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LOOK!

Chapter 100!

*Pops the champagne cork*

In celebration of this momentous chapter, I am giving you all a gift...by posting TWICE today!

(but please don't forget to review BOTH chapters)

And I truly hope to hear from everyone out there reading on this one, please.

Thank you.

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Guest JC: Thanks for reading and sending in a review. I hope you see my response here. Sorry my story has taken over your life...trust me, I know the feeling, it has certainly consumed mine for the past year. ha ha. And I agree, this is how things SHOULD have gone for Fili, Kili and Thorin! Glad you are enjoying it and looking forward to hearing from you again. Thanks.

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Chapter 100

namusid = kissing

~X~

Kili had done everything he could to aid in setting up camp quickly, anxious to find a moment to sit down somewhere near Tauriel and talk to her again. Bain's man named Dunner had been correct, it was a good place to camp, with the river nearby and a cliff face to one side, offering a slight overhang that shielded them from the wind, and possible surprise attacks from that direction. Once the ponies were tended to and their bedrolls laid out, Kili gathered the water skins and headed for the river to fill them. Bofur was working on dinner for their small party, while the other dwarf soldiers were fixing their own meals…as were the men from Dale. It had been quite a long time since Fili and Kili had been forced to dine on camp fare, but the hatted miner had picked up a thing or two from his brother. So by the time that the archer prince left camp, the smell of Bofur's cooking was making his stomach growl in anticipation.

Heading to the river's edge, he squatted down and dipped the skins into the flowing water, watching as they filled to capacity. His eyes began to drift around, making sure that no danger was lurking in the dark, ready to pounce. Yet when he turned to his right, his breath caught in his throat.

Tauriel!

She was only a short distance downstream, her boots removed and standing knee deep in the water. Her leggings had been rolled up to keep them dry, but the long hem of her green tunic dangled dangerously close to the flowing water. Kili watched as she leaned over, wetting a rag and then wringing it out before using it to wash the day's dust from her neck and throat. He felt his mouth go dry as she let the damp cloth slip under her collar, teasing him with the sight of a bit of bare skin. Kili was so distracted that he accidently let the water skin he had been filling slip from his fingers, the vessel quickly carried away by the current. Thankfully, Tauriel's keen eyes spotted it as it floated past her, and with lightning reflexes, she snatched it up, looking at it with curiosity. When she turned and glanced upstream she caught sight of Kili, crouched there, looking rather guilty.

"Umm…" Kili began, standing up and walking towards her. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to disturb you…and I wasn't spying either. I was just…"

"Filling your water skins?" she finished, giving him a kind smile as she handed the runaway item back to him.

"Aye," he nodded, wishing he could think of something clever to say. He wondered where his ability to speak like a functioning adult had gone! He was never like this around other dams. "I…I will leave you alone if you wish…I didn't mean to interrupt your…umm…bath?"

"It is fine," Tauriel said with a shake of her head, stepping out of the river and retrieving her soft leather boots. She sat down on a nearby log and worked at drying off a bit, before rolling down her leggings and putting her boots back on, lacing them up snugly. "I did not require or desire privacy, I simply wished to refresh myself after today's ride." She then gestured towards the river. "Would you like me to leave you alone so that you may bathe?"

"No, I'm fine," he assured her…then quickly worried that she might have made the offer because she thought he smelled. "Unless you feel I need one. Do I stink?" He thankfully stopped himself from raising his arm to give a sniff, thinking that would be a highly offensive thing to do in front of a lady.

Tauriel laughed merrily, amused by Kili's sudden concern. "No, that is not why I suggested it. I just thought perhaps it might have been your intent, after filling the watering skins. I meant no offense."

"None taken," he grinned. "Although after a few days on the road, I am sure we will all be wanting a brisk dip in some lake. How long do you think it will take to arrive at our destination?"

"Lord Glorfindel and I made the journey back to Mirkwood in three days…but I fear with the wagons, it will take us a bit longer," she estimated. "Yet we are making good time, so they are not delyaing us by much."

"Oin was worried that some of the prisoners might not be fit to travel, and insisted on a way to transport the injured," Kili reasoned. "And of course the supply wagons were a must."

"I agree," she nodded. "There is no telling what condition we will find these poor souls in when we arrive. From what Lord Glorfindel described, they have not been treated very kindly by their captors. This Gorbash creature did not appear to be sympathetic to his workers, and showed little value for their lives or wellbeing."

"Dirty rotten pile of Caragu!" Kili muttered under his breath, making sure to curse in Khuzdul, so as not to offend Tauriel by his foul language. "I can't wait to get my hands on that vile creature. And to think, that hag Bina sold her own kind into such a life…yet after what she threatened to do to Sier and Flinn, I wouldn't put anything past that orc spawn."

"I was happy to hear that your sister-in-law and her son were rescued before this became their fate," Tauriel responded. "I, of course, do not know the princess personally, yet she appeared kind."

"She is," Kili assured her, a smile returning to his face. "Fili is lucky to have found Sier. Until she came along, he had feared he might never find his one, and deep down I know he truly did long for a wife and family. Now they have three beautiful dwarflings, each a product of their love."

"His one?" Tauriel questioned, unfamiliar with the term.

"For a dwarf, there is only one specific being out there created just for them by our maker, Mahal," Kili explained. "We wait our whole lives for that one person to come along, and when they do…we know it almost instantly. Fili's perfect mate was Sier…and for my uncle and Dwalin, it turned out to be hobbits. That was quite a surprise to both of them. For even though there have been a few interracial unions between dwarves and the daughters of men…never had we heard of anyone being matched with a hobbit. Yet, with so few females of our own race, it kind of made sense, and their union was accepted by our people…mostly. I mean there were those who balked at first, but they wisely kept their opinions to themselves, and over time, Marigold won the respect of Erebor's inhabitants."

"I see," Tauriel said, appearing very interested in this subject. "Elves also seek out their perfect bond-mate, and remain with that one for life. Most choose among our own race as well, yet some in our history have also found such a love in the race of men. Though by doing so, they take a path that can only lead to eventual heart ache…for men are mortal, where elves are not."

"Yes…I can see where that would be difficult," Kili agreed, his brows furrowing in deep concern. "What would an elf do if he or she were to lose their mate in death?"

"Some continue on for the sake of their children," Tauriel reasoned, thinking about King Thranduil after his wife was killed. He had remained, in order to raise his son, Legolas. Yet many claimed their king had lost part of himself at her death, much of the joy having been stolen from his world. "Others sail to the undying lands to assuage their grief, while some simply fade away, choosing to perish from this world along with their love."

"Dwarves are similar in that way as well," Kili informed her. "My mother, when she lost her mate, chose to remain in order to care for my brother and me. Yet her love for our father was so great, I fear without a reason to stay, she would have perished from grief after his death."

"I'm sorry you lost your father, Kili," she told him, daring to reach out and place her hand over his as it rested beside her on the log. "I too had my parents taken from me when I was still quite young. It is a loss we never truly recover from, is it not?"

Kili nodded his head, yet he could not seem to take his eyes off her delicate hand that was now covering his own. It felt so warm, and caused tingles to shoot up his arm in a tantalizing fashion.

"Yet, Fili and I were fortunate to have our Uncle Thorin step in to help raise us," he continued, having to clear his throat a few times before the words would come. "I was only a year old when our father was killed, so I can't recall him very much at all…only vague memories and feelings associated with his name. Yet I know he loved us very much…that part is very clear in my mind." He looked up at her then, feeling as if they were truly sharing a moment, one that meant something. "How did you lose your family?"

"My parents were part of a small party traveling through the Greenwood when a host of orcs attacked. They were hopelessly outnumbered, and all were slain," she told him, casting her eyes downward from grief. "I had not yet reached my majority, and with no other kin, I was taken in as a ward of King Thranduil. I lived in the royal halls and trained to be a warrior, eventually achieving the rank of captain of the guard. I have served in that capacity ever since."

"A position you are obviously more than qualified for," Kili smiled. "I mean, from what I recall, you captured our party quite efficiently when we passed through."

"Aye, we did," she agreed, flashing him a playful grin. "Though, in your defense, you had just battled with the spiders and many of your company were still recovering from a dose of their venom. Yet, I feel even at your best, you would have proved little trouble for myself and my guards."

"Oh, you think so, do you?" Kili laughed, not at all offended by her statement. "We might just have to engage in some sparring, or a little archery competition, if the journey affords the time, just to see who might have come out victorious."

"I would enjoy that very much," she replied.

"Excellent," Kili nodded, standing up and gesturing towards the direction of their camp. "Care to join me as we return? It is hardly safe to be traveling alone these days, and you never know what might be lurking in the dark."

"Are you insinuating that I need your protection to get back to camp, Master Dwarf?" she asked, her eyebrow rising skeptically.

"Nay, not at all!" Kili heartily insisted, appearing almost offended by her suggestion. "I was thinking more along the lines that you could protect me! The last thing I want to do is walk back alone."

This caused Tauriel to laugh out loud, amazed at how easy it was to let down her guard around him. She had worried that going on this journey might have been a mistake…yet now, after seeing Kili again and talking with him, she was very glad she offered to come along. Everything with him felt right…natural in fact. And when she had touched him, a warmth had spread through that she had not felt in sixteen years. Not since the last time they had sat and talked in the dungeons. What could this mean?

"I would be most honored to offer you an escort back to camp, Prince Kili," she said with a slight bow. "It would not do for you to be carried off by a giant owl, seeking a tasty meal, now would it?"

"No indeed!" he agreed in mock horror, his eyes darting around comically as if searching the trees for a large bird of prey. "And they do say there is safety in numbers…even if that number is only two."

And so with another hearty laugh, they both walked back to the camp, each one unable to wipe the smiles off their faces.

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Fili had just begun looking around for his brother, not quite sure where he had snuck off to, when he spotted Kili and Tauriel emerging from the trees together. He had to admit he was hardly shocked that Kili had sought her out so quickly, yet to have gone off alone was far from wise. The last thing they needed was for others to begin to suspect something. Fili decided he would have to keep a closer eye on his brother from here on out.

"Just in time," Bofur announced, noticing Kili and Tauriel. "Supper is ready." The jovial miner began to ladle out the hearty stew into bowls, handing them to each of those sitting around their small camp area. Yet when he went to pass one to Tauriel, his face fell just a bit. "Oh, lass, I'm so sorry. I completely forgot that your kind don't eat meat." He looked down at the bowl in his hand as if it were now something offensive. "I would be happy to whip up something with more greens in it, if you have a mind to wait."

"Who told you that elves do not eat meat?" Tauriel questioned, her head cocking to the side quizzically.

"I…well…" he had to pause there, trying to think back to where such an idea had come.

"At Rivendell," Fili spoke up, helping his friend out. "When we were guests of Lord Elrond, it was all they served us to eat…only breads and vegetables."

"I fear that you were woefully misinformed," Tauriel laughed, taking the bowl of stew from Bofur's hand with a nod of thanks. "Perhaps they were also unsure of what dwarves preferred to eat, and chose to serve you a simple fare in order not to offend."

"More likely, they purposefully fed us only green food in order to encourage us to leave," Dwalin huffed, recalling how they were not able to get a decent meal until they left the elven home.

"Well, it wasn't as if we were the most courteous of guests, now was it?" Kili spoke up in defense of the elves. He looked over at Tauriel rather sheepishly, who had sat down just a few feet away from him. "We might have started a food fight, destroyed a bit of furniture, and gone skinny dipping in a really big fountain," he regretfully admitted.

"Still hardly any reason for them to starve us!" Oin grumbled.

"So because of that, all this time you thought elves ate only vegetables?" Tauriel chuckled, taking a bite of her stew and humming with pleasure at the taste. "This is delicious, Master…?"

"Bofur," the hatted dwarf responded, beaming with pride over her compliment.

"You are an excellent cook, Master Bofur," she smiled. She then looked around at the others sitting beside her. "But I must ask, what then did you feed King Thranduil and Lord Glorfindel when they visited your mountain?"

"I…I honestly don't know," Fili stated, looking over at Kili, who in turn gave a shrug of his shoulders. "I guess I never paid any attention to what they chose to eat. Do you think Thorin knows elves eat meat?"

"If he don't, I'll be happy to tell him," Bofur laughed, finally sitting down with his own meal. "Well, this will certainly make things easier for me. And here I was worried I would have to keep my eyes out for salad makings as we traveled."

"I assure you, such things are not necessary," Tauriel laughed, enjoying his jovial smile. "Your cooking is perfectly delicious, and I would be hard pressed to find better."

"Kind of you to say so, lass," Bofur nodded, liking this elf more than he thought he would. "I learned most of my cooking skills from my brother, Bombur. He is the official cook in Erebor, and he knows his way around a kitchen better than I do a mine."

"You are a miner by trade then?" Tauriel asked.

"Aye, born and raised with a pick in my hand," Bofur stated proudly. "That's why Thorin asked me to come along on this journey, to assess the mine as we free the slaves. No telling if it has become unstable from over use, and it would be foolhardy to rush in only to have it collapse around our ears."

"Very wise," the elf nodded, seeing the intelligence behind such a plan. They were already mounting one rescue mission, it would be unfortunate if they needed to then turn around and be saved themselves. She then glanced over at the red haired dwarf sitting to the right of Bofur, impressed by his rather interestingly coifed hair. "And what of you, master dwarf? What is your skillset on this journey?"

"Stealth," Nori replied with a wide grin and a wink of his eye. "And you can call me Nori, lass."

"He is our resident spy," Kili cut in, a bit perturbed by his friend's flirting nature. "Nori can slip in and out unseen almost as well as a hobbit."

"Better than a hobbit!" the thief argued, giving a harrumph of indignation. "Since I can also fight, unlike most halflings."

"And I am Oin, the physician," the grey bearded dwarf with the ear trumpet explained, not waiting for her to ask. "I came along to look after the sick and wounded."

"A noble profession, to be sure," Tauriel complimented, inclining her head in a gesture of respect. "And you, sir," she continued, looking at Dwalin. "Might I enquire after your name and profession?"

"Dwalin," he replied gruffly, not even bothering to look up from his meal. "Warrior by trade, as well as Erebor's war chief and captain of the guard."

"Just like Tauriel," Kili spoke up, smiling over at the she elf with a hint of pride.

To that Dwalin gave a loud scoff, eyeing both Kili and the elf with a look of indignation.

"She and I ain't nothing alike," he insisted. "No offense lass, but you would need to grow a few more muscles and train for the next hundred years before you could ever hope to survive in a match against me."

"Is that so, Master Dwalin?" Tauriel replied calmly, her arched eyebrow the only indication of her irritation. "Perhaps you would care to test your theory at some point during our journey."

"It's your funeral," he chuckled, standing up and heading over to the cookpot to get more stew, apparently finished with their conversation.

Tauriel did not say anything more, but both Fili and Kili exchanged looks of worry over the way her brows knit together as an air of determination settled over the she-elf. That would be a fight they would actually pay to see!

Just then, Bain walked into their little circle, greeting them with a polite bow before sitting down beside Fili and Kili.

"Have you eaten, lad?" Bofur asked, gesturing to the stewpot.

"Aye, but I thank you for the offer," Bain smiled, having always been very comfortable around the members of Thorin's company.

"How are your men holding up?" Fili asked, as he scraped the bottom of his bowl to make sure he didn't waste any of the delicious food. "We didn't push them too hard today, did we?"

"You must think very poorly of us if you imagine we are struggling to keep up with you, Your Highness," Bain laughed. "We are in for the long haul, you need not worry about us."

"I didn't think so…but I figured I would ask anyway," Fili grinned back. "So, what brings you over? Bored with your own stories already and hoping to hear a few of ours?"

"While Master Bofur's tales are legendary, I actually came over to inform you that we are just about ready to bed down for the night," Bain said. "My men and I are willing to take the watch rotation tonight, if you and yours will do the same tomorrow?"

"That sounds fair," Kili nodded, liking the lad's initiative. "And we will sleep soundly knowing we are well guarded."

Bain grinned at Kili and then stood to go, giving a polite bow to Tauriel before heading back to his own campfire.

"It is clear that the prince of Dale admires you two greatly," Tauriel commented, having read more than some might have into the exchange between them.

"We have known Bain since he was barely in his teens," Kili explained. "Watched the lad grow into a man right before our eyes. King Bard has much to be proud of."

"I was told by his sister, Tilda, that the young prince is secretly contemplating courtship with a fine lass from their city," Tauriel informed them, watching as their eyes grew wide and bright smiles spread over their faces.

"Oh, really?" Fili asked, his gaze darting to where Bain could still be seen in his own camp. "That's news to us!"

"I wonder why he didn't say anything?" Kili stated, sounding a bit put out.

"He was probably afraid you two would tease him mercilessly about it," Dwalin retorted.

"Of course we would have!" Fili assured him with a wicked grin. "Yet that is still no reason to have kept such things from us."

"And to think, I taught that lad everything he knows about archery!" Kili grumped.

"Did you now?" Bofur snickered. "I am sure that did not take very long."

"And his father being a bowman and the dragon slayer, couldn't have had any influence on him at all, could it?" Dwalin snorted sarcastically.

"None whatsoever," Kili chuckled, not about to let his friend's teasing bother him. "It was all me, and don't let anyone ever tell you different."

"Yes, yes, you're a true master with the bow," Fili laughed, always willing to side with his brother. "But now it's time to turn in, we have another long ride ahead tomorrow and guard duty the following night. So rest well…we'll need it."

Everyone agreed, taking their bowls to the wash tub and scrubbing them clean, before heading to their assigned sleeping rolls. Kili watched to see where Tauriel would bed down, yet looked on in surprise when she headed for the nearest tree and all but leapt into the lower branches. She gracefully sat down with her back against the trunk and her legs stretched out in front of her.

"You're not going to sleep up there, are you?" he asked, craning his neck a bit to watch her.

"I am," she assured him with a smile. "It is most comfortable, and offers more safety than sleeping on the ground."

"But…what if you fall out?" he pressed.

"An elf…fall out of a tree?" Tauriel giggled. "That is as silly as imagining a dwarf getting lost underground." She settled in, getting comfortable and tipped her eyes towards the night sky. "Besides, it offers me a fine view of the stars. I assure you, Kili…I am quite content."

"All right then…" he muttered, still looking somewhat perplexed. "But, if you wanted to…you could sleep lying down, right? I mean, when you're at home, do you sleep in an actual bed, and not a tree?"

"Of course," Tauriel nodded. "But that does not mean I am any less comfortable here among the boughs." She then looked down and gave him a little wave. "Goodnight, Prince Kili. Sleep well."

Kili stood there for a few moments longer, before wishing her goodnight as well. He was not exactly pleased with these sleeping arrangements, though he wondered exactly what he had been hoping might happen. Nothing unseemly, of course, but he had at least envisioned her on the ground…perhaps lying only a few yards away? Still, from where he had positioned his own bedroll, he had an unobstructed view of her in the tree, so that was something. If he could not be near her, at least he could fall asleep watching her.

As he lay down, Kili noticed that his brother, who was lying beside him with his fingers laced behind his head, was grinning from ear to ear.

"What?" Kili hissed, keeping his voice low, yet unable to hide his irritation.

"Oh…nothing really," Fili laughed, turning his head slightly to look him in the eye. "I was just thinking…this really gives a whole new meaning to that little children's rhyme, is all."

"What rhyme?" Kili asked.

"Kili and Tauriel, sitting in a tree, N.A.M.U.S.I.D," he said in a sing-song tone, using the Khuzdul word for kissing. He couldn't help but give a snort of laughter as he watched his brother's face turn beet red.

"Shut your gob, Fili," Kili growled, turning his back on the snickering blond and pulling his blanket over his head. "I hope a warg eats you while you sleep!"

"I love you too, Nadadith," Fili whispered back, unable to wipe the grin off his face. "I love you too."

Oh, Fili...you are really wicked to your poor love struck little brother. Shame on you (wink wink)

Looks like they had a nice conversation in the woods...and around the fire.

I just hope that Tauriel CAN sleep on the ground, or Kili will have to learn to sleep in trees. ha ha.

And I want to thank Summerald for helping me find a Khuzdul word for kissing that ended with the right sound. Apparently there are a TON of different ways of saying that...and this one fit what I wanted.

Thanks again for everyone's support, writing his has been a lot of fun, and I assure you, there is much more adventure and surprises left in store. And don't just hit the 'next' button and go on without dropping me a line, please.

Guest Reviews:

babz 92: Thank you very much! I am happy you are enjoying the read.

Emrfangirl: I am rather pleased, but in a very humbling way. And Fili only rode up between them so that he could save Kili from making a compleete idiot of himself as he tripped over his words. ha ha. And while Kili might not mind you pinching his cheeks...Tauriel will! ha ha.

QuebecGirl77: Wow...THANK YOU! I am tickled that you have been enjoying it all along. More to come!

abc: Kili is like 'the new hope' ha ha. Maybe HE can get it right? Or maybe not...it IS Kili after all. And yes, don't worry, I have it all worked out. Fear not. ha ha. Yep, those two dwarflings are learning a much needed lesson in life...always obey your Adad! Oh yes, we are celebrating...did you like my gift of another chapter?

Guest: Oh, no, the lads won't get into TOOOOOO much trouble. (purposefully chooses not to define what I conciser 'tooooo much') ha ha. And thank you very much for enjoying all three parts of the story - and Kili is rather adorable, so I don't begrudge you saying they are your favorite over Fili. ha ha Thanks again.