Dedication: This is for Anariel Redrose. I can't tell you how much I appreciated your review. I will check out that story someday. Hugs.


CHAPTER SEVEN


The heaviness she felt disappeared as soon as she caught sight of the white clouds hovering over the black mountains. Most would be caught with apprehension and anxiousness, she knew, but they to her meant only one thing: home was near.

"The Misty Mountains," a voice said behind her.

She turned to see the Mirkwood prince also gazing up at the height of the hills. She had not noticed him approach. If she had, she would have gone away. She did not feel like talking to him. She did not feel like talking to anybody. She nodded her head in reply, and he dropped his gaze to her.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

She nodded again, and forced her lips to curve upwards. Maybe that would be enough to convince him.

He looked away again. The group had started ascending a narrow path obscured by a large rock. As if the fog was not enough to hide it. She started walking, and so did he, and for a moment she believed that he would leave her thoughts to herself and drop his inquiries. But instead he spoke again, keeping his eyes glued to the elves walking ahead of them. "You've been quiet ever since we left the Old Ford."

She did not know how long it was before she answered. That was one of the flaws of knowing you will live longer than most creatures—time was like air. She never paid attention to it, never thought about how much she needed the invisible wind, but how many times had her lungs opened and closed to the sweet life it brought, she wondered. And besides, how could she tell him? How could she tell him the only problem she had was with herself? When the orcs attacked, all she could do was watch helplessly as the others fought. What would she have done had any of the orcs made its way to them, hiding behind Legolas and the other warriors? How could she tell him that in the moment he held out his bow, aiming at the incoming orcs, all she could think about was how pathetic she had been, unable to defend anyone—not even herself?

When she finally became aware of her surroundings, they were already descending the mountains. From a distance she could hear the rushing of water. She stole a glimpse at him, and although he was also looking expectantly at the source of sound, she knew that he was waiting for her answer. "I'm sorry," she said.

He raised a brow at her, but he did not seem surprised by her sudden reply, nor by the time it took her to finally speak.

"The attack at the Old Ford just... made me realize some things," she continued, as the group also moved on towards Rivendell.

He nodded to her, but stayed silent for a few minutes. When he spoke, the gush of water was stronger than ever before, and he had to speak a little louder to be heard. "You know I would not force you to say anything you do not want to, but—,"

"No, no," she said, her eyes finding their way to his. "It's not that I want to hide this from you," she said, amid gasps and sighs of relief from the group. Rivendell was finally in sight, but even if she didn't look, Tauriel could see the flowing waterfalls and the white buildings standing out from the hues of red and green trees. From a distance, she could see a group of elves approaching, among them Arwen. The faces of her cousin and her companions were frowning, their eyebrows drawn together, looking worried. The scout must have delivered his news promptly. "I just need to reflect on these thoughts first," she explained, turning back to him.

"I understand," he replied, as the welcoming group of elves reached them and everyone broke into conversations, inquiries, and relieved embraces.

"Tauriel!" a familiar voice called out from behind her, and arms immediately enveloped her as she turned around.

She smiled and buried her face deeper into the flowing dark hair. "Arwen."

"I heard about the orcs. Father and I were so worried," Arwen replied as they broke apart and she held Tauriel's face in her hands. "But you're here safe," she said with relief, and she broke into a smile.

"You needn't have thought about it," Tauriel smiled back, as she held Arwen's hand. "I was with the company of the best warriors of Mirkwood," she gestured her head to Legolas.

Arwen nodded, as she loosened her hand and faced him. "Legolas," she said, and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for bringing all of them home safely. It was wrong of us to leave so few of the warriors in your party," she said, gravity gracing her features.

"It was no one's fault, Arwen," he said, as he returned her smile. "And you do not have to thank me," his eyes flashed towards Tauriel, "I would never have let any harm come to her, or to anyone else in this party."

"I know," Arwen answered fondly, her eyes softening, "but I can never thank you enough," she said to him before turning to face Tauriel. "We must get dressed. Father has called everyone for a feast tonight. There is much to celebrate for," she again smiled at Legolas. "Come, Tauriel," she called out, before carving a way through the crowd.

"I should go," she turned to Legolas, when Arwen was out of sight.

He nodded.

"I hope to see you tonight," she smiled at him.

He smirked. "When did I ever miss celebrations?"

She grinned before turning to walk away, but before she could put more distance between them, he called her name again. She turned back, wondering what else he had left to say.

"I hope..." he faltered, and she watched as he struggled to find the next words to say. "I hope your thoughts find peace."

She smiled in thanks, before hurrying after her cousin.

Night came quickly enough, and Tauriel smoothed the skirt of her peach colored dress. It was long enough to cover her shoes, and was embroidered with markings of gold. It was simple, fitting for a night of reunion and rejoicing.

She had not yet entered the hall, and was reluctant to even look inside. She hated attending Rivendell feasts. More than the fact that she was often left with nothing to say, there were certain things she had been wanting to avoid. Like the constant disapproving glares from members of the court.

"Will you stay here for the rest of the night?" Tauriel turned to see Aegnir smiling at her. "You look beautiful, Lady Tauriel."

She returned his smile, appraising his velvet robe. "And you, dashing," she commented.

He nodded in gratitude. "Will you enter the room with me? I don't think such beauty should be walking in alone."

She laughed lightly, dismissing his compliment before placing her hand on his offered arm, "It would be my pleasure," she smiled, grateful for company. Somehow, as they walked in, the weight of the gazes directed to her seemed to be shared by him. She took in the familiar sight of the three long tables, each starting from one side of the hall and stretching out to the other.

She listened raptly to Aegnir's comments as they walked to two empty seats by the middle table. Lord Elrond sat at the very end, with Arwen at his immediate right, and Legolas at his left. All the Mirkwood elves were also present at the table, including the last party who had arrived. She wondered if it had anything to do with the attack they had fared earlier. Although, looking at the young faces around her, she realized that it may have been a good idea. Many of the elves looked pleased to have been seated with the Lord of Rivendell, and any lingering uncertainties from the attack seemed to be completely forgotten in the moment.

"I heard about the incident at the Old Ford," Aegnir continued, when they were comfortably seated. "I am glad no harm befell you and your company," he said, earnestly looking into her eyes.

She nodded, tired to hear the same sentiments she had to listen to for the whole afternoon, but grateful when she saw the sincerity in his face. Most of her well wishers only seemed to recite their words simply because they were the proper words to say. She would have preferred silence. "The warriors defended us well," she cast a quick glance at the blonde haired prince. He was a bit of the ways from where they were seated, but she could still clearly hear his voice. They had not yet spoken since their arrival at Rivendell, but she planned to approach him later. She needed to apologize for her baffling conduct. "Even with the number of orcs that attacked us, they did not waver," she finished, shifting in her seat to face the young warrior.

He poured himself a cup of wine before smiling at what she had said. "They would have defended you with their lives," he rested his hand upon the table. "It is both the responsibility and burden of every warrior. You fight knowing that it is not only your life on the line, but even those of hundreds, and possibly thousands of others."

She watched his eyes as he said his words, and all she could feel from them were intensity and truth. She remembered what Legolas had told her about him. "I have heard that this was your first journey out of Mirkwood. But you seem like you have the experience of thousands of years of being in the battle."

He smiled. "It is not my words, however, but the words of another elf I admire deeply. Ever since I heard him speak them, I would recite them over and over, memorizing the words with my soul. As if it could prepare me for when the actual battle came," he said, and she heard clearly the disappointment in his words.

"I do not doubt your courage and strength when the time comes," she said, placing her hand gently on his, as if all the encouragement and words could be translated by the touch of her palms.

It seemed to work, as he smiled at her, and she saw the Aegnir that she was familiar with. "Thank you, Tauriel."

She shook her head softly as she pulled her hand away. She finally faced her plate to gratify her already growling stomach, but turned her head quickly when she felt someone's gaze so pointedly focused on her. She knew who it was—but when her eyes found him, Legolas was already looking away.

END OF CHAPTER


A/N: I'd love to hear what you guys think. And not only that, just... say something, okay? I love hearing from my awesome readers!

Constructive criticisms are welcome.

Lots of love and apologies,

Vee

Edited 12/14