Chapter 38

Legolas accompanied Tally to dinner that evening again. They sat together and practically ignored everyone else about them. There were many rolled eyes and knowing looks exchanged about the King of Mirkwood and the Queen of Gondor. After dinner they left for Tally's rooms. They sat on a sofa in her bedroom kissing like teenagers, Tally thought. Legolas remembered the way to touch her that made her putty in his hands. Tally moaned beneath him, the soft breathy ones that meant she was about to lose all sense of reason and just think about the feeling of his lips on hers. Legolas finally broke their kiss. Tally saw his eyes dart to her bed,

"No Legolas, slowly remember." She was stern,

"It's just more comfortable than here, that's all." He said, trying to convince her of his innocence of thought. Tally nodded and smiled in reply,

"Of course, my love. You would never think such a thing," but she was pleased to see he was. The years hadn't lessened her desire for him either. Legolas yawned, "Sorry am I boring you?" Tally said,

"No I'm just tired from travelling still. I'd better go to bed."

"Do you want to sleep here? Like we used to?" Tally ventured shyly,

"Nothing could be more welcome. I'll fetch some clothes for tomorrow now shall I?" and Legolas left Tally alone. She changed into some robes to wear in bed while he was gone. He wasn't getting that privilege tonight.

Legolas' disappointment was evident when he came back to an already-changed Tally. She was sitting in front of a mirror brushing her long hair. Legolas took the brush from her and began to do it himself. He gently got rid of any tangles then held it away from her neck to plant a soft little kisses there. He watched her reaction in the mirror. Eyes closed and a blissful smile on her face. She truly was the most beautiful woman in all the world, and by now he'd met quite a few. In all his years away Legolas had never been tempted by another. Never. He thought of her and her only, set on her pedestal above every other being in the world.

"Come on, I'm getting cold. Let's go to bed," Tally said, and they climbed in together. She pressed her back against his chest to feel the warmth that radiated from his body and comforted her even the most despairing moments. She loved him and that was all the mattered.

The next morning, after a sound sleep Tally woke to find Legolas had gone. She didn't mind too much. She didn't want to be the centre of speculation for the entire Sanctuary after all. She rolled over and hit something metallic. It was her pendant. The one Legolas had first given her all those years ago. Her engagement ring was threaded on there too, just as she had left it. Tally picked up the chain and put it on. It felt right having it rest on her chest, a reminder of Legolas' love wherever she went. Tally wondered who had kept it, then Malia bustled in, saw her wearing it and smiled,

"I thought you might need that again," she said,

"You have kept it safe all theses years?"

"Yes I have my lady. I knew you could never stop loving him. I never gave up hope. Are you still on holiday, my lady? You haven't changed your mind about that?"

"No, thank you Malia, I am still on holiday till after the wedding. I think I deserve some time off, don't you?"

"You have been working very hard."

"Malia, why don't you take a holiday too? We'll need you for the wedding, but you could spend a few days alone with Timmas."

"Oh thank you my lady, that would be wonderful. I shall make sure someone runs your bath every morning and stokes the fire. Thank you." Malia hugged Tally,

"No Malia, thank you, for not losing faith in love. That deserves the highest reward."