Chapter 10 has arrived. Kinda short, I know. Also, sexytimes starts in this one so if anything of the sort offends you (which I hope it doesn't. I mean, this is rated M for a reason), please feel free to skip over it. Just know that it happened and that they're leaving for Helm's Deep.

Enjoy and review, lovelies!

~:Elven Kat:~

PS. I have a Hobbit fanfic going on too as a sort of side project. Its called Brothers Love so check it out if you would like :)

Calemireth had retired early that night. She had attended Theodred's funeral and had helped Eowyn with the two children that had come to Edoras. They brought with them news of the men who attacked their village. Theoden had said his people would go to Helm's Deep, a fortress built into the mountain, much to the displeasure of Gandalf and Aragorn. Theoden was walking into a trap. There was no way out of that ravine if the battle were to go poorly.

She lay on her bedroll, letting her mind wander to Haldir. She wondered how he was faring, what he was doing at the moment. Would she ever see him again? The memory of their bath together made her smile. She remembered every curve of every toned muscle, dripping with water. She remembered his smile and the delicious way his lips looked.

The sound of Gimli entering the room jolted her out of her thoughts. Legolas and Aragorn were not far behind. Gimli took the bedroll next to her. He reeked of ale and smoke. Calemireth watched Legolas as he conversed with Aragorn, something about Helm's Deep. He was supposed to be her mate. They could not deny their fate. But what of the Marchwarden? She could be happy with him whilst Legolas took over his realm from his father. He could wed another elleth. At that thought, a pang of jealousy shot through her. The Valar were not going to make this easy for her, were they?

"What bothers you?"

Calemireth had been so swept up in her thoughts that she failed to realize Aragorn and Legolas had finished their conversation and the Elf Prince now crouched before her, staring intently at her.

"Nothing," she replied. "Thinking of my home does not bother me."

Thankfully, Legolas did not recognize her lie. Calemireth sighed and stood. She brushed past him and left the room, walking through the empty Great Hall and into the night. She made her way to the hay loft above the stables, knowing she could be alone there. Rarely was anyone up there.

"Why do you seem so distant?"

Calemireth cursed inwardly. Legolas had followed her and most definitely was not going to leave her alone.

"Again, it is nothing," she said, turning to face him.

Legolas moved closer until his face was merely inches from hers. Blue eyes met green in an intense battle for dominance. Calemireth intensified her gaze, determined to win this battle. A small flicker of...something made her take a mental step back. She could not control herself anymore. She lunged at him, pressing her lips to his as they tumbled backwards into the hay under the force of the attack. His arms wrapped around her waist as her own threaded through his hair, pulling his face closer. They could not get enough of each other, their mouths greedily locked together in passion. Her teeth held his lower lip, putting the smallest bit of pressure on it. Something within Legolas snapped and he rolled them over so he was now on top of her. Calemireth knew she had lost the battle for dominance but she did not care. Instead, she undid the laces of his tunic as he fumbled with hers. Their kiss only broke as they pulled their tunics over their heads. The breeches soon followed, tossed to the side to join their discarded tunics. Now, both were writhing against each other, naked as the day they were born.

Calemireth took a moment to drink in the sight of the male above her. The light of the full moon, which shone in through the lonely window above them, illuminated the perfect body of Legolas. He was lithe, lean, and yet very muscular. As he moved, the muscles rippled under his hairless skin. Her hands trailed up the ridges of his abdominal muscles, leaving small bumps in their wake. Legolas, in turn, studied the body before him. She was thin but not unhealthy. Her skin was porcelain, mostly unmarked save for a few scars. Her breasts were larger than most elleths and he could not help but place kisses on them as they rose and fell with each breath she took. He lifted his head as she gasped, looking at her face. Her golden hair fanned out over the hay and her green eyes sparkled with desire.

She had no idea of what she was doing but Calemireth felt wonderful. She moaned under Legolas' more experienced touch as one of his hands explored her body. The other held himself up so he would not crush her. She almost did not feel his knee sliding upwards to rest between her upper thighs. Her legs parted willingly, allowing him full access to her. As he positioned himself against her entrance, he looked into her eyes, waiting for permission to continue. With a simple nod from her, he drove himself home, feeling her barrier break. The pain was sharp, making Calemireth gasp. Legolas had stopped, fully inside of her, understanding he needed to let her adjust to him.

"It will subside," he whispered hoarsely.

As soon as she felt comfortable, Calemireth raised her hips to him. Legolas took this as a sign to continue. Together, they rocked back and forth, emitting small moans and grunts of pleasure. Neither stopped until they found their release.

~:✿:~

Calemireth's eyes fluttered open as the sound of birds reached her ears. Surprised that she had actually slept for the first time in a long time since Elves only really need to 'rest', she turned to face the one who had been the source of her exhaustion. They had made love several times throughout the night and now Legolas was lying beside her, just as exhausted as she. His deep, even breathing told her he was still asleep. She turned her head to the window, seeing the sky glow faintly with the approaching sunrise. That gave them time to leave the stables without being noticed. Legolas woke when she began to untangle her limbs from where they were intertwined.

"We cannot stay here much longer," she said, nodding towards the sky.

Legolas sighed and stood, gathering his clothes. Calemireth grimaced slightly at the soreness she felt and the dried blood she saw between her legs. Nothing a warm bath couldn't handle. They dressed in silence and descended the stairs. No one had entered the stable yet to their relief. Upon reaching the Great Hall, the two Elves parted ways. Calemireth headed to Eowyn's chambers, where she was greeted by the Shieldmaiden.

"I would like to bathe," Calemireth told her.

"Of course. Come inside," Eowyn said, smiling.

A hot bath was prepared for the elleth and Eowyn sat next to her, pouring oils and soap into her hair.

"Calemireth, there is hay in your hair!" Eowyn exclaimed.

Calemireth could feel the tips of her ears turn pink.

"Who was he?" the Shieldmaiden asked. "Legolas?"

"What makes you think I was with a male?" Calemireth laughed in response.

"You do not seem like the type of woman to frolic in the hay just for laughs," Eowyn replied, smiling at the elleth. "Fear not, my lips are sealed."

Calemireth thanked her, still laughing.

"But yes, it was Legolas. I am a maiden no longer," she confessed.

"Did it hurt?" Eowyn asked suddenly.

Calemireth knew what she spoke of.

"A little," she replied.

Eowyn looked at her, a small bit of fright in her eyes.

"It is not as bad as you think, Eowyn," Calemireth reassured her.

The Shieldmaiden visibly relaxed slightly, refocusing her attention onto Calemireth's hair.

~:✿:~

"By order of the King, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need!"

Háma's voice carried down to the stables where the companions had gathered to see Gandalf off. He was going to find Eomer and bring him back. Calemireth, holding Arod's saddle, barely managed to get out of the way as Shadowfax galloped out of the stables. She watched Gandalf and the Mearas disappear before shaking her head. Putting the saddle down, she began to brush Arod, ridding his gray coat of dirt and dead hair. Legolas leaned against the frame of the stall, watching her. After their return to the Great Hall, she had barely spoken a word to him. He watched her now, whispering into the horse's ear, wishing it was he she spoke to. She looked up when she realized she was being watched. She smiled at him and turned to finish grooming Arod.

Once everything was in order, a long line of people moved out of the city's gates. Calemireth rode with Aragorn near the King. She glanced back one last time at Edoras as it diminished into the distance. Sighing, she rested her head lightly on the Ranger's back as Hasufel's smooth gait brought her into a state of peace and relaxation.