Chapter Two
Kili snuck a glance at his brother's scowl as they rowed. "You don't like Tauriel very much, do you?"
"I'm grateful to her for saving you. Other than that I've no use for an elf."
"Well she's my elf so you're going to have to get used to it."
"You kissed her," Fili pointed out. "I've never seen you kiss anyone before."
"Aye," Kili nodded. "And it means as much as if she were dwarrow. I gave her Mam's runestone too."
Fili dropped his oar. "That's nearly the same as proposing to her!"
"Yes. Though I doubt Tauriel views it as such. I've no idea how betrothals are conducted in her culture."
"For Durin's sake!" Fili exploded. "Why an elf Kili?! You could've had any dwarrowdam you wanted! Why choose her?"
Kili shook his head sadly. "I couldn't have anyone I wanted, for no one would have me. Too tall, they say. Not enough beard, they say. Plays with arrows, they say. Too much like an elf, they say. But even if I could've had another I wouldn't. I love Tauriel. My heart was drawn to her from the first moment."
"I wish you'd never heard those things," Fili sighed. "They're all wrong you know. And they're fools. There's no better, braver, more loyal or reckless dwarf in any of the seven kingdoms. I wouldn't trade you for anyone."
Kili leaned into him for a moment. "Thanks." As much as his eyes were fixed on the Lonely Mountain rising before them, every other part of him yearned for the elf he'd left behind on the opposite shore.
LOTR
Legolas and Tauriel were in the middle of a discussion when Feren rode up to deliver King Thranduil's summons to Legolas and in the next breath the news of Tauriel's banishment. Legolas' brow furrowed. "Banished? How can that be?"
Feren looked at them solemnly. "She disobeyed the king's command."
"I went with her!" Legolas stated firmly. "It was my decision."
The dark-haired elf shrugged. "You are the king's son."
Legolas stared coldly at his father's aide. "You may tell my father that any punishment applying to one disobedient guard applies to me as well."
The two regarded each other a minute more before Feren bowed his head and turned his horse back towards the forest. Behind him Tauriel sank onto a large boulder. "Banished?" she repeated. "For trying to protect our prisoners and my people, the lands I swore an oath to defend? For going beyond his precious borders? For acting as if I belong to this world rather than hiding away like a...a coward?"
Legolas gripped her shoulder. "The king may be many things Tauriel, but a coward is not one of them."
Chastised, she looked up with an apologetic expression. "Goheno nin. I know that was wrong to say but Legolas...banished from my home and my people?" [Forgive me]
He sighed. "If the king knew what passed between you and the dwarf, doubtless that would have been his answer anyways."
She dropped her head into her hands. "I know."
Legolas knelt before her. "How deeply do you care for that dwarf mellon?"
Tauriel swallowed and glanced towards Mirkwood, then squared her shoulder and faced Erebor. "Enough to give up everything and feel but a little regret." Given that pronouncement she was more eager than ever to find Kili at the Mountain. "When may I go to him?"
"Come with me to Gundabad so we may see what the orcs plan and I will deliver you into his arms myself."
Tauriel nodded and they left on a horse borrowed from Lake-town. His endurance suggested Elven heritage for he pressed through remarkably on the four day journey there and another few days back. Tauriel and Legolas spent one night spying on the old fortress and then returned, though their path took a slightly different route this time for Legolas to keep his promise. He embraced her tightly before remounting and heading for Dale to pass on what they had learned. Tauriel waited until she was completely alone before she began stealthily approaching the Mountain.
LOTR
Dwarves saw quite well in the dark and so it was no surprise when Bofur squinted into the blackness and commented, "There's something moving down there."
"Probably a fox or a rabbit," Nori yawned from near the fire. "That's what it was last time."
Bofur looked significantly at Kili and lowered his voice. "The colour of hair is reminiscent of a fox, though this creature moves on two legs."
Kili perked up. "Tauriel?" Then he glanced about to check if Thorin was nearby. When the king could not be seen he scrambled to his feet and clattered down the makeshift steps of debris that now blocked the main entrance. At the bottom he peered through a diamond shaped hole. "Tauriel? Tauriel! Is that you?"
She followed his voice easily enough and looked in, so close and yet so far. "Kili," she smiled. They stood grinning at each other for some time before one eyebrow arched. "May I be allowed inside?"
His face fell. "I wish you could, but there is no way in. Thorin had us wall up the gate." Then an idea hit him. "Quick, on the left side of the mountain. There are hidden stairs built into the rock and at the top a secret door. I'll meet you there."
Excitement sparked through Tauriel's eyes and she hurried off in the direction he'd pointed, finding the staircase with a little extra trouble in the dark. As she began to climb clouds moved from in front of the moon to light her path. She'd just made it to the top when with a creak and a groan a heavy slab of stone was pulled open and suddenly Kili was there right in front of her.
Brief hesitation beset them before both moved forward and met in the middle to share their first embrace. His cheek rested on her collarbone, the top of his head brushed her ear. Tauriel closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his back and shoulders, learning at last the scent of earth and fire to associate with her dwarf. Not that it surprised her for dwarves were hardy folk that did not shirk from manual labour, but Kili's arms gave the impression of strength despite how gently he held her. Finally they released each other and Kili looked up at her with a cheeky grin. "Might I remind you of my promise my lady?"
A moment passed before Tauriel took his meaning and then a smile curved her lips as she nodded slightly. Kili cupped her jaw, claiming her mouth as if she already belonged to him, her senses completely taken over by the feel of his lips moving across hers. He let go and swallowed, twirling a piece of red hair in his fingers. "I could do that every day."
She felt the colour rise to her cheeks. "I may just let you." A moment later Tauriel turned away. "What happens now Kili? I do not know my place anymore." A sad glance was cast back at him over her shoulder. "I am welcome in the forest no longer. It was inevitable."
Because the subject seemed so painful Kili didn't pursue it, clearing his throat instead. "I'm sure Erebor could use a good guard captain who knows twenty different ways to fell giant spiders."
She tipped her head. "That would require the approval of your people. And your brother does not care for me. Besides, war is upon us. Even now legions of orcs march to Erebor from Gundabad." Tauriel held out her hands. "If I am no longer allowed to defend my people, what is my place?"
He caught her hand, holding it in both of his. "Right here, with me. Tauriel, I love you. I don't wish to be parted from you ever. Perhaps this is the worst time to be thinking of the future and I'm sure you don't know, but by accepting my promise...well, it's one step away from a formal betrothal. Do you think...could you be happy with me Tauriel, for whatever time is granted to us?"
Tauriel took out his runestone, studying it once more. "Elves exchange silver rings at betrothal. I have no token to give you."
"Is that a yes?" Kili asked in desperation and she smiled.
"Yes, I could be happy with you and yes, I want to stay. I love you Kili."
Kili grinned and pointed to her braid. "Use your hair clasp as the token." He untied the leather cord in his own hair and wrapped it around hers so the style wouldn't fall apart. Then Tauriel wove a simple braid into his hair, pulling it back together with the front part and fastening her clasp around the dark strands.
"Is that it?" she asked quietly.
"Will you be my wife Tauriel?" Kili uttered impulsively.
"Aye. And I will take you for my husband."
He kissed her slowly. "Now it's official."
"There are no witnesses," Tauriel noted.
"Witnesses are only required for the wedding ceremony, not a betrothal promise," he explained.
The couple sat down side by side on the edge of the stone, staring up at the stars and out at the fires burning in Dale. "I'm not sure I can stay here," Tauriel said at last.
Kili sighed. "I'd like to argue with you but Thorin...he's not himself. Something isn't right. He thinks only of holding onto the treasure, nothing else." He touched her face. "I would be afraid for you should he learn you are here." He shifted uncomfortably. "I haven't made much headway softening his opinion on elves. Where will you go if not the forest?"
Tauriel shrugged. "Dale? I believe I've found favour with Bard. Though...I dislike being even that far away from you with enemies marching on all sides. Perhaps...there is a small grove of trees on the hill across the valley. One is large enough to sleep in. That will suffice, for now."
Kili looked dismayed. "You do not even have a cloak! Wait here." He jumped up and darted inside, coming back several minutes later with a robe that would be long for a dwarf and yet likely a b it short on an elf, as well as two blankets. "I'm sorry it can't be more." His brow furrowed. "Have you eaten?" Without waiting for an answer he left again and returned carrying a small sack. "It's not much as provisions are rather low - cram, a water skin, and a couple apples. We pulled them from trees on the other side of the Desolation. Nothing else survived."
Tauriel was touched by his generosity and bent to kiss his cheek. "Hannon le. I've not had much food lately." On their hasty journey she and Legolas scavenged what they could but more often went without.
Now came the moment of parting and Kili wasn't sure he could. She gave him half a smile. "Mara lome Kili."
He kissed the back of her hand. "Goodnight beautiful elf."
Tauriel arranged everything to carry on her back when she climbed down the stairs and offered a little wave before heading off. Kili retreated inside and slumped against the wall once the door was closed. How could a moment be both best and worst all at once?
LOTR
Tauriel kept watch for the entire next day and the one after woke to see Dale full of golden armoured Mirkwood soldiers. She watched with increasing tension over another day as negotiations between Dale and Erebor and then Dale, Erebor and Mirkwood slowly went sour. She knew on the next sunrise King Thranduil would make good his promise to open war against the Mountain and was desperate to get to Kili but saw no way.
The battle began but within minutes became entirely unexpected when it gained another front. Then Thranduil proved he had a heart and much later a renewed Thorin led his people to rally against their common foe. In the midst of it all Tauriel strove to keep an eye on Kili and when she heard they were headed for Ravenhill that was her cue. She intended to get there first and be of what service she could.
LOTR
The Battle was over and the count of the dead so high no one could really claim it felt like a victory. The Company bore injuries consistent with war but all lived, partially thanks to the efforts of Tauriel and Legolas, who joined them in defense of his long time comrade. Thus far Tauriel and Kili had kept their association clandestine but when Thorin walked into the second healing tent to see them drawing back from a kiss, the jig was well and truly up.
Kili should have been placed in the tent where his uncle and brother were being tended, but with an elf-maid steadfastly refusing to leave his side even though she should have been in the bed next to him, the prince thought a little more privacy from judging eyes was in order. Once Oin had looked him over - wrapped, patched up, and splinted injuries - they were left mostly alone and Kili turned his attention back to where she sat quietly worrying. "Tauriel, where are you injured?"
She shook her head and smiled wanly. "Elves heal fast."
"Tauriel," Kili said softly, twining a tendril of fiery red hair around his finger and tugging gently, "what hurts?"
Tears pooled in her eyes. "I am rather sore all over," she admitted under his caring gaze. "Bolg...he batted me around like a toy before you got there." Her hands clenched into fists. "How could he be so strong? I am not used to defeat Kili. I fought every way I knew how, but if you had not come..." she trailed off and swallowed.
Having the element of surprise, Kili jumped from above Bolg, dragging his sword down the orc's exposed skull and neck. That threw off his attack on Tauriel and weakened him just enough for them to defeat him together. Kili was infinitely thankful for allowing Fili to teach him the art of knife throwing, for it was a dagger flung from his fingers that finally ended the fight permanently.
He tugged her towards him. "Come here beloved."
It was the end of that moment Thorin witnessed and from the glower on his face he wasn't pleased. "What in Durin's name is this?"
Kili swallowed and affected an innocent grin. "Uncle, it's good to see you looking so well."
Thorin took a step forward. "Answer the question Kili."
Tauriel slipped her hand into his, uncertain if she should speak, and he squeezed it tightly. "Thorin, King Under the Mountain, may I present Tauriel, formerly of the Woodland Realm."
Thorin's expression darkened. "Why is an elf making so free with my nephew?"
Tauriel opened her mouth but Kili shook his head and she stared at the ground, the tips of her ears turning red from the effort of keeping words in.
"You might just as well say I am making free with her Uncle," Kili began, pushing himself up. Tauriel moved to help and Thorin got a glimpse of Kili's hair. His eyes narrowed.
"What is that in your hair?"
Both Tauriel and Kili went very still and then Kili cleared his throat. "It is Tauriel's token to me."
Tauriel pulled out the runestone. "And this is Kili's to me."
"I love her Thorin," the prince stated. "And I'm the most fortunate dwarf on Arda that she returns my feelings."
"You gave her Dis' runestone." Thorin gaped at them, the significance not lost on him. "Kili, you cannot wed an elf!"
Kili lifted his chin. "I can and I will," he said calmly. "And you and Fili and anyone else who doesn't like it will just have to learn to live with my choice and our decision." He looked at Tauriel and took a deep breath. "If you cannot, we will make our home elsewhere for I refuse to live somewhere she is not."
Thorin dropped onto an empty cot. "An elf," he repeated. Then he frowned at Tauriel. "What did Kili mean 'formerly of the Woodland Realm'?"
Tauriel stared steadily at him. "My king took issue with how I chose to carry out my orders to serve and protect the forest and those who live in it. For being overzealous about my duties I have been...banished." She said the last word quietly, ashamed of the pronouncement.
"Why my nephew?" the king demanded. "Because he is a prince?"
She shook her head. "I knew nothing of his station when we met. Why Kili?" Tauriel smiled softly, brushing back his hair. "Because my heart was drawn to him Your Majesty. For an elf such a gift is only given once. Granted I never expected it to be a dwarf, but who am I to question what the Valar wills? And I love him," she finished quietly. "I love him so very much."
Thorin was left without words to refute the match, so steadfast were they both in their reasoning. At last he sighed. "Six months, that-"
"No," Kili and Tauriel said together and Kili shook his head. "I'm sorry Thorin, we cannot wait so long. We do not want to be apart anymore." A fortnight had been too long. "If, as king, you will not perform the ceremony, I shall ask Gandalf to do the honours instead."
Thorin arched an eyebrow at them and did not answer whether or not he would officiate. "A month then. At least let the dead be laid to rest."
That was a valid point and both nodded. Then Tauriel glanced at Kili and he understood her unasked question. "Need we find a home outside the Mountain Uncle?"
He rubbed his beard thoughtfully, giving it good consideration. "I'm of a mind to loan you to Dale for a time, as it seems Bard has taken over leadership. They'll need help with restoring the city and though I know it's not your first love, you're as capable as any other at stone masonry. We'll also need an envoy to assist with trade negotiations when our peoples are recovered enough to take stock of what goods can be used. Perhaps you may reside in Dale a year to get things established and then we will see how the dwarrow feel about an elf among them." Thorin looked at Tauriel a bit apologetically. "I would not suffer either of you to live with scorn every day if the prevailing attitude is less than favourable. But I am certain Bard would be happy to have an experienced guard in Dale. It does not seem as if any of those from Esgaroth survived. Perhaps you may even train new recruits."
Tauriel smiled faintly. "You're not so bad, for a dwarf."
Thorin chuckled and stood, bowing slightly. "I could say the same of you my lady, for an elf."
He left them alone finally and Tauriel gently pressed her face to Kili's chest. "It is good I do not have my daggers with me." She cast a look around, frowning as she suddenly realized she had no idea where her weapons ended up. Tauriel shook her head and continued. "I tend to throw them when I get angry. Even Legolas has learned to stay out of the way when I am in such a state."
Kili looked at her with wide eyes. "That is helpful information to have my lady."
Tauriel smirked. "I am certain you would have learned to duck if I had not told you."
He intertwined their fingers, his expression hopeful. "There is lots of room here if you want to lay down and rest."
Tauriel hesitated but finally ignored all the reasons she shouldn't fit herself into the space he made at his side. She didn't remember the last time she'd allowed herself real sleep, not just rest in an Elven form. And it had also been a very long couple of weeks. Tauriel found tonight that she very much wanted to be held.
Kili obliged wonderfully to her unspoken request, turning on his side and draping an arm cautiously over her waist. Tauriel smiled though he couldn't see and held his hand until he relaxed. Though she would've preferred to fall asleep with her head on his chest, she didn't want to risk too much pressure as Bolg had hit him pretty hard there with his mace, not to mention throwing Kili onto the stairs. There would be time enough later to choose their favourite positions for sleeping. Tauriel looked forward to learning that and so much more about her brave steadfast dwarf.
LOTR
So Tauriel and Kili were married a month hence in the valley under a gentle snowfall that covered all signs of carnage and transformed the landscape into a pristine white wonderland. The newlyweds were attended only by Gandalf, Bilbo, and the Company with Thorin presiding over the ceremony and Fili reluctantly standing at Kili's side. He still wasn't thrilled about the arrangement but determined to show support regardless. Bard and his children also came and the group was invited back to Dale for celebratory drinks while the dwarves produced instruments for an impromptu dance.
It was a lovely day and that night the couple returned to their borrowed quarters and celebrated in a different fashion. Tauriel got her wish, falling asleep on Kili's chest now that he felt so much better, ensconced in her husband's strong arms and hear his heart beating under her ear. It was the most beautiful sound she could imagine, bested only by the soft, "I love you," he whispered before drifting off. Who knew such a happy ending could be possible for a love story that started with spiders, dungeons, and a fire moon?
LOTR
Tauriel and Kili liked living in Dale so much that even after the year was up they decided to stay. Kili couldn't tell if it was relief or regret on Thorin's features when they broke the news. Bard, who'd welcomed them initially, was pleased at their decision to make the city their home. With his share of the treasure Kili purchased the house they'd been using and though both elf and dwarf made an effort to spend time in the Mountain, there was something special about having a place to call home where no one gave them odd looks or whispered behind their backs. Dale's citizens became accustomed to the unusual pair early on and Kili and Tauriel ingratiated themselves to the community by the willing help they offered. After that no one took any notice of their differences, so glad were they for what was being given.
As close as the brothers were, Fili remained wary of Tauriel right up until she placed his first niece in his arms five years after she married his brother. In that moment he smiled freely at his sister in law as he never had in the past and they were at ease with each other forever after. Calien learned to toddle right into her great uncle's arms and three years passed before Sefi - the only boy - joined their family. No one could ever mistake the children as belonging to anyone else. Calien was her mother from the pointy ears to her long hair - though she got blonde instead of Tauriel's vibrant colouring and was shorter than the usual elf stature. Sefi, on the other hand, was every inch his father from the dark hair and eventual scruff to his love of archery, the cheeky grin, and a reckless streak that always kept them on their toes.
Then, nine years later, they got a rather substantial surprise when Tauriel became pregnant again and little Esme was born. She was a special one - the youngest by a significant margin, soft red hair a shade darker than Tauriel's, and wide curious eyes that surveyed the world with a continuous sense of wonder. Her laughter was contagious and her smile so bright no one could help returning it. Esme loved all things dwarrow - jewels and fire and shaping rocks - but she was just as at home among trees and rivers and animals. And it was their little one who finally bridged the gap between Tauriel and the King of Mirkwood.