Dear readers,

Thank you for sticking with me & reviewing my story.

Some of you found delight in cheering in Tauriel's favor that I was under the impression of broadcasting a live match rather than writing a story, but do keep going; it is highly gratifying.

Lucien - No according to what I read & saw from the movies, elves are a dying race. There are elflings. but not many. However, they are immortal so they don't get sick. It keeps the balance. :)

hobbitJunki - I could answer that question, but that would spoil the story. I'm trying to follow a logical order so I will be answering questions about what will happen or will she do this or that through my chapters if you have patience to read it.

Chapter 12 is one of my personal favorites (at least from the ones I wrote so far), but ofcourse drama is not something everyone likes. This part might be the most dramatical or perhaps the word is emotional up until this point, but I purposely made it so. I hope you will enjoy it. but feel free to critisize me. It's good for my writing when somebody highlights my mistakes or something I haven't explained sufficently.

Love,

M.E.

CHAPTER 12

"You remind me of someone little one, I can't remember what about you seems familiar." Elgrion said after a short pause when little elleth went back to stand by her friend. Warm hands were placed on her shoulders again without their owner even realizing it. Tauriel tried to make sense of those words, but it would have taken a while if it weren't for another voice that came from the opposite direction of the entrance hall.

"She has her father's eyes." a cold voice full of authority spoke before he came into view. Four pairs of eyes turned around is surprise, three of them curtseying before their king.

Thranduil looked with serenity at their surprise. "You seem surprised to see me Elgrion. You forget that this is my dwelling." he continued raising an eyebrow in his usual cold manner. They have met before, apparently.

Elgrion recovered from his initial shock and spoke with serenity. "Goheno nin, Aran nin. You came in a little unexpectedly." he said speaking like an old friend.

"I heard that there was trouble and than I thought I heard a familiar voice. What happened?" he asked turning to his son instead.

"I am still not entirely certain ada. I was hoping that Elgrion and his wife could shed some light upon it. All I saw were orcs disembarking on the shore half way between the gates and the cellar doors, they came floating from upstream." he replied unconsciously tightening the grip on Tauriel. She could almost feel his anxiety, but said nothing.

Thranduil watched Tauriel from the corner of his eye while he listened to his son's very brief report. She was involved in this somehow though he still waited for the full insight on the situation.

"We were on our way back home hir nin, I was gathering some herbs in the woods by the river when Elethan climbed into an old box somebody left by the water and the current dragged him away from the shore. The current is much stronger upstream than here so we were far behind by the time we even realized what was happening. Orcs must have arrived afterwards; we didn't see them until we arrived here. We were afraid that they had done something to our son, but ernil Legolas informed us that his friend pulled a baby from the water." Ilithiel explained without formalities giving relief to her anxiety. Thranduil listened carefully, but these events didn't make much sense. An entire battalion of orcs jumping into the flowing river only with a purpose to chase a single baby downstream. That made little sense, but in the lack of better explanation, this would have to satisfy him.

Thranduil glared at Tauriel instead with a quizzical eyebrow. She rose to her full height feeling the storm coming adding tension to her shoulders. Legolas felt her discomfort beneath his hands and looked at the source of it. "Am I to understand Tauriel that you consciously risked your own death at the hands of an entire pack of orcs to save someone's life!?" he asked with his voice rising for an octave after each word. King knew how to raise his voice and still remain cold and serene.

Little elleth was completely motionless in duration of his speech not daring even to blink or breath at all. She took a deep breath and gulped silently before replying. "I did not see them until I already took hold of Elethan." she replied keeping her voice on usual volume despite her fear.

This conversation was still not over. "And if you had seen them, that would have stopped you?" he asked knowingly. Tauriel pondered this question for only a moment and still she knew that orcs would not be a contributing factor to her decision. "It's what I thought." the king added when she dropped her gaze to the floor. This time, it was Legolas who took in a sharp breath behind her at the realization of this. No matter how much he wished to deny it, his little friend had the courage and the instincts of a warrior and he knew such skills belonged in the guard; much to his dismay.

The couple watched this exchange in silence looking at each other in surprise as king came to the conclusion that this little one would have risked her life for their son even if she was aware of the danger. King turned to Elgrion leaving the little elleth to exhale in relief. "Returning to the previous topic, you have not been introduced yet to our little restless warrior. This is Tauriel, Captain Dehael's daughter. I presume you do remember him." Thranduil watched recognition appear on his face.

"The captain, of course and her eyes; I can almost see him when she looks at me." Elgrion replied with newly found interest towards their little hero. "I heard that he retired, but I never met his wife and I knew not that he had a daughter. How is old captain faring? I see this little one has his spirit." he asked observing her curiously. She held her gaze down at the mention of her parents. At least they did not expect her participation in this conversation, but still talking about someone when he could hear you appeared incredibly inconsiderate.

Legolas looked at his father wishing that this topic was not discussed in front of his friend, but the king paid no attention to him at the moment. "You will be grieved to hear that Dehael is dead." Thranduil replied gazing far away like he was dwelling in a memory.

Dehael's former solider gasped; not able to conceal his surprise. "Dehael is dead. How? When?" he asked thinking back to their comradeship in the king's guard. He was a fearsome warrior, the mere notion of him being dead seemed foreign.

"There was an orc raid in the south last autumn. The entire village was burned to the ground and you are looking at the only survivor of the dreadful event." the king replied gazing at Tauriel with newly found compassion, but she was not looking at him or anyone else.

Elgrion nodded in understanding, the news of the destroyed village spread through the realm long ago. The pair looked in grief realizing that this little one lost both of her parents in one blow; she was an orphan. They exchanged a silent look understanding each other without words. Legolas was too busy looking at his father to notice this, and Tauriel still gazed at the floor.

There was a short silence, Tauriel wished to excuse herself, but dared not utter a single syllable for a very long time. "Tauriel." somebody spoke to her with a gentle voice. It was Elgrion and she raised her gaze reluctantly to look at his face. His eyes were warm, but she saw pity in them. It took quite an effort not to turn her eyes away; she didn't wish to be pitied by anyone. "I have a proposal to make. It would give us great pleasure if you considered the possibility of another home. Come live with us." he said slowly trying to determine the effect of his words.

Little elleth widened her eyes. Surprise turned into disbelief and disbelief in pure terror as her mind fully registered his words. The prince felt her tension, but they could see it as well. His reproachful look fell upon the speaker; didn't anyone have tact today? Tauriel felt like she received a physical blow in the chest and her breathing sped up. Before anyone had time to speak, she released herself from her friend's grip.

Legolas was about to grab a hold of her fearing that she may run, but that fear seemed to be without foundation when she simply turned around and buried her head in his waist while her little arms held him with a strong grip that surprised even the prince himself. She was much stronger than he had originally thought, extraordinary for such a small elfling. The pierced orc suddenly came to his mind; she had cut through his armor. The thought of how much strength that required never came to his mind before and she had a broken arm, damaged spine and was barely conscious at the time.

That thought went away as quickly as it appeared when he sensed her distress. Tauriel was a strange elleth, she didn't cry often, but he could sense her desperation and when she was hurting like now. Was it her that appeared odd or did the two of them just share some kind of strange bond? He could almost hear her screaming for his protection even though she was completely silent.

"Peace little mellon. You are not going anywhere." he finally reassured her stroking her hair keeping his voice soothing. Tauriel just held on like her life depended on it. She had nothing personal against this couple; in fact they seemed rather welcoming and friendly, but the lone thought of leaving her friend sent ice through her entire body. Suddenly, she wished for them to go away, she didn't want to have to see them or Elethan ever again. The reproachful line of her thoughts didn't last for long, it wasn't in her nature to hold a grudge and these elves were just wishing for her wellbeing.

Legolas felt that his words had little effect, she was still radiating tension from every part of her body and her grip remained firm. It took some effort to remove her hands from his waist. She struggled in vain fearing to lose the contact. He simply lifted her into his embrace sensing her hands and her legs as they enwrapped around his torso. He had the urge to lecture the three of them, but there were two elflings present and his fury would not help in calming Tauriel down.

Ilithiel and Elgrion didn't see the prince's anger, but Thranduil noticed that he was pacifying his own emotions along with Tauriel's fear. It took him by surprise though it didn't show on his face. His son was always so serene and in control of himself. Even when he battled against orcs or spiders, he did not lose his temper. He was reacting instinctively to her pain and fear and he didn't even see the full effect of Elgrion's words on his friend. Her look of terror would haunt his mind forever. She almost died today and yet she showed no fear. Leaving her son frightened her more than death. He would have contemplated this matter further if he was alone, but now he had to pacify his son.

"I believe that you've got your answer." Thranduil said coldly breaking the unpleasant silence.

The couple nodded with grave faces. They were sorry to cause such distress, but didn't stop to think of the strange relationship between the prince and the little orphan before speaking their minds.

Tauriel relaxed slightly and the prince's anxiety diminished as well. "Why don't you take Elethan to the healing ward so Ninenath can examine him and give him food and warm clothes mellon? Laeorn will go with you." he said after he succeeded in the attempt to place her on the ground although she looked very unwilling to let go.

She was still afraid, this awoke his temper again. "Tauriel, it's alright. No one is taking you anywhere unless that is what you wish for. I'll be with you soon." he said with a sigh placing a soft kiss on her forehead before she reluctantly let go walking over to Ilithiel who handed over her little son with a smile, but little elleth tried very hard not to look at her. Laeorn walked in at such opportune time which gave Legolas the chance to hand his little friend to someone she trusted. She took hold of the captain's hand and kept gazing back at Legolas until she could no longer see him.

Legolas tried to smile encouragingly though he did not know what expression was on his face. Her fear awoke protective instincts from within the depths of his heart.

"Shall we take this elsewhere? Follow me." the king said trying to give his son time to calm down and wishing not for this discussion to continue in the corridor where everyone was able to listen to it. He walked with his son by his side while the two of them followed two steps behind. Thranduil chose the dinning parlor for the occasion and left his guards outside.

The king sat on his place at the head of the table, his son reluctantly sat down on his left while two elves sat opposite him. "Forgive our impertinence Aran nin, we should have addressed you first before we made such proposal to little Tauriel." Ilithiel finally said after a few moments of uncomfortable silence addressing the king, but looking at the prince.

"Yes you should have. If you did we would have been able to prepare her for such a question. You may well imagine why she was a little resistant to the idea." the king replied trying to stop his son's outburst. He seemed calmer, but it was hard to be sure.

He should have known better than to even discuss the possibility of Tauriel leaving the palace in front of his fueling son. "Let us not deceive ourselves Aran nin. She was positively terrified at the thought of leaving. This is her home, I see that now. Unfortunately my mouth was faster than my reason." Elgrion said with regret in his voice.

"I'm glad that you're conscious of that at least. Maybe there is some sense in you after all." Legolas said apparently calm, but nevertheless his reproach was obvious to everyone's ears.

"Legolas. This approach might have been ill managed, but it is still something to think about. Tauriel will understand when the shock wears off. " his father cautioned him with a stern voice, but his son could hear a little worry as well.

Legolas stood up not giving his father time to say anything else. "No! Tauriel just lost her parents and her home a few months ago. She is just starting to adjust to her new life. I won't let anyone traumatize her further while there is a single breath in me. She is not going anywhere unless it is by her own free will and if anyone tries to pressure her into taking such a decision, he or she will have me to answer to. This discussion is over." the prince straightened up and stormed out of the room not giving anyone time to reply or even move. Thranduil sighed as he watched behind his son. At least he didn't raise his voice and he actually acted like a true prince which he rarely did. Maybe Tauriel would be a good influence on him after all. He spoke to the pair not hearing his own voice, but he didn't defy his son's wishes.

Little Elethan seemed to be more than fine, he was loud and restless. If the circumstances were different, Tauriel would have laughed and played with him happily, but today she just sat quiet and fought against the tears which were threatening to fall at any moment. Laeorn watched sadly, but knew that he wasn't the one that could offer her comfort. He contemplated on how much he would miss her if she was gone; not that it had any importance since she wasn't likely to go anywhere. He knew that she would not react well to such scheme, but he was beyond stunned when he saw how frightened she was at the mere prospect of it.

They walked back to the palace silently, Tauriel carrying the little bundle of joy in her arms. He could see from her posture that she was still very afraid of what she would find inside. She didn't speak for a very long time and captain watched in worry, but felt powerless. The sight of the prince was never more welcoming than today. She waited in the entrance hall patiently while Legolas exchanged a few silent sentences with his captain.

"How is she faring?" Legolas asked full of anxiety.

Laeorn just shook his head. "I do not know mellon. She hasn't spoken for a while. She used to always move around restless, but today she stood completely motionless for half an hour and barely blinked the whole duration of it. I know she is afraid, but it's hard to see to which extension; she is skilled in concealing it." he replied sadly shifting from feet to feet.

"I can't believe that they just dropped such a storm on her out of the blue. Who does that?" Laeorn added thoughtful when the prince said nothing.

"It was inconsiderate, but they heard my opinion on the subject. Do me a favor and take the little one to his parents; I need to get Tauriel away from them." Legolas finally said closing the distance between the lawn and the gate in a few long strides. Tauriel stood completely motionless staring into an invisible spot almost without blinking like before.

Laeorn took Elethan from her hands and she barely acknowledged the event. She jumped into her friend's open arms without a word; her grip as firm as before. He squeezed her tightly in response. At least her breathing returned to normal, but now she was completely motionless with her head resting upon his shoulder. He walked up the stairs towards his chambers carrying the little form with him. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought she fell asleep.

He spotted the couple as they walked to exit the palace. This seemed to bring him some peace of mind. They just bowed without a word sensing that he was far from calm right now.

Once he was inside his chambers, he sat comfortably on his bed placing Tauriel in his lap. She didn't seem to have intention to let go anytime soon. "Tauriel, talk to me. Say something. Anything!" he pleaded stroking her hair; the only response he received was hands tightening around his neck.

"Are you going to send me away?" she finally asked after a good half hour. His heart warmed upon hearing her voice.

"Don't be ridiculous little mellon." he replied though he suddenly felt selfish. "Tauriel, have you ever considered that it wouldn't be so bad? You'd have a mother, a father and a little brother." he asked against his better judgment. He regretted deeply his words as soon as he sensed her reaction.

He never saw her so hurt, so frightened and so vulnerable. She released herself from his grip which loosened when he relaxed a little bit. "Why don't you just say it? You want me to go away and you just found a perfect pretext to send me away. Did you grow tired of me or was I simply a burden from the very start?" she asked getting to the opposite wall by the time it took him to stand up.

Her words would have made him angry if it wasn't for the fact that she was breathing heavily while her voice raised with each word. He saw her trying to control herself, but she was too emotionally drained to keep herself together and by the time her speech came to an end, the tears started to fall from her face with her barely realizing it.

"An ngell nin mellon, calm down. Look at me." he plead as he approached her again, she had no power over her senses to even try to move away. His heart ached for her pain as he felt her distress. He had just slighted those two for injuring her and yet he was the one to inflict even more pain trying to appease his conscience.

"I like having you here. I enjoy your company greatly. You brought light back to my life tinu nin, but I can't help feeling a little selfish for depriving you of the possibility of having a mother for I know what it's like to live without one." he said standing a couple of feet away trying to give her a chance to think this through without any pressure from him.

This seemed to get to her, but she was still completely out of control. She embraced him around the waist like before mumbling barely coherent words. "I don't want a mother, I just want you. An ngell nin don't send me away." she sobbed into his waist.

Legolas took a deep breath after such a confession. It warmed his heart, but the state of Tauriel was causing him anguish. "I already promised you that you're not going anywhere unless it's your wish to leave me, but I beg you to calm down. There is no cause for your suffering." he replied lifting her up again letting her nestle her head and weep on his shoulder while stroking her hair.

It took her hours to calm down completely, but her friend was patient trying to keep hold of his own sanity in the process. How many tears did she have to shed? He tried to deliberate on how he felt about the cause of her distress. Did leaving him truly cause her such pain? Their bond was strong; he realized that he would be in pain upon losing her as well. They had known each other for only a few short months yet he had the feeling like Tauriel was a part of him; a vital part of him. He laid her down gently on his bed and removed his armor, his weapons and his boots. After he took off hers as well, he laid next to her sensing as she nestled on his chest. He smiled at the little sleeping form and stroked her hair until he drifted off as well...

Translations:

An ngell nin - Please

Mellon - Friend

Goheno nin Aran nin - Forgive me my king

Ernil - Prince

Hir nin - My lord

Tinu nin – My little star