Dear readers,

Jessie - Your idea sounds great and I had a vague inspiration about his birthday although I'm afraid I might have a different idea for a gift. Nevertheless, I will include it as soon as I see where exactly does it fit best at. When is also another issue. I'd like to make the season in which he was born meaningful.

Kotaku and 3POdroid - Stick with me and find out soon.

Nickey - I hope this chapter meets with your expectations.

As always thank you for your continued feedback. For now I am proceeding on schedule (so to speak). Until next chapter.

Love,

ME

CHAPTER 23

It was difficult to focus on anything, but on his thoughts. His father spoke and even though he heard him, he mostly remained silent. An occasional disapproving look from the king was the one and only acknowledgement of his displeasure with his son's spiritual absence. Legolas noticed not any of this while he deliberately chewed his meal without even realizing what he was eating.

The cause of his sudden lapse of attention and appetite was obvious, but Thranduil stood quiet. There was no one more pleased with this sudden trip than him. It even occurred to his mind to ask Gileth to extend their stay if they enjoy themselves, but this was not possible for two reasons of very different nature. First, Lady Gale and councilor Brien would spend a few days with their son shortly after the planned return of the first party. Second, he feared that his son would come to the idea of going after her to make sure everything was in order. They did not need any gossip of how much a prince of noble blood was attached to a common sylvan elfling.

The king disagreed with councilor Brien's extreme opinions, but his wife's words reminded him of all that was to be expected if they keep the little elleth with them. Tauriel grew to his heart, but he would have perused Elgrion's offer if his son did not so openly oppose to it. There was an additional motive for not taking this decision. Little elleth would apply for the guard in a few years and it was his moral duty to honor his promise to her. The guards already treated her like one of them and it was more than clear that it was only a matter of a few years before the initiation of her military training. Legolas was fond of her so he would never truly abandon her. It was probably that he would see less of her, but he would find a way to see her often.

Final outcome would be the same apart from the fact that he would resent his father until she was in his sight again. He also had no wish to frighten little elfling in that manner knowing how attached she was to his son. The prince was very protective of his little ward; he would disobey his father and king before allowing any harm to come to her.

Legolas walked out of the dining hall as soon as he was finished leaving his father to his thoughts. These halls seemed empty and lifeless without the usual chatter of his little friend who was gone only for three days. New recruits came in every part of the year without any rules. As soon as they would assemble a group, they would start training supervised by those whose job was to prepare new soldiers for the forest guard.

Beleorn was merely one of those although the most respected among them. The prince joined his training sessions when Tauriel departed eager to occupy his body and his mind with something that had nothing to do with thinking about her. New recruits watched with astonishment when no other; but king Thranduil's son gave them archery lessons. He perfected his already perfect skills while showing the recruits all the uses of a bow.

If he still had free time left upon finishing that (which he did), he would find an opponent to practice his skills with a sword for he had not much experience with that. It was not difficult to find someone to spar with him. This too did not occupy all his time; it left him with empty evenings. He would go and eat with his father; who would observe him disapprovingly again; after which he would find his or rather their tree and gaze upon the stars. Looking at them, he could remember her freely without feeling like some part of him was missing. The prince could not understand himself. These actions would seem reasonable if she was his bethroed, wife, beloved, but she was only an elfling still.

On the third morning of her stay, Tauriel woke up before anyone else in the house. Only a maid was on her feet already feeding the chickens, stealing their eggs and starting with breakfast. The dawn was beautiful and Tauriel wished to go and tend to her mare. She left the message with the maid for her host's to excuse her from the table this morning and that she would see them for dinner.

She used the quiet morning to brush her mare's thin chestnut red fur and dedicate her attention realizing that she did not see her for almost two days. The animal in question woke up recently and puffed in discontent feeling increasingly restless for the lack of activity. Tauriel finally managed to talk her into staying calm promising her a long ride.

They galloped together through the woods, but little elleth dared not go too far in this unfamiliar terrain. Her friend would probably be furious if he knew that she rode out by herself for she had little experience with the moods of animals. Leaving the mare in the stables she hurried over to meet Gwendor and Alsidis waiting for her.

"You shouldn't wander by yourself too much pinmaethril. There are dangers lurking in the dark which you can't even begin to picture." Gwendor commented, but he had no real authority over the little one he could use.

Tauriel just grinned. "I do it all the time. Don't worry, if I get into some serious trouble I am armed and when I blow into this, the whole cavalry of Mirkwood will save me, eventually." she replied with good humor, but the guards only grimaced.

"On the second thought, I want a raise." Alsidis replied trying to lighten the mood. They made their way to the village without too many words, but the company was pleasant enough.

When they found the small square, Ergolan was already there looking exactly as he did the day before. "Hello again Tauriel. You've brought company?" he asked with a high eyebrow.

Tauriel walked over unconcerned. "Those are Gwendor and Alsidis, my escort. Don't make it a public knowledge. They won't be joining us." she explained adding the last part in a hushed whisper.

"I heard that pinmaethril. Do not think I will be lenient with you when you join the guard." Alsidis called in good humor. Tauriel turned to him rolling her eyes and flashing him a grin before pulling her friend away.

Ergolan chuckled for himself. "So you want to join the guard? Does the king approve?" he asked hiding his interest on the subject well.

"That's the plan or rather a dream I have. The king is not too pleased, but will probably oblige me on the end and Legolas; well he is even less happy about it." Tauriel replied with a grimace. Again he is in the conversation. Why is she not capable to talk about someone else?

There was no answer for they arrived to what appeared to be his house. It was a cottage with small windows and a door at the front. The chimney was smoking and a mouthwatering smell greeted her before she entered the door. The young ellon nudged her inside. "Something smells good." she observed before she came inside. The size was modest; this central room seemed to serve as a kitchen, dining room and sitting room. She saw three doors on her left. Her own home was not much larger than this although she had a much larger garden.

A friendly looking elleth with black hair rushed in from the backyard dressed in a simple dark silver gown wearing a white rag around her waist; she was probably cooking. "Naneth, this is my friend Tauriel." Ergolan said when she came into the light. Tauriel's breathing stopped when she looked at her hair, black as the night. Her eyes were black as well. She looked ageless, but still beautiful. It was physically hard for the little elleth to stop staring at her.

"Mae govannen ielig, im Celestiel. Le nathlam hi." she spoke in a kind manner embracing Tauriel who watched wide eyed at her friend who was only grinning widely behind his mother's back.

"Saesa omentien lle Hiril nin." little elleth finally replied when she was released.

She was invited to the table without any previous ceremony. "I made apple pie sweetie, I hope that is agreeable with you. Do you wish me to relieve you of those arrows and that horn?" she chatted lively as she showed her to a chair.

"That sounds wonderful, hannon le. I'd like to take them off, but I promised the prince they would not leave my shoulders when I am awake." Tauriel replied not being used to be treated like this. "You have a beautiful home." she said looking around the cottage with undisguised fascination.

Celestiel just chuckled. "Hannon le ielig, but I am certain you are accustomed to more luxurious arrangements. Your host is the wealthiest elf in our village." the motherly elleth replied.

Little elleth shook her head vigorously. "The size of the house does not make a home; it is people who reside in it. I have nothing ill to say about my host and his hospitality, he was more than kind to me during my short stay, but I don't feel at home there. Material possessions do not attract me unless they have a special meaning." Tauriel assured her host who looked at her a little taken aback by such a declaration, but smiled at her honesty.

The food was soon placed before them. "You speak wise words for such a young elleth. My son will benefit greatly from your company. I'm glad the fate brought you here." Celestiel spoke with the same amount of honesty.

Tauriel made an effort not to laugh. "I'm not certain that my stay in your village will give me enough time to pass all my wisdom to your son Hiril nin." she replied addressing his mother, but looking at the son with a mischievous grin.

Ergolan rolled his eyes with amusement. "You will find me to be a very fast learner pinmaethril. That is what that guard of yours called you was it?" he replied nudging her playfully.

The conversation flowed freely between the three. Tauriel almost felt like she was at home only missing one crucial part. Her thoughts went back to the prince, she yearned to see him again, but that will not happen for the next ten days. Tauriel couldn't lie to herself, she wasn't miserable here. Ergolan and his mother were good souls and easy to be around with. She learned that Ergolan's mother was a healer. His son would often go to collect herbs for her; he knew how they looked like, but had barely any knowledge of herbal medicine.

Next three days passed in an equal manner. She would eat with her hosts in the morning than go to the village where Ergolan would always wait on the same spot. They would walk around the woods until it was time for the afternoon meal and look for herbs. When she spotted the one that was not familiar to her, he would tell her what it was. Her thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. When they would finish their business there, she would share afternoon meal with them as a ritual. He showed her where Ildarion and Nerniel lived so they would invent some kind of competition and the four would stay together until Tauriel excused herself to go back to her hosts.

Brigolan and Leila were no longer surprised when she would spend the entire days away from the house; not that they gave her much thought anyway. After the first week, her absences increased in length when Ildarion and Nerniel's parents started inviting her sometimes for breakfast, sometimes for dinner. Lunch was traditionally spent with Ergolan who she was the most acquainted with.

The novelty when she started to attend dinners with her new friends was that Leila sent her guards to bring her back for they usually ended quite late. Sometimes, Alsidis and Gwendor came to the village and socialized with the locals long before they could expect Tauriel. She was no longer present for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Only activity she performed at her host's house was sleeping. No matter how busy her schedule seemed to become, she always sat half the night awake thinking about her friend; sometimes letting a few tears slide down her cheeks.

Her dreams were sometimes bearable, but they too started to grow worse once again. Their remedy was still a week away so she endured it with hope for better days. Evening before Ergolan's birthday there was a small event on the little main square. Ergolan, Ildarion, Nerniel and Tauriel could rarely be found separated. The night of the fair was filled with lights, acrobats, music and food. Gileth was there with her brother and sister in law, but she let Tauriel wander with her friends. Their short friendship would end in less than three days anyway.

Ergolan tried to teach Tauriel to dance, but that mostly ended in her stumbling over him and all four of them laughing at her clumsiness. It was highly embarrassing for Tauriel, but she too was amused by herself. When they were done eating and feasting for the night, Tauriel returned with her hosts, her friend and the guards to the manor. Tomorrow was Ergolan's birthday. Little elleth did not know what small celebration meant in either his mother's or his vocabulary, but at least she was certain that both Ildarion and Nerniel would be there with their parents.

On that particular day, she ate with her hosts on one of the rare occasions. Brigolan and Leila ignored her altogether, but Gileth chatted lively with her making the most of this unusual opening in her friend's schedule. "When Ernil Legolas inquires after your behavior, I won't know what to say to him mellon." she teased her goodheartedly.

"I would say I am sorry, but it would be a lie. There are no elflings in the palace and I will have more than enough time to look at you particularly if we both join the guard." Tauriel replied cheerfully feeling more eager to get up in the morning when she had what to do and who to do it with.

Brigolan shot a look in Gileth's direction which she ignored, but Tauriel noticed it. Her brother was probably as pleased with that plan as their parents. Gileth will confront her entire kin to join the guard. I wonder if I would ever have the courage to challenge my father like that if he forbids me to chase after that dream. Tauriel suddenly realized pleased that her father encouraged her; rather than placed obstacles in her way. Training in the guard is difficult enough without having the necessity to fight your own parents at home. Would Gileth move to the guard wing when she is accepted as a recruit? Tauriel suddenly remembered that her father's opinion meant nothing anymore for he was not among the living if that could be the little consolation to losing him to lord Mandos. Her desire to fight and decapitate an orc or any other foul creature that endangers her loved ones resurfaced with great force.

Ergolan's house was empty when she arrived so she went around back to find him sitting on a wooden fence. When he spotted her, he jumped down with a grin plastered on his face. "I wish you a very happy birthday and many more to come." she said giving him a short hug before taking a little box out of her pocket.

"I brought you a little something." she informed him rather unnecessarily when his eyes fell upon her palm. It was small, but he appreciated the gesture.

When he was in the possession of the box, he peeked curiously inside taking out a simple brown bracelet with a small charm hanging from it. "I made it myself. I know it is not much, but take it as a small token of friendship." she spoke without being able to decipher from his expression whether he thought it appropriate.

"It is perfect, thank you. I never told you how I agreed with your opinion when you came to meet my naneth. I prefer a meaningful token a thousand times over any kind of treasure." he smiled at her giving her a peck on the cheek. She looked surprised, but did not refuse the contact.

They knew each other for so short that it appeared odd to be so familiar with each other. "Naneth, look Tauriel brought me a gift. She made it herself" Ergolan called making Tauriel jump slightly for she didn't hear the elleth approach.

"It is quite beautiful dear. That was very nice of you. Who taught you how to carve wood?" Celestiel gave her opinion upon taking a brief look at what her son was showing her.

"I caught Gwendor, one of my guards carving a horse one day and asked him to teach me. He is more skilled in that art than me, but he told me that if I put my effort into it; a piece of me will always remain with the person I give it to. I don't know how much true that is, but I thought that if he made it, it would have a different meaning." Tauriel replied helping Celestiel set the table outside ignoring all her protests about it not being necessary.

When everything was on the table, she brought the food and refreshments out. It was a little feast; nothing like king Thranduil's notion of little. In truth, there were only ten chairs and there was nothing ostentatious made for the occasion. The guests started arriving soon after; in truth only the two elflings with their parents, but it made the atmosphere more homely,

Tauriel was well acquainted with all of them; no one ignored her like back at the manor. Sometimes, more than one question would come at the same time. Celestiel offered her food every time she saw that her plate was empty. This elleth would make me so large if I stayed here for any extended time. She thought goodheartedly. In truth, Celestiel was a power of nature, a gift from the Valar.

The guards came a little early so they exused themselves to go back to the square, but Celestiel was so persistent for them to stay and eat something that they had no other choice, but to accept and they graciously thanked her for her kindness. In true, they found the elleth very welcoming and she was not satisfied until they ate three full plates filled with food. A birthday would not be a real birthday without a cake. Celestiel made a simple, yet tasty cake with mixture of various kinds of fruit which were currently in season. Tauriel who was already full ate it with greed. This elleth sure knew how to cook. When she politely asked for another piece, Celestiel's grin was wide.

Tomorrow was the last day of their visit. Tauriel would miss her new friends greatly, but the desire to see her most treasured friend overpowered any emotion of uneasiness. She was impatient to see him again now that their reunion was so near. She spent the day with her friends; only eating her breakfast with her hosts. The four of them made their way to the little clearing they used to practice their skill with swords. Of course, those swords were small and made of wood and Ergolan seemed to be the most skilled among them. It was enjoyable to perform an activity which for so long brought thrill through her veins while her father was alive.

His reminder was everywhere. It was like his spirit was in the leaves, the grass and the wind. Would he haunt her thoughts forever? That particular word had a very significant meaning for the beings who among other traits had immortality. The little improvised training session lasted until evening. Ergolan was impressed by Tauriel's clear skill even though she was not allowed to use any weapon, but her arrows since the palace became her home.

Nerniel's parents who invited all of them to dinner made sure to make Tauriel's final evening as pleasant as possible. There was no manner to properly thank them for their hospitality, but she tried to express herself with words as much as her abilities allowed it. Her friends swore that they would be there fresh and early in the morning to see her off.

That morning finally arose; the sky was grey, gloomy and filled with rain clouds. This did not promise them fine weather for their journey and Gileth refused all her brother's attempts to persuade her to stay for another day until the sky became bright again. The elleth had no true rush to go home, but she knew that Tauriel was eager to see the prince and that he would probably send out a search party if they were too much delayed. Gileth was aware of Tauriel's nightmares, but knew that it was not her place to comfort her.

She contributed all her wavering mood to the absence of the prince. They took off shortly after breakfast. Tauriel promised her friends that she would ask the king if she could invite them to be her guests once in a while, but could not make any more concrete promise. Ergolan hugged her goodbye promising her that they would see each other sooner than she imagined.

Little elleth was too preoccupied with her traveling arrangements to notice something odd in his tone. Tauriel felt like she was going to miss them all, but the thought of seeing her friend overpowered any such uneasiness. The party set off on schedule and all seemed to be going according to the original plan, but such trip which seemed intact was bound for disaster.

Little after noon, clouds finally reached them and released their contents making them soaking wet in only a few minutes. They were still hours away from the palace, the rising torrent didn't seem to be diminishing. Soon the grass was soaked with water and the only refuge while they rode by the river seemed to be the trees which would soon stop to shield them.

They tried to keep up the pace for nearly half an hour without success. It was hard even for elves to see anything which wasn't in their close proximity. The safety required them to keep close to the river to avoid any potential spider nests. It almost certain that there weren't any this near the king's dwelling, but it would be foolish to take such a risk. Their cloaks could no longer give them any warmth. Tauriel was freezing, but would have the strength to continue their way if Gileth did not detain their company to speak to Alsidis who was the closest to her. "We must find shelter until this subsides. Is there a cave nearby?" she asked rising her voice to outvote the thunder that erupted in that moment.

They encountered themselves by the river bank when the lightning stroke a tree down only a few feet ahead of them. They all instinctively covered their faces, but the tree was too distant to be dangerous in any way. "There is a cave about half a mile away Hiril nin or less. It is our best shot. It is not safe." Gwendor shouted through the storm.

The course was agreed upon eagerly and they tried to move their exhausted horses as quick as they would go. They encircled the burning tree to avoid the fire which was being extinguished quickly with the rain. Somehow, they found the cave through the shower and Tauriel was pleased to see that it was big enough to shelter them and their animals. Just as they entered it, another lightning exploded in the distance making them all jump with widely open eyes. Apparently, this would be their camp for the night.

Elvish translations:

Pinmaethril - Little (female) warrior

Naneth - Mother

Mae govannen ielig, im Celestiel. Le nathlam hi. - Well met daughter, I am Celestiel. You are welcome here.

Saesa omentien lle Hiril nin - Pleasure meeting you my lady.

Ielig - Daughter

Hiril nin - My lady

Ernil - Prince

Hannon lle - Thank you