Mandos's Embrace

A/N: Just thought I'd post this a little early since I'll be busy tomorrow and may not have a chance. I was just wondering if this daily posting was alright. That way the wait for the next chapter to be written didn't seem to be too long. Chapter 23 is in the making at the moment so it should be completed soon as I am running quite smoothly with it so far. I'm actually suprised with all the hits I've gotten that no one has reviewed yet...kinda makes me a bit nervous. Anyhow, let me know if there are any concerns or problems. I do not have a beta, so I do most of my own proofreading. Sometimes one does miss things. Much love, SpiritChild.

Chapter Four

Azalea slipped out of the water and gently wrung out her hair. She had removed all of her braids to be sure she got all the blood out of her hair. Using a drying cloth, she patted most of the water from her body before attending to her hair. Briskly rubbing the towel over her now thigh-length locks, succeeded only in soaking the towel completely. As well as getting a few knots in her hair. Picking up a brush, she proceeded to work through it. It had been some time since she had removed her braids, and her hair was kinked all over due to it. After several tries, she just made it look presentable to go to her talan. Wrapping a robe about her form, she knelt and picked up her hammer. It was still covered in gore, so taking it over to the pool, she washed it up. Her nimble fingers dug into the grooves, picking out all sorts of...well, she really didn't want to think about that.

Once satisfied, she dried it off, and slung it across her back. She picked up her soiled clothing and shoved it into a bag, left there for that very purpose. Finally she picked up her bow and quiver and exited the tent. Immediately she saw Orophin sitting with, her breath caught, Glorfindel! What were they doing here? Perhaps waiting for the bath? Or were they waiting for her? She took a deep breath and put a smile on her face. She sauntered over to Orophin and stared down at him. "Come to make sure I really bathed?"

He looked up at her with a coy grin. "Never can tell with you. Although I must admit, you don't smell like an orc anymore."

She shook her head. "Can't say the same for you." With a wink, she spun and started to walk away. That wasn't too bad, except that her heart was fluttering, due to the fact that Glorfindel hadn't taken his eyes off of her the entire time. She had felt a little weak in the knees under that scrutiny.

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Glorfindel had watched her as she exited the tent. All the while going over what Orophin had told him. She had faced a Balrog? If it had wounded her like that, she shouldn't have been able to get away. There was something more to it. There had to be! She had seen them, and was now coming their way. He put on a nuetral look and used this as a chance to watch her more closely. Her friendly banter with Orophin seemed to ease his mind about her. The battle of earlier hadn't disturbed her in the least. He sighed as she turned and began to walk away. He felt Orophin slip his hand onto his shoulder. "My friend, this is the last time I will say it. Go to her. Talk to her. Perhaps you will find something unexpected." With that he stood up and without another word, pulled Glorfindel to his feet and gave him a nudge in the direction Azalea had headed.

He stared after her, torn at wanting to chase her down, but afraid of doing something stupid in front of her and ruining his chances forever. Her damp hair swayed gently across the glittering hammer on her back. She turned a corner and his indesicion finally broke. Why was he so scared? This was crazy! He had wooed ellith before. He had even killed a Balrog and been reborn. This was nothing, right? Frankly the Balrog sounded tempting at the moment, and far less dangerous. He took a deep breath, and with a determined nod, he set off after her, leaving Orophin grinning. Especially after he saw a couple of mischeif-makers he had been looking for.

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Azalea heard the soft footsteps catching up with her. She figured it was Orophin, just as the footsteps were right behind her, she said over her shoulder. "Not too close Orophin, I just cleaned up. Don't need to rub your own orc-stink off on..." She spun to face her pursuer, and dropped her bow. Glorfindel stood behind her, not Orophin. He bent and picked up her bow.

"I am sorry to startle you." He held out her bow. "I was just wondering if you wanted a hand carrying your things back to your talan." She eyed him for a second, before nodding slowly.

"Aye. It's a long walk, so I wouldn't mind the company either." She held out her quiver to him. "If you would carry this and my bow, I would be must grateful." He took the quiver and slung it over his own shoulder. "I hope you do not mind stairs. My talan is in the canopy." Her knees felt like water as she turned to show him the way. She silently hoped she could make the stairs herself.

They walked in silence for a time before she got up the nerve to speak to him. "I was wondering." She turned to look at him. "What brought you to Lorien?"

He regarded her for a moment before answering. "I am not sure really. I just heard Elrond speaking of it, and it seemed like a good idea, as I hadn't been to the Golden Wood in quite a long time. You see Celeborn and I are old war buddies." He proceeded to tell her of one particular adventure where he played a prank on the Lorien Lord. By the time they reached her talan, both were laughing and chatting animatedly.

She pushed her door open and walked in. "Well, this is it. Home sweet tree." With a soft thud, she dropped her laundry by the door. "You are welcome to come inside."

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Glorfindel stepped inside cautiously. Her talan was a weapon lover's dream! He watched as she carefully hung her hammer on the walll, where it criss-crossed a monstrous axe of the same make. He approached the crossbow, and seeing the hooks beneath it, slipped the Galadrhim bow into it's place. "I'm going to go put something on other than a bathrobe. I'll be back in a minute." He nodded to her. Catching sight of her bookshelf, he wandered over to it. The shelf stood as high as he did and it was veritably laden with texts. Running his finger across the spines, he took in the titles. A couple were battle strategy books, some were ancient lore and history, but mixed in among those were novels in Sindarin, Quenya, and Khuzdul, with a couple in Westron tucked onto the next shelf. A soft noise brought his attention around. Azalea stood watching him.

She had changed into a simple deep blue tunic and black leggings. Her hair was now almost dry and it shone in the waning sunlight. "Find something you like?" She motioned to the shelf behind him. It took several moments for the fact that she had spoken to dawn on him.

"Oh, I was just admiring your collection." He turned back to the shelf. Mostly to catch his breath, not to look at the books again. "Do you have a favorite?"

He felt her standing next to him. "Aye." She knelt down and removed one lovingly from the bottom shelf. She placed it in his hands. "This one was my grandmother's. She brought it from Valinor." He turned the book over gently in his hands, a strange catch in his throat. He recognized this one! The soft leather cover was engraved with a beautiful mountainscape. It was the tale of creation.

"This book is amazing. I must say I am amazed any copies still survive in Arda." For a brief moment he forgot her intoxicating proximity as he caressed the spine. "I have not read this in ages." He passed it back to her, catching her gaze. She gave him a smile.

She knelt and placed it back on it's shelf. "My talan is always open. I will be going back to the fences in the morning, but feel free to borrow a book if you wish." She stood up. "Other than the royal couple, of course, I have one of the most diverse collections in Lorien." Pausing, she frowned. Glorfindel had paled slightly when she mentioned going back.

He covered it quickly. What was wrong with him? He was a warrior as well, and understood duty. With a slight laugh he brushed it off to her. "Forgive me, I think all those stairs just caught up."

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Azalea frowned, but deciding she wasn't going to get anywhere, let it go at that. It could be the stairs, believe that for now. Go with it. "Oh I understand. Don't say I didn't warn you, though." She chuckled when he shook his head. "How about a drink and a seat?" She motioned to the balcony.

"That would be nice." As she turned to go to the kitchen to fetch a bottle of wine, she heard him mutter. "Especially since you made me carry you weapons all the long way up here.." She heard him chuckle as he dissappeared out onto the balcony. With a playful scoff, she kept going. Opening her wine cupboard, she rifled through the labeled tops. She pulled one out, a crisp white with floral hints in it, a much-loved favorite of hers. Scooping up two glasses on her way out, she joined Glorfindel on the balcony. He reached out and took the bottle from her. "Allow me." With a swift motion, he popped the cork from the bottle.

She held out the glasses and he filled them. He sat the bottle on the table next to him and took his glass with a smile. "I hope you like this one, I wasn't sure of your preferrences."

He held the glass and gazed at it. "I do indeed prefer whites." He took a sip of it and sighed. "Oh yes this is exquisite." She smiled in relief and sipped at her own glass.

"It is one of Lord Celeborn's recipies. I've become quite partial to it." The faint flowery bouquet lingered on her tounge.

"I think you have made me a bit partial to it as well." Glorfindel chuckled. "I do believe he has been holding out on me." They sat in silence for awhile, just sipping wine and watching the colors of the sunset filter down through the golden leaves of the canopy.

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Glorfindel looked over to her. She seemed so peaceful sitting there, wine glass in hand. A soft warm feeling crept through his body at the sight of her, and it wasn't due to the exquisite wine she had brought out. Suddenly he was overwhelmed by the urge to go over to her, take her in his arms, and kiss her. Feeling watched, she turned to him and smiled easily. For the nearly hundredth time since he first saw her, his breath caught. How could he be so lucky to find this creature? She had so many qualities he cherished. She was a warrior, with the cool courage to survive the horrors of battle, yet she could be soft, pensive, and intelligent.

His knees shook slightly as he stood up and crossed the terrace to where she sat. She scooted over and made room for him on the bench beside her. Taking that as a good sign, he sat down next to her. His heart was veritably pounding in his chest as he made the next bold move, slipping his arm across her shoulders. She tensed for a moment and he was prepared to remove his arm quickly, but to his suprise, she relaxed and even leaned back against him. She curled up against him, leaning her head on his shoulder. Glorfindel looked down at her. Ai Elbereth, how he wanted to kiss her right now!

As if sensing something, she turned to look up at him. "Is something wrong Glorfindel?" She asked, concern in her violet eyes.

He shook his head. "No. I just think I've had quite enough wine for one night. Especially with all those stairs ahead of me."

She chuckled. "Can't hold your wine, eh?"

He put on an appalled look. "Now hold on a moment, I most certainly didn't say that!" They both locked stares for a moment, before bursting out with laughter. Realizing that this was his moment, he reached out and caught her chin. He stroked her cheek with his thumb, before leaning in and gently pressing his lips to hers. She held stock still for a moment, before sighing into the kiss and returning it. Desire roused in both of them and he found himself growing hard as her tounge wrapped with his in a sensual battle for dominance.

He slipped his hand onto her hip and pulled her closer, feeling her fingers tangle in his hair. She moaned deliciously as his other hand trailed lightly across the tip of one of her ears. Finally the need for air became insistant and he reluctantly pulled back.

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Azalea reached up and touched her lips with her fingers. Did that really just happen? Glorfindel kissed her? Her heart was beating wildly in her chest and she felt warm all over. Glorfindel had kissed her! She turned her gaze to him. He sat there, as composed as ever on the outside, but one look into his grey eyes told her differently. By the Valar! He burned for her! Not even Rumil had held that kind of passion in his gaze. She nearly swooned. What was she to do? Normally she would just give in to her body's call and quench their desire, but this time was different in some way. Why, she didn't know. "I think we've both had quite enough wine." She managed to get out.

"Aye, I do believe you are right." His voice was low and breathy. "Perhaps I should go?"

She nodded reluctantly. "Perhaps so. If we intend on doing this we should be of clear mind."

He smiled and stood up. He held out a hand, she accepted it and he pulled her to her feet. "You are quite right, my lady. Although I do say, part of me is soundly dissapointed." He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"You bad ellon!" She said, pretending to be shocked. They made their way to her front door. He stopped and turned, pulling her into his arms. They shared a lingering kiss, each gently exploring the other. Finally he broke away. With a gentlemanly bow, he exited her talan. She watched him make his way down the stairs, with a growing dissapointment. How could she just let him go? Crawling into bed a few minutes later, she sighed. There would be no nightmares tonight, for she had something wonderful to dream about, or more pointedly: someone.

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Glorfindel sighed to himself. He pushed open the door to the talan he was staying in. Dropping down onto his bed, he thought of what she had said. She had accepted his advances for a relationship! He felt almost giddy at the thought. He sat up and pulled off his tunic, then leaned back against the soft sheets. By the Valar! No elleth had ever had this effect on him before! He could still taste her on his lips, and he touched his fingers to them gently, supised at just how kiss-swollen they had become.

He smiled as he thought about how elrond had extended their stay. He would have the ramainder of spring and all summer to completely win her over, but he had a feeling that by the end of the time, he would be the one wrapped around her finger. His reputation was at stake, and for the first time, he really didn't care. He gave another happy sigh and yawning, slipped into reverie.