A/N This chapter has a lot more interaction between Kili and Tauriel, I promise. If you enjoy this fic, please do me a favor and review!
Four days later:
Tauriel watched at the city of Rivendell came into view below. The sun was beginning to set behind the mountains, casting a beautiful rosy gold on the city. In the past few days, Kili had been getting weaker. His face had become even more pale. When he was conscious, he rarely spoke, and his eyes were dull. She could only hope that Galadriel could heal him.
The eagle began a steep, spiral descent. It seemed to be just as willing to land as she was. The closer they got, the more she could see. The elves in the city were looking up at the small group as they descended towards an open platform in the city.
There was a great rush of wind as the eagle slowed and landed. Before them stood Galadriel, dressed in pure white. The eagle bowed to her, and Tauriel took the opportunity to slide off its back, pulling Kili with her. Shortly after the two were safely on the ground, the Eagle took to the air.
"My lady," Tauriel bowed her head, to the elf. "This dwarf needs your help, please, I beg of you." She ignored the group of elves that were watching them closely.
"Come." Galadriel's voice echoed in her head. "We must speak in private." She turned and began to walk quickly up to the the white council room. Tauriel followed her, carrying Kili carefully.
When they reached the open room, Galadriel turned quickly, sweeping Kili from the young elf's arms. "I will do what I can to save me, do you have Athelas?" She asked.
Tauriel pulled the remainder of the plant out of her quiver. "It is not much, but it is all I have." She stated, offering it to Galadriel.
The elf took it gratefully, and she began to work on the dwarf. What few words she spoke were unfamiliar to Tauriel. She stood, watching Galadriel work with determination and care. Tauriel became so focused, that she did not notice a third person enter the pavilion.
She was startled as a tall elf with dark hair rested a hand on her shoulder. "Come Tauriel, it will be some time before the lady is done."
She looked between the elf and her dwarf for a few seconds before reluctantly following him out. "My lord Elrond." She bowed her head, "It is a pleasure to see you again."
"It has been too long Tauriel, though I wish we were meeting on more favorable circumstances." He stated solemnly. The sun had set long ago and the stars were shining brightly above them. The two began to walk down towards the palace. "We have food and drink awaiting you in the palace."
The two walked in silence for a time. "My lord," Tauriel began. "Do you believe she can save him?"
Elrond walked quietly, not meeting the other elf's gaze. "I believe she will do everything in her power." He said finally, looking back at her.
Tauriel nodded solemnly, taking his words in. All she could do now is hope that Kili would survive all of this. One tight sigh was the only thing to show her fear. "I should be there for him." Tauriel mumbled, turning her head to look at the pavilion behind them.
"No." Elrond commanded. "His life is no longer in your hands Tauriel. You have done all you can for him, now come and join me for a meal."
Tauriel looked back at Elrond. His brow was furrowed with concern. Tauriel glanced back at the pavilion, reluctantly admitting to herself that Elrond was right. She turned back to him and nodded.
He smiled slightly and continued walking, knowing that Tauriel would follow. He reached his palace and walked to the dinner hall, seating himself at the head of the small table. The gestured for Tauriel to sit down next to him.
The two sat with a table of other elves, making idle conversation. Tauriel couldn't really focus on what anyone was saying, her mind kept wandering. She at her food slowly, her stomach churning with anxiety.
All conversation was hushed as Galadriel walked into the room. She carried herself just as regally as she would any other time, but Tauriel could see the exhaustion in her eyes. The elf turned her head slowly, her eyes landing on Tauriel.
"Go to him Tauriel." Galadriel's voice resonated in her mind.
The elf stood quickly, dashing through the door. She took the steps three at a time, making her way quickly to the stone pavilion.
When she arrived, she found Kili laying on the stone floor, his eyes were closed and his face was relaxed. Fearing the worst, Tauriel ran forwards, dropping quickly to his side. "Kili!" Tauriel breathed, leaning over the dwarf. His breathing was shallow and he was strangely relaxed. She could feel the tears coming to her eyes, and this time she didn't try to stop them. The elf reached blindly, taking his gloved hand in her own.
A tear rolled off her face, landing on Kili's cheek. Just then, the dwarf's eyes fluttered open. He took a deep breath, releasing it in a painful cough and a groan. He was, it appeared, alive.
Tauriel began to laugh, smiling through her tears. She cupped his face with her free hand, staring into his deep brown eyes. The weight on her chest lifted, Kili was alive, he was safe.
"Tauriel," He mumbled, visibly relaxing. He squeezed her hand tightly, never wanting to let go.
Tauriel slid her hand out of his grasp and removed her hand from his face. Blinking the tears from her eyes, she rubbed her face to remove the tracks. She shifted herself and slid her arms under Kili, lifting him as she had done so many times before. The elf moved to one of the pillars overlooking the waterfalls and the river below. She set the dwarf there, leaning against the pillar.
"I could have walked." Kili stated indignantly.
Tauriel raised an eyebrow knowingly and sat down beside the dwarf. "There is no need to, you are weak Kili, you need to rest."
"I'm in full health, I've never felt b-" his words were interrupted by a coughing fit that wracked his body.
Tauriel placed a hand on his shoulder, watching him with concern. While Galadriel had healed the worst of the wound, it appeared the dwarf still had a good deal of recovery to go through.
When the coughing was over, Kili took a few deep, wheezing breaths. "I'm fine," He hurried to say.
Tauriel pursed her lips. "Kili, please do not push yourself. I need you with me."
"Nah, you don't need me, you never have." He hummed, looking out over the valley. "You've shown time and time again, you can take care of yourself just fine."
Tauriel shook her head, looking out over the valley with him. "You almost died Kili." She whispered, breaking the silence. "You were bleeding out in my arms and there was nothing I could do to stop it."
She saw him turn to look at her, but she wouldn't meet his eye. "Tauriel, I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to keep you safe."
The elf didn't respond. She was struggling to keep her emotions in check as it was. She stared out at the mountains, taking in their beauty.
"Thank you, Tauriel, for saving my life."
"I did no such thing." She responded quickly. "Galadriel saved you, not me."
"No." He argued, shifting himself closer to her. He let out a pained grunt, the effort of shifting himself just a few inches was exhausting for him. "You saved me. You took me here, you kept me alive. I was as good as dead, but you refused to give up on me. That elf healed my wound, but you saved my life."
Tauriel could feel his eyes on her, gauging her reaction. She looked down at her hands, allowing the air to grow heavy with silence. The quietly slipped her hand into a pocket, removing the runestone.
"You made a promise." She whispered, looking back at Kili. She reached over and tugged at his gloves, pulling them off for him.
Taking his right hand, she placed the small stone in his hand. He closed his fingers around her hand and the stone. Tauriel looked up and found him watching her intensely. He was still remarkably pale, and he had dark circles under his eyes. The dwarf's hair was a snarled mess, but she loved every bit of it.
And that's why it hurt so much. It would never work, he was a dwarf, she was an elf. He could never truly love her. As much as he thought he did, and as much as she wished he did, she knew that it could never be. She reluctantly slid her hand from his.
"Tauriel." Another elf's voice echoed through the room. "If you and the dwarf will come with me, my lord Elrond has prepared a room for you."
Tauriel nodded, she gathered her feet under herself, and slid her arms under Kili. She stood and began walking to the elf. "Thank you, lead the way." She shot a glance down at Kili as he began to protest being carried.
He sighed heavily and closed his eyes and rested his head against her shoulder. He relaxed in her arms, trusting her to keep him safe.