Disclaimer: The usual.. J.R.R. Tolkien is the master.
A/N: AFTER OVER TWO YEARS... HERE IS THE FINAL CHAPTER... I don't know WHY it took that long, but it's done. So please enjoy, please review, and I love you all! muah
The date had finally arrived. A beautiful breeze accompanied the bright sunlight that fell upon Gondor on this day when the land's King should be crowned and married to his Elven Queen.
A pleasant air of conversation and excitement hung about the crowd gathered outside the palace. Inside two beautiful brides were readying themselves in gowns of satin and diamonds. Their grooms had been dressed and ready for nearly an hour and settled into a routine of pacing about the room.
"Not having second thoughts are you, Legolas?" Aragorn joked with his Elf-friend.
"Nay, I am simply amazed at the fact that this day, which I never dreamed to come, has arrived so soon," Legolas replied mirthfully.
Aragorn knew what his friend meant. Though he had loved Arwen for years with all that had occurred in the past he never knew if his wedding to her would become a reality. On this day, he was a proud and happy man.
"Oh, Arwen!" Lina cried. "It is happening! This day…this dream…my love." The Elf could not even put together a coherent sentence. Fixing the strands of silver that held her hair in place, she glanced at her cousin.
Laughing, Arwen replied, "I understand fully, my dear cousin." For the next half-hour the two lady Elves stared into the looking glasses that bounded the chamber and convinced themselves that they were now as ready as they could be.
The magnificent doors of the palace opened. Cheers could be heard throughout the crowd as first Aragorn emerged. As he walked the crowd parted before him. He stopped when he reached the circular, open gazebo where the marriages would take place. Dressed in clothes of a regal and imperial deep blue, he looked the part of a King.
Soon after Legolas followed. He was clad in a dark green tunic embellished with gold and silver threads through which his royalty was evident. They stood waiting for what seemed to them to be hours, but was in reality but a few minutes.
The palace doorway now held a sight of breathtaking beauty. Arwen, in her brilliant gown of deep crimson and gilded embroidery and jewels to match, descended the steps of the palace. After what was but a breath in time, she was succeeded by another remarkable vision of splendor. Lina, her green eyes shimmered with happiness, walked calmly though inside she was bursting with an inexplicable joy. Her gown, of ice blue and silver designs and studded diamonds, fit her frame perfectly.
The two Elf-maidens joined their grooms on the gazebo, each standing facing her lover. Elrond led the proceedings, chanting in Elvish of the vows and promises each couple would make. With a few words, each of the grooms and each of the brides expressed their feelings of deep love and commitment.
Next the crowning ceremony was begun. The nobles of Gondor had retained the previous King's crown. It shined brilliantly in the sun, jewels glittering. The crown was placed atop Aragorn's head and in turn Arwen was crowned in a wreath of silver and diamond as Queen of Gondor.
Aragorn took Arwen's hands, looking into her eyes with a passion of utmost affection.
Legolas met Lina's eyes, his blue linking with her green, and he reached for her hands. Her hands lay gracefully, softly, in his as he brought them to his mouth to kiss them.
The excitement from the crowd grew as Aragorn kissed Arwen sweetly on the mouth.
Legolas lowered his face closer to Lina's and whispered, "I love you, my wife."
She had barely begun to laugh before he captured her lips in a kiss, his hand upon her cheek.
The festivities of the marriage lasted late into the night. Dancing, singing, and all forms of rejoicing were flowing through the palace. All were invited to attend and it seemed as though all did. The night ended with a spectacular show of fireworks from Gandalf.
At last all of the guests retired to their homes, or in the case of the party that came from Rivendell, to private chambers within the palace of the new King Aragorn.
Slowly, bidding the other couple goodnight (the only two that stood remaining in the Hall), Aragorn and Arwen climbed the stairs, hand-in-hand, to retire to their wedding bed.
Finding themselves in silence and in the first private moment that they had had all day, Lina and Legolas embraced in full the time they had together. The first they had privately as husband and wife.
"Shall we take a walk? I suddenly find that I cannot sleep," Lina said looking up at Legolas's face.
Nodding in assent, Legolas took her hand and they stepped out into the darkness. The breezy day had quieted into a still, pleasant night. They took a turn around the front of the palace and stopped as they reached the corner of the edifice. Lina took both of Legolas's hands and looked at him earnestly. "My love, I cannot thank you enough. You have made my life worth all the pain."
Legolas smiled, shaking his head. "Nay, my love, there is no need to thank me. I am only happy to be making you happy and to be ensuring that you are no longer pained."
His hands circled her body and rested on the small of her back, dragging her form close to himself. She placed her hands around his neck and leant into his body. She inhaled deeply his scent and rested her head on his chest. When she pulled back and he lowered his gaze to meet her own, Lina was overcome with a feeling greater than any she had ever experienced in her life. She knew right then that she had made the best decision of her life and that she would never regret her choice. Love was written in Legolas's eyes as though he was wearing the contents of his heart drawn across his face.
The two stood like this, held in a deep embrace and exchanging kisses for quite some time before Legolas murmured softly into her hair, "Now, what say you, my wife? Shall we return indoors?"
Lina smiled softly, somewhat shyly, at her husband and whispered, "Yes. I follow you, my love."
They turned together and retreated to the inviting chamber that had been prepared for their wedding night.
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