As a little gift to all the new readers, here is the next chapter a few hours early. Great having you on board.

But I sure like hearing from all my continuing readers too!

Thanks

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Chapter 104

~X~

Writing the message to Sier, and sending it off attached to Telk's leg, had been one of the hardest things Fili ever had to do. Just knowing the amount of worry it would cause his wife when she read it, broke his heart. Still, he knew better than to hide things from her, especially after the way Marigold had chewed out Thorin that time. Such a scene had been proof enough of that sort of folly. Fili figured that the raven would not reach Erebor until late the following day, for the corvids did not fly after dusk, and it would soon have to roost for the night. He only hoped that the mission would go smoothly, and he would soon be placing their two little lads back in her arms. He also prayed she would accept him there as well.

The rest of the day went well, with everyone making good time and finding a decent place to camp that evening. It would only be two more days, or less, before they reached this hidden mine, and then they would free those imprisoned there. No one was sure what they would find, or how difficult it would be to defeat this Gorbash and his soldiers, but there were over four dozen dwarves and men, not to mention an elf, more than willing to take on the task.

Bain invited Kili and Tauriel to join him as he scouted for food, hoping to bolster their supply of meat with some wild game. The two other archers eagerly agreed, and soon the three headed off into the woods while the rest set up camp.

"Deer tracks, and they appear fresh," Tauriel stated, kneeling down and placing her fingers in the deep hoof prints. "It also looks to be a large buck."

"Excellent," Bain nodded, already imagining the delicious taste of venison. "Let's go find it."

And so they walked on in silence, the two males following the red haired elf and doing the best they could to keep quiet. They hadn't gone more than a mile when they heard a rustling in the brush to their left. As they all turned, a huge stag leapt from the thicket and darted through the trees. With lightning fast speed, both Kili and Tauriel nocked and loosed an arrow, each one finding its mark before Bain could even reach back into his quiver. The buck fell, killed instantly by the two feathered shafts protruding from its neck.

"Amazing!" Bain complimented as the three approached their kill. "I couldn't even tell who hit the mark first."

"Oh, I'm sure it was Tauriel," Kili stated, reaching down to pull his arrow from their evening meal.

"Nay, I am certain that you struck first, Kili," she argued, retrieving her own arrow as well.

"Well, either way, you both made a kill shot, the stag did not stand a chance," Bain mused. "You are both master archers."

"And that is indeed a compliment, coming from the son of Bard the Bowman," Kili grinned, knowing just how good Bain's father truly was. "What say we get this bled out, and back to camp so it can be dressed down for dinner? There will be a lot of dwarfs and men excited to see what we bagged."

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And so they returned to camp, with the deer tied to a tree branch by the legs, and carried between Bain and Kili, while Tauriel toted their bows. There was a loud cheer from those standing around, and soon the beast was hung from a tree and being prepared for cooking.

While everyone ate, Bain entertained them with the tale of how Tauriel and Kili had shot almost simultaneously, taking down the stag through a thicket of trees. Everyone complimented the two on their shot, claiming that both the dwarf and elf were evenly matched in skill with a bow.

"Aye, but can she wield a blade with equal force?" Dwalin challenged, downing the last of his ale and getting to his feet. "I believe there was mention of a sparring session, lass?"

"With pleasure, Master Dwalin," Tauriel grinned, leaping to her feet as the rest of the dwarves and Bain moved back to make room. Flinn and Frerin were very excited to watch the fun, yet Fili made them stand behind the fallen log they had been sitting on, just to make sure they didn't forget themselves and get too close.

"What's your choice of weapon, lass?" Dwalin asked, hefting only one of his axes in his hand.

"These," she answered, reaching behind her and pulling twin fighting knives out of their sheaths at her lower back. The blades were of bronze color, with a silver edge that appeared razor sharp. There were reliefs cut from the spine that only added to the deadly look of the weapons.

"Against an ax?" Dwalin scoffed, looking around at the others in humorous disbelief. "Like I said before…it's your funeral. But I'll do my best not to hurt you."

"You are too kind, master dwarf," Tauriel said, though everyone could tell it was offered sarcastically. "I too shall do my best not to cause you injury…if at all possible."

Dwalin just laughed at this, looking over his shoulder for just a moment, before surprising her with a sudden swing as he turned back around. Tauriel jumped back, avoiding the blade of his ax by mere inches. And so the battle was on, with both combatants moving like water as they danced around each other, slashing and chopping, slicing and spinning, as their weapons clashed many times. A few minutes into the battle, Dwalin backed up, eying her with new appreciation, as he leaned down and grabbed hold of his second ax. With a wide grin, he charged at her again, with both Grasper and Keeper slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.

Yet neither one found their mark, with Tauriel slipping by the powerful warrior with grace and agility. Again the sound of steel against steel rang through the clearing, drawing more and more spectators as time went on. Nori already had a large bag of coins collected and a sheet of bets written down, but even he was not sure who would emerge victorious. While Dwalin obviously had strength and power behind him, Tauriel's skill and warrior instincts were honed to perfection. No matter how fast he was, or how hard he tried, the dwarf captain could not disarm her. She, in turn, appeared unable to get close enough to reach him with her blades, for his long handled axes were keeping her at arm's length. It almost appeared that the battle would go on forever…but suddenly Dwalin stepped back and held his arms out in a gesture of surrender.

"Hold, lass," he barked, having to pause for a moment or two as he took a few deep breaths. "I think we should call it a draw," he suggested. "Continuing the fight will only weaken or injure the both of us, and with a battle ahead, that would be foolish. Agreed?"

"Yes, Master Dwalin," Tauriel nodded, bowing her head slightly towards her opponent. "I agree."

"Now…that isn't to say I wouldn't have whipped you eventually," the gruff warrior insisted, though there was a touch of humor in his tone. "But I might have lost an arm or a leg in the process, and my Bergie prefers me just the way I am."

"And I too may have come out a few feet shorter as well," Tauriel laughed. "For the way you swing those axes, I fear my legs were in great jeopardy."

"A draw then?" Fili spoke up, watching as everyone gathered around cheered and nodded in agreement.

"A draw?" Nori was apparently the only one who didn't like the idea. "No one wins then!"

"That is where you are wrong," Dwalin barked, shooting Tauriel an uncharacteristic grin. "The she-elf has won my respect…and that is not so easily earned."

"That's true," Kili spoke up, overjoyed to see his older cousin and the Mirkwood captain on equal footing. "It took years and years of training before Fili and I ever got a single word of praise from Dwalin."

"And even now, the jury is still out on whether either of you will ever amount to anything," Dwalin laughed, watching Kili's face fall at his words.

"Oi, Cousin," Fili laughed, placing his hand over his heart. "If I didn't know you were teasing, that might have hurt my feelings just a bit."

"Who says I was joking," Dwalin retorted, stepping over to where Kili stood and pushed him out into the ring of spectators unexpectedly. "Why don't you show us some of that fancy footwork you seem so proud of, laddie? See if the she-elf can do as well against a sword."

Cheers went up from all around, eager to see another impressive fight. And of course Nori was only too happy to let the bets stand against the new battle, hoping for more than a stalemate this time.

Kili was startled by the sudden predicament he was in, facing Tauriel in battle…even if it was only a mock one. She seemed equally surprised, yet she quickly redrew her weapons and positioned herself for the fight. Well, if she doesn't mind…why should I? Kili asked himself, unsheathing his sword and holding it aloft.

"Let the fight begin!" Bain yelled, tossing a few coins in Nori's direction, calling out loudly that he was betting on Tauriel.

"Traitor!" Kili stated in mock horror, sparing a quick glance at the prince of Dale.

"Perhaps," Bain laughed. "Yet even I'm not fool enough to bet against Tauriel."

"I will have my revenge," Kili promised, giving Bain a playful wink. Then he turned back to the elf in front of him, prepared to fight with all he had in hopes of impressing her…or at the very least, not get killed. "Shall we, my lady?" he asked, with a slight nod of his head.

"I am only waiting on you," she informed him, flashing him a wide smile.

And so the second battle began, with Kili taking advantage of having just witnessed how she had avoided Dwalin's blows, and putting that knowledge to good use. Yet even with this information, he quickly realized it would not be an easy fight…nor a fast one. Tauriel didn't even appear winded after her first battle, and soon he himself was breathing hard and doing his best to keep pace with her unquenchable energy. Kili did prefer the bow and arrow, yet he was no slouch with a blade, thus those watching were treated to yet another fine demonstration of swordplay. By this time, most of the remaining dwarves and men had gathered around, each one cheering on their combatant of choice. Flinn and Frerin were probably the most enthusiastic, calling for their uncle to win.

Kili was just about to suggest they too call it a draw, when he stepped back and felt his foot twist on a small stone, throwing him off balance as he stumbled backwards. Tauriel took advantage of his momentary lapse and struck out with her dagger, driving the blade from his hand and into the dirt a few feet away. With catlike speed, she pounced on the falling dwarf, pinning him to the ground as she straddled his chest, her twin knives crossed at his throat.

"Do you yield, Prince Kili?" she asked, staring down at him with a mixture of pride and admiration.

"I…I would be a fool not to," he managed to get out between deep breaths. "Though, I fear you would not have walked away completely unharmed yourself," he pointed out, gesturing with his head to where he had a small dagger of his own, pointed at her side.

"I see what you mean," she laughed, pulling her blades back, as he too let his arm rest at his side. "I will claim victory in battle, yet I will concede that it would have come at the price of my spilt blood."

"And I will admit that I hope to never again be pitted against so worthy an opponent," Kili said with a grin. Yet when he looked up at her, his smile suddenly faded. For the moment his eyes met hers, his mind and body instantly became aware of their close proximity…mainly the fact that she was sitting on him, her long legs curled under her on either side of him, hugging his body slightly. It was…intoxicating! Kili felt his entire body shudder, and unbidden visions sprang to his mind - ones of him kissing Tauriel, of them engaged in intimate activities…of her holding their child in her arms!

Kili was shocked! Sure he had let her occupy his mind for years, he had even wondered what it might possibly be like to kiss her…but this was the first time he had ever allowed his wonderings to turn to those of marriage…and children! Oh, Mahal…did this mean that Tauriel was his one? Was he truly bound to her by heart and body, as well as mind? Suddenly, Dwalin's words came back to him like a thunderbolt…skin on skin…and here they were, in a position that was suddenly doing things to his lower regions that he had never experienced before. He had to get out from under her, now…before he truly embarrassed himself!

He also needed to talk to Fili…and fast!

"Umm, I think the fight is over," Kili mumbled, rolling over so quickly he almost caused Tauriel to lose her balance. "We…we have entertained everyone enough for tonight." And while he did his best to keep his tone light, Kili found that he could not bear to look her in the eyes any longer. Those visions of green that tempted him to distraction, making it impossible for him to think straight.

"Yes…I suppose so," she nodded, getting to her feet, though there was a look of concern on her face.

"Fine job, lass," Bofur called out, having thoroughly enjoyed the match.

"Aye!" Nori agreed, working furiously to pass out the winnings, while relishing how much he was able to keep from those who bet on Kili. "Made me a hefty sum off of your skills. My thanks to you."

"You're welcome," she mumbled, still looking after Kili, who had quickly headed over to the wagon to get a drink. Tauriel wanted to go speak to Kili, to see if she had somehow embarrassed him in front of his friends, but she was stopped by a pair of eager dwarflings crowding around her.

"That was amazing!" Flinn gushed. "You fight as good as a dwarf!"

"I will take that as a compliment, Master Flinn," she said, unable to hide her smile at his enthusiasm.

"Will you teach me to use a knife like that?" Frerin begged, hopping up and down. "Please?"

"I…" here she stopped and looked at Fili, not willing to promise anything without parental permission. And where she had imagined he might have been upset, either by his son's admiration of her skills, or the way she had bested his brother, instead, the blond prince was smiling pleasantly.

"Maybe Miss Tauriel could give you a few pointers, but I think you are still a bit too young to be learning something so complicated as twin knives," Fili insisted, stepping forward and placing his hands on their shoulders. "Stick with your wooden swords for now, and maybe in a few years you will be ready for something she could teach you."

"That long?" Flinn moaned. "But I want to learn it now!"

"Flinn…" Fili said in a warning tone, raising his eyebrow at the lad as he looked down at him sternly.

"I'm sorry," he quickly responded, realizing that he was already in enough hot water as it was, not wishing to add to it in any way. "I understand, and I'll wait." He then looked up at Tauriel again, his eyes full of hope. "But when I am old enough…will you teach me?"

"If your father wishes it, I would be most happy to do so, Flinn." And before the younger dwarfling could even open his mouth, she added, "And you too, Frerin. I would gladly teach you both."

"Yippeeeee!" they both cried, thanking her profusely before they headed back over to beg one last treat off of Bofur before they would need to start on washing the dishes, before being sent off to bed.

"Thank you for humoring them," Fili told her, once the kids were out of earshot. "I promise that I will not hold you to such an undertaking. They are young, and I'm sure they will forget in time. I would not force such a burden on you."

"Nonsense, I am an elf of her word. I would be more than happy to teach them when the time has come," she assured him. "I do not see it as a burden or an inconvenience. It would be my pleasure."

"Well then, thank you," Fili said, surprised at her willingness to do so. Not many, especially someone from another race, would so quickly take on such a daunting task. "I am most grateful, and you certainly made them happy."

"I am glad," she nodded, though as her eyes drifted to where Kili still stood by the wagon, she frowned. "Yet, I fear that I might have upset your brother. It was purely by chance that he stumbled on the rock, causing him to lose his balance and the match. He was holding his own very well until then." She looked down at her feet in shame. "I hope I did not cause him embarrassment. That was never my intention."

"Kili…embarrassed?" Fili scoffed, waving her off good-naturedly. "I don't think you need to worry about that. And if he is foolish enough to have gotten his nose bent out of shape, well that is no fault of yours."

"Still…he is acting rather strange, where he wasn't before the fight," she pointed out.

"Hmmm," Fili mused, eyeing his brother more carefully. "I still think you're reading too much into it, but I'll speak to him nonetheless. I wouldn't worry about it though." Yet from the way Kili was standing, Fili could tell that something was bothering him.

"If you say so," Tauriel murmured, still not completely convinced. She had been enjoying her conversations and time with Kili very much, and she dearly hoped that she had not just ruined everything by taking advantage of his slip during the sparring.

Males of any race seemed to have fragile egos, and she had offended more than her fair share as she climbed the ranks in Thranduil's service. It was not something she did on purpose, but she also knew she couldn't let such things get to her if she wished to do her job properly. Yet this had not been a job, it had been of her own choice. Oh, why had she even agreed to such a thing?

"I…I think I will go fill the water skins for tomorrow," she informed Fili, not quite sure what to do with herself, and apparently going over to speak to Kili was not an option. So gathering them up, she headed down to the small creek they had camped near, her heart still weighted down by guilt.

Fili watched her go, shaking his head sadly as he turned and eyed his brother. What was that knucklehead doing? Tauriel had won fair and square, and him acting like a baby about it was unbecoming…as well as unusual for his brother. Looking over to see that Flinn and Frerin were otherwise occupied, he headed towards the supply wagon to have a word with Kili.

"Care to tell me what's gnawing at you?" the blond prince asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "I might have expected such a reaction from Dwalin…but not you."

"What?" Kili gasped, spinning around with a look of horror on his face. "Dwalin? What do you mean?"

"Getting into a snit just because a lass handed you your ass in a fight," Fili explained, using a tone that easily conveyed annoyance. "I thought better of you, Kili."

"Oh…that," he sighed, looking oddly relieved. "I was not upset that she beat me, in fact, I was rather impressed," Kili assured him.

"Then why are you over here looking like a warg ate your pet bunny?" Fili prodded.

Kili ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his face with his palms a few times as if trying to snap out of something.

"Ummm…well…" he looked away, his eyes telling more than his words. "Fili…I think that I might…what I mean is, that there is a very distinct possibility…that I'm awake."

Fili was silent. He stood there for a long while just staring open jawed at his little brother, who was turning redder by the moment.

"Awake…as in, no longer stone?" Fili hissed, keeping his voice low, yet no less urgent. "How…I mean…why…when?" He knew he sounded like an idiot, but it was just such a shock.

"When Tauriel threw me down and sat on me," Kili revealed. "Dwalin did say that physical contact was what awoke him and Thorin."

"Yes, but…you didn't kiss her, there was no skin on skin…not really," he argued, grasping at any straw he could find.

"Did you need to kiss Sier to know that she was your one?" he asked. When Fili opened his mouth to respond, but then shut it just as quickly with a blush on his face, Kili continued. "Well, apparently I don't either," he stated firmly. Yet suddenly all his bravado left him and he truly looked panicked. "Fili…what am I going to do? I don't know the first thing about love, or finding my one!"

At the sound of his brother's desperate plea, Fili snapped out of the shock he was in and cleared his throat. Looking around, he grabbed hold of Kili and steered him towards the woods.

"You and I are going to have a very long, overdue talk!" he insisted, as the two disappeared into the dark.

Oh, Mahal, this was going to be awkward…for both brothers!

EEEP, I bet Kili wishes he had asked such things prior to this, ha ha. Or maybe not.

Sooo, someone's awake it would seem. How will he deal with this?

And I just couldn't let Tauriel publicly whoop Dwalin, even if he kind of deserved it...the dwarf has his pride you know. ha ha. Kili...well, he has no pride to be injured - at least not by her.

Guest Reviews:

Emrfangirl: Yah..I do love the fluff. And poor Kili, that besotted dwarrow don't know what hit him. ha ha. And as you can see...he has no idea what to do with himself. ha ha.

gginsc: I think Tauriel likes them pretty well too. But I bet she likes Kili more. ha ha.

Koba: Oh yes, but I bet your parents are laughing at you behind your back when they see it happen! Sounds like you are taking the Fili approach. Good for you.

abc: Oh yes, it is high time Tauriel got the low-down on dwarves...and how fun they can be. I think she is looking for a little fun in her life. Thanks.