It was a sunny spring afternoon. Legolas was hiding behind a big tree as a group of young elves dressed as warriors were closing in on him. Across the little forest path, behind another big tree, was Tauriel. Also hiding and waiting for the right time to attack.
Legolas smiled at her and she smiled back. They have known each other for a few months now. He well remembered the first time he laid his eyes on her – she was practicing shooting with her bow. Legolas was impressed by how good she was and so he decided to approach her. They were best friends ever since. They spent every free moment together. Sword practicing, bow practicing and bare hands fighting were a big part of their hanging out. A few weeks ago they made special arrows and protective coats so they could include other children from Tauriel's village in their games. They were all a little younger than the pair and were very happy that they could play with much more experienced teen elves. They saw battles Legolas and Tauriel organized as a game, while Legolas and Tauriel knew they were actually practicing some real warrior techniques.
As soon as Legolas and Tauriel shared a smile, a bunch of kids run from different corners of the forest. Both Tauriel and Legolas started to fire their arrows in their attackers. The arrows were designed the way that they stayed attached to the children protective coats if they were hit. That way, the kids weren't able to cheat and Tauriel and Legolas knew who hit more targets.
As always, this game finished with laughing and tired young elves. They drop their coats, so Tauriel will be able to storage it till the next game day and they run to their homes. Legolas was helping Tauriel with stacking the coats and pulling arrows off it.
"So… 13 blue arrows and 15 green. I guess you won, Tauriel."
"I guess I did."
Legolas put all game props into a big bag Tauriel was holding for him.
"I have to go. My afternoon sword practice will start any minute now."
"I know. But I will wait here for you as planned."
He smiled, bowed his head a little as a goodbye and left.
Legolas usually had two weapons practice a day with his mentor Arahaelon, who was the best warrior and teacher in their kingdom. But every lesson was less and less interesting as Legolas himself was becoming better and better every day. If Arahelon had a bad day, Legolas didn't even have to put any effort in his fighting to win. To be honest, even on Arheleon's good day, Legolas didn't need to sweat any more. Lately, the only real challenge for him was Tauriel. She could fight and shoot just as good as he could, if not better. To win a duel with her, he had to focus with every cell in his body.
Considering all this, and after today's morning practice when Arahelon told Legolas that in the afternoon somebody else will be teaching him, Legolas and Tauriel found a way to better spent Legolas' time. The plan was that he would go to practice, win a sparring contest or two with this substitute mentor, told him he was bored and left to do some real training with Tauriel instead. So his conscience would be clear and his time well spent.
He was already late and he didn't bother to go to his chambers first to pick up his weapons, but went straight to the training room. He didn't like to practice in this place. It was lit with only artificial light and it always smelled funny. Especially in spring, when spending time outside was just so much better.
Legolas entered the training room and was thinking that he might talk to his father about training outside. Only at this moment he took a good look at his substitute mentor and realized who he was – the man he was just thinking about. His father.
Legolas' fair skin turned even a shade paler. His "I'm already bored" posture disappeared into an elf-worthy one, even if his brains weren't able to form any words yet. It was his body's automatic response for when seeing his father. Finally his tongue managed to overcome shock and speak.
"My Lord."
Thranduil was patiently waiting for his son to collect himself. He had heard from Arahelon that Legolas was not interested in practicing any more, that his attitude was not appropriate and that he thought he was better than everyone else. So Thranduil himself proposed the mentor to take his role for the day.
"I believe you are late, Legolas."
"I got lost while wandering the forest."
"I am your father and your king. Do not lie to me."
Legolas was ashamed for a moment that he even tried to lie to his father. He couldn't meet his eyes. He didn't know what to say.
At this moment Thranduil decided he had been patient enough and had thrown one of his swords toward his son. Legolas reacted quickly and caught the sword. He looked at his father surprised.
"Where are your weapons, Legolas?"
"I don't have it here, sir."
"I can see that."
Thranduil waited a moment if his son might tell him the truth about where he was and why he came empty handed to the lesson. Legolas stayed quiet.
"We will talk after the training."
Thranduil did show a few fighting tricks to his son when Legolas was still very young. Right after Legolas started to practice regularly and for real, he was assigned Arahelon, who trained him ever since. Legolas didn't imagine he will ever have to fight with his father and it made him nervous. Arahelon might be the best warrior and mentor in the kingdom, but that statement excluded the king. Legolas saw his father fight before and he knew there is no way he could take him.
"I've heard that you think you don't need your mentor anymore."
Legolas once again didn't know how to reply. His heart was beating to fast in his chest; all he wanted to do was run out the door behind him. He would probably make it, but then what?
"Let's see how good you really are."
Saying this, Thranduil swung his sword towards Legolas. Legolas instinctively fought back.
The sparing lasted for a few minutes, Legolas mostly avoiding his father's sword, rarely getting the chance to attack. Thranduil's moves were swifter and more elegant by second, while Legolas was getting more and more exhausted and clumsy.
Finally Legolas managed to hit Thranduil's sword properly and the sword flew out of his father's grip. The sweet moment of victory was short though. Thranduil moved so fast, Legolas couldn't even see what was going on. First he felt a sharp pain in his hand that made him drop his own sword. Then he suddenly felt another pain caused by his father's elbow hitting his face. His vision blurred and he lost his balance.
When the assault was over Legolas realized he didn't lose his balance due to a hit to his face but was maneuvered to the floor by his father's restraining move. He now was seating on the floor, his father behind him and his father's hand wrapped uncomfortably around Legolas's neck, preventing him to move. Thranduil moved his head closer to his son's and whispered to his ear.
"You fight well, my son. But not jet well enough."
By doing so, Thranduil's grip around Legolas' neck tightened and it became hard to breathe. Thranduil noticed his son's discomfort and released him from his iron hands.
Finally free, Legolas jumped back at his feet. He touched his aching face and when he brought his hands back down again, he noticed there was thick red thing all over his fingers. Again he felt like he couldn't breathe and his vision blurred once more. He felt lightheaded and would probably collapse if his father was not immediately by his side, guiding him to sit on a bench nearby.
"Breathe, Legolas."
Legolas didn't know exactly what was going on, he was confused, his eyes unable to focus on anything in the room.
Thranduil put his hands gently on Legolas' neck and turned his face towards himself.
"It's ok, relax."
Legolas' eyes finally focused on his father's.
"You're bleeding for the first time. You'll be fine. It can be terrifying for an elf to see his own blood. You are alright, I promise, Legolas."
Legolas gave his father a little nod but it was a mistake for his world started to spin even stronger than it did before. Thranduil guided Legolas towards him and let his son rest on his chest for a while.
"Just breathe, my son."
In the meantime Tauriel was losing hope to see Legolas again today. The sun was setting, elves were retiring back to their homes and she stayed alone on the meadow by her village. She wasn't angry. She knew he would come back if he could. After all Legolas was the prince and he couldn't put her before his duties. She was used to it by now. She was aware nobody at court knew she existed. Not long after she met Legolas for the first time they had that conversation. They were afraid if the king knew they were hanging out, he would forbid them to see each other again. After all, she was just a girl from a farmhouse. So they decided to wait for the right moment to introduce her to the king. Tauriel always wanted to join the king's guard, and Legolas would do everything to make her wish come true.
She looked around again, just to check if she had all arrows and coats in her bag and then started towards her house. She heard horses approaching down the meadow hill behind her and looked back to see who was coming. She immediately, even from the distance, recognized Legolas. What scared her was the figure sitting on the other horse, riding just beside her friend. She knew it was king Thranduil. She has seen him before on different celebrations and kingdom events and he always seemed frightening. She even remembered visiting the palace once with her dad. They met the king in his throne room. She didn't remember why her dad needed the audience with the king, but she remembered the creepy horns and branches decorating the room. She never wanted to be in there again. Her hands began to shake. She couldn't remember why exactly she wanted to be in the royal guard if she was so uncomfortable with the presence of her king.
The horses stopped right in front of her. Legolas gave her a warm and apologetic smile so she managed to relax a little. She shifted her look towards the king and she realized she had no idea what a proper protocol was when greeting the king. So she just bowed a little and stayed quiet.
"You must be Tauriel, the warrior my son was telling me about."
"Yes, my lord. I am Tauriel."
"I hear you would like to join my guard."
She panicky looked towards Legolas. He encouraged her with a small nod.
"Yes, my lord. It is my dream to join the guard one day."
"Are your parents at home?"
"Yes, they are."
"Then take us to your house. You can ride with Legolas."
Tauriel did what she was told and climbed on a horse behind Legolas. Their horse was leading the way. Tauriel waited until the king couldn't hear them anymore.
"What's going on, Legolas?"
"I am so sorry for this, Tauriel. I know we should decide together when the right time to introduce you to my father was, but I didn't have a choice. He was my substitute mentor today! I tried to lie to him where I was, why I was acting the way I was. It didn't end up well."
"So what will happen now?"
"I honestly don't know."
Tauriel noticed before how pale, exhausted and even a bit hurt Legolas was. But she didn't dare to ask until now.
"Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine."
They arrived to the place where Tauriel's family lived. They left horses at the yard and entered the house.
"Mom, dad, there is someone who would like to talk to you."
Tauriel's parents were sitting at the table, chatting and drinking tea. When they saw the new arrivals, they immediately rose from their seats and bowed to the king.
"Do you have any extra tea for me and my son?"
"Yes, of course, take a seat my lord!"
Tauriel's father took another three cups from the shelves and poured some tea for the king, the prince and his daughter.
"What can my family do for you, my lord?"
"I found out today that my son and your daughter were spending a lot of time together in the past few months."
Tauriel's mother gave her daughter a disbelieving look.
"I was not aware of it, my lord. I apologize. I promise it will not happen again. Please forgive her, she is still young."
"According to my son, she can fight well. She even wishes to join the royal guard one day."
"I am so sorry for the inconvenience. I promise I'll keep my daughter in check from now on."
Legolas and Tauriel shared a worried look. They were afraid they will not see each other again. Legolas was getting angry at his father. But of course, he stayed quiet. He always did. You did not talk back to your king.
"That is not why I am here. I would like to propose that Tauriel starts the training and proves her worthy joining my guard."
Both Legolas and Tauriel couldn't believe what they just heard. Tauriel wasn't able to hide her joy and she hugged Legolas who was sitting right beside her. She felt the king's eyes on her so she quickly composed herself.
"Sorry for that."
"But why would you let my daughter be a warrior? She originates from a simple peasant family."
"She must really have some serious skills and talent if she is a challenge for my son in fighting. I do not care where my warriors come from as long as they are able to protect this kingdom."
"Thank you, my lord."
"Do not thank me, Tauriel, just prove yourself. As any other warrior in training, you will have two mandatory training sessions a day; the morning one with Legolas and the afternoon one with Arahelon."
Legolas could still not believe his ears. He will be training with Tauriel every day, legally!
"So there will be three of us in the afternoons?"
"No, Legolas. You were right. There is truly nothing more Arahelon can teach you. From now on, you will be training with me."
Legolas suddenly felt a lump in his throat. He really didn't look forward to this. But on the other hand, he couldn't wait for his morning sessions with Tauriel alone.
Thranduil stood up and everyone followed his example. Tauriel's parents bowed again to their king. Thranduil and Legolas were escorted to their horses by Tauriel.
"See you tomorrow, Legolas."
Thranduil was secretly watching Tauriel's and his son's reactions and interactions all the time and was worried if there was something more going on than just friendship. Of course he could take the young girl without any title into his guard. But it was something completely else to let her come to close to the prince's heart. He hated what he needed to say next, but he had no choice.
"Tauriel, Legolas is your prince, not your buddy from the farm next door. From now on you will treat him rightfully. I am sure Arahelon will advise you on this matter."
Thranduil saw how he killed a sparkle in his son's and Tauriel's eyes. His heart was aching but he didn't show it.
"It's time to go, Legolas."