Legolaslover – Thanks so much for the support. I was a bit angry myself about that review. I know there's more that has to be explained, but that's all in upcoming chapters. There would be no mystery if everything were explained upfront. But anyway, on with the story! I have a three day weekend coming and nothing to do but write!

Linilya Elf – Between our two stories, Leggy's getting a lot of "that kind" of action lately. He should appreciate us, right? Let's invite him over later and really "appreciate" him. ;o)

Maren L P – Body hair? Oh yeah, I did make reference to a certain happy trail, didn't I? Hehehe. Oh well, but that's all there is, except on top of their head, of course. Too bad there isn't some kind of elf anatomy book we can reference…over and over again.

A/N – Two elves make an appearance in this chapter, and some of you may recognize them. I'm not very familiar with their backgrounds, so hopefully I rendered them correctly. Hope you enjoy!

WARNING – Some mild sexual content in this chapter, but not too graphic.

Chapter 11 – The More The Merrier

Later that evening, while they dined with the others, all Legolas could think about was how much he desired to be alone with Aleera again. His entire body yearned to feel her against him. The moment the thought entered his mind, he sensed a similar feeling coming from her. He glanced at her from across the table and when she turned to him, their eyes locked and her cheeks quickly flushed. She gave him a brief smile and ate the strawberries on her plate. He was unsure why it fascinated him to watch her eat them.

Aragorn was going through his own hot flash. He had spent a glorious night with Arwen, but it had been too short and he longed to spend more intimate time with her. They had already discussed her accompanying him and Legolas to Lothlorien with Aleera. It would be good for her to see Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn who happened to be her grandmother and grandfather.

Legolas turned to Lord Elrond, who was deep in conversation with Erestor and Glorfindel. He knew of the legendary Glorfindel well, stories of his return from the dead making their way even to Mirkwood. But Legolas was not very familiar with the silent dark-haired chief counselor, Erestor. The three discussed the movement of Orcs and goblins in the regions beyond Moria and the best path for he and Aragorn to take to get to Lothlorien. It seemed that the path that took them east over the Misty Mountains would be the safest.

Joining their conversation was Elladan. "The path over the Misty Mountains is quite treacherous, especially on horseback."

Legolas spoke up for the first time since they began the discussion. "I prefer to cross over the mountains than go around them. It would take three times as long to reach Lothlorien."

"I have to agree," added Aragorn. "Besides, I do not fancy running into a party of Orcs while Arwen and Aleera are with us."

"Elladan and Elrohir will be joining you," said Elrond.

"The more the merrier," said Aragorn disdainfully under his breath.

Legolas heard him and suppressed a smile. He knew that the ranger would not find a moment alone with Arwen while her brothers were with them. And then he realized that neither would he find a moment with Aleera. But what mattered most was their safety as they traveled to Lothlorien. "Perhaps we should take your hunting party," he suggested to Elladan and Elrohir.

"Aye, I think it best, as well," alleged Aragorn. "They would prove useful when from Lothlorien we later head northeast to Mirkwood. Thranduil could use the extra archers to dispel the threat from Dol Guldur."

"Is Thranduil requesting aid, Legolas?" asked Elrond in surprise.

"He would never request aid, but he will also not refuse it if it comes."

Elrond turned to Erestor and it seemed to Aleera that the two were exchanging thoughts in their heads. She stole a glance at Legolas, but he now seemed to be preoccupied with the current discussion.

After a moment of silence between them all, Elrond finally turned to Aragorn and Legolas. "It is agreed then. You will take twenty elves from Rivendell, including Elladan and Elrohir. Glorfindel will accompany you as well."

Aleera turned to Elrond. "My lord, I do not wish to be such a burden to anyone. If you allow it, I can stay here and not go to Lothlorien."

"Nonsense, Aleera, you are not a burden to anyone. As you can see, Mirkwood requires aid. I imagine that Lord Celeborn may swallow his pride and send some of his people to aid King Thranduil as well. These are harsh times in which we elves must put aside our differences and band together."

"Mae pennen!" said Glorfindel, raising his cup. (well said)

While they toasted and drank, a hand touched Aleera's and she looked up to find Arwen regarding her. "Are you well, Aleera? You appear distressed."

"Nay, I am fine," she replied, even though she was in fact distressed that these elves would have to risk their lives to see her safely to Lothlorien…just so she could recover her memory.

"Walk with me. I wish to speak with you," said Arwen.

Aleera glanced one final time at Legolas before leaving the table. Immediately she could feel Legolas's senses call out to her at her departure and she fought the urge to turn around and go back. Arwen slipped an arm into hers and led her out onto the large terrace. They paused at the balustrade and looked up at the full moon.

"I have known Legolas for a very long time," Arwen finally said softly.

Aleera's chest constricted painfully. "Aye, he has mentioned it."

"Legolas is no ordinary elf. He has exceptionally strong elven senses that surpass even those of Glorfindel. Yet with all that he has experienced in battle over the years, he remains uncorrupted and pure of heart. He is ever sensitive of those around him, especially those closest to him." Arwen turned to Aleera. "I am certain he did not mention to you that he has never loved before."

Aleera shrugged and looked down briefly. "Legolas has loved many. He told me so."

"Nay, Aleera. He has not," Arwen said. Then she smiled. "I imagine he said it to make you think he has experience in such matters."

"How do you know this, Arwen?"

"Legolas is like another brother to me and I know him better than anyone else, including Aragorn. He has not engaged in intimate affairs with anyone and never would unless he knew for certain that he were in love. It is his nature."

"But I assumed he had engaged intimately with…"

"Some elves have the ability to tolerate freedom of the heart. Legolas is not one of them. It is clear to me that he has fallen for you."

"I can feel what is in his heart. It matches what is in mine. Arwen, I know not who I can speak to."

"I am here to listen, Aleera. Tell me all that is on your mind."

"It is so difficult to understand why I feel what I feel. I sense everything about him. I sense him this very moment and know that he is slightly stressed."

"You sense him from where you stand?"

"Aye. And then I feel an incredible pain in my chest when we're apart."

Arwen was surprised at this. "Do you realize that you have bonded?"

"Bonded? I know not what it means."

"It means that you are connected to each other. A link that is not easily broken."

"I do not recall performing such a link."

"It is nothing performed. It simply happens between two elves that find each other. You and Legolas have bonded. Although it is strange that a bond has formed in such a short time span."

"Is Legolas aware that such a thing could happen?"

"Aye, he is aware and I am certain he knows that it has occurred. It is the reason you can sense him and feel the pain of separation. It is also the reason the two of you are drawn to each other so intimately."

Aleera's cheeks reddened at Arwen's observation. She recalled that Arwen had seen her in Legolas's bed just before dawn.

Arwen giggled and touched Aleera's arm to reassure her. "Fear not, Aleera. It is not wrong when you are bonded."

"Have you bonded with Aragorn?" asked Aleera curiously.

"Bonding only happens between elves. But what Aragorn and I share is similar to it. We have committed ourselves to each other." She leaned closer to Aleera. "But do not tell my father or my brothers. We wish our love to remain secret for now."

"Does Legolas know?"

"Aye, he is the only one that knows. And now so do you."

Aleera suddenly sensed a change in Legolas's mood. He was no longer in Aragorn's company and he sought her. "Legolas approaches."

Legolas could no longer stand the tightening in his chest, so he excused himself from the others, indicating that he sought Aleera for a dance as the minstrels began to play. He went in search of her, knowing that she had gone out onto the terrace with Arwen. Arwen and Aleera turned toward the doorway just as he stepped out of it. Their expressions made him wonder what the topic of their discussion had been. "Aleera, come, let us dance." He waited for the two elf maids to walk toward where he stood in the doorway. "Aragorn seeks your company, Arwen," he said.

Arwen smiled and entered.

Just as Aleera was about to follow, Legolas took her hand and pulled her away. She soon found herself with her back against the wall and the pressure of Legolas's warm body against hers. His lips descended and she hungrily returned what he sought from her. Every fiber of her being was in tune to him. When he released her lips, he nipped the side of her neck none too gently with his teeth while uttering a growl from deep within his throat. Then his lips were on hers again, only to quickly part at the sound of approaching footfalls.

Aragorn came around the corner. "Ah, there you are. I thought you sought Aleera for a dance."

"Aye, I did," replied Legolas.

When Aleera lowered her eyes from Aragorn's gaze, he looked to Legolas who gave him a crooked smile. Then the elf took Aleera's hand and led her inside.

They danced to the music played by the minstrels and Aleera could not stop laughing as Legolas twirled her around until she was dizzy. For awhile longer they stayed to drink and converse with Aragorn and the others. Then Aleera feigned weariness and Legolas volunteered to escort her to her chamber. As they departed, she knew that at least Aragorn and Arwen would know that Legolas would indeed take her to her chamber, but he would not be leaving afterward.

Legolas did indeed remain in her chamber. The moment he closed the door, they embraced and then hurriedly attempted to discard their clothing on their way to the bed. When that task was accomplished, Legolas spent nearly an eternity kissing and licking and nipping at her flesh beginning with her fingertips, all the way down to her toes, leaving not a single inch of her untouched. In return, Aleera explored him as meticulously as he had done with her. He seemed surprised at her boldness and surprised at the pleasure in it. Legolas gasped and nearly jumped out of his skin when she did it.

Later when they were both spent, Aleera giggled when he avoided her lips. "Why will you not kiss me?"

"I have no desire to taste what you tasted."

"I allowed you to kiss me after you tasted me so thoroughly."

"Aye, but you taste far more pleasant than any other."

Aleera decided to see if he would tell her the truth. "And exactly how many have you tasted?"

Legolas looked into her eyes and remained silent for a moment, thinking about how he would respond. His ego told him to lie, but his conscience would not allow it. "I have been with no other but you."

Aleera hugged him tighter for being truthful.

Legolas felt better for telling her the truth. "Do you not feel the bond we have? Do you not feel the pain when we are separated?"

"Aye, I feel it, Legolas. How can we ever be apart when such pain fills my chest?"

"Not much do I know about bonding, but pain from separation eventually fades with time."

"How much time?"

Legolas shook his head. "It can be one day or it can be many months."

Aleera moved so she could look at him. "When did this happen?"

"I know not when or even how it occurred. And now I cannot think of anything else but you, Aleera. Nothing at all but to bask in your scent and your taste and the feel of you against me."

"I have but one curious question. If you have never been intimate before, how is it that you know so much?"

A small smile came to his lips. "I know much about what pleases me. As to what pleases you, I merely assess. I listen to the tiny moans that come from your lips. In this way I have discovered all the places where you delight in my touch." He sighed and looked up at the ceiling, his smile still evident. "And then there was Laravin and Undoli."

Aleera gave him a confused look. "Laravin and Undoli? What are they?"

"Not what, but who. I was a mere one hundred and five when a friend and I stumbled upon them making love in the forest. We watched the two elves for some time, truly not understanding what they engaged in, only that it affected us strangely."

"How did it affect you?"

Legolas laughed. "A cold bath was required to cool the sudden heat within me. Not knowing any better, I told my mother of the incident and she was quickly uncomfortable and mortified that I had witnessed such a thing. She instilled in me that it is a forbidden act unless love is the driving factor. That is why I never committed to intimacy with any elleth." (elf maid)

"Then why with me?" she asked curiously.

"Le veleth nin." Legolas kissed her. When she giggled against his lips, he paused. "What is funny, Aleera?" (I love you)

"You are kissing me. Do you not taste your essence on my lips?"

He shook his head with a smile. "I care not." And he kissed her again.