AN: My beloved readers. I know that it has been a while but I am back, healthy and university is finished so expect regular updates! Thank you so much for your patience and kind words! You are wonderful and it really means a lot.
Legolas POV
The Prince and Gimli left the King and made for Legolas' chambers where surely Tauriel would have returned by now for the hour had grown very late. After walking down the high-ceilinged hallway they approached his and Tauriel's chambers. Legolas paused outside, for once unsure about what he was planning to do.
'I would wager you will not come out of that room with your pointy ears still in place.' Gimli said with a laugh.
Legolas looked down at his friend. 'You do not think she will be happy.'
Gimli grumbled and shifted from foot to foot before raising a bushy auburn eyebrow at him. 'I think that Tauriel is a woman who follows her own path. Whether that path is to Ithilien…' Gimli shrugged.
Legolas felt his stomach clench, torn between the two paths laid at his own feet.
'Laddie. Do not linger in the doorway. Go to your wife. I'll..err..sit here in case you need backup.'
Legolas raised an eyebrow as Gimli moved to settle comfortably on a carved wooden couch strewn with silk pillows further down the hallway.
Tauriel was settled onto a throw on the floor. She had removed her outer hunting garments and her white shift hugged her features where she lay polishing her beloved daggers. Her auburn hair glimmered in the firelight where it draped down her back to pool in a puddle of liquid fire on the throw. Her keen ears had heard Legolas' all but silent entrance and she glanced up, the smile in her green eyes making her rosy lips part in happiness.
The Prince gulped involuntarily at the sight.
Remain focussed Legolas. Remain focussed.
Legolas sat down opposite the Captain on the throw as Tauriel paused her dagger-care to take the hand that he offered. Her smile dimmed as she sensed an uneasiness about him.
'Tauriel.' He made her name a caress for that is what it was to him.
'Tauriel, you remember when I told you a while back that Aragorn had spoken to Gimli and I at his coronation. Regarding Ithilien and how it had fallen into shadow.'
'Yes.' Tauriel's features became guarded as she studied Legolas' face for his next words.
'We have received word from Gondor. The Elves are needed now, Ithilien has lost it spark of life and the growing things need to be coaxed back into the lands of men. The Dwarves too are needed, for the city's strongholds must protect its people for the weathering of this world.'
Legolas' voice was earnest and heart-felt for he knew that it was his part to help in the re-building. The Elves were still a part of Arda and needed to share their skill with their co-inhabitants.
But Tauriel flinched at his words and withdrew her hand from his.
'You mean to go to Gondor. To leave Eryn Lasgalen so soon, and for a lengthy time no doubt.' Her green eyes had hardened though her voice remained soft and it broke Legolas' heart to see Tauriel hurt and confused at his decision.
'Meleth nîn, I would want for you to come with me. I would not be parted from you. I would never be parted from you again.'
Tauriel frowned at his words and she leaned back, forming a distance between them. Legolas immediately wanted to fill that space. 'Can not others go in your stead? What of your Father? You are all that he has, Legolas! I too have people I love here, Ranadir, Serilla and Fin-galad! I would miss his growing and the love of those who are essentially my kin! Not to mention that I am Captain here. It is my life Legolas, you are asking me to leave that for Ithilien.'
Legolas had to admit he had not considered the impact their departure may have on others around him and he felt a bit guilty for it.
Ada will be alright. He has the Kingdom to care for, it will keep him busy. But I had not thought of Ranadir and his family. They will miss Tauriel greatly and for that I am saddened.
'The King is asking our people if they wish to follow us to help in the rebuilding. We will bring a small part of the elves of Eryn Lasgalen with us. It will not be forever Tauriel, my Father has promised our return.' Legolas tried to offer some condolence.
Tauriel's gaze turned to green fire and she gracefully stood up, causing her hair to swirl about her, though she left her daggers on the floor.
'You once forsook all else you loved to follow me. Now I will do the same for you, my Prince.'
Legolas flinched at her choice of words and their formality. Tauriel's eyes glistened brightly in response as she hastily threw on her hunting garb over her shift, grabbed her bow and quiver and left their chambers.
Legolas rose to follow her out of the rooms. 'Tauriel!' He called to an empty hallway.
He made to follow Tauriel, his heart beating wildly at the pain he had so clearly caused her. A strong hand reached out to grab his own.
'No laddie. Not this time. This time she means not to be followed.'
Legolas hung his head in sadness. 'Tauriel agreed to come with us to Ithilien but I think it has caused her great sorrow to leave all that she knows here in the forest.'
Gimli looked down the empty hallway and sighed. 'Aye.'
Tauriel POV
Tauriel marched herself straight to the training yard as treacherous tears tried to fall across her cheeks.
The one thing I love more than my home in the forest is Legolas. Of course I will follow him. I would follow him beyond this world if that is what he asked of me.
Tauriel stood in front of the moonlit targets and loosed an arrow, straight and true. A lethal shot.
But that does not mean it is easy to leave behind those that I love! Ranadir and Serilla, to be parted from them…and sweet Fin-galad! My heart breaks at the thought of missing his growing up to be a brave ellon, just like his father.
Tauriel loosed another arrow and it splintered the first in its accuracy.
Not to mention I will also miss the King. We have only recently healed our relationship! The guards need me. I need the guards. I do not know another life and I do not wish to know it.
Tauriel's third arrow was slightly off centre and she let out a low growl in frustration.
'Yet you were doing so well.' A cool voice sounded behind her and Tauriel spun around, ashamed that someone could sneak up on her. She was so certain that the training yard had been empty of all but the moon and stars when she had entered.
Thranduil tilted his head and his blue eyes glinted in the moonlight. He was alarmingly close.
'Hîr vuin.' Tauriel's eyes widened and for once she was at a loss for words, so certain was she that she had been alone in her distress.
The elven-King stared down at her with his mesmerising blue gaze. He was so close that Tauriel could have reached out and touched his moonlight-coloured robes.
Tauriel became a statue of ice as Thranduil reached to collect a lone tear that still lingered on her cheek. Tauriel held her breath as he seemingly studied her tear for a moment before flicking it down onto the ground.
Thranduil shifted his gaze back upon her. 'Go with my son.'
'I…'
'Do not doubt those that love you. Be my envoy, bring life to Ithilien as you brought life back to Mirkwood.' Thranduil voiced his words as a command, and Tauriel's soldier instincts wanted to follow his order.
He is trying to comfort me. Tauriel felt with a surprise.
'I have decided to go, hîr vuin.' Tauriel met Thranduil's gaze of familiar ice and felt comfort.
A muscle twitched at the corner of Thranduil's perfect mouth, although Tauriel wondered if she had imagined it when his unreadable mask was once more firmly back in place.
Thranduil reached out, almost hesitantly, and touched her cheek with his pale fingers. Tauriel was startled at the contact, but allowed it, memories of long ago rising to the forefront of her mind.
'You are my Captain, Tauriel. Do not forget that this is where you belong.'
Tauriel felt warm at his words. It felt good to hear that her place here was valued. She wanted to bury her face in Thranduil's robes, inhaling the scent of him as she once had done as an elfling to seek reassurance and safety. She blushed at the thought of doing so now.
Thranduil hummed as if he had read her thoughts and raised a dark eyebrow. 'Goodnight, Captain.'
Tauriel pursed her lips and tightened her hands around her bow, gazing up at the full moon.
To Ithilien.
The next morning, Tauriel ambled into the courtyard. She had not returned to her chamber last night, instead choosing to wander amidst the trees to clear her mind. It had worked for she felt much more comfortable with the idea of going to Ithilien for a time. Legolas strolled towards her, a worried look on his face and Tauriel felt guilty at her reaction to his words the previous night.
They paused in front of each other and Tauriel reached up to lay her hand upon his cheek, covering the distance that had formed between them. Legolas instantly mirrored the gesture of love.
'Forgive me. I was wrong to despair at the thought of going to Ithilien. You are right, it is our duty to help re-build Arda for the time of men.'
Legolas smiled beatifically and leaned his face into her hand. 'You always have my love, Tauriel. My heart is also gladdened at your decision.'
Tauriel smiled at him and kissed his hand.
'Father has just held the assembly. Several elves of crafts, masonry, gardening and healing have elected to follow us with the King's grace.'
Tauriel felt an inner pride that her people wanted to help mortals; the rifts between their races were surely starting to heal.
'I need to talk to Ranadir.' Tauriel sighed.
Legolas just pursed his lips and looked over her shoulder. 'Perhaps you will not have to.'
Tauriel turned as both Ranadir and Serilla approached them from the main hall's entrance. Tauriel's eyes shifted and she saw Fin-galad being coddled over by a group of healers, no doubt friends of Serilla's. The little chestnut was busy proudly showing off a ladybird he had found.
'By the Valar, Tauriel! You could have found a better way to tell us you were bound for Ithilien instead of letting us hear it from the King!'
Tauriel flinched. 'Goheno nin, Ranadir, Serilla. It truly breaks my heart to leave you.'
This time Legolas flinched.
Ranadir looked to Serilla and they shared some sort of look before Serilla smiled and nodded almost imperceptibly.
'You do not seriously think we would let you go gallivanting off to Gondor without us, do you?' Ranadir winked.
Tauriel held her breath, as she did not dare to think…
'You mean to come with us?' Tauriel asked incredulously and Legolas smiled as if he already knew.
Serilla took her hand. 'My parents have chosen to sail, their part in this world is over now. Fin-galad is old enough for the journey and I would like to see more of the land we have called home these past centuries. Never have I left the Kingdom and I think that is about time.'
Serilla held excitement in her honey gaze and Tauriel smiled at how much easier the transition would be now.
'Besides, you will need Serilla to patch you up and me to get you out of trouble when you no doubt irritate the people of Gondor.' Ranadir winked and Tauriel chuckled and batted Ranadir's arm.
Legolas frowned 'There will be no need for that, I will keep Tauriel safe.'
Serilla and Tauriel shared a conspiratorial look and a hidden smile at Legolas protectiveness.
Tauriel squeezed Legolas' hand. 'You always forget that it is the Captain's duty to guard the Prince.'
'And you forget that it is the Prince's duty to guard his most beloved warrior Princess, meleth nîn.' Tauriel made an involuntarily sound in her throat at the intensity of Legolas' sea blue gaze.
Serilla chuckled. 'Well anyway… we should make preparations to depart tomorrow. Someone has to find Gimli a horse.'
They all laughed at the thought of how much Gimli hated horses and Tauriel felt peace in her heart once more.
AN: so the teaser I posted before was not in this chapter! That means it must happen at some point in the future…It may be a while yet ;)