Authors note: Next chapter! thank you guys again for all the kind reviews! They mean so much! Also, forgot to say this before: Feel free to PM me if you have any big long things you wanted to say or ask that you didn't want to explain in a review. I'm open to anything. Anyways, hope you like this chapter!

The two returned to the palace and slid in unnoticed. Tauriel and Legolas parted to go to their separate chambers to bathe.

After Legolas had cleaned himself up he decided to talk to his father about the matter of himself and Tauriel, as promised. Legolas approached Thranduil in the throne room.

"Father." Legolas began, confidently.

"Yes, my son?" Thranduil replied.

"I would speak with you privately?" He asked. Thranduil raised an arched eyebrow at this request, however he was curious at what his son wanted to discuss. He slowly nodded his head in agreement.

The two arrived at Thranduil's private quarters. "May I ask how that skirmish with the spiders went last night?" Thranduil began, casually.

"We drove them off, more or less killing any we saw. Tauriel fought well." Legolas explained, conveniently bringing up the elleth. Thranduil gave his son a look of interest. "You have grown fond of her." He spoke for Legolas.

"I wouldn't say-" Legolas interjected.

"Don't deny it, son. I am not blind to these things. Now tell me, what is it you really feel for the captain?" Thranduil pried. His voice had raised a bit at first, only to calm at the end.

"I would say she is a good fighter, comrade..."

"Stop sidestepping around the subject Legolas, I am losing my patience."

Legolas sighed under his breath. One cannot lose what he never had. Thought the prince. If he had not been in the kings presence he may have smiled to himself over that thought. But Legolas decided Thranduil was right, he should get on with the point. He took in a breath and looked straight into his fathers eyes. "I love her, and I am asking your permission to be with her. I am not asking for marriage, just assurance that I, or rather she, will not have to worry about what you will think the entire time we are in each others company." Evidently Thranduil was a bit taken by his sons abruptness. His eyes grew wide.

"I never panned on my son, a prince, frolicking about with a mere sylvan elf who just happens to be captain of the Gaurd." Thranduil paused. "I would highly advise you do not court her." He concluded.

"Father you do not understand."

"I do understand and I will not let-"

"No! You don't! I love her! I have grown up nearly my whole life with her and let me tell you she is far, far better than some elven princess you would have me marry. How would you know how I feel? You do not understand what it is like to shiver when she touches you, to grin every time someone says her name, or to embrace her and feel the pressure of her against you. You have no idea how I feel!" Legolas yelled at the king.

"Legolas!" The king chided. Then opened his mouth to argue again.

"Stop! I don't care!" Legolas shouted, cutting off Thranduil. The prince threw his arms in the air and stormed out of the room. He had to find his only refuge. Tauriel.

Legolas found Tauriel on the training grounds practicing her, already flawless, archery. He quietly stepped up behind her and shot the centre of her target with his bow. She whipped around in surprise, but soon smiled when she saw that it was her beloved Legolas.

"Shall we duel?" The prince asked trying to sound enthused. He was still angry at his father, but he thought maybe fighting would prevent him from thinking about anything but combat. Including Thranduil. Tauriel nodded in agreement. She unsheathed her twin blades, he did the same. They began.

They fought for what seemed like an eternity. Their combat skills equally as deadly. Tauriel was wearing out. Battling with such a skilled fighter as Legolas wore her out much quicker than near brainless spiders or idiotic orcs. "Legolas, can we take a rest?" She asked, still dueling. There was no response. Legolas was in a state of complete concentration. A look of anger was also prominent on his face. "Legolas?" She asked a second time. Her muscles burning. "Legolas did I upset you somehow?" His jaw was set hard. Tauriels guard was wearing down and Legolas' knives were getting too close to hitting her for comfort. He made a swipe towards her upper arm. She blocked at the last second. "Legolas...stop..please." She said panting. Still no sign of stopping. Another close call. "Legolas," She tried again. Legolas slashed again but this time the captain was too slow. His knife made a deep cut mid thigh. "Legolas!" She screamed and dropped to the ground, clutching her leg.

The glazed look of anger fell off Legolas' face when he realized what he had done. He dropped down with her.

"Tauriel! Im so sorry...I didn't know what I was doing..."

"No...it's...okay..." She said slowly. Her breathing was heavy and labored. The last thing she saw were her princes blue eyes before her vision went dark.

Ooooooo cliff hanger! Maybe I'll just wait a really long time to update now since this is such a nerve racking ending... Jk I won't do that :) It would be just as annoying for me as it would be for you guys. Next update in a couple days!