The Elf King, Gabriella:Rise Of A Queen

Chapter 12-Vanishing

Tauriel,as a captain of the guards,was trained to pick up on the emotional well being of the guards working under her.Most
would come to her with any issue they have.She was easy to talk to,and knew much,having been in the kings army for centuries.

Although humans were harder to read,her radar was working overtime with Gabriella. She seemed distracted all day.Tauriel
felt they had become quite close,and everyone in the kingdom was well aware Gabriellas latest argument with
the king.You couldn't help but hear it.She only wanted to console her friend,yet felt apprehensive to do so.She was
very closed off about certain
things.

She did fine as they removed the giant sapient spiders from the darker regions of Mirkwood. Yet,she asked no questions about them,which was unusual. Normally,she was fascinated by every aspect of life in Mirkwood.

She was fast and deadly efficient,and coming along nicely as a bowman.But you could not drag a conversation from her.

Tauriel,now no stranger to the look of love,wanted desperately to discourage her new friend from taking the path she was sure Gabriella was on,but knew it wasn't her place.The king could be - unyielding,once he set his sights on a course.And Tauriel was almost sure he'd set his sights on Gabriella.

How beautifully they danced together,though.

Would that she could,for she had many questions of her own she
wished to confide,about Legolas.
She realized the king would not approve if he knew how close they have become of late.His renewed pursuit of her was that of a man,not the boy she once knew.She feared once he finally
had the conversation about his mother with his father,he would leave forever.

All she knew about Calathiel was
that she had been taken prisoner to Gundabad, where she died.The king never speaks of her, as if she had never existed to begin with.
Only her statue remains,which the king often sits in front of, talking to.It is a heartbreaking
sight to see.

Tauriel remembers she was very beautiful and kind.And a wonderful mother.Legolas
resembles her much,through the eyes,and his kindness.

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"Time to return,before night falls."Tauriel commanded, "Gabriella, ride beside me."

They let the others go ahead and brought up the rear.

"You are doing well,"Tauriel began,trying to read her face,"-yet seem somewhat distracted.Is all well?"

No.No it's not.
I miss him.That pompous, arrogant,over-bearing...

I tried to put a smile on my face.

"Oh,yes.Just first day jitters,I guess."

Tauriel looked perplexed,then glanced around at the ground.

"What are jitters???Where are they?"she said,alarmed,drawing her bow.

This made me chuckle, despite myself.

What was this trip about?Where
was she taking him?Why do I feel it's about me?

"No.Jitters aren't a creature.It means I'm just a little nervous."

It was good to see her smile,after frowning all day long.

"I see."Tauriel smiled back,"Let's see how good a horseman you are,shall we?"

Tauriel kicked her horses sides, sides,letting out a exuberant, "Yaaa!Yaaa!",and took off like the speed of light.

Always up for a challenge,I did  the same.

Tauriel knew her friend would be fine,for she had never met a woman of such inner strength.

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I came to in a dungeon,not the kings, filled with rotted
carcasses,and bones.Things we're
scurrying around,as if in a permanent state of panic.Some convulsing,dying.The smell, putrid.Thats when I knew,this was a Orcs dungeon.

Don't panic. Analyze the situation.
What do I remember?

I remember I had fallen back a little from the patrol.Wasnt really up for idle conversation.I stopped a moment to look at a patch of unusual flowers.

Then blackness.

I looked around,blood dripping
into my eyes.I carefully felt for the source.

Gash on my head.

There was barely any light,except
a faint glow from the cell door.
I heard movement outside of it,then voices.

Someone's coming.

I jumped up,taking fighting  stance on my unsteady feet.

A odd little orcs face appeared
in the small cell window.

"Ah,yes.Lady Gabriella has awoken."he said,"Allow me to introduce myself.I am Oggrut-Gorin,Chiefton of all Orcs. And you,my pet,are my
prisoner."

"And you,Orc,have sealed your fate."

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