As they walked into the Great Hall, the smells of food and wine reached them. The music had taken on a lighter note, one befitting of heroes returning from battle. Both elves bowed upon reaching the head table where the king sat.

"It is about time you returned," Thranduil said. "I was planning on making a toast to you, Legolas, only to find that you were not present."

Legolas looked at Merenwen and shot her a look that seemed to say, 'I told you so.'

"I apologize, Ada. I noticed Merenwen had not returned from speaking with Fëaelen, so I went to look for her – them."

Thranduil raised an eyebrow. "We could have waited for them to return. Or, if you were that anxious, send someone to find them."

"But I would rather have looked myself."

The king sighed. This did not surprise him at all. "Fine. Well, you should join us then," he said, motioning to a servant to bring them some wine.

Legolas turned to give Merenwen a glass of some of the finest wine the wood elves had for feasts such as these. He cast her a soft smile as his father started to speak.

"Could I please have everyone's attention?" Thranduil called to every elf in the hall. The music and all conversation stopped as everyone turned their attention to their king. "Thank you. I promise to keep this brief. I know how you all would love to return to the wine." Many laughed at the king's comment. "We have gathered here tonight to celebrate the return of the Prince, my son, from this recent war in which Sauron was defeated. We welcome you home, Legolas."

All of the elves cheered. At one point or another in the long struggle against Sauron and his minions, a loved one had been lost.

"We should also welcome Gimli, son of Gloin. A dwarf who has gained the friendship of my son."

A round of polite applause followed.

"I understand that I am not the only one in all of Arda to be reluctant in admitting to being wrong in judgment. But I will admit that I was wrong in my assumptions toward most dwarves. Master Dwarf, you have my respect for your brave deeds and are welcome in Eryn Lasgalen as long as you live."

There was a great deal of murmuring through the crowd of elves. Their lord was not a friendly person toward the race of dwarves. Perhaps the time was right for a change. No one could actually remember anymore how the feud between elves and dwarves had started.

Legolas' mouth involuntarily dropped open and he looked to Merenwen before looking at Gimli as a round of lively applause filled the room.

"Thank you, sir. I assure you I will do my best to see that the friendship between you and the Lonely Mountain will be renewed," Gimli replied, seeming at a loss for words.

Thranduil smiled in acceptance and nodded his thanks.

Legolas still gaped at his father. It was an extremely large admission for his father to have made. He remembered when Thranduil had imprisoned a group of dwarves traveling through Mirkwood. Legolas had been surprised to later find out that one of those dwarves was Gimli's father.

The king looked at Legolas with a raised eyebrow. The younger elf promptly closed his mouth. He smiled and raised his glass, everyone else following suit.

"To Master Dwarf and the Prince of Lasgalen. We welcome you home, honor your brave deeds, and wish upon you by the Valar a long and fulfilling life."

Cheers erupted and everyone toasted the two warriors. Gimli's hearty "Hear, hear!" was heard by many as he raised his mug of ale.

Merenwen smiled and raised her glass with everyone else. She kept her eyes on Legolas as she sipped her wine. He stared back at her and it seemed an eternity had passed between their eyes.

After everyone had drank to the toast, Legolas moved to set his glass down on the table next to him. He met the eyes of his father, who gave him a sincere look and a slight nod. Legolas understood easily and tipped his head in thanks. He turned to Merenwen.

"Have you finished?"

She regarded her wine idly for a second. "I guess so," she consented, confused as he took the glass from her and set it next to his. Then, the king started to speak.

"My good elves and dwarf! I would have your attention yet again. The prince has something has a desire to speak." He gestured to Legolas, allowing him to begin.

Legolas smirked slightly. "Thank you, father. " He looked about the hall full of elves. "I can safely speak for myself and Gimli now when I say we thank you for such a warm welcome and festive celebration. Though I am right to believe that it has hardly begun yet?"

There were many cheers of appreciation and applause that agreed with the prince's assumption.

He laughed. "That is what I thought. But I hope that we shall have more to celebrate tonight."

Merenwen frowned. What was he talking about? She looked at Gimli. He was also interested in what Legolas had to say.

Legolas turned to Merenwen and took her hand.

"Merenwen, le nach gail o nín cuil. Melon le ner san'i giliath. Le kwar nín. Mellon nín…melethril…tarien…vuin nín. Na le bess nín? You have been the light of my life. I love you more than the stars. You are mine to hold. My friend…lover…princess…my beloved. Will you be my wife?"

Merenwen's eyes widened and she gasped. He was asking her what?

Gimli was looking around at the elves in the room. Many had gasped or had a shocked surprise written on their faces.

"What?! What did he say?! Legolas?!"

Legolas ignore Gimli's aggravated demands for clarification. Merenwen's eyes were wide and her mouth was hanging slightly open. It looked like she wasn't even breathing.

"Mer?" He squeezed her hands. "Mer, say something, please."

She let out the breath she'd been holding unknowingly. "What? What do you ask?" she breathed.

He looked at her solemnly. "I am asking you, meleth nín, to be my bride. Marry me?"

Merenwen opened and closed her mouth a few times, but no sound came out.

Legolas smiled softly. "Just listen then, Mer. You know I love you more than anything. I have told you so more times than I can remember, and you know how long that has been." He paused as he watched her smile beautifully. "This war…It took me so far away from you. I never want to be so far from you again. Can you not see that we are meant for one another? It has been so forever."

She listened carefully to what Legolas was telling her. In her heart, she knew what he was telling her was true. They had spoken about it before. But she was thinking about everything they had been through.

Merenwen looked carefully at her longtime love. She let her mind wander back; back to her younger days.