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Chapter 8 - Outtake - Imladris
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"Walk with me, my lady. There is someone who you should meet." Lord Elrond told her.
She sent him a curious look but obliged, following him through open hallways and stairs that eventually lead them to a somewhat concealed courtyard with a beautiful fountain. Imladris was as it had always been, timeless and elegant, and it comforted her that this place, at least, had not changed. She was glad for it.
Sitting in a wooden bench, with sad unfocused eyes was a red haired elleth.
She looked to the dark haired ellon beside her with a question in her eyes but he simply gestured her forward and turned away to leave, giving them privacy.
Eluriel approached the elleth slowly, her eyes taking in the elf's sorrowful features. She wasn't familiar with her and had no idea why Elrond had wanted to meet her. The elleth's clothes were very clearly from Imladris but Eluriel's eyes caught an old looking brooch, with clear signs of being often used, holding the girl's cloak together near her neck.
She recognized Greenwood's style instantly.
"What is a Silvan elf doing so far from home?" She asked softly, not wanting to startle the elleth.
The elf gasped anyway and turned to look at her with wide eyes. "Forgive me, my lady, I did not hear your approach."
Eluriel gave her a warm smile, "No harm done, child."
The younger elleth gave her a curious look, "How do you know I am Silvan?"
"I've lived among Wood-Elves all my life," she answered with a nostalgic smile, "And I am also half Silvan myself."
There was surprise in the red haired elleth's eyes, "I have never seen you before."
Eluriel's eyes flickered to the fountain, "I haven not been in the Greenwood for a long time."
The young elleth's eyebrows rose, "Greenwood? It has not been Greenwood for almost an age."
She met her eyes with a sad smile, "I know." Silence fell between them.
"What is your name?" Eluriel finally asked her, sitting in the stone bench by the fountain, beside the other elleth.
"Tauriel, my lady."
She sent her a surprised smile, "Truly? I am Eluriel. Our names are quite similar." Only then a small smile appeared in the younger elleth's features. Eluriel took it as a good sign, "I am still curious as to why you are so far from your home."
Tauriel sighed and her expression turned sad again, "I was banished."
It was her turn to look surprised, "Banished?"
Tauriel nodded, green eyes looking a bit fearful of her reaction, "I was willful and disobeyed my King. I was so angry at him at the time..."
Eluriel studied the elf's face intently. "The sorrow upon your soul is not because of your banishment." She said, knowing it was true.
Tauriel's eyes widened, "How…?"
"Love marks one's soul deeply." She gave her a small smile, "And whatever the cause for your banishment is, it must not have been that terrible if Lord Elrond granted you permission to reside in his halls. I trust his wisdom."
Tauriel's green eyes glazed with tears. "I suppose so... The King offered to lift my banishment in the end, but I could not...I could not remain there."
Eluriel looked at the red-haired elleth with compassion, "What happened to your love?" She asked softly, half knowing the answer already.
A tear escaped Tauriel's eyes, "He died."
Her heart ached for the elleth. She was too young to suffer such a pain. "I am sorry, Tauriel." After a moment she added, "May you find him one day in the Halls of Mandos."
This seemed like the wrong thing to say, however, and Tauriel flinched. With a tremulous voice, the elleth said, "He was a dwarf, my lady. I will not be reunited with him ever again."
Surprise and sorrow mingled in Eluriel's heart. What a bitter fate for an elleth. While rare, it was not unheard of people from different races to fall in love with each other. Unfortunately, more often than not, it ended in sadness.
"I am truly sorry, young one." Eluriel said and took the elleth's hands in hers. Tauriel looked at her in surprise, eyes swimming in tears. "There is hope yet, for you, Tauriel, I can feel it." At the elleth's confusion, she elaborated, "You do not need to let yourself fade, as much as it hurts, you can overcome it. I perceive that you have a strong will and you are young still. Live and see the world. Travel, meet new lands and new people. Perhaps life still has some surprises for you." She said with a warm and encouraging smile.
Tauriel wiped some of her tears and looked at her with some hope, "I am not sure I am strong enough, my lady."
Eluriel tightened her hold on Tauriel's hand, "Of course you are, Tauriel. Your are Silvan. You are as strong as tree roots deep beneath the ground, and as long as there are trees in the World, you can endure and flourish. Savo amdir."
Tauriel smiled at her words, wonder and hope swimming in her green eyes, and nodded.
Soft steps announced the arrival of someone and both ellyth looked towards the entrance of the courtyard to see Lord Elrond reappearing. "My Lady, Lord Glorfindel wishes to speak to you before you leave." He said inclining his head slightly towards them.
Eluriel nodded at him and stood up, letting go of Tauriel's hands. "It was a pleasure to meet you Tauriel. Perhaps we will see each other again, one day."
Tauriel stood up as well and brought her hand to her heart and Eluriel mirrored to gesture back at her with a smile.
"Thank you. Until then, my lady." Tauriel said with feeling.
"Until then," Eluriel confirmed and turned towards Lord Elrond. As she passed him, Eluriel looked back at Tauriel and then met Elrond's eyes, "I know the way, my lord."
With an understanding look, Elrond nodded, "Until later, then." Eluriel bowed her head slightly and left the courtyard.
As she was leaving, she heard Tauriel's voice asking, "Who is she, my lord?"
And Elrond's soft answer was the last thing she heard as she moved towards Glorfindel's study, "She is King Thranduil's wife. Queen Eluriel of the Greenwood."
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A/N:
Sindarin:
Imladris - Rivendell
Elleth - female elf
Ellyth - female elf (plural)
Ellon - male elf
Savo amdir - Have hope
At first I was planning on making Tauriel simply sail to Valinor, but after some thought I decided to give her some hope and a perhaps a new life, who knows! I leave it to your interpretation.
I have many mixed feelings about Tauriel's existence in the movies, but I didn't wish to just discard her in the end, so there ya go.
And this is it! The official end!
I hope someone enjoyed it - besides me! It was an interesting experience ;)
Thank you very much to everyone who read it! You have my undying gratitude!
