Dear readers,

Thank you for your continued support.

This new chapter is pretty much self-explanatory.

It also marks an end to the first phase of my story.

Second phase is coming up soon in this very same story if you keep up with me.

Love,

ME

CHAPTER 29

Spring was Tauriel's favorite season of the year for many reasons. It represented warm time after tedious secluded winters which brought her the constant companionship of books and closed space which was a severe punishment for someone whose own name indicated that she was the daughter of the forest. It was also the season of bright colors especially green which meant little to the habitants of the forest which lost its brightness every day.

It was also the time of celebrating her birthday which remained the same apart from the constant change of the guest list. Ever since Gileth entered into her life, the two elleths lead a never-ending battle about Tauriel's wardrobe and that conflict was always the most heated when it came to celebrations. Tauriel refused all her friend's attempts of persuasion into wearing a dress (and not only because her choice of colors was extravagant).

In her fifteenth year, Tauriel's features did not alter much, but the changes inevitably came sooner or later. Gileth hoped that with the progress of years, her friend would gain some feminine vanity at least occasionally. Since she failed at one aspect of Tauriel's appearance, she persisted on being the one to arrange her "toilette" which entitled Tauriel accepting a tunic which in her wildest dreams would never be worn if it wasn't for the insistence of her friend. Gileth could at least make her look like an elleth even if the dress was one point which she couldn't win without Tauriel's willing consent. Forcing her into it was not a good solution.

Since the birthday celebration did not alter much since the first one celebrated in the palace, there is no need for detailed description. The prince and the king were always her most distinguished guests, joined later by Laeorn, Ergolan, Gileth, Beleorn, Gwendor, Alsidis and a few other guards who came in shifts according to their official duties. Elethan and his parents became part of the party since the year before.

Legolas was very much surprised when Tauriel requested them to be invited. For a little while, he even feared that she would leave him, but when she showed no indication of wanting anything more, but their company once in a while, he grew complacent. Elethan was now at Tauriel's age when she first came to the palace and the only elfling present.

His relationship with the young elleth who saved his life so many years ago was of an odd nature. By the grace of his two parents, he grew up hearing about Tauriel and the way she saved him from orcs on that particular day. Her face did not remain in his memories because he was barely one year old at the time. He had pleaded to meet her ever since he knew about himself, but his parents never allowed the contact. They did not explain to him why and he was too young to understand anyway.

Their surprise was equal to the prince's when they received an invitation after six years without contact of any kind. As soon as he met her, he started following her around everywhere. Tauriel did not mind his company, but his mixture of admiration and attempts to be friendly at the same time were more than she could handle which is why they did not spend as much time together as they could have otherwise.

The two elflings from Ergolan's village she befriended came only once last year with a lot of good humor and eager to talk as eager as they were to listen to Ergolan's story about his first days as a recruit in the king's guard.

They had more to say than time allowed them to so the king generously invited them to spend a few days with their friends. The motive he admitted to himself was that would please the young elleth, but the one buried deep within him was to relieve Legolas of his constant duty as her companion; not that Legolas thought of it as his duty.

When all the guests who did not reside in the king's palace excused themselves and said all that was appropriate, only the king, the prince and the guards remained in the company. Elethan was the last one to leave although they were spending the night in the palace.

The table suddenly went quiet as in expectation though no one knew what created that atmosphere; well almost no one. "Tauriel." the silence was interrupted by the most unlikely person; the king himself. Laeorn fought to hide his grin and he succeeded. Tauriel was on the other side of the table surprised as everyone else by being addressed. She focused her attention on the speaker.

"Come closer." he called her unnecessarily using his palm. She was in front of him in a heartbeat curtseying as formally as she could. She looked questioningly at the closest thing she ever had to a father.

On her surprise, he observed her thoroughly; reading her mind she assumed. "It so happens that I too have a gift for you." he formulated his speech like this.

Tauriel was not as fond of gifts as others so she didn't appear much impressed, but merely curious. "You will like this one I presume." the king continued when she stood silent in contemplation about the nature of this "gift" which he seemed to be keeping for a special moment.

"I have spoken to my captain and we agreed that the time has come for you to be recruited into my guard if that is still your wish of course." he spoke in a more ceremonious voice than necessary.

The young elleth blinked twice taking longer than usual to make sense of his words. When she did; she was too dumbstruck to move. King Thranduil knew when to pick the perfect timing for giving her such a surprise. She opened and closed her mouth a few times trying to find the right words, vividly aware of the fact that all eyes were on her.

It took her a couple of minutes to collect her jumbled thoughts and remember the right response. She knelt before her king as soon as her body started responding to her commands. "Hannon le aran nin. Guren glassui. Le faul. I will work hard not to disappoint you." she spoke in a disorderly fashion trying to suppress her excitement.

"Rise Tauriel." the king said in his usual manner. Her response was as he had anticipated though a few minutes delayed. "Good. That's settled. You will wait for the official notification and not pester my captain about it before then." he replied standing up himself and walking away the next minute.

As soon as he was out of the hearing range, the table erupted in congratulations mostly consisting on giving her a tap on the back or making a humorous remark on her account. She was too distracted to notice Gileth hugging her, Ergolan shaking her hand and Legolas walking out with his father.

Legolas followed his father to his chambers not allowing to be sidetracked. His father did not expect otherwise after taking such a decision without consulting his son.

"Ionneg. Tauriel's recruitment is a settled matter. My decision is irrevocable." the king spoke first after the door closed behind him knowing from the start that he had been followed.

"She is too young. I beg you to postpone your decision for the time being. There is no reason to rush the matters." Legolas insisted.

The king walked about the room in contemplation. "She is old enough to commence training. It will be years before she is out on the battlefield. I see no reason to postpone my decision." he replied with a calm resolved voice.

While his son considered a good argument for his request; the king used the opportunity to fill in the silence. "It is what she wants ionneg. Her combat skills are beyond anything I've ever seen at such a young age. I might as well put them to good use since they have been offered to me freely." he added with more compassion.

Legolas could not agree with this, but he found no way to stop his father from doing what he wanted. "You should have discussed this with me beforehand ada." was the only thing left to say on the end.

His father turned his face away from him. "I am free to discuss my decisions with whomever I consider fit or with no one at all. That is one of the perks about being the king. Your relationship with her would not have allowed you to look at the situation at hand objectively." he returned to his formal address. "If that is all, you are dismissed. I will see you tomorrow." Legolas bowed and left the king's chambers reluctantly.

Upon reaching his chambers he realized that someone was waiting for him outside; someone with bright red hair. "Minno." he said without any previous ceremony upon addressing her. They were past all these evasiveness.

Tauriel did so without hesitation waiting for him to close the door before wrapping her arms around his torso; much like she used to when she was smaller. Her senses returned eventually and the first thing she noticed was the absence of her friend. It was incredible that after all these years; he was still the first person her eyes would look for in such situations. When they failed to locate him; she walked straight after him without waiting around to say goodbye to her guests for the first time in seven years.

Legolas did not know how to respond to that. Suddenly, he felt guilty for not being able to share his friend's joy. His hand mechanically caressed her hair, but his mouth could not produce a word of encouragement or even a gesture.

"I know you're not pleased about the arrangement, but you knew this day would come." she spoke first after releasing him.

Legolas did not look straight at her because of his disability to deny it. "It came too soon. I was counting that my father would wait at least until you were of age." he replied absently. "Are you sure that this is what you really want? You do not need to make this choice right now." he asked trying to find something in her eyes; anything that would indicate him that she had second thoughts about the matter, but there he found nothing, but resolve. She looked at him evenly though with a small hint of understanding. She and everybody else knew that he did not want her to spend her life as a soldier, but he had little say in the matter.

"I've wanted this since before I knew my own name. I've been preparing for it all my life. I have no doubts. It's who I am. I never wanted anything as badly as I want this. Try to see it the way I do mellon." she replied half pleading with him to understand.

His problem however had nothing to do with understanding. "I see it; it's just hard for me to make peace with it. I will get used to the idea with time. You need not fret being happy about it in my presence. I support you even if I don't always agree with you. I have your back." he replied as honestly as he dared.

Tauriel considered these words trying to find the right response. "Good. Than you can start with my sword training tomorrow morning." she finally settled on making light of the situation and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

Legolas chuckled half-heartedly while observing his little friend skipping out of his chamber.

Tauriel did not allow herself to be truly excited until she made it to the solitude of her own bedchamber. Little did she know about the price she would have to pay for it sooner rather than later. King Thranduil allowed her a day of merriment and careless behavior before putting in action the second part of his scheme.

The young elleth had been summoned to the throne room the following evening. Her king wanted to speak to her in private. From his grave face; Tauriel concluded it was ill news. At first she thought that Legolas somehow accomplished to change his mind and postpone her recruitment. The truth is that; perhaps; this would have been preferable to the thought the king planted in her mind.

"As you know Tauriel, your training is scheduled to commence in a very near future." The king started his speech like this walking around her. His manner was distant, but the words themselves would have made her fly if she didn't feel some kind of hidden dread while waiting for what came next. It was easy to imagine there was more from the king's posture and the energy he was spreading around the cold throne room.

The elleth did not respond sensing that no one was expecting her to. "You are aware of my decision, but you must also be aware of my son's reluctance to it." He spoke in a manner which showed that he was measuring these words for a very long time before today.

"Yes." Tauriel replied with a resolute voice although she felt all, but secure at the moment. Her short direct response seemed in place.

King Thranduil did not expect her to rebel against him and she did not disappoint. "That is why for both your sakes, I have decided it is for the best he doesn't stay by your side during this challenging period in your life." Tauriel sucked in a deep breath finally lifting her head to look at the tall elf who was pacing around the room without giving her a second look while notifying her of this.

"Aran nin…" Tauriel started in surprise, but was not allowed to speak. "My son has been invited by lord Elrond himself to spend a period of time in Rivendell. Do you not find that opportunity rather useful for a prince of Mirkwood? He will have a lot to learn from such a wise elven lord. This trip couldn't be anything, but beneficial for him." King Thranduil asked and answered his own questions in the same breath.

Tauriel was barely able to respond feeling like someone poured a bucket of cold water over her head. "Will he want to leave?" she asked barely making sense of her jumbled thoughts.

"No." was the quick response making her jerk her head in surprise. Only for a moment, she felt something like hope. "He will either want to stay here with you or take you with him. I can't be the one to convince him otherwise." He replied still staring somewhere in the distance.

"Then who…?" Tauriel asked already fearing the answer. The king's eyes which burned top of her head because of her reluctance to look at him gave her a response before his lips parted to speak. "You." He simply replied. The young elleth closed her eyes taking a deep breath.

"You will persuade my son to do what is expected of him. Isn't this what you always wanted; a chance to make your father proud? Legolas will distract you if he remains by your side. He will protect and favor you which will incapacitate you to make much progress. If he takes you with him, you will not be able to commence your training. You will have to decide how strong your resolve is. I will, of course make my son aware of the plan to in the course of the day. He will refuse. You need not tell me of your decision. I am certain that you will do your duty." He continued sparing her of necessity to speak..

She didn't know if he mentioned the word father on purpose. That word was never associated to her birth father, but the king himself. Was he aware of the meaning of his words or did he ask the question unknowingly? Either way, those were the words which made it impossible for her to refuse his request or open her mouth at all. The conversation seemed to be finished if someone could put such a name to it. The king ended his stroll by sitting down on his throne merely limiting himself to observing her. Tauriel stood still for a moment attempting to formulate an appropriate response, but none came. Speaking didn't seem like a natural thing to do at the time. Her small form bowed and retreated without a word. The silence of the rooms she passed on her way out was compensated by the turmoil in her head.

A few hours; that's how long she had to take a decision. How could she convince the prince to do something neither of them desired? Rivendell was a long way away. His absence would be of an extended kind. That is why the king needed her cooperation. This separation would last at least a year or two. The position she found herself in barely twelve hours after her unexpected bliss was unbearable. In truth; she wasn't choosing between sending her best friend away and not doing so. She was choosing a way to send him away.

Her first rational thoughts began to return when she realized she was contemplating this matter in the corridor where anyone could see her pale face. If she ever wanted a shot at persuading Legolas into anything, she would have to appear in control of herself. If she broke into pieces, he would never leave her. Fortunately, it was time for sleep so she would have time to think this through.

The next morning after the morning meal was over and Tauriel retired without raising suspicion from her very conspicuous friend, the king as promised delivered lord Elrond's invitation to his son. As expected; the invitation was unwelcome. The prince promised to consider it to humor his father, but both of them knew what his answer would be. Legolas left the paper on his nightstand not intending to read it anytime soon.

Tauriel learned enough of her friend's habits to know he wouldn't even mention this information to her which is why she thought of a way to bring up the topic. He was busy for the durance of the day so she made her way to his room already in knowledge of the whereabouts of what she was looking for and also aware of the fact that he wasn't there yet. When she entered, the room was lighted, but deserted. The letter was standing where she'd seen it before.

She unwrapped it and read its contents quickly. There was no departing date or the return one for that matter; not that she expected any, but she knew the road was safest during spring which was close to end. As soon as her sensitive hearing picked on the light footsteps; she silently skated to the window and leaned her back on it pretending to read it again. How many lies would be necessary before the day was over? She hoped none because she wasn't a good liar, but she could at least withhold the truth for some time. He entered soon after already taking his weapons off before he stepped inside.

The elleth pretended to look surprised and guilty by his appearance. "Mellon. It's been a very long time since you last lurked in my bedchamber while I'm not there." he chuckled spotting a paper in her hand looking slightly uncomfortable with her reading it.

"Goheno nin mellon. I didn't mean to pry. It was on your nightstand" she replied with a grin while he took of his evening cloak.

"Did it fly into your hands accidentally as well?" he asked mischievously.

Tauriel felt like it was the right time to move. "Well no, but you know me. If you want to keep secrets hide them away from my view." she laughed briefly placing the weight of her body on his bed which was supposed to be her nonchalant move. "So you're going to Rivendell? That sounds like fun." she asked in a relaxed tone looking at him from the half sitting position she took.

Legolas mimicked her posture and sat next to her catching the paper with two fingers of his left hand. "You needn't worry about it. I'm not going anywhere." he said squashing the poor unsuspecting letter into a ball and throwing into into the chimney.

Tauriel sat up facing him in fake yet very convincing surprise. "That is no way to treat a letter from lord Elrond in person. What do you mean you're not going?" she asked again faking emotions she was far from feeling at the moment. "Just imagine Rivendell; the hidden valley which you told me so much about, meeting lord Elrond, his sons and his daughter? I wonder if she is as beautiful as they say?" she chatted lively with a dreamy expression.

Some of her excitement was genuine so it was impossible for the prince to find anything out of ordinary in her posture which he tried. She knew she would raise suspicion which is why it took her so long to prepare for this act. "I'll go if you come with me." he offered her a deal. The idea suddenly came to his head almost filling him with hope. Perhaps seeing Rivendell would avert her from her course for a while, but that hope turned off as quickly as it came.

Tauriel narrowed her eyes at him. "I can't come with you. My training could start any moment." she replied already ready for his response. Her eyes filled with understanding; perfectly timed yet genuine. "Is this about me? Legolas." she sighed coming closer to him; face to face. "Stop worrying about me. I am no longer a little elfling. You chased the demons away a long time ago." she spoke giving him a hug which he returned smelling her scent in like he used to when he was upset. when she was smaller. He pulled away to give a good look of her face. She looked back at him evenly not showing any signs of alarm or deceit.

"That maybe so, but I am still not comfortable with you leaving my sight especially not when the time is so undefined. You're about to commence your training. I need to be there to give you a hand." he replied not looking at her or anywhere in particular.

"I will have dozens of hands if I ever need them including the captain's. I don't want to be treated any different than the rest of the guys. Try to imagine it for one second. All the places you could visit, friends you could make; perhaps you could even find your second half. Close your eyes." she spoke with eagerness she did not feel. From a little grin on his face; Tauriel could see that he liked what he saw and he did.

He shook his head to wake from his short trance. "Maybe you're right. I'll think about it." he replied looking at her with a hint of sadness and she knew; she knew he would go. All it took was for her to wake in him the old desire he had to go and see the outside world.

During dinner all three of them were distracted; each with his or her own musings. Thranduil knew the elleth spoke to his son, but neither of them revealed the details or the existence of that exchange.

Legolas was quiet for two days, but on the third morning he was finally ready to announce his decision. He did so first with his father than his little friend. The king looked genuinely surprised. He knew the elleth would do as was asked of her, but deep down he didn't believe even she would succeed.

The king was pleased, but the little elleth only in appearance. Tauriel tried to look happy for her friend. He truly did look excited to go and she celebrated her victory for his sake. Keeping her face straight and her emotions at bay was the most challenging thing she ever did, but her strength did not falter. The date of the departure was set thirty days from now.

The preparations were already in full motion three days before the set date. Legolas tried to spend as much time as he could with his friend before his extended absence, but he had more work to do than ever before. Tauriel wasn't aware that a whole new wardrobe was one of the requirements when a prince took a journey. He spent hours with the tailors who made him new casual robes, new formal robes, new travelling cloak; all in great pompous style. The jeweler was even brought to make a new crown. Legolas only agreed to it to allow his father to have his fun since he wouldn't see him for a while, but he was getting more annoyed by the day.

Even the guards accompanying the prince were getting new uniforms to match the occasion. They would only go escort him there and come back.

Six guards would accompany him on his journey to Rivendell. The king tried to make one of those be the captain himself, but his son firmly refused. Laeorn's journey there and back would make him late for the commencement of Tauriel's training and the prince needed someone to be there with her and he trusted him the most.

When the two of them managed to be together during the day, it was mostly in the company of either a tailor or a blacksmith who on the prince's utmost annoyance was making new weapons for him and all in the king's exaggerated fashion.

Tauriel was partially content with the company. It gave her strong motive to remain cheerful the last few days they had left. She could always tease the prince with inappropriate comments about his new looks and what they would attract. In reality; she found him even more beautiful than ever, but those line of thoughts would be hidden from his acknowledgement; preferably forever.

Two days, one day; they passed too quick for both of them. Legolas was both excited about the journey and anxious about leaving his friend who was barely out of his sight during the course of eight years. If she had agreed on going with him; his heart would have been much lighter, but she decided to remain where she was.

The night before the departure, the prince lead his friend toward the guard wing. The elleth was completely clueless as to why. He did not anticipate anything to her during the evening meal. She merely looked at him curiously, but asked no questions.

The last corridor which took them toward their destination was deserted. Suddenly, he stopped in front of an ordinary door which were very close to the rest of the guards, but not exactly in the guard wing. He let her in without a previous ceremony. The chamber looked much like an ordinary bedroom although it was larger with a small balcony.

"Mellon, why did you bring me here?" Tauriel asked looking around. Although, the room had a bed, a closet and some furniture, it seemed like no one lived in it for a very long time. She was walking toward the balcony while speaking this and was silenced by the sight of the stars. They were beautiful and this room had a good view at the sky.

The trance would have probably last for much longer if she haven't felt a warm hand on top of her head. She looked at him expectantly. He simply smiled and placed his hands on her shoulders. He barely had to lower down to her height nowadays, but he stared at her with a soul reading look. The intensity of his gaze surprised her, but she didn't move away and stared back evenly.

"From tomorrow this will be your new bedroom; only if you want it of course." he silenced her with his hand seeing as she was about to reply and probably turn him down for the sake of some misplaced fears. "Just hear me out mellon nin. I'm taking my leave tomorrow. My father is rarely in occasion to keep an eye on you due to his numerous duties which will only increase in number when I am gone. The guards reside above and beyond you so you won't feel lonely. I thought you would like this room. I know how much you love to watch the night sky." he continued sitting on the mattress behind him holding her hands with both of his.

Tauriel smiled: "You're still worried about me, but you mustn't be." she said gently caressing his face. He simply closed his eyes and sighed in contentment.

"I will always worry about you no matter how far I am or how long I am absent. This room is just a small gift; a reminder that I am always watching over you." he replied with a sad smile pulling her to sit next to him and embracing her.

She didn't pull away for a while simply breathing in his scent while he was still here. After a while she was obliged to speak. "Hannon le, but you need to rest. The journey will be long and you're leaving very early." she said in a dreamy voice.

He couldn't dispute that truth although he would have preferred to stay with her all night and watch the sunrise. He kissed her forehead and bid her good night. Tauriel endured his gaze with much more perseverance than she thought she had.

Although Tauriel had expressed her wish to be awoken for bidding farewell to her friend, she knew that no one would take her seriously or bother to wake her up so she remained awake until dawn and fully dressed. She didn't feel like eating so she left the father and the son finish their morning meal by themselves.

The prince's escort and goodbye companies gathered in front of the gates so the elleth took her stance in the stables instead. He came soon enough only mildly surprised to see her there.

"I had a feeling you'd be here mellon." he forced a smile at her and did not fool her.

Tauriel preferred to speak as little as possible fearing that her voice would betray her at the last moment so she wrapped her arms around his waist instead. It gave her an excuse to hide her face and a tear or two which she couldn't stop. She wiped them away before he could notice.

His grip was bone crushing for a few moments longer. He released her for a short while in order to look at her properly. Tauriel barely managed to keep her emotions in check during this examination.

"Stay safe mellon. Try to avoid trouble as much as you possibly can. Laeorn will keep an eye on you." he kissed her forehead barely getting out the words.

Tauriel forced herself to speak: "You too have a safe journey and don't think about me unless thinking about me gives you pleasure. There will be a lot of new things to see where you're going." the words came out easily. Her right palm brushed across his cheek once more trying to memorize what it felt like while her left one remained on his cloak.

He looked down surprised only to find a small brooch shaped like a leaf resting on his chest. He vaguely remembered its shape from the past. "Isn't this?" he started to ask, but closed his mouth.

"It is. I brought it from Ergolan's village a few years ago. I wanted to give it to you since then, but the time never seemed right. If the things don't turn out the way you expect them to or if you need a friend one day, just remember that you have one waiting for you at home." she replied fixing his traveling cloak unnecessarily in order to keep her hands busy and have an excuse to look down.

Legolas closed his eyes for a moment and took her hand leading her outside. Only when they already reached the rest of the company did he let go and after embracing his father one last time, without any further delay, he climbed his horse.

Only now could Tauriel look at him properly. He looked like a prince, more than ever before. The gap between the two seemed to increase in the eyes of the elleth. It was like being painfully reminded of something she already knew.

They would soon disappear from sight for good. Tauriel followed them with her eyes as long as she could, but no one looked back until the very last moment. Legolas scrutinized his father than his friend before continuing on. Tauriel could do nothing, but watch as her best friend faded from her sight without knowing that things would never be the same again...

Elvish translations:
Hannon le aran nin. Guren glassui. Le faul.- Thank you my king. Thank you from my heart. You are generous.

Goheno nin mellon - Forgive me my friend.