After a hard ride, Prince Legolas, Tauriel and the Elf Guards returned to Mirkwood with Rhavaniel in a mere three days.

The entire party rode directly to King Thranduil's Citadel, where they were greeted by Valdarion, a Chief Council. Tauriel dismounted her tired horse, handing the reins to a helpful junior Guard.

"I would speak privately to Rhavaniel before she is reunited with her family." she told Legolas, "I will join you momentarily."

Valdarion was relieved to see Legolas, and what looked like the full contingent of Guards, safely returned. He was anxious to hear their report, but the unusual presence of an Elfling in the group prompted his curiosity.

"Who is that child?" Valdarion asked.

"A lost girl of our Kingdom" Legolas replied. "The Orc activity is beyond what any of us believed. That child was hunted to the very Gates of Erebor. We found her taking shelter with Prince Thorin, of all people. He was good enough to return her, the price being that we turn away from Lonely Mountain."

"I fear your Father will say the price was too high." Valdarion solemnly stated, "All of our children will be in danger if the Dwarves awaken Smaug. Preventing that was your mission."

"My mission has changed. I will explain when the Council convenes."

"They were summoned as soon as the horns announced your return. You have a few moments to refresh and change, if you like, while they gather."

"Thank you, but I have no time to spare."

Valdarion could not help but be distracted by Rhavaniel. That wasn't like him. It was so rare indeed, he decided that his nagging feeling was something he should pursue rather than ignore. "That girl, you say she is ours? Since when are there Tatyar in the Kingdom? We had given up looking for them over a hundred years ago."

Legolas shrugged, "I suppose she does look Tatyar, a bit." In truth, he had hardly looked at the girl. Tauriel captivated his eyes. Thoughts of the Dwarf situation, Smaug, and the Orc threat weighted on his mind.

Tauriel was chatting with the girl.

"Am I free to go?" asked Rhavaniel tiredly.

"Yes, but you must not leave the bounds of our walls again." Tauriel warned. "I will be visiting you soon. Where will you be staying?"

"To the home of my nephew, Nechaenion. No, wait, I am overdue to stay at the home of my eldest brother, Máfortion. It will be one or the other, or the Westward forge, or maybe I should go to class?"

Tauriel put a hand on Rhavaniel's shoulder. "I know your eldest brother. Go straight to his home and I will come speak with him later."

Tauriel was satisfied that Rhavaniel had not betrayed her people, and had not been mistreated by Dwarves. Though Tauriel understood that much was unsaid with this child, it was not of a matter for the Guard. King Thorin's nephew had seemed concerned for her, but Tauriel saw no reason for him to have worried so.

As Rhavaniel turned away, Legolas called to Tauriel. "Bring the girl."

Valdarion bent down to politely take Rhavaniel's hand in his, greet her, and look closely at her face.

"Aren't you a lovely girl." Valdarion smiled.

Rhavaniel blushed, not used to compliments except from Kili. "Not really, Sir. Even an Orc called me unpretty."

"Orcs are liars." he assured her. "How old are you?"

"Forty-eight, Sir."

Valdarion sighed, "Too young by far. Still, your face looks familiar. What can you tell me of your Elf tribe, or your human tribe?"

"I am not manchild at all, Sir, I am Avari."

"Avari, yes, and Tatyar, but there must be man in the mix, for no pure elf-born has skin as brown as yours. I do not mean to insult you, little one, it is just an observation from centuries of seeing many different tribes."

"Maybe that explains ..." Rhavaniel mumbled, eyes cast down. '...why the Avari did not want me back.'

"It is no shame." Tauriel assured her. "Some of our greatest nobles wed worthy Men and Women, and their descendants thrived with the gifts of both races."

"And some wed terrible Men, certainly the Tatyars did. I know of that history, too." Rhavaniel stated.

"She should go home and rest." Tauriel told Valdarion, sensing the weary girl was growing even more forlorn with this inquisition.

Adanion had joined them, and interrupted, "She should be locked up."

Tauriel turned to him, displeased, "Do not speak out of turn."

She turned to Valdarion and stated emphatically, "We are satisfied that the girl is guilty of no more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Legolas concurred, "Let the girl go on. She is tired and needs clean clothes and a home cooked meal."

Tauriel looked at Legolas gratefully.

Adanion was not done, "I have just asked the Station to send word that the missing child is back, only to find there is no report of a child missing. If you think her people are going to keep her within the kingdom walls when they have not noticed her gone for half a month, you are mistaken. If you do not lock her up, we will be out finding her again."

Tauriel looked at Adanion sternly, "She has done nothing wrong, other than wander too far into woods she did not know were unsafe. That is not an offense for incarceration of an adult, let alone a child. But I will speak firmly to her guardians."

Adanion gritted his teeth, "Aye, not her fault Glennodad and Vehiron were killed trying to get her home. She could not save them, being one little girl. Except she did manage to fight for the life of a Dwarf Prince. Did not leave him behind for Orcs did you, little throw-away? Did not look like that youngest Dwarf wanted to let her go, not at all."

Rhavaniel looked even more crushed than the usual state of sadness that Tauriel had observed in their short time together.

Tauriel turned to her Adanion, "You are tired and grieving, so I will overlook the insubordination. But you will not cast aspersions on this child again. Am I clear?"

Adanion nodded, "Yes, Ma'am. I must prepare for the condolence calls for my fallen brethren, if I may be excused?"

Valdarion interrupted, " How many did we lose?"

Tauriel sighed, " Two, but not from our party. They were patrol guards."

"I knew two went missing shortly after the Dwarves escaped. We feared they met with violence."

"They did, but not from Dwarves. It was Orcs." Tauriel explained, "We only found out their fate a few days ago, when we recovered Rhavaniel and a sword of the fallen Guard."

"Such is the story the Dwarves told." Adanion added. He was casting aspersions on Dwarves now, not the girl.

Tauriel began to realize how right Prince Kili may have been, to be concerned for Rhavaniel. She would have to speak with the Guards at greater length, and keep an eye on the child.

Valdarion was not sure what to make of this. "Much as I do not insert myself in Guard business, this child broke rules of where to travel and who to consort with. Do you have a guarantee she will not do so again? We cannot let one child distract our Guards from the very serious threats this Realm is facing."

"Thank you, Sir." Adanion replied.

Tauriel frowned. "I will explain the seriousness of what happened to her family, and personally guarantee her good behavior from now on."

She turned to Rhavaniel and offered her hand, "Come with me."