Again I apologize. Hurricane Wilma came Monday and though I was home from college I didn't get a chance to work on the story. My costume is almost done though (yay, 'bout time).
Arianell leveled her breathing and corrected her posture before stepping towards the hall, arm linked with Legolas.
"Meleth."
She turned towards him "Yes?"
"Is my tunic on straight?" Arianell stiffled a laugh, this was unlike him. "Nervous Meleth?"
"Perhaps." She kissed him lightly on the lips "You look amazing."
Before he could react she began walking forward "But we do not wish to be late."
"Indeed."
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Legolas Pov
As we walk into the hall the congregation stands, I can tell it's something Arianell is not yet used to. Honestly I hope she never becomes accustomed to it. I love that she excuses the maids and readies herself before meals...I don't think I would have liked her as much if she were like all the other elleths.
As I look around the room my eyes quickly settle on my father's table, raised on a dias for tonight. I see Sam seated there with his wife, Rosie. I am glad that they could come but wonder where their little ones are. Arianell squeezes my arm, she can sense the laugh I'm trying to contain at the mental image of the nursemaids trying to contain a half dozen little hobbits.
"Forgive me Meleth."
"Of course M'Lord." The glint in her eyes is unmistakable, she's not afraid to upset me...sometimes I think she strives for it.
Lord Faramir is seated next to Lady Eowyn, I noticed that Eowyn's hands are resting in her lap and her cheeks are flushed. Faramir looks as if he's so overjoyed he could fly. At my inquisitive gaze Arianell only gives a knowing smile.
Gimli has arrived at some point while we were getting ready, I can tell the dwarf lord hardly had time to change. He's sitting next to the two seats left empty for Arianell and myself, happily chatting with the chagrined elf to his left. Merry and Pippin are seated across the table from Gimli, next to Lady Eowyn and down from Rosie and Sam. As we near I can see their mouths hang open. Pippin's trying to say something but everytime he starts Merry stomps on his foot.
Gracefully I spin Arianell out from my arm and lead her to the chair I have pulled out for her, across from Lady Eowyn. As she she sits so does everyone else. I smile a bit before taking my own seat...nice to know they were waiting for me.
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Normal Pov.
"Was that necessary?"
Legolas just smiled at Arianell as he moved his napkin to his lap
"Was what necessary?"
She only rolled her eyes and diverted her attention across the table.
"Are you feeling well Eowyn?"
"Yes M'Lady." A stern look from Arianell caused Eowyn to laugh "I am quite well. I have been getting plenty of rest as of late."
Arianell nodded before turning her attention to Merry and Pippin. "My Lords, you must be Master Brandybuck and Master Took."
"Indeed we are M'Lady and we must say it is an honor to make your aquantance." Merry gave a bow from the waist as the food was placed in front of him.
"Aye, bout time Legolas got married."
"Pippin!" Arianell tried not to laugh at the inflection Merry had put into it.
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Legolas smiled as he walked towards Arianell, she had been speaking with the animated hobbits for the better part of the night.
"Forgive me but I'm going to steal Arianell away now."
Merry and Pippin looked downcast but Arianell looked somewhat relieved as she stood and excused herself from the table...leaving Gimli, Eowyn, and Faramir to entertain them.
"I feel bad about that."
Legolas didn't let Arianell turn back "Don't. Faramir and Gimli are more than capable"
"I meant leaving Eowyn with them. I know they mean well but it can become a bit much."
Legolas laughed as he drew Arianell onto the dance floor.
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Arianell sighed, she enjoyed dancing with Legolas...at least ever since the Fairy Reel. Legolas had joked when they first walked onto the floor that they request one to be held...Arianell had slapped him.
She smiled against his tunic as he pulled her in close and rested his chin on the top of her head.
Arianell was more than content to just sway there the rest of the night.
"May I cut in."
It was more of a command than a request. Arianell opened her eyes but could not see who was making the request until Legolas released her, still holding her around the waist and faced the intruder.
Arianell caught his sparking blue eyes and, though they were tinged with weariness, it made her smile.
He extended a well-worn hand towards the couple and blessed them in Elvish.
Arianell's head tilted to the side, this man knew elvish?
Legolas' face, first registering shock, broke into a smile as he released Arianell and stepped forward to embrace the man.
"Aragorn!"
Arianell could see Elessar's eyes fill with tears as he clung tightly to Legolas.
"It is so good to see you Mellon! Where is Lady Arwen?"
Arianell watched as Elessar gestured towards his right and a beautiful Elleth came to stand beside him. Arwen Undomiel still shone like the Evenstar that she was but her eyes saddened Arianell for the light of the Eldar had left them.
"Oh!" Legolas pulled Arianell to him "Lady Arwen, Aragorn this is Arianell Elbereth Marian, my betrothed."
Arianell stepped forward and bowed in respect, truly amazed at who stood before her.
"M'Lady." Elessar's hands lifted her to a standing position "We are family here." His eyes, for a moment, lost their weariness as he appraised her before gesturing towards Legolas with his head.
"Do you think you can keep him in line?"
"It should not be that hard M'Lord."
"Oh really?"
Arwen stepped forward and placed her hand lightly on Aragorn's shoulder "Indeed Meleth, or have you forgotten that we elleths have our ways?"
Arianell and Arwen shared a knowing smile as the Legolas and Aragorn grimaced.
"Now if you will excuse me, I would like to speak with Eowyn." As Arianell watched Arwen leave she noticed for the first time that she was pregnant, her eyes lit as she looked at Aragorn and the Legolas.
"I did not tell her." Legolas smiled "I guess it slipped my mind."
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Aragorn, as he requested Arianell call him for Legolas' sake, had not been joking when he requested to cut in. Arianell smiled as he spun her in the waltz. He was a very skilled dancer but it was not like when she was with Legolas, with Aragorn she had to be aware of where her feet were placed. Arianell was afraid she would trip but he was a gentle leader.
As the dance ended he escorted her back to the table and left her with a kiss to the hand.
"Enjoy the dance Meleth?"
Arianell smiled at Legolas "Perhaps." He placed her hand on his arm "Come Meleth, time for bed." Arianell held onto Legolas' arm as they made their rounds before retiring for the night.
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Arianell sat at the mirror in her nightshift and robe.
"How could you forget Arwen was pregnant Meleth?"
"How could you keep from telling me Eowyn was?"
Arianell narrowed her eyes at Legolas as he walked from the bathing chambers.
"Eowyn and Faramir did not announce it, apparently unlike Arwen and Aragorn."
Legolas shook his head "They have not announced it either." Arianell smiled "Then I suppose I should forgive you."
Legolas came to kneel in front of her, his hands on either side of her legs as he looked up at her
"I suppose you should."
Arianell ran her finger over the Archers braid he wore to the ceremony before she smiled and leaned down to kiss him as his hands ran up her sides to pull her closer.
Arianell straighted but Legolas wasn't going to let her go.
"Meleth!" He smiled before kissing her again. Arianell laughed to herself before speaking again.
"We should get married tomorrow Meleth."
Legolas stopped kissing her and sat back, looking at her in bewilderment before he replied
"We should."
"I was joking Legolas."
"I'm not. Why shouldn't we, everything is ready...all the delegates and guests of honor are here."
Arianell shook her head "Not tomorrow, it's too soon."
Legolas leaned up towards her "The day after tomorrow?"
"I don't know."
He smiled before kissing her jawline to her ear "Please" he whispered
"I don't..."
The kisses trailed around the tip of her ear and down her neck "Please?"
"Maybe we should ask your fa.."
"Please?"
"Oh..." Arianell's eyes were half opened
"Is that a yes Meleth?"
Legolas hadn't stopped carressing her neck once.
"Yes."
"Good." Legolas stood and, smiling, started to walk away before Arianell tugged him back towards her.
"I'm the only one who gets to be that cruel."
He couldn't have replied if he had wanted to.
