The Lost Hope

Chapter XXIII

Tauriel's pov

I continue to cry as I head out of the castle. I decided to walk towards the wall where the attack happened, carrying the orc arm in my hand. I get strange looks from the elves I pass, but I didn't care.

I walk past the training ground, and pause as I spot Legolas. He was teaching the elves to swing a sword properly, and the more he swung his sword, the more fascinated by his fighting style.

I look away, embarrassed to just stand and stare at him. I continue to walk, not looking back at him.

I was falling for Legolas, I was certain of it. I wish that he could share the same affection back.

My mind continues to wander as I reach the wall. Chandra was waiting for me, waving to me as I approach her.

"What did Thranduil think of it?" She asks me.

I shrug. "He seemed confused by it's meaning. I asked if it could be Sauron, but he said that was highly unlikely."

She nods, walking towards the guard post nearby. I follow her, curious about what she would say about it.

She suddenly stops, turning towards me.

"For Mordor's sake put that arm down."

I was a little shocked, then chuckle as I set the arm on the ground. My hands were a little bloody from the arm, but it was easy to wipe it off on my shirt.

Chandra laughs, heading back towards our destination. We enter the post and the elf that was stationed there nods to us.

"You can go home now." Chandra says.

"Thank you." He nods at us again before leaving. Chandra takes a seat next to the wall. I stand at the window of the watch out, looking out at the forest.

"I am worried about Legolas." I say, more to myself than to Chandra.

"I worry for him too." She says. "I haven't heard of this curse, but Serion told me about it today. It appears to be one of the more serious curses."

I look back at her. She gives me a soft, yet saddened expression. "Is that why you were crying?" She asks me.

"You knew about that?" I ask shocked.

"Your face was still red, and no it wasn't from the orc blood."

I smile, but it quickly fades. "Chandra... does love hurt?"

She sighs. "Love has a way of toying with our emotions. One person can love another without the love being returned. Both can love each other, but one of them dies." She looks at me. "So love can hurt, but that doesn't stop people from loving anyway."

I look back out at the forest. "I feel like I have already been hurt by love, but I can't remember how."

Chandra shifts in her seat. "Well Tauriel, any past heartbreak shouldn't stop you from loving again. I haven't opened up since Amandir died, and I have felt lonely since then. Don't shut Legolas out if you have experienced heartache."

I nod. I knew my feelings toward Legolas were there, but I didn't understand why I was hesitating. I should be talking to him, being his friend like Lord Thranduil told me to.

I look at Chandra, and she smiles at me. "Would you like to go talk to him?"

I smile back. It was like she read my mind. "Yes."

She waves at me. "Then go see him."

I laugh then turn and hurry out of the guard post. My mind was racing, thinking about what I would say to Legolas.

—

I reach the training grounds as the training was starting to end. Legolas ended with archery, and he was talking to the group about positioning of the hand on the bow. I watch him for a little, nerves growing inside me.

What if he walks away, not bothering to talk to me? What if he tells me he doesn't want to be around me? What if...

Knock it off Tauriel! I mentally yell to myself. I knew that the more I worried, the worse my interaction would be with Legolas.

Legolas dismisses the group, and all the elves happily departed. Most of them went back to the village area, but some of them stuck around to practice their archery.

Legolas grabs his bow and some more arrows. He aims and shoots at the board. The arrow flies through the air rapidly, before hitting the target in the middle.

I slowly approach him, almost shaking from my anxiety. When I reach him, he had already shot four more arrows, all hitting the center of the board.

"Nice shots." I say, making him turn to me sharply. He relaxes when he sees me, and turns back to the board.

"Thank you." He says, pulling out another and shooting it. It was another good hit.

I shift my feet uncomfortably, waiting for him to say something. He didn't say anything, but kept shooting arrows.

What was I doing?

I turn around and start to walk away, my heart sinking. He wasn't interested in talking to me, and somehow, I knew that before coming here.

"Tauriel."

I pause, turning to look at Legolas. He was looking at me. My heart starts thudding in my chest.

"How have you been?" He asks, making me pause.

"I have been good. What about you?"

He nods at me. "As good as I can knowing that I have been cursed." He places his bow on his back, walking over to a bench that didn't sit far away. He left half of the bench for me, and I nervously sit down next to him.

"Have they planned your journey yet?" I ask, trying to spark some conversation.

Legolas shakes his head. "My father said he would decide today who would come with me. He hasn't gotten back to me."

I look down at my hands. I was too nervous to do anything but fidget with my sleeve.

"I would think that he would send you with some of the best warriors." I say.

Legolas was silent, he was obviously troubled by something, and I didn't know what to do about it.

I was about to speak when a messenger elf runs up to us, bowing at Legolas.

"Prince Legolas, Lord Thranduil requests your presence."

Legolas nods, waving at the elf in dismissal. Once the elf left, Legolas sighs.

"Can I catch a break?" He asks, more as a statement.

I chuckle as he stands. Legolas looks at me, and I notice his soft expression in his face. It made my heart flutter. As soon as I noticed it though, his expression grew colder, almost making me shift uncomfortably.

"Have a good night." Legolas says as he walks away from me.

My heart sank. I was just starting to believe that he was going to be friendly to me, but he still held that distance from me. It made me frustrated.

I wish I could recall why.