This chapter introduces an OC. I hope you like her, but uh, just keep in mind this is not a particularly happy story.
Thanks for your reviews!

Beneath the Stars
SEVEN

Tauriel left Lothlórien the next day and traveled north to Rivendell. She braved the mountains and met no trouble save the cold as she crossed them. She ate lembas leaf, a gift from the Galadhrim, and slept only when she needed to. She was alone, and though she felt still sad and lost, she felt better knowing at least that she had a destination in mind, however temporary it might be.

She reached the valley of Imladris in early autumn. The leaves had begun to turn, and their fiery reds and golds made her hair seem less outlandish and out of place. She walked about unhooded, no longer fearing the attention her hair might call to her.

She approached the borders of Rivendell cautiously but openly, wishing that a border patrol, if this place had one, would find her. After a few days of encountering nothing but trees and birds, she grew bolder.

Tauriel walked straight up to Rivendell's main entrance. It was not an entirely obvious place, she thought. The valley hid its secrets to protect them. But it was not very hard to locate. She walked through to the gates and was immediately met by a guard.

"My lady, what brings you here?" the guard asked her.

Tauriel noticed with some surprise that she had drawn no weapons. This was an awfully trusting place.

"I come to speak to Lord Elrond," she said. "Lady Galadriel directed me here from Lothlórien."

The guard raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I see! Very well, my lady. I will bring you to Lindir. He will be able to help you."

"Thank you," Tauriel said, nodding to her. She led her through Rivendell's paths up to a building where an elf sat writing, a frown of concentration on his face.

"Lindir," the guard called from the entryway.

The elf looked up. Seeing the guard and Tauriel, he set down his quill and rose, nodding to her.

"How may I help you?" he asked, looking at Tauriel.

Tauriel bowed to him. "My lord, I come from Lothlórien, seeking counsel from Lord Elrond. Lady Galadriel sent me." She was not usually one to drop names, but she wished to see Elrond as soon as possible. Galadriel's favor may influence the urgency of Lindir's message to him.

Lindir nodded. "My lord Elrond is busy at the moment, but I will tell him you have arrived. What is your name?"

"I am Tauriel," she said.

"Tauriel." He nodded. "Yes. Losseth, could you kindly take our guest somewhere she can stay for the time being?"

The guard nodded. "Follow me, Lady Tauriel."

As Losseth led her away, Tauriel said, "I am no lady or lord. I am only a servant of my king...and even that no longer."

"You are our guest," she said. "We will treat you kindly."

"Thank you," Tauriel murmured. "Your hospitality makes my hardships easier to bear."

"I'm glad to hear that," Losseth said, "though personally, I'm just excited to see a new face!" She smiled at her. Tauriel hesitantly smiled back.

Losseth led her to a small building not far away from the gates.

"Here is where you may stay," she said. "When Lindir has news for you concerning Lord Elrond, he will find you here."

Tauriel set aside her few belongings next to the comfortable-looking bed that the house provided. It had been a long time since she had slept in a real bed that actually fitted her.

"Thank you, Lady Losseth," she said to the kind guard.

The guard smiled. "Lady yourself! You are very welcome. If you are ever in need of some company during your stay, ask the guard house for me."

"I will." If she planned to stay here for a while, it would be nice to have a companion. In Lothlórien, she had been alone, for the most part. Here, it seemed she had already met a friend.

Losseth left. Tauriel realized that she had been craving good company. She had not had a close friend since before her exile. She had had Legolas then, and companions among the guard, but she had not seen any of them since the battle. She had told no one of her thoughts or sadness save Galadriel, and Dís way back when. All her grief for Kíli had been solely contained and bottle up. Perhaps that was why it was so hard for her to move on.

Her hand found its way to the promise stone in her pocket. She carried it beside her always, a reminder of all she had lost. Her grief welled up inside her again. She fought to push it back, to focus on what was going on around her now.

Rivendell was a beautiful place. She admired the architecture and the gentle climate. She was sure it was protected by Elrond's own magic, as Lothlórien had been by Galadriel. She was curious as to how, but she doubted anyone would tell her. She was, after all, an outsider.

She wondered how extensive Elrond's library was. In the Greenwood, she had liked to read, though her duties as Captain of the Guard didn't often allow her much leisure time to do so. If she was to stay here, perhaps she could make reading a hobby once again.

Tauriel stayed in the house for a day. She spent her time unpacking her bow and re-inventorying her few possessions. She cleaned her bow and sharpened her daggers. She pressed her map flat overnight, then folded it up the next morning.

She had run out of busywork to do and was considering going to find Losseth when at last Lindir arrived.

"My lady Tauriel," he said politely, "come with me. Lord Elrond will see you now."

She rose and followed him, suddenly buzzing with nerves. this was not like her chance meeting with Galadriel in Lothlórien. She had expressly asked to see Lord Elrond, rather than simply waiting for him to find her.

Lindir led her to Elrond's study. Tauriel thanked him the door and entered. She had been vague with Galadriel (not that it had really done anything), but she felt that honesty was probably the best idea if she truly wanted counsel and guidance from Elrond. Still, she was not very excited about baring her soul to a complete stranger.

Elrond was reading when she arrived. Tauriel coughed to make herself known. He put down his book and turned to smile at her.

He was a kindly-looking elf, though an ancient sadness and wisdom hid behind his eyes. Tauriel felt a bit more at ease. If he was anything like Galadriel had said he was, he surely would be able to help her.

"Tauriel," he greeted her. "Please. Sit."

"Thank you, my lord," she murmured, sitting down across for him. A desk was between them.

"Lindir says you were sent here by Lady Galadriel," Elrond said.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"Do you bear a message?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No, my lord. I am Tauriel of the Woodland Realm. Lady Galadriel sent me here to ask for your wisdom."

"My wisdom?" Elrond chuckled. "I doubt those are her exact words. My wisdom was never something she valued while I was courting her daughter."

Tauriel leaned back a little, feeling uneasy. "Uh...yes. She said we have circumstances in common and that you might be able to help me...move on from my grief."

Elrond's face grew sober. "I see." He sighed. "Yes, that is something I have experience with. How can I aid you?"

Tauriel launched into her story. "Nearly a year ago, I was the Captain of Thranduil's Guard. I did my job well, though he and I disagreed on policy often." She smiled a little, remembering. It all seemed so long ago, though really it had not been compared to the eternity of her life before and after. "One day, the Company of Thorin Oakenshield trespassed into our lands."

"They did the same to us," Elrond murmured.

"We captured them, and, well...I took a liking to one of them." Tauriel closed her eyes as she remembered. "His name was Kíli."

Elrond nodded. "I think I recall him. Thorin's nephew, the one without much beard?"

"Yes," she said. "We...I do not know exactly how or why, but we fell in love."

Elrond raised his eyebrows. "An elf and a dwarf? That is unheard of."

"It is unusual," Tauriel admitted, hoping he would not find the notion too offensive, "but his hands were gentle, his words kind, and our souls were alike in our love of our peoples and our need for freedom. My lord, you are half-elven. Surely you can understand?"

Elrond frowned. "Empathy I cannot give you, not with what I know. But sympathy...I can manage that. My brother, Elros...he chose to become a man when the Valar offered as the choice long ago. I know there are those who have desires other than my own."

"Thank you, my lord," she murmured. "I am afraid my tale does not have a happy ending. In the Battle of the Five Armies...Kíli died."

Elrond looked at her gravely. "I had heard...I did not seem to connect the two thoughts until now. Tauriel...my sincerest condolences. I am sorry for your loss."

"I have wandered since," she said. "I have lived for six hundred years and will live much longer, but Kíli...he uprooted my life in only a few days. I have been banished from the Greenwood for treason...I have no home. I went to Lothlórien, seeking guidance and rest, but I found none. Lady Galadriel directed me to you, my lord." She looked at him helplessly. "I do not like to beg, but I do not know what to do. I cannot go back to the Greenwood."

She stopped talking, waiting for him to say something. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened his eyes and looked at her gravely.

"My brother chose a mortal life," he said. "I watched him fade slowly until death. My parents left me as a child, a war tearing us apart. My wife, dear Celebrían...she was hurt gravely in these lands and sailed from these shores to recover. All I have left are my studies, my children, and my duties to these realms."

He reached forward and took her hand gently. "Loss cuts like a knife. It will hurt forever. I will never see my brother again, for he has gone on to receive Ilúvatar's gift...It hurts. I do not know what fate lies ahead of you, Tauriel, but pain will be a constant companion of yours."

Tauriel nodded. She knew he was right. The pain had lessened, had become less prominent, but it was still there.

"But there is hope," Elrond continued. "I have found solace in my life through my studies, and the remnants of my family. Find something to help you cope. You will feel better if you are not alone, as well."

"Where ought I to go, my lord?" she asked.

"You may stay here, if you wish," he offered. "Rivendell can be your home. We are, after all, a haven to those lost, like myself, and like you."

Tauriel bowed her head, mulling it over. He had only confirmed what her mind had been leading to. She would find work, find friends. She would recover. She already felt welcomed here, by both Elrond himself and the guard Losseth. She could build herself back up here.

"Yes, my lord," she said. "I would like to stay here, for the time being."

"I will arrange for more permanent quarters to be found for you," he said, sitting up in a businesslike manner. "You could become a guard, if you wished. Have that duty once again."

"Perhaps not right away," she said, "but someday...I would like that."

"Good." Elrond picked up his quill and resumed his writing. "Lindir can help you, if he is still waiting outside."

"Thank you, my lord," she said.

"I am glad to be of help." Elrond smiled. "Welcome to Rivendell, Tauriel."