Disclaimers: Read the Author's Notes. Question: who wants Legolas to be a virgin, and who does not? I will make the decision based on which gets the most votes, and the wedding night is in the next chapter! Evermead = Elven wine, very fancy, used for important ceremonies. (Not mine) Ok, I didn't know much about Elven wedding ceremonies, so I just… made it up. Don't flame, please?
Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed
Part 9. Time
It was time.
Three long days had passed since Aragorn had decided to go through with the betrothal. Three days of planning, preparing, and making arrangements for a private ceremony. Only six people knew about the secret wedding, and all were sworn to secrecy.
Legolas and Aragorn, of course, knew of the ceremony, for it was for them. Elrond and Mithrandir knew as well, because they had planned the entire affair, carefully keeping it a secret from nearly everyone in Rivendell. The only reason that Elrohir and Elladan knew was for a simple reason: they had overheard Mithrandir and their father speaking, as they made plans for the wedding.
Aragorn and Legolas got along quite agreeably, though not without their little fights. The blond Elf continuously tried to prove to Aragorn that he did not need to be protected, but it never seemed to work. The half Elf had grown very, very fond of Legolas, and felt a compulsion to keep him safe. Though Aragorn did not believe that he could call his growing feelings for Legolas love, at least not yet.
They had come close several times to being intimate, though they knew it was not safe yet. Legolas had even apologized for it, for it was hard on them both, especially since Aragorn had insisted that they share a room, to get used to it. Both it was desperate, this wanting they felt for each other, though they were forced to hold back and wait.
And now Aragorn had to wait again, in a private clearing in Rivendell.
It was twilight now, with pink, lavender, and blue sprinkled across the sky. The scent of roses was in the air, from the nearby red and white rosebushes. The green, soft grass smelled fresh, for it had rained earlier in the day, and the smell mingled slightly with the rose scent. A bubbling fountain was nearby, splashing as water overflowed from it, trickling onto the ground.
A few lanterns illuminated the clearing, chasing the shadows away. A small table sat between two of the lanterns, with a white cloth covering it. A golden chalice sat on the cloth, next to a glass pitcher of Evermead. A pale blue ribbon and a small, cloth-wrapped object rested beside the pitcher as well. The grass-covered ground had soft, delicate white rose petals spread across it, and the petals shone clearly in the soft glow of the lanterns.
Elladan and Elrohir stood to one side silently. The twins wore identical ceremonial robes, which were a dark green. They were here to witness the private ceremony, should it need witnesses, in case Meron tried anything at the public wedding.
Elrond's robes were a golden color, reminiscent of the sun's rays at dawn. He stood just in front of the table, calm and stoic, as he always seemed to be. He and Mithrandir alone were not worried that anything would go wrong this night, for they had taken every precaution to keep it secret.
Aragorn wore a midnight blue tunic and leggings, with a baby-blue shirt under the tunic. His sword hung at his side, as always, ready to be drawn in a moment's notice. His muscles were clearly defined in the tight-fitting tunic and shirt. Aragorn appeared anything but calm, as he nervously paced, wondering what was taking so long.
All eyes were drawn to the small partition that had been placed a few feet away.
A faint, white glow emanated from behind the partition, as Mithrandir continued finishing the spell. Legolas stood there calmly before his friend, until Mithrandir completed his spell-casting. He was not surprised that the Istari wore his customary robes and hat.
The Elven Prince was barefoot, with a small, silver chain around his right ankle. He wore a shimmering, one-piece, off-white robe, that swirled below his knees, with intricate scalloped sleeves. The bottom of the robe matched the sleeves, except fringe hung from the scallops.
Legolas had a gleaming, golden chain hanging around and down his slender waist, emphasizing it even more, with emeralds encrusted in the chain, which clearly showed against his white robe. A necklace hung around his thin neck; a silver chain with a mother-of-pearl cross hanging from it, that had curved edges. A tiny, flawless emerald was embedded in the middle of the cross. His hair shone like spun gold, offsetting his pale skin and beautiful cerulean eyes.
When Mithrandir had finished, he stepped back and smiled at the Elven Prince. 'It is done,' he told him.
'Thank you, Mithrandir,' Legolas said, gratitude showing in his eyes.
The Istari just smiled and gestured for his Elven friend to follow him, as he led the way from behind the partition, to where the others were waiting.
Aragorn saw only a tiny bit of the Elf that trailed after Mithrandir, and he grew all the more anxious for it, for he was worried that something had gone wrong with the spell.
Mithrandir seemed to sense Aragorn's anxiety, as he took his place next to Elrohir and Elladan.
Everyone in the clearing stared at the beautiful vision before them.
In the light of the lanterns, Legolas looked ethereal, almost like an angel, as his golden hair hung free, with a few braids in it. He seemed to pay no mind to how he was stared at, as he silently walked over to Aragorn.
The half Elf gazed at Legolas, awe and something else written on his face. How could this radiant being belong to him, Aragorn wondered. Legolas was so beautiful, both inside and out.
And up until the moment, Elrond had been fretting over the nature of his youngest son's feelings towards his betrothed. But he worried no longer, as the Elven lord saw the expression on his son's face. Aragorn adored Legolas, it was plain to see.
Elrond cleared his throat, and looked at the two who stood before him. He spoke for a few moments earnestly, about how serious the commitment of marriage was for Elves and Men alike, and how it was not to be entered into lightly.
Legolas and Aragorn nodded in agreement to Elrond's words, though they kept darting glances at each other. Both were slightly nervous.
'Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, do you swear to remain true and faithful for the rest of your life to Aragorn? Will you stand beside him always, and never stray from him?' Elrond asked the Elven Prince gravely.
'I so swear,' Legolas answered solemnly. 'For the rest of my life, I will look to him and no other.' His words were eloquent and his voice did not shake, which was a good sign.
Elrond nodded slightly, before turning to Aragorn. 'Aragorn, son of Arathorn and of my heart, do you swear to be honest and faithful to Legolas, remaining beside him for always?'
Aragorn nodded once and murmured, 'I so swear, for I will never leave him.'
'In swearing so, you have promised yourself to each other for however long you both shall live,' Elrond said seriously. He turned to the table, and poured some of the Evermead into the chalice, before he lifted it and handed it to Aragorn. 'In drinking from this chalice, you bind yourselves together in body and soul.'
Aragorn solemnly drank from the chalice, before he turned and gave it to Legolas, who drank as well. The two passed the cup back and forth, until it was empty. Elrond took it from them both, and replaced it on the table.
The Elven lord then picked up the cloth-wrapped object and slowly unfolded the cloth, revealing two shining, silver rings. Little designs were on them, but they matched perfectly. Elrond told Aragorn and Legolas both to each hold out their right hands, which they did. He placed one ring in each open palm carefully before speaking. 'These rings are a symbol of the promise that you have made to each other. Place the ring on each other and speak your promise.'
Aragorn felt he should go first, so he took the ring in his fingers, carefully sliding it onto the index finger of Legolas' left hand. 'I promise, Legolas, that I will never hurt you or leave you. I will always care for you, from now until forever.'
Legolas gently smiled, as he slipped Aragorn's ring onto the half Elf, murmuring, 'I promise, Aragorn, that I belong to you and no other. I will forever remain true to you, and never leave you, for I will love you for the rest of my life, however long it is.'
The two gazed into each other's eyes meaningfully, brown meeting sapphire, until they turned back to Elrond.
The older half Elf spoke once more. 'In speaking these words, you have fully bound yourselves for the rest of your long lives. Take each other's hand.' When the two had done so, Elrond took the blue ribbon and wrapped it around the joined hands, before he tied it. 'From this moment on, you are as one.'
The ribbon was then untied, for the ceremony itself was over.
Elrond bid them good luck and farewell, for the newly-wed couple had to spend their first night here.
Mithrandir embraced Legolas and squeezed Aragorn's shoulder.
Elrohir hugged both and murmured, 'Good luck,' before he left.
Elladan did the same as his brother, only he blew out the lanterns before he went, plunging the clearing into darkness.
Legolas and Aragorn stood there silently until they were certain that they were alone, before they turned to each other.
To be continued