CHAPTER 5

Tauriel woke up somewhere before dawn as the first light started to rise on the horizon. Eyes red from crying, but at least with heart more calm and will more resolved. Her soul hurt for the way she spoke to Legolas; she wondered whether after yesterday, he would have convinced himself that taking care of such ill-mannered elfling was a waste of his time. She walked about the room quietly and looked into the small wardrobe next to her bed. It contained the outfit she wore when she ran for her life and murdered the orc although that particular memory was fuzzy,

Legolas was the one who arrived literally out of nowhere and saved her from her certain death. He carried her to the city and watched over her. What a poor way she found to repay him. Her clothes were washed and ready for new use.

Her body felt strong so she decided to go see the sky for the first time in weeks. Her spirit ached for freedom that provided the open sky and the trees. The healing wards were placed on the southern lawn of the King's palace. Everyone was asleep so she had very little trouble to sneak out. The light breeze on her face felt like heaven, it was a cloudy day yet the Sun now and then showed its rays. The winter was on the doorstep.

Tauriel considered walking towards the palace, but Legolas was probably asleep and very tired of a spoiled elfling like herself. Instead she made her way to east, the forest which stretched next to the King's palace was inviting. It took her an hour to get there because of her slow step, but she felt like she was getting tired faster than usual. She sat on a log on the boarder of the forest and looked around; she was behind the palace and didn't see her prison from here.

By now, the habitants of the palace awoke and noticed that she was gone. Legolas rose with first sun so when the guard was notified there was no need to wake him. He brought the entire guard to its feet in his worry and was very anxious to find his little charge.

Laeorn was the first to spot her as the guard spread to search for her in and out of the woods. She was sitting on the same log where we left her, looked a little pale, but apart from that seemed fine.

"Good morning little one." greeted Laeorn in elfish. Tauriel didn't spot him, but replied calmly. "Hi."

He approached her and sat by her. "You know the prince is worried about you. He sent the entire squad to search the woods." he said soothingly. He didn't want to frighten her or provoke her to run; not that she would be capable to even if she was in full strength.

"He is worried?" she blurted out doubtful. When he nodded she looked away. "I thought he probably hates me right now." Tauriel said sadly.

But if she was stubborn, Laeorn was not better. "Why would he hate you little one? I don't think he actually hates anyone apart from orcs, goblin mutants and such vile creatures." he replied smiling encouragingly. He wasn't as handsome as his prince, but Tauriel felt at ease with him.

"Then he feels sorry for me. I don't want anyone's pity." she quickly replied playing with her hair unconsciously while the breeze caressed her face.

"We all do little one, but in time people will get to know you and I'm sure they'll love you. You are our little miracle and also a little hero if I might add." he said honestly and Tauriel was touched.

"It's Tauriel. Call me Tauriel not little one." she replied with a hint of a smile.

Laeorn was satisfied. "I am Laeorn, Captain of the Forest Guard, but you may call me Laeorn if you wish." he replied while the elfling studied him carefully. She couldn't tell his age, because he looked the same age as Legolas, but Legolas was only thirty years old which among the elven kind was considered as very young. They stood forever young once they reached a certain stadium of life. "I suggest we go back to the palace and not keep our Prince in distress any longer. If you said something to him, he probably forgot it after the fright you just made him go through." Laeorn added offering her his hand with a friendly smile.

She took it and stood up feeling much stronger on her feet then when she set off. She held her new friend's hand however; it made her feel secure as much as security was at hand in these dark times.

It took half the time to get back than the time Tauriel needed to walk by herself. Laeorn offered to carry her if she felt tired, but she firmly refused so they kept going. Tauriel asked a million questions about the guard and Laeorn was all too happy to answer them in detail. He was patient and therefore she saw what made him the Captain. She admired him greatly and wanted to be as good as a warrior as Legolas or Laeorn were.

When they arrived back to the healing wards, they encountered their prince pacing in front of the stairs with a worry line on his face. When he spotted them, his face was full of relief; Tauriel was still gripping Laeorn's hand. When he let her go she stumbled her way toward Legolas and hugged him around the legs, the top of her head barely reaching his upper waist. He was surprised, but kept her in a firm grip as Laeron went back to his post.

"I'm sorry for what I said, I didn't mean it I swear and forgive me for scaring you, I planned to go back before anyone noticed my absence." she mumbled into his waist incoherently as tears dripped down her cheeks, it felt like she was crying more in these two days than she cried in years.

If he intended to sound angry, all that washed away with her tears and her rather incoherent yet sincere apology. Her grip was very tight, he kissed her chestnut red hair before he released her hands from his legs and slightly bent down to speak to her in the same height. "I'm just glad that you are alright. Do not pull a stunt like this again. Are you going to give me an honest word or do I need to place a guard in front of your door at all times?" he asked as he wiped away her tears. "I promise I won't do it again." she replied as she took control over her voice.

"Good. Wait for me next morning; I'm going to show you one of my favorite places." Legolas said as he watched her face going from shock to joy. It was so easy to make her happy. "You mean, you're going to let me go out?" she asked with clear disbelief on her face.

Her choice of words didn't seem to amuse him. "Tauriel, nobody here is holding you prisoner. I just thought you needed more time to heal, but if you're already going to be reckless, at least do it when I or someone else is around. Don't go behind my back alright? You can tell me whatever you feel." he replied playing with her hair.

"I did say what was on my mind and you were angry with me." she mumbled barely audible to his ears, but he only shook his head.

"I wasn't angry mellon, I was just sad that you thought of me as your jailer rather than your friend." he replied calmly and let her assimilate these words. Before she could apologize again, he took her uninjured hand and gestured her to go inside. "You need your rest now and I have to go talk to my father. I will see you tomorrow morning." he said as he placed her to sit on her bed and kissed her forehead.

"Hannon le" she mumbled as she removed her boots and took the slippers instead. "Le nathlam." he replied before he walked out.

Translations:

Mellon - Friend

Hannon le - Thank you

Le nathlam - You are welcome