Chapter 4 - Marriage
Anfalas
(Ariedel's POV)
Legolas left for his home the day Alexor Draconir had consented to the marriage and he wasn't going to return for five weeks. That meant I was stuck here for at least that much time. So far I counted three months in this place. I lost all hope of finding the transmutation device and I lost all hope of anyone coming to my rescue.
But once I got this wedding out of the way and I was allowed to leave the castle, I would have to figure something out. I had no plans to be an Elf housewife, even if it was to one of the hottest guys I had ever laid eyes on. Too bad I couldn't take him home with me. Being a nature geek, he would probably get a kick out of the Avalon suns, all three of them.
Above all, I had come here to do a job. An alien lurked somewhere out there and he was in possession of an egg. Being the only egg, the facehugger would implant a queen to continue the species. If I didn't exterminate the drone and the egg, this entire planet would soon be infested. And then it was lights out for everyone.
A terrible thought went through my mind. What if the egg had already hatched? What if the facehugger had already implanted the queen into a host? What if the queen was already lurking out there, laying more eggs?
As the wedding day got closer, I began to get jittery, like this was for real. No one knew that Legolas and I were only doing this so I wouldn't be forced to marry Prince Yardell and that we would eventually just go our separate ways.
What really got to me was my wedding gown. Alma made it with her own hands and I gasped with tears in my eyes when I first saw the shimmering white dress. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, hundreds of layers of soft gauzy material, like something an angel would wear. I felt sick to my stomach over the fact that I was fooling everyone into believing that Legolas and I were really in love.
Two days before the wedding, the heralds sounded the arrival of Prince Legolas and King Thranduil, along with a multitude of Elves. My heart was beating so hard when I saw Legolas that I thought it was going to burst out of my chest. I hadn't seen him in five weeks and as the days wore on, I found myself thinking and dreaming about him a lot, wanting to see him so badly. It had been a long time since I had felt like this. My last fling had been with Randle Dorian. But that seemed like a lifetime ago.
Legolas approached and reached up to caress my left cheek. "I have counted the passing days to see you again, my lady." Then he took my hand and kissed the inside of my wrist tenderly.
I felt my cheeks flush at the intimate touch because I knew everyone was watching us. I gave him a small smile. "Uhm…yeah, I missed you, too."
Legolas turned to the handsome Elf standing next to him and I noticed the striking resemblance between the two. "May I present my father, King Thranduil of Mirkwood. Father, this is Princess Ariedel Draconir of Anfalas."
I bowed before the Elf king as was probably traditional. "It is a great pleasure to meet you, my lord."
He gave me a genuine smile and kissed the back of my hand. "I am truly amazed to finally meet the woman who has my son's heart. Many an Elf maid's heart has Legolas stolen, but none have ever succeeded in stealing his."
My eyes shifted nervously in Legolas's direction. Holy shit…I couldn't believe I was going to put him through this. How could I be so heartless. But then again the very idea of becoming his bride gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I just wished we were doing it for the right reason.
After the two kings greeted each other amicably, Legolas and I entered the castle behind them, walking arm in arm.
"Legolas?" I whispered.
Legolas leaned closer to me. "Aye?"
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"I do this for you. Are you regretting your decision?"
"No. I can't marry Yardell."
He nodded. "Then we shall wed as planned."
The Ash Mountains
The cavern teamed with alien drones, busy removing empty eggs and replacing them with unhatched ones. The alpha drone looked on in contentment as he lingered near the queen. She continued to produce eggs, the sack beneath her filled to capacity.
A scout bounded toward the alpha and stopped short as the queen hissed furiously. He lowered his head in subjection and slowed his approach with a hiss of his own. His news was urgent and although he revered the queen, his desire to please the alpha outweighed his fear of her.
The alpha drone tilted his head, listening to the thoughts of the drone. There were no Uruk-hai hosts to be found anywhere. The scout had traveled far and came across no living beings. The alpha turned to the activity in the cavern. Facehuggers scrambled around, looking for living hosts. The Uruk-hai had provided them with the necessary bodies to produce the horde and now there were none left.
The alpha crawled closer to the queen and he conveyed his fears.
The queen turned her head and growled a response. They needed to move the hive closer to food. The decision was made.
The alpha squealed and hissed and the activity in the cavern came to a complete halt as drones and facehuggers listened. None moved, except for the tilting of massive heads in unison.
A moment later when all thoughts were conveyed, the cavern was frenzied with activity once again. The mass exodus had begun.
Anfalas
(Ariedel's POV)
On the night before the wedding day, I watched from my balcony as hundreds of people showed up at the castle gates. Legolas was in the courtyard greeting them all. There was a lot of hugging going on so I assumed these were his closest friends. Even though I was feeling guilty and was in no mood to meet anyone, he summoned for me anyway.
I met King Elessar, whom he also called Aragorn and his wife Arwen, who was also an Elf. Gimli, the dwarf was there, too. But Gimli wasn't the only little person. I met a whole slew of midgets with big hairy feet, who Legolas referred to as Hobbits. Frodo Baggins, Meriadoc Brandybuck, aka Merry, Peregrin Took, aka Pippin, and Samwise Gamgee and his wife Rosie. I was somewhat grateful to see that although Rosie Gamgee had big feet, at least they weren't hairy.
And there were so many others that I met. Like I'd really remember all of these weird names. There is no one simply named Michael or John? No Debbie or Karen? It was Faramir, Eówyn, Éomer, Elrond and whatnot. It was making me crazy.
During the feast that night, I listened to dozens of stories of the adventures they all had. The recent one had something to do with a ring and how it needed to be destroyed. They battled evil and saved the world. That was special. If they only knew the other evil that was lurking not so far away. They described Orcs and Uruk-hai, but they didn't seem quite as nasty as the aliens I knew.
Legolas and Gimli enjoyed sparing verbally with each other and I wasn't surprised to hear that the two of them used to outdo the other in the number of bad guys they killed. I found the stories fascinating and for a short while I forgot who and where I was.
Later that evening as everyone went to their appointed rooms, Legolas escorted me out of the dining hall. As we walked down the long corridor to the stairway, I glanced at him. "You have no idea how much I appreciate you doing this, Legolas."
"As I said, I do this for you. I have no desire to see you wed Yardell."
I looked down, wondering what his plans were after the wedding. "Are we leaving right away tomorrow?"
"We will depart the day after tomorrow."
"Where are we going?"
"We go to my home in Mirkwood, which incidentally will soon be renamed to Eryn Lasgalen."
"Yeah? What does that mean?"
"Wood of Greenleaves."
"Any chance of taking a little detour?"
"Detour? Where to?"
"I wish I could see a map."
"Your father keeps one in the library."
"Aha," I said as I grabbed his arm and we ran in the direction of the library.
When we reached it, Legolas showed me where the map was. I unrolled it on a large table and stared at it for a long time. Rohan, Mordor, Gondor, Shire, Anfalas, Forlindon, Mirkwood. So many places.
I closed my eyes and pictured the map I had seen at Gateway Station before I went on this little adventure. Director Warner said the alien was holed up in the Ash Mountains. That's where the creature's signature had generated from. I opened my eyes and looked at the map again. The Ash Mountains were far east of Anfalas, on the north end of a place called Mordor. I pointed to the name on the map.
When I looked at Legolas, he was staring with his mouth open. "Mordor?" He looked up at me with a frown. "Why do you wish to go there?"
I wasn't sure how I could answer that question without drawing suspicion to myself. But no matter what I'd say, I knew it wasn't going to sit well with him. He apparently had an aversion to Mordor because of the stories I had heard earlier during dinner. Mordor had been the setting of the final battle between good and evil. "There's something I have to do there. A task I must perform."
Legolas looked at me, his brows furrowed together. "What task?"
I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted to tell him how I had gotten here, how no weapons came with me…and that I had been sent to exterminate a creature that could infest a planet in a few short months if it was unleashed upon the population. But the words wouldn't form on my lips. He would think I was a lunatic…not that he didn't already think that of me. "Please don't ask me to explain because I can't."
Legolas looked at me and I found myself staring into his electric blue eyes. "To venture back into Mordor, the memory of the battle is still fresh in my mind."
"I don't expect you to go if you're afraid."
"I am not afraid," he replied defensively. "I fear nothing." He sounded a bit unsure of himself even though he was trying to sound convincing. "I will take you where you want to go, Ariedel. But I cannot expect anyone to accompany us."
"Why not?"
"I will risk my life for your venture, but I will not risk the lives of those in my company. We have lost far too many of my people."
"I understand."
Then he looked back down at the map. "We will head northeast through Rohan with my company and stop at Lothlorien to rest. Then you and I alone will head southeast into Mordor."
I sighed in relief. Now my only dilemma was what I would do once I had the creature in my sight. I had no weapon to kill it with. Swords and knives were useless because they would melt when they came in contact with the alien's acid blood. Or would they? If I was quick enough to decapitate it before the blade melted. Then I remembered how heavy the swords were. I could barely hold it up with both hands, much less get a good swing out of it.
A few minutes later Legolas walked me to my chambers and I turned to him before walking inside. "So…I'll see you tomorrow then," I said.
He stared into my eyes and my heart started racing.
God, he could set me off with just a look. I wanted him to kiss me but I wasn't about to ask him. I needed to remain focused on the fact that this was a marriage of convenience and nothing more.
"Good-night," he finally said.
"Good-night." I backed through the doorway and closed the door, leaning my back on it with a heavy sigh. This was pure and unadulterated torture.
Anfalas
(Ariedel's POV)
The next day I had serious cold feet about the whole wedding. Maybe it wasn't a binding contract because I wasn't getting married in Avalon. No, people got married off world all the time. It was totally binding. But then again, I really wasn't myself. I was Ariedel Draconir of Anfalas, soon to be Ariedel Greenleaf of Mirkwood or Eryn Lasgalen, or whatever Legolas called his home lately.
While Alma and the rest of the handmaidens prepared me for the ceremony, my head was spinning with thoughts. "So do any of you know what it's like to marry an Elf?" I asked as the girls fixed my gown.
Allegers, a dark-haired handmaiden looked at me sadly through the mirror. "Elves are immortal, my lady. I wish not to upset you, but as the years pass you by, your Elf husband will not age at all."
I frowned at her. "That's not what I meant, Allegers. But thanks for pointing that out to me after I tried so hard to forget it. What I meant was, what's the ceremony like?"
"Forgive me, my lady. I misunderstood."
"It's fine."
Alma shooed the handmaidens out of the room. "Out! All of you!" When the girls rushed out of the room and closed the door, Alma turned me around to face her. "I witnessed the marriage of King Elessar and Lady Arwen, whom you know is an Elf. It was held outdoors, under the trees. They exchanged their vows before all. It was quite lovely."
"Who's presiding over the ceremony?"
"Gandalf the White Wizard will most likely do the honors. He is a dear friend of your father and of your prince."
No church? No priest? What faith was an Elf? Did they believe in God? Did wizards have the same privileges of captains and judges?
An hour later, with a semi-sheer veil covering my face, King Alexor Draconir and I rode side by side through the open courtyard. We rode outside the gates and guided our horses into the woods west of the castle. Several Elves waited among the trees ahead. The king dismounted first and then helped me off Blade's back. Then he led me by the hand through the trees, followed by the Elves. Another Elf stood further ahead and on the ground was a carpet of what looked like flower petals. The Elf instructed us to remove our shoes and we did.
The king led me through the trees, following the path of flower petals. They gave off such a beautiful aroma, it was magical. And then up ahead were the guests. A mixture of Elves, dwarves, hobbits and men and women. The smiles on their faces was damn near frightening. They were happy about this union. They knew nothing of the falsehood behind it. They all slowly parted as we approached. Further ahead was King Elessar and beside him stood Legolas.
Legolas was dressed in a silver tunic with a high collar and long flared sleeves. As we came closer, I could distinguish silver thread embroidered throughout the tunic. His leggings were of the same material but with no embroidery. His long blonde hair was unbraided and untied, pushed back behind his pointed ears. On his head rested a wire crown of some sorts. It looked like silver. He looked enchanting…like something out of a fairytale.
Legolas's eyes never left me as the king led me forward. When we reached the makeshift altar, Legolas held his arm out to me. I released the king's arm and took Legolas's. I was so nervous I was shaking. He gave me a small smile of encouragement.
Then I faced forward. Before us was an older man with long white hair and white beard. In fact everything about him was white. So this was Gandalf the white wizard. He regarded me curiously and I found myself unable to look him directly in the eyes because it almost seemed like he was looking into my soul…knowing my secrets.
Gandalf then spoke. His voice was soothing and my restless nerves began to calm.
During the ceremony, I moved my hand up along Legolas's folded arm until it touched his. He glanced over at me and tightened his fingers through mine. For some reason it felt so intimate, our fingers tangled together. My cheeks heated up and I turned back to look at Gandalf as he continued through his speech.
At one point in the ceremony several Elves began to sing. Their voices were high and melodic. The words were in Elven so as they sang, Legolas leaned closer and translated for me, a smile on his face.
The lyrics spoke of beauty and love and I started to silently weep. It wasn't because of the song. It was because I was taking this beautiful moment away from Legolas. He should have been sharing it for the first time with someone he loved, someone he really wanted to marry.
At the end of the song, one of my handmaidens came to lift the veil from my face. I wiped at the tears in my eyes and turned to Legolas.
He leaned closer and whispered to me. "Weep not, my lady. All is fine." He squeezed my hand to emphasize his words.
We turned back to Gandalf who stepped closer to us. "By the power given to me by the Valar, you are now united Legolas Greenleaf and Ariedel Draconir as husband and wife." He nodded toward Legolas with a smile.
And I nearly gasped as it suddenly hit me. The kiss! How could I have forgotten something so important? Legolas was supposed to kiss me. Oh shit…oh shit…oh shit. I turned toward him and he placed his left hand on my right cheek as he leaned forward. I closed my eyes and felt his lips touch mine in a soft, lingering kiss. My knees knocked together nervously. When he finally pulled away, he gave me that small smile again. I knew I was twenty shades of red and I hated the feeling. It was just a simple kiss. Hell, I had seen plenty of action back home. Why the hell was I acting like some love struck schoolgirl being kissed for the first time?. Shit…my knees were weak and I could feel it all the way down to my toes.
A huge cheer went up from the guests and I nearly jumped out of my skin. We turned around and Legolas took my hand in his arm as he led me back through the path. I could see the sun through the trees, but I knew it was close to sunset. When I looked down at the flower petals on the ground I realized that Legolas was barefoot too. In fact, everyone was barefoot.
At the end of the flower path, my faithful steed Blade stood unsaddled and held by an Elf. Legolas lifted me up on Blade's bare back. Then he vaulted himself up behind me, reaching around me for the reins. As Legolas guided Blade through the forest toward the castle, all of the guests walked a short distance behind us.
"I'm sorry, Legolas."
"Why are you sorry?"
"I'm sorry for stealing this moment from you. You should have shared this with someone you love."
"You have stolen nothing from me, Ariedel. I will always cherish this moment."
I bit my lower lip, still feeling the effects of his kiss. This was dangerous territory. Why did he have to be so damned likeable? I preferred it when he had been cruel to me. But as I thought back on it, he hadn't been all that cruel. In fact, if I recalled correctly, our little games resembled flirting. Maybe that's how Elves flirted…tried to shoot arrows at each other.
Damn…I didn't want to fall in love with him.
When we finally reached the castle, Legolas dismounted and helped me down. A guard took Blade away and we waited for everyone else to catch up. They all surrounded us with congratulations and hugs and kisses.
The decorations in the dining hall reminded me of an outdoor garden. Dozens of tables were set up in a large square so everyone was able to see each other. The cooks outdid themselves with the feast that was brought out.
Even the wine tasted especially good. I knew I was drinking a lot more than I probably should have, but every single time someone rapped on their damned goblet, Legolas had to kiss me. Not that I minded too much, but I was getting the sneaking suspicion that he didn't mind it too much either and was actually pretty eager to do it.
After the feast, the tables were moved aside and the minstrels played cheerful music. I watched as everyone danced and it looked like a sort of Mediterranean fox trot or something of that nature.
Legolas held his arm out to me. "Shall we?"
I stared up at him with a blank look. "Shall we what?"
"Dance?"
"Oh, no…I…I can't dance like that."
He gave me a smile. "I will teach you."
I shook my head again but he wouldn't take no for an answer. He took my hand and pulled me up on my feet. In a few short seconds he instructed me on the steps and then we went at it. I kept stepping on his toes, but we were laughing so hard, I couldn't breathe. Everyone kept urging us on and I lost myself in the moment.
Legolas pawned me off to a couple of the Hobbits. Merry and Pippin each took one of my hands and we kept circling and circling until we got so dizzy we almost fell. And then I found myself dancing with Aragorn. His wife Arwen was expecting and couldn't dance so she sent him off to find another partner, which happened to be me.
As we danced and laughed, I glanced in Legolas's direction. He was standing with Gimli, his eyes following me. He had a smile on his face and for that brief moment my stomach tightened into knots so severely I couldn't breathe. No…This couldn't be happening to me. I couldn't be falling in love with him.
"I fear that I have not done well in distracting you from your new husband, Princess Ariedel," said Aragorn.
I turned to him. "Oh, I was just lost in my thoughts. I'm sorry, King Elessar."
Aragorn led me back to my seat and I tried to catch my breath. "Thank you for the dance," he said with a smile. "But please, call me Aragorn. I abhor titles."
"As do I, so I expect you to call me Ariedel."
He nodded and then returned to his wife's side.
I fanned myself with my hand and then reached to take a drink from my goblet. When I glanced over to my right, I found Gandalf looking at me as he smoked a long-stemmed pipe. He had somewhat of a smile on his face, but I knew he was studying me.
When he stood up and walked toward me, I got nervous and waved to a servant for more wine. The servant was quick to fill my goblet and disappeared in a flash. I raised the cup and gulped half of it down.
"May I have a word with you, Princess Ariedel," said the old wizard.
I didn't look up at him. "Yeah, sure, have a seat." But he had already seated himself beside me. "What's on your mind, Mr Gandalf?"
"No need to address me formally, princess. I am just Gandalf."
"That's fine as long as you stop calling me princess. In fact I wish everyone would stop calling me that."
He smiled. "I wish to speak to you about your quest."
I was in the middle of drinking and almost choked on the wine. "My quest? Whatever do you mean?"
"You, my dear Ariedel, are not Ariedel."
I turned to look at him. He knew. Somehow he knew.
"You have come to fulfill a quest. However you came to be here is a mystery I fear you will not share with anyone. Therefore all I wish to do is confirm the nature of your quest here?"
"And what exactly do you think you know?"
"Something lurks in Mordor and it is not the Eye of Sauron. You have been sent to deal with it."
I frowned at him. He hadn't really given me any details. He just had a roundabout feeling. Maybe all he was able to do was sense the deception. But I could always deny what he was sensing. "What else?" I asked.
"If you go alone, you will not beat it."
"I'm not going alone. Legolas is coming with me."
"Legolas has a wealth of courage, but his courage may fail him."
"What do you propose then?"
"I will accompany you and Legolas on your journey when the time comes."
I shook my head. "No. I don't think so. He's not going to go for it. He said he lost too many companions battling the evils of Mordor."
"I will convince him."
"Gandalf, you can't tell Legolas any of this. He won't understand."
Gandalf patted my hand with a smile. "You forget that we of Middle Earth have witnessed many things you would never understand."
"This is different, I'm telling you."
He nodded and stood up. "We will discuss details later. Let us continue to enjoy the evening's festivities."
I watched him walk away and wondered what else he knew. Did he also know that the marriage was a charade?
Mordor
The alien horde moved slowly through the deserted plains of Mordor, heading in a westerly direction. They passed fire and brimstone, relishing in the heat from the volcanic mountains. Most of the drones carried an egg, while others scouted the surroundings, making certain the coast was clear for the rest to pass.
The queen towered above the others, her bulky weight forcing her clawed feet to leave deep imprints in the earth. The vulnerable facehuggers scrambled close to her feet, never leaving the safety of her protection.
The alpha drone was far ahead of the others, even further than the scouts. He traveled faster alone and unhindered. He reached the crest of a tall mountain and surveyed the valley beyond. There were peaks of light scattered along the dark horizon. In his experience, light meant food. The alien breed had no eyesight. They used their senses to see, but the drone couldn't judge the distance. It didn't matter. They would reach food, no matter how long it took.
Anfalas
(Legolas's POV)
When the festivities came to an end, we bid everyone a good night and headed up to Ariedel's bedchamber. It had not occurred to me until that moment that we would be expected to share quarters, especially when in the company of others. We were supposed to behave as husband and wife.
Ariedel's personal handmaiden, Alma, was in the bed chamber when we stepped in. She looked up from the bed she was fixing and smiled warmly at Ariedel. "You are here at last, my lady."
Ariedel's eyes were transfixed on the bed. A white silk sheet covered it and tossed on the sheet were white rose petals. A quick glance around the room revealed dozens of vases full of white roses. Hundreds of candles were lit all around. It was quite a romantic setting, one worthy of newlyweds.
"All is ready, my lady, my lord," said Alma. "A pleasant night to both of you." Alma walked to the door and backed out as she closed it.
I stood behind Ariedel. She stood rooted to the spot at the foot of the bed, unable to take her eyes off it. What was she thinking? Did she worry about the sleeping arrangement? Did she expect me to sleep on a chair or on the floor?
I walked to a chair near the bed and from the corner of my eye I knew she was watching me. Something white was lying across the chair. I took it and as I held it up, I realized it was a nightgown. Or rather a very sheer, see-through nightgown. Hoping to lighten Ariedel's mood, in jest I held it up higher and looked at her through it. When the look on her face registered fear, I quickly tossed the nightgown aside. "Fear not, Ariedel. I have no plans to consummate our marriage on this night." But I will have you some other night, I thought to myself.
Ariedel was shivering like a frightened deer.
I began to undo my tunic. "I will sleep on this side and you will sleep on that side."
Her voice was faint as she uttered, "Oh God…" Then she fled into the bath chamber.
Anfalas
(Ariedel's POV)
I stared at myself in the large mirror. God, I had forgotten about the wedding night. Hell, there was a shitload of things I forgot. Consummate our marriage? He was expecting me to sleep with him, only he wasn't exactly thinking about sleep. I felt foolish, like a virgin on her wedding night. I was no virgin, but I had a sneaking suspicion that the real Ariedel was.
This nervousness around him was so confusing to me. It wasn't like I had never been with a man. But he was no man…he was an Elf…and he had my senses completely out of control. I couldn't remember the last time I had been so obsessed with any guy before. And now that he was mine to have, I was shaking like a leaf. But there was something else I couldn't quite put my finger on. An inkling of a thought that maybe he wasn't as interested in me as I was in him. I didn't think I could tolerate his rejection. And if he was interested, I knew that I wouldn't be able to stop myself from falling in love with him. I already felt myself slipping deeper. I couldn't let it go any further.
What if they came for me? There was always that chance. It had happened before when I was trapped on Halvasin, at the time I was asked to infiltrate the drug ring. How could I possibly leave Legolas if I was in love with him?
I stared at myself in the mirror again. Well, I couldn't stay in the bathroom all night long. So I fought with my wedding gown to remove it, which hadn't been an easy task. Still wearing my undergarments, I stepped out of the bathroom, passing beside Legolas who was sitting on the chair where Alma had lain my nightgown. Yeah, sure…that was no nightgown. It was something you used to strain sauces. There was no way in hell I was wearing that in front of him.
Legolas got up and went into the bathroom. While he was gone, I found a less revealing nightgown to wear. Once I was changed, I jumped under the covers in bed and pulled them all the way up to my chin, watching the flower petals floating around as I moved.
Legolas came out of the bath chamber a few minutes later. His hair was tied back and he had nothing on but a pair of white lounge pants. The sight of his bare chest tightened my stomach into knots. He walked around the room, blowing out most of the candles except for some near the bed. "If you prefer, I can sleep on the floor," he said with a bit of compassion.
"That wouldn't be fair to you, Legolas. You can't sleep on the floor forever." I held my breath as he slid under the covers.
Then he turned on his side to face me. "This is not the first time we have slept this close, Ariedel. You need not fear my intentions."
"I know." He referred to the few days we had slept out in the open on our way to the castle a couple months ago, when we had first met and he had wanted to make sure I didn't try to escape while he was asleep. The difference here was that we were now married and he had every right in the world to do whatever he pleased with me.
"Good-night," he finally said.
"Good-night," I replied. I wanted to add 'sweet prince' to the end of that, but was glad I hadn't. That would have really been awkward. Not that this wasn't. Sleeping in the same bed with an Elf I was married to. If my friends could only see me now. And that thought only reminded me of my friends and family, that I would probably never see again.
But neither of us could sleep. We were still wired from the evening's festivities. So we decided to just lie in bed and talk.
He told me more about the battle at Helm's Deep in vivid detail. "I could see the Orcs approaching in the dark, their torches lit. There were thousands of them, all heavily armored and extremely ugly. Gimli stood to my left and he couldn't see over the wall we stood behind." He smiled, looking off as if picturing it. "Even when faced with those impossible odds, we found the time to humor each other."
I smiled back at him.
"The Lorien archers were standing all around us. And then the rain came and you could hear it pinging off the armor. It was so loud, it was all I could hear."
I was riveted by the way he described things. The expression in his eyes, the way they changed colors and the way his voice changed…it was so mesmerizing.
"As the Orcs continued to draw closer, Aragorn gave the order to be ready and we loaded our bows and took aim. I had my sights on the ugliest Orc in the bunch, right up front."
I laughed. He continued to describe the events and I kept forgetting to breathe, feeling as if I was there at the battle with him, shooting arrow after arrow.
Later when he talked about the beauty of Rivendell, or Imladris as it was known to Elves, I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. Sleep finally took over.
§
When I opened my eyes again, the bed chamber was bathed in sunlight. But something else demanded my attention. It was the warm body lying next to me, the one I was casually snuggled up against, like I belonged there. I closed my eyes again and inhaled his unique scent, making chills shoot up my spine. It felt so right to be this close to him…so comforting.
I moved my head back so I could look at him. His eyes were partially open. At first I thought he was awake, but then I remembered that Elves didn't really sleep with their eyes closed unless they were sick or distressed. He was in what was called Elven reverie. I waved my hand in front of his face to make sure. His eyes didn't flinch.
I took the opportunity to study his face at great length. He had perfect skin, not a single blemish or scar. His brows were several shades darker than his hair. His ears were small and ended at perfect points. But my attention was drawn to his heart-shaped lips. They always looked inviting as I recalled the feel of them when he kissed me at the altar and a hundred more times throughout the feast the night before.
How in the world was I going to stop myself from falling in love with him? I already loved everything about him…right down to his pointed ears. It was going to be virtually impossible to keep my feelings for him in check. I wanted to go home more than anything, but how could I go on with my life if I felt so attached to him.
A minute later Legolas stirred and his eyes came into focus. They were the palest blue I had ever seen as they roamed over my face so close to his. I literally lost myself in their depth. For a minute it looked as thought he was going to kiss me, or maybe was just thinking about it. But then he moved away and abruptly sat up, running his fingers through his tousled blonde hair. A minute later he got out of bed and went into the bathroom.
I rolled over on my stomach and groaned outloud as I sniffed the scent that lingered on his pillow. Who was I trying to kid? It just wasn't going to stop. What did I get myself into?
Is anyone out there? Is anyone reading?