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Over the next year Tauriel continued to wander aimlessly, but this time with a purpose. She had something to live for now and her growing stomach was proof of that. She wandered Middle-Earth seeing everything that she could although few people knew of her. She kept to the shadows everywhere she went to protect herself and her unborn child. Despite defeating the orc army a year ago, the number of orcs running around Middle-Earth seemed to grow with no end. Every few months she would go to a human village for supplies but for the most part she lived off of the land as she had been taught and trained.
It was just coming up to a year after the battle that Tauriel was leaving one of these villages. She could sense that the time for her to give birth was drawing near and she needed to be prepared. She would be alone with no one to help her and no one to protect her. She had heard stories of childbirth, some good but many a horror. She was nervous to be doing this on her own but she was determined to bring this child into the world. She hadn't even met her child yet but already she loved it. Tauriel often dreamed about what her child would look like; more like her or more like Kili?
With the time growing close, Tauriel settled herself deep in the woods, safe from orcs or anyone who would wish to harm her or her child. She felt most at home in the forest, surrounded by trees and the rest of nature. She chose a spot in the grass and set her supplies next to her for easy access. She would meditate until the time came.
Tauriel's eyes shot open. It was dark out where it had been light when she had closed her eyes. She was just trying to figure out what had broken her meditation when she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. Forcing herself not to panic, Tauriel pulled out her supplies: a basket, a blanket, towels, and infant clothing. She took a deep breath.
In six hundred years of training and fighting, Tauriel had never felt such a pain. It was no wonder elves only had one or two children. She didn't know how human women did it, having so many children. She screamed as another contraction racked her body and she suddenly felt the need to push. Trusting her instincts she began to push.
Tendrils of her red hair were plastered on her face with sweat. She took a deep breath and pushed again. With one final push the child slipped from Tauriel's body and onto the prepared blanket. She was exhausted but there was no time to waste. She cleaned the babe with water from the stream before dressing it and swaddling it with the blanket. She checked the airway for any obstructions and was slightly surprised when the newborn didn't cry.
When Tauriel was sure that the baby was healthy and was in no danger of choking, she took the time to rest and study the infant. She was a beautiful baby girl with an interesting mix of elvish and dwarvish features. The first things that Tauriel noticed were the infant's pointed ears, a feature clearly inherited from her mother's elvish heritage. She was already thicker than an elf but leaner than a dwarf and had naturally tan skin, a mix of Tauriel's pale complexion and Kili's darker tone. Her hair was a dark red, another mix of her parents. Tauriel was pleasantly surprised to see when the child opened her eyes that they were all Kili's, a beautiful, soft, and deep dark brown. At first glance she looked like an elf but to anyone who truly knew elves and dwarves, they would be able to see the dwarvish features. She was beautiful in her own way, not ethereal like an elf and not rugged like a dwarf, but still beautiful. To Tauriel, she was perfect.
A branch snapped several feet away and Tauriel was immediately on alert. Her body ached but she ignored it as she gripped her child in one arm and grabbed one of her twin swords with the other. She waited patiently as the footsteps grew closer. "Tauriel!" a voice called out.
Tauriel paused and relaxed slightly. She knew that voice. "Gandalf?"
Tauriel put her sword away and smiled as Gandalf came out of the trees. "My dear Tauriel! How are you?" He paused as he looked at the child in Tauriel's arms. "Congratulations on your newest addition."
Tauriel looked at the infant and smiled softly. "Thank you. What are you doing here?"
"I came to check on you and the child," Gandalf answered. "I assume it is healthy?"
"She is," Tauriel affirmed.
"May I?" Gandalf asked. Tauriel nodded and handed the girl over to the gray wizard. Gandalf looked down at the child and cooed. "She is quite stunning. I would think she was an elf if not for her dwarvish features. What do you plan to do now?"
Tauriel sat gracefully in the grass. "I am not really sure. I fear that she will not be accepted by elves or dwarves and I must keep her safe from orcs. They would surely kill her in an instant if they knew that she was of Durin's line."
"Lord Elrond would certainly welcome you in Imaldris if you need refuge," Gandalf offered as he handed the infant back to her mother.
"I will consider it, thank you."
"What will you name her?" Gandalf asked before taking his leave.
Tauriel looked down into those soft brown eyes and smiled. "Kiliana."
A/N: I wish I could update faster but school just started again this past Monday. If anyone has gone to graduate school (I'm currently in my 2nd year of a JD/MBA), you know how busy it gets, and I work, so bear with me. I'll update as often as I can. :)