AUTHOR'S NOTE I don't actually know if she would be named Princess, but it's my story and this world doesn't exist anyway, so there, hehe. Sorry for the delay. I hope you enjoy!

DISCLAIMER Strangely enough, Tolkien's estate owns Tolkien's characters, not me.

October 4, Year 3019 of the Third Age

I was nervous. Actually, nervous was far too tame a word. I was terrified. Thank the Valar for Elvish grace, for had I still been human, I'm not sure that I could have stood up straight.

As it was, I knelt by myself in the center of the King's main hall. I felt Thranduil's eyes upon me. Legolas stood beside his father, but I dared not look up.

"Raélowen Mirimë of the realm of Lothlórien." Thranduil's voice was strong, yet still carried the lilting music of the Elves.

"My Lord," I replied as Legolas had instructed.

"You have been bound in the eyes of the holy Valar to Legolas Greenleaf, Crown Prince of the realm of Eryn Lasgalen, formerly Mirkwood, in the union of marriage. As he is destined to one day ascend our throne as King, you as his wife are now destined to ascend as his Queen."

Oh boy. Queen? Shakily, I nodded slightly. I saw two Elves of the court approach me.

"With this crown, you bear the crest, power, and glory of the Royal House of Thranduil and Oropher before him." The King approached me and raised my head. "Kola ta o estel."

"I will, my Lord."

Thranduil smiled regally. "Stand and be recognized, Princess of Eryn Lasgalen."

I stood up, grateful that the ceremony was over. Legolas came to my side and slid his arm around my waist. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" I glared at him and he laughed.

"Your father is frightening."

"I believe I told you once that he was difficult to deal with," Legolas said with a glint in his eye.

Patting his chest lightly, I just said, "That was an understatement."

Chuckling, Legolas gently turned me around. "Come, my dear," he murmured in my ear. "It is time to greet your new subjects." I felt the blood drain from my face and my husband laughed out loud. "Don't look so scared Rae!" Then, lowering his voice so that only I could hear, he added, "Most Mirkwood Elves don't bite."

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Legolas's small, sly smile made me blush. "We must meet my father's subjects."

The Elves of Mirkwood welcomed me into their realm, but it wasn't exactly a warm welcome. After growing up under the rule of Celeborn and Galadriel, Thranduil's reign felt distant and cold.

It didn't matter. Legolas and I were happy. We were together and everyday our baby grew within me. Our friends were far away, true, but we traveled to visit as often as opportunity allowed us.

So it was that we ended up in Minas Tirith in November and December of the year 3019 of the Third Age.

"Citizens of Gondor!" Aragorn announced. "Here we have come to bear witness to a great union that will join the lands of Rohan and Gondor as one. Éowyn, lady of Rohan, kneels before me. Beside her is Faramir son of Denethor, Prince of Ithilien and Steward to the King. They wish to be joined by the grace of the Valar and under the laws of he who rules the Kingdom of Gondor." Aragorn paused. "Me," he added playfully. The guests laughed. "Here in our blessed city of Minas Tirith will they be joined."

Éowyn looked so happy. I was glad, for when Aragorn had rejected here, I worried for her peace of mind. Faramir made her happy and I could tell that she loved him. I leaned against my husband and sighed.

"Rae? What is it?" Legolas gripped my hand. "Is it the baby?"

"No," I reassured him. "It's just a beautiful ceremony."

Éowyn and Faramir had stood up and were facing each other, vowing their love. Éomer, King of Rohan, and his betrothed, Lady Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, were in attendance of course. When the ceremony was over and Legolas and I waited to congratulate the new couple, I felt a soft tap on my leg. "Why hello Master Took!" I said, delighted. "And Master Brandybuck as well!"

"Hello, Lady Raélowen," Merry replied.

"It's good to see you, Rae!" Pippin said.

"What brings you two to the fair White City?" I asked.

"I was in the service of Théoden King, my Lady," Merry explained.

"And I am a Knight of Gondor," Pippin reminded me proudly.

I smiled. "How could I have forgotten?"

Suddenly I heard my name called. As I turned around, I saw a flash of white and Éowyn rushed to hug me. "Careful!" I said, laughing.

"Oh!" Éowyn backed up and her eyes dropped to my swollen belly. "Oh I'm sorry! I'm just so happy that you're here!"

I hugged my dear old friend. "And I am happy that you have found love." I nodded toward Faramir, who made his way toward us. "Faramir is a wonderful man."

Éowyn was radiant as her husband reached us and put an arm around her waist. "He very much is," she said softly as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

Seeing Legolas, the hobbits, and I, Faramir bowed his head. "It is an honor to have the Prince and Princess of Mirkwood as our wedding," he said.

Éowyn laughed. "Dearest, do not tease our guests. Surely you remember my old friend Rae."

"No, I have it in good confidence from our great King himself that this is the Princess of Mirkwood," Faramir replied, a knowing smile on his lips.

Éowyn turned to me, her eyes lighting on the delicate silver tiara in my dark hair for the first time. She hugged me again. "Forgive me, my friend! I was unaware of this change of events. Congratulations!"

"And to you too," I said. "For I believe that your husband is also a Prince."

Faramir blushed and turned his attention to the two hobbits. Legolas and I made our way to the edge of the Great Hall. I was grateful to sit down, for my feet and back throbbed irritatingly.

It wasn't long before the King made his way over to us. Legolas stood to greet him. "Mae govannen, mellon nîn," Aragorn said.

"Hannon le, Aragorn."

"And how is the Princess?" Aragorn asked, taking my hand.

Wincing as the baby kicked, I tried to smile. "As well as can be expected, my Lord," I replied.

Aragorn threw back his head and laughed. "I understand," he said kindly. Turning conspiratorily to Legolas, he whispered, "I applaud your bravery. I would rather face Saruman's Uruk-Hai than a pregnant elf-maiden." He glanced at me teasingly.

But my dear husband only laid a sympathetic hand on the King's shoulder and glanced toward the Queen Arwen. "I trust that you will have your time soon, my friend."

Aragorn scowled at Legolas's sly grin before smiling once more. "Come. We must escort the Lady Raélowen to your chambers. She looks worn."

We tarried too long in Minas Tirith. Old friends were just far too enjoyable. Merry and Pippin stayed to visit for days after the wedding. Faramir and Éowyn were common guests at the palace. And of course, Aragorn and Arwen were more than hospitable.

The pains began earlier than they should have. At first I dismissed them as nothing. My handmaiden and I were walking slowly through the Court of the Fountain when they first began.

"My Lady?" she asked, noticing my strained expression. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure," I replied, laying a hand on my stomach. "It hurts."

"Is it the baby?"

I shook my head. "It can't be. Elves carry for sixteen months. It has only been nine and a half."

Another wave hit me and I staggered. My maiden rushed to my side. "Lady Raélowen!" she cried.

"Perhaps you should send for my husband," I suggested weakly.

"Perhaps I should bring you to the Houses of Healing!" she replied. "I shall send for your husband there."

I did not argue with her.

Kola ta o estel – Carry it with hope (Sindarin)

Mae govannen, mellon nîn – Welcome, my friend (Sindarin)

Hannon le – Thank you (Sindarin)