That night, Legolas heard a creak outside his room. But that wasn't right. The guards had just gone past a few minutes ago. They couldn't be back already. Curious, he stood up (he wasn't trying to sleep, he hadn't even changed yet) and crept to his door. When he opened it, the end of someone's red hair was disappearing around the corner. What was Tauriel doing? Being as impulsive as he was, he decided to follow her. So along they went, him following her, dodging guards, until they reached the gates. She never noticed him.

The gates were locked. Of course they were. The were sealed every night. There was no way to get through, and they were too tall to go over. Underneath them was solid rock. Tauriel veered left.

A huge tree stood in the middle of the court yard. She began to climb. Legolas followed, still unsure of were they were headed. Tauriel was climbing really fast. Faster than she had ever climbed in a race.

When they arrived at the top, she kept going. All the way to the end of a branch. And then Tauriel jumped.

Way before the earth met flesh, her hands found a branch. Her arms should have been almost yanked out of there sockets, but at the same moment her feet found a branch as well. She had escaped. But did he dare follow? For Tauriel, yes. But could he makes it? Legolas would never have attempted it if Tauriel hadn't shown him. Instinct, he told himself. It was the only way down. His mind would have to trust his body. But he could do it. It was only ten feet. With one breath, he leapt.

Legolas landed on the correct branch. Then he almost fell. He somehow managed to grab the branch above him and kept his balance. Continuing on, he saw the speed with which she moved. Why had she never shown it before? Serious teasing would happen very soon. As soon as Tauriel stopped moving. She did soon stop, and sat, gazing at the sky. He crept through the treetops, approaching her. Startling her could be dangerous, she might fall, for example, but it was fun an opportunity as he would get. He reached out, grasping her shoulder...

Tauriel whirled around. "Oh, it's only you," she said, not seeming surprised he had found her.

"Only me?" he questioned. "I am marvelous, thank you very much." He spread his arms wide, embracing his awesomeness.

She waved him off. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same of you."

"But you won't."

"True. I am here because I followed you. The floor creaked outside of my room. I thought to myself, who could possibly be sneaking out that I know? Maybe Larsan. Certainly not Tauriel, the most rule-following person I know."

"Right. That's very likely. More like you were wondering what incredibly fantastic secret plans I have."

"If I was thinking that, I was sorely disappointed. You're not up to much at all."

"I needed to see the sky. Look at the stars."

His gaze flicked up. "Oh." They were beautiful. Everywhere. Creating patterns in the sky. Illuminating the night. Making everything seem a little softer, fuzzier than the sharpness of the sun. Awe-inspiring.

"Yes. I come out here almost every night. It's a wonder no ones caught me before now."

"You're too fast to be caught. Speaking of which, you've been holding out on me!"

"No I haven't! I'm working just as hard as I do during the day, not less."

"Then why are you going faster?"

"Was I?"

"Liar."

"I'm not lying! Maybe it's the night air. The thrill of escape. Being uncontrollable. Not letting anyone know what your doing. Didn't you feel it?"

"No. I think that is a load of Warg dung."

"Probably is. Wanna race?"

"Wanna lose?"

"Ready to lose?"

"Ready to be beaten?"

"That tree. Over there."

"Go!"

A/N - Second chapter of a one shot! I have done the impossible! But I wrote this and liked what I wrote, so here it is. It's a little more solemn than the first part. Sorry. :( Thank you to everyone who reveiwed! Y'all are so sweet. Enjoy!

- xoxo Eth