Orcs. If she never had to see another she would be forever grateful. Tauriel and Legolas stood in the home of the three human children, the three that the dwarfs and subsequent targets of the orcs were staying with, and Legolas was eager for the two of them to continue on after the remaining orcs.

Tauriel knew she need to go with her prince, that as captain of the guard her loyalty was with him. Yet… Kíli lay there in pain and there had to be a way to ease his suffering. Her heart ached at his pain, the pain of someone she would call a dear friend. While she and Kíli had only the two weeks that he and the other dwarves were locked up in the dungeons to get to know each other, she felt as if they were kindred spirits, that they could relate so well to each other. He was also… something to her. She did not know what that something was, but it was something.

"We're losing him." She heard as she began to take a few steps out the door to follow her prince. She looked back at him once more, struggling with her duty and her emotions. She had already once betrayed her king by leaving after the dwarfs… surely she would be punished if she did so again.

With a heavy heart, she stepped out of the home and decided to follow her prince's orders to follow with him. However, she was all but two steps from the door when she bumped into a dwarf, knocking a bit of a something out of her hand. Her eyes locked on the flower that had fallen then on the rest of the plant in the dwarf's hands.

"Athelas…Athelas."

That single plant gave Tauriel all the motivation she needed to stay. It could heal nearly any wound… if the right spell was used. Besides… she was already in ill favor with her king. Why should it matter if she fell even farther out her logic questioned, changing from her earlier thoughts. She plucked the flowered plant out of the hands of the dwarf and clutched it tightly. Glancing into the house, she nearly missed the words of the dark haired dwarf in front of her.

"Wh-what are you doing?" He looked at her as if she were crazed-and perhaps she was, defying her prince and staying to save a dwarven archer she had grown fond of.

"I'm going to heal him."

The words, which she uttered so quietly seemed to change her entire countenance. Her shoulder's softened, the ridged stance of a solider easing into that of a healer. Tauriel looked to the dwarf before her for only a moment before hurrying into the house.

Pulling apart the leaves and flowers from the stem with the quick skill of one who knew medicine, she added the pieces to a bowl of water one of the girls held, the child having been on her way to try and clean the wound. She ground it into a paste as she heard Kíli's mangled cries. He grew weaker each second that passed, and she wished only to ease that pain and restore his strength. She did not know what the future would hold for her or him, but she knew she was beginning to feel something for this dark haired dwarf that she had never considered would grow.

His eyes grew glassy as she watched him writhe on the table, and she knew even the greatest magic would still leave him in need of healing. There was only one that she could try, one that she knew had never been used on anyone besides an elf, and it had clearly been outlawed to be used on anyone unless strictly ordered to by the king.

Thranduil would just have to forgive one more act of insubordination.

She quickly rubbed the mashed up plant in her hands and applied the poultice she had made over the dark and poisoned wound. If she failed, she had no doubt the blond dwarf- Kíli's brother she presumed from his close watch- would blame her and she would likely be killed on the spot. Already she could see both a desperate pleading and slight mistrust in his eyes, and she did not want to see loathing and grief added to the mix. With that thought lingering in her mind, she began the words that would hopefully save the one she dare called friend… and perhaps more.

"Menno o nin na hon i eliad annen annin; hon leitho o-ngurth." What grace is given me, let it pass to him, let him be spared. It was a call for her life to be shared with his, that he gain time from her immortal one. This is why it was so sacred a spell to the elven people, as it bonded your soul with another's- not romantically or emotionally but spiritually. You could feel pain when they did, and should someone you bonded with pass you would feel the ache of loss for centuries. She knew Kíli had a mortal life and that he would be lost, but she was willing to suffer the ache of the bond to see his smile once more.

As she repeated the words over and over again, she could feel it begin to work. Kíli had calmed, and she looked to his face with hope in her eyes. The words continued as she and he shared a long gaze, his entire being relaxing, eyes wide and gazing in slight disbelief. She offered a smile, eyes soft, though still filled with worry that the spell would backfire having not ever been used on anyone besides elves.

Kíli nodded off as she finished and she too felt the need to close her eyes for a moment, the spell having exhausted her slightly. She muttered a prayer of thanks that it had worked, that he should now heal and survive. However, she would not let herself rest quite yet, not until she knew he was able to wake.

Turning to one of the girls, she asked for some bandages to wrap the wound. The elder, or at least she assumed the girl was older as she was taller, went and fetched what she could find that would work for binding Kíli's leg.

Gently, Tauriel picked up the leg of the 'black haired archer' and began wrapping it. However, as she was doing so, she noticed with a bit of puzzlement that the dark color was beginning to fade from the wound quicker than she thought possible. Perhaps the spell used would heal him as if he were an elf?

"Tauriel?" A coarse voice spoke quietly as she finished.

How was he already awake? "Shhh…Lie still." She didn't want him to injure himself any farther.

His eyes, no longer glassy, were puzzled. Kíli gazed at her for a few moments before shaking his head. He sighed softly, wistfully. "You cannot be her. She is far away."

The she-elf froze, knowing his words were those of a mind still exhausted from his near death experience. Still, the fevered words of an injured soul often spoke more than the ones whispered midday by those that fancied themselves lovers.

"She... she is far, far away from me. She walks in starlight in another world. It was just a dream." His face grew sad, pained. As if reaching for support, the dwarf moved his hands towards hers, lightly brushing his fingertips with hers. "Do you think she could have loved me? "

Tauriel took in a sharp breath, her eyes growing wide. He… he loved her already? After the short time in the dungeon where they spoke of their pasts to pass time, had shared stories and reflected on promises of return and promises of loyalty sworn to kings and lords?

Could it be the feelings that were growing inside her would soon match his? That she had acted like this from her heart and not her logic because she loved him as well?

"I think she could." Her voice was quiet, soft enough his brother and fellows would not hear yet he would.

Kili grinned, eyes shining. "I hope someday she'll tell me that." He squeezed her hand then closed his eyes, drifting back off to sleep.

Tauriel let her hand remain in his loose grip for a few moments before getting back to cleaning up from the work she had done.

She glanced towards the blonde dwarf, whose gaze was locked on his brother's sleeping form. She gave him a reassuring glance and motioned for him to sit beside his brother. Tension seemed to leave the dwarf's body, and he went to his brother's side.

"You have my eternal gratitude." His words were soft, but she heard them. When she glanced towards him she was met with a soft smile which she returned.

The white-haired dwarf approached her while the dark haired one with the braided mustache stood watch near the door, not trusting that the orcs were truly gone. He requested she step aside and that they speak for a moment.

Dipping her head, she and the older dwarf stepped into the adjacent room.

"That was mighty impressive, lass." While his words were praise, they held another tone. "However, don't think I don't realize what you just did. That's the Forbidden, isn't it?"

Tauriel's eyes widened, then narrowed. "How do you know of that?"

"Our people were not always on such terms as they are. My father and grandfather were healers who oft worked beside elven healers. I learned from them… and you just did something that if your king found out would get you killed… Why?"

Tauriel paused, unsure if she could admit to this man what she felt. Could she trust the elder dwarf with something that could bring trouble to Kíli from the others if they knew and cause her scorn? Those thought barely filled her mind before she shook them away. Love should not have to hide.

She took a deep breath and spoke. "I care deeply for Kíli, regardless of the ideas of my people and yours. I would not see him die when I could save him and discover if these feelings mean what he seemed to believe they can lead us to."

"Oh lass…" the dwarf spoke while tugging his beard. "You do not know who he is, do you?"

Her brow quirked. Was he someone important in their world? Kíli had spoken of his past and how he was raised by his mother and uncle, but he had not said anything that would allude to him being significant in their politics.

"He's one of the princes of Erebor, nephew of Thorin Oakenshield."

"What?"

She had thought he was just one of their warriors, an archer with skills near as impressive as her own. To hear that he was a prince… it would change everything.

The white haired dwarf let her process the information, then spoke again. "His brother Fíli, the one in there with him now, is Thorin's direct heir but after him Kíli's got the greatest claim." The dwarf paused and sighed lightly. "I won't tell you what to do, as I realize we are greatly in your debt for all our lives, but I do want you to keep this in mind before you give the boy too much hope."

He turned to leave. Tauriel stared after him, letting her thoughts settle. If... well, she would need to speak with Kíli before anything was decided. She would not have him shunned by his king- his uncle- for anything she could prevent. Still, the thought of telling him there was no chance for them to live out their lives together, for her to spend his mortal life by his side and then her to join her brethren in the lands where no one died… it make her heart ache.

Before he was out of sight, Tauriel spoke quietly. "Thank you for telling me this, sir-"

"Óin." He dipped his head and kept walking, letting her know the conversation was done and not to be acknowledged any farther.

Exiting the room, the red head turned to the two girls who watched her with curious eyes and to the boy who stood farther away from them, eyes cautious.

"I thank you for your help." The red-head nodded to the girls with a smile. "You both handled things well."

The smaller one grinned up at her, eyes wide and seemingly forgotten of the danger they had faced only a little bit ago. "You're welcome!" The girl stuck out her hand. "My name's Tilda. I'm not going to be a healer like Sigrid but I do know how to help!"

Tauriel took her hand and shook in, fighting the laughter that threatened to bubble out from her lips. "Well, Tilda, even if you aren't going to be a healer, you still have a gift of helping others."

The younger girl beamed up at her and turned to her brother. "Bain, aren't you going to say hi to the pretty elf who helped us?"

The boy watched her with the same gaze the dwarfs had first sent her way. "And what might the name be of this she-elf who broke into our house with an orc pack on her tail and destroyed our home?"

Tauriel flinched at the boy's harsh tone. She had not expected such hostility from the youth with the scraggly hair. Before she could reply, however, the elder girl had already turned on her brother.

"Bain!" Sigrid shot the boy a glare. "What would Da' say if he heard you speak to her in that manner? She saved our lives!"

The boy scowled and crossed his arms, gaze on the floor. "Sorry. You have our family's thanks for saving my sisters and getting rid of those foul creatures."

Tauriel just dipped her head. "I too am glad to see the creatures removed from this earth. And," she gave a tight smile, hoping to appease the boy slightly, "My name is-"

"Tauriel?" Kíli's voice was heard from the other side of the room.

"Kíli?" The elf spun quickly towards him. "You should be resting." Her words were calm but her mind was racing. There was no way he should have awoke for at least half an hour…

Fíli seemed to notice her concern, as he was nervously holding onto his little brother's hand. Tauriel hoped a small smile would calm him, but he seemed to catch on to the fact she was only do so to comfort him as his lips pursed.

"So it wasn't a dream…" The dwarven archer trailed off, his voice a whisper as his eyes locked with hers. "You really are here…"

"I am." She replied as he sat up and slowly stretched.

Fíli gave Tauriel a knowing glance as he stood up and motioned the others out of the room. Once they were gone he murmured slightly. "You have my thanks for saving him, but I also know how he feels about you…Do not give him hope where there is none… if you intend only to hurt him in the end then do not let him believe you care for him. If you care for him as well, I will not interfere."

With that, the golden haired prince left his brother to her. Tauriel moved to Kíli's side, kneeling next to him and taking his hand lightly in hers. "You need to rest…"

"I feel fine." He brushed off her concern, which made her shake her head. "Tauriel… about what I said earlier-"

She gave him and squeeze of the hand and smiled. "You heard my answer."

Kíli grinned at her, eyes shining the same way she thought her must be.

Breaking his gaze she glanced towards his leg, her sense as a healer kicking in. If he had awakened early, then perhaps he would need the bandages changed just as quickly. "May I?"

Kíli looked confused before realizing what she was asking. "Of course. You did just patch me up."

Gently, she moved towards his bandaged leg, raising her brow quizzically as her hands lightly ran across the covered wound. There was no way…

"Say, Tauriel," Kíli began, but her thought were focused on his wound. Her fingers quickly began untying the bandages and she heard him question what she was doing, at least she assumed he said something along those lines, her thoughts more focused on the wound.

The bandage fell away, and she drew in a deep breath. Where the wound had recently been, gaping open and discolored, there was now only a scar.

"Impossible… Unless-" She cut off her words as realization hit her.

She had saved his life using a magic forbidden to all but her kind, sharing a piece of her with him… She had given him half of her immortal years, and in so he had healed with an elapsed time. And if he healed this quickly…Had she given him an immortal life? Given him an eternal life, but in so cursed him with having to watch all he loved grow old and die? Surely he would hate her for this, push her away once he realized all he would lose.

"Is everything… wow, look at that! You've really got some healing skills don't you?" Kíli exclaimed as he took a look at his leg. "It looks good as new! Tauriel this is… Tauriel?"

"What have I done?" The elf whispered to herself, hands running idly along the scar.

Kíli drew her from her thoughts by placing a hand on her shoulder. "Is everything alright?" His eyes met hers, emotion so clear in them that she dropped her guard for a moment and let a nervous tear trickle down her face. "Tauriel?"

He cupped her face and she cast her eyes aside. "I… Kíli… I used a healing incantation… you have to believe me I didn't know…"

"What?" His voice was soft, calming.

"I think I've made you immortal."