AN: Thank you so much for your lovely reviews, your loyalty and interest is really heart-warming to see. This chapter is for marievenstar. I am not sure where my imagination comes from but honestly; Thranduil is an enigma, who knows how he would react! ;)

Legolas POV

After a long day of training the new guard with Faramir and Éowyn, their counterparts from Eryn Lasgalen enjoyed the last rays of the sun together.

Legolas ran through the small clearing amidst the trees, chasing a laughing Tauriel through the autumn leaves, both of them shooting arrows at ever smaller targets, trying to best the other. Tauriel shot at a falling orange leaf and Legolas simply shot through her arrow to mark the target as his own before it touched the ground.

The Prince stretched out his long legs, willing them to go faster to catch up to the Captain. Although Tauriel was smaller in stature than he, she was fast and could nimbly dodge through the forest of Ithilien as if she had known the trees here all her life.

Truly, she is a daughter of the forest.

Legolas drew back one of his yellow-fletched arrows and let loose, aiming for a high up hazelnut at the top of one of the taller trees. His arrow never made its mark however even though his aim was true, as a flash of orange shattered his arrow from its path.

Legolas looked back to Tauriel who gave a smug expression over her shoulder as she danced away, hunting bow in her dainty hands.

Sheathing his bow and coiling his muscles under his customary green tunic, Legolas sprang forward, catching Tauriel in mid-flight and the pair fell, tumbling and laughing to the soft leaf-covered ground.

Tauriel chuckled from where she had become pinned under his form, dropping her bow and batting him away from her but Legolas grasped her reaching hands and kissed them tenderly before holding them safe against his heart.

'You cheated.' He said in a low, princely tone.

'You pounced on me, my lord. I would call that cheating.' Tauriel countered with an elegant arch of her auburn eyebrow and a haughty expression worthy of any queen.

She has me there.

'I am the Prince. I can change the rules if I want to.' Despite being in a tangle of limbs, Legolas managed to hold his chin proudly in the air, much as his Father would do.

'And I am the Princess and the Captain. I declare that I won our archery contest.' Tauriel smirked back at him.

In turn Legolas arched his own golden eyebrow before replying in his calm voice. 'Is that so, Tauriel?'

As a reward for her insubordination, Legolas tickled the Captain causing her to laugh until she could take it no more and in one move, she had flipped them over, so that he was pinned under her.

'It is so.' She whispered in his ear before placing a feather-light kiss upon his cheek.

Legolas smiled broadly, he could not help it. Tauriel was everything he could ever dream for in a mate to his fëa. It was in that moment that he realised he wanted to manifest his love for Tauriel. Eternally commit his devotion in a way that went even beyond their sacred pledging ceremony.

He reached up and caressed Tauriel's cheek, loving the way she instantly closed her eyes and leaned into his palm.

When she opened her beautiful green eyes again, Legolas opened his heart and whispered his desire.

'Tauriel…I wish for an elfling.'

The perfect moment was instantly shattered by how Tauriel froze and by the sound of his heart breaking.

In the blink of an eye, Tauriel had risen and was slowly backing away in what looked like fear from where Legolas remained sprawled on the ground.

She does not wish it too?

Legolas sprang up from where he sat to stand as still as only the eldar can before hanging his head in hurt at the look that had been in Tauriel's eyes but a moment before.

Perhaps Tauriel wants an elfling but alas not with me.

Legolas did not look up from his misery but he could hear Tauriel's frantic heartbeat though she had stopped moving away from him. He contemplated his supple leather boots for a long time before he felt soft hands reaching for and holding his own.

Legolas looked up into Tauriel's eyes, which shone with unshed tears and wished that he could wipe them away.

'Legolas, meleth nîn. You must understand. It is not that I do not wish for an elfling with you. You already know that Fin-galad is dear to my heart.' Legolas looked deep into her eyes as Tauriel took a deep breath before continuing upon a topic that was clearly very difficult for her. 'But I am a Captain, a warrior, a soldier. I have no memory of a mother's love or how to properly raise a little one with as much love as they deserve.'

At this Tauriel drew her hands away from his own and turned so that he would not see her tears fall down her pale cheeks.

'And I am sorry to admit that we do not have your Mother either to guide us. I would fail in my duty as a mother Legolas. I have no knowledge of these things.' Tauriel turned her back and Legolas' heart softened in such love for his wife who apparently for some unbeknownst reason, doubted her wonderful self.

Tauriel POV

A fierce war of emotions raged inside the Captain as she nervously channelled her worries through her own traitorous tears. A part of her felt ashamed that she could not give Legolas a serene and wise mother for his children, just like Serilla was to Fin-galad.

Tauriel could not meet those fathomless blue eyes that were so full of kindness. 'How can someone who hunts orcs and the fell beasts of Morgoth as her duty raise an elfling so full of light and purity? I am afraid.' She whispered in a choked voice and her hands clenched into fists at her side.

I leave a path of death where I go. Yes it is of evil creatures that wish to curse this world but does that not make my point more so? Serilla is a healer, a nurturer, one who brings life and light and keeps it well in this world. I could never hope to be like her.

I do not deny that recently, emotions that I do not understand that had not been there before have become present. I had never even thought of elflings until Fin-galad smiled at me for the first time.

To have children with Legolas would be wonderful. But he is the most fair and the bravest ellon I know. He would be a great father, just like Thranduil. I could never be equal to that. He deserves more.

Legolas POV

Feeling much lighter that Tauriel had not rejected the idea because of the thought of him being the father, Legolas studied his most beloved curiously. Legolas held his breath in thought before letting out an amused hum and pulling Tauriel in for a tight hug.

'Meleth nîn, only you would worry about not being a good Mother. Yes, we may not have much knowledge in that department but our love is pure. Tauriel, you would defend those that you love with your life. I have seen it and the King is still alive today because of it. You have a fair heart and instinctively know what duty must be done for justice. Your compassion burns like the sun for you are named dwarf-friend. Any elfling would have the greatest honour bestowed upon them if fate allowed for you to be their mother. I could not even think of someone greater than you '

Tauriel POV

Tauriel had let herself be drawn into the safety of the tall blond elf's arms. Hearing his words, something inside her seemed to relax and her shoulders lost their rigid tension. When Legolas spoke of her like that, sharing what he truly felt, the worry and doubt inside her dissipated into feelings of true love for the one who currently held her close to his heart.

Tauriel looked up from her safe cocoon of elven arms and fell into that glacial blue stare, full of strength and kindness.

I am still afraid but I think all elves are at the thought of the unknown, especially when it comes to elflings. Hearing his words of encouragement though has shifted something inside of me. Legolas does not lie, he truly thinks that we would be good parents.

Do I want an elfling with Legolas? Yes.

Realising her immediate and true answer was that yes, Tauriel wanted a child with Legolas despite her fears of motherhood, the Captain smiled finally at peace with her heart and her decision.

'I love you Legolas. After thinking it all through, although I am afraid, in my heart I have wished for an elfling with you too and I am honoured that you desire to manifest our love in this way.' She smiled up at the Prince. 'You will be a wise and compassionate Father, just like Thranduil.'

Tauriel felt full of light and love at the huge grin Legolas bestowed upon her. She laughed as the Prince picked her up and whirled her around before kissing her reverently on the lips.

'Gi melin, Tauriel.'

'Gi melin, Legolas.'

AN: Ah, elvish love. If you liked this chapter please leave a review, I read every one and am always happy to answer any questions, although no spoilers ;) x