To Hide a Princess

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter 15

(Image is place behind waterfall - imagine it's not ice)

I've been living at the palace for a week now. I'm completely lost. I don't know what to do with myself. I'm a total mess, my emotions are a total mess and I'm confused. I'll admit it at last - I do have a connection with Legolas. There is a spark and I do want it. I want it so much, almost more than anything. But at the same time I don't want it. I don't want to be so dependent on someone that I can't live without them. It's too much to leave behind and lose when something goes wrong.

Although through all the emotional turmoil there has been a silver lining. I have gained a great friend in Arwen. She is so good to me, helping me through. Sometimes I wonder who I am, do I belong here? I'm in no way perfect but I'm surviving out here on my own. I know I don't have to be on my own but I can't bring myself to take Legolas's hand yet.

I spend most of my days with Arwen and sometimes even with Legolas but I avoid him where I can. I'm sad though because I can see it hurts him. It hurts me too. It would hurt more though if we got together and then something happened though. I'm paranoid I know and it's silly but I've been through too much to shatter my heart once more.

I think he can see I'm struggling but I can't find a way to work it out. So I will force myself to conceal everything and then gradually I can crush these feelings. I've done it before and I can do it again.

I walk down a corridor towards a courtyard. It's beautiful like the rest of the palace. All white flowers, pale yellow and gold with statues scattered amongst the flowers. I'm here because Legolas asked to meet me. He sent me a note this morning requesting my presence. While I can avoid him usual, I cannot deny him a specifically requested audience. Who knows he may have even given up?!

I'm nervous as I approach. I don't even know what he could want. It could be anything. I try to reassure myself. It could be good news after all! I push open the heavy wooden door to find what awaits me in the courtyard. I walk in and round the centre fountain as I can hear voices behind it but not see who the voices belong to. I turn the corner to see.

My heart lifts with joy and happiness as I see the person I have missed the most. Little Orophin, my village boy stands talking to Legolas. When I ran away it was like I had lost a little brother all over again and my heart broke a little more. That part of my heart is healed again as he lifts his eyes to meet mine.

I run to him and hug him, tears pouring down my face. It's extreme but he's what I call my family. I lift him up and spin him round as he laughs and screams with pleasure. Legolas stands at a distance watching us and smiling slightly. I'm so grateful. He brought me back what I needed most. I put Oro back down and we sit together on the edge of the fountain. He looks up at me confused and a little bewildered.

"El?"

"Yes Oro?"

"Why are you crying?" I chuckle a little at his naivety and innocence.

"They're happy tears Oro. I missed you so much I thought I had lost you. I'm just so happy to have you back again!"

"Oh, oops sorry" He then decides what a great idea it would be to splash me with the fountain water. "Don't you dare ever run away again like that El, I missed you!"

Naturally I splash back and we laugh, joke and play until we're both soaking wet and giddy with joy. I forget Legolas is watching us. I only remember when I hear him loudly clearing his throat pulling our attention back to him.

"I have Arwen coming to show Oro his new living quarters and to show him the palace. I will accompany you Elemmire back to your room before you get ill" He says smirking a little as his eyes roam over my body. The water has made my clothes cling to my body. Arwen comes and leads Oro away leaving only my mate and I.

"I was actually going to swim, since I am wet now is ideal anyway." I claim to Legolas as we start to walk back to my room.

"Of course Elemmire, the waterfall pool I assume. Well I'll leave you then, for the moment" He replies deviously. His smirk makes me worry.

I wander off to the pool absentmindedly. I change into a swimming robe. It's a thin light robe to keep you decent whilst bathing. The pool is stunning. It is bright clue surrounded by smooth pale yellow rocks with vibrant flowers growing here and there. A waterfall catches the light on one side of the poll sending rainbows spinning around the cliffs. There are high clifflike walls surrounding the pool so no one can look in. A small path leads from a door down to the pool and hat is the only enterance and exit. It is open air too so you can feel the warm sun. There is small garden leading to the ool with a water fountain and a wishing well hidden in the greenery. It's magical - m favourite place in the castle.

I approach the water and wade into it. I slowly swim under the waterfall and am surrounded by the cascading water. I swim strait through to behind the fall. It is like a new private pool of its own. Rainbow light dances on the walls. Three walls of water and a wall of rock. I face the rock away from the entrance to my hidden cove.

A sudden hand on my shoulder shocks me and I whirl around only to crash into a warm solid body. Legolas stands before me, topless in only loose trouser pants, holding me against his solid chest to keep me upright. I can hardly look away. He is perfect, strong but not bulky, lean and pure muscle. He leans close to my ear, hot breath hitting my face.

"No thank you for earlier?" He hotly whispers in my ear. I can hardly respond. "I think I need a little repayment for that one" He smirks. With his my voice returns to me.

"Well I'm sure there's nothing I could give in return" I reply

"I'm sure a kiss would suffice" He speaks flippantly. I start to breathe faster and heavier as he brings to his closer to mine. He pulls my body closer to his until there is no space between us. His hand run up and down my back, my robes cling to me. He presses his lips against mine before tenderly kissing me again. I can't help but kiss back and he nibbles my lip and runs his tongue along it. I can't do this. I draw back and regain my voice.

"No! I can't do this Legolas!" He simple smirks back.

"And I thought it was going well" His eyes are narrowed as he releases me, still smirking. Now I see a new angle to play this game. I smirk strait back.

"I've had better" I whisper in his ear.

Bad idea. He pulls me back to him, holding me tight.

"Well I'll just have to change your mind then" he murmurs before crashing his lips back down against mine. This time it's passionate and heavy, full of need and desire. He lifts me up and slides his tongue along my bottom lip, requesting entrance. I deny it, unwilling to get too far into the kiss. I gasp as he pushes me against the cliff wall and he takes the opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth and asserts his dominance. It's heavy with need and lust. It hits me now as I desperately kiss back.

I am a slave to his will and I can never escape. I love him too much. He is in my blood.