Disclaimer: Go back and look if you really need to know.

A/N: Okay here it is. The wedding chapter. It was very hard for me to write because I've never really written romance things like this before plus as I said last time I'm not exactly in the romantic mood at the moment. But I am quite proud of how this came out. I hope you enjoy it. Please review. Criticize, tell me how I can do things better, tell me what you liked or didn't like. Just please comment and let me know my story is being read. Thank you. Enjoy.

Chapter 8

Wedding Bells Ring

The morning air was crisp and warm; birds sang loudly with a melody of harmony and happiness. The sun beamed down with a radiant glow that filled the blue skies. Even the dark forest of Mirkwood seemed less shadowy and dreary than normal. All of Mirkwood seemed to be enthusiastic about the day's special occasion.

Linriel, however, was almost sick with nervousness. She sat on the couch in her bedroom, taking in a few deep breaths. Arwen sat beside her, clasping her best friend's hands. Galadriel sat on the other side of her, holding Linriel's other hand

"Just breathe. You are going to be fine." Arwen whispered gently.

"I'm just so excited that it's making me nervous." Linriel replied.

"You every reason to be excited, my dear. But you don't have to be nervous. Just relax. This is the best day of your life." Galadriel comforted.

Linriel smiled at her. "Were you nervous at your wedding?"

Galadriel laughed lightly. "That was a long time ago, but yes I suppose I was. I know my daughter Celebrian was nervous. Her legs were shaking so bad, I thought she would stumble down the walkway."

"How did she manage?" Linriel said, chuckling.

"She remembered that today was her day, the day she had been dreaming of. She wouldn't let a little bit of nerves ruin that for her."

"And my mom always said that they had a beautiful wedding." Arwen said.

"Yes, they did." Galadriel replied. "And yours, Linriel, is going to be just as beautiful."

Linriel smiled. She hugged the wise elf. "Thank you so much." With a deep breath she stood to her feet. She straightened her dress and then took one last look at herself in the mirror. The white dress she wore was absolutely beautiful. Her mother's amethyst necklace was clasped around her neck and a silver tiara was on her head. Her golden blonde hair flowed down her back and shined with a heavenly glow. Everything was perfect and it was almost time.

"Here we go." Arwen said as she came to stand beside her friend. She straightened her light blue dress that reached down to her ankles. It was a simple, yet beautiful dress. "You are going to have to tell me all about married life. I want to know everything."

Linriel laughed. "Oh, so I'm the tester."

"You are the first of any of us elf girls getting married." Arwen said smiling. "You have to tell us if it is really as great as everyone says."

"I'm sure it will be. Are you sure you want to know everything though?"

Arwen thought about that for a second. "Okay, maybe not everything."

Linriel smiled.

"Girls," Galadriel called. "It's time."

Arwen squealed and hugged her friend. Then she walked out the door. Linriel drew in a deep breath and followed her. She met all her friends downstairs. They all looked beautiful. Each of them gave her an encouraging smile before walking outside to meet their escorts. Elladan would escort Arwen, Legolas would escort Elmarin, Kalen would escort Vilisia and in place of Estel, Glorfindel would escort Idril.

"You look amazing."

Linriel turned to see her father walking towards her. She smiled, blushing slightly. Thranduil kissed her cheek gently.

"My little girl is all grown up."

Linriel kissed his cheek. "I love you, Ada."

He smiled at her. "Come, it is time." With that he took her hand and led her to the door. They waited as the flower girl Errasa spread the fresh flowers petals across the walkway and then as each of the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked together down the aisle. Then the music began to play. A soft joyous melody played with flutes and a harp announcing the time for the bride to walk down the aisle. Linriel smiled as the doors opened and she stepped outside.

------

Elrohir waited impatiently for the wedding to begin. He stood at the front doing everything he could not to pace. Finally the music began to play and he drew in a deep breath. He watched in amazement and anticipation as the groomsmen and bridesmaids walked gallantly down the aisle. Elladan gave him a smile and nod of encouragement as he took his place at the front, keeping one hand gently on the young human boy who was the ring bearer. Elrohir smiled. They had learned that the young prince could be quite mischievous at times. Elladan was keeping a careful eye on him, though at the moment he seemed quite behaved and proper. He wondered absentmindedly how long that would last.

Elrohir looked up towards the back, putting his thoughts back on the moment. He played nervously with his hands as he waited for a few more seconds, that seemed like an eternity.

Then finally, the long awaited moment began. The bride's melody began to play and the doors opened. Elrohir smiled bright as he saw Linriel emerge from the hall and make her way outside. As she began to walk down the aisle, he took a moment to examine her. She looked so beautiful. She was absolutely stunning. Her shimmering white dress was fitted perfectly to her elegant figure and cascaded down to her ankles. The trail of the dress flowed gracefully behind her as she walked with captivating poise. The very air around her seemed magical and Elrohir had to remind himself that he wasn't dreaming. It was finally the moment that he had been waiting a lifetime for.

Yet with all the joy in his heart and despite the fact that he didn't wish to ever tear his eyes away from the most gorgeous elf in Middle Earth, he found himself searching the crowds one last time. He searched the back, the corners, the shadows, any little place that a man could hide in, but found no sign of the human. Sadness and disappointment crept into his heart and soon turned into bitterness. How dare the human not come to his wedding. He was like a brother to him and yet the human didn't even have the decency to show up and hang in the back. Elrohir fought tears that welled up in his eyes and focused his eyes back on his fiancé. He wouldn't say a word about this or show any more emotion about it. This day was his wedding. He wouldn't let Aragorn ruin that. He had been waiting years for this days and above all he did not want to ruin it for Linriel. He would never forgive himself for that.

Squaring his shoulders, he took a deep breath. Air seemed to get caught in his throat as Linriel approached closer. He was captivated by her beauty. She was intoxicating and he felt that even breathing would ruin the moment. As she approached, he took her hand. Any breath he did manage to get before, left him now. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Then she looked at her father.

"Ada, this is the part, you let go." She whispered.

Elrohir couldn't help but chuckle slightly. Then as Thranduil reluctantly let go of his daughter's arm, Elrohir walked her the rest of the way to the front. Gandalf was waiting. He smiled brightly at them and winked at Linriel before beginning.

------

"Elrohir, you may kiss your bride."

Legolas smiled as his sister kissed Elrohir and he was not ashamed of the tears that were in his eyes. He was so happy for her and overjoyed. Their wedding had been beautiful, just like his sister had been imagining for years. It was completely perfect except for one horrible fact. Aragorn was not there. Legolas knew how much Elrohir had wanted his brother to be there. He knew how much pain Aragorn's words had caused to Elrohir and he knew that Elrohir was very disappointed. It did not show on Elrohir's face, but he could see it. The twin was more than just slightly disappointed.

Legolas pushed his thoughts aside as unusual movement to his left caught his eye. He looked around and noticed a dark figure sneak past the shadows and disappear behind a tree. The figure wore a hooded cloak and had the stealth to mirror that of an elf. Legolas knew immediately who it was though. The figure was not an elf, but he had definitely learned their skills. Aragorn had come after all. He couldn't have missed his brother's wedding for the world.

Looking back at Elrohir, Legolas noted if the twin had noticed the movement. If he did, he showed no signs of it. His only concern was his new wife and making his way down the aisle with her in his arms. No one else seemed to notice the ranger in the shadows and Legolas wondered if that's what Aragorn hoped for. He thought about telling Elrohir later and letting him know that Aragorn had actually come, but he knew if Aragorn had really wanted him to know, he would have made his presence known or left some kind of clue. If the human wanted to keep his presence secret, Legolas was not about to tell on him. It wasn't his place.

He did, however, wish to talk with the human and as soon as he could, he determined to slip away from the crowds. His opportunity came only a few minutes later as Elrohir and Linriel made their way over to the banquet tables. As everyone prepared for the feast, he slipped away for a few minutes. He bent down near the trees where he had seen the human. Only a slight barely detectible footprint was left. Aside for that, there was no other sign that the ranger had even been there. Aragorn had learned well. He was becoming quite a skilled ranger. The twins had taught him well. Legolas stood and looked off into the woods. He saw no unusual movement and felt nothing out of the ordinary.

"Be safe, Estel." He whispered, hoping the trees would carry his message to Aragorn, wherever the human was.

Then he returned to the banquet before any one would notice his disappearance.

------

Linriel was very busy during the banquet. Between talking and meeting with guests and loved ones, and thanking people for coming, she hardly had any time to even eat or spend time with her husband. The ceremony would go on for a couple of days, but Linriel was so exhausted all ready that she was ready for it to be over now. Politely, however, she continued her rounds around the table, talking with everyone she could. Elrohir too was busy doing the same, but Linriel noticed with amusement that he stole many glances in her direction. He winked at her as she caught his eye. Then he smiled and beckoned her over.

She met him back by their table and he kissed her softly.

"Will you dance with me?"

Linriel nodded. "I would be honored."

Elrohir smiled and nodded to his brother. Elladan stood and headed towards the front.

"Attention everyone!" He said as he tried to get the crowds attention. When everyone was finally quiet, he began speaking. "It is now time for the first dance of the new couple."

Everyone clapped as Elrohir escorted Linriel to the center of the area. He placed his arms around her and they began to dance.

"I haven't had much time to tell you how beautiful you look." He whispered in her ear.

She smiled. "You look very nice yourself. I've never been so happy in my life."

"Me either. I wish we could stay in this moment forever."

"Yes, but I for one, am ready for this ceremony to be over. I am ready to retire for the night." Linriel whispered.

He twirled her around and watched as she gracefully spun and came back into his arms. "I know what you mean. I can't wait to show you how much I really love you."

She smiled, but before she could reply the music ended. Another song began, and other people came out to dance now. Thranduil approached Elrohir before they could continue their dance.

"May I have a dance with my daughter?" He asked.

Elrohir bowed. "Of course."

Thranduil and Linriel began dancing together. "I'm so proud of you, Linriel. I couldn't be happier for you."

Linriel smiled at her father. "Thank you, Ada."

They danced together until the end of the song. Then Elrond wanted to dance with her as well. After him Legolas asked for a dance. Before the song was over, however, he pulled her aside.

"You know this ceremony will go on for days. There will be dancing and feasting long into the nights. Perhaps you and Elrohir can sneak out for a bit for some time alone." Legolas said.

Linriel nodded. She would like nothing better. Elrohir came over by them and Legolas continued sharing his plan.

"You two sneak out and I will make the announcement that you two have gone to be alone and will return to the feasting and dancing at a later time."

Linriel hugged him. "Thank you, Legolas."

He embraced her tightly. Then Elrohir took her hand and led her away into a quiet area. Once they were alone and the singing and music could be heard afar off, Elrohir pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

"I have a special gift for you." He said as he broke the kiss.

Linriel smiled.

"I wrote this poem for you. " He took her hands, looked into her eyes and began.

"You know I can see the world

Through the light in your eyes

And it takes me miles away

If only for a moment

Just let me escape

Into the beauty of your soul

One moment of heaven

Is all I desire

Just one more moment

To spend with you."

Linriel blushed as tears filled her eyes. "You can have many moments with me, Elrohir. You can have eternity with me."

"That's not even long enough." He pulled her into a kiss.

She kissed him passionately than pulled away with a giggle. "Come on, we have the whole night ahead of us."

Elrohir smiled. This would be a night to remember.