-Yule Morning-

Christmas morning had arrived. Tauriel awoke slowly. Her limps were entangled together with Kíli's under two layers of thick, checker white and red blankets. Tauriel lazily stretched herself and rose. Softly she untangled her arms and legs from Kíli's, careful not to wake him. As soon as she left his arms, he shifted, appearing unhappy at the lack of body. He then curled himself in the blankets and settled back into a soft snoring sleep. Tauriel smiled at him. His long hair was in disarray but his face peaceful. His dark short stubble beard contrasting with his light skin and his long dark lashes splayed his cheeks. He looked like a sweet yet strong angel. For a second Tauriel debated whether to actually leave his strong and warm arms, but then she gracefully slipped out and towards the window. She moved aside the curtain and peered outside and was greeted by the Durin garden completely covered in a new thick layer of snow. Happy butterflies filled her stomach and she propped her head up to stare at the falling small snowflakes. Looking at the light, Tauriel judged it to be the beginning of the morning, the whole house was still quiet.

She didn't know how long she was staring outside, but after what seemed like blissful hours, she heard small movements in the house, faint signs of life in the Durin household. She heard someone go downstairs. Based on the heavy footfalls she was pretty sure it was Thorin. She quickly slipped into her jumper and jeans. She loosened her braid and gathered her hair into a bun. Then she walked out of their room, almost tripping on her new bright red Dragon's Lair bra, that Kíli had admired and then hastily discarded when they went to bed last night.

She descended the large stairs to the main lobby. Happily she saw that all the decorative lights had been turned on, the huge Christmas tree by the stairs shining bright. Softly her ears picked up a low deep humming. It was a cheerful Christmas tune. Tauriel smiled, poor Thorin had been listening to the radio too much, Christmas songs stuck in his head. She had never imagined him to hum so very happily to those songs. Suddenly she wondered whether it was a good idea to join him and disturb his peaceful happy moment. Yet his tone also sounded inviting and she was longing for a cup of his famous hot chocolates. She met Thorin in the kitchen. He was wearing a large rough knitted burgundy sweater that Tauriel assumed was a present from Bilbo at one point, remembering when Bilbo told her he loved to knit in his spare time. Thorin hadn't trimmed his beard yet and his mane still looked a bit wild. Despite his singing he still looked a bit grumpy, perhaps nursing a bit of a hangover after last night's party. The eggnog was quite dangerous Tauriel had found out. He turned on the coffee machine and then noticed her standing there.

"Good morning." His voice sounded a bit rough.

"Good morning!" She answered, trying not to sound too cheerful. She knew that could get on people's nerves. But he merely nodded, a ghost of a smile on his face. Then he nodded at the machine.

"Want coffee as well?" Tauriel shook her head at first but then started to reconsider. Maybe this wasn't the best time to ask for a hot chocolate.

"Well, what do you want then?"

"No, actually I'll have coffee…"

"Nay, you wanted something else. What do you want?"

"Well actually…" she felt nervous and started to twirl her hair. "I've heard great things about your hot chocolate. But if you rather not I'll be very happy with coffee."
"You Greenwoods are too damned polite. You want a hot chocolate, you get a hot chocolate! Don't tiptoe around me."

"Only if you're sure…"

"Absolutely! Sit down there." He huffed and pointed to the bar on the kitchen island. Hesitantly Tauriel sat down and observed him make his coffee and her hot chocolate. They stayed silent for a while until he looked at her, a sneaky grin on his face.
"Guess you want marshmallows as well?" Tauriel's face lit up completely at the mention of marshmallows. Thorin had to laugh at her huge smile and sparkle in her eyes, like a child being given the biggest ice cream that was on offer.

"Oh yes please!" And it was that look of pure joy that Thorin could really understand why Kíli had fallen for her so badly, he completely understood. With a smile of his own he put the steaming cup in front of her.

"There yeh go madam." He said and she grinned back and very carefully took a sip.

Thorin always, absolutely always, used dark chocolate when making his hot chocolate. The rich and bitter flavour would wake you up, with just a sweet after taste. If Thorin could he would always drink it this way, but over time to please the rest of the family, he had perfected his recipe to include milk and a spoonful of honey, to make it a bit lighter. It was the darkest, and most bitter hot chocolate Tauriel had ever tasted, but it was at the same time it was delicious. Usually she found most hot chocolates to be too sweet, but this was amazing. The marshmallows just topped it off perfectly.

"It's fantastic!" She told him, and Thorin smiled, his smile slightly arrogant.

"Of course it is. Anything us Durin's make is perfect." He raised an eyebrow, asking her to challenge him, but she was too fond of her new drink to take the bait. So instead he turned to the fridge. The normally full fridge was now filled up to the max, anything more and it might explode. He started going through it to find something to eat this early in the morning that would help wonders with a hungover headache, that wasn't sweet. Tauriel looked at him amused as he went through all the selves. Her eyes lit up when she saw something.

"Oh, is there still cake?" Thorin turned to look at her in surprise.

"Yeh want cake? Now? Don't need something stronger for that headache?" Now Tauriel looked at him confused.

"Headache? I don't have one."

"Yeh don't? You drink more than Kíli, and he can drink!"

"I can handle it better than he does." Tauriel said with a sly smile.

"So yer fine?" Thorin asked again.

"Yes, perfectly fine."

"No headache?"

"No." and Thorin shook his head. He muttered under his breath, but Tauriel was willing to swear he said something along the lines of 'bloody elves'. And she laughed.

"Then why are you up so early?"

"I just woke up Thorin, I am well rested." Again he shook his dark head. With a shrug of defeat, he picked up the tray with at least a quarter of the entire cake still balanced on it. From behind him he grabbed a fork and put it in front of her.

"There yeh go, miss-I-don't-feel-anything-after-last-night." With a mocking bow Tauriel accepted the towering cake remains.

"Thank you sir-I-can't-hold-my-liquor." And Thorin burst out a laugh, and started to gather all the ingredients he needed. It didn't take long before, to Tauriel an insanely amount of bacon, sausages, and eggs were crackling in a pan, awaited for four slices of browned toast.

Triumphantly Thorin placed his ready-made plate opposite her together with his second black coffee.

"Now this is a Yule morning breakfast!" he said and without waiting her answer dug not so elegantly into his food. Tauriel laughed at him, as she too dug into her cake, taking small sips of the hot chocolate after every bite. They ate quietly for a few minutes.

"When will we open the presents?" Tauriel asked him and Thorin gave her a grin as he swallowed his bacon.

"Excited are you?"

"Of course, especially to see if you like my presents. We do it very differently at home."

"Yer a smart lass, I am sure yeh made the right choices. How do yeh celebrate at home?"

"Well, we only celebrate it one day, so yesterday. We start off giving presents and then finish with a feast." Thorin snorted.

"How very efficient…" And Tauriel laughed.

"You can understand how weird it is for me that you all drag it out for days." And Thorin shrugged his shoulders.

"Why only have one party when you can have three?"

"I never said I didn't enjoy this." Tauriel laughed giving him a wink with her bright green eyes. With her cheeky grin and naughty eyes she looked so much like Feredir it hurt Thorin's heart. The fact that she had her mother's thick and long red hair, made people assume she looked like her. Instead she was a mix of both. Her slim figure and sharp nose covered with freckles definitely came from Meriliel, however her taller and strong physique, as well as her slim wide mouth and almond shaped bright green eyes were a copy of Feredir's. Her flaming temper came from her mother, but the witty humour was something her father had been famous for with the people he knew. The Forrest's had been great people. Usually people from the Greenwood area weren't Thorin's type, it had been hard enough to endure Thranduil when they had worked together. There was just something about them that made Thorin uncomfortable, and made his skin crawl. But not Feredir and Meriliel. They had been down to earth, kind and open-minded. At the same time, they were tough, strong and intelligent. All skills required when in charge of the Greenwood guards and Thranduil's second man. Even though Thorin and Thranduil had already gone their separate ways years before, Thorin had been shaken when he heard of their untimely deaths. Looking at this young, proud and intelligent woman in front of him, Thorin felt something he hadn't felt in a very, very long time. He felt admiration for Thranduil for raising such a woman. If it hurt him at times when interacting with Tauriel when she reminded him of his dear friends, for Thranduil, who saw it daily, it must have been horrible. All of them owed it to Feredir and Meriliel to care and look after their daughter.

"You should talk to yeh father lass." Tauriel's eyes grew in confusion at the sudden change in topic and tone. She let his words sink in and felt anger bubbling in her stomach. Her eyes narrowed.

"He's not my father." She said coldly and Thorin sighed, earning him a harsh glance.

"But he is, he raised you into the woman you are today. He is always trying to protect you."

"I am 21 Thorin, soon 22. I know I am young, but I am not a child anymore. I don't want nor need constant protection. I am a grown woman and not as oblivious to the dangers in this world as Thranduil thinks. I know it's a dark place." She said and her last words chilled Thorin's bones. It sounded very bitter, too bitter for a girl with her life.

"You have to accept lass, that parents or guardians try to protect the kids they raise, even when they are old enough to care for themselves. If I could I would kill anyone that tries to hurt my nephews…anyone." He paused, his ice blue eyes piercing into her. Then he relaxed himself, giving her an almost puppy-eyed look, showing Tauriel from where in the family Kíli had gotten it from.

"It's Yule time, time to be together with family. A time to put the past behind us." Now it was Tauriel's turn to sigh.

"I know that Thorin, and I have thought about it. But it's been lie after lie and so many secrets, even more than I probably know…and I am tired of it. He needs to understand how much it hurts me and I need more time to forgive him. You of all people should understand that." Thorin gave a cold laugh.

"Oh lass it's been 25 years, and I haven't forgiven him yet." Tauriel couldn't help but truly laugh at that statement.

"Well we can't all be that stubborn."

"Absolutely not!" Tauriel and Thorin both turned to the new voice. Kíli was standing behind them, unruly hair, wearing fitting jeans and a chic jumper. Tauriel had the urge to drag him back upstairs and enjoy the rest of the morning in bed. But she could never be that bold in Thorin's own home. So she settled just to look at him. As Kíli got closer he caught her longing stare and winked.

"Missed chance. Don't leave the bed so earlier next time." Earning him a laugh from her and an uncomfortable cough from his uncle. Looking back at Thorin, Kíli saw his uncle's plate and eagerly made his way to the stove to make his own.

As the sausages hissed in the pan he looked over at his love.

"Would you like some too?" Tauriel smiled and shook her head.

"I already had some cake love, and after last night, my stomach could do with a little break." Kíli shrugged an okay and focused on his cooking. Thorin had made himself and Tauriel another cup of coffee.

"What is your family doing now Tauriel?" He asked and her thoughts went to Arwen and Thranduil.

"Arwen and her whole family celebrated Christmas yesterday. They always spend the day doing charity work and in the evenings dining formally together. It's a very special time for them. Although I am sure it must be difficult for her this year. Aragorn hasn't come back from the front so I am sure she's worried sick. I am here, because I want to be, but also because of Thranduil, so while I know she understands, that must also have disappointed her. I hope I can make it up to her during New Years." Tauriel sighed. "She told me Thranduil didn't come this year. Legolas also stayed in Mordor with Aragorn and Gimli. And with me not being there, I'm sure he's miserable, drinking his evening away, as usual." The last came out with a sneer and Thorin and Kíli gave each other a look of concern. Tauriel took a deep breath before smiling back at Thorin.

"It's a mess basically. But I guess even without the fighting, that's what happens when we all start to leave the nest and create lives of our own. Everything will become a bit tangled up and messy."

Thorin gave her a thoughtful look. Here was that down to earth reasoning that the Forrest's were known for.

"Yes," he grumbled thoughtfully, "everything is messy indeed." But before they could talk any further, Dís and Dwalin had come downstairs, with Fíli and Arild following suite. Neither Tauriel nor Thorin saw Kíli's own poundering gaze as he had looked at his uncle. There was something in his words that chilled him. Something was not completely right. But his family didn't allow him to deepen his thoughts and soon enough the words 'presents' had captured his inner child.

They all assembled their chairs and thick pillows by the Christmas tree to start giving their gifts. As head of the household Thorin started. His first present was in a little box, wrapped in blue fabric. Gently he handed it over to his sister with a lovely kiss to her brow. Smiling Dís unwrapped her gift to reveal a sapphire pendant surrounded by small diamonds, hung from a delicate chain. She looked at Thorin with slight surprise.

"I recognize this!" She said and Thorin smiled.

"It was mother's, but I had it resized for you." Small tears entered Dís' eyes and she gave him a hug.

"Thank you."

Thorin's next gift for Fíli was more a symbolic one. Fíli had looked slightly puzzled when he pulled a large heavy key from his gift box. His uncle had laughed and held his nephew's shoulder tight.

"It's the key to yer new office lad." Fíli's eyes grew large.

"My own?"

"Aye! You'll need the space with this new adventure of yours. I'm sure you'll make me proud…" If he had wanted to say anything, he couldn't because Fíli had wrapped his uncle into a back-breaking bear hug. Laughed he messed up his golden locks. "Alright! Keep me alive will ye!"

For Kíli he had made a large Ereborian sword. Kíli couldn't stop smiling from excitement at the prospect of trying out his latest weapon. It was long, with a wide blade. In the middle the blade elegantly narrowed before widening again, ending in a thick cut edge. It was a beautiful but also modern and angular. A style that fit Kíli perfectly. Tauriel knew that the beginning of spring marked a new sword battle season in which Kíli, Fíli, and also Éowyn and Éomer participated. This new sword would certainly be used.

After giving Dwalin and Arild their gifts, Thorin finally turned to Tauriel, and she was excited to see what he had planned for her. It was only the past few weeks that they had truly gotten to know each other, so she wasn't expecting anything as amazing and personal as he had gotten the others. Thorin, she had discovered, despite his harsh exterior was a great gift giver. His striking blue eyes looked at her.

"Now for you, lass, I had originally planned to give you something else, but I had to change my mind at the last minute. I hope you can forgive me that it's not wrapped." Tauriel looked at him in confusion as did the others, particularly when he turned and walked out of the room without another word. She looked at Kíli for any explanation, but he shrugged his shoulders. Not long after, Thorin returned, a beautiful black stone box in his hands. Around her she heard murmurs of understanding, although she was still at loss. None the less she received the box with all her grace.

"Welcome to our weird family Tauriel Forrest Greenwood." Thorin said, and she felt touched that he had spoken all of her names. With a smile she turned her attention to the box, that was rather heavy for it's size. But looking at it closely she saw it was decorated with alternating black and white marble squares that she would recognise anywhere. It was a chess set. She carefully opened the lid and saw small delicately carved chess pieces in white and black stones. It wasn't as ornate was the one she had played with last night but simple and far more her taste. It reminded her of the wooden set Thranduil owned.

"After our game yesterday I believe you earned it. Us Durin's like to collect chess sets. I believe this one comes from the Blue Mountains."

"Thank you Thorin. I don't know what to say, it's simply gorgeous. I will treasure it." Tauriel said and smiled at the usually intimidating man.

"There's no need to thank me. Keep practising with Kíli, perhaps one day he'll beat me." This earned him an impolite remark from his youngest nephew. He looked at her once more. "You are more than just a pawn in this game Tauriel, don't forget that." He said but Tauriel didn't get a chance to question that remark as he turned to Fíli to signal it was his turn. And so the question on her lips quickly disappeared and she was swept up in the Durin festivities.

From Fíli and Arild she received a beautiful golden clasp for in her hair. It had a leaf motif and lavender-like flowers, set with white stones. Tauriel knew instantly she could wear this with the beautiful crème and gold dress she bought for Éowyn and Faramir's wedding.

What perhaps had delighted her the most was her gift from Dís and Dwalin. She couldn't contain her smile when she pulled the emerald green material from its box. It was her own Durin Christmas jumper. Dís' expert hands had woven the soft but warm thread into a comfortable fitted jumper with a pattern of large and smaller silver snowflakes along her chest. She had never owned such a jumper in her life, and Thranduil and even the Rivendell's wouldn't be caught dead wearing one, but Tauriel loved it with all her heart. To the delight of everyone she quickly changed into it and nestled happily in Kíli's arms as she watched everyone one her gifts. She has been nervous beforehand, hoping they would be personal enough. She didn't have to worry. Everyone loved their gifts. Fíli expertly started to try out his new daggers, and Thorin immediately used the opportunity of the new glass to pour himself a stronger drink. He smiled with true delight as he saw the mountain in his glass.

"This is beautiful. Thank you Tauriel." He said and Tauriel made sure to treasure that rare smile.

Arild and Dís quickly huddled together to see how they could use their new spices and cookbook and it didn't take long before an entire dinner menu was thought out.

"Please ma!" Kíli pleaded, "I am getting hungry just hearing all of that!" He turned to Tauriel.

"I still have to give you my gift." He said and Tauriel smiled.

"So do I."

"Ladies first." He said with a wicked smile on his face. Laughing Tauriel handed him his gift.

Carefully he unwrapped the burgundy wrapping and opened the black box inside. Then he grew very still as he saw the gloves, drawing the attention of everyone. Tauriel immediately grew worried. Perhaps she had overstepped a boundary.

"Kíli… I am sorry if… if this wasn't the right choice… I don't want to replace him…" As she muttered Kíli had turned to her, emotion clearly visible in his eyes.

Tauriel…" he said, his voice rough, but he couldn't finish his sentence, so he kissed her. There were no interruptions. What Tauriel hadn't known, was that every person in the room, had once either offered or given him new archery gloves. But every time he had refused them. This time, when gifted from someone who truly knew the sport and loved it and him with equal passion did he finally accept them. He lay his forehead on hers for a few seconds. Then his brown eyes locked with hers.

"Thank you love." And with that Tauriel softly kissed his brow.

As if awoken from a trance, Kíli turned back to his cheerful self.

"Now time to open yours!" He smiled and gave Tauriel the navy blue box.

Delicately she opened it and gasp at its content.

On a black velvet display lay the silver charm necklace. A star cut diamond, wrapped by a single thorn branch. It was simply stunning.

She looked up into Kíli hopeful eyes.

"It's gorgeous my love." She said and gave him a kiss. Kíli beamed at her.

"I am glad you like it! Designed and made it myself. Here let me put it on you." And he swiftly moved around around her, delicately pulled her hair to one side and fastened de clasp. Then he admired her. "It fits you perfectly." He was about to kiss her again, when Thorin spoke up.

"Alright! Enough with all the mush. I have one more gift to give you all. They are from Bilbo who wants to wish us all a Happy Yule." With blushes on their cheeks, Kíli and Tauriel parted. Everyone eagerly looked at the packages that Thorin handed out. They all had a little name card on them.

"How sweet of Bilbo." Dís voiced as she opened hers. Out of every package came a lovely quilted blanket. Tauriel couldn't believe how beautiful and soft they were. Everyone had their own colour combinations. Hers looked like the colours of fall, with beautiful greens, reds, gold and oranges. Several of the squares were embroidered with some of her favourite things. A tree, bow and arrow, stars and the herb Athelas, also known as King's Foil, to show her healing ambitions. Kíli's had a variety of blue's, brown's and silver, with a varying array of motives. He grinned at her.

"At least we don't have to share, you blanket hogger." To which Tauriel maturely stuck out her tongue.

Dís stood up.

"Alright! Time for some lunch!" and within seconds she disappeared into the kitchen, followed by Arild. It didn't take long before large plate where brought make into the room. Large platters full of left overs from last night. Its wouldn't have surprised Tauriel if the left overs would be on the menu for the next week or so.

The company spend the next of the afternoon entertaining themselves with some games and movies. At one point the photo albums of young Fíli and Kíli were brought into the room for their girlfriends to squeal over. How adorable those boys had looked, and how hilarious their red faced looked now as they desperately pleaded for their mum to put them away.

Kíli at one point muttered angrily at Tauriel.

"I swear, she does this every year. She loves to poke the dragon." Tauriel laughed.

"You and Fíli are anything but dragons."

"Okay fine, we're not Smaug, or Thranduil…" the last he said with a sly look.

"Thranduil isn't one either, I'll say that." Tauriel said, taking the bait.

"No you're right love. Say, he'll be at Bard's New Years Party right?" Kíli asked. She nodded her head.

"Yes, he and Bard are quite close. Honestly I think one of his few friends, excluding Elrond and Celeborn that is. So yes he will be there." Before Kíli could say anything else Tauriel interrupted him, giving him a look with those vibrant green eyes.

"I know what you want to ask love. And I promise I will talk to him before that." Kíli gave her a surprised but happy smile. "Your uncle and I talked about it earlier this morning. I didn't want to hear it then, but he was right. It's a beautiful time of year and I don't want to go into the new year fighting. So I will swallow my pride and talk to him." Delicately Kíli picked up her hand, looking at her warmly. He kissed her hand.

"I am glad to hear it love. I know he's very difficult, exhausting at most times. But he is a good man to you, in his own special way."

Tauriel snorted at the word 'special' and Kíli laughed, poking her new Christmas jumper. "A very special snowflake."

A tickling battle ensued with the whole Durin clan joining in after a while.

Finally, as the sun had set yet again, people started to pack their bags again to make their way home through the snow. Kíli and Tauriel warmly said their goodbyes, receiving huge bear hugs from Thorin and Dís, that even Beorn couldn't rival.

"We will see you all again soon my dears." Dís said, almost teary eyed. She was so happy to she her boys so happy with their lives and partners. It is what parents lived for, she thought. Making sure that their children were happy and healthy. Nothing could make her feel better. Despite all the potential misgivings in the family, Tauriel was a great new addition to the family, and a great partner for her wild child Kíli.

As she engulfed the young woman she told her exactly that.

"If ever you need help or advice my dear, or just a warm cup of tea, you know where to find me." She said, gaining a warm smile from Tauriel.

Then finally, they pulled their scarves tight and threw their helmets on. Before long the pair was cruising through the snow-lit night.

Back at home, Kíli pulled her close on the couch. He stroked strands of her long hair, twirling it with his finger.

"You know what?" He said and Tauriel turned her head to look at him, as she rested on his chest.

"What love?"

"I like it that you live here."

"I do too Kíli."

"I want you and Thranduil to make up soon but…"

"Hmmm yes..?" Kíli sat up a bit straighter.

"Would you like to stay living here with me?" He asked and felt his heart skip a beat when she smiled brightly at him.

"I would like that very much Kíli, very much." Kíli smiled at her too.

"I am glad to hear it! I can't imagine my life without you waking up beside me every morning."

"Neither can I." Tauriel and gave him a long kiss.

With the New Year Celebrations literally around the corner, both felt the next year would be a great one, with both of them together.

He had sat in his green leather armchair. All the candles on the table had been lit surrounding a now empty plate. He sat slouched in the chair, looking to any outsider haughty and arrogant. But the person staring at him, knew he wasn't either, not truly in his heart.

Wine swirled around in his glass. Occasionally he took large gulps of it, while always appearing elegant. He had forgotten how many glasses he'd had. Thranduil's lips formed into a scowl. He hadn't spent Christmas day alone in a very long time. And despite the fact that he had chosen this isolation by himself, he truly did not like it. His face and limp had healed over the past weeks. But there were more wounds waiting to be healed.

"I know." He mumbled at Lemaril portrait as her knowing grey eyes bored into him. "I know I was wrong. I am just worried for her. She's… she's my daughter, the child we could never have…" He had to stop himself from falling into that pit of grief and regret. He didn't want to be reminded of the time when he and Lemaril heard that they wouldn't be able to get more children after Legolas. At the time he had thought that that pain had been unbearable. How wrong he had been. With another gulp of wine, he pushed those thoughts away. He just hoped Tauriel was alright. With Legolas gone, they needed each other, they were family after all. He owed it to Feredir and Meriliel to make things right again. Now was not the time to be prideful.

He stood up, straightening himself on the armchair to keep him balance. Before turning towards the stairs and his waiting bed, he looked at his beloved wife one more time.

"I will talk to her, my love."