Wow, here is another long chapter, none should complain about my failure to write after this one!
Note, I know they're pretty much all over each other but A) They're elves B) they haven't slept together in that sense...just slept in the same bed C) They are hopelessly in love. D) Eh, it's Legolas who needs another reason?
Legolas' POV
Her hair twines through the water like a mermaid's...provided mermaids weren't mythological creatures but for right now I can pretend. I half imagine she'll wake and notice me, entrapping my soul with her Siren's song.
I smile to myself, she's already entrapt me.
Normal/Arianell POV
Legolas slid through the water as quietly as possible before standing on a lower ledge of the rock. By the time Arianell noticed his presence he had covered her mouth with his. She gave a start before melting into the kiss, her hands running through his wet hair.
"I was dry Legolas!"
He laughed, "I did not want you to sunburn, even an elf can still burn."
Arianell smiled at his concern and flipped over onto her stomach "Might as well burn even." Legolas came to stand in front of her as she sighed.
"I've been meaning to ask you, what is expected of me now?"
"What do you mean."
"After the ceremonies, as your wife."
Legolas' eyes glimmered as he came closer to her "I would think you'd know what was expected of you." "Legolas!" Arianell pushed him away and laughed, tucking a piece of her hair behind her head. "That was not how I intended it!"
Legolas sighed "Can we talk about civic duties tomorrow? I would rather just enjoy today with you." Arianell nodded. "Good." Legolas pushed her off the rock and into the water and Arianell came up spluttering.
"Legolas Greenleaf! By the Valar you will pay for that!"
Arianell jumped him and, by manner of suprise, managed to dunk the elven crown prince. She wondered what Lothien would say could he see them...she was defenitely not acting like a 'proper' elleth.
Legolas' didn't give her much time to contemplate before dunking her in return, by the time he let her up she was spluttering. "I never!" All of her hair was over her face and she had to move it to get to her eyes. Legolas was laughing uncontrollably.
She splashed him angrily before sliding underneath the water and standing, her face gazing upwards to make her hair flow behind her. Arianell wiped the water from her eyes before, winking at Legolas, she dove under and swam the length of the pool.
Legolas followed her, more convinced than ever she was mer-folk.
>>
"No peeking!"
"I hadn't thought of it before you said something."
Arianell laughed, "Indeed."
"Do you require assistance Meleth?" Legolas' voice hardly contained his mirth.
"No" she stepped from around the tree tying the last ribbon on her dress "I believe I have it under control."
Legolas appraised her from his position on the mat he had spread near the water. "Before we eat there's something I want to do."
He rose and walked towards her, the flower crowns they had made cradled in his hands. "Follow me."
>>
Legolas took Arianell's hand to help her over the rocks and, although she didn't need it, she welcomed the gesture.
Together they stood by the banks of a river "Make a wish Arianell, bless the crown, and offer it to Ulumo."
Arianell looked at Legolas before accepting her crown from him. Quietly she whispered her desires and tossed the crown into the river to follow Legolas' crown to the sea.
"Legolas?" His eyes were closed and he swayed with the breeze
"Do you hear the sea?" Legolas sighed as Arianell's eyes filled with tears. "No Meleth, I cannot hear the Sea." She remembered something about Elves and their lust after the Sea, she knew Legolas would never be able to forget the call of the Ulumuri. In that moment she hated Aragorn for taking him to the Sea so many years ago.
Arianell rubbed her hand against Legolas' cheek "Meleth?"
He leaned into her hand but did not respond, the tears fell from her eyes "Please, a little longer Meleth-nin. The Sea will bear you hence one day, just not today."
Legolas hand came up to wipe the tears from her eyes
"The sea will never bear me from you."
"Do not promise what you cannot keep. I do not know if the Valar will grant me passage."
Arianell frowned, wishing not to think of such things. "But such talk on a day like this?" Arianell pulled him gently to her "I am hungry Meleth, shall we return?"
>>
Arianell and Legolas had shared a light lunch and were on dessert. Arianell picked up the crumbling pastry. That was one thing she had not missed, Elvish cooking made the cooking she grew up with...well she could safely say it paled in comparison.
Arianell had closed her eyes to savor a bite, her elven tongue enjoying the texture. She was aware as Legolas leaned forward, when she opened her eyes he ate her pastry right out of her hand.
Arianell glared at him "Don't you have your own?"
"I'm sorry Meleth" he was grinning "I already ate it."
"Give it back!" Legolas swallowed as Arianell continued to stare at him.
"Why must you act so childish?" She shook her head "Did you stop to consider if I would have given it to you had you requested?"
"Would you have?" "Well, no" Arianell smiled "But you still shouldn't have just snatched it."
"I am the Crown Prince M'Lady." Legolas leaned close and smirked "I can do whatever I want."
"Can you now?" Arianell sat in front of him, unmoving "I have my doubts about that."
Legolas kissed her but she refused to return it. He lowered his head and sighed before looking her in the eye again "Will saying I'm sorry make it better?" "No, but you can apologize anyway."
>>
Arianell was amazed that she could continue to maintain a straight face as Legolas begged for her forgiveness. "Meleth, what must I do to prove my repentance?"
Arianell appraised him, he looked like he was about to laugh, "Bring me the stars."
Legolas jumped to his feet and ran to the saddlebags next to the tree grinning, "Easily Arranged."
"What!" Arianell looked after him "I was joking...Legolas..honestly I'm not mad...I..."
As Legolas returned Arianell stood. His right hand was firmly clasp around something.
>>
Coming to a stop directly in front of her he knelt down. "Arianell there is something I wished to ask you. I wanted to do this formally but I cannot wait any longer."
Legolas opened his hand. There, cradled in the palm was a pendant that shone like the moonlight.
"I had this made before I met you Arianell; It is for my intended and I vowed only to marry the one the pendant matched."
Arianell looked at the Evenstar shaped pendant in his hand; it was an intricate design of a vine with small, green leaves surrounding, protecting, and cradling a small stone that shone like the rays of the moon; a stone in the shape of a star. The entire thing, made of mithril, looked as if it had been crafted from the moon's rays.
"Legolas, it's beautiful! The elleth that receives this will love it. It is surely worthy even of Elbereth!"
Legolas smiled "Lady Arianell Melian, keeper of my heart, will you accept this pendant as a sign of my undying love. Will you become more than my betrothed, will you become my wife?"
Arianell gasped before smiling at him "For all the ages of this world and of the next, I will."
Legolas stood and clasp the necklace around her neck before pulling her into an embrace.
>>
Arianell pulled the necklace from its resting place below the neckline of her dress "It is not Elven craftsmanship is it?" Legolas smiled "No, it is not. It is dwarven, made by a very dear friend of mine. Gimli will be honored when he sees who wears it." Arianell blushed.
"But Legolas, I do not have anything to give you in return."
"I am sorry Meleth, I was going to wait until we could exchange vows formally to give you the pendant but..." He smiled "Arianell do you believe the Valar can speak with us?"
"Yes" Arianell smiled, remembering her dream with Varda.
"Well when you were asleep the night of the feast I thought that I saw the figure of Varda, she spoke and though I could not hear her..."
"...you knew what she said"
"Yes. Elbereth told me the one who holds my heart would ask me for the stars."
Arianell looked at him skeptically.
"She was right." He smiled as he leaned in to kiss her. "Wait!"
Legolas looked dismayed as Arianell rushed from her position next to him and ran to her cloak "My ring!" she dug through the pockets until she pulled out a small bundle.
"I had some jewelry on when I first came to Mirkwood that looked unlike the elven jewelry here, I did not want to draw too much attention so I took it off." Arianell began to untie the hankerchief.
As the contents spilled into the afternoon light she stiffled a gasp; her necklace and rings, once sterling silver, had been transformed to Mithril. Arianell could almost hear Manwe's laugh on the sudden breeze.
"Here" Arianell held up a ring that fit her thumb. "It was made for a male but I used to wear it, I felt drawn to it I guess." She smiled at Legolas "Now I know why." The ring was celtic knotwork and led to larger trinity knot.
"Arianell, it is amazing."
Arianell knelt before where Legolas sat "Do you, Legolas Greenleaf, agree to bind yourself to me for all the ages of this world and the next?"
"With the Valar as my witness, I do."
>>
Arianell felt his arms around her, his lips on her own, she felt like her soul would burst with it's singing. The trees in the glade, witnesses to their vows, were quickly spreading the word through the forest, and bowing in their congratulations.
Miles away Lothien stopped to listen, a smirk gracing his face. He couldn't help but be happy his plan had gone well...and yet as of late he had a sudden, sinking feeling he was not in control.
>>
Arianell moved where he commaneded, usure of herself but Legoals was a gentle teacher.
"You're doing fine" he smiled "See, it's not difficult."
Arianell felt the weight of the blade in her hand "If I say I like using the sword will you make me learn more?"
"Meleth" Legolas smiled "I'd make you learn more anyway." Arianell laughed and continued with the excercise.
>>
"Can't I rest now?" Her breath was coming in short gasps and her face was flushed "How long have I been doing that anway, I feel as if my arms will fall off."
"Only a few hours Meleth, but it is time to return now... Greenwood it may be but I would not like to stay the night in Eryn Lasgalen."
Legolas whistled for his steed as Arianell splashed cool water on her flushed face.
>>
Swinging from the saddle she allowed Legolas to help her down, her arms would be sore in the morning "You did well for a beginner Arianell, tomorrow we can continue."
"ugh" she made a face at him "More?"
He smiled and rested his forehead against her own "Yes Meleth, until you know all I can teach you. I will not have you unable to defend yourself."
Arianell smiled at his concern "Afraid you will not always be able to save me Ellon?"
Legolas' smile dimmed a bit "Yes, actually."
"I am sorry Meleth." Arianell leaned in to kiss him "I did not mean that."
Legolas wrapped his arm around her waist and began to escort her through the courtyard and towards the palace, turning his horse over to one of the stableboys.
Before they could reach the palace doors he pulled her into the garden and through a secluded path "Legolas!" Arianell laughed "What are we doing, I will not have enough time to change for the evening meal!"
Legolas looked down at her "What's wrong with what you have on?"
Arianell didn't get the chance to answer before his kisses silenced her.
