Hi! So I never bought the relationship between Kili and Tauriel, it seemed forced for the sake of the movie, and when she was crying over him all I could think of was what it wasn't real? So I wrote this because Legolas and Tauriel clearly belong together! SPOILERS for BOTFA.

Disclaimer - still don't own anything. Rights go to JRR Tolkien and Peter Jackson

"I can't go back" he told his father, and the pain in his eyes told his father everything. Thranduil nodded and told him of a Ranger called Strider. Legolas in turn nodded and was leaving when Thranduil spoke once more, "Your mother loved you" Legolas smiled slightly, his father had changed. He raised his hand in respect before walking away to find his horse. His heart had been broken here and he had to get as far away as he could.

Thranduil returned to find Tauriel still crying beside the dwarf. "If this is love I do not want it, take it from me," she whispered. "Why does it hurt so much?" she questioned.

"It is because it was real," Thranduil said, although somehow he doubted it was real. He raised an eyebrow at the young she-elf, and Tauriel looked up at him, seeing the question in his eyes. "But it isn't real." she said. Thranduil nodded. "He may have loved me but my heart has been taken by another," Thranduil knew what was coming, "Your son," she breathed. "Kili was merely a friend, he interested me and inspired me, but I love your son, My Lord, I'm sorry." she wept then, because she had heard Legolas leaving, and she knew she had driven him away, and for what? To please a king who banished her for doing what she knew was right. Thranduil tilted his head to one side. "Go with him." he finally said.

Tauriel jolted her head up. "My Lord?" she asked. "I lift your banishment and you may return to our kingdom, or go, track down my son, you heard our conversation, you know he will never be happy without you, and if today has made me realise one thing, its that I have mistreated you and Legolas." Tauriel couldn't believe it. She stood and came to face Thranduil.

"My Lord, you have my word I will try my best to make your son happy," she promised. Thranduil smiled, "Go, but be warned, you broke his heart these past two days," Tauriel swallowed, she knew this, and she regretted it. She bowed in respect, and turned to half run to saddle a horse.

Following his tracks were easy, the horse's hooves were still visable to keen elf eyes, and yet it wasn't until nightfall she slowed her horse to a trot as she drew near his camp. She could see a fire burning through the trees and she dimsounted her horse and she came closer. She let her horse go, telling it gently to stay in this area, and watched as it moved away, looling for the best place to find food. She walked towards the fire and as she moved into the clearing she stopped as her voice rang out, "Stop, I am in no mood to shoot anymore arrows today. Please identify yourself." It was then she realised she was wearing her riding hood. She reached up and she didn't miss his slight intake of breath as her red hair revealed who she was. "Tauriel?" he asked and she turned to face him.

"Legolas, I..." she started but he cut her off.

"Why did you follow me? Should you not be mourning?" he asked and she didn't mistake the sadness in his voice.

"Your father let me come after you" she responded, unsure of how to tell him.

"That answered neither of my original questions." he told her. She sighed, stepping towards him.

"I didn't love Kili, I never did," Legolas eyes widened slightly and she knew he was about to speak but she held up her hand. "Wait, let me speak, when I reported to your father he told me to not give you hope where there is none and that he would never allow his son to pledge himself to a lowly silvan elf. So, I didn't care when I disobeyed his orders, I went to track down the orcs but then you followed me and then the dragon happened and the battle, and I only ever cared about Kili as a friend, he inspired me, but I maybe exhaggerated it to ward you off because for some weird reason, I was scared of what Thranduil would do to me, and I realise it isn't fair to tell you this now and expect you to let me back but I..." only she didn't get to finish the sentence because Legolas had wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with so much passion she didn't even remember what she was going to say. After the initial shock she responded eagerly, placing her hands around his neck and opening her mouth slightly, letting him explore her mouth. They only stopped when they both couldn't go on without air, and they drew away, however they remained wrapped up in each other, and they stood there, gazing into each others eyes. "I love you," Tauriel whispered softly, "I'm sorry I tried to hide it." Legolas smiled, "The past doesn't matter now, you followed me and made me happy just when I felt I would forever be sad, I love you too, I promise I always will." He replied.