Chapter 14: Happiness Rekindled

"Ah, Tauriel, amrâlimê." Kíli's voice was rough, and his limbs trembled from both exertion and delight as he lifted himself above Tauriel so that he might look down into her face. "That was— You were—"

Perfect.

But he left the word unspoken. What if she did not feel the same this time?

"Yes, hadhodeg, that was...?" Tauriel returned breathlessly, her smile shy and hopeful.

"I was going to say... I mean, if it wasn't for you—"

"Wasn't what?"

"Err, well... I know you said that maybe if we couldn't agree about wanting children, you wouldn't feel as good making love to me," he admitted, hoping he was already too flushed for her to notice his embarrassment. He didn't want to fail at offering her the same pleasure she gave him.

Tauriel laughed lightly and trailed her hand up the back of his thigh. "I was wrong, Kíli."

"You mean—"

"There was surely nothing lacking in our union just now."

"No?"

"Not at all."

"Good. Perfect. You're perfect, love." He leaned down to press his lips to the base of her throat.

Tauriel's fingers trailed over his hip and across the small of his back. "You were right," she told him. "You said our coupling could simply be about showing that we love each other. Just now, I wasn't thinking about whether we could make a child. I only thought about how glad I am to be yours. You are quite joy enough for me, Kíli."

"And you are enough for me." He lay down against her, caught her in his arms, and turned over on the grass so that she was now atop him. "Tauriel." He gathered the loose curtain of her hair and swept it back behind her shoulder. "You get to decide when we speak again about having a child. Until you are ready to consider the question, I'll say no more. And, amrâlimê—" He caressed her. "—even if we never can have children, if it's just you and I, that's all I need to be happy. I realized that while I was loitering in a dungeon."

"Thank you, Kíli." Smiling, she cupped his cheek and ran her thumbnail across the stiff bristles of his beard. "Now, by my authority as your personal elven physician, I believe I can pronounce that your injuries are all minor indeed, if you can make love to me like that."

Kíli snorted. "Yes, but you, I'm afraid, are soon to look a pair with me." He drew a finger over her throat and collarbone, trailing the rosy evidence of where his own lips and teeth had recently been.

She laughed. "When we return to Erebor, you must use your influence as a prince to make sure high collars come into fashion."

"Or I could be more careful about where and how I kiss you," he suggested teasingly.

"Oh no! And cease to be my reckless lover? You would forfeit a great part of your charm." Tauriel leaned down and nipped his earlobe.

"Far be it from me to disappoint my beautiful wife. I am, after all, entirely at her service." Kíli caught her gently about the face, and bringing her lips back to his own, returned her enthusiastic kiss.

"I can't wait to be home again," Kíli said as they turned northwards the next morning.

Tauriel smiled, warmed by the longing in Kíli's face. Erebor—not the halls of Ered Luin—was his true home now, and she part of it. She said, "Yes, I feel the same."

He laughed. "You know that means no more sleeping under the sky."

"I've come to appreciate the idea of falling asleep safe within stone walls again."

"And in a feather bed," Kíli added dreamily. "I hope you don't think any less of my dwarvish fortitude if, after a few nights sleeping on dungeon floors and under damp tree roots, I want to be spoiled."

"Oh no, my love, you deserve that luxury and more. But Kíli—" She stepped closer and caught his hand as they walked. "How can you so easily shrug off what happened to you just days ago? I do not want to see you troubled by past dangers, but I am surprised by how cheerful you can be after what nearly befell you." She had been afraid he would be more subdued at first, for though his physical hurts had been minor, surely he had suffered in spirit during his captivity.

Kíli turned to walk backwards, facing her. "How can I be gloomy, when I'm alive and here with you? You make me very happy, amrâlimê." His sunny smile lifted his whole face. "Besides, I think we dwarves are as tough in spirit as we are in body. It's not like us to crumble."

"So I see! You quite amaze me, hadhodeg. And you make me feel stronger, too." She squeezed his hand. "I have no doubt what the Lady Galadriel said about us is right. I feel different—more alive—when I am with you."

His look, while remaining happy, turned thoughtful, but he said nothing before falling back to walk at her side.

In the days that followed, they made swift progress northwards up the river valley, encountering no further dangers. In barely under a fortnight, they reached the forest path that Kíli and his companions had traveled the first time he had passed Mirkwood. Another eight days' travel brought them to Thranduil's fortress.

As she waited for a pot of tea to brew, Morwen leafed through the stack of papers on her desk. It was her job, as steward of Thranduil's household, to compile all the bills, receipts, and inventories of the most recent shipment of imported goods to the palace. She had intended to have this batch finished today, and yet there had been one interruption after another all afternoon.

First the cook had dragged her down to the kitchens to complain about the quality of the latest shipment of flour, and then the wine steward had asked her opinion on a selection of sample casks sent from a new vineyard which hoped to become a regular supplier of His Majesty's cellars. The latter task had not been unpleasant, but the wine steward was a voluble talker, especially on the subject (and under the influence) of a fine wine, and it had been nearly two hours before Morwen could pry herself away. And after that, she had been called to oversee the preparation of the royal guest suite upon the arrival of Prince Kíli and his wife.

This duty had been entirely a pleasure; Tauriel was one of Morwen's dearest friends. The dark-haired young steward had been glad to welcome the couple and personally ensure that their rooms were comfortable and their needs met. It had been obvious to her that Tauriel and Kíli were as enamored of each other as they had been on the day of their wedding last summer. There was such a warmth and a sweetness between the two of them that Morwen felt herself curious, as she had not been in a long time, to know for herself what it was to be in love. Was there anyone she knew for whom she could feel that way?

Her tea finished, she poured herself a cup and was just sitting down to her desk when there was a sharp knock at her open door. Glancing up, she saw that Kíli stood in the entrance to her office.

"Hullo, Miss Morwen," he began.

"Kíli! Is there anything lacking in your rooms?"

"Oh, no!" He shook his head briskly, tossing dark waves of hair. Morwen could see better, now, why Tauriel thought he was handsome. "Everything is very comfortable, thank you. I was wondering if you would help me do something for Tauriel."

"Yes, anything. Would you like some tea?"

"No, but perhaps one of those." He pointed to the small blackberry tarts on the tea tray. Morwen pushed the plate towards him.

Kíli took a bite of tart and hummed appreciatively. "Very good, this. Anyway, I was wondering if I might be able to get some flowers for Tauriel."

"Of course. What kind do you want?"

"Oh, I don't know." He laughed at himself. "But something fancy. Maybe... Do you have any roses? There were some very pretty ones in the Shire that she admired."

"Yes, our gardener cultivates those. How many?"

"Could we fill the whole room with them?"

Morwen laughed. "That is a very kingly gift, from the king's gardens no less!"

"Send me a bill and I'll pay you fairly for them," Kíli protested around a mouthful of tart.

She shook her head. "No, no. Let this be my honeymoon gift."

"Thank you." He smiled. Yes, Kíli was entirely charming, no matter that he was a dwarf. "We're to dine with the king shortly, so if you could send the flowers while we're out, I would be most grateful."

"Of course, Kíli. Is there anything else you wish?"

"No, I think that's all. Thank you very much!" He made a polished bow.

"Perhaps tomorrow or the day after, you and your wife will dine with me? I'd love to hear of your adventures since the wedding."

"We will! Now, I must hurry back. Tauriel thinks I'm in the bath." He took another tart from the plate that Morwen held out to him, winked, and rushed out.

Morwen had only made it through two pages of receipts when light footsteps told her that someone else had entered her room.

"Tauriel," she cried, seeing her friend this time. "What can I do for you, meldis?" It took a small effort to hide her amusement; Tauriel did not seem to know she had barely missed meeting Kíli here.

"Well, I am in need of a dress," the red-haired warrior explained.

"Ah, the ones in the wardrobe did not suit you?" Or did not fit you? But no, a careful glance over Tauriel's figure proved her as slim as ever. If she was with child, she was not far enough along yet to show.

"They're all lovely, thank you. You know my taste as well as ever." Her cheeks warmed very slightly then. "I should like a dress to wear just for Kíli."

"Ah, yes." She should have guessed; Tauriel had likely worn her practical huntress's attire for much of their travels. She (and her husband) would surely appreciate a change for something more alluring. "I saw a few things that would serve in the palace wardrobe."

"Thank you!"

Morwen pushed up from the table and looped her arm in Tauriel's to lead her out the door.

"Now, my first question is what color would you prefer?"

Barely over a year had passed since Thranduil had last seen his former ward, yet even in that brief time she had grown radiant as no mere Silvan elf that the Elvenking had ever encountered. Had she shone like this four years previous, Thranduil supposed he would hardly have dared question Legolas's choice of her. Yet the dwarf prince himself seemed to be responsible for this change—strange as it was, there was no denying that Kíli, too, shared the same vibrancy of spirit that filled the red-haired elleth.

As Kíli caught his wife's eye over a glass of wine, the king smiled to himself, remembering another lovely young woman who had once drawn his own gaze so. Her memory tugged at his heart, as it always did, though today that pain was softened by the knowledge that he had played a small part in giving this young couple a chance to experience the same happiness for themselves.

When the last servant had cleared away the remains of dessert and left them in privacy, Tauriel turned to the king, her expression surprising him with its seriousness.

"My lord, we've something to ask you," she began. "Something that you must keep to yourself, for Kíli's sake and mine."

"Yes?" Of course they were the representatives of an allied kingdom, and they deserved such a boon for that reason alone. Yet Thranduil would have granted it solely out of kindness to this worthy young woman, even if Kíli had not been the dwarf prince.

"We've told no one else yet, but... We were at Dol Guldur," she said.

Thranduil did not attempt to hide the shock he felt at this news. Surely Kíli was not so reckless as to drag Tauriel to such a place out of mere adventurous curiosity?

"We were overtaken by orcs, several days' journey outside Lothlórien. Kíli and I were separated, and he was captured."

"Valar, child, you must be cautious!" Thranduil exclaimed, unwelcome memories of a similar tragedy making his voice unintentionally harsh. As guilt sparked in Tauriel's eyes, he added gently, "Forgive me, Tauriel. I know you are no fool. I spoke because I would not wish such a loss on you."

The young elleth nodded and glanced tenderly to the dwarf before continuing. "We thought they only wished for revenge—you know that the dwarves and orcs have waged a long and bitter war—but we encountered something far worse than any orc in that accursed fortress. We were hoping you might know something about what that creature was."

"Go on."

Kíli spoke now. "All I saw was a figure in a black hooded cloak." His eyes were dark, focused on some remembered image. "It was well hidden; I couldn't even make out a face. It had an awful, hissing voice and when it came near, it felt cold. But worst of all..." He shivered. "Just being in the same room was terrifying. It was like— Like it cut through my thoughts, right to the bone, with an overwhelming fear I couldn't explain."

Thranduil leaned forward and fixed his keen gaze on Tauriel. "And did you also meet this being?"

"Yes, just as we were fleeing the dungeon." She closed her eyes and swallowed. "I felt its approach. It was ancient and very powerful and more evil than anything I have ever known. I was nearly crippled with dread and pain." Her lashes flicked up, revealing eyes bright with concern. "My prayer to Elbereth broke its hold over us so that we could escape, but I cannot believe I defeated it, even with the Lady's protection."

Thranduil remained silent for a while before speaking. "I think I know what it was you saw. You are both very fortunate to have faced such a thing and lived. Indeed, I would guess that you live only because it wished you to. Skilled warriors though you both are, neither elf nor mortal is a match for such a foe."

"That was our own conclusion," Tauriel said.

"What was it?" Kíli prompted, sitting forward in his chair.

The Elvenking began slowly, dragging up more memories that he would have preferred not to revisit."In my youth, I fought in the Last Great Alliance that defeated him whom we do not name. He had his lieutenants—orcs, trolls, other foul monsters, men whom he had corrupted to his service—yet none were so terrible as the Nine, to whom he had granted a share of his power. Nazgûl, they were called then, Ringwraiths. We had hoped they were destroyed with him."

Twin expressions of distress troubled his young companion's faces, and beneath the table, Tauriel reached for Kíli's hand.

"You've no idea why it let you live?" Thranduil asked.

"I think it wants our child," Kíli said, a rough, more aggressive note in his voice. "It stopped the orcs from hurting me when it found out Tauriel was my wife. And it asked if we had any children."

The dwarf's protectiveness did him credit, but surely it was unnecessary. What could a Ringwraith hope to gain from such a child? And were offspring even possible for an elf and a dwarf? Tauriel, as yet, carried no babe; her spirit was bright, but with the radiance of a single fae only. As a Sinda, Thranduil saw clearly enough to discern that much.

"I believe any children you may bear are no less safe than they ever were," Thranduil said. "These creatures, the Ringwraiths, wield fear as their greatest weapon. This one likely wishes to announce his presence at Dol Guldur and dismay all those who hope to rebuild lives and kingdoms in the wake of the recent war. Kíli, you make an ideal messenger: as a prince, your influence extends to neighboring kingdoms, even my own. And you may safely be allowed to live. Your elvish bride has not borne you offspring, and so the wraith must imagine you, at least, will not continue Durin's line. Your brother, as the next to inherit the throne, has more to fear from its malice than you, I guess."

"What should we do?" Kíli asked, his tone and expression earnest. Thranduil realized he respected this dwarf for having the humility to ask the advice of another, and of an elf, no less.

"You defend your wife and your kingdom," the Elvenking said, smiling faintly. "Not an astonishing answer, I grant. The truth is that we know what we always have known: one victory, or two, is not enough to rid the world of evil. Yet I think in this, you two hardly need my counsel. Despite your youth (or perhaps because of it), your actions as warriors have proven wise. You have never been content to let others fight your own battles, and your courage lends its strength to others."

He put his hand to his wine glass and swirled it meditatively.

"Yet let me offer you an observation, as one somewhat your elder. Do not put off living because the world is uncertain, or you will lose the chance to enjoy the blessings you have been given amidst the trials." He had learned that lesson only too well: while attempting to safeguard his kingdom, and his own heart, from loss, he had failed to embrace his son as he should have.

Tauriel smiled softly now. "I understand, and I shall not forget." She turned to Kíli, a look of sweetness and desire in her face that made Thranduil feel he did not belong in this moment shared between these young lovers.

He drained his wine and stood. "I pray you excuse me. The evening draws on, and I see you need no further advice to spend this time wisely."

Both Tauriel and Kíli blushed.

"I bid you good night."

Upon reaching their suite after supper, Kíli stepped aside to let Tauriel enter first.

"Mmm, it smells lovely," she noted as she moved through the door. "Oh... Kíli." She laughed joyfully as she took a few light, running steps into the center of the room.

Following her, Kíli saw that Morwen had done as good as he had wished: every table, chair, and shelf held roses in bowls, pitchers, vases. The flowers themselves were of all colors, red and pink and white, peach, lavender, gold, and even some of a rich, velvety black hue.

Tauriel spun back to face Kíli.

"Meleth, no-one has ever done such a thing for me!" she said, breathless. Her eyes sparkled with delight.

He smiled back at her. "I tried to think of the most elvish gift I could," he said.

"It's perfect, Kíli." She kissed him and then skipped away again to press her face into a fragrant bouquet of deep fuchsia roses. "Ah, we must try to grow these in Erebor in that garden you promised me." She drew one of the flowers from the cluster and held it out to him. "Isn't that the most wonderful scent?"

Kíli set the flower to his nose and inhaled. "Yes, it is lovely."

"Ah, now I know you must have had Morwen's help." Tauriel lifted something from the table, and Kíli saw it was a bottle with gilded elvish lettering on it. "She knows how much I fancy this sparkling mead! It's quite rare, made from nectar harvested solely during the moon of high summer."

"How do they teach the bees to do that?"

Tauriel laughed. "I hardly know! You will have to ask the beekeeper of Imladris next time we visit. It's made there." She handed him the bottle.

"Are there glasses? I'll open this."

"Yes, here." She gestured to the table. "Pour me a glass; I shall be back in a moment." Tauriel swept up the short staircase that led to the other half of the suite. "Oh, heavens!" Kíli heard her exclaim after she was out of sight. "Even our bedchamber is covered in roses!"

Kíli smiled as he poured the effervescent mead. He would be sure to send Morwen something fine for Yuletide.

He had just cleared the sofa of the last basin of roses when, looking up, he saw Tauriel at the head of the stair.

"Maker's sacred anvil," Kíli breathed.

This was surely not the dress she had worn to dinner. Pleated folds of mossy green crepe draped softly from her shoulders, creating a revealing neckline that plunged to her waist. The skirt fell in one sleek sweep, and as she came down the stairs, the slit high up one side revealed her long, graceful leg.

Kíli felt his stomach flip over several times as she crossed the floor to him.

"My love, you look beautiful," he said. With her near, he could appreciate how the weave of the dress was just airy enough that the color of her skin shone through. His hands, as they closed about the small of her back, met more naked skin.

"Thank you." She tilted his head up and kissed him slowly, while Kíli found the opening in her skirt and slipped his hand around her thigh to clasp her bottom.

Tauriel laughed against his mouth.

"Is it too soon for that?" Kíli asked, meeting her gaze with a mischievous grin.

"I am ready if you wish. Though perhaps that glass of mead...?"

"Yes, that first. You're far too pretty to undress just yet, anyway. I'll limit myself to enjoying what's currently on display." He brought his hand back to her waist and pressed against her, letting his nose and lips trail across her skin before settling a kiss against the bare inner curve of her breast.

Then he drew back, handed her a glass of mead and took another for himself before settling beside her where she sat, feet drawn up onto the sofa cushions.

The mead, he found, was dry and floral, and the bubbles tickled his mouth. "Mmm, this is excellent. You have very good taste, amrâlimê."

Tauriel smiled meaningfully. "I think I do," she said, tucking her foot over his lap. At the movement, her high-cut skirt fell away, leaving her leg bare from ankle to hip.

Kíli chuckled and placed his hand on her calf. "That reminds me, I need to consult your taste on something."

Her eyes flashed playfully as she sipped her drink. "If it is whether I would prefer to begin tonight atop or beneath you, I think you should surprise me."

"Blessed Durin, I hadn't thought that far ahead yet." He grinned at her, imagining the various possibilities that would not yet necessitate their leaving the sofa. "We could try—" He leaned forward to reach for her, but Tauriel stopped him by placing her foot lightly against his chest.

"Not yet; I want to hear what you have to ask," she teased.

"Then stop distracting me, Taur." He grasped her foot and pressed his thumb over her toes, making her shiver. She laughed at him, her lower lip between her teeth.

"So," he said, "when we return home, Fíli's wedding will be your first official appearance as my royal consort. I'll need to make your crown. So I was wondering what stones you want me to use. I can use any color you want, really, but I thought maybe sapphire or emerald would be best. My crown has sapphires, but the emeralds would match your eyes."

"I suppose I must have a crown," she sighed, but not unhappily.

"Yes, you'll be my Tauriel Uzbadnâtha."

"Uzbadnâtha," she repeated, slowly fitting together the unfamiliar syllables. "And what does that mean?"

"Princess."

She laughed. "I love your dwarven words; they are always three times as long as they need to be."

Kíli shrugged over a swallow of mead. "If you want, you could pretend it means 'queen of my heart and fire of my loins.'"

Tauriel snorted. "Do you wish me to blush every time my title is used?"

"You will anyway." He smiled fondly. "At least this way you'll be thinking of me."

"You are incorrigible." Tauriel shoved her foot gently against his ribs. "Now, you asked which stones I wanted. I think..." She brushed her toes along his forearm. "I would like it to match yours. You are the reason I wear my crown, so I want it to proclaim my connection to you."

"As you wish, my love." He leaned down and kissed her ankle; before he sat back, he set down his glass, trading it for a rose. "These flowers are like you," he mused, turning the white and pink bloom in his fingers. "They're beautiful and soft, but not fragile: they have thorns.

"Tauriel, I love how strong you are. You don't stop fighting, even when things look the worst. You are fierce and lovely, my warrior and my lady at once."

"Thank you, Kíli," she whispered.

"I'll never forget the way you looked when you found me in that dungeon. I think I fell in love with you all over again: you were so fearsome."

Tauriel tilted her head questioningly, a half smile on her lips.

"You were only in such a rage because you love me," he explained.

"Yes. Though there are better ways to show I love you than by killing orcs," she said, her voice low and suggestive.

Kíli moved to her end of the sofa. Seated like this, there was less difference in height between them, and he could lean in to kiss her without reaching up. Not that he minded doing so, of course, but the variety was pleasing.

"Kíli, wait," she murmured against his lips. He drew back slightly, and she downed the last of her drink and set the empty glass aside. Kíli pressed into her again, and she leaned back, letting the arm of the sofa support them. As he kissed her, she took his face in her hands, her fingertips skimming over his ears and into his hair.

"Mmm, Taur, that's perfect," he sighed.

He laid his own fingertips at her throat and trailed them slowly downwards over the skin bared by her deep neckline. As he skimmed her navel, she shivered.

"Every time, Kíli," she murmured between kisses. "Don't you care that I'm ticklish?"

"Very much." He brushed her stomach again, earning another shiver and a small squeak. Then slipping his fingers beneath her dress, he pressed upwards over her breast while Tauriel moaned in encouragement.

Kíli tugged the pleated folds off her shoulder and kissed her: at the freckled corner of her shoulder and in the little hollow below her collarbone and on the soft swell of her breast.

He paused, his head against her bosom, enjoying the flutter of her pulse against his cheek. Tauriel wrapped her legs about his middle and tugged him closer.

"Ah, hadhodeg, meleth nín, le melon," she murmured.

"My uzbadnâtha." He closed his teeth on the edge of the gown still covering the other half of her body and drew it aside, then nuzzled his rough cheek against her breast.

"Kíli!"

As she grasped his hips and dragged him against her, Kíli found it no longer possible to ignore just how inconveniently clothed he still was.

"There's just— just one slight problem," he gasped. "You're nearly undressed but I still—"

Tauriel arched against him. "Hurry up."

"Yes, love." Kíli reached behind himself and unlooped her legs from around his body, shifting her so that she lay gathered in his arms. Then he stood up. "Let's find that feather bed."

Author's note:

hadhodeg - Sindarin diminutive for "dwarf," it roughly translates to "my little dwarf"

meldis - Sindarin feminine noun for "friend"

le melon - "I love you"

I'm still sending previews of the upcoming chapter to everyone who comments. :)

Here is some more romantic fluff to reward Kíli and Tauriel (and you all, too) for suffering through all those chapters of angst. Everybody else is wondering if they could be expecting a child yet; with the way things are going, do you think the couple themselves will catch up with those expectations?

Make sure to thank That Elf Girl for insisting, after reading the chapter draft, that the final scene wasn't long enough. She got you all some extra fluff. :3