Mandos's Embrace Continuation

A/N: Lime in this chapter. Still working on my lemons. Patience will be rewarded, I promise. I'm finally back to writing after taking an extended break to get married and start a new job. I'll also be bringin a few new stories to this site as well, so be on the look-out for them! SpiritChild


Chapter Seventeen

Glorfindel had to continously hide his chuckling as he and Haldir escorted Elrond to clean himself up. The sticky, grumbling Peredhel was obviously not in the mood to deal with anyone laughing at his expense. He could only wonder what kind of an earful the Twins were going to get. Haldir had opted to send his brothers to the fences for a week, and Legolas had scurried off to speak with Cirdan in Azalea's talan. Although, he had to admit the prank was undeniably quite creative. He would have to tell Erestor about it upon his return to Imladris.

Return. He gave a soft sigh as the inevitable crossed his mind. They had been in Lothlorien for nearly a month now, which left only five more months. They would definately have to discuss the future of their relationship. If he was this attached to her after only a few weeks, after five months more....a blissful smile crept across his face.

"What are you grinning about?" Elrond growled.

He winced at the tone of Elrond's voice. Glorfindel opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off by Haldir's amused voice.

"With that look on his face, it should be obvious as to who he was thinking about."

Elrond snorted. "I should have guessed."

Glorfindel had the grace to blush and shrug sheepishly. "Perhaps we should discuss matters other than my love life....."

Haldir chuckled. "Not embarassed are you?"

"Have something to hide, Glorfindel?" Elrond teased mercilessly. "Age catching up with you?"

The blonde warrior sputtered, azure eyes widening in shock. He couldn't believe that had just come out of Elrond's mouth. He put on a feral grin. "I'm only trying to be modest." He turned away and scoffed over his shoulder. "Now I see where your sons get it.."

Haldir thought his sides would burst from the laughter as he watched Elrond chase Glorfindel, yelling at the top of his lungs. "That means war Glorfindel of Gondolin!"

He shook his head. Perhaps he could herd them into the training arena to blow off some steam. After all it had been ages since he had watched Elrond spar.

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Legolas sat perched on a bench on Azalea's terrace, watching his bodyguard tattoo the runes into the elleth's skin. He had never seen an elleth tattooed before and was suprised she had already lasted two hours into the procedure. He thought of his own tattoos, Tengwar bands around his arms, similar to the ones Cirdan had. Also a single rune between his shoulder blades.

He glanced down to the expanse of pale skin Cirdan was working on. This was the first time Legolas had seen Azalea's scars. He had heard Cirdan talk about them on several occasions, but seeing them was a completely different experience. The Tengwar runes stood out boldly black against her skin. Cirdan's hands moved methodically with his needles, outlining each scar with the flowing pattern. He had made it fully around one. With a last tap of ink, he set the needle aside.

"I need a breather and a stretch, Zale. You're like a wall. I'm used to having to take a break before now." His brown eyes glowed with admiration for his sister. He reached for a bowl and cleaned her back with tepid water, steeped with lavender and eucalyptus, to cool and soothe her slightly inflamed skin.

Legolas chuckled. "I squirmed around a great deal after the numbing salve wore off."

"Don't I remember." Cirdan replied dryly.

Azalea smiled slightly at the banter between the two. She had been a little reluctant to allow Legolas to stay at first, until he explained exactly why he should be with his bodyguard at the present moment. Glorfindel would likely have his hands full dealing with Elrond at the moment.

She sighed softly as the tepid water took effect. It had taken much of her control to remain still after the numbing salve wore off nearly an hour ago. She could understand why it would be useful for those receiving smaller tattoos, though.

Cirdan swept another line of salve across his new working area. Azalea turned her head to look at him. She gave him a smile and a slight nod of her head. "I'm ready. You can start again."

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The sound of metal clashing echoed across the training fields. Haldir sat perched on the fence watching Elrond and Glorfindel spar. If he thought the Peredhel would be rusty, he was quite mistaken. Glorfindel was hard-pressed to keep the former Herald at bay.

Sweat soaked the blond seneschal's tunic, making it cling uncomfortably to his skin. Glorfindel groaned inwardly. They had been sparring for nearly three hours. His muscles burned and one look at Elrond told him the same about the other warrior. Finally Elrond swung at him, just right. He parried, leapt back two steps and sunk his blade into the soft earth. "I conceede." He panted.

Elrond gave a nod and bowed to his opponent, showing respect. "A draw, then, Glrofindel?"

"Aye, Elrond. A draw."

Haldir had slipped down off his perch, and approached the two elves. Glorfindel smiled at the Marchwarden. "Coming for your own turn?"

Haldir chuckled. He motioned to the small group that had gathered to watch the spar. "Honestly, Lord Glorfindel. You defeated one of my best Lieutenants, not to mention held your own against Lord Elrond, former Herald to the High King. Let's just say I am in no mood to be bested in front of my warriors. Perhaps another time."

"As you wish, Haldir."

Elrond chuckled. "Come, let's cool off in the shade. Then perhaps Haldir can show us some of his expert archery." The two blond warriors nodded.

Sprawling on the soft grass beneath an ancient-looking mallorn, Glorfindel let out a contented sigh, leaning back against a root that had breached the ground. "Thank you Elrond."

Elrond frowned. "What ever for?"

"For talking me into coming here. It's so peaceful and calming. Imladris has her peace and beauty, but it just feels more...I don't know how to explain it."

Haldir grinned softly. "It's the influence of Lady Galadriel. She bears the ring of power here. The difference you feel is from her being a female as opposed to Elrond's masculinity in ruling. It's almost like being comforted by your mother."

Glorfindel nodded. "Yes, that's it exactly." The three shared a light lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and practicing archery.

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"Enough Cirdan." Azalea gasped. "I can take no more." It had been two hours since the last of the salve had worn off and the sunlight filtering through the trees had taken on a rosy hue. They had been at this all day.

"I have one more rune. Can you hold out for me to finish it?" The archer gently brushed a hands across his sister's sweat-soaked brow. "Then we can go wash you up, and put the healing salve on"

She managed a slight nod. "Aye, but hurry up." She felt Legolas kneel down beside her and slip his hand into hers.

He gave her a reassuring squeeze and a smile. "You've done amazing. The Galadhrim are fortunate to have you among their ranks."

She managed a weak smile, looking up at him. "Thank you, Prince Legolas." She felt the needle stop and let out a sigh of relief as the cool water of the cleansing cloth trickled across her skin.

"We're done for now. I will give you a few days to heal before finishing the pattern." Cirdan explained as he gently washed the blood and excess ink from his sister's skin.

Azalea shifted a bit. "Can I get up, now? I am a bit hungry."

"Of course."

She pushed herself up to her knees and took the tunic Legolas offered her. Wincing slightly at the stiffness and burning in her back, she slid the sofft fabric on. In a swift graceful movement, she stood and headed to the kitchen, calling over her shoulder. "Would you two like anything?"

Cirdan chuckled. "Do you really have to ask?"

She shook her head. Rummaging around, she pulled out a pouch of dried berries and nuts, as well as some fresh rolls from that morning, and a bottle of light crisp, citrus wine. Retuning to the balcony, she laid the fare down and the three struck up a conversation about how life in Mirkwood had been recently.

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That's how Glorfindel found them. He entered the talan to the sound of laughter. Legolas had been telling Azalea about how the Dwarves had escaped form the dungeons with the help of a hobbit. "...you should have seen the look on father's face when he realized they had used the wine barrels and just floated out on the river."

Cirdan chuckled. "Aye. I don't think I've seen so many volunteers for border duty."

Glorfindel leaned against the doorway, watching the three elves laugh and sip their wine. He softly cleared his throat, and his heart fluttered as Azalea turned a breath-taking smile his way. She extended a hand to him. "Maethoren! Come join us." He smiled and took up a place behind her. Her weight leaning into him, and the heat from her body, felt comforting, and arousing.

Little did he know, but the same thoughts were coursing through her mind. He felt her shift slightly, and a gentle hand caressed his cheek. Her soft breath on his neck made him shiver. "Did you have a good time today, melethron?"

"Aye, lirimaer. I did indeed." He ghosted his lips across hers.

A feral grin spread across her face as his arousal made it's presence known. "You seem a bit tired. Perhaps we should go to bed."

He chuckled low in his throat. "Perhaps so, I am feeling a bit..tired."

Both turned at the groan from Cirdan. "Legolas, I'm staying with you tonight. I really do not need to hear that again." The two lovers had the grace to blush as the archers stood up. Glorfindel smirked as Cirdan, still shaking his head, closed the door behind him.

"I thought you said he slept soundly."

"I thought he did." She blushed fiercely. "At least he always used to."

Glorfindel chuckled. "Well now. Where were we?" He scooped Azalea up into his arms and strode into the bedroom, dropping her onto the bed. She winced slightly at the drop to her back. "Oh, sorry. Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head. "Not really. I'm just a bit tender still. It'll be alright." She reached out and grabbed a handful of his tunic. "Now quit stalling and get down here with me." She purred.

Glorfindel growled and straddled her lithe form. "Is this what you meant?" He whispered breathily in her ear. Another smirk crossed his lips as a violent shiver coursed through her body. He nuzzled against her neck before running his toungue up the edge of her ear, and gently sucking the tip into his mouth, eliciting a moan from her.

"Aiya Glorfindel.." He felt her hands rubbing circles on his back through his tunic. Sitting up, he pulled it off, and tossed it to the floor. Her tunic and both of their leggings followed in short order. Glorfindel moaned in pleasure at the skin to skin contact. Azalea wrapped her legs around him and rocked her hips upward. He hissed at the pleasureable sensations.

He began trailing butterfly kisses down her throat to her collarbone, nipping gently every so often. He chuckled inwardly about the trail of love bites she would find in the morning. Another rock of her hips tore a throaty moan from him, and he soon found himself on his back, Azalea straddling him.

Reaching up, she freed her braids, letting them tumble down her back. She grinned down at Glorfindel, lightly tracing patterns across his chest. "This time, I am in control." She whispered before leaning back and taking him inside her. They both cried out in ecstasy.

Azalea smiled gently at the sleeping warrior next to her. She twirled a finger idly around a lock of his golden hair. 'Five more months. Aiya, maethoren, you will have to go back to Imladris after that, and it will break my heart. My life is here, my duty is here. I hope this summer is not all the time we have.' She placed a gentle kiss on his lips and snuggled up to him, falling asleep in his embrace.