"Taur'el! Taur'el!"
The redheaded Elf grinned as a bundle of curls sped towards her. Dropping to a knee, she held her arms open, laughing as the child jumped at her, fastening his little arms around her neck. Standing, she held the little one in her arms, gazing fondly at the large green eyes of the little perian.
"You're growing fast!"
"Will I be as tall as you?"
Tauriel chuckled. "I don't know. Perhaps. Where is your ada gone?"
"I don't know."
Tauriel fought the urge to smile. "We should find him before he begins tearing the Mountain apart."
Bilbo gave her another enthusiastic hug. "I thought we wouldn't see you for ages! It's been years since I last saw you."
That was true, unfortunately. She liked seeing him and it was rare that she accompanied her King to this Dwarven kingdom, but she was needed at home and the years always flew so quickly. She glanced around the hallway as she followed Thranduil, smiling at his son as he glanced 'round to her.
"Sorry, little one. I have a lot to do. Have you been getting my letters?"
"I'm learning how to read them. Papa's teaching me!"
"Is he?"
She was halfway through telling him a story of the giant spiders that had found their way into the palace when she realised the walls were taking on a more shining, glimmering appearance. They would soon be in the company of the Dwarven king, Thrain and she paused, slid Bilbo down and walked on, though she held tightly onto his hand.
"There you are!"
Bilbo glanced up as the two princes came over to him. Thorin shoved Frerin away and quickly lifted the child in his arms. "Balin was worried. Go back to the meeting, Frerin."
Thorin sounded relieved, though Bilbo couldn't guess why. Tauriel was watching them as they left, her eyes sparkling. She gave a wave and followed he King and Prince to where Thrain awaited them.
Frerin was following his brother. "Have mercy on your nadadith! Those discussions are exactly what nightmares are made of."
"Good! Run along now."
"Please, Thorin..."
"I had to face them alone for years before you decided to be born. Go back to Father and Thranduil!"
Frerin did, looking as though he was about to face a team of Balrogs rather than two kings with a fragile alliance between them.
"Is Papa alright?"
"Your adad is fine," Thorin promised. "We'd best get you to him quickly, though. I fear to think what he'll do if he doesn't see you soon."
"Thorin?"
"Mm?"
"Why does your papa like seeing the Elves?"
"Oh, he hates seeing them. He only does it because he wants to keep the Elvenking happy."
"What do they do?"
"In the meetings? Nothing much. They sit around, discussing the goings-on of their Kingdoms. Talk about what they need for their people, what plans they have for the coming months."
"They sound boring."
"They are," Thorin agreed. "Very, very boring."
Balin was two parts relieved and one part annoyed at seeing his lad again. He almost squeezed him to death in a thankful hug, before looking down at him through narrowed, blue eyes and asking the all-important question.
"Where did you go?"
"I heard the Elves were here."
"Well, you can't just go running off like that!" Balin said, feeling exasperated. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Bilbo ducked his head. "Sorry."
Unable to stay angry, Balin lifted him onto a hip, kissing the top of his head. "'T'is alright."
"Papa, how long will Tauriel stay?"
"Oh, she came along, did she? Well, I imagine they'll be staying for Fili's ceremony and a few days after that."
Tauriel hastily looked away as Frerin entered, his nephews in his arms. Where he'd found them, she could not guess and he lost one of them as he wriggled out of his uncle's grasp.
"Kili!" Frerin whispered. "This was not what we agreed!"
Poor Thrain looked as though he wanted to throw himself off Erebor's highest balcony. "Kili, sit down, please."
Kili scampered around, stopping as he came up to where Tauriel stood. He stared at her, biting on his thumb and then raised his arms up. She looked over at his grandmother for permission and when it was granted, she lifted him onto a hip, smiling at his large brown eyes as they stared into hers.
"You're pretty." Kili told her quietly.
"Thank you."
"I like your hair. It's like the red sunset. And you have beautiful eyes, they're like a dark gold."
Legolas snorted.
Prince Kili was not deterred. "Have you got a husband?"
"No," Tauriel whispered back.
"Can I be your husband?"
"I think that's enough for today!" Thrain interrupted, standing and bowing to Thranduil.
The Elvenking nodded. "I agree. Come, Legolas, Tauriel."
Tauriel placed Kili down. "I will see you later, young princeling."
Frerin was the first to start laughing. Sanmuhud grinned as she watched her youngest son double over with great shrieks, clasping his eldest nephew to his chest.
"Why is Uncle Frerin laughing?" Kili asked.
"You having a flirt with the Guard Captain of Mirkwood!" Frerin almost wept. "How I wish Thorin was here! To see his face when you-" He cut himself off with more laughter.
Thrain groaned and glared at his wife. "Your prediction came true. You evil woman."
"Mother knows best," Sanmuhud told him gravely. "At least you know our line shall continue."
Thrain simply placed his head in his hands and let out a long-suffering sigh.
Legolas didn't know his way around the vast Dwarven mountain half as well as Tauriel did. He followed her as she led him through countless sharp turns through the colossal maze that was Erebor, his eyes firmly fixed on her swaying auburn hair.
"You know, you didn't give the little Dwarf boy an answer." Legolas called over.
"He didn't mean it! He's far too young to know about marriage and love."
"He seemed smitten."
Tauriel scoffed and turned to face him, her bright eyes shining. "He's a child. You were just as bad, I'm sure."
Legolas stared at her. "I was not."
"Were."
"How would you even know?"
"Because I do." Tauriel answered.
"Where are you taking me, anyway?" Legolas asked.
"I wish to see Bilbo again."
"Perhaps your future fiance will be there..."
Her laughter echoed through their part of the mountain and she took another turn, quietening as they burst out into a lively crowd of Dwarrows. She darted her hand out, grabbing his and he smiled at their contact, allowing her to pull him through the sea of the Dwarven people.
"Does he remember his mother?" Legolas asked, warily watching the youngling sleeping in Tauriel's arms. In his sleep, Bilbo had apparently decided that Legolas' fingers were the perfect things to grip tightly onto and the Elven Prince wasn't quite sure what to think of it.
"She died when he was born," Tauriel quietly answered, brushing a hand over the child's curls. "No, he doesn't remember her."
Bilbo opened an eye at the contact, unseen by the two Elves. Burying his head further in Tauriel's shoulder, he listened to the melody of their voices, preparing to go to sleep once more only to have his attention caught by their conversation.
"To lose all your family so young.."
"I know, mellon." Tauriel's voice was low. "I know."
Bilbo lay still, hoping to hear more of their strange talk. He'd not lost any family! He had a family, a big one too.
"He will be alright," Legolas said. "The fate that befell his race shall not befall him."
Tauriel was shaking her head. Bilbo knew this because her long hair moved underneath his body. "I know."
There was a sudden quiet for a few minutes and Bilbo was just about to pretend he'd just awoken when the familiar, slow thuds of Papa's sturdy boots thumped on the stone floor.
"Got him to sleep, did you?"
"Mm." Tauriel shifted. "We should get back to our King." She lifted the child from her lap, passing him into his parent's arms. "We'll see you soon, Master Balin."
Balin turned and Bilbo heard Legolas murmur something about 'little hobbit', but he didn't ask what it was. He felt as though he'd overheard something that he shouldn't have.
Yet, as his papa tucked him under his sheets and kissed him goodnight, Bilbo decided he would try and find out just what Tauriel and Legolas had been talking about.
I just had to write Kili having a crush on Tauriel, didn't I? So, Bilbo has discovered more information than he should have, but will he ask?
Hope it was enjoyed!
Love from Shania. xx
