I apologize that this is took a long time. My real life has been very very busy lately. Luckily, I haven't forgotten about you guys who are now followers of this series and I'm so happy that you guys are doing that, so without further ado, here's the next epic storyline in the Silvan Elf series!
*Training with Alagos as the teacher wasn't too bad. In fact, it was easier than being with Legolas. Ever since Legolas told Tauriel that she would be trained by Alagos from now on, Tauriel had seen very little of the king's son. Not that she actually wanted to see him. She understood Legolas's grief. After all, she had lost both of her parents, but she didn't feel that the way Legolas treated her was fair.
That was one of the reasons why Tauriel felt like she didn't belong here. If she reminded Legolas of his mother, then being present in the Woodland Realm would be haunting for Legolas.
"I feel as though it would be best for me to depart from here," Tauriel said on one of her days with Alagos.
"And go where? You do not have a home outside of here," Alagos replied. He was right, and Tauriel hated that.
"Do not allow Legolas's feelings about you drive you to leave. The king has accepted you here. This place is a gift to you," Alagos pointed out. Tauriel lowered her bow after practicing bending it without an arrow.
"You were the one that found me. Why did you bring me to the kingdom?" She asked. Alagos sat down on a boulder, using the support of his walking stick. There were some days when his leg failed him because of a poison in his veins. He said that the poison had come from an Orc's arrow and infected his leg.
"I brought you here because I knew there was something special about you. You have power that you have not yet fully taken control of. Have you noticed yet? Do you know of what I speak?" Alagos asked.
Tauriel did in fact know what Alagos was talking about. She had experienced a taste of her mysterious, supernatural abilities when she faced the gatekeeper at Lake-Town. That and her visions of Alagos being slaughtered by Orcs were thoughts that crossed her mind at some point every day. She wondered if she should mention her visions to Alagos, or keep quiet until she learned more from other sources. She didn't want to give Alagos something to fear that may be irrational, but at the same time, not telling him could be a mistake that she would regret forever.
Tauriel was startled when she heard something like a stick snap. She then saw a short figure wearing a brown robe and brown hat. He had a long gray beard and carried something that looked like a staff in one hand. Tauriel watched him bend over and pluck a mushroom up near a tree.
"It's the wizard that dwells in the Greenwood," Alagos said, following Tauriel's gaze.
"Do you know his name?"
"I am not entirely sure, but I believe his name may be Radagast. Yes, yes, Radagast sounds right."
"Where does he come from?"
"We do not know. But he does not bother us, and we don't bother him."
"Can I go speak to him?" Tauriel asked.
"Did Legolas not warn you against talking to this wizard?" Alagos asked. Tauriel didn't answer. "Of course he didn't. He has already rebelled against his father's wishes to speak to the likes of him. Our kind does not make deals with this wizard nor do they converse with him. Wizards such as this one can cast powerful spells that even we cannot foresee or deflect."
Tauriel listened to Alagos, but her gaze remained on the wizard. He didn't seem like a terrifying wizard. In fact, he appeared to be completely harmless. Tauriel realized that her thoughts were foolish. This wizard Radagast could be acting in order to look and seem harmless, but in reality he was powerful and wicked. Tauriel shivered and turned away when Radagast shot a glance at her.
"Come. Let us get away from him," Alagos said. Tauriel nodded and followed Alagos back towards the safety of the kingdom.**
*Tauriel lay in bed in the middle of the night wide awake. She couldn't stop thinking about Radagast. What interested her the most about him was the idea that maybe, just maybe, he can answer some of her questions. Maybe he would be able to explain the visions, and explain to her what her abilities meant. In the end, curiosity won over. Legolas and Alagos had both warned her about curiosity like that. Her excuse was that this was something she felt was tremendously important for her own sake. After all, this was part of her own life. As much as she appreciated Alagos' concern for her safety, this was something that had to be done.
Without wasting another thought, Tauriel got out of bed and quietly moved to the entrance of the kingdom. Elros and another gatekeeper stood by the gates.
"My lady, what are you doing?" Elros asked.
"Do not tell the king or anyone that I am not here. I will be back soon," Tauriel whispered.
"I hope you know what you're doing."
"Me too," Tauriel replied. She stepped out into the cool breeze of the night. The starlight lit up the sky, exposing its ocean blue paint.
The night was filled with the sounds of animals. Birds whistled and owls hollered, shattering the peace of night. Tauriel took a deep breath and walked deeper into the Greenwood. Her strong sense of hearing allowed her to be alert about her surroundings. If the wizard Radagast was close by, Tauriel would know.
She walked further and further, wondering if she would stumble across the wizard's home first. The air grew quieter, and it was as if everything around her had just frozen. All the sounds quickly died out, and the breeze halted. Tauriel stiffened and wrapped her fingers around the hilt of her dagger. What devilry was this?
Suddenly, a small bird bolted straight past her head. Tauriel stumbled backwards in shock. She had never gotten the time to hear the bird coming. She watched it fly onto someone's head. It was the wizard. Radagast.
Tauriel raised an eyebrow when she realized that the bird was perched on something that was sitting on Radagast's head. It was a bird's nest.
"There you are Melody, where have you been? You had me worried sick for goodness sake," Radagast complained. He then put his hat on his head, covering the bird and the nest. This was not at all what Tauriel expected, but she quickly grew wary. This could be a trick. An illusion to throw her off so that Radagast can put a spell on her.
"Show yourself, wizard," she said. Radagast looked around, as if expecting someone else to show up.
"Who are you talking to?" He asked.
"That can't be your true form. I'm not afraid of you. Show yourself," Tauriel demanded. Radagast frowned and took a step forward.
"I'm afraid you are confused Elfling. What you see is what you get," he said. Tauriel didn't answer. All she could do was gape at him. Radagast sniffed and waved his hand in dismissal.
"Oh what am I doing? I'm trying to tell the truth to a Wood-Elf. What is wrong with me? Gandalf warned me they wouldn't believe a word I say. No, no, not a single word..."
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me, I was just being cautious," Tauriel said.
"Why are you looking for me?" Radagast asked. For a second, shock rattled through Tauriel's body, but she immediately then realized it shouldn't be surprising. Of course this wizard would know she was looking for him. Her grip on the dagger's hilt weakened.
"I was hoping you can help me," she said. Radagast sniffed.
"Me help you. That is something unheard of. No elf comes to me for help," he replied.
"This one is. I was wondering if you can help me to find out the meaning behind my visions," Tauriel said.**
*Tauriel followed Radagast back to his small home, which was made out of a variety of logs, sticks, hay, and straw.
"I don't know if I can help you in that way, it's not my specialty," Radagast whined.
"It may not be your specialty, but you're a wizard. You can do something," Tauriel insisted. At this point, she was desperate. She and Radagast entered his home. Several birds flew away from the mat set out in front of the door. Tauriel gasped when she realized the house was full of animals. There was a dow lying on top of one of the tables, and several hedgehogs ran around chasing each other. Radagast firmly tapped his staff on the ground by them.
"Be nice, be nice for goodness sake!" He scolded. He shook his head and walked over to the table where there were several bowls, each seemingly filled with water.
"I am not a wizard that specializes in tapping into the minds of Men and Elves, I tend to animals instead."
"There has to be something. There has to be something you can do," Tauriel said.
"Like and yet unlike you are compared to other Elves. You are extraordinary," Radagast complimented. Tauriel's gaze fell to the floor, and she felt a heat seething through her cheeks.
"I wish I felt that way."
"I will try to help you. But, you may regret it."
"I'm ready. I know I am," Tauriel insisted. Radagast wearily sighed.
"No. You're not ready."
Before Tauriel could object, her head began to feel light. Her eyesight seemed to blur, making it impossible for Tauriel to focus on Radagast's face.
"Don't fight it, or it won't work," Radagast said. His voice now seemed to echo and grow more distant.
Tauriel then blinked and suddenly she saw she was no longer in Radagast's home. Instead, she appeared to be in a wide space glowing with the light of the moon. The structure she stood in seemed to all be made out of stone. In the center of the structure was a silver basin filled with clear water.
"Will you look into the mirror?" A booming voice said. Tauriel felt her heart leap up her throat and her hand went immediately for her dagger. She gasped when she realized it wasn't there. As a matter of fact, none of her weapons were there.
"You do not have to fear," the voice said. Tauriel looked up and there standing next to the basin holding a large pitcher was the Lady Galadriel. Tauriel had actually never met her until now, but she knew who she was. Somehow it was as if she was able to sense the Elf's name. Galadriel was fair, with long golden hair running down the back of her head in curls. She wore a long white dress that extended down and spilled around her legs.
"Will you look?" Galadriel asked again. Tauriel frowned.
"What will I see?" She asked.
"The mirror shows many things. Things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass. Whatever you do however, you must not touch the water," Galadriel answered. She tipped the pitcher over the basin and clear, colorless water streamed out and steadily filled the basin more. Tauriel's shoulders relaxed and she took a deep breath.
"Radagast sent me here, didn't he?" She asked.
"Radagast did not send you. You sent yourself," Galadriel said. Tauriel didn't understand at first, but she decided it had to do with the fact that this was her decision to do this. This was what she really wanted. Was it?
Wasting no more time, Tauriel stepped up to the 'mirror' and looked into it. At first, it was only her reflection and the star-filled sky behind her. Before she could ask what she needed to see however, the water rippled and her reflection was wiped out, replaced by a moving image. She saw Alagos lying on black rock. His nose was bleeding, and he was calling out something in Elvish that Tauriel couldn't make out. His hand was covering a bloody wound on his leg. Tauriel guessed that this took place in the past, because Alagos' leg would bother him once in a while, affected by a poison that would never fully heal.
"Alagos," Tauriel whispered. Her hand began to reach out towards the water. Somehow, she had an irresistible temptation to touch it.
"No, Tauriel, no!" Galadriel shouted. But it was too late. The tip of Tauriel's finger touched the water. Tauriel felt something like a shock wave shoot straight through her, and her head snapped back so that she was forced to look up at the sky. Everything went white.**
*Alagos's eyes shot up open in the darkness of his room. Tauriel was in trouble. She had done what is forbidden.**
*When the white faded out, Tauriel saw she wasn't with Galadriel or the mirror anymore. She found herself inside a dark cave. She looked down and saw Alagos bleeding and looking up at her with horrified eyes.
"What kind of black magic is this? You're not supposed to be here," Alagos demanded.
"I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." Tauriel was cut off by high-pitched squeals and shrieks that echoed down a chamber within the cave. Four large Orcs appeared in the chamber armed with their black swords. On instinct, Tauriel reached for her dagger. She then remembered it wasn't there. The Orcs shrieked words that came from the Black Speech.
Tauriel then got an idea. She raised her hand and a rush of wind exploded from her palm and struck one of the Orcs in the chest, knocking it off its feet.
"It's a stinking Elf sorcerer. Kill her!" Another Orc cried out. Tauriel blasted another wave of energy at the Orc, which barely missed it, smashing into a rock wall instead. Smoke and rock exploded.
One of the Orcs swung his blade at Tauriel's neck. Tauriel quickly moved to the side, grabbed the side of the Orc's neck and allowed electric energy to surge through her arms and then through her fingers. The Orc shrieked in pain as the energy exploded through his head. He spat black blood and then crumpled to the ground. Tauriel couldn't even understand how she was able to do what she was doing. It was as if her body was on autopilot, controlling her as she used her powers to protect Alagos.**
*Alagos barged into the wizard's house. The wizard Radagast was sitting and watching Tauriel who was lying on the floor. Her eyes were staring up at the ceiling not blinking, but she was whimpering and gasping. Her hands constantly twitched and sometimes banged on the floor.
Alagos spun to face Radagast in a rage.
"I told you not to do this to her! We both agreed on that!" He shouted.
"This was her decision. I was not going to persuade her otherwise," Radagast said. Alagos stomped over to Tauriel and knelt down at her side.
"Tauriel, Tauriel, wake up," he demanded. He pressed the palm of his hand against her forehead and closed his eyes to concentrate. If Tauriel couldn't get out of it herself, then he would have to do it for her.
Tauriel saw the last two Orcs cry out in pain as an arrow pierced each of their necks. They fell, and two Elves, a male and a female, ran into the rock chamber.
"Alagos! Alagos!" The male Elf cried. He stopped short when he noticed Tauriel. Tauriel gasped when she realized who she was looking at.
The elf was her father. The She-Elf next to him was her mother.
Before Tauriel could say something, bright lights burst before her vision and she felt her body get lifted off the ground.
"No! No! Mother! Father!" She cried out. She tried to reach out her hand, but she had no control over her body now. The bright lights winked out and she found herself back in Radagast's home. Alagos was staring down at her, his face contorted in concern and fury.
"Tauriel," he said. Tauriel was breathing heavily. Her chest rose and fell hard and fast.
"Alagos," she replied. She felt Alagos grip her hand and raise her to her feet.
"My my, you talk so much when you're having visions," Radagast remarked. Tears rose in Tauriel's eyes.
"What was all that? What was it I just saw?" She asked.
"Tauriel, you did what was forbidden. Do you know the consequences in the Woodland Realm if the king found out about this?" Alagos demanded. The tears in Tauriel's eyes begin to slip and drop down her cheeks, slithering down her neck and staining her dress.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she said. She shut her eyes and wept. Alagos's grip on her loosened and she felt Alagos gently pat her hand.
"Come. We're going home," he said. His voice was soothing now, but it still had an edge of anger. Tauriel looked at Radagast, whose gaze was not on her anymore, but at the hedgehogs crawling around at his feet.
"Don't ever come near her again," Alagos demanded. Radagast didn't answer or even acknowledge that Alagos had said anything. Tauriel couldn't stop looking at Radagast, even when Alagos took her out through the door.
When they were outside, Tauriel gasped when she realized that it was already the early morning. The sun was out and shining its morning light down on the forest. Everything around her looked beautiful, and everything was quiet and still. But inside Tauriel was a raging storm that only promised to intensify more and more.
"Are you going to tell the king what I did?" Tauriel asked. Alagos was silent for a moment, which made her worry even more. Finally, he replied.
"No. I will not. But if this happens again, I may not be as merciful then."
"Why are you doing this? Why do you care for me so much?" Tauriel asked. Somehow there had to be something more. Somehow, Alagos had to have known her parents if what she saw in the mirror was true. But she knew that asking questions right now wasn't the best option considering her circumstance. Alagos turned around so that he was in front of Tauriel and knelt in front of her so that his eyes were leveled with hers.
"I swore the king and his son that I would look after you and protect you. How can I do that when you're wondering off and making deals with wizards? That is forbidden, Tauriel. Because of your age, you must stay within the borders of our kingdom unless you are given permission to venture out," Alagos explained. Tauriel looked up at him, who stared back at her with kind eyes. His expression had softened more now, which made Tauriel relieved.
"Please Tauriel, stay within the borders of the kingdom. One day, you will be allowed to explore more of this forest when you come of age. But you are still very young, and I care about you very much. Can you please do that? If not for the king or his son Legolas, then for me."
Tauriel nodded, brushing a tear away from her eye.
"Yes, Alagos. I will do as you say," she promised. Alagos smiled and stood back up.
Even after all of that, Tauriel couldn't stop looking back. Maybe she would be able to catch Radagast while he was out picking mushrooms and she can learn more. She had to. Or else she would have interrogate Alagos, and that wasn't something she was willing to do, especially after that.
When they reached the front gates of the kingdom, Elros stopped them.
"The king has summoned for Tauriel. He wants to speak with her," he said. Alagos glanced at Tauriel, fear glistening in his eyes. Tears began to rise in Tauriel's eyes again.
"I will take her to him. Thank you," Alagos said. Tauriel had hoped that Alagos would deny the command and tell her to run. But he didn't. He took Tauriel's hand and began leading her back into the kingdom, towards King Thranduil's throne.
The knots twisting around inside Tauriel made her feel nauseous. Sweat covered her brow, and her legs trembled. Alagos leaned down to whisper.
"Stop trembling. The king will notice and he will ask about it," he warned. Tauriel struggled to straighten up and still her shaking body, but she couldn't help it. What will the king say?
Thranduil was sitting on his throne staring down at Tauriel with icy eyes. Standing next to the throne observing was his son Legolas. He too had cold eyes that seemed to pierce into Tauriel's head, trying to find anything that was out of place.
"I decided that something I had gone wrong when the both of you were missing. What happened?" Thranduil asked. Tauriel bit her lip and tried hard to remain calm.
"My lord, Tauriel was merely hoping to practice more with her archery in the early hours. I left to find her and make sure she was alright," Alagos lied. Tauriel couldn't believe he was lying to the king. To protect her.
Thranduil tilted his head in thought. He appeared skeptical.
"Elros told me that Tauriel didn't explain to him where she was going," he said.
"Elros trusted her, my lord. I will admit that she did not want me to know about her secret practice," Alagos said. Thranduil sat back in his throne, digesting this.
"You are very young still Tauriel. Our responsibility is to protect you, and we cannot do that if you wonder off without telling us. I will let you go for this, but do not wonder out without Alagos' leave again."
"Yes, my lord. I promise it will not happen again," Tauriel said. Tauriel and Alagos both bowed and was about ready to leave until Thranduil stopped them.
"Alagos, stay here. I need to speak with you longer," he requested. He turned to Legolas.
"Both you and Tauriel must leave us. This is between me and Alagos," he said. Legolas bowed and left. Tauriel followed him without looking back.**
*"You know she means no disrespect. She is only curious," Alagos said to Thranduil when Legolas and Tauriel were out of earshot.
"Her curiosity will not keep her alive. Keep a closer eye on her, and make sure she never goes to the wizard again," Thranduil said. Alagos nodded and looked down at the ground.
"After all, you promised her parents that you would protect her after you discovered what she was capable of inside that cave," Thranduil pointed out.
"I intend to keep that promise. You have my word."
"Good. You may leave," Thranduil said with a wave of his hand. Alagos bowed and left. As he did, he tightly clenched his fists. It was hard for him to be able to contain his anger.**
Teaser: Secrets will be revealed over the course of the next few stories!