ema

Tauriel had been inconsolable for a week now. King Thranduil had been kind enough to give the both of you a break from your duties. In truth, both of you were Captains of the Guard and needed to be there, but he knew that she needed you more. The redhead was nestled into your side sleep in her bed as you ran a comforting hand along her spine. Seeing that she was resting, you took the opportunity to leave her room. Losing that dwarf had been hard for her. You had seen the heartbreak written on Legolas' face when he saw her cradling Kili to her chest.

Taking the time to freshen up, you made sure you looked presentable in the emerald green color you always wore. The elves of the realm were hustling and bustling about their everyday lives. Many were preparing to ride back to help the humans and dwarfs rebuild. There was one elf you sought in particular. His chambers were not far from yours.

Legolas was your best friend. You could not understand why you were so nervous as you stood outside of his door. Imagine your surprise when the door opened, and King Thranduil stood there looking down at you. He offered a gentle smile when you snapped out of your trance.

“Forgive me, My Lord,” you said while bowing, “I forget my manners. It will not happen again.”

“That is quite alright, Captain. I take it you are here to see my son,” Thranduil stated, “He was just speaking of you.”

Thranduil didn't say anything else. The king simply went on his way. What could Legolas have told him about you anyway? You had not seen him since returning from battle a week ago. With your usual elf grace, you closed the door and turned to your friend with a smile. He gave you one in return, but it failed to reach his eyes. The packed bags on his bed is what made you falter.

“What is this,” you asked, “Are you going somewhere?”

Legolas did not miss the pain in your voice. He just hated that he was the cause of such a bad thing.

"I am,” he said, “I cannot stay here.”

Is this what Tauriel felt when she lost Kili? There was a literal pain in your chest as you looked at him. Your breathing felt weighted, and you couldn't carry it. The world may as well swallow you; it felt like there was no reason left to be on the surface. Legolas could see the joy dissipate from your eyes. It hurt him worse than seeing Tauriel grieve her love. This is why he had wanted to leave without you knowing.

“Why,” you asked him.

“There is nothing left here for me,” Legolas explained, “We have seen only death and destruction for the last few centuries. There has to be more the world has to offer.”

“Am I nothing, my friend,” you responded.

The elf hadn't thought of his word as thoroughly as he believed he had. You were standing in front of him now, looking up at him through long lashes. Legolas couldn't bear knowing that he was the reason for such a look of devastation on your beautiful face. He wanted nothing more than to hug you and tell you that everything would be alright, but that would give you false hope. It would be better to tell you the truth.

“You are starlight,” he said.

That answer had you floored. The prince moved himself to run his fingers through your hair. This was a new act of affection for both of you. Many times you had held hands and pinched cheeks, but your hair was sacred. Legolas searched for approval in your eyes before doing it with both hands. He pressed a kiss to your forehead to finish the gesture. A wave of foreign emotions flowed through you. You had always been close, but he never displayed any hint of desire for your beyond that of friendship.

“Legolas, what does this mean,” you asked.

“Have you felt nothing for me in all of our years together,” he questioned.

“I...I thought you had eyes for Tauriel,” you told him.

There was a playful grin on his lips at your admission. He looked like the same troubling elfling from years ago, and that made you happy. His happiness always mattered to you the most, even more so than your own.

“These eyes have always followed you. I believed that you had feelings for Tauriel,” he laughed, “It is why I fought to protect her so hard. I did not want you to know pain. I saw how you ached when the dwarf came about.”

“I ached because I thought you hurt about losing her affection,” you explained, “Centuries wasted!”

The young prince finally pulled you into an embrace. He smelt of the greenwood. A true child of the forest, and that scent forever engraved itself into your mind.

“You are still leaving, yes,” you asked.

“I must go, for me,” he said.

“Then let me come with you,” you beamed.

“No! I have seen what loss does. What Ada feels and even Tauriel, I cannot fathom losing you,” he stated, “This is selfish, but please do not grow to hate me, My Starlight.”

How could you hate him when all you ever wanted was for him to be happy? There would never be anything other than adoration and love for him in your heart. That didn't stop you from being angry with him.

“Do what you must, my prince,” you said formally.

Legolas knew you were only reacting in anger, but he was hurt by the lack of friendship in your words. You had boxed him out and made him what he had never been to you, a simple member of the royal family. Watching him leave would be too painful, so you gave him a simple goodbye...a farewell that was unaccustomed between lifelong friends.

“I wish you a safe journey. May you find what you are looking for,” you said.

Legolas followed to plead for you to listen to him. He gave up his pursuit when you made it back to Tauriel's room. That was your last time seeing him. Tauriel was up now. She sat in bed looking at you with broken eyes.

“I did not wish for you to know heartache, my friend,” she said with open arms.

She accepted you into her arms as you sobbed against her chest. Legolas had left during the night, and the kingdom was never the same for you without him.

*Time skip sponsored by me being a hopeless romantic*

While he missed you terribly, he did what he set out to do. He had his share of adventures. Even as a member of the Fellowship, he still thought of you. Were you okay? Had his father taken care of you like he promised that he would? Did you hate him for leaving you behind? It had been so long since your last encounter, but he could perfectly picture you still.

Now, he walked behind Aragorn as they entered Lothlorien. He knew they were being watched and tracked as they ventured deeper into the forest. Gimli's tale of the place was interrupted by its residents. Haldir was the marchwarden that led them to Lorien. However, there was another elf that stood out even with their cloak covering their face.

There was no time for formalities as they were quickly lead to their destination. Legolas could feel his heart trembling with the idea that you were somewhere nearby, but that was impossible. You would never leave the Woodland Realm. Lady Galadriel had welcomed them, and now he sat at the peaceful stream listening to his fellowship comrades going on and on about so many things. The prince excused himself when he caught sight of a shadow moving in the trees. He carefully tailed the figure as it traveled a small distance out into the forest away from guests and citizens of Lorien alike.

“Are you still angry with me after all these years, My Starlight,” he asked to break the silence as you continued to walk with your back to him.

The figure froze and turned for him to see their face as they removed the hood of their cloak from their head. Legolas was elated to see you there with a smile.

“Am I still your starlight, my prince,” you teased.

He bombarded you and wrapped you in a bone-crushing hug while lifting you to spin around. Joyous laughter filled the forest around you. For the first time in ages, you were at peace.

“What are you doing here? How,” he asked.

Legolas refused to let go of you, so you settled into his hold and looked up into those beautiful eyes that you had missed.

“Your father allowed me to come. I could not stand being in the realm without you. It was no longer home,” you told him, “Lady Galadriel welcomed me and accepted me into her kingdom. She made me a marchwarden. Things have been better, but they became grand when she told me that you were coming.”

“I am sorry that I left you behind. It was selfish...,” Legolas was cut off of his rant by you pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

“You did what you thought was right for you. I was angry and hurt before, but I know what you did was for yourself, Meleth,” you assured him.

Leaving home was difficult. You hadn't dreamt that you would ever see him again. The moment you saw him in the forest today, it took all of your strength not to tackle him. He looked more tired than you were used to seeing him, but he was as handsome as you remembered nonetheless.

“I am sorry for the hurt I brought us both,” he said.

“You are on an important journey, Legolas. Your leaving was for the best. I only ask that you never leave me behind again,” you told him.

“Never! Will you join the fellowship? We have been apart for too long, no more,” he said.

“I will follow you for all eternity, Meleth,” you stated.

Legolas raked his fingers through your hair just as he did the last time you saw him, except this time he followed it up with a passionate kiss to your lips. Had you not required oxygen, you would have continued the affection.

“Is that dwarf going to be along for the entire journey,” you teased.

“He grows on you, Starlight,” Legolas smiled, “Come, let us introduce you to the insufferable creature.”