Don't owe anything by the way! And just a note – I am English-not American and have made some mistake in chapters prior to this one.

Anyone who said that a woman's place is in the kitchen is sorely wrong when it concerns Serena, especially when she's behind with the cooking, her clothes got red wine stains from where the bottle slipped when she poured some in the pan to make up the sauce, and frequent colourful streams of swear words kept flowing from her mouth as she darted round the kitchen in a mad frenzy. Domestic goddess she wasn't, the recipe has badly gone to the dogs and the picture in the book of what the dish was suppose to look like, quite frankly looked like a pile of steaming....

"SHIT!" Serena howled as she pulled her fingers off the hot ring, she momentarily forgotten she left on and exposed. Her fingers were instantly red and blistered, pulsating painfully as she cringed. She tried to run them under a cold tap but a pile of cutlery obstructed her aim. Through the din of her curses and clatter of plates as she elbowed them out the way, she nearly didn't hear the bell ring.

Sue! She did say she'd arrive early to help with the meal!

"The door's open, get your butt in here now cos I had it with this shit!" Serena wailed. She heard the door open but jumped when a masculine voice exclaimed, "What on earth happened?!"

huh?

A large hand pulled hers away from the tap and she looked up to see the one man she hadn't hoped of seeing in her current disarrayed state.

"You've burnt yourself - badly might I add?" Legolas didn't look up from her hand, his eyebrows furrowed in concern as he gently prodded the burns, provoking a loud hiss of pain and a dark look from Serena.

He then held her hand under the tap for a good ten minutes till her fingers felt numb from the cold water. During this time, he silently scanned the kitchen and then noticed the stains on her dress. "Things not going to plan?"

Her silence told him a lot.

"Go and get changed, we've thirty minutes till they start arriving yeah? Let me see if I can rustle something up." He gently guided her to the corridor, she turned back and looked at him but he was gone, a clatter of plates told her he was attempting to move the mess she'd made. Smiling she disappeared into her bedroom, aware that he was only in the next room, the faint noises alerting her of his presence.

By the time she put on a new dress and reapplied her make-up, she felt nearly human again, she entered the kitchen to see Legolas leaning against the counter, a glass of red wine in his hand and his eyes looking into hers, a smile played on his lips as she stepped in and blushed, not just of the sizzling chemistry between them but of the amount of jobs Legolas had accomplished in the time she'd been dressing.

But thankfully Legolas saved her from finding words and speaking by handing her a glass of red wine, "I reattempted that recipe I believe you were doing. Hopefully it'll turn out better." His eyes regarded her with humour as she again blushed and busied herself with her wine, a strong dose of it took away an edge of nervousness.

"Let's see your hand." He didn't wait for her to show him, he reached out and held hers as he looked, noting the red skin which looked thoroughly painful. For a moment nothing happened then a strange sense of calmness overcame Serena. He let go of her hand and she looked down and realised that the red skin has disappeared and left it as fine and smooth as it was before. No sense of pain lingered behind, she looked up at Legolas, "What did you do?"

"Nothing." He replied, staring at her hand as if he too didn't know what had happened.

At that moment Sue, Candice, Simon, Paul and Wendy entered her flat without knocking, rowdy and rambling, they stopped at the doorway to the dining room-cum-kitchen, all with the same face of curiosity and mild horror if they intruded on something. Serena and Legolas stared back, silence reigned for a few seconds then at once both Serena and Sue broke the silence.

"Come in...."

"We've bought wine."....

Serena smiled, "Please go through to the lounge, I'll bring some glasses." The noisy rabble filed through and took up their individual seats scattered in the room. She turned back to see Legolas busying himself with the dinner and immediately she apprehended the spatula he held and waved him away.

"Go, you're a guest too, you've done enough."

"Serena I insist...." Legolas started but shut up when she shot him a stare that invited him to disobey her. Instead he meekly picked up the bottle of red wine and walked out, she could hear his voice asking who wants a drink to which a chorus of voices replied their various answers.

"Who's he?" Candice asked, a twenty-something student and University of London who worked at The Muse for extra money. Divinely sexy with a hint of Bardot in her, Serena was envious of Candice and realised she was to be her main competitor to Legolas, who was already introducing himself next door.

"Him? He is called Legolas." Serena smiled over her shoulder as she arranged the salad that was to be their starters.

"Wow, he's pretty high on the fuckability rating I grant you." She giggled, and Serena smiled, "There you're right."

"Call me crazy but he reminds me very much of Gabriel." Candice tilted her head thoughtfully to one side, making her head of long blonde curls tumble over her shoulder.

"That's what I thought." Serena replied, slowly realising that Legolas never did explain more about the painting.

"So is he staying over tonight?" She coyly asked, her smile teased her as Serena turned back and frowned, "Candice!"

It wasn't long when the first course served up and the group meandered into the dining room, lit with fairy lights on the wall and candles which set a lovely dining experience. The first course which was sun blush tomato tartlet went down well and Serena was on a roll, not only was the food going down well, Legolas got on with everybody, they all listened and laughed and she discovered he had a sense of humour in him when he recited stories and experiences, his voice would fluctuate, mimicking different characters and his hands expressed half the picture. Legolas, the renown story teller.

She was also aware of Candice who with sweet irony seated herself next to Legolas, she knew when a women was flirting as every woman gut feeling told her. But thankfully Legolas didn't encourage her, but remained polite and smiled.

It was during the second course that the conversation truly got flowing.

"Serena, tell me why haven't you got any decorations up?" Simon asked, another student but was extremely clever, Serena spent many a day discussing politics to theories of life with him, you could always guarantee an interesting conversation will start with him around....any conversation apart from the one he just brought up.

"What you mean?" Serena sipped her wine, trying tactfully to avoid the conversation and delay answering.

"Well it's Christmas and there isn't a inch of tinsel to be found." Simon went on, unaware of Sue's daunting look, as she was the only one who knew the full story. She answered for Serena instead, "Maybe its not worth the hassle of putting decorations up, I mean they'll only be up for a couple of days making more mess that they are worth and then you have to take them down again."

"And anyway I'm not really into Christmas." Serena shrugged, throwing Sue a thankful smile.

"What are you doing Christmas day?" Candice asked, looking up from her plate, her blue eyes holding hers innocently as she waited for an answer.

"Nothing." Serena replied, somewhat ruffled now.

"Nothing?!" Was a chorus of replies excluding Legolas and Sue who tactfully resumed their eating, ignoring the conversation.

"I'm not really fussed and I'd rather stay here and enjoy myself eating chocolates and such." Serena replied, turning down charity cases of invitations to spend the day with them.

"Will Legolas spend the day with you?" Candice asked, this time there was an audible silence as Serena looked up to see Candice smiling sweetly. Legolas swallowed the mouthful he was chewing and looked at Serena. "If she wants me to." He smiled.

"Well that's that then, what's for dessert?" Sue banged the table, causing the cutlery to rattle and teasing about Sue's unchallenged appetite began.

"Have you seen the painting downstairs?" Wendy asked, she was in her mid forties though was as youthful as Serena, with red hair tied back at the nape and a black roll neck jumper, she didn't look her age.

This question was directed at Legolas who popped a strawberry into his mouth and nodded. Their dessert was a pile of fresh fruit and a tofu set with the candle burning, keeping the chocolate nice and warm. It was one bit of kitchen equipment that Serena was determined to get some use out of, resulting them to huddle together at the end of the dinning table to share. Serena was constantly aware of Legolas pressed up against her, she could feel the whole of his left side against her right, and with every movement, she couldn't fail to notice the taunt movement of his muscles as they rippled under his clothing. The tantalising smell of his skin kept assaulting her senses and whenever he turned to speak to her, she could see every little detail of his face. His eyes were deep blue and with flecks of green, his hair despite being partly pulled back, made her fingers itch to caress it's silkiness and those sculptured lips made her wish he would kiss her now.

"That was the first thing I thought when I came in, 'isn't that Gabriel?'" Paul, a jovial man who wore glasses and a smile.

"Gabriel?" Legolas rose an eyebrow with interest.

"Yes, Serena named the painting Gabriel after the male angel of heaven who is said to be so beautiful." Paul informed him. Legolas turned back to look at Serena who blushed and smiled, "Did you hear that? He called me beautiful!"

"How did you two meet?" Wendy asked.

"I came into the shop and I saw Serena, we got talking and I could remember thinking how much I would like to get to know her." Legolas replied, he smiled at Serena who grinned.

"What do you do Legolas?" Simon asked, reaching out for a slice of pear and stuck it on his fork before dipping it in the chocolate.

"I breed horses."

"Really? In London?" Simon replied, looking more interested. "No, down in Devon, I also have a cattle ranch in America but that's being looked after by friends who run it with me." Legolas explained.

"What brings you to London?" Candice asked, her attention rapped on Legolas as he stabbed a strawberry and dunked it too, in chocolate.

"Seeing old friends, taking in the sights a bit. I got an apartment here in Notting Hill, I frequently come up and visit."

"That must cost a bit." Paul whistled.

"It does but sometimes one sale of a horse can set me up for a while." Legolas smiled.

"How so?" Serena asked, curious as to learning a bit more of the object of her lust.

"It depends on blood, breed and build really. If they are from a line of famous race horses then I can charge quite a bit." He turned to her and replied her question.

"I see." Serena smiled, the bigger picture immerging. He was in the money in a big way through a job he worked and obviously loved, it made him seem more romantic. And from Sue, Wendy and Candice's face, it appealed to them too.

Once all the wine has been drunk and the conversations running to an end, the guests started leaving, it wasn't until Sue left were Legolas and Serena alone together. Strange how a dinner party has it's dark and light moments, where revelations and secrets were revealed only to be chased away by stories of mirth and humour. Serena was given a few Christmas presents from her staff and friends and left them unopened on the table, ready for Christmas day which was two days away....correction tomorrow as it is now midnight and is Christmas eve.

"Well I better get going." Legolas smiled when Serena tried to stifle a yawn but failed.

"Please don't go." Serena dried the last plate that Legolas insisted helping in doing the washing up.

"Its late Serena, and you look as if you are about to drop off any minute." He replied, walking to the door and shrugging on his coat.

"I'm not tired." She replied, bleary eyed, which Legolas didn't fail to notice. "No. but all the same, I think I'll leave now."

he opened the door but turned back and smiled, "I'll be back soon, don't you worry. In the mean time Serena, have a nice Christmas." He kissed her gently and was gone, leaving her to stare out onto the landing .

Alone, once again at Christmas – sweet irony wasn't it? She thought bitterly, tears threatening to flow but she sniffed them back and climbed into bed, with her dress still on, not caring to get changed.

It was during that night that Legolas saw this year's first snow float down from the heavens above. He held his hand out and watched how the delicate form of ice melted away to nothing, smiling at such sweet natural beauty. He didn't want to leave Serena but he did have plans to make and he knew Serena would like them. Ah Serena, a mystery that continuously provoked him no matter what he as doing. With her around, he felt strangely more alive and regretted what he was forced to do.

'Maybe it'll work out?' kept plaguing his thoughts, hopes and dreams that usually evaded him now kept rolling over him like a burst dam.

When it came down to the mere fact, both elves and men suffer from love but with opposite consequences.

No word could come even closer to how Serena felt that following day, waking up in the bed lone. For a woman who had her hopes up to have bedded Mr 'fuckability' as Candice so bluntly put it fell through, leaving her no only alone, depressed and horny but simply alone once more for another Christmas.

It's a sorry state to see a depressed woman, how she'll be so critical of herself such as standing in front of a mirror and pick at flab which isn't there, or the shape of your face or the moustache upon your lips which you know deep down doesn't even exist.

But through this anger it, it absurdly makes a woman feel better....how? it's one of life's greatest mysteries that isn't going to get solved soon.

Serena spent half the morning deciding she was fat, ugly and so forth that when the bell rang she stared at it, fuming at how dare it ring in her hole of self pity!

Can't the world see she's depressed?

She threw open the door to come branch to face with a green Christmas tree, several long seconds of silence followed by a deep voice seemingly from the tree its self which made Serena shriek.

"Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas."

"What the...." She stared at the branches, currently trying to decide weather in fact if the tree was alive or how far gone depressed she was, in order to book herself in to the nearest mental hospital when a face popped out behind the tree, saving her from either thoughts or mentality.

"Come on, let me in." Legolas picked up the tree and carried it into her lounge, not waiting for an answer.

"What are you doing?" she asked, staring at Legolas, confusion at the for- front of her mind.

"Come here." He held out one arm which she walked into. He draped a length of tinsel round her neck and smiled, "Merry Christmas." Before she could respond, a kiss silenced her. He broke away and with child like glee he laughed, "Come on, help me get this tree up."

And for the rest of the afternoon and early evening, they both decorated Serena's apartment with tinsel, baubles, mistletoe, (which they took great relish from) and all the usual entire of Christmas. And complete with the picturesque falling snow outside in the streets, to Serena this was a Christmas come true. Not bad for a woman who was so depressed this morning?

"Come on , turn the lights on!" Serena whined in a voice best suited a three year old. A audible grunt came from Legolas who was on his knees, half under the tree, trying to plug the socket in. with a click, it fell into place, lightening up the tree with a thousand diamond-esque lights which made Serena ohhed and ahhed till Legolas was next to her, trying to remove the pine needles from his hair.

"It looks great." She smiled and pulled out a needle, fingering his long blonde hair which was startling white against his black turtle neck jumper.

"It does, doesn't it? Just need some presents now. Could you get that bag?" he asked her, she picked up the bag by her feet to realise it was full of gifts. "What is this?"

"I just got a little something." He shrugged, looking sheepishly as she rummaged around, knowing what she'll say next.

"I can't, I haven't gotten you anything!"

Bingo!

"Now, now. I insist Serena now put them under the tree." He gave her a gentle push towards the tree to empathise his point. He turned on the fire, letting the flames dance over the coals as he watched Serena rattle and prod each gift, trying to determine what they were. Seating himself in the plush sofa, he smiled as Serena joined him, lying back against him all snugly and warm.

"Can I open one now?" She asked, raising her eyes to his, sparkling with joy and humour. "Go on then...." He handed her one he reserved just right for this moment and he knew she could tell what it was before she unwrapped it.

"It's a book." She grinned.

"Just open it." He smiled, she did and turned the thick red leather bound book over in her hand, "The Lord of The Rings." The title rolled off her tongue.

"It's a great book, you'll enjoy it just as I have." he smiled.

"What's it about?" She asked, earning herself a chuckle as he shook his head, "You'll have to read it to find out."

"You read it to me." She handed him the book and settled down against him. Oh Valar, so close, so....delightfully close. Her black hair tickled his chin as he inhaled her scent of lavender. A stirring deep down in side of him, rendered him breathless for that moment and it wasn't until he cleared his throat uneasily did he start reading.

"A Long Expected Party...."

"I'll let you start reading from The Council Of Elrond." Legolas closed the book and lifting his chin from Serena's shoulder. They were both lying out along the sofa, unaware of the time flown by.

"It's good, although there's a lot of words!" Serena smiled. She lazily stretched and sluggishly rolled over so she was lying on her front against his chest, watching his face as he stared into the flames of the fire.

"What?" she crossed her arms and rested her chin upon them.

He looked back at her, "Nothing." He smiled. "Did you really name that painting of me Gabriel?"

"I did." She smiled into her crossed arms, aware he was smiling back at her, humour in his eyes. He gently wrapped his arms round her waist and fingered her long black hair, rippled like dark water and held a golden sheen to it. She slowly pulled herself up, and moved closer to him, her face merely inches away and her lips!

Those divine lips that made him go crazy with longing to claim them with his own.

Her eyes smouldering as she lowered herself against him, deeply aware they were now lying shoulder to shoulder, breast to chest, thigh to thigh, soul to soul. He reached out with one hand and slowly caressed her jaw line, feeling the soft skin which intoxicated him.

Not waiting for his permission, Serena kissed him, his tongue darting between her lips as he pulled her tighter to him, not getting enough of her body he so craved. Her hands slipped under his jumper, making him softly groan as her fingers roamed over the hard muscles he obtained over the long years. He wasn't heaving like terminator nor was he brawny, but he was just right.

Perfect.

Deciding to torture her like she had done, he gently pushed her jumper up and caressed her lower back, drawing little circles and other mark less scribbles with his fingers. He could feel her breasts harden with pleasure and her hand was now sliding lower past his navel, its destination to the more than obvious sign of arousal which made his jeans very uncomfortable for him.

"Come." She whispered softly though he heard her, she slid off him and held his hand, leading him to where he presumed was the long awaited bedroom, its bed ready to accept them. He smiled when she sat on the edge of the bed, and gently pushed her back, lowering himself so he straddled her, his mouth instantly finding her neck and rendering her helpless.

He felt the tug of her hands in his jumper and knew she wanted it off, he shrugged out of it in one fluid-like motion. She could see how truly perfect he was, utterly, completely perfect.

Soon she was jumper-less and his warm breath was dancing on her stomach as he kissed around her naval, drawing out a long and unspeakable pleasure that was almost like pain.

Then he was kissing her, his lips forcing all emotions and thoughts from her mind as her fingers found the deep indentation that was his belly button, she slowly circled it....once....twice and following the silky hair that arrowed downwards, she slipped her hand past the waist band of his jeans, under his underwear and gripped what it was she was seeking, relishing its hard strength and animal growl that emitted from his mouth.

He pushed against her hand, wanting her to know what she did to him and his hands slipped under her bra, his lips sucking and teasing as she groaned. It didn't take them too long to strip each other, each relishing the sight of the other naked, touching and caressing, sucking and biting, whispering and groaning.

They were there and they'll be damned if they were to be disturbed.

With lust flowing heavily in his veins, he slid her under him and held her closer, letting her feel him against her, knowing what is to come next. She wrapped her legs round her waist, opening herself to him and he willingly took it.

Valar knows how long he waited!

With one long groan, he eased himself into her, that unspeakable tightness that gripped him just right.

And there followed were a variety of rhythms, at first deep and slow, then getting faster and regular, its tempo building up, accompanied with waves of rapture, harmonised by groans of pleasure and creaking of the bed as it vibrated.

Then it came slow, where he glided fluidly in and out, with no restrictions and pattern, where whispers were heard and finally it came.

It came at its highest peak, a great crescendo of firm, hard beats that echoed deep, with cries and groans of uttermost pleasure. It all ended with the hardest, final beat of them all, one that pushed it's practitioners to the edge and further, to utmost glory.

There that night, in that bedroom, two wayward souls found each other, though unaware they were found. Or they were even lost but in time to come, they will realise this. But this one moment will be both a blessing and a curse, though they've yet to learn why.