Please read: Thank you so much for your reviews! As you know, I love to hear from you all and they mean so much to me. There is another love scene in this chapter, but like the others it isn't graphic, however, I think this may be the last one that will be detailed in the story. I hope you like this chapter even though it is short. Please let me know what you think! Oh, I also forgot to mention that the vows in the last chapter were taken from traditional celtic wedding vows so I don't own them.

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

Chapter 40

Aria pulled her lips from his as the cheers continued to fill the hall. Legolas smiled at her and she returned his smile. Legolas laced his right hand with her left and the two faced the elves of Mirkwood with large smiles on their faces. They walked down the isle with Thranduil, Elráwien, Haldir, and Gimli walking behind them and the elves clapped and bowed their heads. Once Aria, Legolas, Thranduil, Elráwien, Haldir, and Gimli stepped out of the throne room and the doors closed behind them. Aria laughed quietly as Legolas wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her, and spun her quickly in the hall. Aria threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly as he spun her and then lowered her to the stone floor. He cupped her cheek and kissed her until he heard his father's throat clear. Legolas pulled his lips from hers and looked at his father. Aria's cheeks flushed slightly at the look Haldir gave her but there was a smile on his face nonetheless. "We will be moving to the back garden for the celebration. I trust you both will be making your entrance soon?" Thranduil asked with a smile. They both nodded the others left them to go to the garden. Aria looked back at Legolas and smiled.

"Come with me Aria," Legolas said as he took her hand once more and led her through the corridors and then out of the palace.

"Legolas, where are we going?" she asked as they walked down a familiar path.

"To a secret place that we have yet to explore together," he said as he led her down the secluded path they had turned down a month ago. However, at that time, Aria had not paid any attention to her surroundings. The garden seemed to glow in the setting sunlight. She looked at him and smiled. "I know you have not seen much of this garden. I had intended to show it to you a month ago, but we had become . . . distracted." Aria laughed and nodded her head as she looked at him. He smiled at her and held one of her small braids that were in her hair with the orchids Vanda and the other maid had carefully put in. "Orchids," he said quietly with a smile.

"Have you noticed that that is the only scent your mother has given me to use?" Legolas laughed quietly and nodded. "What is so funny about that?" she asked with a smile as she pinched his stomach lightly. Legolas tensed his stomach against her fingers and shook his head as he pulled her close.

"Nothing, it is just that the scent of orchids is my favorite." Aria smiled and laid her head on his chest.

"Is it now?" she asked and Legolas wrapped his arms around her and smiled.

"Yes." Aria sighed when in the distance they heard the music begin to play. "I believe it is time we make our appearance." Aria laughed quietly and stood straighter but remained in his arms.

"I suppose." Legolas laughed at the contented expression on her face. He linked her arm with his and led her down another path. Soon, they came upon the clearing and garden where everyone was dancing and happily celebrating their union. Aria laughed at the look on Haldir's face as he talked with Gimli. Legolas kissed her cheek and Aria looked at him.

"Let's dance," Legolas whispered and she smiled at him before she nodded her head and they joined the other elves on the floor as they danced to an upbeat music that Aria quickly learned the steps to.

The night was filled with dancing, laughter, pure joy, and happiness for the realm's new princess and for the simple fact that their prince was happy.

Aria laughed as her and Legolas walked the darkened corridor to their chamber. They had finally snuck away from the celebration after several hours and after Haldir had to literally drag Gimli to his room as he had drank too much of the strong Elvin wine. "Haldir did not seem very pleased did he?" she asked through her slight laughter. Legolas smiled and opened his door that led to his, or actually now their, chamber.

"Indeed he did not," Legolas said as he pulled her into the room that was only lit by the small fire that roared in his fireplace. Legolas cupped her face and ran his fingers down her skin and around her neck to pull her close to him. She smiled and tilted her head slightly to look at him. He kissed her forehead before he moved his hands to the top of her head and removed the circlet that rested there. He smiled and carried the circlet over to his dressing table and sat it down on another velvet pillow. He then removed his and sat it on a velvet pillow next to hers. Aria slowly walked over to him and smiled at him as he turned and faced her.

"Are you happy?" she asked quietly and he smiled as he wrapped his left arm around her waist and pulled her soft form right against him.

"Very much so. Are you?" She smiled and nodded her head.

"Happier than I have ever been." Legolas leaned in and claimed her lips gently in a slow and deep kiss that sent tingles throughout her entire body and her knees go weak. Aria pulled her lips from his and sighed. "Legolas," she said quietly and in one swift movement he had lifted her from the ground. Aria gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck as he kissed her again. He walked gracefully over to his large bed and sat her down on the floor next to the bed. Aria's light green eyes bore into his silver-blue ones as he reached behind her and slowly undid the lacings of her dress. Soon, the white velvet material pooled around her now bare feet and she was swiftly lifted from the floor and placed on the bed. Legolas picked up her gown from the floor and draped it over a chair before he removed his boots and quickly joined her on the bed. Aria tugged at his tunic as he hovered over her almost bare form and kissed her deeply. She pulled away from his lips and whimpered. "Legolas, this is not fair." He laughed quietly and stood from the bed to remove his clothes as their eyes remained locked. Legolas climbed onto the bed, as bare as the day he was born and raised his hands to her hips and gently guided her underwear from her body.

They moved intertwined at a steady pace each movement bringing them closer. Soon, the familiar blue light seemed to engulf the bonded couple as their quiet cries for each other echoed off the stone walls and their panted breaths filled the darkened room.

Legolas removed himself from her but pulled her body flush against his as she rested her head against his damp chest. Their breathing was still deep and their minds were still spinning. "I love you Aria," he whispered before he kissed the top of her head. She smiled a small smile and kissed his chest.

"I love you too," she said quietly before their bodies gave into the slight rest it craved before they awoke once more during the night and joined themselves once more.