I've loved writing this chapter so I really hope you guys like it! Lots goes on in such a short space of time! No copyright intended! Hope you enjoy and please remember to review!
Chapter Twenty-one: Love and war
As a stead-fast rule, Elves make little habit of showing affection; or displaying any kind of emotion for that matter. It was simply not in our nature.
But today was not a normal day, and death had come all too close.
I was overwhealmed with fear and relief and love. I cared not for anyone else but him. I ran to him and threw myself into his waiting arms, clinging to him.
"Legolas. Legolas." I whispered over and over.
I was overjoyed to be with him once more and it seemed he felt the same.
He gently pulled away from me slightly before crushing my lips with a kiss. It was not gentle or tender but was delivered with sweet relief and desperate love. It was what my body had waited for.
He softly rested his head against mine, his breath warm on my flushed face.
"I promised I would find you." He murmured with a smile
"And you did." I whispered happily
Our embrace was short lived, just a short moment of peace in the mists of a vicious war.
"Legolas Greenleaf!" Gandalf boomed, as Legolas, my Legolas approached him.
Tauriel and Bilbo were grinning at me with knowing eyes and I smiled shyly, my eyes dropping to my feet. Pink heat flooded my cheeks.
"There is a second army. Bold leads them from Gundabad. They are almost upon us." Legolas informed us.
I swallowed hard. The fresh colour drained from my face. More orcs? Surely we could not go on.
"This was their plan all along. Azog engages us then Bolg creeps in from the North!" Galdalf realised.
"The North? Where is the North exactly?" Bilbo asked loudly
"Ravendale Bilbo. Ravendale is North…" I told him with soft reluctance.
"But Thorin is up there! And Fili and Kili!" He cried
Tauriel gasped audibly. She would surely go to them, to help. As her friend I would go with her.
"Gandalf, Bilbo, I leave you now. I am needed elsewhere. Be safe, Mellons." I nodded and took off after Tauriel. Legolas was not far behind.
On our way through the city I spotted Thranduil. He had ordered his men to leave. My blood boiled. How could he! After all we had spoken of just the night before; this was not the King I knew.
"You will go no further!" I yelled, holding my ground "You will not turn away from the suffering of others. You are no coward."
"Stop this nonsense. We are returning home. NOW!"
"The dwarves will be slaughtered!" Tauriel cried, stepping up behind me.
"Yes they will die. Today, tomorrow, one year hence, a hundred years from now. What does it matter? They are mortal." He sneered
Anger flared within me again. Without thinking I drew my bow and pointed an arrow at the King.
"You think your life is worth more than theirs? Than anyone's? What has happened to you Thranduil? Where is your love and your compassion? What happened to my Papa, for I do not know this King before me?" I said through clenched teeth.
"There is no love in you." Tauriel added with hate
Thranduil knocked the arrow from my bow and smashed Tauriel's weapon with a single blow. He pointed his blade at us.
"What do you know of love? Nothing! What you feel for that dwarf is not real!" He spat at Tauriel. "If what you feel is love, are you prepared to die for it?"
I pushed Tauriel behind me and put myself in the path of Thranduil's sword. Its blade rested against my pale throat.
Dramatically, Legolas blocked his father's would-be fatal blow with his own blade.
"You will not harm Eryn while I live. You would have to kill me first." He whispered.
I could see that we had broken him. Papa's eyes filled with pain and loss. I felt awful but guild would have to come later, if we survived.
"Eryn and I will go with you." Legolas told Tauriel quietly.
Reluctantly, we turned from the lost King who no longer controlled our will.