I have a bunch of pre-written chapters so I decided to upload this one now. Apologies for any spelling or grammatical mistakes. Being your own editor sucks sometimes. Enjoy lovelies!

BOLD is anything said in Elvish. ITALICS are memories/flashbacks/thoughts

The sound of metal clashing against metal sang through the training grounds as Legolas and Anolindë faced each other, knives intertwined. Both Elves had come of age now, no longer children but adults. Ever since the day they had jumped off the waterfall, they were almost inseparable and had become the best of friends. Now that they were older, they were allowed to train with bows and knives. And the two were quite good at it, surpassing many of the older Elves with their skill. Only one other Elf, an elleth named Tauriel, was able to somewhat keep up with the two. Anolindë and Tauriel did not like each other very much. She rarely allowed the other elleth to train with them. It was clear to Anolindë that Tauriel harbored feelings for the Elven prince and also felt as though Anolindë herself was lusting for him. Anolindë however, had no such feelings for the prince. To her, he was merely a very close friend. Tauriel felt as though Anolindë was a threat to her, and made it very clear when Thranduil had made her captain of the guard in Mirkwood. She had refused that Anolindë accompany them when they went out to fend off the giant spiders who were slowly taking over Mirkwood or to kill any Orc who dared to enter the kingdom.

"What are you thinking, mellon nîn?" Legolas asked, locking eyes with Anolindë.

Both of her knives were pressed up against his, forming an X. Legolas studied his friend as she pushed back against him, trying to throw him off balance. She had grown beautifully. Her eyes and hair were still the same color as his but her hips had filled out while his stayed slim. Her chest became more curvaceous as all elleths did while his became more muscular and defined. She was truly a beautiful sight. Many ellons had also noticed this and many had asked to court her. None of them were good enough for her. He had made that absolutely clear as he turned each and every one of them away when they had come up to her.

"Your father's feast," Anolindë replied, finally managing to break free by side-stepping.

The prince lurched forward slightly before catching himself.

"What of it?" he asked, sheathing his knives as she did the same.

"I have not been to one of your father's feasts in many years," she replied. "You know I despise gowns and dressing up."

She pointed to the tunic and breeches she currently wore.

"You fret too much, mellon nîn," Legolas said, laughing. "It is only for a few hours. Besides, my father has plenty of wine at his feasts."

Anolindë rolled her eyes. All Elves seemed to care for was wine.

"Come Anolindë," Legolas said, reaching out for her. "Let us return and clean up before the feast."

Reluctantly, she followed him back towards the main palace. Upon reaching it, they went their separate ways to their own chambers to prepare for the feast.

~:✿:~

The feast had already been in full swing for about an hour before Anolindë arrived. She had chosen a gown of green to wear for the night that hugged her body down to the waist where it began to flow outwards. She hesitated at the doors, deciding if she should go in or return to her chambers. Eyes sweeping the room, she noticed Legolas surrounded by a group of elleths, laughing and chatting about something. To her surprise, a knot formed in her stomach at the sight. What was this? He was not hers. She should not be feeling any sort of way. She turned, putting the scene and the great hall to her back.

I should return to my chambers, she thought to herself.

Just as she was about to leave, long fingers encircled her wrist.

"You're late, mellon nîn," a voice said in her ear.

"Legolas!" she exclaimed, turning to face her friend.

He held up two goblets and a bottle. He had brought her wine.

"Come. Let us go into the gardens," he said, pulling her towards a door that led to one of Thranduil's beautiful private gardens. "Too many giggling elleths for my liking."

The knot grew in her belly again. She should not be feeling like this! They sat upon a stone bench nestled between to very large bushes. Legolas began pouring wine into the two goblets.

"How did you manage to steal a whole bottle?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I cannot tell you my secrets," he replied, handing her a filled goblet.

The wine was smooth as she drank a large mouthful.

"You look so different in a gown," Legolas commented as he finished his goblet almost instantly.

"And you look like an Orc," she said, playfully slapping his arm.

The two conversed for a while, finishing the whole bottle of wine. They spoke of training and their studies, their fathers, and anything they could think of. When they fell silent, Anolindë merely stared up at the night sky. Not a cloud in sight and the stars shone brightly. It was only several minutes later that she felt Legolas staring at her.

"What?" she asked him.

He didn't respond, keeping his eyes on hers. Her breath hitched. Eru, he was beautiful. What came next surprised both of them. Their lips locked together in a sensual kiss, the softness of the prince's lips surprising Anolindë. She never suspected them to be so smooth. When they pulled apart, neither of them said a word. They just kept looking at each other, searching for reactions.

"Anolindë," Legolas began quietly.

She placed a slender finger against his lips. His hands reached up to tangle themselves in her hair as he pulled her closer to him, covering her mouth with his as he kissed her again, a little more fiercely this time. And with that, it was like a dam breaking, releasing emotions like water rushing through the cracks. Now they both knew how they felt. The knot in Anolindë's stomach made sense now. She loved him.

~:✿:~

"What are you thinking, meleth nîn?"

Legolas' voice pierced Anolindë's thoughts. She looked up at him with a smile.

"Your father's feast," she replied. "The night your lips first touched mine."

Now it was Legolas' turn to smile. He crouched next to her, his nose only inches from her face.

"My lips shall only touch yours."

The whispered promise sent shivers down her body. They both stood, Anolindë's hand finding his and pulling him away from the camp they had made for the night. Aragorn and Gandalf were conversing in low tones whilst Gimli snored near the small fire. She led the prince to a small brush near the horses and pulled him to the ground.

"Kiss me, meleth nîn," she whispered.

And he did. Those soft lips she adored caught hers in a deep kiss while his hands gently pushed her flat onto the ground. Pulling away, his hands moved from her shoulders to the laces on her tunic, swiftly loosening them and allowing her to pull it over her head. The two began to undress each other, every so often stealing kisses before tossing clothing to the side. Legolas stared at the naked form beneath him, running his hand down her side. Slowly, his knee pushed upwards, spreading her legs to allow him access to her.

"Please," was the only word that escaped her mouth as she grabbed his hips and desperately tried to pull him to her.

He smiled as the elleth beneath him almost whined in ecstasy as he slowly eased himself into her until he was fully buried to the hilt. Throwing her head back, Anolindë clenched her hands tighter on his hips. Legolas began to thrust slowly, sliding himself against her walls. He began to quicken his pace to a harder and rougher thrust, almost slamming his hips into hers. Her hands rose to his muscular arms, grabbing them and digging her fingers into his flesh. His head dropped to her neck and he gently nipped at her skin as he relentlessly thrust into her. Soon, a heat began to build inside her, spreading upwards. She was close to her release. Twisting her head to the side to allow him easier access to her neck, she bit down on her lip to keep from crying out. Her release came swiftly, like a giant wave crashing down over rock. Stars burst behind her eyelids as she closed them tightly. Every muscle in her body clenched, cause her to tighten around Legolas' member. This sent him into his own release, shooting his seed deep within her as he flung back his head with a low moan. As their ecstasy subsided, Legolas dropped his head to look at his beautiful lover. She was staring back at him, her eyes piercing his very soul.

"I shall be forever yours," Anolindë promised, reaching up and brushing a stray hair from his face.

"And I shall be forever yours," he replied, grasping her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it.

He rolled off of her, settling down in the grass beside her. She turned on her side and rested her head on his chest, listening to the heartbeat beneath her ear. He slid his arm underneath her and held her close to him. It was quiet, save for the sound of the horses chewing some grass. They stayed like this for most of the night, enjoying each other's naked company. It was Anolindë who broke the silence.

"Do you think your father would approve?" she asked.

"It matters not what he thinks," he said, holding her more tightly. "You are mine. We are bonded. Did you not listen to what Pandir said?"

Pandir was one of the oldest Elves in Mirkwood. He was a wonderful and wise tutor. He was also a historian of sorts. Because of his age, he knew much and the other Elves, including Thranduil, respected him because of it.

"At birth, your souls were marked for each other. You would not find peace with any other Elf. Your souls would never rest until you found each other. Some are not so lucky as you. Some never find their partnered soul. And they fade into nothingness."

Anolindë buried her face into Legolas' neck, breathing in his familiar smell. The smell of woodlands, their home. Legolas was home for her. With him, she was at peace.

~:✿:~

The sky was only beginning to brighten as the two Elves rejoined their companions. Gandalf was the only one who had stayed awake throughout the night. Gimli and Aragorn were each in their own bedroll, oblivious to the world.

"Ah, Legolas and Anolindë," Gandalf greeted them, pipe in hand.

"Mae govannen, mellon," Anolindë replied, smiling. "I trust you had a restful night?"

"As restful as could be in these times," Gandalf said. "We must continue."

Legolas prepared the horses while Anolindë raised the two sleeping companions. After a couple bites of Lembas bread, they were up and riding through the plains. From her place behind the Ranger, Anolindë could hear the Dwarf grumbling from behind Legolas.

"Laddie, could you not go so fast? This is not the most comfortable of positions."

Gandalf only stopped Shadowfax when Edoras came into view. A small city atop of a very large hill. Stone houses with thatched roofs dotted the hilltop, surrounded by a large wooden wall. And the largest structure of them all lay in the center at the very top of the hill. Anolindë guessed that must have been the palace.

"Edoras," Gandalf said. "And the golden hall of Meduseld. There dwells Theoden, king of Rohan who's mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over king Theoden is now very strong. Be careful of what you say. Do not look for welcome here."

The three horses were spurred on, closing in on the city of Edoras.

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