PLEASE READ: It is finally here, the wedding of Legolas and Amaris! I hope you all enjoy this chapter and as always thank you for the reviews. I think I have one or two, maybe three,chapters to go before I bring this story to a close. However, I am writing another story that I will be posting once this one is complete. To see the dress I invisioned Amaris to be wearing, please go to this link (minus the spaces) www. lindsayfleming .com / janel .htm and you will see the dress. Let me know what you think of this chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Amaris.
Note: Dialouge in italics is telepathic communication between Amaris and Legolas.
Number 67: Bonding
Arwen and Eowyn were sitting on the balcony off of Amaris' chambers as Arilana helped Amaris get ready for the ceremony that was to begin in an hour. Arliana helped Amaris step into the cream colored gown and laced up the back. Amaris suddenly felt like the princess she was about to become as Arliana smoothed the skirt. "Arliana what do you think?" Amaris asked as she looked at her friend. Arliana smiled at Amaris.
"Oh, Lady Amaris you look lovely. Prince Legolas will be very pleased when he sees you," Arliana said with a smile on her face. Amaris smiled.
"Thank you Arliana," Amaris said as she squeezed Arliana's hand. "Arwen! Eowyn! Please come tell me what you think!" Amaris exclaimed. Arwen and Eowyn came in from the balcony and smiled at Amaris. Amaris' hair was left down but in various spots tiny braids ran through her hair with small ocean blossoms laced into the braids. The deep blue and light blue flowers looked lovely as a contrast to her dark hair that flowed beautifully over the dress she had made.
"You look beautiful Amaris!" Eowyn exclaimed as she embraced her. "I am so happy for you." Eowyn pulled away and wiped a tear from her eye. Amaris smiled at her friend.
"Thank you Eowyn. I am so glad you were able to come," Amaris said. Eowyn beamed and nodded her head. Amaris looked at Arwen who was smiling at her sister. "What do you think Arwen? Do you think Legolas will be pleased?" Arwen stepped closer to her sister and nodded.
"Uma (yes), he will be very pleased. However, he will certainly notice one thing missing," Arwen said with a sparkle in her eye. Amaris' heart rate increased.
"Missing? What is missing?" Amaris asked as she looked over herself. She heard Arwen laugh and Amaris shook her head. But when she placed her hand on her bare neck she took a sharp breath. "My necklace!" She turned and rushed to her vanity. Amaris quickly opened the wooden jewelry box Legolas had given her and pulled out the pendant Legolas had given her the day of Aragorn's coronation. "How could I have forgotten to put it on!" Arwen walked over and steadied her sister's hands as they tried nervously to unclasp the chain. Arwen laughed and opened the chain. Amaris sighed and looked at her. "Thank you Arwen." Arwen clasped the chain behind her neck and Amaris fingered the pendant lovingly daydreaming of her love. She was brought out of her reverie by three sets of giggles. She smiled at them and shrugged her shoulders. There was a knock on the door that made Amaris jump nearly out of her skin. Arliana walked over and opened the door. Elrohir and Elladan smiled at Arliana.
"Good day, Arilana. Is our sister ready for the ceremony?" Elladan asked. Arliana nodded with a smile.
"Yes milords, she is ready. Please come in," Arliana said as she opened the door further. Elrohir and Elladan walked in and smiled when they saw Amaris.
"You look stunning Amaris," Elrohir said as he kissed his sister's cheek. Elladan did the same and smiled at her.
"Aye, that is true. I wonder if Legolas will be able to pay attention during the ceremony," Elladan said. Amaris gently smacked his should and laughed.
"I am certain he shall concentrate just fine," Amaris said. Her brothers smiled and nodded. Arwen, Eowyn, and Arliana stepped over to her. They gave her one last hug.
"We must leave Amaris. The ceremony is to begin soon," Arwen said as she hugged her sister. Amaris nodded and gave a nervous smile. Arwen smiled and cupped her cheek. "There is nothing to be nervous about. Everything shall go smoothly." Amaris nodded and hugged her once more. Arwen let go and made her way from the room followed by Eowyn and Arliana. Amaris looked at her brothers and smiled.
"Are you ready?" Elrohir and Elladan asked at the same time with goofy grins on their faces. Amaris laughed and put her hand on her stomach to settle her nerves. She smiled up at them and nodded.
"Yes. I am ready," she said quietly. Elrohir held out his right arm and Elladan held out his left arm for her. Amaris laced her arms with theirs and they made their way down the corridors to the great hall where the elves of Mirkwood, Aragorn, Arwen, Eowyn, Faramir, Eomer, Gimli, the hobbits, King Thranduil, and Legolas awaited them.
Legolas stood at the end of the hall next to his father and Aragorn and waited patiently for Amaris to arrive. The hall was full and when he saw Arwen, Eowyn, and Amaris' handmaiden Arliana step into the hall and take their seats his heart beat increased. He had felt Amaris' nervousness all morning and he wanted to comfort her but she had requested that he not speak to her through their link because she would just become more nervous. He reluctantly agreed but he had wished all day that he hadn't. His heart beat quickened even more as he saw the doors to the hall close and he knew that she was nearing the hall. Aragorn laughed quietly and Legolas looked at him. "Relax, my friend. It shall be a smooth ceremony," Aragorn said quietly. Legolas shook his head.
"It is not the ceremony that has me nervous. It is the sight that is about to grace our eyes. I cannot wait to see her. I have not seen her since dinner last night and I have felt her nervousness and I wish to comfort her," Legolas whispered back as he kept his eyes on the door. Aragorn chuckled and shook his head.
"You have all of eternity to comfort her Legolas. A few more minutes shall not make a difference." Legolas looked at Aragorn with an eyebrow raised and Aragorn laughed a little harder but fought to keep it quiet.
Amaris stood outside the doors with Elrohir and Elladan. She smiled. "Legolas is just as nervous as I am," Amaris said to her brothers. They smiled at her and nodded to the guard to open the doors. Legolas saw the doors open and his heart stopped when he saw her. She wore the ocean blossoms in her hair and the cream gown she wore was beautiful. Elrohir and Elladan wore bright smiles on their faces as they led their sister down the path towards the throne. Amaris' nervous smile melted away as soon as her eyes met with Legolas' and a genuine happy smile spread across her face. Legolas looked wonderful in his dark green and silver tunic and his black leggings. His hair was back in the one braid and he wore is circlet. Amaris moved her eyes from Legolas and looked at Aragorn. He smiled brightly at her and her at him. Soon she had reached the steps and her brothers let go of her arms and Elladan took her right hand and placed it in Legolas' hand. Amaris moved to stand beside Legolas and her brothers stood behind her and Aragorn behind Legolas. King Thranduil smiled at both of them before he began.
"Friends and honored guests, today it is my honor to join my son, Legolas and Lady Amaris of Imladris as husband and wife," King Thranduil said. "Who here stands for the each party to vouch for their love and that this is a true union?" Aragorn stood beside Legolas and looked at King Thranduil.
"I, King Elessar of Gondor, stand for Prince Legolas and vow that this is a true union based on love and friendship," Aragorn said. King Thranduil smiled at Aragorn, who bowed his head and stepped to the side. Elladan stood for both he and his brother.
"My brother and I, Elrohir and Elladan of Imladris stand for our sister, Lady Amaris, and vow that this a true union based on love and friendship," Elladan said with a smile on his face. King Thranduil smiled at Elladan and then Elrohir. The twins then moved and stepped to the side. King Thranduil looked between Amaris and Legolas with a smile.
"Today, you stand for the formal bonding ceremony of our people to unite you fully in the eyes of your friends, family, and others." King Thranduil paused and looked at Amaris. "Lady Amaris, it is now time to make your promise." Amaris took a deep breath and turned to face Legolas. Legolas turned and faced her and he held out his hands. Amaris placed her hands in his and smiled.
"Today, Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, I bind myself to you in the eyes of all those present. I promise to love you and share with you all of the hopes and dreams that reside in my heart and I promise to honor you in all that you do for eternity," Amaris said as she looked deep into Legolas' eyes. King Thranduil held out Legolas' ring for her and she smiled when she took it. It was the same design she had seen during her transformation. the silver band with vines and emeralds for the leaves. Amaris held onto Legolas' left hand with her right and with a shaky hand she slid the ring on Legolas' left ring finger as she made her final promise. "This ring represents my love for you as a never ending path and in this ring rests my heart for you to possess for forevermore." After the ring was placed Legolas squeezed her hand and she looked up into his eyes where unshed tears rested. Amaris smiled at him and squeezed his hand back.
"Prince Legolas, it is now time to make your promise," King Thranduil said as he looked at his son with a proud expression on his face. Legolas smiled at his father and looked back at Amaris.
"Today, Lady Amaris of Imladris, I bind myself to you in the eyes of all those present. I promise to love you and share with you all of the hopes and dreams that reside in my heart and I promise to honor you in all that you do for eternity," Legolas said, however, his voice was full of emotion and shared with those that could not seem them that tears were in his eyes. King Thranduil gave Legolas Amaris' ring and Legolas smiled at her. Legolas took Amaris' left hand with his right and slowly slid the ring onto her left ring finger. "This ring represents my love for you as a never ending path and in this ring rests my heart for you to possess for forevermore." As he spoke a tear escaped his eye and Amaris felt her own tears leave her eyes. She had never been happier in her entire life than she was at that very moment to hear Legolas confirm what she already knew in front of everyone. They gave each other one last smile before they turned back to King Thranduil.
"Lady Amaris, you fought along my son's side during the War of Ring and faced many perils and enemies along the way. You were a member of the fellowship and were strong and true to that bond. Today, as you take the title of Princess of Mirkwood, you receive an addition to your title." He turned and looked at an elleth that held a small pillow where a circlet sat. He picked up the circlet and Amaris got a good look at it. It was similar to Legolas' only more feminine and had a clear jewel that would rest on her forehead. He held the circlet in front of him and smiled. "The pendant you ware symbolizes your new title as Warrior Princess of Mirkwood." He raised the circlet and lowered it onto her head. He secured it and smiled as she looked up at him. He cupped her cheek and then dropped his hand to his side. "It is my honor and privilege to present to you all, the Prince and Princess of Mirkwood!" Amaris and Legolas turned and everyone stood and cheered loudly for them. Amaris could hear the hobbits over everyone and looked at them with a huge smile on her face. They all waived and clapped even louder. Amaris looked at Legolas who was already looking at her with a smile on his face. He pulled her closer to him and wrapped his left arm around her waist and with his right hand brought her face to his and kissed her passionately causing the cheers to erupt once more. When they pulled away they both had tears falling from their eyes. He wiped the tears from her cheek and she raised her hands to do the same.
"I love you Amaris," Legolas said through their link because he knew she would barely hear him over the cheers. Amaris smiled and kissed him lightly once more and looked at him.
"I love you too Legolas," Amaris responded and smiled at him. His smile grew and picked her up by the waist and spun her around causing her to laugh and hold on tight through the cheers of their friends and elves of Mirkwood.
