Thank you all for your reviews. Love reading them.

SaltedChips made a great point about the dog. He is coming back into it, but he didn't make the trip to Imaldris with them.

Enjoy x

Chapter 30

Evie yawned and rubbed her tired eyes as she stood from the makeshift bed. She moved to the bowl of water collected from the nearby river, cupped her hands in the cold water and splashed it on her face.

Works almost as well as coffee, she thought with a laugh.

She turned her head to the tent flap when her lady in waiting, Laurel, had entered with a tray of breakfast items, bobbing in curtsey quickly, before placing the tray on a nearby table only big enough for two.

"Good Morning Your Majesty. Are you ready for breakfast?"

"Morning Laurel, yes please."

She sat in the chair still blinking away the sleep from her eyes, but reached for the hot drink, bring it to her nose to inhale.

"I love you."

She heard the brown haired elleth laugh as she went about choosing clothing for Evie to wear for the day.

"What is it?"

"I'm sure the King would not be amused to have to share your affection."

"Normally so, but we have an…understanding."

"Oh?"

"My love can extend to Legolas, coffee and strawberry tarts."

She laughed at the snort the elf came out with in a very unladylike response, pleased that her maid had turned into a friend.

"You are entirely unique, My Queen."

"I'll take that as a compliment. And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Evie?"

"As always, at least once more."

Evie huffed at this, still not used to the titles and such that came with the position she now held as Queen of the Greenwood, and stuffed her face with buttered toast and coffee.

"Would you like to wear the green or the blue riding outfit today?"

"The green one."

"Good choice."

She watched in silence as Laurel laid out the clothing on the now made bed: Leggings, undershirt, tunic etc. She waited until the elf had moved to collect her riding boots before speaking.

"How did you find Imaldris?"

"Simply lovely. The gardens are something very special."

"And yet?"

"I am glad to be going home."

"As are all of us I think. Tell me, do you fancy any of the elves we met?"

Feeling mischievous, she pressed on when the elf only mmmmm in response.

"The Lord Glorfindel was very handsome."

She was pleased to see a bit of pink stain the elf's cheeks, when she turned hurriedly with shock to stare at her Lady for a moment, before moving to stand behind Evie to start taming her wild curls.

"ummmm yes, I suppose he was."

"I do wonder if he has a lover."

She grinned when she felt the hands on her hair pause for a breath before moving again, braiding a new section up and off her face.

"Why would a warrior such as himself not? He is a very sought after elf, I imagine."

"Yes. We shall have to find out next time we visit. Or maybe I could write to Celebrain and ask."

"You cannot My Queen, that is improper."

"hhhmmm? What did you call me before? Unique? Well then they can just put it down to that, rather than impropriety. Now, it's time to dress, Thranduil will want to be leaving soon."

"Of course."

She moved out of the chair, slipping off her chemise and started to dress in her riding attire, buzzing with caffeine and actually excited to be on the way home again. It was just as she was pulling on her brown leather boots that she spied a platinum blonde head pop through the tent flap and give her a cheeky grin.

"Are you ready to go Naneth?"

"Yes, honey. Just give me a moment."

She bent to pick up her dagger, placing it around her hips and thanked the elleth who had finished packing everything in the tent up. She knew that a few of the male elves would carry their belongings to the wagon they had brought on the journey and pull the tent down. She strode confidently out the tent and over to the little elfling waiting for her. She opened her arms and was rewarded with a childish giggle when he surged forward and she lifted him high into the air. Bringing him close to her body, she brushed some of his long straight hair out of his face.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. Adar woke me early because he wants to go."

"I know. Have you seen him?"

"He was talking with Feren, but I don't know now."

"No matter, shall we go find our mounts?"

The elf Prince simply nodded his ascent and she let him down on the ground, taking her hand and pulling her in the direction of the horses, already saddled and ready to depart, nodding good morning to the elves they passed. She stopped and helped Legolas onto a smaller brown mare, making sure he was seated well in the saddle and handed him the reigns.

"Will you be ok riding on your own?"

"No need to worry, Naneth."

"It's my job to worry."

He just laughed at her and she delighted in the sound as elves and horses all around them began to move more quickly. In her peripheral vision, she saw a large black stallion coming towards her, led by a tall elf with bright blue eyes. She couldn't help but smile at his approach, pleased when he smiled back at her in return. He stopped right in front of her, clad in dark green and brown, watching with interest as she reached a hand out to pat the horses' nose.

"You look like a warrior of the Greenwood. Ride with me today?"

She looked up at this request, a bit surprised since he had not requested such a thing before on this journey.

"I'd like that very much."

She moved closer to him, pulled on his jacket to tug him down to her level, which he complied with without hesitation, and softly pressed her lips to his. Once. Twice. And again.

She moved to pull away, but was stopped by the hand that cupped the back of her head and drew her in for a more lingering kiss. She closed her eyes at the magic of it all, still not believing that this elf loved her, but also cherished her like the most precious gift of all.

She was brought back to reality by his deep chuckle.

"As much as I like this Wife, it's time for us to be off. Come."

She allowed him to lead to the side of the horse and enjoyed the warmth of his hands on her waist as he lifted her up and into the saddle. She felt a bit unsure on the large beast at first, but sighed in relief when the King seated himself behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and takin the reigns from her with one hand. She heard him whistle and saw the company move into an order line, the Captain of the Guard racing to take his place at the front of the company with more elven guards, followed by Legolas and then themselves.

Evie settled her back into the chest of the mighty elf behind her, breathing in his earthy pine scent deeply, letting it relax her for the day's ride.

Stop squirming your ass, or this ride will need to stop before its begun

She laughed softly at this request that she heard down their bond, but made sure not to move.

I promise to take care of it later

I'll hold you to that

Internally she grinned at the growl of these words, not ever being able to get enough of the elf and the things he could do to her body.

"I know you're tired, sleep for a bit."

She couldn't deny the truth in his words, so she hummed softly as she rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

Much later, she was woken by the soft touch of lips kissing her exposed neck. She opened her green eyes to see herself still in the saddle, but the large stallion had stopped moving.

"Don't start something you can't finish, Thranduil." She warned the elf behind her.

"Oh I intend to finish it, I assure you."

She said nothing in response to this as she felt him dismount the horse, before reaching to help her to the ground, making sure to slide her body down the length of his torturously slow.

"What did I just say?" She hissed low so only he could hear, feeling slightly cranky from being pulled from her dreams.

Evie shivered when she felt his breath on her ear, his hands resting on her hips lazily, but his touch searing her like a brand.

Completely undeterred by her temper, he led her away from the group and into the privacy of the trees.

"Thranduil, no. stop, we can't."

She got more and more frustrated as he continued on, not answering her in the slightest. She allowed him to lead her only another half dozen steps before she planted her feet and stopped, her arm pulling him back towards her.

"We can't do this, Legolas –"

"Is being looked after. You forget that I can hear anything coming and they know better than to follow us. What are you so worried about? That they know what we're doing?"

She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed at the sudden cheeky look on his fair face, but did not have an answer to this argument. She did not move when she felt him behind her, his hands roaming up and down her sides, as his erection pressed into her ass.

Her hair was moved over she right shoulder, kisses peppered to her skin softly and still she did not move. Her resolve was to hold out, so to distract herself, she asked him a question.

"Is it normal?"

"What?"

"The constant wanting?"

"Yes. Newly bonded pairs experience a strong pull to each other in the first couple of months."

Silence slipped between them as she felt his hands move up to move her arms down and cup her breasts, continuing to kiss anything he could reach.

"I'll make you a deal."

Her voice came out a bit breathless as her body reacted to his touch. "Which is?"

"I know you need this as much as I do, us not having had much luck in the week since we left…"

She growled at him. "What's your deal?"

"If you're not already wet for me, we won't do this."

She froze hearing this. She knew his words were true, she did want it. And she knew her body wanted it. And he knew her body wanted it. Fuck.

She bit back a sigh as she felt one of his hands move down her body, up her tunic and play with the top of her leggings, letting his fingers play with her skin.

"Well?"

She couldn't answer him, she just nodded her head, sucking in a breath as his hand didn't hesitate to move down, part her swollen folds and insert a long finger into her core. Out and back in. again. And again. She moaned when the second hand joined it to play with her bundle of nerves. Pair all that with the kisses he left on her sensitive skin and it didn't take long her to let go, his strong arms supporting her body.

Quickly she found her body without leggings or boots and being lifted, her back resting against s nearby tree and wrapped her legs around the elf's hips when he entered her in one go.

"By the Valar, you feel incredible."

She laughed at this, but did not deny that it did feel great, just sent love down the bond to him. Feeling connected to another in such a special way, bonding of the body was heaven. In and out he pounded into her with need, her back scraping against the bark, but eventually he came too and then held each other for several moments. She rested her forehead against his.

I love you

As I love you

She laughed suddenly then.

"What is it?"

"I don't want you to get a big head or anything, but you are right. I did need that. Thank you."

She hit him in the shoulder.

"Stop put me down and get that stupid grin off your face."

She secretly loved hearing his deep unrestrained laugh, but was happy when he complied, placing her softly on her feet, but not letting her go without a sound kiss on her lips. She moved to pull her clothes back on, as he did the same.

"Life is never going to be boring with you, my love."

"Would you have me any other way?"

"definitely not."

She took his hand in smaller one, smiling like a fool at him, and pulled him back toward their group.

"Come, they'll think something happened to us."

"I think they'll know what happened."

She winked at him over she shoulder. "Yes, but that's all part of the mystery, no?"