In that night, she did not get to catch the right moment to inform the King of the fortress source of spiders, as he was not really keen on listening much either. As soon as they had arrived back they were swept off with orders to more patrolling and fighting, which exhausted their forces and had them simply collapse when given the chance to rest. And the morning would bring about the same repeat of action, something that lasted for a couple of days now.
"If I see one more spider..."
Which he would inevitably see; Legolas made a rather not so princely grunt when the nagging creepers jumped out of the trees, one managing not to miss the target and landing upon the young Elf's back.
Ensuing struggle of course brought about the creature's demise, Tauriel could not hold back staring amused at how her friend looked positively annoyed and... ruffled.
His infamous hair a little bit messy, paired with the blood chilling glares he gave around to the surroundings, she remembered of the days when they were both younger and sparring with make-believe villains as well as each other, when he was also much more short tempered and easily made angry.
After they had finished off this nest, she kept her attention occupied with cleansing her blade using a piece of cloth, thinking about what they both would rather see. Of course, clear night skies and countless stars, shining down upon a much more peaceful forest. If she stopped delaying the inevitable, maybe they might achieve that state soon.
"I will speak with him today, even if he is in a disagreeable mood. I waited enough." Her sudden words had her friend stop from fussing around with his hair, expression smoothing from its scowl. "Maybe you could join and-"
She turned her head quickly, interrupted and startled by the sounds of sudden screams. They seemed to come from an area further on than where they were at currently, though so unusual as none of the guards happened to be there at the time. Fighting had stopped for now as they tried to round up the dead spiders and properly rid the forest of their pungent bodies.
Naturally, wherever there was noise and struggle they would come running to see what was going on, this time no exception. Legolas wound up to leading the charge, rushing in first by making use of the trees and webs, though what they discovered there proved surprising to say the least. Not just spiders but Dwarves, in a group of more than they would have been comfortable with even on a good day.
Arrows threateningly pointed, fierce eyes locking upon their little faces and keeping them in place, while the rest of the Elves handled the remaining crawlers. The tension between the two sides got high and almost palpable quickly, especially after Legolas made the first threat.
The Captain didn't get to hear much of it, being occupied with the remaining living spiders, conveniently cornering a Dwarf that undoubtedly would have seen in this a chance to escape their hold, if he managed to fight his way from the foul things. He was not doing a very good work in her opinion, what with being dragged away already.
She did not really see in them much of capable fighters, with their rough weapons and ways, rudimentary skills that could not compare with their training instead.
Feeling all the more dismissive of them when he called out, demanding a dagger, as if any of them were foolish enough to grant such request.
"If you think I'm giving you a weapon, Dwarf, you are mistaken!" She almost growled out, whilst focusing on avoiding the pincers of a spider her bow helped in holding off. The incoming threat received her dagger instead, both soon dead and disposed of successfully, not seeming the least mindful of avoiding to hit the Dwarf.
Giving him a little smug smile, before quickly moving to retrieve the used blade and pointing it threateningly at his own head. For all she cared, he could meet the same fate as all of these filthy invaders, if he attempted to struggle. Poking him along back to his group, where being outnumbered made them all slightly more obedient.
"Search them!"
The Prince's command got quickly attended to by their fellow guards, while he decided to taunt one of the Dwarves with something he had found in his possession. Seeming to believe nothing of which he was told, bent to take his own amusement from the situation.
"How many things can one possibly carry?" A guard muttered, having already collected so many blades and nick-nacks from just two of them, not looking forward to more.
"They are probably thieves, no less," another said. "Someone, somewhere must greatly miss these."
Tauriel did not doubt much their speculations, deeming most true, moving closer to Legolas as he just turned to face her as well.
"Are the spiders dead?"
"Yes, but more will come. They're growing bolder." The look on his face clearly showed what he thought about that, their lair in Dol Guldur made them feel entitled to advance without hesitation.
"Legolas, hîr vuin," the guard said then, moving his attention as he got presented with a most curious artifact they had confiscated from one of the Dwarves.
"This is an ancient Elvish blade," he noted, examining it in his own hands with great admiration. "Forged by my kin, a truly flawless craft. Where did you get this?"
"It was given to me," arrived the reply from the Dwarf it was taken from, attracting the doubting stares of Elves around him.
It swiftly got pointed back to his throat, stopping any further explanation he might have offered. "Not just a thief, but a liar as well. I have heard enough... Take them away!"
The journey back to their kingdom was not quite so easy, even as the Dwarves moved along. Bickering got established as the walking pace soon and a lot of bad language got exchanged, some quite frustrated by it on both sides.
The younger ones had been quickest to find things warranting strong hate between each other as different races, and when Tauriel stopped by one of the entrance's pillars to watch them enter through the gates, all talking stopped at last. It appeared there existed several things that could get everybody silent, thankfully.
Following inside, Legolas joined behind her, though he kept stopping and giving glances back suspiciously, sharing it to be a feeling of being followed, though there was nothing to be seen out there.
A walk through their home left the Dwarf company with a completely different subject to murmur with each other. They did not really hold back from looking around, swelling a certain sense of pride between the guards when they paid attention to their kingdom's structures. Elves were rarely modest, especially when it came to something that was just as artistic and impressive as any other Elf built city.
It might have looked less refined and luxurious due to the darker hues and the general location, but it was first and foremost a safe haven for them, keeping things secure and comfortable, with visual prestige of a more rustic manner.
Everything had been built with carved stone, masterfully sculpted to resemble the branches, vines and bark of the trees they held dear, majestic pillars stretching up to support the vast ceiling far above, from which hung long ornate strings that held in place glowing lamps, giving a warm golden light to the halls.
Wood and plant life blended together in some areas to create an effect of this being an extension to the forest, and not something to overcome it.
Vivid streams flowed down beyond where their eyes could see, passing by any of them showering their faces with tiny, soothing droplets, filling their souls with freshness.
The dungeons did not seem much like dungeons either, if it were not for the fortified doors capable to keep inside prisoners without possibility for escape. Needing outside help, which would never be given.
Comforts were provided inside, they were not truly barbaric in their nature to create miserable conditions. But neither did they have foes to occupy this place a lot, as all cells were empty before their arrival.
She did not believe it possible, but even more weapons were found and taken from the little scoundrels, right before they got pushed and locked where they belonged. That obnoxious dagger demanding Dwarf from earlier decided to try out his fortune again, only much more differently.
"Aren't you going to search me? I could have anything down my trousers," he said with feigned utmost seriousness.
"Or nothing," Tauriel replied, mustering one of her contemptuous glares, shutting the cell's barred door without delay and moving away, feeling a little bit repelled by their collective behavior already. Knowing them to lack in the manners and decency areas beyond hope, but she hadn't imagined the problem to be this intense.
"Why does the Dwarf stare at you, Tauriel?"
Legolas's question caught her unprepared, making a little face at first as response, especially as she noticed there in his tone a little note of seemingly being bothered, which baffled her mind to the point of having no explanation for that. Why would he be bothered by a Dwarf?
"Who can say?" Her voice betrayed her annoyance, remembering those repulsive words about trousers. "They've been gawking at everything in their sight, they have absolutely no regard for proper sense."
He was still watching them now apparently, making the Prince highly uneasy. Eyes narrowing for a brief moment in the Dwarf's direction, making Tauriel decide to simply reach for his hand and gently lure her friend away.
They were all locked up now save but one who proved to be none other than Thorin Oakenshield, Thranduil requiring a private questioning of him. And the others did not need their watch yet, different guards assuming the shift at this hour.
Following the way to the kitchens, the two friends soon settled down for some hard earned moment of peace and tea, not minding much the other Elves coming and going for their own little cravings.
"We had enough problems without them," Legolas spoke, visibly more at ease now away from the dungeons, but still quite upset judging by his eyes that held a certain darkness within. Elbow propped on the table as his cheek pressed against his hand, the other idly tapping upon the wooden table. "I imagine father will find out the reason behind their presence in our forest too... Even though I suspect the obvious applies here, the mountain."
"Erebor?"
Tauriel's eyes widened, knowing the history as well as anybody else around these parts. "But the dragon, the immense treasure... that can't be any good."
"Likely won't be if it comes to certain things." He took a sip of the tea, moving to cup the goblet in his hands after and hold it close to inhale the pleasant herbal steam, before continuing on his thoughts.
"They might not be allowed to leave, and we will look after our own if they do. We should be safe here from any dragon."
Such an entity was all too well known to be beyond any power or influence, their wrath and fire something that devoured even the best of Elves in the great battles of the past.
For the first time, she found herself agreeing to staying away, if nothing else to prevent such an occurrence would be possible. The dragon's slumber should not be disturbed, he posed an enemy force to be reckoned with...
Obligatory Author's Note: And so, here arrives the second chapter. More obviously a re-write than the previous of course since that one was completely made up, inspired by how the Elves came to know about where the spiders came from in the first place.
The next few, who are much more rich in contradicting content in the movies, will be more clearly altered in their respective center-scenes.
No worries! I know what I'm doing... I think.
Thank you very much to those who offered their support for the first by reading and liking it! I'm happy you take this journey with me!
I know this one was less romantic and tender but bear with me, Legriel will come crashing in the half of the third. ^_^ Got to also have some gloomy seriousness in between.
My special mentions here; Legolas CAN get his hair messed up. You're welcome.
Kili's trouser line only scared off Tauriel, more than the 'cursed rune stone' which looked like soap in the movies but uhghgh that is off-topic.
Future spoiler I can give: I'm following the book, meaning Kili does not get an arrow to the knee and doesn't almost become a little Wraith in distress to be rescued.
I know that you're thinking "But but but Leggy and Tau in Laketown and then dragon aftermath loopholes!" You'll have to wait to see how I handle that!