Môr Godref - A Night Together
The next morning Calina dragged herself out of Legolas' arms and back to her room to pack up her things. She also dragged Lathrin out of another argument with Verlat without even bothering to ask what it was about that time. She settled herself on her horse to ride back home. She and Lathrin went ahead of their belongs which were again taken on a slow moving cart and as they went along they chatted vaguely about their surrounds, carefully avoiding any mention of the court. Calina was trying to forget her meeting with Landuil that morning. She had gone to offer her condolences and apologise for her entire part in the affair, even when she knew it was not her fault. Calina would never forget the haunted look on his face or the sound of the weeping of the rest of the family. He understood why she was leaving, but thanked her for her concern. Calina also saw Thranduil before she left. For the first time, the ages really showed on the King's face. She blocked these thoughts from her head and was thankful she would have plenty to keep her busy on her return home. The workshop would have to be cleared and as much salvaged as possible. She was miserable at the thought of years of hard work gone to ruin.
They approached the village on the main path. Her fellow elves stared at her and began whispering. It seemed that gossip had reached there and yet again she was the centre of speculation. Calina urged her horse into a gallop as she saw the workshop in the distance. It was still standing which was good news and inside many of the tools remained undamaged, but the fire had been started where they kept the finished articles and also in the wood store. She still had a workshop, but nothing to show for it and nothing to start again with.
Calina sat thoughtfully looking around her perched on a workbench. She had started from scratch once before and she could do it again, she knew that, but did she want to? She had a contract with Gimli to fulfil after all, she could not go back on her word. She was pleased the decision had been made for her, and she didn't have to choose herself. It was a matter of not giving the dwarves the chance to have further grievances with the elves. Lathrin placed a hand lightly on her shoulder and said,
"Come on Calina. It will all still be here tomorrow. Why do you not go home and unpack? The wagon will be here soon." Calina turned her head to look at Lathrin, whose eyes were full of sadness seeing the workshop in such a bad state, and nodded,
"You are right, Lathrin. It will be nice to be home again."
"Would you like me to stop by later?"
"No thank you, Lathrin. That is very kind of you, but I think I would like to be on my own for a little while. I need to do some thinking about all of this."
"Very well, but you know where I am if you want to talk."
"Thank you." And Calina embraced her friend as if she were her sister and left for her cosy flet. Calina cleared the fallen leaves from around the base of the tree and from the ledge around her flet before the wagon arrived. The guard helped haul her belongings up the rope ladder and deposited them on the floor of her main room. She thanked him and he bowed and left.
Calina busied herself in tidying up. She dusted and swept before putting everything back in the exact some place it had been before she left. Autumn was coming on and the flet got dark early so she lit candles and sat down in one of her comfy chairs with a piece of paper and a pen, intending to do some thinking as to what to do in the morning. Instead of forming any conclusions she began to sketch. What formed was the most beautifully carved chair. This was to be for Gimli, he had wanted something to befit his position as Lord of the Glittering Caves and wanted something to remind him of his time in Lothlórien and the lady Galadriel. Though Calina had never seen either, she knew what he was after and finally the idea came to her. The carvings were of intricate leaves, of woodland creatures, and many other symbols which represented the woodland elves. She was putting the finishing touches to it when she heard a stone bang against the side of her flet, followed by another and another. Calina picked up a candle and went warily to the window. In the dim light she saw a horse tied to the tree and an elf looking for his way up her tree. Calina laughed and let down the rope ladder,
"I think you will find this way much easier your highness," and quick as a flash Legolas was in her flet and wrapping her up in his arms,
"I could not stay at the palace, knowing you were here all by yourself. I had to be with you. I missed the light that surrounds you and lightens my heart and your soft body and your warmth and the feel of your lips on mine," and he claimed her lips with his. Calina felt his desperation as he drank in her taste and stroked his fingers over her face to remind him of its features. Calina let herself get swept up in this sudden passion for a short while before recollecting herself and gently breaking the kiss,
"Legolas what is it? What is wrong? You should not go riding in the dark like this, you could get hurt."
"I wanted to see you," he said quietly and he appeared to Calina like a lost little boy,
"How is your father?" She asked,
"Sad. They are leaving for the West as soon as they can, but father is to remain behind. He bears it well, and to all but his family he appears the same, but I know, I can feel his pain." Legolas buried his face in Calina's neck, feeling her hair brush against his face and her sweet smell envelope him, "I do not know what to do. I do not know how to help him Calina. It scares me. He has always been so strong."
"Hush my love. Let your heart guide you. You love your father very much and that love will help you find your way."
"My heart led me here to be with you and not with my father," Legolas said regretfully,
"And I am glad it did Legolas, for I need you too, but not in the same way. You must go back to the palace in the morning as soon as it is light, then perhaps he may not know that you had left," Calina decided.
"I am afraid I disturbed you. Were you busy?"
"No it was nothing that cannot wait. I had almost finished." Calina picked up a loose piece of paper from the table, "How do you think Gimli will like this, Legolas?" Legolas stepped out of Calina's arms and held the paper with both hands. He studied it intently for several minutes, examining every part of Calina's design,
"You are asking me to say if Gimli will like this?" Calina nodded, "Well I do not think an elf has ever been asked to guess the opinion of a dwarf, but in this task I will say with certainty that Gimli will be only too pleased to receive such a marvellous piece. I can picture him now, sitting in it, smoking his disgusting pipe and ordering people about. Oh yes, this will suit him very well Calina." She sighed with relief. Legolas' approval was the next best thing in Gimli's absence. She would still have the design sent to Gimli in Erebor, along with a note explaining the delay, but now she was less anxious,
"Legolas, will you write a note to Gimli at my dictation?"
"Write it yourself, he knows Sindarin." Legolas said absentmindedly trailing his lips across her cheek and over her forehead. Calina took a step back away from his lips,
"So the note he wrote in dwarfish?"
"I think Gimli was trying to help things along."
"What do you mean?" said Calina, intrigued by the smile that played on Legolas' lips.
"Do you remember that drawing I did of you when we first met, and the frame you made for it?" Calina nodded, how could she forget? "I took it with me to Gondor and Rohan and everywhere else. Gimli could never quite place the face. He knew that it was familiar, but could not remember from where. He asked me on numerous occasions, but I would never tell him until one night when he let me drink too much wine and I let slip. He asked me why I kept it and I told him I did not know. I did not know until I saw you again and I realised that I had been in love you for all that time and not known it. I wanted to be able to see that beautiful elf every morning beside me in bed, not just in a drawing resting on the bedside cabinet. " Legolas stepped forward so he was close to Calina again. She felt her heart swell at his declaration. His voice lowered and softened as he put one hand through Calina's hair and cupped the back of her head gently, "And of course, there would not be any healers' gowns involved either." Calina smiled. The sad atmosphere had been lifted and she saw Legolas smiling back at her. The playfulness in her rose again and she took another step out of his reach,
"Is that so Legolas? Tell me, why is it you are so sure that I should want to share your bed?" She raised an eyebrow and Legolas raised one to match,
"I am a Prince of the realm. Every young lady wishes the love of a prince does she not?"
"Aye my lord, all young she elves desire that, but it is only a story. We quickly grow up and realise that Princes are far too high above lowly country girls."
"But Calina you are a young she elf compared to many. Age is only a relative term. Have you grown out of the story yet?" Calina could not contain herself anymore. She moved forward and pressed her body against Legolas'. It was warm and strong and she breathed in his scent, sending her almost giddy. Her arms slid around his waist and she leant up to kiss the corner of his mouth. She pulled back slightly and let the tip of her nose rub against his. Her eyes flickered up to find his, and she whispered, letting her breathe tickle his skin,
"Ask me again in the morning."
For Legolas that was all the encouragement he needed. He claimed her with a deep kiss feasting on the now familiar taste her mouth yielded. He smiled against her as Calina produced soft moans of pleasure and put her hands on his face, keeping his lips pressed against hers. Legolas pulled his lips away with a great effort and Calina let her hands slide through his hair, undoing the intricate braids and combing them through with her fingers. Legolas placed as trail of kisses down her neck and along her collarbone, occasionally taking little teasing nips as he went. Calina groaned audibly now, momentarily forgetting her task as Legolas' attentions switched to her ear. Legolas missed the touch of her fingers and stopped so she would finish undoing his hair. Legolas ran the very tip of his tongue from the soft skin behind her ear all the way down her jaw line till he found her mouth again. Once his hair was all undone and brushed out he moved back to her other ear and yet again Calina moaned at his touch. Her hands went to his chest and began to toy with the buttons on his tunic. Legolas felt this and pulled back, but placed his hand over hers. Calina looked up at him,
"You have not seen my bedroom have you?" She asked him softly. Legolas shook his head. Calina turned her hand over under his and wound her fingers through his, "It is this way." Calina led him through another door and along a little corridor at the back of her flet. Legolas expected to see a room similar to the other, filled with wooden furniture, but he could not have been more wrong. As Calina pushed open the door, the difference in styles became truly apparent. There was almost no wood, except on the simple bed frame and one dresser. The room was filled with floating fabrics in soft draping arcs from point to point around the room. These were illuminated further as Calina lit a vast number of small candles around the room which cast dancing shadows on the walls as the flames flickered in the draught. Legolas tried to take it all in. The room described another side of Calina from the stark, work-orientated main room. This side was soft and gentle like the fabrics and as complicated as the glimmering light that danced about the room, but even if it took all eternity, Legolas would try to solve the mystery in Calina. She finished lighting the candles and beckoned him over to the window. She lifted the drapes to show him the view across the forest. The moonlight skimmed off treetops and the stars shone in a bright band across the sky. Legolas was standing slightly behind Calina and grew bored of watching the outside world. He cared more about what was in that room than everything else in the entire universe put together so he tried to bring Calina back to him and started to nibble at the side of her neck. Calina giggled to herself and let the drapes fall back into place. She turned around and let Legolas sweep her up and place her on the bed.
Legolas sat down beside her and let one hand fall to her leg as the other tucked under her chin and guided her lips to his. Gradually Calina's skirt became more and more bunched up by her waist as Legolas' hand wandered further and further up her thigh whilst never breaking their kiss. Legolas felt the curve of her hip and finally his hand could go no further. Calina's hands had been playing with his clothes and his tunic was undone and pushed back over his shoulders and she had begun to start unbuttoning his breeches as well. Legolas felt the cold air of the room against his skin as the last button came undone. Neither of them wanted to waste anymore time and they stood up and shed their clothes. Both breathless from the passion of their kiss, they watched each other for a moment, a slight sweat on their brows, the rapid rise of their chests, that knowing glint in each other's eye. Calina reached out a tentative hand and ran her fingers down Legolas' chest. She felt him shudder at her touch, and she knew she was trembling too. Her hand moved to his arm and down to his hand. Calina took it and kissed the palm and let him caress her cheek gently. She pulled him back towards the bed and slowly pulled him down with her as she lay down pushing the covers back.
Calina lay on her side propping herself up with one arm. She raised an eyebrow at Legolas, who was lying facing her, teasingly, and said, "Good night Legolas," and turned away from him. There was a splutter of disbelief from behind her and Calina rolled back over, giggling uncontrollably. Legolas pouted at her and Calina brought herself back under control, "I am sorry my love. I could not resist." Legolas lay on his back pretending to ignore her. Calina giggled once more and knelt astride Legolas. She knew he did not really mind at all and his current state was testament to that. She leant forward, hands either side his face with her hair falling down, enclosing her face and his and kissed him longingly. This lit a flame of passion inside Legolas and he roughly pushed Calina off of him and knelt astride her.
"If you are tired Calina, I will go back to the palace and let you sleep. I will just get my clothes." Legolas shifted his weight so Calina would think he was going to move off the bed. Calina grabbed his arm so he would not move,
"Wait Legolas. Please stay. I cannot have you riding in the dark, you might ride into something."
"Is that the reason you want me to stay? I assure you Calina, I am perfectly capable of riding in the dark. You need not trouble your conscience." Legolas moved again and again Calina pulled him back,
"Alright you win! Legolas do not go and leave me all alone," she looked at him from beneath her lashes, "please? I will be good."
"Ah now you see there is the problem. I would much rather you were bad." His mouth crunched down on hers releasing all that he had managed to keep bottled up inside. Calina yielded beneath him at his slightest touch and she soon felt his fingers brush against her core. She pushed her body against his letting him know her need and Legolas quickly responded. Calina felt him guide himself inside her and let her body move against his. Calina's cry tickled Legolas ear and he let out a cry of pleasure as he began to thrust inside her gently as if she would break at first and then faster and harder as the passion and lust took over. Calina cries mingled with his and they became more frequent and louder. She looked into Legolas' eyes and drowned in the love that poured out from them. She kissed him, first on the lips and then all over his face, becoming more and more desperate, as if her life depended on his. Their cries broke the silence of the forest around them as the lovers, hands entwined, found their release and collapsed into each other's arms before sleep claimed them.
The morning dawned cold and misty, but Calina remained true to her word and made Legolas breakfast as the Sun rose. She sang as she went to fetch water from a nearby stream and looked lovingly at the food as it cooked on the stove. Legolas emerged dressed from her bedroom as she set the food on the table,
"You did not need to cook me anything Calina. I will be back at the palace for breakfast." She just shrugged and turned pick up an apple from the fruit bowl. Once she had eaten that Calina began to clean the kitchen while Legolas was still eating what she had cooked. She heard the cutlery crash down on the plate and his chair scrape back just before a pair of arms went around her waist and a chin rest on her head. Calina dropped the rag she was cleaning with and held the arms against her, "One more thing before you send me down that rope ladder of yours my lady Birch."
"What is that my lord?"
"The matter of princes falling in love with country girls."
"Ah now you see I cannot answer that. How does a country girl know how to judge the heart of a prince? Hers is most certainly given to him, but she will never be able to tell the other way."
"Well I have some experience in these matters. I would say it could be possible for him to care."
"Only care? The poor country girl." Calina picked up her rag again and began to polish the wooden surface in front of her,
"More than care. I would go so far as to say that she makes the prince feel like the only other person in a world specially crafted for them where the Sun comes out every time she smiles and her words are like music in his ears, the most beautiful song ever heard." Calina turned in his arms to look at him,
"I love you Legolas."
"I love you Calina." They shared a brief kiss before Calina shooed him from her kitchen,
"Legolas your father needs you. As much as I want you to stay, it is far more important you are with him now. I will see you soon, I promise."
"You are right. I just do not want to be parted from you. Come to the palace soon. I shall not be able to leave for a while I should think and I do not like sneaking about at night. It will only worry father if he does not know what I am doing."
"Legolas I think your father is old enough to guess what you will be up to, but I truly believe that this is the time for you to act like the prince you are. Make sure he has time to spend with his brother before they leave."
"I will, my love. I just wish you were coming back with me."
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder Legolas, remember that. Ride safely." Calina kicked the rope ladder down and Legolas planted one last kiss on her forehead before climbing down and getting back on his horse and riding off.
Calina sighed as she rolled the ladder back up. She went to wash and dress and prepare for the task of salvaging her workshop. It was not one she relished.
Calina and Lathrin arrived at the workshop at midmorning and began to sort through what could be kept and what was beyond repair. They had many of the tools and some wood, enough to make a good start on remaking the furniture for Gimli that had burnt. That calmed Calina at least, she could get back to work soon and take her mind off how much she missed Legolas. That afternoon she and Lathrin went to round up all the workers from the village. Calina called them all together and explained that business would be resumed the next day. She would not be letting any of the staff go, which was a visible relief to them all, and she blamed none of them for any negligent behaviour as far as the fire was concerned. No one except Lathrin knew the truth. That afternoon, with the help of some of the workers, they managed to move the part of the roof that had caved in, blocking the entrance to Calina's office. She was dreading what she would find inside - seventeen years of designs, contacts and customers turned to ashes, but thankfully, the roof seemed to have protected the office, and apart from a great deal of dust, nothing was damaged. A covering was placed across the roof. The next day those who were not working on the furniture could fix it properly, but Calina was too tired to carry on that day and went home on her own. She was half-hoping Legolas would go against her wishes and return that night. She felt very lonely as the cold wind blew through the branches of the bare tree. Calina stoked the fire in her bedroom and pulled the covers over her head, trying to shut out the loneliness, but the bed was cold and empty without Legolas there curled up against her. She fell asleep wondering how only one night could change the way she felt about her home of so many years, and dreamt of the night before.
The next morning Calina dragged herself out of Legolas' arms and back to her room to pack up her things. She also dragged Lathrin out of another argument with Verlat without even bothering to ask what it was about that time. She settled herself on her horse to ride back home. She and Lathrin went ahead of their belongs which were again taken on a slow moving cart and as they went along they chatted vaguely about their surrounds, carefully avoiding any mention of the court. Calina was trying to forget her meeting with Landuil that morning. She had gone to offer her condolences and apologise for her entire part in the affair, even when she knew it was not her fault. Calina would never forget the haunted look on his face or the sound of the weeping of the rest of the family. He understood why she was leaving, but thanked her for her concern. Calina also saw Thranduil before she left. For the first time, the ages really showed on the King's face. She blocked these thoughts from her head and was thankful she would have plenty to keep her busy on her return home. The workshop would have to be cleared and as much salvaged as possible. She was miserable at the thought of years of hard work gone to ruin.
They approached the village on the main path. Her fellow elves stared at her and began whispering. It seemed that gossip had reached there and yet again she was the centre of speculation. Calina urged her horse into a gallop as she saw the workshop in the distance. It was still standing which was good news and inside many of the tools remained undamaged, but the fire had been started where they kept the finished articles and also in the wood store. She still had a workshop, but nothing to show for it and nothing to start again with.
Calina sat thoughtfully looking around her perched on a workbench. She had started from scratch once before and she could do it again, she knew that, but did she want to? She had a contract with Gimli to fulfil after all, she could not go back on her word. She was pleased the decision had been made for her, and she didn't have to choose herself. It was a matter of not giving the dwarves the chance to have further grievances with the elves. Lathrin placed a hand lightly on her shoulder and said,
"Come on Calina. It will all still be here tomorrow. Why do you not go home and unpack? The wagon will be here soon." Calina turned her head to look at Lathrin, whose eyes were full of sadness seeing the workshop in such a bad state, and nodded,
"You are right, Lathrin. It will be nice to be home again."
"Would you like me to stop by later?"
"No thank you, Lathrin. That is very kind of you, but I think I would like to be on my own for a little while. I need to do some thinking about all of this."
"Very well, but you know where I am if you want to talk."
"Thank you." And Calina embraced her friend as if she were her sister and left for her cosy flet. Calina cleared the fallen leaves from around the base of the tree and from the ledge around her flet before the wagon arrived. The guard helped haul her belongings up the rope ladder and deposited them on the floor of her main room. She thanked him and he bowed and left.
Calina busied herself in tidying up. She dusted and swept before putting everything back in the exact some place it had been before she left. Autumn was coming on and the flet got dark early so she lit candles and sat down in one of her comfy chairs with a piece of paper and a pen, intending to do some thinking as to what to do in the morning. Instead of forming any conclusions she began to sketch. What formed was the most beautifully carved chair. This was to be for Gimli, he had wanted something to befit his position as Lord of the Glittering Caves and wanted something to remind him of his time in Lothlórien and the lady Galadriel. Though Calina had never seen either, she knew what he was after and finally the idea came to her. The carvings were of intricate leaves, of woodland creatures, and many other symbols which represented the woodland elves. She was putting the finishing touches to it when she heard a stone bang against the side of her flet, followed by another and another. Calina picked up a candle and went warily to the window. In the dim light she saw a horse tied to the tree and an elf looking for his way up her tree. Calina laughed and let down the rope ladder,
"I think you will find this way much easier your highness," and quick as a flash Legolas was in her flet and wrapping her up in his arms,
"I could not stay at the palace, knowing you were here all by yourself. I had to be with you. I missed the light that surrounds you and lightens my heart and your soft body and your warmth and the feel of your lips on mine," and he claimed her lips with his. Calina felt his desperation as he drank in her taste and stroked his fingers over her face to remind him of its features. Calina let herself get swept up in this sudden passion for a short while before recollecting herself and gently breaking the kiss,
"Legolas what is it? What is wrong? You should not go riding in the dark like this, you could get hurt."
"I wanted to see you," he said quietly and he appeared to Calina like a lost little boy,
"How is your father?" She asked,
"Sad. They are leaving for the West as soon as they can, but father is to remain behind. He bears it well, and to all but his family he appears the same, but I know, I can feel his pain." Legolas buried his face in Calina's neck, feeling her hair brush against his face and her sweet smell envelope him, "I do not know what to do. I do not know how to help him Calina. It scares me. He has always been so strong."
"Hush my love. Let your heart guide you. You love your father very much and that love will help you find your way."
"My heart led me here to be with you and not with my father," Legolas said regretfully,
"And I am glad it did Legolas, for I need you too, but not in the same way. You must go back to the palace in the morning as soon as it is light, then perhaps he may not know that you had left," Calina decided.
"I am afraid I disturbed you. Were you busy?"
"No it was nothing that cannot wait. I had almost finished." Calina picked up a loose piece of paper from the table, "How do you think Gimli will like this, Legolas?" Legolas stepped out of Calina's arms and held the paper with both hands. He studied it intently for several minutes, examining every part of Calina's design,
"You are asking me to say if Gimli will like this?" Calina nodded, "Well I do not think an elf has ever been asked to guess the opinion of a dwarf, but in this task I will say with certainty that Gimli will be only too pleased to receive such a marvellous piece. I can picture him now, sitting in it, smoking his disgusting pipe and ordering people about. Oh yes, this will suit him very well Calina." She sighed with relief. Legolas' approval was the next best thing in Gimli's absence. She would still have the design sent to Gimli in Erebor, along with a note explaining the delay, but now she was less anxious,
"Legolas, will you write a note to Gimli at my dictation?"
"Write it yourself, he knows Sindarin." Legolas said absentmindedly trailing his lips across her cheek and over her forehead. Calina took a step back away from his lips,
"So the note he wrote in dwarfish?"
"I think Gimli was trying to help things along."
"What do you mean?" said Calina, intrigued by the smile that played on Legolas' lips.
"Do you remember that drawing I did of you when we first met, and the frame you made for it?" Calina nodded, how could she forget? "I took it with me to Gondor and Rohan and everywhere else. Gimli could never quite place the face. He knew that it was familiar, but could not remember from where. He asked me on numerous occasions, but I would never tell him until one night when he let me drink too much wine and I let slip. He asked me why I kept it and I told him I did not know. I did not know until I saw you again and I realised that I had been in love you for all that time and not known it. I wanted to be able to see that beautiful elf every morning beside me in bed, not just in a drawing resting on the bedside cabinet. " Legolas stepped forward so he was close to Calina again. She felt her heart swell at his declaration. His voice lowered and softened as he put one hand through Calina's hair and cupped the back of her head gently, "And of course, there would not be any healers' gowns involved either." Calina smiled. The sad atmosphere had been lifted and she saw Legolas smiling back at her. The playfulness in her rose again and she took another step out of his reach,
"Is that so Legolas? Tell me, why is it you are so sure that I should want to share your bed?" She raised an eyebrow and Legolas raised one to match,
"I am a Prince of the realm. Every young lady wishes the love of a prince does she not?"
"Aye my lord, all young she elves desire that, but it is only a story. We quickly grow up and realise that Princes are far too high above lowly country girls."
"But Calina you are a young she elf compared to many. Age is only a relative term. Have you grown out of the story yet?" Calina could not contain herself anymore. She moved forward and pressed her body against Legolas'. It was warm and strong and she breathed in his scent, sending her almost giddy. Her arms slid around his waist and she leant up to kiss the corner of his mouth. She pulled back slightly and let the tip of her nose rub against his. Her eyes flickered up to find his, and she whispered, letting her breathe tickle his skin,
"Ask me again in the morning."
For Legolas that was all the encouragement he needed. He claimed her with a deep kiss feasting on the now familiar taste her mouth yielded. He smiled against her as Calina produced soft moans of pleasure and put her hands on his face, keeping his lips pressed against hers. Legolas pulled his lips away with a great effort and Calina let her hands slide through his hair, undoing the intricate braids and combing them through with her fingers. Legolas placed as trail of kisses down her neck and along her collarbone, occasionally taking little teasing nips as he went. Calina groaned audibly now, momentarily forgetting her task as Legolas' attentions switched to her ear. Legolas missed the touch of her fingers and stopped so she would finish undoing his hair. Legolas ran the very tip of his tongue from the soft skin behind her ear all the way down her jaw line till he found her mouth again. Once his hair was all undone and brushed out he moved back to her other ear and yet again Calina moaned at his touch. Her hands went to his chest and began to toy with the buttons on his tunic. Legolas felt this and pulled back, but placed his hand over hers. Calina looked up at him,
"You have not seen my bedroom have you?" She asked him softly. Legolas shook his head. Calina turned her hand over under his and wound her fingers through his, "It is this way." Calina led him through another door and along a little corridor at the back of her flet. Legolas expected to see a room similar to the other, filled with wooden furniture, but he could not have been more wrong. As Calina pushed open the door, the difference in styles became truly apparent. There was almost no wood, except on the simple bed frame and one dresser. The room was filled with floating fabrics in soft draping arcs from point to point around the room. These were illuminated further as Calina lit a vast number of small candles around the room which cast dancing shadows on the walls as the flames flickered in the draught. Legolas tried to take it all in. The room described another side of Calina from the stark, work-orientated main room. This side was soft and gentle like the fabrics and as complicated as the glimmering light that danced about the room, but even if it took all eternity, Legolas would try to solve the mystery in Calina. She finished lighting the candles and beckoned him over to the window. She lifted the drapes to show him the view across the forest. The moonlight skimmed off treetops and the stars shone in a bright band across the sky. Legolas was standing slightly behind Calina and grew bored of watching the outside world. He cared more about what was in that room than everything else in the entire universe put together so he tried to bring Calina back to him and started to nibble at the side of her neck. Calina giggled to herself and let the drapes fall back into place. She turned around and let Legolas sweep her up and place her on the bed.
Legolas sat down beside her and let one hand fall to her leg as the other tucked under her chin and guided her lips to his. Gradually Calina's skirt became more and more bunched up by her waist as Legolas' hand wandered further and further up her thigh whilst never breaking their kiss. Legolas felt the curve of her hip and finally his hand could go no further. Calina's hands had been playing with his clothes and his tunic was undone and pushed back over his shoulders and she had begun to start unbuttoning his breeches as well. Legolas felt the cold air of the room against his skin as the last button came undone. Neither of them wanted to waste anymore time and they stood up and shed their clothes. Both breathless from the passion of their kiss, they watched each other for a moment, a slight sweat on their brows, the rapid rise of their chests, that knowing glint in each other's eye. Calina reached out a tentative hand and ran her fingers down Legolas' chest. She felt him shudder at her touch, and she knew she was trembling too. Her hand moved to his arm and down to his hand. Calina took it and kissed the palm and let him caress her cheek gently. She pulled him back towards the bed and slowly pulled him down with her as she lay down pushing the covers back.
Calina lay on her side propping herself up with one arm. She raised an eyebrow at Legolas, who was lying facing her, teasingly, and said, "Good night Legolas," and turned away from him. There was a splutter of disbelief from behind her and Calina rolled back over, giggling uncontrollably. Legolas pouted at her and Calina brought herself back under control, "I am sorry my love. I could not resist." Legolas lay on his back pretending to ignore her. Calina giggled once more and knelt astride Legolas. She knew he did not really mind at all and his current state was testament to that. She leant forward, hands either side his face with her hair falling down, enclosing her face and his and kissed him longingly. This lit a flame of passion inside Legolas and he roughly pushed Calina off of him and knelt astride her.
"If you are tired Calina, I will go back to the palace and let you sleep. I will just get my clothes." Legolas shifted his weight so Calina would think he was going to move off the bed. Calina grabbed his arm so he would not move,
"Wait Legolas. Please stay. I cannot have you riding in the dark, you might ride into something."
"Is that the reason you want me to stay? I assure you Calina, I am perfectly capable of riding in the dark. You need not trouble your conscience." Legolas moved again and again Calina pulled him back,
"Alright you win! Legolas do not go and leave me all alone," she looked at him from beneath her lashes, "please? I will be good."
"Ah now you see there is the problem. I would much rather you were bad." His mouth crunched down on hers releasing all that he had managed to keep bottled up inside. Calina yielded beneath him at his slightest touch and she soon felt his fingers brush against her core. She pushed her body against his letting him know her need and Legolas quickly responded. Calina felt him guide himself inside her and let her body move against his. Calina's cry tickled Legolas ear and he let out a cry of pleasure as he began to thrust inside her gently as if she would break at first and then faster and harder as the passion and lust took over. Calina cries mingled with his and they became more frequent and louder. She looked into Legolas' eyes and drowned in the love that poured out from them. She kissed him, first on the lips and then all over his face, becoming more and more desperate, as if her life depended on his. Their cries broke the silence of the forest around them as the lovers, hands entwined, found their release and collapsed into each other's arms before sleep claimed them.
The morning dawned cold and misty, but Calina remained true to her word and made Legolas breakfast as the Sun rose. She sang as she went to fetch water from a nearby stream and looked lovingly at the food as it cooked on the stove. Legolas emerged dressed from her bedroom as she set the food on the table,
"You did not need to cook me anything Calina. I will be back at the palace for breakfast." She just shrugged and turned pick up an apple from the fruit bowl. Once she had eaten that Calina began to clean the kitchen while Legolas was still eating what she had cooked. She heard the cutlery crash down on the plate and his chair scrape back just before a pair of arms went around her waist and a chin rest on her head. Calina dropped the rag she was cleaning with and held the arms against her, "One more thing before you send me down that rope ladder of yours my lady Birch."
"What is that my lord?"
"The matter of princes falling in love with country girls."
"Ah now you see I cannot answer that. How does a country girl know how to judge the heart of a prince? Hers is most certainly given to him, but she will never be able to tell the other way."
"Well I have some experience in these matters. I would say it could be possible for him to care."
"Only care? The poor country girl." Calina picked up her rag again and began to polish the wooden surface in front of her,
"More than care. I would go so far as to say that she makes the prince feel like the only other person in a world specially crafted for them where the Sun comes out every time she smiles and her words are like music in his ears, the most beautiful song ever heard." Calina turned in his arms to look at him,
"I love you Legolas."
"I love you Calina." They shared a brief kiss before Calina shooed him from her kitchen,
"Legolas your father needs you. As much as I want you to stay, it is far more important you are with him now. I will see you soon, I promise."
"You are right. I just do not want to be parted from you. Come to the palace soon. I shall not be able to leave for a while I should think and I do not like sneaking about at night. It will only worry father if he does not know what I am doing."
"Legolas I think your father is old enough to guess what you will be up to, but I truly believe that this is the time for you to act like the prince you are. Make sure he has time to spend with his brother before they leave."
"I will, my love. I just wish you were coming back with me."
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder Legolas, remember that. Ride safely." Calina kicked the rope ladder down and Legolas planted one last kiss on her forehead before climbing down and getting back on his horse and riding off.
Calina sighed as she rolled the ladder back up. She went to wash and dress and prepare for the task of salvaging her workshop. It was not one she relished.
Calina and Lathrin arrived at the workshop at midmorning and began to sort through what could be kept and what was beyond repair. They had many of the tools and some wood, enough to make a good start on remaking the furniture for Gimli that had burnt. That calmed Calina at least, she could get back to work soon and take her mind off how much she missed Legolas. That afternoon she and Lathrin went to round up all the workers from the village. Calina called them all together and explained that business would be resumed the next day. She would not be letting any of the staff go, which was a visible relief to them all, and she blamed none of them for any negligent behaviour as far as the fire was concerned. No one except Lathrin knew the truth. That afternoon, with the help of some of the workers, they managed to move the part of the roof that had caved in, blocking the entrance to Calina's office. She was dreading what she would find inside - seventeen years of designs, contacts and customers turned to ashes, but thankfully, the roof seemed to have protected the office, and apart from a great deal of dust, nothing was damaged. A covering was placed across the roof. The next day those who were not working on the furniture could fix it properly, but Calina was too tired to carry on that day and went home on her own. She was half-hoping Legolas would go against her wishes and return that night. She felt very lonely as the cold wind blew through the branches of the bare tree. Calina stoked the fire in her bedroom and pulled the covers over her head, trying to shut out the loneliness, but the bed was cold and empty without Legolas there curled up against her. She fell asleep wondering how only one night could change the way she felt about her home of so many years, and dreamt of the night before.
