A/N: Hi guys! Some of you may remember me or might have read my Avengers fanfiction. Well, I decided I'd try my hand at Lord of the Rings (slash Hobbit). This is just the beginning (and more of a prologue), and it's not really that plot-based, more emotion-based. I'd like some constructive feedback, if you please; let me know what you think. I have no idea how often chapters will be, how long they'll be, or anything of the sort.
Quick description: Legolas, our lovely elf prince, feels he may have a thing for Tauriel, his dear friend and Captain of the Mirkwood Guard. However, he fears she does not love him back, and his father disapproves. Things get even more complicated when the dwarves show up into his father's kingdom, and Legolas and Tauriel take part in the Battle of Five Armies. (and yes, things will get sad eventually)
(NOTE: This will be in the LOTR section, so Tauriel will unfortunately not be a listed character.)
(NOTE: I will also not be using any Elvish, since I don't know any, so bear with me)
Let me know what you think!
Thanks,
~PJA

Chapter 1

Unknown date

"Tauriel!"

Despite the sudden distraction, Tauriel did not falter. The arrow hit the bird straight on, between the eyes. Perfect shot.

She turned to face him. She gave him a look that was a mixture of confusion and slight annoyance. "What is it, Legolas?"

He loved the way his name rolled off her tongue. Not lingering too long on the e like some did. It sounded just like the way his mother used to say it to him when she put him to bed at night.

"I hate to distract you from your practice," Legolas replied, "but my father requests your presence."

In her eyes he saw a flash of what he recognized as not again. "This is the third time this week your father has requested to speak with me." Light as a feather, and making no sound, she dropped from the rock she had perched on and came down to his level. "Does this not strike you as odd?"

"Perhaps." Now that he thought about it, it did seem odd. His father did not prefer to speak with anyone, if he could avoid it. Even if that person was Tauriel, Captain of the Guard.

"Think about it, Legolas." Tauriel began to pace. "More spiders have been frequenting this kingdom, threatening our lands. Your father speaks with me more and more. Do you not think something dark is approaching?"

Legolas loved it when she talked about the things she was passionate about. She got a certain glint in her eyes, a glow in her cheeks. She lit up, like a star.

"I think it could be a possibility," Legolas replied. "But we do not know anything for sure." Legolas held out his hand. "Come, Tauriel. My father awaits."

She did not take his hand, but she gave him a smile and set off toward the palace. She was faster than him, and quickly passed him. Her pace was silent, and the sun shone on her through the trees. With the sunshine caressing her, her hair looked like a bright flame. A fire blazing through the trees, touching everything in her path, never leaving them the same. Bright red, like her fierce heart, feisty and spontaneous attitude, and her fighting belief to do what she believed right.

She turned. "Why so slow, Legolas? Come on!" She began to run, her long red hair flowing behind her. The forest was her element; she had told him so many times. It was where she belonged; where she felt the most at home. Where she was the most happy.

All he wanted was for her to be happy.

"Good luck. My father can be a bit...stubborn."

Tauriel chuckled. "I can handle your father. I've faced worse." She paused for a moment. "Go back to your post, Legolas. They'll need you."

"Don't worry, I shall." He had no intention of going back to his post.

Tauriel said nothing more, and slipped into the adjacent room to meet with the king.

Legolas remained where he was.

The quiet of the halls. The whirring of his own thoughts. The soft creaking of a door opening.

"Legolas?"

Legolas glanced from his perch against the wall. "Tauriel."

"What are you doing here? You should be at your post."

"I waited for you."

Tauriel narrowed her eyes. "I do not need your protection, least of all from your father, Legolas. Come. Let's go back to your post."

"Look at the stars, Legolas. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"

He tried his hardest to hold back his true feelings and instead said, "Yes, they're quite beautiful." Stars were the most beautiful thing in the Elven world. In the forest, they could see the stars from just about anywhere.

They were out in the forest, not fifteen minutes from the palace, lying in the grass. Tauriel wanted to look at the natural beauty of the stars. Legolas wanted to go with her.

"Do you remember when we were young, and we would run off into the night, chasing the stars?" Tauriel asked him, continuing to stare up at the sky. "It seems like such a silly thing. Chasing the stars."

"I also remember asking my father to go beyond the kingdom one day, and explore." Legolas chuckled. "Now that's a silly thing."

This made her laugh. "Indeed." She sighed. "Running off into the woods, trying to hunt on our own. We were ambitious little elflings."

"Trying to hunt down orcs as small children." He meant it in a light tone, but when he looked at Tauriel, he saw that the smile had left her face, and the light momentarily faded from her eyes. He must have struck a nerve. Legolas wanted to smack himself. The fate of her parents had slipped from his mind.

"Hey. Don't think about that. There's nothing to be done now."

She didn't speak. "I guess you're right." For a moment, they lay there in silence, with nothing but the birds chirping around them to break it.

"I do wonder what is beyond the borders. I have always wanted to journey beyond the kingdom, explore the world outside. To live my life to the fullest, until the end of my days."

"You'll find out someday, Tauriel. I promise."