AN: A short story for all of you, just to apologise until I find out where my plot bunnies have been hiding. I had this wrote and saved before Christmas, but had originally decided to wait until I finished my two main Hobbit fictions before posting it. However I am a horrible person and have left you hanging for far too long.

My greatest thanks to my beta fierynightangel for sticking by me.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the hobbit characters I am just taking them out of Tolkien's toy box and playing with them.

Warning: Fluff.

Warning: Food Porn.

Warning: lots of plant names.

Peace and Tranquility.

Sighing after a long day of guard duty around a city not really built with elven souls in mind Tauriel returned to the rather spacious quarters she had been gifted upon her arrival. While she suspected Kilì had been the reason for her being treated in a friendly, almost warm manner, she knew the hobbit that still resided there had been the main power in getting her these quarters. The best, and in her mind far superior, feature the rooms had to offer was a wide and sweeping balcony, that offered views across the plains to the Greenwood. It was to this outside space she retreated when her day had been particularly trying and it was in this space she truly felt like an elf. Master Baggins had spent many an afternoon with her here, teaching her how to care for the plants he had shipped from the Shire and trained to grow up, over and around the dwarven architecture. The results were spectacular, the harsh geometric lines looked stunning surrounded by the rich green and jewel flowers he had picked.

She trailed her fingers through the tiny-flowered, but brilliantly scented, summer Jasmine as she ducked through the arch that lead to the outside world. Honeysuckle of the palest pink-yellow was cascading around the balustrade, while scented roses of the deepest red and purest white climbed the rocky walls, occasionally woven with Clematis armandii and Clematis solidarnosc. The Peace Lily, which had been her first gift from a blushing Nori, was housed in a glazed pot of the deepest blue. In fact all her plants were, a gift from Filì, whom she had suspected did all the work himself. Beside the lily was a Magnolia Liliiflora Nigra Tree, that she had been gifted from Kili. At night she sat at the pale green and gold, wrought iron table and chairs gifted from Thorin himself, bathed in the soft light of the coloured glass lanterns she had received from Ori. Her greatest delight, not that she would tell them was the self-contained, miniature waterfall gifted her by Bifur, she'd planted the herbs gifted to her by Oìn in the specially made holders worked into the bronze of it. Sinking into one of her chairs Tauriel looked out over the expanse of land separating her from where she had called home for so many of her years. The dwarves had done their level best to try and keep her happy, and for the most part she had to say they had succeeded. Surrounded as she was by a tree fern, a pink tinted acer, a rich blue hydrangea and troughs of glazed blue over flowing with foxgloves, lupins, hollyhocks, margarites, geraniums, wallflowers, delphiniums, sweet Williams, dianthus, bellflowers and the delicate coralflower, it was hard not to feel safe and welcomed.

However, today, even the sight of an obelix of sweetpeas, underplanted with lavender couldn't quite lift her spirits. Today was her naming day, and she had spent the last five hundred years celebrating it with Legolas. They had smuggled food from the kitchens, and her favourite wine from the cellars and snuck into her rooms to giggle and gossip. It hadn't bothered her when she had helped with the rebuilding of Erebor as she had been so busy, but now the realm was almost back to its former glory and her days had gained a routine, she felt its sting.

Tilting her head back to enjoy the last of the sun's rays that would reach her balcony she repressed another sigh and closed her eyes, breathing in the sweet scents that surrounded her to ward of the tears she felt forming. She was expected at a dinner this very evening, and she couldn't even blame the dwarves for not knowing it was her naming day as she hadn't told them. Shaking off melencoly thoughts she pushed to her feet and tripped through the doors into her bathing quarters. She started the bath filling with deliciously hot water and shed her clothes, adding a few drops of sandalwood and ginger oil to the filling tub, she set about working it through the length of her fiery tresses, before pinning them on the top of her head and stepping into the steaming water, knocking off the faucets as she did. The tub had been designed to allow dwarves to swim in it and so she could easily stand and have the water cover her chest. Making the most of the space and the heat she scrubbed free a days worth of accumulated grime relishing the spiciness of gingerer and sandalwood. Free of dirt she stepped from the now cooling water and roughly dried her skin before massaging it with the same oil she had used on her hair. Satisfied, she slipped on a silken robe and was about to head to her closet to find something suitable to wear when a package on the bed caught her attention.

A simple card was pinned to the brown paper and with trembling fingers she opened the creamy parchment. Inside it simply read, 'I hope this dress is to your liking. Your boys.' Smiling widely for the first time in what felt like days Tauriel ripped the paper away and gasped as a length of shimmering silk slithered out. Catching it before it hit the floor, she let out a small gasp of joy as he finally saw the embroidery and flowing sleeves. The colours would look fabulous with her hair, and as she tugged it on and smoothed it down she found it fit like a glove. Giggling she spun in a circle and ended up laughing aloud as the skirt material floated outward at the movement. The dress had a modest cut, but there was no denying that she was a female in it, from the hint of her bare shoulders where the sleeves fell at an angle, the slope of her chest under the embroidery, down to the curve of her narrow waist excentuated by the shimmering belt tied there. The colours were soft, starting at an almost olive green-gold at her neck line, before fading to a dusky pink-gold at her feet. Deciding a dress like this deserved her best Tauriel carefully sat in front of the mirrored dressing table in her rooms and pulled her hair free of its pins. As an elf she needed no make-up, but decided to outline her eyes in the palest of golds, making the green really stand out, she added pain bee's wax to her lips, realising the lady Dís had been sneaky and it actually had tiny flecks of gold in, she tilted her head and decided she liked the effect and smiled at her reflection. Her hair needed little other than finger combing, the heat from her bath, the oil and the way she had pinned it giving it subtle curls, but she decided to dig out the only jewelry she had ever worn. Fluffing her red tresses into a side parten she carefully allowed the chain to fall into place and giggled again as she felt the tiny crystal hearts settle against her forehead. Soft leather boots went on her feet, only to disappear beneath the dress and she decided she wouldn't get much more ready than she was.

As if on cue a soft knock sounded at her door and Tauriel opened it to see Ori looking bashful yet handsome in his ceremonial tunic of the deepest purple. He smiled widely at her, "You look beautiful," he breathed, presenting her with a simple wrapped gift and a kiss on the cheek. "Go on open it." Tauriel realised her dwarves at least had found out about her naming day and so smiling happily at him she carefully opened the gift. Speechless she held out the simple broach of a lily in bloom and he carefully pinned it to where her shoulder strap attached to her dress. "It is only a small gift from Dwalin and I, but we know you deserve so much more."

"No Ori." She had to stop him, "Thank you to the both of you, it is beautiful. How did you know it was my mother's flower?"

Ori smiled mischeviously as a relieved looking Dwalin appeared at her other elbow and offered her his arm, "We asked," the larger dwarf rumbled.

Feeling confused, but happy Tauriel tugged Ori to her other side and let them steer her down to the grand hall, pushing the question of who they had asked to one side for now. It was to slip her mind entirely for upon her arrival she was greeted with appreciative gasps and almost silent compliments from the Company. Thorin himself stood to welcome her and gifted her a kiss on the cheek and a small posy of white Calla Lilies, cleverly preserved in an engraved silver holder. Dís wrapped her in a warm hug and a whispered promise of an afternoon of gossiping and cake soon. Almost as soon as she was free of their mother the Durin princes descended on her and planted a kiss on both her cheeks, and squashed her in a three way hug, being careful of the dress. Bilbo appeared to pull them off, scolding softly about damaging the embroidery and Tauriel couldn't help but laugh, knowing as she did his embroidery's ability to withstand even a battle. She still greeted him with a soft hug and kiss, before doing the same to Nori and Bifur when they came over. Bifur pushed an unwrapped gift into her hands and she realised in awe that it was a carving of her standing with her three dwarves and wrapped him in another hug. Balin's laugh caused her to break away with a blush but the dwarf merely smiled widely at her and when he was joined by Oìn pushed a tiny box into her hands, with a wink from one and a finger on the lips from the other. She tucked that gift away quickly. Bombur, Bofur, Dori and Gloin gathered around her and smiling widely burst into song. She applauded with red cheeks when they were done and Bofur was the first to step forward, Dori at his side and they both kissed her hands. Dori handed her a gold shot, dusky-rose scarf embroidered here and there with tiny golden roses, while Bofur handed her a gold-veined, dusky-pink, rose-quartz pendant on a very fine gold chain. She demanded he put it on her immediately and, then in a fit of inspiration demanded that as her big brother Dori braid the scarf into her hair. Her outburst got her a round of applause and she sat as Dori worked the Ri family braid into her long tresses. Filì and Kilì then demanded she wear at least one braid of Durin and so with a nod from Thorin they started on two braids down by the side of her ears, which Dori then looped into a crown under her golden chains. Laughing Gloin handed her her gift and smiled warmly at her when she thanked him for the hand written book on the history of everyone present. Bombur was last and shyly pressed a kiss to her cheek and handed her an olive green wrapped box of violet and rose truffles.

Feeling on top of the world Tauriel pulled him into a massive hug, and planted her own kiss on his cheek. Thorin stood as Dori tied off the last of her braid and cleared his throat. As all fifteen heads in the room turned to look at him he smiled. "I would like to extend the warmest wishes to you My Lady Tauriel on this your naming day. As you seem to have been adopted into my family I also want to ask why you didn't mention it in the previous five years you have stayed with us, but that will have to wait. My dear I give you your final present."

Tauriel's mouth fell open and her eyes filled with tears, but she was racing towards the two figures who had appeared in the doorway before anyone had a chance to register that. Two pairs of strong arms wrapped around her and she burrowed into the slender chest of her true king and felt her brother's arms close around them both as Thranduil whispered appologies into her hair. When it finally registered in her mind they had an audience she turned with an apology and thanks on her lips, only to find the room empty. In Thorin's place was a note that simply said, "Shut up and make peace. You need them, they need you. Thank me by smiling again. Thorin. P.S. Blame Bilbo for my being soft."

She laughed and launched herself at Legolas again, several hours passed and the spent the time apologising and catching up and Tauriel could now say she hadn't a single memory of being happier. When the herald popped his head around the door to inform them that dinner had been served she entered the dining hall on the arms of a king and a prince. Since neither Thranduil nor Legolas had encountered this dwarven king's true hospitality before she was watching them both with eager anticipation and she was not to be disappointed. Unlike their kin at Rivendale or Lothlorien, the elves of the Greenwood enjoyed a varied diet that did include meat, and so the sight of tables groaning because of both meat and vegetable dishes had their jaws dropping open and eyes widening in appretiation. She was herself, surprised to find that they all had seats at a table with her dwarves, Bilbo and Ori, even if it was simply because it meant they were away from their One's.

When everyone was seated and Thranduil had registered it wasn't a slight as he had the King's consort, the Durin heirs and Tauriel's favourite people seated with him the feast was allowed to start, and what a feast it was. Whole chickens cooked until their skins were crispy and filled with a sage and onion stuffing, sides of pork with golden crackling and a side of cooked apple, beef joints, smothered in wholegrain mustard and sides of roasted potatoes. If you fancied fish you could choose between haddock in a rich creamy hollandaise sauce on a bed of watercress, or salmon, encased in a buttery, crumbly pastry, wrapped in herbs and on a bed of young asparagus. If you didn't wish for meat then you could have boiled potatoes in rosemary butter, honey glazed parsnips, roasted onions and red peppers in a sesame oil dressing, sweet baby carrots, Brussel sprouts cooked in white wine sauce and with pine nuts or baby sweetcorn and mange tou smothered in butter. Knowing dwarven appatites as she did Tauriel dug in, gesturing for her fellow elves to do the same. Legolas caught on quickly but it took a dazed Thranduil to realise the sprouts were nearly gone to spring into action and the sight of Nori and he glaring at each other for them was a source of great joy for them all.

Dessert came when the dishes had been emptied and she grinned she spotted an apple meringue pie, and thanked Ori with a kiss to his cheek when he placed it in front of her. Besides her favourite dessert they also had, chocolate and burnt orange mousse, a sherry triffle, full of whipped cream and topped with roasted almond, a lavender and white chocolate cheesecake, an apple and blackberry crumble along with a jug of vanilla custard, plenty of fruit, cheese, crackers and pate.

When everyone was full and satisfied, Thorin made a signal and Tauriel's eyes widened as she recognised Bilbo's work. A six tier cake, a different flavour per tier, was carried in, decorated in icing that matched her dress and the symbol of every family that claimed her as theirs in delicate gold pipe work. Her emotional response was soon squashed under the fighting for who wanted which flavour, it never got worse than squabbling as she realised that Bilbo must be a mind reader as there was just enough of each flavour for those who wanted it. The choice was between a plain, but light sponge, rich and decadent chocolate, lemon (which was laced with a liqueur), a concoction that he called red velvet, a heavenly smelling rose layer and his signature lavender.

The party was to continue late into the night and it was with a wide smile and aching feet that a very happy Tauriel crawled into her bed as dawn broke across teh heavens.

AN:

For water feature search, Daintree Planter cade water feature.

For her dress search, medieval-wedding-dresses-toronto, uploads/2014/10.

For her head piece search, Chain Headpiece Chain Headdress Crystal Clear Swarovski Heart Hair Jewellery.

For her broach search, 2013new arrival rhinestone crystal lily flower brooch for wedding bridal.

Tauriel's boys are Filì, Kilì and Nori for those who haven't read An Unexpected Hobbit, (although in this case Scribe is included).

Calla Lily symbolizes magnificence and beauty. White Calla lilies combine these two attributes with purity and innocence.