AN: Hello dear readers! This chapter is going to be a long one, as Tauriel still has many challenges to face…. This chapter will be mostly from the Captain's point of view.
Please review and follow if you would like to, it encourages me to write more
Tauriel POV
Soon after Legolas had left her weeping in misery the night before, a messenger had arrived into her tent and announced that she was to resume her duties in organising the companies to be ready for travel.
Tauriel had sighed and furiously wiped at her face but done as her duty commanded.
I will not fail my people a second time.
She had to admit that the work kept her fractured mind from wandering into dark places and she realised she had no time to grieve for her own losses as her soldiers needed her guidance. Tauriel saw grown elves openly weeping as they moved through the camp, as it seemed most had lost someone dear to them in the battle.
So few we are now, I am not the only one to have seen tragedy this day. There will be a time for me to grieve properly for Kili but for now I must use my strength to hold together what courage is left in my people.
The next day after the battle for the mountain, the horns sounded to call the elves back home to Mirkwood. Her renewed rank had granted Tauriel a horse for the long march back to the fortress. There were no songs of victory and the mood was solemn and contemplative, for only a third of the great elven army had pulled through with their lives. More injured elves had been carefully placed into caravans to be tended to on the journey by the great skill of the elven healers.
As Captain, Tauriel rode behind Thranduil and his personal guard and this time she was very careful about maintaining a respectful distance. She had not spoken with the King since their encounter and she was anxious for what lay ahead.
I have no claim to be Captain anymore. I committed high treason by aiming my arrow at the King. Thranduil would have been well within his right to have me executed. He seemed clearly furious towards me at the time, so why I have been granted this unwarranted pardon?
Tauriel's brows drew together as she puzzled the unusual act of kindness out in her head. Her roan stallion Araphor nickered gently and put his ears back sensing her uneasiness. Tauriel absentmindedly stroked the horse's muscular flanks to soothe him and her thoughts travelled back to when Thranduil's sword had been at her throat and Legolas had used his dagger to defend her.
If you harm her, you will have to kill me. Legolas had said that. It must have been because of him. The King knows that we are close and probably knew that he might have lost his son had he harmed me.
'Tauriel!'
Her head swivelled around at the sound of approaching hooves, her friend and second in command Ranadir sidled up to her. He placed a gloved hand on her shoulder in greeting and she gave a small smile to him in return.
'I am glad you are alive little Tauriel! Naturally, of course I survived due to my superior swordsmanship' he said whilst giving her a half smile but it did not quite reach his eyes. Tauriel rolled her eyes and nudged him in the side. From anyone else, that statement would have been insubordinate but Tauriel had known the elf since before she had become Captain and she imagined him as what an older brother would have been like. Ranadir had long brown hair, warm chestnut eyes and a proud nose making him altogether quite endearing to the elleth of the kingdom.
Ranadir glanced at Tauriel's weapon-less back then leaned closer, all trace of his earlier mischief gone.
'So it is true. They had said that the King had cut your bow when you raised it against him. Why did you abandon us mellon?' He looked at her with hurt in his eyes.
Tauriel had not the energy to explain and so simply said 'Gohen nin, Ranadir. I will not fail you again.'
He did not push further and instead scanned her again. 'Your daggers, they are also gone! Wait, what is that at your side?'
Tauriel's hand instinctively gripped Legolas' white dagger that hung on her hip.
She did not meet Ranadir's eyes as she said, 'The Prince gave me his dagger to look after whilst he has gone on a mission for the King.' Her hands tightened around the hilt.
'And why would he do that I wonder?' Ranadir whispered in her ear with a hint of amused suspicion in his voice.
Tauriel busied herself looking at something interesting in Araphor's dark mane.
'I suppose he did not want to leave the Captain of the Guard without a weapon.' She sniffed indignantly.
Ranadir did not reply but raised his chestnut eyebrows and looked ahead.
'Thranduil's guard keep glancing at you. Who would have thought that they would need to guard the King from his own Captain?' His tone was teasing but upon seeing Tauriel's wounded shudder and the shame on her face he realised she had truly regretted her actions.
'Do not worry little Tauriel. The King has decided to pardon your error and the others will learn to do the same. Time will ease their doubts for everyone knows that you have always loved the forest and defended its people.'
Tauriel did not say anything but quickly reached across and briefly squeezed Ranadir's free hand at his side.
At least Ranadir is on my side.
Two weeks later, Tauriel found herself back into her old routine of training and planning battle strategies. Time seemed indistinct to her for her heart was still heavy with grief and she missed the company of Legolas. She had not removed the white dagger from her side and frequently clenched her fist around it when grief pierced her heart. She had been granted a new unique curved bow by the weapons smith who had carved her last one, allowing her to carry out her duties effectively. Her beloved daggers were not so easy to replace however, and no matter which blades she tried from the armoury, none felt right in her hands.
She made do with just using Legolas' white dagger for it gave her comfort.
After a day of training the new recruits, Tauriel sat polishing the wood of her bow absently in her Captain's study whilst her thoughts replayed Kili's violent death and the last words Legolas had spoken to her when a messenger knocked on the door.
'Captain Tauriel, the King requests your presence in his throne room'. The messenger bowed and motioned for her to follow.
Oh no. This is it. I am going to have to finally face Thranduil after what has transpired between us.
Feeling like she was walking to her doom, Tauriel followed to the throne room.
Thranduil POV
Thranduil paced his throne room, brows knitted together under his crown of autumn leaves. His people were suffering and he had finally realised that he needed to fight back against the darkness growing around his borders.
How much further must it go before the final push? Already the outlying villages have been brought within these walls. Those that are suitable are being trained for battle to replenish our ranks. There is nothing of my people outside this fortress. I can no longer protect them here. Word must be sent…
A noise at the entranceway to his throne room stopped his pacing and he turned to watch a very sheepish Tauriel approach him before bowing low at the waist. He felt his lip curl up in a slight smirk at how humble his fiery Captain had become.
'You summoned me, Hîr vuin?' Green eyes glanced up into his unyielding blue stare.
I see pain in her eyes. Yes, and there is also regret at her actions, so perhaps she does remain loyal to me.
'Yes. Two days hence, you are to take an envoy of my advisors with you to Lothlorien to discuss the alliance of our two kingdoms against the war Sauron will undoubtedly bring.'
He saw Tauriel's eyes widen in shock at his words before she quickly composed herself and nodded. 'It shall be so sire. Ranadir will be capable of continuing the training of the new soldiers whilst I am gone.'
Thranduil inclined his head slightly in agreement.
He noticed the white hilt of Legolas' dagger at her side and felt his lips thin in distaste.
'I have favoured you for over six hundred years Tauriel. It was I who took you under my protection after your parents were slain. Yet you moved to strike me down. I forgave you for the sake of my son but act out of line again and there will be no mercy from me.'
He watched Tauriel flinch as if he had physically struck her before she walked forward and placed her hand above heart in respect.
'I cannot ask for your forgiveness Sire and I truly am sorry but I had to stop you from leaving. If we had left, the orcs would have overrun the dwarves and men and then attacked our borders. I went about it the wrong way and I regret my actions but I was trying to do what I thought was right for the peoples of Arda.'
Thranduil regarded the elleth coolly and she looked back at him defiantly.
'I have reinstated you as Captain but you have yet to demonstrate that I can trust you again. You are dismissed.'
The young elleth looked at him sadly before bowing and exiting the chamber.
Something has changed about her. She seems wearier of the world as if something has caused her grief.
Tauriel POV
Two days later and venturing outside the comforting forest of Mirkwood, Tauriel felt her grief fall over her like a cloak. The only comfort she received was from lying beneath the stars when the envoy stopped to rest at nightfall.
I hope Legolas is safe, wherever he is.
Tauriel looked up at the bright beauty of the starlight and sent a silent prayer to Varda.
Elbereth Gilthoniel, keep him safe. Let him return to me for I will surely fade if his light is also taken from this world. I cannot fight the darkness alone.
After what seemed liked days of travelling over mostly featureless terrain, the company neared the Golden Wood. Haldir, Captain of Lothlorien, met them and pleasant greetings were exchanged. With her company in formation behind her and Haldir leading the way ahead, they entered into the heart of Caras Galadhon.
'The Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel will be waiting to greet you, follow me.' Haldir dismounted and the others followed suit, walking up the twisting staircases up the side of the huge mallorn trees. The way was lit with lanterns of white light and the very air seemed to soothe her soul of its worries.
It is as though this land is protected by the light.
The stairway opened up onto a large expanse harmoniously constructed in between the branches of the great trees.
'My Lord and Lady, I present to you the delegation from Mirkwood.' Haldir bowed respectfully to the couple descending from a higher level.
Tauriel's eyes immediately went to the pair, for they radiated an inner light and power. As they approached, she stepped forward from her company and fisted her hand over her heart, bowing low in great respect to her hosts.
'Hîr vuin. Hiril vuin. I am Tauriel, Captain of the Mirkwood Guard and I thank you humbly for your hospitality.' She said formally.
'Le nathlam hí, Captain Tauriel.' Lord Celeborn said gently and Tauriel did look up then. She had not realised how close the two rulers had come and they were looking down at her with surprising warmth. Lord Celeborn was tall and proud, his silver hair unadorned yet his robes were magnificent in hues of silver with an overlying mantle of blue. He wore a belt of braided silver with a matching entwined circlet around his neck. To her, his brown eyes seemed full of wisdom yet also sadness. Tauriel had heard that he was said to be one of the wisest elves left in Middle Earth.
Her gaze shifted to the Lady and she was met with a pair of startling blue eyes and Tauriel quickly lowered her gaze from the intensity of the contact. Galadriel was the fairest elleth Tauriel had ever seen with her golden crown of hair that had captured the light of Laurelin and yet was also threaded with Telperion's silver. She was robed in a flowing gown of purest white with a crown of golden and silver leaves entwined about her delicate brow.
Tauriel raised her head at the sound of the Lady of Light's clear voice and was met with eyes twinkling in amusement.
It was as if she had read my thoughts.
'You and your kinsmen must be tired after your long journey and would like refreshment and rest. Tolo, govano ven.' The Lady smiled and motioned to lead the way towards what Tauriel hoped was food.
In the morning Tauriel awoke feeling like the burden of sorrow had finally been lifted from her heart. She still missed Kili but it was as if the grief were a memory for she only remembered the fond times that they had spent together.
This peaceful land has soothed my soul of grief but I still miss Legolas.
The next few days of the mission were spent in discussion with the Lord and Lady and their council about how best combine forces and present a united front against the darkness of Sauron. In her spare time, she wandered the beautiful forests and conversed with the elves of Lothlorien who were alike yet somehow different from her own woodland elves.
Most are older and have seen the passing of ages yet they are friendly enough.
She had spent her evenings with her company dining with the Lothlorien elves at the high table. Tauriel had grown fond of Celeborn and particularly Galadriel for they often talked together at meals of their different experiences.
Although I am not noble, they treat me with respect and genuinely seem interested in what I have to say. They do not just see me as an envoy from Thranduil. I feel welcomed and accepted for whom I am.
'How does Prince Legolas fare? For it has been many years since last I saw him.'
Tauriel looked down the table to answer Celeborn's question and respectfully replied. 'The King sent him North to find the Dunedain rangers and warn them of the impending darkness'
'He looks in particular for Aragorn, son of Arathorn.' Galadriel said smoothly, and Tauriel's eyebrows rose although Celeborn did not seem surprised by his wife's insight.
Galadriel's eyes shifted to Tauriel and she heard the Lady's voice in her head. He is alive and well.
Tauriel felt her cheeks blush and she looked down at her food but not before she caught Galadriel's small smile.
Negotiations concluded, the company of Mirkwood prepared to leave and stood at the outskirts of the kingdom ready to leave. The Lord and Lady had decided to ride out to the borders to bid the visitors farewell for mutual respect had grown between the two allies.
After the others had bowed respectfully to the pair and mounted their horses, Tauriel approached Celeborn and also bowed low.
'Hannon le hîr vuin. For you wisdom in matters of battle as well your kindness at hosting us.'
Celeborn smiled and inclined his head at the young Captain. 'It is your own wisdom that will light the path for Mirkwood's soldiers. They will need your guidance in days to come. Novaer, hennig.'
Tauriel inclined her head at his words again and turned to face the Lady.
'It is my understanding that you have not been able to replace the daggers that you lost in the tragedy of battle. Perhaps I can help you to find the right fit.'
From where she held them at her side, Galadriel presented in her hands two gleaming silver daggers. The rosewood hilts were etched with silver stars and the elegant blades shone proudly with their master craftsmanship.
Tauriel gasped at the beauty of the daggers for she had never seen such beautiful weapons. 'Hannon le…I do not know why you consider me worthy of such a mighty gift.'
Galadriel smiled, placing them into Tauriel's eager hands and knowingly said 'Take these daggers so that you will always be able to walk amongst the stars.'
Tauriel's eyes brimmed realising that the statement was a similar thing to what Kili had once said to her. Her fingers closed familiarly around the hilts and it felt as though they had been made for her hands. She looked up at the golden elleth and saw the light of the Two Trees reflected in her eyes.
She knows, and yet she does not resent the friendship that I had with Kili.
The Lady of light walked forward and placed a delicate kiss on her brow in blessing and in farewell.
There is strength in you Tauriel. You shine with the light of the sun yet you are favoured by starlight. Embrace the love that you have been offered. Do not let others rule your heart.
Aloud, the Lady said in her melodic voice 'Na lû e-govaned vîn Tauriel.'
The Captain bowed deeply and turned to re-join her company. As they rode out of Lothlorien, she looked back to see the Lord and Lady of Light raise their hands in farewell.
Elvish
Gohen nin –forgive me
Hîr vuin –my Lord
Hiril vuin –my Lady
Hannon le –thank you
Le nathlam hí –you are welcome here
Tolo, govano ven – Come, join us
Novaer, hennig –farewell, child
Na lû e-govaned vîn –until we next meet