Frodo Baggins was seated at Lord Thranduil's High Table between his cousin Pippin and his uncle Bilbo, feeling distinctly nervous. All the Elves of Mirkwood had turned out for tonight's banquet, and there were a good deal more of them than had been at the party back in Rivendell that seemed so long ago. Frodo was not exactly sure how Thranduil had managed to get so many extra tables in the room and still have space left for a dance area, but he had done it.

All of the traveling companions (except for Legolas) along with Bilbo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Elrond, Morgone, and of course Thranduil had been seated at the High Table, which ran the length of the back wall. There were also two seats reserved presumably for Ciendriel and Haldir, who had not yet arrived. Legolas was sitting at a separate table with his brothers and their wives, looking solemn and distant. The food had also not yet arrived, though they had all been given a goblet of wine, and Pippin was fidgety, Frodo noticed. Angelica, in her beautiful new dress, was on the other side of Pippin, and she seemed fidgety as well, but Frodo guessed that it had little to do with the lack of dinner.

He had not had the chance to speak with her alone since her engagement to Pippin had been announced. In a way, it made him slightly sad. Could it have been him, if he had not been so scared to death of the thought of being married? Was being married such a big deal? It would have achieved the result of his dream of having Angelica come to live in Bag-end with him. Bilbo had wanted that dream for him as well.

And yet there was another reason that Frodo had shied away. Only Sam knew how sick he had been feeling lately, a sickness very like how he had felt when he had been recovering from being poisoned by Shelob. Frodo had managed to hide it well, but he knew that this illness would recur for the rest of his life. He did not want Angelica saddled with that burden.

And so Frodo had decided that he would accompany Bilbo and Gandalf into the west, to the Undying lands. Late last night he had discussed it with Gandalf, who had agreed to take him. The hardest part would be telling Sam and Angelica. However, he did not need to think on this now. It would be months yet before they departed.

Frodo looked over again at Legolas. He seemed completely without emotion, but Frodo knew he must be torn up inside. Frodo knew how much the Elf loved Ciendriel, and to see her formally engaged to Haldir must be killing him. Frodo wondered if after tonight the engagement truly was irrevocable, or if Legolas had some alternate plan.

Lord Elrond leaned towards Morgone and spoke softly to her in Elvish. Frodo could not help pricking up his ears to listen, hoping his Elvish was good enough to translate.

"Haldir is bringing her?"

"Yes," Morgone replied. "Thranduil will make the announcement and give a toast, and they will come in."

"When?"

"Soon. Have patience, Elrond."

Elrond lifted his goblet and drained it. One of the Elven servers leapt to refill it. Elrond had spoken in support of Morgone at the Council Meeting this morning, and Frodo could see that it weighed heavily on him. Perhaps he blamed himself for what had come to pass. Why did he not trust the judgement of Galadriel?

Frodo knew well the power of the Lady of Light. If she had blessed the union of Haldir and Ciendriel, could it be such a bad thing? Frodo could only think that it was unfair when he looked at the face of his friend Legolas. Legolas sat straight as a board in his chair, his goblet of wine untouched, not speaking to his brothers.

He looked at Thranduil, Legolas' father. Thranduil had argued long and hard during the Council Meeting on behalf of his son, but when Morgone had refused yet again, he had accepted her word and arranged this banquet. His expression was blank as well, but often his eyes strayed to Legolas, or to the door. Eventually a signal was given and Thranduil rose to his feet. Everyone fell silent and turned their attention to the King of Mirkwood.

"I would like to thank you all for joining us on this most auspicious occasion," Thranduil said. "Tonight we come to celebrate the union of the Elves of Ingra with the Elves of Lothlorien in the joining of Princess Ciendriel to the Marchwarden Haldir. Rivendell and Mirkwood give their blessing on this union, as do the worlds of Men, Hobbits, and the great wizard Gandalf. Please join me in lifting a cup to the betrothed."

Everyone lifted up their goblet. Frodo looked again at Legolas. He saw the Prince of Mirkwood's fingers tremble as he hesitated for a moment, then lifted his goblet as well. Frodo smiled. It was a sign of Legolas' good character, that he should not refuse to salute the couple.

The doors to the dining hall opened, revealing Ciendriel and Haldir. Frodo nearly dropped his goblet when he saw that they were kissing, arms wrapped around each other. Laughter sparkled through the hall and Ciendriel let go of Haldir, blushing slightly. Haldir grinned. Legolas slammed his goblet down on the table, sloshing wine onto the brother sitting next to him, who looked horrified to have his tunic stained.

"To Ciendriel and Haldir," said Elrond loudly, standing up next to Thranduil. Everyone rose to their feet and drank from their goblets except Legolas, who had given up all pretenses of acceptance and slumped over the table with his head on his arms. The Hobbits and Gimli all got to their feet rather slowly, reflecting Frodo's own shock at seeing the Elf Princess seeming so accepting of Haldir.

"How could she do that Legolas?" Gimli said softly.

"Do not underestimate her, Gimli," said Gandalf, smiling as he took another sip of his wine.

Haldir led Ciendriel through the room to the High Table to be seated next to Morgone. Frodo noticed that Ciendriel had been given another new dress. It was made of a silvery material with elaborate green embroidery and showed off her slender figure so nicely that Frodo suddenly knew why Angelica had gotten herself in trouble with Haldir back in Hob's Corners. Ciendriel looked so beautiful that he could not help wondering what it would be like to kiss her, to let his hands slide over that silver material.

Haldir was attired in a matching outfit. He wore a silver tunic with very long sleeves that trailed out at the wrist nearly to the floor. It was also embroidered in green, and his leggings were the same dark forest color. He tucked Ciendriel's arm through his own as they passed through the room to the High Table.

Everyone was well-dressed tonight, Frodo noticed, except perhaps the travelers who had not had many spare clothes with them. Morgone looked nearly as lovely as her daughter in a gown of rose pink, and Elrond was wearing a very resplendent purple robe. Thranduil's robe was dark green. Aragorn looked more kingly than Frodo was used to seeing him, in a doublet and leggings, albeit in an unassuming golden brown color.

"Your son is embarrassing himself," Morgone hissed to Thranduil, but she looked pleased at her daughter's obedience, and what appeared to be her happiness at the situation, for indeed Ciendriel was smiling and inclining her head at the murmured congratulations of those they passed.

"Let the boy to his grief," Thranduil said back to her. "At least he had the fortitude to appear tonight."

"Maybe it would have been better if he had not," said Morgone.

"He will not make a scene," said Elrond, taking her hand. She seemed to trust his opinion more than Thranduil's.

The couple were seated between Thranduil and Morgone, and more wine was passed all around. Frodo was starting to feel tipsy and he hoped the food would come before they had to listen to any more long, Elven speeches about the joining of kingdoms and the harmony of Elvendom. Everyone sat down except for Thranduil, which indicated to Frodo that this might not be the case.

"Before we dine, King Elessar will give his blessing," Thranduil said. Frodo hoped that Aragorn would not be long-winded. He glanced at Legolas and saw him lift his head. His eyes looked bleary and unfocused. He turned his head in the direction of Aragorn.

"I would like first to thank Lord Thranduil for his hospitality," Aragorn said, standing. "And second, Lord Elrond for insisting I be here. It is a great honor indeed, and strong proof of the bond that will always exist between Elves and Men. Tonight, I raise my goblet to two Elves who have given their hearts to each other without reservation. May they find the same happiness together that I have achieved with my beloved Arwen."

Again everyone lifted their cup and drank, and Aragorn sat down. Frodo grinned. Aragorn had not toasted Haldir at all, but Ciendriel and Legolas instead. From the irritated look on Haldir's face, he knew it, too. Gimli and Gandalf were both chuckling. Frodo looked over at Legolas. He was looking down into his cup now, lost in the depths. Perhaps he did not even realize that Aragorn had spoken for him.

Morgone did not seem to realize it either, as she seemed pleased with the toast. Then again, perhaps Aragorn had truly meant Haldir and Ciendriel -- after all, they had been kissing in the doorway. Frodo couldn't be sure. Right now, dinner being served seemed more important.

Thranduil stood up again. "Now, let us feast on the fine--"

"Wait!" said Ciendriel.

"Yes, my dear?"

"Haldir has something to say," she said, elbowing her betrothed in the ribs.

"Do you, Haldir?" asked Thranduil.

"Oh, it can wait until after dinner," said Haldir.

"Haldir, please."

Haldir took Ciendriel's hand and looked deeply into her eyes. His expression faded from jovial to grave, and slowly he nodded. He turned to Thranduil.

"If you do not mind, Lord Thranduil."

"Not at all. Dinner can wait another few moments."

There was audible groaning from the Hobbits at this prospect, Frodo included. Thranduil sat down and Haldir stood up. He looked around the room as all eyes fell upon him, some joyful, some glaring, some detached, some merely curious. Frodo saw him look at Legolas, who was staring at him with a blank expression once more.

"I too would like to thank Lord Thranduil for his fine hospitality," Haldir said. "It has not changed in the many centuries since I was last in Mirkwood. Also would I thank Lord Elrond and King Elessar, both of whom I have always been able to call friend. To the Lady Morgone, Queen of Ingra, meeting you has been a great honor and a great pleasure as well. I am flattered that you and Lady Galadriel have seen fit to grant me Ciendriel in marriage."

Haldir paused for a moment as those he spoke of nodded their acknowledgement of his words, then he went on. "There is one more who I must mention, and this is Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, whom all of you know and love."

There seemed a hint of irony in his tone and Frodo grabbed a fork, hoping that Haldir was not going to mock Legolas in his hour of sorrow. If he did, Haldir was going to have a handful of angry Hobbits to deal with, along with a Dwarf who for some reason had seen fit to bring his battle ax to dinner. Haldir continued.

"I, too, love him. He has been my friend for many, many years -- possibly the best friend I have ever had aside from my brothers. I have not always been a good friend to him in return, and yet he has always forgiven me my trespasses. It is for him that I do this -- for him, and for Ciendriel, whom I have also come to love."

He looked around the room again and turned to Morgone. Frodo thought Legolas seemed a lot more focused now. He was frowning, but Ciendriel was smiling.

"Forgive me, Lady Morgone," Haldir said formally. "But I can not and will not marry your daughter."

A gasp went through the room as all eyes turned to Morgone.

"Haldir, you know not what you are saying," said Morgone in frustration. "You cannot refuse--"

"I can, and I do."

"Ciendriel, if you do not wed Haldir, you will wed no one."

"Very well," said Ciendriel. "I do not need to be wed to be with the one that I love, so long as he will have me."

She stood up, and Legolas stood as well. He held out his arms to her. Ciendriel ran to him and threw herself into his arms, and he hugged her tightly against him. Gimli jumped to his feet and led the applause which was taken up quickly by the Hobbits and then by most of the Elves in the room. Even Haldir's brothers cheered for the couple. Everyone was on their feet, stomping and whistling.

"And I thought Elves were supposed to be reserved," said Angelica.

"To Legolas and Ciendriel!" Gimli cried, lifting his cup.

The cry was taken up around the room as the new toast was proposed. Morgone stood up and left the hall in the midst of the noise. Elrond rose with a long-suffering sigh and went after her. Thranduil called for dinner to be served.

"Finally," Frodo said. He was starving and drunk, now, from all of the toasting. More Elves rushed in bearing plates of different delicacies, mostly Elvish specialties that looked too ethereal and lovely to be very filling, but there were all sort of roast meats, vegetables, and dishes to tempt the Hobbit palate.

Haldir slipped away from the table, though Aragorn stopped him as he passed and shook his hand.

"Stay for dinner," said Aragorn.

Haldir shook his head, then paused thoughtfully. "Meet me later. You know where."

Aragorn smiled but did not reply. Haldir kept going, but before he could leave the room, Ciendriel called out to him.

"Haldir! Haldir! Please stay!"

"Yes," said Legolas. "It would mean so much."

A vulnerable expression crossed Haldir's face, and the smile he offered seemed forced. He shook his head slightly.

"No, Legolas," he said. "This is your moment. Enjoy it. There is none so deserving of her love than you."

"You have my love as well, Haldir," said Ciendriel.

"And mine," said Legolas.

"Thank you," he said, but then he turned and left, and everyone fell on their dinner.