Greatest Risk

Part 5

"Legolas," a sweet voice sang into the elven prince's ear. "Legolas, it's time to get up."

Legolas smiled and rolled over, pulling the covers over his head.

Isilmeriel laughed and pulled the covers down. "I know you're awake, Legolas!"

Legolas opened his silvery-blue eyes fully and looked up at his fiancée. "What do you want, Isilme, I'm trying to sleep."

Isilmeriel rolled her eyes and pushed the prince out of bed. "Get up, Legolas! You have slept long enough and we have work to do. It's all ready been two weeks and we have to decide on a date and make the invitation list that we promised my uncle."

"I know, I know. But it is kind of hard to get up when I'm on the floor." Legolas smiled and held out his hand so Isilmeriel could help him up.

Isilmeriel gave him her hand. With his other hand, Legolas gripped her arm and pulled her to the floor.

"Legolas!" Isilmeriel screamed.

Legolas cradled Isilmeriel in his arms and kissed her gently on the forehead. "Now what are we going to do? No one is here to help us up. So I guess that we must stay here all day."

Isilmeriel burst into laughter, "There is nothing I would like more to do, but don't you want to set a date for the wedding so we can be like this for this rest of our lives?"

"Of course, melamin, but-"

"But we cannot do that until after we have gotten up and had breakfast."

Legolas sighed as he stood up, "I suppose that you are right."

Isilmeriel took the hand that he held out to help her to her feet. "So, shall we go to breakfast then."

"Yes."

After they had had breakfast Isilmeriel and Legolas walked through the house. Isilmeriel stopped at the door that led to one of the many studies. Legolas quickly placed his hand over Isilmeriel's as she was reaching for the handle on the large, wooden door.

"Legolas, what are you doing?"

"The question is, what are you doing?" He asked with a smirk.

"Going into the study so we came start to make the plans for the wedding, Legolas," she answered with a confused look.

"Let us make the plans at the waterfall, or in the little glade, or anywhere else," he pleaded, "Just not here. I do not want to be cooped up in a tiny room when I do this."

"Fine." Isilmeriel giggled lightly.

Together they walked to the waterfall. Legolas shook out a blanket he had grabbed on the way out. Sitting down they began to work on the wedding plans.

"On what date should we be married?" Legolas and Isilmeriel asked at the same time.

"As soon as possible," Legolas answered their question.

"Well that would depend on how fast our guest can get here." Isilmeriel said. "So we should make the invitation list first."

"Agreed," Legolas nodded, "Let us see. My father, Elrond, Gandalf, Turion, Calatar, Estel and the twins are a given. Plus, knowing your uncle, he will probably invite most of Rivendell."

Isilmeriel laughed, "That is a definite possibility. Also Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, Arwen, and Haldir of Lorien."

"Haldir?" Legolas asked with a hint of worry.

"He is a friend of mine in Lorien, Legolas. Haldir took care of me while I was there and he is like my brother." She replied, laughing lightly as Legolas breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright. So we must send runners to Mirkwood and Lorien." Legolas concluded

"And the Shire," Isilmeriel added.

"Why the Shire? Only Hobbits live there."

Legolas had only heard of Hobbits and their land. In fact, it was rumored for many years that at one time a Hobbit aided a bunch of dwarves to escape from their dungeons many years before. The prince figured them to be sneaky, quiet creatures, ( however clever) with no respect if even one of them could slip not only himself, but also several other larger beings from his home. He did not understand why Isilmeriel would want any of those kinds of people present during their wedding.

"That's where Sulerina has been living," Isilmeriel explained. "She is my dearest friend."

"Sulerina? As in the Guardian?" Legolas gasped, he knew the story of the Lady of the Races sent to Middle Earth as its main protector.

"Yes, but you may call her Rina, as does everyone else." Isilmeriel smiled as she saw the look on Legolas' face.

At a length Legolas spoke again. "So we must send runners to Mirkwood, Lorien, and the Shire. It would take about three months or so for the invitations to be sent out and the guests to arrive."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Then you shall be married when the first leaves of autumn begin to fall." Lord Elrond said as he looked over the invitation list.

"Yes, uncle, that will give everyone time to get here," Isilmeriel nodded.

"Very well. I shall send my fasted runners to Mirkwood, Lothlorien and the Shire right away," Elrond waved three elves into his study.

"What about Gandalf," Legolas and Isilmeriel asked practically at once knowing that the wizard was in none of those places.

"Leave that to me," Elrond replied, "I am one of the only beings in Middle Earth that can find that wizard after all. It would be pointless to send a runner to try to find him and you do want him at your wedding do you not?"

The elf lord handed the elven runners the invitations with direct orders to deliver them as fast as possible. With a nod the runners left the room and took off in the direction they had been commanded to go.

"Now," Elrond spoke at a length, "The feast I have arranged is to be held this evening and I want you two to look your very best. Do you understand? Now go back to your rooms and start getting ready so neither of you will be late this evening. Go."

Much to Lord Elrond's dismay and agitation, the two were late, but he had figured as much, so he gracefully entertain their guest as he waited. Elrond saw the two walk in and waved them over to his side. "Friends, our guests of honor have arrived at last! A toast to Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and my niece, Isilmeriel of Rivendell and Lorien, who shall be wed in less than a few months time!"

The elves in the banquet hall lifted their glasses and toasted the engaged elves. "To Prince Legolas and Lady Isilmeriel!"

A lively tune broke out and the elves began to dance. Legolas grabbed Isilmeriel's hand and pulled her out onto the dance floor. The merriment of the feast lasted well into the following night.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next few months passed rapidly and it was now August. Practically all the guests had arrived save a few.

Gandalf had arrived on the wings of Gwaihir with the week that invitations were sent out.

Arwen and Thranduil had arrived earlier in the week of the wedding. Arwen carried a message from Lothlorien with the apologies of Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, and Haldir, who could not make it due to an urgent unspoken business.

Now the wedding was only a day away and only one guest had not come. Isilmeriel and Legolas stood on the balcony of Isilmeriel's room and looked out to the gate.

"Don't worry, melamin (my love). She will be here." Legolas reassured Isilmeriel. "The Shire is a long way from here."

"You've got that right!" A voice called from behind them.

Isilmeriel spun around, her ever changing eyes fixed on the short, red- headed woman who stood in the doorway. Sulerina was known as the Lady of the Races. Grace of the Elves, fierceness of the Dwarves, vulnerabiltiy of Men, and the appitite and humbleness of the Hobbits.

"Rina!" Isilmeriel cried as she knelt down beside the woman who was half her size. "I was so worried that you weren't going make it."

Rina's bright green eyes stared at Isilmeriel with a questioning look, "Do you honestly think that I would miss your wedding, my dear friend?"

Isilmeriel burst into laughter, "How could I have ever doubted you? But what took you so long?"

"I had to practically sneak out of the Shire. You would not believe how many curious Hobbits want to see your kind." Rina smiled.

"Hobbits? Curious?" Elrond asked as he walked onto the balcony. "The last time I met a curious Hobbit was when Bilbo visited with Gandalf and that company of dwarves quite some time ago."

"Is that so?" Rina gazed at the tall, ancient elf. "Hobbits are in fact extremely curious. Do not let the fact that they rarely leave their borders make you think other wise, Elrond."

Lord Elrond stared at the tiny being for a moment before he could no longer hold in the smile that tugged at his lips. "It is good to see you again, Sulerina."

Sulerina welcomed the embrace that the elf lord gave her. "It is good to be back, Elrond."

"Rina, there is something that I would ask of you," Isilmeriel grabbed the hand of her friend.

"Then ask, Isilme."

"Would you be my matron of honor tomorrow?" Isilmeriel asked.

Rina thought for a moment teasing the elf then embraced her friend. "Of course I will, Isilme. You did not even have to ask."

Elrond and Legolas laughed lightly as they watch the reunion of the two friends.

"Legolas," Elrond said at a length, "If you would, I would to speak with you in my study."

"Of course, my lord," Legolas nodded and followed the elder elf. "I will be back shortly, Isilme."

"Go on ahead, Legolas," Isilmeriel replied, "Rina and I have quite a bit of catching up to do."

As they walked down the hall to Elrond's study they heard the laughter of the two maidens.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Legolas, I want to speak with you about a very important matter." Elrond spoke softly as he closed the door of his study.

The elf lord walked slowly to the far wall of the large room and climbed up the ladder to reach the topmost shelf. Reaching up, he took down a small, wooden box. After he reached the floor, he walked over to Legolas and handed it to the elven prince.

Legolas traced the intricate designs carved on the box in wonder and confusion.

"Open it," Elrond said.

Legolas complied. He carefully lifted the lid off of the box. Inside laid a necklace crafted from Mithril of a beautiful leaf with what looked like a diamond in the center. The jewelry reminded him of the ring that Isilmeriel wore. Legolas ran his fingers over the edge of the leaf. "My lord, what is this?"

"It is Isilas," Elrond replied. "It is the mate to Silmecorma, the ring Isilmeriel wears. The two pieces were exchanged at the wedding of Isilmeriel's parents, Laurelwen and Ravion. I now give this to you, Legolas, to give it to her tomorrow."

"My lord," Legolas breathed, "I am at a loss for words."

Elrond took the necklace out of the box and placed it in the prince's hand. "Do not be, Prince Legolas. Isilmeriel was meant to wear the necklace of her mother, just as you are meant to wear the ring of her father. They belong to you both by right of love, and thus will symbolize and pr-," the elf lord stopped. He had almost given a dire secret away. "And prove it."

Legolas bowed his head to the elf lord, "Thank you, Lord Elrond."

"Ah, Legolas," Elrond said clapping Legolas on the back, "Who would have ever imagined that you befriending my human son would lead to this. I am truly the happiest I have been in a long time."

"I as well, Lord Elrond," Legolas whispered as he turned to leave.

"Legolas," Elrond called back, "where are you going?"

"Back to Isilme."

"It is nearly sunset," the elf lord chuckled, "You may not see Isilmeriel until the morrow. 'Tis ill fortune if you see your bride after sunset the day before your wedding. Now go; retire to your room. I have had food sent there."

Legolas lowered his head and left the room in slight sadness. He did not want to wait to see Isilmeriel.

"Do not worry, young prince," Elrond whispered, "It shall be well worth it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Who would have ever thought that Isilmeriel, niece of Elrond and Lady of Rivendell and Lothlorien would be getting married to Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood?" Rina laughed merrily.

"I don't know, Rina, but I'm glad." Isilmeriel replied.

"Me too, Isilme." Rina agreed, as there was a knock at the door.

Isilmeriel opened the door to find Tamuril standing with a tray of food for the two friends.

"My ladies," he said, "Lord Elrond has ordered that dinner be sent to your room tonight."

Isilmeriel and Rina laughed as they remembered the tradition that bride and groom could not see each other after the sunset the day before their wedding. They stood aside so Tamuril could set the tray down on the table on the far side of the room.

As Tamuril began to leave the room he stopped by Isilmeriel and whispered in her ear, "Legolas had asked me to inform you that there is a note on your tray with a gift."

"Thank you, Tamuril." Isilmeriel said closing the door as the servant left the room. Turning back into the room she saw Rina dangling a piece of rolled up parchment.

"Rina, you give that back now!" Isilmeriel ordered.

"Or what?" Rina asked sarcastically as she unrolled the paper and began to read the note. "Let's see what Prince Legolas has to say."

Rina expertly dodge the elf as she read the letter aloud.

"'My dearest Isilmeriel, I would like you to have this'" Rina held out the elaborate silver hairpiece letting Isilmeriel take it, "'It is something I have carried with me everywhere since I was very young. It belonged to my mother. It was one of her most treasured belongings. I hope that you treasure it as she did. Truly yours, Legolas.' Oh, Isilme, that is so beautiful."

Isilmeriel, fed up with trying to catch the small being, sat down on the bed. Setting the hairpiece on the nightstand, she grabbed a pillow from behind her and threw it at Rina, knocking her over.

"That was uncalled for, Isilme!" Rina scolded as she flung the pillow back at her assailant.

Isilmeriel caught the projectile and rested upon it. "Oh, don't tell me that you didn't deserve it, Rina!"

Rina burst into laughter and joined Isilmeriel on the bed. "That may be, but you cannot throw full size pillows at me. They're too big!"

Isilmeriel laughed and pulled the pillow back out and began beating Rina with it. "You little liar!"

"I never lie!" Rina yelled as she grabbed a pillow and defended herself.

"Enough!" Elrond shouted over the noise. He came into the room after having been drawn to their room by all of the noise.

Isilmeriel and Rina stopped fighting immediately. Lord Elrond laughed at Rina's futile attempt to conceal the large pillow behind her back.

"Hello uncle," Isilmeriel breathed heavily as she pushed the strands of stray hairs behind her ears. "What brings you here?"

"The noise that you two are making," Elrond replied as he glared at the two friends. "You are shaking the whole house."

"That's absurd, Elrond," Rina protested, "If the noise from us was shaking the whole house were true, then we would be the least of your problems."

Elrond pointed at Isilmeriel and Rina, "Now I want you to eat your dinner and go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day and you need rest, especially you Isilmeriel. The last thing we need is the bride falling asleep at the altar. I do not want to hear another peep out of you two for the rest of the night. Am I understood?"

Isilmeriel and Rina nodded doing all they could to not laugh.

"Good," Elrond relaxed, "Now I will leave you two be. Good night."

Elrond turned and left the room. As he walked down the hall he suddenly heard the two friends shout.

"Peep!"

The elf lord shook his head. Bursting into laughter, he resumed his walk down the hall to his room. As far as he was concerned the two could be sisters by how they behaved.