It took her a moment for her eyes to readjust to the sunlight. She had grown accustom to the dim lights of Thranduil's halls, and the brightness of Bard's house left her pupil's too dilated to see anything for a moment. But when she could see again, her vision was dominated by a pair of brown eyes looking back at her.

"Kili," she murmured. It was so quiet that she was certain he couldn't hear her. Tauriel studied him for a moment. Was she really here? Or was this just an elaborate dream?

"You're alive," he said in wonder. He brushed his hands gently over her cheek, as if she might break if he pressed too hard.

Tauriel painfully tried to sit up on the table. She didn't break her eye contact with Kili. She thought they were both afraid that the other would disappear if they looked away. She let out a small groan as she felt the pain in her side return, though it had receded to a dull throb.

"The children?"

"There are about a dozen sleeping in Sigrid's room," he answered. He looked over Tauriel. She appeared to be in no more pain than what was to be expected from being stabbed. Sigrid's stitching held up against Tauriel's movements.

Tauriel let out a small sigh of relief. If they were safe, than everything was worth it, "What happened, Kili."

"I don't know," he confessed, "I haven't left this house."

"You didn't go and find your people?"

"I promised you I'd look after whoever you sent here," he said, "And I didn't intend to break that promise"

Before Tauriel could stop herself, she launched herself into Kili's chest and wrapped her arms tightly around him. She ignored her screaming ribs as he held her just as tightly. She felt tears begin to sting the corners of her eyes and had no will to make them stop.

"You are safe now, Amrâlimê," he murmured as he kissed her head, "We are all safe." She wanted to believe his words, but she had never been safe. Her entire life had been characterized by danger. But now… she had no home and no position. She didn't know what else to do with her life. She was a warrior at heart and her banishment wouldn't change that. She pulled away from him to look at his face.

"I's sorry," she said quickly.

"For what?" he asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.

"Everything," she replied, "I'm sorry for making things more difficult than they needed to be."

"You have nothing to apologize for," he insisted, "Everything you said was true, Tauriel."

"I don't care," she replied honestly, "I don't care that what we have is unconventional, Kili. I want to be with you."

Kili's lips spread into a wide smile, "Really?" he asked, not quite believing this was real.

"I have nothing," she continued, "No home, no family. But I have you. And that is all I need."

Kili leaned forward so that their lips were almost touching, "You really mean this?" he asked.

She leaned in and whispered against his mouth, "Órenya ná órelya" before gently connecting their mouths. Kili stayed still for a moment before returning the kiss. He wanted to make sure that she really meant this. That Tauriel wasn't just saying these things because of the relief of being alive. When she didn't move away from him, Kili tangled his hands in her hair and kissed her back passionately.

She opened her mouth and deepened their kiss. Her hands roamed his entire body, as if she was trying to memorize every inch of him with her fingers. He let out a small grown of pleasure when her hands found his hair again. She smiled against hos mouth and gently rubbed his scalp. She was rewarded with many more quiet moans.

They were both breathless when they finally broke apart, but neither couldn't contain their smiled, "I have been wanting to do that since I first saw you," he confessed as he pressed their foreheads together.

"You can do that whenever you like," she laughed.

He gave her another gently kiss on the lips, "Is that a promise?" he asked cheekily.

She couldn't think of a clever retort and just kissed him instead. This kiss was sweet and gentle, they didn't rush because they knew they had plenty of time.

"We're going to have to discuss what comes next at some point," he said after they had broken apart again.

"But not now," she replied.

"No," he said.

She smiled and gently guided herself back down on the table, bringing him down with her. She was suddenly very tired. She was going to have to deal with her new physical limitations. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he rested her head against his chest,

Her last before falling back to sleep was that if every day was like today, maybe it wouldn't be so bad being mortal.

Translations:

Órenya ná órelya: my heart is your heart