Chapter 46, Belong

One year had passed, and finally the wedding day had come. Soon, the ceremony would begin; the bridegroom stood at one end of the aisle and peered at the other.

He was waiting for the doors to open, so he could see his bride. This was the day he had waited a long time for; thus, it was surprising how ordinary the morning had seemed; waking up like always and enjoying the teeter-totter world Sulrochil conjured around him; arguing about breakfast and dodging Father's amused smiles.

Today everything would turn upside down.

The hall was full of guests, all amiably watching Legolas. Everything was ready; decorations were made, food was prepared, and the guests had arrived. The only thing still missing was the bride. She was somewhere being decked up and making the time of the seamstresses and hairdressers miserable.

Legolas let his gaze sweep over all the people and then fixed his eyes at the window, watching two sand martins on the wing. Soon, very soon, she shall enter this hall. A week ago, the guests had begun to arrive. He fondly reminisced about the occasion when Gimli had appeared in these woods. Everyone had assumed all of the orcs were already gone, but that wish had been premature. When the dwarves had rampaged closer, they had alarmed a bunch of those huge monsters still hiding somewhere in their holes.

A small group of black creatures came closer and hit the dwarven company.

Gimli had smashed the orcs with his axe. When all were finally slain, he jumped onto one of them. "Do you have more of these, laddie?!" he roared when he saw Legolas on a nearby hill, aiming at the last enemy. For old times' sake, the elf shot the orc on which the dwarf was standing. "I saved you the best," he grinned. "There could be more behind those hills."

Legolas dashed forward but turned around to shout to his friend, "What are you waiting for?" Gimli lifted his axe high and stumped behind the elf, hollering as he ran, "The best wedding ever!"

Now Gimli was sitting in this hall, all groomed up. Most likely grunting because the breakfast had been too feeble. "Someone should teach the pointy-ears to cook." But when he leaned in to whisper something to Mithrandir by his side, his innermost warmth was revealed for a moment.

Father appeared by Legolas' side and asked, "Are you ready?"

"You have often said that one can never be prepared for marriage," Legolas said.

"I did not imply that," Father said and put his palm on Son's shoulder. "But the moment you put the crown on her hair, all barriers between you will finally be broken down."

Legolas glanced at the hand squeezing his shoulder and tore his eyes away. In silence, Father and Son stared at the view.

A choir began to sing; the crowd silenced.

The doors were still closed, but the aisle through the hall was long and wide. Soon, she would appear.

The woods were healed. The spiders had gotten smaller, and greenness was overcoming the evil. The darkness had let go of its grip on the forest and Father's heart. Alongside the forest, his heart recovered, and he has been talking.

Ever since the memorial service of his unborn daughter a year ago, Father has been talking. He has been telling his children stories, and they have been listening. Oftentimes, it felt like he was talking more to himself than to others, but they never interrupted him.

It was the sound of breaking ice.

The forest was speaking again for the King, and he was attending. When the whispers of the woodland entered his ears, the love spread. Elven people cried when the echoes travelled above these forests. Day and night, they have been weeping and humming soothing melodies to rejuvenate the woods around the Halls of Thranduil.

Please, open the doors and let her in.

Every moment with Sulrochil was bliss, and slowly, they had begun to comprehend what it meant to truly be with someone. It was the connection of their souls and acting as one unit. If someone asked Legolas to go this way or that way, he could not give his reply before discussing it with her. It was not about asking or giving permission. It was just that if he went, it was not only his choice but both of theirs.

They were one, like the hands of one elf. If one hand is unwilling to shoot an arrow, the other cannot do it alone.

The hardest lesson for both – to think of ourselves before myself.

For one year, their souls had been probing each other. They have had dreams; they have fought. They have kissed and cried and sought their way to exist together. It took years to learn to be friends with one another. Learning marriage would take time, as well.

Tonight, they would open the gates into that world.

Finally, the doors opened, and the bride strolled in. Everything else vanished, for nothing could compare to her beauty. Her dress shone of pure whiteness. It was the loveliest wedding gown Legolas had ever seen.

It was the only one that had been made for his eyes.

Silvery embroidery enticed him to follow their trails all over her body. To untrodden wilderness, they led.

All he heard was her soul's speech, and it was calling him. Will you marry me? she asked and did not wait for his answer but declared that, of course, he would because he had no choice. She averted her gaze for a short moment, and he understood what she truly wanted to say. The last pearl is in the correct container, and today I will be yours.

As she paced through the aisle, all the intricate embellishments of her dress captured his eyes. He was enchanted by the whispers of marriage.

She was the calm lake before the rain, only a solitary goldeneye gliding on the surface. The rain would be the removal of all debts.

Legolas began striding toward her, and they met at the altar in the middle of the hall. Enormous vases were flooding with white flowers of all kinds. Like the foaming rapids, they overwhelmed the elves when they stopped a shade away from each other.

I have been locked up in the prison of my mind. You came and smashed the shackles. I have trod impenetrable woods, and I would like to kiss you right here and now. I have been lost in foreign forests, but you have led me home.

The ceremony began. All of the words had been written thousands of years ago.

Finally, they were being recited to them.

When Sulrochil smiled, everything else lost meaning. I cannot comprehend how beautiful you are. Will you marry me? Legolas ached to ask, but did not dare to do that.

One never knew what she might answer.

This time, she could not hide her response, though. The sweetness of her smile revealed everything.

The speech went on, and Father came to the betrothed couple and began to join them by positioning his hands on their shoulders.

By their family, they were now connected.

The choir began singing the Hymn of the Marriage, and Sulrochil's soul was teeming with tears. The absence of their missing parents was suddenly too much. Four of them should be here now, but only one remained. They should all be here now, seeing our moment and giving us their blessing, but three are missing. This should be the happiest moment of our lives, but their absence stabs me.

Letting her emotions show would not do, even if tempestuous clouds were gathering inside her soul. Sulrochil bit her lip and berated herself for almost succumbing to the past sorrows. Afterwards, she could cry, but not now. Instead, she raised her head and beamed. Which would you rather be, a kitten or a bunny? Her smile filled the whole room, and to prevent herself from crying, she insisted on a proper answer.

Obviously, a bunny. Legolas replied. And you would be one of them, as well.

Why could we not be kittens if you require me to be the same?

Legolas' mouth curved into a smile, and he stared into her eyes. The kittens are not yet adults.

Sulrochil's gaze darted here and there until it settled on the floor. Stock-still, she stood listening to the mesmeric melody of the Hymn. When it ended, Thranduil handed them a ring. It was a brand-new ring, made precisely for this marriage. It was a plain golden band without any decorations.

It was their marriage that would adorn it with love. The betrothed couple took a hold of it and lifted it between them. Sun shone through it. With this ring, they would belong to each other for all eternity.

They shall not be adrift anymore.

The crowd voiced together the Requisition for Marriage for these two elves. "Legolas, son of Thranduil and Glaneth and Sulrochil, daughter of Belegsul and Medlinil, Thou have been called."

Holding the ring between them, the betrothed couple replied, "We, Legolas, son of Thranduil and Glaneth and Sulrochil, daughter of Belegsul and Medlinil, have heard the call."

"One year has passeth.
Underneath the Holy Tree
Thou became one
For all eternity.
O Holy Tree, our Mother, our Father
Heard your call
O Holy Tree, our Brother, our Sister,
Interlaced your souls together.
Thou have been blessed with love.
Underneath the eyes of your family, you have now arrived
'Tis joining you into the marriage that you seek."

Legolas and Sulrochil were engulfed with a soft light of tenderness, and together they spoke,
"We have been blessed with love,
Underneath the eyes of our family, we have now arrived,
'Tis joining us into the marriage that we seek."

"One year has passeth.
Here are Legolas and Sulrochil
We see their love
'Tis everywhere upon them,
'Tis bespread o'er all their beings,
O Holy Tree, our Mother, our Father
Hear our call
O Holy Tree, our Brother, our Sister,
Bind Sulrochil and Legolas with married ties.
'Tis joining them into the marriage that we ask,
'Tis Thee whom we plead to enclose them with marriage."

This was the time. As the two elves recited these words, the marriage immersed them,
"Underneath the eyes of our family, we, Legolas, son of Thranduil and Glaneth and Sulrochil, daughter of Belegsul and Medlinil, bow our souls.
O Holy Tree, our Mother, our Father,
Bind us with married ties
O Holy Tree, our Brother, our Sister,
Enclose us with marriage."

Slowly, Legolas slid the ring on Sulrochil's finger.

One ring, one marriage.

Two elves joined for all eternity.

"O Holy Tree, our Mother, our Father
Thou hast enclosed Sulrochil and Legolas with marriage
bless their marriage.
O Holy Tree, our Brother, our Sister,
Thou hast bound them with married ties,
shelter their marriage,
'Tis to Thee whom we owe our gratitude.
For all eternity."

Forest rejoiced, for a new marriage had been born. It was the day of exaltation.

Magic of the marriage surrounded the wife and husband, who took their first shy look at each other. You are my wife, Legolas expressed, trying to get attuned to the shift in the air.

Sulrochil tilted her head, and her soul filled with new songs. You are the dark sky with millions of stars blinking to me. You are one star and yet all of them. How can love be so perfect?

Legolas squeezed her hands.

Marriage was a riddle that was now being revealed to them. It was an oath and a track to the unknown. Together, they would find the right path, but the ceremony was not over yet.

On the table lay one golden crown. For too long, it had been hiding in the dark dungeons. Now was its time to shine.

King Thranduil took Princess Sulrochil's crown and handed it to his son. "Princess Sulrochil, will you accept this symbol of your royalty?" The King asked, and the Princess bowed.

For a long time, Prince Legolas stared at the crown in his hands - the golden crown that had been haunting him ever since he had learned its purpose. I have held this crown often, but never have I been able to imagine this moment. You are the light that illuminates my soul, and this is the only thing still separating us.

Legolas raised his hands and placed the crown on Sulrochil's head. I called for an angel, and you were sent to me.

When the crown was finally settled on her hair, he could not hold back anymore. The thin golden crown mirrored his own, and a violent thunder struck. All his life flickered before his eyes, all wars, all kisses. All loneliness, all love. The sounds of all earthquakes rumbled in his ears.

The chasm between them was no more.

Time stilled as he floated in purple nothingness; a sapphire eternity drifted through his soul. He was pierced by three thousand spikes.

Two red berries soared in the air and flew past the husband and his wife. Two cranberries they were, two familiar cranberries, and he reached for them.

Sulrochil grasped his hands and pulled him closer. With all her might, she tweaked his fingers. I am here, she assured. I am your wife. Please, take the berries with me. One for you, one for me.

Her stubbornness began to ground him. Her touch towed them closer.

Marriage is a mystery, she continued, wishing to banish all shadows and dispel all ghosts. How can it change our beings so entirely? We are two separate beings, yet we are one. Without you, I would not exist.

Without your touch, I would not be touched, she silently yelled to him, but the grey clouds did not cease to smother their sky. The monstrous darkness of the lonely years did not loosen its grip on him.

Clearly, babbling all this lyrical nonsense was not enough, and Sulrochil knew she had to do something entirely different. She flashed a quick cheeky grin at her husband. This is the most awful moment of my life! she exclaimed.

Finally, she got an adequate reaction from Legolas - a proper glare with his eyebrows set in a snarky manner, Thank you for the compliment!

Eyes wide open, Sulrochil's soul screamed, I am a Princess! I am the bloody Princess, and it is your fault!

She ground his fingers so hard that he had no choice but to return to this moment, back to this hall. In his soul ricocheted Sulrochil's hollering, A Princess, for heaven's sake! I hate this! Please, rescue me, O Noble Prince!

Little by little, he came back to earth. Dark clouds vaporised.

Sulrochil's face was calm and composed, but when her soul roared with exaggerated panic about her Princesshood, he could do nothing else but smile at her and pull her into a kiss.

When their lips touched, she whispered to him about the uncharted woods waiting for them. I want you, her soul screamed. She deepened the kiss and made him know what she meant. Wait for the night, she whispered and pulled away from the kiss.

Her smile dropped a few hints about what was to come.

Sulrochil's obstinacy grounded Legolas. She knew what to do.

She always did.

Legolas blinked, and all the rest was forgotten. The only thing he saw was his wife. You are a miracle. It takes but the slightest touch of your hand, and a shockwave spreads across my body. One glance from you, and I am unfolded.

One yank from you when I am about to fall into an abyss.

My heart is exploding with everything, but the uppermost feeling is gratitude right now. It is you I want. Do you carry your body differently now? You are beginning to look anew, and could this ceremony be over now?

Can we leave and be alone?

Gently, she tugged his hands. They are all watching us. Legolas glanced at the people around them. Everyone seemed to be smiling at him. For how long have we been standing here only staring at each other?

Sulrochil rose on her toes and pecked a small kiss on her husband's lips to make him remember where they were and what they were supposed to do. They turned towards Father and let him congratulate the newlyweds first.

Soon all the people were gathering around them. The day would be long, but he could handle this. She was by his side.

The promises of the night lingered in the air.


Finally, the people got what they had dreamed of for many millennia.

After everyone had given their congratulations, the bridegroom still did not get what he waited for, though – leaving the wedding and shutting the door behind him and his wife. Oh, he loved that word. Wife. He almost drowned in his reflections again, and Sulrochil had to clutch his hand and remind him of their next task.

Meeting their people.

Of course, the Prince needed to show his Princess to the entire world. Everyone wanted to see the newlyweds, and the valley was swarming with happiness when the young couple ascended to the balcony. All elves on the ground bowed; their Kingdom had been blessed. Joy surged through the whole of elvendom.

The love was here.

Still, the bridegroom – or husband, for that he should be called now – could not grab his wife and run behind the mountains with her. Love might be here, but why were they not allowed to leave to do what they wanted to most?

The guests could celebrate themselves as much as they wished.

"Do you know what?" Legolas said, grinning when they left the balcony and headed to the wedding reception. He seemed to be bouncing down the stairs.

"It seems to be something overly substantial," Sulrochil said, unimpressed, trying to keep up at his pace. "Now, will you share your insights with me before you burst like a bubble?"

"I am hungry," he stated. "Starving."

"Starving? That is a word I have never heard from you,"Sulrochil wondered. "Oh, now I get it. How come you are immensely hungry and crave food absolutely as quickly as possible?" Sulrochil said with a lopsided smile. "Because we are allowed to leave after the feast."

"You are so clever." He smiled widely.

"And you are too easy." She patted his shoulder.

They entered the Great Hall and were seated in front of everyone. It would be a long day of listening to lovely speeches, heartfelt congratulations and beautiful wedding songs before the feast, though. Legolas initiated a touchless kiss when it would not do to smooch all day for real. Just wait for the night.

The new song had found Father's heart, and he rose up. Silence fell over the crowd; everyone wanted to hear what he would say to the new husband and wife.

"Legolas and Sulrochil, on your betrothal day, you became one," Father said. "Your souls joined together, and you were eternally connected. For one year, you have been learning what it is to be together. For one year, you have sought the meaning of togetherness.

"Love is a covenant between you two - and the Forest – therefore, you were alone on your betrothal day. Only the wooden family surrounded you, providing you with all you needed then.

"On the other hand, today, on your wedding day, you ask for a blessing from your family and make your commitment public. Today, we have gathered to shelter your union and witness as you became husband and wife. We are here to support you.

"For a long time, I pondered what I could give you today as a gift because you need nothing and are about to move to the other end of the world. I roamed in the woods, asking for help. I saw trees and bushes. I saw skies and earth, but how could I present you those?

"Marriage is like a forest, and now you have entered that realm. How could one give a forest to someone because one cannot own a woodland? Forest holds you; therefore, I can only offer you one seed.

"Legolas, I once gave you a seed I did not wish to give," Father said. "Nor did you wish to receive it. You clutched it in your little palm, and when you dropped it into your mother's grave, something of you also crumbled into it.

"Today, I am also giving you a seed. This is for both of you. I would have liked to provide you with rain to refresh your love and sunshine to warm you, but one cannot wrap nature into a package. I listened to the wisdom of the pines, and they told me to give one seed, for in one seed is everything.

"You are about to move far soon – to the forests of Ithilien. Please, take this seed with you and plant it together in front of your home, where you can always see your tree. Dig a hole in the ground and bury this. Not because someone has died, but because something incredible has been born – your marriage.

"Marriage is like a tree," Father said. "Please, allow me this poor comparison, for soon you will learn one cannot explain marriage. Marriage is a mystery you must explore together. It is day and night, up and down. It is a road you travel together, but it is also a tree.

"A seed does not know what lies ahead, and neither do you. It is a journey worth all the while. Nature will provide this seed with water and light – all you need to do is watch it grow. Please, heed the advice of this seed.

"A tree has a strong trunk – your friendship that holds everything together. It has luscious foliage that provides safety. Sometimes it is in bloom to add beauty to the world. But there are also the roots underground. Roots are not visible to others – just like there are things in marriage that are only yours. Treasure everything in your marriage. Cherish each other, and you shall reach the sky."

Thranduil turned his back to the crowd, walked closer to the young couple, and whispered so quietly that no one else could hear his words, "I give this to Sulrochil, not because I consider her be the more responsible of you two, but because, like I said, I have already given one to Legolas once. I cannot bear to give him more." He handed the seed to Sulrochil. I saw what happened on the altar. "Always, be his shield."

Then he paused and turned his eyes to Legolas. I have noticed all your glimpses at the sun slowly gliding through the sky. You are anxiously waiting for the night. Please, do not rush. "Be the forest she needs."

When Thranduil sat back in his seat, many others came to give their gifts and speeches to the newlyweds. Sulrochil and Legolas sat still and listened to their messages. A lot of advice was being offered, and many memories were shared. Laughter filled the room, for it was the day of charming young love.

It had been a long day, and at last, it was the time of the feast. The tables were full of delicious food. All sorts of specialities were being served on this glorious day.

Legolas was unsure which one of them had been waiting for the feast more – Gimli or him. The dwarven appetite necessitated nourishment far more often than the elven schedule allowed. Still, the elf was acutely aware of the simple fact that as soon as the feast was over and they had their first meal as a married couple – they were free to go.

When everyone had finished their meals, the newlyweds would rise and thank everyone before leaving – it was the least they could do to all these people for attending their wedding and giving their blessings.

So now, when Sulrochil and Legolas were having their first shared meal and waiting for everyone else to get food on their plates, they had a small moment when no one was talking to them.

"Do you feel it?" Sulrochil whispered.

"Feel what?" Legolas turned his head, trying to discern what she had felt.

"The shift in the air," Sulrochil paused and moved her head to see the chandeliers, "our love makes the candles flicker."

"Of course it does," Legolas said and leaned to kiss her. "Last winter, you showed me our stars – two bright ones close to one another. I pointed out that they belong to a larger constellation, but you did not care. 'They are us,' you insist, 'I can feel it.'Of course you do. The story of my life."

The kiss deepened. Sulrochil knew it would not do to let it continue here in front of all these people. She withdrew a dash away from him and began babbling inane things, "It will be wonderful to move to Ithilien in autumn. It is delightful that Eiliandes and Glawaron will join us amongst everyone else. It has been too long since I lived in the same place as her. It will be bliss." Sulrochil searched for Eiliandes in the crowd and sent a lovely smile to her friend.

"Do we have to discuss this now?" Legolas glared at his wife, who had denied the kiss. "All plans for our new settlement have been made, but they do not need to be implemented today."

"It will be so different when so many elves sail away, and only a few dozen are left," Sulrochil wondered. "It will be so strange. So quiet."

"Somehow, I doubt the quietness," Legolas stated and brushed her neck. "As soon as no one is looking at us, we flee, alright? This feast is taking too long, and there is always the risk that someone still wants to give us another speech when we leave. I have seen it happen."

"I know," she said, and shot a sharp gaze to two merry elves in the back of the hall. "Gwennor and Hwinnor only gave brief and all-too-polite congratulations to us."

"It would be so like them to begin giving lengthy and elaborate lectures about the treasures of marriage when we are departing. I do not wish to hear any more similes for marriage."

Sulrochil looked at Legolas' eyes. He was right. No more gabbing about marriage was needed, but putting it into practice. "We've heard enough about how it is like a tree, a river, a mountain, a house, blah, blah, blah. What else?"

"A fire?" The ardour for her blazed in his eyes. All he wanted to do was grab Sulrochil in his arms and fly.

Sulrochil knew the more they delayed leaving the hall, the closer the moment he would just execute his intention would be. "Do you have a plan?"

"You are the master of hiding," he whispered. "You should always have a plan."

"Alright," Sulrochil paused and tilted her head to devise a plot. "I suppose Mithrandir will help us. I ask him to distract everyone, and then we go?"

"Anything goes if it works."

The queues at the food tables were long. Sulrochil caught the wizard's eyes and cast an innocent smile at him.

A mischievous twinkle appeared in the corner of his eyes, and he promised to play along. On the sly, Mithrandir grabbed his staff and leaned onto it. Puff. Suddenly everyone was surprisingly interested in their food, the scenery outside, the embroideries on the tablecloths – or, if nothing else, the two butterflies flying above the celebrating crowd.

Two elves snuck out.


The door closed behind their backs.

All day, the fire had burned in their veins – this was the moment they had been waiting for. They had tiptoed around each other all year, trying to understand what the other was made of.

Their cores were consumed with white flames, and they could not take it anymore. All the anticipation exploded in the shady corridor. Legolas pushed Sulrochil against the door and kissed her. His eyes were dark, and his desire to take her right there throbbed in his soul. You are my wife, and I want you now, everything in him clamoured. Sulrochil went along with his urge. The red-hot call in their cores overflowed for a while and took them over the edge.

The rushing rapids were too difficult to paddle, and violently they crashed to the shore.

The kiss ended.

It was the blazing bonfire they desired, but that could not come alive out of nowhere.

To ignite the fire, they had to find the right spark.

Not saying a word, Legolas grabbed Sulrochil and carried her along the long corridors. When they were finally home, the worst spike of emotions had eased, and he lowered her gently to the floor.

Stormy clouds dissipated, and a pale rainbow was fading in the sky. Nothing had prepared them for this moment. It had been easy to let the emotions flood in the corridor, but now in the safety of their home, it was hard to begin existing as a married couple.

The rainbow needed deeper hues if they wished it to lead to its treasure.

Sunset made the skyline blaze, colouring all of the forest in deep pink with tints of yellow and red. Legolas took Sulrochil's hand, and they strolled to the window.

As Sulrochil watched the view, the day began to roll in her mind. The wedding reception had been splendid. Yet, everything was blurred. Ever since the exact moment they had become husband and wife, she had fallen deeper into her inner world.

Guests had been there, familiar faces and voices, but what they said when they gave their congratulations, she could not recall. She had, of course, smiled at everyone, responded correctly, and had been the epitome of serenity – but inside her, the volcano had erupted and begun to reshape everything.

Her world had been turned upside down, and she did not know what to do with all these feelings. They were alone now, and it was frightening. Of course, she was happy and everything. Yes, she wanted it all, but how to do it was puzzling.

Legolas squeezed her hand and encouraged her to let the new shape of the world sink in. Alone, this scenery was nothing. Only together did the world get its meaning.

Forest hummed for its children. The elves stood hand in hand, listening to the chaffinches sing about the everlasting promise of nature. Spring was here, and the forest shivered when it gave its blessing to young love.

For a long time, they saluted the generosity of the world. The abundance of the forest's gifts was overwhelming. Soon they would be endowed with all.

Soon.

Come with me, Sulbess. You are the rose, and I am the fool hazed by your scent. (-bess=wife)

You are the sunflower, Mellegolasben, proud and tall. The King of all flowers, as you dominate the world with your might. (-ben=husband)

You have given me spring, Sulbess. Come with me to the hot summer days. The midday sun is burning, but we shall find a brook. Can you already hear the bubbling water? Inevitably, it is rushing forward.

The gate to the unknown stood in the rowan thickets. They bore white flowers more delicate than the thinnest lace in spring, but the branches would bend in scarlet abundance when the berries were ripe.

The berries were for them.

For a long time, the husband and wife stood, simply taking in the forest's magnificence. It sang to its children.

It was the song for those about to receive all the world's riches.

under rainfall
you were born
when a chaffinch
was perching on a rose tree

toward a sharp dream
reach
across your delicate rose garden
glide

cry beyond beauty
above crazy stars

remote chirps
follow you
into the melting night

frosty cranberries
peaceful abundance
dew on wildflowers

plunge
above pebbles
flowers, berries
windblown rhythm swirls today
pearl knotted mates
embrace balance without an anchor

The sun descended behind the forest, and the marriage began to settle on the elves' souls.

Suddenly, Legolas tore his hand away. "I will make us a fire."

Sulrochil looked at him, puzzled, "I thought-" She paused for a while. "Your intentions were quite clear in the corridor."

"We need time." He headed towards the woodshed.

Sulrochil gaped at his back. "You mean I need time."

"We both need it. Please, forgive me for what happened earlier. I should not have done it like that."

"Everything is alright. You made me feel wanted."

"That is not enough," he stopped by the door and studied Sulrochil. "You need to want it yourself."

"I do want it."

"I will wait until you cannot do anything but come to me."

"What if it takes a long time?"

"For as long as it takes, I will wait." Legolas took the axe and began chopping firewood.

Sulrochil sauntered to the door and leaned her cheek against the door frame. "May I come in?"

Legolas took another log and shrugged. He put the log on the chopping block and continued his task.

For a long time, they stayed in silence. The pile of firewood grew on the floor when Legolas swung his axe.

Sulrochil perched on the threshold, peeking at his performance. "You look different."

"As far as I am concerned," Legolas began. He grabbed all the wood and began walking to the fireplace. He brushed his shoulder against hers when he walked by. "The looks do not change when one gets married."

He dropped all of the logs onto the floor and crouched to poke the cold ashes in the fireplace.

Sulrochil moved closer to look at him. He took a small knife and began whittling kindling.

"You have not changed," she whispered. Her eyes wandered all over his body. "But I see you differently now."

Legolas did not answer but only continued whittling.

Sulrochil's eyes were fixed on the movements of his hands. "I feel married."

"What does it mean?" he asked.

"Don't you feel it too?"

"Of course, but I would like you to tell me."

Sulrochil stood in silence for a long time, watching her husband crouching by the fireplace. He looked the same as ever, but how she saw him was entirely different.

Even yesterday, she had always focused her look mostly on his face and hands, with an occasional glimpse at other parts, but now she could let her gaze sweep all over his body for as long as she wanted. Clothes hid him now, but soon that would change.

The gate to the rose garden was locked. The padlock hung on the gate, but the key was in her hands.

Puzzled, she gawked at the key in her fingers and hoped Legolas would take her hand and lead her to the garden, but he only continued his actions by the fireplace, entirely ignoring Sulrochil's clashing feelings.

Sulrochil sighed. He was right – she had to take the first step. If she did not dare to take the leap now, he would wait. He would wait as long as it took until she was sure of what she wanted. Patiently, he would stay away until the marriage would sink in her soul and seep all the way to her skin.

She would have to take the first step. Merely coming along would not do – she would have to be assured.

All their past flickered quickly through her core. They had been together for a year, visited many places, and met many people. They had scoured the past and planned the future, but everything dissipated as she watched his fingers moving.

Her skin remembered all his touches, searching for the sweet spots on her body. At the same time, he was always gentle and intense. His body yearned for their union. Hers too, but she needed time to feel the marriage truly in her body.

Marriage would have to reach all the way to her fingertips.

Legolas decided he had enough chips for the fire and began piling the kindling and small slices of wood into the fireplace. "Thank you for what you did on the altar today," Legolas whispered as he moved on with the fire-making.

She needed time. He would provide her with all the time in the world. "I have never needed anyone. The sky's my limit, and I beat everyone, but you came and showed that alone I am only a half.

"Where do you get your powers, they ask me," he continued. "I do not know. It is in me, always has been. It comes without asking. It guides me without my choice. It is given to me.

"I do what is asked of me without question; it is who I am. One does not question his calling.

"You live forever, they say. Yet something in me dies every time someone dies from my arrow. When I slay someone, I slice my own heart. Hit after hit, I go on. Slash after slash, my soul dies, and then you came.

"Once, I told you that I cannot save you from the enemy within yourself. I thought no one could, but I was wrong. You have the power to protect me from the devils in my soul. And I thank you for that.

"Your light has shown me my wounds, and with your breath, I will be healed. You strolled into my life and began ruling. Sulbess, you are the Queen of my soul. You reign the dominion inside me, but I still do not quite understand how you do it. You take a step forward, but I see it was two backwards. You take a step to the left, but at the same time, it is a step in every direction."

Abruptly, Legolas put everything down and rolled up his sleeves. He had set fire almost every day but never had he feared for the uncleanliness of his sleeves.

It was not the fear of getting soot on his cuffs that drove his movements now, either.

"You are my wife now." He grabbed his flintstone and hit it with the steel. "You may reign the dominion of my body, as well."

The spark flew, and the fire was lit.

Sulrochil was awed by what transpired before her eyes. I am glued to the spot. All I can see now is the ripples of your muscles when you move your arms. Your fingers bend when you take another log and put it into the fireplace. Time stands still as my eyes are locked to where the sleeve hides your arm. I would like to see more.

Suddenly, the flooding desire to see more swamped her. I would like to know how your shoulders look, your skin, your back. Under your shirt, your shoulder blades move when you turn the logs around, and I am shocked by my urge to ask you to take your shirt off.

I shudder because I know you will do it if I ask.

"Could you-?" Sulrochil began.

"Could I do what?" Legolas asked even if he very well knew what she meant. He needed her to say it.

"Would you-" she stopped abruptly.

"When our paths joined," Legolas said, and his eyes promised to give her all the time in the world to settle for these new circumstances. "We did not know how to walk side by side, but we were made to learn."

"In quite a terrible manner, one might add."

"True, but we did learn eventually," he said. "During our betrothal year, you have shown me the world through your eyes, and I am amazed. If you see a tree, it is not only a tree but a whole world in one tree. In one short moment, you live the life of all trees. A pebble is not any ordinary stone to you but the seed for all mountains."

"What else could it be?"

"Now, I shall learn what it means to be married – and I can do it with you. I am sure the marriage is not for you any simple union between two elves, and keenly I wait for you to unravel the depths of marriage to me."

"This is overwhelming."

"But you want it too."

Sulrochil nodded.

"I can see it in your eyes. Every inch of your body screams your willingness to know how to be my wife. So, what were you going to ask me?"

Silently, she lifted her chin and stared at his eyes. This was the blink between innocence and maturity. She wanted to build a bridge across the gorge. "Would you take your shirt off?"

Legolas stood up. Slowly, he opened a few uppermost buttons of his shirt, all the time keenly aware of the direction of Sulrochil's gaze. With each button, her tension heightened.

With one swift movement, he tore his shirt off.

Sulrochil stared at him and did not know where to look. This was the evening for the impossible to become a reality. Her eyes flitted everywhere until they fixed to her toes.

Legolas threw the shirt onto the floor, turned his back to Sulrochil, and crouched again by the fire.

Sulrochil swallowed and closed her eyes. This was the night of striking unpreparedness.

When she opened her eyes again, the fire flamed, and the shades danced on Legolas' body. His skin glowed with warmth, and his back muscles waved like ripe wheat in the wind.

I am hooked. My eyes are fixed on your arms. I have always known you are steel, but to see you like this – waiting for my attention, yet vulnerable to my reaction. All my reluctance flows away – you want me to see you, truly see you. You want it perhaps even more than I myself. You crave my attention, my complete acceptance of this situation and melting for the moment.

Little by little, I dare to watch you more, and I sweep your back with my eyes. You are gorgeous, I cannot take my eyes away.

My whole being is succumbing to the desire of my heart. You are beautiful, you are graceful, and I want to know all of you.

You are my husband, I think and try to let it settle in my mind. You wish me to let love wash my soul and drop all my shields. You are amazing, and even though your back is attractive, I would like to-

She paused for a short while and assured herself these thoughts were normal.

It is alright to want to watch you. But to settle this sudden change takes time. I have never seen anything so appealing as you are, and I hope you would stand up. You would turn around, and I would not be scared to look at your bare chest this time. Mellegolasben, please.

Legolas did not need any more prompting. He rose and leaned his back against the wall.

His need to let her see him was as acute as her urge to see him.

Legolas grabbed his pendant, fixed his eyes on it, and began to talk. "Many times, I have looked at this and thought how incredible it is that someone has managed to create a piece of jewellery that describes you so well. Every time I look at this, it is different, just like you."

He told her stories about the pendant and all its magic. He talked and talked. The stories went in one of Sulrochil's ears and came out of the other, and Sulrochil knew he did it for her. If he looked at her now and concentrated on her, she would be befuddled and could not set her eyes on him at all.

The softness of his voice was background noise for her when she dared to cast her eyes at him again.

The flames flicker on your skin, and you are like a bronze statue. But if I touched you, your skin would be smooth and not hard and cold like metal.

I dare not do it yet, though.

Your body is stunning. You hold the pendant in your fingers and keep your eyes nailed on it. Your hair drifts on your shoulders, and your throat vibrates when you speak. I cannot rip my eyes away from you.

You are my forest. Like a dark and menacing army of trees for the unfriendly, but if you have taken a liking to someone, you are their everlasting fortress. You stand tall and cut all unwanted approaches.

I would like to get lost in you. Between the trees, I would walk along the trails in your forest and listen to the owl's hoot.

You are the impenetrable thicket, but you have let me in to find the luscious clearing hidden in the middle of your wilderness. There is a soft moss bed. It has been made for me.

Shivers go along my spine as I realise this bed is not only for rest.

The rapids have taken me. The stream carries me down the river, and I do not know what is to come, nor can I resist its pull.

You are the flame, magnetising the watcher. I would like to sing a song about your beauty. Your eyes are two blue springs, and suddenly I am thirsty and would like to drink your waters.

Your neck is like a strong tree trunk, and below it, your shoulders grow like solid roots. You keep them covered with clothes for everyone else, but you expose your exquisite beauty for me. I will touch you soon, very soon.

Legolas continued ignoring her and only moved on with his stories about the tales of the pendant to ease Sulrochil's tension.

Your body is a new terrain for me to explore. I would like to slide my hand down your skin. You are my husband, and this is precisely what I am supposed to be doing now. No, not supposed, for this is not an obligation; I want to watch you. I want to see all of you, and tonight is the time to outspreading ourselves.

Your chest is like a wide mattress for me to rest. Many nights I have been lulled to sleep on it.

But there is more for me to see. I lower my gaze; your stomach is a tight pine cone, and a strong fancy to touch you fills my heart. I would like to trace your every trail, kiss every nook and find a route to your secrets.

Sulrochil searched for his eyes, and he stopped talking. Legolas let the pendant fall on his neck, pressed his back against the wall, and spread his hands on his sides. "I am yours," his body whispered to her.

All his essence was calling her.

Sulrochil ambled to him and raised her hands to his face. This was familiar, she had done this many times, and she inhaled deeply to invite all courage within her. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend everything was as it used to be.

But she did not wish that. Instead, she wanted to take all his grace in. Slowly, she let her hands slide down his neck and soon found his shoulders. She circled them, and it struck her that he was even stronger without his shirt.

When she slid her hands down his chest, a sigh of pleasure came out of his throat. His breathing made his chest move up and down, and he wished for her to never stop. He leaned the back of his head to the wall behind him, closed his eyes, and let her do it her way.

Sulrochil left her hands resting on his shoulders and set her eyes on his chest. It began to look more than a place for safe rest – it was a tempting plateau for her to explore. He trembled as he silently begged her to proceed until suddenly, he quit all pleas and tucked his fists behind his back.

Her palms travelled across his sides; her fingers were beginning to learn his language. The muscles of his stomach were hard stepping stones across the river. They were made for her, and to the new worlds, they would guide her. Her hands glided down until her fingertips burned.

It took time until marriage to reach every knot of her body.

"When you touch me like that," Legolas whispered and opened his eyes. "You are drawing me to a different world. Will you enter that world with me?"

Sulrochil nodded.

"I want to fly with you in the sky and track all the stars," Legolas said. "I wish to soar with you around the sun and return."

"May I touch you?" he asked, and cupped her chin. "May I kiss you, Sulbess? Will you come with me to the bed?"

Sulrochil looked at the fireplace, "You have made us such a pleasant fire that it would be a shame if we did not sit down and watch it for a while."

Legolas nodded, even if he would have liked her to say something entirely different. She was the charming mist above a rowan thicket before dawn, and he would wait.

Sulrochil outstretched the hem of her dress with both hands and whispered, "But did you know this impossible gown is not intended for sitting on the floor?"

Legolas bent his head and breathed into her ear, "And?" She might be the charming mist, but she was the sly vixen at the same time, and he could play this game, as well.

Sulrochil kissed his neck. "There are buttons on the back."

Legolas draped his arms around her and traced the row of buttons. It began high on the mountainside and led all the way to the wide sky. "And?"

"Mellegolasben," she whispered. "Would you-?"

He bent closer and moistened his lips but did not say a word.

"Would you, please," Sulrochil whispered, fixing her eyes to his pendant. "I would like you to," She took the pendant between her fingers. Through its wires, she stared at the pulsing vein on his neck. "When you touch me, the forest stills. It seizes to listen to the tune of your hands. I think it is time to take this dress off. It frightens me, but I must trust your body's desire and mine, as well."

"When we met," she continued. "I asked, 'Who are you?' even though I knew who you were. Now I must ask it again because you are now my husband, but I don't know what it means. I do know what the essence of married joys is, but knowing is not enough. I want to learn it all – with you. We both hold in our hands the keys to our rose garden. I have tried to give my key to you, but you refuse because we both must do our own part."

"It is me who must unlock the gate," Sulrochil whispered. "I must let the heat settle in my core and let myself truly want you. Would you-" She rose on her toes to reach his ear. "Mellegolasben, would you open the buttons?"

It was the time of ripe berries.

Legolas blinked and tucked his hands under Sulrochil's hair. "I will." He slid his fingers on her neck and opened the uppermost button. "You wonder who I am. Tonight, I will show you who I am."

He pulled her into a kiss and began to unbutton the dress. "I am your husband, and I want to set you ablaze. I will chase every opportunity to make you sigh with pleasure, for if you are not enthralled, the cheer of our world fades away."

Legolas stilled for a while to look at Sulrochil, "One by one, I shall open these buttons. If you hesitate even once, I will stop. Not until you beg me to continue, shall I touch them again."

He captured her lips again and kept going with the buttons. "Only when your body yearns for me to continue, will I do so."

All the time, as Legolas unbuttoned the dress, he whispered against her lips, "I have been waiting for this moment." His posture screamed of his hunger to claim her, to edge his way to her innermost treasure. At a slow pace, his fingers were learning her melody. "You see, I know which kind of touch you enjoyed the most yesterday, but it will all change today."

Not stopping the kiss for the slightest moment, Legolas said, "Oftentimes, when I touch you, you suddenly close your eyes because the sensation is too much. Tonight, it will not be too much, but too little. Will you let me lay my hands on you so tenderly you beg for more?"

"I will." Her skin was set aflame by the urgency of his touch.

"I want to plunge with you into a lake we never have dipped our toes in," Legolas whispered. His voice was heavy with his breathing. He traced her back up and down and never let the kiss end. Finally, all of the buttons were open. "Come, Sulbess, let us bathe in the enchanted lake."

The fire illuminated the room with blazing gold. All in Sulrochil's core called for him to continue. She whispered, "Please, make me feel I am your wife." Her only desire was to get rid of everything that was still covering them and put down roots in him.

Like white cascades, Sulrochil's dress fell on the floor. Together, they flew across the blue skies. When they touched, the forest came alive. This was her husband; the warmth of his soul enticed her to unfurl herself to him. Together they surged to the river and rafted through white rapids until suddenly, the stream slowed down.

They found rest in the quiet waters.

Forest shivered as it gave its blessing to young love. This is where these two belonged - wrapped in love. The rainbow's hues became deeper and bolder. To the treasure, it led.

Finally, the elves found the way into their forest, their home.

-The End-


Author's note:

Thank you for reading!

I put my heart and soul into this story. If you liked it, please leave a comment and tell it to me. Your thoughts about this story really makes it all worthwhile. I mean really.

It's all I've got.

Love, roihu678