Chapter 5

author's note: Thanks so much for the reviews everyone. Lots of excitement coming soon. OH! And disapproving "Guest," If you don't like where the story is going just don't read it. ;) Easy solution.

Tauriel pondered what Kili was suggesting. Although it was a beautiful thought, Tauriel had to face the harsh reality. "Kili winter is upon us," she took both of his strong hands in her own, "And you are badly wounded."

Kili nodded, "We'll get a horse."

"Your legs were shattered, " She stared into his young eyes, trying to convince him of the gravity of his proposal, "With every step that horse takes the pain will be excruciating."

He shook his head from left to right, "Possibly."

"You know I speak truth."

Kili nodded, "I know. But I also know that no elf can live in a cave," He paused, "Even if you try your hardest you'll eventually leave me."

Tauriel looked away.

"And you know that is truth as well."

She bit her lip, "If you get too cold and worn you could regress. You could die."

"Dwarfs are tougher than you give us credit for," the left side of his lips curled into a charming smile, "You underestimate us."

"I couldn't live with myself if I caused your death," Tauriel didn't smile, "You know you're reckless."

"Yes I am reckless," His smile faded, "But I know this is our only chance. We leave now or we will never make it."

Tauriel closed her eyes, trying to quell her exhaustion and apprehension.

Kili threaded his fingers through her long hair, "It's alright to be afraid, Tauriel."

"I'm not..." She muttered, still keeping her eyes closed, "I'm not afraid."

Kili kissed her softly, and then rested his forehead against hers, "I'm afraid too. But I'd rather try and fail than loose you forever."

She opened her eyes and met his stare. "Alright," she whispered, "You are blessed by the Valar to have made it this far, so maybe we have a chance."

He smiled, "Maybe."

"What is your plan?" Tauriel asked, glancing around, "I don't own a horse."

Kili reached into his satchel once more, bringing out a handful of gold coins, "Get us a horse quickly. And I need to talk to the hobbit. Bilbo is his name. I need to talk to him."

Tauriel took the gold coins from his hand, "I don't know what he looks like."

Kili glanced around, "Hand me my cloak."

Tauriel did as he asked, glancing at him with mild curiosity, "What are you planning on doing? You can't walk."

Kili exhaled and glared at her, "Well then you're just going to have to help me."

Tauriel returned his glare, "Stubborn dwarf."

"Silly elf," Kili muttered, he held out his hand, "You need to help me down."

Tauriel took his hands and watched as he slid down to a standing position on his heavily set right leg.

Kili exhaled sharply, his pride not allowing him to express any more pain than that. After a moment he wrapped his left arm around Tauriel's thin waist, "Alright. Lets go."

Tauriel nodded, taking the satchel and swinging it over her shoulder they began the struggle to get to the door of the tent. Soon they were outside, the bright morning sun bathing over them.

Kili put the hood to his cloak over his head, trying to conceal his identity as much as he could. After struggling through the campsite, Tauriel could see the forest line in the distance.

"Take me to the line of trees," Kili said breathlessly as they staggered along, "Then return to camp to get the horse."

"Right," She muttered.

It was then that a deep voice from behind them said abruptly, "Well well now, just where are you two going?"

Tauriel froze.

Kili uttered a curse under his breath, "How did you know it was us, Gandalf?" He asked, not even turning around. It was obvious he recognized Gandalf's voice instantly.

Tauriel looked over her shoulder to see the gray wizard walking up behind them. He quickly came up to them and then turned to face them.

"A wizard knows a great many things, Kili," Gandalf answered, he then lowered his voice, "Or should I call you King Under the Mountain?"

Kili's eyes turned cold, "What do you want of me, Gandalf?"

Gandalf took a deep breath, "I merely want you to answer my previous question. Where are you going?"

"We're leaving," Kili answered.

"Leaving the Lonely Mountain?" Gandalf looked amused, "But what of the gold? The throne?"

Tauriel bit her lip, wondering what Kili was going to say next.

Gandalf leaned in close, "Are you running away? Are you afraid to rule?" His eyes glinted with a mischievous curiosity, "Tell me, Kili."

Kili drew himself up to his full height, "I lost my brother and my uncle," His voice was a dangerously low growl, "All for the treasure under the mountain. My people have regained their home and for that I am grateful," Kili paused, glancing up at Tauriel, "But by regaining the mountain I lost my family. Tauriel is all I have left, and I will not loose her as well. I'm not running away, I'm choosing my path. So you can keep the gold and the throne, Gandalf. I have no need of it."

Taking a step back, Gandalf drew in a long breath of air. He stared at Kili and Tauriel for a moment, and then a slow smile appeared on his aged face. As the smile grew deeper he laughed. "By my soul," He said after a moment, his gray eyes holding a twinkle, "A wise dwarf. And I never thought that I'd ever see one in all my days."

Tauriel exhaled, the fear that had arisen inside of her fading away.

Gandalf stepped to one side, "I wish you well," He said, a quiet smile now resting on his lips, "I wish the both of you well."

Kili took in a sharp breath, "Goodbye Gandalf," he replied quietly.

"Goodbye," Gandalf replied as he watched Kili and Tauriel stumble away, "May your days be blessed."

Tauriel heard the soft words the wizard spoke, but Kili didn't posses her elven ears so he heard nothing. They kept going, halting and struggling to reach the far off tree line. At one point Kili nearly fell, but Tauriel caught him before he fell completely.

As they reached the tree line, Tauriel heard a voice calling to them. "Wait for me!" Called the voice, "Wait!"

Kili groaned, "By the stars," He muttered, glancing over his shoulder, "What now?"

To Tauriel the sight was comedic. A small man running as fast as he could with a horse trailing behind him.

Kili struggled to turn around, "Master Bilbo? Is that you?"
Bilbo ran just as fast as his hobbit feet could carry him, "Wait!" He said breathlessly, coming up behind Kili and Tuariel.

"G-Gandalf said you were out here," Bilbo came to a stop beside Kili and Tauriel, breathless, "He said that you might need..." He motioned to the horse, still trying to catch his breath.

Kili sat down in the long green grass at the base of a great oak tree, sweat running down his face, "Thank you, Bilbo," He said, a weary smile pulling at his lips as he glanced up at his friend.

"Gandalf also told me," Bilbo's eyes looked quizzically between Kili and Tauriel for a moment, "He told me what you're going to do and I...Well.."

Kili looked up at Bilbo, exhaustion evident on his features already. But still he waited for Bilbo to go on.

"Well I..." Bilbo glanced at Tauriel, "I think it's good. Yes. Good." Bilbo smiled his simple and warm smile, "And if you're ever near the Shire, feel free to drop by anytime."

Kili smiled up at his friend, "I'll remember that," He said, "But I have just one more favor to ask you, Bilbo."

Bilbo sat down beside Kili in the grass, "Anything. You name it."

Kili motioned for Tauriel to hand him the satchel, and she did. Opening the satchel, Kili retrieved the Arkenstone.

Bilbo's eyes boggled.

"You know what it is," Kili said to his friend, "And you know what it can do to you. So please do what I ask."

"What do you want me to do?"

Kili pursed his lips, glancing down at the luminescent stone he held in his hands, "I want you to bury it with my uncle in the mountain," He handed the stone to Bilbo, and looked away, "Return it to the heart of the mountain."

Bilbo looked down at the priceless stone in amazement, "Kili are you sure?" He asked quietly.

Kili leaned his back against the tree and looked away from the brightness of the stone, "Please do what I ask," He muttered, "Return the stone to the mountain so my family will be free of its curse."

Bilbo paused, glancing at the stone and then at Kili, "Alright then. If that's what you want," he said, "I'll do it." He placed the stone in his jacket pocket, concealing it safely.

"Thank you, Bilbo," Kili muttered, a smile tugging at his lips, "You're a good friend."

Bilbo shrugged, "It's the least I could do."

Kili glanced at Tauriel who stood silently beside him, "We need to travel far before nightfall," Tauriel quietly helped him to stand.

Bilbo got to his feet quickly, and held out his hand, "Until we meet again."

Kili took Bilbo's hand and smiled once more, "Yes."

Tauriel, feeling like she had sat in the shadows long enough came forward, "Thank you, Bilbo," She took the hobbit's hand and leaned down, giving him a kiss on the forehead, "May the Valar protect you."

Bilbo turned a slight shade of pink, his eyes sparkling. He would remember Tauriel's beauty for as long as he lived.

Soon Tauriel and Kili made their way into the forest, the horse walking slowly and carefully in the dense woods. They rode silently, the sound of the horses' muffled hoof beats were the only sounds.

Tauriel felt the warmth of the forest around her and felt relieved but somber as well. Fear still ebbed at her. Fear of the future, whatever troubles they might come across, and that one day Kili would regret choosing her over the Lonely Mountain.

As if he knew what she was thinking, Kili took her hand in his own. "Don't worry so much," He said quietly, he kissed the back of her hand, "Everything will be alright. I made a promise never to leave you, and I keep my promises."

Tauriel exhaled, his reassurances making her heart feel less heavy. However, as the shadows grew longer she felt the coldness descend on the woods. A wolf pack howled in the distance and a hooting owl flew through the trees above. Tauriel glanced around them as they continued on. It was going to be a long night.

TBC

A.N. Thanks for the positive reviews guys! sorry this chapter was so long, if shorter chapters are easier just let me know.