Chapter 12

The day finally came, filled with bright sunshine and happiness. Tauriel couldn't believe how fast the month flew by. In fact, it often seemed like she got several days in the dream world for every day she spent in reality. That suited her just fine as this had become her true reality.

Their cottage was practically done, and she began to really think of it as home, even when in Mirkwood. The place was clean, the shelves stocked and their new mattress felt like they were sleeping on a cloud. Kili had kept firm to his word, and after a month of patience, Tauriel was fully expecting to use that mattress tonight for something other than sleeping.

All that seemed to be left to do to finish off the house was replace the broken furniture. Ever since Kili became involved with Jack and woodworking, he was determined to build the pieces himself. He'd already started outfitting the workspace in the shed with tools and wood for the project. He planned to buy a horse soon to pull the cart, which he'd fill with his creations and sell at the marketplace. Tauriel couldn't suppress her smile whenever he spoke of his big dreams excitedly.

"Here, slip your legs through here." Nan held up the dress, allowing Tauriel to climb in and pull it up. Nan had made a few alternations so it fit perfectly.

Tauriel ran her fingers down the satin material, admiring the fine embroidery. Nan fastened all the little buttons running up the back of the dress. She felt like a queen, and almost cried. Never did she think she would ever be a bride. Even when she'd been Captain of the Guard in Mirkwood, her prospects had been low. Legolas' feelings for her had been a poorly-kept secret, so even though she didn't really return those feeling, it would have been a daunting prospect for any other Elf to attempt to court her.

"What do you think about flowers in your hair?" Nan asked, bring her back from her thoughts.

Tauriel frowned. "Do you think that would be too much? I mean, it's just going to be your family, Kili and Gandalf. I don't want to trouble you."

Nan waved her protests off as she got the brush. Little white flowers sat in her basket. "You only get one joining ceremony. And you never know who might show up." She pulled her hair back in a clasp and wove the flowers through the strands. "Kili was just bursting with nervous energy this morning. Practically bouncing off the walls with excitement."

Tauriel laughed, trying to stay still for Nan. The humans had a tradition where the bride and groom weren't supposed to see each other the day of the ceremony. Kili thought it romantic, and stayed over Jack and Nan's the night before.

"There, all done. I wish there was a mirror for you to see it." Nan sighed. She glanced outside. "Time for me to get going. You wait here for a few minutes and then make your way just over the hill. Everything should be ready."

"Did you set something up? I thought we were just doing it on the edge of the forest."

"Oh, we didn't do anything too fancy! Don't you worry! Give me a few minutes to make sure your groom looks presentable!" She yelled the last part through the door as she ran out.

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and it took a lot of self-control to stop her from running out the door after her. She felt like she was floating as she made her way over the hill toward the forest. She couldn't wait to see the look on Kili's face.

Then she stopped dead in her tracks.

The entire clearing had been transformed into a place of celebration. Off to the side, sat two long tables lined with all different kinds of food, including a three-tiered, white-iced cake. Beside that, three humans stood with instruments, a harp, a violin and a flute. She recognized the flutist from Bree. As soon as they saw her, they began to play a lovely melody.

Tauriel's mouth gaped open as her eyes shifted to the mass of people lined up along a white liner stretched out over the grass. As she inspected them, she realized she knew them! Jack and Nan with their three children, baby Celia clutched in Jack's arms. Nan motioned at her to keep moving, so Tauriel slowly walked down the aisle.

Her Dwarves! Dwalin, Balin, Oin, Gloin, Ori, Nori, Dori, Bombur, Bofur and Bifur. All of them smiled at her, except for Balin, who looked more reserved. Bilbo the Hobbit stood beside them. Then came Bard with his children, Sigrid, Bain and Tilda. The girls squealed with joy at seeing her.

Wait. She froze again. Legolas stood near the back, beside a young man she didn't know with thick, dark hair. Legolas' brown eyes pierced into her, making her stomach clench. She knew his feelings for her. Why would he come? What if jealousy prompted him to tell his father about this? What if Thranduil considered their union an abomination and decided to hunt them down?

Then her sight fell on Kili, and all her doubts vanished. He smiled brightly at her, his eyes sparkling. He bounced on his toes, obviously working hard to restrain his excitement. He wore the same dashing outfit from the feast, with the white silk shirt, tooled leather vest and black velvet trousers. One of the Dwarves must have brought it for him, because she knew he hadn't packed it. His long, dark hair was pulled back with a leather strap, and a lone white flower was fastened to the vest. His mother, the Lady Dis, stood beside him, giving her a matronly smile. Thranduil be damned; she was going to be joined with this Dwarf.

Her feet moved forward, almost unprompted, until she stood next to Kili. The music stopped, leaving just the birds sings from the trees.

Kili took her hand. "Tauriel…" His voice cracked.

Gandalf cleared his throat in front of them. He still wore his grey robes and big, floppy hat, but it looked like he might have combed his bread for the occasion. "Sometimes we can't predict who we're going to fall in love with. Often times it just happens, often times it is without reason. But our hearts usually know things that our heads refuse to see. Kili and Tauriel have allowed their hearts to guide them, and in doing so, have found the kind of love we all crave.

"As you all know, this joining is a very unique one. I've not heard of an Elf and a Dwarf falling in love. Yet, when you see them together, their eyes locking, smiling, the little touches, we all can feel this union is right."

He paused, looking out among the crowd with squinted eyes for any naysayers. No one dared respond for fear of the wizard's silent threat. Looking back to the couple, he directed them to raise their joined hands. Gandalf closed his eyes, speaking foreign word into the air. The top of his staff glowed, softly at first but then brighter, until it looked like a shining star. Bringing the staff down, he touched Tauriel and Kili's united hands.

Tauriel gasped as she felt the power flowed through her. Every nerve ending tinged, but there was no pain. For a moment, it seemed like she could see out of Kili's eyes. She saw herself almost as a radiant angel, dressed in the stunning satin dress and white flowers cascading down her flowing red hair. She wondered if Kili could see how striking he looked through her eyes.

Then the power retreated back into the staff, leaving them breathless.

"You are now joined, Tauriel and Kili."

A great cheer sounded from the crowd as Tauriel and Kili kissed.