Once they reached the tent, and Amrod made sure the tent flaps were tied shut, they stood looking at each other. Even after everything they had been through, and now that they were handfasted, both seemed to hesitate. Geliriel couldn't help but wonder about it. 'We know each other so well, and yet, we're acting like two people who have met for the first time,' she thought.

A lantern had been left burning low light. She went to it and turned the wick up a little to gain a little more light. She turned back to find Amrod watching her, a mix of love and lust in his eyes. She unpinned the veil from her hair, and took all the golden pins out. She then found the end of the braid-crown and slowly took down her hair. She took a step toward Amrod, who quickly closed the gap between them. His hands went to her hair and took the rest of the crown out, running his hands gently through her auburn hair until it hung long and loose down her back.

She reached up and caressed his face with her hands. As she let them move downward, he kissed her palm, letting his kiss linger. Then her hands ran down the front of his doublet, slowly unbuttoning it as she went. She then pushed it back, admiring the view of his bare chest. He began to take help her take off the doublet, but she brushed his hands away.

"No, Let me," she said soft and low. His hands fell to the side, and he nodded as she continued.

She ran her hands along his chest, then up to his shoulders where she pushed back to doublet. She took her time and the doublet soon found its way to the floor. Amrod stood before her, half-naked, and she shivered with delight. She smiled at him and pulled him down to kiss him fiercely, her hands roaming over his back and through his red hair. When she finally broke the kiss, she slowly walked around him, leaving a trail of kisses in her wake. Amrod couldn't bear to be idle any longer, and she knew it. She stopped front of him and turned her back. He hesitated a little, and she looked back over her shoulder at him.

"I can't very well unlace my own gown, my love," she teased.

Amrod let out an explosive breath he hadn't realized he was holding. With steady hands, he untied the lacing at the neckline. He didn't bother to loosen anything. Instead, he just took the lacing out and dropped the satin lace to the floor. He slowly put a hand inside and touched the small of her back through the thin layer of fabric of her underdressing, his excitement rising as he heard her gasp and felt her shiver. He took his hand from her back and then gently turned her to face him. In one move, he pushed the gown down and it joined his doublet on the floor.

His patience was wearing thin. He was finally going to make love to the woman he had fallen madly in love with. 'My wife,' he thought with growing passion. 'She's now my wife.' He swept her off her feet, picking her up in his arms. She gasped in surprise, but wrapped her arms around his neck. He quickly carried her to the bed, laid her on it, and joined her.

All hesitation gone, his hands roamed her body through the thin fabric she still wore. He teased her in sensitive areas, her soft moans encouraging him to continue. Her breathing quickened with anticipation. He ran his hands underneath the fabric, feeling the heat of her body. 'Enough with this!' he thought as he pulled her up to sit. He took off the top part, pushed her back and took of the bottom part, then bent to kiss her. He started with her mouth, but slowly moved downward. He teased her with his mouth, and she reached up to run her hands through his hair. He could have sworn he heard her whisper a "yes." He wanted to prolong this moment, so he held himself in check. But he knew he wouldn't be able too much longer.

With each kiss, he left a little fire burning within her. She had never before felt this amount of passion, or love. 'Not even with Melannen,' she thought. With another kiss from Amrod, the thought burned away with the new fire he had created. She wondered at his slowness. Was he going to leave it to her to get things going? Was he waiting for her to tell him to hurry up? Whatever it was, her own patience was drifting away. She regained a little more control, and then decided it was her turn to pleasure him.

She loosed the tie that held his trews around his waist. He helped her take them off, then she pushed him onto his back and returned the pleasure he had just given her. His gasps of pleasure and heavy breathing told her he was loving every minute of it. Suddenly, he pulled her up to kiss her heatedly. She read in his eyes that he had lost whatever it was that held him in check.

He rolled her over and ran his hands over her body once more. He gently parted her thighs, and teased her a little more. At the right moment, he pushed inside her. She moaned with pleasure as her hands gripped his arms. He began to move within her, slowly at first but gaining speed. Her moans became gasps and then whimpers of pleasure. He leaned down to catch her mouth in a quick kiss.

She did her best to match each of his moves with one of her own. It felt so good to finally make love to him! Her eyes fluttered open and she gazed at him through the haze of her passion. He moved faster and deeper, and soon she was spiraling toward her climax. With every move, she got closer and closer until finally, her climax washed over her. She cried out, held on tight to Amrod, and arched her back. But it seemed that he wasn't finished with her yet.

As she came back down from her first climax, he slowed his pace. In one swift move, he rolled her on top of him, positioning her just right. She needed no prompting as she took control of the situation. His hands were now free to roam over her body as she moved. He caressed her, and was surprised when she covered his hands with hers, entwining her fingers with his, and guided his hands to where she wanted them. He sent prayers of thanks to Iluvatar, the Valar, and especially to Ulmo for sending this beautiful creature to him.

Once again, she felt the beginnings of her climax. Determined to hold on a little longer, she slowed down. But he quickened the pace. He face reflected the passion he was feeling, and she knew he was getting close to his own climax. He once again rolled her over so that he was on top. He reached a fevered pace and brought her teetering on the edge, and then finally over it. His cries joined hers as they both climaxed and he released himself inside her.

He collapsed on top of her, then rolled over beside her. Both were silent, except for the sounds of their breathing. The slight chill in the night air helped cool them down. When they were both relatively calm, he managed to prop himself up to look at her. His other hand slowly caressed her body.

"I can't believe I waited so long," he said softly.

"Neither can I," she responded with a smile. He laughed quietly.

"I love you."

"And I love you." He leaned over and kissed her again. Then an idea came to him.

"Let's take a walk."

"A walk? Now?"

"Yes. Now." He got off the bed and came around to pull her up off the bed. Then he grabbed two blankets, wrapping both of them up in one and holding the other. He untied the tent flap, and peered outside in a conspiratory manner. He quietly shushed at her, then they walked quickly to the riverbank. They walked a little ways; finding a perfect spot, dry enough to set the blankets down.

They stood in the moonlight, naked, before he pulled her to him. He kissed her hungrily. He guided her to lie down on the blankets, and then he joined her. Soon, with their passion boiling over, they made love once again. They did not notice how the water of the river gurgled a little louder, nor the second shooting star overhead.