You guys are absolutely amazing! The reviews you guys give me are absolutely magnificent and so much appreciated! Please, keep it up! The more reviews I get the quicker the next chapter comes out ;)
Also, to my reviewer mebobst: Right now, I just have random one shot ideas floating around, but I do enjoy having ones that I can add a part two to or how many ever parts I need to add haha! If you have any ideas for me, do not be afraid to voice your thoughts! :)
This one shot is between Tauriel and Marielle, in which Tauriel turns very protective. Enjoy :D
Marielle has always been one of the smartest Elves in Mirkwood. Even at her age, she had the intellectual level of that of a 500-year-old he-Elf on the council. The Elves of Mirkwood did not value formal education as other kingdoms, since Wood Elves were mainly fighters. All young Elves attended school and once they got to a certain level, they could either choose to continue to learn or leave the educational system.
Marevick, Marielle, Lourden, and Aubron were still in school, for the choice was made at the age of 18 whether to continue on with school or not. The princes were intelligent, but like most young, male Elves, they just wanted to train all day. Marielle on the other hand, loved learning as much as she did training. She could never get enough to cease her eager mind. Every problem she faced in life, she would look at it from a logical standpoint. She always could be heard reciting mathematical functions while training or simply walking down the hallway.
Her mother always laughed whenever the two would walk in the gardens together because for every flower, Marielle knew the scientific name for.
The royal family always was proud of how smart Marielle was, especially for an Elf her age and also because not many Mirkwood she-Elves valued education as much as Marielle. Most people in the kingdom were impressed with Marielle's intellectual level for only being fifteen. Nevertheless, her opinion was valued by many of the villagers. Whenever Marielle walked through the village of Mirkwood, she was stopped by a minimum of five Elves each time, each wondering her thoughts on a situation they presented. Whether it had to do with farming or what herbs worked best together, Marielle always had an answer.
Even the most well-respected mathematicians and scientists of the Woodland Realm were intrigued when they would have conversations with the princess. Marielle had to always hide her excitement when they would talk to her, for she looked up to them.
Though Marielle was one of most intelligent Elves in the Woodland Realm, she never once thought she was above anyone. To her, everyone had something they specialized in. Sure, she could figure out an advanced mathematical equation within seconds but she knew she couldn't prepare a meal as well as a palace chef could.
Her brothers often would challenge their sister with long equations to see how quick it took her to find the answer. Even if she was wrong, (which she rarely was) her brothers would not even know because they couldn't remember the numbers they rambled off.
If there was one person who didn't respect Marielle's intelligence, it was her teacher, Lord Kinick. He believed she-Elves to be lower than he-Elves. She-Elves opinions did not matter to him because they were females, meaning they were not as smart as males.
While everyone else was quite impressed with Marielle getting all the answers right on tests that was two levels above where her classmates were, Lord Kinick was appalled. He felt Marielle was trying to make her classmates feel inferior to her, when that was nowhere near the case.
While Marielle was grabbing her papers to leave class one day, Lord Kinick asked her to stay behind.
"Yes, Lord Kinick?" Marielle asked politely, approaching his desk.
"You are one of the smartest Elves in this school." Lord Kinick stated, offering for Marielle to sit.
Marielle didn't know if he was complimenting her because it sounded more like a statement.
"I still have so much to learn." Marielle added, not knowing what he was trying to say.
"Do you find it odd that you are the only she-Elf who plans on furthering her education?" He asked, raising his eyebrows at her.
Marielle blinked widely, not knowing what to say. "No, I do not. I value education while other she-Elves value different skills."
"You are the only Elf in your age level to be two classes advanced. I do not remember ever teaching a female that was that intellectually advanced." He said, his tone bored.
"It is not even common for male Woodland Elves to continue with their education after the final level. Woodland Elves are fighters so I understand why there are not many of us who continue to learn the liberal arts." Marielle argued back.
"What I mean to say that it is not right for a she-Elf to intelligent." He said, his face hard.
Marielle almost gasped, surprised at his words. "I-I'm sorry you feel that way, Lord Kinick. I have a hunger for knowledge, that is all. I can assure you I am not using my knowledge to make anyone feel less of themselves, for that is against my morals. I value every Elf's individuality, whether that is through fighting, knowledge, sewing, farming-"
Lord Kinick cut her off with his cruel laugh. "Do you hope to seek a husband one day?"
"Yes, I do." Marielle frowned, not knowing where his question was leading.
"And you really think a he-Elf will take a wife who is smarter than him?"
"I've never been aware of a male Elf who thinks of himself higher than a female Elf." Marielle herself was shocked by his words. Elves did think of themselves higher than all races, but not each other.
Lord Kinick scoffed at her answer. "You are obviously ignorant to the land you supposedly are the princess of."
"Do you dare question my position as the princess?" Marielle practically hissed, her anger rising.
"Actually, I do. You are not of royal blood. I do not see how I should have to respect you." Lord Kinick stated, as if it was a simple statement.
"I have never met anyone who lets their arrogance control their words as much as yours does." Marielle said, the anger clear in her voice.
"You stupid, stupid girl. You really think the people of Mirkwood respect your opinion? If anything, your opinion belittles them. You think you know so much about everything when you in fact hardly know anything. Do you see any females who are philosophers? Or, how many females are apart of the guard?"
Marielle swallowed, her eyes darting everywhere. She didn't know any female philosophers and there was only about four female guard members.
Lord Kinick smirked, knowing he stumped the princess. "I assume the village you were born into values knowledge, so that is where you get your knowledge trait from. I have one simple solution for you. Go back to that village, and live amongst them. You're not wanted here." He leaned into to hiss the words at Marielle.
Marielle stared at him, hurt crossing her face. She looked down and nodded, defeated. If she didn't feel wanted here before, now she really felt unwanted. She has always struggled with feeling accepted and this conversation had ruined any progress she has made.
She quickly left, the tears free flowing as she ran into the woods, wishing to never found. She climbed the tallest tree she could find and curled up into a ball and continued to cry. Her cries turned into sobs and broken, painful sounds. She cried for the reminder of her abandonment, for thinking she was actually smart and made her family proud, for being herself.
After hours of watching the sun fall, Marielle finally got herself calmed down enough to think straight. She hated feeling vulnerable because for too long she felt that way. Running her hands down her face to rid of any final tears, she decided to go back to palace.
The warning horn sounded which meant the gates would shut in five minutes and also let Marielle know she was expected to be home by then.
She greeted the guards with a warm smile as they bowed to her. The guards were surprised that Marielle didn't tell them a joke, like she usually did. Either way, they just shrugged at each other and watched the princess walk down the grand hallway.
Weeks continued, and Marielle would purposely choose the wrong answers on her tests so she'd have the average score for a she-Elf. She compiled data from the past weeks of the scores of she-Elves in her class and found the average score for them. She then calculated what percent she needed to get on her tests so her scores would be like her female classmates.
On a warm Saturday evening, about three weeks after the confrontation, Tauriel found Marielle sitting on her balcony.
"Sell nîn." Tauriel greeted her daughter as she joined her.
Marielle turned to her mother with a warm smile. Tauriel leaned down so Marielle could lean up and kiss her on the cheek.
"Sut naa lle umien?" Marielle asked her mother as she watched her take a seat next to her.
"I am fine, thank you." Tauriel said, staring off into the beautiful view like her daughter was.
"Your father and I worry about you." Tauriel finally spoke, turning to look at her daughter.
She saw her daughter's face turn sad like it always looked now.
"Why?" Marielle asked, keeping her eyes on the distance.
"We haven't seen your true smile in weeks now. You're also not doing as well as you were in school. What is going on? You can tell me anything." Tauriel assured her and grabbed her hand.
Marielle slightly shrugged. "I am not as smart as I once was, I guess."
"I do not believe that to be true. You still read just as often and I still hear you say mathematical functions to yourself." Tauriel said with a smile.
Marielle's eye twitched, trying to come up with a better lie. "I do not believe I am doing poorly."
"No, you are not. But, you use to get all the answers right on your tests and now you get barely get half right." Tauriel pointed out.
"I am doing as well as the average she-Elf my age does." Everything clicked in Tauriel's mind.
Tauriel had never been fond of Lord Kinick because of his cockiness. She often noticed how he treated Elves of the opposite gender and to say he acts rude is putting it lightly. She had heard wind before of Lord Kinick talking lowly of her daughter, saying her intelligence is embarrassing, especially if she seeks to one day have a husband.
"Did Lord Kinick speak to you?" Tauriel broke the silence, catching her daughter's attention.
"It's nothing." Marielle murmured, looking down as her fingers fiddled with a loose string.
"I do not want you to ever feel embarrassed of your passion for knowledge. It is a gift that you have, your brain. Whatever makes you happy, that is what you should do with your immortal life. Never think for a mere second that your father and I are not proud of you. You've never ceased to amaze us, especially when you'd run into the palace covered in dirt and talk about all the discoveries you had come across that day. I swear your grandfather could listen hours on end to your adventures. For a little elf, you were certainly a busy body." Tauriel comforted her daughter, giving her hand a squeeze.
Marielle smiled sadly at her mother, remembering the memories. "He...he also brought up the fact that I am adopted." Marielle whispered, running a hand through her own hair.
"What did he say?" Tauriel hissed.
"Lord Kinick has no respect for me because I am not of royal blood. He believes I don't belong here."
"Marielle, I want you to listen to my words. We've always loved you like our own and from the day you came to us, I knew where you belonged. With us. I've never had the slightest regret of taking you in because you have brought so much happiness and joy to our lives. Our sweet, beautiful, joyful daughter. You've brought new light to our life and we cannot imagine a day without you. Never forget that our family wouldn't be complete without thee. We'd be broken without our little Marielle." Tauriel spoke to her daughter, looking her deep in the eyes.
Marielle threw her arms around her mother, letting a few tears slip. Her mother, like usual, had comforted her in a time of sadness. Tauriel had been the mother she never had and always needed. Marielle knew her mother was right, they didn't need to be blood related to still be family.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go talk with a guard. I'll be right back, I promise." Tauriel gave her daughter a final squeeze and a kiss on the forehead before quickly leaving. Marielle watched her mother leave, confused. Either way, she shrugged it off and continued to look over Mirkwood.
Once Tauriel made it to the hallway, she grabbed the nearest guard.
"Where can I find Lord Kinick?" She said through clenched teeth.
"In the conference room with the king, your husband, sons, and a couple other council members, my lady."
Tauriel stormed off towards the conference room. Lord Kinick had made the biggest mistake of insulting one of her children and she was going to make sure he'd pay for it.
Tauriel didn't bother knocking on the doors, instead slamming them open. All conversation had ceased and the group was looking at her. Her eyes scanned for Lord Kinick and narrowed when she found him. Legolas was about to speak when Tauriel opened her mouth first.
"How dare you speak to my daughter the way you did." She seethed at Lord Kinick.
Lord Kinick acted as if he didn't understand. "Your daughter? She is so smart-"
"Not only did you make her feel like her intelligence was a curse, you brought up how you had no respect for her." Tauriel cut him off.
"Wha-"
"You brought up the fact she wasn't royal blood so her right to rule meant nothing to you. Did you tell her she didn't belong here?" Tauriel was not going to let this imbecile defend himself.
"Well, I didn-"
"Answer the question." Tauriel demanded.
"Yes, I did. The Elves of Mirkwood are fighters and she obviously isn't. She's too ignorant for her own good." Lord Kinick admitted.
The whole room feel silent, tension rising against Lord Kinick.
"You dare speak of my granddaughter that way?" Thranduil spoke, his face turning stone cold.
"Forgive me, my lord, but I believe since she is adopted, she should be with a commoner family since that is what she truly is." Lord Kinick shrugged.
"Get out of my sight." Thranduil hissed, outraged by Lord Kinick's words.
Lord Kinick got up to leave but Legolas stopped him before he could.
"If you dare ever speak lowly to my daughter again, you will regret it. I can promise you that." Legolas stared coldly into Lord Kinick's eyes, meaning his words.
Lord Kinick swiftly left. Marielle was hiding behind a tree in the hallway when Lord Kinick quickly walked by. She had heard everything said in that room once her mother had arrived.
No matter how much of an outsider she felt occasionally, her family would never see her as one.
What a sweet little one shot! I hope it wasn't cheesy, I was trying to go for the protective mother feel! Tauriel is not a force to be reckoned with when it comes to her children! Please review! Next one shot is going to be with the whole family! Have a great night, everyone :)