WARNING – There's a lot of sexual content in this one. If you prefer to skip over this chapter, it will not take away from the plot. You have been warned!

Chapter 10 – Bring Me To My Knees

Legolas pulled her down to lay sideways beside him and turned to face her, his eyes drifting down to the way the sheer material of her robe clung to her. He brought his hand to her cheek and traced it with his fingers, moving down along her jaw line and chin. "Why do you suddenly act so timid?"

"I am not timid," she replied with a smile. Then she closed her eyes to his gentle touch, her stomach fluttering as it always did whenever he touched her in any manner. Her nervousness faded and was replaced with pure excitement.

Legolas devoured her lips sensually. He slipped his hand behind her head, supporting her as he deepened the kiss, his tongue dipping into her mouth. She moaned against his lips and he tasted the wine she had consumed when they first arrived. Her fingers buried into his silky hair. Legolas loved when she touched his ears and he tilted his right one into her left hand so she would brush her fingers along his pointed tip. He moaned in response and brought his thumb to her ear as well, watching as she closed her eyes and moaned softly in return. His hunger for her was overwhelming and he could not understand where it came from. He pulled her to his lips again and kissed her long and hard, leaving her breathless with no opportunity to breathe. "Aleera?"

Aleera opened her eyes to look into his. "Aye?" she asked breathlessly.

"Would you think me a troll if we dispensed with any further foreplay?"

"Is this what is known as foreplay?" she asked curiously.

"I have no patience for slow seduction at the moment. If I wait any longer I fear my pace may grow harried and I do not wish to hurt you unintentionally." He saw the look of confusion on her face. "If you prefer, I can seek my own release and then return to pleasure you at great length."

"Nay, I am here for you and I will do as you desire."

Legolas gave her a teasing smile. "I desire passion that brings me to my knees." And indeed he meant it. Finding pleasure with Aleera had opened him up to a whole new plain of desire he never imagined could be so fulfilling. He would no longer have the ability to practice discipline when it came to sexual gratification…as long as she was by his side. And yet in the back of his mind, he continued to wonder why he no longer had control.

"We will accomplish it," she said with a smile.

Legolas looked thoughtfully at Aleera, then repositioned her so that she was lying on her back as he hovered beside her. His fingers traced the seams of the thin robe she wore until he reached the belt. After loosening it, he pushed the sides away and exposed her. His eyes drifted down to follow the motion of his hand as it squeezed her breasts, one at a time. His fingers trailed over her hardened peaks.

Aleera watched his face as his gaze followed the trail of his hand down her flat torso before it slipped down between her legs. She closed her eyes and gasped at the familiar feel of his fingers touching her there. Her thighs opened instinctly, giving him more room to maneuver and she could not control the moans that escaped her throat. The heat building between her legs was overwhelming. She gasped when he slid a finger inside her, followed immediately with a second one.

Legolas brought his lips down to hers and nibbled on them. "You are ready to receive me, meleth." He pulled away and stood up on his knees to remove his robe. Then he moved between her legs and reached down to caress her thighs, gently pushing them further apart. (love)

Aleera watched in wonder as he lightly pressed his hardened elfhood against her damp opening. The sight of him about to enter her sent butterflies fluttering out of control in her stomach.

As Legolas lowered himself on top of Aleera, his eyes locked onto hers. He studied her at great length as he slowly slid himself inside and reached out his senses to feel what she felt. She gasped and closed her eyes the deeper he penetrated. "Nay, Aleera. Edro lîn hin a tir na nin." (open your eyes and look at me)

Aleera did as he asked and looked at him as he continued to slowly drive into her. "Im matho haeg," she said with a gasp. (I feel pain)

Legolas stopped moving and brought his lips down to hers. He was uncertain if her pain came from the healing wounds on her back or if it was from his penetration. Despite his ever increasing desire to thrust himself completely into her in one swift motion, his need to protect her from harm overcompensated everything. But he knew he would not be able to wait too long. He already labored to hold back. Sensing her pain fading quickly, he moved but an inch and was gratified to feel her move her hips upward.

Aleera moaned in pleasure now that the initial pain had subsided. She prompted Legolas to continue his movements and he obliged her without hesitation, sinking himself into her to the hilt of his capacity. When she squirmed beneath him, he fell into a steady rhythm with her, this time without any restrictions. The sensation brought a shiver through her and her body ached to feel the wave of beautiful pleasure he had brought her twice before. She arched upward to meet each of his thrusts and it was not long before the wave came and washed over her as she let out a relieved cry, shaking her to her core.

At that same instance, Legolas reached his climax and filled her, groaning with his own cry of relief. He buried his face against her throat to muffle the sound and she wrapped her arms around his neck. When it was over, Legolas lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. "Manen le?" He was truly concerned for her well being. (how are you)

"Im edregol mae." (I am especially fine)

Legolas gave her a smile as he stood up and pulled her to her feet by the hand. "Edregol?"

"Aye, especially."

Legolas reached around to remove her robe completely and then led her to the bed. She slipped beneath the sheets and he went around to the other side, slipping in beside her. He pulled her gently into his arms, embracing her tightly and wrapping his legs around hers possessively. "Rest now, Aleera. I do not wish to tire you. We will have much time to explore each other fully in the days to come."

Aleera found such comfort in his arms. It felt like a natural thing to be with him, as if they were meant to be together. She felt his fingers slowly caressing her bare back, tracing the healing scars there. As usual his gentle touch made her drift off into much-needed sleep. The kind that promoted elven healing.

Legolas had only been resting and was not in deep sleep when he heard light footfalls approach his chamber. He got up out of bed and quickly retrieved his robe, slipping it on as he walked to the doorway.

Aleera woke abruptly to a light knock outside the doorway and saw Legolas walking toward it. A quick glance toward the opening to the balcony revealed that it was nearing dawn, the sky slightly pink.

Legolas pushed aside the drapes. "Arwen."

"Legolas, forgive me for disturbing your rest, but I went to check on Aleera and she is not in her chamber. I am worried about her."

"Nay, avo 'osto. She is here with me." (worry not)

Arwen glanced over Legolas's shoulder and saw that Aleera was indeed there, lying in bed. "She is here? Why?"

"Well…she finds solace…with me," replied Legolas, hesitantly. He did not want to imply that there was more happening beside comfort in sleep. But Arwen had already seen Aleera lying naked in the bed. In his haste to see who approached, he had failed to pull the cover back over her completely.

"Are you aware of what you do?" whispered Arwen.

"I will not deny her comfort if she seeks it from me."

"Your heart is pure, my friend. Be careful of what you do."

Legolas chuckled. "If I recall correctly, I spoke those same words to you many decades ago when a certain ranger you fell for."

Arwen replied with a soft laugh and then she turned and left.

Legolas lowered the drapes over the doorway and turned to walk back to the bed. As he removed his robe, he glanced down at Aleera. Her eyes were closed, but he could sense that she was awake, yet still drowsy. He climbed back under the sheets and pulled Aleera into his warmth. She moaned softly as he nuzzled the side of her neck and inhaled her scent before settling with her against him.

Aleera's stomach fluttered at the feel of his slender naked form pressing against her. She instinctly slipped her legs around his. As she innocently brushed her breasts against his firm chest, she could feel him immediately harden.

Legolas's hand went to her cheek and then into her hair. "Aleera, are you awake?"

"Mmm…" she said sleepily. Her hand automatically drifted down between them until she was able to wrap it around his hardened shaft.

Legolas groaned at her touch and his lips covered hers as his fingers quickly found the heat between her legs, stroking her until she was crying out for release. Soon the agony became too much and she squirmed to get beneath him, urging him to mount her. Legolas needed no further coaxing. He gathered her thighs around him and slowly slid into her.

The sounds of their heated gasps filled the chamber with each of his thrusts. Over and over he slid into her until they both reached their climax in a chorus of relieved cries. Once spent, they resumed holding each other tightly. Sleep quickly overcame Aleera once again.

When Aleera awoke next, the sun was shining through the balcony doorway. The space beside her on the bed was vacant, but she could feel the heat that still lingered there from Legolas's body. She got out of bed when the sounds of trickling water reached her ears and she walked toward the other chamber. She found Legolas reclining in a sunken tub, his eyes closed, his head resting on the ledge. The steam rising from the water told her it was hot. As she stepped further into the chamber, Legolas opened his eyes and turned his head toward her. "You did not wake me," she said.

"You slept so soundly. I did not wish to disturb you." Legolas could not keep his eyes from drifting over her nakedness in appreciation. He did not think he would ever tire of the sight. "Join me," he said, gesturing to the other side of the tub with his hand.

Aleera walked to the other side of the sunken tub, which was in fact large enough for two. After slipping down into the hot water, every ache in her bones seemed to melt away. But the heat from the water was a bit disturbing to the healing scars on her back. She ignored the slight throbbing there and turned her attention to Legolas who watched her with growing interest. They sat staring at each other for a time until the distance between them became unbearable. He seemed to be waiting for something. An affirmation that she wanted him, perhaps. "Will you not come to me now, Legolas?"

Legolas did not hesitate. He moved toward her, creating waves that splashed over the edge of the sunken tub. His lips met hers in a hungry kiss and she opened her mouth to receive his tongue. Deciding to forego his own need, Legolas brought his hands beneath the water to cover her breasts, caressing them slowly. Then he altered his plan and lifted her out of the water to sit on the edge of the tub. He leaned into her, bringing his lips to her right nipple and stroked it with his tongue before he sucked on it. As he moved to the other one, his fingers slid down her torso to find the heat already building between her legs.

Aleera leaned back and closed her eyes, relishing in the feel of his lips and his fingers on her. Minutes later, Legolas's mouth traveled down her torso slowly until he reached the very spot his fingers probed. She let out a heated moan at the feel of his warm tongue grazing over her and then cried out, seeking release from this blissful torture. He continued to bring her higher and higher to the peak. She gasped for air until the wave finally hit her. And she felt wave after wave.

Finally Legolas stopped and rose almost completely out of the water to bring them nose to nose. He kissed Aleera hungrily and she tasted her essence in his mouth. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back down into the water with him. With him sitting down in the tub, he positioned her on top of him, pulling her legs around his waist.

Aleera could clearly feel his arousal between her legs. Their lips came together again. She could not seem to get enough of the taste of his mouth or the heat that he elicited in her just from a single touch. It had been an endless struggle trying to resist him and she had given up that battle days ago. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he sucked on her tongue with a groan as he slowly slid himself inside her. A gasp escaped her lips and she closed her eyes to the sensation.

Legolas kept a steady motion, while driving hard into her, penetrating her deeply and moving in long, slow thrusts. She climaxed again and cried out in gasps just as Legolas found his own release. He shivered and shook and continued to pump into her until he was completely spent.

Afterward, Legolas dressed in his usual silver shirt and green outer tunic. His clothes had been cleaned and pressed and he had found them folded neatly near the doorway early this morning. Rather than taking the time to braid his hair, he left it in a tail. Aleera slipped on the robe she had been wearing the night before. He escorted her back to her chambers and waited for her to dress in one of the gowns Arwen had lent her.

They spent most of the afternoon walking around the gardens and he would tell her the names of the flowers or plants and then she would try to remember them as he tested her later. They soon found themselves in the stable where they checked on Legolas's horse. The stallion was pleased to see Legolas and nuzzled against his chest with affection. Legolas spoke to him in elvish and he knickered softly in return. Then the horse turned his attention to Aleera.

Aleera wrapped her arms around his thick neck and hugged him. "Isilrö desires to be out racing with the wind."

"Aye, as do I," replied Legolas. "My heart does not favor sitting idle within the walls of any dwelling, even one as grand as Rivendell."

Aleera turned to Legolas. "What is your home like?" She truly wanted to know, hoping that it would somehow spark a memory within her of her own home.

"Mirkwood is a dangerous place to dwell at this time. Giant spiders still linger in the surrounding woods. We have made every attempt to rid us of them, but they continue to amass with every hundred we kill. I must return home soon, for I am certain my father requires my skill against the vile creatures."

Aleera looked sadly at him, knowing that they would soon be parting company. Once he took her to Lothlorien so the Lady of the Wood might be able to help her discover her identity, there was no reason for him to continue to be her protector.

Legolas sensed her sadness. He reached up to brush her cheek with the back of his fingers. "Do not despair, Aleera. I have every intention of taking you with me, to be by my side."

Aleera brought her arms around his neck. "I desire it greatly, Legolas." She closed her eyes and held back the tears that threatened.

"Then it will be so."

Aleera realized that something had transpired between them since the moment they left Kozar. She was so in tune with everything he felt and he was in tune with what she felt. As if a connection had formed and now they were inseparable. The mere thought of never seeing him again brought a severe pain to her heart. It was the same pain she felt in her chest whenever she and Legolas were parted from each other. It seemed to be the only time she ever felt the pain. The moment he came near, the pain vanished.

Legolas kissed her tenderly on the cheek. "Fear not, meleth. I will not let you go." (love)

His assurance brought Aleera comfort and she inhaled his elven scent into her lungs, clinging tighter to him and hoping that all would be well in their future.