"Get the horses ready!" the prince's call echoed through the halls, right to where Tauriel was standing.

"Tauriel, you cannot go," Florescat told her, standing with her arms crossed in the doorway; a look of disdain on her face.

"What? No formalities?" Tauriel asked absentmindedly, not turning.

"Do not change the subject. You told me today was the day you would tell him; how will you tell him now?" she continued softly.

"The time will come, but now I must go to the council of Elrond."

"No, you must stay here! If Legolas knew, he would say the same thing. You are in no shape to travel."

At the mention of Legolas, Tauriel turned. "You will not tell him," she whispered threateningly.

"If you decide to go through with this, I will," Florescat shot back.

"You would not dare."

"Try me," Florescat invited colly.

They both stared at each other for several moments, until Florescat finally lowered her eyes and took a step back. Tauriel turned back around.

"Let it be known that I am only standing down because you are my princess," Florescat murmured. "But princess or not, I have my limits." She turned on her heel and left.

0o0

"Is Tauriel coming or not?" Legolas asked Florescat as the two walked around the stables.

"I hope not," the chief replied.

Legolas heaved a sigh of exhaustion or frustration. Florescat didn't know which, but she supposed it could have been both.

"She is too stubborn," Legolas finally muttered as they entered the stables.

Florescat murmured her agreement, a war beginning inside her head. Tell him, part of her whispered, he will never let Tauriel go and she will be safe.

No, you cannot tell him, the other part argued, Tauriel trusted you with that secret, and she would never forgive you if you told Legolas. I could potentially ruin their marriage.

The war continued like that until Florescat had gotten onto her horse. The only results she got from it was a massive headache and feeling like she was Gollum.

"Florescat?" Legolas was looking at her expectantly, and Florescat assumed he had asked her something.

"My prince," she decided to tell him the truth; it was only right. "I need to tell you something."

Legolas looked mildly confused; and who wouldn't be, when he had just asked her if she was ready, and now he was in for whatever she had to say.

"You see, my prince, Tauriel-"

"Is right here," Tauriel rode up to the two, shooting Florescat a glare that could've frozen even Sauruman in his tracks.

Legolas sighed with obvious disdain, but knew that nothing was going to stop Tauriel now.

"Is everyone ready?" he asked instead.

Tauriel nodded, pleased that Legolas push the subject.

"Oh, Florescat, did you wish to say something to me?" Legolas asked, suddenly remembering his conversation with the chief.

Tauriel's glare intensified, and Florescat found she no longer had the courage to rat out her friend.

"I just wanted to say..." she trailed off for a moment, looking to Tauriel for help. The princess looked away.

Legolas looked at her expectantly.

"Tauriel is riding up and I am ready to leave," she finished, knowing it sounded lame.

Florescat knew Legolas didn't believe her, but he must've been in a hurry to start for Rivendell, because he didn't question her any further. Instead, he nodded, and the group of ten left on their journey to Rivendell.

Sorry I haven't updated for so long! I was sick for 6 days of spring break and I've been busy trying to get my homework under control. I have also been planning a lot of this book so that it doesn't turn out crappy. Also, I have posted a Bard/Angeli fanfic online due to a request from a guest. So if you want to know what happened to Angeli, you should read it. It is called Discovered, and...yeah. Once again, sorry for the long wait and I will try to update more often -Mallowbloom