Hey everyone! I hope you guys like Legolas cause he is what one-shot is centered around. This is an everyone lives post BOFA kinda deal, if you don't like it read the other one-shots. Just so you guys know I had made the ceremony up myself since I have no clue about elf matrimony.
Paring: Legolas Greenleaf/Tauriel
Rating: K+
The Hobbit belongs to J.R.R Tolkien.
A happy day this was for the Woodland Realm, oh a happy day indeed. People from all over Middle Earth had been cordially invited to the wedding ceremony of the Elven Prince Legolas and the Captain of the Guard, a Silvan elf called Tauriel. An unlikely couple indeed but despite the Elven King's protests to the union; Legolas still pledged himself to the woman. Begrudgingly Thranduil allowed it seeing as if he didn't they would elope and he would rather have his son in the kingdom than not. So he helped host the perfect ceremony he could for his son, since it was the least he owed him after giving him that much grief over his love.
Invitations went out all over Arda, from Lord Elrond of Rivendell and Bilbo Baggins of the Shire to the King Under the Mountain and King Bard of Dale. Delegates from all kingdoms came to the event, Rohan and Lothlorien included. Despite Legolas being glad at the amount of effort Thranduil put into his union it had turned to be one of the worst experiences in his long life. The littlest details were fussed over at epic proportions and in his opinion they were unfounded, who needed a robe made of golden silk with silver accents? Why would Thranduil even fuss about the maids who were in charge of the styles of braids Tauriel had for their big day?
The sweet gesture was soon turning into a tedious mistake, for Thranduil strive for nothing but perfection for his only son.
As the days crawled closer to his official marriage he saw less and less of Tauriel, before he knew it was the day before their wedding and she was nowhere to be seen. He would have loved to see were his bride went but was quite preoccupied at the moment. His father and his maids refused to leave a single part of Legolas unchecked, for they would except nothing short of perfection. His head was hurting from where the handmaids pulled to ensure that his braids would not fall out easily, and his scalp burned from where his father had redone the braids without mercy.
Legolas was weighed down with silks that befitted a prince and a majestic crown that was interwoven in his hair, while his was majestic his father's was regal. The two were very much alike but different at the same time, when Thranduil had the crown commissioned for the wedding it had to be redone multiple times and all one the king's order. No matter how much Legolas protested that his original one was perfectly fine and new one managed to find its way upon his head every week until the king was pleased. He wasn't even going to think about the hell he had been dragged through with his robes, it was still to frightening to recall.
If anything Tauriel was having an equal if not more difficult time than he was, for the poor Silvan elf was finding herself under the watchful eyes of Thranduil more than he. The king critiqued everything to ensure utter perfection, and she was the unfortunate recipient of these critiques. "Too much silk, not enough green, get those curls out of her hair, make those braids tighter, a princess should have a grand crown not a simple one," oh, how the list went on and on. He could hardly live if he was constantly prodded and hinted to 'secure the line' as some council members put it. To be able to prevail through the constant put-downs by the higher elves in the court showed that she had courage and refused to be put down; and he admired her for this trait.
Little did he know that she was also missing him as much as he missed her, and as she stood in her room as her handmaids dressed her in the silk dress that was made for her. She personally loved it and was glad when her design was, for the most part, approved of by King Thranduil; and long flowing skirt and a tight silken bodice was her main ideas. The king and the seamstresses only improved upon her idea, and with white jewels from Erebor that shined like the stars the wood elves coveted so.
Tauriel gasped as the strings on the back of her gown were tightened even further, making her breath escape her very being. As she was being laced up another set of maids were working diligently on her braids as well as carefully setting in her crown and veil. A single mistake could send the fragile wooden tiara to the floor in a bunch of pieces, and one single tug could rip her carefully crafted veil in two. They worked quickly in hopes that the less time they spent fiddling with such fragile items would soon be over. In the mirror there was no sight of the young girl whom fell to the bottom of countless trees from centuries ago, and in her place was a woman ready for the labors of the crown and not of the battlefield.
Here was a woman ready to be married to her One and only.
Maids flinched as they heard the door being opened and in stepped the regal king of the realm, his long blonde hair was flowing free as always and instead of his scowl there was a smile. There were no words spoken between the two and she stared into the mirror with a grin on her face, and Thranduil knew that smile very well for he once held it as well. "Are you ready Captain?" despite her being pledged to his son Thranduil still referred to her as her previous occupation. It was something that would be hard to change since he referred to her as a Captain of the Guard for over six hundred years.
"I've been ready since he pledged himself to me my lord," she replied clearly, and in truth she was. There was no way to explain it but Tauriel knew that she would spend the rest of her immortal life with Legolas and she wouldn't want it any other way. He strode until he was directly in front of his soon-to-be-daughter-in-law and pulled out a strand of stars out of his sleeve. There was no word that could accurately describe the surprise she felt when she felt the cool touch of the late Queen's gems touch her pale skin. "Why?" was the only thing she could say as maids dabbed at her eyes so tears wouldn't fall on her lovely green and silver dress.
"Because you're family now, and I know I may not be the most understanding when it comes to Legolas. I just wanted to offer you my thanks for making him so happy, and that was all my late wife and I ever wanted for him."
She offered no response and he took none, all he did was hug her and offer her his arm. "Its time now, best not keep him waiting long."
"Lets."
~.~.~.
It was said by all the elves of the Woodland Realm that when Prince Legolas saw Tauriel heading down the aisle on his father's arm his jaw dropped open. The Silvan elf, who gained the favor of the people in her devoted service to the kingdom, strode down that aisle like she owned it with the actual elf who did own it. King Thranduil was seen for the first time in a long time with a wide smile for all to see, and it only got wider as he passed Tauriel to Legolas.
They turned to face the crowd and bowed before them, showing their thanks in attending their holy matrimony and in return the crowd bowed back. The couple then turned on their heels to face the elf holding their ceremony and bowed deeply to show their respect. He nodded his head happily before the two turned to face the king and together they knelled and pressed their head to the ground with the arms stretched to him, as a sign of their thanks to bless their marriage. Thranduil stepped forward to them and knelt to grab their hands and as one unit, no as a family they rose from the ground gracefully.
"I bless the union of Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm," his voice echoed in the room for all to hear,"and the Captain of the Guard, Tauriel. May your marriage be bountiful and filled with countless years of peace and love."
"May we offer you our thanks for thy blessings, my lord," they replied regally.
"As a we proceed, may the Valar smile upon such a union and may the bride and groom feel such blessings upon them," as the priest spoke these words and blessings, both Tauriel and Legolas raised their hands to the sky as a sign of the Valar's blessing being received with open arms. "To last a lifetime there must be a start, and instead of pre-written vows the bride and groom has crafted their own. As a symbol of their love they sought out their feelings and emotions to compose such vows. May we hear them, Prince Legolas?" he nodded and held Tauriel's hands lovingly.
"I have scoured the libraries, consulted scholars, and sought advice from my father; nothing could ever explain, neigh convey what I had felt when I first saw you. They could only tell me I had felt love for the one that would stand by my side as my equal, they called it love but that alone is not strong enough to describe such feelings. So I continued my search to find the right word and the closest I had found was fulfillment, it felt as if my life could not continue without you. I, Legolas of the Woodland Realm, hereby pledge myself to you for all eternity; yours to love and to hold through all that may ail us," he was not going to lie, it was embarrassing to say his true feelings in front of other dignitaries. He only hoped that she would come up with something that would make his seem tame, and the blush on his face as he stared into her endless green eyes was extremely visible.
"At first I was sure that I would never be able to stand here, and pledge myself to you. It was beyond my comprehension that someone of your standing would feel the same for a lowly Silvan elf. As for I, there was no way to describe the feeling I had when I had first caught glimpse of you, but now I know that word. It is need, for I needed you in order to live my life and I didn't think I could go without. I will love you for all of my days on this earth. With this I, Captain Tauriel of the Guard, do hereby pledge myself to you for all eternity; yours to love and hold through whatever may ail us."
Thranduil smiled from his perch on his throne, his blue eyes watered slightly with tears at the joyous ceremony and that the sight of Legolas being completely and truly in love with this Silvan elf. "Let us hear these heartfelt words, and weigh them. Do these sound genuine to you my lord?" he was asked and Thranduil nodded his head respectfully.
With a wave of the hand the priest summoned a maid to him, and in her hands she held a goblet filled with dark red liquid. There was no telling what if was to the crowd but Legolas and Tauriel knew, it was a wine with a drop of their blood in it. A symbol of their togetherness and the sacrifice they were willing to take for the other, and according to Elvish secret it was a way for them to feel the other's emotion. Though this was strictly a elvish secret that no other races were to know, and they were protective of their closely kept secret. Just as the dwarves with their language and the hobbits with their true origins.
"Bring forth the testament of their devotion, the reality of their love. With Eru as your witness, I ask that you sip from the goblet."
Legolas retrieved the silver cup from the maid's shaking hands and held it to Tauriel's red painted lips, "May you drink and feel my heart?"
"I may, if it is given freely."
"It is," he tipped the back of her head up and poured the liquid in her mouth an pulled the cup back without a single drop falling on her dress. After giving the maid the goblet he stood in his place right in front of her, and watched as she took the mixture from the maid and turned to him. "May you drink and taste my love?" she asked him.
"I may, if it is given freely."
"It is," she raised the cup to his lips and beckoned his head back before pouring the drink in his mouth. He could taste the sweetness of the wine and the bitterness of their blood. She quickly pulled the cup back and allowed him to raise his head, and as she gave the drink away he swallowed and felt a myriad of emotions. He could feel her nervousness as well as complete love and adoration for him. Legolas knew then she felt the same as he.
"Bring forth the bread and venison cooked by the bride and groom, so that their love be ever plentiful."
Twin maids stepped forward with a plate in their hands, one with venison and one with bread. The two knelt on the floor in front of each other and stoically watched as the plates were set in front of them. The sliced bread was picked up in Tauriel's sturdy hands and she spoke clearly,"I have made you bread, so that you may never hunger and if you do I may provide." He opened his mouth and allowed her to hold the bread as he took a bite, and it truly was tasty.
After he swallowed she placed the rest of the piece on her plate and he held a piece of dried venison in his hands before he spoke. "I have hunted for you the best of deer so that you may never want for sustenance and if you do I will provide," he lifted the dried meat to her lips and prompted her to bite. After she swallowed he could feel surprise that she felt, probably that he dried the meat right.
The twin maids retrieved the plates and backed away, the priest pulled the two to their feet and pressed the palms of their hands together. "And as by Eru's will, a piece of silk will be tied around their hands. To symbolize their bond, the silk will remain until their wedding night," he retrieved a silk of the purest white from the King's throne himself before returning to the couple. They both stared into the other's eyes as the silk was tied around their hands, and with one last tug they turned to the crowd.
"May I present the union of Prince Legolas and the new Princess Tauriel, my Prince? You may kiss your bride," using his free arm he swung her around and kissed her tenderly on her lips. There was nothing to them but the other and the roar of the crowd was gone, but as her feet returned to the ground they came back to earth. Thranduil descended from his throne and stood in front of the newlyweds, and hugged them both to him.
"Congratulations, and the best of happiness to the two of you."
"And to you as well," they replied.
Yes it was a joyous day, since royalty doesn't get wedded everyday.
~.~.~.
A reception was held in one of Mirkwood's ballrooms, and it was grand to all that saw it. The Lady of Lothlorien glided across the wooden floor with the Lord of Rivendell while the lone hobbit danced the night away in the arms of the King of Erebor. Thranduil escorted a young Tilda who hopped along with him rather than dancing along with the tempo, as her sister was hunched over with Prince Fili of Erebor who lead her into a dance. Though all these illustrious people were dancing around another the real attention was on Tauriel and Legolas.
They looked as they flowed along the floor with their silken clothes flowing behind them, and some stopped their dances to view the couple. The silk around their hands fluttered in the breeze they created as they spun around the dance floor. The dignitaries from the other lands talked about the ease the royal couple presented as they danced the first dance.
It was rumored that Legolas was extremely flexible, more so than other male elves; and ladies from all races swooned as he fell into a split with his hands supporting Tauriel's weight from above. She was gripping the joined hand with all her might as his free hand was held on her waist, and he gracefully rose to his feet. All the while spinning her in the air. The light seemed to lake it like they were in their own world of starlight, and it was beautiful to watch.
Then Thranduil called the attention of all including Tauriel and Legolas but no words were offered and instead he stepped to the side and doors opened. Revealing the biggest cake that many had ever seen, it was made to perfection from the bottom to the top. Every sugar flower sparkled in the light and the only hobbit was seen with stars in his eyes.
Legolas and Tauriel stepped forward and was presented with a knife that they held with their tied hands, and together they waited as the large pastry was wheeled into the room. The guests were all eager to try some of the delicious looking cake and spend the rest of the night partying even after the couple was long gone. As the first slice was cut together time seemed to stop for all and before anyone knew it that lovely night was gone and the next morning came.
Then the next and the next, before an entire decade had passed and Tauriel had just given birth to the royal children Annor and his brother Fainor.
It was pleasant to see children roaming the halls with their parents, and since they were a rarity to have they were blessed to receive a small token of gratitude from the princes. Be it a smile or a small flower, they were cherished beyond belief; the boys had begun to toddle by their fiftieth year alive. Annor and Fainor celebrated their birth under the light of spring stars with their parents and many of the subjects in the kingdom.
They were only fifty-three when their father had left to ensure that they would be protected from the dangers of Sauron, and journeyed to Rivendell ready to give his life so that his family and his kingdom may endure. When he returned the twins were fifty-five and Tauriel was heavily pregnant with another child, and a year after his return she gave birth to Líreth, the princess of Mirkwood.
By the time of her brothers' one hundredth birthday she had fallen at the foot of every tree in Mirkwood, and scrapped her knees more than her brothers. While Annor was inverted to like the library and books to bow and arrows, Fainor was more than happy to show Líreth the basics to everything Legolas had taught him.
Líreth was by all rights a daddy's girl, but she had her grandfather wrapped around her fingers and with every beck and call he answered. More than happy to indulge his granddaughter he took her to Dale while Fainor practiced with Legolas and her mother was busy keeping Annor company.
It was a happy life that he lived, there was never a moment in which he had wished something different. As centuries passed he ascended to the throne after Thranduil abdicated it, the former king more than happy to keep any potential suitors away from his favorite granddaughter. Tauriel remained true to the vows she made on her wedding day, and lived throughout the years by her husbands side.
As queen she was loved by all, and when she was just passing her 1,395th birthday she was blessed to find that she was once more pregnant.
To Legolas everyday was a joyous day.
Hope you guys enjoyed this! I personally enjoy a good Legolas fic every now and then and I wished to extend my love to others by composing my own one-shot for him.
Ragehappy Mavin Fan