It's been a while, sorry. But I have a new chapter for you now, and that's what matters! (I hope.)
Some dialogue for this chapter and the next is taken from the Two Towers movie.

Beneath the Stars
FIFTEEN

The Galadhrim warriors traveled for several days, out of Lothlórien and down to Rohan. When Haldir led his people to Edoras, they found the Golden Hall deserted. Heeding Galadriel's command, he turned northwest to Helm's Deep, where he was sure the Rohirrim must have fled in the face of war.

Tauriel felt at home among the Lothlórien elves. She felt a surprising relief and comfort to be back among warriors, even if this time, she was not the one leading them. Rúmil and Orophin welcomed her into their ranks, introducing her to other warriors. Haldir talked with her when he could, as she knew him best, but he was busy leading the Galadhrim and was not always available.

At last, they arrived at the Hornburg. As Haldir led them forward in the night, he signaled for his heralds to blow their horns. The men of Rohan, who at this far distance looked like ants scurrying across the battlements, surged forward toward the noise.

Haldir led his warriors up the ramp leading to the gates of the Hornburg. As soon as the Rohirrim recognized them as friends and not foes, a cry was heard: "Open the gate!"

As the elves of Lothlórien marched into Helm's Deep, Tauriel did not miss the looks of wild hope in the eyes of the Rohirrim they passed. Even their king had wide, surprised eyes.

Haldir stopped to speak with him. The rest of the elves stopped abruptly. Tauriel had the fortune of being close enough to hear what they were saying.

"How is this possible?" the king asked breathlessly, his eyes surveying the ranks of the Galadhrim in wonder.

Haldir bowed to him respectfully. "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell," he answered. "An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together."

Haldir's gaze wandered away from the king and toward two newcomers to the scene: Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and Legolas. "We come to honor that allegiance."

Aragorn broke into a grin and raced down the steps to meet Haldir. "Mae govannen, Haldir!" he exclaimed. He paused for a moment, then roughly embraced the elf in the manner of men.

Tauriel stifled a laugh. Elves were not especially prone to extreme physical touch, especially with those they were not well acquainted with. Aragorn seemed to have met Haldir before, but Tauriel doubted they were very close. He must be very happy to see the reinforcements.

Aragorn let go of Haldir and continued, "You are most welcome."

Tauriel was suddenly very glad she had come. Legolas was here, and her aid was clearly sorely needed. Even the difference of just one more elf could turn the tide in the battle to come.

Aragorn stepped back, and Legolas took his turn to greet Haldir, grasping his forearm in a slightly more elvish manner of welcome, but still one that showed his extreme gratitude for the presence of Haldir and his warriors.

A command rippled through the ranks of the Galadhrim, sent mostly likely by Orophin, and the elves turned to face the king. Haldir, now done greeting Legolas, looked back to the king and proclaimed, "We are proud to fight alongside men once more."

Haldir began to speak with the king in more prosaic matters, how their forces could be best put to use and such things. Up on the steps, Tauriel watched as a dwarf stomped his way forward: Gimli, son of Glóin. As soon as he approached, Legolas left Aragorn and the king to speak with him.

At the top of the steps, Legolas quickly filled Gimli in—or so Tauriel supposed. She could not hear the words they exchanged from that distance. The unlikely friends turned to observe the host of elves.

At last, Legolas's gaze wandered over to her face. His eyes widened in surprise as they made eye contact. Though her distinctive red hair was covered by the blue hood of the Galadhrim, he could easily recognize her face.

Legolas raised an eyebrow, and Tauriel in turn pursed her lips. Beside him, Gimli looked surprisingly at ease. Tauriel wondered how such bitter rivals could become friends. Perhaps Legolas had remembered her and Kíli, and kept on open mind and heart. And perhaps Gimli had listened to Glóin's words of wisdom, as well.

Whatever the cause, Tauriel soon lost sight of them both. Haldir finished speaking with the king, then began to disperse his warriors across the battlements. The orcs would soon be upon Helm's Deep and war was coming quickly.

Tauriel's body sang with anticipation in the tense air before a battle. She had missed this. Living in Rivendell, she had very rarely had cause to use her weapons. She was eager to slay orcs again.

Before Haldir could send her away to her new post, she took him aside.

"Haldir," she said, "if I may, could I speak with Legolas before the battle?"

He raised his eyebrows, but nodded. "Of course."

"Thank you," she said. Then she smiled. "Are you ready for the battle, Captain?"

He grinned at her. "I am. I haven't killed an orc in years. I feel young again."

She laughed. "You will for a while, if this war is truly one for the ages."

"Go," he said, clapping her on the shoulder. "You're posted with Rúmil, but Legolas is waiting."

"Goodbye, Haldir," she said, suddenly overcome by a rush of fondness for this elf who had so kindly taken her in. "May your arrows be swift and your blade sharp."

"And may you always hit your mark," he said. "Goodbye, Tauriel." They exchanged one last smile, then Tauriel left to speak with Legolas.

He was not hard to find. She looked for Gimli, and discovered Legolas standing nearby, the two of them speaking in grave tones with Aragorn. As Tauriel navigated her way through the throng of Rohirrim and Galadhrim preparing for battle, Aragorn nodded to Legolas and walked away, their conversation evidently finished.

Tauriel took his place. Legolas smiled at her, and so did Gimli.

"Tauriel!" Legolas greeted her. "I did not think to see you again until after the war!"

"I did not expect to, either," she admitted. "But some months after you left, Lord Elrond asked me to deliver a message to Lothlórien. Haldir convinced me to tag along with his army, at least to here."

"Well, good for you, lassie," Gimli said enthusiastically. "We can always use the extra warrior!"

Tauriel looked at him and smiled warily, raising her eyebrows. "Master Gimli. I am surprised to see you in Legolas's company. I did not think you were overfond of elves."

Gimli shrugged. "Well, we have our differences, but this one isn't too bad." He elbowed Legolas in a friendly manner.

"I figured that if you could fall in love with a dwarf, I could at the very least attempt to befriend one." Legolas took a step away from Gimli's offensive elbow, but he smiled at his short companion. "I suppose it worked out."

Tauriel laughed, hiding the stab of pain she felt when he mentioned Kíli. She knew Legolas meant well, but it still hurt to think of him.

"My father told me to give him a chance," Gimli admitted.

"My father would disown me if he saw me now," Legolas joked. "Well. Maybe not. Dealings between our peoples have been better of late—though who would have thought!"

"Who indeed," Tauriel agreed. She turned to Gimli, a thought striking her. "I heard from Mithrandir that your company passed through the mines of Moria, though he did not elaborate. Your father told me at Rivendell that Lord Balin took a company of dwarves there to reclaim it. Did you by any chance meet him?"

Immediately, Gimli's face fell. "No," he said gravely. "We found his tomb."

Tauriel's eyes widened. "How did he die?" she asked softly. She remembered all those years ago, how Balin had been so kind to her in her loss. He had invited her to travel with his company to meet Dís, had been as much of a friend to her as he could, had appreciated her and comforted her in her grief.

"Orcs," Gimli said grimly. "But enough of his people were left to bury him. By the time we arrived, though...there was no one left."

Tauriel bowed her head. "That is truly sad. I mourn him alongside you. He was very kind to me many years ago."

Legolas looked at her curiously. He opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly there was a shout from the ramparts: "Orcs approaching!"

Tauriel gasped, turning toward the noise. "I am sorry," she said to Legolas and Gimli, "But I must go. Good luck in the battle to come—I hope we will speak again."

Legolas nodded. Tauriel smiled at him, then quickly raced away to her station on the ramparts. The battle was about to begin.