"Then let us not speak of this again until we are in Lothlórien. This should be a time of great joy and passion for us, not fear and worry." -Thranduil

It was midmorning when Legolas approached the royal pavilion. At Dawn, the king and queen had emerged from Firien Wood in matching green robes. The Wood Elves cheered and blessed the couple as they passed through the encampment to the royal pavilion. But Legolas doubted they had taken much rest. As he entered, he met with Padir who explained that the king had told him he and the queen were not to be disturbed. Legolas reminded him that the guests would soon arrive for the day's festivities. They then heard giggling from the king and queen's tent room.

"Is that my son?" called Thranduil's voice.

"It is my Lord King," Padir called back.

"Tell him to go away," replied Thranduil.

"Would you please remind the King and Queen that their guests will soon be here," insisted Legolas.

"My Lord King," called Padir.

"I heard what he said. Tell Legolas that the King and Queen will receive their guests when they are good and ready," called Thranduil.

He heard whispered voices, then Thranduil's voice again. "Do we have to? Oh, very well. Padir, have our breakfast brought to us and tell Legolas to prepare for our guests' arrival."

Legolas rolled his eyes. "I suppose I had better attend to my duties."

"I think that would be wise, my Lord Prince," said Padir.

Legolas exited the tent and went to inspect the large arena the Wood Elves had built in the meadow just outside the encampment. They had built a royal box, featuring two wooden thrones so that the king, queen and their honoured guests could enjoy the festivities. Soon enough, the guests arrived, and each was seated according to their status and kinship. Everyone else gathered around the cordon awaiting the king and queen's arrival. Cheers went up as they, at last, emerged arm in arm from the royal pavilion escorted by the Huscarls. Again, they dressed in green garments of matching cloth.

"Ai melaran Thranduil! Ai melris Alethris!" They called as the couple walked through the encampment towards the arena. Once seated on their thrones, the King gestured for the gifts to be presented. Prince Imrahil presented a chest with rare spices from faraway lands and Prince Faramir, a small sculpture of Minas Tirith. The Elves of Rivendell gave bolts of wool, linen, and silk they had woven. Glorfindel presented Alethris with a brooch of a golden flower, which he pinned upon her chest. "It is the symbol of my house, Gracious Queen."

"Thank you, Glorfindel. I shall treasure it always," replied Alethris.

Erestor presented a pile of books bound with the Sigil of Arnor. "You will need to keep an account of the rebuilding projects."

Alethris received them gratefully. "I am very thankful for your lessons Erestor, I never realised just how important they would be." Next, King Éomer presented a large chest with carvings of the Rohirrim charging to defend Minas Tirith upon it. Inside were drinking horns, furs and travel blankets.

Members of the Galadrim gave boxes of seeds, cuttings and saplings from various trees, fruits, vegetables and flowers. "To assist in the restoration of your realm," they said. Celeborn and Galadriel presented a casket containing rare oils and perfumes.

Next, Gimli presented them with a large uncut white gem. "My King will no doubt pay his respects to you upon your return the Eryn Lasgallen. In the meantime, I hope you will accept this small gift as a token of my esteem. When I was at Helms deep, I took this from the glittering caves to remind me to return if I survived the battle. It came with me on all my adventures and has brought me good fortune. May it bring the same to you."

Thranduil took the gem and examined it closely. "Thank you, Gimli. It is a fine specimen. I shall have it cut and set into my Queen's crown to symbolise the renewed peace and friendship between our peoples."

He then handed it to Alethris. "Thank you Gimli, it is very lovely even in its uncut form."

The Hobbits then came before the King and queen, carefully carrying the six tiered cake on a wooden board. "It may not be as big as hobbit wedding cakes, but we wanted to bring a little of the Shire to you. We hope you will enjoy it," said Frodo.

"It looks delicious, Padir. Please ensure everyone gets a piece," replied Alethris.

Padir nodded and ordered attendants to carry away the cake. Gandalf was next with a small crate of fireworks. "These are my last. I hope they will be my best."

"Will we see them tonight after the feast?" asked Alethris.

Gandalf gave her a cheeky wink. "Indeed, we shall Gracious Queen."

Legolas was next and carried a set of scrolls. "Ada and my beloved Kinswoman Alethris. I shall return to Eryn Lasgallen to act as Regent during your progress and oversee the alterations to the Royal chambers. However, I have been much inspired after my visit to Lothlórien, and so, as my wedding gift to you, I shall build a summer palace. It shall be on our new border, near the mountains." He opened the scrolls, showing them the plans he had designed.

Thranduil and Alethris looked over the plans with great interest. "These are excellent Legolas. I look forward to staying there once built," said Thranduil approvingly.

Elladan and Elrohir brought forth a wooden model of Rivendell. Alethris gasped as she lifted the top of one roof. Inside were miniature furniture and dolls. "You will find everyone is in there," said Elrohir. She lifted another of the roofs and found a chamber with models of her mother, father, grandmother, three wizards and, in the cradle, a small baby. Alethris picked up the little cradle.

"This is me, isn't it?" she asked.

"Just as we remember you," replied Elladan.

"There is even one of you at seven and thirteen and many more besides for you to discover. You will tell many tales with this," said Elrohir, and he winked.

"I am sure not everyone is there," said Thranduil.

"I think if you look at the little house by the Pinewood you might find what you are looking for," replied Elladan.

Thranduil peaked the roof open, then shut it quickly, giving Elladan a slight smirk. "I see you have thought of everything."

"You have spoiled my gift," said Elrond mockingly. "My dear Alethris and Thranduil, my blessings to you on the joyous occasion of your union. My gift to you both, in case you have not guessed, is a modest vacant dwelling I have renovated for you. So that you will have a private place of rest when travelling to and from the North. May it serve you well long after I have departed." He handed Alethris a large ornate key.

Alethris smiled and kissed him. "Thank you, Ada. That is a most generous gift."

"Oh, and one more thing, a collection of rare Elven poetry, in Quenya. I know you are fond of such tomes." He then handed Thranduil several books bound in leather and gold leaf.

"Thank you, Lord Elrond. I am humbled by your most generous gift," replied Thranduil. He then addressed all the guests. "Your generosity overwhelms the Queen and I, It goes without saying that I hope many of you will attend my Queen's crowning upon our return to Eryn Lasgallen. It shall be a most lavish affair."

"Even the Dwarves?" called Gimli.

"Especially the Dwarves. I shall insist upon it," replied Thranduil. He then turned to Alethris and took her hand. "Now it is time for my gift. But what could I possibly give to my most precious gem? For none of the treasures in my vaults could compare to your radiance. There are many precious things I shall adorn you with when we return home. But what to give you on this most special of days? Then I realised your stag has no doe." He produced a little hand-carved doe, painted white. "Happy Birthday Thorwen."

The modest gift surprised those present. But Alethris was so overjoyed threw her arms around Thranduil and kissed him. She then drew out a white stag from the pouch she always wore. Legolas suddenly realised he recognised the stag. It had been a toy his father had made for him as a very young Elfling, and he had later lost it in the forest. "So that was what was in her pouch all those years. However did she find it?" Gandalf winked at him.

Finally, it was the turn of King Elessar and Queen Arwen to present their gift. "What does a King bestow upon his royal sister and her new husband? You will retain the title of Vice Regent in my name even though you relinquished your birthright to rule as Queen. I also award the title of Co-Regent to your husband and hope that you will listen to his wise counsel." A herald brought him two wooden boxes and inside each had a chain of silver with several coloured gems and a large silver medal with the Sigil of Arnor and Gondor upon it. "Your chains of office, so all will know you come in my name."

Cheers went up as Arwen took each chain and placed them on Alethris and Thranduil. She then presented them with a wicker box with holes in it. There were sounds of cooing coming from inside. "This box contains six Gondorian Doves, specially trained to travel long distances to deliver messages. May these birds maintain a swift connection between us." She then handed the box to Padir.

"Your first duty is to bring Law and order to Arnor and to oversee the rebuilding of Annúminas. In a few years, once I have dealt with matters in the south, I shall come north to see how things are progressing," said Elessar.

After the presentation of the gifts, the tourney began. There were contests of archery, swordsmanship, horsemanship, and strength. Legolas won the individual archery contest, while Gimli won the strength. Legolas then captained the Wood Elves team in the group archery contest. Which came to a nail-biting conclusion between Lothlorien and the Woodland Realm and ended in a draw. Celeborn and Thranduil both insisted their team was the victor but agreed that the following spring there would be a rematch that would not end until the outcome was more decisive.

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Gandalf prepared fireworks from his last box after the feast. True to his word, they were his finest yet. A riot of coloured flowers burst open in the night sky, followed by birds and animals. Then came the image of a gold ring melting in fire, a crown placed upon a man's head and finally a great white boat sailing into a golden sunset. After the festivities were over, Thranduil and Alethris bid their guests farewell before returning to the peace of their Pavillion. It was a relief to be alone at last, and Alethris had much on her mind.

Thranduil poured wine for them while they sat together in their parlour. "You were deep in discussion with Mithrandir earlier."

Alethris smiled. "Yes, I sort counsel from him on a family matter."

Thranduil took a sip from his goblet. "let me guess, you sort counsel on the matter of our 'Children' again. We have discussed this at length. Had you been born of Elrond's bloodline instead of his brother, things would be different. But as it is they will be subject to the gift of men. It is a price we must accept."

"How can you dismiss the fates of our children?" protested Alethris.

"I am not, Melleth nin. Nothing would give me greater joy than to know our children could join us in the uttermost west. But to dwell on such wishful thinking will only bring us grief in the end."

"I have lost enough of my family. Even Aiwendil is sundered from me. Must my children be sundered too? I do not know what is worse, the thought of being recalled to Valinor while they are still young or to watch them grow old and die."

Thranduil squeezed her hand and ran his fingers down her cheek. "You are not alone in this pain, Thorwen. But when the time comes, we shall endure it together and I am sure Mithrandir told you much the same thing."

"Not exactly, he said the answer lies in Grandmother's garden."

"Then let us not speak of this again until we are in Lothlórien. This should be a time of great joy and passion for us, not fear and worry."

Alethris smiled back at him. "I know, Melhervenn"

He returned her words with a kiss. "I like the sound of that. Melhervess nin," he whispered.

Alethris stifled a yawn as she finished her wine. She set her goblet down on the side table and nestled into Thranduil's shoulder.

"Surely you are not tired yet, Melleth nin."

"It has been a long day. I am ready for my rest," replied Alethris.

Thranduil gently kissed the top of her head, ran his fingers through her long tresses, and whispered in her ear. "Surely you have a little energy left for your Thurindaer, Thorwen?"

Alethris smirked dreamily. "A little, perhaps."

Thranduil got to his feet and pulled Alethris to him. "I am glad to hear it." Alethris giggled slightly as Thranduil lifted her and carried her into their room. "Ensure we are NOT disturbed, under any circumstances this time, Padir, not even by my son!"