A/N: Oh my, I am a lousy updater. I could probably write a five-page essay about all the stuff I have done since I last updated: participation is school projects, the end-of-semester tests and all the stress that comes with it, but instead, luckily, I wrote the next chapter.
So enjoy!
It was already late afternoon when they returned to Imladris. The weather was still as beautiful as ever and the valley was filled with the warmth of the sun.
"We should speak with your father about our decision," Thranduil stated as Namiriel was taking off the reins from Súletál.
She looked at her recent fiancé and uneasily squeezed the reins in her hands, wondering what Elrond may think of this. "Yes, we should," Namiriel answered and gave him a quick smile. It is better to get done with the talk as soon as possible, she thought. Although I have a queer feeling Elrond will not be surprised. "Let us do it now, before he is too engaged with the preparations for the party," she said. Namiriel hung the reins on a rack and closed the stall door behind her, giving Súletál a final pat on the nose before leaving.
Thranduil nodded and followed her through the labyrinth of corridors up to Elrond's study. They stood together behind the door as Thranduil knocked three times. "Enter," sounded Elrond's voice from inside the room. Thranduil looked at Namiriel and gently touched her hand as a gesture of reassurance. He then entered the study, closing the door behind him and leaving Namiriel anxiously waiting. It was a custom among elves for the future groom to be the first to tell the bride's parents about the decision of betrothal. Usually this was accomplished through a private conversation between the groom and the bride's father.
After what seemed like an eternity, the door clicked open. Namiriel felt most relieved, seeing Thranduil come out of the room with a light smile on his face. Without saying anything he closed the door behind him and took her hands into his. He lovingly kissed her forehead and Namiriel nodded in an unspoken understanding. All is well, she thought and then entered the room herself, taking a final glance at Thranduil from the crack in the door before closing it.
Elrond was standing by his desk and studying intently the papers in his hands. His wife, Celebrían, was also there, sitting on a fauteuil chair near the window and looking much calmer than her husband.
"Please, sit," Elrond said, still delved into his documents, and Namiriel complied, taking seat on a wooden chair.
"I know that this decision might seem quite hasty to you…," Namiriel began. "But I assure you, I have given much thought about the matter and I am certain that this is my wish."
"I know," Elrond said, finally laying the papers down on his desk. "You have never been the one to do rash decisions. Also, it is not my right to decide to upon who you can or cannot marry, I can only give you counsel about this matter. The marriage itself is, and always has been, a choice that is entirely up to you."
"Nevertheless, I do not wish to marry without your consent and blessing," Namiriel answered. "For you are the only family I have." She looked at Celebrían, who had so far sat silently, but had now stood up and turned to look at Namiriel. She could see that her mother had been crying – tears were still in her eyes as she walked towards her daughter and kneeled before her, gently squeezing Namiriel's hands.
"Oh, my child," she began; her voice was trembling slightly as she tried to speak clearly. "But do you know what the future holds for you, if you make this choice?" Her voice cracked and she lowered her face in tears. Elrond continued: "You will find no long-lasting happiness with him, Namiriel. This marriage will be your doom."
Namiriel pulled her hands free from her mother and leaned back on the chair, closing her eyes. "I know," she slowly whispered.
"You know?" Celebrían asked, her eyes wide of surprise. "And still you wish to go through with it?"
"I accepted my fate when I refused to take Narya, the Ring of Fire, which Círdan offered to me. There, on the shore of the Sea, I saw a vision not only of destruction and chaos that would come to this world if I took the ring, but I also saw a glimpse of my future and of what may come. At that moment I did not understand that vision, but now I do. The ring gave me a choice between power and love. With it, I could live, but without it, I could have someone worth living for. That is why I returned from Mithlond… because of my love for Thranduil."
Elrond nodded in understanding. "Then, my child, you have my blessing. May you find happiness in your life."
"Thank you, father" Namiriel answered.
Celebrían gently pulled her closer and hugged her tightly. Namiriel could feel her tears against her neck.
"I will be fine, mother," Namiriel whispered to her. "I still have time. That I know."
Celebrían released Namiriel from her embrace and gently took her daughter's face onto her hands.
"Yes, of course. It will still be long until…." Celebrían's voice cracked. "Does Thranduil know?" She asked a moment later.
"No, he does not," Namiriel answered. "And I can never tell him, for he would not understand."
Elrond nodded in agreement and Celebrían led Namiriel to the door.
"Although I did not give you birth," Celebrían said before opening the door, "I have always thought of you as my own daughter and I and Elrond will forever be there for you when you should need us."
"Thank you, it means a lot to me," Namiriel answered and kissed Celebrían on her cheek before leaving the room.
Thranduil was walking back and forth in the hallway. What took her so long? Had something happened? But then, as dozens other thoughts such as these were circling in his head, the door opened and Namiriel came out of the room.
"At last! I was beginning to get concerned," he said, making his voice sound calmer than he actually was. Namiriel did not answer, but only hugged him tightly.
"So?" Thranduil asked, his anxiety finally overcoming him.
"So, I believe we could announce the decision of our betrothal tonight at the feast of midsummer's eve," she said with excitement.
He laughed and lifted her off the ground, making her shriek of surprise. "Wonderful," he said and kissed her deeply.
"Then I think I should get ready for the feast," Namiriel said a moment later, reluctantly releasing herself from his hold. He sighed, but let her go. "I will see you in the evening," she said and placed another soft kiss on his lips before leaving for the dressing room.
Namiriel stood in front of a tall mirror as Sídhel, her handmaiden, adjusted her dress.
"It is so beautiful," she said, admiring the long creamy beige ruched skirt and the silver ornaments and lacing on the upper part of the dress.
"Thank you, milady. But I have always thought the person inside the dress determines its beauty."
Namiriel blushed slightly, but Sídhel continued: "And may I say you look exceptionally beautiful today, milady, as if gleaming from the inside."
"Perhaps I am, indeed, gleaming," Namiriel answered with a smile.
"Is there a particular reason for that, if I may ask? Has it possibly something to do with the Elvenking?"
Namiriel laughed. "Are you not a bit too inquisitive for your own good?"
"Apologies, milady, I had no wish to intrude upon you," Sídhel said quickly and continued working on her dress.
"No, it is all right," Namiriel said. "And as an answer to your question, yes, it does have something to do with Thranduil."
"Oh my! Are you…," Sídhel giggled slightly, but quickly collected herself and said: "Don't worry, milady, I shan't tell anyone."
"Yes, I would prefer you didn't until the news become public. Have you finished?"
"Quite so, just a few more adjustments."
Namiriel sighed and proceeded to hold her arms up in the air so that her handmaiden could do her work more easily.
Thranduil was waiting patiently on a terrace in the garden, where the party was to be held. On the terrace several large tables with foods of different kinds had been set up and all around there were decorations of young beeches and many wildflowers. Around the whole place many lanterns had been lit, their flames gleaming bright in the twilight. Most of the elves had already gathered and the place was filled with cheerful chatting and occasional singing, though the party had not yet started. From the edge of the terrace one had a wonderful view over the whole valley. Many fires were burning under the trees and distant singing could be heard. Also in the garden stood a pile of dry logs and branches that would be fired up at nightfall to chase away the darkness.
Then, as the sun was already touching the mountaintops, Elrond arrived with his wife and behind them followed Namiriel. All fell silent as they arrived, except for the occasional crackling of fire and the constant murmur of the river.
"All be welcome on the eve of summer solstice…" Elrond began to speak. Namiriel quickly slipped away from him as she noticed Thranduil standing yonder on the terrace.
"You look wonderful," Thranduil said, looking at Namiriel head to toe with visible approval.
"Thank you," she answered and felt her cheeks heating up. It was so simple for him to make her blush that Namiriel felt almost silly for it. But then again, come to think of it, she had just received a compliment from the King of the Woodland Realm; maybe it really was not that silly. Though already for a while she had stopped thinking of Thranduil as the King of Greenwood, but rather, when she looked at him, she saw a man whom she deeply held dear. Only now had his appearance reminded Namiriel of his status among his people.
"You don't look too bad yourself," she said. A big understatement, she told herself. He was wearing a long silver coat with tall boots, on his shoulders a cape of dark green and on his head a crown of entwined branches and green leaves. He did indeed look most kingly.
Thranduil only smiled to her words and put his arm around Namiriel, pulling her closer and gently kissing her head. "I am already looking forward to tonight," he whispered. Namiriel nodded, wondering if the facial cream Sídhel had given her would work and her cheeks wouldn't flame up like a beetroot.
"… Let the wine flow in streams and let no one go to bed before dawn!" Elrond finished his speech and many cheerfully approved, raising their glasses in honor of their host. Thranduil also handed Namiriel a wine goblet – where he had got it remained a mystery to her as they were not standing near any tables – to raise it with the others and drink to a fruitful summer and many long summer nights.
"I suggest you make your announcement soon, before everyone gets too drunk," Elrond said, appearing beside Namiriel.
"Of course," Thranduil answered. "I would prefer everyone still remembers it tomorrow morning."
Elrond nodded, handing them both a silver ring. Then, as he saw Celebrían gesturing towards the dance floor, he disappeared into the crowd.
"Shall we dance?" Thranduil asked, putting down the wine goblets and leading Namiriel towards the musicians.
"Of course," she answered with a smile and followed him through the crowd.
After a couple of dances Elrond clicked a spoon against his glass to gain everyone's attention. He was standing near the pile of logs, next to Lindir, who was holding a torch.
"The sun has fallen behind mountaintops, leaving way for darkness to wrap the valley into its embrace," he said. "Let us light the fires to hold darkness at bay and to not let it creep into our hearts. This year I would give the honors of lighting the fire to our guests from Greenwood the Great." He gestured towards Thranduil, who stepped beside him, pulling Namiriel with him – much to her surprise. She squeezed the ring in her hand. It was time.
"Thank you, Elrond," Thranduil said with an appreciative nod. "But before that I… we…," he corrected himself with a smirk. "… have an announcement to make."
Quickly the crowd was filled with anxious whispering, but as soon as Thranduil coughed slightly, all fell silent again. He looked at Namiriel, taking her hands into his, and said: "Guren bêd enni i gi melin, Namiriel, bestathangid aen. Man gureg bêd?" Thranduil then slipped the ring on her finger.
"Guren be 'ureg." Namiriel answered as it was customary and gave her ring to Thranduil. Then she turned towards the people. "Ai onron adh onril! Ai muindyr a muinthil! Ai meldir a meldis!" Her voice rang over the terrace.
"Bestathangid na veth min în!" he uttered and everyone broke into cheers, clinking together their glasses and shouting well-wishes to the betrothed. In the crowd, however, Namiriel noticed Areldir, the Councilor of Thranduil, leaving the terrace in quick steps. She saw that Thranduil had noticed him as well, but he did not deem it important to give more attention to the matter. Instead, he took the torch from Lindir's hand and said to Namiriel: "Will you help me?"
Namiriel also took the hold of the torch and together they lit the fire, followed by even more cheers and clinking glasses.
She and Thranduil soon retreated from the general hustle of the party to a more quiet part of the garden. Leaning on the balustrade Namiriel could see fires all around the valley. Warm wind swept over her bare shoulders and thousands upon thousands of stars dotted the sky above her.
"Enjoying the view?" Thranduil asked, wrapping his arms around her.
"Yes," she said. "I might not see this valley for a long time." Namiriel sighed, turning to face him. "Do we have to leave already tomorrow?"
"Yes," he answered. "There are matters that have been neglected because of my sudden departure and I want to give the people as much time as possible to get to know you before our marriage."
Namiriel nodded. Her last night in Imladris. She had not quite imagined it like this.
Guren bêd enni i gi melin, Namiriel, bestathangid aen. Man gureg bêd? – My heart tells me that I love you, Namiriel, and that we should wed. What does your heart say?
Guren be 'ureg.– My heart is like your heart.
Ai onron adh onril! Ai muindyr a muinthil! Ai meldir a meldis! – Hail father and mother! Hail brothers and sisters! Hail male-friends and female-friends!
Bestathangid na veth min în! – We two will marry at the end of one year!
A/N: I think at this point it would be a good idea to thank the creator of a webpage called realelvish, from where I have got most of my translations into Elvish. There are also many essays and other interesting pieces of writing, if anyone should be interested.
And as always, I am infinitely grateful for your support and if you can take a moment to give me feedback about the story, I would be very happy.