Hello! After seeing The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug for the third time, I got a huge spark of inspiration to start a fic. I've been obsessed with the elves and the relationship between Legolas and Tauriel, and what possibly would happen if other people came into their lives and made them question everything.
*Story has gotten a MAJOR makeover!* After reviewing the previous story I decided to scrap it and start over. I was getting too ahead of myself and realized that things were getting scattered and messy. I sincerly apologize and hope you aren't too upset with me! I really hope you like this new story! Thank you!**
Story starts off with Legolas, Tauriel and OC, and then Kili comes in later.
It will be Rated T for now but will definitely change to an M later on in the story.
I haven't written a LOTR fic in nearly 10 years so I apologize in advance for any mistakes.
I do not own anything except the characters, customs and kingdoms that are clearly made up. Some elements are borrowed from Greek mythology and (my favorite television show) Once Upon A Time.
Thank you for giving me a second chance! Enjoy and please tell me what you think :)
After Thorin and Company are taken prisoner by the elves of Mirkwood...
The woodland realm was buzzing from the news that dwarves had been caught wandering in their forest. The dwarves huffed and scowled in annoyance as numerous elves passed by to get a look at them as they were being marched to the prison cells. Among the on-lookers was a maiden. She was not an elf, but a mortal maiden with hair colored a rich dark brown like earth and sharp green eyes that were wide and curious.
"What in the blazes are you staring at?" The dwarf known as Dwalin growled at the maiden.
She was startled back a step and the Elf-Prince moved faster than the dwarves thought he could. With a resounding thwack he slapped Dwalin across the back of his head.
"You will remember your manners, dwarf!" Legolas boomed. He snatched the back of the dwarf's shirt and personally threw him into his cell. He slammed the door shut and turned to find a younger dwarf staring after the captain of the guard, Tauriel, with a look that made his skin crawl.
"Why does the dwarf stare at you, Tauriel?" Legolas asked in Elvish.
"Who's to say," Tauriel replied with a smirk that he believed was meant to aggravate him. "He is quite tall for a dwarf, don't you think?"
"Yes..." Legolas replied with a clenched fist. "But no less ugly."
Tauriel simply smirked as she walked away. On her way out she passed by the human maiden, who gave her a fleeting look of loathing that even the less-observant dwarves did not miss. Once the warrior left she turned toward the Elf-Prince with an icy stare.
"Selene..."
"What is happening, Legolas?" The maiden now known as Selene asked in Elvish. "Why are these dwarves here?"
"I do not know yet. I will tell you once I know more, I promise." He could see in her eyes that she doubted him. For a moment he forgot himself and reached out to cup her cheek. "Gweston."
Some part of her almost didn't want to believe him. She wanted to stay angry, to keep herself cold and distant like she knew she should. But the bigger part of her knew that wasn't fair. Legolas was a lot of things, but a liar was certainly not one of them. With difficulty she looked into his steel blue eyes and nodded curtly. He gave her a hint of a smile before promptly leaving the prison, undoubtedly to speak with his father.
Selene lingered in the prison a while longer, leaning against the wall and hating herself for missing his touch.
Balin, the ever watchful and tactful dwarf, watched the scene and thought quickly. He seized the moment of her vulnerability to maybe give them another chance of freedom, in the case that Thorin managed to muck things up with the King.
"My lady, may I have a word?" He asked, keeping his voice soft and kind.
Selene, surprised that the dwarf had spoken to her, nodded slowly. "Yes, Master Dwarf?"
"My lady, I would like to apologize for my brother's earlier outburst," Balin pointed to Dwalin, who looked utterly suspicious and confused. "You see, we've come a long way and have faced many trials. Please forgive us if our demeanor seems harsh. I assure you that we are usually very hospitable and polite. Aren't we, lads?"
There was a beat of confused silence, and then a chorus of confirmations and smiles.
He smiled at Selene, and was relieved when she smiled softly in return. "Of course, Master Dwarf." She looked to Dwalin. "Everything is forgiven."
Dwalin bowed to her. No sooner did she turn her back he shot his brother a doubtful look.
"I may not be an elf but I am not so stupid, Master Dwarf. I know you think I can help you achieve freedom because of what you have witnessed between the prince and I," Selene said, her voice sharp but kind. Balin's heart dropped a little at her words. "But I can not. No one holds King Thandruil's ear. I would not hazard to try, either."
Balin dropped his head, his last hope for freedom dead.
"If you don't mind me asking," Kili said. "Who are you? I've never known the elves to keep mortals around, and your Elvish is quite good..."
Selene smiled softly. "I was raised here. They call me Selene Calithileth."
"And what do you do here?"
"I..." She was hesitant to answer, and, after a few moments thought the better of her response. "Nothing important. I'm a nobody, really."
The sunny rays of opportunity shined again, and Balin knew he had to keep the conversation open and honest. "Oh now, I'm sure that is not true! How old are you, my lady? If I may ask?"
"Twenty-one." Selene replied without hesitation.
"Twenty-one! That's quite young in dwarf years!" Nori chimed in.
"Yes, in Elven years as well." She said with a solemn nod of her head. "And they have no qualms about letting me know I am nothing but a child in their eyes."
"That must be difficult for you." said Balin.
Selene shrugged but said nothing. Dwalin quickly took the reigns of the conversation and dug a little deeper. "What about that warrior lass with the fire-red hair? I couldn't help noticing the tension..."
Kili's ears perked up and he listened intently to her response, hanging on every word she said.
Selene's eyes dulled and her body tensed. "Tauriel? I respect her as a warrior but..." she sighed and shook her head, thinking the better of it before she answered truthfully. "Enough about me. I want to know about you. What brings a company of dwarves to Mirkwood?"
Thorin would be angry with him for telling, Balin knew, but something told him to share this information with the young bard. And so he did. She listened to his every word, eyes bright with interest yet filled with sadness and understanding. By the time the story was finished she was looking around at all of the dwarves pensively, and they knew they had her pity.
But before she could respond a dark cloud in the form of Tauriel entered the room. Once again Selene's body language shifted and she was as cold and distant as a mountain.
"Selene! I thought you'd be at the party." said Tauriel. "You should not be down here. The prisoners are dangerous."
Selene stood more upright and straightened her dress. Without another word she quickly made her exit, unaware that an invisible Bilbo Baggins was just around the corner.
...
Tauriel hadn't joined the party, Legolas noticed. She was not on duty that night and it was strange for her to miss an opportunity to be worry-free for a night. Though he thought it would be better to leave it be considering the current situation between them, he went to find her anyway.
And find her he did. On a whim he went to the prison where he found her with the young dwarf. She was sitting on the step next to his cell, listening with keen interest as he told a her a story. She was smiling, laughing—she was happy.
Something hit Legolas in the chest when he realized that he had never seen Tauriel truly happy. She had never smiled like that, not even when she was announced as the captain of the guard. There was something different in her face. The light...it touched her eyes. No, she never looked like that. Not even for him.
Though their business was finished many years ago and he had found another, it was like a sting to his chest to see Tauriel so content and at peace in that moment with a stranger—with a dwarf of all creatures! As much as Legolas hated to admit it, even to himself, it hurt.
...
Selene watched him stare for several minutes. He failed to notice her, he was so wrapped up in his ogling. Something clawed at Selene's insides that made her want to cry. She had to turn away for fear of an outburst, and quickly made for her chambers to deal with her emotions privately.
She was halfway to her chambers when she heard him calling her name. She thought about stopping for him but made the decision to keep walking as if she had never heard him.
"Selene, you hear me." Legolas said. "Daro." There was a certain edge in his voice that served as a warning. Though she knew he would not hurt her, she knew enough to listen to the Elf-Prince.
"No, ernil nín?"
Legolas flinched at the formal addressing. "You do not have to be so formal with me, Selene. Not in private."
Selene whipped around, the mocking expression in her eyes just barely covering her hurt. "That is not your title? You are not my prince?"
Legolas stepped toward her. "You are upset..."
He reached to touch her face, and she promptly slapped his hand away. He was taken aback and clearly wounded by her rejection. She too was taken aback by her actions. She not only slapped away the affections of her prince, but also the man she was still undeniably in love with.
"Please forgive me." She gasped. "I don't know what came over me—"
"There is nothing to forgive, meleth nín." He leaned in and kissed her brow. Selene nearly gasped at the contact and unconsciously slid her arms around his neck. He pulled her closer by her waist and held her firmly.
"Legolas..."
He inhaled the unique scent of her hair and placed a kiss to the top of her head. "Come, Selene. We shall speak in private."
The empty halls of Mirkwood Palace allowed the pair to slip into her chambers un-noticed by prying eyes. King Thandruil had gifted her with a bedroom that overlooked a thriving creek. It was their favorite place to meet and spend time together. The peace and tranquility made for easier and more honest conversations. The two sat on her bed and slowly he weaved his fingers through hers.
"I still have your love?" Legolas asked softly.
"Of course! Legolas," she reached up and caressed his soft cheek. He leaned into her touch, savoring the feeling of her skin. "I told you once that you had my heart...and you still do."
She placed his hand over heart. His eyes fell closed as he listened to the hypnotic and steady rhythm of her heart.
"The question is...do I hold your heart? Or do I share it with another?" Selene asked.
Legolas could feel and hear her heart start to race in anticipation of his answer. He opened his eyes to look into hers. He indeed loved her, and that was why he would not lie.
"I am conflicted," said Legolas. "My feelings for Tauriel are strong. I am just not sure in what way. There is love...though I am not sure to what extent."
Selene's heart dropped. Any self-control she had left her when her eyes betrayed her and sent tears running down her cheeks. The sight of his love crying on his account broke his heart and he hurriedly moved to wipe her tears from her cheeks.
"Please, do not cry!" He pleaded softly. "It is you that holds my heart. I love you, Selene. That is why I must sort this out."
She got to her feet and retreated to the bathing room. He followed and knocked on the door softly. "Meleth nín, I only want to do what is right and fair..."
He heard the soft sounds of her crying. She stayed in the room for a while trying to get a hold on her emotions. Though they were honest, his words had hurt. The thought of having to share him, even just a little, with another woman was more than she could handle.
But...Legolas was a good man. In the years Selene had known him she knew him to be honest and fair, always striving to make everyone happy. He did love her, there was no question about that. His intentions were not to hurt her. He simply needed a little time...
Selene wiped the tears from her eyes and regained some composure. A few deep breaths later she stood from the bench she had been sitting on and moved to the mirror. Her hands moved to pull down the shoulder of her dress down her arm to reveal the deep scar over her heart. Her fingers traced the raised and discolored flesh as they did everyday for the past four months. It reminded her of the blessing and curse of it's origin.
He needed time to sort everything out. It was only fair. He had given her plenty of time to make her decisions, and now she must give him his. Patience and probable heartache were her price to pay, but she trusted Legolas. She trusted their love.
Selene fixed her hair and cleaned her face. When she opened the door she found Legolas waiting for her.
"Legolas, my love..." She retook his hand and pressed his palm to her still exposed scar. "I understand. I believe in you. I will wait...however long it takes."
He smiled softly and leaned in for a kiss. They both knew that shouldn't have been doing this. Since ending their relationship some months before they both made sure to keep their distance, lest they fell into each other's arms once again. But caution was thrown into the wind as they kissed and pulled each other close.
It had been so long since this had happened, and Selene's knees were starting to buckle as Legolas kissed her neck.
"Legolas..."
She did not need to say anything. Without a word Legolas effortlessly picked her up and gently placed her on her bed. He kissed her once more before separating himself and backing away from the bed.
"I should go." He said. "You need your rest and I need to check on the prisoners—"
"Stay with me?" She sat up and tugged gently at his sleeve. "Please, meleth nín? Just for one night. I miss you."
He missed her too and obliged without a second thought. He pulled off his boots and laid down his weapons. He topped her and immediately made to lovingly kiss her scar.
"Le melin, Selene."
...
Tauriel had lost all track of time. She had been so preoccupied with the dwarf's stories that time had slipped away from her. The sun had vanished and the moon was shining brightly; a reminder that she needed a bath and a change of clothes.
"Your stories are fascinating, Master Dwarf—"
"Kili," he insisted. "My name is Kili."
Tauriel smiled softly. "Your stories are very interesting, Kili, but I'm afraid the hour is late and I must be going."
Kili frowned. "So soon?"
She laughed softly. "It has been hours..."
"I know, but there are still a few things I'm curious about."
She raised an eyebrow. "Such as what?"
"The girl. That Selene," Kili was just grasping at straws at this point, to keep the beautiful elf by his side. To his relief Tauriel returned to her seat by his cell and leaned forward to listen. "She said she has been living here for quite a while. I've never known elves to foster mortals, especially the King Thandruil."
At this Tauriel huffed. "It is a long story. Very...complicated."
A wide smile stretched across the handsome dwarf's face. "We've got time. I'm not going anywhere..."
Gweston = I swear
Daro= stop
No, ernil nín? = Yes, my prince?
Meleth nín = my love
Le melin = I love you