Dear readers,

I am sorry for the delayed update, but I was on vacation and had no access to the internet.

I was also waiting for your reviews on the birthday chapter. There were so many questions related to that particular event that I was half expecting more feedback, but perhaps it didn't meet up to your expectations.

Thank you for your reviews. As to my faithful reader Jessica, I will try to oblige you though I am currently finishing up with the chapter 25 so don't expect any major changes before then.

I hope this chapter will give you pleasure.

Love,

M.E.

CHAPTER 15

Tauriel was emotionally and physically drained, but despite her exhaustion, sleep wouldn't come. Her mind kept working in overdrive tense after the visit of those two. She felt awful for treating them with such coldness, but they symbolized object of terror ever since the day when she saved their son. Why couldn't they just leave her alone? It took her hours to finally fall asleep, but her nightmares kept their grip on her already tormented mind.

They have changed however. She still dreamt about the mayhem she witnessed, but now her father had a face and it wasn't even his own face. It was the face of king Thranduil, but now her dreams got a whole new dimension once Legolas started appearing in them. In other circumstances, she would have found it comforting to dream about him, but it always evolved around her being taken away and screaming for him. This new fear would have made her parents' murders seem inoffensive if it wasn't for the fact that her father had the king's face.

Elgrion and Ilithiel stayed for breakfast. Legolas was pleased to be able to spare his friend from their presence this morning. Thranduil inquired after Tauriel, but his son had a ready answer. "She is still asleep, yesterday drained her energy." he informed his father not really sure if his words were true. He intentionally avoided checking on her this morning.

Thranduil didn't believe him, but his son thought it served him right after the surprise he gave them last night. He was polite enough to the couple and played with Elethan now that his friend's peace of mind was not endangered by their presence. Elethan was amusing enough to let him keep his temper under control. They discussed everyday matters with ease until the meal was over and the two finally left for their home.

"Hannon le for your hospitality Aran nin, tell little Tauriel that she will always be welcome in our home. We hope that she may visit us soon." Elgrion said with double meaning, but Legolas pretended not to notice any of it while he bid them farewell. "I will pass the message." the king replied in his cold serenity. Legolas waited for them to exit the palace before excusing himself.

"Ionneg, Tauriel is not asleep is she?" Thranduil stated as a fact rather than a question.

Legolas looked back unconcerned. "I do not know ada. I did not check up on her this morning." he replied evenly not sounding the least bit regretful.

"Do you not think you should let her make her own choices?" the king asked raising an eyebrow. There was no reproach in his tone, but Legolas couldn't really name what emotion it was.

"You mean as you did last night?" the prince asked half amused, he was lighthearted now that those two were gone.

"Tauriel didn't seem to mind their presence as much as you did. Are you protecting her or yourself?" his father asked unimpressed.

It was a fair question, but Legolas didn't allow himself to lose his confidence. "What did you expect her to do? Scold you, make a scene? She avoided them for most of the night. As for your other inquiry ada, it is always her wellbeing that I am worried about. I just managed to convince her that I would not send her away and imposing their presence on her doesn't help the matter. If she had a desire to invite them, she would have done so herself. I can't see the purpose of your actions. If you were trying to traumatize her, you are on a good path." Legolas replied in equal manner. He appeared to be completely calm; a true maneuver considering how disturbed he was by his father's actions.

"I simply believe that a company of another elfling will be beneficial for her even if she doesn't wish for a brother. If she gets to know them better, perhaps she wouldn't be so resistant to the idea. Is that what you are afraid of?" Thranduil replied pouring himself a cup of water while walking around the room.

Legolas gazed at him with one eye keeping a hard face. "Perhaps it will, but let her seek for it alone. If you try to force her into it, you could do more damage than good. It is not living with them which makes her resistant; it is leaving us; leaving me in particular. Her life already fell apart once; do you truly believe that destroying this one will be beneficial for her? She will grow without the ability to trust anyone. She was doing extraordinary well before those two came; she was starting to trust me. When she is ready to seek their company, I will personally take her to see Elethan, but not before. Will you please stop frightening her unnecessarily? She does harm to no one, she is just looking for a little comfort." he plead to his father hoping that at least for his benefit, he would stop interfering in this matter.

The king saw reason behind his arguments, he couldn't dispute that he was right in most aspects. With newly found compassion for both his son and his little friend he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Very well ionneg, I will let you do as you consider fit and despite what you may think, I am not that cruel to intentionally hurt such a little elfling." he replied when his son acknowledged the gesture by placing his hand across his father's. "Hannon le ada." he spoke grateful and hid a grin remembering that Tauriel would have hugged him by now. It was curious to watch the little elleth take confidences with his father that even he didn't dare take anymore.

Some invisible force awoke Tauriel on time for her meeting with Beleorn although she had slept through both morning and afternoon meal successfully. She didn't feel like eating anyway. Prospect of archery lesson gave her a reason to get up and dress. She decided to try on her new boots; she would have put a new jacket as well if it wasn't a reminder of the one who gave it to her. The guilt increased as she realized that she was having a silent revenge against a sweet couple who didn't even deserve her ill-will, but it was stronger than her.

Her preparations were finished soon enough; she observed herself in the mirror with a satisfied look gracing her face. Tauriel was not vain however; she simply admired the appearance of arrows on her shoulders and the bow in her hand. She was met by a patient looking Beleorn hoping that she was not late. He said nothing so she assumed she was on time.

When she took a stance in front of the target, she could not imagine greater satisfaction. Beleorn started the lecture from the beginning. At first, this seemed to annoy her, but this approach resulted to be efficient when she realized that her last lesson was with her father almost a full year ago. Her tutor explained to her which posture would be the most effective, how to position her feet and how to hold an arrow. Tauriel was too unfocused; not because she didn't find shooting interesting, but for the fact that many thoughts flew in her mind during the demonstration. That made her commit many errors; both before and after releasing her arrows which lead to her scolding herself and losing confidence in her abilities.

Beleorn never tried training such a small elfling so he was armed with a heavy arsenal of patience knowing that he couldn't expect the same progress with her as he did with other recruits. Her sight and aim impeccable, but she had short patience. "You are over thinking it Tauriel, archery is not like learning legends; it is a physical art based on instinct. That sensation is developed by a lot of practice; you are placing too much pressure on yourself. Pressure is good when you already acquire the skill to act on instinct, but right now it is your principal drawback." he explained after several dozens of missed targets and the equal number of fallen arrows under her feet. It would require a great amount of time to develop both precision and the optimal strength.

He tried to encourage her, but she seemed discouraged in despite of all his words. But he didn't guess the cause for her low spirits in the first place.

She was about to turn the corner and pass through the entrance hall when she heard unfamiliar voices talking about something in a hushed tone. Three guards stood by the stairs exchanging words with each other. It was rude to eavesdrop, but she heard her name being mentioned so she stood completely motionless making no sound.

I heard that they found a family for her; that couple with a little elfling from a few days ago.

Do you think that she will really go with them?

I don't know; they were in the palace yesterday.

That's a shame, I was hoping to meet her and live to see the first female warrior.

You speak like your death is imminent, yet we are immortal.

Who can say? These are the dark times we are living in; no one's life is certain.

They passed to a different topic, but Tauriel wished to listen no more. She turned around on her heel and snuck out to the stables to find her new filly. Perhaps they would deprive her of her as well when they sent her away. What seemed like a mere doubt now turned to certainty in her eyes. They would send her away, so why did Legolas still assure her otherwise? Why the deception? Would he just keep her in the dark until it was no longer possible? No, I'm not leaving while I can impede it unless it's for the halls of Mandos. She contemplated ashamed of herself for even having such thoughts after what her parents did to make sure she remained on this world. Her survival seemed like a cosmic joke, did she live only so she would plead for death before it came?

Little restless filly amused her for an hour while she set free such dark thoughts. She took her arrows and placed her bow beside her as she sat on the floor outside the stables. Even those weapons which brought her such joy yesterday now seemed false. The king promised to consider her request to join his guard if she studied hard and showed patience. Wasn't she holding to her part of the bargain? She placed effort in her studies; she did not complain or demonstrate impatience. So what was he trying to punish her for? The wind blew as anticipated, but little elleth didn't pay attention. It wasn't like the cold could make her kind ill or anything.

The freezing wind was almost welcoming; it reflected the same sensation on her skin which she felt under it. The hours passed in silence, the stable boy passed her a couple of times not looking mildly surprised to see her sitting there. Tauriel gazed at the stars not caring how early or late it was. They were as magnificent as ever, but tragic in a way.

Eventually, little elleth drifted to sleep leaning her head on the wall while the wind blew forcefully eventually weakening to a soft breeze. Legolas barely touched his food as he noticed that his little friend didn't join them for morning, afternoon and evening meal. That was when he knew that there was something wrong; not just for her lack of presence, but for her deteriorated mood.

He knew his father had no evil intentions, but the result made him reproach him in silence of his mind. As soon as he exited the dinning parlor; he went looking for Beleorn and Laeorn. The latter was patrolling around the palace and could not give him intelligence on their friend and Beleorn was in his chamber. "We had an archery practice, but it ended hours ago. I haven't seen the little warrior since then." he said watching prince's troubled face.

"Perhaps she is sulking in her bedroom. The lesson went without much progress, she was too tense to focus on one thing so she looked a little low-spirited." he added hoping to give him some peace of mind, but he only shook his head as he walked to her room knowing that her low spirits were not owned to her archery.

Her room was empty which made his anxiety increase so he made his way to the stables. Perhaps she would be more willing to look for an animal comfort today. His instinct was proven right when the stable boy informed him that she was outside. He found her sleeping in the sitting position by the wall with her bow and arrows beside her. She must have been here for hours if she came straight from the training grounds.

He made no sound as he came next to her to touch her forehead and sure enough; her skin was very frozen. His skilled hands lifted her up after he made sure to bring her arrows on his back. She was asleep, but her hands unconsciously wrapped around his neck without their usual strength.

The first instinct was to take her to her bedroom, but as he climbed up the stairs, he changed his mind and continued towards his chambers instead. Once the frozen state started to wear off, she begun to shiver slightly so he embraced her trying to provide her with much needed warmth.

Much like before, he took off her boots and placed her gently on his bed covering her with two thick blankets in attempt to keep her warm. Once he took off his own boots, weapons, and jacket and unbraided his hair, he lay next to her hugging her tight once he realized she was still cold. A few minutes passed and she went completely still on his chest. He traced soft circles over her head for a while before he too fell asleep.

Nightmares kept coming the entire night, but none made her stir or wake up until morning when she woke the prince up as well. She was sleeping next to him after they lost contact unconsciously during the course of the night. He was already half way between sleep and reality when he saw her move her hands. At first he thought she was awake so he opened his eyes to bid her good morning only to find her eyes closed as she reached for something invisible and cold sweat dripped from her forehead to the tip of her nose. In her dream she was screaming, but only barely coherent mumbles escaped her lips as she reached for her friend not aware that he was right next to her. "Please don't leave." she mumbled moving her arms faster and faster like that would make him come back.

She felt something warm in her hands, a strong yet gentle hand. She couldn't distinguish dream from reality in her delirious state, but she heard a comforting voice calling for her. "Tauriel, echulo it's alright you are safe, amin naa sinome." he plead into her ear as he got hold of both of her hands watching her open her eyes disoriented.

Once her arms stopped waving around aimlessly, he released them and stroked her cheek instead. "Tauriel, Tauriel." he called her name trying to wake her up from whatever horrible dream she was trapped in. He knew he succeeded when she jerked upright, much like that one time he remembered so well. "It's alright, it's alright." he chanted caressing her face wiping away the sweat as her eyes started to focus on him and her breathing started to even out.

Tauriel blinked away the rest of sleepiness and tried to make sense out of everything. This was her friend's room; how did she end up here and when did she fall asleep? She vaguely remembered the stables and the cold wall. She hasn't seen Legolas yesterday, so what was she doing here? "I'm fine." she finally said becoming aware of the fact that she just woke from another nightmare in front of the last person she wished to be seen by.

She sat up turning away from him trying to get hold of her expression. "We both know that is a lie. So why the deception?" he asked reaching to caress her hair, but stopping short.

"I could ask you the same question." she replied after all the events came flooding back to her mind and she grabbed control of her voice.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked perplexed standing up from his bed while she stripped her boots back on after throwing him a look which contained something; anger, hurt, reproach? It was hard to place it.

She stood up as well. "Just forget it. You have enough matters to worry about which are much more important than me." Tauriel replied fixing her outfit in a hurry to get out of this room.

Before she made half a step, a strong yet gentle hand caught her around the elbow impeding her to move anywhere. "You're not leaving this room until we discuss this. I am your friend." he said in stern yet soothing voice.

"Friend." she laughed in irony at the word turning around to face him. "You have a curious concept of that word. Friends don't tell lies to each other. Friends don't make promises they do not intend to keep!" she replied after he released her hand raising her voice slightly.

At least she had no urge to cry; she was simply furious; at Legolas; at his father; at the world. "When mellon, when did I tell you something that wasn't truth, when was I not true to my word?" he asked keeping his temper in check knowing that angering himself would only lead to a greater conflict.

Tauriel kept her hysterics under control. "You promised that we would stay together, that you would not send me away! You promised that I was not leaving your side unless I wished it. Did you feel sorry for me, is that why you deceived me?" she asked not shouting in the full sense of that word, but her anger was visible on her face as he breathing sped up.

"Did I not keep my word, did we not stay together?" he replied with clear emotion, but refrained from raising his voice knowing that she needed comfort not discipline right now.

"I thought so as well until those two showed up here like they were waiting for me or something. The whole palace seems to know this. I hear guards discussing this in the corridors. Everyone knows it apart from me! When were you planning on informing me? Before or after you have taken me there, probably by deceit. I trusted you!" she kept her emotions in check until the last sentence.

Legolas waited for her to finish patiently wishing to understand what was on her mind. Every word stabbed him deeper and deeper, but he was not angry. She was afraid; no she was terrified. The storm seemed to be over for now so he spoke up.

"First of all, I didn't know that my father invited them until he said so in front of you. I would not have permitted it if I had a say in the matter. Do you truly believe me capable of deceiving you like that? Does it really take so little to sway your trust in me mellon? Do you not know me at all? Why do you trust the rumors and not me?" he asked approaching her slowly; she wasn't crying, but she looked pale and disoriented without moving for a long while.

His voice seemed to influence her presence of mind. She saw the logic behind his accusations and for the first time didn't know what to say to him or what to do. At least the tears were at bay for now, but for how long.

He picked her up effortlessly. "Why does my little mellon suffer in silence when I am right here to chase all the bad things away? Why does she not come to me? Did she not listen to a word I said when this topic was brought up first? Tauriel, I want you here. It is probably selfish from my part, but you gave new meaning to my life. My father said that I should not deprive you of your choices, but I care for you too much to do that. Goheno nin for my selfishness, but I am not allowing you to walk out of my life while I can avoid it. I am taking that option away." he half whispered to her ear drawing little circles on her back.

She made her grip impossibly stronger while the silent tears escaped her eyes and she cried on his comforting shoulder yet again. He chanted a soothing lullaby in her ears to calm her down feeling warm in his heart though it still bled for her pain. He sat on his bed not changing her position in any way; waiting for her to calm down. "Hannon le. An ngell nin goheno nin." she finally said after some time. He kissed her hair in reassurance. "U-moe edaved." he replied with a sad smile.

"I don't want to see them ever again." she said surprising herself with her own honesty still holding her head on his shoulder.

"You won't unless that is your wish. Anyone who tries to impose their presence on you will answer to me including my own father. Now an ngell nin wipe your tears. There is no cause for your suffering." he replied squeezing her tighter to affirm his words before placing her to sit in his lap and face him.

Tauriel got hold of her expression, but there was still something on it that held her friend in anxiety. It was impossible to name it; perhaps even she did not know the word for it. He wished that she would stop concealing her fears from him, but considered it right to let her come to him when she is ready to share them. Time would teach her to trust him and once she does, she would come to him.

He felt a hand on his face while he drifted off into his silent musings. The prince blinked returning the little eleth's face into his immediate focus. Her eyes were wide open in wonderment; she looked at him like the first time she laid her eyes upon him. "What?"He asked giving her a small confused smile.

Her hand moved to his silky blonde hair instead of replying immediately. He enjoyed her tender touch letting her have the time to formulate her answer. Elves weren't very physical beings. They often used a comforting hand or a casual tap on the back among good friends, but rarely demonstrated such open affection. Elflings of course did not follow that silent rule, as they grew it was a custom which was gradually adopted. Physical contact between lovers was also welcome, in that aspect elves were very physical creatures; they had an inclination to love passionately. Elleths were usually more inclined to physical contact when little. Even when they grew, the confidence of such interaction between family members was highly gratifying, but again female elves were usually the ones to take initiative at such contacts.

Legolas closed his eyes enjoying the warm comforting hands. No elleth showed him such affection after his naneth passed away. He was a male anyway and his hugging phase didn't last for long. Even while it lasted, his father was the only one to dare take such confidence with him. Other elves always viewed him more like the prince then like a friend. That doesn't mean he did not have true friends like his captain, but even their friendship was lead by respect. Tauriel was the first child he ever saw in his short life. There were very little elflings among the Eldar which was why every single one of them was considered an even greater blessing.

His lack of experience with little ones made him a little unprepared for taking care of one, but he accepted the challenge with pleasure. At first he thought that it would require a lot of work to teach her, but he found himself enjoying that effort. Her presence made all of it worthwhile.

"I've never seen your hair loose before. You look..."Tauriel suddenly interrupted herself in midsentence, her cheeks going slightly pink before she looked away embarrassed.

Prince's curiosity was renewed upon her discomfort. "Tell me."He opened his eyes with his voice full of persuasion.

"It's too embarrassing." She replied shaking her head hiding a grin.

"I still want to know."He pointed out hiding his amusement. "Tell me." He silently commanded provoking her to disobey him.

Tauriel sighed in defeat. "Fine. What I wanted to say is that you look more beautiful than as per usual." She said in one breath before she stopped breathing altogether waiting tense for his reaction.

He chuckled lightheartedly. "Hannon le Tinu nin. I'm sorry I can't keep it loose always, but it's not practical. Come along now, we have a long day ahead of us. Why don't you take your arrows to your room and meet me downstairs for breakfast when you're done?"He asked placing her on her feet. He wondered how long he had until he could no longer lift her up as easy as he was able to now. He stopped a sad sigh from escaping his chest upon realizing how fast would she grow up and join the guard which he was still reluctant to admit to himself would happen.

Translations:

Ada – Father

Ionneg – Son

Aran nin – My king

Hannon le – Thank you

Echulo – Awake

Amin naa sinome – I'm here

Mellon – Friend

Goheno nin – Forgive me

An ngell nin goheno nin – Please forgive me

Tinu nin – My little star

U-moe edaved – There's nothing to forgive