This is my first story so please don't judge too harshly. I will accept and Constructive criticism and concerns graciously and I'll warn you now my Sindarin is dreadful. I also don't have this whole account and document thing worked out so expect improvement. Hope you enjoy ;)

Chapter 1 meetings

Môrial crouched low on her branch, stalking the elves like shadows in the night. All eyes scanned the trees but failed to find the elfling concealed in its leaves. A slight disturbance in the air caused every head to turn.

With a growling battle cry, dozens upon dozens of orcs emerged from the thick foliage. The elves startled but alert drew their weapons and charged. Amidst battle, they did not notice an extra blade fighting among them. Môrial moved swiftly, knives slicing through the air cutting down orcs with every stroke.

Dark splotches of crimson painted the ground as the patrol slowly pushed the orcs back. They had cut down two thirds of the pack when they became exhausted. Môrial stumbled back when an arrow skimmed her thigh. She dared not look down and kept fighting.

The heavy footsteps of the remaining orcs thudded away. Môrial stepped back, letting the cover of darkness consume her, unaware of the pair of bright eyes that watched her disappear.

Legolas clenched his bow tightly letting his annoyance imprint on his face. Secret elves and orc attacks. Have my guards gone blind? He surveyed the scene, no one was seriously injured including himself, and the forest seemed to rest again. No one would be hurt at all if we hadn't been complacent, if we'd been ready. He must have muttered his thought out loud because Tauriel glided over to attention.

She gave a report of injured, number of orcs and explanations. Legolas listened half-heartedly but his mind drifted to the young elleth he saw. His eyes lingered where she had stood. The image of her fighting flashed across his eyes. Her swings were precise and exact. She fought to kill. She didn't hold back and that made her dangerous. Yet that intrigued Legolas even more.

Tauriel's voice entered his head and brought him back. "My lord, my lord? Are we to pursue the orcs? They're few in numbers and have not traveled far."

Legolas's gaze turned south, and his frown deepened. "No. We will return home and report this to my father. They've been becoming bolder but never this close. As you said their numbers are low so the amount of harm they can cause is limited," the conviction in his voice surprised Legolas himself.

Without another word he signaled, and they headed back. The group was visibly more vigilant but that did little to comfort Legolas.

Môrial watched the prince converse with a flaming haired elf but froze when his eyes found where she hid. He looked lost in thought but let herself shrink farther into the shadows. Môrial waited a long while before climbing up and following them.

The heavy air and light, or lack thereof, began to disorientate Môrial causing her to almost fall from branches. She felt a bit dizzy but pushed through with fear of losing the elves. Môrial stopped short when they came upon a magnificent dark sky-blue gate with equally intricately carved stone pillars.

She hopped down and marveled at its height when something tugged at her mind. She glanced around but failed to spot the golden hair of the prince. Môrial tensed and unsheathed her blades, keeping her stance low and defensive.

How could I be so unobservant and careless? I'm completely vulnerable. Môrial gripped her blades tighter and tighter, until the hilts cut into her palms. She stood perfectly still, emerald eyes flitting from tree to tree, ears straining to pick up the faintest noise.

Legolas stood completely silent but still the elleth stood on high alert. He slowly raised his bow, arm stinging slightly while pulling the arrow back. This is just a warning shot he reminded himself as he aimed just beside her head.

Indecision still tore at him watching the elfling's eyes. They burned with a hard ferocity and overriding fear. Legolas needed to take care of this quickly and quietly. If I took her to my father, he would listen less and act more rashly. He also didn't want to worry his king any more than he was over an elfling. Legolas shook his head and relaxed his bow. He decided to talk to her first but kept his knives handy.

Môrial heard him before she saw him. The shadows in the setting sun hid his face but his hair glowed, emanating a certain warmth and security. She held her blades high, calculating every move the ellon made. He kept a safe distance away but even in the fading light Môrial could see the thought and hesitance he had toward her.

His bright blue eyes shined like the sun's reflection on a river. The prince gazed into the elfling's heart and asked, "Why are you here." His voice low and soft almost soothing Môrial.

Legolas watched the elf think hard. He didn't believe the question was hard but maybe there was more than one answer. When she stopped thinking about me or fighting there was a pain in her eyes that no one could see but myself and maybe father. What does this elfling hide?

He had lost himself in thought and didn't notice how the elleth looked at him with disgust.

Môrial saw that look in his eyes. She had no time for that. The past stayed in the past. Until today. Môrial wanted the prince and king to understand, to see what he'd done. The plan was elaborate and risky. If she failed, she could die.

Both lost in thought, neither noticed the elleth that approached them from the gate. Her fiery hair caught the corner of Môrial's eye, and she whipped around. Too fast. Her neck grazed the daggers that were held to her throat. "Drop your weapons," she demanded keeping her voice just loud enough for her to hear.

Legolas stood stunned unable to speak. Part of him was relieved though, both ellyth were scary with their knives. Tauriel looked to him for any explanation but none came. "The king requests your presence immediately my lord," she informed Legolas.

Well I know what this is about but now I've got another problem. Legolas didn't really see her as a problem, but father will.

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Legolas carefully held the elf's knives. They were heavy but graceful. Tauriel did what he should have been doing. Keeping an eye on the elfling.

"What is your name," Môrial asked the elleth surprised by how her voice echoed in these great halls. Tauriel kept walking and didn't glance over, "Tauriel. And you?"

Môrial smiled, the plan was already working. She could get to Tauriel and the prince easily, only Thranduil remained. "I'm Môrial," she replied letting her face hide her true thoughts.

Thx for reading please comment about what you thought below. If anyone could help me with Thranduil's wife's name and Sindarin I'd be forever grateful. :)