Chapter 28

The chapter comes with a rated M warning

Kili and Tauriel

For a while, she allowed her head to rest upon his chest; comforted by the steady rhythm of his breathing and the pounding thud of his heart. He was alive. She had never felt more thankful for anything in all her life, and while her immortality was gone, she did not for one moment regret her decision.

A sharp knocking upon the door broke the spell they were under, and a voice beckoned them that they needed to ready themselves for the gathering.

"Come now, my darling. We have official duties to perform." He said as he brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek.

"What duties?" She asked with a curious laugh.

"Tonight Thorin is welcoming the important dwarf families to Erebor and he will be receiving their tribute. All must pay their respect and financial compensation for the reclamation of our homeland." He explained. "After their tribute as been accepted, the dwarf family is permitted to take up residence here."

"And am I expected to pay tribute? I have nothing to offer." She said with a hint of fear.

"No my love, you have given too much." He said sadly as his eyes shifted towards the ground.

"Kili, I would do it again and again. It was my choice to make." She stroked her long fingers against the side of his cheek. The brush of her hand caused his eyes to close as she continued to slide her thumb along face.

"And I am forever grateful for you. You have saved me once again my darling." He said warmly as he smiled at her. "That is why I want you beside me when Thorin accepts the tributes."

She swallowed hard before continuing. "Perhaps it would be best for me to remain behind while you stand with your family."

"I will not have you hide away! I do not care what anyone else has to say, I love you and I want all to know." He grinned once more, lighting up his face with his illuminating smile. "Besides, tonight will be your first dwarven feast, and what a feast it shall be. I would not have you miss such a party."

"If that if you will, My Prince, than who am I to deny your request?" She teased lovingly.

"There is one more thing, if you will permit me to be so bold?" He asked in such a shy manner, she could not help but delight in his humility.

"What is it, my love?" She implored.

"I have a gift for you- a symbol really. In dwarf culture, braids represent status and family association, beads and other hair adornments mean the same as well. However, the Line of Durin has their own stones that represent individual family members: Thorin, King of Durin, is symbolized by the Arkenstone and all gems white and pure; he is the shining and guiding light of the family. My mother, Dis, the fertility and purveyor of the Line of Durin and is represented by the sapphire; the blue color worn by our people, Durin's folk, lives on thanks to her. My brother, Fili, the heart and bloodline of Durin, is the deep and rich red ruby. I am the spirit and soul of the Line of Durin, I am represented by the vibrant green of the emerald." He explained as he braided a large section of her hair.

"I want you to wear this. It is a symbol of me and my love for you. I should give it to you when things between us are more official and formal, but considering the circumstances, I think now is an appropriate time." His face turned serious as he presented her with a hair fastener like none she had seen before; a large golden clip in the shape of a crescent moon adorned with dozens of sparkling emeralds that glittered in the soft glow of the candle light.

"Kili, it is beautiful!" Her fingers trembled as she held the treasure.

"My father made it for my mother after I was born, as I came into the world under the crescent moon. I knew that someday it would be mine; mine to give to the one I love." His eyes stared into hers as he spoke, unafraid and confident in his tone.

"I do not know what to say." She gasped softly.

"Will you wear it? Will you outwardly show my love for you? Everyone will see it and know what it means. They will know that you and I are…well." He blushed as he fumbled for words. He cleared his throat before speaking again. "That our fates and our lives are bound together through our love and that I am devoted to you and only you, for as long as I live."

She took a moment to process all that he was saying. "Yes Kili, I will wear this precious symbol of your love and I shall wear it proudly. I am yours and you are mine." She smiled at him as she handed him back the clip. He fastened it at the top of the braid he had woven into her hair and pulled the strip of hair over her shoulder.

"Perfect." He whispered in his language and a charming grin settled on his face once more. "Amralime, you are perfect." He kissed her gently once more before taking her arm and leading her from the safety and privacy of her chamber and into the unknown of the dwarven kingdom.

She held his arm tightly as they walked together, the endless corridor emptied into a large waiting room where several of the dwarves she recognized were gathered. Thorin stood alongside the hobbit, Lady Dis and Fili stood beside a rotund dwarf with whom she was not acquainted. Beside the unknown dwarf stood an equally rotund younger dwarf who scowled when she caught his eye.

Kili, undeterred, approached his mother and brother with excitement. "Tauriel, it pleases me to introduce you to Dain Ironfoot from the Ironhills. He is Thorin's cousin and our closest ally. This is his nephew, Nain of the Ironhills." He revered.

"I am pleased to meet you." She said tenuously, uneasy about how she would be received.

"I know right well who you are, malady. I reckon you're quite the celebrity around these parts." Dain's voice, heavy with accent, thundered as he spoke. "And it is a pleasure to finally meet you." A hearty laugh erupted from his throat as he took her hands into his, giving them an approving squeeze.

"Nain, take your head out of your ass and say hello to the lady." Dain scolded to the younger dwarf.

"Pleasure." Nain muttered as his eyes cast downwards.

"Kili my lad, it is good to see you up and about." Dain patted Kili's back.

"Let's get this over with." Thorin grumbled from the other side of the room. "Come on." He gestured to the hobbit before he burst through the closed door, revealing a large gathering of dwarves in one of the many great halls. The commotion on the other side of the partition over Thorin's appearance caused her heart to race.

"After you, my lads." Dain cheered as he pushed Fili and Kili towards the door. Kili turned and gave her a smile before being thrust out into the fray.

She felt a wave of panic come over her, as she watched him leave, and wondered how she would find the courage to enter an assembly of dwarves. Her will was leaving her when she suddenly felt a hand grip her arm.

"You will be walking with me. The men make a damn spectacle of themselves, but we are the ones who command the respect." Dis said dryly as she stood perfectly straight and still.

"Lady Dis. Thank you." She whispered as she took a deep breath in and walked through the doorway and into the assembly. All cheers and commotion silenced as she took those first tenuous steps; all eyes fell upon her statuesque figure as she appeared alongside Lady Dis. Her heart beat so loudly inside her chest that she feared all might hear it echoing throughout the cavernous room.

"Announcing Lady Dis and Lady Tauriel." A voice called out heralding their arrival and gradually, the dwarven gathering came alive once more; this time much more reserved and stoic.

"They're all staring at me." She whispered to Dis.

"Yes. Hold your head high girl, you have earned the right to be here and no one can take that from you." Dis replied unflinchingly.

"They hate me." She muttered.

"Probably, but none will dare say a word against you. Ah, look there." Dis said as she gestured towards the end of the procession. Kili stood, beaming with joy and pride, as he watched her walk toward him.

"Kili." She gasped softly as she beheld him; he looked radiant bathed in the fire light. She locked eyes with him and suddenly she felt weightless as she glided along.

"I see he couldn't wait to give that to you." Dis remarked, nodding towards the hair fastener.

"Yes." She smiled as she touched the jewel encrusted pin in her hair.

"He is impatient that one." She said as she shook her head. "It looks beautiful on you, Tauriel." Her eyes, vivid and wild, misted as she spoke.

They reached Thorin and curtseyed gracefully before him. Kili stepped forward and took her hand as he led her to the spot beside him. How the assembly of dwarves reacted, she did not notice nor care; she held his fingers between hers and squeezed tightly. He winked at her and mouthed I love you. The dwarves were all standing now, actively cheering the return of The King Under the Mountain to Erebor. Part of her knew how important this moment in time was to the dwarves, but she could feel nothing except the glow of love for the one beside her.

"Welcome, dwarves of the Blue Mountains, to our rightful home of Erebor." Thorin's voice thundered and the gathering erupted in jubilation. Fili signaled for them to sit down at the table behind them, for it was time for Thorin to begin accepting tribute. One by one, dwarf families sent their delegates before the King to present their gifts, and Thorin accepted all graciously.

When all was finished, Thorin hollered, "Let the feast begin!" and plates upon plates of food began to flow into the great hall; dishes of strange meat and barrels of wine and mead she had never tasted before were placed down in front of her.

Kili was correct; the dwarf feast was unlike any she had ever seen before. Several dwarves began playing instruments, including Bofur whom she recognized from Laketown, and the music was lively and festive. There was dancing and drinking, feasting and fighting, lewd and lascivious behavior, sweet reunions and bitter rivalries rekindled; Erebor and its inhabitants were a rowdy group indeed, but she found herself enjoying every second.

"Come dance with me, my love." Kili said as he grabbed her hand.

"I don't know what to do!" She cried. "Will you show me?" She hesitated and drank the remainder of wine from her glass before following him nervously towards the dance pit.

"Just follow my lead." He laughed while he wrapped his arm around her waist, turning her around and lifting her off the ground.

"Kili, everyone is staring at us." She breathed into his ear.

"That is because they have never beheld a creature as beautiful as you in all their miserable lives." He said while spinning her around once more. "Do not take it to heart; it's me they take offense to. I've been the Elf Prince long before I met you and now that we are together, it just solidifies what they've always believed about me."

"What is that my love?" She asked.

"That I'm more elf than dwarf I suppose." He frowned slightly.

"Then that means that we are more alike than I thought. I knew there was a reason why I fell for you." She said with a grin.

"For me, I needed no reason as I loved you the moment I first laid my eyes upon you." He said as he kissed her cheek gently.

"Sentimental already. Are you drunk, my sweet love?" She giggled.

"Nah. I do not want to let my guard down, just in case someone decides to cause trouble for you. Besides, this night is special to me and I want to remember every moment." He spun her once more and she could not help but beam. She was so distracted by him, she stumbled slightly.

"What's wrong darling, do elves not dance?" He said with a wink.

"Oh we dance, but not nearly in such a boisterous manner." She grimaced as she stepped on his foot, causing them both to lose their balance and nearly topple over. Fortunately, he was able to recover but not before crashing into an unfamiliar dwarf.

"Oy! Well look who finally decided to grace us with his presence." The voice belonging to the younger dwarf hollered over the roar of the music.

"Well are you not a sight for sore eyes!" Kili called as he embraced his red-haired friend. "Tauriel, there is someone I want you introduce you to, he is one my oldest friends, Gimli son of…" Kili began.

"Gloin! You father told me stories about the trouble you two caused when you were younger." She felt a flush of embarrassment rise in her cheeks, but whatever insecurities she might have felt, were washed away by Gimli's reaction.

"He told you? Well this devil and I were known to pull a prank or two. I see you've managed to win more than just the mountain. It is good to meet you Tauriel. I heard a few stories about you as well." Gimli chuckled as he bowed to her. "Pardon me, my lady, but would you mind if I took this idiot off your hands for a few. He left me behind and I want to be hearing all about his adventures."

"Of course." She said as she gave a quick kiss goodbye to Kili. She began to leave the dance floor, when Ori, who appeared just inebriated enough to forget his shyness, begged her for a dance. She swirled around the floor with Ori, followed by Fili, then Dori and several other young dwarves she did not recognize; much to the dismay of a group of elders frowning in the corner.

"Forgive me, but I think I could use some much needed rest." She said as she curtseyed to the fair-haired dwarf. She found a quiet seat and sat down, desperately trying to catch her breath.

"Mind if I sit with you?" The gentle voice belonging to the hobbit asked.

"Please do." She smiled warmly.

"I do believe that we are the only non-dwarves here. Allow me to formally present myself; I am Bilbo Baggins resident burglar." He mused.

"I am Taurel, resident elf I suppose." She allowed herself to laugh freely and openly, unafraid of being too loose with her emotions. A scuffle between two intoxicated dwarves broke out momentarily, before both men fell over and began laughing. "They certainly are a lively race, are they not?"

"You don't even know the half of it! I do not believe that Lord Elrond would ever have us back at Rivendell again." Bilbo said wiping a tear from his eye as he laughed.

"I'm not sure I want to know." She said shaking her head. Bilbo poured them both another glass of wine before turning somber.

"I know Thorin will never say it aloud, but he is grateful for you and what you did for Kili." Bilbo's eyes shone as he talked.

"You and Thorin are close, I see." She smiled as she brushed her fingers along the simple white crystal bead hanging from a thin braid in the hobbit's hair.

"How do you know that Thorin gave this to me?" He asked a bit bewildered.

"Kili told me that Thorin is represented by The Arkenstone and other white gems." She said matter of factly as she took another sip from her wine goblet.

"I did not know that!" Bilbo cried out. "I spent two years with them traveling from one terrible peril to another. You think he would have mentioned it before. That's the thing about dwarves though, they're incredibly secretive."

"Well he obviously cares about you if he gave this to you." She could not help but notice the deep red settling upon the hobbit's cheeks.

"He has never said as much." Bilbo muttered under his breath.

"They can't all be as bold as Kili, I suppose. I heard that Thorin plays the harp. Have you ever heard him play?" She felt at ease with Bilbo; as if she found in him a kindred spirit.

"I had heard from Bofur that he plays, but I have not had the privilege of hearing him yet. He sings too." She could tell from the sound of his voice that Thorin meant a great deal to him, and she wondered exactly what was the nature of their relationship. "Be careful when listening to their singing; they have a way of charming you into doing things you normally would not."

"Oh! Do tell." She could hardly contain her own curiosity.

"Thorin sang the night the dwarves arrived at my home in The Shire. After the song, I drifted off to sleep; a fitful sleep filled with visions of a mountain and a roaring hearth. When I awoke, I felt my heart being pulled from me. I felt drawn to the mountain and to Thorin by some inexplicable magic. I knew then that I needed to fulfill my duty and that I needed to see the quest completed- else I would never sleep restfully again." Bilbo's eyes were focused solely on Thorin as he spoke. His voice seemed haunted with the memory of The Shire and what was once his life.

"There is magic in their songs then?" She whispered as she took another sip of wine.

"I don't know. I know that I am not the same hobbit I once was. I used to be so sure about things; sure of my home in Bag End and that I was a proper and respectable Baggins. But now, I do not know what I want or where I belong. When I wander these halls, I feel as if I am home. This is not my home though and I am very much an outsider. I wonder if I belong anywhere now." The hobbit stared into his glass of wine before taking a sip.

"Have you told Thorin any of this?" She asked tenderly.

"I do not wish to trouble him with my woes. He has enough to tend to, and I should be the least of his concerns." He frowned.

"If you want my advice, and you do not have to take it, I think you mean more to him than you know and that he would want to hear your thoughts and feelings. You should talk to him." She put her arm on the hobbit's back.

Bilbo said nothing, but smiled slightly. She was struck by his sweetness and vulnerability; she had never met another of his kind before, but knew that he was somehow different. Special. She finished her glass of wine and poured herself and the hobbit another. "Come Bilbo, let us toast to the return of the King Under the Mountain and to happier days ahead."

"Toasting to the King without me, my love?" Kili's warm voice filled her ears and she felt his hand fall upon her shoulder. "Mister Baggins, would it be alright if I absconded with my beloved? There is something I need to show her." He reached for her hand and with a giggle, led her away from the noise of the dwarven party to a more secluded area.

"I wanted to show you something special." He was so excited, he could hardly contain himself.

"Are you certain this is not a ruse to get me alone?" She replied coyly.

"The thought had not crossed my mind, my love." He teased right back, his cheek dimpling as he spoke. "It's right through here." He pushed through a small door leading outside the mountain to a hidden tower overlooking the valley as well as the City of Dale. She held her breath as the cool breeze tickled her ears and danced through her hair.

"This is an old lookout spot, but I figured that you would enjoy the unimpeded view of the stars." He said as he tilted his head upwards.

She, too, turned her hear towards the sky and marveled over the dazzling array of gleaming stars as they shone high above. Being this high up over the trees reminded her of the nights she would walk through the forest and into the clearing just to be closer to the sacred lights of her people.

He took her hand once more, and looked adoringly up at her. "If you ever miss their light, you can come here. I know it is not the same as your home in Mirkwood, but I hope you…" He did not have the chance to finish, as while he spoke, she pressed her lips against his and fell into his arms. They curled together on the bench; his thick fingers gently stroked her back as she lay huddled against him. Her slender body felt small and fragile in his heavy arms. He took a deep breath in and began to hum a tune she was not familiar with. The vibrations produced by his voice tickled her ears and coursed through her like burning wild fire.

He began to sing words she could not understand for they were in the strange dwarf language, his language; guttural and harsh sounding when spoken by other dwarves, yet when coming from him, a gentle and delicate melody that was akin to the sweetest music.

She picked her head up from his chest and faced him as he sang, seduced completely by charm, she allowed her mouth to linger over his, interrupting the song. Her kiss caught him by surprise and she felt his breath catch as her mouth parted and she flicked the tip of her tongue between his lips. Softly and slowly, she pushed her tongue deeper into his mouth; causing him to produce a low moan at the sensation. She shuddered at hearing his delight and, wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer towards her.

"Are you cold, Amralime? I should have brought you up a blanket. I am stocky and hairy, and I do not get cold easily." He frowned, parting his lips from hers for a moment.

"I am not too cold, and don't you dare move." She could barely form the words before sliding her tongue back into his mouth. She straddled her legs around his hips, shifting her weight and pressing the weight of her body into his. The harder she pushed against him, the stronger the urge to be consumed by him completely.

She rolled her hips; falling into a slow rhythm as she ran her fingers through his hair, tugging intently on his dark locks.

"Tauriel," he whispered breathlessly. "Perhaps we should wait."

"I do not want to wait any longer. I want to be with you. I want to lie with you and make you mine forever." She purred into his ear.

"There is something I need to confess," he drew back before speaking. "I have not lain with a woman before." His eyes shifted to the ground.

"I have not been with anyone either. We shall learn from each other." She said in a low voice, pressing her forehead against his.

"I want to be with you, but not here. I want you in my bed. I want to see you, all of you." His eyes were serious and filled with desire.

"So be it then, my love." She stood up and took his hand into hers and allowed him to lead her through the kingdom and to the archway of his private chambers.

He opened the door slowly, and paused before entering. "There is a dwarf custom," he began. "The first night, the wife leads her husband into the room. He follows her only if she consents."

She took a breath in and stepped over the threshold before reaching for his hand, ready to bring him into the room. She lit several candles, filling the room with ample light. She felt his eyes upon her as she moved about the room; watching her every move.

She pulled her hair over her shoulder and reached for the strings on the lacing of her dress. Kili approached her, lifting the long threads into his shaking hands and carefully pulling them through the eyelets that lined her back until they were completely undone. She allowed the gown to slip over her shoulders, giving him a tantalizing glimpse at her bare flesh.

He was hesitant to touch her, reaching out his fingers tentatively; almost certain that she would vanish into smoke and air before his eyes and he would find himself alone in his bed, sweaty and sticky, as he had so many times. His fingers brushed against the curve of her collarbone, and he felt the warmth of her body react to his touch. He traced along a pink scar that followed from her collarbone down her left arm and drew his finger away when he felt the fabric of her dress. He swallowed hard before raising his head to meet her gaze.

"I have scars too." He murmured as he looked up with his wide, deep brown eyes.

"Show me." She whispered.

He lifted his heavy, ornate tunic over his head, pulling his arms from the sleeves one after the other, until the garment hit the floor with a thud. His chest, an exquisite display of defined muscles, was speckled by dark, curly hair that trailed down his stomach, leading to an area she could not yet see.

"This one if from Goblin Town, when we were fighting to escape," he said pointing to a dark purple line that continued around to his back. "This one is from when Fee and I were kids, his is worse than mine. I got into quite a few fights when I was a kid and Fee usually finished them for me. This one is from sparring. And this one, well you know how I got this one." He shrugged as he pointed to the bright red scar in the center of his chest.

She put her hand atop his heart, once again feeling the steady, constant beating of life inside of him. Her fingers lingered over a most extraordinary mark and she bent down and placed a gentle kiss on it before continuing to lay her kisses over the many pink and purple lines that scattered his chest. The last kiss she placed was on a scar just above his right hip bone, caused him to audibly gasp aloud. She could feel his heart beat faster as she delicately traced the outline of his hip with the very tip of her longest finger. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Glorious." She cooed in her native language.

She stood facing him, and allowed her gown to slip slowly from her body; revealing her breasts, then her stomach and finally her entirety before him. She watched his eyes follow the dress until it lay draped upon the floor. His breathing was louder than before and she could see that he was struggling to maintain his composure.

"You are so beautiful." His lip quivered as he spoke. "I'm afraid to touch you. I'm afraid of hurting you." His eyes, a mix of fear, vulnerability and desire, met hers once more with a pleading look.

"You will not hurt me. Here" She said as she took his hand and placed it upon her stomach. His large fingers lingered on the soft curve of her belly before sliding his thumb along the bottom of her breast. He whispered words she did not understand before edging his fingers up until her nipple rested between them. He rubbed his thumb over her pink skin until it raised pointed and firm under his caress.

"I do not know how to touch you." His voice was low and trembling. "Will you show me?"

She nodded. She lifted her hand and, beginning at the bottom of her neck, dragged it along the space between her breasts, slowly fondling each of her nipples before running her fingers along her hip; carefully and lightly touching her thigh before brushing against the red curls between her legs. "Do you want to watch me?" She asked quietly, betraying her own vulnerability before him.

"Yes." He swallowed hard, keeping his eyes steady on where her fingers lie.

Her fingers parted the swollen lips and danced teasingly over the hard, small mound which brought her so much pleasure. She swirled her finger lightly; tracing circles so delicately over her sensitive flesh until the sensation caused her to moan. Her eyes fluttered as she continued to touch herself, the blissful delight sending her gasping for breath. She opened her eyes and released a sigh of joy as she beheld Kili as he intently stared at her.

She moved onto the bed and tentatively spread her legs apart before him and giggled nervously. She slipped her long finger into her mouth, sliding it along her tongue until it was slick before returning it to treasure between her thighs. She pressed it against her opening, sliding her finger inside before pulling it out then repeating the action as her hips rocked against the quickening of her hand. She watched him as he watched her; his lust driving her nearly to the point of ecstasy before she forced herself to stop, pulling her hand away and extending it towards him.

"Come here, my love." Her own voice raspy and breathless as she took his hand and placed it upon her sex, taking a deep breath as his fingers grazed over her folds until they settled upon her mound, hard and wet from her arousal. He mimicked the motion he watched her perform and legs parted further at his touch.

"Softer, my darling," she urged. "Like this." She placed her hand on top of his; guiding his fingers in the fashion she enjoyed. She released an approving sigh while her toes curled. She felt dizzy, as if she were trying to breathe under water, and the sensation left her head spinning.

He rose to kiss her mouth; placing innocent kisses one after the other before pressing his forehead against hers. "Is this alright? Would you like to stop?" He asked so lovingly, she felt her heart soar.

She shook her head, "No Kili, I do not want to stop. I am a mortal woman now, and I understand that I will never have enough time with you. I do not want to waste a moment."

"I love you." He murmured in her ear. "I love you."

He continued his kissed down the nape of her neck, pulling at her skin leaving ever so slight red marks as he moved lower. He allowed his tongue to glide over her nipple before taking it into his mouth, sucking until she could no longer stand it. He licked her stomach, nipping tenderly at the crevice between her hip. He caressed her inner thigh with his hand before planting soft kisses along the milky flesh leading to her glistening cleft. His mouth lapped hungrily over the velvety warmth of her opening, causing her body to shudder uncontrollably. His tongue swirled and slipped over her slick flesh, causing moans of passion to escape from her lips. When she felt that she could take no more, he gripped her hips, lifting her into the air as he clutched her supple behind with his thick fingers. Despite her squirming, he held her tightly against his face, devouring her juices as they poured from her. Her body writhed with the most exquisite tension before her mounting climax broke over her, sending her limbs trembling and her blurring her vision. She called his name as the wave of pleasure coursed through her, leaving her mouth dry and her heart thundering.

"I want you." She begged as she locked his gaze once more, licking her lips.

He removed his pants, fumbling slightly with the tie before pulling himself free and throwing them to the ground. The movement caused his hardness to bounce lightly off his stomach as he crawled on the edge of the bed. He looked shyly up at her, and for her part, she was both enthralled and terrified. She had never seen a man in his entirety before, and seeing what lay hidden beneath his clothing pleased her greatly.

"So that's what you have in your trousers." She said with sincerity and they burst out laughing. He curled next to her on the bed, pulling her close as they continued to giggle. Before long, they were kissing once more and she motioned for him to move on top of her.

"Please," his voice trembling while he cupped her face. "Please may I lie with you."

She nodded. He pressed the head of his length against her eager opening, still wet from his tongue, and pushed into her. He held himself still before pushing his length in deeper and deeper until he had filled her completely. There was a fair amount of pain as her body stretched to envelop him, a tear slipped from her eye as her fingers clenched tightly into the blanket; the feeling was both blissful and agonizing as she struggled to keep from crying out. His swollen shaft fit tightly in her, he pushed in deeper still until he could go no further. The dull throbbing of his hardness and his soft whimper of ecstasy elicited her body to drench him in a warm wetness; rapidly replacing the ache with unending pleasure.

"Am I hurting you?" He asked as he brushed his fingers against her cheek.

"No, don't stop." She whispered as she relaxed her hips, pressing them into his.

He slid out and pushed gently into her once more; his eyes closed as he focused on creating a rhythm between them, one she matched as she lifted her hips against the rise and fall of his body. Each thrust, harder and faster than the one before, left her panting and dizzy. Stars danced before her eyes as she kissed him, the taste to her sex lingered on his tongue as it flicked into her mouth. He met her gaze as they rocked together, his back arched as his thrusting became more frenzied.

His jaw clenched and he whimpered as his seed spilled into her; his body quivered as his hot fluid filled her deepest recesses. He collapsed on the bed beside her, nuzzling his head against her neck as he tried to catch his breath. She reached for his hand and entwined her fingers between his.

"Are you alright, amralime?" His eyes filled with love as he looked up at her.

"Yes Kili, I am more than alright." She smiled and ran her free hand through his hair, rumpling it slightly.

"We should not have done that." He frowned. "I should have stopped myself."

"I would not let you stop, we have not done anything wrong, my love." She teased as she ran her fingers over his back.

"We are not yet married. What if I have given you a child? I did not mean to shame you." Fear washed over his face as he spoke.

"You dwarves have strange customs for everything. Elves are not nearly so ridiculous. In elf culture, we are not married until we have lain together. There is nothing shameful about our love, and if you have given me a child, then that is cause for celebration, not concern." Her fingers continued to dance along his back while she spoke.

"You are wonderful and I do not deserve you. How did this ugly dwarf manage to win your love?" He closed his eyes while she scratched the back of his head with her long nails.

"I will not hear such words about my husband! The only thing I want to hear is that you are ready to lie with me again. For I have not yet had my fill of you tonight." She bit her lower lip in attempt to stifle another giggle.

"My darling wife, you are a greedy woman indeed. Keep speaking like that and it will not be much longer you will have to wait." There it was again; the cheeky grin she adored so much upon his face once more. I could do this forever. She thought to herself as she straddled her legs across his, resting her hips against his and as she prepared to take him into her once more.