Mary Goes to Mirkwood

Mary Goes to Mirkwood

Chapter 18/?

Authors: Mary, Mal and Sheraiah

Warning: NC17/nudity, sex, naughty dreaming

Disclaimer: Just playing with Tolkien characters, for fun and not profit, do not claim to have created them. Thaladir, the king's seneschal, is our creation.

Summary: The storms end, good-byes are said, Mal has worries. Sheraiah spends time with Legolas. Mary finds out what being a 'bridge' means. Thaladir gets to be king for a day.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

It was calm and quiet when I woke up. I didn't open my eyes at first, but only listened for sounds I couldn't hear. Rain against the windows, wind in the trees, and the occasional sharp crack as a mighty bough was snapped and fell to the ground. Sounds that weren't there. Nothing. Only the faintest whisper of a breeze, a soft warm breath of air against my cheek, a light touch upon my skin... and then I opened my eyes.

I looked up into the face of the Elvenking and felt a surge of happiness through my whole body. He was looking at me, and his eyes were shining and glittering like the sun and stars at the same time. It was a happy glitter, not a dangerous 'I want you now' glitter, and for a second it disappointed me. He chuckled and planted a firm kiss on my lips. Wanting to hold him, I struggled to untangle my hands from under the sheets, but before I was even near succeeding, Thanduil sat up. He was fully dressed and didn't look like he had any mind of changing that anytime soon.

"You would not hear the sounds of storm in here," he said. "But you are correct. The weather has changed and the men of Long Lake town are leaving. Get up." The playfulness in his voice contrasted against his words and I dared to defy him.

"I don't want to see them," I pouted. "I want to be here with you."

"Is my concubine complaining? You seemed fairly satisfied last night." He smirked and inquiringly lifted an eyebrow.

"I was, my king," I replied lazily, stretching in a way I hoped looked as inviting as I wanted to be. "I was just hoping for some more..."

"Mortals are greedy," he said, smirking again, before he sighed. His voice was suddenly serious when he spoke, and he sounded a little distant. "The world is heaving, changing profoundly with every circle of the sun, but the greediness of the race of men is something that will never change." He looked at me again, mirth back in his glance. "Now, get up. Regardless of your feelings towards my overdue guests, you will say farewell to them. I would not have them think I keep you in a dungeon or that my dark passions have claimed your life."

"They wouldn't think that!" I was quite shocked by his words. I knew about the suspicion between the inhabitants of the neighbouring realms and had heard some very y thy things from Renk, but never thought it might lead to misconceptions of that degree.

"Lack of knowledge has never hindered men from speaking freely," he said sarcastically. "I cannot stop the telling of tales, but I would do what is in my power to prevent the most outrageous lies spreading. You will talk to these men." To try to change the minds of those who were prepared to believe the king capable of anything felt like a quite hopeless task.

"Of course I will." I was quite agitated now. "But, will they not decide that my wish to stay here is because you have enchanted me?"

"Ar u-lúithannen le?"[And have I not done that?], he asked, lowering his voice to a whisper.

"Nin lúithannel, hîr nín, dan u-anírathon leithian o lúithad hen, law ned uir." [You have, but it is an enchantment I wish never to be free from.]

"Good." He caressed my cheek a last time and stood. "Now, for the last time; get up, get dressed and meet me outside the main gates. Do not tarry."

With that, he left the room, and Ithilwen entered instead. She helped me dress while happily chatting and not many minutes had passed before I stood outside the gate. The sharp sunlight dazed me and I had to squint until I got more used to it and could take in
the scene before me. There had been a light snowfall sometime during the night, because the ground was covered with glistening frost and a fine dust of powdery snow was stirred up whenever the horses moved.

The courtyard was more bustling with life than I had ever seen it. There were elves everywhere, some busying themselves with the horses, others carrying goods, but most of them seemed just to be enjoying going outside for the first time in days. The weather was chilly, despite the sun, and in my thoughts I thanked Ithilwen for the woolen cloak she had wrapped around my shoulders before sending me off.

I could see Thaladir now, standing in the middle of the courtyard and talking with Master Darek. Young Haryl was there, too, seemingly listening attentively to the conversation, but now and then he lifted his head and gazed towards the palace gates. I could tell when he spotted me, because a little smile lighted up his face. He was so sweet! Renk, the wine merchant, was nowhere to be seen. I couldn't say I missed him.

It was then I realized that the king wasn't there either, but I didn't have to wait long before he emerged from the crowd, coming up the stairs in a few powerful strides.

"Everything is ready for the departure," he said. "Go talk to the mortals so we can be rid of them."

I nodded and hastily descended the stairs. The men hadn't been so bad, most of the time, but I was happy to see them leave now. When I approached the small group I was dismayed to see that Renk had joined his countrymen. He had his fat fingers stuck inside his belt and looked as self-confident and stuck-up as ever in his bright clothes and expensive-looking boots. I couldn't hold back a shudder as his piggy eyes zoomed in on me. He greeted me with an ingratiating bow.

"Ah, Lady Malinorne. What a pleasure to see you this morning." He lowered his voice a little before continuing, "It pains me to see such a fine maiden go to waste in the old elf's bed. You need a real man." Saying that, he winked. I was thoroughly disgusted, but before I had gathered my wits to a cutting reply, Master Darek spoke, with an anxious look over his shoulder to where Thaladir was standing, just meters away.

"I am afraid our dear Renk is far too outspoken," said the town mayor, "but his sentiments are shared. Should you ever have the opportunity…?" His voiced trailed off and he cast a hasty glare at Thaladir before he resumed speaking. "I meant to say, should you ever have the wish, yes, wish to leave these halls of gloom, know that you will always find a home among the townsfolk of Esgaroth." The man looked so sincerely worried that I couldn't feel offended.

"I thank you for your kind offer, Master Darek, but I must assure you that I am fine here." I smiled and repeated that I had no wish to leave, but the reaction was exactly the one I had expected.

"My lady, I was afraid you would feel compelled to answer thus." The man shook his head and I could hear him whisper 'poor child' with pity in his voice. I sighed. It didn't seem anything I could do or say would change their opinion. At least Haryl didn't look worried. He smiled honestly with all his face when I wished him a good trip, and for the first time I got a closer look at his front teeth. They were huge, and despite my growing irritation with the other two men, I had to stifle a laugh. He reminded me so much of a squirrel!

Then Thaladir stood at my side and the men mounted their horses. I waved to them as they left and I did my best to look completely delighted with staying irkwirkwood, which wasn't difficult, as that was exactly what I felt. When the horses crossed the bridge and disappeared into the forest I turned to look at the seneschal. Even he looked truly happy for a while, before he caught himself with it and composed his features in their usual, seemly, frowning fashion.

The seneschal excused himself and went to attend to some detail of palace order, while I rushed back to the gates, back to the king. I was a little cold even with the cloak and it felt so good to be held by him. I was hungry too. "I have said goodbye to them like you wanted; can I have some breakfast now?" I asked.

"Of course, Mal, you need not ask for that." I felt his arms find their way under my cloak and settle below my waist. "But I was under the impression there was something else you wanted." He suddenly grabbed my buttocks and pressed me hard against him, igniting my lust in an instant. "Yes," I whispered in his ear, "but only if it doesn't take too long. I really am hungry."

"So am I," he growled and sucked my earlobe into his mouth, biting hard enough to make me yelp. "Let us make haste."

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

It took a while for the walls of Erestor's study in the library at Rivendell to stop rocking and reeling, after he finally let me sit up straight on the couch and poured me a fresh cup of tea, but slowly I began to feel almost normal. I took a few sips as he stood before me.

"I'm all right now," I said. "I don't think I am going to pass out again. I really feel much better."

Erestor sat beside me and patted my hand. I looked up into his face, into his dark, peaceful gaze, and I felt Thranduil again. It was a calmer sensation this time, not the powerful, impatient surge of frustration that had lifted me to my feet earlier, and then knocked me right off of them.

"He's been with me the whole time, hasn't he?" I asked. Erestor nodded, but did not speak. I continued, "Ever since I left. No wonder I can't stop thinking about him." The gentle librarian kept quiet as I thought over this revelation. His smooth, slender-fingered hand lay over mine.

"But, the king is using me?" I asked. "As some sort of device to send messages?" I felt like I had been turned into a human walkie-talkie. "To shout at elves for him and command their attention?"

"Not exactly, my lady," replied Erestor. "That outburst you experienced was somewhat unusual. Thranduil was sure you were capable, but I did have my doubts. Such transfers of information are usually carried out in a dignified, and completely silent, fashion." He paused for a moment, and then continued, "He wants you now now he is very proud of you. You have proved your worthiness."

"What? So, that was a test?" I started to feel my own anger, now, rising up within me, canceling out whatever good feelings I had about the king. "How could he do that to me? He should have asked my permission to use me that way, shouldn't he have?"

"You did give him your permission, you agreed..."

"I did not!" I interrupted. "I did no such th... "

"To be his bridge," Erestor finished calmly.

I think I opened and closed my mouth several times in a row before finally just settling on a simple, "Oh."

"And, furthermore," he continued, "His Majesty is not using you against your will so much as he is taking advantage of a natural talent shared by all humans. This ability that you display is actually common among mortals, and, in my experience, because of their more flexible minds and sensitive natures, most mortal women are better at it than men."

"Well," I replied, "that goes without saying. About women and just about anything. But if this is common for all humans, then why me?"

"You hn ton to have come along at a time in Thranduil's life when all life, as we elves know it, is changing. Never before has he felt the need to reach outside of his own realm for assistance, indeed, quite the opposite." Erestor paused for a moment and regarded me silently, before adding, "And there has never been a mortal female, like you, who would voluntarily enter Mirkwood, let alone agree to be his subject." Except for Mal, I thought. But I knew what he meant.

"He said something like that to me, too," I replied. Thranduil's words were there in my mind, as if he was speaking them to me. "That he needed me to help him now that it was time for him to venture out into the world of Men. And how most mortal women consider him a villain, and are afraid to even be near him."

"Did you feel coerced in any way when you agreed to his terms and conditions?" asked Erestor, assuming a lawyer-like tone that surprised me. "Did the king threaten you in any way, or force you to agree to be in his service?" I had to admit he had not. I had felt honored that he had asked me to help him. I agreed happily to stay at his side. But it made me feel sad to recollect that conversation.

"Thranduil says he will take you back." Erestor said this so softly that for a moment I felt comforted at the thought. Then the words sank in.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

A few hours later, I found myself outside the magical gates again, for another farewell, one of immensely grater importance than the departure of a trade delegation. The king had declared in the morning that he would be leaving for Rivendell the same day, in order to offer Mary to return to Mirkwood. I wanted her back as soon as possible, but the news still made me more confused than happy. Must he really go already today? Why did he have to go personally? Couldn't he just send Thaladir? Didn't he think the seneschal capable of wrestling her from the twins?

I knew better than to ask him all these questions. I had learnt that Mirkwood elves did not believe in free sharing of information, and if Thranduil had wanted to tell me more than he already had, the questions lay open in my mind for him to see, even now as I watched him prepare for the trip, apparently giving some last instructions to his seneschal. Thaladir rushed up the stairs and passed me without a word, while the king remained in the yard, offering me an excellent view of his majestic profile. I don't think I can ever get enough of looking at him.

The king was wearing a black cape over his travelling clothes, its contrast making his fair hair gleam almost white in the sunlight. His expression was determined, almost fierce, but I dared not guess the reason. I could only hope it didn't mean he was angry with Mary. He joined me at the top of the stairs and stood silent at my side, as if concentrating on something completely different; it felt almost as if he had already left.

Thaladir broke the silence when he came out of the halls, carrying a large sword that he offered to Thranduil with a simple "my lord". I watched the king hold out his arms, allowing his seneschal to fasten the scabbard to his belt, and was suddenly afraid. It had not occurred to me that this mission could be dangerous and the thought of the king being injured made me nauseous.

"Have no fear, Mal," he said with a mildness that surprised me, "I expect to return in full vigour. But constant preparedness for battle is necessary even in these days."

He was right of course. He would not have been able to protect his people from the Shadow for so long if he had been lax in security matters. I nodded my understanding, and the determination was back in his gaze.

"For the duration of my absence I have transferred all my functions to Thaladir," he said with a meaningful glance. It was quite clear from the way his eyes flickered at the mention of "functions" that he was referring not only to proper palace protocol. I stole a hasty glance at the seneschal, who, naturally, hadn't moved a limb. He must have heard what the king said, but if he understood, he didn't show it. His face remained expressionless.

"Do not hesitate to approach him with any needs you may have," the king continued, "he has been instructed to care for the well-being of all my subjects. I shall leave now."

"What if Mary doesn't want to come? You will not force her...? Say that you will not!"

"Do not doubt me," he replied in that dangerously low voice, and I thought he would give me a lecture, but instead he kissed me ferociously. I met his mouth with eagerness, not wanting him to leave, ever.

I watched him approach the waiting eagle, stopping to say something to the giant bird before he settled on its back. Within a minute, the king was on his way to Rivendell, borne on strong wings, flying above his beloved realm. He didn't look back, and it disappointed me. I had half expected just that, but still hoped. I followed the
eagle with my gaze until it wasn't as much as a tiny black dot in the blueness of the sky, and then pestered Thaladir with my questions (can you still see them? can you? where are they?) until he finally said that there was nothing more to see.

It felt strange to be in Mirkwood when the Elvenking was gone. Nothing had changed in the outer appearance of the forest, but it was as if it had lost its soul. I felt empty inside and very lonely, despite the presence of the tall elf, who regarded me with slightly more interest than before.

"A kingdom is most unfortunate to be bereft of its king, if even for a brief time," said Thaladir with a sigh. "However, it is our duty to endure until his return. I shall retire to the throne room, in which His Majesty has graciously permitted me to take up office."

I did not doubt that it gave the seneschal immense joy to devote even more of his time to the task of ruling the realm, but what about me? If I had any duties here to begin with, I felt that I had none when the king wasn't here.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

"Why didn't you want us to accept Lord Elrond's dinner invitation?" I asked as I eyed the elegant fare laid out on the table in Legolas' room. "I'm not complaining, mind you. I'm just curious."

"Because I am not inclined to share you this evening," the prince replied, mischief glinting in his eyes and a smile playing across his lips. "I am being very spoiled and selfish." I laughed then, our misunderstandings of days past having become fodder for private jokes. He lightly stroked my cheek with the backs of his fingers. I kissed his hand and he scooped me from my chair into his lap. I gasped, startled, and then decided I liked this development, especially when his hands started wandering.

"I thought we were having dinner." I tried to muster a stern expression, but I was fighting the urge to giggle and failed completely.

"We are, but you are overdressed," he replied, deftly working the hooks of my corset-shirt.

"This is payback for the other day, isn't it?" I wasn't the least bit reluctant to play his little game, but that didn't mean I had to play nice. I wriggled, trying to twist out of his grip while creating a good bit of friction between my hip and his groin. I felt him harden and smiled innocently at him.

"That does it, woman," he mock growled. His grip on me shifted and the next thing I knew, I was beneath him on the floor minus my shirt. His hands slid under the waistband of my pants, sliding them off in one swift motion and tossing them after my shirt.

"But, I'm hungry!" I protested, deliberately sounding like a petulant child. His responding grin was truly wicked.

"I have something you can feast on." The look he gave me was so very lascivious that I felt it down to my toes.

"Is it more than a mouthful?" I asked, still playing innocent.

"Considerably," he stated, his eyes going smoky with desire.

"I'll be the judge of that," I retorted, reaching for the ties of his breeches and freeing him into my hands. He made a low sound in the back of his throat, almost like a growl as my fingers skimmed lightly over his shaft.

"Definitely more than a mouthful," I declared, licking my fingertip and running it over the sensitive head. A shudder ran through him and his eyes closed briefly. Abruptly, his eyes snapped open and he seized my wrists and pinned my hands above my head.

"My turn," he said in a husky whisper. He shifted until his head was level with my breasts. "These beg to be tasted." He ran the tip of his tongue lightly over each of my nipples and then blew on them, making me shiver.

He shifted again, settling between my legs, his arousal rubbing delightfully against me. He suckled first one breast and then the other, occasionally nibbling and licking and all the while moving his hips in a circle against me. I writhed under him, trying to get even closer. He gripped my wrists with one hand, running the other down my side to my knee and then up the inside of my thigh, lifting away enough to slide his finger inside me.

"You are very wet, my lady. Is there something that you wish?" In his face and voice were wickedness mixed with desire and I could stand it no longer.

"You, I want you. Now." He didn't move so much as a muscle. "Legolas, please!"

"As you wish, my lady." His voice was pure wickedness then and he thrust into me, making me cry out with pleasure. He held back, bringing me to climax twice before taking his own pleasure.

I drifted, pleasantly hazy with the after effects of orgasm, aware that he had rolled onto his side and was cradling me and stroking my body languidly, leaving no part of me untouched. As my breathing returned to normal a sudden thought made me giggle. He quirked an eyebrow at me inquisitively.

"We seem to have a habit of letting our meals get cold," I said through increasing giggles. He grinned, amused.

"Some things are more important than warm food," he replied with a chuckle.

"Well, now I really am hungry, so let me up, you horny elf, before I starve." His response was more laughter as he rose, pulled me to my feet, and steered me to the table.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

"I don't understand why Thranduil would want to take me back," I said after thinking over Erestor's words, "especially when I ran out on him like that. I think that he, and all the other elves in Mirkwood, are much better off without me there, wreaking havoc." A charge against me that I still thought was unfair, but probably correct. "Besides," I continued, "he has Mal to be his bridge, if what you say is true and all humans can be one. I am sure she is much better suited for the job. And she fits right in. All the elves love her."

"Ah, yes, lady Malinorne, the concubine." Erestor eyes lost their sober, serious look for a moment and appeared slightly unfocused as he considered the topic; I could just imagine what he was being shown over the Elf Brainwave Hotline. "I can only tell you that, although she is a bridge as well, her talents will be focused elsewhere to serve the will of the king."

His eyes focused on me again as he continued, "But, this is no concern of yours, my lady. Furthermore, the king does not desire that you take the comfort of any of his subjects into consideration when making your decision to stay here or return to Mirkwood."

But I could not help but think about the grouchy seneschal and Helca. How could I not take them into consideration? Even the men who visited Mirkwood could tell that Thaladir was not highly pleased with my presence within the halls. And he did not exactly go out of his way to make me feel like anything more than a temporary problem to be disposed of quickly.

"I think I would still be there with the king," I explained, "if it wasn't clear to me that some of his uncomfortable subjects were determined to get rid of me, or at least push me toward the door." For a moment, Erestor's hand laying over mine squeezed my fingers tightly, and then released them. He sighed deeply before he answered.

"Thranduil is not pleased about the disagreeable circumstances that brought you to Rivendell." Then Erestor's voice became suddenly quieter, as if he were concerned that he was being overheard, before he added, "The king also wants you to know that there was more to your hasty departure than even you realize, information even Lord Elrond is not privy to. If you return to him, he will explain this to you, but you must return of your own free will."

For the first time since I had left Mirkwood, I thought about that awful day when I had left Mirkwood and the events that led up to my running away. Legolas was leaving. Helca was in my seat and she kept throwing her hair in my face. Thaladir was staring at Mal as if she were dessert, while he glared at me as if I was poison. The men were asking me questions that I could not answer. And the king seemed unconcerned, even though I knew he could read my thoughts, and knew how uncomfortable I was. I could not stay there for one more minute. But, I still did not know why, exactly, I had jumped on the eagle.

"My lady," said Erestor, "even though Thranduil desires for you to make your decision to return because you promised to remain at his side, he believes you should be made aware of the reason you left in the first place, and to find the answer you must return to him."

Erestor finally let go of my hand and, as soon as he did, I felt suddenly empty inside; the king was gone. The quiet, dark-eyed elf took the empty cup from me, carried it over to the desk, then went to the windows and opened the shutters. To my surprise, the last rays of the dying sun shone bright and clear. There was not a cloud in the sky; the wind was still, the storm was over.

"The eagle will probably arrive at first light tomorrow," he said. "If you return, you will learn the reason you departed. That is all I can say. Our connection has been severed. Apparently Thranduil feels as if has said all he needs to say." As if on cue, there was a knock at the door and the tea-serving elleth peeked in to inform both of us that dinner was being served in the family dining room; the twins were outside the library door to escort me there.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

I spent most of the day in my room, brooding, imagining everything that could go wrong with the king's mission. After a while it seemed a fully possible scenario that the eagle could suffer a heart attack and crash. Thranduil could fall off in the air, or survive the landing, in which case he would be attacked by spiders, or orcs, or a dragon, or even a balrog, if the unfortunate eagle chose to cease breathing somewhere in the vicinity of the gate to Moria, never mind that the route to Rivendell wouldn't even take him near that place.

In the unlikely event that the bird and rider would manage to get to Rivendell, I was sure that Elrond and the twins and a lot of other elves would attempt kill the king, urged on by a furious Mary who wanted revenge for all she had to suffer in Mirkwood. Or, she would be immensely happy to see Thranduil, and they would kiss and do a lot of things I didn't want to think about, and would leave me to rot here with the seneschal. Or, they would attempt to return, but not make it, as the eagle could suffer a heart attack and crash, and...

And I knew I was being unreasonable and silly and everything, but I didn't know what to do about it. Despite what the king had said, I did not want to disturb Thaladir with my worries. I didn't feel like talking much with Ithilwen either, so I decided to go to bed early. In the king's bed.

There, where I could smell his scent linger in the bed linen, it was easier to pretend that he had just left for a while, like he often did in the early morning, and I would soon feel the mattress yield as he lay down beside me again. After some time, I managed to steer my thoughts away from the pending catastrophe that had occupied them the whole afternoon, and the new worries that arose weren't more than I could cope with. Having to share Thranduil with Mary again would be a small price to pay for having him back.

That night, I had the most erotic dream I had experienced since the king visited me in my own world. His wicked words and deft caresses felt so real that I burned with desire long after I had woken from my own moans, embarrassed to find my self alone in the bed, well entangled in the sheets.

I was not alone in the room and almost jumped when I saw Thaladir sitting on the bench opposite the bed, wearing his most official expression. The dim light from the only two candles burning in the room made his skin glow.

"You were in distress today, my lady, and I find it remarkable that you did not come to me," he said accusingly.

"I didn't want to disturb you. You were occupied with ruling the kingdom." I didn't feel like telling him off, but neither was I going to give him the pleasure of formal address when he walked in on me like this.

"His Majesty has entrusted me with your well-being," he said gravely. "You ought to have sent for me."

"Apparently it wasn't necessary, as you are here now," I told him. "And I guess you got a good view of my present 'distress' as well?" That he had watched me dreaming embarrassed me more than I was prepared to show him, but I found it strangely exciting too.

"I can not deny it, my lady, nor can I call the sight unpleasant, though the lack of proper illumination did impair my view of the performance. That, however, is not the issue. Should you wish to discuss what ails you, I am at your service, otherwise I shall retire."

"And if the character of my distress would rather motivate a more physical treatment?" The feeling of arousal had not left me completely, and I couldn't resist teasing the elf.

"I will not defy my orders, my lady." His voice sounded a little strained now and it made me smile.

"But you heard what the king said about you taking over...everything," I reminded him, realising that the seneschal's refusal only served to make me want him.

"What unseemly interpretations you make, my lady, do not affect me." He stood and walked to the door, demonstratively staring straight in front of him. "I bid you a pleasant night."

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

I woke suddenly, the absence of the rain jarring me out of my dreams. Not surprisingly, Legolas was not beside me. He seldom stayed the night in the bed, not having my need for sleep. I think mortal sleep made him a bit nervous, too, although he never said so.

With a happy sigh, I rolled onto my side and curled up, snuggling deeper into the covers. Sleep, however, had forsaken me and my mind raced. I knew, now that the rains had stopped, that I would have to decide whether or not I was going to Mirkwood. As much as I wanted to go, as much as I wanted to see Legolas' home and consequently spend more time in his company, I was terrified at the thought of flying again. Airplanes were bad enough, and something I avoided if at all possible, but eagle-back scared me ten times more.

During my first experience with travel on the back of an eagle, I had felt every air pocket and had almost lost my breakfast and passed out. I had also slugged Elladan as soon as I could get my legs to hold me up after we had landed and in full view of his father, no less. Not really the way I'd planned to meet the Lord of Rivendell, but he had been very understanding about the whole thing, and Elladan had forgiven me immediately. Elrohir, naturally, had been very amused at his twin's expense and I'm sure that had earned him a payback later, although neither twin had ever mentioned it and I had known better than to ask.

I had extracted a promise from both of them that I would never again be expected to ride an eagle until it came time for me to return home, which they solemnly gave. However, I hadn't expected Legolas to arrive and I definitely hadn't expected him to invite me to Mirkwood. Did my desire to see the fabled realm and to spend a few more precious weeks with my admitted favorite elf override my fear? I didn't know and wasn't certain how Legolas would react if the answer was no.

But, I didn't want him to return to being the aloof princeling around me and I was very afraid that a refusal would have exactly that effect, despite his words to the contrary. Legolas was a good elf among good elves, but he had his faults and pride was one of them. I began to chew my fingernails, a bad habit I had mostly managed to leave in my childhood except for the times that I was particularly stressed. What was I going to do?

It seemed like I had lain awake for hours when I heard the door open and close quietly. I didn't even try to pretend that I had been asleep. It was useless anyway. Legolas would know by my breathing pattern that I was awake.

"Rai? Why are you not sleeping? It is very late, or I should say very early. Is something wrong?" He slid in next to me, enfolding me in warm arms and kissing my forehead.

"Yes, something is wrong," I replied, burying my nose in his neck. "The rain has stopped and you will be going away and I don't think I can make myself get on an eagle to go with you." I knew that I sounded like a spoiled child, but I couldn't help it. I felt him chuckle and he moved away from me enough to pull my chin up and make me look him in the eye.

"You are being very silly, Rai, but you are also very endearing." He kissed the end of my nose playfully and I scowled at him earning another laugh. "Before your face grows to resemble a thundercloud any further, I have something I wish to tell you. I will not be leaving until such time as I wish to. It turns out that I am not needed back as I feared that I would be, so my time is my own for now and I wish to spend it in your company. Do you have any objections to this?" I wondered at this sudden change but decided that I didn't care to know why it had come about. I shook my head vehemently and planted an enthusiastic kiss on his mouth. I felt him smile briefly against my mouth before he returned the kiss in kind. When we came up for air moments later he was smiling that incredible smile of his.

"I should take that as a no, then?" he asked.

"Definitely no objections," I replied, snuggling close. He slid his hands along my back, pulling my thin night shirt up.

"What else would you like to not object to?" he breathed into my ear, sending a delightful shiver down my spine.

"I'm sure you can think of several things," I whispered back, grasping the hem of the tunic he still wore. We didn't speak again for quite awhile.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

Glorcheniel had brought me my dinner on a tray after I begged off eating with the twins, and then sat with me for a while as we discussed the possibility of my leaving Rivendell the following day. She seemed worried about how Elladan and Elrohir would react if I left and I asked her to be especially kind toward them to make up for my departure. Although I was sure I was going to leave the next day.

Elladan and Elrohir would need lots of tender regard in the following days to soothe their tempers, which were sure to flare as soon as they realized that they had, once again, been denied the chance to hack Thranduil to pieces.

She laughed and then shuddered slightly as she told me that in all of her long years of life, she had never met the king up close, although she had seen him in attendance at one formal occasion. What she always remembered most about him was that his stern expression never seemed to change. She said it was rumored that he did not know how to smile.

"Oh, I have seen him smile," I told her. "And it is just like the sun coming out from behind a dark cloud. I think he just hates being away from his kingdom, no matter what the reason. You would have to come to Mirkwood with me if you want to see him cheerful." She said she would rather not. I was not unhappy to hear it. Mal and Helca
were enough competition for Thranduil's attention. Should I decide to return to him.

Before she left me alone for the night, the golden-eyed elleth had hung out my clothes for the next days travel, a little more eagerly than I thought necessary. I had decided to wear my scarlet gown back to Mirkwood, if I so chose to go back there and the sight of it only made me feel more conflicted. In Rivendell I wore what I wanted to wear and no one protested, or demanded I change. I had not worn the Mirkwood-made garment since the moment it had dropped to the floor in Elrond's bedchamber.

The twins had laughed themselves silly when they saw my underpants and heard the story of how the king had ordered me to wear them. The offensive garment lay, with my undershift and stockings, folded neatly on top of a bench at the foot of my bed.

Did I really want to return to that place where I was made to cover myself from head to toe because I would otherwise be too distracting in the public areas of the palace? It was Glorfindel, that great, golden elf, who had solved that mystery for me. Humans glow; he had informed me, and some more than others, a few more than most. Apparently, I was lit up like a beacon fire of Gondor.

Thranduil had mentioned this himself, more than once, although I did not understand him, like I did not understand so much else he said. When he had asked me, "Who is the moth and who is the flame?" I thought he was teasing me. He was not.

The more light a human emits, I had been informed by Glorfindel, and the more attractive they are to elves. And not in a sexual way, although the glow of an aroused mortal was particularly delightful to elves, both male and female, but that was an unusually rare treat. And now I wondered if the king could tell from a mile away that I would be
suitable for his ultimate purposes, whatever they may be, as his bridge, just by the glow that I had emitted when first we met.

As I finally put on the silky nightgown that had been given to me when I had first arrived in Rivendell, I remembered the monstrous tent of a gown that Thaladir had wrestled me into wearing the last time I had slept in Mirkwood. Something about that memory made me giggle, and then laugh out loud, as I recalled teasing him as he dressed me. Poor elf, I almost felt bad now about how I had tried to kick him. He was only trying to dim my glow, which I now realized must have been blinding to him, considering my over-intoxicated state at the time.

A knock at the door interrupted my recollections of my last hours in Thranduil's realm. Elladan and Elrohir were there with an offer to sing me to sleep, but I told them I needed to think, hard, about what I was going to do in the morning. And I needed to be alone. And, no, I had not made up my mind yet.

And I could not fall asleep. My mind raced after I finally slipped under the covers and closed my eyes. But I did not think about my gown, or dorky undergarments, or teasing Thaladir with my bare glowing skin. I thought about what Erestor had told me about my returning to Mirkwood to learn the reason I had left. How could I not know? What a tortured circle my thoughts took me into as I tried to reconstruct that day, and figure out for myself what the king wanted to explain. It was hours before I finally slept.

It was still dark, dawn was just an empty promise, when I rose from fitful dozing, and found myself drawn out of my door and onto the small, balcony just outside of my room. Despite the lack of sleep, I felt wide awake and almost euphoric, a normal feeling for me after a storm. I shivered a little in the fresh air and thought about going back inside to find something to wrap around myself. But, the stars glittering overhead proved too captivating for me to tear myself away from, despite the chilly night air; the flashing, twinkling lights seemed so close overhead that I felt I could reach out and touch one.

I thought I heard my bedroom door open and shut behind me. Glorcheniel must have come to check on me, which was not unusual for her. I had learned from the twins that human sleeping habits make elves nervous. They always think we may need assistance when we are in such a vulnerable state. It was a comforting thought and I called out to her to join me to look at the stars, and to please bring me something to put over my nightgown.

The nearly silent footsteps were swift to comply, but instead of having the knitted shawl that I usually wore against the chill draped over my shoulders, I found myself completely enveloped in a thick, dark cloak by arms that encircled me like iron bars, and drew me back, gasping, to hold me tight against a firm, familiar chest. I was too stunned to struggle.

"Are you ready to come home?" asked Thranduil. Although it sounded more like a royal command than a question, I turned my head and smiled up into his handsome face. He was even more dazzling to behold than the stars overhead.

"Yes," I answered after a moment, when I could breathe again. "I am."


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