Will I Last the Night?

I gaze into her eyes – such a mesmerizing forest green, and note her anxiety. Her guard of her emotions is failing due to her shock. Perhaps a dance would calm you, my dear Amiriel? I ask her and her eyes light up as she accepts and places her hand over my outstretched palm. Another thrill shoots through me as I feel the warmth of her hand in mine.

I lead her onto the dance floor and I stop, turning to her. I place my hand on her waist, and I find that I want to keep it there for eternity. She places her hand on my shoulder; such a simple gesture on her part, but I have to restrain myself from pulling her body fully against mine.

I begin to dance, leading her in a romantic waltz. Did I just say romantic? Romantic would be a moonlit dance amoung the trees with her in my arms. The moonlight would make her hair shimmer and her eyes sparkle. Her pale skin would glow and drive me to caress her all the more.

I pull myself back to reality and gaze at her golden tresses. I must tell her that she should wear it thus more often, for she looks so beautiful when her locks are liberated. The expression on her face is most rewarding; I have made her happy!

To my surprise she compliments my tunic. I give her my disarming smile to show my thanks, and – do I dare admit it? – to seduce her somewhat. She seems to return to her characteristic calmness and jests about my smile. I counter that with a jest of my own about my frown, only to receive a smirk from her and notification that my frown has no effect on her. Oh Amiriel, how I have wondered how you can accomplish that feat, for only my father and our loyal bodyguards are immune to it other than you.

After a period of silence, she glances up at the dais and asks me the meaning of the looks given by my father and our bodyguards. I explain with as much of a straight face I can manage. I can see the faint signs of her inner struggle; dare she ask me if my infatuation is true or not? I have made my choice some time before. I tell her that I have in fact been taken by her for quite awhile, and I look adoringly upon her.

She cannot speak, so happy is she. Valar – how can I read her emotions so easily now? Perhaps it is because of the initial shock of dancing with me; I shall have to ask her sometime. But her smile is enough for me at the moment. That smile would have lit up all the dark corners of this wood during the war.

Moving to a topic with which her voice abilities will return, I inquire of herself and her family. She then easily speaks fondly of her mother and her latest creations. I shall be sure to purchase something from her, for I have seen many of my people with her works and I admire the skill and love with which they were fabricated. I tell her this and am rewarded with a gratifying smile. I respond that it is the least I can do for her care of my wounds, but I know from somewhere in my heart that there is another reason.

I think she enjoyed caring for my wounds, however, and the temptation to say this is so intense that I tell her so. A light crimson graces her cheeks. Valar – how I love it when she blushes! It makes her all the more lovely.

The dance draws to a close and I find that I must show a little affection as opposed to simple courtesy. I pull her closer in my arms and kiss her soft cheek, and then I whisper in her ear, telling her to meet me tonight in the gardens when the celebration draws to a close. Her joy is obvious and I smile at her one last time before doing what duty asks of me. In the past years I have enjoyed this part of the evening, but I am filled with an impatience for this celebration to end. I want to pull her body flush against mine and I wish to claim her lips and kiss her like she's never been kissed before.

Will I last the night?

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has followed this story so far. The story isn't over yet, so don't kill me for the cliffie! At least two more chapters will follow!!

Mel