Note: Okay, the usual applies. Here's the chapter you've been waiting for, so enjoy it!

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Merenwen let out the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. She tipped her head town as a tear ran down her cheek. It had been set for them by the Valar. It was clear enough when they were yet young elflings.

She knew in her heart the answer to Legolas' request. But giving an answer scared her more than anything. She had the fear that if she made such a commitment, she could lose him; like she lost her parents. However, once she thought about it, she realized it was too late for making such a commitment. It had already been done. It had been for a long time.

Legolas tilted her chin up with the tips of his fingers.

"Merenwen. Please."

She looked into his eyes. He loved her – it shined in his eyes more than anything. She hoped her eyes showed the same. Merenwen blinked and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

Legolas looked at her with hope. "Mer?"

She smiled and nodded slightly.

"Tell me. I want to hear it from your own lips."

"Yes, meleth. Le na estel nín. Nathon gelir na le bess. You are my hope. I would be happy to be your wife."

He smiled brightly. He had a feeling he knew her answer, but he wanted to hear it. Now that she'd accepted his proposal, the joy of surviving the War of the Ring felt exceedingly tiny compared to that moment. He happily embraced Merenwen and held her tightly, spinning her a few times, barely hearing the elves around them expressing their congratulations.

Merenwen laughed as Legolas, apparently out of his mind, spun her. She was happy. She hadn't felt so complete since before her parents were killed.

When he set her down, Legolas looked at her. She smiled still, her face flushed some from her laughter. He ran his fingers across her cheek affectionately. Favoring her with a soft smile, he let his hands settle back at her waist before kissing her.

"Melon le, Merenwen. Goston le na ól an nín. I love you, Merenwen. I feel you are but a dream to me."

"A im le. Melan le anann idhirnea. Man bauge le kotane anann? And I you. I have loved you long years. What withheld you so long?" She smiled mischievously.

Legolas smiled at her. She always made him smile, joking even at serious moments.

"I cannot say. I wanted to be sure?" he ventured.

She laughed. "You can tell me later. If you wish, that is."

"You could not speak in the Common Tongue for our own benefit, could you?!"

The two elves grinned at each other before turning to face the table. Gimli was waiting impatiently for an answer.

"Master Dwarf, if you would do well to learn the Eldar Tongues than maybe you would understand. I see my tongue hindered no others' understanding. I asked Merenwen to marry me."

"Yes, I can see that," Gimli answered shortly. "I was informed of the translation; however it was not by you."

"So then, there's no reason to tell you of her answer," Legolas replied, grinning.

Merenwen snickered as the two friends bickered. She turned to face Thranduil, who was smiling, seeming very proud. He rose from his chair and embraced her.

"Now, I can truthfully call you my daughter," he said, smiling even more so.

"Thank you, milord."

"Merenwen, you do not have to call me such. If you will, I would hope that you could think of me as your father while we yet reside on these shores."

Her eyes sparkled with tears unshed. "I would be honored to, Ada."

The king favored her with another smile as he took one of her hands. "I knew you would not say 'no' when he asked you."

She started at the words. "Did you know your son was going to ask me to wed him?"

Thranduil put on a thoughtful look. "Did I know? Well…One cannot expect an elf of my age to remember everything, now can you?" He grinned.

Merenwen smiled to herself. She understood clearly where Legolas' look of scheming came from.

Legolas came over and wrapped an arm around Merenwen's waist. "Adar," he greeted with a smile.

The king turned to his son and reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Legolas, how did I know this would be your choice of presentation?"

"You know me better than you wish at times, Ada."

He smiled. "That I cannot help. But I am happier for you than you know."

"Thank you, Ada," Legolas said and Merenwen nodded in agreement.

"I, myself, would have to say 'tis about time," Thranduil teased.

Merenwen and Legolas rolled their eyes. The king could be as bad as they were when no one was looking.

"Ada, might we send word to Aragorn? He and Arwen would be most interested to hear the news." Though Aragorn was commonly known as Elessar, Legolas would never fail to see him as Aragorn, Estel – his best friend.

"Of course, Announcements will be sent out. But in the morning. Tonight would be unwise a journey to make. Besides, the celebration is far from over."

"Here, here! I agree, good sir!" Gimli raised his mug to the king.

The elves laughed merrily at the dwarf's jubilance.

"Well, you heard Master Dwarf, my good elves. Play on," Thranduil said, gesturing to the musicians.

Music filled the hall again as a song was taken up, and the celebration went into the early morning hours.

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There it is. Two more chapters left to tie things up. I'm glad that everyone has enjoyed the story so far - that makes me happy. And I'm sad we're nearing the end, but in a way I'm happy about it. Things have been picking up A LOT at school, and I hated leaving you guys hanging for the next chapter at times. So I apologize for that and will see you again next chapter.