Chapter 14 everyone!

Thanks to all who read this story, follows it, has it as a favourite and review it. You make it twice as fun to write!

Flynalien: I'm glad you thought the elvish was good enough and I'm glad you liked the chapter!

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Hobbitluver: Thanks for reviewing! This chapter is based on your idea of that Tauriel & Legolas should have a heart-to-heart-moment during their journey to Laketown. But as Bilbo says: elves, they answer with both a 'yes' and 'no'...

I don't own any characters or places; J.R.R Tolkien or Peter Jackson and Co do.

Enjoy!

Chapter 14: Legolas

The boat glided over the lake like the shadow of a ghost. It was an old, rickety one, ancient with carefully carved signs in elvish. He hadn't even been sure if the boat was still there – the elves rarely visited Laketown and if they did, boat wasn't a usual option – but it had been. They had been lucky for once. Taking the long way around would've taken a longer time and time wasn't something they had in their favor.

Tauriel was leaning over the side, her fingers caressing the silver grey surface. Her expression was one of wonder. He swallowed and focused on the path ahead through the mist. Everything was quiet and the silence got on his nerves, gave him a sense of foreboding.

"Why the dwarf?" he asked Tauriel, just to break the silence.

Tauriel didn't look up, but answered all the same:

"Why not? He was different and he doesn't deserve being kept in the dark about his wound. Not when we can help."

He felt as if he had swallowed one of the ice blocks that were floating on the lake.

"I just don't want you to be dragged into something that will hurt you", he muttered.

That made Tauriel look away from the water and she tilted her head to one side. He felt exposed by her calculating stare, as if she looked through his very soul. He couldn't decide if it was a good or bad feeling. Tauriel smiled slightly, crossing her legs and leaned against the boat.

"You don't have to worry about me. I can manage to look after myself."

"I care for you", he said and the words burned in his throat. "I only want you to stay safe and to know what you're doing."

He thought her smile slipped a bit and he wondered if he had said too much. Somehow he managed to make a fool out of himself quite a lot around her these days. He repressed a sigh and his face set into a frown.

"I care about you too, Legolas", she said, but avoided his eyes and looked ahead. "I do. Never doubt that. You're my dearest friend and you'll always be. But sometimes, you need to let go. I think both of us do."

'Even if I love you?' he wanted to ask, but didn't. He was a fool, perhaps, but he knew rejection when he saw it. He could face orcs in battle, but he was a coward when it came to express his feelings. There was a reason though; in battle, he could lose his own life, but admitting his feelings could mean that he would lose Tauriel and that was far worse.

"I understand", he said stiffly and his heart felt empty as he did so. "We're friends and that's all we'll ever be."

Tauriel looked at him and he could see the hurt in her eyes, but he couldn't understand it. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but kept quiet and looked out over the lake instead. He wondered if she thought of the dwarf.

"It will be for the best", Tauriel whispered, her voice as ghostly as the mist.

"Of course. It's easier to pretend. It always is, isn't it?"

"Don't do that. Don't twist my words, Legolas."

"I'm not twisting them, but tell me; is this what you want?"

"What do you want me to say?" asked Tauriel and she sounded upset.

"The truth", he replied stonily, channeling his inner ways of his father.

"The truth…." She suddenly looked lost and it took him by surprise. "The truth is that I don't know what I want."

His heart fluttered at the slight prospect of that he still stood a chance, but it was easily crushed by a blow of darkness that told him he was a fool. Were they not out to rescuing a company of dwarves? That was something unheard off and he thought it made it perfectly clear what Tauriel really wanted.

The sky was darkening above the cold clouds of mist. In the distance, they could spot the floating buildings that made Laketown. He couldn't understand the charm with the small town. It reeked of poverty, salt and fish.

Tauriel stretched her neck to get a better sight of the town and her hair fell forwards over her shoulder, leaving her delicate neck bare. The sight was very inviting in his eyes and he closed them to try and get control over his thoughts. He wondered if love could drive you mad and he got a sinking feeling that it was true.

"We're getting closer", said Tauriel, but he remained silent. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled ever so slightly. "I'm glad you're here with me."

He wanted to ask his heart how it could be possible to fall for the same smile over and over again.