Disclaimer: Tolkien owns LOTR and all things Middle Earth, blah blah blah.
A/N: I apologize for the delay of this chapter. I had it written out last week, but when I went back to reread it for errors, I just hated every single word of it. So I rewrote it. I hope you enjoy it. =) I would very much appreciate final reviews.
Chapter 39 - Face To Face
When she reached the doorway of the living room, she paused uncertainly just outside. She knew Legolas was waiting just around the corner, but her feet seemed stuck to the floor as an internal debate rang in her mind. All the insecurities and doubts she had felt over the course of the past year raced through her head in that one instant and she wondered why he was there.
Legolas heard her come in and stop just outside the room. All she had to do was turn the corner and he would see her. The waiting was grating, but he was determined to let her come to him at her own pace. He could sense the hesitation she felt. Wanting to reassure her somehow he whispered "Alania, melamin. Come to me.", just loud enough for her to hear him.
His voice washed over her and she closed her eyes with the sound. It was as if he had stepped out and caressed her cheek. With her heart pounding in her throat, she took a breath, licked her lips and turned the corner.
The sight of him standing in her living room, surrounded by dozens of lit candles casting a warm glow to his skin, was ethereal. Alania felt as though she had just walked into a wonderful dream and she was afraid if she moved or said anything she would wake up.
Her eyes had first been downcast when she had turned into the room, but when they met his own, Legolas felt the breath burst from his chest. She was quite simply the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. She stood in the doorway with her head tilted just a touch, her lips moist and she clutched the necklace in her hand. Her eyes were filled with hope as well as a bit of wariness, and Legolas recalled what Elladan had told him. Determined to ease his way back into her heart permanently he waited for her to speak first.
They stood looking at each other for long minutes. Both of them taking note of changes in their appearance and stance. When the tension grew to a point that Alania almost began to fidget, she finally spoke.
"Why are you here?", she whispered cautiously, as if she was afraid of the answer.
Legolas smiled and reached into his back pocket. He pulled out the letter she had written for him months ago and held it up. It looked careworn and a bit crumpled, as though it had been opened and reread many times over. Answering her question he said, "I received your letter."
He started to step towards her, but she immediately took a step backwards as if to retreat with a startled look across her features. Legolas wanted so much to wrap his arms around her, but stopped moving as soon as she became skittish.
Alania's heart was really pounding now and she had simply reacted to his forward movement. It wasn't as though she was afraid of him, but she needed something, some kind of reassurance from him.
She stared at the letter she had sent with Roxy. She had poured her soul into it and that Legolas still had it with him touched her immensely. Then she remembered she still held onto the necklace. Opening her hand, she looked at it once again. It symbolized everything that was their relationship, from the most wonderful moments to the terrible pain of his leaving her. With a tiny frown she stared it at then touched her other hand absentmindedly to her neck recalling how he had last taken it back, hesitant to accept it without one final answer.
Alania just barely whispered her question without raising her eyes from the necklace, "Are... Are you staying?"
Legolas heard the tiny tremor in her voice as she asked and his heart clenched with the thought of the pain he had caused her. She looked so fragile at that moment and his desire to ease her pain overwhelmed him.
"Melamin, all the forces of Mordor could not tear me from your side now. I have been a fool and I would spend my life making up for it, if you will have me.", he said plaintively.
She tore her stare up from the necklace to his face. He looked as though he would say more, but seemed almost afraid to. Recognizing his own fears and hurts, the full impact of his return to her hit her at that moment. He had left everything he had known for thousands of years to be with her. She now knew without a doubt how much Legolas loved her.
All the pain and fear and doubt and regret she had felt in the past disappeared in that moment of clarity. She stood there, staring at him while she acclimated this knowledge in her heart and her soul flew with joy. A slow smile crept up her face and without thinking she fastened the necklace about her neck. Her heart had decided to throw caution to the winds and she followed her instincts once again about the elf.
Legolas had not even realized that he had been holding his breath until he had released it when he saw her smile. His heart leapt to see it and it practically stopped beating altogether when he watched her lift her hands and fasten his necklace around her neck. Before he knew it, she had crossed the room, thrown her arms around his neck pulling him down to bury her head into his neck and pressed her entire length against him.
Melding herself along him, Alania could feel his surprise at her actions and smiled against him. A fraction of a second later she sighed happily when his arms wound tightly around her. She placed small kisses on his neck and whispered in his ear, "I missed you so much. I was so stupid to hurt you. Please forgive me."
He hugged her tighter and answered, "There is nothing to forgive, Alania. We were both foolish. Let us leave our mistakes in the past." Feeling her nod, he pulled back from her and looked down at her face. A smile played at the corners of her mouth and her eyes were filled with unshed tears.
Unable to hold himself back any longer, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Still as soft and pliant beneath him, the months of being away from her crashed over him in that moment and he quickly intensified the kiss. They clung to each other as their lips parted and their tongues met and danced. Their hands moved over their bodies, reacquainting themselves with the contours and curves that had been absent for so long.
Pulling away from her a bit, Legolas heard Alania's tiny groan of protest at being denied. He laughed softly and said, "I have longed to feel you in my arms again, melamin. But right now, all I want is just hold you. Just to be near you is enough for right now. Let me have this indulgence." He pushed her back to the couch and arranged them so that she sat on his lap.
Together they sat this way for a long time, just touching, caressing and lightly tickling each other. Holding each other close and kissing. Both reassuring the other of their affection and love.
Alania snuggled against Legolas, resting her head on his shoulder and her hands toying with his hair. She had had a tremendously long and emotionally weighty day and was now growing drowsy. The atmosphere of the room did not help her fight the sleepiness and she looked around with more attention now.
Legolas had managed to create the softest and most romantic scene. She smiled shyly as she nuzzled her face against his neck and hugged him closer. She couldn't resist teasing him a bit by asking, "Did you do all this for me?"
The feeling of her showering him with her affection made him smile, but her tease made him grin. "Of course not, little sprite. This is for Elladan.", he answered. Hearing her answering giggle, he traced his hand down her spine to her hip then back and placed a kiss on her forehead.
He could tell she was exhausted and was fighting it. Wanting her to rest, he continued stoking her back and sides, feeling her body relax more against him. "Sleep, melamin.", he whispered.
Alania grumbled a bit and in her sleepiness answered groggily, "I'm afraid that you'll be gone when I wake up."
Legolas sighed and whispered, "I promise you, I will be at your side in the morning." After a few seconds, he felt her nod and he got up from the couch with her in his arms and climbed the stairs to her bedroom.
He gently set her in the middle of her bed. Realizing that she was still completely dressed, he proceeded to remove her shoes and socks. Seeing her bared feet, he couldn't resist placing tiny kisses on her toes. Alania giggled to feel it. Smiling at her response and wanting her to relax more, he began to softly massage them.
The feel of his hands rubbing and kneading her exhausted feet definitely relaxed Alania. She could feel all the tension in her body evaporate with his gentle touch. Soon the relaxed feelings were replaced with a familiar warmth in her belly. She released a tiny moan of want.
Legolas heard her soft moan and hesitated only slightly before running his hands up her legs to undo her jeans. With her help he pulled them off her body, baring her legs to him. Looking down at the creamy skin of her legs, Legolas felt a rush of blood and desire to his groin. Though he had intended to simply relax and calm Alania so she could sleep, a guile smile played over his features as he realized that his intentions with her had yet to go as planned.
He lightly traced his fingers down her legs to her ankles, and began to softly massage the tendons there. His hands slowly worked their way up each leg, careful not to miss any part of her skin, kneaded each tightly wound muscle of her claves and thighs. He paid careful attention to her reactions and each one of her sighs and moans of pleasure sent shivers down his spine.
Alania's eyes were closed and her whole body slowly melted under his gifted fingers. She had almost forgotten how tender and loving Legolas was, and to feel him touching her again caused a warmth that started in her heart and slowly spread through out her body. She wanted so much to return the touch, but she was tired enough to allow him to do as he pleased.
By the time his hands were working their magic on her thighs, Alania had become aroused to the point that her body began to softly shift in reaction. In her drowsiness, though, she was entirely unaware of what she was doing and it only escalated Legolas's desire to pleasure her. Wanting to see more of her, he tugged on her shirt and made Alania sit up briefly to remove it and her bra.
Now she took advantage of her upright position, and when her bra was finally removed and she heard his sharp intake of breath, she raised her hand behind his neck and pulled him to kiss her. Gentle and soft at first, she soon had both arms around his neck and tugged him closer to her.
He leaned against her and lowered her back onto the bed. As he lay on top of her, he felt her hips grind and her legs part slightly. Groaning in her mouth, his hands rubbed down her sides and back up to her breasts. Lifting himself off her a bit, he removed his shirt. They both moaned when their bare chests met.
Alania's hands roamed his back and sides, and she was lost in a haze of need. All rational thought had escaped her when he had lain on top of her, and all she knew was that she wanted to get closer, as close as two people could get, to him. Writhing beneath him and almost whimpering, she matched his increasing ardor and passion.
Legolas broke their kiss to remove their last articles of clothing. When at last they were both nude, he simply looked at her. Her hair splayed over the pillows, one arm over her head, the other lay on her stomach, and a tiny knowing smile playing on her lips. He met her eyes and saw they were dark with desire.
She lifted her hand, beckoning him to her. He clasped it in his own as he lay over her, kissing her once again. Soon both her hands were in his and they ground against each other as their lips and tongues played. So intense was their need and longing that both were caught almost unawares when Legolas slipped inside her. They both gasped and moaned at their union.
Legolas pulled back from her just a bit and gazed down their joined bodies, as though to secure it was as real as it felt. When he looked back into Alania's eyes, he saw tears falling from them even as she smiled up at him.
Looking up into his magnificent eyes, Alania said "I had returned home, but I left my heart with you, Legolas. I love you, my elf. I need you. Please make love to me."
Legolas felt his heart clench in his chest and he groaned her name in response. Releasing her hands, he slipped his arms under and around her waist holding her tight to him as he buried his face into her neck. Murmuring to her he whispered, "I have come to give you my heart in exchange for yours, melamin. I will never let you go again. My heart aches only for you."
For a time they moved together slowly, reveling that they were sharing their bodies again. Their lips met over and over, as they savored each other. The passion and love they felt, they expressed without words, only murmuring their names between kisses. And soon their bodies took over and the pace of their lovemaking grew intense.
Running her hands down his sweat covered back to his hips, Alania broke from their kiss and arched up against Legolas as she pulled his hips down to her. She groaned with desire and want. Letting go of the final grasps of restraint over her actions, Alania writhed and thrashed against his body, panting and pleading with him for release.
Watching Alania react to him overwhelmed Legolas. His control over his passion for her snapped and he wrapped her even more fully in his arms before he gave in to her pleadings. He thrust into her over and over until he felt her arch up against him hard and scream his name as she climaxed. He watched her crest and knew then he could not live without her. He moaned, "Alania, melamin.", once before increasing his pace once more with his own need for her.
Alania ran her hands up his body and pressed him closer to her, as she matched his thrusts into her. Murmuring his name into his ear, she lightly licked it and was rewarded with pants from him for her efforts. She wrapped her legs around his waist and when he came and called for her, she was overwhelmed with his beauty and love.
Neither moved for a time, until finally Legolas noticed Alania trying not to drift off to sleep. He smiled and kissed her forehead before pulling away from her. Hearing her groan a protest, he laughed softly and pulled her to his side whispering, "I promised I would be here in the morning, little sprite. Sleep now, sweet Alania."
She tried to fight off sleep a little longer, still a bit nervous of whether or not he would be there in the morning. Finally her brain screamed at her that it was irrational to think he would be anywhere else, she succumbed and drifted off.
Legolas spent the night watching her and stroking her. Several times he was hard pressed not to wake her so that he could make love to her again, but he forced himself to wait for morning.
Alania awoke to see Legolas leaning up on one arm and running his hands through her hair, a smile on his face. She couldn't control the grin that broke out and she launched herself at him in joy that he was there. He hadn't quite been expecting that reaction in the morning and laughed along with her.
They spent the day laughing and reacquainting themselves with each other, finding out what each had done in the past year, and making love. In the afternoon, Alania finally got the nerve to ask the one thing she needed to know. "Legolas, are you sure you can part with Middle Earth and your immortality?"
Legolas was ready for this question, and was surprised that she had waited this long to ask it. "I have spent my entire life there, Alania. I love Middle Earth and always will, but to have stayed there any longer without you would have slowly eaten at me until I had faded to a shade of myself. My past lies there, but my future is with you. And as for immortality... Well, I would rather a mortal life with you and in happiness, than an immortal life in misery. What good is a life spent in misery?", he finished with a tender smile as he pulled her in for a hug.
That evening, as dusk fell, Legolas gathered up a few things and insisted on a walk with Alania. They slowly made their way to the clearing. Walking out into the middle of the field, Legolas pulled out a magnificent purple blanket and laid it out for them. They both lay down and watched the stars come out. They hardly spoke, merely enjoying their company.
A while later, they made love under the stars, then lay strewn together basking in the afterglow. Alania had never felt so complete, so content in her life. She smiled with how full her heart felt, and nuzzled her face against Legolas's chest making him laugh.
Legolas leaned up on his side and gazed down on Alania, at first playful then grew more serious when she reached up and stroked his cheek. He brushed his lips against hers and sat up on his knees and reached for the things he had packed in a small sack.
Coaxing Alania up to her knees facing him, he placed a finger on her lips to silence her when she would have spoken. He placed three things on the blanket between them. Two beautiful cords of rope, one silver, the other gold and a small ornate box.
Curious, Alania watched as Legolas carefully set these things down and realized that he was beginning some kind of ritual. She watched as he reverently picked up the silver cord of rope and loosely tied one end of it to his left forearm. When he began to weave it in an intricate pattern and speaking, Alania felt tears well up in her eyes as understanding dawned on her.
Legolas noted her reaction and smiled when she did nothing to stop his actions. Without words, she had accepted him and he was filled with the warmth of her love. He began, "Beneath the stars above and the earth below, I bind myself to you, Alania." As he wound the cord up his forearm to his wrist, he continued, "My heart, my soul, my spirit, my body is yours. Where you go, I will follow. Will you accept me as your husband?" As he asked he held out the other end of the rope to her and waited for her answer.
A tremulous smile on her face, Alania felt a lone tear trickle down her face. Not wanting to ruin the dignity of the occasion, she felt hesitancy only regarding what she needed to do next. Going strictly on instinct and Legolas's cues, Alania reached out and took the end of rope he offered in her hand and said, "I accept you, Legolas."
Legolas smiled widely and helped her tie that end of cord to her wrist. Seeing her hesitancy with the next step of the ritual, he grinned and indicated with his head and eyes the other rope on the blanket.
Alania let out a shaky breath mixed with a laugh, and took the gold rope. Mimicking his actions, she tied it to her forearm and began to wind it up her arm as she spoke. Her words soft and solemn, "Beneath the stars above and the earth below, I bind myself to you, Legolas. My heart, my soul, my spirit, my body is yours. Where you go, I will follow. Will you accept me as your wife?" And she held out her end of rope to him.
Legolas first cupped her face and stroked her cheek before taking the end of rope she offered and saying, "I accept you, Alania." Tying her cord to his wrist, he looked into her eyes. Breaking their gaze, he opened the box left on the blanket.
Inside were three magnificent rings. He first picked up the diamond ring and slid it onto Alania's ring finger, saying with a wink "Roxy informed me of the ring-tradition here, so I made sure to be prepared, melamin." Then he placed the other simple band above the diamond ring.
Alania was overwhelmed with his thoughtfulness. It took every fiber of her being to not fling herself into his arms and kiss him madly. Instead, she placed the other simple band on his ring finger and closed the box before setting it aside.
Their bound hands grasped, Legolas pulled her to him and kissed her lovingly. Pulling away briefly to gaze at her, he said "I love you, wife." Alania smiled up at him and answered, "And I love you, husband".
Much later, they made their way back to the house, to begin the rest of their lives together.
-Fin-
A/N: I apologize for the delay of this chapter. I had it written out last week, but when I went back to reread it for errors, I just hated every single word of it. So I rewrote it. I hope you enjoy it. =) I would very much appreciate final reviews.
Chapter 39 - Face To Face
When she reached the doorway of the living room, she paused uncertainly just outside. She knew Legolas was waiting just around the corner, but her feet seemed stuck to the floor as an internal debate rang in her mind. All the insecurities and doubts she had felt over the course of the past year raced through her head in that one instant and she wondered why he was there.
Legolas heard her come in and stop just outside the room. All she had to do was turn the corner and he would see her. The waiting was grating, but he was determined to let her come to him at her own pace. He could sense the hesitation she felt. Wanting to reassure her somehow he whispered "Alania, melamin. Come to me.", just loud enough for her to hear him.
His voice washed over her and she closed her eyes with the sound. It was as if he had stepped out and caressed her cheek. With her heart pounding in her throat, she took a breath, licked her lips and turned the corner.
The sight of him standing in her living room, surrounded by dozens of lit candles casting a warm glow to his skin, was ethereal. Alania felt as though she had just walked into a wonderful dream and she was afraid if she moved or said anything she would wake up.
Her eyes had first been downcast when she had turned into the room, but when they met his own, Legolas felt the breath burst from his chest. She was quite simply the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. She stood in the doorway with her head tilted just a touch, her lips moist and she clutched the necklace in her hand. Her eyes were filled with hope as well as a bit of wariness, and Legolas recalled what Elladan had told him. Determined to ease his way back into her heart permanently he waited for her to speak first.
They stood looking at each other for long minutes. Both of them taking note of changes in their appearance and stance. When the tension grew to a point that Alania almost began to fidget, she finally spoke.
"Why are you here?", she whispered cautiously, as if she was afraid of the answer.
Legolas smiled and reached into his back pocket. He pulled out the letter she had written for him months ago and held it up. It looked careworn and a bit crumpled, as though it had been opened and reread many times over. Answering her question he said, "I received your letter."
He started to step towards her, but she immediately took a step backwards as if to retreat with a startled look across her features. Legolas wanted so much to wrap his arms around her, but stopped moving as soon as she became skittish.
Alania's heart was really pounding now and she had simply reacted to his forward movement. It wasn't as though she was afraid of him, but she needed something, some kind of reassurance from him.
She stared at the letter she had sent with Roxy. She had poured her soul into it and that Legolas still had it with him touched her immensely. Then she remembered she still held onto the necklace. Opening her hand, she looked at it once again. It symbolized everything that was their relationship, from the most wonderful moments to the terrible pain of his leaving her. With a tiny frown she stared it at then touched her other hand absentmindedly to her neck recalling how he had last taken it back, hesitant to accept it without one final answer.
Alania just barely whispered her question without raising her eyes from the necklace, "Are... Are you staying?"
Legolas heard the tiny tremor in her voice as she asked and his heart clenched with the thought of the pain he had caused her. She looked so fragile at that moment and his desire to ease her pain overwhelmed him.
"Melamin, all the forces of Mordor could not tear me from your side now. I have been a fool and I would spend my life making up for it, if you will have me.", he said plaintively.
She tore her stare up from the necklace to his face. He looked as though he would say more, but seemed almost afraid to. Recognizing his own fears and hurts, the full impact of his return to her hit her at that moment. He had left everything he had known for thousands of years to be with her. She now knew without a doubt how much Legolas loved her.
All the pain and fear and doubt and regret she had felt in the past disappeared in that moment of clarity. She stood there, staring at him while she acclimated this knowledge in her heart and her soul flew with joy. A slow smile crept up her face and without thinking she fastened the necklace about her neck. Her heart had decided to throw caution to the winds and she followed her instincts once again about the elf.
Legolas had not even realized that he had been holding his breath until he had released it when he saw her smile. His heart leapt to see it and it practically stopped beating altogether when he watched her lift her hands and fasten his necklace around her neck. Before he knew it, she had crossed the room, thrown her arms around his neck pulling him down to bury her head into his neck and pressed her entire length against him.
Melding herself along him, Alania could feel his surprise at her actions and smiled against him. A fraction of a second later she sighed happily when his arms wound tightly around her. She placed small kisses on his neck and whispered in his ear, "I missed you so much. I was so stupid to hurt you. Please forgive me."
He hugged her tighter and answered, "There is nothing to forgive, Alania. We were both foolish. Let us leave our mistakes in the past." Feeling her nod, he pulled back from her and looked down at her face. A smile played at the corners of her mouth and her eyes were filled with unshed tears.
Unable to hold himself back any longer, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Still as soft and pliant beneath him, the months of being away from her crashed over him in that moment and he quickly intensified the kiss. They clung to each other as their lips parted and their tongues met and danced. Their hands moved over their bodies, reacquainting themselves with the contours and curves that had been absent for so long.
Pulling away from her a bit, Legolas heard Alania's tiny groan of protest at being denied. He laughed softly and said, "I have longed to feel you in my arms again, melamin. But right now, all I want is just hold you. Just to be near you is enough for right now. Let me have this indulgence." He pushed her back to the couch and arranged them so that she sat on his lap.
Together they sat this way for a long time, just touching, caressing and lightly tickling each other. Holding each other close and kissing. Both reassuring the other of their affection and love.
Alania snuggled against Legolas, resting her head on his shoulder and her hands toying with his hair. She had had a tremendously long and emotionally weighty day and was now growing drowsy. The atmosphere of the room did not help her fight the sleepiness and she looked around with more attention now.
Legolas had managed to create the softest and most romantic scene. She smiled shyly as she nuzzled her face against his neck and hugged him closer. She couldn't resist teasing him a bit by asking, "Did you do all this for me?"
The feeling of her showering him with her affection made him smile, but her tease made him grin. "Of course not, little sprite. This is for Elladan.", he answered. Hearing her answering giggle, he traced his hand down her spine to her hip then back and placed a kiss on her forehead.
He could tell she was exhausted and was fighting it. Wanting her to rest, he continued stoking her back and sides, feeling her body relax more against him. "Sleep, melamin.", he whispered.
Alania grumbled a bit and in her sleepiness answered groggily, "I'm afraid that you'll be gone when I wake up."
Legolas sighed and whispered, "I promise you, I will be at your side in the morning." After a few seconds, he felt her nod and he got up from the couch with her in his arms and climbed the stairs to her bedroom.
He gently set her in the middle of her bed. Realizing that she was still completely dressed, he proceeded to remove her shoes and socks. Seeing her bared feet, he couldn't resist placing tiny kisses on her toes. Alania giggled to feel it. Smiling at her response and wanting her to relax more, he began to softly massage them.
The feel of his hands rubbing and kneading her exhausted feet definitely relaxed Alania. She could feel all the tension in her body evaporate with his gentle touch. Soon the relaxed feelings were replaced with a familiar warmth in her belly. She released a tiny moan of want.
Legolas heard her soft moan and hesitated only slightly before running his hands up her legs to undo her jeans. With her help he pulled them off her body, baring her legs to him. Looking down at the creamy skin of her legs, Legolas felt a rush of blood and desire to his groin. Though he had intended to simply relax and calm Alania so she could sleep, a guile smile played over his features as he realized that his intentions with her had yet to go as planned.
He lightly traced his fingers down her legs to her ankles, and began to softly massage the tendons there. His hands slowly worked their way up each leg, careful not to miss any part of her skin, kneaded each tightly wound muscle of her claves and thighs. He paid careful attention to her reactions and each one of her sighs and moans of pleasure sent shivers down his spine.
Alania's eyes were closed and her whole body slowly melted under his gifted fingers. She had almost forgotten how tender and loving Legolas was, and to feel him touching her again caused a warmth that started in her heart and slowly spread through out her body. She wanted so much to return the touch, but she was tired enough to allow him to do as he pleased.
By the time his hands were working their magic on her thighs, Alania had become aroused to the point that her body began to softly shift in reaction. In her drowsiness, though, she was entirely unaware of what she was doing and it only escalated Legolas's desire to pleasure her. Wanting to see more of her, he tugged on her shirt and made Alania sit up briefly to remove it and her bra.
Now she took advantage of her upright position, and when her bra was finally removed and she heard his sharp intake of breath, she raised her hand behind his neck and pulled him to kiss her. Gentle and soft at first, she soon had both arms around his neck and tugged him closer to her.
He leaned against her and lowered her back onto the bed. As he lay on top of her, he felt her hips grind and her legs part slightly. Groaning in her mouth, his hands rubbed down her sides and back up to her breasts. Lifting himself off her a bit, he removed his shirt. They both moaned when their bare chests met.
Alania's hands roamed his back and sides, and she was lost in a haze of need. All rational thought had escaped her when he had lain on top of her, and all she knew was that she wanted to get closer, as close as two people could get, to him. Writhing beneath him and almost whimpering, she matched his increasing ardor and passion.
Legolas broke their kiss to remove their last articles of clothing. When at last they were both nude, he simply looked at her. Her hair splayed over the pillows, one arm over her head, the other lay on her stomach, and a tiny knowing smile playing on her lips. He met her eyes and saw they were dark with desire.
She lifted her hand, beckoning him to her. He clasped it in his own as he lay over her, kissing her once again. Soon both her hands were in his and they ground against each other as their lips and tongues played. So intense was their need and longing that both were caught almost unawares when Legolas slipped inside her. They both gasped and moaned at their union.
Legolas pulled back from her just a bit and gazed down their joined bodies, as though to secure it was as real as it felt. When he looked back into Alania's eyes, he saw tears falling from them even as she smiled up at him.
Looking up into his magnificent eyes, Alania said "I had returned home, but I left my heart with you, Legolas. I love you, my elf. I need you. Please make love to me."
Legolas felt his heart clench in his chest and he groaned her name in response. Releasing her hands, he slipped his arms under and around her waist holding her tight to him as he buried his face into her neck. Murmuring to her he whispered, "I have come to give you my heart in exchange for yours, melamin. I will never let you go again. My heart aches only for you."
For a time they moved together slowly, reveling that they were sharing their bodies again. Their lips met over and over, as they savored each other. The passion and love they felt, they expressed without words, only murmuring their names between kisses. And soon their bodies took over and the pace of their lovemaking grew intense.
Running her hands down his sweat covered back to his hips, Alania broke from their kiss and arched up against Legolas as she pulled his hips down to her. She groaned with desire and want. Letting go of the final grasps of restraint over her actions, Alania writhed and thrashed against his body, panting and pleading with him for release.
Watching Alania react to him overwhelmed Legolas. His control over his passion for her snapped and he wrapped her even more fully in his arms before he gave in to her pleadings. He thrust into her over and over until he felt her arch up against him hard and scream his name as she climaxed. He watched her crest and knew then he could not live without her. He moaned, "Alania, melamin.", once before increasing his pace once more with his own need for her.
Alania ran her hands up his body and pressed him closer to her, as she matched his thrusts into her. Murmuring his name into his ear, she lightly licked it and was rewarded with pants from him for her efforts. She wrapped her legs around his waist and when he came and called for her, she was overwhelmed with his beauty and love.
Neither moved for a time, until finally Legolas noticed Alania trying not to drift off to sleep. He smiled and kissed her forehead before pulling away from her. Hearing her groan a protest, he laughed softly and pulled her to his side whispering, "I promised I would be here in the morning, little sprite. Sleep now, sweet Alania."
She tried to fight off sleep a little longer, still a bit nervous of whether or not he would be there in the morning. Finally her brain screamed at her that it was irrational to think he would be anywhere else, she succumbed and drifted off.
Legolas spent the night watching her and stroking her. Several times he was hard pressed not to wake her so that he could make love to her again, but he forced himself to wait for morning.
Alania awoke to see Legolas leaning up on one arm and running his hands through her hair, a smile on his face. She couldn't control the grin that broke out and she launched herself at him in joy that he was there. He hadn't quite been expecting that reaction in the morning and laughed along with her.
They spent the day laughing and reacquainting themselves with each other, finding out what each had done in the past year, and making love. In the afternoon, Alania finally got the nerve to ask the one thing she needed to know. "Legolas, are you sure you can part with Middle Earth and your immortality?"
Legolas was ready for this question, and was surprised that she had waited this long to ask it. "I have spent my entire life there, Alania. I love Middle Earth and always will, but to have stayed there any longer without you would have slowly eaten at me until I had faded to a shade of myself. My past lies there, but my future is with you. And as for immortality... Well, I would rather a mortal life with you and in happiness, than an immortal life in misery. What good is a life spent in misery?", he finished with a tender smile as he pulled her in for a hug.
That evening, as dusk fell, Legolas gathered up a few things and insisted on a walk with Alania. They slowly made their way to the clearing. Walking out into the middle of the field, Legolas pulled out a magnificent purple blanket and laid it out for them. They both lay down and watched the stars come out. They hardly spoke, merely enjoying their company.
A while later, they made love under the stars, then lay strewn together basking in the afterglow. Alania had never felt so complete, so content in her life. She smiled with how full her heart felt, and nuzzled her face against Legolas's chest making him laugh.
Legolas leaned up on his side and gazed down on Alania, at first playful then grew more serious when she reached up and stroked his cheek. He brushed his lips against hers and sat up on his knees and reached for the things he had packed in a small sack.
Coaxing Alania up to her knees facing him, he placed a finger on her lips to silence her when she would have spoken. He placed three things on the blanket between them. Two beautiful cords of rope, one silver, the other gold and a small ornate box.
Curious, Alania watched as Legolas carefully set these things down and realized that he was beginning some kind of ritual. She watched as he reverently picked up the silver cord of rope and loosely tied one end of it to his left forearm. When he began to weave it in an intricate pattern and speaking, Alania felt tears well up in her eyes as understanding dawned on her.
Legolas noted her reaction and smiled when she did nothing to stop his actions. Without words, she had accepted him and he was filled with the warmth of her love. He began, "Beneath the stars above and the earth below, I bind myself to you, Alania." As he wound the cord up his forearm to his wrist, he continued, "My heart, my soul, my spirit, my body is yours. Where you go, I will follow. Will you accept me as your husband?" As he asked he held out the other end of the rope to her and waited for her answer.
A tremulous smile on her face, Alania felt a lone tear trickle down her face. Not wanting to ruin the dignity of the occasion, she felt hesitancy only regarding what she needed to do next. Going strictly on instinct and Legolas's cues, Alania reached out and took the end of rope he offered in her hand and said, "I accept you, Legolas."
Legolas smiled widely and helped her tie that end of cord to her wrist. Seeing her hesitancy with the next step of the ritual, he grinned and indicated with his head and eyes the other rope on the blanket.
Alania let out a shaky breath mixed with a laugh, and took the gold rope. Mimicking his actions, she tied it to her forearm and began to wind it up her arm as she spoke. Her words soft and solemn, "Beneath the stars above and the earth below, I bind myself to you, Legolas. My heart, my soul, my spirit, my body is yours. Where you go, I will follow. Will you accept me as your wife?" And she held out her end of rope to him.
Legolas first cupped her face and stroked her cheek before taking the end of rope she offered and saying, "I accept you, Alania." Tying her cord to his wrist, he looked into her eyes. Breaking their gaze, he opened the box left on the blanket.
Inside were three magnificent rings. He first picked up the diamond ring and slid it onto Alania's ring finger, saying with a wink "Roxy informed me of the ring-tradition here, so I made sure to be prepared, melamin." Then he placed the other simple band above the diamond ring.
Alania was overwhelmed with his thoughtfulness. It took every fiber of her being to not fling herself into his arms and kiss him madly. Instead, she placed the other simple band on his ring finger and closed the box before setting it aside.
Their bound hands grasped, Legolas pulled her to him and kissed her lovingly. Pulling away briefly to gaze at her, he said "I love you, wife." Alania smiled up at him and answered, "And I love you, husband".
Much later, they made their way back to the house, to begin the rest of their lives together.
-Fin-