Thank you for the reviews! I hope you enjoy this chapter and as always, let me know what you think. Sorry that this one may be a little short, but I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris.

Note Dialouge in bold is spoken in Elvish and dialouge in italics is telepathic communication between Amaris and Legolas.

Number 55: Announcement

Amaris was standing in her room and her hand maiden, Arliana, was quickly ting up the lacings of the deep blue velvet gown Legolas had made especially for her. The bodice clung to her body with a modest neckline. The sleeves belled out at the elbows and covered the back of her hands. The skirt was flowing and split in the middle revealing the pure white layering underneath the blue velvet. Amaris laughed when Arliana finished tying the dress and sighed. "Come, milady, we must do your hair!" Arliana exclaimed as she rushed Amaris over to the vanity. As Amaris sat down she laughed and Arliana started to brush out Amaris' hair. Arliana spoke common tongue and Amaris was thankful, her brain was working overload with all the Elvish she was speaking.

"It is alright Arliana. Calm down, there is no need to be in such an up roar," Amaris said as she smiled at Arliana through the mirror. Arliana looked at Amaris and shook her head.

"Milady, in an hour the announcement of your engagement to Prince Legolas will be made and yet you sit here perfectly calm." Amaris smiled at Arliana. During the past week Amaris and Arliana became very close and even though Arliana insisted on calling her either 'milady' or 'Lady Amaris' she was quiet honest with her and Amaris loved her for it.

"I know and if it wasn't for Legolas, I would be a hundred times more nervous than you are my friend!" Arliana smiled at Amaris as she began to braid her hair. "He has been speaking to me through our link and if it wasn't for that I would surely go insane." Arliana raised an eyebrow at Amaris through the mirror.

"Really, milady? What does our prince speak of to you? You haven't seen him all day." Amaris rolled her eyes at her friend.

"Arliana, Legolas can sense my fear and apprehension and he just is telling me all will be well and not to worry so much. That is all." Arliana laughed as she continued to braid her hair and twist it in different patterns leaving a place for the crown of tiny flowers of the prince's choosing to be placed on her head after the announcement. Arliana finished the last braid and smiled. Amaris looked in the mirror to see half of her hair up in different twists and braids and the other half flowed down her back in soft waves. Amaris smiled. "It looks lovely Arliana." She turned and looked at her friend. "Thank you. I do not know what I would do without you." Amaris took her hand and smiled at her. Arliana squeezed Amaris' hand, smiled and pulled her up.

"Milady, you must get your slippers on. Your escort shall be here any moment." Arliana led Amaris over and held her hand as she slipped her feet into the deep blue satin slippers. As she slid on the last slipper, there was a knock on the door. Amaris remembered she never found out who her escort was to be.

"Arliana, who is my escort?" Arliana smiled shyly and looked at her hands that were clasped in front of her. Amaris raised an eyebrow at her. "Arliana?" There was another knock on the door and Arliana quickly went to the door to open it. Amaris smoothed out her dress and listened before she stepped into view.

"Good evening, Arliana. Is Lady Amaris ready?" a familiar voice asked and Amaris' lips went into a grin as she heard her friends reply.

"Yes, Lord Isindil, she shall be out in just a moment," Arliana said quietly. Amaris stepped out and smiled when she saw Arliana looking towards the floor and Isindil looking at her with a caring smile on his face. She cleared her throat quietly and they both looked up at her. Isindil smiled at her and Arliana smiled but quietly stepped away and into the washroom to clean up from earlier.

"You look lovely Amaris," Isindil said as he stretched out his hand to her and bowed slightly. Amaris just smiled and shook her head.

"Are you always so formal Isindil?" Amaris asked with a smile eliciting a chuckle from him. She smiled and took his hand as he made his way down the hall with her. The butterflies that she had warded off earlier returned as they walked. Suddenly, Amaris heard Legolas once again in her mind.

"Meleth nîn, leave your worries behind," Legolas' voice echoed and she smiled mentally. "I am waiting patiently for you, Amaris. I cannot wait to see you in the gown that I ordered."

"It is lovely Legolas. Thank you again. You really shouldn't have done it you know," Amaris responded to him.

"You are worth it and I want to impress all of Mirkwood with the beautiful elleth that I have managed to capture with my charm." Amaris rolled her eyes.

"You have not captured me, Legolas. I just like you too much to leave." Amaris heard him chuckle when Isindil gave her a strange look. She smiled at him and spoke to Legolas quickly. "I should stop talking to you now. Isindil is looking at me like I'm crazy."

"Alright. I will see you soon, meleth nîn." With that their link was broken and she smiled at Isindil who raised an eyebrow at her.

"I was speaking to you Amaris and you did not respond. Are you well?" Isindil asked. Amaris would have blushed once again but she just gave him a shy smile.

"Forgive me, Isindil. My mind seems to be a million places at once. I think it's my nerves," she responded as the turned the last corner before they reached the ballroom. Isindil smiled at her.

"It is alright Amaris. Just worn me next time before you start a conversation with Legolas, I feel left out." Amaris gave him a shocked look and Isindil laughed.

"You knew!" Isindil only laughed harder.

"Of course! You were walking with a whimsical smile on your face and that smile only graces your face when a certain prince is around. I may not know you as long as I have known Legolas but you two are too much alike." Amaris smiled and nodded her head as they approached the door. Isindil smiled at her. "We are here. Are you ready?" Amaris swallowed hard and looked at him with a nervous smile.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Isindil smiled and patted her hand that rested on top of his and nodded towards the guards. The guards opened the door and the music stopped playing. All eyes turned to her and Isindil at the door and Amaris suddenly felt very small.

"Presenting Lady Amaris daughter of Lord Elrond of Imaldris and Lord Isindil, son of Elywyn," a voice announced from somewhere. Isindil took a step and led her into the hall. They walked down the isle and stopped before King Thranduil and Legolas.

When the door had opened Legolas could barely breathe as his eyes rested on Amaris. He thought she was breathtaking dressed in the gown he had requested and her hair would be perfect for the selection of flowers that he had chosen. As he watched her walk towards him, he envisioned the ceremony in which she would officially become his wife and an even larger smile graced his fair face. As Isindil and Amaris stopped in front of himself and his father Legolas smiled at her and she returned it. Isindil bowed and Amaris curtsied before Isindil held out Amaris' hand to King Thranduil who took it and smiled at Amaris. Legolas stood at the king's right and Amaris was now standing to the king's left. The king raised his hands to silence the whispers of the elves in the hall.

"Elves of Mirkwood, I have called this celebration to not only welcome home my son but to make an announcement to you all," King Thranduil said in a proud and strong voice. Amaris stood there quiet and looked out over the crowd who all appeared to be eager to hear their king's news. "My son, Prince Legolas, has returned home from defeating the evil Lord Sauron in what is now called "The War of the Ring" and with him he has brought home one of his companions that shared in the battles and trials throughout his journey. She is Lady Amaris, daughter of Lord Elrond of Imaldris." At her name Amaris looked at the king and smiled. The king returned her smile and then looked back to his people. "She is not only a friend and fellow warrior to my son but she is to be his bride upon his return from Minas Tirith and the coronation of Aragorn son of Arathorn as King of Gondor." Murmurs filled the room and King Thranduil took Amaris' hand and Legolas' hand and clasped them together. Amaris smiled at everyone and then looked to Legolas who gave her a huge smile and leaned into her and kissed her cheek lovingly. Everyone except for two lone figures in the shadow's clapped for their Prince and their future Princess.