I opened my eyes the next morning. Light is breaking through the windows into the room. I can hear the sounds of birdsong outside and the twinkle of the river Anduin. I can see the sun peeking through a small gap in the curtain a short distance away. I can also see Lostariel, smiling softly at me as she lays on her side facing me.

,,Morning, my love." I say, my eyes crinkling as she grins. ,,Did you sleep well?"

,,Like a log." Lostariel says, giving a little yawn. ,,I've found that I sleep far better with you here, Neuma."

,,Probably because I tire you out last night -"

,,Neuma!" Lostariel blushes. I give a deep laugh, my hair jiggling as I do.

,,Well, it's true." I say, while slowly bringing up a hand and running my fingers across her forehead, then down past her pointed ears, towards her smooth chin, nudging her delicate lips. Lostariel shivers. I can't resist her anymore and crush my lips to hers, our tongues dancing together and urgently seeking fulfillment. Lostariel reaches up and grasps the back of my neck, pulling me closer to her aching body. I moan and start to roam her body with my hands, gravitating to her sumptuous curves and making her tingle with expectation. I can't resist the beautiful elf who submitted to me. When my fingers slip down and begin to trace paths up her leg, Lostariel arches herself into me and passionately deepens the kiss. Lostariel let her fingers wander down my chest, her hand moved over my muscular shoulder and descended further down below my waist, until I felt her hand at the place I wanted to feel her so much. At her touch I instinctively thrust into her, moaning loudly. Gradually my fingers find their way to her soft breasts, gently massaging. Lostariel stills and looks up slowly into my eyes. She kisses upon the vulnerable region of my neck and makes me weak. I kiss her deeply, searching her mouth and moving my tongue erotically against hers. I push myself up, leaning over her body, grinning.

,,How I love you, Lostariel Greenleaf." I sigh breathy. Without a second thought I thrust my finger inside her, overcoming with love and she seeks my mouth, kissing me sweetly. She teases my legs apart and passes her hand over my bump, returning the favor. Our tongues move together in harmony, like an echo of a sensual dance. It doesn't take long for both of us to reach our high and come undone together. We help each other ride out our orgasms before smiling to each other.

,,You are such an amazing woman." She tells me and kisses me again. A knock interrupts our romantic moment and I groan. Lostariel lets out one of her cute chuckles. ,,I guess someone needs you." She tells me. I groan again before getting off of her, but not before giving her one last kiss. I cover myself and wait until Chloe has covered herself with the blankets before opening the door. One of Elrond's guards stands in front of me.

,,Neuma Ivorwen." He says and gives me a small bow. ,,Lord Elrond requests your presence. It's about the upcoming council."

,,I will be right there." He gives me a nod and then leaves again. Luckily he didn't look inside to find Lostariel in my bed, because I'm not sure how Elrond is going to react since he gave Lostariel her own room. Ever since Thranduil forbade Lostariel to come here, Elrond has been trying to keep us apart. I close the door again and look at Lostariel, who leans on her elbows now, revealing her breasts. I swallow away the lust that does that to me, because if Elrond didn't need me right now, I would have round two with her. She smirks, knowing exactly what she's doing to me right now. ,,Don't look at me like that." I tell her, while dressing myself.

,,Like what?"

,,You know, showing your sexiness. You know what that makes me want to do to you." She raises her eyebrows in a daring way.

,,And what do you want to do to me?" I walk up to her and pull my legs over her waist.

,,I'll will get you in the mood." It comes out in a breathy whisper, my eyes staring deeply into Lostariel's, as I run my tongue down my bottom lip before biting down on it. Lostariel can only stare as she watches me throw my hair to the right side of my head and I see her swallow. Seconds later, I capture her lips, moving in sync, letting our tongues fight for dominance. I grind into her hips. I unlock our lips and keep my eyes focused on hers as I continue to ride her lap, my arms around Lostariel's neck. Lostariel moves one hand off of my hips and onto my back as she pushes me against her own body, aggressively. Our lips find each other instantly. One of my hands leaves her neck and seconds later Lostariel flinches at my contact underneath her t-shirt. I smile against her lips as I play with one of her bundles, rubbing it between my fingers. The moan that Lostariel exclaims after that makes me stop. Her eyes shoot open in question and I give her a devious smile. ,,Told you." I say before getting off of her, adjusting my clothes.

,,Wait, what do you mean? We were -"

,,I told you I would get you in the mood, not that we would have the second round." I give her a smirk. ,,Now, if you'll excuse me, Elrond is waiting for me."

,,You are the devil, get me worked up like that and then leave me hanging!" I open the door, making Lostariel cover herself again.

,,I know you love me. I will make it up to you tonight, promise." I tell her and then leave the room, not waiting for a reaction because I already know her reaction and I can't wait to pin her down on this bed tonight.

Once I'm at Lord Elrond's office, I knock softly, waiting for a response. When I hear "come in" from inside the room, I walk inside his office. He stands on the balcony, looking over some elf archers, practicing their skills.

,,You wanted to see me?" I ask him.

,,Yes," He turns around to face me. ,,I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming council, Neuma. The Ring must be destroyed one way or another. Tell me, if it's necessary will you leave on a quest to destroy the Ring?"

,,I have thought about it, my Lord." I tell him as he awaits my answer. ,,And my answer is, yes. I will do anything to prevent Sauron from having the power. I know the Ring has to be destroyed and I'm willing to set on a quest if necessary."

,,Good." He gestures to come to stand beside him on the balcony and I do what he asks me. We look down to the archers, practicing. ,,Then by tomorrow, I want you to train. Train with shooting arrows, train with your sword skills and boxing. You need to be strong so the enemy won't hurt you." I think about what Elrond is asking me and I smile at the thought of Lostariel drooling over my forming abs. I know I will get them if I practice that much and I love to tease Lostariel.

,,I will, my Lord." He gives me an approving nod.

,,And another thing. I know you and Lostariel are sleeping in your bedroom, despite my attempts of keeping you two apart. Thranduil wants his daughter to be safe and as you know, he doesn't think you're worthy of her love."

,,I love Lostariel with everything in me, my lord. I will do everything to keep her safe, even go on that quest without her. She is the love of my life and I cannot imagine my life without her. I have waited years and we're finally together now." He folds his hands as he turns to me.

,,I know I cannot keep you two apart." He starts. ,,I have seen Lostariel sneak into your chambers. I actually like you two together, it's Thranduil you need to convince. As long as you two are under my roof, you two are free to do what you want." My face lights up.

,,Wait, really?" He nods.

,,Yes, but you have to promise me you won't let her come on the quest with you. If she volunteers, refuse her, tell her she needs to stay here. Thranduil will be furious if she joins you on the quest." I swallow because I really want to go onto this upcoming quest with Lostariel at my side, but if I want to marry her, I have to promise.

,,I - I promise." I say it with a lot of difficulty. Lord Elrond nods and then lets me go back to my chambers again. Oh, this is going to be so hard, telling Lostariel what I have to do. It will break her heart, knowing to part again, but that's the only way to keep her safe. I just hope she will not hate me.