Finally I've been able to update! Sorry it took so long! I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you so very much for the reviews. Just a warning there is a love scene in this chapter, but it isn't graphic. Thank you again and I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the RIngs. I only own Aria and her family.

Chapter 37

Aria and Legolas walked into the dining room to see Thranduil and Elráwien sitting at the dinning table waiting for them. They smiled at each other and Legolas pulled out Aria's chair. Aria smiled at Legolas before she sat down. Legolas moved around the table and sat across from her in his seat. "It is good to see you up and about, my son," Thranduil said as he took a sip of his wine. Legolas smiled at his father and nodded his head. Elráwien smiled at Aria.

"Aria, tomorrow morn we will meet with Vanda to ready your gown for the ceremony," Elráwien said. Aria nodded as she chewed at her food. She quickly swallowed and smiled.

"That will be fine. I look forward to it," Aria said. Thranduil smiled at Aria before he looked at Legolas who smiled before he took a bite of his meal. They ate in relative silence only speaking to each other ever so often, and as the meal came to a close, Aria did her best to control her nervousness at the feeling of Legolas' longing grow. As the servants cleared the remaining plates from the table Legolas stood slowly.

"If you would excuse us," Legolas said and Elráwien and Thranduil looked at him. "Aria and I are going to retire to our rooms for the evening." Thranduil raised an eyebrow at his son and sat down his goblet.

"So early?" he asked as he looked at Legolas. Aria looked at Legolas waiting for him to give an explanation to his father. Legolas smiled at his father and sighed.

"I promised her to teach her the history of Mirkwood," he said. Aria smiled and stood.

"Yes, I had asked him to teach me as much as he could about this beautiful realm," she said. Thranduil gave them an approving smile and nodded his head.

"Excellent. After your search and fitting tomorrow, you should study more with each other," Thranduil said. Aria felt her cheeks blush slightly but Legolas nodded his head with a smile. Aria bowed her head and looked at Elráwien who was giving her a knowing smile. Legolas walked around the table and took Aria's arm before he led her out of the dinning hall and down the corridors.

"I can't believe you," Aria said quietly as they walked down the hall. Legolas just smiled and remained silent as they stepped into his room. Legolas laughed quietly as he closed his chamber door before he gently pushed Aria against the closed door. His hands rested on the cool wood on either side of her waist and he smiled at her. Aria smiled and shook her head. "Just what are you doing?" she asked as she moved her hands to rest on his upper arms. Legolas leaned in and kissed her lips gently.

"Completing what we started in the secret garden," his whispered against her lips. Aria smiled at him.

"You're supposed to be teaching me about the history of Mirkwood, you know." Legolas chuckled and shook his head.

"Not tonight." Aria laughed and shook her head.

"But what if your mother asks what you taught me?" Legolas smiled and kissed her once more.

"Judging by the look my mother gave you this evening, I believe she did not believe our excuse for leaving." Aria laughed and moved her hands to his wrists at her sides.

"Still, I thi-," Legolas silenced her when he kissed her lips fiercely. Aria sighed against his lips and moved her hands up his arms and wrapped them around her neck as he pulled her closer to him. Legolas slid his hand behind her and pulled her away from the door as he continued to kiss her. They made their way to the bed, still in each other's arms and their lips never parting, until Aria fell back onto the bed and pulled Legolas down with her. She laughed quietly and Legolas raised up from her. He brushed some of her hair from her face and smiled.

"You were saying?" he asked. Aria just looked at him and smirked at him.

"Never mind," she whispered before she pulled him back down and continued to kiss him as she tugged at his tunic. Legolas smiled against her lips and helped her reach her goal of ridding him of the soft material. Soon, trembling hands skimmed across smooth pale skin, and knowing, strong hands caressed and held the other close to them.

Aria whimpered when Legolas' lips left hers as their bare bodies laid intertwined, only to be replaced by a soft moan when his lips grazed her neck and nipped at the sensitive skin there. "Legolas," she whispered and he kissed her lips gently. The passion between the two steadily grew and a bright light filled the room as their bond deepened after they shared the purest passion ever shared between to beings in all of Middle Earth.

Aria slowly focused her eyes and smiled when she heard Legolas' steady heartbeat under her ear. The smooth white sheets and soft dark green and brown comforter covered their bare bodies. The sun had yet to rise, and Aria raised her head and looked up at Legolas' face. She raised her hand and gently ran her fingers down his cheek. Her eyes moved across his face and lingered at his lips, the lips that kissed her so gently but yet with so much passion. The only thoughts that ran threw her mind was how much she loved him, and was amazed that he loved her back. "It is not polite to stare, Aria," came Legolas' voice and her eyes snapped up to his now clear blue eyes. Aria smiled and felt her cheeks heat slightly. "But, you are free to continue so I may do the same." Aria laughed and leaned up to him. She kissed him gently before she laid her head back on his chest. She felt his fingers run through her hair and she sighed in contentment.

"Do you know how much longer until sunrise?" she asked as she drew circles on his soft skin. He sighed and glanced out the window. He could see the slight change in the sky and kissed the top of her head.

"About an hour," he said quietly. Aria sighed and raised her head again to look at him.

"I should go. I need to bathe and change before I go with your mother." Legolas smiled and nodded his head.

"Alright," he kissed her once again and she smiled. "But do not belong in choosing a gown. I want to take you somewhere." Aria nodded and kissed him again before she sat up and held the sheets to her chest. She looked at Legolas and smiled.

"Where did you put my dress?" she asked with a small laugh in her voice. Legolas smiled and sat up as his eyes scanned the room. He saw her dress on the floor near his balcony where he had threw it the night before.

"It's near the window," he said with a laugh. Aria looked where he was and smiled she slid from the bed but pulled his comforter with her. She walked over and picked up her dress. Somehow, she managed to slide the dress on while she kept herself covered much to Legolas' disappointment. She held the dress to her and threw the comforter over the bed.

"Will you tie the back of my dress for me?" she asked innocently. Legolas smiled and scooted to the edge of the bed where Aria stood with her back to him. He slowly laced up her dress, but let his fingers grace over her skin gently. Aria shivered when he finished and she turned and smiled. "Thank you." She kissed him softly and walked towards the door. "I will see you later." Legolas smiled and nodded his head.

"Until later Aria." She smiled and left the room. Legolas sighed heavily and laid against the bed with s wistful smile on his face as he thought of Aria. Suddenly, his door opened quickly and in walked the last people he expected to see.

Aria slipped into the velvet like white gown with silver embroidery around the waist and collar as well as the long bell sleeves. It was the fourth gown she had tried on and she felt that it was the one. "I think this is it," she said to Elráwien and Vanda as she stepped out from behind the dressing screen. Elráwien smiled brightly and clapped her hands. Vanda had a soft smile on her face.

"Oh Aria, this gown is perfect," Elráwien whispered. Vanda nodded her head in agreement.

"I agree, my queen," Vanda said. "This gown is suited for a future princess and I do believe that Prince Legolas will not be able to take his eyes off you during the bonding ceremony." Aria felt her cheeks blush as she ran her hands down her torso and felt the soft material under her fingers.

"We will take this gown Vanda. Please have it kept safe until the ceremony," Elráwien said. Vanda nodded and Aria quickly stepped back behind the screen and removed the dress and slid back into the cream one she wore to meet Vanda. Vanda took the dress and smiled at Aria before Elráwien led her from Vanda's room and back down the palace corridors to the rest of the palace. She stopped at Legolas' door and knocked. Silence met their ears and Aria frowned. "Legolas?" Elráwien called as she went to open the door.

"I am here," Legolas voice said from down the corridor. Aria turned and when she saw her stood next to Legolas a smile lit up her face.

"Gimli!" Aria exclaimed before she ran over to the dwarf before she embraced him quickly. Gimli laughed and patted her back. She quickly stood and looked at the dwarf before she looked at Legolas who was smiling brightly at her. Aria looked back at Gimli and smiled. "What are you doing here?" Gimli laughed, as did another voice behind the pair. Aria's head snapped up and there behind Gimli and Legolas stood Haldir. Her eyes widened even more and she ran to him. She hugged the march warden and he wrapped his arms around her. "Haldir!" she exclaimed in a whisper. She felt as though her cheeks were going to explode she was smiling so big and she quickly pulled him over to where Legolas and Gimli stood. She moved into Legolas' arms and smiled at her friend and sworn brother. Legolas held her tightly to him around her waist.

"I was told that you were to be wed, my sister, I could not let you wed without being there to witness the blessed union," Haldir said. Gimli snorted and Aria's attention turned to the dwarf.

"I came for the wedding, however, I was also sent by Aragorn and Gandalf to deliver your gift, but you won't get it until after the ceremony," Gimli said as he shook his finger at them. Aria laughed and laid her head against Legolas' shoulder. She couldn't have been happier than she was that very moment.