"Legolas said you fought well today."

Tauriel glanced up in surprise, for praises given by the King, or the prince for that matter, were rare and never lightly uttered.

King Thranduil's next words, however, were like a blow. "He has grown very fond of you." His piercing stare was somewhat accusing.

Taken aback, Tauriel stammered, "I assure you, my Lord, Legolas thinks of me as no more than Captain of the Guard."

"Perhaps he did once. But now, I'm not so sure."

Surely not, she thought. The prince was her comrade, one of the few warriors in the kingdom who had commanded her respect. Perhaps, they were even more than comrades, for she treasured him as a dear friend.

But she could not hide the slight blush that crept into her cheeks, nor the furtive smile that danced at her lips. And perhaps, neither could she quell the small hope that swelled in her chest.

"I, I do not think you would allow your son to pledge himself to a lowly Silvan elf," she replied. After all, Legolas was a prince, and herself, an orphan who rose amongst the ranks to finally earn herself the position. Their very friendship, even, had surprised the noble court.

The king's last words were like ice to her heart, "You are right, l would not."

"Still, he cares about you. Do not give him hope where there is none."

Indeed, there was none...

It was three hundred years ago when she first met Prince Legolas.

Then, she hadn't had the presence of mind to acknowledge that the King and the prince was before her. Her eyes, instead, were glued to three unmoving bodies before her.

"It was the spiders, my lord. We know not what sparked the sudden attack."

Spiders.

Her vision blurred. But she would not cry... Not now. When there was still much to do.

She felt a hand upon her shoulder, and gazed into the sorrowful eyes of her King. A rare glimpse of compassion from their proud, but protective ruler.

"Your father was an exceptional captain of the guard, Tauriel. And a good friend," she heard the deep voice of King Thranduil's. But all that she could think of was, "My lord, please allow to fight."

She took her eyes off from the bodies of her Ada, Naneth, and her throat tightened at the sight of her younger brother.

She had fastened the cloak around her brother when he was leaving to join the royal guards, pinning it with the very same brooch that her mother had once given her. "Promise me you'll stay safe."

She glanced at the other bodies that laid unmoving and said, "My father taught me to fight. I will prove my worth in the guards."

And I will eliminate the darkness that is tainting our homes.

"It shall be as you wish then. Legolas will train you together with the new recruits. And when he thinks you are ready, you may join the guard."