ReForged

by jezzibee83

Reforged is about second chances, new life, and lost love. Journey through middle earth from the perspective of the Durin's. Given a second chance, the sons of Durin and our treasured Tauriel are sent back two years before the battle of five armies, only having the knowledge they died. Is it enough to change the future? Will they be able to save what was lost? Can life be reforged?

22. Chapter Twenty-One

Authors Note: Okay. As promised. 24 hours later. Enjoy, I will meet you at the end.

Chapter Twenty-One

If Fili thought they would get any rest from devastation, he was severely mistaken. At first, all seemed peaceful. As peaceful as it could be after losing someone you love. He looked down at his brother who had finally succumbed to a fitful sleep, clutching the beaded bracelet in his hand. Even when he called out for Tauriel, Fili refused to wake him. It would be far better that he remain asleep, locked in his dreams, then to be awake and staring into nothing. Fili did not know what to do. He was going to lose more than just his sister if this kept up. He would lose his brother, the little brother he needed more than anything. Looking to his uncle, he feared him lost as well.

Fili did not care about a mountain. He did not care about his claim to the throne in Erabor. Would he do his duties and take his place? Yes. He has been trained and raised to do so since birth. He foolishly always thought, though, he would not be doing it alone, that beside him would be the reckless, loyal, and passionate baby brother. His baby brother who fell in love and married an elf. An elf who, in just a year, came to mean as much to Fili as Kili did. An elf who was gone.

Fili watched silently from his vigil over Kili, not even moving as Bilbo quietly rose, pack on his back, and stepped his way through the sleeping dwarves. If the hobbit wanted to leave, so be it. It would probably be for the best. Fili could not see him surviving this trek so best he go before he too lost his life. Bofur must have thought the same, as the hatted Dwarrow keeping watch only bid Bilbo good luck. Fili looked over at his uncle, who to his surprise, was looking straight at him, then saw his eyes flick over to Kili. The sadness and pain evident in his gaze. A new sense of love hit him, as Fili recognized Thorin's own silent vigil over Kili. A silent pact to watch over the younger prince. Thorin neither moved nor looked surprised at the halfling leaving.

However, when Bofur asked Bilbo what was at his side, and Bilbo pulled his blade now shining blue, Thorin sat up just as the ground began to give and open, the sleeping Dwarrow startled awake as they were now sliding down the newly revealed steep incline and landed in a groaning heap at the bottom. Nobody had time to react when they were forcefully pulled to their feet and dragged across wooden bridges by their captors, which could only be…'goblins' Fili thought. By Mahal, could they not catch a break?

They were dragged before the massive, by massive, Fili thought, he means wide and tall, goblin king. His chin, or the goiter like mass of his chin, moving with every word had Fili cringing as he stood beside Thorin and a now awake Kili. Kili who was staring with a look that only spoke death, anger, and destruction. Well, at least it was better than the catatonic Kili look. Though now Fili feared more than anything Kili would do something stupid, like purposely try and get himself killed.

Mahal was having a go at them, Fili just knew it, when the goblin king began to sing. This really could not be happening. Being musically inclined as he was, as their entire family was…Tauriel included (momentary pain ripped through his heart, he wished he had not just thought that) all judgments aside and despite the creature being cringy in general and in desperate need of clothing, he really was not that bad of a singer. At least he stayed on key, Fili thought. Silver lining maybe?

He was thrown from his thoughts when the horde of goblins shoved into their group, stripping them of their weapons and packs.

When the giant goblin finished, he demanded to know who had entered into his kingdom, armed.

"Dwarves, your mellevolence. And they appear to be in league with elves!"

"Elves?" The goblin king looked over the Dwarrow in question. Fili looked to Kili, how would he know about Tauriel? Then he watched as one of the goblins who had taken their weapons, opened a rucksack filled with what could only be described as elven pieces…candle holders, vases, small statuettes and the like. He rolled his eyes then looked around at the company. Fire and forge, who had stolen from Rivendell. Nori's guilty look gave him his answer.

"What. It was only a couple of keepsakes." He muttered, unrepentantly. Fili was powerless to stop the image of a very unamused Tauriel coming to mind. His sister would not have condoned that in the least.

His attention was turned to Oin, who stepped in front of Thorin to answer for the group. The goblin king demanding the truth of their presence in their kingdom "warts and all"

However, Oin, was hard of hearing, and practically deaf without the help of the small horn like object he would put up against his ear to hear. So when the goblin king spoke, Oin hollered out "Your going to 'ave to speak up. Yer boys flattened meh trumpet." The king grew incensed and stomped towards the group, but Bofur stepped forward, quickly taking over.

"If its more information yeh want. I'm the one you be wantin' the speak to." It seemed to quell the kings temper, and he stood still, listening. Bofur stood silent for a second, Fili watching as he could see the older Dwarrow think of a way out.

"We were on the road. Well, its not so much a road as a path. Actually, it's not even tha'. Come to think of it. It's more like a track." Fili sighed inwardly. They were doomed. "Anyway" Bofur continued "The point is. We were on this road, like a path, like a track and then we weren'…which is a problem because we were suppose' to be in Dunland las' Tuesday."

"Visiting distant relations" Dori pitched in. "Some inbreds on me mothers side." Bofur finished.

"Shut up! If they do not talk, we will make them squawk!" The king of the goblins ordered for something called the Bonebreaker and the Mangler. Those sounded to Fili like they would be unpleasant, be it weapon or person, and he had no desire to meet whatever or whoever was attached to those names.

"Start with the youngest." Fili stiffened. No. Not Kili. He barely set himself in front of his brother before he realized, Kili was not the youngest in the group. Fili almost hated himself for the relief he felt that Ori was younger than Kili, because he knew Kili was not in the right mind to fight off anything with a motivation to survive the fight. He looked over at Ori's terrified expression and felt even worse for his relief. Ori would not do well either, the young Dwarrow was more heart than bark.

Thorin, however, stepped forward. Bringing himself to the front of the group. His person radiating authority as he bellowed out "WAIT!"

"Well, well, well. Thorin. Son of Thrain. Son of Thror. King under the mountain." Fili's eyes widened. Of course the large goblin recognized Thorin, they were often recognized for their family line most places they went. Kili hated it but Fili just accepted it for what it was. He was born a prince, he knew who he was, and felt no discomfort for his title. The weight of their line always fell heavy on both their shoulders as they would be charged with continuing it. Fili looked down. He would be charged with continuing it. There was no way in middle earth Kili would take another mate, even if it meant the line of Durin would cease to exist without him doing so. Kili loved and loved hard. Nobody would fill the hole Tauriel left, and Fili would never ask it of him.

Fili looked back to Thorin, as the goblin taunted him for not having a mountain to rule.

"You are not a king, which makes you, nobody. Really." Fili internally recoiled, did he just say what he thought he said? Thorin may not be king under the mountain, but he still was the king of the Dwarrow. Even if it was a small settlement of Ered Luin where he reined, Thorin was still their king, and Fili, the crowned prince. He subtly reached into one of his hidden pockets, fingering the blade. Nobody. Ever. Questions. His. King.

"I know someone who would pay a pretty price for your head."

Fili felt the blood drain from his face. He had completely forgotten about the blackspeak order for Thorin's head. The thing which had them all leaving Ered Luin to take the mountain, in a way, to protect their line.

The goblin did not stop there. He continued to taunt Thorin, claiming nothing was needed but his head, and the old enemy who wanted it.

"A pale orc astride a white warg." Fili eyed his uncle. He had heard stories of such an orc his entire life. Azog. Fili knew he had something to do with all of their ends before they were brought back. He may have kept them to himself, but more than once, he spent the night in throws of a nightmare where a massive, white, orc-like hand plunged a knife into his side and flung him over a tall wall. He would wake just as he hit the bottom. Though he could never make out faces, something inside him as he heard the name awoke, and he knew there was a connection.

"Azog the defiler was destroyed. He was slain in battle long ago." Thorin glared at the goblin before him. Fili tried to believe his uncles words. But, inside, he knew the goblin spoke the truth. Azog was not dead. It was him who wanted Thorin's head.

The goblin king only laughed at Thorin's naivety before turning to one of his own and ordered them to send word to the white orc, Thorin was here. Then he moved back to his chair, stepping on kneeling goblins, using them as steps up, and lead the horde back into song. Fili watched from his place beside his brother as the infestation around them began going through the weapons pile just out of reach of the group. He, or she, Fili did not know if there were genders in goblins, was pulling axes and swords, inspecting each one until it paused on Thorin's new blade Tauriel insisted he keep. He pulled the elvish sword from its sheath and immediately tossed it with a terrified yelp, scuffling back from it as if it had burned the goblin.

To Fili's surprise, the entire assembly, including the king, jumped back in fear of the weapon.

"I know that sword! It is the goblin-cleaver!" The leader cried out, stepping up on his throne like a maid afraid of a rat. It would have amused Fili further if he still was not afraid of the dangers around him, and his family. It looked as if their luck had not completely run out, however. He could feel a small sense of relief when the great bounding voice of Gandalf broke through the howling and screeching goblins. Gandalf ordered the group to take up arms, and finally, Fili was able to put his frustrations to blade.

Fili joined the fight, but made sure to stay near Kili, Thorin too had a sense to keep his nephews close. Kili had seemed to burst from stone as he drew his bow and began taking out goblins with devastating accuracy. He knew his brother was talented with the bow, more talented than some elves if you asked him. But he had never seen the look of danger and pure fury in his brother as he speedily drew and fired, before drawing his sword and rushing into the throws around him.

They fought their way through the goblin city. Gandalf had taken out the Goblin king practically the moment he entered the city which did not go well with the horde around them. Thousands of goblins gave chase and they had to climb, jump, and swing their way out of the mountain. Eventually all coming together on a bridge, cutting the ropes as it plunged them through the pit in the center of the city and they landed hard, still clinging to the bridge, at the bottom.

"That was not ideal." Fili groaned next to his brother who flinched as he tried to move. "Not in the least." He grumbled out. Fili turned to rise, but one glance at Kili's wide surprised eyes had him whipping his own to where Kili was now pointing.

"Move!" Fili grabbed his brother and they both rolled away just in time for the giant king of the goblin fell and landed on the bridge they rode down, causing a cacophony of pained grumblings from the Dwarrow who had not moved in time.

Fili turned to Kili, assessing his brother. "Are you alright?" Kili did not answer, he just stared at Fili, his brows lowering and his face adopting a hard expression. "Fili. Stop looking at me as if I am going to fling myself off the nearest tower."

Fili gave Kili a hesitant look, only causing Kili to get more annoyed, before his expression melted into one of deep and unending sorrow. "I made Tauriel a promise. If…if something happened to her. I promised I would go on." Fili pulled Kili back into his arms. Tauriel just never stopped giving did she? She had already given his family more than they could pay back, and now she had made sure Kili would not follow her on his own accord. His heart could not take the pain his brother was in, but the knowledge that he had promised to live his life even with his one gone, was both a heavy blow and a beautiful gift.

Gandalf, not realizing their situation, ordered them to move out as Kili pulled back and looked back up at the pit…seeing the horde of goblins now making their way down and yelling to the wizard. The Dwarrow were once again on the run as they surged through the halls and spilling out of the mountain opening into a grove of trees where they huddled trying to catch their heaving breaths.

Fili could hear Gandalf mumbling names. It took him a moment to realize he was taking count. He closed his eyes when he knew what was inevitably coming. He felt Kili stiffen beside him when Gandalf came to Tauriel then Bilbo. He lifted his eyes to look around for the hobbit he had not realized was even missing. Excuse him for having bigger problems then a missing halfling. That was unfair he chastised himself. He liked Bilbo.

"Tauriel and Bilbo. Where is our elf and hobbit!"

"Gone." Thorin growled. "The hobbit probably took his chance and left. His only thoughts on his warm hearth and soft bed. He has thought about nothing since he stepped out of his door. We will not be seeing out hobbit again. He is long gone."

The company stood in silence. "Are you sure? Perhaps he is with Tauriel." The wizard turned to Kili who was looking down. He lifted his devastated brown eyes to Gandalf who stopped instantly at the look. No words were necessary.

"Oh." The only words which fell from the wizard.

"We lost 'er." Bofur softly murmured. Confirming Gandalf's own thoughts, the wizard turning his blue eyes filled with remorse on the young prince. "Kili. I am so sorry. She was.."

"Please don't" Kili choked out. He was saved from saying anything when Bilbo stepped into the clearing. "No. I am here." He looked around at some of the relieved looks in the group, but his heart grew heavy once again at the undercurrent of pain in the loss of Tauriel.

"Bilbo! How on earth did you get past the goblins?" Fili felt himself asking. He could not believe the hobbit survived!

Fili eyed the halfling as he seemed to shift around nervously before stammering out that he had found his courage. Fili narrowed his eyes. He may be young, but he was no fool. After all, he spent the last 83 years of his life training to be the next ruler, one does not go through all those lessons and come out naive. Bilbo was hiding something. Before he could think on it more, however, they were attacked once again. The messenger the goblin king sent must have gotten through, because coming their way were..

"Wargs!" The group looked at the incoming beasts then saw Azog astride his own white warg, ordering his ranks to attack. The company had no choice but to run, taking out as many wargs as they could along the way. That is, until they could run no more, reaching the edge of the forest where it met a sheer drop.

'Here we go again' Fili thought to himself as they took to battle. He looked at the cliff at the end of the clearing. They had nowhere to go! He then looked up. The trees. He thought of his elven sister, and as if she had pulled him to do so, pushed his brother to the nearest tree and began to ascend, Kili jumping easily from branch to branch as they made their way as high as they could. Gandalf seeing this, ordered the rest of the company to follow suit. The wizard too climbing high. Fili watching fascinated as the wizard released a moth into the air. He had no time to ask, as he watched Azog enter the clearing and order their end.

With no other choice, they continued their assault from the trees, Kili shooting until he ran out of the last few arrows he had remaining from their previous battle with the Goblins. Gandalf had passed some burning pinecones he had lit using his staff to Fili and Kili who flung them at the orcs and wargs below. The fire beginning to ignite the forest floor causing the tree most of the Dwarrow were in to fall precariously over the cliffs edge just as they were winning the battle and Azog and his orcs began falling back.

Some of the company in the fallen tree had lost their grips and were dangling and clinging to whatever they could as to not go falling into the deep ravine below. Gandalf hearing their plight, lowered his staff to give them something to grab onto just as they slipped from the branch, saving their lives if even for the moment.

Fili looked to see Kili holding tightly to the branch as he turned his brown eyes to look into Fili's blue ones. Fili breathed a heavy sigh, his brother would hold on. Both turned to their uncle, though, who was not looking at anyone except for the pale orc, now staring darkly at the dwarven king. "No." Fili stuttered. This whole time, Fili had been worried his brother would leap to his death at a moments notice, when he should have been worried about his uncle. The uncle who stood from the tree, walking with purpose into battle, sword raised as he moved towards the defiler himself.

"Uncle! No!" But Thorin was not listening and Fili cursed loudly. He could not possibly leave his brother, could he? He watched helplessly as Thorin was hit to the ground not once, but twice before Azog's massive white warg took the only father he knew into his mouth and through him like cloth-doll meters away. He closed his eyes. He could not watch. Losing his sister and his uncle, really his father, in under two days. He did not know if he would ever be able to come back from it, let alone Kili.

A cry startled him from his dark thoughts and his eyes flew open as he watched Bilbo leap from the tree and attack the orc about to remove Thorin's head, plunging his small blade into the screaming orc's chest. Thorin's eyes were closed, he looked too still to Fili. Fili looked back at Kili who drew his sword and gave Fili a knowing look. Their place was beside their king. They would not stay cowering in a tree. They would fight, to their deaths if necessary, with honor.

A yell rang out from both of them as they jumped from the tree and began attacking just as Dwalin took to the same pursuit. Bilbo impressively holding his own as he worked to fend off any who came near Thorin's still body. Fili did not think they could win this, but they would die trying.

Their saving grace came in the form of massive wings and screeching beaks. Giant eagles have come. He watched as they pushed down trees and joined them in the fight through the still burning flames, taking out orc and warg alike. Using their massive talons to carry them over the ravine and fling them down to their imminent deaths.

At first his heart lurched as one came towards his uncle. Did they mistake him for the enemy? But the eagle only gently scooped Thorin up, carrying him from the fight before another snatched Bilbo. One by one, Kili and Fili watched as the eagles ceased their fight and grabbed Dwarrow after Dwarrow. Kili looking at his brother before sheathing his sword and giving Fili a nod, running at the eagle coming their way. Fili getting the message, put his own blades away and together, the brothers leapt into the air just under the eagle and each grabbed onto a clawed foot. The eagle took off flying high into the air over the ravine, both brothers in the grasp of their eagle before they were dropped, yelling out, onto the back of one of the massive brown birds just below them.

Fili looked down, the eagle carrying Thorin was just beneath them and he still was unmoving. They flew a ways away before the eagles, one by one, deposited them onto a tall ledge a safe distance from where they once were. Fili and Kili forced their way forward to their silent uncle, both falling to their knees before him. He was not breathing.

"Mahal, no." Fili whispered before Gandalf pushed forward and knelt before the fallen king. He muttered some incomprehensible words, his hand on Thorin's forehead. Fili and Kili watching on. A moment later, their hearts lifted as Thorin took a deep breath, slowly opening his blue eyes and looked directly at his nephews. His sons. They pulled him into their arms and the small family took comfort in each other before Thorin rose, with help and turned to Bilbo.

"You. What were you doing!? You nearly got yourself killed. We have already lost one, and you threw yourself practically to your death!" Fili and Kili looked at Thorin confused. What was he doing? Bilbo saved his life!

"Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild? That you had no place amongst us?"

Bilbo looked between Thorin and the company. Clearly being cut with every word from Thorin's mouth until the very last statement caused Fili to smile.

"I made this mistake once before, then I was proven wrong when someone showed me it was not about what a person was, but who. She taught me I was wrong, and in her honor, I bare you my sincerest apologies. My daughter would have seen me as dishonorable for the things I said to you. Forgive me Bilbo. I was wrong once again." He pulled the startled hobbit into an embrace, the company cheering behind him as Fili wrapped his arm around Kili. Tauriel's presence has forever changed them. He looked up into the sunset. 'Where are you sister? Are you with your mother and father? Are you here with us?' He closed his eyes. He hoped, wherever she was, she was finding peace.

Tauriel's mind was nothing but a misting fog. Her first semblance of awareness had her walking through a never ending plain of rock and pebbles. At a glance, it looked as if she was standing over water, but her feet were dry and no sounds came from her steps.

"Hello?" She called out. Her voice barely penetrating the air as if her surroundings were sucking up the noise. She sank to her knees. Maybe she was in purgatory. Her last waking memory being a solid wall coming towards her. Her fingers folded in her lap. The small golden ring around her slender finger shining brighter in the greys around her, much like Kili himself shone like a beacon in her life. Her Kili. She hoped with everything she was that he would forgive her.

She looked into the water like ground just as the mist cleared. Her eyebrows furrowed at the sight of her reflection. It was not an elf staring back at her. It could not be. Her chin was covered in what could only be hair, the ears large and rounded rather than long and pointed, and her face overall lost its slim, angular, elvish look. It was not an elf staring back at her, but a dwarrowdam, with her same green eyes and fiery red hair. Tauriel slowly lifted her hands to her face, expecting to feel the course hair clinging to her cheeks, but only cool smooth skin met her touch. Her ears too were still pointed, though she watched mesmerized as the dwarrowdam Tauriel mimicked the same movements. From face to ears, hands going exactly where her own did.

"Is this not what you wanted? To be what you are not? I can give that to you, you know." Her head shot up at the voice beyond her. A cloaked figure had stepped out of nowhere.

"I can give you a chance for real happiness, beside your dwarf. A chance to be fully accepted. Do you think the halfling spawn of an elf and a dwarf would be acknowledged or even tolerated among any race?"

Tauriel's hand shot to her stomach on their own accord. No life grew there, but his threats and words tore through her as if Kili's child grew inside her. The figure advanced forward, seeing her fears begin to consume her. He knelt down, just before her, as hard as she looked, she could see no features, only darkness under the hood. It unnerved her and she leaned away instinctivly.

"There is no need to fear, child. You seem to be filled with them. Fears. Fears of loss. Fears of acceptance. Fears of being alone. Fears of not being enough. You do not need to hold onto them, they do not need to consume you as they do. I can make it so they could all, go away." His voice dripped with honey, yet it only brought apprehension and deep weariness to Tauriel.

"And what would you want in payment? Nothing comes for free." She shot out. Hand still held protectively over her stomach.

"You are right. Nothing comes for free. All I ask is loyalty, your loyalty. With it I can gain the loyalty of the dwarves. Thorin could even have that mountain he desires so much. I will personally see to it."

Tauriel bit her lip. The figure's hood hiding all features. She would become a dwarrowdam. Her children would be accepted. Thorin would have his kingdom, his proper kingdom. It seemed too good to be true. Her thoughts flew to a conversation not too long ago atop a tall boulder.

"What about our children Kili, would they, do you think they would be, be accepted?" Kili smiled. Their children. How he dreamed that day would come soon. He looked down at her flat stomach longingly. "I know for a fact they would be loved by our family, and by all at Ered Luin." He lifted his eyes to her emerald ones. "I am not afraid, Tauriel, nor should you be. Any children of ours will have more than enough to love them."

Courageous Kili had no fears of having children with Tauriel. Her thoughts went back to all the memories she had of him telling her how much he loved her. How much he loved who she was. He did not want a dwarrowdam, he would say, he wanted his elf. Who was this figure, to come before her, to try and buy her loyalties?

She remembered a conversation with Thorin who was teaching her, Fili, and Kili about diplomacy in their lessons. He had said that loyalty can never be bought, only earned. Anyone who claims to be able to trade for loyalty should never be trusted. They may offer something too good to be true, which in the majority of cases, is just so. If, any time in the future, they find themselves in a situation where loyalty is put on the table and weighed as if it has a cost, to put their guard up, for battle is not far behind.

Tauriel rose to her feet, standing as tall as she could. She looked down once more into the fierce gaze of the dwarrowdam in her reflection. Her eyes lifting as the reflection gave a very subtle shake of its head, then a wink before it was replaced by Tauriel's elven features. This was not the way. Her mind cried in rebellion. This was wrong. Something here was wrong. She narrowed her eyes dangerously at the cloaked figure as her fingers curved, her ring, her physical connection to Kili, warmed around her finger as if he was there with her.

"No." Her instincts were spot on as the figure went from promising to demanding in a flash.

"Foolish child! Do you know of whom you speak with!" He looked down at her hand, the gold band flashing bright.

"I too had a ring once. More powerful than your mere gold band. It will be mine once again, and when it is, your mountain will fall."

Tauriel looked at the figure confused. Who was this being? What ring did he speak of? Her eyes widened in horror as memories and stories filled her head.

One ring to rule them all. One ring to find them. One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

This was no mere mortal, or valor. "Sauron" She whispered. The grey around her erupting into snow covered plains. Ones she knew well as they haunted her minds eye.

"Perhaps a different tactic then." The hooded figure of Sauron stooped before her. Her eyes turned to the distance where ravens numbered in the thousands flocked over a hill where she knew what she would find.

"I tried to keep you from that quest. I tried to warn you. Feed your fears, but still you continued, you foolishly continued on. So, I thought of a different tactic, instead of planting visions of terror to keep you from the mountain, I tried to give you EVERYTHING you wanted! But still, you choose your foolish path!"

Tauriel could hear the ravens screaming her name as they circled. She felt her feet once again transporting her to the top of the hill as if she was being dragged, her mind trying to protest and fight back against what she now saw as a mental assault. She knew exactly what she would see atop that hill. Visions of death and destruction. She tried to break herself free of the vision, fearing if she saw it again it would solidify her fate. This was not real, this was planted. She had to fight, she had to overcome. If she had learned anything in the last year, it was her strength comes from her family. They were her greatest purpose and her strongest defense.

Her attention was shifted to a massive growl coming from directly behind her. She focused on the large approaching beast. Thinking it to be a warg, her hands automatically went for a weapon, any weapon, as the beast approached through the mists. It walked purposefully towards her, and she watched as a second and third appeared directly behind the first. Each growling and advancing on her. She closed her eyes, ready for the impending attack when she felt the soft fur of one brushing past her hands.

Looking down she saw it was not a warg, but a massive wolflike being. It's fur a dark black, it's eyes large and deep brown. The same brown she looked into every day for the last year.

"Kili?" she questioned, her eyes widened as she turned to the other two advancing creatures, one golden and one black and silver, both with matching blue eyes and both staring menacingly at the cloaked figure before her.

"Interesting trick, daughter of the forest." The being, Sauron, taunted. Watching as the growling creatures stood protectively before the red-headed elf.

"No matter. Child. If you think they can protect you from me. You are grievously mistaken. Try to take that mountain without my help, and it will lead to your demise and the end of all you love and hold dear."

The silver and black beast, Thorin, her mind related, snarled and the Kili creature braced itself up against Tauriel's hips. Her fingers sliding into its fur causing a chill to run across the creatures back. She looked from the trio before her to the enraged Sauron.

"I suppose the time for negotiations is over. Do you turn down my deal?"

Tauriel stood straight and proud, glaring at the figure before shouting "With everything I am, I do. I do not care if you have the power to create life itself. I know who I am. I am Tauriel. Wife of Kili. Niece of Thorin. Daughter of Dis. Sister of Fili. I am an elf among the Dwarrow. I. Am. Dwarrow. And we will NEVER BE BOUGHT!" The three standing protectively around her howled in agreement.

"That was the incorrect response child." The figure growled out. "If I cannot buy you, then I will destroy you."

Just as he was about to come forward a bright light filled the plains and Tauriel had to cover her eyes to see. "You will do no such thing, foul creature!"

She removed her arm from her eyes to see Aulle, or as the Dwarrows call him, Mahal standing between the wolflike beasts and the cloaked being, Sauron.

"You think you have power here, but it is you who is mistaken, for your power has been long lost, beast of darkness." As Aulle advanced, Sauron was forced back, shrinking from the light given off by the Valor.

"I will have my chance." He sneared.

"Aye, you might." The valor agreed, darkly. "But it will not be through her." He pointed to Tauriel, still surrounded by growling massive wolves.

"She. Is. Protected." He gave one last thrust of his hand and the vision and Sauron disappeared, leaving her alone with Aulle and the wolves, which is the closest thing she could relate them too, despite their massive size.

Aulle turned towards Tauriel, the world back to the grey she knew before the hooded being, Sauron, appeared. "I do not understand, what is happening?"

"Somehow, he was able to attach himself to your mind. Manwe believes it was due in fact to you coming back from the dead. He could have easily attached to any one of you, but he chose you, probably thinking he could manipulate you easier. He obviously chose poorly. You fought him well."

The valor approached Tauriel, placing his hand on her shoulder and looking into her green eyes. "You must away, child, you cannot remain here. You are needed." He then looked down at the three beasts around her, smiling fondly at them.

"It appears, even in your mind, these three refuse to let any harm befall you. He knelt down, his hands going to the animal with Kili's eyes who was looking sadly between the valor and Tauriel. Aulle seemed to communicate something with him and he bowed his furry head deeply.

Aulle stood, standing just before Tauriel. "My child, it is time for you to go. Linger here no longer."

"I do not know how." She looked at the wolves who had walked a short distance away and were standing just across from her and the valor. She could barely make out the visions of three beings, Thorin, Fili and Kili, all standing transparently in front of their lupine twin.

"You must wake up, Amralime. I need you more than you can ever know." Kili called quietly, his voice echoing through the darkness around her.

"That's right little sister. Time to wake up. Our family is not complete without you."

"It is true, my beloved niece, come back. Open your eyes."

A fifth figure walked slowly out of the mists, its features sharpening as it approached and Tauriel gave a strangled sob as she recognized the person who stepped beside Thorin. Her hands holding out a glowing stone.

"Return to me. Daughter."

Tauriel turned her misting eyes to the stone in Dis's hand, it was glowing brighter every moment and instead of shrinking from it, she stepped towards it, her hand slowly reaching out as if to grasp the stone, allowing the light to engulf her as she faded from the now empty plains.

A groan escaped her parched lips as Tauriel came to. Taking assessment of her body, she noticed everything felt stiff and sore, as if she had not moved in weeks. She opened her eyes to the green grasses around her. The sun was shining and the breeze tinkling through the trees as the warmth of the afternoon fought off the chill in her mind from the dream, or vision, she woke from. She blinked into the bright light and sat up slowly, her shoulder and hip protesting the movements.

"Am I in Valinor?" She questioned. It seemed to look similar to her few memories of the Elven heavens.

"Yes, my child." Her head looked to the source of the response and she drew in a confused breath at the figure slowly coming into focus.

"Then who are you? Why are not my mother and father here?"

"Do you not recognize me, young one?" Looking the elf over, she took in the green eyes. He was not anyone she recognized. His hair was a similar shade to her own if not darker, but it was cut short, hanging just over his ears and above his shoulders, though several strands hung haphazardly over his forehead. Short braids mixed among the messy auburn which was brushed back to fall over his neck. Valor, not even Kili's hair was in such disarray. His ears easily marked him as an elf, just as long and pointed as her own, which were longer than any she had ever seen in Mirkwood marking her as one who did not originate from there. His features where sharp, but not uncomely. He would be considered a very, roguish, elf but in an attractive way. Maybe not to her though, her eyes were only for her dark haired, brown eyed, dwarven prince.

"Forgive me, but I do not." She finally declared.

He scoffed, looking insulted. "I, child, am the great Manwe. King of Valinor. Ruler of the undying lands."

Tauriel narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, unimpressed. "And I am Galadriel, queen of Lothlorien. Let us not speak ridiculous untruths." The elf across from her stared before his laughter filled the clearing.

"A truce then, as your wit is a fiery match to my own. I am Naurfaer. And who might you be, my fiery friend?"

"I am no friend of yours." She growled out, before she took a breath. Channeling Thorin would be of no help here. She tried to rise, but her legs gave out. Naurfaer did not move to help her, only watched with a curious smirk, and Tauriel sighed, accepting her fate of being stuck here for the time being.

"Tauriel. At your service." She gave in, introducing herself.

"A strange greeting, to be sure. No matter. A pleasure to meet you. I must ask though, your accent seems to be of Mirkwood origin, though it is tinged with something I cannot recognize. You do not look like the elves that dwell among Thranduil. You are too short, too red headed, and much to spirited to be one of his. Where are you from and what brings you here?"

"How did I get here, exactly?" Tauriel answered with a question of her own. She did not know this elf, and she certainly was not going to give him any answers.

He looked at her, as if trying to puzzle her out, before he sat down on a log, pulling his leg up and hooking his arm around it as he rested his chin on his knees.

"Very well. I will bite. A question for a question then."

Tauriel eyed him tiredly as he reached over the log he sat on and pulled out a large, clear rock of sorts about the size of her hand. It was not quite an orb, but it was well rounded.

"Do you know what this is?" He asked, looking from the gem to the she-elf on the ground. Tauriel shook her head.

"This is what is at the heart of a stone giant. I supposed you can say it is not unlike our own hearts, only hard and ungiving." He looked at Tauriel as if his words had a double meaning but did not give her a chance to dwell on his words.

"They sell for a massive amount of gold on the market when found, as they are rare and killing a stone giant is damn near impossible. You have to come across a battle and get lucky as they are all but invisible in their resting forms." He tossed the stone up in his hands then placed it on the ground and shifted to put his full attention on the other elf.

"Funny, how I came across a stone massacre just in time to see another elf on a ledge. A ledge where a fallen giant was advancing on. Seems fate is on your side, Tauriel, as you were spared by the luck of the landing. The impact did do some damage, but the way he fell and your…small form…" He eyed her up and down and Tauriel sat up and glared at the attention.

"Woah, look. Not interested, ya? I was just making observations." He defended. "I do not make it a habit to look for attachments to mated elves." He signaled to the ring on her finger before pressing on. "Anyway, I saw it fall and figured I could, how do the men say it, kill two birds with one stone…and save a damsel in distress and collect a nearly priceless item." He gave her a wide grin. "Win win."

"I do not understand. How did I survive?"

"What, are you complaining?" Naurfaer reached down to his pack to grab a water bladder and some fruit. He kept half the fruit for himself, and passed the water and remaining substance to Tauriel who reached out to take the offered items.

"I had to move some of the rocks." The male elf muttered, mouth full of berries causing Tauriel to both cringe, and pull up an image of Fili. Her heart lurching at the image. She missed her family.

"You were there, huddled and unconscious in the tiny gap between the giant and the stone wall behind you. Luck indeed." He swallowed his food and wiped his hands on his brown trousers.

"I lifted you and carried you down from the cliffs. I thought I would have to walk the entire way, but was rather surprised and startled to come across some unusual help." He signaled to the opposite end of the clearing where Tauriel shifted her eyes. She smiled and laughed as tied to a few trees stood four horses. One grey, on brown, one blonde, and one black.

"Galaddal! Maryn! Kit and Rhya!" Tauriel exclaimed happily. Galaddal stamped his feat, his own way of showing his excitement as Maryn tugged at her ties.

"Watch out for that shaggy brown one, she bit me…twice." He shuttered at the memory. Tauriel smiled, Rhya was spirited, and had a right temper, but she never had problems with her.

"I take it you know these demons?" He glared at the horses. "They refused to leave your side. I only have them tied up to stop them from coming over here and assaulting me as I tended your wounds."

"How long has it been?"

"I believe I said a question for a question, and I have answered far more than one."

Tauriel huffed and stared at the elf on the log. "Very well. What do you want to know. I will answer as I can."

"Mysterious." He droned. "Alright. I will bite. What brings an elf out, alone, on the cliffs during a thunder battle?"

Tauriel bit her lip as she thought of her response. "My family was on a journey home." It was not exactly a lie.

"And where is your family now?"

"I do not know." She answered honestly. "They probably think I am dead and have continued on."

"You mean they left you." He intoned.

"You know nothing of what you say. My family, if they knew I could be alive, would stop at nothing to retrieve me. They would only move on if they thought I was gone."

He looked at her, calculating his next response before questioning "And how do you not know they are dead?"

"They are not!" She shot out. At the same time, just to be sure, she looked deep inside herself to the place where her connection to Kili thrived. It was subdued, but there and strong. He was fine for the time being. She just hoped he stayed true to his promise, at least until she got back to him.

"Two weeks. You have been unconscious."

"TWO WEEKS!" Tauriel startled. It had been two weeks.

"You were gravely injured. Your hip broken, your shoulder dislocated and fractured not to mention a well of cuts and bruising and a crushed rib. It is a wonder you healed at all…given your predicament."

Tauriel's eyes widened as she turned to the elf staring pointedly at her.

"What. You think I did not notice your certain lack of immortality." She narrowed her eyes. "Look. I am not here to judge you or question your choices, but you do intrigue me. It has been many, many years since a curiosity such as yourself fell into my lap and I am in want of entertainment. So I…" He rose from his log and kneeled before her "will help you."

"At what cost to you?" She asked. Wary of any offering since the vision she woke from.

"None at all except for a personal need to learn the great mysteries of Tauriel." He brandished his hands and gave her a wide smile.

Tauriel's eyebrows drew close. "You want me to trust you, the elf who madly claimed to be Manwe?"

"Hey, I knew Manwe when he was a just a tiny elfling. Nothing wrong with impersonating figures in your life." He shrugged, not sorry in the least.

Tauriel choked on the water she just inhaled. Sputtering at his admitting to know the king of Valinor as a child. Nobody is that old. "You are mad." Naurfaer only shrugged.

"Whatever you say." He stood up as Tauriel watched him carefully. She eyed the forest beyond. It could do to have some help. She sighed and struggled to stand once again. Her legs shaking in protest, but slowly beginning to accept her weight. Naurfaer just sat, watching from his perch once again on the log.

"Fine." She grumbled, when her legs once again gave and she fell to the ground. She could not do this by herself, at least not until she regained her strength.

"Great" Naurfaer clapped his hands and grabbed some more food as he excitedly sat forward."What is the plan then? Go back to your home? Find an elven settlement?"

Tauriel reached out for a large stick, once again trying to stand. If she could just get to Galaddal, and get on his back, she can start bridging the widening gap between her and Kili.

"Awe, you wish to leave now." Tauriel was afraid he would keep her there, refusing to let her go until she had more strength. Kili would. But this was not her Kili. Instead, Naurfaer jumped to his feet, grabbed his bag, and bounded to the horses. Steering clear of Rhya to Tauriel's utter amusement. Naurfaer watched as Tauriel slowly made for the horses, Galaddal straining against his rope to get to her and her falling into him as she finally reached her gray friend. She nuzzled his nose just as Maryn came and pressed against her back.

"Hello." She brightly exclaimed, Kit and Rhya's ears turning in her direction.

Naurfaer was holding a large bag, one which seemed to have her cloak, weapons, and messenger bag all unharmed. He handed it to her free hand.

"Do you need assistance." Tauriel looked from him to the tall horse. She was about to respond when Galaddal, as if sensing her needs, knelt all the way to the ground, allowing for Tauriel to just lift her leg over his back as he lifted himself back up to full height.

Naurfaer released his ties as well as Maryn's who pranced happily near Tauriel. Causing Tauriel to giggle quietly. Naurfaer looked to the other two mounts.

"You know, I should have had you untie these two beasts." He groaned.

"Easy you two, he is only going to untie you." She soothed, more to the agitated looking Rhya, who other than a stamp of her foot, did not move to assault the male elf.

"There see, not too bad." Tauriel teased. Naurfaer only rolled his eyes.

"I think Kit would allow you to ride him. Do not even bother with Maryn. She may seem friendly, but she will buck you off if you try." Tauriel indicated to the golden horse belonging to Fili. Kit was always very subdued and gentle so she knew he would allow for another to ride him.

"Alright." Naurfaer said from atop the golden horse. "Where to."

Tauriel kicked Galaddal into motion and gave a soft whistle, the other horses following directly as she turned her head slightly to the other elf. "To find my family."

Authors Note: See! Tauriel is fine. As if I would kill her off. If you doubted me all I have to say is…shame. Shame on you. Shame on your family. Shame on your horse. Just kidding…not the horse. Anyway. Got a new character for you, Naurfaer. Funny story with this elf. So, my baby sister started reading this, and wanted dibs on Fili whom my other sister had already called dibs on so, my baby sister asked for an OC and thus, Naurfaer was born or…well…created. By the way, Naurfaer is Sindarin for 'Fire Soul', just in case you wanted to know. Also..Sauron! Right?! What a jerk. I figured it went well with the whole creepy 'necromancer saraun' theme in The Hobbit. Anyway. Thank you for your loyalty in my story and your continued reading. I love all the wonderful reviews, thank you SO much for taking the time to write those I read every single one. They mean a lot to me. I will see you guys in the next chapter. :)