Eclipse of Hearts ✔

Chapter 82. [Tauriel]

For years Tauriel had dreamed of leaving Mirkwood. Nothing had seemed more beautiful than discovering the world, but she never got permission. The longing to see unknown mountains, lakes and valleys had been enormous and she felt lucky when the dwarfs visited them and gave her the possibility to travel with them - in the company of two other elves. Brutally an end had came to that prospect. It was prohibited to go with them and she had to wave them goodbye. 
And now, four years later, she still walked the path the dwarfs had followed. The large, lonely mountain in which the great dwarf kingdom Erebor was situated, contrasted with the pale sky, and the beautiful variegation that had announced the arrival of the sun had faded. 
When Thranduil stood still, Tauriel did the same. He hadn't gave her a single look, but clearly he thought it was about time to make a painful comment. "We'll soon see how your little dwarf friend welcomes us. I bet he's already at the crow's nest."
Tauriel ignored his words, but they hurt. She didn't want to attack Erebor. There was not a single reason to do so, but her king clearly believed he hadn't made the dwarfs suffer enough. 
She looked forward, to the defensive city walls that rose. No sign of life was to be seen, as if the city had died out long ago.  "I suppose our arrival hasn't been unnoticed."
Thranduil's facial expression didn't change, but she knew the situation hadn't escaped his attention. He had expected to overpower the city in its full glory, but no one had left the city and Erebor was a real fortress they couldn't just take in. 
"If that cursed dwarf played a dirty trick on us, he'll wish he never had been born." Legolas' eyes showed a dark glow. 
Tauriel raised her eyebrows. She had no idea which dwarf he meant, but she didn't understand all of this. After all everything had been prepared behind her back and now she knew why. The only advantage of their distrust was that they did not expect her to be guilty. She tried to restrain the smile on her lips. It gave her a satisfied feeling that the dark haired elf had succeeded in warning Thorin and Alyssae, although she did not believe Thranduil would give up. The battle would only endure much longer. 
"Find a place where we can store our ration." Thranduil gave her a penetrating look, but even without that menacing glance in his eyes she understood he had to change his plans, which he didn't want to do in her presence. Her function as a commandant clearly was nothing but a title.

Tauriel explored the surroundings, but she didn't find a place that was really safe. She didn't know where the lookouts of the dwarfs were situated and the mountain was enormous. She suppressed a sigh and watched the traces her feet had left behind in the snow. If she hadn't received the letter from Kíli, she would have been afraid his heart was frozen by this icy weather, but knowing he still loved her warmed up her limbs. For a short time. Maybe his body was torn apart when she would see him again. She deemed the chance that they would both survive not very high. For a moment she considered to go back. But where did she had to go? When she betrayed her people, she couldn't return and when Kíli and his companions would lose this battle, there was not a pleasant future waiting for her. She could better hope this would end in a armistice without too many deaths. And maybe she would get they opportunity to mediate. When Thranduil was dead. 
She felt ashamed of the thought, but she hoped he would die, so that his people  was freed of his maniacal flashes. She thought about Alyssae. Was she between the walls of Erebor too? Would she want to take revenge?
One thing she knew for sure... her king was surrounded by more enemies than ever. Why had he came in the first place? By the heavens, what did he expect to gain?  What was the reason he was risking his life?