Authors Note: Thank you for that wonderful review Syeern! And merry meet right back at you. I have learned my lesson and will absolutely be buying my RenFaire tickets ridiculously early next year. As far as going through what these characters do emotionally, that makes really a lot of sense and something I never really thought about! It also would explain why I was in such a depressed slump when I was writing ACT 2 a few years ago. A lot of sense. And of course, I have seen A Neverending Story. It is a classic. I still have NOT forgiven them for Artax and the Swamp of Sadness. If you know, you know. Sobs. Artax D': Also…visiting the cells of Mirkwood…solid idea. I definitely need to add that in to this ACT somewhere. I got to find a good place for it :D Kaw will be coming, but not for another chapter.
Also, a huge thank you to anyone who left me a you have no idea how even just a simple thing can bring joy to a writer. It is also super motivation, and I tend to focus more on editing chapters lol.
We are heading into more drama as we enter Mirkwood. I will let you read, and then I will see you at the bottom.
Chapter Nine
"Why is it, we always end up being poured upon whenever we go on an adventure with you, Gandalf?" Kili whined as he readjusted his sopping wet, slightly frozen, hood over his dripping hair. They were still in the dead of winter, but rather than snow falling from the sky, it was frozen rain and sleet pelting them from above. Even Tauriel was shivering under her heavy furs and cloak. It had Kili wanting to pull her onto Maryn and warm her with his body...if only he wasn't shivering as well. "Are you summoning this on purpose?"
"Why of course, young master Kili, I find it to be of the greatest of traveling conditions, pouring, frozen, rain." Gandalf's voice was laced with a severe kind of annoyance only the wizard could pull off. Of course, Kili caught the tone and glared at the wizard who simply pushed ahead.
"We will be entering the trees soon." Tauriel felt a shiver run through her at both the idea of entering the forest where many elves have been taken, and from the cold, January rains that did not seem to be ceasing anytime soon. However, she turned to Kili and smiled. "The trees will block much of the rain meleth nin, we will be safe from it quite soon."
"I hope so." Kili huffed, not at all pleased with Gandalf talking down to him as if he was an annoying child. He had children, he knew that tone…he has USED that tone. "How are you doing, amralime?" Deciding he needed a distraction, Kili opted to turn his attention to the one being in all middle earth, who could actually distract him.
Tauriel glanced at Kili, then back at the road ahead. "I am uncertain how to put words to my thoughts."
"I don't think I can relate, but I can understand." Kili once again grumbled. He rarely had issues putting his thoughts to words…a talent that still got him in trouble to this very day. "Do you think Thranduil knows we are coming?"
"He knows I am coming." Gandalf interrupted whatever Tauriel was about to say. "But I quite doubt that he anticipates the bulk of the dwarven royal family to be coming along."
"I always thought dropping in on surprise was the best way to visit people like Thranduil." Naurfaer smiled wide, his mood not in the least bit ruined by the freezing ice rain. In fact, he held his head pointed to the sky with his eyes closed as if he were bathing in the sunlight…only the sun was hidden behind dark, thick, angry, clouds. "Means he doesn't have a choice but to entertain. One cannot decline someone who is already in your halls."
"Unless you are dwarves." Fili sighed. "Then he will throw you in the dungeon."
"Well, you did trespass." Tauriel smirked. "And then, refused to explain why."
"Are you siding with Thranduil, nâtha?" Thorin gave Tauriel a look to which she returned with a wide smile.
"Perhaps if you had asked me the same question a few decades ago, before I met a roguish young prince who took my heart and gave me a family I love with all that I am…my answer would have been yes, of course." The eleth looked to Kili who was finally smiling genuinely, despite the feelings of discomfort still coming from him. They locked eyes, before Tauriel continued. "But I do know better now, adad. Though, I must say, if you had simply told him what you were doing to begin with, you may have had a bit better of a reception."
"I doubt that." Thorin growled. "It was neither any of his concern, nor were we at liberty to say. It was a mission best kept quiet, as you well know."
"There is also the fact you hated the elven king, uncle." Fili unhelpfully added.
Tauriel thought she heard Dwalin mumble something about still hating the elven king, but she was unsure as the rain made it difficult to truly make out what he had said under his breath. Although Vin must have heard whatever he said, as he chuckled and shook his head at the large dwarf who looked as if he was killing something with his sour look.
"Well…" Naurfaer continued, "…it's a very good thing those feelings have changed." The elf's smile was so wide, his pearly teeth glistened even in the rain. "Quite a friendship has grown between you."
Thorin choked and sputtered. "Friendship?" He blanched. "We have an alliance. Nothing more."
"And the basket of Ereborian cheese and that berry wine you sent to him for the elven winter solstice celebration?" Naurfaer hedged. Tauriel gave him a warning look, he was poking the bear as to speak and Thorin was quickly losing his temper.
"Naurfaer, you know amad and Nyaunni put that together. Behave." Tauriel said to her grandfather before Thorin could answer. The eleth paused as she looked at the tall, looming, trees not a few yards ahead of the group. "We are entering the greenwood. We should focus our attention on our surroundings…our guard should be up for we do not know what is lurking among these trees…not anymore."
Naurfaer rolled his eyes at being mildly reprimanded, while Thorin glared at Tauriel's grandfather before looking at the wall of trees they were entering.
"By Mahal, I forgot how unnatural this forest seems." Vin looked about, half expecting to see a spider in the branches above him.
Tauriel could not disagree. There was something about the forest that seemed, off. Not only was it much quieter than it should be, even in the winter season, but there was something almost, lifeless, about it. She felt no comfort among these trees…not anymore.
'Daughter of the forest, stay on your guard. These woods are not safe. You must get to the cities walls before the darkness sets in. Quickly now.'
Tauriel nearly pulled Galaddal to a stop at the voice that entered her mind. She looked around the forest, looking at every shadowed tree, and every slanting branch. What once was a place that brought her great comfort, now only brought chills of apprehension.
'Go, daughter of the forest. You must not linger here. I have opened the channel, this one time, and made it clear to your mate that you must move now, as you seem to be unable to go swiftly on your own. It is imperative you listen if you wish to return to your mountain and your family.'
"Amralime?" Kili gave her a curious and slightly troubled look as the others pulled a bit ahead.
"Did you hear that meleth nin?" Tauriel asked causing Kili to nod.
"I believe, we have just been warned." He said glancing at his wife and wondering just how many of these messages he was not privy to. Though he had little time to reflect on the whispered words, it did have him urging her forward as he kicked Maryn into a faster trot. "We should quicken our pace." He said to everyone in the group as Tauriel too pushed Galaddal into a faster canter, then into a run, racing ahead of the group though a pair of guards rolled their eyes knowingly and forced their ponies to run ahead of her...for her safety of course.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Fili instantly had Kit going from a trot to a run, the entire group now racing through the forest as if an unseen foe was chasing them.
Tauriel half expected to see a creature behind them as she looked past Bofur and Dwalin who were currently at the tail end of the group. The forest was growing dark fast, and they were nearly at the gate. A deep growl filled the air, an unnatural sound that caused Tauriel to shiver right to her bones and not from the freezing, biting, winter chill still chasing them. Not once, in her six-hundred hears, had she heard such a sound. She had heard many, many creatures in her forest, large and small, hunter and prey, but none made a sound like that.
"Faster!" Tauriel yelled out and kicked Galaddal into full speed, causing him to surge ahead of the group. Just behind her, was Gandalf, then Kili as Maryn was the second fastest horse in Erebor. It also helped that Galaddal was raised in the forest and despite being away for so long, he was desensitized to the sounds and feels of the woods; while Tauriel's sensitive ears could hear the other horses and ponies begin to panic. The animals sensed something as well, it was not just her.
'Faster, daughter of the forest. Faster.'
Just ahead, was the closed gate of the elven realm, and Tauriel was unsure if she was happy, or worried to see the walls of Mirkwood's northern gate. She slowed Galaddal just before the entrance and jumped down.
"Edr' i fen!" Tauriel called out in sindarin. "Open the gate!"
"Na ci est?"
Came the reply through the gap, requesting she give her name. "It is I, Tauriel! And Mithrandir! We are expected!" Tauriel called back just as Kili jumped from Maryn. It was not the complete truth, but the guards did know Mithrandir would be coming…it was her and her family who were unexpected.
"Come now, open up!" Gandalf called, tapping his staff against the door.
"Edr' i fen." The guard finally called after hearing the wizard's voice. Tauriel sighed with relief when the gate creaked, then opened just wide enough for the horses to come through.
"Tauriel, go!" Kili muttered, pressing a hand to his wife's back as he pushed her forward while pulling Maryn by the reins behind him. Tauriel nodded, knowing the others would follow, and slipped the hand not holding Galaddal's reins into Kili's. She nodded to one of the guards she did not know as the group gathered inside the now closed gates.
"TAURIEL!" It was Legolas's voice that had the eleth smiling softly. She handed Galaddal off to one of the guards knowing it was procedure to pass the horses to whoever worked the gate as they were not allowed inside the city unless it was absolutely necessary.
Since everyone in the party had visited Mirkwood, they all knew the procedure and passed the animals to the waiting guards who without a word, guided them away.
Legolas stopped before her and smiled. "I thought you might come, melon."
"Might?" Tauriel cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. "You doubted me?"
"Doubted? Never. But you do have children, and an infant. How are they, by the way?"
Tauriel pulled a carved raven from her pocket and passed it to Legolas. "Finli asked me to give you this. He has been working on it for quite some time. Naufi and Orin are far too intelligent for their age and constantly finding trouble, Kilion asked me to tell you that he planted the bulbs you sent in our garden and cannot wait to see what they become, and Ithtiri is growing more and more each day."
"I cannot believe you have five children." Legolas sighed then smirked. "Are you two planning on more Tauriel? You may need a bigger mountain to fit them all if you keep going."
Tauriel went red, then glared at the elven prince. "I do not see how that is your concern." She huffed. "But if you must know, Kili and I have always wanted a large family. We are very happy, and would welcome any children that may be in our future."
Legolas hummed, eyeing Kili who had his arms folded neither glaring, nor happy with Legolas's tone.
"And you?" Legolas asked Fili. "Do all dwarves have many children?"
"I have three daughters, as you well know." Fili lifted a brow. "And no, most have two or three at most. Though Bombur now has fourteen children…so I suppose it really depends."
"Technically, Taada only bore twelve children, Fili." Tauriel corrected. "Their last two they adopted in from the Firebeard clan."
Not long after Thorin and Nyaunni wed, Taada who was now past childbearing age, had fallen in love with two little dams who had come with a caravan of unclaimed children without families, journeying to Erebor straight from the Firebeards mountain. Their parents either gave them up, as they were unable to care for them and could not be found when Dryok was overthrown, or, their parents did not survive the harsh conditions and starved to death. As a result, there were nearly two dozen dwarflings without families to care for them.
Most were quickly snatched up by both young and old couples in Erebor who were all too happy to take in the malnourished children. But there were two little dams, sisters, who nobody seemed to wish to take into their homes. It was possibly due to the fact that the eldest could not see, while the youngest had become sick on their journey to Erebor; so sick, in fact, they had not expected her to survive. She had been taken directly to the healing halls upon their arrival, where the healers went straight to work saving her life.
Taada had been up in the halls to collect some medicine for one of her sons who had a small infection, and had seen the little dam and her sister huddled together in a bed. She spoke to the eldest first, asking her name to which she replied, Janespi, and her sister, was named Adespi. Tadda felt it was an instant connection as she spoke with the girls. She later dragged Bombur up that night after he finished in the kitchens, and the larger dwarf's heart melted at the sight of the two tiny dams in one bed.
Not once did they judge Janespi's inability to see, rather, they embraced the dam for her courage and fortitude despite her condition. Honestly, Tauriel thought it was wonderous how well the dam got around despite her inability to see. Erebor could be treacherous with its rail-less corridors and stairs, but so far, there have been no problems for the little dam.
Even Bombur's children were excited to have the girls join the family, and they all visited the healing halls every day until Adespi was healthy and strong enough to leave. It took a month and a lot of constant treatments to restore the little dam who was nothing but bones. Janespi also began to thrive and was excited to be part of a large family.
Bombur and Taada were in no way want for space, as he was given two very sizable suites to accommodate his family in payment for his duty to the company, as well as his continued assistance in matters of Erebor...both in the kitchen, and on the council.
"Fourteen?!" Legolas looked uncharacteristically surprised, then his blue eyes fell on Tauriel. "Are you planning on so many?"
Tauriel just shrugged. "If the Valar wills it. I have no set number on children. Each one is a blessing in my life, and has made me better than I was. My heart has more than enough room for any children the maker sends to me."
"Plus, they love making them. Don't you Tauri?" Fili snickered making a rude gesture with his hips that caused Tauriel's entire face to brighten to the deepest shade of red Legolas had ever seen. He found it rather amusing when the eleth he helped raise, balled her fist up and slammed it into Fili's arm.
While Tauriel gave Fili a telling off in Sindarin, Naurfaer just laughed wildly, unable to disagree, while Thorin simply looked impatient and somewhat annoyed. At Balin's suggestion, Thorin has somewhat reluctantly been learning the elven tongue, and could make out several death threats, and promises to tell Viltarra mixed in with some rather severe curses that made him quite proud. He doesn't blame her ire, Fili can channel his brothers inability to think before he speaks far to well sometimes...it was rare of course...but it did happen.
Speaking of Fili's brother, Kili seemed to be completely lost in thought which was rather unusual considering Tauriel was rather worked up from her embarrassment.
"Is something wrong, Kili?"
"Hm?" Kili blinked then looked at his wife who was finally losing steam, and then at Thorin who was looking to where Kili had been staring off. It was a group of what appeared to be elflings walking in a line on a path high above them. They were sandwiched between two rather severe looking elves as they glided across the path and went out of sight as they moved through an archway or door, he couldn't quite tell from this far away which it was.
"They will be fine, Kili." Thorin rested a hand on Kili's shoulder, knowing full well what his nephew was thinking though Kili had not answered his question out loud.
"I know. I hadn't expected to miss them as much as I do despite not even being away a day yet." Kili sighed and ran his hand through his hair, then moved to his wife. "Alright, amralime, I think Fi has learned his lesson."
"Has he now?" Tauriel challenged staring hard at Fili who looked far from chagrined...in fact, he looked downright pleased with himself which had Kili rolling his eyes.
"Say sorry, Fi."
"Sorry."
Tauriel huffed. "Remind me to stick Leotti on you when we get back."
At this, Fili's eyes widened and he began to stutter. "NO! Really, I am sorry Tauri. I was just teasing."
"No, you were being purposefully rude." Tauriel corrected, once again the picture of elven calm.
Kili chuckled and took her hand. "How is everything in Mirkwood, Legolas?"
The elven prince shook his head. "We have much to discuss. Mithrandir, welcome back, it has been many years since you have been a guest in our wood. I do wish it was under better conditions you came." Gandalf nodded as Legolas looked back to Tauriel. "I am afraid my father will be rather furious you came though, melon. It is not safe for our kind to be in the wood."
"I make my own choices, as you well know." Tauriel proudly proclaimed. "Are we to meet now?"
Legolas nodded. "Come, I will have food and wine being brought in...I have a feeling we will need it."
"As long as there is some meat involved." Dwalin grumbled as the group began to follow the elven prince and several guards who had accompanied Legolas as he greeted the visitors from the dwarven kingdom, and the eleth who many found rather curious for her choices in her life mate.
"Of course, master Dwalin." Legolas made sure to add over his shoulder. "We are currently rather limited on sources of meat as we do not leave the walls of the city, but I believe we have some turkey and venison being prepared. Both are raised in Mirkwood and do not require outside hunting which as temporarily been banned."
Dwalin grunted in response, but said nothing more.
"I am sure we can send some food if you are in need." Naurfaer suggested looking to Thorin who nodded.
"I will allow you to take that up with my father when we arrive." Legolas said thoughtfully as he turned his attention back to leading the group. He said nothing more, so Kili decided to turn all of his attention to the elven realm all around him. He always felt a bit out of place here, deep in the woods, surrounded by buildings that looked as if they grew from the trees themselves.
Windows, carved wood, and quartz were everywhere mixed in with stone and marble Kili assumes is there for stability more than anything. The quiet was also unnerving in his honest opinion. Erebor was filled with constant music, sounds of labor, and the endless chattering of his people laughing and living, which bring life and color to the mountain.
In contrast, Mirkwood was quite similar to Rivendell in its peaceful and calming atmosphere. If Kili really listened, he could hear soft music playing, and hushed voices whispering, but otherwise, Mirkwood was quite, quiet.
"Are you alright, meleth nin?" Tauriel asked when her usually energetic husband seemed lost and far too quiet.
"Hm? Oh yes. Quite well. Just pondering on how different it feels here over Erebor." Kili looked thoughtfully at two eleths laughing merrily as one poured water over a pot of winter flowers. One turned and looked right at him and leaned into her companion to whisper something before they both burst into soft peals of laughter once more. Kili wondered if they were making remarks about them, or if it was about something else.
However, Tauriel looked rather affronted, and bristled, causing Kili to eye her curiously. He was even more curious when one of the eleths waived in his direction. Kili scrunched his nose...which still hurt by the way though thanks to Tauriel's balms had little to no bruising. "Are they looking at us?" He asked glancing between the females and his wife.
Tauriel's lips tightened into a thin line. "They are being obtuse." She huffed and rolled her eyes.
"So...they ARE looking at us?" Kili asked again, having not received enough of an answer from his wife who was already in a foul mood, not just from Fili's earlier jab, but he could tell she was uncomfortable for some reason. A tightness in his chest made him wonder if she was dealing with some pain she was not telling him about...but was sharing through their bond. Though her mood could also be from her missing their children. Ithtiri seemed rather displeased at the moment, and even from the distance was sending her aggravation to both her parents. He couldn't fault her, as it was not her fault she was to young to understand what was happening or why her mother and father were not there to address her needs. Kili did all he could from where he was, and that was meeting his daughters frustration with mental warmth and comfort, and knew Tauriel was also working to sooth her infant from miles away.
Tauriel rolled her eyes once more as the unknown eleth looked right at Kili and waived again. The red-headed eleth and wife of Kili glared darkly at the other female who was making an obvious pass at her mate. Finally, after a few moments, the eleth noticed Tauriel's icy stare and snickered before turning on her toes and pulling her friend away. Kili swore he heard his wife murmur, "mine" to herself, or perhaps it wasn't to herself, maybe the other eleth had heard her as she turned again and narrowed her eyes directly at Tauriel before walking away gracefully with her friend.
"Who knew there could be such…jealousy…among an 'enlightened' race." Fili lifted a brow at Tauriel who glowered at him again. Kili thought his brother was already on cracking stone, if he keeps at it, Tauriel may just try and kill him. Apparently, if you take Viltarra out of the picture, Fili's filter also goes away. Interesting development.
"Well, it were a few decades ago now, bu' I quite recall tha' great bear man, Beorn, claiming the elves of Mirkwood were not like the other elves. Our Tauriel is proof enough of tha', ain't it Tauri?" Bofur looked to Tauriel with a wide smile, before clearing his throat when her icy glare turned to him. "Right, or perhaps I was mistaken. Two decades ago it was ya know. Memories a bit dusty."
Of course nobody believed the excuse as Bofur's memory was renowned. His mind never stopped working, and was as sharp as a newly forged mithril blade. However, Thorin decided enough was enough and ordered Fili to stop antagonizing Tauriel, with a few of his own threats added in for good measure.
The group quickly continued on their way with little more fuss. Though Fili was sulking a bit, which Kili thinks has nothing to do with being reprimanded by their surly uncle, and everything to do with missing his wife and daughters.
"Normally, the trees have a bit more foliage even in this time of year." Tauriel noted, eyeing the patches of dark sky she could just make out through the somewhat barren trees as she wiped a droplet of freezing rain from her cheek. She eyed her frowning husband who realized he was getting wet again despite Tauriel promising the trees would keep them dry.
Legolas looked up, nodding his head as they made their way through the dimly lit city. It was late in the evening, so only a smattering of elves were out and about walking around the puddles along the ground. There were far more elves out at this hour than Kili thought should be out. "It's a bit busy for the hour, is it not?" Kili asked, having to move a bit to make room for a team of what looked like elven healers gliding by. They nodded to Legolas but said nothing otherwise.
Tauriel looked to be less surprised, though. "I think it is rather quiet. Typically there are many more than this walking these paths at this time."
"My father has a curfew going at the moment." Legolas glanced at a few elves who scurried away. Likely because they were not supposed to be out.
"Wait, isn't it nearing the middle of the eve? I suppose there should actually be less out and about." Kili hummed in thoughtful surprise.
Tauriel then chuckled, realizing why her husband would think that. "Elves, meleth nin."
"Huh?" Kili still looked adorably confused causing Tauriel to press a kiss to his brow.
"Different sleeping patterns." Tauriel hummed as she looked at her husband. "Most elves who have reached physical maturity can stay awake for several days, if not a week; though only a few choose to go that long without some rest." She sighed, mildly frustrated that she lacked that ability to stay awake for long periods of time now that she was mortal. It was one of the few things she missed. It would have made the infant and teething stages of child rearing so much easier if her body stored energy as it once did. Alas, her body now failed her as she was barely able to stay awake for more than a full day anymore. Though, she did enjoy sleeping snuggled up to her dwarven prince, so she supposes it is not all that bad.
Kili, for his part, is well aware he's married to an elf, but he often forgets his elf is unlike any other of her kind. Not just because she tends to think far differently than her own race does, but because she also is just a bit different physically from her people now…all because of him.
"Oh, right." Kili hummed. "Do you miss that amralime?" Kili asked softly, twining their fingers together as they walked, ignoring the still falling rain.
"Sometimes. Mostly when the children are teething." Tauriel chuckled.
This time, both Fili and Kili nodded their heads in understanding. "Those nights are the worst." Fili lamented, remembering how it did not feel like long ago when he had begged Kili to watch Dissah after she had wailed for five days straight from cutting teeth. He and Viltarra just wanted to get one night of uninterrupted rest, just one. Of course his brother did take Dissah along with Karra, and the following night Vin and Tarrah took them, then Thorin and Nyaunni, followed by Dis, then Naurfaer.
Fili had never been so thankful for his family as he and his wife were able to get some actual rest. He also had even more respect for his baby brother, whose sons all had difficulty cutting teeth. Fortunately, his little baby girl Vilia has not had many issues teething yet despite still having a few more coming in. Though, she did have a problem with being weened, and threw a fit for an entire month when Viltarra's body decided to simply stop producing milk for her.
Dis said she went through the same thing with Kili when he was around the same age as Vilia. Both she and Oin said it was perfectly normal for a dam's body to naturally cut off their children. Though Tauriel nursed all her children until the little ones were ready to let go, Fili's poor Vilia had no choice in the matter. It is probably why she refuses to let go of the bottle.
Sighing, Fili looked to his still nursing sister who was rubbing her hand over her chest. She looked uncomfortable, but he decided to let her be. "As much as I would like being able to stay awake for day's on end, I must say, I don't think I would enjoy being an elf, as I do love my sleep." He chuckled. Everyone knew how much Fili loved his sleep.
"Yes you do." Naurfaer laughed, patting Fili on the shoulder while Vin rolled his eyes knowing how frustrating it could be to wake Fili and Viltarra up when they decided to have a lie in.
"A good thing too, Fili." Vin added. "You'd be about as good at being an elf as a chicken would be good at being a fairy."
This, Fili did NOT like and the glower he gave his father-in-law was one a son of Durin saved for their adversary. Only, instead of putting Vin in his place, the blonde baker instead laughed merrily. "Oh, enough of that. Think I am quite immune to that look having had it given to me by Thorin while ya were courting my daughter more times than I could count, lad. Isn't terrifying in the least bit anymore, so you may want to save it for another."
"I do not fully agree Vin." Tauriel hummed thoughtfully, her hand still locked in Kili's. "In regards to Fili being elf-like that is." She corrected when Fili glared at her. "Out of everyone, I find Fili to be most similar to many I knew in Mirkwood in personality." At the incredulous looks the others gave her, she laughed. "Well, when they had a bit too much wine that is. Don't worry Fili, you don't need to bother yourself with comparing your qualities to the eldar, as you are just who you are meant to be…and that, is the epitome of what a dwarf ought to be."
Fili's chest puffed up proudly while Thorin looked beyond finished with the conversation. "How many are coming to this meeting?"
"I do not know." Legolas answered honestly.
Gandalf gave the elven prince a side eye, but chose not to say anything. Instead, he slowed his pace just a bit to stop beside Kili and Tauriel, both looking at him curiously. "If I am not mistaken, you were raised here Tauriel. Since you have been away, does the forest feel…as it should?"
Tauriel looked to Kili, then back to the wizard and shook her head. "I thought not." Gandalf mumbled.
"Prince Legolas, your father awaits your company." One of the guards at the door they just approached bowed his head. "I should warn you…he is rather…"
"No need to tell me." Legolas nodded looking nonplussed. He already knew his father was going to be livid to put it mildly.
The group proceeded to file into the great halls of Thranduil. As they did, Tauriel felt herself straighten almost to the point of stiffness. It felt as if she was going into her evening shift, despite it having been over twenty years since she has had to do such a thing. Despite being mortal now, Tauriel still had difficulty grasping just how fleeting time can be. To a mortal human, twenty years is a quarter of their lifetime, but for an elf, twenty years is really no different than a week, or even a month gone past.
Though, dwarves are mortal and do live longer...perhaps it is not so odd as her husband's family should live for four hundred years or more. So Tauriel supposes it should not be so odd to feel as she does. Despite spending somewhere around twenty-one years with a true family and a new people, she will never likely be able to erase the six-hundred years of training and lessons…both good and bad…she endured prior to Kili falling into her life, turning her world upside down, and changing everything she ever believed in...for the better.
Tauriel looked at Kili who had his eyes forward, focusing on the path ahead. Though he must have sensed her gaze as he lifted his eyes to hers and gave her the most endearing smile that she could not help but return. Tauriel relaxed a bit then. Things WERE different now. She was no longer the eleth who once dwelt in Mirkwood, the captain of a guard who respected her only for her natural talent in weapons, and because she was raised by the king. No, that eleth was gone; her world, could not have changed more. Gone was the stiff warrior, and in its place, a fierce mother, wife, and daughter who was every bit the warrior as she once was…and yet so much better than she ever had been.
Kili didn't ask, nor comment as the stiffness melted away from Tauriel like ice heated in the forges fire. He just turned back to the path ahead and left her to her thoughts.
Tauriel's smile was replaced with an expression of contentment as they approached yet another set of ornate double doors. They bypassed them, however, and instead turned down a hall that led to a smaller counsel room set aside for more intimate…and typically more private meetings. The discussions that took place here were those of a delicate nature, where information was passed that was not quite ready to be heard by the public quite yet.
The door to the smaller room was held open by a guard who silently nodded to both Legolas and Tauriel as they passed by. Tauriel recognized him as Arenduil; one of the elder guards who had been serving Thranduil for about two thousand years, which was just a few centuries longer than Galaddal had served the elven Lord. He rarely talked to Tauriel, but he was always polite when he did.
As the group filed in, Legolas invited them to sit and gave instructions to Arenduil to bring food, including some of the dried meats for their guests. This made Dwalin a bit less grumpy.
Before anyone could say a word, and before the food arrived, Thranduil swept into the room looking more irate than Tauriel can recall ever seeing him before, and also more injured. Though he did not show any physical wounds that she could see, he certainly was favoring one side over the other and had a paler complexion then he normally did…which considering he was quite fair skinned said something.
"YOU ARE ALL FOOLS!" He turned to glare at the company at the table. "These forests are not safe…Tauriel, for you more than anyone. I know you are not ignorant to what is happening here, so should I bother asking why you decided to risk your lives to drop in?"
"Yeh can ask, but yeh won't like the answer." Bofur smirked, though it dropped from his face when Thorin glared at him.
Naurfaer, however, laughed. "I could not have said it better myself. Why do you think we are here Thandy? Do you even know the eleth you were supposed to raise? If you did…you would not even need to waste your time or breath asking such nonsensical questions."
If looks could kill, Naurfaer would be greeting Manwe in Valinor right now as Thranduil glared so darkly at the elf, even Thorin was impressed with the expression. After a moment, the look was replaced by a mask of peaceful contempt...if that were even possible. "Very well, you are here. I clearly have no say in that matter. But if you for one moment, expect to be able to do whatever you wish here in my forest, then you may as well turn around and go back to your mountain."
"We are here to help you. To help your people!" Kili glared at the elven king, uncaring about the exasperated look his uncle was now giving him.
"And just WHAT can you do that we cannot?" Thranduil drawled as he poured himself some wine that had been sitting on the table, waiting for him. As he poured, the door opened and several elves carrying trays walked in. They bowed to Thranduil, who waived for them to continue placing the platters on the table. The elves then bowed one last time to Thranduil before exiting the room in silence.
"Eat." Thranduil ordered, but the company did not move until Thorin nodded his head in approval. Only then, did the room fill with the sound of scraping chairs as the company leaned forward over the taller table to reach.
Tauriel never gave any never mind to the height of dwarves in comparison to the eldar, as she was rather short herself. But it was so much easier to see now that she sat at the tall table that made even her feel shorter than she was. To be fair, the wood elves of Mirkwood were supposed to be among the taller of the elven races. But again, though she was raised here, Tauriel was not Mirkwood born, and she now even wondered if she was a wood elf at all. Technically, her grandfather she supposes was his own kind of elf.
Tauriel had asked Naurfaer once if she was allowed to still consider herself a wood elf, knowing of her true family heritage now. He simply kissed her brow and said she could be whatever she wanted to be. She was raised in Mirkwood among the wood elves, so, who was he to say she was not a wood elf? The only thing he asked, was that she stopped calling herself a lowly silvan elf, which she was not. He would never again allow her to think herself low in any way.
Since Tauriel knew nothing else, she decided to still consider herself a wood elf. Neither her father, Findyrr nor her mother Ithilden were wood elves either, but Tauriel was comfortable with being known as a wood elf, and she did love the trees, so she shrugged and to this day, feels most comfortable with being an elf from the woodland realm.
But a short elf from the woodland realm despite being the second tallest being in Erebor...next to Naurfaer that is who is still taller than herself. She did always hate some of the tables in Mirkwood though, who catered more to the very tall wood elves, but made her feel like a child sitting at an adult table. She wondered if this is how dwarves always felt going to cities of man and elves where things tended to be a bit higher.
She is immensely glad, not for the first time, that dwarves tended to like their furnishing and doorways to be grand and large...so she rarely encountered problems going through doorways or fitting in chairs and tables in Erebor. At least, not as many as Naurfaer...who had to duck now and again through some of the older, less traveled areas of Erebor. But even he rarely had issues.
Looking up at her grandfather who sat across from her, she was relieved to note he also looked a bit too short for the table. In fact, Thranduil, who was the tallest, looked to be the only being in the room suited for the tall table. Legolas used to tell her that his father found it somewhat funny to have overly tall furnishings as it often made others humble themselves when they sat down with him.
Not that Thranduil found pleasure in putting others in their place...he was not cruel or manipulative by nature...but he did often have to deal with others who tended to be, in Tauriel's opinion, far more haughty than necessary. Though, it was normal for elves to be high and mighty...in Fili's words...so perhaps taller tables made keeping the peace easier. She did find it odd that only now, did she ever really make notice of it. Maybe because she had grown up with the taller tables, she never really thought about it until she sat at one that she actually fit at in Erebor...height wise that is.
Width was never an issue as Tauriel was very slight and as a result, was often overfed by her family and friends, as well as the majority of Erebor, who all thought she was simply too thin. Unless she was expecting or nursing that is, and they realized just how much the small eleth could actually eat; which honestly could rival many of the dwarves who ate massive amounts of food compared to the eldar.
Fortunately for Tauriel, of all her elvish abilities and senses that have dimmed over the years as her mortality takes hold on her, her elven metabolism still seems to be in place. A good thing too, as she would probably be headed to being the size of Bombur if she did not have it, thanks to the rich foods of the dwarves and of course the butter cake Dis always seems to have on hand for her...pregnant or not.
Tauriel was so lost in her contemplations of the table, that she had not realized Fili was dishing her up food. "Are you going to just sit there, little sister?" He pushed the plate towards her along with a cup of wine. "Since you aren't nursing at the moment, I think you can have a glass or two."
Tauriel rolled her eyes and pushed the wine towards her husband who happily accepted the sweet beverage. "I still would rather not." Tauriel hummed and poured herself some water instead. "I plan on continuing to feed my daughter when I return and I do not wish to taint myself with wine. I also do not feel I have the stomach for it at the moment."
"And when will it be when you return to your mountain?" Thranduil asked, lifting a brow.
"When we figure out what has happened to Ivethin, and the others." Tauriel sat up straight, staring unblinkingly at Thranduil. He no longer had power over her, and she would be damned if she would allow him to make her feel less than she knew she was. Not anymore.
"Tauriel. I never understood your motivations to follow such foolish and absurd pathways. Not, at least, until I found out whose blood runs through your veins." Thranduil looked to Naurfaer who smirked and sat back with his arms folded, looking not bothered in the least by the clear slight. In fact, he looked rather proud.
"If you think you are offending me or my granddaughter with such a statement...you could not be more wrong." Naurfaer gave the elven king a half grin as he leaned forward just inches from Thranduil's face. "Have you ever spent time with Elrond's sons? Elorhir is a mastermind at finding the least traveled path when making decisions, and his brother is never far behind him. I would not call them troublemakers per say, but I am sure they will be the first elven offspring to cause their fathers hair to go white. It is a good thing he has Arwin who brings calm to the family. She is very much like her grandmother."
Thranduil looked annoyed as he tapped his long, white, fingers on the wood surface of the table...waiting for Naurfaer to stop talking. Once the red-headed elf seemed to say his peace, if that were at all possible, the clearly exasperated elven lord looked back to Tauriel. "As I was saying, I have a much better understanding now of why you are as you are. I feared I failed somehow in raising you…but it seemed to be more a matter of…blood…over my failures."
"Oh, I can think of several areas you failed miserably." Naurfaer continued, narrowing his eyes. Thorin nodded his agreement while both Kili and Fili stared hard at the elven king, daring him to argue. Thranduil matched Naurfaer's stare until Tauriel kicked her grandfather under the table and placed a hand on Kili's shoulder. As touched as she was to have so many others to stand up for her now, it was neither the time nor the place to be doing such a thing; not when there is so much at stake and their time so limited. She can not and will not be away from her children for long, so she has to get this meeting pointed in a direction where they are making some progress towards finding answers.
"What is being done to find those gone missing?" Tauriel asked before an argument or a war broke out on her behalf.
Thranduil turned his cool stare towards her. He casually sipped his wine as he maintained eye contact, but Tauriel did not back down nor did she look away. Thranduil had to say, he was impressed with her fortitude. "What would you have me do, captain? Every search party save for one that I have sent out, has not returned. I have lost too many innocent lives in the last month and I cannot even say whether they live, or walk the halls of Valinor. I myself was unsuccessful in my own search. So tell me, what now, would you have me do?"
"Anything, but sit here in your grand halls sipping wine as if NOTHING is happening around you!" Tauriel's temper rose. "We cannot let whatever this is, continue to siphon our people from our lands. Yes, you have lost many, but if you do nothing, you may lose everything. WE may lose everything. How long, do you think, it will be before whatever this is, leaks into Dale, then Erebor? Or beyond. More than the woodland realm is at stake, I can feel it. I feel the sickness in this forest, and it is CRYING out for help...yet you do nothing."
Thorin had never in his life, been more proud to call Tauriel his daughter. He had to work to keep the smug smile from breaking across his face at the surprise look in Thranduil's expression.
However, it took a mere seconds for that surprise, to turn to a look of pure anger. "Nothing!? I have lost far more than you can ever fathom, you insolent child! Yet I do nothing?" Thranduil seethed as he stood, his eyes boring into Tauriel with so much contempt, Kili stood and stepped protectively beside his wife.
"You will never speak to my wife with that tone! She is a lady of Erebor, and you will RESPECT her for her title if nothing else. Do I make myself clear?" Kili seethed, his jaw clenched and his eyes almost black with anger.
"This is getting us nowhere. Sit down, Kili." Thorin sighed.
"I agree." Gandalf mumbled. "My lord Thranduil, the lady Tauriel is not wrong. We cannot sit here and hide ourselves away any longer. A great war is coming to middle earth and is knocking at our door. We no longer have the luxury of being passive about these things."
"You speak of Sauron returning, do you not?" Thranduil asked casually, then sighed to himself when Gandalf nodded. "The hour is late. I know of my sons desire to put a search party together, and he knows of my feelings on the matter." The elven king looked to his only son who said nothing. "Am I to assume, you wish to join him in his foolish endeavor as you always have, Tauriel?"
"I do." Tauriel nodded without hesitation.
"And I shall be by her side." Kili vehemently agreed.
"Nothing better than a quartet." Fili added with a smirk.
"Oi, boy, don' think yer goin' without back up." Dwalin grumbled.
"Plus extra, because no one needs it more than you lot." Bofur agreed.
"I'm in too." Vin finished.
Thorin rolled his eyes as Naurfaer let an excited expression cross his face. "When do we leave?"
"You don't." Thranduil hummed, once again sipping his wine as if he had no care in the world. He finished his glass and stood. "Stay the night, rest. You had a long day's journey here and there is no safety beyond these walls during the day, and a most assured death, at night. I will consider your request and have an answer by sunrise." With that, Thranduil left the room, his long robe sweeping elegantly behind him, though Tauriel still noticed the slight limp to his gate.
Legolas shook his head. "Forgive my father." He looked to Tauriel first. "He is still healing from his own wounds and sickness from being attacked when he last left, and I am sure he is both worried and concerned for you. He did not mean to stir you up."
"That was worried and concerned?" Bofur asked, pulling his pipe from his coat and lighting it. "I'm afraid to ask wha' he looks like when he is happy."
Legolas shrugged. "I'm afraid, I cannot recall that myself. He has not been truly happy, since my mother was lost to us." He looked down a bit, then let a soft smile grace his features as he looked to Tauriel. "I took the liberty of having your old room prepared for you. Believe it or not, my father has refused to let it be assigned to another even after all this time. I think, he secretly hopes you would come to your senses and return."
Tauriel blanched and Kili scowled.
"Senses?" Naurfaer laughed. "My granddaughter? I don't think that will ever happen. Not with my blood running in her veins." Now, Tauriel scowled and glared at her grandfather who smiled wide.
"Remind me to kill you both when we return to Erebor." Tauriel promised, looking to both Naurfaer, and Legolas, who were both now laughing.
Legolas, though, calmed himself. "My father is right that the forest is no place to be at nightfall. I am sure, he will be in a more favorable mood tomorrow. I trust, melon, you can find your way back to your rooms?" Tauriel nodded and stood, taking Kili's hand.
"The rest of you are in the same hall." Legolas continued. "I put them in the free barracks two doors down from your room, Tauriel. Arenduil will ensure you all are comfortable. Please, excuse me." The elven prince bowed, then swept from the room, likely to seek out his father.
"A brave soul." Naurfaer smirked. "Well, rooms, yes?"
The group filed from the room where indeed, Arenduil was there and ready to take all but Kili and Tauriel to their chambers in Mirkwood.
Since Tauriel knew where to go, she went ahead of the group, dragging her husband in haste to get to the chamber she called home for the five centuries she was in the Mirkwood guard. Yes, she had her own chamber. No, not everyone did which was another reason some believed it was favoritism that got her position as a captain in the guard.
"Tauriel, you can slow down a bit." Kili sighed as his wife tugged on his arm so hard, it was beginning to ache. She said nothing though, and neither did she slow her pace. At least not until she was slamming the door to her chamber, where she began to pace the small sitting room back and forth, silently seething.
Kili noted their packs were already in the room, and let his wife stew while he took their things to the small bedchamber. He paused and eyed the bed, wondering just how both of them will fit on it before going to the equally small shower room.
"Kili?"
Kili washed his hands, then splashed his face with water; cringing at the ice cold water that did nothing to warm his still chilled body. "In here, amralime." Kili called back to his wife before stepping back into the bedchamber. "Are we both supposed to share that bed?"
Finally, Tauriel smiled and sat at the edge of the bed, patting the space beside her. "We can fit, it will just be a bit tight."
"Never complained about that before." Kili leered and sat in the small space beside Tauriel. He then took her hand in his, playing with her fingers that seemed ironically dwarfed by his large hands. "How are you feeling, amralime?"
Tauriel took a deep breath and lay back on the bed, pulling Kili down with her. "Frustrated. Exhausted. Worried." She turned to her side so Kili could just fit parallel to her, then brushed her hand over his cheek, fingering the hairs of his beard as if it was comforting her. "Kili." She breathed. "I think I know what has to happen…but I am afraid it will cause you pain, and your pain, is my own."
There was already pain in Kili's gaze as she spoke, so she tucked herself as much as she could into him. "I need you to know, that no matter what happens, I will always come back to you. Always."
"Don't. Just…don't Tauriel. No plans have been made, so please, don't say things like that." Kili tightened his hold on her, pulling her impossibly close. "We have children, a baby who needs you. Mahal. I need you. Whatever it is going on in that head of yours, I won't have it. Tomorrow, we talk to Thranduil, and we make a plan. A true plan. One that will absolutely not involve anything remotely close to any kind of sacrifice. Do you understand me? A search party, I agree to. But that is it." He lifted Tauriel's chin to look directly into her emerald eyes. "If there is even a remote inclination that you may be lost to me, you are going back to Erebor. WE are going back to Erebor. Sod the forest, sod the lands, sod middle earth. If I have to, I will take you on a ship and sail as far from this place as possible Tauriel. You, me, our children, Fili, all of us, together. I will even drag mam and uncle if I must. There is NOTHING in this land, worth losing any of you for. Nothing."
Tauriel sighed, but closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his. She will make no promises, but she does understand how Kili feels. She can't lose him either. But she was connected to these lands in a way she cannot describe. Like her babe calling to her even now, she feels the pain of the trees, and hears them calling out to her. There is something in these woods, something evil, something powerful.
Mentally shaking away everything she could not solve in this moment as well as once again, trying to sooth her daughter from a distance, Tauriel slid her hands up Kili's chest and entangled them both in his still damp hair. "I would very much like a shower, and I have grown accustomed to the warmth of the water in Erebor." Tauriel's lips tilted into a sly smile. "Care to join me, to help me keep warm?"
At first, Kili looked confused, then his brows raised as Tauriel rose from the bed and began stripping off her wet traveling clothes. It took only a half second for Kili to climb off the bed and lift her into his arms before slamming the bathroom door behind him.
Tauriel was certainly not jesting about cold showers either, Kili lamented to himself as he sat shivering almost violently in the bathing room. Tauriel chuckled as she rinsed her hair then wrapped herself around her freezing husband. "I did warn you it was cold."
"I know. I just forgot how c…c…c..cold it could bbbbeeee." Kili huffed, his teeth chattering while Tauriel seemed like she was enjoying a warm spring rather than an ice cold spray.
The eleth shrugged, though Kili could see the tiny goosebumps trailing over her alabaster skin. Those certainly were not from him. He was so cold, his body refused to cooperate in any fashion, let alone one that would bring either of them pleasure.
The first time they were away without children to interrupt them, and Kili felt like he was encased in ice, his body unwilling to do anything but shiver and shake under the ice cold spray. "I d..d…don't understand. Aren't you c..c..cold Tauriel?"
"Freezing." Tauriel laughed and pulled her husband close so he could feel just how cold she was. "But after six hundred years of showering here, you grow used to it. Besides, elves run colder than dwarves, so I think, it may seem a bit cooler for you than me."
That, Kili did notice; his wife was always cold. It was practically torture when she climbed into bed and put her toes as cold as ice crystals against his legs. It was nice during the hot summer, but during the winter, he usually insisted she take a hot bath before bed so he doesn't get frost bitten calves. Thank the maker, his children all ran warm like any good dwarf.
"Well this did not quite go as I planned." Tauriel laughed as she rinsed the soap from Kili's hair, as his hands were firmly planted under his arms. "You are far too frozen, my prince. How about, I warm you up in bed? Hmmm?"
"Now th…th…thattt I c…c…can get behind." Kili stuttered then shrieked and cursed loudly when Tauriel moved aside and he felt a direct blast of the ice cold water hit his back where Tauriel once stood. "R..r…rude. You did that on p..p…purpose."
Tauriel snickered. "Did not." She passed him a cotton towel after wrapping one around herself, then opened the door and froze.
"Am I interrupting something?"
On the bed, lounging like he had no cares in the world, was none other than Fili. "Why are you standing at the door…oh." Kili lifted a brow, then glowered. "Really Fi?! Don't you have your own room?"
"Awww, but I missed you." Fili pouted. "And it's not fair you two get to be together, and I have to be alone. Don't you love me anymore?"
Tauriel rolled her eyes and moved to her pack, pulling her sleeping clothes out for herself then turning on her toes and going back to the bathing room. "Kili, I am going to change. Your pack is there." She pointed to the bag just beside her own. "You can dress in here…with Fili…so he is not alone."
"What!?" Kili stuttered, flustered and annoyed that they were not going to be able to follow their plans of enjoying their night, just them. As Tauriel disappeared behind the door, Kili glared at his elder brother. "Thanks." He gave Fili's leg a kick as he passed by.
"Anytime!" Fili beamed then laid back out across the bed, closed his eyes, sighed, and to Kili's utter horror…began to snore softly.
"Seriously!?" He muttered to himself, far more than exasperated as he ripped into his bag, yanked his clothes out, and began to dress angrily. He did lose a bit of the anger when he glanced at a drawing just beside Fili's head, one clearly done by Vilia that depicted a blob of gold and several scribbles Kili could not decipher. Fili also was grasping onto the remnants of the sash from his and Viltarra's hand-fasting which only served to remind Kili that he got to have his wife with him, while Fili, had to leave his back in the mountain. So as annoyed as he was, it was endearing to see his brother grasping onto remnants of home. It had Kili reaching into his bag to pull out the little doll Naufi and Orin made him. He smiled and placed it on top of his bag as he pulled on a dry tunic and extra pair of pants comfortable enough to sleep in.
Since Fili was taking up the majority of the bed, Kili opted to look around the room while he waited for Tauriel to come out. He was still freezing, but he felt more numb now than anything.
Picking up a brush from the night stand, Kili inspected the carved handle, then set it down before turning to look at a few hand drawn pictures on the wall. He had been in here before on one of their earlier visits, but he still enjoyed these brief glimpses into his wife's past. A past she did speak of, but rarely fondly and only when she could not hold her feelings in any longer. She was getting better at sharing her hurts, and the few fond memories she had of Mirkwood…but it still was a difficult topic for the eleth who found out what real happiness was among the dwarves who adopted her into their family.
"See anything of interest, my love?" A pair of cool hands slipped through Kili's arms and wrapped themselves tightly around his broad chest. Kili also felt a pair of cold lips press themselves to the skin just below his ear. Just like that, Kili felt his entire body heat up, at least, until he realized his lump of an elder brother was asleep…in their bed.
"I am still somewhat amazed…" Kili hummed, deciding to try and not think about what they SHOULD be able to be doing, rather than what they now cannot do with present company snoring away. "….that you spent centuries here and it looks like this."
Tauriel looked around the room, confused. "I know not what you mean." She answered honestly.
Kili lifted a brow, turning his head slightly where her chin rested on his shoulder. "Tauriel, compared to our home in Erebor, where you have added carpets, paintings, knick-knacks, and even that hideously vibrant tapestry in the sitting room…"
"That, was a gift from Dain's wife, Kili. And I was not about to give it away or reject it. It was her first time meeting me, it would have insulted her to speak against it." Tauriel interrupted, sniffing indignantly.
Kili turned in her arms and gave her a look. "Tauriel, you love that thing so much, you had those mahal awful chairs put in the room and even had pillows made to match it. All so the theme of the room was…what did you say? Put together?"
At this, Tauriel shrugged, smiling softly. "It is pretty, Kili. It is not my fault you do not enjoy it."
As awful as it may sound, Kili cannot wait until his twins destroy that thing. There were already ink stains on the two bright orange chairs accenting the tapestry. Accidents of course. So it really should not be long before he can throw then entire area out and hopefully get something more palatable in his…their….sitting room. "Still, I find it rather amusing that you fill our home with color and life…but this room that you had for so much longer is…well…"
"Baron?" Tauriel answered for him, looking around with a sad expression now on her face. "I do not know what to say about that, Kili. I was so busy training, I suppose I never thought about making this place anything more than somewhere to rest after long shifts."
Tauriel released her husband and walked to the bookshelf, pulling a book on the history of woodland weaponry out she was forced to memorize. In it, were countless doodles done by Tauriel when she could no longer focus on the words on the page. She resented this book, but always kept it for some reason. She hated the fighting styles in it, as they focused on moves she never really needed and felt were overly embellished and unnecessary.
The next book Tauriel pulled was a journal from her first decade in this room. It was thick and filled with her own neat script.
Master Huennti praised my skill in hand to hand combat today. It was the first time an elder other than Legolas said such a thing to me. Tomorrow, I will endeavor to continue to please him. Perhaps, my lord will be moved to attend my next skill test, and I can show him I am worthy of the life he bestows on me.
Worthy. Tauriel sighed and sat the book down only for Kili to snatch it up. He leaned against the small desk as he began thumbing through the elven script, stopping now and again with furrowed brows, shaking his head as he read passage after passage. "Thank the maker, we got you out of this place." Kili hummed to himself as he read through a passage detailing a failed skill test.
Tauriel stood beside Kili, looking at the page he read. She remembers that day. It was long before she was a captain, long before she was officially in the guard even. She was just training, and the skill test was ordered by Thranduil himself. The test, was given to the commanders, the elves in the guard who were above the captains and lieutenants.
It was one of the most humiliating times of Tauriel's young life, and nearly had her leaving Mirkwood altogether. She had no choice in the matter either, and was ordered, by her king, to come before the entire court and prove skills she only had hours to learn.
It took years, but Tauriel later learned it was on the suggestion of the chief commander of Thranduil's army, to have Tauriel even engage in the test. She had shown so much promise, and so much natural skill, that many were afraid the outsider elf would soon outrank them. They wanted her to be put in her place, but no matter what test she had been given, she seemed to glide through them with ease.
This test, however, elves would train centuries for to pass. It was no simple test, and only a select few ever passed it…including the commander at the time who has since been replaced for reasons Tauriel could not say.
But Tauriel did not have centuries to prepare herself for the skill test…she was given one day to go over the intricacies of what was to be tested and expected. Their reasoning…if she can surpass her regular skill tests so easily…this test should be nothing but a mild challenge.
Tauriel heard wind later on that they thought she was cheating somehow, and this was a way to call her out on it. How exactly can one cheat a skill test, she still does not know as it requires practice, muscle building, and hard work to even be proven competent let alone exemplary like she always got. But that mattered not…so after one day of working with a seasoned commander, Tauriel was forced to fail in front of the entire court.
Beyond humiliated, Tauriel recalls coming back to this room, and packing a bag with every intention of leaving this place for good. It was never her home…so what was keeping her here?
Legolas. That is who. The closest thing she ever had to a family member; Legolas was the brother Tauriel never had until Fili came along. The elven prince had come to find her in her room, pack in hand and about to leave, and he begged her to stay. He held her that night, for the entire night, as she cried until she had no more tears to shed. He then took her up to watch the stars the following evening and told her to ignore what the other said, that he knew she was talented and the others were simply intimidated by her skills. Finally, he said if he was her, he would do everything he could to show them they had every right to be intimidated by her.
From that day forward, Tauriel never let anyone hold her back. In fact, for the decade before Kili came into her life, she began to train for the commander skill test again. 100 grueling years of training, though she would never be allowed to fully have the title…even if she passed…until she was at least 1000 years of age. Adulthood to elves. Well…mental adulthood. They were physically mature long before that. If they weren't, Tauriel would not have five children and a very healthy relationship with her very own dwarven prince.
"I hated that day." Tauriel sighed, reading the page Kili stopped on. "It was a very, humiliating, day for me."
"More humiliating than when Fili danced naked on the table at Kilion's baby shower?" Kili asked, a smirk on his face. It MAY have been his fault, having given his brother some herbs he found in Oin's office that might have had a certain mushroom as a main ingredient. Since he knew his brother had zero after effects, he thought it would be funny to spike his brothers food for his own pure entertainment. To this day, nobody knew and Kili had every intention of keeping it that way.
However, since Fili was singing a rather boisterous song about Tauriel and her fertile nature, she spent the evening with flaming cheeks. Fili remembers nothing at all, even when Tauriel slapped him silly the next morning, yelling in Khuzdul about how it was nobodies business about her and Kili's evening activities, and how many children she ends up having. Fili looked at her like she had grown a second and third head, before asking what she was referring to, because he was in complete agreement. He was not interested in even thinking about stuff like that when associated with his sister and baby brother.
Tauriel didn't talk to him for a week, and Viltarra had to push him into their sitting room and force him to apologize for something he swears to this day, he didn't do; despite the number of witnesses involved.
Tauriel shuttered at the memory. "Unfortunately, yes. And I know, you had something to do with that, Kili." She glared at her husband, her emerald eyes blazing.
"Me?!" Kili asked trying to look taken aback. "I am insulted that you would ever think I could do something that would upset you, and ruin our sons shower, Tauriel. But enough about me. Where are WE going to sleep tonight. We lost our bed, unless, you want to wake Fili?"
Tauriel scrunched her nose in distaste, the action again causing a slight burn in the healing appendage which she ignored as she looked to the bed where Fili was now hugging the pillow to his chest while a stream of drool dribbled down onto the bed. She sighed again, and took the journal from Kili's hands, placing it on the shelf before taking his hand and pulling him to the sitting room. "I suppose, we can use the chaise." It was smaller than the bed, but, better than the floor.
Kili grunted in distaste. It looked uncomfortable to say it mildly, but Tauriel was already placing a blanket down, then pulling another and draping it over the back before gingerly laying herself out and trying to make room for Kili. He grunted again and folded his arms defiantly.
"Tauriel, there is no way we both will fit." Kili sighed when Tauriel patted the tiny space beside her.
"I think we can make it work."
Kili rolled his eyes to the ceiling then relented, laying as best he could in the limited space. Was he surprised, however, when Tauriel immediately climbed on top of him and lay across his body length wise. Suffice it to say…Kili was no longer cold…but rather, on fire.
"Is this okay?" Tauriel asked, already knowing how her husband was affected.
Kili didn't answer, instead, he pulled her head down and slammed his lips to hers, pulling her tightly against him with his large hands. With five children, they knew how to be quiet and careful as they made love…not even fully undressing as they came together. With hearts beating wildly, Tauriel lay herself across Kili's chest in the aftermath, her feet hanging off the end of the chaise, then promptly, fell asleep seconds after her body calmed not saying a word. Not that words were needed after twenty years of marriage and a bond like theirs.
Kili pressed a kiss to her head, one arm draped around his slumbering wife, and the other, playing with her hair. He was afraid of what tomorrow would bring, but knew, whatever it was, it would come whether he wanted it to, or not.
Authors Note: Be prepared for things to hit the fan next chapter, this is your only warning, lol. We are definitely going for a journey.
Also, just a reminder, this is still several decades BEFORE the war of the wring, I think at this point Frodo is only a few years old, so we have a lot of time. I am TRYING to keep the timeline pretty on point with the actual middle earth timeline. It is not easy, and I am absolutely positive I will mess things up, but I am trying, lol.
See you soon! XOXOXO