"Who is it?" I ask, my voice dry and shallow, in response to a knock at the door. 

"Legolas." I jump off of the bed and power walk to the door, opening it slowly. There the Prince of Greenwood stands, perhaps more handsome than last I saw him eight months past. 

"Hir-nin..." 

"Mellon-nin, come. Walk with me," He greets and gestures for me to follow him. I obey and trail him for a time until he stops in a small clearing in the glades, "Sit, Tauriel." 

"Legolas, I am not deserving of this." 

"You surely are. Now sit, we must speak." He instructs, sincere are his words. I reluctantly sit down against a tree as he picks a spot on the springy, soft grass. The words I had meant to speak are choked down either by fear or by pride. 

"I am so very sorry for what happened, mellon," I finally croak, "I hurt you badly that day when I could only think of my own pain. I was so absorbed in death that I cast you, mellon-nin, out. And I am very guilty for it." 

"Tauriel, you are forgiven. It took me months to do so, but I am happy that I have. I harbored the pain so long that I worsened my injuries and nearly died because of my suffering. It was not your fault, entirely. There were many things which wounded me, that I have or am recovering from," He answers kindly and looks me in the eyes, "Really, I must thank you. If you had not fallen in love with Kili and hurt me in the process, then I would not have come to Imladris and met the wonderful people I have." 

"I'm sorry that it happened that way, though, Legolas. It drove you to the brink of oblivion." 

"Yes, indeed. Nigh fatal did it prove." 

"Yet you forgive me..." 

"Tauriel, you are in much greater pain than I. It shows in your eyes and air.To not forgive you and lead an existence of guilt and regret would hurt worse. I needed to talk with you, and reconcile," He sits up, "I am told you sail for Valinor soon."

"I will."

"You are making the right decision for yourself, Tauriel."

"I did not think you would say that."

"I can still be surprising, can I not?" He chuckles. I join in and lean back, feeling my heart lighten. This was the way it was before the dwarves entered Greenwood. Before his father cared. Before everything collapsed. It feels so refreshing to relive it now.

"Will you sail, Legolas?" He sighs, shaking his head.

"Nay, Tauriel. Not as of yet. Lord Elrond sees that I have an important role to play in the near future, which is partly what convinced me not to fade or sail for Valinor already."

"Is there anyone you are staying for?"

"Keen you are, Tauriel," He compliments, leaning closer, "Yes."

"Who!?"

"I cannot tell."

"Surely you can!"

"Nay!"

"Have I met her? Seen her?" 

"Perhaps." 

"What does she look like? What is her personality? Legolas, mellon-nin, can't you tell me?" 

"T'would give her away. We both agreed to stay secret until the right time." I sigh. 

"Is there a reason you have kept this secret?" 

"Many." 

"Very well, though I demand to be one of the first to meet her!" We both break out into laughter and embrace as friends. True friends. Once we calm down, he becomes more serious. 

"Tauriel, I must ask of you a favor." 

"Of course, Legolas. What is it?" 

"I would like for you to take a few things to Valinor with you, and deliver them to the appropriate recipients." 

"I shall do so with pride, Legolas. What are these 'items'?" 

"Letters, gifts, journals,.. many a thing." 

"Fine, keep your secrets, mellon." 

"I shall. You shall learn, soon enough." 

"I anticipate the knowledge with great excitement." He smiles cheekily. We spend a few more hours talking, catching up, and reliving precious moments of our past, reforging our friendship. At dusk we head back for dinner and he sits beside me. He is as light and happy as I, and I am glad to see the shine in his eyes again. 

I hope he reveals this secret lover soon. I owe her a great deal of gratitude for bringing him back around. He may not have said it explicitly, but I know that she did wonders for him. 

I hope that any Tauriel fans out there enjoyed this chapter! Thanks!

~Uilosris