Namir refused to wear the ornate tunic that Legolas had found for him. It was a lovely deep green with silver embroidery on  the hems. Velvet and probably expensive if he had any idea how much fabric cost. It was the attire of a prince and he fixed his mate with a stare. 

Legolas smirked at him from where he was already dressed. His own tunic silver with green embroidery. A golden circlet lying on his head to mark him as the elf prince he was. A fact that Namir sometimes forgot about. He had never understood royalty and the fact that his mate was a prince was never really important to him. However it meant that at ceremonies such as the crowing of the king of Gondor, Legolas had to act as a representative of his father's kingdom. That meant finery and while Namir loved how beautiful his mate was, he himself was not keen on the heavy fabrics. 

"It's itchy", he complained as he dropped the tunic onto the bed. 

"You only have to wear it today", Legolas reminded as he checked to make sure his long silver blonde hair, which looked even more like starlight against the silver of his tunic, was neatly braided back. He was wearing engagement braids. The sight of them made the possessiveness curl up warm and sated in Namir's chest. 

"Can't I just go in my other form?" He complained. "I let you brush my fur with all those oils last night. So won't that be enough?" 

"If you go in panther form then you at least need to wear the circlet and you can't change back until the ceremony is over", the elf chided. 

"Deal". Namir would take that. He had already promised to wear the formal wear at their wedding in Mirkwood. Legolas had already sent off letters asking his father for permission to get married within his kingdom. 

He stood up and stretched. Limbs extending as Legolas' sleep shirt, that he had stolen upon waking, rode up on his legs. His long dark hair falling in neat waves over his shoulders, the very edges brushing the still bandaged scar across his thigh. The smaller slash across his calf was tight with scabs but was open to the air. Legolas turning to admire the skin-changer as he stood there, frame lit by the sunlight streaming through the windows. The scars on his neck would never fade but they no longer looked as painful as before. The darkness that covered his claws and hands were fading and as he stretched his arms above his head, Legolas watched as the claws extended and subtracted like a house cat's. 

The elf couldn't resist stepping close and wrapping his arms around Namir's waist from behind. The cat grinning and a purr building up in his chest as he turned his head round to kiss him. The kiss deepening. Namir twisting around in his hold till their chests were pressed together. "We are going to be late", Legolas murmured against his lips. Sharp teeth nipped at him and he felt Namir smirk. 

"Oh no". 

"Namir". The tone was warning. 

"You started it". 

"And I'm ending it". Legolas pulled himself away and watched the cat grumble at the loss of contact. The elf grinned, utterly besotted and enjoying it. " This is for Aragorn". 

"If Aragorn was a good friend then he would excuse my absence", Namir huffed as he obediently pulled the sleep shirt off his head. For a moment he was naked, then his bones started shifting and he bent down as he changed. Legolas waited until the panther sat up and blinked big brown eyes at him. 

"Anin gel nin?"The elvish was soft, coxing. He gestured to the dressing table and mirror. The second circlet to match his own waiting. The cat meowed in complaint and eyed him pointedly for the use of Elvish but padded over in begrudging acceptance. The look on his face stating 'only for you' and Legolas gave him a scratching behind the ears as he picked up the metal. The circlet was half solid meta, half adjustable chain that the elf had commissioned specifically for situations like this. It meant that he could lay the circlet so that it fit under Namir's ears in beast form. 

"Vuin radag", he stated as he lowered his head to press their foreheads together. Namir made an answering chirping noise. Then he rose and picked up the tunic from the bed and the matching trousers. There was a protesting huff as he folded them into a small silver silk bag and slung it over his shoulder before turning towards the door. Namir trailing after him as they left the sanctity of their guest room and stepped out to join the ceremony. 

"I guess Namir didn't want to wear the tunic", Gimli chuckled as they met him at the entrance. The courtyard outside was already filling with people. Citizens of the city and representatives of the other kingdoms of middle earth all mingling around the white tree as more poured in from the city below. 

The dwarf had polished himself as well. His beard was combed and his armour had a new sheen to it. Any gore left over from their quest washed away. If it wasn't for the worn dents and chips in the metal then it would almost look new. Namir greeted him with rumbling noise as Gimli laughed. Behind him the other dwarves who had come to represent the Iron mountains and Erebor were whispering to each other and pointing at Namir. Wether in excitement or shock, it was hard to tell. 

"He barely agreed to the crown", Legolas grinned back. 

Gimli laughed. "You look very dashing beast". Namir yowled and head butted him in the hip, barely jostling the dwarf. 

"Namir!" A voice called. It was older but Namir's ears still pricked up in recognition and he turned towards the sound. The dwarf who emerged from the crowd was older than the last time the skin-changer had seen him. Cornflower blonde hair now flecked with grey and face lined with more wrinkles. His beard was bigger too, greyer than his hair and braided. Ornate armour the clothing of royalty. Fili, King of Erebor came shoving through the crowds towards them. His troop of advisors and guards trailing behind him. 

Namir's tail flicked and before the king could reach them, he was changing. Legolas pulled out the ornate tunic and trousers he had brought with him and was met with an unimpressed loook. The elf smirked as Namir growled at him. The brunette taking the clothing and slipping them on as the king reached them. The green offsetting the copper highlights in his hair and the trousers long enough to hide the fact that he was not wearing shoes. Legolas reached out to fix the circlet as Fili reached them.

"Your highness", Gimli bowed. Legolas mimicking the action. 

"Prince Legolas", Fili greeted with a nod. Then he turned to Namir and grinned. "He found you! It is good to see you old friend". He reached out and Namir bent down to let the blonde hug him. "Kili is going to be so annoyed that he did not get to see you. He is back home with Tauriel and their children. I am glad that you are safe. The forces of Erebor assisted with the search but we found no sign of you on our lands. I am sorry we could not do more". 

Namir smiled into the hug, smelling the familiar scent of the Oakenshield line. "I thought your kingdom hated me for the Arkenstone incident", he joked as they separated. Behind Fili a few dwarves bristled at the reminder. 

Fili waved it off. The mischievous glint in his eyes so reminiscent of his younger self that Namir was reminded of playing hide and seek in the gardens of his cottage. "You saved the line of Durin and helped us reclaim our homeland. That more than makes up for the Arkenstone. It was a corrupting jewel". Fili emphasised the words and winked at him. 

Namir threw his head back and laughed. A warm lightness filling his chest. "I see you are still with your elf", Fill-in continued, his tone teasing. "Both you and my brother. I do not understand the deal with elves. Next thing I know Gimli will be dating one". He shot a grin at the younger dwarf. 

"Not any chance soon", Gimli exclaimed. "I'd sooner marry my axe!" 

"You'd probably enjoy it more too", Legolas commented. 

For a second the ginger looked at him. Then he burst out laughing. "Aye, I would too". 

Namir chuckled. "Fili. You got old", he glanced the dwarf up and down. "And fat". 

"Aye. I blame my wife. She cooks the best food. How could I not eat it?" He grinned proudly, unashamed. Then his smile dimmed. "We met later in life than most. We wanted to invite you to the wedding but you were missing. I am glad you are safe now my friend". 

"Thank you. I would have loved to have attended. I shall have to come visit Erebor. See Kili and Tauriel again". Namir patted the blonde dwarf on the shoulder.

"They will love to see you. We will welcome you with open arms. Do you want to travel back with us? We are staying for three more days before we must return to Erebor". 

Namir glanced back at Legolas. The elf smiled. "We will travel with you part of the way but we cannot visit Erebor yet. I must bring Namir back to his father". 

Namir hummed and gave a small smile. "I want to return home. I have been gone too long". 

Fili nodded in understanding. "Of course. You may travel with us till we get to the plains before Mirkwood. It will be good to spend time with you again my friend". 

Namir returned the warm smile as he leaned slightly towards Legolas. The elf shifting slightly to support him if he needed. "I will look forward to it". 

On the castle steps a herald blew a horn. It's note rising out over the now filled courtyard. The chatter quieted down. "We should get to our position", Fili sighed. He gave them one last smile. "We shall find you later". 

"You owe me a meal and a drink!" Namir called as the king and his crowd moved out into the square. 

"You got it!" 

Namir chuckled as the music for the procession began. He leaned back and rested his shoulder against Legolas'. "You knew I'd end up wearing this", he grumbled. He didn't need to turn to see the smug smirk that twitched across the elf's face. 

"I may have had an idea", the elf hummed. 

"Ni melathog n'uir?" The question was teasing. He turned and beamed at him.

Legolas's eyes were adoring. Around them, the crowning ceremony began but the pair of then were not paying attention. The words falling only so they would hear.  "Ben iest gin. Annon i veleth nin allen". 

unedited 

Anin gel nin? - For my joy?

Vuin radag - Beloved beastie. 

Ni melathog n'uir? - Will you love me for all eternity? 

Ben iest gin. Annon i veleth nin allen - As you wish. I give you my love. 

Who liked the Fili appearance? I enjoyed writing his cameo.