The wedding was to be set in summer solstice. Although, Tauriel did feel love for Jasper she was not sure he was the one for her. The wedding felt rushed, but everyone in the Kingdom was pleased. Many well-wishers from Kingdoms across middle earth, men, dwarfs, hobbits, were to attend or they sent grand gifts to Mirkwood. It did cross her mind that possibly Legolas would hear of her wedding and return to Mirkwood for the ceremony. She wouldn't doubt if that had been the King's plan all along.

She didn't know what fellowship Legolas was to become part of, but watched the King closely as she knew he often looked into the future to watch over Legolas.

The King ordered out to kill a new nest of spiders that has crossed the borders into Mirkwood. The nest was not many and Tauriel left to rid of the spiders herself. After a few hours of work, Tauriel nelt near a tree to rest. She hadn't but closed her eyes when one last spider snuck up on her. She quickly reached for her dagger and screamed out as she stabbed the last spider in its horrid face. It died instantly. She heard someone clapping. She looked around to see a man draped in black cloaks.

"That was something else," he said as he ate a piece of fruit.

"Who do you think you are? You must leave this forest," she threatened the man.

"Why? You just made it extremely safe for me to sit and take rest! With no spiders I can sit at ease." He bowed down to her.

"Be on your way whoever you are," she threatened the man. The man had dark hair and eyes. His image reminded her of her Kili who she lost so long ago.

"I've been wandering for many moons now. I just want to rest for a bit."

"Why do you wander? Are you a petty thief?" Tauriel raised her eye brow at the man, "I personally would not lose any sleep over shedding the blood of a dishonest man."

"I'm just a man that lost everything after the dragon Smaug attacked my home in Lake Town."

"So, you've been wandering around since then," She questioned the man, "How long have you been in this forest?"

"I'm not really sure. What harm does it cause you if I stay here?"

"Well, you are trespassing," She informed the man. The man was tall and dark. He didn't seem to be a threat to her, but she knew if the King found him he would be dead or taken prisoner. So it would be easier for her to just convince him to leave.

"What if I offer you a trinket for the opportunity to stay in this forest only a couple more days?"

"I am not interested in cursed gold from the mountain," Tauriel said sternly.

"Not gold. I have white jewels that may interest you," He reached into his pocket and pulled out three white, glowing jewels.

Tauriel's eyes widened, "You have stolen those from the dwarfs," she accused him.

"And had they not stolen them from your people," he challenged her, "They are all yours if I stay just a couple more nights comfortably hear in the forest. Is that too much to ask?"

"Where are the rest of them?"

"They are not with me, but I know of where they are," he said.

"And why should I trust you," she said, "I should take you prisoner. Those stones belong to my people."

"I supposed there is no reason to trust me," he said, "It's not like you are the first elf I've come across to not trust me. I guess my mug isn't pretty enough" he smiled slyly.

Tauriel stopped in her tracks and stared the man down, "What other elves," she tried to not sound so interested.

"Oh, you know, pretty, blonde hair and blue eyes," he said flippantly.

"Legolas," Tauriel whispered under breath, "Have you come from the north?" she tried to keep her composure.

"Oh sure, I was north. The Misty Mountains to be exact. Not the nicest place to be."

"And that is where the rest of the jewels are to be found," she asked.

"Yes," he said simply. She was unsure if she should trust him, but the few jewels he had in his hand did in fact belong to her kin. There was no mistaKing that. What if Legolas had been in the Misty Mountains to search for the jewels and he needed her help?

She entertained the idea of asKing the man dressed in black to lead her to the jewels in the Misty Mountains. She had four weeks until her wedding which would give her enough time to be there and back again. The King would be angry that she disappeared without telling him or her fiance, but if she returned with the elven jewels he would have to forgive her. She was sure of it. In fact, maybe she could even wear the jewels as part of her wedding gown. She smiled as she thought of how beautiful she would look in her wedding gown. How could any of the evles be angry with her then? Not to mention the fact that this man also may know of Legolas whereabouts.

"Is that a mischievous smile for the elven jewels?" asked the man.

Tauriel stopped smiling, "No," she lied. "You have my curiosity. If I leave and return with my horse, will you agree to lead me to the jewels in the Misty Mountains?"

"But I have just come from the north. What is in it for me?"

"I'll be sure to give you a fair payment once we return." Tauriel said although she was not sure if that was true.

"And what about a horse for me?" the man asked.

"I'll take you on mine."

"No I want a horse for myself or I am not going. Horses may even be too big once we get to the top of the mountains." The man explained.

"Fine." Tauriel would return with two horses. How she would do that without catching suspicion of any elves she was not sure. They were especially watching her closely these days with her wedding coming up. Not to mention the last time she left Mirkwood without permission the King banished her he was so angry. But if she had the chance to find the elven jewels and Legolas she had to take it.