Passionate Kisses

Thelyn woke as the sun was just peeking over the distant hills. The camp was already a bustle of morning activities with breakfast being prepared and everyone packing. He rolled up his blanket and looked around for Jamie. She was packing her saddlebags, and she turned and gave him a smile.

"Good morning," she said.

Thelyn joined her by the horses and whispered, "Good morning, Melamin."

"What is that?" Jamie asked.

"My love," he leaned closer and whispered.

Jamie blushed, "Shhh, you'll get yourself in trouble talking like that."

Thelyn smiled mischievously, "I like trouble, remember?"

Jamie laughed, "Oh, go get your breakfast."

Thelyn smiled and returned to the fire. Jamie started to untie her loose braid so she could fix it, and Bergo and Fretho started to laugh.

Jamie glared at them, "What?"

"Your hair has grown again… Rapunzel," Fretho said with a grin.

Everyone looked and the snickers broke out again. Her hair was almost to her knees again and Jamie looked at Quickbeam and glared. But her attention was drawn away when she heard Bergo start to sing…

"Each morning when I lift my head

And rise up from my simple bed

I smile and gaze across the camp

To see my friends all waking.

But much more than this simple joy

I the answer to this question seek

How long, today, will be the locks

Of Jamie's hair from Ent brew's making?

Some days she gains but a single inch

Others two or three or more

But always there is laughter

When we, our fast, are breaking…"

Jamie rolled her eyes, but couldn't be angry for their embarrassing song. It was funny, if a little annoying. She stood and crossed her arms, trying to look angry, but she couldn't keep a straight face. Bergo grinned and broke into a chorus, and Fretho joined in.

"Oh lady of the growing hair

It reaches far, from here to there

She ties it up, but it grows and grows

And when it will stop, no one knows…"

Jamie shook her head and rolled her eyes. She just looked at Nyére and said, "Come on, I need a trim before this gets out of hand."

Nyére smiled and the pair walked out of camp a little ways for a moment of quiet. She took off three feet, leaving Jamie's hair at mid back length. Jamie turned and Nyére showed her the leftovers.

"That's just ridiculous," Jamie said with a smirk. "No wonder they made up a song."

"You could almost make a rope out of this," Nyére said with a smirk.

"No, that's just weird," Jamie said with a frown. She took the handful of clippings and tossed it away and then French braided her newly trimmed hair.

The pair returned, and the men all looked at her hair again. Bergo frowned.

"Alas she cut it off too short

But on the morrow I expect

Another inch of growth or more

To add to her braid's making…"

"Oh, give it a rest," Jamie said. "How long can you sing about a haircut?"

"Well, it is funny," Legolas said. "Here, have a drink."

Jamie glared at him, "You're not helping."

Everyone laughed, and they doused the fire and mounted up. Jamie looked at Nyére and asked for the directions.

"Due east?" Jamie asked.

"More northeast," Nyére said. "Within another day or two we should see the great peaks of the Orocarni."

Aragorn perked up at the mention of how close they were. "How much further to your wood?"

"Three to four days," she said. "But I will see you to the Entwives' gardens first."

"But your home is on the way, isn't it?" Jamie asked.

"It is farther south," Nyére said flatly.

Jamie wondered what Nyére was up to, avoiding her home like that. She had a feeling she should talk to her about it later, but for now they needed to get moving. She just gave her friend a nod and said, "Northeast then."

They crossed the stream and rode northeast over the grassy hills that gradually became smaller and smaller until they were on flat ground again. The ground was soft and they had to watch for bogs and marshes. By evening they had come a fair distance and camped on a dry patch of earth between a marsh and a strangely out of place boulder. The horses were tended to, and the camp was laid out. They made a fire from a few pieces of dead wood they found and some dry peat. Thelyn and Alcon went scouting around for some game, and Aragorn and Legolas surveyed the perimeter.

"Seems remote enough to be safe," Legolas said.

Aragorn looked around with scrutiny, "Perhaps it is, and perhaps not."

"Have you seen anything to warrant concern?" Legolas asked.

"No," Aragorn said with a frown, "And that is partly what concerns me. I have seen no bird or rodent or even insect all day. This place is too empty for my comfort."

Legolas considered his comments and realized he was right. There was something strange about this land. "We will take care with the watch," Legolas conceded. "I would rather err on the side of caution than be carelessly caught unaware."

Aragorn nodded and the pair returned to camp. A short while later, the twins returned empty handed. Thelyn was frustrated with their lack of success.

"Not even a scrawny hare lives in this cursed land," he said in annoyance.

"I am not surprised you found nothing," Aragorn said. "It matters little, we have food packed."

Thelyn looked at Nyére, "What is this place?"

Nyére stared into the fire, "I did not come this way before, but it is known as the lost lands. It is a flood plain for the Nuduin River. In winter it is flooded, but now it is safe to cross."

"And what of the wildlife?" Aragorn asked. "Where is it?"

"I do not know," Nyére said. "I do know that my people refuse to enter here, but they do not leave the wood at all any more."

"How long will it take to cross it?" Jamie asked.

"We will be through it tomorrow when we reach the river," Nyére said.

The conversation dropped off after that. They had their meal and cleaned up. Jamie stayed close to camp. The air was still and moldy smelling. She hated swamps, they always smelled like a backed up toilet. She looked at the cat tails growing around the slough and frowned.

"I'm sure I don't have to say this, but… don't anyone fill their canteens here," Jamie said.

Aragorn nodded his agreement. She hadn't needed to say it, but that she thought of it impressed him. "A sensible reminder, thank you, Jamie."

Everyone went to bed leaving Bergo and Fretho on watch. It was an uneasy night, and Jamie couldn't sleep. The whole place creeped her out. Even the moon seemed to hide as dark clouds shrouded its light. In the early hours of morning, there was a panicked shout from the watch.

"Wake! Wake! On guard, we are under attack!" Fretho shouted.

Everyone sprang from their beds, and they heard splashing in the marsh. Jamie felt a strong arm wrap around her and yank her out of her sleeping bag. She gasped in surprise, but calmed when she heard Thelyn's voice.

"They're coming from the marsh, Jamie. Stay here," Thelyn said as he deposited her up on the boulder.

Jamie watched in horror as dozens of little creatures crawled out of the marsh and tried to drag her friends in. They looked like scrawny little goblins with long arms and legs and little bodies. Their eyes were huge, almost covering half their little ugly faces, and they glowed a sickly green.

Bergo was already in the water swinging his sword and thrashing about. Quickbeam stretched his arm out to him and lifted him out, but several… creepy things were hanging on to his legs. Quickbeam plucked them off and hurled them several hundred feet away. Jamie was impressed by the skill with which her companions fought off the hideous little things.

Nyére stayed close to Jamie, having been shoved back by Polodrin. Jamie called to her.

"What are they," Jamie asked.

"Bog goblins," Nyére answered almost bewildered. "Parents tell their children about them at bedtime, but no one truly believes in them. I thought my father made it up…"

Jamie could see that there were too many of them, and they were coming from the other marshes as well.

"What do they want?" Jamie asked.

Nyére turned and looked right at her, "They want to eat us."

Jamie paled. That was disgusting. She looked out at the camp and decided to try and help the only way she could. She stood up on the boulder, closed her eyes and sang. Quickbeam turned and watched as she raised her voice confidently, but quickly turned back to fighting off the numerous little goblins.

The ground shook and Nyére climbed up onto the boulder with Jamie and watched. In a nearly perfect circle around them, the ground started splitting. Saplings sprung up in a ring around the boulder and the camp, and they grew with alarming speed. Nyére realized what was happening and called the others to drop back.

"Come, grab the horses and run!" she shouted.

Thelyn turned and gasped in shock. He and the others ran for the horses and led them in between the trees even as the gaps shrunk. Before the goblins could reach them, everyone was safely walled up in a great ring of Cyprus trees. There was not enough space between their trunks to reach an arm through. Jamie's voice trailed off and she collapsed, falling off the boulder. Aragorn and Thelyn ran to her and she was shaking.

"Jamie?" Thelyn asked nervously.

Jamie opened her eyes and croaked out, "Did it work?"

Aragorn smiled, though there was concern in his eyes, "Yes, Jamie, it worked. Rest now."

The fire still burned at the center of their camp, and their beds were still where they left them. The only difference was they were surrounded by silent sentries that could not be circumvented by the hungry goblins.

Thelyn gently lifted Jamie and carried her to her bed. When he'd tucked her in, and everyone had a chance to collect themselves, Aragorn confronted Nyére.

"Why did you lead us this way?" he asked almost angrily.

Nyére looked from Aragorn to Legolas to Polodrin nervously. "I wanted to avoid the wood. I did not know there would be danger here. It has long been abandoned because of the unpredictable flooding. Bog goblins were always thought to be a myth, but at least they are only a danger at night."

"Why avoid your home?" Legolas asked as he looked at her suspiciously.

"I wanted to protect you," she said. "I can't take you there, it would not be safe for the…" her voice trailed off, not wanting to say humans out loud. It didn't matter to her before, but now that she knew them, she didn't want to insult them.

"Humans?" Polodrin finished her sentence for her.

Aragorn cocked a brow at her and waited.

"My people are not welcoming to outsiders," she said. "They might allow the Elves, but they might harm the rest of you. I did not think so before, but after seeing Atanvardo again, I realized that my word will not save you. I do not trust my father to be reasonable, and I won't risk your lives. I will lead you to the Entwives' gardens if I can, but then my debt is paid."

Aragorn sighed, "Why did you not say this before?"

"Jamie wanted to go there," Nyére said. "I meant to talk to her about it, but never got around to it."

Aragorn just looked at the trees that surrounded them thoughtfully and gestured toward her bed. Nyére didn't argue or say another word; she just went to bed and hid under the covers. The rest of them gathered for a quiet conference.

"I believe her," Bergo said. "I don't think she'd have come here if she knew."

"That's rather gracious of you considering one of those things bit your leg," Fretho said.

Aragorn looked at Legolas, "What do you think?"

"I have not trusted her completely from the beginning, but there appears to be no deception here. She looked horrified when she saw the creatures," Legolas said.

Polodrin didn't want to break any confidences, but he felt the need to defend her. "She is terrified of her father," Polodrin said. "She told me yesterday that any human entering the wood was killed, and she would not take us there. She was truly afraid for us."

Aragorn glanced at Nyére hidden under her blanket. He had wanted a meeting with the Avari, but understood why she'd changed the plan. "We did come to find the Entwives," Aragorn conceded. "Now, how will we get out of here tomorrow?"

Quickbeam sighed, "Ask one of the trees to step aside, of course."

Thelyn laughed and Bergo coughed to keep from snickering. Aragorn looked up at Quickbeam and smirked.

"What did Jamie sing that trees would spring from the cursed ground like that?" Aragorn asked.

"The words were old, older than the speech of the Ents. I cannot translate them for you, nor do I think she will remember them. It was as much an effort for her as it was for the trees to create this ring to guard us," he said.

Legolas shook his head, "Hmmm, a ring. Jamie's ring."

Thelyn looked back at Jamie who was sleeping deeply. How could a song spring trees from the ground? What magic was there in her voice? She was much more than a lost girl and he felt unworthy of her.

Aragorn told everyone to get a little more sleep, so they all retired for what was left of the night. In the morning, they broke camp in silence. They scrutinized the silent watchers standing around them nervously. Finally the riders mounted up and Quickbeam looked at Jamie.

"They will answer to you, Jamie," he said. "Call for an exit, and they will move."

Jamie looked at the trees with awe. "Thank you for guarding us," she said. "The danger is passed and we must go. Let us pass."

Two trees backed out of the ring, forming an exit, and Jamie led the riders out. They trees seemed to bow a little, forming an archway. No one was unaffected by the night's events, and they all found a new respect for Jamie's songs.

The day's travel seemed to go quickly. They crossed the marshy lands and came to the Nuduin River. On the horizon the mountains were visible, though shrouded in clouds. Across the river was a dense forest, and Nyére shivered when she saw it. Polodrin noticed immediately.

"Snow?" he asked her softly.

Nyére looked at him tenderly, "I am fine."

"No, you are not," he said seriously. "How near your home are we?"

"Too near," she said. "We will follow the river north before we cross."

They made camp, and had fish and crawfish for dinner. Everyone seemed relaxed except for Nyére who was almost jumpy. She went for a walk among the few scattered trees that they camped among until she finally sat beneath a large oak. Polodrin followed her to keep her safe while she was out of sight of the camp. He sat with her and she calmed a little.

Polodrin leaned over to her and whispered, "Your home is near, so close you could walk there, and you are afraid."

"The border guards occasionally come out this far," she said. "They will not cross the river unless provoked, but if they should see me…"

"What is it that you fear, your father?" he asked.

"My future," she said. "Whatever is in store for me it will not be of my choosing."

"Do not go home, dear Snow, stay with me and I will give you a happy future," Polodrin said as he nuzzled her cheek.

"I… cannot," she said softly as she leaned closer to him, "Though when you leave I think you will carry my heart with you."

"Then I leave you mine in its place," he said sadly. "Tell me we are not doomed to be parted. I would rather die trying to win your father's blessing than live without you."

"Do not say such things, Prince of the west," she said quickly as she stood.

"I have a name, lady," he said standing beside her. "We are past titles and friendship now."

Nyére looked up into his eyes and whispered, "Polodrin…"

It was more than he could bear, hearing his name spoken with such reverence from her delicate lips. He gently took her chin in his hand and drew her closer. She didn't protest, and he took that as permission. His lips captured hers in a kiss, and he never felt joy like he did in that moment. She wrapped her arms around him and he pulled her close as his lips ravished hers. She was just as desperate as he was for this intimacy. Her tiny hands delved into his hair and he moaned softly with pleasure as he leaned her back against the tree and pressed his thigh between her legs.

Nyére thought his beard would be rough, but it was soft and tickled a little. His tongue teased her lips and they parted for him. The tender invasion if her mouth was exciting and her stomach fluttered as if she'd trapped a thousand butterflies. His hair was soft, and it beckoned for her to explore it. She was thankful for the support of the tree at her back for her knees became weak when his thigh pressed against her groin. Finally he broke the kiss, though his lips brushed over her cheek and down her neck. She gasped for air as her heart pounded.

"We shouldn't…" she rasped. "This will change nothing; it will only make it harder for us to part."

"Save your wisdom, woman," Polodrin said huskily. "Do not spoil this moment."

They gazed into each other's eyes with longing. They stood in a passionate embrace, but they were worlds apart. Polodrin knew this would end in heartache for both of them, but he couldn't stop himself. If all they could have were stolen kisses, then so be it.

"Lady, I would live and die at your whim if you would accept my humble suit," he said.

She looked at him with eyes full of love, "I would have you live."

Polodrin buried his face in her neck and hugged her. "It is cruel kindness that makes you reject me. I cannot live with or without you."

Nyére held him tightly and tears filled her eyes. What a horrible fate to have been born among the Avari. If she were a western Elf she could accept him and be happy. But duty chained her to her people, and they would kill him before they would allow such a union. She was suddenly terrified for this man in her arms. If they are detected by the border guards, he would be in peril.

Around the campfire, Aragorn watched Thelyn and Jamie as they sat beside each other lost in light conversation. They did not even hold hands, and Aragorn sighed. He cleared his throat gaining their attention.

"Tell me, Legolas, what is today?" Aragorn asked as he watched the pair.

"Why I believe today is Faradome, the summer solstice," Legolas said lightly.

"Oh, indeed?" Aragorn asked dramatically.

"Aye, it is midsummer now, isn't it?" Bergo said. "True enough."

"Hmmm," Aragorn said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "There was something about today… I should remember…"

Thelyn held his breath. His uncle was toying with them, he just knew it, but he had to wait for the joke to be over. He glanced at Jamie who just rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Why, I remember," Legolas said. "Jamie's birthday! Our singer is seventeen today."

"Of course, that was it," Aragorn said with a smile. "Happy birthday, Jamie."

Jamie just smirked at the humor, "Thanks."

"It is your birthday, but I believe I'll give a gift to Thelyn instead of you, if you don't mind," Aragorn said and then looked right at Thelyn. "You have my leave to formally court Jamie, and I do mean formally. You will be chaperoned, and no betrothal will be permitted before she is eighteen."

Jamie's eyes doubled in size and she sat stunned. Thelyn just rose to his feet and gave Aragorn a bow.

"Thank you, Uncle," he said formally. "May I escort Lady Jamie on a short walk?"

Aragorn smirked, "Go on."

Thelyn grabbed Jamie's hand and they practically bounced out of the camp together. Polodrin and Nyére passed them on their way back into camp just in time to hear all the laughter around the fire.

"What's going on?" Polodrin asked.

"Thelyn has Aragorn's permission to court Jamie," Legolas said between chuckles. "They both seemed pleased with the news."

Bergo looked at Polodrin's disheveled hair and Nyére's flushed cheeks and smiled knowingly. "So, what's new with you?"

Nyére blushed darkly and went to bed. Polodrin just looked at the ground with an innocent look on his face. He kicked at the ground a moment and finally said, "Oh, nothing."

Aragorn rolled his eyes at the obvious lie, but refrained from comment. Bergo and Fretho just snickered and Legolas stifled his laugh out of deference to Nyére's embarrassment. This relationship surprised him, but he was not displeased. Perhaps some good could come from it.

Thelyn didn't take her far, just far enough for a little privacy. With the trees to shield them, Thelyn pulled Jamie into his arms. He gazed down at her wide innocent eyes and he felt a knot in his throat.

"I can't believe it," he whispered. "I can't believe that a woman as wonderful as you would be in my arms."

Jamie blushed and looked away shyly, but he reached up and turned her to face him. "I would keep my promise to you now," he said softly. "It is midsummer, and my fairest is newly come of age. Would you call me boyfriend, Jamie?"

Jamie smiled, "Yes."

Thelyn bent down and timidly brushed his lips over hers, "I love you, Jamie."

"Then show me with a kiss," Jamie said breathlessly.

Thelyn wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close as his lips seized hers in a passionate kiss. She clung to him and surrendered to his ardor with enthusiasm. Her delicate body was so soft in his arms, and his hands gradually slid down to grasp her buttocks. He gently lifted her and deepened his kiss, coaxing her mouth open to his sensuous assault. She moaned softly and wrapped her legs around his waist. Thelyn thought his head was spinning for the pleasure of her touch was so great. He dropped to his knees, clinging to her desperately. She sat on his lap, and he was quickly becoming very aroused. He had to force himself to pull away.

"I think I showed you enough for one night," he rasped out between labored breaths. "If I show you any more, I think we will be married before we are through." He helped her stand and then stood with her.

Jamie's face was flushed and she was desperately trying to catch her breath. She didn't know what to say after a kiss like that. It was her first kiss, other than the one in the cave, and she was speechless. If he'd asked her for more, she'd have given it to him in a heartbeat. It was a good thing he knew when to quit, because she wasn't thinking about telling him to stop.

Thelyn stared at her, and she seemed a little dazed. "Are you all right?"

Jamie's lips turned up into a mischievous little grin, "Oh, yeah. Quite."

Thelyn smiled proudly and pulled her into a less passionate hug. "Lets walk off that kiss," he said. "I don't want to look as obvious as Polodrin and Nyére did when they got back to camp."

Jamie perked up at that, "He finally kissed her?"

"It looked like he did a good job of it," Thelyn said.

"Hooray for them," Jamie said brightly.

Thelyn sighed. That relationship was a bit complicated. "I hope so," Thelyn said. "I hope so."