Under The Stars

He had always wanted to tell her, but he had never found the right words or the right moment. But now he knew he had to tell her.

Legolas stood in the entrance to the training grounds, leaning against a tall pillar, he was hidden from the training grounds by a thick, short hedge. The sun was cold in the pale sky; it was slowly fading into winter, soon snow and frost would be covering the forest. The elves do not mind the icy chill but the snowflakes stung their delicate skin.

Tauriel was the only one in the grassy clearing, she was practising shooting arrows at a thick tree, but was failing misserably, Legolas didn't understand what was troubling her, there was a slight breeze in the air, but not enough to cause her arrows to fail her. He puzzled over the she elf.

She knew it could never happen, but she loved him more than anything. She couldnt get him off her mind, not even battle training could comfort her uneasy mind. She cried out in silent anger as her arrow, once again, missed the target. She whirled around in frustration, straight into the prince's arms.

"What troubles you, dear Tauriel?" He held her firmly, but not tight, his hands resting on her shoulders.

Tauriel saw concern in the blond elf's blue eyes, her heart began to flutter as he slid his hands down her arms and held her hands loosly in his. Her voice was shakier than she had expected it to be.

"Nothing is troubling me, my prince."

He smiled warmly at her, "I have told you do not call me prince, you do not need to."

Tauriel nodded her head a little.

"Are you sure you there is nothing on your mind? I have been watching you and I am confused at your inaccuracy." He furrowed his brows slightly.

Tauriel felt a hint of annoyance that her secret love had seen her failing, but it quickly dissapeared as she remembered she was in his arms. "Yes my prin- Legolas," she smiled as his name escaped her lips, "I am not troubled, just a little weary"

"If you are sure, but I can meet you here tonight and train with you, if you wish?" He felt his stomach flip as she nodded her head, he gently kissed her forehead, hoping she would not feel his gesture strange, and let his hands slip from hers. He turned and walked back to the palace, smiling happily to himself.

Tauriel stood in the grassy clearing, the touch of his lips still lingered on her skin, they had never been so close before.

She remembered Kili, she had never loved him more than a friend, he had loved her more than the world. When Legolas had been away as one of the fellowship her heart had yearned and prayed for him to be safe, not one day passed without thinking of him.

"Legolas thinks of me no more than a friend." She convinced herself.

She gave a dissapointed sigh then returned to her chambers to ready for the evening meal.

She stood facing her refection, carefully braiding her hair. She was wearing her normal clothing, it was simliar to her green hunting clothes but it was a gold brown colour and the tunic fell just above her knees, shorter than her hunting tunic, she also wore brown leggings and golden, shin high, boots.

Taking a deep breath she exited her room and walked down the twisting wooden stairs to the main hall. As usual, there were many elves sat around dark circular tables, laughing and joking together. Tauriel caught the prince's eye, he was wearing dark green clothes and black knee high boots.

He looked into her deep green eyes, she looked so beautiful, as usual. A smile began to spread over his face as she gave a small nod to him, their short moment together earlier had left him wondering whether she too was in love...

He sat on the high table with his father, Thranduil, and other elves of high position. The captain of the guard could sit with them if she wished, but she usually did not, Legolas wondered if maybe today she would choose differently. The smile left his face as he realised she would not; two of her friends had taken her hands and whisked her over to a table of other giggling she elves.

Legolas found himself staring at the red haired elf as she laughed with her friends, he turned to his father. "Please, may I go sit with the others?"

Thranduil turned to face his son, a shocked look on his face. "Of course not! You are a prince, a high Sindarin elf! You do not mingle with the Silvan sort at these sort of events."

Legolas bowed his head, his father was right he belonged with the other high elves, for this time; he had not forgotten his plan to help Tauriel with her training tonight. He sat back and waited for the feast to end, watching the beautiful red haired elf.

After what seemed like 1000 years, the feast finally ended and the hundreds of elves filed out of the vast hall. Legolas watched as Thranduil rose and also left; his father would not approve of his meeting with Tauriel, let alone his feelings for her!

Legolas stood at the end of the hall, until all the other elves had left. He looked around and saw Tauriel bidding goodnight to her friends before turning back and walking over to him.

His heart lept as she drew nearer, her radiance shone into his skin and gave him the feeling of new life. They greeting each other and then walked to the training grounds, picking up their bows and arrows along the way.

Her heart was beating fast as Tauriel followed the prince out into the night. The air was sharp with the smell of winter but the stars beamed down their warmth upon the grass, made silver by the bright cresent moon.

They were alone, together.

Legolas pulled back an arrow in his bow and it hit the centre of the tree target with ease. Tauriel followed his lead, but her hands shook as he took a step towards her, sending her arrow shooting past the tree. She sighed in annoyance and nocked another arrow into place, this time she felt the prince's steady hands moving her hand back and lifting her bow slightly. However this made her twitch; her arrow again hit only the ground.

"Sorry, I'm sure I'll be perfectly alright tomorrow." She looked at the ground, she felt so stupid. She picked up her quiver and turned to leave but Legolas grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. She dropped her bow and quiver, arrows spilling onto the grass.

"Tauriel, I- there's something I've wanted to tell you, for a long time now." His eyes shone blue, like the sky on a beautiful day. Her heart skipped a beat as she realised that he did, indeed, love her. He took a deep breath but before he could continue Tauriel cut in.

"There's something I have been meaning to say too."

Legolas gazed into her forest green eyes, his heart beat faster. Tauriel moved closer, so their bodies were touching, he wrapped his arms around her back. She took a breath then whispered the three words that meant the world to him.

"I love you."

He smiled as she began to run her hands through his long hair. He placed his head on hers and whispered back to her.

"I love you too."

A raging river of emotion rushed through Legolas as he moved his face down to hers. Tauriel felt her heart beat increasing as she slid her hands up his chest and around his neck.

He slowly pressed his lips to hers.

Tauriel felt the warm touch of his lips on hers as she closed her eyes, he gently deepened the kiss, all his unspoken love in the one gentle touch. She kissed him back, her stomach turning sumersaults.

Finally he broke away, both elves looked at one another with so much love, Tauriel drowned in the blue eyes of the prince. Before she could get her breath back Legolas pushed his face into her hair and trailed soft kisses down her neck.

"Tauriel..." He whispered her name after each kiss. She whispered his name back in a soft, silver voice.

Legolas rested his head on her shoulder, but looked up as her voice turned serious.

"Legolas, what if your father finds out about us?"

The prince looked at her with a worried expression, but it soon disappeared and he kissed her again.

But little did they know, the king was standing by a small window on the wooden stairs to his chambers, it overlooked the training grounds. A dissaproving frown of stone formed upon his face and an infuriating emotion seeped into his soul...