"Did you sleep well, Tauriel?" Lord Elrond asked her, making polite conversation at the morning meal. "Pleasant dreams?"

Tauriel felt heat rising to her cheeks. "I survived on dreams for far too long, my Lord. What I needed was a night of reality."

The Elf-lord nodded, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips, "I do hope there is a wedding in your future."

"I would like one, but do not see how it can be," the wood-elf confessed. "I will take the time I am given with Legolas and be content. King Thranduil told me years ago Legolas is not Beren to my Luthien."

To her surprise, the ancient Elf-lord of Rivendell raised an eyebrow at her and chuckled, "No. Of course, he isn't." At her solemn expression, he explained, "You are Beren in your tale, Tauriel. Legolas is Luthien."

"Does it make a difference?"

"It absolutely does."

Tauriel didn't understand, and she admitted as much, "In what way, my Lord? I have no Simaril to trade for Legolas' hand in marriage."

"There are things even the most stalwart King would find more impressive than jewels, such as the safety and happiness of his child, and continuation of his line." Elrond sipped his tea, watching and gauging her expression. "If Thranduil is like any other father, myself included, he would forgive you much if you presented him with a grandchild. Eventually, of course, you are both young."

Her eyes widened at the idea, "You really think a half Silvan baby would change the King's mind?"

"You are one of the Eldar, a Silvan yes, but one who grew up in Thranduil's court and served him faithfully for many years before you left." There was a gentleness in his expression as he added, "It is clear to all who know him that Legolas loves you, and you would not have come all this way if you did not return his love."

"Lady Galadriel had one of her handmaidens hide a lace dress in my saddlebag before I departed Caras Galadhon."

The Elf-lord blinked in genuine surprise, then a sympathetic smile curved the corners of his mouth upward, "Well, then. I suppose that settles the matter. The Lady approves of your match, it would appear. As do I," Lord Elrond confessed.

"It is nice to know we have someone's approval," Legolas said, coming up behind Tauriel and resting his chin on her shoulder. "Seeing as how we are adults and therefore free to pledge ourselves no matter what objections anyone raises." He kissed her neck and the wood-elf shrugged her shoulder to brush him off. "We already accomplished the most important part."

"Legolas!" Tauriel hissed, horrified he would share such a personal, intimate detail at the breakfast table with Lord Elrond.

"I know your sons are always actively seeking wives, my Lord. I have no qualms with claiming Tauriel right here where all can bear witness, if it means everyone in Rivendell knows she is mine."

Lord Elrond winced. "That will not be necessary, Legolas. We will honor your match with a more traditional approach and hold a feast, a few days from now, where you and Lady Tauriel can publicly exchange rings. That should suffice to keep my sons, and anyone else, from trying to steal Tauriel from you."

"Thank you, my Lord," Tauriel told him. "You are a kind and gracious host. We will endeavor not to cause scandal in your lovely home." She aimed a meaningful glare at Legolas.

"That would be a refreshing change," Lord Elrond told her, amused and exasperated. "I have become accustomed to breeches in etiquette, and I overlook as much scandal as I possibly can. The two of you are the most well behaved guests to grace Rivendell in hundreds of years. Your discretion and manners do King Thranduil credit."

"Tauriel is polite, and well mannered, unless you threaten someone she loves," Legolas told the Lord of Imladris. "There is no fear in her if those she cares for are in danger. She stood her ground with my father with his sword at her throat."

"It is a very good thing Legolas is around to get me out of such messes. Or I would not be long for this world." She kissed his knuckles. "He is far older and wiser than I."

Lord Elrond laughed out loud at this, "I don't know about that, my dear, it seems to me you are both very young, yet. Still, wisdom can only be gained by venturing out into the world. And the world can be a harsh teacher, but having a partner you can trust at your side makes all the difference."

Legolas and Tauriel looked at each other and smiled.

"Tauriel has only been here for a little over two days," Lord Elrond told Legolas. "I doubt she has been given a proper tour. I will have a basket made up for you in the kitchens and you can take her around to the best viewing spots in Imladris."

Tauriel nodded, "I would love to see more of the valley."

Tauriel loved the parties and feasts King Thranduil hosted, as a rule, but her first Rivendell feast was for her own wedding, and Lord Elrond spared no expense to make the day something she would always treasure.

The Wood-elves spoke their hearts to each other, with all the residents of Rivendell bearing witness. She was all but a stranger to them, and yet the people treated her and Legolas like kin.

The ring she gave Legolas had come from her chest of Erebor gold, but she'd asked Lord Elrond's goldsmith to melt the gold and reform it into the design Tauriel sketched of two equal, perfect gold bands twined into one. Where the two bands created a diamond shaped opening, the goldsmith set perfectly cut diamonds into the band. The end result was a row of perfect stars wound around his finger.

Legolas loved it so much he had a second smaller version made for Tauriel from the plain gold band he always carried on a chain around his neck. She had yet to ask him the story behind the ring, but she would get it out of him eventually.

After the feast, they were showered with gifts and well wishes. Then, they danced as they'd never been allowed to in the Elvenking's Halls. They held each other close, lost in the music, Tauriel giddy with the feeling of completeness, rightness she felt in her Prince's arms.

Legolas collapsed onto the bed with a groan, placing a hand to his aching head. "Far too much wine. I should have known better. Back home I have to maintain appearances, can get into my cups. I seem to have lost the ability to judge when I have had too much wine, really good wine."

"Poor husband," Tauriel cooed at him, as if he were a child who ate too many sweets and given himself a belly ache. "What would you like me to do?"

"Come here, so I can at least admire the beauty and perfection of your breasts through the lace of your dress while I suffer."

Tauriel came to stand beside him, "Is this better?" She cupped her breasts with her hands, lifting them and bringing them together to make them look fuller. "They are not so bountiful as some, but they are not in the way of my bow, either."

"I love them. And I love the adorable little spots all over your shoulders and collarbones. You even have some on the bridge of your nose. Love those, I could write songs about them..."

"Songs about spots?" Tauriel made a face at him. "Anything else you would like to compose songs about on my person while you are in your cups?"

Legolas sighed, sounding younger and more relaxed than Tauriel had ever heard him. "Your eyes... Your hair... I don't think there is any part of you that is not perfection. Oh, and your pert little bottom. I really love that best of all."

"I think you are very, very intoxicated," the Wood-elf chuckled. She ran her fingers over his cheek, tenderly. "Sleep, now."

"I am the luckiest Wood-elf in all of Arda," he said, dreamily, as sleep started to take him away to the land of dreams.

Tauriel grinned, whispering, "No, my love, I am."