Oh, my aching brains. Whoever invented the fermentation process should be put to a slow, painful death. I roll over and clutch my head, hanging it over the edge, just in case I puke. I rake my hair out of my face, and peek around the room.

This is not my room. This is very hugely not my room. My room is not this...green.

I cover my eyes. Oh, no. What did I do? What did I do?

I groan and roll over in the bed. Then I open my eyes again. Where are my clothes?

Oh, no. You've got to be kidding. The Valar cannot be that cruel.

I very carefully roll into a sitting position, keeping the blanket wrapped around me. Oh, there are my clothes, all neatly folded over the chair. Have I ever mentioned that Legolas is absolutely anal about neatness? It's horrible.

I pick up my dress, but the smell of the wine hits me and I drop it again. There is absolutely no way in hell I'm putting that back on. I'll throw up. I dig through his clothes and come up with a robe. Hmm, warm. And it smells like him. Nice. I tie it securely and poke my head out the door. Thranduil and Gimli look up at me with interest.

"Good morning," Thranduil says drily. He and the Dwarf are seated at a table by the window, enjoying breakfast.

"Hungry?" Gimli offers.

I shake my head. If I open my mouth, I think I'll throw up. Of course, shaking my head was a bad idea, too. Now the room's all dizzy again. I lean on the door until I'm sure I'm not gonna fall over. "Ug."

"Legolas went to get you some tea," Thranduil says calmly, picking at some grapes. "To calm your stomach."

"Rough night?" Gimli asks. There's a twinkle in his eye that's too much like something you'd see on Elladan to really trust.

"Don't know," I mutter. "Don't remember."

I make my way into the room and fall into a chair. Must not move so fast.

I lean over. I don't know how long I stay like that, with my head in my lap, but the next thing I know, Legolas is wrapping my hands around a cup of tea. "Here. Drink this."

"Is it poison?" I ask hopefully.

He smiles slightly. "No. Merely tea, to help your headache."

I peer at him intently. He's very carefully not meeting my eyes. "Did I...do anything really embarrassing?"

Legolas glances at me sharply. "Except for fainting and then throwing up for half the night?"

"Yeah, other than that."

"Not what you're thinking," he says mildly. "Drink your tea."

"Never fear, lass," Gimli says. "Lad slept on the couch."

"'Twas an interesting evening," Thranduil murmurs.

I hide my face in Legolas's shoulder. "Oh, God. What'd I do?"

He strokes my hair. "Apparently, you found the rooms rather...warm."

Ah. Well, that explains why I woke up without clothes. I sit bolt upright and almost keel over. "In front of them?" I whisper. I point in the general direction of the King and the Dwarf.

"Yes," Legolas answered. He's enjoying my embarrassment, I can tell. I can HEAR the smrik in his voice. "'Twas rather...interesting."

"Oh, God. Just kill me."

"My brothers were amused."

I hold up a hand. "Enough. Stop." I manage to get to my feet. "I need to get back to my room before Boromir sends out search parties."

"In that?" Legolas asks sharply.

I glance down at the robe. It's too big for me, but I've got it tied tightly. I check the belt and shrug. "Yeah. I'm not putting that dress back on, it smells like wine." I head for the door.

Legolas cuts me off. "Kayli, you are not leaving in my robe!"

I shrug. "OK." I untie the belt and start to slip it off my shoulders. Thranduil starts to laugh.

Legolas swears and jerks it back up on my shoulders. "That's not what I meant!"

"You said I couldn't leave in your robe." I stare at him. "Do you have another suggestion?"

"I'm sure he does," Gimli mutters.

Legolas shoots a quick glare at the Dwarf. "Kayli, do you know what your brother will say?"

I think about that for a second and decide, yeah, I probably do. I just really, really don't care. "Yeah. But I need fresh clothes and a bath. I'm leaving this room, Legolas. It's the robe or nothing. Take your pick."

He stares at me. "You wouldn't."

I reach for the belt again. He grabs my hands. "Must you shed your clothes at every opportunity?" He glances over my shoulder at the two quietly laughing by the window. "And in front of my father?"

"I can leave if you want," his Majesty kindly offers.

Legolas throws up his hands. "Fine. Go. If I end up on the tip of Boromir's blade, it's your fault."

"I'll get his leash out," I promise, and kiss his cheek. "There are some back corridors, so nobody'll see me until I get there. And if Boromir freaks out, I'll take care of it."

Thranduil's laughing quietly as I leave.

111

Twenty minutes later, I'm neck deep in bath water and seriously considering drowning myself. I made it back unseen, huzzah! And Boromir was already gone. I got the lecture and the death threats from Iariel instead.

Of all the embarrassing things to do...If not for the look on Legolas's face when I tried to give him his robe back, I'd chalk up the morning as a complete loss and go back to bed until tomorrow. Well, there is also one other teeny thing stopping me.

Wedding. King and Queen. Standing with Arwen.

It's gonna be great when the bride and two of her attendants are hung over.

Iariel comes in with fresh clothes and towels. "How's your head?" she asks, smiling viciously.

"Much better, actually, thanks for asking."

I sigh and get out of the bath. "Be nice, Iariel. The wonderful thing about drunks is that you don't have to make them feel horrible. They've done it all on their own."

She sighs and starts to run a brush through my hair. I wish she wouldn't do that. I can brush my own damn hair, thank you. I don't sit still very well, not even with a pounding head and a stomach that's apparently taking up gymnastics as a hobby. I dress quickly. "Do you want me to fetch your clothes?"

"Fetch her clothes from where?" Boromir demands from the doorway.

I consider beating my head on the sink. Iariel blushes and stammers.

"Where were you last night, little sister?" he demands. "I was worried."

"Noticed your wine missing, eh?" I finish with my dress and run my hands through my hair. "Relax. I was in Arwen's rooms."

"Really? All night?"

"Most of it." I hold up a hand to stop him. "I was with Legolas. He found me wandering the halls lost last night, and brought me back to his rooms. And before you start on that, I have it on excellent authority he slept on the couch."

Boromir softens. I can almost see it happening. He brushes a hand over my hair. "He took care of you, then?"

I smile, going squishy myself. "Yeah." I fiddle with my sleeves. "And don't bother with the lectures. Iariel took care of it. Not that you have any room to throw stones anyway."

He laughs. "That is certainly true. The other ladies await your presence."

111

They're on me like vultures the instant I step through Arwen's doors. The sun is shining through every available surface and I wish desperately for sungalsses and Tylenol-3.

"Where did you go last night?" Eowyn demands. "Boromir was having a fit this morning."

"Legolas found me wandering the halls," I explain, and fall into a chair, sheilding my eyes.

They all turn to stare at me. "No, it's not what you're thinking."

"Hmm. Pity," Galadriel murmumrs.

"Oh, my God." I throw up my hands. "This morning was horrible, and you think I should've made it worse?"

"Horrible how?" Arwen asks curiously, turning her head quickly. Galadriel moves it back.

I groan. "Don't even ask. Did I spill wine at some point in the evening?"

Eowyn shrugs. "The only thing I remember was the singing."

Arwen shudders. "That was horrible. No, I don't remember either, Kayli."

"Well, my dress smelled like wine this morning. So I stole his robe." I wince as Iariel starts to yanks my hair into braids. "Then he threw a fit about me leaving the room in it."

Galadriel laughs. "Ah, yes, very improper."

"What did you do?" Eowyn asks.

I shrug. "He said I couldn't leave in his robe, so I was gonna give it back."

"You threatened to leave his room naked?" Eowyn demands.

I close my eyes as Iariel finishes pinning my hair. "I told him it was the robe or nothing."

Arwen dissolves into laughter. "Oh, to have seen the look on his face!"

I smirk. "Yeah, it was priceless."

"I'm surprised he didn't take you up on the offer," Galadriel muses.

"His father was there."

"Ah, yes. Otherwise it wouldn't have been a problem, I'm sure."

"Oh, my God."

While the others are laughing at my pain, there's a knock on the door and Celeborn comes in, looks at the laughing ladies, then glances at me, who is NOT laughing, then at his wife. "Do I want to know?"

Galadriel shakes her head. "No, my husband. Definitely not."

"Ah. Perhaps one of you could explain why Prince Legolas is in such a foul mood?"

Now I laugh. "That's probably me."

"Ah," he says calmly, sets down the tea tray and kisses his wife. "I'll leave you ladies to it and go restrain Elrond."

Arwen sighs. "Is he still upset?"

"Oh, yes, for a while, he will be." He smooths Arwen's hair. "He's not worried you're making a terrible mistake, he's worried Aragorn won't take good enough care of you."

Arwen sighs. "That's new."

"He worries, child." Celeborn kisses Arwen's hair. "He's happy for you." He nods to the rest of us and slips out the door.

Iariel taps my shoulder. "It's time to get you into your gown, milady."

I sigh. "Yeah, okay. Let's do this."

111

Arwen looks beautiful, and frighteningly serene. It's almost impossible to believe this is the same woman who was having a nervous breakdown yesterday. She's dressed in a very pale color, white with a hint of lavender, and her hair is very, very complicated. I wish Aragorn luck with the pins. She has a lace veil over her face and a complicated circlet on her brow.

Eowyn and I follow behind her, two Elvish girls behind us. Eowyn's wearing white -- as usual -- and I'm wearing red. Yes, red. Arwen picked our gowns, so it was her idea. We're both wearing circlets as well. Boromir sprang mine on me this morning. A lady of Gondor cannot be without adornment, you know. It's giving me a raging headache.

We take up our positions, half-listen as Gandalf marries them. Gimli, Boromir, Legolas, and the twins stand with Aragorn, who looks kinda green. If it wasn't so wrong to enjoy the suffering of others, I'd laugh.

At the end of the ceremony, the share a short kiss, and turn to look upon their people. Who are currently cheering until they're hoarse.

And then we begin the procession down the aisle. Whoever arranged this should be shot, by the way. Guess who I'm walking with? Yeah, him.

It's a long line. Behind Aragorn and Arwen are Celeborn and Galadriel, looking misty-eyed. Then is Elrond, walking alone. Then it's Eowyn and Faramir, Legolas and I, the twins paired off with the Elvish maidens, Boromir and Gimli bringing up the end.

Legolas takes my hand. "You're supposed to smile, melisse."

I frown at him. "Why do you call me that?"

He kisses my temple, and I can hear the people on both sides start to talk. Eowyn smirks over her shoulder at me. "I'll tell you later," he whispers. "But smile, love."

I make myself smile. "This is not going to be a fun evening."

He glances at me. "Why?"

"I don't dance. Remember?"

He smiles slightly. "You danced very well, Kayli. At least until Elladan made you laugh."

"She started it," Elladan whispers behind us.

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Not."

"Stop that, both of you," Elrond says, not losing his serene smile.

"Sorry, Adar."

"Sorry, my Lord."

"Prince Legolas, you have extremely strange taste in females," Elrond says, then steps up next to his daughter as we enter the citadel.

"Oh, thanks," I mutter.

Elladan starts to laugh and swings an arm over my shoulders. "Peace, Kayli. For Ada, that was almost a compliment."

111

And now we party. There's dancing, and music, and laughter, and drinking. Lots and lots of drinking. I find a corner to hide in and settle down to watch everyone else publicly make an ass of themselves. Faramir and Eowyn are dancing, Aragorn and Arwen, Edana and Boromir (finally!) and Althea has cornered Legolas. I should probably go rescue him, but I really don't want to. The Hobbits are gathered with Gimli and Eomer, around food. Rohan's King is watching a pretty girl dance with someone else. He looks like he's been clipped with Sam's frying pan.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love not being out there?

"Do you not dance, child?" Thranduil asks, seating himself next to me.

I shake my head. "Not when I can possibly avoid it, your Majesty."

He looks out over the dance floor, catching his son's slightly panicked eyes. "Someone should help him."

"Yeah."

"I'm not going to, however."

"He's a big boy. He can take care of himself."

He laughs softly. "We're horrible. Wine?"

I make a face. "I've sworn in off."

"Ah." He fills his own glass. "Legolas will be so disapponted."

I laugh and cover my face with my hands. "Oh, God. I'm never going to live that down, am I?"

"Oh, no. You've given us much to remember."

The dance ends, and Legolas manages to get away from Althea. He heads straight for us, appropriates his father's wine glass, and drains it. "I don't like her."

"Oh, come on," I say cheerfully. "What's not to like."

"She's vapid, clinging, self-absorbed, and obnoxious."

"Other than that."

He shakes his head. "You could've helped," he tells me.

I make rude noise and start to look for my water glass. "I try not to go within five feet of Althea if I can avoid it."

"Wise," Thranduil murmurs, watching the people mill about the floor.

A new song starts, and Legolas takes my hand. "Come, Kayli. Will you dance with me?"

I curve my fingers around his. "If I step on your feet, it's your fault," I warn.

He laughs. "I'm forewarned."

He leads me out onto the edge of the floor and slips an arm around my waist. "I hate this," I mutter. "Everytime I come out here, I feel like everyone's watching me."

"Not everyone," he murmurs. "Aragorn and Arwen are too wrapped up in themselves today."

"Almost everyone," I correct.

"That's true."

I lay my head on his shoulder. Hell, if they wanna gossip, might as well add some fuel to the fire.

I was wrong. The night didn't turn out so bad after all.

TBC...

Catherine Maria -- Elladan is kinda brave, isn't he? Heh. As for Boromir, I think you are definitely biased, Edana. As for Kayli...I hope she enjoyed the morning after!

ArcherofDarkness -- So, the twins are more your speed? Heh. Thanks!

Destiny Goddess -- They are naive, aren't they? Thanks!

Mint Bubble -- Don't worry about the straightjacket vibes, I give out my own all the time. (Like tonight -- mustard is evil). Thank you!

Trisana / Kara -- Minds on the path of purity, please. For the sake of Galadriel's sanity. Heh. Thanks!

elrohir lover -- Thanks again! Big kiss. Big one.

Elven Mischief -- Thanks! You're awesome!

Laer4572 -- You never know with Kayli. Maybe they'll just live in sin? Thanks!

Kat Hawkins -- Thanks!

nienna-yavetil -- Oh, I'd say it counts. Heh. I love Hobbits, too. Thanks!

Auburn Arafura -- I love cookies! (even imaginary ones) Thanks! PS Chocolate chip? I'd settle for a big bag of M&M's.

yuhi -- She is funny when she's trashed, isn't she? Heh. Thanks again!