Chapter 21
As fond as Aine was growing of Jared she knew she could not shelter him from this and she moved silently down the halls until she found his room and tapped the door lightly and heard him call to enter. She looked at him sitting on the bed tending to the light wounds he had received.
Seeing it was Aine he stood quickly giving her a slight bow and she smiled then tilted her head in a little chuckle. "I am not royalty," she sighed as she watched him don his shirt over his wound. Shaking her head she walked to him and helped removed his garment then picking up the cloth he had been cleaning his wounds. She took special notice to the one on his back not in his reach, she knew it to be from the wizards battle.
"Thank you," he said softly for brief relief from the pain of his wounds was well needed.
"Family should help another," she said simply as she continued to clean the wounds.
Jared turned to her eying her up and down wondering what she meant and opened then closed his mouth with a silent question.
"You are Jareth are you not?" She asked him blankly as she reached for the salve he had on the table. "Named after King Jareth."
"Does anybody else know you are aware of this?" Jared seemed startled looking at her with huge eyes now and suddenly she noticed gone were his brown eyes and now held the same aqua stare as Arri.
Heaving a sigh she shook her head, "Arri mumbled it in her slumber as did you..." She watched him sigh but was not going to let him go that easily. "The crown belongs to you rather than Arri." She cocked an eyebrow at him then with her hand directed him to turn around again so she could apply the medicine, "you have the same eyes she does, Jareth. How has this been hidden?"
"The people would never accept me," Jared said with his eyes wide then smiled mentioning his eyes, usually brown. Before him had been his bag to heal and he pulled a vile out offering it to her. "I was taught a bit of Elvish and magical spells."
"King Jareth on the throne would be accepted," she met his eyes evenly then to the vile with a nod.
"Elvish eyes do not give much communication but the feelings behind them are not lost are they?" He mused with a smile looking at her own beautiful stare but so complacent he could read nothing from her. He noticed her indication to turn around again and finally did so with a sigh.
"Arri will die here, her heart belongs loose among her kind," she push the cloth to his back again touching the long dagger mark gingerly then she took another to dry it lightly for the salve.
"Humans are her kind as well, she is part human," He sighed, "Besides after what the elves did, she and Legolas are accepted." He looked to Aine with deep feelings, "I will stay and see them protected until the end of my days." He swore and it was not an oath he took lightly.
"I am sure you would," she turned him around again applying the medicine to his wounds gently but heavily. "Birthright is just that and you are entitled more than Arri."
"I will need time to think of this, Aine," he lowered his head. "I have been a loner for far too long to think of myself as a King and I do respect Arri, my cousin."
"Then let her go, Jareth," Aine said apply the ointment to his now cleaned wound. "You fear they see Jareth as a coward. The actions of Jared were not a coward's. You were hidden to take the throne when you needed to and it is now."
He nodded with a grimace as she touched the tender wound on his back with the cold ointment but she had also touched his mind. He sighed as he stood and looked at her older and wiser eyes, "Thank you Aine," He bowed. "May we speak of this tomorrow?"
Aine narrowed her eyes with a nod as she stood and she touched his face, "You look very much like your namesake," She kissed his face lightly, "your name suits you well, your highness."
Watching her leave he tossed his shirt aside and sat on the chair. Leaning back had been a bad idea because he felt as if his cut had just happened. His mind was a torrent with thoughts now but he knew it had been too long. Silently he apologized to his cousin and new husband.
Arwen struck lightly on her father's door and it opened quickly as if he had been expecting her. When he lifted an eyebrow as if to ask her what kept her so long she knew she had been correct in her assumptions.
"Then you wanted him to sleep?" She asked him pondering why he would force Legolas to slumber. She stepped into the room realizing there was quite a difference between the room her father was given and the small rooms they shared.
He nodded stepping aside to let her in, "Would he heal well without it?" He mused with a heavy breath, "I am sure the rest did his body well."
His spacious room was lavish with lovely tapestries on the wall that seemed to foretell of their history and lineage, although she did note not an elf to be seen. Whereas they had stone floors this room had a thick embroidered rug that nearly met each wall. The bed he was given was not as simple but had four huge posts that held a draping canopy that matched the curtains. Mostly what drew her attention was the large desk by the windows that looked to be recently used. She sighed seeing that Giles did know her father or at least how important he was because he must have reserved his grand rooms for important guests.
He nodded stepping aside to let her in, "Would he heal well without it?" He mused with a heavy breath, "I am sure the rest did his body well."
Elrond walked slowly to that desk and pulled the chair reaching for a small satchel he had left there, "does he need anything?"
"He went to find Arri," she sighed watching her father's responding looks.
"We suffered a mild loss in this battle," Elrond exhaled, "but I feel more blood shall be spilled before the crown has an owner." Meeting her eyes he was sure he conveyed the worry he felt and truly he could see the same in hers but he could see she longed to return home.
"I feel it too," she lowered her eyes. "Aragorn thinks it might have to do with Xander's lack of appearance."
Elrond merely nodded hearing the sounds of fanfare outside capturing their attention and they could hear Elvish being spoken quite loudly, surely it was Thranduil's opinions. Arwen glanced out his window. "Thranduil has arrived," he sighed gathering the contents of his satchel and placing it away.
Arwen nodded thinking of the mood his lack of reception left him, "do you think he will be upset with Legolas for marrying Arri?"
"He has no reason to, as they were bound by our traditions as well," Elrond said simply donning his fancier cloak to meet the Mirkwood King. "Once she was a part of his own house and had fallen upon his fancy as his child," he gave her a rueful smile, "never was he blessed to have a daughter." In his eyes it was
"He has brought no others just courtiers and other elves," Arwen sighed but her father seemed to know what Thranduil and his plans were. She continued to watch him dismount with all eyes upon him but his brow was furrowed in concentration staring directly at the guard Jared. Pondering what it was all about she glanced to her father and seeing he was dressed to meet the other Elf she knew she would not have long to ponder.
Watching the day taking it's toll on Arri, Legolas had to admit he felt it himself tired as well. Still reaping the effects of Lord Elrond's healing and the dream he had but if now he did not want to sleep. If that tormented dream was normal then he wondered why men loved sleep. Sitting on the bed he began removing his boots slowly as Arri knelt to him.
"What is it?" She bent in front of him taking his eyes in as she made her way between his legs hugging him. She held her hands to his face as she searched his handsome features.
He shrugged not wanting to alarm her, "I slept earlier."
"You did?" She smiled faintly amused.
"An after effect of Elrond's healing," he touched her face and pulled her into a small kiss.
Without word she pulled his tunic off noticing he did seem better but could still see the final stages of he angry marks that had filled his shoulder. She looked at him curiously wondering why he looked haunted, "Does it still hurt?"
He shook his head removing his bracers from his forearms and marveled how she has gotten his tunic passed the bracers, "it is fine."
Arri nodded taking his tunic and folding it neatly at the end of the bed. Tomorrow would be another busy day and she was still saddened by the day's events, Eosin. She felt Legolas's arms around her and his kiss on the nape of her neck. She had not even heard him get up from the bed and she almost jumped. "Was I that pensive?" Slowly he smiled when turned to him and she could see that his tired eyes had another plan. She could feel his fingers on her back tracing her spine as he reached his mouth to hers. His other hand found her hair and danced in the strands until it reached the base of her neck. He grabbed her head and pulled her entirely on his mouth until she began to feel a flame. She felt her heart jump and she smiled still feeling that spark when he touched.
Her eyes were sparkling and her mouth was reddened from having kissed him. Her body was a perfect silhouette to him as he touched her silken skin under his skilled archer's hand. How could he help but to be in awe of her from the point of her ears, to the curl of her hair and the way her body was smaller than any elf he had seen. He touched her lips with his as if he thought she would break, in a kiss so soft he wasn't sure his mouth had even touched hers. He was breathing quickly now and he touched her face with the back of his fingertips. "Arri," he breathed. "I have loved none as I have you." Meeting her eye it it was obvious she was feeling the same but he knew her words were lost when he saw her smile with a tear playing at her eye. By virtue, how could he love anything more than this female who he had known almost all of his youth. 'Do all good things return?' He wondered settling down next to her with an impish grin.
Facing him she could feel her heart beating so loud she could hear it in her ears, "You are the only I have loved." She could see the emotion in his blue eyes and it made her love him even more. She could not believe such a wonderful elf loved her such as Legolas. From his ethereal beauty, to his extreme skill with a blade or bow or to his ever loyal heart to his friends made her think he was one thing, perfect . She felt truly blessed by his love and when his soft touch graze her abdomen she smiled too, it was their blessing to one another. He was as taken by their unborn she knew they both had thoughts of what their love created seemed to dumbfound them both. She had to catch her breath as she took him in seeing the pale light catching the pale blonde hair and the glow against his skin, even his wound was not seen when the light touched him.
Both slowly disrobed laying on the bed and as he assisted in removing her gown he place chaste kisses along her navel, as if to kiss the elfling he had in his dreams. She seemed to be overcome with emotions but she seemed to be holding laughter and he looked up to her curiously. A hand over her mouth in feeble attempt to stifle made him smile too as it seemed she was quite ticklish. He began to enjoy when she jumped with that smile and that sometimes she would even squeal. Unrelenting, he began to laugh a bit more with her and soon her laughter sounded more like squeals than giggling. Now he shared her smile listening to her squealing and laughing, he loved the sound.
Arri was screeching and tossing about so she felt her hair whipping back and forth. Legolas' naked body was poised over hers with and his deft fingers moved along her stomach drawing the laughter out. She tried not to move thinking of his injured shoulder and began to just accept his playfulness. Tightening her legs around him she attempted to hold him from tickling her but twas in vain and she fell into a new wave of laughter.
The door was thrown open loudly and they both jumped hearing a loud clatter. So lost had they been in playfulness they had seemed to forget the world around them.
Now, Gimli stood there with Axe in hand and his mouth now gaping at the sight of Arri and Legolas. She was laughing under Legolas' teasing and squealing as well now with him overtop of her. By his beard, he could only stand and stare at them for a moment with her laughter in her eyes they seemed to dance and her curls bounced around her head as she jumped. Yet, that was not all the dwarf could see and he swallowed hard as he stood transfixed. Never having seen a sight as lovely but he had never seen any elf such as he did Arri in that moment and she reminded him of the Lady Galadriel at that moment.
Always had he felt infatuation with Galadriel and Aine but he never thought he would see such a sight to remind him of her. He remembered himself when he noticed Legolas was just as bare except for his lady covering him and he was thankful he saw as little as he did. Truly he see very little but never had he seen elves this intimate or this bare, especially a female. Seeing the curve of her breast and her round bottom had him so spellbound that the next thing he heard was the clanging of the axe he had held but a moment ago. The noise made them quite aware as he stared down to it with a red face.
Arri was pulling the sheet to her in attempt at covering the sight of them naked and their playful nature. Looking to see how covered they were, she was relieved and then she started to giggle again at the sight of his blushing face.
Gimli he shook his head to clear it from the sight of the two and command his blush to stop. He looked to his axe realizing his mistake and feeling quite sheepish, "I heard you scream." Gimli turned his head not able to meet Legolas's bare form when he moved from under the cover his new wife's leg.
Legolas had not to care he had not a stitch upon his body as his protective nature began to arise. That was until he could hear Arri wrapped in the sheet, face buried and laughing so hard she was shaking now. It slowly ebbed his anger and her mirth was contagious.
"We are fine as you can see," Legolas said clearly met his eye finally and his look was as amused as Arri, still he was direct. "Please close the door when you leave."
Gimli looked up in apology at Arri and Legolas, "I apologize for my haste." He couldn't help but to feel happy for his friend he could . "Bed him well." Gimli smiled as he gathered his axe with a raised eyebrow at the duo. He smiled back as Arri's eyes twinkled at him as he shut the door and he chuckled to himself thinking Legolas was lucky to have such a mate.
Legolas was between groaning and laughing as Gimli closed the door as he left, "I told you he had no manners." He joked freeing her hands of the sheet. He smiled kissing her neck lightly, "you heard him."
Arri laughed and wiggled from the sheets as he reached wildly for her and he fell over her chuckling.
"Should you have been an elf or a nymph?" Legolas tilted his head in wonder at her. Lovingly he kissed her nose, "Gellon ned i galar i chent gîn ned i gladhog..." He whispered.
She smiled but her head found the pillow as he snuggled against her back and he realized she was still tired from the day's events. He pulled the sheet to her as he watched her eyes close slowly. As she fell asleep in his arms he touched her face lightly keeping his body as close to hers and he could. He sighed as the gentle breeze wafted through the window and he reached a blanket to their waist. He heard familiar fanfare announcing an arrival.
'Father?' Legolas thought to himself. 'Already?' Then he smiled to himself, he was too late to dispute this union and once they were back in Mirkwood where Arri and the babe were safe then he would tell his father the news of newest elf. He touched her hair as he moved it and molded his body again her back. He settled next to her holding her as close as they could be one person. With a roll of the eyes, he felt his own fatigue setting in again. He kissed the back of her neck and pulled the cover to their shoulder as the comforting blanket of sleep fell over both elves.
Gimli was strolling back to his room slowly still feeling slightly embarrassed about the Legolas yet he was also happy for his friend. He jumped suddenly finding Aine in his path, "Elves need bells." He grumbled lightly.
"Have you found anything of interest to behold this evening?" Her eyes gleamed with silent humor as she moved along the corridor gracefully and without a sound.
"Behold what?..." He shook his head as he began to understand "Ah, news spreads fast, eh?" Finally he chuckled. "How was I supposed to know? She was screaming." He looked a bit red trying to defend his actions.
"Your intentions were honorable," she smiled. "I thought you were always the first to sleep," she cocked her head at him knowing he must have missed Eosin's quiet guard as he slept. Usually by this hour they all heard Gimli's rattling snore and she was certain they had become friends. Certainly he missed the elf he was beginning to know.
He gave a light nod, "it's been a busy day, my lady." Gimli looked at her and knew she knew the truth, "ok... I got used to him sitting there." He puffed his chest up and raised his eyebrows, "I don't trust Giles."
"With Gandalf's absence I have none sharing my room and will be able to keep you company if you would like," She said simply and they both heard the noises below in the courtyard and walked to see what it was.
"Mirkwood's King," Gimli sighed loudly. "Looks like we are all going home soon." He smiled but they could both see Giles talking to the guards at the opposite end of the court including Jared. He pointed to Thranduil and Jared made his way to the King as Giles walked off towards the castle. "I wonder what he's upset about now?"
Aine's stare was continued as she watched Jared greeting the King and taking his horse for the stables. "I fear we will find out far too soon." She exhaled and now she was positive none of them should be alone, "It would be best for you to have company tonight, Gimli."
Gimli nodded and looked curiously at her, "Why doesn't Legolas or even your granddaughter know exactly who you are?"
"After my daughter's death I hid Arri and myself," Aine moved from the window looking at the stone floor, "It is not as if I was part of the Fellowship to be celebrated or missed," she smiled.
"The dwarves appreciate all you have done for us, Aine," Gimli sounded sad knowing her accomplishments meant just as much to his kin, "I speak for Balin too."
Aine nodded clearly not wanting to speak of it, "your room should suffice. I would like to be near my granddaughter."
Gimli chuckled, "then you can check the noises."
*I delight when [familiar] your eyes shine when [familiar] you laugh
*Gellon ned i galar i chent gîn ned i gladhog