Changing into more suitable garments, Tauriel got ready to meet their guests from Elrond. As the chief of guards, it was required of her to go to the dinner that was held in honor of their guests. Legolas and the king would also be there, but what Tauriel was really looking forward to was seeing who their special guests were. Finally ready, Tauriel stood in front of her mirror waitinng for Legolas to show up. The elleth she saw in the mirror was wearing a navy blue blue dress that went all the way down to her feet. Her hair was done up in a bun with the exception of a few strands that hung in curls by her pointed ears, and she wore flats that matched her dress.
"Wow, you look...different," Legolas told her walking into the room.
"I hope that's not a bad thing," Tauriel said light-heartedly, turning to face him. The prince was wearing a white tunic and he was also wearing his crown, a rare sight to see.
"You look different too," she pointed out.
He smiled, "It appears so." Opening the door, he held out his hand. "Now come on, Thranduil must be waiting." Smiling also, Tauriel grabbed his extended hand, as the couple made their way to the palace.
"Legolas, Tauriel! Where have you two been?!" Thranduil demanded, stopping them outside the palace. Tauriel opened her mouth to reply, but Thranduil didn't give her a chance.
"Never mind, umm...Legolas, you might not want to go in there right away," Thranduil murmured.
"Why?" Tauriel asked looking from father to son.
"Angeli's in there," Thranduil's whisper was barley audible.
"Angeli? Who's she?" Tauriel asked.
"Nothing, I'll tell you later," Legolas muttered. Thranduil simply nodded, and together, the royals, and Tauriel, made their way into the dining hall. Sitting at the guest table was Celeborn, his daughter, Celebrain and her husband, Elrond and Celeborn's grandchildren, Arwen, Elladan and Elrodir, as well as Arwan's husband, Aragorn. However, one thing Tauriel noticed was that the Lady of Light, Galadriel, wasn't present.
"Greetings King Thranduil, Prince Legolas, Tauriel. Galadriel and Angeli should be here shortly," Celeborn began, standing up. Almost as if summoned, Galadriel and who Tauriel assumed was Angeli, walked in. Angeli truly looked like an angel, with her blonde hair that clung tightly to her frame, her pale snow white skin, and she was wearing a white evening gown. In a way, Angeli looked like a clone of Lady Galadriel, who was also wearing a white gown, with her blonde hair up in a bun just like Tauriel's.
"Thranduil, Legolas," Galadriel murmured, dipping her head. Angeli hesitated for a moment, then dipped her head in turn.
"Who is this?" Galadriel asked, motioning to Tauriel. Everyone sat down while Legolas explained.
"This is Tauriel, the chief of guards, and...my girlfriend," he turned to Tauriel, giving her a glance Tauriel read as "this couldn't be more awkward". Tauriel gave him a small nod in agreement, then turned to see Galadriel's reaction. She immediately knew the Lady of Light was dismayed. Her lips were now pursed and her hands were clasped together tightly in her lap.
"Oh," was all she said. Thranduil coughed uncomfortably and the rest of dinner was quiet except for small talk. Lucky for Tauriel, she didn't know of the telepathic conversation going on between Legolas and Galadriel.
Tauriel is your girlfriend? Galadriel's cool voice rang in Legolas's mind, and even though she was looking down, Legolas felt her gaze bore into his soul.
Y-yes she is. Legolas replied.
Why did you not tell me of this before? Galadriel's voice questioned, it was full of hurt and betrayal.
I-I didn't get a chance, and I knew you would disapprove. I'm sorry.
Hmp, what will become of Angeli? Galadriel asked.
With all do respect, I'm with Tauriel now. She makes me happy...Angeli will just have to move on. There was a cry of outrage from the depths of Legolas's mind, then nothing. She'll just have to move on, Legolas repeated once more.
After dinner came the dancing, however, before Legolas could even ask Tauriel for the first dance, Galadriel came over and grabbed the prince by the hand, pulling him towards the center of the dance floor. He gave Tauriel a look of dismay, but she simply shrugged and sat back down.
"You know who's sitting all by herself? Angeli," Galadriel began as the song started.
"You know who's also sitting by herself? Tauriel," the prince replied. Galadriel rolled her eyes.
"What does Tauriel have that Angeli doesn't?" She asked.
"She...I don't know how to explain it, but she just has this one thing that I like about her. It's irreplaceable." Galadriel sighed, but after the first song she let Tauriel dance with Legolas, while she talked with Angeli. Though Tauriel could feel the gazes of both elleth on her the whole time she danced with the prince.
"I told you I could handle it," Galadriel told Angeli.
"And I believed you," Angeli responded sarcastically. "Besides, what good would it be for you to tell Legolas all this nice about me without me being present?" Galadriel nodded glumly as she continued to watch her nephew dance with Tauriel.
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"So what did Galadriel want? And who is Angeli?" Tauriel demanded as her and Legolas reached her room.
"Well..." Legolas started, sitting on the same bed he had been pushed off of later that day.
"You promised you'd tell me after the dinner and ball," Tauriel pointed out.
"She's..." he sighed, "she's the girl Galadriel wants me to marry."
"Oh," was all Tauriel said, sitting down beside him. "H-how long have you know about this?" She finally asked.
"For a few decades," he responded, clasping and unclasping his hands together.
"So that's why Galadriel hates me," Tauriel murmured, half to herself.
"She doesn't...hate you," Legolas responded, "she just wants us to be nothing more then a guard and a prince."
"But we're not," Tauriel whispered softly, grabbing Legolas's hand.
"No, we're not, are we?" Legolas murmured, looking at the elleth he loved so deeply. "I'd better get going, you've got a long day of training tomorrow."
"Good night, my prince." However, just as Legolas put his hand on the door handle, there was a loud smash heard, it sounded almost as if glass had shattered.
"What was that?" Tauriel asked, rising from the bed.
"I-I don't know," Legolas replied, and as if on queue, the two both exited the room at the same time and made their way to the source of the sound.
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A beautiful silver plate with red flowers on it, fell to the ground.
"Tell me what I do now Galadriel!" Angeli demanded, her voice rising in anger, and her hand bleeding slightly after making contact with broken glass.
"How would I know what to do? It was your foolish plan that brought us into the heart of Mirkwood."
"How do I get Legolas to like me and ditch Tauriel?"
"Again I ask, how would I know?"
"He's your nephew!"
"Just talk to him a lot about your life and try to get him away from Tauriel for awhile."
"And you're sure that'll work?"
"Not positive, but yes." Galadriel's face remained perfectly calm throughout the entire conversation, that is, until footsteps were heard in the hall.
"What happened?" Tauriel and Legolas both demanded at the same time, bursting into the room. Tauriel? Why is she still with Legolas? Angeli wondered.
"Oh, um, you see...I was carrying this plate when...I thought I saw a black widow, so I dropped the plate only to find it was a ball of fluff," Angeli concluded. They'll buy that, right? While Legolas looked half convinced, Angeli could see Tauriel was not buying it at all. What's her problem? Does she know of my plans? Angeli wondered, but none of her questions could be answered. Not yet, anyway.