Tauriel walked beside Legolas along the wooden paths of Laketown, her heart beating fast as she tried to keep herself from getting her hopes up. Legolas had asked her to walk with him, but was keeping up quite a bit of suspense. Or at least it felt that way to Tauriel. Every second that passed felt like an hour.

"Are we to return to Mirkwood tonight?" she asked, her breath coming out as white fog in the cold air.

"Not tonight," Legolas replied, "My father wants you to stay here for the time being. The Orc attack worries him greatly; he tries not to show it, but I can see. He says he wants you to keep an eye out for any strange occurrences here, and then report back to him in three days' time."

"Report back..?" Tauriel repeated softly, looking at Legolas with questioning eyes. He smiled and laughed, patting her on the shoulder.

"Yes, mellon, you are no longer banished from Mirkwood. I hope this news brightens your spirits."

"Yes, it does," she said, hardly able to believe her own ears, "My lord, how can I ever thank you enough?"

"There is no need," Legolas said, "You are my friend, and I trust you. My father was blind in his anger; I hope you will forgive him."

"Of course, all is forgiven," she said, though she wasn't sure she meant it, "He is my King."

"News has also reached my father that the company of Thorin Oakenshield has fourteen members rather than just the thirteen we imprisoned. According to sources here in Laketown, the fourteenth member isn't even a Dwarf at all, but a Halfling."

"A Halfling? Is that how the Dwarves escaped?"

"Perhaps it is," he said, "my father seems to think so. At any rate, he no longer suspects you. He's far more concerned with the Orc attack and the news about the Dwarves hoping to reclaim that mountain."

"You heard about their quest for Erebor?"

"News traveled fast; the people of Laketown are as fond of gossip as they are of gold it would seem."

Tauriel laughed, unable to deny the truth of his statement. She wanted to ask him what he thought of their quest but feared his answer. Would he say it was doomed to fail? She herself thought it seemed unlikely they would succeed, though she hated to admit it. Kili seemed so happy at the thought of reclaiming their lost kingdom, and so certain of their victory; his worry-free attitude worried her all the more.

"What do you think of their quest?" she asked, deciding to get a second opinion.

"It's difficult to say," Legolas began thoughtfully, "Some would call it foolish; but whether or not that is true remains to be seen. My father has long feared and predicted the return of the shadow; if the Dwarves did return to Erebor, it could give him some peace of mind."

"I don't think he'd approve of you putting so much faith in Dwarves," Tauriel said, smiling.

"Why not? They may be stubborn and unreasonable, but they aren't evil."

"You're beginning to sound like as much of a Dwarf sympathizer as I am," Tauriel teased, enjoying the look of insult on Legolas' face.

"Enough talk of Dwarves," he said, waving his hand dismissively, "What other news from Laketown that I've missed?"

"Nothing interesting really," she said, though thoughts of her encounters with Kili flashed in her mind, "What news from Mirkwood?"

She tried to listen as Legolas talked about Mirkwood politics and happenings, but her mind was elsewhere. She realized that now that she was expected back in Mirkwood in only a few days, and that would mean leaving Kili. How could she ever see him again if she were living in Mirkwood? Obviously he couldn't visit, nor would he want to after being imprisoned there. The good mood she had been in began to fade quickly as she realized she had been too reckless.

She now wished she hadn't allowed herself to get attached; it would have been far easier to walk away. She began to wonder now how she ever thought they could truly be together. It had been a nice thought, she supposed, but no more than that. They were too far away from each other, in different worlds. It was only a dream, and nothing more.

"Don't you think?" Legolas asked, and Tauriel quickly nodded in agreement, though she hadn't heard what he'd said.

"And it was my father's best wine," he added, laughing. Tauriel laughed too, though she was quite lost. This went on for some time, though Tauriel tried her best to really listen to the Elven prince. She realized he must be quite lonely. He always referred to her as his closest friend, but sometimes she wondered if she was his only friend. Perhaps it was difficult for a prince to make friends? She often wondered why he had chosen her when there were many other Elves in Mirkwood.

They talked until the sky began to brighten in the east. Finally Legolas bid her farewell and set out for Mirkwood. Tauriel stayed outside to watch the sunrise before returning to her small room at the inn. She wasn't tired; Elves rarely needed sleep.

When she opened the door she saw a small paper on the floor. She picked it up curiously and read;

Tauriel, if you get this in time please meet me outside the pub before noon. I'm sorry, but it looks like the others want to leave for the Mountain. Didn't want to go without telling you

Kili

It seemed to have been written very quickly, and with less than decent handwriting. Though to be fair, writing in the common language probably wasn't what he was used to. It felt to Tauriel that the news of his imminent departure was even more proof that they could never be; they were both soon to be leaving in separate directions. She began to feel a sickening worry in her stomach, but quickly turned her thoughts away from the Dwarves' quest.

She sat down on the bed where they had so recently sat together, and sighed. She felt sad, all the hope she had felt before was gone. She set the note on the bedside table and tried to prepare herself. She knew that saying goodbye to him would be difficult, but she reminded herself that they had no other choice. There had never been any hope, really. They had been so wrapped up in the fluttery feeling of fancying one another that they had been blind to reality. It was better that it ended now before it went any further, she told herself. It's too late already, that small voice said, but she ignored it. She lay back on the bed and sighed again. It may have only been a dream, but at least it was a good dream while it lasted.

Sorry about the long wait! again D: And sorry this one's a bit sad again...

I'm excited to write the next few chapters :D

Also a reviewer pointed out that the song 'I should go' by Levi Kreis fits this fic really well, and I have to agree. So check it out if you want to :)