JUST...ADEQUATE

CompleteSecret Santa 2005 Pairing: Galion and OFC Fluff NC-17 with a soupçon of angst

For Kath by Vi Janaway
hi

Just... Adequate


During the making of the Underground in the Greenwood, Galion finds that he is not always in
control.


Only the fact that the crates were empty saved the Elleth who wound up at the bottom of the pile from serious injury when the teetering tower of them came tumbling down. The burly dwarf who had caused the crash by bumping into it frantically pulled at the wooden containers to find her.

"Mistress Cuilbanneth! Please, you must be all right. I am sorry. Oh, please be all right."

Soft laughter drifted up to him before he heard a muffled voice. "Gidney, I am fine. Just had the breath knocked out of me."

Cloyd, three years younger than his brother, joined him in moving crates off the Elleth.

"We are both very sorry. This should not have happened. We cannot have you hurt."

When the two saw her they sighed gustily. "Oh, we are so grateful that you are not dead."

"What is going on here?" An imperious voice interrupted them.

The dwarves froze in place and the Elleth crawled over the last of the crates around her. "Master Galion." She scrambled up, caught her left foot on the hem of her dress, felt it tear, and landed in a heap at his feet. With great aplomb, she rose again and curtsied. "Forgive us, please, Sir. We had a bit of an accident. But, I think all is fine now. Well, except for all the dust that we have stirred up."

"Who...are...you?" Galion gave each of them withering stares. "And WHY are you playing with crates?"

"Oh, dear. I do beg your pardon. I am Cuilbanneth. And, these are my friends...Gidney and Cloyd." Her eyes danced with laughter although her tone was respectful. "We are truly sorry. "

"You are aware that there are dangers with all the excavation that is going on? That you could cause rock to fall from the ceiling?"

"Absolutely.' She returned his gaze steadily. "That is the reason why crates are put here in a safe area, making them available as needed. They can be used to transport any number of items...from rocks to written records. These were filled with debris, taken away on a sturdy cart for emptying, then returned here. We were in the process of stacking them when Gidney and I bumped into the ones we had just stacked...and I got buried. As you can see...no one was hurt."

"What I see," the silver-haired Elf said sternly, "is a safety violation. "You should not be here."

"We have permission...indeed, instructions to be where we are."

Cuilbanneth sat on one of the crates. propped her foot on it, folded her hands around her upraised knee, and smiled at him. 'We three are in charge of inventories and lists."

Gidney and Cloyd came to stand behind her and each rested a hand on her shoulders.

"Yes, Sir," Gidney affirmed managing not to quake in his boots. "Inventories and lists."

Cloyd only nodded vigorously.

"Inventories---and...lists?" Galion strove for calmness. "What inventories? What lists?"

The two Dwarves dragged other crates to either side of the Elleth and sat down, ready to defend her against the disapproving Ellon.

Startled by Galion's question, Cuilbanneth thought for a moment before answering. Then she grinned at him, her green eyes sparkling.

"We have lists of tools ... workers ... rooms that are complete ... rooms that need to be done ... supplies ... dimensions ... gems that have been found ... mithril veins ... "

She paused, and counted on her fingers ... twice. "Oh, and schedules."

Both dwarves nodded in assent.

"And inventories ... how many crates we have ... how many workers are available ... how much food is needed per day ... how many reports ... where each worker should be ... how many hours worked ... what tools are in need of repair ... are the carts we need available ... what is needed to complete rooms ..."

"Wait!" He stopped her. "Are you telling me that you three are the records keepers? That all those neatly written pages come from you?"

"Yes, Sir. Gidney and Cloyd and I collect facts and figures from the supervisors each day, add our own notes and observations, which each evening I transfer to pages for your journals."

She stood up. "So, Master Galion, may we continue with our tasks?"

Shaking his head, the ancient Elf threw up his hands and walked away.

Cuilbanneth and the dwarves waited until he was out of earshot then dissolved into laughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Galion...silver-hair and turquoise eyes...ancient, handsome...nearly perfect...ALWAYS in control... leaned against a rough, unfinished wall in frustration. He was King Oropher's closest friend and oldest ally. He had survived everything that life had tossed his way. He had even agreed to stay on when he had been outvoted with regards to taking a part of the Greenwood Realm underground.

But this...this slip of an Elleth had laughed at him all the while she was being courteous and respectful. He had not needed an introduction to the Elleth. He knew well who Cuilbanneth was. She was the one who shared her infectious laughter with whomever she met and spread wherever she went. He had seen her often when she was but an Elfling...and had been trying to ignore her since she had reached her majority. Oh, yes. He knew of Mistress Cuilbanneth.

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Cuilbanneth hummed as she looked over the pages she and the Dwarves had filled that day. What a wonderful day it had been. The Elleth put the pages safely away in a leather folder and stood up. She simply could not contain her exuberance. Making sure no one was looking, she began to twirl in a rapid spin that had her full skirt billowing out. He had spoken to her! Granted, it had been to scold, but HE had said actual words directed at her ... and she had not fainted. Well, she had fallen at his feet...then recovered and spoke to him without stuttering or dissolving into a puddle.

"Thank you, Eru." Her whispered prayer was fervent. "Thank you for letting Galion finally notice me."

Glowing, she stopped, straightened her hair and clothing, then exited the spacious office sedately to join her family for the evening meal.

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Over the next months all of the planned rooms in the Underground had been roughed out and a wonder of design was becoming visible as walls were smoothed and furnishings put in place.

As much as possible, Galion had avoided contact with Cuilbanneth. But it was impossible to ignore her. He would hear her infectious, lilting laughter drifting from places unexpectedly. More often than not, that laughter was accompanied by the rough, gruff voices of her Dwarf cohorts. The three were inseparable...and ubiquitous. And the silver-haired Seneschal was making mistakes. He NEVER made mistakes...until now..and that was something he intended to rectify...if he could only figure out how.

"GALION!"

He blinked, then visibly straightened when he recognized Oropher. "I...I beg your pardon, Sire. I seem to be befuddled these days. I think maybe being undergound has addled my wits."

"Is that what you are blaming? The Underground?" The King laughed heartily as he clapped his old friend on the shoulder. "Keep up the good work, Galion. Remember, I am expecting you at supper. Try not to be late."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oropher strode off, whistling a happy tune. His staid, oh-so-proper Galion was discombobulated. and he loved it...especially since he was sure he knew the reason why, And he was going to 'help' his dear, DEAR friend. It was, after all, the kingly thing to do. One must look after One's subjects.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cuilbanneth was late. She had knocked over a pot of ink onto a half dozen pages of notes and broken three new quills that had gone flying to the floor in her haste to blot it up making a shambles of her day's work. Fortunately she had an excellent memory and had been able to work around the blotches. But she had also had to sharpen new quills which was always nerve-racking for her. She had a nick on the outside of her left forefinger. Because of this she was delivering the pages herself. It was now almost suppertime and she knew Galion would be furious with her.for tardiness and less than pristine journal additions.

She quickened her pace from a brisk walk to a run, not truly paying attention to her surroundings. Seconds later, she plowed into Oropher, landing them both on the floor. The pages scattered about her.

Mortification and horror settled over her. "Oh, Sire," she began frantically. "I am sorry...my fault entirely...can you forgive me? I...I was not paying attention and..."

"...Galion will be angry with you for being late to report to him," the King finished. "That is why you were in such a hurry, is it not?"

He helped her gather the pages and smoothed back a stray lock of her hair. "Do not let him bark at you. You may even tell him I detained you." He laughed outright at her stunned look. "No harm done, Cuilbanneth. I would like you to sit at my table tonight. Is that agreeable to you?"

She nodded mutely.

"Then I shall see you there. We will not start the meal without you." He smiled and gently touched her nose with a long finger.

She stared after him as he walked away whistling the same tune.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There were temporary sconces mounted on tall bracework in the almost finished dining hall. The king was in a mood to celebrate. The marvels of the underground had included an embarassment of riches that he was more than happy to share with the dwarves. Jewels, mithril, and more than enough rock that could be shaped, dressed and used for buildings above ground.

Oropher perused the big room...so very pleased with the steady progress being made in his new home.

His silken hair gleamed in the torchlight. Tonight he was in a mood to celebrate..and torment his friend. Yes, supper was going to be interesting.

He headed toward his quarters to dress. His wife would probably chastise him after the meal. And it was probably not the best example to set for his son, Thranduil. But, oh, it would be fun. His hearty laugh startled all he passed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Galion waited impatiently...all but tapping his foot with frustration. "Where is the messenger with those pages! He should have been here an hour ago." He still had to dress for the supper he was commanded to attend. He wanted to just hole up in his own private chambers. He hated having to be with others when he ate. He simply had no use for small talk...and even less use for those who thrived on it.

Give him his weapons, give him enemies who outnumbered him at least three to one...and he was happy. The care and feeding of a kingdom was not his idea of service...not at all. Peace was proving to be more of a challenge than he had thought. Galion rose from his makeshift desk and clasped his hands behind his back. It was only his love for Oropher that kept him here. For the most part, he was willing to do whatever his king needed. Except sit through a formal dinner.

He was ready to give up on receiving that day's journal entries when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned, saw not a messenger but Cuilbanneth, and forgot to breathe...before deciding to throw caution to the winds. She had just closed the door behind her when he strode toward her. He closed his hands on her upper arms and lifted her against it.

He paid no attention to the papers which scattered as he clamped his mouth on hers. There was no tenderness, no finesse, just a possessive hunger that both disturbed and aroused him.

Cuilbanneth offered no resistance...only let herself be carried away with sensations like she had never before experienced. Nor did she try to breathe. His touch was what she had craved for so very long. She began to return his kiss and almost cried out when he raised his head and set her back on her feet.

Before he could speak, she placed a finger on his lips. Visibly struggling for control she managed to say shakily, "Please. Do not apologize." She bent to pick up her pages, handed them to him, and left.

As he accepted them Galion saw the blood and ink on the cut on her finger and wondered what had happened. He slumped against the wall. He had just lost all decorum. Manners ... protocol ... nothing had mattered except the taste of her ... and Eru help him he wanted more. He did not bother to make sure his desk was straightened before he blew out his lamp, then locked the door behind him. He regretted that he still had a night of torture before him in the form of supper with the King.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cuilbanneth had let herself into the dwelling she shared with her parents and brother. There was little time to change before she joined the king and his family at supper. She thought briefly of ignoring the friendly summons but decided to just go. Being with others might take her mind off what had transpired.

She fisted her hands together and raised them to her lips. "Please help me, Eru. I want that which I cannot have." Listlessly, she set about making herself presentable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite his warrior preferences, Galion did know how to dress appropriately for any given event.
He carried off casual elegance better than anyone else ever could. Aqua leggings the color of his eyes, cream tunic and a silver vest was his choice for the evening.

He had not tried very hard to block out what he had done to Cuilbanneth as he was not the least bit repentant. Kissing her, touching her had blasted his senses and made him know with surety that she was all he would ever want in a mate. He was only sorry to have caused her any distress.

The mighty Ellon was a master of all-save the art of courtship at which he was less than a babe in arms and had tumbled hard on his first attempt...flat on his face. He would do better next time...if she gave him a chance...and if he got through tonight's dinner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eralissë smiled at the two reflections in her vanity mirror when Oropher leaned forward and lightly rested his chin on her hair. "You have been entirely too cheerful the past few months. You have not yelled at anyone. You and our son have been getting along QUITE well. I saw you smiling at some of the dwarves when you were inspecting the latest treasures from this grand undertaking that will be our home. Are your wits addled...or have you found the answer to all of Arda's ills?"

"Neither, my dear." He eased his hands inside her robe to cup her breasts and smiled at her quick intake of breath. "Galion is in love." He bent to nibble on her left ear tip.

The queen grabbed his wrists to still his fingers and stared at him in the mirror. "Galion? Are you sure? With whom?"

'Well, I will admit that I had hoped she and Thranduil might have made a match. But,since he took exception to her pouring a bucket of sand on his head...even if it was a very long time ago. I believe Galion is a good match for her. Cuilbanneth."

Eralissë pulled away, stood and faced him in astonishment. "Cuilbanneth? That darling Elleth of Oronton and Ataralassië? But...she...he...Galion? Galion!" She could not seem to find words.

'My thoughts exactly." Oropher picked up the brush she had dropped. "Worry not, Eralissë. She loves him back."

"How do you know this?"

"I have watched them. She ran over me in a corridor because she was late with today's journal pages and was taking them herself." The King drew his wife to him and leisurely kissed her. "Sweet," he said softly when he raised his head to look down at her. "And it will have to do me until we find our bed later tonight."

He hummed as he dressed in his own idea of casual elegance. Bronze leggings were topped by a matching vest over a deep green tunic. He then plaited his hair in a braid pattern reserved for royalty.

Eralissë watched him. She had held the grim warrior and offered comfort and solace in any form he needed when all around him was chaos..and Elves he cherished were dying. She had listened to him weep when he refused her help and thought himself alone. She had seen his worry and hope for their son. But this playful lover was still new to her...and she prayed for a long respite from the Evil which could still threaten their land.

"Oh. By the by. I have invited them both for supper." He grinned at her as he tied off his braids.

She joined him in laughter. "You, sir, are incorrigible."

"Guilty as charged, Madame. They will survive...and with my help...." He let his words trail off.

She took his arm and hoped that he was right in his predictions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She heard footsteps and hoped her mother would not stop at her door on the way down the hall. She did not want another lecture about her shortcomings nor did she particularly wish for her parents to know she was dining with the king. She sighed when the knock came. "Come in, Naneth."

Ataralassië, always elegant, looked at her daughter's attire with vague disapproval. "Do you have plans away from home this evening?"

"Yes, Naneth. I do." She straightened the neckline of her rose-colored dress. and picked up a brush. "I have already told Nethien that I will not be here for the evening meal."

Several seconds passed.

"And are you going to tell me where you will be?" There was a hint of impatience in the older Elleth's tone.

"Telling you was not in my plans, but..." She sighed. "Today, I was not paying attention where I was walking and ran into Oropher. We both ended up on the floor."

"You did what?" her mother interrupted. "You knocked the King off his feet? You never consider the consequences of your actions. Did anyone see this latest embarassment?"

Cuilbanneth forced herself not to let her anger show. "Only we two were there. No one else saw."

"I certainly hope that Oropher will not hold what you did aganst your Adar."

"I do not believe that there will be repercussions. He laughed, helped me gather up my pages and invited me to supper."

"You will send your regrets." Ataralassië said firmly. "No matter his mood when he extended the invitation he has had time to reconsider. I doubt very much that he meant it."

"I will not send regrets. I believe he was sincere."

"What you believe, and what is, are often not the same. It is your intent to defy me on this?"

Cuilbanneth met her mother's stern gaze. "It is my intent to dine with my king and his family at his request."

"You test my patience, Cuilbanneth. You have not heard the last of this." Her mother left the room.

"Of that I have no doubt, Naneth," Cuilbanneth muttered.


She loosened the long thick braid that trailed down her back, brushed out her hair, then decided not to confine it again. After a last critical look at herself in the mirror, she turned off the wick on her lamp and headed our for an evening's adventure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thranduil sat in his place at his father's table observing the color of the wine in his crystal goblet.
He had been a bit surprised that his father had invited him to supper. His parents ususally did not have guests at the evening meal. He had been told that two others would also be joining them ... but he did not know who.

He was clean, relaxed, and sitting in a comfortable chair. What a wonderful thing peace was. He could certainly get used to it. But the Prince also knew that peace could only exist without the threat of evil... and evil would never truly be routed until the final breaking of Arda...something which was far off in the future. In the meantime he was determined that any warrior under his command would remain battle-ready ... as would he, in spite of all the whispers and complaints that disciplined drilling and training were no longer necessary. His right shoulder ached...a jarring reminder from Galion earlier that day of such a neccesity. He could only hope to be as good as the ancient Elf..someday.

"Enjoying a respite from a hard day of falling on the training fields?"

The tall, blond Ellon stood up at the sound of the soft voice, then strode to the end of the table. He caught the sides of her waist with his hands, lifted her off her feet, and twirled her around.
.
"Daft Ellon!" Cuilbanneth pummelled his uninjured shoulder. "Put me down!"

As he did, Thranduil kissed her--- quick and hard.

The Elleth smirked at him before rubbing her hand across her mouth. "What was that for?"

"To prove I could? To get back at you for saying I fell today?"

"You really ARE daft. I saw you sparring with Galion. And I saw you fall several times. He routed you quite handily."

"Just never tell anyone."

"You look very good for someone who swept the training ground floor with his hair."

Galion watched them from the doorway, shocked into silence by the ease of the comraderie the two of them enjoyed. It made him feel old.

"Relax, Galion," Oropher said quietly, startling him. "They have been playmates since they were Elflings."

"Playmates they might have been," Eralissë said softly, "but their definition of play has seldom been quiet. Thranduil has never forgiven her for a bucket of sand she poured over him. Neither would give us details. Ataralassië was angry for months that Cuilbanneth refused to tell her what happened."

She winked at Galion and strode to her son. "No playing in the dining hall, Thranduil. And no giving our guest a hard time. This is not the time for teasing." She barely kept the laugh out of her voice.

"Welcome, Cuilbanneth. You look lovely. The thought occurred to me that your mother would not have approved you having supper with us if she were not present."

"Thank you, my Lady." The younger Elleth curtsied, then smiled ruefully. "She instructed me to send my regrets after I told her what I had done to his Majesty. She is qute angry with me at the moment."

"Did you do something to me?" Oropher joined them. "I would say we did each other. We both fell into a heap on the floor and, afterward, I believe I was most accomodating."

Cuilbanneth's jaw dropped and her face turned scarlet.

"Oropher," his wife scolded. "Leave the child alone."

From his position near the door, Galion's mouth thinned into a straight line. He did not like the way the conversation was going. It bothered him to see her embarrassed. He was about to protest when the king turned to look at him.

"She was rushing to see you, Galion, and was late. She did not see me and we collided, sending both of us to the floor. I helped her pick up the pages that scattered and invited her to supper."

Thranduil sank into his chair and buried his face on his folded arms. His shoulders shook with laughter.

All Culibanneth wished for was the floor to open up and swallow her. Mortification was too light a term for what she was feeling.

Eralissë tugged at one of her son's braids. "Stop that, Thranduil. You will mind your manners."

The Prince raised his head and said, "Yes, Nana." He wiped his eyes. "I sincerely apologize Cuilbanneth."

"Please forgive me also, sweet lady. I should not have made sport of a serious situation." Oropher bowed to her.

She could not suppress a smile. "All is forgiven."

Without saying a word, Galion pulled out her chair. Startled, she met his gaze and murmured, "Thank you" as she sat down. He took the chair to her left. Neither was aware of the looks the royal family exchanged.

Servants brought the simple but delicious meal and Thranduil proved most charming as he regaled them with tales of mishaps that occurred during the building of the stables and soldier barracks. The two Ellith asked questions and he was happy to oblige them with answers. Neither Oropher nor Galion joined in. The remainder of the evening passed amicably.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cuilbanneth was humming when she reached the door of her home. The small lamp that should should have been left burning for her was dark and she knew that her mother was still angry with her. Not that it mattered. Dark had never bothered the Elleth and getting to her room without tripping or bumping into something was easy.

She closed her door behind her and rested against it. The evening had been so very special. She opened her ornate tinder box intending to start a flame to light the lamp, then closed it. She did not need a physical flame this night. The glow from within was enough to light her way to dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Galion turned up the wicks on all the lamps in his quarters. He was never at ease with the darkness. He had lived too long with evil and spent much of that in physical combat with the spawns of Melkor. And the more the Underground was completed, the more his apprehension grew. He did not know how much longer he could hide his claustrophobia.

The Ellon undressed and carefully put his clothing away. He was always neat...always knew where everything was. But what he was feeling now could not be pocketed. Cuilbanneth had captured him, heart and soul, but there was no place in his life for an effervescent elleth who had dared pour a bucket of sand on the head of the Crown Prince. It was much later when he finally willed himself to reverie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ada," Thranduil asked as he walked with his parents to their chambers, "am I correct in thinking that Galion has more than a passing interest in my childhood nemesis but does not know how to come to terms with those feelings? If so, I would be most interested in lending a helping hand."

"Stop...just stop." Eralissë admonished them both. "You will leave Galion alone. He does not need 'help' of any sort from either of you."

"Yes, Nana."

"Yes, Na---Eralissë." Oropher smothered a grin at the expression on his wife's face. "We will not interfere."

"Good night, Thranduil." Eralissë looked up at her son. "I expect you to behave."

Deliberately ignoring them both, she opened the door to the temporary chambers she shared with her husband and entered. Father and son exchanged looks and decided to follow Eralissë's edict.
At least for now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two weeks later Galion heard voices raised in anger and recognized one as Cuilbanneth's. He peered around an unfinished wall and saw her sitting on the floor surrounded by large rounds of thick, faceted glass which were rimmed with metal bands that had hooks welded on at intervals.

Gidney and Cloyd were trying vainly to become invisible.

Cuilbanneth held out one of the pieces and glared up at her brother. "It will not work, Serataro. The design is wrong for what we want. The welds will not hold and the rims need to cup the underside edges of the glass rather than just be fitted around the blocks."

"What would you know of anything to do with engineering. Naneth and I have allowed for any and all possibilities that something can go wrong with the plans to mount these in the roof of some of the rooms and chambers of the Underground."

"You really are full of yourself." The Elleth rose to her feet and dusted her skirt. "This is the first time you have set foot in this part of the construction. You could not be bothered to observe the workers and miners as I have. I know the feel of this place and I have watched Elves and Dwarves side by side making a thing of substance and beauty. You have been too busy working on 'art'.
Let me tell you, perfect brother, unless the Underground is structurally sound, it could fall down around our ears."

He dismissed all that she said. "I do not appreciate your sarcasm, Cuilbanneth. Nothing is going to fall. The skylights will soon be installed and we can begin to move in. Just make sure you and your friends here distribute the blocks to the proper places. And, do not break any of them. They were each custom made." He turned on his heel and left the room.

Galion shrank back into the shadows and remained unseen. So she was not always sweet and light. It would prove interesting to see who was correct in this matter. His money was on her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Galion looked around the full room. Supervisors of each part of the Underground developement met with him once a week to address any problems that arose during actual construction and adjustments that had been made. So far, no mishaps had occurred outside of the stables and barracks. With all the others present he could ask questions of Ataralassië and not seem like he was singleing her out.

She and her son were the last to arrive. She laid her personal journal beside the ones that Galion would be reviewing as a formalitly to see if individual records matched all of his.

Several hours later, Ataralassië walked out before anyone else, confident that all was well with the skylight project and that it would be a success. She was pleased that Galion had taken such an intererest in what she and her son believed would be a real asset to the underground.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Galion, Oropher and Thranduil worked well into the night with all the reports. Once some of the last and final proposed touches were in place, it would be difficult to make any more changes.

Three pages dropped unnoticed from one of the folders Galion picked up to take with him to his office before going to his chambers.

Thranduil picked them up, started to call after the Seneschal, when something caught his eye. He studied one of them briefly, and then passed it to his father.

"The idea for the skylights was Cuilbanneth's. The date on this is four months before Serataro and his mother approached us. The prism shapes in these drawings make better sense and are more practical in design and production."

He looked at the other two.

"Even for Ataralassië and Serataro, this is low. Cuilbanneth has said nothing because no one would take her word over that of her brother. Ada, I know that Oronton is also your friend and that he has been invaluable to you at times, but this is criminal...and if it fails, Cuilbanneth will get the blame. Ataralassië and Serataro will 'conveniently' find this page and say that she sabotaged them because they had thought of the idea first."

"Where do you see a date, and how do you know that this is Cuilbanneth's work?" Oropher asked.

The prince smiled ruefully. "We would exchange insults with each other in our own codes. What looked like random ink strokes to everyone else were precise in meaning to Cuilbanneth and me. She did not want anyone to know she had signed and dated it. The second page is Serataro's work but has no signature or date. The third is a first draft of what is in the official proposal."

"For now," the King said quietly as he handed the pages back to his son, "do nothing. Serataro and Ataralassië will hang themselves. So you two had a secret code? And she poured sand on your head? Small wonder that you did not murder each other."

Oropher stroked his hand over Thranduil's bright hair. "Some Ellith are better as treasured friends.
And true friends last forever."

Thranduil watched his father leave, a thoughtful expression on his face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three more weeks passed and the first of the skylights was installed in the most spacious grotto. It was set above one end of the large pool which was fed by the river that flowed underground. With natural light, vegetation would grow and the inhabitants of the Greenwood could find serenity and quiet in a peaceful setting

Gidney stared up at the ceiling. "I do not think this is going to work, Mistress Cuilbanneth. The hole in the rock has been thinned to a dangerous level and the light will not disperse correctly because the shape of the glass is wrong. The facets are cut like a jewel rather than a pane for a greenhouse. Jewels reflect...greenhouse panels refract and focus the light."

Cloyd vigorously nodded his head. "We tried to explain...but no one listens to dwarves when Elves are present." He looked at Cuilbanneth. "Your brother may know art and things esoteric, but he is not especially practical."

'Well, let us hope that they will work." The Elleth swept up the last of the debris to deposit in a crate. The entrance to the grotto was narrow as yet with just enough space for a dwarf and a crate to go through comfortably. Gidney added it to the others on a cart.

'We shall see you on the morrow.' Cloyd bowed to her.

"On the morrow," she agreed and watched fondly as one pulled and one pushed the cart away.

Late afternoon sunlight dappled the water of the large pool. Culibanneth sat down at its edge, paying little attention to the sounds of picks striking stone and the ringing of hammers on spikes and wedges carving out a hole for the second skylight.

An hour ago he had been told of the duplicity of Serataro and Ataralassië. Completely out of patience with the whole situation, Galion had wanted to box Thranduil's ears and then pinch the tips off for keeping such information from him. There was no place in consructing this new home for jealousy or shoddy workmanship when lives could depend on safe execution and cohesiveness of details.

He hesitated at the entrance and was angry all over again. Her dejection was evident. She had drawn her knees up, rested her chin on them and threaded her fingers together over her ankles.
About a third of her long, thick braid coiled in the dust.

Just as full dark settled, the Ellon heard muffled shouts and looked up in time to see a massive crack appear in the ceiling. Without thinking, he rushed to Cuilbanneth, pulled her from the water's edge to the other side of the grotto and covered her body with his.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Serataro and Ataralassië had been admiring the skylight from above and along with several of the workers were thrown down when the ground cracked and split open. Large rocks that were meant to be part of the camouflage, poured in until the pile was as high as the opening. Elves and Dwarves scrambled to their feet and looked on in dazed disbelief.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sounds of the falling rock reverberated throughout the rest of the Underground.

When Gidney and Cloyd realized the origin of the sounds, they looked at each other in horror. They ran back as fast as they could and bumped into Thranduil hurrying in the same direction.

"It is the grotto!" Gidney panted as terror gripped him. "Mistress Cuilbanneth was still there."

"That is where Galion was going." Thranduil marginally slowed his pace to let the dwarves keep pace with him. He only hoped that the ancient Warrior and his old friend were safe.

The three of them exchanged looks of dismay when they saw that the entrance to the grotto was filled with rocks.

"We will have to wait until morning to find them," the Prince said quietly, his tone even despite his worry.

"It is a big space," Cloyd put in. "I am going to believe that they are safe. But we should rest so that we may have the strength to dig them out come daylight."

"Yes," was all his brother said.

"Agreed." Thranduil looked down at them sure that Galion and Cuilbanneth had survived. He had not had much dealing with dwarves. But if these two were friends of Cuilbanneth he knew they were reliable. He also liked the simplicity of what Cloyd said. "Come, my new friends. We will eat and rest and ready ourselves for moving a small mountain of rocks."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When the rockslide stopped and dust began to settle, Galion eased off Cuilbanneth. Never had he been so afraid. Not even his battlefield terrors were equal to what he had felt when he saw her in danger of being crushed. A wave of water had crashed over an edge of the pool, leaving them completely wet.

"Are you all right?" she questioned anxiously, fear and concern overriding any decorum she might have hoped to maintain. She framed his face with her hands. " What made you come for me? You could have been killed!"

"So could you have been." He held her tightly. If he was not already wet with water he would hvae been wet with sweat. His heart still thudded in time with his harsh breathing.

"I know that your brother took your skylight designs...and modified them so he could claim the idea as his...and that your mother helped him. Some pages fell out of her journal at one of the progress reports meetings. Thranduil recognized your name and date using the codes the two of you made up long ago. You should have told one of us."

"Who would have believed me? My mother was in possession of my only proof. Not that it would have made any difference. It did not occur to me Thranduil would ever see my drawings and figures...or remember what we invented so long ago."

She shivered. Her dress clung to her and she eased out of his embrace. "Come with me. We can at least be dry and warm. She took his hand and led him around the pool and past several large, hollowed out alcoves to the one directly opposite from the entrance. The Elleth opened a bag, took out her tinder box, started a flame and held it to a torch that was in a filigree wall sconce inside.

"I made plans to stay here tonight. I could not bear to attend the celebration Naneth had planned for Serataro. I have a very nice temporary bed and several blankets." She indicated the large, thick mass of furs and stuffed bedding. "I did not know how cold it would be sleeping near the water.Yes, I know. Firstborn do not feel the cold. But, I do sometimes."

She pulled two big blankets from a neatly stacked pile and handed one to him. "I also wanted to get an early start in the morning on preparing the beds that will hold plants and flowers."

Cuilbanneth kicked off her shoes, turned her back to him and tried to unfasten the knots of the ties on the bodice of her dress but her fingers did not seem to be connected to her body.

"We even have food. Gidney, Cloyd and I each brought a basket with enough for three. When they knew I was going to stay here tonight, we ate from one and they left the other two with me.
I can not do this," she screamed when she broke a lace.

Galion had removed his boots and tunic and squeezed most of the water from his hair. He knew she was talking to cover up nerves. But he loved the sound of her voice, even when she gave vent to frustration and smiled a little at her futile attempts to untie wet knots. The Ellon slowly turned her to face him. Almost casually, he broke the other two ties and began to ease her dress off her shoulders.

With a quick intake of beath she curled her fingers around his wrists to still the movement of his hands. In the flicker of torchlight his eyes glowed like jewels and she was enthralled. Not realizing that she did so, she leaned forward to place a kiss just above his heart. Appalled at her boldness, she stepped back, her own eyes wide.

"I--I am sorry, " she whispered.

Shaken to his core by the touch of her lips, the ancient Elf was not ready to let her go, now, or ever. "I am not," he whispered back. "I want to explore what simmers beneath that cool façade. I want your passion ... all the sweetness and fire.you possess. Lie with me, Cuilbanneth. Let me know you."

The flickering light played across her face. Her confusion was evident until she understood what he was saying. Could it truly be?

"Yes, Galion," she said softly, running a gentle hand up his torso. "I will lie with you. I want to know you."

Her gaze locked with his, she peeled her dress off, leaving only a damp, sheer linen shift that molded itself to the curves of her body.

For several heartbeats he stared down at her then lowered his head to take her lips in a soul-searing kiss. His arms went around her waist as her hands locked behind his head.

When he eased back she laid her cheek against his chest before saying huskily, "Please tell me this is not a dream. Because if it is, I do not want to wake up."

"It is no dream...unless we are in the same one. I like it when you tremble." He cupped a hand under her chin. "But, before you catch a chill, let us get you completely undressed and into a nice, warm blanket."

Cuilbanneth laughed, then reached for the hem of her shift and pulled it up over her head, caught her long braid and needed Galion's help to get untangled.

"And after I am warmed up...what then?" She was trembling, but not with fear. The Elleth could scarcely befieve that she was here with him..that he wanted her, that she was naked, at ease with teasing him and felt so comfortable. "I think I am warm," she said turning into his arms. "Being near you sets me on fire."

He gently pushed her down onto the makeshift bed. "Shall we stoke that fire higher? And bathe in the flames?" His arousal already evident, Galion straightened and pulled off his leggings with little resistance from the damp material. His intent was to hold himself in check and let her set the pace of their joining.

"Yes, please. I want the flames." She stared at him in awe and raised herself on one elbow when he sank to his knees beside her. "You are beautiful, Galion. I want you so very much." She tentatively stroked his hard erection, then closed her hand around it. "I - I have never, but, I learn quickly."

"Yes, you do," he said in a tight whisper, grasping her shoulders and pulling her up to him. "Be very sure, Cuilbanneth. I have only a modicum of restraint left."

She smiled radiantly and the ancient Elf felt as if the sun had come out for him. So long had he been rigid, disciplined, in control. Now, this guileless Elleth was teaching him...teaching him that duty was not all there was to life.

Galion kissed her, gently at first, then with the same kind of hunger that had urged him to kiss her in his office. His arms closed around her while desire like none he had ever felt, consumed him.
Holding her close, the Ellon left her mouth to rain kisses along her jawline up to her ear tip. He traced its shape with his tongue before gently sucking it, then transferred to her other ear. Her sharp intakes of breath and nails digging into his back made him smile inwardly..

Awash with feelings she scarcely believed could exist, she ran her hands up his back before clinging to him, unmindful of the fact that her fingers were gripping tightly enough to leave marks. She could not seem to catch her breath long enough to do more than hold on.

He gazed at her perfection. "This is your last chance to tell me no," he whispered.

'You will never hear no from me," Cuilbanneth answered, fusing her mouth with his before pulling him down to her. There was no pain when her entered her in a smooth movement, and she laughed delightedly as she arched her back. "This is wonderful." Each syllable was punctuated by short breaths.

Galion held still, totally astounded at her response to him, then he smiled. "Indeed it is wonderful, my love." Nothing more was said as they moved together slowly before allowing their passion and desire to become an entity of its own and sweep them along on its fiery path.

She cried out his name when they climaxed together and was surprised that they were not both piles of ashes as their breathing became normal again. Cuilbanneth opened her eyes and stared up at Galion. She ran her hand through his damp hair and raised slightly to give him a long, sweet kiss. "Thank you," she said, lying back again. "It was better than I imagined and I have imagined us like this in my dreams."

"My Cuilbanneth, " he said softly. Still joined with her, he turned on his back bringing her to rest on his body. "Never have I felt like this. I want you forever."

She could feel his heartbeat under her cheek and had no plans to ever move again. "Forever?
Are you sure? If you are, I say YES! Do you think they will let us stay here like this?"

"That would be my first choice, too, Cuilbanneth. But I do not believe that we should stay like this. I want my wife in my bed."

"Wife...Husband...two incredibly beautiful words." She yawned and eased off him. "I suppose SOME propriety must be observed." She reached over and lifted the covering of one of the baskets. "Are you hungry? I am starving. I feel better than I ever have in my life." She kissed him just below his navel before moving away to set up their supper.

Galion gripped the furs beneath him. He knew her action was not calculated, but, Eru help him he might not survive the artless expressions of her love for him. Struggling to keep his composure, he sat up. "I too am hungry," he admitted, adding to himself 'but for more than food.'

"Then we shall eat, clean up, and oh, please, may we make love again...forever?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When dawn came, Thranduil climbed out of his bed and hurriedly dressed. He had not slept for worry about Cuilbanneth and Galion. If they were all right, he would only reprimand and discipline Ataralassië and Serataro. If Oronton did not do so first. But, if his friend and the ancient warrior were not all right, he would execute them himself. Something had to be done about the arrogance of that mother and son duo. Poundings on his door startled him.

"It is dawn, Lord Prince.' Gidney and Cloyd both beat the door with their fists. "We must see if Mistress Cuilbanneth is alive and well." Neither heard the approach of Oropher.

He smiled down at them and added his own staccato knock on the door. "Indeed, Lord Prince it is dawn. Oronton will come with us and there are guards at his home to make sure that Ataralassië and Serataro do not try to flee."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Thranduil opened the door and caught both dwarves before they fell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The torch had long since burned out and Galion stirred as a shaft of sunlight dappled the water and he heard voices above him. "Cuilbanneth," he whispered, wishing he could have her to himself for a while longer. "Day has broken and we have friends and family ready to rescue us. And as much as I love having you naked, I do not want any other to see you like this but me."

Looking at the enormous pile of rocks, he thought back to the conversation they had the night before and knew that he would never again have claustrophobia. "The stone is alive," she had said. "Gidney and Cloyd tell me that dwarves can talk to rock the way Elves talk to trees and animals. It is a gift to them from Lord Aulë. I think that they are right."

"Hmmmm." She stretched and yawned. "Oh my. What a spectacular night. Am I truly your wife?" Then she too saw the pile and she looked at him. "We could both have been crushed. We are truly blessed.'

Nothing more was said until they had put on their clothes. He pulled her down in front of him, took the comb he had seen the night before from a basket and began to untangle her braid. "You are truly my wife." After her thick locks had been tamed again, he took sections and began to braid them.

"What are you doing?" she asked holding still. "I do not wear side braids. My mother does not allow..."

"You are my lady wife," he interrupted gently, "and more than allowed to wear braids to match mine."

She grew very still. No longer was she a maiden, but a married Elleth. Married. In the space of one night her life had changed forever. There were new beginnings waiting for her.

"Galion! Cuilbanneth!"

Reluctantly, Galion went to stand under one of the empty skylights. He saw Thranduil. "We are well. Neither of us is harmed in any way."

"Gidney and Cloyd tell me that they will have to cut another entrance into the wall of the grotto. Major repairs that will take days will have to made up here. They also tell me that you have food and water. So, just relax and let us dig you out."

"We will be waiting." Galion went back to Cuilbanneth.

"You know that there must be a confrontation with your mother and brother. We could have been seriously injured or worse. They must be held accountable for their actions."

"Yes. I dread it. I long ago ceased caring about their opinion of me. My father will be the one most affected by the scandal when all is known. He loves her, but Naneth has never been content. She is still convinced that she married beneath her station although, at the time, Ada was the one Elf she considered worthy of her. She only had me to please him. Serataro is her star. She says I am just adequate. I think she should go to Valinor since her life here is so unpalatable."

He held her close, astonished at her gentle nature. She was calm, even compassionate. "You are more than generous, Cuilbanneth. You could be off on a tirade. I know many others who would."

She looked up at him. "What purpose would that serve. "My mother and brother are unhappy and I have no idea why. They both have admirers and are certainly never at a loss for friends." She caressed his cheek. "I have my heart's desire, so how can I be bitter towards them." She smiled. "I will admit to relief that neither of them will have further say in my life. Thank you for rescuing me. I cannot believe how free I feel...cannot believe you love me."

'Ataralassië overlooked the jewel of her family. I did not rescue you, Cuilbanneth. Rather, I saw how brightly you shine in any setting and how you draw people to you. Gidney and Cloyd will do anything you request. As will I."

She laughed. "You are a flatterer, My Lord. All I will ever ask of you is to love me. be honest, and never hold back if I upset you in any way. I want to shine for you."

Before either could speak again they heard a voice over the sounds of picks and hammers.

"Mistress Cuilbanneth. It is Gidney. We are having to clear the roof on this grotto completely. It is not safe the way it is. Your brother is most upset with us. He is not accepting any resposibility for the debacle that occurred last evening."

"And, he probably will not, Gidney," she called back. "My brother is not long on accepting failure."

"He cannot avoid this one. We all know. Cloyd is supervising making another doorway so you and Master Galion can get out. Today, we are being listened to."

"It is about time. Thank you, Gidney. Galion and I are safe, so there is no hurry."

Cuilbanneth leaned back against her new husband. "Knowing Gidney and Cloyd has been good for me, you know. They taught me that Vala Aulë imbued rocks and stones with a type of life when he made the dwarves. It may look and feel cold but stone reacts to kindess like any sentient creation. According to them, the Underground Stone is quite pleased to have Elves making a secure home here. At times I think I hear laughter as one more part is finished. I think perhaps the roof of the grotto was displeased with Serataro's lack of respect and collapsed on purpose."

Holding her tightly Galion laughed aloud. The cheerful sound echoed around the large space. "I did not know that. I think I can believe that explanation. I love you my darling elleth. Life with you will be an adventure."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was mid-afternoon before an opening big enough for them to crawl through had been hewn in the wall. Cuilbanneth's father, Oronton, held her closely. "I am so grateful that you are not injured. Your mother and brother have much for which to answer. Can you forgive me for not protecting you?"

She smiled up at him. "There is nothing to forgive, Ada. I am well...and happy."

He held her at arm's length, seeing the glow about her, the side braids, and her uneven bodice lacings. Oronton looked long and hard at Galion, then nodded once. It was difficult for him to believe that his daughter was now a wife...and that she was bound to the most fearsome warrior he had ever known. He kissed her brow. "You have my blessing, Cuilbanneth," then smiled at her questioning look. "An Elf would have to be blind not to see what has happened between the two of you."

Galion clasped forearms with him. "Thank you, Oronton. We were not sure if our decision would be accepted."

"I do not suppose Naneth will plan the celebration of our marriage," Cuilbanneth said quietly. "But, it is no matter. I am too happy to care about what she thinks."

"I will plan the celebration," Thranduil said picking her up to twirl her around one last time. "Is that not what best friends are for?" He grinned at Galion when he returned Cuilbanneth. "You are a fortunate Ellon, Master Galion.

"Indeed I am, Son of Oropher."

"I am confused." Cloyd leaned against the wall. "Yesterday, you were not married...now you are? How is that possible? There was no ceremony."

Galion knelt down to his level. "Elves do not always have public ceremonies. Cuilbanneth and I had a very private ceremony...with Eru and the Valar as our witnesses. All our friends are invited to the very public Celebration. That includes you and Gidney."

"Does that mean we will not get to work with you anymore?" Gidney's voice rumbled as he came toward them.

"No one else could do our jobs as well. We three will continue to work together until there is no longer a need for lists and inventories." She too had knelt beside them and they shared a quick hug. "I will not be working today."

"As there is still much to do, we will. Our supervisor needs our help with repairs." They smiled at each other. "We are going to have great satisfaction breaking apart your brother's 'custom-made' art pieces to be melted and re made into the proper shapes. Congratulations, Master Galion. We wish you and your lady much happiness." Without another word, they marched off down the wide hallway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cuilbanneth had expected merciless teasing from Thranduil, but except for him swinging her, he had been a perfectly courteous Ellon...and that worried her a little. When they reached her parent's home, she clutched Galion's arm. "I do not wish to face my mother. She will..."

"Stop," he commanded gently. Galion titled her chin so she would meet his eyes. "Did you not tell me you were relieved that your mother no longer has a say in your life, Culibanneth? You are my wife and the only opinions about you that matter are yours and mine."

"He is right, Cuilbanneth." Oronton opened the door.

They barely got inside before Ataralassië saw her daughter and began, "What have you done this time? How is it that you are always at the scene of a disaster? How...?" She stopped cold when she truly looked at Cuilbanneth. "Side braids! Your laces are broken. As usual, you have disgraced us. Whatever she did, Galion. I hope that you did not fall prey to any of her tricks. I will see that she is punished."

"ENOUGH!" Galion closed his fingers around the Elleth's wrist when she raised her hand to strike Cuilbanneth. "If you value your life at all, you will keep your hands to yourself. Cuilbanneth is no longer your concern. She and I bonded last night."

Ataralassië gaped. "Bonded? You cannot be serious. After all the years that you have waited, why would you choose someone who is just...adequate?"

Keeping a firm grip on his temper, Galion released her and turned to his new wife who was shaking with anger of her own. He framed her face with his hands and kissed her in a way that left no doubt to her or anyone watching that he considered her far more than adequate. "Go get what things you will need for tonight. We will return for the rest tomorrow."

Cuilbanneth nodded, and, accompanied by her father headed for her chamber.

Galion folded his arms over his chest. "Jealousy is ugly, madam, and yours is the most hate-filled ugliness I have every witnessed. In spite of you and your bully of a son, Cuilbanneth shines. She is charming, generous and kind. Her work is exemplary. You helped Serataro steal her idea of skylights. Pages fell from the progress journal you left with me. Thranduil found them and recognized a code he and Cuilbanneth develped so they could trade insults a long time ago. He also saw the date on her drawing. The date is six months before you and your son came to Oropher and me with your presentation. That knowledge will not be made public if you and Serataro take responsibility for the skylights failure. You will then 'discover' that Cuilbanneth had an idea that will work. Serataro's glass blocks are being pulverized to make the kind that she designed. That is the one way you can avoid censure and this is your only chance to accept the offer. Am I clear?"

Ataralassië glared at him. "Yes," she answered tersely. "You are blind, Galion. She will surely disappoint you. I consider myself well-rid of her. Always a troublemaker."

"That is the last derogatory statement you will ever make about Cuilbanneth. See that you adhere to my warning. I promise you that the consequences will be dire if I hear otherwise."

Nethien, who had been with the family for most of Cuilbanneth's life, had heard all of the exchange.
She came toward Ataralassië and tossed her apron. "Master Galion. May I come with you and Cuilbanneth? I have no wish to stay with this harridan."

Oronton carried a large bag and Cuilbanneth a smaller one. Cuilbanneth dropped hers and ran to Nethien. "Oh, yes. I want you to come, please, You are also invited to the celebration for Galion and me."

She picked up her bag again and Galion took the other from her father. "Goodbye, Naneth. We are well rid of each other. Ada, feel free to visit anytime. I want you to come to the celebration also. Neither you nor Serataro is welcome, Naneth. I wish you well.' She did not look back as she walked to the door.

"I will help Nethien with the rest of Cuilbanneth's possessions and her own. Is tomorrow morning too early?" Oronton smiled. "I am pleased that you and my daughter have found your way to each other. Oropher has invited me to supper. I will see you there."

When he closed the door behind them, Oronton turned to Atarlassië. "I did warn you. You can thank Cuilbanneth's forgiving nature that you and Serataro will not be banished. I am going to move into Cuilbanneth's room. I know longer wish to share one with you." He stalked off, followed by Nethien.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It is not much," Galion said softly as he opened the door to his home. "We can always make it more liveable."

"I do believe that we can," Cuilbanneth agreed. "Did you say something about having your wife in your own bed?"

For most of the next hour he showed her...and let her show him...exactly how much a bed could be utilized. Hands, lips, and voices touched , kissed, and encouraged the lovers to explore and cherish. After her second orgasm, he joined her on a third, spilling himself inside her. For the first time in his long life, he was at peace. After several minutes, he kissed her tenderly "Oropher expects us. We had best dress."

"On the condition," she said lazily, "that you remember where we left off. I know I shall." She sat up and looked down at her body. "Oh, my," she said when she saw all the bruises. "I guess we did get a little carried away. Promise you will not kill Thranduil if he laughs."

"Let him make all the fun he wants. I am too happy to care what he says. And you had best believe that I shall remember where we left off." He left the bed, pulled her to him, then groaned. "I have to stay away from you. I can not think coherently when you are so close."

She laughed softly. "I love you so very much, my Lord."

"I love you so very much, my Lady."

He put on plain brown leggings, tan tunic, and a soft leather vest. She pulled a simple, bight yellow gown over her head and opted for a wide sash rather than a lace-up bodice. After helping each other with their hair, he sat down to put on his boots. Slippers to match her dress completed her outfit. They pronounced themselves perfect, and, hand in hand left for the King's dining room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oronton's thoughts were sober. He had left his wife and son involved in a heated argument. They had been found out, yet neither would take responsiblity for all that they had done to Cuilbanneth. He was grateful that his daughter would not have to deal with them again.

When he entered the room, Cuilbanneth ran to him. "Ada! Thank you for helping me. And thank you for approving of my choice." She searched his eyes, then took his hand. "I think that Naneth has hurt you more than she ever hurt me. I am sorry."

Her father kissed her forehead. "Thank you, my sweet child. I will be all right. You are just beginning your adventure of love."

The pleasant evening was made more so by good company. After the meal, Oropher poured a goblet of wine, settled back in his chair and said, "Cuilbanneth, I believe the time has come for you to tell us why you poured sand on Thranduil's head."

"Ada!" Thranduil exclaimed. "Some things are better left in the past."

"Sire, I agree with him." Cuilbanneth clasped her hands in panic.

"Come, now, you two. It has been more than a millennium. I do believe that is more than enough time for a secret to be kept."

Recognizing a command, gentle though it was, Thranduil and Cuilbanneth exchanged looks and both took deep breaths. "You tell it," the Prince said.

She could feel all eyes on her as she folded her hands on the table. "As with all the camps where we lived when the war was still raging, the safe area for the elflings was in the center. Lessons were completed for the day, and Thranduil and I were on play duty. After the little ones were taken for naps, he and I should have cleared the area and put away all the toys. I had completed my first attempt at weaving and dyeing material and was working on the hem of a new gown I was making from it while showing some of Elflings how to make proper stitches. After they left, I put it down to start clean up. I heard moans and groans behind me and turned to see Thranduil in my still unfinished, rose petal pink gown. He is at least a foot taller than I, and almost twice as big around. He was stuck. If I had not been so angry, the sight of him might have been funny. But to me, it was not. He fell, ripped open the side seams, and landed near the sand box. I dumped out a bucket of toys, filled it with sand and poured it all over his head. Then I tossed the bucket and stormed off. He brought back the dress in pieces...stuffed into the bucket. It took me several years to forgive him. I still have the tunic I made from the skirt...somewhere."

Several minutes of laughter followed her deadpan delivery of the basic facts.

"I admire your restraint," Eralissë said. "I would have killed him."

Thranduil reached for Cuilbanneth's hand and pressed a lingering kiss on it before placing it back on the table. "I am not sure if I apologized. If not, I am now." He raised his goblet. "To Galion and Cuilbanneth. Long may they live...and love."

The others echoed the toast. "By Royal Decree," Oropher said, "I command the two of you to go home. I do not want to see either of you until the celebration."

"Aye, my Lord." Galion stood and pulled out Cuilbanneth's chair. "My Lady and I humbly obey." He smiled.

"I am certain you will," Thranduil also stood. "I am sure that are actually places on her delectable body that you have not marked."

Galion stiffened, then relaxed. "You will never know, Thranduil. You will never know. Come, my wife."

The Prince's expected teasing did not upset her and Cuilbanneth looked at the King. "Thank you, Sire. I am most grateful." She and Galion exited.

"Oronton. If I can help you in any way, please let me know."

"thank you, Oropher. For the time being, I am not sharing a bed with Atarlassië. It may take me several years to forgive her and Serataro. But, that is my problem. By your leave, I will say good night." He bowed and also left.

Oropher stared long and hard at Thranduil. "Rose petal pink...what do you think, Eralissë? Should we have a tunic made for him in rose petal pink for the big celebration?"

Thranduil was horrified. "Ada! You would not..."

Oropher laughed and pulled his son's braids. "No, I would not. When are you going to find your own Cuilbanneth?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In their bed, Galion and Cuilbanneth had indeed remembered where they left off. The silver-haired warrior was no longer alone...he had found his other half. He held his sleeping wife and let himself drift into reverie. Life was good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

author's note: Fans of Rocky and Bullwinkle may recognize the names, Gidney and Cloyd. :) :) :)