CHAPTER 3

Legolas had intention to send the king a word that they were in the healing wards once he brought his little protégée to safety so she can be treated, but his father was one step ahead after the horn sounded in the distance and was waiting for him after mobilizing every available healer in the palace. When his son rushed into the emergency ward and handed the little sleeping form to the closest healer, his father came forth.

"She is fine, the little one is fine. I think she fell from a tree, she is cold and most likely broke something, but I don't think there is anything seriously wrong with her." the words came rushing out before his father had time to speak. Thranduil's heart warmed up a little after this news. "And her mother?" he asked hesitantly, but Legolas' grave face left no room for doubt. After he listened to the report of whereabouts of Lord Dehael's wife, he sighed gravely.

"I dispatched the second orc as soon as he came into view, but they probably killed her and chased the elfling ahead." he said with grave voice as he remembered. He felt very protective of the little girl he saved today. "Who got rid of the first if you only arrived to prevent the second attack?" his father suddenly asked confused at his son's report.

Legolas sat down on a bench and said with no small amount of admiration. "She did, I didn't see it happen, but she stabbed him with this..." he said watching his father's shock in amusement as he picked up Lord Dehaels' blade which most likely pierced a lot of orcs in the old days. "I remember this, I gave it to my friend Dehael when he saved my life." he said thoughtfully examining the handle intently. "You say she killed an orc with this? Are you certain?" he asked doubtful. "There was no one else nearby, if she had someone with her, he would have killed the second one too, but there was no one else. Her mother was further away towards the destroyed village. The elfling was mumbling something about her father's sword so Laeorn took it and brought it here. I think we should return it when she awakens, she certainly has proven herself to be worthy of it." Legolas replied with something like pride. How could he be proud of someone he barely knew?

His father sat by him, much to Legolas' surprise and waited for the news of the little one. He blamed himself for being so careless toward his southern boarders and the impending threat of Morgoth and nothing Legolas said could persuade him otherwise.

After hours that seemed like days, the head healer approached King Thranduil, Prince Legolas, Captain Laeorn and every other guard who was assembled in the room. They all waited eagerly on the healer's verdict about the only survivor of yesterday's dreadful events. "My lords; the little one is running a fever, she probably didn't eat anything for a couple of days, she has a broken arm and her spine is slightly damaged, but all in all I think she fared quite well. Once the fever is down she should heal quickly." she said as she bowed to Legolas and his father and was dismissed.

Everyone sighed in relief; lord Thranduil went back to the palace and asked to be kept informed on the young one's recovery. His son was happy to oblige and went to make further inquiries about the girl's state. The healer informed him that she would sleep for a while and that was for the better until her fever goes down and her spine partly heals. When he asked for permission to go sit by her, healer obliged, but charged him with not waking her little patient. So the next few days, Legolas almost entirely spent at her side, but she didn't move once although according to the healer, her fever was going down which was a good sign.

Ten days passed until little Tauriel opened her eyes and not surprisingly caught a pair of beautiful blue eyes watching her warmly, but with concern. "Am I dead? Did you come to take me to the Halls of Mandos?" she blurted half dreamily as she watched his handsome face smile at her kindly. "No little one, you are still very much alive." he said amused and in wonderment. The girl's appearance was a strange set of chestnut red hair and light green eyes. He admired her hair before, but her eyes made a great contrast with its color. She was beautiful even though she was still a child.

"Prey tell me little one. How do they call you?" he asked curiously rubbing her little hand. She was startled, but did not cringe away. She was busy being entranced by her savior before she remembered what the right thing to say was. "It's Tauriel." she replied quietly, but elves had extra hearing so she didn't really have a need to speak out loud.

"Daughter of the Forest... It suits you Tauriel if you would allow me to call you that." he replied smiling encouragingly to the little girl who now had a name. "You may call me Tauriel if you allow me to call you by your name which you had not yet spoken of." she smiled as she tried to sit down, but failed miserably. Her spine was not broken, but it still ached quite a bit when she moved. "Peace young Tauriel. You have to rest still for a while longer. My name is Legolas and you may call me that if you wish." he said nudging her back to bed as he sat by her side. Tauriel was thoughtful for a moment before it dawned on her like a thunder; "Legolas, you mean as in thee Legolas, Prince of Woodland Realm? I'm so sorry your highness for the way I spoke to you. Goheno nin Hir nin" she said flushing with embarrassment as she tried to sit up once again with the same success as before.

The Prince laughed at her confusion. "Call me by my name Legolas, it sounds better don't you think? When you stand before my father you may greet him formally." he said without thinking of what he was saying, too at ease with the little one to remember to be cautious of his words. "Speaking of which, where are my parents? Did you save my naneth too?" she asked too hopeful for her own good. The grave look on his face frightened her once she understood and her eyes started to fill with tears she did not want to shed in front of her Prince.

He saw her grief and caressed her cheek gently wishing that he could make all those tears go away. She was not in control of herself for long, and when she broke down Legolas found himself hugging her tight and murmuring comforting words, he knew served no purpose. His protective instincts took hold which is one of the reasons her future was to be set near him, where he could watch her, teach her and protect her. In that moment he felt human more than he ever did...

Translations:

Goheno nin Hir nin. - Forgive me my lord.

Naneth - Mother