"Come on Sam, one last adventure,"

The moment the hobbits had been waiting for had arrived. Some well-wishers had gathered around Lord Elrond's tent as he emerged with Princess Anberenien. She was wearing a gown of pale blue, embroidered with silver leaves, each leaf with one white gem sewn upon it. Over this, she wore a cloak of cloth of silver, embroidered with the Sigils of Arnor and Gondor. Her dual toned hair was long and loose, with meadow flowers woven into it. The same Meadow flowers that adorned her Arnorian crown.

Sam's mouth dropped open. "She looks like a fairy queen from Mr Bilbo's stories."

Frodo winked and smiled. "You may very well be right, Sam."

The well-wishers clapped, cheered and threw flowers as they passed through the camp and followed the torchlit path up and up into the wood. Sam felt a tugging on his sleeve. "Come on, Sam, before the others notice," whispered Frodo.

"I am not sure it's allowed, Mr Frodo. What if we get caught? Gandalf is bound to turn us into a frog or something."

Frodo winked back at him. "Come on, Sam, one last adventure." And the two hobbits slipped away from the encampment unnoticed. As they entered Firien Wood, Sam felt a sense of unease, as if they were walking into a temple and its guardians were watching them. He was so afraid that he dared not speak. Nervously, they crept through the forest. "It's just a little further," whispered Frodo.

Soon they heard faint voices in the distance and got down on the ground. Slowly, they crawled to a small clearing by the stream that ran through the forest. The Wood Elves had driven their red torches into the ground, bathing the clearing in their light. Those present stood in a large circle with three figures in its centre.

"Look, it's Gandalf, so that's what he is there for," whispered Sam.

"What else do you see?" whispered Frodo.

As Sam looked, he saw the Elven King kneeling before the Princess and offering her his sword. She took it into her hands and they spoke what sounded like oaths to each other before she bowed low to him and handed the sword back. Sam knew they were speaking Elvish, but he could not understand it.

"They are speaking in Quenya, making oaths to each other in the name of Eru," whispered Frodo.

"But why do they call the princess, Almárie," whispered Sam.

"Because that is her true name," whispered Frodo.

Sam realized there was something different about the Princess. "She looks taller, her hair is all silver, and she glows, not like the Elves, more like Gandalf!" whispered Sam.

"You see her as she is, too. I hoped you would. But you must never speak of it, ever, nor put pen to paper. I only brought you because you are a ring bearer and I know I can trust you," whispered Frodo.

"Not even to the princess. I don't think I could lie to her," whispered Sam.

Frodo smiled. "She is the Woodland Queen now."

They saw the couple exchange rings and Gandalf bound their hands with a white cord. The Elves resumed singing as the couple embraced and kissed. King Elessar and Queen Arwen looked at each other lovingly and held hands. Gandalf smiled and congratulated them both. His eyes then looked in the hobbits' direction and he winked. "We must leave now else we will be missed," whispered Frodo. Quickly, he pulled Sam away and they both ran away as fast as they could. Just as they exited the wood, Sam stopped. "The Princess, the Queen, Almárie, she is no mortal, is she."

Frodo shook his head and smiled. "No, Sam. But come on, we must get back."

As they reached the encampment, they could see people looking up and pointing at the sky. It amazed the hobbits to see many stars shooting across the inky sky. "Wow, that's better than Gandalf's fireworks. But don't tell him I said that, will you?" said Sam.

Frodo laughed. "Don't worry, I won't."

They joined the other hobbits and Gimli, who were standing by their tent." Where have you two been?" said Gimli.

"We went for a quiet smoke," replied Frodo.

"You should have said we would have joined you," said Merry.

"Did you see the stars flying across the sky? The Elves say it is Elbereth blessing the union," said Pippin.

The Elves sang as the wedding party emerged from the woods led by the Bride now in her mortal form and the Groom. more well wishers gathered to welcome the Bride and Groom to camp where the wedding feast was waiting. Gimli and the hobbits joined the festivities.

During the feast, the Bride and Groom sat together under a canopy upon the Dias and the feasting went on until Legolas began the toasts. "To my father King Thranduil, I wish you and his beloved Queen Alethris every happiness and may your lives together be both happy and fruitful." The Eleven King glanced at his Queen and smirked. She looked back at him and blushed. The guests raised their horns and goblets and called out in loud voices. "Hail King Thranduil! Hail Queen Alethris!"

---------------------------------

After the feast, Alethris and Thranduil went with Aragorn, Arwen and Eomer to Theoden's funerary tent. Together, they silently entered. Herbal scents wafted from burning braziers with lanterns lighting the interior. Guards stood vigil around the casket in the centre of the tent. There was a sense of peace and reverence as mourners already in the tent paid silent homage to their fallen king, then left. Upon seeing the casket, Alethris gave a sharp intake of breath and shuddered. Thoughts of Nuta and the crystal casket flashed into her mind. She stopped for a moment and looked at Thranduil. He nodded understandingly and clasped her hand as she composed herself.

The Oak casket was carved with King Theoden's name and all of his great deeds in both runes and pictorial engravings. Flowers, drinking horns, beads or braids of hair had been left in tribute to be interred with the King at his burial. Thranduil led Alethris to the casket, and she laid her bridal flowers upon it. Arwen assisted her with untwining the flowers from her hair and crown. Thranduil also removed the leaves and flowers from his own before he, too, placed them on the casket. They both bowed their heads in silence. Arwen left a braided lock of her hair, then Thranduil, Elessar and Eomer made a silent toast, leaving their drinking horns in offering, before they all exited the tent.

As they emerged, Galadriel and Celeborn met them. "King Thranduil, Queen Alethris, all is ready for your departure," said Galadriel.

Alethris turned to Thranduil. "Must we leave so soon?"

"Thorwen, it is time to begin our lives together, and this encampment is in mourning. It would be wise to take our leave now. We have other matters to attend to," he replied.

Alethris blushed slightly, knowing what he meant. She wondered how he would react when he saw her scarred body. Would his love for her diminish? She had often thought of using glamour to cover them up as Thranduil did, but knew that unlike him, her Will as powerful as it was, was limited.

Thranduil chuckled as he looked into her eyes. He took her hand and kissed it. "Yes, that is to come, Melleth nin. But also our people are waiting for me to bring home their queen, and I do not wish to disappoint them." Alethris smiled back at him. Then the two of them led the way through the camp till they reached the horses where many well-wishers were gathered to see the happy couple off. Corwen and the Huscarls were already mounted. "Congratulations, my Lord King, my Lady Queen. May your union be both joyful and fruitful," she said. "Hail King Thranduil! Hail Queen Alethris!" called the Hurscarls. They looked at each other and smiled.

Elessar and Arwen came forth to bid them farewell. "It is the custom of my people for the mother or female representative of the bride's family to present the groom with a jewel. I come as that female representative. My father adopted Anberenien, who is now called Alethris. As her sister, I ask that you love and treasure her as much as we do." She presented Thranduil with a Mithril brooch of a stag that contained a large white gem. Pinning it upon his chest, she kissed his forehead and embraced him as a Kinsman.

"Thank you for this gracious gift, Queen Arwen, though the gift of your sister's hand will forever outshine any jewel in my possession," replied Thranduil.

Alethris bowed to Elessar, removed the little crown from her head, and placed it in his hands. Elessar nodded and embraced her, then held her hands. "Now remember all that we discussed. You are not only Queen of the Wood Elves but my regent in Arnor. Make me proud, dear sister."

"I will," replied Alethris. and they embraced again.

Elessar observed Alethris's wedding gown. "Didn't you wear that gown at the Great Feast in the Woodland Realm?"

"She did indeed, I designed it myself," replied Thranduil.

"I wish I had the skill to design such a garment."

Thranduil gave him a smirk. "I know what I like."

"Oh and do thank Thurindaer for taking care of that little matter in the Old Guesthouse, the Innkeep was most grateful. The Dwarven ambassador has removed his kin from the city and has assured me the aforementioned song will no longer be sung....anywhere."

A broad grin crept across Thranduil's face. "I shall be sure to reward Thurindaer most generously for his service, to myself and the queen." The happy couple then bid farewell to those who had come to see them off, including King Eomer, Prince Imrahil and his family, the hobbits and Gimli.

Gandalf then approached and embraced them. "A thousand blessings upon you both, and may the stars watch over you."

Next came Elladan and Elrohir, before Galadriel and Celeborn. While Thranduil and Celeborn laughed and joked together, Galadriel's voice drifted into Alethris's mind. "So you have reclaimed your Maia name, albeit in Sindarin."

Alethris looked up at her. "Anberenien died a long time ago and my time in mortal lands is diminishing."

Galadriel shook her head. "She only sleeps within you and will awaken when most needed." She kissed Alethris on her forehead. "I know what you fear, it is only natural. But if you can love your husband despite his affliction, he will love you despite yours."

Alethris felt Thranduil's hand upon her shoulder. "Your father is waiting," he said. She turned to see Elrond and Legolas waiting by Thranduil's Elk. The little girl in her took over, and she ran over and embraced him.

Elrond smiled, but his eyes welled with tears. "Alámene anelya melda Almárie." He then placed her hand in Thranduil's. "May your lives together be both joyful and fruitful." Alethris nodded, but could not find the words to reply. She had not expected the mixture of emotions she was feeling at this moment. The joy of her new life mixed with the pain of leaving her old one. Elrond smiled reassuringly. "It is not goodbye Almárie, there shall be much to celebrate tomorrow. Then, after the funeral, we shall travel north together before you spend a month in Imladris."

"I did not expect to feel so conflicted, Ada."

Elrond grinned. "Just wait till you become a mother."

Alethris looked about her for Calithiliel, but Legolas explained she was already in the Wood Elves encampment. "It is our tradition for a groom to bring his bride home on his own ride and there is plenty of room on my Elk," said Thranduil. He took his leave of Elrond, then mounted his Elk. Everyone cheered as Thranduil lifted Alethris onto the Elk in front of him. The Huscarls lifted their red torches as the Elves then sang the same song of union Alethris had heard when she witnessed the Elven wedding in Lothlórien. As the Elk trotted away ahead of Legolas and the Huscarls, Alethris smiled and waved at those she was leaving behind, her husband's arm securely about her waist.

They followed the torches back up to the road that passed through the wood. Alethris took one last look before the encampment was out of sight. The company rode further along the road, the red torches lighting their way. Till Alethris could faintly make out the wood's exit, then Thranduil ordered the party to halt. He then turned to Legolas and Corwen. "You may continue onwards to our encampment. The Queen and I shall arrive at dawn."

Legolas and Corwen bowed their heads, then continued onwards, with the Huscarls leaving Thranduil and Alethris alone in the darkness. "Our attendants have prepared a place for us a little way from here, we shall be ...... undisturbed," he said. Thranduil turned off the road and as they rode through the trees Alethris saw the red lights of Elven torches up ahead. Soon they came to a small clearing where a canopy of stars shone brightly above them. Torches had been driven into the earth and lanterns covered a large beech tree in the centre of the clearing. Beneath the tree, a bed of linen sheets, blankets, fleeces and furs had been prepared along with food and wine, but none of the attendants were present. Its simple beauty delighted Alethris.

They both dismounted, then Thranduil commanded the Elk to leave but to return at dawn. The noble beast then trotted away like a pony into the darkness. Now they were truly alone as husband and wife. Thranduil took her into his arms and as their lips embraced, Alethris quivered with anticipation of what was to come. As they kissed, she felt him unpin the silver cloak around her shoulders and cast it aside. He stood back from her, still holding her hand as he observed her wearing the gown. "I really do have impeccable taste, Melleth hervess nin Thorwen."

They both giggled, then Thranduil drew her close again. "Maer cin ceri melleth herven nin Thurindaer," breathed Alethris. They kissed more passionately before Thranduil lifted his bride and carried her towards the bed.