Note: I do not have any idea on how Elves celebrated marriage. The ceremony and words are entirely my own creation.
Translations:
Lle naa vanima- you are beautiful
Diole lle - thank you
Le meluven une ar alye lumessen tenna - I will love you for better or worse till death us do part
Chapter 8 Wedding Day
The morning of the wedding dawned clear and warm, and even though it was early no one in the palace was sleeping. The kitchen staff were putting the finishing touches on the celebration feast. Other servants were busy in the courtyard setting up chairs and benches. Elrond was overseeing the servants in the courtyard, while Thranduil was greeting guests. He had just greeted a party from Lothlorien, when Elrond came up to him.
"It is close to time Thranduil. Shall we go look in on your son, and Yesel?" He nodded, then went over to where Arwen was standing, talking to some of her kin.
"Arwen, will you please greet the guests for me? I need to see Legolas."
She inclined her head in acquiesce. As Thranduil and Elrond walked through the palace, Thranduil said, "I was not expecting anyone from Lothlorien. Galadriel's mirror sees much."
"It always has," Elrond commented. "I am glad to see that Gandalf made it."
"As am I. Legolas has always been fond of him."
They were nearing Legolas' chambers when they heard him shouting. They exchanged a look and ran into the room. Upon entering they found Aragorn sitting on a chair with his hands bound, glaring at his brothers. The twins were sitting on a couching, laughing so hard they were crying. From a closed door, they heard Legolas shouting, "LET ME OUT OF HERE!"
"Elladan, Elrohir untie your brother and let Legolas out of the washroom," Elrond said sternly. Elladan untied Aragorn while Elrohir went and unlocked the door. An angry looking Legolas stomped out.
"That wasn't funny."
"Yes it was," Elrohir said. To his brother he said, "Now we owe Yesel two dozen arrows.
"Yesel knew about this," Legolas asked in amazement.
"Sort of. When we stopped to see her this morning she mentioned that you might be a little nervous, so we mentioned that we might have to calm you down. We placed a wager. She said you'd be mad and wouldn't find it funny. We thought you would." Legolas stood there dumbfounded as everyone laughed.
"You really should be thanking us Legolas," Elladan told him.
"Thank you for what," he asked incredulously.
"Well, instead of now being nervous about your impending wedding, you're just mad at us." Legolas looked at him for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"Your method may be unorthodox, but your intentions were good, and it worked," he admitted to them. Thranduil chuckled, then said, "Legolas you'd better finish getting ready. Elladan, Elrohir go down to the courtyard and be seated."
"And be good," their father admonished them. They grinned wickedly and left. "Elrond, shall we go see Yesel? Legolas, we will see you downstairs shortly. Do not be nervous my son." They left and Legolas began to dress.
Elrond and Thranduil headed down to Yesel's room. They knocked on the door. It was opened by Elisel.
"May we come in?" Elisel smiled and led them into the room. Yesel was seated at a table brushing her hair.
"Good morning," she greeted them.
"You seem calm for someone who is about to be married. Are you not nervous," Thranduil asked her.
"No. All my choices have led me to this point. There is nowhere else I want to be. Is Legolas nervous?"
"He was a bit, I think, until Elladan and Elrohir helped him."
"My sons now owe you two dozen arrows Yesel," Elrond informed her.
"They didn't actually lock him in did they?" At Elrond's nod she began to laugh. "Poor Legolas," she said through her laughter. "Actually, I am glad to see you both before the ceremony. There is something I need to do." She got up and went over to the bed, on which were four wrapped packages. She picked up three of them and brought them over. "In Evermeet, on her wedding day the bride gives four gifts. One to her beloved's father, to thank him for his son." She handed a package to Thranduil, and he opened it. It was a silver plate. On it were his name and the elvish runes for love, wisdom, patience, and kindness. On the back was an inscription. "To Thranduil, With my love, Yesel."
"I made it to symbolize all the qualities that make you a good king."
"Thank you Yesel. I will treasure it." He hugged her. She then turned to Elrond. "She also gives a gift to her father. My father could not be here with me, but you have agreed to stand in his stead. For today you are my father." She handed him a gift. He unwrapped it and gazed at it in awe. It was a silver chalice. In gold filigree were two leaves, conjoined with each other. One leaf held his name. On the other leaf was the name of Celebrian, his beloved wife. On the base was inscribed, "To Elrond, Love never dies, Yesel." He looked at her.
"I know she will be with you as Legolas and I celebrate our love."
"It is beautiful Yesel. Thank you." He kissed her on the forehead.
"Who are the other two for Yesel," Elisel asked her. She handed one to the girl. She looked puzzled.
"Go ahead and open it." She opened it and said, "Oh." Yesel smiled at her reaction.
"Are these really for me?"
"Of course they are. As a thank you for standing up with me on my wedding day." "What did you get Elisel," Thranduil asked her. She held up two golden barrettes inlaid with small rubies. Yesel took them and affixed them in the girl's hair.
"You look very nice Elisel," Elrond told her. Thranduil agreed.
"Yesel, wherever did you get silver, gold, and rubies," Elrond asked her.
"On our way down here, we met up with a band of dwarves. We traveled together for a little way, then were attacked by ogres. I saved the leader's life. To show his appreciation he gave me two small bars of silver, on small bar of gold, and several rubies."
"'Who's the last gift for?" Yesel smiled.
"This one is for Legolas. I'll give it to him this evening. Would you like to see it?" They nodded. She carefully undid the wrapping and showed them the quiver she had made for him. Onto it she had stitched the elvish runes for protection.
"That is fine craftsmanship Yesel," Thranduil told her.
"Now we have a gift for you." He handed her a package.
"This is from Elrond and me." She opened it and gasped. On a thin silver chain was a perfectly cut and polished teardrop shaped emerald.
"It's beautiful, thank you both." She put it on.
"It looks so pretty on you," Elisel said. She smiled.
"Are you ready Yesel," Elrond asked her.
"Yes. I am." They left her room
In the courtyard, Legolas and Aragorn were talking with Gandalf. Legolas had been both surprised and delighted to see him there. All conversation stopped when Thranduil, Elrond, Elisel, and Yesel entered. Legolas drew in his breath as she approached him. She was resplendent in a dress so pale blue it was almost white. She had left her hair long and flowing and was wearing the emerald pendant and a bracelet made of violets. She was beautiful. She was also admiring him as she walked towards him. He was wearing a dark green velvet tunic over lighter green leggings. When she reached them, he took her hands in his and said, " Lle naa vanima."
"Diole lle Legolas." Gandalf cleared his throat.
"Do I get an introduction Legolas?"
"Yesel this is Gandalf." She dropped him a curtsey.
"It is my pleasure to finally meet you Gandalf. Legolas and Aragorn have told me so much about you. Thank you for joining us and helping us celebrate on this happy occasion." Gandalf laughed.
"You honor me with your words Yesel. You have chosen well Legolas. She is very charming, and beautiful as well."
"Yesel, Legolas, if you are ready to begin," a voice called. Hand in hand they walked over to where the priest was waiting for them, as all the guests were seated.
Legolas and Yesel knelt in front of him.
"Who will speak for Legolas Greenleaf," he intoned.
"I, Thranduil of Mirkwood will speak for him."
"And who will speak for Yesel Valmare?"
"I, Elrond of Rivendell will speak for her."
"And who will stand with them?"
"I, Aragorn of Rivendell stand with Legolas."
"And I, Elisel of Mirkwood stand with Yesel."
"What does the king say?"
"I, Thranduil, King of Mirkwood give my blessing to the marriage of Legolas Greenleaf and Yesel Valmare."
The priest offered a prayer to Valar. "
Two of your First-born seek you blessing on their union. Please watch over them and guide them." He beckoned them to rise. He led them to a small table that held two wreaths of flowers, and a silken rope. Legolas and Yesel turned to face each other. The priest handed a wreath to Legolas. Legolas placed it onto Yesel's head. The priest then handed the other wreath to Yesel, and she placed it onto Legolas' head. The priest joined their hands together.
"As I bind your hands together, speak the words that will bind your hearts." Legolas and Yesel looked deep into each other's eyes and said in unison, "Le meluven une ar alye lumessen tenna nurucilie."
" Legolas and Yesel do you promise to protect, to serve, and to provide for each other for the rest of your lives?"
"We do so promise."
"Do you promise to welcome and provide for any children that may come from this union?"
"We do so promise."
"Do you promise to honor and love each other?"
"We do so promise." The priest turned towards the table. When he turned back he was holding a small, sharp knife.
"Yesel, Legolas, even though I now release you from the physical bond, remember always the promises you have made to each other in front of these witnesses. He cut the rope binding their wrists.
Yesel and Legolas turned so they were facing the crowd. Behind them the priest said, "Residents of Mirkwood, guests from places far and near, it is my honor to present to you Legolas and Yesel. May their lives be both happy and blessed."