Chapter 11: Loved

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it isn't mine.

Tauriel

"I must go assist the wounded," she said, sighing and pulling away from the warmth of Kili's chest.

"Alright," he murmured into her hair, inhaling her scent one last time. "I should go find Fili and the others; they would be wanting to leave as soon as possible..."

Tauriel's heart hiccupped, but she covered it up with a tight smile. "Find me before you leave," she said as she swiftly stood and walked away. She did not trust herself enough to stay with him for longer, for then she might never leave.

"Ta-", she heard him call after her, but she opted for disappearing into the crowd of people, than to face him with unshed tears in her eyes.

Xxx

The sun was halfway to the centre of the sky before she took notice of the time. She had already treated a magnitude of minor injuries (mostly burns) and was presently dressing a leg wound of a small child. The little girl could not have been more than five years of age, but she had lost both of her parents and younger brother in the flames. Tauriel saw herself reflected in the child, which made it all the harder.

"What is your name?" she asked.

"Edith," replied the little girl, chewing shyly on her sleeve.

"My name is Tauriel," said Tauriel as sweetly as she could. She had dealt with orphaned elflings before, but this human child seemed more…fragile.

"Are…are you an elf?" asked Edith softly.

" I am," said Tauriel as she tied off the dressing on the girl's leg.

"Could…could I touch your ears?" Tauriel found it to be a strange requested but allowed it, to be perfectly honest the girl could have asked anything of her and she would have gone along with it.

Edith reached up and touched the very tip of Tauriel's right ear, and she giggled. The girl's laughter was infectious and Tauriel chuckled as well. Sitting back down the girl said "I've never met an elf before."

"Well, I can't recall every having met such a sweet young lady before," Tauriel said, tapping the point of Edith's nose. The girl giggled again.

Tauriel could not believe how well she was coping with everything, proving to her yet again that children are the most resilient of beings, regardless of race.

Looking around, she saw a middle aged woman handing out blankets and water. She had an air of leadership about her and Tauriel decided that this woman seemed capable of looking after a small child.

"Come on," she said as she picked Edith up with ease. The girl could have walked on her own, but Tauriel felt indulgent.

"Excuse me," said Tauriel as she approached the woman.

"Yes, love?" asked the woman as she turned around. Looking at the child who clung to Tauriel's neck she asked, "And who are you, little one?"

" I am Tauriel of the Woodland Realm and this is-"

"- Edith" supplied the little girl. Both women smiled.

" I was wondering if you could see to it that Edith is well looked after?" the look in the other woman's eyes showed that she understood, this child had no one else.

" Of course!" she exclaimed, not wanting Edith to pick up on their solemn exchange.

Setting the girl on the ground, she knelt before her so that they were eye level. "Now, this lady in going to look after you. Okay?"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm…" Tauriel suddenly realized that she didn't in fact know the answer. "I have to leave."

The girl looked at her as though this wasn't an acceptable answer.

"Here," she said as she removed a beautiful cloak clasp from her pocket "you keep it." She said as she pinned it to Edith's dress. The little girl looked at it in awe. Looking Tauriel dead in the eye with a very serious expression she said "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Tauriel chuckled softly as she pulled the blanket tighter around her small frame.

"Be brave, Edith."

"You too, Tauriel."

Xxx

Tauriel found Tilda and Sigrid in the throng of people, and was shocked to find that they hadn't been reunited with their brother and father yet. "We will find them soon, I promise you," she said as she guided them through the crowds. "I saw them in your absence, they are here somewhere."

Looking over the destruction and people, she could feel a presence next to her, Kili. He had come to say goodbye after all.

"Tauriel," he breathed. Already the moment was far too intimate for what their surroundings allowed.

"Kili!" she heard his brother scream. "Come on, we're leaving."

"They are your people, you must go," she said as she slipped into her cool and calm demeanor. The demeanor of any proper elf. The demeanor of the captain of the guard. Head held high, but heart fraying at the seams, she walked away.

"Come with me," he said, sounding as though he's never been so adamant of anything in his life. Tauriel could not help but turn around.

"I know how I feel, I'm not afraid. You make me feel alive," he finished with his beautiful smile upon his face. The smile he reserved just for her.

"I can't..."she said, having to turn away from his beautiful face for it was breaking her heart.

"Tauriel," he said, wrapping his fingers gently around her forearm. "Amralime…" There was that word again, the word that made her skin tingle and heart swell. She did not know what it meant, but by the way in which he said it, as though he was saying something fit for her ears only, she could guess. But, reality was catching up to her, and she wouldn't be able to acknowledge his beautiful word, or say one to him in turn. It would not be fair to give him hope, where there was none.

"I don't know what that means." He smiled a smile that suggested that he could see right through her, and even though she would not admit it, she was glad that he did. "I think you do."

"Kili, come on!" cried Fili, she was sure that Kili had heard him, but he did not show it. She took a small step closer to him. And then froze.

She felt a presence behind her. Legolas. Never before had she felt irritation at Legolas' presence more acutely than what she did at that very moment.

"My Lord Legolas," she said, voice crystal clear and elvish posture perfect.

"Take your leave of the dwarf. You are needed elsewhere."

Looking at Kili, she could see that although he could not understand Sindarin, he knew what Legolas had said. He held her eyes until she began to turn away. He nodded slightly, and turned around. She kept her gaze fixed to him, and was surprised when he stopped, spun around and took her hand in his. With his other hand, he placed something in her palm and wrapped her fingers around it.

Wrapping her hand in both of his, he held it to his chest. She could feel his heartbeat.

"Keep it, as a promise." They held each other's gaze for a sweet second before he pulled away and ran to the little row boat.

Looking down and opening her hand, she saw his mother's runestone sitting in her palm. Oh Kili. A lump formed in her throat and it felt as though her heart was in a vice.

She blinked several times to clear her eyes.

Sniffed.

And watched the love of her life leave her, never having told him that she loved him too.

xxx