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

[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.

[daughteroftheforest]

[She smiles then, all teeth. Fierce. Ferocious.]

Perhaps you and I could make short work of them.

[Oooh, bloodthirsty for an elf, isn't she.]

[kilimanjaro]

[He likes that spirit, but he's not quite so sure.]

I would be more than happy, but...Azog the Defiler is after us.

[daughteroftheforest]

[She's puzzled. The Defiler's pretty dangerous. So are they. She looks at him inquiringly.]

[kilimanjaro]

Tauriel, he...killed my great grandfather, and my uncle, and he nearly killed Thorin too.

[daughteroftheforest]

And so we shall rob him of life, as he has robbed and tried to rob the lives of those you hold dear.

[And did we mention bloodthirsty?]

wow that was the wrong icon

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili hesitates.]

...I'm...I'm scared of him.

[daughteroftheforest]

[Ah.

She considers him a moment, and then slowly, carefully, slender fingers curl around his.]

You understand what it means to be brave, do you not, mellon? It does not mean that you lack fear. It means you do what is necessary despite fear.

[kilimanjaro]

[His breath catches when her hand slides into his, brown eyes widening even as he entwines his fingers with hers as well and squeezes gently.

Wow. This is surreal.]

I understand. [He licks his lips.] But I don't think I am strong enough, Tauriel. Others who are older and wiser than me have fallen. Who am I to think that I can succeed where they failed?

[daughteroftheforest]

[Few elves bother with a bucket list. After all, they live forever. But Tauriel has one now, and the first, last, and only item:

Deliver Azog's head to Kili, wrapped up in a shiny red bow.]

There is a wisdom in knowing your limitations.

[Shiny. Red. Bow.]

[kilimanjaro]

[Tauriel, you do know how to spoil a boy.]

Maybe in time, when I'm stronger, I can face him. [He squeezes her fingers lightly, biting his lip and giving her a small smile.] But not yet.

mwah bebebe

[daughteroftheforest]

No.

[Her tone is gentle, reproving.]

We will face him.