The stars had begun to twinkle above Rivendell as Alex approached Arwen's courtyard. The soft glow of lanterns hanging in the trees illuminated the path leading to her door.
Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked gently. The door creaked open, and Arwen appeared, her face lighting up with a mixture of anticipation and hope.
"How did it go with my father?" she asked softly, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
Alex smiled, stepping closer. "He gave us his blessing," he replied, his voice steady yet filled with emotion.
Arwen's face broke into a radiant smile, and without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Her head rested against his chest, and Alex felt her joy radiating through the embrace.
"Oh, Alex," she whispered, "this means so much to me."
They held each other in silence for a while, the world around them fading away. When she finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, and her silver-blue eyes glistened with happiness.
Alex cupped her face in his hands, gazing deeply into her eyes. "Arwen, I want to share everything with you, not just this moment, but my life, my world. Will you come with me? To see the place I come from and the places I've yet to explore?"
Arwen tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "To your world?"
"Yes," Alex said earnestly. "There's so much I want to show you, so much I want you to be part of."
Arwen hesitated only briefly before nodding. "I will go with you," she said, her voice resolute.
The two sat together on a stone bench, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the valley in hues of gold and crimson. They spoke quietly, sharing their dreams and their hopes for the future, their hands entwined.
As the last rays of light faded, Alex rose, extending a hand toward her. "Shall we leave now?"
But Arwen stopped him, her gaze soft and warm. "Let's wait until morning," she said. "The night feels too beautiful to leave behind."
Alex nodded, understanding the sentiment in her eyes. He leaned down, his lips brushing against hers in a gentle kiss. She responded, her arms encircling his neck, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, a tender exchange that spoke of their shared emotions.
Sweeping her into his arms, Alex carried Arwen inside, the doors of her chambers closing softly behind them.
In the privacy of Arwen's chambers, the world beyond seemed to fade entirely. The room was bathed in the gentle glow of moonlight streaming through the curtains.
Alex set her down, and for a moment, they simply stood there, gazing at one another.
Arwen reached up, her fingers brushing against his cheek. "I've waited for this moment," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
"As have I," Alex replied, his own emotions evident in his voice.
Slowly, they moved closer, their breaths mingling as they shared another kiss, this one filled with an unspoken longing. Alex's hands slid to her waist, pulling her against him as the kiss deepened.
Arwen's hands moved to the clasps of his tunic, her fingers deftly undoing them as she sought the warmth of his skin.
They undressed each other slowly, reverently, their touches unhurried. Each piece of clothing that fell away revealed more of the love they held for one another.
When they stood bare before each other, Alex took a moment to admire her, his eyes tracing the elegant lines of her form. Her soft skin seemed to glow under the moonlight, and her silvery hair twinkled as it cascaded down her back.
"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.
Arwen blushed under his gaze but did not look away. Instead, she stepped closer. Standing barely to Alex's chin, her hands ran over his shoulders and down his chest. "And you are mine," she said softly.
Alex held her delicate body as he laid her down on the soft bed, his hands gently exploring her. Her silver-blue eyes glistened under his touch as her once pale skin now bore a hint of rosy complexion.
With her affirmation, Alex kissed her deeply, grasping the side of her hips, pulling her close. A tear trickled down her cheek as their bodies fit perfectly together, exploring the depth of their connection.
Their movements were gentle, guided by trust and love. The room filled with the soft sounds of their union, a symphony of whispers, sighs, and murmured endearments.
As the night wore on, they lay entwined, their hands and lips seeking each other again and again. Each touch, each kiss, spoke of the promises they had made and the commitment for the future.
When morning came, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the two figures lying together. Arwen stirred, her head resting against Alex's chest as he gently ran his fingers through her hair.
"Good morning," she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.
"Good morning," Alex replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
They lay together a while longer, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. "We should arrange our marriage after we come back here. I will bring you on a journey toward the stars and beyond," Alex whispered.
Arwen nuzzled closer to him. "As long as I'm with you, my love, I have no complaint," she responded dreamily.
Feeling his body start to react again, Alex chuckled softly. "We should prepare to leave soon. Are you ready?"
Arwen nodded, sitting up and reaching for her clothes.
After dressing, the two made their way to Mín Heimr. Once there, Alex turned to Arwen. "To ensure your safety, I'll entrust you to Lily's care for a while."
Arwen nodded as he clasped her hand.
In the heart of Mín Heimr, Alex called out to Lily, who appeared in a shimmer of light. The two women exchanged greetings, and Alex explained his plan.
"She'll be safe with me," Lily assured him.
With one last kiss, Alex stepped back, dissolved into particles, and reappeared where he had stood in Rivendell. Alex made his way to the hall to inform Elrond of their plan and bid him farewell.
In a flash of golden light, Alex returned to his world, where time had remained stagnant. The familiar sight of his villa greeted him as he arrived. With a wave of his hand, he resumed the flow of time, and the stillness of his surroundings came alive once more.