Lim Aear

Author's Note: I'm really, really sorry it takes me so long to update, but life is more than crazy right now and I hardly have time to even sleep! Many thanks to my Beta for saving my /ahem/ butt with her help but most of all to all of you who have decided to stick with "Lim Aear" and spend a few minutes of your time to review! You guys are wonderful!

Disclaimer: See Prologue.

italics: thoughts

WARNING: ADULT CONTENT


Chapter 22


She was back home. Oddly enough, she felt like a stranger in the familiar surroundings of her room. It looked so empty; so cold; so lonely. She sat on her bed and hugged her arms. It would be the first night she would spend away from Legolas after those wonderful past days, and it felt so awkward. She shook her head and chuckled; how much used to him had she grown in such a short time to miss him already! She must be madly in love, then, without a doubt!

She got up and opened the bags she had brought back with her. She hated unpacking more than anything! First, it was utterly boring. And, second, it always sealed the end of a wonderful trip and brought back memories, which always left her with a sense of longing. She smiled when her hands found the dress she had worn two days ago at the Golden Wood’s feast. She was actually surprised it was still intact; they weren’t exactly careful when she had reached the talan with Legolas and they tried to remove it.

She sighed and sat down confused once more, as she recollected the words of the Lady at their parting. They had left the morning after the feast, because they had already stayed in the Golden Wood more than originally planned, due to the orc attack. The parting, however, had been more painful for Elaine than expected. She felt strangely sad about leaving the wondrous woods of Lothlorien and their beautiful city. So many things had happened in the Golden Wood that she felt she was leaving a part of herself under the great mallorn trees. The Lord and Lady of Lorien had officially bid their farewells to the company from Lim Aear, presenting them with gifts. The Lady had given Elaine a heavy leather-bound book, with the title written in Elvish. “This is a book with the History of Arda. I give this to you, so that your children will not forget their parentage, when our kind walks these grounds no more. We shall not meet again, Elaine.” Her words had puzzled her then, and they kept puzzling her now. What was their meaning? Why would they not meet again? Would the Lady leave the cavern system of Lim Aear? To go where?

Why couldn’t they just talk plainly, those elves! She always had to mull over their sentences for a good couple of minutes before coming to the most possible meaning of their words. And they always waited patiently in silence, looking at her with those ageless eyes… Well, they have all the time in the world, no need to rush, she thought with amusement, as she got up to continue unpacking. It was the afternoon of the next day, after they had parted from the Golden Wood, that they reached the city of Lim Aear and she had unwillingly parted with Legolas to go back home, before anyone started to get worried. Her husband was more than reluctant to let her go, but he didn’t voice his feelings. He only held her in his arms for a long time and gave her a mind-numbing kiss, as if to give her something to remember; to make her come back. She snorted. As if she could ever forget him!! It was only two hours they were away from each other and she had to fight the urge to run back to Lim Aear quite valiantly! It would be a lie to say that she hadn’t missed her friends and modern life, of course… The first thing she did when stepping in the house, was to turn on the TV! And then of course called her parents to tell them she was back from her ‘trip with friends’. Her parents were delightfully surprised hearing the happy voice of their daughter once more. She had kept to herself for too long, Elaine realized with bitterness. And she had been more than unfair to her friends.

She got out her make-up bag and started placing its contents back on her vanity table. She sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. What was she going to tell her parents and her friends? Maybe if she told them the truth… Jessica would be shocked for a few minutes, but she would eventually drag her to Lim Aear to meet the ‘elf Prince’; and then probably blurt something in the form of ‘Freakin’ hot elves! Can I have one??’, which would be most inappropriate. And embarrassing. No, humiliating is more fitting. So no, Jessica should not know.

What about her family? Her sister would probably say something like ‘Well, why am I not surprised?’ since she always thought her odd and her father would just shrug and say ‘I will not lie to you, I am very disappointed. But, whatever makes you happy. Does he have a good job? Will he be able to provide for his family?’ and practical questions like that. He had always been the logical person. Her mother now… Elaine cringed at picturing her reaction. First she would start fighting for breath, clutch at her chest and pretend to be fainting. Then she would start the usual speech that she recited in every occasion of ‘mischief’ on her part, always slightly edited to fit the situation: ‘You are no child of mine!! Oh, you will be the death of me! An elf?? You married an elf?? Did you not stop to think of your poor mother for a second?? Oh, my heart! George, some water please!’ At this point she would collapse half-unconscious on a chair and continue after a few minutes: ‘Why God?? Why must you torture me so! Where did you find this creature?? How could you marry him without telling me!! Have I raised you to act in such a manner?! Oh, I’m dying, somebody call the doctor!!’ and the drama would continue to no end. She would be mad at her for a couple of weeks and then demand to meet ‘the elf’ (please insert a face of distaste here). Then she would look at Legolas from top to bottom, and say in a scolding tone ‘I’m Elaine’s mother. And I will be keeping an eye on you, mister.’ She would probably even shake a finger at him! ‘If you do ANYTHING to hurt my daughter… I’ll chop off your ears and feed them to the dogs!’

Oh, the horror!! Hail the Drama Queen, Mother of Elaine! And they’d all know whom Elaine had inherited such a trait from! But no matter how hard she might try, her mother would always hold the scepter! She could be very overwhelming when she wanted, but only because she was overprotective of her children and loved them more than anything in life. However, Elaine could be spared the uncomfortable situation; she would not tell anyone. Legolas had made it clear anyway… she would find some other way to settle in Lim Aear… maybe if she pretended to move to another country far away…

“As I thought!” a voice chirped from behind her and she turned around startled to face her smiling friend. “You’re finally back!”

Elaine stood looking uncertainly at Jessica for a few moments; they had not parted in the best of terms, after all. But when her friend pulled her in a suffocating hug, she relaxed and hugged her back smiling happily. Jessica pulled away and looked at her from top to bottom, genuinely surprised at the change of the bitter and aloof person she had left behind a few days ago… the person in front of her was the Elaine she had known all her life before Justin’s accident; she was practically beaming!

“How did you know I was back?” Elaine asked confused.

“I saw the lights on and the gate of the house open,” Jessica replied in a matter-of-fact tone, giving her a ‘duh’ look.

She grabbed her hands and laughed, feeling excited for having the old Elaine back. Elaine could only shake her head at her friend’s odd behavior, but it would be a lie to say she hadn’t missed her.

“My, look at you! Somebody had a good time!” Jessica exclaimed winking at her and Elaine couldn’t help but blush. “Come on, spill it out!” she prodded her and pulled her down to sit on the bed with her.

Elaine wanted nothing more than to tell her everything and gossip and giggle with her best friend, relating every detail to her, but that could not be. So an innocent lie would just do.

“Okay…” she sighed as if in defeat. “I met this guy…”

“I knew it!” Jessica butted in and smiled triumphantly. “And?”

“And he’s gorgeous, Jessica! He’s so handsome and gentle and… and… I dunno, everything I have wished for in a man!” So far, she did not have to lie.

“Oh, finally!” Jessica sighed in genuine relief. “Thank God, Elaine, I had started worrying about you! So when will I meet him??”

That infamous devilish smile of Jessica that spoke of trouble. Elaine had to laugh.

“Someday…” she answered with a sad smile, knowing that Jessica would never be able to meet Legolas. Not any other person she knew.

But Jessica never noticed the change, because she was busy leafing through an old-looking book with strange inscriptions. Elaine’s heart made a leap when she realized it and she froze.

“What’s this??” Jessica asked puzzled and brought her face closer to the book, trying to make out what was written.

“Oh, um… it’s a book I got from the university! I’ll need it this year and I thought I’d started reading it from now, just to get an idea… you know…” she explained lamely and winced inwardly when Jessica fixed a disbelieving look on her.

Jessica could not figure out for the world why her friend would need Arabic in her History of Arts studies, but she decided to shrug the matter off. She had never cared about books anyway, and there were more important matters to discuss… for example Mr. Mystery Guy and what had happened between him and her friend!

“Never mind!” she said dismissively and got up. “Get up, you have one hour to get ready! We’re going to a party!”


****************************************************************************


He had tried everything: paperwork, strolls in the gardens, archery shooting, sword practice with Adanoth, riding… EVERYTHING! But whatever he did, his mind was always on Elaine! She hadn’t been in Lim Aear for three days now and he was going mad! Was she alright? Did she miss him as he did? Was she thinking about him as well? Was she going mad every night when she found herself in the solitude of her room and the memories of their love-making replayed before her eyes? Who could have ever thought of it, that the famous Elven warrior of the fellowship, Prince of Mirkwood and now Lim Aear would be so much in need of a mere mortal girl! If only you could see me now, Gimli, he thought with amusement and shook his head. I would never hear the end of it!

And yet there was no reason for his anxiety. It was their mutual agreement to be separated for a few days, so that they would not overlook their personal lives and give some space to their relationship; Elaine would come back when she wanted and they would set a day for the official wedding and her coronation. Everything had happened so fast, that they did not have time to even realize it! So they had parted for a while and Legolas was supposed to look over unfinished business in Lim Aear, meet friends and go back to his everyday activities. Well, he had done so. He had taken care of everything that required his attention in Lim Aear, he had met his friends and went back to his daily routine.

But it all seemed so terribly wrong! He always felt unsatisfied and had the sense of something missing, until he realized that it was his heart: Elaine had taken it away with her when she had left. But he was experienced and wise enough not to seek her out; he was not some lad to run after her! He had chased her long enough and it was time for her to make the next move. He would sit and wait. Even if he went mad in the process.

So the fourth night, after they had separated, found him in his study, signing trade deals between the elves of his city to give them his authorization. He rubbed his temples; he had always hated such tiresome duties. He’d rather roam the woods like he did when he was younger, protecting the borders of the kingdom, killing orcs and spiders and… But those things would never be again. Middle Earth had ceased existing as he had once known it many centuries ago and his responsibilities had increased tenfold.

He was so deep in thought, that he missed the sound of high-heels striding over the marble floor as silently as they could. Their owner had to knock his heavy oaken door for them to be acknowledged. Legolas could not help but smile as Elaine appeared behind the door and rose an eyebrow with amusement when she bolted it quite emphatically for him to notice.

“Hi,” she said trying to make her voice sound seductive and slowly walked towards his desk, swaying her hips as she did and running her finger nonchalantly over the furniture she came across.

“Welcome back,” he replied, his voice betraying his amusement, which was cut short as Elaine unbuttoned her long coat and dropped it on the floor.

She bit her lip to keep from smiling. Long live the ‘little black dress’! she thought with amusement and satisfaction; it always did miracles when trying to lure a man. But the Princess of Lim Aear could not arrive in the palace hardly dressed, so she had covered herself with her long coat, earning more than a few curious glances on her way to the cave; who in their right mind would wear a long coat in the middle of summer? She had hardly noticed, though. She was so excited about the prospect of meeting Legolas again, that she paid little attention to such details. For three days she had attended every party possible, to make up for the ones she had missed –as Jessica had put it-, but although her body was present at those gatherings, her mind was always in Lim Aear, on a certain elf Prince… She did not know whether it was because they were now married, but she felt his presence so strongly inside her, that it was truly a miracle she had managed to last 3 whole days away from him! But when the morning of the fourth day found her alone in her bed, she could not take it anymore; she had decided to visit her husband the same night and attend to her ‘wifely duties’; at which she had to giggle with nervousness: it still sounded so strange in her ears!

“Have you missed me?” she asked him leaning with her hip at the back of the couch and pretending to play with a strand of her hair. Both were dying to just lose themselves into each other’s arms, but were resisting stubbornly. After all, teasing had always been a part of their foreplay.

Legolas leaned back on his armchair, propping his elbows on its sides. The amused grin returned on his face and he decided to play along.

“Hardly. I have been very busy. You?”

Elaine didn’t bother to look up from her occupation with her hair and sighed dramatically.

“I went to so many parties… Met so many people… No time for thinking about you…”

Although the playful tone was evident in her voice, her words caused a sting to the elf. The thought that other men could enjoy the sight in front of him was a little disturbing.

“Were you dressed like this?”

Elaine looked up at that and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Why, are you jealous?” she asked biting her lip to keep from grinning widely but Legolas would not give her such satisfaction.

“There is no reason. I care not who sees you dressed in this manner; I am the only one who has the privilege to see you undressed.”

The last part was emphasized not only by his tone, but also with a smug smile and Elaine could only shake her head in disbelief. My, is someone possessive! she thought with amusement and bounced off the back of the couch to approach his desk. She took a few steps and leaned over his desk, the top of her breasts straining dangerously at the low V-neck of the dress and grabbing the attention of the elf across them.

“And… do you intend to use this privilege tonight?”

Legolas managed to tear his gaze away from her chest and locked his blue eyes with her green ones.

“By all means.”

Elaine gave him a sly smile and slowly moved back to walk around his desk and stand in front of him. Legolas waited patiently, resting his hands on the sides of his armchair to keep them from reaching out and pulling her on his lap; the need to hold her after so long was unbearable. His breath caught in his throat when Elaine slowly slid to her knees in front of him, neither looking away from his eyes nor wiping the sly smile off her face, and started fiddling in his layers of clothes to find the string of his leggings. It was a matter of seconds before she untied them and exposed the burning flesh that had awoken the moment she had set foot in his study. He clenched his jaw as she ran her tongue along his length fixing him with a teasing look in her eyes; she loved to have the upper hand. But Legolas was willing not to give in to her so easily. He had more control than that.

Or maybe not.

He let his head fall back to his armchair with a groan as his aching length disappeared beyond her lips and tangled one of his hands in her thick hair. She always drove him crazy when she did that; she knew how to pull the right cords and make him lose whatever discipline he had acquired as a warrior. And that was exactly what Elaine wanted. She loved his taste, as everything else on him, and relished in the feeling of giving him such pleasure. Wanting to bury himself inside her more desperately than ever, he pulled her away from him and moved her to straddle his lap, as he crashed his lips on her. He was hungered from staying apart from her even those few days and he made it quite clear in the intensity of his kiss. Elaine kissed him back with equal fervor, burying her fingers in his golden tresses.

Legolas moved his mouth to her neck, leaving behind him her swollen lips. She gasped as he bit and nibbled on the tender flesh, marking her skin with his passion. He grabbed the straps of the dress and pulled it down to expose her as his lips reached her shoulder. He pulled back for a second to admire the beautiful curves of his wife, right before he attacked the bared breasts. Elaine arched her back, giving his pleasuring lips more access, and grinded her hips against him. Their being apart so long was fueling their desire and passion with desperation and aggressiveness; both of which was evident in their movements, as both tried to taste, feel, smell, touch and hear everything they had been deprived of the past few days.

The elven Prince could not hold himself any longer; he had to ease his hungry lust for her warm haven. He grasped Elaine’s hips and she intuitively locked her legs around his waist as he got up. She wrapped her arms around him, her lips never leaving his, until she heard the sounds of several objects crashing on the floor; Legolas had scattered whatever was on his desk with his hands, leaving the space empty for Elaine to sit upon. She gave Legolas a bewildered look, but he just attacked her lips again, pushing her back to lie on the wooden surface. Although she was no match for Legolas’ strong grip, she tried resist for a moment: what if someone heard the commotion and decided to check on it? And, indeed, the passing maid heard everything, but she knew better than knock and check on the Prince: as her hand rose to knock, the soft feminine moan cleared every concern for the Prince’s well-being.

Elaine had started feeling light-headed from the unwavering attack of her husband to her body and had barely time to register Legolas’ hand moving under her dress to crawl over her thigh and finally settle between her legs. It was only when she heard the tearing sound that she registered what had happened. Legolas brought the torn underwear in front of her wide with shock eyes, nuzzling the lacy material with a devilish smile on his face.

“My prize,” he whispered in a husky voice, causing a shiver to run through her.

Without breaking eye-contact with Elaine, he opened the drawer under her legs and threw the underwear in, nudging it closed with his knee. Still wearing a smug expression on his face, he moved his hand once more under her dress and was not surprised to find that she was ready for him. Without a second thought, he pushed the cloth higher on her hips and entered her in one swift move, burying himself to the hilt. Elaine cried out, surprised at the sudden invasion, but more at the sudden aggressiveness of the elf. It was true that their love-making had not always been slow and soft, but never so desperate and rough. She clung to him, her fingernails leaving long parallel marks on his back, as she moved her hips in accordance to the rhythm he had set. Her hand reached out to grab the edge of the desk, her body trying to find something to hold on before she lost herself in the mind-numbing pleasure, but was gripped by Legolas, who entwined his fingers with hers and held their hands next to her lying form on the desk. Her back had started bruising from its hard surface, but she never noticed. Her attention was distracted by the soft moans of the elf above her and the deadliness of his blue gaze; it had always been unnerving, but when they made love, it seemed lethal.

It didn’t take them long to reach their peak. Their desperate coupling served to satisfy the need and longing for each other, which had grown to suffocate them the past days. Neither of them could understand how it was possible to develop such strong feelings for another person in only a few days, but who ever understood love? Its mighty waves drifted them to the depths of its sea, too far from the shore, too close to their drowning. Legolas picked her up, settling them both on one of the couches, and they held each other quietly at the aftermath of their love-making; hearts still beating wildly, thoughts still racing through their minds, feelings still overwhelming them in their intensity.

How beautiful is love; how unknown the future. As they both nested in each other’s arms, neither of them knew that they had reached the beginning of their downfall.