After years busy dealing with other stories, I managed to write another chapter for this one.
The style might be different than in the last chapters as, apparently, my writing has evolved over time as well (or at least I would like to think so).

I would be happy for any comment and constructive criticism!

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything.

Chapter 5: The hunt begins

Even though the bed was soft, Tauriel did not find any rest. Too many thoughts were going through her head, too strange was the surrounding. After some time, she got up to rebraid her hair, even though the hunting party would be all about physical exercise, she didn't want the men to find any fault in her appearance. When she was satisfied, Tauriel grabbed her daggers, bow and quiver and went in search of her companions. Just after she had passed another guest house, a tall, talk haired ellon stepped in her way. He was handsome in a way that most elves were and looked somehow familiar.

"Lady Tauriel, Lord Ellladan and Lord Elrohir are waiting for you in front of the stables."

"Thank you -" she answered, indicating she wanted to know his name.

"Lindir, Lady Tauriel, my name is Lindir."

He bowed politely with a hand on his heart, making her copy the gesture.

"My sister was told to fetch you, but, if you allow, I wanted to meet you."

Apparently she was something like an attraction, Tauriel thought unamused, but in any way they were at least polite and honest about it. The elf seemed to read her thoughts.

"Oh no Lady Tauriel, this has nothing to do with your ... heritage. It is rather that I knew your Prince and the dwarves that you were also aquainted with if I am informed correctly, the Late Lord of Moria among them, so I was curious."

"Alright," Tauriel nodded while they were walking along, "but why are you calling me Lady? The elleth I talked with for a while, Linwen, also did."

Lindir shrugged his shoulder.

"We don't know what else to call you, Lady Tauriel. Simply calling you by your given name seems unpolite and uncalled for as you are our Lord's guest and a kingly messenger. But if you prefer something elese, I will of course comply and so will my sister."

"So Linwen is your sister," the red-head concluded. Now she knew why he looked familiar - his eyes and lips were the same shape as the Linwen's, as was the dark, almost ebony colour of his hair. "I don't mind being called 'Tauriel', but if you insist on complicating the matter," she smiled a bit, "then you might rather call me Captain, as this is the only title I have ever carried in my own right."

"All right, Captain," Lindir seemed relieved, "I have been told that as your horse is still resting, you may be given one of the horses of Imladris. The Lords will tell you anything else. See for yourself - here we are."

They had reached an open space in front of a low wooden building, probably the stables. The wood carving and the arches around the windows were as intricate as on all other houses and Tauriel thought not for the first time how hughly different the architecture of Imladris was to the one she was used to. Greenwood elves and even the inhabitants of Lothlórien integrated their homes into the forest, lived in and with the trees in their shade, whereas Imladris was situated on the cliffs, houses built from wood, airy and light. It was beautiful, it felt sophisticated, probably due to the mainly high elven population, but Tauriel also felt more insecure than she had ever felt in the times when Greenwood had been Mirkwood and dark and shady. Something about this place made her feel exposed and vulnerable and made her wonder if maybe what they said about her kind was right after all.

Lord Elrohir (at least she thought it was him) was smiling at her, his eyes sparkling with hardly subpressed excitement, making him look years younger than his brother who gave a much more dignified expression. It wasn't that he looked old (if elves could ever look old in the common sense), it was more as if he had seen too much, lost too much and didn't smile enough.

"Lady Tauriel, you are early. Elladan and I were just debating whether you would show up on time," the first one, apparently Elrohir indeed, exclaimed, "we will get our horses and meet you here in a couple of minutes, ready to go! Lindir, would you be so kind and show her around?"

"Of course my Lord," the other one complied, "Captain, if you would follow me?"

While Tauriel followed Lindir to the far end of the building, it occured to her that Lord Elladan had said nothing at all. Maybe, she mused, he was shy? Then this hunting party might be the best possible option to find out. Just when they reached the last door, a head shot over it, nearly hitting Lindir.

"Careful!" he laughed.

Then he turned towards her.

"Captain, this is Plinn. She is a bit of a spitfire and not the easiest to handle, but I believe you to be a confident rider. Besides, you need a courageous horse to ride to a hunt, and Plinn is exactly that. She has already been saddled for you, my Captain, she only needs a bridle."

He motioned towards the leather gear next to the stable box.

"Thank you," Tauriel smiled, taking the bridle and opening the door.

She had to push Plinn back as the mare was eager to get out, but then it was actually quite easy getting her ready, easier than a lot of horses she had dealt with over the course of her life. Petting Plinns neck for a moment, Tauriel took the time to admire her new companion. The horse wasn't exactly tall and would definitely be unsuitable for a man of Gondor or Rohan in full armour, being far too slender for that. However, she was perfectly built for an elleth such as Tauriel herself - slight but with firm muscles that belied speed and agility. Her fur was about the same colour as Tauriel's hair and she wondered whether that was just coincidence or chosen on purpose. She had the impression the elves on Imladris were a bit vain, so she wouldn't put it past them to choose a horse for aesthetic reasons. Leading Plinn back in the direction she hab come from, Lindir next to her on her left side, she saw the other two men were already waiting. While Lord Elrohir had already mounted an elegant black steed, his brother seemed to be talking to the grey horse he was holding.

"I can see you found your companion my Lady," Lord Elrohir called out good-naturedly and Tauriel could feel Lindir nudge her arm at the use of the title.

"Enjoy the hunt, Captain," he told her with emphasis.

"Hannon le, Lindir," she answered with a smile, before easily mounting the mare.

Lord Elladan did the same and Tauriel had to grudgingly admit that by all rudeness he displayed, his movements were exceptionally elegant. As was his horse and the elleth made the decision then and there to ask him about it later - maybe she would get him to talk about that topic.

"My brother is going to take the lead, you are going to follow him and I will have your back," Lord Elladan proclaimed suddenly, his voice neutral, maybe even bored.

Tauriel would have complained about his tone if she wouldn't have agreed with the strategy, after all, she didn't really know the terrain at all.

"We will ride up further into the mountains, then we will probably go by foot," Lord Elrohir explained it a bit more, much friendlier.

She nodded, checking her daggers, bow and quiver for the last time. All were strapped securely to her back, leaving her hands free for riding. While the brothers were also carrying bows and full quivers, they both also had swords on their hips. Tauriel found them exceptionally uncomfortable, but she supposed the two were good swordsmen so she decided to hold her tongue. Things were done differently here in Imladris, apparently also when it came to hunting and fighting. Without further ado, Lord Elrohir lead his horse away from the little court and on a path between the buildings towards the entrance of Rivendell. When they passed the boarder, Tauriel breathed in deeply. Here she didn't have to pretend to be perfect, here she could be what she was - a hunter, a fighter, a survivor. Nothing more and nothing less.

Thank you for reading! Let me know what you think!