He was kissing her. Her back was pushed up against the wall and she let out a contented sigh. He had one hand in her hair, while the other traced circles on her back. She ran her hands down his back before bringing them up and tangling them in his long, blond hair. He let out a this was what love feels like, she wondered.
"Tauriel" he whispered
She kissed him harder, running her tongue along his bottom lip.
"Tauriel"
He was trailing a line of kisses down her neck.
"Tauriel!"
She jolted awake, nearly falling off her bed. It took several moments of confusion before she realised she had been dreaming. There was someone pounding on her door,
"TAURIEL!"
She hurried to find a cloak before throwing open the door to find one of her guards standing outside, looking quite flustered. She quickly ran over in her mind whether or not she had patrol today. As leader of the Mirkwood Elven Guard it was her duty to patrol the outskirts of the forest and report any signs of disturbances. But she didn't have patrol today, so why was a guard at her door?
"The King wishes an audience with you." He stated bluntly.
"Oh, of course" she replied hurriedly "I'll just get dressed."
She quickly threw on her usual attire, a dark green garb with a leaf green tunic and allowed the guard to escort her to the King. They travelled in silence, slowly trekking their way up the long, winding staircases and dark hallways. She lived in the lower part of the forest; a lowly Silvan elf had no place in the high halls of King Thranduil. When they at last reached a large oaken door, the guard knocked twice,
"The Leader of the Mirkwood Guard, Sire." He called.
"Enter", came a voice from inside.
Both she and her companion entered the room. She gasped, realising where she was, it was the King's bed chambers. No one was permitted in here save for the King himself, not even his son. The room was beautiful, a grand bed stood in the centre of the room, vines trailed across the stone columns and archways. There were books scattered everywhere and a balcony with a magnificent view was situated to her left. Thranduil stood at the balcony, gazing out across the vast forest he ruled. As they approached he turned and bluntly commanded,
"Leave us."
The guard immediately turned and left, leaving her alone with the Elven King. Although Thranduil had taken her in after her parents were murdered and she'd known him for centuries, she was still nervous to be in the same room as him. He gestured for her to sit, she did so.
"How do you fair, Tauriel?" he questioned.
"I am well, is there a reason you called me here?" she asked.
"There will be a guest arriving in two moons time; I expect that you will take full responsibility for their safety." He said, his expression betraying no feelings.
"Of course, may I ask who I will be guarding?" she questioned.
She was confused; did this have something to do with the conversation she overheard last night? Who was this guest? And why did she need protecting? Thranduil hesitated, an emotion flashed across his face before returning to his neutral, somewhat bored expression.
"Elwing of Rivendell. She is a very important guest and I expect that she will be treated with the upmost respect. That will be all, you may leave." He turned and briskly walked back to the balcony.
"Of course. Forgive me, but may I ask why she is travelling here?" she was being rude but her curiosity was getting the better of her. She had no right to question the King. He said nothing; she turned and walked to the door. As she was leaving Thranduil called out to her,
"It's about time my son married."