Chapter 29
Tally and Legolas, both slept right through dinner and through the night, exhausted by what had happened. Legolas woke the next morning happy. The woman he loved was sleeping peacefully next to him and the pain in his arm had almost gone, they had destroyed the Enemy and he was going to be married. He kissed Tally softly on the forehead and she stirred. Legolas got up and quietly left the room. He went silently to Tally's room and found her some clothes. When he reached his room again, Tally was just starting to wake up. Legolas sat down on the bed,
"You are awake my love."
"No," she said grumpily, "my mind is still asleep. My body still aches from fighting. How is you arm?"
"Much better thank you. Come I brought you some clothes to change into once we've had our bath."
"Our bath?" Tally woke up suddenly and looked bleary eyed at Legolas,
"Yes our bath."
Legolas' bath was clearly big enough for two, Tally knew that, she just didn't know what she was letting herself in for this early in the morning. Once it was ready, Tally undressed, she was still wearing her robes from the day before, and got in before Legolas had a chance to touch her. He quickly undressed and got in next to her. The bath was long and wide, it was almost like a small swimming pool. Tally looked at the bandage on Legolas' arm and then at his face and automatically she went to nurse him. She took the bandage off so the wound would clean in the warm water. She was surprised to notice that it was almost healed. Legolas turned to Tally,
"Let me help you with those tired muscles," and he moved behind her to massage her shoulders and neck. His fingers send tingles of pleasure down her back as he worked out the knots. Legolas began to move down her back and Tally occasionally groaned or winced in pain. She had her eyes closed though and a smile on her lips. Once Legolas had finished, Tally turned herself round and said,
"Thank you. That feels so much better. You must have a gift." And she took both of his hands with hers and proclaimed them, "Magic hands. But come, what shall be your reward?" and Tally cocked her head to the side and pretended to think very hard. Then she took the hands she was still holding by the wrists and placed them on her breasts, holding them there even though it was clear Legolas didn't need any assistance and then she kissed him long and slow and deep. He thought he was going to lose himself as she kissed him. Her wet hair fell about his face. Tally's grip on his hands loosened and she reached on hand to his waist to steady herself and the other behind his neck, holding him to her. Her stomach grumbled loudly and she began to giggle, so did Legolas,
"I guess that's your stomach telling us it's time for breakfast. We should hurry before the rest of you mutinies. Legolas reached out for the soap and washed Tally gently, then she did the same to him. They jumped out of the bath and dried themselves with big fluffy towels before getting dressed. Tally approved of what Legolas had brought her to wear, although she didn't think it necessary to wear that kind of underwear under a normal dress. A knowing look was all the reply she got.
Legolas and Tally walked to breakfast arm in arm, looking gravely at the mourning people around them. They held each other tighter as they both remembered how they could have lost each other. The Sanctuary was in mourning for all those lost. There would be a period of six weeks of this. No jollity, just reflection on what had happened. There would be many funerals of friends to attend and those left to be comforted. Their day was spent much as the next month and a half would be, in each other's company, quietly supporting each other through the sadness that was so evident in all their lives. Tally forged closer friendships with a number of other female elves, some widowed or left father-less from the war. She was comforted knowing that these people in no way held her responsible for what had happened. Legolas meanwhile did the same, getting to know some other elves who had fought with him, brought together by the tragedies they had witnessed. Tally made an attempt to get to know Kaelira much better. She had never met a sweeter, kinder person. Kaelira was as unselfish as anyone could wish and Tally was happy for both her and Ghilad at the future event she could predict with certainty.
The thought of weddings always made Tally's stomach do a little flip. She didn't really know the traditions of the Elves and Men when it came to marriage, however she was sure Elrond would know, being at the last union between such peoples. There were to be no discussions of such things until after the mourning was over. Tally didn't want to talk about it in case she offended anyone. She and Legolas had all the time in the world, if they were married or not, it didn't make a difference to her, they were still together.
It was about eight weeks after the battle, mourning had ended and the Sanctuary was slowly returning to normal. A memorial to those who had given their lives had been erected and a small garden planted around it. It became a garden of contemplation for the community. Elrond approached Tally at breakfast one morning, "Natalia, there is much to discuss. I would appreciate it if you and Legolas would come to my study once you have eaten."
"Certainly Elrond. I will go and get Legolas as he has gone to practise his archery." And she rose to find her fiancé. Tally found Legolas firing off arrows in a competition with some other elves and a couple of men who had been roped in against their will. Tally waited till Legolas had stopped concentrating and tapped him on the shoulder. He spun round, "Legolas, I'm sorry to interrupt the wonderful display of male ego that you have happening here, but Elrond wishes to speak to us."
"Can't it wait?"
"No Legolas. You can't keep Elrond waiting. Your archery will have to wait. Let someone else win for once," and the people around her glared, but she knew well that Legolas beat them every time, "Come on," and Legolas signed and slung his bow on his back and followed Tally back inside. They came to Elrond's study, knocked and entered. Elrond sat behind his desk, Malia and Timmas sat beside him. Timmas was holding something, but Tally couldn't tell what.
"Please sit down," Elrond motioned to a couple of chairs, "Malia and Timmas have something to say. Malia?"
"Thank you Master Elrond. Lady Natalia, you have been like another daughter to me since you came to stay here. I am honoured to help you in any way. Since the announcement of your engagement to King Legolas, I, we, have been wanting to give you a suitable present for your marriage. This is what we came up with. Here," and Timmas placed two small boxes on the table. Tally and Legolas reached forward and opened them. Each had a beautifully worked platinum engagement ring, "Timmas and I designed them together, with a small bit of help from Master Elrond, and then Timmas made them. What do you thing?" Tally stared at the ring before her. It was an elegant platinum band with a pink stone set between two leaves, one the symbol of the Greenleaf family and the other the symbol of Gondor. There were engravings in the ring as well but Tally could not read them.
"Malia, I just don't know what to say. This is amazing. It's so beautiful. Thank you so much. Oh Timmas I'm so happy. Thank you too."
"Put it on her then," said Malia to Legolas who picked up the ring and slipped it on Tally's ring finger. They smiled at each other,
"Let me see your ring Legolas," and he held out his left hand. Tally saw the band was wider than hers and instead of a jewel and two leaves it contained alternate engravings of the Greenleaf emblem and the leaf of Gondor, "It's beautiful. Oh thank you so so much. What does the writing mean? I don't understand it."
"It is Sindarin, but in an old form. It means, "Unending love, encircling us forever". It is on Legolas' as well. We thought it would be appropriate," said Timmas. Tally sat down, staring at the ring on her finger, admiring it, turning and twisting it on her finger. She was smiling all the while she did it. Malia, came round and stood behind her admiring it too,
"You're really getting married Lady Natalia,"
"I'm really getting married," said Tally as if she was realising it for the first time, "I'm getting married! I'm getting married," and she jumped up and hugged Malia and they danced about the room laughing, shouting out ideas for the wedding,
"You'll need a new dress!"
"Oh and we can have singing and music and all our friends can be there!"
"And how will we do your hair?"
The males just stood there bewildered at the tow before them. Tally danced over to Timmas and hugged and thanked him, and then she hugged and thanked Elrond. Finally she turned to Legolas. She stopped dancing and looked at his eyes, they were holding something back, although he wouldn't tell her. She kissed him, but didn't feel him relax beneath her. It puzzled her. Tally had never been happier, why wasn't he?
Tally and Legolas, both slept right through dinner and through the night, exhausted by what had happened. Legolas woke the next morning happy. The woman he loved was sleeping peacefully next to him and the pain in his arm had almost gone, they had destroyed the Enemy and he was going to be married. He kissed Tally softly on the forehead and she stirred. Legolas got up and quietly left the room. He went silently to Tally's room and found her some clothes. When he reached his room again, Tally was just starting to wake up. Legolas sat down on the bed,
"You are awake my love."
"No," she said grumpily, "my mind is still asleep. My body still aches from fighting. How is you arm?"
"Much better thank you. Come I brought you some clothes to change into once we've had our bath."
"Our bath?" Tally woke up suddenly and looked bleary eyed at Legolas,
"Yes our bath."
Legolas' bath was clearly big enough for two, Tally knew that, she just didn't know what she was letting herself in for this early in the morning. Once it was ready, Tally undressed, she was still wearing her robes from the day before, and got in before Legolas had a chance to touch her. He quickly undressed and got in next to her. The bath was long and wide, it was almost like a small swimming pool. Tally looked at the bandage on Legolas' arm and then at his face and automatically she went to nurse him. She took the bandage off so the wound would clean in the warm water. She was surprised to notice that it was almost healed. Legolas turned to Tally,
"Let me help you with those tired muscles," and he moved behind her to massage her shoulders and neck. His fingers send tingles of pleasure down her back as he worked out the knots. Legolas began to move down her back and Tally occasionally groaned or winced in pain. She had her eyes closed though and a smile on her lips. Once Legolas had finished, Tally turned herself round and said,
"Thank you. That feels so much better. You must have a gift." And she took both of his hands with hers and proclaimed them, "Magic hands. But come, what shall be your reward?" and Tally cocked her head to the side and pretended to think very hard. Then she took the hands she was still holding by the wrists and placed them on her breasts, holding them there even though it was clear Legolas didn't need any assistance and then she kissed him long and slow and deep. He thought he was going to lose himself as she kissed him. Her wet hair fell about his face. Tally's grip on his hands loosened and she reached on hand to his waist to steady herself and the other behind his neck, holding him to her. Her stomach grumbled loudly and she began to giggle, so did Legolas,
"I guess that's your stomach telling us it's time for breakfast. We should hurry before the rest of you mutinies. Legolas reached out for the soap and washed Tally gently, then she did the same to him. They jumped out of the bath and dried themselves with big fluffy towels before getting dressed. Tally approved of what Legolas had brought her to wear, although she didn't think it necessary to wear that kind of underwear under a normal dress. A knowing look was all the reply she got.
Legolas and Tally walked to breakfast arm in arm, looking gravely at the mourning people around them. They held each other tighter as they both remembered how they could have lost each other. The Sanctuary was in mourning for all those lost. There would be a period of six weeks of this. No jollity, just reflection on what had happened. There would be many funerals of friends to attend and those left to be comforted. Their day was spent much as the next month and a half would be, in each other's company, quietly supporting each other through the sadness that was so evident in all their lives. Tally forged closer friendships with a number of other female elves, some widowed or left father-less from the war. She was comforted knowing that these people in no way held her responsible for what had happened. Legolas meanwhile did the same, getting to know some other elves who had fought with him, brought together by the tragedies they had witnessed. Tally made an attempt to get to know Kaelira much better. She had never met a sweeter, kinder person. Kaelira was as unselfish as anyone could wish and Tally was happy for both her and Ghilad at the future event she could predict with certainty.
The thought of weddings always made Tally's stomach do a little flip. She didn't really know the traditions of the Elves and Men when it came to marriage, however she was sure Elrond would know, being at the last union between such peoples. There were to be no discussions of such things until after the mourning was over. Tally didn't want to talk about it in case she offended anyone. She and Legolas had all the time in the world, if they were married or not, it didn't make a difference to her, they were still together.
It was about eight weeks after the battle, mourning had ended and the Sanctuary was slowly returning to normal. A memorial to those who had given their lives had been erected and a small garden planted around it. It became a garden of contemplation for the community. Elrond approached Tally at breakfast one morning, "Natalia, there is much to discuss. I would appreciate it if you and Legolas would come to my study once you have eaten."
"Certainly Elrond. I will go and get Legolas as he has gone to practise his archery." And she rose to find her fiancé. Tally found Legolas firing off arrows in a competition with some other elves and a couple of men who had been roped in against their will. Tally waited till Legolas had stopped concentrating and tapped him on the shoulder. He spun round, "Legolas, I'm sorry to interrupt the wonderful display of male ego that you have happening here, but Elrond wishes to speak to us."
"Can't it wait?"
"No Legolas. You can't keep Elrond waiting. Your archery will have to wait. Let someone else win for once," and the people around her glared, but she knew well that Legolas beat them every time, "Come on," and Legolas signed and slung his bow on his back and followed Tally back inside. They came to Elrond's study, knocked and entered. Elrond sat behind his desk, Malia and Timmas sat beside him. Timmas was holding something, but Tally couldn't tell what.
"Please sit down," Elrond motioned to a couple of chairs, "Malia and Timmas have something to say. Malia?"
"Thank you Master Elrond. Lady Natalia, you have been like another daughter to me since you came to stay here. I am honoured to help you in any way. Since the announcement of your engagement to King Legolas, I, we, have been wanting to give you a suitable present for your marriage. This is what we came up with. Here," and Timmas placed two small boxes on the table. Tally and Legolas reached forward and opened them. Each had a beautifully worked platinum engagement ring, "Timmas and I designed them together, with a small bit of help from Master Elrond, and then Timmas made them. What do you thing?" Tally stared at the ring before her. It was an elegant platinum band with a pink stone set between two leaves, one the symbol of the Greenleaf family and the other the symbol of Gondor. There were engravings in the ring as well but Tally could not read them.
"Malia, I just don't know what to say. This is amazing. It's so beautiful. Thank you so much. Oh Timmas I'm so happy. Thank you too."
"Put it on her then," said Malia to Legolas who picked up the ring and slipped it on Tally's ring finger. They smiled at each other,
"Let me see your ring Legolas," and he held out his left hand. Tally saw the band was wider than hers and instead of a jewel and two leaves it contained alternate engravings of the Greenleaf emblem and the leaf of Gondor, "It's beautiful. Oh thank you so so much. What does the writing mean? I don't understand it."
"It is Sindarin, but in an old form. It means, "Unending love, encircling us forever". It is on Legolas' as well. We thought it would be appropriate," said Timmas. Tally sat down, staring at the ring on her finger, admiring it, turning and twisting it on her finger. She was smiling all the while she did it. Malia, came round and stood behind her admiring it too,
"You're really getting married Lady Natalia,"
"I'm really getting married," said Tally as if she was realising it for the first time, "I'm getting married! I'm getting married," and she jumped up and hugged Malia and they danced about the room laughing, shouting out ideas for the wedding,
"You'll need a new dress!"
"Oh and we can have singing and music and all our friends can be there!"
"And how will we do your hair?"
The males just stood there bewildered at the tow before them. Tally danced over to Timmas and hugged and thanked him, and then she hugged and thanked Elrond. Finally she turned to Legolas. She stopped dancing and looked at his eyes, they were holding something back, although he wouldn't tell her. She kissed him, but didn't feel him relax beneath her. It puzzled her. Tally had never been happier, why wasn't he?
