AN: So I read an interview with Evangeline Lily (the actress that plays Tauriel in the films) and she said that she believes after the end of the battle of the five armies, Tauriel goes back to her duties as Captain of the Mirkwood Guard. I can therefore safely interpret that Thranduil must have lifted her banishment… This is what I would like to believe and it makes me happy that I wrote the same tale for her.
Please, please do leave reviews; you will never know how much I am inspired by your messages.
Legolas POV
So the plan reveals itself. The orc attack was designed to capture the creature Gollum. They wanted to move undetected, that is why they were so few in number. Nae! They have succeeded in their dark objectives. No doubt the Enemy will interrogate him and glean what knowledge of the Ring that he can.
The Prince turned to Ranadir who was glancing at Tauriel with a worried expression.
'Ranadir, tend to the wounded. We shall report to the King.' The chestnut-haired elf bowed to the Prince before moving off to bark orders at those members of the Guard that could still stand and wield a bow to help move the injured.
'Aphado nin, Tauriel.' The Prince led the way to Thranduil's throne room.
The pair entered the high-ceilinged chamber and inclined their heads at the King before hurrying forward.
'Legolas? Prestad?' Thranduil frowned before rising and walking down the steps of his throne to stand before the two elves. He wore a golden crown entwined with spring leaves and a dark red silk tunic that offset the colour of his startling blue eyes.
'Hîr vuin, there has been an attack at the Eastern perimeter. A band of orcs ambushed the Guard at the forest's edge. We slew what must have been nearly the entire force but a small number managed to capture Gollum and flee with him from our arrows.'
Thranduil glowered at the report before fixing his stare upon Tauriel.
'Yet again you fail me, Captain. Was it so hard for you to keep track of one pitiful creature? Because of your incompetence the Enemy may now have the upper hand.' Legolas balked at the harshness of his Father.
What? It is unfair of him to say such a thing. The Guard had had no idea that we would be attacked so close to the fortress! The whole situation was unprecedented!
Tauriel grimaced and looked like she was going to say something but before she could Legolas stepped forward. He felt anger that Thranduil would be so quick to pass judgement on the Captain.
'Ada, this was not Tauriel's fault! Never before have we been attacked so close to our heart and the guards were ambushed!'
For a brief second, Legolas thought that Thranduil looked a little surprised at his outburst, before his expressionless mask was back in place.
'I want the patrols doubled. I will not suffer another ambush on my people.' The King directed the end of the statement at Tauriel, who stood a little straighter.
'Leave me.'
The two elves inclined their heads to depart and Legolas had turned to follow Tauriel when he heard the King's cool voice.
'I did not mean you, Legolas.'
Legolas turned back again to his Father, who was mounting the stone steps back to his throne. The King lounged against the backrest and looked down at his son.
'Since you were so keen to defend Tauriel's lack of judgement, you will be the one to journey to Imladris and explain to Lord Elrond the consequences of her actions. Make preparations to leave by the end of the week.'
Legolas sighed. He did not like the conflict between his Father and Tauriel.
'Ada…'
At the sound of the pleading in his beloved son's voice, Thranduil's expression softened by a fraction before he levelled his gaze.
'It is time that you remembered your duty to your kingdom.'
Legolas could not help but think that his words held a double meaning. He looked at his Father once more before bowing and taking his leave of the throne room.
He heard Thranduil's whisper as he reached the great doors. 'Travel safe, ionneg.'
Tauriel POV
A distraught Tauriel marched herself straight to the training yard and began to viciously loose arrows over and over again into the targets. She had to pause every now and then to wipe furious tears from her eyes.
How could I have let myself fail him again?! Will I ever be able to redeem myself to Thranduil? I have always admired him, for he is a wise and brave leader who loves his people. Not to mention that he was the one to take me in as his ward when my parents were killed. At this point I am afraid that he will banish me again if he discovers my relationship, regardless of what it would do to Legolas.
She did not notice the Prince walk up behind her until he enveloped her in his arms.
'He is right; it is my entire fault Legolas! What must I do to prove myself worthy to him once more?'
Tauriel dropped her bow and turned to muffle her sobs into Legolas' green tunic.
'Sevog I veleth nîn.' He whispered softly.
The Prince held her closely in safety and stroked the elleth's back in comfort before she pulled away, composed once again.
Legolas delicately used his thumb to wipe away the remainder of her tears, his icy blue eyes never leaving her face. 'Boe annin gwad, the King wants me to take the message of Gollum's capture to Rivendell, for he fears that the Enemy's plans may now be set in motion.'
'It is a long journey! Na van?' Tauriel reached up to place her hand over where his still lingered on her cheek.
'By the end of the week.'
Tauriel sighed and Legolas reached down and they shared a tender kiss before she moved to retrieve her bow and arrows. There was nothing more that they could say. The Prince left to attend to his own duties regarding the evening patrol.
The next day Legolas had kindly offered to take over Tauriel's early morning patrol of the Eastern border so that she could review the ledgers containing details on the status of all the weapons of the Guard.
The sun had barely risen to grace the window of her study and Tauriel sighed as she focussed on trying to determine how many more arrows they needed to stock up on for upcoming battles. She needed to let the weapons-smiths know a rough idea so that they could tell her the volume of supplies they would need for production.
Then that means I have to ask Thranduil if I can send out a team to forage for the necessary wood. I am not even entirely sure how many arrows we need? Can one ever have enough arrows in battle? I suppose I shall stick to double supplying the quiver of each soldier. Nae! The Guard has never been under this much pressure before. Legolas is much better at this scrollwork than I am for he has to assess the needs of the whole army after all. Perhaps I will get him to review my recommendations for the Guard before I visit the smiths and the King.
A sudden banging at her door broke her focus, causing her to glance up in a frown.
'Ent..'
Before she could finish, Ranadir burst into the room in a flurry of dark green robes and grabbed her arms pulling her to her feet with a huge smile on his face.
Tauriel quickly disentangled herself from his embrace and put on her best serious Captain of the Guard face, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
'Ranadir man cerig?! You act like you have lost your mind and you have disturbed my work!'
'Shh, Tauriel! I have the most wondrous news! Serilla and I have decided to pledge ourselves to each other at the next full moon!'
Tauriel felt her mouth open into a wide grin and she spontaneously reached up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek in congratulations. Ranadir smiled down at her and patted her head affectionately. Tauriel promptly slapped his hand away from her braids.
Ah I thought this would happen sooner or later. They are completely enamoured with each other.
'Elo! Oh Ranadir, I am so happy for you both!' She genuinely was, for Ranadir was the closest elf she had to kin. The news also lightened her mood regarding Legolas' imminent departure the next day.
'That is not even the best part…well it is but…guess who will officiate the ceremony?' His eyes gleamed and Tauriel looked at him questioningly for normally it was one of the King's Council members that undertook the role. 'The King himself! We had asked Councillor Reiner for she was a childhood friend of Serilla but clearly she must have mentioned it to the King because later that day, he summoned us to announce that he would officiate! Something about celebrating the light in dark times...' He shrugged but nonetheless the elf his head up proudly at the statement.
The King himself?! That is an honour indeed!
Ranadir had turned sheepish, lowering his head and looking at Tauriel through his long, brown eyelashes. 'Serilla's parents will be at the ceremony of course, although my own Ada and Naneth have already taken the ship to Valinor. I...I would like you to be there to represent my kin, for you are the closest thing I have to a sister.'
Tauriel took the elf's hand and smiled up at him. 'I would be honoured.'
Her heart lifted at the request for elven pledging ceremonies were very private and sacred affairs. Normally only those most beloved by the betrothed couple attended.
Ranadir laughed in glee and took the elleth in his arms and twirled her about, the motion causing her scrolls to slip off her desk and onto the floor.
'Ah, daro! It will take me ages to sort them out again!' Tauriel sighed but she still smiled at her friend who was now just twirling around by himself. She chuckled at the spectacle before shooing him out of her study to resume her work.
Legolas POV
The Prince glanced at Amrith and Farine who would be accompanying him on his travels and who were busy loading their saddlebags with supplies. He knew Amrith well enough but Farine was a new elleth to the Guard and she looked nervous at the prospect of leaving Mirkwood. He was going to go over and say a few words of encouragement when he saw Amrith also notice her troubled expression and reach over to squeeze her hand briefly. The Prince pretended not to see the grateful look the blonde elleth gave in return and the smile that she elicited from Amrith.
Legolas had just finished saddling Orun for the long road to Imladris when he heard someone enter the stables behind him. It was not quite dawn and the lights of the white elven lamps reflected in Tauriel's eyes as she approached him.
She is so beautiful.
The Captain nodded at Amrith and Farine who were leading their horses to the gate. Tauriel did not say anything at first, just moved forward to stroke Orun's grey nose, whilst he whickered in greeting.
'Did you hear that Ranadir and Serilla are going to pledge themselves to each other at the next full moon?' She smiled at Orun who flicked his ears forward in happiness.
'I did not but that is wonderful news! Although I am not sure if Serilla knows what she is letting herself in for though. Please send on my congratulations.'
Tauriel chuckled. 'That is exactly what I thought! Poor Serilla!'
Legolas smiled and touched her cheek. 'Gellon ned I gelir I chent gîn ned i lelig. I will miss you.'
'Iston. Novaer, le melin.' Tauriel reached up to gently place her hand on his cheek.
'Novaer, Tauriel, le melin.' The prince kissed her forehead before leading Orun out into the pale light of dawn.
Elvish
Nae –Alas
Aphado nin –Come with me
Prestad –Is there trouble?
Sevog I veleth nîn –You have my love
Boe annin gwad – I must go
Na van – When?
Man cerig? –What are you doing?
Ada –Father
Naneth -Mother
Elo! –Wow!
Daro –Stop
Gellon ned I gelir I chent gîn ned i lelig -I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh
Iston -I know
Novaer, le melin. Farewell, I love you.
Lordienne, yes I will be continuing with this story for a while. I hope that you enjoy it.