Authors note: So yes, like I said, quite a long chapter, compared to others at least. I hope it lives up to your expectations!

Legolas awoke just before dawn. He rubbed his eyes and rolled out of bed. He quickly dressed, braided his hair, retrieved the pack he had assembled the night before and slung it over his shoulder. Opening the door as softly as he could, he looked back and gazed upon his room. Who knows how long it will be before he returns; if he returns. The prince turned, closing the door behind him.

Legolas crept into Tauriel's chamber and found her still sleeping. His breath was taken away just by the sight of her. She as even beautiful as she slept. Her face was relaxed, free of the troubles the had to think of when they were awake. Legolas hated to wake her. He gently moved a lock of hair from her face and kissed her cheek. No, there is no time to lose. He thought. He was right, there wasn't any time for such luxuries.

"Tauriel." He whispered, tapping her shoulder. She didn't respond.

"Tauriel." He tried again. She only curled up tighter.

"Melleth nin, wake up." Legolas shook her slightly.

"Mmm?" Her green eyes fluttered, then opened fully.

"We have to leave soon. Time to arise." Legolas whispered. Tauriel suddenly remembered the task at hand. She threw off the sheets and was out of bed in an instant. She flew to her closet and minutes later came out with her hair done and wearing heavy gear, as Legolas had done. She grabbed her pack, looked at Legolas and nodded. Signaling that she was ready.

They left her chambers. Tauriel looking back for a moment like Legolas. The two stealthily made their was to the armory to fetch their weapons: Bows, quivers, and knives. Legolas saddled his horse, Arod, and stuck a few apples in the saddle bags for him. Legolas swung up on to the horses back and gave Tauriel a hand, which she accepted.

"Ready?" The prince asked, looking over his shoulder at the captain. She nodded. "With you, I will always be." She held Legolas around the waist. Legolas smiled at her touch. He then urged Arod to a trot. Soon they were galloping through Mirkwood, westward bound. The sun just now peeking over the horizon.

/

The pair emerged out of Mirkwood midday, and soon came upon a creek where they dismounted to eat and rest. As Legolas tethered the horse to a nearby tree, Tauriel pulled out some provisions. Legolas settled sown beside her as they began to much on some fruit and greens. Tauriel suddenly stopped eating, and turned to the prince. "Legolas?" She asked.

"Yes?" Came the princes muffled reply through a mouthful of pear.

"Where exactly are we heading?"

Legolas swallowed. "Rivendell. Lord Elrond has always favored me. I assure you he will welcome us."

"I don't want to be treated as refugees begging for shelter." Tauriel complained. "Relax," Legolas replied soothingly. "I promise you, we will not be looked upon as such. Rivendell is wonderful, you'll love it Tauriel. Remember how you would always complain that we didn't get enough light in Mirkwood? Being in the forest beneath the cover of the trees?" Tauriel nodded. He continued. " Rivendell is one of the most beautiful, open cities you will ever see. the sun shines through everything by day, and the moon illuminates it all by night." He paused and chuckled. "I can see it now: You and I dancing beneath the stars on an open balcony. Without a care in Middle-Earth what anyone thinks of us." The prince finished. No words came o Tauriels mind in response. The only sound being the creek rushing by. "We should move." Legolas suggested seeing that they were both done eating. They gathered their things, mounted and left.

Legolas drove his stallion through the valley west of Mirkwood at a canter. The rhythmic rumbling of the horses hooves had put Tauriel to sleep miles ago. She rested with her arms around her princes waist and her head lying on his back. Legolas looked back over his shoulder at her sleeping form and smiled; then focused back on the road (or lack thereof,) ahead. The sun was barely visible over the lip of the horizon. Legolas knew they need to find a place to camp. He spotted a small rock formation nearby and rode over to see it would do for a shelter of sorts. Luck was with him, it turned out to be a small cavern.

Legolas felt Tauriel stir behind him and looked back to see that she had awoken. "Good evening." He said laughing. Tauriel pursed her lips and hit his on the back of the head as they dismounted. They rummaged around outside for some kindling and soon had a decent fire going. Together they cooked themselves something of a stew. As they were eating A strong gust of wind whipped around the walls causing a chill and the fire to blow out. The gusts of wind kept on and Tauriel mentally noted that they might be traveling through heavy rain, or possibly even snow tomorrow. "We'll never get a fire to last the night with this wind." Legolas pointed out the obvious. Tauriel shot him a glance of no kidding, prince. "I suppose we should rest for the night anyway. I'd like to get to the mountain pass by tomorrow night, we will have to leave early." Tauriel nodded in agreement. They retrieved the few blankets they had brought and lay down. Legolas was the first to snore. Tauriel followed shortly after.

Tauriel opened her eyes to darkness. By the moon she guessed it was well into the night, and the wind was still blowing strong. Tauriel was suddenly aware of how cold she was. She curled up tighter to try and get warmer, to no avail. She soon began to tremble. She tried thinking of something else besides the cold to get her mind off of it. Legolas immediately came to mind. The warmth of his lips was a comforting thought. As was his warm arms around her. However, no matter how many times she put 'warm' in her sentences about him, it didn't seem to work.

"Tauriel?" Came Legolas' voice from behind her. She was startled at the sound having no idea that he was awake. he rolled over to look at him. "Yes?" She answered. "Are you okay?" He asked. She shook her head vigorously in reply. "Yes, I'm just a little chilled." She rolled back over and tried to sleep, moments later her whole body was shaking.

"Tauriel," Legolas said again. Tauriel looked at him. "Come here." He said, propping himself up on his elbow. Tauriel moved over into his open arms. She curled up into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. "Are you warmer now?" He asked. She nodded. "Thank you."

"You know you could have come over to me even if I had not offered."

"I would have felt needy."

"Tauriel, I know you, and I know you are not needy. But I love you, and I will give you anything no matter if you need it or not. Tauriel..." He touched her cheek. "You do not know the extent of my love for you. Now that I have you I almost don't know what to do with myself. It's like my wildest dream came true, Tauriel..." The prince could no longer think of words that could explain what he felt for Tauriel. He kissed her lightly. "Amin mela lle." He said. Tauriel looked up a him. "There is nothing that I could say that could compare with your words, Legolas. The only thing I can say is that I love you too, and I always will. Do not forget that my prince." Legolas smiled. He pulled her into him and laid his head down next to hers. "And that is enough, Tauriel." He assured. her. He repeated her name softly every few minutes. After about the fourth time Tauriel asked. "Why do you keep saying my name?" Legolas stroked her hair and replied. "Because it is beautiful." They fell asleep. Both plenty warm in each others arms

So I actually had their whole discussion in the cave written out totally different to begin with, but then I thought of this and it was just more beautiful... Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think. Update probably next week.