Author's Note:

Well, hi! It's been a few days. So sorry. I was a bit sickly (again!), but am back to normal now! As always. thank you to all my readers, and especially my wonderful reviewers Lady Viola Delesseps and Stardust63. Oh! And a big hello to the new followers!
If you want to blame someone for my continuing to annoy you with this story, blame them! Now, before we go on...raise a glass to the Professor!
This chapter be rated M...so, there's that.

Chapter Thirty-Five: I Had Glineth.

Glineth woke just as the last of the sun disappeared fro the sky. As she opened her eyes, she noticed that she was laying in her bed. The last thing she remembered was leaning against a tree, watching Haldir practice his archery.

"Ah, you're awake!" Haldir said, walking into the room carrying a plate of food and some wine.
She watched Haldir as he set the food and wine on the bed, and said, "Let me guess, you played the hero and carried me all the way up here?"

"I did. There's no need to thank me." he said.

"I can walk, you know."

Haldir laughed heartily and said, "Oh, so you can walk as you sleep? A rare talent and beauty? My, my."

"Oh, you are very amusing this night, are you not?" she snapped as he sat beside her on the bed.

"You are a true terror when you first wake, are you not?" he laughed.

"I am. I am sure my husband could tell you some horror stories." she laughed, recalling the time Thranduil nearly lost his finger because he dared to wake her.

"Ah." Haldir said, clearly hurt by the mention of her husband.

In an effort to change the air of anger and frustration in the room Glineth cheerfully said, "I see that you have brought wine."

Haldir's sour expression changed to one of excitement as he slid out of the bed and poured two glasses of wine. He nervously handed one glass to her and said, "I hope that this pleases you."
As soon as the wine washed over her tongue, she recalled the last time she had tasted this particular wine. Last she tasted it, it was washing down the stomach of her husband, not a silver goblet. As she recalled the last night she had spent in the arms of her husband, her face began to redden, and she began to laugh.

"What amuses you so?" Haldir asked.

"I...oh, it is nothing. It is the wine. "

"Ah, I am glad it pleases you." He said smiling and taking her hand.

"You know what would please me?" Glineth said, turning to face Haldir.

"Hm, no...what?"

"If I was made useful. I am not pulling my weight. I hoped to ease the burden of your brothers. Not to be a burden."

"Quiet. They love what they do. It has always been this way."

"I only agreed to this posting so that I may patrol and protect the borders of these lands. Not to become your...mistress." Glineth said as she pulled her hand away from his.

"You think that is why I brought you here? Truly?" he asked, shock in his voice.

"Yes, I do. I thought we discussed that the other night." she said.

"Your skill with anything witha blade is well known, you are incredible asset to the ranks of the Marchwardens."

"You're lying." Glineth said plainly.

"Fine. I shall send you back to Caras Galadhon in the morning." Haldir said as he rose from her bed.

"And who are you to command me?" she snapped.

"Glineth, stop this. I have no quarrel with you." he said. "Perhaps being apart will help us think on our situation."

"Perhaps you are right." Glineth said, smiling. "Now, get that cloak, and those boots off and join me in this bed."

Haldir smiled at her as he began to rid himself of his outer clothing. As he stood before her in his plain shirt and breeches, she pointed to his shirt and said "That can go as well."

"I don't- what?" he nervously said.

"Come now, your Queen commands you."

Haldir groaned once loudly. He had never been this bare before another being before, save his parents. He felt no shame for his body, but he knew that he did not look like the other males of his race. He had a much more muscular build than all the others. He was very strong, powerfully built. As he pulled his shirt over his head with shaking hands, he heard Glineth gasp once and laugh lightly into a pillow. He stood before her bare-chested and ran his hand through his hair.
"Oh." Glineth sighed, as she watched Haldir slowly "You are beautiful." she whispered as she appraised his perfectly sculpted body.

"Do you mock me, my Lady?" Haldir said as he go into bed beside her. As he turned her face to his he was shocked to see that her eyes hard turned black with desire.

"No. I...would never mock you. You...I..." Glineth decided then to not waste any more time with awkward words. She pulled Haldir to her and assaulted his mouth with hers. As her tongue did battle with his, she felt herself become desperate with desire. She felt as though she needed his touch, and would perish without it.

Being inexperienced, Haldir did not know what to do with all that he was feeling. He was so lost within his own mind that he was surprised to feel Glineth's mouth upon his exposed chest, laying a trail of kisses down to his stomach. He then hissed in shock, and grabbed Glineth's hand, that had somehow drifted far below his waistline.

"Glineth no...I..." he stammered.

"What is it, Haldir?" she whispered, kissing the tip of his pointed ear.

"We cannot do this."

Stung by the rejection, Glineth turned her back to Haldir and said, "I apologize for my actions, sir."

"It is I who should apologize. I do desire you in this way, it is...I have no experience with such things."

"Ah."

"Glineth, please. he said, taking her by the shoulder and turning her so that she now faced him. "I desire you." he said as his hand took the fabric of her nightdress, and bared her chest to him.

"Stop Haldir. Spare me your pity." she said, covering herself with a blanket.

"Pity? I do not understand."

"I could bear the betrayal of the morays of our kind, and my husband...but not your pity. Yes. Strange, isn't it?"

"I-, Glineth..."

"Leave me."

"Glineth, please. I lo-"

Glineth summoned all ofer her hurt and anger as she shouted, "I SAID LEAVE ME!"

Shaken, Haldir got out of the bed, bowed once to her and said, "As you wish, your Majesty." He gathered his clothing from the floor.
Before he walked out of her door he turned to her and said, "Good night, Glineth."

"Go." Glineth said, with tears in her eyes.

With heavy steps Haldir walked down the steps and into the room he often shared with his brother Rumil. As he sat upon his bed, his brother stirred and said,
"Brother? What is wrong?" he worriedly asked.

"Not now, Rumil." Haldir said.

"Was it Glineth?" he asked.

"Yes. I...it was myself also...I..."

Rumil gesturing for Haldir to continue as he sat up in his bed and lit a lantern.

"We were very close to...I...physical intimacy, we...I refused her, then she in turn refused me. She spoke of her husband. "

"I am sorry, brother. You must know that there must have been much on her mind. To give herself intimately to another...not her husband, that is not be taken lightly."

"Of course not...I didn't! It is...you know I have never been with anyone. The first to have her lips upon mine, to touch me...a Queen, a wife...a mother. "

"So you see why your refusal hurt her so?" Rumil said, staring into his brother's eyes.

"I was scared, that is all. I never meant to hurt her." Haldir said.

"I am going back to rest, Haldir. It seems to me, that you have much to apologize for."

"You are right brother. Rest well."

Thranduil woke with his tiny son still in his arms. As he stared at his tiny elf-child, he was truly moved by how he was able to father one so fair. "Come wake, my child." he said, kissing the top of his son's head.
Legolas let out a long yawn and slowly opened his eyes. He gave his father a happy, loving smile and wrapped his little hand around two of his fathers fingers.

"Good morning, ada." he said.

"Did you sleep well, little one?" Thranduil asked.

"I had a dream!" Legolas excitedly said.

"Did you now? Will you tell me about it?" Thranduil asked, sitting his son on his lap.

"I was in a tomb! There was not a lot of light. I was with eight of my friends. Ada! I killed a cave troll with one of my arrows!" Legolas said proudly.

"Well done my son! It is no easy task to slay a troll!" Thranduil said proudly.

"Yes! It was very big! So was I! I was as tall as you, and wearing green!" Legolas said, still feeling the excitement and adrenaline of his dream battle. As he twisted in his father's lap he began to tug on his hair and said, "I want to learn how to shoot an arrow from my bow as I ride a horse."

Thranduil laughed and said, "Calm down my son, I will teach you when you are bigger."

With large, pleading eyes, Legolas said, "Promise?"

"I, Thranduil, son of Oropher, King of Mirkwood vow to Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, that I shall teach him to shoot arrows as he rides a horse when he has grown." he said, bowing his head.

"You sound strange when you speak like that." Legolas laughed, as he jumped off the bed and made his way to the door.

"Where are you off to, child?" Thranduil asked.

"I want to go play with Tauriel." he said, smiling.

Thranduil laughed and waved farewell to his son. As he leaned back into his bed he found himself wishing that Glineth had been here to share this moment. He wanted her to see her son so happy and carefree. 'Perhaps she is missing me, as well' he thought. Thranduil wondered if Glineth was feeling as their son did, now that she was free from him. To ease his mind, Thranduil quickly dressed himself and made his way to his study. As he entered the study he saw Landir sitting by the fireplace.

"Majesty!" he said, rising from his seat, and bowing.

"Landir. I am sorry that I did not come to you last night after I had found my son." Thranduil said.

"It is fine, Majesty. I understand. We all saw you carry him back home, anyhow. You found him in the clearing, did you not?" he asked.

"Yes, I did. He thought Glineth would be there." Thranduil said sadly as he sat himself in a nearby chair.

"Poor child." Landir said.

"Indeed. Have you received any word from her, or of her?" Thranduil asked desperately.

"I have. I only know that she has arrived, and is doing well." Landir said.

"Good. I am glad to hear it." Thranduil said. "I had hoped that she would have written..."

"I am sure she will soon. She must be quite overwhelmed, you know. She has much to get used to. Just as you did when you first arrived here." Landir said, trying to comfort the crumbling King.

"I had no trouble." Thranduil said.

"Truly? How can that be?" Landir asked.

"I had Glineth."

"Oh. Majesty. I am sorry. I..."

"I need her back, Landir. I cannot rule this Kingdom without her." Thranduil said, dejectedly.

"One day, she shall return. I can feel it. " Landir said, not believing his own words as they left his mouth.

"I thought that she would already be back. I...how can she still be gone? Thranduil said, on the verge of tears.

Not wanting to make his King feel any shame, Landir said "I do not know how to comfort you, Majesty. I will leave you to your grief."

As Landir shut the door behind him, Thranduil let himself break down. He was a torrent of grief, pain, and misery. He threw everything that he saw. Vases, chairs, and even toppled bookshelves. The sounds of the bookshelves falling, and the sound of the King's pain carried throughout the Hall. Landir rushed back to the study where he left the King to his grief, and opened the door, fearful of that he would find.

"Majesty...Ma-THRANDUIL. Oh, please no..." he said as he rushed to the side of his bloodied King. He kicked a dagger away from his reaching hand and held the King's head in his lap. "Thranduil, come, wake. Please. "

Thranduil painfully stirred in Landir's arms and said, "Oh. Landir. I have had an accident. You see...I..."

"Did you do this purposefully?" Landir asked, looking at the bloodied arms of his King.

"I just want the pain to end, Landir." Thranduil said pitifully.

"Glineth, let me in, please." Haldir begged.

"I am tired, Haldir. Let me be."

"You are not. Let me in."

Glineth sighed heavily and said, "Fine."

Haldir entered her room slowly, and as he looked to her, he saw that she was writing.

"You are busy." he said.

"I am writing to my son and to my husband." she said quietly.

"Shall I leave you?" he asked.

Glineth laughed and set her writing aside. "After you just spent twenty minutes outside of my door, begging to be let in? Please, don't be foolish. What do you wish of me, Haldir?" she asked.

"I wish to apologize for my behavior. The blame lies with me, and me alone. I was merely taken by surprise, and scared. "

"Of what?" Glineth asked.

"I have never been intimate with another. Your touch...it only reminded me of how inexperienced I am." he said shyly, as he sat beside her on the bed.

"Oh. Ohhh." Glineth said taking his hand.

"I am a fool." Haldir said.

"Far from it, my love." Glineth said smiling.

"I shall leave you now." Haldir said, taking Glineth's hand in his and kissing it lightly.

"Please. I would like it if you stayed with me tonight. If you'd like..." Glineth said, laying back down in her bed.

"Very well." Haldir said, as he removed his boots from his feet.

"You may keep your shirt on if it will make you more comfortable." Glineth said as she moved over, making more room for Haldir next to her.

"Thank you." Haldir said as he got into bed beside her.

For a few minutes they lay silent in each other's arms. As Haldir looked into her smiling face, he asked "What is it, my love?"

"Oh nothing." she laughed. "You are simply beautiful to my eyes."

Haldir laughed nervously as he felt his face redden. "I...thank you. But it is you who is the beauty in this bed."

"Well, of course. Was there ever any doubt?" she teased as she blew out the lantern at her bedside.

Haldir laughed, and pulled Glineth closer to him. "You smell of the forest." he said as he inhaled the scent of her hair.

"I shall bathe if the scent displeases you."

"No. I love this scent." he said, as he traced his finger along her jaw.

"Mmmm...How...how are your brothers?" she asked in the darkness.

"Ah, Glineth. Please, I cannot...do not speak of my brothers at this moment." he mumbled as he moved Glineth's golden hair, so that his mouth may have better access to her neck.

"Oh. I see. Very well, Hal-" Glineth sighed.

"Do you still wish to speak of my brothers?" Haldir said, as his voice became thick with his desire for her.

His question was answered by the crashing of Glineth's lips onto his own. "No. No I do not." She kissed him again, and used her strength to pull him ontop of her.

"Are you sure, Glineth?" he asked nervously, as Glineth's shaking hands pulled at his shirt.

"No, I am not. Nor shall I ever be." she said, watching Haldir remove his shirt. Once more, their mouths found each other. They laughed into each others mouths, their nerves making them fumbling fools. Glineth then gasped as she felt Haldir's nervous hand raising the hem of her nightdress. Knowing that Haldir lacked both the skill and boldness to ask her to remove her clothing, Glineth smiled at him " I can do this." she said, as the pulled her nightdress over her head. As it tumbled to the floor Haldir was stunned and he mumbled, "You are...stunning, I...Glineth." He continued to gaze at her naked form below him in wonder.
"I am like any other, Haldir." she said nervously.

"You are not my Queen...I...by the valar...I." he stammered as he looked down upon her.

Glineth placed one hand tenderly on Haldir's cheek and nodded slowly.

"I love you, Glineth." Haldir whispered into her ear.

As Haldir slowly and tenderly moved himself inside of her, Glineth felt her own mind leaving her body. Her body moved along with Haldir's in perfect harmony...but her mind was far away. It was with Thranduil. She wanted her husband to be the one inside of her, loving her with skill and tenderness.
When Haldir collapsed beside her, and took her in his arms, he kissed her on her cheek and whispered a tearful, "I love you."
Glineth was also crying, not from love and a sense of completion, she was crying for Thranduil. She felt nothing but longing and betrayal.

"I love you too, Thranduil." she said as she drifted off into her rest.

A/N:

Well, well, well. She feels guilt. At last! Did any of you notice the significance of the dream Legolas had? What do you make of him having a dream like that? So many questions! Let me know your thoughts on them! Thank you for reading! -M