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[herstarlight]

I do not wish that particular chaos on anyone, but if I must choose, I suppose Elves would fare better. We are swift and - usually - well-prepared for battle.

[Though guns and other modern weapons have managed to frighten her.]

My new bow has served me well thus far. If others are similarly prepared, I would aid them.

[If they allow her to, of course.]

Comments

[ever_watchful]

Aye, it is usually preferable to be in the company of one's own capable kin in difficult times, but you cannot ask for a more stalwart companion in battle than a dwarf, lass.

[ Don't mind an old dwarf, though. He's certainly not making any specific suggestions. ]

[herstarlight]

[It's time for her to look apologetic and sheepish. She ducks her head and swallows awkwardly.]

I would not say no to such a companion. [For...a number of reasons.]

[ever_watchful]

[ Ah, yes, there might be the matter of the unfortunate circumstances of their last meeting, but, to be entirely fair, that was quickly made somewhat more complicated by the clashing egos of two very uncompromising kings. That aside, there is a knowing gleam in Balin's eyes regarding something else entirely. ]

I hope that you find what you seek. I do know of a couple of young, spry lads that would be eager to fight alongside you.

[herstarlight]

[This Dwarf is far too perceptive, yet Tauriel can't find it in herself to dislike him. He is entirely too likable and, somehow, calming. She takes a seat so he needn't strain his neck, relaxing her guard.]

I haven't forgotten them or...any of you. [How could she ever?] I'm sorry for -

If I had been stronger, maybe -

[ever_watchful]

[ Balin may have his axe with him, but he has casually propped his elbow on it in a very amicable sort of manner. Truly, he wouldn't consider himself overly observant in noticing how warmly she smiled when she sat to talk to Kili of starlight and memories. Nor in the clouded look on her princely elf-friend's face when he saw them engaged in such conversation. And then he came here, and learned... quite a bit more about these things. He does appreciate her moving to eye-level. It's a small thing, but craning his neck up to speak to taller folk does get tiresome after a while. ]

There's no need for apologies, lass. Some choices we make for ourselves, others we simply have to live with. [ Take it from a dwarf who's seen enough loss for a hundred lifetimes. ] Guilt is a heavy burden to bear, more so when you have such a long time to shoulder it. I'm sure he would ask you not to carry it on his behalf.

[herstarlight]

[Kili can be very charming when he sets his mind to it. Tauriel had simply been open to noticing it - in part because of her youth and relative naiveté where political matters stand. She likes to believe that the good will triumph no matter how complex a situation. Kili's death had shaken her beliefs and even now, she cannot make sense of why he had been taken.

And why she survived.]

I am living with the choices I have made. [Exile isn't easy, yet, in a way, it is helping mourn and gain a new perspective.] He shouldn't have died. None of them should have.

[Those words tumble out and she flushes.]

He would have gotten away if it weren't for me.

[ever_watchful]

[ Death would have to be a difficult thing to come to terms with for an elf, Balin supposes, given that mortality is an inherently foreign concept to them. Without violence and war, it would simply not exist. ]

If you follow that logic, then it would have been his uncle's fault for letting him climb that hill in the first place. [ He shakes his head sadly. They'd all known when they charged out of that mountain that they might never see it again. ] If there was no darkness in our world then we wouldn't have to risk our lives to fight for the things we hold dear, but there is, so we do. I think you would find that we mere mortals may fight even more fiercely to our very last breath, knowing just how fragile and fleeting those things can be.

[ Understanding does not necessarily make it an easier thing to accept, though, he knows that. ]

It would be safer to hide in our mountain and forsake the outside world, aye, but that is not our way.