I found this story I had written on my computer and decided to publish it. I wrote this before seeing BOTFA so it will a little different - Legolas not leaving at the end and Tauriel not crying over Kili oh well! (I had read the Hobbit book though so I knew Kili, Thorin and Fili died though)

The battle was over. She was exhuasted both mentally and physically. She had lost friends that she cared about, fellow elves and also the dwarves. Kili and his brother and uncle. So, when all the other elves and dwarves and hobbits left she stayed. Thradnuil had lifted her banishment which meant she had to fulfill her duties as captain of the gaurd and scour the battle field once more for survivors - allies or enemies and she had to stay to pay her respects to the human and dwarf leaders. Now, she was completing her search for survivors, having payed her respects earlier. Although she felt great sorrow for the loss of Kili, he had been a curious dwarf and he inspired her, she soldiered on, eyes sweeping the battlefield for movement. She thought she was alone. She was wrong. As she bent to check yet another fallen elf she heard the twang of an arrow and spun, daggers ready as she watched an orc behind her fall. She spun again to see the sender of the arrow, already fearful of who it was. She was right. Her Prince stood at the other side of the battlefield. He picked his way through the bodies towards her. She ducked her head. "Thankyou my Prince." she said respectfully.

"You are welcome Tauriel." he replied. She couldn't miss the sadness in his voice, he too had lost friends this day.

"Why do you stay here Prince?" she asked, Thranduil's words still haunting her.

"I stay because I am the Prince and I should help the Captain of the Gaurd, but I also stay because I know something is bothering someone I care about." he replies. She sighs, she is trying to push him away, only for him to come nearer.

"I am sad for the loss of my people." she says and goes to walk past him. His hand shoots out grabbing her arm and pulling her back to him.

"No Tauriel, don't walk away from me. You have been acting strangely since you reported to my father after the dwarves arrived. What has happened? Please Tauriel. Tell me," he almost begs and her heart aches to tell him. But she knows she can't.

"Nothing is the matter, please I want to get this over so I can return to your kingdom." she says, emphasising the 'your' so he remembers he is a prince and she is a lowly Captain. He didn't say anything but helped her check the battle field.

It was a few hours before sunset when they finished before heading back to Mirkwood. They didn't talk a lot on their journey until the sun did set, when they had to stop to make camp. They made a fire and ate their small rations of lembas bread. Tauriel was quiet and she could tell Legolas was both annoyed but worried. She wanted so badly to tell him, to relax into his arms and let him soothe her. She longed for their friendship but she also longed for something more. "Which side of the fire woud you like my Prince" she forced herself to ask.

He sighed. "There was a time when we would sleep on the same side of the fire Tauriel. And talk and laugh together. Please Tauriel, open up to me?" Legolas whispered. But she shook her head.

"Legolas, you are a prince and I am the Captain of the Gaurd, you... you are at a suitable age to wed and our friendship might hinder that." she tried to come up with a good excuse.

Legolas simply cocked an eyebrow, clearly not believeing her. "When you are ready to tell me the truth, captain" he almost spat the word in her face, clearly upset. "Please tell me. I will take the left side" he said and walked towards the left, lying down facing the fire and watched as Tauriel lay down with her back to the fire. He almost slipped into sleep but didn't really want to. He stayed awake, puzzling over what could possibly be bothering her. Then it hits him. He said it himself, she has been acting strange ever since she reported to his father. His father. What did he say? He almost growled, almost certain now Thranduil had said or done something. He decided to confront Tauriel about this tomorrow but as he glanced over to her she was shivering violently and he stood up slowly and cautiously walked over to the she elf. "Tauriel?" he asked softly.

"I'm fine, my lord," she replied, but she is slightly breathless.

"Tauriel, you're obviously not. My apologies, I forgot how much you feel the cold and you have no blanket or extra fabric." he said.

"I'm fine, please leave me alone." she demanded. But he ignores, her and instead sits down beside her.

"Tauriel," he started. "You are freezing, you will catch sickness if you don't let me warm you." she shuddered, and then sits up and turns towards him. He was surprised to see tears shimmering in her eyes, she had been crying. "Tauriel," he whispered, leaning towards her and taking her hand. "Please, tell me what is wrong? What did my father say to you?" she jumped, then looks into his eyes, and saw the honest concern and she broke down.

"He said that he would never allow his son to pledge himself to a lowly silvan elf and he told me to not give you any hope where there was none. And besides Legolas, you are a prince, my leader and one day my king, I doubt you would ever even think of pledging yourself to me but your father seems to think there is and the thing is Legolas, I really wanted to believe him that there was a chance but now there can't be because of him" she gasped out. She felt more tears spilling out of her eyes and she looked up at him, but not for long because the next thing she knows his lips were on hers, and he was kissing her, softly at first but it turned passionate quickly. They only broke away when they needed air both elves panting slightly. "Tauriel," Legolas said "I don't care what my father says or thinks, and I would pledge myself to you without thinking twice. I have never seen you as a lowly silvan elf or simply the captain of the gaurds, I saw you as an equal and recently, I saw you as the elleth I love." she gasped slightly and didn't even think of Thranduil when she leant over and pulled him back towards her. This kiss was even more passionate as she opened her mouth and moaned as her explored her. his hands were at her hips and her own hands trailed up and down his back. When they stopped for air again she mumbles against his lips "I love you too Legolas, forever and always" They both smiled before they lay down on the same side of the fire again, and neither cared about Thranduil or dragons or dwarves, all they cared about was they were finally together and closer than ever.

Thanks for reading again - please send me requests/suggestions or leave a review and feedback :)