Chapter XXIII

23rd Ivanneth 3002 T.A

Gandalf had arrived in Rivendell two days after Bilbo had and he had never seen the hobbit so excited. He assumed at had something to with finally going back to Erebor after 60 years and seeing a certain Oakenshield. "Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf ad snuck upon the dwarf on the balcony he looked down to the Hobbit smiling up at him.

"Mr. Gandalf."

"You've travelled a long way I see, Frodo behaving himself?" Gandalf knew what Frodo was up to and after the celebration Gandalf was planning another visit to the shire.

"Why yes. One of the most well behaved hobbits actually, unlike those friends of his, pesky Meriadoc and Peregrin." Speaking of the shenanigans they caused with the fireworks at Bilbo's birthday.

"Oh quite yes" he laughed along with Bilbo. They continued talking for a long time through the halls of Rivendell until Lord Elrond insisted to join him for dinner. They had arrived and were seated and Elrond started to discuss business.

"Orcs have been seen roaming Middle Earth. Uprisings have already started in Mordor, this is something we hope to never face again." It was a serious subject and it went on for some time before it was interrupted by the entrance of Lady Arwen. Gandalf and Bilbo stood up from their seats "Ah Gandalf, Bilbo. This my daughter Arwen who you remember." They bowed their heads as Arwen returned the gesture.

"Bilbo Baggins is my name, my lady."

"Pleasure, Bilbo Baggins. Welcome to our beautiful Rivendell, I hope you enjoy your stay."

"Thank you, everything is splendid." Bilbo praised and waited for Arwen to sit down before he took his place again.

"Sorry where are my manners. Gentlemen this my very dear friend Tauriel, I invited her to banquet as she will sail in a few moons." She turned towards Tauriel and gestured her to sit beside her. "Ah Tauriel, pleasure to see you again." Bilbo spoke recognizing her as the elf from the battle 60 years ago. Gandalf stared at her distinguishing those green eyes that he had been speaking to for three weeks. He decided to talk to her after the meal, and alone since he did not know how she would react.

She remained quiet throughout dinner and listened to the harp strings that were floating throughout her body. Arwen was just as silent as her as they both had a fascination with the music that would complete the atmosphere. Lord Elrond and Gandalf continued their conversation before Arwen interrupted them.

"Surely father this is not a suitable conversation to be having on such a beautiful evening."

"You are right my dear." He finished the conversation and continued on another topic about Aragorn.

After dinner was finished they sat around the table before Bilbo excused himself to bed, Elrond was called to discuss tidings and would continue the conversation with Gandalf later in the evening. Arwen dismissed herself needing to be alone and Tauriel decided to wander to give a finally farewell to this place she had called home.

Tauriel was not sad to be leaving, she had come to terms with it and commended herself. The only thing that had stopped her was Legolas had not return to say goodbye, Tauriel was selfish and decided she could not wait. He will sail one day and then she would be able to see him. She thought about him until she felt someone behind her and she slightly turned her head.

"You have a keen sense of picking up on presences Tauriel." Gandalf spoke.

"I noticed you were following me for some time master wizard." Tauriel replied wondered why he was.

"Ah well you see I have some business to discuss with you or mainly important things that concern you." What business could this wizard want from her? Or better yet what did he know that involved Tauriel. She watched him light his pipe and smoke it she was awaiting the information and she assume he was trying to figure out where to start.

"Well I was being escorted out of Lorien about a month ago and my elvish escorts and I had come across some orcs. They were attacking a young girl and her horse." Tauriel did not know what to think of this peculiar beginning "The orcs were killed and the girl's horse had died. She was an unusual thing, half breed elf. I decided to chaperon her to Old Forest Road where she was travelling to find information on her mother and father in Dale."

"What does this have to do with me?" She asked while he took a break to breathe in his smoke.

"Well her name was Eliel, and she told me this fascinating story about how she was stolen from her mother 60 years ago. An Elf named Tauriel was her mother and someone called Kili was her father." Gandalf stopped.

Tauriel heart began to pound her ribcage and she felt as if it was going to break. She was frozen, the light hairs on her arms stand to attention as a militia of chills march down her spine. "This cannot be." She started to breathe heavily as if there was no more oxygen left in the world. "My child died." Tauriel was flood with emotions at once. Resentment, betrayal, elation and grief. Tauriel was conflicted whether to believe him or not

"Your daughter was taken by a woman named Sonir and raised her in Gondor. Eliel told me how she grew up and did not find out about you until the woman passed away. She carries a rune stone with her that it is believed to have some meaning to you." The things the wizard was saying had never been shared information with anyone else other than Legolas and they confirmed that Gandalf was telling the truth.

"They stole my daughter, they raised her with lies and let me live my life in agony for 60 years. That child was the only connection I had with my long gone Kili and they took it away from me." Gandalf listened and realized that this elf was in love with the prince and she thought him to be dead. "Tauriel, the young prince of Erebor. He still lives within the mountain with his brother."

Tauriel could not believe it, sixty years she had lived in grief and heartbreak only to be told it was not worth it. That both her love and child were still alive.

Gandalf had taken his leave with the elf after making sure she was okay. Once he had gone she had fell to the floor, her legs too weak to stand and was overcome with relief and determination.

"Eliel. At least they had the decency to keep her name." She spoke to herself. After Tauriel regained the ability to walk she raced back to her room and changed as well as grabbing her bow and daggers that she had not used in a long time.

She knew it was rude to not say goodbye but she could not delay any longer and she had set out for the City of Dale.