A/N: Some more heavily-edited "R" material follows… Sorry, I can't seem to help myself. They have so little time left together…Please skip this chapter if such material is offensive to you. Thanks again for all the reviews. You guys really keep me going! Please let me know if there is anything that I need to improve upon.

Legolas and Linnah climbed high into the treetop, which was not easy for Linnah in a lady's dress. Finally, after some time, they reached a large platform and climbed through the trap door built into its floor. The talan floor and roof was fashioned out of smooth teak. Encircling it was a sheer fabric that allowed the moonlight to cast its glow about the talan. On the floor were a soft, low bed roll and several pillows of assorted sizes. Linnah stood completely still and took it all in. Looking next to the bedding, she noticed a low bookshelf cluttered with many books. An unlit and partially melted candle was perched on top of it's holder on the bookshelf. An empty goblet stood useless next to the candle holder and resting precariously on the edge beside this was a large, flat book.

It was known to her that this was how the castle guards and much of the king's army lived, but she had never herself been inside a talan. Cautiously, she walked towards the unguarded edge and looked down. They were so high up that the forest floor was unseen, lost in the dark below them.

Legolas watched her; an amused smile touched the corners of his mouth as she marveled at the wonders of her surroundings. Bending at the waist, he closed the trap door and then easily removed his boots and socks. He loved the feel of the smooth wood beneath his bare feet. He had spent many nights over the years in this talan. The prince had kept this retreat to himself and though he had shared his bedchamber with many a maiden, never before had he brought one here. Tonight he would lay with her. In this most private place, bathed in moonlight, he would make love to Linnah.

She turned to look at him. "This place is truly amazing, Legolas. Traveling but a small distance, I feel like we are leagues away from the castle. So far removed from the prying eyes and whispers of the court."

"You have spoken my feelings exactly, my Lady. This is my sacred space. I have yet to find a place more connected with the forest. I'll show you what I mean, close your eyes and listen for a moment."

Linnah closed her eyes and listened. There was a gentle breeze moving the night air and it rustled the leaves around her. Somewhere above her, nocturnal birds called to each other, while crickets sang their love songs far below. It was so different from her time spent in the gardens. The walls of the mountain dulled the delicate orchestra she was now experiencing. There were other sounds that she did not have the knowledge to discern, but they only made the music richer.

Legolas stepped close behind her and wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes to listen as well. Hundreds of years spent in this realm and she made almost everything new for him again. Without realizing it, they both began to sway slowly with the movement of the breeze. Linnah smiled to herself as Legolas nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck and shoulder. She opened her eyes and noticed once again the large, flat book on the edge of the bookcase. Curiosity got the better of her and she left his embrace to venture closer to the book. Picking it up, she turned towards him and asked, "May I?"

Legolas walked over to the low bedding and sat down. Looking up at her, he made a motion with his hand and replied, "Be my guest."

Linnah opened the book and flipping through it, realized immediately that it was not a book for reading. The large cream colored pages held pictures that someone had meticulously sketched out in dark lines. She looked up from the book to the prince in shock and wonder. "Are these yours?"

Legolas was unfastening the clasps of his shirt. Without stopping, he nodded to her in the affirmative. "It is not something known to others, but I enjoy drawing when I have the chance and the mood catches me."

Linnah carried the book toward the edge of the talan so that she could reflect more of the moonlight on the pages. The first few pages were crude renderings of trees and birds. Then, as she turned the pages, the drawings became more astute, the lines finer and more accurate. She recognized a sketch of Meena, standing in the doorway of the kitchen, her hands on her hips. Next, was Gillel, serving wine to King Thranduil. Legolas's ability to capture them so perfectly amazed her. She continued to turn the pages in complete awe of his undiscovered talent. More sketches now of castle guards and some Lords and Ladies who inhabited the castle.

Linnah felt her breath catch in her chest as she turned the next page. It was a portrait of her, standing in the garden, laughing. She was quite young in this picture and partially hiding behind a tree. The next page was her again, older, leaning against the railing of the balcony outside the Banquet Hall. She turned the page again, her heart beating a little harder in her chest. It was her again in the garden, but in this picture her hair was blowing freely as if a strong breeze had somehow made its way through the castle and into King Thranduil's garden. Legolas had drawn her holding a bunch of flowers and all around her he had written the words of an ancient elvish poem. As she read the words, she realized the truth in what Meena had told her. Legolas had watched her from afar for some time and she had been completely blind to it.

"Legolas," she whispered, as she looked at the words. "This is a love poem." She continued to thumb through the book. "I had no idea."

Legolas watched her turn more pages, her eyes widening at every portrait of her. He removed his crown and set it gently on the bookshelf behind him. His voice, when it came, was soft and full of memory. "When you were young, I marveled at your curious spirit." He paused, feeling his words before he spoke them. "Meena had a hard time keeping you in one spot. There were many times when most of the castle had the task of searching for you when you would up and disappear."

Linnah smiled at this memory, never taking her eyes off of the sketch book. "I used to hide in the wash room, under the clean linens. I pretended I was in a magic flying basket. Oh, did I get in trouble if I had tracked dirt on the linens from the garden!"

Legolas continued, smiling as well, "As you grew, it was apparent that you were immensely compassionate and kind. You lit up every room you entered, Linnah. Your beauty and your spirit were pure and others couldn't help but be drawn to you." He had finished unclasping his shirt and it hung open and loose around his body. "And…I couldn't help but be drawn to you," he said in a deep voice, as he rested back on his hands.

Linnah finished looking at his drawings, closed the book and held it to her chest.

"Linnah," he called softly. "Come to me."

Linnah turned to face him. A sly smile played on her mouth. Playfully she said, "I do not take orders from you anymore, Prince Legolas. Why don't you come to me?"

He returned her sly smile and immediately sprung to his feet, closing the distance between them. "Aye, of course my lady," he replied as he moved towards her. Grabbing her tightly to him, he leaned his head down and kissed her deeply. Linnah tasted the sweet flavor of Dorwinion wine on his tongue as he ravaged her mouth with his. Caught up in his fevered kiss, she dropped her arms uselessly at her sides and the book fell accidentally to the floor.

"Oh!" exclaimed Linnah. She immediately broke the kiss and knelt to pick up the book.

"It is undamaged, Linnah. Do not worry," said Legolas, as he took it from her. He walked back across the talan and carefully set the book back on the bookshelf, next to his crown. As he turned back to face her, he said, "It was my fault for attacking you. I could not help myself...Do you forgive me?" He stood still, smiling sheepishly while he awaited her response.

Linnah looked at her prince. His chiseled upper body was barely covered by his open, silvery blue shirt. His leggings were hugging his lower body tightly; his beautiful blond hair resting over his shoulders and bare chest. He started to walk back to her.

"Don't move," said Linnah softly.

Legolas looked at her curiously, but stayed where he was. She slowly brought her hands up to her hair and one by one removed the pearl pins that held her twisted braids in place. She let the pins fall to the floor of the talan as her braids became loose around her head. She quickly worked the braids undone with her fingers and soon her dark hair was free of restraints and cascading in waves about her shoulders.

Legolas uttered a soft moan in his throat as he watched her. She started to slowly undo the bindings of the dress she was wearing, letting it fall to the floor and after a moment, her undergarments as well. Linnah stepped out of the slippers that covered her feet and then the fabric now piled around her. She was now completely naked before him, save for his mother's necklace still around her neck.

Legolas moved his hands slowly to the top of his leggings and as he looked upon her, he started to seductively untie the laces there. He almost couldn't believe how radiant she was. The moonlight casting its light about her curvaceous form made her skin glow.

Linnah walked over to him silently and with her eyes locked on his, gently moved his hands aside so she could finish the job of untying the laces. Legolas looked down at her as she did this, his face full of love and desire. He brought his hands up to cup her face and closing his eyes, leaned over to kiss her. In the midst of their kiss he felt her hands slip inside his leggings and grab hold of him firmly. He moaned into her mouth as she moved her hands up and down over his enflamed desire. He moved his mouth off of hers, breathing hard, but kept his eyes closed as he swayed slightly on his feet. "Linnah," was about all he could manage.

She watched his face intently while she stroked him. If he had opened his eyes at that moment, he would have seen the naughty smile she now had on her face. Linnah let her head be ruled by the copious amounts of Dorwinion wine she had consumed and lowered herself to a kneeling position in front of the prince. Quickly sliding his leggings halfway down his thighs, she took the length of him into her mouth.

"Oh Linnah!" exclaimed Legolas in surprise. He eyes were still closed as he enjoyed the sensations she was causing. But, he too had consumed too much wine and it made his balance a little unstable. "Oh. No…wait, I can not stand," said Legolas opening his eyes and trying without success to find something to lean on.

Linnah moved back and allowed him to sit, albeit very awkwardly, on the bedding. Far from graceful, he fell hard on his bottom, his leggings still around his thighs. They both laughed aloud at the comedy of the situation, while Legolas tried to complete the process of removing his leggings, his erection only serving to get in the way. Through his laughter, Legolas asked in mock anger, "Oh, so you think this is funny do you?"

"So unbecoming a prince," retorted Linnah, almost crying, she was now laughing so hard.

He finally tossed his leggings aside and then he threw off his shirt completely. He made a loud noise that sounded more like a growl. Linnah cried out in surprise as he grabbed her firmly and pulled her down onto the bedding with him. He straddled her waist, pinning down her wrists with his hands. The ends of his hair tickled her face as he looked down upon his prey.

"Hmmm? What should I do with you?" pondered Legolas, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He chewed lightly on his lower lip as he pondered her punishment.

"Mercy, my Lord!" cried Linnah, still laughing.

"Mercy is it?" asked Legolas, raising himself up slightly. He kept his eyes focused on hers and his hands on her wrists as he moved his knees between her thighs. "Mercy is for the weak," he said as he forced her legs open with his.

"Legolas, please," moaned Linnah, arching her back and trying unsuccessfully to move her hips closer to his.

"So unbecoming an elf maiden," he whispered teasingly as she struggled to impale herself upon him. "Is this what you want, Linnah?" he asked slyly, moving forward ever so slightly.

"Oh, you evil elf," moaned Linnah, enjoying his torment in spite of herself.

"Evil?" repeated Legolas smiling. "No one's ever called me that before." He raised an eyebrow and said huskily, "I think I like it." Then he slid into Linnah as far as he could go.

"Ai, Legolas!" cried Linnah, arching her back again as she felt him enter her completely.

Soon he was moving more urgently into her. Linnah wrapped her legs around his waist. He closed his eyes tightly and kissed her hard, practically devouring her mouth with his. Their moans rose high above the music of the woods and resting in their nearby talans, the guards of Mirkwood wondered who was merrymaking without them.