"Come one, let me do your make-up!"
"What do you want to do?"
"Just a smokey eyes, and don't sounds so terrified, I am great at them."
"Won't it be too much?"
"Taur it's a party, and no, having eye shadow isn't too much." Tauriel sighed and gave her friend a smile and Arwen happily went off to get her eye shadow palette. Éowyn laughed at the raven and softly combed through Tauriel's red locks.
"I think you two are having more fun than I am." Tauriel told her and Éowyn grinned.
"Obviously! We love an excuse to dress you up and make you happy…" then she paused and looked down. "It makes us happy too." Tauriel reached over to touch her hand.
"I feel bad feeling so good when you both are suffering loss, it feels wrong somehow." Éowyn shook her head and looked straight at her through the mirror with her intense blue eyes.
"Don't! God don't suppress your feelings. We are happy, exhilarated in fact, to see you so in love and content. It's been a while since we've seen you that way. Just because of everything that has happened doesn't mean you can't have fun. That's ridiculous and I forbid you to give it another thought!" Tauriel smiled in defeat.
"I'll try." She promised the blonde.
"Good!" Arwen said as she reappeared with her 'weapons' ready.
For a while the two women worked diligently with Tauriel as their canvas. Éowyn had pulled her knee length hair into an elegant half-up with highlighting accent braids. Meanwhile Arwen had given her smokey eyes with warm brown colours that made her green eyes pop. Tauriel couldn't believe she was the made women how was staring back at her through the mirror.
"Wow, thank you girls, you made me beautiful." And Arwen laughed, clasping her shoulder.
"You are always beautiful love. Come on lets get you into your dress, mum and dad will be done soon." Tauriel smirked.
"I still can't believe your parents and grandparents were invited too, Kíli didn't tell me."
"He probably wanted it to be a surprise, so you won't feel alone. Besides if everything goes bad, which I am sure it won't, Elladan will be there too."
"I know I'll be fine with Kíli and even his brother and mother seem fine with me, as far as he's told me… I am just worried about the other hundred guest… especially his uncle."
"Don't worry," Éowyn reasoned, "I am sure Kíli knows best."
"Yeah but his uncle is practically his father. What if the man hates me, I don't want to be a source of conflict."
"If Kíli didn't think you were worth it he wouldn't ask you out now would he." Tauriel thought about that, then she nodded.
"Yeah I guess you're right." And Arwen and Éowyn laughed.
"We always are." Arwen winked, then she clashed her hands together. "Come on put it on." she eyed the dark blue fabric that lay on the bed.
Carefully as if it would crumble in her hands Tauriel picked up the silky fabric. With the help of her friends she slid into it, fastening the round halter that held the dress together around her neck. Full of excitement she turned to the mirror and gasped.
The dress still looked as good as when she first tried it on in Míriel's store. The dress fitted her body perfectly. The top was cut in the middle, revealing some chest bone in a playful but still tasteful way. Beneath her breasts the dress pleated inwards to the centre line of the dress that highlighted her waist. As the material moved down it highlighted her hips, giving them more volume. Then the folding stopped and allowed the smooth material to flow down freely, showing off the length of her legs. The blue shinned and with her hair and make-up down, Tauriel felt like a goddess. As the other two women continued to admire her she put in a pair of delicate silver leaf earrings that completed her look.
"No one will even think about rejecting you in this, I am willing to bet on it." Arwen told her as Éowyn agreed with her. Gratefully Tauriel looked at her friends and gave both a tight hug. As if on cue there was a knock on the door and Elladan appeared. His raven hair hung impeccably straight along his shoulders. He wore a three-piece tuxedo with a white shirt, silver vest and deep purple tie. His black jacket and pants fitted him perfectly. But his usual poker face was broken as he looked in amazement at Tauriel and she blushed at his wondrous grey eyes. Then he smiled and greeted his sister and Éowyn, before finally turning to Tauriel.
"You look wonderful." He simply stated and she smiled and him.
"Thank you, you're not looking too bad yourself." Which made him smirk and he offered.
"Come on, mother and father are waiting downstairs." She nodded and grabbed her purse, checking if she had everything. Arwen handed her, her shawl against the autumn chill and said her good byes.
"You'll have an amazing time, I promise." She said as Tauriel smiled, hugging Éowyn who gave her similar encouragement.
"You must tell us everything tomorrow!"
"I will! Thank you guys again."
"Oh please, it's fine, we had way too much with this. You enjoy it."
Tauriel and Elladan walked from Arwen's room but right before they turned the corner to the stairs they heard Arwen's voice.
"And try to keep your hands of Kíli so much as possible!" and they laughed at the heavy blush spreading over Tauriel's cheeks.
Downstairs in Rivendell's impressive entrance hall stood Elrond and Celebrían. Elrond was dressed like his son, showing off the silver and purple Rivendell colours proudly. Celebrían looked radiant in her silver blue dress with long sleeves, with a diagonal cut across the shoulders, leaving one bare. The dress with embroidered with white gems and beads. Her white silver hair gave an ethereal glow, a trait inherited from her mother. She smiled ecstatically when she saw Tauriel and pulled the younger woman into a warm embrace.
"You look even more beautiful than last time darling. Come lets get you in the car, there's quite a chill tonight." With that the red head was whirled away and before she could comprehend it all they were driving towards the Erebor Estate, where the party was held.
She tried to withhold herself from wringing her hands together and playing with the rings on her long fingers. She felt so nervous and prayed that everyone would like her. Most of all she just wanted to be with Kíli right now. She had missed him for the past few days. The Mirkwood Estate was empty right now, Legolas seemed busy and she hardly saw him as if he was avoiding her. Thranduil was away on one of his business trips. She was thankful he was coming back tomorrow. His mood towards her seemed better these last couple of days he even seemed to have silently accepted her attachment to Kíli. Tauriel had no idea where this sudden change came from, but she happily welcomed it. Elladan who had reached over to squeeze her fiddling hand interrupted her thoughts. She looked up at him and he gave her encouraging smile, which she returned. If all else failed, at least she would have him and Kíli on her side, and with their support, she could get through anything.
More and more guests arrived at Erebor, all of them adding to the festive atmosphere around. Fíli and Kíli welcomed each one and led them through the large palace to the large hall at the back that they had assigned for the party. It gave access to the gardens in case people wanted the fresh autumn air and see the bright stars of the night. But what made the night especially special was the blood moon proudly displayed in the sky, which called for the celebration of Durin's Day.
The party hall was decked out with tables for the guests leaving space for a dance floor that would be used later that night after a few ales had been spilled. Thorin together with Dís were in the hall to welcome the guests Fíli and Kíli brought and showed them happily to their seats, though most, especially kin stayed around to talk and catch up, all wishing Thorin a happy 65 birthday.
Both Fíli and Kíli wore identical tuxedos with shining black vests. Fíli's tie was a deep red colour while Kíli was a dark blue that he prayed would match Tauriel's dress. The brunet had been anxiously staring at the door sighing in disappointment every time someone else arrived. Fíli was finding it all extremely amusing. Arild had come along with him, decked out in a beautiful ruby red dress, her blonde curls tamed into a brilliant up-do. Her neck sparkled with the golden necklace Fíli had given her on their anniversary. She smiled happily, her brown eyes sparkling as she went to check up of the Durin brothers.
"Everything going alright boys?"
"Yeah," Fíli answered her with a smile encircling her waist with his hand, "most guests should be here on time I reckon."
"Kíli, where's the girl we're all dying to meet, your mother won't stop talking about her to Thorin." Kíli replied in a huff and Arild laughed.
"She's not here yet and Kee will have a fit soon." Fíli answered for his brother, his eyes twinkling with mirth, earning him a shove from his younger brother.
Right at that moment a sleek silver car appeared on the drive way and Kíli's heart slammed in his throat. That could be her and he sucked in his breath in anticipation as the passenger door opened and a pair of golden heels came out. But before Kíli could see who it was, a man came to help the woman, his silver hair a dead give away. It was Celeborn and full of disappointment Kíli watched his wife Galadriel come out beside him dressed in a spectacular pale golden dress that was shot with silver beading, held together in her centre by a large shining clasp. Her golden hair glowed around her and her pale blue eyes found his.
"You are disappointed Kíli Durin." She stated with an amused smile on her face as she and her husband came to greet them and Kíli felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. He mentally kicked himself, he wasn't allowed to nor could he afford to screw this up now, not for himself, not for Thorin, and especially not for Tauriel. So he pasted a winning smile on his handsome face. He took her slender hand and kissed it.
"Not at all Lady Galadriel. Allow me to escort you and Lord Celeborn to my uncle." He replied and led the two elegant people through the house.
"It is great to see you again Kíli and a pleasure to meet your family." Celeborn smiled at him.
"The same to you sir." Kili smiled back. He then presented them the party hall where Thorin was waiting, looking majestic as ever.
With a nod Celeborn walked his way and his wife seemed to do the same until she gave Kíli one more look, gracing him with a dazzling smile of her own, and he could understand why she often had been presented as the most beautiful woman of Arda.
"My daughter and son-in-law should be arriving here soon." She told him and glided away, highly amused, leaving Kíli with a shock expression on his face. He watched his uncle, decked out in his own tuxedo with midnight blue vest with silver tie and adorned by several Ereborian silver jewels, to greet the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien Estate. His normally wild and thick raven hair mane shit with grey, was gelled back neatly and tied into a low ponytail in his neck. Kíli smiled at his uncle's content expression, it was clear he was enjoying himself.
Right as Kíli was about to return to the door himself he heard his brother run towards him happily with someone hastily bobbing behind him.
"Kíli, Bilbo is here!" His brother exclaimed and Kíli broke out into a huge grin. Behind Fíli the revered mister Bilbo Baggins appeared. Without a single thought Kíli ran up towards the small man and picked him up to hug him tight.
"Mr Boggins! How great to see you!" he cheered, using his old teasing name for the man, smiling widely at Bilbo, who smiled back looking overwhelmed by his welcome.
"Boys, boys, its been a while." He said as Kíli lowered him back to the ground. He had a full head of brown curls, large dark blue eyes and a friendly face. He wore a dark blue dinner jacket, golden yellow vest with flower pattern and a light blue tie, all dressed up for a party. "That last time I saw you guys you were merely teenagers, and look at you now!" Bilbo exclaimed as he seized both young men up. "You've both grown so much."
"I have, Fíli's remained the same." Kíli teased gaining him a shove from his brother. Bilbo laughed.
"You haven't changed at all." He said and then wrung his hands together looking at the party hall. "Now we'll have the entire evening to catch up, I must go and congratulate your uncle."
The brothers let their friend pass and happily watched as Bilbo walked over to Thorin. Thorin expression changed from happy to ecstatic when he saw his old friend appear.
"Bilbo Baggins!" His loud voice roared in happiness clasping him into a tight hug, which was quite out of character for the head of the Oakenshield Company, who only reserved such gestures for family or very close friends.
Thorin Durin and Bilbo Baggins knew each other from one of their travels. Their friendship initially started out a rocky one with their characters and values being completely at odds together. But as the years went by the two men formed a very close bond despite the ten-year age gap between them. For a while Bilbo had lived in Dale, helping Thorin with the business, especially dealing with some of the competitors such as Smaug Gold. During that time the academic Bilbo had taught at Dale University for a while. But he grew weary and wanted to acquire more knowledge. At Gandalf Grey urgings and Thorin's disappointment Bilbo travelled to the Rivendell Estate where Elrond gave him access to the Rivendell libraries for his research. Several years back, Bilbo moved back to his hometown of Hobbiton by the Shire, and that had been the last time since anyone had seen Bilbo Baggins. But now people rejoiced at his return. The brother smiled at the fond expression Thorin gave Bilbo.
"It's so great to see you again Thorin. All of you!" Bilbo said spreading his arms as to welcome every one. "I have someone with me who I'd like you all to meet." And from behind him a small boy appeared who seemed no older than 12. He had Bilbo's small build with a wild head of thick black curls. He looked up in wonder at Thorin with large pale blue eyes. "This is my nephew Frodo Baggins!" Bilbo introduced and on cue Thorin crouched down to the boys level.
"It's an honour to meet you Mr Frodo Baggins." He had smiled.
"It's just Frodo sir." The boy stammered, obviously slightly overwhelmed. Again Thorin cracked a smile and softly ruffled the boy's hair.
"You can call me Thorin." At this Fíli elbowed his brother.
"We have competition." He whispered and Kíli grinned.
"He's completely smitten!" then they laughed.
Suddenly the two eldest of Bombur many children appeared, spotting bright red hair like their father. With wide grins they took Frodo's hand.
"Hey, you wanna come play?"
"Sure…" the shy Frodo replied before looking at Bilbo for permission, who nodded happily, not that it would have made a difference as the other two boys were in the process of dragging Frodo away. Bilbo seemed to sigh in relief.
"I am glad he can play here, he needs some distraction, he's still going through a hard time right now." And Thorin placed a hand on the small man's shoulders in support. "My cousin Drogo and his wife Primula died two years ago in a boat accident and I adopted him as my own. He's still coming to terms that he'll never see them anymore. He blames himself sometimes, silly boy."
"It's understandable, it was hard for the boys as well when they lost their father." Thorin told him and mentioned for his nephews to come over. Bilbo nodded but smiled at the brother.
"Yes, but look at them now, such fine young men, you must be very proud of them Thorin." Thorin looked at them and smiled.
"I always am." There wasn't a higher compliment he could have given them.
Arild practically stormed into the hall breaking the magic.
"Are you two seriously leaving me alone at the door?" she asked her hands on his hips. With worried expressions Fíli and Kíli gave their excuses to Bilbo and their uncle and hurried back to their assigned posts, fearful of Arild's wrath, leaving the rest laughing on their behalf.
Kíli was faster then his brother, reaching the door first but he stopped so suddenly that Fíli crashed straight into him, sending them both to the ground. Cursing Fíli tried to get back up dragging his brother with him.
"What the hell man? What was that for?" he all but shouted, but Kíli didn't respond, instead continued to stare outside. Fíli followed his gaze. A silver Mercedes was parked outside with Elrond and his wife Celebrían having stepped out of it already. A man that the brothers assumed to be one of their sons was in the process of helping out the final passenger.
Silver strappy heals exited the car first and they firmly touched the ground. Elladan held out his hand and a slender one took it. Full of grace, a woman slipped out of the Mercedes. A long midnight blue dress hugged her slender feminine body and contrasted with her flaming her. A silver shawl that protected her from the cold shone like the stars in the sky above them. Her green eyes locked with Kíli and an amused smile formed on her lips.
"Tauriel…" Kíli muttered as if it was a question. Fíli looked over at his brother who looked like a love struck fool and he gave him a sharp jab in the ribs. This seemed to wake him up as he shook his head before looking at her again, now returning her smile. He walked over to her, took her hand from Elladan, who grinned, and kissed it.
"Welcome to Erebor," he said with his warm brown eyes, that made Tauriel melt every time. "You look absolutely stunning." He told her and a heavy blush formed on her cheeks.
"Thank you," she breathed, "you're looking handsome yourself." And she gave him a wink. A small cough returned them to the present before they got lost in each other's eyes. Quickly Kíli walked over to where Elrond, Celebrían, and Elladan where standing who had already greeted Fíli.
"Sorry," he apologized as he shook their hands, "I am Kíli Durin. It is a pleasure to meet you." Celebrían gave him an encouraging smile.
"It is great to finally meet you Kíli, Tauriel and especially Arwen, have told us so much about you."
"Only good things I hope." He joked as Tauriel came to stand beside him.
"Of course." She told him before focusing her attention on Fíli. The blond smiled at her and gave her a kiss on the cheek when they greeted.
"Finally I see the girl that my brother is so obsessed about." He grinned and she laughed.
"And I finally meet his better half." She joked and Kíli groaned.
"Oh I see it's going to be pick on Kíli night." He grumbled prompting Tauriel to kiss his cheek.
"Of course!" She giggled and with a shake of his head, Kíli began to lead her inside holding her hand tightly in his.
While Lady Galadriel had already left quite an impression on the guests present they didn't know what they had coming. As Kíli walked her into the hall a silence grew with fervent whispers filling the air as they gazed at their clasped hands. Many had of course heard rumours about one of the heirs of Thorin dating a child of Thranduil Greenwood. But of course hearing those rumours and seeing live confirmation was a completely different story. Most hadn't been able to understand what could possibly attract Kíli Durin to someone affiliated to the Mirkwood Estate. But now gazing upon her star-like presence that mystery appeared to be solved… although she was quite slender and tall compared to the other Durin women. But probably the most convincing fact of all that showed that this wasn't some practical joke that the young Durin was famous for, was the love that seemed to radiant between the two people. Only a blind fool wouldn't be able to see that.
Dís happily clapped in her hands, which seemed to the break the hall out their trance and continue their festive activities and chatter. The mother made her way to her son and upon arrival immediately grabbed Tauriel's hands and pulled her into a motherly hug.
"Oh it's so great to finally meet you! Kíli has sheltered you away long enough." Dís gushed happily and Tauriel looked at the small but sturdy woman in front of her. She had wild raven hair that like her brother was shot with strands of silver. Her piercing blue eyes that Fíli seemed to have inherited sparkled. All in all she and Thorin looked very much alike although Dís' face was finer and more delicate and she radiated warmth unlike her brother's stoic appearance.
"It's an honour to finally meet you too Mrs Durin." Tauriel told her and the woman laughed.
"Oh please," she waved, "call me Dís, Mrs Durin makes me sound so old!" and Tauriel laughed looking sideways at Kíli who gave her a huge grin. But before he could pick up her hand again, Dís intervened and put Tauriel's arm on her own.
"Come on, you've got plenty of people to meet." She said as she meandered her way to Thorin. Kíli hurried after her.
"Uh mum… I can…"
"Nonsense, it's your own fault for not bringing her around sooner." Dís scolded him and Tauriel laughed at his sad expression. While there was no doubt Kíli had a rebellious streak, it was nothing Dís couldn't handle. However she was rather grateful for having Kíli so close to her, who had promised to not leave her sight for the evening, especially as they got closer to Thorin. The man in question turned his brooding eyes their way as Bilbo stood beside him shifting his weight around with obvious glee.
Finally the two stood opposite each other. With her heels Tauriel had grown an extra few centimetres making her a full head taller than Thorin. But inside she felt so incredibly small as his ice blue eyes judged her. Nerves filled her body as she stuck out her hand hoping fervently that she wasn't shaking.
"Tauriel Greenwood." She said, relieved that her voice hadn't cracked. Thorin shook her hand but didn't break his eyes contact.
"Thorin Durin." He said rather brusque.
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir." She hastily said and felt herself suck in her breath as she waited for his response, trying desperately not to show the fear in her eyes. She felt that the people around her had done the same. Precious seconds ticked by and Tauriel started to feel more and more awkward. Then suddenly his lip curled and the robust man in front of her broke into a grin. He gave her hand another shake.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too Tauriel." He said and Tauriel couldn't resist her own smile of relief rise on her face.
"Thank you." She said and was happy to feel Kíli's hand in hers. He looked at her with utter happiness and similar relief. Thorin laughed at their expression
"I got you there." He said grinning and his sister rolled her eyes.
"I will never understand your humour brother."
"And I'd love to keep it that way," he replied, "that makes it so much more fun for me." And Dís gave him a playful shove. With Kíli's mother and uncle's approval, nothing seemed to be able to ruin their night.
The night passed with great splendor. Tauriel enjoyed all the food that was presented to her, trying all the different types of Ereborian cuisine, most of them heavy meat dishes. She couldn't resist stealing glances at Arwen's family, who were all vegetarians. But they seemed to enjoy themselves nonetheless and were happily engaging in the party. They were especially enamoured by Balin and Bilbo who had taken it upon them to entertain the standing out guests.
Kíli and Fíli had been fantastic hosts and she felt extremely content among them. Arild, Fíli girlfriend, was very animated and told Tauriel tales of the brothers from when they were teenagers. She was also very helpful in explaining what everything on her plate and beyond represented.
Dinner made way for desserts and Kíli had a field day making her try all his favourite puddings, cakes, sweets until she feared she but burst out of her dress. At this commented Kíli replied that, that would be a shame for the dress she was wearing looked fabulous, something he mentioned often throughout the evening. But, he added when the rest was distracted, he was sure she would look beautiful without it as well, if not more so. He gave her a playful wink and she, though very much flattered, attempt to hide her blush by drinking her champagne.
More and more ales seemed to pop up everywhere as people had, had their fill of sweets. It didn't take long for the background music to play louder and the make shift dance floor to fill up by guests dancing, although Tauriel wasn't exactly sure if she could call all of it dancing. At first the music was elegant and Kíli surprised her by effortlessly gliding her along the dance floor.
"You never told me you could dance like this too." She told him and he grinned remembering their first date, when he had dance with her at a club.
"Mum went through this phase where she wanted Fíli and I to be able to dance. I think we were still in our awkward teens and hated every minute of it, but I guess it did pay off." And Tauriel laughed.
"It definitely did!"
"Am I impressing you milady?" He teased.
"Aren't you always?" She replied and he laughed, pulling her closer to him so he could give her a swift kiss.
"Did you ever learn to dance?" He asked and she nodded.
"Yes, but not like this, it's a different type of dancing, very popular in our circles." He raised his eyebrows in curiosity.
"What's it like?"
"If difficult to explain, it's kind of like tap dance up not really. We call it Riverdance." She explained and he smiled.
"Can you show me?"
"Not right now, especially not in this dress. But I will show you show time when you come over and meet my friends, we all learned. Actually Elladan can dance it too." At the mention of her friend his face fell slightly and she noticed instantly. "What's wrong?"
"Are you and Elladan very close?" He asked softly as if embarrassed by his own question and Tauriel laughed.
"Oh dear, you're not jealous are you?"
"Maybe," he challenged, "it's sometimes just weird to think that there are people who have known you for so much longer than I have and who have shaped your life." He said stealing a glance at Elrond's tall handsome son, who was currently the centre of attention by most of the female in the hall.
"Elladan is a brother to me, we are very close but that's also because he saw me grown up, there's ten years between us. But I understand you Kíli, and I feel the same. Hearing Arild and your mother talk about you and your brother makes me almost feel sad to not have known you then, to share those experiences with you." At her response Kíli smiled and twirled her around before firmly pressing her against him.
"Then we should focus on the shared experiences we are making now." He murmured huskily into her ear. She grinned at him slightly flushed and kissed him.
The night went on with more alcohol and less proper dancing. Tauriel felt as if she slowly but surely started to enter a pub. Celeborn and Galadriel had taken their leave already and Elrond, Celebrían, and Elladan were about to do the same. But Tauriel was enjoying herself far too much to leave yet, and there was no way Kíli was going to let her leave yet anyway. So she said her good byes and told them to tell Arwen that she would call her the following day. She laughed as several women looked heart broken by Elladan's leave, while the men seemed to look hopeful at his removal, though they were disappointed to discover that Elladan had left a lasting impression that no other man could compete with at least for tonight.
To escape the heat and the ever-losing control party, the two young lovers went outside where they admired the stars and fire moon. Kíli wrapped his arms around her waist as they looked up.
"Have I told you yet how beautiful you look and how lucky I am to have you?" he asked her softly as he nuzzled his face in her neck, enjoying the sound of her giggle.
"Hmmm, I don't think you have yet." She replied laughing and he joined.
"Well then Tauriel," he whispered as he placed a kiss in her neck, "you are, the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld." He muttered between kisses going down to her collarbone and Tauriel felt herself shiver in delight, butterflies spreading through her body. She turned around to face her, her own love, lust, and happiness reflected in his eyes.
"You're very poetic tonight." She told him as she kissed his jawline.
"That's what happens when you find you're muse." He told her and she smiled against his skin. They looked at each other before crashing their lips together in a hungry kiss, her fingers travelling through his hair. After several minutes they broke apart for breath, their cheeks flushed, but their eyes were no less intense.
"Let's go home." He said and with a nod she wordlessly agreed.
They made their way through quick good byes and promises for meetings in the near future. Dís hugged her son and Tauriel tight as they gathered their belonging and invited them over for dinner in the next few days. Tauriel happily accepted the invitation, seeing in Dís a similar motherly figure that Celebrían had provide for her. But the couple couldn't get through the pleasantries fast enough and where relieved when they were finally in Kíli's car as he speed home.
Once they reached his apartment he had tried to calm himself down, but as he helped her out of the car he saw it was useless. There was currently one thing on his mind and that was getting her out of that dress. It had teased him the entire night, and Kíli, who prided himself at his self-control, had been finding it difficult to do exactly that, especially when she was looking at his suit with the same expression.
They had just entered the room and he closed the door when their kissing from the gardens resumed. He thought back on their night in Dale when he had taken her to the hill to see the stars. Those passion filled kisses had come back with even more need. As her hands found their way back into his hair he set himself the task of releasing hers from its bounds. Pin by pin did Éowyn's creation fall apart, falling a waving strands over her shoulder. How he loved her hair. He carefully removed her earrings afraid they might get tangled up while she worked on his tie.
Somewhere between his door and bedroom he'd lost his jacket and vest, while her shawl lay in a pile of the floor.
Reaching his bed he unceremoniously sat down on it and turned her around. With nimble fingers he found the hidden zipper and slowly pulled it down. Then he stood up again, loosening the halter of the dress, before sliding it off her. He turned her back to him. She was wearing an amused smile as he admired her body. Her fingers glided over the buttons of his shirt loosening them before he impatiently tried to shrug it off. Freed, her hands explored his broad chest, softly playing with the dark hairs that lay on it. He kissed her, moving down her neck to her collarbone, nibbling at her flesh as he went along, marking her as his. Within their dance of passion, he'd lost his pants and they lay together on his bed, an entanglement of limbs.
"Kíli." She breathed against his warm skin, holding him by his strong shoulders and he stopped what he was doing.
"Yeah?" he asked, his intense eyes on her and she swallowed her nerves away.
"I haven't… I have never… God, I am still a virgin." She told him, her cheeks colouring at red as her hair and she turned her head away from him, scared of his reaction. Then she heard him chuckle.
"Why?" he asked her softly, reaching out to stroke her face. "I am not going to lie, I am surprised."
"I just never found the right person." She told him, before trying to cover her face. 'It's stupid." She muttered. Kíli's hands found her and pulled them away from her face.
"Why are you embarrassed?"
"I don't know, I guess because everyone expects me not to be." Kíli's eyebrows furrowed together.
"But that shouldn't be embarrassing, I think it's anything but." Her head snapped back to him.
"Isn't it?" she asked rather harshly but Kíli smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
"Nope, not at all. In fact…" and he rose a bit, looking her deeply in the eyes. "Do you want to do this, because I don't want you doing anything you don't want to do? I can and will wait until whenever you feel you're ready." At that she smiled.
"But I am ready, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." and Kíli smiled.
"Well in that case I am very honoured milady." And she smacked him. "Ouch! What was that for?"
"Don't be cheesy." She told him and he laughed.
"You should know by now that cheesy is my middle name." and he kissed cheek again.
"You're a fool." She laughed and he grinned at her.
"But a cheesy fool."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
With one final look of confirmation, Kíli hands slid down her body, leaving shivers of pleasure down her spine. At first his touch and kisses were hesitant, asking for permission but when she responded with vigorous need of her own he complied and soon they were lost within each other. Every stroke and kiss led them further into a spiral of blissful passion, claiming each other as theirs and bonding together, creating memories to last them a lifetime.
Time passed what felt like days when they finally came to rest in each other's arms. They were grinning to each other like fools as Kíli covered them with him blankets. He reached forward and softly kissed her on her freckle-covered nose.
"Amrâlimê." He told her and she laughed.
"You still haven't told me what that means yet." She told him, giving him her best pout face and he laughed, kissing her again.
"It means 'my love'."
"It sounds beautiful." She said.
"As it should, you better get used to it."
"Oh, how so?" she asked and cheekily raised an eyebrow at him.
"Because I am going to be calling you that very often from now on." He told her and she kissed him.
"Sounds lovely." And with that they cuddled up together ready for sleep to take them.
As she started to fall asleep in Kíli's warm and strong arms, she hoped Legolas wouldn't be too worried at her not returning home for the night. Either way, she would explain everything tomorrow.