Chapter Text
Tauriel feasted on a meal of anger, despair, jealousy and hurt; washing each morsel down with copious amounts of fine wine. She feared her pride would become desert if the beautiful princess batted her eyes once more at him, if her arm rested on his again or if her hand brushed against a hand that had once held her own.
Legolas’ interest in this princess was clear as he returned each touch of the beautiful princess enthusiastically. His normally reserved, stern demeanor gone, replaced with a hearty laugh and smile that betrayed everything. He had found his match, Thranduil would surely approve of this union. “She is beautiful” Tauriel had to admit; long golden hair like cornsilk and the sparkling sapphire eyes so prevalent within Sindarin royalty. “Perhaps she wouldn’t be as beautiful if she met my twin blades” Tauriel thought as she envisioned the matched pair protruding from the regal, royal back. Sighing Tauriel reached for the bottle of wine at the center of her table.
It isn’t as though Thranduil had not warned her. A year prior, as if her emotions were inconsequential, the King had simply stated the facts. Legolas had feelings for her. Feelings the King would not allow to come to fruition. She was, regardless of all her achievements, simply a low-born Sylvan. His order was final. She was not to give Legolas hope where there could be none. Tauriel felt as if an icy sword was ripping her heart apart, but she would obey. She always obeyed. Thranduil was her king and she was his Captain of the Guard. Her mind and body would obey. Her heart was another matter.
It was shortly after Thranduil had set out in earnest to find Legolas a suitable wife. Each month thenceforth a royal banquet had been held, invitations were sent to all the royal and high-born families of the Elven realms. Twelve banquets had taken place so far, twelve over-stuffed, royal filled, lord and lady crawling, doe eyed princess attending, affairs that brought Tauriel to her last nerves, and yet she had held onto a ray of hope Until tonight.
A lump formed in Tauriels’ throat as she saw Legolas throw his head back in laughter, his soon-to-be betrothed placed her hand on his and laughed right along. Tauriel’s one last hope, the one even the powerful ElvenKing Thranduil could not crush, was dashed as Legolas stood, presenting his hand to the princess, drawing her towards the dance floor.
Tauriel stared into her wine trying to ignore the couple as they glided across the floor, his hand in the small of her back. With a shaky hand and blurry eyes, Tauriel grabbed for the bottle in front of her only to find it empty. “What have I done to deserve this”. She knew, when sober and honest to herself that her emotions were so much more than than the primal emotions of anger and jealousy. For tonight, jealousy would have to suffice. Lost in thought, determined to not allow her anger to overtake her reason, she didn’t notice Legolas walking towards her, his face beaming.
“Tauriel where have you been all evening? Come, come dance with me” Legolas exclaimed as he grabbed her hand, pulling her out of her seat towards the dance floor.
“Are you having fun tonight?” he asked, as they fell into the intricate steps of an old familiar song.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself” Tauriel said, hoping her emotions were sufficiently hidden as she dodged his question.
“I am, it is an extremely enjoyable evening”
“He is my friend, my best-friend, I should be happy for him” Tauriel thought as she swallowed hard, choking back threatening tears. “She is beautiful Legolas” she said, hoping as little of her venom showed as possible.
“Very beautiful” he replied as his sapphire eyes sparkled.
“Then it seems congratulations are in order.”
“Yes they are, I will be speaking to my father in the morning” he said as he twirled Tauriel around him.
Tauriel felt a wall of tears building behind her eyes begin to give way. “I will not let him see me cry” she swore to herself as she grabbed hold of every ounce of pride she had left. “Congratulations then my friend” she managed as the music stopped. “If you don’t mind Legolas I am quite tired. I think I shall take my leave. Goodnight”.
“Thank you and good night then Tauriel” Legolas said as he finally let go of her hand and walked back to his princess.
It was more than Tauriel could stand. A single tear fell from her eye. Brushing it quickly away she went looking for a full bottle of wine to take back to her chambers. Wine or tears would lull her to sleep tonight, she didn’t care which.