Daughter of Aule

by dragynfyre18

Rylee is the Daughter of Aule, a girl created by the Valar to kill dragons and do the bidding of the Valar. This is her fourth life, and her fourth quest, she hasn't failed yet, but the odds are stacked against her because this time the quest isn't about the dragon. Rated M for violence, gore and adult situations.

26. Finding Bliss

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit, any of Tolkien's works or the Characters, I do not own rights to the book or movies or the original plot lines of either. I own only my OC's and that which I have created.

** Warning ** there is lemon/smut in this chapter, whatever you prefer to call it, this story does contain it. ** If I did a good job let me know. If you PM me your review it will remain anonymous. Otherwise there is plenty of other stuff going on that you can comment on.

**There is some very dark content in this chapter, there is mention of rape and torture, if you are sensitive to this type of subject matter please be aware.**

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I really appreciate all the kind words.

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Chapter 26

Finding Bliss

June 11

The day dawned bright and glorious. The brightness of it made her eyes feel like they were going to burst beneath the brilliance of it. Rylee rolled over and groaned as the world spun around her. The pounding in her head was relentless and her stomach kept turning over and over again.

"Stop. Please stop spinning," She whispered to the room in general. She tried to extricate herself from the bedspread and heavy furs that covered her, only to end up falling to the floor in her exertions.

"Ow," she grunted as she crawled to the washroom to use the toilet and try to clean herself up. She did her business then washed her hands and scrubbed her face. The moment she stood, the room spun wildly and she swayed on her feet, barely clutching the countertop to catch herself before falling unceremoniously to the floor. She groaned in pain, felt oddly warm, her mouth tasted like slough water, and she had the sudden violent urge to throw up. She rose and stumbled just far enough to make it to the toilet when the contents of her stomach rose violently up her throat. She retched again and again. Finally she sat back and curled up on the wonderfully freezing stone floor. Never had she felt so feverish, violated, sick, or completely stupid. What was she thinking, drinking eight bottles of Fire wine? Four got her drunk, eight was just plain idiocy.

"Never again Ry, you are never doing that again," Rylee promised herself. Ironically she remembered making that same promise almost seven years ago, after ten flagons of ale and six and a half bottles of fire wine. "This time, I mean it."

It didn't take long for the floor to warm beneath her and suddenly she was on fire once again. 'Oh not again,' she thought to herself as her stomach clenched painfully. She climbed back up and hovered over the bowl of the toilet and retched once again. 'So stupid, I am so stupid.' She thought as she pulled the long chain on the wall and the little chute opened to discard the contents and Rylee crawled out of the washroom.

She looked at the wide windows and realized that darkness still fell over the valley of Rivendell. For a long moment Rylee wondered where the earlier brightness came from, but it was too much thought for someone in her predicament. She needed to find her black satchel, the same one where Yavanna's tea and the mysterious Tonic for Galadriel were awaiting her. Her head was pounding and she could barely see through her own eyes, she just could not focus on any one thing. After rummaging around in the heavy wooden wardrobe she found the bag and then she had to search within it for several minutes before she found what she was looking for. Purely by feel, she found her tea.

She stumbled down the stairs and found a pot of hot water waiting for her on the table for her fortification tea, but this time Rylee dumped the packet of herbs that Yavanna made for her into her heavy cup instead. After letting it steep for exactly five minutes, like Yavanna instructed, she chugged it. She drank it all and consumed the leaves just like Yavanna prescribed. It was absolutely disgusting. It tasted worse than dragon blood and that stuff was toxic. She sat at the table in the same clothes that she wore the day before and looked at the wood grains as they came in and out of focus. It took a quarter of an hour before the concoction hit her, her stomach settled, her head cleared, and her equilibrium was restored. Rylee rose and looked around her marveling at her speedy recovery.

"I love you Yavanna," Rylee whispered before bouncing back up the stairs. She went back to her satchel and looked within, grabbing the bottle of tonic that was inside and raced back down the stairs. Whatever was wrong with Galadriel needed to be fixed, they would never have given her the Tonic if it wasn't important. Rylee looked around for Mikhaul, but she was nowhere to be seen, but then she had been coming and going for days, often coming back absolutely exhausted, which was rare for an equine such as her.

Rylee ran down the streets towards the main house, it was still early, there was no one out on the streets, the sun had not yet risen over the horizon, and Rylee wondered for a moment what it was that woke her. Was it just the fact that she had stumbled through the silver foliage that marked the Path of Dreams and into the dawn of this new day? Rylee shook off the thoughts and ran through the silent halls of the Last Homely House. Her feet barely even touched the ground, trying to be as silent as Oromë taught her to be.

Finally she reached Galadriel's door tapping lightly on it. She could hear her friend on the other side of the door shuffling around. Finally Rylee whispered, "Galadriel, open up, it's me Rylee."

The door swung open and Galadriel bodily hauled Rylee in before soundlessly closing and latching the door. Galadriel looked completely stricken and Rylee snorted. "What? What is it?"

"It won't stop," Galadriel whispered, but every word came out as a mutilated belch. She was about to talk when it happened again, "Of all days to get burp-ups! It is your wedding day!"

The last word of her sentence came out on a low belch and Rylee started to laugh. Galadriel shot her a glare, then burp-upped again when she was about to say something. Rylee was holding out a small vial for her to take. It looked like perfume and Galadriel ignored it, she just bathed, she knew for a fact she didn't need perfume. She finished dressing and then went striding out of the room and down the halls, Rylee following in her wake.

"Here, take this," Rylee said as she followed in Galadriel's wake, wondering where she was going. Galadriel didn't even seem to hear her, she just continued down the halls in silent determination, the only noise she was making were the periodic burp-ups that came and went. Rylee giggled softly, holding her hand over her mouth, trying not to make any sound. Then she remembered Eärwen's words about this happening before and Rylee snorted in amusement. "Oh now I get it! This happened the last time we had a burping contest too! Don't you remember Galadriel?"

"I remember that I was able to hide-," She burped out again and released a slightly longer burp and a loud hiccup before she could go on, burping the words the entire time, "away all day. I cannot go out there like this! It would embarrass Elrond and my grandsons, and it's your wedding Rylee! I am never doing that again."

"Funny you should say that, I just made the same promise," Rylee said with a small smirk, just like she recalled her own vow earlier that morning, she recalled Galadriel making the same one once years before. She tried again to hand Galadriel the vial, "You gonna take this or not?"

"I don't need perfume, Hic-uuurrrp," Galadriel burped out, she sighed in frustration and continued down the hall intent on finding a cure as another fit of burp-ups spilled from her lips.

"But this-," Rylee started following after her friend.

"How are you not freaking out?" Galadriel belched out followed by several more burp-ups.

Luckily there was no one in the halls to witness the pair of them rushing along. Once again Rylee tried handing the vial to Galadriel but she turned away down the next corridor and around a corner into the large kitchen. 'Do I smell bad? Why does she keep handing me that damn perfume?' Galadriel thought as she looked around the kitchen, to make sure no one was within, then she started rummaging through the herbs that were drying and those that were already ground-up and in pots. Rylee chuckled at her as she rifled through things grumbling as she searched for something in particular. "What are you looking for? Maybe I can help you find it?"

"Mint or ginger, they should both be with the live plants, the dried powders would be in with the spices, but I don't see them here," Galadriel burped out in frustration. Then she looked at Rylee for a long moment as two more Burp-ups passed, "How are you not hung over?"

"Oh, well I was hung over," Rylee told her friend with her eyes wide and her hands held up, the small vial still in her hand. "The entire room was spinning when I got out of bed."

"So?" Galadriel had to pause again, but nothing happened, then she burped, "What's your secret?"

"Tea," Rylee said with a smirk, "I saw Yavanna last night and she gave me a tea to fix it. Why do you need ginger or mint? I have a-"

"Brrrreppp,hcUP!" Galadriel closed her mouth and frowned. Then she tried again, but still it all came out as a long stream of belched words, "Just help me find it please. No one can hear me like this."

"The mint and ginger are not here, maybe look in the Healing Halls, they should have some there," Rylee suggested, as she rifled through the hanging plants in the kitchen.

"You know, Yavanna made you a Tonic. I think you ought to try it first?" Rylee said turning around, Galadriel was gone. Rylee chased her down sneaking out of the main building under the cover of darkness, the sun was just barely brightening the horizon as she caught up to Galadriel at the main doors of the Healing Halls near the training fields. It was silent within and they ran into the main Apothecary mixing room. The walls were lined with herbs, leaves, flowers, and pre mixed teas of every kind. There were plants of every nature hanging from the roof slowly drying to be crushed. There were metal shelves lining the windows with living plants of great variety growing where the sun would reach. Rylee slapped the vial on the counter beside her friend and ordered her, "Take that, it will make you better."

Galadriel started rummaging through the pre-mixed tea to see if she could find something that would cure the never ending burp-ups that seemed to come at the most inopportune moments. She burped out, "Oh Rylee, to think that we had all that fun, only to be stuck in this predicament."

Galadriel slapped her hand on the counter making the small glass vial tip and roll to the edge. Rylee charged towards her and dived, her hand just barely breaking the fall of the vial before it rolled to the stone floor. She caught it mid roll and held it up in celebration, with a huge sigh of relief. "What's that?"

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Rylee said in frustration and Galadriel stared at Rylee in wonder. Rylee held the vial up before her friend, "Your mother asked Yavanna to make you this. She said it will sooth your stomach, those amazing little friends of yours will go away, and your voice will be normal again."

"How long have you had that?" Galadriel burped and looked at the small vial and then at her friend.

Rylee snickered and tried once again to hand it to Galadriel, "How many times have I tried handing it to you this morning? You are one determined man-maiden! Remind me never to get in your way when hunting."

"I thought it was perfume!" Galadriel burped shaking her head.

Rylee looked at her and snorted, "Why would I give you perfume? You obviously just bathed and it's not like you took a recent dive in the mud."

"So I don't have to hide in my room!" Galadriel burped as she grinned, taking the little bottle from Rylee. To think she had been trying to give her the vial all this time and she thought it was perfume. "Thank Ilúvatar for my mother!"

Galadriel cracked open the bottle and drank the contents, one last burp came up as the liquid spilled down her throat. It took everything in Galadriel to keep the vile liquid from coming back up. What was it with cures and tasting disgusting? Galadriel's face screwed up into the most vibrant picture of disgust Rylee had ever seen and she began to laugh. Galadriel looked at Rylee clutching her sides, gasping for breath and she started to laugh too. Soon they were both sitting on the floor leaning on the wall holding their sides.

"I can't believe you thought I was chasing you around for a bottle of perfume!" Rylee laughed as she caught her breath, "You are just too much!"

"I was in a panic! This hasn't happened in six thousand years and the last time I was able to spend the day in my room relaxing," Galadriel protested, her voice came out in its normal natural smoothness. She clutched her throat and a small throaty chuckle left her as she went on, "I was thinking of you, you brat! Instead you spent half the dawn chasing me around with a pretty little vial. How in the world did Yavanna give you a cure? How did my mother even know?"

Rylee laughed at the shocked look on Galadriel's face, "They watch us in our tapestries. You know, keeping tabs, watching our contests and shenanigans. The number of times I have covered your arse, that was mentioned too. Though they missed seeing how we met. They wanted to know if you would let me tell them the secret."

"Mother has seen all of that?" Galadriel said with amusement.

"Aye. She says that Nerwen suits you even better now than when you were young," Rylee snickered at her. "She told me she gave you the name because of how tall you grew and your athletic endeavors. Apparently you have always loved hunting, fishing, and the like. She never thought that you would become so interested in all of the other manly contests. Eärwen especially enjoyed the burping contests last night."

"Haha! Yes!" Galadriel cried and started to laugh, she snorted in her mirth, which caused Rylee to fall back into a fit of laugher and Galadriel laughed herself to tears, "To get a compliment like that from my mother, of all people. What a wonderful way to start a wedding day!"

"It has definitely been interesting," Rylee laughed softly as she stood and pulled Galadriel to her feet before walking to the door. "I have to go now. I have a wedding to get ready for."

"Oh Rylee?" Galadriel said, "You can tell mother about how we met, Yavanna too. It only seems fitting that our mother's know where our friendship began. I think it would be amusing for her to see what I was wearing."

She turned to leave when she heard a commotion down the hall. Immediately, she was concerned by the ruckus and headed in that direction. Galadriel was on her heels, concern written all over her face. Several healers were running to and from a room and Radagast was standing outside with Elrond. Elrond had a dire and broken look about his face as Radagast was trying to explain what he found, "I found her in a camp of men, trussed up like a-, a-"

"I grasp that she was tied up," Elrond said patiently, his voice a hushed whisper, "But what was she doing there? She was playing harp at dinner last night and was seen by her peers walking home. Her parents said she never arrived. So how did she get from here into a camp of men miles down the southern fork of the river?"

"Who is it?" Rylee asked as she reached them. She peered into the room as the door opened and her eyes went wide. "She was supposed to come to the House of Aulë last night, she never showed. I thought perhaps she had other plans."

Rylee pushed forward into the room, to Lerain's bedside. The girl looked up at her through blackened eyes. Her nose was crooked indicating a break, and there were small cuts and bruises covering her barely covered body. Rylee took her hand. "You will be all right Lerain. I swear it."

"I fell My Lady," Lerain gasped through the pain, her voice was nasal due to the break in her nose. "I was walking home-, on a lower bridge and I slipped. Stupid klutz," Lerain started to cough, tears streamed from her eyes. "I was in the water, tried to get to-," more coughing as she spit up milky water, the healers turned her on her side so she wouldn't choke on it. When she could speak again, Lerain continued on, "get to shore. When I woke I – I was tied. They-, the men-, they-. I should have been more careful! It's all my fault!"

She started to sob inconsolably, and Rylee didn't need to be told what the men did. She knew. She looked up and saw Galadriel in the doorway staring down at the young elleth. She looked almost as crushed as Lerain. Rylee knew that she was reliving the pain of Celebrian all over again in her mind. The same look had been on Elrond's face just moments before. Galadriel should not be here, she should not be here for this. Rylee caught her eye, "Go get Jovina. Galadriel, go get her now!"

Once Galadriel was gone, Rylee looked back at Lerain, "No matter what Lerain, this was not your fault."

"We have to set your nose Miss Lerain, it is going to hurt. Can you give her something to squeeze?" Lerain looked up at Rylee and gripped her hand even tighter, as Rylee whispered to her that she was strong and a warrior. Rylee nodded to the healers and they moved in to straighten Lerain's nose. There was a soft crunch as the cartilage settled back into place and Lerain screamed at the pain. When they were done her nose was set back in a straight line and they placed heavy cotton into her nostrils, making her gasp for breath as she sobbed loudly.

"Daeron won't love me anymore," Lerain sobbed and Rylee's heart fractured, "I have been defiled. I am ugly. I am nothing now."

"No. No Lerain," Rylee said clutching her hand. Rylee relived a time in which she found Jovina in her first quest, the circumstances were eerily similar. "You are a warrior, strong and mighty, you are worthy of great love. Those who win over darkness are sacred among the Valar. You are Malagnûna."

"What does that mean?" Lerain gasped as the healers cleaned the blood away from her body. A cloth covered her hips and knees where the healer worked trying to repair the damage done to the innocent maiden.

"It is Khuzdul and it means 'she who is sacred'," Jovina said from the doorway, Galadriel standing just behind her. Both of them looked stricken both for different reasons. "You are like me."

"How can I be sacred when I have been dishonored?" Lerain gasped through the pain of the ministrations.

"It was a vile act against your person, nothing more, nothing less. It was a Dark Shadow that has stained your life. Now when blessings enter it you will be more thankful for the joys they bring," Jovina told her sagely, she spoke from her heart, "They may have harmed your body, but your soul is intact, your spirit fights on. You still have innocence in your heart and in your soul. If this Daeron loves you, then he will accept this as what it is, a minor setback in a long life."

"How do you know?" Lerain said sharply, glaring at Jovina with the fighting spirit that lived within the elleth.

"Because the same thing happened to me," Jovina whispered softly. "Rylee helped me through it."

Radagast and Elrond stood in the doorway watching Rylee and Jovina as they tried to soothe the elleth, they both wanted to help the healers do their spells to strengthen Lerain's body. Elrond had no idea that Rylee had witnessed such an atrocity at such a young age, and he knew nearly nothing of Jovina Malagnûna other than what he had heard and what he sensed. They gathered around the bed and Lerain looked up at them in fear. She gripped Rylee's hand even tighter and whispered, "Please Emitheral, don't leave me."

"I must go Lerain, if you are to be healed then I need to leave and I want you healed." Rylee whispered softly. She brushed a kiss over the girl's forehead. "Jovina will come see you when the healers are done. She is going to help you through this."

"Emitheral?" Lerain refused to release her hand, "Can I still come to the wedding?"

"I forgot about the wedding!" Rylee said, her eyes going wide as she looked up at Jovina and Galadriel, "We should postpone it."

"You are not putting off your wedding!" Jovina nearly hollered at Rylee, making everyone in the room jump. Then she spoke softly looking at Lerain and Rylee, "Lerain is going to allow the healers to do their work. Then I am going to talk with her for a bit and she will be at the wedding this evening. You are not putting off your wedding."

"Please Emitheral, She is right, don't delay your wedding for me," Lerain shook her head adamantly. "I just want to know if you still want me to come."

"Oh Lerain," Rylee whispered leaning close, tears filled her eyes. "You would be most welcome at the wedding but only if you feel up to it."

Jovina pulled Rylee and Galadriel out of the room. Rylee knew that Galadriel's powers could help the girl heal, but the dark memories that played in Galadriel's eyes bothered Rylee. As soon as the doors closed and the hallway emptied of people the normally serene Elf Maiden broke.

"They had her for days, torturing her, brutalizing her, beating her. Elrond said she was nearly unrecognizable when the twins found her. They poisoned her and were watching her die," Galadriel whispered as silent tears rolled down her face. She was talking about Celebrian, not Lerain, the grief ate at her, even after hundreds of years, "He healed her body but she could not get through the memories. She woke screaming every night, I stayed here for a time, Elrond and I would take turns going to her. Nothing we said or-, or did helped. She would cry for days and scream at shadows that crossed the walls. What they did to her-, it tore her apart."

Rylee took her friend's hands in her own and led her to the benches that lined the wall. Rylee sat on one side and Jovina on the other. "Lerain is not Celebrian. Radagast found her early, hopefully early enough that we can help her to find the light within her again. It will not be easy for her and she will have to contend with the memories and the horror. Jovina and I will help her."

"How can you know of these things Rylee?" Galadriel said looking at her through tear veiled eyes. She clutched Rylee's hand in her own and Jovina put hers on top.

"You have seen my soul Galadriel, you feel darkness within others better than almost everyone," Rylee furrowed her brow and looked up at her friend, "You cannot tell me that you have not seen it."

"Her portents and her dreams," Jovina whispered, her voice was hollow, as though living in her own memories, but there was strength there too. "I remember when Rylee stayed with me, her dreams were so vivid that there were times that she would wake up screaming certain that she had been violated in the most horrible ways."

"Malagnûna, 'She who is Sacred', you never told me why Rylee started calling you that," Galadriel whispered as she looked between the two Dwarrowdams. They looked at each other, in silent conversation. Jovina took a deep breath.

"I am so sorry Jo-," Rylee started but Jovina cut her off.

"Do you remember how I had built my cottage just outside the protection of Doriath, just off the road a ways?" Jovina asked quietly and Galadriel nodded in remembrance. "After the werewolf you tried to convince me to move at least within the protection of the Girdle but I refused, not wanting to start all over again. Rylee would stay with me when she was in the area so she could train with the whip and the fire."

"I remember, you finally moved into Doriath a couple of months later, after Rylee returned from Gondolin." Galadriel wiped away her tears. Jovina's other hand joined the first in Galadriel's hold.

Jovina nodded, frowned for a moment, and looked back at Galadriel. There was steel in her spine as she sat even straighter and pride flashed in her eyes. "I was attacked by a group of Orcs and Men, I killed three or four using a kitchen knife before they could do anything but I was overpowered. They had me for days, Rylee found me after the third passing of the moon, she slayed the Orcs and the men."

"She was broken, her spirit, her body, her soul. I carried her into Menegroth and the healers there took care of her body, helped her to heal," Rylee whispered looking down at the floor as she recalled the blood, cuts, and bruises that covered Jovina's body. "Thingol refused to allow her to go back to her cottage. He had a place built for her above ground but within the protection of Melian's Girdle. Her Ox, chickens, and livestock were moved to the new place."

"It didn't matter where I lived, I was ready to give up," Jovina said on a choked sob, she pushed back the tears and took a steadying breath. "I had a cup of poison in my hand ready to end my life when Rylee told me that I could not leave her. She said, 'You are my Mother of Middle-Earth that Eru sent me to find. I just found you, you cannot leave me now. You are Malagnûna. You are as sacred to me as you are to the Valar.' She was right, because she was the daughter of my heart and I could not bear to part with her."

Silence fell between the three as they sat there, all of their hands entwined in Galadriel's lap. "It makes me wonder, if you were here for Celebrian, if you could have spoken to her like you did Lerain, like you did with Jovina, would she have stayed? I miss her so."

"I wish I could have tried, but the time is long past and all I can do now is ask for news when I return to Aman," Rylee vowed quietly, looking up at Galadriel. "If you wish to give her something, a token or a letter, I can get it to her."

"I will-, I mean, I do have something for you to give her," Galadriel said softly. She looked at the doors and heard the familiar chanting coming from within. "How do we help her? How do we help Lerain?"

"I will stay with her for a while once the healers are done. It helps to talk about it, to someone who has been through a similar situation." Jovina said quietly studying the door. "I will help her talk it out. I want to know what she remembers from beginning to end, from there we will find a way to bring her some closure. We will have to talk to this Daeron, tell him what has happened. He has a choice to make regarding her, he may not want to stay with her knowing that earning her love will be that much harder."

"She will need her family and friends there to support her, not be there all the time, not smother her with affection, mind you. Just be there when she breaks down, listen when she wants to talk, and hold her when she is feeling low." Rylee said softly as she remembered what worked best with Jovina. "We will need to tell her a thousand times that this was not her fault. She needs to be reminded that she is a survivor, a fighter, and a warrior. That she is sacred."

"Then we will need to remind her a thousand more," Jovina said with a small smile, "Do not be surprised if she suddenly has a desire to learn how to wield a weapon and learn to protect herself."

"Jovina harassed me to teach her to use a sword but she had no finesse, daggers were no good either, her skill with a whip was for the ox only, so I taught her to use a staff," Rylee smiled sadly as she remembered teaching Jovina, just as Jovina was teaching her to use her magic.

"Other than time, all we can do is offer her our support and our love," Jovina finished as Daeron and Glorfindel charged down the hall.

"Where is she? Where is Lerain?" Daeron looked beside himself in panic and Galadriel swept to her feet stopping him before he could enter her room.

"She is within, they are healing her body," Galadriel said softly, her age old wisdom took over and she looked at Jovina and Rylee. "Rylee you should go, the sun has long risen and Rohinna will be affright when she sees you not in your rooms. Jovina and I will talk to Daeron."

Rylee nodded and stood, then she looked at Daeron, "From that first night you were smitten, I saw it then Daeron. Darkness has fallen upon Lerain. If what is in your heart is true, do not let her push you away."

"What do you mean Emitheral? What has happened to Lerain?" Daeron demanded looking at her then at Jovina and Galadriel. Jovina pushed Rylee towards the exit and she reluctantly walked away. She sobbed when she heard Daeron's anguished voice cry out and something hit the wall. Rylee could only hope that he would heed her words and hold his beloved close to his heart. Unable to handle the intensity of the emotions anymore Rylee ran back to her little house in the corner of the city, tears welling in her eyes.

Upon her arrival Rohinna ushered her upstairs and into the bathroom. Rylee explained briefly what happened to Lerain, without going into detail, as she unraveled the Valar braid that was still in her hair. Then she stripped and sank into the relaxing heat of her bathtub. When she rose to wash her hair she explained to Rohinna what Lerain would need from them. Rylee knew that she would only be there for another week or so, Lerain would need support long after Rylee and Jovina were gone. Rohinna was the perfect person to provide such guidance since she was there to help Jovina.

Rylee brushed out her hair, enjoying the way it fell and feeling thankful that she no longer had to wear the Valar braid. She looked at her hair in the glass and the braids for her quests, she wanted to change them. They were already taking up so much of her hair and it had been years since she changed her style. Today was the perfect day for change. Rylee unbraided the four braids and rewashed her hair, removing the kinks from the braids. Finally, she twined new braids into her hair, using all five pairs of quest clasps in each braid.

Then Rohinna helped her dress in a simple blue gown. Rylee didn't feel she had anything appropriate for a wedding. She considered wearing her whip and her axes, as she always did, since they were such a part of who she was but in the end she decided against it. She did not want to show up for her union with Kili looking as though she was ready for war. It did not feel right to her. She told this to Rohinna and was surprised to hear the seer agree wholeheartedly, considering it was Rohinna who once advised her to never be without a weapon. Once dressed, she met Jovina and went to Elihara and Elorin's house in order to complete their tasks for the day.

Jovina assured her that appearance wise, Lerain looked almost fully healed, other than some faint bruising, which she could cover with powder. The elleth promised to be at the wedding and Daeron promised to never leave her side and dance every dance with her if she wanted. When she tried to push him away, like Rylee thought she might, Daeron asked her to marry him. Lerain cried and tried to come up with every reason for him to leave her and for every reason he gave her another to stay. Jovina said it was likely the most romantic moment she had ever witnessed. Rylee still felt somewhat guilty for allowing her wedding to go ahead while something so serious had taken place, but Jovina assured her that Lerain was adamant that the wedding continue as planned.

Rylee's thoughts turned to Jovina and how she had suddenly arrived in this time. Every time Rylee tried to bring up what happened to Jovina or the magic training that they would be doing, the Dwarrowdam would brush it off and tell her that they would have time for talking once Rylee was married and her honeymoon over. Until that time, they would not speak of the past or the future. When Rylee persisted, Jovina looked her directly in the eye and said, "Today is your day, Rylee Emitheral, there has already been too much drama. We will not allow it to be marred by trivial things. Focus on what is happening right now and live within these moments. There will be time for reflection later."

"Fine but I will hold you to that," Rylee said, chagrined. She turned back to her task of collecting and cleaning crystal goblets that would be used by the guests during the ceremony.

Thanks to Kili and his courting gift of procuring the Armory in the previous days, she was able to create the clasps to mark their union, and it would only complement what he already wore in his hair. As for the blood bond, Kili was to wear a dagger that they would both use and she was to provide the sweet honey mead and the cup from which they would drink. The blood bond would create a strong union between them, one that would last for centuries if they were blessed to have that long together.

Elihara and Rohinna helped her to find several bottles of the sweet mead, for both the blood bond as well as for the guests to share in their union. They gathered glasses that would be suitable for the guests and another for the blood bond. She helped Rohinna bake some sweet cakes, traditional ones from a recipe that Rylee could remember Ainu Nienna using. By helping, she did only what Rohinna asked her to do and provided the recipe. She was otherwise hopeless in the kitchen and just watched from the table as she drank her fortification tea.

Elorin collected everything and took it to the central gardens where the ceremony would take place. Kili and Thorin were to set up everything there. She was not allowed to arrive until just before the ceremony began. Once Rohinna and Jovina left to prepare the House of Aulë for their homecoming, the day seemed to slow to a crawl, giving her too much time to think. She was terrified that Kili would realize his mistake and back out. She considered calling the whole thing off due to her own terror and nerves. She was beginning to fidget, which was driving Elihara up the wall. Sitting at the table, ignoring her frozen tea and drumming her fingers on the table as time crawled by, she could not stop the fear.

"Come, we are going to find Mikhaul and you are going to ride your mare to the central gardens," the Elf Maid said standing up suddenly, stopping Rylee's fingers from their incessant drumming on the table.

"Good idea, I cannot stand to sit here for one more moment." Rylee nearly jumped out of her seat, making her way to the door, they were stopped by Elorin just as they were about to make their escape.

"Mikhaul is on the doorstep," He said with a half grin. He stood in the doorway blocking the way, holding a thick cloth satchel. "She brought this for you."

Rylee looked at the bag in complete confusion. Stepping forward she took it from him, her hands shaking. There was a small piece of paper sitting on top, hand written in a most familiar form;

"Beloved daughter,

Follow your heart, the rest will come.

–M. & Y."

She opened it up and found, to her amazement, bridal robes.

She carried the satchel to Elihara's bedroom and changed out of her dress and into the formal robes. There were soft white slippers and a wide mithril and dragon scale belt, encrusted with black and white diamonds. The last thing she found in the bag was a long white ribbon. She looked upon it for a moment before she realized that it was for the hand fasting portion of the ceremony. She had forgotten that it was her duty to provide her own Ribbon.

There was a knock at the door, "Rylee? It is time to go."

Opening the door, she stepped out and Elihara gasped in amazement, "You are stunning, Rylee. Who sent you the robes?"

"Mahal and Yavanna," Rylee whispered softly, a tear building in her eye. Rylee wiped it away.

---

It was sunset. Kili was terrified. What if she didn't show? What if she realized that marrying him would be the biggest mistake of her life and she ran? Elorin brought the sweet honey mead hours before, as well as sweet cakes that Rylee and Rohinna made. With a wink Elorin said, "They are edible, I promise, she merely provided the recipe and did what she was told."

The glasses for the guests were already filled and waiting for the moment of toasting the union. 'Hush', the dagger Rylee made and Mahal gave him, sat on the altar beside the silver chalice for the blood oath, the bottle of mead sitting beside it. He stood with Thorin and Fili in front of the altar on the dais. He wore the clothing that Mikhaul brought for him and fiddled with the long blue grey ribbon that he held in his hands. The Company was already seated, impatiently waiting for the ceremony.

Gandalf, Lord Elrond, Lady Galadriel, Glorfindel, Daeron and Lerain, Elladan and Elrohir, and Rohinna were all present. There was another tall blonde elf with a beard seated with them and Kili wondered if there was any relation between him and Elorin, though the blonde hair was the only shared trait. There was also a maid sitting near the seats reserved for Elorin and Elihara she had thick black hair, silky sideburns, and a smattering of beard along her jaw line. Kili wondered if this was Elorin and Elihara's daughter. Rylee's Elven friends nearly equaled the numbers of the company, the seats were all full. The only people invited that were missing were the White Wizard and the Brown Wizard.

All Kili was waiting for was his bride and as the minutes stretched onward, his stomach clenched in fear that she would not show. He heard Mikhaul's shoes on the cobblestones before he saw them. Jovina arrived first, wearing a pale blue dress that pooled at her feet and fell in waves from her wrists, her pale blonde hair fell loosely to her heels as she walked into the garden first. Elihara entered second, elegantly dressed in soft green robes, her black hair curling around her shoulders. Elorin followed in a similarly colored robe, the many clasps in his blonde beard tinkled and chimed as he walked, like tiny bells announcing their arrival. Finally there was Rylee, sitting atop her mare. He could not see anything other than her form because of the sheer black veil that covered her. Mikhaul was prettied up, with her beard and mane braided and beaded, even her long tail sported braids and beads.

They made their way through the silent garden. Jovina stepped onto the dais and moved to stand beside Fili while Elihara and Elorin took their seats with the company. Mikhaul and Rylee slowly made their way to the dais. Rylee could not help but admire Kili. He wore black leather breaches, a deep blue leather tunic with his personal emblem detailing the hems overtop of a lighter blue linen tunic with black trim. Over his tunic was a hefty belt made of black metal with a buckle of blue sapphires and black diamonds. The cuff she gave him was on his wrist, it complimented his clothing perfectly. Apparently Mahal gifted Kili with clothes of his own for their wedding because these were not garments made by elves, and Rylee recognized the dragon hide. His hair was loose, to allow her to braid in his hair.

"Who has blessed this union for the bride?" Thorin asked clearly to the group.

There was a stunned moment when Mikhaul's 'voice' whispered through the entire parties minds. "This union is blessed by Ilúvatar, Mahal, Yavanna, and Myself."

The great horse bowed low to the ground so that Rylee could slide down. She dismounted on the side closest to the guests and as she walked around the front of Mikhaul, the horse stepped on the train of the veil, Ryle continued to walk toward Kili and the veil slowly slipped away to reveal his bride. There was a stunned silence as Rylee was revealed. She was in the most stunning bridal robes Kili could remember seeing.

She wore white breaches, with a pair of small white slippers. A long white fitted tunic hung to her knees, the edges and hems were crimson red and adorned with silvery white embroidered Dwarven knots and braids. There were glyphs and runes within the pattern. Tiny crystal gem stones were sewn into the patterns catching the light like fire. Over top was a deep storm gray fitted robe, the long tail hung just an inch off the ground it was trimmed in snow white fur and hemmed with the same intricate designs and gems as her tunic. A wide mithril belt with shining white scales cinched her tiny waist, it was edged in diamonds of both black and white.

Her hair was left loose, leaving it free for him to work with, the long glossy waves catching the light. Her braids and beads twinkling like jewels within the flowing locks. The ever present mithril diadem graced her brow. It was then Kili noticed that the braids were changed. There was now one thick intricate five stranded braid that curved around each ear. Entwined into each braid were five clasps, one for each of her arrivals in Middle-Earth. The new style freed up several inches of unbraided hair, hair that he could use for her marriage braids. The softest of smiles lifted her lips as she slowly made her way toward him, clutching a white Ribbon in her hand. Kili was breath-taken, his heart stopped for a moment as she joined him on the dais. She was exceptionally beautiful in his eyes, not a single flaw. His lips curved up into a small smile. With her next words, the smile turned into a grin.

"I pledge my hand, my heart, and my soul to my beloved, Kili son of Sevrin." Rylee said stating her intentions to the group, her voice was soft and filled with emotion. The lightening was in her eyes and the power was in her voice. She handed her ribbon to Fili who gave her a wink.

It was Kili's turn to state his intentions to their guests. He looked at her again and spoke with confidence, "I pledge my hand, my heart, and my soul to my beloved, Rylee Emitheral daughter of Mahal."

He handed his ribbon to Jovina and both he and his beloved turned to Thorin. "Are there any who have a Right or Reason to block this union? Speak now or be beholden to silence forevermore."

Not a soul spoke and Thorin moved on to the exchange of items. "As a united partner you are expected to share pain, loss, grief, laughter, light, and love with your beloved. To share in all things both worldly and otherwise is symbolized with an exchange of braids. Have you your clasps to exchange?"

Kili reached into his pocket and pulled out four red mithril hair clasps and handed them to Thorin. Inspired by the miniature roses he bought from the vendor on their first courting day, he created a set of exquisite roses, hammered out and welded together on the clasps, a small black diamond at the center of each flower. They were so intricate and delicate that it looked as though real flowers were bursting forth out of the metal.

Rylee was holding her items in her hand. She dropped four hair clasps into Thorin's outstretched hand beside Kili's. Each one was the size of the tip of her thumb, she used magic to turn the red mithril blue, for the line of Durin. At the top and bottom of each clasp was a band of crusted gems, sapphires, and black diamonds. Engraved in the body of the metal were runes, symbols, and glyphs which meant 'beloved of my heart'.

Thorin looked at the beautiful clasps and smirked. Kili was teased relentlessly by his peers in the village in Ered Luin for his delicate work, but it was as though he worked magic pulling the forms out of the metal as he did. He cleared his throat with a small uprising of pride as he met his nephew's eyes. Rylee's jewel crusted clasps were no less entrancing, the blue metal shone like daylight which made the gems embedded in the metal gleam brightly. He could not read the ancient runes but he could feel the power and the intent within them. The pair of them had created something so filled with love for the other, there was no way that their bond could possibly be broken. He covered the clasps with his other hand and spoke his blessing over the exchange items, "As your King I bless this union in the eyes of the Valar and the Peoples of Middle-Earth. Please make your exchange."

Rylee took her clasps back from Thorin's hand, stepped behind Kili, and picked up a strand of hair from the left side of the crown of his head. She then began to braid, spacing the clasps through the braid with one near the top and another securing the end. Then she did the same on the right. When she was done, Kili handed her his dark metal hair clasp and she arranged his hair as he preferred it, bringing her two braids together within the one, symbolizing their union with each other. While the clasps shone brightly, the braids fell within the rest of his thick dark hair. The effect was subtle, understated, and it suited Kili, yet it was still obvious enough that it proclaimed her undying love for him. Satisfied with her work she moved back to stand before her intended.

Kili took his time. As her intended he could make whatever changes he wanted to her braids but he did not want to change her, just mark her for the world as his own. He picked up a thick chunk of hair at her temple just above her new quest braid and began to entwine his personal plait into her hair. He used a smaller singular rose clip to secure the end and then he made a second braid beside it, and did the same on the other side. He then collected all of the hair to the top of her head into a half tail and joined his four braids with the heavy mass, making sure that his braids were showing above all others. There was no subtlety for Kili, he wanted his claim to speak loudly to the world; Rylee was his. She handed him her mithril clip and he secured her hair into position. He moved back into his place and looked at Thorin who moved to the next part of the union.

Elorin stepped forward carrying a massive hammer, an exact replica of Mahal's, he held it across his wide chest and made a complete circle around the couple, then he held it over their heads as Thorin said the Seven Blessings of Mahal, sanctifying their union and blessing it in the eyes of the seven kingdoms. He added the Blessing of Ilúvatar as well since it was with his blessing that this was even possible.

Fili and Jovina both stepped forward into the circle of Unity and each presented the couple with a wedding band. Kili took his ring from Fili, it was small, and the marks of his clan were engraved into the bright gold band. He, Thorin, and Fili made the rings the night that Rylee got pranked with the Devil-weed. The wording of the vows was changed, considering their special circumstances. Thorin had explained the necessity of the ring exchange to Rylee the day before, he understood that in her eyes it was quite a redundant practice if they would be doing a blood bond, but she agreed graciously.

"In the embrace of my clan you will find a house and I will find a home within your heart," Kili vowed to her, they both knew that he did not yet have Halls to give her, but he still wanted her to become part of his Clan, to become part of his family. House or no, he wanted her with him always. He slipped his ring onto her finger and it shined brightly against her pale skin, the markings of his Clan glittering in the low light. The runes lit on the ring as it slipped into place, Rylee's magic reacting to the emotions in the band.

Rylee couldn't care less about having a house to live in. Having spent most of her time in Middle-Earth travelling, she just wanted Kili and the love of this family. She just wanted the acceptance of his people and the embrace of her One. Still she completed the vow, as she slipped the plain gold band onto Kili's finger, "In the embrace of your clan I will find a house and you will find a home within my heart."

Rylee's voice was filled with her emotive power and the band, though plain, lit with runes as she moved it into place. Kili could feel her love emanating from it and he was speechless. Their guests were equally as stunned, all but Jovina who watched with a small smile.

Elorin stepped back lowering the great war-hammer and he retreated back to his seat. Thorin could not help the pride that swelled in him for both Kili and Rylee. He turned to the altar, opened the bottle of mead and poured it into the silver chalice that Rylee provided for the rite. Picking up the dagger he handed it to Kili and said, "Will you Kili, fortify this union by giving a part of yourself to your bride and Mahal?"

Kili took the dagger in his right hand and made a small cut in the mound of his left palm under his thumb. He handed the dagger back to Thorin and then he raised his palm over the chalice and allowed three drops of blood fall into the cup. "With my blood, I offer my heart to Rylee in the eyes of Mahal."

"Will you Rylee, fortify this union by giving a part of yourself to your groom and Mahal?" Thorin asked as he handed the dagger to Rylee.

"With my blood, I offer my heart to Kili in the eyes of Mahal," Rylee said softly, accepting the dagger and making a small cut in the mound under her thumb. Three drops of blood, one for herself, one for Kili and a third for the Vala, fell into the chalice.

Thorin used the tip of the dagger to stir the contents together, uniting the blood into one vessel.

"Clasp your hands together," Thorin ordered them, holding the cup above their hands, "Fili and Jovina will bind these two souls as one with their ribbons."

Rylee and Kili joined their hands, the blood from their dagger wounds mingled together on their flesh. Rylee looked up and met Kili's eyes. Her heart stopped, her mind spun, and she was breathless. She would never get over what he made her feel with the simplest of touches. He gripped her hand tighter, a small smirk lifted his lips as he watched her. He could see hunger and desire in her eyes, as she looked at him. He could feel the trembling in her hand. Fili and Jovina worked together, twining the ribbons around their hands, weaving them together and finally finishing their ends at the opposite wrist in a true-love knot. White ribbon entwined with blue gray in a knot that was known to stand the test of time and endurance. While the ribbons were woven together Elven servers moved through the guests handing them each a goblet of the sweet honey mead. Once the knots were in place, Thorin asked them to speak their vows.

"Do you Kili, vow to hold your beloved as your equal in all things forevermore?" He asked clearly for their guests to witness.

"I vow it so," Kili stated clearly, meeting Rylee's gaze watching intently as she blushed deeply at his words.

"Do you Rylee, vow to hold your beloved as your equal in all things forevermore?" Thorin asked again for Rylee to return the sentiment. There was a feminine sob from the guests and Kili's eyes flicked to where Elihara was handing her daughter a handkerchief.

"I vow it so," Rylee said, once again her words vibrated with emotion.

Thorin handed the chalice to Rylee. She took a long drink, she was to down half of it and offer the remainder to Kili. Passing the chalice to him over their bound hands, blessing the knots, Kili took the goblet and drank the rest. He held the goblet over their knotted hands and Rylee lifted her free hand to join his on the goblet. Together they raised the glass signifying a toast to their union. The entire company raised their glasses and drank their mead down to the last drop to signify their blessing of the event.

Thorin took the chalice and said, "With the blood of your union, your hands, hearts, and souls are bound together forever more. As your King and your kin, I bless this sacred bond and pronounce you One. Kili you may kiss your-," He stopped cleared his throat and corrected himself, thinking 'equal union', and instead of bride he said, "Rylee."

"My Rylee," Kili grinned liking the sound of that. Using their bound hands Kili pulled Rylee against him and crushed her in a kiss. She melted against him, her fingers twining in his hair, she found her braids and gave them a soft tug. Kili felt it and kissed her harder with a growl. She was his and he was hers, the thought of belonging to her made him feel impulsive and possessive. He reluctantly pulled away.

Thorin stood behind them with a small smirk, "Go forth and be blessed."

The elves clapped with joyous decorum while the Dwarves hooted and hollered. Elihara and Rohinna were wiping away joyous tears. Lerain had tears streaming down her face and Daeron held her possessively like she was a diamond treasure. Gandalf wore his knowing smile. Together, hands still bound they stepped down from the dais to be received as a united couple by their guests.

Fili nearly jumped on them, hauling them both into an enthusiastic hug. "Welcome to the family, little sister. Now that you are one of us, we will never let you go."

"Why thank you, Fili," Rylee laughed as she was crushed against Fili and Kili.

"You are one of us now Rylee, you are family," Thorin said as he wrapped his arms around them into a bear hug squeezing the three of them even tighter. Rylee was happy that she was a Dwarrowdam, because if she was man or elf she certainly would have broken under the pressure of such an embrace.

Jovina approached them and touched their bound hands, "You will have many trials before you. For your love to be a success, you must give fully of yourselves and let no one come between your love, be they friends or foe. You are Valar blessed."

Galadriel and Elrond stepped up to them together and each gave them hugs, as Galadriel said, "It is easy to love in times of light, watch over each other in darkness, it is in the arms of each other that you will find the strength to keep the shadows at bay."

Every member of the company rose to give their personal blessings, and to draw the united couple into an embrace. Elorin picked up his fiddle and started to play as wine and ale flowed freely. A feast was brought out and more and more guests arrived, mostly elves having heard the obvious strains of a celebration in the garden. The evening was much livelier than their first one in Rivendell, with many more guests and a more festive air. Kili learned that the blonde bearded Elf was Cirdan, one of Rylee's acquaintances from the First Age and the black haired girl was indeed Elihara and Elorin's daughter. Her name was Kalyna.

Rylee pulled Kili over to Lerain and Daeron, where she pulled Lerain into a one armed hug, "I am so happy you came."

"Thank you Rylee Emitheral," Lerain clutched her tight, whispering in her ear, "Jovina is amazing, your words and hers, they helped."

"She is amazing isn't she?" Rylee grinned, glancing over at the blonde Dwarrowdam. Then warning Lerain to remain strong, she whispered softly, "You know there will still be darkness?"

Kili watched his bride with quiet curiosity. He knew that something big had happened earlier that day. There was quite the commotion at one point on the training field when Daeron took his anger out on a training dummy. The poor wooden object was now just kindling. Whatever it was had to do with Lerain, who seemed to look quite tired yet fully determined to stay and enjoy the wedding.

"Only if I give in to it," Lerain said adamantly shaking her head, "I will be strong. I will be like you and Jovina Malagnûna."

"Oh Lerain, you are already strong," Rylee smiled at the girl.

"Thank you, for your warning. She did try to push me away." Rylee met Daeron's eyes, they were sad but he was truly devoted to Lerain. "We will face everything together, I swear it."

They were pulled away moments later by Bofur, Bombur, and Bifur. Being bound together made the evening interesting since both Rylee and Kili were being pulled in different directions by their friends. It was all a test to see if the knots would truly hold or if they could be torn apart. Rylee knew that by the end of the evening the knots would be so tight that they would be nearly impossible to untie. Being the newlywed couple also meant that they did not have a chance to eat at the feast for their guests. This was fine with Rylee since they would have their own feast later.

The music changed a dozen times, as did the players in order to allow for everyone attending to enjoy the celebration to the fullest. Even Lerain and Daeron played for a while, it was really fast paced and Rylee was whirled around the floor by Kili, who was taking full advantage of the fact that Rylee could not escape him. Every dance was his and other than being pulled around the floor by their friends, he didn't have to leave Rylee's side.

Kili and Rylee were in the midst of dancing a jig in the center of the garden, as Elorin played the fiddle, other instruments such as Bofur's clarinet had joined in earlier and the tunes kept coming faster and faster. Kili was grateful when the music slowed and he was able to pull Rylee against him in a slow waltz. He was ready to leave and let their guests carry on with the party without them when suddenly he and Rylee were lifted into the air by Dwalin and Thorin. They were paraded around the garden on their shoulders circling all of the guests until finally they were released right beside Mikhaul.

Kili climbed onto Mikhaul's back first and then Rylee followed. With a quick intentional tug on their bound hands, Kili pulled Rylee off center and she fell sideways onto his lap. The company laughed, recalling all the times that Rylee had fallen for Kili. Kili wound his arm around her pulling her closer so she would not fall. It was very intimate and garnered more wild and raunchy hoots from the dwarves. Knowing automatically that the couple was ready, Mikhaul rose daintily to her feet and walked away carrying them away from the garden.

"Congratulations, it is about time you two created a union," Mikhaul whispered into their minds.

"Thank you Mikhaul," Kili grinned patting the stead gratefully, "I could not have caught her without you, skittish maid that she is."

Rylee chuckled softly, "You had me from the moment I met your eyes Kili."

"If I had only known," Kili groaned pulling Rylee tight against him.

Mikhaul carried Rylee and Kili through the village away from the cottages that overlooked the great bay. The stars shone brightly above them in the clear dark sky, moonlight lit the cobblestone streets and the night flowers bloomed fragrantly around them. It would be the first time Kili actually got to step foot into Rylee's Rivendell home. Every other time he visited her or dropped her off, they met or parted at the door. Mikhaul's gait was so smooth that Kili allowed his grip on Rylee to ease and he ran his fingers up and down her spine, concentrating on his new bride, he felt her begin to tremble in his arms.

Rylee was suddenly playing shy, not meeting his eyes, and blushing darkly every time she did happen to meet his gaze. He watched her curiously, as her right hand rose to where the cords of his tunic were tied together. Her movements were hesitant, her breaths were shallow.

"Rylee," he whispered as his hand tangled in her hair. She looked up at him, her gray eyes sparkling with the starlight. "You are the most beautiful dwarrowdam I have ever met."

He met her lips hungrily and she met his with equal fervor. He devoured her mouth like he was a starving man. Exploring her heat, twining his tongue with hers, dominating and submitting, they were so involved in each other that they were oblivious to everything else. He released her only to let them catch their breath for a moment before meeting her lips again and again. Mikhaul stopped in front of the house and told them they were arrived, she was blatantly ignored. The couple didn't even hear her they were so absorbed with each other. Then she tried to snort and whinny to get their attention. They broke away only when the perturbed horse bowed low and the sudden motion nearly made Rylee fall. Kili easily caught her and held her against him, until Mikhaul stopped moving.

"Sorry Mikhaul," Rylee laughed and laid her free hand on the mare's neck.

Mikhaul just shook her head and whispered, "Just go get it out of your system already."

Kili laughed outright and Rylee blushed crimson at Mikhaul's sassy words. Rylee slid to her feet and Kili followed landing lightly beside her. They walked to the door of the house and unhooked the latch. It swung open silently. Kili looked down at his lovely bride and whispered, "I would carry you over the threshold, but with our hands clasped like this, it would be quite difficult."

"We are equals. We walk over the threshold together." Rylee whispered in return, she smiled up at him and they stepped into the cottage and shut out the rest of the world. There was a small little kitchen and living area, a dining table sat in the center, laden with fruits, vegetables, and some of the little cakes that Rylee helped Rohinna make. Sparkling wine with a pair of fluted glasses sat amongst their little feast. "Did Thorin tell you how we remove the ribbons?"

"Nay, he said you would tell me." Kili smiled with a small wink.

"Good, you took care of everything else. We toast each other, feed each other, and then we can remove the ribbons," Rylee told him softly, leading him to the table. They each made a plate for each other and together they opened the wine and filled the flutes. They picked up their glasses and Rylee whispered, "May we love as long as we live and live as long as we love."

"Here's to you who halves my sorrows and doubles my joys." Kili said in return. They touched the rims of their glasses and together they took their first sip. Then they took turns feeding each other; grapes, berries, sliced apples, pears, melons, little biscuits covered in cream. It was all light finger-food.

Rylee watched him eat as she fed him, trying a little of everything, some things he really liked and others he made faces to. She laughed and made mental notes of his likes and dislikes. She lifted a berry smothered with thick cream to his mouth and the cream dribbled on his lip. Just as he swallowed the berry she leaned forward and licked away the cream from his lip. Kili growled in desire, her lips hovered just over his. He moved to kiss her and she pulled away with a giggle. He was going to protest when she popped the last little cake in his mouth, not giving him a chance.

"My turn," he whispered once the cake was gone, "you are going to pay for your cheek, lass."

"Am I?" Rylee grinned at him, her brow arched saucily.

Picking off of her plate, every morsel he fed her, he touched her. Along her jaw, the shell of her ear, the column of her neck. She gasped and shivered at every touch. He fed her a strawberry and then he dropped kisses along the neckline of the bridal robe, going lower and lower, closer and closer to the middle of her chest. Heat pooled through her body, exciting and unknown. She growled huskily, "Kili, I am no longer hungry for food."

"'Tis unfortunate that you have yet to finish your plate," Kili grinned at her and met her eyes. He pressed a chocolate covered biscuit to her lips, but she was suddenly pouting up at him. Her big grey electric eyes were pleading, her lower lip plump and protruding just enough. He nearly gave in, the look was so completely endearing. "Nice try my love, but you will need your energy this night, eat."

Rylee reluctantly took the biscuit as he fed it to her, bite by bite, until the last one where she purposely licked his fingers, cleaning away the melted chocolate. His eyes darkened as he watched her mouth and growled softly as Rylee purred, "Chocolate suits you Kili."

"Choose your next bite Rylee, what will you have?" Kili rasped. There were only two items left on her plate, a small cherry tart and a small date square. She looked at the plate and Kili used her distraction to pull her onto his lap with their bound hands. She was straddling him now and he purposely settled her over his growing erection.

"Oh!" She gasped in surprise at the sudden increase in intimacy, white sparks burst in her grey eyes. She sighed softly as she settled against him, a blush creeping over her cheeks as Rylee said saucily, "Dates first, cherry last."

He laughed at her cheek and obliged her, feeding her the date square first, again she sucked it off of his fingers. He used the wet tip of his fingers to trace the column of her throat, to the small dent at the bottom. He watched her swallow, then with a deft move he covered her breast and lightly pinched her nipple through her tunic. She whimpered and arched up into his hand, "Kili please."

"One more Rylee," Kili teased her softly, "just one cherry tart."

Kili pressed the tart against her lips, purposely covering her lips in the deep red jelly filling before inserting the rest into her mouth. She didn't have a chance to lick her lips this time, Kili did, licking and sucking on her lips as Rylee tried to concentrate on chewing and swallowing. His hand was on her bottom pulling her tighter against him as he rocked his hips against hers. Rylee's free hand grasped his tunic as she tried to steady herself on him, she whimpered softly against his mouth, "Oh by the Grace of the Valar, please tell me we are done eating."

"Yes love, let's untie these knots," Kili said against her lips, tugging on their bound hands, "I want to know you with both hands."

Rylee moaned gratefully. They slowly worked the knots loose, their frustrations rising until finally the ribbons came free. Rylee pulled away and twined the ribbons around each other making a dual colored rope then she made a simple slipknot and gave it to Kili. "Go hang this on the outside doorknob."

"Why?" Kili asked her, impatient to get to know his wife.

"It tells others that we are newlywed and they are to leave us to our celebration," she told him urgently. "It gives us privacy."

"Ah, good idea," Kili took the ribbon and went to tie it on the door knob. Rylee picked up both wine glasses and the bottle and carried them up to the bedroom loft. Rylee noticed that there was a basin of water on the washstand and a salve so they could wash their hands and clean the cuts from the blood oath. She set the bottle of wine and the glasses on the bedside table and turned to see Kili standing in the door way holding a tall candle, which he used to light the others in the room.

He was looking at her predatorily, hunger in his gaze. He kicked off his boots, unbuckled his belt and unlaced his tunic, stalking towards her slowly. She watched him with a hunger of her own, heat coiled through her belly, her flesh felt like it was tingling everywhere his eyes touched. She stepped towards him but made no other movements, suddenly fearful and unsure. He stopped in front of her and took both of her hands in his, placing them both on his chest. Then he ran his fingertips slowly up her arms, brushing gently over her shoulders and down her back to unclasp the belt from around her waist.

The belt fell away and Rylee's fingers clutched Kili's tunic, she focused only on his face as she felt his hands spread up her back and down to her hips. She watched the desire written there, his want, his need. She loved the way his eyes darkened as he caressed her through her thick robe, the sexy smirk that pulled his lips and brightened his eyes as he pulled at the fabric. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him, something pulled within her. Her own hands moved of their own accord, exploring the breadth of his chest, the heat of his flesh that warmed her hands through the fabric. There was too much fabric. Too many layers. Before she could say anything her robe was being pushed off of her shoulders and onto the floor.

Kili's hands skimmed her shoulders, ribs, hips, and thighs as he reached for the edge of her tunic. Finally it was up and over her head. He reached for the ties on her breaches, cursing the traditional dwarven ceremonial clothes, finally the ties came loose and he pushed the leather down her legs. Rylee stepped out of them, but she was still in her undergarments. Chemise and pantalets covered her beautiful form. "Damn it Rylee, you are still wearing too many layers."

"Kettle versus pot Kili, you have more than I," She gasped as he tugged on her chemise and it followed the rest of her clothes to the floor. Kili looked upon his bride, her only covering was her hair of dark fiery embers, she was glorious. Her long silky hair curled around her body, waving around lush breasts, her rosy nipples peaking through the locks. His clever hands brushed through her hair, tracing over flesh, he explored her collarbones, her sternum. He pushed her heavy hair back, exposing her flesh to his hungry eyes, Rylee whimpered and moved to cover herself.

"No, my beauty, I have been dreaming of you since that night at the waterfalls. I have waited to see you like this, do not deny me." He caught her hands, turning them over before placing a kiss on each palm. He released them back to her sides, shaking his head slowly, his eyes drinking her in. She was finely muscled and it was no wonder, considering that she was a Weapon Smith and a Warrior. Her fine definition took nothing away from her lush curves. She wore only her pantalets, held up by a thin silk ribbon, he tugged it and then pushed them off of her hips. They pooled at her feet and she flinched reflexively, as though trying to keep herself from following the instinct to cover herself. Her hips were wonderfully rounded and he was pleased to see that she had a narrow vee of hair covering her apex, soft and curling. She truly did have the most wonderful legs, strong, muscular, and finely boned.

"You are perfectly stunning Rylee," Kili whispered as he stepped behind her. He drew her thick waves off of her back, taking in the three thick pale jagged white scars that marred her otherwise perfect flesh. They ran in a diagonal from her right shoulder to her left hip. Now that he knew how she got them he was even more thankful that she survived and that she was here before him. Then he noticed a faint black star at the base of her neck, it looked similar to a tattoo, but it went much deeper under her skin. He realized that this was where Ungoliant had bit her, leaving behind her poison. Kili kissed it and caressed her scars lovingly.

"No Kili-," Rylee gasped trying to twist away.

"They are a part of you Rylee," Kili said holding her in place as he kissed and worshiped them, "They are no less beautiful than the rest of you."

He worked his way down her back exploring her soft skin, the jagged white scars, and the hard muscle underneath. He kissed and tasted her flesh moving lower and lower, working his hands over her fine arse and down her muscular thighs. He brushed the ticklish flesh on the back of her knees and she jerked, making a strangled chuckle deep in her throat. He kissed and nuzzled her there and she danced away with a yelp, "Kili!"

He looked up at her and met her sparkling eyes, "You're not trying to run away from me are you?"

"I wouldn't have to if you would stop tickling me," she teased him, back a small grin played about her lips. Her hair was like a curtain swinging back to cover her, teasing him by covering most of her and showcasing her most feminine attributes. Kili offered his hand and she took a small step towards him.

He took her hand and drew her towards him, so he could trail kisses over her bare skin. Kili kissed, licked, and sucked at the flesh of her belly and hips, while stroking her thighs, bottom, and back, pulling her toward him. He stood slowly, hands moving over heated flesh, he brushed the underside of her breasts, reveling in the shivers that he could feel coming from her. Cupping her, he took one pale pink nipple in his mouth, swirled his tongue, and Rylee moaned in pleasure. He moved to the other and did the same, another soft moan was his reward. Kili stood straight looking down at her, her hands were clutching his shoulders, gripping his tunic, holding on tightly, her eyes were slightly unfocused. He pulled her close against him dropped quick gentle kisses, brushing across her face and neck before claiming her mouth. His hands lightly brushing and grazing her naked flesh, her back, her shoulders, and her fine bottom as he sought out her every reaction allowing him to find those places that brought her the most intense pleasure.

Then he pressed her back towards the bed, easing her down onto it. He broke the kiss and lifted her, centering her on the bed. "Stay there Rylee."

She watched as he pulled off his tunics, dropping them onto the floor with hers. Kili's body was more than she ever imagined, thick strong arms, wide shoulders. His well muscled chest was covered in a light mat of soft hair that tapered and thinned over his lightly defined abdomen. He untied his breaches and pushed them to the floor and stepped forward, showcasing his lean muscular hips and strong thighs and calves. Her eyes travelled back up to his erection, she knew he was big, considering the times she felt him through their clothes, but he was bigger than she imagined and had no idea how they would manage to fit together. Her eyes widened and breath caught as she met his gaze. Trepidation filled her when she saw the raw hunger within the dark chocolate depths and she started to move away.

"You will not escape me now my love." Kili whispered to her as he caught her ankle and pulled her back, then he lightly bit her lip as he moved over her, making her gasp. He trailed his fingers up and down her calf, caressing the hard muscles and fine bones of her ankles before pulling her legs to either side of his. He was hungry for her, he wanted her, and needed her in every way. He kissed her again and again, until she was breathless and her small hands were curled into his hair, holding him to her. He released her lips and looked down into hungry grey eyes that sparked with life and no small amount of lust.

Rylee began an exploration of her own. Finally after weeks of denial, pent up lust, and too many layers of clothing Kili was bared to her. She stroked her hands over his arms petting, caressing, and kneading the muscles that roped his limbs. She nuzzled into his shoulder and licked and bit his collarbones, tasting him, spurred on by his growl she kissed and nuzzled his neck and throat before trailing down over his hard wide chest. Her short fingernails scraped gently against his skin, as she explored him in his nakedness.

Her lips were following her hands. Rylee was kissing, licking, and nipping at him, tasting him as he had done to her earlier. With every touch he grew harder and his hunger grew. He could not lose control, he needed to make this good for her or she would fear him but her hands were like magic, making sparks across his flesh. It soon became too much for Kili, so he grabbed her hands and pressed them to her sides. When she tried to protest he caught her lips with his, kissing her into silence, pushing her back into the pillows on the large down mattress.

"Slowly Rylee, I want to take pleasure in you," he whispered as his hands and lips roamed over her. Kili touched her everywhere; kissing, caressing, nibbling, and petting. Everywhere his lips moved, his long dark hair would caress her sensitive skin and she would shiver in need and anticipation. She tried to keep her hands at her sides but she burned to touch him in return, to revel in the feel of his hard male body under her touch. His fingers and mouth moved over her arms and shoulders. His hands stroked lightly down her sides and over her ribs. Fire erupted, tingling over her flesh, curling in her loins, pulling strings through her body and she cried out with need. She could feel the moist heat of his breath as he laved her nipples with his tongue and nibbled with his teeth.

"You taste like honey and feel like silk," Kili breathed as his curious fingers ghosted over her belly, hips and thighs, he left not an inch of flesh untouched. Her hands rose of their own accord as she scratched her nails across the plains of his back and shoulder blades. Kili growled and he moved lower following the path of his hands to her hips and thighs.

"I can't stop myself, please Kili, please," Rylee rasped. Her fingers moved of their own accord as she continued to explore his back and shoulders, and the cords in his neck as he kissed her belly and traced her hips with his hands. She was quivering with need, moaning with desire. She could barely understand what he was doing to her, her mind could not fathom anything other than the heat of what his mouth and lips and hands were doing. His tongue trailed through the crevice between her hips and her thigh and she gasped at the contact. His hands ghosted over hips and over the mounds of her bottom as he lifted her to his kisses, still exploring the flesh along her inner thigh. She was writhing in the heat of her desire, the fire inside her coiling tighter and tighter as he touched her, even her feet warmed and her toes curled with the fire that burned within her. She needed something and Kili was holding it back, "Kili!"

"Yes, I know. I know my love, soon," He whispered, his teeth sank lightly into her thigh. His fingertips brushed lightly against her inner thigh and she felt a tremor pass through her. Without thought she arched her back, her legs falling open, her fingers clutching at the bedspread. He continued to caress her thighs, moving closer and closer to the apex between them. She felt his fingers brush into the soft silky folds between her legs and she gasped at the heightened intimacy, she quelled the instinct to pull away. Kili explored her with his fingers, teasing her, her hips jerked of their own accord as he found a pleasure center that she did not know existed. Liquid fire pooled within her as he stroked that singular spot again and she arched up against him. There was a jolt of pure sensation, pleasure that his touch gave her. His fingers brushed over the same spot again and her toes curled as heat spiraled up and out of it. "Have you never touched yourself like this Rylee?"

"N-no!" She gasped as he brushed his finger over her clit again. He watched the bewildered pleasure that washed over her features and he chuckled as she gasped, "What are you-, Oh!"

She cried out again as he pressed his middle finger into her core as his thumb brushed over her sensitive clit again and she moaned as he stroked inside her. She was wet for him, her moisture pooling within her as he teased her into readiness. The candle light flickered across her pale heated flesh. She was exquisite, passionate, lusty, she moved against his hand as he prepared her for him. Her moans and whimpers were driving him to madness.

"Do you like this?" He asked as he kissed her belly, still working his finger gently in and out of her tight core. She was becoming slick against his hand, he circled his thumb around her sensitive clit, added another finger and felt her muscles clench around him. She was so tight, he was afraid he would hurt her if he didn't prepare her properly. He worked the little bud that gave her such intense pleasure and again she pushed up against his hands. Still stroking in and out of her, his fingers sought the soft spongy area that would bring her to great heights of pleasure.

"Yes! Kili, yesss! Ah!" Rylee moaned her eyes closing at the intense sensation. He added a third finger and felt her pleasure give way to her first orgasm. Her eyes opened wide in shock, her hips bucked wildly against his hand, she keened in ecstasy. Moisture gathered around his fingers as he continued to stroke in and out of her. She was as ready as he could make her. He didn't wait for her to come down, he wanted her too much and she was ready now.

"Rylee, I am going to join with you now," he growled moving over her, she looked up at him with wide eyes. He could see the white sparks flashing in the deep grey depths of her irises. The fire, the passion within her, lit her eyes. "It might hurt at first but it will pass and I promise I will give you pleasure."

She reached for him, unafraid, her fingers stretching over his shoulders as she pulled him closer. He braced himself on his left forearm and positioned himself at her entrance and captured her lips with his own as he pushed his hard cock slowly into her. His right hand continued to caress her hip, belly, and moved to cup her breast, his thumb brushing over her nipple. The sensations he created in her were so intense that she was unsure what to concentrate on other than the warmth that was still building. She could feel the moisture that he created with his earlier attention and he slid in slowly, little by little stretching her. He released her lips and she met his eyes as he pulled out just a little to ease back in using her wetness to make it easier for her, repeating the action again and again. The initial discomfort changed as her body accommodated him and she felt him touch deep in places she never knew existed. She relaxed into him knowing he would never harm her and all that was left was a feeling of fullness as he waited for her, "Okay now?"

"Oh yes," she whispered and he chuckled softly. He pulled back out and she whimpered sweetly as she felt him go, he pumped back in and watched her face change from unsatisfied confusion to innocent amazement as he moved inside her. "Do that again!"

"Oh my Rylee, you are my joy," he whispered as he obliged her. She felt him inside her, filling her, pressing deeper before sliding most of the way back out. He pushed in again and a different heat began to build and she could not help but dig her fingers into his back, she bit into his shoulder.

He rocked in and out of her building this heat, higher and higher. Mindlessly her hands began to touch him, exploring him as he didn't allow her to before. She kissed his shoulders and chest, her fingers spread across his shoulders, back, and arms before moving between them. Her fingernails brushed over his chest and abdomen, scratching and scraping over his heated skin. She loved his strength and his breadth as he covered her, filling her completely. His breath grew more and more ragged as she explored him. His movements became more erratic, some deep and hard, others smooth and gentle. He moved to grab her hands away again, but she stopped him, "Kili, I want to know all of you. Please."

"I don't know if I can last that long Rylee," he gasped as he moved within her, "Your touch drives me wild."

He pushed deeper as her fingernails stroked against his hardened nipples and Kili growled at the sharp call of the sensitive nerves there. Rylee gasped at the sudden change in depth and pressure. She repeated the movement and he pushed deeper again, making her moan with him. Her hands stroked up over his chest, over his shoulders, and into his hair. "Do that again Kili."

"This?" he pushed deep again, gaining a low sigh of pleasure. Her curious fingers on his skin gave him intense satisfaction, but as they threaded through his hair the pleasure amplified. He kissed her, wanting to devour her, driving deeper and deeper, feeling her body respond to his. Pressure was building in his spine, he was getting closer and closer to the edge.

He rose, pulling his mouth from hers leaving them both gasping for breath. He pulled her legs up, putting them over his shoulders, slightly changing his angle of entry, giving him greater depth and ensuring he would stroke against her most sensitive spot. He reached between them drawing circles around her sensitive clit. She cried out as he struck that elusive place within her hard and fast again and again, driving her towards her release. He could feel her tightening against him as wave after wave rolled through her body.

"Kili!" she cried out, behind her eyes she felt herself break into a million stars, the pleasure so completely intense. She felt as though she was shattering apart as she found release in Kili's arms. Gripping her hips he continued on, thrust after thrust he drove into her until his own end.

"Rylee, my Rylee," He groaned as he followed her in ecstasy, finding his own release in her, filling her with his seed. He released her legs and rolled them together so that she was on top of him, with him still embedded deep within her heavenly depths.

She nuzzled into his chest and neck as her breathing returned to normal. "Is it always like this Kili?"

"No Rylee, this is only the beginning," Kili chuckled softly as he looked up at her. She looked like she was glowing. Her skin was glistening with a light sheen of sweat, her hair spilled wildly around them, tumultuous and tumbled. He pulled her hair away from her face, pulling it down her back. Combing through her lush tresses with his fingers, finding and releasing the snarls, he heard her groan softly. "Does this hurt you Rylee?"

"No, when you touch my hair it sets me on fire, warms me on the inside," Rylee whispered softly, her fingers began to trace over his chest. She was finding the small scars from past fights and brawls and near escapes with Orcs and bandits. Every one she found, she traced as though memorizing it and then she kissed it. It was not long before he began to grow hard within her under the ministrations of her fingers and her lips on his upper body.

Then she did something he did not expect. She leaned forward and licked his nipple, his breath caught at the sensitivity. When her fingernails scratched against him earlier he reacted with hard lust and this time it was no different, moaning as her lips covered it and she sucked gently at his flesh. When he didn't stop her, she repeated the movement before moving to the other side, licking and sucking until both of his nipples were hard from her ministrations. He growled at the rising lust that made his blood quicken, his heart hammer in his chest and thickened his cock still embedded deep within her. Rylee released him and slowly sat up, straddling him, and as she did her hair tumbled around her. It curled and clung to every place he wanted to touch her. With every movement she made, he grew some more and her eyes widened as she felt him stretch her when he suddenly moved underneath her. She gasped in startled pleasure, "Oh!"

He thrust up into her again, watching the pleasure as it washed across her face, flushing her cheeks with rosy color. He helped her set a steady rhythm as she arched back and rode him. Then he traced the lines that her hair was making on her dew moistened flesh, stimulating both her skin and brushing her hair. Now that he knew how much hair combing effected her, he planned to touch it every chance he could get.

Her lips were parted and she was breathing heavy with desire and exertion, her head was tilted back just enough to display her pale throat and the soft lobes of her ears. He thrust against her again, breaking her rhythm and making her moan. She bit her lip as her eyes closed in time with the sensation. Rylee arched back her hands gripping his thighs to steady her as she continued to ride him. She was so open for him, her head tilted back, her back arched, her beautiful bounty of breasts were tilted up, her hardened nipples peaking seductively through her thick dark hair. He brushed his knuckles against the turgid tips and she moaned softly. Arched back as she was, even her moist center was on display for him. Her jewel, that tempting bud, begged to be touched. "So alluring, Rylee, you are the most amazing Dwarrowdam I have ever met."

Her eyes flew open as she felt him touch that sensitized place between her legs, her entire body tightened at that touch, the pleasure intensified as he kept stroking and swirling his thumb against her. Her fingernails dug into the hard muscle of his thighs as she tried in vain to keep the pace he set her on. She was new to this and didn't want to disappoint him. She met his eyes and some worry must have been written there, for he whispered, "Keep going Rylee, just feel it. Do what feels good."

"But I want to please you," She whispered huskily. She was watching him intently, as though trying to convey all of her desires.

"You do please me, Amrâlimê," Kili whispered back. How could she not know how amazing it was to watch her, to feel her? Her eyes, though open, were unfocused, like the day on the pier. Her lust was written there in every line of her body as she moved above him, riding him to slow torture. He was trying to hold back, to give her time to adjust to these new activities. He wanted their married life to be enjoyable, their sex life to be more than just satisfying. "This is new for you, as long as we tell each other what feels good, we will please each other."

She did as he requested of her, rolling her hips against his, finding her rhythm again until she faltered. He sat up and gripped her hips driving her against him, before lifting her and driving her down again making her cry out his name. His mouth laved her nipples making them tighten almost painfully. She moaned and arched back more, offering him everything. He lifted her and moved with her, rolling them together and pressing her on her back into the mattress, then driving deep within her again. The heat spiraled though her, coiling tighter and tighter in her core, making her toes curl with the intensity. She gripped the spread as she clung to the feelings of pleasure he was giving her. She didn't know what to do with her limbs, she felt like she was everywhere like an ungainly colt. So she followed her instincts and wrapped her legs around his muscular hips, like he had her do in the forest, her feet locking him in place.

Kili reveled at the close contact and he plunged deeper and deeper into her hot moist depths. Her arms wound around him, pulling him closer, pressing her flesh against his own. She lifted herself so she could press kisses and lick and nip at his neck and shoulders. Her fingernails scratched at his shoulders and back as he thrust hard into her, the mix of pleasure and pain pushing him onward. He was so close once again and she was insatiable. He vowed he would take advantage of that over the next few days since they didn't need to be anywhere but together. He pinned her arms above her head and kissed her hard on the lips, his tongue plundering her mouth, taking everything she could give him. He released her lips breathing hard, lifting himself away from her, moving one hand to grasp her hip and the other to stroke his thumb against her clitoris. She cried out and started to thrash, her hands gripping the bedspread beneath her. He could feel her getting closer, her breaths were coming faster, she moaned against him and she started begging him for release, "Please Kili, please! Help me-!"

"Let go Rylee, just let go and come for me," Kili commanded her as he drove deep the way she liked before. She shivered at the sound of his voice and her entire body reacted to his command. He thrust into her again and again as her inner walls pulsed around him, her orgasm shaking her to her very core.

"Kili!" She cried out as she came and he let go of his control, pounding as deep as he could over and over again before releasing his seed deep within her. Kili remained seated within her for a long moment as they both caught their breath. Finally he pulled out of her, knowing that if he didn't this time, he would certainly cause her pain later. He pulled her against him and wrapped her up in the warmth of the bedspread. He kissed her temple, and ran his fingers from her forehead to her jaw then down her neck and shoulder, raining a trail of kisses along the way. "I love you, Rylee. You have made me the happiest Dwarf in all seven kingdoms. Mahal blessed me when he made you."

"Hmm, I love you Kili," Rylee whispered, pressing closer against him, "My Kili, My One."