@Brazgirl : Yes. It is something.
@The Nameless Elf : I'll make sure of their happiness…with some angst thrown in for fun, of course!
@Hp-Azn : Yes, you will!
@Twinlakesghrl : Kel is very restless indeed! Wait for his appearance in the next fic! Aragorn/Leggy friendship fics? I have several authors in mind. Try Chloe, Bill The Pony and Siri/Hannah.
@LegolasLover2003 : I'll update as frequent as I can to heal your angst withdrawal, I promise.
@Irish QT : I'll do the best I can, mellon. I love going berserk! LOL!
@szhismine : I received your hints. (hint, hint)
@Lexani : THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU! (I've seen ROTK twice! Going to make it into thrice this coming weekend!)
@AbbiCat14 : The angst Queen is asleep. The legomances princess is taking over for a while.
@Alkvingiel : Ah…this chapter might sound like skinny dipping.
@Kayo : Leggy's mom?! Ha! Ha! You and your ideas! (I don't have a brooding tree but I have a brooding bed! He! He!)
@namarie2legolas : 'Graverobber' eh? Just to let you know, I'm more of a 'cradlerobber' myself! LOL! But I like Sean Connery too. I mean, who can resist him?
@lucy : They just bumped everyone out in the ROTK, right? Glorfindel and the twins included. Grr!!!
@Karina : That's right. We still do not know who Glorfindel really is. One thing for sure though, he is a legend!
NOTE : This chapter is quite heavy on Legomances, it might be rated an R. It's up to you to decide.
***********************
Legolas heard the sound of someone splashing in the water even before he reached the stream. Then he saw her. He instantly came to a halt, standing stock still, completely mesmerized at the magnificent sight before his very eyes.
Narasene was lazily treading water, half floating on her back. She looked up at his appearance and smiled before swimming much closer to the bank. As soon as her feet touched bottom, she stood and gazed intently back at him. "It's a nice day for a swim, my lord. Join me?"
Legolas gulped, staring back at her without blinking. Narasene's gown lay in a neat pile on the ground beside her slippers. She was wearing only her slip. The soak white fabric was almost transparent that revealed more than what was concealed. A damp black curl lay seductively over her left breast, and that coy smile of hers…Valar! It was about to drive him crazy with longing!
"Ah…" He had to clear his throat repeatedly before he could speak without a squeak. "What are you doing here?"
She chuckled. "Can't you see? I'm having a swim."
"Oh! Yes, right." Now he began to sound like a complete idiot.
"Come, my love. Join me," she beckoned, crooking her index finger invitingly. Legolas looked around to assure himself that no one else was watching before he quickly pulled off his boots and tunic.
Narasene softly gasped when she saw the scars on his body but said nothing. She waited until he entered the water to stand right in front of her before she tentatively traced her fingers over the horrid marks on his chest. "You poor thing. I bet these were painful," she said quietly.
"Yes, they were, but not anymore. They will fade in another couple of weeks," Legolas replied with a shrug.
"Maybe this will make them disappear much faster." She leaned closer and kissed the scars under his right collar bone before running her lips down to his chest. Legolas' heart thumped wildly, bracing himself under the assault of the delicious ecstasy that instantly showered over him.
"Ai…!" The prince choked on a cry. He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her closer. "Cease that, Nara, or I might do something that will cause your uncle to come after my head!"
Narasene chuckled as she clasped his hand. "Let's do something safer, then. Help me swim?"
He raised his eyebrows. "Help you swim? But I thought you know how."
"When you are near, I seem to forget everything else."
He grinned. "Let's refresh you memory then, shall we?" He led her into the deepest part of the stream and hugged her with her back pressed close against his chest. "Don't do anything, my lady. Just relax and let me do all the works."
"As you wish, kind sir."
Except for the singing birds and the sighing breeze, all was silent. But Legolas broke it a while later. "Nara?"
"Hmm?"
"I have a confession to make."
"Yes?"
"I…err…well, it's like this…"
Another long silence.
"My lord?" Nara finally asked, amused at his obvious anxiety.
"Yes?"
"I thought you have something to tell me?"
"Yes. Right. I do." Legolas bit his lips nervously. "Well, when I first came to Rohan, I…uh…I had kissed a maiden there."
Yet another long silence reigned. Legolas began to worry that she would be the one whom might be coming after his head. "Nara? Say something."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"What?!"
"The kiss. Did you enjoy it?"
"What the…! Why is everyone keep asking me that question?"
She laughed and turned to face him. "I just want to know if her kiss made you tingle all over…like mine does."
"Not even close. I mean, she's not a bad kisser. But you are even more incredible! Besides, nothing else happened between me and her. It was just a harmless kiss. She is now happily married to Lord Faramir, the prince of Ithilien."
"Harmless, hmm? I'm glad to hear that."
"Am I forgiven?"
"You are forgiven," she said, twining her arms around his neck. "Just don't do that again, my love, or I will keep you tied to my bed for eternity."
"Wow. That's harsh." He slowly grinned devilishly, wiggling his eyebrows. "Sounds fun, though. But your uncle might not like it."
"Then don't tell him, silly!"
The love struck couple laughed and brought their lips together. It was a long moment later before they finally left the stream.
"Your uncle was right," Legolas said as they walked hand in hand back to the palace.
"What do you mean?"
"Swimming is good to clear the cobweb off someone's head."
******************************
Legolas pushed open his father's door and entered. He saw the king standing at the balcony, gazing up at the evening sky. After taking a deep breath, the prince steadily walked forward to stand beside his father.
"The stars are early today," Legolas remarked, also gazing at the sky.
Thranduil smiled. "Yes. They are also celebrating your return."
Legolas turned to look at his father. "I talked with Nara this afternoon and we have decided on our wedding date."
The king faced his son. "Well! It's about time!" he exclaimed, laughing. "That's good to hear, Legolas. When will it be?"
"A month from now. She nearly bites my head off when I suggested it to be next week," Legolas replied with a grin. "Typical maidens, you know. They really want to go through every detail to prepare for just one short ceremony of changing vows. And they want as much time as they can get for that."
"I know what you mean." Thranduil nodded. "When I married your mother, she nearly panicked when the flower arrangements at the altar did not match the color of her wedding gown!'
The prince laughed. "How I wish to see her face at that time! Or rather, your face, father!"
After their laughter subsided, Thranduil smoothly asked with a sly grin, "So. How was your swim?"
Legolas broke up laughing again. "The best I've ever had in my life!"
Still smiling, Thranduil returned his gaze at the stars. "I'm glad she makes you happy, son. You've chosen well."
"No. It is she who chooses me."
Thranduil nodded but didn't reply. Legolas looked at his father's serene face before he reached up and grasped the king's hand that rested upon the balustrade. "Father?"
Thranduil turned towards his son once more. "Yes?"
"About what happened this afternoon…the way I shouted at you..." Legolas took a deep breath before continuing, "Forgive me."
The king slowly shook his head, smiling wanly. He cupped both Legolas' cheek and stared deeply into the prince's eyes. "It's already forgotten. I'm your father. Your problem is my problem too. You are mine, Legolas. Mine."
The prince could not stop the tears from pooling in his eyes. "And I'm yours, father. Always yours."
Thranduil nodded, stroking Legolas' cheek. "Good. Now remember this; I'm always ready to be your soundboard when you are troubled. No matter how big the problem is, come to me and I'll do the best I can to help. The more you push me away, the harder I'll try to get to you. For better or for worse, Legolas, I'm always here for you."
Without further invitation, Legolas buried himself in the king's embrace, seeking solace that only a father could give. Thranduil stroked his son's head, grateful that the talk he had had with Glorfindel earlier had helped in the whole matters.
Legolas reluctantly pulled away a while later. "I came here to tell you that dinner is served in the hall. It's about time we have our meal together, don't you think?"
Thranduil chuckled. "Let's go."
The father and son left the balcony to head for the dining hall downstairs where everyone was already waiting. It would be a grand feast that night, with lots of singing and rejoicing.
For the time being, Legolas' heart was completely at home…while somewhere in another part of Middle-earth, a shadow of threats and grave tension was looming over a kingdom of men.
TBC…
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!
NOTE : Please be informed that I won't be on the board until Monday due to: 1) my muse is playing hide and seek with me, and 2) I'm in the middle of preparing our company's yearly financial report so my schedule is very tight here. I'm sorry for all the inconvenience, and hopefully I'll return with more chapters next week!