comparable to Kili's age as a dwarf."
"I doubt that, she is much wiser than Kili," Fili was still laughing at him. Kili only rolled his eyes at his hysterical brother.
"Can we just press on?" he grumbled and tried to move us forward. Dwalin went back to arguing against the forest route, but Gandalf stopped him. I was thankful for the wizard's presence. The dwarves respected him and obeyed his orders with little question.
"Tauriel, please guide us through." The wizard commanded. I nodded and gathered the reins of Armand's bridle to lead him into the forest. The path was worn, therefore dangerous to ride on so instead we had to lead them on foot. I carefully watched my step so that none of the animals would get injured. For a while no one spoke. I wasn't sure if it was because they were as concentrated as I was, angry like Dwalin, or if they were still uncomfortable from the conversation over my age. Regardless the reason, I had grown to find comfort in their rowdy ways. So much so, that their sudden silence was uncomfortable.
"So…" Kili snuck up to walk beside me. It was difficult for him to fit on the narrow path beside me with both our mounts in tow. "Do you think we'll run into any spiders? I don't fancy being wrapped up in their silk again. Plus, their stingers nasty little buggers."
He attempted to joke. I appreciated the break in silence. "They do not venture near the path. As long as we remain upon it, we shall be safe."
"Ah, good." He smiled. "But just in case, I'll stay up here with you. You know, in case you need protection."
I probably would have struck him had he been anyone else for suggesting that I may need someone to watch over me, but his smirk made it evident that it was only a joke so I decided to play along. "Yes, considering your skills against the spiders when we first met. I suppose your screams would be the perfect tool to alert me of any oncoming danger."
"Ouch, my lady is a fierce one," he chuckled. I was about to warn him that he was going to trip over a fallen log but then he continued speaking. "Are you sure you don't want to hold my hand? I mean it is rather dark in… ah!"
He yelped as he stumbled forward as his toes clipped the log. He recovered quickly but I couldn't help but laugh along with the rest of the company trailing us.
"Welcome to the ways of a dwarf, lady Tauriel!" Bofur exclaimed. Kili joined in the laughter once he was back on his feet. He was clearly as amused as everyone else in the company. As they continued to laugh, Kili stepped closely to me.
"I told you they liked you."
Kili POV
We had all been a little nervous to reenter the forest, but with an elf's touch we made it through with no problems. As soon as we left the forest we mounted up and quickened our pace until we reached the humble home of the skin-changer. Gandalf insisted that we go the Beorn's home to thank him for his efforts during the battle. The visit went much better than our previous encounter and we were graciously invited to have supper with the bear-man. Tauriel was intrigued by the man. I enjoyed watching her among this journey. Every new land we came across, she gazed upon it like a child seeing the world for the very first time. I knew she had been stuck in the forest for quite some time, but over 600 years? I could not imagine being trapped in one area for such a long time.
The revelation of her age had also brought out a twinge of fear in me. Not once had I considered the fact that she was immortal. What would that mean for us? She had been so hesitant to allow her feelings for me to show. Now I am beginning to see why. If we succumbed to these feelings, what would happen to her after I passed a mere couple hundred years from now?
My thoughts were interrupted when Fili stood to begin cleaning up. We all followed his lead and in no time dishes were being tossed about until the room was as clean as it was before we entered.
"You may rest here for the night," Beorn stood to excuse himself. One by one our company began to do the same until it was only Fili, Tauriel and I left. I was worried that he would make more jokes about her age, but luckily he kept his manners while we conversed with the elf. He asked her questions of elves. Apparently he had been more curious about her kind than he had let show because we remained there at Beorn's table for over an hour listening to her speak. I was tired and desperate to get to bed, but I wasn't about to leave Fili alone with her. Unfortunately, my eyes grew heavier by the second. As they talked amongst each other I allowed my eyes to close for a moments rest.
Tauriel POV
I talked with Fili for quite some time. He asked me many questions about my kind. I was surprised that he had taken a sudden interest in me but I answered his questions willingly. It wasn't until I noticed Kili's head laying on his arm upon the table, that I realized how late the hour was.
"Kili," Fili poked his shoulder. "Brother, go to bed."
"I aminbed," he mumbled. "Go away."
"You're going to hurt your neck if you sleep like that," I tried to tell him, but he only mumbled more gibberish that neither of us could understand. Fili stood behind his brother and tried to lift him from the table.
"Come on brother," he hauled the young dwarf up and he sloppily began to drag him away.
"No, I have to finish off the rabbit clan, the mice found the swords," Kili groaned and leaned heavily against his brother. I nearly laughed and could only wonder what dreams invaded his mind. I doubted that he would remember any of this in the morning.
"I'll finish them off for you brother," Fili told the sleeping dwarf as they disappeared from my sight. I was unsure of what I would do tonight, since a watch was unnecessary. We were safe here. My thoughts were interrupted when Fili came walking back into the kitchen. I had thought he would go to bed with the others but instead he sat back down across from me.
"Now that he is gone, I want you to explain to me what relationship exists between you and my brother," he ordered. I stiffened at his words. So this is why he had been speaking with me. He had only wanted to be alone so he could ambush me.
"I do not know what you are…"
"Don't give me that," his voice was low but fierce nonetheless. "I know how the little fool feels about you. I want to know what you are doing with him."
I opened my mouth to respond, but I was too nervous to speak. How could I answer him without even knowing what existed between Kili and I? "I do not know."
I answered honestly. Fili was not impressed as he glared into my eyes. Of all the dwarves I have met so far, I had not expected Fili to be amongst those that I feared. However, sitting here alone with him as he interrogated me was the most frightening thing that has happened since the battle.
"What is it that draws you to him? Don't deny that you have been spending time with him. I am more perceptive that you might think." I was unsure why the dwarf sounded so angry. I had done nothing to harm his brother. I thought of his question. There were many things that drew me to the young dwarf, however most of which I was uncomfortable sharing with the dwarf glaring at me.
"He has never treated me differently because I am an elf," I finally answered.
"If that is the only reason you enjoy his company than you better walk away now."
"What is it you expect from me, master dwarf?" I became angry with him. This was far more of a personal of a conversation that I did not desire to have with anyone other than Kili himself. Even then I would be nervous to speak about this.
"I think you are using him," he growled. My shoulders slouched at the information. It was not what I expected to hear. I was appalled, yet too shocked to defend myself. "He is a Prince afterall. You described yourself as low in rank at Mirkwood."
"I was promoted." The air became heated.
"You were promoted because of your interactions with my brother. What is next for you? Marrying him to get the crown?"
"I do not seek royalty," I said forcefully.
"I don't believe you! Why else would you follow him? You are an elf!"
"I love him!" As soon as the words left my mouth my heart went into a panic. What did I say? Fili's expression surprised me even more. He was not angry, he was smiling.
"Now," he leaned back in his chair. "We are getting somewhere."
I looked to him, confused. My chest heaved and I tried to calm my breathing. "I do not understand. You're not angry?"
"You don't know much about dwarves do you?" I thought about his question. I had believed that I had learned much about their kind, but now I was more confused in this moment than I had ever been in my entire life. Fili sighed before continuing. "Kili is not attractive."
My brow furrowed and I opened my mouth to argue against his harsh words, but he put up a hand to silence me.
"Not by dwarven standards anyway. He cannot grow a beard and he's taller than every dwarf out there. He takes interest in weird things like archery and lately he's had some weird obsession over the stars. Royalty, is the only thing he has going for him. Even if he hadn't sought to pick a fight with every dwarrowdam available, none of them would have ever taken an interest in him. Am I angry for your affections towards my brother? No, I am not. In fact, I am grateful for them."
He got up and retrieved a couple glasses. He filled them with ale and sat back down in his chair.
"He tries to never let it show, always pretending to be a lady's man." He pushed one of the mugs to me. "But I am his brother and I love him very much. I pay attention to him well enough to know that he was well aware of the fact that there was little hope for him ever finding a mate. Then you came along."
The information caused me pain. I had never given thought to finding a mate. Six hundred years was young, nowhere near the age where I should be thinking of finding one. Yet I imagined his pain, never believing it to be possible to find love. I did not like this thought.
"But before you decide upon anything, you must know something about him. He tries very hard to please the ones he loves. I can't count the number of times he's done something reckless and stupid just to get Thorin's attention. When Thorin barricaded us in that mountain, it hurt him the most."
"I know that his time in the mountain haunts him," I whispered.
"Aye. He stood against uncle once, when we were forced to stay in Erebor whilst the battle raged. I thought uncle was going to kill him. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is he's a handful. So I hope you're prepared."
"I did not even know that I felt this way, how am I supposed to be prepared for anything?" I choked. I suddenly felt childish as I opened up to the older brother. The emotions racing through my body frightened me. Admitting my feelings for him out loud frightened me. Yet, as I looked upon the dwarf sitting across from me, I couldn't help but realize how wise the Prince truly was. I found that I did not mind seeking his advice. "I am scared."
"I don't blame you," he chuckled and took a swig from his mug. "He's a reckless little twerp, but luckily for you I am here to help keep him in check."
A strange warmth filled my chest as I realized that he was giving me his blessing. By elven standards, siblings were not required to approve of relationships, yet having Fili's support was incredibly comforting. He raised his mug to me and I picked mine up to match him. "Thank you Fili."
"Anytime." I smiled as we touched the mugs together. "Little sister."
