Chapter 7

Rivendell was truly a sight of beauty during the autumn months. The colors of the trees were like that of a setting sun. Pale oranges, russet browns, golden yellows fell from the trees as leaves scattered the many paths and courtyards of the House of Elrond. The warm air had turned crisp and smelled of pine trees and fresh mountain air blew through the valley. The melody of the river was ever present and pleasing to the ears. This was truly a place of beauty.

It had been a very long day thought Legolas. The council of Elrond had proven to be of surprise with the emergence of the One Ring of power. He had thought the evil item had been lost and forgotten. To see it in the hands of the small hobbit was troublesome to say at the least. The poor creature had no idea what he had volunteered himself for. To be the bearer of such evil would be no easy task. It would be a task that Legolas has pledged he would assist with along with the other companions. He will help the hobbit to complete the mission, and help him to save middle earth and be rid of Sauron, even if it meant it would cost him his life.

The air had suddenly turned cold; the sun was almost set below the horizon. Legolas had lost track of how much time had passed since the council ended. He had escaped to the quite solitude of the riverbank at the end of the valley. A waterfall was nearby and occasionally he could feel the mist of the falls upon his skin, adding to the chill of the evening. This used to be a favorite spot the twins, Aragorn and he would go swimming in the river. It had been a long time since they were able to do something as carefree and relaxing as a dip in the river. Legolas sighed as he gazed upon the water, reminiscing of times of old.

Tauriel was walking one of the many paths down into the Valley. She was searching for Legolas, Elrond informed her where to find him and she quietly walked out of the trees and into the clearing to the riverbank where her prince was resting. He had not heard her approach; he was staring at the river with a pensive look on his face. She approached him from behind; when she reached him she placed a gentle hand upon his broad shoulder. He jumped suddenly and turned around to face her.

Tauriel laughed softly, "Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you." She wrapped her cloak around herself a little tighter and sat beside him on the grassy riverbank.

"I was lost in my thoughts. I did not hear you approach." Legolas answered softly. He faced her and was greeted with her forest green eyes looking back at him. The sun setting cast a warm shine that made her beauty glow.

"Elrond told me I could find you here. It is a beautiful place." Tauriel commented as her head turned and her eyes scanned the many trees and then resting in the river.

"I spent many days of my youth here with the twins. We used to go swimming over there," he pointed in the direction, "from that cliff by the water fall, the twins had dared me to jump. The water was deep enough and it was a high jump."

"Did you do it?" Tauriel asked in wonderment.

Legolas smiled, "I pushed them both off before me and watched them fall like wounded birds to the water below. They were not expecting it." He could still picture the look of shock on the twin's faces as they plummeted into the river. They had lost all sense of grace and control as they yelped in surprise and flailed their arms and legs in momentary panic. He laughed upon the memory.

Tauriel laughed as she played the scene in her head, "I bet you payed for that later."

Nodding with a small smirk on his face, he replied, "I did most embarrassing actually. After they resurfaced, they swam to the river bank and took my clothes. I had to return back to Imladris in naught but my undershorts. Upon my return, I thought I could sneak to my room without being seen, but I turned a corner and ran right into Lady Arwen and a few other elleths. Lord Elrond and Glorfindel were there as well. The twins were dressed and laughing the entire time. I have never been more embarrassed in my life. Especially because of the elleths, they were laughing at me too."

Tauriel laughed again as she heard the tale. She tried to imagine an almost nude younger prince running through Rivendell and the look of surprise on the Lady Arwen's face. Tauriel noticed that Legolas had a slight tinge of pink on his cheeks as he laughed with her over the embarrassing memory.

"That is not a way I would have retaliated my revenge, but it is funny, I am sorry mellon nin." Tauriel chuckled some more as she tried to compose herself.

Nodding Legolas gazed back out to the river, "It is a day I would not soon forget. Were they to join us on our journey, I am certain they would be some entertainment during the long road. And yet, I am also glad they are not coming. They belong here with their father. I would hate to see them risk all that they hold dear, for this is where their hearts lie."

Nodding, Tauriel listened attentively. She looked at the river as she felt his eyes upon her. "Tauriel, this is going to be a journey like we've never experienced before. Though I am comforted to have your companionship and your skill…I find myself worried. My heart is troubled."

Tauriel looked up to face him. His sky blue eyes bore into hers and she could read all his emotions. His brow was frowned in worry and he seemed to consider his words thoughtfully. She was struck by how distressed her friend was. "You are correct mellon nin, this is indeed will be a journey like none other, but there is hope. Tell me mellon nin, what is it that has you so distressed?"

Legolas looked away and shook his head lightly, his long blonde hair falling over his shoulders. "It is not the journey that worries me."

Concerned, Tauriel scooted a little closer to her troubled friend. She linked their arms together and she rested her head on his broad shoulder, "We have always been honest with each other, Legolas. You know that whatever it is that is on your mind, you can speak to me."

Legolas nodded slowly, "Tauriel…I care about you very deeply. Your friendship is something I hold dear to me. When I think about what my life would be like without you in it anymore, my heart is filled with great sorrow….This is a dangerous path we have chosen…and should it come to pass that I were to lose you...I feel that the grief would be too much for me to bear. I would not be able to keep it from consuming me."

"Do you not think I feel the same way, Legolas?" Tauriel replied, her concern growing. She took his hand in her own. His hand was soft and cold in hers, his thumb gently rubbed circles on her knuckles. "The fate of middle earth rests in the hands of a young hobbit. Though it is my desire to help Frodo complete his task, it is also my desire to stand at your side during this time of war. For years you have followed me on my missions. You always had my back and it was such a comfort to have you with me. I realize the possible consequences of volunteering…if it means sacrificing myself to save middle earth, then I will gladly play my role. This place is my home, and I will see to it that middle earth is restored. So you see, this is not just Frodo's fight. It is our fight as well as it is also the dwarves, the men, hobbits, wizards…the time has come for us to unite and defeat Sauron, once and for good. I will be at your side the entire time."

Tauriel's speech had Legolas mesmerized. He had always known she was a fighter. He admired her courage and dedication to follow her heart. To hear her proclaim her thoughts out loud had always captivated him. Her will was strong, and he could not ask for a better comrade.

Legolas looked into her eyes again. Blue met green and they shared an understanding. Together, they would fight this war.

"And I will be at your side as well," was all he responded with. He wrapped his arm around her in an embrace and placed a kiss upon her brow, enjoying the warmth and comfort of her. She allowed herself this small measure of comfort from the Prince. She could hear the sound of his heart beat. She would do anything for her Prince. Her love for him ran deep, and she would not allow him to endure this journey without her. She understood his desire to keep her safe; however that desire was hers as well.

"Your death would grieve me too, Legolas. I surely would want the grief to consume me and allow myself to fade…to take away the pain of loss. However, should one of us fall, we must remember, we must try to carry on…we must keep fighting for middle earth."

Legolas looked down at her, his face was close to hers and he could feel her warm breath on his neck, "You are right, mellon nin. Let us promise to never let go, to never give up. To fight until the very end."

Tauriel smiled up at him, her eyes shined bright with admiration and devotion, "Until the very end."

The last rays of the sun lowered below the horizon as darkness fell over the valley with the moonlight and starlight illuminating Imladris. Together, the two elves lay upon the grass as they gazed up at the stars, enjoying each other's company and warmth. They stayed like that for hours, not speaking, but enjoying the peace and beauty of the stars above.

A light wind brought with it a chill that made Legolas shiver. It had grown late, he supposed they should be returning back to their rooms soon. He turned his head and looked to Tauriel. Her head rested on his arm, her long red hair fanned out beside her. She was curled in her cloak beside Legolas, but he could see that she was far away in elven dreams. She slept soundly beside him. Legolas gently moved a lock of hair behind her pointed ears. He did not wish to disturb her rest, she looked so peaceful and relaxed. He could feel her warmth on his right side where she lay curled upon the grass. The moonlight seemed to enhance her beauty even more. He wished he could have stayed there longer to enjoy the moment, but the wind blew again, this time causing her to shiver as well.

With great care, Legolas removed his arm from under her head. He removed his own cloak and draped it around her smaller form. Seeing that she was still asleep, he ever so gently scooped her up into his arms. She wakened only slightly, ready to protest that she could walk; her voice was weakened with weariness. Legolas quietly shushed her and told her to go back to sleep, and she did just that.

It was a short walk back to the elven dwellings. There were no other elves around; all were retired for the night. Legolas approached Tauriel's room. He had little difficulty opening the door with his arms full, but he managed. He laid her gently on her bed, removed her boots, and over coats. He then tucked her in and pulled the blankets over her slumbering form. He chuckled to himself at how she managed to still be asleep.

Once satisfied that she was comfortable, Legolas kissed her brow and went to remove his hand from her own, only to feel her slightly tug back. "Hannon le, mellon nin." She whispered in her sleeping state.

Legolas smiled and felt a warmth rise in his chest, the chill of the night forgotten. "Sleep well, Tauriel." Slowly, she released his hand and fell back into a peaceful sleep.

He quietly slipped out of her chambers and made his way back to his own. Once he entered his chambers, he closed the balcony door, keeping the chill of the autumn night outside. After removing his over cloak and tunic and trading it for something more comfortable to sleep in, he lay in bed and thought over what he spoke to Tauriel about. He still had his fears, his worries. Aragorn, Gandalf, and Tauriel were all dear friends. He had known them for a very long time and it would grieve him terribly should he lose any of them on this perilous journey to Mordor.

Elvish Translations:

Mellon nin: my friend

Hannon le: thank you

Imaldris: Rivendell