This chapter is so short it's embarrassing *nervously smiles* enjoy everyone! Thanks for the great support!
The sun had yet to scrape the horizon. Hints of orange and pink were barely visible amongst the clouds. In the distance, Dale was waking up. Sounds of daily work drifted to the mountain. From where she stood in front of the mountain gates, Tauriel admired the morning view. If it were not for the goodbyes and well wishes happening in front of her, it would've had her full attention.
Fili had already spoken with her. He was quite stern that he expected his nephew to be healthy and well when he returned. It wasn't until Bofur, along with a few others, stated that if something went after her, it'd have to get through them first that Fili moved on to Bilbo.
Tauriel had been cautious when it came to saying goodbye. All the dwarves and Bilbo had gathered and she wasn't sure if she'd be welcomed. Watching Thorin grasp his nephews and worry for their safe travels, made her feel like an intruder to this special moment for their kin. Tauriel wasn't their family; she didn't belong.
Kili came to her last. They'd said their goodbyes in the privacy of their room, complete with a tender kiss, but now it felt more real. He held her. She was sure the sight was a humorous one, given the fact he only came to her shoulders, but Tauriel didn't care. It would be at least over a month before she could feel his warmth or hear his throaty chuckle.
His arms unwrapped from around her, slowing moving back to his sides. The fluttering had paused, like it knew the solemnness of the situation. Kili smiled and Tauriel did her best to return the favor. She wasn't worried like she had been. The night brought back her courage. A month would pass quickly and Kili had survived far more dangerous situations.
"Try not to overwork your arm. It's still healing," she heard herself blurt out, "and please don't come home needing me to stitch you up again."
"Wouldn't dream of it," he smirked. "Wouldn't want to have buckets of blood pouring from me when we get married now would I?"
"Or missing an appendage," she added. "It's useless to ask you not to be reckless, but don't be too reckless please. I'd like to have a husband in one piece."
Looking at him moments away from leaving made her sad. Not because of the separation, although that was disheartening, but Kili and Fili were both looked ready for adventure. Seeing them after they dressed for the morning gave her a strange sense that she'd seen that scene before, and it wasn't until that moment Tauriel realized what it was.
They were dressed exactly like the first day she laid eyes on them. Heavy travelling cloaks and leather pieces of armor brought back the memories of her guard searching them. No doubt Fili had an unimaginable amount of daggers stashed throughout his wardrobe and Tauriel nearly laughed, remembering Kili's suggestion for her to search his trousers.
It made Tauriel sad that she wasn't joining along.
"And watch your arrows," she continued. "I'd hate for you to run out when you least expect it. Listen to your brother, please. Remember to use dirt to put out your evening fires-."
"Tauriel." Kili shook his head, rolling his eyes and laughing. "I travelled quite a lot before I met you."
"I know," she snapped, frowning at his laughter. "It doesn't hurt to remind one though."
"Of course, winter starlight," he smiled, reaching out for her hand. He gripped it tightly, holding it between both of his, before placing a swift kiss to the knuckles. Behind them, Fili was grasping his uncle one last time. More streams of orange broke across the horizon. "Tell the little one not to do anything exciting until I get back."
"I'll pass along the message." Her fingers wrapped around his hand. "I'll miss you."
"Kili!" Fili was on one of the two ponies, reins tight in his hand. He gave an impatient nod to the lone animal next to him. "We need to leave."
"Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'." Tauriel smiled, bending to place a kiss on his forehead as she let go of his hand. "Amin mela lle."
"I am going to assume that was something nice. I'll be back soon. I love you, both you."
He gave Bilbo a hard pat on the shoulder as he passed and quickly embraced Thorin. The others yelled farewells and well wishes to the brothers. Both on their ponies, they departed on the stony path in the early light of dawn.
As the sun finally broke the horizon, Kili looked over his shoulder to see his fiery haired elf raise a hand in silent farewell.
Dale was still in the early stages of waking up. Very few guards stood at attention on unrepaired parts of the wall and small groups of men stood in the streets and alleys. Smells of baking bread filled the air, but the sounds of scampering children was absent. Mewls of hungry animals awaiting their breakfast covered the echoing of the brothers' ponies on the stone path.
"Two weeks to get there," Fili called from in front of Kili, "and two to return. Not too bad."
"Three," his brother corrected, "if we're lucky. An entire population will move slower than two dwarves riding."
They continued through the street, nearing a house they visited often. Fili made to stop in front of the bare garden, but then noticed two figures ahead; one a young woman and the other, a child clutching her hand. Giving a hard kick, they urged the ponies faster.
"Sigrid! Tilda!"
The girls turned, smiles erupting on their faces. Sigrid pulled down her hood as the ponies came along them. Tilda immediately dropped her sister's hand and reached to pet Kili's.
"Look at this," Sigrid teased, swinging the wicker basket she held. It was as though she'd either forgotten, or simply didn't care about her last encounter with the brothers. Kili was sure her shouts were still echoing somewhere in the mountain. "The princes of Erebor are out at dawn. Someone is aiming to be productive today."
"Where are you going?" Tilda asked, brow furrowing as she saw the sacks and weapons handing from the animals. Her fingers trailed over the leather stitches. "You can't be leaving?"
"Aye." Kili gave the girls a bright smile. It did nothing to their frowns. "To aid our mother and the rest of our kin on their journey home."
"But what about your baby?" Tilda pressed. Sigrid didn't look nearly as distraught as her sibling, but she watched the conversation with an uneasy look. "Tauriel will have it without you!"
"Tilda, don't be silly," Sigrid snapped, before directing her attention back to the older brother. "You won't be gone long, right?"
"You'll hardly have time to miss us," Kili answered, beginning to nudge his pony further. It was deterred when Fili's didn't move.
"This means our agreement will be delayed." The words were quick, almost like a child making an excuse to their mother. "You don't mind waiting until we return?"
"Of course I don't mind! My only wish is that you both have a safe journey." She smiled fondly to which Fili gave a mumbled, unintelligible answer under his breath before ushering his pony down the road. Tilda grasped Kili's hand, before he gently shook her loose and bid her farewell. As he passed to oldest sibling, he began to say goodbye but found she wasn't even looking at him. Her smile faltered as she looked down the road. "Watch out for each other, won't you?"
Kili did not miss her message. Passing her and holding up a hand in farewell, he felt a twinge of sadness for the young girl. "Don't you worry, lass. He'll come home."
Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au-my heart shall weep until it sees thee again
Amin mela lle-I love you