Hello Everyone! Thanks for all the Holiday wishes! Back to reality tomorrow :( These last 2 weeks off of work have been great! But that means kids off of school too...so I didn't get as much writing in as I would have liked. Oh well, maybe a few snatches here and there between work, kids school, my daughter's therapy etc etc.
Thanks to my lovely reviewers: jackie9448, Bienniel, Margaritasc, TinuvielTurner, Susan, Guest, Celebrisilweth, MiyonzMae, Nenithiel; and to all the readers who enjoy this story and are so patient as I post a chapter at a time :) {{Hugs}}
Chp 61
Tauriel could feel her breath quicken. She didn't realize she was to be part of this sacred dwarf ceremony as it was just dawning on her that she really was going to be with Kili for alltimes; and if he was King, then she really would be Royalty herself...the Queen of all Dwarves, nonetheless! She felt a little flushed and Ori, seeing the color in her cheeks, hurried to hand her a cold mug of water. She gulped it down and it helped to steady her briefly. Kili had finished his last conversation and was chewing his last bit of cookie when he noticed Ori hurriedly giving Tauriel the mug and quickly tried to see what was wrong. Ori sheepishly recounted the last few minutes, as though he had done something wrong by informing Tauriel about the ceremony. Kili smiled and gave her a puppydog face, "Yes Amralime. You will be crowned as my Queen and I will want you equally at my side, on such a momentous day," he said and took her hands and patted them. Ori felt bad for his words, but she smiled at him and said, "No, Master Ori, for I was the one inquiring and you just gave me the answer that I sook. Tis a bit of shock as it has not fully sunken in yet that I will be a Queen. But...it is the truth, and I thank you Ori for speaking plainly to me, for those words I did need to hear," she lightly chuckled, "...but I am still getting used to them." Kili and Ori looked at her kindly. Kili got up from his chair and helped Tauriel from hers, "Well, then my'Lady... I think a walk in the Gardens is in order. I'm sure the fresh air and night sky will do you good." Ori bowed to them and walking arm in arm, Kili escorted Tauriel the short way to the Gardens.
Bilbo, missing from the Dining Hall, was ever present in his gardens, when Kili and Tauriel arrived. He was tending some of fungus underneath the waterfall and as night was descended, he saw the happy couple cross over the bridge to speak with him. He wiped his brow with his handkerchief and stood up. "Hail, Friends," he called, and walked over to them. They met at the summit of the bridge and chatted about the day's events. Kili added, "So...it looks like our meeting with Thranduil will be tomorrow some time, then; and then the Coronation will be on the morrow, next." Bilbo nodded and slowly asked, "Are you ready to be crowned King, Kili?" Kili looked up to the night sky for more than a moment's hesitation. He only found his voice when the stars twinkled at him and he looked at Tauriel who gave him a warm and loving smile in return. He began, "Long have I thought of this of late. For so many years, I went about experiencing life...having fun," he said with a puppydog glint in his eye, "Without really knowing what the mantle of Kingship meant. Thorin was always there, and so was Fili," he said, choking up a little. He steadied himself, "However, I have grown much in this short period of time...and, yes...yes. I am ready to be King." He chuckled as he lastly said, "Although I'm sure I will not be as good a King as Thorin or Fili would have been." Bilbo smiled kindly at him but Tauriel took his hand and patted it. She said, "We do not know what the future holds, my Love. But I know you to be a brave warrior, a loyal kinsman and have a just and true heart for all those around you; and I know everyone sees this in you as well. From the little I know and have heard of them, I know Thorin and Fili would agree that you would be the one best suited to be King. Kili sniffed and hugged Tauriel and Bilbo again whipped out his handkerchief.
Bilbo realized the pair needed some alone time, so he coughed a little cough and, putting his handkerchief back in his pocket, said, "I think I will head to the Dining Halls for a spot of supper then retire for the evening. The next few days will be exciting to be sure," he bowed and was off. After that, Tauriel and Kili spent the next few hours holding hands and talking about the future. As they reclined near the waters' edge, Kili's head in Tauriel's lap as they looked up at the stars. She brushed her long fingers slowly through his tangle of dark curls as she taught him some of the Elvish names for her favorite stars and the histories behind them. Kili listened with rapt attention as he loved to her speak and find out more about her culture; looking more at the way the moonlight shone on the graceful curves of her lips and cheekbones than at the stars at the moment. He reached up and pulled her down for a silky kiss, his mouth hot and wet.
She enjoyed their intimacy, but pulled her head back and smiled down at him. He gave her a knowing smile in return and sat up, now sitting cross legged next to her. Kili yawned, the gesture not lost on Tauriel, and she helped him stand up. She said, "These next two days will be an incredibly momentous occasion my Love, and it would not do for the King to be ill-rested. Come, let us return you to your chambers." Kili smiled at her and said, "For what do you intend to do Amralime?" She cast her eyes downward for a moment, and Kili, sensing something was on her mind, inquired further. She took a deep breath and said, "Well, my Love...I find myself needing to rest more often now, here in the Mountain, than ever I have in my long life. Most likely the many life changing events we have encountered recently, plus being further away from my elven home and influence; but I will not need that repose on every night. So..." she hesitated, "I would like to be able to walk of my own accord and choosing, on these evenings where I am in no need of sleep." Kili actually had a little bit of pinched mouth expression at her request. He looked up at her and before speaking, gave her a sweet kiss. "Amralime, as I once told you, you are not my ward and you do not have to ask my permission. Although, I will worry about you, always. And no, I don't expect for you to stay confined in your chambers, especially the miniscule ones you occupy now...I just..." She knew of his concern and smiled at him. He nodded his head and spoke the words aloud she was thinking, "Yes my Love, I know you CAN take care of yourself...but you are not even carrying any arms...should anything happen. It is not uncommon for dwarf males or females to routinely carry axes or daggers, and I should feel better if you are going to walk around alone...I would ask that you wait until you are crowned Queen. For one, the King and Queen may carry arms at all times, and secondly, once crowned, the King...or Queen, every dwarf knows that any attack or attempt against a Royal will mean a swift and immediate execution. So...I would feel better, if just for these next two days, that I have one of the Royal Guard accompany you." She smiled at him and knew these protective measures were only out of his great love for her, and she graciously accepted.
They walked the long walk back to his Royal Chambers. Once there, they kissed for a long while at his door. Before he said goodnight and entered his chambers he called Tulin, the guard over. He was the Guard stationed at the Royal Chambers for the night watch and Kili knew him to be honest and trustworthy and said, "Tulin, please watch over Tauriel tonight. Elves do not always need repose, as we do, and until she is crowned Queen, I would rather her not wander the Mountain alone." Tulin bowed to the pair as his form of acknowledgment. "Where do you intend on going my Love?" Kili asked. Tauriel thought for a moment, "Most likely, I will return to the Garden area, as the fresh air and seeing the stars, smelling the growing things will give me the most peace on this night." Kili mentioned he would come to her chambers in the morning. He winked at her, smiled and he touched her fingertips as they slowly parted from each other.
After arranging a replacement guard, Kili headed back to his room. Once in his chambers, he yawned a fierce yawn again and walked over to the balcony. Liac was there in her usual spot and he fed her some bread crumbs from his pocket. He told her fairly early he wanted to be arisen, and after she finished her grain meal, she squawked and heading off into the forest in search of her favorite protein snack. Kili, then headed to his bedchamber and had taken his clothes off, slipped under his covers and easily fell into an untroubled and restful slumber.
Did'ja catch that part about Aidan? (Dark tangle of curls ;))