The Warrior and the Poet(Extended Edition)

Part Ten: Homecoming

As the light faded and I opened my eyes again, I stared in disbelief at the sight before me. We appeared to be in the lower courtyard of some sort. A warm breeze wafted the scent of earth, smoke and blood with a tiny hint of the sea not the polluted smell of grasslands over run by a fast paced world that I was expecting. Something about this wasn’t right. Where were we?

Confused, I looked around. We stood on the inside of the courtyard gates, looking out onto a vacant city street. Above me I could see a white tower and a group of people who looked to be in period dress. Had we come through the Gate into a Medieval faire? Curious, I moved toward them. Where were we? Would my husband and sons be meeting us here?

Taking Moragain’s hand again, we ascended the stairs and moved through the now throng of people. How had I misjudged the number so badly? I looked around and took in the crowded but sweeping green lawn broken by a dissected circular path leading to the keep stairs. In the center stood a fountain that trickled peacefully and the barren branches of an enormous white tree. Why was it barren when everything else was green and growing? Wait a minute, white tree?!

Ahead, on the steps to the keep, stood a wizened man dressed all in white. In front of him knelt another man in chainmail and armour. Beside him stood a smaller man holding what looked to be a crown resting on a pillow. Everyone was silent as the crown was placed upon the dark-haired warrior’s head.

He turned to the populace, his kind grey eyes sweeping over all in attendance. I would swear that his gaze stopped on me.

"Et erello, Endorenna útulyen. Sinomë maruven, ar hildinyar. Ten Umbar metta."

A knowing smile graced his features as he strode down the steps and through his subjects toward a group of people dressed in long tunics and robes. He stopped as a man with long blond hair came forward and greeted him warmly.

It couldn’t be! I looked around. This had to be some sort of re-enactment of Return of the King. I just had to be!

Suddenly Moragain, who had been standing quietly beside me, let out a cry and broke free of my hold on her hand, dashing toward the man with long blond hair. I stood rooted to the ground in complete shock as she was lifted in the air with a happy shout then hugged close. Urgently she gestured back to where I stood.

The blond and the warrior-king approached hesitantly.

"It can not be," the blond said in disbelief but the joy in his voice was unmistakable. "Eru has answered my prayers."

"Welcome back, little one," the king chuckled, reaching out to me.

My breath caught in my throat as my legs turned to jelly and gave way beneath me. Darkness rose up, dragging me under with a ferocity that made me cry out in fear. Then all went black as the ground sped up to meet me.


* * *


"But," protested a small voice in the darkness. It sounded worried.

I struggled to open leaden eyes and move painful, exhausted limbs but the warm darkness I was cocooned in was just too inviting to fight. Murmured words floated through the stillness only allowing my hazy mind to catch incomprehensible snippets of the conversation.

"Ad . . . . me . . . ight . . ." the small voice said again.

"Ts . . . eace. . . . t . . .th . . . " another voice whispered back. "et . . . d . . .ond. . . .rk ."

"Hush, my child," came a soothing baritone as gentle hands brushed against my face. "Ada is here now. You are safe. The pain will ebb with rest. Sleep now."

The scent of crisp Autumn leaves on frosty air and fresh herbs surrounded me as I turned my head toward the gentle voice. I could feel the slow rise and fall of the voice’s chest against my cheek and the softness of the cloth. A hand slowly stoked my hair as I gave in to blessed unconsciousness once more.


* * *


"No!" I cried out, fighting off a dream attacker. I had not moved fast enough and he had caught me.

Strong hands gripped my wrists trying to subdue my flailing arms. I could feel the pressure of a body straddling me at the waist, pinning me to the mattress. Whoever it was, was terrifyingly strong.

"No, please!" I whimpered.

"Hush," came soft soothing words through the darkness, "I will not hurt you."

"Please!" I fought the strong hands weakly, finally giving in to their pressure.

The person shifted off of me and lay beside me. One of their hands gently caressed my cheek, humming softly as they did so.

"Sleep," came a gentle whisper as the hand brushed my frightened eyes closed, "It was only a dream. You are safe here. Ada is here, child."

"Ai, Elbareth Gilthoniel
silivren penna míriel
menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel . . ."

The soft lilt of the almost whispered song seemed to rock me as I was gathered close that wonderful autumn scent again. Relaxing into the safety of that embrace, darkness took me and I sank, again, into a dreamless slumber.


* * *


The strong scent of rain woke me a third time. This time, however, I was more coherent of my surroundings. A steady heartbeat thrummed rhythmically beneath my ear as a bare chest rose and fell as it breathed. An arm draped protectively around my body, keeping me close to its warmth. Slowly, I let my free hand wander across the naked chest. Encountering a necklace and no chest hair or inflated belly I pushed away from him, frightened, ignoring the dull stab of pain in my ribs.

"What is the matter?" he asked sleepily.

"Is it raining?"

"No."

"Did it rain during the night?"

"No." he answered again.

"Then why do I smell rain?"

A soft chuckle was my only answer to that question. Legolas was the only one who actually smelled like rain. But Legolas couldn’t be here, I had gone back home. Hadn’t I?

"What time is it?" I stammered.

"Past mid-morning I should think," he answered. His voice was heavily accented and familiar but not my husband’s.

"Then why is it so dark? I can’t see you."

"It is dark because the bed curtains are closed, melethril."

Bed curtains? My bed didn’t have curtains. Did he say melethril? "Wait! No one knows that word."

He chuckled softly, "Lord Elrond warned me that this might happen, Ithilin."

Ithilin?! Only those in Middle Earth called me that. True, Tom knew the name but had a hard time pronouncing it properly. This man not only knew it but pronounced it as though he knew the language intimately. Why did he mention Lord Elrond?

"Where’s Moragain?"

"She sleeps with us as she always has, meleth-nîn."

Tom never let the kids sleep with us. He wanted them to be able to go to sleep by themselves. He felt it was a bad habit for them to get in to.

A hand drew the curtain open slightly and soft morning sunlight spilled into the curtained bed, illuminating his face. Sleep tousled long blond hair fell over delicate but powerful shoulders as he propped himself up on his elbows. Sapphire eyes gazed at me, sparkling with humor as a gentle smile spread across his slender lips. My moonstone necklace winked at me from the hollow of his throat.

"All is well, Ithilin. I know you are confused."

"You have no idea." I said as I pinched myself. I winced but the vision before me remained.

He laughed softly as he shifted onto his side, letting the heavy brocade fabric fall closed plunging us into darkness once more and stroked my cheek with his free hand. "I am no dream, Ithilin, but you have had some rather frightening ones over the last few weeks. Lord Elrond has been caring for you. It was not until your fever broke that Moragain and I were allowed to be with you."

"Legolas?!" I whispered, not really believing it to be true.

"Aye, meleth-nîn."

"But how? We were suppose to go home."

"I thought so too, yet here you are."

Then it hit me. This was home. Legolas was home. He was my husband and my life. I smiled as I gazed at the elf who lounged beside me with all the languid grace of cat.

I lay back down next to him, curling up against his warm, lean body. "The war, is it over?"

"The ring is destroyed, if that is what you mean." He answered as he kissed the crown of my head. "But there will be more battles yet ahead of us as Sauron’s servants have not been defeated completely."
I nodded. He would be fighting to protect Gondor’s borders for a long time yet. He was a warrior after all. I smiled as I kissed his bare chest. He was my warrior.

A knock sounded at the door and I heard him sigh softly.

"I told the servants not to disturb us," a vaguely familiar voice said wearily from somewhere beyond the curtain. "Apparently they do not listen very well."

"I should dress."

"Nay, love. You still need rest. You have been through enough, Ithilin. So has Moragain."

"Legolas, I feel better then when I arrived. How many days ago?" I replied as I climbed over him and out of the bed to stand on unsteady legs, my soft shift falling about my knees. "At least let me change my shift."
The room began to spin and my legs crumpled beneath me.

"It has been over a fortnight," he chuckled as he caught me. "Here, let me help. Stubborn woman!"

He sat me in a chair and began to pull the shift over my head.

"Oh for pity’s sake," growled a familiar voice just as the door burst open and a white-haired man entered, looking out the door at the servant. "That one has a strong constitution, my lady. She may very well be up already."

"M’lord Gandalf, ‘tis not that of which I complain. ‘Tis the fact of that Elf caring for her when we have the finest healers available in the House of Healing."

"To be sure, Lady Ioreth. However, Lord Elrond has some skill as a healer. And it is Prince Legolas’ wish that he take care of her."

Quickly Legolas found a soft linen shift and helped me into it. "Lady Ioreth is in a snit because I told her that Bleeding was barbaric," he whispered. "You had already lost enough blood. Any more and I would have lost you."

"That’s my only fear about staying here, herven."

"You will never have cause to fear that. Elves are more enlightened healers than are humans."

"Good." I ground out through clenched teeth as my ribs were still sore from the abuse . . . of how many days ago?

Legolas, then, tugged on his own tunic and fastened the tiny silver clasps.

"Ah, Legolas. Ithilin, you are awake." The old wizard said smiling as he turned from the healer that stood fuming in the doorway. "I will bet that you are wondering what you are doing here."

"At the moment, Gandalf, I really don’t care. All I want right now is food." I panted, closing my eyes against the throbbing in my ribs that was making my head swim. "Then I think I want to go back to bed."
Gandalf chuckled and patted my cheek. "By all means, break your fast, child. However we do need to discuss your future."

"Which is?" I questioned as a servant brought in a tray laden with a variety of fresh fruits.

"You are bound to one another by far more than a joining of minds and souls, children."

I gazed at him stunned. What did he mean?

"Your blood, child, stains the soil of middle earth and stains Legolas. It was spilled in battle with six Uruk-hai, was it not? It was spilled for your life."

Hot tears of sorrow stung my eyes and a knot formed a strangle hold on my throat. Blindly I reached for Legolas’ hand, seeking his comfort.

"Only Lord Elrond knows of the preventive measures that were taken, Gandalf. How did you find out?" He answered tightly as he knelt beside me, gathering my small hands into his larger but slender ones in a gesture of comfort. "Hush, meleth-nîn. I know the anger and pain in your heart is still keen."

"What has that to do with a bond, Gandalf?" I croaked, trying to hold onto the tears that threatened to spill over my lashes. The bond Legolas and I had shared seemed to be almost non-existent now; more of a vague awareness of each other than what it had previously been.

"Much," the Maia said as he bit into a strawberry. "This blood, child, is far more binding then that of a maiden in this instance. Your blood has bound you both to Legolas and to these shores. Once that happened there was no going back."

"If you knew this, then why did you let me go through that gate?" I cast pain filled eyes on the wizard feeling slightly betrayed even as I felt triumph stirring in my heart. Knowing that there was no way back to that life that was before gave me hope for the future. I would not let the cruelty of the Uruk-hai keep me from his bed.

"I was not certain until you showed up here a fortnight ago and passed out in the courtyard. You are home now, are you not?"

I nodded. This was home and Legolas was my husband. But then a terrible thought struck me, I was mortal; Legolas was not. If what he told me was true, then he, too, would die.

"Gandalf, I am mortal." I said looking forlornly at my mate.

"Ithilin-"
"But Legolas, I will die eventually. Whether in childbed or from old age, I will die."

"That is only partially why I bound you to me by blood, iel-nin," said a new voice from the far corner of the room.

I looked up to see the ageless face and smiling ancient storm-grey eyes of a stately dark-haired elf. framed in the window casement. Where did he come from?

"I prayed fervently that you would wake, hên-nin, that Eru would not take your young soul from me again. I prayed that my own blood could make you strong enough to fight the fever that took hold of you."

"Forgive me, hiru-nin, but I do not believe we have met."

"Who does your heart say that I am, penneth-nin?" he laughed softly as he moved to kneel in front of me.

Hesitantly, I reached out and touched his face. I knew he was Lord Elrond but somehow I knew that that was not what he was asking me. What was it that my heart was telling me? What was that light of hope in his eyes? My fingers traced the fine contours of his face and touched that silky raven dark hair that framed his face then suddenly . . .

"Ada?!" I breathed as the memory flashed before my eyes of his face above mine, a sad smile on his face. I could feel gentle, strong hands cradling me and I felt safe then all went dark before I could take in my surroundings. Then another place, another time, bright lights and strange men in masks, seeming chaos, the feeling of insecurity, then my mother’s face, yet even in her arms the feeling of insecurity never left me. But how could this be? I was human, wasn’t I? No. My body had human frailties but my soul was that of an elf.

Upon this realization, I flung myself into his arms. "Ada!" I cried.

:Yes, my child!: his mind voice broke in a half sob.

His strong arms gathered me close as I buried my face the cascade of dark hair that fell over his broad shoulders drinking in his unique scent. Autumn and herbs. He had been with me through out the fever.

"Ai, Ada!" I sobbed, finally giving into the grief and pain.

"Hush, penneth-nîn. I know your pain," he soothed. "You are safe here, my precious child."

I sighed heavily. I finally felt able to lay down my burdens and let myself be comforted for here was the voice I had heard for so long. Here, safe in my father’s arms, I found that I could no longer hold the tears at bay.

I wept. I wept at the thought of losing Moragain, for the loss of my sons, for the loss of Boromir. I wept for all the sons, husbands, and fathers that fell at Helms Deep. But most of all I wept for the life that was before. I wept, too, for this blessing that I had been given. A father who once grieved my loss but rejoiced in my return. A family who truly wanted me.

Rocking me gently, Ada held me to him.

"Thank you, Ilúvatar for giving me back my daughter," he whispered softly as he too wept.

"Moragain will remain mortal," Gandalf stated, breaking the silence. "However should you bear others, Ithilin, they will be given the choice of the Peredhil because of their elven blood."

"No, Gandalf." Legolas and Elrond chorused, dark and light heads snapping up to glare at the Istari.

Legolas’ eyes were fierce. "Moragain must be given this choice as well. She is not mine by blood, but she is by choice."

Gandalf laughed heartily. "So protective of your family already, young one. We shall see what the future holds for your daughter of choice. If her choice of mate is an elf, it will be discussed at that time. If not, then there is no point in fussing about it, is there?"

Elrond held me tighter as though he were trying to protect me from the pain he knew the wizard’s words would bring. "You can not do this to her, Gandalf. Ithilin has already lost too much. I will make the child mine if -"

"No, mellon-nîn. The little one must be free to make her own choice."

Elrond leveled the wizard with a withering glare only to receive a wise look from the Istari.

"Legolas?" came Aragorn’s voice from the doorway, drawing attention away from a painful subject. "This just came for you. One of your father’s personal messengers -"

Legolas took the scroll that he was handed and opened it carefully. "Well, that is what I had expected." He sighed as he let the vellum roll closed. "My adar says he will be here in a fortnight to discuss my apparent lack of judgment in my choice of wife."

"You told him I was human and about Moragain?" I asked in disbelief.

"Iel-nîn," Elrond said as he lifted me in his arms and carried me back to the bed, "You have the blood of the Eldar in your veins and have made your choice. The race of Men no longer holds a claim on you. You are Palandiriel daughter of the Peredhil."

Legolas nodded. "Ada may not like my choice and he may think me a fool but he can not force me to wed another. I informed him only of my intended marriage, meleth-nîn., to a daughter of the House of Elrond. It is that alone that he disagrees with."

"It is an ages old feud, little sister. He did not like me either. I am certain Thranduil will come around once he meets you."

I sighed and shifted in Elrond’s protective embrace, snuggling into his chest.

"I suppose I really ought to ask someone for your hand, Ithilin."

Aragorn cleared his throat. "How about her brother, nift?" he said crossing his arms across his chest and glaring at Legolas, his lips fighting a losing battle with a smile..

"Perhaps her Adar’s blessing, young prince?" Elrond said, raising an elegant eyebrow in mock irritation as he rose and carried me to the bed. :You still need rest, my little one.:

Legolas laughed as he followed . "Of course! Forgive me, Lord Elrond. May I have your daughter’s hand in marriage?"

"You can have the rest of her as well, mellon-nîn." the ranger laughed, clapping his friend on the back.

The venerable Peredhil just chuckled and shook his head. "You two will never change. Aye, penneth, you have my blessing."

"Nana? Ada?" Moragain’s tousled head peeked out of the curtained bed and rested against Legolas’ shoulder.

"I know who I really should ask, though." Legolas held out an arm for Moragain to snuggle into his embrace. "Moragain, is it all right for me to take your Nana to wife?"

She gazed at him, confused. "What?"

"May I wed your Nana?" he chuckled.

"Only if you marry me, too."

Legolas’ dark eyebrows jumped into his hairline. "Aye, little love, that I will. That is, if you will have me for your Ada?"

"For real? You’ll be my Ada for real now?"

"If that is your desire, princess."

Moragain twisted in his arms and cupped his face in her tiny hands. Her child’s gaze was sober and intense, a stark contrast to his merry expression. "Aníron sen, Ada." She answered in stilted elvish.

Legolas stared at her, amazement and joy written on his face. "Who has been teaching you, Moragain?"

"Lastanin le a Nana, Ada." This again was said in stilted elvish as she struggled with some of the pronunciations of words.

Both of us chuckled in disbelief.

"Tolo enni, iel-nîn." he said with a soft laugh as he held her to him. "It is done. The break is complete. Both of you are mine."


* * *


Elrond and I were walking in the gardens a fortnight later when Moragain skidded into the easy silence of the birdsong.

"Ada-ra! Ada-ra!" she called breathlessly as she ran up to us. "Elves! Elves are here! Is one of them Ada’s Ada?"

"Well, since I can not see through stone, little princess, we must go see," he chuckled as he picked her up and settled her on his hip. As hard and aristocratic as he appeared, Elrond could not hide his loving nature from his family.

"Tell me, are they blond?"

"Yes, Ada-ra, many of them are. There are a few that have your dark hair though. Two of them appeared to be arguing."

"What do they wear? Tunics or robes?"

"Both. There were tall Eves, three looked a lot like you, Ada-ra, only younger. Another was just scary. And one didn’t look very happy. He was arguing with the scary elf. There is a pretty lady, too."

"Hmmm. It sounds like Glorfindel and the twins have arrived with Erestor in tow," Ada said with a good-humored smile. "Erestor and Glorfindel have probably been arguing since they left Rivendell and your brothers probably instigated it."

"Scary?" I questioned, wondering, too, what on earth the twins would have done to provoke an argument that would last that long.

"I think she is referring to Glorfindel and trust me he *is* scary."

"Oh? How so?"

"I know not but he gives even me the chills when he turns those icy blue eyes on me and I have known him all my life. It is like he is staring into your soul. No elf should be allowed to have eyes that color of blue." He shivered involuntarily. "But I would not trust anyone else with the lives of my family."

"Who’s the one that looks like Ada? And who is the pretty lady?"

"I can guess that it is probably Ada’s father," I answered, my gaze landing on the figure of Legolas who stood watching us at the garden gate.

"Pretty lady?"

"Yes, Ada-ra. She’s all blue and silver in my head."

"Blue and silver? How is she attired?"

Moragain seemed to think a moment. "Her clothes look kind of like Ada’s but she’s sparkly."

Ada sighed and rolled his eyes then chuckled. "The lady does know how to make an entrance."

"Lady, Ada? I thought Arwen was already here?"

"No, child, this is not Arwen. Lady Líadan is your aunt. She is a warrior of Glorfindel’s calliber. I have known her and her twin, Haldir, for a long time. She came to my household when I wed your mother."

"Meleth," Legolas greeted me with a soft kiss. Further questions on my family tree would have to wait until a better time.

"Legolas!" came a shout as we emerged into the courtyard. Legolas turned to greet the owners of the voices with a tentative smile.

"Ada! Arvegil! Andúnë!"

Three blond elves strode up to us. Two were taller than Legolas by an easy six inches, possibly more while the other looked him in the eye. The sun glinted blindingly off their long plaited blond hair that shone like new minted gold. The taller two were built more muscularly than my betrothed but there was no mistaking a family resemblance.

"Lord Elrond," the Elven King said, nodding his bright head at the stately dark-haired elf who had claimed me as one of his own and narrowing his eyes at me in disdain as if to show that he was somehow more superior.

"Thranduil," Elrond responded tightly, pulling me into his protective embrace. "Andúnë, I see your arm has healed well."

"Yes, my lord," the smaller of the three said, inclining his head in respect. "My deepest thanks to you and your skill else I doubt that I would be able to pull a bow again."

"Legolas, ion-nîn." Thranduil’s cerulean eyes were like a calm icy sea as he watched Legolas, who was trying to untangle Moragain’s hands from Lord Elrond’s hair in an effort to get her down.

"Ada," Legolas winced in silent apology as he yanked her hand free while taking her from Ada’s arms. "This is my betrothed, Ithilin Palandiriel, daughter of Lord Elrond, and her daughter, Moragain."

Bowing my head, I touched my hand to my forehead then my lips in a gesture of respect.

"The Lady has spoken of you, young one." Thranduil smiled thinly. "She believes that you are capable of great things."

"She speaks not of me then, my lord. I am but a humble elleth who seeks naught but the comfort that her mate can give."

Thranduil snorted. "Yet I have heard tales of a elleth who midwifed a child to birth then turned around and slew six Uruks without compunction. You are too small to have - "

"I only did what was required of me at the time, my lord. Others would have done the same."

"Such modesty from a Half-Elf?! Unheard of!" exclaimed the taller of Legolas’ brothers whom I assumed to be Arvagil

"Only the Noldor would be so foolish," Thranduil grumbled.

Legolas rolled his eyes and sighed angrily.

"Are you suggesting that I should have left a newly delivered mother and babe to die at the hands of fell creatures, my lord?"

"I can see that you are no warrior, child-"

"Not a warrior, my lord Thranduil?" a soft feminine voice purred as a small blond elleth approached. I might have been looking into the face of my twin. "What is your criteria for a warrior? Would you not consider young Legolas a warrior? He is barely a head taller than she. What of me, my lord? I am much smaller than my brothers and our High King yet am not I a warrior?"

Thranduil rounded on her, appearing to size her up. "You have been coddled, lady, and pandered to. You may have been one once, but you are soft."

There was the unmistakable singing of a sword being drawn from a sheath. The hard look in Lady Líadan’s eyes sent shivers up my spine. This was an elleth who had seen and delivered death. "Care to test that assumption, Thranduil?" she asked sweetly.

"I have been schooled, my lord, by Lord Aragorn and your son. While I will never have my father’s skill with a blade, Lord Thranduil, I did what needed to be done. How could I have gone for help when my brother and my husband-to-be were also in the heat of battle? Who could have helped? Nay, my lord, I was all there was."

"She is a widow?"

Legolas looked at me, searching for an answer.

"Your son challenged her former mate’s claim, Thranduil, and won," Ada all but growled. I could feel his anger rising. How could I diffuse the situation before it got out of control?

"Adar, Naur Echui came. . ." Legolas began.

"Bah! Your mother filled your head with a lot of useless fluff and faerie stories, ion-nin. It is more likely that you smelled a bitch in heat than actually -"

I never saw Ada move but a second later he had Thranduil pressed up against the garden wall with a dagger at his throat.

"It is unfathomable that as intelligent and respectful as your lord father Oropher was, Thranduil, that he did not pass it on to his issue." Elrond’s eyes flashed like new-forged steel.

"One could say the same for Gil-Galad’s heir," the elven king spat.

A blond elf lord turned from his conversation with another dark-haired elf and approached, flanked by two other elves that looked like younger versions of Elrond just as Arvagil started toward his father, his hand automaticly moving to the hilt of his sword.

"I would reconsider that move if I were you, youngling."

Arvagil gulped, his blue eyes wide as the tip of a wicked-looking elven dagger came in contact with the soft flesh of his throat.

"My lord has had enough of your sire’s slander, Arvagil. Elrond is well aware of the treasonous things he has said over the years. I suggest you stay out of it."

"Yes, my lord," Arvagil whispered. "But Ada is not right; not since . . . "

"Yet you have done nothing, young one."

"I am not above kin-slaying for treason, Thranduil," I heard Ada hiss at the golden-haired elf. "You forget yourself."

Concerned about this possible disastrous turn, I moved silently up behind him and rested my hands on his waist. I felt him tense slightly as he registered my presence.

"Ada," I said in a low voice, moving one hand from his waist to rest on the arm that held the dagger, "There is no honour in this. There has been enough blood shed in past months to last many lifetimes. His slight, to you and me, means little in the grand scheme of things. Do not let his petty jealousies keep you from Aman and from Nana. Do not do this, Ada."

"Listen to her, Elrond," Lady Líadan urged.

"You will not speak against my family again, Thranduil," Elrond warned , relaxing his stance and backing away.

"Pathetic excuse for an elf," I heard Thranduil mutter under his breath.

CRACK! My palm connected with his porcelain cheek so fast he didn’t even realize I had struck.

"You will not insult my father again, my lord, else I will not put myself out save your sorry arse a second time," I snarled, drawing myself up to the extent of short stature.

"She is a bit of a spit-fire, isn’t she, Elrond?" Lord Glorfindel said inclining his head slightly as he smothered a chuckle, "Lady Ithilin, I am told that you have some skill as a healer as well a sword."

I quirked an eyebrow at him. "Who is spreading that shameless tale?"

"Dear Eru! She is you in miniture, old friend!" A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and his crystal blue eyes danced with concealed laughter. "I am told it is no tale, my lady. A little Elf-stone told me that you employ many of your lord father’s techniques in caring for wounds."

"Estel needs to learn to keep his mouth shut."

"On that I am sure many agree," said one of the younger elves behind Lord Glorfindel with a stifled snicker.

"Elladan, you could learn that art as well, penneth." The elf lord’s mouth gave up fighting the smile and he grinned wickedly back at the elder of the two. "Your brothers, little one. The irreverent one is Elladan and the sensible one is Elrohir."

Elladan snorted, cuffing his brother on the back of the head. "Sensible? Are you forgetting who tried to face off with Estel in a tree, Glor?"

"Yes, brother. But who was stupid enough to stand right underneath the tree, huh?"

Lord Elrond rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Eventually they will grow up."

"When?!" Glorfindel exclaimed, his vivid blue eyes wide with disbelief. "May I remind you, old friend, that in the last twenty-eight hundred years they have done nothing but play practical jokes on all of Rivendell. Somehow I do not see them growing up anytime soon."

"Forgive my seneschal, Ithilin. He has been the recipient of many of their jokes."

"You have my sympathies, my lord." I chuckled. "Estel has warned me about my miscreant brothers."

"Miscreants!" the twins exclaimed incredulously. "Oh, he will be paying for that one, for certain."

I grinned at them. "I certainly hope so, big brother," I said slyly.

"I think you may have your hands full, my son." Thranduil laughed nodding slightly, his eyes clear but sad, "She has fire. Fire is good. Fire like that is the best to come home to and keeps you warm in the deepest winter."

I made a mental note to ask Legolas if his father’s mercurial moods were a result of his wife’s death. It seemed a plausible explanation for this odd behavior.

"And who is the impling, Legolas?" Elladan asked as Legolas tried to disentangle Moragain’s arms from around his legs

"This is my daughter Moragain."

"You have been busy, mellon-nîn!" Elrohir chuckled, clapping Legolas on the shoulder and giving him a knowing wink.

"What have you two to show for your twenty-eight hundred years on this earth, ion-nîns?" Ada quipped.

Something flashed across the elder twin’s eyes as he glanced at Moragain, something I couldn’t quite read. I watched Elladan kneel before her, smoothing her unruly curls with a gentle hand as he handed her something silvery.

"Nana, look!" she said giving him a quick hug before she scurried back over to me to show me her prize. "A little silver pony. He said that every elf maiden should have her own pony and promised to bring me one when he comes the next time."

"Did he now?" I said, raising my eyebrows at the elder twin. "Did he promise you the moon as well?"

"You can be as scary as Ada when you give that look, little sister," Elrohir laughed.

"Elladan!" Legolas hissed sternly at the elder elf. "I will not have you spoiling my daughter this way."

"Relax, Legolas. Can I not dote upon my niece?" Elladan replied unruffled by the prince’s rebuke and my glare.

"I do not mind trinkets and toys, Elladan. But a pony is over the line."

Ada, Lord Glorfindel, and King Thranduil looked at the prince in surprise. Apparently no one had seen this side to Legolas.

"But Ada, I’ve always wanted a pony." Moragain whispered, hurt evident in her voice.

"You are not old enough yet, my Moragain," he replied gently as he crouched down to meet her eyes. "It is only the desire to keep you safe that I bid him not give you a pony at this time."

I smiled at Legolas as he shot Elladan a warning look. He had handled the incident very well.

"Legolas is right, brother," came a new voice as a young woman clad in a beautiful gown of rich midnight blue velvet walked up. "First, you are not her father and second she is far to young yet."

"Ithilin, I do believe you have not yet met your sister, Arwen." Elrond smiled as he stepped aside to allow the elleth to enter the conversation.

"I have heard much about you, tithen- thêl, from Estel."

"I hope he told you better things about me than he told me of our brothers."

"Those two are nothing but trouble. I am actually surprised that Rivendell is still standing after all the trouble they cause."

The twins did their best to look innocent as she spoke.

"We are not that much trouble, Arwen. Are we Ada?" they said.

"I refuse answer that," Elrond answered. "You have matured, Legolas. You are calmer now, too. My youngest has been good for you."

"Maybe I have realized that there is more to life than the next battle, Lord Elrond. Something your sons could learn."

"While I agree, young one, there will still be battles to fight."

"But they do not hold sway as they once did. I only fight to protect my family, now."

"Another lesson for my sons, no doubt."

I watched Elladan watch Moragain and Legolas. His silver-blue eyes held an unveiled yearning. What was going on behind those blue eyes, I wondered. Did he want a little one to spoil and dote upon?

"We must make ready, Legolas, if you are to be wedded at nightfall," Thranduil chuckled as he handed Moragain a sweet from a pouch on his belt. "Would you like to help, Moragain? His brother’s and I intend to make him every bit the prince he is."

"Ada, I do not wish to be made up like a Yule gift!"

"You will be made presentable, ion-nîn, nothing more," the elven king smiled as he began to walk imperiously toward the keep, expecting the others to follow.

"Can I brush your hair, Ada?"

Legolas glared at his father’s retreating back as he held Moragain’s hands, sticky from the confection, away from his hair. "Not until your hands are washed, my love." He stood and gave me a quick kiss. "I will see you after sunset, melethril."


* * *


A soft knock came at my chamber door as I sat before the mirror on the vanity. I twisted on the stool as Ada entered carrying a sliver circlet.

"A gift, little one," he whispered, his silvery eyes glistening with tears. "It is not much but -"

I got up and threw my arms around his neck, kissing his smooth cheek. "It means so much though, Ada. Thank you." I stepped back wiping tears of joy from my eyes, laughing. "Look at me, weeping like a frightened maid."

"Whether you realize it or not, Ithilin, you are terrified of what will happen this night - for all that you are a king’s daughter and a blooded warrior."

"You can leave the blooded warrior bit off, Ada. I have no desire to see battle again."

He smiled tenderly at me as he caressed my cheek. "Know that I understand your fears."

"I know, but I really am not afraid of him," I replied quickly, trying to tell myself that it was the truth when in reality I knew he was right, I was terrified.

"There is no shame in being afraid, child," he said gathering me to his chest. "You have experienced not only a violation of your body but of your fëa as well. Many elves, like your mother, do not recover from that."

"But it’s not like that was my first experience, Ada. I have known a man before this, so I have no reason to be afraid."

I shuddered as a flash of memory drove Legolas’ gentle face from my mind. Even as I spoke the words I could feel the Uruk’s hot, putrid breath and smell the stench of its’ blood.

"No? Then tell me, iel-nîn, is it your husband’s face that you will see as you lie beneath him or the Uruk’s?"

"You want the truth, Ada?" I said picking up a brush.

Nodding, he took the brush from me and sat on the window seat, pulling me onto his lap as though I were a small child and began to brush my hair.

"I understand that most elleths do not survive rape, Ada. I understand, too, that what happened at Helm’s Deep is through no fault of mine. I know that Legolas would never intentionally hurt me but the fear is there. Am I being irrational?"

"Nay, child. As I said, your fëa has been badly injured and Legolas understands this. He would rather die before he hurt you or caused you to fear him. I have spoken with him about this and many other issues that will concern you both. Your body is almost healed, daughter, but fëar can take thousands of years to fully heal. Or as little as a few moons depending on how much damage has been done. Some, like Celebrian, never recover and are forced over the sea or find peace in the Halls of Mandos.

"Our customs dictate that you must consummate your vows for a bond to form but since there is one already it is not a necessity tonight."

"But I want this. I want to lie with him. I need to do this, but the bond is broken, Ada."

"Nay, hên, it has not broken. It is merely diminished due to your need of me for now. That, too, will lessen with time, and the strength of the bond return," he said gently. "If you can face Legolas with desire and not fear then it will happen but do not be disappointed if it does not."

"I will try, Ada. That’s all I can do."

"That is all I can ask for. Come, let me braid your hair, child. When I am finished, you shall be prettier than your sister," he chuckled as we rose from the window seat.

"She is already that, Ada," came Aragorn’s snicker from the doorway.

"You’d better not let her hear you say that, Estel. You might end up living in the stable."

I watched in awe as Elrond deftly maneuvered my golden tresses in to the same simple design that I had seen many times on Legolas except that he had woven thin hunter green ribbons into the plaited warrior’s braids, leaving slender green streamers hanging from the ends. To those he attached tiny silver bells that chimed wistfully in the breeze that came through the open window.

"Where is your dress?"

I nodded toward the bed, where I had lain the crisp green linen. I had spent the fortnight working on it with a few of the castle seamstresses, not even Legolas and Moragain had seen it. Silver and gold leaves adorned the hem of the full skirt and wound their way up the bodice to curl over my shoulders and down the sleeves. Silver cording laced up the side seems, the ends of which had the same tiny bells twinkling from them that Ada had hung from the tassels in my hair.

"While I have not seen Legolas yet, little sister, I think you will out shine that preening prince."

"That is not the intent, Estel," I laughed as he picked up the dress and dropped the soft fabric over my head. "Besides, I don’t think he was too thrilled about being gift wrapped."

Both Ada and Estel laughed.

"He has always preferred the soft supple suedes of his hunting garb to itchy wools and linens of High Court gear," Aragorn chuckled

"Arwen and I will keep Moragain for the night as our gift to you." Estel smiled, shaking his head as he drew a small dagger from his belt. "If you will allow another gift, little sister."

I knitted my eyebrows at him, not understanding until he placed the blade of the dagger in his hand and slid the sharp edge across his callused palm. "Your blood? I -" Suddenly I did understand. He meant to make me his sister in blood. I nodded. I hissed softly as the cool blade cut a gash in my palm. Aragorn held my gaze as he placed his hand atop mind, our blood mixing, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"No longer a sister in name only, Ithilin. You are my sister by blood. Ada said I should do this, although I had planned to do it from the time I learned of Legolas’ intentions toward you."

"Perhaps I should change my surname now that I am truly you sister."

He laughed softly, "You would take the name of my house?"

"Telcontar. Why not?" I asked as he wrapped a strip of cloth around my hand.

"Nay, little sister. You still see farther than any of us. Perhaps with your guidance we might be able to undo the damage that Sauron wrought on Middle Earth."

"Don’t count on it, brother. My meddling got me in bigger trouble than I wanted to deal with. Thank you but I’ll stick to playing house with Legolas." Taking up another strip of cloth I bound his hand then smiled. "He’s going to kill you, you know?"

"For this?" he shook his head. "No. He knew I was going to do this. This is his dagger."

"I thought it looked familiar. So this has his blessing, my being your sister in truth?"

"He told me that he wanted this for you, but he would never force it on you."

"Keeping it all in the family?"

"Sort of. He wanted you to have the opportunity to tell me to go jump into Mount Doom and not come back."

I laughed. That sounded like Legolas. He liked irritating the hell out of Aragorn, of course the reverse was also true. Their constant carping and sniping at each other certainly kept boredom at bay. "Well I didn’t and he’ll get to have a laugh at your expense."

"It will not be the first time nor the last, I fear. However I always get even."

"Absolutely no practical jokes on our wedding night, big brother. Do I make myself clear?"

"As mithril." He grinned.

"I mean it, Estel." I growled as I gathered up my skirts and headed toward the door. "You and your brothers will stay away from our chambers or all hell will break loose."

"I promise, Ithilin.

"Now hold on, child. I am not through with you." Ada said as he gently grabbed my arm and pulled me to him.

I had forgotten about the circlet that was hanging carelessly from his arm. Taking it off, he placed the etched silver on my head. A ruby teardrop rested on my brow as he settled it in place.

"Now, you are a princess, little sister. Fit to wed an itinerant prince," Aragorn snickered with a wink.

"I’ll make sure he pays you back for that remark, big brother." Laughing, I hugged him tightly.

"No doubt you will." He said pulling me away from Elrond into his embrace and kissing the top of my head. "Welcome home, little one."

Home. Yes, it was good to be home.

* * *


I rode bareback beside Aragorn, like the elves of my family who followed behind us, through the near deserted city Most of the inhabitants had already made their way to the outskirts of Ithilien where the wedding would take place. Brytta’s mane and tail had been braided with silver, green and gold ribbons and more of those tiny bells. We sounded like cathedral bells chiming as we cantered out of the city gates.

I looked back, smiling at Moragain who sat securely in my father’s embrace. The elf lord smiled back. Something told me that he liked having a granddaughter. I watched him point out something to her as we traveled across Pelennor Fields and chuckled quietly.

"What do you find so funny?" Aragorn asked raising an eyebrow at me.

"Ada." I said motioning at the elf lord with my head. Lord Elrond reminded me a lot of my birth father, quiet and reserved with a vast store of knowledge. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had a book on every known thing in Middle Earth dating back to the Elder Days. Yet, there was something different, gentler, softer, about this elf who claimed me as his blood.

Aragorn twisted on his mount to look at his father. "He loves little ones."

"It seems so natural to call him ‘Ada’."

"Good."

I guided Brytta closer to him and shoved him. "Why?"

He shoved me back, catching me as I nearly lost my seat. "He is your Ada, little sister. That is why." He laughed.

"Estel! Ithilin! Do I have to separate you two?" Elrond called behind us, causing us to laugh even harder.

"No, Ada!" we answered, still laughing.

"Then act befitting of your stations, children."

Aragorn and I snickered as we rode past the city of Osgiliath and into Ithilien. Just as the sun began to set lanterns that had been hung in the sheltering trees flickered to life, casting a silver glow on the ground below. Up ahead a lone figure stood in the path, shining like a lone moonbeam among the trees.

"Halt!" he cried. "Speak your names! The prince awaits his bride this night."

"I am Aragorn Elessar, friend to your prince. This is my sister, Ithilin Palandiriel. She seeks her bridegroom here."

The elf paced forward and held out a hand for me to dismount. "You are long awaited, my lady. Come. This way to the wedding grove."

Aragorn offered me his arm and guided me in the elf’s wake.

"I will let Ada give you away, little sister, but I will walk you to the grove."

I nodded, glancing around me in silent wonder. Soft lights sparkled among the branches of the trees like tiny captured fairies. I could hear a gentle melody on the breeze sung by elven voices. It spoke of the entwining of hearts and the blending of souls. I felt tears spring to my eyes. It was all so beautiful.

"Ithilin," Aragorn whispered softly as he transferred my hand to Elrond’s arm. "I will take Moragain and go with the others. We shall see you in a little while."

"Yeah," I croaked, biting back tears of happiness as I nodded and watched them leave.

"Little one?" Ada’s voice was soft and soothing as we stood alone outside the grove. "What are these tears?"

"Joy, Ada. Pure unadulterated joy."

A tender smile touched his lips as his free hand brushed the tears away. "Legolas told me of your past. I am happy that you have found what your heart desires after so much pain."

"That’s what makes all of this worth so much more, Ada. If I had never known that pain, then Legolas’ love would not be as precious."

"Yes, my child, pain and sorrow teach so much that is necessary. Would that is was not that way." Elrond bent down and kissed my forehead before he drew the vines, that separated us from the grove, aside.

The moon had risen, large and full, over the forest of Ithilien casting a pale silver glow over the grove. The clearing was filled with people. As we entered, they parted and an awed hush fell over the clearing. I could see Gimli, Aragorn and Moragain up ahead. I saw Gandalf and Lady Galadriel as well as we glided forward.

Legolas stood by his father, a vision in green and gold. A thin golden circlet sat upon his brow. The gentle breeze tugged playfully at the hem of his emerald green silk tunic and caught up several strands of his pale flaxen hair. He appeared to be a smaller, more delicate version of his father, yet I knew the strength that lay hidden beneath his seemingly fragile frame. Seeing me on Elrond’s arm, he smiled softly.

"Your beauty out shines the stars this night, my love," he whispered in my ear as he bent to give me a quick kiss in greeting. "Fear you not that they shall be envious?"

"Nay, melethron, for they know that my beauty will be dimmed on the morrow."

"Then they can not see as I do. Your beauty will never fade."

"Fortunate for them, then. For what should we do without the stars to shine on our good fortune."

"Who brings these young ones before me to be joined?" Lady Galadriel said smiling at us.

Both Elrond and Thranduil stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"Do you consent to their choice?"

A soft murmur of assent followed and was echoed by all those in attendance.

"What say you Legolas Thranduilion? Take you her for your own?"

His words, though soft, echoed through the trees like a chime on the wind. Tears streamed down his fair cheeks.
"Many a red dawn have I seen with no comfort waiting for me.
I have wearied of battle and long for your tender embrace.
Long have I waited for this moment, meleth-nîn.
Will you take a warrior?
Many times I thought I might have lost you.
To death, another time, another man.
Yet here you stand before me.
I ask again, will you take a warrior?"

"And you Palandiriel, have you an answer?" the Lady asked turning to me.

"Many a year’s turning have I marked with sadness.
Few a day has gone by with out pain.
Little solace have I found in rhyme or words,
Until Eru led me here.
Will a warrior take a poet?
Shadows have fled in the light of your love.
Words often fail to adequately reveal my heart.
This poet that stands before the warrior asking
for the healing only his love can give.
Will the Warrior take the Poet?" I answered, my voice quavering with tears.

He reached out his hands to me and folded me into his embrace. "Aye, hervess-nîn. This warrior will take his poet to love ‘til the end of time and beyond." he sighed happily, fresh tears coursing down his pale cheeks as his lips met mine in a passionate kiss.

Thunderous applause and shrill cheers sailed up into the star studded night. I had my warrior. He captured his poet. I was truly home now.

* * *

It was well past midnight before Legolas and I were able to make our way back to palace and our bedchamber. I tried not let my apprehension show as he removed his tunic. I watched as he deftly worked the silver clasps open and let the shimmery garment float to the floor. He turned, then, and stirred the coals in the hearth to life. The warm glow of the firelight kissed his pale bronze skin, playing over his delicate yet powerful frame as he added a few logs to the coals. Crossing my arms over my chest I stood watching the flames trying to steel my nerves, even still, my shaking hands betrayed my unease.

"Meleth-nîn, we do not have to do this," he said soothingly as he stood and brushed a wisp of hair behind my ear. "It is too soon."

"No," I replied resolutely, looking up and making eye contact with him. "Legolas, I - "

"I do not want you to fear me, Ithilin."

"No. I have to do this. If I don’t, then Sauron and that Uruk have beaten me."

He moved closer, his eyes shining. "I understand, meleth."

Gently, his callused fingers traced the curve of my neck, moving lightly up along my jaw. I closed my eyes and turned into his touch. I wanted him to know that it was not him I feared, that I wanted this.

I placed a kiss on his palm as I rested my hands on his upper arms, my right hand closing over the tattoo on his left arm. A stray thought flitted through my head, distracting me from my fear. Would I receive a mark like this? Had I not proven myself in battle?

"Legolas."

"Yes, orë-nîn."

"Will Ada incise a torque like this on my arm?" I asked as I rubbed the pad of my thumb over the curling green leaves that circled his bicep.

"I do not expect you to ever see battle again, Ithilin, so there is no need for it," he replied as he placed a kiss to my forehead.

I curled my arms around his waist and laid my head against his shoulder, my face snuggled against his neck.

"Would you have me shut away in a tower, hîr-nîn, so that I can not protect those I love?"

"So, my poet has a warrior’s heart after all," he chuckled softly. "If you are so keen to have it, hîril-nîn, then I will gladly comply with your request."

Giving him a tentative smile, I gazed up at him. "After."

"As you wish, meleth-nîn," he whispered, leaning down and capturing my lips in a passionate kiss as he slowly backed me toward the bed.

Breaking the kiss, he turned upon reaching it and draped himself languorously across the bed, his pale golden hair shimmering like a captured moonbeam in the soft firelight as it pooled around his head on the linens. As he gazed at me he reached over to the side table to retrieve two goblets of wine and handed one to me.

"Come, meleth. I am yours to command this night."

I gave him an uncertain smile as I straddled his hips. "You are letting me have control?"

He nodded as he took a sip of the wine. "I will do nothing you do not wish. Command me."

I grinned. "Okay, my love slave," I whispered, sliding my hands down his chest.

Just as my fingers brushed his nipples he hissed, wincing in pain. I looked down. In the soft light I two small glints of gold winking at me from his chest, barely visible in the low light.

"What is this?"

"Apparently a family tradition I knew naught of until this eve."

"Why?"

Legolas sighed uncertainly. "Adar said that all wed ellyn are slaves to their ellyth."

I moved off of him, anger rising, and began to pace. "You will never be my slave. Ever! You have ever treated me as your equal and I am not about to -"

"Ithilin, I did not realise that this would upset you. Forgive me."

"Legolas, do you not see how demeaning it is?"

"I will remove them."

"I’m not asking you to do that. I’m asking you to rethink their meaning. You are not my slave nor will you ever be."

"He also said they can heighten sexual pleasure," he gave a soft laugh as he propped himself up on his elbows, "though at the moment it is a bit painful."

I giggled. "I’m sorry. I understand the tattoos but the rings seem so completely out of place." I shook my head, loosening the ties on my gown. "However, I’m game to find a new meaning for them if you want to."

"Does it help to know that your brothers thought it was barbaric."

"Why do I see them having nipple rings?"

Legolas laughed. "They do not. They were appalled and tried to help me. Obviously, they failed."

I sat back down beside him and reached out to touch the nearest hoop. "You know, they do make you look a bit roguish. Like a pirate. Now all you need is a gold hoop in one ear and you’ll be set." I smiled lasciviously at him. "I could get used to the ‘bad boy’ look."

"I can still remove them."

I shook my head as I crawled over him and settled on his lap as he propped himself up on his elbows. "Leave them. They might come in handy," I said with a sly wink. "Now, elf, where were we. . . . "

I took a sip of the wine, 'accidentally' letting some of the fruity liquid dribble down my chin and onto his bare chest.

"Oops!" I said with a grin.

"Wicked, wicked elleth," he hissed as I licked the sweet, ruby beads from his skin.

This continued for some time until only sediment was left in the bottom of the bottle. By the time I had finished the glass I was feeling a bit giggly and nearly dropped the goblet as I tried to set it back on the side table.

Legolas chuckled, catching the glass, "No more of Ada’s wine for you, my love."

"Yeah," I giggled, feeling a little warm. "That is some potent stuff."

"Try your father’s Mirovoir," he answered as he took another drink, "if you want potent. Two glasses and I am under the table."

"Gimli did say something about you not being able to hold your liquor."

"Hah! I drank ‘him’ under the table that time. It was only mead, which is slightly less disgusting that dwarven ale."

"That’s not how he tells it." I laughed at the exasperated look he gave me. "And I’ve had mead. I like it. It’s sweet."

"It looks like your brothers and I need to put a dwarf in his place." He shook his head despairingly, "We really need to refine your tastes, my love."

"I didn’t say I didn’t like your father’s wine," I hiccuped with a giggle. "It certainly has helped with the nervousness."

"Let me," he whispered as his long fingers drifted to the lacings of my gown. "I am glad that it helped."

As I tugged my dress and chemise over my head and tossed it aside, wanting to feel his soft skin against my own, his smile broadened taking in my naked form. He moved closer, cupping my sagging breasts in his rough warrior’s hands.

"Your babes have suckled here?" he asked, leaning up to nibble teasingly at each nipple as I fumbled to untie his laces.

I nodded, sliding my hands underneath the suede to loosen the fabric’s hold on his waist. The garment was pushed to his ankles and dropped to lie forgotten with his tunic and my dress. His body was smooth, battle hardened, and virtually hairless with the exception of a generous sprinkling of tight, dark curls on his groin. The feel of his skin beneath my hands was like touching the finest of silk velvets.

He arched against me, his erect manhood driving into my belly. Moving slowly, he brought me to lie beneath him. Gently, he clasped me to him, his hands sliding over my unyielding body as he took a nipple into his mouth, biting it playfully. I gasped at the fire of passion and desire that rushed through me and wantonly I hooked a leg around his slim waist. One of hands fell to caress the sweep of my bum, his long slender fingers softly probing the wet heat they found there. I arched against him, biting back a cry.

"You are hungry, melethril?" he purred brazenly, his eyes dark with desire and lust.

"I’m afraid," I whispered even as I tried to push the fear away. I knew that he would never hurt me but that didn’t stop the panic from rising to the surface.

"I understand, meleth," he murmured as he sat back. "Touch me."

I let my hands wander over his smooth chest, delighting in the feel of his skin. He lifted his chin, exposing his bare neck, as I trailed feather light kisses down his throat. I heard him groan softly as I nipped at his collar bone. He leaned back to give me better access to his torso, his pale hair cascaded behind him like a shimmering curtain of satin.

"You are so beautiful, Legolas," I said as I traced the line of his dark eyebrows then trailed my fingers down his chest toward the iridescent tattoo the curled like a gossamer vine over his right hip and sent tendrils to spiral around his navel and down to disappear in to the dark curls of his sex. I traced the pattern lightly, eliciting a shiver from him.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Something to make you ask questions," he laughed as he caught my lips in a sensuous kiss. I gasped in awe and delight, reveling in the sensation. "Decoration."

"It doesn’t mean something?"

"No. Should it?"

"No, but everything else has had a meaning."

"Do you like it?"

"It’s very beautiful."

"What do you see when you look at it?"

"Is there a right answer to that question?"

He laughed. "Aye, love, there is. What do you see?"

"What have your lovers seen?" I asked, curious.

He seemed to think about the question a moment. "Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"They never commented on it. Tell me, what do you see?"

The pattern seemed to ebb and flow like a tide as he breathed, the crystalline vine ever changing with the movement.

"I see us, " I breathed, touching the vine where it was thickest near the base of his shaft and began to trace the vines. "I see life and love. Joy and sadness and . . . children, many children."

I gazed up at him.

"Yes, love." He smiled, his blue eyes soft and misty. "The meaning lay only with the other half of my soul. You, orë-nîn, are the only one who has seen its meaning."

I made a face at him. "So they did see something."

"Only a good time," he answered smugly.

I pulled a pillow from behind me and hit him with it. "That is for being so smug about it, you silly elf." I whacked him again. "And that is for just because I can."

He grabbed the offending pillow and tossed it to the side as he knelt up, dragging his fingers over the curve of my breast. "Smug am I? Shall I show you, meleth. No elleth has ever left my company unsatisfied."

"Yes, but they left, did they not?"

He chuckled softly. "Aye, but that is their loss, yes?"

"Definitely." I pushed him down onto the bed and straddled his thighs. "Legolas, I need you! I want to be with you."

"I do not want you to fear me, Ithilin."

"I don’t."

"I feel your fear, my love," he whispered drawing me down into his embrace. "You do know that I would die before I ever hurt you."

"I know."

He feathered his lips over mine, so soft, so tentative, very much like the first kiss he gave me in Lórien. His fingers traced the outline of my lips as his traveled down the curve of my neck. Gently he grasped one of my hands and pressed it to his chest. I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my palm.
I trembled as his fingers lightly tickled down the length of my body found the mound of nerves that made my head fall to the mattress in ecstasy. Slowly he moved over me again, keeping his kisses light and unhurried until he settled between my legs. I whimpered when I felt the tip of his manhood nudge my entrance.

"Shh," he whispered against my lips, "trust me. I will go slow. You can always tell me to ‘stop’."

I nodded, moving my hands to rest on his upper arms as he slowly pressed into my body.

"Look at me," he commanded gently, as his hips rocked against mine.

I rose to meet him, driving him further inside. He felt so good but I could feel the memory starting to surface. I bit back a cry, trying to shove the vision away but it held on.

"No!"

"Hush, my love, and look at me. Keep your eyes on me and you will not see the creature. Trust me."

Opening my eyes, I locked my gaze on his face, memorizing how his silky hair framed it in that moment. I watched his lips form a perfect ‘o’ as he thrust and his eyes flutter as he withdrew. I had never seen anything so beautiful or erotic before.

"You are beautiful, melethril," he said softly.

His hand strayed down between my legs again, finding the spot that took my breath away and drove coherent thought from my mind. He moaned lustily as my hands slid down his chest to his manhood and began lightly stroking the base of his hardened shaft. With a hungry look in his sapphire eyes he took possession of my mouth, his tongue warring with mine. His mouth left mine, moving earnestly down my unyielding body with gentle bites interspersed with his kisses.

As Legolas began to thrust in earnest, I arched against him, our breath coming in short labored gasps as we neared our climaxes. All of sudden, a warm tingling sensation spread over my body and my hands gripped his biceps as I shuddered and let out a gasping cry. With breathy groan Legolas thrust once more and his seed spilled deep within my warm, welcoming body. Shaking with exhaustion, he lowered his head to lay against my breast.

"It has been a long time," he chuckled breathlessly, planting soft kisses on the flushed skin of my breast. "But it has never been like this."

"If I could move anything but my lips, you wouldn’t have to support yourself." I laughed, breathing in his stormy scent that was mingled with the musk of love making. "But I know what you mean."

I felt him smile against me and a soft laugh shook his slender shoulders.

"If you are as fierce a warrior as you are a lover," I chuckled, "Then God help me if I should ever get on the wrong side of you."

He smiled and caught me in a passionate kiss, "Eru forbid that should happen, Ithilin."

* * *


I sat curled on the bed staring at the dying fire in the hearth. My wedding dress lay a puddle of green linen on the stone floor next to the bed, forgotten in our play, the firelight flickering over the sliver embroidery.

Shivering, even in the warmth of the room, I pulled the sheet up around my naked body, I gazed down at Legolas’ sleeping form. I reached out and smoothed an errant strand of hair from his forehead. He was so beautiful. What had I done to deserve such a gift?

I rose from the bed, taking the sheet with me, and padded silently to the chairs that were nestled close to the hearth. A tear spilled down my cheek as I curled up in one of the chairs and stared into the fire.

"Forgive me, meleth, I should not have fallen asleep," came Legolas’ soft voice sometime later, waking me from my half-doze as he knelt in front of my seat. "What is it? Why these tears? Did I hurt you?"

"No. No! You were wonderful it’s just that I miss them," I said, my voice hitching around the lump in my throat. "I will never see my boys again."

Legolas pulled me into his strong embrace. "I am sorry, meleth. I wish you had been given the chance to tell them Namarie."

I huddled in his arms and cried. I loved him deeply but even he could not replace what I had lost. While I knew that eventually there would be children, it just wasn’t the same. He held me and let me cry.

Legolas smiled lovingly as my tears finally subsided and moved to sit in front of the fire. "Would you like me to incise your warrior’s mark?"

"Will it hurt?"

"No more than you have already experienced," he replied picking up the tool and ink from the side table beside the hearth rug. "Just hold still."

"I am here. You can hold on to me until I am finished," Legolas whispered in my ear at my gasp of pain as I nearly let go of the sheet when the tiny needle pierced the skin of my upper arm. Gently, he gathered me to him and I buried my face in his chest as he continued to prick in the coloured mark. "Just remember to breathe, meleth-nîn." I could hear the laughter in his voice as I sucked in another breath and held it.

"It stings," I mumbled against his chest. "How did you deal with it when you got yours?"

He chuckled softly. "To be honest, I practically bolted from my father’s tent at the first prick, meleth. Ask Adar to tell you the story. He finds it uproariously funny."

"I’ll do that!" The last came out as a yelp as I felt something burn across the skin.

"It will be over soon. I am almost finished."

"Not soon enough," I ground out.

"There," my mate said as the incessant pricking stopped, "you are a warrior as well as a poet, my love."

I took a steadying breath as I turned my face away from his chest and looked down at the tattoo. Beneath the smeared blood and inflammation I could see blue and green hues laced with silvery mithril swirled in a knot work pattern that reminded me of the night sky. Within the silver I could just make out the sweeping letters of my name. It hurt like hell but it was beautiful.

"Ouch," I whimpered softly.

Legolas smiled as he reached for the soft bandage that lay on the table.

"I am sorry, meleth," he whispered, nuzzling my cheek as he bandaged the tattoo. "The pain will lessen soon. I promise."

Legolas lifted me in his strong arms and carried me to the bed then went to put the tool and ink away.

"Sleep now, love," he said softly, sliding into bed and curling up around me. "Even warriors and poets need their rest. Unless you have other plans."

A grin spread over my face as he trailed his hand over the curve of my breast and his tongue snaked out and teased my earlobe.

"Do you know how fine you are to me, my Ithilin," he whispered as I snuggled back against him.

"How fine am I, my prince?" I asked, feeling my drowsiness flee as he moved over me.

"So fine, my heart, so fine."