hey, sorry for abandoning this fic for a couple weeks! my life got super busy, and it's about to get even more busy. I'm going on a temporary hiatus for at least the next few weeks. I should come back with an update in early April with more news, but we'll see how it goes.
Beneath the Stars
TEN
In the next few months, word quickly spread that the quest which Legolas had been chosen to be a part of was of grave importance. It concerned the destruction of—something. The rumors varied: some said it was a cursed sword, others a magic jewel, and still more believed it was an evil person of some sort. Tauriel didn't try to guess which was correct. She was sure that Losseth had plenty of theories, but...well, she wasn't privy to them anymore.
The questers left two months after the Council of Elrond. Tauriel was on duty as they left. There were nine of them: Legolas, Glóin's son Gimli, Aragorn, Mithrandir, Denethor's delegate and son Boromir, and, to her surprise, the four halflings.
Before they left, Legolas found her once more.
"Have you thought about my offer?" he asked her.
"Yes," she said. "I...I still am not sure."
"You do not seem very happy here," he discerned.
Her lips twitched into a bitter, wry smile. "You noticed."
"Yes." He looked at her, his eyes wide with concern. "I have missed you, Tauriel. You might be happier back home, where you belong."
She nodded. "Yes. But I do not know if I will be welcomed. I am a traitor, after all."
"My father will pardon you, I am sure of it," Legolas said confidently. "And the others will forgive you, even if they do not understand."
Tauriel sighed. She wished she could believe that, but after what happened with Losseth...
"Can I tell you after your quest?" she said. "I will have my answer by then, if you could return here before you go back home."
Legolas nodded. "Of course." He glanced over to where the other eight questers were almost ready to depart. "I must go. Goodbye, Tauriel." He clapped her on the shoulder fondly, then walked away.
The company soon left. Glóin stood beside her, watching them go.
"My little lad," he said, his voice full of emotion. "Off to save the world."
Tauriel patted him on the shoulder awkwardly. "He'll be fine."
"If he and that elf don't kill each other." Glóin chuckled.
Tauriel smirked. "Legolas is not fond of dwarves, it is true. But he'll give him a chance. He remembers me and Kíli, after all...and there's nothing like close quarters to turn enemies into friends."
Glóin guffawed. "Very true!"
"Tauriel." The call came from Tosdir, her new guard partner. "Come back to duty. You can talk with your dwarf...friend later."
Tauriel nodded, flushing a little. "I'm coming. Goodbye, Glóin." She walked back to her post beside Tosdir.
"Goodbye!" the dwarf said. The company had long since disappeared. After looking through the gates one last time, he tromped off back to the citadel, leaving Tauriel alone with Tosdir.
Glóin left to return to Erebor the next day. Tauriel wished him goodbye and sent her greetings to Dwalin along with him, and Balin, too, next time they corresponded.
Only a month later, Lord Elrond called a great meeting with all of the inhabitants of Rivendell. The whole valley was abuzz with gossip as each elf gathered in the citadel to listen to their leader speak. No one was quite sure what was going on.
Tauriel found herself beside Captain Ivorion. "Hello, Captain," she greeted him.
"Hello, Tauriel," he said, smiling. "Do you have any idea what this is all about?"
She shook her head. "Do you?"
"No," he admitted. "I didn't have time to ask Elladan before coming here."
"I'm sure we'll find out soon," she said. True to her prediction, Elrond soon appeared before his people.
"Friends," he said, spreading his hands in welcome, "I have called you here today to alert you to some very major events. As I am sure you all know already, I and some of my closest advisors have counseled with delegates from all the strongest kingdoms in Middle-earth. A Fellowship has set out at the decision of the council. They go to destroy a powerful object, a task instrumental to defeating Sauron in this final, impending war."
Tauriel's eyes widened. This was serious business. She had heard of evil things abroad and knew these were dark times, but she had not yet grasped the full importance of those tidings. If Elrond spoke truly, she feared for the safety of Middle-earth. The Battle of the Five Armies paled in comparison to the full wrath of Sauron.
"I regret that I cannot tell you more," Elrond continued, "but to be more specific would put the secretive nature of the quest in danger. May the Valar bless and guide our faithful warriors as they journey on this perilous quest."
Tauriel stifled a giggle as she thought of the four young hobbits. Faithful they may be, but "warriors" was a bit of a stretch. Still, they had Legolas and the others to guide them. Mithrandir would not lead the Fellowship astray.
"This, however, is not all," Elrond said. He bowed his head. "These are dark times. For ages and years the power of the Eldar has waned, and now, as darkness creeps through our lands, I feel my heart grow heavier still. I have long considered my role in maintaining and protecting Rivendell as a last safe haven for the elves of Middle-earth, and I have come at last to a conclusion." He sighed. "I am leaving these lands for Valinor."
Murmurs of shock spread throughout the assembled crowd. Beside Tauriel, Ivorion gasped audibly.
"The time of the elves in Middle-earth is rapidly coming to a close," Elrond explained. "I will not abandon the people who need me—not yet—and I intend to stay to aid the free peoples of Middle-earth throughout this final war. But when it is over, I must go. My time is up. Our time is up."
Elrond's children walked up behind him to in solidarity. Elladan and Elrohir wore somber expressions, and Arwen was visibly upset, but the three of them nonetheless supported their father in his decision.
"Rivendell is no longer a safe haven for all," Elrond said. "My remaining time here will be spent aiding the war effort. I cannot protect this valley as I once have. If you wish to remain, I will allow it, but I will assume that you wish to support our cause and I will put you to work. If you desire to leave for the Grey Havens, Galdor is returning there next week. You are all welcome to accompany him."
Elrond took one last look at his people, sorrow in his eyes. "I am glad to have spent so much time among you all. You are good people who do not deserve such hardships. But we all must fight the battles that are given to us. I wish you each the best of fortune in the storm to come." He nodded, then turned to leave.
Tauriel was shocked. She had not expected such news from him. It seemed she really would have to leave Rivendell, one way or another.
Around her, she heard elves discussing the news. To her surprise, she found that most had already decided to leave for Valinor. That had never really been a choice in her mind. Tauriel loved Middle-earth. Perhaps one day she would go to the Grey Havens and depart for whiter shores, but for now she would stay.
"What are you going to do, Tauriel?" Ivorion asked her.
She frowned. "I...I think I would like to go back to the Greenwood, one last time. And I will fight for these lands and these people. I have hope yet." She was surprised to realize that she did, and always had. Even after losing Kíli, losing her home, feeling so lost, finding a friend in Losseth only to lose her to petty grievances, even then—she still hoped for a brighter future. It was why she had not faded in grief, why she had not left for Valinor years ago, why she was still determined to fight for these lands. The stars still shone even in the blackness of night, and she would not give up her hope until they faded.
Ivorion nodded. "I understand. You've always been a fighter, as long as I've known you, though we have never been close. You won't give up, not when there's still light." He sighed. "I'm afraid I'm not quite the same. I have yearned for the joys of Valinor for an age, ever since I lost my beloved in the War of the Last Alliance. I stayed because of Elladan's encouragement and friendship, but I do not know I can stand another war. I will go with Galdor."
"I wish you joy in Valinor," she told him. "I hope the Valar allow you to see your beloved again."
He smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Tauriel. I wish you victory, and may your hope never die."
"Thank you," she murmured. He waved to her in farewell, then left, most likely searching for Elladan.
Tauriel took a deep breath. Legolas would not find her here after his part in this war was over. She longed to see the trees of her homeland again, to fight alongside her friends, to serve a cause once more. Legolas had opened the door to the possibility, but she was going to return to the Woodland Realm on her own terms.