Sorry, this has taken so long, had a lot going on so haven't really had a chance to sit and write. Here is the final instalment of this story. Hope you enjoy!

§

The Days After

Thranduil returned just over a day later with a healer for his son, he stayed just long enough to see that Legolas was no longer in danger of losing his life. Tauriel Only left the Prince's side once to attend the funeral of the fallen Dwarves, leaving him in the care of the elven healer but returned as soon as she was able. She would not leave his side until he woke, for even though his physical wounds were healing well now, he had not woken for a week. The bargeman and Elven healer we puzzled as to why Legolas refused to wake, but Tauriel knew deep down that she was the cause of his comatose state. The Prince was in love with her, yet she loved another, someone that she could never be with and who now lay cold on a stone slab in the Dwarven Crypt. She sad beside Legolas now, her hand placed gently on his chest, feeling his soft yet steady breaths.

'My Lord you must wake, your people need you.' she paused as she wiped a tear from her cheek 'I need you she finished.'

Still, nothing and she choked some more on the sobs that wracked her tired body, for despite the fact that elves solemn sleep, they do still need rest from time to time and Tauriel had taken none in the week and a bit since Legolas had been wounded. He lay still like he was frozen in time. His wounds we almost healed now, the one on his head had almost completely disappeared, he looked so peaceful in his sleep. She wondered what she could do to rouse him, and then a thought crossed her mind. Her heart began to race at the thought of it, what is someone saw. She stood from her seat and walked towards the large open door, no one was about, all was quiet but for a few coughs that sounded in the distance. With that in mind she crossed the room back to Legolas, placing her hand on his cheek she pulled his head so that he was facing her. His eyes rolled around beneath their lids.

'My lord, please come back to me.' she said as she plucked up the courage for what she was going to do next. 'You're all I have.'

Still, he did not stir. She lowered her face towards his, lingering for a moment, her heart quickening more and then she placed her soft lips upon his. She lingered there from a moment, placing her free hand on his other cheek. Suddenly she felt a strong hand pull her in closer as Legolas began to return the kiss. She pulled away slightly in shock, his piercing blue eyes staring up into her green ones, a slight smile crossing his lips. Tauriel suddenly felt the urge to kiss him again but before she could act on it, Legolas had alright started to kiss her again, this time it was more passionate, hot. Tauriel was shocked at how right it felt, she pulled him up so that he was sat up and she was now perched on the edge of his makeshift bed, their kiss getting more and more passionate, her hand not running through his hair as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer.

A cough sounded and they stopped, both turned their heads to see Bard grinning at them.

'Well I see you're feeling better my lord' he said as he smirked at them 'i am sorry to have disturbed you, I just wanted to see if you had woken yet.' with that the man nodded his head and left, chuckling to himself.

'Tauriel.' said Legolas as he turned his attention to her, her delicate fingers resting on her lips.

'I'm sorry my lord, I should not have done that.' she said as she stood, 'i just didn't know what else to do.'

'It's okay,' said the Prince has he swung his legs over the side of the table 'i have wanted to do that for a long time.'

Tauriel turned to look at him with eyes filled with shock and confusion.

'Oh come on Tauriel, surely my feelings for you were as plain as day?' He said as he Stood, the sheet that covered him fell away to show toned muscles, his wound was still visible though.

He walked towards Tauriel, her cheeks began to burn as his beauty became all more apparent to her. He took her hands in his and looked at her with a soft expression. She looked back at him and all her worries seemed to wash away in the ocean blue pools that looked down at her. They stood there for a moment, just staring back at each other, then Legolas seized the moment and kissed her again. This time she sunk into it, allowing his strong arms to pull her closer, one of her hand's resting on his toned chest. He stopped, looking at her with eyes she had never seen before. He shoved her against the stone wall behind her and began to kiss her again, this time it was more assertive, his lips left hers and began to make their way down her cheek, then down her neck. Tauriel shivered in pleasure, the fact that she was her prince seemed to disappear like smoke in the wind. She grabbed his face in her hands and brought his lips back to her's, she could hear, see and feel nothing but him. At that moment her heightened senses were deadened by the pleasure she felt kissing him.

'Legolas we should stop, someone may see.' she said as she pulled away.

'I don't care if anyone sees' said the Prince as he went to kiss her again.

Tauriel pushed him back and smiled at him 'i know that your father has returned to Mirkwood, but many of his men remain here to help the lakemen.'

Legolas nodded and turned towards the fire that was starting to die. 'You're right.' he said, wincing as he sat in the chair beside it.

'Are you okay?' asked Tauriel, Legolas' wince had not escaped her notice.

'Yes, just a little sore from laying on a wooden table for over a week.' joked the Prince.

Tauriel smiled at him and started to prod at the fire, adding more wood to it, she watched it dance back to life.

'So, that was quite a kiss.' Said Legolas as he looked at the she-elf and then back to the fire.

'Yes, yes it was.' she replied as she smiled, placing a comforting hand on his leg.

'Can I hope for a repeat?' Asked the Prince as he looked at her as his smile touched his eyes.

'We shall see.' She teased as she smiled back.

They lingered at the moment before being disturbed by footsteps in the hall. Bard Returned with a bundle in his arms.

'One of the ladies has done all she can to repair your clothes my Lord.' said the Bargeman as he placed them on the table in the middle of the room.

'Thank you, Bard, I do believe if it weren't for you I would be dead.' said Legolas as he nodded his head in appreciation at the man.

'You helped my people, you also saved my children, it was the least I could do.' he replied as he nodded back.

'We shall be out of your hair soon.' said Legolas as he stood and walked towards the table where his clothes lay folded neatly.

'Where will you go?' Asked the man.

'My father wants me to find a Dunedain Ranger.' replied the elf as he admired his repaired clothes, they were almost as good as new. There was no longer any evidence of the blood he lost saving the woman he lost.

'The Dunedain? Last I heard they had all died out.' Bard paused as he looked at Tauriel 'What is this mans name?'

'I do not know, that's what I have to find out.' finished the elf as he began to slip into his clothes.

'Well, I wish you luck on your mission.' replied bargeman as he bowed and left again.

'When were you going to tell me about this new mission?' Asked Tauriel as she walked over to him, placing on hand on his arm.

'Tauriel, I do not expect you to come with me.' Replied the prince, 'the North is dangerous territory. I couldn't bear it if something were to happen to you.'

'I am coming also Legolas, do you think after what just happened that I am going to leave you now?' she replied, her eyes a little angry.

'I hoped you would.' he replied with a smile.

Tauriel's features softened, stretching up to place a gentle kiss on his lips.

'You should rest now my lord, you are not yet completely healed.'

'I have rested long enough, no more. We will leave tomorrow.' he said quickly.

Tauriel nodded in agreement and they then went about packing what little they had for the journey ahead.

§

Morning came quickly, Tauriel had managed to find her a horse of her own for the journey, not that she would hate riding behind Legolas. They filled their waterskis, packed food and medicine and left just as the sun was filling the Sky. They had said their goodbyes to Bard, and then Gandalf and Bilbo. Not wanting to draw attention to their departure. The rode through the day, stopping only a few times to allow the horses to rest. Finally, they made camp in a secluded cave, the sun painting the sky with soft hues of pink and orange. Legolas had managed to make a fire and they now sat around it, the soft clicks of burning wood filling the air.

'So how shall we find this strider?' asked Tauriel as she looked to Legolas who sat to her left.

'I have an idea as to where he may be.' he replied, his gaze not wavering from the flames. 'that's not what I wish to discuss right now.'

"Oh?' Tauriel paused 'what do you wish to discuss my lord?'

He looked at her.

'This' he said as he grabbed her again and kissed her with such passion she had never seen.

He pushed her back against the blankets that lay on the cold stone floor, putting his hand onto her waist, he pulled her body against his. Butterfly did somersaults in her stomach as she felt the kiss intensify, she knew what was coming and she welcomed it. His hand left her waist and began to pull at the lace's that kept her bodice in place. As he undressed her, she began to do the same, shivering as he kissed her bare skin. His fingers running over her, she was so sensitive to his touch. He stopped and looked at her for a moment, he didn't need to speak for her to know what he was asking her, her reply was pulling him in for another kiss.

They made love for what felt like hours and after they lay there, looking at each other with smiling eyes.

'I never thought I would ever do that, with you my lord.' she chuckled, her fingers running over his soft cheek.

'You don't regret it?' he asked.

Tauriel sat up slightly and smiled, kissing him before laying her had on his chest.

'No, no I don't.' she replied.

'Good' he replied before he kissed her again.

§

I think I'm going to finish it there. Tried to be tasteful with the final scene. I know it was a little short but I hope that you enjoyed it and please do leave me some feedback.