Summerland of the Heart

by Elfriend

Post WotR, Legolas is called home to Mirkwood from Gondor by his father. Thranduil has fallen afoul of dark magic left in Dol Guldur. Legolas is imperiled and his friends go to his aid. Also Haldir. OC AU multi crossover Angst MarySue with substance

4. Summerland Chapters 16 to 23

Naeore Laerien (Summerland of the Heart)

Chapter 16:

The Guild of Messengers

It was desperately uncomfortable donning her still damp, mud encrusted clothing, and hunger gnawed at her empty belly, but Feia was wed to her concinnate, and that went a long way toward making even these discomforts fade into the back of her awareness. And in the chill air, remembering how her marriage was accomplished went a long way toward warming her.

It was unexpected to feel so absurdly happy in the middle of this mad adventure – so strange to have her worries and her joys residing so closely together. But Feia had learned long ago to accept and savor the gifts that the universe provided whenever they were offered. She had found her harmonious match, and so had Meg. It was unfortunate that their family could not know this joy had come to them at last.

Or could they?

Legolas had also drawn on his damp garments and was busying himself readying Arod, who had spent the night sheltered as much as possible in the cleft between the rocky hill and a fall of boulders nearby the cave. When he led the horse to where his lady waited, Legolas moved as if to assist her in mounting, but Feia said, "Wait, my lord! It has just occurred to me that I have the means to provide a very special wedding gift for my sister."

The elf raised a brow in query, but the lady stepped away from him and addressed the empty air, "I have a message. I will pay the price. I will keep the accord of The Guild of Messengers." There was a pause of several heartbeats in which nothing whatsoever happened, but then a beam of bright red light seemed to descend from as high as the sun to coalesce into a shape almost discernable as a person, but in no way identifiable. Then a second beam descended and a second form stood a little behind and to the right of the first.

"And this also is not magic, I presume," Legolas said softly at Feia's ear. His stance was quite relaxed, but his bow seemed to have materialized in his hand.

"Oh, it is – of a sort!" the lady laughed, "but it is not my magic."

And then from the figure in front, a voice that sounded like a chorus of voices, male and female of every age and race said, "We are The Guild." There was no emotion in the voice at all. Feia bowed to the shapes before her and said formally, "I, Serafé Organa Naberrie of Al…" Pausing, Feia glanced at Legolas and her expression softened, "of Middle Earth, offer welcome to The Guild. Such hospitality as I have to give is yours for as long as you should wish it."

There was no way of telling where the beings might be looking, but Legolas had the impression that the foremost one glanced at the tiny cave, "Not particularly tempting, Lady Serafé of Middle Earth. The Guild declines. Speak your message."

"The Lady Meghailin Celduinsén McKeirnan of Alderaan shall wed her Concinnate, Lord Haldir of Lórien in a few day's time at Rivendell," Feia said, "I should like for her brother to know so that he may attend if he is able. I am willing to pay the price."

From the foremost figure the chorus of voices intoned, "For this message there is no price. The accord has been honored. The Guild shall carry your message." Legolas tilted his head, for oddly, though there was no detectable change in the voices, the elf was able to sense delight and even affection.

And then in the same multiple voices, the rearmost figure asked, "Lady Serafé of Middle Earth, who is this other?"

Legolas was surprised when Feia only grinned happily, bouncing once on her toes, and answered, "Family!"

The two figures seemed to shimmer, and then standing before them were an elf and a man dressed in identical gray and black uniforms. The elf was tall; his light hair cut short saving only two Queues Connate which hung over an ear and down his back. His pale blue eyes were alight with joy. The man was shorter and darker, curly hair hanging loose to his shoulders. Queues Connate fell over an eye the color of molasses that held a glint of wry amusement. And in the moment that Legolas had to assess them, they surged forward. First one hugged Feia, and then the other pulled her away from the first to also envelope her in his embrace.

Legolas watched them all with narrowed eyes as Feia laughed, "I hoped that it would be you!"

"We will always come when you call, your highness, if we are able," the elf said with a bow that seemed a bit after the fact to Legolas's way of thinking.

"Truthfully, we were searching for you, and you have just made it easy for us," the man said, "Filip engaged The Guild to discover your whereabouts. He is furious, Feia!"

"Truly? Whatever for?" Feia asked innocently. Then she laughed again saying, "I hope you made him pay!"

The man grinned broadly and said, "I made him give me the schematics for the latest flier improvements he has made."

"That would explain why he is furious," Feia said. Then, at last, she made the introductions, "Prince Zak Renné Organa and Lord Derek McKiernan Celduinsén, both of The Guild of Messengers, may I introduce Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm of Middle Earth."

"Legolas!" Derek cried, "You are joking, surely! Legolas?!" Legolas's brows knit together in consternation.

"I have said it!" Feia responded quellingly.

"But Feia, surely you recall…" Derek pressed.

But Feia interrupted him with a raised hand. "Do not make me rank you, Chosen!" Derek appeared unphased by Feia's tone, but he subsided nonetheless, much to Legolas's discontent.

Then to Legolas she said, "My lord, this is my half-brother Zak and my brother-in-law, Meg's twin, Derek." And then she added, "Guild members are not permitted to reveal their identities save to family."

The two elves and the man exchanged formal greetings, but when Zak gripped Legolas's hand he retained it a trifle longer than the gesture required and said, his face deadly serious, "You and my sister are concinnati."

"Yes, I am aware of that," Legolas said, adding, "and we are wed."

"All right, then," Zak said with a slight smile, releasing the elf.

Derek looked Feia up and down and said, "Dearheart, you look dreadful!"

Feia quickly told them a condensed version of all that had transpired since her vision of her father and subsequent arrival on Middle Earth. And then she said, "But we are Alderaani, my brothers, when the universe hands us joy amidst grief and turmoil, we have learnt to embrace it. Will you come to Rivendell?"

"We will come," said Derek, "But do you not yet have a gate cube?"

"We have the one which your sister carries," Feia answered.

"And you are both determined to make Middle Earth your home?" the elf asked.

Feia crossed her arms, "We are!" she responded. "What are you getting at, Derek?"

"Well," her brother-in-law said, "If all those in the family able to meet in Rhemuth during the next few days were to do so, then you could open a gate, and Meggie would have a festive wedding indeed!"

Feia grinned broadly and impulsively hugged the elf.

"Not to put a damper on your happy news or to undervalue the plans for Meghailin's special day," Zak said seriously, rubbing his chin in a habitual gesture reminiscent of King Bail, "but Derek and I should go early to Rivendell bearing the message of the prince requesting aid for his people. Surely the elves of Rivendell shall require time to prepare – time the woodland elves may have little enough of." Then, trying to lighten the mood that had plummeted at his words, he added mischievously, "No additional cost!"

Feia looked at her husband, thunderstruck. "Oh, my lord!" she cried, "Forgive me! The Guild carries messages over great distances – across galaxies! It never occurred to me that they might also carry messages from one place to another on Middle Earth."

Derek shook his head, "It is not normally done, so there is no reason the option should have occurred to you, your highness. Most worlds where The Guild is known have other means of sending messages. Do not berate yourself, Serafé! You know everything happens as it aught. Aid will come to the Mirkwood elves in time."

Legolas put an arm about his wife's shoulders, "These extra days for Lord Elrond to prepare will be a valuable aid to us. Our party must still travel to Imladris by conventional means, for we will require greater numbers in order to break through to the assistance of my people. Now our wait at the house of Elrond will be shortened." Speaking the words seem to ease some of the tension the elf had been carrying.

They went over the message Legolas would have them bring to Lord Elrond and then there were brief farewells; for they would all meet again soon.

In parting, Zak said, "At least the debate over Haldir's fate can at last be put to rest. I believe Filip owes you twenty chits, Derek, for indeed, 'Haldir Lives'."

"I told everyone that it was cinematic license, not channeling!" Derek said smugly, and then to Feia he added, "Someday you must show the Fellowship their motion picture counterparts and see how they feel about it, Serafé."

In an overly dramatic voice, Feia accused, "Were you paying attention at the academy? Do you not recall the Prime Directive? I hardly call premiering ancient Earth cinema on Middle Earth non-interference!"

Zak gave a whoop of laughter. Nearly incapable of speech, he spluttered, "This from her!" Then the man seemed to dissolve into light and a red beam shot into the sky carrying him away.

Derek's face altered from mirth to gravity and he bowed formally to Legolas, saying, "Enna Hen na adanya, e amarth na eriel nánen máiëlyë. Nai elyë ná veronwë estel nin! Námarië!" On my father's Vision, the fate of the lady is in your hand. I pray you are steadfast in faith! Farewell!

Another great shaft of light carried away the second Guild Messenger leaving his words to hang in the still and silent morning.

Legolas was nonplussed by his encounter with The Guild, and disturbed by Derek's warning, but he wasted no time brooding over it for the time being. Helping Feia to mount Arod he asked, "Who is Filip?"

Feia had been frowning thoughtfully at the parting words of her brother-in-law to her husband – words that Derek did not know that she would understand. Legolas's question nudged at her humor, however, and she smiled. "Who is Filip?" she repeated. "After all that you have just seen and heard, this is your only question?"

"Not at all!" Legolas flashed his teeth in a grin before leaping gracefully to sit behind her on Arod. Then he continued, wrapping a proprietary arm around her waist, "I also would know more of The Guild of Messengers. What is a flier? Why was there a debate regarding Haldir's fate? What is meant by, 'motion picture counterparts' of the Fellowship? What is the Prime Directive? And most especially I should like to know why my name caused the reaction it did and why you were disconcerted by it, Orenya. But we can begin with: who is Filip?"

Feia could not give over smiling; it was beginning to make her cheeks ache. She responded to her husband's queries with good grace as they rode together, explaining, "Filip is my twin brother. He is a Starfleet pilot on board the USS Vision Quest. They have been on an extended mission, and so I have not seen him in over a year. I left him a message informing him that I would be leaving Gwynedd, but I failed to mention exactly where I would be going. Filip, well, he tends a bit toward the reckless! It is something in the basic makeup of pilots, I deem. I did not wish him to get himself assimilated trying to find me."

It took all three leagues, ridden at a walk, to give Legolas the barest of answers to his questions, and Feia was sure they only gave the elf more questions to ponder. She resolved to share her memories with her husband at the first opportunity, for she feared that she would talk her tongue dry for many years otherwise, and he would still have questions.

"As to the unusual reaction to your name, edhel nin," Feia finished as they came in sight of their companions camp, "I shall ask that you get that story from Meghailin, for she would never forgive me if I did not allow her the pleasure!"

Chapter 17:

A Treasure to be Shared

The camp was situated before the mouth of a largish cave. Here the companions had waited out the storm and here Legolas and Feia were reunited with them. Meghailin flew from where she had been pacing to throw her arms about her sister in an embrace that nearly bowled Feia over before she was well off Arod's back. Meg exclaimed over Feia's unkempt state, shed a tear for loyal Cricket, and briskly ushered her friend toward the cave.

"Thank the Light!" Meg kept repeating, then, "and thank you, my lord," which Legolas acknowledged with a slightly uncomfortable bow.

When they were well into the privacy of the cave, Meg said to Feia, "You look frightful. Let's get you changed into some of my spare clothing, for I pronounce these unwearable!" Then she proceeded to assist Feia with the mud-stiffened laces.

Meg fetched a pan of water heated over the fire for washing, pulled a comb through her sister's tangled hair, and healed the last of Feia's strains and bruises. Then, without preamble, Meg said, "Need I have a conversation with an elf of our acquaintance? Rather more happened last night than a tumble from your horse."

Feia hugged herself, going crimson, "We are wed, Meggie!" she said, "The customs of the elves here are more similar to Alderaan than we guessed. Marriage is a matter of intention, agreement, and consummation. A ceremony a celebration of the event – a formality."

"Then what under the Light am I waiting until Rivendell for?" Meg complained.

"I must surmise that some elves are more formal than others," Feia said trying unsuccessfully to keep her mirth hidden. When Meg glared a thunderhead at her however, she gave over, "Haldir can hardly carry you off whilst we are all traveling together, now can he? I do not suggest you try my method of gaining time alone with him, for much of it was quite unpleasant."

"Still," Meg said, consideringly, "perhaps something slightly less lethal than falling off a cliff can be arranged."

Feia laughed, "Meg, you mustn't! I have had a conversation with certain of The Guild this morning. Your brother would never forgive you if you ruin his opportunity to see you as happy as he."

"The Guild!" Meg cried, "I am a fool! Why did I not think of that?" She hugged Feia again, happily.

XXX

When the ladies emerged from the cave, Legolas said, "We would reach the Gap of Rohan too late to begin the crossing were we to set out now. Let us make an early start on the morrow. By the grace of my lady, we have been granted some time."

And so Legolas explained the gift of the Guild and the companions settled in to remain at the sanctuary of the cave for another night. A wholesome lunch was prepared then, completing Feia's recovery from her ordeal.

After eating, Legolas announced that he would scout, to which Elrohir responded innocently, "Naitar náui na hen a llaw," "norouva vemaecil dilme nalo torog!" It would be better for one to go who is able to see and hear in order to prevent us being overrun by an army of Trolls!

Feia burst out with a delighted laugh, and Elrohir's smile spread.

Legolas strode away from the camp, but over his shoulder he tossed them both a roguish grin that arrested the laughter in Feia's throat.

"Light!" Meg said from her sister's side, "Who knew that our fine elven prince had that bit of weaponry in his arsenal?"

"Mmm," was all Feia could manage.

When the elf returned with no news of pursuit, everyone relaxed at the opportunity to spend an evening in good company. Legolas sat unabashedly at Feia's side and held her hand on his knee. There was almost nothing he could have done to please her more.

Meg was called upon for entertainment. Requests were made to repeat the songs that she had played before, and this time the companions joined in. The elven voices, Elessar's soft baritone and Gimli's gruff but pleasant bass wove easily in and out of the music. Elrohir had indeed memorized the sea chantey, for he missed not a word or a note, effortlessly harmonizing with the melody.

When Meg good-naturedly begged for a break some time later, Legolas took his opportunity to ask the question that Feia had put him off of earlier. "My lady Meghailin, when I met your brother, he seemed quite surprised at mention of my name. He lead me to believe that there was some significant reason that Lady Feia should remember it." Tilting his head, Legolas continued, "My lady indicated you might prefer to be the one to tell me what that reason may be."

"Indeed?" Meg said grinning as though she had filched the last cake, "I must admit I am astonished she is willing for you to be told at all!"

Feia ducked to hide a blush, saying, "I can hardly keep it from him now that Derek has said so much. Believe me; I shall deal with your brother appropriately at the first opportunity."

"Now you have us all curious, dear ladies!" Gimli said, "Please! Share the story which has already brought a rosy glow to our Princess Feia's fair cheek!"

"Happily, I will!" said Meg, "It all began when Feia and her twin had their eighth birthday and King Bail informed them that it was time to move into separate apartments. Feia was, shall we say, strongly opposed to this change in circumstance. She had a tendency to be remarkably inflexible in those days."

"Did she?" Elessar said drolly. "The lady has become the soul of accommodation since."

Gimli snorted, and covered it with a cough.

The lady in question feigned a scowl and then grinned, but Meg kept her expression smoothly benign and continued, "After she realized that neither her temper, nor her reason would get her anywhere, Feia was reduced to tears. And so it was that my father took pity upon her. He went aside with Filip and imparted a scheme that appealed very much to our young prince.

"But when Filip suddenly came down in favor of separate rooms, Feia felt dreadfully betrayed, for he had not told her what he was planning with my father. She would not speak with him the entire day whilst all of his things were carried into the adjacent rooms.

"Feia was not inclined to remain alone that night, and so I stayed with her. But as we were making ready for bed there came a knocking on the headboard. The wood slid back to reveal Filip, Derek and my father with their heads close together peering through that little opening. For years we thought that our cubbyhole was a secret between us children and my father. We girls would gather in Feia's room, with the boys in Filip's and we would talk and laugh half the night sometimes. I think it was ten years before we realized King Bail had known of it all along."

Then Legolas interjected, "A charming tale, lady, but I fail to understand how it applies to my question."

"Ahhh, you see I am getting to that!" Meg said dramatically, "There was another bit of intervention by my father on that significant eighth birthday! He had just returned from a diplomatic visit to the Federation. Whilst there, he set about acquiring a book to bring back as a gift for Feia who could never have enough books. In his search, my father happened upon a set of four he was sure she would covet, by a man named Tolkien. The first was called, The Hobbit, being the story of a gentleman Hobbit harried by a wizard into adventuring with a band of dwarves. The other three were a trilogy called, 'The Lord of the Rings,' singularly titled, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King."

Meg paused dramatically to allow this information to be thoroughly appreciated. Though Elessar had advised the companions that their story had been recorded before it had happened, hearing it discussed in this way was still a bit of a revelation for them. There was much incredulity.

And so her audience was listening avidly when Meg continued, "Now it took Feia only a chapter or two to realize that these stories are a treasure to be shared, and so she began reading them aloud to Filip through the cubbyhole each night. It was all the two ever spoke of during the days, and so Derek and I, and then Zak and his twin Kadiya, our friend Cyrana and even Serafé's older sister Leia were each drawn in – gathering in Filip and Feia's rooms in the evening so that Feia could read to us.

"Of course we all believed that the stories were fictitious – and at that time the events depicted in most of them had not yet taken place. Nevertheless there was something remarkably compelling about them.

"As the years passed, we did some investigation and discovered that 'The Lord of the Rings' is the most loved tale in Earth's history. It continues to be appreciated throughout the universe, though most people have no idea that it has actually happened, or where!"

Meg paused to relish the moment, "And now, to finally answer your question, Prince Legolas!" she said smiling at Feia's hopelessly discomfited expression. "We badgered Feia into read the books through perhaps two dozen times between her eighth birthday and her sixteenth at which time we were sent to the academy. Filip, Derek, and Zak wanted to hear all about the battles and the frightening events, while we girls rhapsodized about Rivendell and Lórien, the Lady Galadriel, Queen Arwen and brave Eowyn of the Mark who became princess of Ithilien. Tolkien didn't say nearly enough to satisfy us, and so we spent long hours speculating.

"The boys were as enchanted as we were, but that did not hinder them from teasing us without mercy. One day Filip said to Feia, 'You will not be satisfied until Prince Legolas himself walks through your door!' and Feia answered, 'If Legolas walks through my door, I shall go with him to Middle Earth and never return.' And oh, after that! How those dreadful boys could use the mere mention of your name, my lord, to make Feia blush and stammer!

"And yet, as I recall, dear sister," Feia said, carefully not making eye contact with her husband, "after that admittedly regrettable pronouncement, you were heard to say, 'If you go to Middle Earth, Serafé, take me with you and I shall go to dwell in Lothlorien where I could then happily die.'"

"I fervently pray that you shall not die in Lórien, bereth nin," said Haldir indulgently.

"Yes, well, perhaps I shall be happier if I do not die, but I have proven to be quite correct in my girlhood ambition, have I not?" Meg said smugly as Haldir laughed rich and deep. Then mischievously, Meg said, "I do hope that I am present when you introduce Prince Legolas to your twin, Feia, for the expression on Filip's face will be a sight not to be missed!"

Legolas gently touched the red flush on Feia's cheek with a knuckle. "Alas!" he said, his roguish grin much in evidence, "the answer to my question has only brought many more to my mind! For instance, what could these books have said about me that would inspire such thoughts in a young and beautiful princess?"

"You can see for yourself, my lord," Meg said, as she rummaged through her satchel. Withdrawing a box she passed it to Legolas, saying, "Feia customarily goes nowhere without these, but she left them with me for safe-keeping until she should have occasion to explain matters to the king."

Legolas pulled out the volumes, passing three of them to Gimli and keeping the one titled, The Fellowship of the Ring. He held it somewhat as if he feared it might come alive and turn on him, before opening it at random and exclaiming abruptly, "Haldir, you are here mentioned, listen: 'How many are you?' say you, and I answer, 'Eight, myself, four hobbits; and two men, one of whom, Aragorn, is an Elf-friend of the folk of Westernesse.'1 And here you respond just as I recall, 'The name of Aragorn son of Arathorn is known in Lórien, and he has the favour of the Lady. All then is well. But you have yet spoken only of seven.'2" And then I reveal to you the unpleasant news that the eighth was good Gimli here, and you nearly send us on our way. It happened just so." He closed the book with a look of wonder shining in his eyes.

The companions spent a good while passing the books about and exclaiming over one thing and another. At one point Elessar gave an appreciative chuckle and shared from the book which he held, "Here is an indication of how Frodo felt about me on first meeting, 'you have frightened me several times tonight, but not in the way that servants of the Enemy would, or so I imagine. I think one of his spies would – well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand.'3"

Elessar gave a snort, saying, "I am fortunate that, though I look foul, I feel fair, else I would have failed to win the hobbits over." Then he said seriously, "My ladies, there is every indication that these accounts are entirely accurate. It is…disconcerting."

Feia answered, "I have been perpetually disconcerted since I stumbled upon the first of many true 'fantasy' stories – and I assure you there have been many. But we seem to be finishing where we began so long ago – with Middle Earth. I suppose it is rather poetic, in truth."

"Ships that travel amongst the stars, weapons that can destroy an entire world, and stories written down for entertainment which later become reality far from where they were recorded," Elessar said, "You have traveled a vast labyrinth of paradox, mystery and wonder, my ladies. If it is poetry, it is epic in nature."

And with that, Elessar stood and bowed to them with his hand to his heart in elven fashion, but he did not speak again, only moving to prepare his blankets for the night.

The companions followed his example, keeping their silence, else pitching their voices low so as not to lift the spell. Legolas was last to stir from where he sat staring into the flames of the fire, the light of it flickering in the depths of his eyes. Feia was surprised when the elf laid out a blanket beside her and gathered her against his side, but each time she woke in the night it was to find him wakeful. He lay with his arm around her, absently fingering the beads in her hair and staring straight up into the sky as if in the stars he might divine a more hopeful future. When the sun woke her at dawn, Legolas had gone to scout.

1. & 2. Chapter 6: "Lothlorien" The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien

3. Chapter 10: "Strider" The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien

Chapter 18:

The Last Homely House

The rest of the journey through the Gap of Rohan and on to the home of Elrond at Rivendell went swiftly, with no more time lost to orc or to nature's fury. Their arrival came as no surprise to the elves of Imladris, confirming that Legolas's message to Lord Elrond had arrived via The Guild. A small company met them at the crossing of the Bruinin, greeting them formally and falling in, silent and serious, to accompany them in honor the last distance to the Last Homely House.

Lord Elrond greeted them at once upon their arrival, and Feia and Meg were not disappointed at their first sight of the ancient keeper of an elven ring of power – the last still to dwell in Middle Earth. Although in age he looked no older than a vigorously healthy (and particularly beautiful) human of perhaps forty years, something in his carriage and his eyes spoke of vast experience and wisdom.

Elrond first embraced his sons warmly. Long had Elladan and Elrohir ventured far and wide pursuing the minions of the Enemy, and seldom did they walk the halls and gardens of their home. And then Elrond's eyes flashed with merriment and profound joy as he embraced also his son-in-law, for he did not need to be told the happy news that Arwen was with child; his connection with his beloved daughter was potent, and he had sensed it long since. Haldir had rarely ventured far from Lothlorien in his long life, but he had stood high in the favor of his Lady Galadriel, and so had taken council with Elrond at times of crisis and need. He was welcomed with respect now, as a brother to Imladris. Gimli was also welcomed warmly, for he was no stranger here, and certainly the dwarf most highly regarded by elves in even the longest memory.

But when the high elf lord clasped the shoulder of the prince of the woodland realm, his eyes went grave and his voice was rich with concern. His words were pitched too softly for any save Legolas to hear, but the son of Thranduil seemed to take some comfort from them, for his stance relaxed visibly.

After his introduction to Feia and Meg, lord Elrond said, "In the last weeks, all that I once thought immutable has been subject to change. Do I perceive rightly that the cause stands here before me?"

To which Feia responded, "Nay, my lord, not the cause – catalysts only for changes that would have come in time regardless. We have not the power to affect the kind of change of which you speak. The designs of the Powers That Be are a puzzle we cannot solve, but we trust in them none the less."

"That is all that any of us can do, my lady," the patriarch of the elves agreed. Then Elrond took Legolas aside for private consult, leaving Feia and Meg and their companions in the care of his sons. Elladan and Elrohir arranged rooms and refreshment for their father's guests before seeing to their own ease.

After bathing and changing into a borrowed elven gown in rich shades of red and orange and amber, Feia was ushered into a room by a female elf named Nórui where she found Meg, similarly attired in deep violet and blue. They were served miruvor with fruit and cheese while Nórui worked Feia's hair into an elaborate fall of braids and an elf named Alphlinn wove strands of amethyst into Meg's bounty of curls. The two elves talked, and sang, and shared in the excitement of Meghailin's coming marriage celebration so that Feia and Meg could almost forget that Legolas and Elrond were even now planning a war.

When the very feminine and relaxing preparations were complete, the two elven ladies escorted their guests to where the other companions waited in a small, semi-enclosed garden. At sight of his lady so becomingly arrayed, Haldir, who had been lounging upon a gracefully carved wooden bench, stood and kissed both her hands in profound admiration. Then the two sat together upon the bench, and although they were in company with their friends, and neither spoke aloud, there rose about them an invisible wall of solitude wherein they resided together.

With little to do but wait and listen to the singing of the elves which rose and fell from somewhere within the house, Feia found herself fretting. She stood alone with her hands resting lightly upon a decorative stone railing that encircled the small garden, and stared unseeing out over the beauty of the valley of the elves. For most of her life Feia had longed to experience this place, but her heart was heavy with concern for her husband, whom she loved but had barely begun to know, and for his people whom she knew not at all.

Legolas appeared after a time, still in his traveling clothes. He had come to find Elessar and Haldir only to ask them to return with him to the privacy of Lord Elrond's study, but with the request just passed his lips, his eyes lit upon Serafé where she stood and he froze.

Feia searched her husband's smooth features for signs of worry and fatigue and it may have been due to more than her concern that she found both. She also saw his heart leap into his eyes at sight of her, and her own heart melted in the warmth of his love. And he did love her; of this she had no doubt. They were not alone, so she sent silently, "You are weary, edhel nin. You must rest."

She is so lovely, Legolas thought. He did not know why it kept stealing up on him this way. It was not as though he did not know it. She was a beautiful woman and she was his. But with his vision filled with her, garbed as she was in the fashion of the elves, he was captivated once more. And then she spoke into his mind and he blinked rapidly several times before responding.

"Orenya! I did not know that you possessed this skill. Will you always surprise me, thus?"

"We have much to learn about one another, Legolas, and much to share," His lady answered. "Will you lay your burden down for a time and rest with me in this place? You are only one. It cannot all be accomplished this day."

"I am only one, but I am the one upon whom this burden rests. But, aye, I am weary," Legolas conceded, "I must consult again with lord Elrond and with Haldir and the king. I will come to you anon, but I have no guarantee to offer you regarding rest, my enticing wife!" And with that, he brushed her mind in a caress which caused her eyes to flutter shut as though for a kiss.

When Feia opened her eyes again, she was not surprised to find him gone, along with Elessar and Haldir. Both Gimli and Meghailin were watching her, Meg with a tiny smile.

"It's that thing, isn't it?" Gimli asked, "That elvish thing where they stare as though they're counting one another's eyelashes. It's disturbing. If they have something to say, they should speak aloud like normal people."

"I am not sure, but I think I may be vaguely insulted, my Lord Gimli," Meghailin said with wry amusement.

Uncomfortably the dwarf cleared his throat, "Dear lady! I meant no offense. Why, The Lady herself spoke into my mind on two occasions. She touched my mind with hers! The honor of it overwhelms me!" Gimli placed a hand over his heart as if clutching something beneath his outer tunic. When he continued, he said, "It's just that, you think you're getting to know a bit about elves – or at least about the elves of your acquaintance, and then they do something like that. It makes them seem strange – somehow alien; and you realize that unless you live a few thousand years, you just aren't ever really going to know."

"Now that all the people of Middle Earth have attained immortality," Feia said as she moved to sit beside the dwarf on his bench, "you shall be able to study elves at your leisure, my lord. Perhaps you will choose to learn how to touch the mind of another, someday. I am sure that Legolas would happily teach you!"

"Hmm, it's disturbing," Gimli muttered. "Unnatural!" he declared. "You think he really might?"

"If he does not, I will!" Meg said warmly and Gimli beamed at her almost shyly. Then the dwarf placed his hand over his heart again and lapsed into thoughtful silence.

After a few moments Feia ventured, "My lord Gimli, in the accounting of your quest, it is mentioned that you received from The Lady a most singular gift. I do not wish to be presumptuous, and I will understand if you would prefer not, but I would be greatly honored if I might look upon it."

"And I!" Meg added. "When I am wed, I shall be Meghailin of Lórien, but a Lórien without the Lady Galadriel! It would make me feel closer to Haldir, who served her nearly all of his life, to see with my own eyes the token of the Lady of the Wood."

"I carry it with me always," Gimli said, "but I show it seldom. And yet, it seems right in this place to share it with you who have proven to be good and true companions." Reverently, Gimli unlaced his outer tunic and removed from inside a brooch of dwarven make, but in an elvish style. Gold and mithril made a filigreed border to a crystal as clear as clean water, polished smooth. Behind the crystal three strands of glowing gold were held on a background of stone that looked the color of the sky just after the sun has set, while it yet retains a memory of its light. It was much like the color of her husband's eyes Feia thought, as with almost ceremonial formality Gimli placed the beautiful object into her hands.

"Ahhh," sighed Meg, who had come to kneel upon the tiled floor between her friends. She reached a hand out toward the brooch, but she did not quite touch it, seeming to stroke the air just over the face of the crystal. "As fitting a setting as it would be possible to make for it, my lord. It holds the power of your heart, for clearly that is what you have put into its creation. You did this work with your own hands, did you not?"

"Aye," the dwarf affirmed, gruffly.

"It is beautiful," Feia agreed. The three golden strands of the Lady's hair seemed to pulse with a light of their own. Almost, they seemed to move slowly and sinuously behind the crystal as she watched – perhaps they did.

Silently Feia imagined what she might be like, Galadriel, Lady of Light! What could Feia find to say to such a one if granted the honor of a meeting? There was only one thing of import in her thoughts now.

Feia sighed. Ah, Galadriel, if it is permitted for you to turn your thoughts to those who are here in the land that you have left behind – could you not find a way to help my husband? His need is great and his heart is heavy!

Aloud, Feia said, "I cannot but think that Lady Galadriel would be pleased by the tribute you pay her with your care of her gift, Lord Gimli. Thank you!" she said sincerely as she passed the brooch back to the dwarf. "I almost feel that I have stood in her presence – that somehow she knows me, now. I suppose that is a fanciful thought."

"Nay, sister!" Meghailin said, her bright eyes aglow with elven awareness. "She has brushed this place with her thoughts. She does know us! The love of faithful Gimli drew her mind and she has touched us! Thank you indeed, my lord!" and she reached up with her hands, guiding the dwarf's head downward and placing a kiss upon his brow.

The dwarf stammered something incomprehensible as he carefully pinned his treasured gift back in its accustomed place.

XXX

When Elessar and Haldir returned to their companions sometime later, they were in the company of Elrohir. Legolas, they had left to continue taking council with Lord Elrond.

Elrohir led the companions to a long, many-arched hall that was open to the evening, though somehow not at all cold. There they saw several elves, alone or in small groups; conversing softly, reading, eating, or simply listening to the music – for it was from here that the lovely sounds that permeated Elrond's home originated. At the far end of the hall a lady sat at a many-stringed instrument, strumming and plucking a composition of intricate complexity while she sang.

The companions were given food and drink and invited to remain in the hall until such time as Lord Elrond could join them. Elrohir stayed with them, and soon Elladan came also. They ate together but spoke little.

The hall of Elrond Halfelven was, Feia thought, just as Tolkien had described it, through Frodo's eyes. I could almost believe that I have stepped out of time and in a moment the ringbearer will appear and his uncle with him.

In time, Elrond entered his hall with Legolas, who had found an opportunity to refresh himself at last. Her husband was now garbed in a silver robe over a shirt and fitted trousers of a blue that was nearly black. A simple silver circlet rested upon his brow. He was unarmed. Feia had not realized how much a part of him his weapons were until this moment, seeing him without them. This was the elven prince, she realized, not the hunter or the warrior, but the prince.

And yet, as he crossed the hall and his eyes sought hers, there was a certain lethalness to his movements, like a leopard with claws sheathed. It would take only a hint of danger to make him the hunter – a breath of threat to turn him into a warrior again. I am the wife of an elf, she thought. And that is all the explanation required unless one has the patience of an Ent, for it would take a decade to depict him better in any other words; and at the end the valiant listener would only conclude, "Ah! You describe an elf!"

When he reached her side, Legolas bowed slightly and kissed her hand, then he sat close beside her without uttering a sound; but he retained her hand as though he would absorb comfort from it. It was subtle - so subtle, but his jaw was tense, his eyes haunted. He needed comfort. Feia placed her other hand over their joined ones and Legolas granted her a grateful and reassuring squeeze in response.

Lord Elrond addressed them all, saying, "I apologize for the poor attention I have given you, my guests. Since Prince Legolas's message arrived we have been in preparation, for I fear a speedy departure from the vale will be necessary. My converse this day with Legolas has done nothing to ease the sense of urgency I feel in regard to our brethren of Mirkwood and their peril."

Then his gaze turned to Haldir seated beside Meg, "And yet, I am told that I will have the honor of presiding over a wedding celebration. This is a moment of great joy for these two who wish to be joined and all who care for them. It is not something that I am inclined to rush. I hope you will understand, Lady Meghailin, Lord Haldir," he said bowing slightly to each in turn, "that under the circumstances I will be forced to go against my inclination. Tomorrow we shall have a wedding. The next day will see us depart for Dol Guldur."

XXX

Throughout the evening, Lord Elrond steered the conversation away from the topic of the woodland elves, instead they discussed music, poetry, history and plans for Meg and Haldir's wedding. Legolas spoke hardly at all, and remained close to Feia's side.

But at a certain point, the high elf Lord Glorfindel, having just arrived with a company of elves at Lord Elrond's summons, came and bade Legolas go apart with him for a while. Haldir and Meg had excused themselves some time ago in order to walk together in the starlit gardens.

Feia took this as her opportunity to speak with their host, asking, "My Lord Elrond, have you been fully informed of the manner of my coming to Middle Earth?"

"I have, Lady, and I wonder at it!"

"Indeed, so do I, my lord!" Feia agreed. "Meg and I yet have one more device that is capable of opening a doorway to the world where we most recently dwelt. It is a peaceful place and the gate will open in a location kept safe by those I implicitly trust. May I have your permission to open the gate and allow those of our family and friends who are gathered there to come through and also attend my sister for her wedding?"

"Prince Legolas has told me of the gateway cube and of your intent to use it. I do not object. This valley is well protected, my lady. Even did your former home hold a threat for us, it would be unable to come through. All those who love your sister shall be welcome to share in her joy. This is as it should be," Elrond responded.

"And will you then allow the gate to remain open, my lord?" Legolas asked, having just returned from his converse with Lord Glorfindel.

"Remain open?" Feia was perplexed. "Why, my lord? When our family has returned through the portal tomorrow, we will have no further need of it."

"It is your last gateway cube, my lady," Legolas argued. "What if you should require the aid of your family? You would be almost completely isolated from them without it. Your Guild cannot carry you, only messages, is this not so?"

Feia started to protest, but lord Elrond held up a hand to forestall her. He had been studying Legolas closely since his arrival, and was deeply concerned for the woodland elf. The prince had been reluctant to share all the details of his experience since leaving Minas Tirith at his father's summons. Elrond knew what he needed to know, but that was not the issue. Legolas was only just managing to hang on – he had very little hope left.

Neither had said it, but Elrond knew that these two were wed. He also knew that Legolas regretted it; probably because he feared his future would be a short one. Perhaps he hoped that Feia would return to her family if the worst happened at Dol Guldur, creating a widow of his new bride. At the least, the presence of the gateway would afford Legolas the comfort of knowing that the choice was possible for her.

"I see no reason why the gate should not be maintained for a time," Lord Elrond finally agreed.

"I thank you, my lord," Legolas said with a bow, and Elrond saw relief plain in the prince's eyes.

XXX

Hand in hand, Meg and Haldir walked the grounds of Rivendell. Meg felt peaceful - completely at home here. She was at home wherever Haldir was! And she was content to be with him in silence most of the time. Yet now she felt the need for talk, and perhaps also for reassurance. There was much uncertainty ahead.

Breaking into Haldir's contemplation, Meg asked him, "My lord, you were closeted with Lord Elrond, Prince Legolas and the king for some time, today. What plans have you laid to ease the suffering of Legolas's people?"

"For all our talk, there is little enough to it, my lady" Haldir replied. "We shall leave the day after tomorrow taking as many elves as have responded to Lord Elrond's call, and we shall be met on the way by my brother and the Lórien elves. We have decided that we dare not take the time to enlist the aid of the other races, for the Mirkwood elves' plight is urgent. This is an elvish matter, in any case. Thranduil will have to be dealt with one way or another, and I perceive that Legolas is reluctant to have the madness of his father become widely known.

But, bereth nin, I would not have you dwelling upon such things on the eve of our wedding," Haldir concluded, squeezing her hand.

"That our wedding shall take place in a moment stolen between peril and battle does not diminish the event for me, my lord," Meg assured him. "Indeed, it demonstrates to me the importance you give it, that you would take the time before we must go to the aid of your brethren to solemnize your intent that we be wed."

"Before we must go?! We, my lady?" Haldir stopped on the path, turning her to face him. "Surely you do not intend to come to Dol Guldur!"

"Well, of course I shall come!" Meg said, astonished. "Why would I not come?"

Haldir considered his response carefully, "I do not mean to devalue your abilities, for you and Lady Feia are nearly as skilled as trained warriors, but ladies on Middle Earth do not participate in war."

"Indeed?" Meg said, her brow raised and her hand upon her hip. "I feel sure that is about to change, my lord. I feel sure that the Princess of Ithilien has already changed it, for did she not strike down the Witch King on the field of Pellenor? And for your information, my sister and I are trained warriors – very well trained."

"You render me without argument, my lady, save this," Haldir cupped her chin with his hand, "Were anything to happen to you, my heart would die. I could not survive it." And that was the simple truth.

"And were anything to happen to you, my lord and I were not there, you might die in truth. My ability to heal is more valuable than my bow." Meg's voice revealed her frustration, but then she softened and laid a hand over his, "You cannot keep me safe from all danger, my lord. Everyone who will go has someone who would suffer at their loss. Would my grief be any less if you came to harm, than yours would be for me?"

Haldir did not respond, but instead drew her to rest in his embrace. They stood thus for a long while, breathing one another in. Finally Meg asked a question which had been plaguing her mind, "My love, I am confused by Prince Legolas's behavior toward my sister. Feia says that they are wed, but should that not be cause for celebration? I know Legolas has a heavy burden upon him, but there is naught he can do about it whilst we abide here. Why will we have only one wedding on the morrow?"

"As to that, I cannot say," Haldir said almost sadly. "Legolas's mind is hidden from me."

XXX

"I will not go back through the gate, my lord."

Feia paced to the railing of the balcony off the room that she would share with Legolas. She had bid their host goodnight and retired nearly two hours gone, but her husband had only now arrived.

Legolas pulled up short in front of the door he had just closed behind him and he observed his wife silently. Clearly she was angry. Feia had paused to deliver her greeting, such as it was, but she had delivered it standing on her toes and now she was striding across the floor as though she intended to wear it away.

"However matters are resolved at Dol Guldur, Middle Earth is my home, now. So whatever you were thinking, you can put it from your mind," The lady's voice was firm.

"I have not asked you to go, my lady," Legolas said gently. "I only thought it would be good for you to have the option of reaching your family and friends." Legolas moved to stand beside Feia at the balcony and gripped the rail with both his hands. "I cannot see..."

Feia watched him. With the sound of his voice, all the nervous energy had leached out of her and now she was still. He is all subtlety and I can only truly see him from stillness, she realized. When Legolas paused, Feia noticed that he shook his head minutely, and his shoulders stiffened ever so slightly while his breath was just a bit shallow – such tiny clues. Yet when he continued, his voice was soft and even, "I do not know what will happen on the Hill of Black Magic. I cannot see if I will return to you, my lady."

So that is the source of his anxiety, she thought. Feia placed her hand upon his back just over his heart and he tensed again just a little at the contact, before relaxing. Then she responded, "To start with, edhel nin, you will not return to me."

Legolas spun to stare at her, his eyebrows bunched together to make one line that crinkled over his nose. Feia smiled at him tenderly, shaking her head. There is nothing subtle about that, she thought.

"You will not return to me, my lord, because you will not be going anywhere without me."

"My lady…!" Legolas began, but Feia interrupted him with fingers pressed to his lips, "Whatever words you mean to speak would not change my mind, so you need not bother speaking them. You seem to believe that you are alone in this! I understand that you feel responsible, Legolas – I know a great deal of duty; but you are surrounded by help. Whether or not you choose to accept our aid will not stop those of us who love you from offering it. Do you suppose that Elessar, or Gimli, or Haldir will stay away?"

Legolas gripped her arms, "Orenya, náim úimë na henlyë morniënen, nallon!" My heart, I cannot bear to risk you, please!

"And I cannot bear to watch you hurting anymore, without doing what I may to aid you! Why must you hesitate when I have a gift to offer you? You accepted my energy to heal only reluctantly, but you accepted it. Can you not accept my comradeship in battle? Can you not seek solace from your grief in my love?" Feia touched his face with her fingertips; he seemed confused – off balance.

"When you made me your wife, I did not anticipate that you would attempt to store me away at Rivendell like a parcel until it was convenient for you. Do you not think that the great powers know what They are doing? I came to you at the right time. It was the perfect time, Legolas, because you need me!"

Feia brushed his mind lightly with hers, inviting him to open to the contact. Legolas could not speak, he could not think, and he could not resist. As his mind reached out accepting her offer of one kind of intimacy, his hands moved to the back of her head positioning her so that his mouth could cover hers for another. "I do need you, my lady," he spoke into her mind and he opened his thoughts, allowing her to feel it.

And she did feel it! It was as though she stood in the serf with a great foaming wave bearing down upon her; and so entranced was she by the sight of its approach that she forgot that its power would first reach out and pull the sand from under her feet. Oh, Light! was the only thought she could form before she was lost in an ocean of need.

Chapter 19:

Blessed Day

Soft morning light spilled across the bed awakening her. Legolas lay at her side. He was not sleeping, naturally, but was propped on an elbow staring thoughtfully at nothing. His other arm was draped over her in his proprietary way. As he sensed her wakefulness, his eyes refocused and he brushed her mouth lightly with his kiss. "Aglar'ni vinyë aur, bereth," Glory to the new day, wife, he said.

"Naie orná aman, tûr nin." May it be that the day is blessed, my lord. "The sun has risen and I doubt not that the bride has also. I must attend my sister, Legolas." So saying, Feia slipped from under his arm, but she got no further, for his hand shot out, circling her wrist and drawing her back to him.

"Orenya, do you desire that we should also speak our vows before Lord Elrond this day?"

Feia had wondered why they were not, but in this moment with the question hanging between them, she suddenly knew the answer. "It is not before Lord Elrond that you ever thought to speak such vows. I would not add to the grief you carry, Legolas. We cannot be any more wed for having spoken the words." She paused, stroking his cheek with her fingers. There are depths to his pain that I cannot know, she thought privately. Aloud she said for the first time, "I love you." And having said these things, Feia was at peace.

Legolas sighed in relief and pulled the woman into his embrace. How necessary her faith in him had become! To stand before Lord Elrond in place of his father would be to blatantly acknowledge that the relationship between the king of the woodland elves and his son was forever altered.

"You have my love, Lady, and my gratitude."

XXX

Meg and Feia stood together in the sheltered garden in which they had waited away the afternoon of the day before. They had spent the early morning in preparation for a wedding! In other words, they had indulged in long and relaxing baths and found themselves quite giddy with excess energy, laughing at the most absurd things.

Afterward, Feia had requested the last gate cube of Meg who, divining her sister's purpose, was delighted to provide it. They had come then, together to this place in order to open a gate. Meg was fairly bouncing up and down with anticipation, and Feia smiled in tolerant amusement as she positioned herself with the cube and worked the incantation.

Immediately after the gate solidified into being, The Minister of State of the New Republic swept through it with a muttered, "finally!" Leia, wearing a fitted emerald suit with a flowing translucent robe all in jewel tones over it, was followed closely by Han Solo and Luke Skywalker who guided a hover-carrier between them bearing a number of boxes of varying sizes. The tiny, but impressive Leia Skywalker Organa Naberrie Solo bowed briefly to her sister and then hugged Feia and Meg both together.

From above them upon a balcony, Legolas watched unobserved as the three newcomers with their strange conveyance greeted the ladies warmly. As hugs and kisses were exchanged, a darkly handsome man with intense grey eyes, his long hair caught back by a circlet of gold, stepped through the gate. He was dressed in a red tunic with a golden lion rampant emblazoned upon it. A lovely woman with her blond hair in a braided coil, gowned also in red and with a circlet set upon her brow, followed after taking his arm. This was Kelson of Gwynedd, surely – and his Queen Araxie. Feia and Meg both curtsied to these arrivals and received a bow and a curtsy in return. Then the man took Meg's hand and kissed it, while the three women embraced.

A particularly tall woman followed them. She wore well-fitted leggings, boots and a shirt all in shades of tan and brown. Her hair was gold and cut to swing at her jaw, but two long queues connate remained to hang down her back. About her person, she had a number of weapons and other objects and something in her carriage caused Legolas to guess that these might also be strange weaponry. She appeared relaxed, but her demeanor was serious – businesslike - and her movements gracefully efficient. But when the lady's eyes lit upon Feia and Meg, her generous mouth slid into a wide grin that erased any hint of severity from her features and revealed her as a rare beauty.

Next through the Gate were Derek and Zak, whom Legolas knew. They did not wear their uniforms today, for their identities as Guild Messengers were for family alone to know – though family seemed a loose concept open to interpretation with his lady's people.

The two messenger's bows to Feia were perfunctory and then they descended upon Meg as one, crushing her between them. But the elf, Derek, pulled her away from his concinnate and swung her off of her feet.

"That one is Derek, one can hope." Haldir said, appearing silently at Legolas's side.

Legolas grinned, "Yes, her brother. Not that I think you should have any concerns in regards to your lady, my friend."

"Mmm," Haldir agreed, though he added, "Anyone who looks like he might be the Duke of Cassan, as yet?"

"Nay," Legolas responded. "Only three men lack the queues connate marking them as Alderaani. One is King Kelson, I surmise, and the others are dressed in a fashion so dissimilar to the king that I would guess that they do not dwell in Gwynedd."

"Mmm," Haldir said again.

"Are you prepared to meet your ladies' guests, Lord Haldir, Prince Legolas?" Lord Elrond asked as he joined them at the balcony rail. Indicating that they were, the two followed the ancient elf to the garden below.

XXX

When the introductions were complete, Leia took command of the ladies, and with the hover-carrier they proceeded to Meghailin's room in order to complete the preparation of a bride and her attendants.

Feia asked, "Where is Filip? He is coming?"

"Of course!" Cyrana answered, running her fingers through her chin length hair, "He had to take his request to Admiral Paris in order to receive permission to come here. The admiral granted it, but only this morning. Fortunately, Vision Quest is not terribly far from Gwynedd just now, so Filip was able to take a flier. He will be here soon; but under strict orders not to interfere any further with Middle Earth culture than has already been done.

"The Prime Directive!" She continued. "It may be the greatest gift of the Federation, but it is also an all-fired nuisance at times. I am sure that there is irony, there, somewhere."

"There is this," Leia suggested, "Filip was the one tearing apart the universe seeking Serafé, but he will be the last of us to see her." Leia never used the nickname, Feia, when referring to her sister, for the rhyme irritated her.

"He came to Gwynedd, first," Araxie reported with a slight shiver. "I cannot express to you how angry he was, Feia. I thought he and my husband would come to blows."

"No!" Feia put her hand to her mouth, "He did not threaten the king?!"

"Not quite," the gracious queen of Gwynedd soothed. "Kelson used his 'royal' voice and that took the bluster out of your brother fairly readily."

"Thank the Light for that!"

Leia had been busying herself amongst the boxes that she had brought with her and she was just shaking out the folds of an extraordinary gown of luminous silver and pale shimmering opalescent blue. "I did not imagine that you would have found the time to prepare a trousseau, Meghailin, so I took the liberty. I thought you might find this an appropriate wedding gown."

"Ohhh," was Meg's delighted response. She fingered the fabric and moaned in pleasure.

"Let us put it on you, then" Leia said briskly. "It should fit, but if we will have to make any alterations, we will need to know it quickly."

The gown fit perfectly, the arms and bodice hugging her from the wide curved neckline which left her shoulders bare, to her wrists, and to well below her waist; but the skirts flowed out and back to trail in whispery layers of rich, light-catching fabrics in her wake. Seed pearls, amethyst and sarnnenmír beaded the fabric randomly, making it appear that the dew had settled upon her as it would upon a flower. The effect was stunning and suited Meghailin to perfection.

When they had all admired the gown from every possible angle, Araxie and Cyrana set to work on the elf maid's hair. Then Leia said, "Serafé, I thought it would be proper for you to have something special to wear today, as well. Our brother informs me that you have also wed your concinnate; the elf prince of your girlhood dreams. You will stand for Meghailin, today, but there is no reason that you should not also dress as a bride, or at least as a princess."

The gown that Leia presented was in a style most unlike anything that had ever been seen in Middle Earth, for it had been designed for an ambassador, a former queen of Naboo, and the future queen of Alderaan.

"This was Mother's!" Feia exclaimed. It was white – Padme's favored color…and Leia's.

"Not exactly," Leia explained. "I have a holo-keepsake of Mother in a similar gown which is where you remember it from, no doubt. It is one of my favorites! I had this reproduced from the image. She was wearing the gown when she accepted King Bail's proposal of marriage. As bittersweet as that moment must have been for them both, still there is something romantic and fitting about it, do you not agree?"

"Yes, I do," Feia laid her cheek against her elder sister's and repeated, "I truly do." Leia then helped her into the gown, which proved to be a complex affair consisting of several pieces. Fitted white leggings that hugged her hips and covered the tops of heeled white boots so that it was difficult to say where the fabric ended and the leather boots began went on first. Then there was a wrapped silk halter that looped around her neck, and around to her lower back. A moonstone brooch with a silver setting held the fabric closed and a silver chain descended from the brooch to a pendant moonstone that dangled over her navel. Another brooch held the split overskirt together low on her hips. The overskirt flowed behind in a full, but short train.

Then Leia adorned her sister's hair in a manner that was not unlike how Padme might once have chosen. First she placed a circlet of sinuous silver centered by a moonstone upon Feia's brow. Then she created an elaborate knot high at the back of Feia's head that she covered with a net of silver, also studded with small moonstones. She left the queues connate to hang as always over Feia's eye and down to her waist. The rest of Feia's hair became a fall of ringlet curls down her back.

Wide silver cuffs circled Feia's upper arms, her signet ring was set upon her right index finger, and dark liner around her eyes completed the preparations. Then she turned her attention to the bride, who was also nearly ready.

"Oh, Feia!" Meg exclaimed when she caught sight of her friend in the mirror. "You look like Queen Padme!" She stood and curtsied deeply to her sister, and then she took Feia's hands and smiled. "I wonder what the denizens of our new home will make of that!"

"None of them will have eyes to see me once the bride appears!" The vision which Meghailin created as she spun happily in her fanciful gown filled Feia with emotion. Meg floated wearing anything; in this it was open to debate whether her feet need ever touch the floor.

Araxie had pulled Meg's hair back severely from her face, crowning her with a dainty tiara of silver, amethyst and sarnnenmír. Even Meg's queues connate were pulled back as far as the tiara, but from there, Meg's hair fell in its own wild glory. Cyrana had attached tiny gems throughout the curls, so that from head to toe the elf maid shimmered with every movement. A nearly transparent silver veil, edged and scattered with fine beadwork, was placed over all so that a mist of magic seemed to surround her.

"I suppose now I shall have to put on something feminine," Cyrana complained good-naturedly and began removing her sleek fighter's gear in preparation.

It was then that a voice was heard to shout, "Feia!!! Serafé Organa Naberrie, where under the Light are you?! Feia! Show yourself and explain what you think you are doing here!"

"That would be your husband," Leia said to Cyrana with an absolutely straight face.

Cyrana rolled her eyes heavenward. "He is so polite – so genteel! He also has the uncanny ability of knowing whenever I am about to disrobe."

Leia snorted a laugh. "It is not the clothing so much as the weapons he prefers to see you rid of!"

Feia stalked to the door to cover her jittery nerves. Filip was ridiculously overprotective, and so his sister had become skilled at keeping him out of her way when she was considering something potentially dangerous. Usually that only meant a creative use of selective honesty, and who could fault her for it? But this time, if Filip was angry, he had something of a point. She had specifically excluded him from every aspect of her plans to decamp to Middle Earth.

With a deep sigh, Feia opened the door and stepped through, following the sound of her brother's uninterrupted tirade with Leia at her back. The bellows eventually led her to the courtyard garden of Rivendell where Lord Elrond had met them upon their arrival yesterday.

XXX

The scene that greeted Feia and her sister was very nearly comical. Filip stood in the center of the courtyard turning in slow circles and yelling up toward every balcony for his twin. Elladan circled with him attempting to question this intruder in his smooth way in order to determine what exactly he intended. Even Lord Elladan's enduring patience was visibly wearing. Lord Dhugal stood off to one side pretending to be invisible, while Haldir, Gimli, Elessar, and Legolas waited together on the other side of the courtyard.

Legolas's arms were crossed over his chest and to outward appearances he was calm and relaxed – that is unless you saw the tiny clues that indicated he was just this side of violence. Haldir was a student of nuances and so he was talking softly to Legolas who, for his part, kept his eyes locked on Filip and appeared to be ignoring the Lórien elf completely.

As Feia approached with her sister, Derek and Zak skidded to a halt from a dead run opposite them. Filip immediately turned his ire upon the hapless pair, "Where in the infinite universe is my sister? You said she was here! I want to know where!"

"Oh, for the sake of the Light, Filip, here I am." Feia glided down the stairs to the courtyard regally, (really, there was no other way to move in what she was wearing). Her brother, thankfully, had fallen silent.

Meanwhile, Legolas discovered himself completely unprepared for the stunning impact the vision descending into the courtyard had upon him. Dressed in alien fashion and ghosted by her lovely and equally alien appearing sister, his wife resembled nothing so much as an exotic queen with one of her ladies.

"Elbereth, sílanna nin!" Elbereth, aid me! The elven prince breathed.

At that Gimli shared a grin with Haldir while Elessar quirked a half-smile. Well did the king understand his friend's plight! Whenever Queen Arwen went to any special trouble with her appearance, his lady's beauty – which always left him a touch off balance, would hit him like a blow leaving him utterly helpless before her.

Derek's elven hearing made him privy to the comment as well, and his lips twitched. Even so, when Filip and Zak each dropped to a knee, he was less than a heartbeat behind them.

"My Queen!" Filip said fervently, taking Feia's hand and kissing it.

"Get up, you idiot! All three of you; up!" Feia said in exasperation, though she could not quite succeed in arranging a stern expression upon her features. "How long must I continue to remind you that I am not your queen before you absorb the concept?"

"You will always be my queen, Serafé, whatever you say," Filip said, rising, "which is why I take your safety very seriously!" His expression darkened significantly. "You did not inform me that you were leaving Gwynedd! You left me a message at Starfleet, knowing that I might not get it for months, and it said virtually nothing!"

His voice had risen gradually throughout until he was nearly yelling again, so that Feia said, "Filip! Will you please stop caterwauling? This is Rivendell. You cannot simply come shouting into Rivendell! Did you even bother to tell anyone who you were, before you started bellowing like a gondark?"

When her brother did not respond and looked, in point of fact, slightly chagrined, she added, "You are fortunate that my husband did not stick something pointy and lethal into you – a strange man yelling for me in that manner!" Feia glanced at Legolas who regarded her enigmatically.

"He was saved from that fate by the braids, my lady," Legolas said, drawing his hand from his brow and over his eye where, on Filip, queues connate hung. Although the arrangement was different, Filip's family queue bore the identical stones as his twin, saving the addition of two garnets indicating his marriage to Cyrana.

Filip had startled at Feia's words and spun when Legolas spoke. Now he turned his attention back to Feia. "So you have found your concinnate. I do not know how I feel about that, Feia, especially seeing you like this – looking so like Mother."

"Would you rather I spend eternity alone than undergo a simple test of faith?" Feia asked her brother very softly. "Have you so little of it yourself that you are sure that we will fail?"

"My faith in you is unshakeable," Filip avowed, also softly – for a wonder. "And this is your girlhood hero, is it not? Who better in whom to place your trust than one of the Fellowship?" Though Filip grinned at this, he did not sound entirely convinced. And when her twin was formally introduced to her husband, he gave the elf a long and meaningful look – which, Feia noted, was returned in kind.

While introductions were being made, King Kelson, Han, and Luke; also summoned, no doubt, by Filip's scene, arrived in the courtyard. Dhugal quickly moved to his liege lord's side and bowed to him briefly.

"He was the soul of graciousness whilst we were in Rhemuth, Sire, I swear it. The moment we stepped through Princess Feia's gate, however…"

"Not to worry, Dhugal," Kelson responded. "I only asked you to see him to the gate, not tie him up and gag him, as tempting as the thought may be." The King of Gwynedd glanced with thin tolerance at Filip who bowed politely, but unapologetically. Then the King turned his attention to Feia, and kissing her hand, said, "My lady, I have never seen you look lovelier."

"Truth!" Luke put in, "You look much like the images I have seen of our mother."

"Thank you, Sire, Sir Knight," Feia said, dipping into a curtsy for each of them in turn. "I'm sure that the resemblance to our mother is intentional, Luke. I believe our sister was making a romantic statement as well as an object lesson of my appearance. Leia can be dreadfully didactic!" she said, and at her back Leia affected an unrepentantly smug expression.

Then Feia turned back to Kelson, "Thank you also for playing host to the other side of the gate, Majesty. This would be a happy day for Meg in any event, but I doubt not that she is pleased to be able to share it with you and with our family."

"And yet I am told that you are already wed, but there was no family here for you!"

"It is enough that you are all here, now, and can share in my happiness," Feia responded.

Legolas was not particularly comfortable with this conversation. There was nothing incorrect about what was being said, but there was an odd undercurrent of tension. These two knew one another well, with a relationship developed over years of interaction. Legolas was jealous, he realized, and he did not like the feeling.

"If you are happy, then I do share in it, Lady," Kelson was saying with a slight bow. "Is it also true that you have sworn to the King of Gondor?"

"I have. Middle Earth is my home now, Kelson. Gwynedd never could have been. The Powers That Be know what they are doing."

Kelson drew himself up, "And so you imply that I should not take it personally that you would not wed me, nor would you grant me your oath in all the years that you dwelt in Gwynedd, though you have sworn away both your heart and your allegiance in a few short weeks on Middle Earth."

Legolas took a step forward, but Feia laid a hand lightly upon his arm. She met his eyes until he subsided, and then she slid her hand down to link with his before responding to Kelson, "As deeply as you love your wife, Sire, it is ludicrous for you to be jealous of my husband. I have given both my heart and my allegiance, Kelson. You may recall that you never asked me for my heart, and you held my allegiance without my oath. If you believed that we might have made a good partnership, you are probably right! But you have both love and partnership with Araxie. And regardless of all else, I could never have promised you a lifetime of service or a lifetime of anything when we both knew that when the time came, I would have to go!"

Feia's voice had become increasingly fervent as she spoke and when she was finished, everyone was staring at her. Looking around at the silent faces, she sighed and then addressed the ground, "I suppose Meg had a point; we should have had this conversation before I left Gwynedd. Now I shall have to admit to her that she was entirely correct and I will doubtless never hear the end of it." Legolas lifted her chin gently with his knuckle and Feia breathed another sigh, this one in relief at sight of his soft half-smile.

"My lady is wise," Haldir said, not bothering to say which lady he meant.

"I apologize, Princess Feia," Kelson said bowing again. "Your oaths are yours to give when and where you will, and if you have the kind of happiness which I have found with Araxie, then we are both blessed – but you are missed in Gwynedd, and not only by me. I hope that your husband and your liege lord will forgive my unseemly outburst and simply take it as an opportunity to reflect on their good fortune." Then the King of Gwynedd inclined his head first to Legolas and then to Elessar.

After a pause, Legolas nodded silently to Kelson in acknowledgement, but Elessar responded with a grin, "My good fortune thus far has largely been a series of opportunities to stay out of the lady's way, Your Majesty."

Kelson grinned in return, "Your Majesty, a wise king would take full advantage of every one of those opportunities."

Chapter 20:

Brothers

Leaving the troublesome males of their acquaintance to their own devices with a liberal mix of relief and trepidation, Feia and her sister returned to Meghailin's room. Soon it would be time for a wedding.

Cyrana greeted them looking fabulous and feminine in a soft, amber-colored gown trimmed in deep red satiny piping. It was sleeveless and had a low square neckline. The skirts were split to the hip on either side, and dark red leggings and boots peeked from beneath as she strode across the room. A single square garnet on a choker of brown velvet ribbon was her only ornament saving the garnet, onyx, moonstone and carnelian of her queues connate. The onyx was for her father's house, Meéniar, while the garnet was for her house, Strehn. Two carnelians for her husband's house were also woven into Cyrana's family queue. The second braid named her chosen and bore carnelian for King Bail and moonstone for the First.

The bride was serene, seated at the balcony on a cushioned bench with the late morning sunlight dancing on her glittering gown like busy fairies. When Feia joined her, a wry quirk crept into the bride's smile. "Filip has not forgotten how to make an entrance, I note. Did you have to pluck any elven arrows out of him?"

Feia laughed, "Fortunately our hosts were hesitant to put holes in anyone, knowing that we are expecting guests, today. Now, if I can manage to keep my brother and my husband away from one another for the duration, all will be well."

"Filip did not start trouble with Legolas!" Meg moaned sympathetically, "Already?"

"Not quite trouble, exactly," Feia allowed. "Let me just say that there was a certain mutual uncertainty at first sight."

"I selfishly hope Derek and Haldir do better," Meg bit at her under-lip.

"We shall see!" Feia said, "I left all that maleness in a wary knot; including Lord Dhugal, by the way. Apparently he waited behind to show Filip to the gate."

"Well!" Meg chose to understate, "that should be interesting."

XXX

When the ladies had retreated, Haldir was left studying Dughal, Duke of Cassan as the man grinned at King Kelson's side, enjoying the continuing conversation between his liege and King Elessar. He looked quite young, probably younger than he was, and that infectious smile was all square teeth. He seemed to be built entirely of squares in fact, though he managed not to appear stocky. His hair was a coppery red, thick and wiry, tamed with marginal success into a single queue. If there was anyone in the universe more unlike Haldir in appearance, he had never seen him.

The Lorien elf was trying to decide whether that was encouraging in any way when Meghailin's brother Derek turned to Filip with a raised brow, "family conference?" he queried.

"Oh, yes," Filip responded with a decisive nod, "twice over."

Han smiled good-humouredly at Haldir and said, "Run!" then to Legolas he added pleasantly, "Run, now!"

Haldir looked at the man quizzically, while Legolas noted that Zak and Derek with a silent and serious Luke at their back now flanked Filip.

"You are welcome to join us, Han," Zak invited, "you are also our brother."

"Oh, no," Han said holding up a hand in a warding-off gesture. "There are some recollections a person would just as soon not revisit." Then he brightened, "On the other hand it could be therapeutic experiencing it from the other side, and I do have a moral obligation to look after my wife's family, after all."

He stepped in beside Luke, who gave him a companionable slap on the back. "Your pardon, Majesties, my lords," Filip said to Elessar, Kelson, Gimli and Dhugal, "but we have family business to attend to. Prince Legolas, Lord Haldir, if you will kindly join us?" His gesture was less of an invitation than his words implied.

When they had gone apart to the small garden where the gate stood gleaming in the sunlight, Derek said, "Who would like to begin? Oh never mind, I shall! Haldir of Lórien, what proof have you that you are my sister's harmonious match?"

"I thought that other Alderaani could recognize it." Legolas interjected. "Prince Zak perceived that my lady and I are concinnati at our first meeting."

"It is only visible when…well, after...shall we say…"

"Spit it out or keep quiet, Zak!" Filip snapped. "My brother could only see it because you had already put your hands on my sister." He continued, "And believe me, we are getting to that, elf."

"We still await an answer to my question, however," Derek reminded them. "What proof have you, Haldir?"

Haldir recounted the tale of his vision in the clearing and the miraculous exchange of rings. Then he recalled for them his first sight of his lady. "I knew there was something extraordinary about her; in truth I believed her one of the Valar when first I laid eyes upon her. But then I apprehended that she was an elf, and I glimpsed my ring upon a chain about her neck. I knew then that we were meant one for the other."

"Well!" Han said, "You'll have to admit. It is romantic."

"The rings are a powerful sign," Derek agreed, nodding. "You are concinnati. And you love her?"

"Completely," Haldir answered simply.

"Then welcome to the family!" Derek said and clasped the elf's hand in his two. Filip followed with a repeat of the gesture, then Zak and Luke, and finally Han who complained, "What, no threats?"

"Lord Haldir is a high elf lord," Luke responded drolly, "not a cocky smuggler with just enough integrity to make him a hero and just enough luck to make him not dead." Han's expression was mildly affronted, but after a moment's consideration he shrugged an acknowledgment.

"Now," Filip said coolly, "How sure were you, Prince Legolas, that you and Serafé were concinnati before you made free with her person? And just how under the Light did my sister come to be bruised and covered in mud?"

"The details of my relationship with my wife are not your concern, Prince Filip," Legolas grated, "as I am sure my lady would agree."

"The lady is not here," Filip said, stepping closer to the elf, "but I am, and I get to decide what is or is not my concern!"

"Legolas…" Haldir began.

"Nay, Haldir! Feia is my wife! These matters are private." Legolas glared at Filip and then stepped away, facing out of the garden.

Haldir followed after him and said softly, "The lady is your wife, but these are her brothers – they are your family now also. An yantaen imbe met a hain, uvalyë úna dínen, mellon nin." For the sake of good will, tell them something, my friend.

Legolas heaved a sigh. He did not turn to face them, but he spoke just loud enough to be heard by all, "By chance or fate I saw her," He began. "She must have just come through her first gate for she was traveling from the plains of Rohan toward Gondor whilst I was responding to the summons of my father, passing north through King Eomer's lands. The setting sun lit her hair like flames and the sight of her that way is burnt into my mind."

As Legolas spoke it was almost as though he had breached some barrier, for words began to come more freely. He told them of his vision of his lady as she sought for him using his lost knife as a focus. His voice roughened as he recounted learning that Feia had risked her life to heal him. "She was not sure that we were concinnati! That she would risk all on my account…"

Legolas could not finish the thought and he paused, wrapping his arms around his middle before relating the events that occurred upon the bank of the Anduin, completing the tale with: "I saw the opened gate, suspended beside her, but then it was gone! She had the means to save herself, but she closed it! She could not have known I would be there to catch her!"

Dragging his hands over his face, Legolas finished in an anguished whisper, "So close…a moment more and I would not have been."

There was a drawn out silence, and then Filip said from directly behind Legolas, "I am going to turn that woman over my knee, I swear by the Light!"

Legolas spun, "You are speaking of my wife!"

"Yes, I suppose I am at that," Filip agreed. He reached out to take Legolas's hand, but hesitated, "Are you acquainted with the Foreseeing?"

"I am."

"Do you know what happened to our mother?"

"Lady Meghailin has advised me."

"If you condemn her to that, I will find you, and I will kill you. Welcome to the family," and Filip smiled disarmingly, gripping Legolas's hand.

Legolas stared at the man for a moment in utter amazement, and then very slowly he also smiled. "Thank you," He said.

Chapter 21:

A Wedding at Imladris

The sound of many chiming bells down in the small courtyard beneath Meg's balcony drew the attention of the waiting ladies. Lining the balcony to see, they were greeted by a charming sight.

Lord Glorfindel and Lord Elrohir and several other elves waited below along with mounts for all of them. The horses had been decked in flowers, ribbons, and bells; and a bright silken canopy of palest blue, supported on beribboned poles was being held over one of them. The mare was deep gray with a white blaze. She had been curried and combed until she shown, and her black mane and tail were festooned with white, pink, and yellow flowers. A richly embroidered blanket edged in tiny bells waited upon her back.

Glorfindel called up, "My Lady Meghailin, your husband-to-be has arranged this gift for you! She is called Linnêl and she is prepared to carry you to your wedding." At his words, the pretty mare danced and tossed her head coquettishly, causing her bells to jingle and her shining hooves to click on the cobbled yard.

"She seems well pleased with herself!" Meg laughed. "I think I may be in love!"

"With the mare my lady, or with Lord Haldir?" Glorfindel asked with a grin. Meghailin was already hurrying from the room and down to the courtyard, and so he received no answer.

While Glorfindel introduced Linnêl to her new mistress, Elrohir approached Feia. "Legolas and Haldir spent a good deal of time in the stables this morning with my brother and me. Legolas seemed concerned that a new mount might intrude upon your grief over the loss of Cricket, who was a fine and loyal animal. When he saw Yáviëlosse however, he said that he knew she was for you.

"Oh, Elrohir, she is lovely!" Feia breathed as she reached a hand out for the mare to inspect and then stroked the animal's neck with the other. Yáviëlosse was a warm red-brown with short white socks and a patch of white upon her chest. The mare regarded her in turn with a disarmingly intelligent consideration. She also had been groomed for the occasion with braids in her mane and tail threaded with red-orange ribbons and small red rosebuds. A saddle, crafted with the elven aesthetics of both function and beauty, rested upon her back. "Is she truly for me?" Feia asked in wonder.

"Prince Legolas has arranged that you should have her," Elrohir replied. "He groomed her for you with his own hands." Offering her a hand to mount, the elf added, "The prince has explained matters to her, and she listened quite attentively. I think she knows what is expected of her. You should be well served, my lady."

Feia was deeply moved by her husband's gift and by his thoughtfulness. That even with the weight of his burden upon him he had thought both to provide a horse for her and to trouble over her grief at Cricket's loss touched her heart.

When she was mounted and had arranged her split skirt to fall over Yáviëlosse's back, she noted that Meg and the other ladies were also mounted. Meg sat sideways without a saddle on Linnêl's back with the full skirts of her dress and her filmy veil like a cloud around her. Beneath the canopy, the bride minded Feia of an ancient painting she had once seen on Earth depicting Lady Guinevere riding to meet her king and husband.

Leia had been lent Hasufel for the event and she was talking softly to the horse; patting his neck. Leia was a fine rider, and though she seldom had the opportunity to exercise her skill, she had an excellent eye for quality horses. Her expression registered approval as she evaluated the animals that the elves had provided for them.

Cyrana was an indifferent rider, and to those who knew her she appeared anxious perched on the large deep brown beast she had been lent, by name Limros To most observers however, her rigid posture seem quite correct and proper.

Queen Araxie sat easily upon a gelding named Ash. Ash was Araxie's own horse, brought for her use by Lord Dhugal when he had come through the Gate earlier. He was equipped with a red leather side-saddle, and Araxie sat with her red gloved hands loose upon the reins and her heavy red skirts spread in dramatic contrast to the dapple gray animal's coat.

All seemed in readiness and Feia moved Yáviëlosse close behind Meg's canopy and said, "Shall we see you to your groom, sister?" and without waiting for the obvious answer she asked, "Where shall the ceremony take place, my lords?"

"A glade in the wood has been prepared and Lord Haldir awaits his bride there with my father's household and the rest of your guests." Elrohir said with a bow. "It will be our honor to escort you and your attendants, my Lady Meghailin."

With that, the two high elf lords each quickly mounted their own horse and moved, one to the front and one to the rear of the procession, there were also four elves to bear the canopy and several others carrying musical instruments. Before they could begin to play, Feia sang to the accompaniment of the bells, and Leia's low and resonating voice and Cyrana's surprisingly lilting one joined her adding harmony.

When they had sung the traditional Alderaani wedding song once through, the elves added more accompaniments along with improvisational counter-melodies that transformed the song, making it fitting for the purely elvish valley of Imladris.

Meghailin fairly glowed with joy and anticipation alone, but the magic of the moment had also brought out the fey in her and she glowed truly as only elves can. She peered ahead anxiously for a first glimpse of Haldir, but glanced back often to share a pleasantly nervous smile with her sister, a hand pressed to her fluttering stomach.

XXX

Haldir waited in the glade for his bride. Though it was mid-autumn, the vale of the elves maintained a pleasingly temperate climate. A light breeze caught at the leafy canopy, gone to red and gold and orange, lifting away those leaves that were ready to come and laying them gently upon the ground for their rest. Garlands of late flowers and ribbons of all colors floated in streamers from the branches above, woven with care by elf maidens pleased to have reason for joyful decorations in the atmosphere of tension which had permeated Rivendell in the past days.

Apparel borrowed from Elladan and Elrohir made Haldir's wedding garb. He wore soft loose pants of a thin shimmering white fabric with a matching tunic belted in gold and soft gold slippers were set upon his feet. A loose open robe of muted green with fine gold embroidery hung from his shoulders to mid-calf. A slender circlet of intertwining golden and silver vines rested upon his brow.

Lord Elrond stood to Haldir's right, and Legolas attended to his left. Both were silent, waiting with patience for the bride and her ladies to arrive. Legolas's preferred clothing ran to greens and blues and silver, and today he had been loaned a fitted silver tunic which was belted also with silver, and fitted leggings of indigo with matching soft short boots. He also wore his own circlet of a single graceful curve of silver that dipped into a softened point at the center of his brow.

Haldir was quietly joyous today, for he would wed fair Meghailin and she would be his for all time, but his happiness did not cause him to forget what tomorrow would bring. And for that reason he watched Prince Legolas closely. His friend's suffering concerned him. Observing him now, Haldir found himself recollecting when he had first seen Legolas as a tiny babe. Elves had children seldom, and for the last two and a half thousand years not at all. Legolas had been one of two children living in Mirkwood at that time. He and the Lady Nimírië had been born a few short years apart and were raised together. They were the youngest of all the elves on Middle Earth saving Queen Arwen, the Evenstar of her people.

Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn had traveled to Mirkwood in order to see the young prince and to pay their respects to King Thranduil and Queen Nenuiel. Haldir and his two brothers had been among those honored to attend their Lady and her lord on that journey.

Haldir had not known what to think of King Thranduil, a devoted caretaker of his people who demonstrated much wisdom in his leadership. And yet in contrast to his capable rule, the lord of Eryn Lasgalen was inclined toward an attachment to beautiful and valuable possessions. To take pleasure in beauty, to appreciate it – that is elvish. To desire it to the point of covetousness – that is most definitely not.

Additionally, Thranduil was jealous of the wealth of the dwarves, and so had come to greatly dislike and distrust them. During The Lady's visit he had obsessively argued with her in the hope of bringing her around to his point of view regarding dwarves. In time, the limit of Lady Galadriel's patience was reached, and she warned the king to have a care, else he set into motion that which would lead to war between the races. As the years went by, the relationship between dwarves and elves deteriorated into open hostility with much fault on either side, but Thranduil had at best done naught to discourage it.

And so Haldir had not wondered, as some might, why the three elven rings of power were not held by the rulers of the three elven seats of power; Lothlorien, Imladris, and Eryn Lasgalen. The first two were indeed held by Lady Galadriel and by Lord Elrond, but the third had been passed into the keeping of Mithrandir, one of the Istari and not an elf at all.

Haldir had been curious to see if the child, Legolas, would grow to be like his father, desirous of wealth and of power. But word came from the grey pilgrim, as the years passed that the young prince was an eager student, but not as much of his father as of the wizard. Legolas gave his love and obedience to his father, but he did not give his faith blindly to his king. And so, Haldir speculated that to Thranduil's mind, he had been robbed both of a ring of power and of his son's regard by Gandalf the Grey; which was a possible explanation for the suspicion Thranduil had come to feel toward the Istari.

And then Legolas began to roam with the human rangers of the north - particularly with Aragorn, who was Isildur's heir, with whom the elf, encouraged by Gandalf, developed a friendship. Could it not be that a sense of betrayal had taken root then in King Thranduil's heart? The woodland king despised dwarves and considered wizards to be suspect; humans he regarded with disdain. How then did Thranduil feel, after the War of the Ring, knowing that Legolas had volunteered to follow a wizard, had befriended a dwarf, and had risked his life for the sake of the mortal races? And in the years after the war, Legolas had chosen to remain in Gondor where he served a human king with loyalty and love and the faith that Thranduil had never fully earned.

But was that enough to drive Thranduil to madness? He was an elf! Assuredly he was an unusual elf, but never would Haldir have predicted that Thranduil could not only ally himself with the creatures of the enemy but also turn on his only child so completely! That he would torture him – attempt to take his life!

Legolas's grief ran deep, and Haldir could sense that his friend had yet to assimilate the shock and pain of his experience. Legolas loved his father and Haldir could only imagine how greatly the woodland elf desired to find a rational explanation for Thranduil's actions.

And into this, the most personally troubling time in Legolas's life, walked Princess Serafé through her magical gate - a woman, not an elf – a brave and immortal woman, granted, but a woman nonetheless. Could Legolas bring himself to trust the lady's love? He had at least yielded to it and taken her to wife, but Haldir did not need to be told that his friend regretted that act.

Haldir had been heartened this morning whilst he and his friend had chosen gifts for their brides from the stables of Rivendell. Legolas so obviously loved his lady! But behind every loving act were layers of guilt and grief and pain without seeming end. Was it enough grief to cause him to fade? Haldir feared that Legolas was in danger as grave now as at any moment whilst in the hands of the orc and his maddened father. Legolas was in danger, and so was Lady Feia.

Into these melancholy thoughts the merry sound of approaching bells intruded, along with voices raised in joyous song. Haldir recognized Princess Serafé's voice leading the singing for her beloved sister's wedding day. It took little effort to turn his mind from his anxiety over his friend, for his bride was approaching. And unlike Legolas, Haldir had no doubts about the rightness of what he was about to do. Even were he not to trust the confirmation of his heart, he had received ample signs that Meghailin was meant for him and he for her.

He held in his hand one of those signs. Haldir had asked his lady to return the emerald ring that had been his brother's upon their arrival at Rivendell, and he had arranged with an elven jewel smith to re-make the ornament to fit a daintier hand. An exchange of rings was not an elven tradition, but for Haldir and Meg it was a magical exchange of rings that had set them upon the path toward one another, and so it was an appropriate addition to the simple ceremony of joining.

Through the trees he watched the procession advance, lead by Glorfindel on his beautiful white steed, Asfaloth, the brave horse who had born the injured Ringbearer upon his back to the safety of the elven held bank of the Bruinin whilst the nine dread nazgul followed close upon them. Asfaloth was bedecked, as he usually was, with bells; but he also proudly wore a garland of flowers about his great neck. Behind him came Hasufel bearing Princess Leia. Lady Cyrana and Queen Araxie of Gwynedd followed upon their mounts.

And then Haldir saw his bride in her wedding finery and he gasped aloud. She looked again as he had first seen her, like a Vala alight with angelic power. She shimmered and glowed with it! And then his lady looked upon him and she smiled. She smiled and he fell yet further under the spell of love, though he knew not how that could be possible for his heart had belonged to her utterly from the first.

From those assembled for the ceremony, several approached the wedding party. Princess Leia was assisted from her mount by her husband, while King Kelson handed down Queen Araxie and Prince Filip saw to his wife Cyrana. Derek would escort his sister to her groom while Elessar went to the rear of the canopy where Feia rode before Elrohir and offered his arm to his liege lady.

"It must please Lady Meghailin that your family and friends could attend her today, my lady," Elessar said to Feia as he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow.

Feia smiled, "Yes, it pleases us both that our family is here for this moment, your majesty. We have all traveled far, and often our paths have kept us far from one another for long periods of time. It may be the last that Meg and I will see of them for some years, for the threat of the collective is not an idle one and we have used up our magic."

"I thought that Lord Elrond had agreed to allow the gate to remain."

Feia cast a glance at her husband where he waited beside the groom. He was watching her with a steady and unreadable gaze. Why? Why was Legolas so adamant that the gate be maintained? "Hmmm," she agreed, "For a time we shall have that."

They came then to where the bride waited with her brother, and the radiant light of joy emanating from her sister captivated Feia. Even the puzzling workings of her husband's mind and the perilous quest that awaited him could not keep her from joining fully in Meg's happiness. Without conscious intent, the two friends came together and embraced, happy tears threatening for them both. Lord Derek looked on, an expression of profound affection upon his handsome elvish features.

King Elessar observed the ladies also. These two had come to his world and had potentially changed the destiny of every person who dwelt here. Or rather, their coming had heralded that change. They had given him access to knowledge which pushed back the boundaries of what he had thought was possible and what he believed was not. They had captured the hearts of two he held as friends.

They had saved Legolas's life.

The loss of Legolas was not a thought that Elessar had ever willingly contemplated. They had been in danger, both together and separately, on countless occasions; the possibility had always been there that Legolas could be killed. And yet, it was simply not within Elessar's ability to imagine that he should outlive his immortal friend. By Princess Serafé's bravery and Lady Meghailin's skill in that single act of healing, they had secured Elessar's gratitude and his friendship. Lady Feia had sworn him fealty, but if she did nothing else on his behalf, he would still consider himself well served.

The bride drew apart from her sister, but for a moment they clung to one another's hands, sharing a gaze filled with a lifetime of devotion. Feia lifted her sister's hands and kissed them, and then after one more brief squeeze, she released them and turned to take the arm King Elessar offered so that he might lead her to where the groom waited with Lord Elrond and her husband.

When Elessar had installed Feia to Lord Elrond's right, he rejoined the elves and guests who stood beneath the swaying garlands in the dappled light of the glade. Feia thought that the wedding guests were more beautiful than any decoration. The grace and beauty of the elves in their finery, interspersed with the well-loved faces of her family set in this timeless place formed a vision she knew she would hold in her memory like a treasure.

The elven musicians continued to play and the leaves gently fell as though caught in the melody, pausing in the air to dance and tumble becomingly to honor the coming of the bride.

And upon the bride were the eyes of every person present save one. Legolas watched his lady instead and saw written upon her face the great love she felt for her sister and her family. She dwells completely in this moment, Legolas thought. And when, her eyes aglow and a sweet smile upon her lips, Feia turned to share her happiness with him; Legolas could feel her sinking into his soul, and he welcomed her there without reservation for the first time.

His acceptance of the love they shared must have been there for her to read in his eyes, for Feia's expression melted with joy and her breath hitched.

Legolas smiled sweetly into her eyes, "nalyë ore nin, Feia," you are my heart, he sent simply, along with a mental caress that brought color to her cheeks.

"Im ná leië oialë, Legolas," I am yours forever, Feia promised, and her hand lifted from her side of its own accord, as if she would touch him. But just then the bride and her brother stepped between them. Legolas moved an inch to his right and he saw his wife look down with a deepening blush and a happy smile before she returned her attention to her sister.

XXX

Meghailin was about to be wed. As she watched the king lead her sister to a place at the front of the congregation of elves and family, the realization set in for true. In moments, she would be wed to her concinnate, Haldir of Lórien.

During the long years spent wandering homeless through the galaxies, Meg had put aside her hopes of meeting and marrying her harmonious match. Like her sister, Meg had supposed that the one meant for her had been killed on the hideous day when their home was destroyed. Even after the countless miracles they had witnessed as other refugees from their homeworld found their heart's homes in the unlikeliest of places, still Meg had resisted the urge to hope that such a fate awaited her. It was easier to put the thought from her mind and accept her solitary life than it was to bear the disappointment when world after world failed to yield a place for her to call home and a heart with whom to share it.

But here in this place on this day, Meghailin, Second of Alderaan would embrace a miracle all her own.

When Feia was in place and King Elessar had joined the wedding guests, Derek pressed Meg's hand and said, "Im henuvalyë an tauriëlyë nai im henuvalyë calen naóre." I will see you to your lord if I will then see you happy.

"Utúvien marnya a bereth; Im ná calen naóre sí!" I have found my home and husband; I am already happy! Meg smiled at her twin through the screen of her veil and laid her hand upon his.

And so, on her brother's arm, the bride in her shimmering gown glided the last distance separating her from her groom. But afterwards, Meg could hardly recall taking those steps, for her eyes locked upon those of Haldir and he seemed to draw her to him with his will alone. Quite suddenly, it seemed to Meg, she stood before Lord Elrond with Haldir at her side. Derek lifted her hand to his lips and then placed it in Haldir's hand before dropping back to join Zak amongst the onlookers.

"For the sake of our guests, I shall speak in a common tongue," Lord Elrond declared. He took a long moment to gaze out upon those assembled, and then he began, "Until my daughter, Arwen Undómiel, wed King Elessar of Gondor, a celebration such as this had not taken place on Middle Earth for over three thousand years; and now there shall be another." At this, the high elf lord's eyes cut briefly between Legolas and Feia, for in fact, there were now three.

"The elves of Middle Earth have long stopped looking forward except toward the day when we would take ship from these shores a final time. Instead, our hearts have turned inward to dwell upon the past, and for this, we have sacrificed the present," Elrond continued.

"And so the joy of love, and the gift of children which represent hope have been denied us. We reserved our joy and our love for the glorious past and placed all of our hope in a faraway land. Perhaps in Valinor elves might turn once again toward one another and place their hearts in the present, but I do not foresee that this is so. In leaving this world, I believe we commit ourselves to an eternity of remembrance without a future. And so I have begun to doubt that I will leave Middle Earth. My grandchild shall be born here and now he shall not die. My daughter will not die – for the mortal races of this land have ascended to immortality and grief shall not have her. And now, once again, elves wed at Imladris."

These words caused a buzz of whispers amongst the elves present, as for the first time that which they all had begun to sense was spoken aloud by Elrond Halfelven. When the murmurs of the crowd ceased, Elrond spoke again, "Tomorrow we go to lift the suffering of those of our people who dwell in Mirkwood," Here again he glanced at Legolas whose face was once more blank and unreadable. And Elrond said, "I deem that the spell which threatens our woodland kin has its ultimate root in fear. Fear of the present - fear of embracing a future for the elves – an unwritten future which we must create as we go, just as the other free people of Middle Earth must do. There is uncertainty in such a future; but there is also life. And there is hope."

Elrond turned at last to the bride and groom, "And so it is altogether fitting that today we celebrate the joining of these two who have embraced the present by allowing their hearts to guide them to one another. In them, we have an example of hope to guide us in the decisions which lie before us."

Haldir of Lórien, is it your intention to take as your wife Meghailin Celduinsén McKiernan of Alderaan and to live with her as her husband wheresoever your shared path may lead you?"

"It is," Haldir responded, but his eyes remained locked upon Meg's face.

"Meghailin Celduinsén McKiernan of Alderaan, is it your intention to take as your husband Haldir of Lórien and to live with him as his wife wheresoever your shared path may lead you?" Meg squeezed Haldir's hand, "It is," she agreed.

"I am told that the two of you have tokens that you wish to exchange," Elrond said, gesturing for them to proceed.

Haldir lifted Meg's slender hand and placed the re-sized ring that had once been his brother's onto her finger. Meg held her hand up in surprise, for the ring with its glimmering emerald leaf now fitted her well, and then she removed from her thumb where she carried it, her father's ring. As she slid it upon Haldir's hand, it became his, just as she was.

"Friends, let us celebrate with Haldir and Meghailin of Lórien who shall be wed," Elrond said. "Proceed, if you will, to the hall where we will toast their happiness."

And then Feia, ascertaining that nobody had given Haldir instruction in the matter, sent into his mind, Brother! Lift her veil away and kiss her, for it is a tradition of our people.

Haldir started slightly and then smiled his thanks to Serafé. Gently he gathered the filmy and glittering fabric in his hands, lifting it over Meghailin's head. Then he framed her lovely face with his fingers, the face of his beloved, and he brushed her mouth lightly with his kiss. Spontaneous applause from his lady's family startled a laugh from Haldir. Legolas smiled indulgently and also put his hands together. With that, the other elves also applauded, (having just learnt of the practice) including Lord Elrond whose expression was bemused.

Hand in hand, the bride and groom, followed by Lord Elrond and then Feia and Legolas preceded the wedding party back through the trees to Rivendell. Meg asked, "My lord, did I rightly hear that we are still to be wed? Was that not what this ceremony was meant to accomplish?"

At her question, Lord Elrond turned and caught Legolas's eye and they both grinned. Haldir responded, "We shall not be wed until such time as we may be alone together, bereth nin."

"Ah," Meg said, and her fair skin flushed to crimson.

Chapter 22:

The Nature of Smoke

A feast was laid for the celebration of Meg and Haldir's wedding, and there was music and dancing in Elrond's hall. The bride and groom took food and drink from one another's hands, while the elves and their guests offered eloquent wishes for their happiness.

Legolas guided his lady through the steps of a measured dance in which the palms of their hands were held flat against one another without separating throughout. Afterward he took his cue from the dance, and during the feast and celebration he was never far enough away that some part of them was not touching - and he touched Feia's mind also with his, wordlessly sharing with her his regard.

And so the evening passed for Feia, so that she was surprised when it came time to speed Meg and Haldir away to their privacy. The elves sang a traditional song for the occasion that had not been heard in this hall for thousands of years, while Meg and Haldir were passed from embrace to embrace and handclasp to handclasp until they had received the blessings of all present. The melody was as uplifting as befitted the occasion, and Feia was struck by the contrast between it and every other elvish song she had heard during her stay in the Last Homely House, for even those meant to be joyous were often tinged with melancholy.

When the bride and groom were well away, Feia's family and friends made ready to return through the gate to Gwynedd. They each took their leave of her companions and Lord Elrond, and then with Legolas, she escorted them to the garden where the gate beckoned in the darkness.

With mutual bows and curtsies, King Kelson and Queen Araxie along with Lord Dhugal were first to depart. The sheet of light parted for them offering a glimpse of a hearth, and shelves replete with books and scrolls, then they were gone and the gate seemed a solid thing once more. Feia took a breath and prepared to bid her family farewell, but they presented her a united front, each with their particular brand of determination evident, so that she was forced to conclude that a conspiracy was about to be revealed.

Filip spoke for the group, "We would, all of us, remain to assist Prince Legolas with his quest."

Feia was rendered momentarily speechless by this pronouncement, leaving Legolas to respond, "Prince Filip, I am grateful for your offer, but my brethren and I have deemed this an elven matter."

"Forgive me, my lord, but it is also a family matter," Princess Leia corrected.

Having composed herself, Feia faced her recalcitrant family, "I cannot express to you what this gesture means to me and I cannot deny that your assistance would be a great help and a comfort. My husband does not know as I do what valuable aid you each have to offer! But even so, I must insist that you all return to the places you have found for yourselves, for that is where you are most needed."

There was general protestation with Filip by far the most spirited until Feia raised a hand requesting silence (which was reluctantly granted). Turning her attention to Derek and Zak she took hold of a hand of each, "Would you truly jeopardize your standing in The Guild? There is no more worthy charge than that which you have both committed to, but you serve it honorably only if you adhere to the accord even when not in uniform - this you know and do not require me to say it!"

Leia's expression was prickly, but Feia was undaunted and embraced her elder sister saying, "You are well aware what could happen in the Senate were your seat to become vacant. It would be just the opportunity those who thrive upon chaos hope for! And how would it be if, however unlikely, the only living knight of Luke's order met his end in the forests of Middle Earth? How also could you police the far reaches without General Solo and his band of erstwhile thieves?"

"Smugglers," Han said with a pained expression, "Not thieves, smugglers. There is a difference." Luke was, as ever, unperturbed; allowing matters to unfold as they would, though he spared a wry twitch of a grin for his long-time friend.

"And what of me, sister?" Cyrana held an obdurate stance, hand on her hip. "I have not found so exalted a place as the rest of you. I am a simple sword for hire - and not even a particularly good one, what with my un-mercenary-like tendency toward politics." Then with an impish glint in her eyes she added, "You could pay me if it would make you feel better."

Feia huffed a laugh, "As much as I resist admitting it, because I am positive you would really enjoy orc, Cyrana, your place is exalted!" Clapping her hand on the shoulder of her brother's lady, Feia continued, "And your latest political stance is an admirable one! I know you are among those rehabilitating the new-fledged individuals that have been separated from the collective. The elves are capable of undertaking this quest, but they are not equipped to stop drones from turning this world into a wasteland, or stealing away the uniqueness of its diverse people. Do your part to remove that threat and you will serve my needs and my husband's far better than one extra sword in this conflict could do – even if that sword is yours."

The high ground upon which he had been standing was falling rapidly away and Feia could see that her twin was working himself up for a final appeal. She took Filip's face in her hands to stay him, "You are too forthright not to report to your superiors that you involved yourself in an internal struggle on Middle Earth. If you were court-marshaled, how then would you rid this quadrant of the collective so that we may freely meet again? It is through Federation efforts, your efforts, that the end of that terror will be realized, Lieutenant Organa."

"But how can we leave you and Meg in danger, knowing that were we here we might protect you?" Filip tried.

"Now we reach the heart of it, do we not?" Feia smiled, "I am not the Queen of Alderaan, Filip; I am not really even the First anymore. The only reason you could have for wanting to protect me is your love! My love for you is no less, but I gave up being able to protect you long ago. Do you believe me to be incapable? Is Meghailin incapable?"

"Far from it, you know that!"

"Then please, Filip," Feia said, "We have more protectors on Middle Earth than we can contend with, as it is. Go back to Vision Quest and fly."

With another round of hugs and kisses, a large portion of reluctance, and many pleas for caution in the upcoming campaign, Feia's loved ones finally departed one by one. Valiantly, she hid her sudden loneliness as the brief visit came to its conclusion. Feia did not regret her choices, but her life here was much in the nature of smoke. There was nothing in it that she could yet hold onto, even her marriage to her concinnate existed mostly on faith. It was harder than she had anticipated, allowing her family to go.

Legolas watched his lady with both admiration and concern. She had handled them adroitly, but he could see that parting with her family was distressing her. He could not comfort Feia as he longed to do, and pledge to her that all would be well. There was no certainty in him that it would be so.

Feia had sent her family away with well-reasoned arguments, but many things could occur in the days ahead that might alter that reasoning. Legolas was grateful beyond measure that Lord Elrond would maintain the gate.

Before that gate his lady embraced her twin a final time prepared as she could be to send him on his way. Filip turned to his sister's concinnate and demonstrated that though Feia had thwarted his arguments, his would be the final word:

"If anything happens to my sister or to Meggie, you will be seeing me again sooner than you would like, elf!" he hissed under his breath, a grim cold smile on his lips. But then his expression softened to concern and he clasped Legolas's shoulder, "By the Light, I pray you will make a successful conclusion to this dreadful trouble, brother." And with that he disappeared through the gate leaving the elf in mystification.

XXX

As Meg and Haldir were carried from the hall on the wings of song and well wishes from the wedding party, Meg's heart began to flutter in anticipation. Now, she thought, now is the time that my lord and I shall be wed at last.

And so, Meg was disconcerted when the elven ladies, Nórui and Alphlinn, flanked her, and ushered her away from her groom, singing all the while. She looked over her shoulder at Haldir with wide eyes and he laughed softly.

"Patience, bereth nin," he sent. "We have a lifetime to be wed. Allow them their rituals – it has been long since they have had the opportunity."

The elves did not lead her to her own room, nor to Haldir's, but to a room at the highest point of the meandering House of Elrond. The streamers of flowers and ribbons that had adorned the trees in the glade were here draped upon the balcony rails and over the ornate headboard of the bed. The room was lit with candles and a fire burned on the hearth that smelled particularly delightful. When Alphlinn tossed more herbs upon the burning logs, Meg discovered why.

The elf ladies assisted Meg in removing her gown and veil and clothed her in a simple but beautiful flowing robe of pale green. The fabric was so soft that, though Meg was covered from neck to ankle, she felt almost as though she wore nothing at all. Then Nórui removed Meg's tiara and arranged her hair so that the lustrous curls fell about her shoulders, still glittering with the gems that Cyrana had woven there.

The elves left her ensconced, somewhat self-consciously, upon the large bed holding a silver cup of miruvor with cream and honey, instructing her that she was to share the cup with Haldir.

Meg's discomfort grew as she waited alone in the room for what she experienced as an eternity, but was in reality less than a quarter hour. When Haldir came to her, however, dressed also in a robe – his of deep green edged in gold, Meg forgot her nervousness entirely and welcomed him with a beckoning hand.

When at long last, Alphlinn and Nórui had come to inform him that his bride was prepared to receive him, Haldir had been hard pressed not to sprint up the winding corridors toward the room he would share, at long last, with his Meg. Instead he had made the journey sedately, and attempted to meditate upon the significant commitment he was about to consummate. He was an elf after all, not a human to be driven by the fires of his blood. But when he found her awaiting him, with her hand outstretched and her winsome smile, he wished he had run; for the night was moving on apace and there was much he longed to share with his lady before the dawn.

He moved and sat close beside her, receiving from her hand the cup she held. Dutifully Haldir sipped, but he could not tear his eyes from his lady. Without conscious thought he set the cup behind him on the bedside table. "Now you will be my wife," he whispered.

And his lady sighed, "Yes."

XXX

At the door to their room, Legolas paused. Feia turned to her husband and found him watching her - he always seemed to be watching her - and seeing things deeper and more revealing than his eyes could account for. He reached out and tenderly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. When he withdrew, it was as though his touch had tied her with a chord so that she followed his movement until she was enfolded in his arms.

"Thank you for Yáviëlosse, my lord. She has already stolen my heart!"

He stiffened, "If I cannot dissuade you from coming to Dol Guldur, you will need a good horse. My lady, is there naught I can say that will keep you here in safety?"

"Naught, unless you also will remain."

"You know where my duty lies, Feia," Legolas was frowning.

"I have told you; I understand duty," she replied. "I know your duty, and I know mine."

Sorrow overwhelmed Legolas and stole away any argument he might have tried, for he could not unmake the decisions that had placed his lady in peril. He had been weak, and now Feia would pay the price for that weakness. Beyond speech, he kissed her instead, and he communicated much of his inner turmoil and his fear for her with the urgency of his mouth upon hers.

When he drew away at last they were both breathless. "Orenya, I must ease my mind and check on the preparations for the morning one last time. Wait for me?"

"I will await you within, Legolas."

It took some doing to remove the elaborate gown she had worn for the day's celebrations, and to change into a loose and comfortable robe, and so she had only just finished letting down her hair and was brushing it when Legolas returned. He froze in the doorway observing her in rapt fascination as she sat on the edge of their bed, drawing a brush through the lustrous fall of copper, bronze and warm brown.

Without remembering how he had come to be there, Legolas knelt before his lady. He gently removed the brush from her loose fingers and kissed her hand fervently, "I never knew that I could be undone by the sight of a woman brushing her hair." His voice was a deep and resonant caress.

She opened her arms for him, and he rose up over her taking her into his embrace. But there was something almost desperate in his touch - something uncertain, and in an unconscious response Feia clung to him as though she feared he might turn to smoke in her arms.

Chapter 23:

An Elvish Matter

At dawn, the courtyard of Rivendell was filled with elves and horses. Two hundred and forty elves, and their mounts plus thirty-two packhorses were prepared to follow Legolas to Dol Guldur, whilst those of Lord Elrond's household who would not be journeying thence were either gathered to give their blessing to the venture, or busily assisting with last minute details.

Feia was surprised to discover that Lord Elrond would add his sword and the weight of his presence to the quest. He stood, armed and armored, upon one of the balconies overlooking the gathering, flanked by King Elessar and Erestor, the counselor who would manage Elrond's household in his absence. Legolas, also wearing armor, was conversing with Glorfindel, Elladan, and Elrohir who would act as his captains, and with Haldir who, with his brother Rúmil, would lead the Lórien elves when the two forces were united.

"How many elves will join us from Lothlorien, do you think?" Feia asked.

Meg was checking Linnêl's gear one last time beside her sister who waited holding Yáviëlosse's halter. She paused, automatically scanning the courtyard until she found her husband before answering, "Haldir estimates perhaps half as many as are assembled here. No more than two hundred, in any event."

"It is a small force to meet over two thousand orc on an open battlefield." Feia had learned from Elladan that Dol Guldur was a fortress in name only. There were no walls to defend, though the towers of the rambling structure and the hill upon which it crouched would be defensive assets if the orc were clever enough to use them.

"If the orc defend Dol Guldur and do not meet us on the plains, it will not be an open battlefield; it will be a forest. That will give the elves an advantage and elves do not generally require an advantage." Meg grinned at her friend almost smugly.

Feia managed a smile in return, "That I will grant you." Then the woman's expression became pensive as she, too allowed her eyes to track to her husband. "If we are fortunate, we will be able to unlock the mystery of the spell which enthralls the woodland elves. That is the puzzle that occupies my mind. Were we to succeed, it would more than triple our force."

"A puzzle indeed, for we have virtually no clues to work with," Meg cautioned. "But if fortune does shine upon us and we find a way to free them, it still may take some time for them to recover. We cannot count on the Mirkwood elves to bolster us. I pray that we shall not be forced to fight them."

"Fight them?!" Feia stared at Meg, horrified, "Why under the Light would we fight them?"

"I have been considering the problem, also, Feia. The woodland elves are suffering under a spell that causes them to sink into a state of apathy. Then, one and all they are drawn to Dol Guldur. That terrible place is now Thranduil's seat. Does the spell originate with the King of the Mirkwood elves, or does it emanate somehow from the evil fortress itself? If the answer is the latter, then could it not be that the same evil magic is also responsible for Thranduil's madness? Is it some flaw in Thranduil which causes him to turn away from the Light, or was he simply the first to succumb to the spell - a foreshadowing of what will become of all the elves that dwell under its influence?"

"What a truly hideous thought," Feia whispered. "I pray you, sister; do not speak of this theory to Legolas! If the possibility has not yet occurred to him, let us not add it to his burden. He carries enough!" With a sigh, Feia added, "Now I am motivated more than ever to solve this conundrum. The only way that Legolas may walk away from this without further injuries upon his heart is if he is not forced to kill his father – or any other elf. The only bloodless solution is to find the root of the spell, or spells, which afflict my husband's father and his people."

"I agree," Elessar stated as he joined them, leading Roheryn. "I agree and so does Lord Elrond. That is why he is accompanying us. He has a formidable mind, and he has already set it to the study of this problem."

"This news eases my heart, Sire, and yet…" Feia paused, shaking her head, "I worry for Legolas. How I wish this quest were already behind him! How much more must he endure?"

"He has a small army of elves at his back, his friends around him, and the not insignificant power of Elrond Halfelven working on his behalf," Elessar said. "Add to that a wife who guards him with fierce devotion and the fact that he is, after all, Legolas of the Fellowship and how can he fail?"

"You are having fun with me!"

"Only a little," Elessar placed his hand on her shoulder and grew serious. "He does not want you to be there, lest he fall. If you must come to Dol Guldur, my lady, show neither fear nor doubt. If he forgets that you are strong for even a moment, his desire to protect you may be his undoing. Do not fail in this!"

"I have expressed my last misgiving, my liege," Feia agreed. "I will not fail him!"

"I do not doubt it."

XXX

Ëarlinden, Vardasén, Eithelisse, Ortanemá, Únainië, Alphmorna, Isillúva, Luinëmir, Tiërandir, Auremae, Menelhenneth, Fimloth and Nimírië.

Thirteen missing elves. Queen Nenuiel huddled in counsel with the remnants of her people yet unafflicted by the spell. There were not many more than twenty left. The woodland elves spent the days caring for their stricken brethren in the shadow of the Hill of Black Magic and the nights in an ever-moving camp, attempting to stay out of the hands of orc. But thirteen of their charges were missing. Thirteen elves that, six days ago, had been if not well, at least alive and accounted for. And days of searching had yielded no trace of them.

"It is time we abandon our freedom, my friends," she said as the litany of names ran in her mind again and again: Ëarlinden, Vardasén, Eithelisse... "It may be that Thranduil has abandoned our people utterly to the mercies of his horrid army. How else could so many simply vanish? If even the dubious protection which his presence afforded them has been lifted, we may only help our people if we risk all and stay with them both day and night."

"My Queen," faithful Galion began, "we may not go armed at Dol Guldur by night, or the orc shall know we are not cowed by the spell. If our people are attacked, we could not defend them."

"It is time, Galion," Nenuiel answered, "If we are not with them, we cannot defend them at all. Amongst them, at least we may try." …Ortanemá, Únainië, Alphmorna… "We are so few! Soon enough the spell will have us all and we shall be at the mercy of our mortal foes – but not yet! When we slip into orc held territory tomorrow under the sun, there we shall stay when the sun has gone in order to do what we may."

"Your Majesty," Suluin ventured, "Have we any hope that aid will come to us?"

"I do not know," the queen said honestly. "I can no longer discern what is Sight and what is a mother's wish. But I have not given up my faith, Suluin." …Isillúva, Luinëmir, Tiërandir, Auremae… "Perhaps from within Dol Guldur, we will discover some cause to hope. It is my intention to face my husband tomorrow evening. I do not think there is much chance in reason, but I must try it once ere the end."

"Nenuiel!" Galion exclaimed, "The king is well and truly mad! You saw what he did to Legolas! Surely you do not believe he would hesitate to harm his wife when he so nearly killed his son!"

"Someone must try, and mine is the best chance. Perhaps if I ask him about those who have gone missing it will cause him to see reason. Thirteen elves! I cannot believe they are alive when we have found no trace of them." …Menelhenneth, Fimloth, and fair Nimírië. "Surely that will gain Thranduil's attention!"

"I fear it may be long past the time when anything will reach him, my queen," Galion said on a sigh. "But if you are determined, I shall go with you; and may the grace of the Valar protect us!"