I like baby stories and I like Tauriel and Kili so why not combine the two? Story takes place at the beginning of "The Battle of Five Armies". And no, I do not plan to have those who died die. I rather change the course of history, thank you! So here we go, the preface! Chapters will be much longer.

Preface:

It was the uncomfortable churning in her stomach that had Tauriel sitting rather rigid in her seat beside Kili's makeshift bed. For a few weeks now, the elven woman's digestive tract seemed to furl and twist like a storm in the west. She did not bother to bring such up, assuming in the beginning it had been caused by the amount of stress-though it was improper to openly experience such-brought on by the king's son, Legolas, and her journey. But now, as she sat there, other possibilities began to swirl in her mind. Many that were more unsettling than not.

"Thank you," she murmured, forcing the smallest of smiles when the youngest of the two girls, Tilda, handed her a wooden cup of water.

She wasn't particularly thirsty, her mindset focused between her strange ailment and concern for Kili's health, but having something on hand was better than not. She watched quietly as the dwarf's brother and two companions paced around the room, Fili wandering over to his sibling every so often to gaze down worriedly upon him. Though the elf wouldn't openly admit it aloud, she too found herself staring at Kili frequently. Though, the dwarf remained in what seemed to be a comfortable bout of unconsciousness.

"You're pale."

The two words caught the woman off guard, her body stiffening in defense as she turned, seeing the brother of the two eyeing her cautiously. Fili moved to Tauriel's side, his eyes never leaving hers as he took a seat beside her. She didn't reply immediately, choosing to take a sip from her drink instead. The coolness of the water felt surprisingly relieving as it slipped down her throat. She didn't remember the last time she had taken a moment to do the simplest things such as quenching her thirst or hunger.

"I am not used to such weather," she replied quietly, turning her gaze back to Kili. "He sleeps well. The medicine is working better than I anticipated."

"Thank you," Fili replied. "For what you did. For saving him."

She merely nodded, taking another sip from her drink as her stomach twisted in nausea. Tauriel swallowed hard, exhaling softly through her nose as the discomfort began to bubble in hot bile. She felt ill, the threat of vomiting drawing near. There had been only one other time she had ever experienced sickness in her life. Once as a child, after consuming a mushroom she had discovered in the woods. Young and naive, such was not the case now.

"Where are you going?" The dwarf inquired, watching with astonishment as the woman rose. "Is everything alright?"

She needed air, the frigid temperatures seeming welcoming as her stomach pains worsened. The last thing she needed any of the room's occupants to see was her weakened state. Elves were not to show weakness, even in the threat of death. Though she disagreed with most of what her king believed, her elven customs still blossomed heavily in her heart. She was strong, always had been. But now she felt more vulnerable than ever.

"If he wakes, summon me," she replied, exiting out onto the poorly constructed balcony.

Her hands trembled violently as she stumbled out into the night, a thin sheen of sweat gracing her forehead as she gripped the railing unsteadily. Air filled her lungs as she gulped it in graciously, trying to quell the ache in her belly as it grew worse. Nausea washed over her in waves, crashing against the fortified walls of her strength as she leaned over the edge and empty the contents of her stomach.

It was a short lived feeling of relief, the bile acidic against the sensitive flesh of her mouth as she wiped away at the evidence on her lips. Her mind wandered back to the fateful night she had briefly shared with the dwarf. Such a quick and seemingly harmless deed that had gone unnoticed by all except those involved. Weeks had passed since then, maybe falling into a month or two. A time period that seemed to fit more perfectly for one explanation than any other. She shivered at the thought, eyes wide as realization finally made itself known.

"Tauriel?"

The elf turned, seeing the brother standing in the door frame. His eyes watched her, concern crossing his features. A dwarf never showed any concern for someone of her kind. Quite frankly, neither of their kinds particularly got along with one another. Especially her kingdom with the line of Durin. She composed herself, flattening out the creases in her outfit as she nodded to Fili.

"He's awake," he answered, gaze still filled with uncertainty as he watched her. "He's asking for you."

A new sense of relief came over the she elf at the mention of Kili's consciousness. Without another word, she slipped past his brother, seeing the one she cared most about sitting slightly reclined in the makeshift bed. Despite his weakened condition, the dwarf managed a small smile at the sight of Tauriel, his dark brown eyes gentle and kind as she made her way over to him.

"I'm quite alright," he assured. "Just a little sore."

He winced, chuckling softly as Tauriel's mouth twisted into an expression of relief. Her own condition briefly left her mind as the dwarf took her hand, his large and calloused compared to hers. And yet, he still held her with the utmost care. She breathed in, a sense of fear coming over her as the nausea returned to her stomach. She noticed Kili's face change, once humorous and kind morphing into a look of seriousness.

"Tauriel?" He questioned, his voice masked with worry. "What's-"

He hadn't a moment to finish before the sound of a bell interrupted his words. The several heads of the house turned, eyes looking towards the window as the clanging got louder. Something could be seen in the distance, flying through the night sky with an eerie glow that seemed to erupt straight from its belly. Fear turned into terror as Tauriel and Kili both realized at once what it was. The dragon. Awakened from its slumber and now riddled with a vengeance like no other.

"Come," Tauriel explained, turning to the children. "We must go."

Her own health concerns could wait. What mattered now was escaping. With aid from his brother and companions, Kili soon stood at Tauriel's side, their gazes briefly meeting before the shouts of frightened villagers filled their ears. For now, their conversation rested. Only to surely be brought up later at a better time. If they were in fact, able to make it out alive. The elf breathed in through her nose, regaining self control as she readied herself for what would certainly be a long night.

I hope you enjoyed the preface! Next chapter will take place after the initial dragon scene on the shores of the island. That's where our story truly begins. Feedback greatly loved and appreciated! Let me know if this is worth continuing. If this gets a decent amount of a response, I might post another chapter today. Until next update, folks! -Jen