Obedience

It was a quiet afternoon, slowly becoming evening. It had been a beautiful day, even in the murky forest, now harboring previously unseen evils. They were manageable though, and that brought her great comfort. She did not doubt her skills as a warrior—doing so would make her weak, an unfit thing for the captain of the guard. Tauriel felt safe here, yet she knew there was more to this world than safety hidden away in mystery, trees, and gloom. The evils that creeped in this forest had come from somewhere, and like all evils, the flow must be stemmed at the source. However, she kept these opinions to herself for now; yet still ever vigilant.

Upon hearing a faint hum Tauriel suddenly froze—just in time for a deathly quiet arrow to imbed itself not two inches in front of her into a sturdy branch.

"Legolas." She said pointedly. She knew it had to be him, for no other creature could be as quiet, collected, and steady as he.

"Distracted, Captain?" He said, humor in his voice. Tauriel, gave the appearance of being unamused. Tauriel debated whether to protest, but decided to unburden her true thoughts instead.

"In fact, I was." She arched her brow. "I was thinking how more pests have invaded this forest, and how our beloved prince has doing nothing to quell the tide." She could not help but inject some sarcasm into her thoughts.

"Who should have need of me when it is the job of the captain of the guard to protect our borders?" He responded, just as sarcastically. He jumped down from his perch a few trees over and retrieved his arrow. "Although, in all seriousness, you should be more careful. Had another happened upon you in a more distracted state…"

Tauriel scoffed, not even remotely offended at his trying to tease her skills as a warrior. She had centuries of training; and even though she was relatively young, her youth invigorated her in ways that made her more skilled, more deadly, and at times, more reckless.

"Why have you found me, mellon?" She finally asked him, dropping the playfulness and speaking to her closest friend.

"It was a pleasant afternoon," he said simply. Legolas, after hundreds of years spent with the elleth never grew tired of her company. "The younger recruits, after many hours of practice, showed some improvement today and though I was pleased I found the arena rather stifling. I decided a walk would be refreshing and here I have stumbled upon you. That is why I have found you. Satisfied?" He lifted his delicate brow, once again bringing humor.

"I am never satisfied," Tauriel said carelessly, a smile tugging at her lips.

"No," Legolas laughed—a rare display of his lightheartedness that was most often produced in her company, "No you are not. As my father knows. It is a good thing he favors you, if not, who knows where you'd be."

Tauriel enjoyed his words. The immovable king Thranduil favored her, of all the elves, was truly something special, especially for someone as emotionless as him.

"Who knows indeed," she smiled openly to her friend, and began to travel in the direction of the palace.

Legolas, though he had not been out for half an hour, felt thoroughly refreshed by her company. He admired that about her, the way she never seemed to be tied down. He often tried to pinpoint exactly what it was that let her be so free, but he never found a clear answer. It added to her mystery, to her beauty and he felt a whole-hearted contentedness with life as they walked together swiftly and silently.

Occasionally they exchanged words about new recruits and he mentioned in particular a young elfling, Mavina, which caught his attention. Tauriel new about the raven haired girl he talked about, though she didn't find her particularly interesting.

"You take a fancy to her, do you?" She teased lightly. "Isn't she a little young?"

"Don't be foolish," he scoffed, mock offended. "I find her form interesting." He realized his words didn't really help his case so he continued on. "She handles a bow so differently then all others… I questioned her about it. She informed me that she had laid down her healers' hands and changed her calling to the world of battle! I know not what could have brought about the change but it is certainly…intriguing if nothing else."

Tauriel considered this information. It was odd, most elves stuck to their first calling and rarely switched. If they did switch it was usually to something more or less similar. But going from a healer to a warrior seemed so contrary she wondered how she had not noticed the else more specifically before. "Did she say why she changed?" She asked, genuinely intrigued.

"She said she realized she was not on the path the stars had guided her on. Her destiny lied elsewhere," he explained, sounding unsure of what to make of it himself.

"I wish the stars were as direct with my destiny," she laughed, and looked up to the treetops, occasionally catching a glimpse of light in the darkness.

"As do I," he said, contemplatively, also looking up to the sky. Tauriel noted that the mention of his destiny sparked something deep within Legolas that made him seem uncomfortable. Anyone else would never have noticed the slight furrow in his brow or the almost invisible tightening of his lips, but as his companion for many years she noticed these things. She was unsure of whether to ask him about it and perhaps let him unburden his mind, or whether he preferred to not share and asking would make it uncomfortable.

"Your destiny," She put her hand gently on his arm, "is what you make of it. I do not claim to know what it is, but it will be great. Of that I am sure." The physical contact between most elves would have seemed forward, but for them it was natural, and it made him feel more at ease. She saw his anxiety slip away, just in time for entering the palace gates.

The guards unquestioningly let them in, and she hoped they hadn't seen or heard the end of their conversation. To certain people, in the wrong context, it would seem forward and she already had enough of people thinking she was after the prince. She couldn't imagine what it was like for him having people think he was consorting with an unremarkable, unranked Silvan elf. She smiled, let them think what they want. Indeed, it was not in her nature to let the opinions of others get in her way.

Tauriel went to the armory to return the weapons she had borrowed for tonight's walk. She had tried on new bracers since hers were quite worn, and found the new ones to her liking. She would be sure to come back and be fitted for a new personal pair so she would no longer have to borrow. After the armory she went to the library's historical archives, picking up a book on the Dwarf language. She liked dwarves just about as much as any other elf, which was not much, but it was the last language she was learning. She had all eternity to learn and figured it might one day come to her benefit—even if the unfamiliar guttural words did leave an unpleasant taste in her mouth.

After Tauriel departed, Legolas went in the opposite direction, his chambers being located high in the palace as befitted his royal rank. He was content, if slightly tired, and ready for a restful slumber. As he made his way past the royal dining halls, council rooms, and winding stairways he was almost to his chamber when he heard his father's smooth voice.

"My son," Thranduil beckoned him. Though Legolas could not see his father, he knew where he would be: on his throne with a disinterested yet acutely aware and unwavering gaze.

"Adar," Legolas said faithfully, turning back to the throne room and lightly bowing his head in respect. The two so closely resembled each other it was obvious they were kin. Both were handsome, both with piercing grey eyes and snowy hair. Both fit and agile, strong and decisive. Legolas had learned much about composure from his father who seemed eternally ineffable and he used this now, hoping to shorten the meeting and get rest.

"Out again? What do you do outside these palace gates?" Legolas wasn't sure whether his father wanted an answer, and he himself didn't want to give one. He presumed his father knew he had come back with Tauriel, but still didn't feel the need to mention it.

"Simply enjoying the calm evening and refreshing woods," he said simply and truthfully.

His father looked at his younger self in the eye—seeming to look into Legolas' very soul. "Hmm," he murmured seeming unsatisfied with the answer yet not wishing to delve further into the topic. "I would speak with you about important affairs, but I see you long for the solace and rest of your chambers. Tomorrow morning instead of going to the training grounds come directly here."

Legolas wondered what these 'important affairs' were and felt suddenly more awake but knew he would get nothing out of his father now. "Is that all, adar?" he asked, looking earnestly at his father in a way only a child could to a parent.

"That is all for now," Thranduil said, rising. Now he too desired the solace of his chambers and wanted to retire from the court for today. Legolas waited for him and they ascended the stairs to their chambers together. As they finally parted for their separate doors they clapped each other on the shoulder, nodded reverently (one could say almost tenderly…or as tender as Thranduil could be), bid each other good night and went their separate ways.

As Legolas changed into his looser night time robes, he wondered what it was his father could have to say to him. He wondered this as he drifted off to an easy sleep, peacefully lying on his bed with bright stars shining out the window.