Chapter 23

December 11, T.A 2940
Dawn

"Thank you," Feren breathed squeezing Anariel closer, she flipped her legs over his as he leaned forward kissing her gently.

Lounging on a chaise together back in her home, they seem content and found peace in one another's arms.

Anariel sighed, a warm smile upon her lips content being wrapped tightly in his arms. His hands blissfully roaming up her sides, running his fingers through her hair, and down her neck as he gently placed idle kisses upon her lips. Feren himself sighed deeply resting a hand back against her hips, the other cupping her face as he kissed her forehead. "Don't you ever leave me," Feren whispered in her ear pleadingly.

"Keep holding me this tightly and I won't be able to." Anariel teased him lightly, as she snuggled in closer to him.

"That can be arranged." Feren breathed kissing her again, holding back another sigh.

He couldn't help but wondered how he ever managed to hold back from her before, now that she was his and openly allowed to hold her so freely he never wanted to let her go. A growl escaped his lips as he watched Haldir strut by glaring daggers in his directions perhaps it was to prove a point or merely because he couldn't resist the lovely elleth in his hands but he leaned down once more kissing her passionately.

Feren placed his hands on her hips. "If we are going to be together, promise me no more Haldir and if you ever need or want to talk about anything that you will come to me, I'm here for you for now and always."

Anariel nodded leaning up kissing him gently, hands resting on his chest.

Thranduil and Legolas entered roughly and rather loudly into the room, Feren pulled away from Anariel as the king and Legolas stood tall towering over their forms.

"We need to speak, now," Legolas stated firmly looking past Anariel his eyes locked with Feren's.

Feren moved to stand squaring off shoulders hearing the seriousness in his prince's voice, his hand resting up to her back helping her up as they stood tall.

"Anariel, I must speak with Feren if you will give us a moment," Thranduil spoke calmly and respectfully to his daughter in his moment of anger. Anariel smiled lightly, nodding when a knock sounded at the door.

"I will get that, and be in the kitchen when you're finished." Anariel ducked away heading to the front entrance. Pulling the door back she revealed Jane and Tom's wife, Eden, their children in tow. Smiling she waved them all in, "What can I do for you?"

"The men are out and if you are here, dear, I wish to see ye for as long I as I can." Eden smiled following Anariel to the kitchen she took a seat at the table among a few elves who were already here. Bustling about gathering some tea and a bunch of honey cakes.

"Well," She sighed coming to stand by the table with Jane and Eden, many of the elves looked at her strangely as she allowed them to sit and her, a princess, rushed around doing all the work. It was not something that they were accustomed to. "Tell me all I have missed since I have been gone."

"Where to begin," Jane sighed as the kettle went off and the snow and ice pellets began to fall hitting the windows, Anariel poured the tea and made to sit when Ela, Eden's young babe began to cry. Eden began to stand, with a chuckle Anariel waved Eden back down.

"Enjoy your tea and relax for a time, I will walk with her, and rock her back to sleep." Anariel smiled as she took the baby into her arms pacing back for forth through the kitchens listening to Jane, and Eden relay all that has happened since she had left.

Feren's brow knitted with worry, "Is everything alright, my lord?" Feren waited anxiously he wanted to scream and demand that someone tell him what was going on, but he waited as he gnawed at the inside of his cheek.

"Listen and listen closely." Legolas begin moving closer as his voice grew quieter. "We know how you feel about Anariel, we are trusting that your feelings hold true."

As Legolas spoke the king circled around Feren putting him even more on edge.

"It has come to our attention the true intent of Haldir, he seeks nothing more than revenge upon yourself," Legolas informed firmly, and sternly his own voice taking on a worrisome tone as his fathers did.

King, Prince, and Marchwarden grew wearisome as things only continued to spiral further out of control with the Marchwarden of Lorien.

"Have you told her?" Thranduil demanded. "Does she know what you did all those years ago?"

"No, my lord. Perhaps, selfishly or perhaps I did not believe that I would ever have to talk about it again." Feren scoffed at himself, shaking his head lightly. "Then again how could I have ever believed Haldir would have let it go."

Legolas nodded solemnly, "It is clear now that he will not. It seems he will use everything he can to ruin any chance you have at a moment's happiness."

"I should have known, I never should have pursued Anariel, only to have her involved in this... I am sorry my lord."

The king held up his hand silently commanding his Marchwarden to stop, "I will do anything to see that my daughter does not suffer in any way from a broken heart. I have always known what you have done as you have always been upfront about the matters at hand. Even then I hold no objections to you courting Anariel, but you must speak with her. She will understand better if it comes from you. Otherwise, Haldir will take the first chance he gets and he will use it against you to the best of his abilities." Thranduil warned.

Feren nodded, "I will speak with her."

"Good. For now, shall she ever be with Haldir or if he is around her we will keep a close eye on them and she shall not be without her guard's whether she assumes her role or title as princess yet or not." Thranduil continued firmly, for this was something he would not sway on. "Come we shall join her in the kitchens," Thranduil spoke leading the way.

Legolas suppressed a laugh glancing over to Feren as they walked, never in all his years did Legolas ever believe he would have heard his father, King of the Woodland Realm utter such words. Though he found he was rather enjoying this seemingly new relaxed ellon, one Legolas was finding reminded him more and more of the ellon he remembers as an elfling.

Feren paused as they stepped through the kitchens entrance his heart seemed to stop for a moment his throat clenched as he became speechless, there she was pacing away with a baby in her arms singing softly.

"Must you look at my sister so?" Legolas teased.

Feren shrugged at his words as he continued to look on.

"Little child
Be not afraid
The wind makes creatures of our trees
And the branches to hands
They're not real, understand
And I am here tonight

And someday you'll know
That nature is so
This same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
And forest and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning"

"You must remember to write such down for me," Eden smiled, "I can still remember when you used to sing the very same song to me when I was but a child."

"I will do that," Anariel smiled, waving in her father, brother, and beloved. Feren knocked the wall roughly as he trudged in not truly paying attention to where he was going his mind lost, he had the sudden urge to bear children with this beautiful elleth, to see her swell with life, and rock and sing to their own elfling.

"Feren," She snapped quietly, yet sternly at the sound, "If you wake this child it'll be you that puts her back to sleep."

His eyes widened, "I can assure you none wish to hear such a voice."

"Then do be quiet." Anariel scolded, as they came sitting at the table as Jane sent the younglings upstairs to play.

Feren nodded joining the others happily, thoughts of Anariel and family on his mind.