"You look like every dark dream coming true," Adar says, his voice husky. "Ever so lovely, and always so lethal."
"Thank you," I say, blushing. "As do you."
Umog clears her throat, standing before us. "Are we ready to begin?" she asks, looking from Adar to me.
"Unite us," Adar nods.
And so Umog does. 

A short phrase in black speech pours from Umog's mouth, sounding like a symbiotic spell. To men, elves, and dwarves it might sound like a curse, but to Adar and me, it's a phrase of devotion, of protection, to protect each other, always, to love each other, forever. 

"The rings," Umog says after her speech.
Sorogrim steps forward. Of course, he would be the one to carry them. He's my friend, and one of Adar's most trusted soldiers.
Sorogrim holds out his hand, two rings catching the light of a nearby torch. They are both so beautiful.
Adar takes the one meant for me, holding my hand while sliding the ring onto my right index finger. The ring's in twisted silver metal, but cut apart in the center to make room for a pair of crafted claws grasping a reddish-black stone. I'm not sure what kind of stone it is; it's not a gem, more a crystal. It's as black as Adar's blood, his ink mixed with my crimson. Bonded.
"With this ring, I bind myself to you. From this night, till the day I die, and beyond; I will always be with you. I love you Malwen, will you bind yourself to me?" Adar's divine eyes lock onto mine, one of his soft smiles on his lips.
"I already have," I tell him. "My broken heart tethered itself to yours the moment I saw you. My fractured soul became healed in your presence. You are the light that keeps me whole, and it cannot be darken. The bright is not in the sky, it's in the passion of your eyes. Your wise, beautiful eyes. They read my rambling mind like knowing god, and I worship you. I bind myself to you."
I put the ring crafted for Adar on his index finger, his long nail pointing straight at me, claiming me. His ring is rough; dark steel gray, rivers of black carved into it, like the pattern on his armor. I also notice the elvish letter for M carved into it, and if my eyes weren't filled with tears already, they run silently down my cheeks now.
Adar cups my face, drying my tears of joy. He's so handsome, his brutal beauty pale and ethereal in the flickering light of flame and drowning moonlight.
"I was nothing without you," I say. "I'm everything with you."
"You're my everything," Adar says. "My love eternal." 

Umog looks from Adar to me. "Seal your vows with a kiss before the crowd of witnesses, and seal them with the boding of your bodies after the feast and merriment. The future is dark and uncertain, but tonight the stars are shining bright, and love as strong as yours should be celebrated to strengthen all our hope."

Adar's lips meet mine softly at first, but only for a moment, before he deepens the kiss, making me moan before my new family. I can feel his smirk against my mouth, so I bite his lower lip, making him groan in return. 

The crowd of Uruks whoops and hollers, clapping and stomping their feet in unison. Adar gives me one more kiss before we part to look at his children, my children, in a way. I will protect them, always.  

"Congratulations, Lord Father," Sorogrim says to Adar, bowing. "Lady Mother," he winks at me. Adar smiles at that.  

Adar takes my hand, leading me to the middle of the gathered throng of Uruk. They part for us and start creating a circle. A drum sounds, a steady, deep beat creating a pace fit for dancing. A flute sounds next, and some sort of makeshift string instrument. I look around, spotting the trio creating music far from anything I've ever heard. It's dark, yet festive. Gloomy, yet glad. It's beautiful, and I let Adar lead me in a dance that I do not know the steps to. His gloved hand is on my back, the other entwined with my right, our rings mingling in the magic of the moment. Husband. Wife. A love so deep, thriving, and terrifying, I can hardly breathe. Adar's eyes are fixed on mine, and I hope he'll always look at me like this; utterly enthralled and accepting of every dark thought and emotion I've ever had, and devoted to my future happiness. Forever bonded to him; by blood, by love, by lust, and by life. And we will live. 

He twirls me around, bringing me back close to him. The dance is kinda similar to an elvish dance, but way too bold for our demure nature, his hands roaming all over my body. I don't think this is a Uruk dance either, this is all Adar; all tall, tantalizing, and taking what he wants. My back presses against his front, and his hands grab my hips, making them sway to the beat. My right hand comes about his neck, while the other finds his left on my hip. I grind into him, making him groan, hearing nearby Uruks roar in unison. The naughty she-elf unable to control herself yet again.
"Don't make me carry you off from the festivities just yet, Mordo Nethar," Adar growls in my ear.
"Then don't make me so damn wet," I purr back.
Adar bites my neck, almost breaking skin, and I moan out in pleasure and pain. I spin around to pretend-slap him, but he takes my hand, giving me a sly smile, before bringing it to his lips to kiss it softly, twice; once on the back, and once on my ring. 

---

"Dinner is served, Lord Father and Lady Mother," a Uruk shouts from the back of the crowd, and the music slows.
We take our seats along a makeshift table, bonded together by slim trunks and broken branches, its surface uneven, but holding- A spread of meat, fruits, bread, and stew reach down the long line of seats made of flat stones with pelts.
Adar and I take a seat at the middle, Sorogrim to Adar's left, and Shaká and Zunn to my right.
Umog's sitting right across from us, a knowing smile on her face.
We eat, talk, and laugh into the small hours of the night. They've even managed to procure wine for this occasion, and I'm feeling slightly tipsy.
There's more music, and song, some merry profanity in black speech, and whatnot.
"And what about you, Lady Mother, do you know a song you care to share with us?" Zunn asks me.
I swallow down a sip of wine, the question catching me off guard. I do know songs, and I used to sing when I was younger.
"Maybe," I give her a mischievous smile.
"Will the Lady indulge us in a tune?" Shaká asks.
"What would you like? A song fit for a tavern, or one fit for dreams?"
"You know tavern songs?" Sorogrim asks.
"Of course I do, I've been to many far reaches of Middle Earth, collecting poems, songs, and tales."
"Then please, entertain us, my Lady!"  

I look at Adar, and he gives me an approving smile.
"Very well then, a tavern song it is." I stand up, taking a generous swig of my wine, hearing Adar chuckle. I look around at my family, keen faces wanting to hear what I've picked up on one of my long ago travels. 

In a tavern old, where the ale flows bold,
And the fire warms our souls,
With a clink of steel, and a hearty meal,
We're free from all our woes!

So raise your mug, my merry friends,
Let the laughter never end!
For tonight we dance, and tonight we sing,
In the hall of the mountain king!

The jester jests, and the minstrel plays,
As the maidens spin around,
With a flagon high, we toast the sky,
While our feet tap on the ground!

With a sword in hand, and a heart so true,
We've tales to tell anew,
But tonight we rest, in the company best,
With a song for me and you!

So raise your mug, my merry friends,
Let the laughter never end!
For tonight we dance, and tonight we sing,
In the hall of the mountain king! 

I sing out loud, the Uruk clapping, stomping their feet. I grab Shaká and Zunn's hands and drag them with me to twirl them around. When the song ends, there is loud applause and cheer, and they demand a reprise of the anthem, several joining in after a while. Adar steps in and twirls me, his deep voice sounding trying to join in the song. And of course, my Uruk can sing as well. 

My heart is so full of joy, I'm ready to burst. Our wedding is so wonderful, a much-needed reprieve we all need. The terrors of tomorrow coming soon enough. 

Laughing and out of breath, I bow at the waist, taking the rapture of applause when I come to a final close. 

--- 

"What about a song fit for dreams?" Adar asks. "Will Ammë sing her children to sleep?" He looks at me, his eyes so soft, almost pleading for a tender tune to send them into a state of make belive bliss.   

I take his hand, looking around me, at the faces of a race both hunted and haunted. They've never known light the way we do, the warmth, and its hope. Only in darkness will they find solace. We're nearly there, but I will paint them an image of golden light, flowers, and faith. 

In the twilight's gentle gleaming,
Where the starlight softly weaves,
There's a song of distant dreaming,
Carried on the evening breeze.
Hear the whispers of the forest,
In the language of the trees,
Guiding lost hearts to their solace,
To the land where spirits breathe. 

Oh, Lúthien, fair maiden of light,
Guide us through the endless night,
In dreams we wander, stars above,
Lead us to the lands of love. 

Through the shadows, pale and fleeting,
Walk the paths where moonlight falls,
Where the echoes of our yearning,
Dance within the ancient halls.
In the silence, find the power,
To believe in what might be,
For in every darkest hour,
Grows the seed of destiny. 

In the gardens of forever,
Where the rivers softly flow,
There we'll find our hearts together,
In the light of endless glow.
Raise your eyes to skies unfolding,
See the dawn of hope arise,
In the arms of dreams, we're holding,
To the promise of the skies. 

Oh, Lúthien, fair maiden of light,
Guide us through the endless night,
In dreams we wander, stars above,
Lead us to the lands of love. 

So let your heart be ever glowing,
With the fire of dreams untold,
For in every seed of sorrow,
Blooms a flower made of gold.
In the night, the light is shining,
In the dark, the hope is bright,
Follow Lúthien's sweet singing,
To the dawn's first morning light. 

--- 

Tears stream down my face as I finish the song, my longing for such a world a knife to my heart. 

I face my husband, his eyes misty with memories and sadness, yet a faint smile is on his lips. He's found beauty in darkness, and so have I. Hope can be found in every corner of the earth, and I found it below ground in a tenebrous tunnel. Chained, but only to my own fear. In a cage, but only in my own mind. The dark elf before me knows this. He's led me to a land of love. We stand at its threshold, and soon we'll step beyond and embrace the promise of a new era.

Adar brings his lips to mine, salty sadness blending with gasping gratitude. The Uruks are quiet at first, and then there is even more applause than when I sang the tavern song. 

"Never thought I'd like a sappy, elvish ballad, but here I am," Sorogrim says, walking over to us.
"I think it's for the best you two take your leave and leave us to the remaining festivities before we all turn into a bunch of morose misfits." 

"Is that an order?" Adar asks, smirking.
"A request," Sorogrim states.
"Well, then." Adar turns my way, and before I know it, I'm lifted from the ground and tossed over his shoulder.
"Is this how the Uruk carries their wives?" I ask.
"No, this is how I carry what's mine," Adar replies, giving my behind a firm spank.
"Oh well," I giggle. "Keep me forever then, my Heru."