FINDING HEART
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
BY DRAGONWIND

Email: princessaalsyssaofmirkwood@hotmail.com

Fandom/Genre: Lord of the Rings/Romance

Rating: R

Disclaimer: Anything familiar from the books or movie belongs to Tolkein, any one not
recognized is mine. Written strictly for entertainment purposes only, no money made
from this endeavor, please do not sue

Copyright 2002 by Cindy Warner

Archive: Yes, with permission, please email me


~~~~~~


As the first pale rays of dawn cast through the window, Aalyssa stirred. Myalora,
Ziellien and Tracimia had taken Aalyssa and Iladori out the previous evening for their
last night of being maidens, then insisted Aalyssa spend the night in their rooms. She
rubbed her temples, trying to erase the headache from being up late the night before.
Aalyssa grinned as she sat up, her legs swinging over the side of the bed. 'I wonder
how Konner made out on his night on the town with Legolas and Papa?'

The door flew open and Ziellien hustled in, Aalyssa's gown in her arms. "Time to get up
and bathe. Tis your wedding day!"

"In a few hours I shall be my beloved's wife," Aalyssa beamed. "For all eternity!"

"Indeed," Ziellien laughed, ushering her sister to the bathing room.

As the two brides bathed, Myalora dashed between both rooms, checking on the
progress of her two daughters. The Queen's face was lit with joy when she slipped into
the room she shared with her husband. "You look very handsome," she commented,
seeing Careman changing into his dress tunic and leggings.

"Thank you, my love. I must say, I am quite excited to finally have a chance to walk one
of my daughters down the aisle to give them away."


Aalyssa chewed on chunks of bread and cheese as Ziellien prepared the dress. She
had decided not to eat a lot for breakfast, wanting to save room for the feast after the
wedding, and she was not truly hungry, due to nerves.

The dress was slipped on her, Ziellien adjusting the sleeves then tying the laces in the
back. "Lys, this dress is gorgeous. "

A blush crept over her, "Thank you, Ell. I would not have selected it had you not pushed
me in that direction. Sometimes tis hard to get over feeling like you do not deserve nice
things."

"You deserve only the best, and I know Konner shall make certain you receive the best.
Sit down and slip your shoes on, and I will do your hair."

Aalyssa settled back as her sister placed six thin braids in her hair, twisting small white
and pink flowers within, leaving the thin braids hang loose. The unbraided hair was
swept up and piled on top of her head, more flowers woven within.

Just as Ziellien finished, Myalora swept into the room with a bouquet of flowers. "Oh,
Aalyssa, you look like a princess. Iladori is already dressed and waiting in the common
room."

"We are almost ready, Mommy," Ell announced, placing a thin plain silver chain around
Aalyssa's neck. On it was suspended a single sapphire, "Konner asked me to put this
on you, Sister. Tis his gift of love for you."

A tear shimmering in her eye, she looked at her sister, "And Legolas has my gift for
Konner?"

"He does," she nodded. "I gave it to him myself before I woke you."

Aalyssa grinned, "So they survived last night with Papa?"

"They looked a little bleary eyed." Ell laughed, "Legolas told me Konner passed out
from over imbibing and he and Daddy had to carry him to his room."

"Oh dear," Aalyssa grinned, chewing on her lower lip. She followed Ell out to the
common room where Iladori waited.

Iladori had chosen a simpler design, a cream colored dress trimmed with cream, no
other adornments. Her dark brown hair had been left loose, save for the braid on each
side with cream colored ribbons woven into them. "Lys, you look stunning!"

"As do you, Dori!" The two sisters hugged. So much had happened, discovering they
were twin sisters and wedding two brothers.

Careman emerged, holding an arm out to each of his daughters. "Come my beautiful
ones, time to go to the gardens and become wives!" He smiled with pride as they each
took an arm, and along with Myalora, they walked to the gardens.



At the gate leading from Rivendell, set a carriage. Inside, her wrists bound and en route
for treatment in Gondor was Marissa. She peered through the window, seeing the
decorations in the garden. The announcement had reached her even down in the
dungeon, today was the wedding day of her cousin. "I will have my revenge," she
hissed. "Perhaps not today, but you shall not know endless happiness. I will destroy
you." She curled her lip and sneered as the carriage pulled out, catching sight of
Aalyssa, Iladori and Careman walking to the garden. "I will destroy all of you."


The trio paused just outside of the gazebo. With a smile, Myalora announcing she was
going in to make certain they were ready to begin. She kissed each girl, both of whom
were becoming nervous. "You both will do very well," she assured them. Myalora
entered the garden, smiling and greeting each of the guests as she walked toward the
front where Thranduil and Laure sat. Konner and Legolas stood near Lord Elrond, each
shifting nervously on their feet, Aragorn and Arwen already in place as the witnesses.
Myalora nodded regally and the flutist began to play.

All in attendance stood and faced the entrance of the garden, all smiling when
Careman walked in, a Princess on either arm. He escorted them to the front, where he
slipped each hand into their betrothed's, then Careman sat down with Myalora.

Lord Elrond smiled at the two young couples. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here
in the sight of the Valar to witness the joining of these four Elves, deeply in love, in
marriage. If anyone should have any objection, let them speak now or forever hold their
peace." He glanced around, seeing nothing but a sea of happy faces in the seats.

He turned to Legolas and Iladori, "Now, do you, Iladori, take Legolas to be your wedded
husband, for richer, for poorer, in war and in peace, for better or for worse, as long as
the World endures, and beyond?"

"I do," she replied softly.

"And do you, Legolas, take Iladori to be your wedded wife, for richer, for poorer, in war
and in peace, for better or for worse, as long as the world endures, and beyond?"

"I do," Legolas smiled.

"Now, please exchange the rings." Elrond observed as the couple exchanged their
rings along with smiles. "Please kneel," he said, waiting for them to do so. "By the
power given to me in accordance with the laws of marriage, I now pronounce thee,
Husband and Wife." The couple stood, "May I present Prince Legolas and Princess
Iladori of Mirkwood," Elrond announced. The couple smiled and bowed to the guests,
then stepped off to the right. "Along with the traditional ceremony, Konner and Aalyssa
have some vows of their own they would like to make in the witness of family and
friends.

"Now, do you, Aalyssa, take Konner to be your wedded husband, for richer, for poorer,
in war and in peace, for better or for worse, as long as the World endures, and
beyond?"

"I do. I pledge my heart to you, Konner. My heart, my love, my life. I shall be a help-
mate to you and vow to care for and protect you and our children, of which I hope there
will be many," Aalyssa vowed, her eyes sparkling like the night stars. She did not notice
Laure sitting next to Thranduil, holding his hand and lightly dabbing at her tearing eye.

"And do you, Konner, take Aalyssa to be your wedded wife, for richer, for poorer, in war
and in peace, for better or for worse, as long as the World endures, and beyond?"

"I do. I pledge my heart to you, Aalyssa. My heart, my love, my life. I will protect you
and keep you and our children safe."

"Konner, Aalyssa, Legolas and Iladori, children of Mirkwood and Forlindon, may your
love continue to grow and your happiness know no bounds," Elrond acknowledged.
"Konner and Aalyssa, please exchange the rings."

Konner slipped a plain gold band on Aalyssa, "This band is endless like my love for
you."

Aalyssa took Konner's hand, and slipped a matching band on him. "This band is a
symbol of my never ending love for you."

"Please kneel," Elrond said. When they had done so, "By the power given to me in
accordance with the laws of marriage, I now pronounce thee, Husband and Wife." He
looked at the guests, "And now I present the Crown Prince of Mirkwood, Konner and his
Princess, Aalyssa."

Konner helped Aalyssa to her feet then gave her a lingering kiss, filled with the
promises of things to come, sending tingles down to her toes.

Thranduil's arm slipped around Laure, "Why do you cry, my love?"

"Both of my sons are wed. My Konner married to little Aalyssa, tis about time. One he
can be assured loves him and not his power and wealth."

Thranduil chuckled and nodded, taking her hand as the guest filed from the garden,
heading for the dining hall.

The four newlyweds stood together as the garden emptied, embracing their new
spouses. "As much as I wish to be alone with you, we had better go to the feast,"
Konner sighed in Aalyssa's ear.

"Yes, our first royal protocol as a couple," she agreed. Aalyssa turned in his arms and
kissed him softly. "But the sooner it is over, the quicker we can be alone. And begin our
life as a couple."

"Here, here, Lys," Legolas agreed, wanting also to be alone with Iladori.


~~~~~~~

They entered the dining hall last, taking their places of honor on the dais. Konner and
Legolas each seated their wives, and servants began to bring out the food and wine.

Aalyssa's eyes widened, it appeared every sort of food imaginable was being served.
She also could not believe the turn out, it seemed everyone in Rivendell was at the
feast to celebrate the couples' marriages. She smiled and thanked the servants as
bowls and plates heaped with food were placed in front of them.

Konner poured her a glass of wine as well as one for himself, Legolas doing the same
for Iladori. Jesters and minstrels wandered the hall, entertaining the guests as they
feasted and drank, the atmosphere jovial and merry.

Elrond sat at his table, Aragorn and Arwen at his side. He knew the trouble that loomed
on the horizon, and was glad to have had the opportunity to bring some lightness and
happiness to the Elves.

Konner picked up a strawberry and dipped it into some whipped cream and popped it
into Aalyssa's mouth. As she took a bite, her tongue brushed his thumb, eliciting a
smile from him. "Maybe we should save these for later..." he teased, setting them to the
side. Aalyssa shot him an alluring look and turned her attention to her soup.

"Dori is going to miss Legolas terribly while he is gone," Aalyssa commented with a
sigh. The two were speaking softly and gently touching one another. "She will be
included in trips we take and anything we may plan to do. Except..."

Konner smiled, "I would have it no other way. I promised Legolas I would watch over
her while he was gone, and I shall. He already knew you would, tis why he did not ask it
of you."

The feast ended and after the servants removed the remains of the dinner, the band
began to play a waltz. Konner and Legolas got to their feet and extended their hands,
palms up, to their wives. The two newlywed couples walked out on to the dance floor
and began the first dance.

Aalyssa rested her head on Konner's shoulder, happily enwrapped in his warm arms.
"Our first dance as husband and wife."

He kissed the tip of her ear and smiled, "And by no means our last, a'maelamin."

The evening flew by, and Aalyssa had not realized she could be as happy as she was
at this time in her life, married to the man her heart had loved for longer than she could
remember.

When the night ended, the guests thinned and Konner suggested retiring for the night.
He paused at the kitchen, garnering a bowl of fresh strawberries and whipped cream,
then led Aalyssa to her, now their chamber.

Konner released her just long enough to bar the door then led her to the bedroom,
where he placed the food on the bed table, then began untieing her dress. "This dress
looks like it was designed just for you," he whispered, kissing her shoulder then her
neck."

"Mmm," she purred, "I hoped you would like it." Hand in hand, they walked over to the
bed, where Aalyssa began laughing. "Elspeth, the romantic," she said, pointing out the
rose petals spread out on the bed under the blankets. Their sweet fragrance filled the
air.

"Leave them, I like it," Konner whispered in her ear as he slid the gown from her body.
"I shall have her sprinkle our bed every night with rose petals."

"You silly you," Aalyssa teased, pulling his tunic open and nipping on his shoulder.

"Now, now, the strawberries are here to be eaten," Konner admonished playfully , his
tongue tracing the delicate whorls of her leaf shaped ear.

"But you taste so much better," Aalyssa joked, sucking the cream off of the strawberry
he held to her mouth.

With a chuckle, Konner wrapped his arms around her and collapsed on the bed,
bringing her down on top of him. He reached up and brushed some of her loosened
hair from her eyes. "My Lyssie..Mine for all time."

"My Konner, my heart, mine for all time," Aalyssa whispered in reply, bringing her lips
down to cover his.