Everyone turned to look at the embarrassed prince. About a dozen elves sat around the long table with Thranduil at the head. The only space free was next to the elven king, Kili groaned inwardly. Tauriel lead him round the table with one hand on the back of his neck. He looked up at her and she winked, nodding. Sliding in to the proffered chair, Kili was aware of all eyes on him, he dipped his head down at the king.

"Glad you could join us." The King, tilting his head to one side. Kili nodded back, trying to ignore the mutters running around the hall. Thranduil raised a hand and elves entered through side doors, bearing plate piled high with food.

No meat Kili thought grumpily. Thus was surprised when an elf placed a plate of steak and potatoes in front of him. Nodding his thanks, he glanced behind him to see Tauriel standing behind him, hands place relaxed on her blades. She smiled, nodding to wards his plate. He grinned back.

Light conversation filled the wooden hall, though many glance at Kili every so often.

"So, dwarf," Thranduil said as he tucked in to his meal, "I don't know your name."

Kili shifted slightly, suddenly uneasy, "Not, you don't."

"May I know what it is?" The elf continued,

"Kili." Kili said grudgingly, "Son of Dis."

"Dis? That is a percular name."

Kili picked up his fork slowly, "To you, maybe. But to us it is a fine female name."

"Female? I thought it was that dwarves name their father."

"Well, my mother's bloodline is higher then my father's."

"Your father was a stong dwarf?"

Kili stiffened, "I don't know he died before I was born."

"Ah, I see." Thranduil raised his delicate eyebrows, "you should eat that before it gets cold."

Kili picked up his knife numbly, cutting slowly into the juicy beef.

From there the dinner was mostly uneventful, Thranduil and the elves talked in elvish, leaving Kili to him self. He was fine with it, until the king started talking, quite literally, over his head.

Minding his table manners was the biggest challenge. The elven cutlery was delicate and the wooden handle was weak, making eating steak incredibly hard. Even with that, Kili finished before all the others. He was tired, annoyed and the bead on the circlet, dangling just in his vision was giving him a headache. He pushed the damned jewelry higher on his forehead.

"I am glad you wore that." Thranduil said, finally speaking in the common tongue.

"Why is that?"

"Because it shows to these elves that you are my guest and under my protection."

"And why would you protect me?"

"Why shouldn't I?" Thranduil sipped from his wine glass.

"You locked the others up. My brother and my uncle."

Thranduil nodded his head, "Good point."

Kili stifled a yawn behind his hand. Boy, he was tired. All he could think about was the soft bed in his room he could curl up and relax. Talking about this meal with his brother- Kili jolted, fear and misery welling up inside him. He needed to see his brother, he had to.

Thranduil clicked his fingers at Tauriel, "Take him back to his room," he added something to the end in elvish, Tauriel nodded.

Gripping his arm, Tauriel lead Kili out of the hall, where many of the elves were still staring, along the corridor and towards his room.

"Wait," Kili stopped in spite of the hand on his arm, "Can I see my brother?"

Tauriel bit her lip, "I have been ordered to take you straight to your room."

"Please Tauriel!" Kili pulled her arm away, "I have to see him!"

Tauriel shifted from foot to foot, "I can't!"

"Its not as though I'm a prisoner, is it?"

Tauriel rolled her eyes, "Oh Kili! Fine! Come on and follow my lead." she grasped his arm again, leading him down a side corridor. Up several flights of wooden stairs, along more passages, before coming to a cavern filled with cells.

Sorry, I couldn't keep the brothers apart any longer! Also,Tauriel is going to get nicer, don't worry!

Thranduil is just bending the true to suit him, isn't he?

Enjoy!