The Moth & The Flame

Chapter 02 - The Journey Home

Traveling north, they kept as near the eastern shore of the Andiun as safely possible allowing for as much distance between them and the Misty Mountains as well as the forest. Silent in their own thoughts, both Thranduil and Tauriel find themselves becoming more and more aware of their attraction to each other.

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Although the sun was already high in the sky by the time they reached Loeg Ningloron, it did little to warm the chilly winter winds that blew down from the snow covered peaks of the Misty Mountains. They had only stopped once long enough to retrieve their riding cloaks from their packs before Thranduil pushed them back to an almost relentless speed. Warmed by his cloak and body heat as he held her tightly against him, Tauriel still felt the cold stinging her cheeks as the landscape raced passed by them in a blur. Much more accustomed to sprinting on foot in the forest, Tauriel felt as if every bone and muscle in her body ached.

"Come on." Thranduil said quietly as he dismounted, swinging her down with him. "They need to rest and you need walk." He told her as he unfastened the thick cloak and pulled if off his shoulders.

"What about you?" She asked as he wrapped the comforting warmth of the cloak around her shoulders.

"I will be fine." He stated, avoiding the urge to look at her as he fastened it at her neck. "Now walk." He added as he turned her away from him and gave her a gentle push.

"But..." She started, turning around to complain but he had walked away from her and was now already in what appeared to be a deep discussion with Aldalómë.

Angry as she was with him, she didn't really want to fight with him, she hugged the thick cloak tighter around her and simply walked back and forth. The air was still chilly but there was less wind now that they were not racing along banks of the Anduin, her muscles complaining profusely with each step.

"Here, eat this." Rínnänéth said quietly as he approached, handing her a bread roll and a flask of water. "We won't make camp until closer to time for the evening meal. You'll be pretty hungry by then." He told her with a slight smile and abruptly walked away from her.

Leaning against a rock outcropping, she frowned as she weighed the bread roll in her hand for a moment. It felt heavy as if it wasn't quite cooked all the way through. Curious, she bit into it and was pleasantly surprised as the taste of goat cheese filled her mouth. Keeping her head down slightly as she ate, she watched the king as he continued his discussion with Aldalómë now joined by Eluandúnië. His arms were folded across his chest and his expression seemed tense and guarded as he turned in the direction Aldalómë was pointing. He looked tired and cold, making her feel guilty that he had given her his cloak since she did not have one.

"Mount up." Thranduil ordered as he walked toward Maeglir. "Just a little further boy, then we rest for the night." He said quietly laying his cheek against the horses' broad face as he stroked his thick strong neck.

"Is everything alright?" She asked as he led the horse over to her.

"Why wouldn't it be?" He asked as he unfastened the cloak, still not looking at her as he wrapped it around his shoulders.

"What was Aldalómë pointing at?" Tauriel pressed as he swung himself up into the saddle.

"Nothing, now come." He stated, finally looking at her as he reached down toward her, noting the slight redness on her cheeks from the chilly wind. Grasping her hand, he pulled her easily into the saddle in front of him, positioning her in front of him a little more gently than he had the first time.