So, I did a thing. I hope nobody pops a blood vessel or anything. I am still working with a timeline mix of the movie and the book. I own nothing.

The next several days were spent, largely, in planning. Tauriel and Legolas would visit their 'guests' every chance they would get, but it was not as often as they liked. Thranduil suddenly required much of their attention. When they would manage to make it down to the dungeons, they made the most of the time they had.

Kili enjoyed the stay, as much as one could being locked up. He had healed very nicely, but being on the road is hard on a body that is completely well. When they left Rivendell, he was still healing. So, the rest had made him feel rejuvenated. He was worried about the situation that had arisen among Glorfindel and their new elven companions, though.

The first couple of days, when Tauriel did make it down to the dungeons, she spent a great of her of her time speaking with the Balrog slayer. She was kind to all of them, and made sure all their needs were met, but she would save Glorfindel for last. They talked of many things, and Kili could tell that the elf lord appreciated it. Elladan had told him that most people only care to hear about his battle with the Balrog and how he came back to Arda. Tauriel asked about Gondolin, his family and friends, she wondered how different their world was now compared to then. She asked what he did now, what he hoped for, what were some of the things he hadn't done that he wants to do. She also answered the questions he asked her. Kili had been happy for his friend.

He scowled as he thought about Legolas. It was clear that he had feelings for the pretty she-elf, but it was also clear that she viewed him as a brother, or very close friend. It took Glorfindel two days to realize his friend was cross with him. Though Kili couldn't hear the conversation, he did catch the body language: Tauriel was off limits. Kili witnessed his friend put up a wall as he agreed to back off. From his conversations with the twins, he gathered that elleth were no different from any other female that inhabited Middle Earth; there were many who were superficial and cared about titles and bloodlines. Glorfindel had admitted to being 'married' to his duty, and that in all the thousands of years he had walked the earth, he had not found one that caught his attention. It seemed that he now had, but was told to stay away by a friend who could not get it through his head that the elleth in question did not return his feelings. This made Kili angry.

When Tauriel had come down the next day, none of the 'visitors' missed the hurt look on her face when Glorfindel gave her his kind, but firm excuse. Legolas was happy, but the other two were clearly miserable. Tauriel took to spending her time talking to him. That day, Kili made a promise to himself. The first chance he got after they got out of there, he was going to tell her what happened. He was no elf or wizard who let things play out as they would. He was going to help, because his friend deserved some happiness after the long years of loss and self-imposed solitude.

The day came, and their escape was quick and easy, if not a little embarrassing. Stuffed bags were placed in the cells to look as though the prisoners were resting and Legolas arranged for all guards to be clear of their intended path. No one would know they were missing until morning. The embarrassing part really only affected the dwarrow; it was likely that their heavy footfalls would be picked up, so it was decided that they would be carried on the backs of the twins.

After they finally conceded, Fili made his feelings clear, "This is never to be spoken of. Ever."

His companions chuckled, but promised on their honor, no one would ever hear of this occurrence. So, they made for their exit. The Woodland Realm had secret paths to exit in case it was necessary. As they elves had promised to hold their tongues, Fili and Kili gave their word to never speak of these paths. Horses were waiting for them, and they were on their way.

It took them a little over a day to make it to Laketown. They came across orc tracks and bodies along the way.

"They must have been mortally wounded at the gate. This one bears a strange mark. Are any of you familiar with it?" asked Tauriel.

"Gundabad," said Legolas, looking at Glorfindel.

"It has been many centuries since I have seen this mark. Things appear to be as bad as I feared," said Glorfindel. "If Gundabad once more has an army…"

"We will need to ride and scout it out."

"We have no time. We must reach the mountain," said Fili.

"He is right. I gave my word. I must get them to the mountain."

"Then Tauriel and I will head there to see what can be found out."

"I think it best that we see them to Laketown first. There may be more orc along the way," said Tauriel, not too happy with the prospect of being alone with her friend. She sensed that something was going on, but she couldn't quite figure it out.

"Then let us get there quickly."

They arrived in the late afternoon and discovered that they were too late. The dwarves had left three days before, and had likely already arrived at the mountain. They found themselves turned away by the master, so Legolas proposed they seek out a friend. He had married one of the Dunedain, a friend of his father. Bard was the one who collected the barrels from the Woodland Realm. They had expected a better reception.

"Dwarves, and now elves in the accompanied by dwarves. No, I have quite enough with the likes of you."

"Bard, am I not also a friend? Please, we need answers to determine our next steps."

"Very well."

"We were told that a company of dwarves came through the town. I am not wrong in assuming you have crossed paths."

Bard scoffed. "I am the one who smuggled them in. And what a thanks I received. Had I known their intentions, I would have left them on the shore of the river."

Elrohir placed a hand upon the dwarves in an effort to remind them to stay calm. They needed information, and an outburst may cost them it.

"What do you mean?" asked Legolas.

"They are going to wake that beast! After he finishes with those dwarves, Smaug will then rain fire upon us all!"

"You do not know that for sure!" cried Kili. "The plan is not to wake Smaug right now."

"Kili!"

"No, Fili. They should know. Besides, they can't stop them now. There is an item our uncle needs to gather an army to kill him."

"And they are going to what, steal it from a sleeping dragon? Are you all insane?!" cried Bard. "The smell of dwarf will wake him long before anyone reaches him."

"It will not be a dwarf," Kili said sheepishly.

"The hobbit," Elladan. "Now it makes sense. The dragon has likely never heard of, let alone smelled, a hobbit before."

"Da! Da! You won't believe what Tomas and Aiden just told us…" a pretty, young human girl said as she rushed into the house. She stopped quickly upon seeing their guests. Unfortunately, she stopped too suddenly for her brother, who was right behind her. The two toppled to the floor. Directly behind them, was another, younger girl. She smiled hugely upon seeing the occupants.

"Look, Sigrid! They were telling the truth! Elves! And look, more dwarves!"

The elder of Bard's children had gotten themselves back up and were straightening their clothes. Bard smiled fondly at them.

"These are my children. Sigrid, Bain, and Tilda. Children, this is Legolas, of the Woodland Realm, and um, I am afraid I do not know the rest of you."

They each stood and introduced themselves.

"I am Tauriel, of the Woodland Realm." She hesitated to add her position. She was not so sure she could claim the title of guard captain anymore.

"I am Glorfindel, of Rivendell."

"Elladan."

"Elrohir"

"Sons of Elrond,"

"Lord of Rivendell."

The twins smiled at Fili and Kili. Their dwarf friends were a little irritated, but not overly so.

"Fili,"

"And Kili."

"At your service," they ended in unison.

"Elves of Rivendell? You are a long way from home," said Bard.

The elves simply nodded to him. They were far from home.

"Were you originally with the other dwarves?" Tilda asked Fili and Kili. "I overheard a nice dwarf with really long beard talking to an angry looking dwarf with a long black hair and a short beard. I didn't mean too. I was handing out blankets. He talked about two they left behind. Are you the two?"

Kili smiled at her. 'She is so adorable,' he thought.

Fili chuckled and answered. "Why yes, we are. You see, my brother here decided to become a wargs chew toy. Thankfully, we were almost at Rivendell. We stayed behind for him to recover. Our Elvish friends here, offered to escort us to the mountain."

He decided his brother was right. There was no real point in hiding anything now. No one could interfere at this point. At that moment, the house shook. Bain ran to the window.

"It's coming from the mountain!"

I want to start out by saying that this will not be a Figrid, though Bard's wife being a Dunedain is an idea that I got after reading a lot of stories with that pairing. There really isn't much known about Bard's wife, and we know his daughters were made up by Peter Jackson. There is a purpose. This story still has a ways to go, as I am going to go through the years after the BOFA and into LOTR. I went back and forth and decided I would tell you the pairing that came to mind. It just sort of hit me and I can't not do it now. It's going to be Kili and Tilda. Little girls grow up and we have about 60 to 80 years before the Fellowship is even established. Bard's kids are going to have a life span of around 160 to 180. They are 16, 14, and 9 in this fic. Kili is around 75, and with a lifespan of around 250, they will be pretty close. This is going to be a mostly happy fic. There will be angst, but I like (and need) happy.