Hey everyone! Thank you for the reviews. Half of this chapter was supposed to be on the last chapter that was terribly short. I apologize once again for the delay in updating. My grandpa is doing better and he is home from the hospital after being in there a week, he went in on my birthday, which sucked terribly. Anyway, enough of my rambling and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Amaris.
Note: Dialouge in bold is spoken in Elvish and dialouge in itlaics is telepathic communication between Amaris and Legolas.
Number 64: Of Coronations and Celebrations
They walked outside and meet up with Elviondel and the others. Amaris' left arm was linked with Legolas right as they walked, and she couldn't help herself as she brought her free hand to caress the pendant that hung from her neck. Legolas glanced at her and smiled. He quickly turned his attention ahead as they were coming up on everyone else. "I am glad you like the pendant Amaris," Legolas said through their link. Amaris smiled and slowly dropped her hand.
"I do Legolas. Thank you again. I will be sure and thank your father once we return to Mirkwood as well," Amaris responded. Legolas smiled and soon they stood with the others.
"Good evening Prince Legolas, Lady Amaris," Elviondel said as he bowed his head. Legolas and Amaris returned the gesture and they both smiled.
"Good evening Lord Elviondel," Amaris said.
"The coronation is about to begin. Once King Elessar makes his way down the path, we shall approach with our good wishes," Legolas said to everyone. The others nodded and Amaris looked around briefly and smiled when she saw Arwen standing dressed in a light green gown wearing her silver crown upon her head, and hidden behind a banner of Gondor. Amaris saw Lord Elrond and met his eyes. She smiled at him and he at her before Arwen looked at her. Amaris' smile grew at the somewhat nervous expression on her face. Arwen smiled at her when suddenly the music began.
Amaris smiled as Gandalf placed the crown on Aragorn's head. Aragorn stood tall and proud. Amaris couldn't help be proud for the man that she loved as her brother but in her heart she wished that Boromir could be standing with them and proud that his land would once again be strong. Amaris felt a tear escape her eye as Aragorn sang and she thought of her lost friend. Legolas felt her sadness and looked at her briefly. "What is it Amaris?" Amaris sniffed quietly and wiped away her lone tear
"I am fine Legolas. I am just very happy, but sad at the same time." Legolas furrowed his brow as he watched Aragorn begin to walk down the steps as petals fell from the towers.
"Why are you sad?"
"I was thinking of Boromir." No more needed to be said because they both felt the loss of their friend but his memory shall live on through them. Aragorn made his way towards them and they began to walk to him. Once they stopped Aragorn smiled at Amaris and took her hand. He placed a kiss on the back of her hand as she gave him a small curtsey and bowed her head. When they looked back at each other Amaris' smile grew on her face. Aragorn bowed his head and looked at Legolas. They both smiled and placed their hands on each other's shoulders. A silent understanding passed between to the two friends then Legolas motioned subtly with his head towards the direction of Arwen. Aragorn furrowed his brow and looked to his left. He saw Lord Elrond and Lord Glorfindel as well as Elrohir and Elladan, but soon his eyes grew wide and you could see his heart go to his throat.
Amaris smiled as she saw Arwen slowly move the banner to her right and come fully into Aragorn's view. Aragorn's hand dropped from Legolas' shoulder and he slowly made his way to her. Amaris' smile grew as she saw her father tell Arwen to go to him. In the blink of an eye, Arwen was in Aragorn's arms and he kissed her deeply. Cheers erupted from everyone, and as they pulled apart all saw tears of happiness fall from their king's eyes because he was holding his love once again. As Aragorn and Arwen held each other Legolas looked to his love and smiled as he saw tears once again in her eyes, but this time tears of happiness. He took her hand and Amaris looked up at him. She smiled at him as he pulled her close and kissed her gently. Too soon for their liking, the cheers slowly disappeared and they pulled away from each other. Aragorn and Arwen made their way down the rest of the line and stopped as they came to the hobbits. As the hobbits began to bow to Aragorn and Arwen, Aragorn stopped them.
"My friends," Aragorn said gently and the hobbits stopped and looked up at him. "You bow to no one." With that Aragorn and Arwen bowed low to them and everyone else followed suit. Bowing to the four small Halflings who looked on with shock, amazement, and honor splashed across their faces.
After the coronation there was a large celebration. Amaris and Legolas were sitting at the head table with Aragorn, Arwen, Lord Elrond, Gandalf, Glorfindel, the twins, Gimli, Faramir, Eowyn, and the hobbits. "Amaris, tell us of Mirkwood!" Pippin exclaimed after he swallowed a large bite of potato. Amaris smiled at him and shook her head.
"Yes, what is King Thranduil like?" Merry asked.
"Bilbo used to tell us that he wasn't a very kind elf," Pippin said through a mouthful again. Amaris' eyes went wide and quickly looked at Legolas who was looking at the young hobbit with a wicked smile on his face.
"You think my father unkind, Master Took?" Legolas asked. Amaris nearly choked on her water she was sipping. Everyone at the table looked to the small hobbit whose eyes were the size of everyone's dinner plates. It appeared that Pippin forgot that King Thranduil was Legolas' father.
"N-n-n-no, Legolas. I didn't mean, I, I, I," Pippin stuttered out. Legolas just chuckled and everyone else began to laugh, except for Pippin who looked confused. Amaris quieted her laughter and looked at the small hobbit.
"Don't worry Pippin. Legolas is not angry with you. He was jesting," Amaris said with a smile. Pippin seemed to relax, but didn't believe her. Legolas nodded as he quit laughing as well.
"Amaris is right, Pippin. I am not angry. It is true that my father was unfair to Bilbo and the dwarves all those years ago but he was suspicious of every being that traveled into our realm, and those were dark times," Legolas said. Pippin nodded and gave a weak smile before quickly returning to his food.
"King Thranduil is very kind, Merry. Although is a little intimidating," Amaris said with a smile. The rest of the meal was finished with quiet small talk and reflections. However, the new king and his future queen seemed oblivious to things around them except for each other. They were lost in their own conversation and this made Amaris smile. Soon music filled the hall as dinner was cleared away and ale, wine, and an array of beverages were brought out. Legolas looked to Amaris who was once again taking a drink of water and smiled.
"Care to dance, my lady?" he asked her as he stretched out his hand to her. Amaris nodded her head and took his hand. He clasped their hands together tightly before leading her out onto the dance floor. The song was a slow but yet fast song. They spun around the dance floor laughing and enjoying being in each other's arms. As the music came to an end, Legolas stopped dancing and looked at Amaris with a soft smile on his face. He was about to lean in for a kiss when a hand clamped on his left shoulder. Legolas sighed so quietly Amaris barely heard it, and he turned and looked at who interrupted him. Amaris looked over his shoulder and saw King Eomer standing with a smile on his face and two glasses of ale in one hand.
"Would you like a drink Legolas?" Eomer asked with a smile on his face. Legolas gave him a slight smile and then turned to look at Amaris. She smiled and shook her head.
"Go on, Legolas. I am sure there are many things you would like to discuss with Eomer and the others," Amaris said with a smile. Legolas gave her a slight smile and leaned into her. He gave her a brief kiss before he brought his lips to her ear.
"I will make it up to you later tonight, my wildcat," Legolas whispered sending shivers through her body. All she could manage was a nod with a large smile on her face. Legolas kissed her once more before joining Eomer, Gimli, Faramir, Merry and Pippin. Amaris smiled and walked back over to the table only to spot Eowyn sitting at the table alone. Amaris sat down next to her and smiled.
"How you my friend?" Amaris asked causing Eowyn to jump.
"Amaris! Why must you always sneak up on me!" Eowyn exclaimed. Then it seemed to hit her that they haven't seen each other in five months so she quickly leaned in and embraced her dear friend. "Oh, forgive me my friend! I haven't seen you in ages and I scold you!" Amaris chuckled as she returned the embrace. They pulled away and Amaris shook her head.
"It is alright. I am glad to see you still have your fire." Eowyn laughed and looked over onto the dance floor.
"She is lovely." Amaris furrowed her brow.
"Who is lovely, Eowyn?" Eowyn looked at Amaris.
"The Lady Arwen. She is your sister, correct?" Amaris nodded.
"My adopted sister, yes." Amaris paused and Eowyn smiled at her. "She is very beautiful. She is the Evenstar of our people." Eowyn nodded and then her gaze turned to the small group of men, hobbits, a dwarf, and an elf.
"It looks as though our gentlemen shall be incapacitated before the night is through." Amaris chuckled.
"Yours may be, however, mine may not unless the Gondorian ale is as strong as Dorwineian wine. Elves do not intoxicate too easily." Eowyn smiled.
"I've never had either so I couldn't tell you if the ale is as strong as the wine." Amaris smiled and they continued their small talk through out the night.
Nearly two hours had passed and Eowyn had gone off to speak with others and Amaris joined Lord Elrond, Arwen, Aragorn and Glorfindel. When Amaris approached them she smiled at them all. Her smile was returned by each of the group. Amaris bowed her head to Aragorn and when she stood she gave Aragorn a mischievous smile. "Good evening your majesty," Amaris said and tried to suppress her laugh when Aragorn shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Amaris!" Aragorn exclaimed quietly and she could no longer hold back her laugh. The others joined her, including Aragorn. "Are you enjoying the celebration, my sister?" Amaris smiled and nodded.
"Very much. It is a wonderful thing to be celebrating!" Amaris exclaimed with a smile. Everyone nodded.
"That it is. The return of the king of men," Lord Elrond said as he looked at Aragorn. Amaris went to speak again when suddenly there was a loud crash that made her lose her train of thought. They turned to find the hall still full but not as full as earlier and a very drunk Gimli sprawled out on the floor. Amaris laughed and covered her mouth with her hand. Legolas looked at her and she could tell by the look in his eyes that the ale he had drank had effected him slightly. Amaris was brought out of her daze when Aragorn laughed quietly.
"If you would excuse me, I must see to it that my friend is taken care of," Aragorn said. He began to make his way when Amaris stopped him by placing her hand on his arm.
"You could have one of your servants do that for you King Elessar!" she said with an innocent smile on her face. Aragorn chuckled once more and shook his head and returned to his path towards the group of semi intoxicated men and the obliviously passed out Gimli.
Amaris watched as Aragorn and Faramir, who apparently hadn't been drinking, lifted Gimli and dragged him off to his room as he began to mumble something about orcs. Legolas slowly made his way over to Amaris and the others. Just as he reached her side on his last step he stumbled slightly. He needed to use Amaris' shoulder to catch himself. Lord Elrond raised his eyebrow at Legolas but a smile played at his lips.
"Legolas, I think you've had a little too much to drink. I should get you to bed," Amaris said as she stood helped him stand straighter.
"Is the Gondorian ale that strong, Ada?" Arwen asked with an amused look on her face as she looked at her long time friend. Lord Elrond sighed.
"It is possible, though I myself have never tried it in all my years. I am not one for ale," Lord Elrond said. Amaris laughed quietly and shook her head.
"If you will excuse us, I think it's best that I get him to bed. I myself am rather tired and I don't think I could stand all evening holding him up!" Amaris said with a playful expression on her face causing Arwen to laugh quietly. Lord Elrond nodded.
"Good night, Amaris. Sleep well," Lord Elrond said. Amaris nodded and lead Legolas from the hall. He walked on her left with his right arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
As they walked down the hall Amaris found herself pulled into the shadows of the hall. She nearly screamed but when familiar lips came down onto hers she sighed in realization. She pushed Legolas away and smiled at him.
"You have not been drinking! I tasted no ale on your lips!" Amaris exclaimed in a whisper. Legolas chuckled quietly.
"Aye. I have drank nothing but water this lovely evening," Legolas said with a smile.
"Why would you act as such in front of everyone?" Amaris' body tightened slightly when Legolas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. "What was it that I saw in your eyes then as you looked at me?" Legolas brought his lips to hers once more and slowly kissed her deeply. Amaris sighed when he pulled away and Legolas smiled. She opened her eyes and gazed lovingly at him.
"I wanted to leave the celebration. I grew tired of the talk of war. I lived those stories and now I want to forget them for the time being and enjoy life right now. I want to be with you and speak of our bonding ceremony and our future together. I do not want to think of the past for now." Legolas said as he looked deep into her eyes. Amaris felt her heart beat quicken as he raised his hand to caress her cheek.
"I love you, Legolas and I shall do as you wish . . . for now anyway." Amaris gave him a smile and Legolas let out his musical laugh. Legolas rested his forehead against hers and smiled.
"I love you, Amaris." With that he claimed her lips. The passion of the kiss grew and Amaris quietly moaned into their kiss as she pulled away.
"We should retire before we are found in the corridors." Amaris was breathless and Legolas was elated that he could affect her as such still.
"Then let us retire." Legolas took her hand and lead her down the rest of the corridor to their chambers.
