Kili waited outside the pub, breath white in the cold and arms crossed for warmth. He didn't allow himself to hope too much; she probably wouldn't come. Still he waited, though he knew it was probably hopeless. He didn't have to worry for long, because soon the doors to the pub opened and the auburn haired Elf stepped out into the cold. She stood across from him but stayed a fair distance away.

"I was afraid you wouldn't come," he said, relieved to see her even though she seemed a bit distant, "I was afraid you'd be in Mirkwood, and that I wouldn't get another chance to talk to you. Was it good news? Are you welcomed back to Mirkwood? I still feel at fault for your banishment, I hope things are fine. Did you go all the way to Mirkwood in just one night?" He realized he was speaking too quickly and not giving Tauriel a chance to reply. She looked at him with raised eyebrows and a slight smirk on her lips as she waited for him to stop.

"…Sorry," he said, embarrassed.

"It was good news," she said, "I'm no longer banished. And no, I didn't go to Mirkwood last night. I'm to stay here in Laketown for a few more days in case of another Orc attack."

"Oh, good," he said, truly happy that she was welcome among her people again, even though it pained him to think that she would be returning to Mirkwood again.

"So you're going to the mountain?" she asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Yes, Thorin-" he began, but was cut off by Tauriel.

"Kili, don't go," she said. He stared at her, stunned. Her expression was completely serious.

"I have to go," he said, "this is the reason we came all this way, and I wish we had more time, but…" he trailed off.

"This quest of yours, Kili… I don't like it. It doesn't feel right to me."

"What do you mean?" he asked, looking up at her curiously.

"Do you realize how dangerous it is? That Dragon isn't just a legend. If he wakes, what then? Kili, I beg of you, don't go."

"I'm sorry, Tauriel, but I have to. I'm going to be there when the door is opened, and I'm going to look upon the halls of Erebor. And you need not worry; the Dragon might not even be there, and if he is, we have a burglar with us. An excellent burglar, at that. The Dragon won't hear a thing."

"A burglar? Well, if your burglar is the same one that snuck you from our dungeons then I suppose you have a chance."

They were both silent for a moment. Kili tried not to notice Tauriel's worried gaze, and tried his best to seem confident. He didn't want her to worry about him.

"I'm sure we'll see each other again," he said without thinking, even though he didn't entirely believe it; how could they, if she were in Mirkwood and he were in Erebor?

"Of course," she agreed, though she didn't look convinced either. She gave him a weak smile and held out her hand. Kili took it and they shook hands awkwardly, before reluctantly letting go.

"Tauriel, I…" he began, but Tauriel stopped him and shook her head. Then familiar voices rang out, calling for him. The others must have been ready to leave. He looked at Tauriel; her expression was guarded, but there was still worry in her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and hold her, but he knew he couldn't. Not only because the others might see, but also because he wasn't tall enough and would probably only succeed in face planting into her chest, which could easily be misunderstood.

"Kili!" his brother called out again, "This is no time for running off!"

"You should go," Tauriel said, though her eyes were sad. Kili nodded, and reached for her hand again. This time he kissed it, her skin cold against his lips. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry for leaving, and that more than anything he wanted to stay with her forever, but he knew he couldn't say any of those things. It was better that he just left. She belonged with her people, and he belonged with his; that was how it had to be.

He let go of her hand and gave her one last smile, and then he ran off in the direction of the shouting. He told himself that they would meet again, and he really tried to believe it.

"Kili, there you are! Thorin is beside himself with rage, he's been threatening to leave without you!" Fili exclaimed as he grabbed Kili by the sleeve and dragged him along with him to the boats.

"He'd never leave one of us behind, especially his own kin," Kili said, laughing.

"Maybe not, but he's very cross with you for disappearing on such an important morning!"

The other Dwarves were already loaded into boats when Fili and Kili joined them. Thorin gave him a disapproving look, but was clearly relieved to see him.

As they rowed away from Laketown, Kili glanced back wistfully, hoping to see her auburn hair standing out in the crowd. She wasn't there, of course. He knew it was silly, but he'd just wanted to see her again, in case it was the last time. I won't be, he told himself.

As they neared the opposite shore he turned his sights on the mountain. It looked in the distance and Kili, for the first time, felt a shadow of doubt creep over him. Tauriel had been worried, and it wasn't like her to be afraid. He pushed the worries from his mind, deciding he'd worry later.

The hike up to the mountain took a good deal longer than Kili had hoped. They made camp after a while, since there was still time before Durin's Day. Most of the next day was spent searching for the secret door. Thorin's mood grew worse and worse as time went on and the door remained unfound.

Kili was searching with Fili and Bilbo when finally Bilbo spotted a stone staircase that led to what must be the secret entrance. They excitedly shared their discovery with the others; now the only thing that remained was to wait for the last light of Durin's Day to find the keyhole.

They didn't have long to wait. A mere day later at sunset, they all gathered around the stone door. A red light shone through the clouds onto the door and stone fell away, revealing the hidden keyhole. Thorin turned the key inside and as the last light faded, they all pushed until the door gave way, revealing the open passage before them. Again Kili felt a sense of dread; the air inside felt foul somehow.

Thorin began giving his speech about Bilbo's duties, but Kili wasn't listening. He was beginning to wonder if Tauriel had been right; what if they had been foolish to come here after all.

"Yes, yes, all right!" Bilbo exclaimed, interrupting Thorin, "Just let me get on with it then. Is anyone going to come with me into the tunnel?"

They all looked at each other, but none volunteered. Kili felt bad for Bilbo for having to go down into the Dragon's lair, but he couldn't bring himself to step forward.

"You've got this, Bilbo," Fili encouraged, though he didn't volunteer to accompany the Hobbit either.

"I'll go with you, lad," Balin finally said, stepping forward, "For part of the way at least."

Bilbo seemed grateful, and they set off together. Kili couldn't help but feel a bit sick to his stomach. The excitement he'd felt earlier was quickly turning to fear and dread. What if this was the last time they'd see their Hobbit? He didn't feel right about sending the burglar to certain death. Then again, there was no way to know whether the Dragon was still there or not. Maybe he's not at home, he hoped.

He sat against the cool stone wall near the door with Fili. Thorin and the others were talking excitedly about the gold and treasure that awaited them, and soon Kili's fears faded a bit as well. Thorin was so confident in their success that it was contagious. Soon they were all talking of feasts and parties and the restoration of Erebor to its former glory. Kili even allowed himself the brief thought of bringing Tauriel to see a restored Erebor, leading her through the halls by the hand.

His thoughts were interrupted by a low rumble that shook the ground beneath them.

"What was that?" he whispered, though he very much knew the answer. He hoped the sound hadn't been that of poor Bilbo becoming the Dragon's lunch.

"Well there certainly is a Dragon down there!" Bilbo exclaimed, appearing suddenly holding a large golden goblet. There were several cries of "Bilbo!" as the Dwarves forgot their peril and rejoiced simply because their Hobbit was alive.

"I took this, but I think he's angry," Bilbo explained breathlessly, handing the goblet to Thorin, "And I don't think this plan to have me steal his whole hoard is going to work; it'd take me decades to get everything out, not to mention Smaug is cunning. I don't think I can go back down again."

"Does anyone know anything about slaying a Dragon?" Ori asked hopefully, though none of the others had an answer. Kili realized now how foolish they had been; they hadn't planned what to do if the Dragon was there.

"Don't look at me!" Bilbo exclaimed, "I'm just the burglar, I'm in no way contractually obligated to kill a Dragon!"

"Of course not, master Baggins," Thorin said, still examining the goblet in his hands.

"And I fear I've made a terrible mistake," Bilbo continued, still quite out of breath, "I mentioned the barrels, and I fear that he'll take that to mean we came from Laketown."

There was another rumble, this one louder than the last. Laketown…

"I don't know why I had to go and run my mouth," the Hobbit continued, shaking his head, "If Smaug takes his vengeance on Laketown I'll be to blame."

Kili suddenly felt frozen with fear. Tauriel…

"You think the Dragon will attack Laketown…?" Kili asked, his voice sounding afraid to his own ears.

"He might… We need to move further down the tunnel, I'm afraid he'll find us. I don't like this one bit!" The little Hobbit was so upset that the Dwarves complied and moved further down in the tunnel with him, still discussing their plans. Kili's mind was reeling, and he felt almost dizzy with fear.

"Wait, we have to warn them, we-" Kili was cut off as a deafening roar tore through the tunnel, and the walls shook.

"Oh no," Bilbo whispered quietly, with his head in his hands. The Dragon Smaug had left his lair and was outside now, probably searching for any sign of the intruders. They could hear him, tearing apart the countryside and smashing boulders in his rage. He gave one final roar and then they heard his great wings pounding the air as he took flight, no doubt to bring fiery death to Laketown.

Kili's eyes were wide with horror; if anything were to happen to Tauriel he couldn't bear it, especially if it were to be his fault. The quest was foolish, he realized, and he wished for a moment that he'd never come. He couldn't bear to just stay in the tunnel while Smaug destroyed Laktown. And what about Tauriel, what would happen to Tauriel?

The others began to move further down into the tunnel to explore while Smaug was away, but Kili didn't follow. Instead he bolted for the door.

"Kili!" Fili exclaimed, grabbing his arm before he could get out the door, "What are you doing!?"

"Someone has to warn them!" he exclaimed, not thinking clearly. He fought against his brother as he tried to pull him back.

"You can't go out there! The Dragon will see you! Are you mad!?"

"Please let go!" Kili pleaded, trying to fight the panic that was rising in his chest.

"You think you can get there faster than a Dragon?" Fili asked, still trying to pull his brother away from the door, "Kili, stop! Mister Dwalin, help!"

Kili didn't know if Dwalin heard or not, but when Fili looked away to call for his help he managed to duck out of his brother's grasp and bolt through the door.

"Kili! You'll be killed!" he heard Fili yelling after him as he ran, but he didn't stop. He could see the Dragon in the sky, flying towards Laketown.

"I'll kill you myself if the Dragon doesn't get you first!" Fili yelled, and Kili realized he must have been running after him. He made no reply, and just continued to run.

"You can't run all the way to Laketown!" Fili yelled amid labored breathing as he chased after him. Kili stopped suddenly, and Fili slowed to a stop next to him, much too out of breath to even think about trying to apprehend him now. Kili stared in horror as he saw in the distance orange fire bursting to life in Laketown.

"No…" was all he could manage, as the Dragon's destruction played out before his eyes. He took off running again, with Fili still running after him. His only thought was of Tauriel as he ran toward the fire.