Another month had passed and Ari's health had improved a lot. She was strong enough to take walks with the king in their private gardens and the smile had returned to her face. Although these walks were very short most of the times, they gave Thranduil a glimpse of hope. She had gained weight and looked healthier, yet it became more apparent that she had aged.
Thranduil was indescribably apprehensive when he saw the handwriting of time on her features. Even Lord Elrond had been bewildered. Yet there was nothing the king could do. Elrond suspected that the illness had had a far greater effect on her body than they had initially perceived. On Thranduil's question if she would continue to age at that pace, he got only one reply.
"Only time will tell. But I do not believe that she will be an old woman in a year's time. I strongly believe that her aging was caused solely by her illness."
Thranduil wished that Elrond's words would be true. What could he do anywise? Nothing. He felt utterly powerless. He was still shocked by his wife's appearance. About a week ago he had allowed his wife to see herself in the mirror. He had formerly ordered for the mirror to be removed from her chambers in fear she might get distressed at the sight of her reflection. They had returned from their daily walk and he had led her to his chambers. Thranduil had guided her to a mirror and had stood behind her, holding his arms tightly around her slender body. Ari had stood absolutely still while she had been observing her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes had met with her husband's and she had seen that tears welled up in his eyes.
Ari had turned around. She had stood on her toes and had begun to kiss away the tears rolling down his cheeks. He had picked her up and had carried her over to his bed. Ari had straddled his lap and had continued to catch each one of his teardrops with her soft lips. They had sat there, locked in each other's arms, until the light of day had faded away. None of them had uttered a single word as their fëa's had both fully perceived each other's deepest thoughts and emotions.
It was two days before the wedding ceremony. Lady Galadriel had arrived at the Elvenking's halls and she was having a lengthy conversation with Elrond and Thranduil.
"In our visions she looked the same. She had not aged," said Galadriel.
Thranduil looked deeply concerned. "But what does this mean? Does this mean that your vision was wrong?"
Elrond remained silent, but Galadriel answered his question. "No. But her future must have changed."
Thranduil looked as if in a state of panic. Nothing was certain anymore. Galadriel pitied him. It was a terrible sight to see him so desperate. "There is nothing you can do right now. You can only wait. She has aged remarkably slowly for more than ninety years. It might continue like that. Maybe Elrond is correct in his assumption that her aging was caused by the illness."
Elrond turned towards the king. "How do you know that she has aged during these ninety years?"
"She was sixteen when she first went to the sea shore. From that time onward, her ageing has slowed down. She said that since that time she has grown taller and her body has acquired a more feminine form. This shows that there has been further growth in her body. Apart from that, Ari says her appearance has changed since she was sixteen."
Galadriel nodded. "I wish to talk to Ari. Where can I find her?"
Thranduil requested Galion to escort Galadriel to his wife who was sitting in their private garden.
Galadriel sat with Ari on a bench, looking at the flowers from Valinor which had returned in larger numbers this year.
"You seem to have aged considerably over the last few months. How are you feeling?"
Ari smiled at her. "I feel alright, still rather weak though. Lord Elrond said that the weakness is a result of my illness."
"That is correct," confirmed Galadriel. "Elrond also suspects that your aging was caused by the illness. How is the king copying with the change?"
Ari smiled bitterly. "He says he can handle it."
"And what does his wife say about the king's words?" asked Galadriel as she turned to face Ari.
Ari looked up at her and heaved a heavy sigh. "His wife says that he suffers greatly under the burden of time."
Galadriel cupped Ari's face in her hands and smiled. "You look beautiful. Probably like a human in her mid-forties, I think."
Ari smiled back. "Will you tell me something about your homeland? About Valinor? Something that Lord Elrond and my husband are not already aware of?"
Galadriel's soft laughter sounded through the royal garden. "Of course, I will gladly tell you about Valinor."
With that she began telling Ari some details about Valinor, which could only be described after having seen the Undying Lands.
After listening to Galadriel's tales of the beauty of the Undying Lands, Ari sighed. "If only I could see Valinor."
Galadriel smiled softly. "Who knows, maybe you will be able to one day."
Legolas and Galion were busy with the last preparations of the wedding ceremony. Thranduil and Elrond had joined them to check the details. Tomorrow, Thranduil and Ari would finally have their ceremony. Due to the present situation, there was a change in the schedule. Ari would not manage to be standing on her feet for too long. She tired easily and needed naps often. They had decided that Ari would arrive at the festivities when the time had come for them to make their vows. After that, she would sit with her husband. No dancing. No feasting. She was still on a special diet. Elrond had made it very clear; she had to be careful. Thranduil did not object to any of his instructions and his subjects were glad that the wedding would finally take place. They had worked hard for the ceremony and looked forward to having a queen again.
On the day of the ceremony, Thranduil surprised his wife with breakfast in her bed. Together they sat on the bed and fed each other with berries. It was a beautiful morning and both of them rejoiced.
Thranduil kissed her longingly. "My dear, today you are officially becoming my wife and queen. I trust you have discussed all the details with Galion?"
Ari nodded. "Yes, he has explained me everything twice."
Thranduil kissed her again. "Then I am sure everything will be fine."
He rolled playfully off the bed and bowed to her. "My love, I will see you tonight at the ceremony."
Thranduil left the chamber and Ari leaned back and smiled. Yes, Galion had spoken to her about the wedding ceremony and coronation. She sighed deeply and shook her head. This was totally unbelievable. If only her parents knew... but they could not. The smile disappeared and Ari snuggled deeper into her sheets.
Hurwen was combing Ari's hair. The wedding dress had been brought and laid upon a table. It looked beautiful. A knock on the door made them look up. Galadriel walked into the chamber and eyed Ari from head to toe.
"I am here to help you, my lady."
Hurwen's mouth fell open in shock. Galadriel walked over to Ari and kissed her forehead.
Ari was confused. "My Lady Galadriel, I think you should..."
"…help you dress and prepare you for the ceremony," Galadriel completed Ari's sentence.
Ari smiled and surrendered to Galadriel's wishes. It was a blessing indeed to have Galadriel with her.
The wedding dress fitted her perfectly. It was made of golden colored silk. The hem was embroidered with silver patterns and all over the dress sat small white gems. Galadwen had made a few last minute adjustments, as Ari's feminine curves had still not fully returned. Galadriel had gifted a silver belt to her, which she fastened around Ari's waist. There were patterns on it that Ari loved the most, small vines with leaves and flowers. Ari smiled happily and thanked Galadriel for her kindness and generous gift.
A maid brought a flower wreath made with wild flowers from the king's forest and Galadriel placed it upon Ari's head. Around her neck shone the necklace which Thranduil had given to her at their betrothal ceremony.
Galadriel took a thorough look at Ari and smiled in satisfaction. "You are ready to meet your king and husband," she declared solemnly.
The elven Lady led her to the halls' main gates. Ari looked at Galadriel in surprise.
"Where are we going?"
"To your wedding, my dear. You will wed in the king's forest under the starry sky."
Thranduil had been eagerly waiting for Ari's arrival, when Elrond looked around and asked, "Where is Galadriel?"
Galion's answer startled everyone. "She has gone to Ari's chamber to assist her."
"Seriously?" asked Legolas in disbelief.
Galion nodded with a smile. "Yes, absolutely. They will be arriving soon."
It did not take long for them to arrive. When they came into view, there was suddenly absolute silence. Everyone looked at Ari, but this time, she did not care. She had eyes only for her husband. Galadriel placed Ari's hand in Thranduil's and then her own upon their joined hands. She began to speak in elvish, very softly first, as if to herself. Then she looked over to all the other elves and continued to speak in a loud and clear voice.
Ari was hardly listening to Galadriel's voice. She was overwhelmed by Thranduil's presence by her side. This was the time when she first saw the king wearing his crown. He would usually wear a silver circlet. With the spiky crown upon his head, he almost looked intimidating. But not to her. She felt aroused by his presence. He looked powerful. Ari admired this quality of Thranduil.
Thranduil lost himself in her eyes. He felt the energy of the ceremony engulfing him as Galadriel chanted elvish prayers. The ancient words of the Valar bound their fëa's together for eternity. They would be always one. An everlasting bond between two fëa's. Ari felt a pull within her very soul and looked at her husband in amazement. She felt how a connection was being created between them. It was much stronger than what she had ever felt before.
Suddenly there was silence. Nothing could be heard, except for the night sounds of the forest animals and a small brook nearby. Legolas gently nudged his father in his side.
"Ada. You must speak your vows now."
Thranduil left his trance and returned to reality, to his wedding ceremony. He spoke clearly and with a powerful voice so that all elves could hear him. Ari repeated the same words in a much softer voice. Galion had taught her the necessary words for this occasion with great patience. He must have done his job well because Thranduil broke into a huge smile when she had finished speaking. The moment they exchanged their rings and were finally officially married, Thranduil claimed her lips in a soft kiss before they continued with the second part of the ceremony.
Galadriel stepped before Ari. She took a small crown from a cushion which Elrond held and spoke in elvish. Thranduil removed the flower wreath from her head and was about to take the crown from Galadriel's hands when she stopped him. Standing right before Ari, Galadriel spoke.
"May neither this crown nor your new position ever burden you. May you rule with justice and utter confidence. May your reign bring prosperity and peace to all within your kingdom."
While chanting elvish words, Galadriel placed the crown upon Ari's head.
The gathered elves called out in joy and Thranduil took her into a warm embrace. They were married now and she was his queen. Thranduil's burdened heart was filled with blissfulness. All the suffering he had endured in the past few months and throughout his long life vanished from his heart for a moment. He was her husband and she was his wife. He picked her up and carried her to a large wooden settee, elaborately carved for the occasion. Thranduil sat her down on soft cushions and covered her legs with a woolen blanket. He held her hands between his, and leaned his forehead against hers smiling peacefully.
Legolas walked up to them and embraced his father in delight. Turning towards Ari, he looked slightly worried. She noticed the change in his expression and looked at him questioningly. Now it was time for Thranduil to give his son a nudge and Legolas cleared his throat.
"My queen," he said respectfully and bowed his head.
Ari looked rather disturbed at her husband. Then she turned to Legolas. "Should you behave like that one more time, I'll certainly spank you. You can be sure of that."
Everyone around laughed and Legolas smiled relieved. She was the queen now and he was glad that this new situation had not changed their relationship.
The celebration went on until the early hours of the morning. Despite her husband's urging, Ari had no desire to leave the festivities. She sat comfortably beside her husband and watched in satisfaction as the elves celebrated.
It was almost dawn when Ari decided that it was time for them to withdraw to the royal chambers. Thranduil helped her up and Galadriel approached them. Looking at the king she asked him to wait a moment. Galadriel turned around and spoke out to all the elves.
"Your king has found love and you have all been blessed with a new queen. Let us pray that their union will last for all times. Let all of us bless them thus." She cupped Ari's face in her hands. "I bless you, Ari, with eternal happiness," said Galadriel and kissed her brow.
She turned toward Thranduil and did the same but said, "I bless you, Thranduil, may your fëa always be complete."
Galadriel's words startled Thranduil. Somehow they left behind a sour aftertaste. But it was a blessing nevertheless and he accepted it heartily. After Galadriel had stepped aside, the other elves came up to the king and the queen to offer them the same blessings as Galadriel had done.
This seemed to Ari to be taking forever and, when it was finally over, Thranduil walked her back to the palace, his arm tightly wrapped around her waist, leaving everyone else behind to celebrate.
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