"You cannot go with me. You know you need rest."

Legolas came to a halt, closing his eyes. Why was it so difficult to him? After all, had he not known that she would follow him, no matter where he went? She was very much like him – in the past, he had done exactly the same thing for her. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that his father was the one to bring her up after her parents had left. Maybe this kind of loyalty was something passed on in this bloodline, and despite her not being the king's daughter, she had somehow inherited this trait from her guardian.

Although he had told her to leave, there she stood: motionless and proud, fierceness shining in her green eyes. Legolas had always liked their hue, it made her look like she was a part of the forest. Of Greenwood. That was where she belonged... and he did not think he would be coming back. That was why she could not go.

Because although she was now badly hurt, it would not be the first time when she had set off in such a state. Yes, he was worried about her health, but it had never stopped her from going. And he was not the one to stop her, either. This reason was much more important. Tauriel was still young and right now, she was a great officer of the wooden elves; this was who she was supposed to be. She was not to be banished from the kingdom forever, even though he had chosen such a fate for himself.

One day she might become a queen herself. After all, Thranduil had no other heir but him and now, as he had chosen to leave and search for the Strider, he had none. Tauriel was the one he had always favoured the most and who had always done all she could to make him proud of her. She deserved this title more than anyone else.

"Who do you think I am to let you go by yourself?" she asked, a mysterious smirk playing upon her lips. Legolas could not help but smile himself. Although hurt, she had not lost herself in the battle. Even though she had lost so much more.

He closed his eyes thinking of the battle that had just ended. The dead elves on the ground... the deceased dwarves all around... and amongst them, there was the one who had somehow managed to steal the young elf's heart... something he had never managed to achieve, no matter how hard he had tried. He had seen how she had been looking at the dwarf... what she had done for him... had she not risked being banished just to save him from his fate? And what for? Now, he lay buried in the ground in the depths of the Lonely Mountain...

Those memories were something that pushed him towards this decision. He could not look her in the eye; he did not want to see her cry.

"This is not your fate, Tauriel," he whispered, glancing up at her. His voice, though, did not scare her away. She did not look like she was to turn back now. She had made up her mind. "Go back to Lasgalen. My father has already forgiven you, and... and this is your home. This is where you should stay."

"I can't believe it's you who's saying this, Legolas," she replied, frowning slightly. Her green eyes met his icy-blue ones, even though he had tried to make her turn her face away. "You are not the one to leave his friends in need... and neither am I." Having taken a step forward, she adjusted the bow on her back and added, "I am going with you."

A part of the young prince's heart fluttered with happiness and relief. Hardly ever did he leave the kingdom on his own; usually they went everywhere together, and right now, the quest no longer seemed to be some kind of banishment. It was yet another journey with his lifelong friend; one of many. And yet, somehow he could not bear the thought of her leaving her safe home to go with him. This was not her fate.

"You don't even know where I'm going," he told her, shaking his head. "This journey is going to be long and hard, and I'm not even sure what it is I'm going to meet at the end of the path. Neither of us know what dangers are lurking in the dark."

"Have I ever faltered? Tell me, Legolas, have I ever stepped back afraid of the dangers?" Tauriel reached her hand out to the prince, knowing he would take it. And after a moment of hesitation, his fingers gently touched hers. "This is why I cannot let you go by yourself. How could I ever go home, knowing you are far away, facing so much evil and darkness that no elven heart could bear it? Your father will forgive me my disobedience this one more time, but I am not going back to Lasgalen."

A soft shadow rushed across Legolas' face, but finally, he smiled and helped Tauriel to get closer. She still limped after the battle but her body was already healing. And it was going to heal much sooner than her broken heart.

"You know we might not be going back home this time, right?"

Tauriel tightened her grip on his hand.

"I've never assumed we will be going back."