I know it's been the longest time since you guys have heard from me but not only did I have my GCSE exams for a month (earlier this year, now I have A-levels to deal with) I also lost my muse with these one shots. But now I've got it back and I will hopefully have the motivation to write a few more chapters. I'm not abandoning this story, far from it but I will take breaks from time to time so don't panic if I don't write for another few weeks/months.
Tauriel had sailed across the sea soon after the demise of Sauron. Although she was a Sylvan elf and others like her had stayed, she had chosen to go to the Undying Lands. Now that the evil was defeated she felt as if she had no purpose on Middle Earth anymore. So she with a few other elves; Sylvan and Sindarin alike left Middle Earth. The feeling of freedom was new to Tauriel, for so long she had obeyed orders and fought off hoards and hoards of orcs and now, finally, she was free. Yet there was a part of her that was lacking in something... or someone.
Tauriel had seen Legolas before she left. She had pleaded with him to come with her across the sea but all he had said was that his work was not done there and he would join her when the time was right. That was the last time she saw him, an age ago. Three thousand years was a mere blink of an eye to an immortal elf but so much had happened since that Tauriel was beginning to think that Legolas was never going to leave Middle Earth. But Tauriel had learned to move on with her life as she always did. She now resided deep in the woods of Doriath, her love for the forest had not faded when she left Mirkwood. If anything it was stronger since she saw how life grew in the woods over the sea, nature was in harmony and it was a breathtaking sight.
"Tauriel, 'quel andune." Greeted one of her elven friends Fainor.
"Fainor, mae govannen. What can I help you with on this fine afternoon?" Tauriel asked as she looked to the setting sun.
"Oio naa elealla alasse'.Your hair shines ever as bright as the autumn sun sets."
"Diola lle Fainor. But something tells me you did not come this way just to give me compliments," Tauriel said knowingly. Ever since they had first met Fainor had been trying to win her affections and each time Tauriel rejected his advances, for her heart already belonged to another. Fainor was an attractive elf and he could have any elleth if he wanted to but he wasn't her elf. He wasn't Legolas.
"You're right of course. I was wondering if you would accompany me to the Autumnal Equinox tomorrow? It is a special occasion and I would have no-one short of your beauty by my side."
"Fainor I appreciate the thought but I will have to decline your offer." Tauriel murmured as she looked to the East.
"I see... There is another isn't there? One that has already won your heart... Whoever he is, he is a lucky elf." Fainor smiled sadly. "I hope you find your way back to each other."
Tauriel gently placed her hand on his cheek before he could leave, "thank you for understanding Fainor. Your sight is clear where others would remain blind, I could not ask for much more in a friend." Fainor smiled and stepped back giving her a final nod before leaving.
Tauriel's features saddened as she looked once more to the East before she started making her way home. Doriath was similar to Mirkwood in the way that the houses were built around the trees and were one with the nature that resided in the forest alongside the elves. It was one of the features of the forest that Tauriel loved so much. This forest thrived as Mirkwood once did before the war, Tauriel's heart saddened at the thought of those who she had left behind. It didn't get any easier but she survived through the pain, day by day as she had always done. She wouldn't go to the Autumnal Equinox tomorrow. Her friends had talked about it and had tried talking Tauriel into going but she was stubborn, she wouldn't let go of her regret of leaving Legolas. She had even gone to Lord Elrond to seek advice and wisdom on what to do, he had told her to be patient and that if it was meant to be Legolas would return to her. Patience was something she had learnt over the centuries, if you turned the world back to when she was young elleth patience wasn't in her vocabulary. Legolas was always testing her patience, he knew he could because as he was the older elf he had mastered the art of patience and there was nothing Tauriel could say or do that would irk him and he took every opportunity to poke fun at her, which usually resulted in sharp responses. But he had helped her, briefly, with learning patience.
When she returned home she had a visitor waiting, sat in a chair by the fire. "Mithrandir! Nae saian luume'."
The old wizard let out a chuckle and stood, walking over to greet her. "Tauriel. It has been long indeed. How do you fare?"
Tauriel embraced him briefly and smiled, "I'm doing well thank you, and you? The last I saw of you was when you came into Mirkwood to visit King Thranduil after the war. This is such a surprise, if you had told me that you were coming I would have been here earlier to greet you."
"I am fine my child. You have grown into a beautiful, mature elleth. It brings me joy to see you here. However, I did not come here for the single purpose of seeing how you are. I have a couple of friends arriving at the docks in the morn and I was wondering if you would accompany an old friend?" He explained with a knowing look on his face.
"Of course Mithrandir, it would be a pleasure." Tauriel cooked a meal that evening and enjoyed Gandalf's company by the fire that night, they talked about many things, the war, the woods, travelling over the sea. The one topic they had avoided was a certain blond elf, for which she was grateful for, she didn't want to talk about Legolas right now. Though she was curious as to who his friends were that were arriving tomorrow. She arranged the guest room for him and they got sleep that night. They left fairly early in the morning if they were to reach the docks in time.
They rode out and arrived at the docks near midday. She gracefully got down from her stallion and left him grazing nearby. She could see that a boat had docked further down the harbour and followed Gandalf to the beautiful boat, as they stood waiting for the passengers to descend Tauriel admired the boat, it had clearly been hand-crafted and it was a fantastic piece of work. She was so caught up in the detail of the boat that she nearly jumped when Mithrandir nudged her and pointed towards the boat. The first person to walk down the dock was a grey-haired dwarf.
"Gandalf! Good to see you old friend."
Gandalf smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Gimli, you are indeed a sight for sore eyes. Come, I have someone I want you to meet. Tauriel this is Gimli. Gimli this is Tauriel."
Gimli bowed before her, "mae govannen Tauriel. I have heard a great deal about you."
Tauriel was surprised to hear the dwarf greet her in elvish, "greetings Ai' atar, it is a pleasant surprise to see you here."
Gandalf placed a hand on her shoulder, "wait for my other friend to come out will you, I will help Gimli get some supplies."
Tauriel nodded and smiled to herself, he had not changed. She had never known someone to speak of riddles as much as Gandalf did. She turned back to the boat and waited for this mysterious friend to come out. About five or ten minutes later someone did come out and it was not who she was expecting. A lock of golden hair emerged and she found that her breath was taken away, for in front of her eyes stood her blue eyed prince. It seemed like the world had stopped and everything had frozen as he walked towards her with that grace and aura about him.
Legolas stopped less than a meter away from and placed his hand across his shoulder and then gently cupped her face, "melamin." He registered the shock on her face as she barely reacted to his endearments, he brought his other hand up and caressed her face. "Tauriel," he whispered.
Tauriel was brought back to reality when he whispered her name, it had been a long time since she had heard anyone say her name with such love, Tauriel wasted no time and pressed a loving kiss to his lips. She didn't even register the hot tears that were streaming down her face. "Mela en' coiamin."
"Shh, don't cry. It's alright, I'm here now and I will never leave you again." Legolas showered her face with kisses, he kissed the tears that escaped her face all the while caressing her softly. He had her in his arms again and he didn't want to let her go. Both elves turned to the side in response to a deep chuckled coming from Gandalf. "Mithrandir, Diola lle." Was all Legolas simply said.
Gandalf nodded, "I trust you will be able to make your own way home? I have acquired a pony and some supplies for Gimli and he will be coming back to a house with me, we hope to see you both at the Autumnal Equinox tomorrow."
Both elves nodded and said goodbye to Gandalf before they turned to look at each other again. Legolas kissed her once more, "shall we go?"
Tauriel nodded and hesitantly left his arms to lead him to her horse, "this is Hinnaur," she introduced him to her stallion, "he is a good friend and has helped me since the moment I arrived in this land. He keeps watch over me when I go walking in the woods."
Legolas let the stallion smell him and greeted the horse, "saesa omentien lle Hinnaur." The stallion seemed to accept him as a friend and allowed Legolas to climb him after Tauriel had mounted the stallion. Tauriel gently urged Hinnaur to ride home when they were both on the horse. The ride to Doriath was a silent one but it was a comfortable silence. When they finally reached Tauriel's home they dismounted, Tauriel thanked Hinnaur and let him loose in the woods before she lead Legolas inside.
"It is not quite like my chambers in Mirkwood but I love it. What do you think?" She asked twirling around to look at him with a shy smile.
"It's lovely. I like it, it's nice, small and cosy. You've found the right place." He placed his bag down in the corner of the room and moved over to Tauriel, he embraced her in his arms again and as he did her arms naturally wrapped around his neck.
"You're here. I can't believe you came." She whispered against his chest.
"I told you I would come when the time was right. The time was right now, I'm sorry I kept you waiting for so long." Legolas pulled back slightly so he could look at her face, "I have to be honest with you melleth, I thought that when I arrived you would have found another love..."
Tauriel looked at him with shock and disappointment, "Legolas. There is only one elf I have ever wanted to be with in the 3,600 years that I have lived and that elf is you. I want no other, I will have no other." She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I thought that you would never be coming. I guess people are full of surprises," she smiled and led him to her room. Her room was laid out neatly and it was simple; there was a wardrobe, a small desk, a bedside table, a double bed and a small built in fire on the wall. Both Legolas and Tauriel got out of their clothes and got into their evening wear; Tauriel wore a light silk gown and Legolas wore pale blue leggings that went with a loose fitting shirt. They cuddled up on the bed and watched the flames dance in the fire.
Legolas could finally relax, he was in Valinor with Tauriel, they were safe, there was no need to worry about orcs or any other foul creatures. There was just peace. He traced his finger up and down her arm softly as he watched the fire, he pressed a soft kiss to her temple and just enjoyed the comfort and serenity of the atmosphere between them. Legolas noticed the subtle changes in her body and committed those changes to memory, such as the way her body curved more at her hips and how her cheeks had become that little bit more defined and how her hair had gone from being a fiery red to a more gentle auburn. He thought she had fallen asleep when he heard her mumble.
"Will you come with me to the Yavieba tomorrow?"
"For you, amin innas yondë." He placed another kiss on her cheek before bringing the blanket over the both of them.
So tell me what you think. I know it's been a while and this might be complete crap and I'm just not making sense;) Remember always open to ideas for further stories and I apologize for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
Quel andune – Good afternoon
Mae govannen – well met
Oio naa elealla alasse' – ever is thy sight a joy
Diola lle – thank you
Nae saian luume' – it has been too long
Ai' atar – Little father (an adult male dwarf)
Mela en' coiamin. - Love of my life
Hinnaur – Fire eyes
Saesa omentien lle – pleasure meeting you
Yavieba – Autumnal Equinox
Amin innas yondë – I would go anywhere