As old fashioned courting went, what they were having was the best example of it. But it had never gone back to the way it was the first date. The easy camaraderie that had sprung between them effortlessly hadn't come back. Oh, they still talked about various things, conversation flowing between them as easily as between friends, but she felt as if somewhere between the first night and her running away and coming back again, they had stepped over a line that neither of them wanted to acknowledge openly. That first date night was carefree and almost magical. But now, their relationship had somehow altered.
Relationship? Can theirs be called a relationship? The world thought they were lovers. The media has dubbed her as his current girlfriend. When asked about it, he had never confirmed or denied their relationship. There, that word again. She didn't know what would happen after the wedding was over. She would leave for home she supposed. But neither she nor Feanor had ever talked about it after that night. And she didn't want to think about it. She'd cross that bridge when she came to it.
Feanor slipped a hand inside her palm and led her to the house. He could feel a fine tremor going through her body. He looked at her. She was looking straight ahead, her slight shoulders taut, lips trembling slightly. He was confused. Well, it was expected that any girl would be apprehensive to meet total strangers for the first time but she seemed to be too tensed. He gently turned her so she was facing him, with a questioning look on his face.
"Do they know I am coming with you?" she asked nervously.
"Of course they do."
"What do they know?" She was so out of depth, she didn't bother hiding her anxiety.
"Hey." He said softly. "What's the matter?"
She exhaled forcefully, "Nothing. It's just…I don't know what to… or how to behave with…you know?" she faltered, not knowing how to put her thoughts in words.
"The family of the guy you are dating?" he finished for her.
She considered that for a moment. Looking up at him with a frown she said, "You do realize we haven't actually had more than one date since the day we met?"
He was actually surprised. She was right. They did just have that one date so far. And so much had happened in that date and the subsequent days that he hadn't even thought about it. And possibly ravishing each other every night and whenever else they could didn't actually count as dates. He made up his mind.
"Tell you what Idril? We are going to make amends. We are going to go on dates every night we are here. That'd mean we'd get seven dates before we return home. What do you say?" he asked, his eyes bright with the idea and a mischievous smile playing on his mouth.
She gave a sort of wan smile. She wasn't really enthused by the idea of dating him. Why? What was wrong? What did he say? Or didn't she want to go to dates with him? Maybe she was losing interest? He was a little surprised that he felt so offended by the idea of her losing interest in him.
She saw that he was confused by her lukewarm response and tried to put more heart into her smile. Seven dates before they returned home. And what after that? What did they do after they returned home? She wanted to ask. How many dates did they have then? Or was it going to be goodbye after that?
Feanor took her face between his palms and kissed her nose lightly. He felt her startled response. Unable to help himself he adjusted his aim lower. Their lips fused and then and there he forgot the world. Just like the first time they had kissed. Whatever else might have changed but that hadn't, he thought with satisfaction. She melts in my arms just like the first time. Why was he denying himself that again, he asked himself?
"Wow." She breathed. "What changed your mind?"
"About what?"
"About that no intimacy in private rule that you have?" she couldn't help from the barb slipping into her tone.
He laughed. "No rule Idril. We are starting our first date from today. And that means I'm going to show you a good time."
Suddenly there was a squeal of a child's voice, "Mommy, Uncle Fea is here."