This is another bonus scene written after the story was completed... It takes place near the end of the last chapter, when Kat, Gimli and Legolas visited Thranduil. 

Autumn Dance Circles

Breakfasts at Elvenking Thranduil's table were bountiful, with smoked fish and venison, scrambled quail eggs, honey sweetened porridge, fruits, almonds, nuts, herbal tea, and many other things Kat had not yet learned the name of. Like the best kind of hotel breakfast when on vacation in an exotic country.

Yet, this morning she found she was getting a bit tired of the extravagance. After their long journey she was longing to go home – not home to her apartment in the damp western Swedish city where she grew up, but to the new home she would build with her husband in Ithilien. She yearned for the little things; doing mundane tasks together like cooking, cleaning, perhaps tending to their potted trees or whatever home decorations Legolas favored.

She sighed.

Ever sensitive to her emotions, Legolas sent a worried thought: Anything wrong?

Just a bit tired of always being in company. I want to be alone with you. Their mental communication had improved steadily since their wedding and was now almost back to how it was when she was a cat.

And do what? His lips quirked mischievously, making the cute dimples appear.

Get you out of those clothes, for starters. She gave him a smoldering look.

He grinned wider. But I just dressed. It would save time to do it with clothes on.

Naughty. I love it.

"Are you even listening?" Thranduil had raised his voice, a hint of annoyance showing on his fair face.

Kat and Legolas guiltily tore their gazes apart.

"Uh, pardon me, Adar. Would you mind repeating that?"

"As I was saying, I have ordered another set of clothes for you to wear in the Autumn Feast, so I need you at the seamstresses' for measurements today."

"Autumn Feast? That is weeks from now. We had planned to leave before then."

"Aye," Gimli agreed, wiping porridge from his beard. "I have promised King Elessar to help repair his city gate before winter."

"But it is the highlight of the season." Thranduil looked disappointed. "I had much desired to introduce you to the customs of our people. It is really the most lovely festival, with a bounty of food and the best wines, and dancing under the stars all night." He turned to Kat. "Do you like to dance?"

She couldn't help but smile. Her father-in-law reminded her of her husband, though where the latter adored trees the former was more of a party fixer. "I do, yes." Mentally, she added to Legolas: Maybe we can stay for the feast... One last thing before we go home?

Alright then. The Autumn Feast is rather fun, actually, especially what happens after the dancing. He winked.

Really? What would that be? She felt an expectant flutter.

Well, that is when...

"So will you stay?" Thranduil asked, unknowingly interrupting his son's account.

"Perhaps the gate can wait a little longer," said Gimli. "I wouldn't want to disappoint you, dear King."

"We stay for the Feast but then we must return," Legolas agreed.

"Splendid," he beamed. "Then remember to visit the seamstress today. Oh, and I also need you at the jewel smith."

"It is not necessary. We have our wedding rings and that is enough."

Thranduil's nose wrinkled slightly. "Ah... Well, those are certainly... nice. But you have nine other fingers, do you not? I saw this delightful design with acorns that I think would suit you, with matching earrings and a bracelet for Katharina."

"But we will live in the forest," Kat objected. "I don't think we need fine rings and such."

He raised an eyebrow. "I live in a forest. Are you saying I should not wear fine rings?" He flexed his fingers to let the silver catch the light.

"It is different. You are a very fine king and also you are so handsome in fine clothes and rings," she said smoothly.

"You flatter me." He looked pleased.

Keep inflating his ego like that and his head will outgrow his crown.

I'm just stating the truth; he is extremely handsome after all. She grinned at Legolas' wry face, adding: And you inherited everything.

He didn't look convinced.

And also, you're cuter. And sexier. Let me show you how crazy I am about you – with my lips.

Legolas dabbed his mouth with a napkin. "Thank you for the lovely breakfast, Adar. I shall have to excuse myself; I forgot something in my room." He held out his arm to Kat. "Follow me there?"

ʕ(ಠ ‿ ಠ)ʔ ʕll'ಠ‿ಠ'llʔ

The evening air was mild but the trees were beginning to shift in yellow. Autumn was near, and it was time for the Feast.

Arriving on Legolas' arm, her new acorn earrings dangling and her dress billowing in the breeze, Kat looked around in awe. She had never before seen so many lanterns. They were everywhere; on the tables, scattered in the trees, hanging from ropes like glowing balloons crisscrossing the clearing. With the addition of several huge bonfires they made it bright as day despite the late hour.

Cheerful flute music filled the air, and the place was crowded with beautiful, merrily chatting elves in colorful clothes.

Soon Kat was seated at the head table in front of a plateful of the most delicious dishes she had yet tasted in Middle-earth. And the wine was excellent.

"Your father really know how to make a party!" she murmured.

"I have many talents." The Elvenking had heard her, of course, despite sitting a couple of meters away.

What did I tell you about inflating Adar's ego? Legolas scolded her.

As the evening progressed, the hum of voices grew louder and the music changed. Drums were added and the tune intensified. A new instrument took over from the flutes, similar but lower in pitch; something between a bassoon and a bass recorder.

Spontaneous dance circles were forming around the bonfires, steadily attracting more participants. The dancers' faces flickered red in the firelight when they weaved intricate patterns around the blazes, each following their unique path – yet in harmony with the others.

The way they danced was very different from what Kat had expected of elves. Graceful, yes, but somehow raw and primal. Almost erotic.

"Why, this is a side of the elves I never thought I would see," said Gimli, his deep set eyes wide. "It reminds me of cave carnivals back home."

Legolas smirked. "Most of us are at least part Silvan these days. Less wise and more dangerous, or so they say." He turned to Kat. "Shall we dance?"

"I do not know the steps..."

"There are none. Come!" Taking her hand, he pulled her with him to just behind the outer circle. "Now. Close your eyes. Feel the beat... feel the rhythm... let the music steer your feet."

Kat obeyed. With eyes shut her other senses heightened, the jumble of impressions nearly overwhelming her: the heady smell of smoke; the warmth of heated bodies; the steady barrage of drums invading her like a heartbeat.

Tentatively she began to sway, feeling Legolas do the same through their joined hands. Then suddenly she was treading along the circle, following the flow as a leaf in a stream. Letting go of control, she moved her body, adding her own pattern to the whole of the dance.

It was more intoxicating than anything she experienced before.

Much later, when her feet ached and her hair was damp with perspiration, Legolas drew her out of the circle. "Come!" he urged, eyes gleaming and cheeks flushed. He was so attractive it hurt.

Kat saw other couples leaving and suddenly understood. Are we going to...?

Indeed, we are. If you want to?

Of course.

Laughing, they ran hand in hand into the underbrush, diving under branches and jumping fallen trees, until at last they came out on a grassy slope at a bend of the river. Surrounded by yellowing alder trees and willows, the little beach was completely secluded.

"I love this place," he said. "I used to come here a lot as a child."

Kat kneeled by the stream, letting the water cool her wrists. "It is beautiful."

Legolas joined her. "You are beautiful." He gently pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear and breathed into it: "When you danced before, it was so sensual I could hardly control myself."

She turned her head to kiss him. It's super hot when you whisper stuff like that.

I can do it again. He chose her other ear, nipping it with his lips before whispering: "I want to slowly undress you so I can admire your silky skin and alluring curves. And then I will cover you with kisses... every inch. Lastly I shall lay you on the grass, where I..."

Stop. Nearly bursting with desire, she pulled him down with her. Enough teasing.

"Fine with me," he replied huskily. "Now, take your clothes off, please."

She popped the first button open. "If you do the same."

This he did, and not long afterwards another dance began; ancient as life itself. The dance of love.

ʕ(ಠ ‿ ಠ)ʔ ʕll'ಠ‿ಠ'llʔ

When they returned on rather shaky legs, the party was still in full swing. Legolas sat down with Gimli to share a couple of beers – especially brought in for the dwarf from Dale, the nearby human town – and Kat found herself in a tête-à-tête with the Elvenking.

"Do you enjoy the feast?" he asked, giving her ruffled clothes and hair a knowing glance.

She tried to look innocent. "Much. Thank you for asking us stay and not miss it!"

"I will be sad to see you leave." He smiled wistfully. "My son and I were not always on the best terms, but I love him deeply. I sense how much this past year's experience has hurt him, and it is relieving to know he has you on his side to ease the pain."

She nodded seriously. "Yes, much hurt. He did not like to kill. But now when he gets the Gift I think he feels forgiven, and..."

"Gift?"

Her cheeks grew very hot. Darn; the wine had made her tongue slip. Legolas had not yet told his father he would choose mortality, and this was the worst time and place for such a confession. "Uh, anyway, I think he will enjoy go to Ithilien and start over..."

"What gift?"

The sudden chill in his voice frightened her. Mouth dry, she stammered: "The Gift of... of Men."

Thranduil stared at her in disbelief, all color leaving his face. He seemed unable to reply.

"We did not mean to tell it like this. I am sorry. But it is what he want. It is what he..." She broke off, mentally cursing her inability to express what she meant in the foreign language.

With shaking fingers, Thranduil filled his glass. "How is it possible?"

"The Valar. When I met them, they said he can have it. If he want."

"And he accepted it?"

"Yes," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes.

"I ought to have realized..." He took a sip, then another one. "Him choosing a mortal wife. I ought to have realized what it meant." He drained the rest of the wine.

"I am sorry," she said again.

"It is not your fault." Refilling both their glasses, he added in a strained voice: "It just came as... something of a... surprise."

She swallowed a mouthful, not tasting it. How devastating it must be to know one's child would die prematurely; no parent should have to go through that. Yet, Thranduil didn't know what she did. It was not death that awaited Legolas.

Suddenly she was talking about that, describing all she knew about the afterlife, ignoring her lack of language as she animatedly tried to paint a picture of a place where there was no sorrow and no death.

"...and sheeps will go with... uh, the big cat animals, and a child will lead them, and it will be flowers and singing and very much happiness."

While she talked, Thranduil had listened intently. "And you are certain about this?"

"Yes. Very." She nodded for emphasis.

He was silent for a long time before replying. "I suppose... if this Gift is what he truly wants, and it makes him happy..." A tear spilled from his eye. "Then that is all that matters. My pain means little in comparison."

"Thank you that you understand." She smiled through a sheen of mist. "You are a good father."

"I try." He weakly returned the smile. "Like I said, I have many talents." Wiping his eyes, he drew a few calming breaths. "Well. This should be a merry occasion, not a funeral. Please, have another glass with me and let us change to a lighter topic."

,./\.,/\.,/\.,
ʕll * _ *,llʔ

When Legolas and Gimli joined them a while later, Kat was in the middle of teaching Thranduil a Swedish drinking song and they were both rather tipsy.

"There you are! It is time to light the boats," said Legolas cheerfully.

"Boats?" asked Kat.

"It is a tradition. This is a feast to celebrate the year's bounty, so it ends with everyone lighting a small candle boat and sending them down the river as a message of thankfulness to the Valar."

"Sounds beautiful!"

They went there together, joining a crowd on either side of the river. Already hundreds of little lights twinkled on the rippling surface.

Legolas gave Kat a walnut filled with tallow. With the wick it really did resemble a tiny boat.

"I go first." He lit another one on a lantern and placed it on the water. "I am grateful that we won the war, and that I made so many new friends. Katharina and Gimli, in particular."

Gimli placed his boat. "I am grateful for those things too, and for meeting the most gracious, beautiful Lady."

"That would be Galadriel," Legolas clarified in a whisper to his father.

"I am grateful I was given a second life," said Kat, sending her walnut sailing.

"And I am grateful for my son's happiness." Thranduil added his own.

Then the four of them stood together in silence, watching the tiny dots of light slowly grow distant and finally disappear.

Recollecting all she had experienced the past year, Kat reflected over how much there was to be thankful for now that she thought about it. And so much more to look forward to. A life with Legolas, to have and to hold until death parted them – and even then they would meet again.

She sniffed, but now her tears were those of joy. Her throat tightening, she took Legolas' hand. I'm so happy.

So am I, adanig nín. He squeezed it. Never been happier.

A/N:

Sorry I keep adding to this story... but I just felt there were a few scenes I wanted to elaborate. :) It won't go on forever, but there is one more part planned (Christmas themed) and then the epilogue, before I'll leave these two lovebirds alone. 

Image Credits:

Lantern photo borrowed from House Beautiful,  www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/a36163508/garden-lighting-ideas/