Memories of a Broken Heart

egolas cursed under his breath, in the forbidden Black Speech of Mordor
something he had not done for a long time, as the soldier closed the kingdom
gates firmly shut and turned the key. The soldier handed the key to Legolas
who placed it in his pocket. King Thranduil had ordered the people of

Mirkwood to stay within the confines of his kingdom until the darkness had past. How could
he, Legolas Greenleaf, the son and heir of Thranduil Greenleaf have been so naive? Why had
he not seen this coming? Granted, he may not have had powers that matched that of Lady of
Lrien, but, he thought hed known Tauriel. The Tauriel that he'd known would not have
abandoned her post as captain of the Elven guard for the mere heart of a Dwarf. For many
years, he had considered her to be his friend and would have made her his queen when his
Lord father eventually passed, knowing that he would not approve of such a thing. There had
always been strife in the kinship between that of the Dwarfs and the Elves dating back to the
Second Age this much of history was true and could be found deep within the halls of
Minas Tirith. Could two such stubborn settlements start to build bridges in their kinship in
order to protect their homeland? Could Tauriel be the key? Or, would Thranduil have to show
more acceptance in the Dwarfs mission to reclaim Erebor?
Legolas had since seen a new twinkle in Tauriels eyes, already the brightest grey, that had
never been there before. He had grown curious about her affections and loyalty since they'd
rescued Thorin and his company from the army of Arachnids that continued to swarm the
deepest, darkest part of Mirkwood; and made them their prisoners. She had forced them to
hand over their weapons before shoving each of them into a cell within the fortress. Thranduil
had called for her to speak about the task at hand. She explained to her king that a new army
of spiders continually forced their way into the kingdom after she and the guard had wiped
out the others. She then proceeded to offer the idea that an old enemy may be behind the
attacks but Thranduil would not see reason and brushed the idea off. Later that evening,
Legolas had followed and spied on Tauriel whilst she took the night watch of the captives.
Had he not seen her, sat outside the cell of the taller one, Kli or whatever his name was,
before Thorin and his company mysteriously escaped right under her nose?
Yes.

He had certainly noticed a change within her that compromised the safety of Mirkwood.
Tauriel had decided to disregard the orders of her king and neglect her position as protector of
the kingdom. Legolas found himself, yet again, in the need of Thranduils council although
hed already made up his mind about his next movements. He was going to go after Tauriel
regardless of the consequences that his actions would bring upon him. She might be an
excellent swordsman and handy with a bow, he thought, but she would not be able to survive
an attack from a pack of Orcs on her own. She would be dead for certain.

Father!
Thranduil was in deep discussion with members of the Elven council, probably about the
Kingdom under the Mountain, when Legolas had taken the final few steps to the throne
platform at a jump causing several of the older Elves to start. Legolas allowed himself a
smirk. Ever since hed been a young Elf, he was always running through the halls of the
palace, occasionally breaking some sacred treasure or other, much to the dismay and anguish
of his Lord father. Legolas looked very much like his king. They both had long blonde hair
that flowed past their shoulders, brilliant blue eyes like that of the midday sky on a summers
day, and a long, straight nose. However, the only difference was that Legolas had inherited
his mothers square jaw and had tied three strands of hair into braids which Thranduil had
become very fond of.
Father, may I speak with you?
Thranduil concluded the discussion, apologised for the interruption and dismissed his
council. The older members who had jumped at his appearance sneered down their noses at
Legolas as they took their leave, and began the long climb down the stairs. Thranduil waited
patiently until the head of the last elf disappeared out of sight, all the while observing his son
taking notice of the rigidness of his posture, and pushed himself off the throne. Legolas was
roughly the same height as his Lord father but the crown of golden elf wood and autumn
leaves added another couple of inches.

Precede, said Thranduil, infuriately, adjusting his robes so that he was more comfortable.
This had better be important, Legolas. You have just interrupted a very important discussion,
dating back almost six decades, regarding the Elves participation in the war that will come
from the Dwarfs taking back the Kingdom of Erebor from Smaug.
Legolas took a long, deep breath. He knew that the next few words would be like firing an
arrow directly into his fathers heart. Erebor has been lost for almost six decades to that
monstrosity, who, might I remind you had no right. You could have helped them all those
years ago but stood back and watched. Do you not think nows the time that the Dwarfs
reclaimed their homeland and took back the Kingdom under the Mountain? Start to rebuild
their lives?
You may have struck a bargain with the Dwarfs during the Second Age, but, youre blinded
to reclaim the diamonds that you think are rightfully yours. You clearly have no other interest
in Erebor than what lies beneath that mountain! I dont wish to remind you, but, you seem to
have forgotten that a dragon has guarded the treasure for six decades and the greed of a
dragon can be poisonous.
Thranduils face hardened and his eyes flashed and crackled with an electrical current.
You were only a small child when this bargain was made. Do not tell me what you think I
am and am not interested in. These jewels were of great value to me and would have bought
Mirkwood wealth beyond that you would not believe, snapped his Lord father, briskly
pushing himself up from his throne. Any mortal human would have flinched and taken a step
back at this aggressive motion, but, Legolas after years of warrior training stood firm.
Unfazed. If the Dwarfs even make it into that mountain; and Smaug is awoken and killed,
then all the Kingdoms of Middle Earth will want to take back what was promised to them
almost half a century ago. Will they not? Was this not the reason for the rift between our kind
and the Dwarfs?
No, thought Legolas, bitterly, running his hand across the wood of his bow as his father
waffled on. It was your refusal and ignorance to help them when Smaug first took Erebor for
himself.

Enough talk of this, we are not here to discuss our history, finished Thranduil, putting his
foot down. Why do you seek my council? You seem troubled.
Legolas was caught off guard. He was amazed at the abruptness to which his father had
bought the conversation to a grinding halt. For a moment, he had forgotten the reason as to
why hed come seeking council from his father in the first instance but then remembered
Tauriel and her betrayal. He would need to play the next conversation carefully. Thranduil
was already upset about his insolence, and he knew that if he made the wrong move he
might as well have gone into battle without his most faithful weapon. He and Tauriel would
be banished and her position as the Captain of the Elven guard would be stripped from her.
He would no longer have a queen. He treaded tentatively.
Why was I not granted the honour of becoming Captain of the Elven guard? Why did you
choose Tauriel?
Thranduil
What do you mean, Legolas?
The night after you had spoken to her about the Dwarfs and my fondness towards her, I
made the decision to follow her whilst she took the night watch of our prisoners. I made quite
sure that Tauriel didnt see me as she would have thought me unjust. She disregarded the
others and took rest outside the cell of the taller one. I warned you that he had taken shine to
her in the forest which angered me deeply.
Thranduil walked over to the table in the corner of the platform, poured himself a glass of
Elvish mead, whilst listening to his son as he continued, and offered a glass to Legolas who
politely declined.
She started talking to him about stars and lights, and then he presented her with what I can
only describe as a pebble. I couldnt see the inscription but he was talking to her about it and
its meaning. She tried to refuse him but he insisted that she kept it as a token.

Thranduil finished his mead and put the glass back down on the table. He surveyed his son
with piercing blue eyes. Have you spoken to Tauriel about this?
No.
I dont think it would be wise. She obviously has feelings for this Dwarf that we cannot
control. I have tried to convince her that they mean nothing, but, I dont think she really
understood.
Will she be able to remain in Mirkwood if she has fallen for this Dwarf? asked Legolas. I
wouldnt want to see her homeless.
Im afraid not, said Lord Thranduil. I will not allow Dwarfs to brush shoulders with our
kind. They are no more welcome here than a pack of Orcs!
Legolas turned to leave. Was there anything else? his father asked.
No.
He left with one thing in mind: Save Tauriel.