I Aear Cân Ven Na Mar
Chapter Six – Lhach

Night was falling, and there was a chill in the air. It had not been many days since Legolas had agreed to join the Fellowship, and the company was set to depart the next night.

Anariel sat at the vanity in her room, braiding flowers into her hair. She felt strangely calm, considering all that was to happen over the next several hours. It had taken some time to let go of the seizing terror she'd felt initially when Legolas had decided to join the Fellowship, but she was determined to be as supportive as possible and bolstered up as best as possible. They had spent much time together in the days afterward, deciding how to put their affairs in order before he left. Somehow, having a plan was comforting.

Though she greatly wished to return to Mirkwood, scouts had informed Lord Elrond that the return trip was becoming impossible to make safely. Not even Saelon, Gelir, or the other elves who had accompanied them would be returning to the Woodland Realm for the foreseeable future. This news weighed upon them heavily for the safety of their friends and families. Especially on this night particularly for Anariel, she wished to see her parents, if only for a moment. Her feä's connection with her parents had always been strong; though it was difficult to commune with them from afar, she'd found. Nonetheless, as she reached out to them in her mind she could feel them, offering their love and support as best they could. It seemed to her that they knew what was happening.

Fleetingly, Anariel wondered to herself if the feeling she had was at all similar to the way Legolas' mother felt on the eve of Thranduil's departure to join the Last Alliance. She felt an odd sort-of kinship with Almwen now, and found herself missing someone she didn't even know.

A knock upon her door interrupted her thoughts.

"Enter," she called, finishing her braid and smoothing her lavender gown. It was a rather simple gown for the occasion, she thought, but that could not be helped on such short notice.

The door creaked open and Saelon appeared. He was dressed in the finest clothes he had brought with him; green and silver robes with a circlet of leaves around his head. His grey eyes seemed to glow and he smiled when he saw her reflection in the mirror over her shoulder.

"You are most beautiful, my lady," he said, stopping inside the doorway and offering her an abbreviated bow.

"Thank you," Anariel replied, trying to hide her blush by looking down as she pushed away from the vanity. She turned, having collected herself, and walked over to where the ambassador stood and took the arm he offered her. "And thank you for your service to us this night," she added, "we are in your debt."

"You most certainly are not. We are all pleased to be present for Prince Legolas, and for you. It is an honor to be with you on this auspicious occasion. But come," Saelon said, "your prince awaits."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The moon and stars shone brightly down into the glade where Legolas and the others of the Mirkwood company stood, waiting for Saelon to appear with Anariel. He pulled at the long, green velvet sleeves of his robe nervously, and he knew that all around him were watching in amusement. Vexed, he tried to will his nervousness away with a deep breath.

"Prince Legolas," a nasal voice came from behind him. Legolas put forth a great effort not to groan. He could not handle a lecture from Gelir just now.

"Yes, Lord Gelir," the prince sighed, turning to face the ambassador. Legolas was surprised to see the usually tightly-wound Gelir's calm, almost happy demeanor.

"While you know I think this event is best suited for your father's halls," he began with an eyebrow raised and a smile on his lips. Legolas was shocked – was Gelir teasing him?

"I am happy for you," Gelir continued, "and offer you my blessings."

The prince could only stand there and blink in mute astonishment for several moments before mumbling his thanks.

Suddenly, a hush came over the elves in the glade who had previously been chatting softly. Legolas turned away from Gelir and felt his breath leave him in one great whoosh when his eyes landed upon Anariel who had entered the glade on the arm of Saelon. She wore a simple, but beautiful lavender gown with silver details. Her blue eyes found his, and the prince found himself transfixed. Anariel was radiant, smiling hopefully at him as if to ask if Legolas approved of her look. Surely, the prince thought, he'd never seen anyone or anything so beautiful in his life.

About halfway to where Legolas and the other elves stood, Saelon and Anariel stopped.

"Now comes Anariel, daughter of Alagos and Naerdiel, before Legolas Thranduilion, Prince of the Woodland Realm," Saelon pronounced, beginning the ancient ritual.

"For what purpose does she come?" Gelir asked.

"To fulfill our troth, and be wedded this day," Anariel replied steadily, her eyes ever on Legolas.

"Then let her come forth, and let us be wed," Legolas finished, holding out his hands.

Saelon released Anariel from his arm, and she took two graceful steps forward, her smile glowing like the sun as she reached out and placed her hands in Legolas', who pulled her towards him. He then took the silver betrothal ring from her right finger and slipped it into a pocket, from whence he retrieved a golden wedding band. He placed it on her finger, saying as he did so:

"In the name of Manwë, I take thee, Anariel to be my wife. I pledge to love, honor, serve, and protect thee for all of time."

Anariel similarly removed the silver engagement band from Legolas' finger and replaced it with the golden wedding band her father had sent. She spoke:

"In the name of Varda, I take thee, Legolas, to be my husband. I pledge to love, honor, serve, and protect thee for all of time."

"Before Eru these our kingdom's children have spoken," Saelon and Gelir said in unison, "let them be joined in love and honor eternally."

Legolas and Anariel leaned towards each other and kissed, and in that moment they both felt something change within themselves. The bond that had been growing between them was more present and tangible than it had been ever before. The world seemed still as Legolas and Anariel gazed upon each other in a sense of wonder.

Those in their company came forward to give their congratulations and blessings, and then they all departed together to attend the evening festivities Lord Elrond had planned for the guests of his house.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

With the evening meal over, folk adjourned to the Hall of Fire for song and dance. Anariel and Legolas had decided, since this was not a celebration of their wedding – or, indeed, a celebration at all – they would not dance together until they were ready to retire from the Hall. Legolas diplomatically danced with elleth of Lord Elrond's house, and Anariel likewise danced ellon; Glorfindel and Elrohir, and others. Little Peregrine Took asked to teach her a jig, and she danced 'round with the halfling for a few dances until Mithrandir admonished the Hobbit for his disturbing boisterousness. With a laugh at Mithrandir's wink, Anariel retired from the dance floor.

She could see Legolas was dancing with Arwen, and beyond them on the opposite side of the Hall, Aragorn was standing off to the side speaking with the man from the South; Boromir. Anariel suddenly was seized by a desire to speak with the Dúnedan, and moved around the dancers. She could feel Legolas' eyes on her as she went. She found, strangely, that she could also feel the questions bubbling in his mind in her direction. The elleth cast a glance at him over her shoulder and smiled in reassurance.

As she approached she could hear that Aragorn and Boromir were discussing which roads would be safest. Their conversation ended when Aragorn said as finitely as he could:

"We put our trust in Mithradir and Frodo. They shall decide by which roads they travel."

"For now," sourly replied Boromir.

"Peace, Boromir," Aragorn replied, giving a nod of acknowledgement to the lady from Mirkwood. The man glanced over his shoulder and regarded her, then turned and strode away.

"My lady Anariel," Aragorn greeted her.

"Lord Aragorn," the elleth curtsied.

"How do you fare?" He asked.

"As well as can be," was her reply as she turned and leaned against the wall next to him. Truthfully, Anariel was not sure which end was up, or what she should feel. She was delighted beyond measure to be married, but trying not to despair at her husband's departure and the significant risks to his life on the road ahead. Tense seemed to be the only word that actually came to her mind. She could sense the same feeling in Aragorn as he held his chin in his hand, scratching at his beard as he watched over the dancers. A silence fell upon the two as they glanced out on the crowd, both pairs of eyes following one couple who were still dancing together as friends.

"Tomorrow you take him with you," Anariel broke the silence. The Heir of Elendil glanced over at her and then back at Legolas and Arwen.

"Legolas? Yes," Aragorn replied. "He is very brave in answering the call of the Council. I shall be glad to have him by my side."

The dark-haired elleth took her eyes off the crowd and looked at Aragorn. She bit her lip for a moment, and then spoke.

"May I ask a favor of you?"

Aragorn met her eyes. His expression gave away nothing as he replied at length, "Certainly."

"Keep him safe," Anariel said simply and quietly, not looking away as her cheeks flushed. "He is my husband."

Aragorn shifted in surprise, and his eyes flickered down to her right hand, catching sight of the golden band on her finger. He smiled and nodded at her, but Anariel could see grief in his eyes. Despite this, he quickly offered his congratulations to her and then continued,

"I can do this, but I must ask a favor in return," he said.

"Of course."

"Watch over my beloved as well."

Anariel, puzzled, furrowed her brow. Her questions were answered when Aragorn returned his gaze to the dancers, and she followed his eyes until her sight fell upon Arwen, and then she understood.

"I will," she promised with a smile. Aragorn nodded and thanked her, and a companionable silence descended upon them as they both ruminated over their circumstances and newfound connection with each other. Anariel marveled at Aragorn's and Arwen's choices. She and Legolas had agreed that they desired to be married before he left so they could take comfort in each other's presence. There was obviously no time to plan for the future outside of their bond. The idea of reunion and children someday in the future would be a beacon of hope for both of them. But upon Aragorn's shoulders sat the hope of mankind. With no heir, hope would perish with him, if it should come to that.

"Are you afraid?" Anariel suddenly asked Aragorn. He looked at her and considered her question.

"I fear what will happen should we fail," he replied frankly. "Not for myself, but for those we should leave behind."

The expression on Aragorn's face told the elleth that there was more that he was not saying, but she did not press him. And, in any event, she sensed Legolas approaching her, and she turned to see that the dance had ended and Legolas and Arwen stood before them.

"Making new friends I see," Arwen remarked to Aragorn, a resplendent smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.

"Yes, the Lady Anariel and I are finding we have some things in common," Aragorn replied, smiling at the elleth from Mirkwood. Legolas glanced between the two of them with questioning eyes. Before he had a chance to ask any questions, however, Aragorn held out his hand to Arwen.

"My lady, may I have this dance?" He asked. The daughter of Elrond gracefully nodded her head. The four bowed respectfully again and Legolas stepped aside to let Aragorn claim Arwen's arm. When Anariel and Legolas were alone, he stepped close to her, and held out his hand.

"I know it is not the Feast of the Forest," he said with a smile, recalling their age-old tradition of attending the Feast of the Forest together, "but will you dance with me?"

Anariel smiled and nodded, finding that she could not speak over the many emotions tumbling over her. The music began as they reached the floor, and Anariel could not help but let out a laugh when she recognized the song. Legolas stared at her as they began the steps.

"Do you not recognize it, Legolas?"

The prince thought for a moment, and gasped almost audibly when it dawned on him.

"Our last dance," he said quietly. Images played across his memory of the way she had looked to him on that night so many years ago when Thranduil had held a feast for Mithrandir; of how Anariel had tried to confront him and how he had shied away. He could not help but laugh shamefully at how poorly he had fended her off. He would never forget the look on her face that night, and how it tore his heart in two to watch her go. Images of their encounters afterwards flashed in his mind; of their icy meeting in Arthion's healing room, awkward encounters in hallways, and finally, when she came to find him the night Gollum disappeared.

As they moved through the steps, Legolas pulled her closer than the danced required.

"Thank you for coming to find me, my love," he said softly into her ear. He felt her shudder.

"I will always, Legolas," she whispered.

He pulled away and looked into her eyes as they continued through the steps of the dance. To them, they were the only ones in the room. All else was lost as they communed silently, the fires of their love for each other kindling in earnest. Legolas was not sure how much time had passed when, with an affectionate squeeze of her hands, he led Anariel off the dance floor. She seemed magnetically attracted to his side, and he allowed her to possessively loop her arm in his as they walked off into the night towards Legolas' chamber. They gave no care to any who may have seen them leave, and no one stopped them.

NOTES

1. Lhach means "flame."

2. On Legolas and Anariel's marrriage: we know from LACE that really the only thing elves require for marriage is the act of bodily union (ahem), but I thought that the act of binding houses together would be important, especially for one of royal lineage such as Legolas. Tolkien says that the ceremony was a way for the families to display their love and favor on the union, and it's my feeling that devoted subjects of the Elvenking would want to give their blessing if no family was available (particularly since Anariel and Legolas had obtained blessings for their betrothal in writing). The vows were adapted from Tolkien's description of the ceremony in LACE, and inspired by Nilmandra's version of the vows in her story, "A Fire Long Kindled."

Hi readers!

Because we are about halfway through the story, I wanted to take a quick moment to thank those who have left reviews; I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness and I'll be reaching out to you all individually in a moment. Real life's been a bear recently so I'm a little behind in my correspondence - sorry. Also thanks to all of you who have followed and added this story to your favorites (but not reviewed!?). Hope you're enjoying!

Just wanted to also give you a head's up that things are about to go awry for all of the characters, but don't worry. Things have to get really bad before they can get really great, right?

Happy reading!

Vendie.