Reforged and Strengthened

by jezzibee83

A sequel to Reforged. Reforged and Strengthened follows the Reforged Universe and the lives of our favorite Sons of Durin and their elf, Tauriel. Watch as they fill their lives with adventure, love, and family in a world they earned through hardship and battle. Read Reforged first.

9. ACT I Chapter NINE

Updated October 9th, 2021

Original Authors Note: As promised here is another one. Sorry that earlier one was so short so consider this a treat. Enjoy. :)

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

"I am deeply sorry Lady Dis to hear about Tauriel. The poor thing. I wished I could have gotten to know her better, but I never seemed to say the right thing."

Dis did not want to talk about it. Not because of the pain associated with the thought of losing her daughter, but for two reasons. One, it reminded her of her shortcomings in allowing it to happen just under her nose, and two, it made her want to go to Oin's office and gather her elven daughter up and not let her go. As soon as Naurfaer has that kitchen up, she is making butter cake, batches and batches of it, if Fili has not beaten her too it. Her son is quite the cook.

With a sigh, Dis nodded. "Thank you for your kind words, Gilda. This whole ordeal has been difficult, most of all on my Kili."

Lord Krygo's wife nodded sympathetically. "Kaulithah was looking for him to give her sympathies. She has been quite upset herself. She feels she should have tried harder to befriend Tauriel. Since she cannot make up for past mistakes, she hopes to delay her travels home to be there for her friends, the princes."

Kaulithah was a sweet dam, though she is a little too attached to Kili. Dis will have to watch that, it would not do well for her to get too close to her very happily married son. Fili, however, she always thought that would be a good match, yet her oldest seems to not have an eye for the dam. Has she missed something else?

"I will leave you alone in your grief. Please know that if you need anything, simply summon me and I will be here." With nothing more she could, or wanted, to really say, Dis thanked Gilda and she dismissed herself from Dis's receiving room.

One by one, the ladies of the visiting Lords had come in to pry what details they can while coming off as offering condolences. It has never been said Tauriel was dead, but the rumor sure got around. Dis found she barely had to say anything, nor confirm anything. The dams just talked at her for several minutes, then, left her alone. A knock came at the door and Dis sighed to herself, here comes another one.

As Fili walked through the market, he was constantly stopped by dwarrow from Ered Luin who were fervently giving him their sympathies. Fili would beg them away and they would look at him with pity and move on. None took offence to his unusual stoic demeaner as he passed many without even a word, the dwarves of Erebor simply thinking the prince was in too much pain to talk. Everyone who knew the family knew of Fili's dedication, that nearly matched is brother, to the elf.

The golden-haired prince sighed at the empty bakery where Viltarra's family usually sold their goods. The market was much too dark without them there. Without her there. He will have to work twice as hard to get to the bottom of this. Now was not the time to dwell on that, however, he had a task to fulfill.

Hearing Viltarra's description of the dwarf, Aeodhen was easily able to match it to Birkin, one of the lesser guards. He was not on the duty roster today, and Nori said the dwarf often frequented the tavern in the market when he was not at his post.

Fili's task was to get the dwarf head over feet drunk. What dwarrow could resist the best brandy and ale Erebor had to offer? Fili will have to ham it up playing the distraught brother needing a drinking companion though, which should not be that difficult to do. He certainly could use a drink, and though he would not call himself distraught, he was definitely in need of a night out among friends, or just with his brother and sister when this is all over. Who knows, maybe Viltarra would join too…he hoped she would.

First, however, he had to get her out of prison and clear her name. That meant finding out how Birkin is related to this…mess. Stopping at the door of the tavern which happened to be located at the very end of the market three shops down from Viltarra's family bakery, Fili sighed, grabbing the handle and giving it a push. Well…here goes nothing.

Stumbling against the door, Fili dragged himself into the tavern. He attempted to sit on a stool at the counter, but missed, catching himself just before he fell to the floor.

The dwarf at the bar tsked and leaned towards Fili. "Yer already sheets lad. Prince or no, yeh should not be havin' more."

Fili grumbled and threw a pile of gold onto the counter and pointed at the bottle. The dwarf looked at the gold then sighed, passing Fili the bottle and a glass before muttering, "Sorry fer yer loss lad." He went further down the bar and continued his work, giving Fili a watchful side-eye as he wiped the counter.

Fili uncorked the bottle and ignoring the glass, took a swig straight from the source. The liquid burned wonderfully as it went down and warmed his belly. It was strong, but Fili could hold his ale. He would be sure to not over-do it though. His entire purpose would be for naut if he became blind spitting drunk. Looking about the nearly empty tavern, he noticed Birkin watching him from the table. It was now or never.

Fili wiped his eyes with his sleeve and slid from the stool, stumbling to the floor. He picked himself up, again waiving off the bartender who began making his way towards the prince, and dragged his feet to the table slamming the bottle down and sitting.

Birkin gave Fili a wary look, then grumbled, "What do yeh want?"

"You know. The thing about death is everyone thinks it is so final yet so…distant." Fili took a swig of the brandy and filled the glass, the amber liquid spilling over the sides. "It is all grief…and tears but everyone seems to forget…we are all dying." He pushed the glass to the dwarf across him and continued drinking from the bottle. The dwarf hesitated then lifted the glass and knocked it down in one gulp before setting it back down on the table; Fili refilling it immediately.

"You. Me. Is there a purpose if we are all just in line to enter the great halls of Mandos?" The dwarf across from him hummed in agreement and drank the next glass down. "What's your name? Should know all my people here, waiting beside me for death."

"Birkin. Of the Iron Hills. I know yer cousin. Good dwarf, Lord Dain is." The dwarf's words were slightly slurred, so the brandy was doing its work well.

Good, Fili thought as he leaned forward. "Oh. Aye. The best. Don't get into a drinking contest with him though. He will drink ya dead." The older dwarf chuckled and drained the fourth glass of brandy, swaying slightly on the chair.

Fili watched, looking around and turned his hooded eyes to Birkin. "Did you know her. Tauriel."

Birkin emptied his glass and pushed it towards Fili's bottle, the prince already refilling it. "No." He answered gruffly.

Fili sighed, his hands playing with the bottle for a moment before refilling the glass yet again when the dwarf pushed it towards him just seconds later, completely empty. This was becoming easier than he thought. "Elves ya? For seemingly impervious beings, who knew they had such sensitive constitutions?"

Birkin huffed out a laugh and leaned forward. "Pointy eared bumkins bragging about livin' forever when they are no different than us."

Fili filled Birkin's glass. "Immortality is not what I would call their fate, just long lived. Tauriel though, was unlike any other elf I had ever met. She had fire in her belly and a blade always ready to defend. There will never be anyone like Tauriel in middle earth. One of a kind." Fili smiled to himself, his words describing his sister completely true and from the heart. He loved her, and he will bring down whomever set out to harm her.

"Still an elf though." Birkin retorted. He went to stand, tipping to one side only to right himself using the table, before he gave Fili a sloppy bow. "If I can 'elp with catching who done it, call on me. Yer a fine lad." He reached for the bottle, with barely a swig remaining, and lifted it towards Fili. "Teh Tauriel." He finished off the brandy and made for the door.

Fili smirked and placed some gold on the table, standing and followed the stumbling dwarf out the door. He strolled a few paces past some of the busy afternoon merchants, keeping his eyes trained on Birkin who leaned heavily against a railing. Fili walked up and placed a hand around the staggering dwarf. "Oh, thank yeh laddie."

Fili guided him down the path then up the incline used by the wheeled carts to get to the second story of the market, the dwarf completely at a loss of what was going on the entire way, and too long gone to care.

With only a bit of a struggle, Fili pulled a door open and pushed the dwarf into one of the warm shops, watching while Birkin slumped to the ground.

"Oh lad, Yeh weren't supposed to get 'im so pissed he'd pass out." The hatted dwarf Fili knew well came out of the back room, shaking his head at both the young prince, and the clearly gone dwarf on his shop floor.

Fili rolled his eyes. "Just help me get him into a chair Bofur. Bifur, go get Aeodhen." Bifur immediately left the shop, while Bofur worked with Fili to drag the dwarf into a single chair in the dead center of the completely cleared shop floor.

Fili filled a bucket of water from Bofur's shop tap and brought it close to the chair and waited. Just as Aeodhen and Bifur walked in, Fili poured the entire contents over the dwarfs head and watched as Birkin spit and sputtered awake and looked around. "Wha'! Wha' is the meaning of this?"

The dwarf looked at Erebor's prince, then the three other dwarves in the room, before his eyes finally focused solely back on Fili, who sat leaning against the shop counter with his arms folded. "We can make this easy for you, or difficult. Tell me what you know about my sister, and I will put a good word in to the king. That means you MAY walk out of this with your life."

Birkin shook his head, water drops falling to the floor at the movement. "I dont know nothin'."

"Oh, but you know something. It may be known Tauriel has passed, but nobody said she was killed. Yet you mentioned helping find the culprit. Tell me what you know."

The dwarf refused to say anything, so Fili shrugged, then passed the bucket to Bofur. "Maybe he's still a bit too drunk to understand. Bofur if you please?" The hatted dwarrow filled it again and handed it to Fili. Fili gave the silent dwarf a smirk and tossed the entire contents over his head again, the dwarf spluttering angerly.

"Did that help? Or do you still need a bit more to clear the fog?" The dwarf glared at the prince who rolled his eyes and passed the bucket to Bofur, again. This went on for several more buckets, but Birkin's mouth remained firmly shut.

When the door to Bofur's shop opened, all eyes turned to the younger, dark-haired prince who stood on the threshold, looking darkly at the dwarf in the chair.

Fili watched his brother warily when Kili's eyes flicked over to him at the counter, then back to the dwarf in the chair. "This him?" Fili gave Kili a nod but remained silent. Kili shut the door and stepped inside, his expression cold and deadly. "He speaking?"

"No' a word lad." Bofur sighed.

"Thought as much." Fili did not have time to stop him as Kili whipped a bow from behind his back and turned the menacing end of an arrow at a now very wide-eyed Birkin. "Better speak before my finger slips."

Fili rolled his eyes and folded his arms. "Ki, I said I'd handle it."

Kili did not skip a beat in his response, nor did he relax his stance. "Ya well, I got bored."

"Yer gonna let him shoot me?" Birkin was staring at the arrow pointed between his eyes, but addressing anyone who was listening.

"Oh aye. I would talk too. The lad looks a bit…shaky." Aeodhen stood beside Bofur, watching the scene unfold with something akin to amused wariness. He knew Kili would not kill the dwarf. Well, he hoped he wouldn't, that is.

Looking at the dark look in Kili's usually warm eyes, he felt a chill run down his spine. You learn something real quick living in Ered Luin, never, under any circumstances, get on the wrong side of a son or daughter of Durin. He was certainly glad he was not on the opposite end of that arrow.

Apparently, however, this plan seemed to work, as Birkin's lips were finally loosened. "I swear, I don' know who did it. I pass messages Gildridd gave me tha' is all. I did not even want to be involved but me wife is ill. Healer after healer said there was nothin' to be done but Gildridd said she could help. I swear it. A messenger is all I am no' a killer.

Aeodhen came forward, his calculating eyes on Birkin. "Who are yeh passin' messages to?"

Birkin stared at the menacing arrow, even as he answered. "A young lass. Tilny, she be a good girl. That is all."

Aeodhen wrote the name down and turned to Fili. "Make sure 'e don' kill 'im." The captain of the guard threw Kili a look, and left to get information on the dam.

With a shaky breath, Birkin forced his eyes up to Kili, who was still glaring darkly at him. "Aren't ya going to put tha' down? I told yeh all I know?"

Kili ground his jaw. "Tell me one more thing. Your wife is suffering, so you think mine is expendable; my pregnant wife, who carries an innocent child, my child. WHY!?" The bow creaked and groaned as Kili added pressure, pulling the string even further back.

Fili took a step forward to stop him before he did something he would regret. "Ki, not like this."

Kili growled at his brother. "I need to know Fili." The prince's eyes bore into Birkin. "Tell me WHY?!"

After a moment of silence, Birkin finally admitted, "She's jus' an elf!"

Fili groaned and Bofur shook his head in disappointment. "Ohhhh, lad, tha' was the wrong answer."

There was a sickening crack of the bow, followed by a 'thunk' as Fili cried out, "KILI NO!"

The blonde prince jumped forward to grab his brother, but Kili shook him off. "Come near my family again, and the next time, I won't miss."

Birkin was shaking in the chair, his eyes wide and fearful. He let out a yelp when Kili stormed from the room and slammed the door shut behind him. "Did 'e have teh shoot into me new wall?" Bofur lamented.

Fili sighed looking at the arrow imbedded in the wall across the room, Kili having moved the bow just to the left in the last second before releasing. The young prince sighed and turned to his two friends. "Bifur, Bofur, take him to the cells."

Birkin, however, reached out to grab the prince's arm, stopping him in his tracks as he moved to leave. The two other dwarves in the room took a step forward to assist if needed, but the dwarf was not looking menacing in any way, rather, he gave Fili a pleading look. "Wha' about me wife?"

Fili was in the same mind as Kili. Why was one life worth the loss of another? Still, the wife was, as far as he knew, an innocent. "Tell me all you know and I will see what I can do."

After spending several minutes getting the information on the sick dam, Fili watched as Bofur pulled Birkin from the chair, and used some leather to bind his hands and began pushing the dwarf out the door. In the last minute, Birkin looked back at Fili. "Thank yeh. I will not forget yer kindness in helping me wife."

Pushing Bofur and Bifur to the side, Fili roughly grabbed Birkin and threw him against the wall beside the door, a knife instantly at the dwarf's throat. "Never, mistake pity for kindness. You have made a huge mistake in harming my sister, whether you did it yourself, or you only aided, makes no difference to me. My brother is not the only one you need to fear. Touch anyone I care about, and this blade will end your life." He gave the dwarf a hard shove, then backed away.

"Come on lad. Think yeh pissed off enough sons of Durin today. Be glad Thorin ain't here. He would 'ave already killed ya." Bofur eyed Fili who looked furious, knowing if the young, normally levelheaded prince was this angry, the volatile king would be impossible to hold back. "He still might, now tha' I think about it." He added in with a sigh as he and his brother pushed Birkin out the door.

Leaving Bofur's place, Fili headed back down to the first floor of the market to go up to Aeodhen to report that Birkin was indeed still breathing…for the moment…and currently being put in a cell. On his way to exit the market, he passed several open stalls but stopped at Leotti's shop.

The windows were dark, but her sign read open. Fili sighed and walked up the few steps and tried the door. Not locked. He stepped into the dark storefront and looked around the silent and empty shop. Fili shrugged and began turning away after he found no apparent signs of life; she must have forgotten to turn the sign and lock the door on her way out, or, she was planning on coming back.

However, just as Fili was about to turn towards the door, he saw what looked like the flickering of a candle in the back room and made his way towards the light.

"Leotti?" Fili received no answer, so he proceeded in, knocking on the doorframe as he entered the back room. "Leotti?" Silence answered back once more.

With a sigh, Fili was about to turn and leave when a sniffle caught his attention. He twisted back around and entered further into the dark room.

A candle was slowly melting in its holder on the floor, drawing him in as the flame cast shadows that danced on the walls around it. Beside the flickering flame Fili noticed a shoe, and followed it up to see a small being huddled into itself in the far corner on the floor.

"Leotti!" Fili ran and squatted close. She looked unharmed but this was not the spunky, self-assured, pain in the ram he was used to seeing. Her braids were gone and her golden hair limp with not a single bouncing curl in sight, her usually immaculate outfit was crumpled, and her face was red and splotchy from obvious tears. Fili immediately knew why, so he did not bother asking. This, was a dam in mourning.

When Leotti saw him, she flinched and huddled further into herself, as if waiting for his ire to blow her down further.

Instead, Fili gave her a reassuring smile. Her red-rimmed olive eyes filled with confusion as she looked at his kind expression. "Why are you not yelling at me yet?"

"Because it looks as if you are doing a good enough job beating yourself up, you don't need me to offer assistance for such a thing. I am no monster Leotti. I would never push you when you are already down. Even though you hate me." He gave her a teasing smile, but it fell when she looked away.

"I know Fili. I would never call you a monster, and I don't hate you. You have every right to hate me though." The tears began to fall again in earnest. "I have been a horrible friend and I can't even apologize. I will never see her again, because she is gone. Tauriel was my closest friend and I…I was not there for her when she needed me. I am the monster, Fili. Not you."

Oh, Leotti. It did not even take a second for Fili to make up his mind of what he was going to do. Still squatting across from her, he reached his hand out to grasp Leotti's. "Come on Leotti. Come with me. Sitting here, alone in the dark, will do you no good."

At first Leotti resisted but soon he was pulling the little dam to her feet and wrapping his arm around her. He blew out the candle, grabbed the keys sitting on the table beside them, and guided her out the door, making sure to lock it shut behind him.

Once they exited the markets, Fili led her up the corridors and through the many halls. "Fili, this is not where my room is."

"I know. I think you need someone to talk too. One should never be alone in grief." Leotti nodded and let him guide her wherever he wanted. She saw none of the pitying looks as they passed by and heard none of the words others spoke when they stopped Fili.

The dam did not even look up when they reached the end of the hall and was stopped by a gruff voice. "Wha' is this lad? Thought Thorin sad…" Fili waived Dwalin off and opened the door and escorted the crumpled dam inside.

"Leotti?"

Fili had to be fast to catch the blonde as she almost fell to the floor. Her eyes were shut tight as if she did not believe the existence of the voice. Then, her olive orbs opened slowly, and she lifted them to the red-headed elf who was carefully sliding towards the end of the bed to come to her friend.

Leotti let out a sob and ran, nearly tackling Tauriel as she jumped on the bed and engulfed the elf in her arms. Tauriel reacted instantly and wrapped her small friend up, rocking her back and forth as the dam wept in her shoulder, the eleth stroking her hair and making soothing noises as Leotti cried.

"What happened to not telling anyone?" Fili shrugged at Thorin who watched the display not with anger, but with a touch of empathy.

Fili glanced at his uncle, then back to the scene playing out. "I couldn't let her sit there, suffering, when Tauriel is alive. She was in too much pain, I had to tell her."

Thorin nodded and let a warm smile brighten his features as he watched his daughter move a lock of Leotti's long blond hair out of her eyes and tell her there was nothing to forgive. Ever the kind heart, Tauriel. Three years ago, he would have said all elves are cold, heartless, creatures. He knew better now.

Thorin turned back to his nephew as Fili spoke once more. "There is another lead. Aeodhen is checking up on it."

Thorin nodded. "I sent Kili to go meet with Naurfaer and Legolas to see how the kitchen is going. I want you to go talk with Aeodhen. See if he found anything on that lead. I will be there as soon as Dis gets here." They had decided regardless on who is with Tauriel, even if it is one of the company or her closest friend, one of the family will always be there if at all possible.

Fili watched Tauriel and Leotti giggle, happy to see them both with smiles on their faces, rather than tears, before he turned and left the room behind.

It was only a few moments, and several flights of stairs later, that Fili was walking up the guards corridor and into Aeodhen's large office. "Any luck?"

Aeodhen was scribbling down information on a parchment, not even looking at Fili as he answered. "Aye. Seems Tilny is a Lady's maid. Looks like we are lookin' among the Lords. Can no' trust anyone anymore."

"Do you know which one she works for?" Aeodhen nodded and flipped the parchment around to Fili just as Thorin came in.

Thorin marched right up to the desk, ready and waiting for information. "What did you find? Fili said he talked."

Aeodhen sat back in his chair. "Aye, he did. Like a troll, loud an' stupid. We got another name. She's listed as a maid to a visitin' Lord."

Thorin stared at Aeodhen. "Who?"

Fili was still looking at the name on the parchment when he passed it to Thorin, who narrowed his blue eyes as he read the information, before lifting them once more to his head captain. "Are you certain?" Aeodhen nodded grimly.

"Bring them in. Now!" Thorin growled and left the room, the parchment still clutched in his grip.

Kili's main goal was to talk to as few dwarves as possible on his way up to the royal wing. If he ignored his name being called or snubbed a dam who tried to stop him to offer some sort of comfort, he could just blame it on his grief.

The young prince certainly did not look like he was in the mood to stop, neither did he have to try too hard to look like he was in the deep bouts of grief. He still had a small temperature, according to Tauriel who was hard pressed to let him leave the room and only relented when Thorin promised he would be back soon and be allowed to rest the entire night. Kili can certainly feel the fever now, his head pounded, he was cold, and he felt like he could easily find a place to lay down and fall right to sleep.

'Just get this done and you can go back to your warm, soft, and very alive wife, and sleep until morning.' Kili told himself. Maybe after eating. Some of his mam's beef and potato soup sounded magnificent.

Kili bumped into something causing him to step back and mutter an apology when he realized it was not something, rather someone.

"No, forgive me Kili. I was actually just looking for you." Kili let out a long breath. He had run right into the last dam he wanted to see. He could still feel her lips on his and his stomach turn with the wrongness of it. Nobody but Tauriel was allowed to kiss him. Period.

"Kaulithah. If you will excuse me." With no desire to see her, let alone talk to her, Kili began to walk away. He could care less if he was being openly rude, but makers hammer, he did not feel well AND he really did not want to speak to her.

Technically, Kili and his family was unofficially in atkât, their time of silence as they mourn. He should not even have to speak to anyone and every dwarf in the mountain knows that, but, unfortunately, it won't truly start until one of the family makes a formal announcement. That won't happen though, because his wife is very much alive.

Kili felt a hand on his chest, and he flinched before turning a dark look onto Kaulithah. "I am not in the mood Kaulithah. I suggest you remove your hand, before I am forced to do it myself."

Making the smart choice, Kaulithah slipped it away and stepped slightly back. "Oh, Kili, I am sorry. I was just trying to give what comfort you may allow at this time."

Kili sighed and moved to go around the dam and head back to the healers halls. Screw his task, he just wanted to see his wife. Naurfaer will come by when he is done.

"Tauriel would want you to be happy, Kili." The prince stopped in his tracks. Turning his head to take in the dam as she continued. "Take my father's position. Leave this place of pressure and pain. Go see the world. She would want you to."

"No, Kaulithah. I will never be happy without her." Kili growled as he spun on his toes to continue to make his way down the corridor, leaving Kaulithah behind. The halls were quiet as he descended some stairs and went through another columned archway leading down yet another flight of steps. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled and he had no time to react when something slammed hard into him, pushing him over the banister-free stairs where he fell to the depths below.

Tauriel tried to pay attention to Leotti, she really did. After much apologizing, and even more of Tauriel telling her to stop apologizing, her friend had eventually reverted somewhat back into her bubbly self. Though Tauriel could still see traces of grief in her eyes and she was slightly more subdued than normal.

While braiding Tauriel's hair, Leotti had been filling Tauriel in on her shop and how Ori had just officially asked to court her not two days ago. She had planned on sneaking away to visit her that week's end to tell her until she heard the news.

Tauriel watched the door apprehensively. It was already past dinner now, and the company has been in and out throughout the entire day. Kili, however, left that afternoon and had yet to come back even once. Thorin had promised he would be back to rest, but he was not here and something inside her was telling her something was wrong, very wrong. "Tauri, what is it?"

Dis looked up from her book to look at the two on the bed just as the group piled into the room, some laughing, others quietly finding a seat and laying back. Really, nobody had gotten any sleep and the only two who did not need it were trying to finish the kitchen. Said beings had just walked in though, so the kitchen must be complete.

Tauriel covered her mouth to stifle a laugh at the elven prince who was sporting a glower even as he looked about the room at anyone…but her. His entire front was saturated with splotches of what could only be described as muck, and there was evidence of filthy water that had only recently dried all over his pants, shoes, and sleeves. Even his usually immaculate hair had bits of sludge in it.

Legolas caught her eye and folded his arms, staring at her, clearly not amused at her grin. Curiosity getting the better of her, Tauriel could not stop the question from leaving her lips. "Mellon, what happened?"

There was a loud sigh, but it did not come from the elven prince, rather, the elf beside him. "A pipe burst. It is what took us so long, we had a lot of cleanup, then some plumbing to do. The thing must have been building up pressure over the years because as soon as we removed the sink, the pipe sprayed nearly two hundred years' worth of buildup everywhere until it was spent." Tauriel looked at Naurfaer and narrowed her eyes at her grandfather.

Hearing a grumble, and a growl, the eleth allowed her eyes to trail to Gloin, whom she just noticed was also covered in the same muck as Legolas, having been up with the two elves, helping finish up the kitchen. The dwarf was glaring dangerously at Naurfaer as he moved to the sink in Oin's office to wash what he could until he got released to go truly clean himself up.

Tauriel finally looked back at the immaculately clean Naurfaer, and lifted an accusing brow. "Then why are you not covered as well?" She folded her arms and waited.

"He stood behind me." Legolas deadpanned.

Naurfaer grinned and rocked on his heals. "I like this coat. Can't have it covered in muck and who knows what."

"Alright everyone, enough." Thorin walked in stopping any further comment. He looked at Legolas, then at Gloin, and lowered his brows in question before shaking his head. Sometimes, it is wiser not to ask.

Thorin turned to the entire company, and his family. "I just came from speaking to Lord Krygo and Lady Gilda. Their maid was found with a cannister of freshly harvested morning glory seeds in her room. Neither Krygo nor Gilda seemed to have a clue as to what she was doing with them, and they were rather adamant about it. I sent the maid to the cells, and put guards at their doors."

"It was the stonefoot clan? But, why?" Dis stood and looked around.

"That has yet to come forward." Thorin glanced around the room and frowned. "Where is Kili?"

Fili who had walked in behind Thorin checked the room as well. His eyes fell on Tauriel, who looked like she was about to stand, but Leotti's gentle but firm hand on her shoulder kept the eleth on the bed…for now. Fili then looked to Legolas and Naurfaer which was where Kili was assigned to go to. "Did he tell you he was going anywhere?"

Legolas shook his head. "We have not seen prince Kili all day."

The company all began talking at once, filling the room with ideas of where the young prince could be, even Kaw was croaking and adding his voice to the sound. Tauriel, however, sat silent on the bed, her heart dropping at the news. Kili should not be anywhere but here, beside her, he was ill and needed rest.

Thorin's firm voice silenced the room once more, and drew everyone's attention back to him. "Lets' not drop to conclusions. Kili could just have fallen asleep in his rooms. Dis, can you go and check the royal wing?" Dis nodded and rushed out the door.

Quickly, Thorin began giving orders to the remaining dwarves, and two elves, in the room. "Bofur, Bifur, Bombur, and Oin, go look in the food hall and the markets in case he got another lead. I will go talk to Aeodhen. Everyone else, go check the halls and corridors. Find Kili. Nori and Ori, stay and guard the door. Nobody but the company is to come in. Nobody. Leotti, can I ask you to stay with Tauriel?"

The small dam sat up straight. "Of course. I will not leave her side." Thorin gave her a nod and everyone stormed out.

With the room emptied, Tauriel rose from the bed and went to Kaw who was still perched on the back of a chair watching her. "Find him."

It was as if the bird knew exactly who she was speaking of, because without further instruction, the raven flew out the small windowed opening above the large wooden door. Tauriel then walked towards another closed door and opened it, rummaging through the contents inside.

"Tauri, what are you doing?" Leotti stepped behind her friend who just pulled two cloaks out from an old trunk she had noticed Oin digging through more than once during her stay. It was a good thing she was observant. Well, good for her, Oin will likely have a thing or two to say whether it was a good trait or not.

At the expression on Tauriel's face as she turned to her friend with a bundle in her arms, Leotti's nerves were immediately set on edge and she groaned. "Oh no, I know that look. Thorin said we were to stay here."

"No…he said you had to stay WITH me. Leotti, something is wrong. I can feel it in my head. Kili is in danger, and, I think I can find him much faster than anyone else. We are…connected Leotti. In a way not many outside the elven race would understand." Tauriel passed one of the bundles to Leotti, who realized it was an old cloak, and the dam lifted it to her eyes, scrutinizing the musty, dingy thing with barely held contempt.

Leotti's nose wrinkled in disgust, but she sighed, giving in. "Fine. But, I hope you do not think I am putting this on?" Leotti whined and huffed when Tauriel nodded, pointing to the cloak. The dam eyed it again. "Just where did this thing come from…and what age?"

Tauriel rolled her eyes as she placed the slightly larger cloak over her own shoulders and pulled the hood over her head. It would not do much in a mountain, but, the cloaks would make it harder to see them in the shadows than if they wore nothing. "Hush. Put it on and follow me."

Finally, and not without a lot of annoyed huffing, Leotti put the cloak on. "Tauriel, Ori and Nori are watching the door. How do you expect us to even get out of here?"

Tauriel pulled her friend to the opposite side of Oin's office where the washroom was located, and pointed at a tall shelf. "I saw the outline of a door on my many trips to the toilet, and I believe there is an old entrance here. Leotti, help me with this, I cannot move it on my own."

"A bookshelf?" Leotti looked at the shelf and sighed. She pushed Tauriel out of the way, knowing her friend was in no condition for any type of heavy lifting. Really she was in no condition to leave this room, but Leotti doubts even Mahal himself would be able to dissuade the elf when she had that look on her face. "Move, let me do it." Leotti got into position and gave the shelf a good shove, causing it to slide away easily. There is definitely something to be said of the strength that a dwarf, or even a dam, possesses.

Once the bookshelf was removed, a large door with a rusted lock came into view. Tauriel looked at the lock then went into Oin's desk. She pulled open several drawers before finding an old key ring and snatched it, going back to the door where her friend was waiting, looking quite unsure. "Come on Leotti, where is your sense of adventure?" Tauriel teased.

"Do you realize how much like your husband you sound? A pair of trouble makers you both are." she sniffed indignantly. "And, I will have you know that my sense of 'adventure' is quite intact, thank you very much." Leotti huffed and folded her arms as she watched a chuckling Tauriel began sticking key after key into the lock and twisting. It was about four keys in, when they finally heard the telltale click of a lock activating successfully.

Looking at her friend, Tauriel pushed the door open as the office filled with the old musky smell of a space that had not been touched in over two centuries. The pair peered into the opening, the light from the office revealing a dark, crumbling corridor. Leotti took in the fallen stones, foundation cracks, and web filled corners with barely contained suspicion. "Are you sure about this? Looks a bit…unstable."

Without responding, Tauriel adjusted the dark cloak over her head and stepped into the hall, Leotti following behind. The hall wound around a few corners, Tauriel easily able to traverse the darkness with little issues except her shaking legs. More than once she was forced to lean against the wall to support herself. Her body still had much recuperating to do, but that had to wait until she knew Kili was safe. Her senses all screamed he needed her, the place in her mind he resided throbbed as if he was calling for her.

As they made their way, Leotti held tight onto Tauriel's cloak, dwarves had better vision in the dark then mankind did, but this hall was pitch-black; Leotti was all but blind in this kind of darkness. Finally, they came across another door which Leotti could tell from the light breaking through the gaps between the door and the wall. Naturally, it was locked, but Tauriel tried a few keys, smiling when one slid in and the door opened. She pushed aside a battered tapestry and stepped into one of the familiar lit halls of the mountain, still pulling Leotti along with her.

Viltarra sat quietly on the large, square, stone, in the cell. She eyed the crying maid on the floor not far from her, then the very wet dwarf and Gildridd who stood practically side by side across the cell. The maid was put in last and had not said a word, she simply sat filling the cell with sniffles and sobs, but Gildridd and the dripping dwarf were locked in a hushed argument.

Viltarra slid quietly off her stone perch and pushed herself to stand within listening distance, squatting down to pat the maid awkwardly on the shoulder to make it look as if she was comforting the distraught lass. At this distance, her ears finally caught the conversation.

"Yeh said we will not get caught. Yeh said this was all sound. How are we all in here?" Birkin glared at Gildridd.

The dam looked at Viltarra then leaned in closer to the wet dwarf. "Hush. The plan was sound. The elf was pregnant with a half-breed, and the symptoms should have masked the effects. It was those elves tha' figured it out. I made sure it was invisible just like I was told, even hid the plant in the tree line."

Birkin, however, was not done. "What about me wife! Yeh said yeh can help her if I did as I was told. Yeh said she will live!"

The healer snorted. "Yer wife is beyond help Birkin. More so now. Yeh are goin' teh have to accept tha'. She will be in the halls of Mandos soon. Keep yer mouth shut or we all will be joinin'. This can no' be linked any further than it already is. It will ruin everythin'. There is still a chance that wha' we set out to accomplish, will be a success."

At the admittance they all might die, the maid began to cry harder, and Gildridd shot her an annoyed glare. "Oh, quiet down Tilny. Yeh weepin' babe."

Birkin, however, was livid. "I harbor no love for elves, and one more dead means nothin' the me, but we had a bargain! I pass yer bloody notes and yeh will help me wife. I fulfilled my end, and now yeh have ta fulfill yers!"

"We don' know if we are successful until we find out abou' the prince. If 'e leaves this mountain with our Lord, then we did what we were sent out teh do. If 'e stays, we failed and a hand will be forced. I did all I could fer 'er, she want's 'er prince, she will need teh fight fer 'im."

Viltarra stood and glared at Gildridd. "It wasn't just you, it was all of you?! You poisoned Tauriel, you were trying to kill her!"

Gildridd stood silent and Viltarra seethed. She said prince. Did she mean Fili? Were they going after Fili next? He was the crown prince, next in line to rule not just Erebor, but the entire dwarven people. Mahal, how did she get here? Actually, that does not matter at the moment.

Carefully considering the three dwarves, Viltarra wondered if she is locked in a cell surrounded by dwarrows who are part of some, collective, working to take out the royal family. She sincerely hoped not, because that was way above her head. She is a baker, not some, spy, or interrogator.

Still, Fili was counting on her, so, the young baker narrowed her eyes as she stepped up to the healer. "You said the prince. 'she wants her prince'. Your words exactly. What does that mean? Who are you talking about?"

When Gildridd said nothing, Viltarra had had it. She was in a dingy cell, surrounded by obviously corrupt dwarves, who care more for their agenda then another innocent life, they nearly KILLED her pregnant friend, AND Fili may be in danger. The levelheaded baker had finally reached her limit and she snapped.

With all her strength, Viltarra forcibly grabbed, then threw a surprised Gildridd face first against the stone wall. They were close in height, so it was easy to brace the healer's arm against the dam's back and keep her in place. It was a move her father had taught her incase any male un-invitingly sought her attention.

The healer tried to call for help, but she had lost her only ally in the cell when she told him his wife should be considered dead. Rather than coming to her aid, Birkin instead stood against the other wall, smirking at the scene, and the young maid was simply too lost to reality to help, as she lay, curled up in a ball on the floor, still weeping.

Viltarra pushed the dam against the wall, glaring hard at her. "No use calling anyone, nobody will come. Now, what do you mean by prince?"

The other dams silence only caused Viltarra to push her forearm in harder, adding pressure to the dams back as she pushed more of her weight onto the dam, making it difficult for the healer to breathe. The older dam struggled but was unable to move, as she was pinned by the clearly very strong, and equally young, dam. Being a baker all her life, and hefting several 100-pound sacks of flour daily, had its advantages.

Finally, with nowhere to go, Gildridd answered breathlessly. "The prince will 'ave a choice. Choose her, or die. She's been patient with 'im, 'e would be wise to choose 'er."

"He will never choose her. I am sure they have already figured out who it is. It will only be a matter of time before they apprehend her and put you all on trial." Viltarra tried to sound confident, but, even she did not quite believe what she was saying.

The healer laughed, the sound coming out in breathy coughs and croaks. "A trial of the seven Lords? Hah. Wha' care have they for the death of an elf? Some will be thankin' me for destroyin' tha' thing she carried. Who want's a filthy 'alf breed on the throne? Bu' it would no' have mattered if the she-elf was a dam or a daughter of man, I would 'ave taken out anyone for 'er 'appiness."

Viltarra could hear a set of footsteps coming down the stairs. Probably the guards coming to check in. She released Gildridd, and the healer staggered a bit before standing straight and twisting around to throw Viltarra a smirk, which blossomed into a dark grin when she saw the look of disgust on the young dam's face.

That was all she needed to do to break Viltarra's final straw. The blonde baker surged forward, pulled back her fist, and slammed it hard into the dam's face; satisfied by the crack that sounded through the cell as her fist broke the old dam's nose.

"VILTARRA!" The blonde was shaking her fist out and turned to look at Fili who was staring wide eyed at her, then at the old healer on the ground cradling her face and sputtering curses.

"FILI! You're alright!" The prince nodded and looked past Viltarra to the other inhabitants of the cells, then back to the young baker. If these dam bars were not here, he would have not been able to stop himself from taking Viltarra into his arms and kissing her senseless. That was…Mahal that was amazing. She, was amazing. He shook his head to clear the scene from his mind, focus Fili.

The young prince focused on the dam still on the floor. He was not an idiot, he knew she was at the very least, the co-conspirator of all of this. "Where is he?!" Like Viltarra, Fili was not in the mood for games, he glared at Gildridd and the other two in the cells.

"Where is who Fili?" Viltarra leaned up against the bars towards him. She may still be new to Fili, but anyone could see the fury rolling off him in waves.

"Kili, my brother. Where. Is. He?" Fili answered Viltarra, but still kept his eyes on the healer with her hand trying to stop the blood coming from her nose.

Viltarra turned to Gildridd on the stone ground. "Kili? You meant Kili? Not Fili?" She spun back around to Fili. "She said something a moment ago. The prince had a choice, 'her or death'. I think she was referring to another dam."

Fili lowered his brows in confusion. "Who would want Kili knowing he is already attached?" Then it sunk in. Who was always leaning into Kili when he was near? Had always had a deep attachment to him? Who had kissed Kili on his birthday?

But then his mind backpedaled. Kaulithah though? She would never do something like that. Fili was having difficulty connecting the facts with the dam they were pointing to. Then again, Tilny was Lady Gilda's maid.

When questioned, the elderly dam swore to Thorin she had no idea what the lass was doing, and both her and Krygo agreed to have all of their chambers searched, then be locked inside with the door guarded by two of Erebor's guards specifically chosen by Thorin himself. They also allowed for the maid to not only be thoroughly searched and questioned, but to also be placed in a cell until further notice. Their daughter, as far as Fili knew, was under no investigation at this time. Perhaps, she should be.

If Kaulithah really had it in for Kili, he was in much more danger than they had thought. At least Tauriel is safe with Leotti.

"Fili, what is it?" At the sound of her voice, Fili was drawn back to Viltarra.

The young prince's eyes bore into her as he took a deep breath when the connections began to solidify in his mind. "I know who it might be."

"Then go!" Through the bars, Viltarra pushed Fili towards the door as best she could from locked inside a cell.

Fili gave her one last look, then a look at the dam on the ground. His heart felt like it was about to speed from his chest when he saw her pull her hand back and give that healer what she deserved. Don't get him wrong, it was usually never okay to hit an elder, but, this dam earned what she got.

However, Fili had one more piece of information to get before he went to find Kili. So, the prince took a step back towards the cells, gripping the bars tightly. "Where would she take him?"

The healer scooted herself against a wall and glared angerly at the prince. "I will tell yeh nothin'. My lass deserves 'er prince an' I will no' res' until she is happy."

"Down teh the bottom corridor into the caverns. She found a big room. Yeh will find yer brother in the big room." Fili looked to Tilny who had her hand outstretched, a piece of parchment between her shaking fingers. Viltarra ran to the little dam, grabbed the note, and rushed back to pass it to Fili.

As she reached her hand out to him, Fili grabbed the note, then her wrist before she could pull it back in, holding it firmly, but gently, in his grip. "Viltarra, I will come back for you as soon as Kili is safe. Your name should be cleared by now."

Viltarra smiled. "Go. Save your brother." She let her wrist slide from his hand and watched him disappear out the door. She turned and gave the healer one last glare, then went back to sit on her stone in the corner to wait.

Kili lifted a hand to rest on his forehead when a sharp, burning, pain, caused him to hiss and groan until he slowly lowered his clearly injured arm. He used his other hand to reach across his chest to investigate, finding it was the joint out of place that was causing all the pain. Great. A dislocated shoulder, that will not feel good being put back into place.

Sighing to himself as he kept his arm still, Kili tried to get his bearings. He was on a lower level, that was for sure. Forcing his eyes to acclimate to the dark, Kili did not see much of where he was. It had to be one of the levels they had not reached yet to clean up, though it did not seem to be in too bad of a state. He could just make out several floor to ceiling columns around the dark area, and what looked to be a massive archway behind him, but whether it had a door or where it led to, he had no idea. In front of him he could make out a large curved staircase leading up into the mountain above.

Closing his eyes in an attempt to force away the throbbing pain in his shoulder, Kili tried to remember what had happened. The last thing he recalled was walking down some steps past a corridor towards Oin's office, then he was falling. "Who let the ram into the halls." His head was pounding and now hurt twice as bad as it had with just the fever, which was still running through his system.

Looking up once more, he could just make out a dot of light from the torches and lamps in the halls above. What dwarf seriously falls off the stairs? He is an embarrassment to Erebor, Fili will never let him live this down.

"Well, I can't just remain here. This….will hurt." Knowing he had no other choice but to get himself to help, Kili went to stand, using his good arm to push himself up. However, he was not on his feet more than a second before he fell back with a cry. Pain shooting up his leg made him quickly realize he was in worse shape than he thought. His right leg was broken.

Kili groaned. "That leg again!?" That, is it. That right leg will now and henceforth be considered his cursed leg. Fire and forge, a dislocated shoulder and a broken leg both on the same side!? Plus a fever, his migraine, and whatever other injuries he sustained during his tumble to the depths of Erebor. Tauriel is going to kill him…if Oin does not first.

Kili tried to get his eyes to adjust better to the darkness, but either he could not get them to focus from the fall, or it was just too dark for them to adapt. He fell back to lay flat on the ground. Maybe if he just gave himself a moment, he will be alright.

Suddenly, something caught his eye and the young prince squinted as he noticed a speck of light high above him getting closer and brighter. Kili cocked his head and pushed himself up again as it descended.

Deciding it would not hurt to try, Kili began to call out to the bobbing light, hoping it was someone close enough to hear him. "Hello? Could use some help down here! Fili? Bofur?" Kili was right, it was a person coming towards him, and though he could not make out who it was, he knew the voice when it called back instantly.

"Kili? Oh!" The young prince watched in annoyance as Kaulithah cleared the final steps and placed her torch in a socket on one of the columns before running to Kili, falling to her knees beside him.

"This looks bad Kili." With the torch lighting up the space, the dam looked at his leg that was bent in an odd angle, and she lifted her eyes, her expression filled with worry as she reached to gently push some of his hair away from his face.

"Ya, feels it too. Can you go get help?" Kili attempted to lean away from her touch. He would have taken ANYONE but Kaulithah. Mahal, he would even take Lord Dryok.

"Hush now, I am here." The dam smiled, lifting her hand to his face.

Kili caught her wrist as she tried to reach for him again. "Don't Kaulithah." Something flashed in her eyes and she sat back.

Kili scrutinized her for a second. "Aren't you going to go get help?"

"Are you going to accept a place with my father?" The dam shot back, lifting a brow.

Kili sighed. Not this again. "I have spent nearly two months in a negotiating room with Krygo, and not once has he ever even mentioned a position such as the one you are offering, Kaulithah."

Kaulithah, however, seemed unphased. "He will do what I ask. Say you will accept and we can be rid of this mountain and its shadows. Come away from your sorrows and grief. You are very young for a dwarrow, and even more so for a son of Durin. You will forget her, and overtime, find your true match in one you had forgotten, one who is better suited for you in all ways."

Kili dragged himself away from her as much as he physically could in his condition, which ended up only being a few inches. "My place will and forever be beside my family and in this mountain. My heart will only belong to my one. Be that in the lands of middle earth, or the halls of Mandos with Mahal. I will have no other Kaulithah, but my Tauriel." This was obviously not the right answer as Kaulithah rose to her feet just as two guards came down the stairs. Kili finally felt his hopes rise.

"Thank mahal, go get help!" He looked hopefully at the guards, but they just stood in place. Kili tried to rise again but fell back down, sweat beading his forehead half from the exertion, and half from the fever. He glared at Kaulithah as she sent each of the guards a smile.

"I thought my offer was reasonable and generous." The dam rose and looked back at Kili. "When you never formally asked to court me, my mother and father suggested I give you time. That eventually you may turn your heart to me, but they were mistaken."

Kili sighed, this, was ridiculous. He never showed favor to this dam outside platonic friendship. Not once. "Kaulithah, can't you see we were only friends? Yes, we joked about the future, but we were dwarflings, not even past our teens! We had nothing formal, ever! Let me go. It will never be. Find someone who can appreciate you."

The dam stamped her foot in anger. "I don't WANT anyone else! I told my parents as much. When they said you may not be interested in courting, I told them to force a match. There are many political gains between our families. It did not matter if you loved me when we are paired, we could accept each other after marriage!"

Kili knew someone had approached his mam and uncle for his, or his brother's hand, a betrothal of sorts, but neither him, nor Fili, knew who it was for, and since it was denied, his mother never mentioned it. Now, he knew, it was him. Was he once promised to her? It was a running joke that he was, but when his mother approached him about it, sitting him down and asking his true thoughts on the idea when Kili was 25, making him still very much a child in dwarven years but old enough to understand, the young prince vehemently disagreed. He had no such feelings for the dam he had considered to be more like a sister than a potential mate. So, the match was never pushed or forced. Encouraged by his mother, yes, but pushed, no.

Kaulithah, however, seemed to have another idea on how it was to go. "My parents even brought the proposal to Thorin and your mother, but Thorin thought it was a bad idea, and Dis refused to allow it without speaking to you directly. She thought you too young and not ready, saying she would write when she felt a time of courtship was approaching. Your uncle, did not think we were a good match at all. Foolish old dwarf. I wrote it off as your bloodlines madness making itself known. There was hope, however, as your mother did not fully agree with her brother. So all I had to do was wait for you to be ready. Imagine my surprise when not two years later I learned you were married to an elf. AN ELF!"

Kili growled and Kaulithah smiled brightly before she turned to the guards. "Tie him to that column please?" Kili's eyes widened as two of Erebor's guards dragged the struggling prince to a marble column, and using a rope that had been on the ground, probably previously placed there if Kili's thoughts were headed in the right direction, secured the rope tightly around the column then about his waist and chest.

Kili struggled, oh did he try, but two strong, seasoned dwarves against one with a fever, a broken leg, AND a dislocated shoulder meant Kili was at the disadvantage. The burning sensation coming from his chest meant he also likely had a broken, or at the very least, fractured, rib. Fantastic. This night just keeps getting better and better.

Kili glared at the guards as they backed away. "When Thorin finds out..."

"Oh, he won't." Kaulithah chimed in. "Poor prince Kili, fell to his death. Or did he jump in his grief? I heard something and ran as fast as I could but was too late. I called the guards who came to find a distraught lass weeping over the body of her childhood friend. Although, if he agreed to stay by my side, he may make a miraculous recovery. Tauriel is gone Kili, accept it and join with me."

"Never Kaulithah. I will ALWAYS choose my Tauriel, in this life, and the next. I will sooner live a life alone for the remainder of my days then be with ANYONE else, least of all you!" Kili immediately shot back.

Kaulithah was done. "She promised me you would choose me. She promised I would be happy. But you, you are RUINING EVERYTHING!" The usually beautiful dam contorted her face into an ugly wail. Something fluttering high above caught his eye, and Kili tried to pay attention to the clearly mad dam, while glancing at the small creature who landed on the stairs several yards up.

Even from a distance, Kili could still make out that it was a raven, and the patch of white down its chest meant it could only be his and his wife's little raven, Kaw. At the moment, Kaw stayed high and out of sight. He was probably startled by Kaulithah's yell, otherwise the very young bird would have likely and unknowingly flown to the prince. He sat on the stair, hopping to the edge and watched for a few minutes, before he extended his wings and flew back away out of sight.

Kili's heart gave a leap of joy, he may yet get out of this mess, but he needed to buy some time. His only choice was to keep her talking. "We are the ones that orchestrate our own happiness, it is what my mam always taught us. Who, Kaulithah? Who would promise you such a thing?"

Kaulithah eyed Kili. "Word came not a week before we were to leave to come to Erebor. I was excited to see you again. Surely as a prince of a great mountain, you would be ready to begin courting to further your legacy. Then, I got the news. You were married, but not just married, married to an elf, and the elf was expecting." She sneered in disgust while pacing the space before Kili.

Wait, she knew about his son before coming to Erebor? Kili knew for a fact Thorin had not sent out announcements, such a thing was not even done among their people as a means of protection for royal young. The mountain and settlement they reside in will know, but word of pregnancy, and even birth, is kept low and guarded to outside clans. How had she come by the news? "How did you even know that? We barely made the announcement to the people of Erebor before you came!"

Kaulithah gave him a mocking look. "Aww, foolish Kili. You really need to learn that eyes and ears are everywhere. With the right allies and the right price, you can know or keep tabs on anyone or anything."

"So, what, you sped down here to see for yourself? Why come?" Kili was TRYING to keep this going, but the more she talked, the more frustrated he became. He was about to learn, however, that his time was running short; whether he wanted her to talk or not.

Walking towards another column, Kaulithah grabbed a large piece of wood, dragging it towards Kili. Kili could only just watch as the two guards stood unmoving. "I was distraught when I found out. I refused to eat, did not leave my room, and lay in bed wasting away. That is were Gilly found me. She cradled me to her chest, and listened as I told her what had happened. She said to not worry. She said she knew of a way to get rid of the elf without it looking suspicious. Gilly came from a long line of dwarves who were taught skills used to specifically battle elves. Gilly always knew what was best for me, she understood me better than my weak and frail parents. If Gilly promises it, it will always happen."

"Gilly?" Kili gave her a confused look, then paled even further…Gildridd. "You mean the healer? My wife's healer? Gildridd?"

Kaulithah hummed a confirmation. "Gilly was my nurse as a child. She pulled me into this world and practically raised me while my parents ran the clan. She always came and went though, so I was rather fortunate you nor any in your family had met her. She was gone whenever you came to visit, as her skills were needed in other cities and clans. Gilly really is one of the best and most knowledgeable among her trade. But when she was in my home, I always came first. She decided to come to Erebor before me to try and gain favor with your family. Really, it was not difficult to appoint her as a birthing healer with her reputation."

It hit Kili like a wall of forging hammers. "Gildridd was poisoning Tauriel, it was her doing it."

Kaulithah smiled and nodded. "She would of course report to me. Nobody saw anything, most assuming Gildridd was bringing in herbs for her medicines, or helping people of Dale as she came and went. Those two…" She pointed to the two dwarves standing near the stairs. "…are my own personal guard from home, it was easy enough to find some guard uniforms and have them blend in. This mountain of yours is in a bit of chaos, very helpful for me, not so helpful to you…or that elf. Nobody even questioned Gilly in Tauriel's diet, it was really all too easy for her to slip whatever she wanted into the food."

"What kind of monster are you? I have seen orcs with more honor." Kili spat at her.

Kaulithah sighed. "I had hoped we would work this out Kili, but I am finding you to be most single minded and stubborn. We could have been happy. We could have found love."

"Let me go Kaulithah. My death won't be as clean as you think. My family needs me, this mountain needs me. You are better than this. Don't do something you will come to regret." Kili was grasping at straw. He had hoped with Kaw seeing him, someone would be coming soon, but nobody had yet to descend the steps. Maybe he can sway her to free him. It was worth a try at least.

Kaulithah stood watching him with narrowed eyes. "Let you go? Oh no. I can never let you go. You are all I have ever wanted, and if I cannot have you, nobody can. Goodbye Kili, perhaps when we meet again in our ancestors halls, you will have realized that we, were always meant to be."

Kili's eyes widened, as Kaulithah came near. He, was in trouble.

Tauriel had to pull Leotti into the shadowed halls more than once on their conquest to find Kili. It would not do well for her to be seen, considering so many thought she was dead. Leotti was breathing heavily beside her, and kept giving Tauriel panicked looks when the shadow of a dwarf got too close. However, she stayed silent and diligently by her side as they made their way through the halls, and hid whenever anyone came by.

"He isn't in the rooms Thorin!" Tauriel grabbed Leotti and pulled her into a darkened room, shutting the door silently as footsteps rounded the corner and stopped just in front of where they were hiding. Tauriel leaned against the door, listening carefully. It was Dis and Thorin. Her amad sounded not half panicked, but Thorin was his usually stoic self.

"Don't worry Dis, we will find him. Go see if Bofur, Bifur, or Bombur have found anything. I am going to check in with Fili."

Tauriel waited for the footsteps to disappear before opening the door and peering out. They were just outside the stairway that led to the armory. She had her dagger, but something in her made her think she may need something more, substantial. "Come on Leotti, we need to make a stop."

Tauriel led Leotti down the winding stairs and across a wide bridge to the large, locked door of the armory.

Leotti glanced from the door to Tauriel. "What now? You don't have a key to that too do you?"

Sighing, Tauriel shook her head but pulled out a pin from her hair. She was glad she had let Leotti braid it earlier. "Keep watch, this should take but a moment." The small dam nodded then nervously looked around. When Tauriel stood and pushed the door open just moments later, the little seamstress let out a breath of relief.

However, when Leotti walked inside, she stopped and turned a questioning eye to her friend. "Wait, the armory?! Really? Why are we in here Tauriel?"

Leotti was not half annoyed when Tauriel ignored her and instead grabbed a bow, some arrows and passed Leotti a small axe. She eyed it and glared at Tauriel. "I am offended you assume all dwarves use axes. Would you like me to get you a harp so you can sing in the trees while munching on leafy greens?"

Tauriel rolled her eyes at her snippy friend. "Just in case Leotti. That is all."

"And how am I supposed to use this thing?" The little dam wrinkled her nose at the weapon.

"Swing it, or, aim and throw. Easy as that. Come on." Leotti gave Tauriel another pointed look, but the elf was already walking out the door, so she sighed and followed, placing the axe in her belt and running to catch up. She promised Thorin she would not leave her, so Leotti was not letting Tauriel out of her sight. Besides, she already thought she had lost her once, the small dam was not about to lose her best friend a second time.

Together, they descended a few flights of stairs, but a croaking noise caused them both to stop. Kaw landed on Tauriel's shoulder, nuzzled her hair, then flew down another set of steps. He carried messages, but he was still learning how to relay them. Kili had been right, Kaw would have never been able to communicate much at his age. However, despite his inability to speak his thoughts, he clearly was leading them somewhere deep into the mountain.

Leotti gave Tauriel a worried look, she did not like how her friend kept leaning on walls near the stairs without rails, but so far Tauriel had maintained her balance, stopping at archways and columns to rest.

This was a bad idea. A very bad idea. Leotti was about to suggest they go back up to see if anyone had found Kili, or, to propose that maybe he was waiting for them in Oin's office so perhaps they should go back there…and check...since it is where Tauriel was SUPPOSED to be. He certainly would not be down here. This is the part of the mountain Thorin had warned them not to go. Before she could voice her opinion however, they both heard the murmurs of voices drifting up from below.

Despite her weakness, Tauriel picked up the pace and Kaw flew to settle in a rafter. It did not take long before they began to be able to make out what was being said.

When they reached far enough where they clearly could hear, but not be seen, Tauriel placed a hand on Leotti's shoulder, stopping her from going any further. Leotti's brows furrowed at the echoing voice of a dam, and turned to Tauriel, her voice just above a whisper as she spoke. "Tauri, that is Kaulithah, daughter of Lord Krygo. Whatever is she doing down here?"

Tauriel did not answer, but she knew and only a second later, so did Leotti, who let out a low grumbling growl and pulled her axe as the regal dam at the bottom of the stairs outlined everything including how she helped orchestrate Tauriel's demise.

Taking another step, the red-headed elf slowly descended the stairs, hugging the wall while trying to make a plan. Then she saw her Kili, tied to a column and pale as the moon. She was just about to turn and tell Leotti to get help, but before she could say a word to her friend, Kaulithah raised the plank of wood high above her head.

Kili watched as Kaulithah raised the board high. His time had run out and nobody had come. Kaulithah would kill him and in doing so, achieve her desire to kill Tauriel for certain this time. The dam may not know her plan had failed, but none of that mattered because she still will get her way in one manner or another.

Closing his eyes, Kili braced for the impact. But no strike came, instead, his ears picked up the sound of a familiar echoing 'thunk', then another not even a second after the first. Whipping his eyes open, Kili watched the two guards fall hard to the ground, and Kaulithah spun herself around to behold the last thing she ever wanted to see. The silhouette of a pregnant, red-headed, she-elf…that is…a pregnant, red-headed, she-elf who was pointing an arrow directly at her.

Tauriel snarled, easily keeping her target in her sight while her eyes flicked to Kili just behind the dam. "I would put that board down unless you wish me to release this. Do not think I will not."

Kaulithah gaped at the elf. "Your alive?! Impossible!?

"It is not, for as you can see, I stand here before you. Now. Put it down. I am losing patience. You do not want that." Tauriel was seething inside, but on the outside, she looked the epitome of cold and calm. This, yakse (cow) was going to harm her mate, tried to kill her child, and tried to kill her. Tauriel had every right to take her life.

Leotti, however, was the one to speak up. "Tauri, you cannot kill her. She needs to go to trial for what she has done. Let's get Kili out of here and let Thorin and Aeodhen handle it." Tauriel eyed the dam dangerously, then, very slowly, lowered her bow and nodded her head in agreement, not once taking her eyes off of Kaulithah.

The eleth stepped down a few more stairs, but as she did, Kaulithah grabbed the wooden plank and ran towards her. However, Kaulithah was inexperienced in battle, and had nothing on the 6oo year old elven warrior who had both perfect instincts, and instant reflexes…even pregnant. With a flick of her thin wrist, Tauriel sent her beloved dagger into the dam's thigh, downing her instantly with a cry.

Grasping her thigh where the dagger was deeply imbedded, Kaulithah turned pained filled eyes to Tauriel. "Inbul-hibir fundhamad-ugblag!" (Pointy-eared lembas muncher).

"Abrafu shaikmashaz! A laju Mahal." (You are descended from rats. You, shame Mahal) Tauriel shot back, the dam's eyes going wide, then narrowing at the idea of the elf knowing the forbidden language.

Ignoring Kaulithah's glare, Tauriel walked past her to get to Kili who was smiling softly at his wife. Silently, she began untying the ropes, freeing her one who lifted a hand to brush her cheek tenderly. Tauriel smiled back, covering his hand with her own as she leant into it and kissed his palm. "You, were supposed to stay in the room, amralime."

"And you, meleth nin, were supposed to come back to sit with me and rest." Tauriel threw back without any bite. She shifted her position, resting on her haunches, to look at his shoulder then his leg. Her head shaking at the damage. "Why is it you keep hurting this leg?"

Kili huffed. "I thought the same thing."

Tauriel's fingers traced his knee, then she very, very carefully removed his boot, apologizing with her eyes when Kili stiffened from the pain. He nodded for her to continue after a moment, so Tauriel gently rolled his pant leg up to look at the damage underneath. She sighed and brushed her fingers along the bruising and prominent bump above his ankle, the bone was displaced. She sighed again and lifted her eyes to his shoulder, her cool hand gliding along the joint under his shirt. Her Kili was in quite a state.

Shaking her head, Tauriel gave him a sorrowful look. "That shoulder will need to be put back in place, and this bone must be set. You are in for much pain ahead meleth nin." Tauriel leaned into Kili and kissed his brow, feeling the fever still evident with her lips. Nothing can be done about that but rest. She pulled away and her world suddenly moved into slow motion.

Kili's eyes went wide, and ignoring the pain in his shoulder, he grabbed Tauriel and pulled her against him, the movement giving her a glance of Kaulithah who had pulled Tauriel's dagger from her leg and was galloping towards the elf and prince. A sickening whack filled the cavern and Kaulithah froze in place, staring wide eyed before she fell face forward to the ground.

Tauriel and Kili looked from the unmoving dam on the stone floor, up to see Leotti with her arm still outstretched and looking ready to panic. "I killed her. Oh mahal. I killed her. I cannot even kill a spider…and I killed a person!"

Seeing her friend on the brink of a breakdown, Tauriel extracted herself from Kili to first go to Kaulithah. The small axe Leotti threw was currently implanted deep into the dams back, but nowhere near anything that could kill her. It would be questionable, however, if the dam would ever be able to walk again, judging by the placement, it was not likely.

Tauriel retrieved her dagger and went to her friend who was shaking and had fallen to the stairs covering her eyes with her hands. She lowered herself down to Leotti, placing her hand on the little dam's knee as she spoke softly to her panicking friend. "No Leotti, you did good. She is not dead, only unconscious." Tauriel pulled the hands from Leotti's eyes and pulled her friend into her arms.

The small dam was shaking frightfully, but accepted Tauriel's comfort. "I, I saw her approaching you, so I closed my eyes, and threw…I just…I did not want her to hurt you, I was not trying to kill her. But, when I opened my eyes…I saw her fall to the ground…and I thought…" Leotti stopped, not wanting to say it again. She really thought she had killed her.

"WAIT! You had your eyes CLOSED!? You threw a weapon…with your eyes SHUT!?" Kili looked from the little dam to Kaulithah, but snapped his mouth shut when Tauriel threw him a look while shaking her head.

Tauriel leaned back, and ran her fingers through her friends blonde hair. "Leotti, I need you to go find help. Kili is very injured. Can you do that?" The dam nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes as she stood, then with a quick glance at Kaulithah's still form, headed back up the stairs to search for anyone.

The eleth smiled when she spotted her raven, and she lifted her hand in invitation for him to come to her. With a small croak, Kaw flew down to Tauriel, the elf scratching his black head as she went back to Kili to grab the rope. Kaw jumped to the ground, and turned his attention to the young prince, who patted his good leg so the raven could climb up and receive a scratch from his other parent.

Kaw was certainly attached to both of them. Tauriel smiled at her husband and bird before she moved to bind Kaulithah's hands with the rope…just in case. She was not taking any more chances, she has had enough for tonight.

The eleth then went and sat beside Kili, placing her hand on her sleeping child and sighing. She lifted her free hand to pat Kaw, who was sitting on Kili's thigh, then looked at Kili. "I think we need to perhaps work on not putting ourselves in these kind of situations."

Kili grimaced but agreed. "It is Fili's turn next." He sat back against the column, then winced from the pain in both his leg, and his shoulder. "You know. I think I might just spend the next few weeks in bed."

Tauriel watched her husband's head fall back against the column, and she chuckled. "I do not think Oin will give you a choice in the matter, meleth nin."

Kili gave her a lopsided smile as they heard feet running down the stairs. He leveled his wife with a look and smirked. "Here we go. You, are going to be in so much trouble."

Wrinkling her nose at Kili, Tauriel huffed. "ME!? You're the one with a broken leg and dislocated shoulder."

"Yes, but I doubt they LET you out of that room. You snuck out, didn't you?" Kili gave her a knowing look, and she rolled her eyes.

Folding her arms, Tauriel sniffed indignantly. "I am 602 years old. If I want to leave a room, I will."

Kili lifted a brow. "Is that what you're going to tell mam?"

Tauriel did not have time to answer when Naurfaer came into view trailed by Legolas. "Oh for Valar's sake! TAURIEL?! Are you trying to see if elves can have heart attacks? What is so difficult about staying in a room! I KNEW I should have had someone else stay. Then again, you would probably have gotten out anyway. You, are as bad as your mother." Legolas stood quietly by, looking amused as Naurfaer berated Tauriel.

Tauriel felt like an elfling who had snuck out of Mirkwood and was caught. "I am sure I will get many lectures; can you please help Kili? He needs to be taken to Oin. I cannot set his shoulder alone. He will also need to be given something to help with the pain of setting his leg."

Several more feet came rushing down the wide, curved, staircase, including a frantic Dis who ran and fell onto her knees before Kili, only to pull Tauriel into her arms. "I went back to Oin's office to check on you, and you were gone. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

Dis released Tauriel, then looked at Kili. She cupped his cheek then leaned in to kiss his sweaty forehead. She was no fool though, as angry as she was at Tauriel for leaving, not one of them considered coming down here.

"What in Mahal's fiery forge happened?" Fili looked around, Thorin echoing his sentiments from just beside him as Aeodhen looked at the two dead dwarves and then eyed Kaulithah.

"It was Kaulithah who orchestrated the entire thing." Tauriel began. "She was the one who sent Gildridd to poison me, all so she could have Kili."

Shocked, and quite unable to believe it, Dis looked at Kili for confirmation, her son nodding as he told them everything Kaulithah had spilled to him, including the little tidbit that Gildridd…was Kaulithah's childhood nurse.

Dis's hand flew to her mouth as she looked at the young dam on the ground. She had allowed that little fiend into her families lives. She even pushed her at Fili thinking they would be a good match. Even worse, Dis had been the one to suggest Gildridd to Tauriel, having considered her a gift with all her knowledge of elves, dwarves, and mixed births. Dis could not help but feel she should have known better about things seeming too good to be true. She let her head hang.

"She kissed him too, on the night of his birthday." Fili added in.

"WHAT?! Kaulithah kissed Kili? He is attached?! That…is not done." Dis growled, her brother doing the same thing behind her as he glared darkly at the fallen dam. Shaking her head, Dis was just realizing that she had been putting Kaulithah in the wrong light this entire time.

It is against their ways to seek dwarves who are knowingly attached. Humans may be susceptible to such follies, but, among the dwarven people it is just not done. Once a dwarf creates an attachment to another, that is it, and unattached dwarves never seek after attached dwarves. This entire thing is becoming a mess of unheard-of proportions. Dis peered at the dam in disgust. "That little…kanbûna. (female dog). I will KILL her myself!"

Dis paused then looked at Fili, her brows lowering. "You came to see me, in my room. That, is what you came to tell me isn't it? The look you gave me, when I said to have a seat beside Kaulithah…it was not nervousness, but, revulsion. Oh Fili, I am so sorry. I should have known right then and there something was off." Her entire expression twisted into despair. "My children saw it, before I did. I failed all of you my darlings."

Tauriel turned her eyes to Dis as if knowing her dark thoughts and leaned into her. "I did not see it either, amad. Do not let this burden you."

However, Dis shook her head, taking Tauriel's hand. "That is where you are wrong my dear. The signs were right in-front of me. Fili's disgust with the dam, and the look of discomfort on Kili's face when Kaulithah was nearby. Then there was Gildridd, who INSISTED you were fine, when everything screamed in me that you were not. Yet, where was I when you were suffering the most? How did I not see it? How could I let that, creature, near my daughter and grandchild."

Dis released Tauriel's hand to cup her cheek. "I should have been more cautious, I should have not put my trust into a being I had met only once. I was a fool for handing over one of the most precious things I have, my darling, to a dam who was a stranger to our clan, and to these walls." Dis pulled Tauriel's forehead down to hers, pressing them together gently. "I should have never given her access to you." She felt tears slip from Tauriel's eyes and sat back, wiping them away tenderly with her thumbs.

"I will not forgive myself for quite some time, my darling Tauriel." Tauriel began to speak in protest but Dis shook her head earnestly. "I have a penance to pay, and I will take no arguments for it."

"Dis, even I spoke with Gildridd and approved of her. I think we can safely say we all were fooled one way or another." Naurfaer solemnly added.

"Speakin' o' fooled. I don' know these two dwarves, bu' they wear our garb." It was the captain of the guard who ended the conversation about Gildridd…for the time being.

Kili looked towards Aeodhen who still squatted on the ground. "Kaulithah said they were her personal guards. They somehow got a hold of our armor and were blending in."

Thorin sighed. There was so much going on with the visiting lords…and the ongoing work on the mountain, that it must have been easy for things to slip through the cracks. They had a lot of work to do to fill in the gaps of their mistakes.

"Bleedin' ogre's in Moria. How did I know yeh would be injured? Can yeh go a few months without needin' stitches or a brace?" Kili grumbled when Oin came running down the stairs followed by the rest of the company.

The old healer went directly to where Dis, Kili, and Tauriel sat, then instantly began assessing Kili, and shaking his head at the extent of the damage on the young prince. "Bofur, Bombur, go get somethin' we can use fer a stretcher. Once I get this set, he is not goin' teh be able teh walk. An with tha' shoulder, crutches are out as well." He turned back to Kili, pointed a finger angerly at the young dwarf, and glared. "Bed rest. Bed rest until I die. Then yeh can be someone else's problem."

Kili's eyes went impossibly large and Tauriel could not hold in the chuckle, earning her a look from the angry dwarven healer as well. "Oh, don' yeh be laughin' lass. Yer goin' the be right there beside him. Leavin' bed not day's after nearly dyin' and comin' down here withou' backup. By my beard, the pair of yeh are a trial sen' by Mahal 'imself. I swear it."

With a bit more grumbling, Oin went to work, pushing Dis aside to have better access to his patient. Tauriel wanted to help with Kili but Oin took one look at her pale cheeks and shook his head. He then called Naurfaer, Fili, and Thorin over to hold Kili down in place. "I need to set this leg first. It's gonna hurt lad, but maybe it will serve as a reminder teh stop findin' trouble."

"I didn't! Trouble finds m..OW!" Kili let out an expletive in Khuzdul then sat back against the column still behind him, panting. Dis threw him a disapproving look muttering, "Language", before her eyes softened in sympathy at her son's pain.

Oin looked at the young prince, still trying to catch his breath and gave him a look. "An I have no' even set it yet. Yer goin' to need to lye flat Kili."

With a bit of help from Tauriel and Dis, they were able to shift Kili away from the column enough to lay flat on the stone ground. Tauriel brushed the bangs from his forehead and looked at Oin, knowing what was to come would only cause Kili more pain.

As her system began to calm, and work properly, she could feel a burning sensation in her own shoulder, and an uncomfortable tenderness in her right leg. Her eyes widened when she realized it was her body, echoing Kili's injuries. What kind of connection did they have? Was that what Mahal did? Or, was this the bond her people spoke of when she was an elfling? The merging of minds that comes with true partnership. Nobody ever mentioned such things. They only said you could feel the presence of your mate, feel their emotions, and in some rare occasions, even communicate. But never was it said or even insinuated that you could feel the others pains. When she had more time, she would have to think on it, but right now, she needed to push the pain away and focus. If it hurts now, it will not be pleasant, even for her, when they set that.

Echoing her thoughts, Oin began giving out orders. "Hold him lads, this is no' goin' the be pleasant. Be mindful of tha' shoulder Fili."

Fili looked at his brother and switched sides with Tauriel, so he had somewhere to old that would bring less pain to his brother. He watched as Tauriel leaned in and rested her forehead against Kili's temple, whispering words of love and encouragement. He gave her a concerned look when he noticed she seemed to be bracing herself for something, but he brushed it off and focused on Kili.

Oin gave them each a nod and without much more warning, forced the bone in the young prince's leg back into place. Kili immediately screamed, attempting to jerk away causing the three around him to tighten their hold, then he passed out. "Tha' is for the best. Might as well set that shoulder while 'e is out too."

Oin expertly guided the joint back into the socket while Fili moved to keep his leg steady. The golden haired prince did not miss the sweat falling down Tauriel's forehead, or the flushed look. Fili was about to ask, but she shook her head when he caught her eye, mouthing she was fine. He will be making sure his little sister gets right into bed, she looked as bad as Kili, in fact, Fili was surprised she had not passed out herself.

They finished just as Bofur and Bombur came down the stairs with a make-shift stretcher. They loaded Kili onto it and began the trek up the stairs to the royal wing. Oin thought it best to keep them there, as both Kili and Tauriel would be more comfortable in their own bed as they recovered. It was also much more secure, and had a kitchen. He would bring whatever he needed to their chambers.

Tauriel was feeling better now that Kili was stable…or maybe it was because he was unconscious, even the odd phantom pain in her leg and shoulder had dissipated. Odd. As she looked to the stairs, she was torn between staying to speak to Thorin and following after Kili. She wanted to take responsibility for the two felled dwarven guards. It would not look good for her if she just left, and she would be a fool to think there would be no repercussions for her actions.

Dis, however, made the decision for her and took her hand, guiding her up the steps. On her way by, Thorin stopped her, placing a hand on her arm and telling her he will speak to her later.

They passed Leotti, Tauriel smiling warmly as her little friend was being rocked gently by Ori. Ori gave Tauriel a smile, but it was wiped from his face when Tauriel leaned over and whispered, "I am very fond of you Ori and consider you a dear friend. But…hurt her, and I will put an arrow between your eyes."

Dis laughed at Ori's look of panic and Naurfaer gave his granddaughter a push forward. "Start walking or I will put an arrow in your foot, and carry you myself. I will like to see you try and escape your rooms again when I am done setting things up." He lifted the bow she had discarded earlier and slid an arrow from the quiver at her hip for good measure.

Legolas had difficulty keeping a smile from forming at Tauriel's gaping mouth. He WAS going to return to Mirkwood in the morning, but could not stop the temptation to put his journey off for a few more days, for entertainment purposes. He knew he could not though, as his father was expecting him back expediently, with a full report on Tauriel's health.

Though he watched his family leave, Thorin stayed behind for a moment, Fili also stopping at the stairs as he waited for his uncle who had turned to the captain of the guard. "Aeodhen. Put Kaulithah in the cell and give Gildridd supplies to fix her up. If she cares for the lass so much, she can heal her herself."

Aeodhen called forward a few guards that had come down to help, then ordered them to grab the still unconscious dam, and take her to the cell. Aeodhen too moved to follow, but as he was about to pass, Fili stopped him. "Wait!" Aeodhen stopped, as did the guards, and they all waited.

Fili turned to his uncle, giving him a pleading look. "Viltarra did nothing. She is completely innocent. Let her go. Please uncle. She should not be in there another moment."

"Are we sure she had nothing to do with this? She had the flowers Fili. Until this is finished, I do not think that would be a wise decision."

Fili, however, disagreed. "She was the one to help us find Tilny and Birkin, uncle, and I know she had nothing to do with Tauriel, because without Viltarra telling me to go after her, Tauriel would be dead right now. If she was in on it, she would have kept her mouth shut and let it happen, instead, she frantically sought me out to help. It was Viltarra who was the one to really save Tauriel's life. As for the flower, she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, she did not know it would harm anyone, least of all Tauriel."

When Thorin continued to hesitate, Fili added, "You know I love Tauriel as my own blood, and Kili means everything to me. If I had any, ANY inclination Viltarra had something to do with this, I would say nothing. You know it."

Thorin sighed and rubbed his temples in thought, then gave Fili a nod and turned to Aeodhen. "Release the baker's daughter." Aeodhen gave a bow, then turned back to the guards, signaled them to move on, and they continued on their way.

Fili was about to follow Aeodhen, but Thorin grabbed his shoulder and stopped him. "No Fili, you will stay with your brother and sister. There are too many shadows in this mountain for my liking right now. Until we know for certain we have everyone who is behind this, I want the family to stay in the royal wing. Come Fili." Fili tried to protest but Thorin refused to budge on the matter, so he was forced to follow his uncle up through the halls and into the family's personal part of the mountain.

Viltarra lifted her head when she heard a series of footsteps come towards the cells once more. She stood from her stone, looking for a head of golden hair, but it was the same dwarf that sent her down here, Aeodhen, the captain of the guard. He was followed by two guards who were dragging a dam with curly brunette hair…Kaulithah! Mahal, what was she being put in here for?

"OH! My little child. Wha' 'ave yeh done to 'er?" Gildridd stormed over to the cell door as they opened it and she pulled Kaulithah into her arms, setting her on the ground.

"King said if yeh want her 'elped, you do it." Aeodhen passed a small bag of things she could use and Gildridd grabbed it from his hand and turned her attention to the injured dam.

The old dam stroked Kaulithah's hair tenderly. "Gilly is here love. Yeh will be fine."

Viltarra watched the scene in shock. If the old healer knew Kaulithah…did that mean the daughter of a Lord was in on it? This was really becoming far more complicated than Viltarra could take. Her mind just could not fathom why Kaulithah would wish to be part of something so…horrible.

Then, Viltarra remembered the jealous looks Kaulithah would give, and her attachment to Kili. That, combined with everything Gildridd had said, all came together. She hoped it was done and over with now, and she could not help but turn her eyes to Aeodhen, wondering what was to happen to her.

Aeodhen gave the pair of dams on the ground one last look and turned to Viltarra, seeing the question in her eyes. "Come lass. Yeh are free teh go. I'll take yeh to yer parents." He waited by the door as Viltarra passed the healer tending Kaulithah.

Before Viltarra reached the door, however, she stopped to say something, but the words could not come out. Instead, she silently passed and allowed herself to be escorted to the chambers her family resided in. There was a guard at the door but Aeodhen dismissed him. "They are cleared. Yer released fer the night." The guard nodded at Aeodhen and left down the hallway.

Viltarra opened the door and stepped in, allowing room for the guard captain to follow inside behind her.

"VILTARRA!" Tarrah ran to her daughter, grasping at her hair, cheeks, and hands as she checked Viltarra over before wrapping her in her arms, the young dam willingly going.

Vin too walked over to pull them both into his own arms, kissing Viltarra's thick waves as he pulled her close. The baker looked at Aeodhen over his wife's and daughter's heads, but the captain simply watched, his eyes boring into the scene as if he needed a final reassurance nothing untoward was going on.

Sighing, Aeodhen turned towards the door, though he stopped and glanced back at the family. "The king freed 'er, He may wish teh question yeh, so I would no' be leavin' the mountain jus' yet. However, yeh are okay teh open yer shop in the mornin'." Aeodhen turned to the younger dam, giving her a pointed look. "Lass, no more morning glories ya?" Viltarra nodded and Aeodhen walked out.

"I think you need a warm bath. Come my little gem. I will draw you one." Tarrah guided her daughter out of the sitting room and into the hall.

Remaining behind, Vin sat heavily in one of the large chairs after watching them go. He and Tarrah had hoped Viltarra would find roots here in the mountain, but he is not sure if his daughter would wish to remain after being thrust into a cell. It is not as if they were impervious to such speculation. He has had his fair share of city and townspeople jumping to conclusions about them, or him or his family being finger pointed at in the many places they set up shop for the first time.

Vin sighed. Being on the move as they were, meant you were always the new faces in town. It made it easy for the people in the cities to point to them first when something suspicious was happening, or a crime was committed. But never has it came to any of his family being put in a cell. He looked down the hallway from where he sat. If Viltarra wished to leave, he would not question her.

Tauriel adjusted a pillow under Kili's splinted leg. He had woken a little after being placed in bed, most likely from the jostling. He watched her from his place perched against some pillows, his arm slung across his chest. He did not move, flinch, or make a sound despite the amount of pain she knew he was in.

Instead, when she was finished, he just watched and waited patiently for her to join him at the head of the bed, which she did happily, laying on her side and taking his good hand in her own and lifting it to her eyes.

That, was where Tauriel sat for quite a bit of time, contently humming as she inspected his fingers, which were so much larger than hers. Kili should really be more careful with his right side. First that poor leg shot with a morgul arrow, now broken with a dislocated shoulder on the same side.

At least she can still lay beside him on his left side without causing him further discomfort. She had already been starved of her Kili for the last month, she does not think she could handle being unable to touch him for another day. So, she was happy to lay here, with his hand in hers, as she hummed a song from her childhood.

"How do you do it?" Tauriel lifted her eyes, raising a brow at her husband who looked adorably frustrated with his glaring eyes, propped up bare foot, and arm strapped to his naked chest. It was a sight to behold, and for some reason, made him look impossibly young.

Not answering immediately, Tauriel instead lay her head on his good shoulder, and traced a finger along the soft hairs on his chest. Finally, as if sensing his apprehensiveness, Tauriel sought out further clarification, though she had an idea of what he was asking. "And what would that be meleth nin? You must be specific."

Kili huffed and stared at her for a moment, looking even more frustrated. Tauriel chuckled as she reached her hand up to try and smooth the tension away in his brow. "If you keep your face like that, it will get stuck, and then you will match Mr. Dwalin." She was hoping for a laugh, but Kili gave none, so she sighed and waited, tracing elven and dwarvish patterns on his chest, while resuming her humming.

"That." Tauriel looked up again. "You are just, sitting there, looking to all of Erebor the picture of calm and domestic. Like it was some, lazy morning, and you have not nearly died in the last week, like your family didn't abandon you, like another dam's lips were not on your husbands. How are you so calm?"

Without pausing her ministrations, Tauriel answered in a firm, but even, tone. "You are quite mistaken Kili. I am rather furious, but not at what you think. Do not assume just because I am resting here beside you, that I have any less desire to take a bow and kill every, single, being responsible for the pains and sufferings they caused this last month. I am considering how to ask Thorin and Aeodhen for a detailed list."

Still, Kili said nothing, his eyes now facing forward. Tauriel sighed and sat up and turned towards him, tucking her legs under her as she did, which proved just a bit difficult as her body was still stiff and weak. "Kili, answer me this. IF you had any inkling I was in danger, what would you have done?"

Kili snapped his eyes to her. "I would have been beside you in an instant. I would have done whatever it took to protect you and our son, even it if meant carrying you away from here. Instead, I went mee…" A hand covered his mouth and Tauriel gave him a brow raised look again, causing him to quiet.

"Do you doubt Dis, Fili, or Thorin would have done differently?" With the hand still on his lips, Kili simply shook his head after a moment and Tauriel removed her hand. "Now. About that kiss." Kili's eyes fell but Tauriel placed a finger under his chin and lifted his head to look back at her, his brown eyes falling into her green ones. "Did you kiss her back?"

Kili gaped at her. "WHAT!? NO! It was…awful…and wrong. Nobody has the right to do that but you. She was lucky I only shoved her to the ground."

"She was lucky I did not have a blade on me, or a bow." Tauriel added as Kili chuckled. "There is my Kili." She leaned in and hummed, when Kili's lips began to expand in a trace of a smile.

"Here is your Kili." Kili pulled her hand to his heart. "Only your Kili."

"Only your Tauriel." She quietly responded before placing her lips on his, being mindful of the arm on his chest. She pulled away and gave him a smile. "We made mistakes these last few months, Kili. All of us. We can sit here and wallow in our regrets, dissect every choice with its consequence, and spend years pondering 'ifs' but the past will not change. We cannot rewrite what has already been written, meleth nin. It is what it is."

Kili scrunched his nose, then lifted his brow. "Uh, not exactly true love. Didn't we re-write our deaths not even a year ago?"

Tauriel rolled her eyes, then pointed at Kili. "That was different, and you know it. I doubt Manwe or Aule would consider this a necessary use of their abilities." She deadpanned.

Kili hummed in agreement. "I know you are right amralime, I just, cannot find the strength to be happy knowing everything that has happened, did so right under my nose."

Tauriel was about to respond but her son gave a substantial kick, so she placed her hand over him, then looked up at Kili who had his eyes where her hand lay. With her free hand, she reached over and placed his own large hand over the swell. "Sometimes, we must dive deep to find the strength, Kili, to let go of the hurt and pain others cause. We have much to be happy for. We are alive. We are together. Our son grows strong and healthy in spite of what was done to him, we have our family together, and this mountain. Do not let your thoughts dwell in darkness any further, it will only cause you unnecessary pain. But, if you cannot, know this; I love you Kili, with all that I am. I will be your strength, for I shall never leave your side in this life, or the next."

After placing a tender kiss on his jaw, Tauriel leaned away. Kili gave her a smile and went to reach for her, but Tauriel sat back and began crawling out of bed, causing him to pout. "What happened to not leaving my side?"

Tauriel laughed and continued to move away from the bed. "One, I have a gift I forgot to give you for your birthday. Two, your son gave another kick to my bladder, and if I do not make it to the washroom soon, it will not end well."

Kili laughed and waived her off. Waiting anxiously for her return moments later. When she did, he watched as she kneeled beside the bed, only to reemerge with a large box in her hands which he curiously followed with his eyes as she placed it on the bed. She sat beside it and placed a hand on the box, looking at Kili with a spark of excitement in her emerald eyes. "I am afraid this will do you no good until both that leg and shoulder are mended, but, I still want you to have it. Happy birthday, meleth nin, my Kili."

Tauriel slid the box over to him, then helped him remove the lid and look inside. His eyes went wide and filled with tears. "Oh, Tauriel. How?!"

Tauriel smiled. "We are on good terms with Mirkwood now. I sent Kaw with a written…request…to Legolas. It was his first time sending a message and I was not sure if it would work, but he came back with a reply. Then on the next trade cart, they had this."

Kili pulled his beloved bow from the box, it had been cleaned and polished, but looked exactly as he had left it otherwise. "Thank you, amralime. This is, I cannot find words."

"Just wait until Fili sees his knives again. I am saving those for yule. They actually sent everyone's things along with it, so the company is in quite a surprise during the holidays." Kili let out another laugh and Tauriel took the box and his bow off the bed just as a knock sounded on the door.

"Did my ears deceive me, or did you say my name?" As if summoned, Fili stood with a tray of food.

"You will just need to wait and see." Tauriel hid Kili's bow as Fili came in. If he saw it, he would be suspicious, and she wanted to keep his knives a special secret. She almost ran to the wardrobe and gave the box of daggers to him however, when the smell of butter cake hit her senses. How she loved her brother.

Fili saw her come towards the tray with an animalistic prowl and immediately pulled it away from her. "On the bed with you. You're not supposed to be up and around." Tauriel huffed but listened while Fili turned to his brother. "Now. Can you feed yourself Kili, or do I need to get a spoon and a bib?"

Kili glared at his brother before rolling his eyes. "Very funny, Fi. I am quite capable with this hand, give me a knife and I can prove it to you." Kili lifted his left hand, sending a rude gesture to his brother.

Fili tsked. "Is that any way to treat the one who spent the last hour slaving in the kitchen?"

Kili smirked. "You know mam would have done it, but we appreciate it all the same." He gave Fili a grateful nod, then gestured to the chair. "Now, sit and fill us in on what is going on! Nobody has come in here since they brought me in."

Fili gave Kili a tray after Tauriel helped him sit up a little higher. He winced when he was moved, but settled comfortably against the pillows. As soon as the tray was on his lap, he began eating with relish.

Tauriel too sat down, attacking the butter cake before even starting her lamb and potatoes. She did pass Fili a piece of cake as he ignored the chair Kili had gestured to earlier, and instead sat on the end of the bed.

"Thanks, little sister." Fili downed the butter cake and wiped the crumbs from his lap as he started filling them in. "Not much really has happened. Thorin is speaking to Aeodhen, Naurfaer, and Nori about a schedule for guarding the wing. I have been reminded about six times I am not allowed to leave."

Fili took a bite of another piece of cake Tauriel pushed towards him. "Oh. By the way. Naurfaer has somehow secured ravens to watch the windows. Something about making sure you don't climb out of them. Don't be surprised if you see a few on your veranda." Tauriel stared at Fili who pointed to her tray. "Less staring, more eating. If I have to feed you personally to fatten you up, I will."

Tauriel rolled her eyes and took a few large bites before looking at Fili to inquire about her friend. "What about Viltarra?" She watched as Fili looked to the floor.

The sigh that left him, was tinged with sadness, though Fili managed to keep his expression neutral…for now. "I got Thorin to agree to let her out, but he doesn't think she is completely innocent since she had the flowers." He lifted his eyes to Tauriel when she lowered her brows at Fili.

Tauriel was surprised, though, she was not accusing in any way as she asked for clarification. "She had morning glories?"

There was a loud sigh as Fili stared across the room, his head gave a curt nod and the room fell silent.

"It was not her." Fili's eyes shot up to Tauriel who was smiling kindly at him. "I know Viltarra, she is my friend. She would not hurt me. I do not doubt her cheese buns were what kept me from succumbing sooner. They were the only things in a month I could keep down. I was surviving off her family's baked goods and kindness. Plus, I was alone with her constantly. If she wished to do me harm, she would have. Though, why she had those flowers I do not know, but I in no way believe they were for nefarious reasons."

Tauriel watched Fili's reaction closely. "Have you told her how you felt dear brother?" Fili nodded and fell back on the bed, Kili hissing when he narrowly missed his elevated leg.

Kili placed his now empty tray beside him and allowed his eyes to fall on his brother. "Have you spoken to mam or Thorin about her? How you feel about her that is?"

"Did you speak to Thorin about Tauriel?" Fili snickered back immediately.

Kili rolled his eyes. "That was completely different. Before Valinor, Thorin would have forbidden any connection to Tauriel and probably would have killed her. At least Viltarra is a dam."

"And what is wrong with being an elf?" Tauriel narrowed her eyes at her husband, her brow lifted in a challenging expression.

Kili gaped at his wife who was now glaring at him. "Nothing amralime, nothing at all."

"Smooth Ki. You are lucky she has already married you." Fili smirked.

Kili smiled widely in response, turning his warm, brown, eyes, to his wife whose expression was now filled with amusement and adoration. "Lucky indeed."

Tauriel then turned her attention to her brother. "What did Viltarra say? When you told her, that is." Fili remained silent and Tauriel moved the tray and crawled to lean over him, her braids falling on either side of her face. Fili refused to meet her eyes. "Oh Fili, I am sorry."

Kili looked from his wife, to Fili. "What…did she deny you Fi."

Tauriel had to jump back as Fili sat up and moved to leave, but her hand was faster and she grabbed Fili by the sleeve and pulled him into a hug. "Do not give up Fili. I know she cares for you, give her time."

Tauriel felt Fili nod as he pulled back and left the room. "I have never seen him like that." Kili stated from the bed. "So…upset over a dam before."

Tauriel continued to stare at the door that Fili left out of. She thought for a moment and rested her hand on her stomach before putting words to her thoughts. "I think she is his one."

Original Authors Note: Well there you have it. Who done it? Kaulithah. What is going to happen with Viltarra? Stay tuned for the trial, a bit more family drama,…then let's get that baby born ya? Woohoo! Three more chapters in ACT I to go. I really should start ACT II.