Spotnmushlover246 – Thanks again!
Linilya Elf – I just couldn't help myself. Tormenting the twins is a lot of fun. Hey, where's your next chappie, hun:oP
Legolaslover - Aren't silly elves fun? I'm glad you like the love scenes because more are coming.
Loz-179 – Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy the rest!
Sethiel-Undomiel – Thanks. Writing helps relieve my stress as well. By the way, I love your pen name.
Lou – Here's your fix!
Kara – I appreciate you reading up to this point and I'm sorry you feel that Legolas is in it just for the sex. If that were the case then he would have been quite a gigolo back in Mirkwood or wherever his travels took him and not the innocent elf I started him out as. Maybe I didn't do a very good job explaining why Legolas and Aleera have reached the pinnacle of moments when two people in love say 'screw it, let's just get it on', which by the way will happen in Chapter 10. I may later go back to earlier chapters and elaborate more, but right now I'm concentrating on moving forward where things will become clearer. They're attracted to each other mentally and physically and whether having sex before marriage is right or wrong in the elf world, temptation can make it difficult to resist. Elves are not exempt from making mistakes, even Legolas, who I've depicted as falling innocently and blindly in love. In actuality, I think my love scenes are pretty tame compared to some others I've read out there in fanfiction land. Sex is what brings in the readers and you're definitely not going to like the next couple of chapters because it's all about the sex. Lastly, this is just a fanfiction written for "fun" and not intended to be 100 percent canon perfect. I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I removed your review because I don't want potential readers to draw conclusions through your own. Sorry.
A/N – The song sung by Aleera is "There You Are" by Martina McBride.
Chapter 9 – Rivendell
By evening of the next day the elves and the man came over a grassy hill. As they crested it, the expansive house of Lord Elrond built into the mountainside came into view. Known as The Last Homely House, it had been a refuge to many of those that found themselves under Elrond's care. In numerous places, water cascaded down from unseen sources. It was breathtaking in its splendor, trees and other vegetation growing around and through the open terraces. Illuminated by the full moon and the hundreds of torches lit throughout, it gave the impression that this was the safest haven in all of Middle-Earth.
Legolas looked over his shoulder at Aleera with a smile. "This is Rivendell," he said before turning back to look upon the view once again. He never tired of the sight of Rivendell, known to elves as Imladris, and always stopped here at this point to admire it.
"It is beautiful," she replied in awe, her eyes taking in the beauty of the elven architecture in the moonlight.
They headed single file through a narrow path alongside the mountain and finally passed beneath an arch and came to a small courtyard. There they all dismounted.
Aragorn turned to the dark-haired elf maid standing near the doorway. He quickly walked over and greeted her with an affectionate hug. It felt as if he had not seen Arwen in months and not just the three weeks he had been gone. She returned his embrace and he knew she wanted to kiss him, but not in front of her brothers, Elladan and Elrohir.
Legolas took Aleera by the hand and led her up to them. "Suilad, Arwen." He tugged Aleera forward. "This is Aleera." (greetings)
Arwen smiled at Aleera. "Suilad, Aleera, baren bar lin." (Greetings, Aleera, my home is your home)
"Le hannon, hiril nin," Aleera replied. (I thank you, my lady)
"Aníron peded nin," said Legolas. (I wish to speak to you)
Arwen nodded and Legolas and Aleera followed her and Aragorn through the doorway. They went through many corridors that were open to nature. Finally they arrived in a small sleeping chamber where they sat at a table on the balcony.
"Aleera, you may stay in this chamber," said Arwen.
Aleera nodded in thanks to her.
A servant brought a decanter of wine and four glasses. They drank while Legolas recounted the tale of how Aleera came to be in the company of he and Aragorn.
Arwen listened intently, occasionally glancing in Aleera's direction and understanding the plight the fair elf maiden had endured. She spoke only after Legolas had finished. "I am certain that Lady Galadriel can help you, Aleera. You are welcome to stay for as many days as you need to regain your full strength. I can send word to Lothlorien so they will expect your arrival."
"How far is Lothlorien from here?" Aleera asked.
"It depends on which path is taken. A two week trek through the Misty Mountains or a two month trek around them," replied Aragorn.
Aleera nodded in understanding. Regaining her full strength would be essential for the trip, no matter which path they took. She wanted to be fully rested before she confronted the Lady of the Wood. When Arwen had mentioned her by name, Aleera thought she felt a sense of recollection. Lady Galadriel. The name seemed oddly familiar and she desperately tried to conjure up the face that went with the name…somewhere in her lost memories. But the image would not come.
Arwen stood up and smiled, holding her hand out to Aleera. "Tolo, Aleera, I will give you your choice from my gowns. We are about the same in size. I am sure it will suit you better than Aragorn's trousers and shirt." (come)
Aleera stood up and took Arwen's hand. Her eyes quickly turned to Legolas who also stood up. He seemed about to follow, but stopped himself. As Aleera walked beside Arwen through the corridors, she felt her chest constricting and her breath came short. She had not felt this pain since she had been in Kozar. And now it was coming upon her once again.
"Are you all right?" asked Arwen with concern.
Aleera paused in the middle of the corridor and placed her hand on her chest, trying to catch her breath. "Nay, I must truly be exhausted." Then she turned to see Legolas hastening toward her. The pain quickly subsided and she breathed normally.
Legolas gave her a smile as he slipped his hand over hers. "I desire to see what gowns you chose." It was not truly his purpose, for he determined that the pain of separation from their bonding was still an issue. If he was feeling it, then Aleera was surely feeling it as well and he did not want her to feel any more pain.
In Arwen's chamber, Aleera tried on various gowns, changing behind a screen and she revealed herself to Legolas when fully dressed. She knew which dresses he liked, just from the expression on his face. A burgundy gown and a blue one. She remained in the blue one afterward as she and Legolas accompanied Arwen to an undisclosed location.
Aragorn sat with Lord Elrond in the Hall of Fire. He had spent the last hour telling the elf lord about Kozar and its ruler and how Legolas discovered Aleera. He did not tell him, however, of the bond that had formed between the two. Such matters were better left unsaid for the time being.
"Did you witness firsthand the fall of rain from a cloudless sky?" asked Elrond.
"Nay. The entire time we were there, the rains did not fall. Only when we left Kozar and were well south of the Northern Wastelands did rain come down on us. But it came from clouds and not by the Kozari."
Elrond stood up from where he had been sitting across from Aragorn. "Strange that the Kozari did not pursue."
"Aye, I agree. We watched for them and Legolas saw no signs of anyone pursuing."
"And you say that Legolas broke the queen's nose?"
"She is indeed lucky he did not kill her. His anger was like nothing I have ever seen."
At that moment, Arwen, Legolas and Aleera entered the hall.
Legolas greeted Elrond first. "Le suilannon, Hîr nín." (I greet you, my lord)
"Suilad, Legolas." (greetings)
"This is Aleera," said Legolas, nudging her slightly forward.
Elrond gave her a nod. "Aragorn has told me about you, Aleera. I hope you will find comfort and safety here in Rivendell."
Aleera smiled shyly. "Aye, I already feel it, my lord."
Elrond regarded Aleera curiously, noting a familiarity about her features. He knew she had no memory of who she was, but he could not deny the resemblance to an old friend from Lothlorien. "You remind me of someone I once knew. His name was Galadron. We fought side by side in many battles."
Aleera said the name quietly over and over to herself. Galadron. The familiarity in the name took her breath away and tears formed in her eyes for no apparent reason. "Does he still live?"
"If he still lives, he may be residing in Lothlorien."
Standing beside her, Legolas felt Aleera squeeze his hand tightly and when he turned to her, he saw the tears pooling in her eyes. Did she recognize the name? Could it be someone she was related to? "Aleera?"
At the sound of her name, she suddenly turned to Legolas as if she had not known he stood there beside her. "I know the name, but I cannot remember how I know it."
Elrond interjected. "Things will reveal themselves very soon, Aleera. The Lady of the Wood will aid you. Go and rest now. We will have time to speak tomorrow."
Aragorn held Legolas back as he started to follow Aleera and Arwen. He knew the two elves would feel pain from their separation, but Elrond needed to speak to Legolas without the presence of the elf maid. The two continued to look at each other until Aleera finally disappeared through the doorway. He immediately saw his friend cringe and reach up to clutch his chest.
"Tell me what transpired in Kozar, Legolas," Elrond began, mildly curious at the sudden look of pain that crossed the other elf's face. "How did you come to find Aleera?"
Legolas gave one final look at the doorway where Aleera passed seconds ago, then finally turned to Lord Elrond.
Aleera was unable to sleep while her chest kept constricting, so she left her chamber and wandered the corridors. She soon found herself stepping out onto a terrace that extended out and overlooked a large waterfall nearby. When she reached the stone balustrade of the terrace, she stared in complete awe at the architecture that comprised the dwelling. It seemed to be built into the mountain and around trees and other dense vegetation. There was no glass in the windows and there were no doors. They were covered in multi-layered sheer drapes to provide privacy. Despite the beauty that surrounded her, Aleera closed her eyes and swallowed hard at the pain in her chest, wondering if she needed to seek a healer.
Then quite suddenly the pain began to fade. Slowly at first and then it was gone completely…just as the silent footfalls of Legolas reached her ears. He approached behind her, but stopped several feet away. Was he trying to avoid alarming her? She smiled to herself and pretended that she had not noticed that he was there while she began to sing.
"There you are / In the early light of day / There you are / In the quiet words I pray / I have been blessed / By the simple happiness / Of the perfect love we made / Everytime I turn around / When I am lost and when I am found / Like an angel standing guard / There you are / Everytime I take a breath / And when I forget to breathe / You are watching over me / There you are / When I am looking for the light / In the middle of the night / Searching for the brightest star / There you are."
Aleera waited for Legolas to make a move, but he remained still as she continued to sing.
"There you are / Standing in a crowded room / There you are / The earth and I am the moon / My desire / Is to stand by the fire / That burns inside of you / Everytime I turn around / When I am lost and when I am found / Like an angel standing guard / There you are / Everytime I take a breath / And when I forget to breathe / You are watching over me / There you are / When I am looking for the light / In the middle of the night / Searching for the brightest star / There you are / When I am looking for the light / In the middle of the night / Searching for the brightest star / There you are."
When she finished the song, Aleera looked down. He was not even close, yet his presence stirred her senses into a frenzy.
Legolas had not wanted to interrupt her song. Her voice was pleasant to his ears, like the singing of birds back in the forest of his home in Mirkwood. The dull ache in his chest had subsided the moment he drew near to her. He wondered how long it took for the pain of separation from bonding to finally settle. It had already gone on for many days.
"Why do you wait for me to acknowledge you, Legolas?" Aleera asked, finally breaking the silence between them.
Legolas sensed her desire for him and a smile came to his face. "You are very close to the ledge. I did not wish to startle you." He slowly approached her. "Who were you singing about?" he asked.
Aleera turned to face him with a smile as he reached her. "It was about you, of course."
He looked deeply into her eyes. "But we did not make love…Not completely."
Of all the words she sang, those were the words he remembered? "Aye, we have not…yet." Aleera drew closer to him, running her hands up over his soft suede tunic and then wrapping them around his neck.
"Do my ears deceive me or do I truly hear an invitation?" asked Legolas playfully.
Aleera embraced him. "If it were an invitation, would you accept it?"
"In a heartbeat," he whispered without hesitation into her ear.
"I will come to your chamber, for you know that I cannot sleep without you." Aleera gave him a slow lingering kiss before she released him and moved away.
Legolas turned to watch her rush off. The moment she began to put distance between them, he could feel his chest constricting again. The pain had returned.
In her chamber, Aleera took an hour to bathe and meticulously groom herself. It also gave her much time to think about what she had done. Would Legolas hold her to what she had unknowingly promised? Would he be upset with her if she suddenly changed her mind? Nay, she did not think he would be upset. But the longer she waited, the more she began to pace and the tighter her chest began to feel. Her thumbnail was the subject of her angry attack as her thoughts went rampant. If she went to him, she would surely lose her innocence on this night. If she did not go to him, her insatiable desire for him would only continue to tear her apart. With her mind made up, she threw on a robe and left her chamber to seek his. Luckily he was not far down the corridor. Upon reaching his archway, since there was no door, she was unable to announce her presence. She imagined however that he was already aware she was there, so she simply parted the layers of sheer drapes and stepped inside. It was then that she realized the pain in her chest had faded once again.
The chamber was dark except for what little light came through the doorway leading to the balcony and several candles burning on a stand beside the bed. Legolas lay reclined on a lounge. He wore a bath robe similar to the one Aleera wore. The scent of hibiscus filled the room. He had bathed as well. His unbraided hair was still damp while she had taken the time to dry hers.
Aleera stared at him. The moonlight from the window shone on him and he looked magical. As she moved to the center of the room, she found herself shaking like a frightened doe for some unknown reason. It was not as if they had not already been intimate to some degree.
Legolas silently gazed upon her. The light from the moon reflected on her sheer robe, hiding nothing from his eyes. "Must I admire you only from afar?" He held his hand out to her. "Tolo." (come)
Aleera hesitated only briefly before nervously moving toward him, reaching to take his hand.