The drive way was lit with large decorative lampposts shining on the Greenwood Estate's large magnificent entrance. Carefully Tauriel unlocked the carven door as quietly as she possibly could. Her cheeks were burning and a smile danced on her face. She was about to ascend the stairs when she noticed light burning from the living room. Curious she walked inside. On the dark leather couch by the large fireplace sat Legolas. He was reading with as glass of red wine in his hand. His long light blond hair caught the golden light of the fire making his look like the angel Gabriel in his full stature and elegance. He looked up when she came in. She was relief pass along his face, but his usually sparkling eyes seemed dead.

"Where were you?" He asked his tone rather harsh.

Tauriel raised an eyebrow at him as she took in his appearance. Like his father, Legolas liked looking good, which wasn't very hard since even Tauriel had to admit he was very attractive. But while his father enjoying suits and dress shirts, Legolas preferred good fitting jeans and nicely tailored, but comfortable sweaters, one of which he was wearing right now. The grey sweater brought out the blue of his eyes and made his golden hair shimmer. But Tauriel could look through his handsome appearance and see he was tired. Dark circles were starting to form under his eyes and his shoulders were tense. She walked over him and positioned herself next to him on the couch.

"I was out." She told him resisting the urge to blush. He didn't reply but continued watching her move. His eyes travelled to her neck and a look of confusion appeared on his face. Slightly mortified Tauriel tried to hide the love bites Kíli had made with her hair but the damage was done. Legolas leaned away from her, taking a healthy swing of his wine.

"Who were you out with?" he didn't look at her, finding the red liquid suddenly very fascinating.

"Kíli took me out." Tauriel confessed as she started to play with a strand of her hair. A deadly silence followed but was only broken by Legolas' soft reply.

"Hmm I see." And he continued drinking his wine faster than usual. She turned to him.

"Mellon what's wrong?" She wanted to add he looked tired but decided against stating such an obvious fact. He turned his blue eyes to her.

"You ask me what's wrong? What's wrong with you? You've been avoiding me, and don't deny it Tauriel." He told her as she opened her mouth to protest. "I thought you trusted me, yet these past few weeks you hardly talk to me, you sneak of and go on dates that I don't know about. How long have you known this guy? Two weeks? Yeah and look at you, you're already covered."

"I don't have to tell you everything, I have my own life you know." Tauriel told him her voice rising, catching in her throat. Legolas seemed enraged.

"I am FINE with you going on dates, in fact I am happy you are, but don't go behind my god damned back. What if something happened? What if he took advantage of you? No one would know where you are."

"Kíli would never do that!"

"Oh no? How well do you know him? And I mean really know him! Can you trust him with your life? Can you Tauriel?" He'd stood up pacing up and down, wine glass in hand.

"Of course I know him, I am not stupid."

"But can you trust him?" Tauriel looked at him pondering on his question.

"Yes, I think so."

"Thinking so isn't enough!"

"What does it matter? Nothing bad happened in fact I had a great evening, thanks for asking by the way. And besides, Arwen knew about it!" Legolas came to a halt his blue eyes piercing through her.

"Arwen knew about this?"

"Y…yes." Tauriel admitted and she felt a wave of guilt flood her. Why hadn't she told him? She always had, they never had any secrets for each other. She'd always felt good about telling him, then why hadn't she told him about Kíli? She'd hurt him and she could see that now. He'd turned his shoulders away from her as if shielding his wounds from her. But his eyes looked at her full of pain. Tears started to well up in her eyes.

"You told Arwen, but not me." He said, his low voice seemed to shake a bit and she was afraid he might crush the glass he was holding. He gulped his wine down and picked up his book before marching away. Tauriel stretched out her arm to stop him.

"Legolas! Lego! I am sorry!" But he didn't turn and made his way upstairs.

Falling back onto the couch, Tauriel curled herself up and listened to his door slam closed behind him. Tears started to roll down her cheeks. With her fingers she swept along her neck passing every place Kíli had kissed. Though the memory still burned beneath her fingers, she currently felt hollow inside. She'd had not meant for this to happen. As much as she liked Kíli, she didn't want to sacrifice her bond with Legolas, a bond that ran deeper than friendship, it was one of love, family love, but still love. In the end it was that love that had saved her so many times. When her parents died it had saved her. Every time some guy had broken her heart or apparent friends decided to ditch her, it was this love that helped her back on her feet. So much as she liked Kíli and knew quite a bit about him, she still didn't know him as well as she wanted to. She could predict Legolas' every move, while she hardly knew what Kíli liked to eat in the mornings.

Tauriel sighed and made her way to bed with a heavy heart, she had a lot to think about.

The next morning Tauriel sensed all was not well as she came into the kitchen. Legolas had left for work. As a journalist he would often work during the weekends as well, but Tauriel knew it was not coincidence he was working today. Thranduil was currently pouring himself a strong cup of coffee, his long platinum hair resting perfectly on his back. He was wearing his favourite white dress shirt with dark blue stripe. He had his black trousers on and Tauriel saw a silver tie, meaning he probably had a business meeting at some point today.

"Good morning." She said standing next to him to grab herself a mug and turn on the kettle for a cup of tea. Thranduil turned around, leaning back against the counter and watched her as he took a sip of coffee.

"Good morning Tauriel." His intense blue eyes pierced through her. She looked at her teabag that currently floated on the hot water.

"Do you have a meeting today?" She asked.

"I do. I am meeting Bard Bowman this afternoon for business." A silence settled between them. Usually this was a pleasant silence, but today was different. After a few more sips of his coffee, Thranduil spoke up.

"Tell me Tauriel, what is the matter with Legolas? Tauriel sighed causing Thranduil to smile slightly, he always found it very amusing to see his children feel awkward.

"It's stupid." She told him and he raised his thick intimidating eyebrows at her.

"I think I'll be the judge of that."

She stared at her mug steaming tea for a while, trying to formulate her words.

"I am seeing someone and I didn't tell Legolas about it, so now he's angry at me."

"Hmmm odd for him to get that upset about it."

"How did you even know he was upset? Did you hear us last night?"

"Last night? No, I did not hear a thing. But I am his father Tauriel, I know exactly when he's upset." He paused slightly, "He's just like his mother." Thranduil's eyes flashed towards the portrait of Lemaril Greenwood, his late wife, hanging in the living room. Her golden hair fell in waves over her shoulders and she had a kind face, her bright grey eyes smiling, lighting up the room. Thranduil turned back to the conversation.

"So, who are you seeing then?" Tauriel cursed the heavens for making him ask the question though she hadn't expected anything different from him.

"Kíli." The cup Thranduil was in the process of bringing to his lips stopped half way.

"Excuse me?" He asked still looking at his coffee.

"Kíli Durin." Tauriel repeated anxious for his reaction.

"You really mean the Kíli…"

"Yes, yes! The Kíli Durin, nephew of Thorin Durin from Oakenshield Company." She interrupted him, feeling annoyed. Thranduil looked at her, his eyebrows furrowed together. He seemed at a loss of words before finally replying.

"Are you out of your mind?" His harsh words hurt her. Like father like son.

"No, I am perfectly sane, thanks. You know, he's a lot better if you get to know him."

"Are you telling me, that you're dating Thorin Durin's nephew?"

"Yes." Thranduil laughed, but it wasn't a nice laugh, it was rather dismissingly.

"Impossible." He told her walking away from the kitchen towards the couch.

"Actually it's not." Tauriel called after him. Thranduil spun around, his eyes flashing with anger.

"No it's impossible! I am not allowing you to date him!"

"What?! Since when do you get to decide who I date or not?"

"As of now!"

"This is ridiculous! Just because you and Thorin are is some ancient stupid fight doesn't mean Kíli and I have to stop seeing each other. That's just Shakespearean bullshit!"

"Language! And that is exactly why you can't be with that boy. I know what his family is like, they can't be trusted!"

"You don't even know him! You have no right…!"

"I have every right young lady!"

"You're not my father!" Tauriel shouted and Thranduil halted his approach to her, pain, grief, and anger flashing through his ice blue eyes.

"I might not be your father in blood, but I am the father that raised you." He said slowly and clearly. "Therefore if I say you won't date this boy that's final!"

"But I like him! God since when is that a crime?" She protested.

"You like him?" He asked mockingly.

"I love him." She retorted back, surprising herself with her words.

"You love… him? You don't even know what it means to love someone!" He crept closer and she had to look up to him now, something she hated doing. "Tell me Tauriel, how long have you known him? How well do you know him? Do you know his wishes and fears? Do you know his good sides and bad? Can you trust him?"

"Why shouldn't I trust him?"

"Because he's a Durin! They are lazy, arrogant liars who can never be trusted!"

"But you don't know him!" She shouted.

"But I know Thorin and I know you!" He told her, his hands on her shoulders. They were both breathing heavily. Slowly he seemed to calm down and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know you Tauriel. You're an intelligent and strong woman, but you're also naïve, afraid to see a darker side in people. I don't want you to get hurt." Tauriel pushed herself away from him.

"And you think this is not hurting me?" She asked before heading to the stairs.

"Where are you going?"

"Training!"

"Tauriel?" He called after her and she stopped halfway on the stairs.

"Why did you hide this from Legolas and I?"

"Because I feared this reaction." She told him listening for Thranduil's reply.

"If it was true love, then you would not have feared it."

Arrow after arrow she shot, every single one missing the centre making Tauriel feel even more frustrated than she already felt. Before she came into the shooting range Kíli had send her a sweet and adorable text:

"Hey good morning! Hope you slept alright. Just wanted to say that I had a great time last night. Hope you did too :) "

It made her happy to read it, and yet she had never felt so conflicted in her entire life because Legolas and Thranduil were partially right. How well did she know Kíli? What if he just liked her because of her looks and would leave after they became more intimate. It wouldn't be the first time that had happened to her. It was one of the reasons why she kept boys at bay. But with Kíli it felt different somehow, yet right now she couldn't decide whether that was a good or bad thing.

One thing she did come to realize after several more hours of shooting and clearing her mind in the forest was that she needed to slow down and take a step back. She figured he would be ok with her not immediately replying to his texts right away. He would be busy himself anyway.

Kíli had been busy that day, or at least he should have been productive. He met up with his brother to plan out his uncle's party. There were many things to organize, things that had to be made, people that had to be called and just general chaos. However he felt he'd been staring at his phone for most of the time. He was kicking himself mentally about it. Sending the text in the morning seemed very logic and impulsive, but the later it got, with still no reply, he started to feel like a fool. It had gotten to a point when even Fíli got fed up and had taken away his phone with great protest.

"Just chill out alright? It sounded like you guys had a great evening, so don't worry about it. She might just be busy, just like you should be! I need you to focus here bro." Kíli raised his hands in defeat but immediately brought them back into his hair, tugging it.

"But it's the weekend, she's supposed to be free. She's never been this slow with answering." Fíli raised his eyebrows smirking.

"Oh no! You're not timing her are you?" Kíli glared at him angrily.

"Don't give me that crap! You'd completely panic if Arild hadn't texted you back within 5 minutes." That was very true and Fíli admitted it. He lay down the papers he had been holding and sat down next to his brother.

"It'll be fine, I am sure, just don't freak out. How long has it been?"

"7 hours." Kíli told him looking at the blonds face to see his reaction.

"What's been 7 hours?" A woman's voice called out. Arild came into the apartment she shared with Fíli. She walked in with bags of groceries weighing her down. Fíli shot up to help his girlfriend, stealing a kiss along the way. Arild had a mass of light blonde curls, large soft brown eyes and a hearth laugh. She was small but curvy and moved around with a skip in her steps, something that had caught Fíli from the first moment he saw her.

"It's nothing…" Kíli started but his brother cut him off.

"It's been 7 hours since Kíli texted the girl he went out with last night, and she hasn't replied yet." The blond smirk and Kíli shot him a glare. Arild looked amused and surprised.

"Don't tell me you guys time as well?"

"But of course. It's driving him insane." Fíli laughed.

"I am still not as insane as you were! Arild let me tell you, you're dating an idiot." He called out.

"But an adorable idiot." His brother pleaded receiving a small peck from Arild.

"You're a fool." She told him before hitting him softly. "And be nice to your brother. Kíli do you want tea or a beer?"

"Give him some green tea to calm his nerves." Fíli told her with a wink before grabbing a beer for himself.

"Asshole!" Kíli cursed him before adding: "A beer would be lovely, thanks Arild."

Laughing she handed him one and nestled herself on the chair across from them.

"So how did your date go then Kíli?" She asked him smiling cheekily. The two had known each other since their primary schools days and had been friends since middle school, so Kíli hadn't expected anything less from her than to ask him questions.

"It went great!" He told her and grinned at the memories coming to mind. "Dinner was fine and dancing was great. I haven't had that much fun in a while and she seemed to enjoy it as well." He'd actually been quite sure about that until now. Kíli wasn't foreign to female attention and he had gone on plenty nice dates over time with some very nice girls. With some of them he had been dating for a little while, others he'd broken of contact or they had done so and he had not really minded. But Tauriel was different in ways he couldn't describe. He did care about their friendship, he did want her to text him back, and he did really care about what she thought of him. He actually liked her, more than liked her. He had told her he loved her, even though it was in a language she didn't quite understand, yet.

"That sounds great! Who's the lucky girl?" Arild asked him smiling happily.

"Tauriel Greenwood." And her smile started to waver.

"Wow, um… okay? That's um unexpected." She told him honestly. "How has Thorin reacted?"

"He doesn't know yet, and I think I'd like to keep it that way for a while." He told her and there was a silence and he saw her think.

"What does her family think about it?"

"I don't know, I am not even sure if they know. I can't imagine they'll be very pleased."

"Maybe that's why she hasn't texted you back yet?" Arild offered but Kíli waved her away.

"No way, she wouldn't care about that. This might not be easy but it's not a freaking soap opera." He said and took a swing of his beer, missing the worried look Arild and Fíli gave each other.

As the night progressed the brothers and Arild had prepared most of the invitations that they would send out the next day. Many of the invited were their part of their kin or their uncle's friends, or in some cases both. Several of Thorin Durin's best business partners were invited as well such as Elrond Rivendell and Celeborn Lothlórien. A special guest was Bilbo Baggins, a great friend of their uncle. They had met at university and had often travelled together to far corners of the world. Bilbo lived quite far away, thus the friends hadn't seen each other for a while, most busy with their work. While Thorin ran Oakenshield Company, Bilbo was focused on his research and writing his books, which were currently becoming quite famous. The brothers couldn't wait to see Mr Baggins again and they were reminded that this would be in four weeks time. There was still so much to do in so little time.

Their work had kept Kíli busy and his mind of Tauriel and his phone for a while. Thus he was very surprised when his phone started to ring and her name appeared on his display. Quickly excusing himself and going outside, Kíli tried to calm himself down before picking up.

"Hello?" He asked, his voice a few tones lower than usual.

"Hey Kíli, its me." Tauriel replied and he enjoyed the sound of her voice.

"Hey! How are you?"

"I am doing fine. How are you?"

"Oh fine as well. Just a bit busy, working on my uncle's birthday party."

"Oh! Have I called at a wrong time?"

"What? No, no not at all! Don't worry! I always have time for you." He heard her chuckle at the end of the line.

"Thanks." And silence crept in.

"So, you've been busy today, or did you enjoy your free day?" he quickly asked her, hoping it wouldn't seem like he was fishing, he had to act cool.

"Yeah, I've been busy. Been out shooting the whole day." That was it! He knew she always left her phone in her locker when she went out, and that was probably why she didn't respond.

"And? Did it go alright?"

"Well no not really, I um…" he heard her voice hesitating and an unpleasant feeling started to form in his gut, he didn't like where this was going.

"Kíli, I um… what I want to say is…"

"What? What's wrong Tauriel?"

"I am sorry I didn't reply to your text sooner, I am just… I don't know…"

"Tauriel just say it." He didn't want to sound mad but his voice was harsher than he expected and he could feel her flinch.

"I really enjoyed last night Kíli, really I did. It's just that we are moving so fast, and actually I don't even know you that well…" Kíli laughed softly hoping to lift some of the tension.

"I know, but that's what dates are for, aren't they? To get to know each other?"

"Yes true but…"

"But?"

"I just need to slow down for a bit Kíli. Please don't get me wrong, I like you, but I need some time to organize myself. This… this is all kinda new for me and I don't want to get all tangled up." Kíli took a minute to take that all in, his mind flooded with information and he didn't really know what to feel at that moment.

"Please don't be mad, I am just very confused with myself right now." Tauriel admitted her voice worried.

"It's alright Tauriel." He heard himself say. "We can take it slowly, I want you to feel comfortable alright?" He heard her sigh softly in relief.

"Thanks Kíli, that means a lot to me."

"Don't worry about it." After a few seconds of silence he added: "So, but you're still up for Café Macchiato's this week?" And she laughed.

"Of course, they are the highlight of my day."

"Haha I am sure they are. But one thing darling,"

"What is it?" She asked curiosity lining her voice.

"You better keep October 19th free in your calendar."

"And why's that?"

"It's my uncle's birthday that day and forgive my forwardness, but I have taken the liberty of sitting you next to me on the seating arrangements."

"I'll be your date?"

"Naturally, unless you really don't want to, I mean I can easily…"

"No I'd love to go! Thanks."

"Thank god! You'll get an official invitation some time this week. But remember, it's a surprise party!"

"Haha I'll keep that in mind! Looking forward to it."

"Great, me too." He said smiling.

"I've gotta go now. Thanks for understanding Kíli."

"No problem, thanks for calling. Have a good evening."

"Thanks and you too."

"Bye Tauriel."

"Good bye." And the line went silent.

Kíli leaned against the door, taking a few deep breaths of the cold outside air. The sky was dark, clouds drifting past the moon and only a few stars were visible. He was glad she had called and happy to heard her voice. He could understand where she was coming from, but at the same time he found it hard to understand her confusion. Maybe Arild was right about her family, maybe they weren't as accepting about it as his was. He was sure Legolas wouldn't be pleased anyway let alone Thranduil. He just hoped she wouldn't change her mind completely about them. Was she still that open to give them a chance? He would need to step up his game, because he definitely wasn't going to let her go that easily.

Fíli came and joined him outside. He saw his brother's face and felt worried.

"Hey man, are you alright?" He asked. Kíli looked at him and Fíli put an arm around him in support. "What's wrong Kee?"

"I really don't know…"

Thanks everyone for all your faves and lovely reviews! Please keep them going! I enjoy reading all of them and they keep me going.

Sorry it took me a while to update. Uni has started again, so I've been very busy and had a lack of inspiration. But I am back and got some new ideas how this story will progress, so stick with me ;)

Hope you enjoyed it! :)