Author's Warning: By nightfall, this chapter will be swarming with elf smut! (I think I need another cup of coffee) Albeit heavily edited elf smut, but elf smut nonetheless...Please keep those reviews coming, it's what keeps me going! Thanks. Now where were we? Ah yes...
Legolas sat on the bed next to Linnah. He looked at her worriedly and sighed. Linnah looked weak and worn thin and it hurt his heart to see her in this state.
"Is there anything I can get for you?" he asked softly.
"Just your presence here is enough for me," she answered, reaching out to him with her hand.
He moved closer to her on the bed and he took her hand and kissed it. Then he laid down beside her and brought a hand to her face and stroked her cheek tenderly. He thought to himself, "How can I tell her what needs to be done? She has already suffered so much."
"What is it Legolas?" she asked him.
"Ask me again tomorrow," he replied softly.
Linnah puzzled at this answer but decided against questioning it. Legolas was now kissing her forehead gently and smoothing her hair from her face. She closed her eyes and concentrated on just feeling his lips and his gentle touch.
In her head she heard, "My sweet one, I would erase all of the hurt if I could. Tell me what I can do to ease your suffering."
"You are already doing it."
They laid together quietly for several hours. Linnah rested while Legolas sang softly to her and stroked her hair and face. Ever since the Healer had mentioned that more dark magic had taken hold of her during her sleep, Legolas had wanted to ask her about it. It was hard for him not to question her, but he realized it wasn't the right time. Linnah needed to turn her mind away from that for now. He tried to think of something else to soothe her. A thought came to him and carefully taking her face in his hands, he looked deeply into her eyes.
"Do you think you are strong enough to move?"
"I have not yet tried, but I think so."
He nodded and smiling softly said, "I'll be right back. Keep resting."
Linnah wondered where he was going, so she sat up to watch him. He knelt at the hearth and started a fire in the grand fireplace. The fire was soon blazing and the chamber began to warm. Legolas continued to manipulate it until the logs were quietly burning. It always amazed Linnah that her fellow elves had a special magic they used to keep the logs from burning away completely.
As he stood, Legolas looked back at her. "I thought I said to rest, my love. Close your eyes and relax. I will need a few moments to prepare everything."
Linnah complied and laying back into the pillows, closed her eyes. She was afraid to let herself fall asleep again, lest she spoil his plans. She kept herself alert behind her eyelids and soon she heard the euphonic sounds of running water and Legolas singing softly. "What is he up to?" she thought, smiling to herself.
After a while she felt the air in the room shift slightly.
"Linnah," came his voice soft and full of love. She opened her eyes and he was standing next to the bed, completely naked, his smooth skin reflecting the glow of the firelight.
"Let me undress you, my Lady. I prepared a bath for us."
"Hmmm, that sounds good," responded Linnah. She started to remove her sheer sleeping gown and Legolas assisted her. He soon had her completely disrobed and standing up, took a moment to gaze down at her exquisitely curved body.
"What is it?" she asked quietly as he looked at her.
"You are so beautiful, Linnah," he stated.
Linnah smiled at him and the prince then lifted her carefully into his strong arms and held her close. She wrapped her arms loosely about his neck and he carried her to his bathing chamber. It felt wonderful to have the skin of their bodies touch. Legolas smiled down at her, his look was disarming and alluring at the same time. He couldn't help himself and leaned his head down to kiss her lips. Their mouths lingered together for a moment and then when their lips parted, Linnah realized that they were now in the bathing room.
Legolas had lit several small candles and placed them all around the low counters, their flickering light casting shadows about the room. The tub was filled with delicately scented water and flower petals. He very gently lowered her into the water. It was warm and soothing. The prince stepped gracefully into the water behind her and sat back against the tub, so that she could lean back against his chest and stretch out her legs.
Linnah let her head rest back against his shoulder and the crook of his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He kissed her temple and thought to himself, "I wish with all my heart you didn't have to leave me. If only there was some way... "
Linnah sensed his pensiveness. "What is wrong, Legolas?"
In mock seriousness, Legolas answered her, "What is wrong you ask? Well, to begin with, our borders were invaded by orcs. Then you were overtaken by some evil, and then you worried me almost to despair for three days and... Hey!" Linnah had interrupted him by playfully splashing some water at his face.
"That's not what I meant and you know it," she said smiling.
Legolas laughed good naturedly and wiped the water from his face saying, "You're a pretty good shot, remind me to never teach you the bow." He then became quiet for a moment, thinking sadly that in reality he was going to have to teach Linnah some form of self defense. Aragorn will only be able protect her so much on the long road to Forlindon. He sighed and said, "Linnah, I promise I will tell you everything tomorrow. For now, I want you to rest and let me care for you."
"Alright, but I am holding you to that. When the sun rises tomorrow, promise me you will tell me everything."
"I promise my Lady, on my honor."
Legolas picked up a washcloth he had left near the bathtub earlier when he prepared the room. Dipping it into the water, he brought it to Linnah's shoulder and began to wash her gently.
Linnah closed her eyes and let her senses become absorbed in his movements. The washcloth trailed slowly down her arm and back again. Then he took the washcloth and wrung it so the water flowed over her throat and breasts. He wet it again and switching hands, repeated his movements down the other shoulder and arm. Putting down the small cloth, he picked up a small vial of lilac scented soap. He poured a little into one palm and smoothed it between his hands.
Linnah was totally, blissfully at his mercy as Legolas worked the soap slowly into a lather over her shoulders and arms, gently, tenderly massaging as he went. It amazed her that his hands, the hands of an assassin, could also be the tender hands of a lover.
"Hmmm," came the sound in her throat as his palms now cupped her breasts. It was tenderness and love, not the heated rush of passion, which moved his hands. He made slow circles over her large mounds. Then he slowly slid his hands along her sides and over her belly. The water lapped against her gently as he moved.
Linnah was completely calmed by his touch. There was an unspoken peace between them as he washed her. So too was he washing away the cares of the past several days. He picked up a large pitcher already filled with water and rinsed the soap from the front of her body.
"Legolas...," she murmured.
"Shhh, dear Linnah," he interrupted. He began to sing softly to her, his voice serene. He sat her up slightly and in the same slow and easy movements, washed her back. He spent several minutes gently massaging her shoulders and neck. Then he bade her to move farther down, so he might lay her back to wash her hair. Linnah did as he requested. Legolas slightly bent his legs behind her, so she might rest back against them, with her head hanging back over his knees. He leisurely poured water over her mahogany hair and began to lather and massage her hair and scalp while he continued to sing softly to her.
Several minutes later, after he had rinsed the soap from her hair, Linnah sat up on her own accord and turned herself in the bath so she could face him. The candlelight in the softly lit room flickered with her movements. He stopped singing and watched her thoughtfully. She motioned for him to move his legs and placed herself between them. Still facing him, she put her legs over his and took his hands in hers. She kissed every finger and both palms. The prince helped her to move forward so now her thighs were over his, her knees bent.
No words were spoken between them as Linnah, gazing deeply into his crystal blue eyes, reached up and touched his handsome face. She smoothed her thumbs slowly over his forehead and eyebrows, and then ran her fingertips down the sides of his cheeks and over his jaw. The room was silent, save for the sound of the lapping water, caused by Linnah's movements. He closed his eyes and resting his forearms on her bended knees, let her study his face with her fingertips. The candles cast their warm glow about them.
Linnah couldn't explain it, but it was as if something inside her was telling her to take the time to memorize him. She ran her thumb lightly over his lips. "He has such a beautiful mouth," she thought as he parted his lips slightly and kissed the tip of her thumb.
Legolas opened his eyes and gazed lovingly at her.
Linnah held his face and he in turn lifted his hand up to cup her chin, tenderly bringing her mouth to his. Linnah melted against him as he kissed her slowly and full of emotion
"How can I ever let her go?" he thought sadly as he kissed her. "Linnah...," he whimpered between their lips. "Linnah, my beauty..." Tears started to roll silently down his cheeks.
She felt the warm wetness of his tears on her fingers and pulled back to look at him worriedly. "Legolas? My love, why do you cry?"
"I..." To himself, he thought, 'you have to leave and I can not bring myself to tell you'...Aloud he spoke, "These are tears of relief. I am just so relieved that you are alright. I was so worried about you."
Linnah searched his face as she pondered his answer. It made sense, but there was something more...the sadness in his eyes seemed more like grief then relief. Then thinking of the events before her collapse, it suddenly dawned on her, "I have to leave don't I?"
"What?" he asked, his eyes wide, surprised by her astuteness.
"I am a danger to the castle, now that He knows I'm here. If I leave, His attention will be turned elsewhere."
Legolas shook his head. "No, no Linnah, you have it wrong. You being here is no threat to us. We are bracing ourselves for war, because we have something the Dark One wants. He wants Gollum, our land, our very lives. Your 'He" is of small consequence to us in the grand equation, but..."
"But?"
"But He is a great danger to you. And I fear I will not be able to protect you from His dark magic if He was to come within our borders."
"So then I am correct in my assumption, you are saying I have to leave."
Legolas lowered his head as he slowly shook it. "I wanted to wait until tomorrow to tell you this."
"Where will I go?" she asked, barely a whisper.
"Linnah, please, you have been through so much. Can we not wait until tomorrow to discuss this?"
"No. I must know now. Legolas, tell me where am I to go."
He looked up into her eyes, his heart aching with sorrow. He knew it was pointless to keep the truth from her. She would not let this rest tonight. "Forlindon, Linnah. You will go to what once was Gil-Galad's realm of Forlindon. The kingdom still remains and not all its inhabitants have left its shores. You have a home there among your mother's people. That will be the safest place for you."
Linnah looked away for a moment trying to digest this information. Then still looking away, she asked, "You are coming with me, right?"
Legolas had not the heart to answer her.
She looked back at his face. "Legolas? Tell me you are coming with me." Linnah started to despair.
He tensed his jaw as he answered apologetically, "I must stay, Linnah. It is my duty."
Linnah looked away again in shock. Legolas gently cupped her shoulders with his hands and made her look at him once again. He said earnestly, "I will not let you go alone. Aragorn will see you safely there."
"Aragorn? The ranger?"
"Yes. He offered and I will be eternally grateful to him for it." Then Legolas looked at Linnah intensely and said, "Aragorn knows the depth of my love for you. By that measure, he will give his very life to protect you as I would."
"How long?"
"What?"
"How long do I have before my departure?"
Legolas furrowed his brows and frowned. His eyes once again filled with tears at the harsh reality of his answer. He choked out, "We can not afford to wait more than two weeks."
"Oh no, Legolas. No." Linnah began to weep. Legolas hugged her to him and held her tight, letting her cry, forcing his own tears to retreat.
"Ah, Linnah I did not want to burden your mind with this information tonight." He pressed his lips against her head and trying to comfort her continued, "I promise you, it will not be forever. When the fight is over and our land is safe, I will come to you and together we will make our own kingdom," he said lovingly.
Linnah continued to cry. "That's impossible."
He pulled back to look deeply into her eyes. "Linnah, in my heart you are already my queen. Though...," the corners of his eyes wrinkled as he smiled sweetly at her, "I do need your permission to make it so."
Linnah looked at him slightly dazed through her tears and asked, "Your queen? But that would mean..."
"Yes Linnah. I want you to...," He paused and leaned in close to whisper, "I am asking you to bind yourself to me. I want you and you alone for all time."
Linnah shook her head in amazement, slowly pushing him back from her. "Legolas, how can that be possible? I am not of royal blood. I am as far from it as one could get! Not only am I a servant and a Half-Blood, but my human blood is tainted with the darkness of Mordor!"
He smiled at her lovingly and said, "Linnah, Linnah please...you must understand; I could not love another. You bring a joy to my heart such as I have never known. You are my breath, my soul, my life. Do not question your worthiness, Linnah. You are everything to me and I could not spend eternity without you...Please, say that you will make me whole. Bind yourself to me."
Linnah could not answer. She was stunned. It felt unreal. As if at any moment, she would suddenly wake up in her small room and wonder at this wild dream and then she would sit at the servant's table in the kitchen and tell the others all about it. Everyone would have such a good laugh and then she would go to collect bed sheets...
"Linnah?" came his gentle voice, urging her out of her thoughts. When she did not immediately respond, he thought, "This must be too much for her. What was I thinking?" He put his arms around her and pulled her close to him. Speaking softly, he said, "Linnah, forgive me. You do not have to answer now. It is too much. I was wrong to bring this up when you have already been so troubled of late."
Linnah closed her eyes tightly as reality came into focus. This was no dream...He was indeed real, this moment was real. She was to leave this realm, she was to leave him...But, if they were bound then at least some part of him would be with her. She would never be truly alone. A sweet smile came to her lips as she fully comprehended the gift he was offering her. She opened her eyes and pulled back from him slightly. Linnah leaned forward slowly and kissed him. In between their lips she said breathily, "Yes...Yes, I am yours Legolas. I am yours."
He moaned into her mouth and his kiss became more passionate. He entwined his fingers in her hair and held her mouth to his. The need to mate with her was so strong, it was starting to blind him. He forced himself to stop and pulling back slightly, he asked, "Are you sure you have the strength enough to proceed? I do not think I can hold myself back, Linnah, if we continue in this fashion and I know how tired you are."
"I am alright, Legolas. I have rested long enough for today. You have cared for me well."
The prince stared into her eyes, searching for truth in her words. He needed to be sure he was not causing her harm with his own urgency.
"Really Legolas, you needn't look at me so concerned. I assure you, I am going to be fine and I want this as much as you do." She looked at him intensely and said, "I need this as much as you do. Please...," as she kissed his lips, "please," as she kissed his neck, "please don't stop," she whispered into his ear as she nibbled it teasingly, eliciting a moan from the prince.
His hands roamed down her back, gently squeezing and kneading her flesh as she nibbled and teased his ear and throat. "Linnah...," he moaned again, as his hands slipped down her back and gripped her bottom. Her lips once again found his mouth. They kissed passionately for several moments. Then, as he kissed her, Legolas lifted her up and pulling her hips towards him, slowly lowered her down, impaling her on him.
Linnah cried out loudly in ecstasy as he entered her. The intensity of their emotions only heightened the pleasure of their coupling.
The water swirled around them as she very slowly rocked and circled her hips over his. He kissed and sucked her neck as he brought his hands up to her breasts. Linnah arched her back slightly and Legolas wrapped an arm around her to support her back. With his free hand, he enfolded her breast and began to move his mouth over it. Linnah held his head while he sucked and teased one and then the other.
"Ahhh, Legolas!" she cried.
They continued their gentle rocking movements for a while until, in one swift movement he lifted her, standing with her still impaled upon him. Linnah placed her toes on the edge of the bathtub behind him, though he supported her weight entirely with his arms. He thrust up into her slowly a few more times and then carried her out of the tub and out of the bathing chamber. Linnah was too deeply involved to care where he was going. She just kept meeting his thrusts and kissing his mouth, ears and neck.
Legolas was moaning and breathing rapidly as he laid her down on the soft rug in front of the fireplace. Linnah felt the warmth of the fire and sighed into his mouth. She wrapped her legs around the small of his back and forced her hips back against him.
"Yes, Linnah!" he cried, as he pushed up onto his hands. He looked down at her, desire causing his eyes to turn a darker shade of blue. The damp ends of his hair clung to his shoulders and face as he moved rhythmically within her. Then pushing himself back further into a kneeling position, Legolas took hold of her legs and brought them up onto his shoulders. He leaned over her slightly, bending her legs back. Then slowing his movements, he pulled almost all the way out and then drove himself back into her deeply over and over.
"Oh my love ...ah, I am so close," moaned Legolas, closing his eyes tightly. Then he thought, "But I must wait if we are to join."
Linnah was clenching handfuls of the rug into her fists on either side of her. His slow pace was maddening, but worse yet, she cried out in surprise and disappointment when he suddenly pulled out of her completely.
Legolas smiled at her forlorn look. He immediately placed his hands on the insides of her thighs to keep them apart and back and quickly lowered his mouth to her.
"Ai Legolas!" Linnah screamed out, as his lips and tongue made contact with her.
"Mmmm..., Yes Linnah?" he asked into her wickedly, an eyebrow raised, his voice muffled.
Linnah could not form words. She was moaning loudly and was totally lost to everything but his tongue and hands. She seized the backs of her legs with her hands and lifting her hips, pushed against his delicious mouth.
When Legolas sensed she was just at the verge of her orgasm, he moved on top of her quickly and thrust himself into her fully once again.
"Ahhh!" Linnah cried out, taking him deep inside her.
Legolas continued to drive his hips against hers, kissing her passionately. He cupped her head in his strong hands as he kissed her over and over. Both were completely lost in the ecstasy of their frenzied pace.
Legolas, somewhat reluctantly, pulled his lips away from Linnah's and looked at her with eyes that were serious and full of passion. "Are you ready, my Lady?" he asked, breathing rapidly. "We are bound only by our conscious decision to join as one." He emphasized his point by slowing down his thrusting and then burying himself deeply, suddenly stopped his movement. He kept himself there, held fast inside her inflamed embrace. It was a delicious torture. His eyes remained fixed on hers, waiting for her response, his heart beating hard and steady in his chest.
Linnah was swooning. She could barely hold still, but the intensity of his eyes held her to her spot. She felt her heartbeat meet his and they continued their beat in rhythmic unison.
"Legolas," she whispered. She brought her hands to his face and touching his lips softy said, "Finish what you have started. I am yours and I bind myself to you willingly."
"And I am yours and bind myself to you willingly," echoed Legolas. He kissed her deeply once again and then in one graceful movement, turned them both over so that she was now seated upon him. "Take me, Linnah," he ordered in a commanding voice. "Make me yours."
Linnah let out a surprised, but delighted cry. Legolas held onto her hips as she started to move in deliberate circles over him. She placed her hands on his chest for leverage, her wet, dark hair cascading wildly over her shoulders and onto her chest. She continued to move, every so often changing the pace or the direction of her movements.
The pressure was building again for both of them. Legolas slid his hands up from her hips to her breasts, cupping them while he moaned, "Faster Linnah." Linnah complied and pushed up slightly on her knees so she could impale herself on him rapidly over and over.
"Yes, Linnah, yes!" cried the prince. Linnah ran her hands over his chest and then leaning over to kiss him, she took him as deep inside her as he would go. That was their unspoken cue and they exploded their release in a unison of euphoric moans and cries.
A bright light engulfed Linnah and she collapsed on top of him, breathing heavily and resting her head in the nape of his neck. Legolas tenderly wrapped his arms around her as his breathing calmed. As exhaustion took hold of her once again, Linnah heard his voice softly say, "We are one, my Queen."