"The Wood Elves, more dangerous and less wise, for they never went to the West. They rarely leave their forests, and love starlight best."

J.R.R. Tolkien

CHAPTER 21

Valadhiel herself was taken by surprise at how quickly she recovered after the bracelet had been removed from her wrist. No longer under its influence, she felt her strength and free will surge through her along with an immense energy instilled by her magical powers. Still dormant, yet lying there, just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to erupt and consume anything that sparked her anger.

Back on her feet, she looked at Tauriel with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. At a loss for words in front of this elleth who had saved her life, she embraced Tauriel, forever indebted to her for her courage and loyalty. Tauriel was taken by surprise at first, not used to this most uncommon show of affection among the higher ranks of the Elven Kingdom; yet she welcomed it warmly and gratefully, as an elleth still greatly in need of love and friendship would.

"How did you know that I was in danger?" the Queen asked, moving a step backward.

"I heard you," was Tauriel's simple answer. "I felt you calling for help from deep within my mind. I stopped to hide when I saw you talking to Lord Lathron. At first, I thought that he too had come to answer your distressed call."

With the mention of his name Valadhiel's eyes darkened. "That vile creature wanted to kill me Tauriel, and it was not the first time that he had tried to do so! But fate thought it wise to thwart his foul plans…twice, leaving it up to me to stop his sick and twisted deeds once and for all."

"But why? Why would he want to harm you?" questioned Tauriel, who still found it difficult to grasp the adviser's evil behaviour after all she had witnessed.

"From what I understood during our brief but enlightening conversation, I believe that the first reason is his obsession with the King. It seems that when I first got to know Thranduil, and later on married him, he saw me no more than as an invasive intruder, taking his place as adviser and, by helping other races, putting the Realm and the King himself in danger."

"That certainly explains his dislike for me as well!" put in Tauriel, noticing Valdhiel's lips curling into a grin, "And what, if I may ask, would the second reason be?"

"That," replied the Queen, "is what I deem to be the essence of all evil my dear friend …power! With me out of the way, Lathron could once again exert his influence on a King who had been through so much pain that it was easier for him to shut himself and the rest of his beloved Kingdom from the perils of the outside world. A feat which, although understandable to overcome a terrible loss for a short time, is in the long run impossible to maintain. We have to do everything within our power to stop evil from spreading, beginning from our own home if so we must!"

Tauriel's eyes glistened and her heart leapt with pride and joy at hearing Valadhiel uttering those words. There, standing in front of her, was a Queen she was ready to follow up to the gates of Mordor!

"But we must not tarry a moment longer," she exclaimed, looking up towards the star-studded sky. "Night will soon claim the last light of day and I do not wish to be caught in its darkness." Then continued, turning back to face the red haired elleth, "Lead the way Tauriel, I cannot wait to see our friend' s ugly face distort in anger when he sees me…come back from among the dead once again. Only this time things are going to be much different!"

Tauriel smiled grimly before running off into the forest with Valadhiel following closely at her heels. She moved fast, along a familiar path which was parallel to the river bank. At times it diverted abruptly back towards the forest but Tauriel, having walked along these paths innumerable times before, quickly took them back to the main track.

Valadhiel was following in silence, thinking about how she would react when she comes face to face with Lathron, while at the same time trying to keep her ever increasing headache at bay. She was happy though, for by now she was aware that this was a side effect of regaining her memory. Images and short episodes in her life started flooding back and she welcomed them with open arms for she knew that they were just the prologue to her full life story.

These were the thoughts going through her mind when she suddenly stopped. Tauriel had halted as well. Both of them had heard something and, unsure whether it was friend or foe, they stood still, transfixed, listening attentively in the calm night.

Nothing. They must have been heard as well. A moment later they heard the stern, authoritative voice of General Drauchir, "Who is there? Identify yourself!"

"It is Tauriel, my Lord! And I am not alone." Barely had she uttered these words then they became aware of dark silhouettes coming out of the dense forest and surrounding them.

"Where have you been Tauriel?" demanded the General, closing the distance between them. As if in answer to his question, the rays of the moon found their way through the clouds to enlighten the faces of both elleths, revealing Tauriel and Queen Valadhiel to the astonished General. Lost for words, he bent his head, putting a hand to his heart as a sign of respect.

A soft whisper, barely audible, went round the rest of the soldiers who did the same, standing in awe before their Queen, some of them for the first time in their life. It was a beautiful and magical scene to behold under the silvery rays of the full moon.

"My Queen!" General Drauchir finally said, voice straining under the weight of the emotions that were building up inside of him, at long last looking up, unable to remove the sorrowful image of the last time he had seen her. Guilt feelings resurfacing, he was almost going to cast down his eyes again when he was stopped short by her voice.

"My Lord Drauchir!" she said, voice full of emotion, "Most loyal and trusted friend!" And with these words she moved forward and held his hand in hers. "I remember your loyalty and courage on that fateful day. It is thanks to you that my son lives! For that, I shall be forever in your debt."

The General stood rooted to the spot, eyes filled with emotion looking at hers, ears barely believing what he had just heard. She remembered! Finally finding his voice, he managed to repeat what he had said so far, "My Queen," before adding, "It is and will always be my greatest honour to serve you and our King!"

These words, spoken with such heartfelt sincerity, sounded strikingly in contrast to those spoken in venom by Lathron earlier that day. Getting back to the urgency of the task at hand, Valadhiel summoned Tauriel nearer as she filled in the General with the details of what had happened to her during the time she went missing.

Lord Drauchir did not speak a word. He stood transfixed as the Queen told her story, only the flaming anger in his eyes betraying his inner feelings.

"I need your help my Lord, to clear my Kingdom from this corrupted creature!"

"Rest assured, my Lady, that you shall be avenged!" he reassured her, his jaw set in sheer determination. And with those words they continued on their way back towards the Palace.

"What ails you my Lord? You look pale…" remarked the King in a steely tone that echoed around the Throne Room and throughout the castle. For one must know that this was no ordinary chamber we are talking about. Set in the centre of the castle, this vast hall had no walls that could supress the conversations that went on. Seemingly flying walkways and intricate staircases led to this place which could also be described as a floating platform that made it possible for every elf inside the castle walls to overhear what was going on at any given moment, especially during important interlocutions which the King wished to share with his subjects. And Thranduil had no doubt that there were many an interested elf ear turned up towards the throne room right at this moment.

He was sitting on his throne, overlooking those present, cold and calculating, not one movement betraying his true emotions. Not a single gesture out of place. At first, what Bard, Arahad and Gandalf had said back in the council room, had filled him with rage, his ears listening in disbelief at those accusations blurted out against one of his most trusted advisers, yet the sincerity with which they spoke and the look in their eyes instilled a seed of doubt within him that was ultimately impossible to shake off.

He grabbed the hand rests of his throne tighter and pierced Lord Lathron's gaze with his icy glare. Gandalf's previous questions had provoked his thoughts so much that he was finally ready to see and accept Lathron's animosity towards Valadhiel. Yet he still could not believe that feelings of hostility from a high ranking Sindar elf could lead to tangible actions of violence against the Queen herself. It was not only inconceivable, but there was nothing…no proof of any crime or misdeed whatsoever from his part.

Thus, much to his irritation, the King felt at a dead end. He could not simply accuse one of the most influential elves in the Kingdom of treason or worse without any scrap of evidence. He had hoped to see him buckle and admit to his wrongdoings, but this never happened. On the contrary, it seemed that the adviser had perceived that they had nothing, so as time ticked slowly by, he plucked up more courage and Thranduil's keen eyes noticed in annoyance, that his breathing became slower and steadier.

True, this was exactly how Lathron was feeling right now. No sooner had he stepped back inside his chambers, than he was summoned in the presence of the King by two guards who did not leave his side all the way to the throne room. The looks on the elves' faces in the corridors on their way there, added to the shock and increasing sense of foreboding. This quickly turned to sheer terror once he was in the presence of the King, surrounded by the Prince and none other than that wretched wizard and those disgusting lowly inhabitants of Dale. By Eru! Had he found out what he had done? Blood drained from his face as the King questioned him on his whereabouts these last couple of hours until it dawned on him that he knew nothing for certain. For if he had, he was sure that by now he would have been thrown in the dungeons and treated much worse than this!

He shuddered as these thoughts crossed his mind, but he put them aside as a feeling of hope took over until he finally gathered enough courage to speak. "My King, I am most distressed to hear that the Queen is nowhere to be found. As I have already told you, I have been reading and meditating in the forest since our meeting this morning and I haven't heard anything all day long. In fact, I had no idea that she had gone missing at all. As for my countenance, I haven't had time to eat or drink anything yet, so deeply immersed in my thoughts as I was."

Arahad stood there, a few paces away, listening incredulously to the amount of lies that this scum was conjuring. By now, he was more than certain that he had something to do with Valadhiel's disappearance. At first he was sure that the adviser would give in under the pressure and make a false move. Who wouldn't? Standing there in front of the Elvenking sitting on his throne…a throne which in itself sealed the immense position of power held by the King of this Realm. Just being in his presence would send shivers down anybody's spine, knowing you are completely at his mercy.

Lord Lathron's words rolled off his tongue like honey, filling Arahad with loathing and anger. The others could not perceive it, but for him the air felt stale of this being's treachery and deceit. He could not stand it a moment longer, especially now that he felt everyone was helpless and fearing that the King would let him go unpunished. He glanced sideways at Bard, whose look implored him not to do anything foolish. Gandalf too had not uttered a word and Legolas' expression was practically impenetrable, like his father's. This left him no choice. He had to do something and that included putting his life in danger if it meant saving Valadhiel. His hand was already moving towards the hilt of his sword when they heard running footsteps heading towards the throne room.

Legolas turned round and was surprised to see Tauriel coming purposefully towards them. What had she been doing? He had looked for her that afternoon but the events of today had put his mind on other more urgent matters. Where had she been to? And what was she doing now? Her eyes met his for a split of a second, yet it was enough for him to understand that he had to prepare himself for something. He did not know what, but he had known her for far too long now not to notice these signals. His face remained impassive as he watched attentively what she was about to do.

Stopping at an arm's length from Lord Lathron, she looked up at the King. "My Lord Thranduil," she said, voice unwavering, "Pardon me for this interruption, but I need to give something to Lord Lathron." Thranduil was surprised but he did not show it. Tauriel must have more than valid reasons for this. Nodding his head he indicated to her that she should proceed, while at the same time he focused on the adviser's reaction.

Tauriel turned to face Lathron, whose expression showed both bewilderment and annoyance. She stretched out her arm and opened her closed fist. The utter shock and bulging eyes as he stared in disbelief at the golden serpent bracelet was evident to everybody present. Losing all self-control, he took a step backward. "No! No! It can't be!" he repeated, shaking his head.

"What is the meaning of this?" The King demanded harshly as he stood up and started coming down the stairs from his throne. What was Lathron hiding? Why is he reacting like this? What…? But his silent questions were halted by her voice.

"Yes Lathron…why don't you explain to your King what has been going on?" Her voice was strong, firm, commanding and loud enough to echo throughout. Valadhiel climbed the stairs leading to the platform slowly, elegantly, like the Queen that she was, followed a few steps behind by Lord Drauchir. Her eyes were ablaze with the rage and energy she felt building up inside her at that moment. And she could also feel, probably set off by these myriad of emotions, the dark shroud that had enveloped her mind, finally starting to lift, showing her in one breathtaking instant all the precious memories which she loved and cherished.

Her heart skipped a beat as an indescribable feeling of pure love swept through her body as the bond with her husband was finally restored. Looking at Thranduil as if for the first time since she had woken up, her heart was overwhelmed with soaring joy and she knew from his expression that he could feel it too.

"Wait! You don't understand!" screeched Lathron, as under General Drauchir's orders the soldiers moved to close in on him. His voice brought her back to the present situation. Disgust and anger took hold of her once again as she strode towards him and, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, she literally dragged him and threw him at the King's feet.

Like the stone columns surrounding the open space, the Elvenking, tall and regal, standing a couple of steps up, looked also as if he had been made of the same substance if it were not for the energy he radiated. Glaring at Lathron, lying in a heap on the floor, he moved another step down.

The traitor, unable to hold his King's terrible stare, raised his hands in front of his face and turned round to look at the Queen, who he still blamed in his distorted mind, for his present situation.

"Go on!" she urged, "Tell him how you let innocent people die by hiding the letters sent asking for our help!" Her eyes mirrored her fury as she continued, her voice a pitch higher, "…about how angry you were that I had taken your place…tell him how you sent his wife and his son to face certain death when you knew that the paths in the North were swarming with orcs…and finally tell him how you cursed me and threw me into the river today!"

With one sudden movement, she bent forward and grabbed his chin, forcing him to face the King. Pointing at Thranduil, she continued relentlessly, "Look at him in the eyes and tell him that, for you will have to answer to him. Let us see if he understands!"

Her tone had slowed down at the end, her voice dropping dangerously low yet still heard clearly in surroundings where one could hear a pin drop. All the Realm seemed to be holding its breath as it waited… Releasing Lathron's face, Valadhiel slowly stood up once again, taking a step backward as she was possessed by a surreal calmness.

"Stand up!" ordered the King between clenched teeth, towering over him. His features gave way to an untamed force which was terrible to behold. All stood silent, secretly relieved that they are not the cause that had unleashed his terrible wrath.

Spirit broken, afraid of what was to come, Lathron stood painfully up. Time seemed to stop until the King finally spoke, "I am fighting against the almost overwhelming urge I have to strangle you with my own bare hands right here and now; for it would be too easy, ending your life here or in my dungeons, no suffering entailed…That is why I condemn you to be banished from this Kingdom! All titles and possessions shall be stripped from you and word shall be sent to the other Elven Realms of your terrible crimes and actions. You shall be eternally shunned, forever held in disdain by your own kin. Leave now, never to set foot here again. Let the outside world deal with you, for you are our concern no more! You are sentenced to roam aimlessly around Middle Earth for the rest of your pathetic life and that, as you well know, is a long time!"

Lathron was in a state of shock, unable to form a complete sentence, his mumblings incoherent and making no sense. Yet no one pitied his predicament. What he had done was worth of the most severe of punishments and for an elf, this was it! Shunned and banished from the Elven Kingdoms was a sentence far worse than death.

"Please my Lord, I beg you!" he pleaded. But his words were met with an ice cold look.

"You beg?!" All eyes turned to Legolas who was looking at Lathron with eyes full of disdain and loathing. "How dare you? You have no right to beg!" Fists clenched he took a step forward but his movements were stopped by the King's raised hand. "Stop Legolas, do not soil your hands with this filth! Drauchir, get him out of my sight!" The General signalled to the guards, who half carried the traitor out, almost delirious in his insane ravings.

No sooner was he taken away, than they were in each other's arms. Tears flowed freely down Valadhiel's cheeks as he held her up and laughed loudly in sheer happiness and utter bliss. Few had heard that sound of joy before. Legolas was amazed and he was not the only one. Those who were lucky enough to witness this scene could not be unmoved by it! He looked at her with eyes full of love and adoration, same feelings reflected in hers while she cupped his face in her hands and finally kissed him. One sweet loving kiss after so many years apart!

He slowly put her down yet unyielding his hold on her. He was not ready yet. Not until she turned round and whispered, "Legolas!" Eyes blurred, arms outstretched, she was holding her son once again after an eternity! It was here that she felt cheated. Remembering Legolas as an infant and seeing him now all grown up, she could not help but feel sorry for all those moments she had missed throughout the years. But she did not want to ponder on the past. She could not. She was embracing her family and this is what she wanted to think about now, thanking the Valar for giving her a second chance.

Looking at this emotional scene which filled the hearts of everyone in the room and beyond with contentment and immeasurable happiness, Bard put a hand on Arahad's shoulder. "How are you feeling?" he asked his friend.

Arahad's face broke into a wide smile. "Strangely happy," was the ranger's answer. "The Queen has returned to the Kingdom of Mirkwood. Now everything is as it should be!"

THE END

Author's Note:

Disclaimer: The characters of Gandalf, Bard, Legolas, Thranduil, Elrond, Celeborn, Galadriel, Dain, Balin and the fantastic world of Middle Earth belong solely to the great J.R.R. Tolkien and his estate.

Tauriel belongs to Peter Jackson.

Drauchir belongs to a friend who owns the immensely informative facebook page "My Heart Belongs To Middle Earth".

Valadhiel, Arahad, Hamar, Tor, Odell, Ceorl, Lathron, Faeron, Tuarwen, Meldarion and the She Orc, along with the story in itself are original and belong to me.

Also, in order to make this flowing and a story that continues from the last Hobbit movie (The Battle Of The Five Armies), I borrowed a few phrases from the film and book. This work was not written for money, my aim was simply to entertain and give a pleasing ending to where the movies and the book left off, trying to stay true to the characters as much as possible. I honestly hope I have achieved this.

Sincere thanks go to all those who supported me in this venture :), who reviewed, encouraged, favourited and followed my story.

And please, before you leave, I ask you to listen to the following song,

watch?v=Xk-Sauafa6Y (Star Sky by Two Steps From Hell)