I have the best readers ever. Seriously. I love that you all tell me exactly what you like about the story. It definitely helps improve my writing style! (I'm a sucker for long reviews ;) )

Smoke floated lazily in the air as Kili absentmindedly puffed his long pipe. Fili was beside him, doing the same. Both brothers were lounged against a wooden stall, watching Tauriel from across the long expanse of room. She was happily running her hands along the neck of the animal that had brought her here, occasionally placing soft kisses of thanks along its muzzle.

Kili wasn't one for horses, but he made a mental note to spoil that creature until the end of its days.

"That doesn't bother you?" Fili whispered through his pipe. Tauriel was murmuring words of elvish, unknown and foreign to the dwarf brothers. Although she was too far for her words to be clear, the fluid motion of her lips was a sign of the language she spoke.

"No," Kili answered honestly. In fact, he rather enjoyed it when Tauriel whispered words of endearment in her home language, but he wouldn't confess that to his brother. "She's an elf. I thinks it's expected she'd speak in elvish occasionally."

Fili nodded, watching as Tauriel laughed quietly, feeding a handful of hay to the animal. "She's in high spirits, even though Thorin didn't give her a home."

"Aye," Kili agreed. Tauriel glanced across the room, catching Kili's eye. A smile tugged on his lips. "She's very optimistic. Her only concern at the moment is the child."

"Thorin will change his mind. When the rest of our kin arrive and take a liking to her, he will see reason."

Fili was right. Soon, the inhabitants of the Blue Mountains and some from the Iron Hills would arriving in Erebor, refilling the kingdom to its former glory. If Kili could manage to convince them of Tauriel's well-doing, Thorin would not be able to banish her.

"I hope so," Kili muttered against the wood of his pipe.

The horse whinnied at that moment, its hooves echoing in the large stone cavern the stables were located in. Kili laughed, watching it throw its head back while Tauriel rubbed it affectionately.

"It looks as though it takes more than an orc pack to stop that animal," Fili called out.

"Yes," Tauriel answered, her voice as merry as a ring of bells, echoing across the stone. "He's very brave. I believe I will call him Talagor."

Kili pushed away from the stall, crossing the expanse of cavern to stand near her. "And what does that mean?"

"Fast foot," she replied, kissing the horse above its eyes. Kili would never tell her, but kissing animals was a tad gross. "His swiftness saved my life and should be admirably recognized."

"I've never liked horses," Fili mussed as he came to stand by the pair. He looked at the horse with weary eyes. "Too high of a fall."

Tauriel laughed. Loud and cheerful it was a sound Kili had not heard often. "Master Dwarf, you have been spun by arachnids of unimaginable size, seen dragon fire in the flesh, and been held by the Pale Orc himself. Are you truly afraid of a gentle creature such as this?"

"Not afraid," Fili corrected, "just smart enough to not ride on its back."

"Hm, perhaps it is wise for you to stick with your ponies," she teased playfully. "Actually, I'm surprised you two are down here with me at all. As the Princes of Erebor, do you not have other responsibilities than showing an elf around?"

"Nah," Kili shrugged. "As you saw the kingdom is still rather empty. Dain took his men back to the Iron Hills, but many are returning along with our kin from Ered Luin. All we've been doing is preparing the mountain for their arrival." Tauriel nodded, silently continuing to affectionately rub the horse. Kili noticed the downfall in her eyes and quickly caught on to her discomfort at the mention of their kin returning. "It's still morning," he said quickly. "If you want, we could go riding; head into Dale. I can think of a couple of girls that would be pleased to see you."

Tauriel looked confused for a moment, then the smile that could bring Kili to his knees broke out across her face. "Sigrid and Tilda! Are they well?"

"Never been better," Fili answered. "Their father, Bard, has nearly rebuilt Dale and the markets have grown. We visit every week or so."

"You should join us," Tauriel beamed. "I would like that very much."

The ride to Dale was not long. The sun was bright in the sky, hinting with a small amount of warmth that spring was on its way to the mountain. Tauriel enjoyed the small journey. She craved the open sky and it was nice riding with Talagor without fleeing from a kingdom or fighting for her life.

"This place really has changed," Tauriel commented as she dismounted on the edge of the city. Only a few buildings still showed sign of ruins, but most had evidence of recent repairs. Multiple stalls and tables lined the cobblestone paths, selling a wide range of goods. Men, some in armor and others in common clothes, stood in large groups discussing politics and business while children scampered by their feet. The women were merry as well, laughing and gossiping when they weren't chasing their bearings. "The last time I saw it-."

Her voice broke off. The last time she wandered the ruined streets of Dale, Tauriel found herself in the heated arms of the dwarf on her right. Hoping Kili didn't notice her reddening cheeks, she lead Talagor forward. Kili and Fili followed her, leading their own ponies around the throngs of people.

Men in armor greeted the young princes and children waved merrily, to which the brothers answered just as happily. Some of the people they addressed by their full names. Women inclined their heads respectably, but most of the onlookers stared openly at the fire-haired elf in the bloody clothes.

"People are staring," she hissed out the corner of her mouth. "Should I have covered my ears?"

Fili snorted a laugh and Kili smirked at her comment. "No, my love. These people have never seen beauty that glows as yours does. That's all."

"I think it's the ears."

"Shut up, Fili."

Although Kili's statement was farfetched, it seemed as though it was half-correct. Most of the townspeople had only seen elves when they arrived prepared for battle three months ago. To see one with rare, crimson hair and strolling calmly through their streets was a scarce sight.

The brothers stopped at a house next to the cliff side. Alongside was bare garden, still half frozen from the long winter. Tauriel smiled when she saw two girls, one a blossoming young woman and the other a mere child, digging stones from the rough ground. With their backs to the strange trio, they did not see the horse and ponies being tied to the fence.

Fili jumped up on the wooden railing, leaning over the edge. "Now what are the lovely Ladies of Dale doing hulling stones from a frozen garden bed?"

The eldest whipped around, face scrunched as if she was prepared to lash out at the male voice, but the heat disappeared when she saw the brothers. The small one spun quickly, her skirt billowing around her ankles.

"Why if it isn't the laziest princes I've ever laid eyes on," Sigrid teased, throwing her hands on her waist. Dirt covered her fingers and strands of hair fell from her braids, but Tauriel was amazed how mature the girl looked. Three months of assisting in the rebuilding of an entire city had turned her into quite the young woman. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Master Dwarves?"

"We brought you an old friend."

Sigrid's eyes widened as she noticed the tall, willowy maiden next to Kili. Tilda gave shrill scream of delight and bolted across the firm dirt before her sister even moved.

"Oh, Tauriel!" she screeched, throwing herself at wooden fence. Tauriel laughed as the little girl clambered over the railing. Kili helped hoist her over and as soon as her feet touched the ground, she threw herself at the elf. "I knew I would see you again! Da said it wasn't likely and Kili never wanted to talk about you!" Kili shuffled his feet uncomfortably and edged away from the hugging girls. Tauriel gave him smirk. "But I knew you'd come to see me!"

The girl's arms were wrapped firmly around Tauriel's thin waist. Although it was a sweet gesture, Tauriel was not used to such open affection. She hesitantly placed her arms around the girl. "Nae saian luume', little one. Oh, how you've grown this winter."

"What are you doing here?" Sigrid asked, quickly crossing the garden and climbing over the fence. Her smile was wide as she dusted off her hands on her skirt before grasping the hand Tauriel offered her. "I thought you returned home with the other elves."

"I've come back," Tauriel answered, glancing down at the small girl still holding tightly onto her waist. "I missed your sister too much."

Tilda squealed and bounced on her heels. Sigrid gave an annoyed sigh and dropped Tauriel's hand, prying her sister off the elf. Kili was thankful. Although it was rather cute, Tilda's firm grip on Tauriel's stomach made him nervous. Fili noticed his worried glance and rolled his eyes.

"Would you like to come in?" Sigrid offered, motioning towards the house.

Tauriel shook her head politely. "No, thank you but I'll gladly accept on a different occasion. I need to purchase fabric for a new dress." She gestured to the bloody tear in her sleeve. "Would you like to join me to find some?"

"Oh yes!" Sigrid brushed more dirt off onto her skirt. "You know, I believe some new merchants came in this morning. They claimed they made trades with elves. I'm sure we could find you something."

"Lass, you're covered in dirt," Fili pointed out, smirking at the playful glare the girl gave him. "Shouldn't you go change before you stroll around the market?"

"No," Sigrid sniffed, tightly folding her arms across her chest. "Just because Da is a Lord now doesn't mean I can't wear my work clothes about. I used to do it in Laketown all the time."

Tilda leaned over and, behind her hand, failed miserably at whispering to Tauriel. "Sigrid doesn't like it when the suitors come. The more dirt on her, the less interested they seem."

"Suitors?" Kili and Fili said in unison. While Kili was smiling in a teasing way, Fili seemed utterly confused. The blonde's mouth dropped crookedly and his eyebrows furrowed.

"Tilda, you and your big mouth." The elder sister shook her head. More strands of light hair fell from the braid wrapped around her head. Ignoring the brothers' shocked looks, she grasped Tauriel around her waist and Tilda's hand. "Come on, then. Let's go find you something without blood splattered on it."

"Oi!" Kili called after the girls. "I want to hear about these suitors!"

"Not on your life!" Sigrid called over her shoulder. There was stifling laughter from Tauriel and Tilda, and as they walked away Kili saw them press their heads together to whisper.

"Women are strange," Kili pondered, watching their giggling forms disappeared. Tauriel didn't giggle. She slashed orcs and shot giant arachnids in the skull with a bow. Her hands snapped necks attached to snarling mouths and one of her kicks could break every rib in a man's body.

Two minutes with Sigrid and she was giggling.

"Maybe we shouldn't have reunited them," he continued when their forms disappeared into the crowd. There was silence from next to him. Turning, he saw Fili starring into the crowd where they disappeared. "What's wrong with you?"

Fili snapped his attention to his brother. "What?"

Kili punched his bicep. "And you tell me I have to pay more attention. Come on. Those girls are going to take forever. I'm sure Bard could use help with something."

It didn't take them long to find the newly appointed Lord of Dale. Bard was at the East Wall, overseeing and assisting in rebuilding the stone a troll crashed through months ago.

"Ah, good afternoon young Masters," he greeted, jumping off a high platform. Kili and Fili bowed their heads respectively. Bain could be seen on another section of the wall and he waved. "I'm surprised Tilda did not follow you here. She rarely lets you out of her sight when you come our way."

"Aye, but she's got someone a bit more exciting than a couple of dwarves to follow after now," Kili laughed. "Tauriel of the Woodland Realm is currently residing in Erebor. Your daughters accompanied her to the market."

Bard folded his arms and furrowed his brow. "Tauriel? I've heard that name. The girls speak of her often. That is the one that came with orcs, correct?"

"The very same."

"I never thanked her for saving my children." Bard looked over their heads, almost as if he expected to see the elf walking up behind them. "Both from the orcs and dragon fire. I would like to do so before she leaves."

"You'll get your chance," Kili assured him. "She isn't going anywhere."

Bard's gaze went down to the young dwarf and suspicion became apparent on his features. "I received a raven from your uncle this morning. He spoke of the threat against your family. Dale is in danger now as well."

Kili shook his head. "Azog doesn't want an open fight. He wants revenge. There's nothing in Dale he can use against us."

Bard nodded. "Yes, I suppose that's true. Funny thing though, King Thorin also mentioned there was a change in the mountain. He told me to expect some angry characters when your kin passes through. That wouldn't have anything to do with she-elf, now would it?"

Kili hooked his thumbs in his pocket and bounced on the balls of his feet, smiling widely. "You caught me, dragon slayer. This is when you congratulate me on becoming a father, or rather, on the fact that I will be one come next winter."

Bard stared at the dwarf for only a moment, before sliding a hand down the side of his face. "Ah, Prince Kili. Your brother doesn't joke when he calls you a fool."

"You know, you would not believe how often I've been called that since last night."

"I'm surprised your uncle allowed her to stay."

"You can't fight love, my friend." Kili shrugged happily. "Speaking of which, I hear you've got a young woman on your hands now. What's this I hear about suitors?"

"The whole thing is a mess," Bard sighed. "Sigrid is eighteen now. Should have been married off three years ago but was too busy caring for her siblings. Now that she's an honorary Lady, requests for her hand have becoming in faster than she can deny them. She hasn't told you any of this?"

"No," Fili replied, who had been oddly quiet through the conversation until this point. "She hasn't."

"Be thankful dwarves tend to have sons," Bard said to Kili. "Daughters are a whirlwind of danger."

It was near nightfall when the trio were finally back inside the mountain. Tauriel spent the day with the girls, enjoying their merry company, while Fili and Kili assisted Bard and the other men with rebuilding the wall. The goodbyes had been full of promises that Tauriel would soon see them again. Although she had not openly told them her secret, Sigrid gave her a knowing grin when Tauriel bought more fabric than what her small form required.

Thankfully, the young woman said nothing in front of her boisterous sister.

"How often did you say you and your brother see Bard's children?"

Kili shrugged, continuing to swiftly whittle his knife across the small piece of wood he held. The warm light from the grand hearth basked the pair in a heated glow. Tauriel paused in her sewing, a hobby she did not do unless it was necessary, to gaze at her dwarf. The shadows on his face did funny things to his appearance, making his scruff seem more rugged and his eyes darker.

"I used to go about once a week," Kili answered. He was seated in chair, slightly raised above Tauriel for she had chosen to sit on the floor in front of the warm fire, the fabric laid out in front of her. He stopped whittling the little figurine to look at her as he spoke. "Fili went more than me. Bofur would go too sometimes. Why?"

Tauriel grinned lightly and said nothing, only shaking her head before looking back down at the blue material. Kili watched her instead of going back to his work. It was hard to believe he'd gotten this lucky; that the beautiful creature basking in the fire's glow in front of him called him her love. Her hair, so long that it sprawled on the floor behind her, seemed to be enflamed in the light as it framed the smooth skin of her face. Glancing down, he watched her nimble fingers work the needle with as much swiftness as she fired her bow.

"I've never sewn a single thing in my life," he started, "and I never plan to, but that seems like lot of fabric for someone with a waist as thin as yours and trust me, I know how thin it is."

"For the love of Mahal, Kili!" Fili groaned, slapping his palm to his forehead. He was seated on the other side of the room, feet propped up on the table as he sat with Bofur and Oin. A few other of his less opinionated friends scattered the room as well. They were the only dwarves who wanted anything to do with the she-elf at the moment. "Would you cut that out? I don't want to hear about that."

"You are cruel to your brother," Tauriel chastised Kili, still smiling, "and as kind as you are to remember how small my waist is, you seem to have not realized the fact it won't always be that way. Any day now our blessing will be making itself known."

Kili's eyes shot to her stomach. Of course it would be getting bigger. Somehow, he had not thought about it. The idea of Tauriel heavy and swollen with his son as she walked the halls of Erebor filled him with a new feeling of empowerment.

"You can hardly tell when dwarf lasses are carrying," Bofur piped up from beside Fili. "They're usually a bit big boned to begin with. Not all tree-like."

"Tree-like?" Tauriel gasped, a surprised laugh escaping her lips. "Do you really compare me to a tree?"

"Only when you stand next to Kili," Fili answered, smirking at his brother. "You make him look like a wee babe standing under a large oak."

The snorts and hoots of laughter from the dwarves in the room was immediate. Tauriel even held a hand over her mouth to suppress her own, while Kili only nodded his head. Standing up in front of the jeering group, he offered Tauriel his hand. Eyeing him suspiciously, she tucked the fabric under an arm and stood, accepting his hand with the other.

"Laugh all you want," Kili smiled, "but may I remind you all, that I get to experience this exceptional creature in my bed tonight, while the rest of you only have each other." The laughing stopped instantly. Tauriel's face heated as mouths dropped in sullen realization. Kili smirked smugly. "So, enjoy your jokes lads, but remember who is really coming out on top tonight."

Turning to leave, Kili was stopped short when Tauriel yanked her hand out of his grasp. Turning to her in surprise, he found her smiling at him mischievously. Fear replaced the boldness in his chest.

"Why, my Lord," she addressed him, placing the hand she ripped him on her hip. "That would be quite improper as we are unmarried."

His mouth dropped. "But-."

"I'm sorry, dear Prince of Erebor." Kili sensed her cold humor coming out, much like when she informed there could be nothing in his trousers. "I refuse to sleep in the bed of a man who I am not promised to." Looking over his head, that was frozen in horrid surprise, she locked eyes with Fili. "Could I trouble you to show me to chambers that your brother does not currently reside in?"

Fili happily pushed away from the table. The grin he shared with Tauriel was wide as he strode past Kili and offered Tauriel his arm. "It would be my pleasure, my Lady."

Kili was still in shock as his brother left with Tauriel holding onto his arm. Before they disappeared, he managed to belt out at them. "But, we've already-."

Tauriel whipped her head over her shoulder, making his words stop in his thoat. Her grin was dangerous and wild. "As I said before, my Lord. I will not lie in a bed with any man who I am not promised to. The instance you are speaking of was not in a bed."

Kili was sure he would have heard Fili's howling laughter, but the deafening outburst of belting laughs from the room he was in drowned it out.

I love Fili. I love Kili. I love Tauriel and Fili working together to playfully tease Kili. What did you all think of Sigrid and Tilda making their way into the story? Predictions of Azog's game plan?

There will be a few more days of Tauriel figuring out her place in Erebor, then after that the plot definitely picks up. Thanks everyone :)

Nae saian luume-it has been too long