~AUTHOR'S NOTE~ I know I've been horrible about updating, I'M SORRY!! *sniff* I'm back for at least this chapter and hopefully I'll be more steady in the future. Oh, and all of the Elvish in this chapter is Quenya. I know that Elves didn't speak Quenya, but I can't find a good Sindarin dictionary, so I can't construct phrases in Sindarin. If any of you know a good Sindarin/English dictionary, let me know! Thanks :)

~DISCLAIMER~ Nope. Still don't own Tolkien's characters. Still own mine. See? Nothing's changed.

I lay exhausted in Legolas's arms. He too seemed tired – very rare for an elf. But after everything we had done, I suppose even an elf would be tired. I was still very aware of him beside me: the warmth of his body, the smoothness of his skin, the beating of his heart. He had put to rest any doubts in my mind of the elven body being perfect.

"My love," he murmured in my ear. "My sweet melisse."

I responded by snuggling a bit closer to him and kissing him again. This seemed to renew his strength and mine as well. His physical power thrilled me as I arched my body to meet his again and again.

I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out, for the last thing I needed was an investigating neighbor. Legolas did not want visitors either and kissed me hard to keep us both quiet.

His body trembled as he reached his peak. I cried his name as I felt his release and reached my own peak. It was over then, leaving us both breathless and lying in each other's arms.

We lay together in silence for a while, loving being with each other. But the silence could not last. "I love you, meldanya," he told me. His voice carried sadness.

"Yes…but we must never tell," I replied, gazing into his eyes. He only nodded.

"You are human my love. You are mortal and human and they will not understand."

"I know."

"And the Fellowship…we are on a perilous journey – "

"And they would not look kindly on your lover interfering," I finished.

He sighed unhappily. "No. They would not understand either."

I nodded, also sighing sadly. But Legolas stroked my hair and said, "But Raélowen, do not worry, for I know in my heart that we are meant to be together. Human, elven, the opinions of others, dangers faced by the Fellowship: none of that matters. You are mine and I am yours. Nothing can ever change that."

I turned to face him. "This is all so fast…and yet, so powerful."

"It was fate that brought us together. That gave us this one night."

I glanced away from him, "Only one."

"Yes," he said with a painful look he did not attempt to hide. "The Fellowship leaves in the morning. I cannot abandon them."

"I know."

"But listen to me." Legolas gazed at me. "We both know what brought us together. We are meant for each other. And it has always been that way."

I knew he was right. "Yes. It has always been that way."

"And it always will."

I could barely contain my love for him. "Only you make me feel truly alive," I whispered. "You make me feel things I have never felt before." Legolas tenderly stroked the side of my face.

I looked over his shoulder to the east. The sky had the barest hint of the approaching dawn.

"It is nearly morning. We must sleep."

He only nodded and lay back beside me. I could feel his hand resting lightly on my stomach. Softly, I heard him murmur, "Enyala huelva, meldanya. Enyala si ullume."

I did not reply, but placed my hand over his lovingly, then lay back to sleep with a smile on my face.

* melisse = female lover (Quenya)

* meldanya = my beloved (Quenya)

* Enyala huelva, meldanya. Enyala si ullume. = Remember our night, my beloved. Remember this forever. (Quenya)