When Love Takes You In

A/N: (Hey everybody thanks for the good reviews! I have put a picture of Ramo up just so you can get an idea. I have taken some liberties with a few details but such is an authors perogative *smile*)


Legolas knelt before the high marble throne waiting for his answer. After a few moments he could see Aragorn descending the steps to stand beside his friend. "If this is what you want, then I will grant your petition." The new King had noticed that Legolas' smile wasn't as quick to appear or as bright as it had been in the past.

"Thank you, mellon nin. You don't know how much this means to me, to both of us."

The pair began to walk through the great hall. "However there's something you should know Legolas. Before we came to Minas Tirith, Ramo was Faramir's woman for many years. If anything were ever to go wrong between the two of you there could be trouble."

The Elf chuckled. "We'll be far away from Gondor, you don't have to worry."

The ceremony was a simple one with only the Royal Couple and Gimli in attendance. Ramo had no friends in the City. Ramo and Legolas exchanged vows of fidelity and he gifted her with his Evenstar, a sign of his love for her. A love that neither of them felt. It was a marriage of convenience, but only the two of them could ever know. To all others they must appear to be happy, content lifemates. Ramo fingered the Evenstar hanging around her neck. It was a beautiful jewel but she felt out of place, wearing it.

That night the two of them were finally alone for the first time since their initial meeting. Legolas wasn't quite sure how to proceed. Ramo was sitting on the edge of the bed looking nervous. She had been with Faramir many times but she loved him, not Legolas. And where passion lacked, duty offered nothing more than a cold love potion in comparison. But he was to be King of Mirkwood and every King needs an heir. The mattress dipped and there, sitting beside her was Legolas with a smile on his face. Ramo wrapped her arms around her new husband. He stiffened in her embrace but he quickly relaxed as she began to kiss him. "You don't have to do this." The words were whispered against her hair and Ramo pulled away slowly.

"Why? If I am to be a good wife to you, there must be children."

Legolas pulled her arms from around his neck. "I will not force myself onto you. You are too precious for that." He rubbed her cold hands between his to warm them. "In time after we have grown to know each other, intimacy will follow."

Ramo looked up into this gentle mans face. He was not at all what she had expected from a warrior like him. "Thank you, M'Lord."

He kissed her gently on the top of the head. "I am Legolas." Then in the silence of their bedroom, the Elf and his Lady slept.