A/N: Dazzler420 – Well, we'll still be waiting here when you return!

Jebb – No worries! I understand completely. And things are going to take a bit of a twist so get ready! ;-)

Dear readers, I thank you for sticking with me through this adventure. I regret to inform you that I will not be posting any more chapters until the end of August. I will be traveling and unable to access the internet. But please don't let that stop you from reviewing! When I return we'll pick right back up and throw in a twist to keep it interesting!

Recruits began to straggle into Dunharrow the following afternoon. Many were poorly armed but more than willing to defend Minas Tirith against Sauron. Aragorn and Theoden spent most of their day walking about the incoming warriors taking stock of their numbers, equipment and fighting ability.

Gimli spent a bit of time over at the blacksmiths place – the dwarf was quite familiar with the workings of a smithy and volunteered to help.

Legolas had obtained new arrow points and was busily fletching new arrows in preparation for the battle. After finishing that task, he joined Gimli at the smithy.

After Annowe returned from a quick morning swim in the Snowbourn River, she began to prepare a fire for cooking and washing. For most of the day, she stayed near her tent preparing her clothes, food and armor for the battle to come. It was nearly nightfall before she saw Legolas again.

He and Gimli had been over at the blacksmiths sharpening swords and distributing equipment to the incoming fighters. Both of them were tired and hungry when they finally returned to their tents and Annowe offered them stew and bread. Gimli accepted gratefully and produced a bottle of wine that he had somehow managed to pilfer from Isengard.

Annowe and Legolas laughed at his audacity and happily took a drink with him.

The three of them sat talking well into the evening about the number of recruits, the lack of good equipment and tactics for the battle. Gimli was not encouraged by the turnout but Legolas told him to be patient. They still had one more day and perhaps more would join up with them the following day.

Annowe believed that they still possessed the element of surprise. If Sauron attacked Minas Tirith, he certainly would not be expecting to be caught between the walls of the city and the reinforcements. If Gandalf were correct, Sauron had no idea that the Rohirrim and others were mustering against him.

They discussed several other points, weighing the risks and the odds until Gimli decided it was time to leave the two companions alone for the evening.

As he stood up to retire, he leaned over to Legolas and whispered something into the elf's ear. Legolas blushed and swatted playfully at the dwarf who let out a great rumble of laughter before he moved off into the night.

Annowe looked at him curiously. "What was that all about?" She wondered.

Legolas tried unsuccessfully not to giggle. "You don't want to know," he answered.

The tips of his ears were still pink and Annowe could certainly guess what was said. She laughed and moved next to him. She placed her hand on his smooth cheek and gazed deeply into his eyes. How could I have ever denied my feelings for him? She wondered.

Just being near him made her heart beat faster and addled her senses. But it was not only his beauty that she found attractive. Rather it was his innate sweetness and gentleness that had originally captivated her.

As they had grown to know each other, she discovered that he could be quite charming and playful when he wasn't allowing his melancholy to rule him. And, most importantly to her, he understood her but never tried to change her. He simply accepted her for what she was and she loved him for it.

She smiled shyly at him and traced the strong curve of his jaw with her fingers. Tonight she would give herself to him, completely and utterly. It was time.

He watched her quietly enjoying the sensation of her soft fingertips upon his skin. He longed to feel her skin on his skin. No other female made him feel quite the way she did. She brought out his playfulness, challenged his intellect and never let him have the last word about anything but he adored her for it. She made him feel completely alive.

"You realize I've done this before, don't you?" She asked softly, her fingers moving over his lips.

He held her hand and kissed each finger, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Yes, but I've tried not to think about it," he answered truthfully. It did not concern him that she had been with another man. It was in her past and it would stay there.

"It doesn't bother you?" She pressed. If he had any concerns about her past he needed to speak now.

He pursed his lips and studied her for a moment before he finally answered. "No, it does not bother me." Then he added teasingly, "you will be gentle with me, won't you?"

She pressed her lips together in an effort to suppress a smile. "No," she answered flatly.

He stood up and pulled her to her feet. "Well, then I consider myself warned," he grinned.

Giggling like an excited child, she followed him to her tent. It was small and makeshift but it was hers and they would have some privacy. They slipped inside and she tied the flap shut behind them. The dying light of the fire glowed eerily on the walls. Outside, the quiet voices of the men drifted by. The evening was winding down and tomorrow would be the last day they would wait at Dunharrow.

Legolas reached out for her and caught her braid in his hand. Gently, he took her braid out as she undid his braids. He ran his fingers through her thick curly hair then pulled her close, covering her eager mouth with his as he slid his other hand up the back of her tunic. He lightly ran his fingers up and down her back, causing her skin to quiver and turn to gooseflesh at his touch as he continued to kiss her deeply. She shivered with delight and moaned softly.

Her heart was pounding in her chest and her knees shook at his touch. She had craved his caress like a starving man craves food and felt as if she would die without it. She wanted to drown in him, to kiss him forever but a part of her feared intimidating him. She knew what to expect but he did not so she decided to let him lead the mating dance at his own pace.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, squeezed her tightly and licked her lips with a light touch. She sighed and clung to him fiercely, kissing him deeply with unrestrained lust. She knew he was going to drive her mad with desire. She had seen the look in his eyes. But it was his dance and his pace and a sweet torture to her.

"Legolas, please," she murmured pressing herself close to him, feeling his heat and his strength which only made her ache worse for him.

She needed to feel his strong lean body against hers, to become a part of him. He was so solid and firm against her that she never wanted to step out of his arms. She nibbled on his neck as her hands ran over his back and squeezed his firm bottom. He moaned softly in his throat.

He felt the desire for her take hold deep within him, stirring his long- sleeping passion and knew he could express this with her completely, without fear or regret. She was his and he wanted - he needed to have her.

He slid his hand up to her throat and slowly tipped her head over to one side kissing her neck and murmuring softly to her. She sighed with pleasure and clawed at his tunic.

He couldn't help but smile as he ran his lips over the smooth skin of her neck. She was turning to putty in his hands and it was about time. He considered it fitting for all of the times she had, intentionally or otherwise, reminded him of his more earthly desires.

And he was enjoying indulging his earthly desires with her at this moment. Feeling her squirm under his touch as he kissed her, her body pressing close to his and her arms clinging to him. All these desires he whispered to her as his lips caressed her throat and his hands slid over her.

"Stop, oh, by the Maia, stop or I will go mad with desire!" she hissed at him, to no avail.

He continued to deliberately kiss her and lightly stroke her, completely ignoring her quivering and gasping. He ran his hand over her naked skin, watching as it dimpled under his light touch. She was so very sensitive to his caress and it excited him. He wanted to touch her all over, to feel her body responding to him.

"Do you really want me to stop?" he asked gently, removing his lips from her neck.

"No!" she wailed. "Don't stop, but stop teasing me or I will go mad and take you with me!"

"Isn't this what you want?" he breathed on her lips and slid his hand up her back, caressing her softly while his other hand cupped her bottom.

She moaned deep in her throat. "Yes, it's what I want,"she breathed between kisses, her head swimming from his touch and her knees weak with desire for him.

"But I want more. I want all of you," she whispered hoarsely and ran her hands over him so there could be no mistaking her intentions.

"And you will have me," he promised and pulled her toward the bed.