~ Rules are for Breaking ~

Aerlaer was utterly exhausted. They had ridden hard for three days with little rest; the horses only able to sustain such long and swift hours travelling from her constant sharing of her life force. Too many times she had wound up asleep, Legolas holding her safely upon Arod, while she replenished her energy.

They had pushed their way through the haunting Dead Marshes on the first day, and then battled though the low hills where Boromir had been lost to them at the Emyn Muil. Here they had come across various small groups of roaming orcs or goblins. Their haste prevented them from any full assaults upon these lingering enemies, but any who stood against their path felt the urgency of arrow or blade.

It was then a one hundred and fifty mile stretch of the barren land known as the Brown Lands where little grew or even thrived, and not even orc kind bothered to roam or dwell. The only life nearby had followed the life source of the Anduin to their left and it was on the eve of the third day, they now breached the opposite bank of the great river.

Aerlaer walked forward, water streaming off her; muscles uncharacteristically trembling from exhaustion. Elrohir's mare plunged up the riverbank to stand beside her as her cousin leapt down from his saddle to stand between them. Now. Aerlaer silently cued the other mare and simultaneously they shook the remaining water from themselves—shimmering droplets flying in all directions.

"Ai! Ai!" Elrohir cried out in alarm and shot forward and away from the onslaught of water. Behind her, Aerlaer could hear thoroughly amused laughter as Elladan and Legolas also reached the other side. "Rotten, good for nothing mares!" Elrohir muttered as he returned to check over his mare and received a wet tail slapped against his thigh. "Bain nin." He groveled lovingly to his mare as Legolas chortled along with Elladan. "You won't be laughing, Sinda, when you're lumped with a wet elleth." Elrohir smirked and Aerlaer huffed out in annoyance as she wandered a few more paces away to shake more water from herself before shifting back into elf form.

It had been her brilliant idea to give her life force to the horses but the others, especially Elrohir, were being incredibly strict on just how much energy she was sharing and using. Legolas had been tasked with keeping an eye on it, because apparently, she couldn't monitor her life force herself. It was all incredibly annoying.

"Aerlaer?" She looked around towards Legolas.

"I am still quite damp; I'll be dry if I run another mile or so." She bargained and received a pointed glare.

"One mile, I am counting." He replied as Elrohir briefly scanned over his map.

"You are beginning to sound just like Elrohir." She muttered lowly as she shifted back into horse form.

"There is a small copse of trees with flets for travelers, in the Field of Celebrant just fifteen miles further. There we should be safe to rest for a few hours before moving on. Tomorrow evening, we will reach Caras Galadhon." Elrohir mused out loud as he folded and replaced the map in his pack.

"Let us move on." Legolas decided and urged Arod forward and into a light canter. Aerlaer doubted any horse but the Edhelroch or Meara had ever travelled so far in only three days and Arod cantered valiantly beside her upon the grass. It did not seem long at all before Legolas was calling her to rest. He really had been counting. She inwardly grumbled as she levelled again with Arod and shifted, finding herself lifted up off the ground in a swift motion. A hand came to rest over her heart before wrapping around her. "You use too much." Legolas muttered quietly and she shrugged.

"It has brought us this far has it not?"

"Yes, but you are more exhausted than last time." He worried and she moved about in annoyance. She really was becoming sick of this constant worrying.

"I am not an elfling, I am perfectly capable, and I know what I am doing." She replied curtly and felt him stiffen at her outburst.

"Sleep, you are grumpy because you are exhausted and need sleep."

"I am not grumpy." He only laughed quietly.

"Losto, Aer nin." Sleep was not that easy though; her dreams were strange and made little sense and were half forgotten when she awoke, leaving her mind filled with questions. Just how had she brought Legolas back, at the sea? Why did they both shine silver and gold? Every night since, there had been a silvery light to the blonde Elf reminiscent to the moonlight above. Why had she instinctively called him, Telperion? Why did she feel as if she'd called someone else that very same name? All she knew was Legolas was as confused as she.

…

"Best wake her, there are ladders to climb." Elladan murmured as they halted, hours later, beneath a lone copse of mallorn trees. "I will take first watch." He added as Legolas gently shook Aerlaer.

"Wake up a moment and then you may sleep again." He said gently as she began to stir.

"Where are we?"

"The flets."

"Okay." She simply replied as she dropped from the saddle and he too dismounted and untacked Arod as Elladan and Elrohir worked on making their wary mares comfortable.

"Have a decent feed and a rest mellon nin." Legolas gave Arod a final pat as he wandered off a little way and dropped and rolled, letting out a contented grunt. He turned back to Aerlaer to find she had already began climbing the rope ladder and he automatically held it steady before following her up.

The flet was very high up and it seemed no enemy had ever discovered it for it was simply roofed with simple furnishings. Legolas opened a heavy-lidded trunk and discovered food stores. Pulling out a leaf of Lembas, he pressed it into Aerlaer's hands. "Eat." He instructed before handing another to Elrohir. "Drop this down to Elladan." He added as he continued searching through the food stores and then grinned and pulled out a corked bottle.

"Wine, Legolas? Really?" Aerlaer shook her head as he handed it over.

"It is Miruvórë." He gave a light laugh.

"Oh, so it is." She unstopped it and took a mouthful. "I forgot how swiftly it works." She grinned, looking more awake than before.

"Eru Legolas! Don't give her that!" Elrohir cried out in alarm and deftly swiped the bottle from her hand before she took another drink from it.

"Why not?" He asked worriedly as Aerlaer glared at her cousin.

"Because it is full of nectar and honey."

"Manwë, I forgot!" Legolas laughed as Elrohir took a swig of the golden liquid before handing it back to him. Aerlaer looked most put out as he took a decent swig himself before stoppering the bottle and putting it away. "Absolutely not." He smirked at her as Elrohir rolled out sleep rolls before helping himself to Lembas.

"We are not far away now." He mused happily. "I am looking forward to my bed, well my Lórien bed."

"As am I." Aerlaer replied as she settled onto her sleep roll.

"If you have a bed in Lórien, why did you sleep down under the trees with the rest of us when we passed through?" Legolas asked in confusion as he laid down beside her.

"Because we were a group and I did not want to separate myself from the Fellowship I was a part of." He nodded, wondering just where he would be sleeping when they reached the city? In a guest talan he supposed. He would not be able to continue sleeping beside Aerlaer as he had been for so long now. Elvish customs would not allow such proximity until they were lifemates. They would not even be permitted to rest in the same chamber. "Stupid, outdated customs." He muttered quietly to himself as he draped an arm around her waist. He couldn't even remember what the rules were regarding intended Elves. Were they the same in Lórien as they were in the Woodland? Aerlaer was already asleep, and he lightly pressed a kiss to her temple before closing his own eyes. This would possibly be the last time they spent together like this for many, many months.

…

Three hours before dawn they set off again on their journey. Aerlaer had rested enough to share more of her lifeforce with the three horses, and they all drank from the bottle of Miruvórë for an extra boost of energy before leaving. The ground was springy and made for swift running and by the time the morning sun shone brightly in the sky, they had covered many miles.

Now their shadows were lengthening as the sun began to set and the beginning of the woods of Lothlórien loomed but a mile ahead. Aerlaer was becoming weary again but said nothing. She wanted to run beneath those familiar trees, feel the energy of the earth under her hooves. She knew Legolas watched her like a hawk, hopefully once they were safely in Lórien, he would relax a little.

Finally, they trotted beneath the first boughs and Aerlaer breathed in the infusion of earth and spring leaves unfurling mingling with the sweet scent of new flowers. The world was shadowy now as the last rays of the sun fell away, but she knew they were safe enough, these woods were guarded, still despite Sauron's fall, evil still lurked and she kept her guard alert as they travelled deeper into the wood.

…

Even in near darkness, the Golden Wood captivated Legolas. They now walked, the horses following freely behind receiving a deserving rest. According to the others' calculations, they were an hour or two from the city. He kept a steady pace beside Aerlaer as they moved, holding weapons loosely. He was beginning to wonder why they had not yet come across any of the Lórien border guards when he heard the swift sound of an arrow cutting through the gentle, early spring breeze. In the half-light he saw it flying towards them and then suddenly there was a glint of pale gold and the splintering sound of wood as Aerlaer's blade sliced through the shaft and it fell uselessly to the ground.

Legolas now had his own arrow knocked, gazing warily around into the shadows and Elrohir and Elladan looked uncertain but Aerlaer simply let out an impish laugh.

"Glorfindel, your aim is ever predictably true." She called out into the darkness before them and there was an answering chuckle as an elf, hair shining gold even in the dark, stepped out of the shadows before them.

"And your reflexes ever instinctive." The older elf said in turn, clear affection in his words as Aerlaer walked towards him and embraced the Balrog Slayer with equal affection. Legolas was not entirely sure how he felt about the whole exchange, but quickly sobered when Elladan dug his elbow warningly into his side.

"I wonder who taught me that?" Aerlaer replied as she stepped back from the elf and he surveyed her.

"Aerlaer, I mean no disrespect but, you look terrible." Glorfindel stated before turning towards he and the twins and assessing them. "You all look terrible." His eyes alighted when he recognized Legolas. "I am glad you have returned also in one piece; your father has been making life exceptionally difficult for Elrond as you might imagine." The Elf Lord grinned before whistling quietly and there was a soft, melodious tinkling as a light grey horse trotted out from the darkness to stand beside him.

"Oh Asfaloth, does he still insist you wear those ridiculous bells?" Aerlaer spoke to the horse for them all to hear and the light grey gave a despondent sigh.

"He adores them, you said so yourself I recall." Glorfindel replied airily as he leapt up into the saddle. "The Lady bade me wait for you all and escort you into the city, she wishes to see you immediately." Glorfindel looked at Aerlaer again with a frown and Legolas noticed now she was much more tired than she had let on earlier. "For Valars sake, someone please put that elleth on a horse before she falls over." Glorfindel tisked, and Legolas mounted Arod and moved forward. With a resigned sigh, Aerlaer held her hands up and he deftly lifted her to sit before him. "Thank you, Legolas. Now, shall we continue? The guard will not stop us, they are under orders by Haldir, he wanted to meet you himself, but he's been quite busy organising the guard for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Legolas asked uncertainly.

"Yes tomorrow, we ride to battle." He gazed at the golden-haired Elf in shock but received a smirk. "It should be the perfect opportunity for you to explain to your father just where you have been and how you have found yourself to be wearing that ring."

"What? Why?" He was only becoming more confused and Glorfindel was almost eccentric in the way he spoke. Legolas was unused to it; he did not often see or speak to the Balrog Slayer whenever he had visited Imladris in the past.

"Lórien and Mirkwood are joining forces to take out Dol Guldur."

"Then you know how the Greenwood fares?" Legolas asked hopefully but the hesitant gaze he received only instilled a fear in him.

"The forces of Dol Guldur have laid assaults to both the Greenwood and Lórien and our kin combined have suffered, as have our woods… the trees of Mirkwood more so. I am sorry to bring such tidings Legolas. Your father has so far been victorious but he and Celeborn have held council and agreed to join forces and, with the Lady's aid, finally take down Dol Guldur and rid the hill of evil forevermore."

"And this is why we have been summoned, to give aid?" Elrohir asked from Glorfindel' s right, and the Elf Lord nodded.

"Aye, we fight for Mirkwood, the Gladden Fields, Imladris and Lothlórien." At the mention of the Fields, Legolas peered down at Aerlaer, but she was asleep.

The attacks on the Greenwood must surely be grim for his father to join forces with Lothlórien. He hoped dearly those he knew; those he had left behind in the Woodland Realm were safe. Glorfindel now spoke quietly to Elladan and Elrohir of the tidings of Imladris and how it fared. Legolas listened quietly to the conversation about him, trying not to think of his impending reunion with his father.

…

"Tithinriel, wake up." Aerlaer started awake, confused at the use of her elfling nickname, and realised they now stood at the foot of the familiar stairs to her grandparents extended, palace-like talens. Legolas let her go and she slid down from Arod.

"You may rest now, my friend." She said to the grey gelding and he let out a grateful sigh. Legolas and the twins dismounted and Glorfindel gestured upwards.

"I will see to your brave steeds." He reassured them and lightly gathered up their reins, but the horses followed after him eager for food and rest.

"We might find the answers we seek now." Legolas murmured as they began ascending the spiralling stair.

Their entrance into the city had gone mostly unnoticed, save for the guards they had passed. The eve was late and the city quiet, it was almost too quiet. I guess everyone is resting or spending time with loved ones before many will leave for battle. Aerlaer reached the last step and walked quietly under the arch and across the dais towards the wide stair, the others following closely behind. She caught sight of her grandfather and dashed up the remaining steps to fling herself into his embrace.

"Tithinriel nin." He murmured joyfully before turning to the others.

"Always the favourite." Elladan smirked at her as he and Elrohir greeted their grandfather and Legolas politely greeted him in formal respect, looking more than a little nervous.

Why is he looking so, he never acts like this… it suddenly dawned on her and she held in a laugh.

"Come inside." Celeborn beckoned to them and Aerlaer fell into step beside Legolas as they walked under the intricate arch into the spacious talan and into the more public living and entertaining area. Her eyes alighted on her grandmother as she turned away from a window and walked towards them.

"Greetings, young ones." She smiled brightly at them however Aerlaer sensed Legolas's uncertainty at being there. "It warms my heart to see the four of you standing here, safe and very much alive."

"Aye but you knew we were." Elrohir smirked.

"You know better than to presume I knew just that." Galadriel admonished, but there was a twinkle in her eye as she looked to each of them in turn and then her gaze finally fell on Legolas.

"My Lady." He gave a slight bow of respect and she let out a deep, melodious laugh.

"Welcome, Telperion. My old friend." Aerlaer snapped fully to attention at that.

"You have some explaining to do." She said pointedly to her Grandmother and received a solemn nod.

"There is much to explain but you are weary and need food, rest and clean garments." She stated and Aerlaer held in a sigh of annoyance. She wanted to know now. "Glorfindel has told you we make for Dol Guldur?" They all nodded in unison. "Your light will be required to help vanquish the evil which lurks there. In those hours we journey, I will explain all I can." Aerlaer nodded again, feeling a little put out. She was not so tired now, surely it would not take that long to explain why both she and Legolas could wield light, and just why they had been kept from one another? "I am glad you have found one another again." Galadriel gazed back to Legolas thoughtfully before turning to Celeborn.

"I believe you desired a brief word with our intended new family member?" There was a glint of mischief in both of her grandparents' eyes and Aerlaer shot an uncertain glance in Legolas's direction, surprised to see his face had paled two shades lighter. "I have had meals sent to your chambers. "Elrohir, Elladan, you may seek out the rest and peace you need. Aerlaer, a word also before you retire for the eve." She nodded as her cousin's made their leave through a doorway to where family resided, and Celeborn beckoned Legolas to walk back out onto the dais with him. Just what are they discussing? Us? "Are you content in Legolas taking Aerthor's chambers?" Her grandmother asked once they were alone and she gazed away from the entrance and towards her in surprise.

"Yes." She immediately replied and received a pleased smile.

"I hoped you would agree, and I thought you would prefer he remained close." She nodded, glad her Grandmother understood but there was that thoughtful gaze upon her face again as she considered her. "Now we must discuss certain Elvish lore and custom, which is also akin to the lore and custom of the Woodland Realm." Aerlaer now realised exactly where this conversation was going and fought the urge to bury her head as her grandmother began explaining a few things…

…

Legolas walked along the spacious corridor, counting off doors trying to remember which one was meant to lead to his own chamber. His mind was still utterly mortified by the conversation he had just had with Lord Celeborn. He now knew any chance of staying in the same chamber as Aerlaer was non-existent. A door opened and a dark head peeked out.

"I see you have found your way." Elrohir smirked and then frowned. "You look most unsettled Legolas, what did you learn?" Elrohir looked genuinely worried.

"You really do not want to know." He replied dryly and Elrohir's smirk grew wider.

"Ahh I see." He snickered as Aerlaer entered the same corridor and walked up to him looking annoyed over something. "I will bid you two a good night." Elrohir winked, retreating back into his own chamber.

"Your chamber is this one; it was Aerthor's." Aerlaer stated as she gestured to a door next to the one they stood before.

"Oh, I did not realise." He gazed at her uncertainly. "Are you okay with it?"

"Of course, why would I not be." She flashed him a smile."

"I am glad, but you seem a little, well annoyed."

"You had a similar conversation to mine, did you not?" She asked flatly and he nodded.

"Yes, it appears so." His heart suddenly ached for the despondent look she gave him. She did not want to be alone. But what could he do? He could not stay with her, nor she him. But he wanted to, he hated being from her sight. He stepped towards her, embracing her close and buried his face into her hair. This was good night. It was entirely unfair after everything they had endured together, side by side.

"There is a tree between our windows, it has branches excellent to walk across unseen in the dark." She whispered. "See you in say, half of an hour?" He made to answer but she had already slipped out of his embrace and through her door, leaving him standing alone.

Quietly he turned to the chamber beside hers and entered, immediately looking to the wide, open window where the silhouette of branches practically beckoned to him. He looked away from it and instead around the fire-lit chamber. To his delight and relief, there was a partitioned off area with a hot bath already drawn. He would not have to make his way down to the stream. He deftly began peeling off his weapons and garments, eager to be clean once more. It would give him time to decide what to do about Aerlaer's offer to sneakily share a chamber.

…

Aerlaer's hair was almost dry when she felt another presence in her chamber. She turned away from her dresser to see Legolas leaning casually against the opposite wall.

"You have a habit of making me break rules." He said quietly, pushing off from the wall to walk towards her. He wore sleeping garments and she was glad he had come; they could rest together. Why should that change because of realm customs? They had spent months together, there was no harm in sleeping side by side.

"Just one." She grinned at him but silently questioned herself for there was a dark look to his eyes and her heart leapt under his heavy gaze as he closed the remaining distance between them.

"Perhaps two." He said lowly before kissing her and her very soul seemed to burst into flames. She returned the action before breaking away.

"Make it three." She breathed out as she removed his sleep shirt and dropped it carelessly on the floor.

"Four." He sighed as they wound up in a heap on her bed. She giggled, mindful of staying quiet as he trailed kisses down her cheek and then feigned to bite her neck. Not to be bested, she tackled him amidst their combined, quiet laughter and attempted to pin him down but failed miserably as he sat up and gazed at her.

"Were not sleeping, are we?" She murmured and he slowly shook his head.

"Unless you would like to?" He quickly added and this time she shook her head. Lips suddenly crashed against hers and it were as if her every nerve ending shorted out, only to re-ignite twice as bright. Tangling her fingers into his hair, she kissed him back just as fierce.

They had not been alone for many days and Aerlaer began wondering if this was such a good idea, they were not just alone but alone in her private chambers on her bed and there was nothing and no one who would be interrupting them. Well nothing except those Elven Lore's… She pulled away, breathing shakily.

"Manwë I think we must set down our own rules." Legolas breathed out raggedly and she nodded, thinking the very same thing. The way she was currently feeling, they would be bonded by morning and that was the ultimate rule not to be breaking. She had to remember Elves did not behave like this.

"Yes, I think that is best." She replied as he rested his forehead against hers.

"No bonding." He declared with a nervous laugh.

"No and uh nothing below the sword belt?" He laughed again at that.

"No but uh perhaps something after the sword belt?" His hand brushed tentatively against the top of her knee where she realized her sleep gown had ridden slightly up to rest above her knees when she had half straddled him earlier.

"Allowed." She laughed quietly.

"Garments…?" He hedged, his hand now resting at the hem of her sleep gown.

"Only where needed?" She suggested uncertainly and received a grin.

"I do not care for sleep pants either." Her heart flipped at that.

"But you're wearing…?

"Oh, yes, of course, that is what I meant." He chuckled. "Are you?"

"Yes." She replied, a smile tugging at her mouth. "I think all the other details we can figure out." She murmured as his lips brushed lightly against hers, seeming to ignite more sparks between them. He answered by simply kissing her again as he pushed her gently back onto the soft bed.

Thankyou to all the lovely reviewers and readers recently, and over the past two years! I've answered some of your comments below. :)

There are some chapters lined up to be posted, and the end is not too far away, but ofcourse, there is still a bit more elven antics before the end!

xx

A