A/N: Hey all! Sorry for taking oh... half a decade or so to get this up! I lost my muse for sometime but finally it has returned and hopefully I can get his story, as well as my Other Legolas based Fanfiction finished before it fades again. To any old readers still waiting I hope it lived up to what you were wanting. To any new readers I hope you enjoy =)
"..Betrothed?" Her heart felt as though it had been run through as the words left him. She had been in his embrace and for but a moment she felt her fear, her nerves, her insecurities all melt away... right up until the word left him. She drew back then, nearly pushing the golden-haired elf away. Once more she was fighting the tears which were forming behind her eyes.
He seemed to want to reach for her, but instead his arms sank to his sides, his fists clenched and his features seemed to sink.
"Would that have not been worth mentioning before?!" She continued, though she knew that was an unfair thing to say.. and His features twisted as though he as well realized that. She turned away from him then, afraid he would see the shock or the hurt in her features... as if she had any right to feel either.
"How could I? You barely wanted my name... and When first we met you were so forward that I would have hardly it to be a dissuasion. Your mind was set... And after..." There was something of remorse in his eyes, in the way they narrowed and looked to the floor. "After... I didn't want to mention it because it was the furthest thing from my mind during those few days. I didn't expect I would see you again... So what would have been the point?" His tone was low, somber.. it caused her heart to ache, though she remained silent for a long moment.
"... You're right. I apologize.. I suppose in every way... what happened was just a mistake... I should never have been so forward with you. Had I just let you go, then I could have spared us both this unfortunate reunion." The words stung as they left her, the stabbing feel in her chest worsened. It was then that she felt warmth on her shoulders again, his hands closing around them in a gentle, comforting touch.
"My choices, while in your company, were my own, and any consequences I face from them... I do so willingly. I was hesitant, when first your offer was presented... but once we were free of the dungeon... everything that followed.. was by my choice as much as yours, and I do not see it as a mistake." He leaned in, close enough she could feel his breath beside her ear, though he made no move to get closer.
"My engagement... was set up by my father before his leave. It was not something I asked for, much like your own.. it was something I agreed to out of necessity and it's terms were made decades ago...It is to be carried out come summer." The woman wasn't sure if knowing made the situation better or worse, but it did come as some relief to know that even know he felt no regret over their tryst, and she couldn't deny the warmth she felt at his touch. She wanted to reach up, to place her hand on his, but at the same time she was well away that she should try to avoid too much closeness with him.
"...Do you and her share quarters yet?... if so it may be unwise to have me here... to talk as we are." He was quiet, as if he were debating something before he finally spoke out again, his hands dropping from her shoulders.
"We do not. Elves... are not so alike to humans when it comes to matters such as sharing a bed." He said, which caused her curiosity to spark. She turned her head, looking at him from over her shoulder, only to see a near remorseful look in his eyes.
"My kind... are not frivolous with physical affection." He clarified. "What happened between you and I.. it's not within our nature. Elves do not give their bodies until they marry. Until they are certain their heart belongs to the one they have chosen." He said in that still somber tone. "It is why my betrothal has been so long. As to wait for affection to build between myself and my bride to be... but time is short now, and it cannot be delayed much longer."
Kierawen felt as though her lungs burned, and only then did she realize that she had not taken a breath this the start of his explanation. He said he did not regret their affair, but even more so now, she did. He had a woman, who he was ready to swear himself to.. for the long.. long life of elves... and she had taken him greedily... and now she was here.. in his home, seeing sorrow and tiredness in his eyes as he spoke of the fiance he had spent her lifetime and more getting to know. She wanted to ask what he meant about time being short but she was uncertain she had the heart to know any more.
She felt panicked.. remorseful, spiteful even.. of herself.. and of this mystery future wife that she could only imagine radiated light and purity and all things she lacked. "I see... I assume then, that she is unaware of the indiscretion between us... I will make sure to be careful of that... but you really should reconsider my stay here. I doubt, if you all are so pure as that... that keeping a mistress and bastard child is in your best interest. It may even be best that I am left to the wolves that you not fear the child be discovered at all." She drew away from his grip, and somehow managed to keep her face from seeming to grim at the comment. "I do not wish to cause chaos or trouble to you. And my staying here will likely cause nothing else. I returned your bow... I should leave morning. And-"
She couldn't finish her words, not that she had managed the conviction she'd wanted to put behind them... She was cut off as he moved around her, so quick and with such grace that she had not even a few seconds to respond before she felt his lips on hers. She felt weak, as though she could collapse and she may very well have done so if he had not slid his strong, lithe arms around her and drew her in against him. Her heart seemed to Jump and while part of her wanted to fight against his advance, the whole of her instead wanted to embrace it. Her arms lifted instinctively, wrapping around his shoulders and tugging him in tighter against her as her lips meshed with his in what felt like pure euphoria. He tasted sweeter then she remember, and his lips felt so warm with how cold and barren all things had felt for the past months.
She was hesitant to break the kiss though she managed to do so, her head tilting down, her hands resting on his shoulders, idly tracing over the fabric of his robes. "Legolas... I-"
"I like the chaos you cause." He admitted, his arms drawing her in for an embrace. "And I would never leave you to the wolves, or to anything else that may harm you, or the child within you. I will not make you stay, but I ask that you do." Her hazel eyes lifted and searched his. There was a familiar want behind the stone-colored eyes that lit a fire within her. She wanted to feel his touch again... so desperately that she couldn't control herself. Her lips crushed to his again, her fingers desperately moving down along his chest, fumbling with the silver toggles of his robes as his hands seemed just as anxious, moving across her back and down her hips.
He lifted her, setting her on writing desk beside the chair which he had been in upon her arrival and she put up no fight in the matter, even as he lifted her skirt and exposed her bare thighs and the warmth between them. His clothes, and hers remained mostly intact, short of the few top toggles of his collar undone, and his pants pulled down enough that he could free his erection, sheathing it between her wanting walls. There was a slight pain -a build of pressure from such a long absence of male touch- but she didn't care in the slightest, Her body still ached from travel, but it felt as though it all melted away to the sensation of his rolling hips and wondering hands and before long she met with the bliss of release, and he followed shortly after, filling her with his heat, before resting his head on her shoulder to catch his breath.
They remained silent for a long time after, him still between her legs, in her embrace, her head buried against his shoulder as her heart continued to race... but as the high of passion faded, the reminder of their predicament set in.
"...I should go.." She said, shifting her skirt and adjusting the dress. "We shouldn't do this... You once said you were an honorable man.. one who didn't just give in to lust... I do not wish change that, knowing you have someone you love.." Those words fell heavy from her lips, harder to say even then the admittance of the child she carried... And he seemed as though he wished to say something... to argue, but instead he took in a breath, and remorse once more entered his features. He placed a gentle, slow kiss on her lips before drawing back and adjusting his clothes.
"You are right. Forgive me. I was lost I suppose.. in the memories we shared. I will keep better control if we find ourselves alone again." He turned away, seemingly to give her some privacy to adjust her own clothes, and stand, before looking back at her. "I am glad to see you well, Kierawen. I have thought of you often, since I left, and wondered how you fared. You should rest, We can talk more tomorrow, if you like, or in a couple of days once you have had time to rest. You are underfed no doubt, for having a child to nourish as well.. I will make sure you are well cared for as long as you are here. Again... please forgive my lack of control this night. When you are ready to speak, I will tell you what I can about what you may expect in the months to come."
She adjusted herself, and hoped that when she returned to her room the water of the bath was still there so that she may wash away this memory, before she let herself think too much of it. "Good night then.." She muttered, making her way to the door.
Once he seemed put back together, preening himself to avoid any suspicion he moved to the door beside her, having the attendant at the door lead her back to her room.
Despite her exhaustion, and the the feeling of physical satisfaction he had given her, Kierawen had a hard time sleeping that night. Her mind too full with the information he had let out.. and by her own heavy emotions. At least a handful of times she sat up, determined to gather her things and leave, only to remember that her things were off being washed, and that she hadn't the slightest clue how to find her way out of the winding corridors beneath the mountain.
Two days past before she had worked up the nerve to request to see the other again, by which point she had learned that he was -by the terms of the elves- Newly their king. Taking on the position after his father departed for some other land some decades prior... He had been scouting a way to the ocean for his people as many other were wanting to take the journey now, but most ways had been cut off by human settlements, though it seemed an urgent task that they set out.. for what reason, she hadn't the foggiest clue...
She had dressed herself in trousers, as they felt more supportive against her stomach, and a loose tunic to help conceal the small bump before being lead by the lady who had taken to tending to her. The woman lead to a bridge which walked to an open area that looked out from the mountain over a river, and what looked to be a courtyard. In the courtyard she saw familiar golden hair, braided back, and adorned with the branch-woven crown though a lump formed within her throat, her heart sinking as she saw beside him, a woman in a fine gown with sandy-brown, silken hair that draped down past her waist, a circlet of silver and beaded with crystals on her brow and a bright smile on her full lips... She didn't even have to be told to recognize the woman as his betrothed, nor did she want any confirmation of it.
"He.. seems busy." She muttered, backstepping as a instinctive response. To which her guide seemed to chuckle.
"Not at all miss. Much of his free time is spent with lady Ninimhel. It's the best way to know that he is free at the moment." She said softly. "I am sure the lady will be a bit distraught that her time with him will be interrupted, but then, it is not as though that time cannot be made up another time, and she will likely be happy to finally meet the person responsible for his swift and safe return."
She continued ahead then, gesturing for the other to follow. "My lady Ninimhel, You highness, miss Keirawen would like a word." She said in a soft but cheerful voice, causing the two to turn.. The woman looked curious, her head tilting and her smile seeming ever present, though Legolas seemed almost stricken by the redheads approach.
"Keirawen." He said, his lips pursing and his brow furrowing. "I should introduce you... This is my betrothed... Ninimhel.. Ninimhel.. This is the woman who freed me those months ago... She is someone I trust and consider quite close so please treat her kindly." He said, his words seeming to break slightly.
"Pleasure to meet you..." Kierawen said, though she could barely lift her eyes to the woman before her... much less the man whom had held her so tight only nights before.. She swallowed back the feeling of rising bile she felt from the nerves and the heartache she felt, trying to will her eyes to lift. She could barely focus them at all. Her senses all seemed to dull and she felt dizzy.. was it from the nerves? Or perhaps the guilt?.. She sudden felt sick to her stomach
"Is something the matter?" the She-elf asked, stepping towards the human girl. "You look a bit.. pale." She pointed out, but as she took one more step, The redhead's vision went black, and the last thing she felt was her knees feeling weak and the sensation of falling, before everything was consumed by a cold and black void.