The Moth & The Flame

Chapter 07 - Unexpected Visitors

As the Winter Solstice Celebration approaches in the Woodland Realm, Thranduil finds himself far less festive as he would have preferred with the unannounced arrival of his son. Tauriel finds herself caught between the two people that mean the most to her. Unexpected visitors create turmoil within her, forcing her to choose one only to lose the other forever.

***********************************************

Feeling overly stifled within the confines of her rooms, Tauriel longed for the freedom of the forest where she could run, feel the wind in her face and listen to the many voices of the rivers, streams and the animals that lived there. Wandering aimlessly through the familiar labyrinth of corridors in the lower levels of the palace, she struggled with myriad of feelings and unanswered questions that plagued her.

A soft smile touched her lips as she thought of Kili, with his happy smiling face and bright eyes so full of hope. She no longer felt pain with his memory, there was only the deep sadness of what might have been. She knew the sadness would also fade in time and she would be able to remember him with fondness. There was still so much pain in her heart when she thought of Legolas, abandoning her without even saying goodbye after what they had been to each other. Her pain was overshadowed by her anger at having been betrayed by him where the king had at least been forthright with her.

"Really Laûrläéthëe, you should have let me know you were coming." Thranduil stated softly, his voice echoing in the spacious chamber. "I would have sent an escort to ensure your safety." He continued, the disapproval in his tone was clear.

Ducking quickly into the shadows, Tauriel felt her heart leap into her throat at the sound of his voice. Pressing even tighter against the stone wall, she watched them as they came into view in the meditation room below.

"Thranduil please." Laûrläéthëe stated, her frustration as evident as his disapproval. "The last thing I wanted was for naneth nîn (My mother) or you to worry about me. Lord Fládëithnôr took care of everything."

"It is my responsibility to worry about you." He stated, bringing her hands to his lips briefly. "Your naneth (Mother) would have a piece of my hide should anything happen to you."

"Don't be silly!" Laûrläéthëe laughed as she squeezed his hands. "Naneth (Mother) knows how stubborn I can be and she absolutely adores you."

Turning quickly, Tauriel struggled against the threat of tears as she fled through the corridors toward the safety of her rooms. Forcing a smile and a nod to each passersby, she had not realized how far she had wandered while lost on her thoughts. It seemed as if it take forever before the door of her rooms loomed before her. Entering quickly, she nearly slammed it closed and leaned heavily against it.

Blinking at the tears that stung the backs of her eyes, the image of them and familiarity they seemed to share renewed her anger at him. She didn't know who this Laûrläéthëe was, only that she was beautiful and Sindar. Thranduils' reaction to not being informed of her visit made it obvious to her that she was of noble birth or at least important enough to warrant a royal escort. She found his comments about her mother rather disconcerting to say the least, causing her to wonder from where she had traveled for him to be so concerned about angering her.

Hugging herself as if she were cold, she walked slowly toward the yawning dark mouth of the hearth. It was too early for the servants to be making their way through the inhabited rooms to light the fires. Collecting the flint from the mantel, she knelt before the hearth and set about the task of lighting it herself. The evening meal was at least an hour away, but she knew she would not be going there tonight. There were enough dried fruits and nuts in her small cupboard to sustain her for a few nights she and could get more from the kitchen if she needed. Hanging the small teapot on the hook near the flames and walked over to the comfortable chair. Sinking into it, she tucked her legs beneath her and watched the tiny flames.