I am so sorry for the long wait. I've been busy with school and work yadda yadda yadda. You've heard similar schpeals. Anyways, here it is. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter Five

My time in Rivendell with Vanmoriel was wonderful. I had never met anyone so kind-hearted, humorous, or beautiful in all of my years on Arda. I spent more than a decade in that peaceful place and almost every minute of it was spent with Vanmoriel. I could hardly bear to tear myself from her at night so that we could part ways and sleep. It was ridiculous how my body, soul, and mind craved her even if I had been with her all day. We spent our days wandering around Rivendell, swimming, riding horses, and hiding ourselves away from everyone else.

One such day we were sitting in a deserted part of the gardens on a sun-warmed bench. It had started innocently enough, but the heat had spread from our melded lips to the rest of our bodies. I pulled her into me, as though my body would consume hers. My hands traveled over her body that was firm and soft at the same time. Her hair surrounded me and the smell of the flowers that emanated from it intoxicated me.

I do not know how I managed it, but I pulled away from her with some great deal of self-control. "Vanmoriel, we mustn't do this."

I looked at her and wanted nothing more than for her to envelope me again, to completely take in my entire being. Her chest was heaving, her mouth was rosy red from the passionate kisses, and her face was flushed.

"I know, Legolas, but I can no longer help myself," she responded looking shyly at the ground. "I have never felt this way in my entire life."

Her purity and innocence was endearing to me and I wanted to keep her that way until it was the absolute right time. My passion for Vanmoriel made me regret other decisions I had made in my past. Obviously, there would be no repercussion for me, a Prince of Eryn Lasgalen, if I were to take Vanmoriel then and there, but for her I wanted everything to be perfect, she deserved nothing less. Looking at her sweet face made me wish that I could give her all of myself, but unfortunately due to a reckless youth that could not be the case.

I spent many nights with elvish maidens from Eryn Lasgalen. Mostly I had had very passionate, very short relationships with women; where not much else was involved except falling into bed and staying up until the sun rose. As soon as I was done with them though, we parted ways not to see each other until the next night. I cannot think of one instance where I actually wanted any of them to stay and talk or to sleep next to me.

As I looked at Vanmoriel, I knew that I could go the rest of my life without making love to her if I had to. She had so much more to offer me than just her physical beauty, but every night when I went to bed alone all I could think about was how it felt to have her body crushed into mine, her hands innocently exploring my body. My body ached for her and it was a result of our physical encounters only becoming more passionate.

I sighed. "Yes you can wait. You would not want to ruin it by rolling around in the dirt," I said with a light life.

Her eyes twinkled with her laughter. "You are right." Vanmoriel snuggled into my side and I put an arm around her shoulder. Sunset in Rivendell was one of the most incredible things in all of Arda. The fading light made the waterfalls shimmer and dance and the forest became pure gold. I kissed Vanmoriel's temple.

We stayed that way until long after nightfall. Finally, we stood and went our separate ways bidding each other goodnight with one last, tender kiss.

As I was walking towards my room I was grabbed. Startled, I turned to see the Elrondian twins, not surprisingly.

"So did you get it tonight?" Elrohir asked. He had always been the more rowdy, inappropriate one of the two.

"Oh for the love of Eru," I sighed.

"Are you at least going to take her back to Eryn Lasgalen any time soon?" Elladan asked. "You have been here for more than ten years. Aren't you both courted enough?"

"Hush you two, leave him alone," I heard Arwen's serene voice before she appeared from around the corner. "This is a big decision for Legolas."

"Thank you, Arwen," I said, grateful for her intervention. The twins could go on and on for days if they were allowed to.

"Although you might want to make a decision. It has been quite a long time for your courtship and you do not want Vanmoriel thinking that you are losing interest in her and your future together," Arwen said gently.

I nodded. "Of course I am not. It is just a nerve-racking occasion."

"All you need are a few moments of courage." Arwen was smiling at me in a comforting way. I bid them all good night and retired to my room.

Once there, I opened a drawer and pulled out a small velvet pouch. I dumped the contents into my hand and looked down at the beautiful sapphire ring that once belonged to my mother. Before sailing away she had returned it to my father and designated that it should be given to the son that married first. I had written to Ada years ago, almost immediately after he left Rivendell, for him to send me the ring. I do not know what had kept me from giving it to Vanmoriel, except that I was scared.

I was terrified that she would reject me, though in my heart I knew she would not. Sometimes one's mind just overthinks things. This was one of those occasions. There had been a period when I had walked around with the ring in my pocket always looking for a chance, but never taking one. I knew I had to now or I would never do it.

I lay down, but tossed and turned all night with my nerves. I watched the sun come up the next morning and tried to gather my scattered thoughts. I finally resolved myself to go to breakfast with everyone, but I could not make eye contact with Vanmoriel. I could feel her curious gaze on my face and thought that I was surely visibly coloring.

"Legolas, are you alright? You seemed a little off at breakfast," Vanmoriel said as we were walking around the gardens later in the morning.

"Oh yes, I am fine. I did not sleep very well, unfortunately."

She nodded. "Well would you care to go swimming?" She asked. "It is a beautiful day for it."

"That sounds lovely." We made our way to our favorite pool that was far away from the Last Homely House. She pulled her green dress over her head and I shed my boots and tunic. However, as she dove in I only sat on the edge and dangled my feet in. I was afraid my nervousness would cause me to forget my senses and drown.

I pulled the ring out of my pocket while she was still swimming around underwater. Being elves we did not require as much air as a human. Finally her head popped up and she swam over to me.

"Whatever are you doing? Aren't you going to get in?" Her small, pale hands were resting on my knees to hold herself up.

I wordlessly held the ring out to her between my thumb and forefinger. Vanmoriel looked at me with confusion and shock in her eyes.

"It was my mother's. She would have loved you." I wasn't sure what else to say. I had not planned some elaborate speech of my undying love for her. That was not how we worked. "Come to Eryn Lasgalen and be my wife."

Vanmoriel only nodded and slipped the proper finger into the ring. "Of course I will."

So there you have it! I hope you liked it. I love comments as long as they are constructive or nice.

Happy reading,

Avonmora