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.

85. ACT V Chapter 27

Scroll down for the chapter if you don't care to read my authors notes. I talk too much sometimes…I know.

I am SOOOO sorry this has taken forever to get out. I have been so sick these last two weeks I am just now starting to feel like a human again. No it wasn't COVID or RSV or Pneumonia. Just some awful sinus infection or bronchitis or something similar I had to just let work through my system. Hopefully it will be clear in a few more days. Fingers crossed.

Also I got my first notification from this week of a new favorite! That means at least the notifications are working again! YAAYYYY. Thank you. Also for any new readers, welcome welcome. If you made it this far…you have officially read something longer than most multibook series. It's quite the feat. Lol. My sister mentioned that I needed to do an audiobook version of this XD. Don't get that in your head, I hate the sound of my voice on a recording, so that's not going to happen. I don't know why I hate the sound of my voice, but I do. I am hoping they will fix the stats soon too, because they make me feel seen, lol. It's stupid, I know, but I am human and like to know at least some people are appreciating this still even silently.

There's only one shout-out and that's to Unorthodox-oblivion…wait, we already chatted about this though lol. Still, I am so, SO happy at least one person likes the name I chose for Taurion. 😊 Also sorry I meant to post this on Tuesday like I said but I was just super unmotivated to do anything but sit in bed. Honestly I can't even remember Tuesday…or Wednesday…or most of this week D: I blame all the cold meds I have been taking to just survive. LOL!

BEFORE YOU READ MAKE SURE YOU ARE UP TO DATE! With notifications just returning, there may be a chapter or two you missed, so just make sure you read the one before this one or even before that. If you are just seeing this and its been a month since you have checked there may be several chapters to catch up on.

Funny story…I was halfway through this chapter in editing and had the weird feeling that I already posted this and almost complexly skipped this chapter and went on to the next one. Fortunately I had the clarity to actually look and see what was posted or you all would have not gotten this chapter. LOL. It was probably the massive amount of cold meds to blame.

That is all. Happy reading! Got a bit more healing to do and some conversations to be had ahead.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

For Kili…it was once again a time of waiting as the world passed by slowly around him. Tauriel woke once that day, smiling at Kili who looked to her like he had not slept in days. She fingered a curl in his hair that had fallen from where it was still tied back from the bath he had taken with Fili and Naufi the evening before. Kili had not even noticed he had yet to let it down, but he didn't move to untie it. Instead, he let her continue to play with the loose curl as he rested his head on his palms beside her.

This time, Naufi was awake and had tears running down his face as he pressed his brow to Tauriel's shoulder whispering he was sorry over and over and over again. Tauriel for her part, glanced at Kili then lifted her hand and pressed Naufi to her. "Hush my little star." She managed to say. "You are safe, that is all I have ever wanted." He cried for a bit longer before he settled next to her on the bed, his fingers grasping hers as he played with the gold ring on her hand.

Tauriel didn't speak much more than that, apart from asking Naufi how he was doing and trying to get him to say more than two words in response. The dwarfling just lay there mostly silent. She gave Kili a look of worry, but decided to let it go considering Kili himself looked as if he was being pushed beyond his ability to cope at the moment as well. Oh, her boys. She hated seeing them like this, and hated even more she lacked the energy and ability to help them.

When breakfast was brought in, Naufi again just picked at his food hardly eating any of it. Even Tauriel was able to eat the creamed wheat they had given her…again with the powder mixed in which changed the texture a bit to Tauriel's distaste. Most her focus, however, was really on her uncharacteristically silent son, and Kili who looked like he was in desperate need of a nights rest…good or otherwise.

She tried to get her husband to sleep, to rest with his head beside hers, but Kili adamantly refused and instead, pressed a kiss to her lips before redoing her braids for her. He then realized he still needed to do Naufi's braids as well. He pulled the twin beads from his pocket then patted the bed just in front of him.

"Come on Nauf, I need to do those braids we took out last night." His son seemed both surprised and relieved when Kili called him over to redo his braids…but did not say a word out loud about it. He just sat unnaturally still as Kili put the two braids in and re-attached the beads. Once done, Naufi chose to lay beside Tauriel once again where he remained most the day while Tauriel was in and out of consciousness.

Ivethin only seemed a little worried when she came in to check on Tauriel…but she chose to have more hope than despair for Kili's sake alone. "I am sure her body is still ridding itself of the draught. Not to mention, she has much healing to do. As long as she wakes and drinks her broth or eats what she is brought…she will have the strength to pull through this. Have faith in her, Kili, if nothing else." She paused. "Did the others tell you you have rooms now in the royal halls? IF you like…I can sit with her so you can get some sleep. I know there is not a lot of space here to lay down."

"NO!" Kili shot down instantly then apologized at Ivethin's startled expression. "Sorry, Ivethin…but no. I already stepped out to get cleaned up…I don't want to miss anything in case…"

Ivethin sighed but nodded. She knew by now there was no arguing with the stubborn, young, dwarven prince. He seemed so…sorrowful. As if he has lost Tauriel already despite her fighting her way to remain here just before his eyes. She lives, and she breathes…he should be rejoicing in every moment, not looking as if she has already left these lands behind. How he was acting reminded her far too much of what the eldar go through when they have lost a bonded mate, and that worried her deeply. She will be keeping a very close eye on him, and will intervene if she must. For now, she will give him time...hopefully he will come around.

With a few more words of encouragement, Ivethin left him to himself, periodically checking in between resting herself and seeing to Nelithi. Tauriel would be upset to know Kili was hardly eating, hardly leaving, and hardly even speaking to anyone with the exception of his son who was doing just as poorly as Kili. The poor little one. She tried to offer him some sweets…but he just turned away from her. This was a difficult time for them all.

It took a further three days before Tauriel was able to stay awake and be much more aware of her surroundings. Ivethin smiled down at her friend proudly and knowingly. "The strength of life and will to live you possess, dear friend, is greater than any I have witnessed before."

"I have much to live for." Tauriel said softly, Naufi watching her with wide, green eyes on one side, and Kili holding her hand on the other. He pressed a kiss to her palm, but said nothing as he just stared at her.

Tauriel gave him a soft smile, noting the far off look in his eyes, but when she asked about it, he just shut her down both out loud, and in their mind. He was working through something…but Tauriel hoped it was just worry. She would fight for him…she will fight for him. Her Kili. Even if all she could do right now…was just fight to stay awake. It was getting easier, which gave her hope that she would eventually be alright. She sighed as she reached mentally for Kili…but he was blocking her out; she tried not to let that hurt her. Especially since he otherwise never left her side and listened to almost everything Ivethin said as she checked Tauriel over.

Anytime she was awake, Kili was there. Usually Thorin, Fili, Viltarra, or Naurfaer were in the room sporadically but never at the same time. Not many others in Mirkwood came in to see her, and that was because her overprotective family had requested family only with exception of Tork, Dwalin, Bofur, and Aeodhen. Of course Legolas and Thranduil were also allowed in the room and Ivethin…but that is where Kili drew the line from what Naurfaer had told her.

In fact, Tauriel woke to the raised voice of her favorite dwarf who was not so politely trying to get someone to leave. "Nagar." Naurfaer chuckled under his breath. "He keeps trying to poke his head in here. If he isn't careful…Kili might just remove it from his shoulders. Probably a good thing he doesn't have his weapons on him."

Tauriel opened and shut her mouth as Kili slammed the door shut, dropped into his chair beside the bed, and stared angerly at the wall for several minutes before giving them an update on Nelithi…which was not much of an update at all considering there was no change. He eventually calmed down when Tauriel took his hand and smiled softly. She knew he wasn't fond of Nagar so she didn't say anything.

Nagar wasn't the only one who was barred from the room, Kili had also refused to let any other healer even enter to Tauriel silent annoyance, which was not a problem…until the time it was.

Thorin huffed at Kili when his nephew all but went into a rage when someone other than Ivethin came in with intentions of cleaning Tauriel's wounds late the next morning when Tauriel was still sleeping. The elven healer made the mistake of not knocking but walking right in and going directly to the resting Tauriel.

"NO!" Kili roared startling Naufi who curled into himself when he saw his father's temper flare. Kili stood and made for the elf causing Thorin and Fili to jump into action and hold back the enraged prince. Thankfully both were in the room to intervene or things could have been so much worse.

"TAKE A WALK, KILI! NOW!" Thorin ordered when Kili raised his voice so much, two guards and three other healers came in including an exhausted looking Ivethin. Tauriel too jolted awake, then cried out when the action caused pain to radiate through her entire system, so much so she couldn't focus on anything but the pain; not even her raging husband who was so lost in his fury he hadn't noticed she woke.

While Ivethin went straight to Tauriel, Kili glared at his uncle and looked like he was about to argue, but Fili pulled him from the room giving him no choice. They did not go far…mostly because Kili refused to be gone long. "I WON'T let them take her from me!" Kili said pacing the front entrance of the healers halls. He flat out refused to go any further. "She is MINE, Fili. MINE! Not these elves, not Mahal's, not even Iluvatar's…but mine!"

"Ki…nobody is trying to take her from you." Fili sighed, giving his brother an incredulous look.

"Don't talk to me like I am a child, Fili." Kili seethed then the fight left him and he sat. "I'm never going to win this…am I?" He felt his brother sit beside him, though he just listened. "Someone…will always try and take her away and one day, I will fail to hold onto her and she will be just…gone. Her warmth. Her presence. Her comfort. Gone. Mam says she feels da sometimes…that she talks to him often, and feels him listening to her. She even says she swears she hears his laughter or his annoyance as she shares her day with him each night. But…nothing is there, Fi. Just…when she is gone, she will be gone; the place she resides is empty, Fili. I'll have nothing."

Fili was shocked. He thought they talked about this the other day. Then again, they were in that bath. "It was a dream, Kili. I told you that. And Ivethin has said that draught puts them in a dreamless sleep. Maybe it affects your bond like when she was put to sleep on her way to Rhun? Have you thought of that? Maybe she didn't even know…or doesn't know…how this is affecting YOU. If you have not noticed, Ki, she's been a bit out of it lately."

Kili scowled at Fili and Fili chuckled. "It was a joke, Ki. Lighten up. Let me ask you this…"

"KILI!" Thorin's deep and quite angry voice had Fili stopping as their uncle stomped towards them. He looked positively livid, and Kili stood ready to pull his blades.

"What is it? Did Marawen come back to hurt her? Did Tauriel…oh Mahal…is she?" He immediately sought the bond he has been trying to avoid for reasons he cannot say, but it seemed fine if not still more than a bit frayed and the pain it caused him to access it had him backing away from it once more. Still, Tauriel was there, that much he knew. However…his uncle still appeared beyond irate, though he nodded to Viltarra who paused in the hall and looked at them before Fili gestured to Tauriel's door silently telling her to go inside. Viltarra immediately understood and ducked inside the room, Hiril and Dungael trailing just behind her.

"Sit! Now!" Thorin pointed to the bench they were just sitting on, the one Fili was still sitting on, and waited.

Kili, though, still looked ready to bolt inside until Naurfaer came walking out with Ivethin.

"You LEFT her alone in there!" Kili roared ready to move but was stopped by both Thorin and Naurfaer who held him back. "THEY WILL KILL HER!"

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Thorin pushed Kili onto the bench with so much force, Kili stumbled and fell into Fili who held him in place. "Tauriel is fine…in fact, she is far better than anyone had anticipated! Injured yes, severely, but she is still with us. And we have not left her alone in any respect. Viltarra just went in to be with her, and Naufi is still in the room as well. She also has two very well trained ravens and two wargs in there protecting her with Dwalin currently at the door. But this is not about her…Kili. This is about you. You…are not alright, Kili and I am done watching you bury yourself over this. I have let you have time to process…but I now see that I should have stepped in sooner."

"Uncle…"

"Silence." Thorin said, the authority in his voice causing Kili to snap his jaw shut. There was only one thing you could do when Thorin used that voice…shut up and listen.

"I know, this has been hard on you, Kili. The last few weeks have been hard on all of us just dealing with the situation in Rhun. To end it all with Tauriel being attacked…feels like more than we can handle. But we are DWARVES Kili…and even more, we are sons of Durin. We FIGHT for what we love…be that a mountain, or be that those we care about…we FIGHT. You are giving up…"

Kili's eyes widened and he began to shake his head no but Thorin stepped closer. "You are and you know you are. I am not in your head, Kili, but I raised you. I know exactly who you are, and I know what you can take…and your forge is cracking."

At the word, Kili felt the cracks in his mind, the shattering, spidering, lines through the mental world he had built over the last two decades, and he felt himself shaking with barely contained sobs.

Thorin closed his eyes, pushing down the desire to lecture, and instead finding that paternal need to be there for his children. He squatted in front of where Kili sat. "There are things, gifts, you have Kili…of the mind…that I will never understand. Connections leading to Tauriel and your children that I can't help you with. But there is one who can…and to see her worried as she is…listen to her, Kili. Before it's too late."

"Too late…what?" Kili glanced at Thorin, eyes wide and watering as he tried to make sense of what was going on.

"Ivethin…" Thorin said, glancing at the eleth who stepped out of the room and now stood just behind him. "…I believe can explain."

Kili's eyes moved from Thorin to Ivethin who held a jar of something eerily similar to what Tauriel had been given days ago and he recoiled; a look of panic and betrayal on his face until he blinked and realized…she held nothing. Her hands were loosely clasped in front of her though she gave Kili a look of both deep concern…and pity.

"A bonding is a powerful blessing…but not one that also can be a just as powerful curse to our kind." Ivethin said, then paused, closing her eyes for a second as if taking a moment to think.

Fili felt his brother relax just a bit, and seeing a slight tremble in Ivethin's hand, he released his brother and stood, offering the seat to the healer who didn't hesitate to take the place beside Kili. She even took his hand in hers, holding it as he fixed his wide, brown, eyes on her. "Because of their intimate and sacred nature, we do not speak of bonds often outside our family homes…that is where you learn of them, through your parents. However, this is a unique situation being as you are not of the eldar. This means, as the head healer of this city, it is my responsibility to speak to you about this. Are you comfortable with speaking of your bond?"

Kili blinked…then nodded slowly. "Ivethin…it isn't like we haven't spoken of it before. You don't need to ask."

Ivethin hummed. "I do in situations like this." At his confused look, the healer sighed. "Have you heard of fading?"

Kili shrugged. "Tauriel has mentioned it once or twice…it's like…a kind of death for an elf. Elves fade for various reasons, severe injury, losing a mate or a child. She doesn't talk a lot about it, but she has told me about it." He paused and gasped. "Is she…is Tauriel fading?"

"No! No, Kili." Ivethin said squeezing his hand. "Each day that passes, I have more hope for her recovery. But you…it is you I worry for."

"Me?" Kili asked taken aback. "Wait…are you suggesting…I am fading?" He snorted. "Ivethin…if you have not noticed, I am not an elf. Dwarves don't fade."

"No…they do not. But, you have a bond. And as you mentioned, one of the reasons most are prone to fading, is from losing a mate. That, is because of the unbearable pain from the bond being severed; a pain that never truly goes away and is followed by the deep loneliness from losing a piece of you." Her eyes bore into Kili's. "You have not eaten. You have not slept. You do not leave that room. You hardly speak even to your own family. In my experience…that is little different than fading. Perhaps, not completely the same, but I lack the experience with dwarves who bare elven bonds to really know. I do know Tauriel's body has changed…." When all four males stared at her she lifted a hand. "…I will not ask specifics…it is not my place to know. But as a healer who has experience working on Tauriel both before she left Mirkwood and after…things are different. It is why the draught Marawen gave her nearly cost her her life."

Kili growled again and Ivethin thought it time to settle at least that. "I spoke with Thranduil as you wished, and did my own investigation these last several days. We bore council with your uncle and Naurfaer…we thought you had enough to worry about with Tauriel and your son to draw you in. But in the end, it was unnecessary."

Kili gaped at both Thorin and Naurfaer who said nothing as Ivethin continued. "Marawen has been cleared."

Kili moved to stand but Ivethin held his hand tightly. "Please listen, if you will." She waited and Kili stiffened, but stayed. "Thank you. I have known Marawen for two-thousand-years, Kili. We were both here when Tauriel was brought in as an infant, dying on our very table as we worked to save her life. She was so small, she could fit in our hands." Ivethin actually smiled. "But she was struggling to breathe…her heart nearly bursting as it fought to keep her little body alive. It was Marawen…Kili…who was the one who found a solution to save her. Marawen has always been very…skilled…in newborn care. Granted it took a team to nurse her back to health…but had Marawen not found that solution as quickly as she did…before even I…there would be no Tauriel here today. She was the one to suggest the name saying she felt the tiny being was born of the forest that day, and since she saved her, we put it in record."

Kili blinked in shock as Ivethin continued. "Do you understand what I am trying to say? What sense would it make…to save a life and give her a name, only to destroy her later?"

"Resentment? Maybe she grew to dislike her? Hated that she married a dwarf? I don't know." Kili threw thoughts out not ready to let go of the anger he had towards the healer.

"Mmm." Ivethin hummed. "I supposed, those are valid thoughts…but Marawen has never even given an indication she dislikes Tauriel. She is not as…open…with her emotions as many. Marawen likes to keep to herself and her family and even more so since she lost her husband…but she is not what you appear to be making her. She made a mistake. One even I could have made had I not been privy to what Tauriel has shared with me over the years or had I not seen for myself the few times I have healed her. Yes, there is a file here on Tauriel I have personally put together…but I cannot fault Marawen for not seeking it when she had cared for Tauriel many times in her life here. She has been..." Ivethin paused in thought. "…horrified she may have hurt Tauriel. So much so, she wrote a letter to resign from the healers halls."

Kili ground his jaw, wanting to say 'As she should!' but not able to actually voice the words.

"I denied it, as did Thranduil." Ivethin said after a moment. She saw the fury fill Kili's eyes and lifted a brow. "Have you ever made a mistake, prince Kili?"

Fili snorted and Thorin folded his arms. Naurfaer just watched quietly. He personally didn't blame Marawen, though he was furious a simple mistake could have cost him his granddaughter. But who doesn't make mistakes? Most in this group has made a choice that could have cost them their own life…or the life of others...at some point in their life. One must move past it, learn from it, and keep living. That, is life.

"My point, my friend, is if I allowed all of my healers to leave because of a mistake ...grave or otherwise... made in my halls, we would have no healers at all. Even I am not impervious to making bad calls. I am not excusing it, Kili…" She said after a moment. "…I too love Tauriel, and I forbid anyone to think I am making light of what Marawen did. She could have cost a life and I take that very seriously. She will be closely monitored, and I will personally ensure she will not be seeing to Tauriel. She does wish to give you an apology when you are ready to speak to her, you and Tauriel. But all of us…" She gestured to Thorin and Naurfaer. "…are in agreement after hearing her testimony, the testimony of the other healers, and after taking account of her history with Tauriel; no ill intent was ever part of her care…I believe that fully and I stand by my decision to keep her on."

Kili was having a difficult time believing or accepting that truth and Ivethin saw it in eyes which were normally warm, chocolate, brown…but were currently onyx black. She fought a shiver at the coldness that overtook his warmth. "I know there was a healer who broke your trust…but Marawen is not her. Please believe me Kili, when I say I vouch for Marawen and her character. Even more, ask Tauriel herself. She has known Marawen her entire life."

"She said…" Kili took a breath than nodded. Tauriel had said to him she didn't believe it was intentional. Closing his eyes, Kili fought to find a semblance of himself, but when he opened them he was staring off into the sky…alone on his balcony…living a life without his one.

"Kili…."

When Kili shook his head he was staring at Marawen…no…Ivethin. He shook his head again the world righted itself. His mind still thrummed with the heavy ache of his bond though and Ivethin must have sensed something because she gave him a soft smile. "As I was saying earlier…you have…symptoms…if you will of fading, Kili, and that is where my primary concern is right now."

"I'm fine, Ivethin." Kili said, moving to stand but when she tugged his hand once again, he relented and sat back down to listen to whatever more she had to say. He lacked the energy to care really, after expending so much energy earlier in his rage.

"You are in no way, fine, Kili." Ivethin said sternly. "In your mind…do you feel pain?"

Kili leveled her with a glare. "My wife is dying on a bed…"

"Not dying." Ivethin immediately corrected. "But go on."

Kili blinked and shook his head. "She's…hurt." Ivethin nodded. "What's the point of this, Ivethin? I really don't want to be away from her for too long…" At her look, he rolled his eyes. "Fine. Yes. It hurts. Like there's a thousand sores in my head…like my mind is a piece of porcelain, with fractures slowly pulling me apart. But don't worry, I have put walls in place to protect Tauriel. I don't want it to hurt her while she is healing."

Ivethin gaped at Kili…fear filling her eyes. "If your mind, is fracturing, Kili, we need to address it immediately!" When Kili just gave her a confused look, she continued. "It is a stage of the fade most do not come back from when losing a mate. But you have not lost your mate, so I do not understand why you are experiencing it."

"Unless…she passed for a moment…" Naurfaer suggested. "Is that possible, Ivethin? Could Tauriel have, just, been too close to passing and triggered it?"

Ivethin thought for a moment then shook her head. "No, that wouldn't have been enough for the process to begin. It would take the body and the mind time to sever the bond. It may have a small tear…but it would have repaired instantly."

Fili looked between his brother, then Ivethin. "Kili said he had a dream…"

"Fili…" Kili growled in warning…wanting that to be between he and his brother.

Fili just ignored his brother and shared what Kili had told him about his dream with those around him. Thorin's expression softened as Naurfaer looked devastated. Fili had already heard and processed it so though it saddens him, his mind sees it as just a dream. Tauriel was getting better…slowly…but he has faith she will be alright in time. But Kili seems stuck…stuck in a mindset that he was losing her when the reality was, he isn't.

"I see." Ivethin said thoughtfully. "Well…I cannot say I have ever heard of a dream causing this…but such a dream paired with how severe I was told Tauriel was that first night could have tricked your mind into triggering the severing of the bond." She sat thoughtfully for several moments then looked at Kili. "I do not know what happens should a dwarf go through the fading process…but I do not wish to see it either, so you will listen to me."

Ivethin waited for Kili to nod slowly before she continued. "The bond is not impervious to...injuries if you will. It too needs time to heal and yours sounds quite wounded but it does not appear it is fully severed so be thankful for that. However, you must remove your barriers…"

"But Tauriel…"

"Tauriel is what you need to heal, Kili. If you do not take those barriers down, the cracks will grow, and not stop until you are lost. Lost in mind, then, lost in body. Open the bond, and let it heal. She likely will not even notice her mind is doing it, it is a natural reaction to sooth our mates bond…instinct if you will. Her mind will recognize yours is injured and begin to mend it almost immediatly. And before you ask, it will require only a little of her energy reserves."

"She…won't notice?" Kili asked, not wanting to bother his wife as she recovers.

Ivethin smiled softly. "Well…most don't. But Tauriel is very attune to you. There is more…"

Kili sighed. "Of course there is."

"You need to rest, Kili."

"I can't." Kili said, when Ivethin was about to argue, Kili shook his head. "Really…I…I can't. I can't close my eyes…because…I don't want to wake up anywhere but here."

"Kili…it was a dream." Thorin said.

Naurfaer rubbed his chin. "Maybe it wasn't."

"Not helping." Fili grumbled as Kili gaped at Naurfaer.

"Oh…sorry. I meant, maybe it was a hallucination or vision?"

"What's the difference." Thorin rolled his eyes.

"Well…" Naurfaer said. "…for one thing, hallucinations and visions can be more realistic. I suppose it could have been a dream, but I think it is more likely he was so drained, so distraught, and so worried his mind created a scenario that felt so real he actually believed it while he was in it. We all dream…and for the most part you know in some way…it is just a dream. But trauma mixed with exhaustion is a potent pairing for a believable hallucinatory nightmare."

"Could that nightmare have triggered the fracturing in his bond?" Thorin asked.

Ivethin nodded slowly. "Bonds are purely mental…not physical. It is a very real possibility he thought his dream was so real, his bond reacted as if it was…going through the process of severing and fading before Tauriel was truly gone. It probably didn't help her connection to him was weakened due to her injury…then the draught."

Kili stared at the ground. He did this…to himself? Something akin to hope filled him. A dream. Truly. A dream.

"I can get you something to help you sleep…" Ivethin suggested but Kili whipped his head up and fixed glare at her so fast, it had her taking it back. "…you need to rest…it is how it will mend, Kili."

"I will." Kili said. "Just…I just need time to process this. Can I go back to her?"

"I think it best you do. Being close to Tauriel WITH your barriers down will be the next best thing to rest. That is…if you can hold your composer and not attack my healers." She stood, giving Kili a stern look. "I understand you are going through a lot…but many others in these halls right now are as well. My team is stretched thin as it is…I have just as much responsibility to protect my patients as I do my healers, Kili. I will not allow violence of any kind in my halls. Do you understand? I will allow you back in, if you can compose yourself and keep your temper."

Kili actually blanched, then felt his cheeks warm with embarrassment as he nodded. "I'm sorry Ivethin."

Ivethin looked at Kili then bowed her head. "Apology accepted. You must also accept that though I will resume to be Tauriel's primary healer while she stays in Mirkwood…I may need others to check in on her periodically."

"I know, Ivethin." Kili sighed. He glanced at his uncle, who lifted a brow, then slowly nodded his own head.

"Go on." He said gruffly, watching as Kili all but raced back inside the room. He quickly glanced at Ivethin who was standing with the help of Fili. "Is he going to be alright?" He was not going to lose Kili…not to something like this.

Ivethin thanked Fili then looked thoughtfully at Thorin. "If he lets go of his stubbornness and allows his bond to heal…yes."

"And if he doesn't'?" Thorin asked slowly.

Ivethin, however, smiled…her eyes twinkling. "Do you really think Tauriel will give him the option?"

For his part, Kili did in fact cool his temper. He even remained quiet as healers came to check on them and bring Tauriel food. Thorin and the others had been now taking meals in the private rooms they were given…but they did bring a tray for Naufi and Kili who had yet to leave Tauriel for longer than necessary. He was feeling a little better after removing all the barriers in his mind. So far, Tauriel had not said a word to him about it…yet somehow, she looked a little more relaxed herself. He really needs to stop assuming he is sparing her when in reality…he is just causing them both more pain.

It was later the next day, that Tauriel got out of bed for the first time since she was brought in. It was a very slow, and incredibly painfilled trip to the washroom...but she could no longer stand feeling like she had not bathed in weeks. With Kili on one side, and Viltarra on the other, they slowly and very carefully walked Tauriel into a room with a shower and a bench. Ivethin had wanted to be there, but had not come in that morning so instead, one of the other healers was flitting in and out carrying a bowl and fresh wrappings for Tauriel. She had relayed Ivethin was not feeling well and resting, and Kili accepted the help with no argument whatsoever. See…he can be agreeable.

This eleth was quite young, according to Tauriel, who said her name was Elithina. She had just been awarded her healers certificate and was rather excited to be able to aid Tauriel. Kili had difficulty keeping a smile from breaking out on his face at Tauriel's annoyed expression as the other eleth kept talking her way through everything she did. He could tell she was annoyed through the bond too…but it was still a bit muted. He knew it was healing, which was comforting, though it felt tingly…like when you were trying to shake out your foot after it fell asleep.

"She does not need to tell us every step." Tauriel grumbled as the eleth talked her way through protecting both Tauriel's leg and chest wounds from the water she would be using. She didn't mean to sound bitter, but the pain had her mood falling as rapidly as a troll turns to stone in the sun.

Not to mention she has yet to get her son to open up to her, and Kili felt...wrong. Like he was both clinging to her, and avoiding her at the same time. She will be having a talk with him now that she is feeling like she can keep her eyes open for more than a few minutes. Even their bond felt...off. Something else they WILL be talking about.

Tauriel hissed when the chatty healer tugged on the wrappings on her leg too hard. "Ohh…my apologies. Right. Pull carefully to ensure comfort to the patient while preserving the integrity of the healing wound." The eleth said cheerily to herself. Tauriel ground her jaw in irritation as she tried to tune the much too happy eleth out.

There were so many things she needed to get updated on...like how Nelithi was doing, Tork too, the baby she has only gotten glimpses of, and how things went in Lothlorien…a place she still has yet to see. But she kept her questions to herself for the time being as she endured the most painful and humiliating bath she has yet to endure in her life. It did help Kili was there...if he would just talk to her, and Viltarra kept making faces behind the healers back that did help Tauriel's temper just a bit. Viltarra was clearly annoyed as well...so it wasn't just Tauriel being needlessly bad tempered.

Kili has barely said much to her recently, even when she was awake, outside telling her he loved her and asking her if she needed anything. She has to say, he does seem a bit better after he was pulled out by Thorin the day before and likely given a good talking to. She was glad she didn't have to do that.

Tauriel hissed again when the eleth lifted her arm to tuck the bandage around her chest. "Maybe…I can do that?" Viltarra offered. She was preparing a bowl of warm water and pulling a taller table close to wash Tauriel's long hair.

"Please…" Tauriel tried to keep the note of begging from her tone, but it was difficult…this eleth had much to learn when it came to keeping the injured comfortable.

But the eleth stood and smiled brightly. Too brightly. "No need, all done. Now. Let's get that hair washed…"

"That…I will do." Kili said seeing his wife about at her wits end. She was weak, exhausted, and annoyed…and it was being shouted through her features and their bond.

"But…I am the healer…"

"And I am the husband. I win." Kili said. "I am quite capable of caring for my wife without causing her harm."

Tauriel shifted a bit, accepting the wrapping Viltarra handed her. The room was warm…but Viltarra knew her sister enough to know she probably felt a bit too exposed.

"You changed my bandages and checked my wounds…I think my family can take it from here." Tauriel said softly. It still hurt to talk…but it was getting easier by the day.

The healer looked unsure. "I was told to stay until you are in bed…"

"How about this…" Kili hummed. "I will wash her hair, and you can go get her bed ready to receive her."

The healer eyed Kili, the smile faltering just a bit before she nodded and left the room…all three who remined letting out a sigh of relief. Though Tauriel's was far more shallow…her lung was still healing and expanding it too much was just too uncomfortable.

"Viltarra…can you give us a moment?" Tauriel asked.

"Only if you come get me when you're ready to move." Viltarra agreed. Kili nodded and the dam left the room.

Kili eyed his wife, then went to work silently dipping the long, thick, strands of her hair into the deep bowl of warm water. Tauriel leaned her head back as much as she could without causing a tugging sensation on her wound as Kili cupped some water to wet the top of her hair.

"Kili…"

Kili half ignored her as he pulled the bowl away just enough to be able to stand behind her so he could lather up the fiery strands with some sweet smelling soaps. Honey….he thinks…and something he couldn't name. It wasn't what she used at home but he didn't hate it.

"Kili…please talk to me." A plead. Kili never could ignore a plea of any kind from Tauriel.

Kili sighed and Tauriel tried to withhold the gasp as he began massaging the soap into her scalp. Tauriel had ALWAYS loved Kili washing her hair. It did something to her…melted her, soothed her, relaxed her. Even now it did all of those despite the fears building up in her.

"Please Kili."

Something slipped down her cheek…water…a tear…she wasn't sure…but Kili caught it none the less. Still he remained silent as he focused back on her hair, refilling the bowl and pouring fresh water through the strands to rinse the suds out. When he was done, he gently wrung out the excess water before wrapping it up expertly in a cotton towel and setting it on her head before he moved to her side and just stared at her.

If he was any other being, Tauriel would have been uncomfortable under his penetrating gaze…but this was Kili. Her Kili. She could tell he was trying to think of how to phrase whatever he wanted to say to her by the way he opened and shut his mouth over and over again. He eyed her shoulder, seeing the goosebumps begin to pop up all over her skin.

"We need to get you back into bed."

The disappointment must have been all over her features because Kili actually let out a soft chuckle that warmed her entire body. "I'll talk…once you're settled."

Tauriel bit her lip but nodded as Viltarra…and to Tauriel's annoyance…the young healer, both came back into the room to help her into bed. Once she was settled, however, she kicked everyone out…except for Naufi who was once again…curled up at the end of her bed. That will be part of this conversation. Something was wrong with her son and she will know what that is.

"Go on." Tauriel said, smiling as Kili placed a blanket over Naufi. It was past ten…he should be awake. One of her boys at a time…Kili WAS awake so he he can be the one to talk first.

Tauriel gestured with her eyes to the chair Kili rarely moved from then waited as he sat. "I…kept my promise." Was all he said at first. Tauriel was confused, her brows knitting together.

"What promise?" Tauriel asked when she couldn't think of a single one that was relevant.

Kili was silent again for a moment…before he told her everything. How could he not? One…he was exhausted; far too tired to remember why he should probably have kept that to himself. Two…his mind was a mess right now and he needed her, he needed her judgments, or her comfort, or her advice…anything if it meant she would actually respond to him.

With every day that passed, he was forgetting parts of that horrible dream or hallucination…or whatever it was, but a few things still stuck out; she was gone from him in both mind and in spirit, and he lived a lifetime without her. The few details he did recall he told her…about what he remembered of their children getting older, about losing his mother, Thorin, Nyaunni…about not remembering when Fili died. How his children looked…he couldn't really recall the details anymore and he was fine with that. He wanted to see them grow without associating them with the world his mind created.

Finally…he told her how hard it was to be without her and how every day he would try to talk to her but received no feeling or response back from her…not once, how quiet Naufi had been and how different he grew to be in contrast to the dwarfling so full of life like he once was, and finally…the cracks that formed in his mind whenever he realized she would not or could not respond to him or even give him a sign she had not left him completely. It had Tauriel nearly sobbing on the bed as she reached for Kili's hand as she tried her best to pull him to her. He understood and went willingly.

"Kili…" She said trying to keep her cries contained so it didn't cause her pain. "I'm here, Kili. I'm here."

At first Kili just sat on the bed and lay his head against her neck, then the tears came and he was soon holding his own sobs back. Feeling so heavy and so raw filled him and he just could not contain it anymore as he let go.

Without hesitating, Tauriel worked her way into his mind…seeing the fractures for herself. Many were healing…but she set to work mending what she could before her energy waned and she pulled away. It was not perfect and there was a lot of healing yet to do…but it was a start. Outside her mind, Tauriel was running her hand through Kili's hair, pulling him as close as possible. She hated this bed…hated this stupid room…hated this injury. She needed to be in his arms, needed to feel him wrapped around her. She new he needed that too but there just was no space for it here, so she just held his head to hers as he leaned onto the bed.

"Kili I want you to know how proud I am of you…to be so strong…"

"I cracked, Tauriel…"

"But you lived. Dream or not, you LIVED Kili. You endured each day…you pushed yourself and raised our children. That is all I can ask of you, my Kili. It was a dream though, and I need you to understand that for both our sakes. Let it go, Kili…let that pain go. It is hurting you…and our bond." She pressed a kiss to his head. "And Naufi? Kili what is wrong with our son?"

Tauriel felt Kili sigh into her hair, and when she turned herself to look at him, his eyes were closed. "Kili?"

She checked their bond and it had softened…as if he was…oh. She smiled. Well…she will let him slide with this one. She knew he was going to be hurting when he woke up given the angle he was in, but she was not about to wake him when she herself has not seen him sleep even once since she woke him that first day. Even his mind felt exhausted. So she let him sleep. And Valar above did he sleep. He did not move until the next day when he winced as he woke, blinking up at her as she sipped some tea.

Kili lowered his brows as he shifted on the bed. ON the bed. He lifted his head and looked down to see himself laying across the bed between her legs, his feet hanging off the end of the bed. Naufi was there too, talking quietly to the elfling who he had met earlier that week. Auri…something. Aurias…he thinks?

Kili yawned, refraining from stretching as he didn't want hurt Tauriel by jostling her too much.

"I am not going to break, Kili." Tauriel rolled her eyes then smiled, her fingers tracing his face as he looked up at her.

"How long was I asleep?" Kili asked softly, his mind feeling clearer than it's felt in nearly a week. He closed his eyes once more, enjoying the tender movements of her fingers and decided to check his mind out of curiosity. Every crack was nearly completely gone, even the ones that remained were well on their way to mending. His mind felt almost normal again.

"Not long enough to make up for not sleeping for nearly a week." Tauriel hummed, lifting a brow. "But long enough for your mind to do some healing. How do you feel?"

"How do YOU feel?" Kili shot right back.

Tauriel glared at Kili but decided to answer. "Better. But also, uncomfortable. I was fortunate…it seems." She eyed her chest still wrapped though she currently had a loose tunic pulled on. "Not even an inch over we would not be having this conversation. The pain is still severe at times, and I am unable to get out of bed without assistance. But…considering the alternative I shall endeavor to keep my complaints to a minimum."

"Please share your complaints." Kili said, a pleading note in his tone. "Share everything…say everything…" He closed his eyes as just listened to her breathe above him. They were still a bit more shallow than normal, but they were regular, and it was music to his soul to hear. "…I just need to hear you." He finally got out.

Tauriel nodded and leaned her head back. "Alright." She said. "But maybe, this way. It is far too uncomfortable to speak for long periods of time." She smiled at the ease of speaking to him through the bond once more. Thank the Valar above there was no permanent damage to their bond. Give it a little more time and she is sure it will be fully healed.

"Whichever way is easier, amralime." Kili hummed, nuzzling his head against her thigh as he closed his eyes. He was awake, but he was also content to just lay there. He almost purred when she started running her fingers through his hair.

"Naufi. Explain."

"Hmm?" Kili asked, just enjoying the fact his mind felt like his own again, and she was there actually speaking to him.

"What is wrong with our child, Kili? My Naufi is still missing, and I want to know where he is."

Kili traced a pattern on her inner thigh that sent shivers down Tauriel's spine. Unfortunately, those shivers caused twinges of pain in her chest which Kili felt so he stopped and glanced up at her. "To tell you the truth, amralime, I don't know. We have all tried talking to him, but he just shuts us out. He seems to be doing a little better with you awake, and he's at least talking to Aurias. It's more than he has done in the last week."

Tauriel pierced her lips but sighed. "Maybe he just needs more time. It took Finli nearly a year to feel comfortable after Toki took him as a baby. Naufi is older, so maybe it is just hitting him harder. A Nazgul did take him from his home. Did anyone ever find out just how he was able to be taken from our home?" When Kili scowled, she lifted a brow as she looked down at him. "Well? Were they?"

"If you really want to know I can tell you…but I guarantee you it's going to only make you as angry as it made me." Kili warned. It only had Tauriel more curious so Kili sighed and told her. "Per his own words…he was going to save the chicken, the sick one he is oddly attached to, Skrunt."

"THE CHICKEN!?" Tauriel said rather loudly which was bad in a few ways…one, the pain from her outburst caused her wound to burn so badly, she slammed her eyes shut to try and push the pain down. It took several minutes for her to calm the spasming pain radiating in her chest and when it was down to a tolerable level, she opened her eyes to see the second thing her outburst had done. Naufi, had completely shut down again. He had red tinged cheeks and his head was bowed in shame.

Aurias was also silent, eyeing Tauriel then Naufi in confusion. But he just shrugged and slid off the bench. "We can talk later, Naufi. I'll see if I can get permission from my instructor for you to come for a lesson if you plan on staying longer." Naufi nodded as his friend left and Tauriel patted the bed beside her. It will be a tight squeeze to have Kili AND Naufi on the bed…but she could care less right now. She wanted her boys.

"Come here, darling. I did not mean to upset you."

"You didn't, mama." Naufi said quietly as he slowly walked to the bed and climbed in. Kili moved a bit then opened his arms and Naufi only hesitated a moment before he allowed his father to hold him. Take whatever time he had with them, was his current goal. He knew they would visit him…at least he hoped they would…once his banishment was finalized. His pop hasn't said anything to him yet, but they've been so busy with his mama, he knew it had to be coming soon.

"Now, about this chicken…" Tauriel said, taking more breaths than necessary to get the phrase out. Naufi deflated a bit but nodded while Kili just pulled him tightly against him and kissed his head. He already let his own temper out about it, and when they got home…there will be some new chicken rules. Or…maybe that chicken can accidently end up in one of his mam's stews? He could just somehow slip Skrunt into Bombur's food inventory...that might be an idea.

Kili sighed and tightened his arms around his son. No. As much as he HATES that thing now…well Kili has always hated chickens, but he hates this one even more…it's still his son's animal and he could never do that. Not to mention that bird is nothing but skin and bones…definitely not worthy of a meal in any way.

Naufi glanced up at his mother who had begun brushing her fingers through his hair. "I think…we need to talk about things that are important to protect…and things we let the creators decide their fate my star. You love Skrunt, I know you do. But a chicken, is not worth your life." Tauriel had to stop, as the pain was getting worse with every word so Kili took over.

"What your mam is trying to say is, never do that again. It was a stupid chicken that likely won't live more than a season or two and you, are our son, and are irreplaceable. We have hundreds of chickens in Erebor…but only one Naufi."

"I suppose that's close enough. Thank you meleth nin." Tauriel closed her eyes and tried to relax.

Naufi nodded. "I won't." Was all he said. Not that he could do that again anyway, since he won't be returning to Erebor. Besides, technically there were two of him…they had Orin so what his da was saying wasn't exactly true. He sighed opting not to say anything about it though, he just wanted to spend what time he had with them before they left him here. "I love you." He did say softly, and Kili melted. He held his son tightly and nuzzled his hair.

"We love you." Kili smiled, the first real smile he has had since Tauriel was lost to him. It will be alright…he will be alright…she will be alright. Amazing how clear he feels now that those cracks are nearly gone and after a full night of rest. He closed his eyes sending a prayer in thanks to Mahal, thanks for protecting Naufi, thanks for giving Tauriel the strength to wake up, and thanks for having a family who stood by him and reminded him to have faith even when he didn't himself. He then promised their maker he will strengthen his faith and trust in him moving forward. The world is righting itself, and Kili can feel it rebalancing.

Does he have things to still work through? Of course he does. He doesn't think he will ever forget that feeling of losing Tauriel…that emptiness that filled his dreams for what felt like three centuries in one night.

"I'd never fully leave you."

Kili glanced up at Tauriel and smiled again. "Reading my thoughts, amralime?"

Tauriel rolled her eyes. "You are projecting them, Kili, I am hardly reading them. But I want you to know, that I will always be with you. If the day ever comes when I cannot…then nothing in this world or the next will be able to keep me fully from your side. I will be right there, proving to you in any way I can that I have not left you alone. I know you will keep your promise…so I give you one in return. You, will always have me. I will be there on the veranda beside you as you tell me about your day. I will be walking beside you as you move about the mountain. I will be watching over you and our children as you sleep. I can't leave you, Kili, I won't. Never. As long as you wish me to be by your side, that is where I will forever dwell."

"Forever sounds nice…but if I can ask a small favor?"

Tauriel nodded and Kili smiled. "Maybe…can you stick around for another three-hundred years? I want the last thing I see to be your eyes as we lay in bed taking our last breath together."

Tauriel brushed her fingers through his wild hair. She had pulled the clip out of it as he slept since it looked uncomfortable. Kili caught her wrist and pulled it to his lips, then looked up at her as if waiting for her answer. He didn't have to wait long as Tauriel nodded and smiled. "I promise, Kili, I will try."

It was enough for him as he lay with his son in his arms between his wife's legs. This, was what he needed more than anything. He had no idea HOW he got in this position though, and looked up at his wife to ask. For her part, she just chuckled breathily and lay her head back.

It had taken both Fili and Thorin to get Kili on the bed last night while Viltarra helped her sit up in a position where they could set the pillows behind her so she could watch Kili sleep. He needed to sleep…she needed him to sleep. Oh…she hurt. But she could handle the pain in order to care for her mate, and she just could not see him resting long in the position he was in. So she called in a favor and since the family was all worried about him as well, and the healers were not opposed…okay maybe a little but they also know there was no changing Tauriel's mind…they carefully got Kili onto the bed.

It worked, because he slept through the day and the night. He needed it for both their sakes. She glanced at the clock just as her stomach growled its need for food. Valar she was hungry.

Now…to get her stubborn dwarf to eat something, considering she has hardly seen him eat anything…and her son even less. Fortunately, it was much easier than she expected, as Bofur brought in a tray laden with muffins, winter fruit, toast, and boiled eggs. It was not Kili's favorite breakfast…but his stomach was growling as much as hers was so he didn't even try to fight Tauriel as carefully slid from the bed to the chair and ate with his normal gusto.

Thorin who came in to check on both his daughter and his nephew smiled to see him eating and talking like his normal self. Fili and Viltarra had opted to sleep in their room and had not come in yet, but Thorin had woke early as he usually did and was talking with Bofur, Aeodhen, and Dwalin just as breakfast was being prepared. It was Bofur who volunteered to deliver it to Tauriel and Kili, and the elf who had been holding the trays at the time allowed it.

Unfortunately for Tauriel, Ivethin still insisted she use the powder to help with her pain levels, so Tauriel still couldn't eat what her family ate. She just had some more tea and a bit of what looked like oatmeal but was much smoother and easier to eat…if not a bit bitter thanks to the powder. Ivethin said the goal was for Tauriel to begin to eat something more substantial in another day or two when her pain levels become more manageable. Her wound was looking really good according to Ivethin who had been in just before Kili woke.

Ivethin had also given her concerns about Kili, assuring Tauriel he would be alright now that he's rested and she mended his mind. Both of them would be alright, she said as she looked all three of her wounds over which was just a bit more difficult with a taller than average dwarf sleeping practically in Tauriel's lap. But the healer had not dared to wake him knowing how much he needed to sleep, so she easily worked around him. She also told Tauriel she thinks she is ready for some balms to help progress the healing process a bit faster now that everything was beginning to close up nicely, and Tauriel eagerly agreed. Though Ivethin reminded her she would still have a long way to go to regain her strength.

"I am not planning on joining any more battles anytime soon." She managed to get out in almost one breath…almost.

Tauriel was then introduced to Aurias not long before Kili woke. She learned he was Galloron's nephew. He was quite outspoken as an elfling…and rather a free spirit. It made Tauriel happy to see him go right to Naufi who was awake and greeting him as if they were friends…though her son seemed far more reserved than normal. It caused her heart to ache. She let them be as they continued to talk in the corner even after Kili woke.

Tauriel smiled down at Kili, who finally gave her a real smile as he looked at her. They would be alright. All of them.

Once breakfast was eaten and the trays cleared, Tauriel was able to, through Kili, give Thorin more of her own story of what happened in Rhun. She was able to get a few sentences out herself before she had to pause due to the pain, which is when Kili told her to just use the bond and he will relay it out-loud. Given the fact Tauriel did not offer up even one argument on the matter, he knew just how much pain she was in. He could certainly feel enough of it through the bond to get a general idea.

So for the next hour, Kili shared Tauriel's version of the events in Rhun.

"So…the shifter did save your life." Thorin grunted as he scratched Kaw on the head. The raven was currently perched on the chair beside him with Umyra preening Tauriel's hair on the pillow beside her. The white raven was acting on her best behavior with Tauriel…as if she knew and understand the being she and Kaw called nana was in hurt and in pain. She hadn't nipped at Tauriel even once. Though she did leave a small mark in Kili's hand when he tried to hand her a piece of elven bread. Clearly…she hates the bread.

"His name is Tork, adad." Tauriel sighed. Thorin, ever the mistrusting dwarven king. "And he did more than just save me, he got us to Naufi in time." She took a breath and smiled. "I think once you get to know him, you would quite like him."

"Such a notion is still to be determined." Thorin grumbled just as there was a knock on the door and none other than Tork came in. He looked as if he had not slept in several days, and was still wearing the same shirt he had when he left. But he did have a rather tight pair of pants on.

"Bunny!" He explained happily despite his obvious exhaustion. "I thought I heard that songbird voice. Bit raspy though. How are you feeling?"

"Alive." Tauriel hummed. "How's Nelithi?" She had yet to see her friend mostly because she wasn't allowed out of that ridiculous healing room bed. Except when she had to use the toilet, or decided to go through the long and very painful process of bathing. Though she is quite sure Kili would be able to help her with that on his own after going through it. She sees no reason why they needed a healer, Kili could support her easily and she can talk him through redressing her wounds, thank you. A good thing too because Viltarra had told her last evening she had not been feeling great since she has been taking the herbs Ivethin had given her.

The dam insisted she wasn't sick, but she was experiencing cramping and tightness which Ivethin happily proclaimed was a good sign her body was accepting it. But it has caused Viltarra to sleep a bit more than normal as her body uses energy to prepare to feed a life. Viltarra told Tauriel it was still easier than being pregnant, and though she loved carrying her children…she in no way misses the misery of it. If all she had to do was deal with some exhaustion and chest cramps…she will take it.

Tauriel had smiled, then asked the infant's name. But Viltarra shook her head no, and said she had to wait because she wanted everyone there to announce it. That has yet to happen…to Tauriel's frustration. Anytime the baby was in the room and Tauriel was awake, she asked, but every time she did, one or more of the family was either asleep, or not present. Soon, she hoped, they could tell her.

Right now, though, her focus was more on the things she can find out, like how her friend was doing.

Tork smiled and sat, gesturing to a tray. "You gonna finish that?" He asked Thorin who was still eating from the very tray he gestured to.

Thorin just glared at him as he took another bit. "Did they not feed you?" He asked as he took a sip of the tea they had also brought in.

"Good news!" The door burst open and Naurfaer came in with a wide smile. Everyone startled then turned to the elf who was rocking on his toes as if he just learned dwarves could fly. Legolas walked in too, a tight expression on his face but it was more directed at Naurfaer than anyone else.

"Well out with it!" Tork said, stealing the sweet pastry off Thorin's tray when the dwarven king had his attention otherwise occupied. Tauriel rolled her eyes at him then told Kili to give the shifter what was left on Naufi's tray since the dwarfling refused to touch his food anyway. Might as well not let it go to waste. She already asked Kili privately to go to the kitchen and have talk to them personally about making something more…dwarven…just for Naufi. Kili agreed and said he'll go down before lunch.

Naurfaer glanced at Legolas who nodded, then opened the door once more but paused and staired directly at Thorin. "I want you to know she is perfectly safe, so don't go all defensive. She won't harm anyone."

"Who…won't harm anyone?" Thorin growled darkly.

Naurfaer lifted a brow. "Just…keep your weapons down." When the dwarven king nodded his head once, Naurfaer opened the door a bit wider and a tall, grey skinned, being came gliding into the room.

Of course Thorin immediately jumped up, but Kili stood and said it was alright. Tork lifted a brow at the creature he witnessed being created, but sat back like it was any other day and stole Thorin's last two pieces of ham, and all his remaining bacon. He then placed his feet on Tauriel's bed and ate his stolen meal but only glanced at the tray Kili had given him.

"How did it get out! She was in the cells?" Thorin asked, his eyes not leaving the creature.

"This, is Katorylle. And yes, she was in a cell, but Thranduil has allowed her to go as long as she leaves immediately, and does not return." Naurfaer said glancing at Legolas who nodded in agreement.

"My father held council with her and all of the high court of the city when she…requested…the opportunity to join her sisters." Legolas folded his arms. "I too was in attendance, as was Naurfaer. Forgive us for not inviting you, Thorin." He said honestly. "My father felt this as more of an elven matter and though Tauriel is part of your family, those most affected are our people."

Thorin ground his jaw, but nodded in understanding. He was right, this was more of an elven matter and had little if nothing to do with dwarves or humans at this time. It wasn't even truly a matter of their alliance though it could be argued a small part of it was.

Though he did have an investment in Tauriel and Naufi, both who are part of the situation in one way or another. Then again, Naufi was not taken by one of these creatures, and Tauriel seemed to be under the impression they are not at fault…so he kept his mouth shut and nodded to the elven prince. "I understand. Go on."

"The counsel convened for nearly two hours early this morning, and all but two agreed to allow Katorylle to join the group traveling from Dol Guldur to meet with the blue wizards." Legolas looked at Tauriel. "You should know, only a few made it out alive after the battle for your son, most were killed."

"Tuhkna?" Naufi asked. "Is one of them named, Tuhkna?"

Legolas glanced at Naurfaer who shrugged, but then a soft, sweet, voice filled the space. "Yes. Tuhkna is leading the group I am to join."

Naufi smiled and nodded then looked to Naurfaer and Legolas. "Tuhkna saved me from the cell. She…she's my friend."

"Friend?" Katorylle looked at Naufi curiously, then nodded slowly. "Ahh, I see. You are the youngborn from the fortress. Tuhkna is happy you are safe and told me to tell you she is fond of you as well."

"Don't quite understand the term, friend, eh?" Tork snorted. "Not really surprised. I didn't either. You will though. You leaving then?" He eyed the last thing on Thorin's tray, it was a piece of toast that had been buttered and jammed and was just waiting to be enjoyed. With one quick movement, he snatched it and shoved it into his mouth before Thorin even noticed. Tauriel did though, and gave Tork a disapproving look. "What?" Tork asked quietly and she shook her head no. He just shrugged and looked back at Katorylle.

"Before we escort her out, she requested to see you, Tauriel." Legolas said.

"It is true. I wished to rest my true eyes on she who is responsible for our freedom, and our redemption." Katorylle cocked her head to the side, her violet eyes taking Tauriel in. "Do you know, the sisters are calling you the mother."

Tauriel gaped at Katorylle in surprise. She glanced at Kili who looked equally taken back, but it was a flash of amusement that filtered through their bond. She embraced it, happy it was back to normal now and her Kili was coming back to himself. "I...do not understand."

Tork snorted. "You could have just said thank you, Bunny."

Tauriel shot a look at Tork who was wiping jam from his mouth, then she re-worded her statement. "I am honored, naturally, but is there a reason for such a title?"

Katorylle didn't look offended in the least. Her graceful features simply watched Tauriel with near no emotion at all. "We have recently learned, a mother is a nurturer. One who guides, teaches right and wrong, and comforts. You have done all three for our people before any other."

"I understand...but a mother is so much more than that." She glanced at Naufi who gave her a small smile. Her sweet boy is still not himself. If she can get Kili back, she will get him back too.

Katorylle nodded. "We understand." She said after a moment. "But it is what you are being called. You taught us we were doing wrong. You helped Etta, comforted her in her final moments, and you led us to our freedom even when we were among those who wronged you and your kind. I...I wished to look upon you, Tauriel, and give you a message from our people."

Tauriel bit her lip, but waited patiently for whatever it was Katorylle needed or wanted to say. "Go on." She encouraged softly.

"We, wished to give you our alliance. Our people have been tasked to rid the eastern and southern lands of the rot that grows under the shadow of darkness. It is our way to atone for what we did before we knew right and wrong. But should you need us...we will come. Send your birds, and wherever we are, our heading will be changed to your direction. The blue wizards understand our desire, and give us the freedom to aid you should it ever be needed."

It was Thorin's turn to gape at the being but he held his kingly composure and just stared from the half-elven creature before him to Tauriel who looked both touched and a bit surprised by the offer. Thorin held back a small smile. He knew Fili was to be an amazing king following him...but he can't help but wonder how wonderous a queen Tauriel would have made. So much like his Nyaunni she is. Picking up strays everywhere she goes. He glanced at Tork who was pouring himself some tea...using his cup. Thorin glared at him but he either didn't care or didn't notice and continued to add the entire port of honey to Thorin's teacup.

"I do not know what to say. Thank you, I am beyond honored to accept such a selfless request. Consider us allies." Tauriel smiled. "And please do keep in touch. We would be honored to host you if you ever find yourselves near the mountain just west of here, Erebor." She looked to Thorin who ground his jaw, but nodded eventually. He was not a fan of the idea, but he trusted her judgment.

"I cannot give that promise, as it is quite unlikely we will coming through these lands again unless you need us. But, your offer is noted." Katorylle blinked a few times, then turned to leave but was quickly stopped by a small hand tugging hers. She looked down to Naufi, who had run up to her and was trying to stop her from going.

"Wait!" Naufi begged. Katorylle lifted a brow as she looked down at the dwarfling who compared to her, was so small.

"What is it, youngborn?"

Naufi bit his lip, glancing at his parents, then Thorin. Should he ask to go with her? His pop hasn't brought up his banishment yet...but once he does it would be too late to be given the choice to go with Tuhkna. He could see the world, even more of it than his da and uncle; see lands beyond their own. His da says it's the one thing he had always wished to do before he met mama, to go abroad and see every part of Arda he could. But he told them his dream changed one day in the forest, and suddenly the world felt small. To Naufi...everything was big and the world still full of so many mysteries. He could ask to go.

Glancing at his mama and da again, Naufi squared his shoulders as he looked back up at Katorylle. "Can you tell Tuhkna, thank you for me? And that I'll never forget her." He said surprising himself.

Katorylle cocked her head again, then, nodded. "She says, she will never forget you either, youngborn. And you are welcome."

Naufi backed away and climbed onto the bed where he gently placed himself against his mothers side. She instantly pulled him close and began running her fingers through his hair. He looked at her and smiled. He knew he couldn't do it, he couldn't be far from them. Mirkwood was only a half a day's ride or less from Erebor, and Dale...should he stay there...is not even a quarter hour's ride away. He wanted his family, and he will choose to remain as close to them as he is allowed.

"Thank you, Katorylle." Tauriel said, her arm wrapped around her son. "Please be safe."

Katorylle stared at Tauriel for several seconds, then, gave her a soft smile before she turned from the room, pausing just outside the door.

"I am to see her to her party." Legolas said.

"And I volunteered to go as well. You don't mind me taking Galaddal once last time do you Starlight?" Naurfaer asked.

"Not at all, adar." Tauriel agreed instantly. Naurfaer went pink and grinned widely at the easy use of adar. Twenty years it has taken for her to regularly call him grandfather, and he would have waited another three centuries for it if he had to. He gave her one last look then followed Legolas out the door.

"Well that was interesting. Don't doubt we'll be seeing them again. Should plan a feast at the mountain for it. Could roast a few camels and make it a real gathering." Tork exclaimed standing and nudging Kili. "You ever tried camel, Kitten? Low and slow over the fire. Falls right off the bone." He hummed and closed his eyes.

"Kili. My name is Kili." Kili huffed. "And no. Now, are you going to tell us how Nelithi is or not?"

Tork shrugged as he eyed the filled tray still sitting beside him, he knew it was Tauriel's pup's food and he really was not one to take from a child. "Not really better, but not worse either." Tork continued. "Her brother's in there. Odd sort, Nagar."

"Oh, so you know Nagar's name, but not mine." Kili grumbled as she sat back on his chair.

"So endearing when he's angry. Is that what attracts you to him, Bunny? Or is it something else?" Tork wagged his brows suggestively and Tauriel immediately reddened when a wide smile spread across her face.

"Both." She said and it surprised Kili so much he nearly fell out of his chair while Tork roared with laughter. Tauriel of course continued. "My Kili is talented in many, many things. I am rather partial to his laughter and the feeling of joy I get whenever he enters a room and simply smiles at me." Tauriel reached her hand out for Kili and he clasped it without hesitation, giving her the smile she loved so much. It nearly had her heart bursting, and she was forced to calm it as the excessive beating was causing her wound to burn a bit. "Nelithi?" She hedged, entwining her fingers with Kili's.

"Not much more to really say." Tork sobered and sighed. "Ivethin has been researching whatever it is you elves have that seems to be the root cause of the problem. She came in yesterday to say she is making progress to a remedy that may help with the pain...but right now, she doesn't think there is a cure. Even her king is doubtful those who suffer like Nelithi and Ivethin will ever fully recover. Many will forever be affected by what was done to them."

"You mean what you did to them?" Thorin said in an even tone.

Tork flinched, then slowly he dropped his head. "Had I known..."

"Known what? That you could have been working for the wrong side? That you were killing innocent beings? That you would eventually form attachment to your experiments?" Thorin asked. Tauriel opened her mouth to say something, but the words lodged in her throat. Thorin was not exactly wrong for one thing, and for another, if he was ever going to gain respect for Tork, he had to ask questions without someone automatically defending the shifter.

"Look, I made mistakes. Irredeemable ones to many. But I did what any soldier in a war does; I followed orders. I was raised to believe they were right...I was raised to not question, but do. I understand I amount to little in your eyes regardless of what I have done to help your family, and I don't blame you one bit. So hate me all you wish, ban me from your halls, sentence me as you will. In the end, I know what I did was something of nightmares and I alone will have to live with that. I am the monster you warn your children about." He glanced at Naufi then back at Thorin. "Be afraid, dwarf king, of what that side of capable of. But don't be afraid of me. I will protect those I care about...and I am very fond of that elf of yours, as I am of Nelithi and Ivethin. My life will be served to keep them and all they love away from the forces of Mordor."

Tauriel smiled and Kili couldn't help but nod his approval. The pair turned to Thorin who kept his cool gaze focused on the shifter. "Fine." He said after several tense minutes. "But if you so much as step one toe..."

"Or paw?" Tork asked with a wry grin. "I got those too."

Thorin ground his jaw. "Or paw..." He growled. He stared hard at the smiling shifter who once again had his tail out as if to prove a point. "Forget it. I give up. Just...know I will kill you without hesitation if you turn on my family."

"Got it." He finally reached for Naufi's nearly untouched breakfast tray and shoveled the contents into his mouth. He didn't care that it was cold, but since the pup refused to eat it, Tork wasn't about to let it go to waste.

Thorin shook his head then sat down to finish his breakfast. He hated eating cold food, but these elves only give small portions compared to what he was accustomed to, and he hated tracking someone down for more food. So he will be eating what he was given, cold or not. However...when he looked at his tray, he scowled then turned a fiery glare to the shifter who had just jammed an entire scone in his mouth. He honestly did not envy him that scone, they were as dry as a quarry of chalk.

"Did you eat my breakfast!?" Thorin growled at the shifter who gave him an infuriating smile in response.

"One should never take their eyes off their plate unless they are done. A rule of the house growing up...and a lesson you learn quickly when you eat with orcs."

"I think I need a walk." Thorin grumbled as he pushed his empty tray away. He shot a look at Tork then at Tauriel before he left the room after telling them to come get him if he is needed.

Tauriel, through Kili, then proceeded to lecture Tork about needing to learn manners...especially around Thorin who they reminded the shifter, was a high king. She wanted Thorin to like Tork. He was certainly rough around the edges, but he was learning. She would have been more than happy to give him a verbal tongue lashing herself, but the pain from prolonged talking was just too much so she counted on her husband to do it for her. For the most part, he said what she told him to say...with a few modifications. Though each one earned him a scowl from his wife.

Eventually after a very small and mostly meaningless apology from Tork, Tauriel gave up and the shifter left to go back across the hall. When she fell asleep, Kili tried to make himself comfortable on the bench before patting the space beside him, and his son eventually meandered over and sat. Then Kili pulled one of the elven books he had taken from Tauriel's room the day before and began reading it to his son. He would ask Naufi what a word was here and there, or have him read a line or two, but for the most part he just read to him.

Tauriel still slept a lot, and did so for several more days. But these sleeps were different as Kili could still feel her keenly, and even was able to step in and help rid her mind of nightmares that occasionally came up. Something he was not able to do, was to help Naufi with his. Like mother, like son, Naufi has been having night terrors for several nights to the point that it takes Kili nearly an entire hour to wake him up. Naufi would just cry in his arms as he clung to his father. Kili would then hold him the rest of the night telling him he loved him and humming softly and gently until Naufi fell back into a fitful sleep.

His little star was probably a bit scarred from being ripped from his home. Regardless of his reason...as stupid as it was to leave the mountain...Naufi never intended to be taken. Besides, he was only sixteen, only a child; he still trusted the world around him and believed he was impervious to the darkness so close to their mountain now. He made a foolish choice that would have cracked their family if he was harmed or worse, killed...but he was safe now. Clearly, his mind does not perceive that and as a result, he was suffering in his sleep.

Naufi did sleep a little better when he napped beside Tauriel though, her fingers running through his hair soothingly, but the moment she stopped, the nightmares would have him startle awake. It was evident by the circles under his eyes that the little dwarfling was getting little to no rest even when he was asleep. It had both Kili and Tauriel worried beyond measure, but Ivethin, Naurfaer, and Thorin reminded them that he just went through a traumatic experience between being taken and seeing his mother hit by an arrow and nearly die in front of him. They hated to see and feel their son's distress, but no matter of talking to him got them any answers apart from soft mumbles and deflected answers.

Hopefully, over time, Naufi will be alright. Some things just take time to heal, and the mind is one of those. He will be better when they get him back home and into his own space. With Tauriel getting stronger every day, it is only a matter of time before they can make plans to leave Mirkwood and make the final journey home to Erebor. Kili could not wait to hold all of his children again. But for now, he would focus on getting Tauriel stronger, and supporting his son making sure he knew they were there for him.

In another two days Naufi still wasn't sleeping well but Tauriel had gained enough strength to slowly get out of bed without assistance. She even got to do away with the wrapping on her leg thanks to Ivethin's salves and balms. Her back wound was doing better as well, so it was really just the one in her chest that caused her most of her current discomfort.

"It is because the way you were hit, back to front." Ivethin hummed as she pulled the wrapping off and eyed the nearly shut wound. "But…I think I can clear you to go home." She said with a bright smile. Tauriel nearly cried tears of joy. She would be going home to her family…the rest of her children, to her infant who she could tell was coping far better than she had been but still called to her mother every single day.

That was another discomfort…dealing with the aspects of being a mother who is nursing…with no baby to nurse. She eyed Viltarra enviously across the room when Viltarra brought him in to visit with Tauriel whenever Kili was napping or taking Naufi for a walk or bath.

In the week they have been in Mirkwood…it took four days for Ivethin's herbs to work on Viltarra's system. She was now able to feed her son. Ivethin was overjoyed as she sat across Viltarra as Tauriel ate breakfast that morning, asking all kinds of questions such as how it made her feel, if she had any pains or nausea, and has she noticed any differences between this time and the times her body produced naturally. Ivethin had never tested it on dwarves…and was beyond pleased to know it worked. She wrote everything down and said she will be writing a report on it as well as informing the healers among the other cities of her findings.

Tauriel just listened…missing her daughter more and more despite knowing at that point she would not have been able to hold Ithtiri let alone nurse her. The pain was just too severe.

But that was three days ago, and because he wanted to be sure Tauriel was strong enough to handle the journey, Thorin decided to wait another two days before making the half a days journey home…so she is hoping her pain levels and the wound itself will tolerate her feeding her daughter by the time she arrived back to Erebor. Valar…two more days, and she will be home. How she misses the mountain, the food, the people, and even more, her family.

Tauriel smiled to herself as she handed Kili the book they had been reading to Naufi. One bit of good news is no more healing halls. Ivethin thought Tauriel would be in no more harm in a suite in the royal wing than she would be in the healing halls. So she told Tauriel she was welcome to remain in this room until they leave, or spend the rest of her time in Mirkwood in the suite Thranduil had given them. Having had enough of being in this room, Tauriel jumped at the chance to leave.

Ivethin had of course laughed at Tauriel's eagerness to get out of the healing halls, then suggested they wheel her over to the suites for her safety. But of course Tauriel absolutely forbid it, giving Ivethin a look of pure mortification that had the healer laughing once again while Kili just rolled his eyes.

"It would be better for you, Tauriel. You are still healing, there's nothing wrong with us wanting to keep you from further injuring yourself." Kili folded his arms, meeting his wife's glare head on.

"My leg is nearly fully healed and so is the wound in my back. A bit of pain, a sound in my chest, and a healing lung does not effect my legs. Besides..." Tauriel said in far more breaths than necessary. "…I need to walk. Please Kili."

Kili ground his jaw, but eventually relented when Ivethin agreed with Tauriel that she did in fact need to start doing more walking. "Fine. But only IF you let me bare your weight."

"Deal." Tauriel smiled and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Ivethin left them to get ready to go and they immediately began gathering their belongings up to move first thing in the morning. Kili wanted to give her one more night here just in case. It also gave them a chance to tell Thorin who smiled and pressed a kiss to Tauriel's head. He was happy she was doing so well.

"That's everything. You ready to go, amralime?" Kili asked, slinging the small bag over his shoulder. He shot Naufi a smile, but the dwarfling just grimaced in response. Kili felt how exhausted he was, but Naufi refused to open up. For whatever reason, he seemed to be getting even more distressed the more they talked about going home. Yet he won't say a word to them about it and just shuts down when they ask.

"More than ready." Tauriel sighed and held her hand out to Naufi. "Come on darling, we have just a few more nights here. Let's make the most of it together."

Naufi flinched, but nodded. He took his mothers free hand as his da supported her on the other side while they slowly walked out into the city. He smiled at Aurias who was swiftly walking from the healers halls to his lessons, stopping to say hi to Naufi as he passed by with a bow strapped to his back and a book in his hands. Naufi had told Tauriel that Aurias spent a lot of time in the healers halls because he wanted to be a healer, like his mama. His da was in the guard…but Aurias didn't really want to fight, he wanted to take care of people.

Tauriel thought the little elfling had a kind light about him, and told him she thought he would make a fine healer one day if he put his mind to it. The elfling's cheeks glowed pink with the praise, having been in the room when she said it. He had visited quite a few times trying to coax Naufi out of his shell. She will have to make sure to invite him to the suites as well…once she is settled.

Aurias said a few more things to Naufi then waived goodbye not wanting to be late, and they continued their way. Tauriel closed her eyes as the winter wind brushed through her hair as Kili all but carried her to the royal halls. She had not been out in the fresh air in nearly a week now, and she was savoring every moment she could of it.

Only a few stopped to greet them as they moved through the paths and across the bridges to the royal hall. It really was not a long way, but it took quite a bit of time with Tauriel moving so slowly. Kili would do most of the talking, since it really was just the three of them. Thorin and Fili were making travel plans with the guards, Viltarra was nursing in her suite, Naurfaer was seeing to the horses after Tauriel begged him to check on Galaddal, and Tork was in with Nelithi.

Though Legolas joined them halfway to the suites, both to help keep the paths clear for the former captain who was clearly struggling to walk, and to be a spare set of hands in case Tauriel wasn't able to make it. Naturally she was suspicious, but she kept her lips tight and focused on walking.

When they finally reached the royal halls, she was nearly out of breath of relief though she tried her best to hide it. Kili knew though, and as soon as they were out of prying eyes, he lifted her into his arms to her utter mortification, and carried her the rest of the way. There really were just a few guards walking about, but Tauriel was more than embarrassed to need assistance. Kili just held her tight and gave her a smile...that helped so she relaxed and let him carry her to their suites, Naufi and Legolas leading the way.

The rooms in the royal halls they were given were large but not as large as their family chambers in Erebor. In fact, it really consisted of a very large open sitting room that stepped up into a space with the bed. Apart from the bathing room door on the same level as the bed, the only other door in this room was the one leading out to the hall.

Tauriel always thought the entire space was built to mimic a forest meadow with the pillars designed to look just like the trunks of willow trees, and the curtains the branches falling down to the floor with cream silk fabric draped for privacy. There was a window as well, a large circular window that was nearly floor to ceiling in height and gave a view of the city and paths beyond the royal hall. But there was no veranda like Tauriel has in Erebor...she misses that too.

As they entered the room she couldn't help but feel an odd sense of detachment, knowing how often as a child she dreamed about being in grand rooms like these. Yet now that she is here, all she dreams about is being in her mountain home. It amazed her how over the years her mind has turned the thought of home from trees to stone, and all because she fell in love not just with Kili, but with the dwarven people.

Tauriel was so winded an in pain from the walk from the healers halls to their suites, she had to lay down, which settled it for Kili…she was not ready for the journey to Erebor quite yet. When He had told his uncle, Naurfaer and Fili, they all quite agreed when Tauriel barely made a sound for two hours as her body slept off the exhaustion from the furthest she has walked in days…a walk that was less in distance than the entrance of Erebor to their rooms; not to mention Kili carried her for the last leg. So they postponed their trip to Erebor for another two days…Thorin refusing to leave until he was absolutely sure Tauriel would be alright to go.

Unfortunately…that was not the last delay. "Are you sure we cannot leave yet?" Tauriel sighed as she walked around the room as she waited for her boys to return to her. Aurias had invited Naufi to their bow class early that morning and Tauriel insisted he go. He had been holed up for far too long, he needed some time outside this room. And though Tauriel was doing better…she was not ready for the hike to get to the training yards herself. However, she was not comfortable with him going on his own…so she gave her best pleading look to Kili who had only argued a little bit before giving in and going with their son.

Fili went as well out of pure curiosity…he had always wanted to see a bit more of Mirkwood and since he had the time now…he would take advantage of it. Legolas, who had been in having breakfast with them that morning, thought it would be fun to challenge Kili and Fili to a bit of a bow competition and that really had the two dwarven brothers eager to get out the door.

How Tauriel WISHES she could go too, but knew she was not up for it quite yet. Ivethin suggested she do as much controlled walking as possible to strengthen her lungs…but agreed she should remain behind as she did not want her over doing it. Tauriel was also instructed in several heavy breathing activities once Ivethin and Marawen…yes Marawen….agreed Tauriel's chest was healed enough for it.

Marawen. Tauriel thought as she paused her path around the room. A smile tugged at her lips at the healer who came to her door the morning before and sat with Tauriel and Kili through breakfast. She offered her apologies several times, which Tauriel waved off and Kili slowly accepted. Now that he was actually sleeping again, and Tauriel was far from the halls of the ancestors…he had been able to think a bit and came to the realization that accidents do happen…and what had occurred could have very well been one. It will be awhile before he fully trusted her though, but he was willing to give her a second chance.

Thorin didn't bother lifting his head from the missive he was reading as Bofur made himself at home by sticking his feet up on the end table. "No. Both Thranduil and Nyaunni agree that there's a blizzard to hit by tomorrow afternoon. We would never make it in time and I will NOT get caught in it with you still recovering. It would be a death sentence and I have had enough of those for the time being."

"Been getting' a mighty few of those storms this season. Bad winter means its goin' ta be a wet spring and burnin' summer." Bofur said, tapping his pipe before refilling it and lighting it. At least, he did until Tauriel glared at him before indicating to Viltarra and the baby just sitting in the chaise.

"There's an infant in the room." She said. Tauriel normally didn't have a problem with Kili or the others pulling their pipes out, she's gotten used to it over the years. But her one rule was not smoking around the children. Though Kili, Fili, and Thorin also knew never to pull their pipes out around their favorite eleth when she was expecting...Tauriel could never tollerate the smell as it always sends her to the washroom to be sick.

"Right." Bofur hummed. "I think I need somethin' teh warm my toes if you get my meanin'. I'll be visitin' the food hall if yeh don' need me."

Tauriel smiled. "You know…this is a city…we do have taverns of sorts you could visit. Perhaps not quite like the ones we have in Erebor…but there is an array of spirits…"

"For the love of Mahal and his great forge, tell me where, Tauri, and I will do anythin' yeh ask of me. Any favor…" Bofur exclaimed before she could even finish what she was going to say.

Tauriel tried to giggle but it came out as a cough as she gestured to the window. "You can't really see it from here, but do you see where that archway is across the way?" Bofur nodded following her finger. "Just go through it, take a right, and follow the winding path to a set of doors. It is one of the city's larger marketplaces. There are two taverns in that part of the city…I would say go with the Lend-sogenne A'glir." The name rolled off her tongue. "Means sweet drink and song. It is usually a much more entertaining atmosphere, and they have music and dancing throughout the day. They could probably use you to pick things up a pace or two." She gave him a smile then laughed when the hatted dwarf was out the door in seconds saying he'll let Aeodhen and the army know.

Thorin grumbled and sighed. "I better send an apology and some gold to the tavern. In the meantime, I have a meeting with Thranduil, so if you'll excuse me." He stood and moved to the door but paused. "As soon as the storm passes, we leave."

Tauriel nodded, now eyeing the city beyond with a bit of bitterness in her expression. She wanted to go home. This wasn't home anymore…she wanted her mountain. With a bit more annoyance in her steps, Tauriel continued her slow track around the room for nearly an hour while she waited for Kili, Fili, and Legolas to return. She wasn't alone of course…she always had a member of the family with her. She smiled as she glanced at Viltarra who was organizing packs as the infant slept. Hiril was here as well, but Dungael had followed Fili out the door. And of course Tauriel's ravens were also in the room, the pair asleep in one of the built in branches near the bed.

But this was one of the first times Tauriel was alone in the suite with Viltarra and the baby…the baby she still did not know the name of. Kili refused to tell her, and Viltarra simply smiled and said she wanted to wait until everyone was together before she shared it.

Tauriel was a bit hurt…because she knew Kili knew as he was keeping something from her, and that was the only thing she could think it could be. But considering how much she has been sleeping, how many healers have been in and out, and how few times they all have been in the same room and actually all awake together…it is not really surprising they have yet to have been able to announce the name of their child.

She smiled though, as she sat down beside the infant now sleeping in a basket nearly identical to the one Ithtiri uses…a gift from none other than Legolas. He had brought it in just that morning in fact, with the clothes and blankets Viltarra was organizing. Both Tauriel and Viltarra were surprised but touched by the gesture nonetheless.

"I brought what you requested for your son as well, I had to pick a few things up for myself while I was there anyway so I thought I would bring them along with me." Legolas had said placing a small crate down beside the basket. "I don't know how long you're staying, but I thought you might want a few more things. We had one of the tailors fit these according to the measurements you sent.

Naufi was the only one NOT excited about having more clothes here, but he had wordlessly dressed and had left with his father, uncle, and Legolas not long after.

"Are you alright?" Viltarra paused what she was doing, noticing Tauriel staring at the basket. "You can hold him if you like, you don't need to ask."

"Hm?" Tauriel looked up at her then smiled. "I was just wondering when I get to know his name. Kili knows it, and and something tells me Thorin does as well...when do I get to be included in such knowledge?"

Viltarra rolled her eyes. "I told you, you will know soon enough. You don't seem to be sleeping as much…how about we get everyone together and share it this afternoon after lunch? Unless you need to lie down again."

To be fair, Tauriel slept through the night, was awake for a few hours in the morning when she did her walking and breathing exercises, took a nap, ate lunch, took another nap, ate dinner and did a little more walking, then went to sleep. But her body had experienced a fair bit of trauma and Ivethin ordered her not to fight her fatigue…so she didn't.

"I think I can wait until the afternoon. I am most pleased you have made the decision to keep him. I knew just by watching you, that you loved him, and he had a connection to you. Fili too."

Viltarra nodded and smiled at her son who had a full belly and was extremely content in his new basket. "It was like…I was missing a piece of me I had not realized I was missing. I feel like my family is whole, like he was always supposed to be a part of it." She sighed. "I always felt like…I failed somehow…"

"Failed?" Tauriel said in surprise, then paused as a wave of pain from her chest almost took her breath away. Right. Slow, easy, movements. Viltarra gave her a look of concern, but did not comment. Everyone knew Tauriel hated being coddled and she seemed alright after a moment. "How so, muinthel?"

Viltarra sighed. "I know our people revere female births…and I know Thorin and Fili were more than happy to have three…well now four….females born of the blood of Durin." She went back to folding a small sick rag. "…but how is it I had three daughters…and not even one son? I know my father and mother had only daughters, but what was the chance I and Fili were also only able to bare females? We're dwarves, our species is predominantly male, and I had three girls. You're an elf…" She paused glancing at her sister. "…and I mean that with the upmost love and respect. Yet you have four dwarven looking sons…four Tauriel. I would have expected that you would have been the one to have more daughters, or at least, I don't know. I don't feel like I am saying this right." She shook her head and abandoned her folding to face Tauriel fully.

"What I am trying to say, and failing miserably, is I make a terrible dwarf considering our people are predisposed to baring males…and I can't seem to even have one. Yet here you are, an elf, who is more of a dam than I am." Viltarra sighed.

"Don't say that." Tauriel scooted closer, taking Viltarra's hands. "We cannot choose what our children are when they are gifted to us by the creators." She said. "Not even us elves." She smiled. "We get what we are given. I do not know why you were gifted three, rather beautiful if I might say, little girls…but you are far from a failed dam, Viltarra. I wish you would see that."

Viltarra nodded. "Finli was always meant to be king." She said after a moment.

"I am not sure I believe that, Viltarra." Tauriel said after a moment of thought. "As a mother, all I want for my children is for them to be healthy, happy, and to follow their hearts. Kili and I have tried to teach Finli to be his own person…and not shape himself under the expectations of others. It is far too heavy of a burden. Meant to be king, meant to be a baker, meant to be a guard…I have no problems with such terms but I think it is important to understand that nothing in life is guaranteed or given. If we want something, there should be a point in our life when we must fight for it in order to obtain it. Nobody is truly meant for anything…we must earn our place, or we will never appreciate it or fully respect the title."

Tauriel paused and looked at Viltarra. "Muinthel, both Kili and I wanted nothing more than for you and Fili to have everything…including your own heir to the throne. I do not know why the fates have decided this was the way things are to be, and it breaks my heart to see you feel as you do. Truly. You are in NO way a failure, Viltarra. Not as a dam, not as a female, not as Fili's wife. You bore him children, you have three very clever, very kind, daughters. And now, you have a son. I have heard nothing but whispers of respect for you, so this worry you have is unfounded. You are not a failure. Believe me…I know what it is to be considered one." She chuckled darkly, though it came out as more of a wheeze then a chuckle.

Viltarra though did not seem amused. "What? You? Tauriel you are FAR from a failure."

"Try saying such a thing to Thranduil. He's the first father figure I had, and he still looks at me with a fair bit of shame and disappointment in his expression. I am the ward he raised…who married a dwarf, whose children all look like dwarves, and who abandoned her own people, Valar her own species, for another. Try living with that."

Viltarra squeezed Tauriel's hand, seeing past the humor in her sister's expression to the deep pain she always carried with her. "I'm sorry. I am sitting here venting when you went through far worse to get to where we are."

"Please don't apologize." Tauriel said with a sigh, then yawned and winced when it caused a tugging on her still healing chest. "I think…if it is alright…I am going to go lie down. I want to be awake this afternoon, but I fear to do so I will need to rest now."

Viltarra nodded as Tauriel stood and moved to the bed, she was asleep nearly instantly…her body still too weak to remain awake for long periods of time.

Nearly three hours later Naufi had returned and Tauriel woke to the sound of her Kili laughing with Fili. It was such music to her ears she could not help but smile as a bubble of happiness and joy filled her at the sound. Though it dimmed a bit when she looked at her little one who carried a book under his arm and planted himself on the chaise as he began thumbing through the pages. If only her little Naufi would laugh once more...she missed his vibrance that seemed so dim.

Even as Kili excused himself to get them some lunch, the little dwarfling remained silent until Tauriel moved to the chair and patted her lap. He was almost getting too big to sit with her like this, but she will cherish the time her children were still small enough to sit with her. Of course it was a little uncomfortable when he climbed into her lap and handed her the book he had been looking through, but the pain not as bad as she expected.

"What is this?" She said eyeing the illustrated pages she recognized as one of the many books elflings study in their classes. He must have gotten this from the class he attended this morning which was odd because he should have only went to archery, but he seemed interested in the book nonetheless so she was happy to go through it with him. "This is Eru Iluvatar. The father of all elves and humans." Tauriel hummed turning the page. "And this, is Aule. The father of the dwarves."

"Why does he look different in this book than the one we have at home?" Naufi asked. "The one you drew."

Tauriel smiled and kissed his head. "I do not think they look too different…just...different interpretations I suppose." She couldn't exactly explain to him the truth yet…they were still too young to hear she actually MET the Valar. Maybe not Iluvatar but certainly Aule.

"Mama, if Iluvador is the father of elves, and Mahal the father of dwarves…who is it that that made someone like me? I am both." Naufi asked resting his head on Tauriel's shoulder and turning the page of the book about the Valar written in elvish. It really was a children's book, with illustrations and stories of the creators. She had one just like it on the shelf in her old quarters. Maybe she should have Naurfaer or Kili go retrieve it and a few others she can bring home to Erebor. Then again if she sent Naurfaer, he will likely just go snooping about, so maybe Kili would be the best person for the task.

Tauriel smiled. "Iluvatar, darling. Not Iluvador. And I would say, both. Aule did indeed shape the dwarves, but Iluvatar allowed them the chance to live. You see here?" She pointed to the neat script. "Aule did not have the authority to create life, but he did so anyway."

"Like Morgoth made the orcs?" Naufi asked.

Tauriel immediately shook her head. "Not like that at all darling. Morgoth was a being who sought power. He made creatures out of his jealousy for Iluvatar, and took on apprentices like Sauron who then used those creatures to aid him in his desire for dominion over all in Arda...something his master failed to achieve himself. But Aule did what he did out of pure love and desire to forge something with his own hand. Only his creations lacked the ability to truly live because he did not have the power needed to give them life and he would not take it like Morgoth had done."

"So Aule made statues? Like the ones in our halls?"

Tauriel hummed. "Like statues in some ways, but he turned stone to flesh, and bone. He could not hide his work for long though, and when Iluvatar discovered what he had done, he scolded him. Now this is where there is a vast difference between Aule and Morgoth, my star. When he was caught, Aule had great remorse for doing what he did. So much so, he was willing to sacrifice his creations by destroying them with the great hammer he had used to sculpt them. But before he stroke the dwarves he created down, Iluvatar was moved by compassion to stop him. He saw the humility in Aule, and the remorse; two things Morgoth never showed. As a gift to Aule, Iluvatar breathed life into the dwarves, and allowed Aule to place his creations deep in the earth with the promise from Aule that they too would be allowed to dwell among the other creations in arda. His one rule was the dwarves were not to fully awaken until Iluvatar's first children, the elves, were sent down first."

"So…the dwarves were technically the first race in Arda?" Naufi asked.

Tauriel chuckled. "Do not remind Thranduil of this, but in a way, yes."

"And…if Iluvad…Iluvatar was the one to breathe life into the dwarves…wouldn't that mean he is the father of the dwarves?" Naufi pondered. "But…Aule made them…so…it has to be both then, right?"

"Aule made you too my darling." She pressed her nose into Naufi's dark copper hair. "You are part dwarf as well."

"Why don't I look like an elf mama? Like Aurias? Aren't I part elf too?" He sighed and leaned further into his mother being careful not to get too close to her injury. "I saw some of the other elflings today when I visited the class with da and uncle. They were supposed to be my age, Legolas said, but, they were so tall and different. Why don't I look like that?"

Tauriel sighed. "I do not know my darling. Does it truly upset you?"

"No." Naufi said. "But I do want to fit in here."

Tauriel lowered her brows, wondering why it mattered since they were leaving soon, but before she could ask there was a knock at the door and Tauriel placed Naufi down and moved to answer it.

"GAMP!" Naufi said and ran to Naurfaer who walked in and caught the dwarfling as he ran to him and lifted him high. Tauriel smiled as she retook her seat; she had not seen Naufi acting so much like himself in days. To her, it made it feel as if there was hope her little troublemaker she loved was still in there somewhere. Maybe he did just need to get out of the room.

"There's the dwarfling of the hour!" Naurfaer said with a wide grin noticing the change as well. "I heard you've been a bit more yourself today…and you out shot several of the elflings your age."

Naufi nodded but didn't elaborate, not even when Kili and Thorin walked in with food for all of them. In fact as soon as Thorin, Fili, and Kili entered the room, Naufi ran straight to Tauriel and placed himself back in her lap. He again barely touched his lunch which concerned Tauriel who tried to coax him into eating at least something off the tray, but Naufi just turned his head into her shoulder.

It seemed to be a bit of a pattern as it was the same battle whenever Thorin entered the room, but not one of them could come up with a reason why. Even Thorin was getting upset by it, he loved his grandchildren and to have one so affected by his presence hurt him.

Of course they asked the little dwarfling several times about it, but whenever they did he just shrugged and went right back to being silent or picking at his food. Tauriel could tell he was losing weight…and she hated it, but she couldn't force him either. She was hoping he was just upset and still trying to process what they have been going through over the last week.

Once everyone but Naufi had their fill of the early afternoon meal, they sat around together talking about how long the blizzard may last and how long they should wait after to take the risk and leave before another storm came. Tauriel just sat staring at the window as she watched several rogue snowflakes fall to the city below. They rarely if ever got snowfall in Mirkwood…the tree canopy was too dense for it. But when the snows were as bad as they have been…it did happen on occasion.

The large circular window gave a good view of the paths of the city, and Tauriel could already see a dusting of snow here and there from the few gaps in the trees. She usually loved watching the snow…but it was keeping her from going home and seeing the rest of her children…thus, she currently loathed it.

Tauriel's attention did not wain from the window until Naufi slipped from her lap and moved to his father to inspect a piece of parchment Kili was holding. Her curiosity had her asking what it was as Naufi climbed up to stand on the chair beside his father, leaning over his da's shoulder to look it over curiously.

"This?" Kili asked with a grin. Tauriel's heart skipped a beat…Valar she loved that smile, and missed it when he was closed off to her earlier in the week. He still had his moments, but Kili has been coming more and more to himself over the last several days and she was so proud of him. "This…is the marksmanship grade on Naufi's shooting from this morning. The elven instructor thought he had the right to critique our son like he did the others…we showed him didn't we Nauf?"

Tauriel sighed. "That's their job, Kili. To critique and guide."

"Ya well, he was a pompous rams ass if you ask me. But at least he graded fairly. Full marks on form and bow handling…but he did knock a few points off because Naufi missed his target twice."

"I wasn't AIMING for my target on those two." Naufi grumbled as he glared at the parchment. "I was tired of hitting my target it was getting boring. I wanted to see if I could hit the one two spaces down and knock their arrow out. So that's what I did."

"I thought it was impressive." Fili said, taking a sip of his warm cider. "But the instructor was a bit peeved."

"That is because we are taught to listen and do as directed." Tauriel said sternly. "But you did very well, love. I am more than proud of you my star." She said after Kili passed the parchment to her for her to examine. She paused when the baby began to fuss and remembered Viltarra's promise she had made earlier. They were all here now…she wanted to hear his name they were keeping from her.

"Alright. I was told once we were all awake and in the same room…I would finally be informed what decided to name that little one. Kili is being obtuse and refusing to tell me." Said dwarf was smiling ear to ear as he sat with Naufi still behind him, standing with his arms draped around Kili's neck.

The room fell silent, Thorin setting his cup down, Naurfaer smiling softly, and Viltarra pulling the slightly fussing infant from his basket. They all knew...but her...and that was evident.

"Oh…right." Fili grinned. "Well…if you must know, little sister, we named him after one of my favorite people in Erebor. And that, is you." Fili said as Viltarra handed the infant to his aunt who held her arms out for him. She grabbed a pillow to help Tauriel support the baby without hurting her injury.

"Me?" Tauriel asked softly, more than a bit surprised. Fili nodded and smiled as tears began to fall heavy and swift down Tauriel's cheeks.

Kili had to grip the arms of the chair from the backlash of emotions that overwhelmed his wife. Pain, wonder, sadness, joy, and what Kili could only interpret as unworthiness filled his mind and he had to stop himself from reacting to his wife's raw emotions. "Oh, amralime." Kili whispered. "You are more than worthy."

Fili gave Kili a look before placing a hand on Tauriel's shoulder. "Worthy? Little sister, there is nobody more worthy in this room than you. Whyever would you think yourself unworthy?"

Tauriel opened and shut her mouth. She was more than embarrassed for her slip in feelings, but it was always difficult being once again stuck in Mirkwood and having all her old memories hit her; memories that were filled with reminders that she was a nobody, an outsider, unworthy of family or love. She knew better now that she had both. But still, those old feelings were hard to ignore after being subjected to six hundred years of memories prior to Kili coming into her life and bringing his family with him.

"I think I understand." Naurfaer said. "There is pain, that comes with healing and some wounds take longer than others...and some may never fully heal." Walking to his granddaughter, Naurfaer kneeled down to press a palm to her cheek. "You are worthy, starlight. You should have NEVER been made to feel otherwise. I can tell you this, Kili can tell you, Fili and Viltarra can tell you, even Thorin, who loves you as a daughter, can tell you this. But until you accept it yourself, the wound in your heart will forever remain open."

Tauriel nodded as a sob erupted from her chest causing both physical and mental pain to erupt through her entire system. Naurfaer did his best to pull her to him while trying not to crush the infant between them and being mindful of her healing body. "It is alright to cry starlight. Just let it out."

"Why is mama crying, da?" Naufi whispered.

Kili pulled Naufi into his lap and held him. "Your mama had a hard life before we came into it." He sent his wife words of love and support through their bond, but otherwise let Naurfaer hold and comfort her.

"Were they mean to her in Mirkwood?" Naufi asked, suddenly worried about staying when his family left for Erebor.

"I don't think, mean, is the right word." Thorin said leaning forward in his chair. "Un-intentionally cruel. Degrading. Unsupportive...would be a few better suited words."

"But...they are nice now...right?" Naufi asked.

Kili sighed. "Yes, they are nice now. But sometimes when we are hurt by someone, even when they apologize it is hard to forget the pain we felt for what they did. We forgive them, but the memory of that pain will always be there."

"Oh." Naufi sat back against his father.

Fili took the pause in conversation to pick up where he left off. "His name will be Taurion, little sister. The male equivalent of your name." He said as Tauriel pulled away from Naurfaer. "And he will have a life filled with love, family, and freedom to express himself. Whatever and whoever he chooses to be, we will love him."

"We can't undo your past, Tauriel." Viltarra said. "But we can give him what you were denied."

Tauriel looked down at the infant, still feeling the tears rolling down her face. "He will be loved." She said, not just for herself, but for Lorilyn who never knew what real love was either; Lorilyn who gave everything she had just to be thrown away by her own family.

"You, are loved Natha." Thorin said, standing and taking her hand.

"I know." Tauriel smiled and passed the infant to Viltarra both unable to handle holding him from the pain, and because she knew that face he was giving, the one that was closely followed by a piercing cry…he wanted food. Viltarra knew it too and accepted the blanket from Fili so she could nurse her elven son.

"I am overwhelmed by how honored I am." Tauriel said to Fili and Viltarra. "Thank you."

"No need to thank us, little sister. It is about time someone in the family bore your name…we wanted to do it before you two got the baby itch and made another miniature of yourselves." Fili chuckled. "I give it a year."

Tauriel rolled her eyes, content with the children she had right now. Her pregnancies were getting more difficult each child she had…more time in bed, more time recovering after, and she knew each took more of a toll on her body as well. If they do have more children…she needs time to think about it. Besides, Ithtiri was only four months old now…four months. She has missed nearly a month of her daughter's life now.

"Any news when we can go home? Has there been a progression in the weather?" Tauriel asked, hoping they could leave sooner rather than later. She doesn't know if she can handle another week here.

"Oh right! Any word from Erebor about how bad the storm is to be?" Kili asked breaking a roll in half and shoving part of it in his mouth and handing the other piece to Naufi...who took it but just stared at it.

"Unfortunately no." Thorin grumbled. "Which to me means the storm came early. By the looks of the snow outside right now…it must have. But I also suppose that could be a good thing…the earlier it finishes, the earlier we leave, and the sooner we get home. Natha, can you send Kaw to Nyaunni and Dis...so they know we are coming when the storm ends? Would he be able to fly through the storm?"

"I already sent Umyra about an hour ago." Kili said. "She's used to this kind of stuff, so I thought she would be able to withstand it better. I wanted to give the children an update as well."

Thorin nodded. "Well done, Kili. Fili, do you need help packing up your room? I want to be ready to go at a moments notice."

Fili shrugged. "We really have not been using it much. Most of our stuff is in here since we've been sleeping in here." It was true, both Fili and Viltarra had been sleeping on the sofa each night. Fili said he hated his bed, but Viltarra let it slip that he just preferred to be near the family. He had almost lost his sister and Kili was not himself, so now that they were out of the healers halls, Fili felt the need to watch over them.

Still, despite being in here for several days, Fili looked around the room as if seeing or judging it for the first time. "A forest...made from a forest...inside a forest. Where is the originality in this place, Tauri? It is like making a suite inside Erebor that looks like a mountainside."

"You mean a pile of rubble in a room? We still have a few of those." Kili said laughing. Erebor may be fully restored...but there were one or two rooms deep, deep in the mountain where nobody goes, that Thorin didn't bother putting effort or gold into restoring. What's the point when they would go unused anyway?

"I like it." Viltarra said admiring the variations of greens, coppers, browns, and creams in the room. "I think it is lovely."

"I always thought so too." Tauriel agreed. "Are you sure you want to stay in here until we leave? I know you have just been sleeping on the sofa…would not a bed be preferable?"

Viltarra shrugged. "After sleeping on the sandy ground, a sleeping pad, and the deck of a ship...this is very comfortable. Plus we did not want to be far from you while you recovered or from Kili to help with Naufi. We want to be in here. I think Thorin and Naurfaer have their own rooms though."

Both Thorin and Naurfaer nodded. "I have the room next door." Naurfaer said, and Thorin is just across the way. The guards were given an entire wing to themselves with Aeodhen and Dwalin but I think Bofur us up here too since there were no more available rooms. He's next to Fili's unused room."

"He's earned it." Fili said honestly. "Personally I don't mind the sofa, its comfortable enough. What I really want is to just be back in my own bed...these ones are a bit too soft for me. And I am sure mam will need a break from the kids."

Thorin sighed. "She was looking far more in haggard than normal when I left, but there was a good reason for it." He turned a disapproving scowl to Naufi who sunk into his father.

Naufi knew his time was coming, and the family was getting ready to leave. "Da, when you see nan, can you give her this?" Naufi reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, folded bit of parchment as he slid down from behind his father to stand just before him as he held it out to Kili. "And tell her I am sorry?"

Kili was taken aback. "What do you mean, Naufi? You will see her when we get back. You can give it to her then…why don't you hold onto it my star."

"But...but I have to stay here. I am banished from Erebor." Naufi said then began to sob in earnest even as Kili pulled him into his arms, his sons little face pressed into his father's chest.

"BANISHED?!" Tauriel ignored all her pain as she whipped her head to look at Thorin who appeared as lost to what was happening as everyone. "Who said such a thing?! Did you tell my son he was banished?"

"Certainly not." Thorin growled. "Naurfaer, why would you say such a thing?"

Naufi was choking on his sobs, and it took several minutes of Kili rubbing his back before he was put together enough to speak again. "I...b...b...broke the rules. And pop is...is the king. So...I have to be banished."

Fili couldn't help it when an uncontrollable laugh bubbled up from his throat. "Good and mighty Mahal, if breaking uncles rules was punishable by banishment, Kili would have been banished more times than I could count."

"And you too." Thorin grunted before standing and kneeling before Naufi, who peaked an eye out to Thorin before turning his face back into Kili's chest. "Naufi...look at me."

"I don't want to live in Mirkwood." Naufi whispered between sobs. "I want to go home. I want Fin, and Orin, and little lion., and Ithtiri. I...I want to go home."

"And you will come home." Thorin said gently. "Naufi, you are not banished. You made a mistake, and you broke an order meant to keep you safe. What would have happened if the Nazgul didn't need you to bargain? What would have happened if an orc decided to make you its prey? We were very lucky these last few days, too lucky. We almost lost you because you made a poor decision." He decided to leave out that they almost lost Tauriel because of that poor decision as well…but he was in no way about to pin Tauriel's near death on a dwarfling who would not be able to separate his own actions with the actions of the Nazgul.

"Your grandfather is right, Naufi." Tauriel said, lowering herself carefully to the floor beside the chair Kili sat on. "There are times to be curious and brave, and times to know when it is better to stay safe and out of sight. What would we do, if we were too late, my Naurfaer. What would I do if I lost you?"

"But you have Orin." Naufi said brokenly. "You have two of me."

Tauriel lowered her brows in concern. "Whyever would you say such a thing? You and Orin may look the same, but you are as different as can be. Though your propensity to find trouble is a perfect match, you are two completely different people. You are my Naufi, my sweet, thoughtful, creative, Naufi. My day is never complete, until you come in with your wide smile and show me what you drew, or shared with me one of your stories." She pulled the doll he and Orin had made from the pocket of her dressing robe she wore around each day. "I know, this one is yours because of all the little details you added that are very much you. I see you, my Naufi. I do not see Orin when I look at you, I see you."

"Orin is the mastermind." Kili chuckled. "I still can't work out how he came up with that goop you had. That stuff looked lethal, I am glad it wasn't tested out on me."

Thorin pinched his nose. "Be grateful about that, because it was very unpleasant, and my backside still is sore."

"I am sorry pop." Naufi said finally looking away from Kili. "And I am so, so sorry I disobeyed."

Thorin opened his arms and Naufi fell into them. "I have no words how furious I am with you for what you did, but it has nothing to do with you breaking the rules. You put yourself in danger Naufi. They would have killed you, and we can't lose you. Do you understand?"

"So…you aren't banishing me?" Naufi asked, his emerald eyes looking up at Thorin so wide with innocence and worry.

Thorin shook his head. "No Naufi. I am not, nor do I ever plan, to banish you. Not only because I love you, but the cost would be far too great. I wouldn't just lose you, but I would lose the family as a whole in doing so. They would follow you, Naufi, because family, means staying together through the good, and the bad." He paused and looked down at his grandson. "Is this what has been upsetting you?"

Naufi tightened his arms around Thorin, then nodded. "Oh Naufi." He sighed. "I wish you would have talked to us sooner about this."

"I do as well. We make mistakes my darling." Tauriel said, her hand clasped in Kili's. "And what matters, is you know what you did was wrong, and you are remorseful. But we never wish for you to suffer alone. We cannot make you tell us your troubles, but we want to hear them and help with them."

Fili nodded in agreement. "What they said is true of all of us, little goblin. Besides, I think I can say that every person in this room has done something stupid like sneaking out to save a chicken…or to see a Nazgul, Naufi. Honestly, we have done worse so you will have to step it up to be on banishment level. OW!" Fili huffed when Viltarra kicked him.

"You are not helping by encouraging him." She growled before looking to her nephew. "Do not listen to your uncle, I am sure he and your da where frightful when they were your age."

"Kili was." Thorin mumbled and sat back against the chair behind him. "Fili just followed his brother to make sure Kili didn't kill himself."

"Ha!" Fili said. "See, nunguame? I was the good one."

"Hey?!" Kili said. "Some of those things were YOUR idea. YOU just said I would get in less trouble."

Fili shrugged. "You did."

"The point is, Naufi, that we all make mistakes. You made a mistake..." Viltarra continued, rolling her eyes at her husband and brother. "...but we need you to know we love you regardless."

"Does this mean I get to come home, and I don't have to live in Mirkwood like mama did?" Naufi asked.

"You are coming home Naufi." Thorin hummed. "And I doubt you will be leaving it for quite some time."

Kili affirmed the statement with a nod and a stern fatherly look. "Grounded until you are seventy-five, Naufi." The dwarfling only nodded, his head resting on Thorin's chest.

"Mama..." Naufi looked up at Tauriel who smiled.

"Yes darling?"

"I'm hungry."

The room erupted in laughter as Kili leaned down and pressed a kiss to his sons head then went to grab the tray his son ignored earlier and brought it over. Naufi ate the entire meal and some of the leftovers from the other trays as well. No one mentioned it, they just let him eat to his heart's content.

For the rest of the day and well past dinner the room was filled with laughter. Thorin held Naufi as Fili, Kili, Tauriel, Naurfaer, and Viltarra told stories about Rhun with more detail than they had been able to give over the last week. This included Fili's time alone after escaping the spider up until he met up with the others at the oasis. It also included the horrific circumstances surrounding Taurion's entrance into the world.

Thorin asked a question or two here or there, but otherwise just listened. It was easier to piece things together now that he had the entire story. "A few things." Thorin hummed in a deep whisper. Naufi was asleep against his shoulder and Thorin was content to let him be. "First of all, I would like to address the shifter...Tork." He corrected. "You all trust him?"

"Yes." Tauriel said without hesitation, the others nodding their agreement though they let Tauriel do the talking. "He could have turned me over to those humans and orcs, but he didn't. They killed his family and blamed the eldar for it...so I can understand his prior hate for the elven people. Yet he looked past it to save Nelithi and Ivethin...then me. I trust him with my life; he is no threat to us or our people."

Thorin nodded. "I trust your judgment, nâtha. Sounds like he may be more of Thranduil's problem than mine though, so I will let it rest."

"He wants to meet Beorn, and I promised to take him there." Tauriel said. "I intend to fulfill that promise."

Thorin sighed. "Does it have to be YOU personally?"

"Yes." Tauriel nodded. "I owe it to him, and I will not go back on my word. I intend to tell him to call for me whenever he is ready."

"And AFTER you have fully healed and regained your strength." Thorin gave her a look. "You will be remaining in Erebor until then. That is not a request."

Tauriel nodded, for once not arguing. She was more than happy to agree not just because of her pain, but also because she just wants to be with her children and family for awhile.

"We can take Finli this summer or late spring." Kili said with a smile. "The roads are safe enough with Dol Guldur in inner turmoil...and he is old enough to go on a small adventure to Beorn's. It is only just outside the forest, we can be there and back again in a few weeks time."

Thorin looked ready to argue but now was not the time for that. Perhaps Dis can talk logic into their brains. "What about these, sisters..."

"Also not a threat." Naurfaer said jumping in. "We quite earned their respect though, thanks to Tauriel. They rather revere her."

Tauriel pierced her lips, hating that all she did was show compassion, and now she had a people consider her to be like a mother to them. Yet she also felt honored, so it was a conflicting feeling. "I do wish them the best." She said after a moment to collect her thoughts. "And I hope to one day see them again. But as for worrying about them? I feel in my heart, they are going to accomplish much good in this world for a people who were created to destroy. May the creators accept and guide them as they fight for the light."

Thorin nodded then turned to Fili. "And Krygo…did you promise anything other than gold?"

Fili shook his head. "We just need to pay back what we took with a bit of interest I think they have more than earned for their willingness to help. There is a certain matter to discuss about Kaulithah…but we can deal with that when we get back to Erebor. It's not pressing and I think mam and auntie Nya will want to be in on that conversation."

"Alright. And now to the Avari. What is owed to them?" Thorin asked.

"Nothing is owed. But I do want to send them some gold as well as the cattle Kili had promised." Fili said glancing at Kili who nodded his agreement. "I think it would be in our best interest to keep an open alliance with them. We have kingdoms in the area, it would do us well to keep our friends over there incase things heat up again."

"Wise words, Fili." Thorin hummed with pride. "I agree. Now…to discuss what to do with those dragon eggs of yours..."

"Aelúg, uncle." Kili said, amused that even now he considers Nyaunni's aelúg to be dragons despite everyone telling him the contrary. "Not dragons."

"They are close enough." Thorin growled then yawned, shaking off the sudden exhaustion as he continued. "And now we are stuck with more of those things in my mountain." He glanced down at Naufi and smiled.

"Stuck uncle? I think auntie Nya will disagree with that term, and I know for a fact you love them too. I see you visiting Uri all the time even without auntie Nya. Don't think for a minute I didn't catch you sneaking him a piece of butter cake despite Nya putting him on a fish and fruit only diet last week." Fili chuckled, Thorin glancing up at him and rolled his eyes as he tried to hold back another yawn as his nephew continued. "Think about it like this uncle, Erebor will one day be the only kingdom in the west with the ability to fly across the lands."

"In twenty years." Kili said then purred as Tauriel began to run her fingers through his hair. He had slipped to the ground and offered her the chair when he felt her getting uncomfortable on the floor. Considering she didn't even bother to protest or argue, and took the chair right away, he knew he had made the right decision. Kili closed his eyes and leaned back into his wife's hands as she continued her ministrations.

"The Avari would like take offence if they heard you say such things about their sacred creatures, adad." Tauriel chastised. "To them, the gift was likely greater than all the gold in Erebor."

"I think they would be to Nyaunni as well." Viltarra added. She was on the chaise leaning against Fili who had Taurion sleeping on his chest.

Thorin only sighed in response, but when they looked at the king of Erebor and patriarch of the family, they realized he had fallen asleep sitting up against the chair. He slept with Naufi still asleep in his lap, and Tauriel wondered if it would be best to leave them be, or move Naufi and wake Thorin up so he could sleep somewhere more comfortable.

"Let them sleep, amralime." Kili hummed, half asleep himself thanks to her. "I think I am ready for bed too." He closed his eyes as Tauriel continued to comb her fingers through his hair. He groaned when she stopped, looking up at her as she stood.

"I suppose we should leave Naufi be as well." She sighed as she stood and pulled a blanket off the bed and placed it over both Thorin and Naufi while Naurfaer excused himself. He was going to see if there was any update on the storm while Viltarra stepped out to take a bath in her own suite. Tauriel offered theirs but Viltarra just waived her off and said she will be right back in when she was done.

Even before she even stepped out of Kili and Tauriel's suite, Fili was already sound asleep on the chaise with their new son still sleeping on his chest. She pulled the blanket over them both and pressed a kiss to Fili's head then Taurion's, before going to her bathroom.

Tauriel glanced at Kili with his head back at an odd angle. She could tell he was also nodding off on the floor and shook her head. Once he fell asleep, she would not be able to get him up...not with her still healing wounds. "Come on meleth nin, you are too heavy for me to move. If you fall asleep there, you are staying there and you are not allowed to complain about neck and pack pains in the morning."

Kili chuckled. "I don't see you waking uncle." He lifted a brow as he looked up sleepily at her.

"Because he fell asleep on accident, while you, my dearest Kili, are still perfectly capable of coming to bed." Tauriel tugged on his hand gently and he protested a moment before huffing and getting up, letting her pull him to bed. By pull, he simply followed her. He certainly was not allowing her to put any work into it, not at the risk of slowing her progress.

Though he did move ahead of her and folded down the comforter for her. "After you, amralime." He purred, Tauriel smirking as she slid into the bed, Kili joining her. Just as she got comfortable against his chest, Kili was already asleep. Tauriel watched him for a few minutes, happy her Kili was healing just like her, then she too closed her eyes and followed him into his dreams.

When Viltarra came out an hour later, the room was dimmed and everyone was asleep, though Thorin must have woken because he had moved to lay out on the large sofa on the opposite side of the room with Naufi still tucked up against him and a blanket draped over them both. Viltarra yawned as she wondered why he didn't just go to his room to sleep in his own bed, but maybe he just wanted to be with the family. Or maybe Naufi needed him.

The dam yawned again as she padded over to her husband and carefully as she could, lifted the blanket and slipped in, her arm draping over Fili's stomach as she pressed into him on the chaise. Fili instinctively moved his arm so it pillowed her head, and she smiled at the sounds of her husband and son's slow and steady breathing. It was the lullaby that had her asleep both content and excited for what was to come in their future.

Authors Notes: There, got some loose ends all cleaned up and I believe the next chapter, they are finally headed home. Were about at the end of this ACT, I think maybe one or two chapters. I then have to decide if I want to do full ACTS between this one and the LOTR timeline, I have a few adventures in mind I was thinking about writing up…but they are still just little daydreams at the moment. Or, I could just do some oneshots. Snippets into their lives as time presses forward. I am debating on whether or not I want Frodo to be introduced to the family by Bilbo bringing him to Erebor, or having a family trip to the shire. I am still working that out. Maybe it could happen alongside one of the adventures I am thinking about. I know people are eager to get to the LOTR timeline, but if I do that, it will jump ahead another I think 40 years? Theres 60 years between the Battle of the Five Armies, and the Events in the beginning of the fellowship. I am not sure I am ready to make another drastic time leap unless you are all ready for this to wrap up, lol. Once I write the LOTR ACT I will probably just do an end of story ACT or Epilogue. I will see how I feel after I finish. I might wright a few more oneshots, but we will see where the timeline takes me. Those are my thoughts anyway. Hopefully this isn't getting boring.

I have a lot to do on the next chapter, so I will try to get it up before Christmas, but I also have an exam I need to study for so we will see how the next few days go and see what I can accomplish. See ya in a bit, and feel free to say hello in the review box, if you want. 😊