Juniper stood at the edge of camp. Her eyes on Feren and the human female these 4 brave ellon were escorting back to Lasgalen. Feren was speaking with them and he handed one a couriers bag filled with personal letters meant for loved ones back home. She was lost in her thoughts. Thoughts of those letters and what they meant and who they were meant for. The joy they would feel opening them and reading them. Something as simple as ink on paper renewing their hopes.
She felt him coming closer yet did not look to him. He stopped behind her and she was soon draped in the extra warmth of his cloak. They both watched in silence now. Feren stepping back as the last of them mounted their horses and the Laresa was pulled up before one of them. His arms draped over her and she leaned back against him.
"Melamin," Thranduil said softly. "You need breakfast and your tea."
"I know. I just wanted to see them off. I pray they make it back. Her child needs her and our people need the hope that they carry back with them."
Thranduil smiled and pressed her tighter against him. "Long ago on a different battlefield I remember receiving letters from home. How each one renewed my strength or made me feel loved, during a time when all other feelings of warmth and good were all cold and gone. It was strange how in the middle of the stench of blood and fire, those letters were often the only thing that kept you moving."
Her head leaned against one of his arms. Thinking of him in battle once again just like that. She far away from him and there would be no letters between them.
He smiled and lowered down so he was more on her level. He spun her arms in his arms. He knew her thoughts in that moment. The connection between them was strengthening. "I do not need letters Juniper. I have something that transcends paper and ink. I can feel you from great distances. I did not even know such a bond was possible yet here we are and we have it. If you need to convey your feelings or I mine it is not difficult."
Small soft hands lifted to press against his cheeks. The sound of hooves hitting the ground made her look over her shoulder. "Mother protect them." She whispered then looked back to Thranduil.
"Now you need breakfast." He said as he rose and gave a nod to Feren before turning and guiding her back towards camp.
Kree stood over Elladan. He slept still, his arm hanging off the cot, and drool on his pillow. "Look at this mess." She said to herself and smiled warmly. Her foot lifted to push the cot shaking Elladan. " Get up you lazy oaf. It is morning already and there is much to do."
Elladan rolled off the cot and upon hitting the ground he pushed himself up and blinked. "What? Where?" He spoke confused and looking bewildered.
She started to laugh and rested her hands on her hips. "It is morning." She said with a smile and he looked up at her beautiful face and grinned. "Now get up and lets get busy. We need food first. Take me to the food."
"Certainly my beautiful warrior." He grumbled and got to his feet. "Troops are only as good as they are fed and all that." He muttered and turned around.
"You should feel blessed to have a woman that can stand beside you even in battle," She spoke to his back then wrapped her arms around him and pressed against his body her head pressed against his shoulder. "and one that cares for you too but you are starving her." She laughed and gave him a gentle push.
Elladan spins around and captures her in his arms and grins. "Am I now?"
Smirking she shook her head. "Put your tunic on and take me to the food." She pushed him back. Then began to speak in the language of the east and while he did not know what she said he got the feeling a few of the words were rather colorful.
---~*~*~~00~~*~*~---
The Fellowship was riding again. Bynsarda could only think of a bath and a day she wasn't on the back of a horse. Even if his arms were tightly around her and she loved being this close, enough was enough. Her body leaned back against his and her head rested against his chest. Then as much as she hated being on the horse she felt nothing but love pouring from him. It made her smile.
"I have to admit. As much as I will be happy to no longer be on the back of this beast, I have to thank him. How close I feel to you right now is worth the weeks in the saddle."
Minogos lifted his brows and grinned. "Be careful Byn, I could take that as a declaration of your love for me and as I recall You are not so keen on marrying."
She began to chuckle. "I did choose to live forever for you. I think that means I may have changed my mind. Which is my prerogative as the fairer sex."
He just smirked and found himself dropping the reigns and wrapping both arms around her middle. Lush soft curves pulled so tightly against him that she felt he may absorb her within himself. "Then say You will do it." He whispered against her ear.
"That I will do what?" She whispered back.
"Say it out loud. Say that you will marry me and give me 20 children if I so desire. We will raise them in the tavern with us." He was grinning with each word he whispered against her ear.
"Twenty." She said that slowly and just let that number stay on her tongue for several moments. "That is a lot of children. I just do not know if I could do that and stay sane."
"We don't have to have them all at once Byn." He lay his chin against her shoulder. "We can spread this out over centuries. You did say forever. Last time I checked that was a long time woman. I think 20 is reasonable when you think like that. "
Her lips trembled suddenly. Her heart skipped a beat and she press her hand over her lips. He was watching from the corner of one of his purple eyes. Watching the play of emotions over her face and how her green eyes filled with shimmering tears. Her reality was new. Before she had lived believing while her life would be long she had no reason to live forever. Now she did.
Taking a deep breath she sat up a bit and He lifted his chin from the curve of her shoulder and watched as she spoke up. Her voice rises on the cool breeze so those around would hear this public declaration. "Fine Minogos, I will marry you ."she laughed and eyes began to turn towards them. "You have struck a bargain with me that I can not refuse. If it is 20 children you desire then I shall hold you to this arraignment. You can not leave me until all 20 are raised and have given us grandchildren."
He sat up and spun her around to face him. Making her gasp and laugh. His arms were immediately around her crushing her breast to his chest. His hand on the back of her head with fingers curling in the bright red of hair. "Forever plus 1 I see. Very well then. I agree to the terms. How fast can I make it happen and make you my wife?"
Calenhad listened to the whole exchange and truly being mushy inside looked to them with a wide smile. "Well my new friends. That could happen within a few days if you really want it. I love a good party and a wedding is a reason to have one."
Their new escorts nodded in agreement. "Marriages are encouraged here. We do not have formal announcements or waiting periods." One of the elves said as he rode past them . They were entering a tunnel through a mountain. The light grew dim as they entered it. Their passage lit by elvish magic.
"We like to do it the ancient way. You could just wander into the forest and seal the deal but we do like a feast so you can give us that at least." Said another for the right of them.
"Of course they can." Glorfindel said and looked over with a grin. " You have just given us a reason to celebrate Minogos don't spoil it for us."
Minogos as just about to say something when Elrond now spoke up. "I look forward to this party. Especially since it will be in the place of our birth. It seems this union may be blessed in many ways."
The light at the end of the tunnel was growing brighter and brighter. "I think celebrating a marriage being your first act in New Cuivienen will endear you to those who call it home." said Helluin right as they rode back into the sun. There just across a glorious green field was the city.
They all just stopped and looked on it. The stone of her walls shone like gold in the light that was ready to dip down behind the mountain. The tops of the houses and buildings were painted various shades of red and orange with speckles of brown mixed in as if just for the effect it gave when new eyes beheld it for the first time.
What was before them were not ruins that had just recently been inhabited. This was a thriving city. Full of life and well hidden and protected. This was far more than any of them imagined and for the elves it was as if all that ache they held to sail to the west was eclipsed by this new hope before them.
"How can this be?" Tauriel said in a gasp.
Their escorts just grin and urge them to continue. Gandalf had been oddly silent. This was the boon in which he was told of. How long had they known? or had they? This was the work of Eru himself. That was the only explanation he could think of.
They rode across the field in silence . None fully being able to absorb the meaning of this. The main gate was glorious. Carved from golden stone and smooth as silk it opened with ease and they rode past it. Their line never meeting the sides and on the other side they were greeted by surprised elves and humans.
"See to it that our guests are taken to the palace. I know the King will have them treated as honored." Helluin told the ones at the gate.
"Who is the King?" Elrond asked almost nervous about it.
"Thingol of course." Helluin said and Elrond's eyes widened and his lips parted with a gasp.
"Why young Elrond. Please do not look on him like that when you see him." Helluin teased him.
---~*~*~~00~~*~*~---
She had sat across from him as he spoke to her. Junipers heart felt as if it would drop to her stomach. Minol looked on her with compassion. "You knew this would come to pass Little Flower." He said gently to her and she nodded.
"I felt it Minol. This pull to the east. It is like Mother wants me to go there. My purpose is there and not here any longer. If I would not be returned to him in the end I do not think I could continue. Mother's call or not." Her throat tightened as she said that and finally tears began to fall to her cheeks.
He exhaled slowly. "You have much to loose. You have the King and your children. They need the Arda to grow and live. Without it they die Juniper. We have to save it. You have known this since I returned to you. It will be hard Little Flower but you have the strength now. You have those you need. Now it is up to you to save everything. It is a lot for shoulders so fair. But you have strong shoulders even if it is we who hold them up sometimes."
She slides from the chair and looks to him. "You used love to gain his trust. I saw it Minol. Wicked as he is what you did put you down to his level and I did not like knowing that about You."
Minol sat straight. The look upon his face showed no emotion at all. He tapped a long nail against the table and tilted his head to the left just so. "Juniper I have no regrets. I did what I had to do every time. If you think I entered into that without having feelings for him you would be mistaken. I loved him with a burning passion that is only second to what I have felt for you all my life. Yes I loved him but in the end I did what I had to for you. I beg that you do not hold such against me. Weapon it was but I hated actually using it. I hope that expresses how much I really do love you."
Her eyes were furious and wide. Seeing that fire within them gave him more joy than she could realize. "You will use it against me too." She choked.
"I already have Little Flower. You are here aren't you." He said matter of factly.
She stormed from the tent. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She was so angry with him and then deep inside her she felt a warm knot forming at the idea of loosing him. What she had experienced with him when she was young influenced her more than she liked to admit. There was a deep love there. Something beyond herself. It was as if two people battled inside her.
Thranduil watched her from across the camp. He could feel her turmoil and shuddered. "Feren finish things up. I need to go speak to my wife. I think there may be a change, Though what it is I am unsure. You might want to start a supply packing for a small group." He spoke as a commander but what would influence this was personal. Feren just nodded and got to work.
Thranduil followed her from across the camp. Watching her stalking towards the tent. Ryu suddenly appeared followed her as well. It was affecting those closest to her. She made it to the tent first followed by Ryu. Elthian was next he having been near the whole time. It was just a matter of minutes when he too entered.
She stood facing them in the center of the tent near a warm fire pit. "I am leaving in the morning. It's time for me to go on my way."
Ryu crumpled against her and Juniper slowly went to her knees with her sister and they held each other. Thranduil stumbled back a few steps and found himself needing to take many slow deep breaths to return what had just been take from him.
Elthian stood firmly. His test was coming. She would be his responsibility the whole way. With the help of those chosen to go. All of them special to her in some way. She leaned back and held Ryu's face in her small hands. "You will be the fae here now. There is greatness in you. You need to remember like I did Ryu. There is more of a reason for you being here too. Minol has done nothing without a purpose. There is something there you have to know. Seek your memories when you sleep and We will guide you. We still have our dreams. "
Ryu's dark eyes looked deeply into Junipers and she knew then she was on her own journey too. With her own team. "Yes we do have our dreams."
Thranduil was a little confused by the fae. They released each other and Ryu got to her feet. I will go get your things ready. I have much to do. " She smiled as Juniper rose too then turned and walked out.
Elthian looked right at her. "I will go tell everyone to get ready to leave in the morning. You two have a good night." He passed Thranduil a knowing gaze and as he went to walk past Thranduil he was captured about the waist by a strong arm. "You will return as soon as you have them preparing. You are part of this for me too."
Elthian swallowed hard and the taught muscles in his face relaxed a bit. His gaze lifting to meet his lovers and he nodded. "It might be a while but I will return to you tonight." The technical part of this was easy. The personal part was more coarse than the feel of burlap against soft skin.
Elthian left them and they faced each other. The turmoil raged within her. She was not ready to be separated from him for so long. He could feel it, her pain and it was breaking his heart. "Juniper, you have to stop. Your hurting me with your pain. You need to view this in a different way. Yes it is sad. No I do not want to be parted but I know and You know that it has to happen. We will be together right? You said you believe in Minol and he says we will be together. Don't start to doubt that. No matter what personal bull shit might get brought into this. His plan is solid. Whatever it is. You just need to focus on getting it done and coming back. I will be here for you."
She just looked at him and she felt his confidence. He was not in doubt. It was this strength she needed. All she could do was nod before she was taken in his arms and carried towards the bed. "Tonight I will have you as my wife and make love to you in a way you that will occupy your thoughts the whole time we are parted. Then once we are reunited I be greeted with your hunger."
He lay her small form under him on the soft bed. With a kiss he lifted away to start peeling away layers of silk to get down to soft breeches and a tunic. The moon would come soon though it would not be the first for them apart she had hoped to never have one without him again.
His large hands easily pushed the dress up and over her head. He trapped her arms inside it and grinned down at her nakedness . His knee pressing between her and his hand slid down to grasp a thigh and pull it up. "The marvel of your body is burned to my memory but I do love to have a refresher. "
"I promise to not get in your way." She laughed softly before reaching up to slide her fingers against the back of his neck and pull him down to a kiss. He shifted and her legs were freed to wrap around him. The touch of soft thighs against his ribs. Her warmth wrapping around him. The need began to grow. This near animal lust to be inside her . To have her against him. Her earthy scent surrounding him.
His lips claim hers in rough repeated kisses. One hand slides over her hip and down against the burning slit that had been pressed tightly against him. His fingers delve between the petals and tease sensitive places until her hips had begin to rock against him. His hand cupping her flesh as he pushed up on his free arm. Looking down into the eyes of the one that had all of him. Right down to his soul.
He moved to embrace her. His body nearly covering her completely . Her slight frame pushed down . Her legs tensing around him in the moments he entered her tight recesses. His hands slide down to curl around her hips. Pulling her back down harder . His lips muffling her cries as he pulled himself nearly free only to sink in as deep as he could again then again.
This would be a long night for them. He would savor every moment, Every cry and moan. He held her tightly and rolled to his back Her hands pressing to his belly as she lifts up and feels her wings rising behind her. She was most beautiful like this. Her golden form shimmering with that gentle grow to her flesh. Her arousal making her colors even more brilliant. Waves of golden hair sweep over his chest when her head lowers and she grinds against him.
Her head thrown back with a lusty cry. Arching her back and thrusting her firm breast forward. He found himself wishing they were ample and full once more and her flat tight belly was swollen with child again and that just made everything even more needy. His hip pushing up to meet her . Her eyes opened and her head lowered to find his gaze.
She felt it reaching for her. His fea seeking to touch that which she was . The colors began to form in his vision once again. It was just he and her. Floating here in a place where time means nothing then they simple melted into one. Intertwining and coiling together. Just one soul occupying space filled with the universe's love, he could stay there forever like this.
Then in his view she was there arched with parted lips. A cry of pure ecstasy passing them. His hands explored up over pink nipples . The pleasure intense as they shared everything. Her lips pulled back to his and the kiss lingers. He comes back slowly. His body curled around hers and she lay trembling against him. her wings tucked nicely against his stomach. He caressed her hair tenderly and kissed her shoulder. Only to whisper a reminder, "We still have all night."
---~*~*~~00~~*~*~---
The night was too short. She cursed the sunrise and stood there bundled in her warmest clothing and staring at the tent flap. Elthian was helping Thranduil with his armor one last time before they left. She heard each kiss they exchanged, they would be separated as well. Turning slowly she looked to Thranduil in misery.
Elthian latching the last plate on Thranduil turned slowly and walked towards her. He lowered with ease and caressed her cheek. "Just get it done so we can go home. I will be waiting for you both to return. We do not go where the other can not follow." She said nothing but collapsed against his chest and cried.
The three of them walked through the camp together. The horses breath was but a mist on the chilled morning's air. Juniper stopped and looked at these gathered there. Finnola was there as was Narl. His brothers saying their farewells. Elthian looked to the King for several moments and steadied himself from the ache he felt.
Minol arrived shortly after they did. He merely giving a simple nod to them as he passed. The team was small but then again it was meant to be. Their heaviest hitters were on it. Thranduil turned to her and embraced her tightly. Then within seconds he was holding the entirety of her on the palm of his hand. Her Mythril dress, swords and helm were all tucked away in saddle bags on Loratha's back.
Thranduil took one more long look at the beautiful creature sitting on the palm of his hand, with the look of grief in her eyes. Her pain deep. He whispers to her softly and she gasp. Her eyes locked on his and seeing the truth in every whispered word. As he lowered into a leather bag that Elhtian would carry, she watched as her world changed so quickly. She lowered down to sit on the cushioned floor of her new prison.
She felt the gait of the horse pick up and she only heard the wind. The sounds of the camp left far behind them. In her dim room she began to sob. The heart break becoming overwhelming. The hours ticked by slowly far too slowly. It hard felt like all day by the time the sun was directly over head. She finally being let out to rest in the grass and soak up the sun. She had to remain small and stay as hidden as possible. Being the size she was now hiding her was not an issue even out in the open so she could enjoy the warmth of the sun.
Elthian looked concerned for her but was struggling to not show it. He was better prepared for parting. He had done so before and the few weeks they spent together on the trip to Gondor was nothing compared to what was in store now.
At least the days were beginning to warm and she would not have to worry about freezing for very much longer. The fae were meant for fair weather. She waved Finnola over, the giantess lowered down to sit near by.
"At least the day is gentle." Her words spilled forth on happy notes. "Perhaps you would wish to not ride in that sack. I think you would be safe enough nestled in the mane of a good horse. A Meara would be even better." Her glance was cast towards Elthian. Of course he had heard the remark and rolled his eyes a bit.
"She knows she is welcome to ride outside too as long as he does fly off." He slumped a bit where he sat and finally just lay back and looked at the blue of the sky. "Her comfort does matter to me. She and I have traveled before you know." He was a bit gruff.
Finnola chuckled. "You're wound up tighter than a spring. You best deal with that before it causes you to make a mistake and with the Queen in your care that is a lot to risk Mellon. I will talk to you later Pixie. Both of you cheer up. You are now a few miles closer to destiny then we can go home." Finnola chuckled and pushed to her feet, Narl was calling to her and she walked towards her new brother.
Minol looked from the other side where the horses grazed. He was keeping his distance. He did not wish to make Elthian any worse than he was and Juniper was not so broken yet. Besides he had been patient so far.
When it was time to keep moving Minol took the rear position. He was able to watch everything from there. Juniper lay in the softness of Loratha's mane. She basking in the sun as much as she was allowed helped with her mood. Things did not appear as hopeless as they had that morning. She found herself looking up at Elthian who was forever aware of his surroundings.
"You are wound up tight Melamin." she spoke softly and He glanced down at her and grinned.
"Perhaps a little. The first day is always hard but you fall into step and it gets easier. I am lucky on this mission. I have my wife with me."
Her brows lifted a bit. "I suppose it has some advantages."
He was now smirking but silent. "Perhaps later we can work on this spring I keep being compared to. That would be an advantage." He said slowly to her and just let every word absorb.
Now the pixie just grinned at him. While she missed her King with a ferocious passion she did have her consort. They both felt the same sense of loss. They would be a source of comfort for each other.
The sun was lowering on the horizon. The distant mountains mere ripples along her plane of sight. Finnola surveyed the area. Looking out over the land they would travel over. Minol came to stand beside her. The warm glow of the sun seemed to stop at him. It was that strange glow about him when he stood in it.
"It is a long ways isn't it?" He asked softly as he looked out. He knew just how far it was there were going.
"It is. The further we go the more I feel I am ready for anything that comes." Finnola looked to him from the corner of her eye. "You look certain."
"Oh Goddess. " He called her what Glorfindel called her and she narrowed her eyes.
"There is no need for such a glare I feel like I can be frank on the trip. You are a Goddess and I hope you feel no shame being called such by a lowly beast such as myself. Nor do I think for a second you would lay with me in some torrid tryst. It is simply what it is at this time my Dear. I am feeling the need to be fully truthful these days." The demon turned ever so slowly around.
His steps carry him a few feet before he stops. "Glorfindel is waiting on you. We should hurry." His smile was warm then. As if he actually meant what he said.