Tauriel past POV

When I awoke I was in a chamber that was quite familiar, but it was not mine or Helena's. It was clear. I was in Legolas's bed. He did not change my clothes, only removed my cloak. I kept my eyes halfly closed, and noticed he was sitting by me. He stroked my face with tender finger, and brushed my shorter hair which was now his length. I could tell by his posture he was worried.I stirred a bit and he quickly looked over and smiled. I open my eyes.

"You're awake." He says relieved

"How long was I asleep?" I asked

"Six days." He says

"What?!" I say immediately before wincing a bit.

"Easy Tauriel." He catches my shoulder and rubs circles in my back 'soothingly'. Though it hurts more than it soothes

"Stop." I say quietly and he obliges.

"Please...Don't punish Helena." I say randomly, recalling the risks she had taken "She deserves no blame."

He nods.

"I understand that you are young," He says, "but it was foolish of you to go outside in the first place. Why did you listen to the king? Why risk yourself this when you could've consulted me?"

"I already know that my father exiled you, how much worse can talking to me become?" He took my hand under the covers and warmed it, not before noticing the deep centimeter scars embedded in my wrists.

It was pretty self explanatory. He eyed me for permission and I nodded. Legolas peeled back my sleeves and continued to trace up my arms, revealing the bruised and scarred Orc bites, embedding deep into my skin. His cool touched soothed my burns

"Tauriel." He whispered sympathetically. "You look terrible"

"It's fine. I'm fine."

"I should have had your back. I should have been there to tear those filths apart before they set their hands on you." His eyes flared with flames of anger.

Legolas continued, "Let me do the pleasures of avenging you, and to make myself feel better."

"Are the orcs not dead?" I ask.

"No, the guard found them in Mirkwood, but they wielded your elvish weapons, so my father ordered them locked up to rot instead after interrogation."

I say nothing. I close my eyes and sigh.

"These wounds will heal." He said. "I promise you will be good as new decades later."

Perhaps he spoke from experience. He was ageless. I was a baby compared to him.

I didn't want to show him the remainder of my body, but I didn't know I was so weak before I got myself into the hole of misery and setting him off unintentionally.

Personally I felt fine, having no idea what happened while I was unconscious. But the main thing I knew clearly was I was filthy. Rock clear, but still filthy.

"I should probably get up and bathe. I'm filthy and your bed must be soiled." I apologize. I would've bathed whilst staying with Helena, but clearly her chambers did not include a washroom. And I couldn't risk getting caught.

"It's nothing Tauriel, you may do so in my chambers.." Legolas replied as he assisted me. I felt a strong gratitude towards him.

I couldn't even walk in a straight line. So much for self confidence in feeling fine. He caught me as I stumbled over and over. Yes the walking to his chambers while I was at a critical stage of health was clearly unwise. Once a silvan elf always a silvan elf. I realized I could barely raise my arms to undress myself. This of which really irritated me. Tauriel you are strong. Do not show pain or struggle.

Legolas helped me undress to my undergarments since my arms and muscles were clearly all destroyed. Indents of deep black bites tattooed my skin all over.

He was fuming by the time I had taken off the garment Helena gave me. I looked at myself

Black, purple, blue, and red bite and slash marks of various sizes all over my pale skin. The wounds were beginning to heal, I could feel it. Nonetheless I looked like a hellish nightmare. Legolas skimmed over my front with a tender finger, stopping at the various bite marks over my chest. He balled his fist tightly. At least all the metal shards were gone

"You look terrible." he whispered again.

I closed my eyes and bit my lip. This was not me.

The only part that was still me were my hands and my face. He took my hands gently, and caressed my face.

"Look at me." Legolas said gently.

I opened my eyes and met his ice blue ones instantly. They showed anger I had never seen before. Like a sudden icy flame started within him.

"Those orcs will remorse they ever bit you or whipped you. I promise. Nobody in Mirkwood shall live after abusing in such ways. Not while I have authority." He says in a low tone.

That was the first time I've seen him that angry.

"Legolas." I say wearily.

Legolas grabbed his long daggers lying aside his bed and headed out swiftly before I could stop him. His face was as icy as a blizzard.

"Wait." I sighed but he had already exited.

I sighed again, a part of me relaxed. I made my way into the bathtub.

LINEBREAK

By the time I finished bathing and had gotten dressed again, with much struggle Legolas had already returned. He sat cleaning his daggers of what was distinctly the dark Orc blood.

I walked out and he immediately rushed to my aid, "Tauriel." He said with a bit more satisfaction. I wave him back. I felt stronger.

"What happened?" I asked

"I slaughtered them brutally." He said calmly. So calmly it sounded abnormal. Legolas was always calm and never overdid things.

"Legolas-"

"Redemption." He said. "For all the pain you felt, that I couldn't prevent."

I don't know the words to say. He clearly looked satisfied with himself

I get up and walk slowly out his door. Maybe mind refresher will help.

"I'd like to get back to training. My captain spot." I say.

"Tauriel that would be unwise." Legolas replied. "You are still recovering. I assure you your position will be restored, that guard shall be punished."

"But-"

He puts a finger against my mouth, "Rest some more Tauriel. You are fatigued beyond your awareness. I see it in your eyes" He leads me back to his bed and tucks me in.

I nod and shut my eyes. His calm face is the last thing I see,

I dreamed terribly. I saw myself fighting orcs. Kili, my parents, Arona, and I were surrounded by orcs.

My mother was first cut down. She screamed as orcs sliced her apart. I yelled, "Mother" as I cut my way to her dead body. My father fell next, saving me from being back stabbed.

It was just me and Kili.

He smiled at me, "Run Tauriel. I'll hold them off. I love you."

The dwarf kissed me on the cheek and then made his final stand. I ran away from the forests of filthy orcs and didn't stop til I reached a palace I didn't know I was aware of. Pain tore at my heart. Why was I the one chosen to live with this. Why.

Suddenly three orcs jump in front of me, catching me off guard. It disarmed me and I was cornered. The second Orc smiled and drew out a metal whip.

They slashed at me and I jolted. I screamed but no scream came.

"Tauriel. Tauriel wake up!"

I snap my eyes open. It's dark outside. I'm in Legolas's chambers still. Sweat and tears stain my face. Legolas uses a kerchief and gently wipes my sweat and face.

"My apologies, it was a nightmare."

"You can sleep Tauriel. No orcs will touch you again."

He strokes his fingers through my hair and slowly I fall asleep again.

When I awake I am still in Legolas's bed. It is still and warm as ever. A blanket is draped on top of me. Legolas smiles down at me

"Feel better?" He asks.

"Yes much. I should've slept on my own." I apologize, recalling what happened yesterday.

I sit up. Indeed I notice the scars on my arms have faded a tad. I still looked horrible, but this was progress. Legolas must've consulted healers whilst I was unconscious again.

A servant walks in. "My Prince, the king would like to see Tauriel alone please."

My face turns ashen. I couldn't tell him of my deal with Thranduil, but here was the moment of truth.

"I will escort her" He says.

"I can your majesty." The servant says.

"No it would be my honor to do so." He says

"But your majesty-"

"She can barely walk." He says harshly.

I scowl a bit. But the servant nods and exits.

I glance at him. He shows anger in his eyes. I touch his shoulder. "Please, do not be angry with him." I say

He doesn't respond, instead he leads me toward the throne room. I stop midway.

"Legolas, let me go on my own. I can walk." I say.

"No, it's time I faced him too." He says

We reached the throne room, "I'll go by myself. Please just stay outside. I can handle it." I say urgently.

He nods, "I'll be outside if anything happens. If Thranduil summons guards, I'll come."

He agreed finally, and I walk in the throne room and scan around. Sure thing there's a pile of disformed Orc bodies and heads in the corner. I could tell Legolas decapitated them brutally by the slash marks on the orcs neck and arms. I look up to see the king sitting on his throne, elegant and timeless as ever. I stand and bow to the king

"So it is true. You have lived. Again" Thranduil says,

"Yes." I say quietly

Thranduil talked smoothly, like always. But in search deep into his emotionless face I sensed a bit of care in him, which was certainly a good thing for this conversation.

"I summoned you to ask you how you feel? For I to have been through similar pains."

I nod, "I barely move and experience pain. It is bearable." I knew I had to be strong. His stupid words infuriated me.

" I know I've hurt you deeply, but I hope you will eventually forgive me."

I close my eyes. The fury and pain strikes me and I harden. Thranduil can be cruel and kind. But to me the cruelty was too far for my opinions to be swayed

"My apologies." I say, "But I cannot."

"Tauriel I know you and Prince Legolas are angry at me. I do take blame for what happened."

"No, you don't. My lord, you've never forgiven me for what I've done. You say you have, but you haven't." I clench my teeth and say quietly.

"Do not antagonize me!" Thranduil said louder and threateningly waves on the guard. "You already know the pain of losing a loved one. You think I know not?!" He silenced me

"I tried to find Legolas a mate. I did all I could til I realized it was you. When you faked your death, he began to fade quicker than I'd ever seen.You hold him to the ground" Thranduil said in a rather acerbic tone.

"You've taken away everything I ever had gained here. My lord why don't you just summon the guards and punish me. For failing to carry out your orders" I say softly. My family didn't count, but my friends, my position, and my home in which I've dwelled since I was practically born.

I turn back, he says loudly. "You're right I should. My apologies Tauriel. But I confess and will make up my mistake the best I can. You may stay here for the rest of your life but are enabled to leave freely. And I enable you to be restored to your position."

"I cannot give you an answer today." I say after a pause

"Very well." He sighs, "I'm patient. I can wait."

That was about the best apology Thranduil ever gave.

Tauriel present POV

Seeing Legolas off haunted me sometimes at night. The horse trotting literally sent a worrying chill through me. I couldn't fathom my hatred for the dark lord. Yet there was nothing I could do. Which angered me more. Here I was living in Valinor, a place of complete safely while my prince was out there fighting with around 10 people. No one had reported his death to Thranduil, so I assumed he was okay.

But we did get reported about the Battle of Helm's Deep, and the death of Haldir. 'Twas a dreadful night.

Haldir was a brave king and elf. We payed our memorial service to him

Time passed. I recovered more and more, my relationship with the king was slowly restored, my health improved, and my scars grew fainter and fainter. Legolas and Thranduil also resolved their conflict for the most part. Things were turning up.

Anyways I mounted my horse in the stables and rode out to hunt for either some larger game or some harvestable crops in the fields further out. I personally went to retrieve some crops.

I rode into the fields, halted my horse, and began picking the rich crops. I started with collecting corn and wheat, and then picked out a few ripe vegetables until my tote was full

There would be a feast tonight, whether Legolas wished it or not.

I returned by noon and began helping Helena in preparing the crops. Only a couple more hours.

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