Lady of Battle

Lady of Battle

~*~*~*~*~As Good As That?
by Cheiron

Rating: NC17

~*~*~*~*~

Legal disclaimer:
Characters, places, events from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion used without permission, no attempt has been made, nor will be made, to copyright these characters and no profit is being made from this work. All other non-Tolkien characters are of my own invention.

Feedback appreciated :) ... Enjoy!

Brenauth felt a hand gently rubbing her shoulder. Blinking, her eyes focused and saw the bright morning sunlight streaming into her rooms. She turned quickly and saw Rhokrist sitting on the edge of her bed, her face showing concern behind the gentle smile. Brenauth hadn’t noticed her come in.
“Oh Valar, did I miss our sparring session again?” Brenauth asked, blinking her eyes to clear her mind from the trance she had been in. She felt drained and remembered very little of the long night; she had not slept, but only sat and contemplated. Brenauth dropped her head, covering her face with one hand, vaguely recalling Erestor excusing himself when he had realized she had withdrawn into deep contemplation, standing by the fire, staring into the flames, he had thought it best she be alone.
“You’re beginning to develop some bad habits, gwathel.” Rhokrist laughed softly as she playfully chided her friend.
“Ah… yes. Sorry, I know how much you enjoy our matches.” Brenauth apologized as she sat up.
“That’s not what I meant,” Rhokrist laughed a little more at the puzzled look Brenauth gave, “That’s twice now you’ve spent the evening with a male and fallen asleep fully dressed.”
“Let me change and we’ll go to the practice field,” Brenauth gave the younger elleth a stern look and grunted as she rose to her feet, ignoring her mischievous friend.
“Not today,” Rhokrist shook her head. “Today we rest; the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and it is a perfect day for a swim!”
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

“This is nice. I did need this today,” Brenauth admitted as she lay on her back, beside Rhokrist; they were perched on their favorite rock at the river’s edge. The sun warmed her body, chasing away the shadows of the previous night.
Rhokrist didn’t reply right away and Brenauth turned to look at her, raising her hand to shade her eyes. The younger elleth was quiet and returned Brenauth’s inquiry with a quick smile.
“Your friend Erestor sought me out this morning, suggested that you might enjoy a day of relaxing.” Brenauth dropped her hand and closed her eyes, smiling at the thoughtfulness of her old friend.
‘Very much like him.’
“He’s fair… your friend, Erestor.” Rhokrist said, with an unusual tone in her voice.
Brenauth’s mouth snapped open,
“What?!” She stared at the young elleth; Rhokrist blushed slightly. This wasn’t her typical banter about the males. Brenauth studied her face and the realization dawned on her,
“You find him attractive?” she quarried, chuckling at Rhokrist.
“He’s… well… he’s very fair.” Rhokrist stammered. Blushing slightly, she began to twirl her fingers in the running water; her attention seemed to dissipate as she seemed to daydream,
“His eyes are like shining jewels, and so full of grace and kindness…” She trailed off looking back to Brenauth and blushing more.
Brenauth sensed that Rhokrist’s attraction to Erestor went beyond her normal fondness for the males, but decided to have some fun with the younger elleth anyway. Casually, she lay down, turning away, adjusted her position and spoke,
“I’ve seen him swimming, you know,” Brenauth nonchalantly mentioned, “he’s quite large, you should enjoy him.” Brenauth couldn’t believe herself; she blushed inside at having spoken it aloud.
“My Lady!” Rhokrist gasped; she had sat up quickly and the look of shock on her face sent Brenauth into hysterics. Rhokrist, barely recovering from the jest, squirmed uncomfortably and rolled onto her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows; she was enjoying this new improved mentor.
Changing the subject quickly, Rhokrist nudged her friend and nodded down river.
“Speaking of large…” Brenauth turned over and looked in the direction of her friend’s stare. Just in time she saw someone, a gold-headed Greenwood elf, dive into the water. The elf surfaced and revealed himself as Prince Thranduil.
He appeared to be swimming alone, enjoying the day as they were. He pulled himself up onto the bank and Brenauth saw what her companion was talking about. He was quite impressive, even for an elf; diving back in, he allowed his long, lean body to float atop of the water as he lay on his back, looking up through the trees at the bright sky. He appeared to be oblivious to their presence. Brenauth took the opportunity to thoroughly appraise the prince.
He was stunning, his face was flawless; strong, subtly masculine features with eyes of emerald and that bright smile, all the elleths of the realm had made it clear that he was a favorite soon after he had arrived, following him, gawking. But not only was he fair - he behaved fairly, his humble personality only served to endear him to Brenauth, but he was, in fact, a very direct, masculine presence when the situation called for it. Brenauth had decided that this elf had a perfect blend of gentleness and dominance which made him well-balanced.
His long golden hair stretched down his back with the weight of the water as he climbed up and under the falls, the front of his body turning toward them.
“Yes… large.” Rhokrist said it matter-of-factly; Brenauth visibly turned away, her cheeks growing hot.
“He’s quite insatiable to,” Rhokrist whispered, “After you ran from the party the other evening I saw him entertaining a pair of elleths…” she trailed off, her smirk fading, when she had turned to Brenauth and saw her reaction to seeing the prince.
Rhokrist suddenly realized that she had embarrassed Brenauth. This took her by surprise and she tried to find the right words,
“My Lady, do you still feel it your duty to remain chaste?” Rhokrist knew she was treading on sensitive ground, but was truly concerned at seeing Brenauth shy away from such a beautiful sight; Brenauth’s reaction could only have meant one thing.
Brenauth, surprisingly, was not angered and only turned to meet her friend with a confused stare, it was apparent in Brenauth’s eyes that she did not have an answer.
“Brenauth, have you ever lain with an elf,” Rhokrist tried to speak quickly, as if it didn’t matter, but had failed to hide a disbelieving tone; she already knew what the answer would be.
Brenauth only continued to give Rhokrist the same look of obliviousness.
“Never?” Rhokrist whispered it as if it were a shameful secret; she was shocked beyond belief.
Brenauth’s brows furrowed and, quickly, she began to laugh dubiously.
‘What’s the big deal,’ she thought. Why should it be such a scandal that she had not chosen to lay with anyone? The thought of Brenauth’s choice to live an unadulterated life, being so shocking and shameful, had made her laugh; had times really changed so much? When had things become so twisted?
Brenauth began to laugh harder and harder, while Rhokrist continued to look on with a confused brow. She didn’t understand the humor.
“Why would you deny yourself one of the great joys of life?” Rhokrist was serious now; she had sat up onto her knees and turned facing directly toward Brenauth, her eyes demanding an answer.
Brenauth slowly stopped laughing and began to feel the heat rising in her cheeks again. She didn’t want to explain why she had never felt the same inclination as her friend, for it was a dark and loathing story and only brought her hurt when remembering. For centuries, as far as she had been concerned, those thoughts were always associated with pain; she had known no other way. She cleared her throat and somberly looked down at the rushing water, Rhokrist still waited patiently, but demanding; she would have an answer.
Brenauth’s inexperience baffled Rhokrist. She simply couldn’t understand Brenauth’s thoughts on the matter and Brenauth’s looks of innocence whenever the subject came up were extremely hard for this vibrant and lively elleth to comprehend.
Rhokrist, finally realizing she would not get an answer, sighing heavily, turned and lay back down on the rock. She decided she would give up on the matter, obviously she was getting nowhere with this stubborn elleth. Brenauth spoke,
“Joy of life?” Brenauth had asked the question honestly and childlike, which surprised Rhokrist even more, for her friend was openly admitting her chastity. Rhokrist took a deep breath, deciding to choose her words carefully, she spoke softly,
“If done right, it can bring something up in an elleth that holds her high for days. Yes, there have been many I have lay with, but there are a few that, after a century, if I think on them, my body grows hot with pleasure and my heart beats for their touch again,” she sounded seductive to Brenauth, who was entranced by her words, ”Just one thought of them, one flash of their image, and my body is ready to be taken. And always, I am searching for another, who, will bring in me the pleasure, the warmth, the hunger, and the touch, to remind me again of what it is I search for.”
“You believe it as good as that?” Brenauth was completely absorbed in Rhokrist’s words.
“Better,” Rhokrist replied, quietly, and under her breath. She seemed to be daydreaming.
Brenauth measured Rhokrist’s words and, suddenly, her thoughts turned to ‘him’. When she allowed herself, she could remember how she had felt when she was young, the passion and love she had held in her breast had been powerful enough to affect her life for centuries to pass. She thought of an important question,
“Have you ever loved?”
Rhokrist, suddenly became attentive and sat up again to face Brenauth,
“No, and that’s what I search for.” Her stare was intense as she continued to stare sternly at Brenauth, not breaking eye contact for several moments.
Brenauth was taken by surprise by her young friend’s severity and had even flinched inside at Rhokrist’s sudden desire and energy. She looked back at her friend for a moment and couldn’t stand it anymore,
“I have never seen you so…” her laughter echoed over the river as Rhokrist’s finally joined in, realizing her own behavior.
Brenauth was truly growing to love Rhokrist. She had laughed more these past weeks when with her, than ever before. She knew they would be eternal friends.

Near the falls, Thranduil had climbed out of the river and was drying himself. He picked up his clothes and casually turned to leave, a larger than normal, and devious smile spreading over his face.
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

Their laughter echoed throughout the gardens as they lay out on the grass, eating and making good use of the Greenwood wine. They had found one of the many hidden clearings within the royal gardens and had ensued to have a private, casual lunch together.
Rhokrist, after a bit of wine, had proceeded to tell of her many romantic interludes, quite a few being extremely coarse and not at all romantic, as Brenauth had recently imagined it to be.
“I wouldn’t imagine that, after having so many partners, you would still have the desire to engage anymore,” teary-eyed, Brenauth laughed with her friend, leaning over to sip her wine.
“Engage?!” Rhokrist laughed even harder as she rolled onto her back.
“My Lady, an elleth does not ‘engage’ with a male,” she humorously spoke, “he becomes your melethron, and you, his melethril,” she corrected, giggling and continuing her previous story,
“Ah… the first time is the roughest…,” Rhokrist chuckled, “…but you soon get used to it,” she didn’t see the grave look come over her friend’s face. Brenauth only put her head down and concentrated on clearing her mind of that memory so that her friend wouldn’t notice; she failed. Rhokrist gave a concerned look at this sudden change in behavior. Brenauth kept her head down.
“Are you well?” Rhokrist became concerned.
Brenauth spoke without even realizing it,
“I am not unspoiled, my first time was the day Gondolin fell,” Brenauth’s face was grave.
Rhokrist, stunned, and trying to process the situation, glared at her friend for a moment, then slammed down her goblet and forcefully spoke,
“Unspoiled?!... Is that what you have believed,” Rhokrist, suddenly realized everything. It all was beginning to make sense,
“Brenauth,” Rhokrist leaned down to make eye contact with her, “You are whole,” she said it strictly, nodding her head positively. Brenauth looked up at her while Rhokrist repeated,
“You… are… unsullied,” Rhokrist would not have her friend leaving this place believing anything else. She was demanding that Brenauth acknowledge her and agree.
Brenauth, still alarmed that she had revealed herself, suddenly felt comfortable, cared for, and protected. She had been starting to regret telling her past, but now, she was relieved, for her young friend was right. It was something that Brenauth had already known; she just needed to hear it from someone else. Slowly Brenauth smiled at Rhokrist and lifted her head,
“You are right,” she began to act casual again.
“Valar, you know I am!” Rhokrist laughed, though she still felt a slight hit from discovering this dark past about her friend. She wondered how she had survived it; losing your family, your home,…all in one day. Disastrous! She had more respect now, for Brenauth, than any other in Middle Earth.
‘You are strong’ she thought.
“So tell me of the dancer,” questioned Brenauth.
“Dancer? Oh… Rumil,” she rolled her eyes as she said his name which caused Brenauth to laugh again, “There’s not much to tell. We have been warrior mates since we both reached our majority. He is a battle friend.”
“Was he the one you lay with, the one you said you had to see everyday,” Brenauth was quite intrigued.
“Oh, that… Ai, he is,” Rhokrist had a regretful tone, “those Greenwood traditions are quite invigorating.”
“Traditions?” Brenauth was confused. Rhokrist was immediately sorry for saying it.
“I have told you, the elves of Greenwood always bring such fun when they come,” Rhokrist wasn’t sure if she should tell Brenauth more than this.
This did not satisfy Brenauth’s curiosity. She would know more than this.
“Rhokrist,” she said her name forcefully, demanding to know more. Rhokrist regretted this conversation already.
“Merrymaking…,” she ate casually, keeping her eyes fixed on her food as she spoke, “it is a tradition of their’s.”
“Merrymaking?” Brenauth asked, “…and what is this… Merrymaking?” Rhokrist looked up and exhaled. She really regretted saying anything.
“Well…” carefully she explained the custom as Brenauth sat, expressionless, her stone cold stare hiding her thoughts as Rhokrist tried to clarify, in detail, all that this tradition entailed and why it was enjoyed.
It became a very long afternoon for Brenauth’s young friend.
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~
The evening was quiet; the only sounds that fell upon Haldir’s ears were the soft songs of the insects and animals of the night. As he silently prowled across the dark forest floor, he felt a brief spark of pride for the soldiers under his command. They were completely silent in the trees above.
The Galadhrim’s vigilance had increased along the borders after the recent raids and the news brought to them by their cousins from the Greenwood. Haldir did not like the things he had heard. He felt a stab of jealousy as his mind brought up an image of the Prince.
Haldir shook his head to clear the thought; the smug grin of this hû irritated him more than he liked to admit. He managed to bring his mind back to his task as he continued his rounds, but some part of his mind was being uncooperative tonight. The face of Lady Brenauth interrupted his thoughts. A myriad of emotions swirled through him at the thought of her; guilt, hunger, frustration all vied for dominance of his soul. He fought for control of his emotions, angry at his weakness where the Lady was concerned.
Haldir turned abruptly and climbed to the nearest flet. His mood did not improve when he realized that his youngest brother was the one stationed there.
“Hail, noble March Warden.” Rumil’s droll voice was barely a whisper and reached no farther than the intended ears. Haldir responded with a glare.
Haldir slowly nestled into position next to his brother. Together, in silence, they observed the wood below them, Haldir paying more attention to the position and behavior of his soldiers, Rumil more focused on his brother than the woods. What had been a pleasant quiet, now stretched into an uncomfortable silence. Since he had seen Haldir at the gathering in the woods, Rumil had felt awkward in the presence of his brother; a change had come over his eldest sibling. It was not something Rumil was used to. He doubted anyone else other than Orophin had noticed it, but there was a new intensity to Haldir. Several times he had seen Haldir at the night-time throngs, each time his avid hunger was more evident to Rumil, but other than this ravenous appetite, Haldir seemed unchanged.
Finally, after an eternity of silence, Rumil speaks,
“I’m surprised to see you here,” he whispers, “now that you dine with the elite, why would you come out and consort with us arrow slingers,” he couldn’t hide his mocking expression when Haldir looked at him; Again, Haldir only glared.
The silence from his brother was beginning to disturb Rumil. He was really starting to dread these moments alone with the new March Warden. No longer able to resist, deciding to antagonize Haldir, he asked,
“It must pain you to miss tonight’s Merrymaking,” Rumil turned to look out over the wood again, pretending to act indifferently, but Haldir knew better.
When it seemed that the March Warden was satisfied, he turned to leave the flet. Attempting one last dig, Rumil spoke again,
“Or are there no more elleths to have,” Rumil spoke over his shoulder and chuckled to himself as Haldir disappeared below the flet. Smiling, obviously pleased with himself, Rumil returned his attention back to the watch.
‘Only the one,’ Haldir though to himself.
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~

Twilight overtaking the skies and several bottles of wine later, the two friends staggered through the forest on the outskirts of the city. Laughing and chuckling, they joked as they weaved through the great trees.
“Tell me more,” Brenauth heaved between bouts of laughter, tears streaking down her face.
Rhokrist laughed harder, unable to speak. She had stopped in her path and bent over to hold her stomach, their laughs not just coming from their jokes, but from the wine now. In the distance, they suddenly heard a drumming.
They quieted and looked at each other, Brenauth a questioning look, while Rhokrist looked ahead through the trees; a knowing smile crossing her features, her eyes showing her obvious excitement, she turned to Brenauth,
“Come…,” her voice sounding enthusiastic, yet commanding, “…with me.”
“Where?” Brenauth asked, bewildered.
Again, Rhokrist glanced longingly behind her, into the forest, turned back to face Brenauth and motioned her head toward the noise, “Come… see,” her whisper barely audible.
All afternoon, she had heard about the Merrymaking tradition of their Greenwood guests, the pleasure, the joy. Rhokrist had explained it to be a most beautiful site. Brenauth’s curiosity overtook her and she followed her friend toward the music.
They walked side by side, in comfortable silence through a glade and out into the trees beyond. As they walked through the woods, they could hear the voices of their Greenwood cousins singing; it was a most beautiful and exhilarating song. Just ahead, she could see the distant glow of the fire.
Brenauth and Rhokrist stepped into the light from the bonfire, several of the elves motioned silent greetings to the younger elleth,
“Been coming to many of these, have you?” Brenauth asked her young friend, with a drunken chuckle. A mischievous smile was all the reply Brenauth got.
Rhokrist moved silently along the clearing leading Brenauth to stand with the other elleths. Once there, Brenauth turned to face the fire, finally noticing all the elves on the other side. Her clumsy humor faded quickly.
Across the fire, males danced vigorously about, while some stood on the edge of the clearing watching the elleths dance. Elves danced in their leggings around the fire, others were still fully dressed; Brenauth noticed a few uniforms of the Galadhrim, while others bore their Greenwood attire. They danced freely and without concern, wonton stares reaching across the flames toward the elleths who danced seductively.
Time passed and the tone of the music and the type of the dancing changed, more care free than before, the elves began to move more sensually, more seductively. Brenauth felt herself grow hot from the images before her as she watched the two groups smoothly dissolve into each other.
Couples begin to melt together, the dancing becoming more erotic, some couples disappearing out of the light. Brenauth began to breathe unevenly; the bodice of her gown grew constricting, when she noticed a young male completely bare. He moved carefully, smoothly molding to the young elleth he had chosen, helping her to remove the last of her clothing. Never had Brenauth beheld such a sight, never had she imagined a scene like this.
She turned to Rhokrist to tell her that she felt the need to leave when she noticed that her friend was gone too. Nervously, she looked around and saw that even more elves had removed their clothing. Only a couple of males remained stag, each giving her suggestive looks. Brenauth turned to head back to the city when she saw Rhokrist returning into the light. Brenauth swayed slightly; she hadn’t realized how much the wine had affected her. She moved to meet her friend.
“Where did you…” she began to ask.
“Shhh… come with me.” Rhokrist interrupted. She took Brenauth’s hand and led her from the circle, but in the opposite direction of the city.
Confused, Brenauth allowed the younger elf to take her hand and lead her through the trees. Quickly they moved farther into the darkness, eventually coming to a patch of moonlight that had broken through the canopy above. As they stepped into the soft light a male, one of the elves from Greenwood, joined them.
Rhokrist leaned in and whispered to her friend,
“Isn’t he beautiful?” Before Brenauth could reply, Rhokrist had disappeared into the trees.
The male stood tall in the center of the moonlit glade, patiently waiting, reaching out to see her intentions. It seemed he was letting her make the choice. Brenauth stood on the edge, unsure. Her heart raced with fear, while her mind swam with questions.
Deciding to take the lead, he slowly walked to her and reached out and touched her face, tracing her hairline and then gently grazing her lips. He slowly bent his head to her and paused, as if asking for permission. She gave it by staying still, her eyes seductively moving over his features. He lightly kissed her, gently rubbing his lips to hers.
Surprised, her lips parted accepting the kiss, he took advantage of the moment and let his tongue graze her soft lips. Waves of pleasure cascaded through her body as a shudder ran up her spine. She felt his hands move over her body, touching her face, her hips, her shoulders, her back. It wasn’t until she felt his thumb brush her nipple that she realized he had so skillfully removed her clothing; the wine and the drunken desire clouding her mind. She broke the kiss, and opened her eyes. She realized then that he too was now naked.
‘Isn’t he beautiful?’ she heard Rhokrist’s question in her mind.
He dropped down on his knees, looking up to her, placing light kisses to her stomach, eyes fixed on hers.
“Yes… beautiful,” she answered aloud, smiling. He smiled back.
Standing again, the elf brought his hands to her chest, caressing and stroking both of her breasts. His touch was electric, and she felt her legs weaken from the sensation. She reached behind to clutch at the tree limb for support. The male leaned down and took a nipple into his mouth, kissing it. Brenauth let her head fall back onto the tree. He increased the pressure on her nipple, nibbling at it, teasing it with his tongue, as his hand gently teased the other. Moans of pleasure escaped Brenauth’s lips as she arched her back; unconsciously she lifted one hand to the elf’s head, pulling him into her breast. Her heat growing, she became oblivious to anything but her own needs.
She felt him slide his free hand down her side slowly, reaching behind her and caressing her hip; waves of pleasure, caused by his hands and his mouth radiated through her body. She moaned again as his mouth left her breast and he descended, trailing kisses along her ribs and her stomach. She felt his lips kissing the point of her hip, as his hand slipped down the back of her leg. At his touch she lifted her leg allowing him to kiss the inside of her thigh. Standing now on one shaking leg, she held tight to the tree limb, still behind her, supporting her.
Her body shivered again as she felt his tongue trace a line up her thigh. As he neared her folds she became more aware of the fire burning inside her. Her mouth opened wide with a gasp as his tongue touched the soft folds of flesh between her legs. He hooked her leg over his shoulder, partly to keep her from falling, partly to pull her closer.
Now completely unaware of anything other than the heat, the wetness, and the mouth between her legs, Brenauth moaned with uncontrolled ecstasy. She began to shake as he slid his tongue between her lips, tracing the inside, avoiding and teasing her sensitive spot, following up to her.
When the tip of his tongue found it, she nearly collapsed. He clutched her forcefully, pushing her closer to the tree, continuing. He used his tongue in circles, teasing her, coaxing her. Her leg flexed automatically, pulling his face in tighter, increasing the pressure. Slowly at first, then gradually getting faster, she felt his tongue circle and flick over her; wave upon wave of sensation flooded through her body. She felt his hands grasp her bottom and lift her slightly, as he slipped her other leg onto his shoulder and pulled her even closer. Her sensitivity increased, and she felt something building insider her. The elf between her legs renewed his efforts and she could no longer distinguish between his individual touches, she could no longer feel anything other than the pleasure. She grabbed a handful of his hair and tried to push his mouth tighter against her. He moaned and she felt the vibration of his voice race through her, pushing her over the edge.
She began to shake as she released; sensations surged through her body, never before had she experienced such marvelous feelings. Waves of heat coursed through her, filling her with rapture. Over and over the feelings pulsated through her as she was gently lowered to the forest floor.
Her gasps and pants dying down, he lay beside her, caressing her hair, kissing her neck, face, and lips. She turned to her side, facing away, while his fingertips traced her shoulder and arm.
“You are beautiful, My Lady,” he leaned in and kissed her shoulder.
She lay there, weary and for the first time satisfied.

TBC…

Translations:

Melethron – lover (male)

Melethril – lover (female)

Hû – dog