I don't own any recognizable character, Tolkien does. All hail Tolkien.

*Indicated thoughts*

Dancing torchlight reflected off the high shimmering walls of the cavern. Every Dwarf of the Glittering Caves was present in their finest garments. Anticipation lay over the assembled like a soft and still blanket. There was no shuffling of feet of murmuring of voices. Silence was Legolas' companion, as he stood alone at the opening of the tunnel leading to Gaila's rooms. He stood with grace and patience born of centuries, but his thoughts raced. He kept repeating the Dwarven phrases in his head. The ceremony would be conducted in the traditional language of the Dwarves and Legolas was not familiar with it. It was a great thing that an Elf would even be allowed to hear these words, let alone speak them. Gimli had carefully coached him on the phrases and their timing. He had also made it abundantly clear that any mistakes on Legolas' part would not please Gimli at all and there would be consequences.

A soft sound of fabric behind him caused him to turn. Legolas' breath caught in his throat. Before him stood a vision. Gaila's red curls glinted gold in the firelight and fell well past her waist. It was held back from her face with a carved circlet of mirthril about her head. Her dress was a simple gown of a rich blue that matched her eyes. The neck and sleeves were embroidered with threads of mithril. Legolas had seen many beautiful things in his many years. Gaila did not have the airy beauty of an Elf, the childlike sweetness of a Hobbit, or the brief and intense light of a lady of the race of Men, but she possessed the smoldering fire and indomitable will of a Dwarf and in that moment she was radiant.

Legolas recovered enough to shut his mouth and give the ritual bow expected of him. Gimli's voice boomed throughout the Hall. Legolas knew what was being said, even if the words meant nothing to him.

"Lo, who there comes forth? Who presumes to join in eternal partnership?"

Legolas swallowed and raised his voice and formed the unfamiliar words.

"Gaila, daughter of Gloin, sister of your own blood, comes forth Lord Gimli." Legolas began to walk toward the dais raised before the great fireplace, now cold. It would be lit again at a specified moment. He held the velvet wrapped axe before him and held his face expressionless beneath the gaze of hundreds of Dwarves. He climbed the platform and bowed to Gimli, who waited patiently in the center. Legolas turned and stepped back, still holding the velvet bundle, as Gaila ascended the platform. She bowed to her brother.

"Dolin has proposed to join me in union and I have agreed to see a marriage made. Let him come forth, if he still thinks his offer worthy." There was a moment of silent anticipation then a deep voice called out.

"Dolin, son of Garin, believes his offer is worthy and come forth he does." A Dwarf Legolas had never seen before parted the crowd preceding Dolin and carrying a carved stone box. He bowed to Gimli and took his position behind Dolin as he climbed the steps. Dolin stepped forward and bowed low to Gimli. He turned to Gaila and bowed to her. She reciprocated and stepped forward to stand at his side. They turned and looked to Gimli.

"Do you vow to honor one another, to be true in all times, to mine the earth and tend the forge as husband and wife until the sleep of death shall separate you, before the Maker, swear it thusly," said Gimli gravely.

"I swear it, before the Maker," answered Gaila and Dolin in unison. Gimli nodded and Dolin turned to his attendant and took the box from him. He opened the small chest to reveal its contents. Inside, nestled on purple velvet lay two wide and beautiful bracelets. They were wrought of mithril and set with shimmering moonstones.

"With this gift, I would be your partner until I am called into the sleep of death. Do they please you, Gaila, daughter of Gloin?" Gaila stepped forward and picked up one of the bracelets. She studied the polish of the stones, the finish of the metal, and the way it looked on her wrist. She replaced the bracelet and shut the chest.

"They are most satisfactory." Gaila then turned to Legolas who carefully handed her the axe of her crafting. She unwrapped the axe and held it out to Dolin. "With this gift, I would be your partner until I am called into the sleep of death. Does it please you, Dolin, son of Garin?" Dolin took the axe from Gaila's hands and tested its balance and ran a finger over the etchings on the blade. A small quirk of his lips was all the notice he displayed of the warning carved there.

"It is most satisfactory." Dolin handed the axe to his attendant who then handed the chest with the bracelets to Gaila who turned the box over to Legolas' waiting arms. Gimli took Gaila's and Dolin's hands and joined them.

"Let all recognize this union and rejoice this day, for Gaila and Dolin are wed!" proclaimed Gimli and he raised their joined hands. The fire behind the dais sprang to impressive life on cue and an enormous cheer when up from the crowd that was all the more amplified by cavernous room. An amazing figure they cut framed by fire and glowing in the face of deafening applause. The sound was most impressive. The roar subsided a bit and a rousing song was begun by a group of musicians that seemed to have grown overnight. In fact it had, as had the number of Dwarves present. Many had traveled to witness this joining. Dwarven weddings were few and far between; this was truly a day of celebration.

Legolas handed over the box of bracelets to Dolin's friend, as he would be taking them to the couple's new chambers. He stepped off the dais and, as unobtrusively and an Elf among Dwarves can manage, made is way for the table where he would sit at Gaila's right hand for the ensuing feast and the rest of a very, very long night.

The stars seemed very close this night. Legolas hummed softly to himself, relishing the tune of the night and the soft breeze on his face. He stood at the opening of the caverns, fleeing the heat and noise and the dreadful ale he could not stop drinking. There were footsteps approaching. Legolas sighed. He knew someone would eventually come after him, but he had hoped for more time to think.

"Grown weary of merriment already, Brother?" Legolas turned slowly to see Gaila emerge from the shadows. "You realize we do this again tomorrow night, yes?" Gaila smiled at Legolas' wince before he returned his gaze to the heavens.

"Yes, Gimli told me all about the...extensive celebrations of Dwarves."

"Quite thorough, we are. Perhaps too much for a flighty Elf?" Legolas snorted and her smile widened.

"We shall see what you think once you have seen a night of singing storytelling such as the Elves are capable of." Legolas turned his gaze toward Gaila as she came to stand by him. "No, I merely sought some quiet, to clear my head." Gaila nodded and regarded the stars with him.

"What did you think of the ceremony?"

"It was beautiful," said Legolas. "I am honored to have been allowed to witness it."

"Thank you and you performed wonderfully. One would think you had spoken our language all your life."

"I am glad I did not disappoint."

"I don't know that you could disappoint me, Legolas. Ever."

"I must have found a way," said Legolas before he knew what he had done. Gimli would have been proud of the expletives Legolas thought to himself as he turned to look at Gaila and braced himself for her ire. The Dwarf did not look angry. She looked tired.

"Are you still angry at my choice, Legolas?"

"I was never angry, Gaila. I just do not understand."

"What is to understand? Dolin asked me to marry him and I agreed. I had no other suitor. He is a Dwarf who shares my visions for what we can do in these caverns. We will live out our lives here; raise a family here, underground. It is the path I have chosen, the path I desire."

"And you considered no other path?"

"Perhaps I did. A life above ground, in the light and the trees with you and Gimli. It is possible I did consider that life."

"With Gimli and I. Never with me alone?"

"Have you ever considered a life with me alone? Giving up wandering the woods, in a home beneath the earth?" Legolas blinked. "Even if you had, I would not ask it of you, but I would not wait for you to visit me and I could not leave this place. You belong out here," Gaila waved an arm over the meadow and toward the sky, "with the air. I am bound to the earth in a way I could not relinquish, nor should I."

"So we are too different? Destined to be alone?" Gaila laughed then, a ringing laugh and her dark eyes sparkled in the starlight.

"Alone? I am not alone, I do love Dolin and this is my home and my family and the choice I have made and I do not regret it. Legolas Greenleaf, when was the last time you were alone?"

"A few minutes ago. Perhaps even now." Gaila's smile faded, but did not die.

"You are my brother, Legolas, and I will love you as such for all of my life. You are never alone as long as I live. There are those who love you more than even I, who chose your path as their own. Never destined to be alone, for destiny placed you together."

"Speak plainly! I do not know what you mean."

"No. No, you don't, but I have faith that you will. Mayhaps you should refrain from the ale. It has addled your brain in a way I believe you will find embarrassing at a later time." Gaila turned and stepped back into the cave, leaving Legolas staring after her.