A/N: This chapter, and any that follow may contain mature content. Also, the following chapters will be shorter, more of like little snap shots of their life now in Valinor

Epilogue

A year and a half had passed since her arrival to Thranduil's halls. A year and a half since her and Legolas had reconciled. A year and a half that she had been housed in the royal chambers and yet she was still not bonded to Legolas. It was not something Evelyn had expected to happen instantly, elven engagements lasted a year. She had given him that and longer, six months longer. It was Thranduil's doing she knew, but her anger was building at Legolas. After all they had been through and overcome, his father was still able to manipulate him, and Evelyn's past human life wanted to scream at him to grow some balls. However, she knew he would not understand the concept and it frustrated her all the more.

At every feast and gathering she was with Legolas, his fiancé draped on his arm, decked to the nines to be shown off and show up all but the king in finery. Every comfort was given to her, every need met, except one. She was not married to her love, and Legolas seemed farther away from her every day.

He was always busy either training the guards they no longer needed, or doing other 'princely' duties and paperwork that did not include her. More of Thranduil's doing she was sure. There was little to occupy her time here. She moved her few remaining horses to Greenwood's stables took to tending one of the remote gardens. Evelyn had no friends here, other than Gimli, who was more often than not, with Legolas, if anything she had enemies.

Many of the noble women where influenced by Corwen and their servants as well. One thing was clear, they held her in much disdain and held no respect for her. Many occasions she could hear them talking about her. She was a witch, a royal concubine, and the only reason she was here was that she had the King and Prince under a spell. Sure, she could have said something about it, however, it was her word against theirs, and while Legolas would believe her, she had no proof to offer Thranduil. He would want proof, and she doubted he would care much anyway.

Ever since the day she had confronted him, she had tried to be pleasant and friendly. Evelyn still tried. He would one day be her father in law, and she was tired of hating him and having him hate her. How he ever had a wife was beyond her, and she felt sorry for the elleth. Thranduil now at least acknowledged her with a cool regard, it was a small victory. It was her one small triumph. A knock sounded on her door, breaking her thoughts.

"Come in," She called from her mountain balcony, expecting a servant to come in. Evelyn was surprised when Legolas walked behind her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders, as he lightly kissed the top of her head. It was shocking, the small show of intimacy in the middle of the day.

"What are you doing?" She asked him, clearly confused by his presence. If it bothered him, he did not show it, his mask was always in place here.

"I should ask that of you, I felt some strong emotions that were not mine." He starred out across the green rolling mountain side before him.

"I was thinking." Evelyn replied, letting go a sigh. She had not been prepared to have this conversation now, but it seemed she was not left with much choice, "About us."

Legolas grip tightened slightly on her shoulders, the only indication he was not pleased about the topic, "What about us?" He questioned stiffly.

"Are you ever going to bind with me? Will I ever be your wife?"

"These things take time." Was his short reply.

Evelyn snorted, "You mean we would actually have to spend time together. I have given you time, six extra months in fact. More than time to make arrangements," Evelyn spat, her frustration growing the more Legolas spoke.

"My father…"

"Do not finish that sentence." She stood, spinning to face him, "I am sick and tired of your father dictating our lives. This is our life together, OURS! Not his, Legolas! I am done waiting."

He rubbed a calloused hand across his face as he leaned over her now empty chair. Legolas knew she was right, but he also desperately wanted to mend the relationship with his father, but by choosing one, he pushed the other away.

"You have until tonight to make your choice, otherwise, I will not be here in the morning." She threw down her ultimatum and it hit him like a kick in the gut, his physically stumbled back.

"You would leave me…again?" He muttered, wide eyed and stunned. Evelyn gulped, guilt rising in her belly.

"I want to be your wife Legolas, I want to spend my eternity with you. I came here to make that happen and all I have gotten are setbacks and excuses. Sometimes I wonder if you want me still, if you even love me. Can you even recall the last time you said those words to me?"

Grabbing her wrist, he pulled her close, breathing in the fresh scent of vanilla in her hair, "I am sorry. I will fix this, I promise."

Evelyn pulled away, looking in his eyes, as he finally let his mask fade. She saw the grief and the fear in his eyes, and she nodded her consent, watching him leave, knowing if he came back tonight, he would have little choice but to see things her way.

…

Darkness had fallen an hour before as she worked to the light the last of the candles, the steam of the hot water rising, enveloping her in its warm embrace. She sighed, muscles taught with stress and worry. Looking around, she was pleased with her work, hoping it was not all for naught. A knock broke her concentration as she turned her focus to her door. Legolas. Taking a deep breath, she lit the last candle and walked to the apartment door, opening it. He stepped into the sitting room as Evelyn shut and locked the door behind him.

"Evelyn…" He began, not sure how to start the conversation.

Not acknowledging his statement, she walked in front of him, turning her back to him, "Unbutton me."

He did so without question as she struggled not to suck in a breath at the contact, his touch was fire on her skin, her heart raced with his touch, and she could not help but wonder if he felt the same but she dared not ask. Instead she walked to her changing room, letting the gown fall to the floor as she pulled on her dressing robe, wrapping it loosely around her. Stepping out she took her wine glass and started walking towards the bath.

"What are you doing?" Legolas asked, flabbergasted at her behavior. He expected her to be demanding answers, he expected her to be yelling at him, throwing things, anything but acting as calm as she was. It did not help she wore nothing but the flimsy dressing gown that hide very little from his eyes, he struggled to keep his eyes on her face, but she had already turned away from him again. He groaned internally and fidgeted where he stood.

Looking over her shoulder she replied, "Preparing a bath." She said nothing more and disappeared into the adjoining room.

Evelyn had to suck in a deep breath in the short moment she was alone to gather her strength and courage, now was not the time to embarrass herself. Walking the edge of the large stone tub, she let the silk robe slide down her body, lying in a heap by the steps. Hissing as the hot water hit her skin she stepped down into the water. The bath was more a small heated pool, a luxury she did not complain about as the steam rose around her. Draping her arms along the sides, she settled with her back to the door, head rested back against a pillow, her right hand still clutching her wine.

"How was your day?" She asked closing her eyes.

Legolas was not sure how he should respond, uncertain to what she was implying. Was she questioning about their binding or his day in general.

"Legolas?" She questioned when he did not respond.

His name on her lips jolted him from his thoughts, "It was busy. Filled with paperwork and meetings."

"Mmm," she replied, "Does sound quite boring."

"Aye, I suppose it was." He stated as he began to walk into the bath, he did not like talking between walls, especially when he knew they had an important and serious conversation just lurking behind the casual small talk. Evelyn's small talk had taken him by surprise, she was not one to normally engage in such, she said it was not stimulating. "And how was…" He stopped dead, unable to finish his sentence.

"Evelyn." He stated, his voice barely above a whisper, a strange pitch to it that she had not heard before and in a moment of panic she turned sharply in the water, sloshing it over the edge. What she saw gave her a small satisfaction of victory. Legolas stood just inside the bath door, eyes wide, starring at her dumbstruck.

"Yes?" She asked, smiling smugly to herself as she watched his eyes drift back to her own. Not that he could see her under the water, she added enough soap to make sure she was covered.

"What are you doing?" He asked again, causing her to chuckle softly.

"I am taking a bath, I told you. My muscles are tight, the warm water will loosen them."

How could she sit there and reply so nonchalantly to him? She was feet from him naked and soaking wet, and without a care in the world it seemed. Earlier today she had hit him with an ultimatum he had not be prepare for and now acted as if nothing had happened. He ground his teeth as the ach grew and he mentally cursed the woman.

"I remember you distinctly saying you were preparing a bath, not taking a bath, there is a clear difference. I should not be in here, it is not appropriate."

"Why?" She asked simply, turning back around to face him, an innocent look on her face, as she rested her chin on her forearms, tucking her legs beneath her.

Legolas opened his mouth to reply and realized the trap he walked into. Had they been husband and wife, there would be nothing wrong with the situation, yet they were not. Evelyn watched the many emotion flit across his face, her expression neutral, revealing none of the turmoil she felt inside. Taking a sip of her wine, she turned back around. Her tactic was risky. The Silvan elves were wilder, less cultured than the Noldor and Sindarin she called family, but they still held strict moral values regarding mating and marriage, but she was desperate.

"I gave you the ultimatum this morning, I have not changed my mind. The choice is before you. Either walk out the door or stay." Evelyn let the words flow wishing she could take them back as they left her mouth. Her heart screamed at her to rethink her stupidity, her mind bellowed in triumph. Her heart won as tears flowed from her eyes, drying in salty crystals. Silence reigned behind her and a sob escaped her lips that she quickly covered with her hand, attempting to cover it as a cough. Daring not look behind, she did not know if Legolas stayed or left, he moved silently on his feet, her hearing could not pick up his movement.

He stood rigid where his feet remained planted. He wanted to run to her, take her in his arms, make her his for eternity. Another part of him wanted his father's approval that he did not know would ever come. Silence screeched between them. The words having left her mouth were flat, void of emotion, he was not sure if his ears deceived him. The voice was not that of the woman he loved.

Valar he loved her. He had not told her enough, that was clear. She had mentioned her doubt. Had he truly not spoken those three words to her since the day she returned to him? Legolas could not remember and his heart seemed to rip. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he was his father, the one person he kept telling himself he would not become. How had he let it come to this? A choked sob escaped Evelyn's lips. It was soft, as she attempted to cover it. That one break in her veneer was all it took, his mind was made, his father be damned.

Calloused hands tentatively touched her shoulder, Evelyn about jumped out of her skin with a shriek. It took a moment for her to realize Legolas was behind her, bending down on the side of bath, observing her intently. Turning she watched him dip his legs in with rolled up pants on either side of her shoulders, his tunic and jacket joining hers on the floor.

She sucked in a breath. It had been a long time indeed since she had last since him, or any man, without a shirt. His muscles rippled as he reached for the soaps to his left. Evelyn's heart raced in her chest, thudding loudly. "What are you doing?"

Legolas raised an eyebrow, "It seems that is the only question we can ask one another this eve."

Evelyn had to let loose a chuckle, he made a valid point, the tension loosing slightly.

"But to answer your question, I am helping you relax, you stated your muscle were tight." As he spoke, his hands began to woke circles on her shoulders, applying slight pressure as he did. He felt Evelyn shift under his ministrations, the muscles under his fingers bunched with tension struggled against him, but slowly they worked out, smoothing under his hands. Her head dropped back against his lap.

His touch was fire against her skin, sending sparks through her system. Her shoulders slumped as they relaxed against his thighs, the contact jolting. Evelyn sighed. Legolas' hands roamed down her arms to her finger tips, she was a blaze. He covered every inch of her skin above the water. Then suddenly all contact ceased and she gasped with the loss. A chuckle sounded by her ear, she shivered. She was close to asking what he was doing and stopped herself biting her lip. A rustling noise sounded behind her as the water sloshed around her and she was suddenly turned around facing the opposite direction.

"Relax," His husky voice spoke against her neck, causing tremors down her spine, making it hard to comply, but she did her best as his hands found her back and began working magic. His deft fingers traced her spine, almost to her bottom before trailing up and around her ribs and back. Applying enough pressure to ease the knots, but not enough to cause pain. Evelyn groaned as he hit a particularly tight spot, to which he dedicated extra attention. The scent of honeysuckle from the soap permeated her scent as he worked.

Evelyn turned around as his hands stopped, finding herself trapped between him and the bath wall, his arms pinning her. Her breath hitched, she knew the look in his eye. The look she had been craving and yet had never seen on his face before so careful schooled. She could hardly breath, her chest heaving. Pushing off the seat, she stood, stepping closer to him, raising her hands to his chest, running them up and over his shoulders, taking in his shape, feeling his muscles quiver beneath her touch, it gave her courage. Standing flush against him, her chest resting against his own, she felt their hearts racing together. Her lips met his, tentatively at first until his hands wrapped around her, dragging her taught against his body, his fingers splaying across her back, his nails digging in, almost painfully, almost.

She tasted him, he tasted of the forest, it invaded her senses. She was lost. She felt him against her, and moaned deep in her mouth. Their tongues danced together, creating their own tango as Evelyn pushed him against the wall, spilling water on the floor, taking advantage where she could and straddled him.

She could not think, she could only focus on his hands on her body, on touching every surface of his own. His hand worked their way down as she took him in her hands. Legolas gasped and jerked, her actions surprising him as pleasure overtook him. He gripped her bottom pulling her closer as his head dropped back. It was a long while until he was able to come back to his senses.

Evelyn's hands continued to work, as his sanity returned, and he growled. He picked her up, wrapping her legs around his waist, reversing their positions, "I think," he rumbled, "You have been in control long enough." Somehow in the maneuver his fingers found her, she panted, digging her nails into his shoulder, eliciting another growl. Evelyn did not know what came over her as she arched against him, her hips rolling in rhythm with his fingers. The candles flickered around them. Her mouth found his again. It was tantalizing.

Legolas lifted her with his arm, propping her against it as he leaned over her, "Will you still have me as your husband, Evelyn?" He asked, voice throaty as he too gasped for air along with her.

Evelyn wanted to cry for the joy that filled her heart, as she fumbled for her words, "Yes, yes, every day, for the rest of my life, my love."

Without another word, her claimed her. Her body and mind exploded in starburst, overcome with the sensations flooding her system. She matched him beat for beat, their bodies moving in synchrony to a rhythm of their own. Her world exploded in a vision of color. Remotely she heard herself call his name and was vaguely aware hearing her name from his lips as Legolas collapsed against her.

How long they remained there, she was unsure as she clung to Legolas, gently running her fingers along his back, admiring his build. Finally, he shifted, taking her into his arms, "The water is getting cold, I should get you to bed."

"I don't feel the cold, remember?"

"Do not ruin it," Legolas retorted, cutting his eyes at her, causing her to giggle as he wrapped a plush towel around her shoulders, managing to keep her in his arms. "Let me indulge in being a husband, wife."

"I like the sound of that." She smiled, burying her face in his neck, "Husband." Evelyn laughed again, like a little school girl.

"You will be the death of me yet." He chuckled, receiving a smack to his forearm as he deposited her on the bed.

Gazing up at him, Evelyn fidgeted, worry creasing her brow, "You will stay with me, won't you?" she asked softly, embarrassed by her insecurities.

Legolas brushed the stray hair from her face, climbing into the bed beside her, "Manwë himself could not keep me away." He stated, hauling her to his side. His fingers playing in her hair until she quickly drifted off to sleep.