"I will take you to Merewen, the leader of our village." Gildor announced suddenly.
"All right." Tauriel said, having no choice in the matter. It turned out that Merewen was a female elf, with long black hair that was braided back into a single braid that fell to her waist. She was wearing a long dress that fell to the floor.
"I am Merewen, and you are...?" Merewen said.
"I am Tauriel." Tauriel said.
"Why are you here? It appears that you have traveled alone, and you are carrying a child." Merewen asked.
"The wanderlust. My husband died in the Battle, and I felt the need to move from our home. It held too many memories for me. As for traveling alone, I have no children other the this one, and none of my friends wanted to travel. I am more then capable of defending myself against the beasts of the forest. I was Captain of the Guard where I used to live." Tauriel explained.
"I see. Do you know you will live?" Merewen asked.
"No, I do not. I simply came, unsure of what was going to happen. I thought that I could work as a member of the Guard here, after the child comes. I have almost always worked in the Guard." Tauriel said.
"There is a house near the edge of the village. It was one of the first ones built here, and has fallen into disrepair, but the builders have ensured me that the structure is still stable. I would let you have it, if you restored it to a habitable state. It is becoming an eyesore, and would otherwise have to be torn down." Merewen said.
"Thank you my lady. That is most kind of you." Tauriel said. She could not believe that she was essentially given a house, and all she had to do was repair it! Tauriel was good with her hands, and enjoyed making things, so restoring the house would prove to be a hard but interesting challenge.
"You are very welcome. It will be a joy to have you, and the child, here. It has been many years since there have been anyone new here." Merewen said.
"Thank you." Tauriel said, bowing her head. She was glad that her and the child would be welcomed and safe here. She only wished Kili was here as well.
"I will show you the house." Gildor said.
"Thank you." Tauriel said.
Merewen had not been lying when she said that the house had fallen into disrepair. Most of the wood on the porch had rotted away, but the roof was sturdy, and though the floor was creaky in some spots and there were overgrown vines overtaking the outer walls of the house, which were in sore need of a new coat of paint, overall, it was in good condition. It was dusty inside, but dry, and some furniture still remained in good condition. There were five rooms in the house. Two were bedrooms, one was a bathroom, one a living space, and the last a kitchen, all of which had some furniture still in it that seemed to be in good condition. Tauriel was apprehensive about the kitchen. She did not often have need to cook, and as such was highly inexperienced, to say the least. She was capable of roasting meat, a skill learned from many a campfire dinner, but anything more then that, well, it was safer to say that she had managed to burn salad. In her defense, however, she had left it near a lit stove and the fire had reached out and burnt it. After that experience, Tauriel was not permitted in the kitchens. She was better at working with tools and weapons then food. Tauriel decided that she would start by returning to the market with Gildor, who had offered to show her the way back to the marketplace after she had walked around the house for a few minutes. The two of them chatted as they walked back, Tauriel carefully avoiding any discussion of her journey or where she was from. They parted ways at the marketplace, and Tauriel went in search of a few things she needed.
A blanket and pillow were a must, if not a mattress, Tauriel decided without a moment's hesitation. She had to have something soft to sleep on, her aching back was practically demanding it. Tauriel was also in dire need of a dusting cloth, flint, cooking utensils (she supposed she would have to eventually learn), a broom, and some form of food other then lembas. After eating nothing then lembas for each meal each day for a month, she had grown rather tired of it. Tauriel carried her purchases back to her house, then decided that she would go back to the marketplace to see if she could arrange for some wood, nails and a hammer to be brought to her house the next day so she could start work on the porch. After walking to the marketplace yet again, she conversed with the local lumberjack and blacksmith. Tauriel could almost picture Kili working in the forges here, oh, how she wished he were here! Though she had a home now, she would have to work at some point, her gold would not last forever. And when she went to work, who would watch the child? Assuming that she worked as a member of the Guard, she would be gone all day, and could not take the child with her. Tauriel tried not to worry, but she could not help it.
Tauriel yawned as she approached her house once more. The conversations with the blacksmith and lumberjack had gone longer then she had expected, and evening was drawing to a close. Tauriel decided to forgo the cleaning that she has planned and just sleep, in a real bed for the first time in over a month. Trees were comfortable for only a short time, as she had found out on her way to Gwain.
When the morning came, Tauriel found that she had slept better then she had in months. She finally wasn't worried about whether or not Kili loved her, and why he had not written back to her. True, she was greatly saddened once she learned that he was dead, but it was better then wondering if he only sought a physical relationship, and did not love her as she loved him. She no longer had to worry about Thranduil imprisoning or killing her for falling in love with a dwarf. She did not have to face the disrespect and scorn that she would face from her friends in Mirkwood if they found out that she was pregnant with the child of a a dwarf. She had a home, hopefully some friends, and a safe place for the child.
Hi! I'm not going to be able to update for a few days, so here, have a new chapter! I'd rather not be a rather rude author who at first updates daily, then leaves you with a cliffhanger for a while. Unfortunately, this might end up happening, as I have finals in a few weeks and will be rather busy until then. Hopefully I'll still have time to post! Starship T.A.R.D.I.S. out!
