Can You Thaw This Heart Of Mine?

Chapter 3

Tauriel knew that Legolas was going through something at the moment...or he really isn't a person of smiles or sunshine.

"He really is so serious..." she once remarked, watching him command his soldiers. The prince looked cold on the outside and rarely smiles. Once someone makes a mistake in front of him, that elf is surely gonna regret it.

Others see him as a morose and austere being of Arda...but Tauriel knew that he can smile,if only someone could just show him how to enjoy life for once.

"Hey,ernil-nin," she said one day, popping out of nowhere and startling the prince a bit. When he recovered, his face slightly scowled.

"What do you want?"

Tauriel looked a little taken back. "I was wondering if you would want to go to the falls with me."

"What makes you think that?" he said, brandishing his knives. Tauriel was losing patience.

"Well, I noticed that you...you work alot." she said.

"I'm a prince," he simply replied, "It's what I do."

"Have you ever had fun for once in your life?" she asked, hands on her hips. "I'm starting to think that you were deprived of your childhood!"

Legolas stood up and towered over her. The elleth instantly regretted what she said and took a step back. "Dear god,what have I done?"

"You think I was deprived of my childhood?" he demanded, "You know what-you are right! I was!"

She stared at him in surprise and muttered. "That explains it..."

"You think it was pleasing to stay in the chambers all the time-learning how to fight and learning all about this kingdom infested by giant spiders?!" he asked loudly. "Well, no matter how much I want to act like a child again, I can't!" He sighed and sat back down. "...I have to lead this kingdom well, and being immature is not going to solve that for me."

"Legolas...I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I'll respect your decisions...but at least do a favor for yourself." With that, she took his hands and he looked up at her, surprised.

"Learn how to enjoy life for once..." she said and turned to leave when she felt a tight grip on her wrist. Tauriel's eyes snapped open. She turned and looked down at him.

"Let's go to that falls." he said and stood up. When he saw the smile on her face, he felt a tingle in his head. She looked kind of cute.

In the way, Tauriel told him all about the things her parents would do before they died. Legolas didn't speak much but she knew he was listening.

Finally, they arrived to a cave. Legolas stared down at her in disbelief. "I thought we were going to the falls."

"We are." she said and grabbed one of his hands. "Follow me."

Just as he suspected, they were going inside the cavernous cave. It was a short distance and an instant later,they could see the exit...they could see daylight.

As soon as the two stepped out of the shadows, Legolas looked around at this seemingly hidden paradise that he and Tauriel stumbled into.

"Tauriel..." he said, almost speechless. The elleth nodded in acknowledgement. The falls' beauty was beyond description.

"What do you day we get in the water?" she said as a smile lit up her face. Legolas was reluctant until he felt cold water splashing on his body. Getting his bearings, he saw Tauriel laughing as she continued to splash him with water.

The prince gave a small smirk and joined her, splashing water onto each other. Pretty soon, they both were wet-but they didn't mind. For once, the prince felt different; he felt so alive beyond his years and his face was glowing with the light of happiness and innocence.

"Tauriel, I-" he said,abruptly stopping short as he laid eyes on her wet,but beautiful face. "Thank you."

"For what?" she said.

"For showing me how to be happy..."