Authors Note: Thank you for the Birthday Wishes CrowThoughts and DocNikki! It was an amazing day.
As for the timeline, that one I can answer DocNikki! ACT V is about 40 years before the Fellowship of the Ring. I am trying to keep this as close to the timeline as possible. ACT V takes place in 2961-2962 and Bilbo's 111th birthday in the Fellowship of the Ring is in 3001, so we got a good 40 years to go. At this point, Gimli is of age. Frodo was born in 2958 so that makes him Vilia's age lol. Little toddler Frodo sounds adorable. Dealing with time is definitely a challenge, but I am trying to keep things close to the established timeline.
OHHHHHHH. So I don't forget…there are trigger warnings eventually. So pay attention for those. They are a long way out, but I wanted to warn ya'll early, no visualizations or anything, but there is MENTION of S.A. Mention only. As in relaying an experience. I know that can be sensitive to some readers so I wanted there to be ample warning it does get mentioned in ACT V. Again, don't stress it will be a few chapters before we get there. I don't remember how many so don't ask me. LOLS. I'm special I know. But I will put a warning on the chapter heading when it is brought up.
This one was out quick because it is pretty short…relatively speaking. Just over 8,000 words, so two chapters in two days. You're welcome. 😊
Chapter Six
Kili brushed the perspiration from his brow as he left the training ring hours later. There was a special kind of pride he felt when he trained his sons, a pride he never knew even existed. He smiled wide at his eldest who was talking animatedly to him about how he plans on getting Master Dwalin the next time he is able to properly challenge him. Kili had to laugh brightly, seeing so much of himself in his eldest, as he quite recalls saying something rather similar; he failed miserably until his 70's.
At the moment, Finli was far deeper in training then Naufi and Orin who still have another year before they are able to move past rudimentary calisthenics. The twins are simply learning to hone their muscles and learn how their bodies work, as they are not yet allowed to advance quite yet because of their age. Though all of Kili and Tauriel's children have been working with bows since they were five so they are, in many ways, ahead of even some of the elder dwarves in that manner, they still were not allowed to touch sharpened weapons without strict supervision.
At nearing twenty, Finli has also taken on some heavier blunted training weapons...though not so heavy as a greatsword, warhammer, or battle-axe. They don't start those until they are forty and have the strength to wield such weaponry without causing damage to themselves. Tauriel, too, preferred their children work only with lighter weapons until both she and Kili agree they are ready for more.
"It is far more important for them to learn to move first." Tauriel would say as she took all the children to the greenroom. There, she taught her children how to use their movement to their benefit as they climbed the large indoor trees that were in no way similar to the trees of Mirkwood Tauriel ran through...but they offered branches to climb which the children loved. Even Kilion could pull himself up and would settle in his mother's lap as she told them stories in Sindarin...which she insisted they all learn.
Fili too thought it was essential his children know the elven tongue, so even his daughters learned Sindarin. Viltarra was also picking it up, slowly. She could understand it better than she could speak it...but Tauriel praised her constantly on her pronunciation.
In fact, it was not just the royal younglings wanting to learn the language. Gronti's sons both begged Tauriel to teach them when they heard their friends were learning. Then Aeodhen came somewhat grudgingly with his children and quietly relayed they would all like to learn. Apparently, it had been Shaada's idea even Aeodhen learn some Sindarin since he was captain of the guard, and it was, according to her, important he properly respect those we are aligned with by learning their languages.
Tauriel smiled, knowing her friend well and knowing how much Aeodhen has changed since she met him in that courtyard where he was ready to kill her for nothing more than the heiness crim of being an elf. Yet now, twenty years later, he was, though somewhat reluctantly, requesting to learn her language.
He was not the only one either, and Tauriel quickly found she was in need of a proper place to teach as well as some back up. Balin had said in the early days, dwarves made it a practice to learn elvish for many reasons; trade, traveling, and later on, war. It was widely practiced for all dwarflings to take the language when Moria was the ruling nation of the dwarves, as they were close allies with the elves before the great falling out.
For whatever reason, the practice slowly died out over the ages, and Balin said he doubts many, if any, dwarves among the kingdom know much of the elven dialects at this time. But he too thought it would be good with their alliance, to rebuild the practice of learning languages as they once had.
Thus, after speaking to Dis and the other instructors, it was decided a class be taught in the school for any in Erebor wishing to learn. There were a few, but Tauriel guessed her class will consist mostly of her children, and the other dwarflings with a smattering of elders mostly required by Aeodhen who stated rather grumpily, "If I got ta learn, I am makin' others do it with me."
With being a mother of a two-month-old, covertly preparing for a journey she knew nothing about, training a team on the guards, and helping Fili in the forge...Tauriel was unsure how she could juggle a class four times a week but she did not need to worry much on it after relaying her worries to Naurfaer. "Speak no more, starlight." Naurfaer had said when she approached him. "Let me help. I would love nothing more than teaching our language."
So lessons began and what Tauriel quickly found, is she loved instructing the dwarflings far more than she thought she would. Make no mistake, she adored teaching her own children, including Fili's. But she was unsure how much she would like teaching a class of both children and adults in something other than fighting. But she truly enjoyed it.
Now as much as she loved teaching, there was nothing Tauriel enjoyed more, however, then spending time with her children; especially as they ran barefoot through the trickling stream and grasses of the massive indoor greenroom. More often than not, Dissah and Karra would also join their cousins as they ran and climbed the indoor trees...all laughing merrily as the workers of the greenroom watched the happy dwarflings play.
It amazed Kili how his wife could do so much, but still make time for even him. He constantly monitored her, making sure she was not overdoing it...but Tauriel seemed to be resilient and able to handle whatever she took on while also making sure she excused herself when she needed a break; he was so proud of her, and even prouder to be the one she goes to when she was feeling overwhelmed. It was rare, but it happened. He would never take her trust in him for granted.
Speaking of his wife, Kili paused before their private garden they had made Viltarra and Tauriel, hearing soft singing coming from the open door.
"Hey Fin, why don't you go up and get changed, I need to speak with your mother. Your nan should be starting dinner...she's making your mother's favorite tonight. Why don't you help her and maybe make sure your brothers are keeping their fingers out of the sweet drawer." Kili pushed his son in the direction of the golden floored throne room even before Finli nodded to his father.
"Okay da." Finli smiled wide and proceeded through the massive double doors and Kili watched him go then went across the hall to the glass enclosed gardens. He followed the sweet voice of his wife to a large willow tree which was the centerpiece of the private garden.
It was a sizable garden as well, and had several paths leading to areas dedicated to flowers, herbs, and even harvestable foods like berry bushes and some fruit trees. It was in no way as large as the greenroom, but it had more than enough space to plant whatever the family wanted.
It was also a personal getaway for both Tauriel and Viltarra, who used the garden to escape the rigorous responsibilities they both held. Even the children knew this was a place for peace and though they run and play in the green room, the garden room was for quiet reflection and lowered voices.
"Again she fled, but swift he came.
Tinúviel! Tinúviel!
He called her by her elvish name,
And there she halted listening.
One moment stood she, and a spell
His voice laid on her: Beren came,
And doom fell on Tinúviel
That in his arms lay glistening."
Kili listened to the song that by now, he knew almost by heart. Of course, she sang it in Sindarin, but after twenty years, Kili's mind translated the elven language as instantly as it translated khuzdul and common.
The tale of Luthien and Beren was...to Kili, far too depressing. It was Tauriel's favorite story and one she says reminds her just a bit of the two of them. Though, she really did not think herself to be in any way alike Luthien who was considered beautiful beyond measure.
"I disagree." Kili would tell her time and time again, leaning in as he cupped her face in his hands. He knew she didn't see what he saw in her, and he made it his personal mission after their chat a month ago to try and get her to see her own beauty. "I find you to be the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld, my Tauriel. Do not compare yourself to others, my love. Everyone judges beauty to their own standards." He would then press his lips to hers and would spend the next several hours showing her just how beautiful he thought she was.
For another thing, Beren was human...just a man. Tauriel even said that according to the stories and their records, he died at only 71 years old. To a dwarf, that is still considered underage. Now Kili would never be the kind of dwarf who would even consider looking down on other races, and he doesn't necessarily think their race was superior to mans...but they did live much longer, five times the life of man in their family's case.
Dwarves also had several enhanced senses over humans, and were even able to manipulate the earth in a way no other in middle earth could. Though that does not make them better, it does give them a bit of an advantage over the short-lived humans. It was odd, comparing himself to a human man…dwarves and humans were so different in many ways…just like they were very different if not polar opposites to elves.
Kili remembers, before he and Tauriel were wed, having some worries about their ability to...come together. They were, in essence, completely different species. Elves were created by Illuvatar, who also created the other races of middle earth including man and even the halflings.
But dwarves, they were solely created by another maker, Aule; Iluvatar only stepped in to breathe life into them and did not lift a finger to alter them in any way, so their design was Aule's alone. They were built different in so many ways, and from what he has learned from healers, even their anatomy was quite a bit dissimilar to humans and elves. None of this concerned Kili in his youth growing up solely around his people in Ered Luin, but then, he was sitting at a table in Rivendell among his company, and he could not take his eyes off the elves around him.
Kili admits now, that before he met Tauriel that first time in the elven city, he did flirt with that she-elf who rather quickly fluffed him off. But he felt something inside him, almost like a connection to the elves around him. Of course, he kept it to himself, because, well, he really did not have any desire for his uncle to either kill him, or castrate him. It would be one of the two for certain in that first life.
Then, Tauriel slid into his world and it took one moment locking eyes with her to realize, he needed her. Mahal, he wanted her when she slammed that cell door in his face when he told her to search his trousers, and fiery forge of the maker, did she give back mercilessly.
Kili paused in thought then smiled lecherously. He told her to search his trousers a few nights ago...and that led to a vastly different ending. But he digresses. It was really that first moment, in that cell, when he began to ponder about just how different they were. For three weeks, he spoke with her, laughed with her, and got to know her. For three weeks, he yearned for her to get closer and closer.
He was also in want for the very cold showers they were allowed twice per week in Thranduil's care. Not once, was Tauriel ever part of the elves who took them in pairs to the community water-falls turned into bathing stalls...those were all male elves Kili quickly learned. But if she was, Kili dreamed about taking her by the hand, and pulling her into the shadows as he pressed her up against the wall and showed her just what he had in his trousers.
Mahal, he was a savage. Kili laughed at the memory. He was young, and he supposes, in desperate need of relief...which...ya...nevermind. Kili rubbed the back of his head not at all wanting to think on that. He did, though, think about whether or not they could even...do anything together.
Kili never once saw a pregnant elf despite being in Rivendell for two weeks, so maybe elven young grew from the ground for all he knew. He hadn't even seen couples holding hands in Rivendell, nor any children...so maybe they didn't have relationships or partners...maybe they just...popped into existence or came by boat like the stories claim the wizards did. What did he know? It was not as if they were taught elven anatomy or any such classes in his tutoring, thus all he had to go off of, was what he experienced...and it was not looking good for the young prince.
Kili really did not get far with her that first life anyway. Once Bilbo got them out, he was shot then it was a downward spiral to his near death when the being who plagued his mind came to save his life. She then stayed...which was a huge surprise to him, but a good one. Kili remembers how uncomfortable she was for several days, before she finally relaxed and would speak with Oin, Bofur, Fili, and himself.
When Smaug came, they were forced to the shores and Kili wanted to get on his knees to beg her to come with him. Oh, blessed maker, he knew he loved her at that point. He hardly knew her, really, but what he felt, could be nothing else but true and ardent love.
It was not meant to be though, not then, as Tauriel for whatever reason, chose to follow Legolas. Kili scrunched his nose, he still hated that memory. He also has never asked her why she chose to follow Legolas, and wondered for the first time, if she had even the slightest inclination to follow Kili to Erebor. He will definitely have to ask her now.
"Long was the way that fate them bore,
O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of iron and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.
The Sundering Seas between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless."
Kili listened still watching unseen. Luthien and Beren is a story of love, and death. So was his. Kili can't fully recall what was going through his mind when he reached Erebor that first time. He felt, betrayed by his uncle who barely gave him even a passing glance when he entered the mountain. All he did, was pat him on the shoulder before he ordered them all to search for the Arkenstone. His uncle. The dwarf who raised him. The dwarf who was his father in every way that mattered. The dwarf who nursed him to life when his mother was lost to grief over losing Kili's true father. The only father Kili knew, leaving him to die alone. Abandoned, betrayed, unimportant...all things Kili felt keenly when Thorin left him for dead then said nothing when Kili miraculously returned to Erebor healed. But Thorin, was not Thorin, he was cursed by the Arkenstone.
A shiver ran down Kili's spine at the thought of the stone which very well could of destroyed them, if Azog had not. But Azog did, Kili looked down and pressed his hand to his breastbone. Dwarven hearts, were in a slightly different place than a humans, but Bolg seemed to know precisely where it beat, and Kili can still feel the shadow of pain filling him when Bolg's weapon pierced his chest. He can also still see his brother falling to the snow below him, and his Tauriel, being thrown against the stone wall.
What was even more painful, was the look in Tauriel's eyes when she realized she was going to lose him. All Kili could see, was her, and all he could think, was how much he wished he could apologize and take her into his arms. Her pained expression was the last thing he saw in his first life, and he will never forget it, even if he lives to be five hundred.
This second life though, this was been nothing but a gift. After Valinor, when Tauriel came to Ered Luin, Kili was right back to how he had been in the prisons of Mirkwood. He desired her and it was torture of the purest form, to sleep so near to her and hold himself back from stealing her virtue. Fili be dammed, Kili could find places in his home where they could run off for enough time to pull Tauriel apart layer by layer until he pushed her over the edge.
But he STILL did not know if they could even do that. He was not so childish to attempt to get a peek under her dress, which meant he was unsure of whether she had the same kind of parts the other dams had…not that he had ever seen an unclothed dam himself. But he did have lessons with tutors and his uncle sat him down to give him the talk to inform him that he was, under no circumstances, to go and…what was his uncle's words? 'Scatter his seeds among the uncultivated lands.' His mam needed to translate that one for him to which she stated that there were consequences to having relations with a dam that Kili was much too young to handle, and it was important he learned the importance of abstaining from such relations until he was older and could support said consequences.
Kili really never had a problem with it though, as he never felt such attractions to dams. He thought himself an oddity, but then he found the reason was, his soulmate was not a dam, but an elf…and yet again, he knew nothing about elves.
So Kili was left with two choices, either he could hope to get a glimpse of his soulmate in a state of undress while waiting for possibly, a very awkward wedding night sometime in the unseen future since he had yet to even propose at that time...or he could do the mature thing and talk to her.
Kili would never call himself the mature type though, and resolved himself to wait until their wedding night that could just be, a regular night for him. He cared about and looked forward to the idea of physical intimacy, but not enough to not be tied to this, goddess, if they just were not compatible in that way. He would resolve to a life of celibacy to be with Tauriel if it came to that; he loved her that much.
However, Kili was rather spared from his troubles on the topic as it was Tauriel who approached him about it. Or rather, she had questions of her own. It was embarrassing at first, and Kili had stuttered more than one apology when he realized the nature of the questions came because of their sleeping arrangements and Kili's physical reaction to being in bed with the object of his affections.
Now that, was awkward at first, Kili chuckled. But in the end, he learned that they were not so different after all. Tauriel explained very scientifically how elves mate and bear young, and Kili saw no differences in their own race. Aule did, after all, want to make creations in the likeness of Iluvatar's; which is why though they were a shorter race, they still walked, talked, ate, and apparently, reproduced like the other races of middle earth.
Truthfully, Kili was glad she was being so clinical about it, as he doesn't think he could hold himself back from her if she had spoken to him about it in any other way. He really was a savage. Is, Kili thought in an annoyed tone as he adjusted his trousers. This was neither the time, nor the place for that. His wife needs comfort today, not to be ravished thoroughly.
Kili shook his head as he thought sadly about the tears that filled Tauriel's eyes when she had become emotional about children with Kili. They sat, quietly pondering on several occasions of whether or not they could have children, but Kili would hold her and tell her that he had true faith that if they could not, Manwe and Aule would not have seen them as soulmates. Either that, or they did something to make them compatible when they sent them back. He was convinced they could have children, and if they couldn't...he would love her no matter what.
Now, that was moot point of course. Despite essentially being a different species than him, Tauriel seemed to have zero issues bearing his children, and they were very, very compatible...almost too compatible. Kili laughed to himself as he thought on all five of his children, and wondered just how many more they may have. He is incandescently happy, and he knew she was as well.
Though, Kili also knows that happiness will be dimmed in a few moments, when he tells his beloved Tauriel about Ivethin. He looked back up at the willow whose branches hid his wife from his view. He knew she was up in one of the branches, likely lounging as she nursed Ithtiri. It was her favorite place to be, after all.
It took only a moment for Kili to realize that the song she had been singing, was now nothing more than a soft hum that filled Kili's soul and he silently begged for more time to just, listen to her and stave off the despair he knew would happen.
"Kili?"
Kili sighed; she knew he was there. He knew she would, since he also always knew when she was near...the bond was like a muscle she said to him; the more he used it over his life, the stronger it would get...and it was true. Kili wonders if one day, they could see each others thoughts, but Tauriel seemed to believe that was not how their bond worked.
Then again, Finli had been able to send images to them when he was taken at two years old. Their eldest, had been deeply connected to them for years, and in a way, still was. Tauriel said all of their children will be connected to them in such ways for their entire lives, as they were their children. They just couldn't communicate through the bond as they do when they are infants and send what they need. But, Tauriel said as long as they never sever their connection, it will always be there in a benign way.
That comforted Kili, as he was unsure he could handle losing any connection with his sons, nor his daughter who he knew for a fact, was with his wife because he felt his Ithtiri's calm energy...she was asleep.
So, were he and his wife shadows of the human man Beren and his elven mate Luthien? Certainly not. Did Tauriel give her immortality away for him as Luthien gave up her own? Sure, ya, Kili will admit the similarity there. Also, like Beren, he was mortal, she was immortal, and she chose to use her immortality to give them a second chance of life.
That, to Kili, is where the similarities ended despite what Tauriel likes to believe. He was no Beren, and Tauriel was no Luthien. He was Kili, a dwarven prince, who loved his Tauriel with every fiber of his being both physical and spiritual, and Tauriel, was a warrior whose nature was far closer to the dwarves, then her own people. Even Naurfaer says as such.
But, Tauriel likes to call him her Beren, and thus...he endures it. He really doesn't like it...but for her, he will bear it. He hates being compared to a human man though; he's no human...no offence to the race. The ONE thing Kili does tend to ponder in relation to the story, however, was what Tauriel would have done if she retained her immortality.
Now that, hurt Kili's heart to think about, because he would NEVER let her give it up just to be with him. He would wait...maybe not happily, but he would wait...in his halls until she came to him when she had completed her time in Arda be that however long it would have been.
"Why do you despair, my Kili?" Kili lifted his eyes to look at Tauriel who must have become tired of waiting for him to come to her as she was now standing before him with Ithtiri bundled in her arms fast asleep.
"Just, thinking what it would be like if you were still immortal." Kili sighed as he brushed his hand over her cheek and through her hair that was currently down apart from the four family braids she never took out.
Tauriel laughed, of all things. "Whatever would you waste such energy on something so silly my Kili?"
Kili simply shrugged. "You were singing about Beren and Luthien, and I just had a passing thought, that's all. How are my two favorite ladies today?" Leaning in, Kili brushed his lips over Ithtiri's brow then pulled his wife in for a deeper kiss.
"Very well." Tauriel smiled and pressed her brow to his, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the moment. "We were just taking a moment to ourselves for some quiet solitude."
"Are the twins upstairs?" Kili asked as he pulled her to him and just held her with Ithtiri nestled between them.
Tauriel just hummed a yes enjoying the closeness and the peace her Kili brought to her life. After a few moments, however, she leaned back a bit and eyed him with a quirked brow. "Amad shewed me away and said to go take a break. She also mentioned you would be looking for me later to speak to me. Kili, what is going on? Amad looked as if someone had passed to the great halls beyond this world."
Kili blanched then stepped away and gently took his sleeping daughter from her. He then led his Tauriel to the stone bench he himself had carved; it had their names etched deeply in stone and had been a gift for their last anniversary. There was also a statue he made of his wife with his own hands. It took nearly a year and a half to complete as he had never worked with marble and wanted to learn to do it right.
Tauriel, had been rather embarrassed to have a statue in her likeness. She tried her best to be grateful, but it came across so stiff…Kili had to laugh loudly. He had told her she needed to get used to having statues and paintings done, but the eleth did not feel comfortable around the gift until Fili had unveiled the one he had made of Viltarra, which he had made the same time as Kili so it could be placed across from Tauriel's. Only then, did Tauriel slowly fall in love with it. Kili wasn't offended in the least either, he was happy she accepted it at all.
However, Viltarra…she felt differently. Even after being married to Fili for seventeen years, she still hated being reminded she married royalty…and nothing was a better reminder than her likeness being carved and painted constantly. Kili had to admit, he found his sister rather amusing as she began to plant a particular bush beside her statue that quickly took off. Within a month, the statue was overtaken and Viltarra seemed happier for it. But Fili was not ready to lose to his clever wife, and took it upon himself to personally groom said bush rather often. Even more, he added yet another statue which was slightly larger than the first and placed it directly beside the main walking path so anyone who came in, encountered the statue of Viltarra before seeing anything else.
Though it was a bit more difficult, again, Viltarra endeavored to hide both the large statue, and the smaller one among even more shrubs and bushes…yet the moment they began to grow, in came Fili with a wide grin and sharp pruning shears. It only came to heads when Fili threatened to have a statue commissioned that was so large, it would take a forest to cover.
Throwing her hands up in the air, Viltarra finally just let him be. It was, after all, a private garden so she begged for a compromise…Fili can add whatever he wants here, if he doesn't do so elsewhere in the mountain. It should be noted that Fili never fully agreed to such terms.
Slowly, both Kili and Fili added more pieces in the garden for their wives, and as a result, it was growing quite the collection of benches, planters, and statues of marble, bronze, and stone. This particular bench, though, was Tauriel's favorite, as Kili had engraved significate dates into it with a small explanation of what each was. It had the day she arrived in Ered Luin, the day he proposed to her, their wedding, when she found Kaw, as well as the birth of every one of their children. Kili had done a beautiful job with it, and she was moved to tears whenever she ran her fingers along the words carved into the stone.
Taking a seat, Tauriel waited patiently for her prince to sit beside her and tell her what was going on. She felt the turmoil and anxiety coming off him in waves and it was beginning to worry her deeply. "Just, tell me Kili." She said softly.
Instead of speaking, Kili used the hand not cradling his sleeping daughter to reach into his pocket and pull out the note. He hesitated a moment, then passed it to her and waited.
Tauriel accepted the note immediately, but then just stared at it for several heartbeats. She glanced at Kili whose eyes had not left hers; he looked so sorrowful that Tauriel wished to throw the note into a fire and never read what it says...but she knew she had to.
Gingerly, Tauriel opened the note to see Legolas's neat script. Well, that was one fear resolved...part of her was worried something had happened to her elven brother. But as she read, her heart began to pound and the air was sucked from her lungs. "Ivethin?"
Without warning, Tauriel jumped up and began pacing in front of Kili. "Why would she leave? What was she thinking? I thought Thranduil was sealing the forest and nobody was supposed to leave! She KNEW something was happening in the forest…unless Thranduil is keeping it quiet…no, no, he wouldn't do that." She was talking to herself so fast it took Kili a moment to realize she was speaking in Sindarin which is what she tended to default to when she was worked up. Not to confuse it with her yelling at he or Fili in Khuzdul which she did habitually as well. But Kili knew, when she was truly upset, it was Sindarin she spoke, her native tongue.
"That was why I have not received anything from her in the last several weeks. Kili...I must go to the forest." Tauriel shoved the note in her pocket and made for the path leading to the exit out of her and Viltarra's garden. But before she could take more than a few steps…Tauriel froze. Ever so slowly, she turned with the most devastated expression on her face. Kili remained silent and unmoving knowing every emotion filling her even as they played out through the bond. But it was not just the bond that allowed him to read his wife so well, he also knew her, every part of her, and knew what had her stopping.
With slow and pain-filled steps, Tauriel sat back down beside Kili as she stared at her daughter. "I…I cannot go."
"No." Kili said softly.
"What am I to do, Kili?" Tauriel clasped her hands in her lap; her eyes remained fixed on the sleeping infant who had not even seen three full months in this world. "Ithtiri isn't ready to be separated from me, she won't take the bottle I have been trying to get her to feed from for the times when I cannot be immediately available. And, and I cannot risk taking her to Mirkwood. Not with what is happening."
Ah. The bottle. That was Ithtiri's arch nemesis it appeared, as his tiny daughter went into choking sobs whenever she caught sight of it and refused to latch on. Kili tried to ask his wife why she was insistent on why she try and get their two-month-old to accept a bottle when clearly, she was not having it...especially since it was something they didn't enforce with any other of their children.
But Tauriel remained tight lipped so Kili figured it must have to do with her mysterious preparations he was not so ignorant of. His Tauriel was leaving...but she can't leave with Ithtiri so dependent on her still. "No, no you cannot." Kili sighed, hating how he could not take her pain away. "We are not so free to go storming into the night, amralime as we once were, as much as even I wanted to. Not with the children. We need to make a plan…but…"
"Nothing can be done in a timeline that I will like nor approve of." Tauriel finished, frustrated that she is again, forced to remain behind while someone she cares about is gone. When Kili was taken, Finli was at least on solids though she did nurse him until he was a little over two. Even so, she could not be away from him for more than a day which made searching for Kili, something she had to entrust to others. Her Kili. It was…indescribably painful to be useless. And again, here she was with an infant who needs her near and relies on her fully. Where was Aule with his council? Where was he with his demands of her? She felt so alone in this.
'One must be patient, daughter of the forest. I am still here. The time must be right. It is coming. Continue to ready yourself, you must find a way to soothe your babe. The journey ahead of you is no place for her or any children. You will find a way, for if you do not, many will die. The burden is heavy, daughter of the forest, but the faith we have in you is great. Do not doubt yourself or our support. I will aid as I can, you are not alone.'
Tauriel pressed her hands to her head in frustration, not alone. All she wanted was her Kili, all she wanted was her children. She can't even share this with her one, her mate. This was too much. How can she leave her baby? How can she leave her Kili? But she can't just tell a valar no! And who will die? Does this have to do with her friends? Is she the one to be sent to save them?
Kili continued to simply watch her fall to pieces. What could he say? He did understand her frustration; he liked Ivethin and he knew how much her friendship meant to Tauriel. He would not hesitate to do whatever he could to see her returned safely. But he just cannot think as a reckless young prince anymore, he had a family and there was really no difference between him putting himself in dangerous situations, and Tauriel doing it. They have to be careful or their children won't have parents to come home to. Mahal, who has he become?
Kili scoffed to himself silently; he wonders how his younger self would react to who he was now. He certainly has changed over the years, but he likes to think for the better. Without even being aware, he was already rocking his daughter as she squirmed then went right back to sleep.
"Tauriel, we will think of something." Kili gave her a soft smile. "I give you my word the moment you or I can go to Mirkwood, we will. I wonder when Gandalf will come."
Tauriel felt anger, frustration, and a need for action all compete with the desire to keep her husband and children safe. It was a war of emotions inside of her. She needed answers, but nobody had any...and that, was what made this situation so dangerous. They, were all blind.
"I wish I could have confidence in Mithrandir, but I fear, we are praying for a miracle...yet receiving not but smoke and mirrors." Almost as if she had a spike of energy, Tauriel was once again on her feet, pacing back and forth. "How is it a wizard who is half a world away can give us answers? How is it, we must rely on a stranger to get approval to help? Kaw has not returned, and it has been weeks. Weeks Kili. Where is he?"
Kili knew she was not so concerned about Gandalf, but instead, she missed her raven. But again, he could not console her. "He will be back, and with him, hopefully some answers to aid us. Until then..." Kili stood and handed Ithtiri back to his wife. "We have to do all we can to ensure what is happening in the forest, does not cross our borders without a fight."
"It is getting closer, the darkness Kili." Tauriel's voice was low and dangerous. "The forest weeps in fear and those who strove to protect her, are being held behind the walls of the city for their own protection. I love Erebor, I love her people...but Kili, I am a wood elf, my heart is the forest and to her I owe an allegiance. I must find a way to go to Mirkwood, I have to find a way to help."
"As soon as we can, we will go...together." Kili promised and it was enough for Tauriel for the time being. She knows where her first and foremost responsibilities now lie, and that is with Kili and her children, and that is what is currently keeping her in Erebor, and the only thing keeping her in Erebor.
That evening, and the few to follow, were filled with worry and speculation. Days were passing swiftly yet nobody has any more answers than they had before. The family did the best they could to continue on with their routines but even Dis could see the ware it took on all of them; though most her worry was focused on her elven daughter.
Since Tauriel was teaching lessons in her school, it made it easier for the royal dam to pull the eleth in for tea and lunch...so at least she knew she was eating. Dis had never met Nelithi, but she did know and quite admired Ivethin. She also knew how much Tauriel admired the eleth.
Still, Tauriel seemed mostly herself if not a bit more withdrawn than usual. She was never rude or curt, but instead worked hard to busy herself with her children or her duties. Kili also assured his mother that Tauriel was well enough but he would be the first to inform the family if he had any indication she was declining in health; mentally or physically.
Ithtiri was still not keen on the bottle, but through a miracle, Kili was able to get her to take to one. Soon enough, she was eating from it for Kili alone, a few times a day. It was a great weight off Tauriel's mind, now she just needed to figure out a way to either preserve or find milk for her daughter. Though he still didn't know anything about what Tauriel was preparing for on her own, he did know of her need to go to Mirkwood, and suggested several options for how to keep their daughter fed and Tauriel made notes of all of them and was still working through it. There had to be a way.
Days passed with no news from either Kaw nor Aule. She tried to be herself through her solitary preparations, through her sorrows and fears of what was to come, but it was not easy. Tauriel was strong, but she was not without her limits. However, she found solace from her dark thoughts and anguish within the halls of Erebor. It also helped, that she was able to get many of her frustrations out with her team she still trains each day. Training made even more possible now that Kili can feed Ithtiri as long as she prepared a bottle for him to do so.
"MOVE! YOU MUST MOVE!" Tauriel yelled out to her team who were running drills. "YOUR ENEMY DOES NOT WAIT FOR YOU TO CATCH YOUR BREATH, KLINKUS! MOVE YOUR FEET OR FALL AT THEIRS!"
As soon as she said it, Braundee swept her axe under Klinkus's feet bringing the large dwarf down to the ground. "That would be seven for me." Braundee sneered as she held her hand out to help heft her sizable opponent up.
"An five fer me lass. Don' yeh forget it." Klinkus grunted. He was a good fighter…when he listened.
"Five or seven, it does not matter." Tauriel folded her arms as she looked at her team. "All it takes is one foul move and you will be entering your ancestor's halls." The eleth held out her hands for Klinkus's dual axes, which he reluctantly handed over.
"Position, Braundee." Tauriel ordered and the dam nodded and took her place across from her. "Now watch closely, all of you. You are talented fighters, but you have got to find your movement in battle. You may proceed Braundee as you will."
At first, it looked as if the dam would refuse as she did not do more than ready her weapons and watch Tauriel, however, as soon as she felt she had a decent chance she took it and ran at the eleth who nimbly jumped away. "Every muscle must work like your weapon."
Tauriel was not even out of breath as she spoke and instructed. "Jump, slide, twist, and turn are just as powerful in battle as blade, hammer, bow, and arrow. Your eyes must see everything, and you must predict what your opponent may do and where they may move." Tauriel's emerald eyes didn't blink once as she stared at Braundee and easily met blow for blow.
As they fought, the dozen other dwarves began taking wagers on who would take down who. "Me bets on Braundee. Now she, is a fighter." One of the newer members, Bayur, muttered.
"Naw. I am goin' fer captain Tauri. Ain' many who can get close enough teh bring 'er down. She moves too fast." Dynni replied not taking his eyes off the two fighting females.
Tauriel was enjoying herself as she danced away from yet another good attack from Braundee who moved with ease around her. "Very good!" Tauriel praised when Braundee knocked one of her axes out of her hand. It mattered not though, Tauriel had trained this dam and within a few more moves, Braundee was on her back with her captain standing over her.
"I do not think you could have done better." Tauriel smiled and helped the dam to her feet.
"But I lost." Braundee huffed accepting a bladder of water from Klinkus and taking a long draw from it.
"I personally would not take that as a loss." Tauriel lifted a brow and looked to Fili who came strutting in. "She has had more time to train and practice than anyone in the mountain. She's what…like 1000?"
Tauriel glared at Fili. "I am only six hundred and twenty-three, and if you mean that to be an insult, you ought to rethink your words. Elves, do not take offence with age as it is only a number. But I am not amused with being interrupted."
Fili snorted and leaned in to loudly whisper in her ear. "Tauri, you aren't a normal elf."
"Aye, an we ain't elves either." Klinkus plopped on a stone bench still a deep shade of red from the long training session that seemed to never end. "I make no offence Tauri, bu' we jus' aren' made teh move like yeh want us to."
"Is that so mister Klinkus?" Tauriel asked handing him back his axes while allowing him and the others to take a break. The massive training center was far from empty. In each corner was either a team training under another captain, or individual guards doing their own exercises. Nobody paid any mind to what the other groups were doing, they were focused and tuned into their own activities.
Tauriel found it surprising as she began working regularly with the guards. Dwarves, were even more disciplined than elves when it came to battle techniques. Though some required a bit more…prodding…such as Klinkus, others, like Braundee, Naglur, and Dynni were as focused as any elf in Mirkwood if not more so. Tauriel had not fully expected that, but as soon as she made the realization, she began to expect more and more from her team.
"Aye?" Klinkus responded in question, more afraid she would make him do something to prove her own point if he answered confidently.
Rolling her eyes, Tauriel gestured to the weapons rack. "I believe, I have use for you dear brother." The eleth pulled her own daggers and waited for Fili to catch on…which he did.
The crowned prince ignored the rack, and pulled out his own axe, followed by a large dagger from…wherever he kept it hidden on his person. "Perfect. I need this today." He grinned, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "First one down loses?" Fili asked.
Tauriel nodded as she flipped her blades then crouched low as she held her blades out at the ready. Fili gripped his own weapons as he slowly moved opposite his opponent. His feet shuffled soundlessly as he thought about the best way to begin; or, he could wait for her to take the first move…naw…where's the fun in that?
With practiced accuracy, Fili charged the eleth anticipating her counter movements and stopping them with a swift upward thrust of his axe that ceased Tauriel's attempt to use her slightly taller stature to her advantage.
Tauriel was smiling wide as she fought, happy to be in a fight she could enjoy rather than correct and instruct. Fili, was very skilled. There was a round of cheers as he ran and was able to jump over her as she slid across the ground trying to swipe his legs to get him on his back. She failed and nearly got knocked over when Fili charged at her.
Fortunately, she rolled away jumping back up to her feet in time to block his blade as it came down on her. She easily pushed him back and took a step away, her daggers flipping in her hands as she thought on her next move.
Fili watched her with a feral look in his blue eyes; he was ready for her. Tauriel grinned then sprinted right at Fili who quirked a brow as Tauriel charged at full momentum.
"MAMA!"
It was all over in a split second. Tauriel's emerald eyes flicked to her youngest son who was held in Naurfaer's arms looking worried. Unfortunately, Fili took full advantage of the millisecond of lost concentration and was able to grasp her by the leg and throw her down to the ground. He smiled as he leaned over her, his hair tickling her face.
"I win, little sister." Fili smiled toothily, though his smile faltered as blood began to fall freely from her nose and upper lip. He must have somehow got her in the face with the hilt of his axe.
"Ack!" Naglur huffed. "Tha' was no fair! 'E cheated."
Fili was about to get up and help her, but was thrown to the ground by a force he had not anticipated. "Did you just throw my WIFE to the ground!"
All Fili saw was the dirt floor of the training ring, but he knew exactly who was on his back, pinning him to the ground. "You, will feel my wrath, Fili!"
If Fili hadn't known Kili nearly better than himself, he would think his baby brother was being quite serious...he sounded furious. But he knew Kili was...at least partially...messing around...maybe. Actually...Kili sounded right pissed. Oh, he's in trouble. "We were training Ki!"
"She's BRUISED and BLEEDING!" Kili snarled then growled darkly deep in his chest.
Okay...definitely not messing around. Fili lifted his eyes to Tauriel to see her accepting a rag from Naurfaer and pressing it to her lip and did not miss the darkening bruise under her eye.
"It is just a broken nose and a split lip, meleth nin. I have had far worse in here. I am fine, let Fili alone He only did as I asked." Tauriel tried but Kili was fired up.
"I WILL have retribution!" Jumping off his brother, Kili pulled his own sword and held it out at the ready.
"Ki..." Fili sighed, knowing they weren't playing and not really wanting to deal with overprotective Kili who was making a mountain out of a raven's nest. Don't get him wrong, he was fully ready to take his brother out, he simply wanted to do it for fun; not because his brother was blowing this entire thing out of proportion because Tauri was bleeding. Mahal, his brother could be difficult.
"NO!" Kili roared.
"KILI!" Tauriel stepped in front of her livid husband with the rag still against her nose. It was sore, but not misplaced so it should heal in a few days. "ENOUGH!" She stared him down, forcing calm through their connection. It was still his choice to accept it, and after a few heartbeats...she finally felt him calm.
However, he remained in his stance, though now his eyes sparkled and a lopsided grin replaced the snarl he had just seconds before. "Come on, amralime...let me defend your honor? It would make my day to avenge you."
Tauriel rolled her eyes. Kilion was currently wrapped around her leg and she leaned down to run a hand through his hair. "Please?" Kili begged.
"What do you think?" Tauriel looked to her son who was watching the exchange. "Should we let da 'avenge' me my little lion?"
Kilion simply nodded as Tauriel chuckled. "Fili?"
Fili just shrugged. "Sure. But, are you alright Tauri? I didn't mean to get you like that." He didn't either. He hardly realized the hilt of his axe made contact with her until he saw the blood.
"I am just fine Fili. This will be healed before he knows it." Tauriel accepted a cool rag from Dynni who ruffled Kilion's hair in passing. "Thank you Dynni." Replacing the dry cloth with the moist one, Tauriel smiled softly to the dwarf who nodded.
"Permission enough for me." Kili didn't even wait a second before he leapt at Fili. As the two fought, Tauriel sighed but Naurfaer chuckled beside her.
"I adore Kili, but my bets on Fili." Tauriel gave him a disapproving glance but didn't say a word as she continued to press the wet cloth to her still bleeding nose as Kilion remained tightly latched to her leg. She did, however, pull the hat down on her sleeping daughter's head as she lay on Naurfaer's shoulder; completely oblivious to the sounds of battle and training around her.
Thorin quickened his pace as he raced to the overhang. Someone was coming, and he hoped he knew exactly who that was. Beside the dwarven king, was Dwalin who had been the one to inform in that he should go to the gate directly to give permission to receive an outside visitor not of Dale or Mirkwood.
The two dwarves ignored all in their path as they made for the steps up to the banister over the massive entrance gate to the mountain. Finally, after weeks of waiting, Thorin let out a sigh of relief. There, just about to hit the bridge over the river flowing from Erebor, was a tall wizard astride a chestnut mare with Kaw on his shoulder.
"Gandalf." Thorin said softly. The wizard tilted his hat up to the overhang and smiled at Thorin, nodding in greeting as he disappeared underneath them and into the mountain. "Nori, have the stable see to that horse and see if Bombur can bring up some lunch for our guest; Dwalin, gather the family to the company's council chamber. It has more space."
Thorin stared off into the forest a moment more, hearing the gate once again close below him. "Let us hope, we can finally have some answers."
Nodding to the two remaining guards on the overhang, Thorin hastily made his way down to the waiting wizard.
Authors rambles: Gandalf has arrived and with him…a bit of drama. You will just have to wait to read the next chapter. I can't remember how long it is or if I need to adjust anything. I have to admit I originally had nearly a year pass before Gandalf showed up, rather than a month…and it just didn't sit right with me to have that much time pass by with missing elves. So the adjustments I have to make are really mostly time adjustments. I will see you back as soon as I can.