Try as she might, Tauriel is too nervous to sleep. Paranoia seeps into her mind like a poison and she runs through all of the possibilities of what tomorrow may bring.
Musing over whether or not someone is really out to get her, she wishes she would have asked the names of those lost, wondering if any were related to council members. Tauriel can't imagine any other reason someone would be mad at her.
Sure, many elves still hold prejudice towards the dwarves, as the relations between their two races have been anything but smooth in the past, but she doubts her budding relationship with Kili would drive anyone to want her dead.
The only thing that makes sense is an angry relative blaming the loss of a loved one on Tauriel for abandoning her post. If she's honest with herself, Tauriel can't really make herself blame them.
I was wrong for running away when I was needed most.
She curls into a ball on her pallet bed, clinging to her makeshift nightshirt pillow, and the handle of dagger the King gave her, completely unaware that she's not the only one awake and worrying about her fate.
X
Alone in his chambers, Thranduil paces back and forth, wondering if he made the right choice bringing Tauriel back.
He did it because he worried that on her own she would not last, that she would allow her heartbreak to break her. Yet, here she is in his care facing the third threat against her life in a span of two days.
She would not have lasted on her own, he assures himself, thinking of her self-starvation. You did the right thing.
Despite his reassurances, he can't help but feel responsible for putting her in danger, and spends most of the night stressing over how to fix it.
He doesn't know how he'd live with himself if something happened to her because of him. His chest aches at the very thought, though he refuses to think about why the idea causes him so much discomfort. Thranduil writes it off as something he would surely feel for any of his soldiers, were they in a similar position.
In the morning when he is summoned for the start of the trial, it is no surprise to him that he got no rest at all, and he wonders if Tauriel fared any better.
Most trials are open to the public, and this is where they hit the first snag. Thranduil is led to the council chambers, instead of the public court hall.
"What exactly am I doing here?" asks Thranduil, looking around haughtily at the council members.
There are eight in total, four women, and four men. Most of them look unsure as to the current location as well, and it is Lord Haewon that steps forward.
"Your majesty, we are charging Tauriel with being a traitor. Traitors are not permitted public trials in case state secrets are revealed."
Thranduil glares at the man.
"I was under the impression Tauriel was being charged with murder, not treachery."
"Well, yes. That too," Haewon amends, "but she did abandon her post during the battle."
"What concern is that of yours?" Thranduil demands.
"It is all of our concern when those tasked to lead find themselves unable to, or unwilling."
"Even if that were the issue on trial today, that would make her a deserter, not a traitor. I see no reason to forgo a public trial, and I move that we relocate to the court hall at once."
Lord Haewon is clearly not pleased with this idea, but the murmurs from the other council members keep him silent.
"I second that," one of the councilwomen, Lady Neleth, chimes.
Most of the rest of the council voices their agreement, and before long, much to Lord Haewon's displeasure, the group relocates to the court hall.
The time of the trial is pushed back to allow for word to spread among the people so there may be an audience, and it isn't until three hours later that Tauriel is brought in.
Thranduil can't help but watch her closely as she's escorted in, feeling livid when he sees the shackles on her wrists. He can tell immediately that she got no rest after his visit last night. She's not as good at concealing weakness as he.
Her eyes are bloodshot, and the bags under them leave her looking bruised, though, to be fair, they may actually be bruised.
Tauriel is trying to keep her head up and eyes straight, but he can see her nervously surveying the room, and he can't blame her.
There is an unprecedented crowd present today, especially considering the short notice.
Glancing at the council, Thranduil sees Lord Haewon looks particularly annoyed by this.
It's much easier to sway one council than it is to sway the entire kingdom.
He suspects that's why Haewon pushed for a private trial.
X
Tauriel feels like an animal being led into a trap as she is walked to the front of the vast courtroom.
There are people lining the hall on either side of her, watching and whispering, barely managing to keep contempt from their voices. She catches sight of too many angry faces and can't bring herself to scan the crowd any more.
Instead she looks up at the council.
At the front of the room is a long, elevated, wooden table, where the council members sit to question and judge her. Her eyes lock on King Thranduil seated near the middle, next to Lord Haewon.
His eyes are already on her when she looks up, and she feels a blush come to her cheeks, though she isn't sure why.
The guards lead her to a wooden platform, about fifteen feet from the council bench, then leave her there.
"Tauriel, Captain of the Guard," Lord Haewon begins, voice echoing through the hall commanding silence, "you have been charged with the murder. Of a fellow soldier, no less… How would you like to plead?"
Her throat is tight and dry, but she does manage to speak.
"Guilty."
Whispers spread throughout the watching crowd, sounding like a pit of hissing vipers.
"Order, order!" Lord Haewon commands, and the crowd falls silent. "You wish to admit to the murder of your guard, Langon?"
"Yes," Tauriel says, nodding, feeling stronger. "I admit that he died by my hand, but it was in self-defense."
More murmuring breaks out around her, quieter this time.
"Why don't you tell us, in your own words, what happened that night?" One of the councilwomen asks, her tone much gentler than Lord Haewon's.
Tauriel nods, and begins her story, starting from Erwarth attacking her when leaving the memorial service. She explains how Langon pretended the King summoned her to get her to open her door, and then how he charged her. Tauriel tries to clearly portray her attempt to simply escape, and then how she had no other option but to take lethal action.
When she finishes most of the council is looking at her in understanding. Lord Haewon isn't looking at her at all; he has his face down and appears to be scribbling notes.
"Captain," he drawls, finally glancing up, "Are you often summoned to the King's chambers in the middle of the night?"
"What? No, of course not," she says, confused.
Glancing at the King she finds him twisted in his chair, glaring at the councilman.
"Right, so why would you believe suddenly that you really were being summoned?" Lord Haewon continues. "That seems fairly unlikely."
"I—I already told you, I was attacked earlier in the night, and King Thranduil intervened. I assumed it was a follow-up on that."
"And what did you do after this alleged attack took place?"
"I went to the King," she replies, jutting her chin forward.
"Right. To his personal chambers?"
"I—yes."
"Did you at any time during, or after, the alleged attack call for help?" Lord Haewon asks.
"Well, no, but it happened so fast."
"Why did you not call for help afterwards?"
"I was scared it would draw attention. The wrong kind of attention," she clarifies. "As I said, that was the second time I was attacked that evening, and by a completely different person. I didn't know who I could trust."
"You seem awfully paranoid," the councilman smirks. "Why is it that you seem to think people are out to get you?"
Tauriel bows her head for the first time, staring at her shackles.
"They see me as a traitor," she answers quietly.
"A little louder, if you don't mind."
"They see me as a traitor," she repeats, her voice echoing around the silent hall.
"Why is that?" Lord Haewon asks, voice dripping sweetly as if he is relishing this moment.
"Before the battle for Erebor, I abandoned my post."
"And why was that?"
She opens her mouth to reply, but closes it again as she thinks about why she left her post.
Was it really just one thing?
Tauriel wanted to help Kili, she wanted to make sure he would be all right, but that wasn't all. She also left because she was sick of standing idly by while people suffered when she could be of service. She was tired of the King's no intervention policy keeping the kingdom so sealed off and self-contained. Tauriel wanted to be free of those shackles and help whomever she wished.
"Why did you leave your post?" Lord Haewon repeats.
"I really couldn't tell you," she finally responds, looking up to see his smug expression.
The councilman is getting ready to say something else, when King Thranduil cuts over him.
"I move to open the floor for those wishing to speak on the accused's behalf," he says.
Someone seconds and then thirds the movement, and the next thing she knows Tauriel is standing off to the side of the platform.
The royal healer, Maereth, is in her place now, speaking to the council.
Maereth details Tauriel's injuries, testifying that they were indeed consistent with self-defense.
"For corroboration purposes, where did you treat the Captain?" Lord Haewon asks.
"I was summoned to the King's quarters. I healed her head and partially healed her throat there, then the next day I visited her in her in the dungeons to try another attempt at healing her throat," Maereth explains.
"And what state was she in when you first found her?"
"I told you she was covered—"
"I mean, was she awake? Unconscious? On the floor?"
"She was unconscious, and she was propped up on the bed."
Tauriel frowns, wondering how any of this could hold any relevance.
"Thank you for your time, Healer Maereth," one of the councilwomen interjects. "Is there anyone else who wishes to offer testimony?"
"I would."
King Thranduil stands up from his place among the council and walks around the bench, towards the witness platform. The crowd buzzes loudly, most forgetting to at least try to whisper.
This is unprecedented.
Swallowing back the lump in her throat, Tauriel watches the King take the platform. He doesn't look her way, instead choosing to stare down the council members.
"Before I ask you any questions, is there anything you would like to say?" Lord Haewon asks.
"I would like to go on record confirming Healer Maereth's findings, and confirming the Captain's statement about seeking me out after her attack," Thranduil says, voice steady and calm, "and before you ask, yes, I did say attack. I was not witness to that, but I can testify that when she appeared at my door, there was no question in my mind that she had been in a struggle for her life."
Tauriel has to bite the inside of her lip to keep from smiling. If the King is standing in front of the council and the kingdom backing her up, surely she can't be found guilty.
"You were also witness to the attack on Captain Tauriel earlier in the evening, were you not?"
"I was."
Lord Haewon's expression shifts, his eyes turn both calculating and triumphant, setting warning bells off in Tauriel's mind.
"Do you know why Erwarth, senior member of our military, decided to suddenly attack his superior officer?" the councilman asks.
"He called her a traitor."
"Yes, as we have already heard from the Captain herself, after which she stated she was viewed as a traitor because she abandoned her post before the battle. Were you aware of this?"
Tauriel's stomach flips.
Haewon knew he wouldn't get me on the murder charge, so he's going to force the King's hand, in front of the whole kingdom, to charge me with desertion.
There is no way out of the question, she knows. The King can either admit he knew and chose to ignore her actions, which will greatly call his judgment into question, or he can deny any knowledge of her misdeed.
Deny, she thinks. I understand. I'm going down no matter what… don't throw yourself with me.
"Yes," Thranduil answers, "I was."
No, no, no…
"And yet no charges were filed against her?" Lord Haewon presses, barely able to keep the glee from his voice. "Is this considered normal, suitable behavior among our military leaders? Having no consequences for their wrongs? Can one really blame the men that attacked Captain Tauriel? Perhaps they just assumed they too could do what they wished since the precedent had been set."
"Despite this being a council trial, I would like to remind you to whom you are speaking," Thranduil says icily.
That seems to wipe the smirk from Haewon's face, and a few of the other council members glance around nervously.
"I was aware that Captain Tauriel left her post before the battle," Thranduil continues, louder, "as I was the one who instructed her to do so."
It takes all of Tauriel's self control to keep her face clear of confusion at the King's words. She studies his profile, but he still refuses to look at her.
Up at the council table Lord Haewon looks livid.
"Excuse me?"
"Captain Tauriel was under special instructions from myself. She did not abandon her post. She was following orders."
"And what orders were those?" Lord Haewon practically spits.
"That," Thranduil drawls, "is restricted information, reserved only for select members of our guard. Military movements, as you will recall, are handled solely at my discretion."
She can't believe what she's hearing.
"Thank you, your Majesty," one of the other council members chimes up. "I think we have all of the information we need to reach a decision."
Thranduil bows his head and steps down from the platform as the council members lean in to deliberate.
He walks over and stands beside Tauriel, surveying the hall, still not looking at her.
The crowd is the loudest they've been all day, everyone leaning over to discuss the new revelations with their neighbors.
She can't believe what the King has given her.
Not only has he almost undoubtedly assured her innocent verdict, and prevented her from being charged as a deserter, but he made his statement… his lie… public. It will spread like wildfire and by the end of the day, no one will think of her as a traitor anymore.
"I don't know—" she starts, glancing over at him, to thank him, but he silences her.
"Not here," he whispers out of the corner of his mouth. "Meet me in the garden tonight."
Before she can agree, he wanders away, pacing as the council comes to their decision.
"Captain Tauriel," Lord Haewon calls, shushing the hall.
Tauriel takes her place back on the wooden platform, and faces the council.
"Due to the overwhelming amount of evidence and testimony," he says, unable to fully hide his sneer, "the council has no choice but to declare you innocent by way of self-defense. You are free to go. Guards, you may remove her restraints."
Her chest swells in relief as the manacles are removed from her wrists. She didn't fully realize how scared she was until the verdict had been announced.
Much to her surprise, as she is being led back out of the court hall, the crowd is cheering her on, and calling their support. The King's testimony seems to have made all the difference.
Tauriel can't wait to thank him.
Author's Note: As always, reviews are greatly appreciated! I'd love to know what you think!