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Mourena could not rest as easily as her friend, as long as they had camped here, her thoughts and dreams were ruled by his intense desire. She rose, touching her tunic lightly as her bindings hurt her, she had been fearful to change them with so many around. Even if Thranduil knew of her existence here, she doubted the others did so; the rest of his kin did not interact much with the people of Laketown. Slipping out of the tent, she walked toward the mountain; away from Dale and away from the basin, but not toward the dwarves. She desired the comforts of the wood along the mountain side, the moonlight drawing her closer. As she made her way, she passed his tent, and saw Bard and a small creature within. They were talking, so she dared slip passed, the movement in the distance catching the eye of one inside.
"You are the one who stole the keys to the dungeon under the nose of my guards, are you not." He drawled, his icy eyes flickering in the dim light within the tent as a figure moved past. He raised his head slightly, his chin rose and the two within the tent seemed to shrink.
"I am." The hobbit answered. "My name is Bilbo. I come to offer you something."
"What can you offer us?" Thranduil drawled, "A sickness lies over the Mountain, words are not enough."
"It is a good effort," Bard nodded, "I agree with King Thranduil, there is no information you can offer us."
Thranduil listened to the pause in the tent, the hobbit was thinking deeply, something bothering him yet pushing him on. As he watched the short creature, he felt a stirring behind his head, and he raised a hand to his heart, touching it lightly as it seemed to skip a beat. He sat, elegantly and with no difference in emotion on his face while his mind could see her face, turned to the moon.
"I offer no words, I fear-" The hobbit nodded, "-words are not enough. I come to offer you this." Bilbo pulled a stone as white as starlight out of his pocket, it glistened and glimmered. Bard stood straight, no longer leaning on a table within the tent, and Thranduil eyed it carefully. There was no other, the arkenstone shone, yet he saw reflected in the stone a red, mixed with pale, a face looking at him over a shoulder in the darkness, a small smile on her face as she removed her tunic to reveal binding underneath.
"Can it be?" Bard questioned, watching Bilbo curiously. "How come to be by this?"
"It is curious." Thranduil drawled, his eyes watching the woman within the reflection turn her head away, her hands gently touching her exposed shoulders and neck as she looked up to the moon, eyes closed.
"That does not matter." Bilbo said softly. "It is most desired, yet causes such heartache. I came to give this to you, to end this. Thorin is not himself."
The tent went silent, the elven King's chest rose and lowered in such a way that forced calmness within. He could feel where her mind lay, within the bath of his chamber, his touch on her skin, their union and the movements within it. "I leave this with you Bard." He drawled, "You have more need of this than I."
"What use have I with it?" Bard looked at the King, whose thoughts seemed to have trouble focusing.
"You tell me Bowman." Thranduil drawled. "Such a tool for bartering I never have seen."
Bilbo passed the stone to the man, offering a stiff bow. "I should return. I wish you luck." He said softly, turning and passing unheard into the darkness. Bard looked at the gem in wonder, before tucking it into his pocket.
"I do not know what we may accomplish with this." Bard spoke, the elf was staring at him before he removed the stone from sight. "But this may provide the leverage we need."
"Underestimate the dwarves not, Bowman." Thranduil drawled standing. "Their pride rises above their need for gold. Do not be surprised if it changes nothing."
"We take that risk." Bard said softly. "I feel like others will come soon for the mountain."
"True, the knowledge of the dragon will bring many to Erebor." The King drawled, looking out into the darkness. "I tire of this conversation. Go, we shall meet again tomorrow."
"Aye, the hour grows late." Bard replied, giving him a curt nod. "I shall meet you at dawn, King Thranduil."
The king nodded his head in return, waiting until no steps could be heard and he blew out the light, wading into the darkness towards the feeling emanating within. He wandered, his eyes scanning the darkness with intent, a deep longing in his stomach. Coming into a small clearing within the trees, the leaves seemed to whisper to press on. A thicket, they said, ahead. Following the advice he moved on, seeing moonlight light his way until the beams illuminated skin.
She was standing in the same position, swaying softly to a song she hummed as the moon warmed her. He approached silently, his eyes looking at her form as she stood semi-naked. The pain she had taken to hid her figure from the others made him smirk, but her physical pain ailed him. Coming to stand behind her, so close yet she did not move in surprise. Reaching out he touched her jaw, running a finger along it and down her neck, a low growl in his throat. "You distract me." Allowing the rest of the fingers to touch her shoulder and collarbone, stroking the skin softly, and she placed a soft hand on his own. "Tease me."
"Such have you done to me." She replied softly. "You tormented me, my Lord." She turned her head softly, eyes closed as she felt his nearness. Removing his hand, he undid the braids that held her hair in place so well, allowing her locks freedom and running his hand through the softness, and she leaned back in quiet pleasure.
"You enjoy this, aiwë?" He whispered, bringing her head to rest on his chest, his arms going around her; his hands clasping her own.
"I missed you." She whispered. "So little distance and I longed for you."
"But-" He drawled, his fingers moving to the bandages and feeling her flinch, growling within as he started undoing them. "Why did you not tell me?"
"You would not have allowed it." She opened her eyes, looking up at the calm face and blue eyes with quiet stillness in her voice.
"You are afraid." He whispered, backing up as to remove the wraps softly and swiftly from her skin. "Is that why resisted my call?" She nodded, shivered in pain as her bruised skin became exposed. "He tied these too tightly." He whispered to himself, and she turned her head to look at him.
"I told him to." She replied, covering her chest. He discarded the wraps, removing his cloak and wrapping it around her, pulling her into him.
"Do not fear, aiwë " He whispered, putting his forehead to hers. "I understand." Her eyes met his, and her fingers moved themselves to his chest, undoing the fastenings. He removed his head and raised a brow, dropping the cloak as his garment was removed and she stepped into his chest, wrapping her arms around him.
"I am not afraid of you," She spoke softly. "I am afraid of losing myself within you, for I feel-"
"You do not have to explain, aiwa." He whispered, entangling his hands in her hair. "It overwhelms and consumes us." She smiled and moved her hands to his neck, pulling his lips to hers as she embraced his, standing on the tips of her toes to embrace the fire that churned within them, the passion rising and grip on her body became stronger as they let the fire roll. Breaking apart, she panted softly as he did the same, reaching to his leggings and undoing them, her hands shaking with need. "Here?" He questioned, a smirk on his face and an eyebrow raised.
"It is the forest, my love." She said softly, watching as his garments fell to the ground. "I do not think the trees will betray us." He chuckled, removing her own leggings with steady hands. He spread the cloak out as she folded the clothes, putting them aside and turning to watch him. His skin gleamed in the moonlight, his hair glowed silver and his muscles moved with fluidity of a river. She watched each muscle move as he crouched then stood, his thighs showing the definition she had felt the first time they had joined.
"You stare." He drawled, his back to her as he stood, finally turning his head towards her. He was tall, stretching toward the sky like a tree, while his powerful presence made him seem as treacherous as the see.
"Lie down." She spoke, stepping toward him, the moonlight glowing on her own pale skin, making her hair glow and her eyes sparkle. He gave her a look and she smiled, "Will you obey my command, my Lord." He rolled his eyes, kissing her deeply before sitting down; laying on his back as he watched her step beside him. Her hair fell over her shoulders and tumbled to his own skin as she knelt, placing a hand on the far side of his head and kissing his neck. His right hand touched her body, moving slowly over her skin as she made him groan, a growl caught in his throat as she found a spot under his elf ears. He felt her shift over him, moving a leg to his left side as she sat up, watching him. Sitting up, he felt the pressure of her hand on his chest, pushing him back down with a small coy smile. "Be still." She commanded softly.
Running her fingers over his chest, she touched the muscles, feeling their path downward, kissing him when he showed signs of heightened pleasure where her fingers ran. He watched her, touching her chest with his hands, careful of the bruises that lay on her torso, yet eliciting a soft moan from her as he touched her. It continued for some time, the building of emotions, kissing broken by massaging, all consuming passion tensed between them and the lady felt her lord grow impatient. Sitting up, removing her fingers from his body, she moved back touching his manhood softly as she lowered herself, and he growled, his lips parting as he sat up, and she outstretched her hand.
"You torture me." He growled, laying his head back down, as she took his hands and entwined their fingers, moving very slowly on him. She smiled softly, ignoring the rippling sensations through her as she shifted her hips, watching him suffer with pleasure while not being allowed to return it with his body. His fingers gripped her own tightly when she clenched her muscled around him, moving her hips in a circle as she did so and he closed his eyes, sucking in a breath softly and she watched from half closed eye lids. "Let me up" He growled hoarsely.
She said nothing as she moved, the elongation of the time and her movements making him restless with the prolonged pleasure, opening his eyes to reveal the need for her grow greater. He did not like being out of control, but as she made a sharp movement she saw his eyelids flutter, closing his lips as a moan he attempted to supress. She fought down the feeling within her and moved faster slowly, building it while keeping her eyes on him. He watched her, his eyelids fluttered frequently, his lips opening and closing as she moved faster. The rhythm increased, a steady pound of her heartbeat with his as she heard herself whimper as she gripped his hands as much as he gripped hers.
He tried to sit up, the moonlight shining on his face as he arched his own back against the feeling and his own trapped body as she moved faster, the end nearing. She felt her own feet and legs shaking violently, and she clenched her teeth to keep her concentration as she moved faster. Lowing himself back down by force, he gripped her hands hard as she brought him to the end, growling as he shut his eyes, clenching his teeth as a powerful force flooded him. He heard her own small cry through tight lips, and the sensation within her body screamed in pleasure as she relied on his arms to stay strong, her own trembling at such a force.
He opened his eyes slowly, aware of the rise in his chest and his own panting, the world coming clear once more as the fog within his sight cleared. He was away of her trembling as he removed his fingers from her own, and he sat up quickly, catching her so she did not fall. He lay back down, his hands on her back, crushing her to him as she shook, and he was aware of his own shakiness. Her face on his chest, ear to his ribcage as she closed her eyes, her fingers moving to his face when she found the strength. Lifting her face she moved forward, his arms releasing their grip as she kissed him softly, their bodies no longer joined. Rolling over, he placed her gently on the cloak, returning the kiss softly as he once again clutched her to his chest. They lay in the silence, sharing soft sweet kissed that seemed to reverberate through them. Tender thoughts and touch accompanied them, and the lovers calmed eventually.
"My absence will be noticed." He whispered, touching her hair to move it from her face. She nodded, her hands not moving from his body, a content sigh escaping from her lips. He moved quickly, startling her as he scooped her up in the cloak, putting her over his shoulder as he retrieved the clothes. He smiled to himself as he walked quickly and silently back to the tent, it would be dawn in a few hours.
"Do you not care if we are seen?" She hissed, squirming.
"You doubt my ability?" He snarled softly, moving inside his tent easily, holding a flap open with his hand as he entered it, not a soul knew he had been gone, nor that he had returned with a bundle. He placed her on the ground, depositing the clothes on the table. She smiled and shook her head, moving into his body and kissed his lips.
"No." She replied before he kissed her again, his arms around her, "Just your sanity,- " She stated softly with a giggle rising in her throat. "-my Lord." He smirked at her, kissing her forehead and retrieving clothes to wear from a small chest. He pulled out a dark silver tunic with dark purple leggings, and he wore them well. She watched him from her place inside the cloak, and she smiled as she watched him transform into the cold exterior all knew him by. He retrieved something else and he glanced at her, placing a dress out on the table and gestured her over. She saw it was a dress in matching colours, the ends bore a deep orange and she blushed, touching it.
He said nothing as he removed the cloak around her, helping her into the underdress, careful of her skin which was already healing. Tying the underdress, he did not tie on the corset tightly, and the dress slipped over her body, clinging to her human curves and accentuating her elven beauty. He smiled at her, the dip of the dress made her bosom look full and lovely, and her shoulders broad and ready for a royal jewel. "I do not think I like this dress." He drawled as he watched her, she looked far too enticing and he felt the inner rage of jealousy. He turned and she giggled, making him pause and turn his face slowly back to her over his shoulder.
"You have things in your hair." She said, touching his head, removing items. He moved aside, and she watched him retrieve a brush, handing it to her. She brushed his hair softly, removing the unwanted grass and small specs of dirt, stopping only when it shone like the moon of the night. "There, you shall dazzle all things."
"I always dazzle," He said, and she snorted as he turned, moving her so her hair was to him. "I shall never want more than to be the brightest star in your eyes." He brushed her hair, it was silky and smelled of the Greenwood. As he brushed it, she uttered a soft groan, smiling softly when he finished as he grasped her hair firmly and braided it firmly into a lovely mixture of braids. "Or am I not the Starlight Prince?"
She turned, taking his hand and smiling, a blush on her cheeks. "A friend told it to me, the last time that I can remember her."
He did not respond as his ears heard hooves, the sun softly shining outside the tent. "My Lord Thranduil," Bard said, his horse making noise. "Are you ready?" The King felt a twitch on his lips and Mourena shook her head in amusement, feeling his grasp on her hand as he led them out of the tent, his hand pushing back the fold. The sun hit the elf's hair, causing the men to cover his eyes, waiting until the elf moved more outside the tent.
"Indeed." The elf king drawled, moving his hand as one of his kin ran to get the beast. Bard blinked as his eyes rested on the maiden next to him. It took him a moment to see that is was Mourena, the she-elf who he had been warned against. As the deer approached, the elves seemed to appear, looking momentarily surprised but only for a second in the depths of their eyes. "You ride with me."
She looked at him sharply, making a face. "Surely not." He eyed her coolly, a steeliness that told her not to argue but she stared back equally. Thranduil smirked, nodding in retreat and she sighed, chuckling as she touched the deer's nose softly. The creature eyed her carefully at first, then seemed to resonate with the woman the elven King presented. Thranduil mounted the creature easily, and Bard moved his horse next to the creature.
"Good Morning, my friend." Bard said, and the she-elf looked at him and smiled, her eyes shining. "I did not expect to see you-" Her eyes understood, yet the calm look from Thranduil made him pause. "-here."
"You are not alone." She replied, looking down at her cloths. "I do hope you shall permit me to visit later, I would not want to make a soul uncomfortable." Thranduil snorted softly behind her, so soft only she could hear. She smiled, coming round the side of the beast and touching the elven King's leg softly and without notice from the man. The mountain loomed in the background, and she looked at Bard cheerfully. "I shall see you both when you return." The man nodded at her with a smile, and Thranduil said nothing as he moved the beast onward, and she watched them go.
"How lovely you look." Eroiwn said from behind, and she turned, a blush on her cheeks. A laugh leaked out of her lips and she touched her friend's arm and shook her head.
"I did only as you asked." She replied, "I did not keep him waiting." The elf grunted and she saw the looks from the other elves around them and shifted uncomfortably. "I must look a fright."
"You wear royal dress." The elf said softly. "It seems Arannîn wished to make a point." Mourena sniffed, and sighed, watching her friend. "He senses the Bowman's attachment to you."
"What nonsense!" She cried, causing the other elves to turn sharply to look at her. "How horribly untrue. Master Bard appreciates the help, and his kin the same. You forget they are my kin also."
"You have no connection to them." Eroiwn said flately. "You are unaware of men and the ilk of their kind."
"We are all connected Eroiwn, it is the nature of the world." She replied as coldly. "I am as unaware as you are unfeeling toward them. They have lost their families, they are afraid, yet you say and do nothing to aid them."
"It is not my place."
"Then make it so." She hissed to him, moving around him and walking toward Dale. Her friend followed behind, matching her pace as she came to the town; finding many eyes upon her. She slowed, and felt their gaze; it was a mixture of desire and obscurity, she was held with awe and fear. She stopped, no one moved around her, and she was aware that the dress was too grand compared to them, and it saddened her that she had not changed.
"So you are an elf." Bain said, stepping forward and smiling. "I see it plainly now."
"Ah, my young dwarf." She smiled, taking the boy's arm. "I do believe that you have had a growth spurt."
"I have." The boy said proudly. "You must not fear, it is just that they have never seen something so beautiful."
"It is a lovely dress, to be sure." She replied as they walked.
"I do not mean the dress, elf." Bain replied, "My father wondered what you looked like when you weren't rolling in the dirt." The boy's eyes twinkled and she smirked at him, slapping his shoulder.
"You lie, you cheek." She replied, "Your father said no such thing."
"Ah alright-" Bain groaned, rubbing his shoulder with his far hand. "It was my thought, I concede. I concede!" He barked as her fingers grasped his ear and twisted. "It is such a crime, to wonder what a lady looks like outside dirty breeches and a helmet?"
"No." Eroiwn said from behind him, making the boy jump. "As long as it is within certain bounds."
"I meant nothing by it." Bain said, "But I don't regret saying it, you are the prettiest thing I have ever seen." The elf behind him cleared his throat and the boy blushed. "I tell no lies, I swear."
"You have not seen much of the world," She said softly, "There are many ladies prettier than I. Wait and see, I think you will be surprised with what the future holds."
"I should not care, but if you would wait for me." Bain replied, his gaze honest and Mourena stopped, turning him to face him.
"I am sorry, my friend." Mourena said softly, she touched his cheek. "I fear you are too late, I am attached and bound to another."
"By the time I am grown, you may not feel the same."
"My dear, you and I shall always be friends." Mourena smiled and ruffled his hair, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. "If you would call me but sister, I would be satisfied."
"Is this how you spend your time," A voice drawled, silent footsteps behind them. "Tell me, have you kissed all the men from Laketown?"
A look flashed within her eyes and Bain saw the deep emotion there, and she wanted him to understand. She turned her head to the side, Thranduil stood tall and proud, Bard coming up behind him. "No, not all." She replied, stepping back from Bain and towards her lover, her husband. He watched her, a slight movement of his hand indicated where he thought her hand would go. Instead, she bypassed him, a sharp flicker in her eye as she kissed the Bowman, her lips touching the edge of the man's own. She looked back over her shoulder at Thranduil her red hair shining, a hand on Bard's chest with seductive glare in her emeralds. "Not yet."