Note: Hello everyone! Sorry I didn't have this chapter up by the end of last week for some reason it got really hard to write. I considered so many things in terms of plot but in the end this is what I came up with so I hope you like it! Oh and one other thing I suppose I should mention is that this chapter contains sort of a Maein POV with important information, so I cut out a Tauriel POV to do that but don't worry! There won't be another weird change like this and everything will be back to normal in the next chapter. So with that said, I hope you like this chapter :3 please let me know what you think!
Thranduil learned from Feren that the orcs were growing in number once again at Dol Guldur. This worried him greatly, since his own numbers were somewhat small as of late, and they were about to be smaller too.
Merenor provided him with the names of soldiers that were talking about killing Tauriel out in the woods, and Thranduil immediately had them report to him.
"May I ask why all of you were plotting on killing your captain? She, who is one of your own kin?" He was in no generous mood at the moment, and he hoped his stare was enough to make one of them come up with a hasty explanation to save their skin.
After a moment of silence, one of them stepped forward. "We had been paid richly by Lady Rainil to do it. She found out what she did, and at the time convinced us all that we could do your job and just kill her off. But now I see what a fool I was to turn against her so easily."
Thranduil sneered silently at that response. "There are orcs outside of our borders! They are now growing in number, and you're worried about Tauriel betraying me again? It is as I said, we made an agreement, and if I have no cause to worry, none of you should either. What she has done is in the past."
"Why are you defending someone who pointed an arrow at you?" Another one asked.
They all looked slightly suspicious at that, but Thranduil was not fazed. He simply straightened himself out, and sighed. "We were both aware of just how many elven lives were lost afterward, and I told her she could come back. She has done a lot for me, and is far too valuable to this kingdom to not be allowed in it."
The look of shock on their faces spoke wonders. Then Thranduil realized that now was the opportunity to be fair.
"I understand that you have been misguided by someone, and I have decided to let you all keep your positions, as long as I know I have your trust and Tauriel does as well."
Their faces certainly lightened at that, and they all bowed to make the promise to him.
As they were walking out though, Lord Heriedir walked in. Thranduil was beginning to curse the world around him for having so many problems that he had to deal with. He just wanted to be at peace.
"My lord, I have something very shocking to report to you." He said a bit gravely, and Thranduil nodded for him to continue.
"Lady Rainil was found unconscious near the dining hall, and it looks like whoever hit her was strong enough that she might be in the sleep state for over a day."
Thranduil gasped. He had a good guess on who did it, but he needed to make sure. He quickly stood up and descended from his throne, his face was filled with worry.
"We will get to the bottom of this then."
"I think you and I both know who it was." The lord said bluntly.
"I am going to find her now myself and inquire the matter." He was going to thank Tauriel for doing that, and tell her he is going to finally admit his feelings, because he is ready.
"What are you going to do if it turns out that she was indeed the one who did render her?"
At that question he came up with a good idea, and also a good setup for the thing he was about to announce. "Gather the other council members, I will be back shortly with news." With that, he left.
He went to Maein's quarters first, but the only one there was Maein, and she sighed as soon as she saw him enter.
"Where is she?" He demanded.
Maein winced, and it meant that none of what she was going to say would please him. He knew that what he feared was becoming more and more real. The panic of it showed on his face.
She took a deep breath. "My lord, I urge you strongly not to be mad at Tauriel, but she told me she had to leave in order to keep the kingdom from falling apart."
His eyes went wide. He thought she was going to explain to him why her mother had been punched but it seems she didn't know. Instead he tells her Tauriel is gone. He clenched his fists, and he tried his best not to be mad at the poor pregnant elf.
"How in the world is that even possible? Did you know she knocked your mother unconscious? I assume now that she left just after that, right?"
Maein's eyes grew wide, but she seemed somewhat relieved at the news of her mother. Such a strange thing; seeing a child that isn't very fond of her mother.
"I think you are right. She also wanted me to tell you not to mention a word of your feelings until she has tried to contact you. She did not tell me how she plans to do it, but that is what is happening."
Thranduil sighed, and he was starting to accept the fact that the road he was on was about to be longer, and he had to once again live with the knowledge that she is absent.
"Very well, I will follow her order. Do you know where she might possibly be?"
Maein winced, and it didn't seem like she knew, and she was scared to say. Thranduil put a hand up to reassure her. "If you do not know it's alright… But, I am curious about why you don't seem worried about the fact that Lady Rainil is hurt."
"She's not my real mother." She admitted. "I was found at a very young age and taken to her. I do not remember my real parents, or where I was originally from, but I wish I did."
Thranduil was shocked now, and he understood so much more. He sat down and put his hand on his head.
"Well then, these next few days are going to be interesting indeed."
But Thranduil has already made up his mind about what he was going to do, and it became extremely risky. With the council meeting being tomorrow and what he was about to do happening, he departed from Maein to rest. Before he left entirely though, he heard Maein say something that Tauriel told her.
"Before she left, she told me to tell you that her last words to you are true. I also believe that no matter what happens she will come back to you, because she loves you."
"This time, I am going to believe what you say. It has proven true the last time, and Tauriel is not one for too much change in her personality. Thank you for telling me that." With that he walked out at last.
While going back to the throne room, his nerves were getting high, but he refused to let it show. It was so strange how everything he had done when it came to Tauriel made him feel so young again. His cold emotion was slowly breaking and she was the one who managed to do it. At this point he didn't think it was a bad thing anymore.
Despite the fact she was gone, Thranduil told himself not to be angry. Whatever reason that compelled her to leave, will be enough for him. As long as she comes back, he will be fine.
But until then, he'll be going through his days on a thin line, hoping it won't break.
Tauriel reached Lothlorien safely, where she was given the guest quarters of a royal, and treated to the finest of things. It had been days since she had been able to relax, and she found herself doing so easily.
Lothlorien was exactly as Thranduil had described it to her. Everything looked so divine and calming, she found it easy to settle in. Even the clothes she was given after she arrived were really comfortable and suiting. She knew that she was going to stand out within the elves with her fiery red hair, so she decided it would be best to stay by herself. She liked that best anyway.
But in the back of her mind she knew this was a false peace. Still, she couldn't be bothered to care.
She imagined a lonely Thranduil as she got in her bed though, and she found herself missing him immensely. The luxuries she had been receiving were nice but, she just couldn't enjoy anything fully.
She had also not really spoken to Galadriel within the time she had been there either, so she was really curious as to why that is.
On evening the next day, she finally found out through one of the guard captains she met while loitering the training grounds for their soldiers. His name was Helchon, and he had been kind enough to let her mess around there if she wished. They even sparred and it was quite fun. He fought differently from the Mirkwood elves, and it was quite refreshing.
"Lady Galadriel has been under a long rest since she came back from Dol Guldur, she hardly roams the kingdom anymore because of her waning strength."
Tauriel was surprised to hear it, but it made the most sense as to why she was able to contact her while she was weak.
"How long will she be like this?" She asked finally after some thought on the news.
"She should be up again soon, and I am sure by that time she will have an answer as to when you can go home." He smiled at the end, and Tauriel faintly thought of Legolas. She wondered where he was, and if what he last said to her would be true about them meeting again.
"Would you like to join my patrol tomorrow? One of our own was injured and it would be nice to have some help. Many know of you in this kingdom." Tauriel was surprised to hear this.
"How is that so?" She asked with her mouth hanging open after she finished her sentence.
"An elf named Legolas stopped here on one of his journeys. We already knew he was the son of King Thranduil, so we gave him the utmost welcome. I myself exchanged personal war stories with him, and he told me his, including the recent one, where he followed you as you ran after a pack of dwarves." Helchon had a warming smile on his face as he spoke, and Tauriel's heart was tight at the talk of her friend and how he spoke of her.
"Do you know where he is now?"
"I'm afraid I don't. He didn't really say where he was going, but it seemed he was going to a lot of places."
After a while of thinking, Tauriel remembered that he had asked her if she wanted to help with their patrol. And so she thought of that as well, and then she agreed. It would help her get her mind off things, and she was in comfort knowing that none of the elves would try to end her life.
The next morning as they went into the forest, Tauriel realized that the area was much cleaner and more open. She felt like she was young and breathing in the Greenwood that used to be her home once before dark forces took it. It was much easier to move around in she discovered as well. Everything was refreshing.
That patrol had nothing particularly interesting, but it was nice to see the way these elves handled and protected their kingdom.
As everyone was putting their things away Helchon called his elves to attention, and she listened to him as he spoke their daily debrief and made some mental notes.
She still missed her home, and Thranduil. At the end of the day until she was allowed to return it would always be this.
Then finally another elf came in, and as soon as he laid eyes upon Tauriel, he went up to her and bowed. That was never going to feel normal to her.
"Lady Galadriel has awakened, and she would like to see you."
That news came when she least expected it, but she was happy about it. She nodded her head and followed the elf with a small pounding in her heart.
It became evident then just how homesick she was.
Thranduil reached his throne room, where all five elves were waiting for him with curious faces. He took a deep breath and walked all the way up to his throne where he felt safe.
"So what's this about?" Lady Aderthadis asked.
"I am going to tell you all something that may shock you… I have been keeping it hidden for quite some time, and I have decided that it wouldn't be best to keep it hidden any longer. While I cannot tell the whole kingdom about this event yet, I know I can tell you since I do trust you all."
They all looked really confused, he thought he must have worded it strangely, but it was too late to turn back now. He took a deep breath and continued.
"The first thing I am going to address is that I will not be reprimanding Tauriel in her act, because I know it was justified."
That certainly brought a look of questioning among all of the elves in the room, but they nodded. He wasn't expecting it to be this easy, he wanted to laugh.
"Second, when Lady Rainil wakes up, I want her to report to me, because I am going to tell her as well, what I am about to tell you now."
He took another deep breath, and his calm cool demeanor completely broke, and he lightly chuckled. The king could not bring himself to look up for a few moments, because he imagines that he looks completely ridiculous.
But he finally did look up, and straight at the faces of the council. He recollected himself and finally said what had been so hard to say to anyone.
"I have fallen in love with my captain of the guard, Tauriel. Do not ask me why I have, or about my wife, because I do not have answers for anything yet. I just hope you will all find it in yourselves to understand."
And slowly they did. Their faces were shocked as he said each of the words, but eventually they brightened. The relief he felt inside was amazing.
"I will always follow you no matter what strange things happen my lord." Lord Heriedir chimed in first. Then the rest followed saying words in the same manner. Thranduil was finding his breath again, and he wished Tauriel was here with him to witness this.
"Thank you all. This means a great deal to me" He sighed again to let the last of his nerves fall away.
Lady Feriadis gave him a big smile. "It's nice to see so much emotion on your face, and if the people see it, then this kingdom will be much more peaceful, even with the darkness that lies outside it."
At her last words, he remembered that there were going to be more orcs coming, and he was going to prepare them all for the defense of their home. Maybe that was why Tauriel left and told him not to say a word of their relationship. He remembered Maein's words, and suddenly he understood.
The council disembarked shortly after they decided Lady Rainil's fate, and Thranduil felt good about things now. It was just a matter of getting through the days. He yearned for happiness, and in a few short days, it will come to him.
He was a patient king, after all.
Maein had fallen asleep, but she found herself in immense pain. Half of it was from the baby she was holding, and the other half of it was from loneliness. With Tauriel gone for a day, she didn't realize how lonely it was until she didn't see her, or anyone, for hours.
Through her sleep she was looking around her room, and at her own body in its comatose state. She had a face of extreme worry, and hoped she wasn't about to die.
But luck was on her side, as an elf with golden hair appeared in the room with her. Maein knew not who she was, but found it comforting to see her.
"I know who you are Maein, and where you are from. Would you like to know?" Her voice was gentle and soothing. Maein felt her soul being warmed up. She nodded eagerly.
"You were from the same village that Tauriel was from, and the soldier who carried you stumbled upon Lady Rainil before you could even be brought to the king. You can imagine how easy it was after that to arrange it so that she could have you."
Maein gasped, everything about what she said was strange, but she was happy to know that she and Tauriel are related in a way. Though her heart broke, because it meant her whole life, everything she was taught, was a lie.
"Why are you telling me this? What can I gain from it now?"
"True independence and closure from the woman you thought was your mother."
On the outside of Maein's mind, in the real world, Merenor was with Naradeth, and they were worried about her condition.
"There is no need to be terribly alarmed yet. She is just sleeping, but I am worried about her going into labor while she is like this. It's not good for her or the baby."
Merenor had a perplexed look on him, and he held his wife's hand tightly. "I suppose we'll just have to keep checking on her, right?"
Naradeth gave him a nod. "I think she fell into this state because of how lonely she is. Tauriel has been gone for a day now, and Maein has nothing to do or no way to be useful."
"The world seems to revolve around that Tauriel doesn't it?"
The two chuckled at the slight joke, but they knew it was somewhat true. That's probably why it was funny.
"Since she's asleep though, I have to send my assistant to watch her while I suggest my idea to the council. I am not too sure if the meeting will even happen while her mother is in the same state."
"It's going to happen. The king isn't going to waste any time. I agree with him on that. We've had enough drama already. This generation hasn't recovered from the war at all, and they need to have some peace." Merenor himself seemed done with all of the things happening lately. He was tired of all the secrets, and all of the energy he's used just on trying to protect his guard captain. He wants it to end.
Naradeth gave him a look of agreement. "I feel we may have our wish answered soon."
They talked a little while longer about the upcoming festival, and then she left, leaving Merenor to rub Maein's stomach.
"Hang in there. You both are going to be okay."
Maein saw him do this in her state, and tears fell down her eyes. She hoped dearly that he was right.
Thranduil felt very confident the next morning as he waited in a small study that was meant specifically for private meetings. He and Feren waited together for Lady Rainil, and finally she arrived. She had a faint bruise on her forehead, which Thranduil had to hold back a smile for when he saw it.
But his face got serious, and he gestured for her to sit. She was about to open her mouth, but he held up his hand.
"You are not allowed to speak right now; except to confirm that it was indeed Tauriel who has injured you."
She nodded slowly.
"Lady Rainil, for months you have harassed her to no end and it is going to stop. Now." He kept a straight face while he spoke. Hers was one of smug curiosity, and he knew it would end when he said his next words.
"Now imagine how I feel, when I hear her tell me, that you have chastised her, and even plotted to have her life ended by your doing."
"Why should you care? She pointed an arr-"
"I am well aware of what she has done! That situation has been dealt with. Now I am dealing with you, because your acts of defiance were not of compassion but of pure malice, in a much different manner." His voice was low, but her expression still hasn't been broken.
"Lady Rainil, you are hereby stripped of all your titles. You will no longer serve me as a council or as anything. You are lucky I have been generous enough to relocate you with protection, but that is all you will receive from me."
Her mouth dropped finally. And she stammered as she said her next words. "But she's a lowly silvan elf!"
"She is my lover. And you have caused her to run off, and me a great deal of pain."
At hearing that she laughed. "You are mad. How could you love her? She is not capable of doing anything. She has only brought this kingdom trouble since the day she was brought here."
He stood up and towered over her. It took that to finally frighten her. To make a bigger deal of what she just said, he leaned down to her.
"She has brought this kingdom light. And no one, especially you, can tell me otherwise."
He backed away and his cold neutral mask took over his face as he strode past her. "Feren, please see to it that Lady Rainil is escorted out." Those were his last words before completely leaving the room. He took a few steps away from it and sighed.
One of his biggest problems has finally been dealt with, and he started walking again with more certainty that things will be alright. He had to keep believing it, or else he would lose his sanity.
The kingdom needs their wise and cold king one last time, before he shows his true side to them. He hoped dearly that Tauriel would be by his side as he did that.
All of him knew that she was going to be.
He just needed to get by without her, for now.
"We'll see each other again, I swear."