Can You Thaw This Heart Of Mine?

Chapter 17

A knock came unto Thranduil's door. Once he assured the guard in, the elf had a look of tremendous horror on his face, and the king grew incredibly suspicious.

"What is going on?" he asked, walking towards the guard.

The ellon tried to speak, but his words would die and swallow back into his throat. "M-my lord," he stammered, "it...it's the prince..."

Running towards the infirmary, Thranduil saw the doors shut. There was a flock of elves in front, anxious. But soon enough, they thinned down until Thranduil could only see one elf waiting with tears in her eyes. The captain.

He sat down a fair distance away from her, but Thranduil could see that she didn't mind nor cared. There was only one thing in her mind and heart right now: Legolas.

"It's all my fault..." she sobbed quietly, "because of me, he is dying, now, he is in pain and..." she paused, no longer able to resist the tears that wanted to flow, "and now, the only person that loves me will be gone..."

Hours passed by, and still, no news. Thranduil was growing desperate, and so did Tauriel- the elleth couldn't help but feel alone whenever she remembered that look of pain-yet great pride-in Legolas' eyes after he took the shot for her, and also...his last words.

"...I...love you..."

Suddenly, she didn't hear Legolas' voice anymore- she heard his father's.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" he demanded, looking down at her.

Hurriedly, Tauriel stood up and wiped the tears off her eyes. Breathing in deeply, the elleth faced him with a look of dignity in her eyes.

"My son wanted to protect you," he continued, "and now he gets the price.". The king then sighed. "Of all the elleths in the kingdom, I do not know why he chose you. I've seen more beautiful, more talented and more eligible maidens out there that could easily have surpassed you...and yet...it was you."

Tauriel inhaled deeply and said, "I know that you want any other elleth for your son your Highness, but I love him...he loves me."

Thranduil stood aback that someone would dare reply to him, most of the time, they would just stay silent.

"We do not care about what other people think..." she continued, "he stood up for me, and now I will fight for him."

With that, the doors of the infirmary swung open and the healers came out. Tauriel didn't bother listen- she slipped inside, her eyes looking for Legolas. And there, she found him.

"Meleth-nin," she blurted out quietly and rushed to him, grabbing his hand and kissing it. Tears welled up again as Tauriel stroke his peaceful face. She gently touched his bruises and hoped that he could recover soon.

"Legolas..." she pleaded and squeezed his hand tighter, "Legolas, please wake up, don't leave me like this!"

Just at that moment, Thranduil entered and almost felt sorry for the elleth when he saw how much she was weeping. Instantly, he saw himself crying beside his dying wife...it was a horrible day for him.

"Legolas..." she kept whispering, "please wake up..."

But no matter how much she hoped, the ellon wouldn't budge. Tauriel stayed by his side all the time and wouldn't eat nor sleep. How could she? Knowing her beloved was in the brink of dying.

It was the third day and Tauriel still didn't take a rest. She would just pace around the room and guard his sleeping form. She'd never fail to kiss him every night and every morning and tell him how much she loves him. It was at that day that she sat and grieved on the chair that was a fair distance away from the bed. With one arm, she rested her head on her hand and laid the other on one of the arms on he chair. She didn't cry anymore...she felt too weak, even to cry. It was as if her soul was mercilessly being torn apart...her heart aches terribly.

As she stared blankly at the floor, something at the corner of her eye caught her attention. Looking intently, she almost gave a shout of joy, hurriedly, she dashed outside.

"The prince has awakened!" she said, finding the healers, "Legolas is awake!"