Perplexities of Growing Up
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the places or characters used here except for Náriël-I did invent her and if she resembles anyone else's character in anyway, I'm sorry- not done on purpose. Everything else belongs to Tolkien.
A/N:
Meep! I'm sorry it's taken me forever to put this chapter up! I've had so much stuff to do! College applications and such. Anyway, I know that a lot of you were a bit disappointed with the last chapter, but this one should be better!
Ch.18: Heady Stuff
--- She walked down the stairs and entered the dinning room. Her back was straight, her shoulders were pulled back, and her head was held high. She wore a look of utter arrogance on her face as she stepped inside the room.
Legolas nearly choked on his wine. ----
POV: Author
There was a moment's silence as the two elves stared at the young elleth that just entered the room. Legolas's eyes widened in surprise and he coughed from the large intake of wine, attempting to make it as inconspicuous as possible.
'This is Náriël! Since when did she….well…she certainly is well endowed.'
Legolas shifted uncomfortably at the thought before being snapped back into reality by the scraping of a chair on the wooden floor. Elrond stood up and embraced his daughter before pulling out a chair for her across from Legolas.
"You look beautiful Náriël."
"Thank you Ada."
POV: Legolas
I felt like a fool.
'They must think me an uncultured moron! I can't believe I forgot to stand, yet alone pull out the chair for her! How ill mannered can I be?'
"Good evening Náriël, you're looking nice tonight."
She simply smiled and gave me a nod in response, but the look in her eye seemed almost…seductive?
'No, I'm looking too much into this. Why on Middle Earth would she attempt to seduce me? Especially after that night…'
I stole a quick glance at her, and perhaps, I may have lingered on her ample bosom a bit too long…I could feel my face heat up slightly and I thanked the Valor that I do not turn too red when blushing.
As we sat there eating in silence my thoughts began to stray. They went floating back to the night on the balcony. What would have happened if I had kissed her, I wondered? Unfortunately, I allowed my imagination to wander and run free and wild…
- Legolas's Daydream POV: Author -
(A/N: The perfect song I'm imagining for this seen is 'In My Dreams' by Robert Miles – it's sooo pretty!) Legolas gently ran his hand up Náriël's smooth cheek and cupped her face, bringing his lips down to hers. The kiss was soft and innocent. Her hands slid up his chest and tangled in his golden tresses. He deepened the kiss. Wrapping one arm around her waste and bringing the other up to grasp the back of her head, he slid his tongue along her bottom lip. She slowly allowed him entrance and their tongues began a sultry battle for dominance. The need to feel the other was building up in both of them and he pulled her closer to his body.
She could feel his desperate want for her against her thigh; a small moan escaped her full lips. Legolas began to slowly walk her backwards until her back finally hit the balcony wall. Both of his hands slid down to her hips and rested there as his body pushed her against the smooth stones behind her. Náriël linked her arms around his neck as they continued to kiss fervently.
They couldn't get enough of each other…
Suddenly, Lord Elrond walked in.
"Legolas!"
- End Daydream POV: Legolas -
I jerked my head up and looked around bewildered. Both Náriël and Elrond were staring at me curiously. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
"Didn't you hear me call you? Are you alright Legolas? You seemed a bit out of it…" he trailed off.
'Oh Valor, they couldn't know what I was just thinking could they? That look she's giving me…it's like she knows. I do wish she'd stop looking at me like that…from the corners of her eyes with such suspicion…at least dinner is over…or not.'
I was suddenly well aware that my little daydream had quite an effect on me. I was very thankful that the table cloth was nice and long, but I had to wonder if I did anything odd while I was off in my own world. They were getting up to leave, but what was I to do? There was no way I could just stand and leave now! Even with my long tunic…it was still so obvious!
'What a predicament I have gotten myself into! Ok, just relax…breathe…'
"Legolas? Are you planning on just sitting there the rest of the evening?"
Her voice sounded so smooth and mature I hardly recognized it as Náriël's. My eyes widened slightly and my insides seemed to squirm.
'What's wrong with me! I'm no awkward young elfling anymore! But then why does she make me feel this way? The way she looks at me…the way she makes me feel…the only other elleth that has ever done things like this to me was Solith…'
She quirked an eyebrow at me and I couldn't help but give her a cocky smile back.
"Since when do you care what I do in my free time?" I inquired.
She glared at me before whipping around and gliding out of the room, leaving my question dangling in the air. I breathed out a sigh of relief for I was finally alone in the room. I cautiously stood up and carefully made my way back up to my room. Locking the door behind me I fell back on my bed and exhaled. The dream kept coming back to me, more vivid each time, which certainly did not help my situation. Finally, scowling in frustration, I realized that there was only one way to solve this issue…
Drawing all the curtains, the room was tinted in a soft crimson glow from the setting sun streaming through the fabric. Relaxing back against the pillows, I once again let my mind travel to another place and time…
- Legolas's Daydream POV: Author -
He laid her down gently on his soft bed, his naked body shivering from the cool air. She smiled softly up at him before pulling him down to meet her anxious lips. Their bodies now felt hot against each other and they pushed away the superfluous comforter until it fell to the floor. Their hands where everywhere; their hot tongues were dancing; their bodies were tingling in anticipation…he kissed the side of her neck as he entered her, sighing in the delight of being enveloped by her. They moved together slowly, passionately. Their panting grew heavy, their whispers of love and affection filled the room. He grabbed her hands and entwining fingers, brought her them above her head. Kissing her feverishly his body shuddered in delight.
- End Daydream POV: Author -
Legolas lay there panting, his eyes were still closed. He cringed at the thought of what had just transpired in the room. It wasn't right for him to think such things about her. She deserved more respect than that; besides, since when had he started thinking of Náriël in any such way?
Sighing deeply he swung his legs over the bed and quietly slid off. Grabbing a towel and some clothes to sleep in he made his way to the secluded hot springs at the far end of the Last Homely House. The way it had been built, it was far away from prying eyes, so Legolas stripped in confidence and swiftly stepped into the warm water.
"Aaaahhh…" he let out a low hiss of pleasure as the warm water enveloped his tense body.
His muscles began to relax immediately and he leaned back in tranquility. Closing his eyes he allowed his mind to go blank – no more distressing thoughts nagged at him – his mind was a quiet void. Slowly opening his eyes he looked up through the glass ceiling to spy the last dying embers of the sun paint the sky in a bright red as the stars began to twinkle and night opened its sleepy eyes.
……………
Náriël happily glided down the hall, towel and night dress in hand. A smug smile was painted on her face as she thought about dinner.
'Yes, I've finally managed to break his composure! The look on his face of utter bewilderment and surprise was absolutely priceless!'
She grinned to herself, snickering slightly. Her thoughts then began to shift to the nice dip in the hot springs she was so looking forward to. Unlike in many places, there was no discrimination between the males and females, due to the fact that really the hot springs were for Náriël alone. Her father seldom used them and when he did he made sure to let Náriël know so that she would not accidentally intrude. Additionally, the helpers in the house were not allowed to use them at all, hence their title of being private hot springs.
She quietly walked up to the wooden door and gently pulled it open. As she was about to step inside she noticed the silhouette of none other than Legolas. Stepping a bit farther in, she could now clearly see him from the chest up. His back was mostly to her, but she still had a nice view of his well toned body. She gaped at the way the water trickled down his strong arms and the way his muscles seemed to ripple with the slightest movement. His elbows were propped up against the ground and his head was knelt back, splaying his golden mane around him.
Stepping back out, she closed the door behind her and stood there for a moment, before turning her back to it and sliding to the floor. Her eyes were wide; her pulse was racing; her breathing was slightly labored. She could not believe that after everything, he could still have such an effect on her. He was gorgeous.
What were these feelings she was having? Feelings of…desire? For Legolas? She blushed a pretty pink at the thought. Hearing something behind the door she quickly jumped up and raced back to her room in fear of him finding her sitting there all flustered.
……………….
Náriël spent the following day doing her best to avoid Legolas. Under no circumstances did she want to be reminded of her thoughts and feeling from last night. In fact, she was so keen on keeping him at a distance that she skipped dinner all together.
Sitting up in her bedroom, she gazed out into the starry night above her. Her stomach growled in protest to the self-imposed fast from dinner. Sighing she glanced back at her door. It was late in the night and she figured most of the household, if not all, was probably in bed already. Heaving herself off of the window seat she walked over to the door and opened it gently. Looking around, all seemed to be deserted.
Lifting her flowing white nightgown slightly so as not to trip on it, she quietly stole out of the room. Tip-toeing past the large viewing balcony, she headed down towards the kitchen. She was almost to the fridge when she felt another presence in the room. Whirling around, she saw a figure completely shrouded in the darkness of night's shadows.
"Náriël?" There was a pause before, "You skipped dinner…"
"Yes, well, aren't you observant, Legolas? What are you doing up at this time of night?"
She meant for her voice to sound strong and defiant, but a twinge of uneasiness came anyway. He snorted in response to her sarcasm. She could see his eyes through the darkness and they were intense. The blue-gray orbs seemed to almost glow in the dim light of the kitchen as he gave her his simple answer, "Stargazing."
"You know Legolas," she was no longer trying to hide her growing anxiety, "you're a bit frightening like this, in the dark…"
She saw a small smirk grace his lips and his eyes narrow slightly to give him a look of complete smugness and mischievousness. With his head slightly cocked to one side and his face still bearing the same deviousness, he took a deliberated step towards her. She took one back. His smirk broadened and he took another forward. Náriël quickly found herself flat against the wall. He was so close to her, she could smell his heady scent. The cocky grin and gleam in his eyes made him irresistibly sexy. He was now half bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window. He leaned forward and placed his hands on both sides of her head and against the wall. His eyes bore into hers. He was so close; she shuddered.
Half of his face was illuminated and half hidden in inky darkness. His face was suddenly so close to hers. Náriël could feel her breath and pulse quicken. Legolas slowly and sensually brought his lips mere millimeters away from her ear. His breath was tickling her and another sweet shudder ran down her spine.
"Are you…afraid of me…Náriël?"
His voice was low and husky.
Náriël closed her eyes and brought her hands up to lay flat against his chest. She pushed slightly, but instead of moving away, he only moved closer.
"I…no." She snapped her eyes open but the glare was lost on Legolas, for he was still nuzzling her ear.
"You can just be…intimidating…" she cursed herself silently for being so meek and showing her weakness to him.
She felt him smile against her cheek as he moved his head away, his face gently brushing against hers.
"I assure you I meant to do no such thing."
His voice was still deep and intimate, but softer this time; his smile was no longer taunting but gentle and his eyes now exuded warmth instead of mischief. Pushing away from her, he straightened himself out. Bowing slightly, he took her hand in his and kissed it softly before murmuring a sweet 'goodnight, my lady.'
He stood back up and spared her one last glance before gracefully turning around and walking out of the kitchen with such an air that radiated pride and confidence, his cocky smirk plastered on his face once more.
Náriël was left alone in the dark kitchen. She still stood where Legolas had left her. Her eyes were wide and her breathing was only now slowing down; her heart still beat wildly in her chest. She stared after Legolas for a long while before her mind began to work. Somewhere along the lines, her plan had gone askew; instead of her teasing Legolas, somehow, he had managed to charm her…
A/N:
Thank you all so much! With my last chapter I reached over 300 reviews! (does happy dance) that's SO awesome! I love you guys! Wow, I just saw that I had over 1,000 people check out my first chapter and over 300 read the last one! Pretty cool!
Alrighty well I hope you all remember to review! And just as a little bit of inspiration, quote for you wonderful reviewers:
"The number one motivator of people is feedback on results." –Felix 'doc' Blanchard, jr.
Ctimene: here ya go! And I think this one's a bit better than the last one…I hope (crosses fingers)
Brownie24: muwahahahaha! He has turned the tables on her once again! Behold the cunning of Legolas!
Founder2: why do you say that? O.o (they're both all lost and confused…or at least…were)
Nebulastrike: yeah, I figured that's what your sn said, but it's kinda annoying to write w/ the numbers lol…creative though…anyway, I hope you liked this chapter better, I tried to make it a bit juicy to make up for the last one…if not, tough! Haha.
Madrone: yeah, I know what you mean!
Flying Pheonix: (grins) hope you liked the chapter!
Lady Keshanna of the Night: yay! Thank you!
Roughlovelegolas: hahah! You know what? When I was writing this chapter…I had actually completely forgotten what you wrote in your review (no offense) and now that I'm rereading it to respond, lol, I think that's pretty funny considering I sorta did what you asked eh? I guess in a way I'm kinda teasing the readers too heheh
Phicaddictdpiratephantomprsnya: ok, I've decided to just copy and past your name into word for responses XP thanks for the review though! lol
Maren L P: well here it is! Hope you like it!
White Wave: woo hoo! Thanks SO much! I always love getting new readers! Keep the great reviews coming :-)
Anonymous, Not Really: cute, real cute…the name I mean haha
Quessealqua: LOL! I know exactly what you're going through! I feel the same way! Sometimes you just need to be able to lose yourself in a great fanfic! And I'm honored that you'd pick mine…so go ahead and nag away! Lol I love getting inspirational reviews..thanks!
Dark Fay: thank you!
Elven at Heart: well….things sure are heating up now eh? (winks)
ChirikoFan: wow! Thanks SO much for that awesome review! It's great when I get to read reviews like yours!
Snowdropsinwinter: thank you, thank you…and I'll see if I have time to check out your fanfic (i'm always so busy damn it! lol)
Morwen12: well, I know this may not have been fast, but I hope you deem it excellent! hehe