Legolas followed Nimoë out of the garden gate, overwhelmed by what he had learned. It seemed that there was no chance that she could regain her immortality, and yet there she was, walking ahead of him with her shoulders straight, and her head held high, as if defying fate and its whimsy. How could she be so brave? Certainly he was not, for even within the citadel, he found himself watching around every corner, ready to pounce on any danger.

Still, was that not exactly what Galadriel had instructed him not to do? It was all too much. Too much too fast. The gentle swish of her hair as she moved entranced him, and the aura of pureness and light which radiated from her moved like no other sight ever would again. He could not bear to be parted from her.

As they left the tower, and were once again out under the healing sunlight, Legolas reached out his hand and caught her shoulder, spinning her about to face him. There, in full sight of all who happened to be passing by, he dropped to his knee in front of her, and clasped her hands tightly within his own. "Nimoë," he spoke, "More than anything in this world, I wish to bring you happiness. If you let me, I will dedicate my life to that goal. I will build a home for you, wherever you might desire it. I will bring you any little thing your heart might desire. I would ask only one thing in return." His sky blue eyes gazed up into her liquid grey ones, and he felt as if he was drowning. "Nimoë, will you consent to marry me?"

At that moment, all the light of summer gathered itself into one place, the face of his beloved. Scarlet flame rushed to her cheeks, and he felt her hands trembling within his grasp. "Legolas, my heart, nothing in this world do I desire more. Gladly will I join you in marriage. It may be that the time will be brief, but I shall treasure it more than all the other years of my life combined." She pulled him to his feet then, and placed a rapturous kiss upon his firm lips.

After long moments, they suddenly became aware of their surroundings. A large circle of the men and women of Gondor had stopped what they were doing, and stood looking on. They had heard the words that were spoken, and when the Elves sealed their intentions with a kiss, the whole group burst into spontaneous, wild applause, mingled with hoots and whistles.

Nimoë dropped her face, blushing furiously, but Legolas would not let her hide, and together they passed through the circle of well-wishers, who parted to make way for them, and they went to find Eomer, eager to share their joyful news.

#

Upon learning that the King of Rohan was out on the Pelennor Fields, Legolas and Nimoë left the Gates of the City. Before they went further, though, Nimoë halted her motion and turned to face her betrothed, "Legolas, I do not wish to tell Eomer of my mortality. It would grieve him greatly, and I fear that he would blame himself."

Legolas nodded, for he thought her right. "As you wish."

Pounding hoofbeats reached their ears and they spied the man they spoke of bearing down upon them. He reined to a halt, then leapt down, running to embrace his friends. It had been a full month since he had seen them last, for he had needed to return to Rohan, to begin setting to right the wrongs which had been wrought there, and then he had waited for the caravan of dignitaries from the north.

"Nimoë! Legolas! It gladdens my heart to see you again." He looked at them pointedly. "You look as though you have not been sleeping, and yet I see also great joy in your eyes. What is this mystery?"

Not wanting to have to lie, Nimoë ignored the first accusation, and answered the latter. "We are to be married, Eomer."

A huge grin spread across the giant horse-lord's face. "About time, I say! Why you Elves always take so blasted long to do things makes no sense to me. Get it done and get on with living! Come, Nimoë! Let me kiss the bride." Before she could even think to make a protest, though it is doubtful that she would have, he pulled her into his arms and planted a firm kiss square on her mouth. Her face he held cupped in his large hands, and he did not end the kiss for long moments.

When he pulled away, Nimoë stood there breathless. "Well! That was quite a kiss."

Eomer shrugged, "Seems like I'll never find a better excuse to kiss an Elf. Best to take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves."

Legolas was tapping his foot agitatedly on the ground. "Are you done flirting with my bride now, Mortal?"

Eomer released Nimoë and clasped his arm about Legolas' shoulders. "Back to Mortal now, are we? Relax, Legolas. I have no designs on Nimoë, not as if she would have me if I did. Rather would I offer you my heartfelt congratulations, and beg for your aid, for I fear that never will I convince the lady of my heart to join with me in wedded bliss."

Eomer signaled to one of his men, who was combing the field nearby. "Bring them! I have found their rightful masters!"

Legolas and Nimoë looked at each other, bemused. What did Eomer speak of? Turning back to his friends, the King of Rohan spoke. "I have gifts for you. Call them wedding presents if you like. Legolas, I give you Arod, the brave steed who has carried you far, for he will now accept no other rider. And Nimoë, I have brought Finduél for you. Spirited he may be, but with time you will find that you ride him with ease, and his spirit is only a match for your own." Before either Elf could draw breath to thank him, he turned away, beckoning them after him. "Come with me. We will walk and talk and enjoy the fairness of the day."

For a while they walked in silence, only the sounds of their footfalls in the grass reaching their ears. Finally, Nimoë asked, "Why will Halanna not consent to wed you?"

"Halanna," he breathed on a wistful sigh. "Halanna says that she will not marry me until such time as Rohan is set to rights. It is true that although the war is over, people are returning to find their homes burnt, torn down by vicious orcs. There is still much suffering in my country, but Halanna rides with me everywhere I go, offering solace to those who are hurting, comfort to those in need. It is almost as if she is trying to make the people familiar with her face, and nature. I do not understand why she feels that she must do that before she marries me. When she is their Queen, there will be no way for them to reject her. It will be done."

Nimoë thought only for a moment before she responded. "Eomer, you well know that Halanna is proud. She will not be happy if people only suffer her as Queen because they have no choice. She wishes to prove, not only to them, but to herself as well, that she is worthy of such an honor. I think that you push her too hard. When she sees and understands that the people love her for her actions, for her soul, then she will marry you with no hesitation. You must be patient."

Eomer wrung his hands together in frustration, "Well do you know that patience is not my strong suit."

Legolas laid his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Yet you know that what Nimoë says is true. Halanna has remained behind in Rohan and will stay there until you return. That time must be at least a month. I think that perhaps when you return to your hall in Edoras you may be surprise at what awaits you. Trust in love, Eomer. It will never fail you."

The horse-lord shook his head doubtfully. "If you say so. If you say so." He raised his glance back the way they had come. "Look, here come the horses!"

Together the three returned to where Eomer had left his horse, and there they were reunited with their old mounts. Nimoë surprised both Eomer and Legolas by managing to mount Finduél with no assistance. "I have been practicing," she explained. "I had to have something to do to fill the long hours of waiting."

With a bright smile, she turned Finduél and cantered off away from the White City, towards the Anduin. Startled, it took both men a moment to mount up and chase after her and, hard as they tried, they could not overtake her, although Legolas could make out the sound of joyful laughter drifting back to him on the wind.