^^^Again, I did a rough sketch of Sapphire's clothes. Don't hate, it's a rough drawing.^^^

To my relief, Thranduil welcomed us back with open arms, overjoyed to see us after such a long time. I noticed he was in much better spirits than he was before. He smiled much more often, not his usual sly smirk I had come to expect, but a genuine smile.

Legolas was quick to get himself back in the routine of being Prince of Mirkwood. Like before, he subtlety changed the way he talked and composed himself. I couldn't blame him, being Prince did bring high standards.

It wasn't until maids and servants started to being me things for for a royal did I finally realise the extent at which I would have to change myself. Now that I was being associated with the royal family, the servers started to expect differently of me.

For one, they brought me new clothes. I as expressed my desire not to have too many dresses because the last thing I wanted to be was drowning in skirts. But even my plain tunic and armour became more elaborate.

I was given armour which was much like Legolas', fish scaled armour plated on my shoulders, hard leather corsets and skirts of chainmail and silk. It wasn't entirely comfortable but I tried to seem greatfull.

Another change which I wasn't expecting was one of my handmaids giving me advice on etiquette. She started with royal conduct but slowly she began advising me on law and order as well as other things a royal is expected to know. Legolas had offered to command her to stop but regrettably, now that I was courting the Prince of Mirkwood, it seemed fitting I learnt how to conduct myself as he did.

After three months I was properly versed on royal etiquette and Legolas had even let me sit in on one of the meetings in the counsle room. It seemed boring and mundane but I tried my best to pay attention.

The month after, Thranduil announced there was to be a grand party held in his host. I asked what the party was to celebrate but I didn't get an answer. To be honest, Thranduil was the party type, he didn't really need a reason to throw a party if he just felt like it.

As before, I was invited to sit at the King's table, but unlike the last time, I knew that Thranduil genuinely wanted me at his table. Before, the day I had run away, he was just inviting me out of courtesy, but now, I was broadly accepted amongst the nobility of Mirkwood as the woman courting their Prince.

I had a deep blue dress brought to me by the royal seamstress. It seemed that everytime I asked for clothes, they would get more and more elaborate, especially the dress she had prepared for the party that night.

The tight black minidress left pretty much nothing to the imagination as it was cut low and only just brushed my knees. The deep blue robe which accompanied the dress was made of the richest velvet, it was so soft. The silver trim of the robe was emblazoned with a full moon, half moon and cresent moon.

Some of the servants came into my room to do my hair. I told them I was perfectly capable of doing it myself but they insisted. Instead of my usual casual, laid back hair, the servants came at me with hot curling tongs. I asked them why they were fussing over me but they just shrugged it off and began curling my hair.

I said through the whole thing, my arms crossed and a scowl on my face. Don't get me wrong, I did look beautiful now but I would have settled for something a little more plain.

The last thing they gave me puzzled me even more. A simple crystal necklace, it's gem sparkling like sure startlight. When I asked why they gave it to me, they said that Thranduil had given it to me as a gift. That was unexpected, I mean, we had finally gotten on good terms but I didn't expect a gift from him.

There was a knock at my door and unsurprisingly, it was Legolas. He was dressed in a silver tunic, the same moon trimming sticked to the hem. His small silver tiara sat delicately on his blonde hair.

"I see I'm not the only one being dressed up for this random occasion." I scoffed, standing up and dismissing the servants which were either fussing over me or gawping at Legolas, "The tiara looks good on you, Princess."

I turned to him and saw that his jaw was slightly agape as his eyes scanned over me. I blushed deeply as I looked down at myself and realised how revealing my outfit was.

"Wow." He finally sighed, "You look beautiful."

"I told the servants that if they kept dressing me up like this, I would just go in my ranger gear, dirty or not." I sighed, crossing my arms defiantly.

"You look beautiful," He stated again, walking closer to me and kissed me on the forehead before chuckling, "Also, what's with the hair?"

"These damned servants," I huffed, pointing to the servants which were still in the room and were watching us, "If they come at me with hot curling tongs again, you're going to hold me back before I throw my axe at one of them."

"Well you look like a goddess incarnate," he chuckled, "But I'll do well to remember that."

With that, I took his arm and we made our way to the hall. Everyone was giving me looks but I tried to ignore them.

For once, I seemed to fit in with the nobility of Mirkwood. I didn't look so out of place like I usually did. Everyone was complimenting me on my appearance and I would just give a weak smile out of courtesy.

I sat myself next to Legolas, who was to the side of Thranduil who looked stunning as always. They were just used to being praised, this was relatively new to me. Though I may look like like I fit in with the nobility, I didn't feel like it.

Before I knew it, food and drink were brought out to us and people began to dance to the rhythmic melody the musicians were playing. Being me, I had my fair share of wine but I really didn't want a repeat of the last time I had been invited to one of Thranduil's parties, so I made sure I didn't drink too much.

Everyone seemed to be happily chatting with each other as usual, though I could tell many had their eyes on me. At first I thought it was just because of my dress but after a while, I was getting annoyed so decided to just ignore them.

Legolas seemed to blush at me every so often, perhaps it was because of my appearance or perhaps he had just too much wine. He wasn't usually this nervous around me, even when I did dress up so I just assumed he had a bit to much to drink. After all, this was Legolas.

Thranduil smirked as he nudged Legolas on the arm. Before I could ask what he meant by that, Legolas turned to me and offered his hand. I gladly took it, any chance to get away from the nobles at the King's table.

Legolas entwined his fingers with mine as he led me into the middle of the dancing. I knew all eyes were on us but to be perfectly honest, I was used to it by now.

Before we knew it, I noticed that all the other dancers were slowly disapating into the crowd and were now also watching us. Legolas seemed to notice this as well and his cheeks were blushed now.

"Not here." He muttered under his breath before we stopped dancing and he took my hand, leading me away from prying eyes.

"What?" I asked curiously as he led me through the hall and down the corridors.

He didn't answer, simply took my hand and led me through the halls, to one of the prettiest courtyards in Mirkwood. A beautiful tree which was always in blossom stood in the middle of the flower garden. I usually didn't care much for things like that but I had to admit it was pretty beautiful.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, turning to Legolas who's cheeks were still blushed.

"It's away from the crowds," He said simply, sitting down on the stone bench beneath the blossom tree, prompting me to do the same.

I sat there, puzzled by his answer as I watched him curiously. For some reason, he could barley make eye contact with me and when he did, his blush deepened - if that was even possible.

"What's wrong with you? You've been acting weirder than usual these past few hours." I huffed, feeling as though he was hiding something from me and he should know better than to do that.

"I knew you probably wouldn't want a crowd when I asked you this..." He spoke quietly.

"Asked me what?" I inquired, dumfounded by what he was saying.

He sighed deeply before he brought something out of his pocket. At first I couldn't make out what it was but as he turned to me, I saw it.

A ring. Silver bangled, shimmering diamond encrusted and decorated in what looked like little silver ivy leaves.

"Lady Sapphire, would you do me the honour of marrying me?" He asked softly, entwining his fingers with mine as he held out the beautiful ring to me.

What?

Had I heard him right? What was happening? What did he just ask me?

Marriage? Perhaps the bouquet didn't lie after all.

"Yes..." I squeaked, my hands slapping to my mouth as my brain went into complete shock.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, Legolas broke out into a broad smile as he lifted my hand and slipped the ring delicately onto my finger. I stared down at it, my jaw still agape and my brain still not working.

"I-" I squeaked, unable to form coherent sentences, "Marriage. What? How?"

Legolas chuckled at my awkwardness as he drew me into a heart-melting kiss. After my shock subsided, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, happiness filling my heart as the proposal sunk in.

"My father threw us that party," Legolas explained as we pulled apart, "To honour our engagement. Would be rather embarrassing if you had said no right now."

"Is that why you decided to ask me out here instead of in there?" I giggled, my head giddy from bliss.

"Partly yes, but I also knew how uncomfortable you are around crowds." He admitted, resting his forehead against mine.

"You're learning, Princess" I chuckled lightly.

"I believe you are the Princess between us now," Legolas pointed out, kissing my forehead.

My nickname for him had come full circle. All those years I had teased him about being a Princess when in actual fact, since I had just accepted his proposal, that made me a Princess. The irony was going to kill me so I just huffed in amusement as Legolas smiled smugly, now getting to use his own nickname against me.

"No, I'm pretty sure I'm the Prince, it's you that's the Princess," I protested with a pout.

"Well," Legolas scoffed his eyes darting to my body which was scarcely covered in my dress, "You look like a Princess to me."

"I um- shut up!" I pouted again, "And my eyes are up here!"

Still riding out the high of the proposal, Legolas led me back through the corridors towards the hall where we found all the guest awaiting our return. They cheered happily when they noticed the ring on my finger and the blush on my cheeks.

Thranduil came up to us, a dilicate smile on his face as he first hugged Legolas and then turned to me. Surprisingly, he hugged me as well before gesturing to the white little necklace the servants had said was from him.

"An early wedding present," he explained happily, "It was one of my late wife's jewels, the ones you recovered. It seems only fitting you should wear something so pure."

Don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts and feedback.

My brain: squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!