"If there is no place for Tauriel, there is no place for me."
Legolas opened his eyes as he pushed the memory away. The sound of the fire crackled and snapped in the night. His keen eyes scanned his surroundings. He licked his lips and shifted his focus back to sharpening his arrows. Maybe it was this night, the snow lightly falling, that brought his mind back to the she-elf he had once considered pledging himself to. After all, it was ten years ago. Despite the years, Legolas had never again considered falling for anyone else.
Tauriel had been brave, capable even, and Legolas fell for her. At least he thought he had. Maybe he was just...lonely. Whatever had been the reason for his infatuation with her, the messy way it ended had forever put him off from finding love. Suddenly, he heard rustling coming from behind him. It was quiet, and only heard to his keen hearing. He waited, his breath even and steady, until finally the footfalls became closer. Directly behind him.
In the blink of an eye Legolas turned and stood with his bow drawn, and an arrow aimed at his intruder. The man laughed, slight lines crinkling around his eyes.
"Strider." Legolas loosened his bow allowing his friend to pass. "You should have announced yourself."
Strider laughed as he hauled four rabbits over to the spit on the fire. "You have not memorized my footfalls by now?" He teased. The man was dark haired and young, much younger than the elf. Even in his youth though, Legolas found this man to be wise. He had come to trust him. Trust him with his life.
Legolas sat back down, "I was distracted."
Strider crouched by the fire, "Tell me, friend, what has your mind troubled?"
"I did not say I was troubled."
Strider looked over at his friend, "Are you not?"
Legolas picked up his quiver, fiddling with the feathers on his arrows. His mind wandered back in time once more. "Maybe I am troubled. I do not know."
Strider moved his attention to the rabbits and left his elvish friend to contemplate his thoughts.
Many times in the years since he left Mirkwood Legolas had thought of Tauriel. What happened to her? Strange as it was though, he never really missed her. He missed the feeling. That feeling of caring for someone other than yourself. He longed for a connection. Something he never had with Tauriel, but deeply wanted. Yes, he could admit it, he wanted...love.
"I am haunted." Legolas whispered.
"What haunts you, my friend?" Strider asked as he looked up from the rabbits he was turning on the spit.
"A memory." Legolas looked into the eyes of his friend. "A memory haunts me, of someone I knew a time ago."
"An elf maiden?"
"Yes. A friend. Someone who fought by my side. I trusted her with my life."
"And your heart?" Strider asked, knowingly.
"Perhaps I did. I do not think I will ever be sure."
Strider pulled their food from the fire and came to sit by his friend.
"What haunts you about her?"
"When I think of her...I'm afraid."
"Of what, Legolas?" Strider asked.
"I'm afraid I will live out my days alone. I do not wish to be alone. I want to care for someone. I want to have a purpose."
Once more the fire was heard crackling as the elf and the man sat silently. Finally, Strider spoke. "We all want to find a purpose, my friend. But love does not come easily won. Trust me."
