It's not just helpful. As it walks beside them, it keeps shooting worried looks over to Neil, hands curled in fists by her sides.

Neil just gives a nod. He's too tired to talk, but he might be able to listen. Tauriel can say whatever she wants to say, and he can put up with it.

The spirit chuckles softly. "Wow. I think this is the first time I've heard him at a loss for words. He never keeps his mouth shut, not even when he flubbed his lines in that school play."