She walks in beauty like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies,

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to the tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

Laughter...

The infectious laughter of Arwen causes all present in the Hall to smile, save one...

No smile can reach my face as I gaze on the painful sight before me...

On the day of her wedding to Aragorn, son of Arathorn, first known as Estel son of Lord Elrond of Imladris and then later the Chieftain of the Dúnedain, and now King Elessar of Gondor and Arnor, the fairest daughter of Elven kind to walk Arda since Lúthien Tinúviel danced gaily in the arms of her mortal husband...

The new Queen's laughter shot through the Hall as they dance and Aragorn murmured something in her ear that I could not make out over the music and I felt the sound of her happiness cut through my heart as though she herself had taken the sharpest blade in the kingdom and plunged it deep into the recesses of my heart...

The music ends, and royal couple begin to leave the floor, walking in my direction lost in the other's gaze. I will my feet to move but alas even my feet betray me as Arwen's eyes meet mine.

'A, Legolas, would you care to dance with me?'

I fight to steady my voice before I ask, 'Would you not prefer another dance with your husband?'

Arwen laugh, her eyes briefly locking with Aragorn's, 'Indeed I would but my Lord is begging leave so that he may have a chance to rest a moment.'

Aragorn clasped my shoulder, 'Legolas, if you would dance with my Queen I would be most grateful?' Before I could answer, he continued, 'And, besides, my Lady has more than once expressed her desire to share at least one dance with her oldest friend at her wedding. Will you not consent, mellon-nîn?'

Taking a deep breath, I bowed and offered my hand to Arwen, 'Who am I to deny the fair Queen of Gondor her heart's desire on today of all days?'

I felt Aragorn patting my back as he said, 'Hannon le, Legolas.'

I merely nodded in reply as I led Arwen onto the dance floor and I prayed to the Valar that the song the musicians played would be a fast paced one. It was not to be as the musicians began to pluck a slow dance much to my agony, and so I merely closed my eyes as Arwen came surprisingly close to me. Many of the surrounding Gondorians gasped in shock of their Queen's comfortable intimacy with me and I myself found it hard not flee from her touch.

For several blissful moments, we moved to the music, and I thought I would die and go to Mandos if the music lasted any longer than it did. But aburptly the music ended and Arwen pulled away from me, gazing up into my face, smiling as she did.

'Hantale, Legolas,' she said softly. 'Mellonmuinnîn.'

With that Arwen glided away from my grasp, and I watched her return to the side of her husband...

"Namarie, melthanîn, namarie...'

FIN

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mellon-nîn = my friend

Hannon le = thank you

mellonmuinnîn = my old friend

namarie = farewell

melthanîn = my beloved

The poem used above is She Walks In Beauty by Lord Byron and again NO copyright infringement is intended by its use here...