The Fall of the Evenstar

by trekker2000

Arwen must die. that is all she knows. But she has no idea how soon. But it all comes into perspective when she is shot down by an orc arrow. the rocs from the south are coming for revenge, and the wont stop until the Elven Lords holding the Rings of Prosperity are dead. (I apologize for any inaccuracies) (part 1 of 4) (prelude to "Fall of the Elven Rings")

25. Chapter 25

Tauriel (25)

She stood waiting in a grove of trees, which is exactly what she didn't want to do. Guards with pale silver hair stood all round, bows at the ready.

Brydda had taken her own dagger and left her open. Sure, Tauriel could kick and punch. She was even known to bite. But her teeth would do nothing against enemies with bows.

From earthen steps, Galadriel appeared. The sun couldn't cut through the tree tops, so there were gentle lighted torches all about, and the light shone off of her perfect silver-spun hair. Her eyes were so blue they might as well have been clear.

Tauriel was nearly breathless as her beauty, but then a growling fear came roaring over her.

Her voice was soft and melodious, but so was Arwen's, and a lot of other elf maids. "Tauriel, Daughter of the Woodlands." Even Brydda seemed shocked at her knowing this. Tauriel glared. "What a pretty name, but scowling makes your face a mismatch child."

"I'm not a child." Tauriel growled.

"To me, you are." Galadriel smiled slightly. She waved the guards away, and they retreated to a safe distance, but they were still curios. Galadriel drew her arm from Brydda and descended the earthen steps to the bottom where Tauriel was waiting.

Even though she hated Galadriel, she was an elf lord. She possessed one of the 3 rings, and demanded respect. Tauriel maintained her erect back, though she pushed her shoulders back so as to appear not to slouch, and relieve some of the stress on her arms. They'd been hanging uselessly to the ground, and backed shoulders released some tension.

"At least you still have a respect for me." Galadriel sighed. Tauriel's unflinching green eyes followed every movement the queen of the forest made. "You have not seen into the looking glass."

"No, and I don't intend to. I came by the wish of my company leader, Aragorn, King of Men."

"I know, Tauriel." Galadriel reached out a gentle hand and grasped and strand of her hair for closer inspection in the permanent gloom. "Daughter of Mirkwood. Head of Guards. Loyal to Thranduil. Strong and unyielding. I know your quest. And I will assist you. You will take a herd of my finest horses and ride out to your friends. I am preparing a set of hollows, and your friends can chose where they will dwell. We will send a rider out to the eagles to retrieve the leader. We have a skilled healer, to stay the festering and poison until the eagles return. I will gladly bare you on your way. I share my late husbands' friendship and fondness of Aragorn, and Arwen, though I have never met the latter."

"I thank you." Tauriel got ready to leave, but Galadriel laid a thin but firm hand on her shoulder.

"You must promise me something."

"What." Tauriel wasn't inclined to promise Galadriel anything, but if that meant she could leave, she would promise her life.

"When you return, you must look into the mirror. Your friend, Legolas, will as well."

Tauriel's heart sank. No one truly wanted to look into the mirror. "I cannot promise for Prince Legolas, but I am able to for myself, and so I shall." Tauriel kicked her heel with her toe. She hadn't meant to agree, but to bargain. But something inside her told her there was no time, so she went with the gut feeling.

"Go to your friends then, but remember to return."