Sleeping Beauty

Author’s Note: The warmth and kindness I receive every time from your reviews makes the word “thank you” pale compared to the gratitude I feel. This time I was more than happy to also see reviews from dear, old friends. You should see the smile on my face. I would especially like to thank Rozzan for her unique and precious support to my stories and writing abilities; I really hope the following chapters will not disappoint you.

This chapter was very difficult to write. And it’s a looong one. But it’s the least I can do for all of you out there. Thank you for reading my story.

<>WARNING: Mature Content

Disclaimer: See Prologue.

italics: thoughts

***italics*** : vision


Chapter 10 – The joining

Alice pushed her bag off her shoulder sighing, frantically searching for her keys. Oh God, I hope I didn’t leave them back at the office! She really didn’t feel like driving all the way back to the station to get them. It had been such a difficult day, that all she wanted right now was to sink in a bath with hot water and forget about everything.

“Shit…!”

Her lack of sleep had drawn any patience she had before and she renewed her search with abrupt movements, making a mess with her papers, lipsticks, pens, CDs and all other things that lay -usually forgotten- in her bag. Last night she was too much of an emotional wreck to rest; waking up right after the dream, she spent the remaining hours until morning pondering on what the elf had revealed to her about history, sacrifice and bonds. No amount of make-up could hide the black circles under her eyes anymore.

“Finally!” she exclaimed exasperated, her hand coming out of the bag with the object she had been looking for.

Just as she pulled her keys out, a colorful piece of paper fell out of her bag and landed with a soft thud on her feet. She was more than frustrated by now and bent to retrieve it with annoyance; however, her facial features softened when she realised it was her ticket. She had bought it this morning, in order to visit Prof. Bianci next week and check out the manuscripts he had mentioned.

She smiled sighing at the thought of Italy. It had been so long since she had visited this beautiful country and she was bubbling inside with excitement. Oh, she would definitely visit Venice for a stroll in the paved alleys, full of little shops with their famous Renaissance masks and dresses! She opened her apartment’s door still wearing that dreamy smile on her face and dropped her bag on the couch as soon as she entered the living room.

“OH MY GOD!!!”

She screamed as two hands embraced her from behind and someone bit her bare shoulder playfully.

“Surprise!”

“Logan, have you lost your fucking mind?? I thought it was a burglar or something!”

Logan let out a laugh and loosened his arms around her. Alice took a few steps back and looked at him with a mixture of relief and disappointment.

Disappointment? Where had that come from? She hadn’t seen her boyfriend for a week!

“You don’t look too happy to see me,” Logan noted his face falling and leaned his hip on the back of the couch, arms crossed.

“What are you talking about, of course I’m happy! It’s just… you scared the shit out of me, you moron!” Alice replied with a fake chuckle and stepped closer to Logan. What was wrong with her? Why was she acting so weird? She had been living in the same house for 3 years with this person and now she felt as if she was facing a stranger!

She playfully hit his arm and moved her arms around his shoulders, but Logan stopped her, eyebrows drawn.

“What’s this?” he said, a frown appearing on his face. His fingers traced the dark circles under her eyes and Alice flinched away from his touch. “You’re not sleeping well?”

Alice looked down, suddenly feeling guilty for her dreams. Had she been cheating on Logan? But how could that count as cheating, if it wasn’t real? And why did she feel so uncomfortably around the man she loved?

“It’s nothing, I was a little stressed at work…” she lied and tried to disentangle herself from Logan’s arms. However, he kept her firmly in his embrace, while she tried to avoid his gaze.

“Alice? Is that all?”

Alice’s heart jumped at his question. Did he know something about her dreams? Had Jean talked to him about her late visit? Was he suspecting the change in her feelings for him? You idiot, how could he not with the way you’ve been acting lately? the voice inside her head commented in a chastising tone and she willed the images of the blond elf out of her mind… in vain.

“Yes, that’s all,” she finally answered and leaned against Logan. Funny how she used to think his scent comforting; she had never known real comfort and safety until she found herself in the arms of the elf.

Logan sighed and moved away from the couch where he was leaning on, pulling Alice with him.

“Let’s go to bed,” he whispered in her ear, his voice husky from the need that was prodding Alice’s thigh. “I’m tired as well.”

Alice’s heartbeat increased in speed. She felt alarmed by his implication and she couldn’t understand why. What was so frightening about having sex with her own boyfriend? She was being unreasonable! Was it all because of those stupid dreams? Were they slowly destroying her relationship with the man she loved and the peacefulness of her life?

“I’ve missed you so much…” Logan said in a muffled voice, as he nuzzled Alice’s neck and began kissing along her exposed collarbone.

Alice remained still as he began pushing the material of her dress off her shoulders to expose more of her skin, feeling extremely confused. She watched her clothes fall in a pile around her legs, her underwear joining them a few moments later. Her responses were out of habit; completely mechanical; she felt nothing with every touch, kiss, caress exchanged between them. She had done this with Logan countless times; it seemed familiar, yet so alien and wrong. His kisses felt rough on her skin; and a terrible nauseating feeling was troubling her stomach. This was wrong. So wrong.

And yet it was absolutely normal. Logan was her long-term boyfriend; the man she was supposed to love. Silly, silly Alice! Living in your dreams when reality is right before you in flesh and bones! Was she really so deeply affected by those stupid dreams, that she could not make love to her own boyfriend? She closed her eyes, as Logan laid her on their bed. A small whimper escaped her lips, which he mistook for pleasure. It was not long before he entered her; Alice could feel his being away had left him hungry for the physical aspect of their love.

She watched him move above her rhythmically, but she felt nothing inside. Her body felt numb and her vision swarm, his face and the things surrounding them suddenly becoming a blur.

Her mind became dizzy; and she finally surrendered herself to the arms of the vision.


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“I am leaving tomorrow,” the elf said, looking away, as if he knew an accusing gaze would soon appear in her green eyes.

“You just returned!” she exclaimed unable to fathom the news.

He kept looking away from her and she grabbed his arm to turn him around. “Legolas?” she tried again, when he gave no answer.

“I only came back for a couple of months, to gather some information needed,” he answered, a regretful tone in his voice.

“So you knew you would have to leave again? And yet you told me nothing?”

Her uneasiness was finally confirmed. Ever since he had returned, he had been distracted; at moments looking frustrated, even angry. His answers were vague and his touch was desperate; as if he would never see her again. But he hadn’t told her the truth, until now; was she just an inconsiderable factor in his life?

Legolas looked away once more. Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to speak.

“Aye. Forgive me, I could not bring myself to tell you the news.”

Alysse remained silent. She really didn’t know what to say. She felt as if being torn apart… Her emotions were moving like a whirlwind inside her, that threatened to take away her reason. How could he ever do this to her? Why hadn’t he told her? What was so important that required so much secrecy, when secrets had long ceased to exist between them? He had betrayed her trust, when she had given him her heart…

“Alysse… I beg of you, do not cry…” Legolas whispered, as he wiped the tear that trickled on her cheek with his thumb.

“How long will you be gone this time?” she asked, her voice equally low.

Her eyes bore into the blue depths of his own, daring him to tell her the truth; pleading with him to spare her heart of this pain with his answer.

“I may not return,” he finally replied.

She could feel her limps freeze with shock.

“I do not understand, Legolas,” she said shaking her head, not wanting to believe what he told her.

“My love, ‘tis a dangerous journey whose outcome none of us knows…”

“No…” she whispered, as she moved away from Legolas’ outstretched hand.

“Alysee, you have to understand, my love…-“

“Understand what??” she yelled at him, her tears finally flowing freely on her face.

She was being irrational, she knew it. He was the Prince of Mirkwood and she had accepted that long ago. He would always be on patrols or several other missions the Elvenking appointed to him and she had never complained so far; it was his duty. And although she knew that a union between them would be impossible, she still entertained a small flicker of hope that one day they would be free to enjoy their love. But the mere thought of losing him… Because of Legolas’ immortality, she had never bothered to think about such possibilities: she would be the one to die first and her elven lover would be the one left behind in grief. Finding herself suddenly in his shoes, she broke down.

“I hate you!!” she screamed with all her might, hitting his chest with her fists in unreasonable fury. “How dare you leave me here alone ! I hate you, I hate you so much!”

Through teary eyes and flying locks of hair, she realized Legolas’ gaze had hardened. She gasped as he grabbed her wrists and turned her around, locking her securely in his embrace.

“Calm yourself, Alysse!”

She fought him, trying to escape, but gave up eventually. She slowly relaxed, her sobs being the only remnant of her previous outburst. Legolas relaxed his grip on her as well, laying his chin on her shoulder.

“I cannot give you a promise I cannot keep, my love. We may not see each other again…-“

“Do not say that!” Alysse whimpered, her hands covering her ears, as if the action would stop the words of becoming reality. “Do not say that, please…” she said in a whisper, as her sobs once more drowned all the professions of love that rushed forth to her lips.

Legolas turned her around, pulling her in a tight embrace.

“I pray with all my heart to return safe to you, meleth nín…” Legolas said inhaling the scent of vanilla from her hair, as if imprinting it in his memory. “But this is above you and me,” he continued as he pulled away from her and looked in her eyes.

“You cannot save the whole world, Legolas,” Alysse tried to dissuade him once more, even though she knew she was being childish and unreasonable. But was it really so selfish that she wanted to spend her life with the man she loved?

Legolas shook his head with a bittersweet smile.

“Nay, I cannot save the whole world. But there is one person in this world, whom I wish to spare from darkness… and I will fight to save the woman I love,” he replied caressing her face with gentle fingers.

Alysse looked down in shame. She was being selfish, she knew that. And she also knew how hard it was for Legolas to leave everything he had known so far behind to meet unknown dangers, risking his life for the common good… Oh how she loved him! How she loved him for being so brave and valiant and thoughtful and strong…! How would she ever be able to live without him, if the inevitable happened!

“I have something for you,” he told her after a few minutes of silence.

Alysse looked up at him with curiosity, innocent wonder seizing her heart. Carefully, he reached to his pocket and produced a mithril chain with a tear-shaped emerald, shining in all its glory . Alysse looked at Legolas with a questioning look.

“This is a token of my love,” he said as he pushed her hair over one shoulder and secured the necklace around her neck. “I know not what fate holds for me, but I would have you know that I have loved no one else but you.”

Alysse traced the jewel with her fingers, looking at its craftsmanship with awe. He caught a glimpse of her Prince smiling.

“I knew it would compliment your eyes.”

She caught him off guard as she threw herself to him, her lips claiming his own; as if the world ended that day and it was their last moments together. She felt his arms move around her small form and deepen the kiss; she sighed contently, savoring his taste. Alysse suddenly broke the kiss as abruptly as she had started it.

“I will wait for you,” she told him, breathless from their kiss. “Until I draw my last breath.”

“Nay, you will marry and live a happy life,” he replied in a tone that left no room for arguments, although Alysse knew Legolas would rather drive himself upon the sword of the first Orc crossing his way, than see her in the arms of another.

“You are such a fool!” she exclaimed with a bitter laugh. “I could never love anyone else but you! Even though I know you would never marry me, because I am mortal…-”

The last statement was said in a sad voice and Legolas’ face acquired a frown.

“I never cared about your mortality, Alysse,” he interrupted her before she could speak further. “I would have married you, whether my father accepted it or not.”

He pushed the red strand of hair dancing in front of her eyes behind her ear and leaned in to kiss her, but was stopped by her fingers on his lips.

“Then marry me now,” she whispered, chest heaving with hope and anticipation. Alysse’s heart beat wildly, as she offered herself to him so boldly.

“I cannot do this to you, my love,” the elf replied as he looked away. She could see him struggling with his own emotions; fighting to keep away the urge to claim her for eternity and risking leaving behind a widow. But how to leave without knowing each other completely? For all they knew, these could be the last moments of them together. Their future was uncertain and Legolas would have to carry a memory, a beautiful memory to march into whatever darkness he could not voice to her.

“If… If something bad happens…” she began, finding it hard to talk about the matter, “…will you not regret it? Is not a wife waiting for you back home a source of strength and hope?”

Legolas looked back at her face; his brow furrowed, his face betraying his dilemma. He seemed to give her reasoning a second thought however, as he lips broke into a hopeful smile.

“If I return… I will introduce you to my father,” Legolas said, his eyes acquiring a strange light, as they traveled on her face. “We will have an official ceremony… and…-“

His plans for the future were cut off abruptly, as the central figure in them attacked his lips once more. Alysse pulled away with a nervous chuckle and the elf let his fingers trail down on her face. Alice knew that for a long time he had desired her. She could see it, as his eyes hungrily took her in. She realized her breath had quickened in excitement and her cheeks burned with the anticipation of what was to come.

He leaned in and kissed her gently, trying to coax away her nervousness. His hands traveled over her curves, her own timidly mimicking his actions. She turned around slowly, moving her hair over her shoulder to give him access to the laces of her dress. A gasp escaped her when his lips descended on the sensitive skin at the back of her neck, making her shudder. With agonizing slowness, the elf pulled at the strings and loosened the bodice of the dress. He was gentle with her, making sure she relaxed enough before pushing it off her shoulders, the material falling with a soft thud on the grass.

She turned around then, tugging impatiently on his tunic, looking at him with bright eyes, and he complied with no hesitation. She had seen him bare-chested before, but the way his eyes were locked with hers as he removed his tunic and the thin undershirt beneath it, made her knees weak and the woman inside her come alive. She tucked a red strand behind her ear in embarrassment and looked away when the rest of his clothes came off, realizing Legolas had come to stand before her, only when his fingers gently cupped her chin and turned her face towards him.

“If you ask it of me, I will stop,” he whispered gently.

Alysse realized she loved him even more then; even though completely naked, with his desire painfully evident as it brushed her thigh, he still thought of her first. With a shy smile, she slid one shoulder, then the second of her undergarments and let the material fall down on the soft grass beside her dress.

The woman remained still, giving Legolas the chance to take a full view of her naked form. The elven Prince was no stranger to her body, having bathed in the Lake with her many times. Neither was he stranger to the soft skin blushing under his appreciative perusal, having engaged with her in harmless caresses and touches tortuous to both. Yet both of them knew how important was the joining of two bodies as one, and so had restrained themselves. But today… today they were both facing each other as looking at their features for the first time… because today, they would become one.

It all started with a soft kiss. It was bestowed upon her with such love, that her lips trembled when touched by his own. His tongue sought out hers and, soon, their desire had their mouths engaged in a fierce battle that would bear no winner. Pushing Alysse gently, the Prince lead her to lie on the mossy ground, coming to rest beside her, his head propped on one hand. She could tell by his leisurely movements that he was in no rush. He would love her until morning came, until every moment left to them was spent as husband and wife. And then, let Sauron unleash his whole army upon him; she knew their love would make his aim true and their memories would shield him against the evil forces.

She was trembling beneath his touch. As his hand glided over her collarbone and circled around one breast, teasing the rosy peak, she was torn between familiar pleasure and anxiety of the unknown to come. She was nervous; oh, so nervous. What would it feel like to have him inside her? Would it hurt? What if she let him down with her inexperience? But it suddenly occurred to her that Legolas was new to love-making, as well. How was it possible, however, when his hands turned her flesh on fire with such expertise?

As if reading her disturbing thoughts, Legolas laid a reassuring kiss on her lips.

“Do you trust me?” he whispered, his face inches away from her own.

His clear blue eyes were locked on hers, waiting for her answer. ’Fool,’ she thought. ‘I trusted my heart in your hands the first day I met you!’

“Yes,” was her hardly audible answer, which brought a smile on the elf’s face, before his lips descended once more upon her. And at some point during their kiss, she realized that his hand had slipped between her legs… and was finally touching her womanhood for the first time.

Her burning flesh wiped the triumphant smile that was about to form on Legolas’ face for distracting her so successfully from her fear. His eyes acquired a dark hue, as his fingers gently but firmly acquainted themselves with this precious part of her body. Even in her sudden daze, she could feel Legolas was watching her reactions; her sharp intake of breath; the fluttering of her eyelids; the soft, mewling sounds coming out of her throat; all uncontrollable and all because of his touch.

It didn’t take him long to find her most vulnerable spot. Her gasp and the unconscious buck of her hips betrayed her. Turning his attention to his new discovery, he almost brought her to madness; her breaths became short and irregular, her small hand clutching his discarded tunic beneath her with a deadly grip. Slowly, he eased one finger inside her.

Her eyes opened wide at the invasion and she let out a moan; it felt strangely pleasurable. Relaxing her rigid body, she closed her eyes again, as Legolas attacked her neck with kisses and soft bites, concentrating on the feeling of his finger moving inside her. His mouth moved to her breasts and closed around one nipple, as a second finger added inside her, stretching her tight walls. She felt disoriented; dizzy; lost in a world that was made only of him. Her anxiety and fear was long forgotten, and she was wantonly moving her hips to meet his fingers, to take them deeper inside her. But she was not so lost in the fog of her pleasure to miss the elf reacting to the passion that had sprout between them.

Legolas had seemed to have full control of himself and his body reactions and she had to wonder at his self-discipline; until now. His hips were moving against her thigh and every inch of his body was as taut as a bowstring; a little more and it would break. Her soon-to-be husband probably deemed she was ready to receive him, but didn’t remove his fingers as he moved himself on top of her, wrapping her long legs around him. She looked up at him apprehensively, a flicker of fear making her heart flutter wildly. Legolas was quick to smother it with reassuring kisses and soothing words; she could tell he had reached his breaking point and could not hold himself any longer. Yet, he tried to distract her once more, rubbing with his thumb the hidden numb that made her tremble, to ease the pain he would inflict on her small body upon his entrance.

Alysse was so lost in the pleasure he brought her with his hand, that she never realized his fingers being replaced by the evidence of his desire, until she felt it pushing against her. She shifted uncomfortably as she felt the hard length slowly easing itself inside her, almost pushing Legolas away when he reached her barrier. She hardly had time to entwine her fingers with his, as he drove past it in one swift motion, her moan at the burning sensation muffled by his lips. She tried to start breathing again, trying to register the pain. It was not terrible as she had expected, but it was not exactly comfortable either. So she buried her face in his neck and soft golden hair, as the elf whispered apologetic words in her ear and started to slowly move above her, holding her close to his body. His first strokes inside her left her confused at the sensations; he was filling her to her core, and it was not only physical, but something that made her soul feel complete. She pushed his face back, a questioning look in her eyes, and she almost gasped at the intensity of the emotions she saw in the usually stoic elf’s eyes.

“I have claimed you…” he said in a soft voice, as he loved her, “…as my wife… and… what you feel…” He took her hand and placed their entwined fingers over his heart. “…What you feel is our bond… We are married now, my sweet Alysse…. until the end of the world comes…”

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“Legolas…!”

The name spilled forth her lips in a breathless whisper, as she reached her peak and climaxed around him. It had never been so intense before; and dizzy as she was in the aftermath of such a mind-numbing experience, it took her several minutes to realize that her lover had frozen above her. The feeling that something was wrong pierced through her foggy mind and she opened her eyes to reveal a sight she would never forget.

Logan was as still as a stone. There was a mixture of shock, hurt and betrayal written across his features, that brought Alysse all too quickly back to reality.

“What did you just say?”

She flinched at the tone of his voice. It was so cold, that it numbed her limbs. It was so sharp, that it cut through her like a knife. And it was so accusing, that she would rather have taken a gun and shot herself dead that very moment.

“I… Logan…” her voice caught in her throat and words failed her. What could she possibly tell him?

“Was that a name you just uttered, Alice?”

Her heart had started beating painfully fast and her palms felt sweaty.

“No, Logan… I… That was nothing, silly… God, I don’t even remembered what I said!”

Her nervous chuckle made his hazel eyes turn almost black and for a moment she feared he would reach her neck and strangle her with his bare hands. Instead, Logan just climbed off her and moved to pick his discarded clothes that lay strewn around the room. Alysse sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

This could not be happening. This just could NOT be happening.

“Logan, this is ridiculous, really…-“

“Ridiculous?? Do you think I’m an idiot, Alice Green?” He spoke her name with such disdain, that Alice felt tears pricking the back of her eyes. “Did you really think I had not realised something was wrong for some time now?”

“Logan…-“

“Don’t Logan me, Alice, you just screamed your lover’s fucking name while having sex with me!”

The reality of the situation hit her tenfold, as Logan voiced what had just happened. What in the world had she done? She had destroyed her relationship, her life, because of those stupid dreams! Is my mind so fucked up that I’m actually having visions? Have I finally gone mad?? Oh God, Logan, what have I done…

“I’m so sorry… Logan, let me explain please…”

Logan paid no heed to her sobs or tears as he hurriedly put on a T-shirt and grabbed his car keys from the kitchen table. A sudden panic seized her, as she realized that Logan was actually leaving. He was leaving her. Because of that cursed, imaginary elf!

“Logan please, listen to me!” she frantically clutched at his arm, begging him to stay, to let her explain, but he pulled his arm from her hold and ignored her pleas.

Her worst nightmare came alive, as Alice faced a shutting door, and she collapsed in a heap of tears on the floor.


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