Author's Note: Here we go! Next chapter! I understand that some of you were not a fan of the previous chapter so I hope that I can redeem myself through this one. I apologise for any disappointment, thank you for the feeback. Please enjoy :)

A half an hour later the two elves departed from their hiding place. As they stood in the doorway Legolas pulled Tauriel to him and gave her a long, tender kiss on her forehead.

"Now," He said. "I think it best we find my father." Tauriel nodded in agreement.

/

As the two elves made their way through centre of the city, filled with refugees, they could already see the acts of war forming around them. In the central square men ranging from adolescents to near elderly trained in combat skills. As Tauriel watched them carry out their novice skills, she cringed. Knowing that the meager amount of expeirience they had would not get them through the fast-approaching battle alive.

Legolas and Tauriel continued to wander the streets in search of Thranduil. Suddenly they both halt at the sound of fast approaching horse hooves.

"Make way!" Shouts a voice unknown. Commotion arises and refugees push their way off the street. Legolas looks around to see a grey-bearded wizard galloping in he and Tauriel's direction.

"Make way!" Shouts the wizard a second time. Legolas reacts quickly as he grabs Tauriel's arm and yanks them both to safety as the wizard rushes past.

Tauriel, regaining her composure, turns to Legolas in alarm. "It is Gandalf the Grey." Legolas answers without question. "I'm sure if we follow he will lead us to my father."

/

Sure enough, after following in the wizards tracks, the two come upon an elven tent. As they stand just outside, they take note that the voices speaking belong to Thranduil, Gandalf, and one unknown.

"Armies of orcs are on the move. These are fighters! They have been bred for war. Sauron has summoned his full strength." Gandalf explains frantically. Well, as frantic as a wizard gets.

"Why does he show his hand now?" Thranduil asks with the usual tone of arrogance in his voice.

"Because we forced him!" Gandalf answers" "We forced him when the company of Thorin Oakenshield set out to reclaim their homeland."

Outside the tent, Legolas motions to Tauriel that they will go inside and takes her hand. He tosses back the tent flap and stands in the doorway just like he had been there all along. Thranduil looks up with wide eyes, surprised to see his son, and even more so seeing that Legolas had had the audacity to bring Tauriel with him. Legolas nods his head. "Father." Thranduil nods in return.

"Legolas. What makes you think that you can simply barge in like this? With Tauriel at your side, no doubt."

"We were on our way here because of Elrond's good judgement to aid you in battle. We were in the company of Lord Elrond and the Lady Galadriel. Unfortunately we were forced to part ways as a result of Galadriel sensing that Gandalf was in peril." Legolas explains to Thranduil, then to Gandalf, "I suppose you're alright then?" Gandalf nods.

"Indeed I am. Thanks to the Lord and Lady, but that is a tale for another time." He says. Ceasing the discussion of his rescue. Thranduil changes the subject.

"I do not want any aid from an elf who was banished from my kingdom. Nor do I want any from my son if he is to side with her." The Elven King says, eyeing Tauriel. Who did her best to hold back her anger towards the king. "My Lord," She begins with confidence. "Legolas and I were sent by Lord Elrond. You will accept our aid if you are a true friend of your fellow king." She finished with just as much confidence as she began with. Legolas could not help but let a smirk creep across his face. How he loved to hear her debate.

Thranduil closed his eyes in frustration. "Very well, but only because I nor anyone else has the time to argue over such matters in the present state." Thranduil turned back to his previous conversation holders. "Continue on, Mithrandir." Gandalf does not hestitate tell his tale.

"The dwarves of Erebor were never meant to reach the mountain. Azog the Defiler was sent to kill them. His master seeks control over the mountain. Not just for the treasure within it, but for where it lies. Its strategic position. This is the key to claiming the lands of Angmar and the North. If that foul kingdom should rise again, Rivendell, Lorien, the Shire, even Gondor itself will fall!" He explains. Tauriel's eyes widen. Sauron rising again... She thought. Tauriel had known this was a great battle brewing, but not so great that the ultimate evil in Middle Earth would again rise.

Legolas then cut in the conversation. "Father, no matter our previous differences with the dwarves, we must unite with them in order to have any hope to defeat this orc army." Thranduil turned sharply to Legolas.
"I do not intend to fight alongside the dwarves. I intend to fight against them! The King under the Mountain will not surrender the jewels of which belong to my people, nor will he keep his promises with the men of Esgaroth. If he is to be selfish enough to withhold these, and foolish enough to wage war in their stead, then it is war he shall get."

"You, cannot go to war over a handful of gems when there is a massively large orc army approaching; When Sauron is rising, father! No good will come of this. You will lose more lives than gems you will gain, and you will greater the opportunity for the enemy to succeed." Legolas battles back.

"Legolas! Remember your place." Thranduil snaps. He turns back to Gandalf. "We attack at dawn."

"My Lord-" Tauriel tries to intercede, Thranduil interrupts. "Tauriel, I suggest you and Legolas stop trying to change my mind, and go prepare for battle. You are dismissed."

Tauriel again opens her mouth to speak, only to be hushed by Legolas gently leading her out of the tent. When they were safely out of earshot, Tauriel turns to the prince. "Legolas, are you really about to go along with this?"

"He will not back down Tauriel! He desires those gems and nothing we, nor anyone else can say will deter him. His want for them is insatiable."

"Legolas we will never survive if-"

"Tauriel, enough!" Legolas snaps. Tauriel stares in shock, and slowly backs away a few steps. Never before had he snapped at her like this, and as much as she hated to admit it, it struck a bit of fear into her heart. "Legolas..." She breathes. Legolas sighs. He takes a step toward the captain. He softly lays a finger on her lips, and with his other hand strokes her hair. Tauriel lets herself be at ease.

"Tauriel...forgive me for shouting. I just...I cannot bear to hear the probability of survival. I cannot think of you...of you..." Legolas' breath hitches in his throat. He lowers his eyes to the ground. Tauriel watches as he tries to say the word "dying", she watches as a tear escapes and rolls down his cheek. Tauriel moves close to him and gently wraps her arms around him in an embrace. Legolas welcomes it and embraces her in return. Holding her tightly, and burying his face in her neck.

"I'm sorry Legolas...hush..." Tauriel tries to sooth her prince.

"I just can't afford to think that way..." Legolas chokes out. Tauriel runs her hand up and down his back.

"I know. Neither can I." She gently releases him. Legolas stands and regains his composure quickly, as he always did. He takes one last deep breath. "I suggest we get some rest for tomorrow." Tauriel nods her head in agreement. She takes her princes arm as they walk back to the place where they had slept the night before.

/

The elves woke before the sun had risen the next day. Without saying hardly a word the two ate a small repast, strapped on their weapons, and began the walk to the elven tents.

Evidently, the rest of the elf army had awoken as well. Warriors wandered about the city. Some training, some eating, and others receiving orders. Legolas and Tauriel ignored all of this and mae their way to Thranduil's tent.

Much to their surprise, inside the tent they found Thranduil, Gandalf, and the man from Esgaroth who was called Bard. This, however was not the surprise. The surprise, was what Bard turned over in his hand. A large, white, gleaming, jewel.

"The Arkenstone..." Legolas stated without any former greeting. Thranduil turned to his son and grinned. "Yes..." He confirmed. "It seems as if we've had a change in plans."

So what do we think? I know it may have gotten a bit boring considering some of it was just dialog form the movie, but I hope you all enjoyed it just the same :) Let me know in reviews, update soon!

Also, I've published a story on Fictionpress. I haven't really gotten any feedback on it. If any of you are interested, go ahead and check it out and let me know if you like it with a review :) I'd really appreciate it. I'll post the link in my profile.