Dear readers,

Thank you for sticking with me and reviewing my story. I am very motivated to continue posting chapters.

Neebieone and pk61 - I believe that this chapter will answer your questions partially, but if it doesn't; keep reading the next few I post. Tauriel's nightmares are not something I can write about in a whim in a single chapter. :)

p8rfectStorM - Your question will also be answered in one of the next chapter. I don't want to spoil the surprise. :)

Love,

M.E.

CHAPTER 10

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Tauriel felt bored beyond measure at times, but she almost always found something to do even when Legolas was not around. She often went to visit Ninenath and help her with her patients. There weren't many injuries, but she could always find someone to amuse herself with.

At least she succeeded to lift their spirits every time she visited for she was a cheerful nature and generally loved or at least nobody seemed to hate her. She knew how to be talkative, but respectful at the same time though the latter was often forgotten, but even then no one minded her presence.

She waited eagerly for the bloom of spring wandering often outside and spending more and more time there even if the coldness still held its firm grip.

After what seemed like centuries, the temperature begun to rise gradually and very minor amounts of snow were replaced with unstable weather, the rain falling often over the land. Tauriel's excitement with the prospect of spring was rather amusing, Legolas and Laeorn often laughed as she started being even more restless than as per usual admiring her enthusiasm,

Finally, one cloudless and warm day was upon them. Little Tauriel was sleeping in her bed though her dreams gave her no comfort. Brave little elleth refused to say a word about her nightmares, she didn't confide in her friend trying to be strong with the belief that they would stop eventually. Many months flew by, but she still refused to talk about it.

The dream never changed, it remained what it was ever since their death. The chase which almost finished in her demise was all present. No matter how often did she see these images, they always jerked her awake and today was no exception. With a jolt, Tauriel was in sitting position breathless; the cold sweat on her forehead and her arm resting on her chest trying to even out her breaths.

"Tauriel? Are you alright?" a worried voice came from the door rushing inside and closing the door behind him. He was not accustomed to enter without knocking, but he heard the hustle inside and entered to see what was wrong.

Tauriel was surprised to see him; they rarely saw each other before breakfast and she didn't wish to be seen like this. "I'm fine. Just a bad dream." she said trying to sound normal like it was just that. Bad dream was an understatement, but she still fought to prove what she believed was her strength.

She was still only mildly coherent while waking her mind up which is why a warm hand over her cheekbone surprised her. She tried to blink the rest of the sleepiness away while she focused on her friend's face.

"You are sweating. It is more than a bad dream is it?" he stated as a matter of fact rather than a question.

Tauriel took a deep breath. "It's nothing." she finally said almost like a rehearsed line.

Blond ellon looked at her unconvinced, but decided to make sure before pursuing this topic any further. He would find a way to find out everything he wanted to know without asking her for she clearly didn't wish to tell him.

"Come now little mellon, it's almost time for breakfast. I'll wait for you in the corridor." he turned to his usual light manner and kissed her forehead before leaving her to dress.

Tauriel jumped from her bed and put on her hunting gear in great haste. The presence of her friend made all her bad thoughts go away. Sometimes, she felt exhausted for her lack of peaceful sleep, but always found a way to wake herself up and enjoy the day.

Legolas took her hand while they descended the stairs; it was an omen of comfort and friendship between the two and Tauriel enjoyed to have someone whom she could embrace as her own.

It was evening, beautiful and cloudless. Finally, Tauriel could see the stars; she had missed them for it was many weeks since the clouds held their grip. Legolas was absent for the majority of this day, he had missed their lunch leaving his father and little one to eat in complete silence as usual.

Little elfling almost wished to retire to sleep early with the fresh disappointment of not finding her friend anywhere, but she didn't wish to stay in the confines of her room yet. She was saved by the bell or more accurately by her prince.

"Good evening little mellon. Aphado nin." he said lightheartedly trudging out the door leaving her to blink in surprise.

"Where to?" she asked following closely behind him with a curious expression. He only smiled, but gave no direct answer.

"It's a surprise, I have promises to keep." he replied cheerfully binding something across her eyes. She huffed in annoyance at his reluctance to answer and at the fact that she could not see.

She listened as he brought her to the stables and placed her to sit in front of him on, she assumes, his horse. They were galloping in full speed and she wished she could enjoy watching the scenery.

"Legolas, this better be worth it." she huffed annoyed while his grip on her only tightened in response. Before she even realized, she was seated on his shoulders with her arms and legs enwrapped tightly around his torso.

Her mind worked in overdrive trying to remember what promise was left unkept, but it came out empty. She felt him move beneath her, but couldn't pinpoint in which direction. "Are we there yet?" she asked impatiently holding him tight.

She didn't need her vision in order to feel him tremble in silent laughter. "We're almost there; just keep a firm grip." he replied with light heart. They finally stopped somewhere; Tauriel felt the wind blowing in her face. They must have reached a clearing or something. What did this have to do with promises being kept?

Soon enough her feet touched the ground or more accurately the wood and her eyes were seeing the light once again.

When her eyes adjusted to the light, she could finally see her surprise. The stars and the moon on a cloudless sky were a magnificent sight to behold. The starlight illuminated her face and the shine in her eyes was brighter then even stars themselves. Its beauty took her breath away; she couldn't utter a single syllable for at least half an hour. She barely acknowledged when her companion took her off his shoulders and sat by her on the highest branch letting her enjoy the view while he himself did the same. The stars made this dark world shine with ethereal beauty.

They were both content to sit in silence and admire the white light of forever fill the skies. "Do all of our kin worship the stars as we do?" she asked staring mesmerized after finally her curiosity was awakened again.

"All light is sacred to the Eldar, but wood elves love best the light of the stars." his voice was equally distant as hers.

"It is like a memory. Some people say that our destiny is written in the stars. Do you think that is possible?" she asked voicing some of her thoughts.

He looked at her then, she saw ancient grief in his eyes, but dared not voice that out loud. "The race of men believes that it is, but I don't particularly grasp the concept of our lives being controlled by some invisible force; not completely anyway." he replied leaning his back against the cold wood.

Tauriel took his hand with both of hers, but said nothing for a while. "You said you'd teach me the stories behind the stars." she finally said remembering that particular conversation at the very start of their relationship many months before.

Legolas seated her in his lap comfortably appreciating her silent comfort. There were a lot of stars, a lot of constellations and many other things in the sky. He told her a few legends that were bound to them and still had many more to tell.

"The hour is late little mellon, we should get back to the palace. I will tell you more on some other occasion." he replied kissing her hair before helping her climb down with him; this time using her own feet and hands. Help was rarely necessary; she was the daughter of the forest after all...

Translations:

Mellon - Friend

Aphado nin - Come with me