Chapter 9

Manquárë and Legolas' friends gathered up the arrows and took the weapons of the dead elves.

"Pity we had to kill them" someone said.

Manquárë was frantically looking for Legolas' ring as she knew he'd be cross if he knew that it had been lost. One of his friends eventually came across it and recognising it he bought it over to Manquárë.

"This is Legolas' ring isn't it, the one his mother gave him"

"Yes that's right he gave it to me as a symbol of our intent to marry. Lhundol removed it from me and threw it away" Manquárë said.

Legolas' friend returned it to her and she slipped it back onto her finger. The horses belonging to Lhundol and his friends were standing patiently a few metres away.

"Shall we take their horses?" one of Legolas' friends asked.

"Lets, the stable could do with some more horses" another elf replied.

Everyone mounted including Manquárë who chose to ride Lhundol's horse. The other 3 horses were attached to horses being ridden then the party set out on the trip back to Mirkwood. Manquárë's heart was considerably lighter as she knew that Lhundol was no longer a threat.

Finally they were back in Mirkwood. Manquárë dismounted and hurried inside to see how Legolas was. He was lying quietly in bed reading a book when she entered his room.

"Legolas, how are you feeling?" Manquárë asked.

Legolas' head shot up and he abruptly closed the book.

"Manquárë, a'maelamin (my beloved) are you ok?"

"I'm fine" Manquárë assured him.

"Where's that bastard? I'm going to kill him for kidnapping you like that"

"He's dead" Manquárë said quietly.

"What!" Legolas exclaimed.

"He and his good for nothing friends were killed by your friends in a fierce exchange of arrows. One of his buddies was marrying us but didn't get to complete the ceremony thank heavens"

"Oh thank heavens for that" Legolas said, pressing a kiss into her hair.

The two elves chatted for a while then Manquárë slipped out to freshen up. When she returned Legolas was sitting up.

"Come here melamin,"(my love) he said holding his arms out to her.

Manquárë went to him and sat down on his lap.

"Oh Manquárë, melamin it pained me so to think of you with him" he said caressing her hair.

"Legolas I'd never willingly…."

"Sssh a'maelamin, it's ok I know you wouldn't. Just let me hold you close" Legolas cut her off"

He had wrapped his arms around her and now he dropped his head and shared an intense kiss with her.

"Amin mela lle Manquárë, (I love you Manquárë) let us be wed as soon as possible," he said.

Three and half weeks later, Manquárë, clad in a white flowing gown was escorted into a beautiful clearing where the elves of Mirkwood as well as a group from Lothlorian including Celeborn and Galadriel were gathered. Legolas was standing with his father waiting for her, clad in his silver tunic and as he saw her he smiled. Manquárë beamed as she was led to join him.

"Vedui il'er. Lye naa sinome a' ver amin utinu Taren Legolas en' Mirkwood ar' Manquárë en Greenmeadow. (Greetings all. We are here today to wed my son, Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and Manquárë of Greenmeadow) Thranduil began the ceremony.

"Naa eller ai edhel ya nerna a'arrn sina yanw?" (Is there any elf who wishes to stop this joining?) Thranduil asked.

Legolas and Manquárë clasped hands as they waited to see if any elf disputed their marriage.

Thankfully no elf moved or said anything so the ceremony was able to proceed.

"Lle Legolas sana Manquárë vee' lle verne'?" (Do you Legolas take Manquárë as your wife?)

"Uma" (Yes) Legolas said.

"Lle Manquárë sana Legolas vee'lle verno?" (Do you Manquárë take Legolas as your husband?)

"Uma" (Yes) Manquárë said.

"Vee Aran en' Mirkwood ta ona amin seasara a' quen lle verno ar' verne" (As King of Mirkwood it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife) Thranduil said.

Manquárë beamed at Legolas.

"Lle aa' miqul lle verne" (you may kiss your wife) Thranduil said.

Legolas smiled at Manquárë then drew her close and kissed her tenderly.

"Amin on lle Legolas ar' Manquárë Greenleaf, Taren ar' Tarien en' Mirkwood" (I give you Legolas and Manquárë Greenleaf, Prince and Princess of Mirkwood) Thranduil declared.

The elves cheered as Legolas and Manquárë turned to face them. Then Legolas led Manquárë from the clearing.

That evening the elves threw a banquet in honour of Legolas and Manquárë's marriage. They enjoyed the evening of singing and dancing that followed. All their friends were delighted that they had finally gotten married. At the conclusion of the evening Legolas helped Manquárë move her few possessions to his dwelling. It was much larger and fancier than the lodgings she had occupied until then. Once she had moved everything in and arranged it, Legolas gave her a tour of his place and she was very impressed with it.

"I look forward to tasting your cooking my beloved wife" Legolas said kissing her on the nose.

"And you shall tomorrow morning" Manquárë promised.

She spent the evening planning the fine breakfast she would cook for Legolas.

The next morning she was up early to put her breakfast plans into action. Legolas was awoken by the smell of her cooking and getting up he silently entered the kitchen and slipped up behind her.

"Quel amrun a'maelamin" (good morning my beloved) he said slipping his arms around Manquárë's waist.

She smiled and turning her head kissed him on the cheek.

"Something smells good" he commented.

"Yes it's our breakfast cooking Manquárë replied.

Legolas moved back so she could continue cooking and a few minutes later the meal was ready. Manquárë served it and then the two of them sat down to eat it.

"Manquárë, you are a wonderful cook," Legolas said a few moments later. "The last female that cooked for me was Lailath and her cooking was no way near as good as yours"

"Why thank you melamin" Manquárë smiled, "but who is/was Lailath?" she asked.

"Lailath is my previous girlfriend. We were together for 400 years but in the end we drifted apart after she met another male"

"Why didn't you ever tell me about her? I told you about Lhundol who by the way is the only elf I was involved with"

"Well I didn't think it was relevant after all we ended 50 years ago" Legolas said.

"Is she still around?"

"She lives in the next village over from us. I tell you what, we'll visit her and I'll introduce you"

"That sounds wonderful" Manquárë said.

The two elves set off that afternoon and after a short ride reached Amverin, Lailath's village. Legolas led Manquárë to Lailath's home and knocked. A few minutes later a pretty female answered the door.

"Legolas!" she exclaimed.

"Hi Lailath, how goes it with you?" Legolas asked.

"I'm fine Legolas and yourself?"

"Just got married yesterday. This is Princess Manquárë of Mirkwood, my wife" Legolas said gesturing to Manquárë.

"Well what do you know? So did I to Telmarin"

"So you're still together after 50 long years"

"Yes and very happy. I can see that you're very happy too and I'm pleased for you. You and her make a great couple"

"Thank you Lailath" Legolas beamed, "Is Telmarin in? I'd like to introduce Manquárë to him"

"No he's out at archery practice but he'll be home shortly. Why don't you come in for a drink whilst you wait?"

"Thank you. I'd like that" Legolas said.

Ha and Manquárë entered Lailath's dwelling and took a seat. She bustled around getting them each a drink. Once she joined them Manquárë shared a bit about herself, as did Lailath. Then Legolas shared about his recent activities.

"Ah Legolas, you're always the fighter aren't you?" Lailath said.

"He was always rushing off on some cause or another," Lailath explained.

The three elves talked until Telmarin got in. Lailath introduced him to Manquárë and he remembered Legolas.

"About time you got yourself hitched Legolas. That's a fine catch you've got yourself," Telmarin said.

Chapter 10