The coronation day was eminent. Aragorn sang a solemn and beautiful elvish song right after he was finally crowned king. I watched by the sideline as I saw Legolas and a bunch of elves stepped forward to formally greet the new king.

Oh my. Don't they look just too divine and out of this world in the middle of men. They looked glowing and immaculate. A real life Instagram filtered supermodels. Especially Legolas. A circlet adorned his head and his silky flaxen hair seemed to be glowing softly under the sunlight, draping over his elvish silver tunic. 

Damn elvish perks.

"Hannon le, Legolas," said Aragorn genuinely, and Legolas smiled warmly to his friend in return.

The elf prince glanced at me and stepped away, revealing beautiful Arwen holding an elvish banner. We had been hiding Arwen from Aragorn for a few days and now it paid off.

The look on Aragorn's face was priceless. He took the banner from Arwen's hand and gave it to one of the soldiers before pulling Arwen into a long kiss.

The people cheered in delight and clapped their hands. At this point I saw no reason left for me not to let my mental walls down. 

The collective happiness and the joy from the crowd was overwhelming–in a very splendidly good way. My heart seemed to be weightless and I felt like I could jump up and down like a kid. 

Thank goodness I remembered my manner. I held myself and tried to act lady like. However I laughed as I heard Gimli's delighted giggle next to me. Who knew dwarves could giggle when they're sober?

I was stunned when Aragorn and Arwen made his way over to me and Gimli. Now all eyes were on us and I felt heat crept up my neck at the unwanted attention.

Please go the other way, please go the other way.

Legolas saw my turmoil and stifled a laugh, concealing it with a cough. I wanted to glare at him, but not with this people looking down at us. I saw with my peripheral vision that Gimli straightened himself at the approaching king.

Aragorn looked at us and we both bowed in respect and acknowledgement. Despite me being nervous I was so proud of seeing him fulfilling his destiny. He bowed his head regally in return. Already I could see a just king emanated from his charisma. To be honest, that quality had been there all along.

"Thank you. For everything, my friend," said Aragorn to Gimli.

"You're welcome, my king," replied the dwarf in respect and Aragorn clapped his shoulder warmly. I smiled broadly.

Then Aragorn turned to me and his eyes softened. Before he could say anything I blurted in low tone so only him, Arwen and Gimli that can hear me.

"Dang, you look so awesome, Aragorn. Plus the beautiful lady beside you I think the rest of the world is about to turn green in envy," I teased him.

Aragorn, Arwen, Gimli and Legolas chuckled at my words, getting my reference from the story of the Wicked Witch that I told them about. When I saw the weird look the rest of the elves gave me, I facepalmed myself. I forgot that they silly pointy ears can pick up the sound of my nerdiness from a mile away.

"Hannon le, Leane," Aragorn finally said.

The moment when I first arrived in Middle Earth came into my mind. How Aragorn and Arwen had welcomed me and helped me when no one else wouldn't.

"No," I said shaking my head. "Thank you, Aragorn and Arwen. For everything. For welcoming me to this life and taught me a lot of things," I said genuinely at both of them.

"If anything it is you that taught me a lot of things," Aragorn said with a finality and we bowed to each other.

At last Aragorn came in front of the four hobbits. Instinctively, the hobbits bowed down to him.

"My friends," Aragorn said. "You bow to no one."

The whole kingdom mirrored their king's gesture and bowed down in respect to the hobbits who looked equally surprised and uncomfortable at the same time. I bowed down myself and smiled as I remembered a saying from my world : The first will be the last and the last will be the first.

The hobbits were considered to be the smallest between the other race, but from them came the salvation of Middle Earth.

That night a great feast was thrown in honor of the new king. Everybody were having a blast and fear of evil was wiped off of our hearts and minds.

The members of the Fellowship was granted honor seats on the king's table along with other key people. As the crowd around us made cheerful sounds of delight and laughter, Legolas cleared his throat and spoke up beside me.

"My friends, as you know that I have been courting Leane for quite some time now," he addressed all of the Fellowship members as he gazed at me.

I smiled with a quizzical frown, wondering where he was going with this. Arwen gave me a questioning look, seeing that she hadn't found out about my relationship with Legolas yet. I smiled at her, giving her a look that tell her that I would explain later.

"According to elvish custom, it is acceptable for us to marry right away after a ring exchange, but I want to honor Leane's customs as well,"

My jaw dropped upon realizing what he was going to do. He smiled lovingly at me and took my hand in his.

"It is customary in her world, that before a man marry a woman, he has to ask for her family's permission for her hand in marriage. I knew that Leane had considered all of you, to be her family,"

Tears began to form in my eyes and my heart swell with happiness. My heart felt as if it was about to burst with joy. Legolas was proposing me in front of my friends.

My family.

Oh god. My heart! It's bleeding with fluff overload!

"I couldn't think of a better timing than tonight, at the joyful end of our journey together, to formally ask for your permission for me to marry Leane," Legolas said. "Do I have your permission?" 

I fixed my blurry eyes at Legolas alone, my heart beat fast inside my chest. The handsome elf gave me a soft smile, but a hint of nervousness swam in his eyes. I squeezed his hand and his smile grew wider. Aragorn spoke up first.

"You have my permission, mellon nin."

I looked at Aragorn–King Aragorn who looked at me fondly, a brother by heart that I found in the midst of trial in Middle Earth. He was beaming and nodded at me. I saw his eyes glazed as he smiled at both me and Legolas.

"You have my permission."

"You have my permission."

The words pronounced one by one from each and everyone of the Fellowship members, each sent butterfly fluttered on my stomach. One except Gimli.

All eyes now fixed on the red-haired dwarf. I exchanged worried glances with Legolas at Gimli's lack of response.

Then the dwarf grunted.

"You know you have my permission," he finally said, "But if I ever heard you break her heart, I will not hesitate to land my axe on you, elf!" he exclaimed in a booming voice, but I saw a shine in his eyes, one tear that unmistakably was being held by the supposedly tough dwarf.

My eyes softened at Gimli as I mouthed my thank you at him. Legolas smiled broadly, though his kin seemed to look offended at the way Gimli sounded his permission.

"I promise you I will not break her heart. Not without breaking mine," he said in delight and kissed my temple.

The table cheered and people congratulated us both. I looked at Legolas and he wiped the tear that escaped my eye softly.

"How was I? Was that alright?" he whispered in my ear.

"It was perfect, Legolas," I answered as I held his hand and he pulled me into a warm embrace.

Immense joy and love radiated off of him at the touch of our hands together. I savored the feeling, boring it into my mind.

"I love you, Leane," he said softly in a whisper.

"And I, you, my Legolas."

That night Legolas led me as we danced for the first time. I wasn't very familiar with the dance, yet I enjoyed every moment of it along with everyone else. Unfortunately, I became tired too soon and at the end of the song, my breathing went ragged and my chest hurt a little at the fast paced movement. 

The smile on Legolas' face faltered when he saw my breathing. I flashed him a wide smile and laughed in delight, hoping to conceal the discomfort in my chest as I threw my arms around him.

He embraced me for a moment and I could feel worry and concern lurked behind his mind as he spoke.

"I have a surprise for you," Legolas said to my ear in a whisper. His breath tickling my ear.

"I thought the proposal earlier was one," I replied as I arched my eyebrows at him. He chuckled lightly.

"Will you join me for a walk?" he asked as he offered his arm.

We walked hand in hand to the stone courtyard, away from the crowd. Legolas motioned for me to sit on a bench in front of the white tree. It was our favorite spot in the kingdom.

He pulled out his cloak and put it around me. I smiled lovingly at his gentleness.

"Comfortable?" he asked, a brilliant smile brightened up his face.

"Yes," I said with a smile as I held his arm and laid my head on his shoulder.

Legolas shifted beside me and pulled out a box out of nowhere, handing it over to me.

I took it and opened the box. A couple of gold rings glinted prettily, greeting my eyes. I gasped in surprise, my heart swelled and I felt it pounded against my chest as I touched the wedding rings. Our wedding rings. 

"Legolas..." 

Legolas searched my face and smiled when he found awe and surprise written all over it. Love and longing swam in his icy blue eyes as he gazed at me.

"I had this made the moment we arrived in Minas Tirith. I do not know if it is to your liking..."

"It's beautiful," I said, stopping his doubt. "Are these really for us?" I asked hopefully and in wonder, gazing up at his eyes and blushed. Legolas chuckled lightly in amusement at my childlike tone.

"Aye," he answered softly as he brushed my cheek with his finger. I laughed in delight and Legolas pulled me into a loving kiss.

His hands traveled behind my neck and my back, narrowing the space between us and engulfed me with his warmth and signature scent. 

We pulled away as Legolas heard some people passed near us. I laughed. 

"I think we are starting to get used to this sneaking around for a stolen kiss," I chirped as I nudged Legolas on his side. He grinned cheekily at me.

I looked back down at the rings on the box in my hands, admiring its simple yet intricately designed rings that were engraved skillfully with leaves and roses. The leaves was so Legolas, yet I didn't expect the roses.

"I understand the leaves and I loved it. It's very you," I commented cheerfully, "But why the roses?"

Legolas' face tinged with pink as he smiled at me a bit with a rare bashful look in his brilliant eyes. That is just too cute, I thought. I leaned forward and kissed him again then I embraced him tightly. Legolas chuckled in surprise but didn't let go.

"Because you smell like roses, the color of your cheek when you blush and your soft personality reminded me of roses as well. It's beautiful and endearing," he said softly as he kissed my cheek, his lips lingered there on my skin and sent me shuddering.

Aww. Such a smooth talker.

"Roses also have thorns. I know now that you can be deadly on the battlefield. And to be honest, you are pretty intimidating when you are mad..." he said in a husky voice.

What a buzzkill, I thought in amusement. I laughed, pinching him on the sides playfully.

"You know you deserved it," I mumbled and he laughed lightly.

That sassy elf.

"Do not be mad at me, melleth nin," he said between chuckles. "I am being truthful. I thought you were going to leave me right then. The idea was unthinkable," he said seriously. 

I marveled at his insecurities that he laid bare before me. I doubted myself from time to time, him being an elf and I a mortal woman. I thought it was impossible that someone like Legolas would want me around. Yet here he was, worried about me leaving him.

"I can't imagine my life without you," he added, smiling lightly.

A wave of sadness and grief hit me and I grew confused.

"Legolas, why are you so sad all of a sudden?" I demanded, frowning. "Is there something happened that I don't know about when I was out?"

I became anxious as he only watched me with a blank expression. I kicked myself inwardly; what if he lost someone on the battle, a friend, and I didn't even know it or even bothered to care? The sadness seemed to linger still in his heart. I stroke his hand, hoping to comfort him. He sighed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked flatly, and the steep change of topic only served to agitate me even more.

"Confused. Thanks for asking," I answered sarcastically and lifted my eyebrows. "But you are changing the topic. We are still talking about you."

"Nay, I meant how are you feeling physically? Are you feeling better? Are you in any pain?"

"What? Legolas, tell me what happened," I asked him, giving him a pointed look.

"It is fine now, melleth nin. Do not worry about it," he said smiling, but since my wall is down, I could sense his grief all the way still as clear as the day.

I folded my hands in front of me and looked to the white tree. 

"You want to marry me, right? Marriage is going to be challenging if we're not being transparent to each other."

There you go Lego, have your first Marriage 101.

Legolas only smiled a bit but only answered with, "It's nothing important, Leane."

"Look, I know you elves are really good at hiding your emotions, but I am also good at sensing them. Remember that I'm an empath?" I said, waving the Infinity ring in front of him. "Your grief is literally shouting at me right now," I whined.

Legolas looked taken aback. "You're lowering your walls now? Since when?"

"Since this morning. I wanted to soak in the joy from the crowd," I mumbled as if I was talking about getting a gorgeous tan from the summer sun. Give me enough joy and soon I'll be tan with a lot of exotic happiness.

He smiled and embraced me, kissing my temple. "I'm glad you finally braved yourself and put down your walls," he said. "It is part of yourself, abandoning it would meant abandoning a piece of yourself."
 
I smiled and nodded. This was true, I had never felt so alive than now since I closed myself in the battlefield of Minas Tirith.

"You're distracting me again," I muttered and glared into his icy blue eyes, demanding him to elaborate.

"It is just a thought," he finally admitted. "You were almost gone to me forever. Your fea was lost in the limbo. Not even Lord Elrond could bring you back. You have seen the entrance to the Undying Lands. Had you crossed over..."

"You're worried about me?" I asked in disbelief. I found his fear rather unrealistic.

"The thought horrified me so," Legolas admitted, his eyes cold and distant. "And almost every time I looked into the blue glow in your eyes, it only served me as a reminder of what I could've lost," he said as his eyes pierced mine and a wave of great loss hit me like a tidal wave as he cupped my face.

I flinched; it was as if I was back to the time when my mom told me that my dad had just passed away, but Legolas' emotions were multiple times as disturbing compared to it. Heck, the word 'disturbing' didn't even do it any justice. Nausea filled me and I looked away, hurriedly pulling my mental walls up.

Damn elves; they always seemed to show emotion less than any other race, yet they feel and it is almost always as strong as tsunami. It baffled me still how Legolas could feel so intensely about me.

"Leane? Are you alright?" he asked in worried and concerned tone. He let go of me, as if afraid to touch me.

I coughed to cover my slip up. "Yes I'm alright, Legolas," I said but Legolas looked unconvinced. I ignored him.

As I held his hand, I continued, "I am right here now, and I'm well. Look," I waved the box of our wedding rings, "We're getting married soon. Nothing now could come between us. Please stop worrying about me," I said with a soft chuckle.

Legolas' eyes softened at me and his lips upturned a little. I grinned and continued with a dramatic sigh.

"Well, as for the creepy eyes, you know it's only a temporary thing. If it bothers you so much, well," I shrugged nonchalantly. "...We can just stay away from each other for a few days..."

Legolas laughed and hugged me, "Nay!" he exclaimed, and again, we broke into laughter together. "I do not mind the creepy eyes. I just wish that you will get better soon."

"I already am better," I said smiling broadly.

I studied the beautiful rings on the box and continued admiring it. 

"You may keep the wedding rings," he said as he closed the box and pressed it to my palm. "And when your heart is ready," he said, taking my free hand in his and kissed my knuckle, "Come to me and marry me. Be mine. I will wait for you, no matter how long, melleth nin."

My heart raced and I blushed furiously at the realization that the ring exchange for elves were an intimate experience, one thing to be done right before consummation.

I peeked up at Legolas who surprisingly were blushing a little behind his smile and I couldn't help but laugh at our shyness.

"Are you nervous, Legolas?" I teased him.

Legolas seemed to be unable to form any kind of reply, so he looked away. A bashful smile still graced his face when he cleared his throat and changed the subject, "Do you want to go back to the feast?" he asked in denial, a cocky look on his face.

I nodded and we both entered the hall. We greeted back our friends who were having a drinking game, but throughout the game I couldn't keep my eyes off of Legolas. I stole glances at him whenever he was not looking.

I had been wanting to be with Legolas, to give myself fully to him. To marry him. Heck, a few days ago I was willing to sleep with him even without all the formalities. But now when the time came for me to do just that, I was reduced into a shy schoolgirl. 

Oh fairy godmother, help me.

***

[Author's note: There it is the gentleman proposal! I would like to hear what you think of the chapter. Feel free to leave them at the comments below! Thank you for reading, awesome readers!♥️]