Authors note: Here it is! Next chapter :) Thank you guys so much for the reviews! I was so excited when I saw them! May I just say that is what motivated me to update so quickly ;) Hope you guys like the next chapter.

They arrived at the bank, Legolas only a few feet ahead of Tauriel. They stood together by the river for a few moments in silence. Tauriel was the first to break it. "So tell me, why did you come to find me in the first place, Prince?" Legolas turned and looked into her green eyes. "Because I care." He told her. And Tauriel knew he really did, just by the tone of his voice. "You know well that I would've been just fine." She told him. The prince laughed softly and smiled a bit. "Did we not already discuss this?" He referred to himself "Rescuing" Tauriel from that wretched spider. Tauriel shot him a look before he continued. "Besides, they were closing the gates and I was trying to get you and your men back. However, it seems as if I only accomplished one of those." Tauriels eyes widened. "Why did you not tell me they were shutting the gates! I would have went back as well!" Legolas smirked again, a little bigger this time. "You seemed intent on lagging behind with me. Perhaps there is something bothering you. Something you want to discuss?" He questioned. Tauriel turned away from his blue eyes that she knew she could not resist.

I did not think you would allow your son to pledge himself to a lowly sylvan elf.

No, you are right, I would not. Still he cares about you. Do not give him hope where there is none.

Thranduils words haunted her. Do not give him hope. She wouldn't

"No, nothing in particular." She said abruptly. Perhaps too abrupt.

"Well," Legolas began. "There could be something I want to discuss." He rested a hand on her shoulder. Strong yet so gentle. Tauriel knew though, what he wanted to talk about. She also knew she couldn't let this discussion happen. For if it did, Tauriel knew she would lose all her self control, give in, and pour out all her real feelings for the prince.

"Legolas..." She said letting out a breath as she reached to brush the hand off her shoulder. But in reaching, Legolas took her hand and clasped it in his free one. "Why do you do this every time I make a gesture towards you?" He asked. Tauriel started to explain. "Legolas your father will never allow it..."

"I will talk to him, and make him understand. All I know now, is that I love you."

Tauriel opened her mouth to speak, but finding no words, closed it again. Legolas Let go of her hand and her shoulder. He placed both hands on the sides of her face and pulled it to his so that their foreheads touched. He looked at her through icy blue eyes that somehow had a certain warmth to them. "Amin mela lle, Tauriel."

So that was it. He had pledged his love to her. she did not know how much longer she could resist him. "Legolas, this can't happen and you know it..." He interrupted her yet again. "Melleth nin, If you can look me in the eye, and tell me that you do not love me, I will let this whole thing drop and we can go back to what we have been for the past two centuries. We can forget this night ever happened."

"Legolas don't make-"

"Tell me that you do not love me."

"But..."

"Say it. Say that you do not love me." His words were stern but not harsh. Tauriel looked down at the grass beneath her feet and whispered. "I do not love you."

"I said look me in the eye." Legolas took her chin and tipped her face to look at his. Blue and green eyes penetrating each other. "Tell me you do not love me, and I promise, I will let it go." Tauriel tried with all her might to get those five word to come out of her mouth. "Tell me, Tauriel." Legolas prompted, softly.

"I...I do not...I can't." Tauriel said at last. Defeated. Legolas grinned. He let go of her chin and in a flash one hand had hers and the other was around her waist. His grip was light as a feather, yet strong. Tauriel felt safe in her prince's arms. Her feet lifted off the ground but she was held tightly against Legolas' body. "I knew you could not." The prince said, smiling. And with that his lips met hers. Tauriels eyes fluttered closed. Her free hand came to rest on his chest. The kiss was light at first, but Legolas soon deepened it. Tauriel gave in completely. When at last they broke apart, Legolas asked. "Since you couldn't tell me you do not love me, can you tell me that you do?" There was no hesitation as Tauriel replied. "Amin mela lle." She knew she meant those words, but inside she was still deeply afraid of what the king would make of all this. Legolas obviously noticed her fear through her happiness. He looked into her eyes, ran his thumb across her cheek and told her. "Don't be afraid, everything will soon be set right."

Legolas set the captain back steadily on her feet. The pair looked to the east and saw that the sky was turning a light shade of pink. They had been up all night with this discussion.

"I say we take the day off." Legolas suggested.

"Alright, melleth nin."

"Then one question remains...What to do first?"

Let me know what you think! Next chapter soon!