Running his fingers over the smooth surface of the Rune stone, Kili glanced anxiously at his brother, his concern for his condition evident in his features. But there was no reason for him to worry, Fili had greatly improved and was sitting up eating some soup that Bombur had made especially for him.
Fili smiled at his little brother, keen to relieve his stress and ease his troubled mind.
Although Kili felt slightly reassured by his brother's recovery a dark cloud still hung over him. He was still concerned about Fili and felt a childish need for his brother to be better. The ravens warning of the approaching orc army rang in his ears and Kili felt a panic like no other he'd ever felt. A large, organised army of orcs was heading for Erebor to kill them and Thorin, their King, was doing nothing.
Kili did not share his uncle's surety that the raven had been mistaken and as he took stock of his surroundings he realised that the others had just as many doubts as he did.
Kili noted how Balin and Bilbo were currently attempting to talk to Thorin, to no avail. Thorin was sat in exactly the same position he had been when Bard had had his audience, atop a pile of gold that seemed to serve him as a throne. He was still holding the Arkenstone, gazing at it as if it was more precious than life itself.
"Thorin please, what if Roäc was right? We should send word to the others; we'll need an army…"
"Thorin, just listen to Balin, please! We already know Azog's after us, is it such a stretch that he's bringing his legions with him?"
"You're acting just like Thror, so enamoured with that jewel you can't see what's happening."
"ENOUGH!" Thorin roared, taking his eyes off the glowing stone for the first time since Bard to glare at Balin and Bilbo.
"Leave me." His tone had such finality to it that Balin walked away sadly, slumping against a wall in defeat.
Bilbo, however, had grown used to Thorin's anger and so stood his ground and continued to throw abuse at Thorin. At first it seemed to be having little effect, but then slowly Thorin began to spend less time looking at the Arkenstone and more time listening to the Hobbit.
"A complete waste of time, he'll not listen to any sense." Balin muttered to himself furiously, putting his head in his hands. But after a while he began to hear a change in Thorin's tone and glanced up with a hopeful expression.
"I suppose if anyone could do it Bilbo could…" He whispered to himself, watching with awe as Bilbo managed to coax Thorin off his 'throne' and out of the chamber for a walk, although Thorin still remained clutching the Arkenstone.
As soon as Thorin's retreating back turned a corner Dwalin and Gloin began preparations. They sifted through the massive mountains of treasure and began a pile of weapons and armour to the side. They gathered large axes and sturdy swords, ornate yet strong shields and glittering armour. Nodding in approval, Balin called to the others to help and soon the dwarves had enough armour and weapons for a small army.
Kili watched all these preparations silently, staying close to Fili who had once again lapsed into a peaceful slumber. His mind busy with thoughts of his brother, Kili sat on the floor rubbing his rune stone and singing to himself in a low, quiet voice.
The rest of the dwarves paused in their activities to listen to him, enjoying Kili's singing for a few seconds before continuing their labours. Dori and Bofur added their voices to the young dwarfs and soon the cavern was filled with the songs of their people. The very mountain seemed to be alive and hum its agreement of the return of the melodies it had so long been torn from.
"You sing beautifully." Tauriel said when Kili stopped singing to enjoy Bofur's voice. She smiled kindly at him and Kili felt his heart pound and his face flush as he remembered their heated embrace.
"Not really, Bofur and Thorin are much better." Kili put the rune stone back in his pocket and rubbed his injured leg, which had begun to feel very stiff due to his lack of movement.
"Kili, why don't you go for a walk and stretch your leg, I'll sit with him." Bofur said, plonking himself down on the other side of Fili and winking at the newly awakened dwarf who yawned and smiled at his younger brother.
"You go Ki, I'm alright now and you look like you could use a bit of time." He smiled at both Kili and Tauriel before turning to Bofur and demanding a description of the knives that had been found in the treasure.
Grinning, glad of his brother's chirpy demeanour, Kili stood up and stretched out, feeling a sudden need to relieve himself. Excusing himself, Kili walked through the large, gloomy chambers, trying to ignore the pang in his heart at the rubble littering the floor here and there, evidence of the destruction of Smaug.
Arriving outside, Kili walked a small way before standing behind a rock and relieving the pressure in his bladder. Washing his hands in a small stream nearby Kili walked a little further and sat on a rock looking out over the ruins of Dale.
When he'd first seen the city he'd felt completely devoid of hope, convinced that there was no chance his friends and family could survive against a beast that could cause such desolation.
Sitting beside him, Tauriel also examined the ruined city and felt a sudden burst of sorrow for all, men and dwarves alike, who had lost their lives the day the dragon came.
Holding Tauriel's hand, Kili allowed a peaceful feeling to flow through him, knowing that thanks to the brave female next to him no one else would die at the hands of the dragon Smaug.
"Do you think the raven was right?" Kili asked anxiously, looking up at Tauriel with a hopeful expression. He wanted more than anything for the worst to be over and the young dwarf was adamant that if Tauriel said she wasn't worried then there was nothing to be concerned about. Unfortunately for him Tauriel grimaced and Kili felt his heart sink.
"I believe it is possible the bird was correct. Azog the defiler is a commander of legions and it makes sense that he would attack when Thorin was preoccupied with his knew acquisitions."
"We must talk some sense into uncle then!" Kili proclaimed boldly, standing and gazing at Dale. He shivered slightly and Tauriel smiled at her lover's bravery. Putting her arm around Kili's legs, Tauriel rested her head against his stomach, rubbing her face against his coat in an attempt to combat the biting chill of the howling wind around them.
"If Balin cannot do it, perhaps I can." Kili spoke softly, looking down at Tauriel kindly. He stroked her hair and gazed into her eyes, lost for a moment in their depth and beauty.
"He trusts your judgement. Perhaps when Fili is back to his old strength you can talk to him together? He might be more inclined to listen now that Bilbo has softened him." Tauriel snuggled closer to Kili, smiling as she was surrounded by his scent. She wasn't quite able to put her finger on what it was about Kili that she found so endearing but all she knew was that she had never felt this way about anyone else before. Kili was different, other males had felt the need to try and protect her when attempting to court her, as if she was some small child that needed a big strong male to protect her. But Kili was different; he was unassuming and perfectly happy being the one who was protected. Tauriel adored the way Kili looked at her; as if she was the most beautiful, awe inspiring and powerful being he'd ever seen who should be worshipped. The thought that she might need his protection never once crossed his mind, although Tauriel knew instinctively that should she ever need his help he would give it without question. All in all, Kili made her feel incredibly special and, Tauriel reflected, perhaps that's why the fact he was a dwarf didn't matter to her. It was his personality and the way he treated her that was making her fall deeper and deeper in love with him.
Cupping her face and stroking her jaw with his thumb, Kili seemed to be lost in thought and just watched Tauriel's blush slowly deepen. Running his thumb over her lips, Kili felt a pang of need and couldn't help himself, leaning down to kiss her. He stopped just in front of her lips to allow her time to pull away, but Tauriel surprised him by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down so that he ended up awkwardly lying on top of her.
Laughing, Kili shook his head, trying to quash the smile that insisted on spreading across his features.
"If there is an army, we'll face it together." He whispered before kissing her lips again. She moaned slightly and Kili grinned, moving his face so that he could trail kisses from her mouth down to her neck.
Tauriel's mind whirled and she began to find it difficult to form coherent sentences in her thoughts. What Kili was doing to her neck was making her ache in places she had not previously been aware could react in such a way and her breathing was becoming erratic. Biting her lip, Tauriel tried to find a response to the way his tongue and teeth were teasing the sensitive skin on her neck.
They lay there, Kili atop Tauriel, eagerly kissing and touching each other until the sun went down, when they returned to Erebor hand in hand. Their love was blossoming quickly and although it was a new experience for both of them, neither felt any fear about what was to come for they knew they would face the future together.