CHAPTER 2

The horns of Tauriel's village sounded as they first spotted the orcs calling for aid, but knowing that when it came it would be too late. Soon word reached King Thranduil that those foul creatures attacked a village near his Southern borders. He was terrible in his wraith as he ordered the forest guard to set off and let no orc walk out of his lands alive for this crime.

However, the King himself did not dwell in the palace for much longer. He and his son Legolas, after gathering their own personal guard, rushed towards the onslaught. It was a horrible sight, so many lost lives, the blood of Eldar spilled without mercy. The forest guard soon gathered the remaining orcs and dispatched them all to their deaths.

Captain of the guard soon came rushing toward his King and after he bowed and got permission to speak, his words were as follows: "Hir Aran, there were no survivors upon our arrival. The orcs started fleeing back to the boarder, but we caught them swift enough." he reported, his face grave, but King's face was unreadable mask as he sighed with grief for this dreadful business. The captain still looked hesitant like there was something else he wanted to say, but didn't dare.

"If there is something else on your mind Laeorn speak now." he commanded as he spotted the captain's uneasiness. From his posture, it was terrible news.

"Hir nin, there is something else I thought would be of interest to you. Among the dead is Lord Dehael, I think he was a good friend of yours as well as the Captain of your guard for a long time." he said not daring to look at his King's face that became very grave at this news.

"That is grave news indeed, such a waste..." commented Thranduil as he reigned in his emotions. Legolas watched him carefully. He never met Dehael, but he was most esteemed among the warriors of Mirkwood. "What of his wife and his daughter? Are they dead as well?" he asked suddenly as coming back through the mist.

"We found no one else in the house, but Lord Dehael and ten orcs who he probably delivered back to their creator. It is possible that they were not inside when the attack started or that they ran to the forest. Do you wish me to dispatch a search party into the woods?" replied Laeorn waiting for new orders.

King nodded and turned to his son. "Legolas." his father said unnecessarily as his son was already on high alert. "You will lead the search party. If they ran they probably took the path back to the palace, find them if you can." he ordered and his son nodded, but before he departed he sensed that there was something he should say. "I will find them ada if they still walk this Earth, but do not raise your hopes too high." His father nodded to him as he watched him depart on his white stallion.

The search was broad and determined, no corner of Mirkwood stood unturned. After several hours, Legolas barely had any hope left. He wandered a bit further east then his men unconsciously when he heard it. Something fell on the ground with a barely audible scream not too far ahead. He made his way jumping from tree to tree when he heard yet another sound, unmistakable sound of sword being stabbed into something. That was when he finally saw it. A little red-haired girl was lying on the wet grass, her face was bleeding from branches he assumed and she didn't move.

One orc was lying next to her dead, and the other one was ready to end her life with his axe. Legolas' fury was terrible as he fired two arrows one after another in the direction of unsuspecting orc's head and as he collapsed, he rushed down to the little elfling laying completely helpless on the ground. He could tell that she was only half conscious, her eyes closed almost completely. She was mumbling incoherent thoughts barely audible. "Naneth, ada you are here..." as she was drifting off and Legolas heard himself murmuring "Av-'osto. Amin naa sinome." that seemed to calm her a little, he took her hand and there was barely any response. Her last coherent thought stunned him "His sword, has to keep safe, don't let the orc have it." He whirled around and an elven blade was pierced through his chest.

He suddenly came to realization that this little elfling killed one of her attackers; she was the one who fell off a tree and lived to talk about it. He was too shocked to move for a few moments before another look at her sleeping form reminded him that she was badly injured and in need of a healer. His horn blasted through the woods. Guard rushed in only few minutes after since they were looking for their lost Prince.

"Your highness, thank heavens we found you." was heard over and over again before Legolas gave out new orders.

"Search this area, if this is Lord Dehael's daughter, her mother might be nearby." he ordered quickly taking off his cloak to cover the little elfling who on top of everything else was freezing. The rain finally ceasing its grip and the sun was to come out again soon. Everybody, but the captain dispersed to look for a second survivor filled with hope after they found the little one still breathing,

"Laeorn, do take that sword out of that foul monster, it is her father's, we would want to give it back to her when she awakens." he said looking at the creature in question with disgust as he raised his little charge from the ground and hugged her tightly to his chest in attempt to warm her up a little.

The captain looked in astonishment as he obeyed his Prince and realized what that entitled; he looked at the little sleeping form in new light as he walked next to his Prince towards his horse. "Your father should be back in the city by now mellon, it is best that we take her there." he said after a few minutes of silence.

The scouts returned with the news Legolas did not wish to hear. Tauriel's mother was not only dead, but orcs feasted on her flash. He was beyond disgusted and forbid them to ever speak of that circumstance again especially in her daughter's presence. They bowed and the party moved fast towards the King's Halls with little Tauriel seated safely in Legolas' arms. She didn't remember anything about her journey, but the hands snuggling her felt like she was somewhere safe and that gave her strength she lacked.

Translations:

Hir nin – My lord

Mellon – Friend

Ada – Father

Amin naa sinome – I am here

Av-'Osto – Do not be afraid

Hir Aran - Lord King

Naneth - Mother