WARNING: More frisky married elf flirting

Chapter 12- Worries In The Night

Midsummer's Day- Courtyard of the Citadel

Legolas stood by as he watched his friend, the King, commit only by ceremony his undying love to one Elvish woman for the rest of his life. He was glad to see that this day had come, and that Elrond had not persuaded Arwen into departing for Valinor, but all in the same time he felt sadness and grief for what was happening. The Evenstar of his people was forsaking her immortal life for a mortal man. Nay, it was the friend he had known since he was a little elfling, not just Undómiel. He could still remember them running around with their child's bows and pretending that Erestor was an orc lord that needed to be killed. Or getting into an exceptional amount of trouble in the gardens when they ruined a prized rose bush of the garden caretaker's. Never had he thought Arwen would meet Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and fall so deeply in love that she would not live her long life, and that he would one day be without Arwen's friendship. And it had not even occurred to him until now... what would he do without the ever close brotherly bond he and Aragorn had between each other when Aragorn left his waking body?

He sighed heavily and smiled as loud cheering and applause broke out around them, Aragorn pulling Arwen into a long overdue kiss. And again he reminded himself that had he the choice of Arwen, and been so in love with the Short-lived, he would have made the decision she had. It was hard, though, to think this, as he had never been in love himself. It was not as if he had trouble filling his bed with the finest of elleths. Even his father had been so obliging to arrange for the most discrete meetings for him. Elf maiden after elf maiden had captured his attention, but never had he allowed a relationship to form with any of them beyond the pursuits between the covers of his bed. Generally speaking, though, he did not have much time for these dalliances, especially with the positions he held in his father's house, and it had suited him fine. That was until this day when he stood watching the ceremony. Now looking across at Faramir and Éowyn, Celeborn and Galadriel, Rúmil and Narië... and Haldir and Indilisse.

It worried him that since he had waited so long without the intent to bind with another that there was no hope for him to love.

The newly wedded couple turned around and smile to the crowd, Aragorn mentioning something about the great feast and celebration that would be held throughout Minas Tirith, the grandest in Merethrond. With that, he and Arwen moved towards the hall, followed by a procession of people, the elves predominantly behind the happy couple. Legolas, however, found himself rooted to the spot in which he stood. Maybe he had been too harsh on the Lindonian princess in his initial opinion of her. Just because she did not suit his tastes, did not mean that she was not a formidable mate. And what if he had been so horrible that she had only mirrored his demeanor to her? Maybe she really was a loving person.

But he still could not justify marriage without love. Never in his life could he marry without love, with only the 'hope' that love would grow between them.

And there were still thoughts of the young elleth he had met in Lórien taking over his mind. He had hoped that Emlin had accompanied the party, especially when he heard that the report of the people of the group. The report had mentioned a great fair company, with a young she-elf with them. For a few days he had hoped it would be her. He wished to speak with her. He needed to hear her untroubled voice and carefree thoughts. Such a thing, he thought, would soothe his mind.

To say that he was disappointed to find Haldir and Indilisse rode by themselves, was a horrible understatement for his true feelings. He had almost even cursed the presence of Aranel. He could not believe he had even thought such a despicable thing. Aranel was a sweet girl... but Emlin still was not there. And it was apparent when he questioned Indilisse and Haldir of the whereabouts of their daughter, Haldir was not the least bit pleased with the remaining interest in his daughter. Indilisse had quickly diverted the attention away from the original question, like she always did, but still Legolas had felt Haldir's scrutinizing glare the entire night at dinner, and then when they were sharing Miruvor brought especially from Imladris in Aragorn's study.

Again, he did not know why this elleth held so much of his attentions. It was becoming more and more unnerving.

Finally, Legolas found his feet and continued into the hall for the celebration, taking his predetermined seat at the head table with the King and his new Queen and their other distinguished guests. Food upon trays of silver, food upon trays of gold... food and even more food was set out in front of them at the table. It almost matched the generous outflow of wine from Minas Tirith's finest bottles to the silver and gold goblets! People were laughing and talking about merry things. Pleasant music filled the air, the other high guests elsewhere in the hall waiting anxiously for King Elessar to escort his bride to the center of the white stone and dance their first dance so that they could then join in without worry of impertinence. Even Gandalf was back to his old self, chuckling amusedly at the antics of the hobbits, and drinking plenty.

Everyone else in the hall seemed to be having the merriest time of their lives, and here he sat, eating and drinking quietly, still feeling as if the biggest weight was resting upon his shoulders. Was it the fact that he would soon return to Mirkwood and the ruin that probably overtook a large portion of his home and that he was still bound by contract to wed the princess? Or was it that he truly did not feel right with Emlin not being present to at least witness this blessed event? Why was she not by his side so he could see the youthful wonder in her eyes?

"Princeling, I will personally cut the frown from your face if you do not change it." A voice said, :Especially when the fairest Lady of all Arda is here!"

Legolas turned to the gruff voice. "My friend, I cannot seem to help it."

"Then I suggest you ask a beautiful maiden to dance." Gimli spoke, wiping his bushy beard of crumbs. "That at least will keep your mind off of what it is that is truly bothering you."

"I fear that will not keep my mind from what invades it." Legolas sighed and took a long sip of the light summer wine.

Gimli knew full well of Legolas' continued interest in the March Warden's daughter. "It is best to forget about it, laddy."

"You are right Gimli, but I wish it was as easy as that." Legolas sighed again as he watched Aragorn guide Arwen out to the center of the stone floor. He watched for a few dances and then excused himself to the balcony, the warmth of the entire hall and the closeness of bodies closing in around him. Stepping out, he took in a long breath of the surprisingly cool Midsummer night's air. The hour was late from the inkiness of the sky, but there were bright stars out still, and the moon bathed the entire city in an ethereal glow, the white stone reflecting it with a wonderful shimmer, almost making the walls and circles below appear as if they were pools of silver. The Evenstar was the brightest it had ever been this night. This was something he would have loved to share with Emlin. She would have experienced so much pleasure just fathoming the magic of the evening.

"The day is a joyous one, but you do not seem so joyous for your friends, Legolas."

Startled by the soft voice and stealthy entrance from behind him, he turned sharply to find Galadriel gliding across the balcony, her tall and lithe body moving soundlessly under her fine gown of white. Oddly he felt comforted and yet anxious to be in her presence. Such conflicting feelings, and yet they meshed together easily. Too easily. He placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head slightly, "My Lady."

"You are not glad to see Undómiel wed to Elessar?" She repeated, joining his side and looking over the edge of the balcony.

"My Lady?" He questioned, but her intense stare into his eyes bore into him like it had never before. Legolas sighed, "I am happy for my friends, my Lady. I am only realizing how much I wish for that ability give up my life because I love someone so dearly."

Galadriel was quiet and pursed her lips into a straight line. Legolas immediately chastised himself for saying that so openly to Galadriel. After all, he did not know what she truly thought on this issue. Galadriel looked at him closely again, "You must not guard your words from me, Legolas. I am sad to see that my granddaughter will not join her family and me in the West, but I believe she has made the correct choice. Elessar is as honorable and loyal as any elf, and I am proud to call him my grandson."

Legolas was silent again and looked out on the fields extending from the city. A long silence passed between them, Legolas beginning to wonder why she still stood with him. He had never actually had council with Galadriel by herself on his few visits to Lórien, much less a conversation such as this and it was making him utterly nervous.

She looked at him again. "I know what is truly troubling your mind, Legolas."

He glanced at her, the depth and age of her eyes betraying her youthful features. "My Lady?"

"You have many worries." She said. "You worry for your land. You worry of your betrothal. Yet, the one thing that seems apparent to me, is that there is one thing taking precedent over the others."

Legolas gazed down at the ground, feeling very ashamed for his thoughts. "Aye, that is true."

Galadriel placed her finger under his chin and lifted his head, smiling softly. "Pen neth, you should not fret over it. She will find her way, eventually. As will you."

"I do not understand what you mean." Legolas replied slowly.

Her smile grew larger, "There are many trials ahead of you, Legolas Thranduilion. You will find yourself questioning even the very foundations you were raised upon, but it is your choices that will lead you to eternal happiness and joy or to despair and grief."

With that statement, she left his side and quickly disappeared into the swaying dancers. Had she just come out to speak with him? Had she been reading his thoughts the entire night? Legolas sighed and turned to look out on the majesty of the land, the beauty no longer filling him with peace. "Why must the Lady speak in such riddles?"

He turned to walk back into Merethrond, but froze suddenly when in the great distance he heard a high-pitched screech, reminding him of that of a Wraith. Legolas trained his eyes for as far as he could see in the dark, but the plains were empty, and there was no activity near the river. Why was he worrying about the Wraiths as it was? They were destroyed. As well as Sauron and the worst of his evil minions. He heard it again, but this time it was distinctly that of a very frightened horse. Craning his neck, Legolas tried to peer farther North, but he could not. Sighing in a resigned fashion, Legolas continued back into the hall of celebrants.

Meanwhile...

Haldir moved back a few steps in the dance he had just learned. Why had the elves not come up with utterly sensual dance between a man and woman? Maybe the world of Men was not so horrible after all. He really did not care, though, as he watched his wife move about him in the lazy circles that the dance entailed. All he really could pay attention to was the fact that a light sheen of perspiration had formed on her brow, on her upper lip, and in the wonderful valley between her breasts that was at wonderful vantage point for his eyes to gaze down at. She weaved in front of him again, brushing her fingers lightly across his chest like the other women were doing, but she smiled suggestively at him, her cheeks the color of deep roses from the exertion of the activity and from the good amount of wine she had imbibed.

Finally the dance shifted so that the man took an active roll, allowing Haldir to place his hands rather inappropriately around her small waist. They moved together as one, as he shifted her backwards and around in a few twists. She now smiled demurely, but quickly ground her hip against him, assuredly feeling the desire that was growing ever continuously for her. Indilisse glanced up at him again, and nodded her head appreciatively, taking a hold of his hand and pulling him out of the movement of the dancers.

"Would you wish to retire, meleth?" She whispered seductively, running her tongue along the contour of his ear.

Haldir stepped away from her, "Any elf here who saw that would be most displeased."

Indilisse chuckled and shook her head, walking away from him. "You are probably right."

He watched her move towards a side exit and start to walk out, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. "We cannot just leave like this, Indilisse. What of our hosts?"

"I see that the dance did take all of your attention." She giggled, motioning out to the entire party, "I do not see a King or a Queen anywhere, do you?"

"When did they leave?" Haldir questioned, sweeping his eyes over the partygoers again to find any trace of the King and Queen.

Indilisse smiled, "A few dances ago. I planned it for them so they could slip away unnoticed."

"You are a devious one, hervess." He chuckled, leaning down to place a light kiss upon her lips. "You realize the noble ladies of Minas Tirith will be wagging their tongues about how the King left his guests so early."

"If Aragorn can lead the last stand against Sauron at the Black Gates, I think he can handle fodder about town." Indilisse replied, taking a hold of his hand and tugging him out into the empty hallway except for the armored guards that stood nearby. She pulled him quickly along, not seeming to care of the amused grin on the sentinels' faces as she went by them. Haldir chuckled to himself. What would he ever do without her?

She pulled him into the bedroom and shut the door quickly, latching it so no one could enter. He could not control himself then, looking down at her and finding her gazing up at him with a great need. With much passion and fire, he placed his lips over hers. Her hands slowly snaked up and around his chest, to his strong shoulders ending their travel to rest around his neck. He nipped at her bottom lip, moving his lips ever slowly down her neck, as she bent her neck to the side to allow him better access. They had developed their art of play and seduction over many years now, but nothing ever seemed the same to him. It still felt like he was the unwed arrogant March Warden unwrapping his love for the first time.

"I am so warm." Indilisse pushed quickly away from him.

He looked down at her and raised an eyebrow, "If I am not mistaken, that is what I hope you are feeling."

She giggled, walking for the double doors out onto a side balcony. They opened up onto a glorious night as a cool breeze blew in and ruffled the heavy draperies only slightly. Indilisse walked out, but he followed, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms about her. It was nice to finally be without children, and able to do whatever they wished without planning their interludes around playtime or archery practice or when the children actually feel asleep.

He placed a soft kiss on her ear tip, eliciting a sigh from her mouth. "I love you, Indilisse."

"And I you, Haldir, March Warden of Lórien." She said quietly.

"I do like it when you use my title." Haldir replied into her ear.

Indilisse laughed, "I know that it gives you some feeling of power. I have to allow you to retain some of that."

"You do not think I wield power?" He questioned.

"In many areas you do, Haldir." She answered and turned in his arms look at him. "But in the matters of our marriage, I hold the power."

Slightly confused by this talk, and still horribly aroused, he could now understand why their teasing has stopped so suddenly. Had it all been a ploy to get him away from the halls? "What matters of our marriage?"

Indilisse giggled, "It does not matter, Haldir. Do not get defensive."

"No, please tell me, meleth." He said.

"Specifically children." She replied, "You allow me to sort out all fights, I dole out punishment and you execute it."

"Is this conversation eventually going to be about a certain daughter of ours coming to Minas Tirith?" He questioned and she gave him a surprised look.

"How did you... we were so quiet the entire..." She said.

Haldir chuckled, "Aragorn was very obliging after a few glasses of Miruvor last eve."

Indilisse was quiet for a little while she looked up at him. "And what say you on the matter?"

"I say aye, but only after a few more years." He smiled softly. "Maybe we will even stay for a time in Minas Tirith. It is said that Galadriel will be leaving in a few years time..."

"Haldir, I mean to let Emlin come by herself, and experience the world by herself." Indilisse said. "Besides, you would never be able to live in a place without trees."

Haldir nodded his head ruefully and sighed, "You are right, meleth."

She chuckled and ran her fingers lightly across his cheek and to his lips. "I am always right."

He bent over her, placing a soft kiss upon her lips, but it gradually turned into a very heated and passionate embrace. His arousal once again noticeable, Haldir quickly and easily lifted her from the ground and carried her into the sleeping chamber, placing her on the rather large bed. Indilisse giggled, watching him closely as he straightened himself, undoing the clasps on his tunic and throwing to the side, then bending over to untie his boots. Haldir felt her soft hands on his still leggings- covered thigh as he was pulling off the last boot, and slowly moved up to the obvious bulge at his front.

Haldir turned back to her quickly, taking her hands and pinning them securely above her head as he lay carefully atop her. "You are a tease, meleth nin."

"As are you." She smiled and lifted her head, kissing his chin and then his lower lip excruciatingly slow. Unable to wait for her lips to meet his, he captured them himself, letting her hands go so he could run his along her body. He ran a thumb across an already stiffened nipple through her gown, receiving a low moan from her. Kissing down her neck, to her throat, he finally rested at the neckline of her gown. She sighed as he trailed his tongue along the neck line, and without her expecting it, nipped at a prominent nub through her gown. Indilisse let out another moan, this time more in a whimper. Testing his waters, he ran his tongue around the bland tasting fabric, only nipping slightly harder.

There came no sound of pleasure from her, but she tensed considerably beneath him and the fingers on his shoulders dug into him considerably. Haldir raised his head, and asked worriedly, "Did I hurt you?" He became even more worried when she did not answer him, and the look on her face was one of pure fright. "Indilisse, meleth?"

"The children." She said urgently.

"What about the children?" He asked.

Indilisse pushed him off of her, "Something is amiss."

He did not understand. How could Indilisse think there was something wrong with their children when they were safely back in Lórien? And if there was anything wrong, how did she know? She did not have the powers of connection that Galadriel had. And what was more, if something had happened, why could he not sense it? He was their father.

"Indilisse?" He questioned more worriedly as he followed her to the balcony. "Our children are safe in our talan in Lórien."

She looked over the edge, as if straining her eyes to look into the distance. "Something is amiss, Haldir."

----

pen neth- young one

meleth- love

meleth nin- my love

hervess- wife