*So much for getting this Chap. done by February :-/ I actually struggled with this, got some writers block and found myself staring at the words and rewriting a lot. Would stop and work a little bit here and there on other chapters and then I got sucked into some suspense/romance novels lol... plus always busy with work! Looking forward to Summer break. Maybe I can get several more chapters posted sooner than later with my time off! Thanks for reading!*

Chap. 5

Understandings

Tauriel wasn't sure what guided her to this particular tent, but something did. She had just finished another grueling session with Awiel in the healer's tent not too far from this one. Nothing much changed in her dream, but it had only been a couple of days sense the Lothlorien elf's arrival. In the dream, the dwarfs she cared for so much still died and her spirit slowly faded away due to grief. The thought that this could have been a possible fate for Kili, Fili, Thorin and herself was frightening. Originally, she was on her way to the main healing tent to talk with Oin. She wanted to offer him what healing skills she had, to help with the injured still left in his care. When he had dropped by the royal tent the other day, he looked completely overwhelmed. Dori came to visit from Erebor the day before, bringing with him piles of herbs and teas he found safely stored away from the past and mentioned that there were far more injured and ill to take care of then Oin or Elrond could manage by themselves. So, the plan was to visit with her dwarven, healer friend and to offer him more aid but instead she found herself somehow standing at the entrance of another's tent instead. The Lord of Imladris. During her session with Awiel, the regal elf again talked about learning to accept what fate she had chosen.

"Do not dwell on what could have been," Awiel said but something nagged at the back of Tauriel's mind as she spoke a question that had been haunting her,

"What if they were not supposed to survive? What if fate requires them to die? For the line of Durin to end?"

"Then it will happen in another way mellon nin. I do not pretend to understand how fate works. Other elves, like Lord Elrond, who have the gift of foresight are better versed to explain these things but we are both here as are your beloved dwarves so we must appreciate the fact that fate has allowed us the time we have right now."

Tauriel said nothing after the fact. She had nodded her head to acknowledge the healer and continue their session, but she was stunned to hear that Lord Elrond had the gift of sight. He never said anything about it. So here she was. Standing outside one of the only tents that could possibly provide her answers. Taking a deep breathe she started to speak and announce herself, but another's voice cut in.

"Mellon nin. Tolo, govado ven!" Tauriel smiled recognizing Veren's voice. She stepped into the tent and assessed her bearings. On the floor laid a large ornate rug in hues of blue and gold. There was a round oak table and chairs similar to the ones in her own tent to the right. To the left of tent was a secretary desk, also in oak that had piles upon piles of documents, letters and scrolls laid upon it. In the far left corner was a lush chaise in a camarena floral print of blues and golds that matched the rug. It was adorned with rich, velvet soft beige blankets and various blood red shams.

"Aldol! Tolo anin naur" Tauriel looked over to see that Veren and Elrond now stood to greet her. They were over in the far-right corner where Elrond had placed his tent stove. He bowed in greeting as did Veren. She smiled at her friend and bowed in return to Lord Elrond.

"Mae govannen hîr vuin" Tauriel replied as she went over to join the other elves resting by the fire. Veren was not wearing her usual cream healer tunic but instead had on a very lovey and simple silk dress. It was in a soft shade of pink that complemented her ivory skin and was fitted to her body, lightly flaring out past her knees. Over the dress she donned a heavily knitted woolen wrap with deep hues of maroon, beige and indigo. Lord Elrond even seemed dressed down, only wearing a few layers. Granted the green kurta he wore over a pair of beige pants and brown elk boots was exquisite, the matching robe lay off to the side on his chaise and his headdress lay on a small oak vanity nearby. She briefly soaked in the moment of getting to witness the lord enjoying some much-needed respite. Around the fire were large, stuffed cushions in the same blood read that of his pillows on the chaise. They all proceeded to sit down, Tauriel choosing to sit on the cushion to Elrond's right.

"I hope I am not disturbing you."

"Baw! You are most welcomed to join us. We were just enjoying some friendly banter and tea." He responded and raised a bell to signal for one of his aids.

"Some more tea please. Le athae!" the servant elf briefly disappeared and then returned promptly with a wooden tray holding three cups of blackberry flavored tea. After the tea was passed out, they all got settled and light pleasantries were passed around. Lord Elrond then turned to Tauriel and inquired about her unexpected visit.

"I hope things with Awiel are going well so far?" he asked in what Tauriel could only describe as the most enduring tone she could ever imagine.

"Ma hir vuin. I can see a difference already in Kili's arm. Fili and Thorin also look like they are almost done mending, but she cautioned them all not to be hasty. Dwarves take longer to heal than we do. Fili grumbled a few words in Khuzdul that were not so nice about that." Tauriel laughed and the other two joined in with her.

"Yes, Dwarves are infamously stubborn. You should ask Thorin and his kin about their visit at Imladris over a year ago. I would be so inclined as to say that their chain of events of the visit differ from mine and the other elves."

"I'm sure they do!" Tauriel laughed.

"While I am glad to hear the Sons of Durin are on the mend, I wonder how Tauriel, Daughter of Mirkwood is faring?" He gave her a look and she could tell he knew she had tried to avoid answering the earlier question that was meant more for her than the dwarves.

"It is actually why I am here my lord. The darkness that shrouds over me is proving hard to remove," she replied and then proceeded to tell the other two elves about the dream and about Awiel's interpretation for the dream.

"Awiel says I need to first accept the fate I have chosen. That to move forward I must let go of what wasn't but Lord Elrond, try as I might, I can't let go. I worry that I will lose them in another way, or I'll wake up and find all this to be the dream. That they did indeed die, and I'm left to fade away." Tauriel paused and chose to wait to see if either Veren, who was looking very concerned, or Elrond had anything to say. Elrond too looked concern but Tauriel could see something else cross his face. A look of knowing so she pressed on,

"I might not have any right to ask this of you and you might not be able to tell me anything, but I must ask. Awiel says you have the gift of foresight. That you might know more about fate and how it works then she does. Is there a way to know if I will lose him? Lose them? They have become my family." Elrond took a deep breath and signed. He looked directly into the fire and answered softly,

"I do have the gift of foresight, but I do not pretend to be an expert on fate," Tauriel was frustrated to hear this but stayed hopeful as he continued to talk. "I cannot control my gift any more than one can predict fate. What I can do is give possible insight as to what I have foreseen. Sometimes I see just one outcome and other times there are many," he paused to look at her before finishing, "I have just recently been given brief insight into the future and there is one outcome I can share with you at this time, but my words cannot leave this tent today." Giving an anxious nod of agreement towards Lord Elrond, Tauriel watched as he then turned to get acknowledgment from Veren as well. With two sets of eyes barring into him, Elrond took another deep breath and continued.

"When word came to me of the battle raging here, I looked into the future hoping to see if fate would show me a possible outcome. It showed me only one. It showed me a battle but not of the present one you just fought. I saw another battle for Erebor at least 70 to 80 years from now. I saw Thorin III, son of Dain II triumph in battle as he avenged his father's death. After that I saw Thorin III, Son of Dain II become King under the Mountain." Tauriel, too shocked to speak, barely managed to whisper out her next question.

"You saw no one else?"

"Baw. I saw no others. Just them. Tauriel goheno nin, but if my vision is to come to fruition and Dain becomes King, then at some point the Durin line is destined to end." Tauriel could not hold back the tears that flowed down her face as she whispered,

"Then I will fade away from grief like my dream."

Veren had stood up at this point and came over to sit with Tauriel. The taller elf wrapped Tauriel in her long arms, hugging her friend tightly. Veren looked up at Lord Elrond and asked a question that lifted Tauriel's thoughts from complete dread to semi hopeful.

"Is there no other way? No other future? Must Thorin and his kin die for Dain to claim the throne?" His answer was not concise.

"First and foremost, my foresight is not all binding. There have been many times that what I have seen has not come to past. Some of my visions do show one or two other possible outcomes, but I have not seen any more than just the one. As far as Dain claiming the throne while three heirs still live? I do not pretend to know dwarf customs. I would be hard pressed to see Thorin willingly give up something he fought so hard for, for Fili to pass up something he has trained for his whole life, and I doubt even Kili would turn away from something that was so important to his uncle. However, as Tauriel has shown us, even the smallest of choices can change a fate that was destined for us." Tauriel nodded her head in understanding. Nothing was set. Anything could change the future ahead of her.

"Then I chose to help them live. If I fail, then I will be happy living with them till the end," Tauriel paused as another thought crossed her mind, "but in the end, all I wish for is to follow them. Even if I died in battle, I would go to the halls of the Valinor. So, still in death I am parted from Kili as he would go to the halls of Mandos."

"If you were half elven you could at least choose to be mortal," Veren commented, "but it doesn't help with death." There was silence in the tent for a moment as Veren's comment sunk in. Lord Elrond seemed to be intrigued by the new course their discussion was taking. Tauriel could see it on his face. Eventually, weather 10 years, 50 years, at the battle Elrond foresaw, or a couple hundred years after that, her dwarves would still die and she would be parted from them, from Kili. That was the issue. She knew where she belonged in this life. She belonged with him. To be forever parted from him after this life? That was the bigger problem.

"I have heard that elves who chose to be mortal live the life that they have chosen. They do not return to Valinor after their death. Valinor is only for the lost immortal souls. It is only what I have heard though," Lord Elrond stated. Tauriel jumped up so quickly from her seat she startled the elf consoling her and the elf explaining the concept of fate and death.

"I would not hesitate to give up my immortality if it meant I get to be with Kili forever. If there is a way, I will do it. I do not know if I have human blood. I know nothing of my past only that Thranduil raised me." While her words were not harsh, there was a lot of passion in her declaration that she somewhat shocked the elf lord still sitting next to her. After a moment to recover from Tauriel's outburst, Elrond stood up and placed a gentle hand on her left shoulder.

"Then we will see what can be done. About both issues. Veren, I will leave your own inquiry in your capable hands. I hear young Master Ori is currently handling the libraries of Erebor. See if you can get his help to find out about the rules and regulations of dwarven leadership. Purely academic if he was to ask." Veren smiled and nodded her head in understanding.

"I will look into seeing if we can break your mortality. If we can determine you have human blood in your veins, then that will be easy, and I will lead you through the rituals and proclamations. Making sure you live as long as Kili. If you are not, then we have some work cut out for us. The only elf to have been allowed that request was Luthien and that was of absolute exception. I will speak with Thranduil and check on your bloodline first." Tauriel made a face at the thought of her previous caretaker possibly learning that she was considering giving up her mortality for a dwarf.

"Do not fret henig. As I requested, everything discussed in this tent today stays quiet between us. The Elf King will not learn as to the real reason for my questioning. I do give you permission for you to speak about this with Awiel though. I feel it will further help her guide you out of your darkness and allow you to start healing, but only her Tauriel. You cannot tell Kili or anyone else till we know more. We can do our part to help change fate, but we must not interfere with it."

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kili was in a good mood. He was worried yesterday when Tauriel returned to the tent from her session with Awiel and from talking with Oin. He could see in her eyes something was troubling her. She insisted that she was fine. That everything was ok and both meetings went well. However, she was quiet and reserved for the rest of the day till she bade them all a good night and went to bed early. She barely even kissed him goodnight, only getting a soft peck on the lips. This morning he was pleased to see that she was back to her normal self. You could even say she was somewhat adventurous. Waking up a couple hours before everyone else, she had quietly scaled over the mountain of pillows between them and demonstrated to him that it was worth his time losing some sleep. He couldn't keep a grin off his face all morning. Thorin finally asked what was making him so utterly happy and all Kili could say was that he woke up feeling refreshed. Of course, Tauriel could keep her emotions better in check than him but throughout breakfast she would send him suggestive looks that made him want to drag her somewhere private and continue where they'd left off right before Bofur woke up.

Mahal he really wanted her. In every possible way he wanted her, but he knew it was far too soon for anything more serious. They had so much to learn from each other still. He also wanted his mother's approval to officially court his elf. It seemed he already had Thorin's approval so that helped him a little bit, but he really wanted to freely show to anyone that saw them together that they belonged to each other. He wasn't sure what courting and or even marriage looked like for an elf. Something he would have to discuss with her at some point but after talking with Fili the other night as they braded her hair, he really wanted her to officially be a part of his khahay. For now, he was content with seeing who could drive the other one crazier with innocent touches and not so innocent kisses. Tauriel was ahead in that aspect, but Kili was not one to back down from a challenge.

Currently he was walking with Fili back to the royal tent. They had just left a meeting with Balin about the upcoming council gathering. Kili was surprised that Balin requested to see him and Fili but not Thorin. He soon found out from the elder dwarf that it was requested by all three leaders for him to officiate the proceedings for the council. They were all overly impressed with how well he handled the invitations and agreed he should be the one to officiate the initial questions, negotiations and signing of the treaties. Balin stated he would help but in the end, this would be Kili's job. His brother was steadfast in agreeing with Balin and noted that Kili deserved it. Fili, on the other hand, was called in about the planning for the following celebrations. Fili gave Balin the final draft of the schedule for the celebration itself. What order the delegates would come in, who would provide the speeches, what formal dances from each race would be required, and what types of food and drinks would be served were all discussed. Balin wanted to make sure every detail was covered. Balin made a few adjustments and then their mentor reminded Fili that he needed to reign in Bofur. Balin had received word, Kili's bet was on Ori, that their crazy friend had some inappropriate ideas following the speeches.

"Please remind everyone helping you plan the festivities that this is a celebration on multiple levels. Peace, victory, leadership and most of all union among the peoples of middle earth" he gave Fili a serious look but then turned it into a sly grin, "Shenanigans can be saved for Thorin's coronation instead." Lost in his own thoughts from their meeting, Kili laughed out loud as he walked gaining his brothers attention next to him.

"What, dear brother, pray tell are we laughing about?" Fili asked after tripping for the third time on a loose cobble stone. Kili shook his head at his brother.

"Balin's comment about Thorin's coronation but now I am wondering, where is your walking cane?" Fili waved his hand in dismissal towards Kili.

"I am fine,"

"You are not fine Fi. I can see you limping."

"Din nadad gamut ai-menu. I might have accidently left it by my bed in the tent. Just don't tell Tauri, she'll have my neck. It's not my fault it forgets to come with me."

"I won't have to. She is there, currently in a meeting with Thorin about the guards she wants to use as head officers. You know her. She notices everything!"

"Maybe I'll just go and see if Oin needs help with anything."

"No use putting off the inventible nadad. Besides, Uncle wanted us to report back to him after our meeting with Balin."

"Makk an E ha'ak." Fili moaned out in a very pitiful way.Kili was still laughing at his brother by the time they reached the tent, but it died immediately in his throat once they walked through. His good mood vanished and now he too wanted to go see if Oin needed any help. At the middle of the table sat Thorin. He was currently staring down Dwalin who, sitting to Thorin's right, had the ugliest scowl on his face. On the other side of the table next to Thorin sat Tauriel but she did not look like any elf he wanted to cross. She looked livid.

"Can we go see Oin?" Fili whispered picking up on the tension in the tent. Tauriel, of course, heard him.

"You are not going anywhere without your cane nadad," she hissed out. Fili went white.

"Tak Yemu Kili." Fili whispered but Kili grabbed a hold of his brother's coat before he could exit the tent. Together they slowly edged over to Fili's bed wondering if they really should leave, but at the same time he was curious to figure out what was going on and how much longer Dwalin could hold out against Thorin.

"Let me repeat myself Dwalin," Thorin growled out. He was using the tone Dis had coined as her brothers no nonsense voice. "When I assigned Tauriel to assist you as captain it was not for you to just entertain her. You were supposed to collaborate with her! She has spent hundreds of years training elf warriors. She should not be treated like some,"

"Pen-channas!" Tauriel yelled interrupting Thorin as she glared at Dwalin. Kili knew what that Sindarin phrase meant. She had jokingly called him and Fili that on several occasions. However, she used it on them as more of an endearment. Looking at Tauriel's face and how she had harshly yelled out her lovely language at Dwain, Kili knew she was becoming emotional. Walking over to stand behind her, Kili laid a gentle hand at the base of her neck. She turned to look up at him with so much emotion in her eyes Kili could hardly keep his own in check. That's when Dwalin said it, "Gurnvos`comys." It was uttered ever so quietly but all three of the other Dwarfs heard it and inwardly cringed. If they heard it, then the resident elf had too and Tauriel was just recently taught that insult by Thorin himself. Kili wasn't sure how Tauriel would respond. He knew how he wanted to respond, and he almost did but Fili's own hand on his shoulder kept him in place.

"Master Dwalin," Tauriel stated calmly but Kili could hear the bite in her tone, "I don't appreciate you referring to Kili as a tree. Granted they are both lovely specimens, but I find Kili to be more useful than an oak or a willow. Now, as much as I would like to toss your balding hide out of this tent and never have to speak to you again, you are Thorin's personal guard and close friend. I would rather see if we can find some common ground to work on because, as I have told my new khuzud khahay, I am not going anywhere. They are my world and anyone that tries to do them harm will be sent to the depths of belh`kestaz." Silence wafted through the tent and Dwalin was left speechless. Weather it was her use of Khuzdul or how fiercely she spoke about his family, Kili did not know. Thorin was the first to break the silence.

"Dwalin my friend, she has as much to lose as any of us. I cannot deny her the right to fight and protect my nephew or us. She is ingrained in this company now. She will be head captain for the council, and you will remain as head of my personal guard. That includes Fili, Kili, Dis and Tauriel," Thorin strongly emphasized the words 'and Tauriel'.

"You will then both be co-captains for Erebor, and I expect you to learn from her, not humor her. So, I think you should start spending some time with her, an hour each day should suffice. Watch her, listen to her, for Mahals sake talk to her like a normal being! She has so much to offer you!"

The tent flap opened, and all five heads turned to see who was now coming to visit. Bard and Bain both entered but stopped at the opening sensing the tension floating around the room.

"Thorin, are we early? We can come back." Bard tentatively asked. Thorin shook his head no and waved them over.

"No, we are done. Come on in." Thorin replied giving Dwalin a pointed look. The king's oldest friend nodded his head and slowly stood up. Eyeing Tauriel one last time, the hardheaded dwarf strode past the two humans out of the tent without another word. Kili could see that he had finally caved to Thorin's demands, but it was now up to Tauriel to show Dwalin how amazing and capable she truly was. If Bard was curious about what had just transpired, he didn't let it show on his face. He took the seat recently occupied by Dwalin and Bain sat down to his right. The tension in the room finally dissipated. Kili and Fili sat down in the remaining two chairs while Tauriel briefly got up to retrieve more hot water for tea. Thorin pulled out his beloved pipe and a pouch of Longbottom leaf. After putting an ample amount of leaves into his pipe, he passed the pouch over to Bard who was pulling out his own pipe as well. Once finished, Bard gave his son a look of non-regret before passing the pouch over him to Fili. Bain just rolled his eyes at his dad.

"Da' at some point you are going to have to accept I'm old enough to smoke and drink,"

"Aye but that is not this day son." This new argument had everyone in the room softly laughing and it helped raise spirits even more. Fili took his pipe out and accepted a light from Thorin, but Kili passed on smoking. Instead, he noticed a new type of tea Tauriel had set on the table with the hot water.

"What tea is that Amralime?"

"Blackberry. It is exquisite. Lord Elrond gave me some when I saw him yesterday."

"You saw Lord Elrond?" Fili inquired. Kili saw a moment of panic cross Tauriel's face, but it was gone as quick as it showed up.

"Briefly," Tauriel answered, and Kili could not detect any hesitation in her voice as she spoke, "before I met up with Oin about assisting with healing those that are still wounded." Before Kili could ask more about Lord Elrond, Bain spoke up.

"Sigrid mentioned to us that you were going to help." Tauriel gave the newly young prince a smile.

"Yes. She was in the tent when I spoke with Oin. I am pleased to have her helping us as well King Bard."

"Please Tauriel, we are equated enough to drop formalities when in private and while you seem to have a lot of tasks under your command, I was hoping to try and add one more? Maybe Kili would be willing to assist as well?" While he was still curious about what Tauriel saw Lord Elrond about, at the mention if his name his curiosity now turned towards Bard.

"What is it you ask of us?" she asked sounding just as curious. Bard motioned towards his uncle as he spoke,

"Thorin has mentioned that you have been assigned Captain of the Guard for the council and will oversee all the training for the soldiers to be on duty that week?"

"She is! She just went over and finalized her primary officers with Thorin." Kili answered unable to hold back any of pride he felt for his one. Tauriel sent a small smile his way, a slight blush on her cheeks that had Kili again wanting to resume their morning activities.

"Yes, I have finalized the head officers and Thorin has given me his approval as did Lord Elrond. I look forward to working with your friend Korbin."

"He is a natural leader and fine swordsmen. He will serve you well," Bard said pleased to hear his recommendation was met with no issues.

"What is it then you request of my nephew and Tauriel then my friend?" Thorin asked.

"Korbin is a natural swordsman as I mentioned and while I myself am a skilled bowman my time to train archers will be far and few with the council meetings approaching and all the impending responsibilities of becoming a new leader. I was hoping they could help Korbin a couple hours a day to assess and train possible archers for Dale?"

"Yes!" Kili blurted without hesitation. He was so tired of being stuck in the tent doing nothing all day.

"Kili, you're still healing." Tauriel said worry evident in her tone.

"Besides," Fili added in, "Balin just informed us that you're leading all the proceedings for the council. That's going to take up a lot of your time."

"What?" Tauriel asked. Her head whipped first to Fili in shock and then towards Kili in complete admiration.

"He's earned it," Bain stated already knowing his father had agreed to the arrangement and then continued talking.

"We understand Kili is still healing and that you both have been committed to other responsibilities. If we could even just have him or Tauriel for just an hour out of the day that would be better than nothing. I also plan to learn along with the potential men and women Korbin has chosen."

"Women?" Tauriel asked looking shocked and impressed at the same time.

"Da' and Korbin would like to remain living in the second age where women shouldn't fight at all but as I pointed out, women are just as good of fighters as men."

"We also need the numbers too. We have had significant losses and while I can't in good faith let a women bare a sword; I will relent and allow them to learn how to use a bow. I feel better knowing that they are safer being farther away from a fight."

"That may be the case my lord, but you can't always guarantee that. This past battle has shown us that we need to be prepared for anything." Tauriel said and briefly paused to look Kili in the eye. Again, he felt like there was something going on she wasn't telling him.

"I will be glad to help Master Korbin train you're archers. Kili, too I'm sure can provide ample advice until he is healed enough to shoot himself. However, I ask in return that I can be permitted to train your female archers with daggers and short swords as well. If anything were to go amiss, they deserve to be able to protect themselves." Bard took a long drag from his pipe and then nodded his agreement.

"When can we start training?" Bain asked sounding excited to begin. Tauriel smiled at the young human whose face also showed his eagerness to learn.

"Let Korbin know Kili and I would like to meet with him tomorrow afternoon. I am supposed to meet with Master Dwalin after the noon hour so it will have to be later in the day," Tauriel turned an unamused look at Thorin in regards to his friend but then turned her gazed at Kili, "With your newly appointed task to lead the council and my promise to help Oin we are going to need some kind of schedule."

"I think we all will need one," Thorin said and look towards Fili, "Speaking of schedules, I saw Ori this morning. He said you were done with the schedule for the celebration?"

"Showed it to Balin this morning when he spoke with Ki. Here," Fili passed over the folded document's he had just pulled from inside his vest pocket, "He says everything looks good." Thorin briefly looked over the papers handed to him then looked back to his eldest nephew.

"Agreed. This all looks well." Then a devilish smile crossed his uncles face and the words that came out of his mouth had the whole tent laughing. "And be sure to tell Bofur that I know and to watch his step."

Translations:

mellon nin – my friend

Tolo, govado ven

Aldol- Welcome

Tolo anin naur- come near the fire

Mae govannen -well met

hîr vuin- my lord

Baw- no

Le athae -thank you

Ma- yes

Goheno nin -Im sorry

Henig -My child

Gamut ai-menu- I am good

Din- Faith

Nadad- Brother

Makk an E ha'ak- Son of a she dog

Tak Yemu- Until later

Gurnvos`comys- Tree Humper

belh`kestaz- hell

Amralime- My love

Pen-channas! - Idiot!