Tauriel awoke the next morning to find that Legolas was no longer with her.

Where has he run off to now?

She pushed herself up into a sitting position and rubbed the tiredness from her eyes.

A blissful night's rest was just what she had needed. The sound of hooves pounding down the road and marching feet caused Tauriel to pear down the street.

She couldn't believe her eyes, the entire Mirkwood Army was marching up the road. And at the lead was Thranduil, riding atop his elk.

What is he doing here? And where is Legolas?

Tauriel stood up and followed the procession from the shadows that the old buildings offered.

They reached the very heart of the city where Bard was and that was where Thranduil dismounted his steed and approached him.

Tauriel remained hidden as she tried to catch hints of what was being spoken but she was too far away.

Why do I have to fear him? He is no longer my king, but what if he asks about Legolas?

Her presence had gone unnoticed by Thranduil and Bard. But Feren, who stood a few feet away from his king, noticed her hiding.

"Tauriel? What are you doing here?"
Both Thranduil and Bard's heads turned immediately in her direction.
Her heart pounded inside of her chest.

What do I do now?

Summoning all the courage she could muster she stepped out of her hiding place and made her way towards them.

"I could ask you the same thing."
Tauriel turned her attention to Thranduil, trying her hardest not to flinch under his imposing gaze.

I do not have to fear him, or anyone else here. They cannot harm me.

"I came to offer aid to these people."
Thranduil replied smoothly.
"I was informed that they were without food or shelter. Is it wrong for me to help those in need?"

Tauriel bristled but said nothing. Thranduil turned back to Bard and resumed their conversation.

"As I was saying, I am also here searching for my son, perhaps you have seen him?"

Bard's eyes widened.
"He is your son?"
"Did he not tell you?"
Thranduil glanced at Tauriel and tilted his head slightly to the side.

"I am certain that you have seen him. After all, you are the reason he refused to return home after I ordered him to. Where is he?"

Tauriel's hands clenched into fists. Bard looked back and forth between the two elves uncertainly.

"I do not know where he is."
She answered coldly. That was the truth of course; she didn't know where Legolas had gone this morning.

"Adar?"
The four of them turned towards the voice and found Legolas standing with his bow in his right hand.

His face was tense in shock as he stared at his father. The king's eyes locked with the prince's, Tauriel held her breath as she waited for one of them to speak.

"I ordered you to return home Legolas. Why did you defy my orders?"
Thranduil demanded as he walked over to his son.

Legolas hesitated, he seemed so small as his father stood over him. Tauriel held her breath as she waited for Legolas to reply.

"I would rather speak to you alone."
Thranduil considered it for a moment then nodded.
"Very well."

Father and son disappeared behind a building leaving a confused Bard, an agitatedTauriel, and a silent Feren.

"Why didn't you tell me that he was the king's son?"
Bard asked Tauriel.
"I thought that he would have told you himself."
Came the sharp reply.

"What did he mean when he said that you were the reason he didn't return?"
Tauriel didn't know how to respond to that.
"She was banished for defying the king's orders."
Feren explained.

"Prince Legolas was than ordered to return to Mirkwood but he refused because of Tauriel's banishment."

Bard couldn't believe what he was hearing, and Tauriel no longer cared. She knew the true reasons behind her banishment, and she hadn't made Legolas stay with her.

I need to get away from here.

"I am going to see to the injured."
Before either could speak Tauriel spun on her heel and stormed away.

»»»»

Legolas and Tranduil made their way onto one of the stone walls that surrounded the inner part of the city.

They stood in front of each other, Thranduil with his arms crossed and Legolas standing straight and stoic before his father.

The wind blew their hair and added to the cold tension that had built around the two elves.

"I am waiting."
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at his son.
"Did Feren tell you I what I asked him to?"
Thranduil nodded.
"Then you already have my answer."

"So it is because of Tauriel. It seems strange to me that ever since you began spending time with her you have had no problems with disobeying me."

"What do you mean?"
Legolas was doing his best to control his anger. Losing his temper now would get him no where.

"I ordered no one to leave the kingdom, Tauriel left and you followed her. Instead of bringing her back as you said you would you followed her to Laketown. After that I ordered you to return home yet you stayed with her."

"She does not deserve banishment. She is loyal to you and would never betray you."

"Then why did she leave?"
Thranduil questioned.
"She was doing what she felt was right."
"By leading you into harm's way? It seems as though you have had some unpleasant encounters in Laketown."

Legolas glanced at his wounded shoulder. The blanket Tauriel had used to bind it was now dirty with dried blood, it needed to be replaced.

"Why did you stay with her Legolas? Why did you choose Tauriel over my orders?"

Legolas couldn't answer, he didn't know why he'd stayed. He thought he did, butbhe wasn't sure.

"Is it because you love her?"
Legolas' mouth dropped open in surprise, and his eyes widened at his father's words.
"Do not try to tell me otherwise Legolas. I have seen the way you act whenever you are together, or when someone mentions her name. You love her, although it is all for nothing."

Legolas' surprise changed into anger and Thranduil noticed.
"I would never allow my son to love someone as lowly as Tauriel. She is not even one of our people. She is an outsider, and a  stranger. Any feelings you have towards her are for nothing."

Legolas' hands clenched into fists. He was being pushed to far, if his father continued speaking this way about him and Tauriel he would snap.

"Do not speak about her that way. She is worth ten times more than any other elf in that kingdom."

"Why do you hold such high regard for someone who would never think the same way about you? She is a young elleth and you are a prince. She would do anything to become accepted among our people, even steal the blind prince's heart for herself."

"You are wrong! Tauriel would never do something like that."
"How can you be certain? After all she convinced you to train her without my knowledge, and follow her here. What else could she manipulate you into doing for her?"

Legolas was shaking in anger. His father had gone to far.
"You are a liar and a coward!"
Legolas shouted, not caring who heard him.

"You took in Tauriel when she was helpless and weak. You never paid her any heed until I started spending time with her, and now that she is showing me what you really are the only thing you can do to protect your pride is to get rid of her!"

Legolas was overstepping his boundaries and he knew it. But he couldn't stop himself, he was blinded by his anger.

"You will do anything to protect your image! You cannot live without the power and fame of being a king and the respect and fear your people give you! Because if they saw what you truly were you would lose everything! So you attack Tauriel and me so that you can keep your power and your treasures! I am ashamed to be called your son!"

Legolas wanted to take that last part back but it was too late. He saw the back of his father's hand coming towards his face and he prepared himself for the blow.

Only it never came.

The rage that had entered Thranduil's eyes subsided, his hand hovered inches away from his son's face.

What was I about to do? This is exactly what happened last time!

Legolas had disobeyed his orders; both had lost their tempers, and then he had struck his son.

This time he had stopped himself, but the words of his son repeated themselves in his mind.

I am ashamed to be called your son!

If Thranduil could just swallow his pride and explain his reasons for banishing Tauriel he could at least attempt to make peace with his son, but he could not.

Instead he hardened his gaze and seized Legolas by the arm. He led his son behind him as they made their way off the wall.

Legolas struggled to get away but it was no use. His father had an iron grip and was far stronger than he was.

Thranduil brought him to four of his most trusted Guards and called them to attention.

"Escort your prince back to Mirkwood. And see to it that he arrives there before dawn."

The Guards nodded, ignoring Legolas' enraged glare that he sent towards his father.

Thranduil released him and the Guards surrounded him. The elvenking doubted that Legolas would use his weapons on his own kin.

But he has before, including on you.

Thranduil chased the thought away. Legolas had no memory of that time, he was in his right mind and he would not harm his fellow elves.

Legolas continued to glare at his father as he was led away and out of the city.

Thranduil never returned his gaze, he knew that his son would resent him for this.

But it is the only way I can protect you Legolas, if only you could see what I am trying to do for you.

Yet Thranduil knew that in order for Legolas to understand he would have to tell him the truth beind Tauriel's banishment, and that was something he couldn't bring himself to do.

»»»»

Tauriel worked quietly with Sigrid as she aided her in treating the injured.

She was glad to have Sigrid helping her, she had been a big help with treating Kili, calm and attentive to whatever Tauriel needed to help the dwarf.

"You would make a good healer among your people Sigrid."
She told her as they finished treating the last of the injured.

"Thank you, my mother always helped people. Before she died anyone who was sick or injured came to her."

Tauriel had guessed that Sigrid's mother was dead. Her heart hurt for Bard and his children.

"How did she die?"
"Sickness. We don't know what caused it or what it was, only that it killed her."

Dying from sickness was something foreign to Tauriel. Elves never got sick so they couldn't die that way. Sometimes they got fevers but only of they had been poisoned.

"I'm the only one who really remembers her."
Sigrid continued.
"Bain remembers a little about her, Tilda remembers nothing."

Sigrid looked down at her feet as they walked. Tauriel couldn't imagine what it had been like for her, having to grow up so quickly in order to help take care of her younger brother and sister, having all of this pain and destruction around her, it was terrible.

"What is your friend's name?"
Tauriel was surprised at her unexpected question, but she answered it anyway.
"Legolas."

Sigrid nodded.
"I noticed how he looks at you, it's the same way my father used to look at my mother."

Tauriel came to an abrupt stop and Sigrid did the same.
"And you look at him the same way my mother used to look at my father."

Tauriel could barely breathe. Thranduil had noticed it, Feren had noticed, and even Sigrid had noticed.

"You love him, don't you?"
Sigrid tilted her head to the side and crossed her arms.

Do I? Do I really love him?

Tauriel thought back to all the times they had spent together in Mirkwood. Climbing trees, sparring with one another, and  laying on the grass talking about whatever entered their minds.

Yes, I do love him.

"If you love him, you should tell him."
Sigrid continued.
"I can't, what if he does not feel the same way I feel?"

Sigrid smiled.
"You will never know if you don't ask."
She was right, she had to tell Legolas how she felt. And she had to know if he felt the same.

"Hannon le!"
With that Tauriel ran off, forgetting that Sigrid wouldn't know what that meant.

Tauriel ran up the streets searching for any sign of Legolas. Her heart was racing in excitement, there was no denying it now.

She loved Legolas, she loved how he had held her in his arms, she loved his calm, gentle voice, she loved how he made her feel safe.

I have to tell him! I just have to!

Tauriel slowed her run into a jog as she arrived at the place where she had last seen Legolas.

She was surprised to see a tent for the king being set up, and men gathering weapons from the old armoury.

What is happening?

Tauriel scanned the area for Legolas, all she saw was Thranduil.

He was the last one with Legolas, perhaps he knows where he is.

She made her way over to him and immediately asked her question:

"Where is Legolas?"
Thranduil, who had been speaking with another elf, turned to her with cold stare.
"He left Tauriel, he returned home this morning."

All the joy Tauriel had felt just seconds before vanished in an instant. Replaced with hurt and confusion at the elvenking's words.

"What do you mean?"
She asked, her voice trembling.
"He had no reason to stay here any longer. The people have been taken care of, he went home to where he was needed."

Tauriel felt as if she had been punched in the stomach. She wanted to scream at him, hit him, call him a liar, but she couldn't move. Couldn't think, couldn't breathe.

"Legolas knows that his place is in Mirkwood, with his people. Not with a banished Silvan elf."

Tauriel's throat was dry, his words struck her like arrows. She wouldn't believe him, he was lying.

"You are lying."
She said quietly, raising her head to look the king in the eyes.
But Thranduil's gaze remained as cold as before.
"You do not see him here do you?"

No, I don't see him.

Tauriel couldn't take it anymore. She turned away from Thranduil and ran, dodging anyone who was in her way and fighting to hold back her tears.

It can't be true!
He said that he wouldn't leave me!
But did he promise?

Tauriel kept running and didn't stop until she was outside of Dale. Then, and only then, did she allow herself to cry.

»»»»

Legolas could barely contain his anger as he was led out of the city like a criminal.

He was tired and frustrated, he couldn't keep his thoughts straight as he walked surrounded by his four Guards.

Part of him wanted to take back what he had said to his father, and another part of him didn't care what he had said.

It was the truth wasn't it? Or was he simply blind?

Blind? Yes you are very blind. Blind to what's right in front of you!

Legolas nearly stopped walking as the thought entered his mind.

You've always listened to your mind Legolas! Your mind tells you that you need to do what's right for your people, and that that's what you want!

But your mind is wrong Legolas! Listen to your heart, listen to what it tells you.

Legolas stopped walking.
"My lord, are you alright?"
One of the Guards asked.

Legolas wasn't listening to the Guard, he was listening to what his heart was telling him, what it had been trying to tell him for years.

Tauriel, you love her and you have for years. You even admitted it to your father but that is not enough. You have to tell her.

"I have to tell her."
Legolas whispered to himself.
"What did you say?"
One of the Guards asked in confusion.

"My apologies."
Legolas said aloud.
Before the Guard could react Legolas struck him hard on the head, only to render him unconcious.

He turned on the other three Guards and sent them into the same state as the first one.

Legolas quickly checked to make sure that they were well.
"Nothing personal my friends."
Seeing that they were alive and breathing Legolas ran back to Dale.

Night had fallen by the time Legolas reached the city. He pushed passed people and elves that were unfortunate enough to be in his way.

His hair was flying behind him and his heart was threatening to pound out of his chest but he didn't stop.
The only thing on his mind was Tauriel.

He finally slowed down his run when he realzied that all around him, men and elves were preparing for battle.

What in Eru's name is happening?

Legolas searched for his father and found him inside a large tent.

Legolas pushed his way passed the startled Guards and entered the tent. His eyes immediately met his father's.

"Where is she?"
He demanded.
There was no need to ask to whom Legolas was refering to.
"She left."
Was all Thranduil said.

Legolas had to blink several times in order to process what his father had said.

"Why? Where did she go?"
Thranduil shrugged.
"I do not know, she left just before noon and I have not seen her since."

Legolas broke his father's gaze and looked around the tent in a daze.

That's when he realized that Bard was there, and the last perosn he had expected to see.

"Gandalf?"
"Hello Legoas. It has been awhile since our last meeting."
"What are you doing he-"

Legolas stood motionless as the familiar presence of the ring filled his mind.

It was here....

He whipped around and for the second time in his life he saw the halfling that had carried the thing that had continued to haunt Legolas' thoughts ever since he wore it.

What is he doing here?

The halfling recognized him too, and a flash of fear passed over his face.

He has the ring, you could take it from him right now. It would be easy....

Legolas shook the thought away and turned away from the halfling. He kept telling himself that the ring didn't matter, it was just a piece of worthless gold.

Thranduil and Bard hadn't noticed the brief looks that had passed between elf and hobbit, but Gandalf did. Yet he didn't say anything.

"Where is she?"
He asked again.
"I already told you before, I do not know."
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at his son.
"Now go, this does not concern you."

Legolas wasted no more time there, he refused to look at any of them as he exited the tent.

He walked in stunned silence through the city. Tauriel had left, she was gone.

But why? It made no since, why would she leave?

"I saw her go east."
Feren's voice made him jump. He spun around and saw the elf standing with a horse that was saddled and bridled.

"If you you go now you can catch up to her."
Feren handed the reigns to Legolas, he usually didn't use a saddle or reigns but he wouldn't complain.

He mounted the horse and looked down at Feren.
"Why are you helping me?"
"You are not the only one who cares about Tauriel."

Feren stepped aside to allow Legolas to pass.
"Hannon le."
Legolas dipped his head and urged his horse onward.
He would find her, he knew he would.