"Iston i nîf gîn". Thranduil lowered his bow slowly, narrowing his eyes as he tried to place the young Dwarf's features. "Have we met before?"

Kili stepped back away from the Elf, only to find himself backing straight into an inconvenient tree, cursing himself for not taking up Bofur's offer for an escort back from the Iron mountains. "I.. uh maybe?" he suggested lamely, keeping his eyes trained on the arrow that was pointed at him only seconds ago. How did he always seem to get himself into these stupid situations?

Following the dwarf's eyes, Thranduil saw a strong defiance, a determination that set itself upon his weapon... or so he liked to think. The dwarf was as prepared weapon-wise as he was, with the uptight demeanor of royalty circling him. With thick, dark hair and the physique of a warrior, the Dwarf was a Durin. And this... this the Elven King found to be absolutely and irresistibly delectable. "Ah, yes…" He began, straightening his back and tilting his head slightly to the side. "You remind me of a young Dwarf-Prince I became acquainted with some decades ago."

Kili flicked his eyes up to look up at the elf. "You're Thranduil, the one that betrayed Uncle when Smaug the Terrible attacked." He stuttered, preparing himself for imminent death by the hands of the Elf that left Erebor to fend for itself all those years ago. Kili looked at the Elf, taking in the frankly ridiculous crown and his rather long hair that seemed to be a running trait with Elves. He shivered under the man's cold gaze, feeling smaller than usual while he was pierced with shocking blue eyes. Finally deciding he should say something relativity threatening, he straightened up to his full height. "Go to Mordor." He spat. Well done Kili, he thought, insult someone who has an arrow knocked and pointed at your general vicinity. You really thought this one through.

Thranduil started to chuckle, relishing in the young Dwarf's fear. He was merely on a hunt, getting bored with life in his palace. Legolas was on a trip to Rivendell and he had nothing really to attend to. He had time for games, especially with Dwarflings. Maintaining his indifferent facade, he put away his bow and quirked an eyebrow. "Do you fear me, young Fíli?" He asked, intentionally mistaking him for his brother to get a reaction out of the short figure.

"It's Kili. If you're going to kill me, at least get my name right." He answered, narrowing his eyes. He knew the kind of games Elves play and had no intention of being a part of them. Elves were evil, that's what he'd always been told. But this one had lowered his weapon... "I have no reason why I should fear you, I have met rabbits more fearsome." Why did I say that? It's over for me now, he thought woefully, and I'm not even going to go on a single quest. Great.

"Oh, little one." He began as a chuckle escaped his lips. "A rabbit can be fairly fearsome, if someone provokes it. You have intruded upon my forest, insulted my kind, and wished me to the most godforsaken place in Middle Earth. But I am not going to kill you, no. In fact, quite the opposite. Come with me to my palace home. I wish only to ensure your safety." He finished, delighting in the thought of Thorin's expression if he found out that his youngest nephew fell into his hands.

"You have to be joking," Kili laughed. "You're kidding yourself if you think I'm going anywhere with you," He said as edged slowly sideways. They were so close to the edge of the forest that all he needed to do was get past a few trees and he'd be home free. "I'm not really sorry to tell you this, but I honestly don't trust you at all, Elven King. Runs in the family I suppose." He said, edging backwards slowly.

Trying to contain his laughter, Thranduil wrapped his hand around the escaping Durin's wrist. "I insist, Kili. There is no reason for you not to trust me. The decision I made that day as I looked down upon Erebor was not out of spite, but of fear for my own kin. Have you not looked at it through a king's point of view?" He inquired as his humour started to fade. Why do Dwarves always have bring that up? He thought. That was one time!

"No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me all about it." Kili sighed. There wasn't any way he was getting out of this situation any time soon, not with his smart mouth and especially with Thranduil's hand wrapped around his arm in a death grip. He tried to twist his arm sharply to the left to see if his grip would hold, which it did, annoyingly for him. He couldn't kill the blasted Elf without it backfireing miserably on him as always, so Kili let his arm go slack in the Elf's grip, Waiting upon the King's story.

"I haven't a lot to say." Thranduil said boldly before sighing. "All I ask of you is to not have the same quarrel with me that your uncle does. He is a stubborn man, much too majestic for his own good. I wish for you to heed my words as well as his."

Kili thought on this for a moment before nodding once. What if the Elf's story was true? There was always two parts of the story, at least that's what Fíli taught him. "Fine. But my statement still stands. I am not going with you." He stated before trying once more to remove his wrist from Thranduil's grip, muttering curses loudly in khuzdul.

Staring at the young man silently, Thranduil contemplated on how he would manage to manipulate him. Protection from the dangers of the forest? No, he would be... He is too bigoted to lack any belief in his stunningly clumsy self-defense abilities. He could always tell him that Mithrandir sent him to the Dwarf, and with the Elves is where he should lay? Not at all, Gandalf believed that Kili was already safely returned to the Lonely Mountain. He urged his brain to think, all the while studying the Dwarf-Prince intently. After a moment, it hit him. "Did I mention there would be food?"

Flicking his eyes up from their focus on where he was trying to dislodge his arm, Kili weighed up his (very limited) options. "What kind of food exactly? There's none of that green stuff they serve in Rivendell, is there?" He asked. Watching the Elvish King shake his head slowly, Kili decided on one of he most obvious, yet stupid, answers there. Go with the tree hugger and escape if the need arises. "Well when you put it like that, I suppose I could say for a day two."

Thranduil shook his head and smiled slightly. The way to a Dwarf's heart, he noted, was always food. "I must admit that I am slightly offended by you. You think us the same as the Pansies of Imladris? Elrond eats only vegetables for his infinite forehead to grow in length. He believes it is a sign of power. No, us Mirkwood Elves eat plenty of meat, and I will show you some good wine during your stay, mark my words. You will return home in pining." With a quick gesture of his hand, the elf beckoned Kili to follow him, hoping the dwarf could maintain his speed without falling out of breath.

"Wine? I prefer Ale, but if that's all you have, I shall have to have some." Kili said loudly, falllng just behind the King's steps, practically jogging to keep up with him and keep his arm in it's socket after being dragged by the wrist across the forest of Mirkwood.

Oh, I assure you that once you have tasted the wines of Dorwinion you'll forget your peasant drinks completely. Although if that is what you are accustomed to, I'm pretty sure I still have some mead in the cellar. Try to keep up." Thranduil smirked, squeezing his grip suddenly before letting go sharply and slowed his paces so the Dwarf prince could keep up with him, with sheer certainty that he would follow. Sure enough, Kili didn't disappoint.

-oOo-

Author's note:

Iston i nîf gîn - I know your face.

So... What did you think? This probably wasn't the best time to start a multichapter fic as we're so close to vital exams, but we will try and update this as regularly as we can.

Tanith and Tam