The snake of nervousness was winding its way through Legolas's stomach as though it had been caged up for thousands of years and was just now getting its first taste of freedom. He could hear the thronging people. He knew that Enguina was on her way to him. The levels of Minas Tirith were laid out so that he would not be able to see her until she was almost upon him. It was torture…and bliss at the same time. He wanted to prolong the agony. He wanted to savor and treasure every moment he stood on these stone steps, waiting for her to come to him. This was what he had waited his entire life for.
Standing there, on that stone, just inside the church, he was nervous; nerves were completely foreign to him. Loving Enguina had been easy, like breathing…now, he felt as though he would have enough anxiety today to last him a lifetime. A bell tolled somewhere in the City and he smiled. When the one above his head was rung, he would be a married man and Enguina would be his wife. Oh yes, he wanted this more than anything. He looked down and studied his hands, thinking that he could not possibly wait until that ring was on his finger. He envisioned her sliding it onto his hand as he had seen Arwen do with Aragorn. Then he thought about how Aragorn slipped it on hers—and his stomach dropped into his toes. He whirled to Aragorn, who stood beside him looking every bit a King and he looked at the elf.
"You need to not turn so abruptly," he said, reaching up and fixing the circlet of gold on Legolas's head. "What is the matter?"
"What if I drop the ring when I go to slide it onto her hand?" he asked, his eyes full of worry. "What if my hands are shaking so badly I drop it?"
Aragorn took his shoulders in his hands. "I shall lean down, take the ring, and place it back in your hand and you shall try again." He laughed. "You would not be the first man to drop the ring, Legolas. Men have been marrying since the dawn of time."
"What if it bounces away and you cannot find it?" he asked and Aragorn heaved a sigh of longsuffering.
"Well then, I shall just have to give you mine to put on her hand."
Legolas stared at him a moment, and the image of Aragorn's ring on Enguina's hand made him suddenly laugh. "Ugh…I am being so ridiculous," he said sheepishly.
"Yes," Aragorn laughed with him, "but it is fine. Relax and breathe…she is on her way."
"I feel like my knees are shaking. Is it obvious how nervous I am? How excited? Were you this nervous when you married Arwen?"
"No, I was not. I had waited over thirty years to wed her, so I was not nervous for the ceremony—that was easy. I was nervous for the coronation, so I know what you are feeling; I do understand it."
"I remember," he replied.
"And no," the man added, "you cannot tell that your knees are shaking."
Legolas laughed. "Thank you!"
At that moment, Gimli walked up to them, his cape billowing out behind him as he took his place next to Legolas. "Well, Éowyn is finally seated down front with Faramir fawning over her. He'll be up in a moment with the rings, I'm sure. Did Éomer catch you?"
"Yes, he already stopped to wish me luck," Legolas replied, smiling.
"Well, the last great adventure for the Three Hunters, eh? Marriage!"
"I have already been sharing that adventure for seven years," Aragorn said wryly. "And when are you getting married, Master Dwarf? I have not seen many bearded ladies about."
"Well, I meant for Legolas of course!" He shook his head and then spotted Faramir. "Ah, here he is, the man of the hour! Faramir, the rings!"
"What?" the mas asked, leaning closer and looking confused. "What rings?"
Gimli glared daggers at him. "Don't 'what rings' me! The wedding rings, you rascal!"
"I do not have them," Faramir said, a bit guiltily and honestly.
"What?" asked Aragorn, staring at him.
"Where are they?"
"Annî had them this morning, and I spent the entire rest of the morning looking for them while she was getting ready. That is why I came back here; I cannot find them." They stared at him, unable to believe his words with Legolas's mouth was moving but there were no words he could come out with.
"All right, Faramir," said Éomer, rolling his eyes and stepping up next to Gimli. "Enough toying with them. Here they are, safe and sound." He put them in Gimli's hand.
"Why you—" he began to snarl but Legolas shook his head, setting his hand on the dwarf's shoulder.
"Who put you up to that, Faramir, Éomer? Enguina, hmmm?"
"I will not say," Faramir stated but Éomer was nodding in the background.
"Well, I must say you did a marvelous job pretending; I completely believed you. She got me twice today." He sighed. "At least everyone is here."
"There is an idea!" cried Faramir. "Why do I not tell you of all the people who are here to see the two of you get married?"
Legolas paled. "Faramir—"
"Look! There are the kin of Gimli! And there are the guards from the Citadel who respect you and know you well. Even Cirgon has come today!"
"Faramir," Legolas said, gripping his arms and forcing the man to look at him. "You are making me ill! I do not need a list!"
He laughed holding up a hand. "I was only trying to—"
"Do not say help," Éomer insisted, rolling his eyes. "He did the same thing at my wedding. Of course, I hit him quite hard for it."
"I might still have the bruise," complained Faramir.
"Legolas, did you say everyone is here?" asked Gimli, and suddenly, he looked about.
"Of course," he laughed. "Where else would they be?"
"Where is the Elven King?"
"What?"
"That is an excellent question," added Aragorn, looking around himself. "Where is Thranduil?"
"I'll search the people seated!" cried Gimli as Legolas had a moment of extreme panic race through his heart. Aragorn reached out as the dwarf turned to run down the aisle.
"Gimli, we never look as though we are panicked. Stay calm and relax."
"We will look down the front near Éowyn," Éomer offered, and the three of them disappeared to find him.
"Where could he possibly be?" asked Legolas. "He must be right here." His heart was racing now, and he needed to calm down. He could hear that the shouts of joy were growing louder; Enguina was on the sixth level, headed toward him faster than he could have thought possible. He focused on her, closing his eyes. Her beauty, her laugh…thought about her gift to him of the quilt that included the special times that they already remembered together, that even if they were difficult they had shared and cherished. They had grown closer because of them. He tried to stay focused on that and not on his anxiety…but his anxiety won out. "Can I get married without my father present?" he asked Aragorn.
The man simply shook his head. "He will be here; stop worrying."
Gimli came back, pale. "I can't find him! Do you think it's possible that the fiend of a woman you're marrying may have locked him in a broom cupboard somewhere?"
"Gimli!" said Aragorn. "Watch your tongue."
"That is my bride you are speaking of!" cried Legolas, horrified. "She would never do such a thing!" Gimli groaned and crossed his arms.
"Well, I was just saying that you've been playing all these confounded tricks on each other! Perhaps this is just one more! And I met Faramir and Éomer down the front and they haven't seen him either. What should I do?"
"Calm down, first of all," Aragorn stated firmly. "You are only making Legolas more anxious. Thranduil is here, somewhere, so stop your fretting, both of you. And Legolas, I would breathe…your bride is almost here. The children have come with the flowers."
Legolas's heart rose into his chest and the three of them stepped out onto the front dais of the church, Gimli first, then Aragorn, then Legolas. When the children arrived, laughing and giggling and spreading petals, Legolas still could not see up the street for the throngs of people that were present. As Annî rounded the corner, looking precious in her little dress and flinging rose petals everywhere as she skipped up the front steps past them, there was a pause in the entourage—Enguina must be dismounting. Legolas gripped Aragorn's elbow. The man turned and clasped Legolas's arm.
"Everything is going to be perfect. I promise."
"How can you promise that?" he whispered back hoarsely.
"Because Ilúvatar is good. Breathe…and wait."
Legolas lifted his head to see Erumar come around the corner, her purplish dress flowing about her feet in typical Elvish fashion. Her dark hair was down and flowing, the bouquet in her hands as stunning as she was. She followed Annî up the steps and Gimli bowed low to her.
"My Lady Erumar," he said, extending his arm, and she smiled at him, tears in her eyes as she rested her hand on his arm. She met Legolas's eyes once as Gimli walked her to the aisle in the church and Legolas could nearly read them—wait…be patient…the best is yet to come.
Arwen, every bit as stunning as Erumar, came next, the crowd's exclamations pronounced over and over again. She wore a circlet of silver adorned with the same wings as the King, and when she took his arm there were tears in her eyes as well as she looked to Legolas. Her eyes said the same to him, and as Aragorn released his arm, he stood at the top of those stone steps, completely alone—waiting for her to come to him.
And she came. Around the throng of people, Legolas first saw Lómë, walking slowly, gardenias braided into his mane, his black coat shining in the spring light. And who was leading him but his father, wearing a golden tunic, the crown of golden leaves and berries adorning his head from the Woodland Realm and in his hand was Enguina's hand as he led her to him…to give her to him…to bless the start of their lives together. Nothing could have been more perfectly wonderful. Hildanir stepped forward to take Lómë's reins, and then Enguina raised her eyes to his.
Every thought of any anxiety or imperfect thought fled from his mind. Stunning was too small a word, beauty was too small a word…were there words to describe what he felt in that moment? His chest was too small for his heart; he breathed, but he did not know it. This moment, this moment, he had waited for all this time, all his life. She was the one he was meant to be with. Every road had led them both to one another; this was Ilúvatar…there was no other way to describe it. She was the most magnificent creature that walked in Middle-Earth—if he lived forever it would never be enough time to take in the beauty of her. O, how he wanted to run his fingers through her hair! O, to touch her face! But he stood still, watching as her foot touched the lowest step, as she held the dress and Thranduil held her. Her green eyes glistening with unshed tears, she could not look away. The dress flowed down behind her into a train that coursed the steps, sheer white and glittering in the sunlight, and flowers in her golden hair.
Then she was before him, and Thranduil looked into his face. Legolas could barely take his eyes from Enguina, but he did long enough to look into the eyes of his father. Thranduil looked down, over to Enguina and carefully took her hand from his arm, extending it to Legolas even as her fingers trembled with the force of her love.
"My son," he whispered, and he waited until Legolas had extended a hand before he laid Enguina's in it, enclosing their hands within his own. "Here is your wife." Enguina's eyes closed at his words and Thranduil released their hands, but reached over to brush his fingertips to Enguina's chin and press his lips gently to her cheek.
"My daughter," he whispered, his hand still on her back, "here is your husband." He drew back to let them turn together to face the center aisle—the last walk they would take without being joined to one another. Both of them looked at him once before meeting each other's eyes again, and then Legolas's hand tightened on hers and they were headed towards the altar to embrace eternity.
When Legolas and Enguina walked out the door of the church to the shouts of a joyous throng and the ringing of the loud bells of the steeple, it was as if the world had been reborn, as if they had been. He took his fingers beneath her chin and tipped her head towards him, watched her eyes flutter closed, and kissed her there—for everyone to see. Again, jubilant shouts of rejoicing were heard, and Legolas felt that the words joined the echo of his heart.
Enguina's crown of flowers had been replaced by a circlet of gold similar to his; she was his princess now, and everything about it would suit her. The kiss broke apart, and he rested his brow to hers for one moment before they would descend the steps.
"We are no longer two," he whispered, loving her openly with his gaze. "We are one."
"Oh, Legolas…" she whispered back, and he kissed her once more before turning and taking her down the steps with him, bits of whatever-it-was floating down around them as the crowd tossed flowers into their path and showered them with adoration and affection. Enguina had never felt so blessed; she could barely think straight as her hand was placed on Lómë's neck. She was mounted before she even knew what was happening, her dress flowing down over his flanks again, this time, Arwen held Lómë's reins. She did not speak, and even if Enguina had wanted to speak to her, she would not have been able to either.
And then there was Legolas, sitting beside her on Brethil, his mane braided with morning glories to match her bouquet, and Enguina wished that there was a way to freeze this moment in time so that she might remember the beauty of it always as her husband reached over to take her hand and clasp it within his own. Brethil and Lómë began to walk, closely side by side, Aragorn and Arwen holding hands and leading them along, Gimli and Erumar following directly behind them.
Enguina turned her head and looked into his face, not needing to pay attention to a single thing at the moment but him. Everything else seemed to fade away and she only saw his eyes, his face, and he reached up with his other hand and cupped her cheek.
"Husband," she whispered, closing her eyes at the feel of his hand. "I love the sound of it."
"I love the sound of it on your lips," he replied honestly. Then he continued, "You are the loveliest thing I have ever seen," he told her. "There is nothing that could turn my eyes from you today. I cannot stop looking upon you with those flowers in your hair, the way you shimmer and shine. Ilúvatar has given me the most beautiful of his creatures."
"I love you," she said, her eyes filling again for the millionth time. "This is the happiest day of my life…to be sharing this with you, to be your wife…I can barely think…" She was embarrassed as her words stuttered out and he began to close the distance between them.
"Do not think, simply kiss me," he told her and there were many calls and much clapping as he kissed her again. When he leaned back, he smiled at the smile on her face. "And do not stop smiling."
They were on their way back to the seventh level for the beginnings of the wedding meal…and then onward to the dancing and the feasting that were to take place on the sixth and fifth levels; but there was celebrating to be going on everywhere. There were tables lining the seventh level with enough food, wine, and ale to make the tables nearly buckle beneath the weight. The streets were decked out with so many flowers that everywhere appeared as the gardens and it was hard for Enguina to imagine being married in a place any more beautiful than Minas Tirith. She stared at the stone walls and wondered how she had ever thought the place anything less than absolutely exquisite, and forevermore she would feel that way. She never thought she would be riding on the day of her wedding or being led on horseback by Arwen…but these were new traditions! Everything, no matter what they did today, would be perfect.
When they arrived at the Tower, guards took their horses as the party helped them to dismount. After much joy and hugs and tears, they were escorted into the feasting hall where the main party would be gathered. Enguina was tugged aside for a moment then to pin up the dress so she would be able to move more easily, much to Legolas's delight. He studied her as Arwen and Erumar helped pin it up, laughing gaily the entire time. He smiled and felt Éomer's hand fall onto his shoulder.
"Legolas, is that plotting I see in your eyes already?" he laughed as he hugged the elf in celebration. Legolas held him back as his eyes sparkled.
"Éomer, I do not know what you speak of." The man clapped him on the shoulder and sighed with happiness.
"May Ilúvatar bless your bond forever," he stated. "May you never, ever grow weary of one another. You are perfect for each other—may it ever be so."
"Thank you, my friend." Éomer stepped back and Annî ran headlong into the elf's legs.
"Legless!" she cried and he scooped her up into his arms.
"You were the perfect flower angel this morning," he said, and she rubbed her nose against his, her newest form of a kiss. "And where are your mother and father?" She pointed at them; they were engaged in conversation with several of the council members and Legolas smiled, setting her down. "Go rescue them, Annî." He set her loose and she ran for them. Gimli stepped up beside him.
"Well, I must say, laddie," he said, looking at the crowd that was slowly gathering. "You're going to have a few hands to shake tonight. Hope you're ready for all this merry-making!"
"I am," he found himself replying honestly. He suddenly turned toward the dwarf and gripped his shoulders. "I can face the world! I am married, Gimli!" He shouted the last words, and everyone within earshot laughed at him. He was not embarrassed.
The dwarf laughed and then set his hands on the elf's arms. "And a happier friend you couldn't have. Where's your bride?"
"Here," answered Enguina, stepping back to Legolas's side. He immediately set his arm around her waist; he could not prevent himself, could not keep himself away. "Arwen and Erumar are finally finished with me, but the dress is up and out of the way, and that is all that matters."
"Get ready for the endless stream of guests and well-wishers to greet," Gimli muttered and Enguina laughed.
"We are married and thrilled that these people want to share our joy, even if we do not know any of their names."
"I would shout it from every rooftop in Minas Tirith," Legolas said, rejoicing. "I hope by the end of the night we greet every person who would wish us joy!"
At that moment, Thranduil walked slowly over to them, clearly in no rush at all. Enguina wanted to throw her arms around him and hug him but she restrained herself. Legolas reached out and Thranduil clasped his hands. Gimli chuckled.
"Ya know, you gave us quite a scare, Thranduil!" he shouted over the general din of people in the chamber. "We were worried you hadn't made it!"
"No, no…would not have ever missed it," he replied, holding his son's arm. "May Ilúvatar bless you both."
"He already has, most richly," Legolas replied. "Thank you, from the depths of both of our hearts. We cannot thank you enough."
"The pleasure, I assure you, was mine," he replied, leaning over to kiss Enguina's cheek one more time. "Forgive me, it appears I needed to kiss you one more time before I am never allowed to do it again. Legolas is very jealous, you know, and you are much too beautiful today."
She blushed but smiled at him. "You are too honest, Thranduil."
"Oh, a fault that runs deeply within our family, I assure you," he stated. "Now, where is the lovely Erumar? I told her I would be her escort this afternoon whether she liked it or not, so I must find her."
Legolas laughed. "She is just behind us with Aragorn and Arwen."
"Good," he said, "that saves me the trouble of finding her. We will meet you both at the table in an hour or so?"
Enguina shook her head at him, laughing. "Yes, Thranduil," she said. "We will meet you there."
It was, to be honest, nearly two hours before everyone had been greeted and the happy couple made their way to the head of the table. Honored by so many friends and citizens who cared for them, it could not have been helped; instead, they took their seats and waited for the noise to die down a little bit. With their family and most excellent friends seated beside them, everything was exactly perfect. Legolas took her hand and the two of them stood as everyone else was seated.
"Dearest friends, honored guests," Legolas said in his clear voice, "it is a blessing and an honor to have the privilege of sharing our unfathomable joy with you. Enguina and I want to welcome you to the celebration of our wedding. We would ask that you would enjoy yourself immeasurably. We can only wish you as much joy as we have found in one another. May Ilúvatar bless you as you have blessed our lives today…and always."
"We want to thank our family and our close friends who have encouraged us in every way possible to make this a dream come true for us both," Enguina said, and both she and Legolas eyed Aragorn and Arwen and then Gimli, Erumar, Thranduil, the list continued. "Without your love, your support, your guidance…we would not be standing here beside each other today. There are…there are…" She suddenly found herself completely unable to speak, and Legolas squeezed her hand.
"There are," he continued, "no words that could ever say what we truly mean, the depth of the gratitude we feel. Again, we can only hope in the knowledge that Ilúvatar will bless you as richly as he has blessed us."
Legolas guided Enguina to her seat but before he sat, he held up a hand. "Now, I know we all want the wedding feast to begin, but I have been told that it is customary for those who would like to say a few words upon our behalf to say those words. We welcome them with joy and gratitude. Thank you, again, for sharing in this day with us, and please, whoever may desire to speak, speak."
Gimli stood up almost immediately. Even though it was probably customary for Aragorn to do so, he would be giving the blessing, and this had been discussed previous to this moment. He bowed to the crowd gathered and then turned to the bride and groom.
"Well, you must've expected to hear something from me, though probably not this!" He laughed, and then explained to those gathered, "I've known the lad for several years now, and though it's not as long as some of you, it is more than a lot of you. Most of you know of the past and bitter hatred that the elves and the dwarves had for one another, and though we have not always been friends, Legolas and I have become so. So allow me to extend my wishes for your every happiness as you go to make a home within Ithilien. But in celebration of the elf, I wrote this bit of verse to both encourage and embarrass you," he said as Legolas laughed. Enguina squeezed his hand. "But for some thing or another, you probably deserve it!"
"Go ahead, friend Gimli!" he laughed; nothing could dampen his spirits today, not even the threat of embarrassment. Gimli cleared his throat and recited loudly:
Oh fair-haired lad of green forest dark,
Your life we celebrate
This thoughtful discourse shall impart
All that we wish to articulate
The long gold braids of your hair so fair,
Oh, did we mention it already?
Let us speak of it again, so rare!
And therein lies its beauty!
Your ears so sharp and pointy are
Alas they stick so high
We can't find a feature more
Resembling your quick eye
Quick, but also soft are those
The eyes that yonder maiden's supposed
To love and adore like a rare blue rose
Gently with devotion they close
The hands, they are with patience bless'd
Strong, yet kind, they do convey
A thankful heart and thoughtfulness
For every soul which comes their way
To have a friend, there is no equal
In manner of wit or wisdom
You may know all manner of people
But this one, you shall keep him
Oh fair-haired lad of green forest dark
This night will your life commence
Charged to cherish this precious lark
From now, and this day hence!
The crowd in the hall roared with applause and laughter for the dwarf, and he gave a little bow to them. Legolas stood and hugged him hard, thanking him as he laughed. The dwarf's friendship meant the world to him, and hearing him speak so kindly was a blessing. When everyone was finally seated from the standing ovation they had given the dwarf, Arwen remained standing nearby.
"My dearest friends," she said and the room instantly hushed to hear her melodic voice, "I have known both of you for countless years, seen your struggles and your joys, and have desired nothing but your happiness since I have known you. The love I see that you share is more precious than anything found in this world. Given to you, placed in your hearts by Ilúvatar, may you always share it, feel it. You are one now as you have never been before. Marriage is the greatest blessing a heart can ask for; you will build one another up, bear one another's sorrows, and celebrate one another's joys. We rejoice to share in the joy you have found in one another.
"Over these past few weeks, I have been collecting bits of words and…advice so to speak, for your married life. I have pieced them together into a lyric of sorts. I hope you will take something from them and carry it with you. It is speaking of love, and doing love, that we learn more about what it means to love. May your words and actions always speak of your love for one another."
Some advice we now shall lend
Hear these words, my dearest friends:
"A touch of love never hurt one,
So give it as often as able."
"Blessed are you to find the one
that once was your heart's fable."
"Your spouse is there for you to love,
To lean on when all things get rough
But do not ever be forgetful of
The strength that flows from up above."
"Be a close friend but even more
be the one who listens for
what they try not to show
there, you find the heart to know."
"Laughter is the most vital part
ability to smile at all the flaws
only be sure they were his fault
and you will turn all his 'ha's'"
"Children, pray there be scores
and love enough for all of them;
but bear in mind, rain can pour
those children are your burden."
"Women are two-hearted beasts
though loving, also cross
be careful which heart feasts
hope love, but anger loss!"
"Be careful of the hungry man,
lest you forget about the food!
There has to be something in the pan
but it's all right if it is not good!"
"A little time with friends never hurt
he is not going out to flirt
he does want to be with you
be fair so he can also choose."
"Tell of your love every night
make song and story well
hugs and kisses gentle and light
the simple things are what will tell!"
"And if thought ever comes to part
know, no matter the rift
the love in both the mind and heart
becomes the greatest gift."
Here end these few quotes of direction
May they grant you insight and reflection.
The lyric had been beautiful and both Legolas and Enguina stood to hug Arwen. There was much clapping as well when Arwen was finished, and the newlyweds thanked her for her composition. There was no doubt that the words of their friends put together in such a manner had touched their hearts and they were delighted at such a speech. In another moment, Aragorn stood.
"Let us give the blessing for this food and this wonderful man and woman that have been bound to each other in the light of Ilúvatar's eyes," he said, and all present bowed their heads. He saw Enguina and Legolas take one another's hands, and he smiled. "Dear Father, today you have brought us here to witness the great love that you have placed in two of your servants, Legolas and Enguina. You have brought them together against all the evil that this world can force into their path, against all odds; you have brought them together against pain, darkness, even suffering and brought them together in your holy light to overcome it. Father, your love has given us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a peace that is greater than anything we could ever offer them. Protect them, watch over them as they grow ever closer to each other and to you, bless their hearts and bind them together and show them that they can continue to trust in you for their every need.
"Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies that we might continue to use them for you. May we bless this new pair with our words and actions tonight as we celebrate their love. Reach out and touch our hearts with the light of your grace and help us to honor you. It is in your name we offer up our thanksgiving, Amen."
All present echoed his thoughts of prayer, and then all began to eat and fellowship.
The sun was setting over Minas Tirith and the party was continuing on the fifth and sixth levels. Legolas was astounded by the amount of food…and the number of people someone had found to keep it stocked. The kitchens in Ecthelion and a thousand other places must have been teeming with people. He had no idea who to thank for that! He just kept staring around at the numbers of celebrating guests—dwarves, men, and elves teeming everywhere on the streets—and Legolas had to assume that the entire City had come to share their joy with them. The wedding feast had been exceptional, everyone had agreed, and there was nothing left but dancing and merry-making. In many ways, it was the most wonderful occasion he had ever been a part of.
Enguina kept blushing continuously; everyone kept complimenting them, and Legolas could not seem to stop smiling and thanking everyone. In fact, his face ached from all the smiling! He glanced over at her and found that she had her palms pressed to her cheeks. He shook his head at her and reached over, taking them down and kissing each finger a bit more rapidly than he would have liked. Going slow, however, was not an option—not with so many observers!
"What is it, my dove?" he asked her as she looked up into his face.
"If I hear one more compliment, I think my ears will burst and my cheeks start on fire."
"They cannot help it, you know," he admitted, laughing at her. "You are the most beautiful creature and they cannot stop looking at you. You can hardly blame them, Guin. You chose that dress and you wore it…and I have never felt as if one of the stars in the sky had come down to light the night on the streets of Minas Tirith." His eyes shone with his love and her eyes closed as she listened to his words, his fingers brushing her cheek. "That is what they are thinking when they look at you."
"No, that is what you are thinking," she whispered, and then she looked out towards the street where there were many other couples dancing. "Perhaps we should dance again, and then I can stop listening to words…including yours."
He laughed. "Forgive me…I cannot stop thinking about how radiant you are. It is not only the dress; your hair and the flowers—"
"Erumar," she said, giving her credit. "It is beautiful. It took her forever."
"It was worth it," he said honestly. "Will you dance with me? We can avoid greeting another hundred people that way…"
"I can get lost staring into your eyes then," she sighed.
"I would enjoy that very much," he replied, leaning over to kiss her gently.
"You know, that draws attention as well."
"Sweet heart," he murmured, "there is nothing you could do that would not draw attention to yourself. They are here for us; they are going to stare and chatter. Let them. Dance with me." He drew her out by the hand onto the floor and she followed him easily. She was an excellent dancer, though she did not know the dance—it was not elvish. Clearly, this was a dance Legolas had learned after he had arrived in Minas Tirith, but she followed him easily enough.
As they touched hands against one another and turned about each other in a circle, Legolas thought of their first dance when they had arrived from the White Tower. Looking into her eyes and seeing everything he needed, wanted…nothing could have been more perfect. She had told him there were words to go with the song that had been played—Aragorn had written them a melody to dance to—but she could not sing the words for him. The dance had been romantic and tender, and there were few dry eyes when they had finished. They had danced several times since then, enjoying the opportunities when they arose.
Enguina was completely lost in him. She had no idea how many turns had gone by or how many times the tune had changed, when she noticed him nod to her left.
"Look," he whispered, a look of astonishment on his face. "My father is standing up with Erumar." Enguina turned her head, intrigued to see them dancing there. They were a stunning pair; Thranduil with his perfect posture and flawless steps, Erumar following his every turn, the way her dress spun out a sight to behold. Thranduil was saying something to her, and she was laughing at his words, the smile on her face genuine. Enguina wanted to sigh, but she held back.
"She was always such a beautiful dancer."
"I…I cannot tell you how long it has been since my father danced," he mumbled, incredulous. "Dancing was a frivolity he could not enjoy for years untold."
"Yes..." she said, smiling. "I know you said that he is very serious, but he seems more alive here than ever. Perhaps it is being out of the Greenwood, away from some of that responsibility. Perhaps it is something more."
"Perhaps she is drawing out the life in him," he said, his eyes still fixed on them.
Enguina kissed his chin, jarring his attention from them, and he looked down at her. "Does that worry you?" she asked and he shook his head. "Perhaps it is he who is drawing out the life in her. He has found someone who can understand his grief; the two of them may lift each other up."
"That…is a good thing," Legolas stated. "Only good can come of that, yes?"
"I think so," she agreed softly, but she could tell he was unsure. "Legolas, they are not in love," she told him compassionately.
"I know," he said quickly, shaking his head. "Even if they were what should I have to say about it? I should be grateful for the change in my father. I was…so delighted when he gave you to me today."
She smiled. "It was his idea. He asked if he could give me away; I was pleasantly shocked."
"Gimli thought you had taken my father to spite me."
She burst out laughing. "No, I would never do such a thing! Though I could not tell you as Thranduil wanted to keep it a secret."
"You know, I have not seen the best dwarf in some time," Legolas added, scanning the crowd, "nor the King and Queen. Where do you think they got off to?"
"Probably a private corner for a private celebration," she murmured. "It is that sort of party." Legolas burst out laughing and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"My dear Guin," he chuckled, "there could be no corner private enough for them. Their love is so much more set apart. Now, if you were speaking of Faramir perhaps—"
"God, did he tell that tale too?" she asked, blushing. "I thought I would die of embarrassment when Éowyn told it, and she was not discomfited at all!"
Legolas chuckled again. "Perhaps we will not be either after five years of marriage."
She shook her head. "You are so into public displays."
"Mmmm…" She could tell in the way he murmured that he wanted to kiss her very badly, and she lifted her chin just enough for him to do so. The brush of his lips sent a tingle to her toes. This night was drawing to a long, beautiful close. Soon she would be in his arms with nothing between them; she felt the force of that thought flow through her veins, and in those few moments was completely unafraid.
"I felt that," he whispered into her lips, brushing his nose against hers. "Did you?"
He felt her take her lip between her teeth and she slipped back from him a little bit. "We will not be finding our own private corner," she whispered. Enguina had meant for him to laugh, and she thought for a moment he was going to. Instead, he shook his head, touching his forehead to hers.
"No," he said very, very seriously, "I have thought about this for a very long time…spent a month dreaming about it, Guin. That would not be the way I would love you."
Ilúvatar. Her knees weakened. She desired him so much in that moment that she would have left the celebration right then, skipped the rest of it and left without so much as a word to anyone. Enguina thought perhaps he knew what she was feeling—or else she was murmuring his name in her brain again—because he drew back slowly and led her slowly to the side of the street. She did not know where they were going, and she could not have cared; he was still touching her and that was all that mattered for the moment. Though, her longing-addled brain wanted much more than his hand in hers.
They were lost in another crowd of well-wishers in seconds as Legolas tried to make his way to the wine to get her a drink. They laughed along for a few moments and found they were not going to be able to move anywhere in that direction and shortly gave up for quite some time. Now requiring more focus, Enguina's mind withdrew from her desire-induced haze and she forgot the momentary discomfort she felt at being halted and hand-held by someone other than Legolas.
"Turtle-doves, these are for you." Both of them turned to find Éomer standing before them, extending a glass of wine and a half-pint of ale. Legolas beamed at the man and slipped the wine into Enguina's hand.
"How in the world did you know?"
"You have not been yet, and I thought you were making your way there. Happy to assist the happy couple." He winked at Legolas, and the gesture surprised the elf. "If I were you, I would be plotting a very hasty escape very soon. When that sun is finished setting, you should be long gone. As it is, it is going to take you an hour or more to get out of here once you decide to leave."
"Plotting in the works," Legolas admitted, taking a drink.
"If that is the case," Enguina said, "Éomer would you do me another favor?"
"Anything for the lovely bride."
"Can you please find Arwen? I need her."
"Certainly. I passed them about twenty minutes ago. I should be able to find them easily enough," he laughed and Enguina thought he was teasing her as he moved away. She felt Legolas squeeze her hand and she looked back at him.
"Is everything all right?"
"Oh, yes," she said, "but there is something that…well, before we leave…" She shook her head, smiling, "I cannot explain, but you will understand." She sipped the wine and closed her eyes. "That is delicious."
"This is probably the best ale I have ever had," Legolas admitted, "and that is saying something."
"Legolas," she murmured, getting closer to him so that only he could hear her, "is it appropriate for us to leave so soon? Sunset is barely over, but we cannot stay until the celebration is over—"
"No, no," Legolas agreed, his eyes wide, "certainly not. They will be at this until daybreak, and I have other plans. No, Éomer is right; we will make our escape with the onset of night and that will be that. Nearly ten hours of celebrating is enough for this elf."
"I…would prefer something more private at this point," she admitted shyly. His hand found her cheek and he cupped her face as she closed her eyes. "I love you."
"I love you, moina quen."
"Éomer sent us to you," Aragorn said as they interrupted them. "Growing tired of this celebration? Your number of admirers? A bit of peace is all anyone would ask for."
"They made their own," Arwen said gently, and Legolas smiled at her.
"Enguina was asking for you," he said, and she looked at her friend.
"Is it that time?"
"I hope so," Enguina stated. "I will not have the courage or the patience if I wait any longer."
"Let us collect Erumar, though I hate to interrupt them."
"We need Thranduil anyway." Aragorn released Arwen's arm and she squeezed it gently.
"Stay here with Legolas for a moment?"
"Of course," he replied, and Arwen moved to pull Enguina with her but she was trapped against Legolas's side.
"You are telling me that I must let go of my bride? Be without her for more than half a moment?" He appeared horrified and Aragorn gave him a look of longsuffering.
"You know, I danced with her earlier," he pointed out. "As did Gimli, Éomer, Thranduil, Faramir—"
"I get it," Legolas moaned, "the list was endless. Fine, just for a few moments."
"Do not go far," Enguina said to him, slipping a hand behind his neck and tugging his face down so she could kiss him. She stole out of his arms and followed Arwen.
"How could I?" Legolas muttered, watching her walk away.
"You were dancing so beautifully before," Aragorn said to him softly. "You have had many admirers tonight."
"This celebration has been…wonderful," Legolas said, his eyes shining. He finally drew his gaze from Enguina and looked at the man. "I have never enjoyed one so much aside from your wedding. There is nothing like a wedding in Minas Tirith…nothing is celebrated insignificantly here."
"This is something to be celebrated hugely," Aragorn said. Legolas smiled at him.
"I thought you were going to say more than the blessing earlier when you spoke."
"My words are for you and Enguina alone," he replied softly, setting a hand on Legolas's shoulder. "You can give them to Enguina tomorrow if you choose. I will second Arwen's words first, that marriage is a blessing, a gift; you have already shared one another's sorrows…now it is time to share in the joy of one another." Legolas swallowed and Aragorn looked at him seriously. "Enjoy this night, Legolas…remember every moment of it. There will never be another first time."
"I will remember your words," he said in the same soft voice as Aragorn had used, speaking of the advice Aragorn had given to him. "Thank you for everything you have done…both you and Arwen. Enguina and I meant to say it better earlier when speaking but…are there such words for the guidance you have both given? For coming to our rescue, for healing our hurts, for bringing us together? Ilúvatar's grace rests upon us both tonight, and I believe with all my heart that everything will be as perfect as he plans it to be."
Aragorn smiled at him, but his voice was solemn when he continued. "You will be in our thoughts all night. Arwen and I have prayed for you already in a moment of quiet we took together this morning. May Ilúvatar bless your union, Legolas," he said, "and may he make it as loving as both of you deserve."
"Thank you." There was nothing more he could say than that. Aragorn and Arwen had prayed for them—everything was going to be fine.
Behind them, there was a clearing of the street where the dancing had been and the crowd parted for the two of them to come to the front of it to see what was happening. Thranduil stood beside the minstrels who had been playing, and they waited as Arwen, Enguina, and Erumar took to the floor together. They stood in a line facing the crowd, one beside the other, anxious little smiles on their faces.
"They are going to dance?" asked Legolas, stunned. This was completely unexpected; in fact, he was quite blown away. He had never seen Enguina dance by herself this way, and could never have imagined she would perform for him in front of this many people. He had been asking her to sing for months in their small group at the House and she would not acquiesce. It had been her idea; he knew that as she had wanted to speak to Arwen about it. He could not believe it…but he was going to completely enjoy it.
It was a dance of joy, of jubilation; at least that was what Enguina had shyly announced it as. The three of them had designed part of the dance when they were far younger in Lórien in worship of the One, to celebrate the spring, rebirth, Ilúvatar's gift of life out of winter. She had looked directly into Legolas's eyes then and said that was what she wanted to show him, that he had taken her life from the chill of winter and darkness into the rebirth of spring and light. The music was perfect; Arwen had sung for the musicians days ago and taught them the tune, helped them to figure out melodies and harmonies to add here and there to make it what it was. Each person who stood within that crowded circle of onlookers was bewitched as the three of them danced, first to a solitary flute: the beginning, the winter—the quiet, the dark of the night of her life—which brightened into glorious day with the added sounds of fiddle and bass, the beauty of spring and sun and the birth of her love for him.
When the song was done, there was such a response on the sixth level that none had ever seen; folk would be speaking of the elvish maidens' dance for years to come. They had never seen anything of the like, and would never see anything like it henceforth. From the subtle moves of the winter to the leaping and spinning of spring, the people of Minas Tirith had never seen anything so compelling. Legolas was so moved, was so under her spell, that he could not speak when she came to him; she simply slipped into his arms and laid her head against his chest, completely breathless.
"That," Aragorn whispered to Arwen, touching her face when she came to stand beside him, "was the most beautiful expression of love. It spoke more than any number of words ever could. What a perfect gift."
"Thank you," Legolas whispered into her hair, and he raised his eyes to Arwen, his eyes more thankful than words could ever have expressed. "Tell Erumar for me."
She bowed her head to him, and then she raised her face to Aragorn, a breathless smile on her face. "Dance with me, my Lord." She felt the fire in herself to dance with him, for him and he could see it burning in her face. Aragorn knew if they danced now it would be some time before they stopped; he could have never wanted anything more in that moment—to be moved by her, to move with her, to feel her dancing beside him, with him, to watch her as she spun—than to dance with her.
"In the morning," Legolas said, and Aragorn nodded, allowing Arwen to laugh once and grip his hand to pull him forward and onto the floor with her. He felt Enguina's hands tighten on his back.
"She is the best friend I could never have even hoped for," she whispered, watching as the two of them began to dance. "So beautiful."
"They both are," he agreed in her quiet tone. "Come…" he whispered as he collected her hands, brought them to his lips, and kissed them. "Our time here is done." She heard the words clearly in her head. I want to be alone with you. Her legs trembled and she kissed his hands as well, repeating the words back to him in her head. The exchange of words was too much for them both as their eyes closed and they rested their foreheads against one another to catch their breath, a jumble of tightly-bound feelings fired like lightning between them before Legolas had enough sense to draw back from her mentally.
They stood there for a few minutes just like that before Legolas began to walk, drawing her with him slowly. She had not thought her legs would function; she felt close to collapse, dizzy, so full of love that she felt she might burst if she held it in much longer. Legolas led her on through the crowd, never once releasing her hand.