When Legolas woke up, Alphelion was already dressed. When he looked at her, she was preparing his clothes for the day.
"What are you doing with my clothes?" Legolas asked sleepily.
"I am doing what a normal good wife is supposed to do for her husband. I laid them out for you so you don't have to do it yourself." Alphelion was walking around the room getting everything for Legolas.
Legolas got out of the bed, and walked up behind her, "What is with the sudden change in your hatred for me?" He bent his head down close to her ear, "Do not tell me that you have a heart for me? Giving up so soon, don't you think?" he snickered.
Alphelion turned around and pushed Legolas' clothes harshly into his chest, "Next morning, you do it yourself. I was doing you a favor because of your promise to take me to your father's memorial ground. I guess it was all for nothing."
Legolas' mood grew tense, and he walked toward the bathing room.
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Legolas and Alphelion walked to the dinning hall together after he finished with his morning routine. Most of the remaining guests were getting ready to depart for their journey home. The king and new queen of Mirkwood bid them farewell. They both continued toward the hall where only Altus and Biendis waiting for them.
"I see that you both are alive and well, I am glad that you didn't kill each other on your first night together." Altus greeted them.
"Good morning to you too my friend." Legolas glared at Altus and walked to his chair.
Altus turned his head toward Biendis, "This is not good. I would rather see them arguing than being silent. At least I know what is on their minds." He whispered.
All he got was a soft smile from Biendis.
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"I will go to the city after I take Alphelion to my father's tomb." Legolas spoke as he mounting his horse.
"Why are we taking only one horse?" Alphelion asked and held on to Legolas hand as he helping her getting on the horse.
"The riding to the hill is very steep and sluggish, I think that it will be easier for you to ride with me." He replied.
"Thank you for your concern." She gently stated her appreciation.
Alphelion straddled in front of Legolas. He told her that it would be easier for him to control the horse and that he wouldn't have to worry about her falling off the horse. He got a cold glance from her in response to the last reason.
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The ride was disturbingly quiet and Legolas couldn't stand it anymore, "When I have a companion during the ride to anyplace it is never this quiet. I think this is a good time and place to learn more about you."
"Is there anything else about me that you don't know? I thought you knew enough." She retorted. "However, I do not remember saying this to you but I want you to know that I am sorry about what happen to your father. If I could turn back the time, I would not have let that happen."
Legolas halted the horse, "I don't need your pity. I need you to pay back the deed that happened in the past."
"I've never pitied you, not for one second. I only want you to know my motive and that I want you to stop doing whatever you are doing to anyone else. Revenge is not something that innocent people should have to deal with when it has nothing to do with them." She explained.
"Whatever happen to your people has nothing to do with me. I am not the one who spent all the wealth that you have till the last grain of it is gone. Now is the time for you and your people to pay back what you have done to others. It is the circle that you and your people have started, and you will just have to finish it." He started galloping again.
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Thranduil's body was placed in the hall Legolas had made as the monument for his father. It was located on the top of the hill. The hall made of white marble. The sunlight reflected the brightness of the white stone.
Legolas led Alphelion through the great hall. There was a statue of Thranduil made out of silvery metal.
"Only a statue, where did you place your father's body." Alphelion turned to face Legolas.
Legolas stood there like a stone. He stared fixedly at his father stature, "There a is room behind this stature. I closed it. I wanted that room to be private. I do not appreciate anyone disturbing the peace for my father," he turned to her, "Do you want to go in there?"
"If you would grant me the privilege, that would be a great honor." She gave him her most sensitive gaze.
He nodded, "Follow me." Legolas walked toward the door as Alphelion followed him. He placed his hand in his tunic and pulled out a set of keys. He picked one and unlocked the door.
The room was dark and cold. Legolas lit the only torch on the wall. The light flickered down on the massive tomb in front of them. Alphelion walked over to the front of the tomb and kneeled down. Legolas stood behind her. The place was silent. Alphelion placed on hand on the side of the tomb and shut her eyes. Legolas gazed at the back of her head. Tear started to glide down Alphelion's face. She opened her eyes and got up.
"Let's go." Legolas uttered his first word.
Alphelion turned her head back toward him. Her eyes revealed the wetness from the tears and new teardrops were forming in her eyes. Legolas lifted his hand up to her face and wiped away the tears. Instead of lowering his hand he gently caressed her cheek.
"I know what you are going to tell me but I am tried of hearing you telling me about how much you are sorry for what happened in the past. You've lost your father too. You know the pain of losing someone who is the most dear to your life. Now you know my pain." Not moving his hand, he bent down slow and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Smiling up to him, "This place is magic. It calms you down. I can feel the peace the second I walk in here. I think when we are mad at each other we should come here. It eases out our anger."
Alphelion heart sang when she saw Legolas' lips smile at her. Legolas softly grabbed one of Alphelion hands and held it. He extinguished the torch and locked the room. They walked out from the great hall and got back on the horse.
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Holding the horse's rein in one hand, Legolas was walking along side with Alphelion through the city in the warm sunny daylight. People were starting to accept their new queen. Some came up to Alphelion and warmly greeted her, but some just ignored her and walked away.
Resting on the bench secluded away from the people, they started to talk about the issues in city that needed to be tended to.
"Your city's abundant. You are doing a really great job of taking care of your people. Your father would have been really proud of you. I think all you need is more time with your people. One thing, it seems that your people are healthy but I think you might need a more complete healing hall. I think that having only one for the whole city must be really hard for the people who live farther away and there might be a problem with the shortage of healers sometime." Alphelion felt like someone was watching her face. She turned to see Legolas staring at her.
"Your father must have taught you well how to see through problems and solve them. I am glad to have you here with me." Holding her hand again.
Alphelion looked at him confusingly, "Legolas, are you alright? You are glad that I am here? You've changed ever since we left your father's tomb. You are supposed to be getting revenge on me, not forming a friendship."
"Well if you want me to do that then, I will." Legolas got up instantly.
Alphelion jumped up after him and stopped him by grabbing his arm, "No! I am just confused by your change of behavior," turning him to face her, "I think we have just see through the wall between us. This is a good start for our life together. One question, you are not going to seek revenge on me anymore?"
Legolas' face formed sneaky smile, "Well, let just say I changed my strategy." He winked at her.
They walked out of the city and journey back to the palace.
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When they got to the palace they walked to the stable to return the horse. They walked back to the palace through the garden. They stumbled upon Altus and Biendis talking to each other in the garden. Legolas led Alphelion to the gigantic tree and they hid behind the tree.
Alphelion whispered to Legolas behind the tree, "Legolas I don't think we should do this. Give them some privacy."
Legolas chuckled, "There is no way that I will pass this type of opportunity up. It is not everyday that I get to see my best friend and advisor wooing a maiden in the middle of my garden."
Alphelion shook her head disbelief at Legolas' action. When Altus was about to kiss Biendis, Legolas and Alphelion's eyes widened. Legolas about to let out his laugh, but Alphelion put her hand on his mouth instantly.
"Legolas, you are being childish. We are leaving, now!" With the other hand she pulled him up on his feet and walked to the palace quickly.
They were holding hands and running like a young elf couple. Legolas was laughing the whole time as Alphelion pulled him away with her.
"You are a king and I am a queen. What we have done is not appropriate, do you know that?" Alphelion yelled toward him as they were sprinting back to the palace.
"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy watching that. I saw your eyes open wide." Still laughing.
They both stopped at the door of their chamber and panting rapidly. They opened the door and shut it behind them.
When they turned to look at each other, they let out a loud laugh. Legolas was lying down on the bed laughing so hard and rolling on the bed. Alphelion was looking at him smiling. All of the sudden Legolas fall of the bed with the loud "thud" sound. Alphelion ran to the other side of the bed the moment she saw him falling off the bed.
"Legolas, are you alright?" Alphelion asked with a concerned look on her face. She flipped him over to see him smiling up at her. Alphelion face turned red with anger, "Don't do that again! You scared me." She got up but Legolas pulled her back down.
"You should have seen your face. It was like you saw someone die. If I died, you would be happy, wouldn't you?" the mood turned serious in just a few seconds.
"If you died, I probably wouldn't live long after you. I am already in this life, you cannot die and leave me to live alone. We are immortal and I want to keep it that way." Alphelion turned away.
Legolas sat up from the floor and turned her face toward him with his fingertip tenderly, "Then I will be here with you forever."
"Thank you." Alphelion replied happily.
"I think we should go to the dining hall. Altus and Biendis are probably waiting for us by now." Legolas got up and helped Alphelion up on her feet.
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At the dinner, Legolas and Alphelion kept on glancing at each other and hiding their smiles. Altus and Biendis were too lost in their own world to notice that the other couple at the table was looking at them suspiciously.
"Alphelion, I don't have any business to tend to tomorrow. I want to give you an archery lesson for you own protection like I promised before. Are you willing to start tomorrow?" Legolas asked all of the sudden.
All three of them looked at him, "I think that will be just fine, Legolas." Alphelion answered him.
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After the meal, they all went to their own quarters. Legolas told Alphelion that he would be in his study for a few moments to clear out some paper work. When she got to the chamber she took a bath and changed into the nightclothes. She put on her robe and walked out to the balcony. She was standing and looking up into the sky. When Legolas was back in the chamber she didn't even notice him. The whole time when he was cleaning and changing himself into the nightclothes, Alphelion didn't even realize that he was there.
Legolas walked up behind her and placed his hands on her waist. That startled her instantly and caused her to turn around and loose her balance. Legolas quickly held by her waist before she hit the ground. He pulled her up slowly. He laughed softly, "I am really sorry for startling you like that." Held her close in his arms.
"Why are you constantly startling me today? Is this your new strategy that you mentioned before?" She shifted around to get a better balance on her legs. She placed her hands on his arms so that she had something to hold on to.
"Not actually but if you insist on giving me the chance, then I will take it. What were you thinking anyway? Your mind was totally someplace else." He put a strand of her light brown hair and placed it back behind her pointy ear.
She turned back and looked up in the sky, "I like the sky here at night. There are a lot of stars to see. Back at Mirdonost they were so dim you rarely saw them. It was dark and gloomy. All I usually saw was the moon." She sighed softly.
"I have seen you at night looking up the sky. I always wondered why you were so interested in it. Now I know. I've lived here all my life and see it every night. I didn't realize there are so many stars during the nighttime. At least there is something about Mirkwood that you like." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "Is there anything else in Mirkwood that you like?" he whispered into her pointy ear.
Alphelion leaned back against his strong chest and rested her head on his shoulder, "I don't know, I need more time before I can answer you that." She turned her face a little toward him, "I have only been here for a little while. But I can tell you that I don't hate anything around here."
"Including me?" His blue eyes matched her green ones.
Alphelion lifted herself up and turned around in his arms to look at him, "We only have known each other for only a few months but I want you to know that I don't like feeling hatred for anything or anyone. I have never hated anyone and I am not going to start that now either."
"After all I have done to you, you still do not hate me for it? You are too kind and optimistic. Promise me that I am the only exception."
"You want me to start to hate…" Legolas placed his finger on her lip to stop her.
"Just promise me," he demanded calmly.
"I promise." she replied, a bit bemused by the request, but willing to do as he said.
"Thank you."
Legolas pulled Alphelion closer and he hugged her, "Are you falling in love with me?" he asked.
Alphelion giggled at his comment, "Do you want me too?"
"I am your husband. Yes, I want you to love me." His tone was amused.
"Well, are you?" she asked back.
"I am beginning too." He moved out from the hugging position.
"Me too." She had the sweetest smile on her face.
Legolas bent his head. He slowly moved closer until their lip met. Their eyes slowly closed, and she parted her mouth and Legolas had the full access to her sweet tongue. The kiss was long, slow, and torturing for both of them. He sucked her lower lip for a moment and gently brushed it with his tongue before he pulled away, gaining a soft moan from her.
"You teaser." Alphelion quipped.
"Well now you know my new strategy." That earned him a swat from her.
Legolas dragged Alphelion gently back into the chamber and shut the door to the balcony. Alphelion took off her robe and got into the bed while Legolas was already tucked in.
"I want to know more about you." They turned toward each other.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything."
"Well, my mother died when I was about 250 years old. My father and I were really close, but Dealach and I never had a close sibling relationship. It was like we were in totally different world. I spent most of my time with my father and helping him with his duties. That's probably why I am capable of solving the problems in the city. I had to do it constantly when I was at Mirdonost." She started to yawn.
Legolas smiled at her, "You can tell me more later. We've had a long day today."
Alphelion touched his cheek softly and pecked him on the lips. She turned the other way and fell to sleep in an instant. Legolas watched her and played with her hair.
What am I doing? I want to love her but I feel like I can't commit myself to do it. I hope that I am doing to right thing. I have to live with her for eternity; I guess it is not a harm to love my wife. Is it?