Hi again! Sorry for the delay in posting but I hope to get chapter 15 up pretty soon after this one. Thank you for the wonderful reviews – obviously begging helps – ROFL!
I hope you enjoy this one!
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Forever Yours
Chapter 14
Haldir slowed his pace as the distance from Illadris's talan increased. He calmed his breathing and relaxed his tightly clenched fists. A cleansing breath served to restore his stoic manner and he shook his head in an effort to reinstate the normal order of his mind. He chastised himself for having risen so readily to Illadris' taunts. As he calmed, pity displaced anger in his thoughts of the elleth. He realised the days to come would be filled with questions from anxious and confused Elves who would struggle to assimilate the actions of one of their own. He wished to forestall the inevitable confrontations and steered a path toward the House of Healing. He told himself it was concern for his friend which drew him there but the thought seeing Arien was also appealing. As he approached he encountered Orophin whose appearance clearly reflected his fatigue.
"You are exhausted, Orophin!" said Haldir, concern clear in his voice. "Food and sleep will serve you well now. Pray retire to your home and I will request a meal to be sent to you."
Orophin smiled gratefully at his brother and as he turned away, Haldir placed a hand upon his shoulder;
"Your intervention saved the prince's life. I am grateful and proud to call you brother!" he stated, simply.
Orophin revived visibly at his brother's words and Haldir noted a definite spring in his brother's step as he continued on his way. Haldir smiled to himself as he considered the relative ease with which he had bolstered Orphan's spirit and when he eventually arrived at his destination, he was pleased to find his mood had lightened considerably. He entered the main room and walked toward the bed on which his sleeping friend lay prone. Arien sat beside him on a low seat and smiled as she saw Haldir approach.
"The healers say he is past the worst," she informed him, happily.
"That is wonderful news, Arien," replied Haldir "but perhaps now I may persuade you to pay some regard to your own well-being? Will you permit me to escort you to your quarters? You must surely be weary from your constant vigil. Certainly, Legolas will wish to see you looking well and rested upon his awakening."
"I shall broach no resistance to your suggestion, Haldir, for in truth, my strength is failing me. Assuredly, Legolas is receiving the best of care and my worry for him is greatly diminished," she replied.
Haldir offered his arm to her and together they departed. They walked slowly in a comfortable silence until they arrived at her apartments. He opened the door for her and as she slipped past him, his arm passed around her waist as he followed her inside. He wasted no time in claiming her lips and she noticed the increased intensity of his kiss. It was unlike the kiss they had shared at the inn. It was more intense and demanding. She pulled away from him gently and laid a hand against his chest;
"What is wrong, Arien?" he asked her, "Do my attentions displease you?"
"I am not displeased, Haldir, just a little surprised at how a thing as simple as a kiss can be so varied," she replied shyly.
He pulled her close to him once more and placing his head next to hers, whispered to her;
"The intricacies of love are many and varied, my sweet. Only let down your defences a little and you shall experience feelings the like of which you have never imagined."
He gently nipped the tip of her delicate ear and a shiver of delight passed through her entire body. He lowered his head to nuzzle her neck and drew her pliant body close against him. He captured her lips once more with his and she surrendered to him completely, no longer wary of the sensations overwhelming her.
Haldir released her reluctantly and took hers hands in his;
"I fear if I do not soon take my leave, I will increase your wearied state and that was not my original intention," he said, laughing.
Arien merely smiled as he bowed elegantly and made his way to the door. He made to leave, and without turning to address her, said;
"I shall seek your company on the morrow and we shall continue your enlightenment."
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The days passed peaceably and Arien shared her time between her brother and Haldir. She increasingly looked forward to the time spent in the Marchwarden's company and her affection for him continued to grow. She experienced feelings well known to those newly in love and awaited each rendezvous with rising anticipation. She was no longer startled by his intimate caresses and returned his kisses with equal passion and desire. For his part, Haldir held true to his word to gently guide and encourage Arien, a mission which often left him desiring far more than he received.
Legolas grew stronger day by day and by the forth was deemed well enough to leave the House of Healing and return to his quarters. He felt weak and tired easily, but insisted on taking short walks with his sister whenever his strength permitted. During one of their ambles he confronted Arien with knowledge of her involvement with the Marchwarden. Arien was taken aback and embarrassed her feelings should show so readily.
"Haldir had already mentioned his attraction to you prior to…." he stopped, reluctant to mention past events.
"Do not be afraid to speak of what has occurred, Legolas," she replied. "I am no longer a child to be protected from all ills. My feelings of resentment and anger toward the one who would harm me are spent, though I fear I will never forgive nor forget. It will forever be a dark memory I shall carry with me. For now, my only wish is for your complete recovery and I pray all other matters will soon be resolved."
"Aye, but that will not occur until after the trial. I am informed our father is expected within a week," he said thoughtfully. "I fear it will be hard on you to relive the anguish of your captivity."
Arien gazed unseeing into the tree canopy lost in thought and only returned to realisation when she felt the pressure of her brother's hand on her shoulder.
"Forgive me, Legolas," she said quietly. "I was lost in my thoughts. Come, let us continue our stroll, for it is too beautiful a day to lose ourselves in sadness.
She took his hand in hers and they continued their leisurely walk until they came upon a large, open glade. Many wardens were present and most bore arms. Arien observed racks containing bows, arrows and swords. She was amused to find on closer inspection, the swords were not of metal but wood. She pointed them out to her brother, a look of amusement on her face.
"This is a training ground, Arien," said Legolas. "and the swords are for practice only. It would be foolhardy to use real weapons!"
"Do not admonish me for my ignorance, my brother, when you are well aware I have never been permitted to frequent those areas where our own guards train!" she reproved.
"I will ever be regretful of this truth, Arien and feel we were remiss in denying you the ability to defend yourself in time of need," he replied, a little ashamedly. "Perhaps I shall endeavour to address this mistake when I am a little stronger."
Arien was delighted by his statement as she had oft begged to be permitted to learn the martial arts. She spotted Haldir and Orophin walking toward them and could barely contain her excitement as she revealed to them her brothers' intention.
"Why wait?" said Orophin, excitedly.
He grasped her hand and led her briskly to a far corner of the glade where several targets stood some distance away. Orophin took a relatively small bow and full quiver of arrows from a rack and handed them to her. She held them gracelessly and looked questioningly to Orophin who did not disguise his mirth caused by her awkwardness.
Arien swung the quiver onto her shoulder as he removed his own arm and finger guards and passed them to her. He helped her to adjust them and proceeded with the lesson.
"The most important thing to learn first is stance," he stated authoritatively. "Ensure your weight is evenly distributed and your aim will be true."
Haldir and Legolas watched the lesson unfold and were greatly amused by Arien's first efforts. She handled the bow adeptly enough but accuracy eluded her, having unleashed an entire quiver of arrows and only once hit the target. She turned to deliver a withering look of admonishment; they paid her no heed and continued to enjoy the entertainment before them. After a short time, weariness overtook Legolas and Haldir requested Orophin return him to rest.
I shall continue with Arien's instruction," he said.
"I am honoured the Marchwarden himself deems to instruct me!" she commented with a note of sarcasm in her voice.
"Do not assume I will go easy on you," he replied, "For in matters of training I am known to be the most demanding of instructors!"
The innuendo of his comment did not pass her notice and she trembled slightly as he neared her to envelop her hand on the bow. She felt the length of his body press against her back as he reached around her to grip her other hand which held the string.
"Focus and control are of utmost importance," he murmured to her, his head close to hers. "The bow should be grasped firmly that you may appreciate its girth and strength. Take time to acquaint yourself with its nuances and enjoy the power you hold within your hand. When you are satisfied you are ready, gently slide the tip of the arrow into position and ensure its alignment is straight. Slowly pull back on the string, gradually increasing by degrees, until the tension reaches its limit, then release, and revel in the delight one only experiences when a perfect conclusion is achieved."
Arien scarce dared to breathe as he related his instructions. She felt caressed by his voice and resented the loss of his warm body against hers as he backed away from her;
"You may commence whenever you wish," he said, smiling at her.
"I fear what you request of me may be beyond my capability," she replied shyly.
"But you cannot be sure unless you try," he answered, "and I will be a very patient, if exacting teacher. Once the basics are mastered, one may investigate the finer points and so achieve even greater gratification."
Arien's mind spun with the thoughts and images conjured by his voice. She faced the target and released her arrow with very little thought for the instructions previously imparted to her. Her arrow slammed into the target with deadly accuracy and Haldir's face broke into a broad grin.
"I see you have already absorbed the teachings of your first lesson. Now all that remains is to test your limits!"
Tbc
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Ooooh, I enjoyed writing that one. I had archery lessons in school but never like that – lol!
Please R&R as I'd be most interested to know how you found it.
