The day of Mereth Nuin Giliath had arrived. The kingdom was bustling with activity. All the plans that Elanesse had put into place were falling into place. The finest reserves of wine were brought up, the finest foods, breads and desserts were baking in the kitchen. Her mother came in as she had the last 2 days. Her mother had not noticed that her daughter was awake and sitting up in the bed.

"Nana'?" her mother turned around and hugged her. "My Illeg, you came back to us! I knew you would!" Her mother kissed her face. "I must tell your father and the kingdom."

"No. Tell father, but no one else. Not yet."

"Why, the king and your friends want to know."

"I know, but I want to surprise them. How has Thranduil been?

"Ilegg, he has been a terrible mess. The others in the kingdom say that he has not slept since you were brought here. He has been by your side every day. He stayed with you last night and kept watch. They say when his wife died, he lost hope, but it seems with you, his hope and feelings of love have been reawakened with you. He is crazy for you."

"I know. I heard him pouring out all of his feelings to me last night. How much he loved me, how he could not bear a life without me…" Elanesse told her mother all she had heard him say.

"I worked too hard to make this feast special for him and everyone. I will attend the feast. My strength has been renewed. I feel wonderful. Will you help me surprise everyone?" Her mother agreed.

Elanesse told her mother to gather the dress and necklace and then to tell her father the news. He was to speak to no one about her being awake. Aredele had even fashioned her a silver headdress to wear, with the king's gifts. Elanesse kissed her mother and told her she was going to go take a bath, as the hours of Mereth Nuin Giliath were upon them. Her mother quickly sped out of the room and headed to her room. She told her husband about all that was to take place. Erophin changed into his attire and assisted his wife with readying for the feast. After they had both dressed, they saw Legolas in the corridor.

"How is she?" he asked. "As well as can be expected, Legolas. We are heading down to her room. I want to change her clothes and have the maids help me wash her up. She has lain in the same spot for days."

"Yes. The feast will not be the same without her. My father has been pacing his chambers. He is on edge. He is missing her madly. I miss her as well, she is my friend. I can never repay her for what she did for me; for all of us. I wish she knew. "

Aredele looked at the elven prince in his formal attire and the saddened look on his face.

"Come with me, Legolas." Erophin shot her a look of confusion as they walked down the corridor. When they arrived at Elanesse's chambers, he mother went inside. Elanesse was sitting in a robe, brushing her hair and massaging white lily oil into it. She had taken some small white diamonds and wove them in her hair. She turned to see her mother come in and quickly shut the door. "What is the matter?" she asked.

Her mother whispered, "Elanesse. We have guest who wants to visit to you again, as thankfulness for saving him and Tauriel. He does not know you are up."

"Mother, bring him and father in." Aredele opened the door and led the two men inside and shut the door. Legolas could not believe his eyes. He ran up and hugged her and twirled her around and held her hands as he sat her back down.

"You look beautiful, Elan. I am so happy you are well. I have missed you, Tauriel has and my father. In fact the whole kingdom has been quite dreary since the spider incident. You are so special to us, more than you know. I can never repay you for saving us all and mostly my father. I have not seen so much joy in his face for centuries."

"There is no need to thank me Legolas. I love you and Tauriel dearly. You have been friends to me since the beginning. I'm sure you know by now, how I feel about your father."

"I do. I am happy for you both. He will be so happy to learn of the news."

"Do not tell him. Not yet. I want to surprise him." She walked over to the dress and necklace he had made for her and picked them up. "I have never seen something more elegant and beautiful in my life. This seems to be a reflection of his love for me. I want him to think that his hope and love is what brought me back. I know that he lost it when he lost your mother. He credited me for bringing love and hope back into his life. He confessed much to me when I was sleeping. I was conscious and heard all of what transpired. Besides, if I am to make an entrance, I need to get dressed. This robe will not do."

Legolas laughed. "I will tell no one. I will keep him focused on the feast and away from here, but it will not be easy."

"I wouldn't have expected it to be. He is stubborn and so are you. By the way, you and Tauriel are attending together I hope?"

"Yes, we are. Just as friends, not lovers or anything. You were right, her and I have fun. I mean we grew up together. Speaking of, I must go." Legolas kissed her cheeks and hugged her. "See you later."

Elanesse went over to where the gorgeous silver dress was hanging. It was strapless, with silver beads on the bodice with a glittered organza skirt with a long cathedral train behind it. The necklace and headpiece that her mother had made matched it all perfectly. She took her robe off and stepped into the gown and put on the silver slippers. She had her mother assist her with putting the dress on, as she couldn't reach the back to zip it up. Her mother placed the large sparkling necklace around her neck. Elanesse placed the head piece on her head.

Her mother's eyes, started to water. "You look like royalty, my love."

"I think that may have been the king's intention." Her and her mother giggled. Aredele said, "He will be surprised. I don't think he can conceal his feelings for you anymore." Her mother kissed her cheek and went to the hall and grabbed her father and they headed to the Great Hall. True to his word, Legolas was keeping his father distracted.

"Ada, everyone is arriving. You cannot leave now!" said Legolas.

"I must. I want to see how she is doing." Said Thranduil.

"I'm sorry, but I went to check on her myself. She is fine. Her mother and father were preparing to come here. You cannot leave the people now, what kind of message would that send to them? Elanesse spoke of hope and love. She worked hard to make this entire celebration about just that. Don't you think you owe it to her to believe and show the people that as well?

Thranduil thought for a moment. Legolas was right. He didn't need to be sitting in his room, but he should be with his people. He walked over to his mirror and adjusted the red berry crown. He looked absolutely regal in his silver beaded brocade jacket that covered a gray tunic and pants. He had his silver boots on, his usual jewelry and a red crimson cape around his shoulders. His outfit was the same color as Elanesse's dress. He smoothed his hair. He nodded his head in agreement and he and Legolas walked out to attend the celebration. Their presence was announced and the king and son entered the celebration in usual fanfare. Thranduil glanced over to see Tauriel speaking to Erophin and Aredele. He nodded at them. He went up to his throne to announce the start of the celebration.

"For many millennia, we have celebrated Mereth Nuin Giliath, the feast of Starlight. This celebration is by far the most extravagant we have had. We have had so much to be thankful for this past season, as we have reaped a successful harvest and welcome the future ahead. This Mereth Nuin Giliath we will dine on our bounty and dance the traditional waltz, just as our elders did so long ago. All this was made possible, by our beloved Elanesse, who is unable to be here. It is in her honor that we continue to make merry and celebrate the pure love and hope that starlight is and will always be." The people erupted with applause, for it to be silenced. At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the Great Hall. Legolas, Aredele, Erophin and Tauriel smiled at each other. The servants opened the doors. Slowly, entering from the doors was Elanesse. She was clad in the delicate silver dress that flowed behind her, wearing the necklace and a headpiece that sparkled like twilight itself. She looked like a vision sent from Eru Iluvatar himself. Thranduil's heart raced as he glanced at her radiant face, which shown even brighter when she smiled at him. He quickly descended the stairs of his throne and his tall frame hastened through the crowd to her. She stopped right in front of him. "No vêr i thin, hîr vuin(Good evening, beloved lord). I apologize for being late." She said as she bowed to him.

He stood there admiring her pure, rare beauty. She was breathtaking. He swept her up in an embrace and kissed her. "You are here. My heart sings with joy, meleth nin. I have missed you so."

"I know. I heard what you said earlier. I am honored that you think of me so."

"I meant every word. You brought joy and hope back to me, for which I can never thank you. You saved my son and the others, which we can never thank you." He put his hand on his heart, "You saved me too."

At that moment, it seemed that they were the only two in the room. They kissed more passionately than ever. Their lips pressed against the other's, their tongues exploring each other, as if it had been centuries. The crowd, including Legolas watched with gladness, though the kiss was longer than comfortable for him to watch. Tauriel gave him an elbow and he elbowed her back.

"Meleth nin, people are staring at us." She said as she broke the kiss.

"Let them. I do not care. You are here, with me, that is all that matters now." He said.

He held out his arm and the couple walked to the head table. Thranduil was at the head and she beside him. Everyone else filled in the other chairs. The people found other tables to eat upon in the room. "Let us begin." He announced. The feast began. Later after the food was gone and most of the caskets of wine had been exhausted, the waltz began. Thranduil took Elanesse on the floor and danced with her. They flowed effortlessly across the floor holding one another and dancing in perfect sync. He never let her out of his sight the whole evening. She talked to her parents, Legolas, Tauriel and the other people. He watched as everyone hugged her or talked to her. The happiness on their faces was enough for him to know, this is where she belonged.