A/N Thankyou so much to all my wonderful readers and reviewers! I appreciate you all so much :) - J x
The inn's room where we stay is small and plainly decorated but I don't have eyes for the decor, my whole being is drawn towards the man sharing it with me. Kili's chest rises and falls with his breath and I lie on my side watching him sleep; he always sleeps longer than I do, but I remain in the bed, content to gaze upon my prince. A thin gap between the curtains shines a beam onto his tanned skin and birds sing outside the little window, proving that the morning has already risen, even if my dwarf prince hasn't. I slide out of the bed and cross to the window, drawing the curtains apart fully and taking in the scene, already the streets of Dale are busy with daily life. Kili groans behind me.
"Ahh, why so bright, my lady?"He rolls over to bury his face in the pillow, revealing his toned back. I smirk to myself as the blanket slides off him, revealing his lower half too. "I can hear you laughing at me," his voice is muffled by the pillow and he moves his hands to cover himself. "Don't laugh at my arse, it's rude," His comment of course, only makes me giggle more. I climb delicately back into bed again and prise his head from the pillow.
"Not laughing, just admiring," I tell him but my serious facade is broken by more fits of giggles. He lets out a loud sigh as he rolls onto his back again and stares up at the ceiling.
"Well you're a lucky lass then aren't you? Getting to admire my wonderful arse every day for the rest of your life," He turns his head to wink at me, "Now that you're my wife,"
"Not yet," I kiss him gently, stroking his cheek.
"Aye, not having second thoughts are you?" He murmurs softly so I pull back to look into his eyes.
"Don't be a fool Kili, there is nothing I want more," He smiles at my assent and pulls me close so his bare chest is pressed against mine. "So when are you going to make me Mrs Durin?" I breathe against his ear as my leg wraps around his hip and admire the gasp it elicits from him. His breathing turns shallow as I plant kisses along his throat, whispering elvish endearments to him as my lips trace his warm skin.
"Your language is so fair, almost as beautiful as you," he sighs and I laugh.
"And you are an expert at flattery, my prince," I let my fingers trail down his chest as his pull at my hips.
"What else am I an expert at?" He teases, making me giggle but before his lips can find mine there is a loud rap at the door; sending me squealing and pulling the blanket high over myself despite being more clothed than Kili.
"Dammnit." Kili growls as he quickly pulls on some trousers and pulls open the door grumpily. The maid there is young and I see her eyes widen as she sees Kili's physique and watch her swallow as her eyes rove over his body. My own eyes narrow and I leave the bed to wrap my arms around his waist possessively. The maid swallows again as she sees me and averts her eyes to the piece of paper in her hand.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, sir and madam," she blushes madly as she speaks, "But I've been told to give you this," She thrusts the paper into Kili's hand without looking at him. "And to regretfully inform you, that the Prince has been injured, you must go to him right away,"
"Prince?!" Kili's voice rises in anxiousness. "Fili?!" He nearly tears the letter in his haste to unfold it.
"No, sir," The maid coughs quietly, "The letter is for a Lady Tauriel. The prince in question is the Prince of Mirkwood," My heart sinks as I snatch the paper from Kili's grasp and turn my back on both of them to read it. I'm vaguely aware of Kili dismissing the woman and coming up behind me but I'm too lost in worry to register it. I have to read the note three times to take it in, my eyes blurred with moisture.
The Lady Tauriel of Mirkwood,
This letter is written to you on behalf of King Thranduil. Late last night an attack was launched on Mirkwood by a pack of orcs and wargs. The King wishes to inform you that the Prince is gravely hurt and remains in a critical condition. Your return to Mirkwood is requested as a matter of urgency.
Yours faithfully always,
The Mirkwood Palace Staff
"Tauriel?" Kili places a hand on my back to reassure me but I shrug him away, the words 'gravely hurt' and 'critical condition' swimming in my mind, conjuring images of a broken, bleeding man, a dying man. My Legolas.
"I have to go," my voice is dry in my throat as I begin hastily packing, letting hot tears sting my eyes and spill onto my cheeks.
"Tauriel!" Kili cries in anguish. I know I am being unfair but the longer I delay the worse Legolas could become and I am not going to lose him. I cannot lose him.