Can You Thaw This Heart Of Mine?
Chapter 10
Legolas and Tauriel headed down and found the other elves looking for them.
"There you two are!" exclaimed one of them, "I knew something bad happened, which is why I followed the prince when I saw that he was alone."
Legolas looked at Tauriel with a faint smile. "So that is how they found us."
They left the place and headed back to the kingdom on foot. Legolas and Tauriel walked side by side each other, for a long time, the two have not spoken to each other.
"Tauriel..." said the prince softly and the elleth turned to him.
"Yes?"
"You've really proven yourself back there..." he said quietly, "you showed how far you will go in order to protect me."
"It's nothing, ernil-nin," she replied, "like I said...it is my duty to protect you."
Legolas stopped in his tracks and looked at Tauriel. "Is that really the only reason why you protect me? Because it's your...duty?"
Tauriel shot him a look of confusion and went to him. "What do you mean, ernil-nin?" she asked, "should there be another reason why I should?"
Legolas bit his lip and they both walked again. "Well...what if you weren't the captain, would you still help me at my time of need?"
"I would." she said simply and the prince's eyes met hers.
"Really?" he said, seemingly surprised.
"Yes...because it is my duty to help those in need, even if I am not captain."
Once more, Legolas' face fell and the two trudged along in awkward silence. They were most thankful when they reached the palace and got in with their fellow elves.
"I am glad that you and the captain arrived safe ion-nin." said the king as he welcomed his son with a smile.
"Bolg won't be a problem for us anymore ada," said Legolas with a bow, "his days in this world have ended."
The king gave a broader smile. "I see." he said, "very well done, ernil-nin...I am proud of you, maybe next time, you might take on Azog!"
"It would be an honor to bring you his head." said the ellon.
Tauriel watched as father and son conversed. Then, she slipped out of the palace and into the gardens. She liked it there-no noise, fewer people, nature all around her. With a sigh she sat down and drowned herself in thought.
The elleth admired a flower near her and let her fingertip run along the smooth and powdery surface of the petal. She smiled.
Tauriel couldn't help but think of Legolas over and over again. Even his simplest assets were admired by her; his hair, his nose, his eyes, his face, his...everything.
"I see that you go here as well, captain." said a voice and the elleth immediately looked up. There he was, Legolas, prince of Mirkwood.
"Ernil-nin..." she said and sat straight. "What are you doing here? Aren't you going to join your fellow elves inside?"
"I just wanted to be alone for the meantime." he replied nonchalantly. To his surprise, Tauriel stood up and gave a sheepish smile.
"I'm sorry," she said, "I will just exit this garden now so you can have your...lone time."
She walked and passed by him when a firm hand grabbed her wrist. Her eyes jolted open and she looked down, only to find Legolas' hand holding her. He looked into her eyes with a deep and mysterious stare.
"Yes, ernil-nin?" said Tauriel, looking down at her wrist.
Legolas gave a sigh and sat down, still holding her wrist. "I may not have been clear when I said what U just said. Tauriel, I do want to be alone...with you."
She could feel herself blush, but the elleth was thankful that it was evening...maybe he won't notice. "What service may I offer ernil-nin?"
He looked down at the grass and let go of her wrist. "Be a friend to me and talk with me."
The elleth nodded and stood there, waiting. With another heavy sigh, Legolas gave her another command.
"Sit down."
Tauriel did just that and sat there beside him, but she made sure to provide a little space between them. He still was the prince, and she was just captain. She needed to know her limits.
"I notice that you always wear that necklace," said the prince at once, "is it from your parents?"
Tauriel nodded. "They gave it to me before they died."
Legolas' questions got more heated that Tauriel suspected that he was on to something. But it was the next question that caught her off guard.
"Have you ever loved anyone?" he asked in a tone so quiet that she barely heard it. Nonetheless,she decided to answer it.
"I...I did." whispered the elleth.
"I did?" asked Legolas with a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Do you still like that ellon?"
Biting her lip, she looked into his eyes and back to the grass. "I do...he completes me."
Legolas felt as if his chest was compressed by two metal doors, impossible to open. "How come I don't see you with him even once?"
"You are mistaken ernil-nin," she said with a soft smile planted on her face. "I am always with him."
Legolas then started to conclude that it was one of the elven guards as well. He didn't know why, for he knew that he has never felt this before, but he felt so...alone all of a sudden. It was as if he had no one in the world.