Authors note sorry for.the lack of updates guys. This week has been hectic and I've been waiting for inspiration though I wouldn't say I got it now. But I want to see where I can take this chapter and give you guys something. Enjoy and thanks for hanging in there with me.

I will devour you. . .

Thranduil sat at his desk staring at the scrolls. It had been weeks since they had given each other forgiveness. Many asked what happend to him. He simply said he had buisness with his allies. Though the guards had told another story. After his discussion with them they had changed their stories to fit his own.

Navea had been on his mind as had her words of anger. Despite her anger they had been true. His son was suffering and had been suffering most of his life from his lack of emotion. From his frostiness. He had sent a missive to Imraldis. He prayed Elrond would give his son the lessons he couldn't learn form his father.

Navea had been seen going to Beorns house and back. He had ordered for his men to give her free range as she had promised to show him how to hunt the game of the north mountains. He was repaid in full by her friendship. It was precious to him more now since he knew what it was like to be without it.

He glanced down at the poem he had written. The stanzas and lines were simple truths written in his elegant handwriting. He admitted things in it that he could tell no one. He couldn't even say them out loud. They were truth though. Simple and plain and yet so complex in their simplicity.

"Boo!" he rose and spun grabbing the transgressor and holding them against the edge of his blade. He saw shimmering green gold eyes alight with mischief.

"I didn't know startling tthe king was so dangerous." she teased. He then noticed his poem beside her head. His poem about her.

"Ah yes well it can be here take a seat." he let her up.

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Navea stared at the nervous king. He was like a mother bird startled in her nest. Drawing attention to her self rather than to her chicks. Her cat prowled around her mind eager to see what made him so nervous. She sat on the opposite edge of his desk.

He busily tided papers. And smiled to her self reaching to help him.

"what are you doing?!" was that panic in his voice.

"Helping you." she said innocently.

"No need you just go. . . ahem.  . . sit there by the pool." he waved her off snatching the papers out of her hand and gently pushing her toward his desired spot for her.

Instead She swam around the pool of water enjoying the relief from the heat of the summer night. She had another reason to be here. She wanted her mate. She wanted his kiss and the joining of their bodies. She wanted Thranduil.

For many days she had thought about procceding as his friend. She realized it would never be enough. She wanted him as her mate. She didn't want his throne or his wealth. She wanted to hold a part of him and let him have a part of her.

The only problem now was to get him to breakthrough his icy control and fan the embers of emotion he had into an inferno. They were alike and opposite in a sense. She was fire with ice at its heart. He was ice with fire benneath the surface. Alike in their opposition.

She smiled as she sunk below the surface. Going deep into the water. Her body tingling with excitement.

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"What brings you to my door?" he asked turning to find an empty room.

He breathed out a breath harshly in annoyance. First she almost discovers his secret poem and now she does a disappearing act. He kneaded his forehead in aggravation.

"Comes to my home ruffles me and then disappears. Where are you Navea come out where ever you are hiding. this is nonsense." he ordered.

Walking to the pool studying its dark depths. Then turning to survey the shadows of the room. A splash and then falling and water surrounding him. Arms pulling at the heavy robes. making him sink. Then he was at the surface basking in the beauty of the wet siren wrapped around him.

Her curves flush against his muscles. Her hands moved strands of hair from his face. She smiled widely at him.  He felt himself smiling back at her impish expression of happiness.

"Seems I've captured my pray. what am I to do with you?" she asked aloud.

"I have been caught by the greatest of huntresses." he admitted and they both laughed in merriment.

Her hand tapped her chin thoughtfully. "What do do with you?"

"What would you do with me?" he asked his voice dropping an octave to match her own.

Her hands framed his face. Fingers develing into his hair. Her legs tightening around his waist. Her green eyes bore into his own.

"I will devour you."

Her mouth descended onto his. She devoured his mouth with passion and focus. He allowed her to deepen the kiss. And they lost themselves to the water and the passion. To be an innocent woman he was shocked to learn she kissed like a wanton.

He revealed in it. He lived and died in it. She gave he took. He took and she gave. Each fighting for dominance each sharing the lead role. Perfection. Creation. Life and death. All of it lay inside the kiss.

"They say the dragon will never respect the leopard." she said once she had pulled from him. Gazing into his glimmering eyes.

"Perhaps because of the fierceness of the leopard the dragon will gain respect for her." he said. "In fact he already has."

"Yes they also say that the leopard and dragon remains ennemies for life. Never being allies." She said "The leoaprd hates the materialistic haughtiness of the dragon. Perhaps she has become enthralled by the dragons might and his glimmering scales."

"Has she been enthralled then?" he asked seeking to hear her answer.

"She has." she muzzled his face purring slightly.

"Stay with me tonight. . . tomorrow my son leaves and.  . . I don't wish to be alone." he said. "Stay with me Navea."

"I will stay with you." she said kissing his lips and burrowing into his neck.

They lay down on his bed and slept peacefully. Happy in eagle others embrace. Their reunion had been fiery and passionate with kisses and teasing. He knew though he would have to tell her the true feelings in his heart.

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Navea stared into the darkness. She needed to tell him of the leopard long ago. She needed to have all secrets banished between them. She also needed to tell of her feelings for him. It was time for the truth of it all.

For now though they slept and enjoyed each others embrace.