Disclaimer: I do not own any of the LOTR characters, if you don't know by
now. I do own this story, it is my creation and my fantasy!
***************************** *************************
I do swear that I'll always be there,
I'd give anything and everything and I will always care.
Through weakness and strength, happiness
And sorrow, for better, for worse,
I will love you,
With every beat of my heart.
(Song by Shania Twain 'From this moment')
Chapter 18: Against all odds
Alderon was pacing up and down the room, a deep frown engraved on his face.
Aerin nervously watched him, following his every move, while Legolas stood motionless beside her, both awaited his decision. They had told Alderon about their love for each other, hoping he would understand and break off his engagement to Aerin.
"I cannot believe this," Alderon muttered under his breath.
Aerin's heart went out to him, she could almost feel his pain; however, she knew this was the only right thing to do. It had never been her intention to deceive or to lie to him, she respected him too much for that and having secret rendezvous with Legolas, while keeping Alderon in the dark, wasn't fair to both of them.
"Alderon, it was never our intention, please believe me," Aerin told him, sincerely.
Alderon stopped pacing and looked her in the eye, his eyes so similar to those of his brother, so full of pain and disbelief.
"I do not understand. I love you, Aerin. Tell me, was there ever a time you loved me too?" he asked, his voice a mixture of anger and sadness.
Aerin averted her eyes, tears welling up behind them. "I have always loved you, I still do, but not in the way you deserve."
Alderon sifted his attention to his brother, who was still standing next to Aerin.
"You, my brother, can you honestly tell me that it was not your intention to..," he stopped, trying to find the right words, "To seduce her," he continued.
"I did not seduce her, my brother. We fell in love with no intention what so ever," he replied, earnestly.
Legolas and Aerin quickly exchanged glances.
"Please Alderon, you must understand, we have to call of the wedding," Aerin pleaded.
Alderon's facial features hardened and a muscle in his jaw twitched. "No, I cannot, I will not call of this wedding, our wedding. You are meant for me, both our parents decided it the very day you were born. Do you want to go against the wish of your parents?"
"No, no, but." she sobbed.
"Stop, I do not want to hear another word," he exclaimed, he couldn't cope anymore and needed to get out of the room and away from them.
Without so much as saying another word he rushed out. Alderon knew he had been unreasonable and unfair, but he just couldn't handle the situation anymore and needed to clear his head.
Aerin was on the edge of a nervous breakdown. She was holding her head in her hands and cried softly. Legolas wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to calm her down.
"Give him time, melamin, my love," Legolas whispered.
She looked at him with big, teary eyes. "We do not have more time to spare, the wedding is the day after tomorrow," she reminded him.
Legolas knew she was right, but he wasn't about to give up either. He strongly believed that love would prevail in the end.
"Do not give up, we will be together," he comforted her, gently kissing her forehead.
************************ *******************************
Aerin looked nervously at herself in the mirror. She was wearing an ivory colored wedding gown, trimmed with lace and embroidered with silver thread. Her head was decorated with a beautiful silver circlet inlayed with green jewels, which matched her eyes perfectly.
"It is very normal to feel nervous, my lady," one of her bridesmaids giggled.
"Yes," Aerin replied, absentminded.
Aerin had suggested to Legolas, that they should run away together, knowing it was a very stupid idea, but what else could they do? Legolas, however, opposed to the idea, saying it wouldn't get them anywhere and convinced her that she had to have faith in their love.
"My lady, my lady, the ceremony is about to begin, they all await your entrance," a bridesmaid tugged her arm softly.
Aerin closed her eyes and took in a couple of deep breaths before opening them again. 'I have to believe in love, I have to believe in Legolas.' She thought.
Slowly she walked to the altar, where Alderon, her soon to be husband, awaited her. He looked solemn and his face showed nothing of his emotions.
Her legs seemed to get heavier with every step she took.
Every elf she knew, every noble elf and every elf from Mirkwood was present at the wedding, running away now would only put her and her family to shame, so that wasn't an option.
The king stood next to Alderon and looked proudly at her and next to him stood Legolas. The pain she read in his eyes was too great for her to bear, she just kept looking straight ahead of her until she had finally reached the altar.
The elven priest, who was standing before them, smiled at the couple.
"Are we ready to begin?" he asked patiently, looking at both of them.
"Do you Aerin Silvermane, lady of Lorien, daughter of Vanesse of Lorien and Luinil of Pereldar, take Alderon Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood, son of Thranduil of Mirkwood and Arda of Anthatal, to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
All eyes were now upon her. Aerin had lowered her head and could hardly swallow. Her throat felt dry as she tried to get the words out of her mouth that would bind her to Alderon forever. She struggled and forced the one word, she so desperately not wanted to say, out of her mouth.
"I do," she said.
The priest looked satisfied and turned his attention towards Alderon.
"And do you Alderon Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood, son of Thranduil of Mirkwood and Arda of Anthatal, take Aerin Silvermane, lady of Lorien, daughter of Vanesse of Lorien and Luinil of Pereldar, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Aerin closed her eyes and awaited his answer, there was no way back.
" I do not," Alderon's voice echoed through the hall.
Aerin immediately opened her eyes, did she hear it correctly or did her ears betray her? She looked sideways at Alderon, her mouth half opened, she was totally stunned. Whispers sounded through the hall. Aerin could see that every one was as astonished as she was.
"I do not wish to marry this she- elf," Alderon repeated.
Alderon took Aerin's hands in his and looked at her. "I cannot bear to see you unhappy, I vowed never to hurt you and to always protect you. I know you cannot find happiness in my arms, it was selfish of me to think this."
Alderon then turned to his brother, Legolas. "My dear brother, I now understand that you are not to blame. I blamed you for all the wrong reasons, one of them was my own pride. I sincerely believe you love Aerin and I think you the luckiest elf in whole Middle- Earth."
Legolas was rendered, he had hoped for a miracle, but this was even too much for him to grasp all at once.
"Well, wed her before I change my mind," Alderon smiled, shoving his brother next to Aerin.
Aerin and Legolas looked at each other, a smile crept at the corners of their mouths and widened as they started to realize that in a couple of minutes they would be husband and wife. The priest was still so completely baffled by the sudden change of events that he almost forgot his lines.
"-Do-do you Aerin.." he was cut off.
"Yes I do," Aerin said, smiling widely with bright green eyes.
"-And- and do you Le." again the poor priest was cut off.
"Yes I do," Legolas answered, his eyes glistened.
"The rings," the utterly confused priest asked, while looking at the king.
A little elven child approached the couple, carrying the rings on a velvet green, leaf-shaped pillow. Legolas took them of the pillow and gave one to Aerin, who gladly accepted the ring.
"Korma a veela vin meleth,
Korma men weere,
Korma a vesta vin meleth,
Ar' ten' oio men nardan,"
Legolas spoke so everyone could hear him, placing the ring on her finger.
Aerin smiled, a tear of joy rolled down her rosy cheeks, when the ring was placed on her finger.
"One ring to show our love,
One ring to bind us,
One ring to seal our love,
And forever entwine us,"
she spoke next, placing the other ring on his finger.
"Then by the power invested in me by the Valar, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride," the priest said, smiling because he got the change to finish his sentence.
Legolas and Aerin kissed each other passionately.
A loud applause and cheering echoed through the hall, nobody seemed to care about what happened anymore. Lady Galadriel and king Thranduil were the first to congratulate the happy couple.
"I told you love will prevail," the Lady whispered into Aerin's ear with a sly smile on her face.
"You surprise me my son, but now you have given me new problem," the king said, gleefully.
"What is that, father?" Legolas asked curiously.
"Getting your brother another bride," the king laughed, patting his youngest son on the back.
"Congratulations brother," Alderon said, embracing Legolas.
"You take care of her now and make her happy, if not I swear I will track you down and.." Haldir said in a fatherly manner.
"Haldir, just congratulate them, will you and save your threats for later," Aranwe chuckled.
"Congratulations you two," she continued and then she embraced Aerin. "I will miss you, my friend."
"And I you, visit me as often as possible," Aerin replied.
After all the congratulations and festivities, Legolas and Aerin retreated. Before Aerin could enter their bedroom, Legolas stopped her.
"Should I not carry my bride over the threshold?" he said, smiling.
"Yes actually, would you carry me?" she requested, returning his smile.
Legolas instantly swept her of her feet. "I will carry you to the ends of the earth if need be, my love."
"Oh Legolas, have I told you how much I love you?" Aerin giggled.
"No, but you can demonstrate it to me in the bedroom," he teased, smiling wickedly.
******************************** *********************
Disclaimer: Yes, Yes, Yes they finally got married!! I'll leave the wedding night to your imagination. I would definitely know what to do if I was alone with the most gorgeous elf in the universe, wouldn't you?
I really, really hope you've enjoyed this chapter!
There will be one more though, my epilogue! I don't know if you will like it, but you absolutely must read it! It might surprise you!
By the way, the names of the parents of Aerin and the mother of Legolas are fully invented by me, I don't care if it's incorrect, however they're real elvish names and elven races, I've personally looked them up on the internet!
Until the next chapter!
Emily: Legolas wrote a letter because, everytime he saw her he was at a loss for words, besides I thought it would be romantic. Congratulations you're my 80th reviewer!
X fig newton 5x: Thank you for your review!
Breanna: Hope all is well with you too! Just one more chapter to go!
Galadriel Evenstar: One more cliffie ok? Anyway I read your story, it's great!
Gemini enchantress: Do you like the wedding? Isn't Alderon generous?
Fiery temper: Blush, blush. Thank you soooo much and please don't be nasty!
Softballchick: 10290: No I couldn't let Legolas kill is brother, it wouldn't be a Legolas thing to do. Anyway thank you very much for your encouragements!
***************************** *************************
I do swear that I'll always be there,
I'd give anything and everything and I will always care.
Through weakness and strength, happiness
And sorrow, for better, for worse,
I will love you,
With every beat of my heart.
(Song by Shania Twain 'From this moment')
Chapter 18: Against all odds
Alderon was pacing up and down the room, a deep frown engraved on his face.
Aerin nervously watched him, following his every move, while Legolas stood motionless beside her, both awaited his decision. They had told Alderon about their love for each other, hoping he would understand and break off his engagement to Aerin.
"I cannot believe this," Alderon muttered under his breath.
Aerin's heart went out to him, she could almost feel his pain; however, she knew this was the only right thing to do. It had never been her intention to deceive or to lie to him, she respected him too much for that and having secret rendezvous with Legolas, while keeping Alderon in the dark, wasn't fair to both of them.
"Alderon, it was never our intention, please believe me," Aerin told him, sincerely.
Alderon stopped pacing and looked her in the eye, his eyes so similar to those of his brother, so full of pain and disbelief.
"I do not understand. I love you, Aerin. Tell me, was there ever a time you loved me too?" he asked, his voice a mixture of anger and sadness.
Aerin averted her eyes, tears welling up behind them. "I have always loved you, I still do, but not in the way you deserve."
Alderon sifted his attention to his brother, who was still standing next to Aerin.
"You, my brother, can you honestly tell me that it was not your intention to..," he stopped, trying to find the right words, "To seduce her," he continued.
"I did not seduce her, my brother. We fell in love with no intention what so ever," he replied, earnestly.
Legolas and Aerin quickly exchanged glances.
"Please Alderon, you must understand, we have to call of the wedding," Aerin pleaded.
Alderon's facial features hardened and a muscle in his jaw twitched. "No, I cannot, I will not call of this wedding, our wedding. You are meant for me, both our parents decided it the very day you were born. Do you want to go against the wish of your parents?"
"No, no, but." she sobbed.
"Stop, I do not want to hear another word," he exclaimed, he couldn't cope anymore and needed to get out of the room and away from them.
Without so much as saying another word he rushed out. Alderon knew he had been unreasonable and unfair, but he just couldn't handle the situation anymore and needed to clear his head.
Aerin was on the edge of a nervous breakdown. She was holding her head in her hands and cried softly. Legolas wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to calm her down.
"Give him time, melamin, my love," Legolas whispered.
She looked at him with big, teary eyes. "We do not have more time to spare, the wedding is the day after tomorrow," she reminded him.
Legolas knew she was right, but he wasn't about to give up either. He strongly believed that love would prevail in the end.
"Do not give up, we will be together," he comforted her, gently kissing her forehead.
************************ *******************************
Aerin looked nervously at herself in the mirror. She was wearing an ivory colored wedding gown, trimmed with lace and embroidered with silver thread. Her head was decorated with a beautiful silver circlet inlayed with green jewels, which matched her eyes perfectly.
"It is very normal to feel nervous, my lady," one of her bridesmaids giggled.
"Yes," Aerin replied, absentminded.
Aerin had suggested to Legolas, that they should run away together, knowing it was a very stupid idea, but what else could they do? Legolas, however, opposed to the idea, saying it wouldn't get them anywhere and convinced her that she had to have faith in their love.
"My lady, my lady, the ceremony is about to begin, they all await your entrance," a bridesmaid tugged her arm softly.
Aerin closed her eyes and took in a couple of deep breaths before opening them again. 'I have to believe in love, I have to believe in Legolas.' She thought.
Slowly she walked to the altar, where Alderon, her soon to be husband, awaited her. He looked solemn and his face showed nothing of his emotions.
Her legs seemed to get heavier with every step she took.
Every elf she knew, every noble elf and every elf from Mirkwood was present at the wedding, running away now would only put her and her family to shame, so that wasn't an option.
The king stood next to Alderon and looked proudly at her and next to him stood Legolas. The pain she read in his eyes was too great for her to bear, she just kept looking straight ahead of her until she had finally reached the altar.
The elven priest, who was standing before them, smiled at the couple.
"Are we ready to begin?" he asked patiently, looking at both of them.
"Do you Aerin Silvermane, lady of Lorien, daughter of Vanesse of Lorien and Luinil of Pereldar, take Alderon Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood, son of Thranduil of Mirkwood and Arda of Anthatal, to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
All eyes were now upon her. Aerin had lowered her head and could hardly swallow. Her throat felt dry as she tried to get the words out of her mouth that would bind her to Alderon forever. She struggled and forced the one word, she so desperately not wanted to say, out of her mouth.
"I do," she said.
The priest looked satisfied and turned his attention towards Alderon.
"And do you Alderon Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood, son of Thranduil of Mirkwood and Arda of Anthatal, take Aerin Silvermane, lady of Lorien, daughter of Vanesse of Lorien and Luinil of Pereldar, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Aerin closed her eyes and awaited his answer, there was no way back.
" I do not," Alderon's voice echoed through the hall.
Aerin immediately opened her eyes, did she hear it correctly or did her ears betray her? She looked sideways at Alderon, her mouth half opened, she was totally stunned. Whispers sounded through the hall. Aerin could see that every one was as astonished as she was.
"I do not wish to marry this she- elf," Alderon repeated.
Alderon took Aerin's hands in his and looked at her. "I cannot bear to see you unhappy, I vowed never to hurt you and to always protect you. I know you cannot find happiness in my arms, it was selfish of me to think this."
Alderon then turned to his brother, Legolas. "My dear brother, I now understand that you are not to blame. I blamed you for all the wrong reasons, one of them was my own pride. I sincerely believe you love Aerin and I think you the luckiest elf in whole Middle- Earth."
Legolas was rendered, he had hoped for a miracle, but this was even too much for him to grasp all at once.
"Well, wed her before I change my mind," Alderon smiled, shoving his brother next to Aerin.
Aerin and Legolas looked at each other, a smile crept at the corners of their mouths and widened as they started to realize that in a couple of minutes they would be husband and wife. The priest was still so completely baffled by the sudden change of events that he almost forgot his lines.
"-Do-do you Aerin.." he was cut off.
"Yes I do," Aerin said, smiling widely with bright green eyes.
"-And- and do you Le." again the poor priest was cut off.
"Yes I do," Legolas answered, his eyes glistened.
"The rings," the utterly confused priest asked, while looking at the king.
A little elven child approached the couple, carrying the rings on a velvet green, leaf-shaped pillow. Legolas took them of the pillow and gave one to Aerin, who gladly accepted the ring.
"Korma a veela vin meleth,
Korma men weere,
Korma a vesta vin meleth,
Ar' ten' oio men nardan,"
Legolas spoke so everyone could hear him, placing the ring on her finger.
Aerin smiled, a tear of joy rolled down her rosy cheeks, when the ring was placed on her finger.
"One ring to show our love,
One ring to bind us,
One ring to seal our love,
And forever entwine us,"
she spoke next, placing the other ring on his finger.
"Then by the power invested in me by the Valar, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride," the priest said, smiling because he got the change to finish his sentence.
Legolas and Aerin kissed each other passionately.
A loud applause and cheering echoed through the hall, nobody seemed to care about what happened anymore. Lady Galadriel and king Thranduil were the first to congratulate the happy couple.
"I told you love will prevail," the Lady whispered into Aerin's ear with a sly smile on her face.
"You surprise me my son, but now you have given me new problem," the king said, gleefully.
"What is that, father?" Legolas asked curiously.
"Getting your brother another bride," the king laughed, patting his youngest son on the back.
"Congratulations brother," Alderon said, embracing Legolas.
"You take care of her now and make her happy, if not I swear I will track you down and.." Haldir said in a fatherly manner.
"Haldir, just congratulate them, will you and save your threats for later," Aranwe chuckled.
"Congratulations you two," she continued and then she embraced Aerin. "I will miss you, my friend."
"And I you, visit me as often as possible," Aerin replied.
After all the congratulations and festivities, Legolas and Aerin retreated. Before Aerin could enter their bedroom, Legolas stopped her.
"Should I not carry my bride over the threshold?" he said, smiling.
"Yes actually, would you carry me?" she requested, returning his smile.
Legolas instantly swept her of her feet. "I will carry you to the ends of the earth if need be, my love."
"Oh Legolas, have I told you how much I love you?" Aerin giggled.
"No, but you can demonstrate it to me in the bedroom," he teased, smiling wickedly.
******************************** *********************
Disclaimer: Yes, Yes, Yes they finally got married!! I'll leave the wedding night to your imagination. I would definitely know what to do if I was alone with the most gorgeous elf in the universe, wouldn't you?
I really, really hope you've enjoyed this chapter!
There will be one more though, my epilogue! I don't know if you will like it, but you absolutely must read it! It might surprise you!
By the way, the names of the parents of Aerin and the mother of Legolas are fully invented by me, I don't care if it's incorrect, however they're real elvish names and elven races, I've personally looked them up on the internet!
Until the next chapter!
Emily: Legolas wrote a letter because, everytime he saw her he was at a loss for words, besides I thought it would be romantic. Congratulations you're my 80th reviewer!
X fig newton 5x: Thank you for your review!
Breanna: Hope all is well with you too! Just one more chapter to go!
Galadriel Evenstar: One more cliffie ok? Anyway I read your story, it's great!
Gemini enchantress: Do you like the wedding? Isn't Alderon generous?
Fiery temper: Blush, blush. Thank you soooo much and please don't be nasty!
Softballchick: 10290: No I couldn't let Legolas kill is brother, it wouldn't be a Legolas thing to do. Anyway thank you very much for your encouragements!