Kíli POV

"You are telling me that you built all of this?" Sigrid said in awe as she sat watching Tauriel and I plant the final trees in her make-shift forest. This was not the first time that she had been in Tauriel's room since her arrival two weeks ago, but she still had a difficult time grasping the idea that such a task could be performed.

"For the third time, aye," I laughed. "With lots of help of course. How is your training coming?"

"Well enough," she shrugged. "Though King Thorin keeps taking Fíli away for some secret mission. He will not tell me what is going on, but whatever it is has him on edge."

"Secret mission?" I said curiously. "This is the first I have heard of it. Maybe he is building a lake inside the mountain for the comfort of his maiden."

"Maiden?" she questioned. The hint of jealousy could not be missed. "I did not think that dwarves liked the lake."

"We don't," I smiled at how clueless the girl appeared. I had not exactly been subtle these past couple weeks about my brother's affections for the girl, yet she still walked blindly against the obvious.

"Hold this," Tauriel attempted to change the subject as she gestured to the tree. I held it straight as she covered the roots with dirt.

"How exactly did you get all this dirt up here?" Sigrid asked.

"Twelve grumpy dwarves, twenty four buckets, numerous trips up the stairs, and several pints of ale." I gave her the best answer that I could muster. "Plus a large handful of cursing."

Tauriel brushed off her hands and stood to examine our most recent contribution to the forest. The trees were little, but one day this ledge would be a sight for the heavens.

Rumbles amongst the clouds signified the coming storm. It made me thankful that we had finished planting everything, including the grass seed, for watering this ledge would be a whole other complicated task.

"Well Sigrid, since my brother is busy, how would you like to join us in the range? I have to prove to Tauriel that my aim is far superior then an elf's," I winked at my love.

"We shall see," she smiled dangerously.

"I would not miss this for the world," Sigrid laughed.

"Good! Let us get inside before the rain starts." I gathered the tools before following them inside. Tauriel gathered her bow and quiver from the room before we left to find the range. We had only been there once since our arrival and the time had been spent fixing the place up so that we could practice in the future. I was excited for it had been too long since I had the opportunity to use my favored weapon.

I walked behind the two ladies as they conversed through the halls. Tauriel would not admit it to me, but I knew how much she was enjoying having a non-dwarf companion. It did not bother me, because I could only imagine how it must feel to be the only one of her kind amongst a crowd of others.

As I followed them, a figure entering the mountain caught my eye. Fíli slung a shovel over his shoulder as he trampled past the guards. He looked incredibly frustrated as he tried to rub dirt from his clothes.

"I will meet you guys at the range," I told the girls before turning to follow my brother. They looked at me curiously but did not linger for long before they continued their journey to the practice room. I jogged to catch up with him before he tossed his shovel into a small room and rubbed the back of his neck in distress.

"Fíli?" He jumped at my voice. His eyes were wide with fear as he looked to me and it left me uneasy. This behavior was very unlike him. "What is going on brother?"

"N-nothing," he quickly said and desperately tried to rub the dirt from his hands. "Where is Sigrid? I should return to her."

"She is going to the range with Tauriel," I grabbed his arm as he tried to walk past me. "Speak with me brother, what troubles you?"

"Kíli," he whispered dangerously. "I know it is difficult for you to understand, but you cannot know everything it is that I am doing."

I glared at him for his harsh words. "Fíli?!"

He sighed deeply and softened his gaze. "I am sorry. Truly I am, but you must let this one go."

"Let what go?" I asked grumpily. I was both confused and hurt by his secrecy, but my feelings did not persuade him to answer me. He began walking towards the range, leaving me to fume as I jogged to catch up.

Tauriel POV

Sigrid shot arrow after arrow and began to become frustrated as each missed their mark. She sighed angrily after releasing the final arrow. She dropped the bow to the ground and walked to retrieve the arrows.

"You are thinking about the shot too much," I explained as she returned to my side. "Try releasing it quicker and trust your instinct."

"Alright," she stated with a hint of doubt. However, when she made her shot the arrow stuck firmly in the target. She laughed excitedly and I smiled at her victory. She continued to shoot, gaining more success with every shot before her arm began to tire. "I see why you like this weapon so much. It's rather fun when you get used to it."

"As long as you use it carefully," I agreed and we gathered the arrows once more.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked nervously.

"Of course," I assured her. I enjoyed my time around the young one and welcomed her questions.

"Are you and Kíli… well you know… dating?" I tensed at the question.

"I am unfamiliar with that term," I spoke honestly, however I suspected that I understood the meaning.

"I think your kind calls it courting," she answered. Her face reddened and I realized that I must be looking at her strange. "I am sorry, I shouldn't have asked such a thing…"

"No, it is alright," I quickly stated. I gripped my bow nervously, concerned to answer. However, after a moment of thinking I realized how much I trusted the girl. "Is it so easy to recognize?"

"Well, only if you're paying attention," she offered but it did not rid me of my frown. "You do not want others to know?"

"It is not that we do not desire to be known," I sighed. I truly longed for the day when we would no longer have to hide from their curious eyes. "I fear that there are many in this mountain… in this world who would not approve."

"You never seemed like that type of person who cared what others believe," she observed.

"Indeed," I smiled sadly. "However, I do not want to ruin the peace of these moments. One day others shall know, but for now we must enjoy the peace while we have it."

"I can understand that," she smiled. "However, I am afraid that one of you will have to break the news to Tilda. She has quite the crush on your dwarf."

Before either of us could speak any further, two figures entered the room. Sigrid's eyes lit up as Fíli stepped through the door, followed by my dwarf. The two appeared troubled but they both composed themselves as they approached.

"Already started I see," Kíli smiled at the fresh holes in the targets. He glanced at Sigrid. "Well, let's see what you have got."

"Oh no," she shook her head. "My arm is tired."

"No excuses milady," he chuckled and readied his bow.

We practiced for nearly an hour, getting lost in laughter and conversation as we shot. Even Fíli took up a bow for enjoyment, though he was not particularly skilled with the weapon. Sigrid stood near him and offered tips to improve his aim. I smiled, as it was the exact same advice that I had given her but I did not fault her for it.

"It is no good," he laughed as his arrow veered away from the target. "I am useless with this weapon."

"You are not," she stepped closer and encouraged him to try again by taking his arms and lifting them back up to the proper position. Entranced by the touch, he nocked another arrow and followed her advice before taking aim. The two roared with victory after his arrow stuck firmly into the target. "I told you that you could do it!"

"Never again shall I doubt you my Lady," he chuckled but they both stopped as they glanced at us. I realized then that I had stopped what I was doing to watch the couple. A wide smile took over my face that I would be unable to rid myself of even if I wanted to. I curiously glanced at Kíli, who stood cross-legged while leaning on his bow. He looked more smug than I had ever seen him.

"What?" Fíli and Sigrid asked at the same time.

"Oh, nothing," Kíli smiled. "So Fíli, have you taught her how to dance properly yet?"

"She knows how to dance you little…"

"Not by the ways of the dwarf my good brother. Your party is next week is it not?" he asked.

"Do not remind me," Fíli grumbled but both Sigrid and I looked to them curiously.

"What party?" Sigrid asked.

"His birthday of course," Kíli answered.

"It's your birthday?" Sigrid smiled at him.

"The party is not for my birthday," he grumbled. "It is to announce my future as King officially. It is a step that Thorin says must be taken before coronation. It just happens to also be my birthday."

"Is that not done when you are a child?" I asked curiously. I knew nothing of dwarven royal protocol, however I imagined that such an event would have taken place long ago.

"Aye," he answered. "Thought, we did not exactly have a Kingdom to rule when I was born. I do not want it, but Thorin insists that it must be done."

"Aye! Which means that you ladies must be well versed in dwarven parties," Kíli jumped up on a boulder to make himself taller. He smiled as he held out a hand for me to take. "My Lady?"

"Do you plan on bringing that boulder along with you to this party? Or perhaps a box?" I smirked as I placed my hand in his. His smile never faded as he drew me close.

"I only plan on bringing you, my beautiful star." His hand came to rest on my cheek. I heard a groan from the other dwarf and a giggle from the young girl.

"Come along Sigrid," Fíli ushered her towards the exit. "I shall rescue you from this."

"My hero," she chuckled and followed him out of the room. Kíli's laughter brought my attention back to him.

"Big baby," he muttered before wrapping an arm around my back.

"Kíli," I whispered nervously, suddenly embarrassed. "I do not know how."

"How to what, love?" he raised his eyebrow. "You have never danced before?"

"It was not in our training," I attempted to laugh but my nerves got the better of me. "I have also never had a partner."

"Do not worry," he smiled and stared at our hands. His fingers moved to link with mine. "All you need to do, is follow my lead."

He began moving me around slowly and I locked my eyes with his for direction. Though it turns out that I did not need it, for his hands guided me through every move. I smiled when he twirled me around in a circle before drawing me back to him.

"How do you know how to do all of this?" I asked him curiously.

"I have seen it done many times," he chuckled. "And I also forced Orí to help me out when we were children, but you are never to speak of that to anyone."

We both laughed at this. I tried to imagine the little dwarf trying to learn the steps.

"How do you plan to do this from the ground instead of a boulder?" I smirked at him upon his rock.

"I will improvise," he smiled and brought his forehead to mine. Our dancing had turned to simple swaying, however we continued to hold one another tightly. I had seen dancing done only a few times in my years, but never had I imagined that it would be like this. I could never see the joy in the strange act, but the simple closeness we shared in this moment chased away all fears.

I became impatient against the distance and moved to meet his lips. It was these moments where I did not mind his desire to make himself taller, for it was easier to hold him. Not that I minded our differences in height. He deepened the contact and as usual the act sent my heart tumbling. However, it lasted for only a moment before a shocked gasp at the door broke us apart. We both stood frozen as we stared at the newcomer.

"Mum."