Chapter 43

And that is what they did. Over the next decades, Tally and Legolas taught each other about themselves and about life. Tally taught Legolas about her life, her world. They visited towns and cities and Legolas became familiar with the objects Tally had been dealing with all her life. She took him shopping, to the cinema, but at the end of their trip, both were glad to return to the Sanctuary, to their friends, the people who truly knew them. Legolas taught Tally what it meant to be alive and what life as an immortal could mean. He showed her the beauty that lived in the landscape around them and the beauty of the love they shared. Both took their responsibilities as leaders seriously, and sometimes duty came before love, but they could always find time for each other, even if it was just a few quiet moments shared together at the end of a hectic day. They still fought all the time, but the anger was short lived and most of the time they went about in a blissful state that made most other people feel ill. Twenty three years later, on the fortieth anniversary of the time they first met, Legolas and Tally got married.

The morning dawned and Tally was woken early by Malia, still her devoted servant. Kaelira and Naela arrived soon after. They were all still friends and so they were to be bridesmaids. Tally soaked herself in a hot bath to try and calm her nerves. She'd had butterflies in her stomach for over a week. She tried telling herself it was silly and she and Legolas were all but married, but it didn't work. She'd been off in her own world of silks and flowers for the months it had taken to prepare the celebration, but now the day had arrived and she knew the ceremony was going to be perfect, so long as she remembered her vows. She jumped out of the bath and wrapped a towel round her screaming,

"My vows! Oh someone help me, I know I'm going to forget one of Legolas' titles or one part of the vows. Where did I put them down? Quick! Help me find them. Where on Earth did I put them? Malia have you seen them?"

"My lady, please sit down and calm yourself. Here are your vows. You know you know them. They will all flow from your mouth as soon as you set foot on the altar, which will look stunning, as you also know, because you have been planning it for months. So stop flapping about like a madman and let me dry your hair!"

Tally was calmed momentarily, but as soon as she had touched the seat of the chair she stood up again. Malia let out and infuriated noise,

"Where are the flowers for Naela and Kaeli's hair?" Kaelira and Naela stepped in before Tally drove Malia round the bend,

"Tally, just sit down," Kaelira soothed, "It's all taken care of."

"Relax, please Tally. You're driving us all mad. Do we have to tie you to that chair?" Naela threatened. Tally sank unwilling into the chair. She still studied her vows, muttering them under her breath as Malia towel dried her hair. In the background Naela and Kaelira began to do each other's hair and make-up. Malia piled more and more of Tally's hair onto the back of her head and pushing tiny pink flowers into it. The result was an elaborate bun with some parts splayed out and Malia cut some shorter parts to frame her face. Naela did Tally's make-up, just as she had done for Tally once before. Naela and Kaelira were ready. Malia had changed. Tally slipped her dress over her head and put on her shoes. She turned round to face the other three. Tally's face broke into a smile as she caught sight of her reflections. Naela and Kaelira bounded over to her and they hugged and jumped up and down. Malia, meanwhile, burst into tears,

"Oh my lady, to think how things have changed since you got here. Oh my lady!" and she became incomprehensible under her sobs of joy. Talin and Ghilad walked through the door without knocking,

"We judged by the noise you were ready." Talin said,

"Tally you look fantastic!" exclaimed Ghilad, "As do all of you," he added quickly.

"Aren't you two supposed to be with Legolas?" Asked Tally, "Is something wrong? Nothing's happened has it?"

"No shh," Ghilad soothed Tally who was on the verge of crying, thinking Legolas had left her or something, "He wanted to be on his own for a little while. He needs to collect himself. He hasn't stopped smiling and laughing all morning, but he's too excited and just wanted to calm down. There's nothing to panic about." He said quickly, glancing at his wife for help. Kaelira read him immediately,

"Tally, see, he's been in the same state you have. He just needs to relax and know it'll all be fine."

"Just so long as you're sure," Tally looked for Talin for reassurance,

"Yes Tally. And now we can go back and tell him you look more beautiful than he could possibly imagine. We'll see you all at the ceremony." Naela kissed her husband gratefully and then he and Ghilad left. Tally sat back down and read over her vows one last time. Naela forced her to drink some wine to calm her down and get rid of a few of her nerves. It was noon and Tally said,

"Well we don't want to be too late I suppose. I'm going to get married!" And she danced around the room, swinging Malia then Naela then Kaelira with her. She had to sit down again to regain her balance, "Where's my bouquet? Have you got your flowers?" Everything was in its place and Tally finally left. She walked slowly so Malia had a chance to hurry to her seat outside in the meadow. Tally linked arms with Kaelira and Naela. She stopped just before they got to the outside and said,

"Thank you. Thank you for all your help. I've been here forty years now, but I know I couldn't have done it all without you. Anyone is lucky to have a friend half as wonderful as you both are, but I have two and I know I am truly blessed. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You are both the best friends I could ever hope for." She hugged them both and before they could say anymore, opened the door to the meadow. There was music to announce her arrival. She saw everyone turn around and look at her.

Tally walked down between the seated masses. Everyone in the Sanctuary who could be spared had been invited. The poor kitchen staff was working in shifts of ten minutes so they could see part of the wedding and still cook the feast. As she neared the front, Legolas' back was still facing her. Tally began to walk up the steps to the altar which was raised a few feet above the ground. Legolas finally turned to look at her. His eyes shone with joy and pride and every other good emotion possible. He cast his eye over her dress. It was cream and strapless, but woven with thin threads of silver so it flashed in the sun and it had a small train at the back. It was shaped to show off her curves. Tally had persuaded the dress maker to make a veil for her. Tally wanted to include as much of her human traditions as possible without offending anyone. She and Legolas had written their own ceremony because they wanted it to be unique to them and reflect all their cultures. That in itself had been in preparation for several months.

Tally drew level with Legolas and he reached to hold her hand. She felt him relax as he wrapped his fingers around hers. She smiled at him from beneath the veil, he returned it and then they faced Elrond who was carrying out the ceremony. He drew breath and began,

"Friends we are here today for the wedding of two like souls. Their love is a rare love which when found must be held onto and fought for because it is so precious. Today, Legolas and Natalia bind themselves to each other and pledge to be together for eternity. Throughout our lives we are taught that the blessing of marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but these two have shown over their years together that they are made for each other and not even the power of the Valar could break their bond. It is now time for their vows. Legolas?" Legolas turned to Tally. He was dressed in green, in a simple outfit according to the traditions of Mirkwood. He turned to Tally, took her hands in his and cleared his throat,

"Tally the first time we met you showed me enormous kindness and trust which I would never have expected of anyone. You invited me into your home, into your life and for that I am beyond grateful. I fell in love with you there and then. Over the years we have been together, and apart, the knowledge that you existed in this world, the one person on whom I could fully rely and depend upon, was and still is the greatest comfort to me. Your generosity and kindness has been felt by everyone gathered here in some way, but I am your largest debtor. I owe you the most. You have shown me things I could never have imagined and you have brought me unimaginable joy. You are my queen and I your humble servant asking for the privilege and honour to serve you for all eternity. I love you my beautiful, wonderful Tally and I could not imagine my life without you. Bestow your highest royal favour and be my wife."

Tally had not heard these words before. Their vows had been secret from each other. Legolas' eyes were shining with love and pride as he looked at Tally and read them. She almost cried with joy as he spoke of their love and how much it meant to him. Now it was Tally's turn. She took a deep breath and felt Legolas silently willing her on,

"My most dear Legolas, from the first time you kissed me, sparks flew between us and from then on I knew that you were the one for me. The one I could spend my eternity with. You have protected me and taught me. You have loved me and given me so much happiness. Any time we spend apart is an agony to me that no draught or potion can qualm. You are strong and tough yet gentle and kind. You have given me so much and I shall ever be grateful to you for things so small that many people will never know which quietly give me the strength to carry out my duties and the strength to respect myself and stand up for what I believe in. Human girls grow up hearing stories of beautiful princesses being rescued by handsome princes and living happily ever after and then they dream that one day it will happen to them. Usually it never does, but I am so lucky. My prince came and saved my life. There are no words to express how I felt at that moment. I only know I felt safe beyond my comprehension when you lifted me into your arms. Legolas, you are my happily ever after and I love you because you complete me. You make me feel whole and give me my sense of purpose in this world. I ask only one more thing from you and that is that you join your hand with mine in our marriage for all eternity."

Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks as she said those words. Malia was already sobbing loudly from the third row back and even Naela was too happy to scold Tally for letting her make up run. Legolas squeezed her hands and then they turned to Elrond. He placed Tally's right hand on top of Legolas' left. Elrond said,

"And now they speak the words in unison which bind them together forever." And together Legolas and Tally said,

"I pledge my life to you and to the pursuit of your happiness. I will never intentionally bring you pain and swear to protect you until my last breath. We are now one, in body, mind and spirit and let nothing dare try and break us asunder Our only hope is that others will find love as we have and bring endless joy to the Earth." Then Elrond spoke,

"We have heard Natalia and Legolas pledge their love for each other. Is there anyone here who would speak out against this union." There was a tense pause. Legolas felt Tally hold her breath. No one spoke, "Very well then," Elrond smiled, "I now proclaim you husband and wife." Legolas lifted Tally's veil and kissed her their first kiss of married life. The cheering erupted in the crowds. There was clapping and shouting and crying amongst the Elves and Men assembled. Tally and Legolas hugged and they were quickly joined by their closest friends Kaelira and Ghilad and Naela and Talin in one larger hug as they expressed their joy for the happy couple who were kissing and clinging to each other like any break in contact would end their happiness.

As Tally and Legolas walked slowly down the aisle arm in arm and looking tenderly into each other's eyes, both knew that they would indeed live happily ever after.