Hi! So In the battle of the five armies there's this scene were a messenger rides up and tells Legolas to return to the kingdom and tells Tauriel she's banished. Legolas pretty much tells Tauriel he loves her then and there and I found myself wondering what the horse ride to Gundabad. Here's how I really wish that it went.

Disclaimer - I don't own anything. All rights go to JRR Tolkien and Peter Jackson

Please read before reading: In the movie Kili has already left on a boat but for the sake of this story I've made it he's staying another day before setting off.

Tauriel felt her body freeze in shock. Banished? Of course she knew this was a possiblity but she had never really considered what she would do. To be honest she hadn't really thought Thranduil would banish her but here this messenger was, telling her and Legolas she wasn't to return to Mirkwood. She didn't know what to do then she registered Legolas was saying something, "You may tell my father if there is no place for Tauriel there is no place for me"

She gasped, "Legolas, he is your king," she told him gently.

"He is my King, but he cannot rule my heart" Legolas replied, and she heard both the sadness and honesty in his voice. Doesn't rule my heart... she mulled over the words in her head. But I have been letting him control my heart, she thought. "I ride north, will you come with me?" Legolas asked her. She nodded but knew she had to do something first. "May I say goodbye to Kili?" she asked, Legolas looked down before nodding. Tauriel ran off, knowing Legolas wanted to get going quickly, she found Kili in a tent with his brother. As she entered, his brother withdrew, knowing this was a private matter. Tauriel held out her hand, and revealed the sotne she had pulled from her belt. Kili looked up at her as she placed it into the palm of his hand. "You told me the promise on this stone is to return," she said gently to him, "I cannot promise you that. I'm sorry Kili, but I can't return to you when you are not the one my heart yearns for." Kili nodded, and she saw the sadness in his eyes but she knew she had to do this, she couldn't be with him if all she felt was friendship. "I thank you Kili, for you have inspired me and I value our friendship but I cannot return the feeling you feel for me. I am sorry."

Kili was silent for a while before saying, "The blonde one that came with you? You love him?" he asked. Tauriel nodded. "Go to him," Kili said with a small smile she bent down and kissed him lightly on the cheek, before exiting the tent. Legolas had saddled the horse and was waiting for her. He bent down and offered her a hand and she gracefully mounted the horse. They set off at a gallop, heading east, putting the villagers behind them.

"Legolas," Tauriel said quietly, they had been travelling maybe half an hour and not a lot had been said. Legolas turned his head slightly. "Back with the villagers, you said something," she started, "You said you wouldn't let Thranduil rule your heart," she told him,

"I remember what I said Tauriel," he told her, "I know you love the dwarf but I want you to know I will stand by you and follow you to the ends of this world to protect you, even if I don't have your heart." he said.

Tauriel released the breath she had been holding. "But you do have my heart." she whispered in his ear. Legolas' head jerked around as far as it could go seeing as they were riding a horse. Tauriel kept talking, "I DID let Thranduil rule my heart, he threatened me to not give you any hope, he said he wouldnt let his son pledge himself to a silvan elf." Here Legolas' eyes narrowed. "I never loved the dwarf Legolas, how could I when someone else already had my heart?" She leant forward gently and kissed him lightly on the cheek, half wishing they were not riding a horse right now. "I would follow you to the ends of this world and back," she whispered. Legolas closed his eyes at her words, half not believing he was hearing those words, he smiled, finally knowing he had her love, just as he had hers.

They rode on, Tauriel nuzzling into Legolas' back, teasing little kisses up and down his jawline. Legolas moaned, desperate to kiss her back, but as they were riding a horse, it would be a little hard. Tauriel smirked, knowing how anoying for Legolas this must be and enjoying the effect she was having on him. They finally reached Gundabad and she slid off the horse landing gracefully and when she turned around Legolas' lips were on hers, taking her mouth greedily. Her arms insitinctivly wrapped around his neck, while his went to her waist. The kiss was passionate and desperate, both elves thinking how long they had wanted this for. When they broke away, Legolas smirked, "I really wish the ride here was shorter," he told her. "That was the worst torture I have ever been through." Tauriel smirked. "We still have the entire ride back." she reminded him, smirking. Legolas bent and kissed her once more, before taking her hand and running up the mountain to investigate Gundabad.