After a long night alone in an extravagantly large royal bed, followed by an even longer day of avoiding his uncle, Kili had more than happily assumed the responsibility of first watch, placing himself and his favorite bow discreetly at the gate. It wasn't long until he spied a solitary torch in the distance, and relishing the chance to release some adrenaline, he silently nocked a single arrow and waited for his quarry to reappear over the ridge. As the rider came closer however, the shape of a familiar green cape fell into view lit by the flame, and he quickly reslung his bow to run blithely out of the shadows.
The figure lept from her mount the very second her horse had slowed, and her hood flew open in the soft night breeze as she threw herself into his arms.
"Tauriel."
He held her tight against his chest, beaming in the brilliant glow of her affection. And her heart pounded wildly, as she pulled back to stare into his adoring eyes before they collided in a series of fervent strokes and desperate kisses. Her hands were in his hair, his fingers across her neck, and their lips moved almost ceremoniously, devouring eachother. His palm fell to her waist, and he drew her close, resulting in a soft, impassioned moan. The sound of it nearly drove him crazy, and he pressed against her even more forcefully.
Little did the star-crossed lovers know that only moments before, none other than Thorin Oakenshield and his older nephew Fili, had quietly made their way towards the gate with the intention of reconciling their arguments with Kili. Both watched with awe, unassumingly from the sidelines, until finally the elf and their kinsman broke apart, smiling wide as they basked, drunk on kisses in eachother's countenance.
"I have missed you," he said, gently stroking her cheek.
"And I you," she brushed a swath of dark curls behind his ear. "But I fear I must burden you with troubling news."
"The Elven King has refused the dragon's survivors aid?" he asked knowingly, taking her hands.
She nodded, saddened, but the grin never left his face.
"You have done what you could," he reassured, "and now it is up to the rest of us to set things right."
"Thank you, my love." She planted her lips tenderly across his forehead.
"And now," he said excitedly, brightening the mood, "it is time to introduce you to Erebor."
He clasped her hand and turned towards the gate, only to have the wind knocked out of their sails as both sets of eyes fell upon his uncle and brother waiting just across the threshold.
"Uncle," Kili began apprehensively, still clinging to the elf maiden's fingers, but Thorin only raised a hand to signify a request for silence.
"Come. Come inside," he said, gesturing towards her horse. "And bring the animal."
So Tauriel guided her mount by the reins, and they followed the dwarf king cautiously into the heart of the mountain.
After relinquishing her horse into Bofur's care, Tauriel followed the three descendants of Durin into a softly lit and peaceful parlor where all could sit comfortably, to begin a most uncomfortable conversation. Anxiety had been building in Kili since they'd ventured back inside, and he quickly attempted to obtain the upper hand, verbally at least.
"How much did you see?" he addressed his uncle unflinchingly.
Thorin postured a moment, choosing his words both thoughtfully and carefully.
"Enough to know," he gestured towards her, "that this elf has somehow developed, quite an attachment to you."
"That's putting it mildly," Fili laughed. "I don't believe I've ever been kissed like that."
"Yes," their uncle acknowledged reluctantly, "then let us put our speculation to rest. My nephew claims that the two of you are in love. What say you to his ardor, lady elf?"
"Tauriel," Kili interjected gently. "Her name is Tauriel."
Then suddenly all three dwarves were staring at her, waiting rather impatiently to suffer her reply.
"Love," she smiled and nodded, as Kili audibly released a breath.
She turned to him, still grinning, and placed a hand across his heart.
"I think I knew from the very first moment, when our eyes met in the wood, that something about you was special."
"Impressed by my bow hand, were you?" he replied suggestively, having momentarily forgotten that they had an audience.
Just then realization spread across Thorin's features.
"You are the captain of the Mirkwood guard."
"I was," she nodded, and Kili immediately picked up on it.
"Was?"
"I have been banished from my lands," she said calmly.
"Because you fell in love with a dwarf?" Fili examined.
There was no reply, but her silence was confirmation enough.
"Then you can never return home," despair permeated Kili's voice, "because of me?"
The elf reached out in an expression of comfort, but he was already backing away to stand.
"My entire life is but a fraction of your existence, and in a thousand years when I am long dead and gone, you will still be destitute, with nothing but a memory to keep you warm."
A single tear welled in his eye, and as she arose and began to move towards him, he continued to back away. As if not allowing her to touch him would somehow negate their feelings, or in some way allow what she has spoken to fall from truth. The pain scorched in his core, and just to look at her was torture, needing desperately to feel her comfort surround him, but wishing with all his might that he could turn back the hands of time.
"My home," she dropped to her knees before him, "is where you are." Her gaze held his with a visceral intensity. "Please, do not ask me to take my leave of you."
His posture softened, tension melting away, and he ran his fingers across hers, as if to prove to himself that she was real.
"Don't ever leave," he whispered in agreement. And he leaned down for a gentle, emotional kiss.
Once again his kin had witnessed, with no small degree of amazement, the pure and undeniable, unselfish love between one of their own, and an elf. Thorin rose up from his chair to full height, confusion and clarity warring blindly inside his head.
"You may stay in Erebor, lady elf, for now. I trust that my nephew will make you... comfortable."
And with that and a gracious nod good night, he beckoned Fili after him, instructing him to return to the gate and take up watch.
