CHAPTER 6

"Tauriel my father wishes to speak with you." said Legolas when he came the next day as promised and found his eager friend waiting for him. "We'll go meet him first, if you feel fatigued please tell me without hesitation." he said as she walked toward him with big smile on her face.

The questions came easy enough. "What's he like?" she asked curiously. Legolas gave it a thought before he replied. Nobody ever asked him to describe his father. "His appearance I live to your good judgment. For his character I can vouch. There's no fearsomer warrior, you will find him a little cold perhaps, but that's how he is so do not fret. He is not used to be contradicted so do keep your little temper under control. He won't laugh it off like I do." he replied thinking that he satisfied her curiosity, but she continued to ask questions; about his mother and if he had any sisters or brothers and if he pledged himself to an elleth.

He could tell her little of his mother, because his father barely spoke of her. There were no siblings, he was an only child and his heart was still unconquered. It was surprising the amount of questions the little one could voice in one breath.

Soon they arrived inside the palace. The questions stopped when Tauriel's eyes saw the beauty of where she stepped in. "By the grace of Valar. I wonder what is it like living here?" she muttered to herself mesmerized by the walls that shined almost like the night sky. She mentioned all the elfish Gods in her little speech starting from Manvae. Legolas was surprised by everything she knew being so young.

"You might find out sooner than you think little mellon." Legolas replied bringing her out of her mixed thoughts. "I'm not going to live here... Am I?" she asked surprised when she noticed that her friend was serious. He only smiled and pulled her forth to the throne room.

There at the throne sat King Thranduil observing carefully the little creature that walked in holding his son's hand. "Come forth little Tauriel." he commanded softly yet in such a way which left no room for objection. She complied without a word staring mesmerized at his grandness as she recognized where Legolas got his eyes from. The King looked wise as he stared back at her, his white blonde hair cascading down his shoulders.

Tauriel felt like he was reading her soul, but didn't look away until she remembered the proper way to address a king. She bowed as her father taught her. "What is your age child?" he asked coldly as the elfling regained her posture. "Seven your highness." she replied loud enough, but still a little scared.

If he sensed this, he showed no sign of it. "I've heard a great deal about you Dehael's daughter, you used your father's sword and deprived an orc of his miserable life and survived to talk about it. Who taught you how to use a blade?" he continued his questions without a pause. "My father did. He used to say that dark times are upon us and that I should learn to defend myself." she replied little more relaxed, King was only curious that was all.

"Do you know that your father served me loyally for many years?" he asked little less coldly. "Yes, he spoke of you often. I asked a lot of questions and he told me some of your adventures." she replied looking at the King from the corner of her eye. "Prey did he tell you how he saved my life?" he asked as his curiosity peeked.

The surprise on Tauriel's face gave him his answer even before she spoke. "No H-Hir nin, he only said that he once did you a great favor and for that you gifted him with one of your own swords." she mumbled feeling a little embarrassed. "Well maybe I will tell you that story one day, but now is not the time for it. Has your father taught you to use any other weapons?" he continued his inquiry.

Tauriel sighed as they moved to a warmer topic. "He started to teach me archery this summer. He said that I had a good eye, but a short patience." she mumbled blushing a little at revealing her own disgrace. "Considering your age he could have hardly expected otherwise. I never heard of someone being trained so early and especially not of a female child." he commented thoughtful. Tauriel could not see Legolas, but she felt him laugh at her last statement. If his father weren't here, she would have stepped on his foot.

"You did not have any other relatives apart from your parents?" Thranduil inquired further. "No; not that I know of." Tauriel replied sadly.

The King straightened up and Tauriel felt like she was expected to pay even greater attention to his highness. She looked at him expectantly. "You are my friend Dehael's daughter and for that reason I open you the doors to my palace. Once you are fully healed, you shall come to live with us here. My son requested to be in charge of your education and I granted him that permission on the condition that it doesn't interfere with his duties. Now I want you to tell me if you ever thought of what to do with your life?" he proclaimed and waited for her answer.

A lot of emotions flooded her sanity at this moment. Gratitude and love, she blinked in order to stop the tears that wanted to come out from emotion. "Yes I did." she said uncertainly as she looked for encouragement and she saw that he was waiting. "I want to join your guard your highness." she said firmly, but still fearful that her request would not be granted.

Thranduil pierced her with his eyes surprised as he exchanged wondering glances with his son who was equally if not more stunned by her request. "You amaze me little one. Most girls would say that they want to be healers or to get married, yet here you are talking of weapons and guards." he replied with undisguised wonder. "I want to serve you like my father before me Hir nin. My father once said that if he had a son, he would give him to your service, but unfortunately he only had me and I wish to follow his footsteps, to learn how to fight properly. I already proved that I fear not death. Give me an opportunity to prove myself. I will work harder than anyone else the guard trained and if I fail, I fail, but that will be because I was not good enough not because I didn't have the courage to try." she replied making the longest speech she ever made, but her desire to be a warrior was far greater than her fear of the King.

The king was too abashed even if he didn't show it. Her passion gave him enough proof that she was brave like her father. He didn't doubt her willingness.

"I suggest little Tauriel that we leave this topic alone for a while. For now you will dedicate your time to heal and after that I want you to study hard. I see that your father has taught you already a lot of things. I will not object if my son or any of my guards want to continue your sword and archery lessons, but you are too young to be trained as a soldier. Study hard and don't disappoint me little one. In return, I will consider your request when the time comes, if you show patience I will grant your request. Am I understood?" he said leaving no room for contradiction.

Even if she dared, Tauriel was satisfied to object. She knew she was too young to train now, but the King didn't refuse her request and she was going to do her best to prove him right. "Thank you for your kindness Hir nin. I will work hard not to betray your trust. Guren glassui!" she said as she bowed once again and was dismissed from his presence.

Translations:

Mellon – Friend

Hir nin – My lord

Guren glassui – Thank you from my heart