Chapter 26
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The month of May drew near and the Captain of the West set out again. They went aboard ships with all their men and they sailed from Cair Andros down Anduin to Osgiliath; and there they remained for one day; and the day after they came to the green fields of the Pelennor and saw again the white towers under tall Mindolluin, the City of the Men of Gondor, last memory of Westernesse, that had passed through the darkness and fire to a new day.
And there in the midst of the fields they set up their pavilions and awaited the morning; for it was the Eve of May, and the King would enter his gates with the rising of the Sun.
The first lights of the new day hit her face as she stepped out of her tent. She was already clad in her armor. And so were her friends. The Captains of the West led their host towards the City. There were no more gates but instead a barrier between the wide space that was laid across the entrance of the City. Before the barriers stood Faramir the Steward, along other Captains of Gondor and the Lady Eowyn of Rohan.
Delaina was glad to see her friend again. The last time she saw Eowyn, the young Shieldmaiden was stricken by darkness and yet, now looking upon her, she saw that the young lady has been able to fight off the darkness. Eowyn smiled at her and Delaina smiled back.
The soldiers of Gondor and Rohan were standing on each side of the wide space between the walls. There was also a great press of people in raiment of many colors and garlands of flowers. The crowd grew quiet as the Dunedain in silver and grey; came walking slow ahead of the host; the Lord Aragorn. With him walked, Eomer of Rohan, Gandalf robed all in white, Gimli, Son of Gloin, Legolas Greenleaf, Delaina, Daughter of Thorin Oakenshield and four small figures that many men marveled to see. Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins, the Ringbearer.
"Men of Gondor hear now the Steward of this Realm!" Faramir spoke in a clear voice. "Behold! one has come to claim the kingship again at last. Here is Aragorn son of Arathorn, chieftain of the Dúnedain of Arnor, Captain of the Host of the West, bearer of the Star of the North, wielder of the Sword Reforged, victorious in battle, whose hands bring healing, the Elfstone, Elessar of the line of Valandil, Isildur's son, Elendil's son of Númenor. Shall he be king and enter into the City and dwell there?"
All the host and all the people cried "Aye" with one voice.
Minas Tirith welcomed its King at last. A celebration was to be held before the coronation of Aragorn. A grand feast was organized for the Fellowship of the Ring and all that played a part in the War against Sauron. This day was dedicated to celebration, they could worry about rebuilding what was destroyed in the war, later.
The darkness had been lifted from these lands and in all of the Middle Earth. People were laughing and smiling, singing merry songs. It was a sight that Delaina enjoyed seeing. She stepped in the room she left before walking onto the Black Gates. She laid her sword on her bed and stripped from her armor and chainmail. A maidservant was assigned to her. A young fair woman who was more than happy to serve Delaina. Her name was Alassëa. Shy and quiet, at first. Delaina discovered early on that Alassëa was quite talkative when given the opportunity.
Alassëa helped her in a beautiful gown. Red with long sleeves that clutched her arms perfectly but flared from the elbows down. It clung to her form and golden patterns swirled around her shoulders and waist. Her maid parted her hair in small sections and braided them. The largest braid was pinned around the crown of her head and the rest of them were pinned in the back of her head in an intricate bun.
The last time she stepped in the Great Hall, Frodo's and Sam's lives were at stake and the fate of all of Middle Earth. However, the room felt warmer than it did before. Tables were dressed in the hall, people already sitting and cheering among themselves. It was festive. Delaina smiled when she spotted her friends all sitting at the same table, the only table that was dominating the rest of the room.
"My Lady."
She turned away from them to see who used to be a ranger and soldier once, but was now dressed in velvet and fine linen; Aragorn.
"My Lord." She bowed to him.
"You look beautiful tonight, my Lady." Aragorn complimented her.
Delaina's cheeks reddened at the compliment. "The same can be said about you, my Lord." Aragorn gave her a crooked smile. "Although, I would say that the people around us, seeing them happy and cheering make for a much fairer sight."
"It is." Aragorn agreed moving next to her. "They have known darkness and hard times. They know that moments like these are precious."
"And that many more are coming." Delaina added. "I believe that your duty is calling even on a night of celebration such as this one." She said looking at fine dressed man, accompanied by a young fair maiden.
"Many lords have come, not only to celebrate but also to secure alliances." Aragorn explained. "Most of them came with their daughters."
"I see." Delaina smirked nodding at him. "Well, I leave you to attend to your guests." As a parting gesture, Aragorn kissed her hand and she left to join her friends.
She sat with them, the hobbits were enjoying themselves. Laughing and telling stories. Gimli and Legolas were in the middle of a conversation. Gandalf was watching them, smiling peacefully. Eomer was talking to Faramir and his sister Eowyn. All was well. It's for moment like this that she fought so hard, she smiled.
Aragorn joined the Fellowship and his new friends at the main table. He stood still and scanned the room. The Great Hall grew quiet as one by one, the guests turned their gaze towards the King. He held up his golden goblet.
"Tonight, we celebrate the end of the dark days. We celebrate life still to come." Aragorn spoke. "We will always remember those who fell and hold them dear. Join me in welcoming the New Age, may it bring us all joy and prosperity."
Delaina held up her glass, just like the rest of the assembly, and drank to the New Age.
The room gradually filled with chatter and laughter as Aragorn sat down. The music slowly rose in the room. The food filled the tables and were passed among the guests and so were the tankard of beer.
"Tell me, Gimli." Delaina started sitting beside the dwarf. "Do you remember what you told me once in the Lothlorien?"
"Oh, Lassie, that was ages ago." Gimli answered.
"You promised to take me with you to Erebor. Do you still mean that?"
"Lassie, I will be honored to have you by my side." Gimli said. "But what about our friend, Aragorn?"
Delaina turned her gaze towards Aragorn who was in the middle of a conversation with another noble man. "He will understand." She turned back to Gimli. "And I will come back to Minas Tirith. So, will you show me Erebor, Gimli?"
"I will." Gimli raised his tankard and Delaina did the same and they both drank.
Delaina fled the celebrations briefly and stood on the ramparts. She looked at the White City, and the lights that were glowing. The last time she took time to observe the city, it was right after the battle of Pelennor. So much had been lost, then.
"Are you leaving the celebrations, my Lady?" Aragorn asked her as he walked up to her.
"No. I am not." Delaina smiled. "I am just enjoying the view." She turned to him smiling. "Are you leaving the celebrations, my Lord? Shall I remind you they are for you?"
"It is for Gondor rather than for myself." He answered. "More than anything, it is for Frodo and Sam."
Delaina slid her hand in the crook of his arm and stepped closer to him. "You will make a great King." Delaina said to him.
"I am glad I have your faith." Aragorn said smiling.
"Not only mine." Delaina said surveying the horizon. "All of Gondor have faith in you."
Aragorn looked down at Delaina quietly. "I do not wish to face this new life in Gondor, alone."
"I will be here." Delaina promised. "And so, will be Gandalf and Faramir."
"It is not them that I wish to have by my side for the rest of my days." Aragorn said and Delaina looked up at him stunned by his words. "We already faced hard and dark times together." Aragorn took a deep breath. He stroked her left cheek and his fingers lingered there by her ear. "I love you, Delaina and I know that you love me. I know that you do not believe that you are made to be Queen. I do believe that I am not mistaken in my desire to make you my wife and Queen of Gondor." Tears gathered in Delaina's eyes as she looked upon the face of the man she loves. "Will you do me the honor of granting me my heart's desire and become my wife?"
Delaina nodded frenetically. "I will. I will become your wife."
Aragorn smiled with relief and great joy that Delaina accepted to wed him. He captured her lips with an exuberant ferocity and lifted her off the ground. Delaina was left breathless and stunned as Aragorn spun her in the air. When they finally broke away, Aragorn put her back down, Delaina laughed. In spite of the wetness dripping down both of their cheeks, they were happy, cheerful, overwhelmed by this outcome.
Delaina cradled his face and brushed her lips with his briefly. "I wish nothing more than to be at your side." She spoke softly.
During this moment, there were just them. No more music, no more cheering, no more laughing. Just them, their happiness, and the new life awaiting them. And the stars as only witness.