Author's note: I am back! Another year later! I FINALLY have a headway for this story - thank you to those who commented. They really helped. While on a trip to Tanzania in July, I was hit with an epiphany and suddenly the story unfolded itself in front of me. If you're still around, I really hope you enjoy this - I am so excited to write it. :)

I didn't think I needed to explain that the woods were my favourite place in the world to be. 

I guess it was a given - my name literally meant 'daughter of the woods' in Sindarin. But even after 600 years, I simply couldn't convey the wonder that captured my heart every time I found myself alone amongst the trees, watching the sunlight filter through the reddened leaves and glisten on the crevices of the great gnarled trunks. There was such old, ancient magic to them that I found myself wrapped up in, that sent me straight back to my Elfling days.

It was a late hour of a lazy morning, and I had just finished my drills with the guards, stationing them around the woods and making them go through some light training exercises. Today was one of those smooth, gilded mornings, when everyone was beginning to tire but no one was in a foul mood - everyone leaned on each other, poked fun at each other. Even I had found myself giggling with the new recruits every once in a while. After sending them off and patrolling by myself for a while, I had ventured a little farther than usual from my usual territory, wandering through the woods in the silence. I didn't mind though. It was not like my presence would be missed.

Just as I began considering heading back, something in the tone of the quiet changed. It was something so small, a mere ripple in the water; I knew it was only because of my intrinsic warrior instincts that I was even able to sense it. The air had shifted slightly - something had tipped. Something was wrong. 

I quietly slid out my dagger just as the orcs burst out from the bushes.

Spinning and bracing myself as I had done so many times before, I swiped the first one across the face before it could bring its weapon down on me. I jumped an arrow that was meant for my waist and brought my leg up to kick an orc in the face, before swerving a jab to the stomach and continuing the fight.

They kept coming, and I kept killing, like I had so many times before. But now, something felt off. I didn't want to...kill. I didn't want to fight anymore. 

I shook off the feeling as I fought off the orcs. These were orcs - I had to kill them, protect my kingdom. So many had fallen at my blades before - why was I hesitating now? My dagger slipped, letting my guard fall a bit before I sealed up the gap again.

I didn't want to fight. I didn't want to fight.

It's alright, love, a voice said in my ear as I sliced left and right. My heart beat fast, but in the blur of the moment, this didn't seem strange for some reason. 

You may be immortal, but inside we are all human. Allow yourself to feel. Trust your gut. Do what you feel is right. You know what is best.

An orc tried to wrench a dagger from my hand with a clever trick, but I countered his move with one of my own, twisting my hand backwards and punching my blade into its gut. It yelped and fell to the ground.

Behind you! I spun around, slicing an orc's throat who was advancing on me from behind.

Go Tauriel! You can do it! 

After a while, the growls of the orcs faded as I was left standing alone amongst the bodies that were littered around my feet. Panting, I hastily wiped my daggers on the edge of my skirt and sheathed them, staring down at what I had done.

I must go now, Tauriel, the voice said. 

Wait, I pleaded. Don't go. Don't leave me.

Kili chuckled, wherever he was, the sound like tinkling bells to my ears. I'm never gone, Tauriel. he said, the breeze blowing his presence away. I'm always by your side.

I felt his spirit leave me completely, carried away by the wind as if he was never there. But I felt lighter somehow, even despite my breakdown while fighting. Something within me had settled - Kili had helped it to. 

At some point, while staring into those gaping eyes of the orcs that lay dead by my feet, I came to two conclusions: one, if the Woodland Realm didn't open up soon and reforge its alliances with the other kingdoms, and with these attacks constantly occurring and growing in frequency and scale at an alarming rate, we were definitely going to fall. An idea floated into my mind, perhaps a way to potentially rekindle an old relationship between two very different kingdoms, and I made a mental note to tell Thranduil as soon as I got back.

I will keep you alive, my love, I said into the wind, not knowing if he could hear me or not. A light breeze simply caressed by my face in answer, bringing tendrils of my hair across to tickle my nose. I swatted them away, a smile tugging at my lips. 

And the second conclusion; killing was all I had done for hundreds of years. I didn't want to do it anymore.

Even killing for my kingdom...something within me had shifted over these past months. I no longer felt like gloating to my fellow guards about the number of orcs I had slain, or felt the glow and pride that I did after a battle like I did before. The world had changed. So had I.

A great war was coming. I knew that. And when it came, I would fight for the world I knew with everything I had.

But until then, unless I needed to truly defend myself, I would stow away the swipes and slashes and stabs. No longer would I bear the blood on my hands; not even those of orcs. If it came to it, I would even hand over my position as Captain of the Guard. To someone who could carry the title with less regret than I did.

I had seen it in Legolas' eyes the moment he walked in; noticed the shift in his personality the second I saw him. The reason he had walked away from the ruins of Ravenhill all those months ago.

Life; it was precious. I knew what it was like now to have it taken away. 

I wouldn't take any more away any longer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the late afternoon, after I had stowed my uniform and my weapons away at home, I breezed through the winding paths of Thranduil's halls, nodding at the guards whom I passed. It was a Sunday, so everyone was wound down - guards chatted merrily to one another, as servants' children scurried around causing havoc, gaining clucks of disapproval from their parents. I smiled as I dodged a running Elfling and his friend who both had ribbons streaming from their hands, chasing each other. If only more people knew about the moments like these, I wondered as I walked, their perception of our kingdom would be greatly changed. We were just like everyone else; children, friends, families, but we had shut ourselves away. Locked ourselves and all we were away from the world, hiding deep within our trees. The tales about us warped and changed as we didn't confirm them, as people discussed and gossiped what they thought we were like. No wonder nobody liked us.

I hoped to change that.

Judging by the lack of guards by the empty throne, I presumed Thranduil was off somewhere - perhaps meeting with the governors. They met every fortnight, to discuss matters like the borders, the harvest, and how the citizens were faring in general. I didn't particularly desire to intrude a meeting and making a fool of myself - lose my conviction and stutter myself down to the lowly Silvan guard that I was - because I knew what I wanted, and knew it was for the good of the realm. I wouldn't be afraid of a couple of ancient politicians. If Thranduil was busy, I would request a private audience with him. Simple as that.

I soon approached the great oak doors of the boardroom, their huge carved stature dwarfing me in comparison. The hall was ancient - built in the Second Age, by one of the first Silvan Kings. Board after board had met here; it was an ancient order. I hoped they would accept my idea despite my lowly position in society compared to theirs.

Crossing my fingers and taking a breath, I knocked on the door.

A kind-eyed elf opened the door, her greying eyebrows flicking up in surprise. "Hello dear," she said, smiling slightly.

I cleared my throat, squaring my shoulders. "I would like to speak with King Thranduil, if he is here," I said in lieu of a reply. Better to get right to the point.

The elf holding the door opened it further, allowing me in. The roof of the chamber rose high almost beyond my sight, swirling to a point at the top like the roots of a giant tree. Lamps hung from the walls and sat upon the low-lying tables scattered around the room; it actually looked quite comfortable, if anything. But my eyes were on the pale blond head that rose from a map on the large stone table in the centre of the room, waiting for his eyes to land on me.

"Tauriel," Thranduil said, his eyes softening as he straightened from the desk. "What can I do for you?"

My heart beat in my ears unnecessarily as all eyes turned to me. "If you have time my lord, I have a proposition for you - for our kingdom," I offered, shoving down my anxiety. Suddenly, my idea didn't seem all that great in front of all of these politicians who had spent thousands of years governing over a kingdom.

Thranduil raised his eyebrows at my proposal, looking to his advisers. I tapped my foot."We are listening," he finally replied. "Tell us."

I took a deep breath, feeling the air wash through my body, and let it out, then started to speak.

"My lords and ladies, our world is changing," I began, spreading my arms out like I was giving a speech. "In light of recent events, old scars of our kingdom have resurfaced and we have been reminded that if we do not change our ways, it could mean us being left behind in the world of today. Pardon me, my lord Thranduil, but I do not think we can continue the way we are. Something has to change. If it does not, I fear for our kingdom's future."

I reined in a huff of satisfaction, tapping my fingers against my sides as Thranduil and his governors looked to each other, surprise on their faces. What I had just done - it was bold for someone of my stature. But this wasn't about me, or my rank in society - this was about my kingdom. The most respect I could show for it was to question its ways in order to make it better.

Thranduil finally turned to me, his eyes unreadable. I swallowed the lump in my throat. "What do you propose?" he asked.

Relief flooded through my body as I spoke, each word now fuelled with a newfound energy. They wanted to hear it - they hadn't told me outright to leave. That was a good sign. "I think we should reopen our trade and rekindle our alliances with Erebor and Dale," I said. One of the governors opened his mouth to object, but I cut him off before he could. "We know now that they are valuable allies - and if we foster meaningful relationships with them, all of our kingdoms would prosper. We all have assets that are useful to all - regardless of whether they are Elf, Man or Dwarf. It's a new world, my lords. We must be ready for it."

Many of the governors stared, their eyebrows flicked up at my words, some even looking offended, but I stood tall as they muttered to Thranduil and he raised a hand to silence them. My king, my tentative friend, looked to me with kind eyes. "My governors and I support the proposition, Tauriel," he said, a hint of a smile dancing on his lips. "I am glad you spoke of this. You are right - recent events have proved that things cannot remain the way they are. Thank you."

My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in surprise, and I opened my mouth to thank him, but he continued. "If this is to work, you are to journey to Erebor and Dale and ask King Dain II and the new King of Dale if they will accept our proposal. Legolas and the ranger, Strider, will accompany you, and as representatives of the realm, you shall see this forth. Thank you again, Tauriel," he finished, bowing his head.

I bowed mine in return, and turned and left the chamber, still half in shock that he had said yes. I honestly didn't think I could do it. Fighting, training, guarding - that was all Thranduil knew me for. Deal maker? It must have surprised him. Perhaps even more than it had surprised me.

Turning down a path that led towards the gardens, I walked with a new sense of purpose towards where I guessed Legolas and Strider to be, basking in the cool breeze that washed over me as I entered the garden. This was it. Tomorrow at dawn, if Legolas and Strider would accompany me or not, I would leave for Dale, and then Erebor - the realm where it all started. Where everything happened. The lonely mountain at the edge of the map where all of my ghosts resided.

I approached a small bench next to a fountain, where Legolas and Strider were talking casually, bantering back and forth. It still struck me how relaxed Legolas had become - how laid back, how quiet. He looked up at me now, a smile on his face. "Good afternoon, Tauriel," he said. Strider nodded at me, those ranger's eyes ever watchful, even now.

"Good afternoon to you both," I said, taking a deep breath. "I have something to ask of you."

They both looked at me, listening.

"I was wondering if you would like to join me on a journey to Erebor."

Hello!

FIRST OF ALL, I am SO SORRY about the utter lack of updates on this story. It's been over two years and there are like five chapters of Ghosts, and I apologise for that - life happened, basically, and this story faded to the background a little bit.

Thank you to all of you who suggested ideas when I ran out of them, they were greatly appreciated. 

I do now have a clearer idea where this is going - and I know this chapter's more political and less actual fanfiction-ey but the next chapters won't be - there'll be plenty of laughs (and tears) to come >:D

My favourite bit of this chapter is Kili being Tauriel's personal cheerleader lol

Thank you for sticking around, and thanks for reading. I'll see you when I see you.

residenthobbit49 :) <3