I apologize if anyone is disappointed by this chapter. I am not well versed in elven marriages, so I didn't want to go into detail and screw up anything seriously. This is a nice long chapter for you all, however, and I hope you enjoy it.
It was a beautiful if short ceremony. Legolas could not take his eyes off of Tinwe from the moment he saw her, dressed in a gown that he thought was perfect for her. It was both incredibly unlike what she usually wore, and exactly like it. Earthy but elegant. She looked every bit like the elven princess she was about to become.
The smiles never left either of their faces as they completed the ceremony and exchanged rings. Before adjourning to the feast, Tinwe knelt before King Thranduil, bowing her head respectfully. He took a silver circlet from a velvet pillow, and gently placed it upon her head.
"Welcome to our family, Tinwe," the king whispered as he took Tinwe's hands and helped her stand up. He smiled, none of his reservations reflected in his eyes. It was not the time for doubts and hesitation. Kissing her fingers lightly, he led her over to Legolas, who stood off to the side during this exchange, watching his father crown his princess. Dressed in emerald green and silvery white robes, Legolas proudly took his bride's hand, placing it on his arm as they glided away towards the feasting, both elves radiant as they glowed with happiness and undying love for one another.
It was a marvelous party. The wood elves loved festivals, but none came close to the splendor that filled the woodland realm that night. After starting the dancing themselves, Tinwe and Legolas retired to a corner of the wooded clearing where they could greet their friends and family as husband and wife. The first to find them was Icaria.
"Congratulations to you both!" Icaria said, hugging Tinwe happily as Thorontur grasped Legolas's forearm in the traditional greeting. "I am so happy to finally see this day!"
"Thank you Icaria," Tinwe said, giving her friend a dazzling smile. "Now go dance with your husband. I intend to steal him for a dance later." Icaria curtsied, half in jest, half out of respect, before taking her husband's arm and disappearing into the crowd.
They were next set upon by King Aragorn and Arwen, who offered their congratulations before being interrupted by Gimli and the hobbits.
"I am so glad you could all come," Tinwe said, bending over and kissing all three on their foreheads. "It means a great deal to us both."
"Well you visited me, I didn't really have a choice," Gimli said, hiding his embarrassment. Tinwe just smiled.
"Nothing could have prevented us from coming," Merry said. "Besides, we were instructed to give you a gift."
"A gift?" Legolas said, looking down curiously as Pippin produced a small package. He took it from the hobbit and proceeded to open the letter attached.
"It's from Frodo," he said, handing the letter to Tinwe so she could read it.
Dear Legolas and Tinwe,
I am sorry I am unable to make it to your wedding, so I have given Pippin and Merry instructions to bring this to you when they go. It is not much, but I hope it will make up somewhat for my absence. My congratulations to you both.
Your Friend,
Frodo
"Would you care to open it, melamin?" Legolas asked, holding it out for Tinwe. She obliged, carefully removing the paper wrapping.
"Oh my," Tinwe said, holding up a thick, leather-bound book. "It's Bilbo and Frodo's storybook."
"It's a copy of the original, since Frodo gave that to Sam," Pippin said, smiling up at them. "There are plenty of blank pages at the end. Frodo thought you might want to write some of your own tales in it, Tinwe."
A tear rolled down her cheek as Tinwe looked at the book, carefully, flipping through the pages. She wished she could see Frodo and tell him how much this gift meant to her. She felt Legolas wrap his arms around her shoulders and kiss her ear softly. Looking down at the hobbits in front of her, Tinwe couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you very much, my dear friends," she said as Legolas took the book from her and looked at it. "You don't know what this means to me." She kissed their foreheads again, wiping away her shed tear as she stood up. "Now go have fun. You too Gimli. There is plenty to eat and drink."
"We will see about that," Gimli said, following the hobbits as they disappeared in the crowd.
There was a steady stream of elves greeting them after that. There were a quite a few Tinwe did not recognize, but she smiled politely and graciously thanked them for their kind words before greeting those behind them.
"I really need to spend more time with the members of the court," Tinwe whispered as another lord and lady offered their congratulations before disappearing into the crowd. "I know so few of them."
"You have plenty of time to learn their names," Legolas said, kissing her ear before greeting one of his father's advisors. Tinwe's attention, however, was caught by the arrival of Elladan and Elohir.
"Enjoying the greeting line?" Elohir said with a grin. Tinwe smiled up at him, hugging both of the twins happily.
"It could be worse. I could be one of those young ladies sitting alone over there watching you and wanting nothing more than for you to ask me to dance."
"That hurts," Elohir said, his hand on his heart. "Besides, you know there is nothing more I would rather do than lead you around the dance floor."
"You are such a liar, Elohir," Tinwe said, glancing up at Legolas. He had just pulled her closer to him, but had managed to seamlessly continue his conversation with the adviser, a smile still on his face. "I know that between the two of you, you will dance with every lady here tonight."
"Well if that's true, I want to start by dancing with the bride before she is whisked away by her husband. Do you mind if I borrow Tinwe for a dance, Legolas?"
"Not at all," Legolas said, smiling, though Tinwe knew he was lying through his teeth. "I am sure she will enjoy it more than standing here."
"After I am done with the riffraff I expect another dance with you, my lord," Tinwe said teasingly, kissing Legolas's cheek before letting Elohir guide her out onto the dance floor.
She danced first with Elohir, than Elladan, but it wasn't Legolas who seized her hand for a third song.
"I think Arwen is going to try and free Legolas as soon as he is done talking to that young lady," Aragorn said with a smile, gracefully leading her across the floor. "That's not the first one I've seen trying to smother him."
"He can handle himself," Tinwe said, watching Legolas smile politely at the lady beaming up at him. "I am not nearly as jealous as he is about that sort of thing."
"I noticed he kept watching you while you danced with Elohir and Elladan. I cannot blame him for his jealousy though. You look lovely this evening."
"Thank you, your majesty," Tinwe said with a grin. "I am just thrilled that you and Arwen were able to come. How is rebuilding coming?"
After chatting with Aragon about politics and reconstruction for a couple songs, Tinwe went through a rapid series of dance partners. She danced with Thorontur, Glorothond, Glennodad, Nithron, Tincore, Erynion, Lancaeron, her father, and Balamaethor, just to name a few. She even danced with Pippin for a song, though it was more him dancing around and singing while she clapped her hands and laughed happily. She tried to persuade Gimli to dance with her, but that was doomed to failure from the start, as he had been drinking heavily and was having trouble just sitting on his bench. Even if he hadn't been, Tinwe was sure he would have been too embarrassed to agree. She just kissed his forehead as he swayed dangerously and left him to it.
She had barely sat down for a break when a shadow fell over her. Looking up, she found Faelon standing over her, a smile on his face.
"I am sorry to interrupt your break, my lady, but I couldn't pass up the chance to ask you to dance with me before you retired for the evening."
"Well don't you look handsome? You clean up good, Faelon." He was dressed in a dark blue and gold tunic, which Tinwe noticed had caught the eye of several nearby ladies. "I would love to dance with you. Be patient with me though. I am not as graceful in this as I would be in my riding tunic."
"I do not believe that for a second," he said, taking her hand and guiding her back out onto the dance floor. Tinwe noticed that Legolas was dancing with Icaria at the moment. She smiled to herself. Icaria had finally gotten her wish to dance with the prince.
"Well, you have to admit, even I would have trouble fighting in this," Tinwe said with a grin, leaving behind all sense of modesty. "Can you imagine if I had tried to outrun goblins and climb a tree wearing this?"
"Well it's a good thing you have been keeping the kingdom safe then, my lady. I doubt you will be forced to do any of those things tonight."
"It is good to see you again, Faelon," Tinwe said seriously after a moment of silence. "I feel like I never see you anymore."
"Well we have so little to do with the Guard anymore, and you have been busy with your wedding preparations. It's understandable." His voice dropped to a whisper as he continued. "I know I may have made things a little awkward between us by telling you I love you, but I am grateful you still consider me a friend despite that."
"You will always be my friend, Faelon, no matter what happens. I'm not sure how my husband feels about that," Tinwe said, feeling the piercing gaze of Legolas on her even though she was looking up at Faelon. "But I am very glad we met."
"I am sure he won't let me have the privilege of another dance with you," Faelon said with a small smile as the musicians played the last few notes of the song. Sure enough, as soon as the last note was played, Legolas was immediately beside them, smiling politely at Faelon despite the fire in his eyes.
"You don't mind if I steal my wife from you for the next dance, do you Faelon?"
"Of course not, my lord," Faelon said, bowing his head and stepping away. "Congratulations to the both of you. Goodnight, my lady," he said, kissing her hand before letting her go and disappearing into the crowd.
"I see your jealousy has not let up despite the fact that we are now married," Tinwe said, amused, as the next song started.
"It's hard not to be, when you are dancing with every elf but me," Legolas said, kissing her forehead. His lips stayed there for a moment before he looked down at her again. "You look absolutely radiant. I am glad your mother was able to convince you to wear that gown."
"Truthfully, I do like it. Just don't tell my mother. She will only gloat."
They danced in silence for the rest of the song, Tinwe resting her head on Legolas's chest. She closed her eyes for awhile, content to just enjoy her husband's arms around her and to hear his heart beat along with the music. It still sounded slightly strange to her, thinking of Legolas as her husband, but it was by no means an unpleasant feeling.
"May I steal your lovely wife for a moment?"
Tinwe opened her eyes and looked up at King Thranduil's smiling face. Legolas bowed his head and allowed his father to take Tinwe's hand from him.
"I know we have not always seen eye to eye, my dear," the king started, his blue eyes soft and kind, something she had not had the pleasure of witnessing often, except in the similar eyes of his son. "But I do want you to know that I have a great deal of respect for you and I know you will be a wonderful wife for Legolas. I have not seen him this happy for many centuries."
"Thank you, your majesty," Tinwe said, taken aback, but very pleased. "And I know I can be stubborn and hardheaded sometimes, and I will do my very best not to shed a poor light on your family."
"I have the utmost faith in you, Tinwe. I have done a great deal of thinking lately, and I have realized how valuable you could be to my court. As well traveled as you are, I think you would be an excellent ambassador between ourselves and the other races. I believe that would satisfy your desire to travel quite well, would it not?"
"I think that is an excellent idea, your majesty," Tinwe said with genuine smile on her face that had never before been directed at the king. "I would be more than happy to accept such a position upon my return from the East."
"I am glad," the king said, smiling down at her. "And apparently you both had a much longer journey planned than just heading East, is that correct?"
Tinwe's cheeks turned slightly pink at being caught in her white lie, but there was mirth in the king's eyes, and she relaxed.
"I had hoped to show Legolas some of the wonders in the far corners of Middle Earth. But if your majesty needs him back quickly…"
"No, no, it is alright," the king said, shaking his head. "I have been rather selfish of late. I worried a great deal about my son during the war, and was unhappy at the thought of letting him leave again. But I think the two of you deserve this time together, and nothing I have for him to do is so pressing that it cannot wait until your return. You have my blessing and I wish you all the best for your journey, and indeed your lives together, whether you are here or traveling through the wild parts of the world."
"Thank you, your majesty," Tinwe said again.
The two stopped dancing, and Thranduil led her over to Legolas, who was chatting with Rissa at a nearby table. Both elves stood as the king approached.
"Your majesty," Rissa said, bowing respectfully as Thranduil returned Tinwe to Legolas with a smile.
"You did a fine job raising your daughter, Rissa son of Lannian. It is an honor to have her now be a part of our family."
"The honor is ours, your majesty," Rissa said, glancing at his daughter with a smile.
"I wish for your family to join me for dinner tomorrow night. I would like our families to dine together before Legolas and Tinwe depart again."
"It will be our pleasure," Rissa said, bowing low. The king smiled again before excusing himself.
"I see the two of you are getting along better," Legolas said, obviously pleased that his father had been so hospitable and Tinwe had been smiling when she had joined them.
"The king offered for me a position as an ambassador upon our return," Tinwe said, her excitement at the idea evident on her face. "I can think of no better way to satisfy both of us on the matter of my employment."
"That is excellent!" Legolas said, grinning widely and taking her hands. "I am thrilled to hear that."
"Apparently you spilled the beans about our extended holiday, however," Tinwe teased as Legolas led her back out onto the dance floor, since their last dance had been interrupted.
"I am sorry, but I couldn't very well tell him that we would be gone for less than a year and not return for five or more," Legolas said, looking down at her with a mixture of humor and exasperation. "You parents may be used to that but my father is not."
"So he told me. He said he just worried about you during the war and didn't want to see you leave again. I can understand that. Knowing me, I would get you into some awfully dangerous situations just because I enjoy the thrill of it."
"We will just have to try hard not to do that while we are gone," Legolas said, guiding her through the other dancing couples. There were still many elves out enjoying the night, despite the late hour. Few were willing to miss any of the grand celebration that was being conducted that night.
Tinwe herself had been incredibly busy the last few days, and as the musicians played a soft gentle tune, she felt her weariness catch up to her. She tried and failed to stifle a yawn.
"You have had a busy day, melamin. Have you at least been enjoying yourself?"
"Immensely," Tinwe said, resting her head on his chest with a content sigh. "I do wish all of our friends could be here though."
"As do I," Legolas said, resting his cheek on her head. "But I am glad so many could come. Let us go toast to those who could not make it, before we retire." Legolas took her hand and led her over to the table where Gimli, the hobbits, and Aragorn sat, a few of the men Aragorn had brought with him there as well. Tinwe recognized Faramir, though she had not spoken more than a few words to him when she was in Minas Tirith.
"Are you all enjoying the evening?" Legolas asked, helping Tinwe down into a chair beside Aragorn. "Gimli, my friend, you appear to be more than a little intoxicated."
"You elves have your faults, but your wine isn't one of them," Gimli said, managing to string the sentence together coherently, though he hiccupped at the end. "I was just telling the hobbits about the time my father snuck out of the cellars here in empty wine barrels. Did I ever tell you that story?"
"There was no need, Gimli, I was here during that particular event," Legolas said with a smile. "Anyway, Tinwe and I wanted to share a toast with you all to our friends who could not be here to celebrate."
"Good idea," Pippin said, slightly intoxicated himself, but still far more sober than he had been during the elves' visit to Hobbiton. He put away his pipe and refilled his tankard. Tinwe picked up a goblet from a passing attendant and handed one to Legolas, raising her glass solemnly.
"Here is to all of those who could not be with us tonight. To those who still live but have passed into the west, to those who have started new chapters in their lives, and to those who fell in battle, who are gone from Middle Earth but still reside in our hearts."
There was a soft murmur as Tinwe finished her toast, followed by a brief silence as they drank to absent friends. Tinwe noticed the pensive look on Faramir's face as he stared down at the table. She had never met his brother, Boromir, but she felt his pain. She missed her youngest brother right now. It had been many centuries since she had seen Angsul. He had moved to Lothlorien to live with his wife's family in Caras Galadhon, and she had not seen him since. She had sent an invitation to him, but she had not heard back. She looked into her goblet sadly, wishing he could be there to celebrate her happiest moment with him.
"When will you all be returning home?" Legolas asked, looking around the table. "I hope you will all be able to join us tomorrow for breakfast at least."
"We will have to leave shortly after that, I fear," Aragorn said, watching his wife dancing with Elohir. "I believe Elohir and Elladan will be leaving with us as well."
"How about you, Gimli?" Tinwe asked, watching the dwarf, who had gone a little cross-eyed.
"I can stay for a while yet," Gimli said, still coherent, though his words were starting to slur slightly. "I think I will escort the hobbits back to the Shire before I head south."
"Yeah, we don't fancy crossing the Misty Mountains on our own," Merry said, taking a swig of wine. "I'm glad Lord Elladan and Lord Elohir went with us on the way here."
"I've had enough of those mountains to last a lifetime," Pippin said, nodding his agreement. "I shudder to think what would happen to us if we tried to navigate on our own."
"Tinwe and I will be leaving in a week or so to travel east, but we would love to have you stay until then," Legolas said, watching Gimli empty another tankard.
"Great! It's settled then," Gimli said, grinning drunkenly.
"I am exhausted, so I think I shall bid you all goodnight," Tinwe said, stifling another yawn. There was a chorus of goodnights as Legolas helped Tinwe up and the two of them left the festivities behind them.
They walked in silence through the forest and then through the palace halls until they reached their chambers. Tinwe had transferred all her important possessions to Legolas's quarters the previous day, leaving behind her old room for the new space she would share with her husband.
When they reached their rooms, Tinwe sighed happily, gliding into the next room where she removed first her shoes, then the silver circlet that rested on her dark hair. She held it in her hands for a moment, examining the thin silver metal that was imbedded with tiny emeralds and diamonds. She smiled, knowing that it had not only been commissioned by the king especially for her, but that it had been the work of both her brother and her father that had made it. In it, she saw the combined efforts of both her old family and her new one.
Carefully placing the circlet on a table, she began undoing her many braids as she walked out onto the balcony. She could hear the sounds of merrymaking in the distance as a breeze ruffled her dress and hair. It wasn't long before she felt a second pair of hands running through her hair, undoing some of the braids and smoothing out her hair.
As she finished on the last braid and began running her fingers through her now wavy hair, she felt Legolas take her hand and kiss it, before turning her around to face him. He had removed his robes and stood in just his light silver tunic.
She looked up at him, his own hair shining in the pale light from the crescent moon above. She watched him silently as his eyes followed his fingers as they moved across the contours of her face, from her temple to her pointed ear, to her jaw line and down to her collarbone. His fingers ran down the silver chain to the mithril horse she wore around her throat, lingering for a moment before gently running his finger along the thin white scar on her exposed chest. Tinwe didn't say anything, but continued watching him patiently.
"I am looking forward to meeting the nomads who unwittingly saved your life," he said finally, looking up at her. "I cannot imagine what my life would be like today if they hadn't."
"I'd imagine you would be doing much the same thing you have for the last three millennia," Tinwe said with a smile, which was returned. They stared at each other for a moment before Legolas bent down and kissed her deeply, pulling her to him as she reached her arms up around his neck. It was their first real kiss as husband and wife, and it couldn't have been more perfect.