Hello again - so one of you dear readers suggested a proposal and I had been wanting to write something about Mereth en Gilith for a while now so I combined the two ideas :) Sorry for all the Kili/Tauriel dialogue at the start but I felt it necessary to explain Tauriel's feelings and explain how it could just be friendship. Rest assued - this is a Legolas/Tauriel story - as always ;)

Mereth en Gilith

Tauriel walked among the cells, counting up the dwarves and her keen eyes checking for any last weapons concealed amongst them. Her eyes fell on the dark haired archer one she had saved and noticed he was playing with what looked like a stone. "The stone in your hand, what is it?" she asked, curiously.

"It is a talisman, a powerful spell lies upon it." he replied. "If any but a dwarf read the runes on the stone," he held it up, "They will be forever cursed." she recoiled slightly, and made to walk off. "Or not." he said quickly. "Depending on whether you believe in that thing. It's just a token, a rune stone" he told her. She tilted her head, curious, she knew little about the lives of dwarves and was curious about the world outside her kingdom of Mirkwood. The dwarf continued, seeing her curiosity. "My mother gave it to me, so I'd remember my promise."

"What promise?" she asked softly.

"That I would come back to her." he replied and she saw a hint of sorrow in his eyes. "She worries, she thinks I'm reckless."

"Are you?" she questioned.

"Nah" he replied with a smile, tossing the stone into the air, he missjudged though and the stone hit the side of his hand skidding across the ground in front of her, almost going over the edge. Her reflexes kicked in and she stood gently on the stone, preventing it from tumbling over the edge. She picked it up and handed it back to him through the bars. The dwarf spoke again. "Sounds like quite a party you're having up there." he said.

She nodded, remembering she needed to attend that. "It is Mereth en Gilith, the feast of starlight" she told him. "All light is sacred to the Eldar but wood elves love best the light of the stars." she said, smiling as she remembered countless nights of starring up at the dainty natural light, sometimes with her Prince, she remembered those occasions most fondly.

"I always thought it was a cold light, remote and far away." the dwarf announced.

She frowned slightly, "It is memory, precious and pure." she told him. "Like your promise." she said, smiling again and handing him the stone back through the bars. They talked for a while, of travels and sights both had seen, Tauriel had always longed to see more of the world but found herself confined to the Woodland Realm, so to hear such descriptions of places delighted her. But soon she remembered she had been invtited to attend the feast, and so she bade Kili goodnight, hurrying back to her room. "The blonde elf," Kili said before she left. She turned. "He was watching us, you two..." he trailed off. Tauriel smiled. Of course he had been watching them. She had heard his footsteps fall on the stone of the dungeon halls both when he entered and left. "We both..." she started but couldn't finish the sentence. Maybe if she hadn't had that earlier conversation with Thranduil she would have admitted it. "I do not know." she finished. Kili tilted his head and she left, leaping up the stairs before half running to her room.

She shrugged off her gaurd's clothes and went to where she had hung her dress for the night. Her dress was light green, long and flowing, with no back, revealing her soft pale skin. The dress flowed out behind her when she walked and she twirled once, enjoying the feel of something other than her usual hunting or fighting clothes. She quickly adjusted her hair, letting it flow behind her, covering some but not all of her open back. She ran from her room, only just remembering to slip on her shoes, a slightly darker shade of green, before dashing to the party.

When she entered the party had already started, and she slipped silently into the room, moving to the side hoping nobody noticed her. Despite enjoying wearing this gorgeous dress, she felt slightly out of place with the other elf maidens here, all who seemed at ease in their ballgowns and fine jewellry. Tauriel would normally not have come to this feast, but Legolas had insisted she come and Thranduil's words earlier that day now made her jumpy and nervous. Said elf King, was at the head of the room on a slightly raised platform with two carved chairs. Thranduil sat in the larger of the two, magnificent and regal and his eyes swept the room watching the elves dancing and laughing. Her eyes crept to the chair besides his and she saw that it was empty. She was about to wonder where the elf prince was when she found that this was uneccessary as he appeared besides her. "You saw fit to join us Tauriel." he said, standing beside her. She nodded her head, and continued to watch the elves spin and dance, not wanting to meet his eyes. "I thank you for your invitation, I apologise for my late entrance, I was caught up checking on our newest arrivals. As you know." she said slyly, finally looking at him from the corner of her eyes.

The Prince looked down, "You talked to the dark haired one as if he was a friend." he questioned slightly, not bothering to apologise, which annoyed her slightly.

"Not that it is your business, My Lord, but I was merely curious, he has seen some of the world and I enjoy listening to such tales." she told him.

He smiled, "You are right, Tauriel. It was not my business to observe you. I apologise." he said, turning to face her. She turned to face him, a smile spread across her face, she couldn't help it. Being with him made her happy, and besides Thranduil hadn't forbid them from being friends, had he? "Allow me to make it up to you with a dance?" Legolas asked, holding out a hand. Tauriel swallowed, now this Thranduil would not like. "I," she started. "I do not dance." she finished, although her body longed to be twirled around the floor by her prince. She went to walk away but Legolas' hand shot out and spun her into him before pulling her to the floor. "Now that is a lie." Legolas said. "I know you can dance." he smiled before placing his hand at her back and a shiver ran up her spine at the feel of his touch on her bare skin. She reluctantly put her hand on his shoulder and their other hands clasped together.

"Tauriel." Legolas said, as they began moving, joining the circle of elves who all moved in unison, around clockwise in a circle. "Tell me what bothers you. Your mind is troubled on this night of celebration." Tauriel looked down, not trusting herself to speak. If she tried to lie she feared she may fail and just tell him everything. Legolas removed his hand from hers and tilted her chin so she was looking into his eyes, then moved his hand back to her own. She sighed, "Nothing troubles me Legolas," she told him. "I just feel out of place, you and these other elves all have titles and I am but a silvan elf." she told him, Thranduils words repeating over and over again in her mind. "Do not give him hope where there is none, do not give him hope." the words chanted themselves over and over again. They changed directions and Tauriel looked up at Thranduil and found his eyes to be watching her and Legolas, a frown on his face. She looked quickly away, meeting Legolas' eyes again, he looked slightly concerned at her words. She smiled at him, deciding to let herself enjoy this one last dance before she cut him off completely. This would be it, she decided. Tauriel let the music and Legolas lead her, he was right, she loved dancing, it was suprisingly similar to fighting, each move was delicate and it had to be timed perfectly. She removed her hand from Legolas' shoulder and spun away from him, when she reached the end of his arm, she allowed herself to be pulled back to him, spining again and ending up pressed against his chest. From there on, the dance was more intimate and closer and she could just imagine Thranduil's scowl as he watched them. As she danced around the room she could see other elves looking at the couple as well, and caught a few jealous scowls from other elf maidens. Too soon for her liking, the music was coming to a close and Tauriel found herself wishing for the music to never end, she wanted to stay in Legolas' arms forever, and she realised just how hard the task ahead of her would be. As the music ended, she allowed Legolas to pick her up around the waist, and twirl her in the air, she let out a laugh, before Legolas set her back on her feet and they finished their dance. She curtseyed gracefully, a tear coming to her eye suddenly and she didn't meet his eyes as she straightened up and made her way off the dance floor and melted into the crowd.

She made her way around the room, and out onto one of the balconies, overlooking the forest. She stayed there for a long time, no one joining her, everyone else was feasting or dancing. She let a few tears run down her face at the thought of her new life, of trying to cover her love for Legolas, she watched as her tears tumbled off her chin and fell into the forest below. She leaned on the balcony rail and almost tumbled over when a voice behind her startled her. "Tauriel?" his voice was soft and concerned.

"Please Legolas, I wish to be alone for a while." she lied.

"Tauriel, tell me what bothers you." he pressed her, coming closer to her. She turned and put her hands out. "Stop, please Legolas, just stay away from me." she pleaded, but instead of backing away Legolas took her outstretched hands and stepped closer.

"What is going on Tauriel?" he asked again, holding both her hands in his own.

"I," Tauriel gulped. "I can't do this anymore Legolas, being friends with you, I just can't. Just leave me alone. Please?" Legolas dropped her hands and took a step back.

"What do you mean Tauriel? We have been friends since we first met what thought has altered your mind so much that you would destroy our relationship?"

"Your father" she whispered. She gave up, she would tell him the truth, then surely he would just leave her alone. "I reported to him today and he told me he would never allow us to wed. His direct words were not to give you hope were there is none. And I'm sorry Legolas but I can't be friends with you either because it brings me too close to you." she finished speaking and went to move past him, not giving him a chance to speak. She was about to re-enter the room when Legolas's hand caught her arm and turned her around to face him. "Tauriel, wait just answer this. If my father allowed it, would you love me as I love you?" he asked.

She nodded, heart breaking at hearing him confess his love for her. "I already do love you Legolas. But it cannot be, your father won't allow it." she replied, before running to her room. She collapsed on her bed and cried freely, she finally knew she had his love but she also knew she couldn't have it.

"Father," Thranduil heard a voice and turned to see his son had returned to his seat beside him. He had of course seen Tauriel run from the balcony and was currently thinking triumphantly that it was over. He had already begun considering the elf maidens he thought would be a suitable match for his son. "Yes Legolas?" he asked.

"Why would you say that to Tauriel?" he questioned and Thranduil sighed. "How could you do that to her? How could you do that to me?"

"Son, you cannot have Tauriel, you need a wife that has respect and a position, a wife worthy of sharing our title. You..."

"Stop." Legolas said. "Stop, Father. I need Tauriel. I don't need any other of those elves, I want and need Tauriel. If you don't allow this then you will have nobody to share our title." He told his father. Thranduil looked shocked, Legolas had never really questioned his opinion before. Legolas sensed the surprise and took advantage of it. "Think of mother. I know you loved her, and would you have had anyone else?" he questioned. Thranduil thought about this. Of course he remembered Legolas' mother, but he had forgotten what life was like before he had found her. She bought love into his life, and it was unlike anything he had felt before. He thought back, remembering that when he realised he loved her, he too would have no one else and he came to realise his son was right, he deserved no less.

Thranduil nodded, turning to face his son, who had risen to stand beside his chair, waiting for an answer. He saw the longing in his eyes and finally accepted it. His son loved Tauriel and he was fairly certain Tauriel loved him back. "Come with me." he said, and led Legolas away from the party.

(Later that night)

Legolas got more than a few odd looks as he half walked, half ran to her room. He burst through the doors and left them to swing shut. She looked up from her bed and stood when she realised it was him. Legolas ran to her, pulling her into his arms and pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was deep and passionate and she moaned slightly as his tongue plundered her mouth, then she remembered herself. She broke away and she whispered "What are you doing?"

"Marry me?" Legolas asked. Her eyes widened.

"What?" She asked, shocked.

"I talked to father, he gave us his blessing." Legolas told her. "Please Tauriel, I love you so much, I would do anything for you and I can't stand not having you every single day." he uncurled his hand and she gasped as she saw what he had been holding. A ring lay in the middle of his hand, it's gold band sparkled but it was the jewel that caught her eye most, it shone brightly and reminded her of a star twinkling in the sky. It wasn't a huge jewel but looking at it, she knew it was precious and pure like the stars she loved so much. She looked up at Legolas, not believing that this was happening. "How did you do this?" she asked him.

"I asked father about my mother and urged him to think of their love. He gave me this ring along with his blessing. It was my mother's wedding ring."

Tauriel felt another tear slip out of her eyes, but this wasn't of sadness. "So?" Legolas asked again. "Will you do me the honour of being my wife?"

Tauriel could only nod, and Legolas took her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger. As soon as it sat daintly on her finger she threw her arms around Legolas and kissed him again, allowing his touch to wash away all her doubts and worries.

And so it was, that as they were chasing orcs down the river, following the barrel riding dwarves, Tauriel kept glancing down at her hand as she shot another arrow, and getting distracted by her very own star.

So I just want to remind you guys these are a serious of relatively unrelated oneshots so I might write another proposal story later on! More suggestions/reviews/criticisms are welcome! Bye :)