"You are leaving my king?"

"Yes Tauriel. And I told you to call me-"

"Thranduil. Yes, I know." Thranduil closed his bag and handed it to his servant. The servant nodded and left. "Thranduil-"

"I am leaving and that is the end of it." She sighed in defeat.

"When will you return?"

"Before the end of the week, and I am leaving you in charge."

"I thought Legolas was going to be."

"He is prince, but you are the queen."

"I will not let you down."

"I know."

The next day, Tauriel sat upon the throne with Legolas by her side. She kept fidgeting and biting her lips. Legolas smiled and held her hand reassuringly.

"Relax," he said. "It will be fine." She smiled and nodded.

"Thank you." He nodded and kissed the back of her hand. She turned away to hide her blush.

For three days she ruled with a just hand. At least, she assumed so since no one said otherwise. She always made sure to consult with Legolas before she made any final decisions. He always told her how he felt, and usually, agreed with her.

On the fourth day, the two were telling stories and laughing.

"Well is this not a sight to behold?" They looked up and saw Thranduil making his way towards them.

"Ada," Legolas said as he stood.

"I brought you a present." He motioned for a servant to come forward. The servant was carrying two identical blades. She handed them to the king before leaving. He handed them to his son, who took them and stared at them in awe. "I thought you might like them."

"Thank you Ada." Tauriel smiled.

"Now, I have a question for you. While I was away, I heard a rather disturbing rumor."

"What was it?" questioned Tauriel.

"That while I was gone, you two were having an affair."

"Ada that is a lie."

"We would never do such a thing."

"You swear?" They both nodded. "Then why do I not believe you."

"Ada-"

"I do not believe you! You were in love with one another long before Tauriel and I were wed. So why should I?" Legolas stood before his father and looked him in the eye.

"If you cannot believe your own son, then there is no reason to believe us." He then threw the blades on the ground before leaving.

"Legolas!" But it was too late. He was already gone.

That night, Tauriel brushed her hair in silence. It is my fault. My imprisoning of those you started such rumors must have looked as if I were trying to desperately hide the truth. She felt her eyes water and went to stand on the balcony. She looked up at the stars and cried. What have I done?

"Tauriel?" She turned to see Thranduil entering the room. He closed the door and slowly made his way towards her. "He is gone."

"What did you expect? His Ada accused him of such a disgusting crime and would not listen to reason."

"That is because I know it is true."

"And now this false truth has cost you your son." Thranduil frowned and walked over to the ledge. She could tell he was shaking, trying to maintain his composure. "My lord?" He did not even correct her. He always corrected her. She walked over to him and hugged his side. A single tear slowly made its way down his face. She wiped it away and turned his face, forcing him to look at her. "He shall return." He shook his head sadly.

"He will not. My only heir has left me. Who will watch over my kingdom if anything is to happen to me?" Tauriel looked away. What would happen?

"We must have faith. He will return. You will see."

Time passed and Legolas did not return. Tauriel saw how it took its toll on Thranduil. He grew quieter and cared less about nearly everything. At night, he would stare at the leaves, hoping they would bring him comfort. When she could take it no more, she sent out a search party. They search the forest and other lands, but he was nowhere to be found.

Then one night, while they were falling asleep in bed, someone knocked at the door. Tauriel got up and answered it to find a guard standing there. He was tired and out of breath.

"My lady," he panted out.

"Yes? What is it?"

"They found him."

Thranduil and Tauriel raced to the front gate. When they got there, it was being opened and a group of warriors were carrying someone in. On large piece of wood, Legolas laid there, sweating and ill looking.

"What has happened to him?" Thranduil asked as he walked over to his son.

"We are not sure," replied a guard. "We found him on the side of the road between here and Lorien."

"Take him to his room and fetch the healers!"

Tauriel sat and watched quietly as Thranduil paced around endlessly. The sun was starting to rise and they had stayed up throughout the night. Thranduil had paced throughout the night. Neither one wanted to miss anything important.

"You should at least sit," she finally said.

"No. I want to be here when he wakes."

"And you will, but all this pacing is tiring."

"And if I sit, I will surely fall asleep."

"I promise I will not let you. Just sit and save whatever strength you have left." He started to say something when the door opened and a healer stepped out.

"Well? Will he live?"

"We are not sure, my lord. His wounds were deep and he has lost too much blood to be sure of anything." Tauriel swallowed and looked at Thranduil. His hands clenched and he started to shake.

"Thank you," she whispered. The healer nodded and went back inside. "Thranduil?" He quickly left and made his way to his study. She held back tears. She didn't know what to do.