A/N: Sorry for the delayed update! I've been on Tumblr a lot lately.. I hope you enjoy this new chapter!
The next few weeks were very enjoyable for both of the young elves. They re-explored the places they had visited when they were elflings, and got to know each other better. Tauriel's personal favorite place to go with Legolas was the woods. It always seemed to be peaceful there, and it happened to be where they were at the moment…
"Legolas!", laughing, the redheaded elleth ran after the prince, her spring-green summer dress skirt floundering behind her. "You'll never catch me!", shouted the blonde, scampering through the wooded area. Originally, the elves were out riding Nimroch, but it somehow became a game of tag. Finally, with a lot of effort, Tauriel finally got ahold of the prince, grabbing him by the waist. "Ahh!" With a yelp of surprise from the prince, both of them tumbled down into the soft grass. They broke out into a fit of giggles. "I got you.", said the she elf, who was on top of Legolas. "Let me up!", said the prince. And so she did. "Hey.. This means that you're it!" This caused the girl to instantly hop to her feet, and continue running. She cried out in astonishment when she was taken down. "That wasn't fair, Legolas! I should've had a head-start!" Once again the elves found themselves laughing. "I wasn't trying to be fair!" , the prince remarked smartly. This time he was on top of Tauriel. The elleth had a plan. Quickly, she tackled him, ending up on top. "Not trying to be fair, eh?" Caught off guard, the prince had no response, until Tauriel started to tickle him. A series of sounds erupted from his mouth, making the elleth trying her best not to giggle. "T- tauriel! That t-tickles!" Once again, the elves tumbled over, and Legolas returned the favor.
When they switch around a bit more, and had finished they wound up on the floor, out of breath. "You're such a funny elf..", said Tauriel, her head resting on the blonde-elf's chest. "I can't be funny without you." At hearing these words, the elleth flushed a bright rosy color. "Is that…a blush?", asked the prince knowingly. All she did was smile. Legolas couldn't help but smile back. Seeing Tauriel like this made him feel as light as a cloud. It was nice to have a dear person like her. "It's time to call Nimroch back.", he said finally. He stood up and whistled. Within seconds, the obedient steed came trotting into sight. "Who's a good boy? You are!" Legolas praised the horse, caressing its neck, and it nickered happily. "He's beautiful.", said Tauriel. "I saw horses like him in Rivendell. They were very gentle. Lord Elrond let me ride some of them whenever I was done with my schoolwork." She smiled, petting the large animal. "Speaking of Lord Elrond,", said Legolas. "He has been here in Mirkwood for a while.. Do you think there's something wrong?" "No. Your father and him are probably just discussing things, like the beings outside of the Woodland Realm." "You mean like Dwarves and Humans?" "Perhaps… Legolas?", asked the elleth, her voice dropping to a serious tone. "What is it?" "Did they ever find…the orcs who attacked my town?" Legolas looked down sadly. "I am afraid not.. But we are still looking for them, and if there is any word of them, I assure you that my father will take action with his warriors." To comfort his friend, he cupped her cheek and pressed his forehead to hers. This was a very rare and affectionate gesture amongst Elves, but it didn't matter to Legolas.
The peaceful sounds of the forest were disturbed by the loud blow of a horn. "That came from the guards.. We must head back. It was my father most likely calling us to return." They both mounted Nimroch, and rode to the palace. They arrived, dismounting the horse, and heading to the throne room. When they got there, King Thranduil was waiting patiently, with Lord Elrond at his side. "You called, Ada?", said the prince. Tauriel bowed her head in greeting to both Lords. "Yes, son. I must advise you of something Lord Elrond and I have been discussing." Both of the young elves looked at each other nervously, and paid attention to the king. "Legolas, I have been planning to send you to Rivendell, like I did with Tauriel, for you to focus on your studies. Meanwhile, Tauriel will be staying here to train to be better with weapons. Any comments from either of you?" Tauriel, astonished, trying to process what was happening, stood silently. "What?!", the blonde prince said, taken aback. "But we've only just been able to be together for about a month! How can you ask me to leave when I've only been able to get to know her again?!" Legolas seemed very upset, a mixture of disbelief and sadness with a touch of anger. "My Lord Legolas, your father and I think that it is best for you to pursue your education, and for the Maiden Tauriel to improve her weaponry skills. It will only be a bit of a longer period of time than the last time you two were separated. "This is madness! So soon? Why?!", young Legolas demanded, trying to make sense of things, but they just wouldn't click. "Son, this is for your-" " 'Own good'?! I've heard that a million times, Ada. Why now?", the prince cut off his father. He was obviously enraged, and almost at the verge of tears. "Say no more. You will be leaving tomorrow.", Thranduil said sternly. The king felt guilty being like this to his son, but it really was for his own good. Legolas had enough. He turned swiftly, leaving to his chambers. "Legolas-", Tauriel cried out after the elf, and followed him.
When the prince arrived to his bedroom, he let out a yell of frustration, kicking his bedframe. His hand clutched the bedpost, nails digging into the polished wood as single tear fell from his eye, and he let out a choked sob. His entire body trembled with emotion, but then the entire act stopped when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder. "Tauriel.." Legolas instantly knew who this was. The prince turned to see that he was indeed correct. Her sad, yet pretty face seemed to silence him. She too had tears which had cascaded down her pink cheeks. They both embraced. "I don't want to go..", said the blonde elf, his voice slightly muffled since he buried his head into Tauriel's shoulder. "I know.." They were now on the bed, crying together, holding each other close. Once the main wave of emotion was over, they relaxed a bit, still clinging onto each other. "I always wished just to say with you as long as possible and be happy..", said the prince, sniffling. "It's alright.. We'll be able to see each other soon. I promise, my Prince." Legolas just held onto her, breathing in her sweet scent. She smelled of the freshly bloomed flowers of the springtime, and the dew-covered grass. He really was going to miss that.. The elleth, wanting to comfort the elf, pressed a sweet, gentle kiss to his cheek. "I'm going to miss the little things like that. I just wish that we didn't have to wait so long.." It was already nightfall, so they decided to go to sleep, cuddled up with each other.
The night was restful, but the daylight came and chased them down, and both of them wished that it would've arrived later. It wasn't easy at all to get up. Much less pack and head to the horse-drawn wagon. The goodbye was a bit teary, but Legolas was able to get through it. "Ada.", he nodded goodbye to his father respectfully. Thranduil accepted the gesture kindly, and nodded back. The prince went on to Tauriel. "Well, goodbye Tauriel. I hope to see you soon." He hugged her affectionately, and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. The blonde elf stayed there for a minute, embracing his dear friend. "Don't get into too much mischief without me, elleth.", he smiled sadly, and she cracked a small smile back. It was finally time to board the wagon alongside Lord Elrond. Once the horses at the front started trotting, and carriage began to move, Legolas looked back and waved to his friend and his father. "Goodbye, Legolas. See you soon..", Tauriel whispered as she waved back gloomily and soon, the wagon was out of sight..
A/N: Don't worry! It doesn't end there! I'll try to update soon, so bear with me. Thank you so much for reading, and remember to favorite, follow, and review! :)