She ran down the hall long blue ribbon trailing behind her, her tiny kitten following the end of it. As she stopped to turn the corner the small cat crashed into the wall.

"Shh Thimble." She hushed the cat before bending down to pick it up. "It's early, no one else will be up." She rubbed his little brown head and pulled the ribbon up, wrapping it around her wrist. "And after the feast they had last night I wouldn't want to be the one to waken them." She tapped the kitten's nose lightly. "Let's go"

She skipped down the hall twirling as she went as the cat playfully clawed at the bobbles on the front of her dress. Her hands ran along the marble wall as she went, speeding down the well familiar path. She made her way deeper and deeper down into the mountain, relishing the familiar cold that crept around her the further she went. She got to her destination and stopped a few paces short. She looked at the large stone door and took a minute to step forward.

"Good morning Daddy." She said sitting in the middle of the hall. "Thimble came today I hope that's ok. Ma said you would love him. Uncle Dwalin gave him to me when he got back from Dale." She stroked the kitten's nose once more then let him down on the ground. "Today's the day daddy. I'm sure of it. The star lilies will be in full bloom." She beamed. "I know it's silly but it's my favourite time of the year." She started twisting the ribbon around. "It was the anniversary of your death yesterday. Though it is most remembered as the anniversary of the Battle. We lit candles for you in the garden. Though I'm sure you know that. One for you and Uncle Thorin and Uncle Fili." Her smile faded and she stopped fidgeting. Ma was so brave Daddy. You would be so proud of her. At least I like to think you would be. I know this time of year is very hard for her though, so if the lilies could bloom it would be perfect. They make her so happy." The child looked up and down the hall. "Daddy, grandmamma has grown worse. Mama says it is because her heart is so broken that her love for me is the only thing keeping her together. I think that even that may not be enough anymore." She looked sadly at the stone door again. "Ma has a broken heart too, I know that. But she says I fill it up. I seal the cracks. I miss you I do though I never knew you, so I can't imagine how they survive." she smiled sadly. "Right I better get to the garden and see the lilies!" she said scooping up the small kitten. "I love you Daddy." She kissed her fingers and placed them over his sign.

/ / / / / / / / / /\\\ \\\ \\\ \\ \\ \\ \ \ \ \

She clasped on the second bead and giving herself the one over made her way out of her chambers down the well-trod path. As she reached the burial chambers she smiled. Bending down she picked up the blue ribbon left in the middle of the hallway.

Her daughter was an early riser, always had been, she'd started coming to visit her father by herself in the early morning years ago.

"Good morning Kili." She said resting her hand on the cold stone door. "Good morning Fili." She added quickly. "The battle feast was last night, it was their latest one yet. how can it have been twenty years already. You are all still very present in the thoughts of all. Your mother did not attend. She keeps to her chambers most of the days now. She only comes out for her hours with her granddaughter. I worry." She frowned. "I must visit Dale this week, Dain wants me to take the coronation gift to King Bain. Life goes on my love." She said sadly. "I must go. See you tomorrow." She kissed her fingers and placed them over his sign, closing her eyes to quench the tears as she did.

/ / / / / / / /\\\ \\\ \\ \\ \\ \\ \ \ \ \

He stood watching as the child led her mother by the hand into the balcony garden, both beaming. Yes he'd seen it all. After an oddly joyful reunion with his brethren past the door he'd been let in on a secret. His own father, a man he know got to know, had taken him aside and told him just what he needed. The way he himself had watched over his young family for all those years. The link and soul saving window he still had. The way spirits looked down on their loved ones.

So he'd seen it all, he'd seen Tauriel grow out of all her dresses again and again as her stomach grew, he'd seen her collapse in the great hall and he'd paced up and down as Oin had examined her and the baby. He'd stood by the door as their beautiful, perfect daughter came into the world, and he'd stood at her side as the new princess was presented to the dwarves of Erebor. He'd watched wordlessly as she'd grown quickly, becoming wise beyond her years, beautiful as her mother and carefree as her father. He'd even watched helplessly as Tauriel cried at night when things became too much.

It was different than before, he knew she would never see him of speak to him again, he was even less there than he had been before. But he didn't care. He was content in being able to see them. His heart swelled as the twenty year old delf hugged her mother tightly. She was so beautiful, the perfect blend of their two kinds. Taller than any dwarf, yet not as tall as any elf child. Limbs lithe and graceful like her mother, yet still strong and worth of dwarfen work. Her hair, the same stain as his own, was already past her waist and curling at the ends. She hated having it tied back in anyway, but was lucky in that it seemed to style effortlessly like her mother. It was no surprise to any one that there was no sign of a beard on her striking face, which also bore her father's immense smile and mothers forest eyes. She was loved by all and had the most gracious of hearts. To him she was perfect. A perfect he helped to create, and a perfect he would watch over forever.

His wife and daughter took one last look at the lilies and smiled before walking hand in hand from the garden.

"Goodnight my loves." He said watching them go.

She stopped and frowning turned around to where the sound had come from. Tauriel stopped walking too and turned to see what had happened.

"Ami? What is it?" she asked smiling at the young girl.

"I thought I heard something." She said puzzled.

"Twas only the wind." Tauriel smiled. "Or a watchful spirit." The child laughed lightly. "Come on Amrâlimê, we'll be late for supper with Dis."

"Yes Mama." She said taking one last look around her. Kili was sure he caught her eye.

"Goodnight Amrâlimê." He breathed.

~THE END~

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Hi everyone! I just wanted to say thank you all so much for reading, following or favouriting this fic! This story has meant so much to me and I will be sorry to see it end but I know it happens! Your reviews have all been so amazing for me to read and I really don't think I can ever thank you all enough for sticking with my little story!

Thank you all!

All My Love

Grace (bonesmad)