Chapter 21

The feast had ended with everyone in merry spirits, having consumed as much wine and food as their stomachs would allow and having laughed and danced late into the night. The hobbits, having delayed their trip back to the Shire, were to be at the wedding to honour their past companion on this special occasion. Aragorn had returned immediately with Arwen from their journey back to Gondor, when he had heard the news of Legolas' disappearance and along the way had found Gimli. The three returned to Rivendell with many congratulations for their friend and his soon to be bride. Gimli commented he knew all along that the two elves would end up together, it had been quite foreseeable and expected. The stupid elf had not been able to take his eyes off the girl since she arrived, was commented to an uninterested Pippin.
The feast had also greatly raised the hopes and hearts of six other beings among them. Estriel had been swept immediately into delightful conversation with Elrohir from the moment he had taken her away to the banquet. The son of Elrond had danced the night away with the beautiful she- elf, and much was noticed and said during and after by many. Alcarin had also been among the lucky that night; she had taken the notice of Danel during the main meal. Sitting not a few seats away they had eyed each other throughout the various conversations. Dressed in a pale violet satin ball gown with lace and white embroidery she had been asked by many an elf to dance but was unmoved until Danel requested of her the same. Both were soon in laughing converse and talked well into the evening.
The last two which I am to tell of are those merry souls Darain and Jaena, their tale of meeting is similar but in no way less delightful to each. They had seen and glanced and spoken at the beginning of the evening, but they were interrupted by the request of another to dance with the maiden when music began. It was soon after, that Darain could not resist her loveliness, clothed in baby blue silk, silver embroidery, and white elbow-length gloves, and interrupted the two after the first waltz and became inseparable from Jaena the rest of the evening.
The next few days were full of whispered hopes and compliments. Emeriel and her party were in constant daydream of what was to come, their hopes and hearts high with joy. Their dresses had been finished, each in accord to her own desire and countenance, each beautifully crafted and sewn, and not a day went by without the meeting of each couple, and laughter and play was constantly heard throughout the House of Elrond.
It was a pale dawn when Emeriel awoke on the day of her wedding, the trees were still silver in the new sun and the leaves and flowers only just starting to unfurl. Having anticipated her difficulty in sleeping, she had departed to bed slightly earlier than was expected, but nevertheless sleep had eluded her for hours, until after the others had arrived back to check on her. Mazy had then given her a sleep draught, sending her off into peaceful slumber undisturbed until the morn.
She stepped silently out onto her balcony and watched as the sun rose lazily upward, painting the trees and hills a multitude of changing soft colour. Its display was gratefully accepted. The early morning scent of undisturbed silence and air was sweet and wonderful in her lungs. The stone beneath her feet was cool, her footsteps soft.
Emeriel looked out across the tumbling hills to the vast wood beyond and even further the misty mountains. Towards Mirkwood. Her soon to be home. The light was delicate and sparkling having not reached the mountain's feet. It was cast in shadow. She would miss her home in the Blue Mountains terribly, and it may be a long time before she would see the familiar grand halls of marble and stone again. It was a moment of mixed feelings. She suddenly felt like crying.
Marrying Legolas would be the most wonderful thing to happen to her, but she could not ignore her past, which she would be leaving behind, no matter how painful it may be. Estriel, Alcarin and Jaena would leave; returning to their homes while Emeriel ventured onto hers, who knew when they would see each other again.
A pair of hands suddenly attacked her sides, making her jump, but she was fast enough to control her squeal. "ESTRIEL!" she exclaimed and turned round to see a face set upon a display of disguising innocence. Before she could say anything else, those same hands, which had so ruthlessly attacked her aching sides, pulled her into a warm embrace as if nothing had happened. "Good morning Lady Emeriel soon to be of Mirkwood. I hope I have not disturbed you in your quiet contemplation," Estriel's eyes sparkled, "but Mazy made me come and get you, so we could get you ready."
"There's no point in me trying to avoid this is there?" Emeriel groaned, knowing the inevitable answer. The replied shake of head was expected. When the four friends got together there was no stopping them in their excitement, just putting on the dress would be an adventure.
Wide smile in place Estriel led Emeriel back into the bedchamber, where Alcarin and Jaena were already waiting. The wedding dress was simple in design; full length and trailing at the back, with a wide lacy circle collar that would rest on the shoulders. The only decoration was a simple leaf pattern that ran up the centre of the dress and separated, heading towards each shoulder strap. The sleeves were long and wide, holding the same leafy design round the edges.
After her bath, and the dress in place, Emeriel's hair was tenderly brushed and plaited in the traditional bridal braids. Estriel, Alcarin and Jaena had great fun decorating it with sparkling jewels and flowers, and finally sprayed it with a sweet scent.
Breakfast arrived in the middle of the proceedings, and was forced down the protesting Emeriel, as Jaena explained that she could not get married on an empty stomach, she was sure to faint otherwise. Once finished with breakfast and Estriel, Jaena and Alcarin were ready, a cloak was thrown over her shoulders by Mazy, who had arrived in the middle of Emeriel's three friends fussing over the exasperated Emeriel's hair. Looking at her reflection one more time, to make everything was perfect, Emeriel glanced over at her dearest friends and whispered, "Well...here we go."

Thank you for waiting for so long, this story is taking me ages. I get writer's block at the most annoying times. Please R&R!!!