Authors Note: Alright, alright. I have been called out on it and you will notice it here too. Durin's day is actually in October. A huge thank you Tiffany Smithi for pointing out a few things, that included Durin's Day being off…by alot. Funny enough, I actually figured that out last week and was like "Oh great, I suck" but since I had already kind of made it a part of my stories calendar, I kept my timeframe for consistency purposes, I really did not want to rewrite anything or change it. So, in my little universe, Durin's day is a week after Yule. Sorry, but if I ever write another story in a different universe, I will try and make sure the timing is more accurate, this is where it will stay in the REFORGED universe. Also, I had not noticed I was spelling Erebor wrong…actually, I was like oops, then as I was proofing this chapter it was spelled with an e instead of an a so I have no idea why my brain is so broken with that word in previous chapters but right in this one. Fail. Sorry again. Anyway. Here is another chapter just for you as a Christmas present. Merry Christmas Everyone! Or happy holidays. Whatever floats your boat. See you at the end, I am excited for you to read this chapter.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tauriel smiled fondly at her sleeping husband as she gently closed the door behind her. He needed his rest, it would be the best and fastest way for that leg to heal. He would be in some discomfort for several days more, though she suspects with his stubbornness he will waive it off and make keeping him still thrice as difficult. She was not looking forward to that. Kili never liked sitting still, even…especially she amended, when he needs to.
The sky was barely lightening when she entered the main area of the very small home, her path instantly blocked by a small child who could be no more than 7 or 8. "Are you an elf?" Tauriel smiled, her mind pulling up an image of another little girl as her hand went to her naked wrist. She missed her beaded bracelet, but with or without it she could never forget Hillanna.
Crouching down to the girl's level, she nodded. The girl looked confused. "But you are married to a dwarf?"
"Dwarrow." Tauriel corrected "and yes. I am married to Kili." The girl in front of her seemed to contemplate this for a moment then nodded. Children, so easily accepting.
"Master Fili made some breakfast. He told me to come and get you before it got cold."
"Fili is awake?"
"Yes, Fili is awake. Now come and eat." Tauriel heard from the small kitchen across the room. She looked up at her brother just across the room who was piling something looking like gruel into bowls and dishes and passing it around.
Tauriel rose from her position in front of the little girl, who took her hand and pulled her to the table. "I am Tilda, by the way. You can sit by me." Tauriel laughed. Tilda would be great friends with Hillanna. Taking her seat, Tauriel glanced around the table, Bofur and Oin were not present but Naurfaer and Fili sat across from herself and Tilda with two other children sat at each end of the table Kili had been on the night before.
"This is Sigrid," Fili indicated to the young woman, "And Bain." He pointed to the boy, who seemed just younger than Sigrid.
"Tauriel. At your service." She responded with a small bow of her head from her place at the table.
"She's an elf." Tilda whispered, as if nobody could hear her, the company at the table chuckled at the small child.
"What?!" Fili dropped his spoon dramatically. "Tauriel!? You're an elf?! Everything in my life is a lie." He leaned back forlornly before Tauriel threw her spoon at him, hitting him in the chest.
"Hey. Now you can eat with your fingers." Fili gave her a mock glare.
"When the children are ready to join the adult table, we can discuss what is going on here." Both Fili and Tauriel turned towards Naurfaer who was sitting back with his arms folded, looking neither bothered nor amused. A half grin firm on his face as he lifted an eyebrow at the pair. As entertaining as they were, he would like answers and there were lives to save and children of man to protect. Neither he took lightly.
"Where is Thorin, and the others?" Tauriel started when it seemed no one else was willing to speak first.
Fili looked down at the table, pushing his breakfast around his bowl. Tauriel looked at him, really looked for the first time. He was thinner, much like she observed Kili to be. Obviously neither had eaten much in the last several weeks. His eyes looked haunted and there were great, dark, circles underneath. Visible even more with his pale complexion. His blue eyes lifted to Tauriel and for a moment she feared Thorin had gone to the Halls of Mandos.
"He left. With the rest of the group. All but abandoned Kili here." His voice was dark with disappointment and anger at his uncle. "Said Kili was not well enough to make the journey and all but ordered everyone to leave him. I refused to. My place, is with my brother. Oin chose to stay as well, being the only one with enough medical knowledge to try and help Kili. Bofur is here because he overslept."
"Oi, I'll 'ave yeh know, I woulda stayed on me on accord. Thank you." Bofur pulled a chair and sat beside Tauriel, eyeing her untouched meal. She handed it over to him. She could find something else to eat. She needed to make something for Kili when he woke anyway, which she said as much only to have a loud stream of "NO!" from her Dwarrow company. Naurfaer just looked at them, to her. "Best yeh stay outta the kitchen lass. We want there to be a place for Bard to come back to." Oin clambered in looked pityingly at the now annoyed she-elf.
"She is not that bad. She made some decent rabbit on the road."
"Aye. Over a camp fire laddie. Did she attempt anythin' else?" The red-headed male elf thought for a moment, before shaking his head. "I thought not. Her skills are best bein kept from the kitchen. Now ask her to brew yeh a healin' concoction and yeh will find no better." Oin smiled at Tauriel, his attempt to make up for the teasing, which worked as she rolled her eyes and gave a small huff but said nothing else.
"Any news on Bard lads?" Bofur asked between spoonful's of gruel.
"Whose Bard?" Tauriel asked. She knew she had a lot of pieces to put together.
"He's our da." Sigrid answered. "The master of the city had him locked up. Has been trying to find a way to get to him for a while now." She finished.
"We will find a way to get him out lass. Never yeh mind." Bofur tried to console from his place closest to her. The other children were silent.
"How long ago did Thorin leave?" Tauriel asked, as silence engulfed them once again.
"Just hours before you got here. It would take them maybe a week to get to the mountain." Fili eyed Tauriel as if he was expecting her to react, panic, or going into some fit. As if knowing what he was thinking, Tauriel threw in a quick "I am fine Fili"
Good enough for him."They need to reach the mountain before Durin's day, a week from today."
"Wait, Durin's day is in a week? That would make today Yule would it not."
"Not the bes' time to be celebratin' though lass. Nobody seemed the even know it was nearen the holiday, or jus' did no care." Oin looked sadly at her. "Between losin' you, bein taken by the elves, Kili bein shot, and Thorin…" He looked to Fili who just looked back down at this food. "We ave been in no mind to find joy."
"Yule? What is Yule?" Tilda asked quietly. Tauriel smiled at the small child, then to the other two. "I did not know what it was before last year either." She smiled. "It is a celebration of the season. Meant for joy, happiness, laughter, and giving. It is a reminder of all that we have around us and who we have around us. Usually there is music, food, and gifts along with a tree decorated with candles and baubles of all kinds."
"A tree? With candles?" Bain asked, his face looking at her as if she was mad. Naurfaer watched Tauriel, his eyes clearly taunting 'now they think you are the mad one'.
"Do not ask me of the significance of the tree. I tried to get them to explain it to me, but each time they did, it sounded more absurd. I think they had been doing that on purpose. I gave up and just enjoyed the tradition. It is quite a sight."
Sigrid looked up eagerly "Mother told me once of a celebration such as this, her grandmother had told her of. It was before Dale was lost. The kingdom of Erebor and Dale would have a massive celebration at this time of year. This must be what they were speaking of."
"Where is your mother now?" Tauriel asked. The smile left the young woman's face faster than it had come on. "Forgive me. I did not know." The girl nodded but said no more, the other two children's faces somber.
"Perhaps we can think of something to celebrate later." She looked to the others at the table. Doubtful with the obvious current moral. "There is also a dragon to think of." Tauriel looked to the young boy. He had to be around 14, so not a boy, but not yet a man either. His face set in frustration.
"A dragon? You mean the one in Erabor? Smaug?" Naurfaer sat forward, now fully invested in the conversation. "Are you dwarves looking for a death wish?"
"Dwarrow." Fili corrected again. "That dragon was the one who took our home. We are taking back what is ours."
Naurfaer laughed. "If you think that, you are a child. Listen, young one, you have no idea what you are getting yourselves into. You think an army of dwarves.." Fili gave him a look…"Dwarrows" Naurfaer corrected "can go up against a fire drake?"
"No." Bofur answered. "But we don' ave an army." Naurfaer cocked an eyebrow. "We only ave' fourteen." He looked around "make tha' 9…and a hobbit." He put in, taking out the Dwarrow who stayed behind…and Tauriel. As if it was any better.
"Nine Dwarrow and a hobbit. And what happens if they fail and that dragon comes this way?" Everyone shuffled nervously at the table.
"If everything goes to plan, we won't." Fili tried.
"Has everything gone to plan so far?" Fili looked to Tauriel, then to the still closed door where Kili was resting before he looked back at Naurfaer who just sighed and rested his hands on his temples in a near exact copy of their uncle. It was a strange sight on an elf.
"I take it I cannot talk you out of being part of this?" He looked to Tauriel who glared at him."Fine. But we will need to make a plan and make it fast. Once woken, a dragon will stop at nothing to protect his hoard. Including destroying any nearby threats."
"Why are you even still here? Don't you have better places to be?" Fili was tired. He was hungry, and forgive him for not being the diplomatic prince he was raised to be, but Mahal's great forge, his ability to contain his frustrations left when Thorin all but abandoned his brother for dead.
"If my granddaughter insists on being connected to this, so shall I be." Tauriel groaned and buried her face in her hands as the three Dwarrow looked confused at the smirking male elf. The children remained silent.
"Granddaughter?" Fili asked, looking at the elf he was fast considering to be clearly mad. The elf looked no older than Tauriel herself. His face and features showing no sign of being any older. Even his eyes flashed with a youthful glint except when he was looking at Fili like he was now. In fact, anyone casting a passing judgment would say he was the same age as Fili and Kili. For just a moment, Fili looked closely at the elf and realized maybe he was wrong. He could see the old spirit behind those flashing green eyes, if only for moment, green eyes not unlike Tauriel's, he observed. Even the elf's hair, though slightly darker auburn then Tauriel's fiery locks, were still a red in color.
"Yes." He pointed to Tauriel who still had her face hidden. "Granddaughter."
"Is tha' true Tauri?" Bofur asked, shock clear in his features.
"I cannot be sure, but is seems so. Legolas appears to believe it and his story adds up to those told to me my entire life."
"He cannot be your granda…he is not old enough, and he is too pretty. Granda's are old, grey, and have wrinkles all over." She turned to the now very amused male elf "You are too nice looking to be a granda. Maybe her brother?" Tilda's innocence brought a round of laughter to the table, though she herself did not join in, confused at why the older beings at the table were laughing.
"Why thank you little one. I take that as a high compliment, but it is true. I am much, much older than I look." He then indicated to Tauriel "Her mother was my daughter. I know, because I raised her myself and though I have only spent a few weeks with Tauriel, they are very much alike in character." Tauriel finally removed her hands to look at him curiously. Nobody growing up knew her parents as they were not part of Mirkwood, rather a more distant elven settlement. So apart from the time she spent in Valinor with them, she knew little of them.
"All that aside.." Naurfaer continued, turning back to Fili, "by what authority do you go to that mountain. Is there a leader of this group? Is it this Thorin I keep hearing being thrown around?"
"Aye. Thorin Oakenshield. Son of Thrian. Son of Thror. King under the mountain taking his rightful place." All eyes turned to the voice and Tauriel jumped from her seat.
"Kili, you should be resting meleth nin!"
"And miss being a part of this invigorating conversation Amralime? Naw. It would seem I would miss out on far too much." He looked between her and Naurfaer and mouthed 'grandfather?' she responded with a silent 'later' and he let it go for the moment. Kili was leaning heavily on an end-table so Tauriel put his arm on across her shoulder taking on the weight off his bad side and steered her Dwarrow to the chair she just vacated. She then pulled up another and sat close beside him, their legs brushing against the other; Tauriel taking his hand in hers as he leaned into her.
"Forgive me. Am I supposed to know who this Thorin is? Last I heard the line of Durin was nearly ended with a mad king."
"You heard wrong!" Fili snarled out, even his brother looked at him in concern. Fili rarely lost his head, the picture of calm and diplomacy. Looking at his brother closely he felt a pang of guilt. His brother was being buried under pressure, the evidence of his struggle and exhaustion of the constant assault shone like a beacon on his face to anyone who knew him. Even Tauriel was looking concerned at Fili from her place beside Kili.
"Thorin's place is in tha' mountain. With or without yeh and any of us, he is fighting for his birthright." Oin jumped in.
"You all stand behind him then? Even at the cost?" Naurfaer already knew the answer even before Fili exclaimed proudly "Thorin is King. We follow our king, wherever he leads us."
"What of your family then? Do you want to put them at risk?" He was looking at Fili who seemed to be looked at as a second in command among this group, though he was obviously younger. Then to his granddaughter and the dark-haired mate of hers.
"Thorin is our family." Fili ground out. His eyes whipped to Fili then to Kili and Tauriel. "You are related to this 'king'?"
"We are his nephews and heirs."
"Princes?! You married a dwarven prince?!" He turned to Tauriel who just stared back at him before resting her head on Kili's.
"Alright then, let me see if I can put this together. Your uncle is a king, a king who is about to poke a fire breathing giant, while his heirs sit barely a league away. One of which married to an elf who happens to be my granddaughter." Kili, still confused over the whole grandfather, stared at the elf, but before he could say anything…Tauriel thought was probably for the best…Bofur stepped in. "Seems about righ'."
Naurfaer looked at the group, brows drawn in as he lay thinking, his stance relaxed if only minutely and he folded his hands on the table. Everyone tensed as they waited for his assessment.
"Alright, family of mine, what is the plan?"
"Family of yours?" Fili deadpanned. "What do you mean, family of yours?"
Naurfaer sat up and let a smile spread across his youthlike features, his eyes sparkling if in nothing but amusement. Tauriel narrowed her eyes at him. He was pressing Fili's buttons and he KNEW it. Worse, he seemed to be enjoying it.
"For a race who puts so much on family connections, I am surprised I have to spell it out to you." He jeered. Fili bristled but held his tongue, his mind begging Mahal to give him strength to not kill this elf, Tauriel's grandfather or not. One look at his sister and he came to the conclusion she probably would not mind, if the annoyed looks she was shooting the other elf was any indication.
"She" He pointed lazily at Tauriel "is married to him" he moved his hand to Kili "who is apparently your" he pointed to Fili "brother, making her your sister and me related to you by marriage." He then smiled brightly, sitting back as if he had no cares in the world and watched, not at all affected by the glares his 'family' was throwing at him.
"Tauriel. My most beloved sister. Can I kill him?...Please? You cannot possibly be that attached to him yet right?" Tauriel was not sure how serious Fili was being and Kili seemed to be shooting daggers at the elf already with his eyes. Oh, her little family. Add Naurfaer and her life will be spent as mediator between all of them. This was going to be interesting.
"He is right" They all looked at her, Fili stuttering protests "about the plan, Fili." She did not miss the small look of hurt that passed over Naurfaer's face, though he covered it quickly.
"We need to find a way to protect these people, and ourselves." Everyone at the table finally agreed.
"Is the dragon really going to come here?" Tilda's frightened voice brought another round of silence.
"Tilda, would you like me to tell you a story? Let's go into our room and you can pick your favorite." Sigrid rose from her place and took her slightly protesting little sisters in her arms, carrying her away with a "I want to know everything." Before disappearing around the door.
"I forget how youn' these human children are." Oin sighed.
Bain let out an "Hey, I am fourteen, not a child!"
"And Kili here is 77, though he don' look much older than yer sister." Bofur argued back.
"77?" Bain asked, gaping at Kili who he thought was closer to 19, maybe 20.
"Oh aye. And Tauri here is over 600. We all age differently lad. Do not take it as offense. That one claims to be her grandda, so he must be older. How old are yeh, exactly?" Bofur looked to the other elf who has seemingly invited himself into their company.
"Can't say. Lost count." He shrugged.
"Right. Bain. You know this town better than any. How would we go about warning people to leave their homes? Would they even listen?" Fili was studying the boy beside him.
"The master runs the city, what he says, he believes people follow. But they do not follow him because of some misplaced loyalty, more because of his power."
"Is there a network, something those who are against him use to communicate? A way we can get the word out." Bain thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes!" He said excitedly. "Da uses it when he is smuggling food in to give to the starving who lack the resources for trade. I know who to speak to. It may take time though. They are very careful to not draw attention." The group nodded. "If we put a message together, can you deliver it?" Bain nodded again, head held high, proud to finally be of use.
"Good lad." Kili praised. They spent the next several hours working a plan out to try and save as many as they could. Tauriel looked to the distant mountain, it was peaceful and quiet from here for now. But she knew, she could feel it deep inside her, that the dragon would be coming whether they were prepared for it or not.
"Fili." Tauriel approached her brother after their meeting. Kili was sitting at the table speaking to Naurfaer. Fili had stepped away, looking for his cloak so he could go and try and find some food for the small company. Bard's stores were not plentiful and he was not going to take from a family who had very little to begin with. "Fili. You would be good to no one if you do not get some rest. Let me go. I will get us some food." Fili only shook his head. "You may come with me, but I will be going. I need some air." Tauriel watched him for another moment before she gave him a nod and turned to tell Kili and Naurfaer she would be going.
Kili was not happy she was leaving. He JUST got her back, but a look at his brother made him hold his tongue. Fili was teetering on the edge and he felt better knowing someone he trusted was beside him so he gave in, pulling her down for a kiss which she quickly deepened, both only coming apart when someone near them cleared their throat.
"Oh, you will need to get used to that if you are really sticking around." Fili supplied to a slightly appalled looking Naurfaer. "It is a near constant occurrence with those two." Tauriel playfully whacked Fili's shoulder and gave Kili one last peck on the lips before following Fili out the door.
He was just turning back to the elf at the table only to gulp and sit back at the look on his face.
"What are you giving me that look for?" The elf asked.
"I was about to ask you that?" Kili eyed Naurfaer, who he had only known his name when Fili had grumbled it earlier at the table. 'Fire Spirit' or something like that in elven, sure suited someone related to his Tauriel, his wife's own spirit burned like a great forge within her.
Naurfaer sat back. Kili had a difficult time connecting the very young features of this elf with someone who could be a father, let alone grandfather. Even Elrond and Thranduil looked more aged than this elf, who looked barely older than himself and Fili. At least Kili could tell this one was male, as his defined features were clearly masculine in nature. If Kili was not so secure in the fact Tauriel loved him, he might have been intimidated by this, Naurfaer, but he was not. He knew his place in Tauriel's heart as she knew her place in his.
Naurfaer leaned back, his lean form stretching as he crossed his arms over his chest, ankles crossed in a relaxed pose. The picture of marble carved ease.
"Is it true. Are you really her grandfather. Because if this is some game to you, wound or not, I will kill you. Nobody plays with Tauriel, and should I fall, I know Fili would have a pass at it as will Thorin. We will protect her, at all costs." Kili's voice was low, but in no way lacking in threats and promises. Naurfaer just raised an eyebrow, not bothered at all. Stupid elves.
"That is very good." Naurfaer had the decency to laugh! "Peace, peace. I did not mean it in the way you may think, you can stop killing me with your eyes." Kili only allowed his features to darken further. He will not be mocked when Tauriel is at stake. "What I meant was, I am glad she has so many who care for her. I only wish she would trust me enough to be in such confidence. She would rather leave with a dwarf…Dwarrow…then stay here with me."
"I don't think she did it for the reason you think." Kili claimed. "She left me here as well, if you had not noticed." The elf eyed the dwarven prince before nodding in agreement. "She went because she was worried about Fili, for good reason. He has been running himself raw trying to keep everyone safe and taken care of." Kili admitted with no small amount of guilt, as he remembered how he was when he believed Tauriel to be lost to him. "They, our entire family really, is very close. We look out for each other." He finished. Naurfaer smiled. He could not want any better for her, even if they were dwarves…Dwarrow, his mind amended.
"I could not ask for more for her. Now…" He stood and grabbed some stale bread and a mug of water placing it before Kili. "I believe you should eat something. It will help you heal, and while you do, you can tell me about your family and Tauriel." Kili looked skeptically at the food, his stomach turning slightly at the thought of eating, regardless, he picked the mug up and took a sip before breaking a piece of bread off and nibbling on it slowly.
"We come from Ered Luin…it is where we settled after Erebor" Kili began as he filled Naurfaer in on their family, their life, and their adventures.
Tauriel kept her hood up as she weaved between people, following Fili over stairs and bridges as they tried to locate the trade stores. They did not have much to barter with so Tauriel offered to sell one of her daggers or her precious star necklace, both of which Fili denied. "Tauri, absolutely not. First, Kili would be devastated if you came back without that." He pointed to the necklace which never left her neck. "He would notice, trust me, and we will need your daggers. They are the only real weapons we have." She looked at her brother questioningly.
Fili sighed forlornly. "Thranduil took all of ours. Kili's bow and every. Single. One. Of my blades." Tauriel gave him a sympathetic look. He loved his blades. She stopped her brother and pulled him into an ally. "Take this then." Fili was protesting, but she insisted, handing Fili one of her beloved daggers. "I would feel better knowing you had a way of protecting yourself. I have another and my other blades as well as my bow. I am well armed Fili." She smiled and moved to turn around when a sudden strange feeling enveloped her. She grabbed onto the wall catching herself before her knees gave out. It felt like her insides were exploding but not in a painful way, it was more, just, unpleasant.
"Tauri!" Fili stepped up, alarm clear on his features, as he moved her to sit on a barrel. It was moist, but it was a far better choice than watching her stumble into the freezing ice-water feet from them.
"Should I get Oin? Do we need to turn back? Mahal, I should have let you stay! You nearly died just weeks ago! You didn't tell me you were still injured! I need to get Oin!" Oin had stayed behind, him and Bofur taking Bain out the back of the house to help bring in some wood to dry for a fire that evening when they had finished making plans. Tauriel sat watching Fili as he seemed to be panicking as she tried to get a word in, failing miserably.
In truth, Tauriel was trying not to panic herself. Once her system seemed to calm down, her mind seemed to attach to a buzz of life coming directly from her lower abdomen. That could only be one thing. She and Kili had created life, and it was strong as it fluttered and buzzed in her consciousness. Her mind warred between fear and excitement. She wanted children, Kili wanted children. But not until they had finished this mission. It seems regardless of their plans, their mission, or their desires to wait…a child was coming whether they were ready or not. Subconsciously she placed a hand on her stomach while her other shot out to grab her panicking brother.
"FILI!" She grabbed his arm and gave it a jarring yank, calling his name in hopes of breaking through his inner ramblings. "Calm down. I am fine." He looked at her skeptically, then down to her hand where it rested on her abdomen. His eyes widening drastically at the implications.
"Please tell me you are just suffering from stomach pains from bad gruel." He closed his eyes and sat back against the wall. Stupid. They were both stupid. Their lives were still on the line and if his assumptions are correct, more was at stake than they thought. He opened one eye to look down at his sister, who was shaking her head no.
"Fili, I.." She started, he could see tears forming in her eyes. Oh, Mahal. Anything but female tears. Sighing, Fili pushed off the wall and knelt before Tauriel as she struggled to keep her emotions at bay.
"Hey, it's alright. We will figure it out. You, me, Kili, we will all be in this together."
"What about Thorin, Fili? I know you have said little of him. What is going on?"
Fili let his head drop. "Tauriel, Thorin is not well. He…he…I believe his mind has been wracked with the illness we feared. There are moments he is himself, but, you being lost, he seemed to lose himself. Then he wanted to leave Ki behind, alone to die." His voice broke and he felt himself fall the last few inches to the cold, wet, ground. "I am glad you were not there to see his face. The anger when I refused to follow him and leave Kili behind. It is a look I wish I did not see. I am afraid Thorin is gone, and in his place." Fili studied his hands intently before muttering softly "I do not know that Dwarrow. He is not my uncle. He is not the dwarf who raised us as his own."
Tauriel looked down at Fili before slipping forward to settle on her knees before the clearly distraught Dwarrow prince. "Fili. We can get him back, together. I promised Thorin we would, and I plan on seeing that through."
"Tauriel, you do not know who he has become. I am afraid he would hurt you." But Tauriel only shook her head vehemently.
"Thorin would never hurt me. He may threaten to, but I believe, if what you say is true, our uncle is still inside there, and he will stop himself before we come to true, permanent harm."
Fili looked up at her, then his eyes fell to her abdomen, where his niece or nephew grew. "Kili is going to hate that he was not the first to know." He smiled. Tauriel chuckled. "Technically, I was the first to know, you, only the second. I take it you won't pretend like you don't know to give Kili the chance at being the excited father sharing the news?"
"Not on your life." He finally gave her a true smile.
"Good. With everything you have done, and the strength you have had to be the soul supporter in these last few dark weeks, I think you deserve to know, uncle Fili." She leaned in and kissed Fili's forehead as a bright smile bloomed on his face. "An uncle." He whispered.
"Now, how about we get off this wet ground and procure find some food. If we are gone much longer, I fear Kili, wound and all, will set out to personally in search for us. The time we have left is borrowed." She looked back the way they came, almost expecting to see her dark-haired prince hobbling among the mongering dwellers. He agreed and allowed her to help him to his feet before jumping back in horror.
"Tauriel! You cannot lift me! Should you be bending?!" She looked at him confused then realization filled her mind and she narrowed her eyes at the prince, who stepped back at the dark look she was giving him. She flew forward and grabbed both the lapels of his tunic and hauled him forward, her face inches from his.
"You listen here and now dwarf. I am pregnant, not impaired, not weak, and certainly not to be confined away or hidden. I will not sit on the sidelines because I am carrying a child. I will kill anyone who says otherwise. Do. You. Understand?" Fili stared wide eyed at Tauriel and nodded, Tauriel eyeing him before she finally released him. "Well, this will be fun." He mumbled. She glared at him but said nothing.
The two left their ally way and walked forward, now in silence, to some of the stalls across another bridge. Fili, to Tauriel's surprise, had some coin on him. He winked at Tauriel. "Told you not to worry about it. The elves were looking for weapons, not coins. Besides, I keep this thing well hidden." He admitted, smiling brightly. Tauriel rolled her eyes, not really wanting to know, and scrunched her nose at the smell of raw fish. The stench making her slightly woozy. "I take it with that face, fish is a no." Fili laughed. Tauriel shook her head, happy to walk away from the lingering smell.
"Chicken?" She suggested standing before a merchant selling eggs, live chickens, and a few freshly slaughtered ones. Fili shrugged and they made the trade, though Fili grumbled at the obvious rise in price when the vender realized he was a Dwarrow. She nearly refused to trade at all but a flash of Tauriel's dagger had her stammering her price but refusing to budge. Fili passed the coin, took the chicken and turned. He also secured them some potatoes, onions, a few dozen eggs, and a few sacks of flour to make bread. They even made sure to get some extra provision in case they were here longer than anticipated. It was enough food to, if they were careful, get them through at least a week. They gathered all their purchases in a few crates, Fili refusing to let Tauriel take the heavy one regardless of the death glare she was sending him. They were about to leave the makeshift market when Tauriel stopped Fili.
"What is it?" He asked
"Fili, today is Yule. Do we have enough for this?" He was looking down at the small cake she was holding in her hands. The merchant baker eyeing her closely, as if he was worried she would run off with the delicacy. Fili calculated what they had left in his head then asked the vender what they wanted for the trade. He gazed at the two before giving a fair price, Fili thought, and he handed the man his remaining coin, allowing Tauriel to add the small cake to the top of her box. Her smile was worth those last coins, hopefully, they would not need any more or they would have to come up a way to earn income.
The duo filed into the house just in time it seems as Oin was arguing with Kili who was up and attempting to make a pass at the door. "Yeh stupid, thick headed, Dwarrow! Sit down before yeh develop an infection!" Oin was yelling.
Before she could look into it, the box left her hands with a tutting Naurfaer. "You should not be lifting in your condition." He moved it to the counter. She stared gaping at the elf who just turned his head and winked at her. The surprise at Naurfaer somehow knowing said condition shocking her out of threatening him for treating her like being pregnant made her weak. She shook it off when Fili bumped her shoulder, knocking her from her thoughts and signaling to Kili who in his pain, seemed to not have noticed them entering.
"You are up, little sister. He will listen to no other and I no longer have the patience not to toss him over into the freezing river." Tauriel knew Fili was joking, but still rushed to Kili who was trembling with exertion as he obviously was pushing himself before his leg was ready.
"Enough, Kili, you need to rest or it will be both our lives." She warned, Kili just realizing she had entered the room visibly relaxed. "Amralime! I was getting worried. I had already lost you once, do not fault me for wanting to make sure you were safe, both of you." He glanced at Fili unpacking their goods with Sigrid and Tilda helping.
Tauriel could not, for all that she was, be even an ounce angry with him looking at her the way he was. All big brown eyes and practically pouting lips. If this child was a boy, she cold already see him being able to get out of everything with Kili's features. She sighed and lifted Kili's arm to wrap around her as she guided his shaking form to a chair. "Sit, and stay put. I need to check your leg.
Oin was sitting, still giving Kili frustrated glances and Bofur joined Fili in the Kitchen to start dinner. Tauriel checked over Kili's wound, which surprisingly and thankfully, was unphased by his stubbornness. She still gave it a fresh wrapping before leaving a kiss over the bandages and rising to go, but he grabbed onto her hand and pulled her back. "Stay with me?" He was giving her such a pleading look, and she bit her lip as she looked off at all the others, working at various chores around the kitchen.
"Just stay with him, Tauriel. We can handle everything around here." Naurfaer smiled, giving her a chair and pushing her down in it then he went into the kitchen and helped light the fire in the oven. Tauriel narrowed her eyes at the elf as he walked back quickly to push some water into her hands, wagging his eyebrows at her and moved back to the kitchen. She sighed, she did not feel like fighting with the other elf, he was exasperating at best. Tauriel leaned against Kili, letting her finger graze her stomach but pulled it away quickly before it could grab Kili's attention. Reveling in the nearness of Kili, she spent the time the other's were preparing dinner telling him of her travels with Naurfaer. She had not mentioned her vision of Aulle and Sauron, she thinks she will wait until later for that, after she told him of her other news, she hoped he would take well.
To conserve food, Fili had only cooked half the chicken, subsidizing the meal with the cheaper potatoes and some bread left over from the night before. Still, nobody went overly hungry and the group sat at the table, Tauriel cutting and passing the small cake around. "It is not much, but, it is Yule and though this is only my second time celebrating, and some of your first, I thought it would be a good touch to end the day. We all have been through so many hardships and I fear many more are to come before the dawn of peace is restored. So, I wish all a happy yule. May we borrow peace from tomorrow for a moment of happiness today."
There was a unified exclamation of agreement as everyone wished the others a happy yule, even the children delighted in the cake and atmosphere. Bofur led them in a few traditional Yule songs, and Tilda surprised everyone with a "Yule tree" which was really nothing more than a large stick sitting against the wall with a candle beside it and a some yarn strung over it.
"It is beautiful Tilda. Thank you." Kili praised, Tilda blushing at the compliment. Kili then pulled all attention to him as he animatedly told stories of a wizard of old who, on his sled of giant elk, would visit the realms giving gifts of wisdom, trinkets, and treats in his wake. Tauriel thought he was making it up, combining Mithrandir with the rabbit sled riding Radagast, but apparently it is a true legend…to some degree. One by one, the children left the room to sleep and the adults sat by the fire.
"Is our plan going to work?" Kili asked, his head resting on top of Tauriel's who was leaning against him, head laying on his shoulder with her eyes closed.
"It has to. Or many will lose their lives." Naurfaer answered, staring at the couple. Oin and Bofur were quietly watching the fire as Fili sat on the floor, looking out the window where he could just barely make out the silhouette of the mountain.
"I have a gift for you, Amralime." Kili murmured against her hair. Tauriel lifted her head to look at Kili with surprise. "Though, truly, it is not mine to give. I just figured it would be a good time for you to have it back." Tauriel cocked her head and Kili pulled a small, wrapped package from one of his pockets. He placed the gift in her hands and waited for her to open it. The others in the room, turning to watch silently.
Tauriel pulled the twine bow and allowed the gift to fall open in her hand, her smile brightening as Hillanna's small, beaded bracelet appeared from the wrappings.
"Dwalin had this, it must have slipped into his hand when you…" He could say no more, the wound still to recent but Tauriel kissed him. "I was afraid I had lost this. This is truly a special gift tonight. Thank you meleth nin." She slipped the bracelet back on her wrist, feeling complete and twisted back to Kili, her heart picking up speed as she turned herself fully to him.
"I too have a gift for you." She began, Kili's excitement evident in his features. "Oh, aye?" He smiled before softly caressing her cheek. "You are the greatest gift I could ever have." He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. She was here. She was really, truly, here. He wanted for nothing. "With you by my side, I am complete. No gift could compare to that."
"For us then." She corrected, then pulled Kili in the remaining distance for a deep kiss. One hand sliding up to entangle itself in his hair, while the other slid down his shoulder, his arm, and wrapped tightly around his wrist. Not removing her lips from his own, she gently guided his hand until it sat flat against her abdomen, her hand releasing it only to cover his hand, pressing it gently to the still flat surface. She pulled away, and smiled, a tear slipping from her eye as Kili looked at her. At first, he thought the kiss was his gift, but when she did not remove his hand, his eyes fell to where she still held it tight to her stomach and they widened before shooting back up to hers as his mouth dropped open.
"Tauriel? Amralime?" She nodded slowly as more tears fell. Kili released a happy sob as he pulled her to him tightly. "Truly?! How?! When?!" Tauriel chuckled.
"Wait! Do not answer the how! Kili. If you do not know the answer to that, then we failed you brilliantly." Kili glared at his brother.
"I too am mildly concerned if you do not know how a child is conceived." Naurfaer sat back, giving Kili a studying look before turning his gaze to Tauriel "Are you sure about this one?" Tauriel laughed at Kili's flustered look and nodded to Naurfaer. "Definitely sure, I will have no other as my lifetime companion and father of my children." The smile back on Kili's face, before it dimmed and his eyebrows lowered in concern.
"Amralime, I thought you wanted to wait until after.." he waived his hands about the air "all this." He finished.
"Yes, I did. But it seems this one" She pointed to her stomach "has the patience and stubbornness of its father."
"A babe we are 'avin then!" Bofur's smile nearly matched Kili's and Oin added "No better gif' on Yule than tha'." Before he smiled at the expecting couple.
"You're going to be an uncle Fi!" Fili's smirk stopped Kili in his tracks. "You knew?!" Fili sat back, a bright smile on his face as he taunted Kili mercilessly. "I was the first to know."
"Second." Tauriel amended.
"Why wasn't I second to know. Instead I am third?" Kili whined.
"Fourth. Actually." Naurfaer could not help in joining in the fun. The moment Tauriel walked into the room, he knew. He sensed it in her, the strength of the child shining like a beacon in his senses before it dimmed away. It was helpful more often than not to have been around as long as he has. He was slightly concerned beings with abilities such as his would be a threat to her, but he pushed that aside. They were few and far in between. She should be fine.
"FOURTH!?" Kili cried. Fili laughed at his brother. "You told Naurfaer before you told your husband?"
Tauriel sighed. "I did not. I told Fili. But Naurfaer seemed to just…know." Naurfaer smiled from where he sat, not giving away anything.
"We cannot help Tauriel likes me better." Kili glared at his brother who was enjoying this way too much. Kili turned forlornly to Tauriel "Tell me I at least got to know before those two?" He pointed to Oin and Bofur.
"We learned the same time as you lad. So, fourth as well." Kili groaned. He turned to Tauriel "Next time, I get to know first." He growled.
"Second, meleth nin. I will always be first." She smiled, leaning in for a quick kiss. Kili pulled back, smile back in place as he turned to Fili. "I am going to be a father." He laughed, ignoring Oin's murmur of "Mahal help us all" and stood at the same time as Fili and the brothers came together in a tight hug. The pain in his leg momentarily forgotten in his excitement.
"Wait until mam finds out. They will hear her screams of happiness in the halls of Mandos." Kili laughed out.
Naurfaer just watched the celebration with a smile. Guess he had more work on his hands then he previously thought. Keeping this lot alive and safe will be a challenge, but one he was looking forward to pursuing. He had spent the day getting to know Kili, and he honestly liked the young Dwarrow prince. He did not like that Tauriel gave up her immortality for a mortal, but he could see their connection and could not fault her in her decision, as Thranduil had done. Besides, it seems these two will be giving him reason to stick around, even after they are gone.
The group enjoyed the celebration and news for another hour, before Tauriel called an end to the evening. Kili was practically asleep on her shoulder, and Fili fighting his own battle to stay awake. "Fili, you need rest. Please, sleep. Tomorrow we will begin our plan so we all need as much energy as we can conserve." Fili looked at her, and quietly agreed, moving to one of the padded benches and lying down after Tauriel passed him a blanket and her travel cloak he could use for a pillow.
She leaned over her husband who was now laying his head against the wall and brushed her fingers down the side of this face before whispering "Kili, come to bed love. You need to prop up your leg. This is not a good position for you to rest." Kili's eyes fluttered open and he nodded, before extending his arm to her before pulling it back and giving her a nervous, startled look. Tauriel huffed and grabbed his arm "Do not make me threaten you with death as I did Fili earlier today. I will not be treated as a glass doll, despite my current condition." Her eyes flashed and Kili nodded, not necessarily liking it, but he will give in until he had more energy to argue.
She helped him gently to the bed and climbed in beside him, looking into his resting face from her place, head nestled just under his chin. "Are you happy Kili? About our news?" Kili looked down at his wife. His one. A smile filling his face as he placed a lingering kiss on her forehead and pulled her tightly to him, his arm wrapping around her thin waist where it rested on where their child was growing. "More than I could say. Afraid too. I think." She gave him a questioning look, so he continued. "I am afraid something will happen where I cannot protect you, or myself. Tauriel, I can't even step in to sacrifice myself for you. My death means yours, and while it grows within you, this ones too." He pressed her abdomen tenderly, the action bringing a new round of tears to Tauriel's eyes as she listened. "We will need to be careful."
She thought about what he said and lifted her head to hover just over his own. "We will, Kili. We can get through anything when we are at each other's side." She moved a lock of the shorter hair framing his face, placing kisses down the side his cheeks to his jaw then back up again before looking deep into his warm, dark eyes. "I cannot promise it will be easy, but, I can promise, if we are together, we can endure anything." He smiled lovingly at his wife and she laid her head back down on his chest and they both fell into a deep sleep.
The subsequent days were filled with doing all they could to get word to anyone willing to listen to evacuate without attracting attention from the master and his cronies. It took another day before Kili was well enough to walk with the aid of a short staff Fili carved for him from the branch they had used as a 'yule tree' with one of Tauriel's daggers. He passed it to Kili who affectionately dubbed it his 'yule staff' to the joy of Tilda who had become attached to the dark-haired dwarrow prince.
With things pushing forward, not much seemed to get her chipper husband down, his freedom along with his happiness of their impending child filling him with more joy than he felt he had room for.
Fili, well rested once again, was even feeling more and more like himself. A fond smile in place at seeing his brother fully back and smiling jovially at his wife. Fili was beyond excited to be an uncle, and he made sure to rub into Kili that he got to be the first to know about the newest member of the family, despite Tauriel correcting him as second every, single, time. He never wanted to go through what he had the last several weeks again and planned on seeing those two safe, whatever the cost.
The dwarrows were even beginning to get along with Naurfaer, who was not as mad as he seemed, though, Tauriel remained weary of him. Oh, as time went on she believed he was who he had said, and she did not fault him in his choice to send with Legolas as an infant to save her life, but, still, going from believing you have no family for over 600 years of your life, to finding out a relative lives was a little too much for her to take at the moment. Especially after finding her place so firmly and securely in another family.
"Amralime, you are thinking too loud." Kili was leaning heavily on his stick, not from pain though, as he looked appraisingly at his elven wife. Their horses were nickering in the distance, waiting patiently for their riders. Kili had been ecstatic to find out Maryn was here and insisted on going to her the moment Tauriel let him leave the small shack.
Both had their heads covered as they made their way through the city trying not to gain attention on their way to see the beloved animals. The people knew they were there, but they all thought it best to keep sightings of them minimal. Since they were the only ones with horses, Fili not being happy his precious Kit was left behind, though he understood the haste and reason, gave them the task to find somewhere the people choosing to be evacuated could gather. Preferably somewhere close enough to get to by boat or by foot, but far enough from danger and harm.
"Tell me what it is." Kili asked, as they stood on one of the rocky shores a fair way from the city. Tauriel sighed. "It is Naurfaer. Kili, I do not know what to make of him." Kili nodded, listening as Tauriel shared her fears. He leaned against his staff, thinking of what to say.
"Maybe this is a second chance for him, as it is for us. Of all those who wander middle earth, who better understands this notion more than we do?" Tauriel thought on his words. He was not wrong. "Amralime, I do not think he is a threat. I think he truly wants to help. Let him. I nor anyone else can make you accept him, but maybe give him a chance. I think it would be good for Thorin to have another elf in the family." His eyes twinkled with amusement as he finished his statement and Tauriel let out a hearty laugh.
Thorin. She looked to the mountain. She hopes he is alright, and the rest of the company. Dwalin included.
"What do you think, is this the spot?" Tauriel looked at the lake shore, abutting the trees. It was easy to get to both on foot and by water and offered added shelter of trees if necessary. They could do no better so she easily agreed. "I believe so."
"Good. I am freezing. Let's go let the others know." They gathered the horses, leaving them at the edge of town in a paddock, open on one side just in case. Neither feared their animals, both were well trained.
It took another two days for word to get back to them that their message had been received. A little boy coming inside the house under the guise of seeing Tilda who apparently was a known friend. He stood straight as he muttered a perfectly issued, well-rehearsed message that three nights from this, all those wiling to leave, will meet at the indicated place Tauriel and Kili had mapped out. Tauriel sighed, glad that their message and warning was being heeded, but worried it would be too late. They were fast running out of time, Durin's day had come.
Now that the people knew and there was a full plan in action, they needed to get a message to Bard, who was still imprisoned. This, Tauriel and Naurfaer took on. Neither were part of the original party and both were able to blend in slightly better than the dwarrow. Although, their attractive elven features did fascinate many who noticed what they were. A hooded cloak at nightfall, however, worked in hiding these features and the trademark ears marking them for what they were.
"You remember the plan?" Tauriel asked, her back against the wall beside Naurfaer, eyes trained on the two guards sitting on stools in front of the cell entrance. This really was a ridiculous set up, and it took them only a day to realize only two guards were on duty at a time and only at this one door.
"I am old, not senile." He grumbled. Tauriel looked at him, lifting an eyebrow. "Yes, I remember." He pulled the wine bladder from under his cloak. The drink inside laced with a sleeping draught Tauriel and Oin worked together to make. Tauriel knew it was safe and would in no way harm the humans, but they will be waking with something akin to a severe hangover. Fili and Bofur had come up with the plan, Kili, however was completely against it. His indignant arguments only stopped when Tauriel slammed her hand over Kili's mouth, ceasing the noise, and heartedly agreeing to the idea, glaring daggers at Kili the entire time.
Naurfaer resecured his hood over his ears then stumbled out from the shadows, wine bladder in hand, and singing very off key. He caught himself as he fell towards the water, allowing his foot to slip in before looking down and exclaiming "'Ey, who spilled yer drink. Got my boots all, wet-ish." Tauriel rolled her eyes at his dramatics "Laying it on a little thick." She muttered knowing her could hear her through she was still in the dark alleyway, still hidden for the moment.
"Oi, not too close you." One of the guards hollered, but Naurfaer had already slunk down the wall between the guards stools they were still sitting on. The hooded elf looking up at them with a crooked smile.
"Hey." He greeted, voice low but jovial. "Did you know, did you know there are 42 ways to make your own mead, and never once get drunk. It is true." He lifted the bladder, as if to take a sip but missed his mouth entirely. "Not even a tiny sheet to the wind, my friends." He looked between the two, his eyes not quite focusing on either as he lifted his bladder to a pole just behind one of the guards. "You lad, care to try? Sweet as nectar it is." He turned to one of the guards and loudly whispered. "What is wrong with this one, stiff tongue?" Naurfaer went to stand, the bladder falling from his hands as he tried to get his bearings.
"There you are." Tauriel stepped in front of Naurfaer, helping him stay upright just as he was about to careen over the wooden dock straight into the water beside the prison stairs. "You must forgive my brother. He can not hold his drink." She smiled widely to the guards who stammered back at the beauty before them. "It is no worries miss. No harm done."
"Aye, do you need help with 'im?"
"No, thank you. We are only at the small inn just there. I think I can manage." She turned her attention to Naurfaer leaning a bit too close to the waters edge "Come, you have had quite enough."
"But I have only had a few sips?"
"With you, a few is all it takes." Tauriel chastised as they disappeared around the corner. From there they could see the guards, who were now picking up the bladder and giving it a sniff.
"We aren't supposed to be drinking on duty!" The taller one was saying, grabbing the bladder already at the mouth of the other. "It's only a bit, besides, you and I both know we can hold our ale way better than any young pup, like 'im."
Naurfaer smirked, these men, always assuming they knew all. He watched as both guards drank the entire contents of the bladder and promptly giving into unconsciousness.
"That worked faster and better than I thought." Naurfaer mused.
"Let us be glad that it did" Tauriel was looking for the keys on the guard. Finding them quickly, she turned to the prison and unlocked the entrance door, stepping into the dark cell hall. Naurfaer staying behind to keep a look out.
Being he was the only prisoner, Bard was easy to spot. "Who are you? You are no guard, neither are you a citizen of this town. What are you doing here?"
Tauriel lowered her hood, freeing her elven features.
"You're an elf!?" She nodded. "My name is Tauriel. I am the wife of Kili." At his confused look she added "The young dwarrow with the leg injury." She clarified.
"Did he survive?" Tauriel nodded. "Yes, I have very little time and much to say. We fear a dragon will be headed this way and soon. We have made a plan to get as many to safety as possible, including your children. We begin evacuation tomorrow, in the morn before the sun rises." She looked to the door, Naurfaer silhouette still visible in the small, barred window.
Bard studied her for a moment. "What of the dragon?" She turned back to him. "We had hopes you had a plan for that, if it came to it. A way to fell the beast."
"The black arrow." He murmured, Tauriel nodding in agreement. She seemed about to say something when her head shot to the door and her complexion paled.
"What!? What is it?! Tell me!" Bard demanded. Naurfaer slammed the door open. Before he could even say anything Tauriel turned to Bard, her haunting features chilling him to the core as she whispered "It is too late. We are out of time. We must get you out of here." He looked at her, confused for a moment, until she muttered the last five words he ever wanted to hear. "The dragon is coming, now."
"No, go. Get my children and go." Tauriel looked about to argue but Naurfaer was already grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the door. "Tauriel, we need to go! It is too late." But she pulled her arm from him and turned back to the prison.
"I refuse to leave him!" She looked about the cells for anything that could help but stopped remembering she had her dagger and pulled it out, shoving it deep into the lock, breaking the mechanism allowing the door to swing open. If they were in Mirkwood, that would not work, but in this human excuse for a cell, he thinks ramming anything sharp into the lock would be enough to break in, or out.
Bard burst from the cell. "We need to hurry!" They ran through the cell, Tauriel stopping as she looked at the two unconscious men. "We must get them to safety." She called out, stopping Naurfaer in his tracks, looking back and sighing.
"Tauriel, there is a fire drake headed this way, we don't have the time. Besides, they are the master's men. They chose their side." But Tauriel glared at him and shook her head no. "They are incapacitated because of us. It is our responsibility to get them to safety. They cannot do it themselves."
"She is right, but we must be quick." Bard agreed. Naurfaer huffed but turned and lifted the larger of the two men. It would seem many had already spotted the large beast flying their way and those who knew where to go where fleeing in haste to remove themselves from impending harm. Hefting the man, Naurfaer pointed out a boat coming their way. "Think they would take them?" Bard looked at the boat and yelled "Miriam! I need you to take Milo and Owen. Can you spare the space?" The woman stood, pulling the boat up to the side of the dock like path. "We would not have been ready if it was not for your warnings." She said to Tauriel and Naurfaer "So yes. Place them here, quickly." The three others in the boat helped the two sleeping men into their craft and without even a glance back, pushed off and continued on.
The trio ran through the streets, Bard ordering all he saw to get to the opposite shore as quickly as possible. The dragon was on its way. Some scoffed and a few threatened to get the guards, but one look in the distance, their scoffs and threats turned to screams of terror, as the outline of a massive fire drake closer each passing minute. "Get out now!"
It felt like forever before Tauriel, Naurfaer, and Bard ran through the door to Bard's home. "We have to go." Naurfaer instructed, Tauriel moving to grab Kili's walking staff and help him up.
"Da!" The children ran to their father who hugged them quickly. "You three need to stay together."
"Where are we going? Is the dragon coming?" Tilda asked.
"Somewhere safe." Tauriel promised. "But we must go now."
"You're coming with us Da, aren't you? Da?" Tilda was crying by now, clinging to her father.
"I can't. I need to stay and help. I will join you as soon as I can. I promise." He passed the crying girl to Naurfaer who rushed her from the house, following Bofur to the small boat.
"I'm coming with you da." Bain stood tall.
"Son, I need you to stay with your sisters." Bard tried.
"They will be fine, and you know it. I am staying to help." Bard was about to argue but an explosion shook the house. The dragon had reached the city.
"Tauriel! We need to go!" Fili was pulling at her arm and Kili pushing her out. Bain had made his decision and no one had time to argue about it. She went to right Kili as he stumbled, but he shot out an "I'm fine" and used his stick to push himself forward down the stairs. He climbed into the boat, turning to help her over the gap and they pulled themselves from the dock and began to push the boat out of the town to the shore.
Fire was blazing through the town, and they could hear screaming all around them mixed with the roar of fire and heat leaving the dragons mouth engulfing all in its path. Naurfaer and Fili were rowing as fast as they could between alleyways and under raise housing platforms, but the narrow waterways made it difficult to steer and they found their boat caught and stuck as it rammed into another larger boat, filled with gold which nearly pulled their smaller boat under as it dragged past them.
"The master of the town!" Sigrid yelled to Tauriel. It amazed her how so many criticized the dwarves of being filled with greed and the lust of gold, when in truth, no race is without fault, their eyes and hearts easily bought by cold and shining metals. True treasures are not of the earth, but of the heart, at least Tauriel firmly believed. She glanced at Kili, her greatest treasure, who was using his staff to push the small boat forward to aid Fili and Naurfaer.
They glided through passages and under houses, trying to steer clear of the burning inferno around them. They could see some in boats trying to get away. Tauriel hoped their early warnings did at least some good and saved more lives than had they done nothing.
"DA!" Sigrid called out, Tilda and the company turning their heads to where they could see Bard atop a tower, firing arrows at winged harbinger of flames.
"He hit it! He hit the dragon. I saw it! He hit his mark" Kili yelled as he watched the bowman wide eyed. They all watched as Bard knocked another arrow and fired, true to its mark the arrow hitting the dragon hide but bouncing right off and falling to the blazing fires below.
"It will do no good, they cannot pierce the skin. Only one thing can." Tauriel watched closely, another figure could be seen racing up the tower. "Bain" She muttered and watched as the boy raced to his father, the black arrow firm in his hands. Bard had only to pierce the dragon with one arrow in the right spot and they would all be saved. That was hope to her, and hope was a beautiful and precious thing. She slid her hand over her stomach as she watched. 'Look, hope little one. There is hope.' She thought to the life inside her, her other hand landing on Kili's shoulder.
Her heart dropped when the dragon flew over the tower, knocking the top portion housing the bell clean off.
"NO! DA!" Both girls were crying, Bofur and Oin trying to console them, Tauriel looking down at them. They were much too young to go through this.
"Look, your father lives." Tauriel followed Naurfaer's gesture to the tower, her hand tightening on Kili's shoulder. Kili lifted his hand not attached to the staff to cover hers where it lay. They watched transfixed as Bard strung the bowstring around the two remaining polls of the tower and used Bain to anchor the massive arrow in place. He had one chance. Only one black arrow. One black arrow in existence which was the only thing that could pierce the hide of a dragon, taking it down and killing the beast for good.
Tauriel held her breath as she watched the shot leave the tower, true to on its mark, and hit its intended target with fierce accuracy. The dragon shrieking and yelling in pain as it flew high in the air before the fire in its belly extinguished and it fell limply to the waters below.
"He did it." Fili sat stone still, astonished at Bards feat. Bofur and Oin laughed in celebration clinging to each other in a celebratory hug as the boat rocked precariously. Tauriel found no joy, as she looked around at the devastation in the still blazing city. Lives were lost and it was their fault. They released the dragon. They were the harbingers of devastation for this town and the lives lost this night.
With the urgency now gone, Tauriel sat beside Kili who drew her in close, tucking her into his side as they quietly pushed themselves out of the infernos reach. Lake City was now completely enveloped in dragon fire, the town beyond saving. Silence permeated the small boat as four dwarrow, two elves, and two daughters of man joined the hundreds fleeing for safety.
Authors Note: YAYYYYYY BABY! I was honestly debating if I wanted to have Tauriel pregnant in this story or not. I ended up choosing to go with it, thought it would be a bit of happiness in the dreary world. They will make it to Erebor in the next chapter. There is a reason I made Thorin more attune to the sickness. It isn't a book thing or a movie thing per say, more a me thing since this is kinda my own little piece of the universe though I own nothing of it…except for the legit Hobbit film frame complete with certificate of authenticity my mum got me for Christmas today! Epic…I know. Anyway…digressing, I swear. So much more to come. I keep thinking…"Oh, just a few more chapters…" then I am like crap, I have so much to SAYYYY. D: All well. I hope you guys are still enjoying this…even if it is not a perfect Tolkien universe and has probably more holes than a strainer. Sorry again. See you guys in a bit.