Tauriel was looking forward to meeting Kili’s friend, even if she was somewhat nervous. She was glad he had found people he could trust in Madison though it wasn’t surprising that he had. She knew he would find friends wherever he ended up, he was just that kind of person. He was likeable and even with her he had quickly broken down her defences and she had found herself falling for him. Whatever force had brought them here she was thankful for it and hoped they would be able to remain here together for a long time to come.
***
Amberle was looking forward to properly meeting Tauriel with Kili. He'd been very kind to her lately, and while she had wished that they could have crossed paths sooner, she was happy for him that someone had arrived from his world as well. She was very lucky to have Wil and Eretria with her now.
She entered the coffee shop at the agreed upon time and easily spotted her co-worker and his friend. Amberle gave a quick wave as she made her way over, smiling once she was right in front of them. "Good morning," she greeted warmly. "It's very nice to meet you, my lady. Master Kili has spoken highly of you."
***
Kili stood up when Amberle arrived and gave her a bright smile. Having her as a friend had been a blessing and he was hoping that she and Tauriel would become friends as well. He had also been happy that someone from his dear friend’s world had arrived at about the same time that his Tauriel had.
“Lady Amberle, please let me officially introduce you to Lady Tauriel, late of Middle Earth and Mirkwood Forest.”
He hadn’t asked where she had relocated after his death because he had not wanted to make her think of sad things.
*** Tauriel stood too, inclining her head with a smile, “Lady Amberle it is a pleasure to meet you. Kili has told me how you have been a good friend to him and for that I thank you” she said, knowing he had not been alone before she had arrived was a great comfort to Tauriel.
***
At the proper introduction, Amberle curtseyed out of respect, and a teensy bit out of habit. She didn't want to give Tauriel a poor impression of her, nor did she want her own behavior to reflect poorly on Kili. Once it was proper to do so, she took a seat at the table with them.
"It was very easy to do so," she admitted easily. "Which I certainly have appreciated. There is not much that reminds me of home, nor many that I trust who are not elves like me." Amberle's hair had hidden her ears from view, but she tucked a few strands behind one ear now, to share with the woman Kili trusted. "The metalshop that Master Kili works in is as much like home as I have found here."
***
Kili smiled happily to see that so far his beloved and his dear friend were getting along so well. While he had made a few other friends, some of them had first reached out to him because of Fili. Amberle had never met Fili so was friends with him on his own merit.
After both of them sat down, Kili took his seat again. “Amberle gave me my first personalization job in this town, Tauriel. She commissioned a weapon from me.”
***
Tauriel could understand Amberle’s hesitancy, if her upbringing had been anything like Tauriel’s own then trusting those who weren’t kin would have been very difficult. Once again Tauriel was proud of Kili for being who he was and being able to make friends as he did.
Tucking her own hair behind her ears she gave a small understanding nod, “I am glad you have been able to find somewhere that feels comfortable to you”
Looking at Kili she gave him a smile, “How wonderful” she said, turning back to Amberle, “You have no doubt discovered how talented Kili is” There was no denying the affinity the dwarves had for metalwork.
***
"Very talented, my lady," Amberle replied, already finding comfort in the older elf. She already liked Tauriel very much and felt at ease more so than she'd been before. It was easy to do with the trust and friendship she could see between Kili and Tauriel. "It was only in watching him work that gave me the courage to ask for a customized piece. The metalsmiths in Arborlon would have benefited from your skills, Master Kili."
It was a pleasure to watch him work, and Erik as well. They both had different techniques which she could appreciate. "Is there anything I can do to help you both settle more fully?" she asked, directing her question more to Kili. Perhaps there were things she could do at the shop to allow him more time to spend with Tauriel.
***
“Please, Lady Amberle, just call me Kili, if you would? I’ve never gotten used to being called Master or Prince. Those titles were always more for my teachers and my brother.” Yes, he was very much a prince, as well, but it had never fit on him more than a coat that was to uncomfortable to wear. His brother had always been the better one at being the prince. “And thank you for your kind words. I have always enjoyed making things and it is much more pleasing to make something for a friend who appreciates my craft.”
He smiled at Tauriel and then smiled at Amberle again. “Do you train with your weapons often, Lady Amberle? I am trying to get back into training like I used to do before the great battle, and I would enjoy having you and Tauriel to practice with me. It is always much better working with friends.”
***
“Oh yes, please call me Tauriel” she added when Kili made his own request, it seemed not many people used honorifics here which may take a little getting used to but she could see why. Kili and herself had actually settled into using each others names, or endearments, rather quickly even after their first meeting back in Middle earth.
She inclined her head at Kili’s suggestion, “Yes, that would be most welcome” It would never hurt to continue to keep their skills sharp, after all you can never tell when you may have cause to use them.
***
Amberle flushed for a brief moment. "Only if you both agree to call me Amberle," she replied warmly. They were both people she considered friends, Kili moreso but Tauriel from what she knew plus their interaction so far. "And I have found a good regimen for myself, though I believe there is much I could learn from each of you." That was enticing, and then she could share that knowledge with Eretria, and Wil if he so desired.
"I am well practiced with a blade, a bow and arrow, and hand to hand combat. It would be an honor to train with you both." Amberle hadn't been expecting that potential outcome, but she certainly wasn't opposed to it.
***
If Kili lit up any brighter he would be giving them both a blinding smile. Being able to train with both Tauriel and Amberle would be a very good thing -- and they would be able to be better prepared if anything showed up to attack them here. He worried sometimes about Orcs showing up and harming the friends that he had made.
“I will be very happy to call you Amberle,” Kili said with another grin. “And I believe that the three of us training together could be a very good thing for all of us. My prefered weapon is the bow, but I am also good with blades and hand to hand.” He shrugged slightly. “We dwarves had to be well-rounded in battle. Uncle Thorin had my brother and I training from a young age for the day that we would start out on the great quest.”
***
“Thank you Amberle” Tauriel said with a soft smile, she relaxed a little more as they continued to talk. Amberle was a good person and Tauriel felt that she would very much enjoy her company, she felt a little more hopeful about settling in as Kili had done despite the vast differences to their world.
Laying her hand over Kili’s she smiled, “He taught you well” she told him softly before confirming her own skills, “I too am proficient in all areas, though my preferred weapons are daggers and bow. Training together will be beneficial for us all I believe and I very much look forward to it”
***
Amberle felt quite comfortable with the two of them, and she thought that perhaps Wil and Eretria would enjoy meeting the pair. She made a mental note to invite both of them to dinner once the trio had moved into a home other than the Farm House. It was clear to see the affection between the two of them and it warmed her heart. Kili missed his family and his friends, but now he had both in one person. That kind of thing made a difference.
"It seems I will learn much then," she replied, counting on their years of experience to help her craft her own skills. While she felt she could hold her own, Amberle knew she had a lot to learn, especially after a few months without training nearly as much as she should have been. "I would very much like to introduce you both to my friends, as well."
***
“I would very much like to meet your friends, Amberle,” Kili said cheerfully. “I feel that having friends who understand you and do not mock you when you do not understand things in this world are a good thing. It is even better when you have friends that come from your world and they can soothe some of the rough edges of your spirit.”
Kili smiled at Tauriel and then back at Amberle. “I believe that the group of all of us could be very good friends and that can be a boon in the strangeness that is this world. Besides, if your friends are as good and honorable as you are then that will be a good thing as well.”
Kili knew without a doubt that Amberle could take care of herself. However, since they met he had felt a kinship with her and wanted her to always be happy and content.
This place was strange to him still, but he was adapting. He did not have Fili or Thorin, but he had Tauriel and Amberle. He had a new family here in his eyes.