They walked through the mountain, down the corridors. The dwarves of Erebor had clearly spent time preparing for this day. Every corridor, every passageway and every hall they passed was filled with flowers, gemstones and candles to lead the way.
Tauriel felt her heart beat heavier as they walked, seeing all these details that the people had made for her wedding. She felt the last piece of fear fade away as it was replaced by anxious happiness, knowing that the dwarves did indeed try to show her that they supported her on this day, at least some of them. It made her lips curl in an excited smile as they came closer and closer to the cave.
Finally they reached the cave, and all their people had, in some miraculous way, been able to find room, and they all stood restlessly, waiting for something to happen. Seeing the ocean of dwarves Tauriel did not think that even a mouse would be able to fit in, so crammed was the place. All of Erebor had come to see this day that would come to be remembered for many generations henceforth as the strangest marriage in dwarven history.
Tauriel looked over the cave from the opening where they stood, her heart beating faster by every breath she took, feeling the anticipation and excitement fill her completely. It was still hard for her to comprehend that this was about to happen, that she would be married to the one she could not live without. For two years she had been living with him and his family, dreading that any moment she would be forced to leave, to let go of Kíli and Kíliel, to surrender her love and go back to Mirkwood. It was a deep fear, with roots hard and strong, yet she hoped this would put an end to it, make it go away and never bother her again. Once she was married to Kíli everything would be complete, a mirror of her dreams. They would be a true family with their daughter, and nothing could part them ever again.
For a mere second a painful lighting struck through her, and she snapped for air sharply. They would be a complete family, but for the one elf she needed beside her. Legolas. But she shook her head slightly, knowing that this day was a happiness beyond her sweetest dreams, and she would not sour it for anything, not even for the loss of the elf she called brother.
It was at that moment that Thorin, still holding Kíliel in his arms, walked into the cave, and a passage opened for him as the dwarves saw their King coming. «Make way for the King,» some shouted, but it was not necessary. He was as noticeable as a gleaming star as he passed through the crowd, and all knew to step aside for him. Kíliel smiled and laughed, the sound of which echoed through the now silent cave. Instantly the atmosphere lightened, as if a lid had been taken of a tightly locked chest. Some dwarves began laughing and cheering softly as they saw the little girl in her grandfather's arms.
Tauriel experienced the scene with breathless happiness. Never before had she seen the reaction the people of Erebor had to Kíliel so palpably, and it was again made clear to her how magical and important her daughter was, not just for her but for anyone who laid their eyes on her. The cave was now filled with a light and cheerful chatter where before there had been uncertainty or mistrust.
Tauriel turned to Dís then, whose face was filled with laughter and happiness as great as her own.
«I am ready,» Tauriel breathed, and exhaled sharply, though her eyes gleamed with excitement and bliss. For it was true; she was finally ready to marry the dwarf she loved greater than her own being, the father of her child and the one who had shown her the meaning of true happiness and love.
«Yes, you are,» Dís answered, her eyes already filled with tears of happiness. She touched Tauriel's cheek for a moment and then kissed her hands, before she turned and walked into the cave, through the mass of dwarves who again made way for their princess to pass easily. Tauriel watched the dwarf she called mother walk from her, and realised for the first time how important she and her brother were for the dwarves of Erebor. She instantly felt a great honour to have been welcomed into the family with such love. She realised she would have to earn the love of the people as well, and it did no longer scare her.
Dís reached the place where the rest of her family stood. She walked to hug Kíli tightly, before stepping back and joining the others in their waiting for the bride. Fíli took his mother's hand and squeezed it lightly. Their eyes met for a moment as they shared in the happiness of this day.
Tauriel exhaled heavily and inhaled once before she stepped through, into the light, and all the dwarves laid their eyes on her. She held her breath. For a moment it was like the time stood still.
A whisper of wind went through the crowd, but they were all silent, watching her with awe. Some peered with anticipation and some still with suspicion, but all eyes were locked on her, and in that one moment they all had to admit to her beauty.
It felt like an eternity, and Tauriel dared not raise her gaze yet. She dared not meet the eyes of all the dwarves that had so many opinions about her, but she was not afraid. It was a strange, and yet powerful feeling, for she knew why she was here with absolute certainty. Finally she raised her gaze and met the eyes of the only dwarf that mattered.
Kíli felt the breath knocked out of him the moment she stepped into the cave. It was a good two-hundred yards from where he stood, but still he could see her face with clarity, and it was like seeing her for the first time again. Time slowed down, his mouth dried and his eyes saw only her. It felt like it was the first time he saw a thing of beauty, and he could never again look away.
Her beauty was unmatched anywhere in the world, her face and hair gleaming in the light of the setting sun that washed through the cave. The white dress moved around her body with softness that made it look like she was floating rather than walking. Had Kíli never before laid his eyes on her he would have thought her to truly be a Valar, walking the Earth as they did in the First Age of the world. It was then that she met his gaze, and he felt his heart stop for a long moment. Her eyes were so green and clear, and she held his with determination and love. Kíli could barely breathe knowing that it was for him that she was here, that she would finally become his by right.
Kíli felt his knees buckle underneath him. Suddenly he felt the hand of his brother on his shoulder, and through Fíli he got the strength to stand fast. He straightened and looked at his brother with a wide grin. In his face Kíli knew the love and support that his brother never failed to express, it gave him strength and hope. Fíli nodded, his smile almost as great as his brother's, and he patted his shoulder with shared eagerness, before stepping back again.
Kíli turned back to gaze upon his ascending bride as she walked down the hill, through the crowd and came slowly closer to him. Fíli felt the happiness for his brother's final victory warm his heart. He was wondering if it wasn't a problem after all that Legolas did not show up, but his thoughts were suddenly interrupted.
«Tauriel!» A voice rang across the cave, and as a golden-haired elvish princeling entered the cave, a gasp went through the cave with each dwarf that reacted to his arrival. A chatter suddenly started to grow, yet Tauriel and Legolas were untouched by it.
She turned abruptly at the sound of her name, and stood frozen, seeing her brother by love at the entrance of the cave. She did not understand at first, thinking he was perhaps only a mirage, a vision brought on by her nerves, but as she saw that all the other dwarves saw him as well, she turned back to him. Her face broke into a happy grin as she grabbed her skirts and ran back towards him.
Thorin looked to his nephews and they all seemed as surprised as him, though he thought he could see a slight curve on Fíli's lips before he turned back to look at the elves. He still had Kíliel in his arms, and she tugged at his tunic.
«Who's that?» She whispered, though did not take her eyes off of her mother as she ran up the slope to the entrance of the cave.
«That is your other uncle, Legolas,» Thorin exhaled, both exasperated and slightly relieved.
In the meantime Tauriel finally reached Legolas. «You are truly here!» She laughed as she threw her arms around his neck and held onto him tightly for a moment. Legolas placed both arms around her and held her tight as his heart and breath came heavily from his long run. He had sprinted from the gate to reach here in time, after speaking with one of the guards that had told him the wedding had already begun.
«I wouldn't have missed it for the world,» he breathed against her neck. Releasing his hold on her finally, he placed his hands on either side of her face and looked at her with a loving smile. Legolas kissed her forehead before taking her arm in his.
«What are you doing?» Tauriel asked, still with laughter in her voice.
«I am walking you down the aisle, as is my right as your bother, neth,» he replied, and started walking with her by his side. Tauriel did not know what to say, her thoughts racing inside her head with all sorts of questions. But at turning to Kíli again and seeing his still excited expression, all her thoughts turned to one; that she loved him. Nothing else mattered at this moment.
The dwarves muttered between themselves as Tauriel and Legolas walked between them down into the cave, for they did not know what to make of this; another elf? But seeing their King's content expression they turned quiet, for if the King did not object, how could they?
Kíli was naught but happy for Legolas' sudden arrival. He knew it was the one thing his beloved had missed on this day, and he imagined it would make it all the more perfect. This way they could both share their happiness with their families and each other. It was how it was supposed to be.
Tauriel and Legolas walked slowly, with a steady pace, and Tauriel held Kíli's gaze the whole way. Even when her eyes began to fill with tears did she hold onto his, seeing his face through the blur, knowing that he was all that mattered.
Suddenly she heard a small voice. It rang through the cave in a soft khuzdul song, and she suddenly realised it was her daughter singing. Kíliel sat still in Thorin's arms, and her small voice rang out across the crowd, making all muttering amongst the dwarves settle down.
Dís was the first to chime in, joining her granddaughter in the song. It was a dwarven love poem. 'Mahal umhûd âzyungâlh'. It was Dís who had taught it to the babe when she had understood Kíliel's love for song and music. She walked over to Thorin, who also raised his voice in harmony with theirs, and suddenly the cave was filled with the sound of a thousand voices as every dwarf joined in the song, of Mahal and his blessing of the lovers.
It was overwhelming and Tauriel looked in awe at the faces around her as she continued walking among the people of Erebor, who sang to her of blessed love. She began sobbing, tears streaming down her cheeks again as the power of it hit her chest with full force. Legolas laughed in amazement as he supported her and continued to walk her towards Kíli. Never had he thought that the dwarves were able to make such beauty in music and song, though it was still far from the sound of elven making. He recognised the feeling of his first sight of the Hall of the Kings. The sheer power of it turned the world before him.
When finally they reached the little meadow in front of the water, and Legolas handed her to Kíli, Tauriel hugged her lover tightly.
«I love you,» she breathed in his ear. «Will you forgive me?»
Kíli laughed softly and loosened her grip around him, taking her face in his hands. «You are here, that is all that matters to me,» he said and lead her to stand before Thorin.
The King handed Kíliel to his sister, and Dís took a step back to stand beside Fíli again with the babe in her arms. Legolas stood on the other side of Thorin, on the bride's side as was custom for elves. Thorin stood before the bride and groom, ready to officiate the wedding he had worked so hard to legalise. The cave had again turned silent as the song had ended, and the dwarves looked with anticipation for the wedding to begin.
A horn was blown throughout the mountain, the signal that the ceremony had officially begun.
A little party of dwarven guards walked up to Legolas, opened a casket that they held between them and handed him a hammer. It was richly decorated, normally used for metalwork, but had been enriched for this occasion and would become an heirloom for Tauriel and Kíli's future family. Legolas looked puzzled for a moment, but Fíli walked to him and explained that as the closest family of the bride he would have to act as her father and hold up the hammer as a sign that he approved and wanted the ceremony to proceed.
Legolas did not look any less puzzled though he looked at Tauriel, and with her nod held the hammer high in the air, far above the dwarves. A cheer rose from all the people of Erebor, and the guards moved to create a circle around the royal family, as was custom, symbolising the staying of Mahal's hammer by the grace of Eru and signifying that both families will protect the couple from harm. As neither families were great enough to form the circle the guards acted on their behalf.
Fíli signalled that Legolas could again lower the hammer, and as he did, Thorin began reading from a great book that was handed to him by another guard. It was usually custom for the father of the bride to read the wedding agreement, the Zarb, but as this was a royal marriage Thorin had the honour, as King. All would be quiet while the agreement was read, even as it was an extensive document, as most dwarven contracts. It was great dishonour to interrupt the reading of the Zarb, as this would be seen as an opposition to the union of the betrothed.
They stood long still, listening to Thorin read aloud in slow, respectful Khuzdul. Even Legolas, who did not understand a word of what was spoken, stood silent, respecting his sister and her groom as he held the wedding traditions holy in his heart, be it dwarvish or elvish.
Tauriel and Kíli stood facing each other, their hands interlaced and their eyes locked as they listened to Thorin and the agreement they had created together. It was important that both bride and groom were agreeing on the terms of their marriage, especially as it was a royal wedding and the first marriage after the retaking of Erebor. Their eyes were full of love for one another and Tauriel could still feel the rare tear fall from her eye of her intense, inner emotions. Kíli reached up to caress her cheek, and she laughed silently and closed her eyes from his touch.
Standing before him now she saw how more mature he suddenly looked compared to the night they had spent together in Rivendell, almost three years ago to the day. His beard had began to grow a year ago, as she well had noticed and loved greatly, just like any part of him, but it hadn't occurred to her how much he had changed from the dwarf she first fell in love with.
For the occasion he had decorated his beard with gems and metal as to represent his status as a prince, as well as clasps in his ears and hair which were richer than usual. His robe was decorated with gemstones and metal, with the royal seal over his heart, and he wore silver rings with great gems on his fingers. For the first time since they'd met he looked like a prince of Erebor, and she felt her love for him only grow as she kept watching him. She did not care that he had changed or that he dressed more richly; it was him, and the fact that they had grown together for the last two years that made her heart skip a beat.
Thorin finished his reading, and with a nod from him Kíli, still holding Tauriel's hand, began walking around her, making her turn with him, but still standing in the same spot. She laughed and wondered on these strange wedding traditions. Legolas did the same as he watched them and the dwarves around them which began cheering and laughing with the bride.
After several rounds Kíli stopped and Tauriel took a hand to her head feeling faint of the turning yet she laughed sweetly. When they again stood before each other, Fíli turned to Legolas.
«You must ask Kíli if he takes your sister's hand,» he whispered, and the baffled prince rose his eyebrows but did as Fíli said yet again. He had no idea he would be given such a big part in the wedding. If he did he would have changed his clothes to something more appropriate.
He stood before Kíli and asked with an official voice, loud enough for everyone to hear: «Do you, Kíli of the line of Durin, take my sister by love, Tauriel of Mirkwood, as your wife, to protect from harm and love with the respect of a husband for as long as you shall live?»
«I do and I will!» Kíli knelt before the prince, which now towered over him. Legolas again looked around, wondering what to do and how to proceed, but after a moment he knelt himself and put a hand on Kíli's shoulder, signalling him to rise. They held gazes for a while as they stood before each other and smiled as they established the respect between them more clearly in the eyes of everyone present. Never again would it be said that there was ill-will between the elves of Mirkwood and the dwarves of Erebor.
Thorin had a pleased look on his face as he asked the bride and groom to stand before him again. Tauriel and Kíli joined hands as they knew what came next. It was one of the traditions held dearest by the dwarves, and so Tauriel had not asked for it to be left out or changed. She was after all marrying a dwarf.
Tauriel smiled as she met Kíli's gaze and they recited together:
Blessed are you Mahal who has created everything for the glory of Eru.
Blessed are you Mahal who fashioned the earth, the mountains and the hills.
Blessed are you Mahal who fashioned the gems and metals in the heart of the mountain.
Blessed are you Mahal who fashioned the dwarves and the seven houses.
Blessed are you Mahal who taught the dwarves the skill to work the gems and metals in the heart of the mountain.
Blessed are you Mahal who gladdens our Halls through his children.
Blessed are you Mahal who gladdens groom and bride.
As they finished they stood before each other, their hands locked. Tauriel felt short of breath, not for the reciting, but for the strong emotions she felt grow in her as the ceremony came closer to the end. Soon they would be legally married, and she could hardly believe it. She squeezed Kíli's hands with such strength she feared she might have crushed his bones had he not been of sturdier built, as all dwarves were. He only smiled sweetly and winked at her with an expression that told her he was just as excited as her. Then it was time for their vows.
«In my Halls you will find a house, in your heart I will find a home.» Kíli said, his voice deep and his brows creased as he tried to contain himself of the extreme happiness growing in his chest.
«In your Halls I will find a house, in my heart you will find a home.» Tauriel replied as was custom, her voice barely a breath at the last word as she tried to keep from crying again. With these vows the lovers proclaimed to the world and each other that they belonged together. Behind them Dís sobbed silently, hugging Kíliel in her arms, the little girl not fully understanding why her grandmother would cry on a happy day like this.
Fíli walked to them, and handed both of them their rings. The one Kíli threaded carefully on Tauriel's finger was a sturdy golden ring with the markings of the line of Durin along the band, richly decorated with diamonds and colourful gems. In return Tauriel gave Kíli a plain, golden ring. Both rings symbolised the bride's welcome into the groom's family.
«By the witness of Mahal and his people beneath the Mountain, I now pronounce that you are rightfully married, to spend eternity together in this life and the next. Go forth in happiness and good health!» Thorin finally announced, his voice regal as it rung across the cave, followed by a sudden deafening cheer from the crowd all around them.
Kíli looked up at his bride, his smile so wide he felt his cheek numbing, and it was then that Tauriel sank down on her knees, making her slightly smaller than the dwarf that was now her husband. Kíli looked at his wife, the very thought making him dizzy. He caressed her cheeks, looking deep into her emerald eyes as he comprehended what all this meant, and he felt his love burst from his chest. The moment lasted a lifetime.
Then finally Tauriel dragged him down, kissing him with such happiness and love they might as well have been alone in the cave. It was like the first time they were here, when Kíli had shown it to her and proposed for the second time, and they had devoured each other with passion. She felt the fire grow in her again. How she longed for the night, and their first time as husband and wife.
The kiss was eventually broken as their family embraced them with good wishes and hugs, and it was time to move the celebrations up into the halls of Erebor, where the feast would last for another seven days.
First to congratulate them was of course Thorin, for he was standing closest, and Tauriel thought she could see the otherwise stern King wipe a tear from his eye. Next came Fíli with a great smile, his arms wide open as he walked to hug his brother excitedly, and then he took Tauriel's hand and kissed it, as it was more proper than the hug he had wanted to give her as well. After them came Dís leading Kíliel, whom Kíli lifted into his arms and hugged joyfully as his daughter laughed and chattered about her excitement. Dís hugged Tauriel and then kissed her forehead, welcoming her into the family, with the odd tear leaving her eye out of happiness.
Lastly Tauriel looked for Legolas, who had yet to congratulate them. He stood a few meters away, looking weirdly at the ground, and Tauriel saw a tear roll down his cheek, but it was different from the happy tears of Dís. Tauriel walked to him, and lifted his head so she could meet his eyes.
«I am happy for you, neth,» he muttered, but did not meet her gaze. His lips twitched in a faint smile.
«Mellon,» she whispered and laid her arms around his waist softly. «I will always be here, I am never lost to you,» she murmured against his ear as if she read his thoughts clearly, and he chuckled faintly under his breath. He loosened her arms from around him and took her face in his hands.
«Savo 'lass a lalaith,» he smiled sadly and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. He was wishing her happiness while saying goodbye, and it immediately saddened her. «I will stay for as long as you wish, but you are forever lost to me now, beloved sister.» His voice was so melancholy. She understood and could do nothing about it, so she nodded and smiled, thankful for his blessings.
They turned both to her husband then, as they were all getting ready to move out. Legolas held out his hand which Kíli took happily and gratefully. «I thank you, prince Legolas. I am glad you decided to come!»
«It would seem a lost affair had I not; who would have raised the hammer?» Legolas said ironically as they all laughed and turned to walk out of the cave.
The couple was escorted by their family, a band of guards both in front and behind, and the people followed after them. Kíli and Tauriel held a strong grip on each other's hand, neither willing to let go now that they were finally united. It was such a strange feeling, getting what they had so long hoped for, and now that it had happened it felt like a dream.
They laughed blissfully as they walked up through the Mountain and entered the Grand Hall, which had been cleared and set up with tables like a mead hall, though much grander. Tables stretched all the way through the open place to make room for every guest. On the one side, beside the guards' quarter, was the temporary kitchen set up, with newly built stone grillers and turners where great boars roasted and filled the hall with the sweet scent of warm meat, and on the other side was barrel upon barrel placed, filled with mead, ale and stronger drinks, necessary, as any dwarf would say, for the festivities to begin.
It began with the bride and groom, standing on top of the royal table, tasting the first drink. By rightful dwarven custom it must be downed, and the dwarves watched in awe, at Tauriel in particular, as the couple raised their glasses and drank. Only a mere moment passed from the cups touched their lips to they both raised them empty in the air and kissed yet again with a roar of the people of Erebor as encouragement. They laughed and jumped off the table, signalising that the celebration was officially started.
—
They party lasted long into the night. The feast was grand, and when the music began the dwarves joined in song and dancing, with the married couple to lead of course. Even Legolas had enjoyed himself.
He had danced with Tauriel first and then with Kíliel, holding the little girl in his arms, and she seemed to have fallen for her almost uncle. She had refused for him to set her down, so Legolas had kept dancing with her until she fell asleep in his arms. He had seemed to enjoy the dwarven celebration more than Tauriel had anticipated, and his relationship with Kíliel had also been surprising, for he had not wanted her to be taken from him even as she was asleep. In the end he had been sitting on the royal table with the girl sleeping in his arms through the rest of the evening, while speaking with Thorin and Fíli.
Tauriel herself had danced one dance with Thorin, then Fíli, and then been passed back and forth between many other dwarves who seemed to have no problem with her love for their prince, most of them of Thorin's company; Dwalin and Bofur in particular. Kíli had danced with his mother and a few older dwarven women, before the married couple had again reunited and spent the rest of the night dancing close, in a loving haze of smoke and ale.
It was for no little reason Tauriel complained about her feet when they finally returned to their own chambers, after a long round of saying good-nights after the festivities.
«I do not think elves are supposed to dance like that,» she laughed and removed her shoes with a sigh. «My head is swirling and I do not think I'll be able to walk properly for many days.»
At that Kíli grinned, took her hand and spun her around again, so she ended up against him. She laughed sweetly and cupped his face in her hands. Her fingers made circles in his beard as they looked deep into each other's eyes.
«I would dance with you every minute of every day had I got my way,» he murmured and stretched his neck to get closer to her lips, but it was she who had to close the distance, as she always did. Their lips melted together for a moment. Tauriel let out a long sigh, and breaking their connection she looked at her husband with eyes full of love and a blissful smile stretching across her face.
«Lucky for me you rarely do,» she teased and kissed him softly again.
«You might be right, but I hope you remember that this was only the first night, and there are six more to come.» Kíli retorted with a clever grin and kissed her neck softly, as his hand began to wander from her hip and up, over her waist and up along her back.
«How can I forget,» she sighed, feeling his touch as a light breeze that made the hair on her arms stand up from pleasure. «Though I have to admit, dwarves do know how to celebrate, and especially drink. I do think I am affected by it.» She giggled and bit her lip playfully. «In Mirkwood the King never allowed me to drink much, he was like a strict father sometimes, protecting me and…» she suddenly lowered her gaze. Her smile faded as her laughter died away. She stepped away from Kíli, and turned away. He looked after her with sad eyes, but did not know what to say.
Tauriel walked to the chest and found the box for the diadem, giving her a reason not to look at her husband. She placed the crown in it with careful fingers, before her hands began fidgeting with the bun on the back of her head, to release her head of the strain of the tight, though beautiful braids.
«Tauriel,» Kíli finally spoke, and walked to her. He laid his hands carefully around her, trying to sooth her as he knew of the trouble she had experienced over the last couple days.
«I am fine,» she said, though he could clearly hear the catch in her throat. He turned her, so she would face him, with determined, though kind hands, for at this moment he would not have her sadness. It was their first night together as a married couple and he would only have her happiness.
«You have given up much, and I could ask nothing more of you than your love and the gift that is our daughter. You are strong, beautiful and clever, all the things I am not worthy of, but you chose me, and at this moment you are mine and I am yours. Our daughter is safe with my mother, and so I ask of you to forget all else, for tonight, only our love exist. Nothing else is important, only you and me,» Kíli spoke softly as he cupped her face with his hand, his eyes holding hers with an intensity so she could not look away.
Tauriel felt the tears well up in her as he spoke, but they were only tears of happiness, for he was right. Tonight nothing but their love mattered. She could mourn her loss later, but tonight she'd look upon her husband with love and devotion.
«You are the only worthy, Kíli,» she murmured and again she closed the distance between them. Their lips met softy, though determined. She grasped his neck as he held her close to him, wanting more than ever to feel her naked skin underneath his fingers. How long had he dreamed of this day, this moment, to be able to hold her and know that she was forever his, body and soul, as he was hers?
Kíli chuckled and broke their kiss once again. He caressed her face, dried the remaining tears, and kissed her hand softly, before he led her to their sleeping chamber. There he made her sit, while he proceeded to release her hair from the bun. His fingers were soft and patient, and Tauriel felt her happiness grow as she sat in front of the mirror and watched her husband's kind smile as he released one braid after another.
The dwarves' abilities with hair and braids never ceased to surprise her, as she barely had begun to grasp the techniques they used. Dwarven hair was much different in texture than elven, and therefore twice as hard to work with, and still they made it look as easy as breathing. It was therefore no wonder that Kíli released her hair with such ease, so it soon hung free over her shoulders, and Tauriel sighed with happiness of the relief.
She caressed his hands as he laid them on her neck and began stroking her carefully. She kissed his hand and turned around in the chair to face him. Sitting like this she was but a head lower than him, and she instantly got a flash of memory from the woods of Rivendell. Then she had also been sitting like this, looking up at the dwarf she had never thought she could ever be calling hers.
«My husband,» Tauriel breathed, her lips quivering as she was filled with the happiness she could not contain. It was like fuel on the fire, for instantly Kíli put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her with such passion as she could hardly remember him ever having. He was always kind and careful not to hurt her, but now his lips devoured hers intensely and all thought of carefulness was far away from his mind. Tauriel felt the fire awaken in her as well and her loins began aching for him again as her hands held his collar tightly.
Then Kíli surprised her by placing one arm underneath her knees and the other under her back as he lifted her up and carried her to their bed. She laughed surprised and happy as he threw her on the soft cover and laid down over her. She looked up at the face that she loved so intensely she did not know what to do but kiss him again, and their lips interlaced with passion once again.
Kíli broke away from her lips, only to kiss her throat and collarbone, hungry to taste her skin. Tauriel sighed of pleasure and caressed his hair as he slipped a hand underneath her back to loosen her bodice. To Tauriel's surprise he managed easily to release it enough for him to slip the dress of her shoulders and expose her heaving breasts. Kíli continued to kiss her, and she felt her head spin and her lust for him grow throughout her body as he treated her to her liking.
Each time they made love it was like they stepped out of their bodies, as if their minds were one while they thrived together in the sweet dance. The trouble of the world would be lost to them, all that mattered was themselves as they explored each other again and again, through body and mind.
They had made love many times since the night in the cave, and it still awed Tauriel how an act so repetitive could never grow dull or spent. By every kiss Kíli offered her she felt her need for him, with every touch she wanted to feel his hands on her body and explore him with hers. No matter how many times they made love, how many things they tried to send them even higher, there was always more to learn and more to experience.
Now was no different, and they moved together in a haze of ale and lust that made them only push further. Kíli did no longer hold back, and Tauriel rode him like a stallion, their bodies completely interlaced and their hands exploring each other with enthusiasm.
They were finally together, married with the approval of their people, and it fuelled the fire between them even more. No one would ever part them again, and it was like they both acknowledged it, as they held onto each other while they moved together in a passionate rhythm that made stars appear before their eyes.
When they finally had finished, they lay together, Tauriel with her head on Kíli's furry chest and his hand caressing her shoulder. Tauriel felt her happiness settle, as she finally began to realise that they were in fact married.
«Do you remember the night in Rivendell?» She breathed. Her head was hazy with many toxins, pleasure and love being some of these. She lazily moved her head upwards to look at Kíli, her eyes narrow with happiness and calm.
«How can I forget? It was like a dream, and when you said that you loved me…,» he cut off his own speech to lean down and kiss her deeply again. Tauriel sighed of lust once more, but she was too tired to do anything about it at the moment. She only giggled and caressed his chest hairs with her fingers.
«I have never felt such happiness,» Kíli grinned widely. «Well, except for today, of course,» he quickly added after Tauriel gave him a crooked look. She then laughed and moved to lay on top of him. Her hands held his face as his laid on her hips, and she looked at him for moment before she kissed him intently.
«My wife,» Kíli murmured, his smile wide as he felt her boundless love fill him. He caressed her hair and kissed her again. Then he rolled her around in the bed, and they laughed together. This was the first day of the rest of their lives, and they knew they would spend every waking moment of it together.
NÂT
Translator: (in order of appearance)
Sindaring: Neth = Little sister
Khuzdul: Mahal umhûd âzyungâlh = Mahal bless the lovers
Khuzdul: Zarb = wedding agreement/prenuptial agreement
Sindarin: Mellom (common, we all know this one) = friend
Sindarin: Savo 'lass a lalaith = Have joy and laughter (found this phrase here )
Damn thats a lot of translations...
and lets not forget:
Khuzdul: NÂT = The end *sobs*
And YES this is the last chapter of this fic, but it is not the end of the story, as I hope most of you already know. To continue reading about Tauriel, Kíli, Kíliel, Thorin, Fíli, Dís and Legolas check out my other fic "Daughter of stars and stones"!
But oh, it is the last chapter, and I am so torn.
I have never struggled with a chapter as I have this one. Not because it was hard to write, but because the end have to be perfect, and I have of course come to know that perfection is an illusion, and still I could not be happy with this, which I still am not. It stands so close to my heart, being my first SERIOUS fanfiction that has ever gotten any attention here, and I am so afraid to let it go. I have no idea what I would do without DoSaS, I wouldve been lost if I coudlnt continue writing about my dwarves, they have become my life, crazy as it may sound! But this fic lasted WAY longer than it should in the first place, so Im sure it will be a relief to post it, no matter how scared I am!
So I am trusting this chapter to you, and I hope it is a good closure, as well as a good opening for their daughter's story! Im sorry Im just gonna go cry in the corner of all my anxieties around this chapter now...
And know that I would not have done this without every single one of you who has kept up with me, waited way too long for each chapter and either supported with a favorite or a sweet comment! You all drove me to this madness, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart! s2