Short chapter, but as promised, I wanted to give you something! A wave of gratitude to welcometotheguillotine, Delectable Sweetness, Ilvy, lurker-guest, Cynn3Rose, fernando2308, Evia Wingjade, RomanticLover1, Guest, Sky25, and chlob23 for your wonderful, motivating feedback messages left for the last chapter. Now for the next installment!

Chapter one:

Midnight had fallen when the elleth slipped through the cavernous hallways of her kingdom. Most of the guardsmen had tapered off by now, turning to drink and merry fortunes that were found in the successful capture of Thorin Oakenshield and his company. The king and Legolas were not to be found, at least by Tauriel's careful observation. She knew well enough that the penalty for such actions as she planned to take could lead to her banishment or worse. Nevertheless she journeyed on, passing the cells of the sleeping dwarves until she halted at his.

The dark haired being eyed her curiously from where he sat against the stone wall, thumb smoothing over the stone relic he had shown her only hours before. Tauriel met Kili's gaze with a still expression, her face unreadable as she brought forth the key from her pocket and undid the lock on the door. With a soft groan, the entrance creaked open, revealing an exit for the confused dwarf as his gaze remained fixated on the elf's.

"The stars are out tonight," she said quietly as not to disturb the others. "If you would join me, I would be..." her voice trailed off. "Your company would be welcomed."

Kili rose from his spot, lips curving into a smile that set forth an emotion that the elleth had never experienced before. Gingerly, he took her hand in his, eyes flickering over to the sleeping figures of his group. He merely nodded, light smirk ever present as they began to move in silence together, passing through the dimly lit halls. It was a decision Tauriel knew was dangerous and yet, something inside her still pressed forth the urge to do so. Unaware of the result such a night would hold in the future.

The water lapped at the woman's feet as she stood near the river's edge, watching as villagers scurried to find their lost loved ones and valuables. Smaug had caused much destruction in his last vengeance, leaving the town in complete rubble where once trade and homes had stood. Tauriel pressed a hand to her abdomen, eyes flickering down to the flat slope of her belly. She knew well enough now what was occurring, a realization that caused a furious bout of uncertainty in her.

"Tauriel."

The elleth stiffened at the calling of her name, turning to see Kili's gaze fixated on hers. Unlike that night, there was no humor nor joy present in his features. Concern and worry masked his dark eyes, brow furrowed deeply as he reached towards her. Instinctively, she shrunk back, the dwarf's hand falling to his side. Instantly, the elf felt a sense of guilt at the hurt such an action must've caused the figure.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, drawing her stare away from his. "You must be off, I see."

"Come with me," he urged, taking her hands in his own. "I'm not afraid. I know how I feel."

The words caused a sense of ache in the elf's chest, her teeth baring down into the sensitive flesh of her lip. She couldn't bring herself to look at him. To tell him of the consequence their night shared together. How would he react to such? She gazed out into the water, watching as his people situated their boat on the water. With the dragon gone, the mountain was clear to pass. Erebor was now for the dwarf king, Thorin's, taking. And his nephews would surely be expected at his side.

"Tauriel," Kili whispered, his fingers clenching around her slender ones. "Tell me that you do not feel the same."

"Your people will not accept me," she murmured. "I fear that..." her voice trailed off, losing her ability to speak momentarily. "That you will not accept me."

"Whatever do you speak of," Kili laughed humorlessly. "Of course I accept you. I care for you even if it is not what is wished to be. Tauriel," his thumbs caressed the tops of her pale hands. "Amralime."

She inhaled at the word, the uttering of it causing the familiar stir within her chest. She saw the look of hope and joy in the dwarf's eyes as she finally met his gaze, watching as it slowly faded away into a look of worry once more. He inhaled, a look of confusion crossing his features as he stare fell briefly down to her hands before returning back to her features.

"You tremble," he murmured. "Tauriel, are you ill?"

She felt lightheaded, her world swirling before her as her stomach knotted into uncomfortable pain. And then, as a feather leaving the wing of a summer sparrow, Tauriel felt her knees give way, her body sinking to the ground as Kili caught her before she managed to strike it completely. Her vision blurred, Kili's mouth moving mere inches from her face as she struggled to understand what he said. And as consciousness slipped from her fingers, a sense of welcoming found her. If this was the end, at least it had been one of happiness. Kili's face was the last image that found Tauriel as she sunk away into the black abyss, sleep greeting her with shrouded arms.

I promise chapters will get much longer, I currently have a stomach bug but I wanted to get something posted. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There will be occasional flashbacks throughout the story of the night shared between Kili and Tauriel. Until then, feedback is greatly loved and appreciated! Let me know your thoughts! What you'd like to see! It makes the updates come sooner and gives me motivation to continue! Until next chapter, my friends! If the response to this is decent, I shall work hard to have another ready for tomorrow! Merry Christmas Eve! -Jen