Dear Readers,

This is the latest installment. It is rather long but I hope that you enjoy it. I hope that my portrayal of King Thranduil or Legolas are not too farfetched. Again, thank you for reading my story and should you have any feedback, I would absolutely love to hear it.

Please leave reviews!

Warmly,

~Anariel RR

Three Days Ago – Mirkwood

I will faithfully retell the tale of what transpired after my escape of the King's Hall (as I was retold it by Laerorn). After that irksome and monstrous Bregoliâr howled so loud that he awoke every individual in the wine storeroom, he went immediately for Belegorn. Belegorn unfortunately is my second-in-command and the fact that he was not too fond of me aided that cursed Bregoliâr in the odyssey of my destruction. It was a perfectly crafted machination of destruction, nonetheless. One could even argue that it was flawless. Bregoliâr told Laerorn thus, "Tauriel, Captain of the Guard spoke the words to me that she was deserting her role and that she was running away in order to free herself from Mirkwood or any promises she made our good King. Furthermore, before escaped into the forest, she set upon and slew poor Caranor as he was only doing his job. I witnessed it myself. She ran him through without a second thought. Perhaps it is the wild Silvan blood that boils within her poisonous veins. Knowing that she would be wanted as a fugitive and bothersome scofflaw, she fled before I could apprehend her." Laerorn searched in vain to speak with his darling Ninimmien but she was nowhere to be seen. I had often dismissed Ninimmien as an airhead at times but it appears that she was more wise and more clever than I ever gave her credit. Within her bedchamber, on the writing table where she often scribble down letters was the beginnings of an odd but incomplete riddle:

Of stones is my body,

My head lives in the clouds,

I am home to wretched filth,

Foe to Elves and Dwarves alike…

When I had discovered that clever little Ninimmien had single-handedly blew our cover, I was beyond furious. He was able to figure out that she had meant the Mountains of Mirkwood. In a sense, she had betrayed me. Anyhow, I shall speak of such things at a later date.

Laerorn, who constantly consulted his Ernil Hîr, immediately hastened to the great bedchamber of Legolas, who was oddly present within it for once instead of stalking the halls. The great oaken doors were carved with a design of jade green ivy replete with spring blossoms of purest white, joined together in a sort of knot-work design. On the other door rested a similar emerald green ivy design that was interwoven with bits of purple autumnal blossoms. It was a most splendid beauty. Rarely was I ever called to the Prince's chamber myself, but I wandered by it quite a few times when conversing with the great King himself, thus I witnessed it quite a bit. The door handles were constructed of a sort of golden oak, which is found only within the realm of Lothlórien. Laerorn curled his hands into a fist and rapped his fist sharply upon the oaken door, unsure of whether to bother Legolas at this hour. It was known that the Prince rarely took rest because he was always alert but one never knew of his pursuits. For a young man of regal status, he was largely private unlike his father, who was open and exuberant. Legolas was quieter, more tranquil.

"Tolo ned." Prince Legolas's smooth velvety voice was heard on the other side of the double doors. Laerorn went on and on about the majesty of our Prince's room but I will not bother you with the details that do nothing to serve the purpose of this retelling. His back was to Laerorn, who simply walked in and bowed his head reverentially, uttering the deferential words of, "Ernil nín, I come to you with grave news." In Legolas's hand was a quill of a lovely white swan feather, most likely a gift of Lothlórien to Taur-e-Ndaedelos. He was writing something, focusing upon that as he responded to Laerorn, "No…man?"

"Tauriel, Captain of the Guard and my betrothed, Ninimmien have run away from the King's Hall this morning. Not yet an hour ago. They have escaped despite your royal father's order for Tauriel to remain within the city." Laerorn's face had exhibited a sadness, a heaviness had weighed deeply upon his soul. His lady love and a woman he counted as his friend were now fugitive in the eyes of the Elven King's Court and Council. We were to be hunted and apprehended. According to Laerorn (what he told Ninimmien at least), "When Ernil Legolas turned around to face me suddenly, he scarcely had any time to shield the astonishment from his face. Even though he strove the best he could to mask the rage, I could see it deep behind those sharp gray eyes of his. Something about the expression upon his face caused me to shudder. It made me think: 'Rue to anyone who dares cross our prince.' When he had quickly regained his composure, he arose from his seat and turned about to face me for he meant business."

"Asca, Laerorn, mellon nín. Ready the Guard for we are to adventure into the forest this day. We must hasten to find Tauriel before they encounter too much trouble." His tone was suddenly authoritative, more so urgent than usual, and he was quick to be gone, according to Laerorn.

"Legolas, mellon. There is more yet to be said." Laerorn added regretfully, his tone gentle but at the same time sorrowing.

"No? Let us hear it then." Legolas had said, his face as frozen as stone but his eyes piercing more so than usual. Laerorn confided in Ninimmien (who can never keep a secret if she tried), "I have known Ernil Legolas for twelve hundred years and yet…never before had I seen him in such a state. There was a slight darkness about him…a determination and a readiness to be off in haste. Legolas, ever a being of the light, for once exhibited a sense of rage, a darkness of the likes of which I have never seen from him before. It struck me as odd."

"Hîr Bregoliâr spins a tale of lies within your glorious father's ears… a tale of the Captain of the Guard (he daren't speak my name) slaying one of our men, Caranor the Sentinel. That she slew him and fled thereafter to live out her days as a fugitive amongst her own people, ever in shame and dishonor." He declared slowly at first but eventually continued in a somewhat reluctant manner. "The Councilor declares that he witnessed this entire deed and that he himself was set upon by Tauriel and Ninimmien. That they had a wicked motive concerning him…that they had desired to murder him. He speaks with your father now in the Throne Room…" Laerorn could barely lifts his eyes from the ground before him, so crestfallen from the turn of events, especially since he was to wed Ninimmien on Mereth-en-Giliath. From what I had heard, many of the people were loath to believe the whisperings of Bregoliâr and Laerorn particularly had his doubts. According to Laerorn, Prince Legolas turned his back to him and simply uttered the words, "Go now and ready the men. We shall meet at the bridge at the close of an hour." Laerorn, happy to oblige (and sensing the stormy mood of our prince), bowed his head and set off bounding towards the armory.

Later on, Laerorn had heard the tale of what transpired between King Thranduil and his son, Prince Legolas. The following is a third-hand account of such a conversation between two magnanimous personages within the Throne Room of the King's Hall.

"It appears that our very own Captain of the Guard has betrayed us, ionneg. What fools we were to have placed so much trust within the hands of a murderess." King Thranduil had spoken the words rather bitterly, but his facial expression appeared largely indecisive at best. Laerorn believes that the King himself did not know what to think or what to make of the situation.

"Truly, think you that Tauriel would betray you in such a fashion? The Tauriel whose father loyally served you as hunter…the very same Tauriel who saved my very life…and who asked for nothing in return?" Legolas's words apparently were calm, well thought out and tranquil considering the situation, but his face was unenthused. "Hasty you are, adar nín, to condemn one who has proven her loyalty to you again and again." According to Laerorn, Legolas was ever my champion and hero once more, quick to rally to my cause despite the fact that all of the odds were against me.

"If Tauriel was loyal then would she not be here of all places?" He glanced around for dramatic effect, his face stern and furious unlike that of his calm son. "I commanded her to remain within the King's Hall and yet she has disobeyed my orders. What am I to think, Legolas?" All who were there had whispered of how loudly he was talking, almost as if he was yelling but not quite that.

"Aran adar nín…be not so hasty to assume that every word Bregoliâr utters is pure truth. I placed my trust in Tauriel and I continue to do so. There is a good reason for her actions." Legolas defended most ardently my name. Some had begun to whisper even more fervently than before, 'Prince Legolas is smitten and quite enamored of the red-headed Silvan.' Kinder Elves had said amongst each other, 'What a prince. He defends his friends to the best of his ability. Of gold is his heart.'

"See to it that the Guard is sent out straightaway." King Thranduil had ordered in an imperious nature, his facial features dead-serious with little hints of rage present about his eyes.

"I have already done so…we depart within the hour. We shall find Tauriel and we shall discover the truth…once and for all." Legolas had promulgated in a careful manner, his eyes not leaving his father's eyes.

"Le…you are not to go. You are to remain within the King's Hall. You have a fondness for this she-elf and it shall poison your mind towards her." The King waved his hand dismissively, the fingers of his other hand encircled greedily about the regal oaken staff. "This day Hiril Faendis, kinswoman to the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien arrives with her retinue. You needn't concern yourself with trivial matters such as the capture of Tauriel…let Faendis be your concern."

Prince Legolas's response to his father's promulgation not only fills me with happiness but it deeply frightens me. The son who is ever obedient and dutiful to his father, simply declared, "I take my leave now, adar nín. I will not return until I have Tauriel in my company and she will explain to you everything." With that, Prince Legolas, the best and brightest of friends, strode purposefully away from his enraged father.

King Thranduil was heard saying, "You will obey and honor me…for I am your father." Prince Legolas paid him no mind and kept on walking. Part of me was frightened by this because I never realized that such a foolish decision on my part could drive a wedge between father and son. I wouldn't dream of ever doing such a thing. Within the hour, Prince Legolas, Laerorn, Brethil, Belegorn, and the rest of the men headed into the forest astride the might elks that they rode…

Present Day – Emyn-nu-Fuin

Dearest Book,

I have only ever adventured to Emyn-nu-Fuin twice before in my life. Once I did so with the Prince and another time in the presence of Brethil when we were hunting quietly for sport. At first it loomed far away in the trees, the great green hills rising high above the tops of the trees that had lain before us. It was an altogether majestic sight but there was an altogether eeriness existing within this place, a feeling of dread and great despair. Ninimmien and I had set up camp within the forest for we know that should we have chosen to camp in the mountains, we should have been set upon my goblins right away. The goblins here are not too different from the wicked sort that stalk through the halls of Moria. However, we have the advantage as they haven't any idea that we are coming. I am armed with my beloved weapons whereas Ninimmien wields a small sword, and a bow and arrows. I must go. We hear a noise in the trees.

Later…

Ninimmien and I have been utterly discovered. However, not by orcs, not by spiders and not by goblins…rather we were discovered by Prince Legolas and the Guardians of the Forest. When they had emerged through the trees, I was beyond horrified but wished instead that I was a fly…a fly who could hastily escape notice. The Prince ordered the rest of the Guard to give us space, sending them off on silly errands such as searching for firewood or tracking game for dinner. Laerorn was exceedingly cross with Ninimmien and the two of them wandered off back into the woods, towards the east than to the mountains in the west. The foliage of the trees was so thick and the air had a definite chill from the constant breezes of autumn. This was awkward indeed for I sat on one side of the fire whereas Legolas sat not far off to my right, almost across from her altogether, his facial features grave. Most of the time, he had a smile on his face or there was at least a brightness to his eyes. On this day, his eyes were darkened and his seemed worried.

"Tauriel…what is the meaning of this?" He spoke suddenly, his deep voice breaking through the wall of silence that had set in. I rubbed the back of my neck and stared down at my soft brown leather boots as they rested comfortably on the forest floor. Little critters and insects meandered about but I cared not, for I was accustomed to them ever since my childhood.

"I…" My voice caught in my throat and I choked for a moment. I daren't look at him. "I haven't the faintest idea where to start…" For a moment I elevated my eyes to gaze at him, finally having discovered my courage.

"At the beginning…" The tone of his voice was gentle as it always was, his face still kind despite the darkness that had lingered there. "Start there…" An urgency pervaded nearly every aspect of his being, a grave seriousness as well.

"Hîr nín, if ever you were my friend…if ever you have trusted me in the history of our acquaintance, I beg that you listen to my words. I do not ask you to forgive me or to trust me, but rather that you understand why I have done what I have done." My voice was a ghost of a whisper, hesitant and shaky at first but when I saw the hopeful expression present in his face, I felt safe for once. I could always rely on Prince Legolas to make me feel safe and secure.

"Ever since what occurred a fortnight ago…I have been haunted most dreadfully by the truth of my failure. I failed not only our great King but I failed you, too. If I had been a better warrior…if I had struck true that day, Galhanar would never have been spirited away by orcs. Oh my dear friend, I pray you to understand that I have disobeyed your father's orders but only for a good reason. I shan't return to the King's Hall until I have Galhanar with me…until he is safe with his kinsmen." I had begun to feel braver the more and more I spoke, my heart not as fearful as it was initially.

"Oh Tauriel…this is a fool's errand." He breathed, shaking his head slowly as his strands of white-gold hair swayed in accordance with the movement. "Galhanar may yet be dead or worse…" He paused for a moment before continuing. "Corrupted by their Orcish ways."

"Yet I have hope, mellon. Hope that he may yet live peaceably with his father." I responded in the most positive voice that I could muster.

"Û, Tauriel. We return to the King's Hall at first light. We need not tarry in this way…erstwhile we shall get ourselves into grave danger." He declared in an authoritative manner, more so than usual which slightly shocked me but I said nothing. "What were you thinking? You and Ninimmien to hunt down a pack of Orcs? That is lunacy." I had sensed for some odd reason that the way in which he spoke was fraught with frustration, worry. He had been worried about Ninimmien and myself. A voice somewhere in my mind, the voice of fear whispered, 'He was worried for you…because…' I could bear it no more so I tuned such an irksome voice out.

"Surely you did not think that it was a good idea." He continued calmly, his voice as tranquil as always. "To put yourself in danger…and Ninimmien, a maiden who knows very little of our fighting ways. A healer has no place battling with Orcs." I was quick to interject, my tone firm, "Yes…I think it was a very good idea." His face exhibited some sort of astonishment and he studied me carefully, "I had initially thought you to possess better judgment than this, Tauriel."

"Legolas, mellon nín…Galhanar has ever been as a brother to you, one is of your kinsmen and yet you leave him to be stolen away by Orcs. When did you stop caring for the ones that you love? Is your father so resolute to forget one of our brightest and best warriors?" I sighed softly, clearly stubborn as I was not going to cede on this point. "In the annals of time, when it speaks of Galhanar the Brave and his disappearance, will you feel blameless when they speak of him? Or will you feel a confidence in the fact that you at least attempted to help one who is as a brother to you?" He uttered not so much as a single syllable, his face evincing his understanding as he seemed to ponder my words deeply then he nodded. Some of the darkness that was present in his face minutes before had drained away and there was a brightness to him again.

"Very well, Tauriel. You have convinced me. We will search for Galhanar." He spoke, a small smile beginning to form upon his lips – the very same smile that comforted me exceedingly. "However, if we do not find him by the end of Iavas…we must return to the King's Hall." For once, I was able to smile and not want to scream, "Oh allow me to express my gratitude. You have always been such a good friend to me." When I uttered these words, for a moment there was a sad look in his expression, one that I could not trace or figure out.

"Tauriel…there is one last thing…" His voice was steady but his tone was less tranquil than it usually was, bearing some semblance of distaste. "There is a Councilor who has been spinning twisted tales of you. Tales that you slew Caranor…that you have runaway as a fugitive. I let you know that I never believed in such lies…poisonous lies is what they are. I believed your innocence above all else. You are my friend and I will always do what I can help you." We shared a warm smile before I glanced away awkwardly, but I could not help but frown shortly after.

"May I confide in you, Legolas?" I felt strange uttering his name, my tone deeply hesitant. I was rather terrified of conveying to another my situation with that irksome Lord Bregoliâr but I know that Legolas could help.

"Of course…what fills your mind?" He inquired, assuming a rather inquisitive manner as he regarded me carefully. That is what Legolas always did, he asked me that question more than I could count.

"Lord Bregoliâr seeks to defile my name. He does so because I have refused his acclamations of love on numerous occurrences. More than I can count, really. He seeks my destruction because I slighted him publicly and he does not take refusals well. The other day when we were escaping, he struck me because I would not 'be his'. He has gone on in such a way for some time now and I've spoken about this to no one. Ninimmien overheard our exchange but I would not even tell her of it. I figured that you deserved to know why he does what he does." I heaved a sigh as I had finished speaking then took up a stick, poking at the fire which had slowly began to waste away. I daren't look up at Legolas's face.

"Why have you said nothing of this? I will see to it that he is apprehended for treating you thus. You are not only my friend but Captain of the Guard. That is indeed a position of honor…great honor. I will not suffer to see you treated so." He responded, his tone rather furious and straightforward, more so than usual. When I chanced a glance at his sharp eyes, I saw a great fury blazing behind his eyes, so much so that it frightened me so I glanced away.

"Thank you, ernil vuin." I replied like a kindly subject regarding her sovereign prince. When the fury had blazed over and seemed like it had passed, he had spoken once more, "Legolas." That was when he beamed at me. And such was our conversation until we were joined minutes later by our companions who seemed lighter and hearty. Nothing surpasses the wonderful feeling of jaunting through the wood amongst the company of wonderful friends. They lightened the mood considerably.

I will write again when I can. It is difficult to write in my diary being accompanied by the Guard and by Legolas. However, I am glad of it because I feel safe.

Tauriel

Sindarin Translations:

Aran adar nín – My Kingly Father

Adar nín – My Father

Asca – Quick

Emyn-nu-Fuin – Mountains of Mirkwood

Ernil Hîr – Prince Lord

Ernil nín – My Prince

Ernil vuin – Beloved Prince

Hiril – Lady

Iavas – Autumn

Ionneg – My Son

Le – You / Thee

Man – What

Mellon – Friend

Mereth-en-Giliath – The Feast of Starlight

No – Yes

Taur-e-Ndaedelos – Greenwood the Great

Tolo ned – Come in