AN: So now we are truly going to progress into the events of the Lord of the Rings…Please follow and favourite! Reviews are always welcome dear readers; I always like to hear your thoughts on the plot.

Legolas POV

The secret Council held by Elrond had been most unusual. Elves, men, dwarves and even Halflings had been present, as well as Mithrandir the istari.

Legolas had looked curiously at the ring-bearer stepping forward to the centre of the council who seemed so small and young to him. Seeing the Ring itself had frightened the Prince for he could feel a sentient malevolence about it.

Yet Frodo is oddly resilient to the lure of its call.

It was not long before all parties had entered into a debate about what was to be done with the Ring. Legolas saw the man of the South, Boromir eyeing the Ring as he talked about giving it to Gondor to use it as a weapon against Mordor.

Aragorn spoke up. 'You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.'

'And what would a ranger know of this matter?' Boromir replied coolly. Legolas felt his blood rise.

How dare he! Does he not know to whom he speaks?

He stood up in defence of his friend. 'This is no mere ranger! He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.'

'Aragorn? This…is Isildur's heir?' Boromir sneered.

Legolas narrowed his eyes. 'And heir to the throne of Gondor.'

Aragorn looked uncomfortable and motioned to the Prince. 'Havo dad, Legolas.'

Legolas reluctantly sat, although he kept his eye on Boromir. In the end it had been Frodo who had offered to take the Ring to Mordor and destroy it once and for all. The Prince admired the Halfling's courage and sensed a gentle yet hardy spirit within him. When first Gandalf offered to guide Frodo, and Aragorn offered his sword, Legolas had pledged his bow in service to the quest.

The elves are still a part of this world. I would have us see the end of the Dark Lord's influence, once and for all.

Next, the dwarf Gimli, had pledged his axe. Legolas did not like the dwarf. Gimli reminded him of darkness and firedrakes, countless lives lost and a grief that had almost consumed Tauriel. Just as they were about to conclude the meeting, three other Halflings, friends of Frodo, burst into the council room and also pledged themselves to the quest. Together, they were committed as the Fellowship of the Ring by Lord Elrond.

For a time, they all gathered and spoke with Lord Elrond as they were all now united in a common goal. It was decided that the nine companions would depart quietly tomorrow morning, for secrecy was their greatest protection now.

Some time later, Legolas found the Lady Arwen reading sat on a carved wooden bench overlooking one of the many rushing waterfalls of the elven dwelling.

'Mae g'ovannen, Arwen. Perhaps I could sit with you for a while, if I am not disturbing your reading.'

The elleth looked up, placing her book gently on a nearby side table. She smiled as her eyes scanned him over quickly and patted the bench next to her. 'Mae g'ovannen Legolas, my you have matured since last I saw you.'

Legolas blushed and lowered himself next to her; careful not to sit on her flowing robes the colour of the twilight sky. His eyes glanced at the cover of her book, which was written in elvish.

The ballad of Beren and Lúthien Tinúviel. I know why she reads that tale and it creates a foreshadowing in my heart. The choice belongs to them alone however…

The Evenstar noticed the direction of his gaze and sighed. Her sapphire eyes moved to contemplate the depths of the white waterfall thundering below.'Only the Valar have control over our destinies in this life. The path ahead may be shadowed by sorrow but the starlight also blesses our journey. Have you found the light on your path, Legolas?'

I remember that Aragorn had asked me near the same question. I would guess that they would wish not to feel alone on the road that they have chosen.

'My heart remains in Mirkwood, with its brave and reckless Captain.' Legolas smiled at the elleth, who glanced back at him curiously with a twinkle in her eyes.

It feels so good to be able to openly talk about my love for Tauriel after all these years of secrecy.

'Do not go on this quest without telling her Legolas. Knowing that she expects your return will give you something to survive for. Do not underestimate the peril that you walk freely towards.'

It does not surprise me that she knows of this supposedly secret mission.

Arwen reached up and tenderly placed her hand on his cheek whilst her brow furrowed and her gaze became distant. 'I fear that your Captain will also need her courage to defend those that she loves in days to come.'

'I wish that I did not have to leave her to fight alone hiril vuin, for it pains me.' Legolas searched her gaze, looking for some reassurance that he had made the right choice, in leaving Mirkwood, in leaving Tauriel.

Arwen lowered her eyes, removing her hand from his face. Legolas grasped her pale hand in his own, desperately seeking comfort. Arwen clutched his fingers back in understanding.

'This quest decides the fate of all Arda. You cannot falter now. I know how you feel, Legolas, for I must also leave the one that I love to fight alone.'

She looks heartbroken and we have not even left yet.

'Aragorn is also dear to me, hiril vuin. You have my oath that if I can protect him, I will.' Legolas meant it; he would not let the future King and his friend die if he could prevent it.

'Hannon le, Legolas. May the stars watch over you and your brave Captain in Mirkwood.'

Legolas smiled. 'Her name is Tauriel.'

The eve before their departure, Legolas approached Amrith and Farine who looked discontented about being left out of the happenings around them.

Legolas said a few quick words to Amrith and gave him two scrolls to deliver. The elf had looked troubled but bowed to the Prince and wished him safety on his travels. Legolas had replied in kind, grateful for his loyal friends.

Tauriel POV

Around a month later, the Captain was just returning from her evening spider patrol with a team of her elven soldiers through the South of Mirkwood when two horses bearing Amrith and Farine galloped past her into the keep. The Prince had not come back to the kingdom.

But Legolas does not ride with them? Did he stay in Imladris? For what purpose?

Her heart pounding uncomfortably in her chest, Tauriel dismissed her company and moved to approach the spacious stables, now lit by the soft white glow of the lanterns in the night. As she entered she saw Farine talking softly in elvish to her weary chestnut mare whilst lovingly stroking her forehead. Amrith was standing nearby and it looked as though he had paused in removing his own grey mare's bridle, eyes enraptured by the sight of the blonde elleth.

Tauriel kept her face expressionless and made a small sound in her throat to draw their attention.

Both looked up, slightly startled and Amrith efficiently laid down his horse's bridle as the two elves fisted their hands over their hearts, bowing at the Captain.

Tauriel tried to still the beating of her heart. 'I am gladdened that you are both alive and well after the long journey but tell me, where is Prince Legolas?'

The pair glanced at each other with a worried expression before Farine answered, her pale green eyes not leaving the Captain's face. 'The Prince stayed in Imladris after attending a secret Council with Lord Elrond and others of distant lands. He elected to go on a quest, but for what purpose we do not know.'

Both Amrith and Farine looked troubled at the Prince's decision and the mystery surrounding this new endeavour.

Legolas is embarking on a secret quest for Lord Elrond? With others of distant lands in Imladris? Why would he leave us on the eve of battle? What will Thranduil say when he finds that his only heir is no longer by his side?

Seeing the Captain's uneasiness at the news Amrith continued although he also wore a distressed expression. 'Before we departed Imladris, the Prince gave me two scrolls, one that I must deliver to the King and the other is for you, Captain.'

Tauriel clenched her fists at her sides before moving forward to take the scroll from Amrith. She searched the elf's eyes, trying to understand what was going on whilst taking the scroll from his outstretched palm and tucking it into her leather belt. Amrith just looked back at her with his hazel gaze before lowering his eyes. 'The Prince wished for you to know that he…that he promises to come back.'

Tauriel's eyebrows rose slightly. The Captain's battle discipline kept her standing straight and proud however inside her heart was straining not to break.

There is an emptiness residing in my feä at his absence but that is not my priority at the moment. Amrith and Farine are worried and what they need is a strong Captain who can guide them through uncertainty.

Tauriel straightened her shoulders and regarded the two elves. 'Do not fear at the Prince's decision to stay. Know that Legolas would have only gone on this mission if he believed that it was the right thing to do to protect our kingdom and the others of Arda. Amrith, deliver that message to the King. Tomorrow you are both back on patrol duty.'

The Captain was satisfied when they both looked more at ease for her words and they inclined their heads respectively to her.

Tauriel steadily walked back to her chambers before falling onto her bed and ripping the scroll open. Panic was clutching her heart and tears were already forming in her eyes at seeing Legolas' familiar hand.

Tauriel.

Things have progressed much further than we have anticipated. I think you know of what I speak and yes that is the quest that I embark upon. My Father knows as much from the letter that I have also written to him. I am sorry that I cannot divulge any more but know that this is the right thing to do to protect Arda. It gives me confidence that I know that you would have done the same thing in my stead. I do not like to think of what will happen if we fail.

Know that if I could, I would have returned to defend Mirkwood by your side for the darkness to come. It will come Tauriel. You and my Father must be prepared.

I pledge that I will return back to you my beloved elleth. I am confident that you would hunt me down with your silver daggers if I did not!

Guard my heart well Captain, for I have left it with you. Gi melin.

Legolas.

Tauriel reread the letter several times before she could breathe properly again.

I am no fool. He goes to destroy the Ring. He likely goes to his doom and I cannot help him!

After a restless night, Tauriel was pushing the honeyed porridge around in her bowl when a messenger summoned her to the King's throne room. She rose from her unfinished food and followed him out immediately

I had expected that Thranduil would have something to say on the matter.

As she entered the great throne room, she saw that Thranduil still held the letter from Legolas in his hand, now crumpled by his long fingers adorned with silver rings.

Has he been holding that all night? He is truly worried for Legolas.

Tauriel's heart was moved to sympathy. 'Hîr vuin.' She bowed respectfully.

The King looked down at her from his throne, he seemed slightly paler to her yet she could have imagined it. Although elves did not physically tire, to Tauriel, his eyes seemed weary of this world.

'I think that I can safely assume that you also received a letter from Legolas?'

'Yes, hîr vuin.' She said carefully.

'I think I can determine that this quest is for none other than to destroy the Ring of Power, for it must have been found to move Elrond to summon such a secret Council.' The elven King sighed. 'Legolas is brave and yet still young enough to be reckless in his choices.' Thranduil eyed the Captain with a sidelong look. 'However, what he does he does for the Kingdom and so we must support him.'

'I agree hîr vuin. He goes to fight on behalf of all the free peoples of Arda.' The Captain felt confident in her words for they rang with truth.

The King descended from his magnificent throne and moved to stand in front of Tauriel.

'Then we are alone Captain, and we must prepare for war.'

Elvish

Istari –Wizard

Havo dad –Sit down

Mae g'ovannen –Well met

Hiril vuin –My lady

Marshmellow –Thanks for sticking with me, this one is for you