Hello~~ wanted to post this earlier in the day...just got caught up with stuff :/ A sweet chapter...*NOTE: mature themes though. Now you get to find out Jackie :) Thanks to all my readers and the lovely reviews from the last chapter- enjoy!

Chp 45

She headed back to the infirmary which meant going back by the kitchens and through the Great Hall. There may be a quicker route, but she wanted to get to Oin in the infirmary so she thought it best not to take more time getting lost right now. The kitchen and dining halls were still bustling places and everyone nodded at her in a friendly way that she happened to pass by. She made her way to the Great Hall where some dwarves were already sizing up the columns and vast ceiling high overhead, presumably looking for structural defects, thought Tauriel. She got to the middle of the Great Hall and turned to go right and through some large doors. The next hallway was where the Guard Room and infirmary was off of. There were some stouter look dwarves coming in and out of the guard room. They nodded at her curtly and remembering Dwalin's usual disposition, she thought that just might be the way with some dwarves.

She remembered the infirmary was opposite the guard room, as she had helped fix Nott up the other day, so she turned North and went through the large doors on that wall. She realized this front area was like a triage room. There were many cots in rows, with a little table and simple chair by each one. Off to the side of this room was a few smaller rooms, she didn't remember much from the other day as she was busy and distracted in her task. Then at the back of the room there was a long hallway with many doors on each side off of it. A few dwarves were going in and out of them, but didn't seem to notice her.

She decided to walk towards the few rooms on her right. "Hello?" she called. The first room had many many rows of wooden shelves. Most of the shelves were empty, but there were a few vials, small boxes, cups, jars and some of the glass bottles did contain either liquid or solid substances, she noted. This is where they keep their medicinals, and they are sorely lacking in many important compounds. She thought when she goes out into the forest tomorrow with Bilbo she may be able to find some things of use to bring back.

No one was in that room, so she peeked into the next one, it looked like a small office. There was a desk, but mostly the room was crammed with dusty wooden bookcases filled with also dusty, and ancient looking tomes. There was one more room and when Tauriel entered she realized this was the surgery room she had worked on Nott in. It had been cleaned and tidied up since this day. There was no other choice but to start walking down the back hallway, so that's what she did. In the first room to the left off the hallway she peeked in the door and no one was there except a sleeping dwarf lying in the bed with his foot in sling, suspended from the ceiling.

She looked to her right then and there was another dwarf moaning low, laying on the bed and the dwarf sitting next to him and attending to him was one of the dwarves that had helped her and Oin with Nott. She knocked on the door quietly and slowly entered the room, "Hello?" she said also in a quiet tone. The dwarf sitting in the chair got up quickly, a little startled, but said "Lady Tauriel, it is very nice to see you again. If I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last time, I am Till, son of Toon. Thank you for keeping your promise of returning to help us."

The dwarf moaned a little louder and they both looked down at him. Till sighed and tried to arrange his bandage so he could be a little more comfortable. When he stood up again he was frowning, Tauriel asked him what was wrong. Till replied quietly, "Tis Thorin III, Dain's son. I'm afraid there's not much more we can do for him until we get the proper herbs. He must be in awful pain. I wish there was more I could do to help him," he said downcast. Tauriel patted Till on the shoulder and looked at him kindly, "You are good soul, Till, for I can tell you do care for all living things and I know you would do more if you could. Take heart...for I will do what I can to help him too." Till sniffed and brightened up a little bit, he said, "I will fetch Master Oin and let him know you're here." He quickly left the small room, leaving Tauriel there with dwarf. He moaned a little bit, every now and then and seemed in too much discomfort to notice her. He had a large bandage strapped across his belly and Tauriel could see from the old blood staining it, that Thorin III had probably sustained a belly wound during the battle, and did indeed not have much more time, in this condition, if she only had some athelas, she thought...

In only a few moments later, Oin and Till came back and waved Tauriel out into the hallway and back to the triage room. Oin whispered, "There a'bou forty ter so here in the infirmary, the more serious cases here on this side. Gashes, slashes, cut wounds, missing limbs and the like are most of 'em. Obviously many were lost during the battle and have already been entombed in the Shrine of the Fallen, deep inside the mountain. You may remember that's where we had taken Kili and Fili and Thorin's bodies," he coughed, as not wanting to bring up bad memories for Tauriel, but quickly continued. "So these others that are left, I've...I've done what I can for them. The twenty lads that came with me earlier today 'twill definitely be a help. But I'm afraid what we need now is more medicine. Twasn't much here to begin with...most were old and dried up and of no use. And many of these are just lads and couldn't identify a wooly hemlock more than a wooly bear..." He sighed, "still...I'm grateful for the help, but I can't do much more for those that are suffering unless I get the proper medicines."

Tauriel smiled and said, "I shall be glad to see what I can do for them while I'm here, but most likely I will be venturing out into the forest tomorrow and can see what I can find." Oin seemed overjoyed and bowed to Tauriel, as did Till. Tauriel smiled back at them. "Our Master Hobbit has discovered the gardens and is in an immense hurry to find things to plant there, so we will be out gathering many plants so I am happy to look for whatever you need," she said. Oin clapped his hands and said, "Wonderful, wonderful! I'd go myself, but I'm afraid to leave these lads here all alone with some of the more serious cases. I've heard there might be a few older healers traveling with the group from the Blue Mountains, so that will also be of help, but yes, any medicinals you can find will be wonderful!" he said again. "Oh, and Lady Tauriel, would it be too much trouble if young Till came with you on your forage? He's very much interested in plants and is eager to help." Tauriel looked at the young dwarf and said, "Yes, of course you may come Till." He eagerly bowed to her which Tauriel returned. "Meet us in the Gallery of Kings after breakfast and we shall set out...well, I must get Kili's permission first, of course, but I don't foresee a problem," she said.

For the next few hours, Tauriel visited all the dwarves rooms to see what help she could be of now. Here and there she was able to stitch a few wounds more intricately than the dwarves could, repeat elvish incantations for healing and the like. Most of these dwarves did not attend the meeting in the Great Hall and did not hear the entire adventure of the Company and of her and her kin's deeds, so the ones that were conscious, were a little wary when she tried to administer to them. In the end, they let her work her ministrations and most felt a little better when she was done. Till looked up at her and said, "Lady Tauriel, why don't you rest? Let me fetch you some water. She agreed and they walked back to the triage room. Tauriel sat in a chair that was a little too small for her but stretched her long legs out nonetheless. Till handed her a mug of that cold water and she gulped all of it down.

Just then, Kili came into the room and tried to hide his slightly relieved expression, as he said, "Ahh Tauriel, there you are." He came closer and Till bowed low as he walked over to Tauriel in the chair. "How are things going here in the infirmary? How are our patients doing?" Till chimed in, "My Lord if I may, it was wonderful of Lady Tauriel to return and help us. She has worked here for awhile today and has helped immensely. She has attended to every patient and eased their hurts. Also, I am very excited to be able to accompany her first thing in the morning!"

At this revelation, Kili had a slightly puzzled expression on his face. Tauriel stepped in and said, "Well, yes, Kili, I was going to ask you about that tonight. I was going to ask your permission to go out into the forests around the mountain in the morning. I promised Bilbo to help him look for plants for the garden area; and I also told Oin I would see if I could find some medicinals for the store here in the infirmary. Oin requested that Till come too," she hung her slightly at the words. Kili had a tight-lipped smile to one side of his face and his eyes looked at the floor, but when he looked up again he was smiling and said softly, "Tauriel, you are not my ward, you may do as you please and go wherever you like without having to ask my permission. However, I do not wish you to go alone. We are not sure all the Orc forces have retreated and our borders have not been secured. Therefore, I shall go with you." Both Till and Tauriel looked slightly shocked, but they smiled back. Tauriel said, "That would be lovely."

Kili went over to Tauriel and said, "Would you mind taking a walk with me, Tauriel?" She replied smiling, "I would love to." They said their goodbyes to Till who bowed low and said they would see him in the morning. They started walking out of the infirmary and this time turned right, which Tauriel had never been this way yet. They wanted to hold hands, but as they were passing many dwarves going in and about rooms and in the hallway, they decided it wasn't prudent.

After the large guard room, there was a double wide staircase with black, onyx like stone steps and an intricate bannister railing that Kili indicated they ascend. It was an airy staircase, so Tauriel felt there must be an opening somewhere above, that was letting in light. When they got to the next landing, there was a dwarf standing guard at the top of the staircase. When he saw Kili he immediately bowed, and said, "My Lord." Kili nodded back and he watched the couple continue to ascend the staircase with a curious look at their backs. When they arrived at the next landing which was the topmost in this part of the mountain, Tauriel could barely make out the opening high up in the wall where the sunlight was coming in but she could smell the fresh air and took a deep breath in. The rock wall was at her left so she turned to her right and saw only a few doorways in this hallway, all on left side of the wall. There was another guard stationed in this hallway too, this dwarf was a little older and more experienced, Tauriel thought. Kili nodded at him and the guard bowed and said, "Lord Kili, Lady Tauriel."

After passing the guard, they felt safer to begin holding hands, which they did. There were four doorways located along this long corridor, separated pretty well apart. When they passed the first door Kili raised his hand and Tauriel's along with it and said a little sheepishly, "That is my room. Well, the room that I am using now, that is. Tis a fair room, good sized and well fitted." They walked a little further and passed the second door, "These are the Royal chambers," Kili said, "We're heading to the last room, which is largest, and was my great-grandfather Thror's room, when he was King Under the Mountain." They passed the third door and Kili indicated this would be his mother's room, all the while still holding hands and swinging them slightly as they walked.

They finally arrived at the last doorway in the hallway. Kili removed a large iron key from a lower pocket and turned the large lock. Clicking open, he pushed the heavy door inward and Tauriel could immediately see why this was the grandest of all rooms. There was a large foyer with mosaic tile floors, sparklingly inlaid with jewels and looking up, was a round ceiling painted with knotwork motifs and more glittering gems. She noticed there were rooms that led off of each of the three arched doorways of the foyer. They stepped first into the room on the left. Kili reached at the wall and lifted some kind of lever up. The unusual torch system Tauriel had seen in the hallways of the mountain were present here too and when he lifted that up, it illuminated the room like it was almost daylight. She looked around and this room had a large nicely carved wooden table in it. There was a heavily decorated chair at the far end and the table was big enough to accommodate three chairs on either side and a smaller one at the opposite end. Nice furniture was also aligning the walls. Kili noted, "Thankfully Smaug only plundered the treasuries and throne rooms and the like. There are plenty of rooms in the Mountain still that held precious items, we are lucky he chose not to search the entire mountain, and most of the items in these rooms were left intact. This, I suppose, is where Thror held meetings between his innermost circle of advisors, or ate a spot of supper or breakfast, if he chose. That wooden door in the back leads to a small kitchen." He flipped the switch and the lights went out.

They stepped back through the foyer, going straight across and entering the rightmost room. Kili flipped a similar switch and Tauriel could see this was a large and well appointed study type of room. Along many of the walls were bookcases filled with many leather bound tomes or other nicely carved shelves with glass doors and many glittering items inside. A large desk was in one corner and there were a few chairs and tapestries throughout the room. Tauriel was impressed and she said so, "I had no idea Thror would have been so well-read," as she indicated towards all the books. Kili replied, "Yes, it's true. From what I've heard from my mother, he loved to read about other cultures and actually had written a few of his own, dwarven history and the like...well...all this was before, before...the treasure sickness had taken hold. After that, he cared for little else," Kili said, very downcast. Tauriel wanted to change the subject so she suggested they go into the room off of the middle of the foyer.

They entered that room and she could see it was comfortably appointed living area. Soft rugs and furnishings, massive stone fireplace on one wall and tapestries hung on the rest of the walls. At the back of the room there was a large door and a large set of shutters that went all the way to the floor. Kili opened the door first and they peeked inside, it was a sumptuous bedroom with a very high ceiling. Of course the very wide, fully carved wood four poster bed was up against one wall and opposite was another large fireplace. Kili was excited to show Tauriel to the back of that room a smaller door. They took a quick look inside and Tauriel was wowed by the bright and airy private washroom of the King's. There was a large walk down into tub, a few wash basins on the wall and Tauriel blushed slightly when she saw the rather large toilet off to one side.

Kili slightly chuckled too as he closed the door and they went back towards the living room. This time he opened the shutters and led Tauriel out onto a large terrace. Part of it was covered from above by the stony outcrop and part was exposed to the sky. There was a thick, carved stone railing at the edge and a few chairs and benches to sit on. Tauriel loved getting a breath of fresh aire, and this time was no exception. She breathed in deep as they walked to the edge of the terrace overhang; she marveled at the view below. It was practically twilight and they reached out for each other's hands and surveyed the marvelous view all around them. The city of Dale a short distance away, they could see smoke coming from chimneys, here and there and numerous lights shone throughout a city that was beginning to come back to life. Tauriel, with her far-seeing eyes could even look upon the outer reaches of her foresthome, Mirkwood and it even made her smile, to see this sight.

Kili had her sit on one of the stone benches and he came to stand behind her. He put his arms around hers and squeezed her tight then nuzzled his head into her slender neck. Sensing her happiness he said, "What is it my love?" Tauriel closed her eyes but smiled somewhat melancholy, "For many years of my long life, in the forest yonder, I would look up towards this snow capped mountain and wonder what ii was like inside; what it would be like to explore all lands and meet others peoples. Now, I can scarce believe the turn of events...now I'm here looking in the opposite direction, and my life and all I had hoped of late, is coming to fruition."

Kili nuzzled her neck more and planted kisses along it. "That pleases me to hear you say, my love. You like...these...accommodations, then?" She looked up and back so she could look into Kili's eyes, "They are grander than I had ever hoped of, or dreamed Kili." He went to be in front of her on one knee and said, "I hope...one day...these may be...our living quarters, then." She took his hands and said, "Tis more than I deserve. For I am a humble wood elf...but, for if this is where you reside and if you want me by your side...then here is where I shall be." Kili scooted himself between her legs and placed his arms around her waist and looked up at her, "No...you DO deserve a palace more opulent than this...shining more golden than your beauty, sparkling with diamonds more than the stars shine in your eyes, and as comfortable and safe as I can make it for you...and...our children and future generations," he said as he looked up at Tauriel, happy tears in his eyes.

She looked down at this beautiful and sweet yet so brave and loyal dwarf beneath her and couldn't imagine the love for him in her heart could possibly grow even more...but his words, and the possibility that she could be his Queen and their love mingling together, creating little ones that would one day continue the Royal line of the ancient House of Durin...was more than she could bear at the moment...with happy tears in her eyes she reached out for him and brought him close to her for an intense kiss. Squeezing him with her lithe legs they hungrily explored each other's mouths, but within moments he swiftly stood up and easily lifted her in his strong arms. He carried her to the bedroom and at the large poster bed, gently laid her down on the fluffy coverlets.

He stood before her and quickly removed his tunic up and over his head. Her mouth involuntarily watered at the sight of his toned body and perpetually messy hair. Since members of the same class, male or female bathe together back in Mirkwood, she was accustomed to the shape and sight of male's parts...but here before her...Kili couldn't have been more different. His skin was brown, like tanned leather, she thought; unlike the creamy kind of her kin. Every part of his upper torso was bulging with sinewy muscles and fuzzy, ringlet-like hair covered all of his chest, all the way down his stomach and below his pant line. Tauriel sat up and unbuttoned her blouse, removed it and then her undergarment, exposing her perky breasts and hard nipples. She laid back down and instinctually parted her legs. Kili climbed on the bed in between them, pants still on but with an immense bulging hardness inside. She wrapped her legs around his lower half, squeezing tight, heedless of the slight wrapping coming from somewhere nearby.

She loved the weight of him on top of her. She could feel the strength in his body as he caressed her exposed flesh, both hands working up and down her sides, cupping her breasts, caressing her neck and hair, kissing each part he came in contact with. Her hands stroked and squeezed at his back and she could feel those strong muscles under her hands rippling with each movement he made. The knocking became louder but the two lovers were still entranced in their passionate embrace to notice. She could feel his chest hair tickling her exposed flesh as he moved up and down; she found the sensation completely enticing and making her immensely wet. Moaning slightly, Kili lifted himself up and started to unbutton his trousers but a voice outside the bedroom interrupted his actions. "My Lord...Lord Kili..." the voice whispered. Slowly Kili and Tauriel became aware of the voice and stopped what they were doing. Kili swore and rolled off of her, Tauriel sighed deeply. She brought the cover over herself and Kili took a moment to wipe his face of sweat and smoothed down his mussed hair. Tauriel watched him walk into the living area without putting his shirt back on. She couldn't see who he was talking to but could hear the two converse. "WHAT is it, Tulin!" Kili said, rather loudly. The other dwarf spoke up, Tauriel recognizing the older guard's voice from down the hall, "Please forgive me my Lord. Pardon the interruption, but your Mother is in the next room and she is asking to see you." Tauriel gulped...once again.