"A couple of days" turned to one, but hey: chapter 10 everyone.

Thanks to all readers, followers, favourites & reviewers!

Tapitihu: I'm glad you like the plot and thanks for reviewing!

Flynalien: Of course she would save him, those two always have each other's back :) I'm not really acquainted with the 'Shawn of Dead', but it's pretty similar wording, yeah. This chapter's inspired by your idea about the dark haired elf from earlier getting a bit closer to Tauriel. Hope you'll like it!

Jessie Rae Baby: I'm glad you liked the fight scene! It was a bit tough to write. And don't worry about the fluff: there'll be some of that in the future, I assure you.

ElvesRule: Great to hear that you liked the fight scene since I were a bit unsure about it.

I do not own any characters (except an Oc or two) and places: J.R.R Tolkien or Peter Jackson and Co do.

Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Legolas

He didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit. The Sheelala was usually his favorite celebration, but this year he couldn't find anything amusing about it. Greenwood was slowly fading away into something darker, only a mere shadow of its once prosperous green kingdom. It didn't feel like home anymore. Then there was also the fact that Tauriel was standing far away from him, laughing with Olchon.

Tauriel had yellow flowers in her hair. Flowers were getting rarer to find these days and they were almost sacred to the elves now. They fitted her, looking like a crown of gold. She looked beautiful and he would have told her so, but Olchon had gotten there first. Something was gnawing on his heart and it wasn't a good feeling.

He had noticed that Tauriel and Olchon had started to spend more time together over these last couple of years. It irked him like an annoying fly that continued to buzz around when you just wanted it to leave. He often saw them together at practice and patrols, of course, but he had been a little bit more than shocked when he discovered Olchon helping Tauriel out when she did her voluntary work at the Halls of Healing or when he saw both of them sitting outside, Olchon teaching Tauriel how to play the flute. Every time his heart had ached and he had felt tight and so completely hopeless. It frightened him how much he had come to care for Tauriel. Deep inside, he knew he would be lost without her, fade away like nothing, but he pushed away that thought, locked it away with chains of iron in a corner of his mind which he seldom visited.

He hid his disgruntled face behind his cup of wine as he took another gulp. He was seated next to his father, surrounded by lords and ladies, counselors. Usually, this would not have bothered him as much, had he not had have perfect view over Tauriel and Olchon together, laughing.

He and Olchon were nothing alike look wise; he was fair and light as day while Olchon was dark as night. Tauriel was the bright red streak of dusk or down that kept the night and day apart, not really knowing which side to choose.

It hurt.

"You've been staring at Tauriel for the past quarter of an hour", his father spoke up from next to him. He raised an eyebrow elegantly. "Should I be worried?"

"No", came the answer automatically. "She's just a friend."

As soon as he had said so he grimaced, recognizing a lie when he heard one. Shame flooded through his body and he could feel heat rising to the tips of his ears. His inside clenched.

His father's expression turned stern and eyes disapproving. He too recognized a lie from the truth. Thranduil carefully sipped his wine, his eyes focused on something far away and not his son.

"You should not lie, Legolas", he said coolly. "Better keep silent than speaking untrue." He paused and glanced his son's way. "I warned you about this."

He spoke lowly, his voice rich, but yet so impassive. The king always seemed to be surrounded by an air of iciness these days, unable for anyone to get through. As the forest grew darker, so did the king. It hurt him to see his father like that.

"Tauriel and I are friends, father, though I can't deny that lately she's been growing into my heart like a flower and I don't have the power or strength to remove her."

It felt odd to speak about it so freely. Perhaps it was the alcohol or perhaps he just needed someone to talk to, to share this burden. It was not for the first time he wondered how it would have been if his mother would be alive still.

Before the king could answer – he could see that he would – the musicians started to get ready for their performances. After all, what was a feast of spring without music? He felt his stomach do flips and surprise nestled into his heart as he saw Tauriel coming his way, leaving a brooding Olchon behind. She did a swift curtsy in his father's direction before turning to face him.

"We always dance the first dance together, remember?" she asked him lightly, smiling such a radiant smile that everything else seemed dull in comparison. "To welcome spring."

He nodded mutely and begun to rise, but stopped and briefly glanced his father's way. The king watched them with an unreadable expression, but graced his son with a swift nod and blue eyes that seemed to be saying, seemed to be warning 'only today'.

He smiled back at Tauriel and held out his hand for her to take, enjoying the feeling of her hand in his.

'Only today', his father might've said, but it was better than never.

Besides, the day wasn't over yet.

Sheelala = Spring Festival according to an elvish website.