"Why do you linger in the shadows," Thranduil felt the presence of his daughter, Tauriel. He couldn't hide his annoyance with her especially with what Legolas had told him earlier that day.

"I've come to report to you." She said as she stepped into the room and stood tall in front of her King.

"I ordered that nest to be destroyed not two moons past," he said without looKing at her in disgust.

"We cleared the forest as ordered, my lord. But more spiders keep coming up from the south," she said, "Will they not spread to other lands?"

"Other lands are not my concern," Thranduil said sternly, "the fortunes of the world will rise and fall but here in this Kingdom we will endure." He motioned while wearing his cascading gown. He turned toward her, "Legolas said that you fought well today. He also said you spoke at length with one of our prisoners." He looked at her for a reaction.

"Legolas said that," Tauriel looked down hurt and confused as to why her brother would spy on her.

"Yes, a horrid, ugly dwarf," he said simply then turned his back to her and began slowly walking back to his thrown, "I hope I won't have to remind you that we do not make friends with our prisoners at Mirkwood. Especially a dwarf," he said in disgust.

Tuariel looked down, "No, you won't have to remind me, my King"

"Good." Thranduil scowled at her as she left the room.

Tauriel stood at the edge of the Mirkwood woods. She suddenly felt the presence of someone. She slowly touched her arrow's end then swiftly turned to draw towards the creature that followed her. She was then face to face with her brother, Legolas, who also had his arrow drawn. She smiled.

"I thought you were an orc," she said.

"And if I had been an orc you would be dead," he teased her. She turned away back to the mountains. "You cannot take on thirty orcs on your own, melleth," Legolas warned, "Tul Tauriel."

"I don't care; I don't want to stay here," She turned back to Legolas in anger, "Why should I listen to you, brother. You spy on me, you betray me to our ada."

Legolas eyes widen, "What was I supposed to do?" He quickly walked towards her, "You're acting foolish engaging with a dwarf. It is an embarrassment to our family. Turn around now. Let's go back to our people." He reached for her arm and she quickly turned away from him.

"I can't. I would never forgive myself if I didn't try," She said.

"It is not our fight!" He said with anger.

"I have to go, Legolas," She said beginning to tear up, "You don't understand. Ada favors you! He looks at me with hatred! I'm a constant reminder of her death," she said indicating the death of their mother.

"That's not true," Legolas said although he knew it was true. His father did favor him, but he was the son. The warrior. The King only spent more time with him to train Legolas to become the warrior he is today. He needed Legolas to protect the Kingdom and his little sister. "Father only wants what is best for both of us. Everything he has done for us is for our own good."

"I'm not turning back now. I want to see him even if it's only one last time," She said speaking of the dwarf she had connected with. Legolas was torn. He did not understand this fascination his sister had with a dwarf. Such a lowly creature as compared to the elf race. Surly, her love for him would bring disrespect to his father, the King of Mirkwood. How could the princess fall for a dwarf! It was madness. The whole Kingdom would scoff at his family.

"I don't understand it, Tauriel" he said turning her to face him, "But if this is what you want, I will not leave you." He embraced his sister. He did feel bad for telling his father of the dwarf, but he would do anything for Tauriel even following her into battle.

"Diola lle," Tauriel said to him.