Hello lovely readers~~

Thank you to Nenithiel, Penny, Susan, Aneita, Jackie9448, Margaritasc, mfaerie32, and Bienniel for their reviews of the chapters I posted lasted weekend and for taking the time to let me know what you think of the story thus far. It really means a lot to me that you take the time to write and can't wait for the next chapter.

I was surprised that a number of you thought Kili should have talked with his mom about Tauriel. Thinking back on it, yeah...I prob should have had him "man up" and talk to Dis...we'll just have to see how that plays out ;)

A somewhat shorter chapter, longer ones ahead :) And yes...they'll start gettin busy soon, no more interruptions ;}

Chp 48

He could hear light tittering from a bird nearby. Was it the birds that he and Tauriel were watching while laying in a sunlit patch of grass, their naked bodies prone and exhausted from their latest lovemaking session? No, this sounded like just one bird...a very insistent one, at that. He wished it would stop bothering them at the moment; he motioned to sit up and the soft forest earth disappeared, along with his beautiful maiden next to him. The first peaks of sunlight were coming over the horizon and streaming through his open shutters, and he blinked, rubbing his eyes and his present surroundings came in to view. Sighing, he knew that beautiful memory was just part of his dream and he flopped back down on his bed. Liac made a few more sounds and Kili rolled over throwing the blanket over his head. Satisfied her Master was sufficiently awake, the raven indignantly jumped off her perch and flew off in the direction of the forest.

He sighed again, damn he hated the mornings, but still...in not that long of time, he would be with Tauriel out in the forest. Again he desired for it to be just the two of them...but, he was a Prince...and they have many responsibilities. His personal wishes and desires would just have to wait- that he DID learn well enough from his father, mother and Thorin. He yawned and stretched out his arms, which caused the prominent muscles in his back to stick out. He sat up like that for a few moments, and then with a happy smile, yawned again and swung his stout legs onto the cold stone floor. He walked the short distance to his washing chamber. Standing up over a raised up hole, he relieved himself, and he thought it took forever to, this morning. When finished, he pulled up his drawers and pushed down a lever on the wall and the waste disappeared down at the bottom of the basin.

Then he went over to area of stone jutting out from the wall, he pulled down his drawers and put them on the stone ledge. Stepping down, trying to remember which lever to pull, he was still learning how to work this fancy setup. He thought he located the correct one, pulled it down and water began to flow from the ledge above. He ducked his head under and the cold water felt very refreshing to him. He grabbed his soap and proceeded to wash his hair and body. Satisfied with his rinsing, he lifted the lever up and the water eventually stopped. He reached over and grabbed a large cloth which he whipped through his hair and then wrapped around his waist. He plodded through to his living room and went over to a large wooden wardrobe. There he took out a dark pair of pants a comfortable tunic shirt and a hunting vest, for he knew he would be out in the forest and there still might be dangers. After dressing, he brushed his hair and set a few simple braids in it towards the back, to remove all distractions from his keen sight, which he would need if he would be going out, protecting Tauriel forefront in his mind.

He would stop by the armory and pick up some weapons, then head to the dining hall for a quick spot of breakfast, then he would get to see her. He quickened his pace and closing his chamber door, nodded at the night guard stationed at the top of the stairs and made the quick trip to the armory. Dwalin was already present, inventorying some weaponry and standing by the wall where many swords and bows hung. Kili said, "Morning Dwalin, you're up early," he finished with a yawn. "Aye," he replied, not looking over his shoulder. Kili sensed he seemed perturbed about something, so he went over to him directly and said, "Is there a problem?" It took Dwalin a few moments to reply, "Well, now that'cha askin... Are you still determined to go out in the wilds this morning?" Kili seemed puzzled, "Well, yes. Why would that be a problem?" He just looked at Kili in disbelief. Dwalin looked right at him, "Lad, you're the heir, the last surviving Durin...ya can't be taking chances anymore...you know we haven't cleared and secured the borders yet. There's no tellin what could still be out there lurking. And I hear you're takin some young'uns out there with ya!"

Kili stopped and thought Dwalin probably did have a point. He couldn't just decide to go off on his own anymore, when and wherever he wanted to. Dwalin seemed to sense the realization in him and went over and clapped him in the back, more gently than he normally would. "I know ya be wantin to just go off and do as you please, Kili...but you just can't anymore. Many are depending on you." The harsh words stung Kili, so early in the morning for such a realization. He let out a gruff sigh and looking at Kili, he knew he had learned, but Kili could be just a stubborn as Thorin, and that he knew all too well. Dwalin then sighed, punched Kili on the shoulder and told him, "Alright laddie, I know when you have you're mind set to something, you're just going to do it anyway. Well, how about I send someone with you. That would make ME feel a little better. I would go, but I really need to go over our store of weaponry and see what we are in need of." Kili gave Dwalin a knowing smirk, "Aye...whatever you say Dwalin," he said and walked over a gave him a firm headbutt. "I'm heading to get some breakfast, have them meet me in the entrance in an hour." Dwalin nodded and went back to his inventorying.

Kili walked to the dining hall. Upon entering he saw Tauriel and Bilbo, along with a few others almost done with the early meal. He brightened when he saw her, and almost stopped abruptly, from the view of her. She was in her green elven tunic, just as the day he first saw her in the forest and it startled him for a moment. He realized she would want to be appropriately dressed for venturing out of course, but it has just made that rush of feelings when he first saw her come back all at once.

Finishing her meal, Tauriel looked up just in time to see Kili walk briskly into the dining hall. They looked at each other and she noticed Kili stopped all of a sudden. After a moment he resumed his steps, but had that silly grin on his face she loved so much. As he approached, she lowered her head demurely, "Good Morning, Sire." He tsk'ed as he sat down and reached for her hand under the table. "Tauriel, I've told you...that is not necessary," he squeezed her hand. She lifted her head up, "Yes, Kili, and smiled. Food was brought to Kili and he started to tuck in. After a few chews, he saw that Bilbo and Tauriel were finished eating, so he felt he needed to eat fast as he knew everyone would be waiting on him. Bilbo leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach and belched loudly, saying excuse me afterwards, of course. Tauriel was coming to realize not just dwarves made that objectionable gesture, so she was getting in the habit of ignoring it. It was then that Bilbo noticed Kili had entered and he started arranging all his gear in anticipation of their trip. "Ahh, good good and very well," he said as he busied himself. It only took Kili a few minutes to wolf down the rest of his food and he too did a loud burp. Tauriel winked at him and she got up from her chair and went to pick up her bow and quiver that she had placed against the wall near her chair. Bilbo was beside himself with excitement and was practically bouncing up and down. Kili smiled and said, "I guess we're ready."

The three headed out of the dining hall and towards the Great Hall. Next they entered the Gallery of Kings and before they could turn right towards the armory, a tall fair hair dwarf hailed them. He bowed, "Prince Kili, Lady Tauriel and Master Hobbit, it is nice to see you on this fine morning." Bilbo, who is forever impressed by good manners said, "It is. Thank you very much and to whom am I addressing?" Kili smiled and said, "Oh forgive me Bilbo, this is Twain. Son of the Iron Hills and member of the King's Guard. I take it Dwalin sent you?" Twain replied, "Yes Sire, he did. He wanted me to accompany your party's excursion into the forest. Also, he bid me to bring these." Twain stepped over to the wall where a long table was and unfurled a large bedroll type of cloth. There were a number of weapons inside: bows, quivers of arrows, knives, short and long swords, axes, etc. He said, "We should be prepared Sire, you never know what might still be out there." Kili looked thoughtfully at the bundle, he first went to the bows, selected a nice weighty one and grabbed a quiver of arrows; before leaving, he grabbed a long sword too for good measure. Tauriel stepped forward and looked over the quivers of arrows. As she already had her elven bow, quiver and sword with her, she selected over a dozen of the dwarf arrows. She fitted one in her bow; they were thicker and had thin metal for the quills, but fit well. They all turned to look at Bilbo. He felt all eyes on him and he went "Oh!" He reached around and hitched his belt and everyone saw a sheath and he pulled the sword out, "Sting shall never leave my side again, while I'm away from home, that is." Everybody smiled and Twain rolled up the cloth with the rest of the weapons and they headed for the Gallery of Kings and the front entrance.

As they got closer, they made out two smaller, young dwarves that were sitting down having a friendly conversation. When they saw the party approach, they both jumped off the bench they were sitting on and bowed to the group. Kili smiled, and said, Bilbo, Twain, let me introduce you to some young and enthusiastic dwarves that will be going out with us today; Till from the Infirmary, and Coron from the kitchens." The group exchanged pleasantries for a few moments then Twain unfurled the cloth again, and told the lads they probably should take a weapon with them. Looking apprehensively, Till selected a short sword and Coron one of the smaller axes. Twain showed them how to attach it to the backpacks that each was wearing, then they were ready to head out.

Kili noted that much progress had been on the front entrance already. Bofur was yelling orders to a group of about fifteen or so dwarves who were stacking cut stone to help close in the large opening Smaug had made. As they passed Kili said, "Very nice Bofur! How's the new portcullis coming?" Bofur yelled back, "Coming, rightly along. Bifur says it should be ready to install by the end of the week." Kili yelled back, "Splendid." They walked out of the immense opening and onto a wide bridge of sorts that went over a shallow river. They continued walking and they saw there was a dwarf waiting at the end of the bridge with three horses. Twain hailed him and when the others caught up he said, "Tis a bit of distance to the forest yonder, so t'would be best to have some ponies." Kili responded, "I didn't know we even had any!" Twain chuckled, "Just these three right now Sire, but our traders are off to buy more, I hear." And the dwarf that was waiting with the horse waved and headed back to the mountain.

Tauriel was busy introducing herself to the horses and they all marveled at the sight...to them, it seemed like she was talking to them and the horses were happily neighing and lifting their head up and down and patting the ground with their hooves. Tauriel walked back to group and said, "These horses would be happy to take us to the forest. They had previously been in service to the people of Laketown, and were tied up most of the time, so they are need of a good long trot," she reported as they all looked at her in amazement. She blushed and led Bilbo over to a larger grey horse with white splotches, "Bilbo, this is Swiftfoot, you shall ride him with me and she helped him up onto the horse's back. She continued, "Kili and Twain, this lighter brown horse is Bark." Twain said, Till why don't you come with me," and he helped the smaller dwarf up on the front part of the saddle and he easily climbed on too. Tauriel walked over and handed the reigns of a pretty blackish brown horse to Kili. "Kili, this is Windfoal, he said he is proud to bear the future King," and the horse actually bowed his head. Kili stroked the horse's mane and Windfoal neighed happily. "Coron, come on up," Kili said as he lifted up Coron up in the saddle and Coron clumsily swung his other foot over the horse's back and nearly fell off the other side, but Kili and his quick reflexes managed to grab his arm to steady him. Kili easily climbed onto the horse and sat behind Coron, who coughed and said, Uh, sorry."

They all surveyed the immense landscape around them. Immediately in front of the mountain lay a valley, that not so long ago played host to the fierce battle of dwarves, elves and men against the Orc legions of Azog. The ground still bore scars of battle, dug out earth, remnants of gear and weapons and dried pools of blood, red and black every few feet or so. Directly in front of the valley lay the city of Dale, accessible by a long bridge which spanned over a gorge with running waters below. To their right high up in the mountains lay Ravenhill, to which Tauriel still looked at with narrow eyes. And past the city of Dale, the dwarves could just make out the Lake where the previous city lay in ruins and still slightly smoldered. Past there would be their destination. Tauriel indicated the horses knew the way so they all held on tight and they were off!