Dear readers,

The truth is I do not have a valid reason for neglecting you for so long, but I hope you will forgive me anyway.

I'm very glad that you stayed with me for this long.

I hope this chapter will partially make up for such a long absence.

Guest - I don't know if you're all the same, but I will put a thought or two. First of all it is true that certain parts of my story were inspired by other authors. I took the parts which I liked the most and put them in my story. If something someone else wrote is good, why not use it? Second, I know it seems my plots resolve themselves in the next chapters, but let me notice that perhaps you are missing a very important point. My two main characters fought and made up very often, but while their constant fighting is a problem indeed perhaps it made you miss the source of the problem which is Tauriel's lack of trust. You must have noticed that she was doubting her friend from chapter 1 to present. Perhaps you've been seing an improvement in the last couple of chapters which made you forget that fact, but chapter 29 will make you take my words into consideration again. If she trusted him and everyhting was resolved with a poof of a wand, I wouldn't be writing this story. Thank you anyway for pointing this out to me. It is too late to modify anything in this childhood phase, but I promise I will compensate for it soon. :D

Secondbreakfast - LoL, sorry, but if you were expecting a Sherlock Holmes style investigation, I must dissapoint. I'm even more dreadful at writing those than I am at writing this story. :D

As always read and review. I'll try to keep in touch more often.

ME

CHAPTER 28

Was it worse to feel or to be numb like now? Tauriel thought that she was in her senses because there was nothing which indicated her otherwise apart from the fact that she was in a very dark place and that she couldn't feel her injuries. If this was death then it wasn't as she had imagined it. There was no ship, no light, no songs composed by elves. In fact, there was nothing to be heard.

It was impossible to know how much time had passed. It was like she was in her head, but it was all a grand hollow. Her mind was never this silent; not even when she was in a dreamlike state. Her vision was never this darkened; it always visualized what was before her even when another race could not see a finger in front of their eyes. Her hearing was never more peaceful. Acknowledging the passing footsteps in the distance or any small sounds no matter how quiet they were was gone. It was a truly awkward moment in time.

If this was a dream; she did not differentiate it from reality. So passed the hours; or maybe even days though it was impossible to tell. Would she continue to float like this for the rest of eternity? It wasn't a particularly encouraging prospect of her future.

First sign of anything unusual was silent chanting. It was the voice well known to her; the voice of her king. His face swirled in her head while his voice became evermore near. She didn't know what to make of this strange event, but when the voice disappeared; she too fell asleep.

Now she knew she was awake. Her wrists started to throb as soon as she made a slight movement, but her head was the one who pulsed violently making her feel nauseous and disoriented. Pain shot through her left wrist as she tried to move it. At first she thought that someone tied her up, but soon her fingers encountered someone's warm hand in her own with that someone sleeping on it.

It took her a while to sharpen her vision and turn her head around. Somehow she was convinced that the face she would find was the king's, but laughed at her folly when she instead found the blonde haired prince breathing evenly.

His face betrayed such serenity that she barely had the heart to wake him. Leaving him to sleep was a noble thing to do, but he was lying on top of her left hand almost crushing it. There seemed to be no other remedy. Tauriel had no confidence in the strength of her own voice; neither certainty that her stomach wouldn't react when she opened her mouth.

The prince awoke upon feeling something warm on his face. At first he thought he was having a very strange dream, but soon remembered where he was and why. His confused face soon turned into a grin when he spotted her.

"Manen ceril tinu nin?" he asked in his usual melodic manner.

Tauriel tried to focus on his voice before replying.

"Magnificent. What happened?" she replied with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Do you not remember?"

Tauriel closed her eyes trying to summon back her memory. It didn't take her long to do so, but this was a piece of information which she'd rather keep to herself. "I don't know." she replied after opening her eyes again pushing the thought back in order to detain it from appearing on her expression for him to read. The slight insecurity in her tone which was a product of not telling the truth was easily mistaken for her general state of disorientation.

The prince had no reason to doubt her words. "Esta." was his only command.

"I am not tired. How long have I been here anyway?" she replied defiantly trying to sit up in the same breath. Her attempt would have been utterly fruitless if Legolas did not give her a hand with a heavy sigh knowing better then to argue with her.

Ninenath walked inside preventing him from asking any more questions for the moment. The healer shot her a reproachful look, but followed the prince's example and did not attempt to reason with her. It would only be spending her voice in vain.

Pretending to ignore the disapprobation; she shot her an inquisitive look without getting an immediate response. Ninenath inquired about her injuries; especially her head which made Tauriel realize what the source of all general illness was.

If the circumstances were different, she would not have had patience to lie in the bed if she felt capable to get up. However, sleeping was the best way to avoid any questions which were unwelcome while her mind tried to invent a remotely credible story.

Her knowledge of Lord Brien's ill conduct did not bring her any feeling of satisfaction. The fact that she had the power to reveal such a thing about him as was rarely (read never) heard of among their race gave her no pleasure. Her sudden power over him was a punishment rather than a small payback for what he did.

If he were not her best friend's father; perhaps she could summon the courage to accuse him; even without any proof for her allegations. Someone else would have recognized this event as a potential danger which could poison all their lives, but all Tauriel ever had in mind was her friend who would indirectly be affected if the king exerted the appropriate punishment upon one of the high Sindarian lords. How could she look into Gileth's eyes again if she became the cause of her family's disintegration?

Legolas did not question her again for the next two days and Tauriel was grateful for it. This however gave her little security because the king was still reluctant to visit her or perhaps waiting for her to be discharged from the healers before summoning her. The mere notion of lying to either of them was making her entire being fill with dread.

Never before had she contemplated intentionally deceiving either of them. Was it even possible to deceive the king?

The prince was young and inexperienced, but she had the feeling that the king was capable of reading her every thought like an open book. As long as he remained silent; she was not doing anything wrong by not speaking. Lying to her king was another matter altogether.

She stayed in the healing wing without protesting to the healer's great surprise. They did not suspect what was her motivation for doing so or knew what to make of her sudden reticence so unlike her usual lively manner. Mostly they attributed it to her head contusion, but as they days and her headaches passed; nothing much changed.

To Legolas at least; she talked more or less in their usual manner of intimacy. He always brought some new game which they played on her bed sitting opposite to each other and there was not much to catch his attention. Tauriel made an effort to deviate from any topic which could easily lead them to asking unwanted questions. Gileth too came every day helping her clean herself up and be presentable for the visits which were reduced to Ergolan, Laeorn, the prince and herself.

Ergolan too did not come very often noticing that his presence did not suit the prince even when the latter stood quiet. He still came, but not as frequent as he would have preferred. Soon the only thing left to heal was her sprained ankle. She made little effort to stand and regain its usual swiftness delaying the moment of her release.

No one could have thought that she did this to get out of her usual lessons because Legolas brought her plenty to do when he was away. When there was no one to amuse her, but herself; Tauriel sat on the bed with her ankle stretched out on the pillow at the foot of her bed and read the endless pages with her usual enthusiasm.

Too absorbed in what she was doing; she failed to notice an unwelcome visitor before he closed the door behind him. When her eyes lifted to his face, it was impossible to conceal her alarm. She knew there were two guards stationed outside so she felt confident in being safe enough while inside, but apparently she was wrong.

Lord Brien stood before her as arrogant as ever. "How did you get in? Where are the guards?" she asked closing her book swiftly and standing up on her feet. Her ankle did not hurt very much, but she still felt weak for the lack of physical activity.

"The guards are on their way to see the king or so they have been informed. By the time they get back; it will be too late. Don't spend your voice in vain calling for aid because no one can hear you. Healers are attending a matter outside so it's just you and me now." he replied making a slow advance toward her.

She knew it had to be truth, because it would be a foolish move to come here and leave witnesses. Tauriel said nothing this time. Her mind was completely empty to make any strategy which would keep her alive long enough for the guards to realize they have been deceived.

Brien read the resignation on her face. "I am well aware that you did not raise alarm against me. That was very brave of you. Brave, but foolish. You have intentionally incapacitated all those who were capable to protect you." he spoke coming to a dangerous proximity.

"If I suspected that I had left you alive, I would have finished you right there. I had more than sufficient time to do so. Valar watched over you once more. I don't have enough time to tell you everything I want, but know this. No one will know that I was here, but do not lament it. I am certain that your filthy Sylvan parents will be more than pleased by your reunion." he spoke with finality, but Tauriel unfroze when his voice died away even if it was too late.

She took a step back putting weight on her sprained ankle which made her tumble backwards before she could detain herself. She was almost in the sitting position on the floor. She heard a slam, but not from the direction she had anticipated. The things played out so fast that she was staring in shock before ten seconds were out.

Towering over her now was no longer Gileth's father, but her king in person. He had his back turned on her staring at the elf with a face of cold fury making the unfortunate creature shrink in fear. If Tauriel could see his expression; she would understand why Lord Brien was trembling like a frightened animal.

In despite of the fact that he did not speak; his outrage was evident. "Never before..." was the only understandable speech which came from his mouth. He would have hardly believed it possible if his own eyes did not bear witness to it. "Lock him up." he ordered after retrieving his voice. The order was gladly obeyed.

Tauriel was lost for words using the remnant of her spiritual presence to stand up and lean on the wall. Her barely healed ankle protested in response probably twisted again by her sudden fall on the ground.

Would he ever speak again? He stood there yet she knew not whether to say something or remain silent. She didn't even know what was there to be told between them. Thranduil's musings seemed to follow a similar direction to her own. Suddenly; the most natural thing to do seemed to be for him to leave as suddenly as he appeared. He did so very elegantly sparing only a short glance in her direction in order to make sure she wasn't seriously injured.

Thanking him was pointless. He already knew that she was grateful and no word could convey that to him better than her expression which even though shocked was easy enough to read. Tauriel was left alone again to sit and contemplate her luck or misfortune depending on the point of view.

Lord Brien released her from the torturous necessity of having to pretend to have no memory of the event and lie both to her friend and his father. She hoped Gileth wouldn't blame her for this. Her father was the one to betray himself on the end.

What would happen to him? She knew it was just a matter of minutes before they would inform Legolas of the event. The speed in which he arrived stunned even her calculations. He was already at the entrance before she had five minutes to compose herself enough.

His features were full of worry, but they also showed a not disregarding amount of disdain and fury. It was a play of good luck that he came to see her before doing something stupid.

He inquired if she was hurt with such velocity and such disordered line of questions that she could barely hold back tears and refrain her mouth from requesting to be avenged. She wanted him to be punished, but tried to stop it as soon as the prince announced his intention to go and behead him personally.

"Daro Legolas! U! Gin iallon baw henio!" Tauriel saw no other remedy, but to physically restrain him from continuing toward the door by pulling him back with both of her arms. The act itself would have been utterly useless if Legolas did not stop on his own accord.

He could easily free his arm from her hold, but he stood and stared at her in disbelief. "Tauriel, he has wronged you in the most dishonorable and cowardly manner. Am man do you beg for his miserable life? He does not deserve it." he asked leading her back to bed. He was released only when the elleth had a reasonable belief that he wouldn't charge out the door.

"It is not him I am worried about. You cannot stain your hands with his blood no matter what his wrongs are." Tauriel shook her head in constant terror of that act's consequences.

"If that is all; I assure you I have no considerations toward him which would make my conscience oppose to the deed itself." he replied standing up, but before he had made two steps; he found himself restrained again.

He would have probably ignored her renewed attempt to reason with him. "An ngell nin mellon. If you kill him, I will never be able to look into Gileth's eyes again." she spoke quickly knowing that he was preparing to storm off and conscious of her momentary disability to pursue him through the halls.

Legolas looked at her again softening his eyes a little. "Lord Brien is the only one who can be held accountable in this matter. No one can blame you for what he did." he replied with conviction gently releasing her hold on his arm placing his lips softly over her forehead.

Tauriel knew it was useless to pursue him when her sprained ankle impeded her to move swiftly so she compensated it with the force of her voice. "Do you think it will matter whose fault it was when my best friend becomes a murderer and the other an orphan on my account?" she all, but shouted after him. He barely visibly flinched and only detained for a moment before going out the door leaving her to tremble in the suspense of what she would find on his face when she saw him next time.

She waited and waited for hours which seemed like an eternity. Orcs did not count as living beings to her, but killing another elf could poison his soul forever. She prayed to the Valar to give him sense he had lost.

Finally, he entered again wearing an expressionless mask which could neither comfort her nor bring her the knowledge of something she did not wish to hear. "What did you do?" she asked with half frightened squeak placing both her feet on the cold floor. The action was not approved by her ankle which; as assumed; had a fresh sprain. She felt excessively tired from today's events, but did not dare fall asleep.

She was afraid to wake up and find that her friend did something unforgivable. The Valar would never let him part to the white shores if his hands were stained with elfish blood.

No word was spoken until he was in an arm's reach. "Do not concern yourself. I have not even seen him." he informed her unhappily.

Tauriel released the breath she was holding with a loud exhale being able to breathe again. Her arms wrapped around his torso; her head falling to his chest. No sound came from her mouth. Would there be any purpose in speaking when words clearly weren't enough.

The prince was content enough to appreciate the gesture. He held her very gently even though her embrace could crush a solid rock. She was completely still. The only sounds breaking the dead silence were their even breaths.

By the end of the following day, Tauriel was on her feet even though her freshly healed ankle sustained another sprain. The sealed environment begun to drive her crazy. She fought to place the events in the back of her mind and was mostly successful.

The king decided to interrogate her in private without notifying his son. Retelling that story would do him more harm than good. However, his empathy was unnecessary because Tauriel spoke very little of the dreadful evening. Her efforts were turned toward saving the one who wronged her rather than making a statement against him. She spoke very little in general. He knew she wouldn't lie if he asked a straightforward question, but the elleth begged him not to make such inquiries knowing her own limits.

The pending investigation of the events in the healing wing was the only remaining source of information. Tauriel tried not to listen about the development of events following in the next two weeks after that day, but could not avoid hearing the people gossip.

Gileth's mother was also involved with the second attempt on her life of which Gileth herself informed her of. She looked horrified at what her own parents were capable of. She blamed them for their cruelty towards an innocent soul and tried to believe that their fate did not concern her with tried being the key word.

Three weeks after the incident in the healing ward everything was over. King Thranduil could not pardon such a monstrosity. Lord Brien and his wife were stripped from their rank and condemned to eternal exile from Mirkwood. Their actions made him wake from his passive stance toward their daughter. At one moment, he was giving them their sentence and at the next, he was giving his explicit consent for Gileth's immediate recruitment into his guard.

Tauriel did not attend their trial, but information was coming from all sides as soon as the word got out. Their compassionate expressions everywhere she went, did not flatter her. The only remedy she found was to keep her head high, her expression determined and wait for all of it to stop eventually.

Poor Gileth had a lot to think about. The wish dearest to her heart was fulfilled, but her joy was polluted with her family's disgrace.

The road to becoming a soldier was difficult even without her background. The start was filled with ill-intentioned gossip and prejudice on behalf of her ancestry, but Gileth had such an open and cheerful nature that nobody could stay indifferent to her especially not the members of the opposite gender.

Ergolan was the first who offered her a hand and Laeorn watched her back whenever he had a free eye and time to spare making the rest of his squad back off. Tauriel imagined that this was not how her friend envisioned her dream, but sometimes things do not turn out the way one expects it.

Gossip was not the only legacy Gileth's parents left. After king Thranduil sentenced them to exile, Legolas took it upon himself to give the news to his little friend, but she didn't show anything like relief or pleasure at the news. It was the first time in their acquaintance that the prince felt truly angry at her. When his father informed him that she made no official claim against them; it felt like adding oil to the fire. Legolas stormed to her room to demand an explanation.

"They have been punished. There is no difference." was the only response to his heated reproach. His loss of temper was something she was experiencing for the first time.

"Why do you defend the people who wronged you in such a vile way?" he asked rising his voice in indignation.

Tauriel tried to keep her posture. "I don't care about either of them in the slightest. What I did or failed to do was for my friend's benefit not for theirs." she replied keeping her voice at the normal level.

"The same friend you were not speaking to for the past couple of weeks?" he asked severely annoyed at how ridiculous that sounded although he was just looking for an excuse to take his anger out on someone.

It was hard to argue about that fact. "Yes the same one. Do you want to know why?" she finally lost her temper and started shouting back. He was startled into silence not making use of the sudden pause in her speech.

He looked at her; really looked at her for the first time. "Because that is what true friends are about. They fight or they don't, but on the end of the day, they always have each other's backs because they care about one another." she continued taking advantage of the sudden lack of response from her co speaker, but keeping her tone at an acceptable level.

"Do you think that gives you right to...?" Legolas tried to continue his line of fire, but whatever he intended to say would never be spoken out loud.

Tauriel took a deep breath placing two fingers between her eyes while trying to regain the control over her temper. "The right!? I have every right to decide in this matter. It was me who bled on that floor for hours waiting for death to come and take me! I do not regret the decision I have taken. For the first time in my life, I feel like I've done something right. Even if they could get away with what happened; I still wouldn't have accused them. You may like it or you may not, but my mind is made up." she spoke forcefully making him calm down and lose the sudden will to argue with her.

After releasing all her frustration, she also leveled her voice to its normal volume. "Now get out of my room. I want to be left alone." she finished her speech in a calm manner.

This was the first time she ordered him out of her room, but she knew that if he kept pestering her with this; it would only make her say something which she would regret afterwards. Even though she despised to speak to him in such a manner; she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was at right which provided her with the resolution she almost lost.

She heard him exit, but dared not look his way. Her feet could no longer sustain her so she sat on her bed covering her face with her hands. She had never seen; up until today; her best friend lose his mind in such a way.

Her anger was never directed towards him, but the frustration was accumulating during the past period and it was only the matter of time before it got released on someone.

The next day brought the departure of the two Sindarian elves. For those who wished to leave the service of the pair; the king granted admittance into the guard divisions. Tauriel was happy to see that the pair who travelled with them to see Gileth's brother had accepted the king's offer. Only two elves remained as their escort. Tauriel watched from afar with her friend who did not come forward to wish them a safe journey.

"Do not feel sorry mellon nin. Their fate is not as dreadful as it seems. They get to live and start a new life somewhere else. If they cannot learn modesty; then it's their fault." Gileth was the one to comfort her little friend even though her parents were the ones who were departing perhaps forever.

Tauriel watched the floor absently. "I don't have any words of comfort or empathy for you mellon nin. Is it easier to live with knowing they still exist somewhere only without you or is the death a better way for those who stay behind?" she asked trying to place herself in her friend's shoes.

"I don't think anyone has an answer to that question. Perhaps if they live; you still have a hope that they will come back, but each day you get fresh disappointment after what you hope for does not happen." Gileth replied with a slight frown on her face.

This conversation did not contain anything in particular, but Tauriel knew how to make use of those words. Talking about death and how feeble their immortality was always makes someone wonder if they are being true to those who they believe will always stay by one's side.

For the thousandth time; Tauriel stood in front of the familiar door knocking. "Minno," a soft voice came from the inside. The room was filled with sunlight coming from the window; yet it never appeared more gloomy. Legolas sat on the edge of his bed with his hands gripping the blanket while staring at his own feet. He had no weapons or jacket with him. His eyes seemed empty and distracted.

"I did not think that you would want to see me today." his voice coming from afar. Tauriel made a few deliberate steps towards him and sat next to him mimicking his posture with the only difference being her head inclining in his direction.

"It's like I said mellon nin. We may argue or we may not, but on the end of the day; I always have your back." she replied only barely audible.

Her intention was not to listen to another apology. "You may be pleased to hear that Gileth's parents departed this morning." she continued trying to provoke a response, but he either did not wish or didn't know what to say. He only stared at the distance.

"I chose my friend over justice. You might not understand me right now, but you will one day. If the price for it is losing my best friend; I am not ready to pay that price." she continued after a short sigh.

He inclined his head towards her face slightly. He intertwined his right and her left hand. "It's like you said. I might get angry or I might not, but on the end of the day I've got your back because I care about you and I don't want to lose you." he replied twisting his lips upwards slightly.

"You added that last part yourself." she smiled relaxing her head on his shoulder. Legolas stroked her hair with his own smile plastered upon his face without the need to aggregate anything else.

Translations:

Manen ceril tinu nin? - How are you my little star?

Esta - Rest

Daro Legolas! U! Gin iallon baw henio - Stop Legolas! No! I beg of you don't do it!

An ngell nin mellon - Please friend!

Am man? - Why?

Minno - Enter