Note: Alright guys, prepare for my longest chapter yet. It is filled with fluff and smut towards the end, so you have been officially warned. Speaking of smut... This is like the first time I have ever written anything so adult themed, so it's probably not that great, but hopefully in the sequel I will be able to do it better. Along with all that stuff, there will be hints about what my sequel is going to address. Now before you read, I want to say thank you to everyone who has followed and reviewed. I look forward to hearing what you guys think about this chapter, so without further ado, here is the last chapter of this fic :)

Upon entering the halls of Mirkwood again, Tauriel was relieved at last. Even though she wasn't directly by Thranduil's side as she set foot upon the glorious halls, it was enough just to be back.

"Looks like you fulfilled your promise." Maein said, making Tauriel remember the way she abruptly left. It made her heart grow slightly heavier, because it occurred to her that things would never be the same since then. Nonetheless, she gave her friend a smile.

The other elves that had stayed at the kingdom were happy upon the return of everyone who had survived. Tauriel was happy when she saw loved ones reuniting, and she felt bad for the others who were sad to see that some of their loved ones didn't make it back. When they laid eyes on Tauriel, they greeted her with hesitation. She held her head high though, and smiled at all of them. She had to assure her fellow elves that everything was okay. But even she wasn't so sure how people would perceive her now.

They didn't relax until Thranduil stated later why she had been allowed to come back. Even then though, some still hesitated at being too comfortable with her.

There were festivities of course, but Tauriel wanted no part in them. On her way out, she ran into Lady Rainil, who of course stood in her way. She knew that nothing good was going to come out of her mouth.

"Aren't you the little perfect guard captain? Going and getting the king's jewels for him. Tell me, why did you do that?" The high pitched tone in the lady's voice irked her.

"My reasons and motives are none of your concern." She knew that wasn't a good answer, but she just wasn't up for giving them.

"Why are you leaving the festivities then?"

"Because I just want to be alone and at peace, I will not have anyone keep me from it anymore. I have suffered great losses because of this war."

"Losses like your dwarf lover?"

"I don't know what you have heard my lady, but I was never in love with that dwarf. Do me a favor and stop making silly assumptions. I would actually rather have those rumors ended right now. There are things far worse to focus on than gossip about me." She felt something starting up inside her, and she needed to get out now, but Lady Rainil was still gazing at her with a smug look on her face.

"What else is everyone supposed to think? There are lots of people that envy you now Tauriel. You get away with way too much. I hope you know that. What are you going to do about that?"

Lady Rainil knew that she had Tauriel exactly where she wanted her. She had to be careful of what she said. Despite that, she could feel her emotions rising fast. The people behind her were grieving for the loved ones they lost, and yet this councilwoman was questioning her to no end about her personal endeavors.

"That is a question yet to be answered. Now if you'll excuse me I need to be alone. Now."

"But I am not don-"

"Put your questions to rest! I am tired and I need to be alone!"

When the lady made no reply, Tauriel quickly walked past her. She let out a small breath once she was at a good enough distance outside. All she wanted was solitude at the moment. That little outburst she had just now was a bit uncalled for, but it was necessary.

She heard the sounds of the party really starting up, but she wasn't feeling any of the usual vibe she usually had at elven parties. Celebrating was something elves did to forget, but Tauriel couldn't forget what she had done. She still regretted pointing her bow at Thranduil, and she always would no matter how many times he would tell her it was okay.

She went straight to her room. Going to the tree would lead to Thranduil following her and finding her there, and she didn't want to see him. If she did, she would just feel guilty for everything she did all over again. When it came down to the core reason of her sorrow, it was just her being fearful, and alone. She missed Legolas deeply. The event of her small journey flashed through her head, and when Kili came to her mind, the tears finally began to pour. His dead face was a reminder of what she botched.

Even though she was buried in grief, she managed to not be so loud in her crying until she got into her room for the first time in days. After she closed the door behind her gently, she threw down her equipment and guard clothes, and then plummeted herself face forward into her bed. Her weeps were loud, but muffled by her pillow. This was what she needed. It continued for quite some time until they finally slowed into soft whimpers and gasps. She was trying so hard to breathe and calm down because she knew she had to eventually.

Sleep overcame her before she did.

She felt something warm appear next to her. Strong arms draped around her. She instinctively made herself comfortable in them. They lifted her, and she felt herself being pressed against another body. She opened her eyes to find a hooded Thranduil was now sitting under her in her bed. He placed a kiss on her head.

"Please, do not avoid me." He said sincerely.

"I wasn't trying to…"

She pulled his arms off her and turned to face him on his lap. Being like this with him was so different, but at the same time, a relief. There was no longer that overbearing tension they had when going to report about something. Their troubles with their feelings were over, but with that, new troubles arose. They didn't voice them, because they didn't want to think of them.

"I just wanted some solitude, to let the worst of my tears out." Tauriel said after some time. It was true she felt better, and with him here now, she was even more so.

"Are you ready to forget now?" He asked, while touching her face and letting her feel his warmth. She nodded.

He pulled her close and began kissing her slowly and passionately. One hand snaked around her back and the other entangled in her hair. He pulled her as close to him as possible, without being too forceful. In that moment nothing else mattered. Her troubles were swallowed up by the long and everlasting kisses he gave her.

After a while he broke apart slightly, and nibbled on her lower lip. She emitted a squeak that had never come out of her before. He broke from her mouth and she gasped as his moved to the places that he had discovered were her weak points. She was tingling as he fluttered kisses along her jawline. They made her whimper, especially when his mouth lingered on the base of her neck. The experience was even more blissful than their first night together.

It pleased her to hear him groaning as he kept kissing and nibbling her neck.

"Tell me you'll never leave me." He murmured.

That made her pause, and a chill ran through her, despite the fact that she was in the arms of her divine king. After she made no response, he stopped, and looked at her questioningly.

"My king how could I ever-"

"Say my name."

Despite how entangled she was with him at the moment, there was suddenly a wave of worries that drowned her.

"Thranduil… Knowing that we both feel the same for each other, I could never leave you again. But what is going to happen now? Are we just going to sneak away to one another's chambers' every night until somehow we are no more?"

At that he sat up, and the heat of the moment was gone. There were still many concerns with what they were doing now, and this one was bound to come up.

"No, but now isn't the right time to do anything else on this matter but express our feelings secretly." That was his answer, and her heart skipped a beat, but not in the right way.

"When would be the right time? How will you explain this to your people?" She urged.

"I do not know that, but you must trust me Tauriel, I have sworn to myself to never doubt your loyalty and trust again, please say you will do the same." He looked a bit panicked in that next moment, and Tauriel put her hand on his cheek.

"I will, Thranduil." She kissed him again. This time, it was harder and deeper. It became evident that there was still no clear answer on what they would do with each other. For now she just wanted to revel in the fact that he chose to embrace these feelings, rather than push them away even when they came to light.

They fell asleep not long after that, because it was evident that both of them had no energy to go any further because of the journey and hardships they faced, but Tauriel knew she was going to experience the feeling of him eventually. The way he had possessed her said it was definitely in his mind.

The next morning he left her early, telling her to find him in his study later that evening. She missed him the moment he left her sight, but knowing that they would be close again soon encouraged her to get ready for the day.

For the first time since all the sadness and stress in her life, she felt renewed.

Thranduil tried to distract his mind with daily affairs. But thinking about the night past and the night about to come, he just couldn't.

It occurred to him then, that his life was now completely different; he and Tauriel were in love, but Legolas was gone. Thinking of his son struck a chord in him. It had hardly registered, because the thought of Tauriel was immense. Then finally he laid his eyes upon the necklace of Lasgalen along with its gems, striking his thoughts.

"I really hope you will forgive me, Iestebeth." He hadn't said her name aloud in years. Too many memories of his past that he buried sprung up at the thought of it. But he decided both Tauriel and Legolas needed to know of her.

He decided it was time to think of a moment with her, but the memory that occurred immediately was one of horror as the image of her being carried away by orcs flashed through his mind. He heard her scream as though it was happening at that moment.

The impact made him collapse, but after a while of breathing, he found a memory that was stronger than the day he failed.

It was the day they met.

He actually smiled slightly at the thought of it, and he felt young again. Yet this time, his surge of youth lasted a little bit longer before fading away with the memory of fire. The fire he thought of wasn't one that came from a dragon; it was the fiery spirit that was Tauriel.

His spirit was renewed, and that was because of her. Yes, he was bound to another in life and in death, but her memory was mostly sadness. Each time he remembered his beloved wife, he knew the memories were just doom.

Tauriel gave him hope. She was the fire breaking through the hard ice that he had created years ago.

He soon realized his thoughts were running long, and that he had many things to do on that day. The most important one was sending soldiers to Dale to help rebuild it. He owed Bard for helping him in the war.

He reached his throne room, and found Lady Rainil standing in it.

"Good day my lord, I am glad to see you alive and well." She said, bowing her head and letting the golden strands of her hair fall forward.

He bowed politely back. "What brings you here?" He asked, cocking his head slightly. He had almost forgotten to hide his lighthearted emotion when approaching his throne room, but seeing her made him remember.

"I wanted to know why you were absent from the party, and why Legolas did not return." She certainly didn't waste any time questioning the suspicious things.

"I see no reason to celebrate after a war, those parties are made for my people to forget, and Legolas has decided to journey off." He really wanted her to leave. What was she gaining from this?

"Oh, I also wanted to ask why you have pardoned Tauriel from her banishment. Could you lighten the confusion for me?"

Thranduil grimaced, but he sighed. "Tauriel got my heirlooms back. I cannot turn away someone who has done a great thing for me. But even if she hadn't done that, I would have never left her behind."

She smiled a bit too mischievously, and he didn't like it.

"So you just let rebellious people back in because they run your errands for you?" Thranduil would hear no more. Lady Rainil clearly has some sort of complication with Tauriel, but she likes to make her out to be more than she is.

"You are twisting my words. She did me a favor, and after I knew of her motives, it would have been unfair for me to keep her out. Do not question me anymore on my decisions. I am your king and I will hear no more of this." He was internally glad that the news of Tauriel's defiance would not reach the public. Elves love to gossip, and Lady Rainil would have probably been the first to know.

"You don't use the king card on Tauriel do you?"

"Enough! If you speak to me negatively about Tauriel again, I will have her replace you as a member of my council. I trust Tauriel, because her ideas and her loyalty to me are like no other. I do admire her, and maybe even favor her. But as king, I am allowed to be unfair sometimes. In saying that, I do still have high expectations of her. Now please leave." His voice was roaring throughout the hall even though he wasn't shouting. To his surprise though, she wasn't really frightened by it. He lowered his gaze on her, conjuring his most intimidating look. "And next time think about who you are speaking to before saying and assuming such bold things."

She left, and he was glad for that.

Tauriel spent the day with Maein, helping her with healing up the last of their living elves remaining injuries. Afterward they were alone to talk.

"So how are things with you and the king?" Maein asked, after a while of discussing other things.

"They are fine, but if I am honest, I don't want to do all this sneaking around now."

"Tauriel, you do know that what you guys are doing is really risky? The king is already bound to someone, and you cannot just break that bond, and you cannot expect him to declare his love to the people so easily."

Tauriel sighed, because that was her biggest worry all along. "He has reassured me it will be okay, but I just don't feel like everything is going to be okay. People are already questioning me and my actions. One prime example is your mother."

Maein wasn't surprised at hearing that, but she did look down in disappointment. "Yeah, I heard." She told Tauriel that her mother recounted what happened at the party to her.

Moments later, a female elf with amber hair and green eyes came into the healing room, and she bowed her head when she approached Tauriel. It was a chilling sight. She didn't remember her position being one where people had to bow to her.

"Hello Captain Tauriel, my name is Naradeth. I come bearing a proposition for you." Tauriel's interest was certainly piqued.

"What is this proposition you speak of?"

"Well, I arrived at Dale once the fighting had ended, because the king had requested we bring more supplies. I was there healing people, and I couldn't help but notice Maein. I remembered her desire to be in the guard that you granted. And well, after hearing that Maein was really effective being a fighter and a healer, several other women including myself want the opportunity that Maein has. We thought it would be best to suggest it to you, since it has become clear that the king listens to you."

Tauriel glanced over to Maein, who was smiling. While Tauriel herself was excited about the idea, she couldn't go and fight Thranduil again so soon over another issue. But above everything else, she saw this as a new purpose she wanted to fulfill.

"Naradeth, I do appreciate this idea, and I will certainly suggest it to our king, but I do not know if anything will happen right away. I am trying to be cautious. As you may have heard, there are many rumors about me. This isn't just an issue with the king either; the council is involved as well…" She cringed to say that, but she knew the elf would accept her answer.

"I understand, thank you Captain." Naradeth looked neither pleased nor disappointed, so Tauriel was relieved at that.

"I will keep you updated as much as possible, and Maein will as well."

The healer left, and Tauriel sighed. "I want to be excited about this, but it's just making me nervous, especially the thought of bringing this up with the council." Her nails were digging into her palm.

"Tauriel, these things have never stopped you before. Why now?" Maein put a hand on her shoulder, noticing how different her friend felt.

"I am a different person. I want to be less dangerous, and wiser. But now I have to make a choice." It is a choice between having the approval over the nobles, or the people.

"Then how about this; I will suggest this to the council on their next meeting. I know my mother will be very against it, but I know the other members can be swayed. Besides, I need a few females to take my place since I am going to be out of battle for a while."

At that Tauriel raised her eyebrows at her friend. "What do you mean? Did you get hurt?" She felt a pang of panic in her.

Maein just smiled, and put Tauriel's hand on her stomach.

"I am with child."

Tauriel gasped. This was certainly news, and very unusual. It is not likely that elves would choose to have children at this time. It wouldn't be a good environment for any newborn to have to live in.

"How long have you known this?" Tauriel asked, her voice almost a breath. She was smiling nonetheless.

"I have known since the day we captured those dwarves. I was going to seek you out and tell you that night at the feast, but I couldn't find you. Then at Dale, I completely forgot to mention it, since so many things were happening."

Tauriel was genuinely happy for Maein. Her heart lightened at the thought of seeing a child coming from her friend.

"I will help you on this journey, since you have helped me on many. If you and Merenor should ever fall in battle I swear I will love this child as if it were my own." She was beaming inside. Despite their current trouble, there were still reasons to smile.

"Thank you so much Tauriel. That makes me so happy."

Merenor actually did come to them later, and Tauriel left them alone, saying that she would after all propose Naradeth's idea to the king. It was a good excuse to see him, even if it wasn't for the purpose of more intimate deeds.

The whole way to his throne room though, she felt like she was being followed. Elves knew how to be stealthy against other elves, but Tauriel knew what it felt like. She didn't go to the throne room right away; she walked around the kingdom halls until she was sure she wasn't being followed anymore, and then finally she made the journey there.

It was a very long, but successful day for Thranduil, and he was about to retire for the evening to wait for Tauriel.

He stood up just as she entered the room though, bowing her head and acting formal with him. When her eyes met his, there was a hint of worry in them. He quickly dismissed his guards, telling them not to let anyone bother him while he spoke with Tauriel.

He descended from his throne, and met up with her. He touched her face; and his own was now mirroring her concern. "What's wrong?" He asked her at last.

"I was being followed on my way here. I had to make a lot of weird turns, but I lost whoever it was." She stood still, and her face didn't make any difference when he dropped his hand from her face to hold her own.

"I don't doubt it. Lady Rainil was questioning me about you this morning."

"She stopped me last night when I was on my way out. There are rumors spreading about me. Apparently, I am a dwarf lover and the king's pet." Her worried face was now irritated, and he tightened his grip on her hand.

"Do not listen to them Tauriel. You know what you are."

"What am I then?"

Thranduil froze, now realizing what she means. He found himself in a predicament on what he should say. After a while of thought, he found the right answer.

"You are my love, and when the time is right, I will declare you officially mine." He went to the measure of putting his arms around her and pulling her into a secret, stolen kiss. It was really short though, because they both knew how extremely risky it was.

She gave him a small chuckle. He presumed it was because the situation they were in was ironic.

"But that is only what I feel for you. What you are is something for you decide, and eventually become. What do you want to be?" He looked into her eyes, and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

She was looking at him with the same sincerity, and finally she put her arms around his waist, despite how risky it was.

"I want to be your equal, and not someone that anyone could just walk over."

"You're already halfway there." He kissed her nose. "It will all come, but with patience."

Her face was lighter, and she relaxed, but her thoughts brought her back into a state of slight unease. "You're not going to believe this, but I actually have something to tell you. Well, it's more of a warning about a suggestion to be made."

He raised an eyebrow in confusion and interest. "Tell me."

"A female elf came to me today, and told me that she and others want to learn how to fight." The words came out confidently from her mouth, but she had a look of hesitation on her face.

"Tauriel, we cannot have people suspect my relationship with you anymore. You have to lay low on suggesting things."

She smiled at him in response, and he was intrigued by it. The urge to kiss that smile was overwhelming.

"I'm not suggesting it, Maein is. She's going to propose it at the next council meeting in the spring." He admired her even more in that moment. It seemed she knew exactly how to deal with things now.

"Well, in that case, thank you for letting me know. I won't be surprised when it comes up then."

They realized that their conversation was going too long, and their urges for each other were rising rapidly. Thranduil was thinking of his bed and her in it with him. His face was hot with desire at that.

"Shall we continue this conversation later?" He slightly winked, and Tauriel's face was growing hot with uncertainty.

"What about me being followed?"

"Give me your pendant."

Without hesitation, she did, and Thranduil clasped it in his hands, speaking a soft chant. He put it in her hands and enclosed it there. "Don't wear it until you are on your way to my study. No one will notice you unless they are actively seeking you out. If you feel like someone is following you, make sure to go to your room."

She nodded. "I'll see you soon." She held his hand tightly one last time, and then let it go, walking out. He decided to wait a moment, and when he felt it was right, he left the room finally.

In his study, he took off his heavy crown, and waited patiently for Tauriel to come to him. Their moment of joining was about to happen, and Thranduil actually found himself excited for the first time in many years. It had been so long, but now, he was finally getting a taste of happiness and bliss again. If it wasn't right, then why did he feel this way? Surely an explanation would come for him soon.

But right now, all he wanted was Tauriel.

Tauriel made it back to her room without feeling like she was being followed, so she was relieved at that. She quickly slipped on her nightgown, and put her necklace on.

She didn't feel anyone follow her, and it was so strange to be walking past so many elves and not a single one was looking at her. She held her breath.

After a while, she made it to the entryway of Thranduil's study. She was having second thoughts suddenly, and it occurred to her what they were about to do. She almost had a fleeting thought to just run, because there was certainly no going back from this affair.

She didn't turn back though, because she didn't want to. She took off her necklace and entered the study. He was sitting on one of his couches, staring off into the distance. She breathed out slowly, but her heart was beating so fast.

He finally looked at her, and she was surprised to see a smile on his face. It lightened her heart, and she returned his smile with her own.

"The last time I saw you in a nightgown you were armed and angry." He said deeply, motioning her to come closer. "That may have been the first time I truly admired your body and the woman that you have become."

She walked up to him, and sat next to him on the couch, fidgeting slightly. She smiled at the memory.

Her breath caught in her throat when he placed his fingers just barely on her hand. She looked up at him, completely and utterly mesmerized at the way he was in their solitude. She wanted to explore that side of him.

His hand wrapped around hers, and she was quick to turn it and indulge in this simple act between them.

He then leaned down to her and captured her lips at last. It started slow and passionate, and then it suddenly escalated. He pulled her onto his lap and held her close to him. His hands were running up and down her back to create friction, and after a while, they cupped onto her bottom. His thumbs traced circles on it through the fabric. She gasped at the feeling.

The heat was rising between them, especially for Tauriel when she felt his erection against her thigh. Instinctively, she pumped her hips to encourage him. This feeling made her realize that she could no longer wait to be one with him. "Take me, please." She whispered into his ear.

The king complied, and he raised her from the couch, taking her into his personal chambers. It had been so long since she had entered this room, but that thought only occurred for a second in Tauriel's mind.

He collapsed on top of her on the colossal bed that he owned. The feel of the sheets were amazing, and she wanted to melt into them.

Sitting above her, he finally started to discard his robes, showing her his body as more of it appeared before her.

His hands went away from his clothes to her waist, and he stared down at her. "Does your body still ache?" He smiled when Tauriel shook her head. "Show me." He whispered.

She was so nervous in that moment, but she pulled her arms out of her sleeves and then she pushed her nightgown down past her chest and stomach. She kept eye contact with Thranduil as he gazed upon her bare chest.

He moved away, and abruptly pulled the rest of the nightgown off. There was a look of relief and hunger on his face. She wasn't sure if anyone else was capable of showing those two emotions at the same time.

The rest of his clothes dropped at the floor by his bed, and she was now gazing at him. He took a moment to let her. His body was incredible, and even better than what she could have ever imagined. With nothing on, he looked glorious.

In the next moment he was on top of her again, breathing in sharply at the feeling of their skin making contact. She grabbed him down and took his mouth hungrily. The only sounds they made were gasps and moans, getting louder as their bodies began creating friction by rubbing against one another.

He broke from her mouth, and started traveling down to past her neck and to her chest. He took one of her breasts into his mouth, and she squeaked yet again at the way it felt. Her body was throbbing with desire. She moaned his name to keep him going as he nibbled and licked.

He eventually moved to her other breast, and his hand was slipping in between her legs, parting them, and finding her core. He plunged one finger in; pleased at the response he received. She nearly screamed when he added a second finger.

"My beautiful Tauriel, I am going to undo you many times on this night. I hope you are prepared." He grinned, and all she could do was squeak in response.

He placed a soft kiss on her lips, and withdrew his fingers. Then like lightning his head was between her legs. He placed an open mouthed kiss right in the middle, and the second time he went down she felt his tongue slip inside of her. She bucked her hips against him, and moaned incoherencies. The heat was so intense, she felt like she was drowning in it. He was making noises that she had never thought possible would come out of him as he continued his movements.

She released for the first time in her long life. It was magnificent, and she couldn't imagine of doing it for anyone else.

They took a moment to regain their breath. His large hands were gently running along her sides. It was amazing how someone so strong and mighty could be so gentle and kind.

"I'm ready for you now." She said after some time, her eyes gazing down to the area that was between his legs. Her legs parted for him in submission, and in response he put her head in his hands. She closed her eyes, as she felt him ease down onto her. Instead of doing the inevitable though, he kissed her. His breath was hot with lust. She couldn't bear to wait anymore.

He entered her in one quick thrust, making her gasp. She wasn't prepared for feeling him inside of her, but now that he was, she didn't want to be anywhere else.

He kissed her soothingly until finally she adjusted to him, and he started the rhythm of his hips slowly. The sensation she felt was tremendous. There was no way she could describe it. It felt as if their bodies were completely one with each other. She didn't know where hers ended and his began. Nothing else in the world could compare to the feeling of being one.

He rode her for a long time, and eventually she started responding. The world around them was distant and unimportant. He kept true to his earlier statement and put her through many releases.

After a while they released together, moaning each other's names as they reveled in their bliss. When they finished the last time, Thranduil pulled out of her and rolled to her side, pulling her close to his glistening body. She was trembling, and found it hard to move for a few moments, but she was finally able to after a while. She let out a shuddering sigh, and tears of joy had spread across her.

"I cannot possibly think of being with anyone else." She whispered, placing a light kiss to his chest.

"I now find it hard to imagine I loved someone once before…" He replied softly. His lips lightly grazed the top of her head. His fingers were tenderly dancing on her back.

"What was her name?" Tauriel asked, looking up at him.

"Iestebeth was the name I called her when we wed." She saw a mixture of emotions cross his face, but he held up for her.

She was still uncertain about what was in store for them in terms of their relationship, but right now, this was enough. She wanted nothing more than being in his arms, and his bed.

"When the time is right I will tell you more about her, but I need time."

"Take all the time you need. We have an eternity together Thranduil." The thought was both thrilling and frightening, but she was ready to take this journey with him.

They fell asleep peacefully soon afterward, and neither of them dreamt. It was a deep blissful sleep. There was nothing like it Tauriel realized.

In the morning when she woke up, it gave her joy to gaze upon his sleeping face. She found that she would enjoy being the only one to see him like this. He looked truly peaceful, despite the fact there was a darkness growing around them.

She decided it was probably a good time to leave before the other elves started roaming about, but not without letting him know.

Her lips were on his softly, and she felt his sleepy breathing change into a stirring one. He responded with his lips, groaning and wrapping his arms around her back.

She broke from the kiss before she got too lost in it, and pulled away to watch him open his eyes. It was an even more breathtaking experience than the night before. He smiled at her, indicating that he enjoyed this just as much as she.

"Good morning." She said sweetly to him.

"I cannot imagine a day waking up without your smiling face now." He responded groggily. It was the cutest thing she had ever seen him do. She kissed his nose, but then remembered why she woke him.

"I yearn for the day when I don't have to leave this bed and go to my own."

"It will come. This I swear." She believed him. She had to.

"I bid you farewell for now Thranduil, I will see you this evening." She kissed him deeply one last time, before finally leaving his arms and immediately covering herself with her nightgown.

When she reached the door and was about to open it, he had grabbed her and gave her one last kiss. It was as deep as the one she had just given him, and she wanted him again so badly when he pulled away.

"I love you."

As she hurried back to her own chambers to get ready for the day, she thought of what had come to pass, and what had yet to come.

Tauriel had fallen in love with her king, and within that year alone, their relationship fluctuated vastly. Finally he returned her feelings, realizing it was probably the only way they could ever be at peace with each other. But with that, there was still the risk of their secret getting into the wrong hands before he was ready to speak of it. The fact he didn't want to speak of it right away still made her question many things about what this next year would bring.

But those thoughts subsided, and she decided to revel in her happiness as she got ready for a new day. Things weren't the same, and some things were worse, but also better. She had her king's love, and that was enough for now.

End note: Yay it's finally finished! I will have the sequel up probably next week. It's going to be called "The Weight of Love". Thank you once more to everyone who has read this fic and I hope to see you all continue reading as I post the sequel. I do not own any of these characters but I love writing about them. That's all for now, I'll see you very soon! Please let me know what you think of this chapter, and this story overall, I would love to hear it. Alright, I'll see you again for the sequel, bye now!