A/N: This is an R chapter, so to speak. I told you I would warn you, and I
am, so do not post any complaints that this book is PG-13. It isn't my
fault if you don't read author's notes, that IS what they are for! But
don't worry, the part after the **** is not. . . Err, that kind of thing.
You can skip over it if you are not comfortable reading that sort of thing.
That's your warning, now go ahead and read! :) Okay, so there ya go.
Disclaimer: Muse: MUWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Pixisticks: what was that for? Muse: I've stolen Legolas! MUWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh, and the rest of the LotR characters featured in this book. Entire population of females who aren't in love with Johnny Depp instead: AHHHHHH!!!! *run forward with lynch objects* Muse: AHHHH! Okay, okay, I give them back. Sheesh.
17. Secret Meeting.
Legolas couldn't believe his eyes. Here, right in front of him, was the woman he had agonized over for. . . How long had it been? It didn't matter; she was here now. Every doubt, every uncertain thought he'd had about her was now perfectly clear. At that moment, every problem or worry he had was forgotten, and he knew he loved her.
She stood, framed by the window, no doubt the way she had come in. Her plain clothing did nothing to hinder her look; the simplicity only enhanced it. Her dark eyes assessed him calmly, as though she broke into rooms every day and thought nothing of it, and her arms were crossed. Her black hair looked tousled through messy ponytail it was secured in, and she appeared rather tired. Love of Earendil, he was damned if she didn't seem even more beautiful than before. This distracted him so that he barely noticed she hadn't answered him.
Hesitantly, the elf walked to the center of the area, the mere presence of her in his room unnerving him already. Seeing his nervousness, Kalia smiled, the sight nearly bringing him to his knees. She had to know what an effect she had on him. But it didn't seem to be, with the way her gaze was soft. In a moment, she would speak and he would die. But instead, she merely walked up to him, and met him in the middle of his room. One gloved hand came up to his cheek, caressing it gently.
The elf was completely unprepared for the sudden warmth of her mouth on his. She was kissing him deeply, and he felt the true depth of the passion behind it. She had waited as long as he had. . . too long. It had been too long since he last touched her, tasted her, explored her. And she knew it. Well, the elf was through with games. He was finished with her constant teasing, having her play with him but deny him in the end, when she knew perfectly well what she was doing to him. He was done with this torture. . . enough was enough. He wanted her, needed her, needed her to feel the same.
Kalia moaned in his mouth as he seized the back of her neck, pressing her into him, molding their bodies together. She could sense his passion from here, and that would make it all the harder to leave him later. But now that she had had her mind satisfied, her body was envious and want its own turn. She couldn't tell him about the child. . . not yet. The woman needed this night from him, she didn't care about the consequences. It was too late to change her mind, her body wouldn't let her.
He was returning her kiss with a need so great, it was all she could do not to sigh in relief. She had been so afraid he would refuse her touch, but now she knew she could ignite a fire that only her body could extinguish. Instead of letting him know she knew this, that she was now aware she had so much power over him, she moved her hand up to tangle in his hair. The other arm she threw around his neck, unable to get close enough.
The prince was delighted to know that she needed him as much as he did her, which was proved by the intensity she infused into the kiss. Legolas didn't know about her, but he wouldn't be content with just a kiss, not this time. He wanted to explore her, to play with her a little before satisfying the urge he had. Earendil knew she had done so enough, so now it was his turn to drive her wild. This was just his intention. Now. . . yes, now she would be his.
The Tuathe groaned as his mouth left hers. The touch of his skin against hers, the feel of his lips pressing willingly against her own had done nothing to fulfill the desire that had exploded inside of her. And he wasn't finished, not even close to it. He looked around, and she watched him with anticipation for his next move. He still wanted her, she could feel it. . . So what was he looking for?
Kalia found that out soon enough, when he took her hand in a very polite manner and led her over to the side of his room. He sat her on the bed, and no sooner had she given him a questioning look -words did not seem necessary yet- than he was lying on top of her. She suddenly found herself sprawled out on the bed, his hands securing her wrists by her sides, his mouth caressing her throat. She moaned again, tossing her head from side to side. The woman attempted to free her hands so she could be in control once more, but he didn't allowing her to move them. Instead, the elf paused his attentions to her neck and raised his head.
"Not this time, my dear. This time, it is my turn." The female met his gaze, but wished immediately she hadn't done so; the look in his astonishing eyes undid her completely. Somehow, she found the ability to challenge him with completely confidence.
"You can secure my hands, Legolas, but can you do the same to my body?" Kalia questioned. The elf quirked a brow in amusement; he didn't believe she could regain her power. How naïve. . . Didn't she know she had never lost it? But if she didn't, he wasn't going to be the one to inform her of it.
"Very well, Kalia. You want another game? I'll give you another game." Legolas returned to her throat and bit her, not hard, but enough so that she cried out slightly. She did not do so in pain, but in surprise. He was quick to sooth it, gently stroking the area with his tongue. She shivered as he moved up, pulling down her hair with his teeth since his hands were securing her own, and deliberately made his body slide against her own. She had to touch him, too. . . But he was teasing her. Grudgingly, Kalia admitted to herself that she deserved this sweet torment, after all the times she had put him through the same. But oh, if she had realized what she had been doing to him!
Legolas nibbled at her lips again, resisting her efforts to intensify it. He was enjoying all of this immensely, but the way she was writhing beneath him in a combination of pleasure and agony nearly drove him to the edge. He gently pressed his cheek into hers, then slid his lips down from hers to her neck again. This time, though, he made sure that they barely made contact with her skin. She threw a leg over him suddenly, making sure he was completely pressed into her, and drew his lips back up to hers with her will alone. This woman was going to be end of him.
The Tuathe twisted her wrists desperately. She had to get back in control, she had never lost herself like this before. Kalia groaned in frustration as she felt only the light touch of his lips.
"Legolas," she whispered, in his ear, unable to do anything further from her position. This wasn't fair, the way he was torturing her without her being able to do anything about it. Her clothing was a nuisance, she wanted to remove it, since he didn't seem to be bothering with it. Then his face suddenly filled her vision, and his eyes were soft, yet sparkling with desire. Kalia suddenly felt his hand somewhere that it shouldn't have been, but where she needed it at that moment. Her response was immediate: Her hips shooting forward, her head tossing side-to-side, a cry-half pleasure, half shock-on her lips.
When she calmed, her head falling back, she saw him smirking. The cad hadn't even bothered to undress either of them, he was just taunting her. Still! Kalia shot him an annoyed look, which he countered with one of innocence. She suddenly felt a feather-light sensation on her collarbone, and noticed Legolas had transferred her hands to capturing them with only one, his other trailing itself lightly along her neckline. She closed her eyes, which heightened her other senses.
Her eyes nearly snapped open again as she felt the prince's hand suddenly drifting lower. She wore nothing under her tunic, so his fingers were currently caressing her breast. Still, Kalia kept her eyes shut tightly, the feeling magnified by tenfold. . . Or so it seemed. She could not stop herself from arching forward when he focused his hand on it instead of moving it. She gasped when she felt his warm mouth gently sucking on it. She hadn't realized he had even lifted it up, she had been focusing on his hand. But now she opened her eyes and smiled, seeing he had released her hands without knowing it.
The woman wanted to tangle her hands in his hair, the locks she knew were softer than silk. But first, she gently eased her tunic off, since it was still a bit of an irritation.
"The candle, Legolas," she said softly. The Tuathe female wondered if he had even noticed she'd lit it. When he raised his head in confusion, she nodded to said light. "Put it out."
"Why?" he asked, not wanting to leave her. He could see in both light and darkness, it did not matter to him. Her grin made him even more suspicious.
"Trust me." With a small sigh, the prince rose. He gazed at her for a moment, causing her to flush slightly, and Legolas smiled. She was still an innocent in some ways. He turned around to do as she asked, walking over to the other side of the room to extinguish the flame. The room was instantly plunged into shadow, though it only took a moment for his eyes to adjust. While he was at it, he decided to lock the door, too; though it was highly doubtful they would be disturbed, he didn't want to take any chances. Sometimes Pelin had a habit of barging into his room unexpectedly, and a closed door alone was a sign that no disturbance was wanted.
That done, the prince turned around. His eyes sought Kalia, and he sucked in a breath upon seeing she had removed the rest of her garments and was lounging on his bed while he had been putting out the candle. The elf was momentarily distracted by this full, unhampered view of her, his eyes roving freely over every glorious inch of her body. He couldn't believe how lucky he was, how beautiful the woman he loved had turned out to be.
Slowly, Legolas walked back to her, watching as she sat up on her knees. There was absolutely no shame in Kalia's gaze, and she wasted no time in making use of her free hands and pulling his head towards her the moment he joined her. Her kiss had lost none of its passion, none of the desire had drained out of her. He returned it with the same amount of abandon, his hands trailing through her hair and down her arms. Her skin was soft, and her spicy scent was intoxicating him.
The Tuathe female moaned in his mouth, her own hands coming up to remove his tunic. They parted for only a moment, impatiently, as Kalia whisked it over his head, then their lips eagerly met once more. And suddenly there was no clothing between them at all, and the woman reveled in the feeling of all of his flesh against hers. She was on her back, and he was back at her chest, picking up where he'd left off. Bumps ran up her flesh at the feeling, she hadn't known such in so long. . .
But it was when he entered her, when their bodies truly joined that she felt the true meaning of contentment. Legolas had not ceased his attentions on her breast, nor had has hands stopped caressing her, and Kalia was certain she would die from so many combinations that caused her pleasure. Her climax was one like she had never experienced, both riding the fierce waves of passion in the sea of bliss. Both realized, in those wonderful moments, that they were meant for each other, but neither said so. Words were unnecessary, at least for now.
Afterwards, Kalia curled up in the prince's arms, gently kissing him. A sheet was untangled, and both slept, wearied from their tempestuous meeting.
**********
It was at least a few hours before Legolas awoke. The first thing he noticed, and automatically, was that he was alone. Alarm instantly struck him, and he sat up, but noticed that he was covered with a different blanket than he had been when they had fallen asleep. His keen eyes roved the dark room, which was illuminated by a pale light from the slowly rising sun. By the window, on a divan that she had dragged over, Kalia had wrapped the other sheet around her like a nightdress. Her legs were curled up beneath her, in a very lady-like manner, and her sleek hair brushed her bare neckline and shoulders. The woman's dark eyes were fixed on the trees, where Legolas saw dewdrops on the leaves and a hazy mist outside. The prince took a moment just to watch her, a small smile playing on his lips, when she didn't notice.
Though Kalia's face bore an expression of peace and content, her mind was distraught. She couldn't slip off while he was unaware, she had to at least tell him about the child. She owed him that much. . . After all, he would be the girl's father. The elf had a right to know. But that factor wasn't even what had her mind in an uproar.
It was the fact that she loved him. The Tuathe woman hadn't even known it, and yet she had answered Anaeli without hesitation. How was that possible? How could her heart know something, but keep it hidden from her mind? A soft sigh escaped her lips, when she realized she'd known it all along. Ever since she had been thinking of nothing but him, since she had wondered why he stirred emotions in her that none other could.
The situation was almost comical; what with both Legolas and Kalia having caused the same kind of turmoil to the other during their separation. . . And neither of them knew it.
"What troubles you?" The elf inquired softly, causing the woman to jump. She looked over, and offered him a small smile.
"Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking. . . Actually, there is something I have to tell you." She bit her lip; he was awake, which was her whole excuse, but she didn't know how to enlighten him that she carried his child. Legolas was looking at her with concern.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" She stood up to dress and shook her head, but delayed telling him as she turned her back and clothed herself once more. When the woman was finished, she turned to see he had done the same and was watching her impatiently.
"How do you feel about me?" She asked suddenly, startling even herself. 'Where did that come from?' she thought in bewilderment. But her mouth refused to let her take back the question. Much to her surprise, his answer was almost immediate, and his voice did not waver when he spoke.
"I love you," he told her quietly, his blue eyes calmly meeting her own. "Why?"
"I. . ." she stammered, unprepared for such an answer. The feeling of giddy joy that was spreading through her excited every one of her nerves, distorting her clear thinking. "I kind of had. . . I had a. . . oh forget it. Legolas, I'm with child," she announced, the look on his face laughable. The elf began to speak, but she didn't give him time to. "And that's not all." Biting her lip, Kalia began to pace. It was another long moment before she spoke again.
"She's yours."
Legolas never would have thought he contained such euphoria, but he knew he did when it burst inside him at the words. True, he was still numb with shock, but still. . . Then the full meaning of those words hit him. He was going to have a child, with the woman he loved. Could there be a greater joy than this?
He approached her and she tensed, thinking he was displeased. How could he be displeased? Instead, he kissed her, channeling some of his delight into the action. Kalia melted in his arms for a moment, both from the kiss and relieved he was glad about it, then gently pushed him away.
"I have to go," she told him, pulling on her gloves. Legolas blinked, as though coming out of a daze.
"W-why?" he asked, almost dreamily. Then he stiffened, and she sighed.
"It's not what you think, really it isn't. I don't like working for Tokilor, I despise the man. But he promised me that he would let me and my people go at first, which was why I accepted in the first place." Kalia paused. "Now, I realize that the only ones I cared about that were Tuathe had died. I don't know any of the surviving Tuathe, and the only one I care about is you." Her eyes were soft, a hand coming up to his cheek. "I never answered you before. . . I love you, too. More than you could ever know, I realize that now. The only reason I have to go back is so that he doesn't harm you because of me." With another quick kiss, the prince found his window open again, and she was gone.
Disclaimer: Muse: MUWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Pixisticks: what was that for? Muse: I've stolen Legolas! MUWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh, and the rest of the LotR characters featured in this book. Entire population of females who aren't in love with Johnny Depp instead: AHHHHHH!!!! *run forward with lynch objects* Muse: AHHHH! Okay, okay, I give them back. Sheesh.
17. Secret Meeting.
Legolas couldn't believe his eyes. Here, right in front of him, was the woman he had agonized over for. . . How long had it been? It didn't matter; she was here now. Every doubt, every uncertain thought he'd had about her was now perfectly clear. At that moment, every problem or worry he had was forgotten, and he knew he loved her.
She stood, framed by the window, no doubt the way she had come in. Her plain clothing did nothing to hinder her look; the simplicity only enhanced it. Her dark eyes assessed him calmly, as though she broke into rooms every day and thought nothing of it, and her arms were crossed. Her black hair looked tousled through messy ponytail it was secured in, and she appeared rather tired. Love of Earendil, he was damned if she didn't seem even more beautiful than before. This distracted him so that he barely noticed she hadn't answered him.
Hesitantly, the elf walked to the center of the area, the mere presence of her in his room unnerving him already. Seeing his nervousness, Kalia smiled, the sight nearly bringing him to his knees. She had to know what an effect she had on him. But it didn't seem to be, with the way her gaze was soft. In a moment, she would speak and he would die. But instead, she merely walked up to him, and met him in the middle of his room. One gloved hand came up to his cheek, caressing it gently.
The elf was completely unprepared for the sudden warmth of her mouth on his. She was kissing him deeply, and he felt the true depth of the passion behind it. She had waited as long as he had. . . too long. It had been too long since he last touched her, tasted her, explored her. And she knew it. Well, the elf was through with games. He was finished with her constant teasing, having her play with him but deny him in the end, when she knew perfectly well what she was doing to him. He was done with this torture. . . enough was enough. He wanted her, needed her, needed her to feel the same.
Kalia moaned in his mouth as he seized the back of her neck, pressing her into him, molding their bodies together. She could sense his passion from here, and that would make it all the harder to leave him later. But now that she had had her mind satisfied, her body was envious and want its own turn. She couldn't tell him about the child. . . not yet. The woman needed this night from him, she didn't care about the consequences. It was too late to change her mind, her body wouldn't let her.
He was returning her kiss with a need so great, it was all she could do not to sigh in relief. She had been so afraid he would refuse her touch, but now she knew she could ignite a fire that only her body could extinguish. Instead of letting him know she knew this, that she was now aware she had so much power over him, she moved her hand up to tangle in his hair. The other arm she threw around his neck, unable to get close enough.
The prince was delighted to know that she needed him as much as he did her, which was proved by the intensity she infused into the kiss. Legolas didn't know about her, but he wouldn't be content with just a kiss, not this time. He wanted to explore her, to play with her a little before satisfying the urge he had. Earendil knew she had done so enough, so now it was his turn to drive her wild. This was just his intention. Now. . . yes, now she would be his.
The Tuathe groaned as his mouth left hers. The touch of his skin against hers, the feel of his lips pressing willingly against her own had done nothing to fulfill the desire that had exploded inside of her. And he wasn't finished, not even close to it. He looked around, and she watched him with anticipation for his next move. He still wanted her, she could feel it. . . So what was he looking for?
Kalia found that out soon enough, when he took her hand in a very polite manner and led her over to the side of his room. He sat her on the bed, and no sooner had she given him a questioning look -words did not seem necessary yet- than he was lying on top of her. She suddenly found herself sprawled out on the bed, his hands securing her wrists by her sides, his mouth caressing her throat. She moaned again, tossing her head from side to side. The woman attempted to free her hands so she could be in control once more, but he didn't allowing her to move them. Instead, the elf paused his attentions to her neck and raised his head.
"Not this time, my dear. This time, it is my turn." The female met his gaze, but wished immediately she hadn't done so; the look in his astonishing eyes undid her completely. Somehow, she found the ability to challenge him with completely confidence.
"You can secure my hands, Legolas, but can you do the same to my body?" Kalia questioned. The elf quirked a brow in amusement; he didn't believe she could regain her power. How naïve. . . Didn't she know she had never lost it? But if she didn't, he wasn't going to be the one to inform her of it.
"Very well, Kalia. You want another game? I'll give you another game." Legolas returned to her throat and bit her, not hard, but enough so that she cried out slightly. She did not do so in pain, but in surprise. He was quick to sooth it, gently stroking the area with his tongue. She shivered as he moved up, pulling down her hair with his teeth since his hands were securing her own, and deliberately made his body slide against her own. She had to touch him, too. . . But he was teasing her. Grudgingly, Kalia admitted to herself that she deserved this sweet torment, after all the times she had put him through the same. But oh, if she had realized what she had been doing to him!
Legolas nibbled at her lips again, resisting her efforts to intensify it. He was enjoying all of this immensely, but the way she was writhing beneath him in a combination of pleasure and agony nearly drove him to the edge. He gently pressed his cheek into hers, then slid his lips down from hers to her neck again. This time, though, he made sure that they barely made contact with her skin. She threw a leg over him suddenly, making sure he was completely pressed into her, and drew his lips back up to hers with her will alone. This woman was going to be end of him.
The Tuathe twisted her wrists desperately. She had to get back in control, she had never lost herself like this before. Kalia groaned in frustration as she felt only the light touch of his lips.
"Legolas," she whispered, in his ear, unable to do anything further from her position. This wasn't fair, the way he was torturing her without her being able to do anything about it. Her clothing was a nuisance, she wanted to remove it, since he didn't seem to be bothering with it. Then his face suddenly filled her vision, and his eyes were soft, yet sparkling with desire. Kalia suddenly felt his hand somewhere that it shouldn't have been, but where she needed it at that moment. Her response was immediate: Her hips shooting forward, her head tossing side-to-side, a cry-half pleasure, half shock-on her lips.
When she calmed, her head falling back, she saw him smirking. The cad hadn't even bothered to undress either of them, he was just taunting her. Still! Kalia shot him an annoyed look, which he countered with one of innocence. She suddenly felt a feather-light sensation on her collarbone, and noticed Legolas had transferred her hands to capturing them with only one, his other trailing itself lightly along her neckline. She closed her eyes, which heightened her other senses.
Her eyes nearly snapped open again as she felt the prince's hand suddenly drifting lower. She wore nothing under her tunic, so his fingers were currently caressing her breast. Still, Kalia kept her eyes shut tightly, the feeling magnified by tenfold. . . Or so it seemed. She could not stop herself from arching forward when he focused his hand on it instead of moving it. She gasped when she felt his warm mouth gently sucking on it. She hadn't realized he had even lifted it up, she had been focusing on his hand. But now she opened her eyes and smiled, seeing he had released her hands without knowing it.
The woman wanted to tangle her hands in his hair, the locks she knew were softer than silk. But first, she gently eased her tunic off, since it was still a bit of an irritation.
"The candle, Legolas," she said softly. The Tuathe female wondered if he had even noticed she'd lit it. When he raised his head in confusion, she nodded to said light. "Put it out."
"Why?" he asked, not wanting to leave her. He could see in both light and darkness, it did not matter to him. Her grin made him even more suspicious.
"Trust me." With a small sigh, the prince rose. He gazed at her for a moment, causing her to flush slightly, and Legolas smiled. She was still an innocent in some ways. He turned around to do as she asked, walking over to the other side of the room to extinguish the flame. The room was instantly plunged into shadow, though it only took a moment for his eyes to adjust. While he was at it, he decided to lock the door, too; though it was highly doubtful they would be disturbed, he didn't want to take any chances. Sometimes Pelin had a habit of barging into his room unexpectedly, and a closed door alone was a sign that no disturbance was wanted.
That done, the prince turned around. His eyes sought Kalia, and he sucked in a breath upon seeing she had removed the rest of her garments and was lounging on his bed while he had been putting out the candle. The elf was momentarily distracted by this full, unhampered view of her, his eyes roving freely over every glorious inch of her body. He couldn't believe how lucky he was, how beautiful the woman he loved had turned out to be.
Slowly, Legolas walked back to her, watching as she sat up on her knees. There was absolutely no shame in Kalia's gaze, and she wasted no time in making use of her free hands and pulling his head towards her the moment he joined her. Her kiss had lost none of its passion, none of the desire had drained out of her. He returned it with the same amount of abandon, his hands trailing through her hair and down her arms. Her skin was soft, and her spicy scent was intoxicating him.
The Tuathe female moaned in his mouth, her own hands coming up to remove his tunic. They parted for only a moment, impatiently, as Kalia whisked it over his head, then their lips eagerly met once more. And suddenly there was no clothing between them at all, and the woman reveled in the feeling of all of his flesh against hers. She was on her back, and he was back at her chest, picking up where he'd left off. Bumps ran up her flesh at the feeling, she hadn't known such in so long. . .
But it was when he entered her, when their bodies truly joined that she felt the true meaning of contentment. Legolas had not ceased his attentions on her breast, nor had has hands stopped caressing her, and Kalia was certain she would die from so many combinations that caused her pleasure. Her climax was one like she had never experienced, both riding the fierce waves of passion in the sea of bliss. Both realized, in those wonderful moments, that they were meant for each other, but neither said so. Words were unnecessary, at least for now.
Afterwards, Kalia curled up in the prince's arms, gently kissing him. A sheet was untangled, and both slept, wearied from their tempestuous meeting.
**********
It was at least a few hours before Legolas awoke. The first thing he noticed, and automatically, was that he was alone. Alarm instantly struck him, and he sat up, but noticed that he was covered with a different blanket than he had been when they had fallen asleep. His keen eyes roved the dark room, which was illuminated by a pale light from the slowly rising sun. By the window, on a divan that she had dragged over, Kalia had wrapped the other sheet around her like a nightdress. Her legs were curled up beneath her, in a very lady-like manner, and her sleek hair brushed her bare neckline and shoulders. The woman's dark eyes were fixed on the trees, where Legolas saw dewdrops on the leaves and a hazy mist outside. The prince took a moment just to watch her, a small smile playing on his lips, when she didn't notice.
Though Kalia's face bore an expression of peace and content, her mind was distraught. She couldn't slip off while he was unaware, she had to at least tell him about the child. She owed him that much. . . After all, he would be the girl's father. The elf had a right to know. But that factor wasn't even what had her mind in an uproar.
It was the fact that she loved him. The Tuathe woman hadn't even known it, and yet she had answered Anaeli without hesitation. How was that possible? How could her heart know something, but keep it hidden from her mind? A soft sigh escaped her lips, when she realized she'd known it all along. Ever since she had been thinking of nothing but him, since she had wondered why he stirred emotions in her that none other could.
The situation was almost comical; what with both Legolas and Kalia having caused the same kind of turmoil to the other during their separation. . . And neither of them knew it.
"What troubles you?" The elf inquired softly, causing the woman to jump. She looked over, and offered him a small smile.
"Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking. . . Actually, there is something I have to tell you." She bit her lip; he was awake, which was her whole excuse, but she didn't know how to enlighten him that she carried his child. Legolas was looking at her with concern.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" She stood up to dress and shook her head, but delayed telling him as she turned her back and clothed herself once more. When the woman was finished, she turned to see he had done the same and was watching her impatiently.
"How do you feel about me?" She asked suddenly, startling even herself. 'Where did that come from?' she thought in bewilderment. But her mouth refused to let her take back the question. Much to her surprise, his answer was almost immediate, and his voice did not waver when he spoke.
"I love you," he told her quietly, his blue eyes calmly meeting her own. "Why?"
"I. . ." she stammered, unprepared for such an answer. The feeling of giddy joy that was spreading through her excited every one of her nerves, distorting her clear thinking. "I kind of had. . . I had a. . . oh forget it. Legolas, I'm with child," she announced, the look on his face laughable. The elf began to speak, but she didn't give him time to. "And that's not all." Biting her lip, Kalia began to pace. It was another long moment before she spoke again.
"She's yours."
Legolas never would have thought he contained such euphoria, but he knew he did when it burst inside him at the words. True, he was still numb with shock, but still. . . Then the full meaning of those words hit him. He was going to have a child, with the woman he loved. Could there be a greater joy than this?
He approached her and she tensed, thinking he was displeased. How could he be displeased? Instead, he kissed her, channeling some of his delight into the action. Kalia melted in his arms for a moment, both from the kiss and relieved he was glad about it, then gently pushed him away.
"I have to go," she told him, pulling on her gloves. Legolas blinked, as though coming out of a daze.
"W-why?" he asked, almost dreamily. Then he stiffened, and she sighed.
"It's not what you think, really it isn't. I don't like working for Tokilor, I despise the man. But he promised me that he would let me and my people go at first, which was why I accepted in the first place." Kalia paused. "Now, I realize that the only ones I cared about that were Tuathe had died. I don't know any of the surviving Tuathe, and the only one I care about is you." Her eyes were soft, a hand coming up to his cheek. "I never answered you before. . . I love you, too. More than you could ever know, I realize that now. The only reason I have to go back is so that he doesn't harm you because of me." With another quick kiss, the prince found his window open again, and she was gone.