Legolas and Tauriel: What I Did For Love

24: Anguish

A/N: OH THE FEELS!!!! This was sooo sad to write and you guys are gonna hate me for what happens next. But listen to "Rue's Farewell" from The Hunger Games. You'll get the idea.

[Legolas POV]

"Orcs? Where? How far?" I asked.

The scout leaned forward in his saddle. "About eight hours ahead of us. Aranol spotted them. About fifty he said."

I whipped towards Tauriel. "Have the caravan turn around and move double our current pace back towards Rivendell."

She nodded and wheeled her horse around.

"Thank you," I dismissed the guard.

It took us almost an hour to turn the entire caravan and get everyone organized. I cursed when I saw the pace we were setting. Never had it seemed so slow.

"We're never going to make it," I muttered.

"Hey," said Tauriel, slipped her hand through my arm. "We can send a messenger ahead to alert the soldiers at Rivendell. They can send out a detachment to meet us on the plain. If we can make it out of the pass, we have a chance."

"Or we'll just make it so they can slaughter more of us at a time."

"Legolas."

I sighed. "I know, I know. I'm supposed to be a leader. Don't complain." I glanced at the sky. "I think this rain is affecting my mood."

She snorted. "No kidding."

The journey was gruelling for the travellers. Most had done little to no hard travelling in their lives. Plus the mud sucked and pulled at the horses' hooves. Taurwe moved forward and rode with Tauriel for a while.

[Tauriel POV]

"What's the plan?" Taurwe asked me.

"We sent a messenger on ahead. Hopefully, a detachment of soldiers can meet us at the foot of the pass," I answered.

"We?"

"Well, technically, Legolas and I are both heads of the caravan. But I find it easier to let him have the final say."

Taurwe frowned. "Just don't let him push you around."

"What!" I glanced backwards where Legolas was moving down the line of travelers, encouraging them and checking on them.

He shrugged. "Don't let him take advantage of you. You know, like, not let you make any of the decisions."

I looked at him in disbelief. "Legolas would never do that. I've known him all my life. His character doesn't permit it."

"Still. Friends can change."

"This one won't." I stared at him. "Is something wrong?"

"What? Why?"

"You don't like Legolas?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "I just... I feel like he's not telling us all about himself. He's hiding something."

Uh oh. The last thing I needed was him finding out Legolas was a prince before we told him we were engaged. He'd think I was marrying him for his position. "Legolas?" I answered, trying to sound skeptical. "He's honest as the day is long."

"Are you sure you know him as well as you think?"

"Taurwe," I sighed, "I've known him almost my entire life."

"Still, be careful. Please?"

I smiled. "I'm always careful."

He snorted. "Yeah right."