Firstly, HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! (4 days to go, but still...!)

Secondly, I think this will be 3 chapters overall, maybe 2... I'll try and finish it before Christmas but I'm not promising...

Rating: Well, I thought I should make it R just in case... really, it's not that bad, but I wanted to be safe...

Disclaimer: Tolkein owns everything, not me... though I think you all knew that already...

Dedication: to Cerridwen-Evereven, the WHOLE story!, because she's just amazing! ;)

A/N: This takes place the first winter after Aragorn's coronation. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

"Arwen for the last time, no mistletoe!" Aragorn softened as he crossed their room to where she was putting on her nightdress and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm sorry meleth, I didn't mean to shout."

She put a pale hand to his cheek and met his eyes. "But I don't understand why not," she said, pressing her forehead against his as he pulled her close.

"I've told you a thousand times," he sighed. "If you ask me once more, I may be forced to call for a divorce first thing in the morning, and then there won't be a Mid-Winter ball tomorrow at all!"

Arwen laughed, knowing he wasn't in the least bit serious, and pulled him down onto the bed next to her. "Tell me again," she asked innocently as he began to get undressed.

"Melda, sometimes I think you really will be the undoing of me!" He dropped his shirt to the floor, feeling his wife's heated gaze on his back as he took off his trousers.

"And you will undo me," she whispered as he blew out the candle, plunging to room into half-darkness, "if you do not kiss me right now."

He grinned despite himself, and moved closer, bringing his mouth dangerously near to hers. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" He said softly, his breath tickling her lips as their eyes met. She nodded slowly, her gaze flicking pointedly to his mouth. He nuzzled his nose against her cheek, brushing his fingers over the sensitive tip of her pointed ear, kissing the corner of her mouth before moving back to survey her.

Her nightdress was cream silk, so sheer and low cut it left nothing to the imagination. The curves of her body cried out for his touch, porcelain skin aching to be kissed. As she lay there, watching him watching her, she felt a shiver coarse through her body at the burning desire in his eyes. To be wanted in such an intimate way by the man she loved so deeply sent fire through her veins, threatening to reduce her to ashes at his feet. Her hands moved over his body of their own accord - she had no control.

Aragorn was fighting his own battle too, between maintaining his pride and succumbing completely to the beautiful woman before him. Currently, the latter was winning, and he found he was quite happy to let it do so. But his beliefs still held, and he knew once he had persuaded her to his way of thinking, he could have her any way he wanted.

"Don't think," he said, struggling with his hoarse voice not to reveal the helpless position he was in, "that by making love to me you'll change my mind about the mistletoe." He swallowed. "I stand by my reasons, melethrai."

Her eyes remained fixed on him for a moment, before she said calmly, "Goodnight," and turned her back to him.

Aragorn lay there, stunned. Either he had mistaken the look in her eye for something other than desire, or she was much better at controlling her emotions that he was. He certainly knew he could never have turned willingly away from her in the high state of arousal they were both in. He sighed, wrestling for control over his body and mind. Even the curve and hollow of her back made his heart race at four times its usual rate.

He knew this feeling well - it was the same one of utter helplessness he felt whenever she took him to that place where bliss and torture rode together on the tidal wave of climax, bringing so much pleasure, leaving them praying for death before the end.

Gathering every ounce of strength he possessed, he tore his gaze away from her and looked instead at the canopy of thier marital bed. "Arwen, do not think I do not want to take you into my arms and love you right now. I just will not be swayed on my decision." He knew her lack of reply was not due to tiredness - she was being stubborn. "I don't think it's fair on those who have no one to kiss, that's all. I want everyone to enjoy the ball, not just those who are lucky enough to have someone to share it with."

He moved over to her and pulled her gently against him, and she relaxed immediately into his embrace, all trace of stubbornness gone. His hands ran lightly down her arm as he pressed a kiss to her shoulder. She let out a breathless sigh as he brushed her hair from her neck and face, devouring the uncovered skin with hungry lips. When he knew she could bear it no longer, he turned her slowly in his arms and kissed her, his tongue moving straight into her open mouth, continuing the dance that had been going between lovers since the world began.

She moaned softly as his lips descended to the sensitive spot where her ear met her jawbone, his hands sliding her nightdress from her shoulders. She gripped his hair, holding onto the dark locks to assure herself the world wasn't going to fall away from beneath her. "Estel..."

His name clung to the air as he rolled her over onto her back, still kissing her, still driving her insane. It wasn't long before they were riding together on that tidal wave of ecstasy, before finally falling back to earth in each others' arms.

Arwen smiled sleepily at her husband as he pressed soft kisses to her neck. "You know," she said quietly, "I never realised you were so considerate." She yawned and snuggled closer to him. "But don't you want to steal kisses under the mistletoe?" As if to prove her point, she met his lips with her own in a lingering kiss.

He smiled through a yawn. "Of course I do. It's just.... unfair on... people..." He trailed off, closing his eyes.

Arwen watched him for a few moments before closing her eyes too. "When you were a ranger, you were always so spontaneous," she murmured to his chest, as sleep came to claim her. "I think becoming king... you've lost your... sense of romance..."

And as she slipped into the world of dreams, Aragorn opened his eyes and marvelled at her words. So he'd lost his sense of romance, had he? A plan began to form in his mind. Yes, he thought as sleep began to take him, tomorrow she'd discover just where his sense of romance was...

To Be Continued...

ok, a few other things:

Thank you to everyone who reviewed Truth Or Dare and One One Moment In Time, I love you all!

Secondly, viviana, I don't think you have a profile, and you asked me about my fic The Soul Has No Rainbow, so if you want me to tell you more, leave me your email address in a review or email me on I'll explain about it..... Thanks! :D