Chapter Text
“You are the very image of beauty, Elawen.”
“Oh, I agree! Everything appears perfect.”
Elawen smiled at Arwen and Eowyn. Her long, white gown brushed against the ground. She wore an intricate silver headpiece akin to the one that she had seen on herself during her vision during the battle at Minas Tirith. It seemed so long ago now. In fact, it was quite a time ago. Still, the memory persisted, as fresh as if she had witnessed it the very same day.
“It is commonplace for you each to bestow rings to one another, yes? Might you allow us to see the ring?” Eowyn asked, eyes shining with excitement.
Elawen nodded and pulled the ring from her gown to show them. She smiled softly as she looked at it. There were interlocking, elven designs etched into the golden band. A deep green jewel was embedded in the ring, the designs flowing to frame it. It was not a complicated ring by any means, but it was far more complex than one could originally tell.
“It is perfect, Elawen,” Arwen smiled.
“I can’t wait to see your ring,” Eowyn added, grinning as well.
Elawen’s smile grew wider. “I am so glad you both are here to share this day with me. I can barely contain myself!”
Eowyn giggled and pulled Elawen into a hug. “I am so happy for you both. I have looked forward to this union since I met you!”
Elawen hugged Eowyn back, laughing lightheartedly at her words. Since they had announced their betrothal, Eowyn had constantly spouted off stories of Legolas and Elawen’s clueless flirting. The couple listened on in embarrassment more often than not, realizing how obvious it must have seemed to the others that they had fallen for each other.
“It must have been quite the task winning over the Woodland King,” Arwen mentioned, placing a gentle hand on Elawen’s arm as the embrace pulled apart.
“It was certainly not easy,” Elawen laughed. “Though I cannot find it in myself to place any blame on him. Indeed, you understand the protectiveness of a parent who only wishes the best for their child.”
Arwen smiled knowingly and nodded. Behind Elawen, the door opened. It was Sam, peeking into the room with raised brows. Elawen turned to face him.
“Miss Elawen, I have been sent to fetch you. I should think it is almost time for the festivities to begin,” he said.
“I’ll be there shortly, Sam,” Elawen said with a smile.
The hobbit nodded and moved to leave, but stopped and turned back for a moment. “By the way, Miss, you look beautiful.”
Elawen grinned wider, her face softening at his kind words. “Thank you. Your words mean so much to me, Sam.”
The hobbit smiled bashfully and ducked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Elawen turned back to Arwen and Eowyn.
“It seems it is time to join the others,” she said.
“Yes, come now, let’s go!” Eowyn said, urging the group out.
The hall was full of people of all kinds - elves, hobbits, men, dwarves, and, of course, Gandalf. A long table stood in the middle of the hall with exorbitant amounts of delicious-looking food and many bottles of wine. As Elawen entered the room, many of the guests turned to look on at her in awe. She smiled, head high, and scanned the crowd. Before she could go any further, Merry and Pippin appeared in front of her, impossibly large lopsided grins plastered on their faces.
“Elawen! We are so glad to have been invited to such an important celebration,” Merry spoke.
“And we are pleased to see a few delicacies from the Shire on the table,” Pippin added. Merry gave him a scolding look.
Elawen laughed lightly. “Of course. I could not imagine this day without you, Frodo, and Sam here. It would not be half as joyous.”
The two hobbits smiled brightly and made their way back to the table. Faramir approached, nodding in acknowledgment and offering congratulations to Elawen before stealing away Eowyn to be seated.
“It is a wonderful day, Elawen.”
She turned, coming face-to-face with Aragorn. Arwen stood beside him, nodding in agreement. Elawen smiled and pulled him into a hug.
“It is. Thank you for coming. I know it must have been busy to find time to make the journey,” she said upon pulling away.
“We would not have missed it.” Aragorn smiled heartily.
“And neither would I!” A boisterous voice called.
“Gimli,” Elawen greeted warmly as the dwarf came up next to Aragorn, chuckling.
“Aye! You know, you could have come to the mountains to celebrate. We would have thrown a much larger celebration, and, might I add, a lot more ale!” he laughed.
She smiled in return. “Thank you, Gimli. I am happy you’re here. I promise we will make the trip to the mountains soon.”
“You’d better!” he laughed. “You know, I could have recommended a few very nice dwarves for you to meet had I known you were looking for a more unconventional marriage,” he joked.
“Oh, come now, Gimli. Today is for Legolas as much as it is for Elawen.” Gandalf walked up next, a twinkle in his eyes and a grin on his face.
Elawen laughed as Gimli looked to Gandalf. “She knows I’m only teasing!” His gaze shifted squarely to Elawen, a more genuine tone taking over his words. “It’s a glorious day, lass. I couldn’t be gladder for the both of you.”
Gandalf patted Gimli on the shoulder as he turned to find his seat. Aragorn and Arwen moved to speak with Elrond at the table, leaving Elawen and Gandalf to speak.
“I knew you were destined for great things,” Gandalf said with a grin. “I am proud of you.”
“Thank you, Gandalf. It is not all my doing, though. I feel I must credit those around me with my successes far more than myself.”
“I would not be so sure. It is you who molded your future into one of triumph and goodness. You had every chance to turn back at every moment, every chance to give in to uncertainty and to falter. Others may have helped, but it is you that did not stop after defeat,” the wizard spoke.
Elawen’s face softened. A joking glint came to her eye. “Perhaps I have gone and molded too much greatness for myself. I could not stop at aiding in the prevention of domination from an ancient evil. I have also married into a royal family.”
Gandalf chuckled heartily. “Perhaps you have. Though I fear it may be too late to change your mind now.”
Elawen laughed with the wizard until her gaze was caught across the room. Gandalf followed her eyes and hummed, turning to make his way to the table. On the other side of the table stood Thranduil and Legolas. They were exchanging words, a light smile on Legolas’s face and a faint wisp of a smile on Thranduil’s. The Elvenking caught her gaze, then, and nodded to her. He placed his hand on his son’s shoulder and said something, then walked away. Legolas turned to see Elawen.
When their eyes locked, Elawen could not help the bright smile that overtook her. The elven prince weaved through the throng, making his way to her. She moved toward him, too, and when they finally stood in front of each other, neither of them spoke. They wordlessly drank each other in.
Legolas wore a white and silver outfit that glimmered in the lights. A silver headpiece adorned with many little leaves rested on his expertly braided hair. He looked incredible. He reached out and took Elawen’s hand.
“The stars could not hope to shine as brightly as you, meleth nîn,” he said smoothly.
“I cannot bear to look away from you, my love. You are the very meaning of perfection,” she responded.
They smiled even wider, looking into each other’s eyes, before Legolas led Elawen to the table to be seated. At the head of the table sat Thranduil, who nodded to the two as they sat. He appeared to be in a good mood despite the fact that Gimli sat only four seats away and did not mind the volume of his voice in the slightest.
With the couple’s seating, the table appeared to have been filled. The guests were all chatting in a lively manner, a pleasant aura hanging about. The Elvenking watched as a final dish was placed on the table and waved off the workers. Everyone began to eat and drink, enjoying the lavish spread of food that had been prepared for the occasion. For a good while, the celebration consisted only of talking, laughing, eating, and drinking.
Once it seemed most (save the hobbits) had finished reaching out for extra servings, Thranduil sent a questioning glance at Legolas and Elawen, who nodded affirmatively in response. He stood suddenly, garnering the attention of the entire table. He held his glass of wine in hand, gaze sweeping over the suddenly quiet crowd.
“Friends, acquaintances, allies,” he began, his voice strong but not cold. “I thank you for gathering here on behalf of my son, Legolas Greenleaf, and Lady Elawen Haloisi. We enter the new age of this land in a hopeful state. We remain free in a land touched by the light of the Valar. We see it with each passing day,” his gaze flicked to Elawen. “We see it in those who have fought to keep it that way. I am proud to accept this union as one that upholds all codes of honor, trust, and goodness. There are great days ahead, I am certain, Legolas and Elawen. Almien!”
Elawen beamed at the Elvenking’s speech, and chanted almien along with the rest of the table, raising her glass and bringing it to her lips in celebration. She felt Legolas’s hand squeeze her own. It was time.
They stood and made their way to the head of the table. Thranduil stepped aside, behind Legolas, to allow the couple to be the main sight. All eyes were on them. Legolas took Elawen’s hands, smiling brightly. Thranduil raised his chin and spoke the blessing.
“Manwë and Varda, witness this ceremony and recognize Legolas and Elawen’s marriage by Eru Ilúvatar.”
Elawen and Legolas exchanged their rings, slipping them onto their fingers. Elawen beamed as she looked down at her extraordinarily beautiful new gold ring. It had shining jewels embedded into the delicately designed band. She looked up to find Legolas’s gaze on her, a wide smile spreading across his face.
They pulled each other together and kissed as the sound of applause and a few joyful cheers sounded through the hall. A couple of elated tears spilled from Elawen’s eyes as they kissed. When they finally pulled apart, Elawen could not bring herself to do anything except look into Legolas’s shining blue eyes. She let a happy laugh spill out as they held each other lovingly.
“I love you,” Elawen said. “More than I can say.”
Legolas’s smile widened even further. “I love you, too. Beyond time and reason I shall remain yours.”
Elawen pressed one more kiss to his lips, channeling all their love into it. “And I shall be yours.”