Note: Happy beleated New Year! I've had tests left, right, and center so I haven't been able to post. This is essentially the story of Eruanna (my OC) and Tauriel's (PJ's OC) rivalry. If you want Eruanna's full story, check out The Dragoness Duology. This story does contain mild spoilers for Part I of the Duology so please keep that in mind!
Quick disclaimer: I do not own Middle Earth and Tauriel is the creation of Peter Jackson himself. I only own my OCs which may be used with my permission. If my OCs have the same name as yours, I apologize.
Of Oaths and Crowns
She was young.
Eruanna Úlumiel, Mistress of Dragons, Princess of Eryn Galen, Lady of Imladris and Lothlórien, was the Princess but still young and inexperienced in Tauriel's eyes. Tauriel herself was a Silvan elf, an orphan who was under the care of King Thranduil, Eruanna's paternal grandfather. In her opinion, people fawned over Eruanna too much. Eruanna was a child.
Inexperienced.
They'd met when the Princess had arrived from Imladris with her sworn shield, Lord Glorfindel, the Balrog-Slayer, a deadly warrior responsible for the Princess's training and protection. She was there to spend time with her paternal family whom she rarely got to see.
With Eruanna were her five elemental dragons, creatures made by the Valar to oppose the beasts of Morgoth, though Eruanna's dragons were closer to her than to the Valar. There was Ceveniel, who had dark turquoise scales with purple horns, membranes and claws. There was Helegiel who had white scales along with pink horns, membranes and claws. There was Naurion and he had fiery orange scales with black claws and membranes. Finally, there was the black dragon, Sûlion, and the golden dragon, Faroniel.
Eruanna was certainly beautiful, but Tauriel saw no warrior beneath the fancy fabrics of her dress. This was a girl who knew nothing of danger. This was just someone who would have the throne served to her on a silver platter.
This was someone who would be irrelevant if it weren't for her titles.
Tauriel stood at the sidelines of the festival. She was awkward during feasts and had never really been much of a party person. The elf looked around at the many other elves gathered in the Great Hall. Just then, musical laughter drew her attention away from the feast.
Eruanna was surrounded by numerous captains and elves. There was only one senior Captain with her, and much to Tauriel's distaste, it was the very Captain who disliked her. The thrill of the festivities in the Princess's blood made her bold. She spoke animatedly to the young ellons surrounding her and even flirted with a few of them. Few of those whom she flirted with awkwardly left the situation. Most flirted right back at her. The senior Captain seemed to be enjoying the scene before her but her grin faded the moment Tauriel came onto the scene.
Tauriel noticed Eruanna's closest friends: Caladwhen and Miluiel. Tauriel heard that the Princess Consort Hiriel brought a few Noldorin ladies-in-waiting when she married Prince Legolas. One of her ladies married a Sindar from Mirkwood and they had Miluiel around the same time Eruanna was born. Then, when Eruanna was sent to Imladris for her own safety, she and Miluiel befriended Caladwhen, who was the product of Noldorin nobles. Caladwhen and Miluiel were also of great interest to the young ellons as the ladies-in-waiting of Princess Eruanna and they got their fair share of flirtatious words and looks.
Caladwhen and Miluiel were beautiful and Eruanna more so. Tauriel had never been considered among the fairest of her race. Not that she cared. She didn't care about the Princess either but it was interesting and amusing as it was irritating to see the dutiful Princess letting loose.
Eruanna noticed Tauriel and looked in her direction.
"Princess," Tauriel said curtly. "I don't believe it is proper for you to act in such a way. It is quite scandalous to flirt with your grandsire's captains."
"Watch how you speak to the Princess, Tauriel," admonished the Captain.
"I do believe that I've been a bit too daring," Eruanna admitted, unfazed by Tauriel's tone. "Forgive me, I overestimated myself."
"What a buzzkill you are," snorted one of the younger Captains. Among them was a smirking Captain Feren, whom Tauriel recognized immediately. He was younger than Prince Legolas but much older than Eruanna. He was also a deadly warrior and had been the object of the King and the Princess's favor. She'd been flirting with him before Tauriel joined the group.
Tauriel turned back to the Princess.
"Indeed," she said. "You may want to sober up before you embarrass the King and Prince. Good day." With that, Tauriel left, not bothering to curtsy.
Eruanna watched her and rolled her eyes. The senior Captain who was with her began speaking.
"That was Tauriel. The elf I've been speaking about," she said.
"Well she was rude," Miluiel muttered.
"Tauriel," Eruanna mused. "Tell me, Captain, didn't you report her for disobedience just recently? How long has she been in the patrol groups?"
"Two months," the Captain confirmed with a nod.
"Two months and already developing a bad reputation? We'll need to keep a special eye on her then. Our forces must be nothing short of perfection. What specifically was the issue?"
The Captain sighed.
"She's always questioning everything all the senior Captains do. Even when we explain ourselves, she still chooses to never do things the way we tell her to. I'm still trying to figure out who she's trying to impress. Your father? Your grandfather?"
"She is ambitious, my lady," Captain Feren said. "I hear that she wishes to rise the ranks faster than any other elf has."
"Disobedience comes with a stiff penalty. We'll see how long she lasts," said Eruanna.
Anyone sober enough could detect the scarcely veiled threat the words of the Dragoness carried.
They knew one thing: if Tauriel landed on the Dragoness's bad side, she wouldn't last long.
"What did you say to her?"
Thranduil cocked his head and mild amusement. The normally stern and cold king of the Woodland Realm was nothing but a grandfather in the hours he spent alone in his granddaughter's company. He had spoken to many people that night. His mind ran through all their faces, rememorizing them. Which elf did she speak of?
The crackle of the fireplace was a distant song in the otherwise quiet chambers of the Princess. The crickets chirped outside as the night enveloped the kingdom. The festivities had concluded for the day and tomorrow would be another day of survival as it had been for many thousands of years since the darkness had risen.
"I have spoken to many elves, my dear Everstar," he chuckled. "Which one?"
"Tauriel," Eruanna said. After her unpleasant encounter with the soldier, the princess had noticed that Tauriel had gone up to the king and spoken a few words to him. Normally, she would not care who spoke to her grandfather. But something about Tauriel made her weary.
In her heart, Eruanna knew that no elf in their right mind would disgrace her, but something told her that Tauriel was not an elf who liked her and quite frankly, the princess was starting to reciprocate those feelings. Winning over her people had been relatively easy. Sure, there were comments made here and there that she did not like, but the tension between her and Tauriel unnerved her. If Tauriel had tried to disgrace her with her words to the King, Eruanna had to know. As an heiress her reputation was of utmost importance.
"She brought up her encounter with you, but I reassured her that you were just having fun at the festivities as I had intended for you to," Thranduil said. "Though I would've appreciated it if you weren't flirting."
Thranduil placed a hand on Eruanna's shoulder. "Sunflower, I would never allow anyone to disgrace you. No one can stear me away from you nor will anyone ever make me question your honor or dignity. Not even Tauriel. Why are you bothered by her? You usually are not bothered by such things like my relationships with my subjects."
"She is much closer to you than a soldier normally would be," Eruanna said. "I believe she is actively vying for your favor."
"Everyone will compete for your favor because you are royalty," Thranduil said.
"Yes they will, but the smart people will not vy for it so obviously. If she smears me, I will feel disgraced before you. I never want to experience such a shame in my life."
"I had a very similar fear when it came to dealing with my own father," Thranduil chuckled. The late King Oropher was not an easy person to live with even under the best of circumstances. However, Thranduil was sure that if his father had survived the Battle of Daglorad, he would have surely adored his great-grandchild. Eruanna was strong-willed, dutiful, beautiful, and intelligent. She strived hard to be the perfect Princess and Lady despite being so young something her grandfather admired and something King Oropher would've wanted to see in his descendant.
"How would smearing you lead to her gaining favor with me?" Thranduil asked.
"Maybe it wouldn't," Eruanna admitted. "Maybe I am being paranoid. But I can't afford to be seen as unfit for my position."
"No you cannot."
Thranduil cupped her cheeks. "Trust the love I have for you, sunflower. Nothing will ever make me see you as anything less than the perfect young lady you are. Understand?"
Eruanna nodded and embraced him.
Tauriel saw Eruanna putting on her armor. Word had gotten around that she was permitted by her grandfather to join after hours of talking him into it and assuring him that she would be well protected. Glorfindel was joining them to protect his Princess as Lord Elrond, Eruanna's maternal grandfather, had urged him to do. She was the youngest patrol member in the group.
Tauriel passed by her. "Careful, Princess. Patrol is no place for a young elleth who is nearing her majority."
Eruanna looked up at her and her deep blue eyes held a small fire in them. "I'm sorry?"
"It will be dangerous," Tauriel said.
"I know what I'm getting myself into, Tauriel," Eruanna said, slightly annoyed. "My grandfather and father have warned me countless times. Besides, Glorfindel has been training me since I could hold a weapon. I'll be fine. But I thank you for your concern."
Eruanna knew how Tauriel saw her and feared that others would see her the same way. She'd been eager to prove herself, not just on her grandfather's council but in patrols as well.
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too worried, considering that you have your bodyguard with you," Tauriel said, teasing the younger elf slightly.
Normally Eruanna wouldn't mind but something about Tauriel irked her.
"I'm not some petty Princess, Tauriel. And I'll prove everyone wrong if that's the last thing I'll ever do."
Eruanna kept watch from the trees. Like her father's people, she'd developed a love for anything that grew. The trees seemed to take to her kindly, though she'd been a young child when she and her mother were sent to Imladris for safekeeping. They also seemed to like Glorfindel, who was by her side.
Just then, she looked down and saw three giant spiders approaching. She looked behind her, sending signals to another elf on the trees. The elf nodded and leapt off to report.
Just then, Eruana heard the sounds of fighting. Exchanging confused looks with Glorfindel she looked and gasped. She saw Tauriel had left her post and was engaging the spiders. One spider was about to bite Tauriel when Eruanna took her bow and shot it in the head, killing it.
"Well done," Glorfindel whispered to her.
"I just hope that there are no others," Eruanna said. "What if she had been captured? Or what if it is a distraction?" Eruanna looked around frantically.
The other elves had taken notice of Tauriel's actions and had sent word to the Captain that an elf had abandoned her post to kill three spiders. Glorfindel patted Eruanna's shoulder.
"Don't worry too much, Úlumiel," he said.
The patrol marched back in silence.
Tauriel had gotten berated by the Captain for deserting her post in front of the whole patrol. She'd been embarrassed and shamed, not daring to look anyone in the eye.
When they entered the palace to clean themselves off, Tauriel took notice of the interaction between Glorfindel and Eruanna. Eruanna had been praised by the Captain earlier and the Princess was beaming from ear to ear.
"You ought to learn a thing or two from Eruanna. And thank her. She saved your life," the Captain had coldly told Tauriel.
Glorfindel and Eruanna were talking to each other and Tauriel knew there was something special between them. It was not the passionate relationship of lovers, Glorfindel was way too old for that, but more like an uncle-niece relationship.
Tauriel looked up from her feet to see Eruanna standing in front of her with a superior grin.
"Well, Tauriel? How did it feel to get berated by our Captain in front of the whole patrol?" Eruanna asked. Eruanna had the pride of the Noldor, her mother's people, and anyone who dragged her down, she would drag them down.
Tauriel glared at her.
"One minute you pridefully blabber to me about how I'm not fit for patrol and the next minute you end up proving to be unfit. You soiled your own pride. Are you this much of a wreck?" Eruanna taunted her. "I'm only a young elleth, new to the ways of patrol, but I've learned a lot about patrolling from Glorfindel, my father, my uncles and our Captains, especially the one who berated you. He even praised my actions. So I'm not as clueless as you think."
The Princess moved in closer, a fire in her blue eyes.
"The biggest mistake you'll ever make,Tauriel, is underestimating me."
"Duly noted," Tauriel said, sarcasm dripping from her words as disdain took root in her heart.
"Oh, and one more thing," Eruanna said as she turned to leave. "In patrol, you take orders and follow them! Unless you want to get yourself killed, which you can because we clearly cannot stop you. Keep that in mind as well."
"Tauriel wants a higher position, it seems," the Captain said, showing her application.
Thranduil, Legolas, Glorfindel, Eruanna and Feren, a Military Captain, all looked at the application.
"Eruanna, what do you think?" Thranduil asked.
Eruanna's eyes widened. "But I've only been on a few patrols."
"You might rule Eryn Galen one day, this is just one of many tasks," Thranduil responded.
"Have faith," Glorfindel whispered to her.
It was those two words which gave her confidence.
"Captains. I want your advice on this matter. Tell me: what do you think about Tauriel?"
"She has incredible skill, Princess," said the Captain. "She is among the best archers. But she doesn't follow orders."
"You mean like the spider incident when she left her post? And dozens of other incidents which I don't want to talk about?"
"Yes," the Captain said. "Rather, she thinks with her heart and not her brain."
"I agree," Eruanna said. "And we have several other talented archers who have moved up the ranks. We won't be needing her incompetence. Rejected."
Tauriel walked briskly to the King's office. The patrols had been extra tough and the woodland elves had the darkness to thank. Shadows hung over Mirkwood, clinging and choking the forest. Spiders lurked, tainting the elven roads with their webs. Yet, like the trees, the elves held strong.
The woman frowned when she saw Eruanna also walking towards the King's office alone. The Dragon Princess wasn't accompanied by her dragons, Captain Feren, or even Lord Glorfindel. The two elleths stared each other down for a few minutes and Tauriel began to have a sinking feeling that the King was summoning her to reprimand her for the fight she had with Eruanna earlier.
"What are you doing here?" Tauriel bit out.
"I could ask you the same thing," Eruanna shrugged, as if she was completely unaffected by Tauriel's words. This only aggravated the redhead even more.
"You didn't answer my question."
"I'm under no obligation to."
A councilor opened the doors to the King's chambers.
"Ah, Princess, the King is expecting you. As he is you, Tauriel," he nodded to the both of them. He moved aside, allowing the two of them to enter before closing the door behind them and leaving to attend to his other duties.
Thranduil stood from his desk as Eruanna and Tauriel came inside and curtsied to him. "Daeradar," Eruanna said. "You wished to see us?"
"Yes, I did Eruanna," Thranduil responded. "This concern has been raised many times by many of the Captains. It is the fact that the two of you cannot seem to get along. Ever."
"Daeradar, surely there are elves who don't like each other. Why us specifically?" Eruanna already hated where this conversation was going.
"Because you both are terrible at hiding your feelings of disdain for each other. In fact, it is plainly obvious to those who see the two of you that you don't like each other. You both got into a huge argument recently at the wrong time. I would like to hear both of your perspectives."
"I was doing my duty, my King," Tauriel said. "I was clearing out the nest like you asked of us."
"I was killing the spiders," Eruanna said. "Tauriel was told to keep watch. If she had kept watch, she. would've told us of the other wave of spiders coming and we would have been better prepared to face them."
"The whole group was already struggling in the first round of spiders," Tauriel defended herself.
"If you had told us, we could have sent a quick message to the Kingdom to get reinforcements. But you didn't do what you were told and it cost us nearly half of our patrol. Many were seriously injured and two of them almost died thanks to your negligence."
The two elleths were in another staring competition and Eruanna continued. "I really fail to understand why you try to be such a show off. Who are you trying to impress? Do you think defying orders is a good way to show that you're ready to take on a higher position?"
"I al the show off? You are always trying to prove that you're better than me! You always try to humiliate me!"
"I never tried to humiliate you, Tauriel. You are the one who constantly acts like you think you are better than everyone else in the patrol. But you're not."
"Farn (Enough)!" Thranduil called out. Eruanna shut her mouth.
The King turned his attention to Tauriel.
"Is my granddaughter telling the truth?"
"She is, my King. I did defy orders but more lives would've been lost if I stayed put. The spiders outnumbered us by more than we thought."
And then they outnumbered us even more, Eruanna almost said.
"Eruanna also brought up a clever point. She said that you could've told them about the other spiders and sent for reinforcements. I'll have to admit, that would've been a much better solution. In fact, I believe it was the correct solution."
Tauriel looked down, feeling like a child being compared to her sibling.
"Do you know why you were rejected from attaining a higher position in the patrol groups?" Thranduil asked, gaining her attention. "It was because Eruanna and your superiors all brought up your main issue - following orders."
Tauriel couldn't believe what she was hearing. Tauriel suspected Eruanna had a hand in rejecting her. The confirmation infuriated her. How could a child do this? She whipped around to look at Eruanna.
"You influenced them to reject me!?! How dare you?"
Eruanna moved towards her in several strides. She was slightly taller than Tauriel despite being younger.
"Watch your words," she hissed.
"Both of you. Stop," Thranduil demanded. Eruanna looked at her grandfather. Tauriel did too.
"Tauriel, Eruanna will rule one day should anything happen to me and my son. She needs to have a hand in matters like the patrols so that she is prepared to deal with them if she must. This rivalry has gone on long enough."
He observed both of them.
"You are both young and ambitious. I understand that. But Tauriel, you tend to be too rash at times. Something Eruanna has frequently complained about."
"With all due respect, King Thranduil, she knows nothing of the patrols. Not as much as I do, at least."
"I'm still learning," Eruanna defended herself. "But even beginners know - you don't defy orders."
Tauriel whipped around to face her. "You are just a spoiled Princess who gets everything handed to her on a silver platter! Well guess what Eruanna? We all are not as spoiled and heartless as you," Tauriel spat.
Eruanna scoffed. "This is exactly why you aren't ready," she said. "No child of Eru is heartless, Tauriel. But thinking with only your heart can bring you to destruction."
Tauriel looked at her arrogantly. "You stand there, right here in front of me, hiding behind your titles, hiding behind your powerful family, hiding behind your dragons," she snarled. Eruanna smirked at stood closer to her.
"I do not hide. I do not need to hide. Everyone knows who I am when they see my dragons and my family. There are Lords and Ladies, Kings and Queens… but there is one Dragoness, and that title belongs to me," Eruanna hissed lowly. Her eyes ripped into Tauriel's as she spoke.
"Your arrogance and incompetence will come back to you. You are digging yourself a grave, Tauriel, and you don't even know it."
Eruanna continued piercing and tearing into Tauriel with her words. "Now if you want to dig yourself a grave and cast yourself into it, go ahead, I cannot stop you. Just don't take the rest of the patrol down with you."
"I thought a Princess would have more respect for others than this," Tauriel shot back.
Eruanna stared at her unflinchingly. "I am kind to those who respect their superiors and follow orders. I do not like those who flat out disobey others. You want to rise up the ranks? You want to attain a higher position? Then it is the favor of your captains you should seek to earn, not the favor of me, the king, or the prince, my father. Ultimately, the captains know you the best. They've worked with you on the field. They have more hands-on experience with you than any of the royals do. They know your strengths and your weaknesses better yet they know where you can improve improve yourself or they'll have no choice but to kick you out and that will truly be humiliating for you."
"Enough of this," Thranduil demanded.
"You'll both need to pull yourselves together and stop bickering. It isn't helping the patrols. And Tauriel, Eruanna is my heir. You are mistaken if you think my granddaughter will just sit around and sew and laugh with her ladies. You need to support her instead of belittle her. Show her decency if you can't bring yourself to respect her just yet."
He looked at Eruanna. "You might be Queen one day. You need to reign in your emotions and learn to get along with everyone, even those you may not like." Eruanna bowed her head in understanding.
"I vow to protect my King and his family from any danger that should come his way even at the cost of my life. I vow that I will show undying loyalty to Eryn Galen and I shall not commit treason in any way. I swear this by Eru, Manwë and Varda," Tauriel recited her vows and was proclaimed Captain of the Guard by King Thranduil, one of the youngest ever.
Most congratulated her. Some secretly scoffed at the idea of rebellious young Tauriel as Captain. Princess Eruanna Úlumiel stood next to her grandfather, a strained smile plastered on her face. After the ceremony ended, the Princess excused herself. However, for the sake of being polite, she went up to Tauriel.
"Congratulations on securing your new position," Eruanna said with a smile.
"I should be wishing you a happy begetting day. I heard there was a large celebration in Imladris," Tauriel responded. Eruanna couldn't help but smile. Her birthday celebration had been special, with all her family arriving in Imladris for a few days. She was now a century old, a full grown elf.
A few elves scurried away upon hearing the well displayed annoyance even though Tauriel tried her best to hide her emotions. Something she was awful at when faced with the Dragoness. "You told me I was digging myself a grave," Tauriel said with a smirk.
"That's true," Eruanna said, oddly calm. "And you have proven me wrong for now. Hubris aside, I hope you understand the responsibility behind your position. Abandoning your post is no option. Leaving the King vulnerable means leaving the Kingdom vulnerable and that I will put a stop to."
Tauriel rolled her eyes. "I do not appreciate being lectured."
Eruanna smiled. "All I'm saying is that all you need to do to advance is to heed the words of your superiors and perform your duty honorably. Be on the lookout at all times. Understand your surroundings. If you do not comply and my daeradar dies under your watch, not even Eru himself can save you from me."
Tauriel's superior look faded and the Princess gave her a not-so-friendly pat on the shoulder before walking away to where Glorfindel was waiting. The tense air that had surrounded them thinned as she entered the company of someone far more pleasant.
"Did she upset you again?" Glorfindel grinned.
Eruanna retained a calm look. "Would it disturb you if I told you that sometimes I have the overwhelming urge to feed Tauriel to my dragons? Faroniel and her brothers would make a good snack out of her."
Glorfindel snorted as they walked away. "There was a Captain once. An annoying, arrogant fellow. I once dreamed of casting him into a pit of balrogs to see if he could even survive one."
Eruanna laughed. "Glorfindel, you are truly the Valar's gift to Arda."
"I try, Princess, I try."
Tauriel walked down the halls of Mirkwood leisurely. It had been a rather uneventful day and she was heading to report to King Thranduil. Just then, her eyes landed on Eruanna Úlumiel, the King's granddaughter and heir. Tauriel fought to keep herself from frowning. Eruanna was with her childhood friends and handmaidens, Caladhwen of Imladris and Miluiel of Eryn Galen.
Eruanna trusted them more than anyone save for Glorfindel. Tauriel knew the Dragoness's Golden Knight would be lurking by but she didn't see him. Tauriel merely walked by them, not caring to stop and curtsy like others. She ended up bumping into Eruanna and pushing past Caladhwen.
Caladhwen was the epitome of Noldorin pride. She turned and snapped at Tauriel. "Who do you think you are?"
Tauriel turned around and glared at her. "Did I do something?"
Miluiel spoke up in a kinder voice but no less firm. "You bumped into Princess Eruanna and pushed past Caladhwen. That is disrespectful, especially towards the granddaughter of your King."
"The Princess whom I do not respect. If she expects me to fall at her feet, she can be sorely disappointed."
"You forget yourself, Tauriel," Caladhwen said in a much calmer tone. "You are addressing not just the Crown Princess of Eryn Galen but also the Lady of Imladris and Lothlórien. Heiress to all three elven realms. Respect is expected from you as you are nothing more than a Captain of the Guard."
"Caladhwen is right," Miluiel said smoothly.
Eruanna had few rivals over the years and few dared to disrespect the Dragoness. She stepped in front of Tauriel. "You do not have to like me, Tauriel. You do not even have to respect me. But as my friends have rightfully pointed out, I am your Crown Princess. I don't expect you to curtsy as I know you won't do it. But at least maintain a better attitude in front of me and my ladies."
Eruanna continued speaking. "Besides, shouldn't you be by grandfather's side?"
"You don't need saving Princess?" Tauriel asked.
Eruanna chuckled. "I can defend myself. Besides I have Glorfindel. He's been protecting me for as long as I can remember I trust him more than anyone else."
Unbothered, Eruanna walked off, Caladhwen and Miluiel following her dutifully. As Tauriel expected, Glorfindel was a few paces behind them. He placed a hand on Tauriel's shoulder.
"I would suggest not picking your battles with Eruanna," he murmured to her with his customary grin. With that, he walked off, following the three ladies.
Tauriel walked away from the King after finishing her report. They had captured a group of dwarves in the forest that day and Eruanna Úlumiel happened to be with them. Tauriel wondered what the Princess was doing with dwarves, knowing that Thranduil disliked them. She had tried to ask Eruanna why she was with dwarves but the Princess had snapped at her, saying it wasn't her business. She didn't seem to be too happy about the ordeal.
Tauriel saw the Princess walking in her direction. "Princess," Tauriel said, not curtsying. "Where's your Golden Knight?"
Eruanna knew she meant Glorfindel.
"He's not here," she responded.
"Having problems with him?" Tauriel asked.
Eruanna smirked. "You wish."
"The King is displeased with you, Princess," Tauriel stated matter-of-factly. "Leading a group of dwarves into his Kingdom is not very wise, especially when he is known to not have a fondness for dwarves. But you don't care for others either. Seems a bit odd that you were with a group of dwarves, defending them."
"Stay out of my business, Tauriel," Eruanna snapped, her blue eyes turning fiery. "I have my reasons for doing what I am doing. Do not meddle in the affairs of others. Especially not mine."
"I wonder how you'll talk your way out of this one," Tauriel said. "If the heir loses the favor of her King..."
"I will always have the King's favor. And I will explain myself to him," Eruanna said, her voice low.
"Now get out of my sight or you won't be Captain much longer."
Tauriel held her head high and left.
Captain Feren, who had been with the Princess, grabbed Tauriel by the arm and growled at her.
"You fool," he hissed. "Do you want to die so badly?"
"She doesn't scare me," Tauriel responded.
"No one cares about your rivalry or your personal feelings towards her. She is heiress to three elven realms, including Eryn Galen and she has five dragons. Suck it up and get along with her. Your station, and quite frankly your life, all rest in her hands."
"What are you trying to say? That she'll kill me?" Tauriel challenged.
"If you keep irritating her like this, she definitely will. Heed my warning, Tauriel," Feren warned her before letting go of her and leaving.
Dale was a cold, desolate place and had been since it became the Desolation of Smaug. Eruanna and Captain Feren had taken up shelter in a tower. Smaug had been defeated. She had parted with the dwarves. Now she had to help these people.
The thoughts ran wild in Eruanna's head. If she helped these people, they could start trading with the Woodland Realm again and her people would benefit as a result. It all seemed fair in love and war.
Tauriel. Her father. Her father….was he safe? And why had they come out here all of a sudden?
"Why did Tauriel leave her post? And why did my father follow her?" Eruanna asked Feren.
"She intended to hunt the orc pack that had stormed into our realm whilst the dwarves were kept prisoner. Who freed them, my lady? Do you know?" Feren asked.
"It must be Tauriel," Eruanna said. "I heard her whispering to one of the dwarves in the cells. His name is Kili." Or it could have been Bilbo who freed them, she thought absentmindedly.
"I think Azog has fled," Dwalin said.
"I don't think so," Thorin responded. "Fili... take your brother. Scout out the towers. Keep low and out of sight. If you see something...report back. Do not engage. Do you understand?" Thorin said to his nephews. They both nodded and left.
"We have company. Goblin mercenaries. No more than a hundred," Dwalin said as the goblins suddenly barged in on them.
"We'll take care of them. Go! Go!" Thorin commanded his nephews who ran off. Eruanna, Thorin and Dwalin managed to make quick work of the goblin mercenaries with Eruanna's help. Just then the elven horn rang out.
Eruanna looked in the direction of the horn. "The Elven horn," she gasped.
"Go," Thorin said. "Go to your people."
"Won't you need my help?" Eruanna asked. Thorin smiled genuinely at her for the first time in a long time. "We've got this. You've helped us out a lot. Now it is time for you to answer to your people," Thorin squeezed her hand comfortingly. She smiled softly.
"If you wish to take anything from the Mountain as your share, it's yours. Just don't take all of it," Thorin joked. Eruanna laughed.
"I don't need to. There is but one thing I must retrieve. That is all," Eruanna said. "Farewell, King Under the Mountain. We will meet after the war." She was relieved and even joyful to see a king who cared for his people just like she cared for her own.
Thorin and Dwalin bowed their heads to Eruanna. She bowed back, jumped on Ceveniel and raced down, off of Ravenhill. She swooped into the city, her dragons severely depleting the enemy forces. Eruanna dismounted in Dale and saw her grandfather leading what was left of his forces. She looked around and dead elves were scattered around her feet.
"No," Eruanna whispered.
"Eruanna," King Thranduil called her. "Where have you been?"
"I was helping Thorin and some of the dwarves go to Ravenhill. They are going to kill Azog and have urged me to answer the call of my kin," Eruanna said.
"Last I had seen, Thorin went mad."
"He recovered. I don't know how. But they will finish off Azog. We've lost enough people. Lead the army back. I'll ride on dragonback and salvage what I can of this war."
"I'm not leaving you," he responded.
"I'm a dragonrider. I won't die so easily. I swore an oath daeradar, not just to the dwarfs, but to my people. Let me keep it," Eruanna said.
Thranduil looked at her and seemed to understand. "Let's go," Eruanna said. They walked through the corpses on the ruined battlefield. Just then, Tauriel was there with her bow in hand, glaring angrily at them "You will go no further," she shouted. "You will not turn away. Not this time."
Eruanna glared at her and her daeradar spoke coldly, "Get out of our way."
"The dwarves will be slaughtered," Tauriel said, her voice shaking. Eruanna's eyes widened but her face remained stone. They had just seemed to have everything under control.
"Yes, they will die," Thranduil said bluntly. "Today, tomorrow, one year hence, a hundred years from now. What does it matter? They are mortal," the King said.
Tauriel drew her bow and pointed an arrow at the King and Princess. "You think your life is worth more than theirs? When there is no love in it. There is no love in you."
Eruanna couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't speak. That accursed traitor! Accusing her grandfather of having no love in him and threatening his life. She knew he looked stone cold but he had a heart. How dare she?
King Thranduil felt her rage and cut Tauriel's bow in half.
"What do you know of love? Nothing!" King Thranduil hissed. "What you feel for that dwarf is not real," he snapped. Tauriel looked at him with fear in her green eyes.
"You think it is love?" Eruanna's grandfather asked. "Are you ready to die for it?"
Tauriel looked at Eruanna, as if the Dragoness would save her. Eruanna loved her people, but not Tauriel. Not that wild red haired elf she saw as a rival all these years. "You swore an oath to the dwarves."
"And I followed through with my oath. You have not," Eruanna hissed. "You swore to protect my daeradar and here you are pointing an arrow at him. You miserable traitor."
Legolas suddenly came onto the scene and pushed Thranduil's blade away from Tauriel. He looked at his father and daughter with sympathy before turning to her.
"I will go with you to Ravenhill," he said.
Eruanna looked at her daeradar and he glanced at her. She caressed his cheek. "Save our people. I will rejoin you when I can," Eruanna said. She had a bad feeling about what was going to happen to the dwarves. Eruanna jumped on Ceveniel and they rode off. Her other dragons continued killing as many orcs as possible. They just kept coming and didn't stop.
"Seize her weapons and bind her hands," the Dragoness snarled in a voice colder than death. The guards obeyed without hesitation.
"Is this necessary?" Tauriel asked with teary eyes, gleaming with defiance and anger. "Of course it is, traitor," Eruanna hissed. "What have you to say for yourself? How do you plan to excuse your crimes? You are so wrapped up in your own desires that you cannot even foresee the consequences of your own actions. You are so foolish."
"For talking to a dwarf? The only person who seemed to genuinely understand me for once?" Tauriel countered. Eruanna laughed mirthlessly.
"Understand you?" Eruanna asked. "You ungrateful traitor. My daeradar took you in and cared for you. Is this how you repay us? Is this how you repay him for his love and kindness? He sought the best for you and you went ahead and threw a dagger into his heart, you soulless fool."
"And what of you, you spoiled Princess?" Tauriel shot back. "Are you entirely innocent?"
Eruanna whipped out her bow and aimed an arrow at Tauriel just as she had done to Eruanna's daeradar.
"I should kill you right now! How dare you insult my daeradar and slander his name? How dare you trick my adar into going with you?" she roared. "You are a pathetic excuse for an elf! A deceitful liar. You claimed to have utmost dedication to us, yet it took one dwarf for you to rebel and defy us? How dare you threaten to kill your King especially when he did not abandon you, helped raise and teach you!?! You call me a spoiled, brat Princess. Fine! At least I have the decency to stand by my people. You have no concept of loyalty and you always think you are right?" Eruanna ranted as she ripped Tauriel's fragile ego apart.
"What do you know!?!" Tauriel screamed. "What do you know of love? Of loyalty? You broke your oath to the dwarves and thought nothing of it. You walked around the forest as if you were Yavanna who grew the place!"
"Do you think we do not have emotions? We do, Tauriel. What do I know?" Eruanna roared.
"Tell me, Tauriel. Have you ever been shamed because of the shape of your ears or the blood in your veins?" Eruanna asked, her voice starting to shake. "Have you ever been yelled at and told that you are beneath someone? Have you ever felt homesick?" Eruanna continued ranting.
"Have you ever felt so out of place that you cannot help but think of those you loved? Do you know how many times I thought of my uncles' antics, pranks and how they made everything so bright? Do you know how many times I thought about my mother's singing and my father's archery lessons? Do you know how I longed more than anything to take my grandfathers and Lord Glorfindel up into the sky with my dragons? Or to be hugged by my great-grandparents and be reassured that everything was going to be okay? Even when I was in Imladris, I worried for my father and paternal grandfather endlessly. I spent nights, numb on my knees, praying to the Valar to keep them safe!"
"You," the Princess hissed. "You idiot. You are the one who does not have a clue about what love is! Love between partners takes years to form and mature. It does not happen in a few days. This!" she motioned to the deceased Kili. "This isn't love. This was another one of your stupid obsessions to defy us again! You fed my father a bunch of nonsense about doing good in the world. You did not care about the world, no one does! You were concerned for one dwarf! You threw away all your goals, trust and potential for this destruction and called my grandfather heartless when he was trying to save his people! This isn't love!"
"You can hate me all you want," the Dragoness snarled. "But you swore an oath, Tauriel. You swore before Eru himself that you would protect my family. Yet you threatened my grandfather and were quick to abandon my father once you got to Ravenhill. You broke your oath. You showed that you are unreliable. You showed that you aren't fit for your position."
Eruanna was breathing heavily.
"Take her away!" she hissed. "Keep her out of my sight because if I see her again, I frankly might end up feeding her to my dragons," she snapped.
Tauriel had been in the cell for what felt like forever. Eruanna's words rang in her head over and over until the reality of what she had done came crashing down on Tauriel. She spent days in the cell, reflecting but something told her that Eruanna would have something far worse in store for her.
Tauriel still didn't like Eruanna but she somewhat understood where the Dragon Princess was coming from. Tauriel had insulted her grandfather and the love between Eruanna and her grandfathers was great.
Eruanna came inside the tent, boots clicking.
"The Royal Council has come to a decision. You are charged with attempted regicide and treason. They have decided to sentence you to death," she said.
The Royal Council of Greenwood came together to discuss their losses. After that, they were urged to come to a decision about Tauriel. Eventually, the council decided on her punishment. As her father and grandfather were hesitant, Eruanna determined she would carry out the sentence. Now she had a chance to speak to her rival, her first rival, but definitely not the last.
Eruanna had her two dragons, Naurion and Sûlion, conceal themselves in her mantle. She clasped her hands together and looked at Tauriel. She looked defeated, as if the fire in her was completely extinguished and for a small moment,
Eruanna felt pity for her and what she was about to do to her. But then the anger came back even quicker than it had left.
"Tauriel," Eruanna got her attention. The silvan elf faced her Princess with hate and disdain.
"What?" she asked. Eruanna inhaled deeply.
"The Royal Council has come to a decision. You are charged with attempted regicide and treason. They have commanded that you be sentenced to death."
Tauriel closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before narrowing her forest green orbs at Eruanna.
"I suppose it pleases you. I suppose you influenced their decision to get rid of your greatest rival. What a joy it must be for you."
"I never liked you, Tauriel, but I don't like killing you either," Eruanna responded, truthfully. "You had so much potential Tauriel, everyone saw it. But you failed us. You were meant to do your duty. As a Captain of the Guard you had one duty - to obey and defend your King. Did those oaths you swore mean nothing to you?" Eruanna asked her.
"Am I to be punished for…," Tauriel began.
"For doing good? For falling in love? First of all, what you did was detrimental to the Kingdom, second of all, your feelings for the dwarf was not love. It was just a pathetic obsession. It was a prime example of your emotions and your heart ruling your actions. You should have listened to your brain and stayed loyal to the Woodland Realm. But no, you were ruled by emotions and it led to this," the Dragoness gestured to the cold, dark cell.
"When you called my grandfather heartless and loveless I thought back to when I first met you all those years ago. Back then, I was quite interested to see how you would fare because of your unusual tactics. Then I watched you develop a reputation for failing to follow orders. You were rebellious and that is not the trait we want in a soldier," the Princess continued.
"I know you may want to blame me but my daeradar did not let me have any part in your sentencing, I assure you. You wouldn't have been sentenced to death had it not been for the head of our army who declared you to be a liability. He was tired of Captains filing complaints against you. I can tell you that I have never been more shocked and disappointed in anyone in my life than I am in you," Eruanna spat.
"So what?" Tauriel snapped.
"I'll do as the Royal Council bid and give you a clean death," Eruanna said.
"So you'll kill me," Tauriel said, disbelieving. To her dismay, Eruanna nodded. The elleth I've underestimated is now going to kill me, Tauriel thought, bitterly.
"I'm sure you now know that you can have emotions without being ruled by them. Hopefully Mandos will help you redeem yourself, but if not, that's on you. As far as I'm concerned, you're not our problem anymore," Eruanna stood directly in front of Tauriel and Naurion and Sûlion enlarged themselves, revealing their forms behind her.
"I, Eruanna Úlumiel, of the House of Oropher and the House of Elrond, Princess of Eryn Galen, Lady of Imladris and Lothlórien, charge you with treason and attempted regicide. I hereby sentence you to death."
Tauriel closed her eyes.
"Dosta (Burn)," Eruanna commanded. Naurion and Sûlion opened their mouths and roared, the flames engulfing and killing Tauriel.