By the end of the week Legolas was finally cleared by Lord Elrond as he was now mostly at full strength. The elven lord had departed for his own realm that very day while the three former members of the fellowship agreed to make way for Minas Tirith the following day.
The remaining time spent in the guarded woods of Lorien found Gimli, Legolas, and Amina enjoying each other's company. As for them as a group, the transition was rather smooth for the most part. Gimli was quickly getting used to seeing the open displays of affection between the two. Despite the effort to keep their new romantic feelings to themselves, try as they might it was impossible for them to keep from sharing a lingering touch and kiss here and there. It was interesting how nothing and yet everything changed. They were all still great friends, just with a new dynamic added in.
Before setting out, Legolas had requested his lady to help him replace the warrior braids back into his long blonde locks. Just the simple matter of running her hands through his soft hair was enough to ignite the increasing ardor between them. It was all so new and every look and touch meant so much. Amina was shy yet felt secure as the male elf continued to show her by both action and words just how much he cared for her. With his guidance she became to feel more confident not only in herself but also in him. Amina knew that she would never be the same after having but a taste of his affection. That did not mean that they shoved their new romance into the face of others, they were quiet about the new change in status of their relationship, especially while in the open presence of their friendly dwarf. Things had changed, that much was true, but neither wanted Gimli to begin feeling left out as he was a special friend for them both.
But yes, they had set out towards the great white city the following day. It was a longer trip than usual as Amina wanted to keep their pace slow. Despite him being in the clear, she was still worried that Legolas would re-injure the wound to his chest. It was true that he was mostly back to full strength. It was also true that he would occasionally feel a nagging ache at the end of their riding. And really, they weren't in that much of a rush to return. It seemed the past week was spent as though in a bubble of peace for the three of them, and they didn't want it to end.
It was quite a surprise to find that both the kings of Rohan and Gondor met them at the border. It seemed that Aragorn had grown impatient and was to head for Lothlorien the following day. The first thing he did was pull his sister/heiress into his strong arms, holding her for several moments. When he was told of what occurred at Dol Guldor and how close Arwen and he came to losing her, it had caused them much worry. Days passed with no further news and Aragorn had to set out to ease both his and his wife's fears. As he pulled away finally from Amina, he sent an overly thankful nod to the male elf that saved her life.
It was late into the night and most of the two companies of men were catching sleep. Amina and Gimli had found a nice soft place in the earth to rest for the evening. There was a small fire burning nearby with Aragorn and Legolas sitting next to each other. The small talk turned into a full conversation between the easy friends. They discussed things such as the battle of Dol Guldor and the on-goings of the orcs still inhabiting the Brown Lands and the attacks of Rohan's outlying villages.
"Legolas," Aragorn began as he eyed the elven prince with deep gratitude, "I owe you my life."
He held his old friend's gaze for a moment before peering over to the sleeping half-elf as a warm look entered his eyes, "She is safe and that is what matters."
"At the risk of death you protected her," Aragorn told him, "news has spread throughout our lands. The people are grateful to you for rescuing their princess."
The elf frowned as his gaze returned to the man, "Do they think of her as weak?"
"No," he told him quickly, "our people know the sacrifices made by each member of the fellowship. That and ever since we have settled in Minas Tirith she and the captains have led our armies with a strong hand. Believe me, they know of her strength. Yet she is a princess in these lands. She and Arwen have both become beacons of light and hope."
Legolas nodded, understanding the significance it must have brought to have two elven maidens choosing to live among the world of men. "You do not owe me anything Aragorn, I would do anything to keep her from harm."
"I do owe you," the man smiled and clapped a hand to his left shoulder, "Gondor owes you. My people, down to the last soldier even, hold a special care when it comes to Arwen and Amina. But especially for Amina, I hope you can understand why."
His eyes widened as the truth of it hit him, "Because she is yet unmarried."
"And very beautiful," Aragorn added, "I cannot begin to tell you how many marriage proposals I have received requesting her hand these past months," glancing around to make sure no one was listening in he quietly admitted, "Even Eomer has expressed an interest in Amina. So yes, my dear friend, Gondor indeed sees you as a hero for saving her life. As for myself and Arwen, I should not need to tell you how grateful we are."
Legolas went absolutely still when he was told of the many proposals to marry her off. Did she know of this? He doubted that she did, and would she care if she knew? His eyes roamed over her sleeping figure and felt sure that regardless of how many people wanted her hand in marriage, she would refuse each and every one in favor for him. He believed in them as a couple, but still viewed the news as a political threat to their still budding romance.
As for Aragorn, he could feel the elf grow tense under the palm of his hand. He furrowed his brows as he asked in elvish, "Tell me what troubles your mind."
"Amina is," he started before quickly glancing into the eyes of his old friend; he wondered briefly if Aragorn would have a problem with him seeing her, "she is very dear to me."
Surprise was clear in the eyes of the king as he glanced back and forth between the elf and his sleeping sister. Several months ago, when they were still back in Edoras waiting for the beacons to light up so they could convince Theoden to go to war, a part of him had already known. Even then he had the suspicion that Amina carried feelings for Legolas, feelings that were meant for being more than just comrades and friends.
Finally, there was acceptance and a welcoming smile in Aragorn's gaze as he lightly teased, "My sister is trustworthy and has become undeniably dear to the hearts of many." He wanted to hear the elf say it, to admit his feelings for her aloud.
Legolas nearly glared at the man beside him, he could read the knowledge and intention on the face of his friend as he tried to goad him. He could feel the amusement and acceptance pouring from Aragorn and this lightened the moment. So he told him what he wanted to hear…the truth, "Amina has captivated me; mind, body, and spirit. I have no choice but to love her with every breath I take."
Warmth spread throughout Aragorn's heart, happy that his sister found love with the loyal, honest elven prince of Mirkwood. "It is good then that I disposed of all those proposals," and another thought entered the king's mind that had been weighing on him lately. He sighed in relief, "and this means she has finally chosen immortality."
Immediate confusion swept over Legolas at Aragorn's words, "Finally chosen?"
He nodded and further explained, "She is young yet, just over forty three years. Long had she desired to live a mortal life, and for a while I could understand and accept her reasons why. But now," he looked to the elf with gratitude swimming in his gaze, "she has chosen the path I have wished her to take."
Legolas kept his gaze on the slowly dying fire. He did not know of this desire of hers, it was something she had never shared with him. Was this the conflict he sensed in her the night of the celebration in Minas Tirith? He recalled the evening perfectly. They were alone and had just shared a private dance with the only sounds coming from their breaths and a bubbling fountain. So close was he to lean into her and take her mouth with his, but something had held him back. Was this what it was? He could tell she was not ready then. So what has changed since then? Aragorn said she had been set on becoming a mortal, did she still desire this? It was a path he could not follow even if he wanted to. Unlike Arwen, he did not have the choice of forsaking an immortal life to be with the one he loved. But Amina did have that option, and should she forsake her immortality…it would slowly destroy him.
"Get some rest my friend, tomorrow we return to my city."
The elf nodded but didn't move from his place. There was too much to think about. He wished he had known of this little secret of hers before completely losing his heart to her. Though he sincerely doubted that would have made any difference. Just being in her presence soothed his soul, her light was a balm to his long years of loneliness. No, he could feel it every time he simply thought about her. She was meant to be at his side. Amina was the one he'd waited thousands of years for. She was young, a child even to the eyes of his kin, but she had been born for him. Just as he was born to be with her, to love and cherish her when they were finally able to be with one another.
And she loved him just as strongly as he loved her, he could feel it and see it in her eyes. They would get through this and any other obstacle in the future. Looking over to her, seeing her breathing and sleeping brought a warmth into his heart unlike anything he'd ever felt. She was worth the wait of over a thousand years.
The hour was late the following day when the company of men rode through the gates of the white city. The ride had been fast-paced, eager to return home. Eomer and his men returned with them, as he and Aragorn were still in the midst of discussing a battle plan to counter-attack the pack of orcs scattered throughout the Brown Lands of Rhovanion. The time seemed to pass too quickly as Arwen was tearfully reunited with Amina before supper was served.
The new couple barely spent any time together when Amina was called back to her room for a bath. Now that they were in Minas Tirith, their time together would be limited. It would not be seen as proper for an unmarried male and female to spend time alone together throughout the late hours of nighttime. So she bid her love a fair evening with a longing look in her eyes that seemed to match perfectly with the hidden desires within the gaze of Legolas. So she returned to her rooms with a bit of a pout set upon her lips, though she did thoroughly enjoy the hot bath that had been prepared for her. And it did feel good to finally fall asleep in her bed instead of being on the cold earthen ground.
Amina woke to a light tapping noise. Her eyes blinked open as the noise repeated itself. It took a moment for her to realize the sound was coming from her door and with a little grin she pulled her robe over the thin nightdress that she slept in and quietly cracked her door open to peek out. Sure enough, there was Legolas dressed in his silver tunic and breeches, looking magnificent as always as he smiled fondly at her. After glancing around she pulled him through her door and silently closed it behind him.
By the Valar, if anyone found out she had him in her room before the sun had risen, it would be the scandal of the age. Yet when she turned from shutting the door and found herself wrapped in his embrace, all thoughts of getting caught left her mind rather easily.
"Come with me," he whispered into her hair, finding it difficult to pull away from her.
A charming giggle met his ears and she was the one to pull away. A blush rose on her cheeks as she realized her state of dress. By the little smirk on his face she could tell he was quite amused by her reaction, "Turn around!"
He did so with a chuckle of his own. Waiting patiently as she moved about her room to pick out a gown. Legolas heard as she entered her private changing room and closed the door behind her. He knew it was improper but he had to see her. He barely spent any time with her the day prior and having her so close by yet not being able to enjoy the softness of her skin ate at him until he made his impromptu plan.
Turning his head at the sound of the door opening, his eyes drank in the image of beauty she stirred to life. The scoop-neck gown was of dark navy blue and hugged her curves in all the right places. Legolas clenched his jaw as she seemed to float towards him; perhaps it wasn't such a great idea to come here after all. As now that he was here, alone in her bedroom with her bed waiting just a few feet away, his desire for her had come to a new height. It was not simply because she was a beautiful she-elf, but more so that she belonged to him just as he belonged to her. Knowing that her smiles and tender kisses were for him alone did something to him. And when she neared him and cradled his cheek in her hand it took everything in him from taking her in his arms and carrying her the short distance to her bed. As it was his palm caressed the hand on his face, intertwining his fingers with hers and gently pulling it down to hold hands. With a strained smile he began to lead her through the door and out into the hall.
Through the large windows of the hall she could see the light grey skies outside and felt a surge of happiness in knowing he was leading her some place so they could once more share the dawn together. Quickly he led her out into the large stone patio and together they walked the long distance to the end of the courtyard. There was a bench off to the side so they went there to take in the soon to be rising sun.
There was a bit of a chill in the air and as her body gave in to a small shudder Legolas wrapped an arm around both of her shoulders, as her head fell to his shoulder and a companionable silence lingered between them. She could feel him playing with the ends of her hair, twirling it about his fingers. She was so content being here in his arms, wrapped up in his love and embrace. For so long she fought against her feelings for him, part of her not understanding what had been happening and another part that refused to believe he would ever return her affections. Yet here they were.
Legolas glanced down to her and a satisfied smile lit within him as she had the lids over her eyes closed. There was a happy smile on her fair face that made him feel complete. He brought his mouth to the top of her head and pressed his lips against her thick hair, and felt as she moved to look up at him.
For a long moment they simply stared at one another, words were no longer needed to express what they felt inside. They could see it deep within the gaze of each other. It was as though time had been frozen, making them forever still as they eyed the other with love in their eyes. Only for the moment to be broken when both moved at the same time, their lips reaching for one another.
Soft and tender was their kiss; full of meaning and calm serenity. Bringing promises to love and remain true for as long as the age of the world and beyond. Soon his mouth grew demanding against her, coaxing her lips to part and accept the deepening of their connection. That first feeling of his tongue sliding into her mouth surprised them both at the indescribable pleasure and closeness it brought. Satisfied moans escaped while they discovered this new level of intimacy. So caught up in each other they completely missed the rather incredible sunrise. They were lost to the exploring touches, needing to make contact with the other's flesh.
Slammed with an aching need Legolas forced himself to pull away, feeling winded and breathless just from the taste of her. He could run miles for days on end and not feel this way, he realized as his eyes devoured her. Sensing his desire and responding with her own, Amina's body clenched in anticipation as he stared at her with those extraordinarily intense blue eyes of his.
Legolas felt the fierce feeling of want deliciously charge through him, knowing that from here on out it would be dangerous to be alone in her company. He was noble as was she, yet even now he realized how much control he'd lost as her touch overwhelmed him. Vala, he yearned for her, and that seemingly innocent desire burning in the blue-grey of her gaze did nothing to dim his passion. He would do right by her and make her his bride before taking her to bed. He was simply surprised at how incredible his desire for her grew with every moment spent in her presence.
As he brought his wildly beating heart under control little ideas began pouring through his mind. Yes, yes…that would work perfectly. But it would take time. And as his eyes roamed over his lady love, he smiled secretly to himself knowing she was worth every effort.
A/N **Blu: Sorry it's been so long! Lots of changes in my life lately, didn't quite realize just how long it's been since the last update. I'll try to do better, promise XD