25 – Wedding Feast

Even as Legolas kissed her, Thranduil stepped down to them to ask blessing from the Valar on their union and then he kissed Fuineth and called her 'daughter'. As everyone then took their places Legolas led his wife to the top table where they were the guests of honour, though in truth neither could eat much so delighted and full of emotion were they.

As they sat, listening and replying to the talk around them, Legolas took her hand and she looked at him. They had barely spoken and now he smiled at her and murmured, "Well, Fuineth, it is done." She smiled, shyly, and nodded.

He bent to kiss her once more, and whispered, "Hervess nín," and she felt herself shudder to hear it.

When he pulled back from the kiss and was still close she murmured, "Hervenn nín," and Legolas beamed.

They both laughed softly at these new, wonderful titles for each other.

Once the feast was finished, and everyone sated, the tables were pulled back under the trees, and some removed completely, to clear space for the dancing. The Dorwinion flowed freely and the music struck up but though some sang no one began to dance. Legolas turned to Fuineth.

"They are waiting for us. Come, meleth nín."

He took her by the hand and they went to the middle of the glade. As they did so the music died as the musicians readied themselves and the glade began to fill with couples for the first dance. As ever the Galadhrim and the twins had their pick of the many beautiful women and elf-maids there, while Arwen let Thranduil, as host, have the first dance with her. Her husband and father would have to wait.

Fuineth and Legolas were lost in their own world as they moved and met and parted to meet again round and round the circle the dancers had formed. Their eyes never left each other. Every time they came close Legolas would murmur to her, calling her his love, his heart, his wife, till she was pink with excitement and pleasure.

As the dance ended he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He sighed as he smiled down at her, "Ai, I cannot quite believe you are mine, Fuineth. The day I dreamed of, and which once I never hoped to imagine, is here. You are in my arms. You are my wife."

She smiled, "And you my husband. Oh, Legolas! I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am."

He kissed her and said, "As am I, meleth nín; happier than I ever thought possible."

At last, after several dances together, Legolas relinquished Fuineth to her brother's charge when he asked for a dance with his sister and Legolas turned to find Aragorn and Gandalf waiting to congratulate him.

Aragorn embraced him warmly. Gandalf just chuckled, "Well now, I am pleased for you, Legolas Greenleaf. Pleased indeed. She is a fine woman."

Legolas beamed, "She is indeed."

Gandalf nodded, "Your father has been telling me what an impression she has made on him. Considering that he no doubt disapproves of your union that is remarkable indeed."

Legolas smiled, "I am not surprised. I knew he would like her, even if it would take a little time for him to get to know her. It is why I insisted he meet her as soon as possible and that the marriage take place here. I wanted him to meet her and understand something of my decision."

Aragorn interjected, "Even so. Forgive me, Legolas, but your father can be, how shall I put it, a little set in his ways at times? What did she do to make him like her so?"

"Well, you perhaps know of the gifts she brought?"

Aragorn grinned and nodded but turned to explain to Gandalf, "Arwen gave her a gold buckle studded with jewels for her to give to him."

Gandalf raised his eyebrows. "A rich gift indeed," he muttered, and his eyes glinted with laughter.

Legolas laughed, "Well, yes, and it was greatly appreciated as was to be expected perhaps, and one that immediately made a good impression, but more than that..."

He paused and grinned. Aragorn and Gandalf looked at him closely.

He continued, "She answered him back when they first spoke to each other."

Aragorn spluttered into his cup of wine and Gandalf's eyebrows shot upwards as he said, "She is brave indeed to have done such a thing. Whatever was she thinking?"

Legolas laughed, "He was very impressed by it. She has not told me what happened, indeed I am not entirely sure she realises what dangerous ground she was upon to do so, but he told me that she was most courteous and charming in her speech but plainly told him that he was utterly wrong about what he thought of me and my decision."

Aragorn was laughing now, "I am not sure if that would be the Rohirrim or the Dúnedain within her for her to be so bold."

Gandalf said, his tone serious but his eyes twinkling with mischief, "I imagine it was both, Aragorn. It is a dangerous combination when mixed I do not doubt. Both are a proud, noble and warrior-like people. You will have your hands full I imagine with such a one as a wife, Legolas."

He laughed, "Not at all. She is free spirited, it is true, but in a way that is very elvish. She loves to run and ride, feel the wind in her hair and simply be herself, just as I do. It is why I love her so. From the very first I saw that in her. She is strong, and unafraid to do what she feels is right, and yet she is amongst the gentlest people I have ever met." Gandalf and Aragorn both smiled to hear him talk so.

Aragorn laid his hand upon his shoulder, "I am glad for you, Legolas, truly." Then as he looked up he could see the dance had finished and Túveren was returning Legolas's bride to him. "Here," said Aragorn, "Here she is for you. Go dance. Enjoy this day."

And so the dancing continued even as dusk fell and torches were tied to the trees around the edge of the clearing. Legolas and Fuineth laughed and giggled as they danced and he would whisper in her ear and they would kiss sometimes as they met in mid-turn till at last Fuineth was gasping for breath and begging for mercy so they stopped and rested a while. Legolas led her to one side to drink some wine while sitting on some cushions.

He looked at her as she watched the dancing. He sighed and lifted one hand to her face, "You are beautiful, Fuineth. You are always beautiful but today especially so. I cannot keep my eyes off you."

She flushed a little, "Thank you, Legolas. I am glad the dress pleases you."

"It does in truth, and the necklace, but they only enhance your beauty not provide it alone."

She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him tenderly. "And you look very handsome and princely today, hervenn nín."

He grinned, "Ah so you noticed?"

She giggled. "I notice also your father is wearing the belt buckle I gave him. I am pleased he thought enough of it to wear it this day."

Legolas nodded then grinned, "You never told me you spoke back to him."

She looked surprised, "What do you mean?"

"He told me, after that first time you spoke. It is the reason he first began to like you and understand why I love you so. You told him he was wrong. Very politely, so he said, but even so."

He could tell she was worried now, not having realised before that what she had said that day was quite so serious. He spoke more gently, "Have no fear, Fuineth. You did right, but you did something most would not have had the courage to do. It was well perhaps you did not know my father or know of him before you met otherwise you would have never dared to do such a thing."

She was blushing now, "I did hesitate from speaking, I will admit. But I felt it was best that he know what I felt. I thought what he said about you was unjust and I told him so."

Legolas drew his breath in over his teeth even while he laughed, "That was brave indeed, meleth nín. I do not know of anyone other than myself who might dare tell him so. Except Gandalf possibly."

She looked down now, "Did I do wrong, Legolas?"

He shook his head, laughed and held her hand, "No, Fuineth, you did not. By it he saw your character and your love for me. By it you showed him the things he needed to know. You did well. I am glad you did it. And so is he. He told me so himself that very night." She nodded and smiled, reassured by his words.

There was a pause before Legolas spoke once more, his eyes glinting mischievously now, "There is something else I would know."

She looked at him and seeing the expression on his face she grinned, wondering what he was about. "Yes, Legolas?"

"Yes," he said and drew himself closer to her, putting down his wine, so he had one arm about her waist and the other behind her on the cushions. "This morning. When we passed by you as we set out for our ride." Fuineth was giggling now as he continued, "What exactly was going on?"

She looked at him her eyes full of laughter and her smile broad, "Well, I am not sure I should tell you, hervenn nín, it was, after all, a private conversation."

Legolas grinned, his face closer, "So it appeared. You all looked very embarrassed to have us suddenly there, if truth be told. We wondered much what you had been discussing."

Fuineth giggled but said nothing.

"You will not tell me?"

He raised an eyebrow now. She shook her head, biting her lip to stop her laughter.

Legolas had an expression on his face that he reserved especially for mischievous children. The gleam in his eye was unmistakeable. "Uh-ho, we can't have this," he murmured, laughing and shaking his head.

Fuineth was off, Legolas chasing after her.

She darted in and out of the trees and then tried to speed her way between the revellers but even as she turned aside to do so he caught her. She giggled and squealed as he grabbed her, tickling her as he did so, their movements taking them into the shadows of the trees slightly.

He was laughing at her and saying quietly even as she struggled, laughing in his arms, "Did I not tell you to never try an outrun an elf?"

She laughed, breathless, "You did, Legolas, but I had to try nonetheless."

He was standing behind her, holding her round her waist his face pressed against her cheek as he laughed into her ear. "Ah, but I would always catch you, Fuineth."

She turned to him now and giggled, "But isn't the fun in the chase?"

He raised an eyebrow and grinned, "Well there is that, it is true. But we are done with our chasing now, are we not? We have caught each other this day and that is just as pleasant, is it not?"

She smiled, "Yes indeed, meleth nín. This day you have me and you are mine also. Forever."

He bent his head towards her and their lips met. His hand moved up to hold her by the neck even as she held him round his back. Their lips moved, parted and their tongues entwined, searching and tasting each other.

Legolas had to stop himself from taking her away from the dance then and there, so strong was his sudden desire for her, but he knew they would have to wait a little longer before they could leave and take delight in each other to the fullest.

He began to kiss along her jaw, even as he thought about the night they would share together, and when he reached the top of her neck he nibbled up to her earlobe and licked it gently with the tip of his tongue. He could hear her breathing heavily into his ear. He broke their passionate embrace, and saw her eyes were closed in delight, but when she opened them as he pulled away the disappointment was clear upon her face.

He laughed softly and kissed her lightly on the lips once more saying, "Not yet, Fuineth," he murmured, and then continued, "We should return, hervess nín, would you care to dance some more?"

She shook her head, "No in truth. I wish only to sit with you and know that you are near me. Perhaps in a little while. Would you mind, Legolas, if we sat another dance out together?"

He shook his head, "Not at all, meleth nín. Like you it is enough for me to be with you and whether that is seated or dancing it is of no consequence."

She smiled, kissed him and then they walked back, hand in hand, to the clearing once more.

----------------------------------------------

Roasted meats had been brought again, now that night had fallen. The top table was filled with the guests of honour, but the rest of the guests ate as they were on the cushions and seats round the edge of the glade. Minstrels sang ballads and love songs as they ate.

Fuineth knew that she and Legolas would leave the revels soon and was filled with a sense of nervousness and excitement once more. It was true that she was enjoying the celebration, but what she really wanted was simply to be alone with him, not even to kiss and hold him, but to be alone without disturbance or distraction. She knew it was foolish, that she had her whole life ahead of her for that, but at that moment it was all she could think of.

She had grown quiet and Legolas watched her as they sat at the high table. Thranduil was regaling everyone with a tale of Doriath but Legolas could tell she was barely listening.

"Fuineth," he whispered, "Is anything amiss, my love?"

She looked at him, smiling shyly, "No, not at all, Legolas. Nothing could be more perfect. Why do you ask?"

He smiled, "You seem a little distracted." She blushed a little then and he guessed what she was thinking of. He leant close to her and kissed behind her ear and whispered quietly as he did so, "We will leave soon enough, my love, and then you can relax once more." She smiled.

So at last, after speeches and song, the dancing started again under the stars and by the bright torch light. Laughter was long and loud as the Dorwinion flowed and many were singing raucously under the trees now while others gesticulated wildly over their cups. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves. Legolas and Fuineth had finished another dance together and for once did not find someone near either asking one of them for a dance or else to congratulate them or engage them in conversation. They both exchanged a glance and arm in arm they began to walk slowly toward the trees.

They had barely reached them when they heard a voice.

"Ah! You leaving? It's still early yet, stay a while!"

They turned to find Rúmil grinning at them with Elladan's arm round his shoulder.

Legolas smiled, "Just going for a walk."

The two elves nodded wisely. Elladan lurched toward Fuineth, taking her arm in his, "Did I ever tell you, my lady, what we think of Legolas? He is a fine catch you know. You should be proud of yourself. I mean to say," he gestured wildly, and not a little drunkenly, at the trees next to him, "All this is his! Or will be."

Legolas was trying hard not to laugh, "Elladan would you mind unhanding my wife? We were hoping to have a little break from the festivities not be pestered by the likes of you."

Elladan stuck his tongue out at him while Rúmil now took Fuineth by the other arm and the two started to lead her back towards the dance. She looked over her shoulder pleadingly at Legolas, though her eyes were laughing at this drunken performance by the pair.

He laughed to see her and stepped forward, "Rumil! Elladan! Where are you taking my bride?"

The two stopped, looked at each other across Fuineth and then looked at Legolas as if it should have been patently obvious to him where they were taking her. "Why, to get another drink, of course!" and they both laughed.

Fuineth managed to extricate herself, biting her cheeks not to laugh out loud.

Legolas grinned, "Are you sure that is wise, given the state you are both in?"

Orophin and Túveren, seeing the commotion, had come over to investigate. "Brother," Orophin was saying, "What are you up to now?"

Legolas explained, "They were trying to steal my wife away on the pretext of getting more Dorwinion."

"Were they now?" said Túveren with a grin and a raised eyebrow.

Orophin exhanged a glance with Legolas as he said, "I feel this warrants a forfeit, don't you Túveren?"

Legolas started to laugh.

"Yes indeed, my dear Orophin," replied Túveren, "What would you suggest?"

Rúmil and Elladan started to protest but Túveren, Orophin and Legolas had a firm hold on them both now and even as they spoke Elrohir, Haldir and Naril arrived.

Legolas stepped back to join Fuineth who was in helpless giggles.

"What is going on?" asked Haldir.

Túveren summed up the situation, "They were harassing my sister and they need to be taught a lesson."

"Indeed?"

The three new arrivals smirked and before another word could be said Rúmil and Elladan were picked up bodily and carried off through the trees. Rúmil and Elladan tried to object with an "Now look here..!" and that was the last Legolas and Fuineth saw of any of them for the evening.

As they watched them all disappear off into the gloom carrying the two struggling elves away, the newlyweds both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Then, grinning, Legolas grabbed her hand, "Come on, quickly! Before someone else tries to waylay us!" And he pulled her, running, into the darkness of the trees.

Only once they were some way from the festivities and, though they could still hear the music and laughter it was fading a little, did Legolas stop, pull her to him and kiss her long and deep. At last he let her go and they walked hand in hand for a little while under the trees with the moonlight slanting through the branches and lighting their way for them.

Fuineth giggled, "What will they do to them?" She caught the smirk on his face and laughed as she added, "Perhaps I don't want to know."

"Safer we don't know, I would imagine, given one is the son of Elrond and the other a Galadhrim."

"I suppose so. But whatever is done will have also been perpetrated by another son of Elrond and two other Galadhrim, do not forget."

Legolas laughed, "Well it won't be anything too dreadful. Probably tie them upside down to a tree somewhere or hanging from a branch and leave them there to sober up. That's usually what happens." He paused and grinned, "Unless they dye Rúmil's hair again, of course."

Fuineth burst out laughing, "You aren't serious?"

"Perfectly. Rather fetching shade of green it was too."

Fuineth looked at him, shocked, and they both roared.

hervess nin = my wife

hervenn nin = my husband