OoOoO

The Halls of the Woodland Realm looked just as Tauriel remembered them, all soaring ceilings and graceful causeways everywhere one looked. Almost instinctively the former Captain of the Guard turned to descend the steps to the barracks. Barely Tauriel stopped herself; this was not the end of a routine patrol, but an official ambassador's visit. With a regretful sigh she instead set her course along the twisting walkways toward the king's throne at the heart of the palace. How many evenings had she hung up her bow on the pegs lining the barracks walls, the cheerful conversations of her fellow guards echoing throughout the room?

Still, walking these familiar halls felt like at least something of a homecoming. In her seven hundred and thirty years Tauriel had thoroughly lost count of the number of times she had approached the king on his throne. This time was different though. This time would be her first as an 'outsider' of sorts, it having been nearly four months since last she had passed through the gates of the Woodland Realm.

It appeared that Tauriel was not the only ambassador to be making their report to Thranduil today. A tall elf with dark hair and clad in gray robes was already standing before the throne, deep in conversation with the king. Lord Galvalon of Imladris, if Tauriel recalled correctly. Valar, but that Noldorin elf could wind Thranduil right up with their negotiations! Grimacing slightly to herself, Tauriel couldn't help but think it was just her luck that the king would be in verbal dueling mode once she got her turn to speak.

"I assure you, my Lord Elrond is being entirely reasonable when he says that the southern wine cannot cross the mountains before spring melts the high passes, Your Majesty."

"And yet our folk were able to send a number of fine breeding stallions by such paths to Imladris when the Solstice was not two weeks past."

This back-and-forth would likely continue for some time, each finding fault with the other's offer and previous business dealings until a satisfactory arrangement was reached. Tauriel certainly hoped Thranduil didn't expect her to take up bartering as a new skill. For the time being, neither Dale nor Erebor were in quite a fit state yet to take up trading once again anyways. Most of the news Tauriel bore had to do with the rebuilding processes and the arrival of Lady Dis from the Blue Mountains.

That had been a horribly difficult interview. Tauriel could still remember every detail of their conversation as if it played out within her mind continually. It had started with the runestone...

oOo

The Lady Dis had arrived in Erebor as the winter snows fell, blanketing the Lonely Mountain with a veil of white. The party had been a small but dignified one, with the late Thorin Oakenshield's sister riding at its head. One look at the dwarrowdam had been enough to make one question whether a Queen Under the Mountain would be more appropriate, rather than Dain Ironfoot sitting on the throne.

Tauriel had been standing upon the gate as Dis rode across the causeway underneath. Even at that distance though, the Silvan elf's sharp eyes could clearly see Thrain's daughter. Like her brother, Dis was unusually tall for a dwarf. 'Like her son as well.' Tauriel had thought, with a sharp pang that squeezed her heart in a vice grip. The dwarf lady was dark of hair and eye, her tresses and beard woven together seamlessly into one pattern of five and three-stranded plaints. It was clear that Dis had come in state, judging by the fine quality of the gown and cloak she wore. Dark circles of grief stood out clearly on the mother's face, but her chin remained aloft at a proud angle as she approached the throne on which Dain sat.

Dain had risen as Dis approached, removing the crown from his head of scarlet hair. Placing it to the side, Ironfoot descended the short steps to greet his cousin as equals.

"Dis..." Dain spoke first, completely running over-top of any attempt by a herald to begin formal presentations. The young dwarf standing to one side had gaped like a fish for a moment before wisely shutting his mouth.

"You are looking well, Dain." Dis's voice was low, a strong yet feminine rumble. Raising her gaze to the throne behind Ironfoot, Tauriel had clearly noted how those dark eyes had marked the conspicuous absence of the Arkenstone. "Is it with him?"

No clarification had been needed of the question. Without even glancing over his shoulder at the empty casing where the Arkenstone one shone above Thror's head, Dain had nodded.

"Yes. We buried the stone with Thorin. He earned it, right and proper."

Dis had nodded, her calm expression betraying the multitude of emotions that everyone present could feel rippling through the air.

"Take me to them."

Everyone had been expecting this. With a gesture, Dain had beckoned Dis forward around the throne. Together, the two dwarf cousins, one fiery and one dark had left the throne room in the direction of the catacombs.

Thorin, Fili and Kili had been buried in the rock of the mountain, in three tombs side-by-side-by-side. Tauriel remembered the day of the funerals. Dwarvish customs were rougher, less refined and somehow more visceral than those of the elves. Many had wept freely and openly, and the funeral drums had echoed through the stone halls like a heartbeat. The moment those drums had stopped, symbolic of the end of life, Tauriel herself had been unable to hold back from tears. The young one named Ori had been on hand to offer a handkerchief though, one of the first gestures of kindness she had received from a dwarf other than Kili.

With Dis and Dain gone below to the tombs, everyone had mostly resumed their day in Erebor. Tauriel had gone back to helping Balin get plans laid for a moss garden. The plants were one of the few that dwarves cultured on a regular basis, mostly for medicinal purposes.

That evening though, as Tauriel had been sitting down to dinner in the main mess hall at her usual lonely table she had been surprised to be approached. Although occasionally Balin, Bofur or even Ori would join her for a brief chat, mostly the dwarves of Erebor treated her like a piece of furniture. Dain had made an announcement (at the prompting of Balin) stating that Tauriel was present as an ambassador for the Woodland Realm, and as such should be treated with courtesy. That evidently did not extend to friendliness, especially not from such suspicious folk as the dwarves.

The porter shuffled his feet uncomfortably. Clearly some sort of unspoken taboo was being broken by addressing the resident elf.

"The Lady Dis requests your presence in her audience chambers, Ambassador."

Tauriel had been taken aback. Had someone mentioned the nature of her relationship to Kili to the grieving mother? She couldn't imagine why anyone would, given the sort of gossip that was likely to spread. Washing down the bitter thoughts with a last swallow of mead, Tauriel rose and followed after the porter through the maze of Erebor's passages.

Dis had been given one of the finest sets of rooms in the mountain, as was only fitting. The dwarrowdam was waiting for Tauriel when she arrived, her back to the door as she sat and watched the fire on the hearth. When the porter announced Tauriel's presence, Dis had risen and slowly turned to face her.

Up close, Tauriel could more closely see the threads of silver spreading through Dis's elaborate tresses at the temples and chin. As an elf the idea of a bearded female certainly didn't hit the aesthetic mark, but even so Dis was undeniably striking. Meeting her gaze, Tauriel's breath hitched in her throat. Never again had she thought to see Kili's eyes, gazing steadily into her own.

The moment passed, and Dis indicated the chair opposite hers at the hearth with a wave. Tauriel thought she heard the dwarf lady sigh.

"So it is true then. I was not prepared to believe it when Oin told me as much."

"Your pardon?" Tauriel asked, pausing in mid-stride as she crossed the room. The flickering firelight made Dis look older and more careworn than she had in the throne room.

"I have heard of how my son was prepared to face his uncle's wrath and judgement by bringing you to Erebor with him. And how you left your own prince's side to tend to Kili's wounds when they endangered his life." Dis once again sat, smoothing her heavily embroidered skirts in a distinctly lady-like gesture. "That gesture must have cost you."

Bracing herself for what was shaping up to be a highly personal conversation, Tauriel had taken her own seat. The crackling of the fire was the only sound in the room, giving her a moment to gather herself.

"Yes, it did."

"You remain here still, after all your kin have long since returned to the forest. No doubt you have paid for your involvement with my son, and with my brother's quest as a whole."

Rather than look Dis in the eye and see Kili looking back at her once again, Tauriel had gazed into the firelight. "It was a fair price."

Dis raised a finely-arched brow. "Was it then? Tell me, what exactly did you think existed between yourself and Kili?" When Tauriel opened her mouth, Dis cut her off. "My youngest was brash, far too bold and enthusiastic for his own good. He often made rash choices, without thinking of the consequences. Tell me, Tauriel, were you one of those choices?"

Offended not for her own sake but for Kili's, Tauriel narrowed her eyes. "Your son was also brave, and true to the last to what he believed in. He fought and died for your brother's quest to reclaim this very mountain. I think Kili may have changed somewhat since last you knew him, Lady Dis." The words came out through gritted teeth, becoming somewhat thicker toward the end as her throat closed in grief.

"No doubt he must have." Dis said tartly. Suddenly her sharp, raptor-like gaze softened. "And I believe you are right in that regard. A mother prays to keep her children young and innocent for always, much like they were in their smaller days." Just as abruptly Dis's gaze became keen again. "You may be wrong on another point though. I hear that, as much as my son died fighting for Thorin's quest, he also died fighting for you, Tauriel."

The words had stung like a dart. Tauriel bowed her head, working hard to keep her feelings in check. There was only one thing to say to a mother after a pronouncement like that.

"Just as I would have died for him, if fate had allowed me to do so."

"...Look at me, elf."

Tauriel had reluctantly obeyed, forcing herself to look up. There again, Kili's eyes watched her out of the face of Thorin's sister. The sight was heart-wrenching, taking her back to the last time she and the dwarf she loved had exchanged looks laden with unfulfilled promises, grief and apology.

"Kili had upon his person a runestone, you may have seen it. I gave it to him, and according to Dwalin it was not with him when he was borne down Ravenhill." Dis watched Tauriel with an unreadable expression. "Do you know what became of it?"

Slowly, Tauriel's hand went to the pouch around her neck where she carried the stone. It rested beneath her jerkin, next to her heart.

"I have it. Kili gave it to me...as a promise."

"May I see it?"

With reluctant slowness, Tauriel had removed the runestone from the leather pouch and handed it to Dis. The dwarrowdam turned it over and over in her work-roughened fingers, its polished surface glinting green in the firelight. Neither of them spoke, the ghosts of the fallen sons of Durin hanging between them in the air like incense.

Finally, Dis had lifted her gaze to Tauriel. With a small, sad smile, she held the runestone up to the light.

"You know, I ought to have many, many regrets in my life. I have lost my husband to the blades of war, as well as my grandfather and likely my father. Now I have paid respects to the graves of my brother and my sons. My only regret is that I did not take up the sword at their sides. Perhaps, if fate had been kinder, I might now lie in quiet slumber beside my dear ones." Beckoning for Tauriel's hand, Dis took hold of the elf's slender fingers. "Instead it falls to us to grieve, and to remember." A solid, warm weight settled on Tauriel's palm, and Dis closed her fingers over Kili's runestone.

"Lady Dis..."

"Fili would never have allowed anyone to get close to his brother whom he feared might hurt him. He must have trusted you, and Kili must have loved you, to give you such a promise." Dis sat back in her chair, looking sad and tired. "That is enough for me."

oOo

Now, waiting to give her report to the king, Tauriel's hand once again came to rest on the pouch on her breast. There the promise remained, frozen in time like the facets of the green stone. It may have been only a fleeting moment, but it was real. And that was good enough for Tauriel.

"Ambassador?" Thranduil's voice cut through the air, sharp as broken glass. Negotiations with Rivendell's representative must have been trying indeed. "I trust you have news from Erebor to share?"

Clearing her throat and stepping up to the throne, Tauriel braced herself. The king looked just as welcoming as ever. Still, she could not help but wonder if she saw a flicker of emotion pass over Thranduil's face at the former Captain of the Guard's return to the Woodland Realm.

oOo