"What is he doing?" Faramir wondered out loud as he saw Legolas raise one arm. Glorfindel and the twins did not respond for they were also curious of what Legolas was about to do next.

As they watched, one of the gulls suddenly swooped down and landed on Legolas' upraised wrist, squawking excitedly. The bird and the elf stared into each other's eyes for a long tense moment. Legolas' lips were moving but the rest of them could not discern what he was actually saying.

Then the gull spread its wing abruptly and bolted off its perch, quickly ascending to join its mates in the air. Then the whole flock circled the area for one last time before they flew away, heading back toward the sea. As Legolas sat there watching the gulls' progress in silence, his companions nudged their mounts closer to him.

Glorfindel stared closely at the prince's face. "Are you well, Legolas?"

Legolas nodded. "I think so."

The twins glanced at each other before Elladan spoke, "They were trying to distract you."

"Yes, they were."

"So, what did you say to them just now?" Faramir asked.

Legolas smiled wanly at the man. "I told them that if they ever bother me again, I would no longer be a vegetarian and start eating those blasted gulls for breakfast!"

****************************

Lovely Narasene made an even lovelier bride.

Legolas could not take his eyes off her when she stepped beside him at the altar under the gazebo. They were about to be formally announced as husband and wife. This was what he had been anticipating since returning from Minas Tirith two weeks ago.

Asfahn had been prosecuted and was found guilty of all charges. In his effort to defend himself, Asfahn had even disclosed several names in Gondor council of lords who had also helped the Haradrim in their wicked plan. All in all, the Haradrim had lost. Again. And Elessar's royal house was gradually getting back to normal. The peace in Gondor had been rediscovered, and Aragorn's previous stress was beginning to lose its weight on the king's shoulders.

Like the flower-decorated gazebo, the rest of the beautiful old garden of Mirkwood palace was wonderfully adorned with more flowers and ribbons. Rows upon rows of tables and chairs had been brought out to accommodate the hundreds of guests who came to witness the historic and happy union. Among them were Elrond's twin sons with their grandfather. Lord Celeborn had been residing with them in Rivendell ever since his wife had sailed over for Valinor.

Arwen sat next to her grandfather, clasping one of his hands, smiling in pure delight. King Elessar, now fully recovered from his wounds, sat on her other side, grinning to see the love struck expression on Legolas' face. Elladan and Elrohir were elbowing each other, also amused at their friend's obvious eagerness to get the ceremony over and done with so he could whisk Narasene quickly away to someplace private.

Cradling his infant son in one arm, Faramir said something to Gimli the dwarf and King Éomer that caused the three of them to laugh boisterously. The two men's wives, Princess Lothiriel and Lady Éowyn, were whispering between themselves, marveling in admiration at the exquisite white gown that Narasene was wearing.

Legolas himself was wearing an ivory cloak over his silver-colored attire, with the 'blasted' silver circlet placed firmly around his head. Commander Jaden had taken one look at him before exclaiming, "You look splendid, your highness!"

Somehow, Legolas managed to fight the wild urge to snatch the coronet off his head and jam it down Jaden's throat after hearing that. Currently, the said commander was conversing quietly with Prince Imrahil at one corner, absorbed in military matters, undoubtedly.

Everyone present was smiling, and their joy reflected clearly on their faces. Even Glorfindel was beaming from ear to ear when he had walked steadily towards Legolas with his niece upon his arm just now. But when the time came for him to hand her over to the prince, the fierce and strong-hearted elven lord had slightly faltered. Glaring at Legolas, Glrofindel had growled, "Remember what I said. If you ever hurt her, I'll hurt you even more!"

That had only caused Narasene to narrow her eyes admonishingly at her uncle while Legolas had broken up laughing.

"My lords and ladies," the master of the ceremony finally announced after the wedding ritual had completed. "May I present to you, the royal highnesses Prince Legolas and Princess Narasene Thranduilion of Eryn Lasgalen!"

All the guests immediately stood and applauded exuberantly, cheering and shouting words of congratulations at the beaming couple. Legolas and Narasene waved back at them, their faces radiant and glowing with joy.

At the seat of honor beside Lord Celeborn, King Thranduil had a big smile upon his face, his eyes bright with unshed tears. My little boy is not a boy anymore, he thought, a little melancholic. He is now someone's husband and lord.