They rode hard and fast. Kili sat in front of Tauriel on her horse, her arms wrapped around him. Iomhar rode beside them. The rain pounded into their faces. At least it was only rain. Lightning still flashed around them and thunder loudly pounded into their ears. The landscape was a blur. Kili closed his eyes. He let his mind wander. The storm, the crops, the raven from Torsten and Hrafn, fire in Mirkwood, leaving the twins with Fili...

The horses slowed down and Kili opened his eyes. They were entering Mirkwood.

"Have a nice nap?" Tauriel asked.

"I didn't sleep," Kili said.

"No, that snoring came from the horse," Tauriel gave his waist a squeeze.

"I was thinking," Kili said defensively.

"It's alright, darling," Tauriel said. "With everything going on recently, I'm sure your have much on your mind to think about. Even if you snore while you think." She kissed the top of his ear. A shiver ran through him that did not come from being soaked through from the storm.

The rain had stopped and smoke still rose from the tree tops. Tauriel led them into the woods, following paths that couldn't be seen, but she knew were there. Kili looked to his son. He looked tired and soaked. His long red hair was plastered against his face and back, but his eyes were bright. Iomhar stood shoulder height to Tauriel, making him much taller than his father, but he was built like Kili, broad chest, strong arms. He was respected by his peers and the soldiers he trained. And, there were many lasses back in Erebor who loved when there were parties and dances. Strong, tall, elegant and strong, Iomhar was never in want of a dance partner. The lasses flocked to him.

Kili chuckled. How had he, of all dwarves, ended up with such fine sons? He was sure he didn't deserve them and he was ever thankful to Tauriel for giving him those boys.

They rode deeper into the forest. Off in the distance, thunder could still be heard, but it was a low rumble now.

After a while, they could smell smoke, but it was a while longer before they came upon the first sign of activity. Two elves, with smoke blackened faces, crossed their path.

"Tauriel," the first one said with obvious surprise. He then noticed Kili and Iomhar. "Prince Kili, young prince."

"Telrunya, what news of the forest?" Tauriel asked.

"The fire started a league to the south of Thranduil's Halls. It spread quickly. We have sections of the blaze under control, but I don't know about all of it, yet," Telrunya replied.

"The rain helped to battle the flames," the second elf said.

"And what of Thranduil's Halls?" Kili asked.

"We do not know," the second elf replied. "We set out as soon as the fire started. We haven't been back to see if the Halls were threatened."

"We ride there now," Tauriel said.

The five of them rode on towards the Halls. Tauriel chatted with the two elves of news of the woodland realm. Kili did not remember having met these two elves before, but that didn't meant that he hadn't at some point or other over the last eighty years. From their talk, he was able to discover that Tauriel had been their captain, back when she was one of Thranduil's captains. He could feel Tauriel's body relax in relief as they arrived at Thranduil's Halls, which seemed unaffected by the fire. They were greeted at the gate and led to the throne room at the center of the city.

If Thranduil was troubled by the fire threatening his home in anyway, he did not show it. He looked as calm, cool and collective as he always looked.

"Prince Kili, Tauriel, Prince Iomhar," Thranduil greeted. "What brings you here?"

Kili stepped forward. "We come to see if your realm was threatened by the fire and offer you our services, should you need aid."

"What aid can one dwarf give?" Thranduil asked.

"Well, as you can see, I am more than just one. There are three of us, able bodied, willing to work and help, if such aid is needed. And, if you should have need, I can call on the whole of Erebor to help battle the flames that ravage through Mirkwood."

Thranduil smiled for a moment. "I thank you, Prince Kili, for your offer of assistance, but as you can see, our home is under no threat."

"I'm glad to know that," Kili spoke as politely as he could.

"My latest reports say that most of the fires are out. I can offer you a place to stay and rest before you return to Erebor."

"You require no assistance?" Kili asked.

"None at this time. Malben? Please see our guests to their rooms," Thranduil dismissed them.

Kili was always slightly worried about being thrown into a cell, but despite the kings' unpleasant demeanor, he had never done anything threatening since Thorin had been crowned king. Kili had always been treated with respect when he came here. The elves had never been very welcoming to him, but they had always shown respect.

They were led to two fine rooms. Their packs had been brought up. Some food, a wash basin and some towels were supplied. Iomhar fell onto the bed in his exhaustion.

"Well, I guess we can go home tomorrow," Kili said. It seemed a great waste of time to have come all this way, but Kili couldn't complain about getting to go home so quickly. He was never comfortable in Mirkwood. Tauriel's back was too him. He knew her well and recognized the way she stood. Something was upsetting her. "Tauriel?"

Iomhar popped open one eye to look at his mother. "Are you alright, Amad?"

She sighed. "I'm fine. It's always odd to come back here. It was my home for many centuries. I know this place as well as any elf here, and yet, when I come here now, I am almost ignored by everyone and I'm escorted from one place to another like a foreign guest. It's just odd. Makes me a little sad, that's all."

Kili wrapped his arms around her waist, his head rested against her stomach. "I'm sorry, my dear."

She bent down and kissed the top of his head. "It's no matter. We'll be off again tomorrow to go home," she smiled.

Kili knew his wife too well. He saw this change in her mood every time they came here and each time, it got worse. But, he also knew that she would be back to herself once they arrived back in Erebor. Funny how her own people didn't show her any concern, but the dwarves who shared her home, loved her as their princess. That was something he never thought would have happened when he sat alone in his cell, on his first visit to Mirkwood.

The next morning, as they planned to leave, Thranduil asked for Kili and his family to go out to one of the fires that had become worse over night. They packed their things and rode out to the largest of the remaining fires. They helped to cut trees to create a barrier the fire could not cross. They carried buckets of water and raked at dead debris on the forest floor.

Their "We don't need help" stay lasted for ten days. Kili had sent Fili a raven as soon as they had been asked to help with the fire. They were glad to assist, but when the time finally came so they could leave, they were happy to be headed back home.

"I hope Klin and Keil were good for Fili," Tauriel said as they rode home.

"I think you should be more worried about your sons than Fili," Kili chuckled. "If you can get him to give our sons back, who knows what bad habits might have been taught to them by my brother."

Tauriel groaned and kicked her horse harder. "Faster then. We haven't a moment to lose to rescue our sons."

Kili laughed the entire way home.