Chapter 6: Questions and a Party
Luna and Legolas had the same idea. Having nothing more formal to wear, they searched their saddlebags for something clean. Luna managed a dark green travel dress, and Legolas found a dark green tunic and leggings.
"Well, this is...awkward..." mumbled Luna.
"I won't look at you."
Luna cast a skeptical look his way.
"You have my word." Legolas turned away and pulled off his travel worn tunic.
Luna turned away from him and tried to unbutton a row of buttons down the back of her dress. She fumbled with the first one, then it came undone. Then another, and another. She turned around, surprised.
"You looked like you needed some help," Legolas said apologetically. "If you want, I'll stop..."
"No, it's all right. I don't understand why there has to be so many buttons, though..."
Legolas unbuttoned the rest of the buttons. Luna let the dress fall from her shoulders. She picked up the other dress.
"This one ties. Just as hard to put on, but easier to take off," she explained. She stepped into it and pushed her arms through the sleeves. "Could you tie the ends? They might be tangled in the other ribbons."
Legolas found the ribbon ends amongst the crisscrossed ribbon going down Luna's back, and he tied it in a bow.
"Thank you," she said. "I hope it wasn't any trouble...?"
"No, not at all. Now I have to finish getting dressed."
Luna turned around and looked at him. "Oh! I'm sorry."
"I'm just thankful that a tunic isn't as hard to put on as a dress," he said wryly. "Would you mind handing that to me?" He gestured to the tunic laying on the bed. She pulled it over his head. "Thank you SO very much," he said as he pushed his arms through. "We should hurry, or we'll be late."
They walked quickly out of the room. Legolas led Luna through a maze of rooms and hallways. They came into a formal dining room. It was empty of people, only a table and chairs.
"I thought they'd be here. I don't know of any other dining rooms." Legolas looked around the room and saw a small sheet of parchment on the table. He walked over to it and picked it up.
"'Meet us in the informal dining room, down the hall and on your left'," he read. "I had no idea we weren't the only guests."
Luna shrugged, and they walked out. "Do you know if it was them?" she asked.
"I did not recognize the hand, but I cannot tell Arwen's hand. Perhaps it was hers."
They kept walking down the hall, and they found a door with light seeping under the cracks. Merry laughter echoed out into the hallway.
Luna opened the door and walked nervously inside. Legolas followed. Aragorn noticed them and proclaimed, "They have come! Prince Legolas and Lady Lunari." He beckoned for them to speak with him, and they walked over.
"Aragorn, I had no idea... All these people!" Legolas exclaimed.
"My friend, you didn't think I would celebrate without everyone!"
Luna glanced around the room. There were several hobbits, men and dwarves, but Arwen, Legolas, and herself were the only elves. At least, the only ones she saw.
Legolas looked closer and saw two other elves nearby and bowed. "Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel. It is a pleasure to see you again."
"I am glad to see you, Legolas. It seems that Galadriel's Mirror speaks true," Galadriel said.
"What of it, my lady?"
"I saw two joyous events in the stead of one, if you came."
"Ah," Legolas said thoughtfully, then walked back to Aragorn.
"Now may be a good time. Luna is talking with my wife," Aragorn whispered to Legolas.
Legolas looked around the room and saw a familiar looking green dress on a familiar looking elf. He walked over and waited until Arwen noticed him. She smiled. "I believe he would like to talk with you. I leave you." She bowed her head and walked back to Aragorn.
"I missed you. Where did you go?" Luna asked.
"I was just speaking with Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel."
"What were you going to say to me?"
Legolas pulled two chairs away from the table. Both of them sat. "I know it is quite sudden, abrupt if you will," he began. "Only a few weeks-"
Luna nodded. "Just tell me," she interrupted, and smiled reassuringly.
Legolas glanced about the room. It seemed as if every eye in the room was fixed on them and everyone seemed to hold their breath. He looked at Luna. "Will you marry me?" he asked softly.
"Of course I will," Luna said, then leapt up and embraced him fiercely.
"Congratulations, Legolas!" a shrill voice sounded in his ear. "Oh, and all of us hobbits forgive you for not greeting us," the hobbit added.
"Pippin! You weren't supposed to say anything!" whispered another voice coming from under the table.
"But Merry-"
Merry crawled out from under the table and started arguing with Pippin. By the time they had stopped, Luna was sitting on Legolas' lap. They were both watching the hobbits fight with great interest.
"Merry, look!" Pippin exclaimed. He ran over to Luna and bowed. "I'm Peregrin Took, but most folk, big and little, call me Pippin."
Merry joined him. "Meriadoc Brandybuck. Most people call me Merry, though."
"Sam! Oy, Sam! C'mere, Sam!" Pippin shouted.
"What is it this time, Pippin? Mister Legolas!" Sam stared wide-eyed at Legolas and Luna. "I thought she was Arwen's guest!"
"How goes life in the Shire, Sam?" Legolas asked.
"It's peaceful enough, me'n Rosie got a house near Mr. Frodo's, and everyone goes to Bree more now," Sam replied.
"Frodo's living in a house that would make Lobelia and Lotho jealous, even living in Bag End!" added Pippin.
Frodo walked up behind Pippin. "You mean, it would make Otho and Lobelia spin in their graves, and now Lotho wants is," he said.
Pippin turned around. "I wouldn't know! I haven't been back to the Shire recently!"
"She died when you were there, Pip. Remember the celebration?" Pippin looked like he remembered. "Legolas! It's good to see you! Would you introduce me to your fiancé?"
Luna smiled. "I am Luna. You must be Frodo, and Sam. I was looking forward to meeting you!" she exclaimed.
Merry and Pippin had edged away and were now making a beeline for Aragorn. "Aragorn, I suggest you announce something quick!" said Pippin excitedly. Merry proceeded to tell him about Legolas and Luna. "You'd best announce it soon. If they were left to their own devices, they wouldn't tell anyone."
Aragorn nodded in mock seriousness, then he strode grinning over to where Legolas and Luna were discussing something. Frodo and Sam had joined Merry and Pippin standing next to Aragorn.
"Lords and ladies!" The room became silent. "This night there are two occasions, instead of one. The first you know of, the second you may not." Murmurs broke the silence. Aragorn went on. "You know of Arwen and I. The second is of Prince Legolas and Lady Luna. They shall be wed tonight!" The room exploded in cheers. "With my blessing, they shall now be the prince and princess of Mirkwood, Legolas and Luna!" Aragorn shouted over the din. More cheering erupted.
Aragorn turned to face them. "I have learned that in Rivendell it is customary for couples to go directly to their room after such an announcement" -Pippin and Merry winked- "but in this case, you may or may not. If you choose to do that, it is also customary to return in a half-hour."
"To keep with the customs here, we will go," Luna decided. She and Legolas stood, and she took his arm. They made their way to the door and disappeared around the corner.
Frodo turned to Aragorn. "You didn't mention the fact that it only became customary after your wedding!" he said.
"They looked like they wanted to go. They'll be back."
Legolas and Luna came into their room. They had been discussing where they would go after Rivendell, then decided that they would travel to the Sea that Legolas loved.
They sat down on the floor. Luna put her head on Legolas' shoulder and Legolas embraced her. They sat like that and looked out of one of the numerous windows at the night sky. They had started to doze off when a knock sounded at the door and Frodo came in covering his eyes, just in case.
"Aragorn sent me, he said you were to return. I'll wait outside..."
Legolas and Luna got up and stretched. Legolas called, "Frodo, uncover your eyes. It's all right."
Arm in arm, with Frodo beside them, they made their way back down to the party. "You know," started Frodo, "I've thought up an ending for your book. 'And they lived happily ever after, traveling all around Middle-earth'." He opened the door and Aragorn called him.
Frodo's ending came true. Although they never made it to the Shire on that trip as they had planned, they frequently traveled there on subsequent trips. And they lived happily ever after, traveling all around Middle-earth.