Sorry for the delay to those who are following along! I got super busy with the my new job, still super busy actually and the second half took longer than I planned. Fingers crossed chapter 4 will be easier and smoother to write. I did a lot of edits for this chapter as well but i think I am pleased with the end results! Enjoy :)

Chap. 3

Invitations

Kili spent the next week working hard with Balin coming up with the best wording to go into the invitations for the council meeting. The invitation was to encourage a meeting that would create an alliance of those whom sworn duty would be to fight the darkness seeping back into Middle Earth. Fighting united as one and not letting pass digressions with other races affect the outcome of battles yet to pass. Kili took to heart that he could be a good example of the notion. Not just in his new relationship with Tauriel but the bond he had started to make with Bain, Bard the Bowman's son. Bain had heard about the possible council meeting from his father and approached Kili and Balin, stating he wanted to help them anyway needed. Balin was hesitant to agree but Kili decided to take the young lad under his wing. While Fili was more of the warrior, Thorin had told him long ago that diplomacy was in his blood. Yes, he was somewhat reckless, but he was passionate. When it came to interactions with other races, he could look past the differences and see what they had in common. He kept a level head for discussions and had abundant amount of patience that, according to Dis, he got from his father. Allowing Bain to simply just help with copying documents or getting the lad to run messages to Thorin, Elrond or his father proved Kili's willingness to cooperate with others and start the process of building a foundation for alliances. At the moment he had Bain off on a supply run while he was currently working on a list of who to send the invitations too. He turned to his mentor and teacher frustrated.

"Balin, I know this is to be a meeting housing the free peoples of Middle Earth but we probably don't need to send an invitation to every kingdom, do we?"

"Unfortunately, laddie, not everyone will want others to represent them. I'm sure the other dwarf lords will be content letting Thorin and Dain represent our rowdy race. Men, however, will be less likely to comply. Also, it's not kingdoms we are inviting," Balin looked up from his own work, giving Kili a stern look, "It's the leaders of these lands. We will need to send the invitation to every one of every race that is deemed some kind of leader. We can put a suggestion in the writing that only a few representatives are needed for each race but that will be for them to decide." Kili sighed and nodded in understanding. Taking a moment to stretch, being cautious of his arm that was still not healing right, he continued to work on the list in front of him. He racked his brain trying to remember who would have to get the invitations then. Even though Balin was positive Thorin and Dain would suffice, invitations were to go out with a side note about the two leaders representing the dwarves to the 5 other dwarf lords about the council. Then there were the three elf kingdoms he thought but he stopped himself midway and remembered that it was not kingdoms but leaders from the lands he would need to invite; Lothlorien, Rivendell and Mirkwood. Lord Elrond did not need an invitation sense he was a host of the meeting but requested one be sent to his sons. There were at least three leaders of men; Rohan, Gondor, and now Dale. Just like Lord Elrod, Bard also was a host for the council and requested more of announcements to be put up for the people of Dale so they knew what was happening. After a long discussion with Elrond and Thorin, only one invitation would go out to the wizards. To Saruman the White, head of the order. He would decide who would come to the gathering. A double invitation was going out to Beorn for the skin changer himself and for him to represent the eagles sense they did not like to be on the ground. Lastly, at Thorin's insistence, an invitation would go out to Bilbo. Kili was sure there were others they could invite but as Thorin had stated earlier, word was sure to spread. Kili was finalizing the list one last time with Balin when Ori came rushing into their small work room. He was panting heavily, struggling to get the words he needed to say out of his mouth.

"Ori my lad. Take a deep breath then speak." Balin told their friend. Ori did just that. He actually took a few deep breaths as panicked eyes turned to Kili.

"Fili. Needs. You. Tauriel. Terrors. Bad. Not going away." He finally managed to get out. Kili leaped out of his chair as he rushed out of the room and down the hall. He had been working with Balin in a vacant study in Dale and had to maneuver around the people now starting to fill up the city streets. He wasn't too far from the outskirts of Dale that housed all the medical tents but, in this case, he knew, and really didn't care, that his leg would be sore later. Just like Ori, Kili rushed into the royal tent and stopped trying to catch his breath. Fili was sitting on Tauriel's bed trying to talk to her like they always did when she started to move around. Now, however, it wasn't the slight twisting and muttering of words. Now she was twisting violently on the bed she occupied. Several pillows had been thrown far across the room and a blanket had been nearly ripped in half. She was yelling and speaking harshly in Sindarin, sometimes yelling and it wasn't just Kili's name that was tumbling from her lips now. Fili, Thorin and even Legolas names were torn from her lips in sobs. Fili was looking frantic and he looked to his brother.

"Nadad, I tried everything! Maybe she will respond to you?" Kili was already coming to the other side of the bed, bending down to whisper in her ear. He had to duck at one point as her arm swung out to try and hit him.

"Amralime. Come back to me. Kurdunuh!" but his words seemed to have no effect. He looked up as Dori came into the tent with one of the healer elves that had helped them before with the bathing. Tinu, was the tall, lanky blonde who had assisted Kili, formed some kind of odd friendship with Bofur over music one night and he was becoming a good friend to the rest of the company as well. Tauriel did her best to keep her affection towards Tinu to a minimum around Kili but Kili knew she was becoming good friends with the unique elf. Kili was sure their favorite pastime was to make fun of him and Fili in Sindarin.

"What are we to do? She is going to hurt herself!" Kili all but yelled this at his friend. He was feeling completely helpless and was starting to panic like his brother. He was trying to hold her but the thrashing was so violent he worried he'd only hurt her more. He quickly ducked another swipe from her, narrowly getting hit in the eye, Kili saw that Thorin, Balin and Oin had now showed up. The distress in Thorin's eyes was unavoidable.

"Mellon nin, what can be done?" he asked.

"Let us try something. Alwiel gave me a few ideas if this were to happen before she got here. Master Fili and Master Dori help try to restrain her arms. We need for her to sit up if possible. Kili, my friend, I need you to come and sit behind her." A few days ago, decent sized beds were brought in to replace the cots. Kili got onto the larger bed for his elf as instructed and Tinu advised him to get into a good position before they laid her back.

"I do not want that arm of yours to get jostled too much." Once Kili was ready, they laid Tauriel back down just below his chest and wedged her in between his legs as Tinu told him to bend them up.

"Good, good now let's use your left arm to brace her. Fili you can help add pressure if need be. Kili start talking to her again but still softly. Simple phrases she is used to." The elf took Kili's arm and placed it firmly across Tauriel's chest and Fili came over to help hold her in place. Kili leaned his ear down to her ear.

"Men kurdel. Amralime." Kili repeated his words over and over. His soft words and the firm pressure surrounding her body finally started the process to help calm her down. Tinu came around to Kili's other side and carefully placed his right hand over Tauriel's stomach.

"Now take deep breaths in and out. She will mimic your breathing. Keep talking to her and keep breathing. I'm going to go make a tonic for when she wakes up. I think it's best you stay with her till then." Tinu nodded to Fili who was still helping Kili brace Tauriel's body and then bowed to Thorin quickly before exiting the tent. Kili whispered softly to Tauriel again knowing this one would get an eye roll from his brother.

"Menu tessu, gimlelul." Fili did roll his eyes but it was accompanied by a loving smile. Kili looked to Balin who was sitting on the edge of Fili's bed.

"I think we are done for the day, unless you want to bring the paperwork in here?"

"Aye, lad we are done for the day. All that is left is to officially write the documents and send them out. I foresee that you will not be leaving her side anytime soon so I will make plans to come here tomorrow with Bain. Will that suffice?"

"Yes Balin, that will work." Kili answered. Balin bade his farewell and left with Dori. Oin came over to check on Kili's arm and leg.

"Please don't fuss over me. Just a tonic for pain. That is all I need."

"Please don't patronize me Kili, I know what I'm doing." Oin said giving him a sour look.

"My friend, I'm sorry, my worries lay with her. Besides, I'm feeling it's becoming a lost cause to even bother with my arm until Alwiel arrives."

"Still it's my job to look after you. At least let me check your leg. I can only assume you foolishly ran on it to get here." Kili gave the healer a sheepish grin and maneuvered his leg around all the blankets so Oin could look at it. The light movement caused Tauriel to finally stir. She rolled to the right, her left-hand twisting in Kili's shirt. The course fabric caused for her to fully wake up. Seeing Kili she smiled and leaned towards him. The silent request was granted as he leaned down to give her a slow, lingering kiss. He could care less that they had an audience. He could have stayed like that forever but a sharp pain in his leg brought him back to the present. He winced again as Oin fiddled with his leg wound.

"That hurts! What in the Makers name are you doing Oin? It was only sore till you got your hands on it!" As Tauriel heard his complaints, he saw that she realized they were not completely alone. She looked around to see who else was in the room and Kili saw a light pink tint her cheeks.

"What happen?" she quietly asked. Kili kissed the top of her head and had her readjust to lay back against him. He wrapped his good arm around her once more and gave her a reassuring hug.

"You had another terror, except this one was bad. I could not get you to come back like normal. Tinu had to come and help with a suggestion from Alwiel. Ow! Mahal I'm not a pin cushion Oin. Thorin tell him to stop!" Kili whined. Thorin came over but instead of giving Kili his attention it was focused solely on their beloved elf. Thorin softly kissed her on the forehead as well before speaking his own thoughts.

"You gave us all quite the scare. That healer from Lothlorien could not get here soon enough!"

"And she will my lord. By the end of the week." Tinu re-entered the tent carrying two bottles. One was small and green and the other slightly larger with a vibrant purple hue.

"Oin this one is for Kili's leg. Should help with the pain. Ah! Taking the stiches out I see. All looks good." He handed the green bottle over to Kili. Kili knew this potion and did not want to take it, no matter how effective it was for helping with pain.

"Stop being a child Kili. Drink the potion." Thorin admonished him. Kili grumbled and drank the vile liquid as Tinu handed Tauriel the other bottle.

"This will help with nerves and provide you some energy through the day. I think you are healed enough physically that sleep is only necessary at night but your sleep needs to be uninterrupted," He paused and gave Tauriel a poignant look, "However, I do not want you to become reliant on a sleeping draught. They are quite addictive and I feel it would be safer for another to sleep by you and by that, I mean close enough for you to feel them." Tinu sat down on the same side of the bed as Fili. It looked like he was working to process how he wanted to say the next words before they left his mouth. He looked at the others occupying the room "I have a theory of sorts and I will share it with Alwiel once she arrives. I fear when Tauriel drifts to sleep, she is also drifting from this world. Her mind is sending her to a place that doesn't exist. It is far more than what we would call a dream. By having someone to provide a physical weight, something that she can touch, smell and even hear, maybe it will help her stay anchored to this world." No one said anything. Like Kili, they were all probably processing what their friend just said. Tinu stood back up after a moment of silence and took the now empty bottles from both himself and Tauriel. He watched as the elf finished collecting his things and headed to exit the tent. Tinu gave a bow to everyone and spoke one last time before taking his leave, "It is a good thing, Tauriel, that you have plenty of eyes to keep a watch on you." There was no second guess in his mind who would be with her at night but it was Fili who voiced what everyone was thinking. Of course, his brother had to try and lighten the mood a little bit as he spoke.

"Plenty of eyes but only one obvious choice. Kili will make sure our Tauriel gets rest. Besides, if I recall correctly, I snore."

"Loudly. That alone may keep us all from getting rest," Thorin quipped, "but yes Kili will stay with Tauriel during the night. I will get extra blankets for him and have the beds maneuvered so you and I can be on adjacent sides just in case. We will move Kili's bed off to the far end of the tent and maybe have Bofur stay with us for a while. I know how much he amuses you my khulum." Tauriel smiled and carefully extracted herself from Kili's hold to get out of the bed. Oin was finishing up removing the last few stiches as she did.

"I am thankful to have you all look out for me but hate to be such a burden."

"You are not a burden." Fili said and gave his brother a sly grin. "Besides, I'm sure Kili is looking forward getting to share a bed with you." Both Kili and Tauriel went red and the comment earned Fili a smack on the back of his head by Thorin.

"They will only be sleeping and it will only be till the elf healer arrives." Thorin stressed as he came over to look at Kili's leg. Tauriel was still blushing but she chose to focus her attention by looking over Kili's leg as well. She was running her fingers across the healed flesh and it was making Kili blush for different reasons.

"It looks mended meleth nin. The skin is hardly pink. How does it feel?"

"Sore. Maybe if it wouldn't get poked and prodded all the time," he answered. Oin gave him a look and quickly replied back.

"Maybe if you would stop running on it till it was fully healed. Take your shirt off laddie and let's have a look at your arm." Kili was about to argue but Thorin cut in before he could say anything.

"Just do it Kili. We should at least make sure it's not getting any worse." Inclining his head to the side, Thorin silently invited Tauriel to join him at the table while Kili was helped by his brother to remove his vest and tunic so Oin could look at his arm. While he was being poked and prodded once more, conversation turned to preparations for the council meeting.

"Do we have a date for the meeting?" Fili asked. He was still on Tauriel's bed, having moved to sit beside Kili.

"Aye. Bard said Dale should be ready to house guests by early New Year. So, the end of that first week, the 7th day we will look to host the meetings. We will then move back into Erebor on the 8th and plan to host the celebration on the 9th. So, you and Bofur will need to have everything ready by then."

"What about your coronation uncle?" Kili asked. He knew his uncle didn't want anything but it was out of his hands.

"Balin is working on that as we speak and your mother will take over when she arrives. I do wonder if Balin gets any actual sleep himself these days. Between the invitations for the council, the contracts for the negotiations, my coronation and now I hear he's been assisting Gloin with documents for organizing all the gold too, he seems to never stop. That man is going to sleep for a century once all of this is done and over."

"The invitations are done at least. Bain and I are writing the final drafts up tomorrow and they can be sent off first thing the next morning."

"I am glad to hear that is about done. Tauriel, how has it been working with Dwalin?"

"He's an acquired taste I must admit and I like to think he's been taking some of my suggestions to heart. At least a few of my ideas for training has been incorporated into his daily routine but can you talk to him about looking into broadening the warriors we use? Especially once the meetings start? It will not look, accommodating, if we only have dwarves for guards. We need to include elves and men. Aside from the obvious fact that this whole meeting is about unity, each race brings their own strengths when it comes to fighting." The tone in Tauriel's voice did not betray the fact that she was frustrated about this and Kili had to agree with her. What was the point of talking about peace among them if they couldn't even show inclusion of another race.

"I will talk to him tomorrow. He has grown to like and trust you Tauriel. That is saying a lot of Dwalin. Like me, he has seen others turn their backs on us. It is something we dwarves have a hard time letting go of. While I have seen the errors of my ways, it may take time for him. In the meantime, I will put you directly in charge of recruiting guards for the week of the meeting. Probably two weeks if they stay longer for the various celebrations. Talk with my cousin Dain to get a list of possible candidates for dwarves. Bard and Lord Elrond, I'm sure, will be able to give you recommendations as well."

"Thank you Thorin," Tauriel said and then turned her head quickly as Kili swore loudly at Oin once again. He was getting tired of the healer.

"Oin, please, I'm done. Just wrap my arm up."

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Tauriel woke up in the dead of night to what sounded like a cacophony of wild hogs bombarding her ears. She was not used to having to share a bed let alone a room to sleep. If someone had told her Darrow folks were quiet sleepers she would have responded with that they never had to share a room with four of them. After her episode the previous day, Thorin kept to his word and moved beds around so that the needed sleeping arrangements recommended by Tinu were meant. Thorin joked often about Fili snoring loudly but failed to realize he wasn't any better and no one could top Bofur who now occupied Kili's bed. While Kili was not so innocent himself, Tauriel was grateful that the dwarf lying next to her was not as loud. She rolled to her right side so she could face her loved darrow. Running her fingers softly over his forehead, she pushed away a few wisps of hair that fell over his eyes. A slight smile graced his features at her touch but he remained sound asleep. She let her hand fall and rest over his chest lightly as she placed her head as close to his neck without disturbing him. Granted the mound of pillows and blankets Thorin had used to create a barrier between them did the necessary job for her.

The King Under the Mountain was perplexing. He had been nothing but genuine and kind to her from the moment she woke up. Making sure she got the up most care she needed, nay desired. At the mention of moving to a different tent, even one right next to them in order to give him and his nephews more privacy, Thorin flat out refused her proposal. Besides her, Tinu and Elrond, she saw that Thorin did his best to tolerate any other elf from Mirkwood or Imladris that passed his way. She could also detect the disdain in his voice when King Thranduil was mentioned, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. Even just in passing, weather by another elf or even a human for that matter, Thorin seemed to find it impossible to not let a small surly grumble pass over his lips. He seemed to have a friendly repour with Bard and his children who loved to visit her, Kili and Fili but even that was more of a way to keep the peace and work on moving on from the past. So, what made her different? It even seemed, outside from his tight knit company of dwarves, that he favored her over other Darrows as well.

It made starting a new and exciting relationship with Kili easier but it still confused her none the less. She looked to her love once more, tempted to wake him up so she would not have to suffer being up all by herself but decided to softly glide out of the bed instead. Kili needed his sleep and she did not. She saw that a fuzzy, cream woolen blanket lay at the end of the bed. Picking it up, she wrapped it snuggly around her body to keep off the chill of the night air. The oversized chair was near the work table. Heading over to retrieve it, she saw the pile of documents Kili and Bain had been writing all throughout the day and decided to grab an extra copy. She was curious to see what had been written and quietly moved the chair over towards the only source of light in the tent. She maneuvered the chair around so it faced the stove but also had it sit it in front of the entrance to the tent. She next opened the flap of the tent in order to see the clear night sky. It was just enough to see the stars she loved shine above her but not too much to let more cold air come in than what already filled the room. One day she hoped she could see a fire moon like the one Kili had described to her. She could go anywhere she wanted now, and while she was no longer tethered by the rules of the Elf King now, but in a different way she was still tethered to another person. Now she was bonded to a dwarf and she would not go anywhere Kili could not.

Tauriel held the document towards what little light there was so she could see what was penned earlier in the day.

Mellon, Merar, Friend,

This missive come to you with the hopes of peace even though said peace is now slowly being encroached upon us daily. We are currently void of the evil that is Sauron but deceived by sinister forces that creep in the shadows for their dark lord. Mordor and Dol Guldur are awake. The fortresses housing those who are loyal to him continue to grow. The forests are shrouded by an illness that is unknown and foul beasts run amiss along the country side, within the mountains and throughout the trees.

Sauron may have been defeated once more but he is not gone. So, in order to address the ever-growing presence of malice and darkness plaguing our lands, a meeting will be held to discuss an alliance of men, elves, dwarves and any other race hoping to be a part of needed reform. We therefore encourage you to come or to send representatives in your stead. We hope to have one representative for at least each race and or region to speak their mind and voice their concerns. We welcome any and all to attend.

The battle of The Lonely Mountain may have turned victorious but it showed us that we cannot be divided by trivial notions. The focus for all free people of middle earth needs to be unity. The council will convene on the first month of the new year, first light on the seventh day, in the city of Dale. We require written affirmation within a fortnight to provide space on the council and accommodations in the city. Two days following the meetings there will be an evening feast at Erabor to honor the fallen, celebrate our victory and solidify our alliance. All are welcomed to join. This is a critical time to forge strong unions and cultivate lasting relationships.

We await your reply,

Lord Elrond of Rivendell

Bard, King of Dale

Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain

"What are you looking at lass?" Tauriel heard Bofur the moment he woke up and started to head her way. The nice thing about having keen hearing was she was hardly ever startled. That and the noise in the tent had diminished tremendously.

"The council invitation," she responded handing over the parchment to the dwarf.

"From what I have heard, Kili did the majority of the writing for this. Balin has so many other items and documents to prepare," Bofur paused to read the invitation as well before he continued, "Lad did a good job!"

"Kili did more than a good job," Tauriel corrected. She stayed quiet as she peered out the crack in the tapestry. The night was crisp and clear making the stars shine even brighter. She could sense Bofur looking at her but he remained quiet for the moment. They sat there for at least an hour. He eventually fetched a blanket for himself and sat next to her chair on the ground by the stove. He too peered out into the night sky but he remained quiet still. Bofur was known for a lot of things but being quiet was not one of them. Tauriel suspected he knew she didn't really want to talk much at the moment. While a talking Bofur was her favorite kind, because it usually meant she was laughing at something he was saying, a quiet Bofur was just as nice. His presence was all she really needed but her earlier thoughts from when she woke up still plagued the back of her mind.

"Why me Bofur?" Tauriel decided to ask. Maybe he would have a better understanding of Thorin and how he works.

"You're going to have to be more specific. That could be answered many different ways depending on the direction." Tauriel smiled and laughed at herself and the fact she indeed failed to be specific of her inquiry.

"Sorry Bofur. Why does Thorin favor me so much? I'm not related. I am not a dwarf. In fact, I am an Elf from Mirkwood. I was the one who threw you into the dungeons."

"You were also the one who followed your heart, which in turn led you to follow a company of dwarves and a hobbit." They both jumped at the stern answer that came from behind them. Tauriel was so lost in her thoughts and focused of the dwarf to her right she failed to hear the dwarf approach from behind her.

"Well that's the first time I ever scared an elf. Do my actions concern you so much that your senses are affected as so?" Tauriel turned around to see Thorin standing a few feet behind her. His question rang true. Did his actions truly bother her?

"No, your Majesty. They do not concern me but they do confuse me. I appreciate everything you have done for me and have become quite fond of you and your nephews and your kin. I just wonder what I have done to gain your favor so much. I'm just an elf. A lowly silvan elf to be exact."

"Please stop with the majesty nonsense. I do favor you and request that you call me Thorin. Just like everyone else in my company. Also, that kind of thinking right there is where you are wrong. You are by no means lowly. Whoever gave you the idea that you are so beneath them I would happily give them a kick in the rear end with my boot," Tauriel mumbled Thranduil's name just loud enough and gave Thorin a sheepish grin knowing he would be happy to give the pompous elf a good kick anywhere.

"You need to stop listening to others like him and while I am no better please do hear out what I am about to say to you and take it to heart?" Tauriel nodded, too stunned to answer but still anxious to hear him continue to speak. Thorin walked over to lean against the chair. There was no pause as he began to explain to Tauriel and Bofur what made her stand out among other elves. What made her special to him.

"Let me start that while I still see you as an elf, the first thing I truly noticed in you is a strong warrior. From the very first moment you took us prisoners I saw a fighting spirit within you! You handled yourself with such grace and confidence. While I still would like to box off those pointy ears of his for making you feel less than what you are, Thranduil made an excellent choice picking his Captain of the Guard." Thorin paused to give her a look showing pure admiration for the elf in front of him. Tauriel could only blush so Thorin continued on.

"You also have heart, passion and a strong drive to do the right thing. I heard you talking to Kili when we were in the cells. While I initially wanted to smack him up the head for chatting up an elf, I noticed the wonder and dare I say respect that was in your voice. You showed me a different side of elves that I never really saw before," He pushed a strand if hair behind her ear letting wat he said sink in before continuing on.

"So here you are Tauriel. You did not have to follow us after we escaped but you did. While it may have been more for Kili's sake that you chose to follow the orcs, I feel there would have been another breaking point down the line that had you making a choice between what is easy and what is right. You would have chosen what is right," Thorin took her hands in his and made sure he was looking into her eyes as he finished speaking his mind, "Most importantly, you have true, unbinding love for my nephew and that is rare for a Dwarf to find. Even among his own kind. You saved him and us from the spiders. You saved his life in lake town. You don't mind that he can be a complete fool! Last of all you showed him honor and loyalty by fighting with him and for him. That above all else is the most important quality for a dwarf." Tauriel smiled, now beginning to understand why this hard and surly dwarf, that was no nonsense and gruff, seemed to have a soft spot for her. He was tough on everyone, even his nephews which she had witnesses more than enough times. His nephews, however, were his pride and joy. It was obvious that they meant more to him than the gold in Erebor. The stories of his dragon sickness amazed her because the dwarf she knew and saw would rather die than let anything come between him and his kin.

"Thank you Thorin. I will bear those words in mind and take them to heart."

"Good. Now what has you up my khulum? Bad dreams?" Thorin asked.

"No. Just sensitive ears to loud noises." Tauriel teased. Bofur laughed,

"Ah lassie, if you are going to be with Kili you are going to have to became used to loud, obnoxious noises."

"Who said I was complaining about Kili?" Tauriel quipped back. Thorin laughed,

"Well let's try and have you go back to bed and attempt some sleep? Tinu said no naps but maybe he can make an exception if Kili takes one too. Ever sense he was a baby the darrow could sleep anywhere and anytime." Tauriel nodded her head in agreement. After she got up to make her way towards her bed, Bofur moved to occupy Tauriel's vacant space in the chair. Waving them off, he stated that he wanted a small smoke before going back to sleep. Bidding him goodnight, Tauriel and Thorin made their way towards her bed. Kili had not moved an inch from his spot when she left. Before going to his own bed, Thorin paused and turned her towards him. He reached up to bring her face down to his and gave her the usual kiss on her forehead that he always did to show his affection. Another small smile and squeeze to her hands, he then went over to get into his own bed.

"I'll do my best not to snore," he teased pulling the covers over him. Tauriel gave a short laugh so not to wake up Kili as she carefully crawled back under the covers of their bed. She looked at the dwarf that had completely stolen her heart. She just couldn't resist giving a soft peck on the lips but when she went to pull away she found resistance to her movement. Kili's hand had made its way behind her head. His hand began pulling her back in, a silent request for a longer kiss. Tauriel was all too willing to comply.

"Amralime, I'm trying to sleep," came a mumbled retort.

"Then by all means, sleep meleth nin."

"I was till you did that." His voice still full of sleep as Tauriel kissed him once more knowing that he would have no problem going back to sleep.

"I couldn't help it. You are just too irresistible my naug but I shall resist so you may sleep. Ma elei Kili. I will not disturb you until the morning."

"Ok gimlelul," he responded and quickly went back to sleep. Tauriel laid back down and thankful Bofur chose to stay up a little longer, fell back to sleep as well.

Khuzdul Translations:

Amralime- My love

Nadad- Brother

Menu tessu- You are everything

Men kurdel- my heart of hearts

Gimlelul- My brightest star

Merar- Friend

Khulum- elf

Sindarin Translations:

Mellon nin- My Friend

Meleth nin- my love

Ma elei- Good dreams

Naug- Dwarf