A/N: Back on schedule with updates! So as I said, here is chapter 20. Mwah!

-B

Fourth Age, August, 728:

The swords meet above your heads with a loud clang and you grin at Brittany.

"Stop smiling." She says with a small smile before she steps back, lowering her sword, only quickly step to the side with a turn when you step forwards. You lower your sword to your side, blocking her blade from hitting your leg.

"Why? Is it distracting?" you chuckle and Brittany rolls her eyes fondly.

You step back, knocking her sword away from you and Brittany takes long quick strides towards you, blocking your blade. Your brows lift in surprise and you lift your sword to deflect her blade and stumble when she trips you.

She grabs the front of your vest and pulls you closer to hold her sword to your throat. You grab her wrist and keep her from moving her sword closer before moving closer and bumping against her with your front. She grunts and loosens her grip on your vest, giving you the chance to jump back and retrieve your sword from the ground.

"Interesting approach." You admit with a tilt of your head as Brittany corrects her stance. She hums with a slight nod before running at you and bringing her sword up. You block easily and smirk at her before catching the mischievous glint in her eye. You furrow your brows and Brittany drops her sword and hits your hand hard with the hilt of her sword, making you drop your weapon, all in a flash before she has you on your back.

You land with a grunt and open your eyes, looking up at the elven princess who wears a victorious smirk, holding her sword towards you while standing with her feet on either side of you.

"I am very much attracted to you at the moment." You say breathlessly before swallowing as you stare up at her.

"Is that right?" she smiles sweetly at you and you nod, sitting up and pushing her sword away from you. You reach up and tug on the bottom of her shirt and she drops her sword and lowers herself to straddle your lap.

You claim her lips immediately and Brittany gasps before melting into the kiss and holding the sides of your neck. You flick your tongue against the back of her teeth and she whimpers, pressing into you further before you're sucking on the tip of her tongue.

It's like an animalistic desire floods through your veins, heating your body. Just the sight of in-control Brittany sends a shot of arousal to settle between your legs.

And each day it's been getting more difficult to try and control your urge to lay with the Elven Princess.

A pitiful whimper is pulled from your throat when Brittany pushes herself closer to you, your torsos brushing with every breath you take.

You clamp your eyes tighter, willing the more intimate thoughts to disappear from your mind as Brittany lets out a sweet, needy whine, pulling you even closer to her.

Gods, does it make it even harder for you to pull away.

"Brittany…" you say softly between kisses, wrapping your hands around her wrists.

She opens her eyes, her lips parted as her chest rises and falls with every heavy breath.

"As excited as I am," she cracks a knowing grin at your implication, and you wet your lips while brushing your fingers over her rosy cheeks, "I don't think now is the time nor the place."

"When do you suggest is the right time and place?"

You blush at her open question and duck your head to his your shyness, glancing back at her when she removes herself from your lap. You watch her in confusion as she looks over herself quickly, and follow her gaze to the courtyard entrance.

Aelfheah steps out of the palace, his hands held behind his back as he begins in your direction, Finn and another elven guard following behind him.

You scan your eyes over the three of their faces, trying to determine whether they're expressions are positive or not, and slowly get to your feet.

Aelfheah faintly turns his head towards Finn, dismissing the two elves, before stopping in front of you and Brittany with a faint smile.

"How are your lessons coming along?" he asks the two of you before focusing on Brittany.

"Well enough. Or so I'm to believe." She says before glancing at you with a smug grin, "I managed to disarm Santana."

"Is that so?" his grin grows and his eyes shine as you grumble in response.

"It's a small victory, but I'll take it."

"In no way is this a small victory, Princess. Elpis is one of, if not our finest when it comes to wielding a sword. Disarming her is very impressive."

"Where were you when I shot a flying apple?" you gawk and both Brittany and Aelfheah chuckle at you. "This is some Elven thing."

"Don't be ridiculous." Brittany smiles, tucking your hair behind your ear. You tense at the touch and feel your cheeks heat instantly, sparing a glance up at Aelfheah as he looks between the two of you with a thoughtful expression.

"Erm, did you just want to know how the training was going?" you ask after clearing your throat, looking at Aelfheah as he lifts his head slowly in understanding before looking at you.

"No." he smiles gently and then looks at Brittany, "Apparently you father was informed of your whereabouts."

You look at Brittany and back at your father carefully as she clenches her jaw tightly, her arms crossing over her chest defensively as she nods for Aelfheah to continue.

"He requests you return to Mirkwood."

"This request…"

"Was not in fact a request."

"It's not like father to make requests." She says with an incredulous scoff and a shake of her head. She looks at you and you hold her gaze, comforting her with just that. She smiles thankfully after a beat, and you nod with a smile. "Aelfheah, would it be too much to ask if you'd have a letter sent home explaining that I've heard his request and gave it much consideration but that I will not be returning?"

He looks between the two of you before his lips curl into that knowing smile, and he nods, "Of course." He nods and you mirror his movement before he turns and heads back into the palace, Finn and the other guard joining him.

"Are you alright?" you ask Brittany, stepping closer to her. Your hand falls to rest on her hip and she looks at you with conflicted eyes before blinking and nodding.

"I'm fine."

"Brittany –"

"I am fine, Santana." She repeats, turning away from you to head off.

You let out a defeated sigh and run your hand through your hair as you look towards the palace, and glance back towards Brittany when she stops and turns back around. You drop your hand from your hair and Brittany steps into you, resting her hands on the sides of your neck, and touches her forehead to yours.

"You're not fine." You tell her softly, wrapping your arms securely around her waist.

She shakes her head and you hum, nudging her nose with yours.

You stand on the platform off your chambers, looking over the front of the palace and the city below.

Your eyes lock on the stream running through the city, the moon light glistening along the surface. Many stop and stand to look and praise its beauty. Some stand with their lover, wrapped in each other's arms, enjoying the romance.

You smile contently, pushing up from your leaning position against the golden rail, and tighten your fingers around it. You release a breath and feel the tension leave your shoulders, your grip loosening.

The sound of water splashing around catches your trained ear and you look behind you just as Brittany settles in the copper tub filled with warmed water. A smile graces your lips as she lets out a long groan, beginning to unbraid her long hair. Every day you were taken aback by how beautiful she truly is. And what amazes you even more so is how her hair seems to get more golden the longer she remains in Rivendell. Not that her hair wasn't golden and beautiful when you first met…maybe it's just being surrounded by the light décor and how the suns light bounces off almost every surface in the city that just makes it…so golden.

You watch as she runs a cloth over her arms, cleaning herself free of the dirt from training earlier in the day. You hum quietly and look back down at the city gates when there is shouting from below. You step closer to the rail and watch as riders and their horses pass through, that unmistakable blonde leading the group.

You let out a breath, leaning against the rail as you watch them dismount from their horses and head into the palace.

Just two nights ago, Quinn and her scouts returned from a quick perimeter check, and came across a small hoard of Orcs heading east near Rivendell borders.

That just caused you to remember what you had heard in Isengard. Those two imbecilic orcs blabbing their mouths while you were right next to them, catching every word. Since you've remembered, it's been plaguing your mind most of your conscious hours.

"Your back is turned to me yet I still know you're thinking too hard about something." You smile as Brittany uses her Elvish tongue, and slowly turn to face her; your head tilted slightly to the side.

"Apparently you're lady of many talents." You reply.

She smiles when you speak in her language, and washes her leg, pointing her toes out of the tub. You watch her leg muscles flex as she washes, and wet your lips subconsciously as you do so. "Come." She says, again with her native tongue.

You push off the railing and slowly head over, crouching beside the tub. Your arms rest along the edge, and Brittany leans her head against your left arm, pressing a kiss to it as she turns her head.

"What were you think about?"

"The hoard Quinn and her men ran into during their check." You tell her, resting your chin on your folded arms as you watch Brittany ring out the cloth. She hum in agreement and pulls herself more into the middle of the tub, glancing at you. You let out a chuckle and pull the sleeves of your shirt up, holding your hands out behind her as she leans back. You wash her hair, gently, massaging her head as you go, grinning widely at the sounds she makes as you do so. "You're finished." You tell her, running your hand over her hair before wringing out the water.

You stand up and crack your neck, rolling your shoulders while walking over to the small table being used a desk. On it are scattered papers and closed books, a quill and ink sitting in the corner.

"Santana?"

You look back at Brittany and take a sharp breath as the elven princess tilts her head at you, wearing a suggestive smile. Your eyes rake down her wet, naked body, while wetting your lips, "Yeah?" you squeak as she bites her lip, keeping her smile from growing.

"Is now the right time?" she asks, playing with her hair that's pulled over her left shoulder.

"The right time?" you clear your throat, watching her advance on you, and let out a nervous laugh, crossing your arms. She hums and takes your hands, leading you back to your large bed. You open and close your mouth, searching for the right words to say, and Brittany furrows her brows slightly as she watches you. "Brittany, I um…" you start, pulling your hands back.

"Santana." Her frown deepens as she reaches for you and you scratch the back of your head, glancing away from her, "Do you not want to lay with me?" she asks quietly and you widen your eyes, shaking your head.

"I do! I truly do." You say quickly, your gaze dropping to scan her body, "I truly do." You repeat, shaking your head with your eyes closed.

"You are quite confusing." She mumbles with a frown and you move closer to her, unfolding her crossed arms. She looks at you with a hint of sadness and you lean forwards, kissing her lips softly.

"I want to." You tell her, pressing your lips to hers over and over, moving to her cheek, "I would love to." She tilts her head, resting it against yours as your lips move over her jaw. "I really would…"

"Why haven't you?" she asks quietly, your foreheads pressed together lightly.

You suck on your bottom lip and pull your head back a little to look at her when she flutters her eyes open, "I don't know how." You admit in a whisper.

"Nor do I. This is new to the both of us."

"No, Britt…I haven't been with a woman, nor a man."

Brittany's eyebrows lift in slight surprise and you glance around to avoid her gaze before she cups your cheeks and kisses you.

You return the kiss immediately, your hands hesitating before resting on her hips, pulling her closer to you when she pulls back, breathing out, "Just do what feels right, Rider."

A/N: ...my bad :) But you know what's going to happen soooo...

Next update: Friday, later in the evening. Mwah!

-B