She had only wanted a moment of peace, of quiet away from her guests.

To try to clear her head, to slow the beating of her heart that had thundered in her ears from the moment she saw him enter the dining hall.

Kili had always been very attractive to her, even at their very first meeting. He'd been covered in dirt and grime from months of traveling, wisps of spiderwebs clinging to his hair and clothing. His discomfort at being so slovenly was palpable to her. But Tauriel had been a ruler for hundreds of years, and had, to her own mind, become a good reader of people. She had known then there was confidence hiding under the messy layers. She had seen the kindness and honesty and curiousity that radiated from his warm brown eyes.

All their subsequent encounters had only proven the truth of her first impression. The night before the battle, when he came to her tent to wish her safe and well. His healing in her tent two days later, Kili's persistence and refusal to accept her excuses and avoidance. He had not been kind, exactly, calling her a liar, but he was honest. He did not allow her position and power to intimidate him, as other lovers had before him.

And then the dwarven tribute, his melodious, deep voice singing the words of a particular tune, but the song had a much different meaning for her that day. His concern, his openness, the love she had felt flowing from him to her. He was unafraid for her, or anyone else, to know what it was he wanted.

Tauriel had not seen Kili in person for many months, not until earlier today. After the short meeting, she knew she could deal with her feelings. She had determined, earlier, that there could be nothing between them. The proper interactions of political allies was the extent of their relationship. They could not be unattached lovers, as she had once thought. All would be well.

His entrance to dinner had cracked her resolve, so much so she had no idea if she could keep holding up the walls she'd built.

She knew enough of dwarven customs to know that, had they been in Erebor, a formal courtship between them would have been suspected. Their colors were an exact match. That thought had amused her briefly, before she saw her parents in her mind's eye.

It was not a meaningful custom for elves, but her parents had often worn matching colors and patterns to many public events. It was one way, of many, that they showed their connection to each other and the kingdom. Her father's robe might match her mother's dress. The colors and design of her mother's jewelry might be replicated in the crown her father wore for that event.

For a moment, she had not been able to look away from Kili, could not keep a look of sorrow from haunting her face. For her parents, their terrible and untimely deaths. For herself and Kili, that she could not take a single thing he offered. Finally she had remembered her resolve, and then he had turned away, to greet Master Tirin.

How she managed the rest of the dinner was a mystery to her. Kili was seated far from her the entire time, but he was everywhere. King Thorin's wavy hair reminded her of Kili's soft brown locks. When she spoke to King Bard, looked at his face, she saw Kili's big brown eyes. Lord Balin smiled at her during their talk, the easiness of it making her think of another sweet smile.

An escape to the night sky was in order, as the evening was far from over. Between the dinner and the set up for the music was an ideal time. Her staff had everything in hand. She slipped away, intending to step out for a few moments. Alone.

And there he was, the love of her life, the one that she could never accept, out on the balcony they'd stood on over a year ago. His head was in his hands, and the thought occurred to her that he was as deeply affected by her as she was by him. She let out a startled gasp.

Now he had her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze, as he had done a year ago. "Please stay," he asked quietly. She could hear the faint pleading in his tone.

There were numerous reasons to ignore him, chief among them her weakening resolve. As she gazed into his eyes, overflowing with tenderness and love for her, she knew she could not refuse his heartfelt request.

So Tauriel stayed, with the understanding that this was a danger far greater than any she'd ever faced in battle.