A/N: Ugh, you have no idea how much trouble I had writing this chapter! Between school and writer's block... I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting, I shall do my best on this chapter. Hope you all enjoy it.
Chapter 45: Ceremonies and Farewells
"Come on, we're going to be late!" Aria chided Elwing.
"Oh, stop rushing me, we have plenty of time," Elwing replied, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress. Elwing was not fond of dresses, but she had to admit she liked this one. It was orange with black trim and was actually comfortable to wear.
"If you are done staring at your reflection," Aria said dryly, "may we go?"
"If we must," Elwing sighed sarcastically.
The field of Cormallen was filled with the armies of the West and the people of Gondor. They were waiting for the Hobbits to come, the Hobbits who had saved all of Middle-Earth. A small hill was crowned with a throne upon which Aragorn was seated, wreathed in kingly splendor. The path to the throne was lined with soldiers decked in shining armor and colorful cloaks. A gentle wind stirred the long grass and swirled around the expectant crowd, waiting eagerly to see their heros.
Elwing, Aria, Erestor, and Galareal stood at the foot of the hill, ignoring the soft murmur of the crowd as they awaited the Hobbits arrival. Elwing noted that Galareal kept the others between Aria and himself, and that he would not look at her. This bothered Elwing, but she could do nothing about it, for just then Gandalf entered the field, Sam and Frodo behind him.
During the festivities that followed, Elwing could not help but notice Galareal's continued, deliberate avoidance of Aria. I must ask him about it when I get the chance. Or maybe I should ask Aria instead. Either way, I can do nothing now, so I might as well enjoy myself. But it was a long day.
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Aria sat in the garden behind the palace, watching the stars distractedly. The feast was still going on, but she had needed some time alone.
"Aria, are you okay?"
Aria turned and saw Elwing standing behind her. Aria smiled faintly. "Yeah, I just wanted some fresh air, that's all."
"Well, I wanted to talk to you anyway," Elwing said, sitting next to her friend. "I couldn't help but notice Galareal's been avoiding you, do you know why?"
Aria looked at the stars so she did not have to face her friend. She did not want to tell anyone, but she did not want to lie to her friend either. "I'm sure he has his reasons."
"You're terrible at hiding things," Elwing said with an amused smile. "Why is he avoiding you?"
"Do you promise to tell no one? Even Erestor?" Aria asked hesitantly.
"Of course," Elwing said with concern. "What's wrong?"
Taking a deep breath, Aria told Elwing the entire story; how she had grown to love Galareal but feared to tell him, how he loved her but would not let her love him, and how they could not be together. Elwing listened quietly to all that her friend said, never once interrupting. When Aria had finished, Elwing sighed wearily.
"Oh bother, that's a mess alright," Elwing muttered. "But don't worry, I'm sure we'll figure something out."
"What's there to figure out?" Aria said miserably. "He has to stay, I have to go, what's so hard to understand about that?"
Elwing did not reply, for there was no need. Aria was right, it was hopeless.
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"Tell me again why we're going back to Lorien," Erestor said, watching Elwing as she packed.
"Because Lady Galadriel sent for us," Elwing replied. "We're not leaving right this minute, we'll leave after Aragorn's coronation. It's tomorrow," Elwing said, answering Erestor's unasked question.
"So tomorrow we go to a coronation, and then we go to Lorien," Erestor said.
"Exactly," Elwing said, tossing her pack in a corner. "And now we have a free afternoon!"
"So let's go get into some trouble," Erestor grinned.
"You read my mind," Elwing said, matching his mischievous smile.
Elwing and Erestor were heading for the stables when Elwing saw Aria.
"Aria!" Elwing called, catching her friend's attention. "Erestor and I are going riding, wanna come?"
"No thanks," Aria called back. "Merry and Pippin are taking me on a tour of the city."
"Have fun," Elwing laughed.
"I'm sure I will," Aria smiled, walking to the Hobbits' quarters.
"Wow, I'm riding a horse and I'm not heading for a battle, this is a first," Elwing mused as they rode over the fields.
"And hopefully it will stay that way," Erestor said, giving Elwing a warning glance.
"No need to worry about that," Elwing laughed.
"So, why does Galadriel want us to come back, anyway?" Erestor asked. Elwing pretended not to hear. "Elwing?" Elwing whistled absently and refused to meet his gaze. Erestor reached out and grabbed Elwing's arm.
"Can I help you?" Elwing asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, you can tell me why Galadriel wants us to come back to Lorien," Erestor replied.
Elwing squirmed. "She misses us?"
"Elwing," Erestor sighed.
"Oh fine," Elwing pouted. "We're going back for my coronation. There, ya happy?"
Erestor's eyes widened. "What?"
"Hey, you asked," Elwing shrugged.
"But... you're coming back with us, right?" Erestor asked in shock.
"Of course," Elwing laughed. "You think I'd leave you alone?"
"I'll admit I was worried," Erestor smiled weakly.
"No, someone has to keep you in line," Elwing said with a wink.
"Me?" Erestor inquired incredulously.
"Yes, you," Elwing laughed. "Race you back!"
Erestor gladly accepted the challenge, and the talk was momentarily forgotten as the horses galloped over the plains.
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"Well, that was interesting," Elwing mused. The coronation of Aragorn, now called Elessar, had just ended, and Elwing was feeling relieved. "I admit it was cool to see a coronation, but I hope mine's not that boring," she confided to Erestor as she stifled a yawn.
"You're not the only one," Erestor laughed quietly.
They bowed as Elessar came towards them. "Your majesty," they said in unison.
Elessar smiled. "I wish to thank you for staying for my coronation, but you had best be on your way. Lady Galadriel does not like to be kept waiting."
Elwing suppressed a laugh. "You would know, my lord."
"I wish you well on your journey, Sunstar," Elessar said with a courteous bow. "May Eru always protect you."
"And may the light of the seven stars ever grace your house," Elwing bowed.
Elessar bade them one last farewell and left for the dining hall. Erestor turned to Elwing as he stifled a yawn.
"So, are you ready to go?" he inquired.
"Yes, but where are Aria and Galareal?" Elwing frowned, looking about her.
Erestor furrowed his brow. "I don't know. I haven't seen them since the end of the coronation. Perhaps they went to get their things?"
"I'll go find Aria, you find Falagorn, Galareal should be with him, and tell them to get the horses ready," Elwing instructed.
"Falagorn's coming?" Erestor asked with a raised eyebrow.
"All the Sunstars are," Elwing replied. "You think they would miss their queen's coronation?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Erestor grinned sheepishly.
Elwing rolled her eyes. "Just go find them!" she laughed.
Elwing set off down the hall at a brisk pace, eager to find Aria and be on their way. She stopped suddenly and peered out one of the windows that overlooked the palace gardens. Aria sat on one of the benches, her eyes looking out towards the distant mountains. With a small sigh, Elwing climbed down the stairs that led to the garden.
"You alright?"
Aria glanced up. "Yea, just taking one last look before we go," she replied with a sad smile. "I'm gonna miss this place."
"Me too," Elwing agreed, taking in the beauty around her. "Of course, we're not leaving right away, and I have been told Lorien is beautiful this time of year."
Aria smiled at her friend. "I'm sure it is. Well, shall we go?"
Elwing helped Aria to her feet with a smile. "Let's."
End Chapter 45.
**brings out a plate of cookies for the kind reviewers** I am sooo sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up, and thank you to everyone who is still reading this. I am debating whether to make the next chapter the last one, or whether to add one additional chapter as an epilogue. Tell me what you think. **ArwenStar**
Chapter 45: Ceremonies and Farewells
"Come on, we're going to be late!" Aria chided Elwing.
"Oh, stop rushing me, we have plenty of time," Elwing replied, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress. Elwing was not fond of dresses, but she had to admit she liked this one. It was orange with black trim and was actually comfortable to wear.
"If you are done staring at your reflection," Aria said dryly, "may we go?"
"If we must," Elwing sighed sarcastically.
The field of Cormallen was filled with the armies of the West and the people of Gondor. They were waiting for the Hobbits to come, the Hobbits who had saved all of Middle-Earth. A small hill was crowned with a throne upon which Aragorn was seated, wreathed in kingly splendor. The path to the throne was lined with soldiers decked in shining armor and colorful cloaks. A gentle wind stirred the long grass and swirled around the expectant crowd, waiting eagerly to see their heros.
Elwing, Aria, Erestor, and Galareal stood at the foot of the hill, ignoring the soft murmur of the crowd as they awaited the Hobbits arrival. Elwing noted that Galareal kept the others between Aria and himself, and that he would not look at her. This bothered Elwing, but she could do nothing about it, for just then Gandalf entered the field, Sam and Frodo behind him.
During the festivities that followed, Elwing could not help but notice Galareal's continued, deliberate avoidance of Aria. I must ask him about it when I get the chance. Or maybe I should ask Aria instead. Either way, I can do nothing now, so I might as well enjoy myself. But it was a long day.
Aria sat in the garden behind the palace, watching the stars distractedly. The feast was still going on, but she had needed some time alone.
"Aria, are you okay?"
Aria turned and saw Elwing standing behind her. Aria smiled faintly. "Yeah, I just wanted some fresh air, that's all."
"Well, I wanted to talk to you anyway," Elwing said, sitting next to her friend. "I couldn't help but notice Galareal's been avoiding you, do you know why?"
Aria looked at the stars so she did not have to face her friend. She did not want to tell anyone, but she did not want to lie to her friend either. "I'm sure he has his reasons."
"You're terrible at hiding things," Elwing said with an amused smile. "Why is he avoiding you?"
"Do you promise to tell no one? Even Erestor?" Aria asked hesitantly.
"Of course," Elwing said with concern. "What's wrong?"
Taking a deep breath, Aria told Elwing the entire story; how she had grown to love Galareal but feared to tell him, how he loved her but would not let her love him, and how they could not be together. Elwing listened quietly to all that her friend said, never once interrupting. When Aria had finished, Elwing sighed wearily.
"Oh bother, that's a mess alright," Elwing muttered. "But don't worry, I'm sure we'll figure something out."
"What's there to figure out?" Aria said miserably. "He has to stay, I have to go, what's so hard to understand about that?"
Elwing did not reply, for there was no need. Aria was right, it was hopeless.
"Tell me again why we're going back to Lorien," Erestor said, watching Elwing as she packed.
"Because Lady Galadriel sent for us," Elwing replied. "We're not leaving right this minute, we'll leave after Aragorn's coronation. It's tomorrow," Elwing said, answering Erestor's unasked question.
"So tomorrow we go to a coronation, and then we go to Lorien," Erestor said.
"Exactly," Elwing said, tossing her pack in a corner. "And now we have a free afternoon!"
"So let's go get into some trouble," Erestor grinned.
"You read my mind," Elwing said, matching his mischievous smile.
Elwing and Erestor were heading for the stables when Elwing saw Aria.
"Aria!" Elwing called, catching her friend's attention. "Erestor and I are going riding, wanna come?"
"No thanks," Aria called back. "Merry and Pippin are taking me on a tour of the city."
"Have fun," Elwing laughed.
"I'm sure I will," Aria smiled, walking to the Hobbits' quarters.
"Wow, I'm riding a horse and I'm not heading for a battle, this is a first," Elwing mused as they rode over the fields.
"And hopefully it will stay that way," Erestor said, giving Elwing a warning glance.
"No need to worry about that," Elwing laughed.
"So, why does Galadriel want us to come back, anyway?" Erestor asked. Elwing pretended not to hear. "Elwing?" Elwing whistled absently and refused to meet his gaze. Erestor reached out and grabbed Elwing's arm.
"Can I help you?" Elwing asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, you can tell me why Galadriel wants us to come back to Lorien," Erestor replied.
Elwing squirmed. "She misses us?"
"Elwing," Erestor sighed.
"Oh fine," Elwing pouted. "We're going back for my coronation. There, ya happy?"
Erestor's eyes widened. "What?"
"Hey, you asked," Elwing shrugged.
"But... you're coming back with us, right?" Erestor asked in shock.
"Of course," Elwing laughed. "You think I'd leave you alone?"
"I'll admit I was worried," Erestor smiled weakly.
"No, someone has to keep you in line," Elwing said with a wink.
"Me?" Erestor inquired incredulously.
"Yes, you," Elwing laughed. "Race you back!"
Erestor gladly accepted the challenge, and the talk was momentarily forgotten as the horses galloped over the plains.
"Well, that was interesting," Elwing mused. The coronation of Aragorn, now called Elessar, had just ended, and Elwing was feeling relieved. "I admit it was cool to see a coronation, but I hope mine's not that boring," she confided to Erestor as she stifled a yawn.
"You're not the only one," Erestor laughed quietly.
They bowed as Elessar came towards them. "Your majesty," they said in unison.
Elessar smiled. "I wish to thank you for staying for my coronation, but you had best be on your way. Lady Galadriel does not like to be kept waiting."
Elwing suppressed a laugh. "You would know, my lord."
"I wish you well on your journey, Sunstar," Elessar said with a courteous bow. "May Eru always protect you."
"And may the light of the seven stars ever grace your house," Elwing bowed.
Elessar bade them one last farewell and left for the dining hall. Erestor turned to Elwing as he stifled a yawn.
"So, are you ready to go?" he inquired.
"Yes, but where are Aria and Galareal?" Elwing frowned, looking about her.
Erestor furrowed his brow. "I don't know. I haven't seen them since the end of the coronation. Perhaps they went to get their things?"
"I'll go find Aria, you find Falagorn, Galareal should be with him, and tell them to get the horses ready," Elwing instructed.
"Falagorn's coming?" Erestor asked with a raised eyebrow.
"All the Sunstars are," Elwing replied. "You think they would miss their queen's coronation?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Erestor grinned sheepishly.
Elwing rolled her eyes. "Just go find them!" she laughed.
Elwing set off down the hall at a brisk pace, eager to find Aria and be on their way. She stopped suddenly and peered out one of the windows that overlooked the palace gardens. Aria sat on one of the benches, her eyes looking out towards the distant mountains. With a small sigh, Elwing climbed down the stairs that led to the garden.
"You alright?"
Aria glanced up. "Yea, just taking one last look before we go," she replied with a sad smile. "I'm gonna miss this place."
"Me too," Elwing agreed, taking in the beauty around her. "Of course, we're not leaving right away, and I have been told Lorien is beautiful this time of year."
Aria smiled at her friend. "I'm sure it is. Well, shall we go?"
Elwing helped Aria to her feet with a smile. "Let's."
End Chapter 45.
**brings out a plate of cookies for the kind reviewers** I am sooo sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up, and thank you to everyone who is still reading this. I am debating whether to make the next chapter the last one, or whether to add one additional chapter as an epilogue. Tell me what you think. **ArwenStar**
