Disclaimer: I own nothing!!

(((((((((((((((((Chapter 5))))))))))))))))))))))

Mithrendol proudly walked among the bodies of his guests in the grand hall of the palace. That was all he thought of them as. Bodies…bodies ready to be taken. But only if he wanted. And he had the body he wanted now.

"A splendid feast, my son!" A voice called to him as a strong arm slipped around his shoulders.

Mithrendol immediately forced a smile on his face. It was that fool Legolas's father, the King. He despised King Thranduil already, and he had only known him for a few hours. Already he was planning all the wonderful, horrid things he could do too get rid of the annoying git.

"Hello, Father." He said, wholeheartedly sounding. "Yes, a splendid feast indeed."

"Just be careful not to drink too much, Legolas." The elder elf laughed, gesturing to the glass of fine elven wine in his son's hands.

Mithrendol glanced at the glass of wine in thought. Mirkwood wine tasted much better than the wine they had had at Nimeryn. Actually, he fully expected to get drunk…maybe find a willing female to share the night with. It had been so long since he'd been able to experience any of this.

"I shall mind my drink, Father." He said with a grin. "As long as you mind yours."

The King laughed. "Of course, my son, of course. Carry on; I will be near."

Mithrendol bowed respectively and watched as his "father" left. Then he turned his thoughts and his eyes to the rest of the room, skimming the hall for women he might favor tonight.

There were many fair faces he very much liked—but few that did not already have a warrior on their arm. He suddenly wondered if Legolas had had a lover before he had gone on his quest with the One Ring, and that she had expected him to return. But he doubted it. Any such girl would have approached him by now.

Mithrendol suddenly saw a few familiar faces. The faces of the Nimar, his people.

Or, he thought, What used to be my people.

Mithrendol watched the faces socialize and laugh merrily, though they stayed separate from the Mirkwood elves. He realized that they hadn't quite gotten used to each other.

He heard a few girls giggling to his right and turned—they immediately turned away blushing. They looked quite young…too young for him perhaps, but he didn't care. He approached one of them.

"Care to dance, milady?" He asked a fair-haired girl.

"P-Prince Legolas, I would be more than honored to!" She sputtered back to him, wide eyed and mouth gaping. She had lovely colored brown eyes. Mithrendol liked them. He'd never seen eyes like that before.

Setting his glass of wine down, he offered her his arm and she took it; they stepped out onto the empty marble flooring just a song played by a trio of musicians reached their ears. Mithrendol was glad that it was a slower paced song, for he was only unsure of his dance ability. The girl at his side was not, however. She bounced along to the music like a flower in the wind.

"What is your name, milady?" He suddenly asked. "Forgive me, for I do not recognize your face."

"Orpheil, Prince Legolas." The girl answered kindly.

Mithrendol smiled sweetly at her. "You a quite beautiful." He said as innocently as he could.

A bright blush crept up Orpheil's cheeks immediately, and she turned her face away. Mithrendol loved it. He loved having this kind of effect on any female.

The danced the rest of the song, and then it ended. Mithrendol politely said goodbye to Orphiel, and she merrily skipped back to her group of friends. Then Mithrendol turned his thoughts to finding another female to seduce.

It wasn't long before he spotted one that seemed to have no partner. She was a brunette maiden, with innocent features but wonderful, cat-like eyes. Mithrendol stood looking at her for a moment before making his way across the room towards her.

Suddenly, he felt as if he was being watched. He knew that he was being watched by everyone in the room, especially the lusting females, but this gaze was different. This gaze he knew.

Mithrendol turned and met the eyes of Cefielle. She was standing alone at one end of the room, her sisters gossiping not a short distance behind her. It was as if she'd been drawn away from them by some unknown force. She saw him looking and smiled.

Mithrendol smiled back. He forgot all about the other woman and made his way to his former lover.

"Good evening, Cefielle." He said warmly.

"Good evening, Legolas." She returned, not using his title and unwittingly telling Mithrendol that she and Legolas were more personal with each other than he thought.

"A wonderful feast, isn't it?" He asked merrily. "How are you tonight? Well, I hope."

"I'm well, thank you." Cefielle answered shyly. "And yes, the feast and the party is wonderful."

"But nothing that would greatly thrill you, I suppose." Mithrendol added. He suddenly became aware that Cefielle's sisters had ceased their gossiping and were now stealing glances at their sister with the Prince, whispering to each other.

"I enjoy it." Cefielle answered to his previous statement. "What about you?"

Legolas grinned softly, lowering his eyelids, creating a seductive look. "There are other things I enjoy more." He said, and then laughed.

Cefielle smiled and laughed with him. She opened her mouth to say something but then decided against it and said nothing. She stood nervously in front of him, clasping her hands in front of her. Mithrendol cocked his head and enjoyed her lack of courage to say something to him for the moment.

Then he said: "Would you like to dance with me, Cefielle?"

She looked at him with an expression that fell somewhere in between surprise and gladness. She said nothing for another moment, and then answered.

"Yes."

Mithrendol grinned and offered his arm to her. She took it and when her skin brushed against his, it was as if an electric shock had traveled from his hand to his brain. Mithrendol suddenly wanted to kiss her now, right here, in front of everyone. But he resisted the urge. It would be uncharacteristic of Prince Legolas to do so. But…then again, Cefielle was acting as if she liked him.

Mithrendol frowned for an instant. Of course she did. He was in Prince Legolas's body. A handsome, desirable, beautiful body. Of course Cefielle was attracted to him. But Mithrendol didn't find any delight in this; he became jealous. He knew that Cefielle liked him because she thought he was Legolas…not who he really was. It infuriated Mithrendol. But he forced himself to maintain his composure.

It would all turn out in time, he knew. He would ask Cefielle to join him alone somewhere, then seduce her. He would make love to her tonight, he thought with delight, better than Prince Legolas ever could, because he already knew all the secrets of Cefielle's body. He knew exactly where he would trace his fingers along her hips, where he would caress her skin with his mouth.

His thoughts comforted him for the moment.

They danced merrily, occasionally slipping some conversation between the dance steps.

"If I could, Legolas…" Cefielle was saying. "I would love to hear more about Master Gimli. What you told me about him earlier made him seem like quite a friend."

Mithrendol struggled for something to say. Master Gimli? Did she mean that dwarf that had accompanied the Fellowship? He felt like laughing. Oh, Valar, had Prince Legolas actually gone so low as to become friends with that creature?

"We were friends." He answered convincingly. "But I doubt I will ever see him again."

"And what of the hobbits?" Cefielle asked. "I adored them greatly. What has their fate been?"

Mithrendol paused. He didn't know any of this. He had to make it up.

"They went home, to the Shire." He said, not even sure if he was right or not.

"I would like to see the Shire someday," The girl continued. "It seems like a lovely place."

"Mirkwood not good enough for you?" Mithrendol joked merrily.

"It's Eryn Lasgalen now, is it not?" Cefielle asked. "Did you not know that?"

Mithrendol blinked. The Wood of the Greenleaves? "Sorry." He said shyly. "I had forgotten."

"You have only been home one day, I don't blame you." Cefielle said, smiling openly at him.

Suddenly the music stopped, and the couple came to a sudden halt. They stood looking at each other, not saying a word. Then Mithrendol asked:

"Cefielle, would you care to take a walk in the…" He searched his mind. "…in the gardens with me?"

Cefielle's large green eyes blinked. "I…of course."

Mithrendol smiled, relieved. It would have been a lot more work seducing her had she refused. "Good. Meet me there in a few minutes. I must go speak to my father for a moment." He lied.

Cefielle nodded timidly. "I will." She curtsied and then made an attempt to turn around. But the Prince's eyes held her, and she knew that she would not be able to move until his gaze permitted her too.

"Prince Legolas?" She asked suddenly.

The Prince blinked. "Yes?" He asked.

"I…nothing." Cefielle forgot what she had wanted to say.

But Legolas smiled at her. He smiled at her as if he forgave her for her forgetfulness, and it made her feel comfortable again.

"Good night, Prince Legolas." She said with a smile.

The Prince continued smiling. Then he stepped forward and took her hand. "Please, Cefielle." He said softly as he raised her hand to his lips. "I would be honored if you simply called me 'Legolas' all of the time."

He kissed the back of her hand then, holding his lips to her skin longer than what was necessary. Cefielle drew in a sharp but silent breath. His lips caressed her skin for but a moment, then broke away.

Cefielle took back her hand shakily. She tried to smile without looking like some love-sick juvenile.

"Good night then, Legolas." She corrected, a tremble in her voice.

Legolas smiled back. "Good night, Cefielle." He turned and walked away.

(((((((((((((((((((((

Cefielle stood alone in the garden, shivering a bit. It was silly to be shivering in a warm month like this, but she did it anyway. She did not have the answer to why.

Her thoughts were all knotted and twisted, like a rope. And the rope always led to one person—Prince Legolas. She hoped he didn't have knowledge of her fancy for him, but if her trying to hide it didn't fool her sisters, how could she hide it from him? Cefielle frowned. She didn't want him to know. If he rejected her she would be crushed.

But then again, if he knew and was inviting her for nighttime walks in the garden, he wasn't rejecting her, was he?

The thought made Cefielle's frown disappear, and her eyes turned on some of the blooming flowers the garden. There were many shades…so many. In her home forest only white flowers grew. The color here in Eryn Lasgalen was so overwhelming, she seemed filled with it and felt that she could burst.

Mithrendol watched as Cefielle waited for him to come. He'd been standing here in the darkness unnoticed for five minutes now, just enjoying watching her. But he knew that he must come out some time, or else she might leave. He stepped out into the light.

"Cefielle." He said, and it was more like an order than a statement, demanding that she turn her attentions from the flowers to him.

She did, and smiled. It was a loving smile, he could tell. She was never good at hiding feelings.

"Hello, Pri—Legolas." She said, almost calling him by his title again. He walked towards her, and she watched his stride…confident and powerful.

"It's a lovely night, don't you think?" He asked her casually. "I love nights like this."

"You have seen many, I'm sure." She answered.

"Yes, I have." Mithrendol lied. "But none have been as lovely as this one."

Cefielle grinned but didn't say anything.

"Cefielle, do you care to sit down?" He asked gently, gesturing to a bench nearby.

Cefielle looked up at him, as if unsure to answer him or not. But then she said: "I thought you wanted to go for a walk."

Mithrendol nodded slowly. "Yes…do you care to walk then?"

Cefielle nodded shyly. "I suppose."

Surprisingly, Legolas offered her his arm. Cefielle looked at it, then him. He was smiling at her. She took his arm and they began to walk.

They walked a long time without saying anything to each other. Then Legolas stopped abruptly and knelt down.

Cefielle watched him…watched his hands, as they scooped up a few fragrant flowers. He stood up and presented them to her.

"For you." He said, when she didn't take them immediately.

Cefielle smiled and reached out her hand. "Thank you…" She said. As she took the flowers from his hand, their fingers brushed, and she felt that shock again, like a bolt of lightening in her palm. Holding the flowers in one hand, she gingerly felt the softness of the petals with the other. Now Legolas was giving her flowers…was he trying to say something to her? Cefielle desperately hoped so, for she wanted to tell him her feelings too, but was too shy.

"You don't have to pretend anymore, Cefielle." Legolas suddenly said without warning. It was as if he knew what she was thinking.

Cefielle looked at him suddenly. "What do you mean?" She tried to act as if she hadn't a clue what he was speaking of, but she did.

"You can admit what you feel for me." The Prince continued slowly. It was agonizing for Cefielle to hear those words.

"You…you don't…" She stuttered, trying to utter an excuse.

"It's quite alright, Cefielle." Legolas said, reaching out and touching her arms. "I…I feel the same way."

Mithrendol smiled as he said it, though he initially didn't mean to. It was just too good not to smile.

Cefielle gasped loudly as he watched her, and her hand went up to her mouth. She took a step back, but Mithrendol knew his gaze would hold her to the spot. And he was right. That one step was the only step she took.

Cefielle held her position like that for a long time. She wasn't sure how long. She was only sure that it was Legolas's gaze that held her there. He wasn't letting her move.

Instead, he moved. He stepped in close to her, close enough that the petals of the flowers she held close to her body brushed lightly against the front of his jerkin.

Mithrendol looked down on her, his eyes grazing the edges of the fabric of the collar of her dress, at the delicate curve of her neck, and then finally, into her soft green eyes. Her long eyelashes swept up and down in her embarrassed and exposed state, a blush filled her cheeks as he looked at her.

Mithrendol opened his mouth, pausing purposely. He could feel the air around Cefielle tense as she waited for him to say something. He let her wait and stared at her a moment longer.

Then he stepped even closer, his hands gently closing around the soft flesh of her upper arm, holding her there. He heard her inhale, then exhale. Finally, he spoke.

"I love you, Cefielle." Mithrendol said, pleadingly. "Please tell me you feel the same way."

Cefielle's hand slowly drifted away from her mouth, revealing her delicious looking pink lips. How Mithrendol wanted to meet those lips with his own in that moment! But he waited for her to speak before he gave in to his temptations.

"I…" The flattered and overwhelmed girl whispered. "I…do."

Mithrendol would have grinned, if it would have been permitted at the moment. But it was not.

"What?" He asked, wanting to here her say it all at once.

"I love you, Legolas." Cefielle repeated softly, looking up at him. "Oh Valar, I've loved you all this time you were gone…"

That was when Mithrendol couldn't take it anymore. He swept down and caught her lips in his own. It was not an innocent, barely-there kiss. Mithrendol seized her mouth with his own as if it were his prisoner and commanded it to do his own bidding. She obeyed without hesitation, and he loved it.

He allowed his hands to drift downward from her arms to her hips, pushing her forward, closer to him. His hands were enough to leave bruises on her skin, but Mithrendol knew from experience that that was exactly what Cefielle liked. She reacted positively, sighing and throwing her arms around his neck.

His kisses were unmerciful. They plundered her mouth like a pirate would plunder an enemy ship. And he would not release her until he wanted to.

Finally, after what seemed like many moments, Mithrendol pulled away the tiniest bit, and released Cefielle. She leaned into him, his arms circling her body, panting heavily.

"Oh, Legolas…" She marveled. "No one has ever kissed me like that…"

Mithrendol nodded. He agreed. He had never kissed anyone quite like that either. It was glorious.

"Come with me…" Mithrendol said, his voice pleading as it was before. "Come with me…stay with me tonight, Cefielle. I can't imagine this night without you."

Cefielle paused. "But…but my sisters. They'll wonder where I went off to if I don't return."

Mithrendol was determined. "Let them wonder." He said, burying his head in her neck. "I love you, Cefielle…I want you."

"Legolas…" She tried vainly to resist him, but it was too much. She sank into his arms again and nodded.

"Good." Mithrendol breathed, kissing her. "Follow me."

He took her hand and led her to his chamber.

(((((((((((((((((((Personal thingy))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Ooh. Steamy. Anywhoo, sorry if this chapter was kind of confusing…it switched from Mithrendol's POV to Cefielle's POV quite a lot, and since Cefielle thinks that Legolas is Legolas when he's really Mithrendol…well, you know what I mean. I think I really love this chapter. =) Hm.