A/N: Warning: intimate scene ahead.
Hello, new followers! And thanks to my reviewers! I'd love to hear y'all's comments on this chapter. It's my first attempt at writing this type of scene, made even more difficult because it's between Elves, and while I wanted to keep it romantic, I didn't want to make it too explicit because that's not very Tolkien-y. Let me know what you think!
66 - Bond
Thranduil and Elluin danced enthusiastically, occasionally acknowledging the shouted congratulations from the Elves around them. Dorwinion wine was flowing generously, and some loosened tongues eventually began making suggestions that managed to drag Thranduil out of his haze of delight. Looking about him, he noticed that the party was still in full swing, but that the servants cast frequent glances toward the royal couple, waiting for their cue. Elluin's faces was flushed with excitement and the exertion of the dance, but when she met his gaze, she gave him a timid smile and a small nod to confirm that she was ready to leave.
Thranduil spun them deftly out of the circle of dancers and settled Elluin's hand on his arm in a single, smooth movement. From the corner of his eye, Thranduil spotted a young palace runner sprint off, presumably to warn the royal body servants that they would soon be needed. As for the remaining guests, each knew what was forthcoming and made way, bowing between dance steps as the couple passed.
As they reached the door into the palace, the cry went up again: "Hail, King Thranduil and Queen Elluin!"
They stopped to acknowledge the cheers with smiles. Then Thranduil turned them again towards the doors, swiftly opened for them by the guards.
"I don't recall seeing such boisterous feasting before, not in all my years," Thranduil reflected happily, now that there was quiet enough for them to hear each other.
"It did seem like everyone was enjoying themselves," Elluin said. "Even Lords Celeborn and Elrond were dancing with their wives."
"Yes. Everything went marvelously, even with the additional blessings at the ceremony." He gave her a fond smile. "I imagine our palace stores will be quite depleted by the end of the night."
"I'm afraid so," Elluin replied lightly. "But it has been a generous autumn and the forest is bountiful. And the more servants we send out to gather for the fall harvests, the less time they will have to complain about it to me."
They shared a laugh as they continued down the path toward the royal chambers.
"Ah, it is good to speak to you, Elluin. I missed you today," the king said.
Elluin's gaze shot to his, though she managed to keep walking. Slowly, she turned her eyes back to the path ahead. "I suppose we shall make up for our time apart over the next few days."
"Or centuries," Thranduil quipped, attempting to distract her from the nerves his bride was obviously feeling. Then he turned serious. "You know, Elluin, tonight it was undoubtedly confirmed that the people wholly approve of you becoming Elvenqueen. I hope you realize you have the support of the entirety of Elvendom."
Elluin released a sigh of relief. "It comforts me to know it," she said.
"But even if they did not, my choice is made," he continued, and caressed her hand where it lay on his arm.
"I should hope so," she said. "Or else we would have wasted all that time preparing the wedding feast for nothing!"
They chuckled and began their silent ascent up the stairs to the royal talan. A guard opened the door, and Thranduil beckoned her to enter ahead of him.
"Your new dressing room is there," he said in as casual a tone as he could muster as the door shut behind them, pointing to another door that had not previously been there. "It has another exit that leads to the bedchamber. I will meet you there when you are ready."
She nodded her understanding. But before she could turn away, he gave into his impulse to take her hand and kiss it firmly. Then, seeing that she seemed to enjoy it and felt a little reluctant to leave him, he leaned over to kiss her cheek for good measure. His heart sang at the smile she gave him.
"See you soon, my heart," he said, and watched her leave before making his way into his own dressing room.
~.~.~
On silent feet, Elluin entered the room where Naudeth awaited her. After a polite greeting, Naudeth reverently removed the crown and patiently freed Elluin from the laces and ties of her gown and slippers. Then, she helped her out of her shift, replacing it quickly with a more delicate nightgown made of fine, soft material and embroidered at the hems with silver vines. Seating Elluin at the mirror, the servant worked quietly to remove the ornaments from Elluin's hair. She studiously avoided meeting the bride's eyes in the mirror. Despite her brief, light touches, she could feel Elluin's slight tremble.
Having nearly finished her work, Naudeth dared to speak. "My lady, there is nothing to fear in the next chamber."
Elluin looked up at her servant with wide eyes. "I know," she said quietly. "This is a ritual older than Sun and Moon."
Naudeth bowed her head in agreement, sensing that Elluin's words were more to reassure herself. "Yes, my lady. In fact, it is a ritual so often repeated that it must indeed be enjoyable," she continued with a small smile. Again she kept her eyes to her task, not wishing to bring further discomfort to the maiden. "And given how much the king cares for my lady, I believe he will take particular care to ensure this."
Elluin nodded and continued staring anxiously at the mirror.
Dissatisfied with her charge's persisting nervousness, Naudeth risked impudence by commenting further. "My lady, as each bond is different, I am unable to predict the details of what will occur in that room tonight. However, if my own experience is any guide, I know that the love between my king and my lady will swiftly destroy any barriers to joy you find within yourselves. In fact, when I come and tend to you in the morning, I am fully expecting to see the very light of Elbereth's stars in my lady's eyes, so great will be my lady's bliss." She had Elluin's attention as she worked her blond waves into a single loose braid. "And the king is such a gentle and considerate ellon around my lady. He will make everything as lovely and easy as a dance, I'm sure."
Elluin managed a weak smile in appreciation.
With her work finished, Naudeth stooped to look at Elluin at eye level in the mirror and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "My advice is to be honest, in all things," she said in a hushed tone, "including the physical. The king wishes for a happy queen." Elluin turned red but the servant could see her committing the words to her mind.
"Will there be anything else, my lady?" Naudeth asked, rising.
"No, Naudeth. Thank you."
There was enough confidence in Elluin's voice for Naudeth to smile in relief. "Very well, my lady. Good night." She bowed deeply and swept out of the room.
Elluin took a fortifying breath, stood, and walked to the door of the bedchamber she would share with the king. Standing there quietly, she could hear soft singing coming from inside. She smiled, knowing that Thranduil was purposefully ensuring she was aware of his presence. As she hesitated there, she recognized the melody as one she sang so long ago in Rivendell, the night Thranduil first perceived her love for him.
*I'd pluck a fair rose for my love
I'd pluck a red rose growing
Love's in my heart, I'm trying so to prove
What your heart's knowing
Her heart drummed in her chest as she quietly opened the door and walked in. Thranduil had his back turned to her, pouring something into a pair of goblets on a table at the far end of the room. His hair was loose and his long, light robe was silvery-white, making him glow faintly with the reflected light of the candles that were burning placidly along each wall.
I'd pluck a finger on a thorn
I'd pluck a finger bleeding
Red is my heart, wounded and forlorn
And your heart needing
Elluin took advantage of Thranduil's distraction — intentional, she was sure — to study the room further as she allowed the words to flow over her. As a servant and housekeeper, she had been here countless times, but never at night. The faint light made the ceiling disappear and the bed, which appeared larger now in her nervousness, seemed to be floating into the sky on an island of shadow.
I'd hold a finger to my tongue
I'd hold a finger waiting
My heart is sore, until it joins in song
With your heart mating
Her attention shot back to Thranduil as he turned at the end of his song. He smiled softly at her. "Wife, here is some water for you." He stalked slowly to her and she appreciated again all the efforts he was taking to set her at ease.
"Thank you, husband," she answered, and could not help an answering smile at the word on her lips. They both drained their goblets quickly and Thranduil set them back on the table. When he turned back to her, there was a new light in his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Elluin," he said softly, coming to stand an arm's length away from her, "you look nervous. Tell me why."
Unable to refuse him, she answered with only a moment's hesitation, although she kept her eyes on the hem of his robe. "I do not know if…I will… please you. I worry that in bonding my spirit with yours, you may find something disagreeable. And I am told there will be pain."
Thranduil opened his arms, inviting her to step into his embrace. Despite her apprehension regarding the evening's impending act, she had no fear of her king and quickly complied, wrapping her arms around his waist. His warmth and his scent worked to calm her further.
Thranduil held her securely and rested his cheek above her ear. Elluin reveled in the way his voice vibrated through her as he spoke. "You are an enchanting creature, Elluin. You surely feel how my body responds to yours, now," he murmured. He shifted slightly against her to make his condition more apparent and could sense Elluin's blush. "I have seen enough of your spirit to know there is none more pure and beautiful. And as for the pain —" He drew her chin up gently and looked into her eyes. "I will be gentle. My wish is to give you only pleasure. But if there is any discomfort…" he slid a hand languidly to her hip, and whispered, "I will heal it with a kiss."
His words and his dark gaze set Elluin instantly aflame. Thranduil made no move, heeding his mentor's advice and waiting for his bride to show him she was ready first. He did not need to wait long. In the next moment, Elluin reverently twined her fingers into his hair and pulled him close for a kiss.
He allowed the kiss to deepen, noting how receptive she was to his caresses, setting her own hands to wander timidly on his torso. Then he broke the kiss and picked her up, walking quickly to lay her on the bed, lying down beside her.
"My heart," he murmured as he resumed his kisses more gently, knowing that Elluin would be acclimating to the new position. He trailed his lips along her jaw and down her neck, his hand smoothing over her stomach and thighs. He was about to move his head further down when Elluin halted him with a firm hand on his arm.
Thranduil froze and looked at her curiously. She released his arm then, with a determined glint in her eyes, tugged loose the belt of his robe. Though she did not remove it, she slid her hands inside to feel his chest, both of them sighing at the contact. He closed his eyes to savor the sensation. Then she became bolder, easing the cloth off his shoulders. Obligingly, he moved to free his arms from the garment, leaving only some of his lower body covered with the folds of the rich cloth.
Elluin absorbed the sight of him for long moments, tracing his skin with her fingertips and eyes, gentle and admiring. Thranduil kept still for as long as he could, mindful of his mentor's lesson, then tested his lady's willingness to continue by leaning closer, pressing his body gently against hers as he kissed her deeply.
She responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around him to explore the muscles ridges of his back as he continued mapping her curves. Eventually, a frustrated growl escaped her and she pushed Thranduil slightly away from her, sitting up briefly to pull her nightgown off and toss it aside.
The Elvenking hid a smirk. Already, she wished for more directed attacks. He was certainly happy to accede to her wishes. But seeing her revealed before him nearly made him forget his resolution to meet her swing for swing. He was glad the dim light obscured the famished look in his eyes as he drank in the vision.
But she was ready, pulling him toward her again immediately, the feeling of bare skin meeting bare skin allowing their spirits to approximate in turn.
During the time that followed, the dance of their spirits echoed that of their bodies. Their separate spirits circled and probed, at first, gently studying, the way their mouths and hands did in the physical realm. And like their bodies, Elluin's spirit now was yielding but unwavering and compassionate, while Thranduil's was hardened by trials but warm and inviting.
In anticipation and joy, their spirits began to radiate light more fiercely, becoming increasingly visible through skin in the dimly lit room, an echo of the fire stoked in their bodies as the moment of joining drew near.
Thranduil had begun to despair of his control when he heard the sweet and urgent plea whispered into his ear around her gasps. "Now, Thranduil. Bind with me now."
"Yes, my queen," he panted, maneuvering to comply.
The room became even brighter, then there was a sudden flash of light as the barrier between them was brought down. The sharp sting as one body and spirit forced into the other soon abated as they mingled, finally whole.
Thranduil was nearly overwhelmed with ecstasy. He was flooded with such wonder and joy as he had not felt since he was a child, and his love for Elluin increased tenfold as the echoes of her own love amplified within his soul. He was enchanted by the smoothness of Elluin's flesh that so easily yielded to his touch, the strength in her muscles as she clung to him, the ease with which he could coax her body to move about his own, and each of the sweet sounds that escaped unbidden from her ruby lips as they learned pleasure from each other.
He sought her surrender, as he was instructed. The exertion needed for self-restraint was a secondary concern as his spirit careened alongside his mate's, melding together with every movement of their bodies in their union. Within himself, he felt that his presence had somehow increased to include Elluin, though the new part of him pulsed unsteadily, awaiting the moment to establish itself permanently there.
He opened his heart completely, shifting his old presence around to accommodate the new one even as he shifted his body. In response, a sudden cry made its way through the haze of his awareness and he realized that the moment of Elluin's surrender was close. Their fingers laced together, their voices rose together, and one final moment of effort allowed Thranduil to feel the entirety of Elluin's being become indistinguishable from his own before he followed her, plummeting into an even greater euphoria.
They floated there in bliss for long moments. Their spirits settled, now comfortably expanded and moored into two bodies. Slowly, heartbeats and breaths slowed, muscles relaxed, and skin cooled.
Elluin squeezed Thranduil's hand, still entwined with her own. He looked over to find her looking at him adoringly with a new light in her eyes, clearly perceptible in the dim room. The light of their bond, he realized, and smiled joyfully at her, sparking an identical expression on her face.
"I feel…perfect," she murmured.
His elation distracted Thranduil from the struggle required to move his limbs as he hugged Elluin close to him.
"You are perfect," he told her sincerely, fighting against a wave of fatigue.
Elluin studied his eyes for a moment with apparent satisfaction and snuggled against him. "Sleep, my love," she said, ready to do the same.
He managed to kiss her once more before obeying, with a song in his heart and, he thought, on his lips as his mind drifted up beyond the confines of the world alongside his mate.
*Again, Anne Dudley's song "I'd Pluck a Fair Rose"
