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Mary Goes to Mirkwood	By : aseltym Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Het - Male/Female Views: 3180 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings book series and movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Mary Goes to Mirkwood

Chapter 24/36

Authors: Mary A, Malinorne, and Sheraiah

Disclaimer: We are just playing with Tolkien's characters for fun, not profit. We do not claim to have created any of them. Thaladir, the king's seneschal, is our creation.

Warning: Adult sexual situations/nudity

Summary: Mary, Mal and Sheraiah enjoy a variety of winter pastimes, some naughty and some nice, with various elves.
~*~ ~* ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

It was a wonderful afternoon, some weeks into the new year, and the cold and clear weather had made sure that Thranduil's realm was as beautiful as the snowy landscapes on Christmas cards. The snow lay deep in most places, as the elves had the annoying habit of just running lightly over it without sinking more than perhaps an inch. I had never felt as clumsy as when I made my wag pag paths, wandering the same way day after day to keep my tracks open. At least Mary was grateful for it.

I knew already that outdoor activities weren't her favourite pastime, but I learnt this winter that snow doesn't suit her at all. She would often follow me to the main gate, but then remain standing there, peeking out onto the world, until she felt she'd had enough of fresh air and could go back into the rock-hewn halls. I wasn't much for winter sports either, but I felt a strong need to at least gaze at the sun for a few minutes each day.

Today I didn't even ask her to follow me, because I already knew that this was her lesson time with Thaladir. I had thought she joked when she declared at the table some weeks ago that she wanted to learn the language of the elves, and the way she'd seemed to always wriggle out of it whenever someone brought it up hadn't made her appear more serious. But, one day the king's seneschal had got enough of her stalling and more or less dragged her into the study under Thranduil's amused gaze.

Apparently, the lesson had turned out well, because, while she certainly didn't understand much of the conversation yet, she was at least familiar with the history of Sindarin. There were even details she knew of that the seneschal hadn't told me during our more advanced lessons. I definitely needed to convince him to teach me more. With our clothes on.

The scene that met me when I came out of the gates most of all reminded me of a schoolyard with all the elves that were running around playing in the snow. It appeared that they had used some kind of horse-drawn device to clear the snow from the river, leaving a clean surface perfect for skating. I thought for a second that they could have had the consideration of clearing my paths as well, but it was impossible to be annoyed for long. They were having so much fun down on the ice and I decided to join them.

When I came closer, I not tha that they didn't have any skates, but used a candle to make their soles slippery, exactly like the boys in my countryside school. This was something I could do, too!

With caution, I stepped out onto the ice, and immediately Anarion, my sweet door guard, came up to me, chivalrously offering his elbow as support. Being this close to him made me feel a little guilty, as he was always eager for my company, while I almost neglected him.

We were often together, as his duties seemed to include guarding me and not only my door, but our relationship wasn't intimate. I hadn't invited him to my bed more than maybe three or four times, and not at all after the trade delegation left and the king became his jolly old self again. Or, rather, his usual fiery, but less volatile, self.

Anarion helped me prepare my boots in the same way as he had done himself, and then we began to glide on the ice. It wasn't nearly as graceful as skating would have been, at least not the way I was doing it, but the light-footed elves looked like dancers.

I became bolder after a while, and almost felt like flying at my faithful guard's side, only holding on to his hand. We both giggled and talked, and everything was wonderful, until I slipped and almost fell. It wasn't much to talk about, and I didn't actually fall, as Anarion caught me, but, naturally, the king's seneschal had to choose just that particular moment to come out of the gates.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

Ithilwen came into Thranduil's study in a fashion that could only be described as a rush, ven ven a hurry, most unusual for an elleth. Breathlessly, she rattled off something completely incomprehensible to Thaladir, who was out the door before I could ask him where he was going. Or if his departure meant that day's lessons were finished. She stayed, however, which did not do me much good as I still could barely speak a wor her her languag
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After having had to listen to numerous, tedious, and seemingly endless, droning lectures from the seneschal, I could have told her the complete history of the Elvish language, the Sindarin tongue, or the Tengwar alphabet. Along with names, dates and places. If she had needed such information.

I could have also told her that Elvish was possibly a language that one needed to be born speaking or it was otherwise hopeless to try. And that I was starting to believe that there was something to Glorfindel's theory that Malinorne is really an Elf with altered ears, which explained her ability to do so. But Ithilwen did not appear to need to know any of those things.

She repeated to me, slowly, what she had told Thaladir, and the only words I recognized were names. Malinorne was one of them. The other made my blood run cold.

"Helca?" I cried. I had jumped off the chair and was almost out the door as fast as Thaladir, before she could stop me with her palm up and forward, the universal sign for 'hold it!' She was shaking her head in amusement and I could see that her eyes were twinkling with merriment. Perhaps I had been hasty in my assumption that Mal needed rescuing from the icy-eyed elleth. I repeated the names, "Helca? Malinorne?"

Ithilwen shook her head negatively and repeated, even more slowly, what she had said before. It still sounded like Helca to me, so I shrugged and shook my head. Then the elleth proceeded to do the oddest little sliding dance across the study floor. I was fairly sure she was insane. Helca and Malinorne were dancing somewhere?

Miriel arrived in the study, but she was not much more helpful except to tell me that Helca was not involved. She said there was no word in my language she knew to describe what Malinorne was doing. I had to come to see her for myself. She had brought my winter cloak and boots with her, which meant I had to go outdoors, if I wanted to see what the king's concubine was doing.

Ithilwen had already quickly departed, as if she could not wait to get back to whatever was going on. Even though something in the mirthful attitude of both elleths foretold a pleasant surprise, I hesitated.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Siah iah ~

My days in Rivendell were kept full by the guys. We would have grand snowball fights right after breakfast, coming in and drying off just in time for lunch. The afternoons were spent either in Gimli's company or Legolas'. The prince had relaxed finally around Haldir, now that the March warden had begun dallying with Duiniel and was not seeking my company except in a platonic fashion.

It was rather amusing to see Legolas get jealous, particularly since we really were just good friends, with bedroom privileges. Gimli teased him about it when I wasn't present, I was certain. The only thing that kept him from openly twitting his elven friend was that it would be considered discourteous to me, and Gimli was nothing if not a gentleman, er gentledwarf, at least to me.

I had not allowed myself to dwell on my promise to Legolas to visit his home with him. I would keep my word, but it was not going to be a pleasant journey for me and I didn't want to work myself up about it until I actually had to go. He hadn't mentioned it at all, apparently content that my word was given. He had, however, been extremely cheerful since and I suspected that he had thought that I would refuse. Not that I blamed him, considering my reaction the first time he had brought it up. All in all, it made my time with him that much more enjoyable.

We had just come in from the snow and, as usual, I was soaked and shivering. Instead of heading for my room, and another lecture, he steered us toward his. I shot him a wry look, which he ignored, but didn't say anything. I smelled an even larger rat when we got into his chambers, and they were nice and human-cozy, not elven-chilly. I looked at him from under my eyelashes as he locked the door behind us.

"Were you expecting someone, my prince?" I asked, barely able to keep a straight face. The look he gave me could not possibly have been mistaken as innocent.

"I was expecting a very chilled and damp human wench in need of immediate warming. Shall we see exactly how damp I can make you?" The temperature in the room seemed to go up dramatically.

"Only if we can also see exactly how hard I can make you," I replied, sliding my hand under his breeches and over his already aroused length. He growled deep in his throat as he buried his face in my neck, his hands working to rid me of my heavy clothing. He sucked on my neck hard, and I yelped, swatting him playfully as I realized that he was deliberately marking me. "How very rude! Besides, it's not fair if I can't return the favor. You don't bruise."

"I bruise. I just do not do so as easily as you do, at least not in most places. No one else will see this except Duiniel. You only wear high-necked gowns now due to the cold. I have wanted to do this ever since I saw you in that red corset." He kept kissing and sucking my neck as he spoke, his hands never pausing. I managed to get his tunic off, despite the distractions, and thumbed his nipples, making him shudder.

"Where?" I breathed into his ear, hitting another of his sensitive spots and drawing another shudder from him.

"What?" he replied, drawing my earlobe into his mouth and making me shudder.

"Where do you bruise easier?" I refused to be sufficiently distracted and he looked at me, grinning.

"Let me show you," he replied, his eyes smoky with passion. Taking my hand, he pressed it over the bulge in his breeches. "Here, and here," he said, moving my hand just to the left, then just to the right of his arousal. "Also here," he whispered, pulling my hand down to his inner thigh. I grinned wickedly at him, pulling my hand out from under his and tugging at his laces.

"Let's test the theory," I suggested my grin widening.

I've never seen an elf shuck his breeches so quickly.

~*~ ~* ~*~ ~*~

l ~ l ~

I don't think I've ever seen Thaladir run before, and it was quite an experience. He was fast, much faster than I had imagined, and looked a bit like a bat with his robes flapping behind him. His jaw was clenched and his frown firmly in place, but I couldn't tell if he was angry or worried. Probably both.

"I relieve you of your present duty," he said to Anarion, and I felt really sorry for the young elf. I knew how much he admired the former General and it must be devastating for him to be told off like that, even if it was in a polite way. I was surprised to see him happily offer his services to Ithilwen shortly after instead, seemingly not the slightest subdued.

"My lady," Thaladir addressed me in an official tone, "allow me to enlighten you on the proper procedure of moving upon ice. While an enjoyable pastime, it can be performed in a far more dignified manner than what the irresponsible youth of today appears to deem fit."

I just smiled at him sweetly. I recognized that way of speaking and knew it would have been absolutely useless to try to explain to him that Anarion had been very careful and I hadn't actually fallen, and, besides, I had fallen innumerable times other winters without breaking my neck, so why make a big deal out of it?

Innocently batting my eyelashes I told him that I was, naturally, grat tha that he had arrived at such a suitable moment, and would be happy to be enlightened on the subject. It was really nice to have him hold me, too.

"Very well," he started as we began sliding across the ice, much slower than I had done even in the very beginning. "The activity mentioned is by far more enjoyable when proceeding without haste and perceiving it with all senses. Feel the frozen water beneath your feet, allow its surface to bear you across it without resistance or hesitation..."

As he droned on, in a very relaxing way, I felt more of his hand on my waist, slightly lower than it needed to be, but not quite enough so to be considered inappropriate. The ice obviously counted as a public place in the seneschal's book of manners for royal households.

And then, the peace was broken by a squeal of delight that I recognized immediately. Apparently, Ithilwen and Miriel had managed to convince Mary to stick here oue out of the underground, and now the three of them were skating like mad, in wide, wild circles around myself and the seneschal, who looked horrified.

He seemed to make a vague attempt to speak, but apparently thought better of it, as he just muttered something inaudible. I patted his hand reassuringly and it seemed to make him feel better. I made sure to slip a few more times to take his thoughts off the unruly trio, and it worked just fine. I wondered if I would dare to try to find out exactly what the limit for public touching was, but was interrupted in my thoughts by a familiar, and very majestic, sight.

The king himself stood on the bridge, smiling at his rejoicing subjects and shining brighter than the sun. I couldn't possibly think of Thaladir with him there. He applauded Mary's figure skating show, and it made me want to leave the seneschal behind and do something spectacular to catch his eye, but it wasn't necessary. He had noticed me too, and bade us join him.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

Miriel was insistent that I follow her although I hated going outdoors these days. Winter was supposedly nearly over, but the snow continued to pile in great drifts just outside the great gates. Most days, the elves only cleared enough away from in front of them to allow the great iron portals to swing open to allow passage for the king's hunting parties, or the occasional horse-drawn conveyance. Otherwise there was no attempt made to clear a foot path on either side of the horse-trodden one for a mere mortal to walk through to get outside.

Staying indoors was never hard for me, however, no matter what the weather. But after the snow first started to fall, I certainly preferred it to slogging around in it and getting my gowns all wet around the hems. The cold, wet fabric would slap at my ankles after returning into the halls, and make my teeth chatter. Before long, both Mal and I were given soft, fur-lined boots and warm, velvety cloaks. The king wanted us both to get more fresh air and more enjoyment from the beauty of his snow-covered forest. I was grateful to a certain extent.

If I wanted fresh air, I only had to stand inside the great gates and wait for them to be opened for some reason. With an icy blast of winter wind, snow crystals would blow in like a cloud and swirl around the elves that were in charge of guarding access into the underground realm. Just outside could sometimes be seen bright daylight that would turn the entire landscape into a sparkling white wonderland. I was more than content with the view.

Mal, with her longer legs, would sometimes break a path for us to the riverbank where a planked walkway and large platform had been constructed for the elves to conduct the maneuvering of rafts or barrels in and out of the watergate during the warmer months. It was kept swept clean in the winter and provided a good place to enjoy the view. We would stand on it, steam blowing out of our mouths when we talked, and look out over the frozen river and the snow covered trees on either side. That was as far as I would go.

When Miriel and I got through the gates this day, which were standing open, for the weather outdoors that day was fine and fair, I could see that a crude path leading off to the riverbank had been broken through the snow already. It was not too much of a struggle to follow along behind the light footed elleth and I quickly found myself on the wooden walkway that overlooked the wintry playground below me. Merry elves played out on the ice, and there, below us, gliding along happily among them, was Mal.

Ice. Of course. I almost slapped my forehead. The Elvish term for ice was 'helce'. That was what Ithilwen was trying to tell me, and show me. Mal was ice-skating with Thaladir.

Only she did not have skates on. There were elves all over the frozen river, sliding along wearing nothing more than their soft leather boots on their feet. Along the near bank, several stood and passed a candle back and forth to one another. They held it to their soles. The waxed leather apparently made it easier to glide over the frosted ice and it looked like an enormous amount of fun. I had to try it.

Anarion was there, too, as the king's concubine was never seen without him nearby. Ithilwen had joined him to skate along beside him, he with an arm at her waist. The seneschal would not allow Mal to go any faster than a snail's pace and we all raced around the two of them in circles. It was as easy as sliding across a freshly waxed tile floor wearing socks. The trick was to remember topplypply some more wax now and then, or the boot soles would stick to the surface of the frozen river, although a quick pass with a candle would make them slippery again.

Thaladir was not amused when I skated up close to them as he cautiously assisted Mal along on the ice. I could not tell if she was deliberately acting clumsy or if she really could not figure out how to keep her balance on the slippery surface. She seemed to be enjoying herself a bit more than she would have if she was truly in distress.

I was delighted when I spotted the king, standing up above us on the walkway with his arms crossed over his chest and a grin on his handsome face. I skated over to just below him and showed him how Ithilwen had taught me to spin on the ice. He applauded and beckoned me up to join him. Mal and Thaladir had by this time come over to see him, too. He beckoned them up as well. Miriel, Ithilwen and Anarion dutifully followed along behind.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

When Mary and I came to the king, I could see from the contented expression on his face, and the mirth in his eyes, that he was planning something. His eyes were glittering in a special way that made it obvious that he hadn't wanted us to join him on the bridge only to enjoy the view. But I couldn't quite figure out the reason, as he had required the presence of Ithilwen and Miriel as well.

He told us to go to our rooms and then come back out again, which didn't seem to make much sense at all. Was it another test perhaps, to see if we would do as he said? In any case I wasn't up to denying him anything when he looked at me like that. But then he said something to the elf-maids, very quickly and not too loud, as if he wanted me not to understand. He was using lots of old-fashioned words as well and I really couldn't get much outit, it, except for "hammad" [clothing] and "sam" [chamber].

I began to suspect that the king was planning some kind of party for the evening and had new gowns made for us that were so exquisite that we would require hours to get dressed properly. Or were we going somewhere, and that was why we ought to meet him at the gates? Nothing seemed to make sense, but I had definitely not expected the kind of clothes I found on my bed.

Ithilwen helped me don the leggings and though I had become used to wearing dresses, it felt wonderful to wear pants, though a little strange. It felt a bit like the soft leather was hugging my legs, which was very pleasant. Still, it did not at all explain the king's purpose with this exercise, and Ithilwen didn't seem to know much either.

The four of us met Thranduil at the gates, and as soon as we had come out into the courtyard, two stable-boys approached, leading two horses. They were beautiful, like all the horses I'd seen with the elves so far, and didn't look anything as wild as the black stallion the king rode on his hunting trips, but the sight still made me a little anxious. The change of clothes could only mean that he expected us to want to go horseback riding immediately.

Mary sat up at once on her cinnamon-coloured mare, while I felt I needed a lot more time to get to know mine. The kind eyes that looked at me reassuringly, and the incredibly soft muzzle that nuzzled my hand without the slightest tendency to nip, convinced me that I could at least give it a try.

Assisted by both the king and his seneschal, I soon find myself sitting high above the ground, on the back of Gwilwileth, as I had named the mare that Thranduil had declared was now mine. It didn't feel bad at all, actually, and I soon began to enjoy it a lot, the slow ride across the courtyard. Trotting was fine too, but when Mary suggested we go galloping in the woods, I decided that I had enough of outdoor excitement for one day. Thaladir seemed to think so too, because he was clearly relieved when I asked him to help me down. And my legs were a little shaky too, so it was very pleasant to feel his arms around me.

I patted my gentle Gwilwileth and promised to see her again soon when the stable-elves led her away, and then joined Mary in thanking the king. I had been more worried than happy at first, but now I felt honestly grateful for the generous gift. His words about exploring more of his realm even made me look forward to a trip in the forest. But there would be no galloping for quite some while if I had any say about it!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

"I have something planned for the both of you," said Thranduil to Mal and me when we finally joined him on the walkway above the river. "You must go to your rooms first," he added with a nod back toward the palace entry. "Then return to the gates. I will meet you there." He turned to the elleths and spoke to them rapidly in Elvish. They murmured something in reply and led the way forward.

Puzzled, but excited, Mal and I hurried along behind them. When I got to my room, Miriel showed me an entire wood-elf styled suit laid out on my bed. There was a velvety suede tunic, with matching leggings, made out of a soft tan-colored buckskin, that she helped me get dressed in. New leather boots, too, thicker and sturdier than the soft sheepskin ones I had been given for the winter, were part of the outfit.

The sweet elf-maid gave me no clues as to why the king wanted me to have pants, but I so loved the way they looked, and fit, and felt, that I was happy enough just to have them on. After Miriel fastened my cloak over my shoulders, we left the room. I met Mal in the corridor and she had on a similar outfit made of buckskin dyed a lovely shade of dark green, like the color of leaves in shade. She was equally confused about these unusual gifts, for Ithilwen was no more well informed than any of us.

We all met up with the king just inside the gates. Although the hour was not late, the winter sun had already set behind the tall Mirkwood hill and a large shadow was cast before us. Torches were just being lit outdoors, in anticipation of the evening, around the perimeter of the large outer circular courtyard, covered now with a smooth blue-tinted blanket of snow.

As soon as we arrived, Thranduil gestured to Thaladir who stood just outside the gate. His seneschal then signaled to someone just outside of view and two of the stable-elves came around the gates, leading a pair of horses. I knew they were for us, immediately, because elves do not use saddles or halters or reins. They were dainty-footed mares with large, kind brown eyes. Steam blew out of their soft, velvety noses and their belled headstalls jingled as they drew near. Mal looked worried.

The king helped me mount the one whose reddish coat shone like copper in the torchlight. Thaladir held the other horse by the head for Mal while they got acquainted. I loved mine immediately and patted and stroked her elegant neck and soft, silky braided mane. Each tiny plait had a small crystal bead tied into the end, they sparkled when she shook her shapely head.

"What is her name?" I asked. The king told me I could choose any name I wished. "Cinnamon," I decided. "She looks just like cinnamon." I turned her and moved out slowly onto the smooth, crunchy surface of the snow-covered courtyard. Finally I had a way to travel around outside the Mirkwood gates without having to slog through the cold, wet snow and my gratitude knew no bounds. I turned back and smiled at Thranduil.

Mal's horse had a fawn-colored coat with a pale grey mane, almost silvery. She named her "Gwilwileth", which I later learned meant "butterfly" in Sindarin. A perfect name for her pretty horse. The king patiently helped his nervous concubine overcome her misgivings about her obviously gentle steed.

I walked my lovely present around the outer courtyard while Thranduil coaxed Mal up on hers. Soon we were both riding up, down, over, and around the courtyard while the king and his frightfully worried-looking seneschal stood there watching us.

After politely walking around for a while, Cinnamon really wanted to gallop over the bridge and down the long, straight road ahead, I could just tell. But Mal flashed me a look of panic when I suggested it. She told me she was ready to stop now and try that again some other time. It was getting late, cold, and darker outside. I was looking forward to thanking the king properly so I gave in and turned back toward where he stood by the great gates.

I nearly leapt off of the horse and into the Thranduil's arms when we reached him. I kept my arms around his neck and kissed him all over his face before he set me down. Thaladir assisted Mal and I thought he took a little longer than he needed to help her to the ground. She seemed less worried now, as did the seneschal, and her eyes shone at the king when she joined me to thank him. She admitted that riding an elf-trained howas was not as difficult as she had supposed.

"Now the two of you can properly enjoy my forest in winter," explained the king. "Before the snow melts." He pointed towards the bridge and said, "You may ride along the road, but do not stray off into the forest unless you have some of my elves along as escorts."

He turned back to Mal and me, gathered both of us to his sides, and led us back indoors. "You are both free to come and go as you please, you know that." Although I was not surprised, I did experience a delightful thrill of anticipation for the next day's adventures. It seemed as if I did not really know how free I was, before that moment.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

It was late in the afternoon as Legolas and I were curled around each other under a thick quilt on the fur rug in front of the hearth. Elves were far superior at warming a cold human than any electric blanket ever made, I had found, not to mention being a great deal more fun. Legolas had hung our wet clothing by the fire to dry after he had 'warmed me up'. In fact, the only time either of us had bothered to put so much as a stitch of clothing on since we'd entered the room was when Legolas popped out of the room long enough to get us something for lunch.

I had had to giggle as I watched him dress. He bore several love-marks identical to the one he had placed on my neck on his groin and thighs. I knew that they would be gone by morning, but I had had fun putting them on him and really didn't mind that mine would last much longer than his. He had retaliated for the multitude of marks I had done by placing one on each of my breasts, something he also claimed to have wanted to do since his first sight of me in the red corset.

"So you like me in red, do you?" I had asked.

"Lovely lady, I like you best in nothing at all, but red would be my second choice," he had returned before turning his attention back to my breast.

"Oh, really?" I ran my fingertips lightly over his taut stomach and downwards, deliberately trying to distract him. He caught my hand and drew my index finger into his mouth, swirling his tongue around it and sucking on it gently before pressing a kiss into my palm.

"Yes, and then blue because it deepens the color of your beautiful eyes." He returned his mouth to my breast, flicking his tongue over my nipple. "But I like red against your skin."

"I like you against my skin," I had replied, drawing his head up so that I could kiss him, effectively ending the conversation.

Warm lips against my shoulder drew me back into the present. I looked up at Legolas with a smile, feeling very warm and contented.

"Whs gos going on in that busy mind of yours," he asked an amused smile on his lips.

"Oh, I was just thinking about color," I replied with a mischievous grin. He laughed softly.

"Color? Perhaps like the endearing way that you blush when I do this." His fingers stroked my inner folds. I shifted just enough to kiss him soundly. "Now, that I like," he stated before deepening the kiss. I giggled into his mouth, eliciting chuckles from him as well.

I woke from a doze towards evening when the firm chest under my cheek shifted. Blinking and yawning, I sat up and was drawn into a comfortable embrace.

"As much as I hate to, we must make ourselves ready to appear at dinner," he said, smoothing my hair back from my face with a gentle touch. I sighed, but nodded.

"I really don't want to move, but you're right. It wouldn't do to let our friends tease us about being hermits. Meet me at my door to escort me to dinner?" I got up and grabbed my clothes, heading for the bathing room to wash up enough to pass through the hall to my room.

"With pleasure, my lady," he replied with that sunlit smile I so enjoyed.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

That night, at the dinner table, Mal and I made plans for a ride the next day. The king promised to have an escort for us, so that we could leave the main road and explore the forest paths. He would be leaving early in the morning, before daybreak, to go hunting. I shuddered at the thought of more venison, although it was slowly growing on me, and hoped he found some fat geese or perhaps a boar.

Learning to eat wild-game was not easy for me, but with the winter came the lack of steady provisions from the Long Lake, and fresh produce was nonexistent. There were plenty of apples, however, and things like pumpkins, squash, and potatoes that could be stored in the naturally cool caves with little fear of rot.

The elf cooks would use the stored roots and other types of vegetables to put together stews and meat pies that so so delicious that I would forget to ask what kind of meat was in them. I was always better off not knowing. Especially after the time I learned it was rabbit-meat and could not eat for a whole day afterward. I was not mollified to learn that the fur had been used to line my winter boots. The poor creature could have kept his coat as far as I was concerned.

But there was something good about the winter season, and that was the early night-falls usually meant the sooner I would get the king to myself, when it was my turn in his royal bedchamber. And I could not wait to get him to myself to thank him properly for his wonderful gifts that day. As soon as we were in his room, Thranduil led me to his chair in front of the fireplace and pulled me into his lap.

"I want to show you something," he said. I pulled a face at him, but nuzzled his neck and told him he could show me anything he wanted to, any time. But his tone grew serious, more serious than lusty, and I had to pull back from him to look in his eyes.

"This is going to be like nothing else you have experienced with me," he continued, and then, after gently pushing my head back to his shoulder, and wrapping his arms around me, he added, "But I think you are ready." A strange little thrill ran down my spine.

"What is it you are going to show me?" For some reason, I knew this was going to be different. I think it is possible that he may have been preparing me mentally, too, because I began to feel excited even though we were both fully clothed. My heart was pounding, even though he had said this to me so many times that the silly phrase was more of a joke than a promise.

But instead of answering me, he stood me up and began unfastening my gown. He did not have to say another word, as far as I was concerned. Actions always speak louder than words, at least in the royal bedchamber this was the truth.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~Sheraiah~

There had been a fresh snowfall, and the twins and Legolas were eager to get out into it. Gimli and I gamely went along, knowing full well that we were going to end up being bombarded with snowballs before the morning was over. The dwarf was in fine form that morning, dispensing friendly and humorous insults to the rest of the guys with impartiality. I was glad of it, because I had felt a bit off all morning and wasn't my usual smart-assed self.

I had felt rather odd since I had gotten up, and had had breakfast in my room instead of joining everyone in the dining hall. I really hadn't had much of an appetite, but had forced myself to have some fruit and a slice of toasted bread. Legolas had come by to check on me right after I had finished eating and had invited me to join him and the rest of the guys in going outside. I had tried to beg off, but he had looked so disappointed that I relented and got into my heavy coat.

Sure enough, as soon as we cleared the doors, the snowballs started flying. I participated as best I could, but my aim was off and I missed far more than I hit. I was getting pelted right and left with snowy missiles which I was unable for some reason to dodge. Distractedly, I rubbed my gloved hand across my forehead, trying to focus. I felt strangely disconnected, and unable to concentrate. A snowball, flung by Elladan, hit my shoulder and I fuzzily watched it crumble onto the ground. Somewhat distantly, it occurred to me that I might well be in trouble. The sensations I was experiencing were now all too familiar. Abruptly, I sat down in the snow.

Gimli dropped the snowball he had been preparing to lob at Legolas and grabbed my hand, asking me what was the matter. I tried to answer him, but my words came out in a stutter. I rubbed my forehead and tried again. Suddenly, Legolas was beside me, his arm encircling my waist. Elladan appeared at my other side and gently took me from Legolas.

"Rai?" he asked, grasping my chin with his free hand and tipping my face up so that I had to look at him. His expression hardened and he swept me up into his arms, starting for the house at a near run. "Elrohir!" he shouted to his twin.

"I will see to it!" Elrohir shouted back, darting lightly through the snow and back into the house ahead of us. I tried to squirm free, but was held too securely.

"I can walk by myself," I huffed, stuttering to get it out and smacking at Elladan's arms. His frown deepened and he shifted his grip on my so that he now held my arms down.

"I do not doubt that you can, but this will be faster and I would have you feeling better sooner rather than later. Kindly behave yourself and do not hit me, please." Elladan had not slowed down at all, and the house loomed near. Legolas was beside us, deep worry and confusion written all over his face. He was careful not to get in Elladan's way, but he stuck close by us, leaving Gimli to wade through the snow on his own.

"What is wrong?" He queried at Elladan.

"I will explain later, although she bloody well should have told you herself a long while back," the elder twin answered, shooting a glare at me. I promptly burst into tears, no longer having the control over my emotions that I normally did. Elladan sighed. "Ah, now I have truly put my foot in it. Hush, sweetling. I did not mean to hurt your feelings, I am sorry." He shifted me again into a more comforting embrace as we neared the steps into his home. He took the steps three at a time, the burden of having to carry me seeming to have no affect on his balance or agility. Legolas matched him pace for pace, looking even more concerned than he had before.

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Mary Goes to Mirkwood