Archive of Our Own ^beta

Soon after the price's departure, Feren gathered his company one morning during training hours for some important news.

'The scouts under Maldir's command have intercepted a message from Dol Guldur. It seems that they plan an attack on Erebor, Dale, Lorien and also on the Woodland Realm. We don't know where they will strike first but we have to be ready.'

The atmosphere became tense.

'Captain', said one of the scouts behind Tauriel's shoulder, 'Azog was killed and his army was destroyed. Surely they don't have the force?'

'The enemy has regrouped', said Feren with a serious expression. 'They have a new commander and have increased their numbers, both in Dol Guldur and Moria. They will gather their forces. Moreover, it seems that they have already called upon Easterlings to assist them in war.'

Silence fell and it was as if a dark shadow had come over them all of a sudden, like a heavy burden.

'Sauron wants out King's flank.', continued Feren with an annoyed expression as he mentioned Sauron's name. 'He wants to take over this realm and outnumber our forces. He doesn't care about the forest itself so he will try and burn it.'

Tauriel felt shocked but something inside her had always told her that day would come. She realized that Feren, as one of the captains, must have probably talked to Thranduil about all this. While she was digesting the information itself, she somehow felt betrayed that the King didn't mention anything to her. Reports about the realm were made by captains alone and Feren must have been the first one to discuss it with Thranduil. She suddenly wished she would have accepted her old position back. She could defend the realm just as well in battle as both captain and woodland warrior and she didn't care about status or power. However, it was the closeness to Thranduil that she felt jealous of: being the first one to talk to him about such matters, the person he would comfy in the most and talk to first. 

'The King wants us to strengthen the enchantments on the forest', Feren continued. ' Those of you who are skilled in advanced magic will be led by myself as well as the other captains later today to place these enchantments in different areas of the forest. The King will also be placing some defenses himself especially on the river and the trees around the fortress.'

Tauriel's heart skipped a beat. She had heard about Thranduil's knowledge, as a High Elf, to perform powerful magic but never witnessed it. She knew from Legolas that he had a terrible scar from a dragon that he had been able to conceal using the magic of the Valar. She never asked him about his scar, not even in their closer encounters when they had been more vulnerable with each other. Just like he had never talked to her about his wife or her death. She realized how mysterious Thranduil was and how little she actually truly knew about him even after hundreds of years.  

'Prepare yourselves to go in the forest in mission this afternoon.', said Feren, 'You can take with you any magical objects that you feel will help with the defenses, you are allowed to borrow old texts from the kingdom's library and take them with you but only do what you are already skilled in terms of magic.'

As the scouts were dispersing, continuing about their training and their activities, Feren made a sign with his hand to Tauriel to come towards him. He looked her straight in the eyes with a gaze that she knew all too well, that was hard to read yet that seemed to pierce through others' souls. 

'Tauriel, you will come with me, the commanders and the King as you are also very skilled in magic.'

Tauriel's expression seemed surprised.

'Captain, I am not really skilled in high magic. I am mostly good at the healing arts.'

'You are modest', Feren said with a smile. 'King Thranduil told me you are very skilled.'

Tauriel was left wondering about her healing and magical gifts as the day continued. Sure, she had healed Kili and others throughout centuries and she was pretty good at magic, like many elves in the kingdom, she thought. But she never looked of herself as an elven witch, she was seeing herself as a soldier, a warrior. Elven magic was something most High Elves were good at and she was not a High Elf. Thinking that Thranduil was seeing her as being good at magic was making her wonder about her true abilities in this department for the first time. He had been the one to show her and Legolas magic when she was coming of age. 

As she was back in her chamber, she remembered when the King found her: wounded in the woods, with her mother and brother killed. She was about 90 years old then. She had tried so hard to suppress these memories that she did not think of them in centuries. Who she was, where she was from, how she met Thranduil and why she even became a warrior. She remembered now so clearly...it was him. The king. His tall beautiful figure cloaked in silver had come near her and asked her to put her hands around him. She thought she had seen an angel from the Valar then, a fair soldier of light with long luminous hair. He lifted her from the muddy ground, with her body wounded and her torn bloody clothes. She then remembered being carried in his strong arms and waking up in the Woodland realm, healed and recovering on a soft bed. Then, he continued to protect her and she stayed in his company and his son's company, learning from them, being close to them. The rest was history. 

Tauriel closed her eyes and opened them again as to quickly come back to reality. She realized that her blocking her traumatic memories and channeling her anger in fighting also blocked her gratitude towards Thranduil and blocked her from seeing his kindness and seeing that she would not have been the person that she was now without him. Worse, she would not have even been alive.

The elves went deep into the woods that afternoon, performing for hours enchantments into different parts of Mirkwood. They placed magic on the river, on the streams, on some of the trees and placed different traps for any invaders that wanted to come into their realm. Tauriel watched for the first time as Thranduil performed high elven magic. She couldn't help but stare in awe and admiration as his voice seemed even more intimidating and powerful while reciting old incantations, his hands making gestures in the air in front of the fortress, his embroidered clothes cascading on him and his crown shining silver. And she wasn't the only elf staring. He seemed to emanate light from his body, clothes and hair, even more than usual. The atmosphere changed, a light breeze hit their faces and the very energy of the place seemed altered and felt safer. The King wasn't the most skilled High Elf from MIddle-Earth in terms of magic but nobody could deny that he was indeed very powerful and had a strong aura of light.

Tauriel didn't have a chance to talk to the King, even if she stayed around the area where he had been performing magic. Later that day, when they all finished and evening came, she wondered if she would see him alone again. Their lessons were becoming less frequent as she was now fairly skilled in fighting with two swords, yet not ready for real combat. That evening she did not have a meeting with him but her heart wished she did, as the other elves were returning exhausted from all the magical work in the forest. She felt like he had become her strength there in Mirkwood, like a river that was filling her spirit and body with life force. Many months back on Ravenhill, she did not even know if she would have the will to go on. Yet she found the will and strength thanks to Thranduil. 

It was a beautiful starry night that evening. Inside the fortress, everything seemed to quiet down as the elves were slowing down their daily activities giving way to rest and rejuvenate in different ways that would replenish their fea (spirit) with energy. This would be done through various forms of art, chanting, meditation...or star gazing. On such evenings, Tauriel would sneak out of the fortress and into the forest to be alone with the light of the stars. Even though the King had given orders to keep the realm sealed especially during nighttime, she felt like she wanted to get out. Doing so would have meant to defy him again and Tauriel was still pondering on it. She was walking on the halls leading to the cellars where she knew a doorway she could easily use to get outside. She was walking slowly, almost delaying getting there, because she did not know if she truly wanted to act like her old self again or not. She knew a lot of the rebellious things she had done in the past 600 years had been due to her youth, lack of knowledge of the world and recklessness. 

She suddenly stopped walking, with her head slightly down, deep in thought. Then she felt a familiar presence. She turned her gaze towards her left and saw the King appearing from behind a pillar. She froze. Eru only knew what he was doing near the cellars and Tauriel could have only imagined, however he looked sober so perhaps he did not go there just to sip on wines.

He did not say anything so she spoke:

'Good evening milord'.

'What are you doing here?' he asked.

'I...was just having a walk through the halls.'

For a moment she thought she had been busted and her expression might have given her away as Thranduil's face looked calm and not at all surprised at her answer.

'I didn't want to stay in my room', she quickly added, trying to look indifferent and composed. 

Thranduil smirked. He walked towards her.

'I understand' he said with a pause. 'Come with me, I want to show you something.' 

She felt and looked confused but she followed him in the opposite direction to where she had been previously walking. He was leading her and she was behind him and she thought what the other elves would have thought if they saw her walking so close to the King late in the evening as they were now approaching again the main kingdom halls. Luckily there was nobody in the halls and soon they arrived in one of the royal chambers she had very rarely been in. It was mostly for meetings, wooden chairs and cushions were everywhere, beautifully decorated shelves with books, letters, different parchments placed on them. Two beautiful desks were also on one side and the other. There was also an opening towards the forest river from where you could see the forest and hear the sounds of the water. Tauriel found the room and the sounds very calming in the evening silence. There were a few golden lights illuminating gently and fires lit.

Thranduil turned towards her. In the golden light, his robes seemed made out of melted metal, heavy and beautiful. 

'Do you want something to drink?'

'No, thank you', Tauriel said still feeling confused.

'Come.'

He gestured slightly with his hand and she followed him as he was going towards one of the desks where a few of the King's objects were placed. She spotted a few familiar daggers and also a chest she had not seen before. Thranduil placed one of his hands on the chest and then stepped a bit aside so that she could come near it. She came in front of it cautiously, giving Thranduil a quick glance. He looked at her with an air of contentment and placing his other hand on the chest, he opened it then stayed aside in stillness, leaving Tauriel with her eyes locked to what was inside.

Hundreds of small gems of white-blue light were inside,like hundreds of stars shining at once. The gems seemed to emanate powerful light from inside of them. They did not look like anything Tauriel had ever seen in Middle-Earth. They did not look of the Earth. Placed on those gems she noticed some of the most beautiful jewelry: a few bracelets, necklaces and earrings that looked like bright light melted and poured into form. She opened her mouth slightly in awe.

'The gems of Lasgalen', Thanduil said looking also at the beauty of the white-blue light. 

She looked at him.

'They are of the stars. Pure starlight, he added, gently reaching with his hand and brushing over them. 'They are the heritage of my people. Long ago I have asked for them to be put into jewelry for the Queen.'

Tauriel looked again at the bracelets and necklace and understood why they were there. It was the second time he was mentioning the Queen to her in 600 years.

'I have managed to recover them from Erebor. They have healing properties', he added.

Tauriel wanted to touch them. She looked at him for permission and had it in his gaze. She reached out her hand and touched the gems gently. They were cold like metal. It also felt like a cool soothing energy was being emanated from them, a strange sensation she had never felt before when touching something. She pulled her hand as if they were something sacred and she dared not linger. 

She looked at the King. The gems had made her forget just how close he was to her. His arm wrapped in fine silks was almost touching hers. She did not remember ever lingering so much close to him. The white-blue light from inside the chest was radiating over both their faces.

'Milord', she said remembering something she was meaning to tell him. 'With your permission and if you still want me back, I am ready to resume my old position.'

Thranduil looked at her but she could not tell what he was thinking. 

'What made you change your mind?' he asked with a slight head tilt. 

Tauriel looked down at the blue light and thought of the many reasons that had convinced her of which she was ready to reveal only one.

'Legolas asked me to look after you.'

Thranduil had a surprised expression.

'He said you needed me.', she added and looked him straight in the eyes. She knew that telling Thranduil that he needed her might have sounded like impertinence but she felt like she wanted to say it nonetheless. 

'Legolas said that?' he asked with a slight frown. 

'Before he left', she added.

They both kept silent for a few moments and then Thranduil spoke.

'Well then, I will expect you to resume your duties staring tomorrow, captain. I shall give Feren a new company in charge and you can lead your old company.'

She looked at him and smiled.

'And I suppose I will expect you to come and report to me like you used to.' 

Tauriel's content smile was harder to hide than his. Thranduil also seemed pleased. 

Tauriel looked again at the gems in front of them. 

'Well?', he asked. 'Do you like them?'

'They are precious', she said. 'I used to go look at the stars many times in the past, beyond the forest. l would get lost in the starlight and would imagine the world fall away in the white light of eternity... Many times I had dreamed and imagined the stars being close to me, being able to touch them.'

'Now you can touch them', he said softly, like a whisper.

She looked at the opened chest again and reached out her hand. She knew what privilege that was and that none of the other sylvan elves would have been able to personally touch the gems of pure starlight or watch them so closely. The feelings inside her heart and the energy of the gems made her feel overwhelmed all of a sudden. She felt a mixture of different feelings inside her chest, both good and bad.  

She pulled her hand, then looked at Thranduil's robes and leaned on to them, with her forehead touching his shoulder and her hands holding onto his strong arm.

'Thank you', she whispered as she felt her eyes watery against his robes. 

It was a thank you for everything he had done for her and a strong affection for Thranduil was overwhelming her as if the gems had opened her heart and poured out all of the emotions. 

Thranduil stood still for a few moments looking at her. Then he pulled his arm away from her face and instead wrapped it around her, pulling her close to him, her face now touching his chest. He wrapped her in a tight embrace with his heavy warm robes. She felt like she was held under a warm blanket and could hear his heartbeat. Her heart felt warm and full like it had never felt before. 

'Tauriel', he comforted her, caressing her hair. 

Tauriel stayed in the King's arms for some time, maybe minutes, maybe centuries...She had lost count of time, lost in that embrace. Why did it feel so soothing to be in Thranduil's arms? It was the first time she was that close to him since the Woodland Spring Feast. There they were, wrapped in a vulnerable and intimate embrace. Tauriel felt again the subtle scent of amber and musk. She caressed her forehead gently against his chest and lifted up her head slightly, reaching towards the opening of his tunic. She felt his skin touching her cheek,her nose and eyelashes. It felt so sensual and intoxicating and she held her head lifted against his neck, wanting so badly to press her lips on it. But she did not. 

After some time, Thranduil pulled her head gently with his hand and lifted her face towards his own as he was looking down into her eyes. Tauriel gasped at the touch and the closeness of their faces. His lips were so close to hers yet she was trying hard not to think of it. She looked at him with a mixture of surprise, sadness and longing, almost like the vulnerable look she had on Ravenhill many months back. He seemed to hesitate and ponder something for a moment, then he leaned towards her, planting a kiss on her lips. It was an innocent kiss, much like the one she had given Kili. The sound of his lips kissing hers made it more real for Tauriel who did not expect him to do that at any point. He pulled away. It might have been a kiss of affection or compassion or comfort. She didn't mind and her face seemed to lighten up with a smile behind her eyes as she looked at him. After a few moments, he looked at her lips and a second soft kiss followed, lingering a bit more. He pulled back again, this time with his face staying closer. With their eyelids half closed, they looked down at each other's lips, their noses touching, moving their faces slightly in a playful way as if they were trying to decide how to act further. 

Tauriel did not know if it was her or Thranduil who acted first but they both locked their lips again and this time more kisses followed. It was less fierce and intense than their kissing episode at the feast. This time it was more deliberate and felt right. Tauriel felt like her body was melting into his arms, she felt like she was completely abandoning herself to him. There was nothing holding her back this time. He opened his mouth and she followed, letting his tongue touch hers. Their kissing was slow and passionate and Tauriel felt rapidly how the pleasure in her body was rising. She moaned softly and he followed with a deeper sound of pleasure from his throat like she had never heard. It turned her on. She started to push herself against his chest , gripping onto his robes and kissing him without end. Luckily he was so much stronger than her and she felt like she was pushing onto a solid rock, holding onto it, knowing that rock would never fall nor crumble. Her hips instinctively started to move against him as they were kissing and she was starting to feel incredible lust, rocking back and forth against his body. His hand grabbed her long red hair and pulled her head gently, deepening the kiss and taking more control of her. They both shared sounds of pleasure and loud breaths. 

Tauriel felt a fire inside her that she couldn't tame anymore. She knew that she was considered impulsive and somewhat lacking self-control, as many sylvan elves, but it was only then, in his arms, that she felt her true fire burning inside. The way her hips were rocking against him, as if she wanted to take him there and then, she felt like she was losing all control. No High Elven elleth would have behaved like that and this was exactly why she could never be a High Elf. This was her real self in her most true and raw form. Passionate, wild, untamed. However Thranduil did not seem to mind or stop kissing her. The more lustful she would become, the more his grip on her would harden and he would pull her into a deeper, harder kiss, biting her lips and opening her mouth. 

When they pulled back from kissing, looking at each other with heavy breaths, Tauriel touched the base of her neck gently and her garments around the chest area, starting to undo her tunic laces. Thranduil looked at her for a few moments then his own hand touched hers, stopping her from undoing them. He kept his hand onto hers which was resting on her chest. Then gently he pulled her hand away. They both stood still without saying a word. He placed his hand on her face and she leaned her cheek onto it. 

Thranduil looked at her with intensity behind his icy blue eyes and seemed to ponder again on something for a few good moments. Then he spoke:

'I'll see you tomorrow.'

Tauriel looked up at him with a frustrated gaze. She breathed heavily. She did not want to leave but she gathered all the self-control she could muster and came to her senses. 

'Yes, milord', she said with an accent on the last word.

'You don't need to call me that', he said. 'Not when we're together.'

She looked at him and felt like a new level of intimacy was being built between them. So it all had been real, not just for her, but for him as well, she thought. He was not in denial about what just happened between them. Still she did not feel ready to say his real name. For hundreds of years, she had never once dared think that she would ever address him by it. It was all too much at once. 

'Goodnight' she said and his hand slipped away from her cheek.

'Goodnight Tauriel', he whispered.

She leaned towards him again, on her toes, giving him a goodbye kiss on the lips as she then smiled and left. She knew she would see him again the next day and that their relationship with each other changed for good, that they would never be able to see each other in the same way as in the past 600 years. 

Thranduil watched her as she left and remained still as a statue for a long time, alone in the room. They could not go back anymore... and neither of them wanted to. 

It started with drums resonating from the depths of the forest. Loud drums and the sound of war. Then fire started to spread through the wood. It was just the beginning of the siege and of a long battle under the trees.

Thranduil and his people marched through the forest, the King leading them, and a fierce fight began. Tauriel was left in charge of protecting the borders of the fortress rather than venturing with the King in the burning forest. She knew Thranduil had trusted her with a very important role of defending the very heart of the Woodland Realm. 

She and two other captains of the guard and their companies as well as Thranduil's generals with part of the army were forming like a barricade to protect the fortress. The other woodland warriors and the rest of the army were fighting with Thranduil. 

The fight at the Southern side of forest, where the siege had begun, was fierce and bloody. The orcs were falling under the magical enchantments and traps of the elves but they also brought traps of their own for the elven warriors, hidden war devices that they were launching from behind the trees. They were also setting the forest on fire, trying to burn the King's army as well. The enchantments placed on the springs and river were helping tame part of the fire but the assault was not coming to an end. 

Later that day, the King returned with the army back to the fortress while another unit went in to keep the attack from going any further. The orcs had taken almost all the Southern half of the forest and they placed encampment there. Most of the trees in that area had been either burnt, cut off or damaged. 

'Milord', said one of the generals when Thranduil passed by the kingdom halls with a grave expression and rushing on his way to the throne room. 'We can confirm that our scouts have seen Dale and Erebor also under attack. They plan to take control of this whole portion of Middle-Earth. We also have information that Easterlings will join them later this evening or tomorrow. They will first pass through Erebor and Dale and then make their way here. If more of their forces will arrive, the kingdom will fall.'

'This kingdom will not fall', said Thranduil with an intense gaze and a commanding tone. 'Bring all the generals and commanders to the throne room now.'

Tauriel admired how Thranduil was keeping his composure even in life or death situations. Still, she feared for him and for everyone else in the Woodland Realm. They had managed to stop the orcs from temporarily moving further towards their realm, but also suffered a defeat as half of Mirkwood was now invaded and burnt. She felt anger and a sense of powerlessness that she could not do more, just like she had felt back on Ravenhill when fighting Bolg and not being able to save Kili or to save more of the lives that had been lost there. She felt anger and hatred towards the forces of Sauron and knew she would stand by Thranduil to her last breath and do everything that she could to fight them off and protect the realm. 

After they had received orders and discussed the strategies they would follow, Tauriel wondered if she should talk to the King. She could only guess the array of emotions he was feeling inside of him, a mixture of anger and fear for his people. She did not fear his temper like she once did and she wanted badly to see him. Luckily, this time she was a captain again which meant she could talk to him more easily whenever she wanted.

'You have done a good job' , he said, looking pleased to see her but hiding anxious energy underneath his expression. 'Tomorrow will be a decisive day for us. I will not let this fortress fall. You, Feren and Maldir will stay here with the second and third unit and the generals will place more reinforcements by the river bank.'

'Will you go back in the forest and lead the attack?' she asked.

'Yes. We need to regain the forest. I have given orders. In case something happens to me, my first general will take charge of the Woodland Realm until Legolas returns. I want you to personally make sure he receives word in case this happens.'

Tauriel looked at him with a shocked expression.

'Legolas is far away and he's having his own battles to fight right now. It might take him a while until he will be able to come here...'

'Milord', Tauriel interrupted him with a fierce expression, coming closer towards him. 'Nothing will happen to you. I will make sure of that.'

They looked at each other and in that moment, with Tauriel's intense and confident gaze, Thranduil would have almost believed her. He smiled. 

'I am touched', he said.

'Don't tease me. I am serious. I will go with you tomorrow and fight alongside you in the forest.' 

'You are needed here'.

'I am needed by your side', she said.

'I don't want you to go, it's too dangerous.'

He looked at her and it was clear from his face that he suddenly realized what his words meant. Thranduil was telling her how much he cared. He let his gaze down, looking at the cup he was holding. 

'You know I'm not easy to handle', Tauriel said getting even closer to him. 'I will go with you tomorrow and fight by your side. Otherwise, you will have to banish me again.'

Thranduil looked at her. Her expression was serious. He gently put his cup down and came close to her. He took one of her hands into his own, caressing it with the other one. The gesture made her gasp. Even though he was a 6000-year-old elven warrior, his hands were soft as silk and she noticed his beautiful blue moonstone ring adorning his finger. 

'Tauriel, we have had our disagreements in the past but I hope you know that I do care for you.'

She looked at him in surprise. It was as the first time he was verbally expressing feelings for her. It was something that the Elvenking was not known for doing and she did not even recall him to directly express feelings to Legolas. She opened her lips slightly as if she was looking for words to say.

'I don't want you to put yourself in danger as you have done before. The kingdom needs you in case something goes wrong.', he said with a low, deep voice. 

There it was again...The idea that something might go 'wrong' and something bad would happen to Thranduil made her feel a knot in her stomach. She could not imagine Mirkwood or the Woodland Realm without him. No, that thought was impossible. Tauriel looked down at his hands covering her own and placed her other hand over his. She then looked at him with a fierceness behind her green eyes, almost like the expression she would so often have when she would get angry during fighting. 

'I am going with you tomorrow', she said again, her chest breathing slightly heavier. 'You know very well I am the best warrior out of all your captains. I came back here to fight. I learned how to live again and have a purpose again.', she added, remembering how she wanted to die back on Ravenhill when Thranduil had found her after the battle. 'And if I die, then I will die defending this realm. I will die fighting next to you, not hiding in this fortress.' 

Thranduil looked at her with softness in his blue gaze and smiled. 

'I can see it's fruitless to argue with you', he said. 'Very well then. I want you to stay close to me tomorrow.'

She agreed and smiled at him. They kept their hands locked in tender caresses until Tauriel left to prepare her unit. There was no time to spend together, the time now was to fight. They had to defend the realm and protect everything they cherished, including each other. 

Early next day,  Tauriel followed Thranduil who led a large portion of his army into the forest to repel Sauron's forces from Dol Guldur. There was fire everywhere and wrath. 

Tauriel fought through the forest, staying close to where Thranduil was as she did not want to lose sight of him. He was leading the way through the Southern side, trying to repels the attackers, charging ahead with his two deadly blades and shining armor. Tauriel was handling her daggers much better thanks to her training with Thranduil, her movements were quicker, she was more alert and was more efficient. 

After long fights, she spotted the new commander of the orcs - he did not look as strong as Azog or Bolg but he did seem to have just as much authority as he was directing all the traps and strategies. She was not that far from him, if only she could have killed him... She started making her way there, her eyes on her target when she heard a familiar voice coming from behind her:

'Tauriel, don't.' 

She turned. Thranduil was now standing very close to her, breathing heavily, face splashed with blood and holding his swords. She looked at him and understood that he wanted her to stay close to him so he could watch over her. At the same time, she also wanted to protect him, not just because it was her duty, but because she cared about him too much. 

She turned her head again towards the vicious orc leader and started breathing heavier in frustration. The battle continued. When the orcs started throwing massive firebombs from the trees, all hell broke loose. Tauriel and her company jumped away to avoid the fire that hit the ground and more orcs came to attack them. After a while, Tauriel turned around to check on Thranduil but she could not see him anymore because of the bright flames and battle chaos. 

She looked around and everywhere she saw fellow woodland warriors tired and engaged in a fierce, never-ending battle. She could spot from behind the blazing flames a figure which she recognized again. It was the orc commander. If only she could kill him. And she was indeed going to. She moved her daggers around with even more anger, killing every orc that was standing in her way. 

Two other elves were already fighting with him. The orc hit one of the elves causing him what could have been an almost fatal wound. That's when Tauriel reached him. She hit the orc and attacked him with her long daggers. He was a good fighter, to keep at bay two or three elves at once. His minions came in and started fighting with the other elves around him but Tauriel kept his focus on their leader. He tried to hit her and cut her with his weapon but her reflexes made her avoid it last minute. She wasn't going to be defeated. With a sudden movement, she cut the orc's throat with one of her silver daggers and he fell to the ground.

She could not savor the victory as more orcs appeared, attacking her and the elves where she was standing. They were angry as they had seen their commander slain. She pulled away trying to retreat while continuing to fight for her life. A few arrows flew, she could not see from where, and killed some of the orcs that were surrounding her. She heard the horn of one of Thranduil's generals in the distance and more arrows flew but at the same time, more firebombs fell. It was bloody, chaotic and the orc numbers were still great. Tauriel continued to fight, looking for the King every now and then but she felt he was on the other side of the burning trees, too far away. She finally saw one of his commanders coming near her with his unit and the orcs started dispersing, running further towards the edge of the Southern side of the forest as they were gradually being defeated. 

The elves did not have the numbers to stop an invasion in the Woodland Realm if the Easterlings were to arrive. However, as Thranduil's people were battling Sauron's forces, the men of Dale and dwarves of Erebor were holding the Easterlings back, fighting with them, slowly but surely winning. The first shadow of the evening came upon the forest and there was no sign of Easterlings. The orcs were nearly all defeated and the last of their fruitless invasion was finally being stopped. They were eventually driven away from Mirkwood by the elves and Thranduil emerged victorious from the battle. 

Later that evening, Thranduil and Tauriel returned into the Woodland Realm with their forces and there was great joy and cheering from all the elves in the realm. Patrols and soldiers were still sent in Mirkwood to be on the guard and make sure no orc remained in the forest or tried to put foot again in their realm. It was a well-earned victory. Word was brought to them that Lorien had also managed to repel the attacks, keeping their borders safe. 

The next day, in the throne halls, Thranduil gave orders to gradually start healing the forest from the fire and the evil that had affected it. He also officially announced a new date of the Elven New Year which was in 2 days' time on the Full Moon. That date would mark the victory of the elves against Sauron's forces and gave hope for any battles that would come, hope that they would always triumph over evil. The elves were joyous and scouts started patrolling the forest right away, being more vigilant than ever and they started to heal the trees after the wrath they had endured. Thranduil was cheered and was more loved than ever by his people as he had proven great strength and courage and defended his realm even without a Ring of Power. 

Tauriel did not get a chance to properly talk to Thranduil after the battle as the King had been so busy, half the time giving instructions and half the time staying in his chambers on his own. He clearly stated to all captains there would be no private reports to him until after the New Year feast. Tauriel and the other captains were all taking orders from him and talking to him while together in the throne hall. A few times, one of the messenger elves came to deliver letters to him. Tauriel watched as he took the folded messages without reading them immediately. He then gave the elf a letter of his own and she heard him say:

'Deliver this message to Lord Celeborn.'

Two days passed quickly and the day of the New Year came swiftly. The elves had a feast to celebrate not only the new elven date in their calendar but also the victory from the battle in Mirkwood. It was a rushed feast but nonetheless, the sylvan elves were pleased. The King had overseen the preparations and participated in the feast on and off for a few hours, enjoying his wine, talking to his generals, giving short speeches and seemingly lost in his own thoughts while watching the realm from his throne. A few times Tauriel felt his gaze lingering on her and when she looked at him, their eyes met. Even if she was captain again, she still felt like he was far away from her.

As soon as the evening came, Thranduil left the feast, dressed in royal velvet robes and took a few soldiers with him, going into the forest. Tauriel watched him leave and felt confused and worried. He left quickly, taking a few horses and his elk, as if everything had been prepared before she could ask him where he was going and for what purpose. An hour passed, then two and Tauriel felt agitated, even though nobody seemed to panic that the King wasn't there and the elves were continuing to enjoy the feast. Was she overly sensitive? Surely the King knew what he was doing and he was capable of taking care of himself, she thought. Still...her gaze was looking around, waiting for him to arrive. She decided to ask Feren but he just said that he had heard the King needed to go somewhere and only his generals knew with what purpose. She later found out from Galion, Thranduil's drunk butler, that the King had told him he was going to meet with Lord Celeborn that evening. So he was on a diplomatic meeting. Tauriel found it even more mysterious that he chose to meet with Celeborn on the date of the New Year and that he did not return by the end of the feast that night. 

Indeed, Thranduil was in the forest that evening meeting with Celeborn. Their plans going further were set and their alliance stronger. Celeborn congratulated Thranduil for his victory and Thranduil congratulated Celeborn for his. They shared a drink under the stars and decided to rename Mirkwood 'Eryn Lasgalen' after the healing on the forest would be over. Celeborn offered to help purge the forest and said that Galadriel would be able to heal it completely using her ring. Indeed, he was also bringing word from her as she would play an important role in the plans they were making. The time of the elves was not over yet. The two fair Sindars of Doriath walked under the trees and the stars, rethinking their future and enjoying the premise of a fresh new start for them and their people. 

If you like my Tauriel/Thranduil fanfiction so far, vote or comment, I would love to read your comments and feedback :)

Their physical union and short pledging ritual that came with it was something that even Sylvan elves considered sacred. However, it felt more important for Sindars such as Thranduil and she knew that it was something even more serious for him. Something he had not done with anyone else for hundreds of years since the passing of the Queen. He had spent so many centuries alone, not wanting love or a new partner...and now she was the one he chose. He wanted her as much as she wanted him, that much she knew. 

The following day after their shared intimacy, Tauriel engaged in her normal activities and went in to report to Thranduil as usual. She found him dressed in fine robes, looking cheerful at her sight. He gave her a smirk that she had rarely seen him display to her before. She stayed still for a few moments not knowing how to begin when he spoke.

'All good with the patrols I hope?' he asked with a light tone. 

'Yes...'

She paused and looked at him. She did not want to call him 'milord' anymore but did not say his name either. She continued.

'We have started to strengthen the old enchantments on the forest and we will place new enchantments again soon. There has been no sign of orcs since the battle. We have information that they have fled back to Dol Guldur and they are regrouping there.'

'Dol Guldur', he repeated with a sigh, looking away with a distant gaze. 

He walked gently in the room, coming a bit closer to her. 

'I know you went in the forest to meet with Lord Celeborn', she said, deciding to open the subject.

He looked at her a bit surprised but with a smile on his lips. 

'Indeed I have', he said mysteriously. 

'And? Am I allowed to know more details?' 

He came closer to her.

'You of all people are allowed to know the details before anyone else. And I would like to share them with you.'

His teasing eyes and smile and his closeness made Tauriel feel uneasy as she felt heat rising in her body and her heart beating faster. 

'Come and dine with me this evening', he continued. 'I will tell you everything if you promise not to say a word until I make the official announcements.' 

She gave him a pleased smirk.

'Very well then...'. She stopped abruptly as she was about to call him 'milord' again.

He touched her face gently with his hand and she leaned her cheek on his palm.

'Are you returning in the forest this afternoon?' he asked.

'No. I will assist in the training of new scouts for my company.'

'Good', he said with a low voice. 'Every time you are away, I worry for you... I worry that I might lose you.'

He paused and she looked at him in slight surprise, waiting for him to say more. He watched her confused expression and he continued. 

'When I found you in Ravenhill I thought you might not be alive anymore. After I saw Legolas and went looking for you, I was scared to walk through that doorway as I did not know if you were alive or dead... It was the first time I realized how much you meant to me. I had been blind before. I'm sorry.'

She looked at him and remembered when she saw him on that tower in Ravenhill, thinking he did not care for her, that he only came there for Legolas. 

'Thranduil', she whispered. 

It was the first time she was addressing him by that name and it felt heart-warming and liberating. She touched his hair lightly and it felt soft under her caresses. They leaned in for a kiss. It was sweet and warm and loving. 

'I should probably return now', she said with a gentle voice.

'Yes... Come tonight, Galion will let you know when I'm ready.'

She smiled and left, trying to only focus on the duties that lied ahead. Still, her mind was filled with thoughts about Thranduil. Thranduil...How good it felt to finally say his name. How strange it all seemed at the same time. How excited she was about seeing him again and about all he wanted to tell her. And she had a feeling that dinner meant something more than just dinner but tried hard not to think of it or let her feelings consume her. She was still Tauriel, captain of the guard. She was still herself, fierce, headstrong and independent and she did not want her relationship with Thranduil to change that. 

She saw him again later that day in the throne room where the 4 captains of the Woodland Realm guards and the 4 generals of the army were summoned to take orders from the King. He was now wearing his woodland crown and looked regal and majestic near his throne just as she had known him for centuries. 

'The men of Dale have asked for support in case they will go through another attack soon', Thranduil spoke with his usual higher commanding tone. 'Them holding back the Easterlings has greatly helped us in our battle.'

Some of the generals and captains agreed, nodding their heads. 

'They are our allies. Therefore in case they will go through another attack, it is also in our interest to assist them and help them repel the evil.', he continued. 'If that happens, a group from our army and scouts will be sent to help and one of the captains must be prepared to lead that unit.'

'But milord', said one of Thranduil's generals, 'if I may, surely the army soldiers trained by us and under our command would be better lead by a general.'

'I can't afford to spare one of our generals, Gilros', said Thranduil with authority. 'It is more important to first defend our realm and then help others. All generals are needed here. However, I would like you to choose the soldiers that could be sent to fight for our allies, without it affecting the realm's defenses. Am I being clear?'

'Yes, milord.'

'Now', he said looking at the 4 captains, 'I will need one of you to lead these forces outside of Mirkwood in case it's needed.'

A short silence fell. Tauriel looked at Feren, Maldir and Aldon. They did not seem too keen to go and fight outside of Mirkwood.

'I can do it, milord', Tauriel spoke.

The other captains' heads turned towards her.

Thranduil looked at her and behind his cool demeanor there was a hint of endearment and perhaps a feeling of being proud of her. He spoke right away, as if he had expected this to happen and his decision was already made.

'No, Tauriel. Although I do appreciate you offering to do so.'

He looked at the other captains.

'I need someone with experience in leading soldiers outside of Mirkwood and who knows the city of Dale to some extent and its surroundings.'

'Milord, I could do it.', Feren spoke and he gave Tauriel a glance. 'I have led my company in the battle of Dale many months back as you remember.'

'I have also participated in the battle of Dale, even if not as a commander at that time', said Maldir. 'It would be an honor to serve you and lead the unit there.'

Thranduil looked at them with a pleased smile and kept silent for a few moments.

'Maldir', he finally spoke, 'I believe you can prove yourself worthy of the task.'

Maldir suddenly looked flattered. 

Shortly after, they were all dismissed and they bowed their heads quickly, leaving the throne hall. Tauriel gazed at Thranduil and she could see him also looking at her as he turned away from them, walking the steps back to his throne. She thought he gave her a subtle smile and then Tauriel followed the others, heading for the training grounds, still having the feeling that his eyes were upon her. 

As she was heading towards the grounds, she saw Feren walking near her to also assist in training his own company. They glanced at each other and walked together on the hall leading outside. 

'You have the King's favors again it seems', he said with his all-knowing expression she knew too well. 'He cares about you.'

Tauriel did not seem surprised by his remark. They looked at each other and she smirked.

'I could say the same about you.', she replied, as they continued to walk together.

Feren gave her a confused look.

'You were the most obvious choice yet he will send Maldir. You are too important for him to lose you. After all, you were the one who stood by his side in Dale.'

Her face suddenly became a bit sad. Feren looked at her and parted his lips as if he wanted to say something but then he let it go. They both remembered silently that moment when she had gone against Thranduil while Feren and his company remained loyal to him. 

'I'm sure you'll make up for it.' he said. 'I will see you later, captain.', he added with a smirk and went away to meet with his company.

Tauriel watched him and she knew he cared for Thranduil perhaps as much as she did. And she felt that Feren already knew her relationship with the King was much closer than anyone else suspected. 

When evening came and she went to her chamber, she bathed and changed in new clothes. They were still casual clothes but the tunics fit well her small lean body and she did not feel like she wanted to put on any silk dress. She rarely wore dresses, even at feasts. She looked in the mirror. Her red locks were falling beautifully on her shoulders. She decided not to braid her hair back anymore and only have two small braids to the side while letting the rest of her hair loose. She suddenly felt beautiful and feminine. It was not a feeling she would have too often about herself. Then she remembered Kili. A knife passed through her heart as she thought of him. One of the many reasons for which she had decided back then to be with him was because he would make her feel beautiful. He would look at her as if she was some kind of Goddess while Thranduil would always make her feel 'a lowly sylvan elf'. Much had changed since then though and she now understood the reasons why Thranduil had been keeping her at a distance for centuries and why he was so cold. 

She had never expected to be with Thranduil, of all people. She remembered how she wanted to go with Kili and leave Thranduil and his realm behind. Yet Thranduil was part of her heart and he had always been. Even when Kili was alive. That's why she went to see Thranduil and confront him before going to save Kili. 

Memories of her lovemaking with Thranduil flooded her and she realized he also made her feel beautiful, in a different way. She remembered all the ways in which he had shown her care and affection in recent months. She remembered their intimate moments, the way he touched her, the way he looked at her, the way he let her be herself with him. She touched her neck while looking in the mirror, almost feeling his kisses. She imagined Thranduil's face and his long blond locks lingering close to her body as she had felt them linger only a day before...Had it all been real? The feel of his exposed body, the way he held her with such passion. She thought of his late wife and understood that this must have been the real him, the person she experienced him to be...not the icy, demanding King he had been for centuries. She suddenly felt jealous as his wife had only known him as he was before turning bitter due to her passing. When Thranduil found Tauriel in the forest he had already been broken.

Tauriel held onto that thought as she laid down, polishing one of her daggers in the waiting for Galion to knock. Finally, Thranduil's butler came later that evening than expected and told her the King was ready. 

As she went inside his dining chamber, she saw him at the table, with a silver crown on, reading what seemed to be a letter. Amber lamps were lit and candles were on the table which gave the stone walls of the room a golden glow. There was food as well which did not seem to be touched yet. 

'Tauriel', he said as his eyes fell upon her. 'Come.'

He made a graceful gesture with his hand towards a seat in front of him at the table. She glanced at Galion as he slightly bowed his head at the King and left them alone. Thranduil seemed to be in a light-hearted mood. Tauriel wondered if it was the wine he had drunk before meeting her (as she saw his filled goblet) or something else. He also put some wine into her cup as she sat down. 

She was not used to Dorwinion wine nor did she particularly like it. She knew Thranduil to be very fond of it so she decided to enjoy a few sips, although she knew that her tolerance was way below his.

'I have some news from Legolas', he started as he put away the folded paper he had been reading before she came in. 'He will be traveling to Rivendell soon.'

'Oh?' Tauriel went as he gestured to her to start serving food.

It was strange to sit at a table near him and share the same food. She had only dined with the King and Legolas twice before when she was still very young, after she had been rescued from the forest. It did not feel as strange back then as it felt now when it was just him and her. She felt like she was still adjusting to the new closeness between her the King. 

She took a few things from the plates and he did the same as he continued to talk:

'He is traveling with a ranger called Strider. I believe this man has a great destiny that will very soon unfold. Our old enemy has already started to reveal itself again and he might play an important role in the wars to come.'

'How long will Legolas stay there?' she asked.

'It's unclear for now. He is waiting to receive news about something Elrond wants to tell him in person. He will keep me informed if he can. However...sending and receiving messages safely beyond our borders has become difficult of late.'

'I see', she said. 'Is this what you wanted to tell me?'

'No', he said, taking a sip of his wine. 

He served himself with some bread and grapes, placed them on his plate and then continued:

'The reason I have met with Lord Celeborn that evening is because we plan to attack Dol Guldur.'

Tauriel stopped chewing, nearly dropping the fork on the plate. She looked at him with a slight frown nearly not believing what he just said. 

'Lady Galadriel, myself and Lord Celeborn - we will all go there and finish this once and for all.'

He took another sip of wine. Tauriel did not say anything.

'I will make the official announcements to the army soon so that's why you must keep this to yourself until then. You are the first to know.'

He looked at her waiting for any kind of comments, surprised they were not coming at all.   

'You don't seem pleased. You always wanted me to go and fight 'the evil at its source', did you not?' he asked. 'Now...I'm finally doing it.'

'It's not that I am not pleased. I am just surprised... Even though I believe it is the right thing to do. When should I be ready for it?'

'I said I will go there. You will stay here and defend the realm.'

There it was again, the same issue...Tauriel felt annoyed all of a sudden.

'I was the one who had always suggested to attack Dol Guldur, I want to go and do it.'

'Someone needs to defend the Woodland Realm in my absence', he said with a calm tone. 'You will be one of the trusted people to do this.'

'So I suppose you will go then?' 

'Yes, I already mentioned it. I will have a portion of the army and will be joined by the forces of Lothlorien. It is something I must do myself.'

She looked at him with a combination of disappointment and worry.

'Thranduil...', she started firmly, parting her lips wanting to find the right words to object but he interrupted her. 

'Don't worry', he said smiling as her expression and tone reminded him of the old Tauriel, 'I am capable of handling this on my own.'

They had a quick meal and Thranduil avoided the subject until Galion came to clear the table and they sat up. He went to the opening of his chamber towards the forest and the starry sky, then looked at her and extended his arm towards her so that she would follow.

She took his hand and stood close to him, both of them looking in the distance. Tauriel gently placed her head on his arm and caressed it with her other hand, feeling the luxurious material of his robe. He then placed his arm around her and they stood still in an affectionate embrace, looking at the stars. 

'I want to fight', she whispered. 'Let me go with you.'

'I have made my decision. I will completely destroy Dol Guldur with the help of Lorien. And while I am there, you will be here taking care of our people.'

He caressed her hair and she felt his heart beating harder. His scent was so familiar to her by now and she felt it again. 'Our people...'. His words stuck in her head. Yes, she cared about the realm and the woodland elves. And she knew he cared for them just as much. He cared for each and every one of the Sylvan elves, no matter how much he had acted as superior to them in front of her. She raised her head and looked into his eyes.

'Will you promise me that you will come back?'

'I promise', he whispered. 'If I have you waiting for me, then I will have more reasons to come back. More reasons than I have had in centuries.'

She looked at him with a vulnerable look that betrayed many emotions...love, longing, confusion, compassion. He studied her expression for a few moments.

'Do you love me?' he asked with a deep voice.

She took a moment to answer. 

'Yes', she whispered, looking at his face and caressing it.

'Will you stay with me tonight?'

She looked at his lips and then she leaned in and kissed him. 

Their clothes fell to the floor and Tauriel was only wrapped that evening in his embrace and silk covers. They slept in each other's arms after centuries of lonely nights. In that bed, he was not the King, her was just Thranduil, fair and strong. And in his arms, she was not captain, she was just Tauriel, fair and free. 

Note: There is a poem Tolkien wrote about a Sylvan maiden from Lorien 'fair and free' (her name was Nimrodel) and the King of the Wood who was 'strong and fair'. (Amroth)

The characters of Nimrodel and Amroth remind me of Tauriel and Thranduil from the movie. Nimrodel hated the Sindars invading their forest and did not agree with their politics and she even ran away from Amroth, even though she liked him. Yup, reminds me of Tauriel going against Thranduil (who had protected and favored her) and running away. 

He went to look for her and bring her back and promised her they would sail West to get away from wars. (Thranduil also told Legolas to bring Tauriel back in the movies and then he went to look for her after Legolas left in Ravenhill, returning together in Mirkwood)

Nimrodel was also a bit reckless and she eventually got lost in the mountains. Amroth waited for her to come and it's all kind of tragic in the end. But don't worry, I don't plan to make my sequel about Tauriel and Thranduil tragic at all!:) 

Here is the link to the poem about Nimrodel and Amroth sang by Yolanda Mott, it's so beautiful!

Disclaimer - I don't own Tolkien's characters, Peter Jackson's movie characters or any of their work! 

I also want to say that my story does not respect the exact timings in the book (for example when the battle under the trees takes places and when the destruction of Dol Guldur happens), I wanted to write about these events and how Thranduil would have gone through them together with Tauriel but make them happen faster. 

Hope you enjoyed the chapters so far 

See who I am
Break through the surface
Reach for my hand
Let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way

There was peace in the air again in Mirkwood, at least temporarily. 

Life in the Woodland Realm seemed to have gone back to normal, with the elves focusing less on war and generally being less stressed. They would again give way to more pleasurable and relaxing activities such as playing instruments, singing, dancing, crafting, creating art, healing, performing magic and wondering in the woods for leisure. 

Tauriel was still performing activities as captain however more routine ones. She therefore also had more time to herself without worrying about a siege or an imminent battle. That in turn made her feel more mentally anxious rather than relaxed. Her relationship with Thranduil was on her mind strongly even though she struggled to take it off her mind.

She was aware that they had gone too far to go back. They were spiritually and physically in union and pledged to each other secretly yet there was no official announcement. What was worse was that Tauriel did not want an official announcement. She did not want to officially be his wife or Queen. So then where exactly did that leave her and Thranduil? 

She had not gone to spend time with him privately or sleep in his bed for two days. As their sword lessons did not yet resume, she could easily choose if she wanted to spend time with him or not on her own accord. Tauriel felt like she needed to stay away for a bit and clear her head as it all had become too intense too fast. Being her old self, independent, a bit reckless and insignificant compared to a royal position made her feel more at ease than taking the role of the King's consort. She could not have imagined how it would have been if the elves in the kingdom suddenly started expecting her to act as ethereal and flawless as Thranduil's late wife or have a love for elegance like him. It was not her and she definitely could not have fit the role. She loved Thranduil not because he was the King but because of who he was and she felt he also loved her for who she was. However, him being the King made things a bit more complicated. None of the wood elves had commented in her presence on the obvious closeness between her and the King yet she knew there were many in the kingdom who already knew what was going on between them. That itself did not bother her. However she hated other people's expectations. 

She saw Thranduil from afar a few times that day. Her heart skipped a beat each time but she quickly left before he could see her or before her eyes would linger too much. She wished Legolas was there to keep her friendly company and go in the woods together to distract her mind from anything related to emotions. She wondered what Legolas would have said to her if he were there to see her new relationship with Thranduil. 

A message came later that day from the King delivered by one of his guards from Feren's company. It was not a verbal message as it would have usually been. It was a written message, folded and written by Thranduil himself. Tauriel took the paper, hid it in her pocket and waited to get to her room to read it. She sat on her bed and unfolded the paper carefully. She saw Thranduil's hand writing. It was very distinct and beautiful. It was not the first time she was seeing his writing but it was the first time she had any paper or document hand written by him only for herself. She had another look at how beautiful the letters had been laid with black ink on the paper before she read them. He was telling her to meet him that afternoon for her sword training and he wanted her to come with the two blades he had gifted her. 

Thranduil was in his usual private chamber with a glass of Dorwinion and deep in thought.  He was looking towards the forest green from the carved opening in the stone wall. He was thinking about Tauriel. Tauriel... Thoughts of her were crossing his mind, from the image of her weeping over Kili's body in Ravenhill to the wild, passionate, untamed elleth he had experienced only a few nights past. He took a deep breath as his icy blue eyes were lost in the distance. He had known her for so long yet he had never dared think or imagine he would tie himself to her through love and intimacy. He was a King born and bread. He had never expected to be with a passionate Sylvan elleth he had discovered in the forest 600 years back. 

Yet he did admit to himself that he had always been attracted to her and that his actions towards her in the past had been driven by more than just compassion. Every time he would feel attraction towards her, he would become cold and dismissive with her...or he would refuge himself in memories of his beloved wife. That's how it had always been. He was seeing things so clearly now. 

Her love for him was more than he had expected. It was more passionate and giving than he would have hoped. He sometimes wondered if her feelings for him were not as fleeting as her feelings for Kili had been. She still knew so little about him. She knew the King, confident, proud, strong and arrogant, she knew him in bed and as a lover, but she still did not know the real vulnerable Thranduil. The once Sindar prince who had been made King too young and with too much suffering. The Thranduil who had had a whole life before meeting her that had been destroyed and forgotten. The elf that had had to go through so much healing and coping and to stand alone and be strong for his people. That part of him...she knew very little of.

Later that afternoon, Tauriel came in the King's rooms. She had the two beautiful blades in her hands and they truly fitted her, as if they had always been meant for her. She saw him in a fitted black tunic he would wear for more casual or physical activities. His long blond hair contrasted strongly with the darkness of the material. He was not wearing any crown. However, as she made her way into the room she saw on a shelf the beautiful woodland crown that Maeledith had made for him. He must have truly liked her handmade crown to place it in his room above all the others, she thought.  

Their lesson began. She was doing so much better with that fighting style and she was much more confident while fighting. It was the first time she was using the extra long elvish blades rather than normal swords like any other woodland soldier had and Thranduil was using his own long royal blades. Therefore they had to be careful not to hurt each other. Thranduil was still better than her but that was probably expected since he was considered the greatest warrior in Middle-Earth. She was not letting him have small victories over her or trap her with his blades anymore,she was attentive to each of his moves and handling the combat really well. Then again, Thranduil seemed to go easier on her when attacking and was less fast in the way he moved his blades then he had been in their previous lessons. 

'You have improved', he said letting his swords down and with a pleased tone. 'A bit more practicing and you could compete with one of my generals.' 

Tauriel smiled and put her beautiful swords away, wrapping them in their velvet cover. 

'I know you went easy on me today.', she said. 'I would very much like to have a real combat with you sometime in the future.'

'That would be something to witness, wouldn't it?', he said with a smirk. 

He placed one of his swords back in the scabbard from his belt with a quick move and he turned to place the second sword in a sheath in the room. 

'Are all the patrols back from the forest?' he asked.

'Yes... All seems the same as last week. Nothing suspicious.', she replied. 

'Good. If you have finished your duties for today, I thought you might want to have a walk with me near the river and then have dinner together.'

Tauriel seemed to be tempted by the idea for a few moments. Then she said with a neutral tone:

'You probably would need to change for the evening before dinner, I should leave you to it.'

'Well...I'm sure you can help me with that', he said glancing at her with a casual smile.

Tauriel swallowed nervously and let her gaze down, then she spoke.

'I promised one of my scouts that I would teach her to paint'

'To paint?',he asked raising his eyebrows. 

'Yes...you might not remember but it is something I used to enjoy in my free time.'

He looked at her with an impenetrable gaze and she had a feeling his emotional armor was creeping back in, after weeks of total surrender. 

'Of course. Then you should go.'

She opened her lips and looked at him, but no other words came out. 

'Milord.', she eventually said and she bowed her head quickly, leaving the room. 

She bit her lip angrily as she walked away from his chambers. She felt frustrated, torn and sad but she told herself 'It's for the best.' What was hurting her the most was not just her strong desire to be with him day and night...but seeing him become cold and indifferent again. She knew she was the one who had melted away his ice and now she was the one who was bringing it all back. 

That evening Tauriel did not see the King nor did she have any painting lessons with any scout. She stayed in her room, looking at the painted pebbles she had designed years back. She had picked them from the river bank with Legolas when she was still discovering the surroundings of the Woodland Realm fortress. She remembered she had offered one to Legolas, a larger pebble she had painted in green and golden leaves. She had also made one for the King but she never had the courage to give it to him. Even then, he was so intimidating and she had gradually learned to keep a distance from him, both physically and emotionally. Which was ironic since he had been the one to save her, not Legolas or anyone else. She fell asleep with thoughts of Thranduil washing over her. 

The next day passed by fast as Tauriel went into the forest with her scouts inspecting for any enemies and ensuring once again all the trees were healed.  When she came back in the fortress, she heard Thranduil's voice from the throne halls and saw him in the distance standing on his throne, imposing and commanding. She went in the opposite direction, engaging in conversations about the realm with Feren and Maldir. 

As the first shadow of the evening came by and quiet fell over the kingdom, Tauriel felt an intense urge to see Thranduil and spend time with him. She walked around the kingdom halls inspecting that her scouts were behaving and there was nobody who had overindulged in wine like so many of them had done since celebrating the destruction of Dol Guldur. The halls however were mainly empty as most elves were already in their chambers, spending time with their loved ones or doing things they enjoyed. 

She stayed still and watched the forest outside getting darker and darker. It was starting to get late. The kingdom was now only lit by hundreds of golden amber lamps. She almost wished she would meet with someone, any elf from the realm, to distract her from her thoughts. Yet she came across nobody. Her thoughts wandered again to Thranduil. Her feet started taking her on the halls leading to his chambers. She was still quite far from them and she could have easily turned around, yet she kept on walking gently. She wondered how he was, what he was doing in that very moment...

A voice suddenly came from behind her.

'Tauriel'

She turned. It was Thranduil. She was shocked and felt her cheeks blushing. 

'Milord', she said.

'What are you doing?' he asked.

'I...was just having a walk.'

He looked at her with an indecipherable expression and started walking towards her.

He was now standing in front of her and she was close to his body again. It was just the two of them in the quiet of the night. Tauriel felt a strange pleasurable sensation in her womb. 

'You have been avoiding me'., he said.

His directness took her by surprise. She pondered for a moment on whether she should be blunt with him or not.

'I thought you would be better off without me. I'm not fit to be with you.'

She spoke fast and decisive and the words left her mouth before she could properly think them. 

There it was, she had said it. They looked at each other for a few moments then Thranduil spoke with a low voice:

'This is not a good place to talk. Come, let's go somewhere private.'

Tauriel followed him into one of his private chambers not too far. She soon recognized to be the room where the white-blue gems were as she saw the chest placed on the table. She then heard the soothing familiar sound of the river flowing nearby. He turned towards her abruptly. 

'I think I have not been completely open with you.'

She looked at him and did not quite understand where he was going with it...until she saw his face change. He started becoming disfigured and Tauriel's eyes slightly widened as she looked upon his burnt face. His usually beautiful features were now marked by terrible scars across his cheek. 

'This is the real me.', he said. 'The Thranduil you have never seen. You think you know me but you actually don't. I have seen wrath and dragon fire and wars more than anyone else in this kingdom can claim. So you see...a part of me will always have adversity towards wars. A part of me will always feel like running away; perhaps I would have sailed West already, were it not for my people. The elves of this kingdom that have trusted me as their King and put their hopes in me.'

She looked at him intensely and he did not cover his scar but continued to talk:

'So perhaps you were right about me. I do only what is right for my people and don't care about anything else. I am scarred and bitter and can live without love for hundreds of years without needing it. Perhaps I am no more fit to be with you than you are to be with me.'

She looked at him with a frown and slightly scared.

'Why are you showing me this now?' she asked.

'Maybe because I want to give you more reasons to be put off. Real reasons.'

He turned his back at her with an angry expression and, as he did so, Tauriel saw the scar disappear from his cheek. 

'I did love once.', he continued.

Tauriel's eyes grew wider again as she listened carefully. She had never expected the conversation to go so far.

'Ilarian. I loved her as my partner, my lover, my queen, as the mother of my son. She was everything to me.'

Tauriel felt a knife pass thought her whole being and thought even more that she shouldn't be with Thranduil, that compared to his late queen, she was nothing. She let her gaze fall down and she let him speak.

'She was, of course, so different to you. She was Sindar, delicate, noble, elegant yet a skilled warrior if needed. A true Queen. My people loved her.'

He looked upon the opening towards the forest from where the refreshing sounds of the river came through. He paused, then continued. 

'Then I was robbed of her. Just like war had robbed me of my father too young. I had Legolas yet I felt empty inside. I could not allow myself to feel anything anymore or I could have faded.'

Tauriel took a few steps towards him. Her eyes were sad and watery for many reasons. She opened her lips and struggled to get words out but then he spoke again.

'Then, one afternoon, after a raid in the forest, I found you.'

She suddenly stopped walking.

'You probably have wondered at times why I took you in and showed a special interest in you.'

Tauriel found the courage to speak:

'Indeed I have wondered at times.'

'One could say it was because I pitied you or saw your potential. But the truth is... You reminded me of myself.'

He slowly turned his face again towards her and this time it was his usual handsome face. He looked straight into her eyes. 

'You reminded me of my loss and my pain but also of my determination, my stamina, my stubbornness. I remembered my true nature whenever I looked at you. I don't know at what point I started to feel attraction for you as it had been hard for me to accept these feelings.'

Tauriel looked at him with with a combination of shock and anticipation. 

'I have been afraid and ashamed of my own feelings so I have dismissed them and restricted my relationship with you. I have treated you coldly and even made you feel inferior and I'm sorry for that.'

He came close to her.

'When I found out Legolas was attracted to you it made it even more difficult for me to admit I felt anything. I convinced myself that you were not more suited for him than you were for me. Then...you went after the dwarf', he said with a pause. 'I can't describe the array of emotions I felt. I decided it was best to banish you, best for myself and for Legolas.'

Tauriel sighed and a tear fell down the corner of her eye. He paused and then continued.

'So you see....I've always had feelings for you but I never showed you.'

She looked at him with intensity and teary eyes.

'However, I will never be able to take the place of your wife', she said almost in resignation. 'I can never be her.'

He came even closer.

'I don't want you to be her. Nobody will ever be able to replace her...Just like nobody will ever be able to replace you.'

She frowned, looking at him as if she was not believing what he was saying. 

'Do you think I would have lain with someone I did not consider important to me? Someone I did not love?'

'No', she whispered.

'No indeed. I stayed celibate for over 1500 years. That is a long time, even for an elf.'

She sighed again and her eyes were still sad.

'I am unworthy of you', she started. 'You are a King. I can never be Queen.'

'You don't need to be Queen', he said abruptly as if he knew her concerns. 'Perhaps nobody will ever be able to take the place of my late wife, the Queen of Mirkwood. But you can be my consort, my wife. I am allowed to have a partner and that has nothing to do with the realm. I want you for myself.'

He watched her with intensity.

'Tauriel', he whispered. 'I love you. I have loved you since the day that I met you in the forest 600 years back. I should have realized it earlier.'

Tauriel could not believe what she was hearing. She had thought his feelings for her had been based on a more recently found infatuation. She had never considered that they dated so far back.  

'I...have also loved you since then, I believe', she said. 'I never wanted to admit that to myself or anyone else. You were always keeping me at a distance. You were intimidating...and also very annoying and difficult at times', she added with a little smile. 'I never told you but when you said Legolas was fond of me, I felt disappointed that it was him and not you.'

She felt slightly guilty at her words and let her eyes down. He watched her carefully. 

'I went after Kili because I did truly care for him, yes... but also because I thought there wasn't any chance to be close to you. Ever. So I decided to leave. It was because of you, not because of him.'

'Then do you want to be my consort?' he asked her with a soft voice. 

'I am already yours, am I not?'

She closed the distance between them and placed her hand on his chest like she did when she had first lain with him and they had spoken the name of Eru. It was a reminder of their sacred bond. He placed his hand on top of hers and kept it there. 

'Yes and I will not be with anyone else. However,' he spoke,' I understand if you don't want me or if you don't want us to carry on.'

'Of course I want you! I just don't want to be seen any different. I don't want people to whisper behind my back. I don't want anyone to expect me to act differently or be someone else. I want to be myself.' 

'Then I will inform my generals, my captains and my counselors that you are now my consort and that nothing is expected to change. They will still address you with 'captain' and you will carry on having the same role in the kingdom. However there will be no more confusion regarding my relationship with you. Does that comfort you?' 

'Thranduil', she said looking at him as her face lightened up.

He had somehow managed to say everything she had been hoping for and it had taken a load off her shoulders. 

'Nothing will change.', he whispered. 'I promise you.'

He caressed her hand.

'Except for the way in which you address me. You don't need to call me 'milord' anymore from now on, not even publicly.'

'But I do want to call you 'milord'.

She came so close that her body was now touching his. She raised her eyes to look at him then placed a kiss on his hand.

'You are my King. However, when it's just us, you are Thranduil, my love, the one whom I've chosen to pledge myself to.' 

She placed another kiss on his hand. Thranduil caressed her cheek.

'Meleth nin', he whispered. 'My Tauriel.'

He embraced her and they stayed still in each other's arms for a long time, without saying a word, as if they wanted that embrace to never end. 

That night, she stayed curled up in bed in his arms while he told her everything she wanted to know about him and his past...tales of Doriath, dragons, war, love and loss. She listened and asked him and he answered openly. She placed kisses on his skin and felt his scent, holding him tight. All those years she had lived with him in the Woodland Realm, she had not truly known him for who he was. She was not even sure anymore if Legolas truly knew his father. It was for the first time she understood who Thranduil was. Not the King everyone thought they knew. But the complicated elf behind the crown. The Thranduil that had fascinated, terrified and confused her for so long. Her Thranduil. 

Note:

Meleth nin means 'my love/my beloved' in Sindarin