Author's Note

Setting: The Hobbit Movies: Desolation of Smaug, Battle of the Five Armies and beyond

Pairing: {Kili and Tauriel}and Legolas

From the first time I saw these three in the "Desolation" I was hooked. Kili is adorable, Tauriel is irresistible, and Legolas is…well…Legolas (swoon). Problem is their people hate each other; oh and some are supposed to die in the Battle of the Five Armies, in the world of Tolkien. Still, that horrid fact did not deter me from shipping something awful.

I don't own any of this remarkable story, just my own storyline I formed with the characters.

Warnings include spoilers, violence, mature situations, most likely will become M just because that is how I fly. I assume you have seen the movies, so I don't go crazy reiterating all the lines verbatim; just the ones I want to. I cling to cannon, but this is not intended to be just a novelization. I like to write between the lines and expand upon the scenes that we don't get to see and create new scenes in the worlds of Tolkien and Jackson with my vision.

Constructive criticism is always welcome. Please, read, enjoy and review!

(rewritten 12/15. edited 11/18)

AW

"Now, this is just not fair!"

Kili complained under his breath as he struggled with the monster, valiantly fighting to keep the large spider's razor sharp jaws out of the range of his face and arms. He finally distracted the black beast by a swift, hard kick; but that just seemed to enrage it more. He yelled out in pain as it grabbed his foot. Next, his hand was struck by a furry appendage and his weapon launched out of his reach.

"From bad to worse." Kili groaned, as he grabbed the fangs threatening to spear his throat with his bare hands. "Maybe I should have just stayed with the company..." he muttered.

Kili thought he escaped capture when he dodged under a bush just as the other dwarves got ambushed by the elves. But, this monster found him and dragged him unceremoniously out from his hiding place. The beast was strong, and Kili was fighting for his next breath.

Just as Kili thought himself definite spider food, his blood slated to be turned into the next liquid meal of his assailant, from out of the twisted, dark forest came an arrow that buried itself between the spider's eyes.

Kili pushed the hulking body of the dead beast off of him and searched the dark woods. He spotted her out of the corner of his eye. His savior came rushing down from the canopy in the form of a she-elf archer with flaming red hair. But... she was no ordinary, lithe tall thing, she was rapid movement, muscle and deadly precision. She was…

Astounding.

Kili tore his eyes away from her to check on the progress of the latest beast scurrying towards him.

"Throw me a dagger! Quick!" Kili shouted urgently, above the shrieks of dying monsters.

"If you think I am giving you a weapon, dwarf, you are mistaken." the she-warrior growled, as a precisely aimed projectile skewered the pea brain of the spider bearing down on him. Kili jumped to his feet, at the ready, but all he got to do was watch. And that he did.

The skill of a woodland elf warrior was a spectacle to see, but it seemed even more so in the feminine form; refined, graceful, smoother than her male counterparts. Even though she denied him a weapon to save himself, Kili was begrudgingly impressed as the she-elf laid to waste the rest of the monsters surrounding them. Kili's frustration turned into wonder and he looked on, wide eyed, as she gloated subtly over her arachnid kills.

The Dwarves of Erebor were ambushed by the Silvan guard while on their seemingly endless journey through Mirkwood. Kili knew he and his dwarf brethren were in trouble, being captured by the wood elves; a darker, more bitter, and more dangerous crew than their Rivendell counterparts, but at least they were no longer in imminent danger of death by spider. But Kili could not bring himself to worry about that. In a way, Kili felt he was now in even more danger, but of a different sort.

Kili was guided none too gently by his savior-captor elf to the rest of the group, but he found himself stealing awkward glances at the red haired fighter. The chiseled elven features were sharp on her face, more sharp than that of the maids he had seen at Rivendell. She looked at him harshly, with no deference in her stony gaze. Her visage was a practiced, tight mask of authority and control.

Kili felt the heat threaten to color his cheeks so he turned his face down, away from her, and concentrated on his feet, each step crunching through the underbrush. It must have made him look a bit bashful, because when he glanced up again, a slight wrinkle had formed between her brows and her hard, green eyes had softened a bit. Just for a moment.

When they joined the group, Kili overheard the she-elf warrior being referred to as Tauriel. The way she held herself and barked at the rest of the soldiers around her, he surmised she must be some kind of leader. Tauriel approached and talked urgently with a tall blonde fighter, the one the she referred to as Legolas, which was the only elf she showed any deference to.

Legolas...His shoulders were adorned with the finest elven armor, indicating he must have been an important elf of high position. No doubt, Legolas was the one in command here. His mannerism was menacing, domineering and angry towards everyone, especially Kili's uncle, Thorin. Except for when the man-elf set his eyes on Tauriel. He seemed to show Tauriel some favor. Something in Kili's chest twisted, much to his surprise.

Tauriel. A beautiful name for such a... Kili thought for a second. Then he shook his head, growling to himself in frustration. Kili, stop looking at her. She's a bloody elf.

Kili remained largely quiet for the trip in, stripping off the sticky webs that covered him as he plodded along, grumbling and defiant, like the other dwarves. Before long, they were ushered through the gates of Mirkwood, a tall, beautiful structure that almost completely incorporated itself into its surroundings, making it difficult to discern unless you were right upon it. They were led over arching, delicate walkways that looked like the twisted roots of a massive tree, and finally, they were led down to the dungeon.

As he was ushered to his cell, by the same she-elf, he saw his brother being stripped of the remainder of his hidden weapons. The knife buried in Fili's jacket must have been his last, because he heard Fili groan and saw him roll his eyes before being pushed unceremoniously into the awaiting cell.

Kili looked up to his captor. The one who was imprisoning him gazed down on him with an uncaring gaze. He tried to not notice her delicate features, and tried to seem angry about his impending jailing. But then, despite himself, his playful side jumped out.

"Aren't you going to search me? I could have anything down my trousers…" Kili said, with feigned seriousness. He could barely keep his face straight.

Her green eyes were frigid though, like icy, round jewels.

"Or nothing at all." Tauriel returned, her eyes intent on him, her face turning into a teasing, yet cautionary expression. She pushed him in the cell, shutting the ornate gate with a clang. Kili was speechless.

Not only beauty, but she has a biting wit as well. Oh my gods...I am lost.

Kili's eyes followed the sleek movements of the she-elf as she floated down the stairs towards Legolas. The fire colored hair wafted gently around her, waving behind her slim body as he watched, captivated. Kili leaned into the gate and let his eyes wander over her...from the hair as it cascaded past her shoulders, down the gentle curves of her body's silhouette, down the long, strong limbs, to delicate hands and feet.

A smile forced its way on his face... then he finally remembered to breathe.

It was soon after that Kili saw the leader man-elf glance at him with distain, and then have slightly tense words with Tauriel. Kili could see the look Legolas gave the she elf; it was one of concern, but something more was there…This exchange was curious.

When Tauriel finally left his sight, Legolas looked towards Kili again with a warning, angry glare. Kili shrunk back into the shadows of his cell, and then settled himself down on the stone bench to mope.

He took out his rune stone, rubbing his fingers over the etched symbols as his mind mulled over these occurrences.

A fine mess we are in now. How in Middle Earth are we to get to the mountain in time for the last light of autumn? he thought.

But I wonder…why did that elf catch my eye? She is an enemy, yet…I can't think of her as that...she saved me. Tauriel. She is a great warrior, that is easy to see. Yet, I cant deny it... she stirs me from within. Now can't think of anything else. Gods, I can't let my brother know what I am feeling. He would never let me live it down. 'Always letting your eyes wander where they shouldn't' he would say, I'm sure. In any case, I must treat her as an enemy, even if I feel differently. I can ignore it.

Some time passed by, and growing bored and restless, Kili started to toss the rune stone up in the air. Up and down, up and down it went, again and again. A movement on the stairs caught his eye. It was Tauriel, checking on her prisoners, strolling slowly from cell to cell. His breath caught in his chest and his mouth became dry…

Tauriel walked down the stairs, away from the rude little dwarf, a little put out by his insinuation.

Hmm..Something down his trousers, indeed..

Tauriel smirked. Despite herself, she had to admit she was a bit bemused by the brief exchange. The young dwarf had the audacity to try and make a joke under these circumstances; that in itself showed some degree of bravery, or was it stupidity? Whatever it was, he intrigued her. Thinking on it further, she realized that this dwarf did not seem to have the deep hatred for her that the others seemed to emit. A small smile played upon her lips.

Tauriel had her eye on this particular dwarf ever since they were in the forest. When descending on their invaders, she heard a yell and she rushed towards the call. At first she observed the young dwarf from the canopy for a second or two. He fought valiantly against the giant spiders but was unfamiliar with their weaknesses and wasted his efforts. When she saw him lose his weapon, she knew he was in trouble so she rushed in to save him.

Ever since then, he had been quiet, shyly avoiding her gaze. Until now.

She stopped short as Legolas stood before her, looking somewhat perturbed. He addressed her in a low voice in elvish.

"Why does the dwarf stare at you?" He questioned. She looked back at Legolas with a similar gaze. What was he so cross about?

Legolas was right, though. No one in Mirkwood stared at her like the dwarf did. And Legolas was too astute not to notice.

Tauriel was brought up in a military world, and she excelled in it. The other soldier elves treated her with a mix of fear and respect. Only Legolas dared to smile at her and treat her with a calm camaraderie, a familiarity born from their many years together as...what? Partners? Friends?

"Who can say?" she said, shrugging, making light of it outwardly even as the female within in her was a little intrigued by the idea that this young dwarf had been staring at her. He seemed so unlike many of the other dwarves.

Tauriel had not failed to notice the dwarf's intense expressions, his wavy, dark locks and his warm, tan skin. His face was not hidden by the long, bushy beards seen on many of his companions. He had only a shadow of a beard that revealed his slim, strong face and relatively angular features, which probably meant he was quite young. A fraction of her age, no doubt. He was taller than the others, and his features also seemed more refined in comparison to most of his companions. And his eyes were dark and wide, warm and soft. And staring at her.

"He is quite tall for a dwarf…" she said, a little wistfully. Then she stopped herself in the midst of her wondering. "Don't you think?" she asked Legolas, before practically running down the stairs.

"Taller than some, but no less ugly…" Legolas growled after her.

But Tauriel just could not agree with her prince's assessment… No doubt the young dwarf would be considered handsome, by dwarf standards. And, surprisingly, by hers as well.

Kili tossed his stone up and down, taking a moment to glance at the guard advancing slowly. Tauriel wafted by his cell, and unbelievably, she stopped, turned, and addressed him.

"The stone in your hand, what is it?" She asked. Gentle curiosity fluttered over her face.

Kili, intent on trying to hate her, like he knew he should, answered.

"A talisman" Kili replied, in a low voice, trying to be menacing. "A powerful spell lies upon it if any but a dwarf reads the runes upon this stone—they will be forever cursed!" He said, holding it up with a hard stare.

Tauriel looked taken aback, even a little hurt, and then she turned to leave.

Kili had fully expected her to refute him. His heart sank. Oh no…this was not going at all the way he wanted it to.

"Or not…" Kili said, quickly.

Tauriel stopped and turned her head towards him, her face still upset. Kili immediately let down his feigned defenses. He would do anything to keep the she-elf near.

"Depending on if you believe that kind of thing. It is just a token." He said, with a gentle smile.

Tauriel responded beautifully, her eyes and face changing into slight confusion. Then her expression relaxed, a small smile coming to rest on her lips. She turned to face him.

Kili's heart skipped a beat. There was no way he could hate this she-elf. He decided to continue.

"My mother gave it to me so I would remember my promise." He threw up the stone again after glancing at her, happy at seeing her fully engaged.

Tauriel approached just a bit.

"What promise?" she asked softly, her voice more feminine than it had yet been.

"That I would come back to her…" he smiled. "She worries. She thinks I am reckless." he continued.

A coy smile played on Tauriel's lips, as her eyes met his.

Oh heavens. I know I should be thinking about how to attack her, or something, but…I cannot. Kili mused.

"Are you?" she asked.

"Nah…" Kili responded, with a smile. Just then, he faltered after a toss, and the rune stone fell on the ground, skittering towards the edge.

In a quick motion, Tauriel stepped on the stone, preventing it from falling further into the darkness below. She held it up to the light, negating his previous threat of her turning to stone. He stood up, closer to the gate. She turned back to him.

"Sounds like quite a party you are having up there…" Kili said, urging the conversation forth.

Tauriel felt a warmth permeate her, flow over her body as she gazed on the face of this young dwarf. Yes, he must be young. Young and flirtatious. But she did not care about that at the moment, as well as the other obvious differences between them. She was basking in the glow of this unexpected, stimulating exchange. He urgently wanted to communicate with her, that was clear, so it was a good thing he had given up on the rude teasing.

"It is Mereth Nuin Galiath, the feast of starlight." She answered. He was listening intently, eyes inquisitive as she stepped away from him. "All light is sacred to the Elda. What wood elves love best is the light of the stars." When she looked back at him, he was pensive.

"I always thought it was a cold light; remote and far away." He said, with a curious expression she could not place. Tauriel had to disagree.

"It is memory. Precious and pure." She said, looking down at the rune stone. "Like your promise." She handed him back his stone, and his warm fingers brushed her palm. She felt something stir within her.

Why do I feel so comfortable with him? He is a prisoner, yet I feel more at ease in his presence than with anyone else here. Well, almost anyone. How curious...

Tauriel felt the burning need to share something special with the young dwarf, something she didn't get the chance to, often.

"I have walked there sometimes. Beyond the forest and up into the night. I have seen the world fall away and the white light of forever fill the air." She said, walking away, looking up.

"I saw a fire moon once. It rose over the pass near Dunland…Huge! Red and gold it was, it filled the sky. We were an escort for some merchants from Ered Luin. They were trading in silverwork for furs…"

Tauriel approached closer as the dwarf went on talking, sitting down on a nearby step so she could be more at his level. She was not only listening to his words in the sound of his low, textured voice, she was getting engrossed in the details of his story. She took him all in; his relaxed stance, the expressions changing on in his face as he spoke. This dwarf had an easy going, jovial way about him that she found disarming. His eyes were dark, yet so warm, full of energy and life. The smile he gave in response to her own was, in a word, sweet.

And the way he looked at her when she spoke: it was not the cold, harsh gaze of the King or her subordinates, or the leering glare she sometimes got from others who soon were sorry for making that mistake. It was a look of wonder and… hope? Nowhere in his eyes was there the hatred so well-known between their two peoples.

"...We took the greenway south keeping the mountain to our left and then it appeared. This huge fire moon, lighting our path. I wish I could show you the caverns that were there, they were just astounding!" he said, finally finishing his tale. She nodded. He sounded so sincere.

"I am sure they were." She said, with a smile. A real, relaxed smile, for the first time in a long time. He smiled widely. "You have traveled far, and seen many places, have you?" She asked, leaning forward. The dwarf nodded, his brows raising a bit.

"Oh yes, a good many places. And you?" He asked, inviting her to share. Tauriel's expression flattened slightly, and she sat back. The dwarf looked on, his expression reacting to hers, wonder drifting into his gaze.

"No. I have not ventured beyond our forest." She sighed. Tauriel yearned for the freedom outside of the forest; she cared much about the world outside their realm, unlike her king. The young dwarf let a bit of surprise flit over his expression. He pursed his lips.

"Really? Well, you should ...one day." he said. Tauriel looked away. He continued talking softly, drawing her gaze again. "Ever since I was able, we traveled over many lands, mainly to the west of the Misty Mountains." He looked down a bit, his brows knitting. "It was tedious at times, difficult on occasion, and perilous once in a while, but it was still well worth the effort."

"I am sure it was." Tauriel said, wistfully. He gazed at her, as if lost in thought for a moment.

"One must always keep their wits about them, their eyes ever open on the road, though." he warned.

"Why is that?" she asked, curiosity coming over her.

"You never know when you will come face to face with something so dangerous as to threaten your life...or so beautiful as to steal your breath." he said, his eyes blinking slowly, his face changing to a more serious expression.

Tauriel could practically feel his eyes tracing her face. Then he looked away quickly.

"I mean...such as the fire moon, or your stars." He said, looking back at her again. tenatively.

Tauriel pulled in a small breath, feeling a warmth rise to her cheeks.

"I will keep that in mind." Tauriel said. Then, she finally remembered her manners. "What is your name?" she asked, softly.

His eyes met hers again, and his head turned sideways slightly, as if surprised at the question.

"I am Kili…of the House of Durin." He replied, with quiet pride.

"Well, Kili of the House of Durin," She returned. Tauriel felt she should forgo her official title at the moment. It would remind them of their actual circumstances as foes. As it was, the tone of their exchange practically made the bars of his cell disappear. "I am..."

"Tauriel." He said, quickly, at the same time as she. Tauriel was taken aback.

"Why,yes..." She said, with a surprise in her voice.

"Oh, I know." Kili said, looking into her eyes, with a little smile. Then he looked away, as if embarrassed. "I mean…I heard him call you that, so…I guessed it was your name." He explained.

"Whom did you hear calling me?" she asked.

"The blonde elf... " Kili said, his face becoming serious. "When we were in the forest."

Tauriel blinked quickly. This young dwarf, Kili, was quite observant.

"Oh, yes." She said, sitting up straight, her voice lowering, becoming serious as well. "That was Legolas, the Prince of the Woodland Realm."

Kili's shoulders dropped and his head rose up, eyebrows raised, as if in surprise. He grunted, pushed his lips together and nodded. He averted his eyes.

"The prince...he seems to really hate us…" he continued, his low voice intense. "Me especially." His eyes snapped back to meet hers.

Kili was quite observant indeed. Tauriel heard the unspoken question, saw it in the intensity of his eyes, but Kili did not ask it: Why?

Tauriel, herself, was not entirely sure of the answer to that one. Surely the prince would not care about this exchange...

"Tauriel…" a familiar voice shattered the silence before she could address Kili again. Tauriel nearly jumped at the sound of his voice echoing off the cold, wet walls. She stood up and spun around.

Legolas was standing on a ledge, several levels above her, his handsome face in a mildly disapproving scowl.

Tauriel wondered how long he had been there, observing.

"You are missing the celebration…" he said, in elvish, his eyes intense. He meant she had been missed by him, she assumed. She crossed her arms.

"I was...checking on our prisoners." She said, as officially as she could.

"Very well. Come, Tauriel." He said, in a low voice.

Tauriel looked back at Kili, who was staring up at Legolas with annoyance. Killi looked back at her, his eyes a little disappointed. She took a deep breath and turned back around to face Legolas.

"I will be there in a few moments, my lord." She answered in Sindarian , a little insistently.

Legolas glared towards Kili's cell, then back at her, his eyes hardening, pursing his lips. Tauriel tilted her head and returned the hard stare, standing her ground. Legolas turned around and left, decidedly in a slight huff. Tauriel turned back around to face Kili, who was looking back at Legolas with mistrust. His eyes fell back upon her again, softening.

"It seems as if duty calls." Kili remarked, a single brow lifting, his low voice tinged with a little bitterness. He looked down, and seemed to remember their particular situation as he put his hands up against the bars of his cell.

"So it does." Tauriel sighed, disappointed the magical moment she and the dwarf had shared was at an end. Their eyes locked, and they stared at each other for a few quiet moments. She managed a little smile, her eyes soft.

"Goodbye, Kili." She said.

"Goodbye, Tauriel." Kili said, his low voice now a little sad. He backed away from the low light into the shadows of the cell.

Captive and captor again, Tauriel turned slowly, and walked up the stairs away from Kili, back to join her own kin. Yet within her mind, she was worlds more confused than ever before. She would have to rethink everything she was ever told about dwarves…