"Answer the question, filth," Tauriel forced out. Her rage barely controlled.
"I do not answer to dogs, she-elf!"
She whipped out her twin blade, fully intending to make the Orc regret his insult. At the same time, Legolas pushed his blade closer to the Orcs throat, "I will not antagonist her..."
"You like killing things, Orc? You like death?" She asked almost calmly.
"Then let me give it to you!" Tauriel launched towards the Orc, but was stopped by a sharp, "Enough!"
It was almost instinct to obey Thranduil's command. And as he ordered her out of the room, she decided then.
She will save the dwarves. And bring at least one child back to his mother.
"You disobeyed your commander!"
Thranduil was angry.
"But If I didn't, the child wouldn't be alive," she argued, then hastily added, "my lord."
"If Legolas hadn't gotten there in time, both you and the child would have perished. Even now, your prince is in the infirmary recovering from the spider's poison," Thranduil thundered. "If you cannot obey your commander's orders, there is no place in the Royal Guards for you."
Tauriel, taken aback, bowed her head in shame.
Thranduil's voice softened. "Legolas said you shot well today. You commence your duties on the morrow."
She looked up in surprise, shocked to hear that the prince had spoken up for her despite having been so aloof and angry at her earlier.
"I…," she hesitated, not knowing what to say.
"You're dismissed," the king waved her off, before adding, "And Tauriel, don't disappoint me. Or your father."
"Yes, my lord."
She was too ashamed to speak to the prince for the several weeks after the incident, but had visited the Chief Healer daily to ask about his injuries.
Thirty spiders had been spotted near the border, and the King had immediately ordered them eliminated before they neared any of the border villages.
Over 3 nights, they tracked and killed as many spiders as they could, having become accustomed to fighting the evil that was plaguing Greenwood. She hated the title common men were now calling her home. Mirkwood…
Determined to do well on her first mission as vice-captain of the guard, she was on high alert. It had been 50 years since she secretly followed the patrol into the woods, and she had thrown herself into training, obeying every order like a model soldier.
Never again would she allow her folly to be the cause of her comrade's injuries.
The attack was as swift as it was gruesome. And by the time they had eliminated 20 spiders, the guards were beginning to tire. They had to end this quickly or risk serious injuries.
Looking to her left, she allowed herself a couple of seconds to admire the agility and grace with which Legolas fought. On her left, her new recruits were holding up admirably on their first mission, which, unluckily for them was a difficult one.
As Gwedhiel stabbed the spider in front of her, she left herself open for attack. Tauriel readied her arrow and shot the spider in a fraction of second, pausing only to give her new recruit a look to say "be careful."
Legolas had glanced over before taking out another spider expertly. Ever since the spider attacks increased, the prince had taken it upon himself to join all the patrols. And despite having been rather intimidated by the solemn prince, she'd gradually gotten to know him better. That behind his fierce discipline, he trained harder than any in the kingdom. That under the cool façade lay a burning passion to protect his people.
And, despite his immaculate appearance and perfect manners, Legolas had an excellent, and at times evil, sense of humour.
She found herself falling in tandem with the prince, fighting together like they'd done so for centuries. It was comforting, in ways, to have someone you trust to cover your back.