Tauriel's burial was simple as what was expected of the elves. Several days after the burial, Kiliana was still unnaturally quiet. She spent most of the day in her room with several visitors stopping by to check on her, but only Legolas was the constant that stayed by her side. He made sure she ate and bathed but otherwise she simply sat in a chair by the window fingering her father's rune.

So Legolas was surprised when Kiliana finally spoke up, only to ask him if her parents were together again. He stumbled for an answer, unsure of how to explain to the poor girl that elves and dwarves didn't go to the same place. Elves typically didn't lie, but he had no desire to hurt the girl any further, so he simply said, "Yes."

Kiliana nodded and looked back down at the rune. It was warm to the touch. She wasn't sure if it was because she had refused to let go of it over the past few days, or if maybe there was some dwarf magic resonating through it. Either way, it presented some sort of comfort to her, some remaining connection t her parents; the mother whom she just lost and the father she never knew.

She looked up again at the blond elf and asked, "So what happens now?"

Legolas frowned. "Happens?"

"To me?" Kiliana clarified. She was still a child by elf standards, and even being half-dwarf, she would be a child for quite a while still. "Where will I go? I'm not an elf, I'm not a dwarf, I don't belong anywhere!"

Legolas's blue eyes softened and he walked over to the girl, picking her up and holding her in his lap as he took her chair. He had wondered how long it would take for this to come out. The revelation that she wasn't what she thought for her entire life was a lot to take in for one so young. "You belong with me," he soothed. "I promised your mother that I would take care of you and that's what I'm going to do." He turned her around in his lap and looked pointedly at her. "I believe I also told you that I wasn't going to leave you if I could help it."

"But what if you get hurt or die?"

Legolas smiled softly. "I promise to be careful. And even if something happened to me, Lord Elrond and Arwen would be happy to take care of you too."

"Even if I'm part dwarf?" Kiliana grimaced. Her time in Rivendell had taught her that elves and dwarves did not get along well as all.

Legolas chuckled. "They already knew that you're part dwarf, and they still love you." Kiliana nodded and snuggled into Legolas's chest. They sat in silence for a few minutes; Legolas thinking about how he was going to care for Kiliana and Kiliana thinking about her recently discovered heritage. Finally, Legolas said, "Why don't we get some supper? I know everyone has missed eating with you."

Kiliana hesitated and bit her lip as she thought about it. She had been avoiding the residents of the elven city ever since she discovered who her father was, afraid that they would look on her with disgust now. But the hopeful look in Legolas's face made her push down her fear. As long as Legolas wanted her, she could live with that. "Okay," she said in a small voice.

Legolas placed Kiliana on her feet and taking her hand, led her to the great hall. The hall was already filled with good food and laughing elves. Elrond sat at the head of table as always with his children sitting around him. The two seats next to Arwen were conspicuously open.

As soon as Legolas and Kiliana walked into the hall, everyone grew quiet. Kiliana could feel tears prickling in her eyes and she was about to turn around and head straight back to her room when a voice rang out. "Lia! We've missed you!"

Kiliana's eyes widened. She had sort of expected Elrond or Arwen or even the twins to say something, but this was one of the elves at the other end of the table. They had no reason to miss her. She looked up at Legolas for some support and he nodded. For the first time since Tauriel's death, Kiliana's face broke out into a huge smile. "Sorry I'm late," she said.

The company laughed and waited for Legolas and Kiliana to sit before they resumed eating. Arwen hugged the little girl next to her as Legolas helped her fill her plate. "Welcome back little one," she whispered.

Kiliana smiled and dug in. The food tasted so much better when she was surrounded by her family.