Chapter 44 - Going to the Chapel

26th June, 3020 (Third Age)

Mother Nature could not have produced a more brilliant nor balmy day had she tried. The early sun seemed to leap over the horizon and grin cheerily at Elanor through the glass panes of her bedchamber.

Despite the early hour, she rolled over and sat up in bed. The fog of sleep lay heavy upon her mind as she blinked stupidly at the glare.

Far out, Elrond's sleeping draught was potent…

She rubbed her eyes vigorously and then made a second attempt to take in the world.

Slept well… Nice morning, bright though… what's…

Oh.

The wedding.

Today was the day.

The fog receded with alarming swiftness as Elanor flung the sheet away from her body and jumped out of bed. Memories galloped back as she scampered to the window to get a better look at the weather.

Thanks to her foster-father's suggestion of a sleep-inducing potion, she'd slept solidly since early the previous evening. The efficacy of the drug had bypassed the dreaded state of excited wakefulness and she felt ready to tackle a full-grown mountain troll.

I'm getting married today! her mind chanted gleefully.

I'm getting married today!

There was not a cloud on the horizon, and the sky promised to be a deep blue. The gardens of Rivendell below her room were a riot of greenery and delicate summer blooms. Unable to quench her excitement, Elanor danced across the bedroom floor to peer out of the other windows, before throwing herself violently onto the bed. She ached to wriggle and laugh in sheer delight.

Moments later, the door was flung open and a rather sleep-dishevelled Georgia sprang into sight.

"Morning, bride!" the younger Ravenscroft cried, running forth and leaping onto the bed.

Elanor grinned at her sister's exuberance, finding it a ready match for her own on this particular day.

Georgia had returned from her visit to the Riddermark two weeks previously. Her light brown hair was lit with golden glints after many hours spent in the sun, her face bronzed and her hazel eyes twinkling brightly. The open-air life of the Rohirrim seemed to agree with her. Elanor had not spent much time with her sister since she arrived, distracted by the wedding preparations and the arrival of the other guests—namely Legolas, Gimli, Elladan and Elrohir. A small contingent from Lórien had also reached Imladris two days previous, adding to the cheery hubbub in the Last Homely House. And yet, in observing her, Elanor could not help but notice that something was different with the younger woman.

Georgia shuffled on the bed so she sat cross-legged facing her sister.

"How're you feeling?" she smiled earnestly, grasping Elanor's hand.

The latter stared deep into the hazel eyes and couldn't resist smiling back.

"Wonderful," she replied, and added with perfect truth, "and very glad you're here. I can't imagine getting married without my family around. I wish Mum and Dad were here, but I'd rather you than anyone else."

Georgia stared at her a moment before grasping her in a fierce hug. When she released her, Elanor noticed traces of tears on the brown cheeks.

"G!" she cried. "Are you all right?"

The other blinked rapidly, wiped her eyes and proffered a watery smile. "Sorry El, I know tears are unlucky at weddings."

"Not at all, everyone cries on the day. But seriously, are you ok?"

Georgia looked down and nodded, seeming to gather herself up to speak. At length the beguiling, dark-lashed eyes met Elanor's.

"I feel all emotional," she half-laughed. "I mean, I'm absolutely delighted you're getting married—it takes some getting used to still, that you're marrying one of the most epic characters in Middle-earth, you lucky thing! But it's great, it really is. I suppose I'm also… a bit confused. I've been here, in this world, for over a year now… and—and I still miss home. I miss home, El."

Elanor surveyed her in silence, pity welling up like a flood.

Her relationship with her sister had undoubtedly improved in previous months; they had parted in Rohan on good terms, and Georgia had been amazingly thoughtful and attentive despite the recent busyness.

And in moments like these, Elanor could not help but notice a deeper something in Georgia's eyes she had not appreciated two years before at the Medieval Folk Festival.

"I understand," she managed, raspy.

Georgia glanced back upwards, before returning to a study of her hands. "You seem so comfortable here though El. You've got Glorfindel, putting down roots in Middle-earth. But all I've done since I arrived is chill out in Minas Tirith and Edoras and Rivendell, freeloading off the book characters."

"That's ok, though," protested Elanor, placing a soft hand on Georgia's knee. "It's not like you're expected to do anything! G, this is your dream! We're in Middle-earth and all you have to do is sight-see and enjoy it."

When Georgia looked at her this time, she did not break away. "What if what I want has changed?"

Elanor paused, taken aback.

Goodness, why didn't I think of this before? I've been so hard on her, treating her like she needs to be kept in line the whole time. How come I didn't consider she'd be homesick at all? I was horribly lonely those first few months… the first year, really. Or more. Of course she is!

"Oh Georgie, I didn't think."

Georgia shrugged. "It's not your fault. I'm kicking myself really; you're so perfectly happy here, so well-adjusted. I thought I should love it, because I love Lord of the Rings, but—half the time I just want to go home. It's fun and beautiful and I'm so amazed to be living out the story, but El… I miss home and school! And I didn't tell you because I didn't want to ruin this for you with doubts. If you can handle it, why can't I?"

"But I didn't handle it!" half-laughed Elanor, rolling backwards and throwing out her hands. "Georgia, if you'd seen me in those first few months… I think I just started spontaneously crying every ten seconds!"

Georgia stared blankly.

"Really?"

"Yes! I did not have it all together—never had back at home, and I definitely didn't here. Just ask Elrond, or Glorfindel!"

Her eyes sparkled merrily as she continued.

"I am happy here—I have a fiancee, who will become my husband today—" I'm getting married! I'm getting married today! "—but heaven's above, I was lonely and uncertain for a long, long time. I was resentful, and sometimes I still question why on earth we ended up here."

Georgia was silent for a moment before she directed another question at the bed, one hand absently toying with the silken sheets.

"I always thought you were the perfect, golden child El."

"Wait—what?"

"Back at home—you were always the good one, the perfect one. You got such good grades at school, and you were studying and had a nice boyfriend. I felt like Mum and Dad were always expecting me to live up to your standards."

What on earth…

"Really?" Elanor asked, rendered almost dumb in her turn.

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"Well you had everything so sorted! And then I rocked up in Middle-earth… my place," she said, with fierce emphasis on the final two words, "and you were better at this than me too!"

"Better at living in Middle-earth?" in disbelief. "Georgia—no. Not in the slightest. And you know what? I always thought you were the perfect kid back at home! At that Medieval festival we were at before we both disappeared, I was so busy feeling resentful towards you I didn't even have a good time!"

Georgia's hazel eyes widened.

"Actually?"

"Yeah," Elanor admitted, ruefully.

Then Georgia burst out laughing. After half a second, Elanor felt mirth erupting in her own stomach and soon joined her sister in a fit of helpless giggles.

The Ravenscroft girls laughed themselves to tears. As one would begin to wind down, the other would give an explosive choke and they would start all over again. Finally their laughter ceased, and they lay side by side gasping for breath and gingerly touching their aching stomach muscles.

"I think I needed that," Georgia managed at length.

"Me too," sighed Elanor. "Gosh G, I'm glad we got that out in the open. You have no idea how jealous of you I've been!"

"And I of you," chuckled her sister. "But I think we understand each other a bit better now, which is a good thing if I'm going to be the maiden aunt to all of your half-Elven children!"

Elanor felt a flutter of anticipation in her middle.

"Let's get through the wedding first, G, before we talk about kids!"

For a time, they lapsed into silence. Elanor, staring at the ornate ceiling as she had on that October day nearly two years before, found that it was an exceedingly comfortable silence. Georgia was contented by her side, lost in thoughts of her own. Between them lay a cosy and attractive camaraderie, wordless but like the echoes of laughter and merriment. It was like the sun had risen again, pouring it's illuminating warmth upon an apparition which had seemed grim and menacing—but was really nothing at all. The voicing of their feelings had shattered the tension between the sisters like glass, and for once Elanor experienced the sweetness of true sisterhood, uninhibited by any resentment.

And—I love it.

She had always loved Georgia—but now I understand her.

True, her sister had grown up a lot in the past twelve months. She was less prone to impulsive speech, more considerate, and yet still full of the vivacity and joy which was irresistible when tempered by prudence. But it was more than that.

"G?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I've been so hard on you. Especially when you first arrived in Middle-earth. I was full of my own self-importance, and still very bitter toward you. I was worried you'd wreck things, and I think I came on way too strong and—rather cruel and biting."

"You did," replied Georgia, frankly. "But I made it much worse by responding in kind, merely to annoy you! Every time you told me to mind my manners, I would unconsciously—or… consciously sometimes—resolve to be just as irritating as I possibly could and ignore you."

Elanor half sat up and poked her sister in the ribs with a shocked expression. "You rascal!"

Georgia mimicked her position and repeated the gesture. "Coming from you, the Grinch junior!"

Both pairs of eyes twinkled blithely, and after a second fit of laughter, they resumed the conversation.

"It's been both our faults, really," said Elanor, one arm beneath her head. "And I'm very sorry G. Will you forgive me?"

"Of course—if you'll forgive me."

"Gladly."

Georgia wriggled as she lay. "I'm so relieved, El. I've wanted to bring this up since I got back here, because I wanted to talk to you more than anything."

"I'm sorry I didn't make time for you," Elanor sighed, reaching for her sister's hand and squeezing it. "I should've come to you. I've got plenty of things I needed to talk over with a sister, but I didn't want to expose any weakness!"

Georgia sat up and glanced out the window, before turning to Elanor with a cheeky grin. "It's still early—feel like sharing anything?"

Elanor joined her in sitting, scooting backwards so she leaned against the pile of pillows at the head of the bed.

"Will I cut straight to the chase?"

"Do," urged Georgia, leaning forward conspiratorially. "What worries you, sister?"

"Glorfindel," Elanor stated.

"The fact he's an Elf?"

The elder started at the accuracy of the question. "Well… yeah. He's immortal and we're not! We had a fight a few months back because—long story short, during the disagreement I accused him of avoiding the topic, and I've been too frightened to broach it again. He just seems to want to gloss over the whole thing. He confessed back in Minas Tirith that he had this unrequited love for Idril—you know the—of course you do," Elanor broke off, with a warm smile. "Anyway, I think the fact she married a mortal… maybe the issue's sensitive for him. And he's lived with Elrond's family, and the whole Aragorn-Arwen debate has been going on for a long time. Understandable if he's a bit worried about it, but I just wish he'd cut to the chase." She sighed. "Not only that, but I feel somewhat intimidated marrying an Elf, especially as he seems to just conveniently forget I'm a Human. I'm not beautiful or strong or magical like an Elf, so—half the time I just feel like I'm not quite living up to his expectations."

Georgia shook her head slightly in disbelief.

"I guessed as much, but it's hard to notice for an outsider. You two seem so perfectly happy."

"Except for the mortality thing, we are," Elanor assured her. "He is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me. If not for him, I dunno I could stand the idea of living here forever."

"Do you sometimes wonder why we're here?" asked Georgia, in perfect earnestness.

"Ye-es—often. And all I can think is that we're obviously meant to be here, so we may as well trust it'll all work out ok. That's what I told myself with the war, and with Glorfindel."

Georgia's eyes shifted downwards then, and Elanor saw her cheeks blossom pink.

"Everything ok, Georgie?"

"Yep, totally fine," she replied, smiling a little woodenly and waving a hand in dismissal. "Just thinking."

"Anything you want to share?"

Georgia seemed to pause on the brink of denial, then shrugged. "I want to talk about a few things—but can they wait till after the wedding? We should have a good long chat, and I don't want to cloud your wedding day, or have to stop halfway through my pondering."

Elanor felt warmth and inexpressible affection for her sister flood into her chest.

"You've made me desperate to hear your news," she admitted archly, several possibilities flying in and out of her thoughts, "but I understand your reasoning. We aren't having a very long honeymoon, so I won't have to wait long. Do you promise we'll talk afterwards?"

Georgia laughed loudly. "I'm having trouble not telling you now—you won't get away with not hearing from me once you and Glorfy get back."

"Good," smiled Elanor, softly. "G?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really proud to be your sister, did you know that?"

Tears slipped out of Georgia's eyes before she could prevent them, and the sisters hugged fiercely.

"Thanks, El," mumbled the younger, into the other's shoulder. "Now," she continued, resolutely wiping her face. "It's your special day! Let's get started. Come on—time for your bath."

The following day, Elanor would remember little of the ceremony save an irrepressible joy. To attempt to encapsulate the perfect bliss felt by either bride or groom as they walked towards one another would be like catching darkness with one's hands.

Elanor Ravenscroft and Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower were wed beneath the trees of Imladris, surrounded by those dearest to them; Elrond and his sons, Georgia, Legolas, Gimli, all the occupants of Rivendell including a merry-eyed Bilbo Baggins, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, and a scattering of others from Lothlórien. Aragorn and Arwen were unable to make the journey, nor were any others of Gondor or Rohan. From the Steward of Gondor and his elder brother came a fine set of silver goblets, and from the Lady Éowyn some jewels and a mass of very fine blue wool. As soon as Elanor saw it, her quick imagination began forming it into a dozen different gowns. Georgia had brought these gifts northwards on their behalf, along with fond greetings and imploring requests that the newlyweds visit soon. From Legolas there was a beautiful sapling uprooted from Mirkwood, of a variety previously unknown to Elanor, and from Gimli a dwarf-wrought necklace studded with stones akin to cloudy aquamarines. These they had acquired for the bride and groom upon their travels together. The Elves of Lórien provided a cunning belt of woven silver attached to a pair of slender, ivory-handled knives. Elrond provided the pair of gold rings which would seal their vows.

The ceremony itself was ironically unceremonious. Georgia had dressed her sister with skill and thought to show off Elanor's features whilst retaining her natural appearance. Nevertheless, Glorfindel was absolutely oblivious to what his bride wore that day, and Elanor didn't pay much heed to it herself. They exchanged rings, feasted upon the grass with their guests and then slipped quietly away in the twilight to a tent assembled on a hill in the far corner of the Valley of Rivendell.

It was a large tent such as the Rohirrim used, but made with typical Elvish skill so it appeared graceful and sturdy all at once. It stood on a gentle rise which ended abruptly in a cliff, affording the couple an excellent view of the Bruinen beyond. The cliff was not a high one, and at it's foot another grassy lawn stretched away, reached by a path close by the tent.

Summer wildflowers scattered the grass and the sun left glimmers of rose and violet and midnight blue in it's wake. The newlyweds paused for a time upon the small precipice, breathing deep of the fresh air and the perfume of each other. A perfect day slipping into a perfect twilight, unmarred by cloud or wind; even the trees and birds about them seemed untouched by any shadow as they clustered silently about the lovers, hand-in-hand.

Elanor could not imagine any place more exquisite as she gripped tight her husband's hand. And he, in turn, felt as close to perfect happiness as is possible in that late age with the sweet wife upon his arm.

There are things to be decided, mused Elanor silently, and questions to be answered about the future yet. But now is neither the time for questions nor answers.

And, even with many things uncertain and uncounted... I am happy.

And so, in this state of happiness, we shall leave the lovers for a time.

They're married. :3

There will be another chapter coming soon and quickly, for Elanor's fate is yet to be decided... and Georgia has news!

I hope you guys liked this. Please feel free to leave a review. x