Chapter Eleven

Elladan sat in the chair in Daralis' room, listening to her speak to him from the washroom where she was taking a hot bubble bath he had drawn for her.

"My father was terribly upset with me, Elladan. I didn't know what to do! He just looked so.. angry, and disappointed. I understand where he's coming from, but in my world, death brings an afterlife, not only an end, and I guess I'm not supposed to expect him to understand that, but still, I mean I don't know" Daralis kept speaking, but Elladan heard light, almost undiscernible footsteps approaching.

In a flash, he was on the balcony and in his room. Seconds later, Legolas walked into the room, calling for Daralis.

"Atar!" She screamed, "I'm in the bath!"

Legolas promptly put a hand over his eyes, and spoke. "I apologize, Daralis, but I feel that I must speak to you. I want you to know that I feel horribly for the way I spoke to you earlier, and that I love you very much."

"Of course I know that, Atar. I do think that we should speak about it later, though."

"That is very well. We shall. Who were you speaking to just now?" He asked abruptly. Daralis' blood ran cold.

"What? What are you talking about?" She stammered out a bit too quickly.

"You were talking to someone, I heard you as I approached your door." Daralis was out of the tub by this time, a luxurious robe over her form.

"I was talking to myself," she lied.

"Are you sure?" He looked at her with a scrutinizing eye.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"I shall accept that for now, Dara. Now get dressed and ready for dinner. My old companion Aragorn is coming tonight, as well as Elrohir. I am sure that you and he would wish to meet, as you seem to be so very interested in his twin." With that Legolas turned and left, leaving his daughter flushed with embarrassment and a bit afraid of his meaning.

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Dinner with Aragorn and Elrohir was an amusing event to say the least. The twins constantly teased Glorfindel, a very important, yet still fun, Elf that Daralis had learned was a dear friend of Elrond.

"I must ask you, Glorfindel," began Elrohir while they were waiting for their meals, "Now that I am up and well again, are you ready for me to defeat you at swords?"

"Please, child, I taught you any skill you may have at swords. Do not make a fool of yourself." Glorfindel teased.

"I shan't make a fool of myself, because I am confident that I can beat an Elf of your age."
"Age?"

"Yes, age indeed! You are millennia old. It is a bit sad, to be honest."

"If but I had food, Elrohir, I would throw it at you."

"Good point, Old One! The food is quite tardy tonight. It is my opinion that you should go to the kitchens and see what is happening." Glorfindel eyed him wearily, but rose.

After he left, Elladan whispered across the table to her. "Quickly, Dara! Take Elrohir's seat, and I shall take yours, and he can take mine. Father, do rotate with Legolas and Estel." Legolas and Elrond maturely stayed put, and Aragorn had no choice, but Daralis quickly jumped up to take Elrohir's chair. Now instead of being across from Elladan, she was next to him, and across from Elrohir.

Elrohir whistled softly, and the kitchen staff that he was apparently in cahoots with came whisking out of a different entrance, placing the dishes in front of them. They waited a few minutes before being rejoined by Glorfindel.

"Glorfindel, you old dog! You seem to have missed the arrival of dinner! It has been here for some time."

Glorfindel served him with a glare.

"Yes, that must be it, brat."

"A brat!" Elrohir exclaimed. He leaned across the table to Daralis and said, "Can you believe it, Princess! He uses such language in such esteemed company. What a disgrace he is to our realm. He should be booted out on his seat, do you agree?"

Daralis dissolved into a fit of giggles. "Yes, I believe I do agree, Elrohir." Elladan, Elrohir, Aragorn, Glorfindel, Elrond and Legolas all let out laughter at her response.

"Well, Princess Daralis, I shall leave," Glorfindel began, "If you would do me the honor of asking me to do so in Elvish." Daralis gasped.

"Glorfindel! You know that I can't."

"Then I am compelled to remain at my seat." She smiled at him.

"If you must."

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Later that night, Elladan walked Daralis back to her room. When they arrived, she invited him in. He entered, closing the door behind him. When he turned back around, she was standing directly in front of him, a sparkle in her eyes. Elladan placed his hand on one of her cheeks, and put the other on her hip, turning her around so that she was against the door.

"I have wanted to kiss you all night, Dara." He received a smile in response.

"Then go ahead, Elladan." She said it as if issuing a challenge, one he met with earnest.

Their lips connected with a spark, which grew into a flame as the kiss deepened. Daralis arched out from the door, and Elladan pressed his body against hers in response, never breaking the kiss. Daralis grabbed Elladan's arms, now wrapped around her torso, and ran her hands over them, exposing the fevered flesh there. Elladan pulled away first.

"Daralis Dara, we cannot do this."

"Do what?" Daralis panted.

"Go any farther." Elladan clarified. Daralis gave a slight pout.

"Why not?"

"You are an innocent, are you not?"

"A what?" She was confused.

"An innocent. You have never known another male," Elladan explained to her.

"Oh you mean a virgin. Well, yes, I am."

"That is why we cannot do this. Not now, at least."

"What? How the hell are the two connected?" She was getting frustrated, for several reasons.

Elladan smiled at her, and leaned in to whisper in her ear-" You will know when the time has finally come." It sent shivers down her spine, and she released a small moan.

"Are you trying to drive me mad?"

"A bit mad, yes." He kissed her brow. "And now I must leave you. Tomorrow, will you ride with me?"

"Ride? As in, a horse?" Daralis' face took on a doubtful shadow.

"Nay, a Warg beast." Elladan quipped sarcastically.

"A what?" His eyes rolled.

"Yes, Daralis, a horse!"

"Um, we'll have to see about that."

"Fine. But either way, we will do something tomorrow?" She smiled up at his enthusiasm.

"Of course." A quick kiss to her lips, and he turned her away from the door, and made for the handle. But before he touched it, he froze.

"Someone approaches." She looked to the door and to him, and watched him dash past her and through her balcony doors. She went back to the door as a knock sounded. She opened it, and discovered Legolas on the other side.

"Hello, Atar. Have you come to wish me goodnight?"

"No, I have come to inquire as to where Elladan has gone."

DUN DUN DUUUUNNNNNNNNN!! Bwahahahahahahahaaaaaaa!

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