Hmm... They've gone and changed things on me again... This may not look right, then, when it's up, but I haven't time to mess with it all right now. I'll figure it out later.

Chapter 47

It was almost funny to see Joy so subdued. Quiet, solemn.

Of course, it was a solemn occasion, and laughing at him was enough out of place that none of us managed to lose our grip on our mirth.

Eight of the group were currently in the room, as the ceremony began. Thranduil was the one speaking the promises, the words of warning and hope. We all knew approximately what they meant, but the one who might have translated for me was the one of the nine who was currently missing.

I winced at the taste of blood and released my lip from my teeth, before drawing it back into my mouth to soothe the wound. I honestly tried not to fidget, I really did… but I was worried, damn him!

What did I expect, though, getting mixed up with the prince?

With a sigh I consciously forced myself to relax, trying to focus on what Thranduil was saying. Considering I only picked up a handful of possible words, that wasn't easy.

I bit my lip to prevent a yelp when arms slid around me from behind. Bit my injured lip. I muffled a groan and glanced over my shoulder at Legolas.

My glance paused me. Sweat was dripping from his hair, making furrows in the dust that coated his cheeks.

He met my astonished gaze curiously, turning somewhat sheepish, though part of his gaze also hardened at the memory of whatever had put him in such a state.

I found my all purpose rag stuffed in one pocket and shifted myself closer to one of the basins around the room. Some were filled with water, while some flickered with flame. I nearly squished a plant I hadn't noticed as I wet the cloth. His arms tightened around me, holding me still, loosening only when I handed back the cloth.

He lifted a brow. "That bad?" he whispered almost silently, taking the cloth from me. He winced when he saw all the dust the cloth returned from his face with. He cleaned his hands and set the cloth aside, drawing me back against him once more.

Thranduil was still droning on. I sighed and leaned back against Legolas, tilting my head so it rested on his shoulder.

I heard and felt his soundless laugh, and glanced up only to have my cheek kissed. "Bored?" he mouthed.

"I don't know what he's saying… so… yeah. Some."

He smiled faintly but nudged me back around so I was facing Joy and Turiel… or rather, their sides. "He has already finished the interesting parts," he murmured into my ear.

I shivered as his breath alternately heated and cooled the tip. "On the warnings?"

"No, those come first," he murmured, sounding distracted.

I found out why when he deliberately blew cold air over my ear, only to press a light kiss to the hollow behind it. I jerked my elbow back into his abdomen. Now, in the middle of a good friend's wedding ceremony, surrounded by dozens of elves, was certainly not the time for such as that.

His breathed hissed out between his teeth after a long moment of stillness. He shifted his weight, putting himself more directly behind me. He sighed into my hair. "He's almost done," he finally murmured sulkily.

I rolled my eyes and focused hard on what were, in fact, the last words of the ceremony.

The gathering was silent for a long moment, before loud cheers and other inappropriate words and sounds burst forth from the six guys waiting at the front.

Joy's ears turned a bright red, but when Turiel laughed, he relaxed, his relief at her reaction obvious.

"Is it safe for me to let go?" Legolas asked warily.

"As long as you don't misbehave at the reception…"

He snorted. "In that case, I'll take my chances."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he dragged me down the hall to the room with the couple's other close friends, not releasing my hand even then. He dropped into a seat and tugged me down onto his lap. "Legolas!"

He smirked at my recovery, before nuzzling my cheek. "Yes?" He kissed me before I could reply.

By the time my tongue recovered, the room was full, and there was hardly anywhere to stand much less sit. So I stayed, listening to the bright banter until the last few days' exhausting length of keeping Turiel calm caught up with me.

I closed my eyes to help myself relax, finding that in Legolas's arms, with one of his hands in my hair, his thumb stroking soothingly behind my ear, I felt comfortable enough to drift away, even without my sight.