Braig- Fearless
Legrin- Swift, rapid.
Nind- Thin, slender.
Hên- child

GALADRIEL KNOWS EVERYTHING! Now that that announcement (headcanon, even) is out the way, let's carry on. I love Galadriel. She's awesome. Which was why I got her in here. Yes.

Kili was in the dark. Kili was alone. Strange, though, that he no longer felt any pain. In the distance, a far off light, glowing like the Arkenstone shone, and without meaning to, he started walking towards it.

It was most unkingly to go charging around bare-chested with nothing on his feet, but Thorin Oakenshield really didn't give a damn. Kili was surely dying now. He'd been awoken by Balin who had frantically informed him that Kili had progressed onto the final stages. If a miracle didn't happen soon, within the fortnight, the youngest heir of Durin would be no more.

"You are miserable." Legolas told Tauriel.

"You need not worry for me, son of Thranduil."

"Tauriel.."

"What is it?"

"She will help."

"Who will help?"

"I will."

Tauriel turned and forced her jaw not to drop at the She-Elf standing before her. "My Lady."

"I will help you. Kili son of Fiach must be kept alive. With his death, there would be a terrible war, and that is not something either your kingdoms can afford."

"What will you do?" Tauriel asked.

"I ask only that you trust me." Galadriel advised.

"I do. Tales of your wisdom are well-known, my Lady."

Galadriel softly smiled before turning to Legolas. "Where is your father?"

Fili didn't know what to do with himself. He stayed by his brother's side, blankly staring at Kili's face, feeling his brother's wrist for a pulse, that was always there, beating lazily and didn't move. Bofur stayed with him. holding his hand, wrapping his arms around him when he needed to look away from Kili's deathly still form. At the end of the evening, he cracked and began sobbing. Bofur's strong arms wrapped themselves around him, the toymaker's mouth uttering soothing words.

"My baby brother. My beloved, precious, wonderful brother." Fili moaned. "I would take his place if I could..."

"And then he'd be the one upset." Bofur pointed out.

"He was.. He's the last one of us. Father's last gift. He's too precious to die." Fili coughed and resumed his mournful weeping on his One's shoulder.

Bofur didn't know what to do, so settled for trying his best to be comforting through actions rather than words. "This reminds of when Bifur got that ax in his head." He muttered outloud, without meaning to.

"He's always had that."

"Aye, as long as you've known him. He used to be ax-free."

"I don't believe it."

Bofur chuckled. "He did. One day he got into a fight, he was defending me and Bombur's mam. She'd died a month previous, see. He always did love his auntie. It got violent pretty quick and with a splintering crack, he got struck in his head with the ax. He was out of it for months nearly, Bombur and I were going near crazy with worry and he woke up and started speaking...in Khuz-Dul. Could never speak Westron again."

"Bifur's alive."

"That he is."

"Maybe she will come back."

"I hope so, love." Bofur brushed his mouth over Fili's cheek. "I really do."

Galadriel glided over to Thranduil. The Elvenking offered her a smile (which she returned) and a goblet of wine (which she declined, preferring to drink later than he did).

"I hear that Oakenshield's heir has taken a liking to one of your many warriors."

Thranduil's polite smile faltered. "What of it, dear Lady?"

"You refuse. Though he will perish without her. Why?"

"Why should they get one of mine when they cannot bear to part with their own wealth?"

"The white jewels, beautiful as they are, are not a matter of life and death, my king."

"Perhaps. Though I have found that Dwarrows are uncaring, with hearts as inpenetrable as the rock from which they were birthed.."

"You have that silver bowl I left you?"

Surprised by the abrupt question, Thranduil nodded. "Of course. Legrin!"

A young Elf, with concerningly rumpled hair strode over. "Highness."

"Bring the Lady of Lothlorien her bowl."

"The silver one?"

"Yes, the silver one."

"Cook's using it-"

Galadriel's eyebrow raised at Thranduil. "You're using it in your kitchens?"

"My apologies. I didn't think they would use it. " Thranduil epxlained. "Tell Nind he must part with it. And make sure it's clean." Legrin nodded and darted off

"I see your people do indeed make good use of what they can."

Filling the bowl with clear, fresh water, Galadriel beckoned Thranduil over. "Look into its depths."

"What am I to see?"

"A reason that I'm certain will give you cause to allow Tauriel to be with the one who loves her so."

Stepping over, Thranduil glanced into the shimmering depths and then peered even closer. "My hên."

"Yes. Your son fighting those Orcs."

Thranduil watched as his pride and joy battled an Orc, his delight at seeing what a fine warrior Legolas had become dashed when a menacing figure came into view behind him. Then his eyes widened as the creature fell, a blad embedded in itself. "Oakenshield saved my heir."

"That he did. Though he didn't have to. Though he undoubtedly knew Legolas is your son. Are you going to return the favour by saving his heir or will you allow the prince of Erebor to fade and die?"

He had no choice. None at all. She knew it, and he definitely knew it. Thorin saving his heir. Great Eru, that was a surprise. He couldn't not repay the favour. He owed Thorin more than one of his warriors. A lot more.

Tauriel beamed when he told her to go back to Erebor and be with Kili. When he explained why he had to send her back (how typical of her to ask why he'd changed his mind. Never was an Elf more curious), she placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a small smile that told him while she was still upset about what he was willing to do to Kili, she was glad to see that he possessed love.

Legolas could have died. He knew that being a warrior and a prince, there would always be danger for him, but actually seeing Legolas about to get killed.. That was awful.

He really owed Thorin Oakenshield.

Will Tauriel arrive in time to save Kili? Mahal, my theme here is 'Both Thranduil and Thorin Love Their Heirs Too Much to Allow Their Differences to Get in The Way of Anything'. The cheesiest theme there is. Hope you enjoyed!

Love from Shania. xx