If He Never Died

8

A/N: Hello! Sorry about the late update, and also this chapter is going to be super short compared to other chapters. I usually write around three thousand words, and this one is only around two thousand, but oh well! I hope you have been enjoying my story! I love this chapter. It is full of emotion, and someone special comes back for a visit ^^ Vote and comment!

"Kili..."

Kili bolted awake; his chest was moving rapidly up and down. The nightmare that he had was still hovering in his mind. The person in front of him though reminded him of all that was happening. It was Carasdir.

"Carasdir! I am glad to see you still alive," Kili smiled warmly.

"I can say the same, dear friend," Carasdir tried smiling back, but there seemed to be darkness radiating from his face.

"What is happening, Carasdir?" Kili asked. His heart was beating uncontrollably with worry.

"We need to evacuate as soon as possible. There is an underground tunnel right below us that will suffice. Many people are taking it to escape the wrath of the Kino. The Kino will soon come to this infirmary, Kili. We must make haste," Carasdir's eyes were glossy with fresh tears.

"No! But I had a plan; I had a... Where is Tauriel?!" Kili jumped into a sitting position his heart raced faster as he thought of all the bad things that could have happened to his love.

"That..." Carasdir stopped, and then started after a couple seconds of silence. "That will be addressed soon... Come Kili, we must be off."

Kili slowly made his way off of his cot, and followed Carasdir. There was a handle to a door on the floor under a grand yellow carpet. Carasdir told Kili to go into the tunnel first. They climbed down a steep ladder, and watched as wounded warriors passed by them. Kili felt his heart ache. So the Kino won. Why did he not just go into battle? Why did he rest? Tears spilled onto his cheeks.

"Carasdir, tell me where Tauriel is," He sniffled.

"Kili, do not make me," Carasdir whispered, rubbing his face. He looked exhausted. Everyone did.

"I command you to tell me!" Kili snapped, not caring at that particular moment if he had hurt Carasdir's feelings.

"She has been captured yet again by the creatures. I saw them whip at her... Oh Kili, it was a terrible sight..." Carasdir trailed off.

Kili could just imagine her screams as they whipped at her back. He winced, and tried his best to keep walking with the crowd. How could he save her this time? How could he even find her? Were the creatures back in the kingdom he once broke into before? Or were they in a new place far away. He stared off into space. All he could think about was holding Tauriel again, and kissing her beautiful lips. How did he get such a perfect woman? He was so lucky. That made his heart ache more.

"I wish to believe that she is far away, walking in starlight..." He whispered, mainly to himself.

"We will try everything to get her back. You will see her again, Kili. Just do not think of what might be happening to her."

That was all he could think about though. He could picture the crisscrossing wounds on her back. Her wrists being gnawed by rope. Her tears burning down her cheek; dripping onto the dusty floor of a place far, far away. It filled him with so much anger and sadness that he could barely hold it in. The blame that he put on himself was beyond redemption. He cursed the creatures. He cursed the Kinos. He especially cursed himself. His angel was being tortured. It was wholly his fault...

They stopped. The tunnel ended. It housed a ladder that went spiraling upwards. Kili climbed it; he could barely feel anything, but still he climbed. It had been a long day of trekking through what seemed like an endless dim lit tunnel. Everyone was relieved when the sight of the ladder showed up. The elves of course saw it first; their faces lit up. The ladder led into a forest entrance. Right beside the forest entrance was a town. It looked old, but people were buzzing in its streets. Kili barely had the will to walk. He slumped against a tree, and looked at his hands. Soon there was a large wave of soldiers standing around; most had no idea what was going to happen next.