Playing with Fire [Legolas/Tauriel]

10: A Little Lonely

Chapter 10

The dungeons of the Woodland Realm were one of its most boasting elements. They stretched for miles, though many of the cells were unused. The bars of each cell were made of jade, completely impenetrable by any weapon, the walls a thick and sturdy marble. King Thranduil had perfected the form of his dungeons early; once the creature was in, there was no escape.

The Dwarves seemed to sense this, because they fought even more as they were deposited into their individual cells.

Legolas watched, amused, as they shouted and struggled, “This isn’t the end of it! Ya hear me?”

His eyes involuntarily flicked to where Tauriel was pushing the tall Dwarf— Kili was his name— into his cell.

“Aren’t you going to search me?” He asked her. “I could have anything down my trousers.”

Tauriel watched him, unfazed. “Or nothing.” She slammed the bars shut, but Legolas saw the Dwarf looking through the bars at her, a small smile playing on his lips.

He stopped her as she walked past him, speaking in Elvish so that they would not be understood. “Why does the Dwarf stare at you, Tauriel?”

“Who can say?” She snapped. Then she looked away, and the smile on the Dwarf’s face was mirrored on hers on hers for a mere moment. It was brief, but Legolas caught it. “He’s quite tall for a Dwarf. Don’t you think?”

“Taller than some,” Legolas couldn’t believe what he was hearing, or seeing. “But no less ugly.” Throwing one last glare at Kili, he stalked after Tauriel, leaving the Dwarves to their own devices.

“Tauriel, that Dwarf is not our friend—right?”

“Of course, my prince,” Tauriel responded without looking at him. They were starting up the stairs to the throne room now. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“My prince?” Legolas stopped her with his hand this time. “Tauriel, what is going on? You haven’t called me that for a very long time.”

She turned away, trying to brush his hand away. “But you are the prince. Shouldn’t I show respect?”

Legolas straightened. He knew exactly what was going on. He recalled Tauriel in Eyela’s chambers, and how uncomfortable she had looked.

“Tauriel.” He tried to look at her, but her eyes wandered away from his. “What exactly did Eyela say to you?”

She stiffened, but not because of the question. A dark haired figure was walking, no, running towards them.

Eyela threw herself into Legolas’s arms. He caught her, and held her fast, only to see the change in Tauriel’s eyes. She looked down at the floor, as if she had been defeated.

“You’re back!” Eyela smiled warmly at him. “What took you so long? I really don’t know why you bother with jobs the Guard ought to be doing.” Her eyes flashed to Tauriel, and Legolas felt his temper flare.

“I go because I want to, Eyela. The Guard has nothing to do with it.” He kept his voice gentle, but firm.

Though his insides were burning, he placed a gentle kiss atop his future bride’s forehead before setting her on her feet. He turned to Tauriel and opened his mouth to ask her something, but was interrupted.

“You are such a warrior.” Eyela crooned, running her hand over his shoulder armor. “Just invincible.”

“Well, it’s not like I’ve never been injured.” Legolas and Tauriel exchanged a look, and he knew they were thinking of the same memory.