- They also have an inordinate craving for gold, boldness, and hives," Legolas continued coldly. No previous softness, no jokes, only steel in the look and voice. - What is wrong with you, Tauriel? It's a dwarf! They don't even know how to be polite, not as gratitude.
The dwarf had a mother, and they were waiting for him and hoped to return. Tauriel was not waiting, as it turned out today. If only Legolas.
- He asked me not to be angry," the guard said quietly. The prince frowned suspiciously and frowned. He turned his eyes away from the crowns of the neighboring beaches. Without understanding why Tauriel felt guilty.
- Well, it's understandable," Legolas continued, "It's a pity Thorin Duboschitt won't be as kind to my father.
Tauriel had heard from the guards about the daring accusation thrown at Trandiell's face, and despite his resentment, she was struck by the injustice of the dwarf's words. Did she not know about the injustice? Some of the people of Troy had once passed through Erin Galen to escape the devastation of Smug. They were not helped without being asked for help but were not prevented from doing so, and they were protecting the way of the poor from spiders and other darkness.
- But we can't judge everyone one by one," Tauriel shook her head, "We did everything we could then. One of them will be able to understand it and... to convince her king.
- Convince the dwarf? Thorin thinks so, and that's enough," Legolas rejected her hopes. He covered her palm with his hand and gently clenched it," Tauriel said. You know how our friendship with the people of the foothills ended. And even how the story of Fram's son Frumgar ended[**].
- How did the friendship with elves end for his grandfather in Duboschit's opinion? - innocently has inquired page.
Legolas shook his head and laughed.
- You're not fixable! And stubborn as... Dwarf or hungry[***]!
Tauriel covered his palm with her own.
- But I am from Eldar, and whoever I am, I will not let you, the king, or anyone else down! - She answered sincerely, hoping he wasn't angry for her fleeting audacity.
With his hand on her shoulder, Legolas spent an encouraging amount of time on the suede of his hiking dress. Tauriel bowed her head for a brief moment, pressing her cheek against his warm palm. He touched her cheekbones with his fingers, gently stroked them, then hugged them and attracted them to him, stuck his face in his hair.
- I know. I'm worried about you.
They stopped talking. It seems like they've never had a serious fight in forever, so there's no need to start. The prince smelled of juniper wine and fresh bread.
- What do you have there? - Tauriel walked her nose like a wild animal, guessing at berries and freshly baked bread, and nodded in the bag behind Legolas' back that had just been seen hanging from the nearby branch.
- And the wine," said the commander, "but I don't think you deserve it! Hey!
It's too late. Slipping out of his hands, the named sister had already reached the bag. Tauriel unfurled a thin white canvas in which there was a warm loaf of the loaf, and breathed in the scent of cranberries and cloudberries. Such bread was baked only in Erin Galen. Sweet and sour, with white butterscotch under a crispy crust. Tauriel remembered this simple treat from her youth. They used to take him with them when Legolas gave way to his father's curiosity and took her to the edge of the forest. It was their secret. Sitting on a wide branch, you could feast together, looking at the Lake City, the top of the Lonely Mountain or just the stars in the dark sky.
Now, sitting on a wide bench in the shade of the Upper Chertog Gallery, the guard and the prince divided the treats, taking turns drinking from the camp canteen and breaking the bread. When she climbed up on the bench, Tauriel felt tired and serene, away from everyone, in the glow of the fading stars. So good. "Here comes the Feast Under the Stars," she thought, smiling at the thought. His head bent over his shoulder by itself. The warmth of his body was felt through his clothes.
Legolas hugged her, allowing her to get settled as if he had a tiny red girl lying on his hands, who, while playing, accidentally pulled her hair. But the girl grew up, and now she could only lean back against his hand, climbing up on the bench with her feet.