Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien or Eru created. What I've written is just for fun. I make no profit at all.


Chapter 2. Meeting the Fellowship

- I can't run any more, let's stop for a minute and have some rest, - begged Tauriel who had changed her dress for a grey robe and braided her hair. – We are almost on the shore of Nimrodel, we can wait for them here.

- Truly, Haldir, you run like you are followed by a furious dragon. Rest for a moment, - Orophin said and leaned against the nearest tree.

- It's not a dragon, gwanur nin¹, but my rage and despair. Don't you understand what Tauriel will face in that quest? Who will protect her, keep her safe? Where is the Fellowship going to? Mithrandir might have fallen for now, who defeated him? Orcs? No, I can't believe it. There must be an evil, a danger more powerful. How will Tauriel fight against it? She cannot rely on people and perians.

- Well, there is still an elf with them.

- An elf? In the same company as a dwarf? You must be joking! – Haldir's face was twisted with disdain. – None of worthy elves will have a deal with those creatures. And just think for a second what will happen if Tauriel is injured. What if she will need another to care of her wounds? Such a disgrace and shame for any elleth!

- Hush, listen, - exclaimed Tauriel. The wind was bringing them sounds of singing. - It's annunaid². They've already crossed Nimrodel.

- On the trees, - commanded Haldir. – Find them.

The singing stopped the same moment they saw travelers. The elves hidden among the brunches stared the Fellowship with curiosity. It seemed that the song had been sung by the elf but his face couldn't be seen because he sat with his back to the trees. But Tauriel had a good view of perians who looked just like children with their height not far from dwarfs. Suddenly one of the men stared suspiciously at the forest and Tauriel acknowledged him. He was known here as Estel, the adopted son of Lord Elrond. She turned back and saw that Haldir's face was now slightly enlightened by the view of the mighty dúnadan.

The Fellowship gathered and left the road, followed by the unnoticed elves. Trio stopped at one of the talans and looked down at the travelers who had some debates now. It seemed that one of those perians started arguing with the elf about their night camp. The elf sprang lightly up from the ground and caught a branch that grew from the trunk high above his head. At that moment Tauriel saw his face. Unable to believe her eyes, she whispered 'Laiqualassë³' and then loudly cried "Daro⁴!". Legolas dropped back to earth in surprise and Orophin laughed softly. Meanwhile Tauriel better wrapped herself with her cloak and hided her face with the shade of her hood. Haldir as the senior among trio addressed to Legolas:

- You all breathe so loud that we could shoot you in the dark. But do not fear! We've been aware of you for a long while. We heard your song and knew you are one of our Northern kindred.

- Im Legolas Thranduilion, cunn o Taur-e-Ndaedelos. Boe ammen idh a veriad.⁵

- Im Haldir o Lorien, em tirith o glan.⁶ Climb up here with the chief of perians, and we'll talk. The rest must be waiting on earth.

Orophin pulled down the rope ladder and Tauriel stepped back into the shadows. Legolas was the first to climb up easily and quickly to the talan, followed by two perians. Tauriel didn't expect to meet the elf who reminded of her childhood in Eryn Galen. Her mother died in childbirth. Her name was Anoriel and she was a galadhrim. Her mother was not married so the elleth didn't know her father either. Tauriel was brought up at the court of King Thranduil.

Growing without parental love, she was seen by others like a little savage, but her singing was beautiful. And she was often called to the court of the young prince. Legolas was fascinated by Tauriel's voice and began to treat her like a little sister he had never had. The girl loved him with all her little heart and followed him wherever he allowed, singing funny songs, when Legolas was happy, and quite, when he was sad.

When Tauriel was seventeen, a distant relative of her mother found the girl and adopted her. So ever since the elleth lived in Lothlorien with her new family and had two gwadors named Haldir and Orophin, but she seldom sang after that. Millennia passed and now she again met Legolas. So there was Tauriel, lost in her memories and distracted from them only when Haldir began to talk with their guests. When all the arrangements were made Legolas at once went down the ladder to take Haldir's message; and soon afterwards another pair of perians climbed up to the high talan. They all had supper and then the travelers went to bed. Tauriel remain silent all this time. Orophin was sent down to keep watch and Haldir quietly talked with his gwathel in private.

- Have you met this elf before? When and where?

- Aye, this is Laiqualassë, he was like a brother to me when I lived in Eryn Galen.

- Not good. He might acknowledge you.

- I don't think so, Haldir. Last time he saw me I was only seventeen, a mere child. But maybe if he heard my singing…

- Oh, has he had a privilege of listening to your voice? I wonder if he was one of the nearest and dearest to you. You even call him not like others.

Haldir was interrupted by the song from the next talan – Legolas hummed lullaby to his tired friends. Tauriel smiled, her green eyes shone with the night stars.

- I always call him so. And I taught him this song.

- Baw⁷, Tauriel called him so. But you are Taurohtar, you can address him as 'Legolas' or 'hir nin⁸'. Remember it and try not to mistake.

Then there was a call like the low whistle of a bird, Orophin warned them about some danger. Gwathel and gwador went down and listened attentively.

- Yrch⁹, - hissed Orophin, - a strong company, a hundred at least. What are we going to do? The three of us could not challenge a hundred.

- Let's lead them into the wood, roll up the ladder to the talan. You, Orophin, must go in haste to warn the others. Now move fast! We cannot risk battle. Tauriel, be at my sight.

Speaking with feigned voices, the elves disappeared among the trees.


Remarks:

1) Gwanur nin are sindarin words mean my brother.

2) Annunaid is a sindarin word for westorn (common language).

3) Laiqualassë is qwenya form of Legolas' name.

4) Daro is a sindarin command to stop.

5) Im Legolas Thranduilion, cunn o Taur-e-Ndaedelos. Boe ammen idh a veriad. (sindarin) – I am Legolas, son of Thranduil and Prince of Mirkwood. We look for rest and protection.

6) Im Haldir o Lorien, em tirith o glan. (sindarin) – I am Haldir of Lorien, we are the borders' guards.

7) Baw is a sindarin word for no.

8) Hir nin are sindarin words mean my lord.

9) Yrch is sindarin word for orcs.

Translation of other words in italic was given in the previous chapter if needed.

A/N: So I want to clear for everyone that 17 elvish years are about only 6-7 human years. Tauriel was not a teenager when she left Mirkwood, she was a kid. And I also remind you that I am not a professional translator so if you see mistakes tell me please. And thank you for reading my story!

Yours truthfully,

Jamie Bradley XXX