disclaimer: if you recognize it, don't own it (wish i did) don't sue unless you really like lint and dust bunnies

Stacey Bader: thanks much! things are gonna start heating up in the next few chapters, so hopefully it'll go smoothly.

Okanim: oops! you caught me. i attend a private school so we have seven classes a day. trig and precalc are taken as one course, 1st semester is trig and 2nd is precalc. linilya is much like me and truly stinks at math and needs to review her trig in order to complete precalc (just kidding…typo, I'm still making revisions) you're the only one that caught it. thanks.

LeaMarie F. Rocket: thanks for the review! it gets better, more leggy on the way!!!

TheSolitaryPractitioner: thanks, more's comin. geez! i gotta start writing!!

Legolaslover: when i first started writing, i couldn't figure out how to convey the fact that she was remembering, other than to just come out and say it, but that didn't really let the reader know what was going on, so i thought…hey, why not use flashbacks and dreams! i felt so smart, and then my sister told me, well duh, that's how you're supposed to do it. that was kind of obvious. then I didn't feel so smart anymore. ::sighs:: thanks for the review

Eve6: thanks. i think i shall. read on!!

Daria: okay…this is gonna sound really complicated. i checked into what you said, and you're so totally right. when i first started writing, i was also reading a lot of stuff from other sites, before i was introduced to the wonders of i read another story with those names in them (not the one you mentioned) and i had asked permission to use those names from that author because i really liked them. but then i got your review and I checked out that other story that has the same names. so i'm wondering if the person i borrowed them from got them from that story, and if they asked if they could or not. so i'm gonna email her and see, and if she doesn't like it, then i'm gonna change the names. i am not the other writer and i am not trying to steal her stuff…i'll have to check into it more. i don't mean to have anyone upset with me

Chapter 9

Elenayave quickly dried off the water from her body. She slipped into the night chemise she usually wore for bed and pulled her hair down from its restraints. The soft red curls tumbled gently down her back, caressing the smooth skin that lay bare. She picked up her towels and threw them into a small pile by the door, where Legolas's towels were. She opened the steamy glass door and walked out into the openness of the bedroom. Legolas sat at his desk, reviewing some recent scrolls and scripts for his father.

His upper body was bare, revealing to her for the first time his sculpted form. His arms were muscular, product of the hard training needed for archery. His chest and abdomen were perfectly formed, as if they had been chiseled from marble. His stomach was tight and flat, and his leggings rode just beneath his waist, right at his hips. His back was slightly tense, for he was leaning over the desk, writing quickly in the elvish script. He possessed strong, broad shoulders, which were partially hidden by his flowing honeyed locks. Not a single strand of hair grew anywhere else on his body, and he was the brilliant image of perfection. Even Michelangelo's David seemed terribly grotesque compared to Legolas.

Her jaw dropped and she stared in awe at his magnificence. Never had she seen anything even remotely close to his splendor. She walked up slowly behind him and gazed over his shoulder. The beautifully slanted script was executed into fine curved lines, in symbols she'd never seen before.

"It called Tengwar," he explained, knowing she was at his side. "It's the elvish lettering."

"Oh. What are you writing?"

"Records of the recent skirmishes on the borders between the orcs and our guards. Ada wishes to keep such things up to date."

"I can see why," she sighed, understanding how important it was to keep records on orc movements. She had never personally seen one, but had heard many a story about them.

"Go on and get into bed, love. I'll be there in a moment."

Elenayave nodded and padded to the side of the bed. She pulled the canopy back and slipped inside, immediately sinking into the plush coverings. Suddenly cold, she dove under the warm bedclothes, snuggling up into the cozy blankets. She nestled her head against the silky pillow and sighed, inhaling deeply. The pillow covers carried his familiar, pleasant scent, and she enjoyed it surrounding her. She closed her eyes in contentment and started to drift off to sleep.

She wasn't sure how long it had been since she'd fallen asleep, when she woke up. The room was dark, only a little light from the moon outside shining in. It played softly over the blankets of the bed, and she watched it gently move around with the wind as a breeze filtered in through the curtains. It landed delicately on the face of the Elf next to her.

His eyes were glazed over and unfocused as he slept peacefully. His lips were turned up in a small lopsided grin, and his breath was slow and deep as his chest rose and fell with the action. One arm was curled up around his head, resting on the pillow, while the other was draped protectively over her waist. His face, she determined, was angelic, his blonde tresses spilling out on the pillow beneath him. He made little or no sound at all, and his image was calm and serene.

Elenayave shifted, moving herself further into his arms. She rested against his chest, placing her head softly on his shoulder. She gently pressed herself against him, feeling the warmth radiating from his body. Legolas stirred in his slumber, and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her slender frame. He murmured her name softly, the quiet sound floating in the silence of the room. Elenayave propped herself up on her elbow and gazed over his sleeping form. Softly, she caressed his cheek, stroking the smooth, honeyed skin. He tilted his head into her touch, and he sighed contentedly.

Remembering her reaction to his attention of her ears earlier, she decided to observe if it was in fact what she deemed it to be: an erogenous, sensitive area of the elvish body. She cradled his face in her one hand, and let her other wander to the side of his head. Tenderly, she ran her finger along the soft ridge of skin, all the way up to the dainty point. When she reached it, Legolas moaned softly, and his foot twitched visibly under the covers. Enjoying his reaction, she continued her torment of the sleeping Elf, lavishing little ministrations on his ears. Besides the tips, she found the small spot of skin behind his ears to be equally rewarding, both eliciting moans and gasps from his lips.

She paused for a brief moment, to readjust her weight on her arms. She pressed her palm to his forehead, just feeling of the silken skin beneath her fingers. Elenayave moved again to return to his ears. Her hand almost found its place, nearly touching the delicate tip. Suddenly she stopped, her arm no longer able to move. Legolas's hand was closed lightly around her wrist, disabling her movement. She looked down at him in shock, utterly surprised to see his focused eyes shining brightly at her, and a soft smile touching his lips.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked quietly.

"I might ask you the same question," she quipped, regaining her senses. "How long have you been awake?"

"Long enough," he replied, grinning now. "You are most deft with your fingers, lady."

She colored, her skin taking on the hue of her red curls. She broke his gaze and looked instead at his chest. He took her chin and leveled their gazes. Then, ever so softly, he caressed her cheek, barely making contact with her skin.

"If I may…" he started, then slowly lowered her down for a soft kiss. His lips met hers and tenderly coaxed her lips apart. He sucked gently on her bottom lip, nipping softly every now and then. Taking his time, he slipped his tongue into her mouth, claiming it. It was her turn to moan as he plundered the soft recesses of her mouth. He felt her tentatively meet his tongue with her own, and he urged her on in her exploration. Legolas shifted, rolling her onto her back and moving himself to rest atop her. He wallowed in her sweet taste, needing more and more of her as he went on. When he finally broke from her, she was breathing raggedly, her chest heaving to force air into her lungs.

Elenayave felt dizzy and lightheaded. And she knew it wasn't from the lack of air. She grasped his face lovingly in her hands and stroked his cheeks with her fingertips. His taste lingered lightly on her lips, reminding her of a sweet, rich wine. She met his smoldering gaze and shivered slightly from the feeling it evoked in her. There was something there she'd seen before…but she knew she couldn't quite place it. His eyes were absolutely breathtaking. They changed quickly, from a clear crystal blue to a deep vibrant shade, all the while retaining their youthful sparkle. He grinned and nuzzled against her hands, a faint purring sound emitting from deep within his throat. His eyes fluttered closed and he rested there for a moment.

"Garo nin an velethron," he whispered after a moment of silence.

Elenayave stared at him, unable to translate the words he'd uttered. She shook her head slightly. "Legolas, I don't know what you said. You need to translate or teach me Elvish, one of the two."

Legolas smiled again and repeated the words. "Garo nin an velethron. It will come to you in a moment. Think."

Elenayave gave him a dubious look, but closed her eyes in thought when he nodded gently. She racked her brain for the meaning of the four words, but nothing came to her. She felt Legolas press his palm to her forehead and lay his body atop hers. In an instant, her thoughts cleared and an image flashed in her mind.

sorry, this one's a little short, but i did that cuz there's another flashback in the next chappie and i didn't want to separate it to confuse people. push that little blue button down there and tell me how i'm doing!