AN: I have thought about this chapter since I began writing this story…it will be long and it will be my favourite chapter; well from what I have written so far.
Legolas POV will be slightly brief in this chapter as we already know what he is up to, I will just keep us updated on where he is. Do not worry, soon he will feature heavily.
Tauriel POV
Upon the King's command, the army of Mirkwood engaged with the army from Dol Guldur whilst the companies of skilled archers provided the elves with cover from the trees.
There are so many orcs! Yet we are more skilled in battle and we can use the trees to our advantage. Yes…the elves can win this war if we are disciplined enough and follow through with our strategies.
Even though it was dark, the elves had no need to light their lamps as the orcs had started many fires within the ancient trees, creating a large clearing that the two forces now openly engaged in.
How dare they burn our homeland? They have no respect for nature.
After countless hours of unending fighting, the forest floor was littered with bodies, mostly foes but too many were fallen elves.
Caladhwen had been slain early on in the battle, three arrows had pierced the mare's beautiful hide where her armour did not protect the underside of her graceful neck. Tauriel had been thrown and had been allowed no time to mourn her loyal companion for seven orcs had descended upon her. She slew them all mercilessly.
After dispatching an armoured uruk wielding a mace at her head, Tauriel paused for a heartbeat, keeping her daggers in a defensive position as she tried to take in the horror of war around her.
Her keen eyes caught sight of beautiful blonde hair shimmering in the light of a nearby fire; an elleth was sprawled on the ground, her throat slit and pale green eyes staring up blankly at the stars now hidden by the smoke.
Farine! No...she was too young! Too new to the Guard!
Tauriel stumbled toward the elleth before realising that there was nothing that she could do. It was then that she saw someone held onto Farine's bloody hand.
Amrith…
The brave elf that Tauriel had spent so much time training with was sprawled faced down on the leaf litter, three arrows protruding from his back as he grasped the elleth's hand.
They loved each other.
Tauriel's heart almost broke and she had to blink and take several breaths to remember who she was and the battle she was currently in.
Where is Thranduil? Where is our King?
After scanning the immediate vicinity, the Captain saw the King fighting not too far away from where she currently stood. Thranduil's personal guard had formed a tight semi circle around their King yet it had become looser as more foes pressed into them. Tauriel noted that there were only nine of the blue-clad warriors now.
Thranduil himself was mesmerising to behold. He wielded both of his long swords at once and they seemed but only extensions of his arms, were his movements so fluid. The King was engaged in a beautiful yet deadly dance, any opponent that dared approach him was simply dispatched with a graceful flow of silver. It was a true demonstration of why Thranduil was unmatched in sword fighting.
A vigorous spring indeed.
Somewhat satisfied by the scene, in a heartbeat, Tauriel assessed the situation to see where she would be best placed. It was then that she saw an uruk captain aiming an arrow at Thranduil's undefended back.
Faster than lightning, Tauriel drew her bow and reached for her quiver… only to find that it was empty! 'NO!'
Tauriel did not think; she only acted. The Captain took three swift steps before launching herself into the King.
She crashed into Thranduil's armour just as she felt as strange sensation in her left side.
Thranduil POV.
Thranduil paused in his slaying when he felt the force of a light form shove him almost off balance from behind.
That was the weight of no orc.
Furious that one of his elves dare to touch him in battle, he turned around ready to shove the elf away, only to be confronted with a pale faced Tauriel.
Thranduil's mask of anger turned to one of fear as his keen eyes saw blood blooming on the elleth's side.
'Tauriel…' The whisper escaped his lips.
The Captain looked confused as she followed his gaze to where her side had obviously been pierced by the passage of an arrow. She touched her hand to the wound, only to have it come away shaking and covered in blood.
Understanding suddenly dawned upon the King.
She took an arrow for me. She saved my life.
'Hîr vu…' Tauriel could not quite finish the words before her eyes rolled back and she collapsed.
With his elven reflexes, Thranduil had swiftly sheathed his swords and caught the elleth before her head hit the cold ground. Out of the corner of his eye, Thranduil noted that his personal guard had formed a protective ring around the pair now crouched upon the ground.
Thranduil gave a low, keening whistle and Ortherion charged out of the trees to the King's side. He had dismounted early on in the battle, to gain greater agility weaving through the remaining trees.
'We almost have victory. Finish this.' Thranduil commanded after positioning a barely conscious Tauriel upon his steed's great back and settling behind her.
In unison, six of his personal guards nodded, whilst the remaining three made to follow the King's passage.
She will not die. Tauriel has proven her loyalty and now as her King, I will save her.
As Ortherion charged through the trees, stampeding any orcs he could find, Thranduil managed to stem the blood flowing from his Captain.
She feels cold, the arrow pierced cleanly through her side but it should not have been a fatal wound as no organs were hit…unless…
Thranduil ripped away the Captain's leather armour, revealing that the skin above her hip around her small arrow wound was turning blue and felt cold to the touch, even through his leather gloves.
A morgul arrow.
Legolas POV
As Legolas jumped down onto the fields of Pelennor from the deck of the corsair ships that himself, Aragorn, Gimli and the army of the dead had commandeered he felt his gaze drawn to the sky.
The scent of a clean sea breeze danced under his nose as white gulls circled high above and sounded their soft keening cries. It was then that the Prince of Mirkwood felt the call of the Sea deep within his heart. Galadriel's prophecy had come true.
Not yet. I still have much to do in this world.
Pushing the longing for the white shores far from his mind, Legolas ran forward with his friends and the warrior ghosts to engage in the battle for Minas Tirith.
'There is plenty for the both of us, may the best dwarf win!' Gimli cried whilst brandishing his axe.
Legolas glanced over with a raised eyebrow as they both sprinted into battle.
So much has happened in such a short space of time! The loss of Captain Haldir at Helms Deep was difficult but thank the Valar that Gandalf returned with the riders of Rohan to save us all from certain death. Now Rohan unites with Gondor to face the armies of Mordor. The men, both living and dead rally around the banner of the King of Gondor. Frodo and Sam may yet still live to destroy the Ring, for we would have known if Sauron had acquired it by now. We shall draw the gaze of his Eye to these fields and let him witness the destruction of his servants of evil!
Legolas promptly drew his bow at the approaching orcs and notched two arrows simultaneously before taking a lethal aim.
I would see the darkness defeated once and for all!
Tauriel POV
I feel cold. The uruk…he was aiming at the King, and then the arrow hit me instead. At least Thranduil is safe, Legolas will be happy of that. Legolas…
A strange motion beneath her and the feeling of soft fur under her hands roused the elleth back to consciousness.
Tauriel's eyes fluttered open and she could not quite comprehend the sight that she beheld. Thranduil was staring down at her with a frightened expression whist he held firm to her arrow wound and muttered strange words that she could not quite hear for the wind whistling past her ears.
Hurts.
She did not have the strength to make the thought a word.
Thranduil POV
They were very close to the great gates of the Kingdom when suddenly a huge war troll burst out of the shadows, barrelling into the side of Ortherion, causing the great elk to stumble and lose his footing. Thranduil watched helplessly as Tauriel was thrown from the elk's back, before rolling forwards onto the ground in a tangle of limbs. She did not rise again.
Thranduil jumped free cleanly from Ortherion and straightened in furious anger.
Ortherion rose back to his full height and bellowed defiantly at the troll before lowering his antlers ready to charge. Thranduil's three personal guards that had been sprinting to keep up with the elk arrived and began synchronously hacking at the troll's arms.
'Noro! Hîr vuin, take her; it is not so far to the keep! We shall finish this!' One of his guards shouted before slicing through the thick hide around the ankle of the troll, causing the creature to make a guttural roar.
Thranduil did not hesitate. He rushed forward and gently lifted the wounded Captain in his arms before sprinting the remaining distance back to the Keep.
The King ran straight into the halls of healing, which was already a flurry of activity before stopping and remembering who he was. 'Boe de nestad!'
Everyone paused to look at the King's rapid entrance and those that could bowed respectfully.
A honey-haired healer rushed forward from the fray, horror plainly written across her smooth face. The King absently remembered that she was named Serilla from when he had officiated her pledging ceremony.
'Quick, hîr vuin, lay her down in here.' Serilla commanded before ushering them into a side room with an empty, clean pallet.
Tauriel's face was nearly as white as the sheets that she lay upon and she had started trembling uncontrollably.
The King hovered nearby as Serilla competently cleansed the wound of dried blood and inspected the gash. Her grey eyes rose to meet his icy blue stare.
'There is still a fragment of the arrow lodged in her side. I must remove it before the morgul poison spreads even further. Take her hand!' Serilla ordered.
Thranduil was so startled by the abruptness of her tone that he sat down on the bedside chair and grasped Tauriel's limp hand to offer comfort to the elleth.
When Serilla removed the fragment, Tauriel screamed in agony and Thranduil winced whilst grasping her hand tighter.
Serilla efficiently packed the wound with an athelas poultice and began to sing a soft and lilting song, whilst keeping her palms upon the wound. Even though the healing was not directed at him, Thranduil felt a heaviness upon his heart begin to lift and he saw Tauriel's features relax somewhat as the pain began to lessen.
She looks so young, my fierce, stubborn, loyal Captain. I should have forgiven you so many years ago yet in my heart I could not. If only you did not have to pay this price. You have saved my life but now you may lose your own in the process.
After a time, Thranduil glanced up at Serilla who dutifully continued her healing song although he now noticed a strained look upon her face and her hands trembled where they lay upon Tauriel's side.
Serilla did not glow as brightly as she had when the song had first started. Her silver robes were crumpled and her honey hair was beginning to escape the braids binding it back from her face.
She is tiring for she has probably had to heal many in the hours before we arrived. She pushes herself too far.
The song abruptly stopped and Serilla stumbled away from the Captain before placing a quivering hand upon her ever so slightly rounded stomach. Thranduil felt his eyebrows draw together in worry and Serilla caught the direction of his glance and gave a weak, small smile at the King, as she breathed heavily.
She is with child!
'I…I cannot…the morgul poison is so strong, it fights me. I am utterly drained, my energy is spent and I cannot sing to her anymore, Goheno nin.' Serilla looked very, very pale and Thranduil worried that she had already given too much.
Moving back to where the unconscious Captain lay on the pallet, the previously composed healer started to silently weep as she caressed Tauriel's auburn hair in her delicate hands.
Thranduil watched curiously as Serilla pulled a smooth blue stone that glinted with silver from the folds of her robes and tucked it gently into Tauriel's other hand that he did not currently hold. She bent down and placed a reverential kiss upon that hand, almost as in blessing.
The healer looked up from Tauriel's side with tear-filled grey eyes. 'You know that Legolas loves her.'
'I know.' He whispered.
Serilla and Thranduil exchanged a look. They both knew that if Tauriel died, Legolas would not return home and that knowledge filled the King with a steely resolve.
NO. Mandos will not take her. Legolas will not feel the loss that I felt and still endure from when his Mother died. I will do everything I can to protect my son from such a fate.
'You must save her hîr vuin. She will die otherwise. I cannot heal her any further.' Serilla's voice was choked with sorrow and exhaustion.
'Go and rest Serilla. I will save Tauriel, you have my word as King.' His voice was cool yet commanding.
Thranduil removed his gloves and swords and sat on the bedside as the wearied healer reluctantly dragged herself from the room.
He grasped Tauriel's empty hand again and laid his other upon her brow before bowing his head low in concentration.
The King summoned the influence of his legacy as being the son of the great Kings of the Eldar and felt an answering power deep within his fëa.
Tauriel POV
Pain, endless and unrelenting waves of pain. It is too much, I cannot take it any longer…please, make it stop, please! Edraith enni!
Tauriel felt that she was being ripped mercilessly into countless tiny pieces to be scattered into the unending darkness that now encompassed her.
But then the pain did recede, and a slow and ever so slight warmth began to caress her shattered being, fighting back the darkness that tried to take over her fëa. Too soon though, the darkness realised that light was trying to banish it and it fought back with unimaginable strength. The pain and cold returned and the soft warmth was extinguished.
There is no light to end this torment. There was memory of another, but who?
Only pain is here now. Darkness is my only companion. I cannot fight. There is no light, there is no hope.
I am alone, so alone.
'Odulen an edraith anlen, Tauriel!' A clear voice filled with power cut through her despair.
She felt another presence protectively encompass her own flickering ember of life but this new existence shone with a brilliant silver light that burned with such warmth that she tried desperately to move towards it in her disembodied form.
Someone is there? I am so small now, so lost. I cannot see!
The voice in her mind spoke again. 'Tauriel. You must come back to the light.'
The darkness behind and clinging to her form began to recede; it was being chased away by something pure and incredibly strong.
The starlight has come.
'Feel my strength, Tauriel, for you are also one of the first-born children of Illúvatar and you must choose to fight the darkness with me. Av-'osto, I am here for you Tauriel, you will always be safe with me.'
Those words…I remember cool metal pressed against my cheek whilst strong arms held me close and whispered such words.
'The darkness holds no sway over you. You must fight back with me, Tauriel.'
Tauriel? Yes I remember that that is a name. I think that it is my name? I can fight the darkness? Yes…the voice will help…It smells good, like the cool spring rains that nurture all growing things.
'Choose life, my Captain. You are loved, it is time to return to us.'
Tauriel felt like she was pushing against a great weight that was trying to oppress and smother her. She threw everything she had into strengthening her will to live and she felt the presence amplify her efforts and encase her in its light. Ever so slowly, the dark weight began to shift and Tauriel pushed even harder.
'Awake, Tauriel, your King needs you.'
The Captain's eyes flew open and she found herself staring directly into a pair of icy blue irises inches away from her own green eyes.
Tauriel tried to speak but no words would form in her parched throat.
'Do not speak, Tauriel, you are lucky to be alive.' Thranduil sat back with a slight sigh but he continued to stare at her intently as if she might disappear.
All she could do was blink for everything ached and she was so tired.
Tauriel felt startled and a faint blush rose to her cheeks when she realised that King Thranduil was holding her hand!
'You took a morgul arrow meant for me and it almost cost you your life. Guren glassui. You have earned my trust and my respect, Tauriel.' The elven King inclined his head at the Captain.
Tauriel felt a weight lifted from her chest and a warmth of compassion spread along her motionless body.
'I know that Legolas loves you.'
If she had not already been immobile from her near-death experience, Tauriel would have frozen in shock.
Thranduil continued to gaze intently at her green eyes with his unyielding blue stare although now his bottom lip curved up ever so slightly. 'Perhaps it would not be so bad if you loved him back.'
Elvish
Noro! –Run!
Boe de nestad! –She needs healing!
Goheno nin –Forgive me
Edraith enni! –Save me!
Odulen an edraith anlen –I am here to save you
Av-'osto –Do not be afraid
Guren glassui –Thank you from my heart