It was a beautiful day for a wedding, Ciendriel thought as she and Legolas stood hand in hand at the edge of the Hobbiton party field, watching Sam and Rosie exchange their vows. Although the festivities were romantic and exciting, she felt no urge within herself to have a ceremony with Legolas. After all, they were already pledged together, and the bond they had would last all of their lives.

Ciendriel wondered if Angelica felt the same. The Hobbit lass had told her that she and Pippin would have to travel to Gondor to seek the blessing of Faramir before the two of them could wed, but this had not seemed to bother her very much. Ciendriel suspected the small ring on her finger had something to do with her confidence and lack of urgency.

Legolas had suggested that the two Hobbits travel with him, Ciendriel, and Gimli. They could stop in Gondor on the way to the cave which Legolas wished to seek out where the ancient harp was supposedly hidden. Ciendriel was greatly pleased by this idea and was already itching to start traveling again. Gondor! She had never seen a city of Men before. In fact, she had had little traffic with Men at all, but she had liked King Elessar very much, and suspected that it was at least in part through his intervention that Haldir had come to make the choice he had.

Sam and Rosie said their 'I do's and everyone began to cheer. All of the Shire had turned out for it, even more Hobbits than had been there the night before last for the welcome back party. Ciendriel had no idea that so many Hobbits existed in all the world.

What an easy life they led, she thought, smiling happily. What a joy in must be to have your heart lie always in the simple pleasure of life -- in eating and drinking and smoking and above all, in peace. She felt rather at peace herself in this moment now that all of their imminent dilemmas had been solved.

The newlyweds settled in at the biggest table amongst all their friends and family as the wedding feast began. Sam and Rosie sat at the head of the table, with Frodo to the left of Sam and Angelica to the right of Rosie, next to Pippin, and Merry. Bilbo and Gandalf sat on the other side of Frodo as a gigantic wedding cake was carried across the field by a dozen other Hobbits.

"Legolas! Ciendriel! Gimli!" Sam yelled as he spotted them at the outskirts of the party. "Come join us. This table would not be complete without you."

"Gladly," said Legolas.

"Let anyone try to stop us!" Gimli roared. "Sam, my lad, let me lend you my ax to cut up that delicious looking cake."

They squeezed in around the table, accepting plates of cake which Sam had wisely elected to slice with a small knife. Ciendriel swirled her finger in the icing and licked it off, then glanced at Legolas. His eyes were riveted on the gesture and his tongue darted ever his own lips. Ciendriel smiled slowly. Legolas bent as if he meant to kiss her cheek, but then instead kissed the tip of her ear, biting it lightly. Her whole body trembled and she leaned against him, dropping her hand to his thigh. He put his arm around her, holding her tightly.

Looking around, Ciendriel realized that this was the last time all those with whom they had set out on their original journey to Mirkwood might ever sit together. Frodo was leaving for the Undying lands with Gandalf and Bilbo and Sam was starting his new life in the Shire with Rosie. A chill ran through her as she thought about it, and she realized that it did indeed make her a little bit sad. This adventure, her first, was over now… but it was only the first. Many new adventures still lay ahead, and perhaps many new friends and companions as well.

She thought of those already left behind, most especially Haldir and his brothers. Would she ever see them again? Did she want to?

The sun went down and the party went on into the night. There was dancing, and despite his reluctance, Legolas got up and danced with Ciendriel. They were both new to the Hobbit style of dancing, and she thought he rather took pleasure in her awkwardness until she stomped rather heavily on his foot.

Fireworks exploded across the sky in bursts of red and blue and green, capturing everyone's attention. During this distraction, Ciendriel grabbed Legolas' hand and pulled him away with her out of the crowd, and led him down the path to the stream where he had gone to wash his tunic that night that seemed so long ago.

"I think this was where I first knew I loved you," Ciendriel said, "When you made me turn around as you went into the stream to fetch your runaway tunic."

"I thought I would be stuck naked in the water forever," Legolas said, laughing. He pulled her up against him and kissed him. "I love you, Ciendriel," he said softly.

"I love you back."

“But I think I first loved you that first moment I saw you, standing in front of the fire in Merry and Pippin’s house.”

She felt her cheeks warm slightly. “You are the most romantic Elf I have ever met, Legolas Greenleaf.”

“I hope you always think so,” he said, and kissed her again.

Somehow, Ciendriel knew that she always would.