Coronation in Annúminas takes place after the events portrayed in Hearts betrayed and Renewed. One does not need to read that story to follow this one.
Isildur's nephew Meneldil was crowned King of Gondor after Isildur's death and Valandil would have become King of Arnor at the same time but for his tender age. So until her last remaining son came of age, Queen Muriel, Isildur's widow, assumed the duties of the crown. For tragically, the three older princes, Elendur, Aratan and Ciryon had also perished with their father at Gladden Field in that second year of the new age. Elrond had comforted Muriel and fostered Valandil in Imladris. In fact, the prince had spent several years in Imladris without his mother to complete his education, for the Dúnedain would not risk having their Queen and young prince travel in the same entourage as remnants of the enemy forces still roamed the wilds. The royal guards had escorted Valandil from the valley to Annúminas only two years ago, having deemed both the roads and city safe enough for this last prince of Isildur's line. Valandil's coronation was set for this spring, year 10 of the Third Age.
Xxxxxxxxx Imladris xxxxxxxxxX
"Elrond!" Glorfindel exclaimed in exasperation. "We have been over the travel and security protocols three times already. I assure you that we are taking all sensible precautions."
"Of course," Elrond answered, although he was clearly still ill at ease. Glorfindel could have sworn that the Lord of Imladris fidgeted. Cirulian was the only one in the room, who understood the source of the elf-Lord's anxiety. For the warrior had ridden with the then elfling when Ereinion and his new bride had gone on their first journey together. Their party had been ambushed and the journey had nearly ended in tragedy. Now almost three thousand years later, Elrond and Celebrían were newly betrothed. This would be their first long journey together where Elrond and his Seneschal would be solely responsible for coordinating security.
"We will make sure Celebrían and her family are well guarded." Cirulian grasped Elrond's shoulder firmly. Silver eyes met blue in a gaze that exchanged the heartache and steadfast promise to avoid another such event. Glorfindel would have to wait until later to pry the details out of Cirulian. The warrior had known Elrond since the lad had wandered into Lindon as a youth of barely twenty.
"The Dúnedain?" Elrond had instructed Cirulian to ask for their aid. It had been a request that had precipitated a long discussion and near argument.
"Their warriors are honored to be included to our security guards." Cirulian was uneasy about the addition of Dúnedain warriors to their Lord's personal guards. But Elrond was adamant that the Dúnedain would be important to assuring their safety in Annúminas, a city of men.
"Has Delia agreed?" Elrond was hoping one of the few female rangers would shadow Celebrían as one of her ladies in waiting.
"She considered it a great honor to serve the Lord of Imladris. I have arranged for her to meet you and Celebrían tomorrow morning."
"That is well." Elrond breathed in relief. Erestor the consummate diplomat entered. The chief councilor would be accompanying them on their journey and expected to help forge some trade agreements between Arnor, Gondor, and Imladris. Elendil's huge Kingdom encompassed both Arnor and Gondor. Isildur ruled it for a few years until the horrible events at Gladden Field. Since that time, Meneldil, Isildur's nephew ruled Gondor, while Muriel ruled Arnor in her son's stead. Now that prince Valandil was of age, he would take over the rule of Arnor. Unfortunately, given the tragedies of the past few years, Meneldil, who had been born in Númenor and was considered middle age at ~150 years old, had never met his young cousin. In fact, King Meneldil's son Cemendur was only a few years younger than prince Valandil. The large age gap would certainly put the young King in weaker negotiating positions.
"Your tailor is waiting." Erestor had a difficult time keeping a straight face. As the uncrowned heir to the High King of the Noldor as well as the Lord of Imladris, Elrond was now expected to don dress robes and exhibit the staid behavior that elves expected from their royalty. On this journey to the Kingdom of Arnor, Elrond would be the highest elven dignitary.
"You are enjoying this far too much." Elrond nearly growled.
"My Lord." Erestor bowed slightly to hide his grin.
"Elrond, I do enjoy seeing a well dressed ellon." Celebrían smiled mischievously. Her entrance corresponded with a gentle smile that immediately spread across the elven Lord's face. "I do hope you do not mind. I took the liberty of designing several tunics and dress robes for you. Shall we see if they fit?"
"Designing?" Elrond's voice seemed unusually high for a moment. Celebrían swept over to him and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek, which triggered a light flush to suffuse his visage. She grasped his hand and led the speechless elf from the room. Cirulian, Erestor and Glorfindel stood there in silence counting the retreating steps of their friends.
"Will it be warm enough to swim on Lake Nenuial?" Celebrían's melodious voice floated down the corridor. They recognized Elrond's choked laugh but could not hear his reply. Once sure that the Lord and Lady were out of earshot, laughter rang loudly in the conference room.
"Is he bewitched?" Erestor laughed. "That can not be the same elf who effectively countered the most difficult members of Aran Gil-Galad's council."
"I believe we have found the secret to getting approval for any task or inquiry." Glorfindel's laughter had brought tears of mirth to the elf's azure eyes.
"Well, let us see what colors she chose. If she gets him to wear pinks or light blue then surely she can get him to agree to anything." Erestor was breathless with laughter.
"I daresay he would rather wear nothing at all." Cirulian's terse statement held much truth but only served to set off a fresh wave of laughter.
"The Dúnedain are more inhibited." Erestor gasped in laughter.
"Than even the Noldor." Cirulian raised his brow, which set off more laughter.
"Aye" agreed Glorfindel. "Their decorum and protocols might not agree with the free spirits of a certain Galadhrim."
Xxxxxxxxx The palace in Annúminas xxxxxxxxxX
"Lord Elrond will come, Valandil." Queen Muriel reassured him, then paused as a brief coughing spell overtook her. "Perhaps he and Lord Erestor can give us advice as how to deal with the council and those persistent traders. At least our borders are somewhat secure and may of the wandering orcs have been rooted out." The young prince moved to pull the heavy drapes closed. It was early in the spring and his mother had been fighting a cold for over a month.
"You work too hard Mother. You need to rest."
"The trade agreements and our security concern are overwhelming. I had thought that your cousin Meneldil, King of Gondor would be more helpful." The Lady sighed and pulled the blanket up around her.
"Some tea, Mother?" Valandil offered her a steaming mug. She was nicely cocooned in a soft chair near the fire.
"Thank you." She took the mug, grateful that for the soothing black tea. "I do not know why this cough persists. I grow tired of the healers' horrible draughts. They do not seem to help."
"Perhaps Elrond can help when he arrives. Did his letter give a time table?" Excitement filled the prince's voice, for Elrond had comforted and consoled him when he had learned of Isildur's death. Perhaps it was Elrond's own experiences growing up as an orphan which made him sympathetic to the then thirteen year old's plight. Valandil had come across interesting historical documents and pictures in the palace archives that he looked forward to sharing with his mentor. Apparently, his Grandfather had packed some surprising historical treasures in those nine ships that had sailed from Númenor.
"They were vague but from my reading of their letter, I expect them to arrive about a month before your coronation. It should give you ample time to spend with them. But you must not appear to slight your cousin, King Meneldil or his family."
"I know mother." Valandil sighed as his smile widened to a mocking grin. He dutifully repeated his instructions. "And I must not appear to play with his son, as if we are of the same age." Unspoken was Valandil's envy of his second cousin. For Cemendur would enjoy a long childhood and adolescence, free of the duties and responsibilities of the Kingship. Muriel swatted at her son's head with a rolled parchment.
"Ah, my prince, there is still joy to be had even under the pressures of ruling a Kingdom." They both laughed, although Muriel's laughter ended in a cough and she sipped her tea to sooth her throat.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"Is their culture really that different?" Celebrían exclaimed in exasperation. She was uncomfortable with the idea of a Delia, a complete stranger and one of the Dúnedain to boot, being incorporated into her personal guard.
"You will soon get to judge for yourself." Elrond's eyes twinkled in amusement and he raised her hand to his lips in a gentle kiss. "I think you will find Delia's company and perspectives entertaining and refreshing. She can explain the customs of the Dúnedain in Annúminas in ways I cannot. Sometimes we are not aware of how our own culture influences and limits our thoughts and expectations. We never think to question why it is that we chose to complete a simple task one-way and not another. I am not sure how their culture evolved such strange restrictions on women. It was not so when they made their home in Númenor. Delia is one of the few women rangers. I predict she will turn quite prickly when forced to endure the protocols of the city. In small settlements, Dúnedain women are treated as equals as Eru intended. Hopefully, Muriel's short reign as Queen has eased some of the strange court practices."
"Prickly?" Celebrían was intrigued. "Perhaps what they need is some examples of the empowerment of ellith."
"I am sure this will make for a most memorable visit." Elrond laughed. "I am amazed that you convinced your father to allow the journey."
"It took much convincing and I did have to consent to his accompanying us. At least Naneth did not insist in coming." She sighed. Elrond on the other hand was most grateful for Celeborn's, Haldir's, and Rúmil's presence as well as their input on security matters.
"Thank you for helping me to improve my skill with the sword." Celebrían reminisced but did not bring up her victory with the bow. She had bested him at target practice and had gloated and teased him for the past few days. He smiled, having sensed her thoughts.
"It was my pleasure. You are most skilled at archery." He graciously complimented. She blushed at her thoughts being so transparent.
"Have you traveled to Annúminas before?"
"I have not seen the city in its splendor. Pengolodh and I traveled there twice at Ereinion's bidding but at the time it was very much under construction."
"Pengolodh!" Celebrían exclaimed, well remembering the stern lore master. "He is most tiresome." Elrond's musical laugh came easily in response to such an understatement.
"It was not an easy journey. The Sage of the Noldor was not known for his diplomacy." At the time Elendil was trying to buoy his people's spirits, for they had sailed from Númenor with a fleet of nine ships before the catastrophe. But rough seas parted their group and Isildur and his brother Anárion ended up far to the south while their father landed in Arnor.
"How many of the second born live in Imladris?" Celebrían's natural curiosity was quickly overcoming her worries.
"Right now there are nearly eight thousand here." Elrond smiled at her gasp. "I hope to always keep the Valley open to those of good heart from any culture. The Edain in the valley are a diverse group. Of course, some are of the Dúnedain and this trip to their city will give insight into their culture."
"And maybe some insight into my fiancé's varied heritage." She ran her hand through his dark hair and snuggled closer.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
"Elrond divulged that Queen Muriel hints at troubles with her council as well as demanding traders. She also indicated that she has been ill." Celeborn mused as he sipped his wine. It was their last night in Imladris. Celebrian's betrothed was busy with last minute preparations for their departure. Galadriel had agreed to oversee the running of the Valley while Elrond and Erestor traveled.
"Erestor spoke of some unrest in Gondor in the past ten years. Isildur resided for a short while in Minas Tirith while he tutored Meneldil on his duties there. The evil presence of the One Ring undoubtedly fostered malevolence among some of their inhabitants." Galadriel paused as she sipped her wine. They were seated on a balcony with a breathtaking view of one of Imladris' waterfalls. Images of two strapping elflings, not three feet high floated in her head. She shook away the strange picture. Perhaps it had just been one elfling looking at himself in a mirror.
"But the One Ring was lost." Celebrían turned to her mother.
"Those who are predisposed toward wickedness need little persuasion to chart that course. Removal of the influence of the One would not halt their scheming." Celeborn was uneasy about taking his daughter into a potentially unstable situation. "Our intelligence indicates that King Meneldil has the situation in Gondor well under control. Once young Valandil grows into his role as King, Arnor should also enjoy peace and prosperity. Rebuilding after a war is never easy."
"Your attendance would seem to be important for the stability of the Northern Kingdom. If there were those who oppose Valandil as the King of Arnor, Elrond's presence as Ereinion's named heir would greatly strengthen the boy's position. Representation from other realms including Lothlórien gives further credence to the boy's claim to the throne." Galadriel sighed. They had seen too many kingdoms fall.
"The renewal is already starting both here, in Lothlórien and in Greenwood. It will undoubtedly lift Arnor and Gondor as well. A rising tide lifts all boats." Celeborn pulled his wife closer and kissed her gently on the brow.
"Come back to me safe and whole." She whispered. Bidding love ones farewell before their journey never grew easier.
"We will Naneth." Celebrían hugged her Mother tightly.