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[Ugh. Elves. But Thorin at least keeps civil in return. An arm across his chest with a small bow.]

Thorin Oakenshield.

[Conspicuously leaving out his own father's name.]

I am... no one really, but I am called Tauriel.

*She politely inclined her head in greeting, but there was something very stiff and uncomfortable in the gesture. It had been a long time since she had been in the company of others, especially another elf. Her worn clothing and supplies indicated that she had been out in the wild for several years, at least. The road had made her hard, and her path had been full of difficulties and unspoken heartaches, but she still remembered at least some of her manner.*

And may I ask what brings you so far from Imladris?

A Dwarf of great renown even among Elves. [She gives him a formal curtsy.]

Your name is Tauriel; not "no one". [A small grin - playful in nature and reminiscent of a certain White Lady.] Curiosity, perhaps. I wish to visit my Grandmother and Grandfather in their realm.

[Begrudgingly]

Your father was...very hospitable to me and my Company.

[He still carries Orcrist, slung across his back due to his size.]

And you are traveling alone?

*She arched an eyebrow, seeing no sign of an escort. Even though she did not know him, it surprised her that Lord Elrond would allow his daughter to travel unescorted.*

Is that wise?

*Never mind the fact that she was also traveling alone. That was entirely different.*

He would be so again if you had need. [She crosses her hands before her.] I apologize for not greeting you that day.

I have little choice. My escort did not arrive in these lands with me. [But she is armed with an Elvish sword and she does have a horse.]

[Accepting help from elves is a touchy subject for Thorin. However, he is not about to lash out at this one she-elf for the sins of her whole race, especially when her father had been kind to his kin.]

I trust...Lord Elrond finds himself in good health?

[That's neutral ground enough, right? Asking about her family?]

Nevertheless, it is unwise to travel these paths alone. The mountains can be particularly perilous.

*She hesitated for a moment, looking a little uncertain.*

I could travel with you, if you would like. I cannot travel into Lothlorien, but I can at least escort you to its borders.

Well enough the last I saw him. [It is difficult to keep track of anyone lately.] And you?

[Yes, Thorin, she knows how your quest ended.]

You are Silvan, yes? [She frowns, touched by the gesture, but confused.] Why would you be barred from Lothlorien?

I am banished from the Woodland Realm. I am uncertain if I would be welcome in Lothlorien.

*She shifted on her feet, clearly reluctant to discuss her banishment. Now that she knew, she wondered if Arwen would rather not be associated with her.*

If you prefer not to be in my company, I will go.

Who banished you? Not my Ada or Grandparents. [She would have heard of that!]

No, they did not. But I betrayed my King's trust, and worse yet drew my bow on him. I doubt my presence would be welcome in their lands.

Your King is...Thranduil? [Ah, now that makes more sense.] He is proud. If you aid me, you will not be barred from Lothlorien.

I will travel with you, and will do what I can to see you safely to Lothlorien, but I do not intend to stay there.

*Whether they allowed her entrance or not, she did not feel as though she deserved it. She was still wandering, lost, and though she did not know exactly what she was searching for, she did not feel like she had earned the right to enter a community of her kin.*

It is... complicated.

...well enough at present.

[It was a rough ending, to say the least.]

I cannot ask more of you, though I do wish you a short rest if you will take it?

[She slips down from her horse and smiles warmly.]

I am a good listener if you wish to tell your tale.

[She observes him closely - her gaze that of a Healer.]

I do not wish you even slight pain. If you have need, I can heal you.

[He lets out a sigh, putting up a hand to decline the favor.]

Loss is not something one can be healed from like that...not even Elves have learned to cure death.

[Ah...of course. She closes her eyes, sorrow written on her features.]

What has occurred can be altered or undone in this land. Your mind and heart will remember, but you could see...another path; another life - one free of pain.

*The Wood-elf held back a sigh, and busied herself preparing a small and efficient camp for them both.*

It is a long story. Let us simply say that I fell in love when should not have, and followed my heart rather than my head.

[Thorin rolls a shoulder of disregard.]

Life and pain, I do not fear these things.

[Life of a dwarf was all about survival after all.]

There is little you fear, but fear can be an apt tutor. Death is a natural end - we should not fear it yet there is no shame in feeling weak before it.

[Now this is...intriguing. She sees to her horse, hiding a look of surprise.]

I find no fault in that, though it could make you rash.

[He would count it a weakness being afraid of death. But he does not voice it. Regarding her in silence for a moment.]

What waits for Elves at the end is not the same for dwarves.

[Or so the stories say.]

There are some in our number who can choose mortality. [She is one of those.]

[She gets an eyebrow raised in curiosity. He did not know that.]

Why would one choose such a thing? When immortality is an option?

We have been known to love mortals and not wish to live beyond them. But such an option is only given to Peredhels - those who possess both Human blood and Elvish blood.

Rash or very foolish. There is sometimes little difference between the two, is there not?

[He strokes his beard thoughtfully.]

What of the ones that do not choose? Do they not look down on those who are now mortal?

Where love is concerned, I think rash fits best. [She walks over to Tauriel and lays a hand on her shoulder.]

Some, perhaps. [She doesn't agree with them.] But time passes slowly for us and we do not contemplate long on such matters.

[So he had been reminded by King Thranduil, lording over his longevity on his throne. "I am patient, I can wait." Thorin scowls at remembering.]

Long on days does not mean long on wisdom.

*It had been a very long time since someone had offered her physical comfort, and so she stiffened at Arwen's touch, as if surprised by the gesture of kindness.*

And what good did it do me in the end? Besides exile and heartbreak?

*Realizing how angry she sounded, she sighed and shook her head slightly. She was not being fair. Arwen did not know the whole story, and so she really ought not to burden her with troubles of her own.*

I am sorry, I do not mean to sound so bitter. Perhaps the road has been too long of late.

No, it does not. [It takes some long to mature - though not always without reason.] There are few on Arda who can be called truly wise.

To love and lose is difficult, yet you have chosen to live. Think of how the one you loved would wish you to live. Would they want you to suffer?

[She feels as if she is speaking to herself in part.]

I do not think you sound bitter. Sad, yes, but that is understandable.

I have only ever known loss when it comes to love, and yet somehow I have always pushed forward.

*She busied herself preparing a small fire for them, distracting herself for a moment.*

As for what they would want, I do not know.

*Pausing for a moment, she looked out into the distance, as if seeing something that was not there.*

One I admittedly did not know long enough to know what he would have wished, and the other... well...

*She trailed off, then turned her attention back to the fire, getting a blaze going.*

As I said, it is complicated.