Updated November 15th, 2021

Original Authors Note: See. Told you I would get another chapter out tonight. :D Go ahead. I won't keep you. :)

Chapter Nine

Naurfaer jumped from the ship and onto the shore. He looked around at the green fields, tinkling trees, and elves moving to and fro beyond the beach. He knew who he wished to see, but that would have to wait. He had another to speak to first.

Squaring his shoulders, Naurfaer walked with purpose down the path and straight to the halls of Manwe. Not many gave him any never mind as he pushed himself through the crowds in the hall and down the corridor.

"Excuse me, you cannot just come down here! Stop."

Naurfaer sighed and slowed to a stop. He turned to the elf who was giving him a disapproving look. "Ah. Oranthir. Been a long time. How have you been? Good? Great. Now. I have a meeting to attend. Go…stop others from getting to their destinations. Mines a bit important."

The elf sniffed indignantly and looked at Naurfaer, eyeing him head to toe. "Naurfaer?"

Naurfaer smiled and gave him a mocking bow. "The one and only. Now, Manwe, if you please?"

Startled at who he was seeing, Oranthir quickly stammered out, "Yes…of course my Lord, right this way, please."

Naurfaer rolled his eyes. He had no desire for the politics Manwe had set up here, but if it meant he could get to his destination without further interruptions, then so be it. He followed Oranthir through a few doors and paused when he finally caught sight of the great king of Valinor. "Oranthir? What is this about?"

Oranthir looked from Naurfaer to Manwe before responding. "My king, I believe you remember Lord Naurfaer? You requested to see him when he arrived in Valinor. He has arrived."

The king stood from his large throne and smiled wide. "Haha! Naurfaer! Come to join us at last. I thought it would be many more years before middle earth got the best of you! Come. Feast in my halls tonight. It shall be a great celebration. Finally, the last of the first of the elves in middle earth, returned. We must find Imin, Enel, and Tata. They shall wish to see you as well."

Naurfaer rolled his eyes. Not those three. "Actually, I am here for a request."

Manwe looked at Naurfaer, and took in the elf before him curiously. "Name your request, and I shall see what I can do."

Naurfaer nodded. "I believe you remember…"

"ADA!"

Naurfaer whipped around to see a streak of red, then he felt a pair of tight arms around him. "Ithildin?"

"I tried to stop her my Lords. Her daughter I believe did the same not long ago." Oranthir gave Ithildin a disapproving look but stopped when Naurfaer glared at him.

Naurfaer turned his attention back to his own personal star. "My precious Ithildin." He pulled back and took a look at her. "I am so sorry. So so sorry I…you should not be here. You should be down in middle earth. You should be beside your daughter, holding your grandson."

"Finli." Ithildin smiled with tears in her eyes. She had been watching.

Naurfaer grinned. "Yes." He looked over to see Ithildin's ever present shadow. "Hello Findyyr. I trust you have been continuously caring for my star?"

"As promised Naurfaer. It warms me to see you." Naurfaer pulled him into a tight hug and stood back, he was taking in his daughter when a third voice filled him with warmth and sadness.

"Hello Naufi."

Naurfaer turned. There stood his wife. Her face was clear of pain and darkness. She looked as beautiful as the day he fell in love with her. "Elbereth." She nodded, tears falling down her cheeks as she looked at him.

"I am so sorry Naufi. I…I…I should have been stronger." Elbereth continuously let the tears fall as she spoke. "I should have not let…I do not remember all I did under the influence of that ring, but, the things I see, the few memories that leaked through were…vile…I should not be here, Naufi. I should have been cast away from Valinor. That dwarf was only one among many, how could I…"

Manwe stepped forward placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You were under the influence of something more powerful than you could handle or bear. Few can resist the power or the draw. It poisons the mind, and takes the body like a parasite. I do not punish those who a are manipulated and could not control their actions. Whose actions were not truly their own. That was not you, Elbereth. Your body? Yes, but your spirit had died when that ring took over your mind. I take all into consideration child, when I make my judgments. Please find peace here."

"Actually, I am here to speak on behalf of that dwarf she mentioned." Manwe eyed Naurfaer and nodded his permission for him to continue.

"I believe you met him, Kili, son of Dis. He is a prince of the line of Durin, husband to the elf that saved them all, and father to the lines newest heir." The king of Valinor eyed Naurfaer and went back to sit on his throne, his chin resting on his hand, listening intently. He gave a smile of remembrance but said nothing as Naurfaer carried on. "Last he was here, you gave him a chance to return, along with his brother, uncle, and one other."

"An eleth, by the name of Tauriel if I am not mistaken. The line had been severed, she offered to save it. I allowed it for Aule and for middle earth. Durin's sons are still yet needed in Arda. I have been keeping somewhat of an eye on them. What you say is quite true. New life already fills the once severed line. One with both dwarvish and elvish blood. He will be a great ruler one day, if that be in the fates." Manwe confirmed.

"Yes, Finli." Naurfaer smiled wide. "Precious and bright as the north star. Just nearly two years of age now."

Manwe nodded. "You said you had a request. What is it?"

"Prince Kili, Finli's father, his mind had been affected by a dark ring of power. The same that took my Elbereth from me. But, Kili fought it." Naurfaer chuckled darkly. "The most stubborn, but strongest dwarf I have ever met. He remained true to himself and survived 9 months of exposure coming out of it alive and untainted. That has got to be the longest anyone has lasted, elf, dwarf, or man." The elf sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "However, he did not come out unscathed, physically or mentally. To add to his injuries, Kili's memories were stripped from him."

Naurfaer looked into Manwe's sad eyes. He could see there was a glint of fondness shining through. This king of Valinor, the elder Ainur, seemed to take a leaf from Aule's book and warmed to the sons of Durin, or he would have done nothing when the line was severed. It also could be that the youngest of the sons wormed his way into another being's heart. Kili had a way of planting himself into your very soul, and staying there. Damn dwarf and those big brown eyes and broad smile, the same eyes and smile Finli inherited.

"Tauriel, is my granddaughter, she told me everything." Naurfaer continued with a sigh. "About ending up here and giving her life. I also know you were the one who gave them that chance at life once again." Naurfaer folded his arms and narrowed his eyes at the smirking king. "Meddling Manwe. Really? Again?" He lifted a brow, but before the king of Valinor could say a word, Naurfaer smiled and bowed his head in respect. "I can say nothing but thank you, for this time. Without you having done what you did, I would have never met my daughters child, never met a group of wayward dwarves, and never found my place in middle earth."

The king stood and walked back to Naurfaer. "I remember of what you speak of quite well. What I did, I did for the good of all middle earth, but I appreciate your gratitude. Your granddaughter is a kind soul, and if memory serves me, very much attached to that young dwarven prince. I have never seen such a connection as the one they share, so deep and intwined even before a mind connection could be in place. Fascinating, and beautiful, their love is. You have yet to declare a request Naurfaer. I am curious now to see what I can do for you, and its correlation to this tale."

"Tauriel said you took their memories from them." Naurfaer hedged.

"It is true." Manwe hummed, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "All memories were taken from their experiences of their first failed attempt. I felt it would allow for them to make the important decisions that were necessary for middle earth. They did many great things on instinct, they would not have done again had they known. I left only hints of what they went through, and all they experienced here so they would learn and have a chance of success. It worked, my heart is overjoyed to see."

Naurfaer nodded. "It did. But I wish you now to return at least one memory."

The king of Valinor looked at Naurfaer questioningly, causing Naurfaer to explain. "My granddaughter is breaking, her mind fracturing without her mate, and I cannot do nothing, so I came here to plead for you to give Kili back whatever memories you can."

"Is this your request then Lord Naurfaer?" Manwe asked, giving the elf before him a curious look.

Naurfaer nodded, but remained silent as the king contemplated the request then sighed. "I cannot restore his entire memory, Naurfaer. I only have his experiences up through Valinor, the rest are his experiences alone."

"But it is enough for him to feel himself again." Naurfaer pleaded. "It was wrong what he experienced, none should have survived such a thing, but Kili, he fought. He deserves at least this Manwe."

Manwe nodded his agreement. "I believe it is a minor request and one that would have no effects outside his own personal life. I will agree, but, what of you Naurfaer? You have entered your afterlife, but not by means of the natural way. You did not sail as your people do to these undying lands, nor did you lose your physical form in accident or battle. If I do this for you, what do you expect to come of yourself? I cannot allow you to be able to come and go as you please. That is not how this works."

Naurfaer looked at the king, then at his family. "I am prepared to make whatever sacrifice necessary. For her. My granddaughter, and for my grandson. Their happiness is my greatest desire. It is killing me to see them both suffer if I can do something to help."

Manwe watched Naurfaer, as he gave the king a small bow, and walked over to his family, engulfing all of them in his arms.

"Very well." Naurfaer lifted his head from his family and looked over at the king who now stood directly beside them. "I will do as you ask, and considering these to be such, unique circumstances, and as a boon for all you have done in middle earth, I grant you one final choice."

The elf slipped his arms away from his girls, and Findyyr, and waited. The room was silent and still as the king considered Naurfaer. "You may stay here, permanently with your family. A reward in itself I can see. You have to be tired Naurfaer, all that time among mortals. You are unlike any elf in Arda, you alone have all your abilities, fully gifted from being among the first children of Illuvatar to enter middle earth. Your presence will be an honor here and your place among the highest of the Valar is set in the stone Aule's children love so well."

That may sound like the greatest of gifts to any other elf, Elrond and Galadriel, or Imin, Enel, and Tata – the trio of goodie goodie suck ups – Valar, even the great pretentious Thranduil would beg to have such a title, but Naurfaer wants nothing but a place with those he loves.

"Or…" Manwe added with a smile.

Naurfaer cocked his head to the side. "Or?"

"Or…" Manwe continued, "You may return to middle earth. After all, you did not come here any normal way, so, I must give you the choice. You will continue to be the oldest living being in Arda, with all your abilities. But know this, I cannot keep the gateway open. I had not realized one was still functioning. The way you came will be closed and sealed, forever. The next time you step into these halls will be by death or by the great migration to the undying lands Naurfaer, not by any other means. You have two paths before you, and each is with its rewards and sacrifices. I will give you a moment to decide while I begin gathering young Kili's early memories."

Deciding to come and sacrifice himself for Tauriel and Kili? Easy choice. But, Naurfaer had never in all his years expected to be given a chance to return. It should be an easy decision right? He had his time in Arda. It was filled with solitude, hardships he could not even number, and the constant need to move and help.

When Naurfaer saw Imin, Tata, and Enel with their mates be sent to Arda, he threw himself into finding a way there, his own way. He did it too. So, he vowed he would remain on middle earth to prove his worth to the Valar and to Manwe doing what he could to turn the tides of darkness, aid in the building of nations, and give all he was to the mortals he lived among. He did that, and more, evident in his warm welcome.

Now he should embrace his reward. Embrace his family. Yet, even as Naurfaer looked at them, his heart was torn, one piece here, while another bleeding in a lonely mountain. He found a place he had never considered a possibility. A home he wanted to remain in. A people he wanted to spend his years among. A family on middle earth he was unsure he could ever have.

Ithildin grabbed his hand gently. "Ada? What are you going to do?"

Naurfaer felt pain in his chest. His Ithildin, the great star of his night. His most treasured love. He could be here. He could remain with her. "I do not know. I…it is…ha!" Naurfaer laughed even as tears filled his eyes. "I never have felt so…"

"Lost?" Elbereth finished sadly. Naurfaer nodded. He always had a plan, and several other back-ups. He always knew what to do or to expect, this though, was not a position he enjoyed being in.

"Ada." Ithildin took Naurfaer's hand in hers, pulling it to her chest. "You have a chance to go back. Take it. We will always be here waiting, but my Tauriel needs you now."

Smiling sadly, Naurfaer shook his head. "She doesn't need me my star. She has a family who loves her now."

Ithildin was in disagreement, and shook her head to prove it. "That is not true, and you know this. Tauriel needs to know at least one member of her family will be there for her. Given the chance, even if was just for a moment in time, I would go back without a second thought. To see my daughter, my beautiful Tauriel. To hold her in my arms just once more. I would always choose her, as you would always choose me. So allow me to make the choice for you. Go back ada. I am far from alone here. I now have time to get to know my own mother, as one day Tauriel will have a chance to know me."

Naurfaer pulled his baby close, burying his face in her hair. "Are you certain my star? I may not come back for many ages."

Ithildin nodded against her father's chest. "Yes, ada. But you will come back so I will be here waiting when you do. We all will."

Holding her tight, Naurfaer sighed, before quietly murmuring, "Alright."

Naurfaer pulled away and looked into her eyes as she took both his hands in hers. Ithildin smiled. "Will you relay a message for me, ada?"

Naurfaer nodded, having an idea of what she wanted. "To Tauriel? Of course."

However, he was apparently wrong as Ithildin shook her head no. "No. Well, yes, tell her I am proud of her and her strength. You can also tell her I have never seen such a beautiful child as Finli and I look forward to watching him grow. But the message I wish you to relay is to Thorin." Naurfaer gave her a look of surprise, but said nothing as she continued. "Can you tell him thank you. Thank you for giving my daughter a home, and a place so loved and protected among his family. He promised he would, but he has given her far more than I would have ever hoped or dreamed. Tell him Findyyr and I are forever in his debt for all he and his family have done for our own little star."

"They love her." Naurfaer agreed. "I will tell him."

"I also expect you to live and allow yourself to be loved by the family you have around you." Ithildin smiled, raising a challenging brow. "I can see they love you, as you love them. Perhaps, this is not as difficult as a choice you think it may be. Go. Live. Love. When you become too weary or feel as if your time is truly come, return to me. What is it those dwarrows say? Innikh De, ada."

Naurfaer gave his daughter a puzzled look. "You speak Khuzdul?"

Ithildin laughed and shook her head. "No, ada. You spend so much time watching your child among the dwarves, you begin to pick up a few things."

Naurfaer chuckled as he pulled her close one last time and kissed her head. He released her and pulled Findyyr into a farewell embrace then looked to his wife, free of darkness and taint. He wrapped her in his arms and held her before leaving her lips with a kiss. "I will always love you Elbereth, and only you. Next time I come, it will be the last I will leave your side."

Elbereth gave him a watery smile. "I love you, Naufi. Will you, will you tell Tauriel, that I know I deserve neither her love nor her forgiveness. That I thank her for her strength to remove me from that world. But I hope that one day, she will think on me and not feel shame or disgust. I will do all I can to watch over her and Kili from here, then on the day they come, I will only then beg for their forgiveness, though I do not expect to receive it. Kili, will be guarded, that will be my penance."

Naurfaer sighed but nodded. What could he say?

Manwe smiled as he approached the small family. "It is done, Naurfaer. The young prince may have a small shock to his system, but it is nothing that will endanger him. Now. What of you Naurfaer? Have you made your choice?"

Naurfaer looked at his family. His wife, his daughter's husband, his daughter. Without turning away, he nodded. "I have." He gave them all a smile before looking at the king. "I will return to middle earth. But I think you knew I would."

Manwe nodded, his expression one of knowing. "Farewell then, Lord Naurfaer. I look forward to the great feast upon your final return to Valinor. Do keep an eye on those sons of Durin for me?"

Naurfaer chuckled and without another word, Manwe placed a hand on his shoulder, and the room grew bright. Naurfaer closed his eyes as he felt himself leave Valinor behind. It was only for now though, and that thought brought him a deep sense of warmth.

Or was that the burning sensation he was feeling as his body felt as if it was being torn into pieces. The heat swelled until his mind and body gave out and he slipped into blackness.

"Well, my darling, what do you want to do today hm?" Tauriel flittered around her sons' room, pulling his little vest on Leotti had made him over his tiny tunic. He was just too precious for words.

"Da! Mama, da."

Tauriel sighed. "I am sorry my star. Da is, taking some time for himself today. He said he will be here tonight."

Fin's lower lip trembled and Tauriel kissed his brow. "Do not cry my love. You can spend the entire day with me, and we can go anywhere you wish."

"Bird?"

"You want to go see the birds?" Tauriel asked, giving him a bright smile.

Finli nodded his head, the thick black hair falling into his eyes as he did so. Fin did love going to the raven room. Something about watching the birds come and go intrigued him. She wished Kili could be there too but after the incident last night with the hair dye, he had apologized this morning and said he wanted to take the day to sort a few things out. He wanted to be her friend, and that is all he could promise her at the moment. It was heartbreaking, but, Tauriel understood. At least he was looking at her again.

Making their way up to the raven-room, Tauriel made sure to grab some scraps Fin could feed to the birds and a snack for her son. Kaw was following close behind them and it took Tauriel half the trip up the mountain to realize Finli was tossing several of the scraps from the bag he held in his fist, behind her to his raven best friend.

"Finli." Tauriel admonished with a sigh. "You must not give all of those to Kaw. They must be shared."

The toddler however, had another opinion. "No. Kaw."

Rolling her eyes Tauriel kissed his head. "No my dear. Kaw has had enough." She used her free hand to take the remaining scraps and placed the now half-full bag in her pocket as they ascended the last of the steps.

Tauriel always loved the raven room as well. It was just, a peaceful place to be. Its position at the high point of the mountain also gave a priceless view over middle earth. She could see for miles. "See my star? Those are the greenwood trees. That is where I grew up."

Finli had his head resting against her breast as she pointed to the far-off forests. It is where Mirkwood resides and king Thranduil."

"Da?" Finli asked, his brown eyes looking up at her.

Tauriel shook her head. "No, da is here, in our mountain."

"Pop?" He then asked.

Tauriel chuckled. "No, pop is here too, as is nan and uncle Fili."

"Spiders?" Tauriel cringed. He was too young to hear about the spiders. "Mama. Spiders?" Finli lifted his head and looked at Tauriel.

"Yes, there are spiders there." Tauriel sighed.

"Big!" To emphasize his point, he spread his arms wide. She was going to kill Fili for his stories he has been telling Finli recently.

"Yes dear. Big spiders. That is how mama and da met." Tauriel smiled down at Fin who silently looked up at her. She opened her mouth to speak when she slammed it shut again. Wait. She did not remember how they met…yet…the memory was there…odd. But Tauriel shook it off when a tug on one of her braids had her looking back down at Finli who was watching her earnestly. "Would you like to hear how mama and da met?"

Finli, now more interested in her braid, did not say a thing. Tauriel did not mind though as she begun her tale of thirteen dwarves and a hobbit finding their way into her forest. The memories played out in her mind as she spoke, as if they had always been there.

Kili stared down at the piece of parchment in his hands. He was sitting at his workbench, having refused any invitation for company today. He did not wish to be around anyone, and their pitying looks or suggestions to help him remember things he knew were completely lost. It was draining and disheartening. No, he just wanted to be alone so maybe he could think.

Kili grumbled as he took in the drawing on the page he held. Tauriel again! What is the matter with him? He was supposed to step away from all that today. To give himself time to evaluate what HE wants rather then what others expect of him.

Kili crumbled the page in his hands and threw it across the room. Evidently, he will find no real peace here. Ghosts of the life he will never remember and is likely lost to him are just too haunting, even in this space.

Rising from the stool, Kili decided that maybe he could request a chance to go back to Ered Luin. If he can trace his life back, maybe he can create a new beginning. It was unlikely his uncle would allow it anytime soon, but it was worth asking.

Kili took a step towards the door, but immediately had to catch himself on the table when his knees gave way from what he could only describe as an explosion in his head. Pain, that came first, then a sort of pressure, then nothing. It was all gone as if it had never come. "Mahal, what was that?"

Scrubbing his hands down his face, Kili tried to catch his breath and slow his racing heart. What was he doing? Oh, right, he was going to speak with Thorin about going back to Ered Luin. Maybe, while he was there, he could stop by and see Bilbo.

Kili made for the door once again, but froze the moment his hand grasped the handle. "Bilbo?"

The hobbit…Bilbo was a hobbit that came with them on their quest for Erebor. Fili had told him…but…this was the first time Kili could see him in his mind. A being even smaller than dwarves. He lived in a hole in the ground, in the shire. HA, the shire. Bilbo was the one who saved Thorin, and got them out of prison in Mirkwood…Mirkwood is where he met Tauriel. "Tauriel…TAURIEL!"

Kili sobbed out a laugh. He remembered meeting her. She flew down with her daggers from a tree and saved his life, for the first time. The eleth would then proceed to do it again twice more. Once to cure him of a morgul wound, then again…again in Valinor where she gave up her immortality so that they could return to middle earth and try their quest once more. Valinor. That is where his memories once again come to a standstill. Their time in Valinor. Mahal's great hammer, he had died. How could he have forgotten that?

It did not matter though. Kili's entire being was filled with fire. He loved her, Tauriel, he loved her. Mahal, he loved her with everything that he was. With that, Kili ran. He ran through the halls, and up to the royal wing. He ran past Fili who was nearly barreled down by the sprinting prince, and he burst into Tauriel's chambers, shouting her name but only silence greeted him.

"Ki? Is everything alright?" Fili came in behind Kili, Viltarra ever by his side watching Kili with her own worried expression.

"Have you seen Tauriel?" Kili turned to his brother, desperation in his eyes as he spoke.

Fili watched his brother warily. "Yes…she was taking Finli up to the raven room at the top of the mountain. What is going on Kili?"

Kili, however, didn't answer. Instead, he ran back through the door and forced his legs to keep going even as they cried for him to slow. His breath was coming out in great gasps as he reached the top of the mountain and he paused at the door to collect himself. This was the final barrier keeping him from Tauriel. Tauriel who was here. Tauriel who he shared a son with. Tauriel, who was his soulmate, his one.

Taking the final step, Kili opened the door and peered inside. At first he saw nothing but the black birds that were fluttering about. He stepped in and shut the door behind him. That is when he heard his Tauriel speaking. She must have been somewhere near the large opening, because her voice was distant and muffled by the fluttering of wings coming and going.

Walking closer, he was finally able to make out her words. It seemed like she was telling a story. He listened as he closed the distance, now able to clearly hear the words she spoke.

"We made it to the shores of long lake…" Tauriel spoke softly. "…the big dragon felled by an arrow by the great Lord of Dale, Bard. But many were lost. I too was lost. I did not know where to go or what to do. Was I to follow my heart, or follow my responsibilities? My choice was made so much more difficult when your da asked me to come with him. I knew I could not. I had no place among dwarves. But, he looked at me with such wonder, and told me that he was not afraid of how he felt, that he knew what he felt. Do you know that is when he said the first word in his language to me? It is to this very day, my favorite word."

"Amralime."

Tauriel whipped her head and stared at Kili who was standing only a few steps away from her. Her eyes widening in impossible hope as she placed her feet down off the stone and turned fully to the dwarven prince who was now watching her with a look of wonder, just as she remembered from her memory. "What did you say?"

Kili smiled with tears in his eyes. "Amralime. That is the first word in Khuzdul I said to you. Unless you count the curses I muttered in the forest when the spiders were attacking. But, you know, minors in the room."

Tauriel studied Kili from where she still sat frozen on the stone with Finli limp against her shoulder. So lost in these, surprising memories, she had not even noticed when he must have fallen asleep. Tauriel adjusted him in her arms and lifted her eyes to Kili. She half expected him to be gone, nothing more than a figment of her fragmented mind reaching out for any piece of Kili it could get. Did she fall asleep?

But he was there, and the proof of which came when Tauriel stood and lifted her fingers to reach out and touch his cheek. Kili immediately grabbed her hand and placed his lips on her palm. "Tauriel. I am so sorry."

The shock to her system being just too much to keep her standing, Tauriel dropped to her knees, ignoring the pain that ripped through her thigh as she landed. "Kili? Is it...are you…"

Kili fell to the ground just before her and gathered her and Finli into his arms, Tauriel immediately burying her face in his shoulder as Kili rocked them, the three of them. "I cannot remember everything, Tauriel, but I remember meeting you in Mirkwood. I remember falling in love with you in that cell, and you coming to save me in Lake Town, then the events that led up to my death. I also remember you finding us in Valinor, and what you gave up for me, Fili, and uncle. That is where my memory ends though, there is nothing between you fading from Valinor, and my captivity." Kili tightened his arms around his one. "I still cannot remember marrying you, or the birth of my son."

Kili pulled away to look down at Finli, still held secure in Tauriel's arms. "But, as I love you, my Tauriel, I love him." Kili choked out a laugh, tears falling from his eyes. "To be honest, I am a bit in awe at the idea that I am a father, and that a creature as beautiful as you chose me."

Tauriel readjusted her hold on Finli so she could release one hand to graze Kili's cheek. "I love you, with everything that I am, Kili. I will always choose you. In any life, in any age, in any moment, it will only ever be you, meleth nin."

Kili gave her a questioning look. "Meleth nin? I do not know what that means."

Tauriel smiled softly. "I think you do." Unable to contain herself any longer, Tauriel then slammed her lips to Kili's, and he did not hesitate for even a moment before responding as she parted her lips to allow Kili to drown himself in her.

"Da?"

Kili instantly pulled away as both he and Tauriel looked down at their little creation. Tauriel, unable to part from Kili, pressed her forehead to his cheek as she used her free arm to glide her fingers through his hair framing his face, then the long hairs that now made up his growing beard; finally able to test the feeling out with her fingers, and her lips. Kili lifted his eyes to hers once more, and smiled widely.

Feeling a tug on one of his braids, Kili looked back down at the toddler who was now in his lap. Right. Finli. How he wished he could remember his son. Whatever miracle returned what memories he was given, he will forever be grateful for. But what he would not give to have those memories of Tauriel carrying his child, bearing his child.

Kili traced Finli's cheek. "I wish I could have memories of you, but, I swear I will spend the remainder of my life making new ones."

Tauriel kissed Kili on the corner of his mouth. Suddenly, a thought came to her head, something that may help the both of them. "What if I told you, I think I can share them with you, the memories?"

Kili smiled sadly. "I will take what I can get, but a story is not the same as a memory. If I have learned anything these last two weeks, it is that."

However, Kili grew confused when Tauriel vehemently shook her head. "No Kili, that is not what I meant. I mean, I can give you my memories."

At Kili's continued confusion, she explained about her connection to him. How elves connect to their mates, and how she only recently learned he could also be connected to her when he was ready.

It was through this connection she believes she can share her memories with him, but, they will be her memories, her own experiences, her feelings…but it is far better, Kili thought, then reading about them or hearing stories. He, will take what he can get, to have a piece of what was lost to him.

"And what if I am ready now?" Kili asked hopefully.

Tauriel sighed. "Kili. You must be sure. You just got your memories…" Her words were silenced when his lips stole whatever she was about to say from her breath. Tauriel sighed into the kiss and Kili smiled when he finally pulled away.

Fin reached for Kili's face when it became apparent to him neither of his parents was paying him attention. "Hang in there little one, just, give us a moment, okay?" Kili traced his cheek with a finger once again and looked back up at Tauriel. "I am ready, Tauriel. I want this, to be connected to you. I want it. I want everything with you. I know I just got my memories, and I know you are worried I am being hasty, but I had years stolen from me, Tauriel, seemingly happy years. I want those back in any form I can get, even if it is through your eyes."

Tauriel considered him for a moment, then nodded. She leaned forward and placed her forehead against his. "Alright. But before I can show you anything, I must first connect our minds. Just, relax." She breathed. Tauriel closed her eyes and reached for the part of her mind where Kili resided. The part she has been trying to ignore for two weeks. It flared warm and comforting as she approached it. She then traced it back to Kili and let her instincts take over.

Kili waited. At first, he felt nothing, then something he could only describe as warmth began to fill his mind, then it was as if he was completely encompassed by Tauriel. She, was his every sense, and his heart began to thunder in his chest. "Relax Kili." She soothed, her free hand cupping his cheek.

Kili forced himself to calm but then the memories came, unbidden and fast, but not how he thought. She had said she would give him her memories, so he was expecting them all to be from Tauriel's perspective, from her eyes. Instead, they were from his.

"Tauriel." Kili gasped, grabbing at her; his hands tightly fisting the vest over her tunic as he tried to get some control over his emotions.

Tauriel pulled back, her instincts telling her there was nothing left to do, and she watched as Kili slowly open his eyes. There was that brown she loved.

Kili lifted his hand to trace her jaw, Tauriel leaning into his touch, then he looked down at Finli who was watching him. Choking out a sob, Kili pulled Finli to him, the toddler easily obliging as he buried his head in his father's shoulder. "My little star. My lakhadkhajmel. Look how you have grown without me."

Tauriel furrowed her brows. "Kili?" there was something in his eyes that was not there a moment ago. Kili pulled Finli tight against his chest and wept. "I remember Tauriel. I remember everything. I remember asking you to marry me in front of the fire on the eve of Yule, I remember you walking towards me on Thorin's arm and binding yourself to me, I remember you making me the happiest dwarrow when you said we were having a child, I remember it all." Tauriel fell into Kili, who lifted an arm and pulled her to him. He was back. Fully. Her Kili was back.

They remained together, huddled as a family until Tauriel could no longer ignore the burning in her leg. She rose to her feet and tugged on Kili's hand. Finli had succumbed to his nap once more and Tauriel laced her fingers with his and beckoned him forward with a soft, "Come."

The pair walked through the halls and into the royal wing. They walked side by side into their chambers and Kili made for Finli's room, placing him in the cradle he had made with his own hands. He watched Fin sleep for a moment, Tauriel wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her chin on his shoulders. "Did you know, he escapes at night?"

Tauriel lifted her head and gaped at Kili. "He cannot even do stairs meleth nin. How can he leave his crib? It has bars!"

Kili chuckled quietly. "I never said I knew how he did it, only that he did. He comes into my room on the nights I stay."

That was news to Tauriel. She sighed. She will need to be more proactive in making sure harmful items are out of reach if her escape artist son decides to go on nightly-strolls through the chambers.

Kili leaned in and kissed Finli's head before grabbing Tauriel's hand and pulling her from the room, shutting the door and dragging her to their own chambers. He shut that door too and leaned back against it. A beauty stood before him. A goddess bathed in the light streaming from the sun outside. "Two weeks." Kili murmured as he closed the distance, releasing the belt that sat on her hips. "Two weeks of being near you but fighting to stay away from you like an idiot."

"You are not an idiot Kili, you were healing." Tauriel chastened, breathlessly. Her heart was racing in anticipation as Kili began to remove her layers.

"Then nine months of not touching you, seeing you, or hearing your voice." Kili went on, ignoring her chiding statement. Instead, he pushed her down to sit on the bed as he leant down and began unlacing her boots, one at a time removing them from her feet. He helped her out of her leggings then sat and traced his thumb along the raw, still healing flesh on her lower thigh. "I almost killed you."

Tauriel shivered at the chills that ran up her spine at Kili's touch. "But you did not. Let us focus on that." She ran her hands through his hair. "I have much to tell you, but none of which I wish to say at this moment except, come here."

With no further invitation necessary, Tauriel pulled Kili up and over her. A breath of completeness leaving her when she felt Kili's solid weight rest on top of her. She quickly divested him of his layers and pulled him close. "I love you Kili."

Kili leaned back, purring. "As I love you, amralime." He immediately claimed her lips, Tauriel keening as Kili filled every part of her for the first time in nearly a year. No words were necessary as the couple spent the next hour reconnecting mind, body, and soul until they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Original Authors note: Okay NOW it's healing time. YAAYYYYY. Light is found again. Let the healing officially, begin. Still two more chapters in this act.