Chapter 1

Tauriel POV

Thunk, thunk, thunk. The sound of the arrows hitting the center of the targets one after another is most satisfying to me. Turning back, I aimed again at the first target, attempting to split the first arrow I had lodged in it. The second I let the arrow out through my fingers, I knew it would not hit its mark perfectly. Sure enough, the arrow glanced off the first one and fell to the forest floor. I reached behind me into my quiver and produced a second arrow, notching it in my bow. I tried to remember everything Legolas had taught me about my stance and position. I pulled the arrow back and tried again. It seemed better, but still did not hit perfectly, again glancing off the first arrow. I ground my heel into the dirt in frustration.

"Would you like a hand, my lady?" The familiar, silky voice comes from up high in the trees. I look up scanning for the elf whilst shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand. Suddenly, someone drops behind me and I am so surprised, my instincts kick in. I yank my daggers out from their sheathes on my back in a split second, while wheeling around and striking at my attacker. His arm moves fast as lightning, bringing his sword up and meeting my daggers with a clash of metal. I look into the piercing blue eyes and gasp.

"I am so sorry, Legolas! I do not know what I was thinking!"

"It is not a crime to have impeccable reflexes, Tauriel," The blonde haired elf responded amiably. "As I was saying, would you like a hand?"

"S-sure" I said, still a little flustered. With a knowing smile, Legolas said,

"Show me your stance." I put my left foot forward, my right back, loaded my arrow and drew the bow back. Legolas stood right behind me and put his hands over mine. I could feel his steady heart beating and his large, smooth hands on mine. He had always done this when we were younger and he was training me, but now it felt different. I blinked and shook the feeling off.

"Good, now aim your gaze right there," Legolas said, pointing. "Follow my lead." Together we pulled the bow back, aimed and let go. The arrow sailed perfectly through the air and split the first one right down the center. "You try that one." Legolas motioned with his hand towards the second target. I took my stance and aimed at the target, letting the arrow fly. Sure enough, it split the other arrow clean in half. Legolas smiled and said, "See? You didn't forget, you just needed a quick reminder." I smiled back at him, meeting his gaze for a moment.

"Thanks mellon," I said sincerely.

"Anytime, Tauriel."

Legolas POV

The elleth turned towards the third and final target with a determined look upon her soft features. Again, her aim was spot on and she split her original arrow in half. She stared at the target with a triumphant gaze.

"You may be better than me at archery, mellon, but I bet I can still beat you in a spar," Tauriel challenged.

"Okay," I answered her challenge. "You decide the rules." With a smug smile she declared,

"Daggers and physical fighting only. No swords, no bow and arrows."

"Then I accept your challenge." Daggers were Tauriel's favorite weapon and she was quick and fierce with them. I knew that if I were to beat her, I would have to disarm her first, and even then, she was a spectacular physical fighter. But as Prince of Mirkwood and co-trainer of the new guards along with Tauriel, I was confident in my abilities. I turned to face her, waiting for her to make the first move. She struck, her daggers aiming for my abdomen in a would-be-harmful move if I were anything but a swift, experienced fighter. My instances kicked in and I raised my daggers up to meet hers. We fought for what felt like ages, stabbing, slashing, parrying, and blocking. After awhile, I could see I was gaining a slight upper hand. Tauriel's movements were becoming slightly sluggish as she tired. As she slashed one of her daggers at my chest, I caught her blade with mine and twisted my hand downward, disarming her. I kicked the weapon across the clearing so she couldn't recover it. Now all I had to do was keep her on the opposite side of the clearing from her weapon and I had two daggers to her one. But that was still not an easy task. She stayed back this time letting me make the first move. I slowly walked up, creating suspense. I feigned a slash towards her head which she ducked but as she did that, I tripped her with the hilt of my other dagger. She recovered quickly and got up but not before I had completely disarmed her, leaving her weaponless. Knowing she was almost defeated, Tauriel threw a punch towards my stomach, hoping to knock the wind out of me. I caught the punch, spinning her around so that her back was against my chest and putting my dagger gently to her neck. "I win." I smiled pleasantly, releasing my hold on her.

"This time, maybe," she bantered back. "But I am still one of the only elves who can beat the Prince in combat." To that I bowed my head in modesty.

"You are a fierce fighter, Tauriel." She blushed profusely at my compliment.

"Le fael, my Prince."

"Please, Tauriel. Legolas is perfectly fine. There is no need for formalities with me." I looked towards her eyes and almost as if feeling my gaze upon hers, she raised her eyes and met mine, holding them for a pause, green meeting blue.

"Thanks, mellon."

I unexplainably felt my heart sink when she said that for the third time that day. Tauriel was my dearest friend but sometimes I suspected there might be something more I felt for her that even I hardly knew of.

"Are you okay, Legolas? A shadow has passed over your face." I quickly put a smile on my face. She had noticed. Then again, I should have known. Tauriel observes every little detail around her. That is one of the things I greatly admire about her.

"I'm fine, Tauriel. Tolo, we should get back to the palace before they close the gates on us."

We walked back to the palace side by side in a comfortable silence. After passing through the gates, we paused before parting ways for the evening. "Goodnight, Tauriel. It was a pleasure sparring with you today. Would you like to do it again tomorrow? Swords this time?"

"There is no way I could turn down a chance to redeem myself. Of course, Legolas. Goodnight." She spun on her heel and headed down the hall to her chambers. I watched her go before heading my separate way.

I aimed to retire to my chambers but my father stopped me in my tracks with a hand on my shoulder.

"Son, may I talk to you privately?" I looked curiously at my father. He hardly ever talked to me privately.

"Of course, Ada," I replied, inclining my head to him in a gesture of respect. He led me into his throne room, ordering all the guards to leave us alone for a minute. Thranduil climbed the stairs to his throne and sat there, regally looking down upon me.

"I have noticed that you have been spending a lot of time with the captain of the guards, Tauriel, lately, Legolas. You have grown very fond of her." It was a statement, not a question.

"She is a dear friend and fighting companion, Ada," I replied.

"I have quite a few ellith of royalty lined up to talk to at the Feast of Starlight tomorrow night. I wish to gain you a betrothed of high status. Do not let Tauriel stand in the way of that." His response was what I feared.

"No, father! I can not marry for the sake of marrying an elleth of royal status. I shall wait until I find true love!" Thranduil sighed,

"At least give the ellith a chance, Legolas. Do not write them off before meeting them." With a curt nod, I wheeled around and strode, infuriated, out of the throne room.

Mellon - Friend

Le fael - Thank you

Tolo - Come

Ada - Father