THE GRIFFON'S TEARS

Chapter 16 ~ "Wedding Night"

"You are nervous," Legolas said softly as he drew Alede into his bedchamber. He spoke the words as a statement, not a question, for he could feel the slight trepidation in her song.

Alede glanced around his room, giving herself a moment to collect her thoughts. The glass balcony doors were open admitting a soft breeze. Music from the clearing drifted in faintly as well. She had seen his bedchamber many times, late at night when they were still discussing something, once when they had been drenched in a rain storm and he came in to put on a dry tunic, or the few times she had slept there with him, but now . . .

Now the rich wooded walls were only a backdrop to the luminous being in front of her. Alede stepped closer to him, looking up into the twilight depths of his eyes, the long skirts of her wedding gown rustling softly in the quietness of the room.

"I'm not very skilled at love making. I do not wish to disappoint you, so I suppose I am a little nervous," she said smiling shyly.

"So am I."

Alede's eyes widened in surprise. "You are? But . . ."

Legolas gave her that wide Elvin shrug. "We will be married for all of eternity. This is my only chance to make a good first impression."

Alede burst out laughing as he hoped that she would. He winked at her and she threw her arms around him, hugging him hard, realizing that he was trying to make her feel at ease.

Legolas grasped her waist and lifted her into the air, spinning her around, a look of joy on his face and a celebration of notes in his song. They both laughed out of sheer happiness, but when Legolas set her on her feet again, the bubbles of joy in their song changed to something deeper and richer.

"Melui . . ." Legolas whispered and his hands reached up to the flowers braided into her hair, loosening them so that his fingers could comb through the wavy strands. He brought one golden lock to his lips and kissed it.

Alede felt her knees tremble at his tender gesture. All her nerves tingled as his warm hands slid through her hair. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back slightly, enjoying his touch, enjoying the warm scent of his skin as he stood so close to her.

Legolas looked down at her. Alede's lips were slightly parted and in the soft candlelight he thought her the most beautiful woman he had ever known. He drank in the sight of her, watched the tiny pulse at the base of her throat, admired the pert tilt of her nose and the sweep of tawny lashes that lay against her cheeks.

"Alede . . . my sweet, Alede," he whispered. "Long have I wanted you and long have I loved you. You are so precious to me. Like the rising sun, you illuminate the lonely path my soul once walked. I am yours."

Alede could only gaze at him in wonder. His words had touched her to the depths of her own soul and she trembled with the force of her love and her desire for him.

Reaching up, she touched his face tenderly and watched, entranced as he kissed each of her fingertips. Then she reached around and gently loosened the single elegant braid in the back of his hair, pulling the silken strands forward over his shoulders and sliding her fingers through it. She closed her eyes as if touching him were her greatest wish. Her fingers traveled down, softly touching his throat and brushing over the high collar of his tunic.

Her eyes opened and her fingers hesitated over the top fastening. She smiled up at him a little nervously and waited, her eyes asking a question.

Legolas brushed his lips over her knuckles, granting her permission and she felt the flare of his desire leap to new heights, her own following it with breathtaking eagerness. She unfastened the first loop, then the next and then the third. Pushing the fabric aside, Alede stood on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his throat.

It was a simple little kiss, but it ignited the fire that was already burning within Legolas. He could feel the 'aman coire', the blessed awakening, beginning. It was the joining of their songs, a joining even deeper than what they had shared before. It was the eternal bond.

Reaching down, he brought Alede's hand gently up to the side of his face and closed his eyes. With his song, he projected all of his reverence, all of his love for her.

Alede gasped and looked at him in surprise as her own song blended and harmonized with his creating an exquisite symphony.

"What is happening?" she asked softly.

"It is called the 'aman coire'. It is the sharing of song between husband and wife, between eternal lovers."

"I don't understand. We have already shared song. This is something special, something different . . ." she shook her head, unable to express her thoughts.

"Aman coire goes beyond what we have already known. Before we shared a part of ourselves, now we become a part of each other," he explained.

But Alede still did not understand and Legolas continued. "Our minds have been singing to each other since that day I shared song with you in Mirkwood. Now our songs will harmonize, two separate instruments weaving one melody."

He placed a gentle hand upon the side of her throat, delicately touching her pulse.

"There will be other changes as well. When we make love, your heart will beat in time with mine and you will feel my emotions as I will feel yours."

"But I already feel your emotions," Alede whispered, her eyes wide with wonder and longing.

Legolas shook his head. "Nay, at this moment we can only 'read' each other's emotions. From what I have been told, the aman coire is something entirely different."

"Then you have never experienced this?" Alede asked, a little surprised. Legolas seemed so much more vastly experienced than she.

Smiling down at her, he said, "I have never taken an eternal lover before, so I know little more than you do."

Alede took a deep breath, smiling with relief. She had always felt more than a tinge of jealousy over Legolas' former lovers. There had been times, five years before, when that jealousy was turned to pain because of her despair. But at this moment, she felt honored and special. She would be Legolas' eternal lover, the one who would share the same song with him forever.

"Then we will come to understand it together," she said, nearly bursting with her joy. Taking his hand, she placed a tender kiss upon his palm, then, barely hesitating, she slid his hand down over the material of her gown and let it rest upon her breast.

Legolas took in a deep breath as well and stroked his thumb across the finely embroidered fabric, seeking the hard nub beneath. Alede tipped her head back as he touched her, swaying against him as she felt their mutual need overwhelm her.

Seized by a very un-Elvin impatience, Legolas wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed her, devouring her mouth, reveling in her taste and the strong thread of desire that sang in their songs. He felt her passion, like a banked fire waiting to be kindled by his love.

Alede's hands were moving over his shoulders and into his hair, tugging and caressing. She could feel his smoldering emotions, barely kept in check and thought that she might go up in flame from the heat of his desire.

He released her long enough to open the first button of her gown. He kissed the soft skin he had exposed and then he opened the next and the next, until he was able to help her step from the voluminous fabric. She held onto him as she kicked off her tiny slippers.

He untied the many ribbons of her chemise. Once he had pushed the silky fabric off her shoulders, he dropped to one knee and suckled one nipple into his mouth. Alede groaned and sunk her fingers into his hair. Her mouth was parted and her breath came in soft little pants. Her heart seemed to be pounding to an unfamiliar beat and she knew it was Legolas' passion that mingled with hers. She would have staggered if not for the strength of his hands upon her hips. As it was, she swayed and clutched at his shoulders while he laved her sensitive skin.

Eager to explore him further, Alede sank down to her knees in front of Legolas, bringing his fine hands to her mouth and kissing each of his fingers. There was a chair behind him and she gently pushed him onto it. Not caring that she knelt before him naked, she reached up to finish unfastening his tunic, then together they tugged off his doeskin boots and the rest of his clothing.

Legolas would have stood up to walk to the bed, but Alede prevented him by laying the side of her face upon his thigh.

"It was right here," she said, drawing ticklish little circles upon his skin. "Right here was the wound that I thought might kill you," she whispered, referring to when he had been captive in Orthanc so many years ago. "And it was when I was cutting the stitches from this wound that you teased me and deliberately frightened me. I fell in love with you at that moment and knew I was lost to you."

Legolas smiled and Alede felt as if all her bones had melted. Those dimples of his had charmed her from the start.

"And it was from that moment," Legolas said, "that I too, knew my life would be intertwined with yours, though I did not realize my love for you then." He tipped her chin up and looked at her seriously. "I do now."

"I know," she whispered, smiling up at him radiantly. Then she went back to nuzzling his thigh with the side of her face. Timidly, she leaned forward and nuzzled him somewhere else. Legolas sucked in a sharp breath and let his head fall back as she laved him with her tongue. His fingers threaded into her hair and he thought that Alede's tender exploration was far more erotic than even the most skilled of lovers could be. He knew that she could sense the wild exaltation of his emotions and it only encouraged her more. When he thought that he could stand it no longer, he nudged her up, lifting her in his arms and carried to the bed.

"There is a rule among my people," he said, laying down upon the soft mattress beside her, an impish smile curling his fine mouth.

"Oh?" Alede asked, the cool linens making her skin prickle even as she melted against Legolas' warmth.

"It states that the husband has the right to torment his wife first, not the other way around."

"Indeed?" Alede said with a laugh. "I have not heard of this rule. Are you sure you did not just make it up?"

Legolas grinned. "I confess that I did. But since my word is law in this kingdom, you must obey."

"Really?" there was just a hint of rebellion in Alede's eyes, before she spoke again. "And what other laws would you have me obey, my Lord?" she asked pertly.

Legolas' smile faded to a look of tenderness and Alede felt just the tiniest trace of vulnerability through their song. "To love me for all of eternity."

Alede caressed the side of his face. "That I will do with all my heart, Melui."

"As will I," he replied.

His mouth descended upon hers then claiming it with merciless skill, teasing, tugging with his teeth, then laving her parted lips with his tongue, priming her for its deeper invasion. His was the kiss of a king, enslaving her with his passionate will and with the promise of erotic pleasures to come. Alede knew that she would do anything for him and in return that she might ask any boon and have it granted.

Then all conscious thoughts vanished as they learned the maps of each other's skin. Their songs joined in an orchestra of ecstasy that was as complete and as fulfilling as the joining of their bodies.

~ ~ ~

Legolas lay on his side with his head propped up on one elbow watching Alede as she slept. He could not believe how precious she was to him. How had he survived all the long centuries without her? Now he could not imagine a day without her serene smile, her bright eyes.

He sighed contentedly and stretched. Astonishingly enough, a few of his muscles twinged in protest, causing a satisfied smile to spread over his face. He had used them rather strenuously last night and Alede, despite her protestations that she was fairly inexperienced, had proved to be a quick learner.

Grinning, he looked down at her again. Her lips were swollen from his kisses and her hair lay upon the pillow in wild disarray, reminding him of the first time he had woken up next to her. She had been a stranger then, but her limbs had been draped over him, spreading warmth through his chilled body. When she had opened her eyes, he had marveled at their leafy color.

He yearned to see those green eyes now, but by rolling over slightly, he could see that dawn was just barely tinting the sky.

*I should let her sleep.*

She had gotten little of it last night. But the temptation to see her eyes open and her lips smiling up at him was too much.

Taking a lock of her tousled hair, he tickled the end of her nose with it. She made a small sound and wrinkled her nose like a rabbit. Suppressing a laugh, he did it again.

This time, she wiggled around and pulled the blankets up over her face, leaving only her eyebrows peaking out. Legolas lost his battle then and laughed.

Movement beneath the covers and the groggy murmur of her song, told him that she was finally awake, though it took her a disoriented moment to find her way out from under the blankets.

"Good morning," she blinked up at him and her smile was as bright as a sunrise.

"Good morning," and he pulled her close for a bone-crushing hug. They held each other for a long time, touching and caressing, exchanging soft words. But after a while, Legolas noticed Alede's hand was drifting lower and lower between them and her song was beginning to sing a melody that his knew quite well.

"Tsk, tsk . . . what a wanton I am wed too," Legolas said shaking his head in mock dismay. **

"Call me a wanton again," Alede challenged, "and I'll bite you."

Legolas never missed a beat. "Wanton. Wild woman. Strumpet . . . Ai!"

"Serves you right," Alede said, raising her head from where she had thrown back the blankets and bitten him.

"I should have added that you were a vicious wanton. Look at the red mark you've left from biting me!" he exclaimed.

"Uhm . . ." Alede began. "I don't think that 'red mark' is from me biting you. I think its because you're . . ." She gave a squeak of surprise as Legolas tackled her and pushed her giggling down onto the mattress. Her protests continued until they turned into soft sighs of pleasure.

It was a very long time before they finally got out of bed.

~ ~ ~

Legolas sat patiently while Alede finished the warrior's braid on the side of his hair. Her lower lip was caught between her teeth as she concentrated on getting it perfectly even. She had had to do the right side twice before she was satisfied with it.

"I think that's got it," she said, straightening up and looking him over carefully.

Legolas ran experienced fingers over the braids. After a couple thousand years, he no longer needed a mirror to check them.

"Thank you, Melui," he said with a grin. She had been tending him from head to toe since they had gotten out of their bath. He stood up, his hands touching her tenderly and finished tying the ribbons of her gown, an activity that had gotten interrupted earlier.

"Thank you," she said. "Do you still need to speak with Mändel with morning?"

Legolas nodded. "Aye, though I hope not for long. He is going to usurp my kingdom if I do not make a few decisions soon. I have been too busy of late and he is slowly working himself into a fit of hysteria over my laxness," Legolas grinned. "And part of my function as Lord here is to keep Mändel from working himself into a fit."

Alede chuckled and kissed his cheek. "Then join me for breakfast when you can. I don't know that I can be parted from you for more than half an hour or so."

"Neither can I," he said, returning the kiss. Before he left, he added. "Whatever you do, do not seek out my father. He consumed enough wine last night to drink a dwarf under the table. I imagine that he is as surely as a wild boar this morning."

Alede grinned at him, but after he had left, she walked out of the door in the direction of Thranduil's guest quarters.

~ ~ ~

A/N: **Does anyone know what movie this quote comes from? "Tsk, tsk . . . what a wanton I am wed too." It is one of my very favorite movies, spoken by a ruggedly handsome actor with dark hair. Any guesses? :)

****Hope you enjoyed this chapter - it's been a long haul getting those two in the sack, hasn't it? lol! I see from your wonderful reviews that many of you are still quite worried about that Death Spell of Zarraweth's *laughs evilly* and well you should be. ;) :D :D Find out what happens next week in chapter 17! ;)

*** "Heart of a King": for those of you, wonderful people who are following that story, I'm afraid there won't be an update this week. Sorry! But I'm running behind. Anyone willing to come do my chores so I can work on it? :D :D :D

***"Pirates of the Caribbean": Is anyone else just dying for that movie to come out, or am I the only one???!!! I adore pirate movies!!!!! (I know, a sure sign that I have bad taste - *sigh*) Have any of you noticed that the skull that is used for the logo is wearing the exact same bandana, beads, pieces of eight, etc. that Johnny Depp is wearing?? Go take a look at the wallpapers on the official sight - I swear they are the same. So that raises the question: does Johnny Depp's character come under the curse as well? Very interesting.

***Legolaslover2003 - You watch Errol Flynn movies!!!????? Yippee! I thought I was the only person on the planet who did! My grandmother got me hooked on them. She shyly admitted to me one day that she had been madly in love with him in her twenties and I found that so amusing that I HAD to watch one of his movies. I ended up loving it! I love the romanticism, a far cut above today's movies and of course the swashbuckling and the sword fights.

My favorite is "Captain Blood" and I adore "The Sea Hawks" and "Robin Hood". Have you seen any other good ones? I'm eagerly looking forward to "Pirates of the Caribbean." Orlando has reminded me of Errol from the very first, so it will be fun to see him in a pirate movie.

And here's just a bit of trivia for you . . . Olivia de Havalind, who was so often Errol Flynn's leading lady, admitted many years after his death that she had been in love with him all those years, but never told him. Rather sad and romantic, eh?

*** Original Character List ***

Alede the Green - Witch, healer and wizard. She is daughter of Radagast the Brown. After the death of her mother, she was raised in Rivendell for a while and learned healing skills from Elrond. She also developed a terrible crush on Elrohir, which he has gently teased her about for centuries. She also spent some time learning the wizarding craft at Orthanc under the tutelage of Saruman. Because she felt her healer's calling was more important, and because she considered herself a poor wizardess, Alede never completed her training at Orthanc.

Cyrus the Blue - The forth Maia to be sent to Middle Earth and friend to Radagast the Brown

Lomomir - Brother to King Thranduil of Mirkwood and a healer. He has spent the last many years in Rivendell studying with Alede and reading from Elrond's many books and journals.

Maladok the Red - The fifth Maia sent to Middle Earth. After a disastrous encounter with Saruman, Maladok has become a bit of a "black sheep" in the wizarding world.

Zarraweth - A young human witch with more plans and beauty than is good for her.

Malina - A healer and witch of the Angmar Mountains. She was married to Radagast the Brown and was Alede's mother. She was killed by a mob of religious fanatics who thought her witchcraft had brought plague to a village when instead she had been trying to cure it. Alede was only sixteen when Malina was killed.

Mändel - Legolas' steward. He originally served under Thranduil in Mirkwood in a lesser position.

Galomir - Ithilien's healer.

Girwyn - A general in Legolas' army. He is in charge of Ithilien's security.

Nimhith - A she-Elf of Eryn Culhallas, assigned by Legolas to be Alede's lady's maid.

Romiël - A she-Elf captured 700 years ago by Sauron as her people were making their way to the Gray Havens.

Romion - Romiel's brother and also a captive of Sauron for 700 years.