Open to both courts

[tawarwaith]

[Tauriel looks at the locket with more familiarity this time. This at least was something she was comfortable with and it made announcing her reappearance a little easier.]

To those of you who do not know me, I am Tauriel of the Woodland Realm, previously of Mirkwood. To those of you who do know me, I am glad to see you once more, though I cannot say it is with any great joy. I am not happy to once again know that I have been recruited against my will to fight against those I deem dear to me. But I am glad to see familiar faces and know I am not alone. Can anyone tell me how long I have been away and what has happened? The last I remember was being in the Station.

Comments

[tawarwaith]

Initially? Yes, you were our prisoners. [Wow, can this get any more awkward...] But then when the orcs attacked... [She takes a small breath, remembering the attack on the river gate. So many of her kin had fallen, and then he'd been hurt.] I could not let them get away so I followed them and they led me to you.

[kilimanjaro]

You could have left us. [Kili's voice is quieter.] I heard from the others... You nearly did, but then you chose to stay behind. To save me.

[tawarwaith]

[She remembers well having to choose between her best friend and him. It does put a bit of color to her cheeks as well.]

I am glad your companion arrived with the athelas when he did. It it would have been a hard choice otherwise.

[kilimanjaro]

But you chose to save me. [She hasn't answered yet and he wants to know.]

Why? Why me? [Do you think she could have loved me?] I'm nothing special.

[tawarwaith]

[Stop asking her hard questions. Especially questions that are confusing and nearly impossible to answer without a lot of conflict.]

Yes... You were hurt. I felt responsible.

[It was not the only reason, but it would do. It was too hard to say "I did not wish to see you die."]

[kilimanjaro]

[That's a suitable answer for now, and Kìli gives a small nod. A hesitant smile lights his face.] I would like to see you again, if that's alright.

[tawarwaith]

[There is the smallest sigh of relief from her as she was glad that he would not press on the matter. Even with time lapsed, she was still unsure what to think of him.

She tilts her head, surprised a his request.]

Even though I was your jailer? [She couldn't help it, a small smile peeked out.] I would like to see you as well. I'm to head to the Station soon, are you near there at all?

[Because it would be so very awkward otherwise.]

[kilimanjaro]

I am! [Kìli brightens visibly, smile widening. He really shouldn't get so excited. He should stay cool. But he just plain can't help it.] my family and I have been staying at the station as of late.

[Oh no. Thorin. Kìli grimaces.] We may have to meet in private... [And hope Thorin isn't seeing any of this...]

[tawarwaith]

[His expressions are amusing to watch. The smile grows a touch more on it's own.]

The Station is big, is it not? But even so, it would impossible for our paths not to cross at least once.

[kilimanjaro]

[His smile turns mischievous.]

That would be impossible, aye. No doubt we'll have to interact merely to be polite.

[tawarwaith]

[This is how she got into trouble last time. And yet she is having a hard time caring about that.]

We would. And we are not on Arda anymore. It would not do well to bring old hatreds with us wherever we go.

[Though her being supposedly Unseelie might ruffle some feathers... ]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili grins back at her now, cheeks growing hot with excitement.] Indeed. We're above the petty hatreds of our forefathers, are we not?

[tawarwaith]

[Her smile is quick to appear again, watching him. He was endearing to watch, no matter how much she tried to ignore it.]

I hope so...

[Until recently she had never questioned the rivalry between Elves and Dwarves much, so she was still uncertain about how she felt. It was actually rather frustrating, and her smile faltered, before reappearing.]

At least we can certainly try to be above them!