Chapter 2
A memory flashed in Aragorn's mind as he watched the trumpets raised in his honor, sounding his arrival with their clear, poignant ring. The conversation with Boromir that night in Lorien soared to the forefront of his thoughts and a momentary pain flickered in Aragorn's heart for his fallen friend.
The people rose in waves on either side of him, drawing Aragorn's attention from the past. Many bowed or nodded in respect as he passed. They watched in silence as Elladan, followed by Aragorn, Faramir and then Elrohir walked slowly toward the dais.
Eowyn and Galadriel waited at the front of the Hall, resplendent in their silken gowns. As always, the elven queen lit the room with a beauty refined by a millennia of existence. Eowyn, unused to such exquisite finery - even Theoden did not have silks so beautiful, held herself with an royal countenance that fit the shield-maiden of Rohan well.
Once they reached the dais, Aragorn took a deep breath, smiled nervously at the women to his left, and turned to face his guests. His three witnesses moved to his right, immediately crossing their wrists behind their backs. Three silk-covered cushions rested behind the three men atop a table that ran lengthwise at an angle behind the King.
Aragorn's gaze passed over the dignitaries, the respected rulers of the kingdom's allied with Gondor. Eomer smiled at his sister and nodded respectfully to the King from his seat near the front of the hall. Elven emissaries from across Middle-Earth were in attendance as well as those who had not yet formed such strong alliances with the Reunited Kingdom.
They'd all been invited to witness the King's marriage; A gesture of trust amidst the many insecurities formed by the end of the War of the Ring. Representatives from the Corsair's as well as the Haradhrim watched in silence, searching for any sign of vulnerability in the recently crowned King.
They found none and nodded respectfully as his gaze fell over their party. A flicker out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he turned his eyes from the men.
Flutes began to play. Only Elven instruments could create such an emotional melody. The sound floated atop the very air, surrounding and penetrating the hearts of every single person in the room.
When Arwen appeared in the center of the aisle, her arm tucked into her father's, gasps echoed down the hall. There were no words, elven or common, with which to describe her beauty. Aragorn's eyes widened and soon there was nothing but Arwen, walking slowly towards him. The surroundings were forgotten. His nervousness vanished. There was only the vision of her beauty that filled his mind.
When they neared the dais, they stopped - and waited. Aragorn walked slowly down the three steps- and fell to his knees before Elrond.
The crowd gasped - this was part of the wedding ceremony no one had expected. Even Elrond stared down at Aragorn with a quickly-masked look of surprise.
"A King does not kneel before another." Elrond said quickly.
"This King kneels before you in thanks and gratitude for the precious gift you are willing to place in my hands and in my protection, today," Aragorn said reverently a hint of nervousness in his voice.
The pride in Elrond's heart soared at such respect and he held out a steady hand to lift Aragorn to his feet. "I give you the Elves most precious star, Aragorn Elessar, my daughter, Arwen Undomiel." He released Arwen's arm and placed her hand in Aragorn's - his permission for their marriage granted.
Elrond stepped away and Aragorn's vision was filled solely with Arwen. They stood, hand in hand, for several moments, simply drinking in the sight of one another. Then Aragorn led her up the dais and stopped before the smiling form of Gandalf the White.
The guests took their seats as Elrond took his place beside Galadriel.
"We stand here today to bear witness to the marriage of Aragorn Elessar, King of the Reunited Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor and Arwen Undomiel, Evenstar of the Elves." Gandalf began, his booming voice carrying easily down the great hall.
"I have been asked to officiate this marriage with the minister of Gondor." Beside Gandalf stood another man, wizened with age, who smiled kindly at the couple. "This bonding ceremony will be a mingling of Elven and Gondorian tradition and as such may contain customs that are not familiar." Gandalf exchanged a thoughtful smile with Aragorn and Arwen, "But rest assured, they are familiar to those who stand before you today."
Gandalf's words faded into the back of Aragorn's mind as he stared into Arwen's lovely face. She had never seemed more beautiful. Resplendent in an emerald gown covered with so much lace and carefully handcrafted embroidery, that he feared to even touch it. Her smile lit up the already beautiful and decadent room and her eyes were pools of liquid obsidian that he wanted to fall into and never return.
She couldn't take her eyes off him. Elegant silk and velvets, trimmed in gold filigree embroidery, adorned his well-built frame. He stood still and straight, every bit the High King of the West, and he was staring at her with a look that made her knees weak.
Arwen smiled, her lips pursing in a pout of impatience. The formalities of such a union would ensure they were standing before these people for a very long time. To pass the time, she would simply have to suffer with casting longing looks in the direction of her betrothed.
Gandalf could see the impatience in the stolen glances that the couple exchanged. He could see them becoming wary of the Minister's unnecessary pomp and interjected at a particularly uninteresting moment.
"Now, in a traditionally elvish fashion, mixed with a bit of Gondorian tradition, Aragorn will present his betrothed with three gifts." Gandalf motioned to Elladan to begin the more interesting portion of the ceremony.
Elrond and Galadriel exchanged a quick, bewildered look. There were to be two gifts exchanged; One of Gondor and one of the Elves, melding the two races. The Elves could only wait and wonder what the third gift to be presented to Arwen would be. If Elrond knew anything about his foster-son, he knew that the two gifts would pale in comparison to the third.
Elladan carefully lifted the silken cushion and walked gracefully toward the King. Taking Gandalf's place at the head of the hall, Elladan extended his hands toward Aragorn.
The King smiled and removed the gold circlet from its resting place. The thin crown had not been worn in generations and as Aragorn raised it over Arwen's head, the crowd watched in anticipation.
"With this crown, I give to you the kingdom of Gondor, to rule beside me as my Queen, for as long as we both shall live." Aragorn gently placed the tiara atop elegantly coifed hair and secured it with the attached pin. With a tremble of barely restrained desire, He trailed the back of his hands down her cheeks as he lowered them from her head.
He turned to Faramir, who replaced Elladan and extended his hands. Slowly, Aragorn removed the pendant from the cushion and fastened it around Arwen's neck.
"This belonged to my mother. Given to her by my father on her wedding day. It is my desire to give it to you as a symbol of my undying love and devotion." As he finished, his fingers trailed feather light paths down her neck until they reached the ornate, gem-encrusted pendant.
Elrond smiled knowingly. He should have remembered. He'd given that pendant to Aragorn on the day he'd revealed the boy's true heritage. It should never have been a question of to whom he would give such a precious gift.
Finally came Elrohir, bearing the third and final gift. Slowly, Aragorn removed the small filigree-etched band made of the purist mithril, turning it over in his finger before reaching for Arwen's hand. He lifted her fingers to his lips and pressed a kiss to each one before sliding the ring onto her finger.
"With this ring, I bind you irrevocably to me as my wife, my lover and my Queen." The passion and adoration in his eyes nearly broke her and she stifled a sob. When he paused, and then added, for her ears only, "I love you, Arwen. With all of my heart and soul," She lost the struggle, and single tear dripped from her eye.
But his words did not end there. Instead, he held her hands to his chest, his voice dipping to an intimate whisper. Only those in the first few rows of the hall could hear his voice. And many of those could not understand what he said; for he spoke to her now in the ancient language of the elves.
As he spoke, his eyes burned with a love and adoration previously unseen by many who witnessed the ceremony. Even Elrond and Galadriel, who had seen many a High Elf wed, were moved to near tears by the words of this mortal man.
"You are my life. My breath. My heart. Forever will I love you in this world and beyond." One hand moved to cup her cheek and at the small movement, the guests could see the tears that fell unheeded down her cheeks.
Eomer noticed this and whispered to Imrahil, "Whatever he is saying, it's bringing her to tears."
"And it's not so easy to make an elf cry." Imrahil responded quietly, imagining the words of love being uttered from his King's lips.
"I have so little to give you compared to what you have utterly lost for me. I give you all that I am, all that I ever will be in hopes that it will be enough."
"It is," Arwen whispered and pressed a kiss into the palm of his hand. "It is."
Even Gandalf's eyes were moist when they finished and Aragorn nodded to the Istari to continue the ceremony.
"Lady Arwen will present to her betrothed gifts in the same manner."
Galadriel stepped forward and held out a soft silken cushion. Atop it rested a circlet of mithril. When Arwen reached to remove it, the Elven Queen covered her granddaughters trembling hand with her own. After a reassuring squeeze, Arwen lifted the circlet and turned to Aragorn - who immediately dropped to his knees.
The crowd once again gasped at such a gesture. A King would never kneel before another, even as an equal. Twice today he had placed himself subservient to his betrothed.
Arwen stood unmoving for several long seconds before reaching to brush away a stray strand of hair that had fallen into his eyes. When she settled the circlet atop his head, she said, "With this crown, I give to you my heart, to rule over its every beat. I have no kingdom to offer you. I have but my heart and my undying love."
Small, soft fingers trailed down whiskered cheeks as her luminescent eyes implored him to stand. Taking his hands, she lifted him to his feet and then turned to take the filigreed band from the cushion that Eowyn offered.
Taking his hand, Arwen pressed a kiss to the elegantly carved mithril ring before sliding it onto his finger. "With this ring I bind you to me for the rest of your days. Just as its circle is never-ending so shall be our love." She lifted his hand and pressed a lingering kiss to the band upon his finger.
"I love you with all of my heart and soul, Aragorn Elessar Telcontar, Elftone, Estel. It matters not to me what name you use as long as I may call you husband." She lowered her head in a gesture to honor her King.
He slipped a finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to his. "Always." He whispered.
As Gandalf stepped forward to proclaim them married, their eyes flickered with such deep affection that it was difficult to look upon them.
"It is my great honor to proclaim Aragorn Elessar and Arwen Undomiel husband and wife. Honoring the customs and traditions of the Elven and Gondorian people."
The couple glanced momentarily at Gandalf and the Minister, to smile and nod before turning their complete attention to one another.
Aragorn placed her hands against his chest, over his heart and she smiled at the strong beat she felt beneath the fabric of his tunic. His own hands curled around her cheeks and drew her lips to his for a gentle kiss. Slowly, like a burning ember, the flame of passion grew until his mouth enveloped hers so completely that the audience was left wondering how either of them could draw breath.
The crowd was on their feet before the royal couple parted. The thunderous applause drew them out of their embrace quicker then either would have liked. But Aragorn smiled against her lips and whispered promises of more to come before they reluctantly separated.
With an additional quick kiss, they bowed each to Gandalf and the Minister, before turning to face their guests.
TBC
More funniness in the next chapter..Aragorn will achieve payback...
A memory flashed in Aragorn's mind as he watched the trumpets raised in his honor, sounding his arrival with their clear, poignant ring. The conversation with Boromir that night in Lorien soared to the forefront of his thoughts and a momentary pain flickered in Aragorn's heart for his fallen friend.
The people rose in waves on either side of him, drawing Aragorn's attention from the past. Many bowed or nodded in respect as he passed. They watched in silence as Elladan, followed by Aragorn, Faramir and then Elrohir walked slowly toward the dais.
Eowyn and Galadriel waited at the front of the Hall, resplendent in their silken gowns. As always, the elven queen lit the room with a beauty refined by a millennia of existence. Eowyn, unused to such exquisite finery - even Theoden did not have silks so beautiful, held herself with an royal countenance that fit the shield-maiden of Rohan well.
Once they reached the dais, Aragorn took a deep breath, smiled nervously at the women to his left, and turned to face his guests. His three witnesses moved to his right, immediately crossing their wrists behind their backs. Three silk-covered cushions rested behind the three men atop a table that ran lengthwise at an angle behind the King.
Aragorn's gaze passed over the dignitaries, the respected rulers of the kingdom's allied with Gondor. Eomer smiled at his sister and nodded respectfully to the King from his seat near the front of the hall. Elven emissaries from across Middle-Earth were in attendance as well as those who had not yet formed such strong alliances with the Reunited Kingdom.
They'd all been invited to witness the King's marriage; A gesture of trust amidst the many insecurities formed by the end of the War of the Ring. Representatives from the Corsair's as well as the Haradhrim watched in silence, searching for any sign of vulnerability in the recently crowned King.
They found none and nodded respectfully as his gaze fell over their party. A flicker out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he turned his eyes from the men.
Flutes began to play. Only Elven instruments could create such an emotional melody. The sound floated atop the very air, surrounding and penetrating the hearts of every single person in the room.
When Arwen appeared in the center of the aisle, her arm tucked into her father's, gasps echoed down the hall. There were no words, elven or common, with which to describe her beauty. Aragorn's eyes widened and soon there was nothing but Arwen, walking slowly towards him. The surroundings were forgotten. His nervousness vanished. There was only the vision of her beauty that filled his mind.
When they neared the dais, they stopped - and waited. Aragorn walked slowly down the three steps- and fell to his knees before Elrond.
The crowd gasped - this was part of the wedding ceremony no one had expected. Even Elrond stared down at Aragorn with a quickly-masked look of surprise.
"A King does not kneel before another." Elrond said quickly.
"This King kneels before you in thanks and gratitude for the precious gift you are willing to place in my hands and in my protection, today," Aragorn said reverently a hint of nervousness in his voice.
The pride in Elrond's heart soared at such respect and he held out a steady hand to lift Aragorn to his feet. "I give you the Elves most precious star, Aragorn Elessar, my daughter, Arwen Undomiel." He released Arwen's arm and placed her hand in Aragorn's - his permission for their marriage granted.
Elrond stepped away and Aragorn's vision was filled solely with Arwen. They stood, hand in hand, for several moments, simply drinking in the sight of one another. Then Aragorn led her up the dais and stopped before the smiling form of Gandalf the White.
The guests took their seats as Elrond took his place beside Galadriel.
"We stand here today to bear witness to the marriage of Aragorn Elessar, King of the Reunited Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor and Arwen Undomiel, Evenstar of the Elves." Gandalf began, his booming voice carrying easily down the great hall.
"I have been asked to officiate this marriage with the minister of Gondor." Beside Gandalf stood another man, wizened with age, who smiled kindly at the couple. "This bonding ceremony will be a mingling of Elven and Gondorian tradition and as such may contain customs that are not familiar." Gandalf exchanged a thoughtful smile with Aragorn and Arwen, "But rest assured, they are familiar to those who stand before you today."
Gandalf's words faded into the back of Aragorn's mind as he stared into Arwen's lovely face. She had never seemed more beautiful. Resplendent in an emerald gown covered with so much lace and carefully handcrafted embroidery, that he feared to even touch it. Her smile lit up the already beautiful and decadent room and her eyes were pools of liquid obsidian that he wanted to fall into and never return.
She couldn't take her eyes off him. Elegant silk and velvets, trimmed in gold filigree embroidery, adorned his well-built frame. He stood still and straight, every bit the High King of the West, and he was staring at her with a look that made her knees weak.
Arwen smiled, her lips pursing in a pout of impatience. The formalities of such a union would ensure they were standing before these people for a very long time. To pass the time, she would simply have to suffer with casting longing looks in the direction of her betrothed.
Gandalf could see the impatience in the stolen glances that the couple exchanged. He could see them becoming wary of the Minister's unnecessary pomp and interjected at a particularly uninteresting moment.
"Now, in a traditionally elvish fashion, mixed with a bit of Gondorian tradition, Aragorn will present his betrothed with three gifts." Gandalf motioned to Elladan to begin the more interesting portion of the ceremony.
Elrond and Galadriel exchanged a quick, bewildered look. There were to be two gifts exchanged; One of Gondor and one of the Elves, melding the two races. The Elves could only wait and wonder what the third gift to be presented to Arwen would be. If Elrond knew anything about his foster-son, he knew that the two gifts would pale in comparison to the third.
Elladan carefully lifted the silken cushion and walked gracefully toward the King. Taking Gandalf's place at the head of the hall, Elladan extended his hands toward Aragorn.
The King smiled and removed the gold circlet from its resting place. The thin crown had not been worn in generations and as Aragorn raised it over Arwen's head, the crowd watched in anticipation.
"With this crown, I give to you the kingdom of Gondor, to rule beside me as my Queen, for as long as we both shall live." Aragorn gently placed the tiara atop elegantly coifed hair and secured it with the attached pin. With a tremble of barely restrained desire, He trailed the back of his hands down her cheeks as he lowered them from her head.
He turned to Faramir, who replaced Elladan and extended his hands. Slowly, Aragorn removed the pendant from the cushion and fastened it around Arwen's neck.
"This belonged to my mother. Given to her by my father on her wedding day. It is my desire to give it to you as a symbol of my undying love and devotion." As he finished, his fingers trailed feather light paths down her neck until they reached the ornate, gem-encrusted pendant.
Elrond smiled knowingly. He should have remembered. He'd given that pendant to Aragorn on the day he'd revealed the boy's true heritage. It should never have been a question of to whom he would give such a precious gift.
Finally came Elrohir, bearing the third and final gift. Slowly, Aragorn removed the small filigree-etched band made of the purist mithril, turning it over in his finger before reaching for Arwen's hand. He lifted her fingers to his lips and pressed a kiss to each one before sliding the ring onto her finger.
"With this ring, I bind you irrevocably to me as my wife, my lover and my Queen." The passion and adoration in his eyes nearly broke her and she stifled a sob. When he paused, and then added, for her ears only, "I love you, Arwen. With all of my heart and soul," She lost the struggle, and single tear dripped from her eye.
But his words did not end there. Instead, he held her hands to his chest, his voice dipping to an intimate whisper. Only those in the first few rows of the hall could hear his voice. And many of those could not understand what he said; for he spoke to her now in the ancient language of the elves.
As he spoke, his eyes burned with a love and adoration previously unseen by many who witnessed the ceremony. Even Elrond and Galadriel, who had seen many a High Elf wed, were moved to near tears by the words of this mortal man.
"You are my life. My breath. My heart. Forever will I love you in this world and beyond." One hand moved to cup her cheek and at the small movement, the guests could see the tears that fell unheeded down her cheeks.
Eomer noticed this and whispered to Imrahil, "Whatever he is saying, it's bringing her to tears."
"And it's not so easy to make an elf cry." Imrahil responded quietly, imagining the words of love being uttered from his King's lips.
"I have so little to give you compared to what you have utterly lost for me. I give you all that I am, all that I ever will be in hopes that it will be enough."
"It is," Arwen whispered and pressed a kiss into the palm of his hand. "It is."
Even Gandalf's eyes were moist when they finished and Aragorn nodded to the Istari to continue the ceremony.
"Lady Arwen will present to her betrothed gifts in the same manner."
Galadriel stepped forward and held out a soft silken cushion. Atop it rested a circlet of mithril. When Arwen reached to remove it, the Elven Queen covered her granddaughters trembling hand with her own. After a reassuring squeeze, Arwen lifted the circlet and turned to Aragorn - who immediately dropped to his knees.
The crowd once again gasped at such a gesture. A King would never kneel before another, even as an equal. Twice today he had placed himself subservient to his betrothed.
Arwen stood unmoving for several long seconds before reaching to brush away a stray strand of hair that had fallen into his eyes. When she settled the circlet atop his head, she said, "With this crown, I give to you my heart, to rule over its every beat. I have no kingdom to offer you. I have but my heart and my undying love."
Small, soft fingers trailed down whiskered cheeks as her luminescent eyes implored him to stand. Taking his hands, she lifted him to his feet and then turned to take the filigreed band from the cushion that Eowyn offered.
Taking his hand, Arwen pressed a kiss to the elegantly carved mithril ring before sliding it onto his finger. "With this ring I bind you to me for the rest of your days. Just as its circle is never-ending so shall be our love." She lifted his hand and pressed a lingering kiss to the band upon his finger.
"I love you with all of my heart and soul, Aragorn Elessar Telcontar, Elftone, Estel. It matters not to me what name you use as long as I may call you husband." She lowered her head in a gesture to honor her King.
He slipped a finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to his. "Always." He whispered.
As Gandalf stepped forward to proclaim them married, their eyes flickered with such deep affection that it was difficult to look upon them.
"It is my great honor to proclaim Aragorn Elessar and Arwen Undomiel husband and wife. Honoring the customs and traditions of the Elven and Gondorian people."
The couple glanced momentarily at Gandalf and the Minister, to smile and nod before turning their complete attention to one another.
Aragorn placed her hands against his chest, over his heart and she smiled at the strong beat she felt beneath the fabric of his tunic. His own hands curled around her cheeks and drew her lips to his for a gentle kiss. Slowly, like a burning ember, the flame of passion grew until his mouth enveloped hers so completely that the audience was left wondering how either of them could draw breath.
The crowd was on their feet before the royal couple parted. The thunderous applause drew them out of their embrace quicker then either would have liked. But Aragorn smiled against her lips and whispered promises of more to come before they reluctantly separated.
With an additional quick kiss, they bowed each to Gandalf and the Minister, before turning to face their guests.
TBC
More funniness in the next chapter..Aragorn will achieve payback...