If such a thing was possible, their time after that was even more amazing. Not even in her most ardent affairs had Irulan felt this wanted and cherished. 'I should have dated an elf much earlier!' she thought, amazed by their ways. But then...she had never thought that any elf would be interested in her, in the first place.

First of all, they were creatures of deep passion and sensuality. If Legolas was not holding her hand, he was embracing her. If not embracing her, most probably kissing her. And if neither, at least touching her in any manner. Though it was not easy to get used to this -especially in a matter of days- Irulan did her best to let go and be careless. She had had lovers before and true, their touch did not have the effect that his did, but still she was far from inexperienced in these matters.

Secondly, they were very sentimental and affectionate. Legolas refused to continue his tellings unless she did the same and strange as it might sound, to talk about herself was more difficult for Irulan than to let him touch or kiss her. So she began reluctantly and the first summary of her life was about 250 words. When the elf gave her a dry and scolding look, she tried to add more details to it. Which made it only about three times that long. Legolas changed gear and shook his head with disbelief and she added more details, doubling the length of it once more.

At that point she was certain that she had nothing left to tell about herself and Legolas only sighed in frustration when she said so. "Listen...I have not lived the life that you have!" she protested defensively. He gave her another pointed look. "This has nothing to do with your life," he replied finally. "It has to do with you. And your view of yourself."

"I have nothing interesting to tell, I swear!"

"I'll be the judge of that, Irulan," he said, half amused and half determined. "Now...let's see..."

Thus began the rather detailed and painfully long (at least, in her standards) tale of a girl called Irulan. She had told him about her current life before, when they had been driving to have lunch in England. But that had been a different Legolas and a different Irulan and their interaction had been dry and cold compared to this. Now the elf wanted to know everything! Not only the actual happenings, but more so how she had felt at that moment, or what her first thought was, and why she chose to deal with it the way she had and whether she regretted it or not and countless other things. He was too cunning for her and every time Irulan tried to skip a somewhat disturbing or intimate part, Legolas sensed it immediately and delved into it further.

Touching was not bad. Speaking was a little worse. But the compliments! Now those were simply unbearable! For with everything she had to say, Legolas had a compliment for her in return and if there was anything that Irulan found disturbing, it was being flattered and pampered. She argued with him a few times, saying that her action in this or that particular instance did not necessarily mean strength or modesty, but Legolas was always ready to pull out some other great attribute to that reaction and Irulan learned soon enough that it was better for her to accept it and let go.

Legolas, on the other hand, had not felt this happy and careless in ages. He was an elf again! The fortress was taken. The battlements destroyed. The memory of war and strife stilled. Peace was here and the Heavens knew that he was more than ready for it! The presence of another soul felt immensely good. It was relieving and vitalizing at the same time. And the fact that this other was Irulan, was simply a feast to his senses.

He was in love! And all that everybody spoke of love was an understatement. This day, Legolas was king to Earth and emperor to the universe. Many millennia had he strolled in search for this and long ago given up on it. Now it was sitting right beside him and it was the key to everything. Why Irulan? Who knew? Did it really matter? It mattered that she was here and that she had claimed his Fortress of Solitude and demolished his former life into ruins. Now the sky was the limit!

Often he felt the need to confirm her presence, to make sure that the whole experience was not some strange spell. In those moments he found her hand and pulled it up for a kiss and it his spirit soared with the realization that it was indeed real. And that it was flawless. Perfect. Complete. His joy reached such degrees, that the struggle to keep his senses down became a rather difficult one. And he had to admit that they slipped out of his control at times, anyway. Irulan was very sensitive to it and immediately turned to glance at him, unsure of her perception, but very accurate in it. He smiled at her with pure love and she broke into a smile soon afterwards, sighing with contentment at the sentiments that filled the small vehicle.

It was a somewhat gloomy day and they drove through heavy rain and fog. Any other time Irulan would have thought it dark, but today it seemed only...mysterious and romantic. She realized that the car drive had been a good choice. True, it had taken from their time in Paris, but her excitement had not vanished with that loss at all. Her excitement, it seems, was not due to see a foreign location or to engage in something new. It was due to be with Legolas. And it mattered little what they were doing, as long as they were together.

"Legolas," she said after a comfortable silence and he turned to glance at her, "what do you think will be the outcome for Cate and Jonathan?"

They were driving through heavy fog and although he had slowed down a bit, his speed was still great for this kind of weather. But Irulan felt comfortable with his skills and did not mind it at all. He did not answer immediately. "I do not know, Irulan," he said slowly, his gaze focused on the road. "But I hope that it will bring them happiness."

She remained silent for a moment, watching his profile. "You will vote against them." It was not a bitter comment. Neither was it a question. More a matter-of-fact observation.

Again he hesitated. "Tell me not to, and I won't," was his final reply.

Irulan, who had been sitting half Indian-style and sideways, facing him, almost tumbled out of her seat. She stared at him for a long time and though Legolas felt her do so, he did not meet her gaze for a long moment. "What do you mean?" she said, incredulously.

He sighed and clenched his jaw. "Tell me that you want me to vote in favor. Tell me that it is right to do so and the why. And I will do as you wish, Irulan."

She could not believe her ears! THE Legolas, the elf who was known to oppose such acts fiercely, actually gave her -HER, Irulan- the choice! But...strange as it was, now that he did so, she suddenly wasn't sure if she wanted a power of such magnitude. She shifted with discomfort. "I don't think that would be right, Legolas," was her reluctant reply. "You should vote what you believe in."

The elf smiled in satisfaction. She was simply magnificent in every way! And not like most humans at all. "Tell me what YOU believe, then," he said gently and held her hand once more.

"Well," she sighed and threw her hair over her shoulder, gazing out the windshield. "I have known them for years. And they really love each other. I mean...it is so OBVIOUS, Legolas!" He smiled deftly, but remained silent. "And it's not an infatuation, because it has not changed in so long now. And I know...I know that this...act can be dangerous for mortals. But..." She sighed again and a moment later surprised him with an outburst: "Ah to Hell with it all! Love justifies everything. They are in love and what they have is worth all that can be done in the name of it!"

He gave her a long, amazed look and Irulan stared back first with determination, then slight unease and finally a bit of embarrassment. "Is that so?" Legolas grinned a long time later, observing the color on her cheeks.

"Yes! I mean...I think...yes, I think so."

"Love justifies everything, Irulan?" he said suggestively.

She moaned and shifted to sit properly on the seat as he laughed with delight. "In this case, yes."

"Ah," he said slyly, "in THIS case! Is there a case when love is not enough?"

She remained silent, looking out her window. "I don't know," she murmured a long moment later. "I can not imagine what that would be."

Legolas, overly happy with her statement, put on his blank face once more. "How about her becoming immortal? The danger and burden of it? Do you think it wise?"

"Well I would hardly know," she snorted, "I am nowhere near wise."

"Yes you are," was the soft intervention but Irulan -afraid of another string of compliments- hastily forestalled it:

"But it is certainly brave. I mean...I could never..." She stopped then, suddenly very uneasy about this whole conversation. "It is brave," she finished with a tense tone.

Legolas glanced at her and ignored the unessential parts, getting down to the core of the matter immediately: "You would never what? Consider it?"

"No," was her curt reply and she brought out the map, pretending to inspect it. "How far to our next stop?"

"Why not?"

"I just wouldn't," she said dismissively, not glancing up and praying to the powers above that he would leave it be. "Are we going to pass by..."

"Yes, you already said so," he intervened smoothly. "But I asked the reason." Irulan glared at him with a very threatening expression and he looked back with the damnable blankness before his lips curled into a smile. "You look absolutely stunning when you are angry," he whispered and placed a kiss on her hand before she managed to retrieve it and return to her map. "Why does this subject make you so uneasy?"

"It does not. I answered your question and I see no point in..."

"You did not. Tell me," he said gently, almost as if speaking to a little child. "Tell me why you would not consider it, Irulan."

She took a deep breath, her frustration obvious. "I don't know!" she said finally. "I just...I don't want to be immortal."

"How can you NOT want something that you have never been? You do not know what it holds, do you?"

She looked at him for a moment or two, but her eyes were glazed and held no expression. "It sounds lonely," she said then, her voice almost inaudible. She turned away to look out her own window into the misty grassland. "And too long," she added with a sigh.

Another silence came between them as Legolas pursed his lips and his grip on the wheel grew unconsciously. "Indeed," came his late reply. "It is too long." And just when Irulan felt strangely ashamed and uncomfortable, as if she had reminded him of some defect or his weakness, he spoke again: "And yet you will vote in favor."

She turned then and their eyes locked for a short moment. "I told you," she said, shrugging deftly. "Cate is very brave. I guess I am not."

"Perhaps," he said slowly, "Cate is in love. And you...are not."

The woman had nothing to say to that. She blinked in surprise as simultaneously many sentiments woke in her: surprise by the unexpected statement. A strange indecision about what her answer should be. There was the distant pain she thought she sensed from Legolas. And most of all, the undeniable protest that rose in her. The need to object. To say that she WAS. Her eyes widened with the realization of the latter and immediately their conversation in the forest yesterday came back to her. Especially the part she had almost said that she had a bond of love with him.

'Can it be true?' Irulan thought in confusion, her brows furrowed. 'Do I love Legolas?' It might seem strange for someone of her age and experience to arrive at this question so late. But everything had rushed ahead so swiftly and Irulan had barely found the time to analyze her feelings. The sudden kidnapping to Rome, then the tumultuous night at the restaurant, the David issue next morning in Paris, and right after that the Sharing with Baeron, followed by her agreement to an affair between herself and Legolas merely a day later. It was more than swift. MAD was a better word for it! Chaotic! Catastrophic! And now the big L word was knocking on her door and she felt afraid to open it.

Legolas observed her silent struggle and when he saw her swallow hard and clench her fingers into fists, he immediately regretted his words. It had been sole curiosity on his behalf that had pushed him to such a statement, not a sly attempt to glance into her heart.

He opened his mouth to apologize and close the subject for good, when Irulan spoke with a husky voice and stilled him: "I...I don't think it's...that easy," she choked out and swallowed before she continued with more haste: "Imagine choosing mortality for another, Legolas!" Their eyes connected again. "I mean...imagine that! Would you-"

"Yes I would," he said simply. They remained locked to each other until he had to divert his gaze to follow the road. And even after that it took Irulan a long minute to recover from that sudden intervention. "For you, I would," he added a moment later, this time not looking back at her.

"Yes well," she stammered, her voice very shaky at this point, "well...that proves my point. You are very brave, Legolas."

And why on earth did she feel like she had said something very unbefitting and wrong? She frowned slightly, momentarily carried away by that unexpected sentiment, when he spoke again. "No, Irulan," the elf said gently, his blue eyes intense and glimmering like some alien metal, "The reason has nothing to do with braveness."

He really did not need to say the rest; his meaning was obvious to every idiotic and imbecile creature on this planet. Including Irulan. She cast down her eyes and played with her fingers for a while. Legolas pursed his lips and turned to look ahead, again. It was bold, yes, and he had not felt this anxious in an incredibly long time, but...why hide it? Why not cherish it and enjoy it?

"Please pull over for a minute," she said suddenly. All right...perhaps he should have hidden it, after all!

The elf slowed down the car and pulled over. "Are you well?" he said, at this point rather worried. "Is something the matter?"

"No," she said curtly and avoided looking at him, playing with her fingers.

He stopped and almost immediately Irulan opened the door and stepped out. Without a thought, he followed.

The fog was heavy here and all she could make out was patches of grass and spidery, sporadic trees. It was incredibly humid, as if they were breathing water itself and the silence was eerie. The elf appeared right beside her without a sound, but remained a step away, joining her inspection of the area. Finally Irulan took a step towards the meadow and found him striding with her. She gave him a meaningful look and only received the blank gaze in return. "I will not leave you alone. You might hurt yourself. There might be animal traps here. Or barbwire."

She sighed in frustration but did not oppose, knowing that he was probably right. AGAIN! She walked on, and Legolas walked with her, remaining close but silent. After fifteen minutes she was certain that she had taken too many turns and probably lost her way for good. But stubbornly resisting the urge to consult him, she walked some more. The silence remained unbroken and was heavy on her senses. "I don't understand what is happening," she said finally, trying not to step into a muddy pool. "And I don't know where this is going. What should I expect, Legolas?" With that, she stopped and looked up at him.

The elf moved closer until he stood right beside her. His hair was slightly wavy because of the humidity and his blue eyes seemed solemn and troubled. Yet his stance spoke of determination and strength. "I can not answer," he said slowly, his eyes taking in her features, "for I do not know the answer. But hope is in my power and I hope with all my heart, Irulan."

"Hope is a mighty force," she smiled bitterly, Baeron's words echoing in her mind. Her hand went into the pocket of her pants and unconsciously touched the bulge of the napkin in there.

"I do not know how to describe it," he cut in, somewhat eager and at the same time, timid. "It is new to me." She sighed and looked away and Legolas shortly touched her chin to revert her gaze back to him. "But if any word could describe my sentiments for you, it would be 'need'. Never in my life have I needed anything as much as I need you," he finished with a whisper, drawing closer still. "Do not ask me to hold back. I don't think I can."

"But," she said with discomfort and began walking again as the elf resumed his close pursuit. "How will this work out? I mean...where will I live...and what will I do?"

"Not 'you', Irulan…" he said with an amused smile when she turned to look at him once more, "...'we'."

She nodded slowly in consent and he took a deep breath, looking around. "I would tell you this or that scenario...but...does it really matter?" His fingers glided over her cheek and her lips. "What matters is that we will be together."

She looked up at him, her brown eyes carrying fear and excitement. "Irulan," he groaned, his hand gliding down to settle on her shoulder as he tilted forward to minimize the distance between them. "My words still hold true. I offer anything. And everything. You can set the route. You can choose the road. And I will do anything in my power to make sure that there will be no obstacles and no limits for us."

"But what if...if I make the wrong decision? What if I don't know the right one? What if something happens...Something wrong?"

"Nothing wrong can happen when you are ready for all options," he whispered.

"If I am not ready?"

"I can wait," was his unhesitant reply, his eyes not even blinking. That was not entirely true, but since it did not entail how long the wait would be, in a way it WAS true.

"And if I am not willing, Legolas?"

"I can persuade you."

"If...I don't know...if..."

"Irulan," he cut in smoothly, "what are you so afraid of?"

She swallowed softly and looked around for a moment or two. "I...this...uncertainty." She waved her arm to include the blanket of mist that was swirling around them. "We can get lost in this!" she whispered with urgency when their gazes locked once more.

"Not when we are free to go anywhere and everywhere." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Trust me, Irulan. Trust me, and your trust will be my guide. As I shall be yours."

She laughed despite herself. "You speak like an elf, Legolas!" she chuckled, shaking her head. "For the first time!"

The Prince smiled, feeling sudden and great relief at her laughter. "I am becoming one, again," was his sigh of an answer as his fingers laced with hers. "All your fears are groundless," he said with a more solemn voice. "I shall prove it to you." With another beguiling smile he pulled her along and she walked with him. The haze seemed heavier than before and every direction seemed the right one. If she was alone, she would have been lost for certain. But Legolas was calm. He even turned around to smile at her a few times in a reassuring manner. His step was firm and his warm grip on her hand, soothing. "Maybe we will emerge somewhere else?" she said, mainly to lift up the dread this heavy mist was casting on her soul. "In Middle Earth?"

Legolas laughed and once again, the sound soothed her nerves immensely. "Ah...that would indeed be interesting!"

"Would you like that?" she said, grinning.

"As I have said," he commented, giving her a glance, "it does not matter where we go as long as we are together. I would follow you anywhere and to any time."

A momentary silence passed between them as she felt his words bringing a searing warmth to her heart. "*I* would like it, no doubt," she mumbled finally.

"To the city of Minas Tirith I would take you then," he said slowly and she looked up at his peculiar tone of voice. A strange aura was emanating from him and she kept her silence, her curiosity strong. "The Tower of Ecthelion stands like a torch to lighten up the darkest night, there. There is a rocky hill close the city and when you look at it from there, it seems almost like no man-made structure, but a sprout of nature!" Surprised that he spoke in the present tense and by the husky tone of his voice, she bit her lip and remained an ardent listener. There was a short silence, then the elf continued: "And the misty hills of Mirkwood! Ah...how I wish you could see those, Irulan!" The sensations of both excitement and deep longing washed over her. Though the feelings were intense, their emanation was gentle and subtle and Irulan inhaled softly to make it easier on herself. Legolas, though, seemed unaware of his forceful emotions and continued his silent, slow walk on the mossy earth. "Often I strode through its green, lush shadows. Thinking of time. Of life. Of you." With that, he turned his gaze to her again, his pace not slowing and there was a strange glaze in his eyes.

"Me?" she managed to whisper.

"Of you, yes," he said in return as the mist swirled around his head and parted before him like a gentle curtain. "Of the one who would share it all with me." She just stared back in bafflement, but the elf was not de-motivated by that. He made a step to the right and continued his stroll as Irulan's eyes perceived momentarily the shape of a tree that they would have crashed into, if they had not chosen another path.

"And the troubled, murky waters of the Rhun...from where my kind has left, never to return. You should see that, too." She gently squeezed his hand and felt his grasp enhancing too, though he did not turn to look back. "Perhaps," he continued, his head turning to take in the mist around him, "this mist will lift and we will find ourselves at the edge of the Golden Wood. Ah...now THAT you MUST see!" he said with a grin and Irulan could not help a similar grin appearing on her own features.

"Haldir told me a little of the Lady of Light," she said cautiously, not wishing to disrupt his trance.

Legolas merely chuckled in return. "She was more majestic than the woods she resided in, if such a thing is possible," he mused.

"Is it true that Gimli fell in love with her?"

The elf groaned deep in his throat. But to her surprise, it held a certain amusement to it. "It is!" he said with exasperation. "To my demise, I might add."

"I find that fascinating!"

"You have not listened to it for YEARS," he grumbled, but it was only half-hearted. They both laughed at that for a moment. "Is it not strange," he said suddenly, not diverting his eyes from hers, "that so many around me found great affection and love with someone from another kind?" She blinked and turned away again, unsure of what to say. "Prophetic, I would say," he whispered.

Irulan cast down her gaze, concentrating on her feet and the earth underneath them. She felt his penetrating gaze on her, but refused to meet it. For a short while, it was only her breathing that was audible. Then suddenly she felt the hard asphalt underneath her soles and halted, the elf halting with her. An inspection of the surrounding revealed nothing – they were on the road, but she could not see the Mercedes or any sign of it. "Have I led you out of the mist, as I said I would?" was his partly amused, partly intimidating whisper.

"You have," she whispered in reply and he smiled, walking on and pulling her alongside.

"Perhaps I have led you astray?" he said then, slyly. "Perhaps I have brought you somewhere where none can find us? A deserted part of the forest?"

Irulan glanced at him before she chuckled and shrugged. "It does not matter, really. I would go anywhere with you."

That only served to intensify his gaze and add to his strange silence. Irulan, now feeling very exposed under his fiery eyes, opened her mouth to ask how far they were from the vehicle, but only a fraction of a time later found herself plastered against it, his mouth clamped over hers, his body gently pushing against hers. It happened so fast, her brain barely registered it and a sound of surprise erupted in her throat, turning into a distant moan. He pushed in further, and there was something strangely exciting about the hard, cold exterior of the car behind her and his soft warmth in front of her. This time his tongue found its way in with perplexing ease of expertise and at that point Irulan was beyond objection anyway. Her fingers found his nape, diving into the soft hair and that seemed to excite Legolas further as he she felt herself very slightly pulled towards him, then both of them pushed ahead again. It was not a painful crush but caused a dull pang of a sound and he broke the kiss, pulling only an inch or two away.

"Forgive me," he breathed as Irulan tried to regain her breath, both shocked and immensely excited. "I did not kiss you for too long now." His lips lowered, this time slower and he captured her lower lip, gently sucking on it. "It was becoming...unbearable," he whispered, delivering a soft bite before he kissed his way to her neck.

Again she felt herself slightly lifted and tilted onto the car while a distant part of her brain felt amazed by his strength. She managed to touch her toes to the ground and her hands glided further up his scalp, into his unbelievably soft hair. Her head was spinning and her entire body shrunk down to that particular spot below his lips that burned with an enticing fire. Only when he had kissed every part of her skin that could be reached through the jacket –which was thankfully not much- did she feel herself being lowered down the inch that she had been raised, and Legolas leaned into her again. A far gentler kiss landed on her lips. When it ended and Irulan finally looked up to his eyes, the fire there made her tremble and swallow softly.

"I love you," he said, his left hand rising up to place a thumb beneath her jawline and the rest of the fingers on her temple, tilting her face as if trying to get a better look at it. "You must know that already, but I want you to hear it. I love you." She opened and closed her mouth, trying to say something in return...but it seemed impossible. He smiled then and moved up his thumb to brush over her lower lip, his eyes following it. "No worries, Irulan. In time, you shall love me, too." He kissed her forehead, then her cheek. "In your own way. As much as you please. I do not expect anything in return for my affection. Anything you grant me, will be a blessing. In this, I promise, I will not ask for more."

"Legolas," she breathed, closing her eyes to still the spinning of her head, "if you continue...this...I swear you will end it before it begins!"

He sighed and folded her in his embrace as Irulan rested her head on his shoulder.

"I know," he growled, caressing her back, "I know. I try, believe me."

"Legolas?"

"Yes, my love?"

A momentary hesitation at the usage of that phrase. Then: "Try harder."

***

By the time they arrived in Vienna it was the later hours of the afternoon. Legolas drove through the streets that seemed to be engulfed in the excitement of the upcoming Ball. Vienna was not as mysteriously historical as Rome or fancy and intricate as Paris. It was a more romantic, gentle and subtle place. The city of Mozart. The city of music and waltz.

They arrived in another hotel yet and it was simple but elegant compared to the former ones. Once again, they were greeted by the management in the most elaborate fashion and the manager of the staff, who was a rather beautiful woman, seemed overly excited to have Legolas there. Though her excitement faltered a little with the sight of Irulan by his side. "Mr. Greenleaf!" she said heartily, smiling with twinkles in her eyes, "you look better every time I see you!"

"Ah...nothing compared to you, Elisa," he said with a fabulous smile. "Your hair suits you perfect."

She blushed a little, combing her fingers through her long auburn locks. "You like it?"

Legolas leaned in on the counter, his blue eyes making the woman swallow in obvious excitement. "Absolutely. Never change it."

She failed to reply for a moment or two and by the looks of it, even breathe. Irulan watched her childish infatuation in amusement. Elisa was not young. Neither was she shy or naive. But that meant little - for elves had that effect on anyone, no matter what gender, age or background. Even preference in type meant nothing when one faced an elf – one was almost FORCED to fall for them, no matter what. "After your call two days ago from Paris, I have prepared your usual room," she said finally, her voice shaking a little. It was an almost impossible feat to find a room on such short notice during this kind of event in Vienna, but Elisa would have probably killed the customer who had the room rather than disappoint Legolas. He smiled with satisfaction and signed the forms she produced. Elisa's eyes darted to Irulan, then, and her expression spoke of open confusion as to what this kind of woman was doing in the company of a man like Lord Greenleaf. "Would you need another room as well?" she dared to ask. It was not polite for a hotel manager but understandable for an infatuated FEMALE hotel manager.

"No," he said curtly and having finished the signing, drew Irulan by the waist to embrace her. "One room is all we need."

Elisa's face fell and she said nothing in return. "Allow me to take you to your room, then," was the late statement.

"No need, Elisa. I can find it easily enough." With that he smiled one last time, then walked to the elevator with Irulan in his embrace.

"When will we meet Baeron?" she said as they were riding up. She felt the suppressed tenseness that flickered shortly before Legolas effectively suppressed it.

"He should arrive any time."

"I wonder what costumes he picked!" Legolas chose not to answer and gazed ahead as the elevator finally pulled to the top floor. They stepped out and walked through the corridor that had walls lined with crimson velvet. "He would not...not pick Joan of Arc, would he?" she said suddenly, almost with a whisper.

"Of course not. Even Baeron is not that foolish!" was his rather meaningful remark.

She sighed in relief as they walked into the room. "No, he would not do that. He is a nice man." She did not hear his frustrated exhale and continued to walk into the room. "I hope that he does not think me angry."

He crossed his arms and watched her. "You should be."

"Oh no!" laughed Irulan, waving her arm dismissively and walking up to the desk that held the basket filled with chocolate and a champagne bottle, inspecting said items. "I know he meant good. I could never be angry at-"

She halted when his arms snaked around her waist and Legolas pressed her to his chest. A fiery kiss was planted on her neck. "If you continue to talk about Baeron," he whispered into her hear and kissed the lobe of it, causing a terrible havoc in her body, "I will begin to get jealous." She remained completely still for a moment or two, then found no other reply than nodding and grasping his arms that pulled her even closer. He kissed her lobe again, then placed a trail of soft kisses down her cheek and her neckline. Irulan remained hesitant and torn as to how to react. Yes, there was no denying it: She wanted Legolas. She wanted to push aside all curtains and break all walls and be with him in the most intimate fashion a person could be with another. And her desire for him exceeded any want she had felt for a man before. If Legolas had been an ordinary man and not the famous elf that he was, no doubt, Irulan would have given no second thought about taking the next step.

However...still she hesitated when it came to further intimacy. Because he was immortal. Because he was Legolas the elf. Because he was living in a completely different style and fashion than herself. Because a relationship with Legolas meant something far different than an affair with an ordinary man.

Legolas, on the other hand, held no such hesitations. He was not a man to engage in physical affairs with any woman or leisurely. All elves were very cautious in such choices, because unlike many humans, a union on that level meant much to them and they considered it extremely precious and private. It was a strong bond and none that they would form with anyone. However no elf would hesitate to form it with someone they deemed worthy of it. It was an expression of love, a natural intimacy that comes with affection and there was nothing shameful or sinful about it. On the contrary - it was the essence of nature and beautiful for body and spirit alike.

He had formed that bond with many women before - both mortal and immortal. And passion and want had been there, as well as love. But never had he been IN love and so utterly drawn to its physical expression as much as he was with Irulan. Never had he felt the desire he was feeling for Irulan. The desire to touch and taste her skin, to hear her pleasure and to share ecstasy with her in its purest manner. He might be an elf, but no creature was designed to resist a pull of such strength and Legolas felt his control slipping further with every moment. It was too hasty for the courting of an elf and certainly too much to ask from a mortal at this point. But nature cared nothing about such details. Nature only saw a man and a woman and the unbreakable bond of love that chained one to the other. That was enough reason for It to throw away all ridiculous "but"s, "if"s, "no"s and "maybe"s and just go ahead and share love in every shape and form.

Once again it was the phone that saved Irulan, and once again, she did not know whether to feel happy or sad about it. The fire scorching her skin, the flame that seemed to erupt from his fingers was simply incredible and she let out a shaky breath when, at the persistent ringing of it, the elf released her with a sigh of regret to walk over to the phone. Irulan had to swallow hard and allow herself a few moments before she could turn around and lean on the desk behind her so that she would not glide to sit on the floor.

Legolas, too, had a difficult time returning to the present. And had it not been Haldir's voice on the other end after the receptionist connected the call, it would have taken him probably longer to do so.

"Hello, my friend," was the cool and somewhat amused greeting and it woke him up like a splash of cold water on the face.

"Hello Haldir," he said, instantly amazed that it came out so blank. Especially since his heart was beating this ferociously.

"How is everything?"

"Fine, thank you," he said, a little tense. Haldir meant England. England meant the Council. The Council meant the wager. Just when he was having a fabulous time, cursed be it all!

"What of your test?" Haldir said suddenly and the hair on his nape rose. Now that his sentiments for her had changed so drastically, the uncovering of that deed was more than just frightening. Far more. His mind worked with full speed to find something that would not sound strange to Irulan whose eyes he felt on his back.

"I was mistaken," was the final and cool reply. He could have sworn that he felt Haldir grinning in response to that. A silent understanding passed between them as he felt the other elf growing bolder, now knowing that Irulan must be somewhere nearby for the Prince to speak in this manner.

"So you were," Haldir mused a moment later. "I thought as much when -after Rome and Paris- your staff informed me yesterday that you were to be found at this number in Vienna." Legolas chose silence and turned to look at Irulan who appeared beside him at that moment. "Life is very surprising, don't you think, Legolas? You can trust it for centuries but just when you think you have figured it out, it hits you right in the heart." Again Legolas said nothing as Irulan watched him with open curiosity and he stared back at her, Haldir's words echoing in his mind. A silence set in and Haldir was the one to break it: "Will you stay long?"

"We are here to attend the Masquerade," he replied, evading a clear-cut answer.

"Has something happened?" Irulan said softly at that moment.

"Ah," said Haldir with amusement and Legolas let the blankness sink on his features to avoid being affected by his tone. "The WORLD has happened, dear Irulan!" She, of course could not hear him but Haldir heard her just fine with his elven perception.

"No," was Legolas' flat answer. "He only called to see how we are doing."

The other elf chuckled a pleased "Indeed!"

"Do we need to return early?" she prodded on, suspicious of this sudden call.

Legolas did not wait for Haldir's reply. "No. We can stay." It was a message to the other man as well, and Haldir understood immediately:

"No worries, my friend. We are still awaiting the remainder of the members. But even if they were all here..." with that, his voice gained that damnable amusement again, "...no meeting in this world is more important than your odyssey to relocate your heart, Legolas."

That was it! He barely kept himself from banging the phone in its cradle. Not only was that too furious an expression for his notorious calmness, but it would be highly suspicious in the presence of Irulan. Instead he uttered a calm "Thank you. Goodbye," and prepared to end the conversation.

"Can I speak with him?" Irulan squeaked hastily and his hand froze. A forced smile crawled up to his face before he nodded and handed the receiver to her. "Haldir? How are you?" she said with deft joy. Legolas, amused by her enthusiastic reaction to him and knowing that these two had managed to form a friendship long before he had succeeded in dragging Irulan out of England, just crossed his arms on his chest and remained observant.

"Far better now that I heard from you two," he heard Haldir replying.

A pinkish hue hit her cheeks and the Prince could not help smiling at it. "Yes...Legolas is taking me to these amazing places, Haldir! I was hoping that we could stay for the Masquerade at least."

"Oh by all means! Stay!" laughed Haldir heartily.

"But if Legolas needs to return..."

"He needs to do exactly what he is doing at the moment, dear Irulan," Haldir said and she looked up to the blank expression of the elf before her. "I am glad that you are seeing new places and having such a fabulous time."

"I have met Baeron!" she said then suddenly, to the utter irritation of Legolas. A silence followed and even Irulan sensed the tenseness and surprise of the man on the other end.

"Oh," he said softly, "is that so?"

"Yes," was her slightly uneasy reply as she glanced up at Legolas but found nothing to read in his expression. "He sends his greetings to you."

Haldir did not reply right away. "My greetings to him as well," was the final statement. "May I speak to Legolas, please?" he added kindly.

Irulan said her good-bye and gave the phone to the other elf. Then, not wishing to be rude or nosy, strode into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

"Is everything all right, Legolas?" Haldir said cautiously once he heard the phone settling on the man's ear.

"Of course," came the curt reply.

Haldir hesitated again. "The past has a nasty habit of repetition," he sighed finally.

"/There is no repetition here/," Legolas said, switching to Elvish although he knew that Irulan could not hear him. "/We are too old to make the same mistakes/."

"Oh no," said Haldir coldly, "never too old for that, Legolas! You will keep him away from Irulan," he added, almost like a threat.

"/No other man will touch King-daughter again/," Legolas growled, cautious not to use her name.

A long silence issued and he did not aid Haldir in overcoming his shock. "This...is most...unexpected," the other elf stammered finally, then allowed another silence. "Have you told her of your sentiments?"

Legolas smiled and glanced at the closed door again. The faint hum of water reached his sensitive ears. She must have been washing her face. "/I have/." His smile turned into a grin. "/She has granted me with her acceptance of further intimacy/."

"You are a lucky man, Legolas," Haldir said slowly and with blunt honesty.

"I am," he said finally in English, sighing once more. "I have found my heart's true match."

He heard the man take a soft, deep breath. "Would you want me to take your place in the Council? You can remain longer, then."

"No." He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Irulan wants to attend and vote. So do I. We will come in for that."

"Good, my friend. I am overjoyed by this news. Until we meet again."

Legolas had barely placed the receiver in its place when the bedroom door opened and Irulan's head appeared. When she saw that he was not on the phone anymore, she walked towards him, absent-mindedly drying her hands with the towel. "Is everything all right?"

"Of course," he said softly, waiting for her to arrive by his side.

"Do we still have time for that lunch you promised?" she grinned.

"Yes, we do," he whispered and slowly took the towel from her hands, dropping it without looking away. A feral smile appeared on his lips as he stepped closer, touching the wet strands that were framing her face. Irulan closed her eyes and did not move as his lips began another one of those devastating ministrations on her face, finding every drop of water and tracing it with his lips and removing it with a kiss. She sighed and the sound drowned in his mouth when he finally found her lips and began a tender exploration of her mouth. She slightly tilted her head and leaned in further while the elf snaked his arms around her neck and with a motion that resembled crossing them on his chest, pulled her to himself, deepening the kiss.

This was getting unbearable! With all her will-power, Irulan had no way of resisting this seduction. Not that she really wanted to, but if she DID want, she was absolutely certain that she couldn't. The courting was merciless on the heart. But this…this was downright cruel to the body. Once again the sizzling began in her belly and slowly fanned out through her entire body as passion took over and she grew bolder, tilting her head a little further. Something suspiciously similar to a groan erupted from Legolas as Irulan tasted the spectacular sweetness that rolled off his tongue and made her long for more.

Her stomach thought otherwise. It protested at their carelessness and she barely managed to frown with disappointment and grasp the front of his jacket before Legolas tentatively and reluctantly broke off. She could not control herself as her lips followed his to return to that Heavenly bliss but he was too tall for that and only chuckled in reply as he placed his forehead on hers. Irulan sighed, accepting defeat. She allowed his warm breath on her face to continue for a little while longer before her eyelids fluttered open and she met the fabulous blue looking down at her.

Her stomach groaned again and his smile grew broad while his hands slid down her sides to grasp her waist firmly. "Ignore it," Irulan breathed, her annoyance at her human traits momentarily overpowering her desire.

"I can not ignore your needs," he sighed with amusement. "Nor can I break a promise, my love."

At the use of that word, Irulan bit her lower lip and cast down her gaze. To hear something like that from Legolas was doing strange things to her. He pulled her closer by the waist, taking a deep breath. "We better go," he groaned, his eyes glued to hers. "Or else…" She swallowed at the strange fire in his eyes and waited for him to finish the sentence. But he chose not to, and instead let go of her waist to find her hand. Irulan dropped her head in disappointment. A part of her brain was echoing with the thought that she should be glad. That she was being overly bold and thoughtless. But she would not heed that part. Not anymore. She was an adult and the lover of a man. Now, REFRAINING from physical closeness was strange, not the other way around. She nodded and took a deep breath as her fingers entwined with his and Legolas swallowed softly, giving her one last look of regret before he began to walk towards the door, pulling Irulan with him.

***