Chapter 8 ended with:
Someone entered the bathroom at that moment. Someone who was not Paola.
"What is he doing here?" Allison inquired angrily.
Lemon alert in the next chapter!
Chapter 9 – Closing The Last Loop
Valerie was preparing coffee while Allison and Legolas sat in silence at the table, glaring at each other. Legolas knew that Allison was the only person alive who could make Valerie change her mind and decide to remain here, in this world. She had already succeeded in separating them before, and only because of Liam and Lady Galadriel had he been able to convince Valerie to really listen to him. He could not go back to this unbearable state of uncertainty! They needed to prepare their departure, make sure Valerie's pregnancy was going well and perhaps bond before they crossed the portal. Why wait until they were back in Middle Earth to officially make her his? He certainly would not take the risk of bringing her to Middle Earth and see the Lothlorien Marchwarden steal her away before their bonding! Valerie's sister was a threat to all his plans. She would either step aside voluntarily or he would make her get out of his way. There was no other possible option. And although he was generally a peaceful ellon, he would not hesitate to threaten Allison in order to secure Valerie's hand.
Allison was hiding her apprehension underneath a cold mask. The man sitting in front of her was not entirely human. She had warned her sister about him, and one week later, Valerie was back in his arms. How could her sister be so foolish and weak, disregarding her family's security while it was all that she had left? True, this Legolas was magnetic, unnaturally attractive and radiating strength. But she could also feel how deadly he was under that comely look. This was no man to annoy and challenge, and right now, his focus was entirely on Valerie, who was oblivious to it. Although his eyes never left Allison, he was following Valerie's movements in the room. She could tell he considered her a threat and she considered him the same. He was a threat to her relationship with her sister, and she would fight to keep things the way they had been before he had appeared in their lives.
"We are back together, Allison," Valerie said, putting a cup of coffee in front of her sister and another one in front of Legolas. She sat beside Legolas and he pulled her chair closer to his so they could be touching while they were seated at the table.
"Why, if you don't mind me asking? If I remember correctly, a few days ago, you called me in a panic, confirming my doubts that Legolas was not..." She searched for a word that would not add oil to the fire. "That he was not normal, I guess?"
"You were right," Valerie confirmed, taking Legolas' hand. "Legolas and I had an honest discussion about his... differences earlier today. I accepted his explanations. All is well. You can stop worrying about me."
"I hope you realize that these reassurances are nowhere near enough for me, Valerie."
"It will have to be." Valerie didn't think it would be wise to tell Allison everything Legolas had told her. Furthermore, Legolas and her had not even discussed if all this information about Middle Earth was confidential or not.
"You cannot be serious! Are you insane? I demand that you explain what is going on, and you will tell me or -"
"Or what, Allison? What kind of threats were you going to make?" Valerie's pleasant expression was gone now, and she was looking at her sister quite coldly. Legolas preferred to let the sisters talk before he intervened.
"If Legolas is what I think he is, I could take him out simply by sending federal agencies against him. I bet they would love to put their hands on him, study his blood, his entire body, run some tests... They might take interest in your pregnancy as well..."
It was one thing to threaten Legolas, but it was a totally different matter to clearly menace her unborn child, even if he was a half-elf. Allison had always been overprotective but now she was definitely crossing a line. Valerie stood and towered over her sister, putting her hand on Allison's shoulder and pressing it hard as a warning.
"My dear Allison, calling federal agencies would trigger a violent and unexpected storm in your life. I know you, I know how to take away everything you cherish, your reputation, your career, your family... I could make your own life extremely miserable, destroy it just like you would destroy mine if you were to have Legolas and my child taken away from me. Do not try to play with me, Allison, I am a lot more than you can tackle. I would not hesitate to retaliate in the vilest of manners to make you pay for this."
Allison stared at her sister for a long time, still feeling the pressure of her hand on her shoulder. She had seen a glimpse of Valerie the ruthless business woman, an attitude that had never been directed at herself in the past. This was both unexpected and most unwelcome. Her sister was slowly slipping away, all because of this Legolas.
Valerie's features quickly turned from cold anger to fake happiness while she went back to sit beside Legolas. "Now that things are clear between us, I hope you will make the right choice. We have... very little time left together. I would hate not to be in speaking terms with you during that time."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Legolas spoke for the first time. "Valerie and I are moving to my home. With the children."
"Where is it? When will you come back?"
"I am afraid we will not be coming back," Legolas said, and Allison noticed Valerie's sadness.
"Can I visit you then?" Allison asked her sister directly.
"I am afraid it won't be possible."
"Why?" Allison insisted.
"It will not be physically possible for you to visit," Legolas informed her. "I am sorry."
Allison stood and started pacing in the kitchen. "You cannot be serious! This is unreal!" Legolas could see that Valerie's sister was getting redder by the second, and that her breathing was becoming ragged and laborious.
"Calm down, Allison!" Valerie told her sister, watching her closely.
Legolas thought that Valerie seemed to know what was going on with her sister. Allison keep walking around the kitchen, going faster until she was close to running. It lasted for a few minutes, and Valerie was watching wearily, asking her to calm down, but to no avail. Allison kept moving around, talking to herself.
"This is not real!" she was mumbling. "It cannot be happening!" She suddenly stopped in front of Legolas, holding the chair to support her weakened knees. "I won't let you do it!" Allison cried at Legolas. By then, Allison could hardly breathe.
Valerie stood and grabbed her sister from behind. "Calm down!" she whispered soothingly. Allison was struggling against Valerie's stronghold, still breathing raggedly.
"Get me her pills!" Valerie asked Legolas.
"Where?"
"In her purse!"
"Where is it?"
"I have no idea! Find it!" Valerie shouted with impatience.
Legolas ran all over the house, looking for the purse while listening to Valerie who kept whispering to Allison to calm down while she could barely breathe. When he went back to the kitchen empty-handed, he saw that Allison was lying on the floor, supported by Valerie. "Try her car!" Valerie commanded. Legolas went outside and ran to Allison's car, happy to see that the door was unlocked and Allison's purse was on the floor. He grabbed it quickly and looked for a little bottle containing pills, which he easily found despite the mess that was in the purse.
He ran back to the house and asked Valerie how many she needed. "Two," she replied, holding up her hand. Once she got them, she put the pills in Allison's mouth and closed her lips, massaging her throat to help her swallow.
"What is happening?" Legolas asked. He had never seen someone react like Allison had just done.
"It was a panic attack. She'll be much better in a few minutes. She will be exhausted once she is back. Will you please carry her to the guest room?"
Legolas lifted Allison from the cold kitchen floor and followed Valerie to the extra bedroom. "Is this happening frequently?" he asked, curious.
"Once in a while. Enough for her to have medication for it. It was triggered by our news, Legolas. She realized we would leave and never come back. She will not be taking this well."
Legolas gently put Allison on the bed. "When will Paola be back?"
Valerie looked at her watch. "In 15 minutes, I think. Why?"
"Won't we need the car to bring Allison to see a doctor?"
"She is a doctor! She told me everything I have to do when it happens and she certainly doesn't want her colleagues to see her arrive in this state at her hospital."
"So what do we do?"
"We wait. She is sleeping now. She is breathing almost normally now. Legolas?"
"Yes?"
"Is there any chance that... she could come with us?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Can she come to Greenwood with us?"
"Valerie... I am not sure it is a good idea..."
"Why not?"
"First, she is not part of the prophecy."
"So? Did I hear correctly earlier when you said that you are not completely sure that Phoebe is the warrior of the prophecy?"
"Yes, well, with the archery talent that she inherited from you, I am not absolutely sure but I think we can safely assume that she is, even if she is really young."
"But you will bring her nevertheless?"
"Yes, of course! I would never leave her behind! She is your daughter and I love her!"
"Then we can bring Allison."
"Valerie, please be realistic, I cannot -"
"We either bring her, or we all stay here," Valerie replied stubbornly. She was sitting on the bed beside her sleeping sister, caressing Allison's dark locks.
"She does not like me."
Valerie snorted. "And your father won't like me. I can tell by the way you said he is difficult to live with. But I love you enough to go and try to be nice with him. If I can do that, you can do the same for Allison."
"Vanima," Legolas sighed. "You do not understand. I truly cannot guarantee that she can come. What if she cannot cross the portal? We leave her behind? I cannot take that risk."
"I cannot ask you more than this, Legolas. We can try to bring her, and if she cannot come, she will remain here. But we will at least try, okay?"
Legolas thought about it for long minutes, and eventually nodded. He needed to bring Valerie and her children to Middle Earth. If bringing Allison was guaranteeing their presence beside him in Greenwood, he could make that small sacrifice.
"Where are we going?" asked Allison's weakened voice.
"You are going back to sleep," Valerie whispered to her sister, and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "I will tell you later."
"I cannot sleep. I want to know what is going on," Allison insisted despite her exhaustion.
"Legolas, can I please be alone with my sister?"
Legolas was reluctant to leave Valerie after their separation, and his hesitancy was obvious to Valerie.
"Legolas, I promised to marry you. You can go for a few hours, I just need to spend some time with my sister. I swear that you will still be welcome when you come back."
Valerie was smiling encouragingly, trying to give him some confidence that he would indeed be welcome when he came back in a few hours. He stood, pulled her out of the bed where she was sitting and gave her a long kiss that was sealing their earlier promises. The kiss became more passionate, until Allison mumbled that they should get a room. Valerie laughed happily, and Legolas gave her one last kiss before leaving the guest bedroom. When he came out of the house, he met Paola, who was coming back with Valerie's car. He had a sad thought for Valerie's old nanny. She would finally be able to retire, but they would make sure to leave behind enough for her not to worry about money for the rest of her life.
All the while, in the guest bedroom, Valerie was trying to explain to her sister that extraordinary beings lived in a different world, and that she was destined to go there with her children. Under normal circumstances, Allison would not have believed the story. But Legolas was proof enough, along with Valerie's new pendant. If Valerie decided to believe everything Legolas had said and to follow him practically anywhere, Allison could not stop it. All she could do was tag along, hoping to protect Valerie if she was to be disappointed. After all, there was still a slim chance that they all were delusional and would end up in an asylum.
OoOoO
"I think Sean and Phoebe were happy to see me," Legolas told Valerie later that evening, while they were getting ready for bed. Everyone else was asleep, including Allison who was resting in the guest room with the welcome help of strong sleeping pills. She had recovered from her panic attack but had remained weak and tearful for the rest of the day.
"Liam was happy too, my love," Valerie replied, turning her back to him to remove her clothes. It felt strange, having Legolas back in her bedroom. It was a little awkward. They had kissed earlier during the day, chaste exchanges of people tiptoeing around each other. Nothing more had happened. She was unsure about the next steps. Would they simply sleep side by side, taking all their time to reconcile, or would everything be back to normal as if a week had not passed since they had last been together?
"Don't," Legolas said, stopping her as she was about to put on her nightdress. "Turn around."
Valerie slowly turned, keeping her nightdress in front of her to hide her nudity. Legolas was sitting on the bed, completely naked, his body tense as he watched her eagerly. She had forgotten how his tattoos were impressive on his muscular torso, how his features looked almost animalistic when he was watching her with this hunger in his eyes.
"Come," he said, extending his hand for her to take. She dropped the nightdress on the floor and walked to the bed, taking the hand he was offering. He quietly pulled her on the bed, until she was kneeling in front of him. They stared at each other, the tension increasing between them. He finally moved, gently taking her face in his hands, his thumbs caressing her satin cheeks. He brought his mouth close to hers, but did not kiss her. Not yet.
"Valerie... I know it is difficult for you... but I need you to tell me what you feel for me."
She looked at him, stricken, not expecting such a request. She had thought everything had been said earlier in the morning. Legolas knew he would hear her pronounce the words he longed to hear before the night was over. He would not fall asleep until he had heard them. He needed it, needed the assurance that his love was returned. He slowly took her lips, and Valerie visibly relaxed in his arms. She moaned against his lips, and his hands left her face to slowly caress her neck, her shoulders, and moved down to her bosom. He cupped her breasts, slightly swollen since the last time he had seen her, a sure sign that her pregnancy was progressing. The nipples were erected as he played with them, and Valerie stopped kissing him, putting her head in the crook of his neck.
"I missed you," she whispered against his skin. It was a good start, but not quite the words he was waiting for. She started giving him little kisses on his shoulders, her hands lovingly touching his pectorals and his abs. They went down even more, going in the direction of his engorged length. His hands caught hers before they reached their target, and gathered them in her back, stopping the caresses that would bring his release far too soon.
"Not yet, Vanima. I need to rediscover you." He slowly pushed her down on the mattress, and lied on top of her, his knees between her open legs. He kissed her again, not quite believing that he was here, in her arms, and that he would get the future he had wished for. Valerie kissed him back passionately, her lower body moving up and down against his. She had always participated eagerly in their love play, with an open-mindedness he had never seen before in one of his lovers. It absolutely drove him insane, how she could make him lose control and forget everything but his desire to glove himself in her velvet warmth. Once more, he lost this battle and decided to just taste a little bit in advance what was to come, just for a few seconds. He slowly drove himself into her, marveling at how sensuous and tight she was.
"Legolas," she moaned under his skilled mouth. "I missed you," she repeated. He moved into her core for long minutes, Valerie breathing heavily in his ears while Legolas was unable to stop under the assault of pleasure. But it was not what he had wanted, what he had planned. He wanted to honor her body, rediscover it, hear her lose herself in delight like he used to, before their separation. He needed to know that he still could turn her into overcome and molten flesh.
She protested when he withdrew from her core, but moaned in delight when his mouth went to tease her nipple while his fingers replaced his length between her legs. He kissed, licked and gently bit into every piece of flesh he could find, his skilled fingers bringing her a first release that had her moan softly. But it was not enough for him. He wanted her at his mercy, unable to think, and for that, she needed to come more than just once. His mouth went down on her stomach, until it found the engorged and overexcited flesh of her core. He gently sucked on her clitoris, earning some feverish pleas to keep going, to take her, to make her come... Legolas complied, listening to the chanting he had created when Valerie came a second time.
"Legolas," she moaned, trying to pull his head so he would finally understand that she wanted him to take her, to stop teasing her with his fingers and mouth. The elf caressed her legs, her stomach, her breasts as he was coming back up to her face. She grabbed his head and pulled him for a kiss while she put her legs around his waist to have his lower body closer to hers.
"Not like this," he said, detaching her legs and kneeling on the bed. He made her kneel also, and turned her body around so they both faced the huge mirror hanging on the wall. "I want to see you." He gently pushed her on her hands and opened her legs, caressing her firm bottom. "Are you ready?" he asked her.
"I believe I asked you to make love to me many times tonight, and so far, you are the one who is stalling -"
She did not even have time to complete the sentence that he was taking her, watching her eyes close and expression change as he started to thrust into her. Gently at first, unsure if her pregnancy would change anything, but when she started to move with him, he knew that she could take more.
"Don't close your eyes, look at me," he commanded, and she stared at him in the mirror. Legolas started kissing her back, her shoulders while one of his hands was going back to her clitoris.
"Legolas, fuck, it feels so good... I will..."
"Tell me what I want to hear, Vanima!"
"You know..." she sighed.
"Yes, I do," he said, increasing the pace. "But I want to hear it... from your lips... I want to watch your face... as you tell me..."
"Legolas," she moaned, watching his face in the mirror. His expression was concentrated, almost serious, his eyes feral, darker than the usual light blue that she loved. His lips were swollen, but so were hers, because of all their kissing. He put his arms around her waist and lifted her body so she would kneel like he was. She turned her head and he kissed her passionately while his hands caressed her body.
"You were made for me, I love everything about you," he murmured in her ear. "We are a perfect fit, can't you feel it?"
"Yes, I know... I only want you, Legolas... No one else... Oh god, yes!" she encouraged him.
"Tell me, then!" he insisted.
"I... I love you," she whispered gravely, watching his reaction in the mirror, afraid that he might react strangely. She had never told a man these words before, it was unknown territory for her. Legolas stopped moving into her and closed his eyes, completely immobile for a few moments.
"Legolas?" Valerie asked, concerned. She turned her head, trying to catch a glimpse of his expression. "Did I say something wrong?"
He opened his eyes immediately, feeling the concern in her voice. He kissed her sweetly, gently, for a long time. "You didn't say anything wrong. You said... exactly what I needed to hear.."
She moved a little, uncomfortable. "What is wrong?"
"My back and legs are aching," she pitifully answered.
He gently withdrew from her and allowed her to lie on her back. He went back above her and took her again, the seconds that their physical separation had lasted feeling too much for him. "We are not done with this," he reminded her with a feral smile.
"Do your worst!" she challenged him. Legolas laughed heartily, relieved that the last taboo had been broken between them. She loved him, she would move to Middle Earth with him, marry him... He had won everything he was yearning for.
That night, he took her once, twice more, until she begged him to let her sleep. She woke up in the morning, cradled in his arms and absolutely sated, in the middle of stained bedsheets, pillows and comforter. Paola would certainly complain about Legolas' return, if only for that reason...
OoOoO
"There is only one month left before we leave, and we still haven't told the children," Allison said. The surgeon had taken an indefinite sick leave from the hospital and was practically living with the rest of the family. That morning, she was sitting at the kitchen table with Valerie while Legolas was at Kate's, saying goodbye for good. He had decided to cut the ties with his first friend in this world early, to ensure the disappearance of the Thompsons would not be linked to his pretend departure to his northern country.
"I certainly don't want them to talk to anyone! Imagine if they told Mother or Father!" Valerie replied. "But I think Liam suspects something. Did you notice that he started sorting out his books? In a few neat piles, his favorite ones clearly identified with stickers?"
"You think he is getting ready like we are?"
"It's obvious. And you know that credit card I allow him to use to buy his stuff? He always has been reasonable using it. Well it's been two weeks that he is using it like a madman."
"Won't you put a stop to it?"
"Not when I see what he buys - books and encyclopedias that cover various subjects. As if... he wants to build new things, understand basic engineering principles to be used in... an environment not so technologically advanced."
"Liam is getting ready then," Allison confirmed. "And what about Sean and Phoebe?"
"Sean will be devastated to know he cannot bring all his instruments. I was thinking of bringing his violin and his guitar, maybe his saxophone. The piano and the battery will have to remain here. And there is not much Phoebe would want to bring. Maybe her new bow, her favorite toys... At least, she is not attached to many items that require electricity."
"I cannot believe you are choosing to move to a world equivalent to the Middle Ages. It will be almost... barbaric!"
"You made the same choice, if I remember correctly, and are making preparations as eagerly as I do."
The two sisters had spent the last month discreetly preparing their departure. Valerie, remembering that Legolas was a prince, had decided not to show up empty-handed in his realm. She didn't want to be considered a social climber, especially by Legolas' father, if he was as disagreeable than Legolas had made it sound. When faced with the problem of converting her money into something of worth in Middle Earth, it had been Legolas who had suggested to bring gold. But after selling her house, which she was now temporarily leasing to the new owner, selling all her investments and other important belongings, the conversion in gold bars was found not to be very practical. Between Valerie and Allison, they would have to carry more than 150 gold bars. Allison had then suggested to buy jewelry instead, and both sisters had eagerly bought multiple precious stones, who could be more easily carried to Middle Earth. They had also bought quite a few gold bars.
Valerie played with her wedding ring, already getting tight due to her swollen fingers. The diamond, in the middle of emeralds representing Greenwood, had been chosen by Legolas, who had given it to Valerie two weeks before, during a secret ceremony. They had organized the wedding quickly and discreetly, to ensure John Thompson's lawyers would not hear about it. The family had gone on vacation for a week in the Caribbeans, and the ceremony had taken place on a beautiful beach with white sand and turquoise water, early in the morning before the beach became crowded. Legolas had found the scenery absolutely amazing, and had taken many pictures to bring back to show his father and friends. That is, after he had recovered from the plane trip. No one would ever forget the near panic attack he had had when the plane had taken off and landed, and only Allison's pills had successfully calmed him down. On the way back, he had taken the pills even before boarding the plane, and in his intense state of relaxation, had looked outside the window for most of the trip, pointing at clouds, houses and lakes like a child would do. Phoebe had enjoyed that trip tremendously, while the rest of the family had been slightly ashamed of his behavior in front of the other passengers.
Their wedding had been a simple ceremony during which Legolas and Valerie had vowed eternal love to each other, surrounded by the children and Allison. Legolas had said a few words in Sindarin, translating them later for Valerie. Later that night, when they had made love the first time as husband and wife, Legolas had asked Valerie to repeat the same words in Sindarin, their elven binding vows, and they had been surrounded by a blinding light. The appearance of the light had greatly satisfied Legolas, as it meant that their binding had been blessed by the Valar, the elven gods. They had immediately felt an indescribable communion of spirit that had heightened their love and pleasure to unexpected levels. In the following hours, Valerie had started feeling the strange side effects of an elven binding. She somehow always knew how Legolas felt when he was relatively close, and she could located him easily as well, without hearing him or seeing him. It was both strange and wonderful to Valerie, this link, this closeness, the perfect sharing of their soul. That is after she had finally accepted that her feelings and thoughts were no longer private, at least for Legolas. They now shared one fëa, for eternity, and it only made what was happening to her family more real.
Allison, who still had had moments of doubts until the wedding, had started participating more actively in the preparations after the wedding had taken place. She had secretly told Valerie that she hoped to find such love, were she allowed to go in Middle Earth with the rest of the family. She understood that Legolas could not guarantee her passage in the portal, just like he could not predict her fate. Should the Valar accept her presence in Middle Earth, would she remain human or become half-elven? There was a lot of uncertainty for Allison, but she prepared her departure as if she was sure she would be successful. For her, coming back alone and going on with her life while her sister and the children were in another world was not an acceptable option.
"Will you bring something for the babies?" Allison asked, while she was filling the last documents to resign from her position at the hospital. These documents would be delivered the day after their departure, to ensure their family wouldn't hear about it beforehand. She had made arrangements for her patients' files to be forwarded to some colleagues, and had prepared all the evaluation reports about the residents she had been training. Her apartment had been sold as well, along with her car and her investments. She was practically ready, as opposed to Valerie, who had to pack for four people.
Valerie put a hand on her stomach, which was already showing signs of pregnancy quite early considering she was only 11 weeks pregnant. This had been a wonderful and scary surprise. Allison had scheduled an ultrasound for Valerie, after Legolas had expressed concerns that his connection with the baby's fëa was hyperactive and seemed to differ from a connection to the next. The explanation was quickly found when two small children had been seen in her womb. It had been too early to determine the gender of the children, but Legolas was sure they were little ellyn – male elves - since the prophecy mentioned they were reborn kings.
"I don't think there is anything I can bring that will be of help," she sighed. "There is no electricity there, we are practically walking in the Middle Ages!"
"Diapers perhaps?"
"Why bring a box of diapers when we will run out after a week? And we certainly will not bring a two-years supply for twins! We are not bringing a truck with us! Although with a truck, we could bring Sean's piano!" she reflected, thoughtful.
"No truck!" Allison cut in. "Sometimes I think you are mental! Furniture?"
"Legolas will have a carpenter build two cribs and the rest of the furniture. He told me he would find a nanny, to help me with the babies and with Phoebe. He has someone in mind already. God, how I will miss Paola! It is strange to think she won't be there to help me raise the babies!"
"She is getting too old for this, Val. She needs to retire. Did you prepare her gift?"
"Yes, the money will be wired in her account the day of our disappearance. She shouldn't worry about money for a while. My letter to her is ready, at the notary. Did you bring him yours?"
"Yes, I did. Did you... leave a letter for Mom and Dad, or for John Junior?"
"No. And I don't intend to. But I won't... be mad if you leave them something. You were always closer to them..."
"I might... I have not quite decided what to do with them yet. This is my last decision of importance. So back to the babies, will you bring clothing?"
"Legolas says the seamstress will do the clothing for all the children."
"My my... Will you have to lift a finger, get anything productive done? Or will you become a lazy, useless lady?"
"If I understand correctly, I am expected to create links between the various races in Middle Earth, whatever that means. I am also expected to help administering the realm. And I was thinking that I could take care of the garden that used to belong to Legolas' mother. By the way, remind me to ask Liam to bring gardening books with us. And in exchange for all that? I will no longer have chores to do!" Valerie laughed.
"What about our clothing?" Allison asked. "You mentioned a seamstress would do the children's clothing, but do we have to bring our own clothes?"
"I suggest you bring a couple of pairs of jeans, since they don't have denim in Middle Earth. Be warned that ellith – female elves - don't wear pants, and that we will be frowned upon when we wear ours."
"Screw them!" Allison chanted while signing the final document. "That's it. My resignation. The end of my career as a renowned surgeon." There was sadness in her voice.
"I am sure you will become a renowned healer in Middle Earth. This is not the end of your career in medicine. Just bring some of your instruments, and you can show them how things are being done in a modern world! Did Legolas tell you many of his soldiers are regularly injured in battle? That should keep you busy!"
"What about you? What expertise will you bring, other than your deficient gardening skills and quite amazing social skills?"
"First, I am bringing my willingness to have children in a world where elves do not want to have children anymore. Can you imagine? I will be the only pregnant woman! I will be basking in everyone's attention! I expect you to bow to my greatness like the others -" Valerie barely avoided the pen that Allison threw in her direction. "Stop trying to hurt me! I am pregnant, in case you haven't noticed!"
"You are getting too big for anyone not to notice!" Allison teased good-heartedly.
"And this is where my second expertise comes into play! You will like this..." Valerie murmured conspiratorially.
"What?"
"I will bring fashion to Middle Earth!"
Allison looked at Valerie as if she had grown a second head. "You will have to explain that one."
"Legolas told me that Silvan elves like the Greenwood people are somewhat considered more primitive than the Sindarin or Noldo elves. So... Since first impressions are important in this case, my staff at Y&S is preparing for both of us a whole new wardrobe, inspired by Middle Ages and 19th century English dresses. You should have seen the drawings they submitted! They did an amazing job, and we selected such nice fabrics -"
"Won't they be suspicious about these dresses? How did you justify that?" Allison cut worriedly. "They might report this to Father, and they might try to investigate what happened to us after our disappearance..."
"They think we will use them for a special issue about history. The dresses will be used for the photo shoots, and then, they will mysteriously disappear..."
"But the magazine has been sold, and I am not sure the new owners will like the idea."
"Who cares? I changed all my employees' contracts two weeks ago, and they are now entitled to great packages should the new owners decide to let them go. I have them all excited about this next issue, and the team is almost ready with ten dresses for you and twenty for me. What more could you ask?"
"Why do you get twice as many dresses than I do?" Allison asked, outraged.
"See? I knew you would like my idea! And in case you don't remember, I am getting bigger, and this is just the beginning. I am not planning to spend my life in maternity dresses while you parade in the most stunning gowns these people will have ever seen! So, I have a maternity wardrobe and a regular one!" Valerie replied, smiling in triumph. "I will bring them home in two weeks. This is the moment in the conversation where you should be thanking me, Allison."
"Thank you, Val."
They heard the front door open, and Valerie knew it was Legolas, just by the waves she received through their link.
"Quel andune, Melamin! - Good afternoon, my love," she called in a hesitant Sindarin.
Legolas had started to teach them Sindarin, and even if it was a melodic language, it was very difficult to learn. The children were picking it up faster than Valerie and Allison. They had renounced learning to write it for now, the beautiful characters too complex to learn when you could hardly understand more than mere words. Legolas had said that a scholar called Bronadon would more than likely take over their teaching once they arrived in Greenwood.
Legolas entered the kitchen and answered in the same language, speaking words too fast for them to understand more than "Kate", "sad," and "friend". But Valerie could feel he was sad to leave behind the woman who had taken him under her wings. But it was out of question to bring another person with them in Middle Earth.
"Did you leave some gold?" Allison asked in English, knowing Legolas wanted to help Kate like Valerie and her wanted to help Paola.
"I hid it in my room. She will find it when she decides to clean the room to rent it to someone else. And I left her the name of the jeweller who likes to buy them."
"How was she?" Valerie asked.
"She was sad. She asked me to promise to come back one day. I told her it was highly unlikely. She asked for my email address... I told her I did not have one. She was convinced that I did not like her, that I wanted to avoid to be in contact with her again. It took me a while to convince her otherwise..."
"She will be happier here," Valerie said, trying to comfort him.
"I know," he said, kneeling in front of her and snaking his arms around her waist. They observed each other for a long time, Legolas sending her his emotions through their connection. He was glad to see her, excited that they were about to leave for his world and absolutely relieved that she had accepted to bind with him before they left. She gave him a chaste kiss, not understanding why he was relieved that she had accepted to get married before they crossed the portal.
Legolas knew she couldn't understand why it had been so important to him. She didn't know that in Middle Earth lived another ellon that could have been her mate. Haldir, Marchwarden of Lothlorien, formidable warrior, who could have given her an easier and quieter life, an ellon who could seduce an elleth in the blink of an eye... He had been afraid that Haldir could have taken Valerie from him, were they to arrive in Middle Earth unbound. He had not dared take the risk of losing her. And now... She was his! For eternity, in front of the Valar... His, and his only.
He studied her facial features carefully. Ever since their binding, he had noticed that he could not look at another woman and appreciate her looks. That was part of the magic of an elven binding; in order to be enthralled by your mate for an eternity, the shared connection created an unavoidable impression that your mate was the most attractive elf alive, both physically and mentally. And although he had definitely been thinking that Valerie was stunning, he had been quite aware that as compared to an elleth, Valerie was different but less beautiful. And now... he couldn't even remember what he had found attractive in Amareth, or even in Holly, Valerie's employee, who was also attractive. Even Allison, who had her own brunette style, was now absolutely ordinary in his eyes. Valerie was now the center of his universe, and almost all he could think of. She smiled to him, sensing his awe and absolute happiness. He gently grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hungrily, demanding entrance in her mouth, access that she granted with a soft moan. Only Allison's loud throat clearing made them realize they were not alone.
"You guys are like little bunnies," Allison complained. "Can't you keep your hands off each other for ten minutes?"
"We haven't been together for three hours!" Valerie protested, blushing violently. Since their binding, they had been making love many times a day. And Allison, who was now living with them, was quite aware of the frequency of their couplings and continuously joked about it.
"How are my sons?" Legolas asked, caressing Valerie's little bump. A good way to change the subject to more innocent grounds. He closed his eyes, concentrating to connect his fëa with the babies'.
"They seem to be asleep," he murmured after a while. "Were you sick today?"
"Not more than usual," Allison answered, the doctor in her coming out. "But her pressure is a little high."
"So I took another day off," Valerie completed. Her pregnancy was taking its toll. She never had been so sick and tired during her previous pregnancies, and she was quite relieved to know that Allison was getting a quick refresher on general obstetrics from a colleague, to ensure she would know how to face any difficult situations.
"We are leaving soon," Legolas reminded her. "Allison is almost ready, but what about you?"
"The employees' contracts have been updated. The next issue is planned. I cannot do anything else, Legolas. My disappearance needs to be a surprise. One morning, I will simply not show up to work... The kids will not go to school... and they will never find us ever again..."
"You are sure you do not wish to say goodbye to your family?"
"I am. My only family is coming with us. And Paola... will receive reassurances that we are not dead, that we left for a better life, and she will have money to live comfortably... This will close the last loop."
OoOoO
"I cannot believe you agreed to bring a piano," Allison complained while she was helping Legolas to push the rolling platform on which sat a small upright piano. "Honestly, couldn't Sean learn to live without a piano?"
"I do not mind," Legolas replied. This topic had already caused many fights between Valerie and her sister in the past week. He actually was glad that Valerie had found this small piano for Sean. The young musician had been able to bring most of his instruments, except the battery. This instrument was being left behind without any guilt by Legolas, who had doubted his people would have appreciated the loud banging sounds that could hardly be described as music.
Liam's books and various supplies were already in the woods, with the items that the ladies had decided to bring, which were very reasonable. The adults had brought their jewels and gold bars, and a lot of clothing, which Legolas had not been authorized to see. Their new dresses had kept Valerie and her sister in the bedroom for hours, happily exclaiming about how beautiful they were. Valerie had brought her bow while Allison had brought a medical bag and supplies that had been carefully chosen, although the drugs themselves would expire relatively quickly. Phoebe had only brought her bow and arrows, and a few tows.
If Legolas was right, the portal would open in less than an hour. He wanted to make sure that everyone would be ready to cross the door to Middle Earth when the portal would open since he had no idea how long it would remain available. Since Lady Galadriel had advised Valerie to ensure to be the last one to enter the portal, he wanted to make sure that the entire family, including his wife, would be in the woods at least half an hour before the portal opened. But it was colder than usual outside, and Valerie had insisted that she and the children remain in the house until the last minute.
"We are almost there," Legolas encouraged Allison, who was getting tired of pushing the piano on the frozen ground. Legolas had made a pathway in the snow to help them with the transport of the goods in the woods. He knew the policemen investigating the disappearance would be confused by the traces they left behind and the sudden vanishing of any evidence where the portal would be.
Allison simply grunted, and Legolas looked ahead to see the area where he expected the portal to appear. He started swearing in Sindarin when he saw a thin, transparent veil standing in the middle of the small clearing.
"What is it?" Allison asked, dumbstruck.
"That's our portal!" Legolas cried. "Get them here! Now!" he yelled when she didn't move into action right away. Allison turned around and started running in the direction of the house, calling Valerie at the top of her lungs. With the rush of adrenaline, Legolas was able to push the piano by himself all the way to the portal. When he tried to push a box through the veil, the box didn't go through. Swearing once more, he realized two things: one, they needed Valerie's emerald and the incantation to open the portal, and two, he had started swearing a lot since he met his wife, and his father would be greatly displeased by this blatant disrespect of his royal station.
This is it – in the next chapter, Valerie goes to Middle Earth! The chapters 10 and 11 are ready and my beta reader should review them shortly. I have written so many chapters in the past weeks, I have a lot of inspiration. I can't wait to publish everything I have written so far!
Many thanks to Morwen 80, Dorothea Blackmoor, world-classgeek (I am not sure about Nienna yet, the story line I am working with doesn't go that far), Paperlanterns86, SleepyHollow5, purpleXorchid, Fi, faye50free (I don't think her parents are worth the time, don't you think?),foofie01, Bubbles8231999, KKK3 (you are right, Allison is a tad overprotective), KurandRobgirl and Peridot Eyez.
To Glory Bee, blackunicorne, Abbyforth, Aureleis and Manwathiel-Nanethiel, who have all expressed the desire to see Allison go to Middle Earth earlier this time: Legolas has no idea if the Valar will allow her to cross the portal with them. You will see their decision in the next chapter...
Last but not least, thanks to Cleelake and Morwen80 for their private messages.