Sorry about missing the chapter update yesterday. I started my new job yesterday, and let's just say it didn't go great lol. I shall give you two chapters as recompense.

(If you notice the Lizzie McAlpine-ceilings reference, then you are a cool egg)

I could tell that I was nearing the guest chambers by the change in sound. The raucous laughter and the deep-voiced shouting could be no one other than the dwarves. If the laughter was anything to go by, then I would say that their spirits were higher than they'd been in a while. Getting out of that god-forsaken forest would cheer anyone up. I relaxed slightly at the sounds. If they were happy, then that meant that there was less chance of them hating me. Right?

When I woke up with a feeling of steel dread in my gut, I decided to forego breakfast with Legolas in place of braving the dwarves. I had given Kili space, but I felt like any longer spent apart would just make things worse somehow. The last thing I needed was for the dwarves to catastrophize the situation into something larger and less salvageable.

Legolas led me up to a door where all the noise seemed to be emanating from. "The dwarves are housed here. But you undoubtedly already guessed that."

"Dwarves aren't known to be a quiet bunch," I chuckled, "Thank you, Legolas."

"Are you sure you wish to remain alone?"

"I know them. They're good people, don't worry."

"Well, I shall stay close in any case. If you need me, just shout, and I will come running."

"My saviour," I said with a hand over my heart. "Now shuffle off. You will just intimidate them."

"Fine, fine. I shall come back later," Then he bowed his head and reluctantly left.

I rubbed my face in a bid to compose myself. Come on, Leah, buck up and be brave.

With all the confidence I could muster, I raised my hand to knock on the door. The knock was hesitant but evidently heard as the voices behind the door quietened. The shouts were replaced by conspiratorial whispering. Whispering that I just managed to pick up.

"Who's knocking on?"

"Do we let them in?"

"Maybe we don't answer it."

"Uh, it's Leah...Can I come in?" I asked nervously.

The whispering picked up in full force. Everyone spoke at once until it became a mishmash of noise. For a second, I thought that they weren't going to let me in. My face fell at the thought.

However, the door finally opened, and I blinked at the suddenness. On the other side, I could see a large living area. There were four large sofas facing each other in a square formation. With a low-lying table in the middle completely ladened with food. Well, it looked like it may have been full originally but had been reduced drastically.

They did seem a lot happier, their eyes a lot brighter. Though I could detect a hint of nervousness from a few of them.

Dwalin's broad frame filled up most of the entryway. He crossed his arms over his chest and levelled me with a hard gaze.

His look made me shrink back slightly.

"So the Princess deigns to grace us with her presence then," said Dwalin in a mocking voice.

"Dwalin, don't be cruel," I heard from somewhere behind Dwalin.

Kili's voice. I craned my neck around Dwalin's frame until I could see his figure standing close to the door. He gave me a small smile when our eyes met.

Dwalin, however, decided not to listen to Kili and persevered. "Do you want us to start kissing your feet now or something?"

The accusation stung.

"Dwalin!" huffed Kili

"You can if you want to, Dwalin, they are freshly washed now," I said, trying to play off the hurt with a joke.

Dwalin stared at me for a moment longer before bursting out laughing. Then he moved out of the way and gestured into the room.

I took that as a good sign and hurried into the room. The weight of the dwarves' eyes knocked my breath from my lungs, but I held strong. Kili sidled up to me and held my hand in both of his.

"I'm glad you're here," he whispered.

"Are you still angry?" I asked, taking my eyes off the rest of the room to look only at Kili. It was easier that way.

He shook his head. "I'm not angry, Leah."

A breath left me in relief. That was something, at least. I looked back around the room. Most were crowded around the table or dotted around the room. Thorin stood by the fireplace, pensieve. His eyes weren't full of hatred which seemed like a good sign. Everyone else remained looking at me expectantly.

"How did you sleep?" I said.

There were a few moments of tense silence before it was graciously broken by Bilbo. "We slept well, Leah. Or do I have to say, your highness, now?" he asked, flustered.

I nearly groaned out loud. The last thing I wanted was for them to start treating me differently. "No, just Leah is fine."

"I can't believe that you're related to that pointy-eared prick," said Nori around a piece of pastry. "You seemed so nice."

"Seemed?" past tense. "Am I not nice anymore?"

"That's not what I meant. I meant that it's hard to wrap my noggin around the fact that he could produce someone half as decent as you."

"Thank you?... I think," I said, "Does that mean you don't hate me now?"

I heard a few scoffs and grumbles. "Of course, we don't hate you, lass," said Bofur, who was sitting between Bifur and Bombur.

Bifur pointed to his head. "You're the one who fixed my head. I'm not just gonna start hating you just because your Adad's an arse," he said with sincerity.

"Some of us are just a bit hurt that you didn't tell us," said Fili, leaning over the back of the sofa to look at me.

"Annoyed more like," whispered Dwalin from by the door.

"Dwalin, you're not helping," said Kili.

Dwalin just shrugged and crossed his arms again.

"I'm sorry," I said, meaning it. I didn't know what else to say, really.

"It's alright, lass. Some may take a bit of time to get used to the idea. But we're not gonna cast you out," said Balin. "You did sign a contract, after all. We can't get rid of you that easily," he chuckled.

I smiled back.

"Come and have some food, Leah," encouraged Kili.

Before I could agree, Thorin interrupted. "I would like to speak with you first" he stood away from the fireplace and put his goblet down on a side table.

He didn't give me much of a chance to reply before he gestured to a door. Not wanting him to find further reason to be displeased with me, I followed on without question. Kili squeezed my hand before letting it go.

Thorin opened the door, which appeared to lead to someone's bedroom, and out onto a balcony carved into the mountainside. A fresh morning breeze drifted across, which I breathed in with eagerness. Sunlight filtered through the trees, and they glowed, almost like a forest fire. It was breathtaking

I leaned against the stone railing, and the door closed softly behind me. I traced the smooth patterns carved into the stone, scared to look up at Thorin.

But look, I must. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, steeling myself. Then I finally turned to face Thorin. His arms were once again crossed tightly like a barrier between us. His presence was looming even though he was shorter than me.

"Why did you not tell me of this?" He asked gruffly.

I knew this was coming, but I also didn't know how to explain myself properly. "I was scared, okay. What was I supposed to say?" I blurted, "Hey Thorin, you know that guy you despise, well, that's my dad."

Thorin gave me a displeased look. "I still would have wanted to know. This is something that affects this quest."

I shrunk a little at his tone. "It worked out, though, didn't it? You're not being held prisoner anymore."

Thorin pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "That's not the point, Leah. The point is that you purposely withheld important information."

"In my defence, I only found out when I found my Mum again. It was a surprise to me too."

Thorin levelled me with another look. "Leah, that was over two weeks ago," he said, clearly unimpressed.

My face heated up. I didn't have a comeback for that.

Thorin sighed and uncrossed his arms. The tension in the air eased as his posture did. "In the future, I need to know that you will not withhold something like this. My reaction should not matter. If it affects this company, this quest, then I need to know of it."

"Of course," I agreed quickly. Anything to bring this conversation to an end.

"Good," Thorin nodded, then looked out into the burgeoning morning.

Thorin leaned against the railing next to me. "I guess I cannot begrudge you for who your parents are. We should be judged based on our own merit, not what our families have done."

Thorin was also including himself in that sentence, I realised. People tried to judge him because of his grandfather's deeds.

"You're right," I whispered.

We stood in silence for a few moments. Just soaking in our surroundings. "If everything I've heard is true, then Thranduil has been half mad for over 1000 years."

I felt my breath catch in my throat. Where was this going?

"That is why he left my people to fend for themselves when Smaug came."

"Maybe," I said, my voice barely a whisper. It hurt to think about.

Thorin's jaw clenched, and his nostrils flared. "Then he should not have been King. If his sanity was being called into question, then the crown should have gone to his son," he spat, anger clear in his voice.

The thought of Legolas as King didn't sit well with me. Even though he is loyal to his home, he always preferred adventure. Too much of a free spirit. I feel like he would grow resentful if he were tied down to a throne.

Thorin's statement was also reminiscent of another situation. Of a Dwarf King, whose gold sickness brought his sanity into question. If the crown had been passed to Thrain when the first signs of gold sickness arose in Thror, then Smaug may never have attacked.

Things were never that simple. Situations like these are always so much more complex than they first appeared.

"That sounds familiar to me, Thorin," I said, finding the confidence to look him in the eye. "Like another King."

Hurt and anger flashed across Thorin's face as he comprehended what I was saying. His mouth opened as if he was ready to hit back. But then his mouth closed, and the anger in his face melted into something more forlorn.

"Adar should be better now," I said, hopeful. "He's got the other half of his soul back now, so the madness should be gone."

"Forgive me if I don't jump at the chance to trust him." Thorin was looking away again. "I'll believe it when I see it."

When Thorin remained resolutely silent, I took that as my cue to leave. I rushed back inside to the drawing room where all the dwarves were. As soon as I re-entered, Kili was at my side.

"He wasn't too harsh on you, was he?" Kili asked, voice gentle.

"No, no, I'm fine," I said, shaking my head.

Truthfully, I didn't really know how to feel at that moment. On the one hand, I wasn't being cast out, but on the other, it was obvious that Thorin wasn't pleased with me.

Kili looked expectantly at the door I had just come out of, waiting for Thorin to emerge.

"I think he might be spending some time on his own."

"Oh, right. In that case, would you like some food?"

"Yes, please," I said eagerly.

Kili led me over to one of the sofas. I ended up squeezed in between him and Fili. The cushion sank below me as I sat down and I caught sight of a few dust motes escaping the fabric.

Normal conversation seemed to resume once I was settled. Which I was infinitely grateful for. The dwarves went back to eating and laughing amongst themselves. The food seemed to have reduced further during the time I was outside. I frowned down at the table. How did they eat that much food so fast?

Fili then, unexpectedly, leaned down, his forehead nearly touching the floor as he grabbed for something stored underneath the seat. Just as I was about to ask what he was doing, he re-emerged, plate in hand, overflowing with food.

"Your breakfast, your Highness," he said with false reverence, handing me the plate.

I narrowed my eyes at the jab but smiled at him nonetheless. "Thank you, Fili. I was about to say that it didn't look like you'd left me much," I said, looking down at the table.

"Well, you wouldn't have much if this lot had a say in it," Kili indicated with his head to the other dwarves. "I had to fight some of them for it."

"My hero," I beamed at him.

Kili's eyes crinkled at the corners.

Without further preamble, I turned to dig into my food. My plate was piled his with small pastries, cured meats, and various kinds of cheese. As well as what seemed to be a thin layer of dust at the edge of the plate. It must have accumulated when it was stored under the chair. I blew air at the spot, and a small cloud floated into the air.

"Oh yeah, the place is a bit dusty," said Kili

"A bit," scoffed Dori. "Poor Bilbo can't stop sneezing."

"No, I–AH-CHOO," Bilbo further hammered in Dori's point. Thankfully, he seemed to have a new handkerchief to use.

"In all fairness, I don't think the guest chambers have been used in a few hundred years."

"They could have at least given it a tidy," said Dori

"They probably did, but it was rather short notice, so evidently, they didn't get the chance to deep clean."

I heard a few scoffs. "Well, at least you have rooms," I added. "Mine hasn't been opened in 1500 years, so now probably has god knows what growing inside it."

I saw a few dwarves wrinkle their noses.

"Where are you staying then?" asked Kili with concern.

"My brother's room," I said around a piece of goat cheese tart.

My answer seemed to satisfy him.

Thorin came back eventually. He resumed his place by the fire and picked up his goblet.

Bofur stood up and stretched, a large yawn escaping his mouth. His hat was precariously balanced on the arm of the sofa. The momentum of him standing up nearly knocked it off, but it stayed where it was.

It was then that I realised that he wasn't wearing his own clothes. His shirt was distinctly elven. A pale blue with leaf patterns stitched around the collar. The shirt stopped just below his knees. It was nearly long enough to be a dress, though not quite. I also noticed that it was also the only thing he was wearing. His legs, which had been hidden by the table before, were now very clearly out.

"I cannot believe you're wearing that elven crap they gave us," Gloin commented.

"I don't know what you mean. I think I look quite dashing," Bofur raised his eyebrows flirtily. "And it's always nice to get a bit of a breeze, you know."

Wait, was he implying what I think he was?

Dwalin was the only one brave enough to voice our suspicions. "Bofur, are you wearing...undergarments?"

"No, of course not. Mine are filthy. I'm free as a bird."

I covered my mouth in a bid not to laugh out loud. Many shouts of protest echoed around the room.

"We've got to sit there, you animal."

"Have some decency."

"There are ladies present."

"Surely they offered you some underwear Bofur," I said, amusement evident in my voice.

"Look, I'm not gonna wear someone else's undercrackers. I've got standards."

I couldn't help the laugh that burst out of me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Nori edging closer to Bofur. There was a mischievous glint in his eye. I saw him overdramatically stretch and yawn. Ultimately knocking Bofur's hat onto the floor.

"Hey, Bofur, is that your hat down there?" asked Nori, seemingly helpful.

Bofur turned around. "Ah, so it is."

Then, in what felt like slow motion, Bofur started to bend over. It was accompanied by screams of No! As well as at least two different hands being slapped over my eyes.

Nori's booming laugh was countered by Dori's scolding.

"How about we go outside, Leah," said Kili, clearly exasperated.

"Good Idea."

I let Kili lead me outside. Not quite ready to open my eyes, just in case. When I did open them, I found myself outside of the guest chambers next to a set of stairs. Kili sat down on them and pulled me down next to him.

"How is your family?"

"They're...perfect. Seeing us all together is just…I can't put it into words."

"I'm happy for you, Leah," His words were genuine and sincere.

We lapsed into silence, and Kili looked back down at our joined hands. "I should not have snapped at you last night, but it hurt to find out you knew and did not tell me."

"I'm sorry. I should have known that you wouldn't change the way you think about me," I said.

"Nothing could ever do that," he said.

I swallowed hard. "I think another reason I didn't say anything is because it still doesn't feel real. This whole journey has felt like a warped dream at times like I am going to wake up and find out that none of it really happened. That I was just a lonely girl staring up at her ceiling, wishing that this all existed."

"This is real, Leah. See?" I felt a pinch at my side, hard enough to sting. "I'm here, you're here, and there's nowhere I would rather be."

The pain had a grounding effect on me as I swore and rubbed at the area. "Thank you. I think I needed that. Though you didn't have to pinch me so hard."

"Sorry," he chuckled. Then he tucked my hair behind my ear, fingers lingering. "You look a lot better now."

"The wonders of bath water."

"Not just that," he said, "You look happier, freer and like you've had more than an hour of sleep."

"You are correct on all three."

"Of course, you look beautiful too. I have not had the chance to see you in a dress like this."

I peered down. It was the same gown I had worn yesterday with silver detailing. I traced the pattern with a finger. "Thank you."

"It's very regal, some might say."

I levelled him with a look. "Spit it out. I know you're trying to say something else."

"I can't believe you are a princess, Leah."

"It was a surprise for me, too, trust me. My life is insane. I had hoped to tell you before the run-in with Adar. I didn't think he would want to see you straight away."

"Yeah, that was a bit of a shock," Kili let out a breathy laugh. "One minute, I'm scared you're dying in a ditch somewhere, and the next, I find out that you're a princess and your father is King Thranduil."

I felt my chest tighten. I'd caused him such heartache and panic without meaning to. "I pulled on the bond to let you know that I was okay."

Kili looked a little sheepish. "My imagination may have gotten the better of me."

"I think we need to come up with some kind of code so this confusion doesn't happen again," I suggested. "How about we pull it once if we are okay and twice if we are in danger."

"That would probably work better," said Kili, the corners of his mouth turning upwards.

"Can you forgive me?"

His eyes were intense when he finally looked up at me. "Yes, I forgive you, Leah. Even if your Adad is terrifying."

The statement made me giggle. "We should probably arrange it so that you are never on your own with him. Always have a buddy with you. God knows what sort of things he'd try to say to you otherwise."

An image popped into my head of Ada having a "what are your intentions with my daughter?" conversation with Kili. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from smiling. Though Kili clearly still caught the action.

"That sounds like a good idea."

Kili's eyes softened as he looked at me. I could look into those soft brown eyes for days. His thumb traced my cheekbone. "I love you, Leah. Amrâlizi"

"You love me so much you said it twice?"

"Of course."

"I love you too."


Being back home was such a strange experience. The next few days were a blur. The company was recovering from their ordeal in the forest. Regaining their strength, as well as some of the weight they'd lost while they were near starving for a week. They were also given an area to train in.

I, on the other hand, seemed to be either re-meeting people from my past or meeting new people. They all tended to look at me like I was a miracle with legs, so it was a little disconcerting.

I also met another ginger-haired Captain of the Guard. Which was an experience.

I was with the dwarves at the time as they trained outside. They had a go at using some of the Elven weaponry available, and there was some obvious peacocking going on. With Fili, Dwalin and Gloin being the worst offenders, blatantly showing off and trying to prove something to the elves.

Kili was sitting next to me on a bench, taking a break from training and egging them on from the sidelines.

There were a few elves dotted around the courtyard. Most were doing their own drills, but they still found time to throw a few odd looks at the dwarves. However, the dwarves were also doing the same so no one side was to blame. Though when they saw me looking, their eyes would widen, and they would bow their heads before turning swiftly away.

Dwalin grumbled when he caught the eye of another elf looking their way. "Just because they're apparently helping us now does not mean that I have to like them. I will never trust anyone who cannot grow a beard."

"Elves can grow beards, you know," I chuckled, bursting Dwalin's bubble.

A few of the dwarves turned around at that.

"What?"

"Horse Shit"

"I've never seen a single elf with a beard."

A few of the elves at the far end of the courtyard raised their eyebrows as they heard the conversation topic.

"It's true!" I said, "But they can only grow them when they're really old. Like 10,000 years old. The only elf I can think of who has one is Cirdan, the dude that looks after the ship to the undying lands."

"Are you telling the truth?" asked Bifur, clearly intrigued.

"Why would I lie about something like that?" I said with a laugh.

Dwalin's face was a picture. Like great cogs were turning in his mind. Then he gasped dramatically. "By Mahal, they're bairns."

Did he just say that elves were children?

"Dwalin, they're like thousands of years old."

"No, no, don't you see. It all makes sense now. The reason they're all so bloody annoying is that they're all children."

I shook my head, deciding to leave him to it. Only someone like Dwalin would look at someone who had been alive for millennia and call them a child. There were a few rumblings from the elves' side of the courtyard, clearly displeased by Dwalin's statement.

The dwarves eventually got back to their drills, still laughing about their 'revelation' when my bench was approached by a newcomer. An elf with long, elaborately braided, ginger hair. Her uniform indicated that she was a part of the guard. However, I was certain that I had not met her before.

"Princess, Liriel," she said with a nod, hands held behind her back. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Thank you…uh," I realised then that I didn't know her name.

"Oh, Leah, this is Tauriel," said Kili helpfully.

If I had been drinking at the time, I would have ended up doing a spit-take. My eyes widened, and I felt my mind whir to a stop.

"Tauriel?" I squeaked.

The elf that Kili had fallen in love with in the film was real! Not just someone Peter Jackson had invented!

Even though I knew that the film romance between them meant nothing, I still felt off. Something ugly and akin to possessiveness began to curl in my stomach, and I felt myself shuffle closer to Kili.

Oh god, what is wrong with me? I had never even met her, and I was already being judgemental. I needed to calm down.

Tauriel's eyebrows raised slightly. The only reaction she made about my outburst "Yes, your Highness. I am a Captain of the Guard."

"That's cool."

"Cool?" A 'v' formed between her eyebrows.

"It's a good thing," Kili explained for me, blissfully unaware of the chaotic thoughts drifting through my head.

"Oh right," Tauriel smiled. "Well, Your Highness, I'm glad you were found because I think your dwarf friend was close to having a heart attack."

Kili looked down and mumbled, "I wasn't that bad".

"I'm glad too," I managed to smile back at her.

"If there is ever anything you need, your highness, do not hesitate to ask," she said earnestly. It made me feel bad for my initial reaction.

"You could call me Liriel or Leah instead of your highness."

"Liriel, it is then," Tauriel said with a smile. "I will take my leave. Enjoy the rest of your day, Liriel."

Then she turned and left. Just as quickly as she had arrived.

As soon as she was out of sight, I rounded onto Kili. "How did you know her?" My tone of voice just a little too high.

"She was actually the one that threw us into a cell in the dungeons. But when I was panicking about needing to find you, she told me that she would try. Turns out she didn't need to, but I was very grateful for the sentiment anyway."

Damn it. She sounds really nice.

"Why do you seem so worked up, Leah? Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, totally fine."

Kili did not look convinced.

I needed to get a grip.


About a week had gone by since we'd arrived. Adar and I were walking through the garden. Despite how long I'd already been here, this was the first time Ada and I had actually been alone together. There always seemed to be someone else with us. Not that I particularly minded; I loved seeing people again. But it felt good to finally spend some one-on-one time with each other.

Mum was spending time with Legolas. She was putting her organiser skills to good use, helping to plan out the feast of starlight. It was going to be a big one this year as it was also considered a welcome-back feast.

Adar and I walked arm in arm through the gardens. The overgrown section was being tended to as quickly as possible to make it presentable once more, but it was not available to walk through yet. This area of the gardens held wildflowers and fruit trees that stretched high above us, creating a canopy of shade.

Whenever we passed an elf, they would bow their heads or curtsey. "Your majesty, your highness."

Adar nodded at them in acknowledgement, and the elves continued on. I, on the other hand, still felt rather awkward about the whole affair. Adar found it rather amusing.

"You know you are going to have to get used to it. They will not stop even if you ask them to."

I wanted to tell him that Tauriel had already agreed but felt it would cause more harm than good. Instead, I half mumbled a reply that could either have been "fine" or "I guess" but you could not really tell.

Eventually, we reached a part of the gardens that wasn't inhabited by anyone else, and we slowed our pace down.

"Trying to negotiate with the dwarves is surely...something," Adar drawled.

So far, I had not managed to sit in on any of the discussions. Though mum told me that she wished she had some popcorn at times because of the back and forth between Adar and Thorin. "I assume that there was a lot of stubbornness involved."

"Yes, the dwarves' notorious stubbornness did rear its head," Adar agreed readily.

"I didn't mean just from Thorin, Adar," I smirked at him.

"I do not know what you are implying, Liriel. I am the epitome of reasonableness," said Adar, with his chin raised.

"Sure you are," I said, not believing a word.

"Never mind all that," said Adar, quickly changing the subject. "Your Naneth tells me that you wish to sing at the feast."

"Yes. I have sung in all sorts of places recently. I thought it would be good to actually sing in my home," I said.

"I admit that I am looking forward to it. It has been too long since I have heard you sing," There was a tightness to his voice. When I looked up at him, I could see him staring out in front of him.

I squeezed his arm to try and shake him out of it. When he looked down, I smiled encouragingly, and he answered in kind.

"So, are the dwarves allowed to come to the feast?" I asked

I felt Adar slow us down to a stop. He looked down at me with pleading eyes. "Must they? I'd rather my feast not be ruined by the brooding of dwarves."

"Adar!" I scolded, giving him a disapproving gaze.

Adar held my gaze with his own. However, he was the first to concede by looking away. "Fine, fine. If it will make you happy," Adar sighed dramatically. "Your little dwarf friends can come."

"Thank you." That had been a lot easier than I thought it would be. I didn't even need to say anything to convince him.

Adar shook his head. "How did this happen?" he whispered, almost to himself. His sudden change of tone was jarring. "How did you end up bound to a dwarf of all people?"

Ah, there it was. The problem Adar had actually wanted to talk about. My hand found its way to my courting braid. A movement which was not missed. "I don't know, it just sort of happened."

"Things like this do not 'just sort of happen', Liriel. There must be some reason why you agreed to court this dwarf. Being bound to him does not equal marriage. You could always choose someone else. So why him?" Ada wasn't angry but he did seem desperate for an answer. "I just want to understand. I need to know how worthy this person is of you."

I didn't even know where to begin.

"He's kind," I started. "And thoughtful, he always seems to put other people before himself." I couldn't find the words to articulate my feelings for Kili. The words themselves seemed a bit flat and couldn't fully describe everything I felt.

Adar carried on looking at me without saying a word, silently urging me to go on.

More simple, one-dimensional words were not going to help me explain my emotions to Adar. I needed something else. Something that would tell Ada exactly what kind of person Kili was.

"He died protecting me, Adar," my voice broke. "He didn't even think. He just did it."

Adar's eyes softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"When he died, it–it hurt so much," hot tears welled up as I remembered. The sound of his last breath, the way the light left his eyes. They were permanently sealed in my memory.

Adar's breath caught.

"The thought of not being able to see him again…." I squeezed my eyes shut and willed the memory of helplessness away. "I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. It felt like someone had taken a knife to my heart. I didn't even know that I could bring him back. I was just so desperate for him to come back to me, I would have tried anything."

A single tear escaped and rolled down my cheek.

Adar squeezed his own eyes shut. When he opened them, I could see a shine to them. He moved to cup my face and wiped away the tears.

"I know of what you speak, Liriel," His voice was low. "All too intimately."

He looked away for a moment, breathing in shakily. "The fact that you would feel such pain, even if only temporarily, saddens me deeply."

Adar truly did know how it felt. Only his pain was even greater than mine had been. And he'd had to bear it for over 1500 years.

I gave him a watery smile before wrapping my arms around him. He responded in kind.

Adar's hand drifted towards the courting bead. "If you truly feel so much towards him, I can understand a little better why you have chosen to court him."

He turned the bead over, watching it throw rainbows into the air as it caught the light. A crinkle formed between his eyebrows. "What is this made from? It is unlike any substance I have ever seen."

"I'm not sure, actually. Kili told me that his Adad gave them to him...And his Adad is dead. So I guess it must have come from where dwarves go when they die."

"Aulë's Halls?" Adar gasped. He looked at the bead with something akin to admiration. "Genuinely?"

I nodded.

"A truly precious gift," said Adar, dropping the braid back down with care. He nodded as if in approval. "Anything else would be unworthy of you."

"Thank you, Adar," I smiled.

Adar smiled too and seemed to shake himself out of his reverie. "I know your feelings are true, Liriel. But forgive me if I still wish to inspect Kili's character for myself. I need to know how genuine his feelings are too."

"I guess I can deal with that."

Our walk together only lasted a short time. Adar told me he had an important meeting to attend but did not elaborate any further. He guided us back into the mountain towards one of the main halls, where the feast of starlight was to be held. It was also where Mum and Legolas currently were.

Mum smiled and beckoned us over. "Hello, darling. Did you enjoy your walk?" Mum hugged me as she spoke.

"Yes, it was good," I said.

Then she turned to Adar, kissing him on both cheeks. He still looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time again, all over again. "It was enlightening," said Adar.

Mum raised an eyebrow. "Should I ask?"

"Best not," I shook my head.

"I will inform you later," Adar promised.

Mum accepted our answers and nodded.

"There is something I must attend to," Adar said, straightening up. I saw Mum's eyes narrow ever so slightly. "You can help your Naneth with the organising while I'm gone," he said to me.

"Okay," I said.

His eyes swept across all three of us, lingering longest on Mum. "I won't be long meleth nin," he said to Mum. He kissed her cheek goodbye before turning and leaving.

Mum looked after him wistfully for a few seconds before she came back to her senses. "Did your Adar say where he was going?" Mum asked with a hint of suspicion in her voice.

"Not really. He just said something about an important meeting."

"Right," Mum said, looking in the direction that Adar had left.

"Why?"

Mum shook her head and looked back at me, a pleasant smile back on her face. "No reason."

Suspicion grew within me. Mum, however, decided not to question it further and jumped straight back into her planning.

Long garlands and banners had already been brought out. As well as flowers, lanterns and table decorations. Some were already neatly arranged while Mum was organising the others. She commanded the room with ease, looking every bit the queen she was.

"She is scarily efficient," said Legolas, his arms full of large ribbons that were to be wrapped around the chairs. "I don't think I realised how good she was at this when we were younger."

"Yeah, she is pretty impressive," I mused.

"If it were down to me, I would not even know where to begin. I would probably throw in some flowers and call it a day," said Legolas.

"You wouldn't even put on tablecloths?" I asked

"Most of the time, I forget that they are a thing."

I looked up at him, and we both burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Mum asked jovially as she wandered over to us.

"We're marvelling at our sheer lack of organisational skills," I added.

"Ah, I see," Mum smiled.

One moment I was laughing with my family, and the next moment I was gasping, clutching onto my chest. Legolas had to steady me before I fell forwards. There was no pain per se, but the steady pace of Kili's heartbeat suddenly reached a fever pitch. Even though It wasn't my own, it still felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. It was quickly followed by the sensation of someone reaching out and tugging on my soul.

What the hell is going on?

"Liriel, are you alright?" Concern rife in Legolas's voice.

Another tug on the bond, in quick succession after the other.

Once to say you are safe. Twice to say you are in danger.

But why would he be in danger? Surely there was nothing here that could cause such a reaction from him?

Wait…

"Oh shit!" I exclaimed as I realised exactly what was happening. "I know where Adar is."

"What? I don't understand," said Legolas.

"It seems your Adar has decided to pay Kili a visit," Mum explained. "Important meeting indeed."

Legolas's eyes lit with amusement. "I cannot believe I'm missing it."

How on earth had this happened? Kili was not to be left on his own with Adar. Obviously, the plan had fallen through somewhere, and now Kili was shouting to me that he was in danger.

"Oh God," I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Right, I need to find him."

"Can I come?" Legolas asked, all too eagerly.

"No, you cannot," he would undoubtedly make things worse.

He stuck his bottom lip out in a pout, but I wasn't going to let his sad face change my mind.

"Legolas, you can stay here. We don't need to stress out poor Kili anymore than he already is," Mum interjected.

Legolas knew he had lost this fight and conceded, "Okay, Naneth."

I focused my eyes so that I could see the bond stretched between us and followed it through the halls.

There were a further two insistent pulls down the bond while I was trying to find him. "I'm coming. I'm coming," I muttered to myself. I gave the cord a tug of my own to signify that I was on my way.

Eventually, I turned the right corner and found them alone in a corridor.

Adar's face seemed to be quite neutral and didn't hold any of the animosity I had been expecting. The way Kili had pulled on the bond had me envisioning Adar threatening Kili with a knife or something. Instead, they seemed to be just talking.

Kili, however, was white as a sheet.

"Kili, Adar," I said loudly to get their attention. "What are you doing here?"

Adar turned to me, briefly looking like a deer in headlights before his expression smoothed out. "We were just taking a walk," he said nonchalantly.

"Yes," Kili's voice was a whole octave higher than it should be. "Just a walk, we were just...walking."

I gave Adar an unimpressed look.

"I think we have a better understanding of one another now. Wouldn't you agree, Kili?"

"Yes," said Kili, standing a little straighter.

"I think Mum wants you, Adar,"

"She does?" He raised an eyebrow. "Then I shan't keep her waiting."

Adar strolled back down the corridor. His pace sedate, with his arms behind his back. As soon as he was gone, Kili let out a breath in one big rush."Oh, thank Mahal, you're here," He wrapped his arms tightly around me.

"Kili, what the hell happened?"


Kili (Earlier that day)

Fili and Kili were in the main living space of the guest rooms. The rest of the company was elsewhere. Most were back out on the training grounds, sparring with the elves to suss out each other's fighting styles. Balin and Ori had found a library at one point and had not been heard from since and Bombur was taking a nap. Which you could tell by the intermittent snoring rattling through the wall.

"This situation has got to be one of the funniest things that has ever happened," Fili laughed into his cup.

He didn't have to seem so pleased about it, Kili thought. "Do I not even get an ounce of sympathy?"

"No," Fili snickered, "I'm not the one who stole an elf King's daughter."

"I didn't steal anything," Kili urged, shoving his brother. 'Steal' made it sound like she didn't have a choice in the matter.

Some liquid spilled out of Fili's cup, but he managed to save most of it. "I know, I know," said Fili, shaking some of the mead from his sleeve. "I just enjoy winding you up."

"You do?" Kili gasped with mock amazement.

They both laughed. "So what was it Thranduil said to you?"

"He said that he looked forward to getting to know me better. Though I have no interest in that ever happening."

"Mahal," Fili breathed, leaning back in his seat and taking another gulp of mead. "This is either the bravest or the stupidest thing you have ever done."

"Probably a bit of both."

Kili pondered for a moment, staring at the pattern on the chair. "Leah's friend called me a 'himbo' once. Which I think kind of fits?"

"A What?" Fili chuckled.

"A himbo."

"Care to explain?"

Kili paused for a second, trying to think how Anika had described the word. "It's a male who is kind-hearted and pretty..."

He was immediately cut off by a loud snort.

"Hey," Kili shoved Fili again. "Who here is actually courting someone? I'm sure I've been called pretty more times than you have."

Fili covered his heart with his hand. "You wound me, brother."

"Anyway," Kili continued, "It's someone who's kind-hearted, pretty and just a bit dumb."

Actually, Anika had said, 'Dumb as a pile of rocks', but he thought that was a little too harsh.

Fili guffawed. "Now that sounds like you," Kili laughed too, shaking his head.

Fili was about to take another sip of mead when his eyes locked with something over Kili's shoulder. He choked on the liquid and sputtered loudly.

Kili froze in alarm. He felt a presence loom above him, casting a shadow that blocked the light. Something reached for his shoulder, and he nearly cried out.

Long, pale fingers gripped his shoulder in a vice, digging in to the point of pain. On the other end of the hand lay–

"Are you saying that you pride yourself on stupidity, Kili?" The elf king enunciated each word, his eyes like a raging fire.

Kili blanched. His heart rate rose inexorably quickly. One second it was normal, the next, it was thundering in his ears, drowning out everything else.

The only thoughts on his mind were Danger! Danger!

"N–no sir, i–it was just a joke," Kili stuttered.

"A joke? Ha, how funny," Thranduil said, completely deadpan "Why don't we go for a walk?"

He categorically did not want to be alone with this elf. Yet he felt like he did not have much of a choice. His first instinct was to tug helplessly on the bond between him and Leah. Twice. To let her know that he was potentially in danger.

Fili looked between the two of them, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. Kili stared at his brother, silently begging him to help. But there was nothing Fili could do.

"O–of course," Kili said eventually, moving to follow Thranduil outside. The king's smile could only be described as predatory.

Thranduil led them on, and Kili felt like he was walking a funeral march. His own. They walked a short distance before coming to an abandoned corridor. When the King whirled around, Kili nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Let's get right to it," said Thranduil. "I know my daughter's feelings towards you. She cares about you deeply. Which means that I need to know just how worthy you are of her. I need to know that you have my daughter's best interests in mind. Do you understand?"

Kili gulped and nodded.

"Let me make one thing clear," Thranduil stepped towards Kili, leaning down over him. "You are bound to my daughter, which means that I cannot kill you. But should you ever hurt her, should you ever cause her pain, there is still a myriad of ways that I can make you suffer. Do you understand me? You are immortal now, Kili, I can get creative."

Danger! Danger! Kili tugged on the bond frantically. He felt like his stomach was in his throat.

Thranduil stood back up, seemingly pleased that he had made his point.

He nearly gasped out loud when Leah pulled on the bond between them. His cry for help was answered. Thank Mahal, she is coming.

Now that he knew Leah was coming and Thranduil had backed off slightly, he found some of the tension had left his body, and his fear was lessening. As it did, something more akin to anger took its place. He knew that Thranduil had every right to question Kili's intentions with Leah. He was her Adad, and he didn't know what kind of person Kili was. Yet, at the same time, the insinuation that he would ever harm Leah made him feel physically sick.

Kili mustered all the bravery that he could. He squared his shoulders and stood up straighter. Before, he had tried not to look Thranduil in the eye, but now he did. Thranduil's eyes narrowed in curiosity at Kili's change in demeanour.

"Lord Thranduil," Kili's voice was more even than he expected it to be. He carried on quickly before his bravery disappeared. "With all due respect, I would never hurt her. She is the most amazing person I have ever met. Even though she has been through so much, she is still a bright light in this world. The thought of seeing her hurt makes me sick."

The malice in Thranduil's eyes seemed to diminish as Kili spoke. At least, that's what Kili hoped he was seeing. Not just some trick of the light.

"I sacrificed myself to save her. I did not know that I could be brought back. The only thing on my mind was that I could not see her hurt. No matter what happened to me," Kili felt shaky as the anger he had built up began to leach away. "I would rather die than hurt her, Lord Thranduil."

Thranduil raised one perfectly arched eyebrow.

"I–I mean not literally, obviously, because that would actually hurt her," he stuttered.

"Good," Thranduil nodded, seemingly pleased. He was now looking at Kili with polite curiosity rather than animosity.

Then his rescuer rounded the corner, and Thranduil bid them goodbye.


Leah

"So he threatened you, but only if you hurt me?"

"Yes," said Kili. "Though now that I think about it, I think he was trying to test me. To see how I'd react."

While that did sound likely, I was also 100% sure that Adar could still carry through with his threats. I did not say this out loud as I did not want Kili to panic more.

"He didn't seem as angry towards the end. I hope that means I said something right."

"Good. That's Good," Even though I was annoyed that Adar had tried to scare Kili, I was glad that it had turned out okay.

Though I think Kili might be in need of a shock blanket and a nap.