Disclaimer: I own nothing in this chapter. Characters belong to J.R.R.T and the song is Enyas.

Chapter 28

Aragorn POV

I awoke the next morning to the sound of a fist pounding my door, "Enter." I shouted out and Gimli and Boromir walked in. "Time to get ready my lord. The women have sent us to makes sure that you do not escape and to deliver your clothing for the day." Boromir informed me and I sighed, scrubbing a hand over my face. I stood and moved towards my bathroom. "Don't take too long laddie. I have a feeling Gandalf is going to be worse than the women if you're late." I chuckled and pulled on the breeches that Boromir handed around the door.

I sighed as I took in the long crimson tunic, the full shirt of mail and the gleaming armour. I tugged it all on as Boromir assisted with fastening the areas I couldn't reach. I bent down and pulled on the socks and boots, before straightening and chuckling as Gimli handed me a hair brush. "Gandalf insisted. Said you had to look well groomed on this day, of all days." Gimli told me shrugging; I nodded and brushed out the tangled mess that my hair had become over night. Boromir fastened the black cloak with the white tree of Gondor embroidered on it around my shoulders and Gimli handed me my sword.

"Now we are ready. Come my king; let's get that crown on your head." I chuckled as we walked out of my rooms and along the corridors towards the courtyard holding the white tree. I inhaled deeply as I saw how many people had come to witness this event, I scanned the crowd to see if I could find any faces I recognised, but there were just too many people. "Towards the doors my king, Good luck." Boromir whispered as he and Gimli disappeared into the crowds. I walked steadily to Gandalf, praying that I would make it through this without causing myself embarrassment. I have faith in you my king. The thought and the warmth that accompanied it steadied my nerves and I knelt before Gandalf.

My thoughts drifted for most of Gandalf's speech, but I came back to myself as Gandalf placed the crown upon my head and bade me to stand. "Now come the days of the King." His voice rang across the courtyard and I turned and he whispered, "May they be blessed." I looked at my people as they all bowed their heads towards me. "This day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace." I said, my voice echoing across the courtyard.

I walked down the steps with Gandalf following me and made my way through my people. I smiled as Boromir and Eómer stood close to the front, both where the armour of their respective positions and bowing to me. I bowed my head in acknowledgement. Gimli stood to my left next to the three Gondorian soldiers who had pledged their loyalty to me before the march to the Black Gate. They also bowed and I repeated the gesture. I smiled slightly at many of the people I didn't know as I continued to walk through the crowds.

Eówyn and Faramir stood to my right and both bowed to me. I turned to Eówyn and offered her a bow; she smiled at me and bowed her head towards me. I continued my smile growing as I saw Legolas, Arwen and Elrond off to my left. They all bowed and Legolas clasped my arm. "Thank you my friend." I whispered softly and he nodded, smiling. I made my way further along and saw the two warlocks who had come to aid Ariana, they bowed deeply to me and as they straightened they looked over my shoulder. I turned around to follow their gaze and my heart skipped a beat.

Stood behind me wearing a deep purple dress, embroidered in the same pattern as her armour, was Ariana. Her hair flowing loose over her shoulders was held back by a thin silver circlet forged into a vine like pattern. She smiled at me and dipped into a curtsey, her eyes never leaving mine. "Mo rí." She whispered and I knew that she had just called me her king. I walked towards her and pulled her into my arms. "Thank the gods. Please never scare me like that again." I whispered into her hair, before straightening and gazing into her eyes.

As she looked up at me, I stroked a hand down her face and when her eyes fluttered shut and she smiled softly at the sensation, I leaned down and kissed her. I felt her gasp against my lips before kissing me back softly. I lifted my head; there would be more time to kiss her properly later. I held my right arm out to her and she smiled, placing her hand in the crook of my elbow. It was only then that I noticed the clapping and cheering coming from the people around us. We smiled and walked further along the courtyard, coming towards the cliff that jutted out over the city. There near the end of the path were the four small figures of the hobbits that had changed so much since I had first seen them.

They were all dressed in fine clothing, Pippin and Merry wearing the livery of the armies they had aided in the final battle. They all bowed deeply to us and I walked forward and stood in front of them. "My friends, you bow to no one." I told them and I knelt before them, Ariana and the rest of the crowd following suite. I looked up and saw the shock and awe on their faces and smiled. I rose and helped Ariana to her feet, "That was unnecessary, my lord. You didn't need to bow to us." Frodo said softly and I frowned looking down at them.

Before I could speak however Ariana's voice rang clearly in the silence. "Why would we not bow to four of the bravest among us? There are none who walk this earth who could have done what you did Frodo Baggins. There are none on this earth who would have stayed as true and strong as you did Samwise Gamgee. And there are very few who would walk into a war of men who tower over them, with courage as the two of you did Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. So you deserve the respect that you have earned on this journey." She smiled down at them and Frodo darted forward and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Thank you Ariana, you promised we would see our home and each other again and you have kept your promise." I heard his words and watched as tears formed in her eyes and she leant down to press a kiss to Frodo's hair. "Melekûn, you are most welcome." He smiled up at her and she turned to me as I placed a hand against her back. "Maybe we should move this inside, we can all reacquaint there." She nodded and I led her back into the citadel and towards the head of the table that had been laid out. She blinked and looked at me, but I shook my head and helped her into the seat next to mine.

As I helped her sit the fellowship walked in after us along with the elves, Eówyn, Eómer and Faramir. The feast that followed was a lively affair now that everyone was well and we were all back together. I spent most of the meal watching Ariana out of the corner of my eye, my heart swelling every time she laughed. As the night wore on Pippin glanced up the table, "Ariana will you sing for us?" She looked shocked at him, before turning to me. "If you wish, I would be honoured to hear you sing again." I told her smiling at her softly. She smiled at me shyly and thought for a moment. Just when I was about to tell her she didn't have to if it made her uncomfortable, her mouth opened and she began to sing softly.

"May it be an evening star

Shines down upon you

May it be when darkness falls

Your heart will be true

You walk a lonely road

Oh! How far you are from home

Mornie utúlie

Believe and you will find your way

Mornie alantie

A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadows call

Will fly away

May it be your journey on

To light the day

When the night is overcome

You may rise to find the sun

Mornie utúlie

Believe and you will find your way

Mornie alantie

A promise lives within you now

A promise lives within you now"

I turned to her as the final notes of her song echoed through the hall. The song she had sung explained our entire journey and had captured the feelings it brought about. I took her hand in mine and held it tightly; she looked down at our hands then up at me, smiling shyly. We talked for a little while longer until I looked down the table and saw Frodo's head dropping towards the table as his eyes began to droop shut. "I think my friends that we should retire for the night. There will be plenty of time for us to spend together on the morrow." Gandalf said and I nodded in agreement. "That sounds like an excellent idea, Gandalf. Goodnight from Eómer and I, my king." Boromir said loudly, before dragging Eómer out of his chair and pulling him out of the hall.

We all began to chuckle and I watched with a smile as Gimli walked with the hobbits out of the room, Sam helping Frodo to stay on his feet. Arwen and the other elves nodded to us before following Gandalf out of the room. Eówyn and Faramir exited the room with Ariana and I, before leaving us near Ariana's rooms. "Goodnight my lord. Forgive my brother for his hasty departure, he's in love." Faramir told me and Ariana giggled from beside me. "May I walk you to your room my lady?" I asked as we turned away from Eówyn and Faramir. She smiled up at me and nodded.

"I would like that my king." I grinned down at her and placed her hand in the crook of my arm. I walked down the hall and only then did it occur to me that Ariana's rooms were around the corner from mine. I chuckled, "What's so funny Aragorn?" She asked me softly turning to face me as we reached her door. "I never realised how close your rooms where to mine. I bid you goodnight my lady. I am so very glad you are well again, Ariana." I whispered softly and she smiled up at me.

"I am very sorry I worried you so. It was not my intention." She told me before leaning forward and kissing me gently. I sighed against her lips and swiped my tongue along the seam and she gasped softly, allowing me to deepen the kiss. I gently touched her tongue with mine and I locked my arms around her as she slid her hands back into my hair. I repeated the action harder and she darted her tongue out to tangle with mine. I explored her mouth, mapping out all the contours. I continued kissing her until it got to the point where we both needed to breathe. I rested my forehead against hers as our breathing returned to normal.

"I have been waiting to do that since I saw you were safe and well at the coronation earlier. When I arrived in the city and found that you were hours away from dying, my heart nearly stopped. I thought I had lost you before I was able to tell you that I loved you. That I would never get to feel you in my arms and tell you how dear you are to me and how much I need you close to me. I feel this may not be the best time, but will you allow me to court you?" I held my breath as she looked up at me, tears filling her eyes. I wiped the ones that spilled over away as she spoke.

"I love you too, Aragorn. Everything I did, I did it so that you would be safe. I would feel honoured to be courted by you." I smiled down at her before placing a kiss to her forehead. "Goodnight, my love. Will you join me for breakfast?" She nodded and smiled, pulling away from me and moving into her room. I waited until her door was shut before walking down the corridor to my own rooms, a huge smile on my face. As I walked into my room and moved about, taking off all of the ceremonial garb, I finally felt that my life was complete, that I could be happy.