XxX
"So our little Silvan has been summed back to Rivendell. Pity." Celeborn swirled his goblet of sweet wine a couple times before taking a sip, "I was wondering what it might take to truly break her."
Haldir stood stock still, his hands tense behind his back, "It appears to be quite a bit, my lord. Tauriel Athelas is no common she-elf."
"Indeed, indeed." The Lord commented, gazing out the window at the dim morning, "Friend of Man, Daughter of Dwarf…"
"Lady of Erebor, Consul of Dale, Messenger of Rivendell and Child of Mirkwood. She does have quite an impressive pedigree, and a voice to rival most. Never have I met a more bold she-elf in all my life." Haldir enjoyed the tension that slanted Celeborn's light eyebrows.
"Indeed." Celeborn repeated once more, finishing his goblet. His opal eyes hardened in thought, "I wonder what it would take to break her?"
"As King Thranduil said, she lost her heart years ago in battle. I doubt anything can break her now considering she buried all that was left to be broken in the Lonely Mountain long ago. Besides, she is entitled to believe as she sees fit when it comes to other races." Haldir stated, keeping his tone in line, "Might I suggest, my lord, that instead of trying to divide her loyalty, we seek to unite ourselves with Tauriel Athelas and her company? Allies can never be in short supply. Dale and Erebor have fledged and will be an even stronger kingdom in a century, possibly stronger than most elvish ones."
The latter comment received a harsh look from the ruler of Lothlórien.
"My lord." Haldir bowed his head in respect, knowing he had spoken out of turn but choosing to continue along the page he had borrowed from his Silvan counterpart, "You yourself have see how the Greenwoods has turned, how the shadow of Dol Guldur has risen and begun descending on our kingdom and Lord Elrond's. Tauriel Athelas has seen what is to come and is the first to step up to act. Her courage should be admired, not dismissed."
"Are you suggesting we unite with Dwarves?" Celeborn asked, aghast. It was clear who he thought to be the lower race.
"All I am saying, my lord, is why should we try and break one of our own when there is more at stake? Tauriel Athelas holds more power than most and she will gain even more before this is over; there is no need to estrange your realm from her." Haldir held his head, refusing to back down and letting his discomfort be known at the Lord's lack of manner, "She is in the council of the most powerful men; men who listen to her and heed her advice. She can turn the tides quickly, making sure they are not in your favor. You yourself, sire, have heard how she speaks. No language is unknown to her and all who meet her trust her upon a first gaze. It would be in your best interest, my lord, to treat her with the same respect you would any other King's Adviser, seeing as she holds the fate of all in her hand: whether they are Man, Dwarf, Elf or any other race. Her words, along with her bow, could determine the outcome of a war. It is best not to cross her." The Silvan's chest rose and fell rapidly, his pulse racing at how out of term he had spoken to his lord. Never had he shown such contempt and disrespect towards a superior before.
Celeborn took a steadying breath, studying the Silvan, before replying, "Don't you have a company to ready, Captain?" The title was said with such a cold reminder that the room seemed to shutter at the thought. It was a stern reminder of where Haldir fell on the food chain, a reminder that he was not the King's Adviser.
"Yes, my lord." Haldir gave a stiff bow before taking his leave and refusing to look back.
XxX
Tauriel sat high in the trees, her eyes never straying from the sky above. The twinkling lights were scattered before her, speaking of times long passed and those to come.
Tears silently streamed from her eyes, which reflected the heavens above and recalled the pain she had caused.
"I am sorry Kili for my part in your death. If I hadn't let my heart overshadow reason, you would still be here." She apologized to the night sky, her tears continued to fall, "I should never have called out for you, I should never have distracted you. I thought only of myself, not the harm I would cause the entire kingdom at your loss."
Her foot dangled lifelessly off the side of the branch as she rested against the rough bark of the tree. Steadily, she took in a breath and forced it out, "The Lady was right, I did see your sacrifice. I felt your love in that moment. I am sorry, also, for not making your sacrifice count these last few years. I swear this night that I will honor your memory as it justly deserves to be for the rest of my years."
A searing pain etched through her heart, whether it was ripping it further apart or forcing the scattered pieces together she wasn't sure, "It was your choice…" Her eyes sparkled with the last tears that fell and a smile replaced the sorrow, "Amrâlimê."
She continued to lounge in the tree, smiling at the few happy memories she had of Kili and memorizing every word that had been spoken that night they had stayed up talking. Part of her felt odd for having grown so attached to one she hadn't known but a few days while the other part remembered the Lady's words; love did not need a life time to grow.
As dawn struck, the guilt was dismissed just as the night was so the new day could begin.
"Tauriel Athelas." A familiar voice beckoned.
Tauriel dropping her head to the side, "I am here, Cainir."
The young elf smiled up, his hand stroking Broom's mane to comfort her, "Broom is saddled and seems ready to be on her way."
"She does not like being cut off from the stars, just as I don't." Tauriel replied, swinging herself with ease from the tree. She landed with a graceful thud and accepted the reins Cainir handed her, "What companies are to leave today?"
"Haldir will set out with his men, King Thranduil looks to leave today as well. His men were readying their companions when I fetched Broom."
"Which leaves me to my next question, how did you know I taking my leave today? I hadn't told anyone of my plans." Tauriel asked evenly, giving her attention to Broom instead of the messenger so she wouldn't show her hand, "I was hoping to go unseen as a Hobbit would." She smiled shyly.
"Lord Celeborn received a message from Lord Elrond, who requested your return." Cainir replied with a soft smile, offering her the now unsealed scroll, "The messenger said that it was urgent. Not dire, but important enough that you return at your earliest convenience."
"Well, it is best not to keep lords waiting." Tauriel smiled softly, mounting Broom and tucking the letter into her pack. She pulled back the mare, who was eager to be on the road, "Bid your Lord farewell for me and give my apologizes that I cannot be seen off in person. I am needed in Rivendell."
They shared a smile, both realizing that she felt no guilt at her unmannerly departure, before Tauriel allowed Broom to lead on.
She stopped just as she reached the road and turned back round, "Will you bid a farewell blessing to King Thranduil for me? And an apology for my hasty departure."
"He left just as I was searching for you and wished me to share the same for you, apparently you are quite a hard one to find." Cainir playful joked, enjoying be treated as an equal instead of a servant for once.
Tauriel smiled, looked down the opposite path, "I assume he took the eastern path?" her heart raced, daring her to try and catch him.
"Yes, my lady."
"Well, no elk has ever been able to out run Broom." Tauriel leaned down and lovingly stroked her companion's strong neck, "Till we meet again, Cainir, be well." She bid, starting back on her trek.
"Savo 'lass a lalaith!"
Tauriel's eyes brightened at the blessing: have joy and laughter. If he had bid her the same yesterday or the day before she would have balked at the idea. Today, however, with the sun shining through the trees and the promise of a clear night for star gazing, with life in the air and the promises of tomorrow in sight, his blessing seemed attainable.
"To you as well." She called back, lovingly pressing her legs into Broom's side to press her on. Tauriel turned herself around, her heart racing the closer she got to the gates. Just as her companion, Tauriel craved the freedom and was impatient to get it.
XxX
The autumn breeze nipped at the young she-elf as her mare raced through the ancient trees. Tauriel's acute ears easily picked up the sound of the company and she smiled, knowing she found what she had been looking for.
She broke out into the clearing, catching a few of the men and their steeds off guard before throwing a quick apology over her shoulder and racing through the rest of them to the lead.
Tauriel couldn't see the king's face; but if she could, she would have seen the small, knowing smile that pulled at his lips.
"I am assuming your showmanship was also picked up by the Dwarves? They do love ostentatious examples, hoping that it might make up for their lack of manners." He called, his sensitive ears picking up the sound of Broom as she came to trot easily behind him.
"Adaption has always been one of my strongest skills." Tauriel smiled, ushering the mare forward to keep pace with the king and catching a few gossiping glances from those around her. Thranduil ran his kingdom with a strong, unmoving hand, where manners and tradition ruled. To see a fiery she-elf, dressed as half Dwarf and Man, acting so bold with their king was unthinkable and would make for some interesting tales around the fire tonight.
"Indeed it has." Thranduil drawled, swaying back and forth as the elk pressed on through the woods.
Tauriel turned her attention forward, letting the silence settle around them for a while but unable to let it continue, "You didn't say goodbye."
"I assumed you were hiding from Lord Celeborn in some tree, I couldn't just go around yelling your name until you decided to pop out of your den like a timid squirrel." Thranduil replied in his drawl.
That stoked the fire within Tauriel's protected soul and she narrowed her eyes, revealing herself like she had the eve before, "I am not timid." She shook her head, causing a ripple through her fiery waves, and sat up straighter, "Brash, impulsive and sometimes deviant, but never timid."
"All the qualities prized in Dwarves, I see." Thranduil teased, trying to see how much he could push her, "Though I would say mostly deviant."
Her years in court curved her tongue before she could make even more of a fool out of herself, a trait that would have been missing thirty years ago.
Instead of speaking, the she-elf took a shallow breath and fixed her posture, refusing to take the bait.
Thranduil raised a greying brow, "My, you have learned to handle your temper, and in the courts of Men no less. I am quite impress, Tauriel."
She held her head higher, relishing the praise as if it were starlight. Never would words of praise from King Thranduil, the one who had walled himself of for hundreds of years and was just starting to come out from behind them, be dull.
A smaller pony, with a younger he-elf, came down the path with haste, "The path opens up ahead, my lord." He reported, his eyes just barely visible under the oversized helmet he wore.
Tauriel smiled gently as Thranduil dismissed the young soldier, remembering how Legolas would dress in his father's armor when they were younger. She would put on Thranduil's arm guards and quiver as she pranced around with his bow, which was three sizes too big for her, while Legolas attempted to wear the entire uniform, claiming he was man enough to wear the heavy metal and wield the sword that was twice his size. Of course she would just giggle to herself whenever he would stumble and end up flat on his back like a turtle.
"That is Aeglosdir, he accompanied us from Mirkwood." Thranduil introduced, knowing the young she-elf would want to know his name. What had made her an excellent Captain, and an extraordinary Adviser now, was her willingness to look at those under her control as an individual instead of a number. She had a talent of making each being that crossed her path feel as if they held a place of importance with her, no matter their race or age.
Tauriel smiled gently, watching the young solider join his ranks, "I assume he was born during the winter, considering his name? Not long ago either, his eyes are too bright." She didn't need to continue her thought, her and Thranduil thought the same: he had never seen death first hand, yet.
"Why bring such youth?"
"We have few to actually fight as the shadow grows."
"You choose to fight instead of build further defenses?" Tauriel asked, her tone even as her eyes slid to look at the man next to her. Thranduil replied with a casual nod.
Her smile appeared warmly across her face, "I couldn't have heard better news today."
"Unless you hear that Dale is secure and there is no threat to either King Bain or King Dain's reign."
Tauriel colored at his light correction, reminding her that she was to watch her tongue while they were still in Celeborn's forest. Trees did have ears after all.
"Indeed, my lord." Tauriel replied, wrinkling her nose as a sound caught her attention. Her eyes darted north, trying to pin the source.
A shimmer of silver caught her attention, her eyes rolling gently.
"It appears that everyone wishes to ride with the morning." Tauriel sighed, ushering Broom on as the company of Lothlórien guards joined their ranks.
Tauriel casually started counting, curious how long it would take the Captain to join herself and the king.
"Good morrow my lord, good morrow my lady." Haldir bowed his head to each of them in turn.
Tauriel smirked, Less than ten.
Thranduil returned the greeting and the trio settled into an easy pace before the soldiers.
"Will you ride with us to Dale, my lady?" Haldir inquired curiously, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"No, I ride to Rivendell. Lord Elrond requires my service." She replied, her head up and her air that of a trusted Adviser.
"Will you at least camp with us tonight? My men have spare tents if you are in need of equipment."
Tauriel turned her eyes to the Captain, once more remembering Annúndir's words, "Possibly, I wish to return as quick as I can. Lord Elrond's message sounded urgent." She replied, unnerved by the attention she was receiving.
Thranduil released a small sigh, his face even and forward facing as he spoke, "If Tauriel Athelas does camp with us tonight, she will prefer to sleep under the stars and will not require a tent."
She narrowed her eyes like an indignant child. Though she had found her lost relationship with Thranduil, she still didn't appreciate others telling her what she would like or not.
The king looked to her as if to silently question if he was wrong or not. His eyes brightened and his lips touched smugness when her wit couldn't come up with a retort. The she-elf bristled but chose to straighten her posture and ride on.
The trio led on through the forest as the sun rose high in the heavens, the sound of a thousand elves ringing throughout the trees. The edge of the forest came into view and the troops marched on.
"Tauriel Athelas, I have a question for you." Haldir whispered, though to the elves around the pair it was easily audible.
"You may ask." Tauriel granted the permission, sitting higher atop Broom. She enjoyed the petty power that came with granting simple requests.
"What made your opinion of me shift?"
Tauriel rose a brow as she studied the Silvan. Thranduil, who rode ahead, smirked, knowing that Tauriel had claimed yet another heart to add to her collection.
The hearts of Dwarf, Elf and Man, what a little treasure nín elen has collected in such a short time, the King thought to himself.
Tauriel, who remained unaware of the true power she wielded, gave a smug tsk, "Who says my opinion has changed?" She looked on ahead, anticipating the break through the trees and her heart racing to be out under the sky once more. The young elven was tired of the murky leaves of the forest.
Haldir had begun to reply but Tauriel was quicker, "The respect you have begun to show me as an equal has changed my opinion somewhat of the Lothlórien elves." She looked to him with knowing eyes, remembering his earlier warning.
Haldir's eyes brightened and a smile's touch turned his lips. He inclined his head and the journey grew quiet once more.
The sunlight grew brighter as they drew to the edge of the Kingdom. Thranduil let his eyes wander to Tauriel, who he knew was ready to have the court of Lórien far behind her. The young she-elf sat taut, with her eyes wide and her shoulders pushed forward, her mare was a mirror of her rider.
"Tauriel Athelas, if you are simply going to add more tension to the already thick air you might as well ride on ahead and leave the rest of us in peace." Thranduil drawled, giving his best impression of an annoyed, pompous Sindar speaking to a lowly, immature she-elf.
Tauriel wrinkled her nose, seeing right through his ruse, "If you insist, my lord." Her mouth twitched into a smirk for a fleeing second before she nudged her heel into Broom's side. The mare needed no encouragement and took off once the reigns were loosed.
Her hair flared out like an ember that had been ignited and a trickle of laughter bubbled up from within her as she closed in on the true sunlight. Broom took the shortest path, jumping with ease over any of the fallen limbs with the youth of a filly.
If an audience had been waiting for her, they would not have been left disappointed as she burst through the curtain of trees and entered into the beauty of the valley. Never had a stage been so perfect.
Tauriel gazed around at the tall grass, memorizing the scene and knowing it would never compare to the beauty of Dale. Broom seemed to sense her thoughts and kicked her foot.
"I know, I miss home too." Tauriel comforted, laying against the mane of her companion and stroking the coarse hair, "Soon enough, we will be back. After all, it is the only place left for us to return too." She remembered Thranduil's offer and smiled, "Well, not the only one, but the one where our heart lies." Her eyes wandered up to the blinding sky, her mind sketching out what the night sky should look like tonight.
As if to make a wish, she closed her eyes and cast her love towards the heavens' memory.
The moment was broken when the company entered onto her stage.
"That was quite a display for an Adviser to the King. Tell me, do you usually burst into Court with such a flourish?" Thranduil quipped as he joined her. Haldir followed a few yards behind him with an amused look on his face. Tauriel turned Broom's head and started alongside the fellow leaders, not bothering to respond.
They rode until the sun was deep in the west before stopping to make camp on the far side of the valley.
Feeling as if she herself was a company within itself, Tauriel made a small fire of her own in between the two camps of Lothlórien and Mirkwood. She readied her sleeping area before she set to make a small meal.
Her ears perked as she heard footsteps approaching her camp, which was set up off the main path, and spoke of someone specifically seeking her out.
"May I join you, my lady, to share my meal?"
Tauriel looked up to discover the young soldier who had reported to Thranduil earlier, Aeglosdir.
Inclining her head, she gestured to the seat across from her, "You may."
"I have Lembas and some mead to share." Aeglosdir continued, rummaging through his knapsack and retrieving his stash.
Tauriel turned to her things, "I have a couple apples and some Cram."
"What is Cram?"
"It is like Lembas but chewier and made by the hands of Man." Tauriel explained, laying out the little food she had left. She knew she would have to request supplies from Lord Elrond upon her return.
Aeglosdir sat for a while, watching the flames climb up the pieces of wood trapped within the pit. Tauriel smiled, knowing he had more questions for her as his eyes turned to what she wore.
After a prolonged silence, he spoke, "I—I do not mean to offend, my lady, but where do you hail…I mean, from what realm…excuse me, I mean…."
"You mean to ask, what am I." Tauriel smiled gently, stoking the fire as she spoke the words that unknowingly stung. Her eyes wandered to what she wore, questioning what the answer could be.
When she was alone she could find strength in her melting pot of cultures, but when she was put on display for others to judge she found herself pulling back and seeking sanctuary within herself. After all, the heart was placed safely within the chest and locked away for a reason.
"Yes, my lady. It is just – your bow and appearance is of an Elf, but your dress is of Man and your hair and saddle are of Dwarf. Which of the three realms do you belong too?"
Without a moment's more hesitation, she found her courage and looked up to hold his eye, "I do not belong to one alone, but three." She replied, thought she spoke bolder than she felt, "I was born and raised an Elf, later adopted by the Dwarves and keep company with Men. I am a hodgepodge of sorts, if you will."
"What, no Hobbit?" Aeglosdir replied, his youth showing in his smile as he tried to lighten the conversation. Young elves could rarely take a serious tone for too long, it was a trait they had to grow into.
"Legolas use to say I have the feet of a Hobbit." She wrinkled her nose at the thought as she gazed down at her boot covered toe that reflected the fire's light. The memory was like a spark of life that filled her with warmth, reminding her of innocent times that she longed to restore to the world around her.
With a gentle sigh she laid back and reached out to touch Broom, seeking comfort in her constant companion.
"In three days' time we will break off and begin the journey to Mirkwood, you should reach Rivendell in less than five days." Aeglosdir continued, sitting quietly and gazing up at the night sky.
"Indeed." Tauriel replied, counting off the constellations in her thoughts. A particular star caught her attention, shinning bright against the others. She smiled, liking to think that it was Kili's place in heaven and that he was guiding her.
"And then we will go home." She whispered, running her fingers through Broom's soft mane, "Wherever that might be, for I seem to have a home among all the realms." The thought brought a smile to her face and she settled in, content in the peace she had found earlier that day.
XxX
The next few days brought with them clear, crisp mornings and temperate afternoons as the troops set out for their destination. The company, on the urging of King Thranduil, journeyed out of their way to make sure the young she-elf arrived safely at Rivendell.
"Will you stop in Mirkwood on your return to Dale?" Aeglosdir inquired as they rode along, knowing they would be saying their goodbyes shortly.
"Possibly." Tauriel replied, her heart pounding as the final stretch came into view. Though she had only been to Rivendell once in her life, her mind was sharp and she could remember the path which returned to the grand kingdom perfectly. She ticked off the specific markers she had mentally placed on their trip to Lothlórien and started counting them down, her racing pulse spurring Broom to a trot.
The final crest came into view and she took hold of the reigns to slow the mare, wanting to embrace the feeling that greeted her. Rivendell was the oasis of the Elven world, offering sanctuary and rest, and Tauriel was starting to understand why she had to leave Dale to travel across the word.
She needed to rest, to pull herself away from everything that she had come to treasure so fiercely and was equally terrified of losing in the blink of an eye. The she-elf had to re-center herself, to find the forgiveness she had so desperately needed after the war and to be relieved of her heavy burden she held so tightly to after Kili's death.
Over the long nights by the fires, she had also come to discover another facet of her life no other Elf would have to face.
She was gifted with immortality yet chose to live among mortal Men and Dwarves. Their lives would come to an end, hers would continue on until she passed over to the West.
Do not wallow within yourself, Tauriel chided, if you focus on the dark shadows of the night, you will miss the starlight that it has to offer.
Unknowingly, Tauriel had brought her mare to a halt as the thought struck her.
Whether it had been that day in battle or a hundred years from then, Kili would have died eventually. He was mortal, after all. Nothing she could have done would stop the inevitable. All she could do was treasure the time she was given with him, no matter how short it had been, and take to heart the words of the Lady.
She was also amended right then of how she had been living her life the last thirty years, choosing to keep company with a foreboding sense of sorrow at the numbered years of her mortal companions and constantly worrying about when she would lose those she had come to see as her own kin instead of embracing their life. In thinking in such dark tones, she was wasting the time she had been gifted with those she loved.
Never had she been more homesick for those she had left behind in Dale and Erebor or felt a stronger pull to return home than in that moment.
Home. The thought warmed Tauriel and her smile grew bright, deciding she would leave for Dale the instant she had given her report. It was time to go home.
"Tauriel Athelas, are you alright?" Aeglosdir inquired over his shoulder, turning his ride around to come to her side, "Tauriel?" He beckoned again, breaking her of her trance.
With a quick shake of her fiery mane, she forced a smile and lightly tapped Broom's sides, "Yes, quite. I'm just looking forward to returning home after I speak with Lord Elrond." She looked to her companion, "We've been gone for too long."
She thought over all those she had left behind and tried to playout how their reunion would be. They would celebrate just outside of the mountain; everything would be decorated in the glowing lights of the Dwarves as the mix of Man and Dwarf danced under the starlight beside the memorials of those they had lost. Tauriel had come to the conclusion that there was no better way to remember the fallen than with laughter and song; laughter in celebration of their life and song so that their memory wouldn't be lost to time.
Her thoughts came around to recall the Lady of Lothlórien's wise words; to remember Kili's choice, to remember his love, but to not be lost in the pain she felt and to instead choose to celebrate his life.
No one expects you to give up his memory, just the pain of his passing.
"I will never love another as I do you. Elves love but once in a lifetime." She whispered to herself, closing her eyes and embracing the breeze that rushed past her, "I will never forget you, I will never let your name be forgotten. But I will accept the companionate loves I have been gifted and share in the life of our people in Erebor and Dale, so that I do not let your sacrifice be wasted."
"We have company." Someone called at the front of the troop, breaking Tauriel from her reminiscing.
She looked up sharply, her eyes falling on the Rivendell banners dancing in the wind. A small smirk touched her lips as she moved forward through the troops to her place beside the King and Haldir.
"We wanted to give our returning company a proper greeting." Lord Elrond, who sat tall atop his brilliant stallion decorated in gold, inclined his head in respect, "Lady Tauriel Athelas, we welcome you back to our Halls. To the rest of the troops of King Thranduil and Lord Celeborn, we offer our blessings for a safe journey. Please, accept our gift of supplies." As he spoke, he ushered other riders forward to unload their goods.
"Well, this is goodbye for now." Aeglosdir offered a smile, "Be safe, m'lady, and may your path to your journey's end be smooth and guided by starlight."
"Be safe, Aeglosdir." She returned, offering a smile before he returned to take his place among the other soldiers.
"Do keep yourself from trouble." Thranduil offered, playing aloof as their goodbye came near, "Or, at least, keep from making a fool of yourself." He let his bright eyes wander to hers, speaking the words he didn't dare say before the men.
Her smile lit up her face, "And to you as well, my lord."
"Remember what we discussed, Tauriel Athelas."
"I will." Her attention turned next to Haldir, who she nodded to with respect, "Journey safe and fight strong, I'm trusting you to defend my city. Do not let me down." Tauriel allowed her eyes to narrow ever so slightly, showing the weight of her words.
Haldir returned the nod, "I swear on my life to do all that I can."
The she-elf straightened herself and moved her mare forward, refusing to look back.
After bidding their formal farewells, the two groups split off and continued on their separate journeys.
After a while, Tauriel let her inquiry slip, "Why did you summon me back to Rivendell, my lord? The message you sent was vague."
"Because you have yet to fully learn to live during times of peace." Came his reply.
"We are at war, sire."
"Peace can be found even during times of trial. You were born into a world at war; you grew up fighting and preparing to be a Guard, you have spent your youth fighting and killing. Did you ever wonder what would come after the dust had settled?" Lord Elrond chanced a look at her, curious if she understood, "Did you ever consider a life apart from the battlefield?"
"I am beginning too." She replied stiffly, feeling her walls start to build up once more. So many people had been gazing into the depths of her heart the last few weeks and she was tired of feeling so exposed and weak.
"I must say, I am amazed you did not return to Dale with the company. King Thranduil has told great tales of your adventures and unbreakable spirit, your inability to sit by as other fought for what is right. I never assumed you would be one to heed the young mortal King's command for so long, he is but a child still."
"It was the late King's last wish that I leave Dale to explore the realm, not Bain's." She explained, her heart stuttering at the thought of his last confession to her. Her eyes caught the glistening sea, which lay out before the kingdom, as they descended into the carved rock and she thought about how weary she felt, "I returned to Rivendell because I feel as if my journey is not to an end yet, I will return to my Mountain when I feel my mission is complete as it very well might be. I listen to Bard's advice because I respect him, not because he wears a crown. A King's orders hold no weight unless there is respect and trust to precede them." She stated, displaying more bravado than she felt.
"Careful, young elven, or people might question your loyalty."
"The people who would question my loyalty do not know me." She smiled, boldly meeting the Lord's eyes and remembering the Lady of Light's words, "I hold the Men of Dale and the Dwarves of Erebor and the Blue Mountains in the highest of respects, I wouldn't remain among them in their courts if I didn't."
"And what of the Elves of Mirkwood and the other realms?" Lord Elrond inquired, his tone even and steady.
"My ties to those from Mirkwood is restored after my visit to Lothlórien, my respect for those that raised me has never ceased though. As for Rivendell, I have always held those in the city in the highest regards. The others have yet to earn my respect."
"You never cease to amaze, Tauriel Athelas. To think that Elders of your Race have to earn the respect of such a young she-elf." He answered, his eyes alight with soft mirth, "But the fact that you are willing to let trust heal between you and those of Mirkwood shows a soul beyond your years."
"I am attempting to earn my namesake. Athelas has such simple, but powerful healing properties. It starts as such a small bud but can grow into a grand plant capable of healing unimaginable wounds. I hope to be like that to our world, I want to heal the races." She sat straighter, feeling like she had just found what she had been searching years for. There it had been revealed, in her simple desire. Tauriel knew right then and there her purpose, the reason Kili had stumbled into her life: she was a bridge builder between the Races. They each had their differences but they each held an important place in Middle Earth, her purpose was to show them exactly that.
"Your time in Lothlórien seems to have been good for you."
"Yes," Her smile brightened as the stunning kingdom rose before them, "it was."
XxX
AN - So I owe all my beloved readers of this flic a huge apology! Apparently I finished this chapter back in January and just never got around to editing it because life got too crazy. I stumbled across this chapter when I received a couple sweet guest reviews and decided to look back at my notes for the story. Thank you for all your kind reviews over the life of this story and I hope this chapter was enjoyable, I do have the plot sketched out for where I want the story to go and I hope to post another chapter soon! :)
XxX