Arariel sat on her bed in her chambers, still in her wedding attire, looking at Legolas in disbelief. She had not expected this to happen so soon. She knew that one day she would have to go with Legolas to Mirkwood, but she did not think that day would be tomorrow.
"So soon?" she asked.
"Father wishes to leave for Valinor, as soon as we get back to Mirkwood. That means that the first-born must take the throne as king. He wanted to wait until I was married, then he was planning to leave for Valinor to join my mother"
"So we are leaving tomorrow then?"
"Yes"
She got up off the bed and walked to the balcony door.
"I had hoped to stay until Arwen gave birth..."
"I am sorry" he came over and hugged her, "I know you wanted to stay, but now you are a Princess of Mirkwood, soon to be the Queen. Your duty is for your people"
"It is alright Legolas. Perhaps once we are settled in I can make the journey back to Gondor for the birth."
He nodded.
"Come, we need to pack our things. We are leaving at first light tomorrow morning."
"Who is accompanying us?"
"It will be just me, my father and yourself" he said as he pulled out their luggage from under the bed.
"I need you to help me out of this thing..." she said gesturing to her gown.
He came over to her and turned her around so that her back was to him. He unbuttoned the dress so that it fell down to her waist. He stopped abruptly and turned back to the luggage on the bed. Arariel turned around, puzzled. She had expected him to leer at her bare skin, and at least a kiss. But nothing. Not even a whimper.
"Legolas?" she asked when she has removed her gown and was standing only in her slip.
"What is the matter?" she asked when she got no reply.
"What do you mean?" he said, not looking at her.
"I... well..." she faltered.
He turned and put his arms around her waist, holding her against him.
"I just feel strange about...you know, while my father is here"
"Legolas!" she said playfully, "We had to make love to be bound. He knows we did it"
"Yes, but..."
"One day, we have to produce an heir, so he knows that we are going to 'do it' in the future"
"Arariel, he is in the room next to us!"
Arariel laughed.
"I am just teasing you, my prince. And you rise easily to the bait!"
Legolas laughed.
"Come on," he said, "We need to pack"
