Mandos's Embrace Continuation

Chapter Eight

Azalea slipped silently through the darkened forest. The sounds of the night surrounded her with their music. She loved this time of night, when everything seemed even more alive than in the bright light of day. She used the time to consider everything that had been happening. Glorfindel's arrival in Lorien, the orc attack, but mostly, the evening she had spent with Glorfindel in her talan. Was that part of what made her want to go back so soon? Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. She wasn't one to shirk her duties, but the dreams were coming again, and getting bad quickly. She sighed. This wasn't a good sign. Last time they got bad she was prescribed a sleeping draught. The side effects hadn't been pleasant, and she dreaded reliving that experience.

She shudered, pulling her hood closer around her. The city gates loomed ahead. One of the guards moved out to intercept her. She pulled her hood back for a moment to let them know it was only her, and they could open the gates without fear. The guard nodded and motioned for the gates to be opened. She stepped into the city and headed towards her talan. The sky was still mostly darkened, but a few slivers of light were beginning to penetrate the dense canopy. She climbed the stairs to her talan slowly, her mind wandering between being sleepy and not wanting to sleep during the day.

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Glorfindel looked up from his reading as he heard footsteps ascending the stairs. It couldn't be, could it? He listened to the soft footsteps for another moment before jumping up. Sweet Eru! She was home early. A plan had been formulating in his mind all night, but he hadn't expected to be able to enact it quite so soon. He quickly set the book down and crept across her talan to stand where the door would block him from view. What could bring her home more than a day early? He froze as the footsteps paused outside the door. The door was pushed open, and sure enough, she stepped inside, dropping her hood down and shaking her braids free from it. She reached around behind her and pushed the door shut with a flick of her wrist.

He heard her yawn as she dropped her weapons down on the table. He crept up behind her very slowly until he was close enough to....he pounced and wrapped one hand over her mouth and with the other arm, he pinned her arms to her abdomen and pulled her back against him. Her body stiffened and he could feel her heart pounding. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Cruel elleth. How dare you leave me burning with desire like that?" He traced her ear with the tip of his toungue. A shiver raced through her body and she moaned. "Do you like that? Hmm?" He kissed her neck softly. "I have been burning for you ever since I first saw you, my beautiful warden." He slipped his hand away from her mouth.

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Her first instinct was to struggle as she felt the arms encircle her. She soon realized it would have been futile, for the grip was far too strong for her to break. She couldn't even call for help, a hand covered her mouth. Glorfindel's voice in her ear dispelled her fears somewhat. His voice was low and breathy, and as he traced her ear with his tounge, white hot desire raced through her veins. His next words made her breathing become shallow, and she felt him kiss her neck. Her heart skipped a beat when he called her his beautiful warden. His! He released his hold on her mouth and she gasped. "Glorfindel."

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He shivered as she gasped his name. He could feel her desire for him. With a quick motion, he spun her to face him and pinned her arms behind her back. He gazed into her slightly upturned face. Her violet eyes burned, a faint flush lingered on her pale skin, and her slightly parted lips begged to be taken in a hungry kiss. "That won't be the last time you say my name today, lirimaer. Not by a long shot." She let out another moan only to be silenced by his lips. He pulled her completely against him and devoured her lips, gently at first, but quickly it escalated into the most passionate kiss they had shared so far.

He reached up and unclasped her cloak, letting it fall to the floor as he guided her to the bedroom. He paused to nibble at her ear, before slipping her grey tunic over her head, leaving her in the clingy black undertunic. When she bumped up against the side of the bed, he eased her down onto it before shedding his own tunic, and then crawled on top of her.

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Azalea shivered as she watched him take off his tunic. His muscles were very defined, and his skin was nearly as pale as her own. She looked up into his azure gaze and saw that same fire she had seen the night they first kissed. She had wanted this moment since then. He knelt over her and began tracing her curves gently, making her writhe as he left lines of fire on her. She let out a soft moan as he ran a hand across her breasts. He pulled at her undertunic, then slipped it off her, leaning down and capturing her lips as he did so. She could feel his arousal pressed against her hip.

She reached up with her hand and cupped the back of his head, guiding his lips to her neck, urging him to leave his mark. A gasp escaped her as she felt him oblige. She traced her fingers gently down his bare back and felt him shudder against her. He drew back and whispered in her ear. "I can take this play no longer, my love. I must have you."

"Yes Glorfindel." She locked stares with him, her breath coming in soft gasps. "I need you too. Make love to me."

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Almost dizzy with his desire, Glorfindel slipped off the bed and removed his boots and leggings. He glanced at her, he could already see the bruise forming on her throat, and began removing the remainder of her clothing as well. Finally free, he knelt between her thighs. His eyes roved over her body, and he leaned down and gently took one of her nipples into his mouth. She moaned loudly and arched up against him, her hands splayed out across the sheets. He trailed a line of kisses up her chest and throat, before he finally recaptured her lips. She wrapped her arms around him, and he could feel her heart pounding against him, almost in rythm with his own, he noted wryly.

He pressed himself against her entrance and was suprised by the almost feral growl that escaped her. " I take it you are ready for me." Even the sound of his own voice startled him, let alone the cry it brought from her. "Alright, love, let us be truly together." With that he pushed himself in fully, thier cries of pleasure coming out as one.

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Some time later, as they lay curled in each other's embrace, Glorfindel looked down to find Azalea quite fast asleep. He didn't know what time it was, just that the sun had come up fully and birds were singing nearby. He could feel her soft breath on his chest, and reached down, taking her hand in his. She seemed very delicate in sleep, the sheet barely covering her body. She shifted in her sleep and he pulled her closer. He looked down at her and stiffened. Her braids had shifted off her back and now her scars were revealed in all their horrifying glory, reminding him all too well of what she had faced. He turned his gaze away, he never wanted to face another one of those abominations again. Yet here he was, cuddled up with one of the few, if only, being that had escaped one.

He sighed, some things were best not to dwell on. Instead he focused on the morning song of the forest, the soft birdsong, the scent of fresh dew, and mostly the feel of his beloved next to him. He reached over and stroked her cheek. A gentle sigh escaped her lips and she raised her head up to look at him. "I am sorry, melamin. I didn't mean to wake you."

She smiled and he felt his heart melt. "Tis alright. You were right about something, though."

"Indeed? Now what might that be?"

A wicked gleam came into her eyes. "I did indeed call your name many times."

He chuckled. "Only as many times as I called yours." He hissed as she teased one of his nipples.

"I'm not so sure. I don't think you screamed it quite enough." She looked up into his eyes and winked.

"Lustful wench." He growled playfully and rolled over, pinning her to the bed, silencing her forthcoming retort with his lips.

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It was nearly mid-day when Azalea finally emerged from her talan, Glorfindel's hand clasped in her own. Her stomach growled loudly, and she barely repressed a giggle. They had decided to join Elrond for lunch. Glorfindel normally went and he insisted she go as well. She turned to look at her lover. He returned her gaze with a loving smile, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She could feel her heart flutter in her chest as he released her again. "I love you, Glorfindel."

He reached out and stroked her cheek. "And I love you as well, my dearest Azalea." He tugged on her arm. "Come we are nearly there."

He led her down a set of winding stairs, that entered into one of the city gardens. Soon enough she caught sight of the group. The Imladris family was seated there along with the Lord and Lady. "Mae govannen!" Glorfindel called out. They turned and smiled at them as they entered the courtyard. Except for Celeborn. He caught her gaze and frowned, rising out of his seat, he approched the couple. "Azalea? What are you doing back from rotation early?"

She looked to Glorfindel, who was looking on with curiosity. "Go sit down. We will join you in a moment. I must speak with Celeborn alone for a moment." He nodded warily, but did go and sit down. "Come." She led the Lord of Lorien out away from the others.

He stood and regarded her for a moment. "It's the dreams again, isn't it?"

She nodded. "Aye. I have been having them again."

He frowned. "How bad are they?"

"The worst they have been in almost six centuries. Bad enough to drive me from my duties."

He winced. "I see. Do you need..?" She was already shaking her head.

"No, not yet. I did not like the after effects of that mess."

With a slow nod he turned to go back. "Just keep me informed should you change your mind. We do have Lord Elrond at our disposal this time, perhaps he has another remedy you could try."

She gave him a smile. "I will. Thank you, my lord." They soon rounded the corner and rejoined the others, Glorfindel giving her a peculiar look. She placed her hand in his and shook her head, telling him not to ask her right now.

You really should tell him. She looked up and caught Galadriel's gaze.

I know, but I don't really know how to breach the subject. She looked back down and picked a few berries from her plate.

He is concerned. He has seen your scars. Her head snapped up.

Wha..? Ai Elbereth, that's not good. She sighed, recieving a strange look from Glorfindel and the others. Celeborn glanced at his wife. I will tell him tonight, I promise you, my Lady.

Galadriel smiled and started a conversation with Elrond as if nothing had transpired. Azalea, though, had a feeling of cold dread in the pit of her stomach. He had seen her scars? She shuddered. This was not a converastion she looked forward to.

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Glorfindel had watched in confusion as Azalea led Celeborn away to speak in private. He was even more frustrated by her galnces with Galadriel. Everyone was quite familiar with the way the Lady conducted her 'private' conversations. When her head snapped up, then she let out a resigned sigh, he knew she had been given something like an order. She was very subdued the rest of the lunch. Only speaking when spoken to, and almost blatantly avoiding his gazes.

Catching that she was ready to go, he excused them. She managed to keep all formalities as they bade farewells. He caught her sharing another pointed look with Galadriel. As they left the garden and climbed the stairs he reached out and clasped her hand in his. "You seem different." She didn't seem to notice him. "Meleth? Are you alright?" She nodded. "Do you wish to go back to your talan?"

"I am fine Glorfindel, but we can go back if you wish. Perhaps we should.." She trailed off. He took her meaning and let her guide their walk. It was winding and took longer, but it did eventually lead them to her talan. He opened the door and she stepped past him. She hadn't said a word since she told him she was fine, so her voice startled him. "Close the door."

He turned to see her removing her tunic. An eerie feeling crept over him, but he did as she said. When he turned back, she had her back to him, and her braids were pulled over her shoulder. He froze, his breathing becoming shallow at the sight of the six parallel lines cutting diagonally across her back. "Azalea..?" He ventured.

"I know you've seen at least part of them before, but tell me. How much do you know about them?"

He took a deep breath to steady himself before speaking. "I do not know much. Only that you recieved them fleeing a Balrog of Morgoth."

She nodded slowly. "True indeed. How much have others told you?" She turned to face him. He relaxed some to see her face held no anger, she seemed merely indifferent.

"You were ambassador to Moria and helped protect it to it's very last day, when the Balrog chased your party from Khazad-dum. Many feared you would not survive your injuries, the ones caused by that abomination of Udun, but you did."

"Aye. Join me out on the terrace. I think it is time I at least told someone the full tale." He watched as she pulled her tunic back on and went to her wine cupboard. Which reminded him..."Glorfindel!" She turned to him with a grin. "I see you've been busy." She chuckled and pulled out a bottle of wine. He gave her a shrug.

"You have irisistable taste in wine, I couldn't stop myself."

He took a seat on the bench they had shared previously, and as before poured them each a glass of that exquisite wine she kept in there.

"Well, the best place to start is the beginning, so I shall start when I first received news of my assignment..."