This is the last and final (lol) chapter of my story, The Lady of Fire. I enjoyed writing it, but I must say I am very happy to have it done. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and your patience when I haven't updated in over a week. (I'm afraid I don't have any excuses. I had this chapter written a long time ago but never time to type it with school, sports, and drama.) Also, if you review, I would like to know if you want a small epilogue (I'm having a hard time letting go of this story =) )
Arwen and Celsius gave each other a long hug.
"I'm so happy for you," Arwen whispered before drawing back.
"Couldn't you stay longer?" Celsius asked one more time.
"No," Arwen said regretfully, "we must return to Rivendell. Our hearts will forever be with you."
"You speak as if we will never meet again. I intend to see that we do."
Arwen smiled. "I certainly hope we do." She then moved on to Legolas and gave him a hug as well. "Take care of her."
"I will," Legolas affirmed returning the embrace.
Aragorn gently kissed Celsius' hand. "You will be a fine queen, my Lady."
"Thank you," Celsius replied sincerely. "For everything."
As Aragorn went to Legolas and shook hands, Arwen went back to Celsius to have one final word. "You are now Lady Celsius of Mirkwood," she said quietly, "but to me you will always be Elsa."
A crystal tear fell from the new Lady's eye as her dear friends mounted their horses, waved farewell, and galloped out of Mirkwood.
Legolas slid closer to his bride and squeezed her shoulder.
Celsius took his hand and looked deep into his eyes. *I love you more than I can say…*
Legolas smiled. *Perhaps you should retire to your chambers to get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day for us.*
*Yes, it is, my lord.* Celsius squeezed her love's hand and then left to do as he had suggested.
The long walk back to her chambers provided the Lady with ample time to think. She was to be married to Legolas. Her Legolas. They would belong to each other forever. The very thought made her sigh in contentment.
Forever.
That is what she wished, to be with her love for eternity. Celsius entered her room slowly. It seemed everything was moving slowly these days. AS she walked past her new gown laid across a chair, her fingers brushed the small pearlescent beads.
Her gown was a glorious shade of off-white. The high neck helped her to look tall and slender. The sleeves were long and tailored so that they just fit around her arm. The waist was pulled in by a simple sash that, for being so simple, added great beauty to the gown. The bottom of the dress flowed out regally and the hem barely touched the floor The whole dress had crystalline beads sewn to different parts of the dress. In the light the sparkles made the gown appear to glow.
Celsius made her way to her bed and layed down, letting her dreams run away with her…
A/N: This is NOT Celsius dream…
Aranaur danced passionately around the small bonfire. It had been so long since she had been able to express herself in this way.
A small crowd gathered, but the young woman did not notice, so involved in her dance was she.
She danced out the story of how she had become a queen. She danced of her surprise when the elven lord Othronn took notice of her and how scared she had been at their first meeting. But they fell in love, she danced, and they were married. It was then her husband had renamed her Aranaur, though he most often called her Meril as a nickname.
She danced then of her most recent joy- her child. She danced until she was breathless.
Then the applause came.
Aranaur blushed and left her position of attention quickly. Her long red hair flowed out behind her as she made her way to the nursery. She clasped the small gold charm at her throat. It was so dear to her. It had been a gift from her husband to protect her.
Aranaur was innocent but not naïve. There were those in the kingdom who wished her gone from the elven realm, and now wished her child gone too. The Lady feared for her daughter's life.
The new mother entered the nursery to find her husband cradling the babe in his arms. Othronn leaned his face in towards the infant, gently cooing to her.
A small hand reached out from the blanket and grabbed at the elf lord's nose. The father chuckled, then noticed his lady as he looked up.
*Celsius,* Lady Aranaur said reaching out for her child. Othronn handed her over. *My child. I love you so much.*
Othronn went to Aranaur's side and looked over her shoulder at the miracle they had created. *My little Tadriendra will be a beautiful young woman. She will be wise, and good, and-*
*My lord,* Aranaur smiled, *I thought you had promised not to wake Celsius from her nap. She needs her sleep if she is going to be all that you say.*
Othronn smiled unashamedly. *Driendra woke by herself. I merely picked her up and tickled her tummy.*
Aranaur placed the young princess in her crib and then led her husband out of the room. She stopped just outside the door and nuzzled against his chest.
Othronn placed his arms around Aranaur in a protective embrace.
*Thank you,* Aranaur spoke, *for letting me give her a mortal name.*
*She is half mortal. Dear Meril, I sense a heavy sadness in your heart. Won't you tell me so I may fix it?*
Aranaur thought carefully. *I fear some of our people will try to harm Celsius, her being an unusual looking elf. It is understandable that they would not want her on the throne.*
*Nonsense. I won't let it happen. Be at ease, my Meril.*
I cannot rest with my child in danger, Aranaur thought to herself. But she turned her green eyes up to her husband's brown ones and kissed his chin with her moist lips. She then left his side to wander aimlessly as she pondered what she should do. She finally decided that she could not go against her heart's concerns and must take action to ensure the safety of Celsius.
That night, Lady Aranaur took Celsius from her crib and went deep into the forest. She struggled to hold back her tears as she placed her baby in a soft bed of moss. "Im meleth le, nîn sil," she spoke quietly.
As one final act, Aranaur removed her necklace from her neck and put it on the princess. She spoke the same words her husband had to seal the spell.
Aranaur felt herself growing weaker every moment. She would miss her daughter terribly. The Lady reached out to touch the necklace, making sure her magic had worked. Her fingers were a hair's width away when she felt the intense heat.
Aranaur kissed Celsius' forehead and then turned. She had to leave immediately or she would not be able to go through with the act.
She walked back through the forest as silently as she had come, tears splashing down at her feet.
There was a noise.
Aranaur froze and became very alert. Then she saw five elves come forth from the brush. She was not relieved; she could read the evil intentions on their hearts.
Aranaur spoke not a word. Her eyes caught the gleam of the moonlight off of a small dagger one elf pulled from his robes.
The Lady of Fire looked into the hostile elves' eyes without fear and waited…
Celsius woke from her deep sleep and stretched. It had been a luxurious and fulfilling time.
She slipped out from under her covers and headed out of her room, but not before pausing at her mirror and studying her reflection.
"You are Legolas of Mirkwood…I am Nobody of Nothing…"
*No longer,* she told herself. *I am Celsius of Mirkwood; the Lady of Fire.*
And that's the end!!!!!!! So…epilogue…no epilogue..? review and tell me! thanx