Kíli threw on his leather jacket and quickly descended the stairs of his apartment building. He was late. He had agreed to meet Tauriel at her place half an hour ago. Getting his bike from the garage, his fingers flew over his phone, texting her an apology en reassuring her he'd be there soon. He felt his blood boil.

Gimli had called him and told him what had happened during his mission. Of course the news of the recapture of Pelargir had travelled through the whole land. It has been a great victory. But he'd had no idea Gimli would in some way have been involved. Of course he had sworn secrecy on most of the information. But Gimli had asked him to rely some news to Tauriel from Legolas, which Kíli had found perfectly understandable. Apparently Legolas was in the infirmary and wasn't able to call Tauriel himself. However that wasn't the reason he was livid. No it was something else Gimli had told him. About Thranduil, who, as far as Kíli could tell, had masked his dangerous and failed mission on Gundabad, by calling it a 'business meeting.' On the one hand Kíli could understand the Mirkwood ruler and his heir. They loved Tauriel and went out of their way to protect her, both physically as well as mentally. But they continued to do so even when she didn't want to be left in the dark. She hated secrets when they involved danger to those she loved.

They always told each other everything, and there was no way he'd be able to hide this news from his love, but he honestly didn't want to. He hated being a messenger of bad news. He hated having to see her heart break in front of his eyes, her beautiful green eyes wide of disbelieve.

His bike roared to life beneath him. Quickly he tugged his helmet over his head and took off. He sped along, probably faster than he should have. Normally, when he reached the stage of feeling weightless on the road, all his worries lifted. Not today though. It almost seemed that the faster he went, the more desperately the worries tried to cling on to him, digging into his skin and his heart.

He arrived at the Mirkwood Estate out of breath, as if he'd just run several miles. He prayed to Mahal that she wouldn't immediately see something was wrong. He wanted her to have a good afternoon. They'd planned a quiet evening together, some delicious food, wine, maybe a movie. They had been very occupied lately with university and work. With the Christmas season around the corner, orders for jewellery were streaming in at Erebor Company. Thorin had asked Kíli to help with the designing and making of some of the orders. While Kíli enjoyed the work, it often meant he worked over time, and that, combined with his shifts at Café Bree, meant his schedule clashed with Tauriel's, thus they hadn't seen each other since the surprising dinner at Éowyn and Faramir, which frustrated him. And that was probably why he hated giving this bad news even more. He just wanted to spend some well-deserved happy quality time with his girlfriend.

The door of the manor was open slightly and through it came the most delicious smell. He knocked loudly before letting himself in.

"Tauriel?" He called.

"Kíli! There you are. I am sorry love, just come in, I can't leave the stove right now."

"It's fine!" He replied and slipped off his jacket. "How was your day?"

"Good, busy. I swear they are trying to squeeze in every possible assignment before the exams."

He strode through the large hall of a living room and into the kitchen. There Tauriel stood, bent over the stove, stirring something in a pan. When he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing himself into her, and planting a kiss in her neck. She squealed in delight. It was one of her ticklish spots, especially when he softly rubbed her neck with his scrubby beard.

"Why hello." She said cheerfully, and he mumbled a reply back while continuing to kiss her neck. She laughed more, trying to twist her way out of his grasp.

"I am hungry." He stated.

"It's almost done love." Tauriel reassured him and Kíli grinned. He twisted her at her waist so her backside hit the counter. He placed his hand on either side of her, essentially trapping her. A few spilled drops of sauce covered the floor.

"Kíli…" Tauriel groaned softly, but Kíli could see excitement in her eyes.

"I am not that kind of hungry." She raised an eyebrow, playing innocent.

"What kind of hungry do you mean?"

"This kind." He said simply before giving her a ravenous kiss, to which she responded fully. His hands slid up and down her body as her long elegant fingers entangled themselves in his long dark brown hair. When they paused for breath, Tauriel grinned at him, her eyes sparkling.

"I think this might need to simmer a bit longer." She said and turned the heat low.

Kíli's mind didn't allow for a more sophisticated response than giving a grunt in approval, before he picked her up and carried her to the couch, the bedroom was too far away. He wanted to make love to her right now. His body and mind needed her. He wanted to satisfy her, make her deliriously happy, and enjoy their time while they could. He was able to push away the bad news and his furious mood aside right now. That would have to come later, right now all he wanted was Tauriel, and only Tauriel.

Later, after they had finished their dinner, they sat together on the couch, watching the movie The Silmarillion, Tauriel's favourite. They sat snuggled up together. Kíli tried his best to follow along, but his mind had drifted elsewhere. He felt the pressure to tell her about Thranduil, it never was the right moment. How did one say that casually? 'Oh hey by the way Tauriel, Thranduil has lied to you.' No, he was in a shit situation and for the first time ever, he wanted to go home as fast as possible rather than enjoy every single second he could spend with his love.

Tauriel noticed his tensed body and looked up at him.

"Love what's wrong? You've been quiet all evening. Is something bothering you?"

He looked into her green sparkling eyes. He could not lie to those eyes, yet neither could he bring them pain. But she would know if he lied, and that wouldn't make him any better than Thranduil. So he sat up straight and cleared his throat.

"Actually, everything is not okay." He sighed. Tauriel responded immediately. She shot up straight, tensing, her eyes wide and she reminded Kíli of a deer in the forest that had sensed danger.

"What is it?" She asked, trying to level her voice.

"I don't know how to say it…" Kíli started.

"Just say it." She snapped. Kíli sighed again and rubbed his hand against his face before dragging it back through his brown tangles.

"It's about Thranduil."

"Oh…" And Tauriel relaxed back against the couch. "What's up with him? He's coming back this evening. I hope the meetings went well, well they better have, he has hardly communicated with me. I mean he's already bad at communicating in general, so when I mean he's been bad, it's actually been rather dreadful. Which actually surprised me because he has become rather good…"

"He wasn't at meetings!" Kíli almost shouted. Tauriel raised an eyebrow at him.

"Excuse me?"

"There was never any meeting. He lied to you."

"He lied to me?" she repeated and it seemed to take a few seconds to register, but when it did she narrowed her eyes at him. "And how do you know this?"

"Gimli told me before I came here, it's why I was late."

"Gimli told you…? Oh Valar! Where was he? What did he do? Is he still alive?" Tauriel's voice seemed to rise with every word and she grabbed on to his shirt.

"Thranduil led the forces in an attack on Gundabad. It was supposed to be a surprise attack but it failed. They suffered major losses. Thranduil thankfully is not among those."

Tauriel released him from her grasp and distanced herself on the couch. She pulled her knees to chest and pulled her fingers through her hair. Kíli so desperately wanted to gather her in his arms, protect her, sooth her. But he knew she needed her distance right now. And so he stayed silent, in the hopes it would help her collect her thoughts. And so they sat in silence, with her shallow breathing filling the air. Perhaps it was only minutes, but to Kíli it felt like hours, days going passed, perhaps even years before she finally broke it.

"Tell me everything." She didn't look at him, but stared in front of her to the lit fireplace, her chin resting on her knees.

And so Kíli told her everything Gimli had told him. About Legolas' presence during the secret mission in Pelargir and how they found out about Thranduil's mission. When he was done he ached to touch her but he didn't dare. She just nodded and fell back in silence. Thankfully it didn't last too long this time.

"Do you think Elrond knew about Thranduil?"

"Probably…"

"And Arwen?"

"I doubt that. Elrond wouldn't want Arwen to worry more than she is doing currently. Legolas didn't even know. Not many people will have known, being a secret mission and all."

"A secret mission with a rat…no two rats, you said Angamaitë knew about Gimli and Legolas' mission too?"

"Yeah, I guess that makes two."

"Fools." And then there is was, a slight tremor in her bottom lip, quivering slightly. But that tiny incontrollable movement was all Kíli needed. Within the blink of an eye he had her in arms as she burst into tears. And for the first time in their time together, Kíli had no idea how to make those tears go away.

Thranduil sighed heavily as his manor came into view. He and his driver had sat in silence since their departure from the airport and Thranduil had enjoyed it. He needed silence to collect his thoughts. He had a lot to do. The first thing he'd do when he arrived home, was to call Elrond. They would discuss extra protectionist measures. Elrond would suggest allowing the master Lothlórien archers to join the forces, as his father-in-law had suggested as well. But Thranduil would refuse the proposal as he had done for years. He hadn't been able to stop Legolas from fighting, but he would do anything – anything to make sure Tauriel didn't have to experience battle, ever. Then he would have to organise funerals, compensation and therapy sessions, as well as make sure all the medical expenses would be paid. He thanked Valar he had done the majority of those things at their camp. The majority of the soldiers were home, the rest reaching home tonight or tomorrow.

He felt angry, frustrated and guilty. Their plan had been perfect, absolutely perfect. There was a traitor among them. There had to be. Everything had been done in such secrecy. There was no other way. Thranduil hoped the traitor had found his grave in the battle a few days ago, but he knew that was wistful hoping. Of course the rat wasn't dead, but he would personally pull the trigger if he found out who it was.

He had heard of the death of Angamaitë, knowing exactly what had happened from Legolas. It was crucial for him to know everything so he could plan his next move.

The manor was dark, Thranduil saw in relief. Tauriel must have gone to bed. He still sported a nasty bruise on the side of his face and a slight limp that he hoped would be gone tomorrow morning after a good nights sleep. He thanked Feren, his driver and entered his home. Putting his bag down, he hung up his coat. Silently he went into the living room on his way to the kitchen. There was something strange in the corner of his eye and he twirled around to face it, his body tense. As he focused he was about to thank Valar that it wasn't dangerous when he realised this was possibly far worse.

A small table light was on, shining light onto part of the couch above which the portrait of Lemaril hung. Underneath a pair of grass green eyes were glaring daggers at him.

"Tauriel…" He whispered her name.

"Good evening." She replied but there was no warmth in her voice and a chill ran up his spine.

He pulled his face into a smile but even without seeing it he knew it looked incredibly fake, which was a pity, he usually was quite good at hiding his emotions under the mask of a smile.

"How was your week? Any new projects at school?" He was met with silence. Small talk wasn't his forte. He cleared his throat.

"Well I am glad to see the house is still intact." Her eye gave a smallest twitch. Wrong move, Thranduil cursed himself.

"Yes, thank god the house is, you're not." She said, her voice icy.

Thranduil sighed.

"Tauriel…"

"No! You lied to me! A business meeting? Business meeting!" She spat the words out as if they tasted bitter in her mouth. "Business…What am I? A six-year-old child that isn't allowed to know why dad away? You, of all people know how much I hate secrets… And still you purposely deceived me. Legolas didn't tell me where he was going but at least he didn't lie to me!"

"It was for your own good! I didn't want you to worry. It appears I've told too many people anyway."

"What? So you think I can't keep a secret? You think I'd blab?"

"That's not what I meant!"

"Then what? Because you are under the impression I am some fucking damsel in distress?"

"You're not strong enough!"

"You bloody well raised me! I know danger. I know what war means!"

"No you don't! You never will either! You Silvans can't deal with the real meaning of danger and death!"

"Excuse me? What? This is all because I am Silvan? What the bloody hell? I didn't get a choice where I was born, but that doesn't make me a weakling!"

"Well you are! And always will be! I do not need to justify my actions. I didn't think, no, I know you're not capable of handling the situation. Done!"

"Then I am done here too! And with that Tauriel twirled around and stormed away.

"Where are you going?" Thranduil shouted after her.

"Leaving!" She shouted back and around away. But right before she went out the door she turned back once more. "Next time I hope the rat does a better job. It failed this time."

She didn't wait to hear Thranduil's furious reply back.

Kíli had been waiting for her the whole night. He knew her confrontation wouldn't end well, and so he wasn't surprised to hear his doorbell ring a bit past midnight. There by the door Tauriel stood, tears of anger and sadness dried on her cheeks. She had a large bag with her, strapped over her shoulder.

"Can I stay here?" she almost whispered the question. Kíli didn't even hesitate to wrap his arms around her, and kissed her brow.

"As long as you like love."

Éowyn moved her hand from her face. It had fallen asleep as she tried to support her head against the railing on the arrivals gate at the airport. They had stood there for almost two hours after sitting at the café behind them for another three. She was tired and hungry and tried desperately not to lash out at Faramir because of it. It was hardly his fault Nashwa's plane had been delayed for so long. Neither was it his fault that she'd been held up and questioned by security. Éowyn was willing to bet anything Nashwa had the right forms, she, Faramir, and Aragorn had made sure of it and checked constantly. Now some son of a bitch had singled out Nashwa and her baby son Echtelion to pick on. The guard better count his blessings that he was on the other side of the gate where she couldn't reach him, and she was decent enough not to cross the barrier… yet. Her blood pressure was rising by the second. She could practically hear the baby cry in discomfort as Nashwa tried to calm him down, while trying to answer everything the guard fired at her in her broken common tongue.

Her eyes travelled to the clock above her. She'd tried to stop checking it, but the temptation was too great. She sighed loudly in frustration. Five and a half hours! She was going to strangle that idiot. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up into Faramir's blue green eyes. He looked amused. The bastard.

"Patience has never been your strong suit, has it?"

"I can be patient, I have been patient… but now I can't, not anymore, and not like this."

"It won't be long I'm sure. They are running out of questions by now."

"You said the same thing an hour ago."

"I can't think of anymore questions now."

"It's the child I am most worried about, he's been crying for half an hour."

"It will all be fine. Just a patient a little longer."

"If you ask me, I'll try my best." She said sighing. Faramir's hand found hers and lifted it to his lips to kiss.

"It'll be okay love."

"I hope so."

Several more minutes passed and Éowyn couldn't help but dramatically slump over the railing.

"Oh dear Béma! I am done! I'll be back soon. It's time to get uncle's sword. I can't believe you didn't allow me to bring it in the first place."

"I highly doubt the security would appreciate you stomping in here with a family heirloom. Besides you wouldn't want Théoden's reputation to suffer." Éowyn raised an eyebrow at him.

"In what way exactly?"

"News of the day! Niece of Rohirrim Institute speared several security guards with her family's heirloom sword."

"You forgot to mention it was an accident…" Éowyn grumbled and Faramir laughed, which made her laugh too. Right then the guard let Nashwa pass.

"Oh Béma! Finally!" She exclaimed.

It wasn't long before Nashwa came into the arrival hall, pushing a trolley with luggage in front of her. Baby Echtelion was strapped to her chest. He had stopped crying.

The three young adults looked at each other in silence. Through letters and phone calls they had been in contact with Nashwa, and Éowyn had felt like she got to know the young woman. But now standing across from her, she suddenly felt an awkward feeling and she wasn't quite very what to say. What could possibly appropriate?

"Welcome to Gondor Nashwa." Faramir finally said in his soothing voice and Éowyn mentally slapped herself. That was rather appropriate. Nashwa's emerald green eyes were wide and tense at first. But then they seemed to relax and she gave them a small shy smile.

"Thank you." She said and suddenly a single tear rolled down her tanned cheek. "Thank you for everything, for saving me." Éowyn didn't know how she could reach Nashwa fast enough, and to the surprise of the Haradrim woman, she was engulfed in a hug. This led to even more tears being shed.

"Don't worry about a thing! We will take care of you and protect you. You are part of our family now." Éowyn reassured the young mother.

Faramir smiled as he took over Nashwa's luggage and looked on happily as Éowyn started to coo over the baby boy. It hurt him deeply that his brother was not there to witness this scene. It had hurt even more that he had kept it secret from him. But perhaps the gods had willed it this way. The only thing Faramir could say that this moment had given him back the feeling of true happiness and he knew Boromir's spirit was there to witness it.