The Quest

The Quest: Chapter 31

"It will be raining soon, I guess we'll be indoors for today." Legolas stated as he ran his fingers through her wavy hair.

"Mhmm." Alannah mumbled as she snuggled into Legolas's smooth chest. He smiled as he noticed their hearts beat the same rhythm, perfectly in sync with the other.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Legolas asked curiously as he looked down at her. Alannah shook her head, her senses still dulled from the morning's ecstasy. "I meant did I hurt you last night?" Legolas added.

Alannah shifted in the bed, the ache between her legs suddenly obvious to her.

"A little, but it isn't anything to worry about. It will be a night I will cherish the rest of eternity." She assured him. Legolas kissed the top of her head before getting out of bed and walking across the room to open the curtains to the balcony. Alannah blushed as she took in his bare form from behind while he confidently walked across the room. He pushed aside the heavy curtains, watching the dark clouds full of rain moving over the tree tops.

"Do you mind if I bathe?" Alannah asked as she carefully moved to a sitting position on the bed, dangling her legs over the edge. Legolas turned around with a puzzled expression on his face.

"This is your home now meleth nin. Your kingdom as much as it is mine. You may do anything you wish." He answered as he walked over to her. He pulled her by the hand to the bathroom, showing her that it was now stocked with everything that she could possibly need.

The bath was larger than the one she used in Minas Tirith, sitting in front of a large window with a beautiful view of the treetops that grew around them. He made quick work to turn on the water, adjusting the knobs until the water was comfortable before pulling a latch to turn on the shower head that hung above them.

Legolas helped Alannah into the shower and walked back into the bedroom to give her a few moments of privacy. She leaned her head under the warm water, letting it drench her dark waves. Alannah was careful as she bathed herself, the soap and water stinging her most sensitive area. Legolas reappeared just as she stepped out of the shower, kissing her lips and wrapping her in a warm towel before walking into the shower himself.

Alannah pulled the linen tight around her as she walked back into the bedroom and over to the large armoire. Legolas's clothes hung neatly on the left side and she couldn't help but to peruse them, wondering what he looked like in each breathtaking garment. She turned her attention to the right, noticing her old clothes mingling with new ones.

She pulled out a gown deep lavender in color and marveled at it. Normally, she would have considered the garment to be worn only for a grand occasion but made by elves, it was perfectly suitable for casual wear. The storm had now arrived, the sound of raindrops hitting the stone balcony as Alannah pulled the dress over her head. The bed caught her eye and she walked over to tidy it a bit. A noticeable blood stain from their consummation lay obvious in the center of the bed, and as the water in the bathroom shut off she quickly threw the large blankets over it. Embarrassed, she quickly sat in a chair near the balcony and began the work of combing out her wet, tangled hair.

Legolas entered the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his hips. He walked over to her and lovingly took the comb from her hands and began to perform the task for her. Legolas smirked as he worked the knots out of her hair, knowing it was he that helped cause them.

"After we're dressed we'll go see my father. I'm sure he's expecting us at some time today." He mentioned as he pulled the comb one last time through her waves.

Alannah felt her face grow flush at the thought of seeing Thranduil, knowing that he would know what they had done the night before. She smiled before nervously burying her face in her hands.

"Legolas how am I supposed to face him right now!" Alannah laughed. Legolas chuckled at her embarrassment.

"Of course, he knows what we've done, and there's no shame in it. He'll find joy that we have joy." Legolas responded as he pulled out his clothes from the armoire. He quickly pulled on his pants and decided on a blue tunic to pair well with Alannah's lavender hued dress. Alannah followed him, pulling out a pair of slippers that matched her dress perfectly.

"It's still embarrassing." She mumbled as Legolas laced his boots. He only laughed in response before grabbing their diadems from the table. Alannah held hers in her hand, looking at the beautiful green gem placed in the center.

"Do we have to wear these all the time?" She asked curiously. Legolas took it and placed it gently on her head before kissing her reassuringly.

"No, but today we will." He smiled as he led her out the bedroom door.

~

"It is still a day of celebration in my kingdom. My son has just married, and you say that we should march on the fortress?" Thranduil asked as Galadriel paced in front of the elven king while he sat on his throne.

"It is a place of great evil, Thranduil. Although Sauron has been destroyed, his minions are still holing up there. As long as they have Dol Goldur, the Woodland Realm and all surrounding lands will continue to suffer under their attacks." Galadriel responded, her voice full of truth and force. Thranduil sat back into his throne, weighing his options carefully.

"Who will rule in my stead? Who knows when Legolas and Alannah will leave their quarters, it's already almost noon. I'm sure they'd prefer the seclusion at the moment." Thranduil remarked, remembering his wife and himself locking themselves away for three days after their wedding.

The doors to the throne room opened, Legolas walking in with Alannah on his arm. Galadriel smirked at Thranduil as she turned to greet the newlyweds.

"Gi suilon Legolas a Alannah." Galadriel bowed as they approached. Legolas bowed deeper in respect to the Lady of Lorien as they stood before her.

"Gi suilon Lady Galadriel." Legolas responded before turning to his father. Thranduil couldn't help but take note of his son's radiant face, as well as the change in his voice that his soul was now paired with Alannah's.

"Is there anything either of you need? I didn't expect to see the two of you for quite some time." Thranduil questioned as he spun his staff between his fingers. Legolas turned his head slightly, feeling Alannah's embarrassment in his heart.

"No ada. The storm prevents us from enjoying the forest, so we decided to visit." Legolas responded. Thranduil looked at Alannah, smirking at the redness on her cheeks.

"Go, enjoy one another." Thranduil mumbled as he waved them away. Legolas noticed the serious expression on Galadriel's face as she stared at Thranduil, the two of them having a conversation that neither he nor Alannah could hear. Alannah also watched curiously, trying to understand the tension she could feel rising in the throne room.

"Ada, has something happened?" Legolas asked as he stepped forward. Thranduil and Galadriel both turned to him, their telepathic conversation interrupted.

"Yes Legolas. Dol Guldur, the evil stronghold that has plagued these lands still stands, harboring remnants of Sauron's forces. As long as it remains, these lands will not be free from the pestilence of the orcs and spiders. Your lands will never be safe. What of the children you and Alannah may have someday? We must destroy it." Galadriel explained as she looked at Thranduil who now shifted uncomfortably in his throne.

"We will go with you." Legolas offered as he pulled Alannah to stand closer beside him. Alannah squeezed his hand while she remained silent, letting Legolas know she was in full agreement with him.

"Out of the question ion nin." Thranduil responded. The king realized there was no way out of this as he silently devised his own course of action. "You and Alannah will rule in my absence. I will take half of our forces, leaving the other half to guard the kingdom."

Legolas, Alannah and Galadriel bowed to Thranduil as he stood from his throne to give the commands to his guards.

"We leave at nightfall and will not return until the fortress is levelled to the ground." Galadriel added. Thranduil walked down the stairs, stopping in front of Legolas and Alannah.

"It is still your honeymoon. Go enjoy it." He commanded as he walked away with Galadriel. Legolas and Alannah exchanged glances, not hesitating to make their way back to their quarters to do exactly as their king demanded.