CHAPTER II: MINAS TIRITH
Aragorn waited for Arwen's escort outside in the Court of the Fountain where the White Tree had once grown. That morning, messengers from Amon Din came to the city and they said that there was a company of Elves riding from the north. "At last, they have come," the king responded. "Let all the city be prepared for the great feast."
The gate in the seventh wall opened. A tall Elf clad in red and gold rode through followed by two younger brown-haired Elves dressed in worn travel cloaks These were Elrond Halfelven, lord of Rivendell, and his two sons, Elrohir and Elladan. Next came Arwen. Aragorn's heart pounded against his chest. She was as beautiful as ever. Her long sable hair rippled down her slender waist. Gary-blue eyes shone under fine dark brows. Arwen wore a brown cloak, but beneath that was a sapphire-blue gown with a low, silk neckline. A chain of silver was her girdle and grass-green sandals covered her feet. She sat sideways on her gray gelding and her dress billowed around her feet in the strong southern wind.
When her horse stopped in front of the king, Arwen jumped down. Aragorn immediately took her hands in his and brought them up to his lips. They waited for the rest of the escort before walking across the white-paved court. In the center was a fountain surrounded by a sward of bright green. Standing majestically over the pool was the White Tree, whose sapling Isildur originally brought to Middle Earth from Numenor. As the line of Anarion failed, the Tree also withered, but King Elessar replanted the sapling and now it stands, laden with blossom.
The company entered the great hall below the white tower and passed through a polished metal door. Arwen had never seen a room so grand and magnificent as the one she was in. Pillars of black marble lined the aisles on either side. Pictures of beasts and plants were depicted on the columns. The wide vaulting above was covered with a layer of shining gold. Behind the pillars were niches in the wall, each displaying a stone statue of the past kings of Gondor.
A velvet red carpet lined with gold lay on the floor before the Elves, leading up to the high throne. A tapestry bearing the emblems of Gondor--the Seven Stars and the White Tree--hung on the wall behind the dais. Another stone chair stood on the lowest step of the dais. This seat belonged to the Steward of Gondor.
Standing by the two chairs were an odd group of people. In the front were four hobbits and behind these short Elf-like creatures were Gandalf the wizard, Legolas son of Thranduil, Gimli son of Gloin, Faramir Elessar's Steward, and his wife Eowyn lady of Ithilen.
Arwen had last seen seven of these people back in Rivendell, when her father was discussing the matters of the One Ring. Faramir and Eowyn she had never met but, without any introduction, knew who they were.
Aragorn led the escort down the length of the hall. The arrivals introduced themselves to the group. Arwen was especially glad to see Legolas again. She had known him for a long time, longer than her years of acquaintance with Aragorn, and he was a close friend to both her brothers and her.
Legolas looked no different than the last time the two met. Arwen actually thought that he looked more handsome. Long, braided blond hair fell to broad shoulders. Deep blue eyes showed signs of wisdom under long dark eyelashes. The tall Elf was dressed in tan breeches and a white shirt of fine silk. The unbuttoned collar revealed a muscular chest. High leather boots covered his feet and across his back was an unstrung bow accompanied with a quiver full of Elven arrow.
"Arwen, you look lovely. If Aragorn hadn't gotten to you first, then who knows? You could have been mine," Legolas teased.
Arwen blushed deeply. She was about to reply when her brothers came over and interrupted their conversation.
"Arwen, you look beautiful. Elrond's lucky to have a daughter like you." The voice belonged to Gandalf the Grey, whom the Elves called Mithrandir.
Arwen smiled. The wizard is one of her father's closest friends and he often came to visit them in Rivendell. She had learned much lore from the old man about the Rings of Power and the Dwarves to the East so that Gandalf was both a friend and a teacher to her.
A bell rang. Aragorn went up to the dais and said in a loud, clear voice, "The arrivals will be now shown to their rooms and we shall meet again in the great dining hall for the welcoming feast."
A group of servants appeared from alcoves at the back of the hall. Each went to a member of the escort and led them out of the room. Arwen, relieved to be finally able to take a bath and rest, quickly followed the others out.
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Author's note: Again not a lot happened, but please be patient with me. I promise that chapter three will be more interesting but that is of course only if I get reviews. J