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

Chapter 10

A bright fire blazed in the middle of the forest circle, and Elves were milling about, drinking, eating, dancing, and singing. Long tables lined the edges of the circle, filled with food and drink. A large platform off to the side held a small band playing fiddles, violins, and other instruments. The atmosphere was rather cheery and everyone was having a good time.

Elenayave felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist, and she relaxed in the warm embrace.

"Legolas," she began. "Where have you been?"

"Busy with Ada, as usual. But, I'm here now, so let us enjoy the night, shall we?" his soft, mellifluous voice drifted to her ears over the music and laughter.

"Of course," she replied smiling.

"A dance, then?" he requested, spinning her around to face him and bowing.

"My pleasure," she returned, curtsying with a small giggle. "This formality is really unnecessary, you know."

"Yes. I know."

He led her to the center of the merriment to where the fire was crackling gaily. Several Elves stepped aside to allow their Prince and his lady room to dance, but there was still little space to move freely. Legolas pulled her into his arms and signaled to the band to start a different tune. Immediately, the music's tempo increased and Elenayave moaned in discontent.

"Not this one, Legolas! I hate this dance!"

"It's my favorite!" he whined, sticking out his bottom lip in a pout. He widened his eyes and whimpered pathetically until she agreed.

"Damn those eyes of yours to Mordor and back, Legolas. You'll be my undoing!"

"I already am," he whispered with a cheeky grin, as he guided her through the fast paced dance. His one arm gripped her hand, and the other wrapped tightly round her waist, his hand resting softly on her rear. Her free arm wound behind his neck, helping to keep her balance. Around and around the fire they went, Legolas practically dragging Elenayave along with him. She was used to the movements, but didn't often perform them, especially before others. His hips ground lightly against hers and she grinned. Legolas whirled her about and Elenayave began to get dizzy. Now her back was facing him. She stretched her arms over her head and wrapped them around his neck and completed the part of the Aníron she hated most.

It was a seductive dance, she'd concluded, only performed by the more serious couples, and she couldn't stand it. "The Lover's Dance", or so it was called, involved moves that were more than suggestive. Some of them were downright erotic. Of course it had to be Legolas's favorite dance, but only if he were dancing with her. And he would only dance it if he were dancing with her. It stood to represent the passion and the ardor of the actual act of lovemaking, and Legolas took great satisfaction in making her dance around the fire with him and the rest of the kingdom watching.

She moved slowly at first, just working out her nervousness. But once his hands found her hips, she let go, and went with the music. She pressed her body against Legolas's and danced for him, moving gracefully and fluidly through the steps. She felt him shift behind her and he began to softly caress the sides of her body through the fine material of her dress. She rubbed up against him again, bringing her hand down the side of his face, catching the point of his ear momentarily. Several catcalls and whistles sounded from the other side of the circle where many of Legolas's friends from the guard were standing, watching on. Elenayave blushed and whirled back around for the last part of the dance.

Finally, it was over and Legolas swept her into a fervent kiss, while the Elves all around them applauded at their zealous performance. Elenayave attempted to bury her face in his shoulder, but he did not permit it.

"You're not embarrassed, are you?" he questioned, grinning. "The great warrior elleth? I didn't think that was possible!"

"You are impossible," she cried, shaking him gently. "I can't believe I just did that."

Legolas smiled warmly. "I do. You've got it in you, Lena. You've got spirit. You could have danced professionally."

"You mean to say I could have been a prostitute?"

"No, not a prostitute. Just a dancer. I would've hired you," he added with an emphatic nod. "And killed anyone else who tried to take you away."

"Why?" she asked, sipping from the glass of wine she'd picked up.

"One, you're beautiful. Two, you are excellent at what you do. Three, do you have any idea what shape most of the unattached Elves are in right now?"

"I don't want to know," she said, sighing.

"Good. Because I don't feel like sharing you," he whispered, locking her in his arms once again. He steered her towards the dark trees on the far end of the circle.

"Where are we going?" she questioned, reaching for another glass of wine as they passed a table.

"Somewhere quiet," was his reply. "By ourselves. Alone. And you've had quite enough wine. That'll be sufficient."

"What makes you think I want to go somewhere quiet with you, you silly Elf?" she intoned, looking up at him somewhat dizzily, already knowing what his answer would be. She'd been waiting for this night for a while.

"Because you love me," he stated softly. "And I love you. And I want to prove it to you. I want to show you how much I care for you, Lena. I need you." His voice lowered and his eyes darkened, showing his desire to possess her. "Please."

"Legolas…I don't know. Shouldn't we wa…"

"Lena, garo nin an velethron. Saes. Nin mel lle." His eyes flashed, their sparkle now replaced with yearning. "Nae saian luume."

Elenayave gazed at him, incredulous at what he wished her to do. The look in his eyes was eating away at her resolve and she could no longer deny him his need. He'd been hinting, giving intimations, that he wished to take her as his own, to join with her, but he had never asked for it so bluntly.

"And if I were to say no?" she demanded.

"Then I would wait for you, even if it were to take a million years," he answered readily.

"All right, melamin," she agreed softly, sighing.

"I would not force myself on you, Lena…"

"You're not. Don't worry. I want this as much as you do." I think, she added mentally.

"Are you sure what you're saying is what you want?" he questioned one last time.

"Yes."

He took her hand again and headed off deeper into the woods where he knew his private talan to be.

Elenayave opened her eyes and gazed up at Legolas. She remembered this moment. They hadn't actually continued the act, for she'd been too tense and uneasy, so he again went back to waiting. Legolas smiled warmly and nuzzled against her cheek. His lips lightly caressed her neck, and she sighed softly in unrestrained pleasure.

"Legolas, please," she whispered.

"Do not ask me to stop, melamin. I beg of you. It has been far too long," he mumbled against her jaw.

"What does it mean word for word? I know the context."

"Have me as your lover, Lena. Let me please you. Let me show you how much you mean to me, what our love is, how good it can be." His breath slid down her neck, and his voice deepened dramatically as he spoke, sending shivers up and down her spine. The way he was making her feel now was surely no comparison to what he could do if he were to continue.

"But I've never…" she started, her brain fumbling to make an excuse.

"Shhh. Of course you have. You just don't remember yet," he murmured. "I can help you, love. Please."

"Will it hurt?" she questioned, now slightly afraid. She knew there was no getting out of this unless she had good reason.

Legolas gazed lovingly at her and beamed. "Nay, love. I will be gentle, as always."

"But I'm a virgin! There's always pain the first time…"

"You are hardly a virgin," Legolas quipped, a small grin spreading across his face. "Especially in this bed. We've done this before, Lena."

"How many times?" she asked suspiciously, obviously stalling for time.

"Many hundreds, I'm sure," he replied nonchalantly, returning to lavishing her neck with kisses.

"Hundreds! That can't be right. That's not physically possible. I haven't known you that long!"

"We've been wed for nearly a century. That's plenty of time to make love, even by elvish standards."

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked huffily. What was the big difference between Elves and humans anyway?

"I thought I already told you, Lena. It takes a long time to complete a bond and refresh it once made. The act is time consuming," he sighed, knowing he was getting no where fast.

"How long?"

"Well, it depends really," he mused. "I remember one night; it was just after I'd returned home from a long guard. I believe we viewed both the sunset and sunrise."

Elenayave's eyes widened. She paled and her breathing increased rapidly. "I don't have that kind of stamina," she squeaked.

"Of course you do! You're an elleth!"

"It takes that long for one time?"

"Oh no, Lena. That wouldn't make sense. If you'd let me show you, several things we could do…"

"One right after the other?" she questioned in awe.

"Yes, love. And as I have said before, it is very passionate and is all about fulfillment. A proper gentleman would make sure his lady was fully pleased before he so much as thought about his own pleasure."

"Legolas, I don't know…"

"Don't worry about it, love. Just don't think. Let me do what I do best."

"And that would be…?"

"Pleasing you, of course. I've had plenty of practice," he purred, moving in for another breathtaking kiss. He felt her struggle to break away, and he slowed. "What is it?"

"Not tonight, Legolas. I beg of you," she pleaded, shaking and thoroughly frightened. He was acting so…strangely. She was unused to the attention, and especially the sexual tension between them.

Legolas pulled back, resting his weight on his arms. Across his face flickered a brief look of hurt and distress, the realization of her rejection hitting him suddenly. He felt as if she had just slapped him. A sharp twinge of anguish cut through his heart as he fully took in her answer. He rolled off her quickly, feeling ashamed of his hasty and aggressive actions.

"I…I'm sorry, pelleth-nin. I should…should have never asked. I…"

"Legolas, I didn't mean…"

Legolas cut her off with a brief shake of his head as he hastily exited the bed. She sat up, watching him. Where was he going? He ran his hands through his hair and pulled his knickers up from where they had ridden down to his hips to his waist. Then, he headed for the nursery door.

"Legolas…where are you going?" she asked.

"To bed," he answered sullenly.

"There's not a bed in there."

"I know. But I don't want to worry you with my needs right now. You're still healing. I understand that."

"Legolas, I don't want you sleeping on the floor," she stated firmly, trying to keep her voice from quivering. Why was he leaving her now? She felt so confused. She hadn't wanted him to continue, but she hadn't wished for him to leave either.

He sighed. "Elenayave, I'm almost 2600 years old. I think I can handle sleeping on the floor."

"No," she whispered softly, hardly audible. "Don't leave."

"Perhaps it's better this way, Lena," he replied quietly. He opened the door and slipped into the nursery, closing the door softly behind him. The hushed click of the door echoed loudly in Elenayave's mind. Her emotions were running rampant through her brain, playing games with her senses. What was better this way? Why did he leave? Had she insulted him in her refusal? Would he ever forgive her?