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Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Amaris.
Number 68: Memories and Celebrations
Soon the hall was cleared of the chairs and large buffet tables were set up with various foods and drinks for all to enjoy. The hall was filled with beautiful music and Legolas led Amaris out onto the dance floor and danced their first dance as officially husband and wife. Amaris smiled up at him and he at her. "You look so beautiful Amaris," Legolas said as he looked at her. "More beautiful then I ever thought possible." Amaris' smile grew.
"You look wonderful as well ernil nîn (my prince)," Amaris said as she raised her hand to rest on his cheek. "I have never been happier in my entire life Legolas than I was when I heard you make your promises to me. I still feel like I am flying high in the sky and that I will never return to solid ground because I am so happy." Legolas pulled her closer as the melody of the music slowed and began to fade.
"You have made me realize just how much I was missing from my long life, dîs nîn (my bride)." Amaris smiled at him but she had one question she wanted to ask him that she never had the chance to. She lowered her hand from his face and rested it on his neck.
"Legolas, when was it that you realized that you truly loved me?" Legolas smiled at her as another slow song filled the air. The new couple was oblivious to what was happening around them and the smiles and whispers they caused.
"I think I realized my feels for you had gone beyond friendship the night before we left Rivendell to destroy the ring." Amaris eyes went wide.
"We had only known each other such a short time and I was a mortal then." Legolas smiled and nodded.
"Aye, that is true, but do you remember that night Amaris?" Amaris smiled and looked deep into his eyes as they both recalled the night before they sat out on the quest that changed Middle Earth as they knew it.
Flashback
The sun was setting over Rivendell and Amaris' heart was heavy. She was about to take part in the destruction of the one ring and didn't know if it was the smartest thing she had ever done. However, she knew she had to do it. She couldn't let everyone down and something told her that she had to go, that it was part of her destiny. Amaris sighed as she watched the water drift over the ledge of the cliff and into the cool stream below. That was one thing Amaris was going to miss when she left Rivendell, the waterfalls. Even back home watching waterfalls seemed to relax her and that is what she needed to do before their long journey but even the normally calming activity could not calm her troubled heart. As she watched the water she felt eyes on her and decided to call out to whoever was watching her. "Who ever you are, please come out. You are free to join me if you mean no harm!" she called as she looked over her shoulder. A smile came to her face as she saw Legolas step out of the trees.
"You know, for a mortal your senses are very heightened," Legolas said as he gracefully sat down net to her. Amaris smiled and shook her head.
"No, I just know when someone is watching me. I felt you there." Legolas gave her a slight grin and looked towards the water. The grin left his face and was placed with a serious look, but he kept his eyes on the water.
"Tomorrow we leave and set forth on our quest." Amaris nodded as she looked at him.
"That we do." Legolas looked at her and she could have sworn his eyes looked into her very soul his gaze was so intense.
"Why did you volunteer to go? You have nothing at stake here, it is not your home." Legolas nearly smiled when he saw the anger flash in her eyes. He had not wanted to anger her, just to find out more about her and he knew he at struck a nerve.
"I have everything at stake! Middle Earth is now my home Legolas. I want to go because I want to see that thing destroyed and because, well, because my heart tells me to." Amaris paused as she looked into Legolas' eyes to see them soften. "I may have only seen Rivendell, Legolas, but if your home, or any other land is as beautiful as this one then I will do everything I can to see that thing destroyed, no matter the cost. If it means I die, then I die, but I will not see shadow take over this world as long as I have breath in me." Amaris sighed as she finished and looked to the water. Legolas just watched the mortal woman before him. He had never seen such passion and strength in someone as young as she, and yet he felt drawn to her. Something her eyes kept pulling him to her. He had never felt that way towards any mortal woman, let alone an elleth. Something deep inside him told him that she was his destined and he was determined to know more of her. Amaris looked at him and gave him a slight smile. "Sorry Legolas. I'm just stressed?" Legolas gave her a look and she laughed. Legolas smiled when he heard her laugh.
"What do you mean by 'stressed'?" Legolas asked and Amaris laughed a little more before she looked at him and smiled.
"It means that I am under a lot of pressure and I am worried about our quest." Legolas gave her a reassuring smile before he took her hand in his. Amaris tired to ignore the fire that spread up her arm as his hand embraced hers, and Legolas tried to ignore the tingling sensation the mere touching of her skin caused him. Amaris looked at him and prayed her face did not show her nervousness to his touch. Legolas looked into her eyes but could not read what she was feeling. He ran his thumb across her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers.
"It is alright. We all are under a great deal of pressure because of this quest, but it is something that must be done." Amaris nodded her head and Legolas squeezed her hand a little. "However, you need not worry. If worst comes to worst I shall watch over you and protect you from harm." Amaris smiled and rolled her eyes causing Legolas to laugh. She raised her eyebrow at him and gave him a challenging look.
"Then I make the same promise to you, Prince Legolas." Legolas raised an eyebrow and a smile broke across Amaris' face. "If worst comes to worst I shall watch over you and protect you from harm." Legolas chuckled and stood pulling her up with him. "What are you doing?" Amaris asked as she stood dangerously close to Legolas. She was certain he heard her heart beating in her chest. He smiled at her and released her hand, only to hold out his arm to her.
"The hour grows late and we have a long journey ahead of us. You should rest in a bed while you can." Amaris smiled and nodded as she linked her arm with his and he led her to her room.
That night Legolas' heart told him that she was his other half and it did not matter that she was mortal, somehow he would make it work.
End Flashback
Amaris looked at Legolas and smiled at him. "We made promises to each other that night as well, Legolas," she said as he gazed deep into her eyes.
"True, but that night your promise was that of a friend, tonight your promise was that of a lover and a wife," Legolas said as he ran a slender finder down her cheek. Amaris' body shivered at his feather light touch. Suddenly, a hand clamped down onto Legolas' shoulder and they both turned to see the dance floor full of couples smiling and dancing and Aragorn standing there with a smile on his face.
"I do not mean to interrupt you, however, I would like to dance with my sister," Aragorn said with a raised eyebrow. Legolas sighed.
"But we have only begun to dance," Legolas protested and Aragorn laughed.
"My friend, you have danced slowly and closely together for nearly the last hour!" Aragorn exclaimed and Amaris' eyes went wide.
"I did not think we have dance that long," she said quietly. Aragorn laughed and nodded.
"You have! You even danced slowly to several fast dances. The talk of the celebration is how much you must love one another to not even notice the change in music or when Elrohir and Elladan tried to cut it," Aragorn said. Legolas chuckled and shook his head.
"I am sorry, my friend. You may dance with my wife for a time," Legolas said before he turned to Amaris. "I am parched and will grab a drink. Would you like anything?" Amaris shook her head.
"No thank you, Legolas. I will be fine," Amaris said quietly. He nodded and kissed her briefly before taking his leave. Amaris watched him walk away before she turned her attention to Aragorn who was smiling at her. He took her in his arms and Amaris smiled up at him.
"You seem to glow brightly this evening Amaris," Aragorn said as they dance across the floor.
"Like I told Legolas, I feel like I am flying. I've never been so happy," Amaris said as she looked at her brother. "I never thought it would feel like this." Aragorn smiled and nodded.
"It is amazing isn't it?" Aragorn asked as his gazed turned to Arwen who was standing talking with Legolas and laughing. Amaris smiled.
"I wish you and Arwen could stay longer. I hate it that you are leaving in two days, but I know you have a kingdom you must return to." Aragorn looked back at her and gave her a sad smile.
"I wish I could stay as well, however, my time shall forever be limited to travel the lands I have traveled for many years." Amaris nodded.
"Legolas and I shall visit you every chance we get an-" Amaris couldn't finish her sentence as she was spun from Aragorn's arms and into a pair of familiar arms. She looked up and saw Legolas smiling down at her. She looked back at Aragorn who was laughing quieting.
"I do not mean to interrupt Aragorn, however, I believe I have been away from my wife for far too long. If you do not mind, I would like to have her back," Legolas said as he kept his eyes on Amaris. Aragorn shook his head.
"Not at all," Aragorn said through his chuckles and he left to join Arwen and the others who were laughing just as hard. Amaris looked at Legolas and smiled.
"Honestly Legolas. You shall have me for eternity there is no reason to steal me away in the middle of a dance." Legolas smiled and pulled her from the hall out onto the balcony. "Where are we going?" He just laughed and led her down a set of stairs and through several gardens and trees. "Legolas!"
"You shall see meleth nîn. Just follow me!" Amaris laughed and picked up her skirts with her free hand and ran as fast as she could behind him down a hidden path of soft grass.
