Born to Love Again, Again, and Again Part 11

Gimli and Ainslee were very happy that we had found love with one another, and they were anxious for Ainslee and me to meet King Thanduril. We sailed northeast and after many days reached Mirkwood. Gimli had been there before, but now with two women with flaming red hair, and one being a leprachaun, we drew quite a bit of attention. We appeared before the King who seemed to be pleased that his youngest son had returned home.

We settled down in one end of the castle and were made to feel very welcome in spite of the fact that we were "different". This was the first time that Legolas and I had a real bed to sleep in. Just seeing such a beautiful room filled with fragrant flowers, and the sight of a large confortable bed with a spread of white satin with gold threads made me feel like a princess. My desire for Legolas was heightened as we prepared to go to bed. He gave me a pale green silk gown and told me how beautiful I was. When I looked in the mirror, I no longer saw the worn out widow that I had been, but a younger version of myself. I could have sworn that the lines were gone from my face. I continued to stare in the mirror and he walked up behind me. We looked like the perfect couple. He began to kiss my neck and I turned and aggressively pushed him back on the bed. I could not believe the lover I had turned out to be. We took advantage of the comfortable bed, making love many times over way into the night. This once shy elf turned into a passionate lover.

I got up early the next morning and went to the spring to fetch water. Legolas was already up, and I figured he was out hunting or meeting with friends. I accidentally overheard voices coming from one on the rooms. It was Thrandruil roaring loudly at Legolas. He spoke in Elvish, but I understood every word. "She is mortal. How could you involve yourself with a mortal? You are royalty. If anything should happen to me and your brother, you will inherit the Throne of Mirkwood. What were you thinking of?"

"But Father, I love her......" Legolas said in a normal voice.

I could stay no longer. I ran back to our room and packed a few things, and went back to the ship. I crawled in my bunk and cried and cried. No one knew where I was. I just wanted to leave this place. After Legolas left his father, he went back to our room. When he could not find me, he began to search the grounds around the castle. No one had seen me. He got very worried and started to search the woods. Then he sat down under a tree and closed his eyes. He saw me in the bunk, curled up and crying. Right away he came to the ship. "Why are you so sad?" he asked.

"I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I heard what your father said. You have taken someone below your status. He does not see me as worthy of you." I sobbed. "He will force you to abandon me."

"Oh Catriona, A'Maelamin, he would not and could not do that. I have straightened it all out. He accepts you. He does not want me to take on a mortal life as our friend Arwen did when she married Aragorn. I told him I am not yet ready to die, and that it would be no problem for us. My love, we have not talked of this, but I do want to have a binding ceremony. However, you cannot take on the life of an elf because you are human, and I am not ready to take on the life of a mortal. This I will tell you. I will pledge myself to you for Eternity. You will be reborn over and over, and each time you will be mine, if you still want me." He looked at me with pleading eyes. Can I be your husband? Will you be my wife? We can have whatever kind of ceremony you wish. By the way, you should have seen my father's expression when I told him I'm going to be a father." Legolas beamed, "He is joyous."

We went back to the castle and next day we pledged ourselves to each other by a beautiful waterfall. I wore a dress of ivory silk with green ribbons to match my eyes. All of Mirkwood came to the ceremony and I was accepted by all, even King Thrandruil. We stayed for a month, and by then I knew for certain that I was pregnant. There was no morning sickness, but just a knowing that a little being was growing in my body and becoming stronger and bigger as each day went by. Finally we said goodbye to all and sailed back to the ocean. As a wedding present Thandruil gave us a chest of precious stones, rubies, emeralds and opals, along with many gold and silver coins. We received huge bolts of beautiful fabric woven by the elves.

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