Title: Diplomacy Part 36

Author: Arisma

Rating: R (for some naughty, naughty bits... and some foul language.)

Disclaimer: Legolas, Mirkwood, Thranduil... all of that is Tolkiens. I'm just taking them out to play with, cause they're shiny. I will put them back in the box, in the proper order, when I'm done. I also promise to wipe the drool off of Legolas and any excess that might have gotten on any of the other characters by proxy.

The basic concept of bladesingers and the title querimhinue is the property of WoTC, and I'm merely borrowing those too.

I do claim The Quel, both Nessar and A'Har as my own. Rhyalla, Kallo, Kailin, all mine. The waste, Tir Roac and all future 'non-canon' locations are the product of my mind as well. When I'm done with them I'll put them back in my own teeny box of creations, next to the cedar wood butterfly and the sculpy clay horns. (Don't ask.) If for some strange reason you'd like to borrow them or the settings, feel free to contact me and we'll work out details.

Feedback / Contact: Arisma_@hotmail.com

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"I don't want you to go."

He sighed at the sullen tone of her voice, running a hand through his hair and puffing his cheeks out as he exhaled. "I don't want to go either."

"Then don't."

Inwardly he groaned, his mind trying to find a way out of this cyclical conversation. "Rhya, I have to."

"Why, though? Why do you have to go -now-?"

"Love... this is the way they do things here. I passed the first part of the testing, enough to be considered a warrior, now I need to do this so they know where in the ranks to put me." He kept his tone even and free of the exasperation he felt. She'd never been so stubborn over anything and a part of him just wanted to shake her.

"But a month? Legolas that's so long! What if you're hurt? How will I even know?!" her voice had taken on a weary quality of its own, and it showed in her words.

"I won't be hurt. I'm a warrior. This is what I did when we met. Remember?" He wrapped his arms around her waist and was surprised when she didn't move away as she had before.

With a sigh she turned in his grasp, resting her head on his shoulder. "I know, I know. I just... I hate it. I don't want to be without you."

"You won't be without me. My body will be gone but I leave my heart here with you... doesn't that help at all?" he turned and kissed her forehead, purposefully smiling in his most endearing way.

"It helps... I do wish Kailin was going with you. He'd keep you safe..." Without meaning to he sighed. She'd hit close to home with the statement. As much as the thought of a solid month of border patrols bothered him, knowing he was going without his best friend was ever so much worse.

"I wish he was going too, but can't you see the wisdom of it? They want me to prove myself and I can't truly do that with him there... I do wish it were different, though." Again he kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment.

When he finally straightened he saw the resignation in her eyes, the unwanted acceptance. "When do you go?" her voice was soft and he felt a part of his heart break.

"Tomorrow, we leave at dawn."

"Didn't give you much time, did he?" Her face was carefully neutral but he could hear anger in her tone.

"Love, Rolan is a good leader. I have to trust in his decisions. Maybe he didn't give me time because he knew that if I thought about it I'd never be able to leave you." He tipped her chin upwards and kissed her lips gently. Without warning she grasped his shoulders and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss and turning it into something far more intense than he had expected.

When they finally separated he was gasping for air, his body trembling with want. "What was that for?"

Her fingers trailed along the fastenings of his tunic, working the stays slowly open. "If you leave with the dawn lets make the most of the evening..." her words trailed away as she claimed his lips again, and this time he matched her intensity easily.

*****

The soft light of the candles reflected on their skin, shadows gliding across them as they moved. A soft cry let her lips as her bent his head, biting softly at the tender flesh of her neck. with slow deliberateness he raised his eyes to hers, a moment of infinite caring as he saw the reflected candle light in her blue orbs.

He opened his mouth to speak but she silenced him with her lips, teeth and tongue warring together, leaving no room for thought of any kind. He felt her nails glide along his bare back, scratching lightly, leaving a burning trail along his spine. A shudder followed the sensation, his body arching into the contact. Without warning her hands slipped to the front of him, fingers tracing his chest, pressing over the hardened nubs of his nipples.

He was aflame with want for her, his head pounding with the strength of it. Her hands trailed lower, along the taut muscles of his abdomen, calmly finding their quarry and capturing it. A low groan left him as she began to move her hands, slowly, inexpertly, but undeniable in effect. He felt his hips move towards her, his body taking over, ignoring his plea for calm. He felt the energy coiling into he base of his spine and hastily jerked away from her, catching the look of hurt as it flashed across her features.

Without a word he kissed her, hard, passionate, grasping her hands with his own and raising them above her head, pinning them to the bed. She opened her mouth to protest but he sealed the words away with a kiss, plundering her mouth greedily, only dimly aware of the tiny gasped moans she made when he finally moved his mouth away.

He held her hands still, ignoring her ineffectual struggling as he nibbled her ear, shifting his attentions to her throat, her collarbones, her breasts. He could feel her pulse racing through her as he lowered his head further, his tongue darting out to tease the shallow cup of her navel, raising his eyes as he did, watching her head thrown back, her teeth working on her lower lip to quell her cries.

He felt her tense as he slipped lower, heard her begin to protest but lost in the feel of her he ignored it, his tongue working slowly into her most intimate areas. For a moment her hands twisted desperately in his grasp, small murmurs of protest leaving her lips. And then he released her hands, focusing on his task, wrapping his arms around her thighs, pulling her nearer to him.

Her fingers wound in his hair and he couldn't help smiling at the strangled moan that left her. He could feel her tensing as he continued, the sensations he was provoking building up in her as was his intention. At the last moment, when she had ceased to make coherent words and her legs had wrapped involuntarily over his shoulder he shifted, quickly sliding his body along hers, claiming her lips, pressing easily into her.

Her eyes flew open, her entire body tensing around him. He carefully placed his hands beside her, allowing her knees to slip into the crook of his arms. He held his body in check, waiting for the glazed look to slip away before he began to move, her entire body tensing almost immediately as aftershocks rippled through her.

"Gods, Legolas..." she whispered and with a smile he claimed her lips again.

"Mine." he whispered against her lips, rolling his hips against her to emphasize their connection.

"Yours!" she answered, her hands pulling at his shoulders, her lips fixing on any part of his face she could reach, her breath coming in harsh gasps.

"Mine." he reiterated, carefully angling himself in just the way he knew would please her most.

"Gods, yes!" she cried, her back arching, pressing against him.

"Yours." he whispered anew, moving in earnest now, his hips rocking against her, his breath coming in shortened gasps.

"Mine, mine." she agreed, coherent thought dim within her mind as he pressed into her time and again.

The last shreds of coherent thought left him then and he lowered his head, resting in the crook of her neck, his breath coming in short gasps as he made love to her, his body awash with the pleasure of their joining. He felt her lips on his neck, biting, sucking, knowing there would be a mark on his flesh before she ceased. He turned his own face, latching onto her flesh, laving it with his tongue and then sucking at it, marking her as his, his hips slamming forward to drive home the idea of possession.

Her hand wrapped in his hair and she cried out, her entire body going limp beneath him, no longer straining against him. He continued moving, feeling her drift down, once more aware, her body moving against him again. Without warning he shifted, pulling her atop him, gripping her hips, helping her to continue the pace until she caught on and took over on her own.

Unable to help himself he watched her, her teeth fixed on her lower lip, her body moving against him in the most delicious of friction. With a low groan he lifted his hips in time with her, an answering moan drifting from her parted lips. Wanting only to feel those lips he raised himself up, shifting her slightly until her legs wrapped around him, their bodies still moving together as one.

With slow deliberateness he licked her throat, feeling her moan through his lips. And then her lips were on his, her breathing frantic, fast. He rested his hands behind him, locking his arms to stay upright, leaning back. She followed, her lips locked to his, her eyes snapping open and locking with his.

He felt himself approaching release, the energy in his spine such that he wondered if he could survive the intensity of it. And then it broke over him, primal and hot, and he was only dimly aware of her cries mirroring his own. He could sense a power in the air around them as they held each other, shaking within each others arms, their breath ringing through the air together in perfect time.

After a moment he collapsed backwards and she fell with him, still resting atop him, still connected as they had been during their lovemaking. she clung to him and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him as the lingering effects of their shared release continued its slow circuit of his body.

*****

Around them the tent began to brighten, the predawn light filtering through the fabric. She lay atop him, unmoving and silent. If not for the moisture he felt against his skin he might have thought her asleep. After a moment he raised his hands and stroked along her spine, hearing the choked sob she tried to cover.

"Shh, love. It's alright, don't cry." he murmured, brushing her hair back from her face as best he could.

"Do you hear it?" she asked quietly, her voice full of sadness. Instead of answering aloud he nodded, pressing a kiss to the smooth skin of her forehead. "I love you, Legolas." she whispered, kissing beneath his jaw softly.

Suddenly he twisted, stretching her beside and below him, his eyes intent on hers. "Don't do that, Rhya. Don't say goodbye like that. I will be back."

She smiled softly, tears still streaming from her eyes, falling softly down her cheeks. He cradled her face in his hands, brushing the moisture with his thumbs, lowering his mouth over hers one final time, a kiss of love and desire and promise. Again he met her eyes, solidly, his voice sure. "I will be back."

She nodded and the tears ceased, though her voice was still shaky. "I know. You have to be."

"I do indeed, because I couldn't live without you." his eyes met hers earnestly full of the love he felt for her.

With a sigh he pushed himself form the bed, using every ounce of his willpower to do so. He pulled on the clothes they'd given him, jumping slightly as he felt her hands working also, tying and buckling the intricate sand gear into place. She helped him strap the double blades onto his back, settling his quiver between the sheathes, looping the bow atop it all. For a moment she stepped back and merely looked at him, early morning sun streaming around him, clothed entirely in black, only his paler skin and short blonde hair distinguishing him from any other A'Har warrior.

He raised his hand, brushing his fingers along her cheek, tracing her lips with his forefinger. Quickly he turned, walking out of the tent, not looking back once, knowing that if he did his resolve would crumble in an instant. Outside he pulled up short, so focused on leaving her he had nearly forgotten the dark haired elf leaning casually against a pole.

"Kailin..." he began, trying to find the words he needed.

"I'll keep her safe," his friend answered his unasked request, his tone sure.

"And yourself." Legolas added, meeting the dark blue of his dearest friends gaze.

"Always." Kailins lips turned in a roguish smile and Legolas laughed softly despite the sadness in her heart. "Be careful out there, leaf."

With a nod he turned, walking towards the gathering point. With each step he pushed away his sorrow and worry and when he arrived he was ready, a warrior ready for battle. The sun was just cresting the dunes as his patrol moved out, a dozen seasoned warriors chatting amiably, if quietly as they started away. As he prepared to leave the valley he couldn't help but gaze down into it, his eyes searching and finding the tent where he'd left his heart.

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A/N-

Another chappy... a long one, and with smut! Hope everyone is happy.

Ellerina Rose- Okay, I get to be first, and you second, but I am putting in an absentee place holder for Kris the Wonder Beta, cause she definately deserves some elf lovin' for putting up with me. And you're right, no track marks from this.

Ravenhart- I'm glad you like Kailin. He's one of my favoritest ever! Haha, he made me say 'favoritest'. Thanks for agreeing with me... glad I'm not alone in my adoration.

Crystal Snowflakes- It is a touch on the long side... isn't it? I'm glad you like it, and even gladder that you wrote to tell me you did! Wow, my grammar is terrible today... Forgive me, and hope you keep liking it, and keep reviewing, even if you don't.

Funky- If you liked the last one... you must have LOVED this one. Hehe. Lemme know what you think, and maybe at some point I could wrangle another drunken Legolas from my muse.

Kate- Yay for midnight viewings of LotR! Inspiration abounds in those movies. If I could capture the twang my spine does every time I see the scene with the arrow fletching... but alas, I'm not skilled enough for that.

As always, thanks and cookies to Kris, my eternally helpful Beta.

Be well,

~Arisma~

He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)