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.

73. ACT V Chapter 15

TRIGGER WARNING! This chapter contains mentions of SA…no actual SA HAPPENS in this chapter…but there are mentions of past experiences. Just wanted to warn you guys.

Authors Note: I wanted to get the trigger warning out of the way before moving on to my regular authors notes. NOW FOR REVIEW SHOUTOUTS!

DocNikki, thank you so much, for your kind words and your reviews which always make me beyond happy, OH and for standing up to that Frogger dude…which I am annoyed his/her review is still there. You would think it would be removed by now because it is awful. Ugg. Whatever. I will report it AGAIN. Still, I appreciate the rebuttal. My dad's an RT so the pandemic was very real and present in my house with him being gone for long hours and the exhaustion of not just losing patients but having to be the last person many of them saw. So please know I send my love to all first responders, medical workers, doctors, nurses, RT's, and all other healthcare workers who give everything they have to save lives every, single, day. We see you, and you are amazing. You're real hero's in this world.

There's only one, review from the last chapter, lol. But it is so long, it counts as like, 10, in my book. For everyone who reviews silently…I LOVE YOU TOOOO! Really. I do love all of you who continue to read and enjoy this story. I never thought I would still be here almost three years later. It feels like I just posted my first ever fanfiction chapter yesterday, but October 29th marks yet another year gone buy, and many, many chapters filled with life beyond the movies. Amazing. Really amazing.

Anywaysss…..time for the chapter.

Now before you move one…don't forget there is a trigger warning, and I will see you all below…I bolded that so you don't ignore it, lol. 😊

Chapter Fifteen

Kili sat on a boulder, the small sketching journal he always packed out and resting on his lap as he finished shading one of the horses of Rohan they had passed, grazing in a field. He sighed and shut the book. "You sure you're alright, Viltarra?"

The dam in question rolled her eyes as she trudged past Kili, Hiril trotting behind her with her short tail wagging. "I'm fine." Viltarra said testily.

Kili wisely chose not to comment on her tone. Viltarra, though she did travel arda quite extensively, had done so primarily in a wagon, or on foot. She knew how to ride a horse, pony, and a ram, but she didn't do it often and as a result…was currently experiencing the painful reality of sores that resulted from constant riding in a saddle not having had built up the muscles…or the calluses for such an endeavor.

After suffering in silence for several days, Viltarra finally confessed to Kili who had the med kit. He ordered the group to stop, and thanks to Tauriel's teachings…and all the injuries he has had himself…was able to easily make her an on the road ointment.

Other than the ointment, there really was not much she could do about it, and truthfully, Viltarra was inclined to keep going. Talk about the fortitude of the dam who will one day be queen. "Let's move." Viltarra said, even as she winced as she tried to get comfortable on Elenath who was pulling at patches of grass around her.

"We can stop…" Kili tried.

"NO!" Viltarra immediately interrupted. "I don't WANT to stop. I want to keep moving. So let's go."

"Classic case o' saddle sores." Bofur whispered to Legolas who lifted a brow but nodded subtly. Despite Kili not uttering a word, it was clear to everyone in the group what was ailing the dam. However, he immediately began fiddling with his pipe when she turned her volatile gaze at him.

"Alright, alright." Kili said lifting his hands. "We keep moving." He grabbed Maryn's saddle to haul himself up when his mind flared with a brilliant light, catching him completely off guard. The surprise and suddenness had him missing the foot straps and falling right onto his bottom, but he didn't seem to notice. Instead, he sat there with his eyes open wide, but his smile…was wider. Tauriel…had finally woken up.

"Kili?" Naurfaer asked, concerned at first, then understanding hit him and he gave his grandson a knowing look. "She's awake."

"Tauriel?" Legolas asked.

"Tauriel." Kili confirmed, rising and pulling himself up on to Maryn. Once on his horse, Kili closed his eyes and surged towards the door to their bond. Two nights ago, Kili had been able to get some rest. His wife had not visited his dreams, which was worrying him. Had something happened to her? Or maybe, maybe she never had visited him in his dreams in the first place, and she was only a vision his mind made up to comfort him.

It didn't matter right now. She was finally awake. And since she was awake, Kili could get a better feel for where she is. She felt so far away, but his body easily angled towards where his bond was pulling him. "We go this way." Kili said, sending his wife all the love he had, and smiling, when she sent it back. He hesitated a moment, holding off on pushing Maryn forward. Should he just do it? Should he push at the barrier without truly asking her?

Kili recalled the conversation he had with the elven queen, how the barrier could be put back into place whenever they wished. What was the point of waiting then?

With Tauriel now awake, Kili once again had access to the path to her mind where he usually sent their little emotion-based messages. He closed his eyes once more and walked the path in his mind, stopping before the door they had created together. Although, considering it was always wide open to either of them, it was really less of a door now and more an archway that stood between their minds. Kili smiled at its green vine like branches braided around stacked stones…naturally, the stone represented Kili, and the leafy branches, Tauriel. Kili ran his hand along the stones that acted as the frame, then let his fingers trail to the center of the archway.

Kili had tried to cross it once or twice, but only pieces of him were allowed through. However, he had never really pushed...mostly because he was afraid it would cause his wife or their connection harm. But now...now he knew that was not the case.

"Kili, you alright laddie?" Bofur asked, but Kili ignored him and focused on his task. "Is he alright?"

Naurfaer shrugged, guessing Kili was communicating with Tauriel. He remained quiet though, afraid to disturb the son of Durin clearly lost in concentration. Naurfaer knew, Kili was the only being in this world who is connected to his granddaughter...and the only one who would be able to tell them if she was alright.

With his focus purely on what was happening in his mind...Kili pressed both of his hands to the center of the barrier. He felt the power thrum through him...a vibration that surged through his entire mental being. He leaned forward, pressing his head to the barrier and concentrated harder...seeing his wife in his mind, finding every one of their connections, and pushing himself forward.

At first, the barrier did not budge, but then, slowly, like moving through molasses...Kili began to feel himself pass through the invisible barrier. It was a little bit uncomfortable, but not painful in any way. He did pause, however, once he had cleared the archway, when something like a bright star came and flew down to him...stopping right before him.

'Wha...' Kili asked himself as it began to circle him. He turned his head, his eyes not leaving the bright ball of light as it weaved between his legs and through his hair. 'That's weird.' Kili thought to himself.

'Safe.'

The voice, Tauriel's voice, whispered across his mind and Kili understood. It was a form of protection for Tauriel's mind, and it recognized him, and his presence, as safe. The light brightened and warmed as it hovered before Kili.

'What do you wish, soul's companion?' The voice whispered.

Kili smiled and lifted his hand to the light, and it allowed him to run his fingers through its glow. It felt warm, and familiar. It felt, like Tauriel.

'I want...' Kili said in a voice just above a whisper. 'I want to remove the barrier between our thoughts.'

The light let out a tinkling laugh that filled Kili's soul. 'Such a request is yours, beloved, whenever you wish. You, and only you, are free to walk among these thoughts and memories. The door is open to you, as it always will be.' The light circled Kili once more before dispersing into a thousand stars, dotting the path ahead, as if inviting Kili forward.

Kili did not hesitate, but he didn't need to move or do anything...Tauriel's mind pulled him in as if she had been waiting for him. Once he felt he was in the right place, Kili worked to fill every corner of Tauriel's mind before sending a message to his wife when he felt distress and some frustration leaking into him. He called to her...assuming she knew or at least understood what he had just done.

However only surprise and disbelief was sent back to him through her emotions before she was again focused on what was happening in her waking moments. Maybe she didn't know? Then what was that light? Kili smiled softly when he realized it was his wife...but the subconscious part of her mind. Of course she would choose a star to protect herself...Tauriel and her stars.

Well...fine. She didn't know what Kili had done. All the better if you ask him...now he could surprise her with their new ability. Sending his one his love, Kili allowed himself to leave her mind...though he did not replace the barrier and kept the door between them as wide open as it always was.

"How far are we from Rhun?" Kili asked, opening his eyes and looking to Viltarra.

"If we keep going, we will hit the border in about an hour." She gestured in the direction Kili had turned Maryn, knowing it was where Tauriel was being held.

"Is she alright?" Naurfaer asked, not a little concern in his voice.

"You know she is not." Kili said. "But, she is alive and aware and for now...that will have to do. Let's move." With no desire to waste any more time, Kili kicked Maryn into a run and the others were quick to follow suit. Now that Tauriel was awake…time was precious and even an hour could make the difference between life...and death.

Tauriel paced the room she was trapped in. Tork promised to return, but it had to be nearly dawn now, and he has not so much as shown his face. Kili was getting closer, that she could tell, but not close enough. She sat on the blankets, pressing her palms to her eyes in frustration. She needed to see Nelithi, to see Ivethin; if only for the proof that they were alright. Maybe then, she can come up with a plan to save as many as she could before getting out of this place.

Standing again, Tauriel continued to pace. It still was yet another hour before Tork unlocked the door and came grunting in. He didn't say a word as he passed by the clearly exasperated elf. Instead he just tossed a plate on the table that held some bread and a bit of dried meat then mumbled… "Food for the bunny."…under his breath before he fell onto his mattress and threw a pillow over his head.

It reminded Tauriel so much of Kili coming in after a long day, that she paused and had to shake her head and push the image of her husband aside. She missed him deeply.

"Tork…I am not staying in here." Tauriel said folding her arms.

"Then go. By all means." The large shifter didn't even remove the pillow from his head, though he did lift a finger to point towards the door. "Exit is that way. But just so you know...they are still hunting you, and now they are using the younger hybrids so they can get some practice in. Go right ahead, bunny, give them a chance to put you back in a cell. Makes for one less elf for me to babysit."

Tauriel glared at him but it was a useless expression as he ignored her completely and turned onto his stomach, pressing his face into his pillow. Though he did grumble, "Eat, bunny. Maybe it will make you less angry and more agreeable."

"I am NOT a bunny, and I would appreciate it if you ceased to call me such." Tauriel seethed. Not even Kili gave her such a ridiculous name or term of endearment like 'bunny'. "Why DO you call me that anyway. And don't tell me because I remind you of a bunny. I am certainly, no bunny." She spied one of his eyes peaking up at her, and he laughed huskily, as if she made his point.

"That. Is why I call you bunny."

Tauriel hmphed and folded her arms. "I still do not understand."

"You scrunch your nose when you are irritated. You had done it when we first met…and it reminded me of a bunny."

Oh. The little quirk Tauriel picked up from her beloved Kili. She apparently didn't even realize she did it.

"You're doing it again." Tork laughed then turned his back on her, pulling the blanket around him.

"Tork…I want to see Nelithi and Ivethin. You said you would take me to them." Tauriel leaned back against the table when Tork didn't move. She glanced at the food, her stomach gurgling and crying out to be filled. She did need the energy, so she grabbed the bread and broke off a piece, nibbling it as she tried to decide if it would be worth it to find Nelithi and Ivethin on her own...or if she should wait for Tork. Then something he said caught her attention. Hybrids. "Are they really hybrids?" Tauriel asked.

Tork grunted again.

"Who is in charge of this place? Is it that man...is he the one making all the decisions here?"

Silence.

Huffing, Tauriel took a pair of daggers Tork had sitting among a pile of other weapons that seemed to be in desperate need of repair, then moved to the door. She glanced back at Tork, then shook her head and opened it revealing a dim hallway lit by torches set in the wall. She sighed when heavy snoring filled the room and decided to take the risk, stepping out of Tork's chambers and shutting the door carefully behind her.

The fortress seemed quiet, but with Tauriel's elven hearing, she could hear footsteps and rolling tables moving across the floor above. She could not hear if anyone was speaking, even when she focused her hearing, but it did help her know she could proceed with caution. Being caught, was not an option.

Sticking to the shadows, Tauriel silently moved from stairway to stairway and hall to hall. She had to stop once or twice, when a team of guards passed her clearly searching for their missing captive...well they won't be finding her that's for certain. Tauriel inspected each one though, from the shadows, and so far, the searching guards seemed to be human…with the occasional orc here and there. She hasn't even seen any goblins yet...but then again, the sun in these lands may be the reason for that. Goblins do not do well in the sun; if they are in these lands at all…they are likely in caves or deep underground fortresses.

She had to admit she was glad it was only humans and orcs…those creatures she is sure she could handle. It was not until she found the searching hybrids that Tauriel's heart rate picked up. 'What are you?' Tauriel asked no one in particular.

"Who, love?"

Tauriel tripped, nearly falling into a gurney with empty jars piled on it. It caught the hybrids attention and they whipped their heads to the shadow she was in. Not good. Tauriel backtracked, her hand searching as one came close. It was tall and lean. One may even call it beautiful…but every one of Tauriel's instincts knew it was a predator. A killer. Even the way it walked, it did so with precision, a hunter seeking its prey. Were these...what became of those infants they pulled from that sac?

The creature was nearly at Tauriel, sniffing the air around her…and she had nowhere to go. Closer and closer it came; its violet eyes seemingly searching every shadow, every corner, and every crevice for the eleth...its prey. Tauriel had no other choice but to gear up for the inevitable fight as it inched closer and closer to her. She would rather go down with her blades drawn, then be dragged into that room and strapped to whatever that thing was, draining life out of the eldar. She couldn't let that happen. Not because she was afraid of the pain, but she refuses to put Kili through it. She will block his mind before she lets him feel the pain she would be subjected to…should she get caught.

Crouching for the needed momentum, the eleth waited in her corner for the hybrid to enter her shadows. Just as Tauriel's fingers tightened around the dagger she took from Tork's room, the creature suddenly cried out seemingly in pain, its hand going to its head grasping and pulling at its long, dark, hair. It let out a snarl directed at a tall guard who stood atop the steps leading to the next level.

"This area has been cleared, wyrm, three times. Move on." The guard waited, but the creature ignored him, its hands clutching its head as if it were in agony.

"OBEY!" The guard yelled at the hissing creature. "BACK TO YOUR UNIT, MONSTER!"

The creature turned its head to Tauriel. It was in that moment Tauriel knew it could see her, for it was staring directly into her eyes. There was no mistaking it, this hybrid saw her.

"I SAID OBEY!" The guard, which looked like a captain or general to Tauriel, came down a few steps. The creature cried out again as it clasped its head. It looked like it was about to fall to the ground...and Tauriel felt pity for the being before her as it cried and trembled. "The more you fight your orders, the worse the pain will be." The man sneered, grabbing the being roughly and pushing it towards the steps, muttering how his job title never included dealing with rabid, freak, toddlers.

That creature could have easily killed that guard, yet it seemed afraid of him. Fear and pain emanated off the being as it was kicked by the guard when it looked back into Tauriel's shadow.

"I ain't sure if it is a good thing, or a bad thing they don't teach you to speak until you prove yourselves useful." Tauriel heard him grumble. "Think this is a bad batch. I SAID MOVE!" He kicked the creature again and it fell to the ground, crying out and whimpering as it curled into itself.

"Weakness." He snarled. "We will beat that out of you. Next time, do what your trained to do, and obey commands."

Violet eyes met Tauriel's as the creature again, looked at her...tears rolling down its flushed, pink and grey cheeks. Then suddenly, it was being dragged away by the collar of it's armored tunic like a dog disobeying its master. It made Tauriel sick. Those things were not supposed to exist…but she could not help but feel horrified FOR the creature.

"Tauriel?"

There it was again, the voice in her mind, so gentle, so warm, so comforting. He's not here...she told herself as her hands searched again until they found a door. Tauriel quickly opened it and entered yet another corridor, this one filled with more of those cells identical to the ones she woke up in when she first arrived. Except there seemed to be fewer rooms, and every one of the doors were open...as if they were ready and waiting to be filled. Not if Tauriel had anything to do with it. This place will fall, like Minam. Even if it takes Tauriel down with it.

Pushing that thought aside Tauriel inspected the area but chose not to linger. It was not an area she wanted to be caught in, and with how ready these cells were...who knew how soon they will be filled. So with a glance at the hall of open doors...Tauriel moved on.

She followed hallways, ducking into shadows and behind doors whenever she spotted movement ahead of her. Three hybrids passed close by, two carrying one between them who was dragging its feet and whimpering, and she quickly recognized it as the one who found her earlier.

Tauriel watched as the pair moved past where she hid, seemingly unaware she was there; but the creature turned its pain-filled eyes once again to the shadow where Tauriel was crouching. It had her scent, it knew, once again, she was there. But instead of alerting its companions, it let its head sink down as its companions dragged it away.

"Tauriel?"

Sighing, Tauriel kept moving, even though she knew that voice in her mind as well as she knew her own. Apparently, she missed Kili so much, her thoughts were tricking her into hearing his voice. And though she did not answer it...she did embrace it, and was about to send her one all her love, when soft crying hit her ears. She turned her focus away from her husbands presence, and followed the whimpers; wondering if it was the creature.

Foolish. Naive. Reckless. Would be words her family would be calling her when they find out she chose with her own free will to follow the pain-filled cries…even if it took her to the creatures hunting her. Maybe, she wanted to find the creature who looked like it was in so much pain...maybe...she could help it. Valar help her, her husband is going to kill her.

Tauriel followed the soft weeping to a room, stopping when she heard the language being spoken on the other side of the door. 'Blackspeech again!' Tauriel hissed in her mind.

"Blackspeech?! Tauriel…" The voice of Kili growled in warning but Tauriel dismissed it. Her imaginary Kili will just have to wait to yell at her for being as reckless as he is. She mentally said as such only to receive amusement in response. It made Tauriel pause yet again, but shake her head. Impossible. Their bond was strong...but there was no way they could share thoughts.

'Oh amralime. If you only knew. And what do you mean IS? I WAS reckless. I'd like to think after having five children…those days are long behind me now.' The voice whispered, causing Tauriel to roll her eyes. She knew her husband so well, her mind predicted what he would be saying to her IF he could speak to her right now...which he can't. She felt the amusement fill her again, but she just ignored it as a set of heavy footsteps came close to the door, forcing Tauriel to quickly move and duck into a nearby alcove just as the door opened. The same two hybrids from earlier who had been holding the injured one were stepping out accompanied this time by an orc along with a man in a long, scarlet, robe. As they exited the room an official looking guard came walking towards them from the opposite direction.

Tauriel held her breath...all he had to do was look in her corner and she would be spotted. Valar...may Aule keep her hidden.

"Well?" The guard said.

Thank all the Valars above he spoke common.

"The female elf seems to have calmed. I do not think the baby is coming for awhile yet but we are working to get things moving. Gerheb wants that child alive, but there is only so much we can do to force it out without killing it." The scarlet robed man answered.

The guard gave a curt nod. "Keep the creatures at the door to guard it. I need you in the center room. An elf is being…uncooperative. We need him sedated but we are out of the sedative. Make more." He paused. "The…thing…brought in, one of Gerheb's creations…is it in there as well? I was told it disobeyed."

Tauriel watched his eyes rove over the two creatures on either side of the robed man who must be some sort of healer.

"It is. Your captain beat it near to death. Remind them, we are trying to build an army. If he keeps killing the youngborns because they are not learning fast enough, he is defeating the purpose."

"He is weeding out the weak." The guard said with no emotion in his voice whatsoever. "Is it irreparably damaged?"

"I am unsure at the moment, so you better warn captain Gylior he may need to keep a low profile. Gerheb is not inclined to tolerate his work being destroyed for your captain's amusement and if it dies...Gylior will not go unpunished." The robed man glared.

"Not amusement…."

"You can spare the explanation for Gerheb when he finds out your men put one of the trainees in such a state, and how many precious resources we will have to waste to try and heal it." Again, the robed man glared at the guard. "I have it tied down at the moment. Its arm needed to be set among other things. Think…before you and your men put your hands on them." He looked at the two creatures staring off at nothing, and ordered them to watch the door. "Take your places."

One of the hybrids hesitated, then hissed in pain, placing its hand on its head before stepping to the door and assuming a guarding position; its companion quickly following suit.

"There, see..." The robed man said. "...that's all you need to do. A bit of a jolt to the mind, and they will do as they are told."

The guard snickered. "Is it so hard to communicate normally?"

"Elven young are telepathic at birth, bound to their parents. It makes sense these creatures adopted the same. Remember...they are more elf, than orc, and only weeks old at that. Once they pass basics, they are instructed on how to speak…until then…we control them with these." He held out a glowing crystal. "A bit of their blood and an ancient spell gifted by our master…and they are inclined to do as we say, or learn the hard way what happens when they do not obey."

Tauriel did not like the sound of that. If she was understanding correctly…those creatures are, in essence, infants. It was little different to how Ithtiri was connected to her and Kili, the beautiful bond allowing their daughter to communicate to them what she needs, allows Tauriel and Kili to comfort her, and creates the foundation for building a strong and unbreakable relationship of love and trust as it did with all of her children. How could they do this? How could they take something so precious, and so sacred, as a bond of an infant, and turn it into a means to bring pain if they did not obey fast enough. Wrong. This was all wrong. Every part of it.

'Do you see now, child? Save them, save the innocent.'Aule, not Kili, whispered in her mind. Tauriel sighed. How exactly was she to save her people from this?

But no answer came, only the repeated words, 'Save them.'

"Will the thing in there attack the she-elf? Is it wise to leave the two alone in there?" The captain was saying, already walking away with the robed man.

"No. It is far too injured to do anything at present. But you need my assistance, and I need to report to Gerheb. He wants that baby, now, and is impatient for a report. Besides, I should not be long, and the medications I gave the she-elf need time to work. My time away will do just that, while also allowing me to bring the news to Gerheb that the she-elf has chosen to cooperate. I can help with your little…situation…as well." He paused, glancing at the other man. "Perhaps, Gerheb's excitement of the soon to be birth will overshadow your captain's idiocies."

It was the last she heard as they stepped through a large door that must have led to another corridor. This place was a maze of stairs and hallways...almost more so than Erebor.

With the two men gone, Tauriel looked at the room and at the two hybrids guarding it, then at the hall she had come from. Clearly, Ivethin and Nelithi are not in here. She needed to go, but another cry caused Tauriel to look back at the door.

There was no getting in that room with the hybrids guarding it, but she knew those cries. Those were cries of a female in labor. Her chest tightened, the pressure always building and without Ithtiri, there was no release. It made this so much harder than it should be with her instincts constantly searching for her three month old daughter, her body crying out to feed that which it bore. Pausing, Tauriel realized with the time she has been gone...her daughter was closer to four months old now. She felt her, despite the difficulty, she felt her baby cry for her...and it filled her with so much pain to know she could do nothing but send calming waves to sooth her daughter so very, very far away from her.

"Tauriel."

Kili again. This time, Tauriel really did pause. Was she going mad? But…it sounded so real, as if Kili was whispering in her ear. Just out of pure curiosity…Tauriel decided this time...she would try and respond. Besides, it would not harm anything...she already knew he couldn't respond...because they could not speak mind to mind.

"If you insist on plaguing my thoughts, meleth nin, could you allow me a moment to decide if I want to kill some guards, or try to make friends with them."

Silence filled her mind and Tauriel smiled to herself. See? She is going mad.

"Tauriel…what exactly are you doing? And what do you mean...kill the guards?"

Okay...she really had not expected a real response...but if her mind wants to play, then she will appease it. "There's a room I need to get into, but there are…." Tauriel stopped, rolling her eyes and huffing. Why, is she even bothering. She needed to focus on the hybrids and not her husband.

"Tauriel!? What happened? Amralime?"

Tauriel froze when she realized the responses were coming too quick. They were too real. And even more, they were connected to the feeling of panic coming right from the place Kili sat in her mind. It was REAL panic.

"Kili?..."

"Tauriel." The voice answered. Shock flitted from her to her one, and he met it with a small chuckle. "I will tell you the whole story when I find you, but the short version, is I met the lady of Lothlorien. She taught me what to do to speak to you. What is happening?"

Tauriel thought of what to say, how to respond. She still wasn't sure what was happening, not fully. "They are making creatures to fight for them. But I am still trying to figure it out."

"Are you safe?"

Tauriel sighed. "Safe enough. Give me a moment to focus."

Tauriel eyed the hybrids again. They barely moved, though their violet eyes scanned the area. They wore simple fighting leathers, not unlike her own, but they had no weapons in sight. Likely because they weren't trusted to use them…or just not properly trained. That, was a good thing for Tauriel. But how to approach…

A scream filled the hall, a pain-filled scream, and it was indication enough for Tauriel that she needed to get into that room..and soon. Tauriel grabbed her knife, holding it firm...but she thought better of it and stuck it in her belt for easy access. She was confident she could take the two creatures who were, according to the man in robes, just weeks old. Tauriel debated telling Kili, but thought better of it and instead, stepped out into the light.

Twin growls met her ears as two sets of violet eyes homed in on her. Instead of pulling her blades, Tauriel put her hands up. "I am not here to harm you." They growled again, bending into attack position.

Even without weapons she knew these creatures would not be trusted to guard the door to something their creator considers an asset if they were not properly trained in at least hand to hand combat. Valar above. Two weeks old. Infants in adult bodies. Lethal infants, who going by what Tauriel just learned, were trained not through kindness, but through pain and punishment.

Another scream filled the hallway, and one of the creatures lost focus and turned to the door, then back to Tauriel.

"Pain." It said, in a soft voice that did not fit its body at all. "Pain." It said again. But its partner growled and hissed at it causing the creature to turn back to Tauriel.

"Yes." Tauriel said using the same voice she used when she was proud of an accomplishment one of her children had made. "Do you…can you understand my words?"

"Pain." The creature said again as the woman screamed. It then pointed to its head. "Pain."

Tauriel wanted to cry. Cry for the creature who, for all she knows, spoke their first word in this world, and it said pain. "I can help her." Tauriel said softly. "I can help her pain. Will you let me?" She gestured to the door. The one creature still looked ready to pounce on her, while the one who spoke flicked its eyes to the door, then back to Tauriel. It placed a hand on the other creature, who stood stiffly, staring almost warily at Tauriel.

"Help?"

The second word. Help. "Yes. Help. I can help make the pain…go away." Tauriel tried to explain but the creature didn't understand. So Tauriel needed to teach it. Slowly, she pulled her dagger and both hybrids growled and dropped back into attack positions. However, Tauriel was prepared for their reaction and lifted a hand to sooth them. "It's alright. I won't hurt you." She took the dagger, and brushed the sharp blade across her palm, only wincing a bit when the cut began to bleed. "Pain." Tauriel said, pointing to the wound.

The creatures violet eyes stared at Tauriel's injury. Then, Tauriel ripped a hem off her tunic, and began wrapping her hand. "Help." She pointed to the wrapping. "I can help." Tauriel waited. "Please." She said. Something shifted in their gaze and they both rose to stand straight then to her surprise...stepped away.

Tauriel ran to the door afraid if she hesitated, they may change their mind or that scarlet-robed healer would return. The pair of hybrids followed her in as she entered the room, but Tauriel knew they would. She glanced around the large space, taking in this healer's chamber which was so different to both Oin's in Erebor and Ivethin's in Mirkwood. She didn't have time to catalogue the differences, however, when her attention fell on a wooden gurney where the golden-haired eleth Tauriel woke with in her cell the day before sat, clearly in pain. Jade eyes met her emerald, and the eleth began to cry. "Why does it hurt so much?" She sobbed.

"Pain." The creature said, then tugged Tauriel not to the eleth in labor, but to the third creature strapped to the bed. Blood leaked from its ears and nose, its hand looked brutally crushed but was set in a temporary bind, and it had lashing marks on its shoulders. "Pain. Help." The creature pushed Tauriel, a bit harshly, to the downed hybrid. "Help." It gestured to Tauriel's wrapped hand then to its companion. "Help."

"Okay." Tauriel said. "Okay." She looked around the room, keeping an ear out for the eleth behind her as she pulled herbs off shelves. Thankfully, this healing room had what she needed and easily accessible too. Who knew how long she had before that man came back...and she didn't have the time to go searching for things she may need.

Tauriel pointed to a bowl across the room. "Can you bring that bowl to me?" She asked one of the hybrids just standing beside their fallen companion.

However, the creature just stared blankly at her. "Bowl. Over there." Tauriel patiently repeated, as if directing her own children. She cupped her hand, shaping them into a bowl to help them understand, and the one who had not spoken yet finally seemed to comprehend the request as it gracefully walked to the counter and picked the bowl up.

"Bowl?" It said.

"Very good." Tauriel genuinely praised, smiling wide. "Yes. Bowl." She accepted the bowl and began crushing herbs, adding some of the oil she found to bring them together. The oil didn't look fresh, but it wasn't rancid so Tauriel thought it would work just fine. Finally, she added some water to a burner, and waited for steam to erupt off the surface before adding it to her herbs. Looking around once more, Tauriel noted some bindings, and rushed to them. One of the creatures hissed, but Tauriel ignored it as she grabbed the wrappings and placed them into the bowl.

"Why are you helping them?! They are monsters!" She spoke between panting breaths and Tauriel worried about her paling skin. Soon. She would get to her soon.

"Because, nobody is born a monster." Tauriel had known monsters, had fought them, had killed them. She did not doubt, these creatures had the capacity to be a destructive force, and yet, they had yet to turn her in. It showed they were capable of compassion, and choice. And in Tauriel's opinion, those two traits are what keeps a person from becoming a monster, not the other way around.

"If I do nothing…" Tauriel continued. "…all they will ever know is pain and torture. By helping them, by showing them kindness, I am teaching them what it is to be good. To choose good."

"You are wrong. And you will fail." The eleth sneered. "They were born monsters, and they will always be monsters."

Tauriel chose to ignore the golden-haired elf. If she has the energy to speak like that, then she can wait while Tauriel focuses on the creature. It was in bad shape. Deciding to focus on the wounds, Tauriel pressed the poultice infused with herbs to the worst of the gashes she could see. She knew the herbs she chose would work quickly to mute if not completely dull the creature's pain which was her first priority.

The creature lay whimpering as she added the poultices to its wounds. Tauriel watched a tear, a true tear, fall from its violet eyes as it looked up at her. "My children often get into falls and scrape themselves up." She began talking softly, knowing whenever her sons were hurt, they relaxed when she spoke to them as she tended their wounds. "My Orin, is as accident prone as his father. He once was running through the training hall and tripped on the carpet, falling onto the sharpening wheel."

Tauriel sighed, recalling the blood pouring from her, at the time, ten-year olds head and shoulder. He hit it in the worst way. "His brother helped him to me, the pair of them crying. They are twins, born the same time." She smiled to the creature, whose violet eyes were wide, watching her, tears still falling down its grey and pink cheeks.

"Twins." One of the pair behind Tauriel said.

"Brother." The other repeated.

Tauriel nodded, noting the features on all three that were so much alike. They had to be female…all three of them…there really was no mistaking it. "Yes. Brother." She then pointed to the two behind her, and the one on the bed. "Sisters." Tauriel said smiling softly. "You look, like sisters."

"Sister." The first to speak said, walking up to the injured one. So tenderly, it took the good hand of its companion and whispered. "Sister."

Tauriel turned a glare to the elven woman who snickered on the bed muttering how ridiculous she thought Tauriel was, calling her a mad elf. Tauriel was beginning to wonder if the monsters in the room were not the three creatures, the sisters, but instead the eleth.

"I will excuse your mutterings for being pain induced drabble." Tauriel turned from the eleth and smiled down at the injured sister. Whether or not they are actually sisters, Tauriel wonders if she will ever know, but they look enough alike and it seemed fitting how they are coming together to care for one another…so sisters they will be…in her mind at least. "When your child comes to this world, I pray to the Valar you teach it with better words than you speak now." She said over her shoulder.

The eleth spit on the ground. "The Valar, will do nothing for you. Nor me. Why waste energy praying to those who likely find more pleasure watching us suffer than intervening. Keep your prayers for yourself." She cried out, the action interrupting whatever more she may have been about to say. Tauriel tried to feel bad for her when she saw the eleth's back arch before her legs opened slightly as if on instinct. But clearly the pain was over fast, as she suddenly settled and spit again on the ground…glaring at Tauriel as if this was HER fault.

"Your child will be here soon. Try and relax." Tauriel said softly before continuing her work on the injured sister. With the metal bands on and locked in place to keep her from moving, Tauriel had to think if she could do anything about the welts crisscrossing the females shoulder. Making up her mind, Tauriel pulled a pin from her hair, and began picking the lock.

After a few minutes, it fell to the floor and Tauriel was removing the bindings so she could see the full extent of the hybrids injuries. "You need a name." Tauriel said as the creature whimpered.

"Etta." It said softly.

Tauriel looked at it surprised.

"Name. Etta." It repeated.

"Do you all have names?" Tauriel looked at the other two.

"Ataman." The one who had spoken first, who said pain, pressed a hand to her chest.

"Arice." The third said, understanding what the others were doing. They were learning fast. If they could get to full physical maturity in just a matter of weeks, Tauriel wondered if their minds were growing and adapting just as quickly. Likely so.

"Tauriel." Tauriel said, pressing her wrapped hand to her breast. "I am Tauriel."

"Torell." Atamen said slowly, mouthing the strange word.

"Taur-ee-ell." Tauriel sounded out slowly.

"Tauriel." Atamen finally said correctly. "Tauriel." She put her hand on Tauriel's chest. "Tauriel. Atamen." She pointed to herself, as if teaching Tauriel her name.

"Atamen." Tauriel repeated with a smile. An upturn of the lips had Tauriel watch in surprise as it attempted, likely, its first smile. "Will you help me with Etta?" Tauriel pointed to the sister on the table.

"Sister." Atamen said softly.

"Yes." Tauriel nodded. Atamen cocked her head at Tauriel's nodding gesture, then nodded herself, so Tauriel showed her what to do. Ever so carefully, Atamen and Arice helped shift Etta so Tauriel could lay bandages on her back. The welts were deep, painfully so. The pain this poor creature would be in...and laying right on some of the worst of it's injuries with no padding or poultices on her wounds is beyond cruel. "This is, this is so very wrong. What they did to you, what they are doing to you."

"Wrong?" Arice asked.

"Wrong. Bad. Pain." Tauriel tried to associate the new words so they would understand, and they both nodded, repeating the new word. Swift learners indeed.

"I cannot…believe…what I am seeing. You're actually going to help them! They are the enemy!" The pregnant eleth gasped. "Who…exac…exactly…are…you?"

"Someone who does not judge by a person's race or species, and someone who refuses to see others suffer." Tauriel snapped. "Especially someone who knows nothing but pain and torture in their short life."

The eleth's answer was lost in whimpers as she braced for the cramps wracking her body. "Relax yourself, and it will help ease the pain." Tauriel calmly advised.

"What do you know!? You can't be that old. I see the youth in you. Are you even of age?" The eleth paused, sweat beading down her face. "Are you training to be a healer?"

Tauriel tensed. "I have done some training." She said slowly. "And I do not see why it is your concern of what my age is." She shot a glare over her shoulder. "And I have five children as I told you and the others in the cell, so I know a thing or two about delivering having gone through it four times...one of which I delivered two. My sister too, has three children, and I was there for each of their births as well as aiding in a few others."

"FIVE?!" The eleth yelled half from surprise, and half from pain.

"Yes. Five." Tauriel said rolling her eyes and choosing to further ignore the eleth who appeared to not have one kind word to say. Several minutes later, Tauriel had finished laying out the bandaging across the deep wounds in Etta's back. With the poultices, they should heal nicely. Tauriel had no idea if their quick growing abilities included superior healing, but regardless, the poultices with help with at least the pain as well as keeping infection away.

"Stay here, and keep on your side if you can." Tauriel looked around the room, finding some old robes she rolled into a pillow and adjusted Etta to keep her comfortable. Of course, it took a moment for the injured being to figure out what Tauriel was trying to communicate, but she had little energy to fight and fell asleep...likely too exhausted from fighting the pain.

Which meant, Tauriel was now free to see to the pregnant elf. "How do you feel?" Tauriel asked, ignoring the answering glare the other elf gave her as she approached the wooden table the jade-eyed female sat upon.

"How did you feel when you gave birth?" She shot back.

Tauriel sighed. "Can you tell me if your child is in distress?"

"No." The eleth growled. "I cannot."

That surprised Tauriel. "Aren't you connected to it?"

"No." The eleth said again. "Can you get it out now?"

Tauriel just looked at her, completely confused. All elven mothers connect to their unborn infants…maybe she isn't what she seems. "I do not understand. Are you not of the eldar?"

"NO! I am a goblin in disguise." She said. "Of course I am of the eldar. How old are you again?"

"How old are you?" Tauriel shot back trying to reign in her temper. She closed her eyes and took a calming breath. It was only when she opened her eyes and began looking the eleth over that she spotted it. Some sort of needle in the dams arm. She examined it and followed the line to a jar filled with an odd looking liquid. "What…do you know what this is?"

The eleth shrugged. "What is your name, by the way?" Tauriel asked, needing to address this elf properly before she gave her some sort of, dwarven derogatory term of endearment Fili would be proud of.

"Lorilyn." She answered. "You?"

"I am Tauriel."

"A forest imp." Lorilyn snickered. "Should have figured with the accent. I have heard stories of the greenwood, and the king who protects what's his by keeping his people locked inside his forest city. Bet you know nothing of the world outside your little forest paradise."

Well, she just gets more pleasant by the moment, doesn't she; Tauriel thought with a sigh.

"Who?" Kili asked. "And I am still waiting to hear what has happened."

"I'm sorry Kili." Tauriel sighed. "I will tell you everything soon. I promise."

She felt his answering shrug more than anything, he trusted her and was patiently waiting for her to tell him when she could. But Tauriel paused, quickly shooting out "Where are you, by the way?"

"We just entered Rhun on the southern most border. I am coming as fast as I can."

"Hurry." Tauriel sent back before inspecting the needle once more.

"They said, it will move labor along." Lorilyn said, her jade eyes on the needle in her arm.

"What?! You were not in labor before?" Tauriel was thrown. This was getting more disturbing by the minute.

"It was this, or that machine they hooked the others to!" Lorilyn huffed. "He said if I gave him the baby, he will let me go. So I agreed to take this to start labor. I don't want this baby anyway, so what do I care. He can have it."

Silence. Tauriel's head was filled with silence. She didn't want her child? It was inconceivable to Tauriel. Even Estae raised Leotti until the little dam got a mind of her own. Estae did not estrange her daughter until Leotti chose to make a life for herself and come to Erebor. Tauriel had never, never thought anyone would not want the life they created.

"I do not understand." Tauriel said shaking her head, praying she heard wrong.

"What don't you understand? This child, was never MY choice." She glared at Tauriel, finally, real tears cascading down her pink cheeks.

"But the eldar can choose to bare a child. If you did not want to be with child, you could have made that decision before it came to fruition." Tauriel commended herself for her calm and collected demeanor, when inside her, it felt like the fires of the mighty forges of Erebor were burning brighter and brighter building on her fury, the heat ready to consume both her and the outside world. Tauriel was starting to think she was right earlier…the monster in this room really wasn't the three sisters crowded around each other, but someone else.

"I don't owe you a story, forest mouse." Lorilyn growled. "Since you will judge me anyway, what is the point?"

"Judge you? I do not even know you apart from the unending rudeness and foul words spewing from your lips." Tauriel folded her arms, then took a breath, then tried again. "Were you forced into this?"

Silence.

For the second time, Tauriel's mind cleared. Seeing the look in the eleth's eyes was all the answer she needed. Yes. She immediately felt terrible for her earlier thought…she was doing just what she said she didn't do, and judging this eleth without really even knowing her or her situation. It humbled her a bit and she let go of her frustration towards Lorilyn…for now at least.

"Who?" Tauriel asked quietly. There were HEAVY consequences for defiling another among the eldar…especially under Thranduil's rule. Her former king was rumored to remove the heads off offenders and violators, not that Tauriel ever witnessed it herself. Such things were unheard of in her forest. Maybe…to others…Mirkwood WAS a forest paradise, just as Lorilyn had said. "Who did this to you?"

Lorilyn simply stared at her, her lips pierced and her eyes glaring. Tauriel narrowed her eyes and pulled the needle from her arm, throwing it across the room.

"NO STOP! They said if that jar does not empty, my labor will stop!"

"GOOD! A child comes, when that child is ready. Wanted or not." Tauriel said, than realized how harsh her words were and apologized. "Forgive me. This must be, horrific for you and I am not being kind. But if you give birth too early, it will be both of your lives. Your body is not ready, and neither is your…the child's. Even now your body fights it, and you know it."

"But they will kill me." Lorilyn whimpered. "I nearly had my freedom, and they will kill me. The bargain is, the child tonight, and my freedom tomorrow. If the baby doesn't come, I lose my chance."

"And the child's father?" Tauriel asked. "Does he not get a say in his own child's life?"

The eleth for the first time, looked terrified. "Do not speak of him." She said through clenched teeth. "If I had one choice in this life, it is to keep this child away from that monster."

Tauriel's eyes widened, and she took the eleths hand, who did not pull away. Oh…she did it again. She was judging before fully understanding the situation, and comprehension finally blossomed in her chest…and it was more painful than the pressure from being unable to nurse. "I am so sorry, Lorilyn. Look, if you let me, I can help you. Me, and my family will find you some place safe, some place you won't be found." She neglected to say it may be under a mountain with some dwarves…but she will cross that bridge when it comes.

"You cannot help me." Lorilyn said after a moment, staring at the ceiling and refusing to look at Tauriel who still held her hand. "He will find me if I leave this place. He will know. HE is the reason I am here to begin with. I wasn't found or taken, I was given...no…I was sold. My father…" She stopped, taking a breath. "I am one of three daughters. The youngest. My father rules a clan on the outskirts of Rhun. My eldest sisters, well let's just say they did not care for me much. With a few honeyed words, they convinced my father that I was necessary to better the clan through advantageous marriage."

"We don't do that, Lorilyn." Tauriel said slowly. "It is not the way of the eldar."

Lorilyn laughed, a cold, pain-filled, laugh. "Who says? Maybe not in Mirkwood, or Lothlorien. Maybe not in the 'peaceful' city of Rivendell. But the clans, the outer clans, are run by their own rules. How long have you lived inside your elven city? Have you wandered the world? Gone to see other clans? You certainly don't look the type to wander."

Tauriel bristled trying not to take the jab too personally. This eleth knew nothing about her, and was making assumptions to fulfill whatever made up narrative she has for Tauriel.

"I thought not." Lorilyn continued coldly. "We do not answer to your lords, not in the outer clans, not unless we are needed for war or trade. The higher lords like yours, and those that run Rivendell, Lorien, and Mithlond, usually just, leave us alone to govern ourselves. We have our own rules now, and the maker, he clearly has allowed us to be shadowed by greed and power since he does nothing but let our leaders do as they please."

"So they, forced you into marriage?" Tauriel said.

"Yes." The eleth answered. "They threatened me if I did not. They threatened to kill the one I truly loved but had not been given permission by my father to wed. So I agreed. For him, I agreed." She took a breath, and Tauriel realized whatever labor pains she had been having, were slowing. Good.

"Then let me help you, and we can find him, the one you love. You can still have a chance to find true happiness." Tauriel promised.

Lorilyn laughed a very un-elflike laugh. It was so loud, the sisters turned to stare at them. She was mad, Tauriel thought, until Lorilyn calmed and gave her a pointed look. "That, was my initial plan. The lord I was…sold…to for lack of better terms, was a brute. He isn't your normal elven lord, who loves knowledge and stars. He prefers power. His day is spent reminding his clan who ruled through proving his strength and his dominion over others. I couldn't stay with him, I refused to be tied to that for the rest of my immortal life…so I made a plan to run away on my wedding night…and the elf who had my heart, he was going to come with me. It was arranged, you see, all I had to do was get away from my new husband who seemed more interested in the wine and other females than me anyway. We were not a good match, any blind elf could see that."

Flicking one of her golden locks away from her face, Lorilyn turned cold, jade, eyes to Tauriel. "I went to where we were to meet as soon as I could get away, but fancy my surprise to not see the elf I loved waiting for me, but instead, my dear, new, husband. He took me right there, laughing, calling me too spoiled now for another male to want." She leaned back, no emotion in her face. "He told me, to bear him a son. That was my job. My duty. Bear him a son, and he would let me be with my lover once the child came...if my lover still wanted me."

"So you allowed yourself to become pregnant." Tauriel said releasing her hand before leaning back against the countertop beside the bed.

"So I allowed myself to get pregnant." Lorilyn confirmed. "My body protested for months, but eventually, it conceded, and I fell with child…this child." She pointed to her stomach. "But that was not where it ends."

More? There is more? Tauriel was already nauseated by the confession, she isn't sure she could stand to hear more, but she heard herself ask softly for the eleth to continue.

"Before I told him I was with child…which I planned to do right away, I was dragged in to where my husband was holding yet another bride in his lap. He informed me that he was disappointed in what he was sold, so he was able to speak with his council and since I have not held my end of the bargain and I was not fulfilling my duties as his mate, they broke our marriage. He immediately took on his new wife…an eleth with a rather impressive battle record, and who was quite far along with one of his offspring already…much further than I was…and it was to be a son, his first son. He said she was much more fitting to bear his sons than a weak female with a heavy attitude. He laughed at me when I refused to react, and said his new bride warmed his bed and his home far better than my cold waspish soul."

"Did you tell him?" Tauriel asked. "About the child?"

"Oh immediately. Finally, I snapped. I snarled at him, told him we had a bargain, and I was carrying his offspring. He simply said the marriage was annulled, and his new wife already told him she was having a son…his son…his son who was to be born before this child, making his mistress turned wife the mother of his heir. But he still wanted this child…as a backup, he said, so I was still not to leave until the child was born. We belonged to him, until then."

"Did he still…force you?" Tauriel asked.

"Nearly every night. Sometimes with his bride watching and laughing."

Sick. Tauriel was going to be sick. "What about the one you loved? Surely, if he returned your feelings he would protect you?"

Lorilyn laughed again. "You don't get it do you? There is no happy ending to my story, Tauriel. No miracle knight on a horse to save me. I have no castle, no fortune, nothing. All I had, was the love I held onto while I was shoved to a mattress and taken over and over again. All I could dream about, was finding him while I was forced and ridiculed." She took a breath, closing her eyes. "I…I received a notice that one of my sisters was to be wed two months into my pregnancy. My benevolent master was overjoyed and insisted they use the manor we resided in for the wedding. He quite liked my family, you see, and despite me no longer being his legal wife…still held to the contract he formed with my father the night we wed, and of course my elder sister was beyond overjoyed for the wedding to be in our extravagant gardens. My sisters wedding was beautiful, with flowers blooming all around and birds singing their joyful song while the enchanted little castle, that I had no claim to and which was the envy of all the neighboring clans but nothing more than a prison to me, sat as the backdrop to her ceremony."

Pushing herself up, Lorilyn glared at the drop of blood that came from where the needle was in her arm. "They came. My whole family. My whole clan. I was beyond myself when I realized HE would be there. HE would free me. HE would make everything right. He would help me through this, and we could raise this baby together once we got away. He always had the biggest heart, and I knew, he would not be the kind to want to give the child away and instead, would accept and raise it as his own. It was the first, and the only time, I was excited to have a child…knowing he would be the father it deserved blood or not. But…I was wrong. So so wrong. I was to be in the front row of the procession, a place of honor, because I was family. But in reality, it was nothing more than another ruthless move. For on the arm of my sister, was the elf I loved, and his smile was all for her."

Lorilyn snickered. "How I cried, how I fell at his feet and begged him to tell me this wasn't true, tell me they forced him, tell me they threatened him. But he kicked me away. He kicked me. That is when I knew, I meant nothing to him. I meant nothing to my parents. I mean nothing to the elf who bought me and wed me. Who forced me to carry this, thing, this piece of him. So you will have to forgive me, Tauriel, for not wanting anything to do with it, and wanting it out of me as soon as possible. I never connected to it, because I never really wanted it."

"I am sorry." Tauriel said softly, truthfully. "You should never have gone through that."

"No, I shouldn't have." Lorilyn agreed. "So now what? I cannot feel any pain anymore except for some cramping. That can only mean, I am to be hooked up to that machine."

"No. You won't be." Tauriel said. "Did your water break?"

"Water?" Lorilyn asked.

"Yes, water. Did you…feel any liquid come from your womb?"

"Oh." Lorilyn said. "No."

"Then you likely will not be having that child tonight. But I want to make you a promise…"

"Don't bother." Lorilyn said laying back against the wooden gurney. "I have had enough of promises and bargains to last my disgustingly immortal life."

"But none of them have been from me." Tauriel said. "I will get you out of here, but in order to do that, I need to get you somewhere safe, where they cannot find you."

Tauriel stopped, both her and Lorilyn's head whipping to the door as heavy footsteps approached. Atamen and Arice hissed when the steps stopped directly in front of the door.

"Hide!" Lorilyn said, causing Tauriel to look at her with surprise. "Don't look at me like I am the monster I know you think I am." She growled. "Hide yourself."

"No." Tauriel said, straightening and pulling her blade. The two sisters stood before Etta, protecting her. Tauriel gave them a soft smile, as they crouched in attack positions.

The door opened with a groan as a massive and very familiar form appeared in the opening, and it took Tauriel yelling out to stop the two sisters from attacking him. "Friend." She said as Tork came into the room. "He helped me." She said again, trying to use words they were becoming familiar with.

"Help?" Atamen said, her violet eyes glaring at Tork. "No. Pain!" She said.

"It can speak?" He looked surprised. "These are from the group barely two weeks old. They aren't allowed to learn to speak yet….for this very reason in fact...they are quite impressionable." Tork folded his arms looking Tauriel over. "You have been busy making new friends, bunny." He smirked, then peered around her to the pregnant elf, and his eyebrows rose as he began backing away. "Oh no. No no no. Making friends with them is one thing..." He threw a thumb towards the still hissing sisters. "But Gerheb paid for that one." He pointed to Lorilyn. "A fortune too, so vast a dragon would be envious. We can't help her, bunny." Tork said, actually looking like he had wanted to but knew better.

"See?" Lorilyn said with a laugh. "Told you to save your promises."

"No." Tauriel said, glaring at both Tork and Lorilyn. "I refuse to believe that. I refuse to believe we cannot help them, Tork." She gave him a look. "We can take them to Ivethin. You hid her and Nelithi, you can hide one more." Tauriel looked to the sisters. "Four more." She amended.

"Five." Tork grunted, folding his arms. "Including you." He rubbed his temples, rolling his blue eyes up to the sky. "How did I find myself in this situation?"

"You opened your eyes to the possibility, that the things they are doing here, the things Sauron is trying to do, are wrong." Tauriel grabbed the bowl with the poultice and began hiding all evidence of anyone being in here. Maybe, it will buy them some time if they think they moved Lorilyn and Etta to another room rather than them escaping or being taken. It was doubtful…but it was better than doing nothing.

Tork looked at Tauriel, then nodded. "Fine, get on that bed." He gestured to the third gurney as he grabbed three covers from a cabinet. "That one will need to be placed on its back." He looked to Etta who was breathing slowly and evenly.

"Etta. Her name, is Etta." Tauriel glared at Tork then moved to Etta. "Can you trust me? This will be painful, but only for a minute." Etta, who had awoken likely from hearing Tork's voice, looked up at her, her violet eyes so trusting. She allowed Tauriel to gently adjust her before Tork placed the cover over her. She seemed to still have no energy to fight, which also meant her pain was dulled.

"Put this over yourself." Tork passed the cover to Lorilyn who glared at him but did as he asked. "That belly, will be difficult to conceal. Lets hope we don't run into anyone who has a brain in this place. You two…" He looked to Atamen and Arice. "I need each of you to push a table."

"They won't understand." Tauriel began, but stopped when each of them moved to a table and Tork smirked.

"What do you think one of their duties are here? Apart from training. They know commands, and a few basic words. That, is one of those commands." He looked to Lorilyn. "You better cover up, and try to suck that stomach in if you can."

Lorilyn snickered as Tauriel got on the third wooden gurney. "Are you sure about wanting to help them?" Tork asked Tauriel. "I can protect you, but getting all five of you to safety…I cannot guarantee this will work."

'Go child. I will protect you. I will ensure you get to where you need to be.'

"We will be fine." Tauriel said, trusting the voice of Aule far more than she trusted even her own gut instincts at the moment. She thought about sending her husband a thought, but she needed to focus, and if Kili knew what she was doing, there will be no way Tauriel would be able to keep her mind on remaining still and quiet when he loses it. "Let's go." She said as Tork pulled the cover over her head.

All Tauriel could hear under that shroud, was the scraping and squeaking of the wheels of the three beds as they were pushed through the halls. Perhaps it was Aule watching them, or maybe Tork had a reputation, or a mix of the two. Whichever it was, they had not been stopped once, despite Tauriel hearing the mutterings of guards or workers as they passed them by.

Their luck, however, ran out eventually as Tauriel felt them coming to a stop when an unfamiliar voice ordered an explanation.

"Unless you want these corpses stinking up the place, Kayris, I suggest you move." Tauriel heard Tork grunt, as if he was attempting to move the gurney again, but no sound of squeaking wheels came and they remained unmoving.

A huff of air, followed by Kayris's deep voice had Tauriel stiffening. "Do I appear stupid to you, Tork." Footsteps walked towards Tauriel; heal toe. Heal toe. Clack. Clack. Clack. Silence. Tauriel held her breath and forced her heart rate to slow. She knew, just by her senses, that he was beside her, leaning over her. "Why do you use the hybrids? Are they not to be in training today?"

"They were." Tork said nonchalantly. "But I needed a hand. Since YOU refuse to do anything around here except order people about, I had to make do with who was available. Now if you please remove your hand from that table, I would prefer to get these to the pit and move on with my day sooner rather than later."

"If I were you, mut, I would mind my tone."

A growl, not from the man beside Tauriel, filled the hall. It had to be Tork. "And if I were YOU, I would remember which of us is capable of crushing skulls with their fist. Back. Off. Kayris. I was kept up all evening searching for that damn missing elf, and I missed breakfast this morning…so my moods a bit foul…and I am ravenous." Tauriel opened her eyes. Through the draping, she could just make out a form towering over another. "Would be a shame..." Tork continued darkly, "...if I needed to go for a hunt...and you were on the menu. My appetite, can be insatiable when I don't eat properly."

Tork's words sent shivers down her spine, but she pushed them away and closed her eyes again, focusing on not breathing. Silence filled the hall, then the man was walking away and Tauriel felt her gurney lurch as it moved forward. She took a breath, a shallow one, and silently thanked Aule.

They were stopped only once more, though Tauriel could not make out why. But they were allowed to continue after a brief conversation with the guard in blackspeech. Though Tauriel will never learn that language, she has found it a disadvantage to not be able to understand what was being said, even as they rolled away once more.

After what felt like an eternity, Tauriel heard a door open before they were pushed to a stop in a warm room. A warm room that smelled of rot. It made Tauriel's stomach roll, but she forced it to calm as she waited for the shroud to be removed.

"Its alright bunny, you are safe now…or safer."

"Tork?"

Tauriel knew that voice, and she jumped up to see none other than Ivethin standing several feet away. This was an Ivethin Tauriel had never seen before. Her friend, who was always pristine, always shining, was now dulled, covered in rot, blood, and bile. Even her eyes were dimmed, her skin clammy, and her hair a matted tangle. It was unsettling to Tauriel, who looked up to the eleth before her.

"Tauriel?" Ivethin asked, looking shocked, then devastated. "They got you too? The children?"

"Fine." Tauriel said going straight to her friend. "In the mountain, safe."

"Thank the creator for that. Kili?"

"Is on his way." Tauriel said. "And Fili is, likely already in Rhun, or he should be. I do not doubt he is far." She sent a silent prayer to the Valar and to Aule, begging them to watch over Fili.

Ivethin only nodded, but Tauriel's attention was already on another in the room. "Nelithi." Tauriel whispered. She was on the ground, a blanket only separating her from the moist stone underneath her. Tork was currently kneeling beside her, lifting her head tenderly to offer her some liquids from a small bladder he must have had somewhere on him.

Tauriel went to her, Ivethin looking between Tauriel and the three sisters. Two of which were on either side of Etta, who had seemed to lose the battle with consciousness yet again, but appeared to be out of pain. "Tauriel..." Ivethin said in warning.

"They are alright, Ivethin. They won't be trouble." Tauriel gestured to the injured hybrid. "Can you look her over? I did the best I could, but I am no true healer."

"And what am I to do?" Lorilyn asked testily, her legs swung out as she sat up on the gurney. "And WHAT is that smell?"

"Oh, and this is Lorilyn by the way." Tauriel sighed. "Try not to let her words strike you too deep."

Ivethin went right to the pregnant elf, ignoring the hybrids likely not on purpose. Tauriel couldn't blame her after what she guesses the elven healer has seen in this place.

"This is no place for a mother to be." Ivethin said gently, placing her hand on the belly of the eleth who quickly shoved Ivethin's hand away.

"DO NOT touch me. And don't call me that. I am NOT a mother." Lorilyn glared at Ivethin who looked taken aback, but respected her choice, shock, however, was evident in her features.

"Goheno nin." Ivethin bowed her head. "I beg your forgiveness. I should have asked first. You must be horrified to be here."

Lorilyn lifted a brow. "Where are you from?" She asked Ivethin.

Ivethin smiled. "I was born in Lothlorien, trained in Rivendell as well as Lorien, but most of my life and my work has been in the forest of Mirkwood under Lord Thrandual."

"Ivethin, is the head healer of the city in the greenwood, and well respected in all elven cities in the west." Tauriel said, kneeling beside Tork. "Nelithi?"

"Captain." Nelithi said with a teasing smile.

Tauriel chuckled. "I am no longer your captain, Nelithi. I have told you as such how many times now?" She swept a hand through Nelithi's dark, matted, hair. She did not look good.

"You will always, be my captain, Tauriel." Nelithi said seriously. "I would...would have followed you. Followed you when you left Mirkwood, when you fled, I mean, if I knew you were going."

Surprise filled Tauriel's features, before they softened into a smile. "Your brother would have begged you to do otherwise."

"No. He would have come. Might have been funny to see him try and woo you just to get under your prince's skin." Nelithi took a deep gasping breath, her eyes closing as her body spasmed in pain.

"Shhh." Tork was saying. "It will pass, try to relax." He glanced at Tauriel, his massive hand holding Nelithi's small delicate hand, her fingers white as she grasped Tork tightly and rode out the pain. When it passed, it left Nelithi gasping, sweating, and sobbing. Tork looked at Tauriel, sadness in his eyes. Help her, his eyes begged, but Tauriel didn't know how to.

Nelithi no longer seemed to be able to speak, so Tauriel went to Ivethin who was finally looking Etta over, though she seemed unhappy about it.

"Are we to help them, then?" Ivethin asked in Sindarin, her eyes going to the two hybrids standing, as she worked on the one on the table.

"This is not their fault, Ivethin." Tauriel responded. "Can you tell me what you know? What is happening here?"

"Terrible things." Ivethin said as she tied the wound up once more. "It..."

"She." Tauriel corrected. "Her name is Etta. Her sisters, are Atamen, and Arice."

"They are sisters?" Ivethin asked, eyeing the three hybrids.

"Honestly, I don't know. They just clung to the word. I cannot say how they are born, so I cannot say if they are true sisters or not." Tauriel gave the hybrids a smile. "But they care for one another, I believe, and that is enough to be considered sisters to me."

Ivethin looked from Tauriel, to the hybrids. "You have always been a wonder, Tauriel." The small smile she gave the red-headed eleth was genuine. "Your heart is open to the good in the world, you see things in others most do not…even in places where the darkness is ruler over the light."

Tauriel placed a hand on Ivethin's thin shoulder. "I had a mentor, who once told me a healer is not just here to mend sprains, calm fevers, and bandage cuts...but to bring their healing light to the world in any way they can, to whoever they can. I only try to live by that advice."

"Yet you left me shortly after I taught you that, to join the guard." Ivethin lifted a brow and Tauriel smiled wide, not apologetic in the least about her choices. "You would have been a wondrous healer, Tauriel. I am confident, you would have even surpassed me had you continued your studies…especially with that gift you were blessed with."

"That wasn't my calling, Ivethin, gift or no." Tauriel said softly. "I went right where I was meant to be. I endured what I had to then, to have what I do today."

Ivethin nodded, already knowing the answer. "Kili, a family, a true home."

"Kili, a family, and my true home." Tauriel repeated. "What do you know of this place?"

Ivethin stiffened, then her shoulders fell. "It is a place of death and wrongness." She said in common as she pulled the shroud up to Etta's chest to keep her warm then turned to Tauriel. They both ignored Lorilyn's snickers. Tauriel felt bad for the eleth who had a life far worse than her own had ever been. In fact, Tauriel went through paradise compared to Lorilyn. Thranduil was never that cruel to her, he never forced her to make a match, though he did attempt to pair her…she knew it would have still come down to being her choice. It wasn't their way anyway. Her mate, was Kili. It was always meant to be Kili. He was her soulmate, chosen for her long before this world began; their connection blessed by both Manwe and Aule. If they agreed to it, it was not a far stretch to say even the great Iluvatar accepted it.

In any life, her and Kili would find each other; their souls magnetized to each other, drawn to each other. Tauriel cannot imagine what would have happened if Kili came into her life and she had been paired with another. Her kind, warmhearted, passionate husband would have likely let her be if she was happy, despite the obvious connection they would have...they do have. He would sacrifice his own happiness, if only to see her smile.

But if Tauriel was unhappy...he would draw blood before he let her live a life of pain and misery. She would have never had Lorilyn's fate...because Kili would have never allowed that to happen. Kili would start a war for Tauriel. He would have killed that elf if he were cruel to Tauriel, and would have had the backing of both Thorin and Fili to do so.

Lorilyn's story...was one of pure horror and pain, but it was her story to tell. Tauriel now understood the biting tone, the anger in her eyes, and the hate. Her family, her people, did her wrong. She never, ever should have judged her as she did. It was clear to her that the true monsters in this place were not the hybrids, they were not Lorilyn haunted and turned bitter by her life experiences, they were not even Tork who held Nelithi's hand so tenderly as she wept…no, the monsters…were the people who built this place, the people who run this place, and those who think it is alright to kill without mercy or compassion.

Taking a breath, Tauriel glanced at Lorilyn and wondered if there would ever be healing for the eleth who has been through a life wrought with pain; if there will ever be peace for her. Perhaps, Rivendell with its healing atmosphere and kind elves can offer her safety, and solace. Or perhaps she will choose to take the voyage to the undying lands. Her wounds, though unseen, were deep and infected. She may very well never recover from them in this world. Yet, she does not fade, she has not given up completely, and to Tauriel, that meant this elf was strong in mind, and spirit.

Perhaps, it was best for the moment though, to let her alone. "Ignore her." Tauriel finally said to Ivethin who kept glancing at the pregnant elf with straw colored hair and jade eyes. "She just needs time."

Ivethin lowered her brows. "Time, is not something we have much of."

"Tell me what you know." Tauriel said, and Ivethin nodded.

"There is a man here, they call Gerheb. From what I understand, he was gifted a stone that had the power to extract life from the eldar, and merge it with another being. He has chosen the orcs."

"Why?" Tauriel asked.

"Because of how close we are in relation is my only guess. Orcs, after all, were once elves turned by Morgoth, as you well know. At the basest levels...we are the same. But Orcs have weaknesses...aversion to sunlight, a short mortality, and an overall lack of agility. His plan, was to create a cross species between the orcs, and the eldar. A hybrid to bridge the weaknesses out. Those..." She looked to the three sisters, "...are born here...if born is the correct word for it. They appear to be more eldar, than orc. But they are not immortal; it is the flaw Gerheb is most angry about...neither do they have the power to fully remove our own immortality...but the effects to the machine may as well be just as bad. The more our light is extracted...the more irreparable the damage...and too many will extinguish the light altogether, killing our people one by one. The more he kills, the more his army grows...and they are many in number now. When I was taken, it was broad daylight and those attacking were all like them." She nodded once more to the sisters.

"Of course, most of the things I know, come from Tork's explanations." Ivethin added after a moment. "My own experiences and understandings are limited."

Tauriel took Ivethin's hand. "Did they...hook you up to it?"

"Yes." Ivethin said. "Four times." Her eyes were shadowed. She lifted the torn sleeve of her dress to show heavy bruising where she had been hooked up to the machine. "They are across both arms, my ankles, the back of my neck, and my chest." She said, then looked to the floor where Nelithi lay, Tork still beside her. "But Nelithi, endured seven extractions. One more, and..." She wouldn't be here, was the end to that sentence. "Tork saved her life, and mine. He has been bringing us food, and medication as best he can. We owe him greatly for his kindness and the risks he is taking."

"We need to get you out of here. Where in this compound are we?" Tauriel asked Tork, who would be the only who knew, and could communicate it.

Tork looked hesitant, but eventually answered. "This is the old med room off the pit. When it became too...odorous...to utilize, they rebuilt a larger room for their experiments."

"The pit?" Lorilyn asked.

"Where they throw the bodies after they are finished with them; when the elves have no life left, or the orcs they use to pull organic material from are too damaged to create more hybrids…they put their bodies in the pit." Tork stood. "They still use the pit here, but this room...they barred off from future extractions, and I tend to be one of the few who actually bring bodies here."

"Hiding in the snakes den." Tauriel said and Tork nodded.

"I knew the smell will keep the elder hybrids off Ivethin and Nelithi's trail, and the others, simply refuse to come in this room." Tork looked around at the dark, dank, chamber. "Cannot imagine why. A few plants and a throw rug and this place may even be homey."

"Are you being serious?" Lorilyn looked disgusted.

Tauriel sighed, her hand rubbing at her chest yet again, wincing as the pressure was nearly becoming unbearable.

"They didn't hook you up as well, did they?" Ivethin asked, her expression pure concern as she began pushing Tauriel back to the wooden gurney she arrived on as if she were going to look her over.

"No, Ivethin. I am fine. I'm still nursing Ithtiri and I have been away from my baby for far too long. It is just…uncomfortable in mind and body. I miss her, and she is calling to me which isn't helping, but there's nothing I can do until I am able to get back home to her. I just do my best to comfort her through our connection."

It was enough of an answer for the head healer of Mirkwood, who had brought many elven children into this world and helped their mothers work through both nursing, and weening. It wasn't always pleasant for the mother, but it was life. She trusted, after five children, Tauriel knew what she was doing. "And did Tork save you too?" Ivethin asked.

Tork snorted. "Depends on who you ask."

Tauriel narrowed her eyes. "I would have been fine."

"You would have been caught and thrown onto that machine or experimented on by Gerheb thanks to whatever fascination he has with you and that mark you bare. You would either be dead, or, still on a machine if you had not run into me first." He shook his head. "Then again, you seem rather resourceful, maybe you would have found all the hybrids, and turned them against Gerheb and have had this place already shut down by now. Hard to say."

Tork stopped, and shot a warning look at Tauriel. "That wasn't a suggestion by the way."

"It may have well been." Ivethin sighed, seeing the light brighten in Tauriel's emerald eyes.

Tauriel said nothing. Whatever they chose to do, they needed to figure out a real plan, and fast. Nelithi needed help, and as skilled a healer as Ivethin is, she lacks the supplies to really aid Nelithi in this place...if she even can. What they really needed, though, was back up. "Give me a few minutes. I need to think."

Tauriel moved away from the group, going to a far wall, and slid to the ground. She opened her mind, clawing for her connection to Kili, and called for him.

"You don't have to yell, amralime." Kili chuckled in her mind. "I am here."

Tauriel smiled. "Care to explain how you managed this?"

"I told you, Galadriel helped. But the short answer is, there was a barrier between us still; it sat at the center of the archway between our minds and was something we could not see, yet, it could be felt should we try to cross it. Galadriel said what was stopping our minds from fully connecting, was this invisible barrier…and removing it would cause no harm to either of us. So…I just…I don't know…broke through it and figured you would be fine with it. There is more, but I want to tell you when I see you. But…you are fine with it…right Tauriel? She said we can put it back if we wished, whenever we wanted. I won't see you uncomfortable anywhere, let alone your own mind."

Tauriel fingered her engagement bead, hating how the dullness of this room caused it to lose some of its normal brilliance. Did she mind if Kili was in her head all the time? Valar no. In all honesty, it felt…so, so, right to have him there. It was like…he was where he was always meant to be. "This…is wonderful, Kili. I am overjoyed to be able to hear your voice. You do not know how much I needed this…how much I miss you."

"I miss you too." Kili said back so softly, it held the same emotions and meaning as 'I love you.' and Tauriel really needed that. "Now, what is going on in there, Tauriel?"

"I have so much to tell you, meleth nin, and very little of it is good, I am afraid." Over the next several minutes, Tauriel put her experiences into thoughts, sharing them with her soulmate in their new way of communicating…which she found was infinitely easier than trying to communicate through emotion as they had been doing.

"I want you out of there." Kili growled in her mind. "Immediately."

"Kili, I can't leave. There is no way out. Nelithi is...not well. And there's an elf near ready to bear a child. I can't leave them to their deaths, but I can't risk taking them either. And what is worse, is the sands surrounding this place are treacherous; Tork said there are sand worms, Kili, were-worms to be exact, who plague these lands and let none pass. Even if I could escape this very moment…I have no real way of crossing over the worms. I don't know what to do. Any sign of Fili? He needs to be warned of what lingers under the sands. He cannot come here…not by foot."

Silence filled their bond. Tauriel could almost see Kili, his jaw clenched, his spine rigid, and his eyes dark and thoughtful. "I am sending Umyra ahead to find Fili, she will make sure he connects with us before going to you…I hope. We're nearly at a full run as often as the horses can handle. I AM coming Tauriel. Do not do anything risky, not yet. We will figure it out. For now, stay where you are, and stay low if you can. I trust you, amralime, so if you see an opportunity to get out, take it, don't wait for me, just go."

"Please hurry Kili."

"I am coming as fast as I can, amralime. Be careful."

Tauriel felt him as he turned his focus likely on getting to her. He trusted her to choose what was best for her and the situation, and he knew if the opportunity came, she will get out as many as she can. Tauriel sighed as she continued to play with her braids, knowing she WILL get as many out of this place as she can…she just needed to figure out how.

Authors Note: I have been WANTING to slowly progress Kili and Tauriel's connection so it was not just…we can speak mind to mind…from the beginning. It was always my intention for them to get to this point, but in time.

Sorry about the SA story with Lorilyn. I hope it did not upset anyone…I did that for a few reasons. The main one is I wanted Tauriel to see that the world she thought she knew…is not as black and white as she always believed. An elf like Tauriel, or even Legolas and Arwen, grew up in these cities where they were taught lessons in peace, and knowledge. Thranduil is probably the closes to a morally grey elf I can think of but mostly in the movies…in the books, he is a little less cruel and even calls Bilbo an elf friend. But that is not to say there is no elves out there who are not corrupt in some way or another. Not all elves have to be peacemakers, or people of light and healing. I like to think middle earth is more dynamic than that. So to me, there are clans where things like this can happen, and Tauriel is just learning she may have been more sheltered than she realized, and the things she believes…may not be true for all parts of the world.

In that same theme…what we think may be the monsters…may just be something we don't understand. I like to think of that Ever After quote, the one from Utopia, "For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this, but that you first make thieves and then punish them." If you make monsters, teach them to be monsters, and all they know is what they were taught…then who is the real monster? The monster itself? Or he that made them into what they are? Food for thought.

More to come of course! Next chapter takes us back to Fili and we may see some familiar creatures make an appearance. Keep an eye out for the next chapter. AND…I love you guys.