Can You Thaw This Heart Of Mine?

Chapter 11

The next day, Legolas saw Tauriel training along with the other guards on the field. For a moment, he tried to make a guess on who was Tauriel's "special elf".

So far, alot of ellons have come and shared smiles with her. It was hard to figure out...but he knew he tried.

"Tauriel!" he called, "Do you have a minute?"

"Sure ernil-nin, what is it?" she said cheerfully and went to him. "Is something wrong?"

He inhaled deeply. "So, tonight, my father has invited delegates from other elven kingdoms to join us in some formal gathering."

"Do you want me to keep guard so no one would interrupt?" she asked.

"Actually," said the prince, "I want you not to serve as guard tonight...but as my...my date."

"Excuse what now?" Tauriel said, dumbstruck.

"I know it's much to ask," he said, "but can you at least give me a chance?"

"Legolas, I've never been to these kinds of-"

"Please." he said, "Even just for tonight..."

He saw the reluctance in her eyes and he held her hands. Tauriel's hands were kind of rough, but to Legolas, it was an amazing texture for an amazing elleth.

"Please?" he said, not noticing how soft he was on her. Tauriel was surprised herself. Before, he was all cold and morose but now...he was a whole new elf.

"Fine." Tauriel sighed.

Legolas beamed. "You don't know how much you'd be saving me here."

He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and dashed off. Tauriel froze with both shock and incredulity. She used her fingertips and felt the spot where he laid his lips on . Then, she began to smile warmly.

"He kissed me..." she thought, "he actually kissed me..."

"I just kissed her..." Legolas thought breathlessly in his room after running. Of course the hyperventilation wasn't from the fatigue or tiredness of running; it was from that unusual feeling in his chest that made his heart beat faster.

There was a surge of panic in him. "What have I done?". He just hoped that it wouldn't be a factor for Tauriel to change her answer from yes to no.

Finally, it was time to escort her to the place of gathering. His palms began to sweat and he knew that the feeling inside his stomach was that of being nervous. With a deep breath, he knocked on the door of her room. And waited.

Finally, her door opened and Legolas was surprised to see her not in a formal attire, but simply in her attire for being captain.

"Are you not going to wear something else?" he asked nonchalantly, the familiar look of seriousness on his face.

"I will go with you in this formal gathering," she said,her voice with a hint of force, "but I want to make them clear and certain who I really am. I am the captain of the guards...not some other elleth."

From the nod of his head, Tauriel could see that he respects her decision. "You're still my date." he stated as he fixed her another cold, yet gentle, stare.

Tauriel looked up at him. "Of course I am." she whispered to herself and off they went.

They had fast strides, but they slowed down as they neared the huge doors that lead to the ceremonial halls.

"You ready?" asked the prince as he straightened himself for the last time.

"I am, ernil-nin." she said, and fixed herself as well.

"Tauriel," said the prince suddenly. "I want to apologize for my action awhile ago. I never should have...kissed you."

"It was nothing ernil-nin," she assured, "I didn't mind."

Legolas and her exchanged soft and warm smiles, making sure that there were no more misunderstandings.

"Here goes nothing," thought the prince as he opened the doors. Once he did, the two were instantly basked in the eyes of some of the most powerful elves in Arda.