Title: Until We Reach Valinor
Chapter 15: The Wedding...
NOTE: This story is sequel to "A Teacher's Duty" and you'll have to read that one first to understand this. Also, this story does not contain slash, and it is not a romance, despite what the first chapter might suggest.
SPECIAL THANKS to Orlando's Sweetheart for helping me pick the name of Legolas's bride-to-be as well as the title of this story. Also, thank you to Cassie for her wonderful beta-reading, and for helping me phrase the wedding vows!
WARNING- this chapter contains sexual references, but so mild only a nun would find it objectionable. :D
…
"So, we finally get to see the lovely lady in person today," Aragorn said sardonically.
"Yes," Legolas said distractedly, his normally perceptive mind completely missing his friend's sarcasm as he fidgeted with the silver buttons on his tunic in uncharacteristic nervousness.
"Melonamin, do not worry so much," Aragorn said soothingly, clasping his shoulder gently, "You will get through this and live to see tomorrow. I promise."
Legolas muttered a scathing response under his breath before fixing his eyes on the door again. People were starting to file in through the main entrance of his father's throne room, which had been chosen for the location of the wedding. The place had been transformed; it looked more festive than he would have every believed possible. The wooden platform on which his father's throne was placed was carpeted with red velvet; and the altar before his father's throne was strewn with flowers.
Right beside the throne were placed two chairs, where Legolas and Alanna were expected to sit immediately after the wedding for the gift-giving ceremony. A large wooden box had been placed right next to the chairs for keeping the gifts. Rows and rows of benches were filled the hall, one column on the left, and one on the right, leaving a narrow carpeted aisle in between. Everyone knew what that was for.
"You should probably go and take your seat," Legolas said, "Arwen and Eldarion will be waiting for you, as will that overanxious aide you brought along. Where is he anyway?"
"Lined up on the sides, with the other servants, thank the Valar. I could do with some peace," He hesitated, "Will you manage not to kill yourself with nervousness and apprehension if I leave you alone?"
"Yes, Aragorn," Legolas said, rolling his eyes, "Weren't you the one who promised I'd live to see tomorrow?"
"That's reassuring," said an amused voice from behind them.
Aragorn and Legolas both turned to see Thranduil in all his kingly glory, from ceremonial robes to the mithril studded crown on his head.
"Your Majesty," Legolas and Aragorn said in the same moment, bowing.
Thranduil scoffed, "Don't bother standing on ceremony now, of all times. We have a wedding to get through. Now remember," He said, turning to his son, "You have to keep a smile plastered on your face at all times, even if your cheek muscles hurt, which they will. You have to look as though you're enjoying the wedding, the food, the conversation, and most importantly, your wife's company. Even if it's an arranged marriage, you must at least seem as though you know each other and enjoy each others' company."
"Yes, father," He said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'll try to keep that in mind."
Thranduil silenced him with a paternal glare, and shooed Aragorn off, practically pushing him out of the small backroom into a corridor which would lead to the entrance. Legolas stared openly; his father always stood on ceremony. He had to; after all, he was the King of Greenwood. It was rare to see him behave so familiarly with anyone.
Thranduil caught him looking, and smiled at him, amused. "It's you're wedding," he said, with a grin, "Even I am allowed to behave out-of-character for the most important day in my son's life."
"If you say so, Father," Legolas replied, a little peeved at the constant reminders.
Thranduil gave him a Look. "You just wait until your son gets married."
Legolas blanched at the thought of having a son, as it made his mind jump inevitably to what would come after the wedding. For some reason, this was happening far too often. Thranduil noticed his reaction and laughed.
"Don't worry," he said, clapping his son on the back with unrestrained mirth, "If you take after your father, you should have no trouble at all…on that front." He raised his eyebrows so suggestively that Legolas could have no doubt exactly what he was referring to.
"Father!" he choked in horror, coloring.
Thranduil chuckled in response, leaving Legolas to shake his head in exasperation and embarrassment. I did not need to know that. There are some things children just should not know about their parents.
"Oh, don't look so scandalized, Legolas," Thranduil said, chuckling at his expression. "You're living proof that I'm well-versed in matters of the birds and the bees."
Legolas stared at his father in stark amazement mixed liberally with horror. Where is all this coming from? He watched in wonder as Thranduil threw back his head and laughed more openly than he had in years at the expression on his son's face. He was jesting and laughing and smiling so much more than he would usually. It was as if a burden that he had carried for years, no, centuries, had been lifted away, leaving his heart light and free…Was that what being King had cost him? He wondered, sobering at the thought. Were his duties going to burden him like they had Thranduil? What more was he going to have to sacrifice, that he was not already sacrificing by consenting to this marriage?
He glanced again at his father, who was, thankfully, completely unaware of his scrutiny and the thoughts prompting it. Determining that he would not worry over things that he could not help until he absolutely had to, he shook himself mentally and looked out at the hall, which was by now almost completely full but for some stragglers. It was almost time. His father seemed to have come to the same conclusion.
"I think it is time. Are you ready?"
"Yes, Father," He lied. He would never be ready for this.
His father shot him a skeptical look but nodded and entered the hall from the left. A hush fell over the hall as he entered, followed by shuffling and scraping of chairs and benches as everyone rose to greet the King. Everyone sat again when he was seated. Then followed a long speech about how he was so happy and proud about his son's marriage, and how he hoped that Greenwood would respect her and love her as much as they did Legolas, as in two days, the two would be crowned King and Queen. As everyone was already aware that the marriage was arranged and solely for the purpose of Legolas being able to ascend the throne, this was met by polite clapping.
Then Thranduil rose again and stepped forward. Legolas froze momentarily as he realized that it was actually happening at last. As everyone else rose again, he walked slowly and regally into the hall from the same place his father had entered, and bowed low before the King, and then the people in attendance. There was a moment of silence, followed by the ring of silver trumpets and the sounds of minstrels singing to herald the start of the wedding.
A moment later, the doors to the entrance re-opened to reveal Alanna. She was dressed completely in white lace, and a bouquet of red roses was clasped in trembling hands. Legolas's eyes widened in horror as he realized the dress was as layered and voluminous as the dress she'd worn on their first meeting. Her face was obscured beneath a veil of transparent white gauze, but Legolas could still make out the apprehension plastered on it like a permanent fixture. Clearly she was as frightened as he was about her ability to reach the altar without tripping. With good reason.
Silence filled the room as the gathered crowd took in their future Queen for the first time. There was nothing amiss in her attire, but even the fine clothing and string of pearls could not disguise the fact that she was neither slim nor beautiful, in the conventional sense, to look at. She took a nervous step forward. The smattering of applause and muted mutters that filled the room made Legolas cringe on her behalf. It was a far cry from a welcome. But Alanna's reaction to this was surprised him. She straightened suddenly, and lifted her head high in a combination of dignity and defiance. Seemingly oblivious to the muttering around her, she began to walk slowly and with measured steps down the seemingly endless aisle.
Legolas felt his heart pounding on her behalf as he silently willed her not to trip over her dress and fall. The mingled looks of pretended indifference, apprehension and determination flitting in rapid succession across her face were not lost on him. He glanced around the hall, and felt an unexpected wave of pity for her. She had no family. No one present would support her. No one was here for her sake. She was walking down an aisle to marry a perfect stranger, and there was no one there to even sympathize with her. And still she walked as if daring the world to judge her, and mock her, and scorn her. Respect filled him as he watched, mute and frozen, as she climbed the steps with back straight and head high, and joined him before her father's throne. There was a moment of tense silence, and then Thranduil began.
"We are gathered here today to witness the unifying of these two lives into one for all eternity by the exchanging of rings to each other and the promise of fidelity for all time. Do you, Alanna, daughter of Keldarion and Alanna, take Legolas, son of Caladel and Thranduil, as your lawfully wedded husband until eternity fades?"
"I do," said Alanna, with every appearance of outward calm. But Legolas saw her crossing her fingers behind her back, and shot her wry look as he recollected their conversation on this point. Apparently she'd come around.
"Do you swear to love, honor and cherish him through all of his trials, tribulations, joys and sorrows?"
"I do."
"And do you swear to remain faithful and true to him for all time?"
"I do."
It was Legolas's turn.
"Do you, Legolas, son of Thranduil and Caladel, take Alanna, daughter of Keldarion and Alanna, as your lawfully wedded wife until eternity fades?"
"I do," Legolas said, crossing his fingers and garnering himself a Look from Alanna.
"Do you swear to love, honor and cherish her through all of her trials, tribulations, joys and sorrows?"
"I do."
"And do you swear to remain faithful and true to her for all time?"
"I do."
"Then remove your rings and place them on your ring fingers as a symbol of your commitment and eternal union."
The two complied, and turned to face the King. He stared at them for one long moment. "By the power vested in me by the respect you give me by considering me the head of your family, I pronounce you both husband and wife." He turned to Legolas. "You may kiss the bride."
Both Legolas and Alanna froze. They had both completely forgotten about this part. Oh, no…Kissing someone on the lips was a sign that you loved them, and Legolas did NOT love Alanna. The look in her eyes said exactly the same. But what choice did they have? With shaking hands, he lifted her veil, leaned forward, and brushed his lips across hers in the barest hint of a kiss, though he paused for a moment on her cheek so that it would not appear too brief.
Enthusiastic applause filled the room, the minstrels sang with renewed fervor, and the trumpets rang joyously in congratulations. Legolas smiled weakly at the assembled crowd, and feeling suddenly exhausted, almost collapsed into his chair. Alanna looked about the same, and sank down without the smile, her back slumping against the chair. That got his attention. Years of royal upbringing and being under the public scrutiny had taught him never to let his guard down in public. She had yet to learn that.
"Sit straight in public, and smile when people congratulate you," He muttered out of the corner of his mouth, wincing when he realized that he'd sounded like he was chastising a small child. I really need to interact with older people more. Stupid teenagers.
But thankfully, she was not offended, on the contrary, she looked briefly apologetic, and immediately straightened and forced a smile. A moment's silence passed between them, save for the songs and chatter of those around them.
"I'm sorry I was compelled to kiss you like that," Legolas muttered, "I completely forgot about that part of ceremony, and could see no way of getting out of it."
"I forgot as well," She said with a look of forced stoicism, "Although I don't supposed we could have helped it even if we'd remembered." Her voice was a little unsteady in spite of herself, and he glanced at her, a question in his eyes.
"Don't mind me," She muttered, her cheeks slightly pink, "Just being ridiculously sentimental and impractically romantic, as always." She snorted softly, and dashed her hand across her eyes impatiently, clearly disgusted with herself. Legolas looked at her awkwardly; and then averted his eyes. What, he wondered hopelessly, could he possibly say to console her that it was he, and not her lover, who she'd had to kiss at the altar?
…
"You should know," Alanna whispered out of the corner of her mouth, "A number of the Lords here, especially the unmarried ones, have been among the suitors your father sent over the past few years. We might get a few cold shoulders and odd looks from them. I did not part with any of them on good terms," She finished, sounding as though that was the biggest understatement in the world. Legolas glanced at her, and scanned the crowd a little apprehensively. He had not forgotten what she'd told him about her previous suitors' tempers,
"Why are you looking like that?" She asked, puzzled by his expression.
"I was just remembering what you said about how your previous suitors 'flew into rages.' I hope there won't be any trouble."
"Oh," She said, with a slight grimace, "I doubt there will be. I was exaggerating a little when I said that. There were a few…raised voices…but the majority of them gave me cold glares, dripping bruised pride and pompous indignation, favored me with some choice words and left, sullen and sulky. There was only one person who actually lost his temper." She sobered, "He was awful. One of the worst people I've met in all my life. He called me- oh, no, he's coming!" She hissed in his ear, her hands clenching on her lap.
Legolas rose hurriedly albeit gracefully, to greet one of the wealthiest, most powerful Elves in Greenwood. "My Lord Aradhel!" He exclaimed, bowing low before the Elf. Much as he, and Alanna, it would seem, disliked him, the Elf was too powerful to risk crossing.
"My Lord Legolas, Lady Alanna," Aradhel said, bowing low, "I must congratulate you. Both of you," He looked pointedly at Alanna and she flushed.
"I have not seen you in court recently," Legolas cut in, trying to diffuse the situation.
"I have been busy," The Elf said dismissively, his cold gray eyes fixing themselves upon Alanna, who had yet to greet him.
"My Lord Aradhel," She said, and Legolas was startled by how stiff and cold she sounded. He hadn't thought it was possible for someone who was normally so warm and friendly, to sound like that.
"Well met, My Lady," Aradhel said, a slight sneer on his face. "I trust you are well?"
"Quite well, thank you, My Lord," Alanna said, in clipped tones, "And you?"
"Very well," The Elf said, sneering disdainfully, "I must congratulate you. You have done rather well for yourself."
Alanna's face flushed in anger; she opened her mouth to retort sharply, but Legolas silenced her with a quelling glance. She shut her mouth and glared fiercely instead. Aradhel noticed the silent exchange and smirked at Alanna, giving Legolas a look of exaggerated sympathy that made his blood boil. The message was far too clear. The Elf was clearly trying to imply that Legolas would have his hands full keeping his wife in toe, and he, Aradhel, sympathized with him.
"Your wedding gift," Aradhel said, turning away from Alanna to Legolas in a very obvious dismissal. He held forward a large box, one which was sickeningly ostentatious, wrapped in silk and embroidered heavily with gold.
"Thank you," Legolas said, trying to sound as if he meant it.
Alanna defiantly raised her head, and shot the Lord a murderous look, adamantly refusing to thank him, and Legolas could not find it in his heart to blame her. He sighed in relief as she nodded tersely in dismissal; at least she hadn't ignored the man completely. But she glared with open hostility at Aradhel's retreating back.
"I'm sorry I didn't behave as I should have, but that Elf makes me so angry, I see red whenever he happens by!" She crossed her arms and glared after him, and Legolas felt momentarily grateful that the look was not directed at him. "He was the one I was telling you about," She added glancing at Legolas before returning her angry gaze to Aradhel, "He said such awful things…"She hesitated, and then said so softly that he thought for a moment he misheard her, "struck me across the face."
Legolas jerked in surprise. "He did what!" He exclaimed in a whisper.
"I know. He does not seem the kind, does he? He seems to be all icy coldness and controlled sarcasm." She glared at Aradhel across the hall, who gazed back at her scornfully, "But, no. When he gets really angry, his temper is explosive. I hate him. Not because he struck me, because I suppose I may have been asking for that-"
"You DID NOT deserve to be struck!" Legolas exclaimed, shocked that she could feel this way, "Nobody deserves that! Why would you think you did?"
"Well, I'm not exactly beautiful, or wealthy save for the King's backing, am I? I have little appeal for Aradhel. He must have thought he was doing me a favor by deigning to marry me, so when I named my conditions, his pride was very insulted." She said, shrugging dismissively.
"He had no right to strike you," Legolas said, horrified by her attitude, "You can't seriously believe that you deserved it!"
She shrugged, favoring him with a tight-lipped smile.
"You cannot allow people to walk over you in that manner!" He exploded in an angry whisper, surprising himself by the vehemence of his feeling, "You should have more self-respect!" She stiffened at that, and he berated himself. He'd forgotten that this was a sensitive issue with her.
"Anyway," He continued hurriedly without giving her a chance to get upset again, "At least you were able to take his pride down by a few notches."
"Not likely," She scoffed, recovering herself with admirable speed. "That man is insufferably arrogant and will always remain so. I was merely going to say that, I could forgive him for striking me, but not for what he called me. You do not want to know," She added at his questioning look.
He nodded, accepting this, though he could not help feel a little curious. Oh well, he thought, watching Aradhel, who was eyeing Alanna with a malevolent expression from the other end of the hall; I should that if things continue in this vein, I'm going to find out before the night is half over. And unfortunately for all concerned, he was right.
…
TBC...
I know I promised to write the wedding as well as the wedding night, but the wedding took up more space than I thought it would. Oh well. Next chapter: a showdown with Aradhel, some hilarious situations, and, last but not least, the much-anticipated wedding night!