A/N: Thanks to all reviewers including: giovanna-scribe, Myri78, Hoshimare, Norie Ape1, Luthien Ancalime87, Joy4eva, RyuJouyou, and PippinDana. Here's another chapter for you.
Any Last Thoughts?
In one week, I shall be married to Legolas, came Fiondra's waking thought. She hugged her arms to herself and gave an involuntary giggle. The elleth bounced out of bed and twirled around. Nightgown whirling about her, she hummed a joyful tune to the morning sun.
Fiondra dressed carefully in a lavender gown and pulled her long hair back loosely at the nape of her neck. She felt the jewel resting in the hollow of her throat dreamily as she went into the kitchen to break her fast from the previous night.
As Fiondra was finishing the last of her sweet berries and icy water, she heard her front door open. "Fiondra?" someone called.
"Coming!" The elleth hurried to the hallway. To her delight, Legolas stood by the door, a wide smile on his face.
"Good morning meleth," he said happily. He held out his arms and Fiondra willingly went into his embrace.
After a quick kiss, she curiously said, "Not that I'm not pleased to see you, but why are you here at this hour?"
Half-jokingly, Legolas said, "I could not stay apart from you for a moment longer." Then more seriously, the ellon explained, "Besides that, a messenger came to the palace this morning before dawn. Aragorn and Arwen are expected to arrive today!"
Fiondra gaped at her betrothed. "Today?" she said incredulously. "At what time?"
Legolas replied, "Most likely late afternoon or early evening. Why do you ask?"
Fiondra went to her bedroom with Legolas trailing behind her. "Rooms have to be prepared, a special dinner planned..." she started to say. She undid the ribbon that bound her hair and began to brush out the glossy locks.
"Here; let me," Legolas told her and took the brush from her hands. He lightly pushed his loved one onto a chair and began brushing her hair.
The gentle, rhythmic stroking of the brush against her head lulled Fiondra into a dream world. Ai, how fortunate I am to have Legolas for my own. When Legolas finished with her hair, Fiondra stood up and folded her arms at the back of his neck. "Im meleth le," she murmured as his strong hands found her waist.
"Ar Im meleth le," Legolas huskily whispered in return, nuzzling the elleth's throat. He let his hands explore downward from Fiondra's hips and groaned when she pulled away.
"Only one more week, dear one," Fiondra chided mockingly. "Do not be so impatient."
"I cannot help it," was Legolas' excuse. "I have loved you for so long and to be so close to having you for my wife for forever..."
Fiondra abruptly said, "Then you are certain that you want to wed me still?"
Confused, Legolas answered, "Yes. I've always been sure, deep down. You aren't changing your mind, are you?"
Fiondra looked mildly shocked. "No; of course not! I just wanted to know that you were satisfied with your decision. After all, forever is a long time," she warned.
"I know." Legolas gave her a crooked grin. He tugged Fiondra close to him and again began to kiss her. "I can hardly wait."
X X X X X
"Are we almost there, meleth nin?" Arwen quietly asked Aragorn. The elleth gazed on in amusement as her husband jumped suddenly, startling his horse.
Aragorn glowered at his laughing wife. "What's so humorous?" he growled at her.
Still giggling, Arwen replied, "Only the way you were lost in your thoughts. What reason is there to be grumpy? You are going to see your oldest friend. Should you not be pleased for him?"
"I am," Aragorn sighed. "I just hope that Legolas is not making a mistake. He just met this elleth - "
"Over a year ago," Arwen interrupted. "Much can and did happen in that amount of time." To emphasize her point, Arwen lightly caressed the slight bulge in her stomach.
Aragorn's face softened. "Forgive me, meleth nin. I had no reason to be cross with you."
Arwen gave him a knowing smile and replied simply, "Legolas is not a fool. He will not live to regret his decision. Now, are we nearly there? Much time has passed since I last traveled to Mirkwood."
Again missing his wife's question, Aragorn retreated into silence. I hope Arwen is right...for Legolas' sake.
X X X X X
"Here they come, your Majesty!" announced a guard.
An excited Legolas turned to an anxious Fiondra. "What is wrong?" he asked her, frightened that something was amiss.
Embarrassed, Fiondra looked up at his worried face. "Nothing, meleth nin. I cannot help but feel that if I do not meet your friends' approval, you will no longer wish to wed me."
Legolas laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You know that is not true. I will love you, even if Aragorn and Arwen do not. Never fear though, meleth nin. They will adore you."
"I wish I were as confident as you," Fiondra muttered. She watched nervously as a group of riders slowly proceeded toward the palace. When the horses stopped, Legolas guided Fiondra down the steps as Aragorn lifted Arwen off of her mare.
"Legolas!" Aragorn shouted happily. He and the elf hugged each other in greeting. Legolas then bowed low to Arwen and kissed her hand formally. Arwen shook her head laughing, and gave Legolas a sisterly embrace. When the ellon felt the growing child, he gave both his friends hearty congratulations. The royal couple beamed, and then turned to give greetings to Thranduil, who had closely followed Legolas.
Fiondra had taken in these exchanges in silence, her presence forgotten. Not until Aragorn raised his eyebrows and gave a brief nod in her direction did Legolas remember his betrothed.
Apologetically, he stretched out a hand toward her. Fiondra walked to him quietly and gave him her hand. Legolas proudly introduced her. "Aragorn, Arwen, this is my bride-to-be, Fiondra. Fiondra, these are my dear friends, Aragorn and Arwen."
Fiondra curtsied and murmured shyly, "Hir nin. Hiril nin." She rose, a blush on her face as Aragorn appraised her and then grinned at Legolas. Quickly she added, "My felicitations on the blessing of your womb, Queen Arwen."
Arwen smiled kindly. "Hannon le, Lady Fiondra. Please, there is no need to be formal. I am Arwen, for I am sure we will be great friends."
"And I am Aragorn," quipped the King of Gondor. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Fiondra."
Legolas nearly sighed aloud in relief as the initial awkwardness vanished. They moved into the palace, Arwen and Fiondra, already fast friends, discussing the upcoming wedding. Falling back behind the gaily-chattering ellith, Legolas calmly asked Aragorn, "Well?"
His friend gave a low chuckle. "You have my approval, if that's what you're waiting for. Or if you're hinting for praise of your betrothed, Fiondra is as beautiful on the outside as she appears to be on the inside. I sincerely hope you'll be happy with her."
"Thank you, mellon nin. I know I will be," Legolas replied soberly. They continued for another minute in silence until Gimli rushed into the corridor giving a great bellow of welcome to Aragorn.
X X X X X
Over the course of the next few days, many more guests arrived for the fast approaching wedding. Galadriel and Celeborn, along with some elves from Lothlorien, came two days after Aragorn and Arwen. The day after that, Elrond, Bilbo, and stray elves left in Rivendell showed up. Then came the rest of the hobbits, Frodo, Sam and Rosie and their newborn daughter Elanor, Merry, and Pippin. With them had traveled Gandalf. All of the other guests arrived within the day before the wedding.
Legolas was ecstatic to be reunited with the Fellowship. Fiondra was glad for him and enjoyed meeting all of his friends.
She had not been expecting the short heights of the hobbits however. "Your descriptions still did not prepare me for their lack of growth," she laughed to Legolas later on. Yet, she also was flattered by their charm.
Frodo struck her as calm and dignified, whereas as Sam and his wife Rosie she found decidedly cheerful. Their baby girl Elanor was simply adorable and Frodo's Uncle Bilbo was kind and generous, although somewhat eccentric. She found Merry and Pippin both endearing and overly charming. What she did not realize was that the two young halflings had taken it upon themselves to be her champions. (There was a bit of a friendly wager between the cousins as to which could find more favor with Legolas' bride.)
All of the other elves accepted her warmly or at least tolerated her, for which Fiondra was grateful. The Lady Galadriel had even bestowed upon Fiondra a cryptic message. Serenely, the wise elleth had said, "For each petal pulled away from your bloom of youth, you shall be rewarded with blossoms of great joy and beauty that none shall destroy." Although first a bit confused by this blessing, Fiondra thanked Arwen's grandmother profusely and later cried over the message the words held.
The evening before their wedding day, Fiondra and Legolas walked hand in hand in the garden where he had proposed to her. They followed its winding paths through the fragrant flowers that were just beginning to show their bright colors.
They came to the large willow tree and stood sheltered under its leafy veil. "Tomorrow we shall become husband and wife," Legolas said to Fiondra. "Are you ready?"
Fiondra laid her head against his chest. "I have the strangest, most natural feeling that I've been ready all my life."
They kissed then, letting their emotions sweep them away as the waves carry sand back to the sea. And all around them, the wind sang a duet with the last nightingale of evening.
X X X X X
Meleth – love
Meleth nin – my love
Elleth – female elf
Ellith – female elves
Ellon – male elf
Im meleth le / Ar Im meleth le – I love you / And I love you
Mellon nin – my friend
Hir nin – my lord
Hiril nin – my lady
Hannon le – thank you
Next chapter is the wedding, I promise. It will most likely be two chapters though. I have yet to see how long it will turn out to be. Any last minute suggestions are more than welcome, mellon nin.