giiliath:

Tauriel pulled herself up onto the horse and sat behind him, arms wrapped tightly around his torso. She rested her head upon his back as they rode on in comfortable silence. It had been far too long since she’d been in his embrace, and she hoped she would be fortunate enough to remain in his arms as long as possible this time. 

They reached their destination, and she descended. “Is there a place for us to speak privately?” She cared dearly for his children, but at this particular moment, she required his attention, and his alone. There was so much yet to be said, so much lost time to make up for. 

“Yes.” The differences in this place were vast from even a year ago when she was last here. Even if sentiment held for wanting to take her back to that place where they spent the night together were there, he would not. Things beginning anew not a bad idea. Each of their steps ebb in the silence, comfortable but very apparent, compatible with the beating of his heart. 

He caught her bright eyes in a glance, and smiles. It’s more genuine than he’s felt as early as yesterday, how jarring today seems from hours ago. “Come, I have a place where no one shall disturb the peace.” It’s still, quiet. After all, the sun had set whiles ago, and the youth that were often the busiest had fallen mum. They remained close, their elbows bumping as they alongside one another, his method of cutting through some hidden away hallways making him feel more like an escapee than a King. “For I am not adverse, I too, feel as if I have a lot to say.” Though having half the mind, he mused that it may be nugatory on his part to spill out his heart’s contents, the outcome possibly being rather pathetic and– just that. But she would not judge him, no? That was what Bard would like to believe, as he offered her a hesitant smile, opening the door for Tauriel.