Chp 2

Turiel frowned, and she exhaled. "You're wrong," She whispered, "I need you to help me now. Can you feel your legs?"

Kili took in a sharp breath, "Yes."

Tauriel glanced around. She had to dig him out, seconds were passing. She began to dig at the muck under Kili's legs. The ground was wet with melted snow and orc blood, and the mud caked to her fingers. Finally she felt that Kili's legs were almost free. "You're almost out," Tauriel said under her breath.

"I can't move my legs," Kili hissed, coughing again.

Tauriel propped him up to a sitting position and encircled her arms around his chest from behind, "Breathe out."

"Wha-?"

She pulled, putting her entire strength into dragging him out from under the giant boulder.

Kili screamed in agony as his shattered legs were pulled free.

Falling back, Tauriel cradled him in her arms as he shuddered uncontrollably, "Its alright, it's alright," she whispered, pulling his chilled body close to her.

"My satchel," He muttered, "Do you see it?"

Tauriel glanced around, the satchel was near Fili's body. She sat up, "Yes. I see it."

"If I don't make it back," he whispered, "You have to destroy it."

Tauriel paused. It was strange for him to be asking something like this of her. "Why? What is in it?"

"Promise me."

Tauriel nodded, "I promise."

"Thank you," Kili whispered, struggling to draw a breath, his eyes began to flutter to a close.

"No!" Tauriel shook him hard, "Stay awake!"

Kili's eyes opened back up, and a slow smile tugged at his lips, "Yes Ma'm,"

"I need to get you away from here," She brushed the blood away from Kili's mouth again, "Just don't leave me."

"I'll try not to," he muttered, coughing so hard that his entire body heaved.

Tauriel glanced around once more, trying to fathom what to do next. She needed to get him over a long distance quickly but other than carrying him there was no way that she could get him the help he needed in time.

She got to her knees and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Are you gonna try to carry me?" Kili muttered, "Silly elf."

Tauriel tried to lift him, but her aching muscles wouldn't let her. She was so exhausted that her legs wouldn't even lift his weight two inches. Tauriel let out of puff of air as she collapsed back to the ground. He was solid muscle. While she was lithe and strong, his barrel chest and dense body was all thick and toned muscle. There was no way she could lift him, let alone carry him the miles to the healing encampment. Although he was shorter than she was, he outweighed her substantially.

She knelt in the mud, and felt the cold wind bring snow down on them. Tauriel chocked back a sob, her shoulders shaking. The snow began to flurry, settling on her and Kili. Tears fell from Tauriel's cheeks and she brushed the snow away from Kili's face. He was slipping away, and she could save him...but she couldn't at the same time.

Kili glanced up at her and took her hand in his, "Don't cry," he whispered, "You tried..."

Tauriel pressed his hand against her check, feeling his ice cold fingers against her skin, "It wasn't supposed to end like this."

Kili's eyes softened, "Tell me...how was it supposed to end."

She chocked back another sob, "I would have loved you," she whispered.

Kili smiled, his lips deathly white, "I would have loved you too," He coughed again, "What else?"

Tauriel sniffled, "I don't know what would have happened to us," she whispered, "But I would have stayed with you till the end of my days... and given you babes."

Kili's eyes filled with tears, "Babes with red hair," he whispered, "My eyes and your hair. We would have brought them up happy and strong."

She smiled despite of herself, "Yes."

"Remember what we wanted," Kili whispered, coughing again, "That's what is...important."

"Alright," she answered.

"Promise."

Tauriel chocked back another sob, "Alright, I promise."

Kili struggled to bring in another ragged breath. "Tauriel..." He couldn't form the words.

She gripped his hand, "I know, I know," She whispered, "I love you as well."

His eyes closed again, and Tauriel didn't shake him this time as he drifted away.

The snow continued to fall, and Tauriel didn't bother holding back her sobs anymore. Looking around she saw that the sun had finally fallen behind the lonely mountain and the world was dark. As the wind picked up she heard a faint sound in the gust.

"Taaaauriel!" A distant voice called.

TBC

Author's Note: thank you "averyhere" for your review- it made my day.