Chapter six

They camped under the roots of a giant oak. Tauriel built a small fire and they huddled next to it. Exhaustion ebbed at both of them as an inescapable force. Both were war-weary.

Tauriel stared into the flames of the small fire, sitting silently beside Kili. She had taken up first watch. The sounds of the forest were nothing new to her, but she had to admit she felt insecure. Although Kili was able to ride, Tauriel doubted he'd be able to fight if the need arose. Because of the loss of his leg he would have to retrain himself. His balance was thwarted, making his aim inaccurate. She watched him sleep, his deep rhythmical breathing reassuring her somehow. Glancing down she noticed that he clutched something in his hand. Gently she moved his fingers away so that she could see what he held so tightly. It was the rune.

Having felt Tauriel's movements, Kili awoke.

Tauriel looked away, hoping he would drift back to sleep. He didn't.

"You have that look again."

"What look?" Tauriel feigned ignorance.

"What's troubling you?" Kili asked, glancing around.

Tauriel paused, "She will never accept us, will she."

Kili glanced down at the rune, his hand closing over it once more. It was obvious that he had been contemplating his mother since he had left the Lonely Mountain. He said nothing for a long moment, a sadness settling over him. "No."

Tauriel nodded. At least he hadn't tried to convince her otherwise. He knew she would see through his good intentions. "That's what I thought," She muttered.

"Not many will accept us," he said, "But it doesn't matter."

Tauriel sighed, "What about our babes?" She muttered, looking at her hands, "If we have them. They will be outcasts. Belonging to two different worlds but living apart from both."

Kili didn't say anything for a long while. He simply stared into the fire, his dark eyes reflecting the flames. "It will be harder for them, yes."

Tauriel looked down at Kili's hands, her mind searching for a solution to the moral dilemma, "We are choosing this life, while they are not. And what of your mother? You promised to return to her."

Kili nodded, "Yes. I promised. And I will return. But not now."

"I'm afraid we're being selfish," Tauriel muttered, taking his hand in her own, "I'm afraid."

Kili leaned his head back, closing his eyes once more, "Maybe in some ways we are," He muttered, "But everyone has to choose their own path. Even our babes."

"Do you think that they will hate us for our choices?" Tauriel asked at last, "Our babes, your mother?"

"My mother will not understand, but I don't expect her to," Kili answered, his eyes still closed, "And our babes will be angry at times, I'm sure. But we will teach them that their future is not based on other people's opinions of them or whatever flaws they may see in us."

"Its just that they will be so different from their peers," Tauriel whispered, "Children can be cruel."

Kili actually chuckled, "Yes. Children can be cruel. But in the end it's their differences that will make them strong," He opened his eyes, a smile forming at the left side of his lips, "The strength of a Dwarf and the speed and grace of an elf. Our children will be different, yes. But they will be strong and smart, and we will teach them to find their own way just like we're doing now."

For once Tauriel smiled, her conscious satisfied. "Very well," she whispered.

Kili drifted off to sleep again, and finally Tariel's tortured mind was at peace. The night went on and their fire faded to embers glowing in the darkness. She fought to stay awake, her eyes burning and heavy. Before too long she inevitably drifted into a slumber, and because of this she didn't see the disaster that loomed before them.

-TBC

A.N. Yes I know, all internal conflict, but the description said "Drama" on the story, no worries! The "Adventure" part will come soon. :)