Dear Readers,

It's been a couple weeks since I last wrote this story. This is the latest chapter and I hope that you all enjoy it!

~Anariel RR

Dearest Book,

So much time has passed since I have last written in this book. So many grave happenings transpired in the wake of my return to the King's Hall. Before I continue…I had better explain all that happened thereafter…

It took a total of three days to return to the King's Hall. Legolas and I spent the second night deep in conversation, lost in the throes of the wild of Mirkwood. I say this most truthfully when I state that I felt as if I was under a love spell. It was not love for a single individual that I felt but for everything: being with Legolas, living in the wilds of our beloved Taur-e-Ndaedelos, gazing into his eyes as we laughed at one thing or another, remaining nestled in a pine tree together, swinging about from tree to tree as if we were acrobats, practicing our target practice, engaging in a contest to see who was the best archer (and I did not care that I even lost), and just feeling the energy of nature. The stars were our only companions the entire time – white and bright, watching over us as we hastened to catch up with that irksome Belegorn. On that last night particularly, the two of us were deep in conversation, speaking in particular of what would transpire upon our return to the King's Hall.

"You are a rather secretive one, Tauriel. I have known you since your childhood and yet you are still a mystery to me. Most females I've met talked my ears off or were too frightened to speak to me. You…you speak to me solely when there is something of consequence to say. You always say enough…never too much or too little." He remarked, his watchful eyes settled upon a star that shimmered in the heavens, brilliant and without competition that night. It was so utterly bright that it perhaps rivaled even the moon or at least that was how it felt. His words caused me to blush as I rested my head against the great wide trunk of the pine tree, inhaling its sweet scent of pine needles. It was an altogether unwelcome perfume for it reminded me of my father. Pine trees were ever his favorite – he always spoke of how they provided such splendid concealment. We had just each taken a bite of Lembas bread, something I normally detested ever since my childhood, but it the taste did not even irk me. I felt so jubilant despite the circumstances.

"Man os in?" I breathed, staring up at the same star in a pensive manner, thinking over everything. Once we would return to the King's Hall then I am officially a fugitive of the state and even worse, a traitor to the King. The thought made me cringe.

"You never speak your mind. This I can tell. Am man?" His voice took on that curious tone, the very same tone that affected it when he wanted to know why I do what I do. It was the very same tone of when he inquired as to why a particular person (most usually of the male variety) would look at me the way he or she does.

"Man i theled istad?" I half-said, half-muttered, feeling somewhat sleepy for once. The sort of "sleep" that we Elves engage in is more so rest than anything else. An Elf can gain rest by simply meditating upon an object of beauty or something of importance. However, at times, we will take rest but it is by no means necessary for our living unless we are on the verge of death. The truth is that I desired the prospect of rest for it gave me a reprieve from the monotony of everyday life. It was enjoyable. Before I had realized it, I had blurted the last several words without a second thought. Those were the words that I had never dared to ask him. Words that I was always afraid to utter. He had opened his mouth to speak but before he could do so, I continued, "You do not know this, mellon. But my mother was Aglarlothiel, a great lady of Lothlórien, well-nigh a kinswoman to the greatest of ladies, Galadriel." For a moment, I allowed my own jade green gaze to drift away from the dreamy-like stars and to fix upon him for a moment. I glimpsed a flurry of emotions before an eventual dawning of astonishment, his brow furrowed slightly as he tilted his head.

"How come you have never told me this?" He queried as if this was a topic of the utmost importance. Perhaps it was but I never felt like any others deserved to know it.

"There is a lot about me that you don't know…besides, it never came up in conversation." I added quietly brushing back a strand of golden red hair then spoke once more. "As a great lady, she was tutored by her own illustrious parents in the ways of etiquette and honor. She was noble not only in bearing but in her heart. I can remember her words now…as if an echo in my mind: 'Speak with truth and with honor, for to do otherwise will prove you ridiculous.' That…and my father was the quiet sort. I suppose that I take after both my parents in that respect." I dropped my gaze and smiled wanly, in a nervous manner.

"You…give me cause to want to know everything…every thought that lingers in your head. It is all so fascinating me, an uncovered wild realm of great beauty." His words caused me to blush and I could see by the expression upon his face that he was attempting to maintain a veneer of control. Something had to have been bothering him because it had shown in his eyes as well as in the uncertainty of his handsome features.

"It is nothing of import, I can assure you. I am a simple Sylvan Elf with simple thoughts." I smiled as I remarked wryly before heaving a sigh. His gaze flickered away from me for a moment then eventually returned to my face, his own expression inquisitive if anything, "My thoughts linger upon Laerorn and Ninimmien as well as their union. They are formally betrothed. You are but six hundred years old, Tauriel. How come you do not follow the path of most Elven maidens? Most are..." He paused for a moment as if searching for the correct term. "…motivated by such means. You are perhaps one of the only few female Elves who appear to not have such designs." The question completely caught me off guard and my heart had begun to beat in my chest in such a frenzied manner. I was beside myself with many emotions: sadness, glee, excitement, fear.

"I think this a trivial topic, Legolas." I declared offhandedly then allowed a ghost of a smile to play upon my own lips. "Besides, it is not I who must think of matrimony." I laughed, my tone rather teasing as I uttered the next words, "It is not your own great Father who tirelessly seeks for you a bride? And such a bride that she will be unrivaled in high birth and renown?" Legolas exhibited his emotions completely now and the emotion that I saw was one of distaste. He appeared to show no interest in such a prospect.

"Yes…yes…my father speaks of my royal obligations…of carrying on our line." He spoke hesitantly, his cheeks flushed hot with a deep crimson color. I would have laughed if it were anyone else but his embarrassment warmed my heart.

"You must understand, Tauriel. I am his only heir. His only heir." He enunciated the last sentence slowly as if to emphasize the importance of the word.

"Alas that places such pressure upon you, my good friend." I spoke softly, frowning in commiseration. "Yet I dare not to presume to give you advice. It is not my place."

"I desire any counsel that you have to give. You are young yet in years but wiser than you give yourself credit." He spoke kindly. I'm not entirely sure what happened…if he moved closer to me voluntarily or if he had slid by mistake. We were nearly shoulder-to-shoulder, gazing into each other's eyes for a moment. When I had realized that his gaze did not turn away, I flushed a deep crimson and glanced away myself, unsure of how to proceed.

"Thank you…" I breathed without returning his gaze.

"Have you no powerless male so irrevocably under your spell?" Legolas joked. When I chanced another look at him, I saw that he was grinning and could it be that he was flirting with me?

"Not in the slightest…" I returned his gaze for a moment then cleared my throat, gazing off at the star.

"You know Tauriel…you have the spirit of my mother. The same personality…the same iron will. You know that she was the only one to challenge my father and never to face his wrath." He positively beamed as our eyes locked once more. His blue eyes and my green eyes joined together in a moment of warmth. I flushed a deep crimson, the hue of the autumnal leaves all around us, resting in a blanket upon the bottom of the forest floor.

"What was she like?" Was all that I could manage, trying to not let the compliment go to my head.

"At times…I forget my own mother." He declared in nearly a whisper, his gaze downcast as his face exhibited all sorts of emotion. "I remember the image…the silver hair…the warm, engaging smile…and the bright blue of her eyes. Her eyes as blue as forget-me-nots. My father speaks no more of her…as if she had never existed in the first place." Before I had realized it, my hand was resting on his left shoulder and we were both staring at each other in an astounded manner. Quite rapidly, his astonishment melted away to warmth and there was something inviting in his manner. I was about to draw my hand away as if to pretend it never happened but I felt his soft hand over my own. Our hands touched together and it felt so strange. It was like for even a fraction of a moment that we were one – joined together in some odd way. That was when I felt that jolt once more. Glancing down, I removed my hand and suddenly stood up.

"Ni nûr angin…" I breathed, drawing the tip of my finger down the rough earthy bark, thinking of how it resembled parched earth. That was when he stood as well, a small smile upon his face and faraway look in his eyes. When he had settled his piercing gaze upon me once more, he uttered the words that haunt me now, "Sevin le." I froze, not quite sure what to say or how to proceed. Much to my horror, he continued, "An gell nîn…please let me speak. Lasto nin."

"Avo garo…please." I uttered quickly then held out a hand with an outstretched palm as if to stop him. "Excuse me…I must be alone at this moment." Without another word being said, I grabbed hold of a branch and made my way up further into the great pine tree before clasping onto the other branch of an adjoining tree, swinging myself over to it. Once in the other tree, I braced myself against the great trunk and began to cry softly. I don't quite understand as to why I was crying but the tears could not stop flowing. After a little while, it felt as if there was a waterfall that cascade down my cheeks. What was I so afraid of? This, I knew not.

The thoughts that went through my mind are the following: I am so confused. What is he trying to say? How come I somehow know the words that he will speak? What is there to be afraid of?

I daren't dwell too much on some things. I spent the rest of the night alone. When the next day at dawn, Legolas found me without too much effort and he was gentle as if we didn't just have an altercation of some sort.

"Tauriel, tolo."Were the only words that elicited forth from his lips. He wore a smile upon his face but it was a sad one, its light largely dimmed. His eyes exhibited a sadness as well but if he felt so, he uttered not a word.

The dutiful friend and subject that I was, I obeyed and like before, we were travelling from tree to tree. However, the winging, the leaping, and the flipping was not like what had passed before in the pleasant nature. I could scarcely look him in the eyes and knew not what to say.

In a day, we had made it to the King's Hall and immediately we had met with the guard at the great gate to the Hall. He was astonished to glimpsed Legolas and myself. When he glimpsed me, he slid his sword forth from his scabbard, gripping it tightly, clearly an offensive stance and I had expected him to attack me straightaway.

"Daro!" My friend and champion ordered to the guard, who nodded, seeming largely confused, and return the swords to its scabbard. "I go to speak with the King right now." The Guard quickly bowed his head and moved out of Legolas's way.

When Legolas stormed into the Throne Room with me in tow, King Thranduil and two of his advisors were completely caught unawares. However, only one of the advisors actually exhibited shock.

"My Good Royal Father…" Legolas spoke his words in an elegant and authoritative manner, clearly showing his princely rank.

"Ah so it appears that you have returned Tauriel Dûthalioniel to us." The King's face appeared to be as hard and cold, his features etched as if of stone. "She must pay for her crimes." His face was grave as he spoke the words with a dramatic flair.

"I have much to tell you of that lies spoken by the poison-tongued Councilor Bregoliâr…" My champion's voice was confident, strong against my silence. I could scarcely speak a word. Knowing full well that I was despised by the monarch who I had served for centuries, I felt utterly terrible.

"Oh, I am sure." The King sounded almost cynical but if he was purposely speaking that one, none of us could tell. His face was firm as he motioned towards me, "Guards! Arrest her! Take her straightaway to her chamber." I froze, my entire body going cold. In a moment of passionate frenzy, Legolas extracted his sword from its scabbard, the cold metal so clear that it well-nigh could have been a mirror. He hastened to my side and held the sword out, his determined, piercing eyes settled upon his father.

"No…she stays…" My champion's eyes were a blazing fury and for some reason, it frightened me. However, what horrified me more was the fact that he was raising his sword not only against the guards but figuratively against his father. Under normal circumstances, it would never be in his personality or manner to do such a thing but he is known to be irrational at times. Hot-headed. The guards looked at the King in a befuddled manner, clearly not wanting to cross swords with their Prince. I shifted my gaze between the four figures then placed my right forefinger upon the cool steel of his blade, shaking my head slowly. Fixing my gaze upon the King, "Good King Thranduil, I will comply." The King seemed to smile at this, his eyes exhibiting the fact that he was pleased by the turn of events.

After speaking the words, I held out my wrists, expecting manacles of some sort to be locked around them. Instead, it was rope that was fastened tightly. I daren't look at Legolas's face for I could feel the rage boiling inside of him. I had placed myself in such dishonor and it felt true that I bear the consequence of its weight.

For days and days, I have been locked here within my chamber. I have been visited everyday by Prince Legolas, who promises that he will have me free very soon. It seems that the King will forgive me but that he won't do so straightaway. We are waiting for the rest of the Guard to return with Galhanar. Once the King sees Galhanar, it seems like that is when he will decide what to do with me. For now, the future is uncertain.

All I can do is utter prayers and to wait upon the word of the King.

Tauriel

Sindarin Translation:

Am man? – Why?

An gell nîn – Please [Literally: For my joy]

Avo garo – Don't [Literally: Don't do it.]

Daro – Stop/Remain

Lasto nin – Listen to me

Man i theled istad? – Why do you want to know? [Literally: What is the purpose of having this knowledge?]

Man os in? – What about it?

Mellon – Friend

Ni nûr angin – I am sad for you

Sevin le – I have you

Taur-e-Ndaedelos – Greenwood the Great

Tolo – Come (along)