(A/N-the dialogue in italics is where Elvish is being spoken)

Chapter Twenty Seven-Mirkwood On A Dollar A Day

Our travels continued for seven days before we crossed the Anduin River and another two days to arrive at the palace of the King of Eryn Lasgalen. I must admit that travel by horse, while slow and a wee bit painful in the tushie, was great to really enjoy the scenery. It reminded me of train travel through the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia. The only difference was that there was no dining car and I couldn't take a nap anytime I liked. Otherwise it was lovely and made me a bit homesick as I remembered driving down Highway 17 from Tsawwassen in the evenings, and watching the sun set, colouring the Coastal Mountains with reds, oranges and purples. Or driving up the Sea to Sky Highway to go to Whistler, and looking at the tiny waterfalls by the side of the road, watching the light reflect off the water below, and driving through pockets of forest outside of Squamish before hitting the steep hills up the side of the mountain. I swallowed the homesick feeling whenever I looked over at Glorfindel. The way he would look at me made me forget Earth existed.

We were greeted a day's journey from the palace by the King's wardens. They greeted our party and had an escort take us to the enclave. As we crossed a small river, more like a creek to me; the woods which had been quite dark and foreboding, started to open up and the trees spaced out more, allowing light to fall on the forest floor. I sighed in happiness as I realized I was travelling through beautiful country and I not only had my best friend by my side, but he was my lover. It was as if I had stepped into a really fabulous fantasy. Except for the part where Elrond was really tense and unhappy. That bit kinda blew the fantasy to smithereens. We travelled for another hour and then crossed through the gates to the enclave where the palace was located. We entered a flat meadow surrounded by hogans, with smoke rising from the holes in the roofs. Crossing the meadow we rode to the foot of a mountain, which had a set of large doors set into it. The doors were open and in front, standing on the steps were several Elves and at the top of the steps was a tall blonde elf, wearing a crown of leaves and berries.

The tall blonde elf, who I assumed was the King, walked down the steps once Elrond and Arwen dismounted. He smiled broadly and opened his arms.

"My Lord Elrond! It is good to see you again. It has been quite some time, has it not?" the King said.

"Lord Thranduil, it has been some time since our last meeting, yes. It is good to see you again as well. Thank you for having us in your home," Elrond returned, "You have met my daughter, Arwen Undómiel?" Arwen curtsied gracefully, "And my Chief Warden, Lord Glorfindel, and his betrothed Lady Karyn?" Glorfindel bowed and I curtsied.

Thranduil looked at me intently, "She is mortal my lord. It would have been appropriate to be advised a mortal would enter my domain."

Glorfindel bristled a bit, but Elrond addressed the issue, "She is his fëa mate, and I have approved the match."

Thranduil nodded, "Welcome to my home. Please follow me and allow us to see to your comfort."

We followed him up the stairs and then some servants gestured for us to follow them to our rooms. Thranduil stood at the bottom of the grand staircase as we walked up it, and watched us all disappear at the top of the stairs. I felt his gaze all the way up and had noticed when he spoke quietly to one of the servants before we were led up the stairs. Arwen and Elrond were taken down one hallway, and Glorfindel and I went down another. We came to a door about halfway down the hall and were guided in by the servant that had been spoken to by Thranduil. Walking into the entryway, we found ourselves standing in a lovely sitting room with a fireplace, a small table with chairs in a corner of the room, and a couch with two large chairs in a circle by the fire. The servant guided us into another room, just off the sitting area, which was the bedroom. A door led off to the side and held bathing facilities. Luxury! A bath in every room? Felt almost like home, except no flush toilets. Glorfindel came up behind me as I admired the bedroom and took my hand in his. I turned and saw the servant quietly leaving.

"What? Where are you staying, or for that matter, me?" I asked Glorfindel.

"It seems we are staying in this room together melleth nîn," Glorfindel smiled.

"Oh," was all I could say. Damn, that Thranduil was a wily one.

"Are you all right with this?" Glorfindel asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?" I looked up at him.

He kissed the top of my head, "I am fine. It seems Lord Thranduil is ensuring our happiness. He does not know we have not bonded as yet."

"That's a question I'd like answered. Are you planning something here, or do I have to wait more?" I asked.

Glorfindel grinned, "I want to make this special for you. Will you wait a little longer?"

"Yes," I pushed my body up against his, "But I expect you to sleep in my bed and not pull some chivalrous crap by sleeping in a chair."

"You make it hard melleth nîn. I want our time to be memorable," he hugged me back.

"Well, in my culture, couples kiss incessantly and when they are betrothed, they make love on a regular basis," I informed him.

Glorfindel gave me a heated look, "I did not forgo the company of the female form to not be able to give you the most memorable experience of your life. While I admit I have wanted you in my bed for a very long time, and being this close to you takes all of my willpower not to take you where you stand; I refuse to back down now and acquiesce to our sexual needs."

I felt myself get wet from his words and man, if I didn't want to leap him before, I sure did now. But I dialled it back, and tamped down my desire. "May I at least stop calling you 'Lord', and kiss you more often?" I wanted a better deal. I was thirty-six and here I was prancing around like some virginal maiden, afraid of her own sexuality. That was gonna change.

Glorfindel laughed, a rich hearty laugh, "You may call me Glorfindel, and I promise to kiss you more often my lady."

"Ah, ah. No more 'my lady' and I would appreciate you just saying my name," I chided.

"Karyn?" he asked.

"Say it again," I growled.

"Kar-yn," he drawled. He put his hands on my face and brought it up to his lips, "May I test the new rules?"

"You don't have to ask," I whispered.

His lips brushed mine and I felt his tongue dart out and brush my bottom lip. I opened my mouth to let him in, and his tongue brushed my tongue. I shivered and deepened the kiss, letting our tongues duel. I ran my fingers through his hair and placed one hand on his ass, pulling him closer to me. I heard him growl into my mouth, and felt a hardening in his leggings. His hand slid from my face down my front, to gently cup my breast. We kissed hungrily until Glorfindel broke away.

"We cannot go farther melleth nîn. I fear I would not be able to stop in time," he said breathlessly.

"Yes," I agreed. I knew if we went much farther, I would insist on making love, and I wouldn't take no for an answer.

Glorfindel stepped back from me, "Are these new rules made to ensure I would not be able to wait much longer?"

"No," I said softly, "They're for us. To be close and know each other better."

"I know you like I know my own heartbeat," Glorfindel said quietly.

"I want to feel you so deep, more than just emotionally, but inside of me. If I could, I would never leave your bed," I admitted.

Glorfindel groaned, "This wait will be difficult."

I nodded and stepped towards the bathing room, "I'm going to take a bath. Get cleaned up. I'll be out in a bit."

I walked into the bathing room and closed the door almost all the way. I didn't want the room to get all steamy and I wanted to hear if Glorfindel went anywhere. I got out of my dress, putting it on a wooden bench by the wall. I turned the taps and watched as mineral water poured out filling the marble tub that was sunken into the floor. There was a wooden slat floor, to allow any water spillage to drain quickly and keep slippage to a minimum. When the tub was full, I turned off the taps and got in, letting the heat from the water ease the aches my muscles had endured. I still felt turned on from our kissing and decided to take things into my own hands. While I was tending to myself, I could hear Glorfindel moving around the bedroom restlessly. I wanted to call to him, but I was nearing my climax, and couldn't talk through the panting. My body felt the rise build until release broke over me and I groaned in pleasure. All sound in the other room stopped. I knew Glorfindel had heard me and I regretted the action. I knew it was making it tougher for him. He saw the door was open slightly and knew I was sitting in a tub of water nude. I knew if I were him, I would use every inch of resolve not to come in and take advantage of the situation. I got out of the tub, having finished cleaning myself and took a large robe off a hook on the wall after I had dried myself off. Putting it on, I tied the sash around my waist and padded back into the bedroom.

"Sorry," I said, not mentioning what he had heard.

He had a tight look on his face, "I will take a bath too." He walked into the bathing room and closed the door.

I flopped down on the bed, not embarrassed, but more frustrated. I wanted to make love to Glorfindel, but I knew he wanted to bond the first time we made love and he wanted it to be special. I would respect his wishes, but it wouldn't be easy. I hoped the time would come soon when he would bond with me. I heard the water stop and a splash of liquid slopping over the sides of the tub as he stepped in. I lay on the bed imagining his body and daydreaming what it would be like to have him touch me, and be able to touch him. Just as things were getting juicy, my daydream was interrupted by four servants bringing in our trunks. They placed them at the foot of the gargantuan bed, bowed to me and left. I rolled off the bed and opened the trunks. I pulled out a clean dress for me and a clean pair of shoes, as my riding boots were mucky from travel. As I was getting dressed, I heard a muffled grunt come from the bathing room and I knew what had transpired. I couldn't blame him. I had done the same thing a short while earlier and I knew by his overhearing me, it made him worse. He needed release just as badly as I did. I wondered if since we couldn't make love, why not engage in a little oral foreplay? Sure it might make things worse, but it didn't hurt to ask.

Glorfindel came out of the bathing room wearing the other robe that was on the hook beside mine. He walked over to the trunks and sorted through his.

"Our trunks have arrived. That is good," he remarked absently.

"Yes. It is. Otherwise we'd be lying about in our robes all afternoon," I took a breath, "What about oral gratification? Can we do that?"

Glorfindel turned swiftly towards me, "What?"

"Oral gratification. Is that cheating or can we go down on each other?" I pressed.

Glorfindel looked a bit confused. "Glorfindel," I purred, "May we engage in a little lip and hand service to achieve release with each other, or do we have to abstain completely?"

"I could not stop if I were to kiss you there. My need for you is too strong. Perhaps we should stay in separate rooms if it is going to be like this," he said steadily.

"No," I protested, "I can be good. But please, for the love of all that is holy, tell me we will bond soon."

"It will be soon," he assured.

"Before we leave Mirkwood?" I pressed.

"No. I have a plan in place, and I will not happen until after we leave Mirkwood," he stated. He sounded like he regretted his decision.

"I will be good," I promised. I would also be busy in the bathing room, from what I could tell.

I went into the sitting room to let Glorfindel change for dinner. I had been advised by Arwen that there would be a feast and I needed to dress appropriately. I had pulled a lovely burgundy dress that showed a little too much cleavage for my taste, but style is style, and Arwen had it made for me. I fiddled trying to get my hair to stay in place when I felt Glorfindel's hands touch mine, taking the hair accessory from me. He took the comb from my hand and began pulling it through my hair. Braiding it into an ornate updo, he fastened the hair ornament and stood back.

'Turn around," he ordered.

I turned and faced him. He looked astounding in a dark blue tunic with loose sleeves and delicate embroidery, and a pair of charcoal leggings. His hair and eyes jumped out against the colour of the tunic.

"You look wonderful," we said simultaneously.

I laughed and said, "Really. You look totally edible. You'll be beating them off with a stick."

"With you on my arm, I will be busy fending off your suitors," he rejoined.

"Call us even then," I slipped my arm through his, "Shall we?"

Glorfindel guided me out of the sitting room, shutting the door behind us, and walked me down the hall to the stairs. We met Arwen and Elrond, and followed them down the stairs and walked to the meal hall. Thranduil was waiting for us.

"Good evening. You all look splendid. I have seated Lady Arwen beside her father and next to my seneschal Galion, and Lord Glorfindel will be seated on the other side between Lady Karyn and Lady Aranel. I hope this will be satisfactory?" he wasn't asking, just stating a fact. He expected it to be just fine.

"It is fine, thank you," Elrond said.

The doors to the meal hall, or banquet hall as it stood now, opened and all the occupants inside stood up. The room broke out into polite applause when Thranduil was announced, and he strode in. I noticed he was going for that New York in mourning theme, wearing black head to toe. Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as too much black. Thranduil was evidence of it. Elrond and Arwen followed, and then Glorfindel and myself. Lots of the Elves stared at me, and I wondered how rare it was for a mortal to hook-up with an elf. Apparently quite rare from the looks of astonishment I saw. I was seated to the left of Thranduil, Glorfindel beside me and this Lady Aranel at the end. The last time I had been seated at a head table was when my sister had gotten married twenty-five years ago, and I felt like I was sitting in the centre of a fishbowl. Things look a bit different when you're eleven than when you're thirty-six. When you're eleven, you love to show off for the crowd; when you're thirty-six, you wonder if you have lipstick on your teeth, as you can't figure out why people are staring at you.

Thranduil was watching me carefully as I sat down. I kept getting the feeling he was sizing me up. He picked up a cup of wine that had been placed before him and stood up. We all stood, holding our wine goblets. He looked over the crowd before he spoke.

"We have withstood a terrible time in our history, only to come out of it victorious. Our ties to the other Elven Realms remain strong and we greet Elrond, Lord of Imladris and his party to our humble home and bid them welcome. To the ties that bind." Thranduil raised his goblet.

"To the ties that bind." We dutifully repeated, and drank from our goblets once Thranduil had sipped from his.

Everyone sat back down and staff came out of the doors flanking either side of the room bearing huge trays of the first course. Thranduil leaned over to me.

"Is this your first time at an Elven feast?" he asked.

"No, your Majesty. I have attended feasts at Imladris," I responded.

"How did you meet Lord Glorfindel?" he pressed.

"Lord Glorfindel and I met when he found me suffering from a head injury near the Bruinen River sire," I said.

"Not yrch, I hope," he countered.

"No sire. Not yrch. A falling branch." I was getting uncomfortable under his scrutiny. Glorfindel was ignoring Lady Aranel, he was so intent on listening to our conversation.

"Alone?" he touched my arm but then withdrew when the first course was placed in front of him.

"My escort had fallen to yrch," I explained.

Thranduil took a bite of his meal and the signal allowed everyone else to begin eating.

"Where are you from?" he asked.

"Up north. Far beyond the Ered Mithrin. Have you travelled that far sire?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation. I was thankful that Erestor had included so much Geography in our lessons, otherwise I could be in trouble.

"No, I must admit that my work in Eryn Lasgalen has kept me from being able to travel more than to Esgaroth, where my wine is produced. I have several hundred barrels of their finest product shipped each year to me; and I have the vintners and the mayor here to open the first bottle in a ceremony once a year. Do you like wine?" he asked.

"Yes. Very much. I find the wines here a little bit sweeter than I am used to at home, but one cannot stretch the palate if one does not take chances sire," I remarked.

Glorfindel smiled at me and turned to his meal, evidently satisfied I had the situation under control.

Thranduil smiled, warming up to the subject and for most of the meal we discussed wines and what was needed to make a great wine. I couldn't use the names of wines but I could certainly describe them and that was our common ground. Who knew my boring knowledge of the snobby drink, as my friends called it, could come in so handy? My Dad had always ensured that my siblings and I had a good grounding in the finer things, so if we came upon an incident that required familiarity we would be prepared. All my life I was told I had good breeding and here it was being shown off in the best possible light.

After the meal, Thranduil stood up, and went over to Lady Arwen to ask her to start the dancing with him. Elrond walked over to Lady Aranel and asked her to dance once Thranduil and Arwen had danced for a minute. I watched the two couples and started slightly when I felt Glorfindel's breath in my ear.

"Will you help me show them how it is done?" his hand was held out to me, and I grasped it and was pulled onto the dance floor. Arwen had seen to my tutelage in popular dancing in Arda and I was a good student, once I finished tripping over my feet. We circled the dance floor, and danced around couples who had joined us, now that the head table had emptied. Galion, Thranduil's seneschal, had left the table to speak to some Elves sitting at other tables. I was whirled around the floor for a couple of dances by Glorfindel before Thranduil came and asked to have the next dance. Glorfindel nodded his acquiescence and moved off the floor. I was spun around by Thranduil, who was quite light on his feet. I mean for an elf. They're all damned light on their feet.

"Have I told you that you speak lovely Sindarin?" he asked.

"No sire, thank you." I smiled.

"When is your wedding to Lord Glorfindel happening?" he asked curiously.

"It may be January, but I would rather wait until spring and the good weather sire," I remarked.

"I am still curious how you became betrothed to Lord Glorfindel. It is very rare to have a mortal woman married to an elf, let alone an elf lord," he commented blithely.

"It was a surprise to us as well sire. I guess when your fëa recognizes its mate, you have to listen," I answered.

"Yes," he agreed,"Why did you not marry in your homeland?" he pressed.

"I had not found the right person and my parents did not press me to marry. I was the last in my family and was well educated, so they did not think there was a hurry," I explained. It was somewhat true. My parents had given up on me years ago.

"It is too bad I did not meet you first. I enjoy your company," Thranduil remarked casually.

"Ah, but sire, you are not my fëa mate. I do not know if it would be approved by the Valar. As well, were you not bonded to Prince Legolas' mother?" I asked.

Thranduil grimaced, "No. It was a political marriage, and she died in childbirth. I never sought to remarry. Although that does not mean I lack for company. I am sure the Valar would not begrudge me companionship such as yours."

I was taken aback, "Pardon me sire?"

"You are intelligent and conversant on topics that interest me. You are just the sort of woman I would want in my bed and by my side," he explained. He watched me carefully as I digested his news. "You are however, out of reach. My loss is Lord Glorfindel's gain."

"Thank you sire, for your kind regard," I was unsure how to proceed, all I knew was I wanted off this uncomfortable topic. "Your Majesty, I was wondering if you were going to expand your diplomatic ties beyond the Elven realms into the realms of Men. It could be advantageous for your people and profitable for you."

Thranduil almost stopped dancing, "What are you getting at my lady?"

"I am saying that if you were to send diplomatic emissaries to the Kingdoms of Gondor and Rohan, and then negotiated trade treaties with each kingdom, you could see to the stabilization of the region and ensure goods were able to freely pass between those kingdoms and yourself," I was getting warmed up. This was a topic I could sink my teeth into. I had already broached the subject with Elrond and he wanted to wait and see if anyone else was going to be party to it. "In my lands, we send an Ambassador to another region to live there for a period and act as our mouthpiece. They let the other region that they are posted in know what we like and don't like and we can negotiate treaties with them. The other regions send Ambassadors to our region as well. We house them close to our seat of Government and allow them access to our leaders when they desire to talk about issues facing our peoples. We allow them courtesies like diplomatic immunity, so they can feel free to represent their region without the fear of being arrested. If they commit espionage however, they are dismissed from our region and the other region must send another Ambassador to replace the disgraced one."

Thranduil looked at me, a little amazed I had brought it up. "How do you know this?" he asked.

"I am an academic sire. It was a field of study I enjoyed and since I was here, I thought I could maybe introduce the concept," I explained.

Thranduil looked intrigued, "Is Lord Elrond aware of this?"

"Yes sire. He wishes to see if anyone else desires to pursue this avenue before he commits,"I answered.

Thranduil pulled me off the dance floor and back to the table. He sat me down in an empty chair and looked at me intently. I felt a pressing feeling come over me and realized Thranduil was trying to get into my mind. I put up my shields like my Elders had taught me, and meditated on the bright white light. Thranduil broke off and looked very surprised.

"Where did you learn that?" he asked brusquely.

"Learn what sire?" I tried to maintain a façade of innocence.

He grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me out of the hall. "Shielding, that is what," Thranduil dragged me down a passageway until he reached a door. He opened it and dragged me in.

"Sire, I do not think you fully understand the concept of diplomatic immunity," I gasped from the pain of his iron grip. I hoped like hell that Glorfindel had seen our hasty exit and would come and find me.

He shoved me in a chair and began to pace around me. He looked over at me once in a while and continued his pacing. Then he surprised me by speaking in my language, or whatever it was that I spoke. (Mithrandir told me I spoke Westron, but I argued that it was English. He thought that was amusing.)

"I do not like surprises, as they have gone poorly in the past. However, you are a very good surprise that I feel Lord Elrond has been hiding from me. I do not know how you learned that, but I know you are not like other mortals. You are of a keen intelligence and you know how to protect your mind!" he stated vehemently.

"My apologies your Majesty. I did not know I had offended you," I offered.

"I do not wish your apologies. I wish for you," he looked at the confusion written across my face, "I will ask Lord Elrond to leave you here. As a diplomatic emissary," he finished. He looked like he was terribly satisfied with himself.

"Sire, forgive me for my questions, but I am betrothed to Lord Glorfindel. It would not be seemly for me to be here without my betrothed," I quietly spoke.

Thranduil stopped in his pacing and looked at me askance. "You are correct. We must see that betrothal is reversed," he said almost to himself.

"Sire," I was getting a little frantic, "You cannot undo a fëa bond!"

Thranduil looked me over carefully, "You have not yet bonded with Lord Glorfindel. It can be reversed."

"I am not chattel and I will not be held here against my will. You may not try to break my betrothal and you cannot keep me any longer," I stood up and began to walk to the door.

Thranduil grabbed me by the wrist again, "Did I dismiss you my lady?" His tone had gotten a bit threatening.

"No your Majesty. But I require diplomatic assistance, and as member of Lord Elrond's party, you must allow me council," I looked at him, willing him to let me go.

"You are not afraid of me?" he asked, a tiny smile turning up the corners of his mouth.

"No sire. I am familiar with many forms of authority and I have learned that there is nothing to fear," I said, keeping my back straight and my tone even.

"Fine. I will get you council. But I am serious about wanting you to stay here. You are a valuable asset and I do not like to let assets go," he turned to the door and opened it just as Glorfindel and Elrond were standing outside, readying to knock.

Elrond looked really displeased. I was happy to give him something else to think about other than Arwen. He and Glorfindel swept into the room and Elrond gave Thranduil an appraising look. "Well Thranduil, it looks like you have one of my party here alone without advising me that you wished to speak with her," his tone suggested he was quite pissed.

I silently cheered Elrond on as Glorfindel came beside me and held my hand in one hand and wrapped his other around my waist. He looked me over like he was searching for some signs of abuse. I mouthed, 'I'm fine' to him and he relaxed.

"Elrond, we were just coming to get you. Were we not Lady Karyn?" Thranduil suddenly got really oily.

"I haven't the foggiest notion who you were going to get. I doubt you were going to bring me with you either. You seemed quite upset," I replied truthfully.

"I wish to state that this woman is not bonded to Lord Glorfindel and thus as reigning monarch, I can request the betrothal be annulled and she be given to me," Thranduil stated all business-like.

Glorfindel looked like he was going to take a swing. Elrond put up his hand in a placating gesture. "I am sorry, but I cannot permit that Thranduil. Lord Glorfindel, would you please take Lady Karyn to her rooms to retire while I discuss the situation with Lord Thranduil?" He gestured to the door and gave Glorfindel a meaningful look.

"They cannot stay together if they are not bonded!" Thranduil argued.

"Go Lord Glorfindel. Now Lord Thranduil, let us discuss this like civilised Elves," Elrond led Thranduil to the chairs as I was guided out the door.

"What did he say to you in there? Why does he want to annul our betrothal?" Glorfindel questioned me as we walked back up to our rooms.

"I just talked about wine at dinner and then while we danced I opened up the topic of diplomatic liaisons between kingdoms. He was very interested until he tried to penetrate my mind and I blocked him out. Then he dragged me off to bully me into leaving you," I explained.

Glorfindel looked concerned, "Melleth nîn, I believe I must speed up our bonding process and do this tonight. I am sorry it will not be what I had planned, but we can still do what I had planned later, it just will not be our bonding ceremony."

"Do you think King Thranduil would be able to annul our betrothal if we weren't bonded?" I was nervous. While Thranduil was a nice enough guy if you weren't too interesting, once you crossed that line, he became a little obsessive.

"Thranduil King could in fact annul our betrothal if Elrond cannot interest him in another compromise. Which is why we must bond as soon as possible, so it is easier for him to broker such an arrangement," Glorfindel led me into the sitting room and then into our bedroom, "I am sorry we cannot do this under more pleasant circumstances." He went back to the front door and bolted it shut. Coming back into the bedroom he closed and bolted that door too, before he turned back to me. "We should not be disturbed for a few hours at least. Let us try to make this as nice an experience as possible, shall we?"

"All right," I turned to the bathing room door, "What about a relaxing bath to start things off?"

"That sounds lovely," Glorfindel walked with me through the bathing room door and turned on the taps, and I readied myself for the night ahead.

Undómiel-Evenstar melleth nîn-my love

Ered Mithrin-Grey Mountains Esgaroth-Lake-Town