Tauriel had finally gotten the hang of existing in the physical world without being able to move in it. She wasn't very comfortable, but she at least wasn't panicking anymore, and as long as she remained calm she was safe from being torn away. It wasn't until she realized she was actually speaking out loud that she understood just how much she was returning.
For a while, Tauriel thought she was just responding to Legolas in her own mind. She was thinking what she would say if she had actually been able to talk. But then he responded, and she realized she was saying the words out loud. She wanted to laugh. She was actually having a conversation with Legolas. She was able to convey what she was doing and no one would try and save her, killing Kili in the process.
"I am here, Mellon. Why will you not return?" she heard his soft voice answer. Tauriel struggled to find the right words.
"I am trying," she replied. Tauriel hoped that Legolas could sense she was succeeding. Being able to talk meant that whatever she was doing was working, and she would be back soon. But she could still hear the doubt in Legolas' voice. He didn't understand why she was doing this. He didn't understand her love. Of course he wouldn't, she didn't really understand it herself. All she knew was that she didn't care that she would live a mortal life and die a mortal death, as long as she got to do it with Kili. If he would have her, she added as an afterthought.
More than once, she justified leaving him on the beach because he was prince. His people needed him and they would resent Tauriel for who she was. Like Thranduil had made her choose, Kili would eventually have to choose between him and his home. Tauriel had no doubt he would choose her, but he wouldn't be happy. He had worked hard to reclaim Erebor and he deserved to reap the benefits, even if he did that without her. But now… now they were bond together. He carried a piece of her with him, and she couldn't ignore that. No matter what challenges their relationship would create, Tauriel was determined to be with him.
She felt a warmth in her hand again and realized with a smile that Kili was holding her hand. She had heard Legolas leave and feared that she would be left alone again, but she should have known better.
Gi Mellon, she murmured. I love you. Kili wouldn't know exactly what she was saying, but she was confident his heart would understand.
Kili wasn't sure what to do at this point. Legolas and the healer were gone, the children were being taken care of by Sigrid and Tilda, and Kili couldn't bring himself to leave Tauriel to make himself useful around Laketown. He was sure that Bard would welcome the help rebuilding, but he still felt that leaving her defenseless would be a mistake. But there was nothing he could do but wait for her to wake up.
He still stubbornly hoped that she would see reason and accept help, but Kili knew she was just as determined as he was. So her sat by her and held her hand in silence. Left alone with his thoughts, Kili couldn't shake the feeling that Legolas had been hiding something. His departure had been an abrupt and awkward and there was a sadness in his eyes that Kili could not place. Kili knew better than to ask, but he was certain that Tauriel had said something important that Kili wasn't being told.
Kili rubbed his thumb gently along the top of Tauriel's hand and looked at her. He swore he could see color returning to her cheeks and her breathing becoming less shallow. It was wonder that a young girl like Sigrid had done as much as she did before the Elven healer arrived.
He saw her lips move slowly, forming words he wouldn't be able to understand. Still, he leaned in a caught two short syllables. Gi Mellon. Kili didn't know what she said, but he felt something in his heart swell that the words. Maybe the part of her inside of him was recognizing the Sindarin and reacting? Kili could help but think it was an Elvish term of endearment. Maybe she realized it was him holding her hand and was proclaiming her love. It was too much to hope for, yet hope he did.
He leaned in close to her face and whispered, "I love you too, Zinlaz," before placing the softest of kisses on her lips.
But when he lifted his face from hers, he nearly jumped when he saw a pair of big, green eyes staring back at him.
A.N. So I'm thinking of writing a sequel to this story. Would anyone actually be interested in reading that, or should this just be stand alone piece?