As much as everyone wanted to delay the inevitable, it was time to return to normalcy. Aragorn and Arwen were required to attend to their new lives as the rulers of Gondor, which already meant that they were spending less and less time with their friends.
Eomer was the first to make his leave, being the new King of Rohan called for him to attend to his people and repair the damage that had been done that his uncle did not live long enough to see take place. It was particularly hard for him to say goodbye to one lady, a princess of Dol Amroth, the Lady Lothiriel. She was a lively woman that enjoyed hearing of his stories from the war, but she also had a penchant for telling him exactly what was on her mind, even if it meant that they had disagreements. He had spoken to Ithilwen about the princess on occasion, asking her if she had somehow bewitched her with the elleth's knack for openmindedness. Ithilwen swore she had nothing to do with Princess Lothiriel's personality, though she did tease him about it before he left, telling him that they'd probably get married one day. He laughed this off as he saddled his horse to leave.
Faramir and Eowyn would remain in Minas Tirith for a spell longer while the repairs to Emyn Arnen were made. There they would maintain their positions as the Prince and Princess of Emyn Arnen and handle the big decisions while Faramir assisted Aragorn settle into his own title as king. There was much to be done to bring the regions back to life, and though each man was loathe to admit it, they needed the other to lean on during this stressful period. This would give the shieldmaiden and the evenstar the opportunity to become better acquainted as well, with each woman trying to navigate the city and make it look like the actually knew what they were doing.
When the four hobbits returned to the Shire, Aragorn had made sure that a handful of his best Dunedain rangers were on hand to escort them as far as the borders. After everything that had happened, he was not about to let his friends leave without safe passage. These goodbyes were hard to bear witness to, but the sight of Gimli lifting each hobbit off his feet in a hug brought laughter with the tears.
The biggest party to leave Minas Tirith by far was the elves. Given the location of the kingdoms, they chose to depart as one and travel together. While the rulers of Lorien and the marchwarden's family stopped in Caras Galadon, the parties of Rivendell and Lindon would continue on to the Gladden Fields before they crossed onto the Old Forest road, where Thranduil, Miraear, and Tauriel broke off to return to Greenwood with their company. This plan was a delight to Glorfindels' ears, who was thrilled to learn that he would get to spend some more time with Silima. It was still a journey's way for the Lindon elves to return to their home, which meant that a weeks' rest in Rivendell was called for. Glorfindel, still not willing to part from Silima, was part of the escort that would see them safely back to Mithlond. After all, he still had to meet the parents of his fëa mate and formally introduce himself before the news reached their ears that he had proposed marriage.
Gimli, still uneasy around the Elvenking, was reluctant to travel with him without Legolas, but Miraear eased his mind as they took the old road together. He intended to return to Erebor and help rebuild the kingdom after learning of the attacks from the Easterlings at the end of the war. He also had news to bring from King Eomer about his lordship of the Glittering Caves. It would be some time before a colony could be established, but he was anxious to collect as many willing dwarves as possible to help build the establishment and strengthen their relationship with the surrounding areas.
"I can't believe you're going to be so far away," Fiona told Elladan as the horses were being prepped to leave for Rivendell. Sure, they had been around each other for around four months, but she was just now getting used to his company as a boyfriend and fëa mate. Once they left the White City, their relationship returned to what it was before they left the modern world, but the age difference still kept them from becoming as intimate as either might have wanted at times.
"It won't be for long," Elladan assured her. "You won't even notice that I'm not here in two weeks' time I bet."
"Unlikely," she huffed.
"You just wait," he grinned. "You'll be so busy with meeting new people you'll forget all about me."
"Again, I doubt that."
"Good, cause you're always going to be in my thoughts," he told her sincerely. "I will write as often as I am able to. Things will work out, you'll see." He pulled her to him in an embrace and discreet kiss before he turned to finish packing his horse.
Fiona watched sadly as he rode away with the rest of the company from Rivendell and Lindon, wondering if Elladan felt as optimistic as he sounded. She was still under the guise that not seeing him for two weeks was a long time. The concept of time to elves was something she hoped to process and understand soon, because watching him leave sucked. Royally sucked.
"Hey Dad! Where are we going?"
Haldir turned around to look at Fiona, who had to stop and catch her breath on the stairs. It seemed that she either wasn't accustomed to heights or her body hadn't quite finished its transition. "We are going home," he said.
"I thought this," Fiona waved her hands about her, "was home."
"It is, but did you expect to sleep outside?" Haldir pointed upwards. "Our home is not much further upstairs."
"So we live in a tree? Like Keebler elves?"
"I am not familiar with those-"
"They're the little guys that made those grasshopper cookies you enjoyed so much, Haldir." Morwen grinned. "And we don't spend our days making cookies either, Fiona. I know you were about to ask that."
Fiona appeared to pout, making Bernard laugh as they continued their ascent. "You just spoiled her fun, Morwen."
"It hasn't been the first time," the older elleth replied. "And you can call me Mom if you want, Bernard. You're a part of our family now."
"About that - as nice as the gesture was back in Minas Tirith, you guys really don't have to-"
"You are a part of this family now," Haldir said with finality. "Just as Fiona is. My daughters have spent their lives looking to you as a brother, and my wife has made it official when she informed the herald that evening of your status." They reached the top of the stairs to spread out across the landing. "Our home is decently sized, but in the morning I will speak with the carpenters about constructing proper-sized rooms," he said, opening the door to allow them entrance. "As I was told in your world, make yourselves at home."
Before they had crossed the threshold, Bernard pulled Ithilwen to the side. "I don't stand a chance in this family, do I?"
"Nope," Ithilwen grinned evilly. "You're screwed, big brother."
Later that night, and within the ruler's quarters, Galadriel and Celeborn were turning in for the evening. Celeborn was reclined against the bed with one of the paperbacks he had brought back while Galadriel began the slow process of combing her hair. "Our grandchildren will need to learn the history of our kin," she stated.
"And they will have a lot of material to occupy themselves," he agreed. "We should let them find their feet in Lorien first before we subject them to the nightmarish history we have created."
"Then we should have a feast to formerly introduce them to our people."
"I thought that was their introductions at the welcoming feast in Minas Tirith."
"Not everyone traveled with us, if you will remember." Galadriel set her comb down and began to plait her hair, but with some difficulty. Celeborn noticed this and moved from his seat on the bed to stand behind her, taking the long hair and forming a simple braid with ease. "Already I have heard the whispers of those that remained behind about the new additions to Haldir's family. I do not wish for my grandchildren to be the subject of misconstrued speculation."
"They already expect it," he told her gently. "But we will plan for a special dinner tomorrow if it will ease your fears."
"They will wish to contribute," she continued. "I wonder if there is some way that Bernard could continue his craft here. It would be a comfort to him."
"Given that there are no elflings to speak of, and haven't been for many years, I would surmise that the nearest cities to deliver the toys would be Dale or Edoras. Either would be a stretch for transporting so many goods."
"We survived how many wars, my love?" Galadriel laughed. "I think that shipping toys across middle earth is of little stress in comparison!"
"Then you should use that tactic to persuade the ellon when he tries to refute your suggestion."
"I will," Galadriel smiled as Celeborn finished the braid, turning in her seat. "And while we are on the subject of younglings, would it not be beneficial to have a formal ceremony here as well?"
Celeborn didn't need to ask about who she referred to as he softly rubbed her shoulders. "You realize that Greenwood and Lorien will need to be present for such an arrangement?"
"I am quite aware of that. What do you think about having the ceremony within Thranduil's halls? We had the informal ceremony at Morwen's beach house, and I feel that our new ally would get satisfaction out of hosting the feast to celebrate his son's marriage."
He nodded, adding, "There are some of our people that will be wary about taking the Old Forest Road." Celeborn then led her from her seat to their bed, moving the blankets back. "I see no issue with this arrangement. Thranduil would be pleased to say the least."
Once settled into bed, Galadriel slid closer into her husband's side as he curled an arm around her. "The Old Forest Road should be stable now," she assured him. "We did settle this matter back in Dol Guldur, and as Fiona once told me, I kicked those spiders' asses."
Weeks later, a messenger exited the throne room of his king, puzzled over the sudden missive he had delivered from Lorien. Thranduil broke the wax seal, and as Miraear watched, his expression turned from one of confusion, to surprise, and finally to contentment. "What has you in such a good mood?" she asked suspiciously.
"Celeborn and Galadriel have bid me a request to host the formal ceremony for Legolas and Ithilwen," he said, waving the creased parchment about before her. Miraear finally got ahold of the letter and snatched it from his grasp to read it over.
"I'm surprised that Celeborn gave in so easily," she remarked. "Don't get me wrong this is wonderful news, but you two haven't seen eye to eye for so long!"
"She must have done something to persuade him," Thranduil shrugged. "Still, I will not antagonize the lord of Lorien for his decision to concede this honor to me."
Miraear scoffed and plopped down in his lap with the letter. "You mean that you will not cause a fuss for the sake of our son and his bride," she corrected him.
"That as well," he said seriously, only to grin as she lightly punched his arm. "Is that the best you can do, love? I would have thought that after all these years your strength would have improved, or has the time away in the mortal world impaired you?"
Miraear's hand disappeared from his field of vision, but the sudden pinching feeling that shot up his inner thigh told Thranduil that his wife had reached into his robes. Apparently she had picked up a few things from their daughter-in-law.
After the kingdoms of Greenwood and Lorien had settled on a date for the ceremony, invitations were sent out to their kin and allies to the celebration of the joining of the two realms. A few weeks after that, the traveling parties of Rivendell and Lindon were to reach the woods of Lorien for a brief rest before continuing to Greenwood. Lady Silima and Melda were surprised to receive an invitation, having known the couple the least amount of time, but Glorfindel told them that Ithilwen had long considered them as friends. The balrog slayer himself was on cloud nine at being within the presence of his future mate once again, and would often retell some of his days in Gondolin, much to the annoyance of those that had known him the longest. Silima often expressed delight at the prospect of seeing the famed city at long last. Elladan was also growing more excited the closer they reached the Golden Wood, but he was just looking forward to seeing Fiona again.
The arrival of Gimli, as well as the Rivendell and Lindon companions, was met by Haldir and his brothers personally. For old time's sake, the marchwarden could not resist the urge to tease the dwarf about his heavy breathing, just as said dwarf threw a half-hearted insult at him in dwarvish. Silima seemed appalled at the behavior, at least until Elladan told her that this was normal between the pair. Any animosity between them was dissolved, but between Gimli and Thranduil, the back-and-forth quips were even more entertaining. "When they get going, it's hilarious," he told her. "I think they do it to mess with Legolas' sanity most of the time, but I think some of it is from Thranduil locking Gimli's father up in the dungeons years ago."
"What did they do?"
"Nothing," Gimli told her. "Me father was captured by Legolas and his guard in their woods with some more of my kin. He don't like to speak of it now, but my cousin Balin once told me that they got lost in there. Thranduil locked them up because they wouldn't tell him they were on their way to Erebor, and according to Balin, Thorin ran his mouth to make matters worse."
Hiding within the trees of Greenwood's borders was Tauriel and a handful of guards sent to escort their neighbors through the Old Forest Road. Even as they made themselves known to the large group, she maintained an air of indifference that spoke well of her people. At least, she kept composure until she caught sight of Elrohir once more. Then she collapsed into a blushing elleth as she ran to him as he dismounted. Legolas was less than amused.
To make matters worse for the prince, part of the guard that had been sent to escort them included two of his childhood friends, Beleg and Calanon. They had remained behind in Greenwood while the delegation made it's journey to Minas Tirith, so they were anxious to meet the elleth that had finally captured his interest. To their credit, they had taken well to the news of the Lorien princess being his bride, unlike many of their people based on word of mouth alone. Ithilwen even appeared to be enjoying their company, which was a blessing. However, the curse of these two ellyn being selected as escorts - and he rightly assumed this to be Tauriel's doing - was that they carried all sorts of embarrassing stories about him that they had no qualms telling Ithilwen.
"Nin gwerianneg," he told the pair as they finished recounting the time that he had consumed so much wine after one particular formal feast that he had stripped to his bare backside in the armory, complaining that the robes were "flashier than the weapons themselves". Ithilwen was howling with laughter so much so that she snorted a few times, making her laugh even harder.
Calanon grinned and disregarded his friend's insult as he studied the princess. He had heard many things from around the kingdom about the mysterious elleth, from how she was a sinister witch like the stories of Galadriel to being just shy of maturity. He figured many of these stories were concocted by slighted ellith that never stood a chance of winning Legolas' heart, because being within her presence pretty much debunked them all. Calanon could see why Legolas had taken to her, and she to him; they had many things in common, and the primary being that they didn't flaunt their noble status like one would expect. Ithilwen, despite her adar's wishes otherwise, was dressed in her modern attire instead of a proper gown. The guard learned that this was more of a comfort to her besides its practicality, another reason that the pair got on so well. She spoke freely and encouraged those around her to disregard the formalities unless it was vitally important. To Calanon, Ithilwen was the least likely kind of princess he expected to meet, but felt that she would find a heartfelt welcome within Greenwood once the people came to know of her. He thought her a sweet soul, and in his heart, he knew the Valar had made the right choice for his friend.
Legolas looked over to Ithilwen once again as they neared the gates of his home. As much as she tried to hide it from him, the looks of excitement visible on her face did little to hide the terror she was feeling inside. He didn't have to try and pick up on her thoughts either. She was scared. Scared of meeting so many new people at once. Scared of what they might think of her. Scared that she "stole him away" without even showing her face in the kingdom first. Most of all, she was scared that they wouldn't ever come to like her, either because of how she grew up or from what family she came.
It was something that he later learned that she had confronted his father about back in the modern world. Still, even after all of the things they had been through, she was skeptical that she would be welcomed. It was Ithilwen that had pointed out that she was well aware that Thranduil and her grandfather had not gotten on for centuries. Even now it seemed that she was banking on this reaction from the people as well.
Once they crossed into the gates and dismounted from their horses, a flurry of attendants and stablehands flew into the scene, taking charge of the horses and belongings of the travelers. Ithilwen found herself standing awkwardly off to the side and trying to stay out of the way of what looked to be routine as more elves began to filter into the courtyard and observe the newcomers. Already she could feel the stares of these new elves and she felt her shoulders tense in alarm. They were looking at her family curiously, but she was unable to tell if they were genuine or just veiled distrust. Already she could sympathize with Gimli's feelings on being surrounded by the new masses.
A warm hand closed in around hers, pulling her into a likewise warm and solid body. Ithilwen relaxed visibly as Legolas kissed her brow, moving his other arm around her waist. "You don't have to be afraid, melamin," he whispered to her. "My father has had plenty of time to speak of you to the kingdom."
"That's what I'm afraid of," she snorted.
"You will see," he assured her, leading her towards the entrance. "Once they get to know you, they will love you, just like I do. You are their princess now, too."
Only a few days later, Ithilwen once more found herself being escorted down the aisle by Haldir to meet Legolas for the formal wedding ceremony. Thranduil had told her that the people had been disappointed to learn of their prince's marriage only after the fact, and that only made her feel more guilty. But the fact that she was willing to recite her vows again before both kingdoms really said something for her in their opinion.
The gown was more elaborate than what she had worn at Mrytle Beach, adorned with embroidery and beadwork she was pretty sure had been finished long ago. Her hair was braided back in places and pinned in others, and a thin circlet of silver sat on her brow. Instead of standing up at the front with Morwen and Thranduil, the rest of the bridal party stood at the head of each side of the audience. Ithilwen had wanted the setup to be the same, but was told that in this case, the focus was meant to be solely on her and Legolas.
Another difference was that Galadriel had defected to stand with the visitors from Lorien, instead of standing at the front. That made her think back on the friends she left behind, briefly feeling a pang of sadness that they would miss this. She fought back the tears, not wanting to raise suspicions as they neared the end of the aisle and Haldir once more placed her hand within Legolas'. Once more her naneth called upon Varda to bless their marriage, and Thranduil had called upon Manwë to bestow his blessings as well. She had been briefed on the proper etiquette for a formal ceremony, and it was now on them to recite any vows. Since they had done them off the cuff in Myrtle Beach, that was how Ithilwen wanted to give them again. Only this time, they had decided to start from the very beginning, to fill in the gaps and quell any gossip vines as to their meeting.
"Ithilwen," Legolas began, "When I met you in my dreams, I believe you were just that, a trick of my mind as I traveled with the Fellowship. I never could have foreseen that leading a young maiden out of a cavern whom I could not see would become my world a year later. Even though we met under the strangest of circumstances, you had become a part of my life that I never realized was missing. When I broke our connection, I was afraid that I would never find you again. But we did, and I will always remember that stunned look on your face before you ran down the hall at me. Our time spent together in the modern world had been the strangest days that I have ever experienced Even at our less than pleasant moments, I have loved you. Our days may yet see more days like those, but I will continue to love you with my heart and soul. I will protect you with my life, and if we are blessed with children years later, I will love and protect them just as strongly. As I have said before Ithilwen, you are my world and my everything."
Again, the elleth felt tears prick her eyes, but she took a steadying breath to calm down. She had done this before; she could do it again, and later she would do that thing that makes Legolas yelp for trying to make her cry again. "Legolas," she started, "You know that I grew up in a world without elves, and that stunted me in more ways than one, but you were patient with me. Every night that we met in dreams you were patient with me as I asked about news of middle earth, and just days ago you continued to be patient with me as I expressed my fears. Until you, I had never met a man that was content to wait on a woman for hours as she searched for a dress without complaint." She laughed, recalling the memory of the war-zone dressing room. "I thought you had lost your mind, to be honest. To be fair, I know you thought the same of me many times. You're right, too. We've argued - and over the stupidest misunderstandings at that - and yet when we made up, we came out of it stronger than before. I think I loved you before I ever realized and accepted it, and I will continue to love you always. I can't wield a sword and my archery is sorely lacking," she laughed again, "but I am willing to learn. I would die for you and our future children, even if you don't want to hear that. You are my world too, Legolas, and I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have you."
Before anyone could break the silence that followed, Legolas had cupped Ithilwen's face in his hands and kissed her soundly. It didn't matter if anyone had any objections to their marriage. The people of the Woodland Realm knew as soon as they saw their prince with the Lorien princess that the bond was complete. Regardless, it wasn't like they could have kept him away from her if there were a loophole in their customs.
As dusk began to settle on the realm, the kingdom was once again in a flurry of discussion and merrymaking at the wedding feast. This time Ithilwen was escorted between the two kingdoms by Legolas, and from the happy smiles of the people around her, it appeared that they were satisfied to have finally been a part of things. That lifted her spirits, because even if she was originally scared witless at the prospect of standing before the two enormous groups, she didn't want to leave anyone out. Legolas had whispered to her that already she was acting more like a princess as they sat down at the table, and when he was occupied with the wine goblet in his hands, she discreetly pinched his inner thigh.
The urge to yelp was quelled by a heated look that made Ithilwen's insides squirm. "Why did you do that?" he whispered quickly.
"That's for making me nearly cry again during the ceremony," she whispered back.
"I did no such thing."
"Oh you did so!"
"You must be mistaken Ithilwen. I wouldn't intentionally make you cry." He winced as she pinched him again. This time a little higher up.
"You're right," she smiled sweetly at him, gingerly soothing the likely reddened skin and watching his eyes glaze over. "Those vows were lovely, even if they did make me tear up." Her fingers danced lightly over the top of his thigh, enjoying the fact that he was easier to affect through leggings than jeans.
Legolas was trying to think of anything but what Ithilwen was doing to his leg at that moment. Her fingers were delicate in their assault, even as she pinched him, and now that she was massaging his thigh it was all he could do not to groan. It really wasn't his intention to make her misty-eyed during the ceremony, but it appeared that she was hellbent on torturing him - and right in the middle of the great hall too!
"You know what," she said suddenly, jerking her hand away from his leg, "it was probably just my hormones acting up. Know what I mean?" She asked him casually, adding, "I think it's approaching that time again..."
No sooner had Ithilwen yanked her hand away that Legolas nearly protests, and out loud right in the middle of dinner. Now he was the one that had to reign in his emotions, but a few tears of happiness was nothing compared to the semi-arousal he was fighting with their parents just seats away at the dinner table and the people of his home, her home, Rivendell, and Lindon present. And still she continued to smile impishly at him as if she was oblivious to what he was feeling. "You are going to pay for that," he whispered huskily into her ear, making it a point to tickle it lightly with his breath as he spoke.
Ithilwen looked at him levelly and smirked. "Make me, prince."
"Oh you can be sure that I will, princess," he grinned back at her. As soon as it was appropriate for them to steal away for the night, he had every intention of making her pay for fondling his leg under the dinner table.
x-x-x-x-x
A/N: As you can see, I didn't meet my SNT goal, since this is late. Lots of stuff has been going on (as usual), so I'll keep it short. If you don't follow me on Tumblr, the outlines for chapters 53-56 are written out, and from the looks of it, this story will be at least 60 chapters before it ends. There's just no way to cut it shorter without leaving some really big gaps, and I'm guessing y'all won't mind if it's a little longer. There's a poll up on my profile about my next project, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts on what you would like to see next. There is one I intend to work on, but I haven't decided when I will upload it. So go take a look and answer if you want. Leave a review if you want and let me know your thoughts. And if you're tracking my art tag for the story, I finally got a new piece done, this time of Haldir and Morwen!
