"Sildion?" Tauriel asked. Her voice almost broke. She pulled back her green hood, letting her fiery red hair cascade down her back.

Her eyes shone

Sildion's hair was the same. Long and fiery. Tauriel's surprise seemed a slight bit fake. She stepped forward, and Sildion hugged her. "Sil!" she finally cried, throwing her arms around his neck. The other elves watched in shock. Ledolorn looked to Dawn.

Dawn stepped forward out of the dark. Tauriel saw her, and gasped. The wind gained a chill. Neither elf moved for a long time. Finally, Tauriel spoke. "You." she said icily. Dawn nodded. "I am aware that it is me, Leaf-hunter."

"Do not call me that." Tauriel said sharply. "You cannot call me that anymore. It's Captain Tauriel now. Of the Forest Guard."

The other elves looked at her in surprised sorrow. She had changed so much. She was harder, colder, now. What could have happened?"

Dawn felt the could shoulder. She turned away, emotionless. She had perfected that art. "I just never know what Dawn will do next." Astrida whispered to Ledolorn. "She's scary when she acts like that."

()()()()

Dawn burst into the throne room. "We have a visitor, Aragorn." she said, but she looked at Legolas alone. He sat, rigid. Behind Dawn, the elves walked in with Tauriel. She pulled off her hood once again, and there was complete silence.

The other elves looked away. Arwen clutched Aragorn's hand. "It is her." she muttered.

Legolas looked at Tauriel without blinking or moving at all. Tauriel looked up slowly. Everything seemed frozen for a moment. Then the two rushed to each other, hair flying.

The two kissed, hugging tightly. Tauriel could not keep from breaking down, and tears fell down her cheeks. The kiss broke, and they juts stood there, hugging. Everyone seemed confused except Galadriel and Dawn. Dawn just looked down, a slight blush on her cheeks.

Tauriel looked up at Legolas. "Where did you go?" she asked in Quenya, knowing less of the elves would understand it.

"I'll tell you later." he said quietly. Tauriel, a bit annoyed, nodded.

Aragorn looked at his friend, and could tell the two needed time alone. He dismissed the two, and Tauriel gave a small bow. Aragorn shook his head slightly.

After those two left, Fifi could not hold it in. "What was all THAT about?" she asked loudly. Haddy elbowed her. "Rude." A few people smiled.

"They knew each other." Dawn said.

"Well, back to work." said Gimli. "No use earmarking it." Everyone else nodded.

Gandalf spoke the idea of Eldarion's power source out loud, and there were mixed emotions. Everyone was shocked. All the hobbits just shook their heads. "No, no, no, no, no." they kept saying. The elves, of course, knew this to be true. They all looked crestfallen. Everyone was.

Aragorn was doing a good job of hiding his sadness, but everyone sensed it. He had lost his children.

()()()()

Tauriel sat down on the bead and rubbed her eyes, exhausted. Legolas sat next to her, and hugged her. She breathed slowly. "I am so, so sorry." Legolas began. He could not finish. Tauriel slapped him.

"Sorry? Really?" She laughed. "You abandoned me for ninety years! To adventure!"

Legolas looked own, ashamed. He had done that. He could hardly speak. Finally he found words. "How is Thranduil?" He almost didn't want to hear the answer.

"How do you think?" Tauriel asked. "You know how he acts to betrayal. That's what he saw your leaving as. Betrayal." Legolas had figured.

"Actions speak louder than words, Legolas." Tauriel said. "I will admit, you fought well at Mordor." Legolas laughed a bit. "You weren't there. How would you know? For all you know, I could have just made weird faces in the background."

Tauriel smiled a small smile. "Yes, Legolas, Son of Thranduil, makes weird faces." She did laugh now. "I hear things."

"Where were you?" Legolas asked her. "You know perfectly well where I was. What about you?"

Tauriel's eyes widened, but only for a moment. She took a deep breath, like the words were difficult to say. And they were.

"I would rather not share that information."

Legolas looked like he'd been slapped. "Tell me, please. What could be so bad you could not tell me?" Tauriel shook her head. "I cannot say, Greenleaf. Ask her."

Legolas knew exactly who she meant by her. He did not like it. Tauriel sighed, and flopped backwards onto the bed, rubbing her eyes. "I just want some rest. Grant me that." she mumbled. Legolas nodded, leaving. He closed the door behind him softly.

()()()()

Dawn knew exactly what Tauriel and Legolas said, even without listening. She was watching Astrida, Sildion, and Ledolorn talk. Sildion was worried. It was apparent throughout his entire body.

"I hope she is alright." he said, referring to Tauriel. The others nodded. "She will be." Astrida said. "I know it."

Dawn walked up to them, listening. The other elves turned away from her, even if only slightly. She noticed. Dawn, in many ways, liked the small power she held. Elves feared her. Men that knew of her did, too. She enjoyed this. Turning an army around at the mention of her name. Having only a few people that really cared for her.

Sildion spoke. "Get away from us. You are mad and dangerous." Dawn still let no emotion show. "Oh am I?" she said blandly. Not defeated. Just emotionless. "Tauriel would know. Your precious little sister, always in your shadow. The little Leaf-hunter."

Sildion fumed at his sister's nickname. "I know what you think of me, Sildion." Dawn said. "But to insult me, I must first care about your opinion, which I don't." She turned and walked away.

'What has our world become?" asked Celeborn, watching this from afar. "Tauriel knows her place, yet will not seek it. Legolas knows not his fate, so he runs eagerly to it. And Dawn..."

Elrond turned to him. "Even I cannot see what lies ahead for her. She has a path crooked as tree roots."

Galadriel, who had been silent until now, spoke. "I can tell that all in this place worry. For their families, their futures, for all Middle-earth."

"We must strike soon!" said Celeborn. Galadriel held out her hand. "I do not think that wise."

Unrest seeped through the palace like a virus.