Authors Note: Here comes another one :D! Sorry about the emotional roller coaster…the ride may not be over yet. See you at the end of the chapter!
Chapter Twenty-Two
If Tauriel thought finding a company of thirteen Dwarrows would be easy, she would be grievously mistaken. What was more, the strange elf, Naurfaer, was still insisting on keeping her company. She had hoped he would grow tired of her and her search and go and sell his bauble and leave her be, but instead he hardly let her out of his sight, sometimes looking at her in a way which made her entirely to uncomfortable…such as the look he was giving her now.
"What!" She asked for what felt like the sixth time today. Her temper was getting the better of her lately. All she wanted was to get to her family, her brother, uncle, and her Kili. She knew some of her aggravations stemmed from the distance and the not knowing how many of them are safe or…still alive. She knew Kili was, the connection inside her giving proof to that. But she had no way of know if Thorin and Fili were alright, or any of the other members of the company, Bilbo included. She even found herself missing Dwalin and his surely temper. She has not forgotten how he had reached over and tried to save her, the sadness in his eyes were not something he would fake as she slipped from his hand and fell to the ground. She hopes him trying to save her lie had not ended his.
Naurfaer seemed to shake himself out of his inner thoughts and gave her a crooked smile. "You know, young one, you should learn to watch your temper. One might think you were part orc."
'Young one'. She rolled her eyes. He was always saying things like that to her. Of course, there was no way of knowing how old another elf was until they told you, but this insane eldar keeps acting as if he was older than any elf she had ever known, Elrond included, then, just a moment later, act as if he was younger than her. If he was not mad, she surely would be by the time he finally took leave of her.
"If it bothers you so, then you can leave at any time." It had been two weeks and she had nothing to show for it except the constant headache which was the infuriating elf looking amusingly at her.
"Why would I do that. You are way more interesting than my own company. I think I will continue to aid your journey."
"Lucky me." Tauriel grumbled, her eyes scanning the fork in the road for signs of her family.
"You know. All this time, and you still have yet to tell me anything about this supposed family you are searching for. Have I not proven myself worthy of at least some information?" It was true, in this entire time Tauriel had practically just led Naurfaer on, sidestepping any questions leading to the information on her family. With so many against their journey to Erebor, and the added fear that even Sauron wanted a piece of the mountain, she was entirely too weary to give anything away until she knew they were safe. So, she told Naurfaer vague truths mostly to get him to let her alone without giving anything away. If he assumed her family were of the elves, who was she to dissuade him. Although…she eyed the elf astride Kit, maybe telling him she is married to a dwarf would cause him to think she was the insane one and leave her be, or, she internally lamented, it could have the opposite effect. He seemed to do nothing as she expected.
She eyed the clouds in the distance. Fantastic. To add to everything she is going through, another storm is brewing. Tauriel sat back and chastised herself. At least she knew her mate was alive. Kili still thought she was dead. She knew because if her husband had any clue she was living, he would stop at nothing to meet up with her. No. He thought she was gone. Her poor Kili, she felt the distance between them like a knife piercing her heart, she cannot imagine the despair he would be in believing her to be gone from him completely. She had to find him. She needed him.
"We need to find shelter. A storm is on the horizon." Turning to Naurfaer she indicated to the clouds ahead. He studied the distance and nodded in agreement. "Do you know of anywhere we can stay and wait out the rains?" She asked. Truthfully, she had no desire to endure another day of wet weather on the road, but she doubts even if he knew of somewhere, the sky would open long before they reached their destination. A single drop landing on her hand was proof of that.
She watched Naurfaer look up at her. "I do know of someone not far from here, maybe an hour two at the most. He does not typically enjoy company, especially of the unexpected kind, but…as long as you are not a dwarf he can be rather hospitable, in his own way."
Tauriel weighed her options. They were getting dangerously close to the borders of Mirkwood, where Legolas warned her heavily never to return to. Going in the direction Naurfaer had turned Kit would put her at the border, or very near it. Not having much of a choice, however, she nodded to her companion and they set off towards what she hoped was friendly shelter. She smiled as Maryn trotted happily beside her. If Tauriel looked hard enough, she could even see a faint outline of Kili astride, laughing at something she or Fili had said. 'I am coming my love.' She thought to him.
Just as she had predicted, they did not come in sight of any dwelling until after the rains came down in a drenching furry. The winds blew her hood from her head again, not that it was helping in the least. Her long red locks were dripping with rain and the horses all had their heads bowed forward to push through the wall of pounding drops.
"How much further!" Tauriel called over the storm.
"Just over that hill!" He yelled back, the hair around his face sticking to his forehead and cheeks as he tried to call over the pulsing storm. They pushed forward, finally seeing the lit windows of a cabin.
Her feet sunk into the ground when she jumped from Galaddal's back, her hip no longer giving her any pain having healed perfectly in the last week. She thanked her still mostly superior healing abilities. Grabbing Galaddal, and Rhya's reigns, she pulled them forward behind Naurfaer who was stepping through the large open gate and strode purposefully towards the door. Tauriel gave a whistle signaling Maryn and Kit to follow.
After just a few knocks, the door opened, showing the tallest man she has ever laid eyes on. He had to be several heads taller than Gandalf, who was rather tall himself. Naurfaer just happened to be just an inch or two above her own head, though most elves were taller than her. Something she once hated, but being married to a Dwarrow, had been more of an advantage. If she was any taller, she would stick out that much more among her adopted people.
"Beorn! It's been awhile my friend." At first, she thought the massive man was going to close the door on them, but to her surprise, he bowed his head slightly in recognition.
"Naurfaer. It is true, it has been an age. What brings you to these parts. It is not trouble with the elven king again is it?"
Naurfaer looked up at Beorn, confused for a moment, then as if slowly remembering waived his hand in dismissal. "Nope. I would sooner court an orc maid before soiling my pleasant mood with a visit to the king of pomp and circumstance." Beorn chuckled lowly and stepped aside making room for the elf to enter. He seemed to just notice the soaked she-elf behind him.
"It is unlike you to tarry in company, Naurfaer. Who is this?" Naurfaer glanced back at Tauriel still holding the horses. He turned back to Beorn and whispered loudly "Do not aggravate her my friend, this one does not do well being antagonized. She often answer's questions with a question of her own."
Tauriel huffed. "I do not." Naurfaer gave her a 'Is that so' look and Tauriel glared at him from where she stood still holding the horses, still getting poured on by the endless rain. Seeing how Naurfaer was going to be no help at all, she turned to Beorn. "We seek shelter from the rain. May we come in?" Beorn eyed her and the horses before nodding.
"Bring them around to the side of the cabin. There is a larger door you can bring the horses through. They may have shelter as well." Tauriel did as he instructed, following to the wide double barn doors at the side of the cabin and guiding the horses into the warm, dry, indoors. She set about unsaddling each one, using towels Beorn provided to dry them down before brushing and placing a blanket, also provided by Beorn, on each one. Once the horses were feeding on some of the hay in the stable area of the home, Tauriel joined the two males at the tall table.
"And where did they go after?" Naurfaer was asking. Beorn shrugged. "I lent them the ponies and sent them through the forest."
Tauriel looked confused. Before she could ask, however, Beorn passed her some warm milk and gave her a blanket to wrap around herself. "I do not have any clothes for you, but this and the fire should help." Tauriel had not realized she was shivering until he gave her the means of warmth and she thanked him.
"Interesting, a group of 13 dwarves, a halfling, and a wizard you say?" Naurfaer was asking. Beorn nodded, causing Naurfaer to sit back "Quite the company. They would have to be up to something. Did they tell you?" Tauriel choked on her cup, eliciting strange looks from the two at the table. She hid her startled expression as she coughed into the blanket.
"Seems they wish to retake the mountain. Been orcs around these parts. More than usual. I do not like dwarves. They are a greedy, selfish, race." Tauriel bristled as she sat up straight at the insult. "But, I hate orcs all the more. If Thorin Oakenshield can retake the mountain, he can aid in defending the land. I am behind that."
They were here, Tauriel thought. Her family. Naurfaer had said 13, they were all alive! Every one of them, thank the Valor. For the first time in weeks her heart felt lighter. Until she remembered what Beorn had just said.
"Forgive me, but did you say you sent a group of dwarves into the forest?" Beorn nodded. "They were searching for the fastest route, it was the only way to get to their destination in time." Tauriel closed her eyes, opening them only to see Naurfaer look puzzling at her. She fingered the ring on her finger. "If you will excuse me, I think I am going to go lie down." Beorn dismissed her with the waive of his hand, telling her to rest anywhere she felt comfortable.
Tauriel slipped from the table and walked towards where the horses stood, she could feel the eyes of the two males following her retreat. They turned back to each other continuing their conversation and Tauriel patted Galaddal fondly on the nose before settling down between him and Maryn. Maryn turned her large grey eyes on Tauriel. She gave a soft whinny, before kneeling on her forelegs and plopping completely on the floor. Tauriel smiled when the black mare rested her large head in Tauriel's lap, Tauriel stroking her face as she hummed softly to the horse. Tauriel's hand slipped into her bag and she pulled out the small runestone Dis had given them, letting the smooth stone comfort her as it had since she realized she had it in her bag not long after she woke up. She then pulled the small folded frame and opened it. First looking at Thorin, Fili, and Dis on one side, then trailing her fingers over the features of her Kili on the other.
"You miss Kili don't you." She looked down at the horse in her lap who turned a big eye up to Tauriel. "I do too. I miss his big goofy grin. The way he can make me smile even on the greyest days. His laugh. His hand in mine. The look he gets when he is determined. His humming when he is content." Tauriel felt a tear roll down her cheek at the thought of Kili, her hand gliding through the long black hair of the mare, as the mare gave another small whinny. "I promise you, we will find him, Maryn. I will not stop until I do. If it takes me more lifetimes than I have."
Galaddal knelt down on the ground just behind Tauriel, and Tauriel leaned back to rest against her dapple-grey friend. She soon fell asleep, head resting on Galaddal and Maryn still in her lap. She did not see the shadow of another elf leaning against the frame of the door, watching. "We will find your family. I lost mine. I will make sure you do not lose yours." Naurfaer turned from the scene and sat down to wait the storm out.
Across the forest, 13 dwarves were flung into cells. Fili gave a frustrated growl as the elf shoved him hard into an empty cell, alone. Kili being pushed into one across from him. He had been stripped completely of every weapon he had. Even the ones he thought he had hidden particularly cunningly, those blasted elves found. He is going to have to come up with new hiding strategies in the future. If they had a future, he thought bleakly. He could hear the other Dwarrow shoving at their cell doors looking for weakness but Balin frustratingly reminded them that these were no orc or goblin cells, these were cells of the woodland elves. Elves. Not orcs. Maybe for them, though, just as bad.
"Fi, they took Thorin." Fili turned to his brother. Kili had the better view of the upper cells, his brother watching as they escorted their uncle away. Fili stood leaning against the wall. Before Tauriel falling, they may have had a chance, but with each step they took towards the mountain, Thorin closed himself off more and more. He either spoke harshly to everyone, or refused to speak at all. He only hoped Thorin would come back to himself enough to do something to free them. Even if it came to making a deal with the elven king. One of the elves who brought them in, the one with long white hair, was walking past.
"Where are you taking him?" Fili ground out. The elf stared down at Fili, his face giving a bored expression. "Why is that a concern of yours, dwarf." He taunted.
"Wait. I know you. You are prince Legolas." Kili called out. The elf's eyebrows falling as he turned towards the dark archer. Legolas folded his arms as he stood between the two cells, turned towards the younger dwarf. "How would you know that?"
Kili stared up at the taller elf. "My wife." He finally answered.
"Ki, don't" Fili started, but Kili, as usual, did not listen.
"You saved her life and she thought of you as a close friend. For this, I owe you a debt of gratitude." Legolas was now even more confused. He could not remember ever meeting a dwarrowdam, let alone saving one or being considered a friend of one.
"You speak nonsense, dwarf. I know no such person." He moved to leave when Kili called out "Tauriel always spoke highly of you. Do not do her dishonor of dismissing her so easily."
This stopped the elf in his tracks as he turned and took two bounding steps towards the dwarf, who's hands were gripping the cell.
"How did you come by this name! Tell me and I may spare your life." Fili stepped as close to his cell bars as he could, but if something were to happen, he would be powerless to help. He just hoped his brother knew what he was doing.
Kili lifted his hand to show the beautiful golden band, then pulled the elven braid forward. "I did chance upon nothing. She was my wife. She was my one." He looked down. Legolas quickly picking up on the past tense.
"Was? Did she leave you? Where did she go? I told her to go to Imladris!"
Kili looked to the ground. His voice soft, but firm "She did not leave me. I lost her. She waits in the great halls of Valinor." It took a moment before Legolas picked up on what he was saying and he sat on the steps beside Kili's cell. For a moment, Kili could barely make out the form of a shorter, slimmer elf maiden with long flowing hair, sitting on the same steps, her sparkling eyes looking curiously at him as he spoke of fire moons and adventures.
Legolas sat for a moment, as if to collect himself. "This could be a trick. A means to get released. If it is, you will not survive. I am fond of Tauriel and I will not have her name soiled by a delusional dwarf." Even as he said this though, his heart knew it to be true. The dark-haired dwarf before him was not exploiting the information, instead relating it with a look only to be seen for what it was, mourning, sadness, and deep suffering.
The elf stood, not saying a word, and left the dungeons. "Ki, I do not think you should have done that." Fili counseled, but Kili sat back against his cell wall. "She cared about him. He had a right to know." Fili looked at his brother. He hoped he was right. Aggravating their captors would do them no good, and telling someone a person they cared about was dead was the perfect way to aggravate them. At the moment, their only hope was with their uncle. Fili rubbed his temples. 'I hope he does not make this worse.' Fili thought as he slid to the ground.
Thorin was marched up through the grand halls of Mirkwood where he was shoved forward as the elven king came forward. Thorin lifted his narrowed eyes at the "grand" elf, a dark smile gracing his gruff features.
"Some may imagine a noble quest is at hand. A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I myself suspect a more prosaic motive. Attempted burglary. Or something of that ilk." He turned and glared at Thorin who remained quiet. He was not about to give anything to this, elf.
"You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule. The kings jewel, the Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure."
Thorin closed his eyes, trying to keep his head as the stone came into his thoughts. He could feel the strength of its call, of the gold. He cold feel the clouding of his mind. He could feel himself failing to not be pulled by its call to him. He was not oblivious to the looks of disappointment from Fili as he alone cared for Kili, taking up the mantel Thorin, himself, should have taken. Each time he went to approach his nephews, he stopped himself. 'They would be better without you. They do not need your words. They must learn to find their own strength.' His mind would rage at him and he would back off. Dis would disown him for this. Far better, then, that he push himself aside and give into his quest. Even as his resolve crumbled, his heart fought and lashed out. Family. Blood. Love.
"I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I, too, desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help."
"What do you understand of things that are precious." Thorin's wrangled mind pushed out, as it pulled a picture of Fili and Kili running to him as children, laughing as they leapt into his arms whenever he came home. An image of Tauriel, taking his arm as he walked her through the doors of the great hall, her gown sparkling as tears filled her eyes in adoration when he took his place beside her as segregate father for her wedding. This elf knows nothing of precious, his mind battled. While the other side of his mind fought hard, hissing at anyone or anything taking a single piece of the treasure inside his mountain. That is his treasure. His precious treasure. He felt a dark chuckle escape his lips. What was happening to him?
"I understand a great deal more of precious things than you ever will, dwarf."
Thorin glared, turning scenarios through is head. "I am listening." He finally growled out.
"I will let you go. All of you. If you but return what is mine."
"A favor for a favor." Thorin began, pacing the hall before the elven king's throne. He could feel his mind slipping completely, but clung to an image of a red headed elf. A red headed elf who was shoved in a cell, not unlike them, with the order of death put on her head by someone who for all purposes, raised her. His mirth feeding the darkness of his mind as he finalized his thoughts. For his daughter. As retribution of what this, elf, had done for her. He would give him nothing.
"You have my word. One king…to another." Thranduil sat smirking at the dwarf in his hall. He had him and he knew it.
His 'word'. What honor is in this elf's word. This elf who thrust a child into the dungeons for following her heart.
"I would not trust Thranduil, the great king…to honor his word. Should the end of all days be upon us! YOU LACK ALL HONOR! I have seen how you treat your friends, your people, even.." Thorin could not stop the break in his voice "even those who would call you a father." Not having the strength to speak of her anymore, he turned his thoughts to when they were exiled from Erabor. "We came to you, starving, homeless, seeking YOUR help! But you turned your back on us." His voice rose as he bellowed "You turned away my people and the inferno that destroyed us." Losing all grasp on his mind he threatened in Khuzdul "Imrid amrâd ursul!" (Die a fiery death)
The translation may have been lost on the elven king, but he was incensed none the less. He bared his teeth at Thorin, claiming to know the wrath and ruin of dragon fire, having faced one in the North.
"Take him to his cell and let them rot. I care not how long they are here. 10, 100, 1000 years are nothing to us." The guards came forward grabbing Thorin and pulling him out of the throne hall and pushed him hard into the cell with Balin.
Fili listened as he heard Thorin be unceremoniously thrown into one of the upper cells. He could hear Balin asking of the encounter,
"Did he offer you a deal?" The old elf asked.
"He did" Thorin ground out. Fili's eyes widened. Maybe they had a chance. But all of his hopes fled immediately when Thorin laughed coldly.
"I told him 'ishkh khakfe andu null'. Him and all his kin!" (I $#!% on your face).
Mahal. Fili closed his eyes as he let himself slide heavily to the floor. "It's over." He said, mostly to himself. They failed. They failed their mother. They failed their people. They failed Tauriel. They were given a second chance, and his heart knew they were exactly where they were the first time around. Meaning their path would lead them directly to where it did the first time. Death and ruin.
"Fi?" Fili turned his face to Kili's cell. He could not see him from where he sat, but he could hear him.
"This is where I met her. The first time. I just know it. I can feel it. It is like, a memory, but I cannot pull it up." Fili just listened, letting his eyes fall forward. Overhead, he could hear music coming down from what sounded like a party. The soft cadence should have been peaceful and calming, only filled him with anxiety and despair.
There. In the cells of Mirkwood, surrounded by the soft elven music and his brothers fractured memories of meeting and falling in love with the elf who had changed their lives, Fili buried his hands in his hair, pulling his head down to his knees as he finally gave into his grief. Alone. Against the wall of his cell. For his sister. For his mother. For his brother. For his lost uncle. Fili's body wracked with great, silent, sobs.
Something was nuzzling her neck and at first, Tauriel batted it away. "Kili…let me sleep meleth nin." She groaned when the nuzzling kept going accompanied by laughter. Tauriel's eyes shot open and she sat up, Maryn nibbling at her hair and neck. She patted the black horse who backed away seeing her awake and Tauriel stood, ignoring the amusement on Naurfaer's mocking face.
"Kili eh? Odd name for an elf. Kili." He let the syllables roll around his tongue. Tauriel glared at the other elf before turning her back on him and looking out one of the windows. The rains had thankfully let up. If Her family was sent into the forest, the forest she would go. She began saddling the horses, with or without Naurfaer, she was leaving.
"The rains have cleared, I must go." Tauriel grabbed her messenger bag, making sure all was accounted for, including her stone. She absent mindedly rubbed her bare wrist, which felt naked without Hillanna's bracelet. She hoped when she saw the dwarfling again she would forgive her for losing it. She sighed as she stepped outside, the biting cold air hitting her first causing a shiver to run through her. Winter was here, though it had not touched this part of middle earth yet. Snows rarely reached Mirkwood. Durin's day was fast approaching and Tauriel sent a prayer to the Valor that they were going to make it in time. She turned back to go inside.
"I thank you for your kindness." Tauriel gave Beorn a small bow of gratitude as she gathered the horses and guided them outside.
"Would you like for two of your animals to remain here? They would be well cared for." Tauriel looked to Beorn and bit her bottom lip. If she needed speed, it would be better if they had fewer legs. She looked to Naurfaer.
"Oh, do not give me that look. I am coming with you. He has a point though. We do only need two horses. It may be best to leave the black one and the biter here." Tauriel jerked back. Leave Kili's horse here? She growled and glared at the elf at his suggestion.
"Or don't. I only think it would give us more speed if we weren't making sure the two horses we were not riding were still following us." Tauriel looked back at the horses and sighed in defeat.
"Beorn, would you mind housing Kit and Rhya. Rhya does not like strangers, but she seems at ease here. Kit is mellow and happy anywhere and will keep Rhya centered." She turned to Naurfaer "I will not part from Galaddal or Maryn." Naurfaer lifted an eyebrow but said nothing as Beorn agreed. "As soon as I can, I will send for them. Thank you again, this is a great kindness." She pulled on Maryn and Galaddal's reigns and departed the house, waiting for Naurfaer to join her just a moment later.
"I thought you said that black one will buck me off." He eyed the horse skeptically as she bobbed her head and pranced in place.
"I did. You will not be riding her. I will. Galaddal will allow you to ride him." Naurfaer walked up to the taller gray horse and nodded. "Alright. Where too then?" He stepped up onto Galaddal's back who gave only a small protest and pawed the ground, but otherwise accepted his rider. Tauriel smiled and patted his nose before turning to Kili's mare. The black horse pressing her forehead to Tauriel's back, her way of affection, before happily letting Tauriel jump up on her back.
Tauriel smiled, fondly remembering all the times she rode tucked behind Kili, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist as she would rest her had against his broad back. Often nuzzling his neck and burring her nose in his hair as he would laugh and guide them out for a picnic, or just a small ride. She shook her head and turned her focus on the path ahead. "The forest." She admitted.
"Are you sure? Do you know who is in that forest?"
"If you do not wish to come, then don't. My path leads through the forest and through the forest I shall go." Naurfaer sighed heavily. The first sign he has ever shown in exacerbation for her and she lifted her eyes in surprise at him.
"What? I have grown somewhat fond of you over the last few weeks. That forest is not a safe place. It would be wise to go around it."
"No. The fastest way is through it."
"This would not have anything to do with the dwarves does it? I will tell you right here and right now, I know of the hatred between the eldar and the dwarves and I won't be part of it. That forest houses king Thranduil, as I believe you already know. You may not tell me anything, but I am old enough to be wise of what is not said. You come from Mirkwood. If I can wager a guess, you had to be dismissed to leave as that king refuses to let anyone in or out of his kingdom without reason." He studied Tauriel who sat silently atop Maryn. "He probably was infuriated you chose mortality over the gift of the eldar." Tauriel blanched and Naurfaer raised an eyebrow at her.
"What, you think you are the only one who knows him? You should have met his grandfather." Tauriel rolled her eyes, staring forward in thought.
"What I cannot figure out, is this family of yours. They must have followed you when you left Mirkwood. That takes great loyalty to walk out of Thranduil's kingdom." Tauriel shifted in her saddle.
"My family is more than loyal. They are protective, loving, and would lay down their life for one another. I could not ask for more."
"And this mate of yours?"
"He is my everything." Tauriel whispered solemnly.
"He is mortal." A statement, not a question. Tauriel looked at him, then nodded once. That answers his question on the loss of her immortality. Only an elf can choose to give it up, it can never be taken.
"Through the forest then?"
"Through the forest." Tauriel agreed.
They entered the wall of trees within the hour, Tauriel climbing off of Maryn's back as she stepped on the same path just over a year ago she fled from. She never thought she would step into this forest again.
When Kili found out they might need to go through the forest of Mirkwood to get to the mountain, he about threw a fit.
"Absolutely not!" He had argued. "She was threatened with execution and you want her near that place again? No!"
"Kili, it may be the only way." She had tried and soothed.
"I refuse to put you in the path of danger, Amralime."
Tauriel only chuckled. "My love, we have been on the path of danger from the moment we chose to leave Ered Luin." She pulled him close trying to quell his temper, it was not working.
"This is not the same, and you know it." Sighing, she knew neither could win, and as it was still many, many leagues away from where they were. She tried for a compromise, at least for that night.
"We will think of something when we grow nearer." Kili looked at her, about to continue arguing, but gave in with a sigh. She pulled his lips to hers. Guiding him to the bed in their room in Rivendell, falling with him to the sheets.
Tauriel's cheeks reddened as memories of Kili's passion and love filled her and she had to force herself to focus and stay grounded.
"Is it a good idea to bring the horses in here? There is something about this forest that seems, sick." He admitted.
"It tis the blight. I believe it comes for Dol Guldur." She admitted, but continued to guide Maryn further in. Tauriel's ears picked up on something coming, and she shrank back, eyes scanning the trees.
"What is it?" Naurfaer turned his green eyes up to where hers were looking. His ears listening for unusual sounds. Galaddal pawed the ground nervously and Maryn's ears flattened against her head as she shifted anxiously.
"Tauriel?" The voice was not of Naurfaer beside her, nor was it one she thought she would ever hear again. Relaxing, she looked high up to the source, Legolas. The white-haired elf jumped gracefully to the ground. Looking relieved to see her.
"I knew he was lying. You are alive! What are you doing here mellon? I told you it is not safe for you to return. You must leave. Now." He then turned his blue eyes to Naurfaer. "I know you. How do I know you?"
Naurfaer stepped in front of the Mirkwood prince. "The orc raid, I believe was the last time we spoke, just over 600 years ago." Legolas looked confused for a moment, then his eyes fell on Tauriel and something inside him shifted. "Impossible. How did you find her?"
"Find who?" Naurfaer asked, now confused.
"You do not know who this is?" Now Tauriel was confused as Legolas had indicated to her.
Naurfaer turned his eyes to Tauriel then back to Legolas, then his eyes widened with some sort of understanding. "The babe I gave you. She survived?" Legolas nodded. Tauriel's shock enveloped her. A babe? Her mind began trying to piece things together, but she could not get of her theories or thoughts to stick. The conclusions her mind was making could not be right. She looked to her life-ling friend. "Legolas, what is going on."
"Naurfaer, perhaps this is your story to tell." Legolas folded his arms as he leaned against the tree nearest him and waited.
Naurfaer studied Tauriel again, closely, before recognition in his eyes grew. "Valor, it is you." He stepped towards Tauriel, but she stepped back giving him a cold look. "I want answers."
"600 years ago, just outside these forests, a small group of elves were making trades with Dale. They had not yet reached the forests when an orc party overtook them, killing every single one. I was just ahead of them, having had business earlier in Dale. I was not far, wanting to ride up and meet them before they hit the city. Two of the elves…" He paused as if he did not want go on, but did continue. "I got word too late, a Mirkwood elf having stopped me to warn me of the orc attack and to watch myself. From that moment, I rode as fast as I could, but by the time I got to them, it was total devastation. Every. Single. One. Dead." Tauriel listened her heart pounding in her chest.
"I was about to walk away, but a small cry had me turning back. I shifted a few boxes, and inside one of the wooden crates, was the smallest little elfling I had ever seen. It looked as if she was not going to make it, I could feel her weakening as I lifted her and held her, her small form barely fitting in the palms of my two hands." He looked down at his own hands.
"Wrapping her up the best I could, I turned quickly to one of the elves assessing the damage, you.." He turned to Legolas. "I gave the infant to him. I knew there was an elven settlement not far who had healers and I begged him to take her to them. To save her. I needed to go after the orcs, to stop them from taking any other families. I already lost my daughter, I would not lose my granddaughter." He staired off into the forest. "I killed the orcs and went to the elven settlement, but they knew nothing of any infants. I went to the borders of Mirkwood, but was told none survived the raid. I assumed this included the infant." He looked up at Tauriel, those green eyes, that red hair. How did he not see it? The only answer his mind could come up with was he did not want to see it.
"She lived." Legolas said. "Or lives, I should amend." Tauriel was shaking her head looking at Legolas, betrayed.
"Impossible. No. Legolas, you and Thranduil both said I had no family. It cannot be."
"Tauriel, I did not know he was related to you. I was handed an infant at the cusp of death and did what I could to save it. To save you. If I had known he was your grandfather, I would have sought him out and returned you to him."
Tauriel stared at the elf, Naurfaer. He was not just some elf. He was her mothers father. Her grandfather.
"I thought you were dead. I spent years hunting every single orc I could find in retribution for taking my family." Tauriel did not know what to think or say.
"It appears our problems with orcs are not over" Legolas admitted after a long silence filled the forest. "I was in pursuit of a pack of them when you entered. They had attacked some prisoners who escaped our dungeons." Tauriel cocked her head to the side.
"What prisoners?"
Legolas shrugged "A bunch of dwarves. We found them outside Mirkwood being attacked by spiders. Their leader refused to cooperate, so they were ordered to cells. Somehow, they escaped but were immediately attacked by a group of orcs. We tried to subdue them, but the dwarves escaped down the river in barrels, and the orcs broke party to follow some going one way, others another." He looked over to Tauriel, her expression hard as she listened.
He looked as if he wanted to tell her something, but was struggling with the desire to. Looking at the other elf, he pulled Tauriel several steps away and as quietly as possible, whispered "One claimed to know you Tauriel. Claimed he was your husband. What truth is in this?" Tauriel looked at her friend. "Kili." She finally said. "It is true."
"Valor, Tauriel. You married a dwarf?"
"I fell in love and married a Dwarrow, yes. You have no claim on me, nor can you tell me how to live my life Legolas. Neither can your king, he is not my ruler. I am free to live and love as I please." Legolas looked at her. Truly looked at her. "And…you love him? Truly love this dwarf?"
"With all that I am and more." She answered without hesitation. Legolas stiffened for a moment before closing his eyes, not wanting to see the reaction if her claims were true.
"We caught one." He said quietly. "Of the orcs. He was interrogated. After some, motivation, he admitted they shot one of the dwarves with a morgal poisoned arrow. I am afraid the company will be short one dwarf sooner rather than later." He looked apologetically at his lifelong friend "Tauriel, I cannot be certain, I did not see the shot transpire, but…his description matched that of the dark haired archer…the one you named as Kili." Tauriel felt the blood drain from her face. No, it cannot be true. She would know. Desperately, she let her mind reach out to her connection to Kili. Don't let it be Kili. Please not Kili. She felt her connection to him, and her heart stopped. How did she not notice? How had she missed it? The usually bright warmth was pulsing painfully and growing weaker by the second. If she did not get to him and fast, it would be the end of both her and him.
"I must go. Now!"
"Wait, I am coming with you." Naurfaer was following after closely. He had been waiting patiently for them to speak privately but seemed to jump into action as soon as she pulled away from Legolas. "If an orc party did this, I will see to their end." He said darkly before turning his green eyes to hers "You are the only family I have, I spent the last 600 years thinking you were dead. Do not think for a moment I will let you out of my sight that easily, granddaughter." Tauriel groaned but did not argue.
"I will come too. I can take you down the path that is clear of guards." He gave a whistle and within a moment, his own horse was leaping onto the path. They all mounted and followed Legolas along the forest path as they sped through the trees in what the two male elves thought was in pursuit of the orcs. "How will we find them?" Naurfaer called over the pounding of hooves on the path.
"Find the dwarves, find the orcs. They went towards Lake City, so I am want to believe that is where we will find both."
"I do not care about some dwarves, nor do I care what you do with them. I only want to take the orcs down." Naurfaer growled. This was a stark difference to the mad elf she had begun to know. This elf emanated danger, anger, and a clear resolve to follow through with his mission. He may not care what happened to some dwarves, but she did.
They hit the outskirts of the city built on the lake at nightfall, Tauriel constantly keeping tabs on her connection to Kili. Kili who was not stable in any way and seemed to be taking a turn for the worse with each passing second.
"There! They are advancing on that one building." They jumped from their horse and ran through the city, jumping over water gaps and bridges. Legolas had already pulled his bow and shot out the first arrow as an orc came into sight. Naurfaer too pulled his bow and was taking several more down. She let them keep hunt, her skills were needed elsewhere. She climbed stairs, and her knees buckled. Darkness beginning to overtake her. 'NO! Hold on Kili. I am almost there. Hold on!' she thought to him, as her connection grew weaker. She is losing him and fast.
To her horror Tauriel heard screams in the shack just above and orcs were jumping through the door. The sound of fighting had her adrenalin pumping and gave her the speed to leap up the stairs and fly through the open door. She threw her bow to the ground and whipped her blades out, taking out the orc just at the door.
"TAURIEL!" Her heart jumped at the yell of her brother and tears nearly came to her eyes. "Down Fili!" She yelled just as an orc came rushing in, she chucked her blade over the blond Dwarrow and watched in satisfaction as it imbedded itself in the orcs skull. Seeing her brother had no weapons, she passed him her second dagger and pulled her twin blades, both taking out another advancing orc together.
An arrow soared over her shoulder, taking a third down and she turned her head to see both Legolas and Naurfaer enter the room and join in the assault. Once the orcs seemed to thin, Tauriel's eyes searched desperately for dark hair, and she found it.
"We're losing 'im!" Oin had not seen Tauriel, from his place on the floor where he was trying to hold a struggling Kili in place.
"KILI!" She fell to her knees hard, alerting Oin to her presence. "Tauri? Lass? Is that you? HA! Great Mahal be praised." Tauriel did not answer, only flew her hands to Kili's leg, assessing the wound, oozing with the thick black poison.
"Tauriel, we need to go. They are getting away!" Legolas was calling towards her, but she ignored him. He looked to where she sat and understood. She would be fine, her place was here. He gave one final look at his friend before he took chase after the fleeing orcs.
"We need to get him on a table! Quick Oin!" She ordered. "Do you have any athelas remaining?"
"Nay lass. Bofur went to go an' find some."
"I will go find Bofur." Tauriel watched Fili run out the door as she grabbed both of Kili's cheeks and peered down at him, her thumbs stroking the damp skin as his features drew up in pain."Kili. Stay with me. Do not leave me. Stay. Please." She begged, feeling her own constitution grow weak.
She heard before she saw Bofur run in, Fili hot on his heals. "Tauri! Yer alive! Great hammer and forge. Thank Mahal lass, we missed ya."
"As I all of you. The athelas?" Bofur lifted his hand to reveal a bunch of the plant and Tauriel grabbed it from him, taking it to a bowl and crushing it before taking the paste like mass and pressing it into Kili's wound. She silently apologized for the added pain this will cause him, but if it meant they would survive this, she will do anything. The moment the paste touched his wound, Kili cried out and immediately begin to struggle, Tauriel yelling to all around "Hold him, keep him still." She watched as Fili held his shoulder down and saw an elven hand on his other shoulder lifting her eyes to see Naurfaer looking down at her from his place beside Kili's head. She did not have time to think on that, she turned back to Kili's wound and began to access her healing gift, praying it would be enough.
"Menno o nin na hon I eliad annen annin hon leitho o ngurth."
Over and over she begged to let her grace bring him back from death, she could feel her gift ignite inside her, as her power was transferred to him. Her knees began to buckle and sweat was beading down her face, but she refused to stop. Sensing her need, Fili grabbed her and used his strength to keep her upright as she begged over and over to keep him with her. Finally, her glow dimmed and she fell back, Fili catching her and helping her to the floor before pulling her into his arms, tightly.
"You are alive!" He muttered repeatedly. Turning, Tauriel lifted her arms, wrapping them around Fili, taking comfort in his presence as she fought to remain conscience. Fili pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. "Rest sister, you are safe." He whispered in Khuzdul. Tauriel shook her head and pulled away to stand.
"I need to see that he is alright." Looking worriedly at her, he gave in, helping her to her feet. Naurfaer just watching as she was helped to the table where the injured dwarf remained, still, but breathing steadily. "Do you have fresh wraps?"
"Tauriel, let them care for their own, rest." Naurfaer attempted to get Tauriel to rest but she continued to ignore him, leaning heavily on the table as she waited for Oin to bring her some wrappings. She gathered her strength and looked down at the wound, now beginning to close, fresh blood seeping out, but no sight of any of the black poison. She had done it. Kili would be fine. She took the wraps and carefully began to cover the wound on her beloved's leg, taking care in not harming him more.
"Tauriel?" Her hand stilled as she lifted her eyes to look into the brown questioning eyes of her soulmate. "You cannot be her." He looked at her, the broken expression causing tears to fall from her eyes. "She is far. She is far far away from me."
"Kili." She whispered.
"She walks in starlight in another world." He turned his head, as if the vision of her was too much to take, his voice breaking. "It was only a dream." Tauriel felt the sob rip from her chest as she listened to his broken words. "Do you think she is waiting for me?" He finished, closing his eyes, the pain this time not from the wound on his leg.
Not able to contain herself any longer, Tauriel grabbed his face and forced her lips onto his, pressing her forehead to his as she chocked back her tears.
"Kili, she is right beside you, always. Look at me my love. I am here." Kili lifted his eyes and staired into her green eyes, slowly, his hand slid over her cheek and through her hair.
"I thought you were gone." Tauriel turned her face to kiss the palm of his hand, her lips lingering as she shook her head. "No. I am here."
"Tauriel? My Tauriel?" He asked, his voice low and pleading, as if begging it to be true.
Tauriel nodded, before choking out a "Yes. Your Tauriel. Only yours." Before she let her lips fall to his.
Bofur stood arm in arm with Fili who was watching the scene with tears in his eyes. His sister lived, and she saved his brother…again. Fili was beginning to lose count with how many times Tauriel had done that. He turned his head to look at the other elf in the room. The elf that was gaping at Tauriel and Kili.
"Got a problem, elf?" He growled. He did not like the look this elf was giving his brother and Tauriel.
"A dwarf? Kili was a dwarf?!"
"Is, and the term is Dwarrow." Fili glared.
"It is his family isn't it. The family she was searching for?"
Fili looked at the elf, then to his sister who was speaking quietly to a barely awake Kili. He folded his arms and stared down the male elf.
"WE are her family, yes." Naurfaer turned towards the golden-haired dwarf and studied him.
"You?"
"Kili is my younger brother. Tauriel, by marriage, is my sister."
"Fili? Is there a bed we can place Kili? Somewhere he can be more comfortable?" Tauriel was asking from across the room, interrupting the conversaion. One of the children of Bard, who owned the house answered.
"You can put him in Da's room. He will not mind." The eldest, Sigrid, volunteered. Fili stepped forward, and with the help of Oin and Bofur, they moved Kili to the bed in a small room. Tauriel stepped out to get some water and bread to place beside him for when he woke up, as he lost the battle of consciousness the minute he was laid down.
"This is a story you will have to tell me." Tauriel rolled her eyes skyward as Naurfaer stepped up to her. "But, maybe when you do not look like you're going to fall to the ground. You need to rest. You practically died yourself just two weeks ago."
Tauriel stepped around her supposed grandfather and sat beside Fili, who instantly had his arm around her shoulders as she rested her head against his. "Give me a moment and I will help right this place. Then I will rest."
"He is right, Tauri. You should rest." Fili quietly suggested.
"Aye lass, we can handle the cleanup, yeh should go get some sleep." Bofur advised.
"The laddie will probably rest better himself knowin' you are with 'im. Go on, Tauri. Go sit with Kili." Oin finished. Tauriel looked at the Dwarrow around her and nodded. Lifting her head as she stood.
"I cannot relay how happy I am you are here, little sister. We have much to talk about but it will wait until morning. Go. Rest." He pulled her head down and placed a kiss on her forehead, before turning her the direction of Kili and sending her away. A true smile finally spreading across his face as he turned to help clean up before he would attempt to get the first true rest he's had himself in two weeks.
Tauriel closed the door softly, removed her boots, and climbed into the side of the bed opposite from Kili's injured leg. The bed was small, barely giving enough room for the both of them, but that was no matter to her, as she slid her arm across his chest and settled her head in the crook of his neck. Her leg entangling with his uninjured one.
"I love you." She murmured into the ear closest to her lips and she placed a lingering kiss at his jaw before she buried her face in his neck and fell into a peaceful sleep.
It had been weeks since Tauriel felt this comfortable as she tried to work the sleep from her brain. She was warm, cocooned in the heat of the one she loved more than anything. She felt a hand tracing the line of her spine over her top and she hummed in contentment, knowing exactly who it was. These were her favorite moments of any day. Waking to Kili.
Wait.
Her eyes flew open as she lifted her head from his chest, her eyes finding his open brown ones as she let out a let out something between a sob and a laugh. "Kili! You are awake!" she breathlessly exclaimed. He chuckled.
"Amralime. I was awake last night. We spoke. Are my words I that forgettable?"
Tauriel wrapped her arms tightly around his neck pulling him impossibly close as she let the sobs wrack her body once again. Kili buried his nose in her hair, holding her right back.
"You are here. You kept your promise. Kili. Kili. Kili, my Kili." Tauriel sobbed, muffled only by where she buried her face. Kili did not want to think about the last two weeks. He knew a time would come where he would have to confront his emotions, but right now, with his elf, his wife, back in his arms, he only wanted to feel the present. The joy, love, and unbridled happiness engulfing him in this singular moment.
He let his lips fall to her temple, then her cheek. She lifted her head to rest her forehead on his. "Amralime." He whispered.
"Meleth nin." She responded. "How is your leg?" Kili smiled. It was his Tauriel who would always make sure those she loved were tended before herself. She was leaning back to check but he pulled her back to him.
"It is sore, but I think I will live." He admitted when she tried to pull back again, Tauriel giving him a unamused look.
"Amralime. Please." Tauriel cold never handle Kili begging. It was always her undoing, she sighed softly, her hand carefully tracing the side of his face.
"I do not want to hurt you Kili. You are still healing."
"Healing, not dying." He growled as he claimed her lips with his, pulling her carefully into his lap. She broke away leaning back. "Kili, your leg!"
"I am well aware of my leg, but at the moment it is the least of my concern." He pulled her until she was straddling his hips, her making sure to only put a small amount of her weight where she settled. One last "Tauriel" followed by his big, brown, eyes, and she melted in his hands. Giving into her beloved fully, their lips meeting desperately as they finally came together.
Authors Note 2.0: See! Back together and happy as ever. Allow me to apologize for the trauma I may have caused over the last few chapters. I needed to figure out a way to get around Tauriel and Mirkwood and of all the scenarios I thought about, this one ended up winning. Sorry about that. But all is well once again. Up next, Lake Town, Prison Breakouts, and Dragons…oh my. See ya soon.