Fan Fiction ❯ Keeper of the Dunedain ❯ He is beautiful ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

WARNING SEXUAL SCENCE IN THIS CHAPTER be gentle with the reviews this is my first lemon

Harry was aware of three things. One he practically cornered by a woman he respected, Two if he ran now she would only seek another opportune moment to strike, and Three he would not dare use magic to stop her. And for that he cursed in every language he could think of. As he spat fowl language and refused to look at her, Gilraen waited for Malrendil to say his peace. And she knew that he would speak of why he harbored this pain inside.

Finally he deep breath, “ What would you have me say my lady”.

Gilraen came closer to him ignoring the scalding civility in his tone.

“ Just as I asked of you to sing I now ask you speak it does not matter what part of your life you tell for I would truly know the man that you are”.

“ You demand much of me” Harry continued to stare at the sky “ I left my past behind and this life has given me peace”.

Gilraen closed the gap between them and leaned over Malrendil with her arms supporting her on either side of his broad shoulders.

Gilraen frowned down at the wizard “ Your lying and your terrible at it”.

“ I never claimed to be a good liar,” retorted Harry.

Gilraen laughed in triumph.

“ Then you admit you are lying”, “ Tell me what haunts you so”.

Harry's jaw clenched, “ They are my nightmares Gilraen and mine alone” he sat up and took hold of her arms.

“ Let me have my dark thoughts and plagued memories”.

Gilraen could feel the heat creeping up her neck. She could feel his powerfully lean muscles contort and stretch as he inevitably leaned into her embrace. The feel of this man's body against her's sent an electric jolt up her spine no matter how innocent the touch.

“ Isn't about time someone comforted you,” she asked mentally shaking herself out of her stupor.

“ You have been strong for me keeper of the Dunedain, but will you let me be strong for you” she challenged.

Harry stared at her for a moment before changing tactics.

“ You still haven't told me what that title means” he stalled.

Gilraen wanted to sigh in frustration but kept her cool and answered his question carefully.

“ It means that you are the keeper of my people, my family, and my heart”.

Harry was shocked was she truly in love with him or had he become Arathorn's replacement? And did he even feel the same way about her; did he even want to love her as she had confessed to love him? Before Harry could pull away he found soft pink lips pressed against his own. Without conscious thought he sank deeper into her hold. His hand found the back of her head tangling it in her hair. The kiss became fierce as their tongues dueled for domination. Gilraen poured all her heart into this one kiss, all her anger, all her passion, all her pain, and all her hope. She willed him to understand and tried to make him let go.

Any doubts Harry had were drowned in this one kiss; his will to forget his pain was shattered. This woman had just reminded him a very important lesson ` I am human'. As the kiss slowed down Gilraen opened her eyes. Malrendil's eyes were still closed but two crystal tears trailed down his face. His snow-white skin and doll like features only made him look more vulnerable.

` He is beautiful' she thought pulling away from the kiss. When Gilraen's lips left his, Harry opened his eyes. His was breathing erratically no longer fighting back the sobs that wanted to escape. Gilraen drew him to her. She stroked his hair as he rested his head at the arc of her neck and the wizard let himself to be held.

“ I am an orphan,” he said suddenly.

Gilraen rested her chin at the crown of his head listening to his unsteady but still lucid words.

“ My parents were murdered when I was only one”.

“ I can still hear my father telling my mother to take me and run”.

Gilraen could imagine it a woman running for her life with her child in her arms. As he continued Gilraen felt the bile in her stomach rise.

“ The monster killed my father first and when she tried to protect me killed my mother too”.

He subconsciously rubbed the scar on his forehead.

“This is the memento of that night, mother cast a spell sacrificing herself for me this is her mark”.

Gilraen held onto her newfound love tighter urging him to continue.

“ I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle, they tried to keep me as down trodden as possible and beat the ability to use my magic out of me”.

Harry smiled in almost grim satisfaction, “ I escaped however and learned use my magic”.

Hesitantly Gilraen asked her final question.

“ What happened to your parents murderer”?

“ He disappeared after the night he killed my parents”, “ Then after ten years he reemerged and tried to kill me again”.

“ I defeated him but almost each year after that he kept returning and each time he returned I lost someone I cared about”.

Gilraen gasped finally understanding Malrendil's reluctance to get truly close to her, her son, and anyone he cared for.

“ But two months ago I finally killed him only to wake up far away from anything I've ever known” he sighed.

As Harry fell silent they stayed in each other's arms not saying a word. By the time Harry and Gilraen returned to camp it was nearly nightfall. They had just gotten a few yards from Gilraen's tent when they ran into Elrohir. The elf had his bow and quiver ready with three rangers at his heels about to go look for Gilraen and Malrendil.

“ Where were you two we thought you were attacked by orcs” Elrohir exclaimed.

The three rangers behind the Rivendell elf murmured gruffly agreement.

Gilraen smiled apologetically, “ I am sorry to have worried you my lord”.

Harry nodded trying his hardest to stay as serene as he normally was. (But it was so damned hard) pun most certainly intended, Harry had difficulty focusing when the woman on his arm was so close to him. Elrohir stared at the both of them. He could feel that both of them had changed somehow. And when the elf looked into Malrendil's eyes he nearly gasped. He could clearly see pain lightly coated in a sense of peace true peace in this wizard's gaze. It was no longer the hollow acceptance that the man seemed to harbor.

“ It is late, I think I will go to bed”.

Elrohir could see the disappointment on the lady's face as her beloved keeper stepped away. He couldn't see Malrendil's face but the subtle change in the man's posture didn't lie. Something had defiantly happened at the lake. Elrohir dimly registered the three rangers leaving but instead of going after Malrendil Elhoir focused on Gilraen.

“ Lady Gilraen, may I have a word”. The noble woman nodded and walked with him to her tent.

Once they arrived Eliza was waiting there for them with a smirk upon her lips.

“ How went your walk with lord Malrendil my lady” Eliza said politely but the underlying meaning hung in the air.

“ It went well Eliza, now please go and fetch lord Elladan, he, lord Elrohir and I have much to discuss” Gilraen ordered.

Eliza nodded and hurried off to find the wayward elf prince. Elrohir stayed silent but the question was clearly written on his face.

“ I would prefer if I only say this once” she explained.

A few moments later Elladan entered the main chamber of Gilraen's tent. His brother sat opposite the lady in a stool with another set next to it clearly for him. Elladan wordlessly walked briskly to the seat and took his place beside his brother. Gilraen took a deep breath bracing herself for their reactions.

“ Malrendil revealed his past to me or at least the general view of it”.

For a moment the twins were silent in shock. They had suspected something was amiss but they had not expected this woman would interrogate Malrendil about his life before he became the keeper of the Dunedain.

“ He is an orphan” she continued, “ It seems that the ones appointed his guardians tortured him”.

Elladan suddenly remembered seeing the scars on the wizard's back. The horror he felt seeing those long, jagged, and thick wounds compared nothing to the horror he felt now. The ones who were meant to be Malrendil's caregivers had scared him for life. The wizard had always been calm to the point where it had worried both Elladan and Elrohir.

“ What else has he said?” asked Elhoir.

Gilraen eyes misted over,“ Not much my lord, but enough for me to understand”.

Elrohir nodded suspecting as much.

“ And matters between you two” Gilraen blushed of course an elf would have noticed.

“ He acknowledges there is love is there but I believe he will try to sink into himself again” she replied.

Elladan could see the clocks in his brother's head turning and he two had the same idea.

“ Then we provoke his ire,” they said together.

Gilraen shook her head, “ It not wise to do such a thing, we do not know what he will do”.

That had deflated the twin' terrors of Rivendell.

“ Might I suggest some' thin mistress”.

All three of them looked up in surprise. Standing at the entrance was Eliza with loaves of bread in her apron and a devious smirk on her old lips.

“ What do you suggest Eliza” Gilraen asked.

The twins nodded mutely in agreement too surprised by the fact that this woman had snuck up on them to do anything else. The next day Gilraen called the rangers to herself and then to the eldest and wisest of men among them. Meanwhile Elladan went to find Malrendil while Elhoir gathered the few women in the camp for an unknown task. Elladan found the wayward wizard sitting near a fire pit. He sat cross-legged staring at the flames with his owl on his shoulder.

“ Malrendil, lady Gilraen wishes to speak with you” said the elf quietly.

Harry closed his eyes and stood up.

“ As the lady wishes,” he replied walking toward Gilraen's tent.

In her tent Gilraen stood alone nervously awaiting the black wizard to arrive. The plan was simple goad Malrendil into entering a contest to be held at the feast Elhoir was going to organize. What would entice him into entering, the prize of course and the prize was she. The man who won the contest would be her next husband and chief regent of the Dunedain. The rangers consulted with her already about the idea. They had agreed they would test the strength of the wizard to see if he was worthy of her and the crown of the Dunedain.

Though the rangers still grieved for their fallen chieftain they needed a strong leader until little Aragorn was old enough to take his place as chief. When the object of her thoughts entered her quarters Gilraen's resolve wavered. He looked at her with a guarded expression his owl as if sensing the tension left her perch and fluttered to Gilraen stool.

Gilraen walked briskly up to her beloved wizard and hugged him before she lost her nerve to continue.

“ What is it Gilraen” asked Harry stunned.

Gilraen merely kissed him trying to keep him off balance with the façade of passion and desperation. Harry groaned into the kiss before pushing her away from him at arms length.

“ What are you doing Gilraen”, “ I am to be married tomorrow night to the man who wins the feast competition so I intend to spend this night with the man I love”.

Harry's eyes were narrowed into deadly slits of venom.

“ What are you talking about, you are still in mourning for Arathorn what feast”.

Gilraen was sick inside of herself for lying to him, but she had no other options.

“ I am of noble birth my love and widow to the chieftain of the Dunedain,” she explained.

“ The men need a new leader and my son is too young”.

Harry let go of Gilraen with shaking hands. His anger and hurt radiated off of him in waves.

“ And do you not have a choice” he asked turning his back to her.

Gilraen fought the urge to go to him and just hung her head.

“ When you are responsible to a people one has to put one's personal desires aside,” she whispered.

Harry's hands clenched at his sides.

“Please forgive me Malrendil,” she said as the wizard stormed out the tent.

Hedwig didn't follow knowing that Harry needed to be alone. As Harry ran out of the tent Elladan who had listened to the whole episode followed after him.

` He's fast for a mortal' Elladan noted.

By the time the wizard stopped running they were well beyond camp and surrounded by the giant forest trees. Elladan stayed out of sight making sure the wizard couldn't sense his presence. He watched as his friend sunk to the ground with his back up against a tree.

Then the wizard did something the elf thought him utterly incapable of, he cried. He watched as the floodgates opened and spilled forth gems of clear pools of tears. Malrendil's eyes were squeezed shut and his legs were pulled up to his chest protectively. Unable to take it anymore Elladan walked forward and called to him.

“ Malrendil, are you all right”. “ Gilraen sent you,” he sobbed.

Elladan shook his head; “ I come of my own accord to give council to a friend”.

Harry furiously wiped away the tears that stained his face.

“ What advice could you give me I am fine”.

Elladan gave Harry an annoyed glare.

“ You may be able to fool yourself Malrendil but don't insult my intelligence”.

Harry looked away from him not listening.

The elf sighed, “ You sit here pitying yourself when you have a way to gain the woman who has captured your heart”.

“ Enter the contest prove yourself worthy of her” Elladan turned to leave “That is if you have the courage to”.

“ My path evades me” Elladan froze.

“ Your path is set at your feat you cannot falter now” he retorted.

And with that the eldest son of Elrond left the wizard to his thoughts. Time passed and Harry didn't return to camp until it was well passed dark. He went to his tent and lay on his cot unable to sleep. Hedwig had returned to his tent hours ago unworried for him. Harry fought with himself trying to think of a reason not to enter the contest but each and every time it was countered by love.

“ I can't do this,” he said repeatedly like a mantra.

But then he remembered the feel of Gilraen's body pressed against his and the feeling of absolution when he was around her and his reasoning was lost. And with his decision made Harry went to sleep. In her tent Gilraen lay in her bed crying. Eliza had comforted her but it still hurt to have to lie to her beloved Malrendil. Aragorn remained in her handmaiden's care so the child wouldn't see his mother cry. Gilraen cried herself to sleep dreaming of being held in Malrendil's arms again.

The next morning Gilraen didn't leave her tent. Eliza and Aragorn brought her food to her.

“ Momma look pretty” praised Aragorn as he sat in his mother's lap.

Gilraen wore a white and gold dress that clung to her every curve and flared out at her knees. Golden bracelets that wove they're way from her elbows to her wrists occupied Gilraen's bare arms. A crystal tiara adorned the crown of her head and a single ring of silver with white diamonds and a sole blue diamond adorned her right ring finger. The rightful queen of Gondor smiled down at her son. He had no idea how important this day was for him.

Today little Aragorn would receive a new father, preferably Malrendil the black. Even the unaware child himself was dressed for the occasion. Aragorn wore a silver tunic and black leggings with freshly polished black boots. His hair was braided similarly to Malrendil's per the child's request, though Aragorn's hair was much shorter and didn't even reach passed his ear.

“ Thank you little one” said Gilraen and hoped secretly that Malrendil would agree.

Harry woke up bathed and dressed in the clothes he first arrived in middle earth in. Then he went to find Elladan, he found the elf at his own tent getting ready for the feast.

“ Elladan I am going to enter the contest but I will need help”.

The mischievous elf smiled at him and asked him what he needed help with.

“ I do not know what challenges I will be given to me, perhaps you could enlighten me” Harry asked graciously.

“ It seems clear that you had an isolated life indeed, you are tested by three of the wisest rangers in camp”.

Elladan looked thoughtful for a moment, “ All three ranger's agree upon one question to ask you and if your answer is to their satisfaction you will earn the fair lady Gilraen's hand in marriage”.

“ Thank you master elf” and with that Harry left to go back to his tent and wait for the feast to come.

The rest of the day passed slowly as Elrohir and some men erected a giant tent for the feast. The few women in the camp set up tables inside the tent and placed bread and ale on the tables. That night all of the people at the camp with the exception of night's watchmen came to the party. They sang and danced even though there were no musicians present.

Gilraen sat in a make shift thrown watching over the proceedings with suppressed anxiousness. Her son danced with his mother's confidante unaware the significance of this night. Harry sat at a table by himself watching Gilraen with half lidded eyes. He two wished for the competition to commence quickly, Harry had every intention of winning. Finally Tarondor, the eldest ranger of the camp called a halt to the feast.

“ Tonight we eat and drink in honor of our late lord Arathorn son of Arador,” the crowd cheered.

Once they quieted again Tarondor continued.

“ But alas he is gone and young Aragorn is not yet of age to take up the responsibility of chief” the crowd murmured excitedly.

“ So it is with a heavy heart that I announce the immediate marriage of Gilraen the fair and the man who answers the riddle agreed upon by myself, lord Minaclar, and master Alcarin”.

“ My lady I bid you to give me the ring of Barahir, go to your tent, and await the arrival of your new husband”.

So Gilraen stood from her make shift throne and gave her ring to Tarondor. She walked over to where Eliza stood and gave a hug to her friend and her son who would remain in Eliza's care tonight. Then she looked toward Harry with what seemed to be saddened eyes before leaving.

Now Tarondor called out, “ Come, come forward men of Gondor who dare answer the riddle of which I speak”.

“ Speak your riddle old man” called out one of the men eager to wed Gilraen.

Harry waded over to Tarondor easily slipping passed the massing men who wanted to answer the riddle. Only two others had made it pass the men who were now fighting to get passed the others. They were Earur and Earnil distant cousins of the house of stewards in Gondor.

“ I am darkness, I never sleep, in thy dreams and good conscious will the find me, In the presence of even the purest heart do I reside, tell me who am I”.

Earur answered first in his rashness, “ You are guilt”.

Tarondor shook his head and sighed. “ Then you are anger,” said Earnil hopefully.

“ No, he speaks of pride man's greatest darkness,” said Harry.

All went silent as the men stopped fighting to see if one of the three men were right. They were also in shock that out of all of them only three had been able to even get close enough to answer the riddle.

The old ranger smiled, “ You have answered wisely all three of you but the wizard's answer was wisest of all”.

“ State your name and house young one and receive what is now rightfully yours”.

Harry stepped forward a smile planted upon his face.

“ I am Malrendil the black son of James begotten of Lily and keeper of the Dunedain,” he said proudly.

Tarondor nodded and placed upon his ring finger Gilraen's ring and kissed his knuckle.

“ Go now my liege your wife waits for you”.

As Harry walked toward the exit everyone bowed and cleared the way for him.

Suddenly Elladan and Elrohir called out, “ All hail Malrendil the black king”.

The others soon took up the chant and called it out repeatedly even as their new leader had gone to his bride. In her tent Gilraen removed her tiara and dress. She retrieved a gauzy nightgown from her trunk and slipped into it. She also loosed her hair and then stood and awaited her new husband's arrival, praying to the Valar it was Malrendil. When Harry entered Gilraen's quarters he was treated to the sight of her in a nearly transparent nightgown.

She stood with her back turned to him her usually regal disposition replaced by a nervousness. Harry pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the ground. When Gilraen still didn't take notice of him, Harry walked forward and circled his arms around her waist. He heard Gilraen softly gasp his name and chuckled.

“ I am here but I must admit I have never touched a woman as I am meant to do tonight” he said softly.

Gilraen turned to face him still in his embrace.

“ Then I will have to teach you my dear husband” she replied kissing him fiercely.

Harry ran his hands down Gilraen's back to her ample behind and lifted her so that her legs wrapped around his waist.

Gilraen broke off the kiss to bite at Harry's neck. He let out a low growl and walked over to their bed. The wizard dropped Gilraen into the soft pillows before landing on top of her. As he kissed her throat Gilraen racked her nails down his back. She felt him hiss in pain against her neck.

“ What is wrong Malrendil?” she asked.

“ My back” came the muffled reply.

Gilraen lifted her hand in front of her face only to see blood spilled upon it.

Gasping she looked passed his shoulder to see that she had reopened one of the wounds on Malrendil's back.

Gilraen slipped from under her beloved wizard, “ I'm going to get a healer”.

Harry gave a grunt in reply knowing that he needed help. Gilraen put on a thick robe and quickly went to find help. When she returned Gilraen was with Elladan and Elrohir. The twin sons of Elrond carried a rack of jars filled with healing herbs and bandages. Identical frowns of worry set upon their faces as they saw the injury.

“ How did this happen” Harry heard one of them ask.

He could practically envision Gilraen blushing.

“ We don't want to know,” retorted the other who Harry was sure was Elladan.

“ Malrendil are you alright” Harry turned his head to the left. One of the twins was standing over him.

“ Does it look like I'm alright?” he snapped.

Harry saw the elf give an impish smile and knew it was to Elladan whom he spoke. The wizard felt Gilraen rub his arm comforting him and distracting him from the sting of medicine being poured onto his back. Suddenly he felt a burning sensation on his back and fought the urge to scream.

“ This will hurt but a moment (mellonmin my friend) so stay still” he heard Elrohir say.

Elladan heard Malrendil growl like a beast who had just been caught in a noose and shook his head.

“ I don't think he would agree with you brother”.

Gilraen sat on the edge of the bed watching as Elhoir applied some kind of blue substance to her husband's back. When Elrohir was done he wiped his hands clean of the concoction and bade Gilraen and Elladan to lift Malrendil up right. They did as instructed and helped Elhoir wrap the gauze around his upper and lower torso.

“ You will need to take it easy for awhile Malrendil” Elhoir instructed trying his hardest not to laugh.

“ Yes so no laying on your back or back scratching,” piped up Elladan.

Gilraen blushed five shades of red and tried to slap the elf. But Elladan's reflexes saved him from Gilraen as he and his brother left the couple alone. Harry sighed in annoyance only to feel his wife's lips upon his shoulder.

“ Ignore them my lord, let us get back to what we were doing” said Gilraen trying to redirect his mind back to their earlier activities.

It worked like a charm. Harry didn't know how it could happen so quickly. Gilraen knew where to touch and when. She started slowly, kissing his neck and rubbing his thighs. The wizard couldn't stop the moan from rising in his throat if he tried. The queen of the Dunedain smiled wickedly at her virgin lover before quickly letting her hand trail to his engorged length. Automatically he gasped and leaned back and gripped at the sheets. Carefully Gilraen stroked the rigid length making sure to circle the sensitive head with her thumb.

“Dear Eru”!

His wife chuckled, “I knew you would like that”

Malrendil was too distracted to answer. Gilraen gently avoided Malrendil's abused back in favor of racking her teeth from his pulse point to his quivering shoulder. Her hands set upon roaming again noting any and all the reactions of her newly wedded husband with great relish. She bit, licked, and suckled each and every inch of his exposed body doing her best to inflame both their' passions. Almost hesitantly Malrendil began to return her attentions, lying between the tan thighs of the Dunedainian queen. His touches became bolder, firmer as their' passions rose so too did his confidence.

At one point in their' fiery foreplay Malrendil latched his mouth onto her right breast and taunted its twin glob with his callused hand. He savored in the salty taste of her sweat soaked skin and scrapped his teeth over the teat. Then he gave the other the same treatment. Gilraen moaned and grinded her pelvis against his length, Malrendil's groan reverberated through her chest.

“I want you,” she stated breathlessly

He released his much eager prisoner to meet the eyes of his beloved. Yet still the black wizard hesitated he still knew nothing of such things. Seeing the anxiety laced in emerald orbs Gilraen took hold of one of his hands.

“I want you here” she said huskily

And with her guiding hand Malrendil touched her most sacred folds.

She closed her eyes with a throaty moan, “I want you inside of me”

Never had Malrendil's eyes burned so brightly. Fiercely he kissed his wife with the primal need that she had set aflame in his body. He pressed the head of his length into her wet flower, deepening the kiss in such a way it made their' world tilt off kilter. Eventually they had to separate for air and their' eyes locked on to each other.

“You have become my heart,” he whispered reverently

Gilraen smiled, “And you have stolen mine”

Without another word Malrendil thrust forward and fully sited himself inside his wife. The muscles in his neck became tense and he took a ragged breath inward. The feeling of his wife's body squeezing him was unbelievable. Encouragingly Gilraen squeezed his shoulder bidding him to move. Malrendil needed no second signal, pulling out before diving right back in.

He loved the way she tossed back her head and called out his name in grandeur as he pounded into her tight body. Gilraen held onto her husband's shoulders for dear life. With all of his inexperience Malrendil more than made up for it with passion. He made love to her with carnal passion yet at the same time was gentle and soothing. He didn't know how much his caresses and the feel of his velvety tongue tasting her drove her into insanity. He merely hammered into her body with the power of an animal and the caress of silk making her beg for more.

Gilraen intertwined her legs with Malrendil's and drew him closer to her and arched her back with an erotic moan of pleasure. He stared down into her eyes darkened in yearning, as his desire became an inferno. Gilraen closed her eyes and opened her legs wider with her hands pushing at his buttocks. She heard him pant out her name and felt his hands forcefully raise her hands above her head, which only drew her closer to him. Gilraen ground her pelvis harder against his seeking release and forcing Malrendil over the edge with her. And with a final shout of pleasure Harry and his wife fell asleep.

The next morning Gilraen woke up to feel a warm weight atop of her. She opened her eyes only to see that it was none other than her husband Malrendil the black and that they were naked under the sheets that only came to their waists. ` He seems so happy' she thought wiping a stray lock of hair from his face. Immediately Malrendil's eyes shot open.

He looked groggily surprised at first and then as he became more alert his eyes became wide, “ This is a dream”.

Gilraen smiled at his slight naivety.

“ Than it is a good dream,” she replied with a kiss.

The wizard closed his eyes savoring the feeling of complete bliss that washed over him. Then he pulled away from her and rolled onto his side, ever mindful of Elrohir's warning. Gilraen snuggled her head below his chin and curled the rest of her body around his as he wrapped his arms around her.

“ I pray to the Valar this dream never ends Gilraen,” he whispered.

The noble woman toyed with his necklace trying to decipher its origin and language but her efforts were naught.

“ Tell me Malrendil, tell me who gave you the scars on your back and who gave you this necklace” she implored.

She heard her husband sigh, “ The scars are the result of my uncle becoming drunk and I not having much healing skills”.

Gilraen gasped in horror. Harry forced her to look up at him.

“ Don't worry for me Gilraen I survived the experience I can live with the memory,” he said sternly.

“ And the necklace” she asked more than willing to change the subject.

Harry let go of her chin and fingered the necklace that lay at the dip of his throat.

“ It is a family heirloom belonging to the women of my family, but seeing as my mother bore me no siblings I was given the necklace”.

Gilraen hugged him tightly, “ it must have been lonely”.

“ There were some good times but most of the time it was a nightmare” he said his accent becoming heavy.

Suddenly someone entered the tent. Harry cursed as the light stung his eyes. Gilraen pulled the cover up to her chin guarding the view of her body from the intruders. Four handmaidens had entered into the tent. Two carried basins of water with towels and the other two carried two sets of finely tailored clothes. Lastly Eliza entered with a morning chipper that annoyed the couple to no end. “ Rise an shine greet the early morn ye sleepy heads” she said in a sing song voice.

“ I'd run if I were you Eliza for temptation bids me to do ill to you” said Malrendil in a deadly sharp tone.

“ Get in line,” growled his ruffled wife.

However Eliza paid them no mind and bade the handmaidens to drag them out of bed if they must. Gilraen was more inclined to get out of bed at that moment and allowed the handmaidens to bath her.

Her disgruntled lover however would not relent.

“ No way” he snapped as the women closed in on him to bathe him.

But eventually he conceded to their wishes unwilling to use his powers for such a childish reason even if it was embarrassing that someone beside his wife saw him naked. As Harry was bathed by the handmaidens Eliza helped Gilraen get dressed. Gilraen was wearing a velvet black dress with a silver corset. The sleeves were long and tied at the end with silver ribbons. Upon her feet were black low-heeled slippers.

When Eliza finished tying the last lace of the corset Gilraen walked over and sat at her vanity. She watched the maidens' reflection as they undid her husband's braid to wash his hair. She could plainly see the tension in his shoulders as they did so obviously not used to being bathed by anyone. Eliza combed her hair and pulled her forelocks into a bun. When Eliza was done Gilraen stood and watched as the maidens toweled off her husband. She chuckled Malrendil looked like a drowned rat.

“ You find this funny,” he said menacingly but there was a playful edge to his tone.

“ Why no my lord not funny at all” she replied with a straight face.

He moved to chase her only to be stopped by Eliza. She and the other maidens began to dress him ignoring his annoyed glare. They shoved a silver long sleeved shirt over his head and forced him to put on a pair of black pants with matching boots. Then they forced a velvet black tunic over his head that had gray embroidery and was belted at his waist with a white sash.

But when Harry went to braid his hair, Eliza batted his hands away. The old handmaiden had other plans for his hair. She squeezed the remainder of water out his hair and then divided his hair in three sections, the front, sides, and back. The front and sides were left alone while the back was tied off at the end with a white ribbon. Once she was done Eliza and the other maidens stepped back and surveyed the end result. When the old woman nodded in approval the other maidens cleared out the tent.

“ They are waiting,” she told Gilraen who joined her husband's side.

Gilraen smiled and nodded. Without another word Eliza left the tent.

“ Who might I ask was she talking about” asked Harry taking hold of her arm.

“ The presentation of us as husband and wife requires for us to be seen the morning after our wedding night” she said blushing “ and then we eat breakfast with the rest of the camp”.

Malrendil sighed.

“ Then let us get this over with I had no intention of leaving that bed” he said kissing her. Gilraen smiled before leading her beloved outside where their new life together awaits.