Elrond regained his composure, as much as he could and gently placed his hand on her abdomen once more.

"Is it still tender?" Celebrian took the time to steady herself in his eyes before she answered.

"Many of the wounds feel as new despite your healing, but the pain passes, slowly but surely." She said, taking her hand from his chest and placing it on his as it rested on her.

"I was so certain that I would loose you, it nearly broke me just ere you woke" A look of sadness crossed her face at his words quickly but Elrond did not press it.

"How could I leave Mother and Father, Our children.....you...without at least last sight of you" She sat still, watching the a small smile spread across his face, and cherishing the almost imperceptible look of love ever present in his eyes whenever he saw her. She felt her pulse quicken at her next decision. Very slowly she slipped her hand underneath his shirt and over his shoulder, exposing it. Elrond watched curiously and did not hinder his wife but his breath caught in his throat as she kissed along his neck and shoulder. He leaned back against the headboard as she continued kissing the skin of his neck. Straddling him, Celebrian came face to face with Elrond as she undid his night shirt, finally exposing his bare chest. She placed kiss after light kiss on his chest, smiling when she looked up to see him as one in bliss.

Elrond found himself sliding from the passion and caught himself.

"Celebrian?" She looked up from his slender, muscled chest. "Are you certain? Wounds could be opened, You might-"

"Then be gentle as one unskilled." She whispered to him before she wrapped he arms about his shoulders and continued to kiss him.

He could no longer contain himself and followed her in kissing her neck, ever mindful of the slight purple marks round her neck from being strangled. This continued until another moan issued from her and she lifted herself from his reaches. Elrond looked like he was about to pout until he realized that she was still fully clothed in her nightgown. Reaching up, he placed his hands on either side of her neck and massaged her back before he undid the lace on the back of her gown and slid it off her, down to her hips. Elrond had not seen her like this since before she took her ill-fated trip to Lorien. He remembered tracing his hand over every part of her body as they made love the night before, passionately so, attempting to hold onto the moment knowing that they would be separated for weeks. Had he known what would happen, Elrond would have begged her to stay in their bed for a day longer, if a day would have prevented it.

Now bruises covered her chest and a bandaged gash was on her abdomen, her arms ranged from the usual soft, pale peach color to light green, to deep purple. Elrond looked her over a moment before she became self conscious of her appearance.

"They will heal soon-" She began quickly, but Elrond raised a hand to silence her.

"You are truly.....magnificent my love, and your skin is as fair to me as the first time I touched it."

I'm continuing with the short chaps as a tease, sorry, but more to come, promise, i would not leave you dangling like this

Reviews still appreciated!