Was that last one long enough for anyone? I'm afraid that might have been the last 'day off' either will see for a while. Reality has to set in eventually. Before anyone gets upset about the various congratulations that Arianell will receive please remember that Elves can communicate with animals...why wouldn't the animals of Eryn Lasgalen congratulate their new crown princess and possible queen? (At the time no-one knows Legolas will sail to Valinor so they would suppose Arianell to possibly be the future Queen.) Here is lucky 13.

"Legolas Thranduillion is one lucky Ellon." Arianell nodded at the figure before her "May the Valar bless the both of you." came another voice. "And may the light of Elbereth shine upon your union." chimed in another.

Arianell listened to the chorus of voices and bowed "Thank you, all of you."

A sudden movement at the chamber doors startled her and caused the birds on her balcony railing to take to flight.

"Arianell, who were you speaking to?"

Arianell smiled at Legolas "The Avian populace of Eryn Lasgaleth sent a delegation to congratulate us. Namely a Sparrow, a Swallow, and a young mountain Eagle."

Legolas smiled "You have fared better than me meleth; a fox, feline, and garden snake caught me in the stable this morning."

Arianell smiled "And did you thank them properly?" "After I swallowed my heart." Legolas grinned "Either my father has quit listening to the winds or he is waiting for us to announce our engagement ourselves. I have passed him the halls multiple times today and he has yet to say anything."

Arianell smiled "The winds carried news of your friend's Legolas. Lord Farimir and Lady Eowyn will be arriving before the noon hour."

Legolas came to stand in front of his betrothed and pouted "And why did the winds not tell me this?"

Arianell smiled "Perhaps you have stopped listening to them?" She gave him a playful kiss.

>>

Arianell smoothed her dress. Why was she suddenly so nervous? She watched as Legolas approached her down the long corridors "You look lovely Meleth. Are you ready?"

Arianell nodded and placed her hand in that of her betrothed as he led her down the halls towards the outer courtyard. "...and so the guards have reported as far as they will. After Lady Eowyn and Lord Farimir are settled I meet with them about your detail. Then I must attend councils with the delegates from Imladris and Loth-Lorien. Afterwards Father requests I attend a revue of the archers for... Arianell?" The sound of her name snapped her out of her trance "Arianell were you listening to a word I just said?" "No Legolas. I am sorry, I'm just nervous." "Nervous?" "What if Lady Eowyn dislikes me, what if Lord Farimir does not agree with your choice of an Elleth. What if when King Elessar and Lady Arwen arive they dislike me too! And then there is Master Gimli...dwarves are not known for being accepting of elves. And the hobbits, if they can make it, surely the hobbits wouldn't..."

Legolas placed his finger lightly on her lips "Silence Meleth, you have nothing to fear. My friends will love you, and if they do not it makes no difference to me." His finger ran down her chin and onto the chain she wore around her neck "For I already do."

Their kiss was interupted by the sound of trumpets on the outer turrents. "They're here!" Legolas' face broke into a smile "Come on!" and with that he half pulled half drug a running Arianell after him.

>>

Arianell stood as the figure approached where she sat in the hall, "M'Lady." The woman smiled "I am Eowyn, White Lady of Rohan and wife to Lord Farimir of Ithilien." Arianell bowed her head in respect "Well met Lady Eowyn, I am Lady Arianell Marian of the woodland realm, Legolas' betrothed." she couldn't help the smile that lit her face at the last words.

"Formalities aside." Eowyn's smile was bright and her eyes shone with joy "For we already covered them in the courtyard. Come, walk with me, tell me of Legolas." Arianell blushed "I am afraid there is not much to tell Lady Eowyn, beyond that which you already know." "Indeed." Eowyn linked her arm with Arianell's as they walked in the direction of the gardens "We shall see."

Arianell was smiling still as she walked into Legolas' room to change. That night a feast was to be held in honor of Lord Farimir and Lady Eowyn, it was also when Legolas intended to formally announce their engagement. Not that they were not engaged before, it was just that this time they both wanted to be. She had hoped to get dressed before the maid arrived to help her but no sooner had she started to untie her dress than there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

The maid walked in and bowed. Arianell sighed, it wouldn't bother her if it was the same maid each time but not once had the same maid returned. She wondered if it were supposed to be that way or if they just didn't like her.

"M'Lady do you require a bath?" The girl couldn't have been much older than she was "No, thank you. And you need not address me as 'M'Lady'. Arianell is fine."

"Yes M'Lady"

Arianell rolled her eyes.

>>

After dressing Arianell had been shocked to notice there were two guards posted outside her bedroom door, and that as she walked down the hall they followed her, though at a respectable distance. "Are you assigned to me?" she asked as she turned around "Yes M'Lady. By order of the King." the guard speaking was a kind elder man "Though if I may be permitted to say so M'Lady." Arianell nodded "It is not a bad assignment." She smiled and continued on her way. The light steps of the guards almost lost behind her.

>>

The ballroom was crowded. Arianell paused in the shadows of the doorway as one of the guards offered to go get Legolas for her. "I don't know..." her eyes betrayed her sudden fear "I am afraid I do not know how to do this properly."

The guard smiled "M'Lady, I will be right back."

As Legolas walked towards her she began to smile, watching his fluid motions. Even the highly trained (and graceful) guard seemed stiff compared to her ellon.

"Arianell." Legolas smiled widely at her "You look amazing."

Her dress was a deep forest green and the sleeve caps were embrodered richly in silver. The bodice was comfortably tight and the neckline was plunging, something that had taken Arianell time to get used to. Legolas' necklace hung around her neck, right above the neckline of the dress and her hair was pulled back into an intricate weaving of jewels and mithril.

Arianell thanked him with a light kiss before accepting his arm and moving from the shadows to the lantern light of the room.

The crowd suddenly became silent as all eyes turned towards them. Legolas, siezing the opportunity, paused on the steps. "People of Mirkwood, hear me." Arianell caught her breath "It is with honor I announce formally before this assembly and with all of Arda as my witness that I, Legolas Thranduillion of Eryn Lasgalen do hereby intend to join myself eternally with the Lady Arianell Marian."

It took the crowd a moment before they stood to their feet and applauded. To Arianell that moment felt like all of eternity.