The night air is cool as I stand upon the balcony connected to mine and Arahaelon's chambers. My sheer robe dances softly in the breeze as I place my hands on the railing, taking in the peaceful sight of fireflies blinking in and out of sight between the tall, enchanting trees.

It has been many weeks since the accident, and Arahaelon has healed almost perfectly. Sometimes he rests during the day, when his kingly duties have been completed, but he is no longer in pain. I lie beside him at night, plagued with memories of him bedridden and dying, and he always wraps his arms around me, pulling me close and allowing me to feel the beat of his heart against my skin. I cherish those moments more than anything now that I have almost lost him. I never intend on allowing him to slip from my fingers again.

My soul is calm, yet restless, unable to find sleep- even in the warm and comforting arms of my husband. A light mist of rain begins to fall from the dark, velvety sky, and I close my eyes, relishing in the feeling of the tiny droplets running down my skin and through my hair.

"Unable to sleep?"

Arahaelon's arms wrap around my waist from behind, and he rests his chin on my shoulder, sighing tiredly as he awaits my answer.

"No, but you should get some rest. I did not mean to wake you," I answer softly, leaning into him.

"I cannot sleep without you by my side," he replies simply, before continuing, "Is it raining? Anna, why are you standing out here in the rain?"

I laugh lightly, not having to look at him to know that he is scrunching his nose cutely. "Because I happen to love the rain."

"Come back inside," he begs, turning me to face him. The moonlight casts a beautiful glow across his face, and I feel that familiar tug inside of my chest.

My lips find his, and his hands tighten around my waist, pulling me closer. His kiss is gentle and searching, making my knees weak. I wrap my arms around his neck, basking in the feeling of holding him so close. He could kiss me a million times, and it would never be enough. He would still affect me just as much as the very first time.

When I kiss him now, I cannot help but feel so blessed. I almost lost him to death, yet here he is in my arms, healthy and happy. 'Tis funny how life is like that. So much happiness can be regained after a season of grief.

"Annalee," he says so softly as our lips part, "Come back to bed."

Our eyes meet, and instantly I know what he is asking of me. "Ar," I reply breathlessly, searching his gaze.

"Please," he whispers, running his fingers over my cheek.

Nervous excitement rushes through my veins as I look at him with his messy hair and passionate eyes. He is every bit of what I have always longed for deep inside: kind, handsome, brave. Every piece of my heart and every sliver of my soul is so in love with him, and there are no words that could express the depth of the feelings he stirs within me.

And I am ready to be his.

His eyes search mine for an answer, and I nod ever-so-slightly, feeling the intense beating of my heart within my chest. His lips lift into a beautiful smile, robbing me of my breath as he takes my hand and leads me back inside of our room.

A lone candle sits upon our nightstand, having been lit by Arahaelon before he stepped outside with me. Its glow is warm and comforting, easing my nerves just bit. The light flickers in his gorgeous eyes as he turns to me.

His hands move to my shoulders, easing the robe down my skin until it sinks to the floor, leaving me in my lace nightgown that he loves so much. Being undressed by him is less intimidating now that he has done it before, but thinking of what is to follow has my pulse racing.

I take his face in my hands and kiss him- a slow kiss that I can tell affects him greatly as he trembles against me. My hands move down his neck and to his chest, unfastening his nightshirt. I push it down his strong arms, admiring the way the candlelight casts its golden light across his skin.

"Anna," he murmurs, running his fingers up my legs and taking the end of my nightgown with them. He pulls it over my head in one quick movement, tossing it to the side and caressing my skin that is still slightly damp from the rain.

I let him touch me and memorize my body as he kisses me so slowly and tenderly. I can feel the beating of his heart against my chest, and I cannot keep a smile from forming on my lips.

I remove his trousers with a faint blush on my cheeks, and he lifts me, carrying me to the bed and laying me down beneath him. My hair fans out across our pillows, and the silk sheets caress my bare skin for the first time, feeling cold, yet comforting at the same time.

Arahaelon's skin is warm against mine, and as he trails kisses across my neck and jaw, I breathe in the familiar, soothing scent of his skin and hair. Having my husband so close to me in this way sends a shiver through my body that I cannot contain, and I run my hands up his muscular back, pulling him closer to me.

"I love you, Aré nin (my sunlight)," I whisper to him as the sound of the rain washing over the balcony doors creates a beautiful melody.

"I love you in ways that words cannot express," he says, his husky voice barely a whisper in my ear, "And I want to show you that tonight."

A storm blows through during the night, but Arahaelon and I are oblivious to it. The only thing we are aware of is each other. We breathe as one; we move as one. Our first time together is a romantic waltz, slow and passionate; timid, yet bold. He is strong yet gentle at the same time- a skilled warrior taking the utmost care with his most valuable treasure. He whispers the sweetest words to me as he makes me his own, and I can only answer with his name falling from my lips.

As the storm calms much later into the night, I lie across Arahaelon's chest tiredly. His fingers trace patterns across my back and shoulders, and a smile rests upon my lips and stubbornly refuses to leave.

"Rest, Annalee," he whispers to me, pressing a kiss against my head. I admire his handsome smile through heavy-lidded eyes, feeling happier than I ever have in my entire life.

"I am not tired," I protest weakly, closing my eyes as his chest rumbles underneath mine with a faint chuckle.

"Your eyes can barely stay open," he says softly as he runs his fingers through my hair. "Sleep."

"Will you still be here in the morning?" I mumble as my mind begins to drift into dreams of him.

"Of course," he whispers with a small laugh, and that is the last thing I hear that night.

_________

"You look dreadful."

I look up from my breakfast plate with a frown to see Arwen smiling cheerfully at me. She reaches across me, grabbing a handful of fruit and placing it onto her plate.

The dining hall is filled with dozens and dozens of elves this morning, and I silently curse Arahaelon for deciding that we should all eat with our people this morning instead of eating in the privacy of the Royal dining room as we usually do.

"I am tired," I reply with an amused smile, looking around the room for any sight of my husband.

"I can imagine you are," she says suggestively, and I look at her in shock.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, Annalee, do you think I am blind? You are practically glowing this morning, despite looking a little worn out," she says with that faint, motherly chuckle that I have become so familiar with, "Plus, Aragorn told me that Arahaelon is in a particularly good mood this morning. He did not stop smiling once during the meetings, and my husband caught him daydreaming a few times as the others were speaking. That is not like Arahaelon at all. He is so lovesick."

I blush right down to my toes. "Really?'

She grins beautifully as she nods. "Does it really surprise you?" she asks and lifts her brow.

"I guess not," I say lowly, remembering our night together very clearly.

She laughs melodically. "Well, I am happy for you. You could not have found a better ellon for you than Arahaelon. He loves you terribly."

"And I love him just as much," I reply, catching sight of his snowy hair as he enters the room.

Arwen takes my hand with a giddy smile, pulling me toward the head table, and my throat tightens with anxiety. "If you do not want everyone in the kingdom to know what happened last night, you better wipe away that wistful look on your face," she whispers to me with a small laugh.

I send her a small glare. How can anyone be so perceptive?

Arahaelon's eyes find mine from across the room as we make our way towards him. His gaze is intense with emotions and memories as he looks at me, and I find myself smiling without thinking. His own smile grows slowly as he appraises me in my silvery blue gown with my hair pinned up neatly. I can only imagine that he is thinking what I am thinking of him. To see him looking so neat and put together this morning in his wine red robes after seeing him lose his self control for the very first time last night...

"Annalee, you look breathtaking this morning," Lossenel says sweetly as we reach the table.

Arahaelon places his hand on the small of my back, leaning in to kiss my temple as I meet his sister's gaze. "Thank you, Lossie. You always look beautiful," I reply with a small laugh, trying my hardest to not show how much my husband's touch affects me.

"You do," Elrohir whispers to her lowly, smiling so happily, and everyone pretends to not hear it as Lossenel smiles back at him.

"Thank you, Annalee," she replies.

Arahaelon pulls my chair out for me, and I sit, meeting the gaze of his mother who sits in front of me. She analyzes me quickly, taking in every detail of my flushed face and smile that I try so hard to smother, and after a moment, she glances at Thranduil, smirking secretly.

My jaw clenches with embarrassment as I look down at my plate, wishing that I did not live with a bunch of nosy family members who are far too perceptive for their own good. Secretly, though, it warms my heart to have so many people who care for me the way that they do. I just wish they did not tease me about personal affairs and make me blush like an elfling.

I eat my food in silence for a moment, listening to all of the conversations around me with interest. Faraine and Legolas are absorbed in each other, laughing and chatting happily. Tadion is across the room, talking animatedly with a group of ellith and making them laugh. Aragorn takes his seat to my right, greeting me with a kind smile before turning to his wife who calls his attention.

I glance at Arahaelon to see that he is watching me, gaze smoldering. I smile shyly as my cheeks turn warm, and I wish more than anything to lean in and kiss him. His hand finds mine beneath the table, and he intertwines our fingers.

"How are you this morning, Anna?" he questions softly so that no one else can hear. His eyebrows furrow slightly in worry as he appraises me, seeing the exhaustion in my features.

"Perfect," I answer, searching his eyes, "I am happier than I have ever been."

His grin is enough to melt my heart, and I cannot help but return it instantly. "I am, as well."

Thranduil interrupts us to ask Arahaelon something about a trade agreement, and my eyes once again meet Alarya's. She smiles warmly, eyes sparkling with content. "You look different this morning, Annalee. Happier. I am so glad to see you this way," she says, not once teasing me or even letting onto the fact that she knows, "You seem to finally be back to yourself since the accident."

I nod. "I am. Arahaelon is healed now, so I can finally stop worrying about him so much."

I feel his hand squeeze mine underneath the table.

"Yes, 'tis in the past, and we must move on," she says, her eyes flicking over to her son as she smiles. "Arahaelon, your father and I are planning to leave in a few day's time. We have decided to travel with Elrond back to Imladris."

"If you desire a break from all of us, you could just say so," Tadion comments with a smirk as he takes his seat at the table.

She rolls her eyes. "That is not it. I long to lay eyes upon Rivendell again," she explains, not masking the passion in her voice. "There is nothing like it in this world."

Thranduil looks to Arahaelon. "We do not know how long we will be staying, but I can assure you that we will not return for some time. You know how your naneth is."

"What about the orcs?" I question anxiously, and everyone turns to look at me solemnly, as if they believe I will break at any mentioning of Arahaelon's accident.

"They were slain, Annalee," Thranduil explains patiently, taking a sip of wine, "And if any happened to survive, we will take them down easily. There is nothing to worry about. Not this time."

His tone is so assured as he speaks, and his eyes are swimming with emotions. The look he gives me calms my fears straight away, and I realize that I believe him. I simply nod in reply.

Elrohir clears his throat, catching the attention of everyone at our table. "Thranduil, I wished to ask your permission to escort Lossenel to Rivendell. We want to travel to my homeland alongside you all. And I believe Elladan and Almarëa wish to come as well."

Thranduil and Alarya look at each other for a moment in silent conversation before he gives his answer, wearing a blank expression. "Of course."

Arahaelon meets my gaze, and he smirks slightly at his father's short answer. Thranduil likes to give the twins a hard time, especially since they have stolen the hearts of his beloved daughters.

"Arwen," I say suddenly, turning to look at her, "You will not be returning home with Aragorn and your son will you? I would miss you terribly."

She shakes her head. "No. We plan to stay for a few more weeks."

I sigh quietly in relief. "I am pleased to hear it. Where is Eldarion anyway?"

She smiles beautifully, glancing at me for a moment. "He decided to sit with the members of the Guard. They seem to have their hands full with both my son and Nym," she says amusedly, nodding in the direction of their table.

Nym sits in the lap of a young ellon, chattering animatedly and swinging his arms around wildly as he speaks. The young elves laugh boyishly at his antics, and Eldarion sits with a smile upon his sweet face, round eyes taking in every detail around him.

"He is such a sweet boy," I tell her, unable to hide my smile.

Breakfast passes uneventfully, and everyone wanders off in different directions. I watch as Legolas and Faraine leave the dining room hand-in-hand, and I vow to speak with my sister soon about what has transpired between Arahaelon and myself.

Arwen and Aragorn retrieve their son, and Nym-who cries dramatically as he is taken away from the table by his father- is whisked away, probably to visit his naneth in town.

"Would you take a walk with me?"

I turn to look at my husband, taking the hand he has outstretched for me. His expression is peaceful as he looks at me, but his eyes are ablaze with the same passion they held last night. I fight the blush that tries to appear on my skin as we walk the palace halls together.

He speaks quietly to me as we pass servants in the hallways, and I cannot help but let my mind wander to last night when he spoke to me just as softly. His soft chuckle knocks me from my thoughts, and I turn to look at him.

"You are not listening to anything that I am saying," he accuses, and he narrows his eyes playfully.

"Forgive me," I reply with an embarrassed smile. "My mind is a bit... preoccupied."

His gaze drinks in the sight of my blush, and he lifts my hand to his lips. "I understand. Mine has been all morning," he admits lowly, and he opens the door to our chambers, leading me inside.

"The others will be leaving for Rivendell soon. It will be lonely," I tell him with a frown, and he runs his fingers over my cheek.

"Maybe it is a blessing," he murmurs as his lips touch my jaw. "We will finally have some privacy."

I laugh breathlessly as his hands come to rest on my waist, pulling me to him. "Hmm, I like the sound of that."

His smile is enough to light the night sky as he looks at me. His eyes dance with emotions and thoughts, and I long to touch him again, the way I did last night.

"I must tell you something," he whispers as his nose brushes mine.

"I am listening."

"Last night was the best of my long life, Anna. I hope you know that," he states seriously, and warmth spreads throughout my body.

"You know I feel the same, Arahaelon," I reply quietly, and I am surprised to feel tears welling up in my eyes.

"You are crying," he says worriedly.

"I cannot help it. I just love you so much. I wish I could relive last night and stop time so that we would never have to leave that happy place."

A slow smile pulls at his lips as his hands cup my face. "I do not know about stopping time, my lady, but I think I can do something about reliving the past," he says so lowly, and his husky voice sends a thrill of anticipation through me.

His lips brush mine slowly, and my mind turns to mush as I pull him ever-closer.

"Then show me, my lord."

____________________

A/N: So sorry for the long wait, guys xxx Life has been crazy for me, but I hope to be back for good now. Love y'all to the moon and back! Hope you enjoy this chapter!