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:
Hey everyone! I'm back…like 6 years later ^_^;; I'm so so sorry! I just needed a break from this story, but I DID promise to finish it! Besides, I hope by now my writing has improved from where it was when I first started, haha. I also hope that some of you guys will actually come back to this story…I haven't lost all of you, have I? Please don't hate me for keeping you hanging for so long. Please please please review and let me know what you think...this is the last and final chapter you all have been waiting for so I'd love feedback!

So here we go…again…

Ch. 20: Ecstasy

Náriël awoke the next morning with her stomach in knots. She could not quite believe what had happened the night before. She remembered lying there, exhausted, while Legolas held her tightly to him. That was the most confusing, but yet brilliant experience that she had ever had. As she was drifting off to sleep she vaguely recalled Legolas carrying her back to her own bed.

'Maybe it was all a dream? Just a wonderful…crazy dream?'

She looked down at her nightgown and could see an outline from where the wetness had dried. Her stomach squirmed. As she sat there in bed contemplating what had happened, Náriël had to admit that there was no denying her ever growing attraction for the elfin prince. After all that had happened between them, maybe she could finally forgive him and give in to her feelings.

'But is that what I want? Do I really want to be with Legolas?'

The uncertainty knotted her stomach even more; she needed time to think. Throwing back the covers she hopped out of bed and got dressed. Making her way down to the kitchen, she was pleased to find that everyone had already eaten and was out of the house. She settled down at the table and slowly ate her breakfast as she contemplated what she would do today.

Whether it was on accident or on purpose, Náriël couldn't tell, but somehow or other she ended up avoiding Legolas all day. The evening was already turning to night and the first stars could be seen peeking out from behind the ominous looking clouds above. Náriël leaned back on the bench she was occupying and looked up into the velvety sky.

"Náriël?"

She whirled around and found Legolas standing only a few feet away. His expression as he gazed upon her was questioning and slightly hurt. He hesitantly approached her.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" he questioned.

POV: Náriël

"Umm, no. I suppose not."

I was so nervous that I'm sure my voice was shaking as I answered him. I couldn't figure out what had come over me. Butterflies were flopping around in my stomach and I couldn't tell which I wanted to do more: run into his arms or run away from him. I did neither. Instead, I sat there with my hands neatly folded in my lap and fiddled with the fabric of my dress, waiting for him to say something.

"Listen," he began, "I really like you and care for you Náriël. And because of that, I feel that last night was a mistake…"

My stomach and heart clenched at the same time.

"Well, maybe 'mistake' isn't exactly the right word. I think it was too soon…for you. I can tell that you're confused and hesitant. I don't want that. I understand that last time, you felt ready to be with me – in a relationship. Unfortunately, I had some demons of my own to battle with at the time. I know I hurt you. I never wanted to and I most certainly don't want to now."

He turned around and stared at me, pinning me in place with his piercing blue eyes.

"I just want you to know, that I'm all in this time. But I want you to take your time and figure out what it is that you want. There is no pressure and no rush, but I just wanted you to know where I stand."

With that said, he cupped my face in his hands and placed a soft kiss on my forehead before standing back up and walking into the house.

I sat there alone as my thoughts and emotions whirled inside me like a tornado. I don't know how long I sat there, but my heart began to speed up as it occurred to me that the one and only thing I was certain of was that I did not want to lose him again. After spending so many centuries without him I could not bear the thought of him leaving me again. In that instant, as the raindrops began to slowly come down, I knew what I wanted. Legolas.

POV: Author

She jumped up and ran as fast as her feet could carry her back to the house. As she neared she could make out his shape near the brook that ran beside her home. She slowed to catch her breath. The rain was steadily coming down now and she shivered from the droplets running down her spine. Legolas turned to her with a look of surprise etched upon his face.

"Legolas," she breathed. "I'm ready. I want this. I want you! I might not be ready for everything all at once, but I know that I don't want to lose you. I don't want you to leave me again…"

She trailed off feebly, not knowing what else to say. Legolas gazed upon her beautiful face, contorted with worry, hope and anticipation all at once. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist as a smile spread across his ethereal face. He dipped his head and claimed her in a passionate kiss.

"We can take things as slow as you want," he whispered against her lips.

…..

It was a beautiful sunny day in early September as Legolas lounged in the boughs of a large Mallorn tree. He smiled to himself as he reflected on the past several months. It had been a long time since he had felt this happy and content. His fingers absentmindedly drifted towards his pocket where a thin band of entwined mithril branches lay. After giving it much thought, he knew that Náriël was the elleth he wanted to spend eternity with. He wanted to bind with her.

…...

At the same exact moment, Náriël sat on the windowsill of her bedroom and gazed out at the city before her. Her thoughts consumed by the elf that had claimed her heart. She knew that the time had come. She wanted to be with Legolas in every sense of the word. Her body and soul yearned for him like never before and she knew that it was more than lust. She wanted to experience the depths of love and roll through the waves of ecstasy and passion with him.

…...

Legolas stepped out onto the large semi-circular balcony to find Náriël watching the starts come out as the evening grew old and gave way to night. She looked over at him and smiled softly.

"Come. Take a walk with me." He stretched his hand out to her.

The two elves made their way through the quiet city. The night was beautiful and calm as the stars and moon shone down on the couple. Legolas slowly led Náriël down to the meadow where the ball was held in his honor so many centuries ago. He held her hand as he took her past the lunar flowers that were beginning to unfurl. Then down a path she would not have known was there had she simply been passing by. Finally they emerged at the banks of the giant waterfall, the soft green grass coming to a stop abruptly at the water's edge.

Náriël looked around in awe at the beauty. The water tumbled down in torrents of blue, orange and red as it reflected the ethereal glow of the lunar flowers. They were scattered all along the waterfall and its stream. A few lone flowers even clung to the earthen wall behind the falls.

After many long silent minutes Legolas finally spoke, "Náriël…"

She tipped her head back to look up at him as he stepped closer and brushed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. His fingers slowly trailed down her soft cheek as he gazed into her eyes.

"I know we had a pretty rough start, but words cannot fully express how much I have grown to love you. By some miracle, the Valar brought me to you, and you in turn gave me the reason I needed to heal my heart. You bring me such happiness and give me a reason to exist. Náriël, I love you with all of my heart and I would be honored if you would agree to spend eternity with me."

He dropped to one knee and grasped her hand.

"Náriël, will you bind with me?"

POV: Náriël

I gasped aloud as Legolas knelt down before me. I could not believe what was happening. My stomach flipped and my heart fluttered as he asked me to bind with him. Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I fell to my knees and threw my arms around his neck.

"Yes!" I exclaimed and swiftly crushed my lips to his.

He pulled me closer and laughed into my mouth as he fervently kissed me back. Suddenly, the kiss slowed and became more passionate. Legolas entwined his finger in my hair sending shivers down my spine. I could feel the familiar slow burning beginning to build down below.

My stomach filled with butterflies as my hands began to slowly untie his tunic. My ungraceful fingers fumbled until I could finally slip the offending fabric off of his shoulders. I felt his hands gently grasp my upper arms and push me back. He stared into my eyes.

"Are you sure?"

His voice was low and husky, dripping with the desire burning in him.

"Yes," I breathed.

POV: Author

With that one word, Legolas was fueled into action. His deft fingers made short work of the ties on the back of Náriël's dress. He kissed his way down her neck, leaving small love bites along the way. Náriël moaned in delight. Standing them both upright, Legolas slipped the dress down her shoulders and let it fall to the ground.

Their shoes long forgotten she now stood in front of him completely bare except for the sheer white panties she wore. Legolas let his eyes roam down her body and take in her form. Meeting her hesitant gaze, he smiled.

"Beautiful."

Not breaking eye contact, he loosened his ties and then looped his fingers in the band of his leggings. He slowly pushed them down over his hips and over his now stiff erection. Náriël couldn't help but stare. Her anxious butterflies were in full swing and her breath quickened both from nervousness and desire. Taking only a few steps, Legolas stood in front of her. He gently ran the back of his hand up her naked arm and snaked it behind her neck. Pulling her towards him, he kissed Náriël fully on the mouth.

He rested his left hand on her hip, his thumb running comforting circles over her skin. She began to relax as his hand traced the curves of her body. Náriël moaned and arched into him. Legolas groaned in response as his manhood throbbed painfully in response to her actions. He could feel his self-control slowly crumbling.

Carefully, he helped Náriël to the ground. He laid his hands flat on both ankles and sensuously brought them up her body until both of her breasts were in his hands. He massaged them equally, until without warning he let go of her right breast and latched on with his lips instead.

"Uhh, Legolas!"

She closed her eyes and entangled her fingers in his hair. She was so wet she didn't know how much more of this teasing she could take. But wanting to make Legolas feel as good as he was making her feel, she tentatively laid a hand upon his chest and with feather light touches ran it down his taught stomach. She hesitated only a moment before grasping him in her hand, his tip already slick.

"N- Náriël!" he gasped out.

She began to pump her hand up and down his shaft. This only spurred Legolas on and fueled his more primal side. He attacked her breasts with more kisses and soft nips. Náriël purred at the sensations. Legolas swiftly moved down her body and began nipping her inner thigh. The anticipation was turning Náriël on even more now and she pulled on his long hair, urging him higher. His skilled tongue finally made contact with her most intimate spot and she cried out, arching her back.

"Please Legolas, please! I need you. I want you so bad!"

A small growl escaped his lips upon hearing her breathy cries. He made his way back up her body and kissed her on the mouth. Náriël wrapped her slender legs around his waist. She could feel him gently pushing against her entrance. Legolas eased in, shallowly pushing in and out a few times before finally burying himself deeply within her.

Náriël cried out in pain at the intrusion and he stilled, allowing her to adjust. He sweetly kissed her cheeks, eyes and mouth as she softly whimpered underneath him. She felt herself begin to relax and pushed her hips against him experimentally.

"Uhhhhhh," he groaned in response.

Her movements encouraged him to proceed. Legolas began to slowly thrust into her, using every ounce of his self-restraint. At this moment he wanted nothing more than to just lose himself in the sensations and the feeling of Náriël, but he knew he couldn't allow himself that. Not just yet. It wasn't long before she began to moan and writhe beneath him. Náriël couldn't believe the amazing things he could do to her body.

"Legolas, I need more!"

He nuzzled the crook of her neck and began to plunge into her more vigorously. He was beginning to lose himself in the primal act. Náriël dug her nails into his back and brought them down, leaving red welts that he did not notice. She could feel a most blissful sensation building within her that quickly exploded into pure ecstasy with only a few more thrusts from Legolas.

She screamed out his name as she clung to him in the throws of passion. It did not take Legolas much longer after that. He quickly followed her and shuddered as the waves of bliss rolled over his body. The two lay there for several long moments, bodies and limbs entwined. They panted, trying to catch their breaths and still their wildly beating hearts.

"I love you. I love you so much Náriël."

"I love you too Legolas."

…...

POV: Náriël

I twirled the mithril wedding band around my ring finger as I leaned back into my new husband's embrace. The early morning sun warmed my face as I thought back on the binding ceremony. It was a beautiful evening but I was glad the stress of the day was now over. I stared at the ring and reflected on all that had transpired since I first met Legolas. I laughed inside as I clearly remembered that first meeting. What a foolish young elleth I had been. Legolas nuzzled the back of my ear and placed a soft kiss on my head as I turned slightly towards him and smiled.

End.

A/N: I would just like to say thank you. Thank you to all of my awesome reviewers, especially those of you who have stuck by me despite my long hiatus on this story. I hope you all enjoyed it! I definitely have more plot bunnies jumping around my head (both LOTR and Harry Potter), but we'll see if I can find the time to actually put them on paper, so to speak. Until then… :)