Day Six: Vacation

NOTE: This entry and the tile of this collection is inspired by the song "A Million Miles Away" from the Broadway version of "Aladdin." I love this song so much and the lyrics fit Kili and Tauriel so well so I've added some excerpts at the end.

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"What are you planning to do once all of this is over?" Kili asked.

Though the battle had raged for days and they were all exhausted, it finally looked like it was reaching an end. Victory was in sight if they could but struggle for a little while longer. Now seemed like as good a time as any to discuss the future, uncertain though it may be.

So Kili decided to broach the subject, if only to distract himself and his elven friend from the dark thoughts battles tended to inspire. His body ached and his limbs felt heavy but somehow, his heart grew lighter as he considered the joy that the future might bring when the goblins and wargs were defeated and there was peace once more among dwarves, elves, and men.

He looked at Tauriel and knew that she was contemplating the same, hopeful prospects. Both of them had been such passionate advocates of the reconciliation between their peoples and it was heartening to see that their efforts had borne fruit. Dwarves and elves were fighting side by side once more.

"I'm not sure yet," the elf warrior replied timidly, "but I think I'd like to go beyond the woods and see the world, if I can."

"That's a wonderful idea," Kili agreed excitedly, "traveling to far off places and having new adventures, that's a great way to live."

Tauriel smiled at his enthusiasm. His face seemed to light up when she mentioned the idea and the sight of his smile brought her more comfort than she had expected.

"There are so many places we can visit," Kili continued cheerfully, and Tauriel could not help but blush slightly when she heard him say "we", "even beginning with only my kin, there are the Iron Hills and the Mines of Moria and the other dwarf settlements scattered all over the world."

"Then, there are also all of my kin," Tauriel suggested, enjoying this talk of future journeys and eager to join her new friend, even if only in dreaming, "I would love to see Lothlorien to visit the Lady Galadriel or to speak with Lady Arwen in Imladris."

"That's Rivendell, isn't it?" Kili asked, "We were fortunate enough to stay there on our way here. Lord Elrond was very kind to us." He did not dare repeat his comments about the food though.

"Then, I am sure he will welcome visitors," Tauriel said with a smile, "and we must not limit ourselves to our kin. There are also the realms of men beyond Lake Town. I have read of the horse lords of Rohan."

"And I have heard of the great city of Minas Tirith, in Gondor," Kili added, "and I am sure you will like Bilbo's home, the Shire. We passed there but briefly but I remember enjoying Bilbo's hospitality."

"I confess I have never heard of such a place," Tauriel admitted, "which is all the more reason to see it."

"It is not a place of grand halls and ancient fortresses," Kili explained, "but it is beautiful and one feels very much at home there."

"Then, it sounds like a place I would very much love to visit," Tauriel replied, her smile widening, "after all, the world cannot be all grandeur and glory."

They both fell silent, cheerfully contemplating the dream journey they had concocted. But could this be more than just a dream?

Finding his courage, the dwarf looked at his companion, took both her hands in his and asked hesitantly, "When all this is over, would you come to see the world with me?"

Tauriel blinked at the unexpected offer and was not sure how to respond. But she saw that he was in earnest.

"Won't your uncle want you to stay in Erebor to help him rule his new kingdom?" she asked gently. Kili shook his head.

"He will not have great need of me because my brother will be there and he's the heir to the throne anyway," the dwarf explained.

"And you would leave your brother?" Tauriel asked, almost adding "for me?" but keeping that last thought to herself.

"It will be difficult to leave my brother, of course," Kili conceded gravely, "but it will not be forever. And I'm sure he will understand."

He looked at her expectantly and in spite of herself, Tauriel smiled. She squeezed his hands affectionately and nodded.

"Then, I would love to see the world with you," she said, eliciting such a smile from Kili that Tauriel felt her heart fill with a joy she had never known before.

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We'll be a million miles away
Leave everything behind
When you choose to lose yourself
Who knows what you might find

And once the journey's done
We'll have no need to roam
After a million miles or so
We might find out we're home

After a million miles or so
We might find out we're home.