Emerwen fully recovered a few days later, but stayed in the Houses of Healing to helped heal others. She thanked Nienna reverently for giving her another chance at life again, being gifted with seeing as her first chance at life. She wearily walked back up the stairs towards the seventh tier, wanting to be back in her room after a long day of helping others. She went to open the door to her room, but as her hand touched the wood of the door she stopped and turned towards the balcony. There was a figure standing there with his back towards her.
"Melamin I did not hear you!" (My Love) Exclaimed Legolas as Emerwen slipped her hand into his. She turned to look at him, marveling in the ability to do so.
"Melamin?" Emerwen questioned. Legolas smiled before taking both of her hands in his.
"I have been meaning to speak to you for a long time. I must confess that you hold me heart. I love you, Emerwen, and I always will." Legolas proclaimed searching Emerwen's face for any sign. Emerwen's face lit up and glowed as she threw her arms around his neck in a hug.
"You hold my heart as well. It has always been you, even when I could not see you." She whispered into his neck. They pulled apart slightly.
"Will you accept my betrothal?" Legolas asked, wanting to make her his as soon as possible. He pulled off the signet ring he wore on his hand, marking him as the Prince of Mirkwood and placed it in her hands. She looked at it in disbelief and then up at his face.
"My prince, are you sure of what you ask?" Emerwen questioned, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I am asking you to be my princess and my wife. I wish to spend the rest of my life with you." Legolas replied, answering all of her hidden questions.
"Then, Melamin, I accept your betrothal." Emerwen replied, slipping the ring on her hand. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him lovingly.
In the morning, always wearing Legolas's ring, Emerwen approached Elrond. She curtsied before him, but took his arm as she always did. The strolled out into the garden in silence. Once they were seated on a bench Emerwen spoke.
"My lord, I wish to ask something of you." She glanced at the elven lord, who nodded for her to continue.
"I am betrothed to Legolas and wish for you to give us your blessing as my father would have done." Emerwen said slightly rushed. She had never been one to lose her nerve or composure, but it seemed the prince was the one to unnerve her.
"My child, you have always been like a daughter to me. I will give my blessing at the marriage ceremony." Elrond paused as she bowed her thanks before continuing, "I have something for you, your father wished for me to give it to you when the time was right." He took out two rings and placed them into her open palm. There was a male and a female ring. The male ring was the typical ring an elleth gave her betrothed, as her mother gave to her father. The female ring was her grandmother's wedding ring. It was a thin band wrapped around a pearl, and had always been Emerwen's favorite.
"Oh you cannot give me these. What about Alata?" Emerwen asked, her eyes searching Elrond's face.
"I spoke with her and she agreed you should have your grandmother's wedding ring. She knows it was your favorite. You would run your fingers over it always asking for people to describe it to you, your mother said." Elrond replied with a smile. Emerwen smiled as well, looking down at the rings. She squeezed Elrond's hand as a thank you and left the gardens.
Just as Elrond had said, Alata wanted Emerwen to have the rings. Legolas accepted his ring reverently and slid it onto his finger. Their betrothal lasted a year as was custom. The couple saw Aragorn's coronation and his marriage to Arwen. They left with Thranduil to journey back to Mirkwood. The elves welcomed back their King and Prince and waited with help breaths for the announcement of the princess.
That announcement came the next day. Many recognized her from before and heartily welcomed her. They were pleased with the stories their warriors gave of this girl. She had fought along side their king and had saved his life.
A year passed by peacefully. Emerwen got to know her future people more intimately. They greatly appreciated that the princess would want to walk the land and understand her people. She was reverently called Bereth Emerwen, which is Queen Emerwen.
They were married under the trees of Mirkwood as fall painted every leaf a different color. Legolas slipped Emerwen's grandmother's ring on her index finger, and she placed Thranduil's own ring on Legolas'. Thranduil gave his blessing and Elrond gave his. The elves rejoiced in the couple and feasted for many days.
Legolas, Emerwen, and Gimli traveled Middle Earth, learning her secrets. They marveled in the Glittering Caves, walked Fangorn Forest, and visited with the hobbits in the Shire. Legolas and Emerwen settled in Ithilien. They traveled to the White City frequently to see Arwen, Aragorn, and their feisty children. They would visit Thranduil once every year and all of Mirkwood would celebrate. Emerwen spent long hours in the library with Thranduil on these visits talking of everything she was interested in. They reveled in these moments.
When King Elessar died and Arwen saw her son on the throne, Legolas and Emerwen said goodbye to Middle Earth forever. They left on one of the last boats that would carry them across the sea. Gimli went with them, as did Thranduil. They passed into the setting sun, never to be seen again on this earth.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this story. It was short and sweet, but I needed something like that right now.
Here's her ring if you wish to see it:
3. bp .blogspot .com/_Xd2tr8jvrfw/TFZOeWehNyI/AAAAAAAAC48/-oTxaakMa4g/s400/The+Enchanted+pearl .jpg
(need to remove the spaces, there are four spots; three at the beginning and one at the end)