Thanks for the reviews...Write or else, huh? Hmm...or else what, you'll send Legolas to get me? Don't worry if I don't write Arianell will get me...and I'm a bit more afraid of her than I am of Legolas! For one thing Arianell knows where I live...
Still in the dream mode, for just a wee little bit longer.
Arianell looked at Varda in amazement "Lothien said..." Varda shook her head "Yes, the enchantment caused him to become attracted to you but despite that he is learning to love you, to truly love you."
She lifted her hand from Arianell's shoulder and the mists faded away, leaving them standing in a hall of stone. "This is my home Arianell, here I reside in Valinor with my husband Manwe above the everlasting snow upon Oiolosse, the utmost tower of Taniquetil, the tallest of all the mountains upon the Earth. Here my husband rules over his realm."
Arianell realized that while Varda was speaking they were walking and now stood in a throne room. The figure upon the ornate throne rose when they entered. Arianell noticed a decidedly avian theme running through the...well palace, she supposed. It did not suprise her one bit to see actual birds flying in and out through the windows. She smiled as a pair of swift Swallows swirled through the drafts outside the window nearest her.
The figure had come to stand in front of them "I am Sulimo, Lord of the Breath of Arda."
Arianell bowed her head in reverence. Upon straightening she noticed that Varda had taken her place by her husband's side. Arianell could not help but notice how they were different yet seemed to blend together perfectly. His day blond hair to her night black lockes, His muscular tan frame to her cream curves, and their eyes; his stormy and hers crystaline. Arianell couldn't help but think they made a gorgeous couple.
"You have see all that I may show you at this point in Iluvatar's design. When you awaken you may tell Legolas all that you wish to."
"Or all I have to." Arianell hadn't meant to interrupt Varda, it was just she couldn't help but think of how defenseless she would be if he asked her pointed questions.
Manwe waved his hand "That has been corrected, Arwenamin." Manwe's eyes sparkled now like a breeze-blown summer day. "No longer must you worry about being unable to deny his requests."
"Though" It was Varda's turn to sparkle "You may find you do not wish to deny him. Sleep well Meleth, rest in the knowledge that time will unfold its grand design."
As Arianell closed her eyes Varda softly kissed her brow.
/End Dream Sequence
Arianell's eyes flickered open as she tried to focus. She felt so rested and wondered how long she had been asleep.
"Only a few hours Meleth." The voice belonged to Legolas, still sitting next to her.
"Oh" she blushed nicely "I did realize I had said that aloud M'Lord." Legolas laughed. "Are you feeling better?" Arianell sat up against the cushions and smiled "Yes, much thank you." She appraised him for a moment. "Legolas I must speak with you about something..." Arianell was interupted by a knock at the door. "When I return Meleth." Legolas stood. As he was walking way Arianell stopped him "Who's room is this anway?" He turned and smiled at her "Mine."
She was glad his back was to her and he couldn't see her blush. Sighing she sank back into the covers and inhaled deeply...how could she not have known it was his room? Afterall the entire room smelled just like him. A scent that was very much the essence of the outdoors and yet seemed softer somehow than the woods of Mirkwood, a scent that was just so essentially Legolas.
"Thinking?"
His voice didn't startle her as she turned towards him and smiled "Of course." He held in his arms a small white bundle "What is that?" Arianell looked at it, it seemed familiar. Legolas unrolled the bundle and held it up to his shoulders "Your nightgown."
After the fit of laughter had subsided (afterall who wouldn't laugh imagining Legolas in a white elleth's gown) Arianell stood and got ready for bed in Legolas' bathing chambers. "I still do not see why you are not allowing me to sleep in my own room. Surely this doesn't look right to the other delegates."
She opened the door and walked out as Legolas came to stand in front of her, smoothing her modest gown around her shoulders like he had her dress what seemed like ages ago. "I do not care what they think Meleth. I will not let you out of my sight when I do not need to, not after what happened tonight." His hand rested gently on her neck as he visibly leaned in.
Legolas had been so close that Arianell could almost taste him when he had suddenly straightened up and walked into his bathing chambers, closing the door quickly behind him. Sighing she went to stand on the balcony, admiring the full moon that was shinning in the midst of the tree tops. If he was no longer enchanted with her didn't that mean she could tell him everything and he would let her leave? Couldn't that mean she would be allowed to go home?
Suddenly she remember the vision and the image of her parents kneeling over her grave. "They shouldn't have had to bury their only daughter." A single tear slid down Arianell's face, "I should have had to bury them, not the other way around. I wanted to be there as they grew old, I wanted them to see my children be born and grow...I wanted the life I was living before." then she stopped and looked around. How was it that much better than the life she was leading now? In both she had only ever done what others expected of her.
Arianell sighed, would some things never change?
"Arianell" Legolas' footfall was light behind her, she almost hadn't heard him approach...almost. "Yes M'Lord"
"Please do not address me like that." "Like what?" "M'Lord." Arianell turned and leaned against the railing "Forgive me M'Lord." her face twisted into a smirk "It was a mistake M'Lord "
Legolas' face grew sterner as he closed the distance between them "I said not to address me like that!"
"My mistake." Arianell leaned up and whispered in his ear "M'Lord."
Legolas gasped, what had come over her? She had not acted like this before.
"Don't do that!" "Do what?" Arianell's voice was raspy and he suddenly knew she was purposefully doing this to him, but two could play that game. "Whisper in my ear like that M'Lady." Legolas' breath on her sensitive tip sent chills up and down her spine "Stop!" Arianell laughed, rubbing her ear furiously.
"Do you not see now why I wanted you to stop?" Arianell nodded "Although" Legolas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close "I kind of liked it."
"Did you now?" Arianell smiled at him as she leaned up again "I wonder why."
Legolas pulled back from her and smiled, she was glowing like a high elven does as the full moon spilled through a gap in the trees. "Arianell" he gasped "You look..." his voice failed as he looked down at her. "As do you." Arianell could feel his heart racing underneath the hand she placed on his chest.
"Do you wish me your betrothed?"
He sighed and gazed at her. He hadn't been sure but suddenly "You look like Elbereth." Arianell hid her shock well "That was not the question M...Meleth-nin" she corrected.
"None other."
Arianell closed her eyes and smiled.
"Do you wish to be my betrothed?" his voice was low.
Arianell smiled and leaned up "None other." she whispered to his ear.
"I would ask you not to do that again unless you you are prepared for the consequences."
Arianell kissed the tip of his ear.
"Elbereth!" Legolas cursed under his breath, his grip on her arms tightening.
Arianell grinned wickedly:
"So you keep saying, but what are you going to do about it?"
Before she could react his lips were on her own.
