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Chapter 3: The Knowledge of Elrond / ist en Elrond
The Lord of Imladris was already sitting on one of those chairs, he motioned Tauriel to stand in front of him. His sons took seats next to him, the elf in the pale blue robe who must be Elladan to his right, the other brother to his left. Even though she was feeling quite unconfortable, Tauriel still noticed that the ellon who had led them to Elrond was standing in the shadows nearby, as well as Linwen. Was she a lady in waiting? But to whom? There was no Lady of Imladris residing here, Queen Arwen was living in Gondor. So Linwen could only be a general servant. The Wood Elleth made a mental note to ask her when she got the chance. Then, Elrond demanded her full attention.
"Tauriel, you were saying your king decided to depart to Valinor. So the longing for the Undying Lands has awoken in his heart as well. Does the Lady of the Light already know?"
"Yes my Lord", she answered, "my king sended a messenger to Lothlórien to inform Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel."
Elrond nodded. "Yesterday you mentioned the Silvan Elves of King Thrandruil's realm would be under Lord Celeborns command when your lord leaves these shores. But Tauriel, I don't think Lord Celeborn will be in favour of this plan, the Greenwood is not so much of his concern. Also I can not imagine King Thranduil allowing anyone to take his seat than his son. So can it be that you are confusing your king's wishes with those of your prince?", he argued.
Tauriel could not help but frown at his inquiry."My Lord, it is true the last update I was given on the plans came from my prince who told me about his refusal of the throne. He also told me about his plans to take some of my kin down to Ithilien to help restoring those destroyed lands. And he is driven by the want to explore Ennorath [Middle Earth] for as long as he is remaining in these lands. Gimli Glóin's son is travelling with him. But I was always left in the belief that his father approved of those plans, so I did not question them."
Elrohir rose his voice:"Greenwood maiden, you seem to be quite well aquainted with the the prince to know so much about the plans of the royalty of Greenwood." Now Tauriel's expression became more strained. Why did this elf have to ask questions she did not want to talk about in detail? Despite her awkwardness she did not miss the warning look Elladan shot his little brother, he did not look amused at all. Elrond, on the other hand, was eyeing her curiously. "Well, she began,"I have served my king as a captain for quite a while now and so I have a good idea how business is going in Eryn Lasgalen. Also I have served alongside Prince Legolas for centuries and we have been partners in battle."
This was the truth, though it was not everything. Legolas would not have spoken about things of such importance with anyone, she had been his closest confidance. But the elves of Rivendell did not have to know that. There had not been any relationship and Tauriel did not want it to appear as if there had been.
If Elrond found anything odd about her answer, he did not show." Very well Tauriel. The possible lack of understanding between the king and his son doesn't concern me much. Conflicts between fathers and sons are quickly started but with some diplomacy also quickly settled." He shot a knowing glance towards Elrohir, who was suddenly very interested in the wall next to him. "Did Lord Thranduil give you the exact date of his depature?", Elrond continued. "No, I can not tell you this. If there is any day of departure, nobody has told me yet", the She-elf admitted. Luckily, the Lord of Imladris did not seem to be annoyed by her answer. "When your King and Prince leave, will you stay here or go with them to Aman?" Again such an intimate question! But well, that was the risk one had as a messenger to such a powerful King sended to such an influential lord. "I don't think I will my Lord", the elleth replied, "there is no Wood Elf from Mirkwood who is said to have sailed beyond the seas of Middle Earth. We do not long for the Undying lands as you Laiquendi [elves of the light] do, nor is there a desire to be awoken in our hearts. Or if there is, no elf from Eryn Lasgalen has ever felt it."
A/N: Even though I wrote that no Wood elf has been sailing into the West, I am not 100% sure about this. I did a lot of research on this topic but nothing gave me the desired information. Still, the overview I got lets me think they will probably stay or at least haven't thought about leaving yet.