Warning: Character Death

2962

With orc activity lessening near the border of Rivendell, Tauriel finally began to feel more comfortable allowing Kiliana outside of the city walls. Of course Kiliana still wasn't old enough to be out by herself; even now at the age of 20, she was still only the size of a seven or eight year old human girl, but Tauriel now trusted Kiliana to be with other elves besides just Legolas, Arwen, Elrond, or the twins. Kiliana had become Rivendell's own little princess. Unfortunately lessening didn't mean stopped completely and it was that belated revelation that caused tragedy to strike.

Tauriel was sitting and having a drink with Elrond when a flustered elf ran into the room. "Lord Elrond! Lord Elrond!"

Elrond stood quickly, his eyes wide at the elf's tattered appearance. Worry pierced the edges of his mind as he recognized this elf as one of the ones who was off with Kiliana for the day. "What happened?"

"Orcs! Not far from Imaldris!" the elf reported. "They surprised us. They grabbed the little one!"

Tauriel gasped as her cup fell from her hands and shattered as it hit the floor. She turned to rush to the stables when Elrond grabbed her wrist. "I'll gather my soldiers to go after them. You should stay here," he suggested.

Tauriel gently but firmly pulled her arm away. "I can't just stay here when my daughter is in the hands of those monsters. If they find out who she really is, who knows what they'll do to her." Elrond looked about ready to argue but Tauriel continued, "I might not have fought in years but I'm as skilled if not more so than your soldiers. I'll be fine."

Elrond nodded and Tauriel ran to the stables. She wasn't surprised to see Legolas already preparing a horse but she hadn't expected to see Arwen or her brothers preparing their horses as well. "What are you doing?" Tauriel asked them.

"Lia is part of our family too," Arwen said. "We're going with you."

They rode hard, desperate to make it in time to save the little elfling. They didn't wait for Elrond to send his soldiers; Tauriel couldn't wait. All she could think about was what she would do to those orcs if they even laid a finger on her baby girl.

They found the area that Kiliana's party had been attacked in easy enough. The ground was littered with elf and orc bodies. Tauriel's breath caught in her throat as she dismounted and looked around. It was like returning to the battlefield. Just when she was starting to get comfortable. She looked around frantically but didn't see the one body that she was hoping to see, or wasn't hoping to see. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Legolas kneeling down and touching the ground. "Anything?" She tried so hard not to let the worry seep into her tone, but she knew she had failed when Legolas's eyes softened some.

"It looks like the orcs took her with them," he said. He knew that it wasn't great news but it was certainly better than the alternative.

Tauriel nodded. "You can track them." It wasn't a question, but a confirmation. Legolas simply nodded. She knew of his tracking abilities, but right now she needed to feel in control, like everything was going to be okay. "Let's go."

With Legolas leading, they followed the trail, pushing their horses as hard as they could go. They had been riding for nearly half an hour when Legolas started to slow. "They should be just up ahead."

Tauriel fingered her twin swords as they slowed to a trot before dismounting. With one hand grasping the handle, they silently made their way to the orc camp. They were arguing about what to do with Kiliana, who was sitting silently in the middle of them, tied and gagged. Tauriel bristled at the marks on her arms and face where the orcs had obviously slapped her and gripped her tight enough to bruise.

Without making a sound the elves descended on the band of orcs. Before the orcs even realized what was happening, the elves had already cut down a third of them.

Kiliana watched with wide eyes as Tauriel danced around with her swords, her red hair flying around her. It was rare that Kiliana got to see her mother fight like this, and it was mesmerizing.

Once it seemed like they had cut down most of the orcs, Tauriel rushed to her daughter's side. She immediately removed the gag and started to cut the rope as she looked over Kiliana carefully. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Kiliana nodded wordlessly at her mother before her eyes widened at something behind her. "Mama!" she shrieked. Tauriel didn't have time to turn before she felt a sword slash through her back. With a painful grunt she flipped one of her swords and stabbed the orc behind her. It fell with a thud as Tauriel fell forward into her daughter's arms. "Mama! Mama!"

Legolas shot an arrow through the head of an orc before turning towards the anguished cries. His heart thudded painfully at the sight of Tauriel slumped in her daughter's embrace. "Tauriel!" He slashed through the remaining orcs and ran over to the two, falling to his knees next to Tauriel. He carefully turned her over and ran a gentle hand over her face. "Tauriel."

Tauriel's face was flushed with pain and she was breathing hard as she gritted her teeth. Everything was muffled. Elrond's soldiers finally arrived and took care of the rest of the orcs. Kiliana was screaming for her mother beside him, shaking her desperately. Arwen pulled up beside him and was saying something, but Legolas didn't hear any of it. All he could hear was Tauriel's labored breathing as she tried to hold on. Legolas didn't hear anything until someone tried to take Tauriel and everything came rushing back to him. He fought at first, trying desperately to hold on to her, but then he heard, "Lia needs you. Please, let me take her. She needs helps."

Legolas finally turned to Kiliana who had tears running down her face as she fought against one of the twins who was holding her. Legolas slowly relinquished Tauriel to Arwen and opened his arms. Kiliana immediately jumped to him and cried in his chest. Legolas wasn't sure what he was supposed to do or how to comfort her so he just held her.

The return to Rivendell was quick as they raced the clock to get Tauriel back to Elrond but to Legolas, it was the longest trip he had ever made. Tauriel was growing paler and losing more and more blood, even with the quick bandage job Arwen had done. She needed Elrond and fast.

Elrond was waiting for them at the gates and Tauriel was instantly whisked away to be healed. Kiliana had cried herself to sleep so Legolas carried her to the healing room and they waited.

It was several hours before Elrond emerged and Legolas stood as carefully as he could without waking Kiliana. "How is she?"

Elrond shook his head. "The damage was too extensive. There's nothing more I can do."

Legolas let out a painful breath. "Can we see her?" Elrond nodded and stepped to the side. Legolas took a breath and walked in.

Tauriel was lying in one of the beds as pale as the sheets that covered her. Her green eyes found them and she smiled weakly. Legolas tried to smile back but he couldn't find the strength. He walked over to the bed and sat in the chair next to it, Kiliana still in his arms. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again when he couldn't find the words. He took another breath and tried again. "I'm so sorry Tauriel," he whispered.

She shook her head slowly. "It's not your fault." Her voice was quiet and weak, nothing like the beautiful sound that she usually made. She looked at her daughter. "How is she?"

Legolas smiled down at the little girl. "She's fine, worried about you." Tauriel nodded and Legolas shook the girl awake. "Lia, Lia wake up."

Lia moaned and fisted her eyes with a yawn as she woke up. "Mama?" She blinked wearily before brown eyes found her mother's green ones ad she smiled brightly. "Mama!" She tried to jump onto the bed but Legolas held her tight. She frowned but sat still. "Mama, are you okay?"

Tauriel shook her head and tried to smile but tears escaped her eyes. "I'm sorry my little starlight."

"I thought Lord Elrond could fix you," Kiliana said tearfully.

"Not this time little one," Tauriel answered. "I need you to be strong. I need to tell you about your father."

Kiliana blinked in surprise. "My father?" Tauriel never voluntarily talked about her father.

Tauriel nodded. "You need to know the truth." She put her hand out to her daughter. Kiliana took it and felt her mother drop a smooth stone in her hand. "This was his. His name was Kili, and he was a dwarf, a prince." Kiliana's eyes widened. That was certainly not what she expected. "He was good and brave and I loved him so much. You are so much like him." Tauriel paused as her breath hitched with pain. She waited it out before continuing. "He was adventurous and always smiled. He was kind to everyone." Tauriel placed a shaky hand on her daughter's cheek. "You have his eyes, and his smile."

Kiliana placed her small hand on Tauriel's. It was so cold. "Mama?"

"Be a good girl Lia. Be smart. There are enemies out there, people who won't like you because of who you are," Tauriel warned. "But there are people who also love you," she added glancing at Legolas. "You are special because you are one of a kind. Just remember to always be you and follow your heart."

Kiliana nodded and fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. Tauriel looked at Legolas. "Please take care of her."

Legolas nodded and tightened his hold on the small girl. "I promise, for as long as I breathe."

Tauriel looked back at Kiliana. "I love you so much my starlight. Always remember that." With a few short breaths, Tauriel closed her eyes and was still.

Kiliana's eyes widened as her mother's hand went slack and fell from her cheek. "Mama? Mama!"

Legolas stared at Tauriel's body as the small girl in his arms cried for the only parent she ever knew and the only love that he ever had. Again, all he could do was hold her to his chest and they cried together.