Disclaimer: Middle Earth and all of its characters (minus Tauriel who was created by Peter Jackson) belong to Sir Tolkein. A few of the OCs are mine, though.

Note: Please be advised that the timeline this story follows is not necessarily in line with the books, nor will some of the characters' back stories be entirely canonical, including Tauriel's. I believe that the background (or lack thereof) provided to us for Tauriel leaves a great opportunity for us writers to be creative with things. I hope you all enjoy, nonetheless!

CHAPTER ONE

It was a windy day.

Legolas watched the brown, crisp leaves break off from their tender petioles as an afternoon eddy blew from the East. Yet there were no clouds in the sky, only an endless blue, stretching out as far as he could see. There would be no rain. He gazed at the wooden tables being set out in the grassy glade. It was quite a distance from the kingdom, but the open skies would be needed for tonight's event and not the gray echoing confines of the hall, no matter how well it had served their great feasts before.

"They will be here in a moment," Aegnir said.

Legolas nodded in reply, gazing at the younger elf. He was a quiet fellow, but ruthless in trainings. However, he had never gone to battle yet, even if he was only about fifty years younger than him. Aegnir was always asked to stay in Mirkwood, his skill needed for the castle, even when hundreds of other elves marched out. But Legolas had high hopes for him. "Is everything ready for tonight?" he asked.

Like Legolas earlier, Aegnir turned his gaze to the glade. "Only the guests are missing," he answered, his eyes following the group of elves carrying harps and other instruments into a corner where several seats had already been set up.

They sat in silence, listening to the hustle of the elves who were making sure that everything—every little corner and detail—would be perfect for the night. "Will they come? The elves of Rivendell?" Aegnir asked after a while, breaking the silence.

Legolas turned to look at him. In the years that they had known each other, Aegnir rarely asked questions he already knew the answers to. They both knew there would be a gathering of elves from all dwellings, including Imladris. Legolas raised a brow in curiosity, yet decided to entertain the younger elf. "I believe so."

"All of them? Lord Elrond and all his children?" he inquired further.

Legolas nodded in reply, wondering where their conversation was going.

"Have you met them before?"

He stopped, then. "I have, but I do not understand what it is about the Rivendell elves that have made you so curious," he said.

Aegnir smiled. "I tell you this out of confidence, only because I know you do not judge as quickly as the others I have told my thoughts to," he paused, seemingly deciding on whether it was really best to say whatever was on his mind, but after a while, he spoke up. "I have heard the other elves whispering of a beauty from Rivendell, with her hair dark as night and skin so pale. A daughter of Lord Elrond," he stared expectantly at the prince.

"Ah," Legolas said thoughtfully. He had forgotten that Aegnir had never been to Rivendell yet. It was one of the repercussions of staying behind. Aegnir was acquainted with but a few elves outside of their home. Legolas knew who he was talking about, of course. Arwen, daughter of Elrond and grandchild of the Lady Galadriel. "You speak of Arwen," he said.

Aegnir nodded. "Yes. That is a name I have heard before."

Legolas viewed him thoughtfully. "I do not wish to pry, but I have to know, what is it that has made you so curious?" he hesitated, "Do you seek for love so early in life?" he asked.

His friend laughed. "Not love, prince... Beauty," he answered, and his gaze drifted off, it was as if he was taking in every flower that blossomed on the ground, every vein of the leaves that hung from the trees, every minute detail of the world around him. "There is a dreadful feeling that overtakes me these days, and I feel evil and all its ugliness is slowly coming to the world."

Legolas had felt it, too. There was a chill in the air. He could hear it in the whispers of the wind, he could smell it in the air, he could see it; in the growing restlessness of the elves around him, and even outside of Mirkwood. Things were stirring, some hiding, some opening to the thrill of danger that was about to abound. More troubling was the continuous growth of spiders and orcs in the forest. Years have they continued to seek out the beasts, yet they remained as populous as ever.

"My eyes seek for beauty before the dark falls upon us," Aegnir said, and then he smirked at the prince. "Besides, it is you who is in need of love, my friend." He grinned.

Legolas smiled sardonically. His father had been constantly introducing him to various she-elves of noble blood. He knew it was only a matter of time before they would announce his betrothal. Legolas did not want it, however, as he had often shared with Aegnir. "Not today," he said, then he took a deep breath, frowning. "I do not think it is something we can force, anyway. Love is too elusive for even us elves—it comes when it comes, often catching us unawares."

Aegnir laughed. "Nobody can force you into anything, mellon. The way you avoid the she elves, and other elves, for that matter—it is like they carry a disease you might catch," he smiled softly. "But I will await the day that changes and your heart finally falls."

Legolas would have replied and berated Aegnir, for he was just as cold to the others as he was, but a horn started blowing from the gates. In unison, they turned sharply towards the sound. From the direction of the noise flittered sounds of conversation and laughter, the dialogue of a hundred elves that have come from their journeys. "They're here," Aegnir stated, and with that, rose to his feet. After words of parting, the two elves separated, Aegnir to the gates to meet the guests, and Legolas to the castle, to meet with his father.

END OF CHAPTER

Edited: 11/14