Title: Love Never Forgotten By: Brilagler Rated: R Feedback: SillySamwiseG@aol.com ********************************* Chapter 28 The sun began to shine dimly over the treetops as it lowered in the evening sky. Legolas squeezed Elmeraith’s hand and they watched the sunset together. It slowly became dark and the villagers were settling down, lights going out in the houses. “I’m tired, Legolas. I haven’t slept in a while,” Elmeraith said softly. “Yes, I know,” Legolas answered. “Go to your room and I will meet with you in the morning.” Elmeraith lightly walked away on the grass. That night, the air was light and fresh, unlike most times. The moon came out, bright and glowing on the sparkling drops of dew. Mirkwood was really a beautiful place. <<>><<>> (Few days later) “Oh, mother!” Elmeraith explained, twirling around in her mother’s wedding dress. “It’s marvelous! And just my size too.” Arwen smiled and held a piece up. “You will look splendid! I always said that I’d give my dress to my first married daughter. Little did I know it would be you! I’m so excited,” Arwen exclaimed. She looked her daughter up and down and smiled more. “You look just as I looked on my wedding day. I can’t imagine what you’ll look like on yours.” “Yes, Elmeraith, you will look wonderful,” Elhenin said. Elmeraith smiled and grabbed her mother’s hand. “I’m so excited, mother.” “And you should be,” Arwen said, kissing her daughter on the brow. “This might be one of those ‘happily ever after’ stories,” Elhenin giggled out. Elmeraith beamed. “Elmeraith, I was wondering…?”Legolas began to walk in the door, but Arwen and Elhenin screamed and closed it shut. “Ah! What’s going on?” Legolas yelled at the door. “Nothing!” Elmeraith squeaked. “You CAN’T see the dress yet! You have to wait for the wedding next week!” Elhenin yelled to him on the other side of the door. She sounded a little cross. “Oh, alright,” Legolas agreed, turning away. “Good things come to those that wait, Legolas,” Arwen called out to him. “And will you be surprised!” Legolas kept on walking till he was out of earshot. “Mother,” Elmeraith said, twirling around. The dress flowed around her like an ocean of pure white, silky and smooth. It was sleeveless and low-cut, and shaped like a bell. “It’s wonderful. I know Legolas will love it.” “No, Legolas will probably fall face down on the floor when he sees you…maybe even drop dead,” Elhenin joked. Elmeraith laughed, just thinking about it. “I’m so glad you all have been supportive. I really love him, and I’m so glad you understand about this whole thing.” “Well, why wouldn’t we understand?” Arwen asked. Elmeraith shrugged. “The same reason Ellrolin doesn’t, I suppose.” <<>><<>> Ellrolin looked down at the note in her hand. She had written an apology for Legolas and Elmeraith, but should she deliver it? She couldn’t rightly decide! She sighed and shoved the note deep in the pocket of her long, birch-bark gray skirt. Suddenly, an elf boy slammed into her from her backside and she toppled forward. Quickly and gracefully, she jumped up to her feet and faced him. It was the same offensive elf that had said, “If I’m looking for a woman, that means I’m not looking for someone to baby-sit.” “Watch where you’re going!” she snapped. “Come back to get on my nerves some more?” He looked extremely uncomfortable as he ran away down the hall and sharply around a corner. Ellrolin picked her things up from the floor that she had dropped and growled. Suddenly, he came running back. Ellrolin laid herself against the wall to make way for him so he didn’t trample her again. But he stopped in front of her. His hands were behind his back, and he again looked uncomfortable. “I hate feeling that you hate me, but I don’t blame you. I’m sorry for being rude that time we met. I understand that you’re used to different things and roads instead of woods,” he said quietly. Ellrolin felt like yelling at him, but she sighed and gave in to his kindness. “It’s alright. You’re forgiven.” “I’m Relmerion. I know it’s kind of a hard name to pronounce. I won’t blame you if you can’t pronounce it…” he went on. “Well, its nice to meet you, Relmerion. I’m from Gondor, which is different from here, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pronounce names. I am Ellrolin,” she said. He smiled. “Well, wonderfully met,” he said, softly kissing her hand (as tradition when meeting a lady). “I will then see you at your sister’s wedding, for I have been invited. No hard feelings?” Ellrolin nodded. “No hard feelings,” she agreed. “Then I will gladly meet you again!” he said, taking off down the hall. “Namarie!” she answered softly (Namarie-“Farewell” in Elvish). She smiled to herself and pulled out the note she had written to Legolas and Elmeraith. She was now in a good mood and was ready for anything: even delivering the note. <<>><<>> “Well, it’s about time to put the dress up,” Elmeraith said with a sorrowful sigh. She loved wearing the beautiful, fancy dress. She began to peel off the dress when a piece of paper slid under the door. Elhenin quickly pulled the note from under the door and began to unfold it. “It says ‘To Elmeraith and Legolas’,” announced Elhenin, opening it. “Hey, then give it to me!” Elmeraith said, snatching the paper from her sister’s hand. She read to herself: ‘Dear Elmeraith and Legolas, I apologize for acting rude and inconsiderate of your decision. I really think you two are wonderful for each other. I just was being selfish, because I wanted to stay home. Now that I’ll be going back to Gondor soon, I will miss it here and especially the both of you. You play important rolls in my life. Hope you’ll forgive me. Sincerely, Ellrolin.’ Elmeraith smiled. At last, there would be no bad vibes during her wedding and all seemed to be going perfect! “Well,” said Elhenin. “Are you going to let us read it?” Elmeraith smiled at her sister. Just knowing that her sister was now happy for her, made her feel wonderful. “No,” she answered. “But it’s personal.” Elhenin sighed. “Oh, alright, I have to go to our houses of Healing anyhow. I promised Lenomial I’d be there to accompany him.” Arwen smiled at Elhenin, very lovingly. “I see I am not wanted any longer,” she said jokingly. “You both have many things to do, so I will get to my own things.” Elmeraith was left in her room alone. She giggled to herself and she felt so bubbly. ‘So, this is what love feels like,’ she thought. ****************************** Chapter 29 Elmeraith put on her dress once more and twirled around in circles. Her two sisters smiled at her as she twirled around, the dress flowing around her. The large white dress flowed and swished about her like a bell. Her long brown hair flowed down her back and rested over her shoulders. On her head was a crown of flowers: red and white and a veil trailed over her hair. Elhenin and Ellrolin were both dressed in white and silver robes with white flowers in their hands. They stepped out of Elmeraith’s room together and into the halls. The weather seemed to be on their side, for the sun shown through the trees and through the windows. They hurried through King Thranduil’s vast halls and came to a room with many families of elves and men. The large white and silver room was gorgeously decorated with white roses with red here in there. The air was very light and warm with wonderful fragrances that lifted weary heads. Elmeraith felt excitement rise through her when she saw Legolas, talking quietly with the reverend. She nervously fidgeted with her bouquet of red and white roses. How exciting it was! She was getting married. The feeling in her stomach was indescribable. She felt a hand glide over hers and she was glad to see her father right next to her. “Here we go,” he whispered to her. The music began to play. They walked together, slowly down the aisle. She felt he knees shaking with excitement. She looked at Legolas, smiling widely. He seemed to be nervous also. His long, neat hair was behind his shoulders and his eyes were sparkling with happiness. She looked at her sisters whom were smiling and crying silently with joy. When Elmeraith walked up the few stairs, Elhenin took her bouquet and her father took her hands and placed them in Legolas’s. “I give my daughter to you,” Aragorn said to Legolas softly. Legolas smiled and nodded and then returned Elmeraith’s gaze. He seemed to be glowing with cheer and about to burst, dying to say something. The reverend said many words, but Elmeraith hardly noticed, till he said her name. “Do you, Legolas son of Thranduil take Elmeraith to be your lawfully wedded wife?” said the reverend. Legolas beamed, his deep blue eyes sparkling. “I do.” “And do you, Elmeraith daughter of Arwen, take Legolas to be your lawfully wedded husband?” he continued. “I do,” Elmeraith said softly. She felt a feeling that she couldn’t explain—almost magical, it seemed. “Take this ring, Legolas, and place it on her finger,” said the Reverend. Legolas received the beautiful ring, the blue stone shining brighter than ever, and slid it onto Elmeraith finger. “Take this ring, Elmeraith, and place it on his finger,” he continued. Elmeraith too received a ring, glowing silver, with fine designs engraved and a similar blue stone was in the middle. She slipped it onto Legolas’s finger. “Now, I pronounce you, man and wife!” There were many cheers as Legolas and Elmeraith kissed. Everyone began to head out for the door to the reception. <<>><<>> Dancing already had started. Legolas and Elmeraith were skimming over the floor like birds over water. They seemed to be totally weightless, just floating gracefully over the floor. Ellrolin’s eyes drifted around the room for someone to dance with. Elhenin sat with bandaged- up-Lenomial and they seemed to be in a deep conversation. Her mother and father were also dancing, and a young woman accompanied Eldarion even. Ellrolin sighed sadly. She wasn’t used to anything like this! Where were all the young handsome men that wanted to dance with her? What happened to the line of men waiting to dance with the oldest princess? “Excuse me,” she heard someone from behind her. She twirled around on her heel and smiled. It was Relmerion, dressed up and looking handsome as ever. “I was hoping that, well, maybe you’d want to dance with me. I apologize again for…” Ellrolin grinned. “Of course I will!” she said. “And don’t be sorry anymore. All is forgiven.” He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. He drew her very close and like that they danced all afternoon. <<>><<>> Lenomial’s wonderful bright green eyes sparkled from under the golden chandelier. Was it just Elhenin, or was the look he was giving really a look of love? Elhenin wasn’t sure. Lenomial rubbed the bandage over his shoulder. The pain was cold, but the moment he felt Elhenin’s hand on his, he felt warmth. ‘Should I tell her?’ he wondered. ‘This whole month she has cared for me and all the time I love her more. But, should I tell her? Will she reject me?’ The thoughts were haunting him. “Are you alright? Do you need anything?” Elhenin asked. She had asked that several times since he had gotten out of bed the day before. He smiled, knowing that she cared. “Yes, I’m fine.” “Then why do you seem so…like you want to tell me something important, but you won’t?” Elhenin asked. Her piercing blue eyes looked at him hard as if striving to see through him. “I…” he began. “Umm…I wanted to tell you that…” “Wanted to tell me what?” she coaxed, smiling her wonderful smile. He seemed to be lost in her eyes. “I love you,” he blurted out. “Why…? Why do you continually show kindness to me? I am common, am I not? I don’t understand. Why do you care for me like this? You’ve gotten me to love you. I love you so much…I’m so confused. What am I saying?” “I show kindness to you, because, Lenomial…” she paused. Now she wasn’t sure what she was saying. She looked into his eyes and saw compassion and tenderness. She didn’t know how to express her feelings in words, so she bent over him and kissed him, only lightly on the lips. “Really?” he asked as if she had told him something in words. “Yes, really,” she said, bending over him again and kissing him. “I love you too,” she whispered. <<>><<>> “Hey, look over there!” Legolas whispered to Elmeraith. She looked in the same direction as Legolas was looking in and there she was her sister, Elhenin and Lenomial sat next to her. They were sitting together, but they both had this enchanted look in their eyes. That was when Elhenin leaned over in her chair and kissed him. “Looks like I won’t get one word out of Lenomial today,” Legolas laughed. “And why is that?” Elmeraith asked. He smiled at her. “Because, he’ll be to wrapped up in your sister that he probably won’t make any sense if he even tried to talk to me! No matter, the only one I want to talk to is you,” He said. He twirled her around and her white dress flew around her and skimmed the white marble floor. He pulled her back in his arms and kissed her lips deeply. “Legolas, I wonder what my future will be like with you. What does OUR future hold, I wonder?” Elmeraith said softly. Legolas drew closer to Elmeraith. “A lot of love,” he whispered, his lips tickling her cheek. “And we’ll live happily ever after. I think that’s what our future holds.” <<>><<>> And they DID live happily ever after to the rest of their days. <<>><<>>