Chapter 2: Shipment

Feren didn't seem particularly exhilarated by her arrival and its purpose at the Royal Guard's Tactical Operations Centre housed just above the main gates of the cave-fortress. He went through her duties one by one as if her time in the dungeons could have made her forget what they were and regarded her with what looked like considerable suspicion. Tauriel couldn't exactly blame him for it, she would've probably done exactly the same, along with assigning some guards to covertly keep an eye on her, which Feren was likely also doing.

"Do you know the purpose of the mission?" Thranduil's first lieutenant demanded.

"The king didn't say."

"It is to recover the Daggers of Westernesse, said to harm and possibly kill the Nazgul."

"How do we find those?"

"They were last heard of being buried somewhere in Cardolan. Those with a deep feel for magic should be able to sense their presence if close by."

"Who will be our magical guide?" Tauriel feared a long trekking, combing every inch of the province, for Mirkwood didn't have many elves with a profound understanding of thaumaturgy.

"His Majesty."

"His Majesty is coming with us?" The elleth found it hard to hide her surprise, "on a mission outside the kingdom?"

"Yes." From the noticeable darkening of his expression, it was clear Feren didn't approve, "which is why I need you to be extra vigilant. As one of the ranking officers on the journey, his life will be in your hands," the dark haired elf said sternly, boring his eyes into hers in the hope of complete concord from her.

"Peace, Sir. My record is impeccable, apart from that one lapse of judgement. In fact, Thranduil had always preferred me as second in charge on his ventures into the forest, so now it makes some more sense to me why he's taken control of my situation when the occasion arose."

Feren regarded her deep in thought, "you've always been in favour," he admitted with a sour taste in his mouth for he did not see what her extraordinary merits were to justify such treatment. He beckoned her closer at any case, "have a seat," he motioned at a chair conspirationally while he sat down opposite.

Tauriel took a moment to respond. It was the second time within a few hours that a superior made her sit in their company. "If you are going to be in a position of authority, you need to know a few things, in the main hidden to the public," the First Lieutenant started, "about His Majesty's health. Are you aware of the incident at the memorial honouring the fallen after the battle?"

The redhead nodded, "the king swooned and passed out with grief when going round the families to give his condolences." That was common knowledge that had filtered its way even to the dungeons, an occurrence that solidified the people's faith in their leader rather than anything else.

Feren nodded his accord, but added, "he never really recovered his strength since."

Tauriel's forehead creased with confusion. While it being true that over a hundred elven lives were lost, none were Thranduil's close friends or family members and years having passed, the strain on the population should have eased as well. Even with her losing Kili, her physical strength has never been compromised. "I don't understand."

Her superior nodded again, this time in understanding, "outwardly, he is doing everything that is expected from a monarch, but some of us higher up in power have been covertly delegated a number of responsibilities. For the king's own benefit, I have consulted with his innermost servants and was told that he spends most of the time out of public sight in bed, frequently exhausted and ill. He barely eats and has a healer visiting often."

"What ails him?" Tauriel whispered with apprehensiveness. She closed her eyes for a moment, strengthening herself for what news could come.

"We do not know. I have tried to speak to Kolvar, the healer he put his trust in, but I was met with a solid wall of discretion. Understandibly I must add."

"Did you ask His Highness?"

"No." Feren could not imagine the audacity.

"Then why is Thranduil so intent on this mission?"

"Because he wants all the Southern roads leading to Mirkwood cleared of Sauron's influence and he needs the daggers for that."

"Since when does he care about anything that lies beyond the borders of his kingdom?" Tauriel's look was puzzled.

"Since he wants Legolas back safe and sound. He is taking risks, and so the burden falls to us to have to be watchful at all times. Can I trust you with the king's welfare," Feren emphasized once more darkly.

"I will protect him with my life, you have my word," Tauriel stood and nodded to make her oath look more earnest and formal, but what was more convincing was the deep emotion tainting the words of her promise.

Tbc