Legolas and Tauriel: What I Did For Love

19: Discusion

[Legolas POV]

I did as she said. With Neniel's help, I found my tent and lay down. I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep but the events of the last few days were taking their toll. In spite of my roiling feelings, I drifted to sleep. But it was a fitful sleep. Several times, I woke, my foggy brain trying to figure out why I could see firelight flickering outside my tent. There was no fire there before. But each time, before I could sort it out, I fell asleep again. Once, I thought I heard someone replenish the wood.

What were my feelings on seeing Tauriel again? Honestly, I wasn't sure at the time. Part of me was bursting with joy, another was seething, and the other was relieved. But none was more intense than the others.

The next morning, I exited my tent at the same time as Neniel, our tents were directly across from each other.  The fire was crackling merrily. Evidently, someone had recently replenished it. We sat on the few logs that had been placed around the flames.

"Morning," Neniel said, holding her hands near the fire.

I nodded. "Morning." I glanced around.

"If you're looking for Tauriel, she left about half an hour ago to eat."

Startled, I looked at her. "Left? She was here?"

"Yeah. She couldn't get anyone to watch or make a fire her last night so she did it. Stayed here all night to watch it. Said you needed warmth." She didn't look right at me, but I could tell she was smirking.

"Think it's funny, do you?"

She rolled her eyes. "'Course! She would barely look at you last night but then she pulled an all-nighter just to keep you warm. And you were worried she didn't like you anymore."

I glared at her. "I wasn't worried she didn't like me anymore, I was worried I couldn't get her to come back with me. I still am."

"Listen, Mr. Macho Man--"

"Mr. What now?"

Her eyes went rolling again. "Mr. Macho Man. All you have to do is talk to her. And if you kiss her, she'll melt like chocolate."

"I'm not looking for a melted fiance. And why the 'Mr. Macho Man?'"

She tried to look innocent. "I was paying homage to your thinking you could single-handedly take out twenty orcs on your own."

"On my own?" I snorted. "You were with me and had it stayed twenty we could've done it."

"You wish."

"Are we really gonna hash this out again?"

"Hash what out again?" Tauriel strode up, carrying two bowls. A bag was slung over her shoulder.

I turned away. "Nothing."

Neniel smirked at me as Tauriel handed her a bowl. Then, sitting down next to me, Tauriel gave me the other.

"Eat up. You need it."

"Never could fill up on oatmeal," I muttered.

"I know," she said. "That's why I also brought this." She untied a cloth-wrapped bundle from her belt and unwrapped it, revealing two apples and half a wheel of cheese.

Neniel brightened. "Where'd you get that?"

"The kitchen tent, where else? I'm friends with one of the kitchen helpers." She drew one of her daggers and began to slice the cheese. "Neniel, do you still have the bandages and salve in your tent?"

Neniel nodded. "Yeah. I'll get them."

Tauriel continued methodically cutting until Neniel returned.

After she redressed my shoulder, she tossed Neniel an apple. "They're a bit wrinkled and brown, but still good and sweet inside," she said, slipping the other one into my hand.

"A bit like your relationship," Neniel quipped. "Don't you think?"

"Neniel!" Tauriel snapped.

"Someone had to say it!" Neniel shot back.

"Not you!" She sounded like she was about to cry and I had the uncomfortable feeling that if I had had the courage to look at her face, she would have looked like it too.

"Well, you were taking too long to do it and wasting time. Now, if I leave, will you two promise to talk it out?"

Tauriel didn't answer.

Neniel huffed. "I'll take that as a yes." She glanced at me over her shoulder as she strolled away. "Remember what I said about chocolate."

Tauriel frowned. "Chocolate?"

"Yeah," I said.

"I think I missed something."

I nodded.

There was silence for a few minutes, then she took a deep breath. "Do you think she was right? About the apple thing?" Her fingers toyed with her necklace.

I faced her. "I don't know. Was she?"

"I'm supposed to have the answer?"

"You're the one who makes the decision."

She stared at the necklace in her palm. "I can't."

The top half of her hair was pulled back but only braided loosely. Strands of it fell forward into her face. I twirled one of these around my finger. "Do you know why I came?"

"To take me back with you," she answered.

I shook my head. "No. I came to ask you to come back. And to apologize."

Her head snapped up. "Apologize?"

"Yes." And suddenly, everything was clear. I knew exactly what to say. "When we talked on the river bank, the way I handled the conversation was-- well, l could have responded better. I have no right to treat you that way and I'm sorry. I was angry that you thought you were the reason I couldn't forgive my father."

"I am."

"No. No, you're not. He's the reason I can't forgive him." I lowered my head. "I just-- I can't get past his... ah... unremorse."

She grinned. "That's not even a word."

I laughed. "I couldn't think of a better one." Then I slipped my hands into hers. "I won't force you to come back with me, or even make a descision before you're ready. All I'm asking is that you think about it."

She gazed at my hands. "I--"

"Tauriel!"

She yanked her hands away and snapped to her feet. "Sarnlen."

Turning so that I had a view of his face, I recognized the scout that had been guarding the trail the day before. He looked slightly embarrassed, probably because he had caught us holding hands.

"Uh, you, me, and Halmad are on hunting duty today. We're supposed to leave in ten minutes."

Tauriel's eyes widened. "Oh gosh! I completely forgot. I'll be there in a minute."

Sarnlen nodded. "Ok. I'll, uh, tell Halmad." He all but ran away.

I stood and she looked up at me. "I won't be back until tomorrow. We'll spend the day riding deeper into the mountains and setting up any snares or traps we bring with us. We'll try for deer in the morning since we need to be out before sunrise." Briefly, she touched my hand. "I'll think about what you said."

I smiled. "That's all I ask." I bent down and kissed her cheek. "Good luck hunting," I whispered and strode away.