Chapter 14

It was a rainy day in late Gwaeron when Thranduil and his companions returned to Mirkwood. Now at last they would have the chance to rest from their travels and toil, and then begin the preparations for war.

The Elvenking, eager to learn of the events that had transpired in his kingdom during his absence, summoned his son in his chambers, once he had exchanged his riding attire for some more comfortable robes. When the Prince stepped into his father's rooms, he found him consuming his dinner with great appetite.

"I am here, father, at your behest", Legolas presented himself and stood upright and dutiful before his King.

"Legolas, ion nin", Thranduil greeted him in an informal and rather cheerful manner and lifted his eyes from his plate. Then he gestured with his hand and said, "Relieve your military pose, there is no need for that now. But tell me, how are you? For I have dearly missed you".

Legolas smiled, and paced closer to his father's table. "I am well, father. And I am glad to see you hale and in a fine mood as well. I had been awaiting your return with great impatience, for the documents that need to be reviewed and signed have started to pile up, and some of them are beyond my skill and experience, I fear", he replied.

Thranduil let out a chuckle. "It is a fortunate thing I have returned then", he mused and took a sip from his wine. "Tell me, what news have we?" he then required, directing his gaze to his son, and offering him a goblet of his favorite crimson inebriant as well.

Accepting the offer, Legolas took a seat opposite his father. "Nothing to cause you worry. The internal affairs of the realm run smoothly, and all, common people and soldiers alike, seem to be simmering with alacrity for the forthcoming campaign", he replied, as he stole a small piece of cheese from Thranduil's plate, causing the older ellon to lift an eyebrow in amusement. "Concerning that, I have sent scouts to Dol Guldur, and they returned a couple of days ago with valuable information. The forces of the Nazgul are estimated to number at least around ten thousand orcs and wargs, if not more, and numerous spider nests as well…"

"Hmm… So, the filthy hordes of the black fortress have multiplied since we last sent scouts. I had half expected that, but it is my conviction that their numbers are not beyond what we can handle efficiently", Thranduil responded thoughtfully. But then a small smile crept upon his face. "Well done, Legolas. I commend you on this initiative you took. You have saved us some precious time", he said and looked at his son with pride. "I might even let you have all of my cheese…" he belatedly added in jest, as Legolas was just about to steal yet another yellowish cube.

The Prince's eyes darted up, indicative of his mild surprise, but then both ellyn laughed heartily, and downed their wine. Then Legolas smiled softly, thinking of his father's flattering words, but did not allow himself to indulge too much in the praise. Instead, his mind turned again to the matter at hand. "But what about our allied forces, father? I take it that Lothlorien has agreed to aid us…"

"Yes, of course. I shall muster one third of our army – that would make for around three thousand warriors. Celeborn has promised me a force of two thousand Galadhrim; Bain of Dale spoke of one thousand men he can deploy, while Dain agreed on an army of dwarves of an equal number. And I expect Elrond to send at least one thousand soldiers… So that makes for a force of roughly eight thousand warriors. Two more thousands of our army shall be the reserves, in case the filthy swarms of Dol Guldur prove a worthy adversary", Thranduil explained as he finished his meal and took his goblet in his hand, hastily refilling it.

"Who shall be the leaders of the armies of our allies?" Legolas inquired with interest.

"Prince Brand shall lead the men of Dale, Prince Thorin the dwarves of Erebor, and Haldir the Galadhrim. As for Imladris, you will be the one to tell me who their leader shall be, since you will be the one visiting there", the Elvenking replied.

"And I suppose you shall retain the role of the head General", the Prince commented.

"Indeed I shall. The initiative for this venture is mine, and we will be providing the largest force. Furthermore, I will be the only King among the commanders, as I do not expect Elrond himself to march; he will probably assign the task of leadership to one of his sons", Thranduil answered with an air of superiority in his tone and gaze.

"It is quite odd, however, that the ring-bearers shall not aid us… And not even Lord Celeborn shall lead his warriors, but appointed the marchwarden Haldir in his stead", Legolas remarked with a furrowed brow.

Thranduil shook his head and slowly blinked. "It is not odd at all, Legolas. The rings of power cannot be revealed, now that the Dark Lord has openly declared himself, lest they draw his attention upon them. That is why they must still remain hidden, unless dire circumstances call upon their use. Do you understand?"

Legolas nodded. The whereabouts of the rings and their bearers should be kept secret from Sauron at any cost. And, in fact, very few were those who truly knew where the rings were and who wielded them. The Prince himself knew that Elrond and Galadriel held Vilya and Nenya respectively, but was unsure of who the third ring-bearer was.

"As for Celeborn, he trusts Haldir with this mission, while he himself has turned to more scholarly preoccupations lately, to my knowledge", the King added nonchalantly.

"I believe he trusts you above all, ada. Your battle prowess and skill with tactics and strategics is unparalleled", the Prince said with a small smile and a glint in his bright eyes.

"Do not flatter me, Legolas. I need no sweet-talking", his father said, but was unable to conceal his smile of self-contentment.

"But still, the burden of planning and ensuring the campaign's success will be on your shoulders alone…" the young ellon commented thoughtfully.

"Responsibility does not frighten me, ion nin", Thranduil spoke confidently and gave his son a steady look.

Legolas nodded, but his countenance remained serious. "Of course, I did not mean to doubt that, father. What I meant to say is that we will not be marching against mere orcs. My thought turns now to the Nazgul. We must not forget them. The orcs and the other minions of misery might not be a great problem for us to deal with, but the lieutenants of Sauron are another thing entirely, and we will be meeting them in their lair", he sought to remind him in a grim tone.

Thranduil sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I know, son. And the Nazgul are the only thing that causes me concern and worry. I fear not their skill with a blade, but the spiritual power they possess and can employ, in order to dominate their opponents. In that aspect, they are formidable enemies, and none should ever wish to meet them in battle", he said in a low, foreboding voice.

"But decimating the orcs and the wargs without challenging the ones who control them means nothing. Soon they will return in manifold numbers, if we do not manage an effective blow to their leaders", spoke Legolas, and looked at the King intensively.

"It is as you say, Legolas. And this is why the Nazgul will be challenged. But, I implore you, do not speak of this to any other as of yet. I wish not to strike fear in the hearts of our warriors needlessly. All shall be revealed and done in due time", Thranduil asked of him in an imperative tone.

"It will be done as you order, my lord father", the Prince obeyed, but concern did not leave his eyes.

The Elvenking nodded and took a slow sip from his wine before speaking again. "In the meanwhile, I suggest you hand over to me those papers that have given you trouble, and start readying yourself for your journey to Imladris. Elrond, and also your loved one, await your arrival", he told him with a faint smile, seeking to alter the subject to something lighter and more pleasant than the cursed Ringwraiths.

"But father, you have only just returned, and I have barely had time to see you!" Legolas protested.

"You shall have plenty of time to see me in the months to come. Go now, and do as I say", the King instructed him in a gentle but firm voice.

Legolas stood from his chair and walked to the door, but before crossing the threshold, he hesitated and looked back at Thranduil.

"How was your visit to Lothlorien, ada? And your meeting with Galadriel?" he asked him with care in his tone and gaze.

The Elvenking lowered his eyes. He remembered having revealed the burden of his heart to his son, and it was only fair now that he gave him an honest answer.

"The issue is resolved. I asked for her forgiveness for my irrational and unjust resentment, and she granted it, along with some advice", he replied thoughtfully, while his mind traveled back to the events of the previous days.

"And what about Tauriel? Is she alright?" Legolas asked on.

Thranduil turned his eyes to his son, and smiled. "I believe the only one able to answer your question aptly is none but Tauriel herself", he responded, and then brought his goblet to his lips once more.

Legolas lingered in thought for one brief moment, until a smile curled his lips, and then he exited his father's chambers.

The following morning Tauriel awoke with eagerness and excitement in her heart; she would be returning to her Captain's duties after this nearly two-month break that the negotiations had lasted. Furthermore, the calendar marked the twenty-eighth day of March, which was the month called Gwaeron in the Sindarin tongue. And this day felt important to the young elleth, because it was exactly one year ago when Thranduil and she had confessed their feelings for each other in Rivendell. One whole year had gone by, and much had transpired in the course of it, but it all seemed to have happened in the blink of an eye to Tauriel.

With such thoughts dancing in her head, she jumped off her bed and quickly dressed in her guard's garb, and started making ready her bow and daggers, when she heard a soft knock on her doors. Suspecting it might be some maid with a request or a guard carrying out an errand, she granted them permission to enter without hesitation.

The doors then were pushed open, and the smiling face of Legolas appeared, much to the Captain's surprise.

"My lord Legolas!" she exclaimed wide-eyed.

"Good morning, Tauriel", he greeted her pleasantly and stepped inside the room.

"Good morning, my Prince. It is a surprise to see you here, I must confess…" she muttered, slowly waking from her initial shock, and sought to sheath her daggers and hang her bow on her shoulder.

Legolas leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. "I know. But do not alarm yourself, for I come with a good purpose", he told her and his grin widened, while his eyes glinted mischievously.

Tauriel caught the familiar look on her old friend's face, and answered with a similar one and a raised eyebrow. "What is it, Legolas? What are you up to?"

He chuckled. "Let me inform you, Captain", he started in feigned formality, "that you are relieved of your duties today. I saw to it earlier, and have delegated your responsibilities to Anneryn, your second-in-command".

Her smile gave its place to disappointment now. "But why? I have sorely missed patrolling the woods with my warriors!" she protested.

"I am sure you have. I would never think you the type to enjoy long council meetings and endless, nerve-racking negotiations. But I wished for your company this fine morning, and I took the initiative to act as I did. Is that so selfish of me?" he asked with pouty lips.

Tauriel shook her head. "You are Thranduil's son indeed…" she murmured, as if talking to herself. "No, it is fine, Legolas", she then spoke aloud. "My squad can wait for my return one more day. What had you in mind, then?"

"Let us have a quick breakfast first, and then take a walk in the forest. I would have you narrate to me your experience of Lothlorien", the Prince replied.

"Very well", she agreed.

About an hour later the two elves were out of the halls and taking a leisurely stroll in the woods. The sun was shining brightly, and its rays dispelled the mist and shadow beneath the trees. A gentle breeze was blowing, carrying all the fragrancies of spring.

"So, what did you think of the Golden Wood?" Legolas asked.

"It was marvelous. Everything about it was so otherworldly and breathtaking… And it is so different from our home, Legolas. Here there are haunting shadows, and the constant fear of evil; in Lorien, there is only light, hope, and purity. No evil can stain that land. And the Galadhrim are a prosperous people, and friendlier and more open than we are. And how can they not be, since they live in the most beautiful elven realm there is? I used to consider Imladris peaceful and safe, but Lothlorien is truly something different. Imladris is home to the best scholars and the vastest lore-knowledge, but Lorien is the heart of the elven spirituality and power", she concluded with dreamy eyes.

"It is because Galadriel rules over it, and she is the most ancient and powerful elf of our time", Legolas commented. "I have visited Lorien once in the past, and I agree with your description. The sight is incredible, and staying there even for a few days comes as balm upon a worried and wounded heart". He then looked at Tauriel with deep care in his eyes. "Did you manage to find your own peace amongst the golden trees?"

She gazed into his eyes for a moment before looking away. "I found many things there", she replied thoughtfully. "I found peace, enlightenment, wisdom… and courage".

The Prince placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder, prompting her to halt her step, and looked at her searchingly. "You spoke with Galadriel".

"I did. And she had me look into her mirror", she told him, meeting his gaze.

"What did you see?"

Her gaze instantly darkened. "I saw images of the coming war… And all of them were dreadful, professing our doom and defeat", she answered with a sigh. "But I was instructed by the Lady, and by your father when I later spoke to him of this, to not surrender myself to fear and despair, for not everything the mirror shows may come to pass, and that its revelations should be used wisely, as a warning and as a guide for future decisions", she narrated in a low voice.

Legolas nodded slowly. "I have never looked into Galadriel's mirror, and I doubt I would ever wish to. Revelations of the future are always troubling, and burden one's heart with worries and sorrows… All the more if they are not certain, and you are left doubting and wondering which of them shall come to pass, and which shall not", he murmured. "I find it best if we know nothing of the future and forge our own destiny, with our minds free of such tethers and strains", he added in a firm tone.

"For me it is now done, however; I saw what I saw, and the images will forever be engraved in my mind", said Tauriel thoughtfully.

He gently squeezed her shoulder, and then let go of it, resuming his pacing. "I would, too, advise you to push them aside, if you can, and focus on the facts and your decisions. Did you not just tell me that this was my father's opinion as well?"

"Yes…" she affirmed. "Thranduil is very resolved about this campaign, and nothing would dissuade him from his cause".

"Yes, my father is like that. He is not one to change his mind easily, after he has made a decision" the Prince agreed, and then turned to Tauriel with a curious look upon his face. "By the way, how are things developing between you two?" he asked. "I do not mean to sound intrusive upon your private life", he hastened to clarify, "but I simply care for your well-being and your happiness, as well as my father's mental and sentimental stability, for I know how prone he is to mood swings and abrupt changes of temper".

Tauriel took a deep breath, pondering how to answer his question. "He is good, mellon nin, he really is. And he tries more than you would have perhaps expected of him. I will not deny that some issues arise every now and then between us; yet they are not of grave importance, and it is only natural for such things to happen, is it not?"

He nodded with a small smile. "Yes, it is. The same happens with Lossendis and me. Your words gladden my heart, Tauriel. You have been allotted a difficult time to live a romance, and a yet more difficult and demanding romantic partner at that. I admire your patience for dealing with my father at all times", he spoke sincerely.

The Captain smiled softly and lowered her eyes. "I regret nothing. I love Thranduil with all my heart, and I would not wish for him to be any different", she simply said.

Legolas smiled fondly at her, for her words pleased him deeply. "There are very few people who would agree with you, I fear", he commented with a small smile.

She shrugged. "I care not what the others think, for they do not know him as I do. Or as you do, for that matter, Legolas. They know only the King and the sovereign ruler, but we know the ellon, the father, the companion…" she said and her voice trailed off in thought.

"That is true. These aspects of him are unknown to the public. But do not allow your love for him cloud your judgment, and deceitfully turn my father's faults into virtues", Legolas warned.

Tauriel nodded. "I am not blind, my friend. Your father's fea is tainted, and that might never change. But what he needs is support and encouragement, and not stale criticism, I believe".

Legolas looked at her with secret pride, and a small smile curled his lips, but he spoke not. They walked in silence for a while, enjoying the marvels of the renascent nature and the simple joy of being in each other's company.

"I have missed this…" Tauriel sighed and looked at Legolas.

He looked back at her and smiled gently. "So have I. Spending time with dear friends is precious, and quite rare in these dark days. But we must not lose hope that better days may come, and for that we must fight".

She nodded her agreement. "I heard you will be going to Imladris soon".

"Yes, I will leave the day after tomorrow", he replied. "My father wishes me to meet with lord Elrond and thus complete the cycle of the negotiations".

"But your trip will not be exclusively about politics; you will also have the chance to see Lossendis", Tauriel added with a devious grin, causing Legolas' cheeks to slightly redden and his gaze to drop.

"Well, yes, that is true. I must admit it was my father's idea to assign this errand to me, so that I will indeed spend some time with Lossendis, for lord Elrond's alliance is a given, and only needs a formal confirmation", he confessed.

"How long will you stay?" she inquired with interest.

"A week, give or take".

"Excellent. Let me tell you that I shall be coming with you, my Prince", Tauriel announced gleefully.

Legolas turned at her with a surprised look upon his handsome face. "How come? I thought you were eager to return to your duties in the Guard!"

"I will not deny that I want to return to my duties… But while in Dale, I made a mental promise to myself to visit Imladris as soon as I would get the chance to. And the chance is now given to me, and I shall not let it slip through my fingers", she explained. "Imladris has been my home for more than fifty years, and I have friends there, Legolas, the dearest amongst them being your loved one and also Arwen, and I would like to see them once, before we march to war", she said with longing in her eyes.

"I understand. Well, mellon nin, you are most welcome to join me on this journey", Legolas said with a bright smile. "Although, I fear my father will not be as pleased as I am, when you tell him the news of your imminent departure".

"Ah, Legolas, I worry not much about that; I am sure he will survive just fine a few days without me!" she chimed and laughed.

"I say that you are right", he said and bent his head close to hers, and then spoke in a conspiratorial manner. "Let us remove the distraction, so that he will be able to begin and concentrate on the preparations for war with undivided attention!"

The two elves then laughed merrily, and went on enjoying their morning walk and company of each other in that cheerful and carefree manner that reminded them of the olden days of their first youth.

Later in the day, Tauriel went to find Thranduil in his private chambers. She knocked on the doors twice and waited for his response.

"Who is it?" his voice was heard, and it sounded somewhat detached and weary.

"It is Tauriel, my lord", she replied.

"You may enter".

She opened the door to find him seated behind his desk, head bent upon a pile of endless documents that persistently waited to be reviewed and signed by the King. As soon as she stepped inside he lifted his eyes to her, and there was a peculiar glint in them as he whispered, "Close the door and lock it".

Tauriel did as she was told, and no sooner had she turned the key in the lock than she was hauled up in Thranduil's arms and had her brow kissed by him. His impulsive but nonetheless welcome gesture caused her to gasp and then chuckle joyfully.

He allowed her feet to touch the floor afterwards, but still held her tightly in his embrace and looked into her emerald eyes with longing. "Thank you for rescuing me from this mount of misery", he murmured and motioned towards the parchments upon his desk.

She glanced at them. "It looks like much work has accumulated during your absence", she commented.

"This is whatever Legolas did not feel compelled enough to preoccupy himself with!" he sighed in exasperation. "And I do not blame him; the content of most of these documents is tiring and vexing, to say the least. I repeat, I am glad you came and saved me from them", he told her with a soft smile of relief.

She smiled back and hid her face in his chest, closing her eyes and breathing in deep his scent, allowing her senses to relax and enjoying the presence of her lover. He perceived the slight change in her stance, and held her protectively against his breast, dropping soft kisses atop her head and caressing her curls of silken fire.

"Come, let us move to the bedroom", he offered quietly, and she nodded her agreement.

He led her into the dark chamber, and then proceeded to light a few candles on the table and the mantelpiece of the fireplace, which provided the room with their faint, yellowish light, painting the walls at once with elongated, dancing shadows.

Tauriel rested her body on the sofa, long and lithe limbs sprawled all over it. "Thranduil…" she called his name in order to attract his attention. He was still standing by the fireplace, lighting the last candles. At her call, he turned to look at her. "It is the twenty-eighth of Gwaeron", she told him pointedly.

An affectionate smile appeared on his face, which was now dimly illuminated by the candlelight. "I know", he answered warmly. "One year behind us… countless more ahead of us".

He undid the girdle of his robes as he walked to her, and their flaps slightly parted in the front, revealing a glimpse of his pale chest. Tauriel watched him with a lustful gaze, and extended her arm to him, inviting him to join her on the sofa. He took her hand in his, and knelt beside her, bending his head and kissing her fingertips with the utmost tenderness and care. She gasped at his gentle gesture, and leaned closer to him.

"Thranduil…" she whispered his name again, and her tone was loving, reverent even.

"I love you", he told her and looked at her with great longing in his eyes. "Never forget that".

Elated by his confession, and motivated by her own overwhelming feelings of love and passion, she cupped his face in her palms and ardently kissed his alluring lips. "As do I", she professed her love for him, and kissed him again.

His response was immediate and eager this time, and he soon abandoned his kneeling position, climbing upon the sofa and slowly lowering his body above hers. A sigh of contentment escaped her lips as soon as she felt his familiar weight pressed against her, and the first stirrings of arousal lit a fire inside her.

He kissed her again, and the kiss was deep and demanding now, while his deft fingers sought to undo the laces of her gown. Never breaking the kiss, she mirrored his move and pushed his garments off his shoulders, while boldly hooking a leg around his hip. Her action elicited a hoarse grunt from him, as well as an instinctive thrust of his pelvis against hers.

Feeling his growing need and prodding desire, she softly moaned, and abandoned his lips in favor of his throat. He surrendered himself to her ministrations, enjoying them for a time, before he took action again and went to lick and gently nimble on her sensitive ear. His hands now crept impatiently beneath the fine material of her gown, and, loosened as it already was, easily peeled it off her body, leaving her now exposed under his hungry gaze and insatiable touch. Feeling every curve and valley of her body, he left no place unexplored and unworshipped, whether it be by hand or mouth and tongue.

Tauriel panted helplessly in his arms, as much a victim to her own passion as to his. She lay beneath him pliant and willing, her cheeks flushed, her chest heaving, and her legs slowly parting for him. "Do not make me wait any longer, mell nin…" she breathed helplessly, urging him not to prolong their union further, and dug her fingers in his shoulders, drawing him closer to her.

With half-lidded and darkened eyes of love and lust he descended on her, claiming her swollen lips in a heated kiss once more, while placing himself between her legs, and slowly guiding his arousal inside her. Holding his breath, inch by inch he pushed until he entered her fully, and they both gasped as they finally became one. With great effort he halted there, unmoving, and brought himself to look into the bottomless, viridescent pools that were her eyes. Such was the intensity of his gaze as he beheld her at this moment of their mutual fulfillment and surmounting need, that she gasped again, and a tear ran down her cheek.

Thranduil then bent his head and kissed that tear away, while he began moving slowly inside her, gradually easing their tension of anticipation, and they relaxed in each other's arms, falling into the rhythm of their passion and their bodies dancing with it.

Together they moved towards their completion, eager but not hurried, the tenderness of their caresses and kisses accompanying the heat and friction of their conjoined lower bodies. And it was not long before Tauriel could not hold back anymore, and she came apart in her lover's arms, sighing and moaning in ecstasy. Thrilled by her inner walls' sheathing and constricting frantically around him, it took Thranduil only a few more erratic thrusts to meet his own relief as well, shuddering in his beloved's embrace, and gasping defenselessly, in utter submission to her love.

Unwilling to break their physical contact, he remained lying there on the sofa with Tauriel gathered protectively in his arms, while their heartbeats and their breaths gradually returned to their normal rates.

She then turned in his embrace and slid her arm around his waist, allowing her warm palm to rest just above his hip. Her eyes sought to meet his, as a cloud of blissful sleepiness began to descend upon their eyelids.

"Stay with me tonight…" he whispered to her and lazily traced her chin with his fingertips.

"Alright", she consented. "There is nowhere else I would like to be at the moment", she added.

He offered her a smile of contentment. "Then let us relocate to the bed and crawl beneath its warm covers", he suggested, and, forcing the somnolence off his limbs, he stood and lifted Tauriel in his arms, stepping quickly to the bed and laying her upon the mattress.

Now tucked under the blankets, their bodies welcomed the warmth, and the lovers were quick to relax, as drowsiness returned to their eyes.

"I shall be journeying with Legolas to Imladris…" she murmured.

Thranduil turned to her with an incredulous look, sleepiness suddenly chased from his form. "Really?"

"Yes…" she sighed. "I wish to see my friends there before we go to war", she explained.

He remained silent for a little while, contemplating her words. "I understand", he finally said. "Imladris has been an important part of your life. I would never ask you to give it up, nor is there any reason for you to do so".

"Thank you for understanding, Thranduil", Tauriel whispered lovingly.

"I did not say I will not miss you, however", he added afterwards, with a hint of complaint in his voice.

"Oh, I know. I will miss you as well… But this is something I really want to do", she insisted.

He brought his hand to push a stray curl from her face. "Then do it. I shall respect your decision".

At that he leaned closer, and kissed her lips tenderly. She wound her arms about his shoulders, pulling him closer still, and responded to his kiss with fervor. As she gave in to his love and passion once more, inside her Tauriel was feeling blissful and liberated. She thought that it was exactly as Thranduil had said: one year of their shared life had just gone by, and countless more were to follow, and she would allow no war or Shadow to deprive her of that.