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Although she had not been herself at the time, her visit to the market with Kili had intrigued Tauriel, and so, now that she was free of all that hair, she found her way back there. At first, she just wandered, looking at all there was to see, and observing the people going about their business. Now she was testing her ability to negotiate and barter. She was pleased to find that her ability to keep a rather stoic expression served her well for such tasks.

A vendor selling flowers caught her eye, and she made her way over to look at them, breathing in the fragrance with a happy sigh. It seemed a silly thing to buy, but she did rather like them. For a moment, she closed her eyes, and allowed her mind to wander elsewhere. To warm spring days spent gathering flowers as a little child. She had been so carefree then, her mother weaving the flowers into her hair, telling her stories while she worked. She could barely remember her face sometimes, but the smell of fresh flowers stayed with her, reminding her of those days. A content smile played at her lips as she lingered there, allowing her daydream to last for a while longer.

It was not surprising to find Tauriel at the market. Even after their trip while caught up in the enchantment, she would be curious. Or he assumed she would be since she had seen so little of their world or the ones that the Library was connected to. He was curious as well. Kili might have traveled more than Tauriel but the promise of new worlds was tempting.

The market did not seem that much different than the ones he'd visited before, although he could not be certain if there were so many flowers at those. That was not an item that had interested him in the past. But now...

He knew better than to assume ladies liked flowers, but after seeing Mirkwood, he had the feeling that Tauriel might find them pleasing. Anything colorful and bright would be treasured after living in such a dreary place. Watching Tauriel from a distance, he noticed which flowers drew her attention and which she lingered over. Some he recognized, others were ones he had never seen before. Finding another seller, he quickly purchased a bouquet, hiding it behind his back before lightly tapping her on the shoulder. "You should not buy those, bakanî."

She was truly a daughter of the forest, and her love for things that grow ran deep. As the forest had grown darker around her, flowers and such beauty were harder to find, and she had missed the brightness of them.

With a slight smile playing at her lips, she turned to greet him, arching her eyebrow at his statement. "Oh? And why is that, melamin?"

For a moment, he expected her to purchase the flowers despite his words. She seemed to enjoy teasing him and proving how capable she was. It was endearing in a way that Kili had not expected.

"Because..." Pausing, he held up the bouquet, hoping that he had chosen the ones the had admired. "These are for you."

"I thought I told you that I did not need gifts?"

Still, that did not stop her from accepting the bouquet with a bright smile, and a quick kiss to his cheek.

"They are beautiful." She took a moment to breathe in their scent, her eyes sparkling as she did. "I was thinking of my childhood, long ago. I used to gather flowers as a child and my mother would weave them into my hair and tell me stories."

It was a rather private story, and she rarely spoke of her parents to anyone, but Kili was different. She was surprised she did not mind sharing her thoughts with him.

"I suppose you think I am rather silly for daydreaming."

"Not everything in life depends on need." Little joys were just as important as the basics needed to survive. Too often that was forgotten, especially by those who were serious most of the time.

Not expecting the kiss, he blinked at her in surprise, momentarily flustered. Yes, she had kissed him before but they both had been caught up in the enchantment. He had not expected those gestures to continue once the spell was broken.

Perhaps elves weren't as caught up in propriety as Kili had thought.

Smiling at the story, he carefully pulled one of the flowers free of the bouquet. "Then you should wear flowers in your braids again, to remember the bright memories of her." Reaching up, he gently tucked the blossom into her braid. "Not the best job, but you can make it right later.

"Why would I think you were silly for remembering someone you love?"

"And what sort of captain would I be if I spent my days daydreaming with flowers in my hair? I would not be taken seriously." It was hard enough being young for her position, and she had spent many years doing everything she could to prove herself, hardening herself to any such fancies.

However, it was rather nice to embrace her softer side once more, and Kili seemed to have a talent for bringing that out of her. She laughed a little when he put the flower in her braid. It was so very sweet of him to honor her mother, and she appreciated the gesture more than he could know.

"I suppose it does not matter now. I am not a Captain here. Thank you, melamin, they are lovely."

If this was courting, she had to admit she rather liked it!

"Will you walk with me? Or will I be interrupting a task?"

"A few daydreams would not ruin your reputation." Kili did not believe that remembering someone special would make her less of a warrior. Or even occasionally wearing flowers braided into her hair. "I doubt that any would think of you as less capable if you honored your family with a posey or two."

When he was sure that the flower was secure, he reluctantly lowered his hand. Later Tauriel might let him add more blossoms but for now the one would suffice.

"You're welcome, amrâlimê." Now that their courting was official, he knew what the endearment meant. He had been right, or close enough to know that she cared for him in the way he had hoped. His expression turned serious for a moment, knowing that it must pain her to have lost position when it had meant to much to her. "There must be some sort of guard forming. I'm sure that they would welcome your help."

It was a strange topic while discussing courting, but he wanted her to be happy here. He might not be able to return home but if she wished, she could go back. "I hoped that you would ask me that. Nothing is more important than keeping you company."

"Perhaps. I must admit I am unused to so many idle hours, though I would be lying if I said I was not enjoying some of them."

Having never ventured far beyond the forest, she was finding it a little difficult to adjust to a new life, especially one so unpredictable. Still, she knew that she had been banished from that forest, even if she had not ended up here, she would not have been able to return home, so she must move forward. Kili made that easier, and she was certainly enjoying her time with him. She was thankful for this second chance, however strange it may be.

She turned to walk among the stalls at his side, flowers still in hand, occasionally breathing in the fresh aroma with a little smile. For the most part, she kept her observations to herself, never being one to chatter away. She did wonder his opinions though, and so after a time she turned to him.

"I am wondering, how do you find this place? Are you enjoying it here?"

"Eventually you will find tasks that fit your life here." They all would. It might take time but eventually they would make the Library home. There was little choice for some of them and if Tauriel truly did wish for him to court her, then she would make this place her home as well. "I have been hoping that eventually I might be able to start working at a trade. If the Head Librarian agrees."

The silence between them did not bother Kili. He had joked and chattered with the Company but quiet had its merits as well. Especially when Tauriel was near. Looking around the market, it seemed similar to most that he had visited. Some vendors welcomed strangers while others seemed wary. The two of them seemed to be the only dwarf and elf nearby. Perhaps this world was only populated with men.

When Tauriel asked that question, he turned his attention away from the merchants and the people around them. Did he like the Library? In some ways there was little choice but to like it. There was nothing to return to except the Afterlife. "I find it different," he answered slowly. "Not bad different. I liked the ball." That had been worth all the strangeness and being hit with a frying pan. "I think it could become a good place to settle. I have my brother and you are here. I miss the others but they might find their way to the Library someday."

"And when you see yourself settled, what do you see?" She asked, curiously. It seemed important that she know of his plans for the future, as they were courting now. If she was to stay a part of his life, she needed to know what his plans were, what he wanted in life.

She was also uncertain of how she felt about this place, and settling. She missed the Woodland Realm and her life there, but at the same time, she liked the new adventures this place presented, and Kili was here. His presence was a major draw. She had lost him once before, and she would not lose him again. Not if she could help it.

"I am not exactly certain. I never had reason to think of anything beyond the mountain before. We would wander until we regained our home and then I would be needed in uncle's court." The idea had not always appealed to him but he knew his duty. Now, all of that had changed. It was strange thinking of life different than what he had expected for years. "I would like to be useful but the Library has more than enough fighters. If there was a forge..."

But Kili doubted that there would be a smithy's shop somewhere that held so many books.

"Whatever role I have, I see you in my life." His seriousness faded as he gave her a warm smile. "And Kili, of course. We'll find our way just like we always have. But what of you? This place is not what you talked of when I was your prisoner."

"I would be lying if I said I did not miss the forest." She admitted, smiling a little ruefully. "It is all I ever knew before. Those trees, and the stars, are in my blood, and will always be a part of me."

She sighed a little, and her gaze became somewhat distant. She would accept what this new life brought them, of course, but her longing for the trees would always be in the back of her mind.

"But... it matters not. I was banished from there anyway, and would not be able to return, even if I were not here in the Library. So I suppose I ought not to dwell on such things."

Saying it, and doing it were two entirely different things, however, and she found that the idea she could never go home still stung a little.

Taking a deep breath, and admiring the flowers again, she moved on. "As for what to do with myself... I always had a talent for gardening, and a love of things that grow, though I don't imagine there are many fields in such a place."

"The Head Librarian said that the market changes from time to time. Perhaps it the next one will have a forest nearby." Or one might spring up in the Library. Someone had mentioned a garden when they were bespelled. It might still be in the Library somewhere.

Although he did not know if the contact would be welcome, Kili took her free hand, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. "You were banished from one realm, not all. If you returned, there are other places you might live. Rivendell might welcome you."

He did not want her to leave him but Kili could not bear the thought of her being unhappy. If she wanted to return, then he would not protest. She did not deserve to be forced to stay here because of what had happened to him. "I would miss my bakanî but I wish for you to be happy."

It would break his heart, but better that than Tauriel be living a life that made her miserable. "I never learned about gardening but aren't there other ways to grow things? In pots or small plots?"

The contact was very welcome, and she entwined her own fingers with his in return.

"I will not be parted from you again." She said that with complete certainty. As much as she missed the forest, she would miss him more. "But you must understand that I am a Wood-elf, Kili."

She smiled though, at the mention of potted plants. It was a good idea!

"Yes, you are right. We had many of those in Thranduil's halls, so I have experience with such things." Still smiling, she bent down and gave him a quick, brushing kiss on the lips. It was rather bold of her, she knew, but she did not think he would mind. "You are quite wise sometimes, melamin."

Edited 2015-08-21 04:29 (UTC)

"I have no intentions of leaving you again." Kili would not have left her before if there had been a choice. Even knowing the pain that he would have faced if he had lived, he would not have intentionally left her. "I know this is not the life you are used to. That is why I had to ask no matter how much sadness losing you would bring."

He began to speak, thinking of ways that the could make a garden work for her when Tauriel leaned down to press her lips against his. It was something he had considered but was afraid that she would think he was too bold. Despite his surprise, he made a soft, pleased sound when she pulled away, gently squeezing the fingers laced between his to let Tauriel know that he appreciated the kiss. "Thank you, amrâlimê."

For a few moments, Kili was silent, memorizing the details of having her near and the kiss she had given him. "We could see if the market has the things you would need for a garden. Our hosts should not mind our efforts if they do not harm the Library."

It was a pleasant thing, kissing him, and she that little pleased sound he made quite endearing. She smiled, happily, turning her mind to her potential garden. The idea had pushed away any melancholy she may have felt earlier, and she seemed to bubble with excitement as she planned.

"I would not need much, if I could find a sunny spot. Just pots, soil, and of course, the plants themselves."

She looked at him, curiously again. "You have explored more than I, I think. Do you have any ideas?"

For a few moments, Kili couldn't think of gardens or their previous home. Tauriel had kissed him, made her feelings plain with that gesture in a way that he had been hoping for. He smiled at her, probably looking a bit foolish, before slowly remembering what they had been talking about.

Gardens. Right. Tauriel wanted a garden in the Library.

"Soil and plants you should take from this world, not any places in the Library." He was probably being overly cautious but the Librarians had said that there were unnatural things lurking in some areas of the Library. "There are strange things that live and grow among the shelves. That might taint the things that you grow. There are a few sunny areas and new rooms have opened up. One might be an ideal place for a garden."

"Indeed. It should not be hard to find the things I need here. I should start with only a few hearty things, and see how they do, then go from there."

It made sense, she thought. Then she would have a better idea of the light and how plants faired in the space. Her mind was racing with possibilities. She liked having a purpose, a focus, something to occupy her mind even if it were as simple as a potted garden.

She then noticed the way he was smiling at her, and arched an eyebrow at him. "..... what?"

"Hardy things that we know are safe. Someone said they found a garden of things not quite natural." It was something Kili had heard in passing while enchanted that he again heard rumors of later. "What sort of things would you wish to grow? Food or - " He nodded toward the flowers Tauriel held. "Or plants that remind you of pleasant things?"

Until she mentioned it, Kili had not noticed that he was still smiling because of the kiss. "I am happy, amrâlimê. I have a second chance and can court my lady. We are in a place that none will deny that we can be together, if we wish. This place is..." For a moment, he considered what would have happened if he had lived through the battle. Even if he would not have lost Fili and Thorin it would have been difficult for him. "I do not know if I would have been happy back home even if thingss had been different than what you have told me."

She liked seeing him happy and his smile was infectious. She could not help but return it, and she squeezed his hand.

"We are fortunate to have this chance." She agreed. "I believe we might be very happy here."

If nothing else, they would be together, and that, for now, was enough for her. She resisted the urge to kiss him again, for she did not want to see too forward and bold, and turned her attention back to the flowers in her hand.

"Both I should think, eventually." She considered what might be easy to start with. "Herbs for a start. There are some that grow quite readily in pots. Mint perhaps, or lemon balm. Sage maybe. I believe I saw a potter's stand not too far back. Shall we?"

"I believe that too." With all his heart. This was a new beginning for all of them. Here the people that Kili cared for were safe from the fate of their world.

"They might sell plants in the market. I did not pay too much attention to those things but we can look now." It would allow them to spend more time together and give Tauriel something to think of instead of lingering over the purpose that she had lost. "Even if I had, I learned only what was necessary about plants. I was more interested in my uncles forge than the kitchens."

There would probably be something for sale in the market or they would be able to convince one of the herb sellers to part with a few plants. Gently squeezing her hand, Kili smiled up at Tauriel, pretending he did not notice how fond she seemed of the flowers. "We shall. Once we have the pots and herbs, we should find flowers for you to plant. Not all things should be practical. Some things should be meant simply for beauty."

"Oh I was a terror in the kitchens." She laughed at the memory of it. "Everything I touched seemed to burn. As a child, when I first came to Thranduil's halls I was assigned to work there, and I cannot tell you the number of minor fires I caused. I was quite ill-suited to the task, and was more useful in the gardens. When I joined the guard, I think the cook was more pleased than anyone, she threw a party even. Her pots were finally safe."

She continued through the stalls, looking for plants and pots, but still continuing the conversation. That was more enjoyable than shopping.

"What sort of work did you do in the forge?"

"Were you invited to the party." His teasing was gentle since he knew that it had probably frustrated Tauriel that she had never masted the skill needed for cooking. "I was a bit better than that. My mother was very careful in her lessons. So were my cousins." Despite being so far from home, the memory was comforting. He had been rambunctious but his family had always been patient with him.

Occasionally, he pointed out plants that seemed familiar. Some seemed to be native to the world that the portal opened up to and some seemed like variations of the ones that they had at home. Some of them might interest Tauriel.

"Most of the time it was whatever work that could be had. Things that were needed around homes and farms. Thorin taught us more than that but blades were what interested me more than making horseshoes and trinkets."

"Oh no, she was happy to be rid of me, I think. She was not the kindest of guardians." She picked up a particular plant, inspecting it carefully with critical eyes before returning her gaze to him. "She was never cruel, of course, but we disagreed more often than not, and I was not exactly the most well-behaved child."

The plant she was inspecting seemed acceptable, and she purchased it and a few others. Sage, mint, and lemon balm. All things that would give her a strong and refreshing scent. She liked the idea of having something fresh and alive to make her feel more connected to nature once more. That was what she missed most, she thought.

"And how is it you became an archer?" It seemed an unusual skill for a dwarf, but she could be wrong. In truth, before this she had never spent time with any of them.

"Still rude not to invite you." But then dwarves liked parties and would feel slighted if not invited. Even if the party was to celebrate the 'guest of honor' being removed from the kitchens. Before Tauriel elaborated on the cook's behavior, he wondered if she might have been less than kind to a little girl. Thankfully his worries weren't true. "I never would have expected that of you," he teased gently. "You always follow orders perfectly."

Although Kili did not really know about plants, he looked them over as well. Glancing at the bouquet he had bought Tauriel, he found flowers that were similar and looked like they were healthy. "What about these, bakanî?

"It was something I picked up when we were working as guards. One caravan had a group of archers that did not mind teaching an overly curious dwarf." They should have been. Kili had not been exactly patient when he kept asking the archers for lessons. "It turned out to be a good skill to have. Even when we weren't dealing with giant spiders."

His teasing made her laugh, and her eyes sparkle merrily at him. "Luck for you, I creatively interrupt those orders when necessary." And downright defy them.

Suddenly, her last confrontation with Thranduil came to her mind, and her eyes changed, suddenly her gaze became harder, and more distant, as she thought of those darker things. She recalled how she defied and raised her bow against her King, and the fury in his eyes as he broke her bow and asked her if she was ready to die for her love. The physical threat had not been as painful as the words, and she had not really taken the time to process it. There had been far more pressing matters to attend to.

But now was not the time to dwell on the past either, and she forced her mind back to the present and to Kili. When he held up the flowers she forced herself to smile and took them to look them over.

"Yes, they will be lovely." She agreed. "Hopefully they will have enough light."

Right now, she wanted him to keep talking. She rather enjoyed his stories, and he had her complete attention once more.

"Did you often learn skills from those you were escorting?"

Edited 2015-09-07 02:01 (UTC)

Elladan is very seldom apart from his brother, but this is a new place, and Elrohir seems happy enough here, so...

He wanders the stores curiously, more intent on looking than buying, investigating in general what this new world might have. When he spots Kili he pauses to greet him properly - there is something about his face that is, perhaps, a little familiar?

"Good meeting Master Dwarf - any tips for someone looking to snatch a bargain?"

Because of the enchantment, Kili had spent most of his time with either Fili or Tauriel. He had seen some of the elves at the ball but his attention had been focused on her, not her kin. There was something familiar about this one, but he was not certain if it was because of the spell or if he had met him before.

"Good meeting Master Elf." He managed to hide his confusion, relying on old lessons in manners that he usually pretended had been forgotten. "The sellers pretend they do not want to bargin but once they start, they want to haggle."

Kili looks vaguely familiar to Elladan too - but he can't quite play why, at the moment. Oh well. It will come to him eventually.

"Well that is good to know - although I fear I am not terribly good at bargaining, at the least I know now to try! Are the goods here worth the effort, I wonder...also... your pardon but... it seems also as if I might have seen you somewhere - might I beg your name? I am Elladan Elrondion."

"I have experience with bargaining but they seem to want the effort more than skill." It had been strange. Maybe he had looked unusual enough that it had added a novelty to the negotiations. "Or they are too curious about the strangers in the market to put effort into the deal."

It was strange. He felt that he should know this elf but Kili could not remember why. They had not met in Mirkwood and Kili had avoided most of the elves while bespelled. "I thought the same but I do not remember where we might have met." Why couldn't he remember? "I am Kili of the House of Durin. My brother Fili is also here. Perhaps you met him?"

"Huh." Elladan shrugs back. "Well, for that I will be grateful, in which case! Far be it from me to refuse good will from strangers!"

"Ah!" Elladan points, and then nods enthusiastically. "Of course! Your brother was one of those who contacted me, yes, but I have seen you before, a long time ago, for me. At a distance, and I do not think you actually saw me. But you were with Thorin Oakenshield, when he passed through Rivendell."

"It is better treatment than what I've seen in some markets. Sometimes they are suspicious of strangers." Perhaps not elves, but dwarves... His kin had been wanderers. That did not always give them the best reputations.

"Did you speak to him before or after the enchantment?" He might need to explain his brother's behavior if it had been when they were all bespelled. Studying Elladan, Kili tried to remember if he had seen him. He might have but there had been so much going on that he could not be certain. "I believe you're right. I do not think I saw you. Please forgive that lapse."

He could almost imagine what his uncle would say about him apologizing to an elf but the Library was no place for old grievances. Such things should be put aside. "My brother and I are the only ones from the Company that found our way here."

"All merchants are such, I have found. Some claim to dislike elves, for our supposed 'magic', some dislike dwarves, for your supposed 'greed', they even claim to dislike their own folk for supposed 'dishonesty'! I suspect merchants are never truly happy unless they have something to complain about." Elladan shrugs and looks blank.

"There was an enchantment? I do not believe so?"

He shakes his head with a smile. "No, no - Tis I who should be apologising. Lord Elrond is my father, you see, and he was most upset with us for the... eh. Drunken singing that greeted you when you crossed the Bruinen."

"Perhaps there are fewer differences between elves and dwarves than I was taught." His family had reasons for their prejudice but Kili had been too curious to simply accept the opinions of others. He hoped that those sentiments could be put aside since none of the elves seemed bothered by the dwarves that lived in the Library.

"We were enchanted so that we thought ourselves characters in stories from another world. I thought I was a thief." A strange turn considering Elladan's comment about dwarves and greed. "I nearly forgot everything except what happened in the story."

A strange, frightening idea that he hoped never happened. "You were one of the singers?" He grinned at that, pleased that Elladan wasn't quite as reserved as many elves that Kili had met. "I thought it was a fine greeting. It was better than how most welcomed us."

"Eh. Old prejudices die hard." He says cheerfully. "And it is difficult to make peace when at least half your party vividly remembers the very first insult." Elladan thinks his elders should settle down, but he understands how hard it can be.

He shudders a little. "That does not sound at all pleasant, and I am sorry you were caught up in it, Master Kili. Are such things commonplace here?"

He grins and ducks his head, pleased. "There may, or may not, have been significant amounts of wine and a bet involved. Father told us we should have had better manners than to be rude to our guests."

"If they ever do." Sometimes he thought Thorin would never accept the help of others, but perhaps if he had not caught the dragon sickness...

It was different for him since the insults were stories to him instead of memory. Even if he had not fallen in love with Tauriel he would have considered accepting the help of elves.

"To a dwarf, that was a warm welcome." But he could imagine that Elladan had probably been subjected to the kind of lectures Thorin gave Kili when he was caught in mischief. "Elders are the same no matter where they hail from. They think we should be proper and boring."

"Well - we the younger generation can make the necessary steps, eh?" Elladan grins at him. "So far, I have not had any issues with dwarves, but then, I am also not an Elven king with a very pretty and expensive shiny that I am haggling with you over price about, and there are no dragons in the picture. So! I'd say we are off to a good start."

He rolls his eyes emphatically. "Yes! Well, Glorfindel isn't bad, but the Captain is... different. As if I haven't heard rumour that father was just as bad, when he was younger."

"There was a crown in the Library that almost matched those shinies, but it was a trick. Now that I'm not influenced by magic, I'm relieved that the Elven king was not here. He might have had me locked up for trying to keep it." But the crown was gone along with the spirits of the rogue and Rapunzel. They were safe, temporarily, at least from the lure of treasures.

"The Captain? Do you mean Tauriel or is there another captain that was brought here as well?"

"Hah!" Elladan grins at the thought. "Well it could be worse - you and I, we only known Thranduil. But Glorfindel used to tell us stories of Thingol, the Elvenking of Doriath long ago, and I know my sister loved the tale of Beren and Luthien, but Thingol, it seems, is even worse with the shinies."

"Tauriel?" He blinks at Kili and shakes his head. "No - I was referring to Glorfindel. He is Imladris' Captain, and so he is mine as well, you see."

"And people think dwarves are the only ones interested in shinies." His tone was meant to tease but Kili was surprised by the idea that the other elven kings were so interested treasures. He knew some of the stories but hearing an elf tell him that they were true... That was unexpected. "I have heard some of the stories, but are they just stories or are they true?" It was hard to tell what was true and what was fiction considering his kin's dislike of elves.

"Have you met her? She was a captain before she came here." That was not exactly true but Tauriel was the one who should explain her exile, not Kili. "I have not met Glorfindel. I don't think. Unless it was when I was bespelled."

"To be fair to Thingol and the dwarves, who were... Broadbeams, I believe, not Longbeards like you and your family - they were dealing with a Silmaril, which has historically developed a reputation for making otherwise sane people do increasingly insane things." Elladan allows.

He grins at Kili and drops the bombshell "Oh, they're true all right. Thingol is my great-great-great grandfather - Luthien and Beren and my ancestors. Why else do you think my father is called 'Half-elven'?"

He shakes his head. "No, I don't think so, but I don't spend as much time in Thranduil's Halls since Legolas grew up and it became Mirkwood, so I don't know everyone there. And trust me, if you met Glorfindel, you would remember him - he's kinda... noticeable."