Spoilers for DoS

[daughteroftheforest]

I know, Mun, I know. You are delighted to see other manifestations of myself come into being.

But I don't understand how you can be distressed by my acceptance of Thranduil's acknowledgement of my lower status, made even more so by the fact that I choose to step past our borders. I have always known I was not as close to starlight as a Sindarin, but I long to touch it nonetheless. And I contend that I did not abandon Legolas - he simply needed me less than the one who needed healing.

There was no choice to make.

Comments

[kilimanjaro]

Might I offer myself as an option? [He grins right back at her, having far too much fun.]

[daughteroftheforest]

You might. Is such your intention? [She likes this dance.]

[kilimanjaro]

Mayhaps. [He chuckles.] I might consider it, were you to ask.

[daughteroftheforest]

[She doesn't have it in her to be snobbish about it.] Would you?

[How do you say no to those eyes, Kili.]

[kilimanjaro]

[As if he had any intention of saying no to begin with. A broad smile lights up his face and he gives her a slightly mocking bow.]

It would be my honor, My Lady.

[daughteroftheforest]

[This is exciting! Her enthusiasm shows in her smile, and she leans forward eagerly.]

Would others travel with us? I would not part you from your brother.

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili considers that for a moment.] There is one thing we must do first. I have to go to Erebor.

[daughteroftheforest]

I can accompany you to a point, if you wish. But I think many would take offense at the idea of an elf stepping in the sacred lands of your people.

[kilimanjaro]

There was once a time when your people were welcomed in the Halls of Erebor. [Kili's voice is full of excitement and hope.] Tauriel, we are only two drops in the sea, just as you said, but the ocean is made of drops, and perhaps it's up to us to change things!

[daughteroftheforest]

[She regards him sidelong in wonderment.] You would seek to have us rebuild the bridge of trust between our peoples?

[Gracious, Kili aims high. She admires that.]

[kilimanjaro]

Who else is going to do it? We may be the only two of our peoples that have spoken cordially in...who knows how long!

[Kili aims high and he gets very excited about it, yep.]

All my life, I grew up believing that elves were these horrible monsters that refused to help us in a time of need. There are generations of dwarves that will not see how similar we are until we force them to!

[daughteroftheforest]

[Gently,] There are few who take kindly to being forced. Regardless of the good it might do.

What did you think, when you finally saw an elf for the first time?

[And she cannot resist asking her next question.]

What did you think, when you first saw me?

[kilimanjaro]

But we have to try! [Kili still possesses that blindness of youth, the inability to understand how people would not choose to do what is right and what will make the most happy.

He blushes at the question.]

I-I thought they were a very pretty people. Pompous, but pretty.

[He colors even more when she asks what he thought of her.]

...I thought you were amazing. The way you fought and...how very tall you are, it still intrigues me. Your head must be level with the Sun herself!

[daughteroftheforest]

[She smiles. You'd think she's used to being complimented, but no.]

There are many women of elfkind who are taller. I have never seen her, but they say Galadriel is of a greater height than many men.

I think you are also terribly brave.

[She's young. For an elf.]

[kilimanjaro]

[He smiles sheepishly. He knows Lady Galadriel in Exsilium, and she's tall indeed.

His blush deepens when she compliments him and he looks down at his feet.]

...Truly?

[daughteroftheforest]

Of a certainty.

[Her heart stopped when the arrow sank into his leg. But she's not ready to admit that.]

[kilimanjaro]

[He can't help but smile.] ...Thank you.

[daughteroftheforest]

You are most welcome.

[But she's still excited about this traveling thing.]

After Erebor, where would you wish to go first?

[kilimanjaro]

[He's excited too, his eyes nearly sparkling in anticipation.]

I am not sure. Anywhere! Everywhere!

[daughteroftheforest]

[She laughs lightly.] That's a great amount of distance to cover. There are beautiful places of Elvenkind. Or we could go seek out the Ents. Even journey to the Shire if you wish. I do not know of many Dwarven places but we could seek them out as well. Or even the cities of Man.

[kilimanjaro]

Perhaps we should find a map and chart something out. See as many places as we can. [Kili grins.]

[daughteroftheforest]

Maps of Middle Earth are easy enough to find.

[She pauses thoughtfully. There is one matter we have not considered.]

[kilimanjaro]

[He nods, the excitement filling him again. He's always wanted to explore to see the word and go wherever he pleases.]

[daughteroftheforest]

Have your people noticed the increasing orc attacks that have been occuring? I do not like what such may foretell.

[Of course, twist her arm to kill orcs. No, really.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Oh way to be a buzz kill. He hesitates.]

There has been an orc pack hunting Thorin, but we've been on the road for months now.