Sweeping back through the corridor, not looking back, Thranduil sought to find his Head Elleth. "Tauriel." He called sternly, brow furrowed. Emerging from the palace doors, he saw that the crowd had scattered, continuing the incredulous gossip of the young Dwarf guest, and that only his son remained awaiting him. "Legolas, ion n'in." Thranduil smiled. "What news do you bring from the forest?"
"Wargs." Legolas said. "Wargs and Orcs have been sighted. Though I trust Tauriel has-"
"Yes, she has. Have you seen her?" The king cut his son off, leading him forward.
"Oh, she rode into the training courts. She seemed angry. Over a…Dwarf, of all things." Thanking Legolas, Thranduil strolled toward the training courts.
Tauriel walked out onto the training field to face one of the practice statues that lined one of the walls. Pulling it out away from the wall she started to take out all her anger on it, imagining that it was the mouthy dwarf that had dared to cross her. "When I," She hit the wooden statue "See," hit "that no good," hit "insolent" hit "Damn small," She aimed for the head piece, "Dwarf again." She swung the sword, chopping off the head, before picking it up and throwing it with all the force she could muster at the rest of the mangled statue. She sheathed her sword and kicked the dummy before moving to replace it so she could start again.
"Tauriel!" She flinched at the bellow of her Master's call. "Do not expect to talk to my guests like that and not have me chastise you." Thranduil continued, coming closer with every word. "Do you think yourself witty, insulting someone above your parentage?"
"He shouldn't be here! I had no intention of being witty, I'm just struggling to comprehend your decision to bring a Dwarf prince here which will probably start a chain reaction of Dwarfs to our kingdom to get him back!" She argued, folding her arms defensively.
"If they come for him, by all means they can have him. This is not a kidnap. It is a friendly offering, an attempt to make amends. Do not argue with me Elleth." Thranduil commanded. Noting the look of resentment in the young Elf's eyes, his face softened slightly. "I have a job for you. It is a little…adventurous."
Tauriel looked up at her King hopefully. "Adventurous? Sounds fun." She asked, leaning on the mangled statue that surprisingly still held after her attack on it a few minutes ago. "I'm sure I can be of service in anyway I can."
"I know you can. It involves travelling to Erebor…" He paused, waiting for Tauriel to protest. When she didn't - much to his surprise - Thranduil continued. "Inviting Thorin Oakenshield and his company to the palace…"
"Ooh a suicide mission. What are you aiming to gain from this?" She asked smirking. The King must have gone mad! She thought, What with all this 'friendly offering' talk. She really should talk to Legolas about all this. Maybe he would know what delusion the king was suffering from.
"I grow weary of being perceived as the monster, the villain. I hope that one day Dwarves will think their own opinions of me, not Thorin's. Tell him…that if he declines…I will personally see Kíli back to the magnificent halls of his ancestors." Thranduil dictated thoughtfully, loosening his lustrous hair again.
"Should I tell them that he came here of his own free will too? Dwarves are simple creatures who tend to believe the worst in people. You know that more than others, my King." She said slowly, noting the look of annoyance, perhaps regret that was in his face as he said that. "I will do it though. Will anyone be assigned to come with me?" She asked, hoping Legolas would be coming. She genuinely liked the princeling and wanted to get to know him better.
"Tell them that he did willingly do so." Thranduil sighed playfully, knowing full well of her plain interest in his only son. "Well…I suppose I could send Legolas along with you…no. He may drag you down." He teased slightly.
"The vacant look he usually gives me is quite comforting at times." She smirked. "I will do that for you though. When do we leave?" She asked, standing up straight and pushing the statue back to the wall.
Thranduil chuckled to himself, fondly thinking of his son, his pride and joy. "Give it a week." He said softly, turning his back on her. "Oh, and Tauriel?" He tossed over his shoulder.
Tauriel turned around from where she was stringing a bow that she had picked up from the wall next to the statues. "Yes?"
"Stop victimizing the statues. The little ones need them for training." and with that he was gone.
Tauriel chuckled and watched the King walk away before walking towards the archery range to start taking out her frustration at the dwarf prince on the archery butt.
-oOo-
I know. Two chapters in a day. This should be in a world record book! Anyway, as usual, hope you enjoyed this and it puts a bit more of the story in context.
Tanith and Tam.
