The Lost City Of Cirus
Author's Note:
Thank you to those who continue to review this, it truly is greatly appreciated. Sorry this is a little shorter but I'll try and make up for it with the next chapter
Hope you enjoy and please review when you are done reading.
Thirty-Six
Two Crowns Of Silver
There were no shafts of sunlight drifting through tent flaps or windows to rouse Legolas on his first morn back in Mirkwood. He was instead woken by the soft sound of running water and had no doubts that the culprit was his bride to be.
Last night had been the first night Legolas had taken her into his own bed and heard her cry out beneath him as his own cry mingled with hers within the walls of his father's palace. After they had laughed warmly at both their parents ignorance and vowed to continue to pretend that when they went to bed on their wedding night it would be the first time they had experience the pleasures of the others body. Then Legolas had spooned her from behind and they had made love again.
He slowly blinked his eyes open and smiled to himself as he confirmed that the spot beside him was now vacant. He stretched, cat like, along the bed before swinging his feet out to touch softly upon the floor.
They had remained at the camp until Aquila was well enough to have her bandages off permanently and Elrond was satisfied her wound had completely healed. She would always have a scar where the arrow had pierced her but she was alive and that was all Legolas cared about.
He padded silently over to the bathroom that joined to his room and found a still naked Aquila shutting off the water flowing into the sunken bathtub. Legolas strolled silently to the bath's edge and stepped into the steaming water. It was only the sound of the water lapping at the baths edge as Legolas stepped into it that alerted Aquila to his presence.
"Must Elves always sneak up on others so quietly?"
"We do not sneak, it is not our fault if you do not hear our approaching footfalls."
He smiled up at her from his spot sitting in the sunken bath, water pooling about his lightly muscled chest. Holding a hand out to her he beckoned for her to join him and she lovingly accepted his welcome and placed her hand in his, letting him lead her into the bathtub.
Aquila gently washed Legolas' long golden hair and laughed as his wet locks hung limply down over his face as she dumped warm water over his head to rinse the soap out. Legolas parted the curtain of his hair and glared playfully out at Aquila.
"That was rather unnecessary." He teased.
"But it got the soap out of your hair." She ran her fingers through his silky locks to demonstrate her point.
"Yes, well you are lucky for that." He smirked slyly as he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her backside out from under her, effectively sliding her beneath him as he leaned forward and over her.
However before he could capture her lips in what he would have assured was a most bruising kiss, they were unexpectedly interrupted by a quiet squeal.
"Prince Legolas! Please…..you must forgive me….I….I….I'll just leave you be then."
"Gwenneth! Wait, please!"
The Elven woman stopped in the doorway but kept her back to them.
"It's not you're fault Gwenneth, you were only conducting the duties you have done since I was a boy."
Water sloshed and then fell dripping to the stone floor as Legolas lifted himself from the bath and wrapped a towel about his waist.
"But perhaps I should knock now my Prince."
"Why would you start knocking now? You have not done so before."
By this point Aquila too had climbed from the bath and covered herself with a towel as well.
"But you are to be wed now Prince Legolas. I would not feel right walking in upon you and your Princess as I have just done."
Though neither could see it Gwenneth was blushing noticeably and felt rather uncomfortable about the entire situation, despite the fact that she had been caring for Legolas since he was born.
"With all due respect Gwenneth it is I who is in the wrong. I am not supposed to have Aquila in my chambers now am I?"
"Well I suppose you're right young Prince. Your father would be most displeased to hear of this."
"You wont tell him will you Gwenneth?"
"Of course not young Legolas." Gwenneth finally turned around, a warm smile gracing her lips.
She pulled Legolas into a swift embrace before releasing him again as he was still rather wet.
"Now are you going to introduce me to your bride to be or not?"
"You've met Aquila before Gwenneth"
"I know this my young Prince but not for many years and never as your intended."
"Very well. Gwenneth I would like to present to you my chosen bride, Aquila Princess of the Rocs."
"It is most wonderful to see you have grown into a fine young woman Princess Aquila, and we are even more happy to hear of your engagement to our Prince."
Gwenneth smiled before winking slyly at the young couple.
"Well now, we can't have you standing their dripping wet all morning. We have a wedding to prepare you both for. I suggest you dress and return to your room Aquila where I'm sure Elanus is already waiting for you. She insisted on coming all the way from Cirus to help you to prepare for your wedding. I think she may also have plans to stay." Aquila smiled at this before Gwenneth continued. "As for you Legolas you best dry yourself off while I lay out the outfit we've had made for you."
Neither really made a move and Gwenneth glared at them both.
"Now Prince Legolas. We have much to do."
She pointed a finger in the direction of Legolas' room and the Elf slunk in through the doorway while Aquila laughed behind her hand before drying herself off, dressing in her nightgown and slipping from his room into a deserted hallway.
She made it to her room without a soul seeing her and as she opened the door she saw a familiar Roc standing beside her bed.
Her eyes flicked to the doorway as it opened and she smiled warmly at Aquila. She curtsied low before rising again.
"Good morning Princess Aquila. I let myself in when you did not respond to my knocking. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. You know very well you need not knock before you enter."
"Yes but this is not my home. I have been instructed to assist you in your preparations for the ceremony today. I hope you'll let me stay as your handmaiden even after you are wed. I care for you as I once did my own daughter, but with her dead as well as my husband in all that awfulness with the race of Men you have come to be the only family I know Princess."
A tear slipped from the Roc's eye and Aquila hugged her fiercely.
"Thank you Elanus your help is much appreciated today and it would be most wonderful if you could remain here with me."
"Would you care to bathe before we begin to dress you for your wedding?" Elanus quickly changed the topic as already time was wasting.
Aquila suppressed the urge to giggle and instead nodded her head before disappearing into the adjoining bathroom.
Elanus set about laying out the beautiful gown the Elven seamstresses had spent the last few days making upon the bed, and organizing a set of brushes, combs and clips upon the dresser.
Meanwhile Legolas sat patiently at the dresser in his room, facing the mirror, as Gwenneth set about decorating his hair with a series of delicate braids and twists. He still had the towel wrapped about his waist as Gwenneth thought it would be best to do his hair before he dressed.
"You're being awfully quiet young Legolas. Is there a reason for your silence or are perhaps a bit embarrassed by what happened earlier?" She smiled and gave his hair a gentle tug.
Legolas couldn't help but smile at her reflection in the mirror as he had the decency to blush slightly.
"There is not need to be embarrassed dear Prince, though I may choose to knock in the future."
"You would certainly have reason to knock in the future Gwenneth"
"Well I seem to have need to knock now young one. If your father knew you were bathing with your bride the morning of your wedding he would have a fit. You of all people should know the rules regarding a proper courtship."
"And you Gwenneth, know that there is barely a soul alive who follows them any more."
"No, but most are very good about not getting caught. Which does not include you young one." She teased as she placed a ring of tightly woven flowers upon his head.
"Oh my, don't you look handsome. And we haven't even dressed you properly yet. Aquila will be most pleased I'm sure."
"I hate that I can't see her. Who came up with that tradition anyway!"
Legolas stood and threw his arms up in frustration while Gwenneth giggled at him.
"You are only kept separated for a day Legolas, a tradition you have already broken." She pretended to glare at him. "So really you only now have a few hours of separation. You have your brunch with your father and she has hers with Audax and Pandion. Then Elrond has been invited to perform the ceremony and then we shall have a banquet the likes of which Mirkwood has not seen since your birth."
"Did father make as big a fuss of that as he is this?"
"Oh far bigger Legolas. You were not only your father's first-born child but you were a boy and so his heir to the throne. Your mother and father were so happy and proud of you."
"Do you think my mother would have approved of Aquila?" Legolas asked, sounding rather distant.
"Oh Legolas, she would have adored Aquila even more than your father. She would also have been proud of you for marrying her for love and not political gain."
Legolas smiled and rose to his feet, crossing the room to his bed he began to dress in the outfit specially made for this day. He pulled on the snugly fitting grey breeches followed by soft leather boots of a darker grey.
"Well, I believe you're quite capable of dressing yourself so I'll leave you to go inform your father you will be along to brunch in a moment."
"Thank you Gwenneth and not just for today but for all the years you've cared for me."
"You do not need to thank me Legolas. I have enjoyed caring for you, watching you grow into a fine mature Elf, and I look forward to helping you and Aquila to care for your children."
She laughed as a slight blush crept up Legolas' cheeks and she left him to finish buttoning the shimmering silver tunic he had slipped on.
Aquila arrived for brunch with her father and brother in the beautifully fitted, flowing white gown that Mirkwoods seamstresses had made for her for her wedding to their Prince.
Both men stood and smiled proudly at her but never one for formalities with her family she ran to them and embraced them both.
"I hope you will make the time to visit us here once you have returned to Cirus."
"Of course we will." Pandion smiled. "There's nothing you could do to keep us away."
"We will miss you though my daughter but I know Legolas will keep you happy here."
They sat down to brunch and ate well while Audax discussed his plans for the stairway to be built into the Iron Mountains with his daughter and son. Both thought it was a wonderful idea and the three drank a toast to it, promising to begin work on it as soon as possible.
Talk soon turned to Pandion's plans for the future and while the Prince did not know what he wished to do with himself in the coming years, wherever he may be, he had vowed to return to Cirus as it's King once his father announced his retirement.
All through their brunch Aquila would occasionally begin to smile brightly for no apparent reason, though Pandion knew well what that reason was. She waited only for this day to fly by so that she may be married to her love and live by his side here in Mirkwood. Though he was extremely happy for her he couldn't help fell as though he was loosing her in some way. He would be sure to visit as often as he could be when he returned to Cirus it would be the first time he had lived apart from her in over two thousand years. She had always been in the castle, even though his own life with wife and children had kept him busy she was there for him whenever he needed her. Now he would have to travel to Mirkwood to see her and he couldn't help but feel a little saddened by the thought.
"Are you still with us Pandion?" Audax's deep voice broke him from his thoughts.
"Did you ask me something?"
"No but it is time for your sister's wedding ceremony though, provided you wish to attend."
Pandion glared at his father who smirked at him before messing up the younger Roc's well-sculpted locks. The Roc Prince ducked away from his father's hand and ran his fingers through the soft spikes atop his head to try and get them to stand as they had before his father had roughly messed them.
Legolas waited patiently before Elrond at the front of row upon row of his friends and his father's subjects, everyone had turned up to see Mirkwoods handsome Prince finally wedded. King Thranduil stood to Legolas' side and placed a hand on his son's shoulder as everyone in the gathered audience before them turned to look at the far end of the aisle in their center.
With her arm linked through her father's stood Aquila in the beautiful white dress that pooled about her feet and shimmered slightly every time she shifted beneath it. Pandion was seated next to Aragorn and Arwen in the front row of the guests and he smiled proudly as his sister made her way, barefoot, down the strip of grass towards the waiting Elven Prince.
Legolas had to catch himself before his mouth fell open at the sight of his bride. She always looked beautiful to him but standing there, barefoot upon the green grass, surrounded by the Elves of Mirkwood, she was perfect.
She arrived beside him and Legolas could not take his eyes off her as embraced her father, who held her tightly before releasing her to join Thranduil to the side of the couple.
Aquila stepped up to Legolas and he took her hands in his. As they locked eyes Legolas wanted nothing more than to kiss her and release all the emotion he felt stirring within him but he knew it would not be acceptable to do such a thing at that moment. So instead he stroked his thumbs lovingly across her thin fingers.
The two then turned their attention to Elrond who nodded to them that he was ready to begin. He began the ceremony in Elvish but for the most part ensured all present could understand what was being said.
That night, after collapsing against each other, bodies glistening with sweat and Legolas buried deep within his new wife, both would complain of the ceremony taking far too long. Both seemingly as desperate as the other to be married, rather than having to stand before thousands of others while Elrond spoke of the union taking place between them and their kingdoms.
For now though they stood in silence, a perfect portrait of the Prince and Princess they had been raised to be. Both fathers stood proudly to the side, listening to every word of praise that was emitted by Elrond.
When the Elven Lord spoke of Legolas' love for his chosen bride the speech ultimately turned to the close call with death as he thought his love gone from him forever. These thoughts were still too fresh and painful for Legolas and so he shut them out as best he could.
Aragorn couldn't help grinning as Elrond went on and on and on as the Elven Lord had a habit of doing. He glanced along the row at Pandion who was seated beside Arwen and was watching Elrond with eye unlike any other in the audience and Aragorn had a feeling Legolas and Aquila would not be the only couple to retire to bed early tonight.
Finally Elrond took from a blond Mirkwood Elf two silver circlets. He removed the wreaths of flowers that had been placed upon the couple's heads before the ceremony and then motioned for them to kneel before him.
He placed one of the silver circlets atop Legolas' head before taking both the Prince's hands in his own and pulling him to his feet. He then bent and carefully placed the other circlet, set with tiny jewels, on Aquila's head before motioning to Legolas for him to bring her to her feet.
He pulled Aquila up much in the same way that Elrond had him, except as she stood before him Elrond nodded to Legolas and the Prince pulled his bride to him and kissed her deeply.
Applause rose up from all gathered as they smiled at the newly wedded couple. Legolas broke the kiss not because he wanted to but so that it did not go on so long as to make his guests uncomfortable.
Elrond spoke a few more words in Elvish before he presented the married couple to their fathers. Both Audax and Thranduil hugged the two in joy before allowing Aquila to return to the waiting arms of her new husband.
King Thranduil turned to those gathered and rose his voice so all could hear him.
"And now my friends we shall feast, and drink, and be merry until long after the sun has gone down to celebrate the union of my son and your Prince to his chosen bride, Aquila once Princess of the Rocs and now Princess of Mirkwood."
More cheers from the crowd and wine was quickly dispensed along with the food.
Aquila smiled to herself at the strange feeling of being called Princess of Mirkwood, but as Legolas pulled her to his side and smiled down at her, handing her a glass of Mirkwoods heady wine, she decided it was something she would quickly get used to.
"A toast then?" Elrond said as Pandion, Aragorn, Arwen, Gimli and Sphenurus joined the Elven Lord, the newly weds and two very proud fathers.
All rose their glasses into the air as Elrond toasted the couple.
"To a most joyous union between Legolas and Aquila, and may they have an eternity of happiness together and Mirkwood prosper with them as its future King and Queen."
"Here, here!" They all called out before drinking deeply from their glasses.
To be continued…