Wedding Night

All in all, Legolas decided that having friends was more of a nuisance than anything.

Faramir and Gimli had decided that it would be amusing to see how long they could detain Legolas. The Great Hall had emptied of its guests, except the three friends. Even Thranduil had left pleading tiredness, though his eyes had twinkled at his son’s discomfort. He wished he could stay and watch but figured that it would only inhibit the companions.

“Good night, my son. Enjoy yourself.” Thranduil somehow managed to keep the smile off his face.

Legolas just glared at his father all the while trying to ignore Gimli’s explanation of rock mining.

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

Rhinure entered her new chambers – the Princess’ Chambers. They were beautiful, done in the Royal colours of the Woodland Realm – green and silver. Filmy curtains hung from an archway which led to a balcony overlooking the grounds. Moonlight filtering in from the windows bathed the entire room in a pale silvery light. It was a romantic, feminine room and without any reservations Rhinure knew she hated it – absolutely detested it.

It was suffocating in its gentleness; she had to get out of there. She went out on the balcony and let the cold night breeze numb her body. She looked below to see that Morion and Istion had taken guard positions below the balcony. Ehtewen would be standing outside the room, making sure that no one would enter without permission. Now that Rhinure was married and bound to this Realm, the Avari were less cautious around the Silvan Elves. She was Princess and as such would be protected by the Wood-Elves. It was finally safe for her to be alone, to have some privacy in her own rooms.

Rhinure closed her eyes and let the silence wash over her. There was no light talking from the room behind her, no Avari guard breathing down her neck, reminding her that she was far away from home and the people she could trust. It had not been pleasant.

Now maybe that would change. She was bound to these people, these non-Avari, as they were to her. Did she have the strength to honour this bond as well as all the others she had taken in her life? Rhinure closed her eyes, remembering blue eyes and golden hair – if she did not have the strength she would find it, she would not let him down.

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^It was a lovely wedding. Unusual but lovely nevertheless,^ Faramir genially commented.

^I believe you have already said that, my Lord,^ Legolas got out off his clenched jaw.

^Tsk tsk, such hostility. Did you not find the wedding charming, Gimli?^ Faramir turned to the dwarf, an unholy light in both their eyes. They had never known that tormenting their friend could be so delightful.

^The food was great. In fact, I could use some more right now,^ Gimli reached for the plates that had been kept for the Prince’s friends. ^After all, we have a long night ahead of us. So much to catch up on with our dear friend.^

Legolas groaned, *~ I should have killed him myself for then I would not have to go through this. ~*

^Are you feeling alright, Elf? We would not want you to take ill on your wedding night.^

Legolas smiled tightly.

*~ Maybe I can rectify the mistake now. ~*

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Rhinure turned away from the balcony, Legolas would be returning soon and she could use this time to explore her new home. It should have saddened her to realise that these few rooms were her new home, but then Rhinure was Avari; she had spent hundreds of years learning to ignore such frivolous emotions. She would deal with this sense of loss as she had dealt with everything else.

Still, it was there – this loneliness, this emptiness, gnawing at her.

The balcony opened from her rooms to what, Rhinure presumed, were Legolas’ chambers. Rhinure approached his rooms, unsure whether to enter. She was curious to see what his room looked like, what it reflected about him. She wanted to see if it was as bright as he was. Should she enter?

Rhinure lifted her hand to part the curtain blocking his room from her view. But before she could touch the silken material she pulled back, she could not do this. She could not invade his privacy to satisfy her idle curiosity. And it was just idle curiosity, nothing more. Rhinure kept telling herself this. She really did not want to see the room in which he worked, the chair in which he sat or the bed in which he slept.

She did not want to run her fingers over the sheets he slept on, to feel their coolness and imagine them heated from his body. She did not want to place the pillow he slept on next to her cheek and breathe in his scent.

Rhinure found herself backed against the balcony, as far away from Legolas’ room as she could physically manage. What was wrong with her? Why did she let him get under her defences?

With something closely resembling a snarl Rhinure walked back into her rooms, not sparing another glance at the closed curtain.

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^So as I was saying,^ Gimli waved his tankard of ale, just missing Legolas’ head.

^I wish you would not say anymore,^ Legolas muttered

^Why Elf, are you not happy to talk to us? I am beginning to think you do not care for our company.^

^Whatever gave you that preposterous idea?^ Legolas asked with such an innocent face.

^The fact that you have been glowering at us since Lady Rhinure left us,^ Faramir chimed in, not fooled by Legolas for an instant.

^You know what I think, Faramir? I think, the Elf here misses his Lady.^

^Why Gimli, I believe you could be right. Is that so, Legolas? Do you miss Lady Rhinure?^

This was it, the opportunity Legolas has been looking for. If he just admitted that he wanted to leave to go to Rhinure, his friends would leave him alone. After all, it was only the truth. He wanted to see her; he wanted to know what she was doing.

He wondered if she had changed out of her wedding dress. He hoped not; he was now eager to look his fill at her, without other eyes on his wife. He wanted to touch her, make sure that she was real. He wanted to run his hand over her waist, and confirm whether it was as small as it appeared today. But most of all, he wanted to sink his fingers into her hair and pull it back from her face so that he could look at her, into her.

^I think we have our answer,^ Faramir chuckled at Legolas faraway expression.

^I have no idea what you are talking about,^ Legolas said defensively and as soon as the words left his mouth he wished he could take them back.

^Really? Are you sure you do not want to go to Lady Rhinure?^

^Yes.^ Legolas had to stay now, his pride demanded it. Unfortunately, the rest of him was telling him that he was fool.

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Rhinure paced in her room.

*~ Where is he? Does he intend to leave me alone on my wedding night? ~*

Rhinure decided that Legolas was probably busy with his friends.

*~ He is spending time with his friends, catching up. He is happy with them, he is probably having the time of his life … I will kill him when he comes here. ~*

Rhinure took her deep breath to calm herself. She was Avari, such a display of emotion was beneath her. She ruthlessly seized her overwrought feelings and forced them deep inside her – so deep that nothing showed in her face. Rhinure sat down in front of the mirror and looked at herself.

Her face was smooth, devoid of feeling – as it should be. She noted this with satisfaction; she was still Rhinure, no matter what that elf did to her. Her glance fell on her hair, it looked so unnatural unbound like this. It flowed down her shoulders to her waist in heavy black waves. But it was strangely comforting at the same time; it shut out the world, cocooning her in, protecting her from outside scrutiny. Rhinure bent forward to allow some of her hair to fall across her face, veiling her in darkness.

But she could not hide forever; Rhinure straightened her spine and flipped her hair back. She had better get ready for Legolas’ arrival – whenever that might be. She lifted her hand to remove the ornaments from her head when she realised that she was still wearing the Mithril crown – Eruante’s crown.

With a cry of sheer fury, Rhinure yanked the crown from her head and threw it across the room with all of her strength. It hit the wall with a resounding crash and fell to the floor. Rhinure left up from her seat, eyes blazing as she stared at the Crown. Her breathing was unnaturally loud in the otherwise silent room.

“Control yourself, little one.”

Rhinure spun around at the sound of Ehtewen’s voice, “Why are you here?”

“I heard a noise and came to investigate.”

“I am fine, leave.”

Ehtewen ignored the elleth, walking to pick up the fallen circlet. “You should not treat something this precious so carelessly.”

Rhinure looked at the glittering Crown in Ehtewen’s hands. With another cry she slapped the crown out of the First Guard’s hands.

“Control yourself Rhinure. Such behaviour is unbecoming of you.”

Rhinure turned her black eyes on Ehtewen, full of fury – and loss, “These are my rooms. How I choose to behave or misbehave in them is my choice. You have no right to come and criticise me in here. What I feel here is private and has no bearing on the Sacrifice.”

Ehtewen backed away from Rhinure, knowing that the younger Elf spoke the truth. Ehtewen had invaded Rhinure’s privacy and thus was at fault. This display had not been for Ehtewen’s eyes, but in entering as she did she had forced herself upon Rhinure.

What the Avari felt, and they did feel, was always personal and concealed from common view.

Avari honour dictated that Ehtewen leave Rhinure alone to face the turmoil she was feeling. But Ehtewen could not do that; she could not abandon this young elf-maid, not when she had practically raised her.

Ehtewen gently lowered Rhinure to the seat in front of the mirror. “It is only a piece of metal, little one.”

“Metal remembers, Ehtewen.”

“And I am sure they are only pleasant memories.”

Rhinure closed her eyes, allowing the stone mask she wore to crumble. She opened her eyes to look at this she-elf who had been what her mother could not be. “I cannot wear it. I cannot wear her Crown.”

“Then do not.”

“But he will ask me why.”

Ehtewen did not have to be told who he was – she had not thought that Thranduil could have affected Rhinure so strongly.

“Then tell him why you cannot wear it.”

 “I cannot. I cannot.” Rhinure buried her face in her hands, shuddering at the thought of reliving everything.

Ehtewen stroked Rhinure’s dark hair, “You are tired right now, little one, and are not thinking straight. I doubt Prince Legolas will even notice if you do not wear the Crown.”

“Do you really think so?”

“I know it. Now listen to me. Put this out of your mind. You cannot change what has happened and there is no point making yourself ill about it. You cannot afford to be so indulgent; you have duties to perform.”

Ehtewen sharp tone brought Rhinure back to her senses. She was right, Rhinure had duties to perform, expectations to fulfil. She would not let old feelings haunt her. She squared her shoulders and looked at herself.

She was Sacrifice, she was Avari. She would survive, as she had always had.

Ehtewen watched as her Sacrifice once again dominated the weaker, emotional Rhinure. When Rhinure turned her eyes on her First guard, they were cold once more.

“Now listen to me, this is happening because you are tired and restless. It is completely understandable.”

The unspoken Avari belief hung between the two ellyth – feel, but never let your emotions control you or rule you. That path led only to grief.

Rhinure nodded, understanding what Ehtewen was telling her, “And what do you propose I do about that, First Guard?”

The Sacrifice was back.

“Take your husband to your bed. I am sure he is skilled in bed. Let him pleasure and refresh you.”

With that last piece of advice, Ehtewen left Rhinure alone.

Rhinure smiled a deliciously wicked smile - it was a wonderful idea.

Now if only Legolas would oblige and come up.

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^I think we have teased Legolas enough,^ Faramir commented to Gimli.

^Why do you say this? We can never tease Legolas enough.^

Faramir did not answer, but just kept looking at his elven friend. Legolas has not said anything for the last half and hour. He had not responded to any of the friendly taunts made and had replied to questions with a nod or a shake of his head. He seemed lost in his thoughts and they did not seem pleasant.

Faramir now wondered if they had been fair to their friend. Legolas had obviously been keen on retiring early, even if he did not admit it. Faramir realised that Legolas had been more polite and restrained that they should have expected of him. If it had been his wedding and someone had been keeping him away from Éowyn, he would not have been so gracious. But then, Legolas was not in love with Rhinure. He had admitted as much to both his friends. They understood his reasons for marrying her and even admired him for it. But he was not an unwilling bridegroom either. Faramir had noticed the way Legolas kept looking at Rhinure. The way his eyes would melt when they rested on her, the way they shone at the thought of her.

No, Legolas was not unwilling; no matter how it had started originally. No matter what Legolas himself believed.

^What are you thinking about , Legolas?^ Faramir asked very gently, not wanting to break the elf’s concentration.

 ^Rhinure.^ Legolas’ voice was quiet, frighteningly so. This was not another opportunity to tease him, even Gimli realised that. He put down his tankard and looked at the Elf.

^What about her, Legolas?^

^I wonder if I can ever make her happy?^

Both friends were taken aback at the question. Legolas’ voice was so wistful that it made Faramir want to weep.

^Do you doubt it, my friend?^

^Always. I do not think she has had much joy in her life, and I want to be able to give it to her so much.^

^Then why do you not?^ Gimli asked, very reasonably he thought.

 Legolas smiled at his friend, ^Because I do not understand her most of the time. I do not know what causes her pain, though I know she feels it. She is still a stranger to me.^

Gimli and Faramir looked at each other, this was not a conversation they expected on a wedding night.

^Give it time, you will get to know her,^ Faramir tried to console Legolas.

^Will I? You do not know her, Faramir. If she does not want me to know her, I will not.^

^Then convince her to let you in. It cannot be that hard. After all, all other females fall at you feet.^

Legolas laughed at Gimli’s acerbic remark. It was true, he would just have to try harder and have faith in his abilities.

^On that cheerful note, my friends, I will take my leave of you. I think I have neglected my bride for long enough.^

Legolas bowed to the two and left for his chambers, praying that Rhinure would not kick him out when he finally arrived

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

Ehtewen glanced at Legolas when he came running back to his chambers. “You are late.”

Legolas had the grace to look a little sheepish, but then Ehtewen always made him feel like a little Elfling. She was worse than Herenion.

“Lady Rhinure …?”

“Is waiting for you inside. Unless she has decided to turn in for the night.”

Legolas winced as he entered his room. He was going to face her anger, he just knew it. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness of his room, he was surprised to find it empty. Where was Rhinure? Then he realised that she was probably in her own room.

Her room, the Princess’ chambers, which had been empty for as long as Legolas could remember – all his life in fact. It would be odd to live next to someone, to live with someone.

He walked from the balcony to Rhinure’s room, not wanting to enter from the outside. He shuddered to think what Ehtewen would say while he waited for Rhinure to open the door.

The window to her balcony was open, which Legolas took to be a good sign. It meant that she was not asleep – or so he hoped. He could see Rhinure sitting in front of her full-length mirror. She was still in her wedding dress.

“You are late,” Rhinure did not bother turning, she could see him clearly in the mirror.

“I know, I am sorry. I was detained by Gimli and Faramir,” Legolas trailed off, not really having an excuse. And he got the feeling that Rhinure knew that, even though he could not see her face clearly. Her hair partially clouded her face. Once again, Legolas felt that familiar itch in his fingers to brush it back.

“I hope the evening was pleasant,” Rhinure’s voice was cool.

“Yes … it was pleasant.” Legolas wondered was she was thinking; why did she not turn to face him. He wanted to look at her face.

He got his wish. Rhinure abruptly turned around to look at him. The expression in her eyes was unreadable, but for a moment Legolas forgot to breath.

“What did you speak of?” Rhinure asked as she rose from the seat, walking towards Legolas.

“Not much,” Legolas did not realise it before but the way her hips swayed was … enticing. He could feel his throat dry up.

“That is not much of an answer, my husband,” Rhinure arched a brow at him, coming to stand in front of him, oh so close.

“It was not much of a question, my wife,” Legolas carefully took a lock of her hair in his hands, rubbing it between his fingers. It was softer than he had expected.

Rhinure ignored what Legolas was doing. “You must be tired, my Lord.”

Legolas blinked, how had she come so close to him? He had to look down to see her face. She was small. “Not really, my Lady.”

“Then why are you so tense?” Rhinure stepped even closer, placing her palms on his chest.

If Legolas was not tense before, he was certainty tense now. Rhinure’s scent filled his senses. Before he realised what he was doing, he leant forward to take a deeper breath. He could not identify the scent; all he knew was that it smelt like her.

“I am not tense, my Lady.”

“You could have fooled me, my Lord. See, your heart races.” Rhinure placed her head on his chest, right on top of his heart, which was racing now.

“That is because you are near, my Lady.” Legolas could not believe he had just said that. And how did his arms get around her waist? It was as small as he had imagined.

Rhinure was now encased in his arms, and she liked it. She nestled into him, causing him to gasp slightly. “That is good to know.”

“Is it?” Legolas asked a little weakly. He was having trouble stringing a sentence together, let alone pay attention to what Rhinure was saying. On the other hand, his hands seemed to have a mind of their own. They travelled up and down Rhinure’s back as if they had been doing so forever.

Rhinure lifted her head off Legolas’ chest and looked deeply into his eyes. Legolas almost choked when he saw the way her eyes smouldered. He felt like a mouse about to be devoured by a cat.

Rhinure stepped out of his arms, immediately causing them to feel deprived. She placed her hand in one of hers and gently tugged at him. “Come to bed, my Lord.”

That abrupt statement caused Legolas to stumble. Rhinure was obviously not wasting any time, he thought with a rising sense of panic.

“Wait, this is going too fast.”

“Too fast? How can it go too fast?” Rhinure cocked her head to look at him.

“We hardly know each other, we cannot …” Legolas trailed off, not feeling too comfortable under her stare.

“We are married, my Lord.” Rhinure stated, as if that would make everything clear.

“Be that as it may, I have known you for about three weeks, if that. I am not about to take you to my bed.” Rhinure turned away at that announcement, causing Legolas to feel like an idiot. His voice had been sharper than necessary. But he could not help it, his body was making it very difficult for him to keep his good intentions.

He had been right before, Rhinure looked beautiful in the moonlight. The subtle light did soften her features, making him forget their usual harshness. It did not help that she was still in that wedding dress. It clung to her body, outlining her shape. Legolas wondered what she would look like without it. Would the silk slide off her body as easily as he imagined?

*~ No, I cannot think like that. ~*

Would the rest of her body be as pale as her face?

*~ Stop thinking of that. You hardly know her, you cannot take her to bed. ~*

As soon as he had completed that thought, another part of his mind screamed at him, *~ Why ever not? She is your wife. ~*

*~ My wife, but a complete stranger at the same time. I married her but I will not bed her – yet. ~*

But she was so desirable.

Rhinure turned to look at Legolas, thoroughly confused. She did not understand. Why was he so reluctant to take her to bed? He desired her if his eyes were any indication. His expression could only be classified as hungry; so then why did he not act on it? Was it that he did not desire her enough?

 “I do not understand.”

Legolas sighed, he did not understand himself. All he knew was that to bed her just because he wanted her body would be crass. “My Lady, we hardly know each other. I do not want to complicate our relationship any further.”

Now Rhinure was getting angry. Why was he not honest with her? If he did not want to bed her because she was not good enough, why did he just not say it?

“Our relationship is complicated enough as it is.” Rhinure said sharply. Then she sighed, obviously Legolas did not think that she could fulfil his needs. “My Lord, do you think me so unworthy? If you do not desire me then I can find you another bed-mate who is more to your liking.”

Legolas could not believe what Rhinure was saying. He crossed the distance between them to take her into his arms, holding her to him, preventing her from saying anything. How could she say that? Did she not realise how she affected him? He just wanted a little more time to come to terms with it.

He lifted her face, cupping it in his hands. “My Lady, I do desire you. Very much. But I cannot bed you at this time.”

Rhinure did not believe him, she tried to step back from him, but he kept hold of her face, forcing her to keep looking at him.

“You do not believe me.”

“I do not, my Lord. Now release me.”

Legolas did not intend to do anything of the sort. He bent forward until his lips hovered over hers. He was sorely tempted to kiss her and prove his desire. But he knew that if he did, he would end up taking her to bed. Which was not what he wanted.

*~ Liar. ~*

Instead, he settled for placing tiny kisses along her jaw.

Rhinure unconsciously bent her head back to allow him better access. Her anger completely melted away, she could not remember why she had been angry with him in the first place. She could not stop the tiny moan that escaped her lips when Legolas trailed his mouth along her cheeks.

It was not supposed to be like this. He was not supposed to be able to wring this much from her by only kissing her.

Legolas buried his face in her hair, desperately trying to calm his breathing. This was a bad idea, being this close to her was playing havoc with his senses. But he could not have her believe that he did not yearn for her.

*~ And why not? Are you so afraid that she will not let you into her bed after this? ~*

Legolas’ arms tightened around her, *~ YES. ~*

He had to get out of here, before he lost the little that was left of his mind.

He stepped back from Rhinure, making the huge mistake of looking into her eyes. The confusion and need he saw in them made him change his mind – almost.

He stepped back even further, putting some distance between them. Rhinure’s eyes narrowed at this, and Legolas bit back a cry when he realised that she was angry. He watched helplessly as her eyes froze.

She straightened, having faced enough humiliation.

“Good night, Prince Legolas.”

Legolas tried to say something, anything but it was no use. Rhinure’s expression could have been carved out of marble for all the warmth it carried in it.

As Legolas went to his own room, all he could think of was, *~ I cannot believe I did that. ~*

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*~ I cannot believe he did that. ~*

Rhinure changed into her sleeping clothes, letting her wedding gown slide to the floor in an inelegant heap. As she crawled into bed, she noticed that her hands were shaking, and each spot where Legolas had kissed her was burning.

Rhinure sighed; it seemed unlikely that she was going to get much sleep tonight.

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Legolas stood on the balcony, highly tempted to throw himself off from it. He turned to look at Rhinure’s room, hoping to catch a glimpse of her through the curtain.

He was not going to get any sleep tonight, of that he was certain.

He could faintly make out that Rhinure was getting into bed. He should have been there next to her, making love to her. He thought of the way she had looked and the way she had felt in his arms. Legolas groaned, lowering his head onto his arms.

It was official, he was an idiot.

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 A/N: So what did you think? Too obvious, too much. But I really could not imagine Legolas just taking her to bed. It would be too soon, not matter how much attraction there is between them. Of course, now Rhinure is not going to let him anywhere near her, so he can die of frustration ;)