A brief interlude

Disclaimer: All of the characters (with the exception of Amber)are property of JRR Tolkein. I am making no profit from this story. Resemblance of my story to any other is purely coincidental.

The sun played lightly across her ebony hair, soft tendrils curled around her delicate face; his fingers ached to brush them away. He tried to shake the notion from his brain that she was a dream; at this moment she seemed to be the most perfect creature in existence. It made what he was about to tell her almost impossible. The past few months had been bliss and it was only recently that he had recognised the unfamiliar feeling of love growing in his heart.
“I have to go away for a while.” He might as well say it now, rather than later. She turned, a slight frown formed on her pale brow.
“Oh…” Her voice caught momentarily in her throat; she looked away, “Will you be gone long?”
“Three months perhaps…maybe longer.”
“That’s a long time.” Her lips pursed slightly and she bit her lip, “Important business?”
“Yes actually…A council of sorts. We have them very rarely but things have changed and we have much to discuss.”
She turned back to him and smiled winsomely, he wanted to whisk her up in his arms there and then and tell her that he would never leave her…that he would protect her from everyone.
“Is there anything to be worried about?” She asked flippantly.
“Something is moving and,” He hesitated, he was lost for words, “Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn seem to think that your appearance is somehow connected.”
This time it was his turn to look away.
“Me? What have I to do with anything? I didn’t ask to be here you know! I’m no threat to anyone.” Amber turned away from him fiercely. Elrond was shocked by the intensity of her response, he half reached for her but restrained himself at the last minute.
“They don’t know you like I do. That’s what I’m going to tell them. They’re right though, destiny’s shadow does lie heavily on you, it follows you…Galadriel says that there is terrible blood on your hands. They are worried about who you are.”
Amber whirled around; her blue eyes shone with unspent tears of anger and fear:
“Do you believe that I am a threat?”
He took a step towards her, her face was a sea of emotion, her usual steely self-control was all but gone and Elrond was once again struck by her beauty. He sighed heavily and covered his face with his hands:
“Valar preserve me… I don’t, I never could believe you were a threat but perhaps I should.”
He looked into her eyes; his grey eyes boring into her; drinking her in. She shrunk a little from his intense gaze; a faint blush rose on her neck.
“They believe that you have bewitched me, they believe that it is your beauty and charm that have captured my heart and mind.”
Her azure eyes snapped into a flinty grey, she positively bristled with anger. Blue sparks began to flicker through the wealth of her midnight hair. Ai! Even when she was furious she was beautiful! The venerable lord of Imladris felt himself grow hard despite the ferocity of her glare:
“Now I am to be suspected because I’m beautiful? I’ve heard it all!” She turned her back to him; “bewitched you indeed!”
All his self control failed him and he reached out for her. He took her into his arms; she was shaking in anger.
“Don’t touch me!” She snapped pulling away violently “They’ll think I’ve worked my spell on you.”
He held her tight, relishing the feel of her body close to his:
“I will tell them that there is no witchcraft in my…’ Elrond paused, searching for the words;
"Your what?" She continued to struggle against his grip.
“I will tell them that there is no witchcraft in my attachment to you; there is only my heart.”
Amber suddenly stopped fighting his grip; he seized the opportunity to continue.
“I do not believe you are a threat; however, I do believe that destiny has not finished with you yet, my love.”
She looked up into his eyes, stunned. Her eyes wavered from flint grey back to azure blue; she fixed him with the steady gaze that Elrond had often thought he could drown in; that gaze with which she seemed to see directly into his inmost soul.
“Elrond…I…” she began. His heart sank and he let go of her quickly, hoping to salvage some self respect. He turned to her; his gaze averted;
“You will always have a home here at Imladris. I will offer you protection, no matter what is decided at the council.”
She made a move as if to respond but he held up his hand and turned away, unsure whether he could hide his conflicting emotions.
“I must go, I leave immediately.” He began to walk to the door but stopped, he had to ask; the question burned in his mind;
“Will you be here when I return?” He whispered, dreading the answer.

Amber stifled a low cry and rushed to him, thrusting herself into his arms. Elrond’s mind exploded with love and unanswered questions. Amber seized his mouth in a passionate kiss that made his knees go weak. Her slender hands wrapped themselves in his hair. His tongue parted her lips, and willingly she allowed him access and began to caress his tongue drawing him deeper into the kiss. He encircled her in his arms and pushed her against the wall, pressing himself against her. She moaned as she felt his need for her pressing against her thigh. Elrond captured the small, sensitive spot on her neck and administered fevered kisses until she gasped with pleasure. His hands roamed unbidden to her breasts, even through the thick velvet of her corset he could feel her nipples erect. How he longed to rip her bodice open and taste her skin! Sensations coursed through him like nothing he had experienced before. Never had he felt this level of passion, not even in his most intimate moments with Celebrian. This strange creature excited him more with a single glance than any woman or elleth had ever done before. Amber’s hands began to move from his hair, and carried on down his body. Her small, graceful hands caressed him through his robes. Waves of pleasure flowed through him and he kissed her harder, leaning into her ministrations. Skilfully, he began to work the laces of her bodice, desperate to feel her skin against his lips. Amber arched her back to allow him better access to her laces. He looked into her eyes and felt his knees go weak again at the look of sheer desire reflected in those pools of blue.

There was a movement at the door and an embarrassed cough:
‘My Lord Elrond…’
Amber and Elrond jerked suddenly out of their passionate embrace and turned guiltily. Erestor stood in the doorway, flushing and averting his eyes from the rumpled couple.
“I’m sorry to interrupt but we really must be leaving…I’ll meet you at the horses.”
Quickly, he retreated back down the corridor. Elrond turned to Amber and grinned sheepishly; she in turn laughed and fell into his arms:
“Do you really have to leave now?” She breathed kissing his neck gently. Elrond leant into her kisses, every fibre of his being humming with pent up desire.
“Yes, Melethronin…ai!” He gasped as she nibbled a sensitive spot. With great self control, he broke free from her ministrations. Regret flooded his face:
“Three months…I will be back in three months.” He kissed her deeply again, “don’t go anywhere! I want to continue this conversation then!”
“Three months! Elrond, as with all men your timing is horrendous. I can’t wait that long for you!” Amber wheedled; she ran her hand down his face seductively. His face turned to her hand and kissed it lovingly. Then, he looped his arm about her waist firmly drawing her close;
“See me to the horses.” He whispered in her ear tenderly.
“Okay, but you owe me.” She conceded gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear.

Down in the courtyard Glorfindel and Erestor, already mounted; waited patiently.
“About time,” Glorfindel grinned, “In both senses.”
Elrond shot him a steely look which made Glorfindel grin even wider. Elrond took Arwen in his arms; she looked at him speculatively;
“Give my love to Grandmother and Grandfather. Tell them that I stand by you, Amber belongs here; with you.”
Elrond blushed and kissed her affectionately on the cheek. Then he turned to Amber, and kissed her chastely on the hand. Just that small contact made her shiver with pleasure. She knew that he would never be the type for public displays of emotion but his eyes told a different story. He was hers and she was his. For the first time since she had arrived at Rivendell she felt truly happy.

As she watched the small party ride away, she sighed deeply in an effort to control her heightened emotions. Three months seemed like an eternity but her body trembled with excitement just thinking about their reunion.