A/N: Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter. I appreciate
hearing from you. There will be one more update after this one. Enjoy!
Ch. 24
After a couple weeks' riding, the company arrived at Minas Tirith. It was the day before Midyear's day. The humans gawked at the city, bring smiles of amusement from the Elves. They were greeted by a royal escort, including Aragorn. Arwen smiled at him, but said nothing there in public. They entered the city, which was still cleaning up from the siege, and made their way to the stables, where grooms took their horses. They walked the rest of the way to the palace, and the place quickly became chaotic with wedding planning. Amy left her young companions to keep their own amusement and found Elrond. He was sitting in the gardens, staring aimlessly
"How are you, Elrond?" She put a hand lightly on his shoulder.
Elrond started at her touch, but then put a hand over hers. "I am as well as can be expected. This will be difficult, but not impossible. I only hope to keep my pain concealed from Arwen."
"I'm sure she realizes it already."
"Yes, she does, but I needn't ruin this for her by reminding her of it. That is my aim."
Amy smiled sadly at him, then sat beside him. They stayed there for most of the evening before finally going their own ways and retiring. The next day was a blur. Galadriel had taken charge of much of the planning, but Elrond was able to spend a few minutes with Arwen before the ceremony. To Arwen, he seemed strong and supportive. His pain was buried deeply enough that he could be strong for her. They both knew they would probably never see each other after he left the city in just a few days.
The wedding ceremony was simple, but elegant and dignified. Amy and Galadriel stood beside Elrond, who managed to keep up the appearance of strength throughout the ceremony and the feast that followed. The young people enjoyed the time they were able to spend with the Fellowship and other humans, but there was no immediate connection, as there had been in Rohan. The time in Minas Tirith seemed short to them, but interminable to Elrond, and it wasn't long before the Elves, along with the six humans, left again.
They rode to Edoras, where the young people again seemed to fit in perfectly. Théoden's funeral was only a couple days after they arrived. Mattie stood with Éowyn, supporting her through the difficult time. They stayed a couple days after the funeral, and Mattie and Éowyn became almost inseparable. The others, too, became good friends with Éowyn, Éomer, and the people of Rohan. They picked up the rolling language easily, and when they left it was with tears and promises to return.
Passing through Helm's deep, the party came to ruined Isegard. Aragorn and Galdalf and the others who had been there before showed no surprise, but many of the Elves were shocked to see the damage the Ents had wrought. It was there they parted ways with Aragorn. Elrond was stoic throughout the parting, but as soon as Aragorn left, Amy moved over to Elrond and the two of them slipped away for a few minutes. It was already growing dark, so the party camped there for the night.
A few days later, they came across the beggar Saruman had become. Like the others, Amy was shocked at what had become of him, as well as disgusted. She watched in silence as Gandalf and Galadriel offered Saruman a last chance at redemption, and the disgraced wizard repay them by stealing Merry's pipeweed pouch.
When they continued, it was with heavy hearts and a sense of unease about the beggared wizard. The Elves and Gandalf kept their own counsel, however, and did not add anything to the worries of the Hobbits or the humans. Any of them could see that Frodo was not completely well, even now, and they did not wish to burden him further.
Perhaps a week later, they came to overlook the Mountains of Moria, where they stopped for a rest. Galadriel was the first to break the silence. "I had planned to take my leave of you here, too, but now I am not certain. Elrond, do you and Almare plan to marry immediately when you return to Rivendell, or will you delay for a time?"
"As soon as preparations can be made," Elrond said.
"I think, then, I will accompany you as far as Rivendell, and then return to Lothlórien from there."
"We would be honored."
Galadriel took with her a few of the Lothlórien guards while Celeborn returned to Lothlórien with most of them. The remainder of the company set out for Rivendell, where they arrived at noon a few weeks later.
Elrond seemed relieved to be home again, but bothered. Amy found him that evening, standing in the gardens.
"How are you, Elrond?" Elrond turned and smiled slightly. He put an arm around her shoulders.
"I fear it will be some time before I can fully accept Arwen's choice. Nevertheless, I am well."
She rested her head against her shoulder and looked up at the stars. "Now we're back where this all started. It hasn't been an easy journey for either of us."
"No, it has not." Elrond grew quiet.
"You mean to leave Middle Earth soon, don't you?"
"Yes. There is nothing now to hold me here. Sauron is defeated, and the Ring has been destroyed. Aragorn has taken his throne, Arwen at his side, and the Third Age has come to an end. The Fourth Age will be the Age of Men."
Amy nodded. "I know. Are you eager to see Valinor?"
"I look forward to it. You?"
"It will be good to return, but…"
"What?"
"I remember it as it once was, before the Trees were destroyed. What remains is a pale shadow of what once was. Nevertheless, I am ready to return."*
"What of your companions?"
"They wish to return to Rohan and remain there."
"Rohan?"
"Yes. They grew close to Lady Éowyn and the others there when we visited. We will miss each other, but they will be happy there."
"It is good to hear. I know it had been a concern for you." He paused for a moment. "If it is agreeable to you, I'll begin wedding plans in the morning."
Amy nodded. "I'm glad we actually managed to get to this point, both alive and sane."
"Sane?"
"I don't know about you, but sometimes I've wondered about myself?"
"For agreeing to marry me?"
"No!" Amy turned quickly to look at him, then caught the laughter in his eyes. She shook her head, smiling. "You might be the crazy one when it comes to that."
Elrond just laughed. "I suppose we both ought to get some rest. Between wedding plans and all the business I've neglected while I'm away, tomorrow will be a busy day." He kissed her lightly, then walked her to her room. He kissed her again before bidding her good night and going his own way.
The wedding plans actually went very smoothly. The next day was filled with planning, as well as celebrating Bilbo's birthday, but the wedding was the day after that. It was a quiet, dignified ceremony. Galadriel, Gandalf, and the six humans were there, along with Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Bilbo, Legolas, and Gimli. There was a feast and then music in the Hall of Fire after the ceremony, and no one noticed Amy and Elrond slip out some time during the music, or if they did, they pretended they did not.
* Early in the First Age, the light in Valinor came from two Trees, Telperion and Laurelin. Morgoth and Ungoliant destroyed the Trees at the same time they stole the Silmarils (Morgoth was the original evil; Sauron was his lieutenant, but became the most powerful source of evil once Morgoth was chained at the end of the Second Age). From what remained of the Trees, the Valar formed the sun and the moon.
Ch. 24
After a couple weeks' riding, the company arrived at Minas Tirith. It was the day before Midyear's day. The humans gawked at the city, bring smiles of amusement from the Elves. They were greeted by a royal escort, including Aragorn. Arwen smiled at him, but said nothing there in public. They entered the city, which was still cleaning up from the siege, and made their way to the stables, where grooms took their horses. They walked the rest of the way to the palace, and the place quickly became chaotic with wedding planning. Amy left her young companions to keep their own amusement and found Elrond. He was sitting in the gardens, staring aimlessly
"How are you, Elrond?" She put a hand lightly on his shoulder.
Elrond started at her touch, but then put a hand over hers. "I am as well as can be expected. This will be difficult, but not impossible. I only hope to keep my pain concealed from Arwen."
"I'm sure she realizes it already."
"Yes, she does, but I needn't ruin this for her by reminding her of it. That is my aim."
Amy smiled sadly at him, then sat beside him. They stayed there for most of the evening before finally going their own ways and retiring. The next day was a blur. Galadriel had taken charge of much of the planning, but Elrond was able to spend a few minutes with Arwen before the ceremony. To Arwen, he seemed strong and supportive. His pain was buried deeply enough that he could be strong for her. They both knew they would probably never see each other after he left the city in just a few days.
The wedding ceremony was simple, but elegant and dignified. Amy and Galadriel stood beside Elrond, who managed to keep up the appearance of strength throughout the ceremony and the feast that followed. The young people enjoyed the time they were able to spend with the Fellowship and other humans, but there was no immediate connection, as there had been in Rohan. The time in Minas Tirith seemed short to them, but interminable to Elrond, and it wasn't long before the Elves, along with the six humans, left again.
They rode to Edoras, where the young people again seemed to fit in perfectly. Théoden's funeral was only a couple days after they arrived. Mattie stood with Éowyn, supporting her through the difficult time. They stayed a couple days after the funeral, and Mattie and Éowyn became almost inseparable. The others, too, became good friends with Éowyn, Éomer, and the people of Rohan. They picked up the rolling language easily, and when they left it was with tears and promises to return.
Passing through Helm's deep, the party came to ruined Isegard. Aragorn and Galdalf and the others who had been there before showed no surprise, but many of the Elves were shocked to see the damage the Ents had wrought. It was there they parted ways with Aragorn. Elrond was stoic throughout the parting, but as soon as Aragorn left, Amy moved over to Elrond and the two of them slipped away for a few minutes. It was already growing dark, so the party camped there for the night.
A few days later, they came across the beggar Saruman had become. Like the others, Amy was shocked at what had become of him, as well as disgusted. She watched in silence as Gandalf and Galadriel offered Saruman a last chance at redemption, and the disgraced wizard repay them by stealing Merry's pipeweed pouch.
When they continued, it was with heavy hearts and a sense of unease about the beggared wizard. The Elves and Gandalf kept their own counsel, however, and did not add anything to the worries of the Hobbits or the humans. Any of them could see that Frodo was not completely well, even now, and they did not wish to burden him further.
Perhaps a week later, they came to overlook the Mountains of Moria, where they stopped for a rest. Galadriel was the first to break the silence. "I had planned to take my leave of you here, too, but now I am not certain. Elrond, do you and Almare plan to marry immediately when you return to Rivendell, or will you delay for a time?"
"As soon as preparations can be made," Elrond said.
"I think, then, I will accompany you as far as Rivendell, and then return to Lothlórien from there."
"We would be honored."
Galadriel took with her a few of the Lothlórien guards while Celeborn returned to Lothlórien with most of them. The remainder of the company set out for Rivendell, where they arrived at noon a few weeks later.
Elrond seemed relieved to be home again, but bothered. Amy found him that evening, standing in the gardens.
"How are you, Elrond?" Elrond turned and smiled slightly. He put an arm around her shoulders.
"I fear it will be some time before I can fully accept Arwen's choice. Nevertheless, I am well."
She rested her head against her shoulder and looked up at the stars. "Now we're back where this all started. It hasn't been an easy journey for either of us."
"No, it has not." Elrond grew quiet.
"You mean to leave Middle Earth soon, don't you?"
"Yes. There is nothing now to hold me here. Sauron is defeated, and the Ring has been destroyed. Aragorn has taken his throne, Arwen at his side, and the Third Age has come to an end. The Fourth Age will be the Age of Men."
Amy nodded. "I know. Are you eager to see Valinor?"
"I look forward to it. You?"
"It will be good to return, but…"
"What?"
"I remember it as it once was, before the Trees were destroyed. What remains is a pale shadow of what once was. Nevertheless, I am ready to return."*
"What of your companions?"
"They wish to return to Rohan and remain there."
"Rohan?"
"Yes. They grew close to Lady Éowyn and the others there when we visited. We will miss each other, but they will be happy there."
"It is good to hear. I know it had been a concern for you." He paused for a moment. "If it is agreeable to you, I'll begin wedding plans in the morning."
Amy nodded. "I'm glad we actually managed to get to this point, both alive and sane."
"Sane?"
"I don't know about you, but sometimes I've wondered about myself?"
"For agreeing to marry me?"
"No!" Amy turned quickly to look at him, then caught the laughter in his eyes. She shook her head, smiling. "You might be the crazy one when it comes to that."
Elrond just laughed. "I suppose we both ought to get some rest. Between wedding plans and all the business I've neglected while I'm away, tomorrow will be a busy day." He kissed her lightly, then walked her to her room. He kissed her again before bidding her good night and going his own way.
The wedding plans actually went very smoothly. The next day was filled with planning, as well as celebrating Bilbo's birthday, but the wedding was the day after that. It was a quiet, dignified ceremony. Galadriel, Gandalf, and the six humans were there, along with Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Bilbo, Legolas, and Gimli. There was a feast and then music in the Hall of Fire after the ceremony, and no one noticed Amy and Elrond slip out some time during the music, or if they did, they pretended they did not.
* Early in the First Age, the light in Valinor came from two Trees, Telperion and Laurelin. Morgoth and Ungoliant destroyed the Trees at the same time they stole the Silmarils (Morgoth was the original evil; Sauron was his lieutenant, but became the most powerful source of evil once Morgoth was chained at the end of the Second Age). From what remained of the Trees, the Valar formed the sun and the moon.