So in this chapter, Legolas and Tauriel meet for the first time. They aren't children as you might expect, they are teenagers so to speak, I don't know what the elves call them. Tauriel is being brought to the king after her family was killed by orcs; she is about 800 years old and Legolas is about 900. (Apparently that's a young age for elves.) The forest isn't Mirkwood so no spiders or anything like that, I hope you enjoy the chapter xx

"My lord Thranduil, there was trouble in the forest. Some orcs raided a carriage leaving our borders, none survived but one young elleth. Should we find a room for her?" A scout reported

"Yes find her a room and some food, but first bring her to me. I would very much like to speak to her, that is all."

The elf bowed and went to get the elleth, "the king would like to see you." He pointed in the direction of the throne hall and then went off to do as the king had ordered.

The young elf came forward and bowed before the king, she was obviously shaken as she looked around wide eyed at the guards around the room. "You need not fear young one, you are safe here." Thranduil's voice boomed throughout the hall. He came down from his throne and stood before her. "What is your name child?"

"T-Tauriel, my name is Tauriel my l-lord," Tauriel looked up at the king, he looked stern and strict, yet his voice was welcoming and comforting after the ordeal she had just been through. Her family was going to Imladris to visit kin. They were just about to go through the elven gate when the orcs struck their horses. Had it not been for the small scout group nearby Tauriel would have killed without mercy like her parents.

Thranduil wrapped an arm around her shaking frame and lead her away from the throne room and down to where the rooms were, "one of my men will take you to your room. Rest, you are exhausted and weary. No harm will come to you here Tauriel." The king handed her over to one of his guards who took Tauriel to her room high in the trees.

Tauriel thanked the older elf and went into her new room. She saw that someone had prepared her bed and a small basket of food was left on a table for her. She ignored the food and just climbed into her bed. She was tired and just wanted to cry, she had lost everything and everyone in the matter of minutes. But she kept strong and held her tears.

Legolas had been asked by his father to give some clothes to an elf in one of the rooms in the trees near his. He knocked on the door but got no response; he assumed no-one was in so as he walked into the room he didn't expect a young elf to be laid on the bed seemingly asleep. He put the clothes on the chair and turned around to leave.

"Who are you?" Tauriel looked up from her bed. She sat up as she waited for him to answer.

"Sorry, I did not mean to wake you. I am Legolas Thranduilon, and you are?"

"My name is Tauriel. You did not wake me, I haven't found sleep yet."

Legolas noticed that she seemed like she had been crying. "Pardon me for asking but why do you weep Tauriel?"

"I weep for the loss of my parents. They were killed by orcs this morning. I have nobody left." Tauriel turned in her bed and faced away from Legolas.

Legolas took pity on the young elleth, he knew what it was like to lose someone dear to you. His mother had died when he was younger. He tentatively sat next to her on the bed, "Tauriel, Tauriel look at me please." At his calming voice Tauriel lost her composure, she turned around and leapt into his welcoming arms. From the moment she arrived this was all she had wanted a pair of inviting arms. Legolas held her protectively as she wept in his arms. He did not care, he felt a sense of protectiveness for her, he wanted to shield her from all the bad in the world after hearing the despair in her voice.

"It will be okay, you will be okay Tauriel I promise you." He whispered softly. "Do not despair, you will see them again in the halls of Mandos when you are ready. But that time is not now. Now you must find the courage to endure until then mellon." His father had told Legolas about what happened to elves when they succumbed to grief and Legolas did not want that happening to Tauriel, not while she was so young. He had only met her but he could relate to her pain and he wanted to shelter her from it.

She nodded against his warm body, taking what he had said very seriously for she too knew what would happen to her should she mourn for any longer. The tears eventually thinned out and she fell asleep in his arms. Legolas lay her in her bed pulled the blanket over her. "Esta Tauriel, I will keep you safe I promise," he said softly. He lightly placed a kiss on her forehead before moving off and out of her room.

Legolas looked back once more to her sleeping form. He would keep her safe from anyone and anything; it was a promise he would keep for the rest of his days.

As usual please leave a review, good or bad. I love reading them, they inspire me to write more. Xx

Esta = rest