Heart in my throat, I strode out into the hall with Lachiel. "Shall we go?"

She dipped her head with a sly smile. "Yes, Your Majesty." Curling her arm around the guard's, she added, "Are you nervous?" Her cunning eyes dared me to tell the truth.

"No," I lied, straight-faced, as we began to walk. "To be blunt, my lady, nothing that transpires today will be anything new."

Lachiel's step faltered. "I...beg your pardon?" Her face wavered between horror and fury.

I gave her my best condescending smile—though this position was rather unfamiliar. "We've been involved for some time, Lachiel...but our wedding is today, so no harm done, right?"

"My lady," the guard started, tentative, "Shall I—"

She cut him off with a glare. "Silence—no more of this from either of you. I won't let you ruin my brother's wedding day." She jerked her chin down the hall, and the guard jumped to escort her past me.

I couldn't help feeling a bit smug that I'd thrown her off kilter. Genuinely trying not to smirk, I followed her around the castle until we came to the massive double doors leading into the throne room. Lachiel and her guard slipped into the back, and she motioned me in.

Tables were arranged all around the room, overflowing with garlands, candles, and food. Elves stood in rows, staring at me. Their eyes betrayed distrust, worry, and disgust.

King Thranduil stood before the throne, dressed in silver robes the shade of storm clouds, wearing a crown of twisted branches that glittered with snowflake-like gems.

Beside him stood Legolas, who wore tan trousers and a sky-blue tunic and a smaller, silver crown. His eyes, bluer than ever, watched me with a welcoming smile.

My heart thrummed, warmth filling my chest. I could do this. A smile lifting my lips, I strode toward him. As I drew closer, he lifted a hand and held it out to me. Once in reach, I placed my fingers in his warm palm. Legolas reached for my other hand, and I happily gave it to him.

Thranduil placed one hand on my shoulder, and one on Legolas's. "We gather to celebrate the coming union of my precious son, Legolas, and Queen Amariel of Erebor.

Legolas, ion nin." Thranduil clasped Legolas's shoulder, a smile warming his neutral expression. "Before both Elvish and Dwarvish witnesses, do you willingly commit to faithful marriage with Amariel, both physically and spiritually?"

Legolas squeezed my hands and gave a firm nod. "I commit."

"Amariel." Thranduil tugged on my shoulder, turning me slightly toward him. "Before both Dwarvish and Elvish witnesses, do you willingly commit to faithful marriage with Legolas, both physically and spiritually?"

I met Legolas's gaze. He watched me with a steady smile, a calm, assured affection that I could feel in my bones. Pulling a hand from his, I nodded and placed it on his chest. "I commit. Come what may."

Thranduil snapped his fingers, and a guard strode forward, carrying an engraved wooden box the size of his two hands. Thranduil gingerly lifted the lid, revealing two rings—one made of delicate gold branches intertwining, with emerald leaves sprinkled throughout. The other was silver with a series of impossibly tiny sapphires forming a myriad of waves.

"You are two beings, now brought together to make something better," Thranduil said, lifting the gold ring, which he handed to Legolas.

Legolas took my right hand and slid the ring onto my index finger, eyes shining with warmth.

Thranduil took the silver ring out and handed it to me. "To separate would be painless for neither. In the case that you were to divide, the rings will be melted, a symbol of love lost."

I took Legolas's right hand and placed the ring on his index finger. As it came to a rest at the base of his finger, his other hand came around to cradle mine.

"However," Thranduil said, and a note of warmth entered his voice. "Some elements, once joined, are not apt to separate. Like the joining of land and water, and the life it sustains, it is best for all to remain together."

Legolas glanced at his father, then took my face between his hands and kissed me, hard. It took me less than a second to grab the front of his tunic and pull him closer, kissing him back.

Thranduil chuckled. "I think they'll be fine." Uneasy laughter went through the audience as we continued to kiss. Leaning closer, Thranduil whispered, "Amusing as this is, it's vastly more awkward, and we all came to this feast rather hungry."

When Legolas didn't respond, I placed my hands on his face and firmly put a couple of inches between us. "Later," I whispered, and a smile spread across my face.

He smiled also, red tinging his ears. "Indeed."

Thranduil motioned to some servants, and they hurried over. They clustered around his throne, lifted it, and carried it to the side. Another squad of servants carried an immaculately-decorated table and set it in the throne's place. Thranduil took his place at the head, and Legolas led me to our places—him sitting to the right of his father, and I at Legolas's right.

The chatter of Elves serving food rose through the hall, the occasional note of Dwarf bass audible over the tenors and sopranos. I gazed over the roomful of people, their clothes a mix of vivid color and earthy tones, blurring into one mass of movement.

Legolas laid a hand on my shoulder, placing a plate full of food before me, and he smiled. "Here you go, my love."

I smiled and began to eat.

Thranduil tapped Legolas's shoulder. "Bring Lachiel up to join us. If she's sulking, just drag Angrod up here. She'll follow."

Legolas raised an eyebrow. "Who is Angrod?"

"The one with black hair and gloves." Thranduil waved a hand dismissively. "You'll see him."

With a shrug, Legolas headed down toward the back, leaving me somewhat alone with the Elvenking.

Thranduil served himself some salad and forked himself a bite of lettuce. He glanced at me, noticing that I watched him, and covered his mouth as he chewed. After swallowing, he said, "Do you find the meal to your liking? The cooks specifically added meat for you and your companions."

I glanced at my plate—indeed, my plate in particular boasted more meat than I'd seen since leaving Erebor. "Thank you," I exclaimed, and stabbed a forkful into my mouth. My appetite caught up with my nerves, and I could scarcely eat fast enough.

Thranduil chuckled and reached over to pat my shoulder. "Pace yourself, Eda—you've a long afternoon before you, and then your wedding night as well."

I nearly choked. Yeah...that. I wondered if it would be possible to forego any, erm, physical relations, and keep our marriage strictly political...at least for a while?

But then Legolas returned, and I abandoned any thoughts of doing anything other than making him my husband in every way.

He helped Lachiel into the seat to Thranduil's left, then returned to his seat beside me. Giving me a smile, he snagged a winebottle and popped the cork. "Ada, this smells great," he said, filling Thranduil's glass, then his own. "Want some, Eda?"

I nodded—maybe it would help this case of nerves.

As Legolas poured, Thranduil lifted his glass and took a sip, wearing an expression of contentment I hadn't seen on him before. Beneath the crown and behind the finery sat an ellon I realized I admired—someone with wisdom about ruling that I could easily ask questions of and learn much from, but even more, a father figure.

I had to bite my lip to keep back tears.

Legolas caught my gaze, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He gave me a, we can talk about this later smile, and handed me my wineglass. "Lachiel, would you care for a drink?"

Lachiel sat back in her seat and crossed her arms. "I can't fathom your predicament, Ada. Your heir takes every opportunity to escape his adar's legacy, while the child actually caring about the art of politics was born to a whore."

The entire room fell silent. All eyes turned on Thranduil.

His eyes locked onto his daughter's. His wineglass shattered between his fingers, staining his robes with red wine. Anger rolled off him in waves.

Legolas cringed.

Lachiel had the good sense to drop her gaze to her lap.

"You were not born to a whore." Thranduil's voice rang clear, for everyone to hear. "There was no wedding feast, no announcement to the kingdom, no...haggling with the council, and that was my mistake." He took a deep breath and released it. "But before the days of wedding feasts, there was just the ellon, the elleth, and Eru Illùvatar. And that is how I wed your mother. Not for formalities, or an heir. For love."

Silence hung over the room for a long moment.

Thranduil dropped his voice so that it was barely audible. "Lachiel, you've always been a princess in my eyes. You're no less than your brother, and you have nothing to prove."

Lachiel's eyes shone with tears as she stared into her lap.

Finally, Thranduil sighed and sat back. He took his napkin and dabbed at the stain down his front, and said, "Legolas, Amariel, perhaps it would be best if you retire early. I do not want this matter interfering with what will probably be the most critical day of your lives."

Legolas nodded once and stood, holding out a shaking hand to help me up as well. When I placed my hand in his, I realized mine trembled as well. We exchanged nervous grins, then Legolas calmed his expression and turned to Thranduil. "Thank you Ada, this was lovely."

Thranduil stood and pulled Legolas into a tight hug. "I wish you the very best, Legolas. You as well, Amariel." He gives me a smile over Legolas's shoulder. "And I expect a good-night hug from you both once the bond is established." He pulled back and gave Legolas a mock-glare.

Legolas rolled his eyes. "Yeah Ada, whatever." He grabbed my hand again and tugged me around the table and toward the back.

My heart thudded...this was really happening.

"Wait—my Queen Amariel!" Larika darted out of the crowd and tried to hide a thick, meaty sandwich behind her skirt. "Do you need me for anything, Your Majesty? May I fetch anything from your room for you?"

I honestly tried to think of something. "Um..."

Legolas swept me into his arms with only the slightest of grunts. I yelped in surprise and grabbed his shoulders for support. "Thank you, Larika," he said, "but my wife and I will satisfy our needs together, and company is neither necessary nor particularly wanted."

My innocent little maid went beet red and retreated into the crowd.

Chuckling, Legolas carried me out of the throne room and down the hall in an unfamiliar direction. But after turning a few corners, he exhaled heavily. "Sweet Valar, Eda—are you made of gold or something?"

I covered my eyes and snickered. "I don't think so." I peeked up at him, only to realize he was staring at me with a new depth. His eyes had taken a new shade, like an ocean reflecting storm clouds. Face heating, I whispered, "But...you're welcome to check, if you wish."

"I do wish." He took my hand, the one with my wedding ring, and kissed my knuckles with a barely-controlled passion. Giving me a tight smile, he whispered, "Let's go."

***Author's Note***

WELL...mehehe, please vote comment!

I've gotten a lot of people asking me if I'm going to write the wedding night. Honestly, this is something I've been wondering myself, ever since Eda and Legolas met. And I finally have an answer for you.

Yes. I am.

It will not be explicit, but it will be intimate. For those of you uncomfortable reading it, it will only be the next chapter. (And if Eda and Legolas pull a stunt on me, I will give you a fair warning. XD!) But I am bearing in mind that a vast percentage of my readers are between the ages of 13 and 18, so it won't have a lot of description...basically I'm writing this so my mother could read it! >.< But, if you don't feel comfortable with it, there's no pressure, and I won't be sending you a private message asking why you didn't comment on every paragraph. :P

I love you all so much, and next chapter will be coming soon...EEEP!