Light and Shadows (Thranduil's story post BOTFA)

Scars of the past

Thranduil and his army defeated the remaining Easterlings that had been trying to invade their land. It was as if coming back from one battle only to enter another. The Woodland forces that had remained in the kingdom kept them at a distance heroically and it was easy to drive them off once the whole army arrived. Still, for Thranduil it was annoying that they had attacked when the majority of their forces were already engaged in a battle at Dol Guldur. It was as if they had known about it and attacked his kingdom when it was most vulnerable. This irritating thought was still nagging him as he entered the fortress victoriously, followed by his generals. 

The elves were happy because they had defeated the enemy twice but were also exhausted. The military leaders gathered around him. He saw Feren and Tauriel waiting to greet him, tired and covered in dirt. Thranduil watched Tauriel's face - it was pale and seemed gloomy in spite of him coming back to the realm safely and of their victory. He briefly praised them for defending the realm and they brought their respects to the King for returning safely and achieving a great victory together with Lorien. It was all very formal. Thranduil could not keep his eyes for too long on Tauriel or talk anything private with her as long as so many of his subjects were around them. 

By the time the elves had searched for the wounded and the dead, cleared the surroundings and attended to the ones in need of healing, it was already afternoon. There should have been a feast, as tradition required, for the victory in battle but not that evening. There was still too much to do after the battles and too much tension in the kingdom. Thranduil had quickly bathed and changed his clothes. There was a lot do to, the most important being their continuous vigilance regarding any potential new attacks and strengthening the military defences in all corners of the realm. He knew that men in Middle-Earth were already battling Sauron's forces and that most probably Dale and Erebor would be next, as the orc had told them. 

He walked through the busy halls, where many elves were rushing in and out of the healing rooms, hoping he would see Tauriel alone. Then suddenly, on an isolated corridor, he saw her looking outside through the small opening in the stone wall, sword in her hand and having a worried expression. She still seemed pale and her eyes were unfocused. When Thranduil approached, she suddenly snapped out of her anguish, bowing her head quickly and saying 'my lord' with a tone of duty. 

'Why are you not in the healing rooms?', Thranduil started.

'I am well.', she said looking down. 'I gave orders to my scouts to check on the Eastern part of Mirkwood and I am waiting for them to report.'

'You should rest.', he spoke. 'You look terribly pale.'

She did not reply. Thranduil watched her carefully, She did not seem physically wounded but her spirit seemed broken. He glanced towards the busy healing halls, packed with wounded soldiers, and thought there was no comfort or healing there for Tauriel. 

'Come with me.', he said.

She followed him quietly to the King's nearest chamber and Thranduil locked the door behind them. He then came close to her and they looked at each other for a few moments in silence. 

'Are you hurt?'

'No', she replied.

'Then what is it?'

She took a deeper breath.

'I am sorry, I should be happy that you are back and I am, beyond measure. But this is it...', she continued, 'I did not even know if you would come back.'

His heart jumped slightly at her words. She did not look into Thranduil's eyes even if his own were gazing at her. 

'As I was there fighting, I did not even know if I myself would make it another day to even see you return.'