Home. It wasn't the little nest built high in the canopy anymore, that had been destroyed long ago. It was a dark forest. An evil forest. A forest that was supposed to be a protected sanctuary for them but was now overtaken with the thick twisting vines. Home was now a fortress that protected a deep system of caves, roots, and springs that her people lived in. And every time she neared the bridge that lead to the gates her heart dropped. This was her prison. The horns sounded signaling her arrival and the gates opened welcoming her and her company.
"Welcome back Captain," the guard greeted her quickly sealing the gate behind her.
Inside of the gates, the fortress was a bustle of noise and smells. Tauriel walked down the narrow hall to her barracks, the room was sparsely furnished but it was clean and that is all she cared about. Tossing off her leathers she collapsed on to the small bed in the corner, quickly falling asleep.
Her slumber was abruptly interrupted by her door slamming open and a familiar voice excitedly shouting her name.
"Tauriel, you better be awake!"
She leaned up moving her long red hair behind her shoulder. "It's not like I could get any sleep with the amount of noise you are causing!" She glared at the dark-haired elf standing before her, he was her lieutenant and her closest friend, Nordil. His cerulean eyes twinkled mischievously in the dark of her room as he moved closer to her.
"You are going to be so thrilled that I woke you." he smiled, taking a seat on the floor next to her.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, concern in her voice.
"Guess who will be getting initiated into the Kings Guard?" he hinted, his smile widened.
"No one." she was utterly confused "None of the forest guards have shown any promise or drive in their training."
"He isn't part of the guard."
"Will you just tell me?" she huffed and laid back down. "Or would you rather I just fall back to sleep."
"Fine." Nordil chuckled. "It's Legolas."
Tauriel stared at him for a moment incredulously, then let out a burst of clear laughter.
"As usual, you have the worst humor. Legolas is a hunter, you would have to bribe the King with all the wine and jewels in the world to even let his precious son near danger."
Nordil's tone turned serious. "Well, Tauriel, he is. And we get to test him tomorrow."
Tauriel's heart started racing. The last time she had sparred with the Sindar prince was centuries ago, they had always been fairly evenly matched. Since then he had been assigned to help with the hunting parties to gather the necessary food for the land.
"Are you sure?"
Nordil nodded. "I have already let the others know that we will be having an initiation tomorrow. So rest up Captain, the first to draw blood wins."