THE GRIFFON'S TEARS (Chapters 15-18)
Nebride



Chapter 15 ~ "Wedding Day"

"Ah hah!" Legolas said as Alede came in from her early morning rounds at the 
healer's hall. He was sitting at the desk in her library with one of her 
mother's leather bound books open in front of him.

"Now I know what you did to me," he said, giving Alede a mock glare of 
accusation.

"What are you talking about?" she asked as she washed her hands and then came to 
stand beside him.

Legolas picked up the book and began reading from it. "Weaver of silk, weaver of 
time . . ."

Alede's hand suddenly slammed down on the page, interrupting him.

"Never," she warned, but there was a small smile on her face, "never read a 
spell out loud unless you are prepared to cast it."

Legolas looked up at her, his well-shaped mouth curling into a grin.

"It is a Love Spell, Alede."

"I am aware of that," she said evenly, trying to pull the book away from him. 
Legolas hung onto it.

"Did you cast this spell on me?" he asked, grinning because he knew she had not. 
He merely wished to tease her.

"No, I did not," she said, finally succeeding in wrestling the book away from 
him. "I did not have this book when you and I met. Otherwise I might have been 
tempted."

Legolas stood up, standing so close that Alede had to tip her head back to look 
in his eyes.

"Are you certain?" he asked in a silky whisper. "Because every time I look at 
you or sense your nearness, I feel enchanted. You have bewitched me, Alede."

Her eyes went wide and she took in a shaky breath before Legolas' mouth 
descended on hers. His kiss was full of fire and Alede swayed against him, 
dropping the book where it fell unnoticed at their feet. His tongue plundered 
her mouth and his lips caressed hers in a heated dance that made her reel with 
need.

She had come to realize since their return to Ithilien three weeks ago, that 
there was far more to an Elvin betrothal than a ceremony and a joining of hearts 
and minds. Legolas was turning this time into a slow seduction of her senses 
that left her thrumming with desire. This was a form of foreplay that lasted 
months, not minutes and Alede was not sure how much longer she could endure the 
sweet torture.

"You are driving me mad," she whimpered against his mouth as his fingers drifted 
with feathery lightness beneath her hair, brushing her neck and causing her to 
tremble.

"Patience, Melui," he said softly, his mouth moving to her ear, nibbling it 
gently with his lips. "Love is like a precious vine. It must be tended and 
nurtured. One does not allow it to bear fruit in its first year. The roots must 
be strong enough . . ."

"First year!?" Alede exclaimed, interrupting him. "Please don't tell me that it 
will be more than a year before you make love to me! I cannot bear it. This is 
nearly as bad as when your father told me that betrothals lasted 200 years!"

Legolas snorted against her ear before pulling away and trying to smother his 
laughter with his hand.

"It is not funny," Alede said sulkily.

"Oh, Alede! It is terribly funny!" he cried clutching his stomach with mirth. 
"Do not frown at me so, Melui!"

"Humph," she said, bending to pick up the book. "I think that you and your 
father have the same diabolical sense of humor."

He wiped the corner of his eyes and sat back against the desk, pulling her into 
the circle of his arms. "It is just that you are so delightful to tease," he 
said with a grin. "But I have informed Mändel that our wedding day will be the 
last day of spring, as you requested. So that is only ten months away. Not quite 
a year," he said with a wink.

"I think you just wish to drive me mad in the mean time, so that I will fall to 
my knees and beg you," Alede said with a pout.

Legolas' eyes twinkled, but his voice was gentle when he spoke. "While that 
position does conjure up some intriguing possibilities, I would never wish you 
to beg for anything."

Alede smiled, knowing that he spoke the truth.

"And I have noticed that you are not so shy about this subject as you once 
were," Legolas said gently pressing his forehead to hers, a gesture which she 
found irresistibly charming.

"That is true," Alede whispered, moving slightly so that she could rub the tip 
of his nose with hers.

"By our wedding night, Alede, you will be filled with confidence and . . ."

"Love," she finished for him.

"Aye. Trust me, Alede . . ."

"I do trust you . . ."

He angled his head, so that their lips met again. Alede sighed into his mouth as 
she moved closer to him. She had just swept her hands beneath the silken curtain 
of his hair, when there was a knock at the door.

Legolas reluctantly broke the kiss and called for the servant to enter.

"A messenger has arrived, my Lord, bearing a letter from Prince Franduil in Eryn 
Lasgallen."

Legolas rose abruptly and took the letter. "Is anything amiss?" he asked 
sharply.

"Not that I am aware of, my Lord," the servant said quickly. "I can send the 
messenger to you if you desire. He is having a meal in the Great Hall at the 
moment."

"Nay," Legolas said, waving the servant away. "I will read the letter and let 
you know if I desire to speak with him."

He sat down on the divan and tore open the seal. Alede hovered anxiously nearby, 
watching as the worried lines on Legolas' face relaxed.

"Is everything well?" she asked finally.

He nodded and smiled. "My brother has never sent a messenger before, so I was 
concerned. He writes to tell me that he is thinking of putting my niece Thrania 
up for adoption . . ."

Alede laughed, remembering well the precocious little girl who looked so much 
like Legolas.

"Apparently she has turned into a hellion with her Grandfather not there to 
spoil her," Legolas continued. "He also writes to ask if Father ever intends to 
return. He and Elvothien would like to move into the royal apartments if Father 
means to abdicate his throne."

Alede chuckled again, knowing that there was little chance of that happening.

Legolas shook his head. "I would be delighted to have Father return to the 
Greenwood, but he has informed me, and apparently Franduil as well, that he will 
stay here all winter."

"Oh dear. Really?" Alede asked, sinking down onto the divan beside him. "I did 
not know. His work with Romiël is going well, I believe . . ."

"Humph!" Legolas snorted. "Very well indeed."

Alede started to ask what he meant by that. She still was not sure how Legolas 
would react to the obvious romance developing between Thranduil and Romiël. Had 
he noticed it or was he deliberately turning a blind eye to it?

He changed the subject before she could say anything.

"Come, it is nearly midmorning. We are due at the council." He jumped up off of 
the divan and helped Alede to her feet. "Then after lunch, I would like to show 
you the new plants we have started for the vineyard, if you wish to see them . . 
."

Alede nodded her eagerness. Legolas' kingdom and everything in it had already 
become very dear to her.

~ ~ ~

Their days fell into an easy routine. Alede divided her time between the 
healer's hall and Legolas. She found that she had very little time to spend with 
Radagast and Cyrus, but they seemed to be carrying on their magic well enough 
without her. Ithilien would vanish from the sight of mortals eventually under 
their careful magic.

She helped Legolas oversee the planting of 200 delicate little grape plants, 
cuttings of the few survivors. Legolas fretted over them like a new mother and 
he and Alede spent many evenings with mud up to their elbows as they carried 
water from the river to the tiny vines.

She teased him mercilessly about his 'babies' and often they both returned from 
the vineyard soaked to the skin because the teasing had turned into a dunk in 
the river.

Gimli returned to his home in the autumn, just as the Culhalla trees were 
outdoing themselves and turning a brilliant crimson. Both Legolas and Alede were 
disappointed to see him leave, but knew they would rejoin him.

At midwinter, they traveled to Minas Tirith for the annual celebration. There 
Alede finally met many of the people she had only heard of in legend; King 
Elessar and his beautiful queen Arwen and Lord Faramir and Eowyn. Gimli rejoined 
them as well.

Alede listened in awe as they recounted their deeds in the war of the Ring. She, 
Arwen and Eowyn also spent many a delightful afternoon telling tales about their 
youth. Eowyn's adventures could fill a book and of course Arwen was eager to 
spin yarns about the mischievous doings of her two brothers.

After the new year celebration, Legolas and Gimli reluctantly returned to their 
kingdoms. Alede however traveled with Eowyn into the lands of the Rohirrim where 
she was introduced to the formidable King Eomer. She stayed there for over a 
month treating the usual winter colds and infirmities, but eagerly returned to 
Ithilien in late winter.

Eryn Culhallas had been transformed by the winter rains becoming a ghostly city 
of tall gray tree trunks and dark oaks shrouded in mist. But inside the pods and 
the Great Hall was warmth and merriment and the days passed contentedly.

In the spring, two women arrived from the Greenwood to prepare Alede's wedding 
clothes. They had been ladies in waiting to Thranduil's queen and Alede found 
them quite intimidating. Her usual duties became supplanted by fittings. She 
spent hours standing upon a stool while the two women circled her and stuck pins 
into bits of gossamer fabric.

Alede found it enormously tedious.

~ ~ ~

"Hurry my Lady," one of the women said as she rushed into the room late in 
spring. "Take that off and put on your wedding gown."

"But why?" Alede asked, looking up from where she had nearly dozed off. The 
other ladies maid was pinning a casual gown of so many layers, Alede was certain 
she would never be able to get out of it.

"The groom comes to inspect the marriage clothes," the woman said as she helped 
extract Alede from the prickly material.

"Inspect them?" Alede asked. "Why would he inspect them?"

"Tis an ancient tradition, my Lady. The groom always inspects the bride's 
clothing before the wedding."

The whole idea sounded terribly pompous to Alede. "To see if they live up to his 
expectations?" she asked. She was certain that Thranduil was somehow behind all 
of this, but it surprised her that Legolas would go along with it.

*Well, there's a good bit of Thranduil in him whether I like it or not.*

Oddly enough, Alede decided that she liked it. When the maid answered her, it 
took Alede a moment to remember what they had been talking about.

"He inspects them to see that they live up to your expectations, Lady," the maid 
explained with a slightly scandalized expression, as if Alede were some village 
urchin in need of instruction. "After all, you will be married for eternity now, 
so he begins it by seeing that he does you the greatest honor he can."

Alede felt slightly guilty. Here was an ancient and obviously very lovely 
tradition and she had already made light of it.

"I am sorry," Alede said as they tugged the last bits of the wedding gown into 
place and swept her hair over her shoulders. "I'm afraid I know little of your 
marriage customs. I did not mean offence."

The maids were only slightly mollified. Obviously they thought she intended to 
disgrace their prince. Alede wished that her own ladies maid, Nimhith, were 
allowed to attend her instead of these haughty Elves from Mirkwood.

They turned her toward the mirror and she forgot her irritation for the moment. 
The gown was incredibly lovely. Layer upon layer of the sheerest silk draped 
her. Sewn with pure mithril threads, it glowed like starlight. She knew that it 
must be worth a fortune and had a difficult time believing it was hers. 
According to another custom, which she was familiar with, she would wear this 
gown every year on their anniversary. . . for the rest of eternity.

Unless of course, I am with child, she thought. And then a thrill of excitement 
went through her. She had always wanted children, but to have Legolas' children. 
Goose bumps broke out all over her skin and she was positively tingling when the 
door behind her opened and Legolas walked in.

He was dressed all in pale green like a newly opened leaf and someone had placed 
a gold circlet on his forehead. Their eyes met in the mirror and the maids 
immediately pulled back.

Alede wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. Was there a formal procedure for 
this viewing of the wedding clothes? She hoped fervently that she would not 
disappoint Legolas.

Turning around slowly to face him, she dropped him a graceful curtsy. Legolas 
returned the courtesy with a nod.

Without saying a word, he walked all around her, examining the gown from all 
angles. When he came back to face her, his expression was still serious, but 
there was a delighted twinkle in his eyes.

"Does your gown please you, my Lady?"

"Yes, my Lord. It is very beautiful and of the greatest quality." Alede thought 
she saw the maids relax out of the corner of her eye. Apparently she'd passed 
the first test.

"And what of your other clothes? Do they please you?"

"Indeed my Lord, they are all exceedingly lovely. They are a most generous gift 
and I am pleased beyond words." Now the maids were smiling, as was Legolas, 
though it was barely noticeable. But Alede was well used to that small cat like 
curl of his lips that meant he was hiding his amusement. He knew full well that 
she was being formal only because of the ladies maids' oppressive presence.

The maids stepped forward. "Is there anything else you would like to see, my 
Lord?"

"Yes. The gown for the wedding night."

Alede looked up in alarm at those words and found herself confronted once again 
with that feline smile. The two maids hurried her into the other room and began 
stripping the gown off of her. Alede cringed when they brought out the 
diaphanous bit of nothing that was to be her nightdress. Legolas had seen her 
naked before, but not in the presence of others.

She barely had time to feel uncomfortable before they were dragging her out into 
the main room again and once more Legolas prowled around her.

"Mmm . . ." When he walked behind her he made that sound, soft and low in his 
throat, she thought her knees might buckle. It was somehow a cross between a 
tiny moan and a purr. It was a sound that positively made Alede's toes curl.

She was breathing hard by the time he faced her once again and her nipples were 
pricked tightly against the silky fabric, a fact which, she was sure, was 
plainly evident to him and everyone else in the room.

"Does it please you, my Lady?" Legolas asked and Alede wondered if he meant the 
sound he had made or the gown.

Either way, her answer was the same. "Very much so, my Lord."

"Is there anything else you require?"

"No, your Lordship has been most generous."

Legolas really smiled at that and Alede knew he was amused at how well she was 
playing along with a ritual that she knew nothing about.

"Have you decided which bed is to be our communal bed?" he asked.

"Our . . .?" she shook her head in bewilderment.

"I assumed we would use mine. On the nights that you require privacy, you may 
have your own room. If that is agreeable to you?"

Alede had forgotten the customs of royalty. Typically the woman slept in her own 
room except when her husband wished her to be with child. But that was the 
traditions of human royalty, was it not? She had not thought Elves to be so 
distant, but perhaps she was mistaken.

"I had hoped." she began but suddenly stopped when she remembered the maids in 
the room.

With a flick of his wrist, Legolas sent them out.

"You had hoped?" Legolas prompted and he wore a gentle smile.

"I had hoped that we would share a bed each night, as we have from time to time. 
But I know not your people's customs. My own parents always shared a bed, and I 
suppose I just assumed." she stumbled to a halt, trying to not let him hear her 
keen disappointment.

He reached out and cupped the side of her face with his hand, brushing her lip 
with his thumb in a gesture that had become so dear to her.

"I would hope that we might share a bed each night also. But I realize that on 
the solstice moon you may not wish for my company, so you will retain your own 
room if you want it. As for myself, I would wish to share a bed with you every 
night regardless. But it is up to you."

"Oh . . ." The solstice moon was when Elvin woman bled, on that one night only. 
Alede had been fortunate enough to inherit that one trait from her Elvin 
grandmother. Oddly enough she was not ashamed that Legolas had brought it up. 
This was a subject that she had been instructing young girls in for centuries. 
Elvin males were not embarrassed about it as human males were.

"I had not realized what you meant," she said with obvious relief. "I would be 
happy to have your bed as our communal bed," she said to him. "But what about 
you? Might there be a time when you simply wish to be alone? You are a solitary 
person at times. I would hope that you would tell me if you wish privacy. I 
would not be offended."

Legolas appeared to consider her suggestion. "Yes, there may be nights when I 
wish to invite my mistresses over. There are at least six or seven of them."

He never finished the joke, because Alede made a grab for his ear.

"Careful, Melui," he said as he jumped out of her range. "We'll want everything 
in working order by next week, and more than just my ears. And now, I had best 
leave or else that lovely nightdress will need to be re- sewn." He gave her a 
roguish wink and left the room, leaving Alede in a state of euphoria and panic.

Next week!

~ ~ ~

The weeks before the marriage ceremony went by in a blur for Legolas. His father 
had summoned tailors for him as well and they were constantly pestering him with 
fabrics and fittings. Mändel took over the everyday governing and Legolas had 
never been more grateful for his steward.

Gimli arrived with the golden marriage rings, just when Legolas was beginning to 
panic. They were breathtakingly beautiful, as he knew they would be, with the 
Eryn Culhallas oak leaves embossed upon them. He embarrassed the Dwarf by 
hugging him in the middle of the Great Hall during dinner.

Guests began arriving a few days before the wedding. Another pod had been 
erected on the other side of Thranduil's, equal in splendor. It was for King 
Elessar. Aragorn eyed the long stars dubiously when he arrived, but Arwen 
exclaimed, "How beautiful!" and began climbing them with light steps.

Aragorn gave his wife a dark look and then one to Legolas. The Elf merely 
laughed and clapped him on the back. "Surely you have not lost your vigor while 
sitting upon a throne," Legolas teased. "I remember a Ranger who could out climb 
all of us on the quest."

"Everyone save you," Aragorn replied with a grin before following his wife up 
into the Culhalla.

The arrival of Elrohir and Elladan late one evening created quite a stir. 
Legolas experienced a twinge of jealousy when their arrival was announced. Arwen 
trotted down her long steps quickly, but it was Alede who reached Elrohir first. 
She flew into his arms with such force that Legolas saw him stagger.

But he heard only joy in her song as she greeted her old friends and knew his 
jealousy was ridiculous. Going to greet the twins himself, he was engulfed in 
hugs and slapped upon the back.

"I am so sorry," Elrohir said, after greeting him.

"Sorry?" Legolas queried. "For what?"

"For this burden you bear," Elrohir said solemnly.

"Burden?" Legolas was completely confused.

"Aye," Elrohir answered. "The burden of being stuck with Alede for the rest of 
your days. Tis a sorry state of affairs . . ."

He jumped quickly as Alede swatted his arm and Legolas laughed.

"I agree," Thranduil said behind them, before throwing a conspiratorial wink at 
Legolas and stepping forward to greet the sons of Elrond.

~ ~ ~

"I am very proud of you, Son," Thranduil said as he stood in front of Legolas.

After a frenzied day of activity, the royal dressers had been dismissed and 
Legolas was finally garbed in the finest of silk. A rich cloak of green velvet 
stitched with Mithril thread swung over one shoulder. The elaborate tunic and 
leggings hugged him like a second skin. His doeskin boots gleamed in the late 
evening sun and Thranduil reverently placed a crown of gilt oak and Culhalla 
leaves upon his brow.

"Thank you, Father," Legolas said as he bowed his head to accept the crown. "I 
owe much to you. I learned more from you at those days at court than I realized. 
I know I was not always an eager student . . ."

Thranduil snorted and stepped back to admire the young Elf in front of him. 
"Eager? I seem to remember many times that I had to track you down in the wood 
and physically haul your stubborn butt back into the palace."

Legolas burst into laughter. His father rarely spoke so openly.

Thranduil laughed softly as well. "But obviously some of my instruction sunk in. 
You have a good mind and that is the most important aspect for rule. This is a 
healthy kingdom and it will become prosperous. I predict a happy future for you 
and Alede."

"And you are no longer displeased with my choice of wife?" Legolas asked, though 
he already knew the answer. Alede had gone out of her way to charm Thranduil and 
she was genuinely fond of him, despite what had happened between them years ago.

Thranduil scowled at him. "I believe you already know the answer to your 
question. However, if it is so important to you, I will apologize . . ."

Legolas held up a hand to stop his father. "Nay, do not apologize!" he said with 
a mock look of astonishment. "For if you were to admit that you might have been 
wrong about something I would probably faint and sink right down into these 
boots."

"Insolent child!" Thranduil snapped, but Legolas saw the telltale twitch at the 
corner of the King's mouth. "It seems I have two insolent children. Franduil 
included a letter to me amongst his gifts for you. It seems that he and 
Elvothien have moved into my rooms and Thrania has broken the posts off of my 
bed. Something about her tying a rope to them and swinging . . ."

Thranduil shook his head in mock sadness, though Legolas knew that little 
Thrania could do no wrong in her grandfather's eyes. And he suspected that the 
tale was a fabrication of Franduil's anyway. His older brother had enjoyed 
teasing Thranduil about abdicating the throne and was probably enjoying having 
Mirkwood to himself.

Thranduil reached out and straightened the cloak on Legolas' shoulder.

"Shall we go down, Son? I believe your bride awaits you."

A jolt of pure excitement and happiness went through Legolas.

"Aye. Immediately."

~ ~ ~

"You look like a queen," Radagast said, snuffling a bit as he held back tears of 
pride.

Alede gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and surveyed her gown once more in the 
mirror. She thought that she did indeed look well in it. Excitement had pinkened 
her cheeks and her green eyes snapped with delight. Nimhith had woven small 
flowers into her hair and Gimli's pendant and Legolas' locket glistened at her 
throat.

Radagast reached up to pluck at the shoulders of her gown just a bit.

"It is rather . . . uhm . . . revealing, is it not?" he asked worriedly.

Alede glanced down at the low cut neckline of her gown. For once she could be 
proud of her generous curves and not try to hide them as she had always done 
around her prudish father.

"The gown is a traditional style, Father, and I have seen much more immodest 
ones on human maidens. This is quite lovely."

"Well, yes . . . it is. I just," Radagast paused awkwardly. "I wish that your 
mother was here to talk to you . . ."

Alede turned at the worried tone in her father's voice. What could possibly be 
bothering him so on her wedding day?

"What is it?"

"I just . . . ehem! wish that your mother were here to talk to you about 
tonight."

"Tonight?" Alede was completely baffled. Her mother had known nothing of elvish 
wedding ceremonies as far as she knew.

"The uhm . . . wedding night."

"Oh!" Realization suddenly dawned on Alede and she had to fight to hide 
laughter. If her prudish father only knew how eager she was for the wedding 
night and that she was not nearly as chaste as he thought her to be.

"I never really explained to you about, well . . . what goes on between a 
husband and a wife . . ."

Alede finally lost her battle and laughed, but she quickly turned it into a 
cough. "Father, do not distress yourself. Elrond explained all of that when I 
was quite young."

"He did?" Radagast's eyebrows shot up. "He . . . er . . . I know that you were 
quite fond of Elrohir. He did not . . . er . . . demonstrate any of it, did he?"

I could only wish, Alede thought hiding both amusement and exasperation. Were 
all wizards as prudish as her father? For some reason she did not think so. She 
could not imagine Gandalf being so uptight, but she had never known him well 
enough.

"Father, Elrohir never compromised my virtue if that is what you are worried 
about."

Radagast was visibly relieved. "I am glad to hear it. One never knows about 
these Elves. Shortly after our arrival, I spoke with Legolas and seemed quite 
surprised by my request."

Alede stopped where she was, one hand upon the door. "Request?" her voice shook 
with alarm. "What request did you make of Legolas?"

Radagast looked up, obviously surprised by her tone. "Why, to not dishonor you 
of course."

Alede felt herself go rigid with anger. "Father, you had no right to say that to 
him! Do you realize the insult of your words? He is an Elvin prince! Nothing he 
could do would dishonor me!"

Radagast looked troubled. "I did not mean to anger you, daughter, especially 
tonight. I only did what I thought was best for you."

Alede bit back angry words. The last thing she wanted was to fight with her 
father right now. The ceremony would begin in only a few moments.

Shaking her head, she opened the door and walked to the steps.

"Do not forget the chest with my wedding chain," she said quietly and then 
descended the steps.

~ ~ ~

"Can you not see from where you are?" Legolas asked as he took his place at the 
end of the clearing. Radagast stood quietly beside him, but Aragorn and Gimli 
crowded upon his heals.

"We only wish to see that you do not escape," Aragorn drawled in that easy voice 
of his that could hold both laughter and mischief and still sound serious.

"Nay, he will not try to escape," Gimli pronounced wisely. "Alede has got her 
hooks into him for good this time. My only concern is that he will faint and get 
dirt on those pretty clothes of his."

"You are both irreverent," Legolas said out of the corner of his mouth as more 
people took their places. "Had I time, I would teach both of you a lesson on how 
to treat Elvin royalty."

"He would definitely get his clothes dirty if he did that," Aragorn whispered to 
Gimli.

Gimli gave a bark of laughter, but Elrohir cut off any comment he would have 
made.

"Any time you are ready, little brother," he said winking at Aragorn. "I think I 
can still beat you in a fair fight."

The scathing comments would have continued had not Arwen given both her husband 
and brother quelling looks from where she sat at the head of one of the tables. 
She was fully aware of the mischief they could get into.

Elrohir pasted a look of complete seriousness upon his face. In truth he was 
very honored. Alede had asked him to stand as her witness and he would not spoil 
her wedding day for anything.

Looking across, he noticed that Legolas had gone completely still as well. As he 
turned to look at where the young prince's gaze fell, he burst into a proud 
grin.

~ ~ ~

Alede watched as her father handed Thranduil the wedding chain and then walked 
off to the clearing where the ceremony would be held. She could not help but 
give him an angry glace as he left them.

"Alede?" Thranduil's voice was gentle as he spoke her name. "Something is amiss. 
What is it, child?"

Alede turned to him, barely even noticing his grand clothing or the ornate crown 
upon his brow.

"I am so angry with my father! He has just told me of something that he said to 
Legolas months ago and I am furious with him!" She dashed a tear from her cheek. 
"I love him. I really do. But there are some subjects on which he is a complete 
buffoon and I am thoroughly ashamed of him." She choked on a sob and tried to 
turn away from Thranduil, but the King caught her around the shoulders and 
pulled her gently to his chest.

"There, there," he said softly, gently rubbing her back as her sobs turned into 
real tears. "None of us chose our parents, Alede, and there are times when all 
children must be ashamed of them."

Alede sniffled and looked up at him.

"Do you believe that Oropher was an easy father to have?"

For some reason that question struck her as funny. "Nay," she said with a small 
laugh and a hiccup. "I cannot imagine the warrior king, Oropher to be easy no 
matter what one's relation to him."

Thranduil chuckled. "Nay, he was not. Come! Dry your tears. What ever your 
father said to Legolas, I have sensed no ill will toward Radagast in him, so all 
is well."

"I suppose I have no reason to complain," Alede said while wiping her face with 
the handkerchief Thranduil handed her. "I am certain that you would have chosen 
a daughter in law more to your liking."

"Nay," Thranduil said, taking her hand and tucking it securely on his arm. "I am 
well pleased with Legolas' choice."

And with those astonishing words, he led her to the clearing and Alede's anger 
fell away like snow in a thaw.

The clearing had been transformed. Where it had been dark and mysterious on the 
night of their betrothal ceremony, this evening it was filled with torches and 
bright garlands of flowers. Tables groaned under the weight of a sumptuous feast 
and flutes played brightly. The people, once foreign and strange to her, were 
now familiar and dear. She smiled as caught Elrohir's gaze. He was grinning at 
her as if she were a little sister and she could not help but feel proud of his 
as well as he stood in magnificent white opposite Legolas.

But then all else was forgotten as she looked at Legolas. He was more handsome 
than she had ever seen him and the smile on his face matched her own. His song 
reached out to her, so full, so vibrant she wondered if all the company could 
hear it.

Letting go of Thranduil's arm, she reached out as Legolas clasped both of her 
hands in his.

~ ~ ~

Elvish ceremonies were usually quite simple. There was no one to preside over 
them as in human marriages. The bride and the groom each had a witness or two to 
stand up with them. They spoke words of promise to each other, the wedding chain 
was bound around their hands and then they shared food afterward. In the case of 
royalty, there was a celebration for the entire kingdom.

Before the ceremony, Alede had carefully memorized vows which she had heard 
spoken at a human wedding south of the Shire. She had translated them into 
Quenya and the night before the ceremony had cornered Elrohir and recited the 
vow to him so that he might check her translation.

Elrohir had dropped to his knee and clasped both hands over his heart and 
declared, "Alede, my darling! I am enraptured. I am honored! I am . . ."

"An idiot!" Alede had snapped at his foolishness. "Just tell me if I got the 
Quenya right!"

Elrohir had risen laughing and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "It is 
beautiful."

But now that the time had come to speak those words to Legolas before all of his 
people, she suddenly found that her memory had dried up as much as her mouth. 
She stumbled through what should have been an elegant speech and later the only 
words she clearly remembered saying were, "I promise to love and cherish you for 
all of my life and beyond."

But in spite of her ineloquence, Legolas seemed pleased by her words. His song 
nearly flooded her with his joy. His own words were far more simple and much 
more beautiful.

"I give you, Alede, my heart, my soul and my very life. Every thought, every 
breath is yours from now unto eternity."

The tears that had been threatening to spill over Alede's eyes now ran freely 
down her cheeks. Legolas too had to dash away moisture on his face, but he was 
smiling as she had never seen him before.

Out of the corner of his eye, Legolas saw his father approaching with the 
wedding chain, but he was too overwhelmed to care. Leaning forward, he tasted 
Alede's lips in a soft caress. She returned the kiss happily.

"None of that!" Thranduil snapped, but his voice lacked its usual irritation. 
Legolas chuckled and pulled back from Alede just enough that his father could 
wrap the chain about their joined hands.

And then the King was hugging them both and turning them to face Legolas' 
people. They bowed to the assembly and the enormity of the situation finally 
sunk in for Legolas.

He was married.

To Alede.

With a cry of joy, he wrapped one arm around her waist, hoisted her off of her 
feet and spun her around. Alede let out a little cry of delight and his people 
laughed and cheered.

The dinner was a little awkward with Alede's left hand bound to Legolas' right, 
but they managed to feed each other little bits of the sumptuous meal, though 
truly neither of them noticed the food much.

Legolas had an endearing way of pressing his forehead to Alede's and touching 
the tip of his nose to hers. It tickled slightly, but Alede would not have him 
stop for anything. Nor did she care about propriety. Elvin people normally did 
not flaunt their displays of affection, but no one seemed to care on this 
momentous day.

King Elessar made a short and heartfelt toast. Gimli also gave them quite a 
speech, made a bit more longwinded perhaps by the vast quantities of ale he had 
consumed. Thranduil was rolling his eyes by the time the Dwarf lifted his glass 
to the couple, but said nothing.

Legolas however gave a very gracious and eloquent thank you to everyone there. 
But once he had finished it, he pulled Alede to her feet and unwound the wedding 
chain.

"Let the celebration begin!" he cried and a huge shout of approval rose up and 
bright music started. Legolas took time only to wrap the wedding chain about 
Alede's waist, where it hung winking in the torchlight, before he swept her out 
into a rollicking dance.

"I don't know the steps!" she gasped. Elrohir had spent months teaching her the 
intricate steps of the formal Elvish dances, but Legolas seemed to not be 
following any of the rules.

"Just go with me," he cried as he swung her out into the circle of people.

Alede gave a girlish squeal, but somehow managed to keep her feet and not step 
on his. It was less like a dance and more like a frolicking gallop around the 
meadow and soon both of them were laughing.

They danced until Alede was out of breath and when they stumbled to a stop, 
Radagast engulfed her in a rib-crushing hug. She had only time to kiss his 
cheek, her anger forgotten, but then Thranduil politely extricated her from his 
embrace and pulled her out into one of the formal dances.

Alede rejoiced when the steps were familiar to her and could not help the smile 
on her face. Though she much preferred Legolas' company, there was something 
rather grand about dancing with the King of Eryn Lasgalen. She spoiled the 
grandness though once it was over with by throwing her arms about his neck and 
hugging him tightly.

"I love you, Father," she said loud enough for several people to hear.

But Thranduil did not seem to mind and as he kissed her forehead, he said quite 
clearly, "As I love you, daughter. May you both be happy."

Then he handed her back to Legolas who was enormously pleased by the affection 
he saw between the two. Alede watched Thranduil turn eagerly toward Romiël. Her 
crippled foot did not allow her to dance, but much later in the evening, Alede 
was certain that she saw the two of them in each other's arms stepping softly to 
the music. She could not help but admire them. Romiël had regained much of her 
ethereal beauty and her slender form was striking in contrast with Thranduil's 
imposing figure.

The celebration lasted well into the night, but finally Legolas leaped upon one 
of the tables so that his people might hear him.

"My good folk," he began and the music stopped and everyone turned toward him. 
"I thank you for your good wishes, your gifts and most especially your good 
company. I am most honored that you have shared this celebration with us." He 
paused as his people clapped and cheered.

"I bid you to continue making merry, but my wife and I must beg you to give us 
leave to retire. Good night and may Ilúvatar bless you as He has blessed me!"

Another cheer went up and then Legolas leaped down, leading Alede from the 
clearing. Several people called out good wishes for them and a few made teasing 
remarks.

"Pinch him until he howls, Alede!"

"Try not to shake all the leaves off of your Culhalla tree!"

Legolas ignored the ribald comments with a good natured grin and Alede tried not 
to be embarrassed, though in truth she was really too happy to care.

But it was Elrohir's comment that earned the son of Elrond a scathing look from 
Legolas.

"If he disappoints you, Alede," Elrohir shouted, "I'll be waiting, though my 
heart is broken!"

Alede laughed and waved to Elrohir. But she quickly turned, sensing just a trace 
of jealousy in her new husband and kissed his cheek, erasing the glower from his 
fair face.

Legolas chuckled then and hugged her, making a face at Elrohir over the top of 
her head. He caught Alede's hand and they ran laughing as they made their way in 
the darkness to Legolas' Culhalla, the crowd forgotten as soon as they reached 
it. He paused on the steps and Alede caught her breath.

Legolas turned to her and the laughter fled from his face, replaced by a look 
that made her insides turn to jelly.

"Now, my Lady, allow me to make you mine, as I will become yours."

Alede nodded solemnly and followed him up the long stairs, her feet never 
seeming to even touch them.

~ ~ ~

A/N: Well, I hope all of you enjoyed the wedding. Join me next week for chapter 
16, "Wedding Night". :D

Extra special thanks to Thecla and Nadia for the "ribald" suggestions! lol! I 
nearly fell out of my chair laughing when they sent me those! :D

*** Original Character List ***

Alede the Green - Witch, healer and wizard. She is daughter of Radagast the 
Brown. After the death of her mother, she was raised in Rivendell for a while 
and learned healing skills from Elrond. She also developed a terrible crush on 
Elrohir, which he has gently teased her about for centuries. She also spent some 
time learning the wizarding craft at Orthanc under the tutelage of Saruman. 
Because she felt her healer's calling was more important, and because she 
considered herself a poor wizardess, Alede never completed her training at 
Orthanc.

Cyrus the Blue - The forth Maia to be sent to Middle Earth and friend to 
Radagast the Brown

Lomomir - Brother to King Thranduil of Mirkwood and a healer. He has spent the 
last many years in Rivendell studying with Alede and reading from Elrond's many 
books and journals.

Maladok the Red - The fifth Maia sent to Middle Earth. After a disastrous 
encounter with Saruman, Maladok has become a bit of a "black sheep" in the 
wizarding world.

Zarraweth - A young human witch with more plans and beauty than is good for her.

Malina - A healer and witch of the Angmar Mountains. She was married to Radagast 
the Brown and was Alede's mother. She was killed by a mob of religious fanatics 
who thought her witchcraft had brought plague to a village when instead she had 
been trying to cure it. Alede was only sixteen when Malina was killed.

Mändel - Legolas' steward. He originally served under Thranduil in Mirkwood in a 
lesser position.

Galomir - Ithilien's healer.

Girwyn - A general in Legolas' army. He is in charge of Ithilien's security.

Nimhith - A she-Elf of Eryn Culhallas, assigned by Legolas to be Alede's lady's 
maid.

Romiël - A she-Elf captured 700 years ago by Sauron as her people were making 
their way to the Gray Havens.

Romion - Romiel's brother and also a captive of Sauron for 700 years. 

  

Chapter 16 ~ "Wedding Night"

"You are nervous," Legolas said softly as he drew Alede into his bedchamber. He 
spoke the words as a statement, not a question, for he could feel the slight 
trepidation in her song.

Alede glanced around his room, giving herself a moment to collect her thoughts. 
The glass balcony doors were open admitting a soft breeze. Music from the 
clearing drifted in faintly as well. She had seen his bedchamber many times, 
late at night when they were still discussing something, once when they had been 
drenched in a rain storm and he came in to put on a dry tunic, or the few times 
she had slept there with him, but now . . .

Now the rich wooded walls were only a backdrop to the luminous being in front of 
her. Alede stepped closer to him, looking up into the twilight depths of his 
eyes, the long skirts of her wedding gown rustling softly in the quietness of 
the room.

"I'm not very skilled at love making. I do not wish to disappoint you, so I 
suppose I am a little nervous," she said smiling shyly.

"So am I."

Alede's eyes widened in surprise. "You are? But . . ."

Legolas gave her that wide Elvin shrug. "We will be married for all of eternity. 
This is my only chance to make a good first impression."

Alede burst out laughing as he hoped that she would. He winked at her and she 
threw her arms around him, hugging him hard, realizing that he was trying to 
make her feel at ease.

Legolas grasped her waist and lifted her into the air, spinning her around, a 
look of joy on his face and a celebration of notes in his song. They both 
laughed out of sheer happiness, but when Legolas set her on her feet again, the 
bubbles of joy in their song changed to something deeper and richer.

"Melui . . ." Legolas whispered and his hands reached up to the flowers braided 
into her hair, loosening them so that his fingers could comb through the wavy 
strands. He brought one golden lock to his lips and kissed it.

Alede felt her knees tremble at his tender gesture. All her nerves tingled as 
his warm hands slid through her hair. She closed her eyes and tipped her head 
back slightly, enjoying his touch, enjoying the warm scent of his skin as he 
stood so close to her.

Legolas looked down at her. Alede's lips were slightly parted and in the soft 
candlelight he thought her the most beautiful woman he had ever known. He drank 
in the sight of her, watched the tiny pulse at the base of her throat, admired 
the pert tilt of her nose and the sweep of tawny lashes that lay against her 
cheeks.

"Alede . . . my sweet, Alede," he whispered. "Long have I wanted you and long 
have I loved you. You are so precious to me. Like the rising sun, you illuminate 
the lonely path my soul once walked. I am yours."

Alede could only gaze at him in wonder. His words had touched her to the depths 
of her own soul and she trembled with the force of her love and her desire for 
him.

Reaching up, she touched his face tenderly and watched, entranced as he kissed 
each of her fingertips. Then she reached around and gently loosened the single 
elegant braid in the back of his hair, pulling the silken strands forward over 
his shoulders and sliding her fingers through it. She closed her eyes as if 
touching him were her greatest wish. Her fingers traveled down, softly touching 
his throat and brushing over the high collar of his tunic.

Her eyes opened and her fingers hesitated over the top fastening. She smiled up 
at him a little nervously and waited, her eyes asking a question.

Legolas brushed his lips over her knuckles, granting her permission and she felt 
the flare of his desire leap to new heights, her own following it with 
breathtaking eagerness. She unfastened the first loop, then the next and then 
the third. Pushing the fabric aside, Alede stood on her tiptoes and touched her 
lips to his throat.

It was a simple little kiss, but it ignited the fire that was already burning 
within Legolas. He could feel the 'aman coire', the blessed awakening, 
beginning. It was the joining of their songs, a joining even deeper than what 
they had shared before. It was the eternal bond.

Reaching down, he brought Alede's hand gently up to the side of his face and 
closed his eyes. With his song, he projected all of his reverence, all of his 
love for her.

Alede gasped and looked at him in surprise as her own song blended and 
harmonized with his creating an exquisite symphony.

"What is happening?" she asked softly.

"It is called the 'aman coire'. It is the sharing of song between husband and 
wife, between eternal lovers."

"I don't understand. We have already shared song. This is something special, 
something different . . ." she shook her head, unable to express her thoughts.

"Aman coire goes beyond what we have already known. Before we shared a part of 
ourselves, now we become a part of each other," he explained.

But Alede still did not understand and Legolas continued. "Our minds have been 
singing to each other since that day I shared song with you in Mirkwood. Now our 
songs will harmonize, two separate instruments weaving one melody."

He placed a gentle hand upon the side of her throat, delicately touching her 
pulse.

"There will be other changes as well. When we make love, your heart will beat in 
time with mine and you will feel my emotions as I will feel yours."

"But I already feel your emotions," Alede whispered, her eyes wide with wonder 
and longing.

Legolas shook his head. "Nay, at this moment we can only 'read' each other's 
emotions. From what I have been told, the aman coire is something entirely 
different."

"Then you have never experienced this?" Alede asked, a little surprised. Legolas 
seemed so much more vastly experienced than she.

Smiling down at her, he said, "I have never taken an eternal lover before, so I 
know little more than you do."

Alede took a deep breath, smiling with relief. She had always felt more than a 
tinge of jealousy over Legolas' former lovers. There had been times, five years 
before, when that jealousy was turned to pain because of her despair. But at 
this moment, she felt honored and special. She would be Legolas' eternal lover, 
the one who would share the same song with him forever.

"Then we will come to understand it together," she said, nearly bursting with 
her joy. Taking his hand, she placed a tender kiss upon his palm, then, barely 
hesitating, she slid his hand down over the material of her gown and let it rest 
upon her breast.

Legolas took in a deep breath as well and stroked his thumb across the finely 
embroidered fabric, seeking the hard nub beneath. Alede tipped her head back as 
he touched her, swaying against him as she felt their mutual need overwhelm her.

Seized by a very un-Elvin impatience, Legolas wrapped his arms tightly around 
her and kissed her, devouring her mouth, reveling in her taste and the strong 
thread of desire that sang in their songs. He felt her passion, like a banked 
fire waiting to be kindled by his love.

Alede's hands were moving over his shoulders and into his hair, tugging and 
caressing. She could feel his smoldering emotions, barely kept in check and 
thought that she might go up in flame from the heat of his desire.

He released her long enough to open the first button of her gown. He kissed the 
soft skin he had exposed and then he opened the next and the next, until he was 
able to help her step from the voluminous fabric. She held onto him as she 
kicked off her tiny slippers.

He untied the many ribbons of her chemise. Once he had pushed the silky fabric 
off her shoulders, he dropped to one knee and suckled one nipple into his mouth. 
Alede groaned and sunk her fingers into his hair. Her mouth was parted and her 
breath came in soft little pants. Her heart seemed to be pounding to an 
unfamiliar beat and she knew it was Legolas' passion that mingled with hers. She 
would have staggered if not for the strength of his hands upon her hips. As it 
was, she swayed and clutched at his shoulders while he laved her sensitive skin.

Eager to explore him further, Alede sank down to her knees in front of Legolas, 
bringing his fine hands to her mouth and kissing each of his fingers. There was 
a chair behind him and she gently pushed him onto it. Not caring that she knelt 
before him naked, she reached up to finish unfastening his tunic, then together 
they tugged off his doeskin boots and the rest of his clothing.

Legolas would have stood up to walk to the bed, but Alede prevented him by 
laying the side of her face upon his thigh.

"It was right here," she said, drawing ticklish little circles upon his skin. 
"Right here was the wound that I thought might kill you," she whispered, 
referring to when he had been captive in Orthanc so many years ago. "And it was 
when I was cutting the stitches from this wound that you teased me and 
deliberately frightened me. I fell in love with you at that moment and knew I 
was lost to you."

Legolas smiled and Alede felt as if all her bones had melted. Those dimples of 
his had charmed her from the start.

"And it was from that moment," Legolas said, "that I too, knew my life would be 
intertwined with yours, though I did not realize my love for you then." He 
tipped her chin up and looked at her seriously. "I do now."

"I know," she whispered, smiling up at him radiantly. Then she went back to 
nuzzling his thigh with the side of her face. Timidly, she leaned forward and 
nuzzled him somewhere else. Legolas sucked in a sharp breath and let his head 
fall back as she laved him with her tongue. His fingers threaded into her hair 
and he thought that Alede's tender exploration was far more erotic than even the 
most skilled of lovers could be. He knew that she could sense the wild 
exaltation of his emotions and it only encouraged her more. When he thought that 
he could stand it no longer, he nudged her up, lifting her in his arms and 
carried to the bed.

"There is a rule among my people," he said, laying down upon the soft mattress 
beside her, an impish smile curling his fine mouth.

"Oh?" Alede asked, the cool linens making her skin prickle even as she melted 
against Legolas' warmth.

"It states that the husband has the right to torment his wife first, not the 
other way around."

"Indeed?" Alede said with a laugh. "I have not heard of this rule. Are you sure 
you did not just make it up?"

Legolas grinned. "I confess that I did. But since my word is law in this 
kingdom, you must obey."

"Really?" there was just a hint of rebellion in Alede's eyes, before she spoke 
again. "And what other laws would you have me obey, my Lord?" she asked pertly.

Legolas' smile faded to a look of tenderness and Alede felt just the tiniest 
trace of vulnerability through their song. "To love me for all of eternity."

Alede caressed the side of his face. "That I will do with all my heart, Melui."

"As will I," he replied.

His mouth descended upon hers then claiming it with merciless skill, teasing, 
tugging with his teeth, then laving her parted lips with his tongue, priming her 
for its deeper invasion. His was the kiss of a king, enslaving her with his 
passionate will and with the promise of erotic pleasures to come. Alede knew 
that she would do anything for him and in return that she might ask any boon and 
have it granted.

Then all conscious thoughts vanished as they learned the maps of each other's 
skin. Their songs joined in an orchestra of ecstasy that was as complete and as 
fulfilling as the joining of their bodies.

~ ~ ~

Legolas lay on his side with his head propped up on one elbow watching Alede as 
she slept. He could not believe how precious she was to him. How had he survived 
all the long centuries without her? Now he could not imagine a day without her 
serene smile, her bright eyes.

He sighed contentedly and stretched. Astonishingly enough, a few of his muscles 
twinged in protest, causing a satisfied smile to spread over his face. He had 
used them rather strenuously last night and Alede, despite her protestations 
that she was fairly inexperienced, had proved to be a quick learner.

Grinning, he looked down at her again. Her lips were swollen from his kisses and 
her hair lay upon the pillow in wild disarray, reminding him of the first time 
he had woken up next to her. She had been a stranger then, but her limbs had 
been draped over him, spreading warmth through his chilled body. When she had 
opened her eyes, he had marveled at their leafy color.

He yearned to see those green eyes now, but by rolling over slightly, he could 
see that dawn was just barely tinting the sky.

*I should let her sleep.*

She had gotten little of it last night. But the temptation to see her eyes open 
and her lips smiling up at him was too much.

Taking a lock of her tousled hair, he tickled the end of her nose with it. She 
made a small sound and wrinkled her nose like a rabbit. Suppressing a laugh, he 
did it again.

This time, she wiggled around and pulled the blankets up over her face, leaving 
only her eyebrows peaking out. Legolas lost his battle then and laughed.

Movement beneath the covers and the groggy murmur of her song, told him that she 
was finally awake, though it took her a disoriented moment to find her way out 
from under the blankets.

"Good morning," she blinked up at him and her smile was as bright as a sunrise.

"Good morning," and he pulled her close for a bone-crushing hug. They held each 
other for a long time, touching and caressing, exchanging soft words. But after 
a while, Legolas noticed Alede's hand was drifting lower and lower between them 
and her song was beginning to sing a melody that his knew quite well.

"Tsk, tsk . . . what a wanton I am wed too," Legolas said shaking his head in 
mock dismay. **

"Call me a wanton again," Alede challenged, "and I'll bite you."

Legolas never missed a beat. "Wanton. Wild woman. Strumpet . . . Ai!"

"Serves you right," Alede said, raising her head from where she had thrown back 
the blankets and bitten him.

"I should have added that you were a vicious wanton. Look at the red mark you've 
left from biting me!" he exclaimed.

"Uhm . . ." Alede began. "I don't think that 'red mark' is from me biting you. I 
think its because you're . . ." She gave a squeak of surprise as Legolas tackled 
her and pushed her giggling down onto the mattress. Her protests continued until 
they turned into soft sighs of pleasure.

It was a very long time before they finally got out of bed.

~ ~ ~

Legolas sat patiently while Alede finished the warrior's braid on the side of 
his hair. Her lower lip was caught between her teeth as she concentrated on 
getting it perfectly even. She had had to do the right side twice before she was 
satisfied with it.

"I think that's got it," she said, straightening up and looking him over 
carefully.

Legolas ran experienced fingers over the braids. After a couple thousand years, 
he no longer needed a mirror to check them.

"Thank you, Melui," he said with a grin. She had been tending him from head to 
toe since they had gotten out of their bath. He stood up, his hands touching her 
tenderly and finished tying the ribbons of her gown, an activity that had gotten 
interrupted earlier.

"Thank you," she said. "Do you still need to speak with Mändel with morning?"

Legolas nodded. "Aye, though I hope not for long. He is going to usurp my 
kingdom if I do not make a few decisions soon. I have been too busy of late and 
he is slowly working himself into a fit of hysteria over my laxness," Legolas 
grinned. "And part of my function as Lord here is to keep Mändel from working 
himself into a fit."

Alede chuckled and kissed his cheek. "Then join me for breakfast when you can. I 
don't know that I can be parted from you for more than half an hour or so."

"Neither can I," he said, returning the kiss. Before he left, he added. 
"Whatever you do, do not seek out my father. He consumed enough wine last night 
to drink a dwarf under the table. I imagine that he is as surely as a wild boar 
this morning."

Alede grinned at him, but after he had left, she walked out of the door in the 
direction of Thranduil's guest quarters.


*** Original Character List ***

Alede the Green - Witch, healer and wizard. She is daughter of Radagast the 
Brown. After the death of her mother, she was raised in Rivendell for a while 
and learned healing skills from Elrond. She also developed a terrible crush on 
Elrohir, which he has gently teased her about for centuries. She also spent some 
time learning the wizarding craft at Orthanc under the tutelage of Saruman. 
Because she felt her healer's calling was more important, and because she 
considered herself a poor wizardess, Alede never completed her training at 
Orthanc.

Cyrus the Blue - The forth Maia to be sent to Middle Earth and friend to 
Radagast the Brown

Lomomir - Brother to King Thranduil of Mirkwood and a healer. He has spent the 
last many years in Rivendell studying with Alede and reading from Elrond's many 
books and journals.

Maladok the Red - The fifth Maia sent to Middle Earth. After a disastrous 
encounter with Saruman, Maladok has become a bit of a "black sheep" in the 
wizarding world.

Zarraweth - A young human witch with more plans and beauty than is good for her.

Malina - A healer and witch of the Angmar Mountains. She was married to Radagast 
the Brown and was Alede's mother. She was killed by a mob of religious fanatics 
who thought her witchcraft had brought plague to a village when instead she had 
been trying to cure it. Alede was only sixteen when Malina was killed.

Mändel - Legolas' steward. He originally served under Thranduil in Mirkwood in a 
lesser position.

Galomir - Ithilien's healer.

Girwyn - A general in Legolas' army. He is in charge of Ithilien's security.

Nimhith - A she-Elf of Eryn Culhallas, assigned by Legolas to be Alede's lady's 
maid.

Romiël - A she-Elf captured 700 years ago by Sauron as her people were making 
their way to the Gray Havens.

Romion - Romiel's brother and also a captive of Sauron for 700 years. 



Chapter 17 ~ "The Death Spell"

Legolas strode across the pathway toward the Great Hall. He could not help the 
grin on his face or the lightness of his step. He glanced back for a moment at 
his Culhalla and noticed Alede on the balcony. She waved to him cheerfully.

Just the sight of his new bride set his heart to pounding, though he had left 
her only a moment before. Once he had his business with Mändel completed, he 
intended to hurry back to her.

Spending the day in bed did not seem like such a bad idea, he thought with an 
impish look on his face. He might even get to see that incredibly gorgeous 
nightdress on Alede that had been made especially for their wedding night. 
Somehow, it had been forgotten last night.

With that inspiring thought, he entered the Great Hall, eager to get his 
business with Mändel concluded. He spotted Elrohir and Elladan lounging 
comfortably at the dinning table. He gave them a wave and was not surprised when 
they got up to join him.

"Everything in working order last night, Legolas?" Elrohir enquired with a 
mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Where is Alede?" Elladan asked. "Has she tossed you out already?"

Legolas grinned at their teasing, but said nothing.

Elrohir turned to his twin with mock seriousness on his face. "Perhaps we should 
have given him written instructions before the wedding night. Poor Alede! How 
disappointed she must be today!"

Elladan shook his head sadly. "Not able to rise to the occasion, eh, friend?"

Elrohir nodded sagely. "No doubt Alede will be coming to find me at any moment."

Legolas chuckled and put an arm about both of their shoulders. "My friends, if I 
were to tell you two bachelors even a tiny portion of what went on last night . 
. ." he paused dramatically, "you would spend the rest of your lives weeping 
into your pillows at night in regret and envy."

Elrohir and Elladan both burst out laughing and Legolas gave them a grin and a 
final pat on the shoulder as he left them.

Because he did not look back, he missed the look that passed briefly over 
Elrohir's face.

A look that might have been regret.

~ ~ ~

Alede breezed across the bridge that connected King Thranduil's guest chamber 
and Legolas' home.

Our home, she thought happily and could have hugged herself at the very notion. 
She was positively bubbling over with joy.

The previous night had exceeded all her expectations. Legolas had astounded her 
with his tenderness and generosity, coaxing forth responses from her that she 
had not even known were within her. She had found herself loving him in ways 
that not even the experienced barmaid Betsy had spoken of.

In return, she had awakened a passionate beast within Legolas that his calm 
exterior hid very well. At one point she had teasingly accused him of ravishing 
her.

Alede smiled. There had been a lot of passion and tenderness last night. But 
there had been a great deal of laughter as well. She could not think of a more 
splendid combination.

Their songs had sung together in a melody that reached the deepest depths of 
love and the highest peaks of joy. She could still feel its vibrations this 
morning as if Legolas had soaked into her skin and her mind. Reaching out, she 
touched her husband's mind lovingly before proceeding to her goal.

~ ~ ~

The King was already seated upon the tiny balcony outside his bedchambers. He 
appeared to be rather absently gazing up at the sunrise.

Though she had not been invited, Alede went up to the table and sat down. She 
saw no reason for the King to eat alone, especially when she was bursting with 
happiness and a touch of mischief.

"Good morning, Father."

Thranduil eyed her with that tolerant look she was getting so used to.

"You are up quite early," he remarked. "Is there some reason that you invade my 
breakfast?"

"I merely wished to enjoy your cheerful company," Alede said, grinning. Across 
the table from her, Thranduil groaned slightly and rolled his eyes.

"You are quite obnoxious under normal circumstances, but now that you are in 
this . . ." he paused searching for the right word, "giddy state, you are 
perfectly intolerable."

Alede broke into another smile and completely undaunted by the severe look on 
his face, got up, skirted the table and kissed Thranduil soundly on the cheek.

"By all that is sacred!" Thranduil swore, slamming his cutlery down. "What ails 
you, child?"

"Not a thing," Alede said happily. "I have learned that that severe exterior of 
yours conceals a heart as large as Eryn Lasgalen."

She grinned up at him, her eyes twinkling merrily. Thranduil was momentarily 
thunderstruck. Not even his own children were this impudent with him.

"Has it occurred to you, Daughter, that my severe exterior just might . . ."

"How many grandchildren would you like to have?" Alede interrupted 
mischievously.

Thranduil stopped with his mouth open in mid sentence. He closed it with a snap 
of irritation and then covered his eyes with his hand momentarily as if he was 
seeking inner patience. But Alede was not fooled, she could see the telltale 
twitch of his mouth.

"I have found the perfect method of silencing your lectures," she said, unable 
to restrain her giggles.

"You are completely intolerable," Thranduil said, trying to keep his face 
straight. "You are an absolute nuisance and I . . ."

"And you love me non the less," Alede said.

Thranduil made a noise of exasperation and sat back in his chair, with his arms 
folded across his chest. His stern features might have daunted anyone else, but 
Alede had come to read the subtle play of emotions on his face quite well.

Finally loosing the battle, Thranduil put his elbows on the table, resting his 
forehead in his hands and gave into his laughter. "I am certain that the Valar 
are punishing me for some transgression, but . . ." he looked up, a look on his 
face like none that Alede had ever seen before, "yes, I do love you, you silly 
girl, as if you were my own child."

Alede's smile could have lit up a dark night. "As I love you, dear Father," she 
said.

"Humph!" Thranduil snorted. "Now that that is settled, be gone! Do you not 
prefer the company of your new husband this morning?"

"Legolas needed to speak with Mändel. He will probably be gone for half an hour 
at least and I am starving."

Thranduil glanced at the bedchamber door behind him. "I am expecting company. Go 
away."

Alede grinned knowingly. She could easily guess whom the King expected and who 
might be resting in the bedchamber. "Romiël tends to sleep late. I will be gone 
before she rises."

Ignoring Thranduil's scowl, she set a jar that she had brought with her in front 
of him.

Thranduil snorted and picked up the jar.

"What is this?"

"Honey," Alede replied. "Honey with black currants stirred into it."

"Indeed?" Thranduil's scowl vanished and he opened the jar with interest, but 
not before he had passed the hot loaf of bread to her. They each spread the 
thick honey over their slices of bread. Alede noticed that Thranduil had 
slathered enough on his that it was in danger of oozing off the sides. But he 
closed his eyes as he bit into it and seemed well pleased.

Alede smiled. She had not forgotten his sweet tooth and fully intended to 
indulge him.

They ate in companionable silence. Birds twittered in the treetops and the 
sounds of Eryn Culhallas waking drifted up to them. Somewhere down below she 
heard Legolas' voice and knew that he was making his way back to her. A feeling 
of happiness tickled her stomach as she realized he had cut his meeting with 
Mändel short in order to return to her.

The sun cleared the tops of the trees and shone warmly upon her face. Alede 
closed her eyes, tilting her chin up to the bright rays. She had never felt 
happier or more at peace than on this first day of summer.

The scraping of a chair made her open her eyes. Thranduil stood opposite her, a 
look of alarm upon his face.

"What . . .?" But then Alede felt it as well. A sickly vibration hovered in the 
air like the smell of carrion. Alede slowly stood up and turned around.

"It's a spell," she said to Thranduil over her shoulder.

"Yes, but where is it coming from?" he asked sharply.

"I know not," Alede began, but a terrible suspicion came to her. The spell had a 
certain feel to it, a certain signature. "Zarraweth . . ." she breathed.

"How can that be!? You told me that she was dead!"

"She was dead," Alede said turning. "But she may have set something in motion 
before she . . ."

"Alede!" Thranduil cried suddenly. "Beware!"

Alede whirled back around. A rent in the fabric of the air appeared before her. 
There was blackness in its depths and foul words whispered and gibbered against 
her ears. A bright dagger appeared in the tear and just as Alede screamed and 
threw her hands up in front of her, strong hands grabbed her shoulder, wrenching 
her sideways.

Alede fell to the floor with a gasp and the knife hovered menacingly in the air.

"Alede! Are you injured?" Thranduil cried, still poised to lunge at the magical 
knife.

She did not answer. Cold, fierce pain filled her senses. Warmth was soaking down 
the front of her abdomen and she looked down to see her bright blood staining 
the fabric. The knife had slashed her as Thranduil had tried to drag her out of 
its path, tearing the silky fabric of her gown and the delicate skin beneath.

Alede was only vaguely aware of Romiël stepping out onto the balcony, blinking 
in the bright light. Her entire concentration was on her blood flowing freely 
between her fingers and on the agony that seemed to cut her in half.

Romiël immediately knelt beside her, pressing a napkin to the wound.

"Thranduil what it happening?" she asked.

"It is a death curse," Alede stammered, answering in place of the King. "I must 
counter it . . ." But words were becoming hard to form and a mist was trying to 
close over her eyes. She felt the balcony rock as if someone was taking the 
stairs three at a time.

~ ~ ~

Legolas bid Mändel good morning. There was still much that he needed to do, but 
he refused to be parted from his bride any longer. He would settle back into his 
routine next week. For the next few days he intended to devote his time to 
Alede.

But as he happily contemplated his future with her, he became aware of a discord 
in their song. Something evil hung in the air and fouled the harmony of their 
aman coire like a note played off key.

Legolas shuddered and quickened his pace toward home.

And then he heard Alede scream and felt her sharp pain through their song. Panic 
stricken, he broke into a run, charging up the steps three at a time.

"Alede!" Legolas burst upon his father's balcony, dropping to his knees, his 
song nearly knocking her over with concern.

"Death Curse," she stammered. "Get my mother's book . . . the red one . . ."

Legolas started to rise, but then he saw the knife, the very same dagger that 
Thranduil had given to Alede before they journeyed to Mordor. It hung in the air 
as if held by an invisible and demonic hand. Suddenly it twisted in the air, 
swooping down on Alede.

Several things happened at once. Thranduil made a dive for the knife and hit the 
corner of the table with his hip and missed. Legolas threw himself in front of 
Alede and caught it. But his haste made him clumsy and his hands closed upon the 
sharp blade. He cried out as his own blood dripped to the deck and Alede gasped 
as she felt his pain.

Gimli charged upon the balcony, wheezing like a mule and brandishing his axe.

"Legolas!" he looked on in amazement as Legolas and Thranduil both appeared to 
be wrestling over a knife. "What in the blazes!?"

"It is enchanted, Gimli!" Legolas gasped as the blade twisted angrily, shredding 
his palm despite his father's hold on it as well.

The Dwarf looked flustered for a moment, then quickly grabbed the edge of the 
tablecloth and whipped it off. Porcelain, cutlery and food all went crashing to 
the floor as Gimli threw the cloth around the two Elves' hands. Thranduil 
quickly twisted it around and around the knife, muffling it in its folds.

"Romiël," Alede grasped at the she-Elf's hand clumsily. "Circle . . . draw a 
circle with my blood . . . get the book."

Romiël hesitated for only a moment. Her hands were already dark with Alede's 
blood so drawing a circle upon the planks was no trouble.

Legolas extricated his slashed hand from the tablecloth as Thranduil finished 
wrapping the knife. He cared nothing for his own wound though and fell to his 
knees in horror at Alede's side. There was so much blood spilled down the front 
of her gown, he thought his heart might stop at the sight of it.

"Alede!" the desperate anguish in his voice mirroring that which he felt.

" . . .book," she whispered weakly.

Legolas stumbled to his feet, noticing as he did so that the knife was once 
again trying to free itself. The sight urged him into a sprint as he leapt 
across the bridges toward Alede's home and into her library. It took him an 
agonizing moment to find the book.

"Red, red . . ." he mumbled urgently to himself as he searched the shelves, 
throwing books on the floor in his haste. He finally found a red book with 
Malina's spidery scrawl in it. Then he was out the door and racing back across 
the bridges.

A hideous sound assaulted him before he was halfway there. It screeched and 
grated upon his eardrums so badly he wanted to sink to his knees and cover his 
ears. But he ran on, bursting out upon Thranduil's balcony.

The knife had escaped its cloth binding and was skittering across the surface of 
Alede's encircling, screeching as it angrily scraped at her green magic, but 
could not penetrate it. The sound was deafening, more than deafening, it was a 
sound that Legolas was certain could kill.

Thranduil was on his knees, his hands pressed to his ears and Gimli crouched 
near the railing, crying out in pain. Romiël had collapsed inside Alede's 
circle.

And Alede . . .

Legolas' heart tightened. Her face had gone completely white and she had slumped 
to the floor. But her eyelids flickered as Legolas ran to her and fell to his 
knees.

Raising a bloody hand, he caught the hilt of the knife and tossed the book 
within Alede's circle. As her encircling unmade, the screeching sound stopped 
and the knife tried to surge out of Legolas' hand. He wrapped both of them 
around it and hung on with all of his strength, though it nearly dragged him 
across the decking.

Dark magic wrapped itself around him, clouding his vision, blocking out Alede's 
faint song and filling his mind with its hatred. Malice chilled his blood as the 
spell tried to throw him off, tried to complete its deadly purpose.

But Legolas held on, even as evil words whispered about his ears. Desperately he 
forced his hands down, dragging the knife unwillingly toward the planking 
beneath his knees. The dark magic rose to a crescendo then and pulled at him, 
trying to wrench the very soul from him. Legolas cried out in pain and horror, 
but still he pressed the dagger point into the wood, forcing it slowly into the 
floor.

Then powerful words washed over him, but these were clean words and smelled of 
pine trees and warm summer breezes. They carried with them the cleansing force 
of mountain snows and rocked the balcony beneath him as the Culhalla trembled in 
recognition of the counter spell.

And then quite suddenly the dagger went limp in his hands. Legolas let out the 
breath he had been holding and opened his eyes. The knife had dropped to the 
floor and lay there harmlessly. The spell was broken.

Legolas shuddered and raised his eyes to Alede.

Her mother's book lay open beside her and her limp hand rested upon it. Bright 
blood flooded out across the planking and her eyes stared sightlessly back at 
him.

"NO!"

Anguish and emptiness like he had never known it seized Legolas, squeezing his 
gut in its powerful grip. He crawled to Alede, pulling her lifeless body into 
his arms and sending the book skittering away. Her song did not answer his as he 
urgently called out to her.

"DO NOT LEAVE ME MELUI! DO NO LEAVE ME NOW THAT WE ARE FINALLY TOGETHER!"

Blind grief took him. He was only vaguely aware of people crowding around him 
now. Thranduil had stumbled to his feet and Gimli's strong hand gripped his 
shoulder. Absently he knew that Aragorn and Elrond's sons were there as well. 
Galomir was feeling Alede's wrist.

But Legolas ignored them all, seeing only emptiness and shattering pain. Tears 
flowed down his cheeks unchecked.

"I am sorry," Galomir said beside him, breaking through the wall of grief. "I 
can feel no pulse."

*NO!*

Rage swelled up within Legolas' heart, shoving the pain aside. He threw back his 
head and shouted a defiant scream to the sky.

Fire answered him.

Heat filled his body as if Mount Doom had erupted and filled his veins. Legolas 
could not see for the ancient power that pounded in his blood. Instinctively he 
pulled Alede tighter to him, clamping one hand upon her belly and allowing the 
fire to pour through him and out of him.

Strong hands seized his shoulders and he felt raw power flowing into him. Time 
ceased to have a meaning, as did the chaotic voices around him. There was only 
the fire in his blood and magic rushing out of him. Brilliant light filled his 
vision and he vaguely realized that it came from his own body and from there he 
poured this terrible power into Alede. ***

"Legolas?"

Only one voice could have roused him from that ancient Elvin magic.

Legolas raised his head and opened his eyes, taking a moment to focus in the 
strangely normal light of morning. He felt as if the inside of his eyelids had 
been singed.

And then his vision came into focus.

Alede stirred in his arms and smiled weakly up at him.

"Melui?" he gasped in astonishment and barely felt Thranduil's painful grip on 
his shoulders loosen.

Alede's smile broadened and her song reached out to tap gently at his. With a 
wordless cry, Legolas crushed her in his arms, sobbing without restraint against 
the side of her face and flooding her his emotion. Then he was kissing her 
cheeks and her mouth as if he could not drink in enough of her.

"Praise Ilúvatar," he stammered. "I thought I had lost you, my beloved!"

Alede was crying too. Her song reached out to his, weaving together with his 
notes. They whispered softly to each other.

Their desperately tender words would have gone on for quite some time, had not a 
voice interrupted them. Legolas almost felt angry at the intrusion.

"Legolas?" said a quiet voice behind him. "I think we had best take a look at 
that wound . . ."

Legolas jerked his head up at Aragorn's words. "Aye, you are right!" Lowering 
Alede, he grasped the torn edges of Alede's gown and ripped it wide open.

Alede made a sound of protest, but Legolas barely heard it as his bloody fingers 
explored her belly. Her skin was scorched as if she had been burned by fire and 
there was a perfect red imprint of Legolas' hand upon her abdomen. Her blood had 
dried to black flecks, as if it too had been through fire. But of the gaping 
wound, there was no sign.

Behind him Aragorn chuckled, "I meant the wound on your hand, Legolas. I have 
seen the healing techniques of Elvin Lords enough times to know that Alede is 
fine. Though I think in this instance you may have surpassed even Elrond's 
abilities. No doubt King Thranduil's assistance made the difference."

Legolas turned and stared up at him dumbfounded. Thranduil looked a little 
uncertain, but not terribly surprised. Elladan nodded sagely, but Elrohir looked 
a bit pale and had to lean on his twin for support. Alede's demise had obviously 
frightened him. But before Legolas could question any of them about this ability 
that had sprung out of him unaware, Alede struggled in his arms.

"Your hand!" she exclaimed. "I had forgotten about your hand! Lord Aragorn, 
please help Legolas into a chair. Galomir, fetch me some bandages, needle and 
thread. Thranduil, Romiël has fainted. Take her inside and place a cool cloth on 
her brow. Gimli that dagger has been neutralized, but I think it would be best 
if it were melted down . . ."

Legolas finally could not stand it any longer. All the emotion that had 
ricocheted inside of his scull was finally too much.

He burst out laughing.

Alede looked up at him sharply, no doubt thinking that he was hysterical.

"No," he said to the people who had begun to scurry around to do her bidding or 
check him for hysterics. "Stop. The first thing that is going to happen is that 
Alede is going to bed . . ."

"I do not need to go to bed . . ."

"You have lost a tremendous amount of blood."

"I feel fine. I need to tend to your hand. It probably needs stitches. Galomir, 
do you have those bandages yet?"

"And the second thing," Legolas continued undaunted, "is that you are going to 
stop bossing everyone around and . . ."

"I am not bossing!"

". . . and let me take care of you. I am your husband and it is my job and my 
honor to take care of you and this curse has terrified me more than anything has 
ever terrified me."

"Oh." Alede stopped struggling to rise and lay back in Legolas' arms. "Well . . 
. if you put it that way . . ."

Legolas smiled and bent his head to press his lips tenderly to hers.

~ ~ ~

In the end it was Aragorn who finally tended Legolas' hand with Gimli hovering 
anxiously nearby. The Elf pressed his good hand to the Dwarf's shoulder in a 
silent gesture of gratitude and comfort.

Galomir helped Alede to clean the blood off and tucked her protesting into her 
own bed.

"Are you certain the threat is gone?" Elrohir asked worriedly.

All of them had squeezed into Alede's bedchamber after she had been tended to 
and were standing around the bed of the reluctant patient. Radagast was fussing 
over his daughter. Thranduil had joined them and reassured everyone that Romiël 
was all right. Legolas, who normally would have given his father a speculative 
look whenever Romiël was mentioned, let it pass without even a blink. His entire 
focus was on Alede.

Alede nodded, in reference to Elrohir's question and gestured toward the book on 
her desk, which had been retrieved. Gimli handed it to her and she gave him a 
smile before flipping open the pages.

"The Death Curse has only one lifespan," she said her voice filled with relief. 
"If it fails to kill, the curse dies."

"But how did it come about?" Legolas asked urgently. "It was the knife that 
Father gave you, but how did it come to be used for such an evil purpose?"

"The magic was Zarraweth's," Alede answered. "I could feel her signature. She 
must have still been alive after the Griffon dropped her." Alede shrugged 
regretfully. "I'm afraid I did not check. I was so relieved . . ." she shook her 
head. "I must have dropped Thranduil's dagger and she used it to activate the 
curse."

"But how?" Legolas persisted. The fear of what had happened still lingered and 
the calming notes in Alede's song, for once, did not help. "Zarraweth died 
nearly a year ago."

"She killed herself," Alede said sadly. "The death curse requires the suicide of 
the one wielding it."

"But could there have been a back up curse, in case this one failed?"

Alede shook her head wearily and smiled, taking Legolas' hand in hers. "No. She 
would not have had the strength or the time to make one. It is over. I will 
place wards around the kingdom tomorrow if it will make you easier. But I 
promise you, it is over. The feeling of dread that I have had since that last 
day in Mordor is gone. It was the curse that I sensed. I should have realized 
that, but I was preoccupied with other things. Fear no more, Husband, all is 
well."

Legolas looked at her for a long moment, letting his song mingle with hers, 
letting himself feel her presence, her life force . . . He had almost lost her. 
Leaning forward, he pressed his forehead gently to hers and closed his eyes.

"Ehem!"

It was Aragorn who cleared his throat and spoke first. "I think we should let 
both Legolas and Alede rest. There has been enough excitement for the morning, I 
think."

"That is the most ridiculous understatement I have heard yet, son of Arathorn," 
Thranduil said in a quarrelsome tone.

"Aragorn speaks for me as well," Gimli snapped, glaring up at the Elvin King. "I 
could do with a bit less of this kind of excitement."

Thranduil made an irritable sound, but voiced no opinion. Legolas, if he had 
been paying attention would have been astonished by his father's polite 
restraint.

But Legolas was not paying attention and so their friends filed slowly out of 
the room, some of them reluctantly, but most of them nodding and smiling. 
Radagast was unwilling to leave, but Thranduil prodded him none too gently out 
the door.

Gimli was the last one out. Legolas had wrapped his song securely around the 
dwarf, expressing his gratitude and his relief. Instead of feeling left out of 
the couple's love for each other, Gimli felt included. He would have been hard 
pressed to say just where he fit into this small family, but he knew that he 
did. Even as he pulled on the door handle, Alede's song reached out to him, 
notes of friendship, fluttering over him.

For an instant, he felt the tide of their combined song rush over him like a 
flood, but then he carefully shut it out. Their song was changing into a 
symphony, a grand harmony of love. He would join them later, but for now it was 
time for just the two of them.

As Gimli turned away, he heard the murmur of tender words and the thump of 
Legolas' clothing falling on the floor. Gimli grinned happily for his friends 
and closed the door on the soft rustling of bedclothes.

~ ~ ~

*** For those of you wondering about Legolas' newfound powers, I suggest reading 
my companion story, "Heart of a King". It will explain everything. ;)



Chapter 18 ~ "Epilogue"

~ written by Thecla (with only a couple of tweaks by Nebride, who, because she 
is a writer, cannot leave anything written alone without tweaking it. ;)

A wry Elvin smile.

"Good morning."

A wizardess' purr. "Mmm . . . 'morning."

Elvin eyes begin to narrow.

Wizardess' eyebrows raise in a question.

"Forget 'wanton'. You are worse than that."

Small giggle.

A snort and fingers thrum on the bed.

"You will be the death of me even before our first anniversary."

A laugh and the sound of a kiss. A very firm kiss.

"Humph."

"Humph?? You enjoyed that, my Lord. Don't try to tell me differently."

Another kiss.

A speculative stare.

"What?" A twinkle of mischief in green eyes.

Exhalation. "You told me you were not skilled in love making. If that were true, 
then how in Middle-Earth did you know about kissing me here . . ."

Points to area in question.

". . . and here."

Points again.

"Not to mention the uhm . . . that spot there!"

Points lower.

"Well, uhm. . . ," a smug grin, "you are not exactly the first lover I have 
shared my bed with."

Eyes narrowing, jealousy sparking. "*You*. . . have done *that*. . . to someone 
else as well?"

"Uh huh. . ," eyelashes fluttering.

"Humph! I do not believe you! You are teasing me!"

"I am not!"

"We share song, I hear it! You are jesting!"

A burst of laughter. "And yet you are jealous!"

"I am not!"

"Are too!"

"Ha!"

More wizardess' giggles.

"You have not answered my question, woman."

A chuckle. "And I am not going to, my Lord.".

Distracting kiss. A hand traveling to said spot.

An Elvin gasp.

A triumphant grin.

Pause.

Staring contest.

A pounce.

A squeal.

THE END

~ ~ ~

A/N: An extra, extra special thanks to my fabulous beta reader and co- author, 
Thecla, who sent me this gem. You rock, Girl! :D

And now, Dear Readers, I am going to leave you on this happy note for a while. I 
am badly in need of rest and different scenery, so I'm going to take a few 
months off. My muse has already packed her bags, in fact and is just waiting for 
me to finish this up. I saw her including a bathing suit and suntan lotion in 
her luggage, so I strongly suspect she is headed for the beach somewhere. The 
Caribbean, perhaps? ;)

Updates on "Heart of a King" will be rather slow in coming. I'm sorry about 
that! Please see my note about my stupid #$%^! Internet connection on my bio. 
Grrr.

I also interrupted a science fiction novel that I'm writing for publication two 
years ago when I started these stories and need to get back to it. Plus I'm 
sending in some of my children's stories (two can be found at Fiction Press) so 
wish me luck in finding a good publisher. And I've begun participating/hosting a 
writers group at my library, so by the time I come back to story #5 of the 
Legolas/Alede adventures, my writing skills should have improved and my muse 
will be rested and ready to go! :)

Thank you so much for all of your comments, well wishes and loyalty. You guys 
are fabulous readers!!!!!!!!!!! I could not have done it without you or without 
Thecla's fabulous help, encouragement and co-writing!!! *Big hugs all around!!!*

If you wish, I would be happy to e-mail you once I start posting "Elvin Home". 
Just let me know.

Bye for now,

~ Nebride :D :D :D