Next chapter! Thanks for your support, y'all!
SlytherinAngel00, I am sooo jealous! I still have not been able to watch BotFA!
As for the whole scar thing, it will be revealed in chapter three. :)
This chapter is slightly shorter, but the next is really, really loooong, LOL!
Enjoy! As always, reviews are love. :)
With a sigh, Tauriel pulled her dagger from its sheath.
She examined the keen blade, looking for any signs of rust. There were none.
Her conversation with Thranduil had left her chilled to the bone. Every single past defiance was a burning wall between them, and with Legolas's return she knew the wall would only grow thicker. Thranduil would never deign to let her seek out Legolas, and she would avoid him at all costs.
She did not want yet another argument with the Elvenking.
Deep down, Tauriel felt that Thranduil was scared for his son. He did not want his heart to be broken, as his had been.
But his heart healed, Tauriel thought. A little bit, at least. It is just another scar, like one of the many we both carry on both our bodies and our souls.
Suddenly, the door was thrown open. With a shock, Tauriel realized that it was Legolas.
Legolas, who she had been planning-had wanted-to avoid. Now, he had found her, and had burst into her room without so much as knocking. A spark of annoyance caught flame, but she quickly crushed it.
After so long, she did not know what to expect. He stood awkwardly, as out of place in the empty room as her flaming hair was amongst a crowd of elves.
Sighing again, she ignored him for a second longer and then set down the dagger.
Tauriel stood, cool and remote.
"It has been a long time," she said calmly, inclining her head.
"Aye," Legolas replied, eyes taking her in almost hungrily. Finally, as if he could no longer resist, Legolas took several rapid steps forward and drew her into his arms. For a heartbeat, Tauriel resisted, but then relaxed against him.
Eventually, she was forced to draw back.
Tauriel drew in a quick breath, gulping air like one who had almost drowned. After so long...
"You cannot hunt thirty Orcs on your own, Tauriel."
A half smile played on her lips as she turned. "But I'm not alone."
Tears glittered in the corners of Legolas's eyes, and he swallowed again and again.
"I thought you were dead," he finally burst out. "I thought you were dead, Tauriel! You must understand, I did not know you still had life! I would have searched for you, if I had known..." His voice broke, and Tauriel frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean?" she asked, voice remote.
"I abandoned you!" Legolas cried.
His full meaning washed over her, and with it came a wave of unbearable longing and pain. "You are not to blame," she said, fighting to keep her voice steady. It was a battle she knew she would eventually lose. "Indeed, I have only myself to blame. I defied your father, Legolas. For a good cause, perhaps, but even so I defied direct orders. I paid the price." She sheathed her dagger neatly, then turned to her quiver and bow. "What could you have possibly done? Even now, what could you possibly do or say to make your father fully understand why I betrayed him?"
Legolas bowed his head.
"I was not thinking," he murmured. "Don't you see, Tauriel? I ran. I ran away from everything, from my father, from you, from duty."
"I do see," Tauriel said steadily. "And I see no reason to blame yourself." A sudden thought came to her. "Perhaps it was all better this way. You know that your father will wed you to an elleth of his choice."
"No!" Legolas growled. "I am done with following his every wish, chasing his dreams for him. I will not let him pick my bride for me!"
Tauriel swung back around, wonder filling her.
"You would defy him?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes," he said vehemently. "I would, in a heartbeat, Tauriel."
She stood, choking back emotions with every breath. "You cannot!" Tauriel finally burst out. "I have sacrificed too much to see you do the same!" Her breath came in ragged gasps, and tears were now flowing down her face.
She heard the sharp click of new boots, and suddenly he was there, tipping her chin up toward him with one rough hand.
"Tauriel," Legolas whispered, "don't you understand? I am doing it for you."
Tauriel jerked her face out of his hands. It took an enormous amount of effort. She saw the pain flash across his face, and was instantly filled with regret.
Stumbling backwards, blinded by tears, Tauriel replaced her bow and drew back the hood of her cloak. She wanted him to see how much she had changed, to realize that he could not do this.
But even as she tried to find the courage, he turned away again.
Her will wavered like a candle in a storm, and finally was blown out.
She tore off the heavy material, removing her weapons as she did so.
Warm arms enveloped her chilled body, and slowly the cold was driven off.
"Legolas?"
"Yes, Tauriel?"
"Your father will not be pleased with you. Why are you doing this?"
"For you, Tauriel. Now, go to sleep."
She stared into the dark, and slowly sleep overtook her.
Fury filled her.
"Look at me, Legolas," she cried, voice rising as she spoke. "Look at me and tell me, do you truly think that it could ever be? Everything has changed! We can never, never go back. We do not have that choice. I do not have that choice. I gave up everything, Legolas! Your father will shun you for the rest of your days. Please, do not force yourself into this!" Her voice finally broke, and she buried her face in hideously scarred hands.
Slowly, Tauriel calmed. Glancing up with blurry eyes, she saw that Legolas's shoulders were shaking silently but violently.
Shocked, she realized that he too had broken down.
Regret, sharp as the keenest blade, stabbed her.
She took three slow, hesitant steps towards him, laying a hand on his shoulder. The bite of chain mail was a welcome feeling.
"I am sorry," she whispered. "I just wanted you to understand." She bowed her head for a moment, and then moved quickly for the door. "I must go."
"Wait, Tauriel."
His words stopped her in her tracks.
Slowly, she turned. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.
"Yes, Legolas?"
"What did you mean," he said slowly, "when you said to 'Look at me'?"
Everything froze.
"Nothing," she answered in a high voice. "It was nothing." She quickly turned again, eager to be out of this room that was suddenly to small and far to warm for comfort.
"Tauriel." The words came calmly, but they were an order. "Look at me."
No, no, no... Slowly, painfully so, she raised her eyes to his, lifting her chin in a weak act of defiance.
"Look at me, Tauriel," Legolas said, his voice warm as he gazed down at her.
Slowly, Tauriel did, letting him see the massive bruise adorning one cheekbone.
"Thank you," he said gently. Long fingers reached out and carefully swept away the blood slowly trickling down one side of her face.
She shivered at his touch.
Legolas stared at her for three long, long seconds. He saw the hollows in her cheekbones; he saw the dull look in her eyes. He saw the pain and worry that had marred her face so many times before. He saw a wild, untamed spirit trying to hold itself in, and failing. And he saw...love?
Breaking himself out of a trance, Legolas held her gaze for a heartbeat longer, and then broke eye contact.
"Thank you, Tauriel," he said in a rough voice, standing suddenly and brushing past her.
Tauriel stood, confused and relieved, in the small room that seemed somehow empty now without him.